MARCH 8, 2007
VOLUME 5, NO. 6
News | Features | Opinion | Diversions | Archives | Staff
Untitled Document
Issue Highlights:

PO Box H
Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar, VA 24595

sbvoice@sbc.edu
Student Activities



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

The opinions expressed in any Sweet Briar College publication or other forms of media are not necessarily those of the students, faculty, staff or administration. Therefore, Sweet Briar College is not responsible for its content.

Editorials represent the opinion(s) of the editor(s) and/or staff/guest writer(s).

This site is maintained by Anne Proctor. Please email any questions or comments concerning the web site to her.

Picture of the Month: March

SBC Goes Green: President Muhlenfeld Signs American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment and the Green Gets Greener
By Emily Clifton '08
STAFF WRITER



In the last year, the subject of global climate change has become more and more ubiquitous in the news media. Most Americans do not really pay much attention to the “global” cause, even though America is the top contributor of carbon (greenhouse gases) emissions in the world. Not only that, but many Americas continue to question whether global climate change is even a reality. The rest of the world has acknowledged the need for change and sustainable development, and many feel that it’s about time the American public follows suit.

Rob Alexander summarizes the issue in the following way.

“We’ve seen such poor leadership on environmental issues like this. It is not new. When I came back from New Zealand, I couldn’t believe America was still debating whether global warming exists—in the outside world, it’s not a myth. We have had a disservice by our country’s leadership and press, and still it’s obvious that it is a real issue. We as the largest emitter of greenhouse gases as a nation ought to have an ethical responsibility to address it. Instead, we’ve refused to become involved.”

That’s where American colleges and universities come in, under the ethic of educating and enabling students to change, while instituting positive changes in their own example.

President Muhlenfeld wholeheartedly agrees that American educational institutions are the ideal place for a shift in attitudes and habits. On January 16, 2007, Muhlenfeld signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, which promises to take immediate steps to move toward becoming a carbon neutral institution as well as plan and implement changes in the future that work toward the same goal.

The importance of Sweet Briar’s pledge to become climate neutral is significant because it empowers the rest of society and future generations to lead by example.

Read More...

Secretary of Labor to Speak at Commencement
By Blair Mullallay '10
STAFF WRITER



Elaine L. Chao, current U.S. Secretary of Labor, will serve as keynote speaker at SBC's 98th commencement ceremony on May 12, 2007. According to President Muhlenfeld, the Secretary was SBC's first choice.

Commencement speakers are chosen through student submissions, which are then submitted to and finalized by the president's office. Past commencement ceremonies have featured a wide variety of keynote speakers, possessing various backgrounds and professions. Among them was last year's keynote speaker, Ms. Judith Martin, better known as “Miss Manners.”

After immigrating to the United States from Taiwan at age 8, Chao received her degree in economics at Mount Holyoke College, before earning her M.B.A. from Harvard's Kennedy School of Business.

SBC government professor Barbara Perry believes that “[Chao] is the perfect speaker” due to her “most compelling and appealing biography that is the epitome of the American Dream.”

Perry is particularly aware of Chao's accomplishments, as she is currently serving a one-year fellowship at the University of Louisville's McConnell Center, which was established by Chao's husband, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, at his alma mater in 1991.

Before serving as the nation's 24th labor secretary, Chao worked in the U.S. Department of Transportation, eventually attaining the position of deputy secretary. Additionally, she has also served in several public service positions, includinng as the president and chief executive officer of the United Way of America and as director of the Peace Corps.

Chao's past involvement in these organizations was very significant to President Muhlenfeld, who noted that “We have a strong mission for public service,” and that Chao's experience in public service organizations “was the aspect of her career that was most impressive to our student body.”

Read More...

Parking Rules Clear, Perhaps Not Fair
By Katie Fish ‘09
STAFF WRITER



With 1,500 parking tickets already given this year, and an average annual ticket revenue of $35,000, many students feel that there are not enough available parking spaces on campus.

Currently only 400 of the 740 spaces on campus are allocated to students. Yet, with 432 registered student cars this year, there is a shortage of spaces. Why only 400 spots for students? Has the college ever had 300 visitors to fill the extra spaces? Why not convert some of the other 340 into student spots instead of adding a new parking lot?

Chief Neal of Campus Police explains that “as the college continues to grow, more students bring cars to campus each year.” And although the parking situation and fees have been revised as recently as November to meet these growing needs, it isn't known when the current policies were put in place.

Read More...

Professor creates art history for modern world in “Just a Minute”
By Lauren Hogan '10
STAFF WRITER



Sweet Briar Professor Christopher Witcombe never thought 6 months ago, when he created the idea for his first podcast “Art History in Just A Minute,” that he would be painting a picture for art history lovers around the world, from five-year-olds, to senior citizens.

Over the summer, Witcombe's youngest daughter shared a clip with him from an iTunes podcast. At the time, he didn’t know what a podcast was, but delighted by what he saw, he thought, “I could use that for Art History.”

For those of you like the professor who have been left in the dark as to what a podcast is, Urban Dictionary defines it as “A broadcast file which is commonly downloaded on an iPod or other MP3 hardware for mobile listening.”

After taking a minute to delve into the iPod world, the professor intended to do one podcast a week. Realizing that this was “overly ambitious,” Witcombe has instead started off with just two: “The Mona Lisa,” and “The Last Supper.” They combine interesting information about the paintings with humor, in `just a minute,' so as to enlighten the viewer about great works of art without putting them to sleep.

In the professor's crisp British accent, “Welcome art lovers” begins every EWart production- the company title for the podcasts. Students preparing for an art lecture, and fearing being bored to sleep, may find themselves delighted, as these programs have just the right amount of ‘wit’ and creation to keep many asking for more.

Read More...