Mads Vassar goes beyond blogosphere

From the scoop on Vassar shout-outs in The Huffington Post to coverage of "Deece cat" activity, Mads Vassar has served as a student resource on all things Vassar for the past four years. But will it soon be gone?

"That's the big question that everyone's asking," said Max Kutner '11, the student who founded the popular blog. Kutner is open to the idea of handing the reins to other interested students after graduating, but Mads Vassar will most likely end upon the completion of his senior year: "I do feel that it's very much tied to my own personal Vassar experience," he said.

Despite its possible termination after the spring semester, Mads Vassar is making an effort to go out with a bang with "Mads Vassar Presents," a series of events hosted by the blogger for the site's followers. The idea for the series came to Kutner last spring when he was spending a semester abroad in Paris, France. He decided that in addition to expanding the blog with a chatroom, podcast and webseries, he would begin organizing events to publicize the blog.

"I thought it would be a great way to bring the blog back in a great way," said Kutner. "It would be a great way to connect readers from the screen to real life."

Upon his return this semester, Mads Vassar indeed underwent a redesign, and was indeed embellished with a chatroom and podcast. And on the very first Mads Vassar podcast on Oct. 4, Kutner announced the first "MadsVassar Presents" event: a Mads Vassar Mug night, featuring DJ Sharkattackz (Alejandro Calcano' 11 and Sarah Morrison '11).

The event was made possible by a special series by Vassar College Entertainment (ViCE) called "DJ Discovery Night." The weekly series makes nighttime events at Matthew's Mug a possibility for individuals and organizations not funded by the Vassar Student Association (VSA). Kutner took advantage of the opportunity to host his Saturday, Oct. 15 event. "I heard from DJ Sharkattackz that it was one of the most well-attended Wednesday nights of the semester," said Kutner.

The next event in the "Mads Vassar Presents" series, an outdoor concert by Sunset Lake, was more problematic to organize. In order to receive the funding he needed, he would have to unofficially collaborate with a VSA organization. Luckily for Kutner, Main House expressed an interest in helping to organize the event. "[Main House President] Boyd Gardner ['12] was very helpful in the event application process," said Kutner.

The event featured performances from singer-songwriter Jason Anderson. The artist had played at Vassar two years before when Kutner brought him on behalf of ViCE After Hours. Anderson is known for his sweet and humorous songs and his quirky live shows.

The next chapter in the "Mads Vassar Presents" series is yet to be announced, though Kutner has divulged that he is looking into holding an event featuring DJs, live musicians, food vendors or even a film screening. "I have very ambitious plans for next semester," said Kutner. "I hope Campus Activities will continue to be supportive."

One of his main goals in organizing these events is to not step on the toes of other organizations, such as ViCE's Vassar Student Band Union (VSBU). "I don't want to be in competition with other organizations on campus," said Kutner. "For example, I was asked why I want to bring a singer-songwriter to campus when VSBU exists." Kutner says that he eventually talked with the chair of the VSBU Ben Conant '12 about the event. They came to the conclusion that the event was not infringing on VSBU responsibilities, as the ViCE subcommittee is more geared towards the craft of students.

The ambitious agenda of "Mads Vassar Presents" reflects a distinct evolution of the Mads Vassar blog. The blog that Kutner founded four years ago after his arrival at Vassar in the fall of 2007 is a far cry from the one that exists today.

"I wanted to document Vassar through my eyes, as a wide-eyed freshman," said Kutner on the original Mads Vassar. The result was an anonymous gossip blog that quickly gained popularity on campus. But as time passed, Kutner began moving away from the gossipy tone and more towards a newsy attitude. Kutner soon dropped the anonymity, and began extending his coverage of Vassar events.

"It progressed into a legitimate source of campus news," said Kutner. Many students are not happy with the direction Kutner has taken the blog, however.

"A lot of loyal readers from the beginning say they want it to be more what it used to be, which was more of a gossip blog," explained Kutner. The blog is nevertheless continuing to expand its horizons, even as it possibly nears its conclusion. Mad Vassar's agenda is setting the bar high for those who hope to be next in bringing Vassar campus into the blogosphere.