Category Archives: Bryn Mawr

Bryn Mawr, Crime Blotter, Haverford

Crime Blotter: September 18 – November 20 2016

The Crime Blotter: September 18, 2016 – November 20, 2016

September 18, 2016 to November 20, 2016

HAVHaverford College

Friday, September 30, 2016 through Thursday, October 6, 2016

Saturday, October 1st

12:06 am, Alcohol Related Illness, Harris Road

A Haverford student was transported by ambulance to Bryn Mawr Hospital for an alcohol related illness. The Graduate Assistant and Nurse on Call were notified.

1:41 am, Alcohol Related Illness, Stokes Hall

A Bryn Mawr student was transported by ambulance to Bryn Mawr Hospital for an alcohol related illness. Bryn Mawr Campus Safety was notified.

11:30 am, Theft, Off Campus

A student reported that his wallet was taken from a friend’s house while in Cecil County, Maryland. He was advised to report the theft to the local authorities in that area. 

7:43 pm, Suspicious Person, Harris Road        

A student reported a suspicious man on crutches in the area of Carter & Harris.  Campus Safety checked the area but the subject was not located.

 11:56 pm, Alcohol Related Illness, Founders Hall

A report was received of a Bryn Mawr College student suffering from an alcohol related illness at Founders Hall. The student was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital by ambulance. BMC Campus Safety notified.

 

Tuesday, October 4th

12:28 pm, Unauthorized Activity, Dining Center

Two individuals were observed soliciting students for signatures for a petition. The individuals were located, left campus without incident.

 1:09 pm, Property Damage, Greenhouse

An unknown person struck a staff member’s personal vehicle which was parked near the greenhouse. No injuries reported; minor damage to the vehicle.

 

Wednesday, October 5th

1:55 am, Noise Complaint, Barclay Hall

A student reported noise from people skateboarding in the area of Barclay Hall. Students were located outside and advised of the complaint.

 

Friday, October 28th

10:31 am, Fire Alarm, INSC

A contractor working at Sharpless accidentally caused the Fire Alarm at the INSC.

12:52 pm, Personal Illness, Sharpless

A Contractor working at Sharpless had a medical emergency and was transported by ambulance to Bryn Mawr Hospital.

8:32 pm, Check On Well-Being, On Campus

Parent of a student contacted Campus Safety to check on well-being of his daughter. Student was located and advised to contact her father.

 11:38 pm, Personal Illness, HCA 10

Campus Safety and EMS responded to HCA 10 for a student having a panic attack. Student was permitted to remain on campus after being cleared by responding EMS.

 

Saturday, October 29th

1:45 am, Personal Illness, Barclay Hall

Officers responded to a report of an ill student. After speaking with the Nurse on Call the student will remain on campus.

5:35 am, Fire Alarm, HCA 23

Campus Safety responded to a fire alarm at HCA 23 that was caused by burnt food in a first floor apartment. The apartment was ventilated and the system was restored.

 2:28 pm, Check on Well-Being, On Campus

A Haverford professor was concerned about the well-being of a BMC student. BMC Campus Safety was notified and located the student.

9:08 pm, Property Damage, Visitor Parking Lot

A driver struck a parked vehicle as she was leaving her parking space. No injuries reported, minor damage to both vehicles.

 

Sunday, October 30th

12:43 am, Personal Illness, Gummere

Campus Safety responded to a report of a non-Haverford student suffering from an alcohol related illness in Gummere. Visitor transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital for treatment.

12:50 am, Personal Illness, Barclay

The Nurse on Call was contacted for a student having an alcohol related illness. Student was permitted to remain on campus, G.A. notified.

1:01 am, Personal Illness, Barclay

Student suffering from an alcohol related illness at Barclay Hall restroom. Campus Safety contacted the Nurse on Call, who permitted the student to remain on campus. G.A .notified.

3:44 am, Suspicious Circumstances, HCA 18

A student heard strange noises outside her apartment. Campus Safety responded and found nothing out of the ordinary.

12:29 pm, Theft from Building, Founders Hall

A decorative prop was removed from the Great Hall. No police report was filed by the owner.

7:46 pm, Property Damage, Lloyd Lot  

A tree fell on a staff member’s vehicle causing extensive damage.

 

Monday, October 31st

5:17 pm, Suspicious Activity, HCA 42

Campus Safety observed a person pulling himself up on a first floor window ledge.  Three people fled campus as officers approached.

5:42 pm, Theft from Building, Dining Center

A student reported his cell phone was taken after momentarily leaving it unattended. The student declined to file a police report.

5:46 pm, Theft from Vehicle, Walton Rd

Unknown person broke a visitor’s car window removing her purse as she walked on the Nature Trail. A police report was filed with the Haverford Township Police department.

6:10 pm, Fire Alarm, HCA 14

Fire alarm activation at HCA 14 was caused by a resident cooking in a first floor apartment. Area was ventilated and the system was restored.

 

Wednesday November 2nd    

5:48 pm, Check on Well-Being, On Campus

The Deans office requested that Campus Safety check on the well-being of a student. Student could not be located but the student contacted the Deans office the next day.

 8:46 pm, Fire Alarm, Gummere

The fire alarm at Gummere was caused by burnt food in a microwave on the third floor of section two. Area was ventilated and the system was restored.

10:46 pm, Fire Alarm, Gummere           

The alarm was caused by burnt popcorn in a microwave on the first floor of section three.

 

Thursday, November 3rd

12:35 am, Disturbance, MacIntosh Rd

Campus Safety observed skateboarders hanging onto passing vehicle. Skateboarders were identified as students.

10:04 pm, Medical Transport, Carter Road     

A BMC student was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital for a foot injury. The injury did not occur at Haverford, BMC Campus Safety notified.

10:22 am, Fire Alarm, HCA 15    

The alarm was caused by a resident cooking in a second floor apartment. Area was ventilated and the system restored.

13:39 pm, Personal Injury, INSC

A student hit her head a wall after becoming ill. Student was transported to Health Services for evaluation.

 

There are no other significant incidents to report

 

BMC  

Bryn Mawr College

Monday, September 19 – Sunday, November 20 2016 

Monday, September 19th

10:14 am, Vehicle Booted, Erdman Lot

A vehicle was booted when it was found to have numerous unpaid parking citations.  The boot was removed upon payment of outstanding citations.

 

Tuesday, September 20th

6:41 am, Medical Transport, Denbigh Hall

A student was transported to Bryn Mawr College Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

1:22 pm, Damaged Property, Pond

Report received of damage to two college owned boats.  Damage occurred sometime after September, 2014.

5:33 pm, Medical Response, Schwartz Gym

A student was transported by Narberth ambulance to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

 

Wednesday, September 21st

12:02 pm, Medical Transport, New Dorm

A member of staff was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

1:42 am, Assist Student, Bryn Mawr College

Officers provided assistance to a student in contacting an outside agency.

 

Saturday, September 24th

12:45 am, Medical Transport, Erdman Hall

A student was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room and a nearby doctors’ office for evaluation and treatment.

7:31 am, Information Received, Pond

Officers responded to the Pond on the report of two individuals fishing.  The subjects were identified and left the area when requested to do so.

3:09 pm, Medical Transport, Denbigh Hall

A student was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

7:49 pm, Medical Transport, Denbigh Hall

A student was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

11:36 pm, Alcohol, Rockefeller Hall

A student was transported by Narberth Ambulance to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

 

Monday, September 26th                              

6:50 am, Damaged Property, Campus Center

A Housekeeping staff member reports damage to the wall in a basement restroom.

9:58 am, Medical Transport, Park Science Building

A student was transported to the Health Center for evaluation and treatment.

 

Tuesday, September 27th

3:42 am, Medical Response, Enid Cook Center

A Campus Safety Officer responded to the Enid Cook Center on the report of an ill student.  The student, who refused transport to the hospital, was assisted by the Officer.

1:47 pm, Medical Transport, Enid Cook Center

A student was transported to the Health Center for evaluation and treatment.

2:53 pm, Information Received, Campus Mailroom

A student reports an item sent to her had gone missing from her campus mailbox.

 

Thursday, September 29th

8:44 pm, Veh. Acc./On Campus, Ward Building

A certified campus driver was involved in a vehicle accident when the college owned vehicle she was operating struck a fixed object near the Ward Building.

 

Saturday, October 1st

2:34 am, Intoxication, Haverford College

Haverford College Safety and Security Department notified Bryn Mawr College Campus Safety that a Bryn Mawr student had been transported from their campus by ambulance to Bryn Mawr Hospital.  The student was suffering from an alcohol related illness.

10:20 am, Medical Transport, Brecon Hall

An ill student was transported by Narberth Ambulance to Bryn Mawr Hospital for evaluation and treatment.

 

Sunday, October 2nd

12:47 am, Intoxication, Haverford College

Haverford College Safety and Security Department notified Bryn Mawr College Campus Safety that a Bryn Mawr student had been transported from their campus to Bryn Mawr Hospital.  The student was suffering from an alcohol related illness.

 3:01 pm, Medical Transport, New Dorm

A student was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital for evaluation and treatment.

7:04 pm, Medical Response, New Dorm

Officers responded to New Dorm on the report of an ill student.  The student, who refused transport to the hospital, was assisted to her room and will be checked on by the Hall Advisor.

 

Wednesday, October 5th

1:35 pm, Medical Transport, Campus Center

A student was transported to the Health Center for evaluation and treatment.

 

Thursday, October 6th

12:17 am, Suspicious Circumstances, Rockefeller Hall

Officers responded to Rockefeller Hall on the report of noises coming from the ceiling.  A maintenance request was placed with Facilities Services.

4:52 am, Medical Transport, Rockefeller Hall

A student was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

11:20 pm, Medical Transport, Bryn Mawr College

A student was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

 

Friday, October 7th

9:33 am, Medical Transport, Erdman Hall

A staff member was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

 

Sunday, October 16th

4:23 am, Medical Transport, Rhoads Hall

A student was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

5:18 pm, Medical Transport, New Dorm

Officers responded to New Dorm on the report of an ill student.  The student refused transport to the hospital and will have a friend stay with her.

 

Wednesday, October 19th

4:41 pm, Veh.Acc/On Campus, Merion Lot

A certified campus driver was involved in a vehicle accident when the campus owned vehicle she was operating struck an occupied, parked vehicle.  No injuries; minor damage to parked vehicle.

9:25 pm, Medical Response, Erdman Hall

Campus Safety Officers responded to Erdman Hall on the report of an ill student.  The student was transported by Narberth Ambulance to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

9:57 pm, Medical Transport, Rhoads Hall

A student was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

 

Thursday, October 20th

9:06 am, Well Being Check, Rhoads Hall

Officers responded to Rhoads Hall and conducted a well-being check on a resident student.  The student made contact with the concerned party.

11:44 am, Medical Response, Benham Gateway

An ill staff member was transported by Narberth Ambulance to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

 

Friday, October 21st

9:51 pm, Medical Transport, Merion Hall

A resident student was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

 

Saturday, October 22nd

12:00 pm, Well Being Check, Bryn Mawr College

A Lower Merion Police Officer conducted a well-being check on a resident student.

10:07 pm, Intoxication, Rhoads Hall

Officers responded to Rhoads Hall on the report of an ill student.  The student, who was suffering from an alcohol related illness, was transported by Narberth Ambulance to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

 

Sunday, October 23rd

8:46 pm, Assist Student, Campus Safety

A Campus Safety Officer provided a student with crutches for an earlier diagnosed injury.

 

Monday, October 24th

12:17 pm, Medical Transport, Health Center

A student was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital for evaluation and treatment.

 

Thursday, October 27th

12:27 am, Medical Response, Park Science

Officers responded to an area near park Science on the report of a student needing assistance. The student did not want transport to the Health Center or Bryn Mawr Hospital.  She was transported to her residence hall.

10:05 am, Medical Response, Carpenter Library

A student was transported by Narberth Ambulance to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

5:58 pm, Suspicious Circumstance, Pembroke Arch

Officers responded to Pembroke Arch on the report of a suspicious person.  The subject was identified as a person waiting for the Blue Bus.

7:21 pm, Information Received, Off Campus

A Bryn Mawr College student was transported by Narberth Ambulance to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

 

Friday, October 28th

10:20 pm, Intoxication, Park Science

While on patrol, a Campus Safety Officer found an intoxicated, ill student.  The campus MERT (Medical Emergency Response Team) responded.  The student was transported by Narberth Ambulance to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

11:40 pm, Intoxication, Radnor Hall

Officers and the MERT team responded to Radnor Hall on the report of an ill, intoxicated student.  The student was assessed and will be watched over by friends for the night.

11:55 pm, Intoxication/Medical Incident, Brecon Hall

Officers and the MERT team responded to Brecon Hall on the report of an intoxicated, ill student.  The student was assessed and will be watched over by friends for the night.

 

Saturday, October 29th

12:53 am, Intoxication, Radnor Hall

Officers and the MERT team responded to Radnor Hall on the report of an intoxicated student The student was assessed and will be watched by friends for the night.

1:45 am, Intoxication, New Dorm

Officers and the MERT team responded to New Dorm on the report of an intoxicated student.  The student was assessed and was transported by Narberth Ambulance to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

 

Monday, October 31st

8:44 pm, Medical Transport, Radnor Hall

A student was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

 

Tuesday, November 1st

12:04 am, Medical Transport, Rockefeller Hall

A student was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

4:43 pm, Damaged Property, Batten House Lot

A student reports minor damage to her unoccupied, parked vehicle.

 

Wednesday, November 2nd

5:04 pm, Medical Response, Thomas Hall

Officers responded to Thomas Hall on the report of an injured student.  The student, who refused medical treatment, was assisted by a Campus Safety Officer to her residence hall.

 

Sunday, November 6th

8:49 pm, Medical Transport, Pembroke West

A student was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

10:25 pm, Check on Well-Being, Arnecliffe Studio

Officers responded to the Arnecliffe and conducted a well-being check.  Contact was made with the student; on-call GA notified.

 

Monday, November 7th

12:06 pm, Check on Well Being, Bryn Mawr College

Officers conducted a well-being check on a resident student.  Contact was made with the student who will contact the concerned party.

12:17 pm, Medical Response, Carpenter Library

An ill student was transported to the Health Center for evaluation and treatment.

 

Tuesday, November 8th

6:30 pm, Information Received, Rockefeller Hall

A resident student reports several items missing from her locked room.

 

Wednesday, November 9th

12:40 am, Medical Transport, Pembroke East

A student was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

11:59 pm, Information Received, Thomas Hall

Campus Safety was notified of a local news crew on campus for election results and making students feel uncomfortable.

5:10 pm, Medical Response, Dalton Hall

An ill student was transported by Narberth Ambulance to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

9:14 pm, Medical Transport, Erdman Hall

A student was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

 

Thursday, November 10th

9:54 am, Veh. Acc./On Campus, Social Work Lot

A college owned vehicle, being dropped off by an employee of a repair company, struck a fixed object while the driver was parking the vehicle.  No injuries. No damage to vehicle; minimal damage to metal standard.

11:02 am, Medical Transport, Erdman Hall

A student was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

11:26 pm, Fire Alarm, Brecon Hall

Officers responded to Brecon Hall on the report of a fire alarm activation.  Investigation determined the activation was caused by burned food in a microwave.

 

Friday, November 11th

11:53 pm, Suspicious Odor, Pembroke East

Officers responded to Pembroke East on the report of an odor of marijuana.  Officers were not able to locate the source.

 

Saturday, November 12th

12:53 pm, Veh. Acc./Off Campus, Merion Ave.

An authorized college driver reports being involved in an accident when the occupied vehicle she was operating struck the side mirror of an on-coming vehicle.  No injuries; minor damage to both vehicles.  Insurance information exchanged by both parties.

1:55 pm, Medical Transport, New Dorm

A student was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

11:35 pm, Intoxication, Denbigh Hall

Officers responded to Denbigh Hall on the report of an ill student.  The student, suffering from an alcohol related illness, will be watched over by a friend.

 

Sunday, November 13th

12:35 am, Intoxication, Pembroke East

A student, suffering from an alcohol related illness, was transported by Narberth Ambulance to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

12:57 am, Information Received, Bryn Mawr College

A student reports receiving disturbing messages from an acquaintance.

1:18 am, Intoxication,Pembroke East

Officers responded to Pembroke East on the report of an ill student.  The student, suffering from an alcohol related illness, was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

2:10 am, Intoxication, Pembroke East

Officers responded to Pembroke East on the report of an ill student.  The student, suffering from an alcohol related illness, will be watched over by a friend.

7:50 am, Damaged Property, Taylor Hall

A staff member reports graffiti written on a first floor bathroom.

 

Monday, November 14th

9:25 pm, Burglary, Bryn Mawr College

Actor(s) entered the Graduate Student Lounge by removing the window grate.  Nothing was taken.

2:02 pm, Check the Well-Being, Pembroke Hall

An ill student was transported to the Health Center for evaluation and treatment.

6:08 pm, Medical Response, Park Science                          

An ill student was transported to the Health Center for evaluation and treatment.

 

Tuesday, November 15th

1:14 am, Psychiatric Emergency, Batten House

A student was transported to Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

 

Friday, November 18th

1:09 pm, Medical Response, Park Science                          

An ill student was transported to the Health Center for evaluation and treatment.

 

Sunday, November 20th

5:10 pm, Medical Transport, Health Center

An ill student was transported to the Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment.

                         There were no other significant incidents to report

 

Arts, Bryn Mawr, Haverford, Review

Eurydice: A Modern Take on the Classic Story of Orpheus

By Daisy Chen, Staff Writer

“Take a pamphlet and a rock.” — Wait. A rock?

I walked into an already almost full auditorium. The impressive array of props on stage included a wall of blue one gallon water jugs and a half-cut car.

Eurydice is a modernized version of an original Greek mythology. The play starts out introducing the two main characters, Eurydice and Orpheus, who fall in love and get married. Soon thereafter, Eurydice dies and goes to the underworld, where she reunites with her mother. Meanwhile, Orpheus mourns her death by playing sad music and writing her letters he hopes will reach her. Orpheus does end up traveling to the underworld to rescue Eurydice, but unlike in the original myth, this Eurydice is the one who causes Orpheus to look back, making futile his attempts to rescue her. In this version, Eurydice lost all her memories and Orpheus became a stranger to her, so she thought it best to not follow him back.

In the original mythology, as Orpheus and Eurydice reach the gates of hell, a suspicious Orpheus turns around to see if it was actually Eurydice following him. He fears that Hades, lord of the underworld, had deceived him by sending someone else.

Unlike most plays, this production of Euridice was, to some degree, interactive and full of surprises. The rock given to each audience member at the door entered turned out to be a ticket to the underworld, though it turned into something of a distraction as several people dropped their stone throughout the course of the play. The most surprising moment was the loud stomp that echoed through the auditorium when a light shined on Orpheus as he literally climbed down to the underworld from our seats on the bleachers with a rope. When they asked us to keep the aisles clear because the actors would be running through, this was the last thing I expected.

On the other hand, the entering of the Stones and Hades in a floater that says “sticks and stones” was quite humorous. The Stones spoke directly to the audience at one point, each in a different language, which was very interactive and drew our attention. Hades also made quite the entrance with music and some pick-up lines for Eurydice.

To me, the most interesting and creative aspect of the production was that all the props on the stage was unexpectedly resourceful. I was most captivated by the wall of water jugs. They used it to transfer the letters between Orpheus and Eurydice, but it was also the door to the underworld.

I did not expect this level of detail and sophistication in the design of the set. Even the water dispenser served a bigger purpose than I had originally thought: from using it in the beginning of the play as a setting for Eurydice to drink water, to letting water flow out to create a small pond for sound effects and place setting.

Although this modern adaptation has the same tragic end as the original tale, this version continues the story as Eurydice and her mother re-dip themselves in the river, putting them both into deep sleep just as Orpheus comes down to the underworld yet again to find his wife, only to suddenly forget all his memories.

Lights out.

I was disappointed that Eurydice and Orpheus did not get the happy ending I had hoped they would, but a tragic ending to a love story captured the beauty of the traditional legend.

I’m no critic, but for me Eurydice was worth watching. Besides, admission was free.

Bryn Mawr, News

Learning about Criminal Justice Reform with Emily Bazelon

By Diana Pope, Staff Writer

Criminal justice reform was a recurrent theme throughout this past election season. Yet even now, with the elections decided, Americans continue to debate the trustworthiness of our judicial system, especially when it comes to the death penalty. Emily Bazelon, a graduate of Yale Law School, came to Bryn Mawr College to offer her own insights on this controversial topic, along with scintillating observations about the methods of prosecution in the United States. Bazelon is currently a staff writer for New Yorker Magazine and a leading expert on the malignant effects of bullying. She received many positive reviews from the New York Times for her book about bullying, titled “Sticks and Stones.” In addition, Bazelon has written various articles for The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and Mother Jones.

In this lecture, Emily Bazelon wanted to provide information about the current power of prosecutors in the judicial system. She provided countless facts that made audience members question the fairness of America’s court cases.  Bazelon argued that prosecutors “have more power than ordinary police on the streets,” and asserted that all incidents of mass incarceration can be traced to these important figures in courts of law.

Poor prosecution is hardly discussed as one of the symptoms behind the failures in America’s judicial system. Prosecutors are employed by the city, state, or federal government and decide whether or not to prosecute criminals based on evidence. Bazelon noted that most criminal cases are resolved by prosecutors without the process of a trial. Currently, 95 percent of criminal cases are resolved outside of the courtroom without guilty pleas.

Sadly, not all prosecutors follow ethical obligations, and some will imprison innocent individuals because they are short on time with a given case. Some prosecutors may receive as many as 50 cases in one week. Bazelon added that these individuals may have “tunnel vision” and may pull in evidence to quickly incriminate a person and move past a case. Prosecutors are prone to giving long sentences to innocent defendants without incurring any penalties to their professional career. In most cases, Bazelon stated that these individuals are “immune from suit in their professional capacity” and that state bar boards usually don’t find grievances against prosecutors.

In her work with journalism, Bazelon remarked that one of the most alarming trends that she’s noticed is the social inequality of criminal courts. From her research, over 90% of all prosecutors are white individuals. She’s interested in following the career of Kim Foxx, a prosecutor who grew up in Chicago. Foxx plans to initiate criminal justice reform in this city because it is known for mass incarceration of people of color.

Bazelon concluded this lecture by suggesting that judges should have more discretion with all court cases across the country, and prosecutors should have less supervision of final court decisions. She understands that judges make imperfect decisions, but feels they should be “mutual referees in all court cases.”

Bazelon’s talk forced audience members to think twice about the underpinnings of America’s judicial system. Her lecture shed light on a crippling issue in modern society that is frequently swept under the rug. Bazelon’s greatest hope is that prosecution will be fixed someday that the judicial system will function more effectively with fewer issues of social inequality.

Bryn Mawr, Features, Review

Experiencing 80’s Night at Erdman and Hafner Dining Halls

By Diana Pope, Staff Writer

On Wednesday, Nov. 9, Bryn Mawr College’s Erdman and Hafner Dining Halls hosted a festive 80’s night dinner filled with fried chicken, MTV music videos, and a whole array of desserts. Students couldn’t help but smile when they walked into the nostalgic and bittersweet celebration of this decade.

Ray Bevidas, manager at Erdman Dining Hall, was the mastermind beind this themed dinner.  He stated that the goal of the night was to allow students to have a good time, especially after an emotional election season. His main intention was to create a stress-free environment for the Bryn Mawr community.

Erdman and Hafner Dining Halls were filled with many decorations to commemorate the 80’s. Students could see throwback posters of popular movies such as “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “Pretty in Pink.” There were also jukeboxes and cassette tapes along the walls as additional decorations. Bevidas said that decorating was his favorite part of planning this dinner because he grew up in the 80’s and wanted to add as much color and neon as possible.

The entrees during this night were top-notch. The most popular foods of the night included the pizza bagels and sloppy joes. Bevidas picked these choices because he wanted the food to resemble what it would feel like to be in an 80’s shopping mall. Erdman also prepared delicious Smurf’s cupcakes with blue food coloring and chocolate chips. Another favorite was were the Reese’s Pieces, symbolic of the popular 80’s movie ”E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.”

Along with the creative decorations and delicious food, the dining hall managers also chose to play 80’s music videos from artists such as Michael Jackson and MC Hammer. Bevidas thanked Michael Winston for “tirelessly putting together CDs of MTV music videos for this event”. He wanted to include music from multiple genres including dance, electronic and rap

Bevidas stated that Erdman Dining Hall will definitely host more themed dinners in the future. He’s looking forward to helping out with the holiday dinner for “Marvel vs. DC” and may plan another themed dinner in February. Dining hall workers felt happy after seeing the turnout for this festive night.

Bryn Mawr, Features

Election Day

By Kate Hawthorne, Staff Writer

When I got up on Nov. 8, 2016, I was exhilarated. I carefully went through my clothes and chose a perfect outfit – slipping on a warm blue sweater, shrugging into a blue leather jacket, placing a blue necklace around my throat, sliding on blue origami earrings and, finally, placing my “Chappaqua for Hillary” hat on my head. I took a deep breath before leaving my room for my first class of the day.

This would be the first time I have voted, and doing so during such a historic election meant everything to me. As the memes put it, “This will either be our first female president or our last president.” As anyone who saw my hat might have guessed, I felt strongly about who should be the next president, and it was hard not to think that the world would essentially end if the other candidate won. And, I felt – or at least hoped – the majority of the country agreed with me.

I come from Chappaqua, New York, a town known for being mostly Jewish, having great public schools and being the home to the Clintons (with the nearby town of Mount Kisco being the home of Sandra Lee and Governor Andrew Cuomo). Chappaqua is not known for much else. Still, living in the same area as the Clintons has an effect on the town: it is extremely democratic. While it is not as liberal as Bryn Mawr, I still grew up with democrats comprising the majority of my classmates.

After my first class of the day, I nearly ran from Park to Pembroke Arch, my heart fluttering at the thought of finally having a say in what happens in this country – and even more of a say than I would if I had voted using an absentee ballot from one of the most democratic areas in New York. I waited in line for the shuttle graciously provided by Bryn Mawr College, internally squirming with impatience. When the shuttle finally pulled up at the church where people were voting, I barely spared a glance at the free hot chocolate and cookies being provided by NextGen Climate.

I tore inside and was greeted by two sides of the room – one with a sizable but not unmanageable line and the other with no line. You can guess which one I was told to join. I waited, again trying not to squirm, before noticing that Pennsylvania was voting on whether to make Supreme Court Judges retire at 75. With an internal sigh of relief, I started looking into what exactly that meant in order to take my mind off the line in front of me.

Finally, I reached the front of the line and, in short order, signed in, was directed to a voting booth and voted in my first election. I grinned as I exited the voting booth, receiving my “I’ve voted” sticker – which has now been placed on a flashcard with the date and my main vote on it for posterity. I returned to wait for the shuttle, grabbing a cookie from NextGen, and smiled as the butterflies in my stomach settled a little. Now, all I had to do was get through lunch, one class, and picking up some food from Acme for the BMC Democrats’ election watch party. Everything would be fine.

Until, at 9 p.m., staring at the screen in front of me, fighting the tears that threatened to spill from my eyes, everything wasn’t.

Bryn Mawr, News

Long Election Night, Aftermath Leave Students Frustrated and Worried

By Rachel Hertzberg, Staff Writer

Thomas Great Hall, the site of Bryn Mawr College’s official election watch party, buzzed with excitement on the night of Tuesday, Nov. 8. Students gathered at patriotically adorned tables and helped themselves to president-shaped Pez dispensers. CNN’s election coverage was projected at the front of the room, and many people alternated between homework and watching the screen. Throughout the night, raffle prizes were announced, adding to the festive mood. As the party began, many students said they were uncertain as to the results of the night, although some said they felt confident in Secretary Clinton’s victory. By 8 p.m., the vast hall was crowded and sociable.

Early results started trickling in around 8:30, and the room responded energetically even though it was too early to definitively call any of the states. When it was reported that Trump was beating Clinton by one tenth of a percentage point in Florida, the hall rang with boos and jeers. Shouts of joy were heard when Clinton pulled ahead of Trump in North Carolina and Ohio. The room became especially elated upon seeing Clinton’s early lead in Texas. When Tammy Duckworth won her senate seat in Illinois, cheers broke out.

At 9 p.m., when Clinton won New York the room again erupted with joy. Trump’s wins in Nevada, Wyoming, and the Dakotas garnered boos and yells. At this point, one student from New York predicted that Clinton would win the electoral vote while Trump would win the popular vote. She and others expressed fear and concern over Trump’s populist support –regardless of the outcome of the election.

When Trump won Texas, the hall was filled with boos and one wordless scream. One student commented that she felt “really nervous. I didn’t think that Trump would be a firm contender, so coming here and seeing how close it is very surprising.”

Throughout the evening, several optimist students led the Anass chant when CNN showed Clinton to have a lead in various states. By 9:30, the room was so full that some people were sitting on the floor, and one student noted that she was pleasantly surprised at Bryn Mawr’s apparent level of political engagement. At around 9:45, it was announced that the Republican party would keep control of the House, and students responded with disappointed yells. Fifteen minutes later, it was reported that Clinton had an early lead in Pennsylvania, which led to another Anass.

By 10:15, Thomas Great Hall had become so loud that it was difficult to hear or understand the election coverage, but the viewing party in the Campus Center, hosted by the BMC Democrats, was much quieter and focused toward the NBC coverage on the television. The lights in the Campus Center were dimmed. People sat in armchairs, on the floor, and gathered on the stairs. Some were talking quietly, but most watched in silence. There were some muted reactions to the election coverage, but for the most part it was a subdued environment. To be fair, this quiet was in large part a reaction to the shift in the election. Contrary to most polls, Trump won state after state.

Although many in the Campus Center cheered when Clinton won Virginia at 10:30, and later when she won in Montgomery County, the mood became increasingly tense as the race tightened. One student was extremely frustrated to find out how many Floridians voted for third party candidates. When Trump officially won Florida, some muffled “No!”s rang out, but there seemed to be little fight left in the group of Mawrters. When the news coverage panned a crowd of crying Clinton supporters, one student watching the TV sadly called out, “Same!”

By midnight, many students had left to watch the election in their rooms or go to bed. As the key states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania continued to be too close to call, the Campus Center was almost completely silent except for quiet groans and swearing. At several points, students became confused by the coverage, thinking that a state had been called when in fact NBC was simply showing a projection.

The energy in the room was even lower by 2 a.m.. There was some weak booing when Pat Toomey was victorious in maintaining his senate seat, and again when it became clear that the presidential race was over even though several states had still not been called. Many of the remaining students were visibly upset. Some, in disbelief, discussed the mathematics of Clinton’s loss, and others made phone calls to family and friends.

The next day, Nov. 9, dawned rainy and colorless. The campus was unusually quiet. People embraced each other in the libraries and hallways, offering words of comfort and support. Despite the difficult circumstances, there was a feeling of solidarity and communal grieving that offered some solace. Many professors took time during classes to discuss the results of the election, and it was unusual to hear a conversation that did not address the events of the previous night. A sense of shock and disbelief reigned on Bryn Mawr’s campus; there did not seem to be a consensus as to why Clinton had lost. There were numerous discussions about racism, third party voters, and economic concerns, as well as the fear and confusion about how to proceed. Many students went into Philadelphia to join protests following the election, while others found ways to attend events and organize on campus. On Friday, Nov. 11, the Bryn Mawr Dean’s Office sent a mass email to the student body, addressing the recent rise in hate crimes, and specifically the harassment of students around Bryn Mawr. The email encouraged all students to call Campus Safety if they feel unsafe.

 

Bryn Mawr, News, Review

Deconstructed: A Week of Afro-Caribbean Celebration

By Nina Inman, Staff Writer

Last week, the Bryn Mawr African & Caribbean Students Organization (BACaSo), organized a week devoted to Afro-Caribbean culture. The finale? A culture show called “Deconstructed.”

BACaSO faced various challenges putting the show and week together. Farida Ilboudo (’18) explained that much of the Bryn Mawr student body seems uninterested in BACaSO’s events.

“Afro-Carib week started on Monday and today is Wednesday and nobody knows. We had a film screening and nobody showed up… We do so much and we have so much fun with each other but no one comes.”

From a campus that claims to be culturally understanding and accepting, this was disheartening to members of BACaSO, who work hard to organize the event every year. Regardless, Ilboudo said, “We don’t care if people show up. It’s the reality we live in. This is for us.”

“Deconstructed” displayed elements of Afro-Caribbean culture through fashion shows of dance and singing, modern and traditional clothing and a drumming performance. The show attempted to deconstruct Afro-Caribbean culture in order to illustrate and celebrate its complexities. At the same time, it worked to bring together students and community members from a variety of countries.

After election night, the culture show took on an additional role: unifying and encouraging the student body against a president-elect that many have accused of blatant bigotry. “The road ahead is long and unpredictable but we will continue to fight for what we deserve, break stereotypes and have equal opportunity,” BACaSO posted on their Facebook page.

The event further attempted to unify the audience by giving a presentation on Black Lives Matter and the oppression of some elements of Afro-Caribbean culture. The crowd joined hands to represent how they would stand together against violence and hate. This was followed by an energetic performance by Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble.

BACaSO was happy with the turnout and audience’s response to the show. Aisha Soumaoro (‘20), a fashion model, said, “A lot of people came out to support the culture show. The crowd was very energetic. It felt like a supportive environment.”

Bryn Mawr, News

“Save My Seoul” Shares Stories, Highlights Concerns over Prostitution in South Korea

By Vidya Ramaswamy, Staff Writer

On Friday, Nov. 11th, the Jubilee Project documentary film “Save My Seoul” screened in Thomas, with a chance to hear from the directory afterward. The film focuses on the problems, often hidden to locals, of sex trafficking in South Korea.

In 2012, the Jubilee Project released a fictional short film on sex trafficking, called “Back to Innocence,” which can be found on YouTube. After seeing this film, a Korean church pastor reached out to the group and persuaded them to make a film on the hidden but widespread sex trafficking culture in South Korea – one that wasn’t fictional. After talking to the pastor, Jubilee Project Founder and Film Director Jason Lee traveled with his brother Eddie to South Korea, where they spent three years researching, interviewing, and gathering content for the film.

While there, they asked a number of South Korean civilians about their opinions of prostitution. Many of those interviewed did not think it was a significant problem.

“As long as there are men and women in the world, it cannot be avoided,” one of the interviewed men said.

When asked why they thought women chose to become prostitutes, most said that it was simply to make money. When asked if they ever thought of prostitutes as victims, most said that they did not because the prostitutes voluntarily chose to become prostitutes.

When Jason and Eddie tried to find sex workers to interview, most refused to be shown on camera. Then they found Crystal and Esther.

Although Crystal and Esther’s faces were not revealed, they spoke openly about their experiences as sex workers. They were both forced into the sex industry after running away from home and having no other way to earn money or make a living. In fact, more than 80% of minors in the Korean sex trade industry are runaways. Around 200,000 young people run away from home annually, and most end up as sex workers. Crystal and Esther revealed that prostitutes in Korea endure lots of physical and verbal abuse. They also often find themselves in lots of debt, as they end up owing their pimps large sums of money.

“After ten years, I checked my bank account,” one interviewee said. “I had no money, but I owed my pimp thousands of dollars.”

Unfortunately, the Korean sex trade industry does not lack customers: although most of the civilians interviewed expressed negative sentiments about sex workers, five out of ten Korean men admit to having paid for sex at least once in their lifetime.

There are NGOs dedicated to helping sex workers escape the industry and put an end to the cycle. At the same time, Korea does not want to draw attention to the issue. Fortunately, the end of the film revealed that Crystal and Esther were saved by an NGO. Esther is currently in college studying to help former and current sex workers.

Jason Lee was present for the screening and held a Q&A session after the film. During this time, he told the audience that Crystal passed away about three months ago. Although they are unsure of the cause, they suspect suicide. When asked how people can help the cause, Lee advised men to think about how they treat women, and women to think about how they should be treated. He also encouraged everyone to go to www.savemyseoul.com and join the movement.

Bryn Mawr, Features

Grave Matters: Discovering Bryn Mawr’s History in the Graveyard Behind English House

By Rachel Hertzberg, Staff Writer

Bryn Mawr pulses with creation myths. Myths exist for a reason—they offer explanation when we don’t have the facts, or when we are interested in something more than just facts. There is the story of Rockefeller’s niece, on whose behalf John D. Rockefeller supposedly donated the money to build his namesake dorm. There is the story of Katherine Hepburn pioneering the tradition of skinny dipping in the cloisters, and the legends about the statue of Athena  in Thomas Great Hall. After a quick walk around campus, any visitor can tell that this is a place steeped in history, where the  traditions of the past continue to inform the present. The stories that students tell one another about our campus create a sense of continuity with past generations and codify our values.

Just beyond the edge of Bryn Mawr’s campus, however, lies a fascinating site with few, if any, popular stories attached to it: The Harriton graveyard in Morris Woods, also known as the graveyard behind English House. At night, this graveyard can be found while stumbling over haphazard fallen logs and dry ravines, the grave markers looming shadows. On a bright autumn morning when golden light filters through the trees, the graveyard is a pleasant place to enjoy some solitude and a Halloween aesthetic. Although many students know of its location, few know about the burial ground’s occupants and significance.

Around 1719, Richard Harrison, owner of the Harriton tobacco plantation (named for the Welsh town of Harriton), established a family burial ground. Harrison owned the 700 acres of farmland, and his property ended at what is now New Gulph Road. Harrison was the first person known to be buried in the graveyard, and after his death, the land was passed down to his son-in-law, Charles Thomson. Thomson was a little-known founding father,  secretary of the Continental Congress and designer of the United States seal, as well as a beekeeper, orchardist, and abolitionist. There are at least ten unmarked grave sites from the Harrison/Thomson period, including those of family members and other members of the local community. According to Quaker tradition, a stone was placed next to the spot where a body was buried, marking not the deceased, but the next available spot. This practice reflected the Quaker belief in equality and humility.

The most distinctive grave markers are those located at the back of the plot. They are Gothic-style tablets with carvings that resemble angel’s wings. These tablets do not belong to anyone in the Harrison or Thomson families; the Lower Merion Historical Society describes them as “Strangers to the family” because they mark the graves of a family whose surname is Cochran. Little is known about the Cochran family except that they must have had some claim to the land which allowed them to be buried there. Since the graves do have writing on them, the Cochrans were probably not Quakers.  

In the 19th century, a craze arose for grand public cemeteries, and Thomson and his wife Hannah were dug up and brought to the Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, a resting place that seemed to better befit such distinguished citizens. Of course, considering the fact that  the Harriton graves were unmarked, and the transfer happened decades after the original burials, it is possible that the bodies resting under the obelisk in Laurel Hill  either are not the Thomsons, or include remains of multiple individuals. Macabre as this sounds, it reveals the obsession with death rituals that was common in the Victorian era, often referred to as a “cult of mourning”. However, not all the deceased were afforded such convoluted rites. As a tobacco plantation, even a small-scale northern one, Harriton was also the home of enslaved people.

The grave markers’ lack of identification makes it difficult to know for sure how many slaves are buried here, but local historians believe that they would have been former house slaves, freed by Charles Thomson. It is disturbing that such a picturesque spot could be the resting place of slaves. Many people do not know that the Quakers didn’t officially disavow slavery until 1758, and due to gradual emancipation laws, some people remained enslaved in Pennsylvania until the early nineteenth century. Although the Harriton slaves had no connection to Bryn Mawr College, their graves hint at the violent reality of this area’s history, a reality that is often hidden behind the ideals of Quakerism and tolerance. The proximity of the graves to campus emphasizes the way that a legacy of racism has haunted Bryn Mawr throughout the college’s history.

As Charles and Hannah had no children, the property was inherited by the descendants of Hannah’s brother Thomas Harrison. The 700 acres originally owned by the family were divided up and parceled out, both as inheritances and to be sold to developers. Through marriage, the property that included the graveyard came into the hands of the local Morris family, and then passed to the Vaux family. In the early twentieth century, George Vaux IX built a house for his family on his inherited land just on the border of the original property. This house remained in the family until 1958, when it was sold to Bryn Mawr College to be turned into English House. What is today Russian House was once the neighboring garage and apartment. The forested area called Morris Woods was also sold to Bryn Mawr College at this same time.

Trina Vaux, George Vaux IX’s granddaughter, spent her childhood in what is today English House. She is now the current owner of the property that includes the graveyard. She recalls that “students have always found their way to the cemetery.” In fact, it was a popular destination and “a favorite site of trysts” back when her mother was a Bryn Mawr student in the 1930s. In the 1980s and 90s, Bryn Mawr students formed a coven of witches that met in the graveyard at the spring and fall equinox to read poetry. In later years the witches became an overtly feminist and political group, which did not go over well with some of the more traditional neighbors.  

Today, the graveyard offers a testament to the depth of history in this area, as well as a place for meditation and appreciating nature. After learning about the individuals who are buried there, and speaking with one of their descendants, I’ve found it hard to visit without considering their stories. Knowing the history provides a more complete context for Bryn Mawr, but also a more complicated one. Those who are interested in local history might  like to visit the historic Harriton House, a fifteen-minute walk from campus.

Bryn Mawr, News

Edwidge Danticat Comes to Bryn Mawr

By Nina Inman, Staff Writer

On Wednesday, October 26th, Edwidge Danticat presented a reading as part of the Bryn Mawr Creative Writing Program Reading Series. For more than thirty years, the reading series has brought various accomplished writers to Bryn Mawr. Danticat’s visit continued this tradition.

Danticat’s readings were framed around the current disaster in Haiti. Hurricane Matthew struck Haiti on Oct. 4th, and the nation continues to struggle with the effects. Danticat pointed out that destruction of livestock and crops will make living in the already impoverished country even more difficult.

The author also spoke on the Haitian cholera outbreak, which was carelessly caused by doctors and other peace workers while providing humanitarian aid during the Haitian earthquake in 2010 and then further exacerbated by Hurricane Matthew. She connected the outbreak to slavery, the United State’s occupation of the Dominican Republic and America’s role in the creation of suffering worldwide.

The death and sadness created by the two natural disasters, her personal experience and American occupation of numerous South American nations led Danticat to select readings from her works, Claire By the Sealight, Farming of Bones, Create Dangerously and a currently unpublished memoir, The Art of Death. In these works, she explores the idea of bearing witness to events both sad and beautiful and learning how to honor and remember them.

Danticat explained the Haitian tradition of honoring someone a year and a day after their death. Some believe that when an individual dies, “the souls of the newly dead slip into rivers and streams and remain there, under the water, for a year and a day. Then, lured by ritual prayer and song, the souls emerge from the water and the spirits are reborn.

She discussed the year and a day tradition in reference to her mother and those who died in Haiti as a result of the hurricane and earthquake, as well as American occupation of the Dominican Republic and other South American nations. “It is unbelievable how horrors repeat themselves,” Ms. Danticat said, outraged by the amount of suffering that takes place in the world.

Finishing her readings, Ms. Danticat recognized the difficulty of thinking about such heavy topics and urged the audience to do its best to provide humanitarian aid to those currently suffering in Haiti.