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You may have read over the word ‘rainforest’ without giving it much attention, but you should. The rainforest has never burned on this scale; in fact, it hasn’t really burned on any scale. In all the previous fires, not a single acre of rainforest was burnt.  But this year that all changed. The rainforest became a wall of fire, with nothing left except barrenness. What was once a thriving ecosystem is lifeless. And it will continue to burn. It will burn next year. It will burn the year after that. And the year after that.  This isn’t like other natural disasters; you can’t just send aid to the victims and move to the next issue. These fires will continue to wreak havoc on everyday Australians, stripping people of their basic human right to clean air, stripping people of their basic human right to water, stripping people from their homes, sometimes stripping people from the only place that they have ever known. The smoke from the fires has produced almost 400 million tons of carbon dioxide, about 2/3 of Australia’s annual greenhouse gas emissions, forcing tens of thousands of people to evacuate. Hundreds of species of plants and animals unique to Australia are at risk of being burnt off the face of this earth. And this is just the start of the fire season, a long summer, filled with sleepless nights and endless fights. It may sound like there is no hope, and that the desolation and destruction of Australia are inevitable. You may think: what can one person do about this?  The answer is: you can do more than you think. As cynical as it may seem, I think it is important to understand the lessons that can be learned through Australia’s suffering. Why did this happen? The undeniable answer is climate change. The persistent record-breaking temperatures and lack of rain have allowed these fires to continue to burn, creating their own weather systems: clouds that trap heat, generate strong winds, and worst of all, lightning strikes that spark further fires.  Despite this, Australia continues to burn coal at an alarming rate. I’m not just going to sit here and act all high and mighty, pretending that I don’t live a life that is made more comfortable at the expense of the environment. My parents worked for a mining engineering company that made their profits off coal and iron ore. They worked with the trade of resources that has led to many of the environmental problems we see today. That’s a burden I bear, but not one I should. To tackle climate change we must first lose the shame. When we focus on ourselves and feel guilty for taking a shower for too long or leaving a light on, we forget that, as important as the individual is, we can make more change together.  I’m not saying that you shouldn’t try to diminish your carbon footprint, but that’s far from the only thing you can do. Talk to your parents about these issues. Ask them if they donate to any environmental organizations and nonprofits. No matter what your opinion is, discussion can lead to understanding and real, tangible progress. Finally, know what you are fighting for, not just what you are fighting against. We can get too easily distracted by blaming those who we believe are the causes of our problems when we need to first acknowledge and understand the problem. We need to work together toward a common goal, a common vision for our future, a future where the kids will shout to the mountaintop about how their parents fought for their world.

I dreaded my birthday this year. Not because I didn’t want to celebrate, but because I knew that turning 18 meant that it was time for me to serve. As if someone had been counting the days down, my physical examination letter was sent to my home in Korea.  This didn’t come as a surprise. South Korea requires that all able-bodied male citizens serve in the armed forces for at least 18 months. Why? Because we live in a war-zone next to one of the world’s biggest nuclear arsenals controlled by a man with anger management issues.  “You’ll be fine! Everyone has to do it,” my cousin reassured me. “Look at me. I came out fine!” But those comments brushed right off me. I didn’t want to admit it, but I was scared. Don’t misunderstand me: there is an incredible honor and value in serving one’s country, and I revere the veterans who have sacrificed their lives for my freedom. But the life that I will be placed into feels foreign from my current life.  I feel I have been woken up from this dream I call Deerfield.  A few days ago, I found an article about a South Korean losing his legs to a landmine. In that image, I pictured myself with a shaved head, in uniform, waking up at 6:30 a.m., practicing in teargas drills,, and losing a limb.  My life used to be filled with trivial worries: When am I going to find time to study for my tests?, Does my shirt match my tie and sweater?, and I need to order the feed for my proctees.  I felt ashamed as I considered my worries and complaints; they seemed like products of privilege. Just categorizing these as worries further embarrassed me. But even my future worries seemed to be dwarfed by others.  This break, I found a New York Times article about the Russian government bombing a Syrian camp. A video showed a boy bleeding from his head, his dad embracing him, as others in the back rushed the severely wounded to the ambulance. In their faces, I saw confusion. I saw fear. And, once again, I imagined myself in their shoes. They were paying the consequences for a conflict that they had no choice in and looking for reason in a world that had failed them. I am not asking that you find comfort in the misery of others. Rather, I am begging you to consider the blessings you have. All of us have been blessed to live our lives in such privilege.  So, next time you find yourself complaining, please look for the things to be grateful for in your life and constantly remind yourself of them, for your reality may be someone else’s dream.

When Mohamad Hafez’s “Unsettled Nostalgia” exhibit opened at Deerfield’s von Auersperg gallery on January 19, Deerfield Academy became one of the few fortunate institutions to showcase one of the most socially searing, meticulously constructed works on the inheritance and conflict that exists in modern art.  Unsettled Nostalgia is the latest in a series of evolving reflections from Mohamad Hafez, a Syrian-American artist and architect. The exhibition is comprised of devastating scenes of beleaguered cities in miniature models. These models, formed by pieces of metal, iron, and objects, hauntingly illuminate the political turmoil in Syria. All of the pieces in the exhibit are devoid of human figures. Mr. Hafez explained, “If there’s a figure, your eye won’t fully dive into the scene. The way that I show humans is through their effect on the built environment.”  Born and raised in Damascus, Mr. Hafez’s passion for architecture was inspired by the sophisticated arches, columns and doorways he observed while strolling the streets of the Ancient City of Damascus. The artist recalled sketching drawings and diagrams of structures in his free time, developing artistic and architectural skills that would later emerge to characterize his professional work.  After finishing high school, Mr. Hafez came to the United States and attended Iowa State University as a student of architecture. His visa guidelines mandated that he was not to return to Syria until he completed his education.  In order to combat his longing to reunite with his home, he would spend time in the university’s architecture studio reconstructing miniature structures inspired by the Syrian buildings that had been imprinted in his memory, using the scraps and leftovers from other students.  Since graduating from university in 2009, he has settled in New Haven, Connecticut, and currently designs skyscrapers in addition to creating modified models of his native country, Syria. He would finally return home many years later, only to witness the stirrings of a civil war.  Since safely returning to the United States, Mr. Hafez has kept a keen eye on the situation in Syria, noting every protest and bombing. By the time the Civil War broke out, Syria was war-torn and heading toward the brink of self-destruction. Anguished by his inability to offer help from afar, Mr. Hafez again turned his mind to the shelter and tranquility he found in creating art.  He began to construct models of cities destroyed by the civil war, reflecting the political turmoil ravaging his homeland.  Mr. Hafez wondered, “How can the rest of the world relate to the experiences of a war-torn country by using the human experience?”  To Mr. Hafez, these pieces are necessary for him to create because of his identity. In describing his art , he said, “Artists are documents of their time. I could paint flowers and butterflies, but the responsibility lies on my shoulders to tell these stories.”  As the first gallery showcase of the new decade, Mohamad Hafez’s exhibition constitutes a timely reminder to our student body; although we inhabit a space of tranquil scholarship, we should always remain aware of those who suffer from everyday violence and strive to protect and celebrate the rich heritage and legacy of those under threat.

With a win against Northfield Mount Hermon for the first time in 11 years, a satisfying victory against Choate, and a sweep in the annual holiday tournament, the girls’ basketball team is having one of the best seasons in recent years.  The team is currently 8-1 and ranked first in the NEPSAC Class A standings. The Greenfield Recorder reported on their success in honor of their dethroning of the NMH basketball dynasty, highlighting the great contributions Greenfield local Raegan Hickey ’20 has made to the Big Green. However, the wins aren’t the only thing that has made this season special. Under the leadership of new assistant coach Ashani Petrizzi, new head coach Julianne Schloat (she had been the assistant coach for the past several years) and co-captains Tessa Mannix ’20 and Kelly Lahart ’20, the team has come together to redefine what girls’ varsity basketball is all about.  Most of the team would agree that the heart and soul of the team are the two captains, Lahart and Mannix.  “We were so fortunate to have great leadership all of my years here,” said Lahart. “This year I was really just trying to fill the shoes of the great captains we’ve had in the past. Tess and I tried our best to keep a fun and hardworking atmosphere and our coaches have really set the tone for that as well.” The addition of assistant coach Ashani Petrizzi has also allowed for the team to gain a new perspective on the way they play. “It’s amazing how she’s made it work with her demanding job at Amherst College. She’s brought her expertise from her years of playing basketball as a local star for Greenfield High and Smith College.  She’s brought a lot of enthusiasm and energy,” Coach Schloat said. In addition to a new coach, the team also has a hard-working mindset. The team’s motto “All In, All Out” has truly defined the first half of their season. Every girl on the team contributes, whether she is playing on the court or cheering from the bench, and it is shown in the girls’ results, having an almost undefeated record with only one loss. Team member Kate Kelly ’22 spoke about the “bench squad” and how it’s changed the team dynamic.“No matter who you are, you’re always out of your seat cheering everyone on. That’s been a huge part of what brought us together as a team, and I think it really helped us in some of the tougher games,” she said.  Even the game attendance turnout is better this year. While in previous seasons there were only a small amount of fans, this season you can expect to see the bleachers packed at every home game. “It definitely hypes the team up and makes games more fun,” said Lahart. For the seniors, this season has been the perfect way to end their basketball career at Deerfield. “There’s so many little things about the team that I’ll miss, like our pregame scream circles and just the camaraderie of being part of a team here. It’s so special,” said Lahart.

The Doubleday 1 dorm-story of the 2007 yearbook, written as a poem, attests to his ability: “Now Viral Orza/ he thinks he can wrestle well,/ But is mistaken/ Marco Saavedra/ A very good wrestler/ Better than Viral.” In addition, Mr. Saavedra was a talented artist, featured in the 2007 yearbook for an oil painting of a moment from a basketball game, as well as in the 2006 yearbook for a watercolor and pastel piece titled “Disappointment” that he created in AP Studio Art.  Describing Mr. Saavedra as a Deerfield student more broadly, English teacher Dr. Kimberly Wright added, “Marco was on the quiet side, but he was great to talk to one-on-one. In those conversations, his humor and personality showed through. Overall, Marco was just a genuinely kind and caring person that everyone liked, so it’s not surprising to me that he has become a brave advocate and public voice for undocumented immigrants, even at the risk of his own safety, to try to enact change.” Mr. Saavedra decided to become an activist for Mexican immigrant rights in 2011. After graduating from Kenyon College, Marco founded the Immigrant Youth Alliance. His decision initially upset his parents who had hoped he would take a more traditional professional route.  Explaining his motivation for becoming an activist, Mr. Saavedra said in a New York Times interview, “What’s the point of education if we’re not combating daily injustice? Education becomes meaningless if you become desensitized to what a community goes through.” In 2012, Mr. Saavedra turned himself in to immigration authorities to investigate alleged human rights violations at immigrant detention center Broward Transitional Center. He purposely got himself arrested so that he could get inside Broward and use his public platform to publicize the conditions from within. His act was documented in a film called “The Infiltrators,” which premiered at Sundance Film Festival in 2019. Mr. Saavedra spent twenty three days at the detention center before he was released. In 2013, the immigration bill known as the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) act failed in Congress for the third time since 2001. In response, Mr. Saavedra and eight other undocumented immigrants, who had grown up in the United States, self-deported to Mexico in an act of civil disobedience. These nine activists called themselves the “DREAM9.”  After arriving in Mexico, they put on their college graduation gowns and walked to the United States border, surrounded by journalists and photographers, to plead for political asylum. Through this act, Mr. Saavedra and his fellow activists hoped to revive public awareness towards immigration. Their act was also a protest towards the Obama administration’s separation of immigrant families. Mr. Saavedra took a significant personal risk in this maneuver. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has released its own statistics on asylum cases, which revealed that 22,405 refugees were granted asylum in the United States in 2018. Due to his public role as an activist, Mr. Saavedra claims his life could be at risk if his plea fails. His attorney, Bryan Johnson, stated publicly, “If Marco is sent back to Mexico he will be persecuted…and possibly killed because of his political opinions… Defending immigrants is a dangerous thing in Mexico.”  Since 2013, Mr. Saavedra has been living in the South Bronx, while he waits for the decision on his asylum case. His final hearing took place on November 7, 2019, and, at that time, the judge ruled that  final written arguments must be submitted on January 17, 2020. Afterwards, it will take a few weeks to make a final verdict. There is precedent for the DOJ granting asylum in cases similar to Mr. Saavedra’s. Lulu Martinez, another one of the DREAM9 who accompanied Mr. Saavedra to Mexico received asylum in 2019. If Saavedra is denied asylum, he will still have a chance to appeal the decision to the first circuit court.  Mr. Saavedra’s story is one of hard work and self-sacrifice. He created the opportunities for himself to attend Deerfield and later Kenyon through his hard work. His educational background set him up for a promising future in a financially secure professional career, but his sense of justice moved him to focus on helping other immigrants through activism. Mr. Saavedra is not a citizen of the United States, but has displayed upstanding citizenship.  His story shows the wide impact of immigration policy. As Dr. Wright said, “A lot of times, we’re in our busy lives, and we think [undocumented immigrants] are other people. No. It’s one of Deerfield’s own. This is one of our people.”

With the arrival of the 2019-2020 school year, the administration announced the addition of casual dress from January until spring term. In the past, faculty members have expressed a variety of  views on what this casual dress looks like in practice. Throughout the long and dark months of winter, the goal is to feel comfortable in class while also looking “presentable.” Here are some tips to appear classroom-ready while achieving a high level of relaxation. 1) In most classes, the duration of the 45 minutes is spent sitting at a desk or a large table. Thus, it is only necessary to look presentable on the upper half. A warm and cozy sweater or pullover is appropriate according to the casual dress guidelines, yet wearing dark colored “pants”/leggings cannot be detected if the teacher is not looking. Entering class quickly and quietly and taking your seat in a timely manner is also advised, so that there is no time to distinguish among the “alleged” pants.  2) It is currently against the guidelines to wear sweatpants to class. However, the fashion industry produces khakis in jogger form. Joggers are a type of pants that appear identical to khaki pants, except for their scrunched bottoms. Despite this, the material is significantly more comfortable than the stiff pants that are required as class dress. Throw a pair of these joggers on with a pullover and you can look like an academic weapon all the while feeling like you’re at a pajama party. 3) As the temperatures continue to drop and the sun hides, the temptation to keep your coat or jacket on is quite high. So, why not turn this desire into a reality? Though athletic wear is not approved for casual dress, no one will be able to see what shirt is under your jacket if the coat is zipped the entire day. This way, you are able to remain warm with a zipped coat, but not overheated by the sweater or pullover that would typically be worn. 4) Lastly, the best way to remain comfortable is by wearing the equivalent of pajamas. A onesie is technically not forbidden by the guidelines of casual dress. Arriving to class dressed as a giraffe or a shark will brighten everyone’s day. There is an extra layer of warmth embedded in the fur of these onesies:  they are perfect to brighten up a cold winter day.

What’s your favorite color? Pantone 349 What’s your favorite Dining Hall Meal? Reubens  Alpine or Nordic? Alpine What’s the best skiing spot? Berkshire East What’s your lucky number? 79 What’s your favorite movie? “Downhill Racer” Tik Tok or Vine? Huh? Mustache or beard? I started my mustache in 1982. What sport would you want to coach (besides skiing and baseball)? Cricket What is your favorite thing to do besides teaching or coaching (favorite hobby)? Geocaching

An incredible athlete and friendly face around campus, Kelly Lahart ’20 is an exceptional leader of the girls’ varsity basketball team.  Since joining the team as a new sophomore, Lahart has consistently led by example on and off the court. In her three years on the team, Lahart has held the basketball program close to her heart. “Being a part of the girls’ varsity basketball program has been a special part of my Deerfield experience. I feel so fortunate to have had great coaches and played with such a talented and fun group of girls. Whether in bigger moments like beating NMH or smaller moments like our pre-game scream circles, I have loved being a part of this team,” she said. So far this season, Lahart and co-captain Tess Mannix ’20 led the team with a 8-1 record. For the first time in 11 years, girls’ varsity basketball defeated Northfield Mount Hermon 56-42. Reflecting on this win, Lahart said, “Our season is off to a great start this year. Our team works very well together, and I think our play so far has been reflective of that. As coach Schloat said after our win against NMH, “Rveryone has played a valuable role in our team’s success.” Honored as the first winter athlete of the week this December for her team, Kelly is consistently praised by teammates and coaches for her leadership, talent, and spirit. Mannix said, “[Kelly] is unwaveringly positive and respectful. She inspires and encourages a close-knit team community. Off the court she is inclusive; on the court she hustles with every ounce of her energy. She has greatly contributed to the success of the girls’ varsity basketball program.”  Head Coach Julianne Schloat said, “[Kelly] has gotten us off to a positive and hardworking start to the season with her leadership and enthusiasm. She has been both a vocal leader and a leader by example on the court. She comes ready to work hard every day, and she inspires the same in her teammates.”  Lahart has served as a role model to younger members of the basketball team since stepping on court her sophomore year. Teammate Claire Cummings ’21 said, “Kelly is a constantly positive force on and off the court. She genuinely cares about every member on our team. We all know that we can always rely on her.” Despite suffering hip and ankle injuries in her athletic career at Deerfield, Kelly has returned as a stronger athlete each time. At the end of her 2019 season, Lahart was awarded the Keller-Birrell Award, given to “the player who manifests the spirit of Robin Keller and Katie Birrell, Class of 1992. As students, they both led by example and played with intensity, courage, and passion.”  Next year, Kelly will continue her basketball career at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “Similar to Deerfield, MIT feels like a very collaborative and exciting community, and I’m really looking forward to being a part of their women’s basketball program next year,” she said. While Deerfield will certainly miss Lahart’s leadership and constant smile around campus next year, she leaves behind a distinguished mark on the girls’ varsity basketball program, and has a bright athletic future.

There are Deerfield students who have a parent suffering with alcohol abuse. There are students who have a family member who has been raped. There are students who suffer from self-harm, depression, and have struggled with thoughts of suicide. These heavy topics are the reality of Deerfield and should be taken into deeper consideration.  While Deerfield students are sheltered by our beautiful campus, supportive faculty, and endless opportunities, an individual’s experiences and internal struggles are still prevalent. As students sit in their desk chair or at a library table, or reading the English homework for the night, topics of possible personal struggle jump out of the pages.  For the students not struggling with something, this content leaves no emotional scars. But, if a student is struggling, these words can be mentally taxing and cause unnecessary pain. For example, if a person is struggling with self harm, reading descriptions of bleeding razor cuts can upset their mental stability. I am not arguing for our English books to be completely censored because shying away from heavy topics hinders both the students and the teachers. Instead, teachers should give warnings to the class about possibly sensitive topics before starting a book. Depending on the book, teachers might make the choice to be more specific with the whereabouts of the information.  For example, during a chapter, the teacher could point out certain pages to read with discretion and care. If students believe that reading the content at all will cause too much harm, students should feel comfortable having a conversation with the teacher. While reading This Side of Brightnes s by Colum McCann this year in English, topics of rape, drug use, physical abuse and alcoholism were scattered throughout the book. I went to talk to Mr. Scandling to ask about this idea of trigger warnings before a book or reading, and he responded positively, respecting my offer by notifying the class of the pages in which these difficult topics are discussed.  Although students will still end up reading about the topics, the knowledge that a sensitive topic will appear at some point during the book can help students to emotionally prepare instead of being taken off guard.  Compare trigger warnings to a teacher giving a test. A teacher notifies students a week in advance for a test so that students can prepare, manage their time and get in the proper mindset to complete the task. The mental process involved with preparation is very different from the one at play when a teacher gives a pop-test, surprising students whether or not they were ready. Because of the lack of knowledge, students have no control over their preparation.  The same concept can be applied to sensitive readings, and it explains why trigger warnings should be a more common occurrence.  Knowledge that a topic will appear in the reading gives students flexibility and control to judge their own mental state at that time. Mental well-being is a fragile scale that can be drastically tipped. Each student knows themselves and what mental, physical, and emotional state they should be in before thinking about a delicate topic that could cause possible instability.  Every student has different experiences and carries different struggles with them throughout their time at Deerfield. All of us as students put our struggles aside to study, focus, and learn at Deerfield. In return, Deerfield academics as a whole, but especially the English department, can do better to be more sensitive and accommodating to their classes.  Even if giving a trigger warning for the book helps just one student, that will create a much more positive experience for that person, while not harming or taking away from the experience of anyone else.  Everyone is guilty of falling into their individual busy schedule of classes and becoming oblivious to the struggles of others. This change, if anything, is a reminder to support everyone on campus, regardless of their personal experiences, regardless of the mental illnesses they may or may not struggle with.  Similarly to the warnings about heavy concepts before school meeting, these “trigger warnings” should be extended to books read in school as well. These warnings leave time for students to mentally and emotionally prepare themselves; being in the right headspace is crucial when dealing with heavy topics.  Our experiences and our struggles as people should not define or stop our learning.

Whether it be stepping on a stage as a singer, an ensemble member, or as an accompanist, Christina Li ’20 always shares her heart and passion for music with the audience. Music has been a large part of her life since childhood, when Li started taking piano lessons at four-years-old. Her interest in music grew quickly, and she gave her first performance in 8th grade. Today, Li finds the beauty of music in its open-ended interpretation and the feelings it conjures. She even organizes her playlists based on the different emotions they reflect.  “Each song conjures a different emotion or memory. And that’s the purpose of each playlist, to categorize each feeling,” Li said about her playlist creation process. “The beauty of music is that, even if a song means a specific thing to me, it can conjure a different memory or feeling for someone else.”  It was at Deerfield where Li started finding her own voice as a musician. Her Deerfield music journey started off when she took the Studio Production and Band class with Visual and Performing Arts Teacher John Van Eps her freshman year. The class fundamentally changed her view of music. “It was the first time that I considered music original,” Li said. “I would also meet with a lot of people in the studio… They all had interesting stories that they wanted to express through their music.”  Branching out to new aspects of music that same year, she co-founded the Reme-D’s (formally the Co-ed acapella group) and joined the student band CODA. During her sophomore year, she wrote and produced her first song, “Young & Reckless.” “It blows my mind that she has the time to create even with all the stress of Deerfield and that she knows music so thoroughly that she can produce her own,” Nikita Pelletier ’20, a fellow a capella group member, said. Li’s writing and production process starts with noting chord progressions on the piano or guitar before adding the melody and lyrics into the song. Then, Li turns to her own feelings, even those of disappointment, for inspiration.  “Every time I see her, she is wrapped up in music,” Director of Chamber Music and Orchestra Thomas Bergeron noted. “Christina is one of those students who provides a constant reminder of why I am a music educator.” Li’s junior year consisted of continuous growth in her interest in the academic and historic aspects of music, her dedication to numerous music groups, and her constant production of song ideas.  This year, Li continues to arrange music for CODA, Rhapso-D’s and Reme-D’s, and shares her musical creations with the Deerfield community. “CODA’s success demands a master arranger, a driven visionary, and a communicative director. Christina is all three,” Elven Shum ‘20,  co-leader of CODA, said. “Not only does she enable everyone to work together, but she also understands how everyone works best together—players and their instruments.” Others also commented on Li’s extraordinary ability to bring people together. “Christina has always been a confident and enthusiastic leader,” Pelletier said. “She cares about us all and has high expectations that we all want to achieve because she is such a respectable person.” Mr. Bergeron emphasized her personal qualities as well. “Her immense passion for music, broad range of talent, disciplined work ethic, and mature character makes her a joy to work with on a daily basis,” he commented.   Li will be attending Columbia University for her undergraduate studies and plans to continue exploring music in her academics, outside of school, and even professionally.  In the future, Li hopes to create a music project that will unite people from all over the world.   Li is currently working on her first album. When asked about her motivations and goals, she said, “I don’t want to release a song just for the sake of doing so, but I want to connect the many song ideas I have for this album.” Li also hinted at her hope for many more projects in the future. In her words, “This album is just the beginning.”

“We review our portfolio regularly to ensure that our managers are complying with all applicable laws and regulations and adhering to their stated investment strategy. Occasionally, we replace managers based on performance or for other reasons,” he said. One of Deerfield’s investments is in Tiger Global Management. Chase Coleman III  ‘93, one non-trustee on the Investment Committee, founded the hedge fund. Mr. Coleman has made significant contributions to the endowment and was a key donor in the fundraising campaign for the new Athletic Center’s construction.  In 2017, Tiger Global emerged as one of the earliest investors in Juul Labs, an e-cigarette company that has found a large teenage consumer base. In July 2018, the fund invested $600 million in Juul. The Wall Street Journal reported in December that 14% of Tiger Global’s returns came from Juul stock in the 2018-19 fiscal year. Mr. Finan confirmed that Deerfield “has investments in Tiger Global” and may have indirectly invested in Juul Labs, although he noted that there was no “direct” investment in Juul. Regarding potential divestment from Juul, Mr. Finan said, “I’m not sure what the decision would be [on divesting from Juul, if Deerfield is invested], but I’m sure the Committee would entertain the discussion.” Mr. Simmons, however, denied the plausibility of divestment from any industry. “Given our approach to investing through independent managers, it would be impossible to disinvest from any specific company or industry,” he commented.  Dr. Austin denied having any knowledge of such investments but acknowledged Deerfield’s obligation to protect its students from the harms of vaping.  “As a school, we have a deep commitment to encourage and help students learn to live well and healthily,” he said, “but it would be a very steep climb for me to understand the nuance and complexity of our investment strategies, and it might be challenging for anyone who doesn’t have particular expertise in those areas.” Private universities across the country have faced mounting pressure from students and faculty alike to practice socially responsible investing and divest from specific industries. Investments in fossil fuels, especially, have come under heavy fire, with activists alleging that schools directly contribute to climate change by funding the energy industry.  In November, The Harvard Crimson reported on an unprecedented divestment protest that disrupted the annual Harvard-Yale football game. Hundreds of Harvard and Yale students staged a sit-in on the field of the Harvard-Yale game during halftime, urging the colleges to divest from energy companies involved with fossil fuels. New Haven police ultimately arrested forty-two protesters, who now face misdemeanor charges. “You, the students, should have the opportunity to express what you think about issues, across the board,” Mr. Finan said, at the prospect of pushback from students over Deerfield’s own investments.  “Ultimately, however, the trustees have the legal responsibility to ensure the financial health of the institution. It is not the students’ right to say what we do. That sits with the trustees.” Dr. Austin similarly stressed the importance of dialogue and understanding for students. He said, ““You don’t want to leap too quickly to protest; you want to do your best to understand why things are done the way they are.”

This past fall, the Academic Dean’s Office introduced a new five-day exam schedule consisting  of seven two-hour assessment periods.  Academic Dean Ivory Hills explained that after learning about both students and teachers’ frustrations regarding the past schedule, the admission has decided to make modifications.  Elaborating on the issues of the old three-day, three-exam schedule, Dr. Hills commented, “there was a desire to accomplish many things simultaneously which made things very complicated.” Philosophy and Religion Teacher Benjamin Grimm explained that the new exam schedule was beneficial to his class because it offered him a time slot to assign a proper assessment.  Mr. Grimm said, “I felt I had to squeeze exams into the last week of class when many students were preparing for exams, and so they were not in a position to do their best work. [The new schedule]  allowed me to create a real exam and be creative about it.” Describing the reason behind the adjustments of the new exam schedule, Dr. Hills said, “The hope was that this new schedule would lead to more interesting types of assessments that would be less stressful and better display [students’] knowledge of the subject.” Dr. Hills also explained that the new schedule reflected the variety of exams seen in college, but Thatcher Smith ‘20 shared different opinions, saying, “I’ve spoken with friends in college who have said that the new exam schedule is very different than what they are experiencing now.” Another consideration that largely influenced this decision was the wish to diffuse the highly stressful penultimate week. Some students believed the new exam schedule helped them properly prepare for all their assessments.  Ruthie Spencer ‘22 commented, “Last year, during the week leading up to the three days of exams, I had a lot going on, and I struggled to get in the right mindset.”  However, not all students felt that their schedules reflected more variety and less stress.  Jaxon Palmer ’21 said, “Personally, I didn’t really like the exam schedule because there was so much going on in that two week period. It was too much for me to handle. It was mentally exhausting.” She continued, “Many of my teachers still had major assignments the previous week.” With a similar sentiment, Kaitlin McKenna ’21 added, “The busy week leading up to exams combined with a study-heavy weekend led me to feel already worn out by the time exam week began, with still 6 exams to go.”  Similarly, Smith preferred the previous exam schedule because it “gave us a sufficient amount of time to study properly and complete all of our work.” Despite the backlash towards the new exam schedule, the results of the survey that was sent out to the student body relayed a different sentiment. The survey asked students to reflect on their experience and allowed students to give feedback regarding their concerns about the new schedule. The survey was created and reviewed by Dr. Hills.  According to Dr. Hills, “[There] were approximately 260 student responses. The majority of students were fine, but then a handful of students made hyperbolic statements,  like the whole school was on fire and everybody was upset. Just because they’re the minority doesn’t mean I’m ignoring them, but they were a small number.” Assistant Dean of Faculty and Science Teacher Dr. Mark Acton also viewed the change positively.  Dr. Acton said, “I really liked the flexibility it gave in terms of what type of exam experience I could offer. This year, I was able to stray from the typical written examination that could be proctored by other people and do a lab practical.” Other students welcomed the change as well. Kareena Bhakta ’20 said, “Clearly, this shift is a big adjustment; however, I feel Dr. Hills has really taken his time and been there to answer questions both in person and in email for students.” While many classes, such as humanities and sciences, benefited from the ability to have project-based exams, the math department retained its written exam format.  Math Department Chair Darnel Barnes said, “For many of us, the new schedule was similar to what was done in the past. There was variation: some were unit tests, while others were more cumulative.”  Dr. Barnes continued, “Because our schedule did not change drastically, we were more concerned with how students would fare since they have assessments over all their classes.” Overall, the new exam schedule has garnered mixed reactions amongst students, with several students having voiced their concerns as well as those who prefer this new structure.  Regardless of the contrasting viewpoints, this new exam schedule will continue for the 2019-2020 school year. Whether or not the school will continue with this revised schedule is still ambiguous.