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The Setonian
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Special Feature | Are you getting the right information?

November 29

You've just picked up a recent issue of a popular celebrity gossip magazine. As you're reading about the latest make-ups and break-ups, you come across an article on how to look like your favorite celebrities. The article offers a complete nutrition and fitness regimen, guaranteed to work in just two weeks! You step back for a moment and think to yourself, "Hmmm..."Fact versus Fiction: What is nutrition misinformation? According to the American Dietetic Association (ADA), scientifically sound nutrition information results from application of the scientific method that can also withstand peer review. Nutrition misinformation, however, consists of invalid information and usually misinterpreted food and nutrition science. The ADA's position paper on handling nutrition misinformation suggests, "This misinformation may be harmful to the health of individuals, or [can] be used to fuel food faddism, quackery, or health fraud." Nutrition misinformation should be recognized as a potentially serious issue, especially when addressing certain populations, such as college students.The Popularity Factor: Where is most nutrition and health information sought out? The ADA's "Nutrition and You: Trends 2000" survey revealed that the top three sources of nutrition and health information utilized by adults included television (48 percent), magazines (47 percent), and newspapers (18 percent). Approximately half of the individuals polled for this survey replied that the primary source of nutrition and health information was gathered through the written word - particularly magazines. But, is the information offered in these magazines realistic? Do these sources provide sound information that promotes a healthier lifestyle? According to Patricia Engel, a registered dietitian at Tufts, it depends on the article and how it was written. "It is hard to take anything you read as truth," Engel said. "Since you do not have to have credentials to give information or offer advice." Where do students fit in? So, what is a student to do? Constantly bombarded with an overload of health and nutrition information, how do you differentiate the good from the bad? For starters, students need to learn how to recognize science-based advice. It is important to carefully examine the information and try to determine fact from speculation. First, you should always question the source of the information. Ask yourself who wrote the article and what references were used. Did the writer or the sources referenced have medical experience, credentials, etc.? Second, try to research the topic a bit more on your own. The ADA Web site (http://www.eatright.org) is one resource to search for validation of nutrition information. "Unfortunately, there are not many dependable nutrition and health sources intended for the student population," said Kimberley Hodgson, a public health nutritionist. Among the more trustworthy sources that Hodgson recommends - though not often first on students' reading lists: Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter, Nutrition Action Newsletter, University of California at Berkeley's Wellness Letter, Mayo Clinic, American Cancer Society newsletter and the American Heart Association newsletter. In terms of more mainstream publications popular among students, Hodgson said there are a few that are better than others, including SELF Magazine, Health Magazine, Cooking Light and Men's Health.Other Sources? What about other magazines, not necessarily specific to health and nutrition - for example, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Elle and VOGUE? How do these magazines compare? Hodgson, for one, does not recommend that students gather nutrition or health related information from fashion magazines. "In my experience they tend to sensationalize topics and take nutrition information out of context," she said. Engel agreed. "These magazines tend to be more fad-like and do not play a good role in promoting good health and nutrition. Often these magazines promote bad [or] distorted body image support," she said. Both Engel and Hodgson suggest that the easiest way to determine the validity of the magazine's health and nutrition information is to look inside the front cover of the magazine for publishing information. Is there a food, nutrition, health or fitness editor? Does he or she have an RD, MD or other reputable credential? Who is on the advisory board? Are they well respected in their field? If you are able to find solid answers to these few questions, then the magazine can be considered a reasonably sound source.Mary Nicole Henderson is graduate student at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and a dietetic intern at the Frances Stern Nutrition Center at Tufts-New England Medical Center.

The Setonian
News

Athletes tend to pass on the booze until it's Saturday night

November 28

After a long week of classes, exams and the other daily stresses that go with college, the desire to kick back on the weekend is more than understandable. But for student athletes, the ritualistic and omnipresent experience of college drinking is often forgone. Or at least pushed until Saturday night. "I don't think you can have a good day of practice [after a night of drinking], even if it's a run-through," said senior Brandon Udelhofen, an offensive lineman on the football team. "It really affects your performance, even mentally." That's why the football team, along with several other Tufts athletics teams, has instituted its own alcohol policy. The team instituted the policy several years ago and it stipulates that drinking is prohibited except on Saturdays, and then, only in moderation. While the players are primarily responsible for policing themselves, the coaching staff enforces the policy as necessary. Senior Mike Ott, a backup quarterback, was suspended earlier this season for two games after it was determined that he had violated the team's drinking policy. Coach Bill Samko recognizes the detrimental effect of alcohol on his team's success. "[Alcohol] affects performance, it affects rest, which affects performance, and it affects weight, which affects performance," Samko said. Yet Samko realizes that alcohol is ubiquitous on any college campus, and stresses that players be accountable for moderating their own behavior. "This is college," Samko said. "Are you going to tell them not to drink?" The Tufts Athletic Department has its own alcohol policy, which states that athletes are prohibited from consuming alcohol "when representing Tufts athletics." This refers to practices, games, team vacations and traveling done as a team. Director of Athletics Bill Gehling acknowledged the policy is rather vague and pointed out that many teams have their own rules for alcohol. "We do not have a set department policy for how we would deal with alcohol," Gehling said. "What we're setting here is sort of the bottom line requirements. The department rule focuses on when you are representing the team in any way." Athletes must also obey any and all rules of the University regarding the consumption of alcohol. "Student-athletes are first and foremost students and are subject to all rules pertaining to students with respect to alcohol and anything else," Gehling said. Coach Martha Whiting of the women's soccer team said that her team has no formal policy, but rather observed rules decided upon every season by the team. "Every year we have our seniors make team rules and they will usually come up with something that the team can agree on," Whiting said. Whiting and other coaches have to trust that their athletes are taking care of themselves and behaving in ways that are both safe on an individual level and that contribute to the success of the team. "You have to trust that they're grownups out on their own who can make relatively wise decisions most of the time," Whiting said. Whiting talks to her players about the responsibility they have individually to each other and to the team, and emphasizes that their actions have an impact on team performance and also reflect upon their coaches, teammates, parents and school. "If there's a commitment to being the best you can be, you hope that they can be reasonable with their decisions," Whiting said. Upperclassmen and captains play a large role in setting the standards that are beneficial to the team's performance. Self-policing from within the upper ranks of the team is generally the most effective form of moderation. "We'll talk to guys and say 'Hey listen, you're part of a team. You can't be messing around,'" Udelhofen said. For sports teams to be successful, athletes must always have the larger goals of the team in the back of their minds, even on Thursday and Friday nights. "There shouldn't be distractions," Udelhofen said. "You should be focused on what you're doing. It's not sensible."

The Setonian
News

Japan asks if there's room for more chairs at the table

November 28

The Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations spoke at Tufts Monday on possible reforms to the U.N. Security Council. During his speech at the Fletcher School, Dr. Shinichi Kitaoka said the Security Council needs a better balance of representation. The Security Council has 15 members, including five permanent, veto-holding ones. The Group of Four (G4) - Germany, Japan, India and Brazil - proposal looks to expand the Security Council to 24 members. According to Kitaoka, the addition of Japan as a permanent member is well supported, perhaps because Japan contributes 19.5 percent of the U.N. budget. "Japan has to be elected to the Security Council. It is really unfair from the Japanese viewpoint," he said. "The G4 resolution would expand the council to 24 by adding five permanent seats," Kitaoka said. "One seat each would go to Japan, Germany, India, Brazil and a country in Africa." One non-permanent seat would also go to Eastern Europe. The United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom and France now hold the permanent seats. Three things stand in the way of the proposal, Kitaoka said: "U.S. opposition, Chinese opposition and African indecision." The United States opposes the G4 proposal but supports some expansion, including at least one additional permanent seat for Japan. Kitaoka agreed that more countries on the Security Council might decrease productivity in one sense, but he said it was not important. "The number of people on the council does not matter. As long as some countries have veto power in the Security Council, deciding things will always take awhile." Vetoes have rarely been used, Kitaoka said. "The pocket veto is widely used to make adjustments. If Russia suggests that it will veto a bill with a certain wording, the wording gets changed," he said. Two-thirds of the General Assembly has to support a resolution for it to pass. According to Kitaoka, "Ninety-two to 100 countries, excepting Africa, support the G4 resolution." The African countries' votes were hard to predict, he said, because they want to vote as a bloc and are divided on the issue of expanding the number of veto-wielding seats. Larger countries like South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt are support more veto seats because it will give Africa a bigger voice, he said, but medium-sized African countries do not favor expansion. "Right now Algeria and Nigeria are equal. But if Nigeria gets a permanent seat, Algeria will always be below Nigeria," he said. African countries want two permanent, veto-wielding seats and two non-permanent, veto-wielding seats for the continent's 53 countries. "The idea of expanding the permanence of a veto seat to more countries is unappealing," he said. "Asia and Western Europe do not favor it." When asked about the Chinese opposition to the G4 resolution, Kitaoka said, "I do not have liberty to speak on the issue. I can say there were ways to calm opposition that weren't tried." He said he hoped studies on the similarities between the Japanese and Chinese cultures and histories will improve relations between the two countries. If ten percent of African countries vote for the G4 proposal and the U.S. approves it, Kitaoka said he was cautiously optimistic the proposal would pass.

The Setonian
News

Meredith Pickett | The Eyes of Texas

November 28

I love Tufts, I really do. And this, unlike some other columns, is not a Tufts-bashing column. This is a Tufts-helping column. I want to improve this campus so that one day future Jumbos can run around the best school in the country. Because I think Tufts has that potential, it just needs a little prodding in the right direction. Tufts is like the little campus that could. We don't have the best facilities, and we don't have the largest endowment. We don't have the most famous faculty, and we don't have the highest ranking. We're not in the Ivy League, and we weren't around when Washington walked the earth. We don't have a fancy national charter, or sports teams that attract millions of fans and millions of dollars. But you know what? We have a great school with great teachers and great students. That being said, most students here could have gone to many different schools besides this one (I say most, because my choices were slim...). And eventually, the small, seemingly insignificant aspects of this school that set us back from the pack that we belong in will catch up with us, and then no one will want to go here. These are things unnoticeable to the untrained eye (cough, trustees and administration, cough) but any Tufts student could write a ten-page research paper on any of these problems in under an hour. (It's Tufts. We get lots of practice.) It's the little things, like wireless Internet. When my sister was touring colleges, we went to Seton Hall. Seton Hall had a completely wireless campus. Back then in my high school freshman innocence, I was like, "Whatever, big deal." But now, when trying to do simple research in a place not located in a "conventional" research place, I realize the beauty of wireless Internet. I mean, Tufts wants us to think outside the box, and even Dean of Arts and Sciences Robert Sternberg will soon require you to be creative to go here. Then why do they lock us in a box to do research or even just check our mail! We want to be free! Also, it looks like I faked my Tufts ID. Seriously, if I were a computer science major, I could totally make my own Tufts ID. How many fake computer science students do we have on this campus? Doesn't that freak you out? And those lame IDs are pretty confusing. Like, why do we have so many points? Just because I go to Tufts doesn't mean that I am a genius and was born with the knowledge of the multi-point system. My sister goes to BU. She has a cool-looking card, and she can slide that card anywhere to get anything. I can't even do my laundry half the time because the little cash to Points converting machine never works. News flash: If I had cash, I wouldn't need Points, now would I? So when I don't have cash, I can't get Points, and I can't do laundry. That is just ridiculous. We can't add or drop classes online, and many sophomores can't get many classes they want, period. We're too advanced for unlimited intro classes, and the seniors and juniors take up the classes we need. What's up with that? I could go on (no soap in the bathrooms, no uphill campus eatery, only being able to use points after seven p.m., not using all the technology on Blackboard, etc.) but why kick us when we're down? The problem is, eventually the kids who go here are going to tell all the kids at their old high school about these issues, and they are going to realize that Harvard and Duke and Yale and Washington University in St. Louis and Penn and Emory and Rice probably don't have these problems. And ta-da! We slip further and further down the rankings. I think that it is in Tufts' best interest to invest a little money in these problems. That money will go a long way. Maybe it's not books for the library or new dorms, but these little things impact our lives as students in countless ways. I think that the trustees and administration, being good business people, will see that these are steps towards the future that Tufts needs to take. I think that our new favorite people, the Omidyars, would realize that too. They have given a total of $125 million recently, and I think that a little tiny chunk could be used to improve campus life. Obviously they know the value of a good investment... because they have $125 million to give to Tufts! Clearly that money had to come from good business somewhere down the line. In conclusion, I love Tufts, and I want to see it blossom in the future. My future Jumbos should be able to spend my money in whatever points they want! But in all seriousness, just because Tufts doesn't have a business major doesn't mean that we can't practice a little good business here and there. Because I need to do my laundry, and I don't have any cash.Meredith Pickett is a sophomore majoring in history. Se can be reached via e-mail at Meredith.Pickett@tufts.edu.

The Setonian
News

Drunken student assaults campus officer

November 28

What seemed to officers like just another off-campus disturbance report quickly became dangerous as an intoxicated Tufts student turned out to be a very nasty drunk. A junior assaulted the Tufts University Police Department officer who tried to bring him into protective custody on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 23. The student brought Officer Cheri Burton down to the ground in a violent fight and shouted racial epithets at her. When other officers arrived, the student spat in their faces and used a variety of racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic insults. The Department is not allowed by law to release the student's name at this time. Burton and Officer Eric Morales, along with several officers from Somerville, responded to a disturbance report at 185 College Avenue early Wednesday morning at approximately 1:50 a.m. The officers arrived to find two obviously intoxicated individuals standing at the opposite side of the street from the house. One of them was wearing only one shoe, and it appeared as if they had been in an altercation. One of the individuals tried to leave the scene, and Burton, who was concerned about his intoxication level, followed him. Burton made contact with the student at the blue light emergency phone on Lower Campus Road. He immediately began yelling and using profanity, and Burton decided to take the individual into protective custody. When she attempted to handcuff the student, he turned around, grabbed her by the hair and began pulling on her shirt. Burton and the student went down to the ground, where the student began punching her. He also shouted racial epithets, including "n--r," at Burton, who is African-American. Burton and the individual struggled alone for about 45 seconds to a minute before the other officers, whom Burton radioed, arrived to assist her. The student ripped entire braids from Burton's head, and Burton sustained injuries to the head, back and ribs. "This was a violent attack on an officer," Tufts University Police Sergeant Douglas Mazzola said. When the other officers arrived and assisted Burton in detaining the student, the student spat in a Somerville Police Department officer's face and employed a string of insults ranging from racist to homophobic. He called the officers "fat faggots" and "fat f-ks" and called individual officers many others, from "Jew boy" to "you fat Italian-American f-k." The student is being charged criminally with disorderly conduct, assault and battery of a police officer, and resisting arrest, the latter of which is a felony. He also faces judiciary investigation by the University, and other charges are being considered, possibly under state hate crime law. Judicial Affairs Officer Veronica Carter and Dean of Students Bruce Reitman would only confirm that they "did receive a complaint from the Department of Public Safety" about the student and his behavior. Reitman said the two had met with the student, and that the student will be making a response to the Department of Public Safety's allegations. The Student Judicial Process will be followed, he said. Reitman and Carter said they plan to proceed with the case depending on how the student responds to the accusations brought against him. Associate Dean of Students Marisel Perez, the coordinator of the Bias Intervention Team, has also been informed of the incident but was unavailable for comment. The other student who had been across the street was fully cooperative with the police upon their arrival. He apologized for what had occurred, and, according to the officers, was polite and sincere. Burton, a Night Patrol Officer, is currently on injury leave from the Department. Morales, an Evening Patrol Officer, had volunteered for overtime that night because a colleague was absent.

The Setonian
News

Blaming the victim in Gaza

November 28

The World Health Organization's response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic among women is rooted in tangible results and efficacy. Dr. Claudia Garcia-Moreno's 2005 presentation on the subject makes the WHO mindset clear: "Women are not victims." Without even realizing it, Garcia-Moreno's strategy speaks on a broader level to the role of victimization in impairing conflict resolution. The World Health Organization realizes the disempowered must understand that their lack of power is not static or intrinsic. So by rejecting victimization in favor of empowerment, effective solutions can prevail. But in reference to the endemic infection of Israeli-Palestinian violence, victimization is about as popular as pita and falafel. The center of the ideological positions of both the Israelis and the Palestinians is based on a plug for sympathy, as each tries to guard against "destruction" by the other side. A quick look at each story makes this commonality clear. The Israelis see themselves surrounded by the Arab World, a force of huge geographical, political and military proportions. They see themselves as a small bastion of Jews in a world of Christians and Muslims. Perhaps most importantly though, Israelis perceive themselves as a small group under constant threat, acting in defense not merely of Israel's livelihood, but in fact of its very existence. The Palestinians, on the other hand, see themselves as a small group of people oppressed by colonialism. Thrown into geopolitical limbo by the 1948 Israeli War of Independence (or as the Palestinians call it, the catastrophe, al-nakba), the Palestinian minority (in its own view) faces systematic oppression from the Israelis and the West, and often apathy from the Arab nations. Both sides are entitled to feel victimized. And, by the way, so are the HIV-positive women. As members of the non-institutionally-dominant sex in our society, they do face oppression from the dominant male hierarchy in global politics. These women have every right to feel like victims. And both the Israelis and Palestinians have the right to claim to be an oppressed party too. Be it through terrorism, curfews, or missile strikes, all parties have been wronged. And, because in the Middle-East victimization walks hand-in-hand with entitlement, the "You did this to me, so now I deserve something back" mentality takes hold because it ultimately garners sympathy, the end goal of victimization. And even objectively, who is to say that sympathy is not due the Israelis and Palestinians? But Garcia-Moreno has pointed out a huge contradiction in approach and mindset in the conflict. Simply stated: feeling victimized and pragmatic solutions do not always walk hand-in-hand. Seeing oneself, and portraying oneself as a victim, while perhaps in every sense justifiable, is ultimately futile in solving the actual here-and-now problem. But the Israelis and the Palestinians don't see this, and instead we get continued conflict. Here's why: When the Israelis see themselves as the victims of Palestinian terror, it becomes all too easy for them to downplay human rights violations committed by their government. Ask an Israeli government spokesperson about the destruction of Palestinian homes or the killing of activist Rachel Corrie, and they will ultimately gloss over the human rights details of both cases. Now, this oversight stems not from any true apathy on the part of the Israeli government, nor any sadistic desire to annihilate Palestinians. Rather, it is the unfortunate (and I would argue dangerous) externality of a mindset of victimization. Once someone is a victim, it is all too easy for an act of aggression to turn into an act of self-defense. When Israel, during the Second Intifada, destroyed the house of a suicide bomber's family, the story was, in the words of Velma Kelly from the musical "Chicago": "He had it coming." The Palestinian Authority suffers from a similar mindset. Even when given the entirety of Gaza, the Palestinian Authority will absolutely not follow through on its obligation to dismantle terrorist groups because it is, in its words, too "weak." The Palestinian Authority is expecting to be given statehood while actively seeking out statehood with the enthusiasm of a 3-year-old told to go kiss Aunt Myrtle. And with an "oppressor" who prides itself on overcoming the worst genocide in human history to settle the malaria-infested waters of Palestine, sympathy is in short supply. In short: victimization as a strategy for change is simply ineffective. And this is exacerbated when both players in a conflict try to play the same part in the story. In the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, both sides are invoking the story of the giant Goliath's fight against the smaller, meeker David. The problem is this: both sides claim to be David. So who gets to play that part? Ultimately, neither. This in turn raises a second problem. Not only do both sides claim victimization, they refuse to recognize the claims of victimization of the other side. This creates an "arms race of ideology" in which both sides are locked in a stalemate for sympathy. Garcia-Moreno, and thousands of physicians like her, has found a viable solution where results are critical. And we in the arena of conflict negotiation must follow in their footsteps. Empathize with victimization. Give credit where it is due. But don't let it mask the truth. Don't let it shade your visions. And don't let it get in the way of a sustainable human rights-based peace in the Middle East.Scott Weiner is a sophomore majoring in international relations.

The Setonian
News

Theater Review | Smaller stage, but the magic of Nutcracker remains

November 28

Fans of children, sparkles, tutus, and fairy tales, enthusiasts of ballet, Tchaikovsky, and holiday magic: come on down to the newly restored Boston Opera House for Boston Ballet's famous production of - surprise, surprise - "The Nutcracker"! The timeless story chronicles the adventures of little Clara (Elizabeth Powell), her mysterious godfather Drosselmeier (Viktor Plotnikov) and her beloved Nutcracker (Yury Yanowsky). Set to the ubiquitous Tchaikovsky score and loosely based on a story by German author E. T. A. Hoffmann, it is now one of the most famous ballets of all time. This one show accounts for more than half of Boston Ballet's budget. It requires huge sets, intricate costumes, myriad details, and an ensemble cast of professional dancers as well as young children from the Boston Ballet School. And it had been going on for the past 37 years, until recent budget problems threatened the whole ordeal. They've even blasphemously displaced "The Nutcracker" from the Wang in favor of the dancing Rockettes, but Boston Ballet and benefactors are determined to keep the show alive in Beantown. This is one holiday tradition that both the little kiddies and the rest of us can truly enjoy. The colors of the show are just beautiful, and the costume, lighting and set technicians deserve a bow (or seven) of their own. Indeed, from however many pounds of artificial snow that fell, to the flying balloon and the colors of the Palace of the Sweets, the set treats the audience to seamless wonder and complements the dancers exquisitely. The costumes are beautiful, too; they are both period pieces in the party scene, and later turn classically "wow" as the show progresses into its magical climax. This production opens unusually, showing us how Drosselmeier actually crafts the Nutcracker, rather than jumping straight into the famous party scene. Then, there is a glimpse of street life in 1830s Germany. Afterwards, of course, the show takes us into the home of the Silberhaus family for their Christmas party, where adorable daughter Clara (Elizabeth Powell) receives her precious gift. This is a ballet told with humor, as well as with affection. As always, the mice that attack the Nutcracker are among the best parts of the show: they battle the Nutcracker's forces with kitchen utensils and throw cheese at their enemy, for goodness' sake, until Clara throws her shoe at their leader. The first act has lots of other amusing visual gimmicks, ranging from the man in the clock to a huge dancing bear. The second act is a showcase in affectionate choreography and the pure classic beauty of ballet. Clara and the Nutcracker, who has turned into a prince, travel to his magical kingdom where various dancers perform to honor Clara's courage. All the dancers are fantastic; the Russian dancers (Raul Salamanca, Luke Luzicka, and James Whiteside) in particular command attention for the sheer athleticism and energy of their number. Of course, the grand pas de deux of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier (in this production, the Nutcracker) is a beautiful wrap-up to the adventure. The beauty and challenge of "The Nutcracker" lies in its ensemble nature. There are so many parts in the ballet, and so many opportunities to shine; the cast works very well with one another and the score. True to its excellent reputation, Boston Ballet's dancing never falters, and the artistic values that come into play can sway even the biggest Scrooge. It's also a treat for the kids in it. The students of Boston Ballet School are a central part of the show, and they are extraordinary. But despite fantastically magical sets, costumes, and talent, budget cuts are still evident. It's a much smaller show, both to fit the Opera House stage and the budget allotted. "Cozier" might be a more suitable description. Bigger is not always better, but if you're accustomed to a yearly treat of mice and sugar plums, you might notice that something is missing here. The role of Cavalier has been combined with that of the Nutcracker, whereas in shows past the two men were separate. The Nutcracker himself now dances the grand pas de deux with the Sugar Plum Fairy, while Drosselmeier (Viktor Plotnikov) inexplicably accompanies Clara for most of the time in the Palace of the Sweets. The Nutcracker, of course, is extraordinary; his character is boosted by the move although one would have liked to have seen more interaction between him and Clara. Yet despite the noticeably smaller scale, this show remains a warm, classic treat. Thirteen-year-old Elizabeth Powell is a beaming bundle of cuteness throughout the show. She's quick on her feet and all-around adorable, but is also a solid dancer and actress. She interacts charmingly with the rest of the ensemble (and gets to 'fly' over the stage in a hot air balloon). How does it feel to play every budding ballerina's most coveted role? "So much fun," Powell said, "It's so exciting!" For hundreds of dancers and viewers too, "The Nutcracker" brings a warm, thrilling dose of magic into the holiday season.

The Setonian
News

A cultural hub or just a way to get into Boston?

November 28

"People come from all around Boston; it's a well-known area," Tufts graduate Laena Orkin (LA '05) said of Davis Square. "I'm in Central Square and I miss Davis." Orkin's comments reflect a positive view of one of the most popular off-campus destinations for Tufts students, a location which offers coffee shops, restaurants, bars, bowling and the most convenient T stop. Davis Square has evolved from its early days in the late 1800s and students, as well as Somerville officials, have visions for the area's future. The recent victory of Rebekah Gewirtz over 22-year incumbent Jack Connolly for Ward 6 Alderman has cast attention on what a new face in government could mean for Davis Square. "In the 1950s and 60s, Davis Square had a very strong retail character. People went there to buy clothes and shoes from a number of department stores," Stephen Mackey, President of the Somerville Chamber of Commerce, said. Retail, he said, moved to the suburbs after World War II, where companies could purchase larger lots on which to construct bigger stores and parking lots. In recent years, retail outlets have moved out of Davis Square and restaurants, bars and coffee shops have become the norm. According to the Somerville Journal, though, "the mix may be getting too one-sided now." Sophomore Shane Marzola said Davis Square does not provide enough of a variety. "There isn't a good retail outlet there," he said. "It's a good place for students in terms of restaurants, but we have to go into Boston to get lots of supplies." Sports equipment, clothing and bulk goods for dorm rooms cannot be found in Davis Square, he said. The 1960s and 70s saw an economic recession in Davis Square. "The old economy, the old transportation network, the old household demographics, were changing," Mackey said. "There were signs 'For Lease' and 'For Rent' all over the square." The late 1970s and early 1980s saw the construction of the Red Line T stop, Johnny D's and Redbones, according to Mackey, as well as a "tremendous growth in universities." "You had a new recipe that caused a great mix in the square," he said. According to Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone's spokesperson Lucy Warsh, Davis Square is an "integral" part of the city and the area that has undergone the most change in the past 20 years. "It is a great example of Somerville's changing face and all of the things that are getting bigger and better in the city," she said. Davis Square has many restaurants, cafes, bars, as well as the Somerville Theater and JP Licks, which replaced local ice cream shop Denise's. Denise's was "deliciously local," Orkin said. Having a chain move in was "a big change," she said. Other chains in the square include McDonald's, Anna's Taqueria and Starbucks. "It's important to everyone to focus on both the old and the new and make very careful decisions about development and what sort of businesses come into the square," Warsh said. Mackey said the chains have not detracted from the local feel of the square. Starbucks coexists with Diesel Caf?© ?cross the street, and the market is big enough for both to do well, he said. Gewirtz, whose ward includes Davis Square, said the square could use some more retail, but she wants businesses to be locally owned and operated. "It's important that we keep the character of the community present, and the type of businesses that come into Davis Square pertains to that. I don't want to see chains, especially in terms of retail," she said. Davis has the unique characteristic of having primarily locally owned businesses, Mackey said. "In today's world, that's a less common characteristic. Most places are dominated by chains and franchises," he said. "Anywhere in Davis, you have the possibility of running into the owner." The recent focus on activity-oriented and nightlife establishments has been so high that there has been no office construction since the 1980s, when the Harvard Vanguard building and the Citizen's Bank building were constructed, Mackey said. Davis Square is operating at 85 percent of its potential, Mackey said. It makes up only two percent of Somerville's commercial zoning but accounts for 14 percent of commercial revenue. Union Square, the other big area for business activity, achieves only 15 percent of its potential, he said. Marzola said safety is also a concern. "The traffic situation is terrible - walking there is very dangerous. That must be fixed," he said. "There are always traffic and parking issues," Mackey said. There have been proposals for a large parking facility, as well as proposals for a hotel. Zoning laws may make it difficult for any larger establishments to move in, though. Both Davis and Union Squares have a 50-foot height limit for buildings, so nothing is more than four stories tall. Property in Davis Square is also divided into small areas. The recent closing of some stores, such as Buck-A-Book, has inspired visions for what the future of Davis Square could be. City officials want to preserve the balance between old and new, small-scale and vibrancy. Plans for a Quiznos, CVS and Bally Total Fitness have been proposed. "It is a delicate balance between [preserving] a mainstream business district while maintaining the integrity of the square," Warsh said. Warsh and Gewirtz said community involvement will be crucial in determining the future face of Davis. "Somerville is a very involved city. There is always a lot of community input," Warsh said. Orkin said Davis Square has been "gentrified," but keeps a balance of "hip and alternative" venues. "Like all girls, I was obsessed with Denise's-slash-JP Licks, and Blue Shirt Caf?©¬¦quot; she said. She said she would have spent more time in Davis Square while she was at Tufts had she been 21. Lauren Thomas (LA '05), though, was surprised by Davis Square's popularity after she left the University. "After I left Tufts and started working, people such as my co-workers and boss would get excited to go to Davis," she said. "I was used to Davis, though, and wanted to leave. Davis was like the guy next door." Still, Davis Square is constantly evolving. Gewirtz is focusing on affordable housing in Ward 6 because she says that should be the top priority of the area. "People just can't afford to live here," she said. "It's a very transient place." City officials are trying to maintain the balance they say makes Davis Square unique. "The first rule here at the Chamber is to not mess with success," Mackey said. Beautification projects, including landscaping, as well as plans for new businesses are currently the main focuses. "I'm looking forward to working with the community to make sure that any project or development in Davis Square is something that the neighbors want," Gewirtz said. "The business community is a very important part of our city." Senior Max Felker-Kantor had his own ideas about where officials could start. "There is nothing that I feel that is actually above-and-beyond in terms of eating establishments. There is nowhere to go between a low meal and a high meal," he said. Sophomore Marc Bouffard said he wants more cultural events in Davis Square. "It doesn't afford the cultural outlet that many other locations do because we're not actually in Boston," he said. "It's a shortcoming of our location."

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News

Another ticket, another dig into the wallet

November 28

Cost to park on Boston Avenue: $0. Fee to pay Tufts for parking in the wrong place: $15. Price of a parking decal for one semester in a lot across campus: $220. For Tufts students who choose to bring their cars to campus, high gas prices and endless winter maintenance aren't the only costs. But compared to those at other Boston-area schools, Tufts' parking decal prices may seem cheap: Boston University charges $943.50 for two semesters, and Harvard demands anywhere from $1,325 to $1,495 for the year. The $440 car-owning Tufts students spend to park their cars on campus each year is only the beginning of the financial burden they may face, however. According to the Department of Public Safety's Supervisor of Administrative Services Kristin Gronberg, Tufts issues between 9,000 and 10,000 parking tickets every year. Every ticket ranges from $15 (for parking in the wrong lot) to $65 (for parking in a handicapped parking spot). The most common offense for which students are ticketed? "Not having a proper decal for that particular parking area," Gronberg said. She added that she doesn't think most students ticketed for this offense are simply making an innocent mistake. "For resident students that have been here for more than the first month or two, it's not just accidental," Gronberg said. "It's hoping that they don't get caught. They think, 'I'm just going to run inside for a couple of minutes,' but they end up getting a ticket." Senior Alexis Liistro is one example of the most common type of parking regulation violator. During her sophomore year, Liistro said she accumulated "approximately $400 worth of tickets." "They were usually from Tufts police because I refused to park where I was supposed to," she said. Jim Kotzuba, Somerville's director of traffic and parking, echoed Gronberg. He said that permit violations are one of the main parking issues around Tufts on Somerville streets. With so many tickets landing on students' windshields every year, there is a substantial amount of money flowing to Tufts' Public Safety Department. While Gronberg could not provide precise numbers at press time, if each of Tufts' 9,000 citations was a $15 ticket, then the Public Safety department would have an income of $135,000 each year. Where does all that money go? "It goes into our budget to be able to pay for various upkeep projects - when we need new signs for lots, when we need some work done, when we need painting on the streets, or to make new handicapped parking areas," Gronberg said. Somerville's parking tickets may have a more damaging effect on students' tight budgets: The city's tickets range from $15 to $200. "We had an increase that went into effect in August," Kotzuba said. "It's meant to be a deterrent for people. We got a lot of complaints that the same cars wouldn't move on street-sweeping days, even though they kept getting tickets, so we raised the fine." Despite the similarities in parking violations cited by Tufts and the City of Somerville, each department does deal with different situations. One problem that Somerville deals with that Tufts does not is that of parking near off-campus houses. "A major thing is that we get a lot of parking too close to an intersection," Kotzuba said. "[Around Tufts,] it's because a lot of those houses have a lot of people crammed in, and everyone has a car but only one parking spot, or not enough space to park at all." Street cleaning is another Somerville-only issue. Whitfield Road is a Somerville city street between Packard Avenue and Curtis Street. It's the home street of a high number of Tufts students in fraternity housing, culture housing and private off-campus housing. Although it may look just like Talbot Avenue, different rules apply: cars cannot park on the right side of Whitfield Road on the first and third Tuesdays of every month because of street cleaning. Obscure rules such as this one are often the reason students living on streets like Whitfield are ticketed. "The only ones I've gotten from Somerville are from when I forget to move my car on street cleaning days," Liistro said. This memory lapse is not restricted to Jumbos: Kotzuba said that street-cleaning days yield a high number of tickets city-wide. Another student had similar problems with the less well-known parking regulations. "I got one ticket from Somerville, for parking in front of my house for more than two days," junior Lau Kompel said. "It cost around $35, which is too much. I didn't do anything to hurt anybody - I was parked in front of my own house." Kotzuba said that the 48-hour parking rule is more strictly enforced in the winter months, when unshoveled snow around cars can cause problems in narrow streets. "If people don't shovel out their cars, you can't get down the street," he said. Both Tufts and the cities of Medford and Somerville have appeal procedures for drivers who believe their citations were unjustified. Sometimes, though, students have no option but to recognize their mistakes and lose the money. "I just paid my ticket, because I know it's a rule," Kompel said. Are students who don't pay Tufts for their tickets the exception or the rule? "I'd say that about half pay on time and half don't," Gronberg said. If students choose not to pay within the 14-day time period, she added, "we bill their bursar account."

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Sara Franklin | Oh My!: Sex Straight Up

November 28

Sitting with one of my best friends at home this past Saturday night, I found myself deep in conversation. As is typical during school vacations, we were swapping anecdotes and griping about our respective social scenes at school. Both of us have been single for a while, and have been unabashedly mourning the loss of reliable and steady sexual contact. But while talking, we both admitted that, despite our strong, independent personalities, we were sick of the "hookup culture" that defines most colleges. Now, my friend and I happen to be in slightly different situations at the moment. She is in the midst of a mind-boggling on-again, off-again, mixed-signals, beat-around-the-bush "relationship" (i.e. the two of them occasionally take their witty text messaging banter to the next level, indulging their mutual obsession with food by cooking together and then feasting on one another after dessert). I, on the other hand, have had an unusually anti-social semester. I have had little desire to put myself out there in the singles scene - or at least that's how I felt until recently, when I developed a crush I am dying to act on. Despite our different angles, my friend and I agreed on one important thing over slices of leftover pumpkin pie and tea: dating, in the true sense of the term, needs to be brought back! This doesn't mean we want roses and love notes (well, not necessarily at least), but what we do want is the freedom to go on real dates. You know, the kind where two people go somewhere alone, whether for coffee, dinner and a movie or just for a walk. You see, dating allows everything to be laid out on the table. The asker is clearly pursuing, and the invitee shows at least some degree of interest by accepting. Compare this to typical college social scenarios. We meet people through friends or class, sometimes even via a lucky encounter at a party or a caf?©® The extroverts may go right ahead and "friend" a new acquaintance who they're attracted to on Facebook.com. This could be interpreted as a sort of advance, but let's be honest, don't we mostly "friend" people for reasons other than romantic intrigue? I mean, seriously, most of us are just getting a classmate's number or screen name, seeing what "friends" we have in common or, for the true Facebook.com addicts, just adding to our "friend" count. If Facebook.com is used as a romantic tool, it replaces the asking out. Think about it. Asking someone on a date used to mean that you wanted to get to know them better; the date was the means by which that goal could be accomplished. But now, before you ask someone to do something one-on-one, a rapport is first established so that the odds of rejection can be decreased by the already-existing liaison. But let's assume that most of us do not "friend" people we've just met and found ourselves attracted to. That majority of us timidly await another chance encounter, and even if it occurs, struggle for an uncomplicated and upfront way to request some alone time with the object of our affection. One wishes that it was more common at our age to simply ask someone out. Maybe it's just because someone's interest was caught by a sideways glance or a random act of kindness, but I want to be able to ask someone out or be asked out without knowing the person well beforehand. I want to use the date as my tool to say, "Hey, I'm into you, and I want to do something about it." And frankly, as a woman, I don't care about being the asker. I just want social norms, as well as guys, to permit me to brazenly call up a crush and say, "Hey, let's do something, just me and you." Hell, I want the cute guy at my regular weekend study coffeehouse who has been glancing at me periodically over his piles of textbooks and notes to act on what I know he's been thinking all afternoon and come over and ask to join me, dammit! Then, all the "does she/he like me?" stuff is taken care of, for the asker at least. So, to close this rant, with the holiday spirit of love, happiness, and even mistletoe, my friend from home and I implore all of you to BRING BACK THE DATE!Sara Franklin is a sophomore majoring in history. She can be reached at Sara.Franklin@tufts.edu.

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Inside the NFL | Steve Marriuci bears Lions' share of Detroit's woes

November 28

It all came crashing down in Detroit late yesterday as the Detroit Lions' coach Steve Mariucci was fired. The man who was supposed to save a franchise from repeated mediocrity ended up less than mediocre, with a career 15-28 record with the Lions. Maybe the biggest problem for Mariucci was his nice-guy attitude. There have been repeated remarks from Lions players that there was fighting in the locker room, and Mariucci, one of the classier coaches in the NFL, was less than eager to jump into the fray. In addition to firing his coach, Lions owner William Ford might be looking at General Manager Matt Millen and his questionable personnel decisions if he wishes to continue to shake things up. During his tenure in Detroit, the former broadcaster has made some questionable draft picks, to say the least, and has failed to solidify a competitive lineup. Millen drafted three straight wide receivers in the first round - Charles Rogers, Roy Williams and Mike Williams - none of whom have lived up to expectations. With this over-emphasis on hotshots, the Lions have simply not paid enough attention to the defensive side of the football, and are now suffering for it. The Lions' quarterback situation never fully resolved itself either, as Joey Harrington has struggled to mature into an NFL-worthy quarterback. He sports an abysmal 67.1 career QB rating with his best rating, a paltry 77.5, coming in 2004 during the only season in which he threw more touchdowns than interceptions. Harrington's inaccuracy has cost the Lions too many games, and after starting the first five games this season and losing three of them (including a five-interception performance in a 38-6 loss to Chicago in Week 2) he was pulled from the starting spot. In the end, the weight of Detroit's struggles should not all have fallen on Mariucci, but the Lions needed a scapegoat. Will the Lions fair better under a tougher coach? The jury is still out, but one thing is for sure: after investing as much time and money as they have in Harrington, somebody is going to have to find a way to make him into an NFL quarterback. Jeff Garcia has been adequate in the backup role, but he is not a long term solution to Detroit's offensive problems.The Chicago Bears Have we gone back in time to 1985? One look at the Chicago Bears' defense suggests that maybe we have. The Bears are sporting one of the best defensive units in football, and it has everybody talking. Simply put, this defense is incredible. The Bears' offense has been sub-par this season under the leadership of first-year starter Kyle Orton. But as Chicago proved in its 13-10 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, all the offense needs to do to win games is to avoid turnovers, and so far, Orton has fared well in this conservative system. When watching this year's Bears, one cannot help but be reminded of the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, whose defense was often been compared with that of the '85 Bears and was largely propelled by the surprising play of some little-known names. Such players have stepped up for Chicago this season. For example, right defensive end Alex Brown sacked Tampa Bay quarterback Chris Simms twice in the teams' matchup. One of those sacks initiated a key play that forced a fumble, giving Chicago the ball on the Buccaneers' one-yard line and setting up the Bears' only touchdown. Along with former Miami Dolphins cast-off Adewale Ogunleye, Brown has been putting pressure on quarterbacks all year long and is making a name for himself in the league. The Bears have a luxury afforded to few defenses in that they don't need to blitz in order to have a strong pass rush. In the past, it has been linebacker Brian Urlacher and more Brian Urlacher when it comes to the Bears defense. Not anymore. Now the defensive line is the story, allowing the linebackers and defensive backs to stay in coverage and take more chances. The Bears' defense has dominated the competition, giving up a league-best 10.9 points per game. But with Chicago's anemic offensive production, the defense will have to remain strong through the rest of the season to give the team a shot at the playoffs. Despite having a solid running back in Thomas Jones and good backups in Cedric Benson and Adrian Peterson, the Chicago offense does not have the ability to come from behind, making near perfection for the Bears' defense a necessity.The Minnesota Vikings A few weeks ago, the Minnesota Vikings franchise was on the verge of complete collapse both on and off the field. What a difference five weeks makes. After a four-game winning streak, the Vikings have emerged as a contender in the NFC playoff picture. What caused the turnaround? Credit goes to coach Mike Tice. Minnesota could not have had a more perfect guy at the helm to juggle the controversy surrounding this team. He scared the heck out his players after the sex scandal, and has put together a November that has served to slightly redeem the franchise. And then there is the resurgent Brad Johnson, who has won four straight games and is playing in a way similar to when he guided the Buccaneers to the Super Bowl three years ago. Free safety Darren Sharper has been all over the field making interceptions and has stepped up as a much-needed leader in the Vikings clubhouse as well.

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Alex Bloom | Philly Phodder

November 28

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. That was the state of the two cities which control my sports focus after the Super Bowl this past February. The Patriots had proved once again that they were indeed the best team in the NFL. And the Eagles had proved once again that Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid have trouble winning the big game. I listened to all the gloating from you New Englanders. I admitted that the better team had prevailed and that the Patriots were champions (although I wasn't about to call it a dynasty just yet). And I yelled and cursed the play of the Eagles in the second half, complaining that they had blown a genuine chance to win the title. The Birds had made the NFC Championship four years in a row and finally moved on to a Super Bowl. Teams can't sustain that type of success for very long before the rest of the league catches up. Nine months later, it's still the worst of times in Philly. The rest of the league has caught up to the Eagles. It's tough to be a fan of the last-place Eagles. It's even tougher to have a team that's 5-6 sit in last place in their division. Their defense is 22nd in the league in points allowed and 25th in yards allowed. The offense is third in passing, but 28th in rushing. The team broke a four-game losing streak yesterday by narrowly beating the 2-9 Packers. The reality has set in. For the first time this century, the Eagles will not be going to the playoffs. But the Eagles aren't the only team to have suffered a fall from grace. It's the worst of times right here in Boston as well. The Eagles' Super Bowl opponent has seen better days. The 6-5 Pats, who were beaten 26-16 Sunday by Kansas City, have given up an average of 267.1 passing yards per game, good enough for 31st in the NFL. And while the Eagles may be 22nd in points allowed, the Pats are 25th. The Patriots will be spared the shame of going from the Super Bowl to missing the playoffs because they play in the NFL's equivalent of the NL West. The teams in the AFC East are so bad that Brooks Bollinger, Gus Frerotte, and J.P. Losman all have starting jobs. The Patriots have been routed by Denver, San Diego and Indianapolis, and Brady (literally) threw away this week's game against Kansas City (four interceptions). For the Eagles, McNabb has done his share of hurting the team, throwing costly interceptions in big games against the Redskins, Cowboys and Broncos, and was not able to scramble throughout many of his starts. Meanwhile, both teams have had problems defensively, which has been surprising since both teams have had defenses carry them to big games in years past. The AFC West teams have exploited the secondary and scored at will against Belichick and the Pats (maybe the team really does miss Romeo?). The Philly defense gave up so many points against Denver, KC and Dallas that the offense would start the game in the hole, having to get back in it through downfield passes. Not having Terrell Owens means the Eagles' downfield threat is gone. A year ago I wrote an article about how these two teams would meet in the Super Bowl. Now I'm writing to assure that this is not the year. Sure, you can blame the injuries for hurting both teams. Philly is missing more than just McNabb (hernia) and TO (hernia where his brain should be). Three of their five starting offensive linemen (Tra Thomas, Artis Hicks, Hank Fraley) were out of Sunday's game and pro-bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard is gone for the year. The kicker (David Akers) and the tight end (L.J. Smith) are ailing as well. But it's been that type of year for the Eagles with injuries. One of their defensive linemen has missed the whole season because he was shot in the stomach (Jerome McDougle) and punt-returner J.R. Reed suffered nerve damage jumping over a fence. Power running back Correll Buckhalter has also been out all season and number-two wide receiver Todd Pinkston ruptured his Achilles in training camp. When it rains, it pours. Then there are the Patriots. This team has so many injuries that Tedy Bruschi came back from the verge of death to play. Playmakers Rodney Harrison and Richard Seymour, pro-bowler Corey Dillon, offensive linemen Matt Light and Tom Ashworth, fullback Patrick Pass, and tight end Daniel Graham are all injured. That's seven of the starting 22 players, or almost a third of the starting lineup. Injuries even caused the team to switch to the 4-3 at one point. There's also the fact that the Patriots are starting a secondary that makes Troy Brown look like Champ Bailey, resulting in the aforementioned stat about passing yardage. The Pats' key problem is big play yardage, having surrendered 20 plays of 20 yards or more going into November. Whether you, Mr. Pats Fan, wants to admit it or not, Philadelphia and New England are in the same boat. Both are headed for an earlier-than-expected offseason after throwing away football games. This is a time when Eagles fans and Patriots fans can come together in our misery. Our teams, while not abysmal, will certainly disappoint us this year and we just have to lower our expectations. My weekly NFL picks have been marred by too many Eagles and Patriots picks. It's time to be realistic. A win over the Dolphins in Miami is suddenly an accomplishment. Beating the Arizona Cardinals this year may prove to be one of Philly's finest performances. Sure, it may be hard to give up those Super Bowl pipe dreams. Going deep in the playoffs is second nature in Philadelphia. And I know you Patriots fans cling to Belichick as the ultimate intangible. Give it up. Our teams don't have it this year. The tale of two cities has become the same tale. We just have to wipe away the tears and move on.Alexander Bloom is a sophomore who has not yet declared a major. He can be reached via e-mail at Alexander.Bloom@tufts.edu.

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Arts

The loneliest monk strikes once again

November 28

Legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Monk was famous for leaving audiences hanging. He would end a song one note short, leaving the listener waiting to hear it resolved, but knowing that resolution would never come. When archivists found a 48-year-old live recording at Carnegie Hall featuring the historically significant but rarely recorded Thelonious Monk Quartet with saxophonist John Coltrane, it seemed too good to be true. This was a resolution fifty years in the making. When Larry Applebaum, a Library of Congress employee, stumbled across an unmarked box in the archives and found this recording, he probably thought some fellow librarians were trying to pull a fast one on him. A find like this would be like turning over the cheap painting in your living room and finding "DaVinci" scrawled across the back. Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane's collaboration in 1957 is well-known among many jazz fans; however, recordings are few and far between, and their sound quality is amateur at best. The collaboration came at an important time in both musicians' careers. Monk's eccentric style was gaining acceptance, and he would soon become one of the leading figures in jazz. Even more so than Monk, Coltrane was poised for his breakthrough. Having just recovered from a heroin addiction that lead to his expulsion from Miles Davis's band, Coltrane was a man on a mission when he joined Monk. Within the next few years, Coltrane would become a monumental figure in jazz history, playing on Davis's landmark "Kind of Blue" (1959) and his own intensely personal "A Love Supreme" (1964). Coltrane's passion is on display in this recording. On "Epistrophy" and "Bye-Ya," he hints at glimpses of things to come later in his career, blazing through his solos and stretching his limitations. These recordings will undoubtedly lead many jazz fans to question how much Coltrane's playing evolved from his time with Monk. It is clear that Monk's unorthodox stilted style of play kept Coltrane guessing and pushed him into a realm of experimentation that he probably hadn't experienced before. The night's set kicked off with "Monk's Mood." Monk begins by exploring on the piano for the first two minutes, testing out different sounds and chords. Coltrane enters by himself, his playing slow and slightly melancholy, while Monk runs back and forth along the keyboard. At roughly four minutes, the rest of the quartet joins, the tempo picks up a bit, and the set hits its stride. The album is book-ended by another signature Monk tune, "Blue Monk." The opening riff is immediately recognizable to many people, even those who don't listen to jazz. Monk and Coltrane start out playing in unison before playfully echoing each other. Soon, Coltrane takes off on a mind-bending solo, driving the original theme in a million different directions at once. Perhaps Monk's finest moment comes on the ballad "Crepescule with Nellie." For the first half of the song, Monk's playing is stunningly sparse. But in the second half, Coltrane and the rest join in. The combination of Monk's ascending notes coupled with the beat of the drumming - which shines on this track - makes listeners feel like they're floating out of their seats. For almost 50 years, jazz fans have first been exposed to the genre through classics like "Kind of Blue" or "A Love Supreme." Though "Carnegie Hall" will never match the historical and cultural significance of Davis's classic, it is destined to provide an introduction to generations of future listeners. Coltrane and Monk do it all on this record, from delicate ballads to blazing solos, creating an accessible and entertaining recording that's welcoming to uninitiated ears, all while pushing the limits of experimentation. It may have taken Monk a while, but this resolution was worth the wait.

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News

Jumbo self-control

November 28

Tufts athletic teams are implementing the ideal policy in the face of rising alcohol problems on campus: self-regulation. Tufts' Athletics Department only maintains a blanket policy banning drinking while representing the University, though many teams have taken further steps to distinguish themselves. It is commendable for the football team to only allow drinking on Saturdays, and even to have the fortitude to enforce its policy among upperclassmen. Every time a Jumbo steps on to the field, up to the line, or into the pool, they should be putting forth their best effort for themselves and the University community. Abuse of alcohol only impairs athletes from reaching the pinnacle of achievement. It is important for all of us to follow this example and ensure that every time we represent Tufts it is in the best faith. Other Tufts organizations have taken similar steps in self-control. The Greek Working Group was created to resolve issues facing fraternities and sororities. Additionally, BACCUS and GAMMA foresees the permission of trained Greeks to monitor their own functions. It is most logical for student organizations to control their own behavior. Through positive peer pressure and informed understanding of the situations they face, their opinions are most valuable. Any self-regulatory body improves the functioning of organizations. There is no need for outside interference, which only adds costs to both parties. When police and other outside enforcers become involved, their presence breeds resentment and is counterproductive. Instead of focusing on achievement, policies are lambasted and loopholes are sought out. By delegating alcohol policy decisions to senior members of the team, many of the teams have successfully shown that students and athletes can responsibly control their behavior. In addition, any policy decisions made are more credible to both those involved and outsiders. When groups choose to enforce and implement their own policies, they allow the University to focus on more important problems, confident in the ability of insiders. Peer leaders not only hold the respect of younger members, but they also have the experience and wisdom necessary to make informed decisions. After having spent many games and seasons in brown and blue, these athletes understand the implications of abusing alcohol. While many teams have standing policies, others take on a more ad hoc approach. The means is not important here, so long as the teams establish controls which will enhance their performance without sacrificing personal enjoyment. Regardless of whatever hat, helmet or cap a Jumbo may wear, everyone is first and foremost a student. Part of this involves enjoying oneself, and being able to relax after an achievement. Many teams implement policies which may be considered strict by some, and they must be careful not to suffocate members of the team burdened with rules. But this is much less likely to happen with student control, rather than University oversight. This form of regulation should be encouraged among all student organizations. It is harder for underclassmen to look at seniors as demanding authority figures versus grown administrators and police officers. and the University must allow students the opportunity to develop credibility as regulatory bodies. The choice to consume alcohol is a personal decision, and among tight knit groups, self control leads to responsible choices.

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At gathering, friends share their memories of Damyanova

November 28

A continuous refrain could be heard in almost every conversation about senior Boryana ("Bory") Damyanova Monday evening: "She had no regrets." The Institute for Global Leadership hosted a two-hour-long informal gathering of Damyanova's friends, classmates and University administrators. She was killed Tuesday, Nov. 22 when she was struck by two cars near campus. The evening was scheduled as an hour of open discussion and an hour of only Damyanova's 2003-2004 Education for Public Inquiry and International Citizenship (EPIIC) class, but attendees chose to talk in small groups the entire evening. "[Bory] had an incredible ability to touch everyone around her," senior Ajaita Shah, one of Damyanova's EPIIC classmates, said. Some attendees drew strength from speaking, laughing and crying with each other, while others chose to sit in silent reflection. Dean of Students Bruce Retiman, Provost Jamshed Bharucha and his wife, and trustee Bruce Male ('63) - Damyanova's sponsor - attended the gathering. A similar gathering took place in Lewis Hall for international students, hosted by International Center Director Jane Etish-Andrews. Male explained how he met Damyanova and brought her to Tufts. "It was done through the former dean of admissions," he said. "We had a discussion about an applicant that Tufts could not afford not to admit, but there were problems due to the lack of financial aid." "I decided to provide aid because I wanted to allow her to go to Tufts but also because I wanted to see what kind of relationship could form between someone like me and someone like her," he said. "Bory was the poster child for why it's important to provide financial aid for international students to bring them to institutions such as Tufts," Bharucha said. Male serves as the Chairman for the International Board of Overseers - an advisory group for the University on issues concerning international students. Damyanova made a presentation at the board's Summer 2004 meeting. "She gave a talk that made me very proud and which was stunning," Male said. "As a result of that speech, the Board embarked on a financial aid program." Shah said Damyanova "was the busiest person, and yet was always laid back." "And smiling," senior Anura Patil, also an EPIIC classmate, added. "Bory was upbeat. Even when she had serious considerations there was always a positive tilt to her," Male said. As a Bulgarian attending school in the United States, Damyanova experienced many "firsts." Male took her to Bruins and Celtics games, and he remembered the first time she ate a lobster. As the night continued, the poem, "And Death shall have no dominion" by Dylan Thomas was distributed, along with a short note from Sabrina Lopez-Ivern (LA '04), another EPIIC classmate. "Although it seems at first glance a somber poem, I feel it's triumphant and alive. That's how I would like to remember Bory because she is and always will be very, very present," Lopez-Ivern said. Rick Berry, the Institute's artist-in-residence, also attended. Berry saw the accident that killed Damyanova and was at the scene when she passed away. He did not know Damyanova before, but he said her friends need to keep their memories alive. "None of these have to be lost if we don't make them lost. There's no need for senselessness," he said. Damyanova's funeral will take place this Sunday in Sofia, Bulgaria - where Damyanova's parents live - at the Sveta Nedelya Church. The University expects to have a memorial service for Damyanova after Winter Break, Reitman said.

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Original cast still can't make 'Rent'

November 27

Director Chris Columbus' adaptation of "Rent" is successful in bringing at least one aspect of the Broadway mega-hit to the big screen: a viewer will either love it or hate it. Much like the stage version, the movie is truly a hit-or-miss experience. Unfortunately, little else has been successfully accomplished by translating the Tony Award-winning musical to film. "Rent" is severely lacking the energy and wit that made its play version such an enormous success. The stage version, based on the opera "La Boh??­?," was full of energy and life as its characters traversed their way through intertwining relationships. Though lacking the same power, the movie does stick fairly faithfully to the original "Rent" storyline; the plot centers on the exploits of a group of bohemian friends living in the chaotic "Alphabet City" section of Manhattan's East Village in the late 1980s. The story follows amateur filmmaker Mark Cohen (Anthony Rapp) and his forlorn aspiring songwriter roommate Roger (Adam Pascal) as they struggle and sing their way through AIDS, poverty, new and old flames, and the loss of friends. Trouble starts when Mark's and Roger's old roommate-turned-landlord, Benjamin "Benny" Coffin III (Taye Diggs), is introduced fresh from his marriage to a wealthy woman of the aristocratic "Greys of Westport" and is subsequently appointed to a high position in his stepfather's business. Now the landlord for Mark and Roger's building, Benny begins threatening to evict the duo and their fellow residents so he can construct Cyber Arts, a glitzy new multimedia studio. Mark's ex-lover Maureen (Idina Menzel) and her new girlfriend, an Ivy League lawyer named Joanne (Tracie Thoms), start a crusade to save the boys' building and the vacant lot/homeless shelter that Benny's Cyber Arts project intends to destroy. The film also follows the relationship between Tom Collins (Jesse L. Martin) and his lover Angel (Wilson Jermaine Heredia), as well as Roger's new love interest and neighbor Mimi (Rosario Dawson), adding rich subplots to the main conflict. All of these characters are introduced in different song and dance numbers with varying degrees of success. The film opens with perhaps the most famous "Rent" song: "Seasons of Love." In the stage version, this musical number is held until after intermission, and beginning the film with it starts things off on a strange note. While its lovely melody may attract new people to the "Rent" experience, "Seasons" is never referred to again, nor does it tie into the plot as neatly as it does in the Broadway incarnation. Most of the characters are great in their respective roles, primarily because almost all of them were part of the original 1996 theater cast of "Rent." Anthony Rapp absolutely shines as Mark, bringing a sarcastic and emotive presence to the screen. Drew Lachey never quite held his role as Mark on Broadway, and Anthony Rapp alleviates what was a glaring fault in the theatrical version. The sulky Adam Pascal as Roger, however, almost has the means to pull off the role, but falls just a few inches short of truly attaining and representing Roger's indecisive nature. The supporting duo of Angel and Collins fares much better than Roger: Heredia shines as Angel, bringing the character to life, and Jesse L. Martin is a success (although he may surprise viewers used to him as a tough-talking cop on "Law and Order"). But Idina Menzel seems a tad old to be playing Maureen, and the director does not utilize her talents to give her the starring role she deserved in this film. The performance of Rosario Dawson, the only newcomer to the "Rent" cast, isn't as strong as the part requires; her role as a sexpot does not feel full enough, and her layers are not well enough developed for us to truly believe in her struggles or desires. For those who haven't seen the stage version, certain aspects may be confusing. The fact that Benny and Mimi had a past relationship is half-omitted from the film; there is little development in their relationship onscreen, and this may leave newcomers confused. The film also omits the group's Halloween celebration and instead incorporates some of its aspects into the New Year's Eve setting. Many of the film's reinventions of scenes fail miserably. "Tango Maureen," the first meeting between Mark and his ex-girlfriend's new lesbian lover Joanne, comes off as a cheap version of the film "Chicago," as their jealous dancing duel randomly takes place in an abstract imaginary setting. "Take Me or Leave Me," between the newly-committed Maureen and Joanne, transplants the characters to a country club for a commitment ceremony. This is an awful new addition to the film and does little other than anger ardent fans of the stage version. Director Chris Columbus is not new at ruining great possibilities; he did the same for the first two "Harry Potter" films. But with those movies, at least Columbus tried to stay faithful to the source material. Columbus is able to do what no "Rent" fanatic thought was possible: take the hip, fast-paced theater performance and make it feel five-hundred-twenty-five-thousand-six-hundred minutes long.

The Setonian
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Tufts Financial Group Corner | JPMorgan will continue to provide long term value

November 27

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPMorgan Chase) was incorporated in 1968 and has since evolved into a large corporation currently employing 168,955 individuals. Traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol JPM, JPMorgan Chase is a global financial services firm with operations in more than 50 countries. A merger between JPMorgan and Bank One occurred in July of 2004, creating one of the largest and most powerful banks in the United States. JP Morgan supplies a national banking association with branches in 17 states, while Chase Bank USA provides the firm's credit card issuing bank. The company's wholesale businesses are comprised of four segments: investment banking, treasury and securities services, commercial banking and asset and wealth management. The company's consumer businesses consist of retail financial services and card services. Since JP Morgan Chase & Co.'s inception, the corporation has shown solid growth, now with assets of $1.2 trillion. The Bank One acquisition cost an astonishing $58.5 billion. This was done in order to save the unified corporation approximately $3 billion (pre-tax) by the year 2007, even though the costs of merging and combining operations will be $4 billion (pre-tax). The estimated merger-related charges are a product of actions taken with respect to both JPMorgan Chase's and Bank One's operations, facilities and employees. Over the past year, the stock price has pulled back a bit. After falling to its one-year low of $32.92 in October, it has rebounded after reporting that net income surged 79 percent to $2.5 billion in the third quarter. Since then, the stock has been increasing in value and is currently selling for approximately $38.30. During the 15 months since the merger with Bank One, the bank reported two poor quarters out of four due to terrible trading results. This year the stock price has been underperforming its peers. JP Morgan was one of Wall Street's most profitable banks before the merger with Bank One, but after the acquisition, the banking sector began to question the merits of the merger. As a result, JPMorgan's stock has suffered. Additionally, many fear that Chief Operating Officer James Dimon might go on an acquisition hunt before the full benefits of the Bank One deal are harvested. But in the third quarter, the financial situation began to look better. The strong rebound is attributed to the bank's traders who generated $2.4 billion of revenue, four times as much as the second quarter. The investment banking division earned just over $1 billion, more than twice as much as the second quarter. JPMorgan made an additional $700 million post-tax gain from the lucrative sale of Brown, its online broker. These earnings helped offset the 33 percent fall in earnings at the retail bank because of a Hurricane Katrina-related charge. These positive results may move JPMorgan Chase shares above their relatively low valuation of about 1.3 times their book-value (the net value of the company's assets). Additionally, continued strong performance depends heavily on trading results, where the bank still has not proven its reliability. The debut of Trading Algorithmic Optimizer (TAO) announced by JPMorgan on Nov. 1 may improve their trading results, too. There are some macroeconomic factors driving the ongoing bullish episode of JPMorgan as well: the United States' strong third-quarter economic growth (despite rising interest rates and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita) and growth in worker productivity. Overall, JP Morgan Chase is a company worth focusing on. The large banking conglomerate is a one stop shop for the everyday consumer, as well as corporate clients. Currently, a hold recommendation would be the optimal strategy. JPMorgan has had a recent rise in its stock price, and therefore a pullback is likely. Though JPMorgan is not a growth stock, it will continue to provide value and security over the long term.

The Setonian
News

Tufts Financial Group Corner | Costs of Sarbanes Oxley push companies towards alternatives to cut down on costs

November 27

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 was designed to protect investors by increasing the accountability to shareholders to boost confidence in American capitalism after a wave of corporate scandals. Three years later, with an unproven record and numerous side effects, the costs of implementing the law question its viability. The statute aims to improve the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures. It was designed to review the dated legislative audit requirements and was the most significant and controversial change to United States securities laws since the New Deal. The most controversial provision is Section 404. This section makes managers responsible for maintaining an "adequate internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting," and demands that companies' auditors "attest" to the management's assessment of these controls and disclose any "material weaknesses." The costs of this law have been tremendous. According to a study from the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Rochester, the net private cost will be $1.4 trillion. This number represents the costs minus the benefits as perceived by the stock market as the new rules were enacted. If this number were true, the Sarbanes-Oxley act would have to prevent a great deal of unforeseen losses due to fraud before it could be considered worthy. A survey by the Financial Executives International, an association of top financial executives, found that companies paid an average of $2.4 million more than anticipated for audits last year. As a result of the law, demand for accountants has surged. The additional man-hours necessary to comply with this law have further contributed to these astounding costs. Other less visible - and more difficult to measure - costs have been incurred as well. Some non-American companies have threatened not to list on the New York Stock Exchange because of the cost of the legislation. Other companies delisted from American stock exchanges in part because of Sarbanes-Oxley. A study performed by the law firm Foley & Lardner showed that roughly 20 percent of public companies said that they were considering going private to avoid the costs of the act. It would be regrettable if a law that intended to improve the quantity and quality of financial information available to investors led many companies to seek relatively unregulated jurisdictions. As many of the new accounting rules and regulations are still going into effect, it is too soon for a definitive judgment on the law. One of the largest accounting firms, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, told the Securities and Exchange Commission, "The costs are tangible, quantifiable and immediate, while many of the benefits are intangible, harder to quantify and longer term." Ratings companies such as Moody's, a front-line consumer of financial reports, takes a positive view of the impact of Section 404. An April company report said, "We perceive that companies are strengthening their accounting controls and investing in the infrastructure needed to support quality financial reporting." But will the law really help reduce financial fraud in corporate America? And will it do so to a degree that will justify its formidable costs? There's really no way to tell yet. We may have to wait for the first post-Sarbanes-Oxley corporate scandal to reveal whether the law was worth its large cost.

The Setonian
News

Team blows away Gordon College

November 27

Overcoming an inconsistent first half, the Jumbos played tight defense in the second period of last Tuesday night's game to seal a 64-44 victory over the Fighting Scots of Gordon College. The win sent Tufts into its three day Thanksgiving holiday with a 2-0 record and dropped its opponent to 1-2 on the season. Although Gordon never led in the game, it threatened to overtake Tufts, trailing only 19-18 with 7:29 left before halftime. The home team refused to yield, however, and walked into the locker room with a 28-20 lead after closing the half with a 9-2 run. During the break, coach Carla Berube challenged her team to play defense with more intensity. "Coach told us that we weren't playing well," sophomore Jenna Gomez said. "She said that our offense would come through good defense." After shooting 37.1 percent from the floor in the first half, the Jumbos came out more focused for the second frame, making 12 of 24 shots. A quick jumper by junior forward Laura Jasinski increased her team's lead to double figures and propelled it to an 11-0 run. Five minutes into the second half, the Jumbos led by 19. They never looked back. The 20-point margin of victory was their high-water mark in the game. "When we came out after the half, the run got us going," Jasinski said. "We had a lot of opportunities from their turnovers and we did a much better job of taking time off the clock, moving the ball around, and capitalizing off of their mistakes in the second half." On defense, Gordon fluctuated between a man-on-man set and a one-two-two zone. With better ball-movement in the second half, Tufts created open shots on the perimeter, shooting seven for 12 from the three-point range, a stark improvement from its 0-3 from behind the arc in the first half. "We should be ready and prepared for any type of defense," Berube said. "We're still working on our zone offense. We needed to be patient on offense; sometimes we get too fancy. The post players did a good job of moving the ball around, kicking it out to the guards." Senior tri-captain Jessica Powers led the offensive effort with 15 points and seven rebounds in 33 minutes of play. She received support from Jasinski and junior point guard Marilyn Duffy-Cabana, who scored 10 points apiece. Senior tri-captain Katherine Miller contributed three assists. In addition to the starters, Berube received a crucial effort from her bench, which contributed a total of 23 points. Gomez scored 10 points, and freshman point guard Kimberly Moynihan recorded three assists. With Tufts' next game scheduled for Tuesday against Babson College, Berube rewarded her team with a three-day break for Thanksgiving. The Jumbos resumed practice on Saturday to prepare for the imminent game. "We [were] all expected to stay active during the break," Gomez said. "It is a nice rest as long as we are all ready to come out here and prepare for our next game."

The Setonian
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Banana Republic Insights | America must reinvent Cuba policy

November 27

BUENOS AIRES - The media leaked a report two weeks ago from the CIA claiming Fidel Castro - Cuba's leader since January 1959 - has Parkinson's disease. Reuters quoted an unnamed official familiar with the report as saying that "the assessment is that he has the disease and that his condition has progressed." Though the CIA has been known to make mistakes, the Cuban dictator did collapse on a stage last year and he is also rapidly approaching his eightieth birthday. Pondering the process of de-Castroation is therefore entirely worthwhile. Though Castro's designated successor is his younger brother, Raul Castro - a youthful 74 years of age - it is safe to assume that the island-state will change dramatically when "El Barbudo" dies. For the most part, tensions with Cuba have stemmed not from its communism, but from its Castroism. An important source of popularity for Castro is a sort of David and Goliath syndrome that exists in Cuba. Castro manages to retain a great deal of support because he is seen as a hero for standing up to the big bullies in the White House. It is important to reassess America's stance toward Cuba. Through much of the rest of the world, the standard operating procedure is to allow the people to engage in anti-American rhetoric, and for America to still work with that country. Take Indonesia. In October 2002, bombs went off in Bali, killing over 200 people and proving to the world the importance of placating terrorist activities on the archipelago. Since then, the United States has done much to advance its interests in Indonesia. Since the Bali blasts, there has been a great deal of security cooperation, and the U.S. has provided a great deal of monetary and technological counter-terrorism assistance. There have been many cases of cooperation of senior officials. Megawati Sukarnoputri - president until October 2004 - was able to strongly denounce the American presence in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Indonesian government asked the U.N. to take specific steps to prevent the war, and Megawati herself then praised Iraqis for defending themselves against the American troops. How do we reconcile this hard-line dialogue with Washington's promises of loans and arms? Washington understands domestic support can steadily drop if any leader is seen as too closely bound by American wishes. Oral insubordination is largely tolerated as long as crucial issues are resolved amicably. Cuba should be no different. Anti-American sentiment through Latin America is vicious, and Cuban citizens have been the victims of propaganda and filtered press reports for decades now. The United States will need to work toward stimulating the Cuban economy, but should do so largely from the shadows and with a great deal of patience and tolerance. The minute Castro's death is announced, the American embargo should be lifted. The 1996 Helms-Burton Act must be overturned and Bush's tightening of the embargo annulled. A legal flow of goods and services should be established. The United States may be able to benefit from cheap Cuban sugar and coffee. The massive export market that exists only 90 miles away from Cuba could create jobs and elevate many Cubans out of poverty. Trade relations must be bilateral. The United States should export food and medicines cheaply and quickly. Tourism has been critical in keeping the island's economy afloat. A Miami-Havana airplane route would help promote tourism in a virtually untapped market. (I propose a "What happens in Havana, stays in Havana," ad campaign.) For the United States, this would be the ultimate effort to win over the hearts and minds of Latin Americans. The region is now divided between Chavez and his fiery anti-American rhetoric, and Chile and Mexico, with their pro-free trade, pro-U.S. policies. No nation in the region can really survive without U.S. recognition and acceptance. History will surely mark the Cuban case as an anomaly. Under Raul and whoever may follow, the United States should accept a fair amount of angry rhetoric and still be willing to engage in trade and diplomatic relations. Given the dire situation under Castro - a stagnating economy and chronic shortages - it should not take long for people to shift into a more pro-American mindset. Winning over Cubans could start a chain reaction in the region, debilitating Chavez and blurring the memories of Castro and El Che. The U.S. government probably has already planned for all sorts of contingencies and outcomes. It will be interesting though to see what type of plan prevails.

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