On Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009, over 150 students and faculty members  participated in St. Mary’s third annual Polar Bear Splash. Over 200 other students and onlookers cheered on their friends as they prepared to make the plunge.

The College’s Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC) passed out waivers in order to protect themselves from any liability if injuries should occur before participants in the event were allowed to jump in. The result saw four students hospitalized, and numerous others in need of serious medical attention. (Read More)

Academic Budgets Cut

The College’s academic departments saw 15 percent of their yearly discretionary budget slashed earlier this spring, according to Provost Larry Vote and numerous department chairs.

Maryland Higher Education Student Advisory Council Representative Lauren Payne said the budget cuts were “unfortunate given that we are an Honors College and academics should be our first priority.” But, she added, “I know that St. Mary’s is not the only institution of higher education that is feeling the impact of these economic times” (Read More)

Ruthenberg-Marshall Chosen to be 2010-2011’s Student Trustee

This Friday, Daniel Ruthenberg-Marshall was chosen as the new Student Trustee-in-Training Designee. He will take over for current student trustee-in-training Debbie Travers in May and eventually become student trustee for the 2010-2011 academic year.

Ruthenberg-Marshall, along with his new position of student trustee-in-training designee, is also currently President of SafeRide and an active member of SEAC, the outdoors club, and the rock climbing club.(Read More)

Men Finish on Top

With two key starters missing due to suspensions, the men’s basketball team still delivered on their promises of victory Saturday afternoon, defeating Wesley College in a 79-73 thriller to secure the No. 1 seed in the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) playoffs.

Junior guard Camontae Griffin, the second highest scoring player in the CAC, and senior center Alex Irmer were stuck watching the game from the stands, both serving one game suspensions resulting from an altercation in an 84-74 win against Gallaudet on Feb. 14. (Read More)

Professor Dowla Awarded Hinda C. Landers Endowment

After 17 years of teaching at St. Mary’s, economics professor Asif Dowla was recently named holder of the Hilda C. Landers Endowed Chair in the Liberal Arts.

The chair, which was previously held by Lucille Clifton, is given to a faculty member of the college for outstanding achievement both at and outside of the school. (Read More)

Opinions

• Fundraiser Reiterates Student’s Pleas
• SGA Urges Campus to Vote on All-Student Referendum
• From the Chief’s Desk: Vote...and Vote Yes

Features

• Post Secret Creator Frank Warren Speaks at Second Annual President’s Reception
• Jafar Not Aladdin’s Only Dark Side
• Professors Give Love Lines Talk
• President of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Asks for Increased Student Involvement
• Twin Oaks Communards Give Talk on Polyamory

Arts & Entertainment

• Vagina Monologues ‘Empowering’\
• “Hill House” A Campy Romp Through Great Gore, Gritty Music, Bad Editing

Sports

• Successful Swimming at CAC Championships
• Cross-Country Makes Varsity Upgrade