By: Chris Hamby
Archives for October 2015
International Students
By: Bonnie Monnier
Policies for Dollars
By: Chloe Scott
Animal Friendly Campus
By: Paul Woodward Becerra
Ipads in the Classroom
By Becca DeLauter
At the start of every new academic year, Hood College gives its incoming freshman class and transfer students brand new iPads to supplement their learning experience. In 2014, Hood was recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for its plan to use iPad technology as a teaching tool.
At the start of every new academic year, Hood College gives its incoming freshman class and transfer students brand new iPads to supplement their learning experience. In 2014, Hood was recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for its plan to use iPad technology as a teaching tool.
Hood began this process in 2011. Four years later, students a faculty still vary on whether Hood’s mission to further education through the iPads is successful.
Many students agree that the root of this problem lies in the faculty. They say some of their professors don’t allow the iPads, while others encourage use of them, as well as make them a part of lesson plans.
“About half of my teachers allow them, and half of them forbid them, “Ariana LeBlanc, a junior, said. “I never know what to expect.”
LeBlanc also said that she mainly uses her iPad for social media and entertainment purposes. She said that the iPad does help her escape from the stresses of school. When she needs to take a break from school work, she watches Netflix and plays different games.
Two freshmen, Tyler Heffner and Ryan Atkinson agree that they don’t use their iPads for much.
“I’m really excited to have the iPad, but I kind of see it as a waste of money,” Atkinson said. And Heffner agreed that the iPads are “pointless” when using them for school.
But some upperclassmen said that they began using their iPads more as they began taking higher-level classes. One senior, Kristine Johnson said that she thinks it’s because of experience—professors think students aren’t going to get as distracted later in their college careers.
“Most of my classes now only have juniors and seniors,” Johnson said. “Professors trust us more.”
Senior Tiffany Kiang agrees, but she thinks that it also depends on which major you choose. Kiang is an English major and pursuing a secondary education certification as well.
She said: “Since there’s such an emphasis placed on education in technology these days, my education professors are starting to use the iPads now, and my English classes are the same. But if I was a bio major, I don’t think I’d use it as often because biology is more hands-on.”
Kiang did say she sees more professors using them each year—and not just for textbooks, but for valid teaching tools as well.
One professor at Hood works hard to promote the use of iPads in the classroom, and makes having an iPad a requirement in her classes. Heather Mitchell-Buck, a professor of English at Hood, integrates iPads into her curriculum.
Mitchell-Buck believes that the role of a teacher is less about giving information, but about giving the tools to learn how to get it. She likes the “size and portability” of the iPads, and said that iPads break a barrier that laptops can create in the classroom.
Recently, Mitchell-Buck became an Apple distinguished educator, which recognizes teachers and professors around the world for use of Apple technology in the classroom.
On her website, admits on the home page that she is “unabashedly addicted” to her iPad. She also describes her vision for using the iPad, and why she uses it in the classroom.
“The more hands-on you can be when learning, the more those lessons stick with you,” she said.
Mitchell-Buck works as a sort of advocate for using Apple technology in the classroom. She said that she doesn’t think forcing faculty to use them will work at all. Instead she relies on having informal conversations with her coworkers works just as well.
Mitchell-Buck is on the advisor committee for Hood’s Center for Teaching and Learning, which holds workshops for professors on how to better implement iPad technology into the classroom.
She said she realizes the use of iPads holds much controversy in the education world, but she believes that people should look at what’s practical.
“People expect you to know how to use technology when getting a job,” she said. “It’s a good edge for people.”
Mitchell-Buck described using iPads as the “low diving board” for students—a “low stakes” way of getting people to try something new.
Inauguration of President Chapdelaine
By: Carly Berkowitz
Students, staff, and esteemed guests alike stood in honor and applauded as Dr. Andrea Chapdelaine took the stage to officially become the 11th president of Hood College.
The ceremony started at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17 in the Hodson Outdoor Theater on campus. The autumn wind was cold against hands and faces, but hearts were still warm as the long-awaited ceremony began.
Students, staff, and esteemed guests alike stood in honor and applauded as Dr. Andrea Chapdelaine took the stage to officially become the 11th president of Hood College.
The ceremony started at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17 in the Hodson Outdoor Theater on campus. The autumn wind was cold against hands and faces, but hearts were still warm as the long-awaited ceremony began.
Chapdelaine officially began her work as president back in July, but now, with great celebration, pomp, and circumstance, it becomes official.
“I’m very passionate about small liberal arts colleges,” Chapdelaine said in an interview prior to the event. She expressed her interest in the challenges and opportunities Hood presents, as well as the Hood community. “I want us to continue to be a strong institution so I will be working on continuing to gather resources, with primary interest in improving the academic experience of the students.”
The inauguration boasted many esteemed visitors and guest speakers, including Dr. Lex O. McMillan III, president of Albright College; Dr. Jennie C. Hunter-Cevera, the secretary for the Maryland Higher Education Commission; Bud Otis, president of the Frederick County Council; Col. Robert A. O’Brien IV, Commander for the U.S. Army Garrison at Fort Detrick; MaryAnn Baenninger, President of Drew University and board member of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities; Tina Bjarekull, president of the Maryland Independent College and University Association; along with Hood alumnae and faculty alike.
The week leading up to the ceremony, Hood hosted many events to build excitement for the coming inauguration. Students could watch inauguration improvisation, take part in a scavenger hunt, or help their community through civic engagement awareness week, among others gatherings, assemblies, and lectures.
Chapdelaine herself came up with the idea for civic engagement awareness week, explaining that it serves as a celebration of Hood and all it brings to the surrounding community. “I had certain goals for the inauguration, one is that the students have fun and feel engaged and part of it – that was my primary goal,” Chapdelaine explained. “The second was that it showcase not just me but all of the things that we should be proud of in terms of what Hood is – how much Hood does for the community – the civic engagement week really came out of that.” Chapdelaine also expressed her hope that civic engagement awareness week become an annual event.
Immediately following the inauguration, students, staff, faculty and guests were welcome to enjoy light refreshments in front of the Coblentz dining hall and each others’ company. The air was one of celebration, as all looked forward to the future of Hood.
“I think the inauguration was a great celebration and I look forward to her [President Chapdelaine’s] time as president with a great deal of hope and promise,” said Dr. Katherine Orloff, assistant professor of journalism at Hood. “I think she is a kind heart with a genuine interest in improving our college, and my general feeling is that the faculty is pretty united in doing whatever we can to support her.”
Other Hood faculty shared a very similar opinion. “Overall I thought the inauguration was quite delightful, a lot of fun,” said Dr. Donna Bertazonni, professor of journalism and director of the Communication Arts program at Hood. “It’s been very enjoyable – I thought that the ceremony was quite nice – I really liked what President Chapdelaine said, but I also really liked what the president of Albright said. I thought that was very, very nice, bringing her and all of her accomplishments to light for the rest of us.”
“I think it’ll be a good future, I’m looking forward to it,” added Dr. Heather Mitchell-Buck, assistant professor of English.
A video of the inauguration was posted to the Hood College website shortly after the event. There is also a webpage posted for anyone wanting to bid good luck and best wishes to President Chapdelaine for the future.
Hood’s Witch Trial Reenactment Highlights Continuing Issues
By Cameron Rogers
As part of the Halloween season, Hood College’s ENGL 259 course held a reenactment of a Medieval European witch trial on Oct. 27.
The course, which is entitled “Medieval Magic and Mysticism,” studies literature involving witchcraft and the growing fear of it between the years 400-1300 C.E. The class prepared for the reenactment throughout the month of October.
The reenactment lasted from 1 to 2 p.m. in room 131 of Hodson Science and Technology Center.
“Finding the time and space to do it was kind of a challenge,” Dr. Heather Mitchell-Buck, the instructor of ENGL 259, said.
According to Mitchell-Buck, she did not act as a gatekeeper for the reenactment’s content. “I helped facilitate some discussions in the creation of the project. But, I was there not to make suggestions, but mostly just to keep the conversation going and keep it productive.”
The reenactment will serve two purposes according to the class – to demonstrate to Hood students everything they learned over the first half of the semester, and to highlight the continued existence of one-sided “witch trials” today.
When asked if the historical witch trials were still relevant today, Mitchell-Buck said, “Absolutely. Think about any time you see people accused of something without sufficient evidence in support of that, or you see a community looking to blame someone who is different from themselves for something that they don’t entirely understand.”
Logan Samuels, a student in ENGL 259 who runs the conclusion group, agreed with Mitchell-Buck’s sentiments. “I think it can play into today,” she said. “I would like to say we don’t slip up as much as we do, but there are definitely some biases when it comes to trials with celebrities and politicians.”
Samuels compared the sentencing of witch trials to court cases today, where the wealthy and powerful would often go free with little to no punishment. In keeping with the references to modernity, she said that modern humor would be written into the script.
In contrast, Ashley Trovato, another student in ENGL 259, did not hold the same views on modern relevance. “The scare isn’t even relevant at all,” she said. She pointed towards the modern focus on science and acceptance of customs that would have been mistaken for witchcraft as signs of societal progress.
Trovato, who designed the propaganda and handout flyers for the reenactment, said she hoped people would still take the event seriously.
It was not the first time Mitchell-Buck’s class held a witch trial reenactment. In 2013, her ENGL 259 class reenacted both a pre-reformation and post-reformation trial.
The class was overall excited for the production on Tuesday.
“I hope it’s a good Halloween event,” Samuels said. “I think it’s just going to really be unique, and I’m excited to see what happens.”
Likewise, Mitchell-Buck expressed her enthusiasm for the efforts of her students. “It is going to be awesome,” she said. “I think there’s all kind of social relevance to this today.”
Ultimately, she said that she hoped the audience would understand where the fear and prejudice of the time period came from. “I hope that they get a little nuanced sense of what went into this than what we get from Monty Python,” she said.
Breast Cancer Awareness at Hood College
Amy Madert October 26, 2015
“About 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime,” according to U.S. Breast Cancer Statistics. In 2015, The American Cancer Society estimates that 231,840 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in the United States.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which acts as an annual campaign to help fundraise, increase awareness, and support the people who have been affected by this disease.
For years, Hood College Athletics has held games to honor, raise money for, and bring awareness to, Breast Cancer. Year after year these games have shown to bring large crowds and a good amount of fundraising.
This year, field hockey and volleyball held pink games.
“Our Breast Cancer games are always the games we look forward to,” Alysa Billeter, senior captain on the Women’s Feld Hockey team, said. “These games bring the most fans and not only do the players love being a part of these games, but I truly believe these are the games the parents look forward to most.”
Volleyball “dug pink” by wearing pink shirts, pink headbands, and pink shoelaces to show support.
“All of the girls love having these games and more fans seem to come out and support the team and the cause,” Lauren Cline, Assistant Coach for the Women’s Volleyball team, said. “However, I think the meaning has been lost for many years now. Teams are more excited to wear pink than support the cause or promote awareness.”
From fundraising, selling t-shirts, having bake sales, and collecting donations at the games, theirs no denying that the Hood community isn’t hesitant when it comes to supporting a good cause.
Cline said money was raised at the door through generous donations from families, students, and staff.
“The team raised money through a pink bake sale that we held at our game,” Billeter said. “We also raised money through Play4TheCure, which we marketed through our social media pages, word of mouth, and in any other way we could.”
In the past, Hood College’s Women’s Soccer has hosted pink games in honor of Breast Cancer, but the past two years the team has chosen to host a teal game during the month of September to raise awareness for Ovarian Cancer.
“One of our teammates has an aunt who was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer and our Head Coach, KristaLee Mellott, had a coach who passed away from the disease,” Sarah Marcello, a senior on the team, said. “Hosting a teal game had a more personal meaning to us the past few years and we were all glad to show our support.”
The players were all responsible for selling shirts to raise money and donations were collected at the game; part of these profits went to the local ovarian and cervical cancer coalition.
“Even though we didn’t have a specific pink game a lot of the team shows their support during our games in October by wearing pink headbands,” Marcello said.
Whatever the school is decked out in pink or teal, the Hood community is brought together by these different causes.
Field hockey hosts picnics (or tailgates) after home games and welcomes anyone. Billeter noted that the breast cancer games have always resulted in the bigger tailgates and “everyone has fun eating, hanging out, and spending time with friends, teammates, and family,” she said.
“It was the biggest crowd we’ve had this year,” Marcello proudly said. “Everyone was wearing their teal shirts in the crowd and cheering us on during the close game.”
Other organizations, schools, and sports teams, hold awareness games. “It isn’t hard to get the word out there, so why not help as much as possible,” Billeter said. “We’re just one team at one school, but if enough teams and schools get involved who says we can’t make an impact.”
This year, field hockey team got to participate in another institutions pink game where a player’s mother was honored. Hood got to wear their pink jerseys and show their respect and support.
Billeter and Marcello both are glad that Hood College supports the athletic teams in their efforts and hopes the awareness continues for years to come.
The Safe Haven Of Safe Harvest
Each year, Hood College hosts Safe Harvest, an annual autumnal celebration that occurs around Halloween, providing local children in Fredrick, MD, with a safe haven to trick or treat.
Hosted by Hood’s Mortar Board Society, Safe Harvest “provides children ages 12 and under the opportunity to enjoy a safe and fun-filled evening of games, arts and crafts, and trick or treating on Hood’s campus,” according to its public relations chairwoman Sienna Bronson.
The Mortar Board Society organizes the event, but the whole Hood College community comes together to make it happen. Students are encouraged to buy candy for the event to either donate or hand out to kids when they walk around the college’s five dorms.
While many students come out and show their support, not all Hoodlums are enthusiastic about this event. In fact, many students are confused as to why Safe Harvest exists.
Micaela McCarthy, Hood College Junior, says she would rather have her kids go house-to-house trick or treating than go to a college campus, if she had kids. Though she sees the point of Safe Harvest, she has never heard of trick or treating being dangerous at all.
“I have never had any bad experiences with trick or treating, and I have never heard of people poisoning kids candy,” she says, until she came to Frederick.
However, in many cities like Frederick, trick or treating is illegal. There are many places with age restrictions, but in Frederick trick or treating is banned.
RA Alex Connor, Hood College Junior, explains that “without Safe Harvest, the local children of Frederick would have no where to trick or treat,” because going door to door asking for candy is illegal in Frederick.
“There has always been that fear of razor blades, poison, or anything strange showing up in kids Halloween candy, but the strangest thing I’ve ever gotten is an apple,” says Connor. “But really how many times has there actually been incidents of little kids dying because of a faceless stranger giving them poisoned candy?”
There have been little to no accounts of children’s candy being poisoned or tampered with. In all of history there have only been a few kids dying from their Halloween candy, but not from random strangers, just relatives they know.
Timothy Marc O’Bryan died on Halloween in 1974, because his father laced a Pixie Stix with cyanide. In 1970, five-year-old Kevin Toston died of a heroin overdose because of his Uncle.
However, that isn’t to say that a stranger won’t ever poison Halloween candy and hand it out to little kids. Parents have no need to worry about poisoned candy at Safe Harvest, all the candy is checked and re-checked. Only candy that is entirely sealed can be handed out. There is always the fear of children, or anyone actually, being assaulted on Halloween. You are going up to a strangers door anyway, and that does bring some risk.
Single parent Cathy Woodward says, “It is a strange concept of having your kids go door to door asking for candy. The concept is quite strange because you do feel like you are putting your kids lives in the hands of a stranger a bit.”
Woodward, single mother of two, goes on to say that it “is a risk, not just the candy, but what if the stranger is a pedophile or a kidnapper? I do not allow my children to trick or treat, so Safe Harvest is the perfect place to take my kids.”
Woodward shares the concern of many parents. In all due respect to parents though, why would a child be any more at risk for pedophiles or kidnapping on Halloween than any other night of the year?
Pedophiles and kidnappers don’t just spring up out of the ground like the dead awakening and then retire when the night is over. According to Discovery news, kidnappers and pedophiles are more likely to be someone you know, instead of a faceless stranger. Therefore, it is unlikely that something terrible is going to happen to your child on Halloween.
That being said, Safe Harvest is the perfect place to take your kids if you’re living in the Frederick area. Trick or treating is banned from the city, and Safe Harvest provides a safe place for families to take their kids for a bit of fun.
This years Safe Harvest is held on Thursday, Oct 29, at five to eight p.m. in Whitaker Campus Center. For further information on this event contact Sienna Bronson at sab27@hood.edu.