The Spectator - Editorial archive

Editorial

College must follow students’ lead

September 26, 2014

Hamilton College students, faculty and alumni participated in the much-heralded People’s Climate March in New York City on Saturday, September 21, along with nearly 300,000 others. Together, they demanded action on climate change ahead of the UN Climate Summit, which took place the following day. Hamilton’s Environmental Action Group (HEAG) and the Fossil Fuels Divestment Organization led the effort to bring Hamilton students to the march. While they had several motivations for marching, their general message was that “something must be done.” More ...

How to actually “Make a Difference”

September 18, 2014

In last week’s NESCAC News column, The Spectator noted that on September 6, more than 700 Trinity students participated in the college’s “Do It Day.” On this day, Trinity students volunteer their time and services throughout the city of Hartford, Conn. Hamilton’s annual version of Do It Day, called “Make a Difference Day,” occurred this past weekend, on Saturday, Sept. 13. Like Trinity’s event, Hamilton students volunteer at various sites throughout the local Mohawk Valley community. More ...

Student disengagement with policy recommendations prevents real progress

September 11, 2014

Recently, officials at Hamilton College announced several changes to the way in which the College handles incidents involving sexual assault. As detailed in The Spectator’s cover story, the changes were sparked by both new federal regulations as well as by an institutional desire to craft a more effective and just sexual assault policy. More ...

Don’t take your school for granted

September 4, 2014

The start to the 2014-2015 academic year has been unnecessarily controversial. On August 22, Dean of Students Nancy Thompson emailed the student body informing the school of a number of policy changes, many of them surrounding the drinking culture both on and off-campus. These changes are detailed The Spectator’s cover story. More ...

Reflections on a year on the Hill

May 9, 2014

Endings call for reflection and, looking back over this school year, there is plenty to reflect on. First and foremost, it would be impossible to talk about 2013-14 without recalling the discussions concerning race and privilege that permeated campus. While some of these conversations have been contentious and unproductive—particularly those that took place over the internet—many discussions that occurred on a smaller scale produced genuine understanding. Although it is usually uncomfortable to discuss difference, groups like the Days-Massolo Center and Student Assembly created forums where students could communicate about their struggles at Hamilton. Looking to the future, Hamiltonians should continue the conversation, but they should also move from talking about problems at Hamilton to fixing problems at Hamilton. More ...

A week we cannot forget

May 1, 2014

This past week, a number of student-led initiatives have sought to foster a safer, healthier and more tolerant community. On Sunday, the Class of 2014 helped sponsor the AIDS Hike for Life, which had over 300 participants and raised over $38,000 for AIDS research. The next day, a group of students, faculty and administrators held the Walk for Solidarity, during which students shared their experiences of discrimination at Hamilton. Also, on Wednesday, Student Assembly hosted its second town hall about diversity and inclusion on campus. More ...

Reflecting on Accepted Students Day

April 24, 2014

Every April, accepted students, with parents and siblings in tow, descend on the Hill. These students, some heart-set on Hamilton and others unable to make up their minds, tour the campus, indulge in Bon Appétit’s fanciest fare, hear words of encouragement from Joan Hinde Stewart and raid the bookstore for discount souvenirs. While the so-called “prospies” certainly judge most things they come across—from the quality of the facilities to the way students treat them in passing—their overriding attitude tends to be one of excitement. After all, they are preparing to set off on four years of college, arguably the most fun years of a young person’s life. More ...

Discussions on free speech must continue

April 18, 2014

Hamilton’s Office of Admission often describes the College as a tight-knit community of about 2,000 students, faculty, administrators and staff, nestled in the rolling hills of upstate New York. While students may enter Hamilton with different experiences and viewpoints, the Admission office argues that the College brings them into contact with others unlike themselves, resulting in a multi-cultural, empathetic group of individuals. More ...

Moving Towards a More Empathetic Hamilton

April 10, 2014

This editorial does not seek to summarize the events involving race, inclusion and privilege that occurred in the last week; this week’s cover story thoroughly covers those issues. This editorial also does not seek to condemn either The Movement or its detractors; Facebook and Hamilton Unscrolled, The Movement’s Tumblr blog, are filled with opinions on the matter, ranging from eloquent treatises to half-baked rants. More ...

Commencement about more than big-name speakers

April 3, 2014

The long-awaited commencement news has arrived (see our cover story). Journalist and author Christopher Dickey will give the commencement address, and musician Rosanne Cash will give the baccalaureate address. The College will also bestow honorary degrees on Posse Foundation founder Deborah Bial and lawyer Thomas J. Schwarz ’66. More ...