On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate failed to advance a defense bill that includes the repeal of the “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” policy used by the military. The bill halted at a vote of 56-43, which was four votes short of the 60 necessary in order to break the Republican-driven filibuster.
The policy, which is a congressionally enacted ban preventing gays and lesbians from openly serving in the military, was enacted in 1993 while discussing the role of homosexuals in the armed forces. The policy asserts that military personnel cannot question the sexual orientation of its officers, but allows gays and lesbians to serve as long as they don’t make statements about their sexual orientation and refrain from openly homosexual acts. Continue reading Senate Republicans block ëDon’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ repeal→
A plethora of new problems continue to arise as a result of the ongoing flooding crisis in Pakistan. The death toll has reached over 1,700 people, and it is expected as floodwaters recede that many more bodies will be found. According to CNN, about 20 million people still need help. The United Nations reported 800,000 acute respiratory infections, 183,000 cases of suspected malaria, and almost 1 million cases of skin disease, along with many other serious health problems. Poor sanitation, water-borne illnesses, and cramped living conditions of refugees continue to escalate these problems. Continue reading Campus works to aid victims of Pakistan flood disaster→
A violent storm ripped through Wooster last Thursday, Sept. 16. At around 5:30 p.m., a strong tornado emerged from the southwest and collided directly with the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and the Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute, producing considerable damage to one of the institutions. Fortunately, the twister injured no one, as most employees had already left the campus. In his interview with Wooster’s city newspaper The Daily Record, OARDC Associate Director Bill Ravlin elaborated: “Fortunately for us, it was 5:30 [p.m.] and most of the people were gone; only a handful were in the building. We have not heard of any injuries. We were very, very fortunate.” Continue reading Tornado causes damage to nearby OARDC→
With the Senior Independent Study looming on the horizon, the Class of 2011 will be pleased to learn that Wooster has just recently received a $250,000 grant. Announced on Tuesday, Sept. 14, a grant from the McGregor Fund has the goal of furthering and refining the way in which I.S. research is conducted here at the College through the establishment of an undergraduate research center. The aim of the grant, according to the Office of Public Relations, is to help bolster Wooster’s senior capstone experience by allowing students to work in closer association with various faculty and staff as well as outside experts in order to develop more innovative research methods in their work. Continue reading Wooster recieves $250,000 grant for I.S. research→
On Sept. 20, the College signed a ten-year contract with the Energy Systems Group in order to improve the energy efficiency and performance of 34 campus buildings. Over the next ten years the College will yield net operational savings of $5.6 million.† Savings will be due to a major reduction in the College’s coal, natural gas, and electrical consumption as well as reducing the school’s carbon footprint by over 36 percent. Upgrades including new building controls, lighting and windows will begin Oct. 1 and the entire project will be complete by January 2012.
According to the Daily Record, last Sunday, as Workers performed routine plant maintenance at Smith Dairy Products Co., roughly 200 pounds of ammonia spilled on to the roof of the facility. From there the spill ran into storm sewers which discharged into and contaminated the nearby unnamed creek.†† Over 23 firefighters worked to contain the spill which spanned approximately 200 yds. of the creek, killing both fish and amphibians.† The Ohio Department of Fish and Wildlife Services has been notified and is curently dealing with the situation.
The Official Student Newspaper of the College of Wooster since 1883
