News from Bard College at Simon's Rock

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New Signature Program Brings Students to the University of Manchester’s Centre for New Writing

In its continuing efforts to encourage and broaden students’ academic and life experiences, Bard College at Simon’s Rock has developed a new signature program in creative writing in collaboration with the University of Manchester in the UK. Beginning this fall, Simon's Rock writing students will have an opportunity to spend up to a full year at the Centre for New Writing at the University of Manchester. [ more ]

What is so different about high school early college and an early college? Find out. A conversation with U Ba Win, Vice President of Early College Programs and Policies.

Bard High School Early College, founded in 2001 by Simon’s Rock’s Dean of the College U Ba Win and Dean of Academic Affairs Patricia Sharpe inspired the Gates Foundation to start several other high school early colleges across  the country. Several hundred programs now exist—serving diverse needs through a variety of program structures in an array of settings. [ more ]

Responding to the Economic Downturn: A Message from Mary Marcy

The global economic situation is having an effect on every institution in the country, and Bard College at Simon’s Rock is no exception. Today I am writing to update you on the college’s response to the economic climate. You may have read about reductions being made at some of the wealthiest colleges in the country, and in turn worried about the situation at Simon’s Rock. [ more ]

Faculty Member Peter Filkins First to Translate H.G. Adler Novel to English

Literature faculty member Peter Filkins’s translation of H.G. Adler’s novel The Journey  was recently published by Random House, and celebrated on November 19 at a book launch party in New York City. While Adler authored 26 books of fiction, stories, poems, history, philosophy, and religion in German, none of his novels have been translated into English until now.  [ more ]

Newsflash: Provost Appears on Public Radio; Matt Strassler ’82 cited in New York Times; Faculty Member Heard on Democracy Now!...  AND MORE!

Click in and check out who from the Simon’s Rock community is making news in the latest edition of Newsflash. [ more ]

Alumnus Mike Doughty Returns to Roots, Concert at Club Helsinki

Singer/songwriter and Simon’s Rock alumnus Mike Doughty returns to Great Barrington on Friday, December 5, 2008, to perform at Club Helsinki. Accompanied by multi-instrumentalist band mate Andrew “Scrap” Livingston, Doughty will host a "Question Jar Show," an interactive performance interlacing songs with frank, off-the-cuff answers to questions fans jot down and drop in a jar before the set begins. [ more ]

I Just Want to Dance!—Simon’s Rock Sets the Stage for the 24th Annual Dance Concert

For over two decades, the tradition of the dance concert has represented a spirit of entrepreneurial creativity at Simon’s Rock. Past concerts have run the gamut of style and aesthetic, featuring modern dance, ballet, hip hop, flamenco, belly dancing, folk dancing and swing, in addition to traditional Native American, Korean and Burmese dances.  [ more ]
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Former Adams Police Chief Facing Fraud Charges

Staff Reports
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The former chief of police in Adams was indicted Tuesday on fraud charges by a Berkshire County grand jury. He is accused of taking nearly $20,000 in overtime funds he didn't earn.
 
Kevin Scott Kelley, aka K. Scott Kelley, 46, was relieved of duty in September and placed on a paid leave of absence until December. Adams town officials declined to say if he was fired or resigned at that time. 
 
He is accused of submitting fraudulent reimbursement claims under a municipal traffic enforcement grant administered by the Office of Grants and Research in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, according to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office. 
 
The alleged conduct began in or about January 2024 and continued through at least January 2025 and was reported by officers under Kelley's command.
 
The members of the Adams Police Department identified discrepancies in the reimbursement submissions and gathered evidence indicative of fraudulent activity. They subsequently requested assistance from the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit and the DA's Office. 
 
Based on the materials initially collected by Adams Police, State Police conducted a formal investigation, which concluded that the defendant submitted and received $19,123.15 in overtime compensation for dates on which he either absent from work or performed duties not consistent with the requirements of the grant program.
 
Kelley was sworn in on January 2021 to replace the retired Chief Richard Tarsa. He came with more than 25 years experience in law enforcement, most recently as police chief for Spartanburg (S.C.) Community College.
 
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