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Digital Kenyon: Research,
Scholarship, and Creative Exchange
The Kenyon Collegian College Archives
2-11-2021
Kenyon Collegian - February 11, 2021
Follow this and additional works at: https://digital.kenyon.edu/collegian
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"Kenyon Collegian - February 11, 2021" (2021). The Kenyon Collegian. 2545.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/collegian/2545
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ESTABLISHED 1856 February 11, 2021 Vol. CXLVIII, No. 17
Consultants distressed after Writing Center hours reduced
SOPHIE KRICHEVSKY ing Center’s temporary home on Center is run,” Geesing said. hours by becoming a mentor with frustration,” she wrote in an email
FEATURES EDITOR Peirce’s third floor is quite cramped, While many consultants are Kenyon Writes, the Writing Cen- to the Collegian. “The other student
with only enough room to have one frustrated by their own loss of work, ter’s new program that seeks to help managers and I have tried to come
in-person conference at a time while they are also concerned about what first-year students with their writ- up with opportunities for additional
On Tuesday, Feb. 2, the Writ- observing social distancing. this change means for their peers ing. Employees can also write blog pay … but there’s no easy solution
ing Center informed its consultants Griggs was careful to emphasize, who are on work-study. posts for the Writing Center or work with our current budget and current
that, due to budget constraints and however, that this recent shift in “For me, it’s just extra pocket with students for whom English is a student engagement.”
a decrease in traffic last fall, the hours is not a “reduction,” merely a money. It’s not that huge of a deal,” second language. However, Associate Provost
Center would return to its previous return to the hours that were avail- said Writing Center consultant Ellie Some consultants feel that these and Professor of Chemistry Sheryl
number of walk-in hours, a 29-hour able to consultants in previous se- Roman ’22. “But there are workers options do not suffice. “I’ve done all Hemkin, who oversees Griggs and
reduction from the fall semester. mesters. Last semester’s effort to at the Writing Center to whom it’s a of that. I’m a liaison, a student man- the Writing Center, said that, bar-
Last semester, in order to make build a stronger online presence, she way bigger deal.” ager, I’m mentoring two first years ring additional financial setbacks
the Center more accessible for re- said, was a “pilot program.” Since last week’s announcement, this semester — I’m still making less posed by the pandemic, she did not
mote students, the Writing Cen- Still, Writing Center Student Griggs has encouraged consultants money and working fewer hours expect there to be cuts to the Writ-
ter added the additional 29 walk-in Manager Nathan Geesing ’21 said to work with their professors to be- than I did last semester,” Geesing ing Center’s budget for the coming
hours per week to its schedule. How- that the change, while not a reduc- come liaisons, who are paid per ap- said. year.
ever, according to Writing Center tion, points to pre-existing issues pointment, for courses they have Writing Center Student Man- She also put to rest rumors re-
Director Jeanne Griggs, the Writing with the Writing Center, specifi- taken in the past. “We always have ager Alexia M. Ainsworth ’21 noted garding the possibility of the Writ-
Center only logged 303 total con- cally insufficient hours and the se- more professors looking for liaisons the difficulties this change in hours ing Center being replaced by pro-
sultations during the fall semester mester-long training course (ENGL than we have students willing to has posed for her and her peers. “As fessional tutors as it undergoes its
— two to three times less than pre- 217) required of new Writing Cen- work,” she said. a student who has worked 7 jobs si- external review. “I think we all value
vious years. In the fall of 2019, for in- ter employees. “What we need is a Griggs has also recommended multaneously to try and cover pay- the peer relationship, the peer-peer
stance, the Writing Center had 697 real overhaul of the way the Writing that consultants pick up additional ments, I completely understand the tutoring,” Hemkin said. “If any-
conferences. thing, [the external review] may re-
As a result of this reduced us- sult in something more for the Writ-
age, the Writing Center has left most ing Center. I can’t imagine that it
consultants with only one or two would yield anything less.”
hours of work a week. In the fall, Ainsworth, too, remained opti-
consultants were regularly booked mistic. “I am hopeful that this will
anywhere from two to six hours ev- serve as a cause for the Kenyon com-
ery week. Griggs attributes this fall’s munity to rally around,” she said.
dramatic traffic decrease to the pan- “Bring your papers, poems, lab re-
demic. ports, and personal statements to
“Obviously, it’s harder for people the Writing Center. Engagement is
to walk into Peirce [Dining Hall] really key to keeping the Writing
when they’re not there as much,” she Center an integral part of our cam-
said. Griggs also noted that the Writ- ALEX GILKEY pus community.”
Library completion further College to host vaccine clinic
delayed until fall semester at Lowry Center on Friday
BEN GROSS The COVID-19 pandemic has also pre- LINNEA MUMMA becomes available.
STAFF WRITER sented a challenge to construction. Labor NEWS EDITOR “Kenyon is working with the health
shortages have been an issue since the begin- department on a daily basis, and the issue
ning of the pandemic and have affected the — which is not unique to Knox County —
speed of the construction, Millam explained. is that there’s just not enough vaccines,”
According to Construction Project Man- The library project began in September Knox Public Health (KPH), in part- said Director of Health and Counseling
ager Seth Millam, the new Chalmers Library of 2018, following an anonymous donation nership with the College and the Knox Chris Smith.
will not be open for student use this semester. of $75 million. It is the first building being County Emergency Management Agen- Once that timeline becomes more
“Getting that building open and ready to constructed as part of the West Quad Proj- cy, will host an appointment-only vacci- clear, Smith is confident the College will
go for the start of fall semester 2021,” Millam ect, which will also feature a new admissions nation clinic in the Lowry Center from be able to distribute these vaccines to stu-
said, “that’s the new mission.” building and a new academic building, par- 9-11:30 a.m. on Friday. dents. “We have had the highest compli-
President Sean Decatur revised the esti- tially intended to replace Ascension Hall as According to a news bulletin sent on ance rate for flu vaccinations this year
mate he made in December of last year, when it undergoes renovations. The library is an- Monday, this vaccine clinic is only avail- than we’ve ever had before,” Smith said,
he said the library would be open by April, ticipated to act as an academic hub, housing able to approved Knox County residents, due to the mandatory vaccination upon
saying, “It depends on what you mean by study spaces, the Career Development Office which include those with qualifying arrival to campus. “We are at this point
‘open’ and it depends on what you mean by and classrooms. medical conditions, medical and emer- dependent on what the local health de-
‘this semester.’ … If by ‘open’ meaning it’s a The new library is designed to be an en- gency personnel and people over the age partment acquires.”
fully functional library, not this semester.” He vironmentally friendly addition to Kenyon’s of 65. Though there are still no definite plans
added that he believes students would have Campus, and was created with environmen- The email reminded the College com- for vaccination of students or faculty
the opportunity to walk through the building tal impact in mind. According to the Kenyon munity that, per Ohio’s phased vaccina- members, the partnership with KPH is a
by May. website, the new library “will be significantly tion program, college students and those step in the right direction, according to
The Chalmers Library was originally set greener and more energy efficient than the working in higher education are not yet Vice President of Student Affairs Mere-
to be completed last summer, but the date has previous buildings.” eligible to receive a vaccine at this time, dith Harper Bonham ’92. She added that
since been pushed back several times. One Millam hopes that at the least current se- unless they fall within the aforemen- the College is “pleased” to partner with
main issue, according to Millam, is supply niors will get to see the inside of the library be- tioned categories of Phase 1A and 1B. The KPH in their efforts to distribute this
chain constraints. “With a big construction fore the end of the semester. “We were doing email states that the College is in “regular vaccine.
project like this and relying on manufacturers tours of the projects for students on Friday af- communication” with KPH and will no-
and other states, we’re still running into issues ternoons [before the pandemic] and I do hope tify the community about plans for vac- Those who are eligible to receive a vac-
with material procurement,” Millam said. to restart that at some point,” he said. cine distribution when that information cine can sign up at knoxhealth.com.
2 Thursday, February 11 | kenyoncollegian.com
Suspect arrested for Five more COVID-19 cases identified
bicycle thievery ADAM MARGOLIS
NEWS ASSISTANT
individual COVID-19 testing, dai-
ly health monitoring and the test-
in quarantine must enter the serv-
ery to collect their food, unless a
ing of Gambier’s wastewater, in friend or roommate offers to do so
GRANT HOLT order to determine if a change in for them.
STAFF WRITER plans is needed. Students have expressed con-
As of Wednesday, Kenyon re- “If we were to ever see some fusion about the College’s general
ported five new positive COVID-19 trends in those mechanisms, I self-quarantining policy and how
On Jan. 31, Campus Safety officers noticed someone not af- cases in the past week, bringing the think we would absolutely, for the they would be notified if they were
filiated with Kenyon trying to open car doors in South Lot #2. semester student total up to 12. In sake of campus safety, consider ex- exposed. Students also are still un-
This individual fled the scene on a stolen bicycle before being addition to the dozen active cases tending the quiet period,” Smith sure about how long they should
apprehended by Knox County Sheriff deputies, according to reported last week, which included explained. expect to remain in quarantine and
Campus Safety Director Michael Sweazey. seven students and five employees, Despite the increase in positive what qualifies as “close contact” in
Following the on-campus incident, the Office of Campus the five new cases reflect a signifi- tests, the College has decided that the context of shared living.
Safety sent out a Student-Info email urging students to secure- cant increase, with the cumulative students are still free to eat inside Smith explained that quaran-
ly lock their cars and bikes. number of cases now at 29. There Peirce Dining Hall after receiv- tine protocols have not changed
This is not the first instance of bicycle theft in the campus are currently 39 students in quar- ing two negative tests, and opened since last semester: Students who
community. According to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, antine. Peirce for in-person dining on have had close contact with a con-
seven incidents have occurred throughout Gambier since Sep- According to Director of Health Monday. However, the adminis- firmed or suspected COVID-19
tember. and Counseling Chris Smith, this tration has not been enforcing this case will be notified by the Health
“In a rural and quiet setting like Kenyon, it is easy to be- significant increase in cases com- two-negative-test restriction, ap- and Counseling Center, advised to
come complacent in regards to vehicle and bicycle security,” pared to the start of the previous parently relying on an unspoken self-isolate for 10-14 days in their
the Campus Safety email read. “But there are those who would semester is not surprising, given honor code to ensure that students places of residence and then will
relieve you of your property everywhere, Gambier being no ex- new and more contagious strains dining indoors are not in quaran- be tested on their 10th day of quar-
ception.” of COVID-19, and more students tine. antine.
On Jan. 31, Laura Grosh ’21 woke up to find an email and returning to campus than in the Even so, Bonham says, the re- Smith also added that whether
voicemail from Campus Security saying that her bike had been fall. However, the College’s over- opening of Peirce has been suc- or not people living with students
stolen — and returned — in one night. She did not use a bike all positivity rate remains under cessful. “Students are complying who have tested positive are “close
lock, but doubts that having one would have helped. 0.5% — a relatively low number. well with our expectations around contacts” will be determined on a
“My roommate’s [bike] was locked and hers was also sto- Because of this low positivity rate, navigating Peirce and eating with- case-by-case basis. The variation,
len,” she explained. “So I don’t think it would have made that Smith stressed that the College’s in the facility,” she noted. “So we he explained, depends on students’
much of a difference.” COVID-19 plan will not change were really compelled by the argu- level of adherence to COVID-19
In response to the growing number of thefts, Campus Safe- significantly. ments that were set forth by several precautions. Students who have
ty has increased their nightly patrols. They have since recov- In Gambier, there are current- students who were advocating for been exposed to their housemates
ered a number of bicycles thrown in the woods or left by the ly eight active cases, while Knox an earlier open to in-person din- or roommates may not be consid-
roadside. County reports 118 active cas- ing.” ered close contacts if they have
At Kenyon, the majority of bicycle theft comes from stu- es. According to the most recent However, not everyone was as been strictly following COVID-19
dents “borrowing” the bicycles of others to get across campus, wastewater report from Feb. 4, vi- optimistic about Peirce’s reopen- prevention strategies — such as
Sweazey said. The original owners often find their bikes else- rus levels decreased at most loca- ing. In fact, many students and wearing masks — inside their resi-
where on campus, far from where they left them. tions on campus and in the Village. families were worried enough to dence spaces.
“I find it disappointing that students think it is okay to do “It appears that the first cases iden- reach out to Bonham, expressing Students have also wondered
this, because it causes understandable anxiety when a student tified from returning students have concerns about self-quarantine whether or not they should at-
discovers their bicycle missing, and it deprives them of their been isolated successfully,” Joan enforcement and quarantined stu- tend in-person classes if they are
transportation,” Sweazey said. Slonczewski, chair of the Waste- dents picking up meals from Peirce in quarantine, and, as a result of
Sweazey encourages students to secure their bicycles with water Testing Subcommittee of the Dining Hall. In response, Bonham their confusion, some have done
quality bike locks. He recommends wrapping the lock around Public Health Working Group and cited mental health concerns as a so. Smith said that anyone who has
the frame of the bike, rather than the wheel or seat post. professor of biology, wrote in an reason for this decision, as well as been exposed should not attend
He also suggests that students maintain a description of email update Wednesday night. the difficulty of monitoring stu- any in-person classes, and that stu-
their bike, along with serial numbers, in order to identify sto- The College’s two-week quiet dents’ whereabouts. dents who have done so would be
len property. According to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, period, which began at the start of “Requiring quarantined stu- subject to disciplinary action.
serial numbers can be easily used to identify stolen bikes when the semester, is set to end on Feb 15. dents to remain in their residence Despite potential issues with
plugged into Ohio’s LEADS computer system, a network of in- After the quiet period concludes, halls is a practice we do not plan the College’s quarantine policy,
formation and records shared among law enforcement. one quarter of the student body to pursue,” Bonham wrote in re- Smith still remains confident that
“Nothing in the world is immune to theft, so the trick is to will be tested each week in Gund sponse to one parent, “given the the semester will run smoothly.
make your item difficult to steal,” Sweazey said. “In general, a Commons, according to an email potential impact on those stu- “We’ve done this successfully for
thief is looking for a target that is low-risk, easy and quick to Vice President of Student Affairs dents’ mental health” along with one semester, and I really think we
take. So the more difficult and time-consuming it is for a thief Meredith Harper Bonham sent to the challenge of enforcement. can do it for a second,” he said.
to take your item, the less chance they will try.” the student body on Wednesday. Yet, students who have been in
Students who notice any suspicious behavior or unauthor- As with last semester, Smith will quarantine face a predicament, Latest updates on the pandem-
ized entry onto campus should notify Campus Safety imme- be watching the College’s “surveil- since going to Peirce is the only ic can be found at Kenyon’s COV-
diately, by calling 740-427-5500 or using the RAVE Guardian lance” mechanisms, which include way to get their meals. Students ID-19 Dashboard.
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Ellis Faculty Advisor Kurt Pyle
3
Thursday, February 11 | kenyoncollegian.com
AVI removes allergen notices Mick Steiner to lead Office
from Peirce meal listings of Student Engagement
HUIJUN MAO about food nutrition, components and AMELIA CARNELL Ashland University, Sonoma State Uni-
STAFF WRITER allergies. STAFF WRITER versity and Hiram College. He earned a
Zoldak said that the public response bachelor’s degree in public relations from
On Feb 1, in an email sent to all Ken- to removing allergen information Baldwin Wallace University, a small pri-
yon students, AVI announced that they Mick Steiner is the new director of
from the signs was mixed. “I talked to vate liberal arts school in Berea, Ohio,
will no longer be listing allergens on Student Engagement, Dean of Campus
a handful of students who didn’t un- and he looks forward to working at Ke-
food description signs in Peirce Dining Life Laura Kane announced in an email
derstand why we’re doing it,” Zoldak nyon, a school more like the one he at-
Hall. Students with allergies and food to students on Feb. 2. The post was for-
said. After assuring students that AVI tended.
sensitivities will need to consult Ken- merly held by Sam Filkins, who on July 17
was protecting their health, however, “That is more or less who I am,
yon’s NetNutrition website or refer to of last year became vice president of the
he found that the change was generally through and through,” Steiner said of the
the monitor outside the servery to de- Area Development Foundation of Knox
well-received. liberal arts.
termine if meals contain allergens. County. Filkins had worked in the Office
In the future, Zoldak mentioned According to Steiner, the most im-
According to Bob Zoldak, AVI’s resi- of Student Engagement for seven and a
that the AVI is planning to develop a portant part of his job as director will
dent dining director, the change was half years before he departed.
more user-friendly system in the ear- be connecting with the student body.
supposed to be implemented last semes- In his role as the director of Student
ly part of next year so that students “Working with students on a daily basis
ter, but is being carried out this semes- Engagement, Steiner will work with stu-
can access the information through a is really fundamental to the work that I
ter instead because of interruptions in dent organizations, the Student Council’s
phone app instead of the website. do and important to me as a person,” he
their food supplies. Student Life Committee and Greek Coun-
According to Zoldak, AVI is a com- said.
AVI believes this change will pro- cil to facilitate and support student activ-
pany that values improvement, con- Steiner acknowledged the difficulty of
tect the health of students. When the ities. According to Vice President of Stu-
stantly carrying out new measures to stepping into this role in the midst of a
staff was making the food signs before, dent Affairs Meredith Harper Bonham
create a safer environment for students pandemic, but said he viewed it as an op-
they would manually copy down the al- ’92, his role is especially critical since the
under the threat of COVID-19. A lot of portunity for innovation. “I like to think
lergen information from the NetNutri- Office of Student Engagement has been
other small changes are made to pre- of this as an opportunity to think cre-
tion website to the bottom of the menu, understaffed during the pandemic. “He’s
vent cross-contamination. For exam- atively, to remind ourselves that it’s ok to
which, according to Zoldak, could have going to be … injecting more program-
ple, food containers have been moved do things differently,” he said.
resulted in human errors. ming into student life, which is terrific,
behind protective barriers, desserts are Steiner went on to say that, despite the
“We are actually taking the human because we’ve been without that position
individually packaged and beverages fact that he has not been able to spend
component out of the equation to keep now for several months,” Bonham said.
are bottled in refrigerators outside the much time on campus, he already feels
the students safer,” Zoldak said. He She also encouraged students to reach out
servery. embraced by the community. “I want to
encourages students with allergies to to Steiner with any ideas for events.
“As a company, you are either stag- thank everyone for the warm welcome I
check the NetNutrition website them- Steiner most recently worked as hous-
nant or you are improving,” Zoldak received this week,” he said. “I was im-
selves before dining to ensure their ing coordinator at a satellite campus of
said. “We choose to improve.” pressed with the level of energy and en-
safety. The Ohio State University’s Agricultural
Technical Institute. He has also worked at thusiasm.”
NetNutrition is a national database Students who wish to access the food
Campus Senate discusses
that holds thousands of analyzed reci- allergen information can do so on Ken-
pes with comprehensive information yon’s NetNutrition website.
a potential change of mascot
BEN BRUMLEY names could convey implicit racist and classist
STAFF WRITER messages, causing other schools to ridicule Ke-
nyon’s teams.
One speaker mentioned how, during her
When the Campus Senate met on Thurs- time with the cheer team, she heard other
day, Feb. 4, there was one primary issue on the schools invoking the mascot names to mock
docket: a charge from President Sean Decatur Kenyon for having a snobbish attitude. While
about the prospect of changing Kenyon’s mas- admitting that such chants were part and par-
cot. cel of sporting events, she noted that the moni-
Following the opening of the meeting, kers could potentially push beyond the do-
Thomas S. Turgeon Professor of Drama Jona- main of taunting.
than Tazewell, faculty co-chair of the Senate, “You know the terms Lords and Ladies
spoke about his prior communication with are being made fun of and ridiculed by other
Decatur on the issue. According to Tazewell, schools,” she said, “and obviously you’re going
these conversations began in response to con- to do that at a sporting event, but I think it goes
cerns about the symbols and images used by beyond that and that what we’re going to hear
the College. As the bicentennial of the College is that [the names] need to be changed.”
approaches, Decatur looked towards reevalu- A significant amount of the discussion
ating the meaning behind the Lords and La- focused on the Ladies moniker, the roots of
dies mascots. which can be traced to the early 1970s when
“It’s not a charge to start coming up with Kenyon became a coeducational institution.
ideas on a new mascot, but it’s a charge to de- Some expressed dissatisfaction of the poten-
fine … What do we actually mean by [mas- tially condescending implications of the term,
cot]? And can we define more generally, what stating that it did not project an image that
are the expectations that we have about mas- they as student-athletes wanted to support.
cots on campus?” Decatur said. “Why the These discussions of the mascot focused
Lords and Ladies?” more on assessing its symbolic implications
These discussions come at a time when a and gauging the tone of alumni opinion rather
number of sports teams, both collegiate and than bringing the change up for a public vote.
professional, have changed their mascots to be As such, it is unlikely that any decision will
more sensitive to cultural connotations. be made, or any vote cast on the matter in the
After this introduction, the floor was near future.
opened to the student members of the Senate, “President Decatur [spoke] to the Advance-
who generally agreed with the points put forth ment Office and the Alumni Office to be sure
by Tazewell, relaying how many of their own that they had a heads up on the idea that we
experiences as student-athletes had led them to weren’t going to even consider [it],” Tazewell
The list of allergens is now only available online. | REID STAUTBERG interact with the connotations of the mascot. said, “because there will be a lot of people who
Some students discussed how they thought the have strong opinions about this.”
4 Thursday, February 11
FEATURES kenyoncollegian.com
With airplane travel restricted, Kenyon students hit the road
WILLIAM GERHARDINGER
STAFF WRITER
KATIE MOST
STAFF WRITER
With COVID-19 presenting
new challenges for travel, many
Kenyon students chose to opt
for road trips instead of flying
to and from the Hill this winter.
Some encountered unexpected
problems and interesting stops
along the way.
For Alex Thoms ’23 and her
housemates, the journey home
from Kenyon to East Lyme,
Conn. at the end of last semester
was a triumph against all odds.
Trouble began before the trip
even started, when the group
had to finish their exams, pack
their entire apartment into a
small car and store their belong-
ings in just two days. Even rest
proved difficult. “We were sleep-
ing in sweatshirts that we packed
that night on the blue slab of a ALEX GILKEY
college bed,” Thoms said. ins are the abandoned creations
Things only got worse when of Robert Snyder, an Ameri-
they hit the road. Not only was can businessman who imported
the car so packed that luggage stone from Europe and began
blocked the rear window, but the construction on the mansion in
highway was dominated by semi 1905, but died tragically a year
trucks. “I was driving there in later. All that remains of the fan-
the rain, completely dark, at 6 tasy are tall stone walls and win-
a.m., surrounded by trucks and dow holes. Stern described his
they were out to get me,” Thoms first trip west of Ohio as a “fun
recalled. Despite all this, Thoms drive with beautiful scenery.”
and her housemates pressed on Niall Regan ’21 took a “wick-
for over 10 hours and made it ed cool” cross-country road trip
home in time for Thanksgiving. from Massachusetts to San Di-
Driving from Gambier to ego and back while taking the
Akron, Ohio over winter break, fall semester off. Regan left home
Kate Berges ’23 and Delaney with a loose plan, and spent the
Gallagher ’23 ran into trouble. month of November driving
Exhausted from hours of driv- through 22 states with a friend
ing and having difficulty seeing he met while studying abroad.
the rural Ohio roads at night, They saw products of the cur-
Gallagher thought nothing of rent political moment, like the
the trash in the road — until boarded-up windows and quiet
she heard two loud thuds. “Kate streets of Minneapolis, Minn.
starts freaking out and she’s and police dressed in riot gear in
like, ‘Delaney, you understand Madison, Wis.
you just ran over two raccoons Regan also witnessed the
having sex in the middle of the span of America’s beauty in the
road?’” Gallagher recalled. The sublime landscapes of various
two pulled over to check that national parks. He visited Yel-
the car was not damaged and lowstone, the Grand Canyon
discovered the raccoons were and Badlands, among other na-
dead. They completed the rest of tional parks. The trip was not
their journey safely and can now without conflict — when he was
laugh about the situation. leaving Jackson Hole, Wyo., a
Caleb Stern ’23 and his room- long stretch of highway was shut
mate, William Newhart ’23, down, forcing Regan to drive
made the most of their 2,300- through the snow in an 18-hour
mile journey from Gambier to loop through Idaho and up to
Los Angeles for Thanksgiv- Montana in just one day. Regan
ing, following a list of “touristy was able to experience the full
kitsch” roadside attractions as range of U.S. environments from
well as historic sites. In Illinois, the driver’s seat of his Chevy,
they visited the world’s larg- from cities to mountains to
est ketchup bottle and the Piasa beaches.
Bird, a giant, cliffside painting “It’s actually easy to do cool
of a yellow and red scaly mon- things, and I would have loved to
ster overlooking the Mississippi travel abroad, but this has shown
River. The painting belongs to that there is so much beauty in
As they hit the road this winter, Kenyon students did some sightseeing along the way,
the Illini tribe and was created our own country,” Regan reflect-
like visiting the world’s second largest rocking chair. | COURTESY OF CALEB STERN
before European colonizers set- ed. “It was nice to really appreci-
tled in 1783. In Missouri, they ate how diverse and beautiful the
stopped at the world’s second- country we live in is.” For future have taken to the road for long- rocking chairs, ruins or rugged think. You can make it cheap,
largest rocking chair and the ru- trips, Regan said, he wants to see distance travel, many have dis- mountains. Regan offered this you can make it accessible, you
ins of a European-style castle in more of the Pacific Northwest. covered the journey to be worth advice to fellow adventurous can make it fun as long as you’re
Ha Ha Tonka State Park. The ru- As more Kenyon students sharing — whether because of spirits: “It’s a lot easier than you with the right people.”
5
Thursday, February 11 | kenyoncollegian.com
Gambier Dog Park is a hidden gem for four-legged friends
ARIELLA KISSIN
FEATURES EDITOR
ASHITA WAGH
STAFF WRITER
Between the Lowry Center
and the Kokosing Gap Trail sits
a three-acre plot of land that
has been enjoyed by community
members and their four-legged
companions since 2008: Gam-
bier’s very own dog park.
According to a 2007 Collegian
article, Gambier Councilmem-
ber Betsy Heer was involved in
the park’s creation. A dog own-
er herself, Heer saw a need for a
park in the Village, since many
community members were con-
cerned with letting dogs off the
leash.
When Heer first moved to
Gambier, a group of residents
and Kenyon employees who had
puppies convened, and decided
that they needed a place to exer-
cise. “A number of these people
got their dogs together, started
the ‘puppy play group’ and used
to walk in the afternoons on
what are now Kenyon’s playing
fields,” Heer wrote in a message
to the Collegian.
Inspired by the sense of com-
munity fostered by the group, Since 2008, the Gambier Dog Park has welcomed dogs and their owners with open paws. | SARA HALEBLIAN
Heer began to think creatively
about implementing a more sus- the $7,500 needed for the fenc- Field Director Alice Straus ’75 melhack expressed gratitude for reflected within the park’s pa-
tainable solution for dog owners. ing of the park. To meet the rest and Fine Arts Librarian Carmen the park and the safe and happy rameters. Heer explained that
Together with Gambier Coun- of her goal, she petitioned the King as well as Forman’s mother. space it provides to dogs and dog four of the park’s trees were pur-
cilmember Elizabeth Forman Building and Grounds Commit- The community’s strong in- owners alike. “I like how I may chased through memorial con-
’73, Heer turned the idea of a tee for matching funds from the terest in the park is evident to see local people with their dogs tributions in memory of past dog
dog park into a reality. Village. this day. Heer maintains that the or Kenyon people at any given park users. The benches and pic-
A seasoned fundraiser, Heer “What sold the Committee park is “the center of Village life time, or if I’m lucky, I’ll get it all nic tables are named for beloved
was able to garner financial sup- and, ultimately, [Village] Coun- for a very dog-friendly village.” to myself and my dog,” Semmel- community dog owners and
port for the dog park through cil, was not so much the [money] Heer also said that visitors travel hack wrote in a message to the their dogs.
events like Waffles for Woof, raised as the fact that we had from all over Gambier, Mount Collegian. “When the weather is Heer also noted that the park
which raised $400 for the park. nearly 100 contributors to the Vernon and Apple Valley to give nice I’m looking forward to go- is used to celebrate a variety
Heer also received a generous project,” Heer wrote. their dogs a chance to play in a ing there with a book and sitting of events, including birthdays
donation from the Hillside Vet- Heer attributes the fundrais- safe, fenced-in location. at one of the picnic tables while — dog and human ones alike.
erinary Clinic in Mount Vernon. ing successes, however, to her Among these visitors are Ruty roams and sniffs the huge “Great friendships have been
Through fundraising efforts fellow community members, Blue Rae Semmelhack ’22 and gated park.” born and cemented in the dog
alone, Heer made over 40% of notably Kenyon’s Campaign her French bulldog Ruty. Sem- The community’s interest is park,” Heer said.
Sophomores find silver linings in return to first-year dorms
EMILY YOURMAN dence Hall. Vonk lived in a North Cam- Residence Hall. She now lives on the floor a good amount of time in the McBride
FEATURES ASSISTANT
pus Apartment (NCA) last semester with where her best friend lived during their kitchen on the third floor. But we can’t do
five friends, who are also now living in first year on campus, and walking down that because of COVID.” Dorms them-
Mere months ago, sophomores were Norton. Although she didn’t like every- her hall reminds her of the memories selves are also organized differently — all
enjoying the perks of life in apartments thing that came with the switch — such they shared together. “I would come up rooms have one resident — and Foster is
and other upperclass dorms. Now, with as the return to communal bathrooms — here a lot my freshman year … I’m happy now living in a triple alone. Vonk noted
the upperclass students’ return to cam- she felt that her time in the hall was cut because I think about when we used to that Norton is now a coed dorm, despite
pus, they have been relegated to Mc- short due to COVID-19, and was eager get ready together,” she said. However, having housed only women since 2016.
Bride, Mather and the First-Year Quad to return. In her first year, Lucy Adams the memories are bittersweet, Anderson Some sophomores enjoy returning to
— in many cases returning to the halls ’23, a friend of Vonk’s, got permission said, because they highlight the changes the proximity to friends and lack of com-
they lived in as first years. to replace the painting above the man- that COVID-19 has brought to campus. munal responsibility that comes with
This switch means sophomores have tel in the common room with a portrait “It makes me miss the things that I could solo-dorm living. “Figuring out dishes
lost many of the comforts they enjoyed she had painted. “Right before we all had do as a freshman that we don’t really have and cleaning and stuff was a hurdle that
last semester, such as private bathrooms, to go home, Lucy finished this amazing anymore,” Anderson said. I don’t have to deal with anymore, which
kitchens and common spaces, which portrait of Alison Janney, and put it up While they have returned to familiar is nice,” Foster said. Anderson also noted
are particularly valuable during quiet in the common room, and then we went spaces, most sophomores find this se- that she has more friends living close by
periods. Although this may seem like a home for spring break and no one got to mester to be very unlike what they ex- this semester, because so many sopho-
downgrade, many have found that the enjoy it,” Vonk said. Now, they have am- perienced as first years. “My habits at mores were in NCAs last semester.
return to their first-year halls has invited ple time to do so. school are so different than they were Although the amenities may not be as
back fond memories. Returning to their old dorms prompt- then, even just because of COVID stuff,” nice and the architecture not as beauti-
“I never got to say goodbye to my ed many students to reminisce about said Abby Foster ’23, who currently lives ful, students have found comfort in the
freshman dorm,” said Maddie Vonk their time there, including Leah Ander- in Mather Residence Hall. “In my fresh- memories and simplicity of first-year
’23, a sophomore living in Norton Resi- son ’23, who has since returned to Gund man year, my friends and I would spend housing.6 Thursday, Februay 11
ARTS kenyoncollegian.com
Creative student-run businesses flourish during pandemic
GRACE WILKINS
ARTS EDITOR on an artistic business venture, sell-
ing customized, crocheted plushies.
Ellie Roman ’22, meanwhile, ta kes
commissions for two-dimensiona l
As many students begin to settle visua l art. Both enjoy work ing with
back into their routines on campus, customers to craf t unique products,
they are bringing previously off-cam- incorporating their own f lair into
pus pastimes to Gambier. recreations of beloved characters, an-
In recent months, an array of ima ls, portraits and a range of other
sma ll, student-run businesses have concepts.
gained footing in the Kenyon com- Roman cites the pandemic as a
munit y and beyond. Students selling cata lyst for consistent artistic prac-
a variet y of handmade products — tice and business inspiration. “I drew
ranging from jewelr y and crocheted prett y much nonstop last summer,
creations to visua l art in a variet y since art was something a lmost med-
of mediums — have found success in itative I could do to distract myself
marketing their passion projects to a without brea k ing from isolation,” she
wide audience. said. “COVID gave me a hard push to
Grace McManus ’22, a suburban monetize my art, but a lso time to im-
Chicago native, ventured in the di- prove to the point where I felt okay
rection of the La ke Michigan shore- about doing it.”
line for her accessor y-based project. McManus, Blank and Roman a ll
From March 2020 until her arriva l on emphasize the joy their work brings
campus, she spent an hour each day them and the artistic grow th and
scouring loca l beaches for sma ll piec- conf idence it inspires. “I love ma k ing
es of sea glass. Inspired by the com- products and then getting messages
mona lities between different frag- [from buyers] say ing how much they
ments, her self-proclaimed “ hunt for are enjoy ing them rea lly does ma ke
treasure” quick ly became a drive to me happy,” said Blank.
create distinctive jewelr y. “Knowing that other people va lue
McManus’s colorful sea glass ear- this uniqueness helps me be there for
rings have been in high demand for my own art,” Roman said.
some time, amassing her a sma ll Innovative online marketplaces
wea lth, a portion of which she do- such as Etsy, in addition to socia l me- COURTESY OF ELLIE ROMAN
nated to a Chicago organization pro- dia platforms like Instagram, have a l-
viding socia l ser vices to its LGBTQ+ lowed creators to showcase and share
communit y. “With this, the joy I have their work at a time when virtua l
from spreading my work to people’s businesses are most widely acces-
jewelr y boxes a ll over the countr y, sible. McManus, Blank and Roman’s
as well as the genuine fun and pride distinct and carefully constructed
I have in ma k ing [creations] out of pieces have found homes both in Ke-
things I found myself, this little busi- nyon residences and across the coun-
ness was probably the best part of tr y. They encourage customers to
2020 for me,” she said. “[It is] abso- reach out to them at their Instagram
lutely something I’ ll keep doing for a accounts — @gracedglass, @illumi-
while.” natecraf tstore and @elliegraceart —
Becca Blank ’22 has a lso embarked with any inquiries. McManus’ jewelry is a hit online. | COURTESY OF GRACE MCMANUS
Poets showcase vulnerable pieces at Kenyon Review event
BRYN SAVIDGE associate director of pro- cia l injustice in America. ics Circle Award and the ism, sexism loves to conquer
STAFF WRITER grams and head of the Ken- Jones admitted that shar- 2016 Kingsley Tuf ts Poetr y ties,” Erlichman said. “It
yon Review Reading Series. ing his work as a passion- Award, concluded the read- loves to create ice out of river
Dark explained the factors ate activist can be diff icult. ing with an excerpt from his and I think that poetr y does
On Tuesday, the Kenyon that contributed to choos- He said that because of his poem, “Be Holding,” which an incredible job of melt-
Review hosted its f irst vir- ing artists. They specif ica lly identit y as a Black and queer examines basketba ll player ing that and creating a more
tua l event of the month: a focused on writers who are artist, people of ten expect Julius Er ving’s famous ac- queer investigation of what it
Winter Evening of Words “ being taught in Kenyon’s him to ta lk about Black His- robatic scoop-dunk. Gay rea lly is to fuck ing be here.”
and Songs, featuring award- classrooms, whose books tor y Month. Most of his per- says that af ter reading his While the Kenyon Review
winning artists Saeed Jones, are on our students’ night- formance, Jones noted, was work, some of his readers has worked hard to main-
Shira Erlichman and Ross stands, and what writers are driven by his “Black Histor y feel a persona l connection tain the intimacy of its read-
Gay. coming up in conversations Month angst.” to him as an author. “I think ing series, the online setting
The event featured a num- across campus.” Shira Erlichman, author, it’s useful for us [writers] certainly does not replicate
ber of co-sponsors, includ- Kick ing off the event with visua l artist and musician to consider that what we do the in-person experience.
ing Kenyon College’s Black poet Audre Lourde’s famous from Brook ly n, New York, not a lways consider persona l However, the virtua l set-
Student Union, Off ice of the sentiment that “poetr y is not shared both poetr y and orig- might actua lly be persona l, ting has a llowed for the se-
President and Department a lu xur y,” Kenyon Review ina l songs. While some of and vice versa,” he said. ries to reach a larger literar y
of African Diaspora Stud- Editor-in-Chief Nicole Ter- her work is inspired by her During a Q&A at the end audience, and Dark does not
ies. It was funded through ez Dutton reminded the at- own experiences with menta l of the reading, the readers think virtua l readings will
grant proposa ls from Asso- tendees that poetr y is essen- illness, she is cautious to la- were asked how their poetr y completely go away, even af-
ciate Professors of English tia l to sur viva l. bel her work as a product of navigated the past, particu- ter the pandemic is over.
Jené Schoenfeld and Orchid Saeed Jones, a prolif ic it. “I’m shepherded into con- larly America’s racia l histo- A recording of the event
Tierney. writer and poet from Co- versations about mania or r y. All of the artists agreed will be available to the public
“What began with a hope lumbus, Ohio was the eve- depression as modes of pro- that writing poetr y not only next week on the Kenyon Re-
to bring one artist for a read- ning’s f irst presenter. He duction, which is a deeply helps themselves to confront view’s YouTube channel. The
ing turned into the idea of a shared that many of his po- capita list way of look ing at diff icult issues, but brings next event in the series will
virtua l evening with mul- ems were inspired by his illness,” she said. thoughts about such uncom- feature a reading and Q&A
tiple artists,” said Elizabeth grief, which guided him to Ross Gay, winner of the fortable issues to the read- with writer Geetha Iyer on
Dark, the Kenyon Review’s ref lect on the histor y of ra- 2015 Nationa l Book Crit- ers’ attention. “Politics, rac- Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.8 Thursday, February 11
OPINIONS kenyoncollegian.com
STAFF EDITORIAL
WEEKLY COLUMN
Kenyon must Biden’s inauguration is not proof that
deliver meals to systemic change is on its way
quarantined AALIYAH C. DANIELS
students COLUMNIST
The protocols for the quarantining process at Kenyon Presidential inaugurations are always major productions, and this year was no exception. This
thus far have not been uniform. As noted in last week’s event was touted as a symbol of success and diversity; Michelle Obama, Jill Biden and Kama-
issue of the Collegian, students in quarantine have re- la Harris’s monochrome outfits practically broke Twitter. The amazing poetry performance by
ceived unclear instructions from the College on how Amanda Gorman marked her as the youngest inaugural poet in history. Social media was filled
to self-isolate. They have been forced to get meals from with memes of Bernie Sanders and his iconic gloves. Amid all the excitement, it was hard to re-
Peirce, and they have been refused COVID-19 tests until member the fear many felt during election week about Trump’s possible reelection. The wide-
their 10th day of quarantine. While none of these poli- spread distrust in American institutions seemed to evaporate. The inauguration ceremony did
cies are new, the changed circumstances of this semester what it was supposed to do: make us forget the sins of the last president and re-instill a dangerous
raise new concerns about the validity — and safety — of amount of faith in American democracy. We must not be played for fools by our own government
such protocols. and must hold it accountable for the violence it is capable of.
We are deeply concerned that students who are in At its core, the inauguration is a legal procedure where the president and vice president take
quarantine as designated close contacts to someone an oath before entering office. But over the last 46 presidencies, this legal procedure has evolved
who has tested positive are still allowed to pick up their into a spectacle. Even the inauguration speech, now a hallmark of the event, wasn’t a part of the
meals directly from Peirce. As President Decatur noted original ceremony; at the first inauguration, George Washington took it upon himself to address
in an interview on Wednesday, the College believes that the residents of New York, and ever since then, the speech has become a showcase of triumph. The
“picking up food and leaving is actually okay and mini- inauguration itself tends to send a message of goodwill and promise to the American people, act-
mal risk for transmission.” ing as good PR for the incoming president.
We believe that this risk, albeit “minimal,” is still a The inauguration of a new president often symbolizes a shift in the country’s general mind-
serious threat. When you consider the fact that there is set, reaffirming American’s faith in the country and its values. While many people believe the
nothing but the honor code preventing students in quar- election fixed what is fundamentally wrong with this country, we should not expect this shift to
antine from sitting down and removing their masks in change the status quo. Even as Biden sits in the Oval Office, there are still people dying at the
close proximity to others for an extended period of time, hands of a broken system, most recently 19-year-old Asian American Christian Hall, who was
the situation looks even worse. killed by Pennsylvania state police.
In addition, anyone who has attended Peirce since After every thing that happened last summer, I would be baff led if people actually believed a
the beginning of the semester knows the social distanc- new president would lead to any meaningful, structural change, especially in systems that oppress
ing within the servery is virtually nonexistent. When BIPOC and LGBTQ communities. There are so many presidents that have made promises during
students who may have been exposed to COVID-19 are their campaigns and then harmed minorities throughout their presidency.
joining students at the dining hall who have tested nega- Take Clinton and his endorsement of the super predator theory, Richard Nixon’s war on drugs,
tive, even if they are just grabbing a meal and leaving, it Ronald Reagan’s economic policies or Barack Obama’s and Donald Trump’s respective immigra-
is an unnecessary health hazard. tion policies. These eras all started with a simple ceremony that reinstilled faith in a broken sys-
Our concern stretches beyond the health and safety tem, but it is time we stop believing every politician that smiles their way into office. Instead, we
of students. It is unfair and wrong to put AVI workers must keep a critical eye on who politicians actually are when they’re in power. What deals is Biden
and custodial staff in contact with students that could making? Is he keeping his campaign promises? Who is benefiting from his politics and who will
potentially be infected with COVID-19. But as of now, suffer in spite of them? If Trump has taught us any thing, it is that we must keep this suspicion of
these students have virtually no other choice for getting government actions alive or we may fall victim to a tyrant.
their meals, unless they have a friend or roommate who History has shown too often that people in power can do more damage than good. So, while
is willing to go to Peirce for them. celebrating Biden’s win and sharing inauguration memes of Sanders, make sure you stay as skepti-
The College has said multiple times that in order to cal of American institutions as you were when Trump was in office. We must hold President Biden
dine in person before the quiet period ends, students accountable; that is the only way we will not be disappointed when the systems Biden refuses to
must receive two negative test results. While this may dismantle — such as ICE or the police — continue to damage vulnerable communities.
seem like a reasonable policy, the unfortunate reality is
that the College is doing nothing to enforce it. The re- Aaliyah C. Daniels is a columnist for the Collegian. She is an English major with an emphasis
percussions of violating COVID-19 protocols are clear in creative writing and a philosophy minor with a concreation in law and society, from Bronx, N.Y.
and obvious. Students that fail to comply with testing or You can contact her at daniels2@kenyon.edu.
quiet period rules will face disciplinary action, includ-
ing interim suspension or even immediate removal from
campus. But without anyone policing these guidelines,
there is no way to ensure the safety of the Kenyon com-
munity.
In our eyes, there is an easy and obvious solution to
this predicament: Students who are deemed close con-
tacts and are in quarantine should have their meals safe- The opinions page is a space for members of the community to
discuss issues relevant to the campus and the world at large. The
ly delivered to their room. If this is enacted, the broader opinions expressed on this page belong only to the writers. Columns
campus can enjoy a safer, more secure eating experience and letters to the editors do not reflect the opinions of the Collegian
staff. All members of the community are welcome to express opinions
in Peirce. through a letter to the editor.
The Kenyon Collegian reserves the right to edit all letters submitted
for length and clarity. The Collegian cannot accept anonymous or
The staff editorial is written weekly by editors-in-chief pseudonymous letters. Letters must be signed by individuals, not
organizations, and must be 200 words or fewer. Letters must also be
Mae Hunt ’21 and Evey Weisblat ’21, managing editor received no later than the Tuesday prior to publication. The Kenyon
Jackson Wald ‘22 and executive director Elizabeth Stan- Collegian prints as many letters as possible each week subject to
space, interest and appropriateness. Members of the editorial board
ley ’21. You can contact them at hunt1@kenyon.edu, weis- reserve the right to reject any submission. The views expressed in the
blat1@kenyon.edu, wald1@kenyon.edu and stanley2@ke- paper do not necessarily reflect the views of Kenyon College.
nyon.edu, respectively.8 Thursday, February 11 | kenyoncollegian.com
ALEX GILKEY
I am a Democrat. Here’s why I will be voting to oust
Rep. Bob Gibbs in the 2022 Ohio Republican primary.
MILO LEVINE as a quirk in our de facto two-par- actions are antit hetica l to a hea lt hy, a moderating ef fect on conser va-
CONTRIBUTOR t y politica l system. However, t here f unctiona l democracy. Dif ferences tive politics in t he area. Gibbs likely
is v ir tua lly no chance t hat a push in opinion between libera ls and con- acted as he did because, as it stands,
by t he Gambier communit y to un- ser vatives w ill not be t he undoing of he faces no serious politica l reper-
seat a Republican incumbent w it h a American politica l stabilit y. Rat her, cussions for his actions. However, if
Like many Kenyon students, I was
Democrat in t he 2022 midterm elec- instabilit y w ill come from t he un- libera ls, progressives and Democrats
extremely troubled and disappoint-
tions would be successf ul, as Dona ld raveling of t he ver y institutions t hat were to constitute a substantia l bloc
ed when 147 Republican lawma kers
Trump won Ohio’s 7t h congressiona l ensure libera ls and conser vatives of Republican primar y voters, t his
voted against cer tif y ing t he results
district by 32% in 2020. This is why can reconcile t hese dif ferences in a may incentiv ize more moderate Re-
of t he 2020 presidentia l election,
voting Gibbs out of of f ice in t he Re- fair and just manner. publicans to cha llenge Gibbs in 2024
citing fa lse claims of voter fraud
publican primar y is crucia l, even if Ohio is a state t hat conducts open and beyond, as t his lef t-leaning sup-
spread by former president Dona ld
it means voting in anot her conser- primaries, meaning t hat a ll regis- por t w ill prov ide a foundation for
Trump. By voting against cer tif ica-
vative. tered voters have t he discretion to t heir campaigns. It may even dis-
tion, t hese Republicans expressed
I understand t hose who are hesi- choose which primar y t hey would courage Gibbs from ta k ing such ex-
t heir desire to a lter t he outcome
tant to cast a primar y vote for a can- like to vote in regard less of t heir treme positions in t he f uture, if he
of a democratic election and ef-
didate whose v iews t hey do not en- par tisan af f iliation. Fur t hermore, were to feel like he could no longer
fectively disenfranchise 81 million
dorse. Gibbs’ hy pot hetica l primar y nationa l voter turnout in t he 2018 infringe upon t he rights of his con-
Americans who voted for President
cha llenger may still hold v iews t hat congressiona l primaries, a year t hat stituents w it h impunit y.
Joe Biden. Included in t his group of
could reasonably be interpreted as saw record par ticipation for a mid- Af ter voting in t he Republican
Republican lawma kers is Rep. Bob
harmf ul and dangerous, especia lly term election cycle, did not even primar y, I w ill a lmost cer tainly vote
Gibbs, who represents Ohio’s 7t h
to t hose who identif y w it h various surpass 20% of eligible voters. This for t he Democratic candidate in t he
congressiona l district — and, by ex-
margina lized groups. It is a lso a pos- suggests t hat any group t hat mobi- genera l election, who w ill likely have
tension, t he Gambier communit y. It
sibilit y t hat Gibbs w ill be cha llenged lizes for t he primaries w ill have sub- policies t hat are much more a ligned
is our dut y as constituents to hold
by someone who poses an even stantia lly more inf luence t han t hey w it h my persona l v iews. The genera l
Gibbs accountable for his dangerous
greater risk to our democracy t han would in t he genera l election, simply election is an oppor tunit y for us to
and treasonous actions, and t here is
him, or t hat he simply w ill run in because t hat group would ma ke up a cast a genuine vote for our beliefs.
a way in which our communit y can
t he Republican primar y unopposed, greater propor tion of t he electorate. The primaries are an oppor tunit y
do exact ly t hat: by voting against
as was t he case in 2020. But if Gibbs’ This is especia lly true for minorit y for us to ta ke advantage of our im-
Gibbs in t he 2022 Republican con-
cha llenger is a moderate Republican politica l groups in t he district, such perfect system to choose t he lesser
gressiona l primar y.
not beholden to Trumpism, I would as t hose of libera ls and Democrats of two ev ils.
Voting as a means of repudiating
contend t hat such a traditiona l con- in Ohio’s 7t h, who can essentia lly be
or endorsing t he actions of elect-
ser vative representative poses much ignored in genera l elections because Milo Levine ‘23 is an undeclared
ed of f icia ls is f undamenta l to our
less of an existentia l t hreat to Amer- t hey are so great ly outnumbered. major from San Francisco, CA. You
representative democracy, but pri-
ican democracy t han a representa- Democratic par ticipation in t he can contact him at levine1@kenyon.
maries are commonly t hought of
tive such as Gibbs, whose beliefs and Republican primar y may a lso have edu.You can also read
