By Dave Lapham, Jillian Grenier, Derika Downing
Special to the Critic
Students look to a drug to aid studying.
Coffee is no longer enough; too much homework and stress is making college students across the country turn to the drug Adderall for that extra burst of energy they need.
The prescription drug Adderall is made for people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and is not only illegal to take without a prescription but is also unsafe if not taken correctly. It consists of amphetamines that stimulate the central nervous system. The drug is commonly prescribed to those diagnosed with ADHD, and is used to increase levels of norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine in the brain. Students around campus who admit to taking the drug illegally talked openly about the subject but asked to not be identified.
“I remember a bunch of my girlfriends and I started using adderall recreationally, and that made it so we could drink all night,” an 09 female said. “I would get up and bump one in the morning before class to help me get through [the day] after a night of drinking.”
Many college students find solace in the drug because it eliminates drowsiness, supports them in their all night drinking endeavors, and helps them concentrate in those few moments before a big exam or heavily weighted essays.
Not all students use the drug to facilitate all-night drinking binges. Some Lyndon State College Students are no strangers to staying up all hours of the night on Adderall so they can study or complete a homework assignment. “It just helps me focus and get my work done,” one source said. “It just makes me want to do my homework.”
Though Adderall may seem like a miracle drug enabling students to party and study hard, there are many side affects that result from abusing the drug, such as nervousness, lack of appetite, depression, inability to sleep, dry mouth, and rapid heartbeat which can then lead to death or serious side effects on the heart.
When asked if they were worried about the side effects that Adderall can cause, it seemed that they already knew. One source said “Sometimes I get scared when my heart beats too fast. I feel like I’m going to have a heart attack.”
“It is highly addictive. It made it so I didn’t want to eat. It was never hard to find a dealer. Most of the time it would come in a little capsule and if you break it there are little white beads inside. I would ingest it and 20 minutes later I got a big boost of energy,” said the 09 female.
“I think it is risky,” said Miriam Simon, a physician’s assistant. “Adderall is potentially dangerous and there is a great concern. There are many side effects including: heart disease, heart attacks, high blood pressure, insomnia, and weight loss.”
Obtaining the drug is not necessarily that difficult; many times students are able to buy some pills from a person who has been prescribed the drug. According to a few different sources, the price of Adderall on campus can go anywhere from $3 to $9 a pill, depending on how much the person with the prescription wants to charge for it, which can be quite a lot, because they have the same customers coming back due to how addictive the drug is.
“When we prescribe the drug I have no control over diversion. We don’t know if it will be sold to other people,” Simon said.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Heating issues at LSC
By Josiah Stewart
Critic Staff
Tom Archer sheds some light on how LSC determines when to put the heat on.
The Heating in the resident halls has been a topic of interest for students living on campus this semester.
“We typically try and wait for three consecutive nights where the weather drops below 32 degrees before we turn the heat on,” Tom Archer, director of physical plant at Lyndon State College, said, “and it takes a little while to set that up, but usually we have it on around the first of October.
The heat in the resident halls was turned on Monday Oct. 6 and some students believe that it was about time.
“For the past two weeks, since it first started getting cold, I’ve had to use a sheet, a comforter, a fleece throw, and a heavy quilt,” Tori Loyer, a creative writing major and Bailey resident said.
When the heating system was first turned on there was an incident involving smoke that set off the fire alarms in Wheelock. The heat had not been turned on since the previous semester and the windows in the buildings had all been closed.
“The smoke was basically puffs of exhaust that got sucked back into the building and it was due to the extreme tightness of the building,” Archer said. “But the system does work and the alarms went off.”
The fire department was immediately called into action over the incident, and assessed the situation upon arrival. The fire department corroborated with Archer as to the cause of the smoke buildup, and agreed that it was most likely due to the buildup of “negative air” in Wheelock that was caused by the lack of circulation.
“We recently installed new windows and insulation in the dorms to try and make the rooms a bit more comfortable, and to help with the overall efficiency,” Archer said. “If students have a problem with the temperature in their rooms, if they are too hot, instead of opening a window, get your RHD, just opening a window is a terrible waste, and we have the tools to tweak the system.”
Archer mentioned that if students do have a problem with the heating in their rooms, whether it is too cold or too hot, that they need to go through Residential Life with any complaints, “I haven’t heard any so far,” Archer said.
According to Archer, the school burns approximately 220,000 gallons of fuel a year, “The rising prices for fuel are definitely affecting Lyndon State College,” Archer said. “We are shooting for a biomass plant, which involves woodchips and is very viable, and in the long run would probably save millions. I am open to an energy challenge here on campus, it’s time to walk the talk. Let’s cut our electric and heating costs. It’s going to take an effort, and everyone needs to do their part. I mean, the planet is suffering.”
Critic Staff
Tom Archer sheds some light on how LSC determines when to put the heat on.
The Heating in the resident halls has been a topic of interest for students living on campus this semester.
“We typically try and wait for three consecutive nights where the weather drops below 32 degrees before we turn the heat on,” Tom Archer, director of physical plant at Lyndon State College, said, “and it takes a little while to set that up, but usually we have it on around the first of October.
The heat in the resident halls was turned on Monday Oct. 6 and some students believe that it was about time.
“For the past two weeks, since it first started getting cold, I’ve had to use a sheet, a comforter, a fleece throw, and a heavy quilt,” Tori Loyer, a creative writing major and Bailey resident said.
When the heating system was first turned on there was an incident involving smoke that set off the fire alarms in Wheelock. The heat had not been turned on since the previous semester and the windows in the buildings had all been closed.
“The smoke was basically puffs of exhaust that got sucked back into the building and it was due to the extreme tightness of the building,” Archer said. “But the system does work and the alarms went off.”
The fire department was immediately called into action over the incident, and assessed the situation upon arrival. The fire department corroborated with Archer as to the cause of the smoke buildup, and agreed that it was most likely due to the buildup of “negative air” in Wheelock that was caused by the lack of circulation.
“We recently installed new windows and insulation in the dorms to try and make the rooms a bit more comfortable, and to help with the overall efficiency,” Archer said. “If students have a problem with the temperature in their rooms, if they are too hot, instead of opening a window, get your RHD, just opening a window is a terrible waste, and we have the tools to tweak the system.”
Archer mentioned that if students do have a problem with the heating in their rooms, whether it is too cold or too hot, that they need to go through Residential Life with any complaints, “I haven’t heard any so far,” Archer said.
According to Archer, the school burns approximately 220,000 gallons of fuel a year, “The rising prices for fuel are definitely affecting Lyndon State College,” Archer said. “We are shooting for a biomass plant, which involves woodchips and is very viable, and in the long run would probably save millions. I am open to an energy challenge here on campus, it’s time to walk the talk. Let’s cut our electric and heating costs. It’s going to take an effort, and everyone needs to do their part. I mean, the planet is suffering.”
Financial aid collapse
Derika Downing
Critic staff
Director of financial aid tells of how the national deficit affects student loans.
By now, just about everybody is familiar with the major economic crisis that has hit this country, but what effect has this problem had on student loans?
Tanya W. Bradley, LSC’s director of financial aid, says the national deficit has affected student loans in two ways.
“In places like Pennsylvania, their state agency stopped processing federal student loans,” Bradley said, “So schools have had to find other lenders or go to direct loans, like Stafford and Parent PLUS loans.” These loans “cut out the middle man,” i.e., the lenders and guarantee agencies.
“But that kind of national problem hasn’t really hit Vermont,” Bradley said, “Because VSAC [Vermont Student Assistance Corporation] has always been able to secure the funding for federal loan programs and alternative student loans.
“Because 90 percent of our loan volume is through VSAC, our students have at least been able to borrow through an entity that has the funding,” Bradley said.
“The other piece that has affected our students is that lenders have raised the criterion for the FICO (Fair Isaac & Co) credit scores, a measurement of financial strength,” Bradley said. “Many of our students have tried to use alternative loans in place of the parent loans because the parents have bad credit, and more of the loan burden falls on to the student.”
Because of these setbacks, the student seeking financial aid often needs a co-signer, “somebody who is credit-worthy and who promises to pay the loan if the student defaults [is unable to pay the loan within an allotted amount of time].” Finding a reliable co-signer is one of the biggest problems for students in need of financial aid. “There’s obviously a credit problem in this country,” Bradley said.
Critic staff
Director of financial aid tells of how the national deficit affects student loans.
By now, just about everybody is familiar with the major economic crisis that has hit this country, but what effect has this problem had on student loans?
Tanya W. Bradley, LSC’s director of financial aid, says the national deficit has affected student loans in two ways.
“In places like Pennsylvania, their state agency stopped processing federal student loans,” Bradley said, “So schools have had to find other lenders or go to direct loans, like Stafford and Parent PLUS loans.” These loans “cut out the middle man,” i.e., the lenders and guarantee agencies.
“But that kind of national problem hasn’t really hit Vermont,” Bradley said, “Because VSAC [Vermont Student Assistance Corporation] has always been able to secure the funding for federal loan programs and alternative student loans.
“Because 90 percent of our loan volume is through VSAC, our students have at least been able to borrow through an entity that has the funding,” Bradley said.
“The other piece that has affected our students is that lenders have raised the criterion for the FICO (Fair Isaac & Co) credit scores, a measurement of financial strength,” Bradley said. “Many of our students have tried to use alternative loans in place of the parent loans because the parents have bad credit, and more of the loan burden falls on to the student.”
Because of these setbacks, the student seeking financial aid often needs a co-signer, “somebody who is credit-worthy and who promises to pay the loan if the student defaults [is unable to pay the loan within an allotted amount of time].” Finding a reliable co-signer is one of the biggest problems for students in need of financial aid. “There’s obviously a credit problem in this country,” Bradley said.
National Debt and You Presentation
Ben Holbrook
Critic Editor
LSC professor holds youtube contest.
“The most important issue is that it matters to you.”
That is how David Plazek, professor of social science, opened his lecture on national debt to students gathered in the Alexander Twilight Theater. Plazek’s presentation dealt with the issues of having a large national debt and how it affects everybody.
“I got sent to D.C. and got all schooled up on the national debt,” Plazek said. For every new child, that child is immediately $175,000 in debt, Plazek said.
The U.S. “Spends more on defense than all the other countries in the world combined,” Plazek said.
Plazek explained the difference between a debt and a deficit. A deficit is an unbalanced budget due to greater expenditures and less revenue. A debt is an accumulation of deficits over time.
The nation’s debt especially effects college students because “You can’t have lower student interest rates on loans,” Plazek said.
In order to address the problem, Plazek is offering students the chance to compete for cash prizes in a YouTube video contest.
The contest requires students to make a video that addresses the issue of national debt in a creative way. It must also illustrate the problem clearly so that people understand what is going on, and offer solutions as to how to solve the issue.
“Power is about getting people or states to do things that they wouldn’t otherwise do, Plazek said.”
First place winners receive $300, second place $150 and third place $50.
Plazek ended his lecture by challenging students to get involved because “Democracy only works if people are involved.”
Critic Editor
LSC professor holds youtube contest.
“The most important issue is that it matters to you.”
That is how David Plazek, professor of social science, opened his lecture on national debt to students gathered in the Alexander Twilight Theater. Plazek’s presentation dealt with the issues of having a large national debt and how it affects everybody.
“I got sent to D.C. and got all schooled up on the national debt,” Plazek said. For every new child, that child is immediately $175,000 in debt, Plazek said.
The U.S. “Spends more on defense than all the other countries in the world combined,” Plazek said.
Plazek explained the difference between a debt and a deficit. A deficit is an unbalanced budget due to greater expenditures and less revenue. A debt is an accumulation of deficits over time.
The nation’s debt especially effects college students because “You can’t have lower student interest rates on loans,” Plazek said.
In order to address the problem, Plazek is offering students the chance to compete for cash prizes in a YouTube video contest.
The contest requires students to make a video that addresses the issue of national debt in a creative way. It must also illustrate the problem clearly so that people understand what is going on, and offer solutions as to how to solve the issue.
“Power is about getting people or states to do things that they wouldn’t otherwise do, Plazek said.”
First place winners receive $300, second place $150 and third place $50.
Plazek ended his lecture by challenging students to get involved because “Democracy only works if people are involved.”
Fountain shows recession
Eric Downing
Critic Staff
Budget cut causes pond to recede.
Where did the pond go?
Last week, students may have noticed something odd about the pond in front of Stevens Dining Hall.
Fountain pond, as it’s called because of the stream of water that shoots straight up in the middle of it, was looking a little low for a few weeks. The water level appeared to be approximately two feet below its normal depth.
“We’re trying to save town water,” Tom Archer, the director of physical plant, said.
In past years, the fountain had been filled continuously with water from the town. This year’s deficit forced LSC to look for budget cuts, and supplying the fountain constantly seemed like an obvious choice.
Currently, the fountain is on a monthly schedule to fill it. The fountain itself does not supply water to the pond, but actually just re-circulates the water already in the pond.
Fountain pond’s town water supply was turned off to “make sure we don’t have any major leaks,“ Archer said.
Archer cited evaporation as playing a key role in the fountain’s decline. Water shot into the air is much more likely to evaporate. The speed of the fountain’s drop might suggest that there are holes in the liner underneath the pond.
If the fabric is indeed leaking, Archer said that it would have to be dug up and replaced. Students who look forward to seeing the “ice sculpture” the fountain forms in the wintertime shouldn’t worry. Archer was positive that it would be seen again this winter, even if it may be a bit smaller. “It’s a nice nostalgia thing,” Archer said.
Critic Staff
Budget cut causes pond to recede.
Where did the pond go?
Last week, students may have noticed something odd about the pond in front of Stevens Dining Hall.
Fountain pond, as it’s called because of the stream of water that shoots straight up in the middle of it, was looking a little low for a few weeks. The water level appeared to be approximately two feet below its normal depth.
“We’re trying to save town water,” Tom Archer, the director of physical plant, said.
In past years, the fountain had been filled continuously with water from the town. This year’s deficit forced LSC to look for budget cuts, and supplying the fountain constantly seemed like an obvious choice.
Currently, the fountain is on a monthly schedule to fill it. The fountain itself does not supply water to the pond, but actually just re-circulates the water already in the pond.
Fountain pond’s town water supply was turned off to “make sure we don’t have any major leaks,“ Archer said.
Archer cited evaporation as playing a key role in the fountain’s decline. Water shot into the air is much more likely to evaporate. The speed of the fountain’s drop might suggest that there are holes in the liner underneath the pond.
If the fabric is indeed leaking, Archer said that it would have to be dug up and replaced. Students who look forward to seeing the “ice sculpture” the fountain forms in the wintertime shouldn’t worry. Archer was positive that it would be seen again this winter, even if it may be a bit smaller. “It’s a nice nostalgia thing,” Archer said.
Club Budgets
Aimee Lawton
Special to the Critic
Where the 94 dollar student activity fee goes.
If you ever wondered about how your $94 student activity fee is used, you need not wonder any longer.
This fee, paid by every LSC student at the beginning of each consecutive school year is used to fund the many clubs and organizations offered on campus. Each year, a student activity fee budget is developed, and smaller budgets for the clubs are developed from there.
Half of the overall budget goes to the Student Government Association (SGA), who distributes the money to themselves and the other clubs. The other half is given to the Campus Activities Board (CAB) to make bus trips, movies, guests, and their many other fun activities possible; both on and off campus.
You may now be asking yourself how a budget is determined for a club. Every year, each club makes specific requests for funding based on supplies and expenses that need to be paid for to keep them running. These requests are then reviewed by SGA representatives, and modified if necessary before the final budget is published.
Clubs are allowed to request additional money not specified within their budget if unforeseen expenses appear.
“Anyone can come to SGA meetings on Wednesday nights and request money,” President Andrew Chapin said, “You do not have to be part of a club, or a club that is published in the budget.”
There are four clubs that have been added to the SGA since the budget was published at the beginning of the year: Rotaract, Students for Global Change, Assist, and the Lyndon Strikers. Even though these clubs do not have a set budget, they are still allowed to request funding at the meetings.
Chapin said that they take advantage of this opportunity. In addition to this, there are also scenarios in which requests for funding are made by individuals on a personal basis if they plan to host an event or activity that could benefit others on campus. The money for these requests comes from a general fund containing money left over after budgets have been completed.
Of course, fundraising is always an option as well. All clubs are given several opportunities to host and participate in various fundraising events both on and off campus to earn their own money. Some clubs are also required to pay dues, which are used to pay for other things not listed within their budget.
“As far as club membership goes, we do not have exact numbers for you yet,” Chapin said, “We are currently in the process of collecting this information.”
Chapin said that it is tough to obtain membership information at this point in the year because some clubs are seasonal, such as High Society, and have not yet kicked in to action. Since the budgets for clubs are developed before membership is counted, it is evident that the money is not distributed based on a membership ratio.
There are 23 clubs published in the budget for the current school year. The projected budget totaled $200,000.00, while the requested budget totaled $211,852.21. Aside from CAB and SGA, clubs such as hockey and AMS are receiving some of the greatest funding, while clubs such as RPC and LPC are receiving little to no funding at all.
Special to the Critic
Where the 94 dollar student activity fee goes.
If you ever wondered about how your $94 student activity fee is used, you need not wonder any longer.
This fee, paid by every LSC student at the beginning of each consecutive school year is used to fund the many clubs and organizations offered on campus. Each year, a student activity fee budget is developed, and smaller budgets for the clubs are developed from there.
Half of the overall budget goes to the Student Government Association (SGA), who distributes the money to themselves and the other clubs. The other half is given to the Campus Activities Board (CAB) to make bus trips, movies, guests, and their many other fun activities possible; both on and off campus.
You may now be asking yourself how a budget is determined for a club. Every year, each club makes specific requests for funding based on supplies and expenses that need to be paid for to keep them running. These requests are then reviewed by SGA representatives, and modified if necessary before the final budget is published.
Clubs are allowed to request additional money not specified within their budget if unforeseen expenses appear.
“Anyone can come to SGA meetings on Wednesday nights and request money,” President Andrew Chapin said, “You do not have to be part of a club, or a club that is published in the budget.”
There are four clubs that have been added to the SGA since the budget was published at the beginning of the year: Rotaract, Students for Global Change, Assist, and the Lyndon Strikers. Even though these clubs do not have a set budget, they are still allowed to request funding at the meetings.
Chapin said that they take advantage of this opportunity. In addition to this, there are also scenarios in which requests for funding are made by individuals on a personal basis if they plan to host an event or activity that could benefit others on campus. The money for these requests comes from a general fund containing money left over after budgets have been completed.
Of course, fundraising is always an option as well. All clubs are given several opportunities to host and participate in various fundraising events both on and off campus to earn their own money. Some clubs are also required to pay dues, which are used to pay for other things not listed within their budget.
“As far as club membership goes, we do not have exact numbers for you yet,” Chapin said, “We are currently in the process of collecting this information.”
Chapin said that it is tough to obtain membership information at this point in the year because some clubs are seasonal, such as High Society, and have not yet kicked in to action. Since the budgets for clubs are developed before membership is counted, it is evident that the money is not distributed based on a membership ratio.
There are 23 clubs published in the budget for the current school year. The projected budget totaled $200,000.00, while the requested budget totaled $211,852.21. Aside from CAB and SGA, clubs such as hockey and AMS are receiving some of the greatest funding, while clubs such as RPC and LPC are receiving little to no funding at all.
LSC Hockey
Sebastion C. Lury
Special to the Critic
Club looks to make the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
The Lyndon State Hockey Club is preparing to begin their 2008 campaign.
Though Lyndon State does not have a varsity hockey team, the college does have a hockey club that plays roughly 20 games per year. According to head coach Jonathan Davis, the team will play around 22 games this season.
The club is in the New England College Hockey Association Division II, a subset of the American College Hockey Association.
The club is primarily funded through the Student Government Association due to its non-varsity status. Davis says the club is “extremely appreciative” of all the support they receive from the SGA.
L
SC hockey will take place in the Fenton W. Chester Arena, down the hill from the college. However, before beginning play there, the club has been traveling to Stanstead, Canada to practice and play scrimmages.
The reason for this is that the Fenton W. Chester Arena only has ice seasonally. The team will be moving from Canada to the Fenton W. Chester Arena beginning the week of Oct. 13.
The regular season begins on Sunday, Oct. 12, at the Thompson Arena in Hanover, NH, as the LSC club matches up against the Dartmouth College Club team. LSC Hockey opens at home on Halloween, Oct. 31, against Daniel Webster. Davis says that if the club had any true rival, Daniel Webster would be it.
The club looks to make the playoffs for the fourth straight year. The previous three years, the club has been unsuccessful in advancing past the first round of the playoffs and hopes to reverse that trend this year.
The club does not consist only of players, but also include statisticians, announcers, first responders, and a variety of other positions. Also, players don’t have to compete in games, but can join for the fun of hockey practice and scrimmages.
It is not too late to join the club, according to Davis. Davis recommends that those interested contact him via email, Jonathan.Davis@lsc.vsc.edu, or by phone 626-6419.
Davis is encouraged by the progress of returning players as well as the addition of new players and says that LSC will have a “great team this year.” He also encourages students to continuously check the schedule at www.lyndonstate.edu/hockey.
There is no charge to LSC students for home games.
Special to the Critic
Club looks to make the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
The Lyndon State Hockey Club is preparing to begin their 2008 campaign.
Though Lyndon State does not have a varsity hockey team, the college does have a hockey club that plays roughly 20 games per year. According to head coach Jonathan Davis, the team will play around 22 games this season.
The club is in the New England College Hockey Association Division II, a subset of the American College Hockey Association.
The club is primarily funded through the Student Government Association due to its non-varsity status. Davis says the club is “extremely appreciative” of all the support they receive from the SGA.
L
SC hockey will take place in the Fenton W. Chester Arena, down the hill from the college. However, before beginning play there, the club has been traveling to Stanstead, Canada to practice and play scrimmages.
The reason for this is that the Fenton W. Chester Arena only has ice seasonally. The team will be moving from Canada to the Fenton W. Chester Arena beginning the week of Oct. 13.
The regular season begins on Sunday, Oct. 12, at the Thompson Arena in Hanover, NH, as the LSC club matches up against the Dartmouth College Club team. LSC Hockey opens at home on Halloween, Oct. 31, against Daniel Webster. Davis says that if the club had any true rival, Daniel Webster would be it.
The club looks to make the playoffs for the fourth straight year. The previous three years, the club has been unsuccessful in advancing past the first round of the playoffs and hopes to reverse that trend this year.
The club does not consist only of players, but also include statisticians, announcers, first responders, and a variety of other positions. Also, players don’t have to compete in games, but can join for the fun of hockey practice and scrimmages.
It is not too late to join the club, according to Davis. Davis recommends that those interested contact him via email, Jonathan.Davis@lsc.vsc.edu, or by phone 626-6419.
Davis is encouraged by the progress of returning players as well as the addition of new players and says that LSC will have a “great team this year.” He also encourages students to continuously check the schedule at www.lyndonstate.edu/hockey.
There is no charge to LSC students for home games.
WWLR goes Indy
Steve Cormier
Special to the Critic
WWLR looks toward playing music that can't be heard on "commercial" stations.
New music, both local and global, faces the challenge of trying to be heard and college radio is up to the task of giving it an audience.
At WWLR, Lyndon State College’s radio station, student disc jockeys and faculty advisors alike are looking towards less mainstream music and more independent tunes to fill the airwaves.
“The role of college radio is not playing anything that’s played on other commercial stations,” said Paul Searls, Indy music director at WWLR and assistant professor in the department of history at LSC.
Nick Phelan, music director at WWLR, agrees with the need to play music that’s not getting playtime anywhere else. “Musicians that live off of crackers and ketchup packets because they aren’t on a major label, that’s the kind of people that we want to play.”
“I got here 4 years ago and it boggled my mind, the musical cowardice that was going on at the station,” said Searls. “People were playing the same things that they heard on all the other stations in the area.”
When Searls came to LSC and WWLR he began looking to create a more diversified music format. “It’s been a slow long haul to really make the station do what college radio’s mission is supposed to be, which is to play the 99.9 percent of music you don’t hear on the commercial stations.”
Phelan says the different students behind the mike with majors ranging from meteorology to television studies and business to environmental studies will help.
“We really like the idea of students coming in and playing whatever they want,” Phelan said. “That’s college radio.”
Looking to the community and playing music from local musicians is also important.
“We’re trying to bring in some local and independent music and getting people into the mood of listening to music that no one’s ever heard of and supporting local bands,” Phelan said.
WWLR is putting on a Fall Music Series through November at LSC with new bands from Vermont and New York to try and get students involved, said Phelan. “Another reason we wanted to do that is because there is nothing to do on a Tuesday night.”
Phelan says WWLR is also looking into the possibility of working with Vermont Public Radio and seeing how that could benefit the station, though any deal is still up in the air. “I think internships would be an awesome get,” Phelan said.
Special to the Critic
WWLR looks toward playing music that can't be heard on "commercial" stations.
New music, both local and global, faces the challenge of trying to be heard and college radio is up to the task of giving it an audience.
At WWLR, Lyndon State College’s radio station, student disc jockeys and faculty advisors alike are looking towards less mainstream music and more independent tunes to fill the airwaves.
“The role of college radio is not playing anything that’s played on other commercial stations,” said Paul Searls, Indy music director at WWLR and assistant professor in the department of history at LSC.
Nick Phelan, music director at WWLR, agrees with the need to play music that’s not getting playtime anywhere else. “Musicians that live off of crackers and ketchup packets because they aren’t on a major label, that’s the kind of people that we want to play.”
“I got here 4 years ago and it boggled my mind, the musical cowardice that was going on at the station,” said Searls. “People were playing the same things that they heard on all the other stations in the area.”
When Searls came to LSC and WWLR he began looking to create a more diversified music format. “It’s been a slow long haul to really make the station do what college radio’s mission is supposed to be, which is to play the 99.9 percent of music you don’t hear on the commercial stations.”
Phelan says the different students behind the mike with majors ranging from meteorology to television studies and business to environmental studies will help.
“We really like the idea of students coming in and playing whatever they want,” Phelan said. “That’s college radio.”
Looking to the community and playing music from local musicians is also important.
“We’re trying to bring in some local and independent music and getting people into the mood of listening to music that no one’s ever heard of and supporting local bands,” Phelan said.
WWLR is putting on a Fall Music Series through November at LSC with new bands from Vermont and New York to try and get students involved, said Phelan. “Another reason we wanted to do that is because there is nothing to do on a Tuesday night.”
Phelan says WWLR is also looking into the possibility of working with Vermont Public Radio and seeing how that could benefit the station, though any deal is still up in the air. “I think internships would be an awesome get,” Phelan said.
Soccer update--Mens
Sam Monroe
Special to the Critic
LSC bags another soccer win.
It took the Lyndon State Men’s soccer team 12 extra minutes, but the Hornets handed Norwich its first loss of the season on October 8 with a 2-1 win.
“It was real exciting,” said Darren Roberge, a junior striker for the Hornets who scored the game-winning goal just two minutes into the second overtime period.
Norwich University struck first, scoring with more than 39 minutes remaining in the first half, and showing why they had yet to lose on the season. The rest of the game would prove to be very defensive.
Lyndon goalie Jeff Giroux made 10 stops, often stealing the show with aggressive and acrobatic saves; while the rest of his team played sound defense in front of him.
The half started to turn towards Lyndon’s favor when a Norwich player was called offside with 20 minutes left.
Lyndon had several good chances and made the best of it with two minutes to go in the half when freshman Devin Bugbee was fouled inside the Norwich defensive end. On the free kick senior Kyle Hessler placed the ball perfectly between the goaltenders hands and the left corner post of the net, knotting the game at one a piece.
The second half proved too much like the first half with hard defensive play and the goaltenders often stealing the show. Both teams had several scoring opportunities, and several shots that either went just high or just wide of a wide-open net.
With just over four minutes to play, Norwich University had a chance to put the game away when a player headed the ball in the direction of the net. It appeared as if it was going in until Lyndon goalie Jeff Giroux got his finger tips on it just enough to change it’s course sending it right over the top of the net. That would prove to be the best chance for either team in the second half as regulation play ended tied at one.
In the first overtime Giroux would have a similar save tipping this one as he fell to the ground changing the course of the ball once again, and forcing the ball to tip off of the cross bar and allow the game to continue.
A minute into the second overtime goalie Jeff Giroux drop kicked the ball about half way down the field. A Norwich defender jumped up to head the ball but hit it in the wrong direction, allowing for Lyndon’s Darren Roberge to take it on a break away and score the winning goal, sending the entire Lyndon team off the bench and into celebration frenzy.
The victory improved Lyndon State’s record to 5-5 while the loss was Norwich’s first knocking its record to 10-1-1.
Special to the Critic
LSC bags another soccer win.
It took the Lyndon State Men’s soccer team 12 extra minutes, but the Hornets handed Norwich its first loss of the season on October 8 with a 2-1 win.
“It was real exciting,” said Darren Roberge, a junior striker for the Hornets who scored the game-winning goal just two minutes into the second overtime period.
Norwich University struck first, scoring with more than 39 minutes remaining in the first half, and showing why they had yet to lose on the season. The rest of the game would prove to be very defensive.
Lyndon goalie Jeff Giroux made 10 stops, often stealing the show with aggressive and acrobatic saves; while the rest of his team played sound defense in front of him.
The half started to turn towards Lyndon’s favor when a Norwich player was called offside with 20 minutes left.
Lyndon had several good chances and made the best of it with two minutes to go in the half when freshman Devin Bugbee was fouled inside the Norwich defensive end. On the free kick senior Kyle Hessler placed the ball perfectly between the goaltenders hands and the left corner post of the net, knotting the game at one a piece.
The second half proved too much like the first half with hard defensive play and the goaltenders often stealing the show. Both teams had several scoring opportunities, and several shots that either went just high or just wide of a wide-open net.
With just over four minutes to play, Norwich University had a chance to put the game away when a player headed the ball in the direction of the net. It appeared as if it was going in until Lyndon goalie Jeff Giroux got his finger tips on it just enough to change it’s course sending it right over the top of the net. That would prove to be the best chance for either team in the second half as regulation play ended tied at one.
In the first overtime Giroux would have a similar save tipping this one as he fell to the ground changing the course of the ball once again, and forcing the ball to tip off of the cross bar and allow the game to continue.
A minute into the second overtime goalie Jeff Giroux drop kicked the ball about half way down the field. A Norwich defender jumped up to head the ball but hit it in the wrong direction, allowing for Lyndon’s Darren Roberge to take it on a break away and score the winning goal, sending the entire Lyndon team off the bench and into celebration frenzy.
The victory improved Lyndon State’s record to 5-5 while the loss was Norwich’s first knocking its record to 10-1-1.
LSC adjusts to NAC play
By Andrew R. Koch
Sports Editor
The Hornets make a smooth transition into a new conference.
Coming into this semester, the Hornets coaching staff knew that they were going to face a stiff challenge in the North Atlantic Conference. What they didn’t know was how well some of the teams would adjust to competing in a new conference.
The Hornets soccer teams each earned their first conference wins last weekend, with the men scoring a 2-0 win at UMaine-Farmington, while the women earned a closely contested 1-0 win at Thomas College.
Despite having sub-.500 records in the NAC, both soccer teams currently have .500 records overall, and are in good position to earn conference playoff bids. The women’s team is in fifth place of the eight teams in the conference, while the men are sixth.
Wins in their final two conference games could help the teams host first round playoff games. To do that, they first have to get through Johnson State on Saturday.
“These are important games this weekend,” Chris Ummer, director of athletics, said. “They’re both in the mix. It just depends on how they play down the stretch.”
Ummer said that since two of each soccer team’s final four games are conference play, they must win those games. He feels that each team has a good chance at finishing the year above .500.
The men’s team is coming off a huge win last week against Norwich, a 2-1 double-overtime thriller. Ummer says that win should be a big help to the team.
“It’s a big boost. It gives them a lot of momentum. They realized the level they can play at.”
Ummer says that while the soccer and volleyball teams may have struggled early on in NAC play, his cross-country teams have done very well against their conference competition. He said the men’s team has beaten both conference opponents they’ve faced so far, and the women’s team has only been beaten by Castleton up to this point in the season. Ummer is very confident about how his runners will do in the upcoming NAC Championships.
“I think the men will finish either first or second, and I fully expect Lyndsay (Calkins) to win the NAC championship,” Ummer said.
As for Lyndon’s coaching staff, opinions vary as to how well they’ll do in their respective inaugural seasons in the NAC. Some teams did very well against NAC competition last year, when Lyndon was still in the USCAA.
“The coaches feel different about their teams. Some feel they can come in and be competitive right away. Some feel that they’re going to have an uphill battle,” Ummer said, adding that baseball and softball both did very well last spring against NAC teams. The baseball team went 4-1 against the NAC on their way to the USCAA National Championship.
Ummer says that Lyndon State can’t wait to be good in the future. He feels the teams need to find ways to be competitive right away, because he believes the future is now.
Sports Editor
The Hornets make a smooth transition into a new conference.
Coming into this semester, the Hornets coaching staff knew that they were going to face a stiff challenge in the North Atlantic Conference. What they didn’t know was how well some of the teams would adjust to competing in a new conference.
The Hornets soccer teams each earned their first conference wins last weekend, with the men scoring a 2-0 win at UMaine-Farmington, while the women earned a closely contested 1-0 win at Thomas College.
Despite having sub-.500 records in the NAC, both soccer teams currently have .500 records overall, and are in good position to earn conference playoff bids. The women’s team is in fifth place of the eight teams in the conference, while the men are sixth.
Wins in their final two conference games could help the teams host first round playoff games. To do that, they first have to get through Johnson State on Saturday.
“These are important games this weekend,” Chris Ummer, director of athletics, said. “They’re both in the mix. It just depends on how they play down the stretch.”
Ummer said that since two of each soccer team’s final four games are conference play, they must win those games. He feels that each team has a good chance at finishing the year above .500.
The men’s team is coming off a huge win last week against Norwich, a 2-1 double-overtime thriller. Ummer says that win should be a big help to the team.
“It’s a big boost. It gives them a lot of momentum. They realized the level they can play at.”
Ummer says that while the soccer and volleyball teams may have struggled early on in NAC play, his cross-country teams have done very well against their conference competition. He said the men’s team has beaten both conference opponents they’ve faced so far, and the women’s team has only been beaten by Castleton up to this point in the season. Ummer is very confident about how his runners will do in the upcoming NAC Championships.
“I think the men will finish either first or second, and I fully expect Lyndsay (Calkins) to win the NAC championship,” Ummer said.
As for Lyndon’s coaching staff, opinions vary as to how well they’ll do in their respective inaugural seasons in the NAC. Some teams did very well against NAC competition last year, when Lyndon was still in the USCAA.
“The coaches feel different about their teams. Some feel they can come in and be competitive right away. Some feel that they’re going to have an uphill battle,” Ummer said, adding that baseball and softball both did very well last spring against NAC teams. The baseball team went 4-1 against the NAC on their way to the USCAA National Championship.
Ummer says that Lyndon State can’t wait to be good in the future. He feels the teams need to find ways to be competitive right away, because he believes the future is now.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Banned Books Week
By Josiah Stewart
Critic Staff
The Lyndon State College library and book store both observe the week that celebrates challenged books.
Lyndon State College is observing Banned Books Week once again this semester from September 27 through October 4.
“I think that every library participates to some extent,” Pat Webster, an LSC library cataloger said. Banned Books Week is an annual event held by the ALA (American Library Association). The ALA has held this event annually since 1982.
“Every year we keep trying to expand our displays and publicity because the subject is of great interest to a lot of people,” Webster said. The LSC library display is set up in front of the circulation and reference desk.
“The display is of books that have been challenged, questioned, and some that have actually been banned over the years,” Webster said. “Our right to read what we choose is something we should all recognize and appreciate.”
The LSC bookstore is also honoring Banned Books Week, and has its own display setup. Susan Millar-Williams, an LSC bookstore clerk, was willing to share some of her thoughts on the subject, “Closing a mind narrows horizons and instead of opening a discussion, some parents will willfully shield their children from exploring different topics,” Millar-Williams said.
Many of the books on display in the library and bookstore here at LSC are not banned but have simply been challenged. A challenged book is a book that someone, usually a parent, has requested be removed from teaching curricula or libraries where their children are involved.
“Some parents’ shunning of certain books is born of ignorance and fear,” Millar-Williams said. “Banned Books Week is a time for us as adults and Americans to celebrate our freedom of expression.”
Many different types of literature have been challenged over the years including children’s books such as J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, which was challenged because of its supposed teaching of witchcraft.
The reasons for challenging a book range from “offensive” language, to “inappropriate” sexual content.
“As librarians, our work involves the free exchange of information and ideas,” Webster said, “and that’s why the thought of someone creating restrictions that would curb or stop that exchange goes against our grain.”
Some of the most frequently challenged books of 2007 were: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier, and TTYL, by Lauren Myracle. These books were challenged for a variety of reasons ranging from racism to sexual content and violence.
Critic Staff
The Lyndon State College library and book store both observe the week that celebrates challenged books.
Lyndon State College is observing Banned Books Week once again this semester from September 27 through October 4.
“I think that every library participates to some extent,” Pat Webster, an LSC library cataloger said. Banned Books Week is an annual event held by the ALA (American Library Association). The ALA has held this event annually since 1982.
“Every year we keep trying to expand our displays and publicity because the subject is of great interest to a lot of people,” Webster said. The LSC library display is set up in front of the circulation and reference desk.
“The display is of books that have been challenged, questioned, and some that have actually been banned over the years,” Webster said. “Our right to read what we choose is something we should all recognize and appreciate.”
The LSC bookstore is also honoring Banned Books Week, and has its own display setup. Susan Millar-Williams, an LSC bookstore clerk, was willing to share some of her thoughts on the subject, “Closing a mind narrows horizons and instead of opening a discussion, some parents will willfully shield their children from exploring different topics,” Millar-Williams said.
Many of the books on display in the library and bookstore here at LSC are not banned but have simply been challenged. A challenged book is a book that someone, usually a parent, has requested be removed from teaching curricula or libraries where their children are involved.
“Some parents’ shunning of certain books is born of ignorance and fear,” Millar-Williams said. “Banned Books Week is a time for us as adults and Americans to celebrate our freedom of expression.”
Many different types of literature have been challenged over the years including children’s books such as J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, which was challenged because of its supposed teaching of witchcraft.
The reasons for challenging a book range from “offensive” language, to “inappropriate” sexual content.
“As librarians, our work involves the free exchange of information and ideas,” Webster said, “and that’s why the thought of someone creating restrictions that would curb or stop that exchange goes against our grain.”
Some of the most frequently challenged books of 2007 were: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, The Chocolate War, by Robert Cormier, and TTYL, by Lauren Myracle. These books were challenged for a variety of reasons ranging from racism to sexual content and violence.
Conn Country
By Aimee Lawton
Special to the Critic
Highlighting one of LSC's longest running radio shows.
“You’re listening to the Conn Country show on 91.5, the Impulse--keep it locked.”
That’s how DJ Slim ends every air break on his Thursday night show.
As WWLR, 91.5 the Impulse kicks off their 2008-2009 season, their listeners are offered with a wide array of student run radio shows. While there are many shows that are making their debut this Impulse season, others are returning in hopes of having another successful listening year.
One show that falls in to the latter category is the Conn Country show, one of the station’s longest running radio shows, as it enters in to its 7th consecutive semester on the radio.
Students can join hosts Tim Lavigne (DJ Slim) and Mike Grigas (the Sharpshooter) every Thursday night from 8-10 p.m. as they play a variety of new and old country favorites, and take requests from their fans.
“There was one show where we had about 75 requests,” Lavigne said. “The show ran for about 4 ½ hours that night. We kept it going until the requests stopped.”
Lavigne said that last semester he and Grigas received around 20 fan requests per show.
It is very rare that any request ever goes un-played on the Conn Country show, as the hosts always say that they are willing to buy any songs that are not already a part of their music libraries. The hosts offer a 99% guarantee that those songs will be played sometime within the duration of the show.
“You guys are the ones who keep the show running,” Lavigne said. “If we wanted to play the music that we wanted to hear, we could sit in our rooms and listen to it on our laptops while we played games,” Lavigne said on last week’s show.
Lavigne started the Conn Country show three years ago and has been running it faithfully ever since.
“I’d say I’ve had requests come in from about 10 different states,” Lavigne said, “some from as far as Georgia and Florida.” The Conn Country show has a very broad listening audience that stretches far beyond the Lyndon State campus.
The ability of fans to stream the Impulse on the web is most likely responsible for such a wide ranging audience, and yet another contributor to the overall success of the show.
Lavigne went through 2 earlier supporting DJ’s before Grigas joined him as the Sharpshooter in January 2008. The two have proved to be a dynamic duo ever since. Their ability to play off of each other’s dialogue during air breaks, and their sharing in the responsibilities of providing the music played on the show and taking requests from their fans keeps the show running smoothly, and contributes to its overall success.
Special to the Critic
Highlighting one of LSC's longest running radio shows.
“You’re listening to the Conn Country show on 91.5, the Impulse--keep it locked.”
That’s how DJ Slim ends every air break on his Thursday night show.
As WWLR, 91.5 the Impulse kicks off their 2008-2009 season, their listeners are offered with a wide array of student run radio shows. While there are many shows that are making their debut this Impulse season, others are returning in hopes of having another successful listening year.
One show that falls in to the latter category is the Conn Country show, one of the station’s longest running radio shows, as it enters in to its 7th consecutive semester on the radio.
Students can join hosts Tim Lavigne (DJ Slim) and Mike Grigas (the Sharpshooter) every Thursday night from 8-10 p.m. as they play a variety of new and old country favorites, and take requests from their fans.
“There was one show where we had about 75 requests,” Lavigne said. “The show ran for about 4 ½ hours that night. We kept it going until the requests stopped.”
Lavigne said that last semester he and Grigas received around 20 fan requests per show.
It is very rare that any request ever goes un-played on the Conn Country show, as the hosts always say that they are willing to buy any songs that are not already a part of their music libraries. The hosts offer a 99% guarantee that those songs will be played sometime within the duration of the show.
“You guys are the ones who keep the show running,” Lavigne said. “If we wanted to play the music that we wanted to hear, we could sit in our rooms and listen to it on our laptops while we played games,” Lavigne said on last week’s show.
Lavigne started the Conn Country show three years ago and has been running it faithfully ever since.
“I’d say I’ve had requests come in from about 10 different states,” Lavigne said, “some from as far as Georgia and Florida.” The Conn Country show has a very broad listening audience that stretches far beyond the Lyndon State campus.
The ability of fans to stream the Impulse on the web is most likely responsible for such a wide ranging audience, and yet another contributor to the overall success of the show.
Lavigne went through 2 earlier supporting DJ’s before Grigas joined him as the Sharpshooter in January 2008. The two have proved to be a dynamic duo ever since. Their ability to play off of each other’s dialogue during air breaks, and their sharing in the responsibilities of providing the music played on the show and taking requests from their fans keeps the show running smoothly, and contributes to its overall success.
Disc golf course now open
Abbey Heimlich
Special to the Critic
Club raises funds to build course for community.
Lyndon State officially opened its new disc golf course with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday September 20th.
“It’s a wonderful way for students to recreate,” said Jonathan Davis, the Interim Assistant Dean of Student Affairs. “It’s non-invasive in terms of the environment, and a safe way to have fun on campus.”
Davis, Jamie Struck adjunct professor for the Recreation Department and Tom Kurtz a junior Music Industry and Business Administration major, all cut ribbons at the ceremony. In addition to the ribbon cutting the course was crowned with a plaque stating the rules of the game.
Struck described disc golf as “a combination of Frisbee and playing pool. You have to think of angle, speed and flight path.” The game is greatly increasing in popularity. “In 1974 there was one course, now there are over 1500,” Struck said. Some regular golf clubs and even some ski resorts are putting in their own disk golf courses.
“It’s great because no expensive equipment is needed,” Davis said. All you need is a Frisbee, though some people play with professional disc golf discs.
Players start at a tee and throw their discs as far as they can toward the hole: a pole with metal chains hanging down it to form a basket. There is a set par for each hole. The par for the course of nine holes at Lyndon is 27.
“It’s great because the student population responded to it,” Struck said. Struck had designed a course on his own property, and played on four other courses in the area. He brought students to play his course and they asked him why LSC didn’t have a course of its own.
The Ultimate Frisbee Club requested an estimated five thousand dollars for the course from the Student Government Association and began working on it at the end of last semester.
“Help from the disc golf community made it completely worthwhile,” Struck said. “They made it theirs by cutting trees or giving time to clear brush.” The course was constructed with the original landscape in mind. Struck kept in mind the lanes and alleys within the forest that made a natural path for play.
The first hole is located in the field below the Rita Bole parking lot. From there it goes up and down hills through the woods circling around the lower half of campus. It ends at the top of the hill by the baseball fields.
“Anyone from the school, the town or even the state can play,” said Kurtz. While working on the course this summer Struck ran into visitors playing the course. They told him “ its not just a disc golf course, it’s a great disc golf course.”
There are future plans for disc golf tournaments against other school such as Johnson State who also have a disc golf course. Struck would also like to create a class to teach people to play the game.
Special to the Critic
Club raises funds to build course for community.
Lyndon State officially opened its new disc golf course with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday September 20th.
“It’s a wonderful way for students to recreate,” said Jonathan Davis, the Interim Assistant Dean of Student Affairs. “It’s non-invasive in terms of the environment, and a safe way to have fun on campus.”
Davis, Jamie Struck adjunct professor for the Recreation Department and Tom Kurtz a junior Music Industry and Business Administration major, all cut ribbons at the ceremony. In addition to the ribbon cutting the course was crowned with a plaque stating the rules of the game.
Struck described disc golf as “a combination of Frisbee and playing pool. You have to think of angle, speed and flight path.” The game is greatly increasing in popularity. “In 1974 there was one course, now there are over 1500,” Struck said. Some regular golf clubs and even some ski resorts are putting in their own disk golf courses.
“It’s great because no expensive equipment is needed,” Davis said. All you need is a Frisbee, though some people play with professional disc golf discs.
Players start at a tee and throw their discs as far as they can toward the hole: a pole with metal chains hanging down it to form a basket. There is a set par for each hole. The par for the course of nine holes at Lyndon is 27.
“It’s great because the student population responded to it,” Struck said. Struck had designed a course on his own property, and played on four other courses in the area. He brought students to play his course and they asked him why LSC didn’t have a course of its own.
The Ultimate Frisbee Club requested an estimated five thousand dollars for the course from the Student Government Association and began working on it at the end of last semester.
“Help from the disc golf community made it completely worthwhile,” Struck said. “They made it theirs by cutting trees or giving time to clear brush.” The course was constructed with the original landscape in mind. Struck kept in mind the lanes and alleys within the forest that made a natural path for play.
The first hole is located in the field below the Rita Bole parking lot. From there it goes up and down hills through the woods circling around the lower half of campus. It ends at the top of the hill by the baseball fields.
“Anyone from the school, the town or even the state can play,” said Kurtz. While working on the course this summer Struck ran into visitors playing the course. They told him “ its not just a disc golf course, it’s a great disc golf course.”
There are future plans for disc golf tournaments against other school such as Johnson State who also have a disc golf course. Struck would also like to create a class to teach people to play the game.
LSC faculty member to try for legislative position
Steve Cormier
Critic Staff
John Kascenska hopes to help LSC students from a higher position.
John Kascenska, a former full-time professor in the Recreation Department and now an Associate Academic Dean at Lyndon State College is seeking a seat in the state legislature in Montpelier during a time of great challenge in the region.
Kascenska, a graduate of Lyndon State College and originally from the area, is running for Vermont State Senate from Caledonia County.
“It’s a good opportunity to serve the greater community,” Kascenska said. “Public service has always been something I’ve been very interested in, having worked in higher education for so many years.” Kascenska looks forward to the possibility of working for and helping his region.
Part of the community Kascenska seeks to serve is LSC, which at this time is facing a deficit.
“Anything I can do to make it known that we need additional funding to help support higher education in Vermont is something I would be very much an advocate for,” Kascenska said.
Kascenska hopes to turn his time as a faculty member at LSC into an opportunity to help the undergraduate population as well.
“One of the things I can bring for Lyndon, as close to the students as I've been over the years, is understanding where they are with paying the bills,” Kascenska said.
“I think people are very concerned about paying their bills,” Kascenska said. His campaign’s focus is on what he sees as money concerns facing the citizens of the Caledonian county.
With the recent announcement of a layoff at LSC due to budgeting and the closing of Lydall Inc. in St. Johnsbury, the focus is on encouraging and retaining small businesses regionally.
“In the Northeast Kingdom, given the territory population and infrastructure, it’s the small businesses that drive the economics in this region,” Kascenska said.
Supporting the economy must be made with the natural surroundings in mind though.
“It must be done in a way that’s balanced with maintaining our world and landscape here which is very important,” said Kascenska. “That’s a reason why a lot of people come to Vermont.”
Kascenska is running as a Republican and believes it is important to elect a more diverse body to both the Senate and the House of Representatives to get the state’s business done.
"I think there needs to be a better balance there to support some of the governor's initiatives,” he said. “It is very difficult when it's lopsided one way or the other."
Critic Staff
John Kascenska hopes to help LSC students from a higher position.
John Kascenska, a former full-time professor in the Recreation Department and now an Associate Academic Dean at Lyndon State College is seeking a seat in the state legislature in Montpelier during a time of great challenge in the region.
Kascenska, a graduate of Lyndon State College and originally from the area, is running for Vermont State Senate from Caledonia County.
“It’s a good opportunity to serve the greater community,” Kascenska said. “Public service has always been something I’ve been very interested in, having worked in higher education for so many years.” Kascenska looks forward to the possibility of working for and helping his region.
Part of the community Kascenska seeks to serve is LSC, which at this time is facing a deficit.
“Anything I can do to make it known that we need additional funding to help support higher education in Vermont is something I would be very much an advocate for,” Kascenska said.
Kascenska hopes to turn his time as a faculty member at LSC into an opportunity to help the undergraduate population as well.
“One of the things I can bring for Lyndon, as close to the students as I've been over the years, is understanding where they are with paying the bills,” Kascenska said.
“I think people are very concerned about paying their bills,” Kascenska said. His campaign’s focus is on what he sees as money concerns facing the citizens of the Caledonian county.
With the recent announcement of a layoff at LSC due to budgeting and the closing of Lydall Inc. in St. Johnsbury, the focus is on encouraging and retaining small businesses regionally.
“In the Northeast Kingdom, given the territory population and infrastructure, it’s the small businesses that drive the economics in this region,” Kascenska said.
Supporting the economy must be made with the natural surroundings in mind though.
“It must be done in a way that’s balanced with maintaining our world and landscape here which is very important,” said Kascenska. “That’s a reason why a lot of people come to Vermont.”
Kascenska is running as a Republican and believes it is important to elect a more diverse body to both the Senate and the House of Representatives to get the state’s business done.
"I think there needs to be a better balance there to support some of the governor's initiatives,” he said. “It is very difficult when it's lopsided one way or the other."
A helping hand
Dave Lapham
Critic staff
Members of Lyndon Rescue helped with both Hurricane Ike and Gustav relief efforts.
Lyndon State College senior and EMTV for Lyndon rescue departed from Lyndonville in an ambulance with EMTI Jenn Williams, a recent Lyndon State Graduate, on August 27. Together they drove 26 hours until they arrived at Jacksonville Mississippi.
“Our director called and asked us if we could go help in Jacksonville Mississppi, I was a little stressed, I didn’t know what to expect,“ Ferris said.”
There was good reason for him to be stressed. Gustav formed out of a tropical storm and greatly strengthened. On August 26, the tropical storm grew to hurricane intensity.
In Gustav’s early stages meteorologists deemed it to be severe with a classification of a category 4. Luckily, Gustav weakened within a couple days and eventually downgraded to a category 2.
“Once we got there and realized that we were not going to be in a lot of danger we were alright,” Ferris said. “We were assigned to help with shelter cleanup, and wait for emergency calls.”
By the time Ferris and Williams got there housing was limited. “We slept in the ambulance, tents and other shelters provided to us,” Ferris said.“There was no power in a lot of places.”
EMTV’s Branden Bunnell and Dan Bigalow later flew by plane to meet Ferris and Williams in Mississippi.
“We left Lyndonville at 2 am to catch a 6 am flight from Manchester,” Bunnell said. “We didn’t arrive to Jacksonville until 11 pm. Once we got there we hung around for 2 days, helping out when needed. Dan and I were then activated for Ike. So we took the ambulance and drove 10 hours San Antonio.”
Hurricane Ike began as a tropical disturbance off the coast of Africa and toward the end of August the storm began to slowly develop. On September 4, Ike intensified and strengthened into a category 4 Hurricane. By the time it hit Texas, Ike’s storm surge was a category three and made landfall in Texas as a category 2.
“When we got to San Antonio there was some damage. The majority of it was flooding, roof damage, broken windows and a lot of debris.” Bunnell said..
Critic staff
Members of Lyndon Rescue helped with both Hurricane Ike and Gustav relief efforts.
Lyndon State College senior and EMTV for Lyndon rescue departed from Lyndonville in an ambulance with EMTI Jenn Williams, a recent Lyndon State Graduate, on August 27. Together they drove 26 hours until they arrived at Jacksonville Mississippi.
“Our director called and asked us if we could go help in Jacksonville Mississppi, I was a little stressed, I didn’t know what to expect,“ Ferris said.”
There was good reason for him to be stressed. Gustav formed out of a tropical storm and greatly strengthened. On August 26, the tropical storm grew to hurricane intensity.
In Gustav’s early stages meteorologists deemed it to be severe with a classification of a category 4. Luckily, Gustav weakened within a couple days and eventually downgraded to a category 2.
“Once we got there and realized that we were not going to be in a lot of danger we were alright,” Ferris said. “We were assigned to help with shelter cleanup, and wait for emergency calls.”
By the time Ferris and Williams got there housing was limited. “We slept in the ambulance, tents and other shelters provided to us,” Ferris said.“There was no power in a lot of places.”
EMTV’s Branden Bunnell and Dan Bigalow later flew by plane to meet Ferris and Williams in Mississippi.
“We left Lyndonville at 2 am to catch a 6 am flight from Manchester,” Bunnell said. “We didn’t arrive to Jacksonville until 11 pm. Once we got there we hung around for 2 days, helping out when needed. Dan and I were then activated for Ike. So we took the ambulance and drove 10 hours San Antonio.”
Hurricane Ike began as a tropical disturbance off the coast of Africa and toward the end of August the storm began to slowly develop. On September 4, Ike intensified and strengthened into a category 4 Hurricane. By the time it hit Texas, Ike’s storm surge was a category three and made landfall in Texas as a category 2.
“When we got to San Antonio there was some damage. The majority of it was flooding, roof damage, broken windows and a lot of debris.” Bunnell said..
LSC's new warning system
Katie Dorben
Critic Staff
Public Safety has adopted a system to send text messages to students in the event of an emergency.
Move over clear TXT, LSC has a new emergency warning system provided by e2campus.
This is an electronic system that will provide information on emergencies through text messages and email. These emergencies may be on or off campus, natural or man made disasters such as severe weather, a shooting, etc.
“The whole idea is to reach as many people as possible (in an emergency), to motivate them to spread the word,” said, LSC’s Director of Public, Safety George Hacking.
Last year was the first time Lyndon State had any type of warning system available to students. The need for some kind of campus wide warning system was prompted by the shootings at Virginia Tech and the examination of what could be done to make schools safer.
Emergency warning systems like e2campus are used to try to get the word out to as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time.
ClearTXT was sold out to another company, so Hacking reviewed other systems and e2campus seemed the best choice to replace it. The advantages of e2campus are its ease of use, the option for parents to sign up, and the option to get messages by email as well as text message.
The system is free; the only costs are those of receiving text messages.
The way it works is that one of the directors of the program here at LSC, Director of Public Safety George Hacking or Director of Student Life Jonathan Davis, are made aware of an emergency. They use a phone, computer, blackberry, or some other form of communication to create a warning which e2campus sends out to everyone who has signed up.
When asked what he wants students to know about e2campus, “If they don’t sign up, it’s a mistake. The information is only good if the people who it’s meant for sign up.”
To sign up, visit http://www.lyndonstate.edu/alert. It will lead you to a page where you can sign up for email or mobile alerts. From there you fill out the information and it will walk you through the steps to verifying it. Parents and faculty members can sign up as well. If you have any questions about the new system, you can contact Public Safety and they will try to help you.
Critic Staff
Public Safety has adopted a system to send text messages to students in the event of an emergency.
Move over clear TXT, LSC has a new emergency warning system provided by e2campus.
This is an electronic system that will provide information on emergencies through text messages and email. These emergencies may be on or off campus, natural or man made disasters such as severe weather, a shooting, etc.
“The whole idea is to reach as many people as possible (in an emergency), to motivate them to spread the word,” said, LSC’s Director of Public, Safety George Hacking.
Last year was the first time Lyndon State had any type of warning system available to students. The need for some kind of campus wide warning system was prompted by the shootings at Virginia Tech and the examination of what could be done to make schools safer.
Emergency warning systems like e2campus are used to try to get the word out to as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time.
ClearTXT was sold out to another company, so Hacking reviewed other systems and e2campus seemed the best choice to replace it. The advantages of e2campus are its ease of use, the option for parents to sign up, and the option to get messages by email as well as text message.
The system is free; the only costs are those of receiving text messages.
The way it works is that one of the directors of the program here at LSC, Director of Public Safety George Hacking or Director of Student Life Jonathan Davis, are made aware of an emergency. They use a phone, computer, blackberry, or some other form of communication to create a warning which e2campus sends out to everyone who has signed up.
When asked what he wants students to know about e2campus, “If they don’t sign up, it’s a mistake. The information is only good if the people who it’s meant for sign up.”
To sign up, visit http://www.lyndonstate.edu/alert. It will lead you to a page where you can sign up for email or mobile alerts. From there you fill out the information and it will walk you through the steps to verifying it. Parents and faculty members can sign up as well. If you have any questions about the new system, you can contact Public Safety and they will try to help you.
Lacrosse looking for players
Sam Monroe
Special to the Critic
A player runs down the sideline with the ball and then he passes it across to a teammate, his teammate fires it past the goaltender, the players come together to celebrate the goal and then return to play, hungry for another goal.
This could be you. The Lyndon State College Lacrosse team is looking for players for the upcoming season. Each team has to have ten players on the field at one time, and a good-sized lacrosse team often has 25-30 on the roster.
Craig Salvagno, lacrosse team captain said that the team had about twenty players last season and fourteen or fifteen of them are coming back this season. Of those twenty players last season thirteen of them had never played organized lacrosse before. “It was the teams first season and a good learning year for all the new players,” said Salvagno. “If someone has never played and is looking to they can come out.”
Last season was Lyndon’s first year having a division three lacrosse team, because of that they were not eligible for post season play. This season however is different. The team is now a varsity division three NCAA team and will be eligible for the post season.
“Last year we did not really play as a team, and that should change this season, we have a lot of guys coming back and are starting to work as a team already” Salvagno said.
The regular season will not start until March but the team is starting to practice. They are doing drills and scrimmaging to get the returning players back to where they should be and the new players acclimated to the team.
For more information contact Craig Salvagno at Michael.salvagno@lyndonstate.edu
Special to the Critic
A player runs down the sideline with the ball and then he passes it across to a teammate, his teammate fires it past the goaltender, the players come together to celebrate the goal and then return to play, hungry for another goal.
This could be you. The Lyndon State College Lacrosse team is looking for players for the upcoming season. Each team has to have ten players on the field at one time, and a good-sized lacrosse team often has 25-30 on the roster.
Craig Salvagno, lacrosse team captain said that the team had about twenty players last season and fourteen or fifteen of them are coming back this season. Of those twenty players last season thirteen of them had never played organized lacrosse before. “It was the teams first season and a good learning year for all the new players,” said Salvagno. “If someone has never played and is looking to they can come out.”
Last season was Lyndon’s first year having a division three lacrosse team, because of that they were not eligible for post season play. This season however is different. The team is now a varsity division three NCAA team and will be eligible for the post season.
“Last year we did not really play as a team, and that should change this season, we have a lot of guys coming back and are starting to work as a team already” Salvagno said.
The regular season will not start until March but the team is starting to practice. They are doing drills and scrimmaging to get the returning players back to where they should be and the new players acclimated to the team.
For more information contact Craig Salvagno at Michael.salvagno@lyndonstate.edu
Men's Soccer Update
Jack Carney
Special to the Critic
After their first three conference games the Lyndon State mens soccer team is currently ranked 7th in the NAC. Now with ten days left until their next game Head coach Pete Kellyaway told the men its time to regroup and repair their season.
"It's now time for us to do some soul searching," Kellaway said. "you need to ask yourself if you wanna win in this conference or throw in the towel. We have the talent to win we need to decide weather we control what happens to us or if were gonna let someone do that for us"
The Hornets lost two key midfielders and senior team leaders Matt Scagnelli and Chris Cowan due to injury. Injuries have taken a big toll on the team over all many of the teams underclassmen have seen more playing time as a result to the injury.
"We need our younger guys to step up," Back P.J. Danforth said. "our upperclassmen are coming down with injuries . I feel like they've done a good job especially since most of them have never played at the college level."
Danforth went on to say that though the injuries are a big loss for the team, the biggest loss has been the lack of communication mental breakdowns between the players on the field.
"It only happens with little things," Danforth said. "like on defense we lse or marks it happened a couple of times today but every one of those times it dose happen gives them a chance to score."
Though the team has gone through both mental and physical pains the team is still optimistic about the season. Goalie Jeff Giroux said not to count Hornets out just yet.
"This is my senior season and our season on line," Giroux said. "We can be on of if not the best team in the NAC but we've lost control of that these last few games. But if we can just find some way to get back to our game we can have a winning season."
Special to the Critic
After their first three conference games the Lyndon State mens soccer team is currently ranked 7th in the NAC. Now with ten days left until their next game Head coach Pete Kellyaway told the men its time to regroup and repair their season.
"It's now time for us to do some soul searching," Kellaway said. "you need to ask yourself if you wanna win in this conference or throw in the towel. We have the talent to win we need to decide weather we control what happens to us or if were gonna let someone do that for us"
The Hornets lost two key midfielders and senior team leaders Matt Scagnelli and Chris Cowan due to injury. Injuries have taken a big toll on the team over all many of the teams underclassmen have seen more playing time as a result to the injury.
"We need our younger guys to step up," Back P.J. Danforth said. "our upperclassmen are coming down with injuries . I feel like they've done a good job especially since most of them have never played at the college level."
Danforth went on to say that though the injuries are a big loss for the team, the biggest loss has been the lack of communication mental breakdowns between the players on the field.
"It only happens with little things," Danforth said. "like on defense we lse or marks it happened a couple of times today but every one of those times it dose happen gives them a chance to score."
Though the team has gone through both mental and physical pains the team is still optimistic about the season. Goalie Jeff Giroux said not to count Hornets out just yet.
"This is my senior season and our season on line," Giroux said. "We can be on of if not the best team in the NAC but we've lost control of that these last few games. But if we can just find some way to get back to our game we can have a winning season."
Faculty more than reluctant to let go
Steve Cormier
Critic Staff
Cut of library employee galvanizes LSC faculty to demand address of the termination.
Hard financial times at Lyndon State College have become personal with the administration’s decision to cut the Director of Library Instructional Technology position.
Vicki Litzinger, an employee of the college since 2001, will be let go later this semester. The termination of her position is a result of the administration’s response to the budget deficit facing LSC this fall.
Stating in an e-mail that the situation was “very problematic,” Litzinger declined to be interviewed for this article.
A common face in the library, Litzinger is the person behind integrating class information with Blackboard to help both faculty and students. Her removal from LSC is weighing on the minds and in the actions of those who know her.
“It is always a difficult thing to deal with when a colleague is let go,” said David Johnston, Professor of Philosophy and Faculty Federation Chapter Chair.
An emergency meeting of the Faculty Assembly, the union representing faculty at LSC, convened Tuesday in the Burke Mountain Room with the only item on the agenda being the layoff.
“The faculty wants to show support for the staff… who keep LSC functioning,” Johnston said.
“When difficult things happen in a community it’s important to continue to communicate to help in knowing how decisions were made,” said Patricia Shine, Professor of Human Services.
A letter asking President Carol Moore to address the layoff at the next Faculty Assembly meeting is being circulated by Shine and is being signed by full and part-time faculty.
“The letter explains why the position is important and why Vicki is good for it,” Johnston said.
Litzinger’s termination has brought into question the way financial matters have been handled here at LSC, especially during the current deficit crises.
“Many people would have liked a more open deliberation process to work out the budget shortfall,” Johnston said.
The decision to eliminate Litzinger’s position occurred following the state government in Montpelier deciding to pull back previously approved appropriations. Cutting the library position reduced the deficit by $34,000. “We do not get a lot of money here as we are tuition driven,” said Bob McCabe, director of student support services and Chapter Chair for VSC-UP, the staff union at LSC.
Along with Litzinger two part-time housing employees will be removed and two 12 month employees will have their positions reduced to 10 months. In addition money is to be cut from the staff development, equipment and library acquisitions budgets.
The Vermont General Assembly will be reconvening in November to focus on budgeting again. McCabe worries about what decisions could be made even though last week President Moore said, “we have not targeted any positions, we will wait and see what happens.”
“I don’t think it is over yet,” McCabe said. One of the few other choices is charging more in terms of tuition and he worries that would drive students further into loan debt.
Photo by Eric Wayne
Critic Staff
Cut of library employee galvanizes LSC faculty to demand address of the termination.
Hard financial times at Lyndon State College have become personal with the administration’s decision to cut the Director of Library Instructional Technology position.
Vicki Litzinger, an employee of the college since 2001, will be let go later this semester. The termination of her position is a result of the administration’s response to the budget deficit facing LSC this fall.
Stating in an e-mail that the situation was “very problematic,” Litzinger declined to be interviewed for this article.
A common face in the library, Litzinger is the person behind integrating class information with Blackboard to help both faculty and students. Her removal from LSC is weighing on the minds and in the actions of those who know her.
“It is always a difficult thing to deal with when a colleague is let go,” said David Johnston, Professor of Philosophy and Faculty Federation Chapter Chair.
An emergency meeting of the Faculty Assembly, the union representing faculty at LSC, convened Tuesday in the Burke Mountain Room with the only item on the agenda being the layoff.
“The faculty wants to show support for the staff… who keep LSC functioning,” Johnston said.
“When difficult things happen in a community it’s important to continue to communicate to help in knowing how decisions were made,” said Patricia Shine, Professor of Human Services.
A letter asking President Carol Moore to address the layoff at the next Faculty Assembly meeting is being circulated by Shine and is being signed by full and part-time faculty.
“The letter explains why the position is important and why Vicki is good for it,” Johnston said.
Litzinger’s termination has brought into question the way financial matters have been handled here at LSC, especially during the current deficit crises.
“Many people would have liked a more open deliberation process to work out the budget shortfall,” Johnston said.
The decision to eliminate Litzinger’s position occurred following the state government in Montpelier deciding to pull back previously approved appropriations. Cutting the library position reduced the deficit by $34,000. “We do not get a lot of money here as we are tuition driven,” said Bob McCabe, director of student support services and Chapter Chair for VSC-UP, the staff union at LSC.
Along with Litzinger two part-time housing employees will be removed and two 12 month employees will have their positions reduced to 10 months. In addition money is to be cut from the staff development, equipment and library acquisitions budgets.
The Vermont General Assembly will be reconvening in November to focus on budgeting again. McCabe worries about what decisions could be made even though last week President Moore said, “we have not targeted any positions, we will wait and see what happens.”
“I don’t think it is over yet,” McCabe said. One of the few other choices is charging more in terms of tuition and he worries that would drive students further into loan debt.
Photo by Eric Wayne
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