Board of Admissions responds to student activism
In the wake of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Florida on Feb. 14, protests and marches against gun violence have sprung up in multiple cities across the country, oftentimes organized by high school and college students. Wellesley College has always instilled in their students a passion for making a difference in the world. Because of this dedication, the Wellesley College Board of Admissions released a statement on February 24 affirming that they will not disadvantage applicants who report school suspension or any disciplinary actions due to participation in any of these peaceful protests. Wellesley, along with many other colleges including Brown University, Boston University and Northeastern University, has made it clear through this statement that being concerned for the public and demonstrating that concern will not be a disadvantage for a prospective student’s application.
2017-2018 Sustainability Year shows great progress in theory and practice
Since announcing the 2017-2018 academic year as the Sustainability Year, Wellesley College and the Wendy Judge Paulson Ecology of Place Initiative have made great progress in the pursuit of sustainable practices. The changes include the hiring of Rob Lamppa, who has years of waste reduction experience, as Wellesley’s chief sustainability officer. Others include installing hundreds of LED bulbs both in residence halls and walkway lamps, as well as hosting multiple on-campus lectures focusing on issues of sustainability and the environment, such as the upcoming Wilson Lecture on April 25 with Al Gore. Lamppa has prior experience working in the development of food reduction programs at the University of WisconsinMadison, Oberlin College and Carleton College. His job at Wellesley is to oversee the Office of Sustainability and help foster an eco-friendly culture on campus. The Sustainability Year has also been incorporated into classes such as Assistant Professor of chemistry Rachel Stanley’s Communicating and Teaching Chemistry class and Professor of psychology Margery Lucas’s How We Choose class. From investigating the science behind green technology to analyzing the motivation behind behavioral changes to reflect goals of sustainability, these classes prove that sustainability can be involved in all aspects of our lives.
Winterfest 2018 showcases Wellesley’s Natural Beauty
On Wednesday, Feb. 21, the Paulson Ecology of Place Initiative sponsored a daylong event called Winterfest 2018. The schedule included a winter bird watch, winter tree tour, Davis Museum “nature” tour, s’mores and an owl prowl. The day started at 8:30 a.m. and continued until 6:15 p.m., but students were free to join for any of the events throughout the day. As Director of the Paulson Initiative Suzanne Langridge said, “by connecting students with this rich environment— with the birds, trees, the lake, the pond, and the wildlife—students become more engaged in and excited about the natural environment and their campus.” Many joined Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences Nicholas L. Rodenhouse in visiting areas of campus, such as Paintshop Pond, that they had never previously explored. With binoculars in hand, many students and faculty took a much-needed break from their hectic schedules to appreciate the beauty of the nature around them.
