Smith College

Colleges and Universities A-Z Smith College
441

<p>When I said there wasn't anything to do on campus, I meant it in terms of parties. Sorry, I should have clarified that earlier! There aren't that many on campus, but if there are, I go hoping that there will be guys from other schools there. There usually aren't that many, though. And I'm not necessarily looking for a relationship - but gender diversity in my group of friends. </p>

<p>I am involved in some activities (music ensembles mostly...but a sport as well), all of which fall on weekdays. I'm havinig a fun time, too. I think the problem is that lot of lectures, concerts, and interesting events that students want to attend fall on weekdays, so it's kind of hard to go when you have homework due the next day. </p>

<p>My weekends are pretty free (with the exception of work and concerts, if there are any). I usually find that I have to go off-campus with my friends to find something to do on a weekend. That's just my experience, but with others it might be different. </p>

<p>Regardless, I'm having a great semester thus far. Last semester was tough, but I like the school a lot more now.</p>

442

<p>[I usually find that I have to go off-campus with my friends to find something to do on a weekend.]</p>

<p>What sorts of things are available on weekends in town. We have only ventured a little bit into town so far, so we are interested as to what there is to do in NoHo? Which restaurants do you like? Any entertainment that is special? Movie theaters? Performances?</p>

443

<p>NoHo is a very ecletic town. You'll find many art galleries, book shops, and record stores. I know this one book shop that hosts poetry readings every Wednesday. </p>

<p>One thing is for certain - you'll always be able to find a place to eat in NoHo.<br>
There are restaurants and coffee places all around King St., Main St. and Pleasant St. - Thai, Mexican, Japanese, Italian, Chinese...you name it. </p>

<p>There's also a lot to do in Hadley, which isn't that far from NoHo (maybe about fifteen minutes?). There's the Hampshire Mall (which contains a laser tag place, roller skating rink, and movie theater), and there are a lot of your typical plaza stores (Whole Foods, Wal-Mart, Old Navy, etc.).</p>

444

<p>I'd put Hadley 5-10 minutes from NoHo, depending on where you are. </p>

<p>Be warned; the Hampshire Mall is pretty lame. The skating rink closes at like 10 and the average patron is between the ages of 13 and 14. it's where middle schoolers take their dates, and then laugh at all the little kids. not a place to go as a high school student, let alone a college student. laser tag... it closes around the same time, and be serious. to be interested you've either got to be twelve, or baked.</p>

<p>apart from that, it's pretty small and run down. they've finally added a few cloathing stores, but it's gradually becoming the anchors (target, best buy, JC Penny, plus wal-marrt which is moving from across the street) and not much more. the movies are the only thing worth doing there. </p>

<p>I actually disagree that there's much to do in Hadley. there's the classic desolate suburban strip with the stores trumpeter listed, and the like. i don't call a night spent hitting up mcdonalds, wal-mart, home depot, and old navy much to do. apart from that, there's a bunch of farmland. A place to get your shopping done, but not a place to have a good time. </p>

<p>the culinary offerings of Northampton are superb. They've got everything, and it's all good. but for pizza, cross the river and head to Antonio's in Amherst.</p>

445

<p>As a mall, I found the Hampshire pretty lame too. I'd rather go to, what's it called, the Holyoke(?) Mall, the one down near MHC and the first exit north of the 'Pike? For a mall--not that I'm in any way a mall rat--a lot more variety.</p>

446

<p>Dude, the Hampshire Mall is awesome compared to the town I'm from. Both the malls were turned into strip malls after the stores started leaving. I do agree that the Holyoke Mall is better, but it's much harder to get to for the number of students who don't have cars (you have to transfer busses on the PVTA or take the Peter Pan bus). The last time I went was with my parents during Family Weekend my first year.</p>

447

<p>haha. I was just happy enough that Hampshire Mall had American Eagle, Barnes and Nobles, and Whole Foods- my staple stores!</p>

448

<p>Borgin: sorry about your town.</p>

<p>I do agree that the Hampshire Mall is a lot easier to get to. I know D has gone there for movies upon occasion.</p>

449

<p>I didn't want to start a new thread with this one, but I found it posted on the Smith DailyJolt. The conversations are going hot and heavy over there, and it appears that there may be a proposal to change the language back to "her" from "student" in the student documents. I know the transgendered conversations have popped up here before, but appear to be coming to light at Smith now. Many of the students (not trans) want their all-female school back, and want students referred to as "her" and "she". Not asking too much I would say. Sounds like Smith went over the top on this one! Here's the OP's quote:</p>

<p>
[quote]
just want to clear something up; Smith is a FEMALE institution. While I love, respect, and admire my fellow students that are trans, I am very offended that you (the trans students) feel that Smith needs to change in order to curb to your demands. There is no way to deny that Smith is a womens college. You all knew that when you applied here, and now that you are here your plan is to overhaul the system. This is honestly not fair at all to your fellow students that are female and take pride in attending a female institution, nor is it fair to our Alum who also share in that pride. </p>

<p>I also want to say that if Smith went co-ed tomorrow, I am willing to bet thousands that YOU (the tranny students) would be the first ones out there to lead the march against going co-ed. Perhaps I am wrong about that, so I ask you (the trans population) would you be against going co-ed? I would think that every single one of you would have no problem at all if Smith went co-ed since that is exactly what you advocate for when you demand that we (the female students) cater to your (so-called) "right" to be recognized as a male, and a Smithie. </p>

<p>I would also like to say that I resent the fact that thanks to your (the trans population) bullish ways, the Smith student body has lost its original constitution, and lost the traditional meaning behind "Celebration" an event that used to be a celebration (and rightly so I might add) of "sisterhood." Why couldn't it have remained a "celebration of sisterhood" when we all attend a female institution? </p>

<p>Now that you all probably want to hang me allow me to say this; I truly have no problem at all with transgendered people. I could care less if one of my fellow students wants to become a man, and I respect how very difficult that must be. I honestly respect and admire all of you. I just do NOT think that it is right for you to want to have your cake and eat it too at the expense of Smith College and its longstanding traditions. Honestly I love you guys I do, but Smith is a college for women and there are no if, ands, or buts about that.</p>

<p>Lastly, I would just like to say that I think it is a crying shame that Smith is far more concerned with being "PC" then it is with being honest. I mean every word I say here, but if I ever came out and said it out loud my time here at Smith would be ruined by "PC bullies." Why can we not say what we mean without fear of being called some horrible name? It's really not fair at all and indeed quite hypocritical on the part of what is supposed to be an open minded institution.

[/quote]

What do you think?</p>

450

<p>Man, when I say that Smithies like to argue, I'm not kidding. I'm with the OP up and down the line: have no problem with transgendered students, think that Smith should retain its all-female identity. Not that I have a vote.</p>

<p>But I can envision the pitched battles taking place over this one.</p>

451

<p>Oh...the battle lines are drawn! All the students want is their student constitution changed back to reflect "all-female" status. I also agree with the OP on this one as well; after all, it is a women's college, now, isn't it?</p>

452

<p>{{{I'm with the OP up and down the line: have no problem with transgendered students, think that Smith should retain its all-female identity. }}</p>

<p>I informed everyone not that long ago this was a serious problem, not only simmering under the surface at the college but with alumnae and high school students discussing and deciding what colleges to apply to.
It is inconceivable Smith has come to the point students have to hide behind the anonymity of the internet to make a statement, as the courageous student who wrote the editorial did for fear or reprisals. Who would want their daughter to attend a college where the students fear PCness and the repercussions to the point they can’t speak freely?
No one ever thought through the unintended consequences of this issue.
What Smith administrators seem to fail to comprehend is because of this issue they have lost untold applications from outstanding students and influenced others to transfer--not to mention being the brunt of jokes at every college in New England. I <em>personally</em> know of numerous alumnae who will not let their daughter’s attend Smith because of the direction the college has taken. It’s too late for the class of ’10, but I certainly hope Smith realizes many parents of Smithies will not support or recommend the college at the high school their daughter’s attended or in their respective communities. Put that on the jolt!!!</p>

453

<p>Smith is an all WOMENS college. We're not "it"s or just "students" we are women. The Jolt is ridiculous...Smith is just crazy enough to consider this...</p>

454

<p>{{ Not that I have a vote.}}]</p>

<p>Actually you do. Many parents, as well as alumnae, will not donate $ anymore due to Smith's change in direction.</p>

<p>otoh—To be totally fair, there are some students who believe this isn’t that big of an issue and Smith has always been a leader with bringing radical issues and ideas to the forefront.
In the early 60’s, before gays were allowed out of the closet, so to speak, Smithies weren’t afraid to allow their sexual preferences to be known. No one would argue that wasn’t a good thing. Smith allowed women to be themselves. Maybe Smith is just ahead of its time again.-- just a thought and not an editorial. :)</p>

455

<p>My D was a Smithie when the wording of the wording of the consitution first (I believe) came up for change. She actually went back and forth on the issue - at first thought the "she's" should remain, then bought into the argument that trannies deserve to be addressed and referred to by the gender with which they identify.</p>

<p>Apparently the response to why trannies are at a women's college is that few co-ed insitutions would be as accepting an environment as Smith.</p>

<p>Somehow it bothers me that "he's" can be at Smith, yet my non-trannie hetero son can't apply. It does seem to me that trannies who are opposed to the school going co-ed are having their cake and eating it too. They want to be the only "males" attending a "female" institution? </p>

<p>Yes, Smith does lose a lot of apps and alum support because of lightning rod issues like this.</p>

456

<p>Jyber, the having/eating cake issue bothers me, too.</p>

<p>God...and most people who read political posts in the Parents Cafe...know that I've put myself on the line for gay rights, etc., time and again. To me, this is a different issue. I'm well aware that some nominal "allies" on this issue hold some views that I would regard as pretty ugly but I've got to call 'em as I see 'em, issue by issue.</p>

<p>D and I were just talking about the PC-ness of Smith just the other day. She mainly lets it roll off her back but it's perhaps her only complaint about the college.</p>

457

<p>RLT, I would still donate as I don't believe in throwing out the baby with the bathwater.</p>

458

<p>{{Smith, yet my non-trannie hetero son can't apply}}</p>

<p>If he became a transvestite, I assume Smith would allow him to apply. Considering Smith’s policy of total acceptance of various sexual persuasions--he's or she's-- it seems appropriate to me he should be allowed to become a student.
I can’t wait for a bored ACLU attorney make a case for out of this.</p>

<p>Note: read the post in the humorous vein it was intended :)</p>

459

<p>RLT, I would still donate as I don't believe in throwing out the baby with the bathwater}}}</p>

<p>What do you mean would? You mean you’ve been throwing away all those donation request letters? LOL</p>

<p>Just kidding. Paying for college is donation enough at this juncture</p>

460

<p>
[quote]
Somehow it bothers me that "he's" can be at Smith, yet my non-trannie hetero son can't apply. It does seem to me that trannies who are opposed to the school going co-ed are having their cake and eating it too. They want to be the only "males" attending a "female" institution?

[/quote]

Is it me, or is this just ridiculous? (not your comment Jyber, the tranny thing). Being a liberal parent, I have no issue with gay women or men; honestly, I really do not. The issue here is the way these ?women? choose to be treated on campus. Their sexuality is a personal issue, and one which I don't believe needs to be treated in any specific way by the college. For Smith to change their student constitution to placate a few trannies just is not right. Smith should try hard to keep their sisterhood alive and kicking, particularly in today's financially strapped single-sex collegee era who are thinking of going co-ed. </p>

<p>Granted, the Jolt is a place for the negative complainers who just aren't happy with anything, but the OP in this case does not appear to be one of those. Simply, just a student who wants her all-female college to be precisely what she intended it to be; and what her parents are paying a bundle of money for. A great women's college!</p>