Bacow faces the Balance of Power

"I'm tough -- don't worry."

With these words, University President Lawrence Bacow began a 45-minute interview on Tufts Television's (TUTV) "Balance of Power." Shot and aired live yesterday evening, the forum was an opportunity for Bacow to espouse his opinions on issues ranging from the school's alcohol policy to his voting habits.

The conversation was mediated by host Elliott Wiley, and Bacow had only limited knowledge of the questions in advance. The show also featured pre-taped questions from students around campus and a discussion with senior Tufts Community Union senator Randy Newsom.

Several times during the discussion Bacow reiterated that while students are free to express themselves, "Tufts is not a consequence-free zone."

Students at universities are responsible for following the laws of the surrounding communities, he said. He specifically mentioned noise ordinances and restrictions on open alcohol containers as laws that should be enforced, even on the Tufts campus.

The nature of fraternity life on campus was debated at length. Bacow questioned the need for fraternities' loud, "raucous" events. Bacow said fraternities should be focused on protecting fraternal values, academic integrity and community service. He refuted Newsom's suggestion that fraternities needed to serve as social centers for the campus, and that social life suffered when several were placed on probation last semester.

"I don't think social life necessarily needs to center around three houses," Bacow said, "and if it does, I think there's a problem."

Bacow was involved with Zeta Beta Tao during his undergraduate and faculty days at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He said brothers from his fraternity days remained among the best friendships of his life.

He declined to answer whether frats should play a larger role on campus, saying that was up to individual students to decide. Bacow did affirm that he is committed to the continuation of fraternities on campus, noting his decision to hire Todd Sullivan, the new Greek Affairs officer.

"I think the problem is that Tufts hasn't invested enough in the fraternity system," Bacow said. He lamented that the fraternity houses are in terrible condition, and that students are not respecting property.

When asked to comment on this year's Naked Quad Run, which Newsom called a "success," Bacow was more ambivalent.

"There's nothing I haven't seen. I'm not a prude," Bacow said, citing his year-long stay in Amsterdam as evidence. He denied ever having streaked or participated in any public nudity. His concerns with the run stemmed from a near-death and eight hospital visits incurred during 2002's run.

"I know how to put an end [to the run]," he said, "but I didn't."

Some of the mystique surrounding the President's personal views was removed during the interview, when Bacow answered a series of yes or no questions about national politics. Bacow said gay marriage was morally acceptable and should be legalized. He refused to say whether John Kerry was the "best candidate" for president of the United States, but said that he would "probably" vote for him in November.

Bacow said he was "in the middle" of the political spectrum. Frequently, he said he found himself among the most conservative members of university audiences, but among the more liberal people in general audiences.

Bacow also used the forum to clarify his role on campus. The individual schools are run by the deans, and student affairs by Dean of Students Bruce Reitman. The role of the president, as leader, is to "identify the people who will assert other positions of authority."

When asked by Wiley how much input he had over everyday affairs, Bacow reversed the question.

"How much control do I have over your life, Elliott?" he asked.