1995-96

This Timeline is based on a portion of Sarah Finger's A History of Student Activities and Achievements at Hampshire College. Anything not otherwise cited comes from this source.

1995
Oct 18

The first edition of Phoenix is published online one year after a campus-wide ethernet network is installed. News editor, Ben Dryer, proposes that Hampshire buy computers for all students to ensure equal access to the internet. [The Phoenix: October 18, 1995]

Oct 25

Community Council is considering a version of the Hampshire College Constitution written by the faculty. This version defines the relationships between governing bodies and more clearly outlines Council’s responsibilities. Currently many of the college’s policy making bodies such as the School Deans, and School Meetings, are extra constitutional and have no constitutional authority. [The Phoenix: October 25, 1995]

Nov 28

Will Doane publishes an article in The Phoenix critical of President Prince’s “IBM style”, top down decision making. [The Phoenix: November 28, 1995]

1996
Feb 2

The Community Review Board issues a response to recent chalkings on campus concerning rape, issues on free speech are discussed. [The Omen: Feb 2, 1996]

Hampshire hosts a Conference on Alternative Higher Education, with representatives from Johnston College, Prescott College, Paracollege, and others. [The Omen: Feb 2, 1996.]

Feb 8

Academic Computing staff member copies secret HTML files from student Will Doane’s UNIX account on the Hampshire server hamp, at the request of Gina Longo, Doane’s former supervisor in student affairs. The files were copies of the student affairs website Doane created while working for SA. Questions are raised about Academic Computing rules and regulations, and under what conditions student files may be accessed. [The Phoenix: March 4, 1996]

Feb 9

Hampshire establishes a Hampshire On the Road (HOR) program to provide information about Hampshire College to prospective students across the country. [The Omen: Feb 9, 1996]

Feb 26

Prescott residents were evacuated to the dining commons by public safety officers early in the morning, after a bomb threat was received over the weekend by Jen Gallant, the Prescott House Supervisor. Alexander G. was arrested the next day in connection with the bombing. He will face a Community Review Board which will determine his fate at Hampshire College, including the possibility of expulsion, as well as a public trial, with the possibility of up to 20 years in prison. [The Phoenix: March 4, 1996]

March 15

A group of Hampshire students tried to rally the campus to hold a smoke in at SAGA to protest a new smoking ban. [The Omen, March 15, 1996]

Apr 1

The Lemelson Design shop opens for student use, the shop is mostly for metal shaping and milling, and soon will be equipped for welding. Most of the shop was funded by the Lemelson Foundation and by Jerome Lemelson personally. [The Phoenix: April 1, 1996]

Students are angry at the lack of continuity of professors in philosophy. Although there are three positions, they do not stay the same year to year due to professors on leave, open positions, and temporary hirings. [The Phoenix: April 1, 1996]

Apr 8

The administration is investigating Community Council finances after members of student groups meet with President Greg Prince to express their concerns about discrepancies in their accounts. Deb Martin, Acting Dean of Student Affairs and Peter Correa, Hampshire College Treasurer-elect, meet with Chair of Community Council L.G. and FiCom Chair Alfonzo Stefanini to discuss the audit. They all hope that they will be able to resolve the problems and put a better system into place. [The Phoenix: April 1, 1996]

May 2

In a joint meeting of Community Council and the College Senate a new constitution is approved which dramatically changes governance structures at Hampshire. The new constitution eliminates the college senate, and changes other structures. The college is operating extra constitutionally as it has been for years. [The Phoenix: October 4, 1996, The Forward: February 12, 1997]

May 3

Commentary on Hampshire's Smoke-in, an event held by the student group HEMP to raise issues about the legalization of marijuana. [The Omen: May 3, 1996]