Laptop Crash

So, of course the laptop crashes as the third week of the semester begins. I have been saying for the last few days that I was worried about the laptop-- it's age (I've had it for 18 mos.) and how often it's used-- now I wonder if I jinxed myself. For now I will have to rely on the family computer and it does not have all the little familiarities I have grown accustomed to with my laptop.

Frustration with Litigation

It's the day after the court date for my college-- Randolph-Macon Woman's College. Unfortunately, we did not receive the results we had hoped for. But, the fight is not over. Read the letter below that PEC sent out last night:

Dear PEC Supporters:

By now you may have heard that Judge Leyburn Mosby of the Lynchburg Circuit Court granted the College�s motions to dismiss the contract and trust suits this afternoon. Surprisingly, Judge Mosby ruled immediately from the bench in both cases, though the arguments were complicated and the statutory and case law support offered by both sides filled several notebooks.

Obviously we are disappointed, but those of you familiar with the legal world know that when it comes to litigation there are no guarantees, even when the cases are solid. The legal battle is far from over, and PEC will consider with counsel the advantages of appealing the dismissed suits as well as the opportunities for additional suits in Virginia and other jurisdictions. We will keep all of you informed as these efforts proceed.

From the beginning, we have all recognized that to secure the preservation of Randolph-Macon Woman�s College as a college for women we need to work on many fronts: legal, financial, student activism, donor support, and alumnae intervention. We hope that all of you remain undeterred in your commitment to see this through. It is more important than ever to get a critical mass of alumnae, students, faculty, and friends of R-MWC to work together to provide unified opposition and strong resistance to turn this around. Every voice counts - especially now! So please continue your efforts to inform all of your R-MWC friends about the problems that the strategic plan will bring to R-MWC and how they can help by joining their voice with all of ours.

We are single-minded in our focus to restore Randolph-Macon Woman�s College and we count on the justness of our cause and the gratifying support of our contributors to see us through.

Vita abundantior,

PEC Board

It's time for students, alumna, and others who are concerned to regroup. Personally, I am more convinced than ever that the Board of Trustees are in the wrong and are moving forward with a misguided plan that does not address the past and continued mismanagement of the college. A plan that lacks vision and ignores a movement towards single-sex education and classrooms which is growing across the nation. A plan that includes the consideration of selling off unique college gifts that will be irreplaceable. Suddenly, and what seems almost overnight there is a paradigm shift-- according to the trustees-- they claim that more women can be educated by admitting men to RMWC. This makes no sense given the current increasing trend of women who are attending college. So much of this plan, which is being forced through at record speed, is questionable.

The most difficult part of the unfolding events is knowing that I have waited so long to return to college, pursued my commitment to single-sex education, and uprooted my kids to move from one coast to the other only to have my college turn against their own 115 year mission. The disappointment in the college is another kettle of fish. I feel stuck between a rock and hard place as I am in my second semester of my Junior year and transferring is not really an option.

I can't thank the PEC (Preserve Educational Choice) enough. They have worked tirelessly.


Vita Abundantior

Sundance and the MPAA

Some cinematic news to ponder the MPAA (Motion Picture Arts Associaiton) plan to meet with filmmakers, producers, etc this Sunday at Sundance to make the ratings system more transparent. And speaking of Sundance the festival opened yesterday with a documentary film, Brett Morgen's Chicago 10, which is a mix of animation and archival footage from the Vietnam war-protested 1968 Democratic Convention.

As for me, classes are in full swing. Film production gets underway next week. The kids are hanging in there. Winter here is bizarre and apparently showing up on the west coast instead.

First Day of Classes

Nothing like getting caught up for three weeks and not updating blogger. So, most of the waiting is over. The kids and I have moved. Classes begin today, ironically my children have the day off for MLK Jr. Day.