The editor would like to thank all involved for their time and effort on this edition of The Voice.

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Letters to the Editor

I wanted to compliment Irene Maslanik’s article in the newest issue of The Voice about academics. It is spirited and compelling, but I also wanted to respond to some of the comments in it.

First of all, all students will be able to get the classes they need for their majors. The SGA Academic Representative sent questions about this topic to me in March, and I replied immediately that this was the case. Dr. Gotwalt also had a session with the business majors to discuss the same issues as a group. There are some searches that are still underway or just finishing. It is not always easy to balance staffing when enrollments in majors shift rapidly, and we don’t always get the candidates we want the first time around, but we will always be sure that students are able to take the classes they need with quality professors.

The number of faculty per student at SBC is the second highest of any liberal-arts college in the country, and the funds for new materials for the library are better than most of our peer institutions. The College is working to improve faculty salaries, but it should be noted that these are currently above the average for four-year, private colleges in Virginia.

There will be two sections of the senior seminar offered in business next year. The contract for this position had not been completed at the time of registration, which is why it was listed as staff. This faculty member has been hired, and we will post that name once we have received a signed contract. It was also stated that there was no full-time faculty member in business. Prof. Calvert is currently full-time, and will continue in this capacity. Three other faculty who continue to teach in the business program are full-time employees of the college who combine teaching duties with administrative responsibilities. This program was designed to utilize active professionals in the field as teachers.

The article stated that Dr. Calarco teaches all of the philosophy classes; however, Dr. Scow also taught a full load of classes in that department this year and will continue in this capacity.

I could not agree more that good communication is critical. This is why I frequently meet with students expressing concerns about classes. This is also why we have a formal process for students to communicate through their SGA representative. Students are also active voting members of the General-Education and Instruction Committees where curricular decisions are made. Likewise, students participate in searches for faculty and administrators, and their input is taken very seriously during these deliberations.

I hope you know that I would gladly discuss any issue with any member of the campus community. Please consider confirming details for future articles so we can prevent unnecessary anxiety among the student body.

- Jonathan Green, Dean of the College

The editor apologizes for the factual errors in Irene Maslanik’s opinion piece “Without Academics, SBC is just a bunch of girls in the middle of the woods” in the April issue of The Voice.

In response to the article entitled “Tap Clubs: Friend or Foe?” - I am not objecting to a first year writing about tap clubs, but to the clear lack of research she conducted. Freshman class e-mails this week included several about meetings specifically to address “The Game” and tap clubs, with the opportunity to ask questions! So while it may be a mystery to first years until these meetings, so what? Just as the bench is reserved for juniors, the doors and stairs for seniors, “The Game” is reserved for your sophomore year.
The author accused several clubs for not having community benefits - a lack of research. A few examples: Chung Mungs sponsor the annual Trick or Treat with the children; Tau Phi sponsored a Late Night Vixen activity this spring; the Bum Chums sponsor the annual Blood Drive and Christmas Bazaar. So that leaves the QVs. While they may not sponsor events for the entire campus, these 9-13 sophomores usually work hard delivering gifts to their classmates throughout the year.
As to whether tap clubs should be questioned like “Prothro” - use discretion, because unlike the latter, the details of each tap club are not public knowledge. The objection by most clubs with “questioning” is it is often done as gossip, sharing speculations and spreading rumors. If you have a question, ask someone involved in that club. No club will penalize you for asking directly, although they may tell you they can’t answer.
We’re asked not to talk about tap clubs out of respect. And sometimes it’s fun to have secrets. But tap clubs are by no means cults. No one dances naked at night by Daisy’s statue or signs their name in blood. And on the record - please take tap clubs in the spirit that they were originally meant. The chanting and noise will continue all four years - whether by a tap club or people returning from a boathouse party. Invest in a good set of headphones.

- Nicki Brandt ’06

I would like to issue a response to the article written by Irene Maslanik in last month’s paper. Her concern about the state of Sweet Briar academics, along with a few other articles I have read this semester (and many heated dinnertime discussions) has brought to my attention two important facts. First, academics matter to the students here--a lot. That's a good thing! I would be more concerned if our girls were uninterested in having a say in their academic careers. The other thing I have realized is that students often don’t know they have another voice other than The Voice. As newly-elected Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee, I know that I am not an expert on its activities just yet, but I also am coming to learn just how much the committee can do for both students and faculty. The committee is made up of student representatives for each department, as well as a chair, vice-chair, and secretary. These girls together act as a liaison between the people taking the classes and the people teaching them. This position is not merely ceremonial, but active on a wide range of levels. Members from the committee meet regularly with faculty groups such as the Instruction and General Education committees, as well as Dean Green, the Faculty Senate Chair, and the Education Committee to the Board. If students have a question, comment, or concern, we can make sure that it is addressed. If you are not comfortable going to a faculty member with an issue, come to us! It’s our job to help you, and we want to do it. At the same time, we will work very hard to get straightforward answers from the faculty and deliver them to the students. Irene is right; without academics, Sweet Briar is just a bunch of girls in the woods. Make sure your voice is heard.

- Maggie Saylor ’07

CORRECTION
In the article titled “Foul Notes at Spring Step Singing” of the April issue, Jessica Baker wrote that
the new chaplain of the school was present when he was not. The editor apologizes for this error.