COLLEGE OF THE ATLANTIC NEWSLETTER On May 14, Ian McHarg spoke at The Maine Department of COA. It was a well-attended event Environmental Protection which elicited a heterogeneous set (DEP), is currently conducting of strong reactions. Mr. McHarg lake studies throughout the is author of Design With Nature, State. Lakes on Mt. Desert is chairman of the Department Island have not yet been includ- of Landscape Architecture and ed in these studies. Fred Regional Planning at the Univ. Olday, COA faculty member, of Pennsylvania and a partner proposed establishing a COA in the firm of Wallace, McHarg, workshop to survey the larger Roberts and Todd. lakes of MDI using standard methods, where possible, for In his talk, he presented a useful comparison with DEP methphysics which interrelated data. There would be opportu- three fundamental concepts: nity in such a workshop for a evolutionary creativity, group of students interested evolutionary fitness and health. in different aspects of lake Then, admidst cigarettes he study to participate. stamped out on the auditorium Last term (winter, 1975), a floor and a variety of humorous meeting was held for interested anecdotes, he described in students in order to work on a detail how this metaphysics proposal for a lake study work- enforms his own work in shop. Two visitors from the environmental planning. As DEP spoke at COA late in the a widely studied man of great winter term about the criteria insight and also as one of the that they utilized in water very few systematic regional studies. Six students decided planners, he was certainly one to participate in the workshop of the most interesting and in the following areas: water provocative speakers at the analysis (Bruce Bender and Sue college this year. Priest), Algal population and chlorophy11 (Mac Barnes), The brochure mailing for the Bacterial population (Karen R. Amory Thorndike Memorial Roy), baseline mapping (David Fund for the Arts and Human- Wersan), and binthic macro- ities Collection of the invertebrate population (Nina Library will be going out the Zabinski). last week of May. The committee As information is obtained, the consisting of family and friends meetings will be to share and will send about 300 appeals compare discoveries. Every out asking for help in estab- component of the workshop will lishing an endowment for the be joined to the others. fund. (Initial field sampling is under- way on Long Pond and Echo Lake.) Dave Wersan The COA Gallery is presently On May 9 and 10, the World exhibiting a collection of very Systems Workshop sponsored a fine metal sculptures by conference on global survival Harriet Matthews. From mid- issues in the COA auditorium. July to mid-August, there will The Global Studies Division of be an exhibit of watercolors of the University of Massachusetts the Maine Coast done by Mrs. at Amherst provided material Blum, Jim Carpenter and and the assistance of Dick Ulin, several other artists. David Schimmel and Rick Frank. Saturday morning, small sessions focused their discussions on The President's office recently several strategies for a work- sent out letters to parents of able world food policy. These COA students in order to report group views were collated and on the college's progress and compared. to note the enthusiasm that is College students were outnum- evident around the college. bered six to one by staff, The letter also marks the faculty, trustees and members establishment of an Annual of the Bar Harbor community. Donor Program - for parents. This project was one of the The Development Committee of largest ones aimed at the the COA Board of Trustees met involvement of the local commu- with chairman of the Board, nity yet conceived. A great Seldon Bernstein, Les Brewer, deal was learned about such Treasurer, Edward Kaelber, processes, organizational President and Mary Kay Eliot, problems and the points of view in New York City on May 1. of a diverse audience. Surprise Fund raising and organization was expressed at the seriousness of the Committee were the key of the participants and the items on the agenda. level of concern and knowledge College of the Atlantic (under already present in the non- the coordinating efforts of academic community around us. Dick Rianhard) is experiencing A vegetarian lunch of high- increasing success in obtaining protein tacos demonstrated food Federal grant money. Out of 25 options we have which provide proposals submitted, we have a great deal of nourishment at had 9 granted (Coastal Resource little energy cost. The after- Center was one); and indications noon was spent in the garden are favorable on 4 others. terrace where the whole group Two have not been accepted and discussed possible personal are being resubmitted to other and community action projects. cources of funding. The others are pending. This year commencement was Coastal Resource Center, Inc., The Summer held on Saturday, May 17. funded by the U. S. Department June 25 - Father James Gower, college of Commerce through the efforts will discu trustee, opened the ceremony of six College of the Atlantic of Maine a with a prayer. Then Ed staff members, is an independent for COA wh Kaelber, president of the organization designed to aid July 2 - H college, introduced the Washington and Hancock Counties Yglesias, principal speaker, Rep. W. in coordinated efforts to deal ages from Cohen of the 2nd District. with stimulation of public and give insig private employment, erosion of between fa It was a sunny day and a tax bases, municipal construction, July 9 - J somewhat auspicious one. As resource development and resource ing Americ President Kaelber pointed out, recovery and recycling. The volumes of it has never rained on commence- Center's activities will be Occaision, ment at College of the Atlantic. under the guidance of its cently pub In his introduction, he com- Board of Directors headed by will read pared Rep. Cohen and COA. Both President, Winthrop Libby. July ]6 - are "young, but time will cure pologist a The Center's primary responsi- that;" both have courage and College an bility will be to provide the boldness; both have a sense of for the St participating members of the mission. He also pointed out slides and League of Towns with data and that because of College of the entitled: other information appropriate Atlantic's commitment to being hundred or to planning and design of pro- a part of the larger community, July 23 - grams in the above-cited areas. it was particularly fitting World Wild Proposals that have been that its commencement speaker problems a accepted by the Executive should be a native son of the extinction Committee as areas to be State of Maine. Congressman July 30 - supported are: Cohen's speech retrospectively man of the Shellfish industry development; warranted the introduction. at MIT and MDI Limnological Survey; Solid discuss th Waste Disposal Conference; and its ef The third graduate of COA, Economic Behavior of Urban sopher Joh Christine Ridenour, was then Immigrants to Hancock and August 6 - officially presented with her Washington Counties; Technical ciate prov diploma by the chairman of the Assistance to Communities; Fish will speak Board of Trustees, Seldon Marketing Study; Development of class room Bernstein. Ms. Ridenour was Peat Moss Products Industry; August ]3 congratulated by all and wished and to further develop the MDI pediatrici well in the future. She will be League of Towns. will speak working in environmental ions in ch education. August 20 futurist a The Economist Search Committee optimistic has brought six economists to ies for hu COA to speak this spring on August 27 topics in the allocation of Director o natural resources. One of Fund, will them has been hired to teach human sett a course in the fall of 1975: Richard Parker of the Universi- Admissions ty of Illinois and co-owner of at the col the Maritime Trading Company. The course Another economist who is being offered ar considered by the Personnel Experiment Committee, Stephen Anderson, Alternativ Chris Ridenour of the Sierra Club, will be mental Des visiting in June. Water Anal BY Wells Bacon and the Se Coastal Resource Center, Inc., The Summer Forum Schedule is: funded by the U. S. Department June 25 - Dr. Steven K. Katona Over the p of Commerce through the efforts will discuss whales in the Gulf College of of six College of the Atlantic of Maine as a fund-raising benefit hosted an E for COA whale research. poets: Anr staff members, is an independent organization designed to aid July 2 - Helen, Jose and Rafael Summer, Rob Washington and Hancock Counties Yglesias, writers, will read pass- Joel Oppent in coordinated efforts to deal ages from each of their novels that two well-kr the Winter with stimulation of public and give insights into the relationship between family and fiction. Rita Stahtc private employment, erosion of tax bases, municipal construction, July 9 - Joel Oppenheimer, outstand- Minnesota E resource development and resource ing American poet, author of several Browne last recovery and recycling. The volumes of poetry including On ings were a Center's activities will be Occaision, The Wrong Season and re- lic, free C advertised under the guidance of its cently published The Women Poems, Board of Directors headed by will read a selection from his works. drew audien President, Winthrop Libby. July ]6 - Dr. Sula Benet, anthro- 300 people pologist associated with Hunter reading and The Center's primary responsi- College and The Research Institute Creeley's, bility will be to provide the for the Study of Man, will show more intima participating members of the slides and present a program readings of League of Towns with data and entitled: "How to live to be one Michael Den other information appropriate hundred or more." to planning and design of pro- Michael's r July 23 - Dr. Thomas Lovejoy, of the grams in the above-cited areas. World Wildlife Fund, will speak on and lyrical Proposals that have been accepted by the Executive problems associated with accelerated poet in the Yeats and D Committee as areas to be extinction rates of natural species. Lawrence so July 30 - Dr. Bruce Mazlisch, Chair- supported are: man of the Department of Humanities expanses of Shellfish industry development; MDI Limnological Survey; Solid at MIT and psychohistorian, will west, Micha discuss the father/son relationship England in Waste Disposal Conference; the America and its effect on the social philo- Economic Behavior of Urban sopher John Stuart Mill. big-sky cout Immigrants to Hancock and Wisconsin a August 6 - Dr. Sheila Tobias, asso- Washington Counties; Technical ciate provost at Wesleyan University, poems range Assistance to Communities; Fish and humorou will speak on sexual politics in the Marketing Study; Development of class room. dentures an Peat Moss Products Industry; August ]3 - Dr. Benjamin Spock, noted bees) to th and to further develop the MDI pediatrician, author and pacifist, biographica League of Towns. section fro will speak on new ideas and direct- ions in child raising. poems he re August 20 - Buckminster Fuller, futurist and poet will discuss his That freezi The Economist Search Committee optimistic views of the possibilit- I sense the has brought six economists to ies for humankind. they splash COA to speak this spring on August 27 - August Heckscher, Research into the ir topics in the allocation of Director of the Twentieth Century Once I'm wo natural resources. One of Fund, will speak on ecology and I think it them has been hired to teach human settlement. out in the a course in the fall of 1975: It must be Richard Parker of the Universi- Admissions to the Summer Program in an owl's ty of Illinois and co-owner of at the college are still open. Or, it is t the Maritime Trading Company. The courses that will be Another economist who is being offered are: Nature and Nurture, In the morn considered by the Personnel Experimental Field Ecology, I hear the Committee, Stephen Anderson, Alternatives Through Environ- A large lea of the Sierra Club, will be mental Design, Techniques of Slower than visiting in June. Water Analysis, Poetry of Nature So large it and the Self, and Photography. from no tre Forum Schedule is: - Dr. Steven K. Katona Over the past nine months, whales in the Gulf College of the Atlanti has as a fund-raising benefit hosted an exciting series of whale research. poets: Anne Sexton, in late Helen, Jose and Rafael Summer, Robert Creeley and writers, will read pass- Joel Oppenheimer in the Fall, each of their novels that two well-known Maine poets in ights into the relationship the Winter - Ted Enslin and family and fiction. Rita Stahton, and the Joel Oppenheimer, outstand- Minnesota Poet, Michael Dennis poet, author of several Browne last month. The read- of poetry including On ings were all open to the pub- The Wrong Season and re- lic, free of charge, and well ublished The Women Poems, advertised in advance. They a selection from his works. drew audiences as large as Dr. Sula Benet, anthro- 300 people at Anne Sexton's associated with Hunter reading and 150 at Robert and The Research Institute Creeley's, down to the smaller Study of Man, will show more intimate groups at the nd present a program readings of Rita Stainton and "How to live to be one Michael Dennis Browne. more." Dr. Thomas Lovejoy, of the Michael's reading was brisk ldlife Fund, will speak on and lyrical. He is a musical associated with accelerated poet in the tradition of W.B. rates of natural species. Yeats and D.H. Lawrence, and as Dr. Bruce Mazlisch, Chair- Lawrence sought out the spiritual he Department of Humanities expanses of the American South- nd psychohistorian, will west, Michael left his native the father/son relationship England in the early 60's for effect on the social philo- the American mid-west: the Stuart Mill. big-sky country of Northern - Dr. Sheila Tobias, asso- Wisconsin and Minnesota. His ovost at Wesleyan University, poems ranged from very strange on sexual politics in the and humorous (poems about dentures and dog hairs and red - Dr. Benjamin Spock, noted bees) to the more serious, auto- author and pacifist, biographical poems. Here is a on new ideas and direct- section from one of the last child raising. poems he read: - Buckminster Fuller, and poet will discuss his That freezing October night views of the possibilit- I sense the stars, loosened by frost, falling; humankind. they splash and scatter, they soak - August Heckscher, Research into the iron ground. of the Twentieth Century Once I'm woken by a cry; sweat, scared. speak on ecology and I think it is a child ettlement. out in the dark wood. It must be a mouse to the Summer Program in an owl's claws, college are still open. Or, it is the owl itself. that will be are: Nature and Nurture, In the morning, in the garden again, Field Ecology, I hear the sound of tearing, and turn; Through Environ- A large leaf is coming down, Design, Techniques of Slower than I can believe, alysis, Poetry of Nature So large it could have come Self, and Photography. from no tree that grows on this land." COLLEGE OF PROF PURPOSE: College of the Atlantic is a small, private coeducational. institution located in Bar Harbor, Maine. It opened in 1972 with 32 stu- dents and now enrolls 70 candidates for the one degree offered, the Bachelor of Arts in Human Ecology. We are a community of individuals from different backgrounds, with varied interests and abilities, brought together by a shared desire to understand and im- prove our environment. Our purpose as a college is to study the various relation- ships which exist between humans and their environment, including both the natural world which supports our existence and the society and institutions which we've created. While our collective goal is understanding, each of us is trying to establish a life style consistent with the principles of the college. Energy conservation, pollution control, recycling and develop- ing environmental awareness are not just projects here, but 'commitments. To implement our goals, we are developing a prob- lem-centered curriculum which emphasizes team-teaching, group problem-solving, job internships and independent research projects. MOUNT DESERT ISLAND: Mt. Desert lation is about 8,000, largely Island is a uniquely beautiful concentrated in four towns. In combination of forests, lakes, the summer, the residential mountains and ocean, about 250 population doubles, and more miles "downeast" from Boston. than two million visitors flock Connected to the mainland by a to Bar Harbor to visit the park. small bridge, the island has The island's economy is domi- approximately 80 miles of coast- nated in the summer by the tourist line and an area of 150 square trade, and in the winter by boat- miles. Portions of the island building, fishing and lobstering, remain undeveloped; approximately and the Jackson Laboratory, the one-third is permanently pro- nation's largest center for the tected by Acadia National Park. study of mammalian genetics. During the period from October With its glacial lakes, climax to June, the island is uncrowded forests, scars of the 1947 fire, and quiet. The year-round popu- mountains and the ever-changing COLLEGE OF THE ATLANTIC PROFILE s, Karen Roy hips jects. sert lation is about 8,000, largely interface between land and sea, concentrated in four towns. In the island is an outdoor labora- the summer, the residential tory of vast scope and resources. population doubles, and more The impact of more than 2 than two million visitors flock million tourists on the a to Bar Harbor to visit the park. island's natural resources, The island's economy is domi- economy and collective nated in the summer by the tourist psyche offers opportunity for trade, and in the winter by boat- study (both theoretical and building, fishing and lobstering, practical) in economics, law, ately and the Jackson Laboratory, the political decision-making, nation's largest center for the psychology, biology and study of mammalian genetics. aesthetics. With its glacial lakes, climax forests, scars of the 1947 fire, pu- mountains and the ever-changing HEATLANTIC FILE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM: The college's curriculum is based on a conviction that bodies of knowledge are interdependent and may in fact be regarded as a working system in which all parts complement and reinforce one another. There is no departmental structure, and people with different back- grounds, disciplines and experience work together. Broadly based, and inter- disciplinary, the curriculum may also be described as the study of the interrelation- ships of each of its parts to the whole view of ecology, and a constant movement towards the synthesis of that whole. The curriculum consists of inter- disciplinary workshops, courses and seminars, independent study, tutorials, specialized skill courses and supervised inter- ships away from the college. The emphasis is on analyses of human ecology from different perspectives, and on understand- ing the complexities of specific environmental problems. Skill acquisition and methods of problem solving are other important aspects of the Karen Roy curriculum. A system of pro- gression, including a Human Ecology Essay, an internship, participation in a workshop, a senior project, and academic courses lead toward the degree. interface between land and sea, Each student, with the help of the island is an outdoor labora- a faculty advisor, designs a tory of vast scope and resources. program best fitted to individ- The impact of more than 2 ual career plans and goals. million tourists on the Each ten week term offers a island's natural resources, series of courses, laboratories, economy and collective studios, workshops and independ- psyche offers opportunity for ent study opportunities with study (both theoretical and which to develop a coherent practical) in economics, law, and meaningful program. The political decision-making, internship consists of a job psychology, biology and in business, government or aesthetics. organization related to the student's field of interest and may carry up to three terms credit. COURSES AND SEMINARS, WINTER FACULTY: Our faculty of nine AND SPRING 1975: full time, five half time and five part time members is sup- Winter Term plemented by several island Humans in Nature: Elements of residents who offer single Social Order courses. Fields of study American Literature and the include biology, ecology, Environment oceanography, botany, literature History of Modern Architecture and writing, math, environmental and Planning law, philosophy, anthropology Perspectives on Women in and genetics. In 1975-76 we Society expect additional faculty in Government Regulation of economics and biology. All of Human Effects on Natural the full time faculty have Systems earned the Ph.D. or its equiva- Chemical Principles lent in their field of study. Cell Structure and Function Edward G. Kaelber, president of Ocean Waves: Introduction to the college, was formerly a Calculus and Physics dean at Harvard. He is assisted Contemporary Ideology and the by a four person administrative Art of Reasoning staff of whom two are part-time Human Effects on Natural members of the faculty. Systems What is Natural Human Behavior: Great Views of Human Nature Principle of Isolation Three-dimensional Design: TRUSTEES: Several of the Exercises in Doing college's founders remain on the A Survey-Bar Harbor's Future board of trustees and are Functional Vertebrate Anatomy actively involved in both the Ceramics academic and building programs. Spring Term One member owns and operates a Maine Coast History and lobster wharf, while another is Architecture a Bar Harbor businessman. Other Naturalism and the Visual Arts members include nationally prom- Planet Earth inent scientists, educators, The Physics and Mathematics industrial and financial leaders of Basic Oceanographic and and clergymen, generally reflect- Atmospheric Processes ing the same quality and diversity Ethnoceramics found in the faculty and in the Ornithology student body. Mammalian Physiology Myth Study Group Humans in Nature: Symbolism Principle of Isolation Ceramics ACCREDITATION: COA is a Candidate Horticultural Principles for Accreditation with the New Public Interest Law England Association of Schools Marine Biology and Colleges. Candidate for Chemical Principles Accreditation is a status of ADMISSION AND FINANCIAL AID In affiliation with a regional 1975-76 cost of attending COA accrediting commission which indi- will be $3000 for tuition and cates that an institution has $1300 for room and board. achieved initial recognition and Inquiries regarding admission is progressing toward, although and financial aid should be does not assure, accreditation. sent to: Office of Student The college expects to be eval- Affairs, College of the Atlan- uated for accreditation purposes tic. Bar Harbor, ME 04609 during 1975-76. THE CAMPUS: Our campus is 10- WORKSHOPS: The main purpose of cated in Bar Harbor on 21 acres the workshops is to work toward of land with 1100 feet of understanding the complexities shoreline on Frenchman's Bay. of specific environmental prob- It is bordered on the north and lems, and to provide an south by summer residences, opportunity for interaction and on the west by State Route between perspectives and disci- 3, which leads directly into plines. All workshops emphasize the town of Bar Harbor. There participation in group problem are four buildings which house solving. We consider workshops all classrooms, laboratories, to be a synthesizing force in offices, library, dining area, the curriculum; they are inter- kitchens and recreational space. disciplinary, problem-oriented Facilities include a darkroom, and designed to minimize the student lounge and several mul- traditional student-teacher tiple use areas. roles. WORLD SYSTEMS WORKSHOP: The ARTS AND ACTIVITIES: Among workshop will concern itself regular informal activites with world trends in popu- offered at the college are lation, pollution, economic ceramics, modern dance, figure growth, resource depletion, drawing, folk dancing and social change and other re- singing, and Madrigal singing. lated factors with an urgent A photographic dark room is focus on determining what available for student use and factors are affecting the instruction. A student initi- world ecosystem in what ways. ated film series exists, and several concerts in both clas- We will research world pro- sical and folk music have been jections and their accuracy, presented with assistance from try to assess their effects the Maine Commission for the on policy-making, and discuss possible countermeasures Arts and Humanities. A poetry which might ease worldwide series in 1974 began with Anne Sexton in the summer of 1974 ecological stress. followed by Robert Creeley and Joel Oppenheimer in the fall. We also encourage and support outdoor recreation and supply ALTERNATIVE ENERGY WORKSHOP: cross country ski, tobogganing Problem: the application of and camping equipment. The alternative energy systems to island is ideal for hiking, the college's existing facili- climbing, boating or just ties and to those proposed for exploration and solitude. The Outdoor Orientation Program the future. Projects: windmill which precedes the September construction; design and con- struction of two solar collect- term each year involved a week- ors; testing of roofing long canoe trip in the Northern Maine Allagash Wilderness Water- material proposed by college way. In January of 1975, Gordon architect; evaluation of energy Bok, a folk composer, performer systems proposed for college and wood craftsman was the first buildings. Two faculty members collaborated in 1974 to build artist in residence. He offered such short term lessons as song an energy-sufficient house, writing, guitar playing, music employing several students as theory and woodcarving. carpenters and laborers.