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In the Heart of the Caucasus: Georgia’s Battle for Europe
Last year, while studying for the finals somewhere in the Diamond building, I found myself arguing with a friend about a bill set to be adopted in Georgia, the small republic in the Caucasus, a region spanning Eastern Europe and Western Asia. We were sitting across from each other in a seminar room, as I scrolled through Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, reading about Georgians taking to the streets of Tbilisi to protest what they saw as a pro-Russian bill. When I voiced concerns about what this meant for Georgia’s European Union (EU) aspirations, my friend argued there was nothing particularly wrong or anti-European about the bill.
But, many controversies surrounded it. The proposed legislation angered people because it was an attempt to resurrect the same two bills proposed by the mainstream party Georgian Dream (GD) in 2023, which were later withdrawn following the mass protests and public opposition. One would require non-governmental organizations, alongside the media, to disclose their annual income and funds. If they received anything above 20% from abroad, the organizations would be labeled as agents of foreign influence. The second bill aimed to increase penalties for noncompliance and target individuals. At that time, neither of the bills was adopted: the first one was defeated in Parliament, while the latter was withdrawn. Nevertheless, GD began lobbying for the legislation again a year later. However, the foreign agent label would be replaced with one of an “organization carrying the interests of a foreign power.”
Georgia’s attempts to align with the West intensified after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. As Georgia itself was a victim of Russian invasion in 2008, with two of its regions — South Ossetia and Abkhazia — occupied by Russian troops, the country applied for EU candidate status on March 3, 2022. The European Commission, which represents the executive body of the EU, issued 12 conditions and priorities that the Georgian government must address before moving forward with negotiations. Two of these conditions were guaranteeing “a free, professional, pluralistic, and independent media environment” and ensuring “the involvement of civil society in decision-making processes at all levels.” Steering away from the controversial bill, which targeted independent media and civil society, signaled Georgia’s preparedness. In December 2023, the EU granted Georgia candidate status for “the genuine aspirations of the overwhelming majority of its citizens to join the European Union,” rather than for any substantial effort by the government to address the required conditions.
Yet, as the GD started renegotiating the foreign agent bill in 2024, Georgians returned to the streets discontented and angry. Hundreds of NGOs signed a joint statement denouncing the bill. The EU, NATO, and even the U.S. voiced their concern over what they saw as democratic backsliding. The protests soon turned violent, with people throwing objects at the police, while law enforcement officers started using pepper spray. Though it was an expression of opposition to the bill, the protests were also a clear and loud sign of a desired alignment with the EU. People understood quite well that if this bill were to pass, all the progress made on EU membership would be lost, and they would find themselves back in the grips of Moscow, with no hope of coming out of the inextricably tangled web of corruption and oligarchy.
Watching the violent demonstrations and how the bill ultimately turned into law, I tried to explain to my friend the importance of the event and how condemnable it was. “If I were a citizen of Georgia, I’d like to know who is receiving funding from abroad,” he said. There was nothing wrong with the disclosure of funds and income. The problem was labeling organizations that received external funding as foreign agents. The law’s adoption in Georgia drew undeniable parallels to Russia’s 2012 law, which was a response to the 2011 Bolotnaya protests, where several civil organizations condemned the election results as illegitimate. Similar to Russia’s case, the bill was a symbol of Georgian power-owners who vilified the opposition — whether it was political opponents, media, civil organizations, or protestors — by framing them as instruments of a globalist agenda orchestrated by the West. What GD classified as foreign interference was merely support for the overwhelmingly pro-European sentiment from other members of the Georgian parliament. So, what my friend and the majority of GD saw as a necessary piece of legislation to strengthen the country’s sovereignty was a betrayal of the average Georgian’s aspirations.
Despite the voiced concerns and threats of sanctions from the EU, the GD held a parliamentary majority and managed to approve the bill and override the president’s veto. As a result, the EU halted Georgia’s accession process and froze financial aid in June 2024. Georgia’s democratic backsliding continued with GD winning the majority in the parliamentary elections of October 2024 (53.93%) and local elections of October 2025 (81.73%). Fears over election fraud persisted, as several independent reports documented incidents of carousel voting, infringements upon the secrecy of the ballot, and patterns of electoral irregularity.
So, when I read about the recent protests in Tbilisi following the local elections on October 5, I remembered that conversation in Diamond a year ago. From afar, one might be amused by people’s reaction to legislation that seems like a linguistic abstraction. They might be startled by a nation’s apparent inability to change its government, or by the seeming contradiction between Georgia’s pro-European constituency and the election results. But, the issue may lie not with the electorate, but rather within Georgia’s political ecosystem, where a corrupted judiciary, an entrenched oligarchy, and calculated political engineering have produced a self-perpetuating system that facilitates and sustains autocracy.
Meanwhile, Europe celebrates Moldova’s recent election results, where a pro-EU party secured a majority for the second time (as I wrote a few weeks ago). But, it must not overlook that Georgia’s dissatisfaction may well be the product of Brussels’s neglect. Georgians still protest, still dream of Europe… but I’m no longer sure Europe dreams of them.
~ Cristina Panaguta `26
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Fresh Faces, Big Impact: First-Year Athletes Shine at Colby This Fall
The first semester of college, a frightening moment for all, with new classes, new schedules, and a new place to live, is scary to think about. For Colby’s first-year fall athletes, that transition has been joined by a new challenge: adjusting to playing at the college level. This fall, several members of the first-year class have not only risen to the challenge, but thrived under it, making many impactful contributions to teams and helping fuel successful Mule campaigns in recent weeks.
For Will Schneider `29, football wasn’t his original plan. The New York City native made the change from soccer to football in his final year at Choate Rosemary Hall, one that instantly proved to be worth it.
Now Colby’s starting kicker, Schneider is an incredible presence on special teams. He’s hit three field goals this season, two of these clutch kicks coming in the Mules’ victory over Bates College, and, so far, has scored 15 points total. His composure and precision have made him an important part of Colby’s late-season run.
As Schneider finds his rhythm on the gridiron, another first-year player has been making waves in a totally different place, the field hockey goal.
Throughout her first semester this fall, Ginna Jacoby `29 has not held back in proving she is a player meant to shine in the NESCAC. The Denver, Colorado native has started seven games in goal for the Mules thus far, registering 73 saves.
In her recent game against Hamilton College, she made 21 saves to propel a Colby win. With fast reflexes and good communication, Jacoby has positioned herself as an anchor for the Mules’ defense and a name to watch in the future.
While Jacoby has been key for Colby field hockey, a first-year on the volleyball court has been turning up the competition.
Colby’s volleyball squad has been the school’s standout story thus far this fall, with a 17–1 record heading into the postseason, their only loss to Wesleyan University. Among the team’s newcomers, Texas native Kendall Glover `29, is shining for her work ethic and desire on the court.
Glover recorded 11 kills and 15.5 points in a statement win against MIT, showing her ability to deliver in pressure situations against tough competition. Her contributions have helped the Mules in maintaining one of the most successful opening periods in program history as they strive toward NESCAC playoffs.
And over on the soccer field, yet another rookie has been performing steadily, one who’s emerged as the main go-to goal threat for the Mules.
On the men’s soccer team, Jude Gussen `29 has been a scoring threat since day one. The Fairfield, Connecticut native and Loomis Chaffee graduate opened his Colby career with two goals against Thomas College and now leads the team in scoring.
Gussen’s strength and touch in the middle of the field have been key to Colby’s offense, contributing to a crucial effort during the Mules’ 2-0 win over Maine Maritime Academy, where he scored a goal. As the team heads to conclude the regular season with contests against Wesleyan University and Bates College, Gussen is on the prowl to help Colby into the playoffs.
From the football field to the volleyball court, the first-year student-athletes have made an outstanding mark on Colby’s fall athletics season already. Their first-year success says as much about their talent as it does about the welcoming, competitive culture that defines Colby athletics.
As post-season competition approaches and the winter season looms, the Class of 2029 is showing that the future of Colby athletics is indeed in good hands.
~ Kameron Mohammed `29
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Celebrating Jazz Music: The Colby Arts Concert Series
On Friday, October 17, the Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts hosted jazz trumpeter Jeremy Pelt and his band of musicians. The concert, open to all Colby students and members of the Waterville community, was the second show in an ongoing series showcasing various jazz musicians. The program’s final two shows are on November 7 and December 5, featuring bassist Brandi Disterheft and trumpeter Joe Magnarelli, respectively.
Continuing through the fall, the Colby Arts Jazz Concert Series, in partnership with Roots in Motion, focuses on presenting accessible jazz music to the Waterville community. Last Friday’s performance by Pelt included roughly an hour of his compositions, played by Pelt and an accompanying pianist, guitarist, bassist, and drummer. Many of these performers were former students of Pelt’s at William Paterson University, where he remains a professor.
One student in attendance noted how personal the experience felt, declaring it was as though she was “in a jazz club.” She continues, “Jeremy Pelt has clearly built a really beautiful community through his former students. His craft is impressive.”
Pelt’s performance featured a variety of songs from formerly and recently released tracks. He explained the origins of his songs and the process of creating art based on the world around him — citing his conversations with friends and other professionals as an inspiration for his music, the themes he hopes to communicate, and the feelings he strives to invoke within audience members.
The performance by Pelt and his band was both absorbing and emotional — a fusion of sentiments captured within the spirit of the trumpet, the mellow tune of the base, the dynamic riffs of the guitar, the elegance of the piano, and the energy of the drums. Pelt’s compositions fluctuated in intensity, incorporating softer ballads and stronger, lively tempos.
The show was organized beginning with an arrangement of songs and pausing on occasion for Pelt to provide personal anecdotes, stories about his band members, or narratives about his experience creating music. Pelt played a score which he previously wrote in Waterville at the Lockwood Hotel, and, describing his process for writing music, noted how an idea for a song can originate simply from one word. Pelt briefly examined his role as a jazz artist, the importance of producing Black art, and the dedication he has had to a career that promises no vast wealth or extreme acclaim. Rather, Pelt feels he has a responsibility to keep the style of music he loves alive, and to share the music he creates with others who have a shared appreciation.
As another student in attendance explains, Pelt “brought a lot of energy. [The concert] was a good opportunity for Colby students to take a step back from academics and listen to different genres of music throughout the jazz series.”
Similarly, for myself, the jazz series was an opportunity to interact with a form I’m not often exposed to. While listening to unfamiliar art can be overwhelming and intimidating, this series is designed to be accessible. It welcomes any audience member — regardless of prior musical knowledge — to recognize the value of jazz music, or, at the very least, be exposed to various crafts.
In support of this goal, the College is hosting two more events in conjunction with the jazz series. These final events will be located at Greene Block + Studios in Waterville, Maine, Colby’s off-campus home for programs and events related to the arts. The upcoming performances were organized in partnership with Dan Nicholas, the founder of Roots in Motion, and are committed to promoting jazz and other manifestations of roots music. Admissions are free to Colby students, faculty, and members of the surrounding community.
~ Maya Corrie `29
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Women’s Crew Competes in Head of the Charles Regatta
This past weekend, Colby College’s men’s and women’s crew teams participated in the Head of the Charles Regatta in Cambridge, MA. The competition began in 1965, and over the past 60 years, thousands of people, including Colby students, have raced along the Charles River. This year, there were 74 different races, with 2,685 athletes and 852 clubs participating. Colby’s women’s crew team competed in the Women’s Collegiate Eights race on Sunday, October 19, where they placed nineteenth out of 37 teams.
The Head of the Charles Regatta was not the team’s first competition this year, even though their official season does not start until the spring. Team captain, Ellie Pohlig `26, remarks on their previous accomplishments: “Two weeks ago, we had our first race in Worcester, Massachusetts. It was called the [Quinsigamond Snake Regatta and] was really fun. We got almost everyone out on the water. And then this weekend [we just had] one Women’s Eight and one Men’s Eight out there. A bunch of alumni are rowing as well; it’s a super big event and really fun.”
On Saturday, Colby women’s crew will host their final fall race in Waterville at the Colby Hume Center against Bates and Bowdoin Colleges, during the Fall CBB competition.
The team is proud of its results, thus far, and has already recognized some differences from last year. “We had some coaching turnover from last year. Two of the coaches are the same, but we kind of changed the format a little bit,” Pohlig said. “It’s exciting to see how that’s impacting our performance as a team. We have a ton of new people, which is great.”
Tara Gorman `27 has also acknowledged that, while having a newer team can be interpreted as a challenge, it can also provide several opportunities. “I think our team has a lot of power in general. A lot of our rowers are novices, so they either walked on or they’re kind of new to rowing, but while [that can be seen as] weakness in some aspects, it’s also kind of a strength, because we [can] kind of mold them to be really [talented] athletes,” Gorman said.
As the group wraps up their fall season, they will begin to start winter practices, which are led by the team captains. “It’s kind of like a similar schedule. So we have [practice six days a week],” Gorman said.
Taking on the role of leading these practices, Pohlig is ready to embrace the new responsibilities. “So far, [being a captain] is mostly weekly check-ins with the coaches, and running the warm-up… But, then in winter training… the other three captains and I on the women’s side and the four captains on the men’s side, we’re all going to be running the practices during the off-season, so that’s going to be probably a little stressful, but, overall, I’m looking forward to it. There’s four of us, so we’ll work it out,” Pohlig said.
There are 28 athletes on the women’s crew team for the 2025-2026 school year. While this may seem rather large, rowers have already noticed a budding sense of community and are looking forward to seeing it flourish at the Fall CBB this weekend and heading into the spring. “We have to all rely on each other, know that we’re all pulling as hard as we can, rowing our best race, not just for ourselves, but for our whole boat and our whole team. I think having the connection and friendship with your teammates is really important,” Pohlig said.
~ Isabella Boggs `29
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Hillside Dorms: Should They Stay or Should They Go?
When I visited Colby’s campus during my college search, I was blown away by the College’s beautiful buildings; the newly constructed Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center, picturesque Miller Library, historic Lorimer Chapel, and the impressive Museum of Art were just a few that made me excited about the prospect of spending four years on Mayflower Hill. However, one part of campus had the opposite effect: Hillside.
The Hillside residence halls were designed by Benjamin Thompson and completed in 1967. They provide a break from the College’s Georgian Revival architecture, instead offering a contemporary element to campus. Despite receiving one of the twenty national honors awards distributed by the American Institute of Architects, I would not describe Williams, Marriner, Leonard, Sturtevant, and Taylor as a sight for sore eyes. Instead, the Hillside dorms are “unwelcoming, hostile, and, quite frankly, ugly,” according to Marikate Marshall `26.
The summer going into my first year, I was nervous and eager to receive my housing assignment. I attributed these feelings to the prospect of living with new people rather than to concerns about the building I would be living in. Nevertheless, this changed when I saw that I was placed in a forced quad in Marriner. As a member of the women’s soccer team, the upperclassmen on the team warned me about Hillside. They spoke of the moldy rooms, the “Hillside shuffle,” and the unfavorable location. Although I went into the year with a positive attitude, all these points quickly became a reality. Other members of Hillside and I were constantly ill, but the College dismissed evidence of black mold. The icy road leading to the dorms was dangerous; I watched countless people fall and feared that I would be next. Removed from the campus center, the trek to class and other activities was a hassle. Every freezing cold day provoked an internal debate about whether or not I would leave the confines of Marriner.
Shea Donnelly `29, current resident of Taylor, elaborated on this further: “I think Hillside is inconvenient to where the main buildings are, such as the Athletic Center. I also feel like the dorms are not nearly as nice compared to other first-year dorms on campus.”
Rumors have arisen about the prospect of the Hillside residence halls being torn down. I asked one of my first-year year roommates, Zoe Lament `26, about her thoughts on this. She explained, “Hillside doesn’t necessarily need to be knocked down, but it does need some serious TLC. The outside structures and locations of the buildings aren’t the problem – it’s the outdated, moldy insides. No amount of cleaning and upkeep can solve the issues in Hillside that have existed for years. At a minimum, the entire inside needs a revamp.”
I wholeheartedly agree with Zoe’s assessment of Hillside. There are ways to avoid destroying the dorms entirely, but changes still need to be made.
This is not to say that my first-year year Hillside experience was all bad. A lot of the people I met in Marriner are my best friends to this day. The memories we created and the laughs we shared in the third-floor common room are truly unforgettable. We made the most of our living situation. I am incredibly grateful for the people who made the place.
Only time will tell if the conversations about Hillside’s potential reconstruction are true. At the end of the day, I understand that these dorms have historical and cultural value. This does not, however, prevent Hillside residents and other members of campus from recognizing the nuisance that is the Hillside dorms. It seems there is no correct solution to this argument. If the Hillside dorms stay, there will be trouble, but if they leave, there could be double.
~ Jadyn Liebman `26
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Who is Waka Flocka Flame?
On Colby College’s 2025 Parents Weekend, artist Waka Flocka Flame is booked to perform, and he’s coming hard in the paint. Students at the College have the opportunity to attend Waka Flocka’s performance for only $20. While Waka Flocka Flame is a talented artist, there is more to him than hype songs and drill anthems. This article will tell you all you need to know about Flocka.
Waka Flocka Flame was born in Queens, New York, and named Juaquin James Malphurs. His mother, Debra Antney, is CEO of a talent management firm based out of Atlanta, Georgia. The name ‘Waka’ was a childhood nickname, inspired by the Muppets’ Fozzie Bear’s catchphrase “waka waka.” Waka Flocka has a striking gold Fozzie Bear chain to commemorate the name. The ‘Flame’ component of his name was later added by famous rapper Gucci Mane. Most people know of Waka Flocka as a talented musician, however, he has also made himself a strong presence on social media. For example, in 2015, on April 20 — a day that symbolizes the normalization and acceptance of cannabis in society — he announced he would be running for president.
Waka Flocka is also an outspoken Donald Trump supporter. He endorsed Trump on X, saying “I’m [still] voting for Trump!!!! Let’s be clear!!!!!” In July of 2024, Waka Flocka had a concert in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he told the crowd, “all my Joe Biden voters, get out,” before dedicating his performance of the song “Grove St. Party” to Trump’s 2024 campaign.
Waka Flocka Flame is no longer producing music. He announced in 2013 that he’d be retiring from rap, and focusing on his family. He still tours and performs on occasion, all while having a lasting influence on drill rappers even today. The song that brought him to fame, “O Let’s Do It,” was accompanied by a signature, aggressive trap beat that became a trademark of Waka’s songs.
Waka Flocka Flames most famous song is “No Hands” ft. Roscoe Dash. Many students admitted to only knowing this song of Waka’s. Ally Tecimer `29 said, “I’m excited for the concert, but to be completely honest, the only song I vaguely know is No Hands. Can’t say I’m a huge Waka Flocka Flame fan.” Heidi Alexandrian `29 agreed with Tecimer, adding, “I’m going in with an open mind, and a lot of energy.”
Katie Macdonald `28, and Yasmina Levitsky Karimova `28 are roommates, who have both been avidly listening to Waka Flocka Flame in preparation for the concert. While sitting in the backseat of Macdonald’s car, with Flocka’s song, “For My Dawgs,” playing in background, Macdonald commented that “with everyone’s unique work loads and varying weekend plans, I am excited to have time set aside where we can all come together, have a break from academics, and prioritize having fun with friends.”
Karimova, laughing, chimed in “My most listened to artist is the Beatles, but weirdly, I really like ‘Rooster in my Rari.’ The lyricism is kind of beautiful.” This goes to show that regardless of your favorite genre, you might find Waka Flocka Flame’s songs to be “beautiful.”
Waka Flocka Flame’s visit to the College will be interesting: a man known for party rap and political controversy, performing for one of the country’s smallest, liberal campuses. Whether students come out for the music, or the unique environment, it will no doubt be a parents’ weekend performance to remember. If you come to the performance this Saturday, be sure to bring the energy, No Hands required.
~ Molly Garvey `28
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Mules Topple Amherst to Win Second Straight
This past Saturday, Colby football’s staunch defense led the team to a hard-fought 13-9 victory over the Amherst College Mammoths, evening the Mules’ record at 3-3 with three games to play. The team took to the road to face the Mammoths, who turned out a massive crowd on a beautiful fall Saturday.
The Mules got off to a quick start, as Brody Rice `27 intercepted Amherst quarterback Marek Hill’s pass on just the third play of the game, returning it 19 yards to the Mammoths’ 16-yard line. The Colby offense made quick work of the short field, as Miles Drake `26 connected with Jack Nye `28 to take the ball down to the Amherst one-yard line, before Drake punched it in himself, making the score 7-0 just over a minute into the game.
Amherst received the ensuing kickoff and pushed slowly down the field, converting on a third down and receiving a big 18-yard run from Hill. Their drive would stall on the Colby 31-yard line with a fourth-down stop, and the Mules took over on downs. Despite a pair of Drake completions to Henry Emswiler `26, Colby was forced to punt. Eli Soehren `27, who plays tight end while also handling the punting duties, crushed the ball 55 yards to the Amherst eight-yard line, completely flipping the field. The Mammoths quickly went three-and-out, punting the ball back to Colby who took over in Amherst territory at the 47-yard line. Yet again, the Amherst defense stood up to the Colby challenge, and the Mules punted away after just three plays of their own. In the closing minutes of the first quarter, the Mammoths generated some momentum on offense, as Hill connected with his receiver Carter Jung for 23 yards, but again they were forced to punt, returning the ball to the Mules.
Drake connected with Nye for a big pickup on the opening series, but Soehren again was called on to punt the ball. On the next Amherst drive, the Mammoths embarked on a 12-play slog down the field, culminating in a Hill pass to Christian Moore for the touchdown, tying the score at seven apiece. Colby continued their offensive woes, unable to pick up a first down on yet another drive, and the Mammoths suddenly had their first chance to take the lead. They drove down to the Colby 32-yard line, where they faced a fourth-and-seven, but Hill’s pass attempt fell incomplete, giving the ball back to Colby again. Colby again stalled, leaving the Mammoths some time before the half to take the lead, but a massive 59-yard punt from Soehren pinned the opponents at their own one. Following an uneventful trading of three-and-outs by both sides, the half arrived, with the Mules set to receive in the second half.
Over ten minutes would pass in the third quarter before either side managed any meaningful offense, and it was the Colby special teams unit that finally broke the deadlock. With the Mammoths punting from their own thirteen, Corey Aubuchon `28 blocked the kick, returning it himself for a touchdown. The ensuing extra point was no good, but the Mules took the lead, 13-7. Colby took a safety with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, bringing the score to 13-9, but a touchdown was still needed for the Mammoths to take the lead.The two offenses then traded punts until Dennis Dougherty `26 came up with a huge fourth-and-goal stop to preserve the Colby advantage with five minutes remaining in the game. The Mammoths had one more chance, driving down to the Colby three with just seconds left, before Hill’s fourth-down pass to Jung fell incomplete, finalizing the Mules’ win.
Sitting at 3-3 with three weeks to play, Colby football hosts Hamilton College this weekend for Homecoming, before traveling to Tufts University and then completing their season with a chance to secure the CBB at home against Bowdoin.
~ Matt Quealy `26
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Bursting Your Bubble: Why You Should Care About Our Government Shutdown
The federal government has once again shut down, as Congress has failed to pass critical bills by the October 1 deadline. Now being considered the third longest in history, this lapse in funding has immediately disrupted federal services, suspended essential workers, and has generated anxiety throughout the nation. Now that we have reached 20 days (as of October 20, 2025) of the government shutdown, it is difficult to pinpoint when we will see an end. As of right now, our government is on opposing sides, with Democrats and Republicans both having differing opinions on spending cuts to the government health agencies and a reversal of Medicaid cuts. We are in the eleventh government shutdown since 1980, but, unfortunately, our government has yet to make substantial changes that can prevent such shutdowns from happening, especially since they stem from the two parties’ inability to agree on where federal funding is allocated.
The last time we saw a government shutdown was seven years ago, in 2018, under the Trump Administration. It lasted 35 days, only affecting some federally funded agencies — including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Department of Homeland Security — and cost the government $5 billion in losses due to reduced consumer spending and federal worker productivity. At this moment, we are up against a shutdown of all federally funded agencies. While we as a college may not feel the immediate effects of the shutdown, there are consequences that we will see in the future if action isn’t taken.
As a school, we pride ourselves in the ability to provide aid to students through ‘The Colby Commitment,’ which ensures that students’ demonstrated financial need is met through grants — not loans, shielding us from the difficulties of the federal aid distribution. Students are given the opportunity to pay for a portion of their tuition through federal work-study by means of campus jobs. If this shutdown is not stopped, there is a potential delay in payments, which can present considerable economic hardship for students who are dependent on these funds.
While we are not considered a research institution, our school still contributes to the research communities. We also receive money through grants for research by agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the NIH, which fund faculty research projects across all disciplines. At this time, both agencies have stopped processing new grant applications and issuing new awards. Professors who are working towards getting their research plans funded or are trying to support student-faculty collaborations in research may see these projects delayed or dissipated, which could delay Colby’s additions to academic journals in the competitive research space.
Another group that could find itself more concerned with this shutdown are our international students. With our government already creating difficulties for international students to come and receive an education from a US university, this additional complication produces more challenges. This shutdown could contribute to the slowdown of visa processing and affect the ability to travel and study. Visa processing is seen as a non-essential service for the government and is mostly funded by application fees, so the federal budget is turned to prioritize essential agencies, like the Departments of Agriculture, Defense, or Labor. For Colby students, this could mean an inability to fly back and forth to home countries. In addition, because of the shortage of air traffic controllers, who are working without pay due to the interruption in federal funding, flights out of the U.S. major airports are facing delays and cancellations, which could effectively halt travel if the shutdown continues. While essential workers are guaranteed back pay once the shutdown is concluded, the worry of how long this will last remains.
This is our reminder that there are serious issues that live outside of the Colby bubble. As of right now, the effects that this shutdown has on our community are minimal. However, this is a big flag that signals a concern for the erosion of stability in our government. The longer that this shutdown continues, the more likely that these potential issues will become exacerbated. Our school is still interconnected and reliant on the aid of the government, especially through federal funding for financial aid, research, and grants. It is important for all students to be aware of these issues, and not just let the bubble continue to serve as a shield from the real world issues that may not hurt you today, but could tomorrow.
~ Catherine Galvez `29
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The Dimming of Maine’s Brightest Season
It’s October 8, and I’m running through Winslow, Maine retracing a route I saved last fall because of how beautiful the views of vibrant foliage were. It’s 80 degrees Fahrenheit, my weather app tells me. There’s no shade on this route, and, as my sneakers beat the dark pavement, the sun beats down on me. If I closed my eyes, I’d be convinced it were mid-August in my home city of Boston rather than mid-autumn in Maine. And, even with my eyes wide open, this place doesn’t look the same as it did this time last year. The once luminous golden and crimson foliage is dull and muted, and the grass has faded to beige. I slow to a walk and open Google to voice my confusion in the search bar. “Does drought affect the vibrancy of fall foliage?”
The beautiful colors of fall rely on a delicate balance of water, sunlight, and temperature that is increasingly threatened by imminent climate change threats. The turn of colors happens through a number of chemical processes fueled by energy stores achieved through photosynthesis. Typically, as the summer gives way to fall, trees receive environmental cues to turn colors and drop leaves. As days become shorter, sunlight decreases, signalling for plants to slow photosynthesis. As temperatures fall, cooler temperatures are another indication for trees to begin shutting down. However, as these formerly reliable characteristics of fall begin to shift with the changing climate, treasured New England foliage is fading.
In a drought such as the one Maine is facing this summer and fall, trees are put under a pressure that strains the process of photosynthesis and causes the leaves to shrivel, turn brown, and fall, before they get a chance to put on their colorful display. Fall temperature drops occurring later in the season or becoming warmer is another stressor that can compromise tree health and cause leaves to shrivel and fall before they’re due. Going forward, we can expect to see effects like these persisting. According to Climate Central analysis, fall nights have warmed in 87% of U.S. locations analyzed by 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit on average from 1970 to 2023.
Scientists with the Maine Climate Council warn that the state’s precipitation patterns are becoming increasingly erratic, with long dry stretches followed by major rainfall events that are ineffective at replenishing deep soil moisture. As a result, hardwood forests are facing chronic water stress. In an article by the Portland Press Herald in 2024, researchers at the University of Maine saw that 2020 and 2022 were some of the state’s driest years in recent history, and current models predict that these extreme conditions could become the new normal as soon as 2050.
Separate papers in 2012 from Lindsey Rustad, as well as Amanda Kyne and Kim Diver, warned about the potentially upcoming longer and warmer growing seasons, increased evaporation and reduced soil moisture, and more frequent drought events are sure to stress hardwood forests, reduce pigment intensity or cause early leaf drop. These effects weaken the brilliant color displays characteristic of the region. We can expect reduced productivity and increased susceptibility to insect and disease outbreaks under warming and drying conditions that can have “ripple effects on fall foliage” in the Northeastern U.S.
It’s startling to see the increasingly obvious ways the changing climate manifests in our very own homes. The beige cast over the trees serves as a warning written in the landscape. The muted canopy and brittle grass serve as reminders that climate change is not distant or removed: it’s imminent, actively redefining the seasons we thought we could count on.
~ Lucy Baker `26
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Runnals Repurposing
The Runnals building was built in 1939 as a women’s union that housed female students, and was a new addition to the College’s student population. For about 35 years, the building operated in this way, containing sorority meeting rooms and a women’s gymnasium. In 1976, it underwent a remodeling project, and Strider Theater took the place of the gym. Soon after, the Performing Arts Program was founded, and Runnals Union took on a new name: Runnals Performing Arts Center.
Until the Gordon Center for Creative and Performing Arts was constructed in 2022, Runnals was home to the Performance, Theater, and Dance department. However, the construction of the Gordon Center, which contains a number of multipurpose performance areas and studios designed to be used for dance, theater, and music, shifted the attention of the department from Strider’s classic proscenium stage to the novel and flexible offerings of the new building.
Though Strider Theater has been put out of commission, students continued to explore the space. Exploration of the abandoned theater began with a few birthday parties, then various groups of people began drawing in chalk on the stage, and then larger-scale events began to take place. For a while, the space was considered an official event space, so student musicians were able to book the theater and collaborate with one another to put on performances.
Eventually, Strider was removed from the events management system, and students were unable to book the space. However, the College’s community of student musicians put on one final, unauthorized show, in celebration and appreciation of the theater before it was closed permanently. Sophomore Clara Gayed `28, who attended this closing concert, describes it as “one of the most amazing things on earth.”
At the State of the College meeting on October 6, College President David Greene alluded to the student activity that occurred in Strider last year, stating “[t]hat was never the intent of the space, for it to just kind of lie fallow as an old, beat-up theater where people could be in there doing whatever they wanted.” The College is taking the building in a new direction. Greene continued, “[i]t really needs to be a place that is actually connected to the academic mission and to what we’re doing here.”
Plans are in motion to transform the space once again. According to Greene, who gave a brief overview of the rethinking of Runnals at the State of the College meeting, the project entails replacing the theater with a “center for innovation, entrepreneurship, Colby Labs…the idea is to really create a number of great convening spaces, workspaces, collaborative spaces for making things.” Greene hopes the new space will foster student creativity and encourage the conversion of ideas into tangible action.
Tensions have cropped up in the planning stages of renovation, as administrative goals and student interests do not always align. For example, Gayed, who is part of the Colby College Student Government Association (SGA), explained that the SGA “wrote a motion about a teaching and learning kitchen” which they imagined could have been used to teach classes, host club meetings, and be available as a bookable space because most of the dorms do not have kitchens. However, when they met with the architects in charge of the remodeling, they felt that their ideas were disregarded without consideration, which was disappointing for them when “it’s something that the students are asking for, that student government voted for.”
Despite these tensions, work is being done to account for student needs while maintaining the new vision for Runnals. According to Gayed, who is also Chief of Operations for the Colby Music Incubator (CMI), “administration is getting involved so students can book Gordon more, so it is accessible for students.” She states that “I really appreciate the administration for taking the time, honestly, talking to us, and trying to find something that makes the students happy.”
However, the loss of Strider Theater will still be painful for some. Gayed muses “all of that history…especially with theaters, there is something very, very special about places of performance.” The complete repurposing of the building will entirely change its place in the College’s community.
Renovation will begin in December. According to Greene, the transformation will create a space for creation and action. In his final remarks on the renovation at the State of the College meeting, he emphasized this purpose, asking “[h]ow do you take these ideas, how do you take the things that are important to you and the learning that you’re getting here and then put them into action in the world? … That’s what the whole new entrepreneurship and innovation and everything that we’re trying to do with Runnals is about.” The College will soon see how Runnals adapts to its third lease on life.
~ Anna Izquierdo `29
March 3, 2026
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