With our campus and town blanketed with snow, pictures have become the best way to tell the story of the Blizzard of 2010. With many roads unrecognizable and cars being camouflaged under mounds of snow, pictures now speak louder than words. The Free Press coverage of this ongoing snow saga will continue around the clock with timeless photos that truly capture what newcasters have dubbed, “Snowmaggedon”.

For amazing photos of the Snowmaggedon 2010, check out our new page with the above tab Pictures Speak Louder or follow the link: Snow photos!

The McDaniel Free Press is home for the storytellers, the artists, the eye openers, the world changers. We inform, we educate, we entertain, we anger. We thrive on the edge. Thrive on the edge too.

Make the most of your four years at McDaniel–Step up to the first edge– Monday nights, Hill Hall 111, 7:30 p.m.

Meet the editors, share ideas and be welcomed to the staff.

Co-Editors:  Kate Delenick: Kld008@mcdaniel.edu, Juli Guiffre: jdg010@mcdaniel.edu

Becky Carpenter and ‘The Vagina Monologues’ return for a seventh debut

Casey Crough

Staff Reporter

Becky Carpenter will be preparing to orgasm for her seventh year with “The Vagina Monologues” cast in February 2010.

For those who are unaware, “The Vagina Monologues” is an episodic play written by Eve Ensler. Different perspectives of female empowerment pieces provide audience members with a chance to reflect on the importance of anti-violence for women. The show raises money for women’s anti-violence groups locally and around the world. In past years, the production at McDaniel has raised over $5000 dollars for local and global organizations.

Carpenter is a professor of English and enjoys swing and ballroom dancing in her spare time. She was promoted to the title of professor of English, which is a huge accomplishment. “A lot of women never make it past associate professor; McDaniel has done a good job providing equal opportunity for women,” said Carpenter.

Carpenter first gained interest in “The Vagina Monologues” when she started teaching a Gender Literature course; she used the text in her class and thought that it would be phenomenal if it were produced at McDaniel.

In Fall 2004, Carpenter went to the first interest meeting. She expressed that she was a little hesitant about the student reactions, but she was accepted by the group of diverse women and got the role of the “Angry Vagina.”

The first performance was extremely successful. “The line went around the block,” explained Carpenter. The theatre was completely sold out, and although the production was such a success, the cast still felt overwhelmed and deeply moved.

Carpenter explains that “it is never just about the play. We take time to work on ourselves, and through the experience we get a chance for some great bonding. Go sisterhood!”

Carpenter has participated in roles such as “Outrageous Fact,” “Smell,” “Comfort Woman,” and “Hair” a couple of times. Yet, Carpenter made it clear that her all time favorite role has been the “Angry Vagina.”

“I got to wear my ‘stompy boots’ for the role,” said Carpenter.

At the end of the production, one of the cast members shares one of their experiences with violence.

“Each year is a different and great experience. We have neat, fascinating, and brave students that end with their personal story. It takes an enormous amount of strength,” said Carpenter.

Interested in participating in “The Vagina Monologues”? There is only one requirement for those who want to perform. “You do have to have a vagina,” said Carpenter.

Yet, the show encourages both men and women to come and show their support. The show in no way should be construed as “male bashing.”

“The show no way blames all men; it is not what it is about,” stated Carpenter. She also comments that the show provides a feminist argument for pro-man.

Yet, Carpenter believes that, “If violence is caused by the length of a skirt, we have reached a sad pass with men.”

Auditions occurred Oct. 14 and 15 and performances will be Feb. 5 and 6, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in Alumni Hall. For more information, contact Dawn Aldrich at dna002@mcdaniel.edu

Dangersauce will be putting on a performance at 9:30 pm on October 24th in Alumni Hall. Admission is now free! The first five people to show up will get free admission.

Watch the Dangersauce Commercial!

Ben Cowman

SGA Vice President

It is not often that you hear about the Student Government Association (SGA). After all, we do not host events—CAPBoard is responsible for campus programming, and SGA money is mostly allocated for clubs and organizations. Campus clubs and organizations know, as they receive tens of thousands of dollars in SGA funding each year. It’s unfortunate that SGA is only known for being the “moneybags” on campus. SGA has had a problem with presence on campus that is gradually changing. With a new system in place next semester, the SGA will be able to better serve and represent students.

We encounter the inevitable challenge of student apathy. I can’t help but ask if there is apathy, why are there over 110 active clubs and organizations on campus? What happened to SGA? This supposedly umbrella organization that became just another club way back. SGA class representation failed. Most of us do not identify ourselves with class—as much as we do our hobbies, fraternity or sorority, where we live on campus, what sport we play, or academic interests. We must tap into our constituents’ interests if we want to play a serious role on campus. That’s why representation by interests and campus location has been implemented into SGA. Next year, the SGA will look quite differently, including nine Senators from residence halls, Garden Apartments, North Village, PA Avenue and a commuter. Also, the newly formed Organization’s Council will harness the input and energy from campus organizations to better communicate with students.

CAPBoard faces similar challenges. CAPBoard’s responsibility for campus programming is one of the most important aspects of our community. As a result, SGA is advocating that CAPBoard be a part of SGA. The College Activities Office (CAO) has an inconsistent ability to engage students. Therefore, CAO props up this dead student organization each year that must also be revived.

We will come together collectively to represent, and serve students in a more effective manner. SGA is now full throttle and has never been more energized than before. SGA’s presence on campus will be an explosive and aggressive campaign to revive student interest and representation campus-wide. Watch-out! SGA is coming back next year, bringing new light and a fresh perspective on student governance.