Trinity Tripod Online -- 11.09.99


On Thursday, October 28, many in the Trinity community were shocked to hear that the large, prominent, and beautiful 80 foot tall European Beech tree near the Koeppel Student Center in the Chapel parking lot would have to be torn down in order to build a new admissions / career services building in the same area. The existence and importance of the Beech tree was recognized in the planning stages of the project, which called for it to remain. But because of an error somewhere in the design process, the relation of the root system to the new construction was improperly calculated. Full story...

Trinity Hosts Preview Weekend for Prospective Students of Color

This weekend, 85 high school seniors of African-American, Latino, Asian-American, and Native-American descent were invited to explore Trinity in a program designed to give students of color an opportunity to get to know Trinity College with special attention given to the multicultural houses on campus. Throughout the event, known as Preview Weekend, students are given the opportunity to experience life on campus, talk with students and faculty, and sit in on classes.

"The application procedure for the weekend is a selective process," explained Nathalie Perez, Assistant Director and Coordinator of Multicultural recruitment. Applications for the program are normally sent out to seniors whom have already expressed interest in Trinity as well as to high schools around the country. Students are asked to submit a transcript, SAT scores, and an essay.

High school seniors who are enrolled in an academic program consisting primarily of college preparatory courses and who have maintained at least a B average are eligible for the program. Admissions received 160 applications this year and 90 were accepted. Most of the students are from Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey although several others came as far as Washington, D.C. and Chicago. Full story...

Student Drinking Incidents Allegedly On Rise

With the beginning of the current semester, the administration and staff of Trinity began more stringently enforcing alcohol policies for underage students than in years past. While the stricter enforcement on social life were recognized and criticized immediately by students upon returning to campus, the college is now able to evaluate the effects of the new enforcement policies.

In a recent e-mail to the Trinity community, Campus Safety addressed an increase in the number of students transported to Hartford Hospital and treated by TCERT for overconsumption of alcohol. According to Brian Kelly, Director of Campus Safety, in September of last year, three students were transported to Hartford Hospital and none were treated by TCERT; an increase in the number of students needing medical attention was apparent this last September, with two students being transported to the hospital and six being treated by TCERT. There was a similar increase the month of October; in 1998, one student was brought to the hospital and none required the aid of TCERT. Last month, three students were transported to Hartford Hospital and five were treated and released by TCERT.

Vice President of Student Services Sharon Herzberger argued that the apparent increase may not actually exist, stating, "We have not had an accurate way of tracking the numbers. TCERT has changed it methods for tracking data quite drastically. Secondly, there was confusion about the confidentiality of TCERT last October, before an e-mail addressing the issue was sent out by Dean of Students Mary Thomas and Amy Howard, so many incidents may have gone unreported." Herzberger then added that property damages have decreased significantly since the beginning of this semester. Full story...