Established 1879
MEETING THE MASTERMINDS BEHIND GENEVA’S CLIMATE MARCH
Gabriel Pietrorazio
A Voice for the Students
A community’s charge and dream for climate change recognition and reconciliation was realized when more than 150 activists united along Seneca Lake for the Geneva Climate March on Sept. 27. In particular, three professors at the Colleges who are affiliated with the Geneva Women’s Assembly were instrumental in coordinating the march. In this article, the Herald connects with them and reflects upon the political spectacle and their collective struggle to attain climate justice in Geneva, explores the essence of political activism, candidly addresses concerns of student apathy on campus and explains what this civil action means for the future of the Colleges. Last year, Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science Ricky Price was invited to join the Geneva Women’s Assembly alongside his peers and acknowledged that social justice activism is a crucial component to his scholarship. However, he admits that it is easier said than done within his profession as a scholar in higher education. “Generally, in academia you’re punished quite heavily if you’re involved in the things that you talk about. There’s an idea that you lose objectivity. I come from a different training and different school of thought,” Professor Price says. From his perspective as a policy scholar, Price explores the ways in which institutions shape lives, particularly from a focus on the LGBTQ community and HIV/AIDS research. Despite suffering backlash from the academic community by participating in action, Price’s passion for social justice transcends his occupation for the sake of his sanity and well-being.
Frederick Holmes
By Gabriel Pietrorazio ‘20 Herald Staff
“It’s difficult in those arenas to preach the politics but not participate in the politics, just morally and ethically. It’s not good for my job, not good for my job prospects, but it’s good for my soul,” he says. For Price, this participation included the climate march, which was organized with merely two weeks of planning. Price mentions that the GWA “gets things done in short periods of time.” “The capacity to do actions is every strong because they built a strong network of people who can volunteer and help and they know how to delineate tasks without being directed by one person,” he states. After one brainstorming session it was clear to organizers that connecting the global to the local and individual to community were crucial components in creating a successful climate change coalition in Geneva amid the week of global climate strikes. Continued on Page 3
News Behind Geneva’s Climate March p. 1&3 Inauguration p.1&4 How to Improv(e) Your Life p. 5 Geneva City Council Election p. 7
Jacobsen Inaugurated as President By Olivia Rowland ’21 Copy Editor On Friday, Oct. 18, Joyce P. Jacobsen was officially inaugurated as the 29th president of Hobart College and the 18th president of William Smith College. The inauguration ceremony, held on the Quad and open to all members of the HWS community, was the centerpiece of a day filled with celebration, which included a community lunch and the President’s Ball held in Saga. In contrast to the 2017 inauguration of former President Gregory Vincent ’83, which was held off campus in Geneva’s Trinity Episcopal Church and required tickets for attendance, Jacobsen’s inauguration was more inclusive of students, who were able to attend the Continued on Page 4