Bennington College alum here. Having gone to Bennington, I know firsthand how strained the relations are between the students and the townies -- that's why it stood out immediately to me that Hadil was staying not on campus, but at a residence in town. It's remotely possible, but extremely improbable (given my knowledge of the student body's makeup) that she is from the area. Bennington College is known for being a haven for artists, musicians, actors, and other free-spirit creative types; the majority of students are from either coast but very few from in between, and almost zero from the surrounding area. The town of Bennington, unlike places where most college students come from, is small and blue collar. There is another small college, Southern Vermont College, which is a more likely choice for locals.
It looks like Hadil was dedicated to improving the relationship between Bennington kids and the town, which is commendable, but there is a long history of limited (and sometimes hostile) interaction between the two populations.
Unlike many college campuses, it is not generally possible for students to remain on the Bennington College campus between the fall and winter semesters. I looked up the academic calendar (
http://www.bennington.edu/academics/academic-calendar) and saw that campus residences closed down on Dec. 10/11. All students are required to do a 7-week internship (Field Work Term) somewhere else in January & February. I wonder where Hadil was planning to do her FWT, and I wonder why she remained in Bennington after the semester ended. It makes me think she is an international student (and if so, what her family situation is), because I recall that only my classmates who came from abroad would stay in town during the winter break, because either finances or their visas did not permit travel to their family in another country.
I have to say that her car being found at the Dorset Quarry doesn't look good. The quarry is a 40 minute drive from campus/the town of Bennington. I don't think she'd have ended up there by accident.
I hope she is located safe and sound.
