In the past, the college has chosen to not play the national anthem before sporting events—a common tradition among many sports, particularly indoor sports—due to its affiliation with the Mennonite church.

After years of brewing discussion, in October of 2008, the idea of changing the school’s tradition and playing the national anthem was being seriously considered.  In fact, a task force was going to be created to begin the steps toward reevaluation.

But on Nov. 1 of that year, after the first women’s basketball game on campus, a parent of the opposing team raised concerns about the college’s practice and contacted both local and national media outlets practice.  This resulted in a media blitz.

As a result, Bill Born, vice president of student life and dean of students, was on the air of The Mike Gallagher Show (a New York-based national conservative radio talk show, ranked eighth in the country for its audience size).  After this event, the college received around 350 communications from the public after the interaction, voicing both concerns and support.  At this point, the previous plan for a task force was postponed, so it would not appear to be an act of retaliation.

In the spring of 2009, after the topic was not under as much attention, the president’s council appointed a task force to begin dialogue about the issue, and potentially come up with a proposal for action.

Members of the task for include: Born; Tim Demant, athletic director; Joe Liechty, professor and director of peace, justice and conflict studies; Jewell Lehman, associate professor of physical education and secondary education; Gary Chupp, assistant professor of physical education; Alli Hawkins, a senior and member of the women’s volleyball team; and Daniel Martin, a sophomore and member of the men’s soccer team.

The group met four times last spring, and once this fall.

Demant explained that the process of discussions was just as important, if not more, than the actual outcome.

Communication seemed to be the biggest issue in regards to playing the anthem.  Coaches trying to recruit players often faced questions about the absence of the cultural tradition.

“The misunderstanding of the issue creates is a bigger obstacle than the positive message we are trying to communicate [by not playing it],” said Demant.

Liechty explained that by not playing the anthem, we really aren’t explaining what we believe, and an efficient avenue for discussion often isn’t there.

Noting his affiliation with the Mennonite church, he said, “I’ve liked being at a place where they do it my way, but I am willing to do something to make other people feel comfortable.”

The choice to play an instrumental version eliminates the violent lyrics referencing war (which jive with one of the core Mennonite beliefs of nonviolence) but still honors the cultural tradition of playing the national anthem.

“Some people will still find it inadequate even if we explain why,” he said.  “Playing it or not playing it isn’t really the point.  It’s a consensus around the issue of hospitality, and is as much about living in community as it is an external statement.”

The members of the task force also recognize that the institution is changing.  According to Demant, 20 years ago the student body was around 70 percent Mennonite.  Currently, according to the college Web site, more than 40 different Christian denominations and several world religions are represented on campus.

Demant raised the broader questions, “How do we maintain a theological perspective while valuing differing opinions?  How do we decide which issues are negotiable?”

Demant drafted the new proposal, which was presented to the president’s council on Wednesday.  Next Wednesday, Nov. 4, a town hall meeting will be held in NC 19 from 7:30-9 p.m. as a time of dialogue for students and the greater Goshen community.  Ross Peterson-Veatch, associate academic dean, and Carolyn Schrock-Shenk, associate professor of peace, justice and conflict studies, will lead the conversation.

Martin said, noting the lack of students who attended the recent discussion on the national anthem, “It is common for many college students to talk about an issue they care about, but not really do anything about it.  It is important that students show up to the next meeting to represent their beliefs.”

Ideally, a final decision, made by the president’s council, will be presented by the time the basketball season begins, before any another issues arise, said Demant.

To view the full proposal, go to http://record.goshen.edu/2009/10/7981-national-anthem-task-force-proposal.

Hannah Groff (left) and Lauren Eash sang an acoustic cover of Call it Off, by Tegan and Sara, at Kickoff this past Friday. Photo by David Zwier.

Kick-off has come and gone once again, but it will not soon be forgotten.  The student body showed raucous enthusiasm during every part of the evening, from the winning acts to the music that played during stage changes. Here are a few of the many memorable acts from Fall Kick-off 2009.

The evening began with a brief tribute to Happy Camper and the Bees, a group of recent graduates whose songs were Kick-off hits last year. This led into their zany and catchy music video “Baby Come Back to Me,” produced by Jacob Landis-Eigsti, a sophomore. There were several other music videos, including freshman Marshal Watson’s surreal camera shots and a superhuman acrobat set to “Oslo in the Summertime,” by Of Montreal.

David Harnish and James Green, two students on SST, were not able to be in Goshen for Kick-off. However, that didn’t stop them from showing off their lyrical prowess, which was filmed on location at Machu Picchu, Peru. This proved to be only one of many original rap songs performed by students.

The dances of the evening came from a multitude of styles. One of the most spectacular was a number by Salsa Verde, Goshen College’s salsa team. This group performed intricately coordinated moves as a group, but also separated into couples to show off their spicy technique.

One thing that the winning acts of the night shared in common was their emotional connection with the crowd. Nathaniel Tann, a sophomore, wrote and sang a powerful song to achieve second place while third place winner, Daniela Zehr, a senior, danced and effortlessly played the heartstrings of the audience while showing off her athleticism.

In the end, amongst the T-shirt hungry frenzy waiting in the Music Center lobby, the first place winner was announced. The victors earned their standing ovation after their passionate rendition of “Kids” by MGMT. The troupe of singers, dancers, and musicians, calling themselves the Witches and Wizards of Goshen College, captured the spirit of the event with one artful, yearning and downright groovy song.

Hannah Miller spent Celebrate Service Day volunteering at Chandler Elementary School. Photo by Emily Miller.

The faulty forecast for rain was no deterrent for a large participatory showing at Celebrate Service Day yesterday.  Around 550 students, faculty and staff participated in the event this year, scattered among 40 different local organizations.

Celebrate Service Day is a way for the college to give back to the community by providing large quantities of able-bodied young adults for temporary hire at various local organizations. These organizations adhere to one or more of Goshen’s core values.

A group of friends living on the first floor of the Senior Apartments helped organize books, make pamphlets and clean out a storage shed at Ryan's Place. Photo by Emily Miller.

Tamara Shantz, assistant campus pastor and director of Celebrate Service Day, is excited about the number of organizations that were assisted this year.“We volunteer with local schools, Boys and Girls’ Clubs, Habitat for Humanity, LaCasa and MDC Goldenrod, among many others,” said Shantz.

After a long day of hacking at roots and trimming bushes along the forest trails of Bonneville Mill Park with the Elkhart County Parks maintenance crew, senior Arienne Johnson reflected on her day of service.

“Celebrate Service Day is not really about helping other people as much as it is about gaining an appreciation for all the work that happens outside of the collegiate realm,” said Johnson.  ”The opportunity to participate in manual labor truly is a privilege for those of us who usually tackle history papers instead of bramble bushes.  Great communion occurs among friends and nature and weeds!”

Tim Blaum, a senior, designed this year’s service day Tshirts and proceeds will go towards Habitat for Humanity.

Emily Bowman (left) and Hannah Canaviri, along with the other sophomores on Yoder 3, helped Goshen Parks and Recreation prune back trees at the Rieth Interpretive Center. Photo by Emily Miller.

Photo by Chase Snyder.

I think my favorite aspect of Goshen College is how safe it is.

We don’t need to have a Black Student Union or Latino Student Union or any office dedicated to multicultural affairs to ensure that they are addressed. We don’t need women’s groups, because sexism is a bygone ignorance.

We even don’t need a group advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender issues. They have all been discussed, and we have all agreed to live in harmony. Isn’t this socialist, post-racial, post-feminist, post-heteronormative society a wonderful place?

I can’t assume my audience is so ignorant as to not recognize blatant sarcasm when they see it. I am not about to criticize Goshen College for not living up to this ideal, which is arguably unattainable anyway. But I want to point out a few things that are not the non-issues that the popular media (and our constituency) wish they were.

When is the last time you heard someone at this college – which is rumored to have gay dorms and an all-lesbian women’s studies department – speak about an experience as a transgendered man? When was the last time someone expressed joy at being able to talk of her lesbian partner freely on this campus, or elsewhere?

Was this situation public, or were you sitting with them in a dark closet (take the pun as you will) to ensure no eavesdropping?

I make this point for its own sake as well as to advertise the Day of Silence gathering of solidarity, which will take place directly after chapel on Friday at Shrock Plaza. Advocates – the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer advocacy group – is sponsoring this event to promote awareness of the voices that are continuously silenced across the country and here at Goshen College.

We will be handing out pins to wear, and we encourage you to consider the ways you can help break the silence of the L.G.B.T.Q. community.

Jeff Stoesz is a junior English and peace, justice and conflict studies double major from Goshen.

Photo by Julia Baker.

Amber and I moved into Yoder Hall during the later part of July so that I could prepare for my new job as residence director. It was then I began to see what Goshen College was all about.

We were warmly greeted with a fresh batch of cookies, compliments of Susie Lambright. They were quite amazing, and I knew we were getting off to a good start.

As time went on, and we continued to settle in, my wife and I began to notice that the campus wasn’t as empty and quiet as we’d anticipated. There was life everywhere: youth on the basketball and volleyball courts; families playing tennis; older couples strolling, arm-in-arm, during the warm summer evenings.

I was beginning to understand that this was a place where community happened.

By the time we had finally settled into our new home in late August, students began coming back, creating for me a sense of anxiety and excitement all at once.

Various questions ran through my mind: Will they like me? Will they want to get to know me? Will they care that I graduated from Bethel? Does it matter that I’m not Mennonite?

I quickly found that although I felt different and a little out of place, the students, staff and faculty welcomed Amber and I with open arms. It has taken time to adjust to my new job, new setting and new routine, but everyone has made us feel that this is a place we belong and can call home for the time we’re here.

I’ll be honest, though. There were things people warned/informed me about before coming to work at Goshen College. I heard that Goshen College is a very opinionated place where guys wear skirts, the national anthem isn’t played at sports events and soccer is taken very seriously.

I’ve come to find that even though some of these are true, so too is the sense of community and love that I feel from people here – and for people here.

I would never trade my experience. I’ve learned and grown so much in the short time that I’ve been here. I feel Goshen College has helped shape me into the person I am today, even though I still don’t know which part to sing in chapel.

My hope is that as much as you have given to me, I have given to you too.

Jake Shipe is residence director of Yoder Hall.

GC's cafeteria will undergo serious changes as AVI Fresh takes over Sodexho's responsibilities. Photo by Chase Snyder.

Dan Vader
Contributing Writer

Munch money and groceries will still be offered in fall 2009, but not from Sodexo, the current food service provider for Goshen College. On Tuesday, the college announced AVI Fresh as the new food service provider.

A food service review task force consisting of six faculty and students considered four service providers in the review process: AVI Fresh, Chartwells, Creative Dining and Sodexo. As the review process continued, the task force eliminated Chartwells and Creative Dining from the list of candidates.

Jim Histand, vice president of finance, said that each reviewed provider was assigned a point value to different aspects of their service. “When all the numbers were decided, AVI was the clear choice,” Histand said.

According to a letter from the task force, AVI Fresh recognizes students as the primary customers and promises a broad array of station cooking in the dining hall from “scratch.” AVI Fresh is committed to ecological and sustainable practices, including the utilization of as many local food producers as possible.

The task force diligently investigated each candidate’s long-term commitment to long-term quality of service. “We feel like AVI will provide lasting change for us,” Histand said.

The task force thoroughly investigated each candidate using various methods including impromptu visits to candidate-run dining halls. These visits allowed the task force to witness the service, talk with the staff and taste the food without unrealistic preparation by management.

Consistency is one issue when contracting a new dining service provider. New or re-contracted providers tend to bring new energy and creative change to their service, but that enthusiasm may die off after a year or two at the college.

The future of the college’s current food service staff was a primary concern for the task force. AVI Fresh contractually must offer positions to all current full time staff. After a set period of time, AVI Fresh will assess their performance as they would with any new employee.

AVI Fresh puts all employees – new or continuing – through AVI Fresh’s own training program. Current Sodexo staff will be aware and trained to work for the new company should the employees choose to remain at Goshen College.

The task force strongly recommended that part-time staff be hired under the same conditions, but part-time staff jobs are not protected in the contract.

The journey toward establishing a new food service provider is not over. AVI Fresh, Goshen College and Sodexo will need to work together to make sure the transition goes smoothly. “[Representatives of both providers] have promised to keep this as professional as possible during this difficult transition,” said Bill Born, vice president of student life.

Both Born and Histand are excited to see the changes made by AVI. “There will be change in the facilities themselves,” Histand said. “AVI will be making an investment.”

The food service review started in October 2008. Over the past year, a campus-wide survey regarding dining preferences was conducted, with 640 individual responses. The review process also included vendor on-campus site tours, written proposals, on-campus interviews, task force visits to other institutions and reference checks, according to the task force.

The food service review task force included: Histand; Born; Doug Yoder, Recreation-Fitness Center director; Alana Kenagy, a senior; Dirk Leichty, a senior; and Menan Assefa, a first-year.

Benito Miller bangs on a drum circle made by Alex Troyer during the hour of darkness known as Earth Hour. The drumming and noisemaking grew to thunderous proportions when the lights went out at 8:30, Saturday. Photo by Chase Snyder.

It was only an hour, but Goshen College joined 50 million people around the world on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. to raise awareness about global climate change and energy consumption by turning off unnecessary lights during Earth Hour, sponsored by World Wildlife Fund.

W.W.F. recognized Goshen College as a “flagship campus” along with 79 other college campuses across the United States. Glenn Gilbert , utilities manager of Physical Plant, signed the college up for the event. But to become a “flagship campus” President Brenneman signed a commitment to have events held on campus to celebrate Earth Hour.

During the hour, students gathered in the Kratz-Miller residence hall Connector for a drum circle and to watch a video projection of the campus electrical meter to see how many kilowatts the campus was using. Steve Shantz, systems operation technician for Physical Plant, was available to answer student questions about campus energy use.

According to W.W.F., 35 countries and over 400 cities also participated in the event. The first Earth Hour happened in 2007 in Sydney, Australia.

Gilbert said that during the hour the campus was using about 430 kilowatts, about the amount of electricity typically used at 3 a.m. “I thought we might get a little lower than that, but it’s not too bad,” Gilbert said.

The production of “The Gondoliers” likely accounted for much of that usage. But they too participated in Earth Hour.

As intermission ended around 9:20 p.m. (ten minutes before the end of Earth Hour), the operetta observed an “Earth Minute.” During the minute, all the lights in Umble were turned off as Grace Magnan, a senior environmental science and theater double major, spoke about the event being held on campus and around the world.

So how much money did Goshen save? “About $15,” Gilbert said. “Lights when needed are a bargain, but when used unnecessarily are a waste.”

And finding a balance between using lights when necessary and recognizing lights that are on around campus that are wasteful is a challenge Gilbert has been working on for years and continues to work on today.

According to Gilbert, he and others working at the Physical Plant are looking for ways to cut down on energy use throughout campus. “We’ve been systematically going through each building to see if we can save energy,” Gilbert said.

This year alone, Gilbert said that the amount of energy saved by turning off lights in the Student Apartments, Science Hall and Music Center have saved the college about $8,000, which is equivalent to half a coal car.

“We’ve grown accustom to this thing that’s only been around about 120 years,” Gilbert said. “I don’t want to compromise safety, but I do want to challenge the assumption that [certain lights] are necessary because we’re used to them.”

Gilbert said he has seen the interest of students in energy conservation and sustainability rise significantly in the last few years. “I’ve never experienced the level of interest that I see now,” Gilbert said. “Students are wondering how they can get involved and help. It’s really gratifying.”

Photo by Julia Baker.

As commuters, David and I tend to drive to classes more than the average student.

It’s not just that we hate Mother Nature, either. Sometimes we have legitimate reasons like the transportation of large instruments, the generally unpleasant weather or some combination of the two. The real challenge, though, comes when we try to choose a parking place.

As commuters, are we supposed to have student parking stickers? While this was never made clear to us, deductive reasoning tells us that we should, because we are, in fact, students. For students who live on the residential half of the tracks, a student pass allows for parking in convenient areas such as near the apartments and at the lot between Physical Plant and the College Ave. houses.

A quick scan of parking lots on the campus map shows that, as off-campus students, a student parking pass is a limitation rather than a benefit. We would prefer to park on the west side of the tracks, nearer our classes, our mailboxes and our commuter lockers. Unfortunately, there is no student parking on the west side of the tracks – not even outside the commuter student lounge.

With visitor parking outside the commuter lounge, it may be better to consider ourselves visitors. We’ve heard rumors that frequent commuting “visitors” also run the risk of a ticket, though, so even this might not be the best solution.

What is a workable solution? With such limited parking west of the tracks, it’s not realistic to believe that a new commuter parking area will appear anytime soon. At the very least, we’ve decided to hope for clearer guidelines (or more clear communication of those guidelines), which would be a good starting point.

Michael Martin and David Kempf are seniors, majoring in communication and music, respectively.

Photo by Julia Baker.

I’ll admit that I attended the Mindpower meeting in February with some skepticism. From my perspective, however, Mindpower hit it right on the nose. They had listened incredibly well and creatively packaged what they heard into a concept that I believe reflects honestly who we are – at least who we want to be.

I can’t image that anyone who knows me well is particularly surprised that I hold this perspective. This has been my personal “branding” for years. As I write this perspective, I’m traveling home from leading a retreat I titled “A Passionate Life; a Wholistic Peace.” While I often fall way short of my ideals, I believe that peacemaking, in its broadest sense, is at the heart of Jesus’ life and message.

Do I have concerns? Yes.

1.    I wish there could be a bit more nuance in the healing concept. First, in terms of reciprocity. We are not only helping to heal the world, but those acts – and the world’s citizens – are helping to heal us, too. Authentic peace-making is as much about our own salvation as it is about helping others. Secondly, I wish there were a way to clearly but simply say that it is God who does the healing. We are only the instruments.

2.    We have far to go in living out this message within our own walls. I acknowledge a few relationships of my own that are in need of some work, and I know I am not alone. I worry about setting ourselves up to be something “out there” that we sometimes do very poorly here.

3.    We need to emphasize clearly that what we mean is peace in a very broad sense. Anti-war, tree-hugging students (and I love them dearly) represent only a few of our peacemakers. Equally important are those who teach E.N.L., provide low-cost tax assistance, donate their meals, staff a restaurant to benefit LaCasa, support a hurting friend, plan an evening worship, etc.

I have a wild brainstorm about how to make this commitment to “peace in its many forms” tangible.

How about including a local peacemaking course in our new general education package? It could be a three hour, service-learning course that includes reading, journaling and regular meetings with a cohort and faculty sponsor. It might span two or more semesters; it might connect with one of the many non-profit organizations in the region; or it might help with schoolyard upkeep, assist older citizens, read to pre-schoolers, work with little league, walk with an immigrant family, visit prison-inmates, etc.

I know this would be a huge undertaking – but so was S.S.T. – and I maintain that our local outreach and connections are equally important (perhaps more important) to our global-mindedness and our service orientation. And I suspect that in the long run, such a venture could transform our regional recruiting efforts.

Carolyn Schrock-Shenk is an associate professor of peace, justice and conflict studies at Goshen College.

Photo by Chase Snyder.

In February, I had the opportunity to attend one of the four marketing presentations by Mindpower. In attending the first and earliest presentation, I was a little grumpy and a ton skeptical. And I mean a ton. I went to the presentation with the expectation that Mindpower was absolutely not going to win me over.

Perhaps it was my 8:00 a.m. grumpiness, but the whole room seemed to align with me. The audience seemed a little tense and apprehensive, almost holding a collective breath. If you remember back, this was the time when Goshen College was beginning to feel out what it meant to have advertisements run during the Superbowl and Grammy’s. With these new avenues of advertising and now a new shift in branding, the audience of students, faculty and staff seemed nervous about the direction of the college.

Within fifteen minutes, the initial nervous tension of the room dissolved. To my absolute surprise, I found that I flipped my position. My ton of skepticism shrunk to the size of a pint.

The Mindpower marketing plan won me over for three reasons:

1.    Mindpower really listened to Goshen College and captured both our strengths and our flaws. The brand synthesizes these realities into a digestible form and owns it. For example, it doesn’t shy away from the college’s Mennonite affiliation or Other-Than-Mennonites. The new brand holds up and praises both pieces.

2.    Mindpower let us know that we should be proud of our identity. Throughout the campaign, Mindpower has given us a way to clearly show our values in an accessible way.

3.    Mindpower gave us a reality check that we can’t be everything for everybody. They also assured us that this was alright, even healthy.

Since that 8:00 a.m. meeting, I have been in several forums and conversations contemplating the new Mindpower vision. I found that my remaining pint of skepticism found company among other students, faculty and staff.

There have been concerns over the biblical tone and accessibility to our non-pacifist neighbors. There has been confusion regarding the branding vision mixing with the Goshen College “core values” or “Culture for Service” motto. There has even been discussion if the college could currently own up and match what the brand claims for us.

For example, can we really embody the tag line, “Healing the world, peace by peace?” I believe that we can’t do this 100 percent of the time. But like with the core values or “Culture for Service,” we should always keep trying to aim high to meet our ideals.

I see this new brand as far from perfect. But I believe that overall, it is a healthy change and a positive direction for Goshen College. I am looking forward to seeing the final tweaks and official marketing plan in action this April.

Melissa MacGregor is a senior history and investigative skills major from Glen Ellyn, Ill.

Photo by Julia Baker.

Half the time I have spent here at Goshen College, I have been angry.

Actually, I was angry about Goshen College politics before I even came here as a student. My sister, a close confidant of mine and a 2007 graduate, was a strong opponent of four-year residency. She remembers fondly the days when the administration promised to never put an residence director in the “senior” apartments but would still pay for toilet paper.

As my graduation approaches, I remember fondly the days when students were allowed to perform “The Vagina Monologues” in Rieth Recital Hall, or even in Umble Center, and not shunted (yes, shunted) to classrooms because some donors and local religious leaders complained loud enough to scare somebody in the Administrative Building.

Maybe I’m being a little hard on the administration. Their job is very difficult. They always seem to be in the middle of some argument. Unfortunately, one side is arguing louder than the other (money talks too, you know).

And I know first-hand how hard it is, as a full-time student, to fight back for our rights to discuss and perform what we want. If I was a conspiracy theorist, I might hypothesize that the administration was encouraging the faculty to overload us with homework so they could do whatever they wanted while we had our noses stuck in books. It would explain my recent work load.

Don’t worry; obviously I managed to find enough time to write this perspective.

Goshen College, as a Mennonite institution, gives off this atmosphere of, well, peace and a friendly community. And I am the first to step forward and proudly declare that I have benefited greatly from the people and academicians I have found here.

But the more I get into the politics of the school, the more hidden anger, resentment and bitterness I find between students and administration because of past transgressions or mis-communications. And from my perspective as an involved senior student, no one is doing anything about it.

Where is the conflict? I am not talking about violence. Not all conflict is helpful. But where are the discussions, the resolutions? Where is the honesty, the justice? Peace without justice, openness and honesty simply isn’t peace.

I would love for four-year residency to be rescinded and to be able to perform “The Vagina Monologues” wherever I want. But I’m pretty sure that’s not going to happen.

The least I am going to ask for, then, is two-fold: transparency and honesty from the administration, and action in place of grumbling from students.

At least write a perspective, for goodness’ sake.

Honestly, I hope this article offends someone. Because we could use a little conflict.

Emily Swora is a senior theater and music double major from Shoreview, Minn.

Photo contributed.

This past weekend was great for Goshen College, as we celebrated the International Student Club coffeehouse and International Women’s Day.

The coffeehouse gives us the opportunity to experience various cultures in an informal setting. It is also a chance for us to enjoy some home cooking. International students are asked to prepare a traditional dish from their respective countries.

As both a woman and an international student, it was a great day for me. It was one of the days that I was looking forward to celebrating. Fortunately, we were able to celebrate both holidays. It is a great experience to see all the people from different cultural backgrounds come together.

Most of the international students, including myself, want to share the meaningful things from our home culture, which makes the coffeehouse a big day for all international students (it is also a time to calm down for the students who have been homesick).

It is an event where we see the similarities and differences of cultures. It is satisfying to see the community enjoy the food and the show and gain some knowledge about the cultures represented at Goshen College. In addition to sharing a meal, it is a night to share a little about ourselves as well.

I really enjoyed seeing all the traditional clothes – items that hold a lot of meaning for us. Everyone could look around Sauder Concert Hall and notice all of the beautiful and unique faces of the people from different countries.

The great thing about Goshen College is that we value diversity, because it cherishes the differences in the college community. Keep in mind that it is not our differences that make us part of the college. Instead, it is the acceptance of our differences and also the love that we receive from Jesus that binds us. His love gives us the ability to welcome the differences.

On Sunday, the day after the coffeehouse, ending discrimination of gender, race, violence and injustice led the women to celebrate International Women’s Day. It was a day to stand for the women in the world, and celebrate the  achievements of women – a time for women to be outspoken concerning the national and international problems which have been destructive to the well-being of women which affect all human beings.

The voices of college women are also being heard, as they defined being a woman in 2009 and their goals for 2009. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we should remind ourselves that women have to be liberated to create a civil society.

Saron Getaneh is a junior sociology major and women’s studies minor from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

And you’ll have the chance to give it to them during a blood drive on Friday, March 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Union gym. Sign-ups to give blood are already underway and will continue the rest of the week outside the cafeteria.

“There is constant need for blood,” said Meghan Hoover, a senior and community volunteer service assistant for campus ministries. “We have it; others need it. It takes only a small fraction of the day to give. You get to hang out with friends and lie around in comfy chairs while you do it. And you get free snacks and drink.”

However, not everyone is eligible to donate blood. The most common reason Goshen College students are ineligible is because of Study-Service Term, and potential blood contributors are asked to wait 12 months after traveling to a country with malaria.

You also must be 17 years old and weigh more than 110 pounds, and might also be ineligible if your iron level is too low.

For a comprehensive list of requirements, visit the American Red Cross Web site at www.redcross.org/en/eligibility.

But if you are ineligible, you can still help out by volunteering during the blood drive. Volunteers are needed at the registration table and canteen tables, as well as to assist those who are able to give.

If you have already signed up to donate blood, make sure you follow the American Red Cross’ tips for having a positive blood giving experience.

Among other things, make sure you are rested, hydrated and have eaten a good breakfast on donation day. Also, make sure to eat iron rich foods before you donate, including: red meat, fish, poultry or liver, beans, iron-fortified cereals, raisins and prunes.

After donating, make sure to drink plenty of water the next 24-48 hours and avoid heavy lifting.

“Blood donations save lives,” said Tamara Shantz, a campus pastor and coordinator of the event. “Whether for people who have been in accidents or whatever the reason might be, blood transfusions can’t happen without donated blood. It’s something we have plenty of and there is very little effect on the individual who gives blood. So aside from any needle phobias, it is a simple way to make a significant difference in someone’s life.”

With food and performances from around the world, the International Student Club coffeehouse will highlight the many cultures represented at Goshen College on Saturday.

“Goshen College has lots of international students, and we want to show the different cultures to everyone,” said Pamela Pauw, a junior and one of the event organizers.

The coffeehouse starts in the Fellowship Hall at 5 p.m. as those lucky enough to get tickets will enjoy culinary dishes from around the world. After the meal, the coffeehouse will continue with student performances and a short PowerPoint presentation in Sauder Concert Hall.

Performances will feature music, dance and skits celebrating cultural diversity. A short PowerPoint presentation will share a few basic facts about the Dominican Republic, France, Japan and Kenya.

“We want people to come and learn something,” said Pauw, “to learn about a new culture.”

Proceeds from ticket sales will go towards an international charity. Last year, money from the event went toward the Mennonite Central Committee hurricane relief effort in Haiti.

The dinner and performance are both open to the community. “It’s a family kind of show, but I really hope that Goshen College students come to see it too,” said Pauw.

Tickets to the dinner are sold out. Show tickets are still available at $6 for students and $10 for non-students.

Photo by Paula Dirks.

In times of economic instability, skyrocketing unemployment and uncertain financial futures, a lot of people are examining their budgets and looking for places to cut back and save money. Upon closer inspection of our own budgets, Lydia Short and I found one item that was draining more money than it should.

The 80-block meal plan offered by Sodexo costs $920. This price includes $185 of munch money and 80 meals, redeemable any time during the semester.

Subtract the munch money – which is essentially cash that can only be spent certain places – and the 80 meals at the Rott end up costing $735 total. Divide $735 by 80, and you get $9.18.

This means that for people who purchase the 80 block meal plan, the average cost of a meal at the Rott is $9.18!

The most expensive meal at the Rott is dinner, which rings up at $9.95 plus tax if you pay cold cash and only $7.46 when using munch money. This means that you only get your money’s worth if you use the vast majority of your 80 meals at dinner time.

For 80-block users, each breakfast costs about $4 more than it would for someone paying cash. Lunch is around $1.80 extra.

The difference between meal plan users and people who use munch money is even more stark. A meal plan breakfast is $5 more than a munch money breakfast at the Rott.

When you subscribe to a magazine, you pay up-front for a year’s worth of issues. The incentive for this is a large discount, compared to buying individual issues. When you subscribe to a meal plan from Sodexo – which is required by the college – you pay ahead of time for a certain number of meals throughout the semester.

It is reasonable to assume that since you have forked over a hefty chunk of change, the caterer could use that money to buy food in bulk at a greater value. By this logic, paying ahead of time should lead to overall cheaper prices which should then be transferred on to the customer.

Sodexo forcefully bucks the trend of rewarding loyal customers by charging 43 percent more for breakfast, 20 percent more for lunch and a paltry 10 percent less for dinner, than when paying with cash.

If people were allowed to buy only munch money, an option currently only available to students who live off campus, the change in food cost would be drastic. Eighty dinners and $185 worth of munch money would only cost $781.

Essentially, students who comply with the requirement of purchasing a meal plan are punished, paying $138 more for the 80 block plan than they would if they bought the equivalent in munch money.

This is probably one reason the Food Services Task Force is looking into other caterers.

Chase Snyder is a junior communication and environmental science double major from Denver, Colo.

Lydia Short is a junior math and piano pedagogy double major from Kalona, Iowa.