The Ada Class Student Cabinet

The Ada Class Cabinet represents Ada voices for the Student Government Association (SGA), Board of Trustees, and the entire Smith community. The Cabinet plans events for the Ada class throughout the year, such as Wine & Cheese, Ada Monologues, and Ada Class Teas. Optional class dues help fund events as well as resources in Hopkins Lounge, like printer use and paper. The Cabinet is comprised of the President (or Co-Presidents), Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, Senators and many more positions. Elections are held each spring. Positions not filled are posted for the fall and voted on at the first fall Cabinet meeting.

Cabinet meetings are open to the entire class. Meeting time and location are announced each semester. Please consider participating in student government as it benefits both the Ada Class and entire Smith community!

Special Ada Activities

Ada Class Luncheons and Teas: Throughout the year, lunches and teas are a way for Adas to meet and get to know each other. Lunches are usually funded by the Office of Student Affairs and teas by the Ada Class Cabinet. Sid Dalby also hosts a few small lunches in Hopkins Lounge.

Lunch With The Deans: The Assistant Dean of Students, Marge Litchford, and Ada Class Dean, Andrea Rossi-Reder, sponsor a luncheon for all Adas each fall. This is a great way to get to know your deans better and catch up with fellow Adas.

Faculty Wine & Cheese Parties With Adas: Each semester, the Ada Class hosts one of its most beloved events, Wine & Cheese, with faculty. Hosted in the Alumnae House, these bi-annual parties serve as an opportunity to become better acquainted with your professors. Adas bring sweet and savory dishes and chat with invitees over food and wine!

The Ada Monologues: For eight years, the Ada Class has put on a very special show, The Ada Monologues. Fashioned after the renowned Vagina Monologues, Adas write a short personal story of their journey to Smith. The stories are read by the authors or, sometimes, other Adas. Performances are held on a Friday and Saturday later in the Spring semester.

Senior Send-Off: This event is a special tradition wherein Adas gather together to wish graduating Adas well and to celebrate their upcoming commencement. Some seniors read from their "What I Hope To Get Out of My Smith Experience" statements that each Ada writes during orientation. Senior send-off is a very moving event and all non-seniors are highly encouraged to attend. (An informal dinner is held for J-grads at the end of the fall semester.)

Ada Comstock Information Sources

Websites:

• Ada Comstock Merchandise Store is where you can find Ada-specific merch!
• The Smith College website includes links to the Lazarus Center for Career Development, BannerWeb, the course catalog, library services, college offices, Covid-19 policies, and more!
• The Smith Social Network features an Ada Comstock page. This can be an important source of information about upcoming Ada events and campus‐wide events and news. Student leaders and Student Life staff sometimes post here as well.
• The Ada Comstock Class Facebook and Ada Comstock Scholars Facebook pages are great ways of connecting with other Adas, whether prospective, current, or alumnae.
• The Smith Portal is a customized website from which Smith students, faculty, and staff can access many Smith web‐based services and information sources from a single sign‐on.

ID Cards, Mail, and Lockers

Identification Cards:

The Smith OneCard is the Smith College ID card issued to all Smith students, faculty, and staff. In addition to identifying your status at Smith, your OneCard is your interface to the OneCard Transaction System which supports a variety of services on campus, including:

• Library circulation
• Dining services in Smith residence houses
• Door access
• Campus Cash
• Printing from campus computers
• (Note that printing is free in Hopkins Lounge, but it is asked that you print no more than 10 pages.)

The Smith OneCard is also the only accepted means of identification for the following:

• Receiving exams
• Writing checks in the bookstore
• Using athletic equipment and facilities
• Receiving student rates for college activities
• Activities and facility use at the other four colleges

If your card is lost or stolen, notify the college immediately. A replacement card will be issued for a fee.

Campus Mail and E-mail:

All campus mail will be delivered to the Mail Center in the Campus Center. If you have mail, you will be notified via email. In addition, important college information will be sent to your Smith email account. It is important to read all notices that are sent to you! Check your Smith email often. It is essential to keep the registrar and the Class Dean's office informed of any name or address changes.

Lockers:

• Hopkins Lounge has 40 lockers available for use. Lockers are available on a first come, first served basis. You must supply your own lock and contact your Ada Coordinator with your locker number and lock information. Lockers must be cleared out at the end of spring semester.
• Ainsworth/Scott Gymnasium has lockers available. You need to register at the main office on the first floor of the gym. There is a minimal deposit.
• Unassigned lockers in the women’s locker room in Ainsworth Gym are available, but you must register your locker at the main office and supply your own padlock. The locker will then be available to you for the year.
• Seeyle Basement has 15 lockers specially reserved for Adas. These lockers are available on a first come, first served basis. You need to provide your own lock.

Campus Locations to Relax and Study

Ada Comstock Lounge (Hopkins Lounge) - Hopkins House Garden Level: Exclusively for Adas, the Ada Lounge, or Hopkins Lounge, serves as a place to gather with other Adas to study and relax. Amenities include kitchen, bathroom, television, computers, printer, couches, table, chairs, lockers, and a playroom with a sliding door for children. Hopkins Lounge is available to all Adas 24/7 during the academic year and can be accessed with your Smith OneCard. Children accompanied by parents are welcome, but please be respectful of noise levels for those studying.

Campus Center: This unique space houses the Mail Center, Grecourt Bookstore, Campus Cafe, and plenty of spaces to study!

Seelye Hall Basement: Home to the Technology Learning Commons, this space contains a computer lab (with printing and scanning) open to all students. Check out the bulletin boards for postings on used books, odd jobs, lectures, and other announcements.

Campus Lounges: Here's a list of places where one can study or simply relax!

• Clark Corner, Sabin Reed Hall
• The Gamut Performing Arts Center, Green Street
• Bass Hall, Yellow Room
• Smith Museum Atrium
• Wright Hall
• Ford Hall Atrium
• Graham Hall
• Have fun exploring the campus and find your own favorite spot!

Athletic Facilities: The athletic facilities at Smith College are extensive and offer a nice break from the a hectic study schedule. The combination of two gyms with a fitness center, swimming pool, rock climbing wall, squash and tennis courts, and an indoor track offer opportunities for participation in physical activity and sports.

All of the athletic facilities are available to Adas with your OneCard. Family members may use the facilities when accompanied by a student. There are also designated hours for family swim. Smith students may bring up to three guests to the gym. With a Smith OneCard, students may also check out various pieces of equipment, including but not limited to tennis or squash rackets, volleyballs, and rollerblades. Towels are also available with your OneCard.

Be sure to check out free fitness classes offered through the Get Fit Smith Program. Classes include yoga, Pilates, Zumba, spinning, and much more! Schedules are posted at the beginning of each semester.

Smith Traditions & Events

Fall Semester:

Campus Colors: According to the college archives, the college color is white, hence the white dresses for Ivy Day and and the Alumnae Parade. In the 1970s, the athletic teams began wearing blue and white for competition since blue uniforms were easier to clean. The logo uses the colors blue and gold for a modern look.

Convocation: Convocation takes place the night before the beginning of classes in September. The faculty marches into John M. Greene Hall (JMG) donned in their academic regalia. The ceremony consists of short speeches by the president of the college, Student Government Association (SGA), music by the Smith College Glee Club, and A LOT of cheering. It is a loud and raucous way to start the academic year. Adas can be found sitting in their special section, front and left of the stage.

Mountain Day: Every fall semester, Smith's president chooses a beautiful day at random for a surprise holiday! All classes are cancelled and students are encouraged to spend the day enjoying the outdoors. The college provides free shuttles and admission to a nearby apple orchard and bagged lunches are provided. The holiday is announced by the ringing of the college bells (and by email). Adas usually coordinate via text or in the group chat. Whatever you decide to do, don't forget to grab some hot apple cider and cider doughnuts outside of the President's house in the morning!

Otelia Cromwell Day: Each November, the college honors Smith's first African-American graduate, Otelia Cromwell. The day's events include workshops, lectures, films, and entertainment. Afternoon and evening classes are cancelled so that students can attend these events. Otelia Cromwell Day continues Smith's efforts to create a diverse and multicultural community.

Spring Semester:

Rally Day: Held in February, Rally Day is a college holiday to celebrate the Smith community. The college president awards Smith College medals to distinguished alumnae and a prominent speaker addresses the student body. Rally Day is also the first day that seniors may wear their commencement robes. Instead of mortarboards, the seniors wear colorful, fun hats of their own. The more outlandish, the better!

Ivy Day: One of the special events held on the Saturday of Commencement Weekend, Ivy Day brings together seniors and alumnae to celebrate graduating students' transformation into alumnae. The day begins with the alumnae march, from the oldest to the youngest classes, through two lines of seniors wearing white dresses and holding roses. After the march, junior ushers, carrying a laurel chain to symbolizing the college ivy, lead the seniors in the Quad wherein the graduating class plant ivy sprigs at the base of a campus building. Prizes and awards are announced by chief administrators.

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Student Government Association, Clubs, and Organizations

Ada Comstock Scholars in SGA

Every year, the Ada Class elects Ada class representatives in the following positions to speak for and address the interests of the class. These positions are:

• Ada Class President (or Co-Presidents) - Must have served on Ada Class Cabinet previously
• Ada Class Vice President - Must have completed at least one semester at Smith
• Ada Class Senator(s)
• Ada Class Secretary
• Ada Class Treasurer
• Ada Class Social Co-Chairs
• Ada Class Historian
• Senior Class Representative - Must be a senior
• Fundraising and Merchandise Chair

SGA Committees

The SGA announces open committee positions in early September. This is an opportunity to become involved with student, faculty, or administrative committees which can offer knowledge and experience beyond that learned in the classroom. The positions that one can apply to include the Curriculum Committee, Honor Board, and the College Conduct Board for Adas. (Note that you must have accumulated 64 credits in order to apply for the College Conduct Board for Adas position.)

Student Clubs and Organizations

The SGA allocates a large amount of its yearly budget to more than 100 student organizations and clubs of various kinds, including departmental major clubs. Major clubs meet regularly and are also open to non‐majors. Club meetings are posted on bulletin boards. The Smith Social Network is a great way to find an organization and to interact with other members online.

Campus Attractions

Smith College Museum of Art: The collection of art housed at Smith's art museum started in 1879 and includes work from all periods, with a special focus on 19th Century American and French works. The museum provides gallery talks, special exhibitions, lectures, and occasional bus trips. There is also a gift shop!

Botanic Garden, Lyman Plant House, and Surrounding Gardens: Make sure to to pay a visit to the Botanic Garden and Lyman Plant House! Banana trees with ripe fruit and beautiful orchids can be found for inspiration on dreary winter days. There are also plant and flower shows every November and March. Additionally, the Smith campus is an arboretum, designed by noted architect Frederick Law Olmsted, and most of the tress and shrubs across campus are labeled.

Paradise Pond: The small pond, which flows in Mill River, provides a place for fun water and ice activities each season. Canoes, rowboats, and kayaks are available at no charge from the Boat House. Check out a boat on a sunny day or study by the pond!

• Your OneCard is needed to check out boats.
• In order to check out a boat, you must first take a swim test. Tests are administered in the fall.

Things To Do in Northampton

Parks:

Arcadia Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary: A Massachusetts Audubon Society reserve open to the public for a minimal fee. There are easy hiking trails throughout which also provide for cross‐country skiing during the winter. A Natural History Summer Day Camp is available for children. Route 10 between Northampton and Easthampton.

Childs Park: This park is approximately one mile from campus and is a lovely, relaxing place to eat lunch, study, or take a leisurely bike ride. Elm Street (Route 9), Northampton.

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) State Forest: Located on the western edge of the Pioneer Valley, DAR is best known as a camping and swimming recreational area. Within its acreage, however, are about 14 miles of foot and bridle trails along with gravel and dirt roads. The most direct way to reach the forest from the Northampton area is to follow MA‐9 (Berkshire Trail) 15 miles to Goshen and go north on MA‐112. The clearly marked entrance to the forest is located on the right about a mile up. During the summer months, a small fee is charged for parking. If you wish to avoid the parking fee, your other option is to drive north on Rt. 112 and then east on Rt. 116. From South Ashfield, follow paved Williamsburg Road south for about 3 miles and then turn right onto Ludwig Road taking you to the park’s west boundary and a gate. This information is taken from "Hiking the Pioneer Valley" by Bruce Scofield.

Look Memorial Park: A year‐round recreational park with picnic areas, tennis courts, miniature golf, outdoor theatre, duck pond, sprinklers in the summer, and other recreational activities. Cost is just a few dollars per car with inexpensive season passes available. Just a couple of miles west on Route 9, Florence.

Northampton Bike Path: This paved trail originates at the end of State Street and meanders several miles through wooded areas to Look Park into Leeds. A great place to bike, rollerblade, jog, or take a leisurely walk without the noise of traffic.

Norwottuck Rail Trail: A ten‐mile path linking Northampton, Hadley, and Amherst along the former Boston and Maine Railroad right‐of‐way. Originates on the west side of the Connecticut River near the Coolidge Bridge (Route 9) and leads into Amherst. Part of the Massachusetts State Park system.

Skinner State Park. Approximately 7 miles from Smith, following Rt. 47 to South Hadley. The summit offers a view of the Valley that is well worth the trip. You can drive to the top or park at the halfway point and climb the rest. There is a hiking trail along the mountain range. Think about making this trip on Mountain Day.

Theaters:

Academy of Music: Live theatre and music events. 274 Main Street, Northampton. (413) 584‐9032.

Amherst Cinema: Independent films. 28 Amity Street, Amherst. (413) 752‐1181.

Calvin Theatre: Live groups and performances. 19 King Street, Northampton. (413) 586‐8686.

Cinemark at the Hampshire Mall: Multi‐theatre chain. Accessible by the Amherst Bus (PVTA) B43. Discount with student ID available. Route 9, Hadley. (413) 587‐4237.

Smith College: The SGA plays top movies in Wright Hall or the Campus Center two nights per week. They're free and right on campus. Bring your own popcorn and soda. Watch for the ads on the board in the Campus Center.

Libraries:

Forbes Library: A wealth of resources can be found here. Calvin Coolidge memorabilia, local history, films, videos, DVD, records, periodicals, and books. Cards are available to any Massachusetts resident with proof of residency. Excellent children’s department that offers story hour and movies. 20 West Street, Northampton.

Jones Library: Cards issued to Massachusetts residents. Contains a good collection of Robert Frost materials in the Special Collections Department. Good selection of mysteries. Large children’s room. 43 Amity Street, Amherst.