College and community: Students set out into Poughkeepsie

On Friday, Oct. 10, over 1,100 Vassar students ventured into Poughkeepsie in an effort to increase awareness of all the community has to offer. They went hiking, apple picking, dancing, bicycling, visited historical sites and helped repair homes, among many other activities. Various student groups and organizations hosted 31 events throughout Friday for Meet Me in Poughkeepsie, arguably one of the most successful initiatives to get students off campus and engaged in the community around them.

The Vassar Student Association (VSA) Executive Board spearheaded Meet Me in Poughkeepsie. VSA Executive President Jimmy Kelly '09 proposed the idea when the VSA Executive Board was elected last May, and they planned it out when they returned to campus in August. Kelly said that the administration initially expressed skepticism about their ambitious plans, but they were able to stick to a rigid timetable to ensure that everything came through.

The Board invited student organizations to come up with and plan their own events. VSA Vice President for Academics Camille Friason '09 also met with department chairs to get faculty involved. Professor of History Miriam Cohen and the Feminist Alliance visited Eleanor Roosevelt's Val-Kill cottage retreat in Hyde Park. Associate Director of the Learning and Teaching Center Natalie Friedman, who is also a Raymond House Fellow, took students to El Bracero Mexican restaurant for the "Raymond Goes Latin" event.

Friason said that their goal for student turnout was 600, with a reach number of 800. When 1,100 students signed up, everyone was surprised. Kelly said, "The number shocked us and exceeded our wildest dreams.

According to VSA Vice President for Finance Marcelo Buitron '09, the total cost of Friday's activities added up to $19,000. Transportation costs for the day were subsidized, as well as entrance fees and other associated costs. The Offices of the President, the Dean of the Faculty and the Dean of the College contributed $14,000 from their discretionary funds.

The Board billed the event as the "first annual" Meet Me in Poughkeepsie. Buitron said that they hope to ensure the event's future by working with next year's board to put aside money, as well as reaching out to other sponsors to help offset the cost and rely less heavily on the administration. They also hope to expand Meet Me in Poughkeepsie into a weekend-long event to allow students who have classes on Friday to participate in more events.

VSA Vice President for Activities Alexandria Dempsey '09 said, "The goal is to extend this beyond [Meet Me in Poughkeepsie]. We want it to educate students, especially freshmen, to be engaged early on, and appreciate the local culture during their time here. There's something for everyone." Dempsey, along with one-third of the senior class, went to the "2009 Night on the P-Town" event at the Platinum Lounge in downtown Poughkeepsie.

The Thursday evening prior, the Board hosted a kick-off event in UpCDC, which was a classy affair with a live jazz band and modest attendance. Kelly invited local leaders to speak at the event, including Mayor of Poughkeepsie John Tkazyik.

Acting Dean of the College Chris Roellke addressed the fact that the administration had "a great deal of skepticism" when the Executive Board first approached them with the idea for Meet Me in Poughkeepsie. But he was reassured as the plans came together and culminated in student interest beyond anyone's expectations. Roellke expressed optimism for the longevity of the event by concluding his remarks with, "I'm looking forward to coming back to do this every year."

Brian Riddell, the Executive Director of the non-profit Dutchess Outreach organization, spoke about the long history of Vassar students working in the community. And Jonathan Smith '07, a candidate for the New York State Assembly this November, discussed how volunteering can take you to unexpected levels of involvement.

Associate Professor of German Jeff Scheider promoted the Community Works program, which has raised over $500,000 for 35 different organizations since its inception. Schneider concluded his remarks with, "With knowledge, comes affection. Poughkeepsie has been my home for the past 11 years, and each year I discover new things about my adopted hometown."

Tkazyik, a Dutchess Community College and Marist alumnus with deep roots in Poughkeepsie, highlighted the long history of the area as well as new sights and activities students can enjoy. In a later interview, Tkazyik said, "There has definitely been some tension, or at least the perception of tension. That may have to do with — I just don't think the hand has ever been extended in the way that this event is extending it. This isn't community service, and this isn't just field work. This is real Vassar students going out into our beautiful city, patronizing our businesses, and learning about the community around them. When the hand is extended like this, it really makes me think that there should be more collaboration between Vassar and the city."