Lectures

During the activities fair, I joined an organization called the Vassar Prison Initiative, which among many things, organizes lecture series about incarceration/justice issues. On sunday, Maggie and I went with the president of the organization to a nearby church to listen to Eddie Daniels, a man who was imprisoned with Nelson Mandela on Robben Island for 15 years. It was very enlightening and uplifting, and I was very glad that I went.

Yesterday, I went to one of VPI's regular meetings where we listened to a professor, and founder of the Vassar Prison Program speak about college outreach to local prisons as well as educational opportunities. Vassar has a few programs which not only give credit to Vassar students for volunteering in prisons, but also gives the prisoners college credit for taking part in the class.

Another really cool thing about the organization is that we meet in the coolest room. Yesterday's lecture was held in the Vassar College Observatory's dome room which was the first building built on campus and has the status of a National Historic Landmark.

One thing that I love about Vassar is the ability to take part in so many organizations, both on campus and in the Hudson Valley area.