UPDATE: An Open Letter to the Smith Community

Dear Members of the Smith Community,

I write to tell you that, as of yesterday, the investigation and judicial process regarding the anonymous notes in Parsons House has come to a conclusion. Because of college policies on confidentiality, as well as federal legislation on right to privacy, I am not able to offer specific information. However, I want you to know that a student was brought before the Community Judicial Board, a JB process convened to adjudicate bias incidents whose membership includes students, faculty and staff. The Board, which met during finals week after all elements of the investigation were complete, carefully weighed the evidence and found the student responsible. The disciplinary action recommended by the Board has been taken.

I hope this will help to bring some closure to one aspect of the difficult events of the spring.

Sincerely,

Carol T. Christ

Smithies, what do we think?

WATCH: Jane Lynch Delivers Commencement Address to the Class of 2012

Quick Recap: Emmy and Golden Globe–winning actress Jane Lynch was the speaker at Smith College’s 134th commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 20, 2012. Ms. Lynch becomes a Smithie herself, through garnering an Honorary Degree through Smith, naming her Doctor of Fine Arts.

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Happy Ivy Day, Seniors!!

I believe Drake said it best when he said, “I’m so, I’m so, I’m so, I’m so, I’m so proud of you”

Dear Class of 2012,

On behalf of Smith’d I would like to congratulate each and every one of you. You made it! You should all be extremely proud of yourselves and all of the work and growth that you have accomplished both inside and outside of the academic setting.

As a first year, I would like to thank the Class of 2012 for welcoming me and my fellow classmates into Smith’s community with open arms, and helping to guide us all through our first years. We applaud the contributions that you have made to Smith’s campus, and thank you for the lessons you have taught us. Today, I hope that you all look marvelous and that you wear your ivy with pride, knowing that you will always be a Smithies.

Although your time as a Smith student draws to an end, the start of the rest of your lives is right around the corner. No pressure or anything. After all, you are a Smithie.

We love you all. Congratulations.

P.S.- This was the background music to writing this post. 

TONIGHT…Midnight Breakfast!!!

Congrats Smithies! You have all made it through the Reading Period AND the dreaded first day of exams! Reward yourself and take a break from studying for exams/writing papers/generally multi-tasking like only a Smithie can and enjoy a free breakfast at midnight. Because at Smith, we recognize that eating breakfast in the morning is a social construct.

Hillary approves of eating breakfast at unconventional hours.

when: Tuesday, May 8, 10 p.m.-1 a.m

where: St. John’s Episcopal Church, located between Clark Hall and the Brown Fine Arts Center

cost: free!

Coming Up….National Stress-Out Day

From Hannah Trumbo, ’14:

brought to you by: Active Minds

why it’s going to be awesome: SMITHIES! In case you’ve forgotten, it’s the last week of classes! You are probably out on Chapin Lawn, hanging out with your friends, and trying desperately to cling to any remaining ounces of sanity you have left. Why not make some sand-filled stress balls  and stretch out or kick some things?! Use this opportunity to release any stress about finals!

when: Wednesday, May 2, from 11-3 PM

where: Chapin Lawn

cost: free!

Private Lives

Private Lives Trailer from Nancy Lautenbach on Vimeo.

Private Lives by Noel Coward. Directed by Emma Weinstein.

Noel Coward’s Private Lives is a delightful 1930’s romantic comedy complete with love affairs, martini glasses, and cutting wit. Amanda and Elyot, a British divorced couple, find themselves in adjoining honeymoon suites in Northern France with their new, and perfectly unsuitable, spouses. Realizing they are still passionately in love (maybe a little bit too passionately), the pair must decide whether to stay in their potentially loveless new marriages or run away together to Paris. An example of 1930’s comedy at its height, Private Lives is a wild and hilarious romp that asks real questions about love, frivolity and escapism.

when: April 20-21, April 26-28, 8:00 pm

where: Theatre 14 at Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts

cost: $8 adult, $5 students and seniors, $3 Smith students – with Smith ID at box office only. Thursday, April 26 is dollar night for Smith students. (for tickets: 413.585.ARTS or boxoffice@smith.edu)

Coming Up…Weaving Voices Open Mic

From Carro Hua, ’13:

Since fall of 2010, the Weaving Voices (WV) Open Mic acts as a critical space to bring together different narratives in hopes to build an understanding and critically conscious community. This community event also hopes to carve out a safe space for the everyday unspoken lived experiences and stories. We believe that through self-expression and creative art forms, we can understand that all of our lives are interconnected. We invite YOU to come, share, listen, learn and discover how our voices are interwoven as one. Poets, singers, instrument players, everyone and anyone is welcomed!

This semester’s Open Mic, we will be having a Community Art Mural in which we hope all can come to create this piece to re-imagine Smith, our community and ourselves. With all that has happened on our campus, all of us are grieving and hurting, we hope that this art’s space will help begin the healing process. Please come and take part in this hands-on community art event!

WV aims to utilize different form of arts to raise consciousness about different societal issues, ultimately we hope to challenge fundamental issues on campus and in society at large. Like Yuri Kochiyama, a civil rights activist said, “Remember that consciousness is power. Consciousness is education and knowledge. Consciousness is becoming aware. It is the perfect vehicle for students. Consciousness-raising is pertinent for power, and be sure that power will not be abusively used, but used for building trust and goodwill domestically and internationally. Tomorrow’s world is yours to build.” Another world is possible if we, as humans, can collectively change public consciousness to become more human and community oriented.

Please share and encourage all to come!

when: Saturday 4/21, 7:30 pm

where: Mwangi Center

cost: free

Private Lives Photo Booth @ SCMA

For the April 2nd Friday (4/13) at the Smith College Museum of Art, The Theatre Department’s production of Private Lives is sponsoring a 1920′s Paris-photo Booth.
The Photo Booth will include:
A Parisian Backdrop painted by Ruby Western
1920′s costumes
Photos available both on Flickr and Polaroid!
ALL OF THIS IS FREE!
This is a kid-friendly event!

when: 4pm – 6pm, 4/13

where: Atrium of Hillyer Hall/Smith College Museum of Art

cost: free!