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The key to becoming Alexander Hamilton

Among the 72 emails you received on August 29, was one asking if you have what it takes to be Alex, the official mascot of Hamilton College? One email from Coach Gillian McDonald read: “Do you have a lot of school spirit? Do you love taking selfies? Are you able to keep a secret and not reveal your identity? Are you in good shape and not claustrophobic?” Despite this heavy set of qualifications, a number of brave souls have ventured into Alex’s head in order to bring us entertainment, encouragement and energy. Here are their stories (insert dramatic S.V.U. music). “Before I even step into the suit, I have to be well-hydrated,” Anonymous Alex One explained. “This is because the suit gets so hot! Whenever I’m going to be Alex, I am well-hydrated and wearing clothes that will wick away my sweat.” All of the Alexes agree: preparation is key and a lack of such can be deadly (being hung-over in the suit is just about the worst thing you can do). More ...

5 Rules to play the hook-up culture game

Maybe this article caught your eye because you’re not quite sure what the hookup culture is. Maybe you’re well aware of the hookup culture and are simply looking to sharpen your skills in the world of emotional detachedness and one night stands. Either way, it’s 2016 and you’re in college, which mean that you’re surrounded by the hookup culture and its strange effects on the way that students interact. These effects are less than subtle. You might have a friend who has consistently hooked up with the same person for weeks, months or even years, yet refuses to accept the label of “girlfriend” or “boyfriend” due to the social expectation to remain uncommitted. Maybe you or a friend has felt the anxiety of a text sent too soon or one that’s too “aggressive” because it said something along the lines of “let’s hangout soon.” Rather than rejecting this bizarre unspoken social code, let’s analyze a few of its most common guidelines. Adapt or die, right? Here’s how to play the game of the hookup culture. Timely responses—NOT ALLOWED. More ...

Meeting the new representatives: Class of 2020

With every new class comes new minds, ideas and leaders that contribute to the greatness that is the Hamilton community. Recently, the Class of 2020 elected six outstanding students to join the Student Assembly and help the campus grow even further. Jordan D’Addio, who grew up in Verona, New Jersey (but has lived in Portland, Oregon since her freshman year of high school), was recently elected as President and has shown great enthusiasm to assist in bringing the college community to success. As a past member of multiple student councils in high school (including one dealing with gender equality), a leader of Junior State of America (which works to fight voting apathy among the millennial generation), and the captain of her high school’s women’s varsity swim team, she is no stranger to leadership and involvement. More ...

Getting to Know: Scott MacDonald

Position: Visiting Professor of Art History At Hamilton: Since 1981 More ...

From where I sit: a transfer student's story

Know thyself. Of course, that’s the goal. But how many seventeen-year-old students can truly say they do? I thought I did. I thought I knew what I was looking for in a college, thought I knew where I wanted to go and yep, you guessed it: I was wrong.  Now, I could blame this on a lack of knowing myself, a faulty guidance counselor, parents who didn’t want me to go too far away or just about anyone else. The truth? I was lazy and indifferent to the entire process. Where did that land me? The opposite of where I soon came to realize I wanted to be.  More ...

Tinfoil time at Conspiracy Theorists meeting

I followed sounds of an X-Files theme-song trap-remix to a room full of people wearing tinfoil hats. This was the Conspiracy Theorists’ meeting, and I had the pleasure of attending this year’s first meeting. Although I expected pasty men with too much time and Cheetos’ crust on their hands, I was greeted by a variety of friendly and familiar faces. I voted in their poll asking whether extraterrestrials other than Ted Cruz serve in the U.S. Senate then took a seat.  More ...

Where are they now: Hong Kong to Hammy

I found out about Hamilton through a Google Search that was something along the lines of “good liberal arts colleges, United States.” The idea of attending, one, a school in the United States, two, a non-research university and three, a school not located in a metropolis was so outrageous in my home city of Hong Kong that my high school guidance counselor forced me to give her an essay rationalizing my unconventional choice. Only if she deemed my response acceptable would I be “allowed” to apply. Looking back on that experience, I find another reason for choosing Hamilton: here, instead of being asked, “Why?” you are asked, “Why not?”  More ...

Cider Mill returns with new treats

As many students on campus may already know, the Cider Mill, located just down the Hill, opened last Tuesday Sept. 6th. A local favorite, it was ready to satisfy the needs of hungry college students and people all around the Clinton area. The place becomes so popular that 30,000 apples are crushed every single weekend to create fresh apple squeeze, donuts, pies and dozens of other mouth-watering options. With tons of appetizing choices and such a friendly and welcoming work environment, every student should visit the Cider Mill before the season ends.  More ...

Perfectionism: weighing the tradeoffs

College students experience a unique set of stressors. Many of us know the pre-exam anxiety all too well and have ground our teeth with guilt about neglecting the gym for two weeks. For perfectionists, however, these familiar stressors take on a new meaning.  Perfectionists tend to hold themselves to impossible standards—or, if not impossible, standards that can only be met with great difficulty. Often, the reward of achieving these standards is negligible compared to the depression that comes with falling short. This focus on avoiding failure is toxic.  More ...

Sex & the Campus: boundaries of exclusivity

It’s Thanksgiving. You’re sitting around the table with extended family that you don’t see often enough for the type of personal questions they ask you. To me, it’s a dodgeball game. They’re whipping fast balls at you left and right: “What are you majoring in?” “Oh, and what can you do with that?” “Any jobs lined up yet?” So far it’s a success. You’re diving, dipping, dodging, successfully avoiding confrontation while simultaneously convincing your parents and your family that you have your life together. Feeling pretty comfortable, you breathe a sigh of relief and reach for the gravy, but, just as your turn your head, you’re smacked right in the ear by the one fateful blow: “So, are you dating anyone?”  More ...

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