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Jumbos finally triumph at Williams Invitational

September 12

Going into Saturday's match-up with Williams, the only Jumbo who had experienced victory against the Ephs was coach Cora Thompson. That all changed this weekend, as the Jumbos knocked down Williams for the first time since 2001 with a 3-1 victory in the finale of the Williams Invitational. The victory propelled Tufts to a 4-0 record to open up the season. By defeating Williams, the Jumbos ended a three year, five- match drought. The Jumbos had not won a single game against Williams in that span. Indeed, only Thompson had beaten the Ephs, doing so as an assistant coach in 2001 and as a player in 1996 in a match that gave Tufts the NESCAC Championship and an NCAA Tournament berth. "It was pretty emotional for most of the returning players, especially [senior co-captain] April [Gerry] and I," senior co-captain Courtney Evans said. "We've had four years of playing and we had never beaten [Williams] before." After taking the first game of the match 30-21, the Jumbos then had their closest game of the entire tournament, with a 30-27 win. After Williams came back to win game three 30-23, the Jumbos wrapped things up with a 30-26 win. Junior Kelli Harrison led the Jumbo attack with 21 kills, and the Jumbos utilized four different freshmen in the effort. First years played a big role as Kaitlin O'Reilly distributed 61 assists, Natalie Goldstein notched 13 digs and Caitlin Dealy and Stacy Filocco had 13 and 10 kills, respectively. The Jumbos want the victory to mark a changing of the guard in the NESCAC. Williams has won the last four NESCAC Championships, but now have to replace a quartet of departed All-Americans. "I felt like it was the closing of one chapter of NESCAC volleyball history and the opening of another one [with] Tufts as a power," Gerry said. While the players were excited about beating Williams, Gerry said the team shouldn't put too much emphasis on the victory. Because the match was not a NESCAC match, the team will see the Ephs later in the season for a more important game. The win over Williams, paired with a win over rival Bates College earlier in the day, gave Tufts self-assurance heading into the regular season. "It gives us a lot of confidence, knowing that we can beat [Williams] when it really counts," Evans said. The Jumbos swept three games against Bates leading into the Williams match. Evans recorded 10 kills and three service aces in the match to pace the Jumbos. Evans was named MVP of the tournament, with 35 kills and seven aces during the weekend. "[Bates and Williams] are more athletic [than the first two teams we played] and they are very emotional teams," Thompson said. "It was a great preview of NESCAC play to come." The victory came after two matches against non-division opponents Lasell and Rhode Island College. Thompson said both of these teams have historically weak programs. "They were great games to start with because we were able to make a lot of mistakes and not have it affect the outcome of the match," Thompson said. "We missed a lot of serves, struggled with passing a bit and made some early-in-the-season mistakes." Despite the mistakes, the Jumbos emerged with consecutive sweeps to kick off the season and set up the unbeaten weekend. Heading into the tournament, Thompson wanted to test a bunch of different lineups. All 14 Jumbos played during the tournament. During the RIC match, Thompson emptied the entire bench. "Everybody got in to play," Gerry said. "Coach was proving a point that anybody, any six players, can be out there and we can win." That depth could hinge on the play of the team's six freshmen who saw the floor for the first time at the college level this weekend. "The players on the college teams are a lot better than the ones in high school," Natalie Goldstein said. "They are much better athletes, and they are a lot smarter on the court." Evans was pleased with the play of her new teammates. "They played great," she said. "If they were nervous, they didn't show it one bit." Tufts travels to Bowdoin this weekend to begin the NESCAC season with matches against Colby and Bates.

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News

Saints focus on football, grit out victory

September 12

With their fans forced to watch from scattered venues across the south and their hearts with the victims and families affected by Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans Saints delivered a gutsy, emotional 23-20 victory over the Carolina Panthers Sunday afternoon. Ever since the devastation began on Aug. 28th, the Saints have themselves been displaced, both personally and professionally, as their home stadiums for the year will be at LSU (four games) and San Antonio (three). Their "home" opener next Monday night against the New York Giants will actually be played in the Meadowlands. A number of players took off preseason time to recuperate, survey the damage, and offer help to some of the thousands in need. Many football experts were unsure of how the Saints could respond and forge ahead with an NFL season, and they assumed the team's focus would understandably suffer. Many thought it was triumph enough to take the field the opening week. But the Saints players, especially after receiving a letter from New Orleans mayor C. Ray Nagin imploring them to play for those suffering, were determined to offer hope and a brief bit of happiness. "We're down, but not out," said all-pro running back Deuce McAllister in a post-game interview, expressing the sentiments of both the Saints and the region. To start the game, the Saints looked professional and poised as two of their opening three drives were long possessions resulting in touchdowns. McAllister led the way with two scores and QB Aaron Brooks was effective when necessary and avoided mistakes. The Panthers, a popular pick to win the NFC this year, fought back at home behind a score from halfback Stephen Davis (who is still not entirely healthy) and the acrobatic catches and speed of receiver Steve Smith (eight catches for 138 yards), who seemed to be signal-caller Jake Delhomme's only target. In the fourth quarter, the scoring was two field goals apiece, with the winning kick delivered by New Orleans' John Carney in the final seconds, delivering to the fans and the region a well-deserved chance to smile. Another entertaining game on Sunday's docket was the Dallas Cowboys' big 28-24 road defeat of the San Diego Chargers, which offered the first glimpse at the second marriage between Bill Parcells and Drew Bledsoe. Bledsoe had one of his better games in recent memory, throwing for three scores, two of which went to Keyshawn Johnson on impressive, thread-the-needle throws reminiscent of Bledsoe in his days with the New England Patriots. Besides his touchdown on the opening drive, the Cowboy defense was able to prevent LaDainian Tomlinson from running wild (72 yards). This game was even throughout and down to the wire, but the Chargers had first and goal at the end of the game and came up empty-handed. Parcells was his ever-glowing self when commenting about his team's performance, calling the game "a good start," but adding that he "couldn't enumerate the things [Dallas] did wrong." In other action, the Indianapolis Colts opened what they hope to be "the year they beat the Patriots" by defeating the Baltimore Ravens 24-7 in the Sunday night game. Peyton Manning and company were held in check by the tough Raven defense in the first half but were up to their old tricks in the third quarter as they recorded two scores to go up 17-0. The Ravens made the Colts defense look impenetrable, however, as they watched their quarterback Kyle Boller get knocked out of the game, and were plagued by four turnovers and three errant field goal attempts. Monday Night Football saw the Atlanta Falcons win a "brawl" of a game over the Philadelphia Eagles in a highly anticipated contest between two potential Super Bowl XL teams. The fireworks started about a half-hour before kickoff, as a scuffle between the sides resulted in the ejection of Atlanta cornerback Kevin Mathis and Philly linebacker Jeremiah Trotter and forced the officials to separate the teams. On the field, both quarterbacks struggled. The Falcons' Michael Vick and the Eagles' Donovan McNabb, were sporadic, committing turnovers and throwing inaccurately. Effective pass-rushes kept the scoring low and prohibited both offenses from maintaining a rhythm. The game was highlighted by the stars: Vick's usual running antics (one rushing touchdown) along with his deep completion setting up the second score, not to mention Terrell Owens' 112 yards receiving for Philadelphia. But the most telling statistic was Atlanta's decisive rushing advantage as they out-gained the Eagles 200-51 yards on the ground, enabling the Falcons to control the clock. To round out the action, what NFL Week One would be complete without its share of upsets? The San Francisco 49ers charged out to a 28-9 lead and survived 362 Marc Bulger passing yards as they hung on to upset the St. Louis Rams 28-25. Joining San Fran in the Nobody Saw This One Coming Department was Nick Saban leading the Miami Dolphins to a 34-10 rout of the Denver Broncos in his professional coaching debut.

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News

Tisch adds functions for new semester

September 11

Tisch Library has introduced two new tools - one electronic and one in the library - to make searching databases and working in groups easier. Find It @ Tufts, a new database tool, will provide the full text of a database article if the library has access to that database. Articles can be browsed according to subject. Previously, students had to search through individual databases, organized alphabetically. According to Associate Librarian Laura Walters, head of reference and collections, if the library does not have access to an article, the system will link to the inter-library loan form to request access. Throughout the year, all of the library's databases are expected to be added to the system. The library also introduced what planners hope to be the first of several new collaborative workstations. Located on the second floor, the workstation is a group of chairs around a table with a computer monitor. A wireless keyboard and mouse allow the group members to work on the same screen. Tisch Director Jo-Ann Michalak said the expansion of the program to more workstations depends on student feedback. Library staff members are also preparing to host an exhibit on Abraham Lincoln. Funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the exhibit will be comprised of 12 display panels and will be accompanied by speakers and events. The exhibit, entitled Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln's Journey to Emancipation, will run for six weeks. It is co-chaired by Library Assistants Abigail Al-Doory and Beverly Gobiel and Public Relations and Reference Coordinator Stephanie St. Laurence. The electronic component of this library enhancement will help navigate their way through the multitude of databases available for research. Find It @ Tufts allows students to more quickly locate a specific article once it appears in search results. After entering an item into the search function on the library's database list, the articles that come up will appear with a Find It @ Tufts link. This then brings the user to the full text of the article, if the library has it, or it will give the user directions to find the article in print. If Tisch does not have the article online or in print, Find It @ Tufts will link to the Interlibrary loan form. As the year progress, all of Tufts' databases will be entered into the Find It @ Tufts function. The database finder is a new program that allows students to search for databases by subject matter. Previously, databases available to students were only listed in an alphabetical format. One of the more physical changes to the library this fall is the introduction of collaborative workstations on the first floor. Designed to help students involved in group projects, these workstations feature several chairs grouped around a table with a computer monitor visible to all. A wireless keyboard and mouse allow all members of the group to work on the same project. Currently there is only one such station in the library, but if feedback from the project is positive, more may appearWith the beginning of the fall semester, Tisch library has introduced several new features designed to enhance students' research and schoolwork experiences. The library is also preparing for a traveling exhibit on Abraham Lincoln which opens in October. As librarians work to get these projects up and running, Tisch is getting ready to host a large exhibit funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Along with 12 panels to be displayed in the library, numerous speakers and events will be part of the six week exhibition entitled Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln's Journey to Emancipation.

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News

Where is the love?

September 11

Of the hundreds of thousands of people with tragic, gut-wrenching, and inspiring stories of the impact of Hurricane Katrina, I surely rank somewhere near the bottom of that (too long) list my three hour delay at the St. Louis airport. Waiting at the gate alone while my parents stayed an extra night for my younger sister's freshman move-in, I went to a newsstand to stock up on reading and came out with Newsweek's "America's Hot Colleges" edition, 200 pages with the promise of distraction and maybe even some praise for my future alma mater. Tufts has never been a superstar on ranking lists in the same way as other comparable schools, but surely we were still a "hot" school, in high demand and on the rise. I was certain that Newsweek would look beyond the numbers to extol our values like such a hidden (or not so hidden) gem as Tufts merits. A glance at the table of contents that included special reports on certain schools' achievements and students' journeys yielded no stories out of Medford, but I was not disheartened. The top 25 "hottest" schools...no, but 25 is a pretty small number and you never know. Hottest for International Studies, here we go... Middlebury, hmmm. Top selective schools... no; quality of life, active student body, best food... negative. The magazine was a 200-page love-fest brimming with praise for all the schools that Jumbos have turned down to be Jumbos, that are considered comparable or lesser schools in terms of academics, prestige, and student life, and the word "Tufts" cropped up twice: once in a 2-sentence blurb about a sports statistics class (which I understand filled up in about 14 seconds) and finally in the alphabetical list of the "367 most interesting colleges," where the glowing description went so far as to include our Early Decision deadline and the address of the admissions building. Now, if my airport analysis seems somewhat narrow, the front-page Daily article (Thursday, Sept. 8) should leave little doubt that this is on the minds of many on campus, faculty and students alike. Many of the rankings discussed in Newsweek were not calculated by a formula at all (where charm, intensity, and attitude do not express themselves as well as money, research, and ratios), but by peer evaluations. Even within the academic community, when asked to list the top schools for various areas, members of the faculty and staff at other institutions consistently failed to remember our Light on the Hill. What is it about this world-class university, a top choice for some of the country's most competitive and high achieving students, that so eludes the eyes of mainstream critics, academic peers and rankings? What in the mystical calculus of college evaluation is to blame for such a conspicuous absence in rankings, anecdotal articles, Dateline specials, or any other form of mainstream or academic praise? Of course Tufts' numbers aren't bad; of course Tufts is a highly-regarded and prestigious university; and of course our less-than-stellar endowment has more than a little to do with how this school is viewed when compared to its cash-heavy cousins. Other factors, such as the lack of a business or law school and small graduate programs, weigh heavily as well. A final and very important caveat, and one that I certainly hope readers will keep well in mind, is that superficial praise is ultimately trivial (at least for current students) and has little impact on the exciting, enriching, and perspective-broadening experience of a Tufts education. That being said - come on, where's the love? I wouldn't hazard any hard conclusions as to why Tufts' image in the broader academic community and the nation is so under-represented, and I would not be unduly offended by it. After all, we still benefit from all that Tufts has to offer regardless of the experience Newsweek says (or rather does not say) we are having. In fact I might be satisfied to accept the situation for what it is but for this rumbling of school pride in my gut. This University is able to attract an incredibly gifted, active, and diverse pool of applicants, to say nothing of a large and growing one. I could involve myself in twice as many extracurricular endeavors and with twice the energy and still feel like an underachiever from talking to and reading about (in campus media) the countless initiatives and accomplishments of members of this community. Drawing freshman classes from so similar and overlapping a batch as our more lauded neighbors, fostering an environment of intensity and openness both academically and otherwise, and generally doing what seem to be all the things a great university should do, we have something special. Some of the people taking part in college evaluations, lists, and all the rest should take a closer look.

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News

Environmental groups turn to climate change for fall

September 11

In preparation for a semester full of campus events on climate change, junior Aditya Nochur spent the summer learning to organize student environmental efforts. Nochur is the Massachusetts State Coordinator of Climate Campaign, a network of college student groups that lobby at the university and legislative level against human contributions to climate change. He said Hurricane Katrina provides a reminder of the potential environmental effects of human actions. "Not only do rising ocean temperatures due to climate change mean stronger, more intense hurricanes, but rising sea levels and degradation of natural storm buffers such as coastal wetlands mean that such storms will be all the more devastating when they hit land," Nochur said. He spent Aug. 11-17 at Climate Campaign's third annual summer session, which featured workshops on energy efficiency, clean energy and investment campaigns. Students from 17 mostly northeastern colleges and several young professionals attended the conference, held in Boston. "I think now, more than ever, is an extremely crucial time to address climate change issues," Nochur said. According to Meg Boyle, the Executive Director of Climate Campaign, the conference was small but the participants were enthusiastic. "This one was characterized more than anything by the energy, talent and critical insight we had in the group," she said. Boyle said the conference participants have stayed in touch to share ideas about how to raise awareness of climate change on campuses. Nochur will work with student groups, such as Tufts Climate Initiative and Tufts Environmental Consciousness Outreach (ECO), this semester on climate change programming. He will connect Tufts to Climate Campaign's university network, called Campus Climate Challenge, to pressure corporations to reduce greenhouse gases. "If all these universities are doing something, than corporations should be able to do something as well," Nochur said. According to Nochur, ECO will work on projects with University faculty and staff, and these efforts "will be our contribution towards the Campus Climate Challenge as well." Last April, a student referendum found strong support for student contributions to climate change initiatives. Eighty-eight percent of students supported a $20 annual addition to the student activities fee to help shift the University toward the use of wind power. "We had an overwhelming amount of support," junior Melissa Henry, a Tufts Climate Initiative member, said. Instead of immediately purchasing wind power, however, the University plans to invest in energy-efficient projects and then reinvest the savings in further energy-efficient projects, potentially including wind power. "The University has agreed to take more energy efficient measures," Henry said. Another Climate Campaign effort this fall is the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which will coordinate carbon dioxide emissions strategy in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Climate Campaign, founded in 2003, works on a national level with groups such as EnviroCitizen, the Sierra Student Coalition, Energy Action, and the Northeast Campus Sustainability Consortium.

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News

Hold the refill

September 11

On college campuses across the nation, plastic bottles of water and soda are even more ubiquitous than iPods. And for some cost-conscious students, those bottles remain useful even after their original contents have been downed. But a burgeoning field of study suggests that refilling and reusing plastic bottles may not be a wise idea. Over the past several years, scientists across the country have been researching the links between health conditions and chemicals found in plastics, and they've come to some striking conclusions. For example, Tufts Medical School Professor Ana Soto recently discovered that a chemical in common plastics called bisphenol A can alter fetal development in mice, increasing their eventual incidence of breast cancer. At the end of August, the Associated Press reported that harmful chemicals traceable to household plastics had been detected in humans living in California, spurring a legislative push for a biomonitoring program within the state. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working to head off plastic-related health issues: USA Today recently reported that EPA chemists are working on creating compounds to replace the potentially harmful chemicals in common plastics. The increasingly public profile of plastic's pitfalls, however, isn't necessarily a deterrent. "I've reused plastic water bottles that were intended for one use only - a.k.a. Poland Spring bottles - and I know many of my friends do," senior Brindusa Negritoiu said. "I actually know someone who buys water bottles from Hodgdon and then refills them all the time." Seniors Chris Lintz and Assaf Pines have employed similar practices. "I'll sometimes refill a plastic water bottle - I can put it in the fridge and fool myself later: tap water no more," Lintz said. "I would often reuse the Gatorade sport bottle - the one with an ergonomic design - and fill it with water for when I would exercise," Pines said. ExCollege Professor Ronnee Yashon, who teaches the popular Tufts course "Genetics, Ethics, and the Law," is no stranger to plastic's hidden darker side. Her sensitivity to the chemicals it contains is heightened due to a condition called multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS). What causes MCS - which can bring about symptoms like dizziness and headaches when individuals who suffer from it come into contact with chemicals, even in tiny doses - is unknown. "People who have it are affected by tiny microparticles," explained Yashon, who has been teaching about genetics, biology, bioethics and the law for the past two decades. "Most people are affected by parts per million, but a person with this condition is affected by parts per billion." But it's not just people with multiple chemical sensitivities who should avoid reusing soda and water bottles, which contain chemicals called phthalates. "When water sits for hours and hours in a bottle, the chemicals in the bottle's components leach into the water in molecular form," Yashon said. In small doses, she added, those phthalates - which make the plastic pliable - "are probably not even dangerous to you." But repeated exposure is a different story. "Plastics, we now know, become estrogen-like in our bodies: they mock estrogen's functions," she said. "For women, that probably isn't that important. But for men, there have been ties made to infertility, and that's a big thing!" One of those ties was made earlier this year in a study done by the University of Missouri, in which the amount of phthalate residue in pregnant women's urine was found to correlate with reproductive abnormalities and feminization in male infants. In May, a study done by the University of Rochester's medical school reached similar conclusions. Though much of the research linking phthalates in plastic to human infertility is relatively recent (previously, only animal studies on the subject had been conducted), interest in the link between such chemicals and negative health outcomes is not a totally new phenomenon. "Brigham and Women's [Hospital] had a giant lawsuit about 15 years ago based on latex, which is a form of plastic," Yashon said. "They did not build good ventilation in the new building, and so the doctors and nurses got sick from exposure to latex and from the latex being recirculated. Some of the nurses contracted the multiple chemical sensitivities condition and couldn't go back to work." "And now, because of the lawsuit, if you go into Brigham and Women's, you can't bring any latex," she continued. "There are signs on the elevator doors that say, 'Please remove latex gloves before pressing buttons.' The lawsuit was important, because it showed that in the air of enclosed buildings, there are big problems with plastics." But Yashon emphasized that there are also big benefits to the widespread use of plastics. "Plastics have been so important," she said. "If you go in hospitals, everything is plastic, because everything gets thrown out. This has done wonders for disease control: before, you had to clean things, and if they weren't cleaned exactly right, the next person got sick." She also said that there's no need for members of the plastic-reliant college crowd to panic. "I've heard the horror stories," Lintz said. "Between cell phones, global warming, GMOs [genetically modified organisms] and water bottles, we're screwed." Not necessarily, Yashon explained: "It's not something we should scare people about," she said. "Most people have been exposed to plastics their whole lives, and there's nothing you can do about it. But the more we know about how these chemicals affect body cells, the better, because people should be looking into what they expose themselves to." As a general rule, she said, the harder the plastic, the safer it is to reuse. How to gauge this? Just look at the numbers on the bottom of your bottles: the higher the number, the harder the plastic. "The number one is the softest form of plastic - those should not be reused," Yashon said. By contrast, Nalgene bottles - which are made of harder plastic - are intended for reuse. Yashon added that being careful when it comes to plastics may have taste as well as health benefits. "An interesting little thing: run water from your sink. Drink some out of plastic, and then drink some out of a glass," she suggested. "There's actually a difference in taste, I think."

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News

Inside the AL | For the Yankees, making the postseason could be a struggle

September 11

When the New York Yankees traded for their former nemesis Randy Johnson last winter, it looked like the critical move that would finally restore them to glory. The Yankees were in desperate need of a horse they could ride into the postseason, and Randy Johnson has always been a first-class thoroughbred. But things have not gone as planned for the Bombers. New York has been riddled with injuries, especially on the mound. Though their lineup has been as potent as expected, the pitching staff has been depleted to the point that they are depending on players like journeyman Aaron Small and minor leaguers like Chien-Ming Wang, who has recently been placed on the DL as well. Mike Mussina, normally a model of consistency, has had some awful starts this season and is now fighting tendonitis. The Yankees signed over-rated Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright and they have paid for it, as both have had ineffective and injury-plagued seasons. Kevin Brown's injury history has also caught up with him once again, as he will sit out the rest of the season with back problems. The Yanks acquired starting pitchers Al Leiter and Shawn Chacon during the season in hopes of stabilizing the rotation. Though Leiter pitched well initially, he has faded and been banished to the bullpen. Chacon also ignited New York with some hot pitching early, but he has also cooled somewhat since. Meanwhile, Johnson has not quite been the savior he was advertised to be. While his 4.05 ERA isn't terrible, his strikeout rate has declined, his home-run rate has spiked, and he might be starting to show his age. It has been players like Small and Wang that have kept the Yankees in the race. The bad news for the Bombers is that Small is not a rookie phenom with unlimited potential. He's a 33-year-old journeyman who posted less-than-stellar minor league numbers. Small has come up big for the Yankees thus far, but look for him to fade down the stretch or in the playoffs (assuming New York makes it that far). Yankee fans have more reason to be excited about Wang, as he is just 25 years old. However, he projects more as a solid fourth starter than as an ace. Another major problem for New York is that their bullpen no longer has the depth it did in past years. Though Mariano Rivera is as dominant as ever, and Tom Gordon is once again playing his role well as setup man, it gets dicey after that. The Yankees have to depend on players like Tanyon Sturtze to get important outs in the seventh inning. It's gotten so bad that Ramiro Mendoza even made an appearance last week and yielded a few runs. New York also sports a spotty defense at some important positions. Jason Giambi is mediocre at best at first base, and Bernie Williams is so slow in centerfield that New York has tried several lineup combinations just to keep him out of the position. On a brighter note, New York's offense has been almost as dominant as advertised. Third baseman Alex Rodriguez is the front-runner for Most Valuable Player in the American League. Giambi, despite his poor play in the field, has turned his season around offensively and now leads the majors in on-base percentage while swatting 29 home runs. Right fielder Gary Sheffield, shortstop Derek Jeter, and left fielder Hideki Matsui have all put up solid numbers at the plate as well. So what does the future hold for New York? The Yankees are not currently leading the AL East or the wild-card race, but there's enough time left that they could take either. The rest of the Yankees' season is up in the air, but one thing is painfully clear: this is not the same New York team that has been a World Series favorite nearly every year since 1996.

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News

CD Review | Why you should care about Kanye

September 11

On his supposedly final album, Jay-Z, hip-hop legend and mentor to Kanye West, let everyone know that, "The music I be makin' / I dumb down for my audience/ And double my dollars." Kanye West is no different. He has made news with his oversized ego and arrogant antics, (complaining that MTV invited him to their video music award show but didn't give him an award, disparaging anyone who has anything negative to say about any of his work) as well as his unrestrained remarks. Just last week the rapper told the audience of a Hurricane Katrina relief telethon that "George Bush doesn't care about black people." "Late Registration," West's sophomore album, struggles with his desire to be the biggest and flashiest rapper, while at the same time tries to get past the distractions to something even greater. The first single, "Diamonds from Sierra Leone," is West's attempt to take on a big social issue (African blood diamonds), while tackling issues of his own. Over a sample of Shirley Bassey's James Bond theme, "Diamonds are Forever," Kanye makes both heavy-handed and insightful observations. "I thought my Jesus piece was harmless / Until I saw a shortie armless," he raps, trying too hard to make a statement. But immediately afterwards, Kanye follows up with a much more subtle and personal line: "And here's the conflict / It's in a black person's soul to rock that gold / Spend ya whole life tryin' to get that ice." The true conflict, at the heart of the song and album, is asking whether what he is struggling for is what he really wants. "Why is everything that's supposed to be bad / makes me feel so good?," Kanye asks on "Addiction." "Late Registration" is his quest to find the answer. The barriers Kanye sees in his life and the lives of many others are addictions. He recognizes the addictions, the weaknesses, and his higher aspirations are all part of him. The album gives as much time to arrogant, flashy Kanye as it gives to his socially-conscious, personal side. Though he tackles big issues, Kanye doesn't lose his sense of humor. "Gold Digger" features a sample of Ray Charles' "I've Got a Woman," alongside Jamie Foxx, doing his "Ray" impression. The "perils of fame" song is a bit of a clich?© ?n second albums, but West finds a way to make it sound unique. His caution against women who go after celebrities' money is so light-hearted it's hard to make any accusations of misogyny; it's more of a jab at the guys too dense to notice they were being used. Jon Brion, who was brought on as co-producer for "Late Registration," can take some of the credit for Kanye making something more than "College Dropout 2." Brion, previously known for his experimental film scores and production work for Fiona Apple and Aimee Mann, helped diversify Kanye's sound without destroying his ability to create a dynamite pop song. Brion's addition of live orchestration and small electronic experiments brings Kanye's sound to a new level. "Late Registration" has its fair share of songs that either flop ("Bring Me Down") or don't quite achieve what they were reaching for ("Crack Music"), and a handful of awful skits. No album can be perfect. "Late Registration" should be praised for Kanye's immaculate beats, Brion's experimentation, and the stand-out guest spots. But if there is a reason this album will one day be regarded as a classic, it's because it marks the first voice in a new generation of rappers not the material itself. The past generation, with Jay-Z, Outkast and Eminem, acknowledged the fight between thug life and real life. Kanye embraces both parts of his hip-hop heritage: he's as showy as Jay-Z and as conscious as Common. The album's not called "Late Registration" because Kanye suddenly wants to go back to college-it's because he's finally ready to take us to school.

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News

Innovative solutions for a complex disaster

September 11

As estimates for the economic costs of Hurricane Katrina reach hundreds of billions of dollars, it is heartening to see the response of Tufts students faced with these numbers. A variety of campus organizations and students have sprung up to make sure adequate funds for reconstruction are available. This past weekend's Mardi Gras party at the Zeta Psi fraternity represents a perfect way the Greek system can fulfill it's mission while having a good time. Decked out with beads, brothers collected donations while providing an entertaining and safe party. Theta Chi and the Leonard Carmichael Society (LCS) will be passing out Mardi Gras beads to students, donating a dollar each to relief efforts. Some have questioned the use of beads, labeling them insensitive. These comments are misguided - the beads pay homage to a celebrated New Orleans tradition. Remember Milton Glaser's "I LOVE NY" shirts after Sept. 11, 2001? Attacking the problem from a different perspective are the four Tufts students who started www.studentsdonate.org. Instead of focusing their efforts exclusively on campus, the students opted for a far reaching Web site for students everywhere. TuftsLife.com is using the Internet as a donation tool, with a link to give money posted prominently on the homepage. LCS, a cappella groups, the Bare Bodkin Theatre Company, and the Office of Student Activities are a few of the many other organizations holding benefit events and fundraisers. The spirit around campus has been extremely cordial toward the Tulane students who have already arrived, and should continue for the additional students arriving Monday: willing student organizations, party goers and student hosts are plentiful. No matter what the method students must continue to assist the relief effort. With creative minds abound, there should be increased action on an individual and student organization level. Katrina should not be a passing fad, and we need not forgot the costs which will be deferred over many weeks and months. The donation commitment does not end when the cash is transferred. Responsible citizenship must be maintained through active participation in following the money, to make sure it is used appropriately. While panels - such as the one held last Thursday in Hotung Caf?© ­ are filled with blustery ivory tower academic speak, they maintain awareness in issues beyond the media, whose coverage will be ephemeral at best. Beyond the heightened awareness, the panel sponsored by the University College falls short of student efforts. Principally a forum for promoting the research of a select number of professors, this activity seems out of place. Discussion of media coverage is important, however, the focus in the immediate aftermath should be concentrated on active relief. The alarmist nature of many of the comments contributed to a politically charged atmosphere at the debate. While the poor response of President Bush and other national and state leaders should be continually called into question, relief work should be apolitical. The issues presented are critical to developing plans to prevent future catastrophes, but are incongruous with current efforts. Donations continue to flow, and students have the proper mindset and motivation to ensure we repair this disaster before preventing the next.

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News

Homesick for nowhere

September 11

September has finally come - and in spite of the collective groan expressed by the local Medford/Somerville population, the light on the hill is once again being rekindled. The new academic year has begun and emotions are pulsing through the throng of newly arrived students like panic through a school of nervous fish. And this with good reason; so many new experiences await them. There will be new friends to meet, new professors to dread, new parties to flock to, new strangers with whom to mingle sweatily in musty basements, and much more. And yet with so many emotions running high during these first few weeks on the hill, one would be hard pressed to find even a handful of genuinely homesick Tuftonians. This is not surprising. After three long months of working a seven dollar an hour summer job, fighting with siblings for the car, and being treated like a 15-year-old by parents, most of us are more than ready to embrace our long-awaited independence. But as the first weeks pass and endorphins begin to slow to a trickle, new students feel the first pangs of homesickness. Dewick's Aztec-rubbed chicken (though delicious) just is not the same as mom's casserole, the cinder block walls seem cold and claustrophobic, and the couples who got together at orientation begin to suspect that they may not actually be soulmates. With time, this homesickness passes. Students begin to form a group of close friends, they settle into their rooms, they even find themselves referring to Medford as "home." But in the absence of the former conventional homesickness, there often comes a deeper, stranger homesickness - one that does not pass quite as easily. Zach Braff's character, Andrew, speaks of this homesickness in the movie "Garden State": "You know that point in your life when you realize that the house that you grew up in isn't really your home anymore? All of the sudden even though you have some place where you can put your stuff, that idea of home is gone...You'll see when you move out, it just sort of happens one day and it's just gone. And you can never get it back. It's like you get homesick for a place that doesn't exist." I first experienced this during my freshman year at Tufts. Even though I had settled in and formed a group of close friends, I didn't feel like I truly belonged either in my room at home or in my double in Houston Hall. This was a more existential feeling of unbelonging, a deeper sense of loneliness in realizing that I yearned for something that nothing I knew could satisfy. I longed to know the truth about myself and my world. Who was I? Why did I exist? Was what I had experienced all there was to life? Though many experience this uncertainty, most choose to ignore it. Many try to crowd it out with their busy lives, relationships, or social noise. Some succeed and become contented with a life about as deep as the wading pool on the Boston Common. And yet some choose to follow their strange longing's leading, seeking answers to the difficult questions. In my first year at Tufts, my homesickness led me to Tufts Christian Fellowship - students who had gone through a search similar to mine, and they claimed to have found what they had been looking for. They found it, they said, by following Jesus together. I decided to stick around for a while, and in time, I was transformed. I found my home and joined together with others who were journeying there by following the only one who could satisfy their homesick longing.

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News

In our midst | A life-changing summer vacation

September 11

Senior Julie Ross sits on the carpeted floor of her Parisian hotel room overlooking Boulevard Saint Michelle. She unzips her bag and puts away her stilettos, skirts, jewelry and makeup. Eight months later, she unpacks again. This time, however, the contents of her bag have been drastically altered: three shirts, two pairs of pants, sandals, a sweatshirt and a first-aid kit. She opens the door to her tent, steps outside and breathes in the fresh, natural air of the Andes. Her brand of traveling has definitely changed. At first glance, one would not expect Ross to be much of the adventurous type. Upon meeting her on the Tisch Library roof in her J. Crew polo, she doesn't project the image of a wilderness fanatic. But everyone has an alternate persona: after spending her junior year abroad through the Tufts-in-London program, Ross spent five weeks of this past summer in South America. A friend she met in London suggested the trip, and Ross jumped at the opportunity. While enrolled at University College London, she had traveled extensively across Europe, visiting Paris, Madrid, Vienna and other cities. At the end of the school year, she did not want her journey to end. "I was on a roll," Ross said. "I just wanted to keep going." The pair bought two South America guide books and spent the last few weeks of Ross' time in London researching their destination. Although they originally wanted to travel across the continent to Brazil, they ended up concentrating on Peru. Once she was back in the States, Ross and her friend set up their trip via e-mail, booking flights and loosely devising an itinerary. "We never set anything in stone except the trek to Machu Piccu, since it fills up so fast," Ross said. "We didn't want to feel restricted." Ross reunited with her friend in Lima, Peru on the evening of July 19. From Lima, the couple went to Nasca, then Cusco, where they began their trek to Machu Piccu, the ancient Incan city located high in the Andes Mountains. Having never trekked before, Ross was nervous about the five-day Salkantay trek, where she climbed with a small group to altitudes 5,000 meters above sea level. "I never thought I could do it," Ross said. "But I did." The first day, the group experienced snow and dry air at drastically high elevations. By the second day, however, the scenery changed and Ross began hiking through a jungle. "All of a sudden there was so much wildlife, vegetation and green," Ross said. On the third day, Ross' favorite, she wandered from the group and walked solely with the guide. She received a private tour of the orchids, passion fruit and exotic plants of the jungle. "It was so cool to be able to see everything the way [the guide] sees it," she said. After rejoining the rest of the group, Ross tried to get a good night's sleep to prepare for the hardest day of the trek, during which she climbed directly uphill in the intense heat and finally got her first glance of Machu Piccu. "I thought I was going to die," Ross said, her expressive hands flying through the air. "It was so difficult, but so beautiful. I would love to convey how unbelievable it was." After traveling through more of Peru, visiting Puno and seeing Lake Titicaca, Ross and her companion went to Bolivia, to Copacabana. But wanting to get the full experience of Peru, they returned to Arequipa and went on another trek - this one three days long - through Colca Canyon. Along the trek, some fellow travelers recommended that Ross go sandboarding in Huacachina, so a few days later, she did just that. Having never even snowboarded, Ross was again faced with fear as she signed her name on the release to go sandboarding. A guide took her and seven others in a dune buggy on a rollercoaster-like ride to the top of the sand dunes. The guide, who spoke no English except the words "fun" and "photo," handed out boards and pointed in the direction of the steep downward slope. Although she was nervous, Ross headed down second and survived with no injuries besides some minor aches from the falls. "The sand was so fine it didn't hurt that badly," Ross said. "But it got everywhere. I still find it in my ears!" Peru is an impoverished country: according to the World Resources Institute (earthtrends.wri.org), 41.4 percent of the population lives on less than $2 a day. "It's eye-opening," Ross said. "You see these kids begging you to let them shine your shoes. We have never seen poverty like that. It's every street, every corner, every person." The paucity Ross encountered made her realize that she does not want to directly dive into corporate America. Though she has yet to make a definite decision about her post-graduation plans, her experience in South America has greatly heightened her interest in helping the less fortunate. Although Ross, an English major and Communications and Mass Media minor, eventually aims to enter publishing and write a novel of her own, after graduation she wants "to do something for the world, if not forever, at least at first." According to senior Caroline Glickler, Ross' close friend, this experience in Peru has caused a notable change in Ross. "As long as I've known Julie, she's always been an incredibly caring person and a dedicated friend," Glickler said. "But seeing her now after her trip, I can really see a change in her level of self-confidence."

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News

Professors bring expertise to hurricane panel

September 11

Professor Rachel Bratt thinks there are five "key truths" about Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath: A comparable disaster was foreseeable for some time, emergency budgets had been gradually cut, money intended for emergencies had been sent elsewhere, the National Guard was not available for relief, and the population in the hurricane-affected area was largely poor. Bratt, a professor of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, spoke at Thursday evening's panel on Hurricane Katrina in Hotung Cafelt;/p> She was joined by Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning Professor Ann Rappaport, Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Paul Kirshen, Sociology Professor Paula Aymer, and University College Senior Fellow Marjorie Reedy. After showing a documentary, Rappaport spoke on the human causes of environmental damage in the hurricane-affected areas. Rappaport said large population movements in Louisiana beginning in 1895 required irrigation projects that drained rivers. As much as 700 square miles of Louisiana coast could be lost by 2050 because of poor planning, she said. Louisina's water level may rise 2 1/2 feet in the next century, which could contribute to an increase in the number and strength of storms, Kirshen said. He is the director of the WaterSHED Center which works to promote stewardship of water resources for sustainable use. "If Boston's sea level was to raise one foot in the next 100 years, we would see a five or six fold increase in storms," he said. Kirshen said human actions such as oil and gas drilling, water management techniques, and over-population in coastal areas could increase the area's vulnerability to flooding. Aymer addressed the societal issues the hurricane revealed. She said there was "an overlapping of three systems of inequalities: race, gender and class inequalities." Louisiana Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, who is white, was often overshadowed by New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, who is black, because of gender. Reedy, a former news anchor, addressed the disaster's media coverage. The media has largely shied away from the race issues, she said, but has done well investigating the government's emergency relief efforts. "I think for once they have done their job," Reedy said of the media. "They are supposed to work for you. They are supposed to work for the people." She said the hurricane provided a reminder of the necessity of the media to provide information. Bratt concluded the prepared portion of the evening by discussing the re-building process. Infrastructure repairs alone, she said, "could take years." Even more difficult will be social re-building. New Orleans is a city with underachieving school systems, poor facilities, unintelligent social planning and infrastructural weaknesses before the hurricane. The professors' presentations were followed with an abbreviated question and answer session. The event was scheduled to allow for equal time for presentations and discussion, but the length of the presentations cut the discussion time to 15 minutes. By the time the question and answer session began, the audience had dwindled from about 70 mostly graduate students, alumni, and professors to about 40 people. Many of the questions focused on the racial aspects of the relief effort. One student, junior April Baskin, asked why the media portrayed black people as "looting" food and white people as "finding" food. Rapper Kanye West expressed the same sentiment in an NBC telethon for hurricane survivors on Friday, Sept. 2. The question and answer session took on a political tone, with several audience members and panelist Kirshen likening the Bush administration's response to the hurricane to its foreign policy. The panel discussion was organized by the University College.

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News

Inside the NL | Are the Mets turning into perennial losers?

September 11

If the Chicago Cubs can be widely accepted as the National League sister team of the Boston Red Sox, it is about time that we recognize the New York Mets as a first cousin. A mere three games out of a playoff berth a week ago, the Metropolitans have doubled their deficit and not only appear primed to end up on the outside looking in, but also have the inside track on last place in the NL East. To what can we attribute the constant failure of the Mets (let's leave 1986 out of the discussion)? Since the team's 2000 Subway Series loss to the New York Yankees, the Mets have been relegated to also-ran status in the NL East, finishing last in the division in two of the last three years and making a strong run at that distinction again in 2005. It certainly is not because the Mets are bargain hunters. With the third highest payroll in the league (over $104 million in 2005; behind only, you guessed it, the Yankees and Red Sox), the Shea-ites are supposedly set up to win each and every spring. But upon further examination of said payroll, one can gather some clues to the Mets' continued failure. Mike Pizza has not played more than 130 games since 2002, and his numbers this season - a .263 average with 15 home runs and 56 RBIs - certainly do not warrant his team-leading $16 million-and-change paycheck. While off-season acquisition Pedro Martinez (remember him?) has largely panned out in 2005 (wait until 2008), the Mets' other big splash move - the signing of Carlos Beltran - has not had the desired impact, although nobody can rule out an Alex Rodriguez-esque Sophomore Breakout Year in 2006. Tom Glavine, number four on the Mets' ledger, has had two consecutive productive years with the Mets; but without any run support, he will likely finish with a sub-.500 record to accompany his sub-4.00 ERA two years running. It is not just the big purchases that have hurt the Mets this year. Pitcher Steve Trachsel, earning almost $7 million, spent the first five months of the season on the disabled list. Shortstop Kaz Matsui has fallen into a serious sophomore slump, batting .251 in only 80 games and still earning over $7 million. Outfielder Mike Cameron takes in another $7 million-plus for a season cut in half by injury. Braden Looper, the team's "closer," sends Shea fans cowering in fear with a price tag of $5.3 million in 2005. The list goes on. The Mets are not without hope, though, as young infielders David Wright and Jose Reyes are having breakout seasons at a low price and will likely remain in Mets uniforms for the foreseeable future. But for now, as many Red Sox fans know all too well, the Mets are plagued by the deadly combination of bad luck and even worse decision-making, leaving them uttering the age-old phrase, "Wait 'til next year..." News and Notes: With the Mets safely tucked away until '06, the NL Wild Card race has four legitimate candidates remaining, with the Washington Nationals likely the next casualty. This is the week the Nats need to make some noise, with a series against - you guessed it - the Mets beginning tomorrow, followed by the NL West-leading San Diego Padres, who are making a drive to win their division with a sub-.500 record. Today starts what could be the biggest series of the season, as the Florida Marlins and Houston Astros open up a four-game set at Minute Maid Park. Dontrelle Willis, who this week became the first Marlin to win 20 games, will face Brandon Backe in the opener. A sweep could give either team the fast track to the playoffs, but the third-place Philadelphia Phillies should be hoping for a split. The Phillies have plenty of work to do themselves while the Fish and 'Stros battle it out, as they will host the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves before going to Florida for a three-game set with the Marlins this weekend. The biggest question remaining for the Braves is whether or not rookie Jeff Francoeur (batting .332 with 12 home runs and 38 RBI as of Saturday) can win Rookie of the Year honors with under 250 at-bats on the season. Barry Bonds is expected to be activated by the San Francisco Giants today to make his long-awaited (except not really) debut. With the Giants way behind the Padres in the division, Bonds' return, primarily as a pinch hitter in the beginning, will likely have no effect on the playoff races.

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News

'Emily Rose:' it's scary, but true?

September 11

"The Exorcism of Emily Rose" is great at giving you new, unique perspectives... of the inside of your sweater. (Who knew you could see so well through those little tiny holes?) Through it, one sees some horror movie norms: possessed teenagers, haunted dorm rooms, and a bunch of overly religious country folk. Yet this movie is no cheap thrill for dreary days and nights with Ben & Jerry's. "The Exorcism of Emily Rose," according to the filmmakers, actually happened. The story unfolds through the family priest Father Moore's (Tom Wilkinson) trial for negligent homicide. Emily Rose (Jennifer Carpenter), an innocent girl from a small town, goes off to college and begins to experience "forces" controlling her. After seeking medical help proves futile, her family calls upon Father Moore to find a more spiritual solution. Observing Emily's behavior, all agree that her only hope for relief is a ritual exorcism. She ceases medical treatment and the priest performs an exorcism that is unfortunately unsuccessful. Her condition spirals downward, ending in a painful and tortured death. Though the movie focuses heavily on the possibility of the divine, there are also medical theories tossed out, creating an interesting debate not usually found in horror films. Is Emily plagued by demons or psychotic epilepsy? Could someone's body twist like that? Can people speak using both vocal cords? It is this believability factor that makes "scary" aspects of the movie effective, especially Father Moore's trial. While it is common to have some sort of investigation throughout a horror film, as in "Silence of the Lambs" (1991), this trial seems unique, providing a believable and tangible element to the story line. The director, Scott Derikson, didn't just throw out a few monsters to get a cheap rise - he wants you to actually consider that this happened. This effect was made possible by commendable performances across the board. Laura Linney, perhaps best known for 2004's "Kinsey," is especially effective as Father Moore's skeptical defense attorney. While the alcoholic, agnostic, lawyer aspect is overdone, Linney's subtle, convincing change of heart provides depth to her character. This transformation is what Derikson attempts to provoke in the audience. Just like Peter Pan, minus all the clapping, he hopes this movie will inspire us all to believe in fairies (or, in this case, demons). Luckily, he provides us with an engrossing plot instead of just a proselytizing scary story. Unfortunately, Carpenter's Emily Rose might be a little too good - will anyone see her as anyone other than the demonic contortionist that she proves to be in the film? Veteran actor Tom Wilkinson's Father Moore, on the other hand, is a convincing, entertaining, and moving character. As opposed to his "ultimate gangster" character, Falcone, in "Batman Begins" (2005), and his evil mind erasing doctor in "Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind" (2004), Father Moore is a kind and genial priest not afraid to sacrifice his own well-being for Emily. Again supporting the film's religious undertones, almost every major character in the film is a martyr of some sort; all undergo personal pain in order to benefit the collective. The only character who doesn't fall into this category is the overzealous Protestant prosecutor, played by Campell Scott, determined to erase the divine possibility present in the case. Now what kind of message does this send about Protestants? Although director Scott Derikson definitely attempts to weave in some of his own religious opinions here, one must try to look beyond it and appreciate the film as a whole. In the era of technology and special effects, the poor quality of recent horror movies is astounding. Amidst such offenders as "The Ring" (2001), "Hide and Seek" (2005), and "The House of Wax" (2005), scare value has caused a decrease in quality of plot and direction. Finally, the industry has been introduced to a film with a strong cast, development and message. If you are looking for a good scare as well as a decent film, "Emily Rose" is your pick. One word of advice, however - make sure you and whoever you see it with are properly restrained in order to prevent serious injury.

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News

Two programs bring high schoolers to Walnut Hill

September 11

Two programs run on the Medford campus this summer gave mostly local high school students a chance to take courses in a college setting. Tufts Summer Study, which ran from July 1 to Aug. 12, coinciding with the second undergraduate Summer Session, was run by the University. Academic Study Associates - a non-Tufts organization - held its College Admission Advantage program at Tufts from June 19 to 30. Both programs were overseen by the University's Conference Bureau, which handles most events that take place on campus over the summer. According to Conference Bureau Staff Assistant Jacqueline Furtado, the summer events generate income for the University from facilities that would otherwise go unused over the summer. This year, about 70 high school students participated in the Tufts Summer Study program. This amount is roughly consistent with 76 last year, 67 in 2003, and 62 in 2002, according to the 2004-2005 University Fact Book, published by Tufts Institutional Research. The program does not provide housing for participating students, so most of the students are from nearby. Although many of the students are from Massachusetts, "kids have come [from] as far as eastern Connecticut and southern New Hampshire" Summer Session Manager Sean Recroft said. He said there were participating students from both urban and rural areas. International students have also participated in the program in past years. According to Recroft, however, this was possible largely because "they had relatives that lived locally." Recroft said that one of the aims of the program is to "provide a presence in the local communities of Medford and Somerville." The program is also designed to "provide an opportunity for local high school students to get a taste of what college life is like," Recroft said. The program enrolls high school students going into their junior or senior year who are good writers. An admissions committee reviews students' academic records before accepting them into the program. Classes in the program range from "Ethics and Global Citizenship," for students interested in diplomacy, to "Health Science Honors," for students interested in a career in medicine. Students in "Health Science Honors" visited clinics at the Tufts-New England Medical Center. Introductory courses in physics and philosophy were also offered. Programs such as college life, college planning and an SAT workshop were added this year. They were available to students who were enrolled in other Tufts Summer Study courses. The Academic Study Associates program also included SAT preparation courses, in edition to essay writing instruction, admission workshops, and one-on-one counseling. Participating students were housed in South Hall. "It was a small group, so it was easy to house them," Furtado said.

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News

A manifesto for education democracy

September 11

Many well-meaning people in modern societies see education as the rightful engine for social progress. Underlying this belief is the modern conviction that merit, rather than birth, tradition, race, gender, class, or age, should determine advancement up the social ladder or hierarchy. The answer to inequality that many schools offer or aspire to is need-blind admissions. If you are academically good enough, you will get in regardless of your financial status. Such meritocracy is a nice idea, but there are problems in its implantation. Those who apply to good schools come disproportionately from privileged families, which tend to have more time, taste, and money for education. No matter how merit-based the school, most of its student and faculty applicants hail from middle and upper class families. Current meritocracy rarely questions the social ladder's height, let alone its existence. Meritocracy only seeks to ensure free movement up and down the ladder. What it misses are the fundamental ways schools deepen social inequalities and undermine democracy. Professional administrators, faculty, and members of state, national or global economic, political and cultural elites - not the whole school and surrounding community - make the vast majority of the school's decisions. Routinely putting decisions in the hands of a few consolidates takes power away from most. The fewer people directly involved in the decisions, the less interested they are in such decisions, but also the fewer their resources. Prestige-hungry schools seek to distinguish their faculty and students by professionalizing knowledge, strengthening alumni connections, and plucking the most promising youth from across the world, including its most troubled communities. Strengthening alumni connections turns putatively meritorious students into social climbing graduates who may climb because of their connections and not merit. Plucking promising youth from troubled towns may advance a school's prestige and self-righteousness, but this individualistic approach does little to solve community problems. It propels youth up the social ladder, but they rarely to return to their troubled communities. The solution to these problems is to foster participatory democracy in schools. Schools that practice rather than simply espouse democracy do not assume the mindset that few should make decisions while the rest study physics, teach classes, clean floors, or serve meals. Democracy entails some substantial measure of routine sharing in decision-making not only when an election rolls around. Schools need to be democratized so that all a school's participants, including students, faculty, and administrators, participate together, routinely in school decision-making large and small. Routine and shared decision-making helps bridge the silent social divides between teachers, students, and workers as it instills education about community, decision-making, and power as a lifelong practice for all rather than the professional province of a credentialed few. Second, rather than pluck promising students from troubled communities, democratic schools build long-term partnerships with communities to address their respective needs. Such an approach engages schools in directly tackling community problems - from poverty and crime to pollution and war - rather than extricating a few from social problems, leaving the problem in place for those remaining to endure. In return, the school community gains ongoing, invaluable, hands-on education in addressing public problems. Third, schools more committed to democracy than prestige can devote the alumni network to sustaining students' nurturing relationships with communities as much if not more than fundraising and social climbing. Schools need to achieve the democratization of knowledge. They can reform education, tenure, and promotion so that students and faculty are rewarded as much for communicating with ordinary citizens as academics. They can also move knowledge beyond journals and books and even the printed word to other media that more people consume, from film, television, radio and the internet to posters, cartoons, and popular art of all kinds. These are by no means the only possible paths to a more democratic education. But if we as members of educational institutions support genuinely participatory democracy, we have every reason to question and start changing some of our schools' most taken-for-granted goals and practices. Democracy begins at home.

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News

State rep. wins primary, to face city alderman Sept. 27

September 7

State Representative Pat Jehlen won a Democratic primary election for the Massachusetts state senate on Aug. 30. Jehlen will now compete in the general election on Sept. 27 where she will face off against Republican William A. White for the district that includes the Tufts campus and surrounding areas. The primary was held after the state senator for the Second Middlesex District, Charles E. Shannon, Jr., passed away in April. The Second Middlesex District contains the towns of Medford and Somerville, as well as the town of Winchester, and a small part of Woburn. Jehlen received 38 percent of the vote, beating out Somerville lawyer Joseph Mackey with 27 percent. Michael Callahan and Paul Casey came in third and fourth with 22 percent and 13 percent of votes, respectively. "I think that we won the primary by talking very strongly about Democratic values [like] funding education and general healthcare," Georgia Hollister-Isman, a spokeswoman for Jehlen said. "I think those are values that the majority of people in this district care about." Jehlen has represented half of Somerville in the state house of representatives for the past 14 years. She obtained an early endorsement from West Medford State Representative Jim Marzilli. Jehlen's platform for the general election remains focused on healthcare and education. "These are issues where we have the opportunity to make real progress," said Hollister-Isman. "The cost of healthcare is skyrocketing, and more and more people are dropping their insurance, making costs skyrocket even more." Jehlen is in favor of universal healthcare, and would like to overhaul problems in the bureaucracy in the department of education, Hollister Isman said. "[Pat] is also frustrated with the current state of the department of education," she said. "It makes it very hard for individual teachers to develop a curriculum that works." Jehlen's web site highlights her efforts to lower housing costs, protect homosexual rights, increase local government aid and close tax loopholes. White, her opponent in the upcoming general election, has been an alderman for eight years in the city of Somerville. His number one priority in the campaign is job creation. "The Massachusetts economy is still in rough shape," White said. "You have to have a comprehensive economic plan to create jobs where the state works closely with communities." If elected, White said he would like to put forward proposals that would evaluate the economic situation. The district is predominantly Democratic, but White is confident his prominence in the community will carry him through the election. "I've been an alderman for eight years in the city of Somerville, and I think I've developed a very good reputation," White said. "I look at the issues and develop solutions based on the issues, not on partisan politics."

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News

Undergraduate school up to 27th in magazine rankings

September 7

Tufts moved up one spot in this year's U.S. News & World Report rankings of the country's best colleges. The 2006 issue, published last month, lists the undergraduate college at 27th among national universities. It shares the rank with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University. Tufts' undergraduate school was ranked 28th by the magazine last year and 25th the year before. The undergraduate rankings are a composite of numerous academic and financial statistics and a peer assessment survey, which asks other schools' administrators and faculty to evaluate a school's academic reputation. The School of Engineering was ranked 67th among undergraduate engineering programs. Tufts is not ranked in any of the engineering specialty subcategories. The engineering program at Tufts is tied with Auburn University, Boston University, Northeastern University, Polytechnic University, the State University of New York at Stony Brook, Syracuse University, the University of Illinois at Chicago, the University of Tennessee, and Washington State University. The magazine's undergraduate engineering rankings are based entirely on the peer assessment survey. Dean of the School of Engineering Linda Abriola said that although the rankings are "disappointing," they are not reflected in the quality of applicants to the undergraduate program. "The caliber of our student applicants is extraordinary," she said. "Undergraduates... come here because of our unique environment and our close ties with Arts and Sciences." Abriola said the school is undergoing many improvements, such as the building of an Integrated Lab Complex with the School of Arts and Sciences that will add research space, the hiring of new faculty, and the expansion of fundraising campaigns. "It will now be important that we get the word out," she said. "[That way] administrators and faculty at other institutions [will] start to better appreciate what we are doing." Three freshman engineering students said the rankings had little effect on their decision to apply to Tufts. Brenda Martinez said she did not read the rankings before applying. Scott Schreibner said the rankings had "some effect" on his decision making, but he focused more on location and on name recognition. "Tufts as a whole is a well-known school," he said. Courtney Mario said she relied more on college guidebooks than on magazine rankings. "It doesn't change whether or not I am happy with Tufts," she said.

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News

Disengagement demonstrates flaws in unilateralism

September 7

Many would say that the evacuation of the Gaza settlements represents an unprecedented opportunity for Middle East peace. After all, Israel has shown an unquestionable commitment to co-existence with the Palestinians, giving them a significant swath of land, and also a commitment to preserving Palestinian autonomy, at least on the ground, even if not the air or sea. They have done this, furthermore, without a single counter-expectation of action by the Palestinian Authority, or its leader, Mahmoud Abbas. As the day of post-disengagement Israel dawns on the Middle East, the question of sustainable, human rights-based peace is on the minds of all who take interest in this volatile region, or make it their home. Is such a peace possible as a result of disengagement, and if so, is it a realistic possibility for the near future? First, the operating assumption here will be that the pullout was ultimately for economic reasons. The views which follow are about peace prospects, but this is not to suggest that they are the only or even primary impetus for Gaza disengagement. A brief consideration of the question of sustainable Middle-East peace requires outlining its intrinsic conditions. Unfortunately, it seems only too clear that these conditions are not in tandem with the current situation on the ground in Gaza and Israel. An Israeli and Palestinian commitment to peace will require more than just a cessation of violence. The two nations must be willing to show commitment to the basic well-being of each other's constituents as well. For the Palestinians, this will require a basic recognition at all levels of Israel's right to exist as a state. Furthermore, the Palestinian people will need to be empowered by their government to create the infrastructure which is so vital to the well-being of any autonomous state. For Israel, the fundamental question of whether the state is a Jewish Democracy or Democracy of Jews will need significant treatment. Israel must also be willing to respect Arab nations' concerns that it is an intrusive Western cultural machine in the center of Arab civilization. Most importantly, of course, Israel will need to demonstrate explicit commitment to the preservation, and in some cases re-instatement, of Palestinian human rights. Bulldozing houses of suicide-bombers' families may be justified under rules of engagement, but not under any basic conception of human rights. And while the international community and several NGOs have shown what can only be described as an abnormal amount of concern for Israel's actions (about 30 percent of U.N. Security Council Resolutions over the past 35 years were in regards to Israel, according to the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs), the fundamental nature of identifying as a liberal democracy is dichotomous: either you do or you don't. On the surface it would seem on the surface that a withdrawal from Gaza would be effective, because it would increase the amount of trust between the two nations, an element of negotiation that is crucial for sustainable peace to be an outcome. However, the problem with unilateral disengagement is just that: it's unilateral. Over the past four years, the basic structure of intifada violence has been unilateral as well. Side A bombs Side B, which retaliates against Side A, which responds again against Side B. And while one should be loathe to term this a "cycle" of violence due to inescapable normative disparities, ultimately the point proven was that pointing fingers and assigning blame led to nothing in terms of sustainable peace. Certainly the disengagement increases significantly the amount of trust between sides (which suicide bombs and missile strikes did not). However, the unilateral nature of Gaza disengagement impairs it fundamentally as a tool for sustainable peace, because it requires no mutual commitment to a pulley system of coexistence. Rather, it acts as a lever, with blame as the fulcrum. Or consider another analogy: the political implications of Gaza disengagement are comparable to paying a $300 bribe to Donald Trump. It would certainly have positive value to him, but it would not stop him from, say, changing his signature hair style, an issue of character more than economics. Likewise, while Gaza is certainly of immense value to the Palestinians and the groups which represent (or "represent") them, there are several other fundamental issues at stake that prevent Palestinian power holders from negotiating, issues more important to them than Gaza (or a hair style). And while one could very reasonably argue that these power holders are foolish for not realizing just how valuable a gift they have been given, the facts on the ground are that issues such as the right-of-return for refugees, human rights guarantees, and compensation for previous wrongdoings, are all factors that stand in the way of unilateral disengagement from Gaza meaning anything to these power holders. Ultimately, it is joint efforts, and joint efforts alone, that can lead to sustainable peace in the Middle East. One-sided efforts, be they positive initiatives like disengagement or negative initiatives like divestment, cannot force the joint action required by both sides to achieve sustainable Israeli-Palestinian peace. Sustainable peace is not a state to be forced upon two entities, like war or colonialism. Rather, it must be the fruits of the efforts of all parties involved. By cultivating dialogue initiatives, trade agreements, and education programs, supporters of Israel and/or the Palestinians can increase both trust and the chance of peace as a possibility in the near future. But no matter how well-intentioned (or purposefully ill-intentioned) a unilateral plan may be, a one-sided approach to peace is ineffective, futile, and ultimately unfair to the citizens of the Middle East and the world who deserve so much better. Scott Weiner is a sophomore who has yet to declare a major.

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News

Bring in the 'Illinoise,' bring in the Illi-funk

September 7

Ah, the concept album -- that often maligned, sometimes successful but always bizarre offering by artists eager to approach their work from a new angle. A concept album allows a musician to adopt a new persona or explore a character. It can be brilliant ("Ziggy Stardust" is now recognized as one of Bowie's classics and a seminal glam-rock album) or disastrous (remember Garth Brooks's "In The Life of Chris Gaines"? No?). However the final product turns out, a concept album usually doesn't appear more than once in an artist's oeuvre; it's a kind of one-time experiment, a musical dare. No one told this to Sufjan Stevens, the singer/songwriter/everything-player who has made a career out of thematic albums. Tonight, he'll be appearing at the Somerville Theatre in support of his latest recording, "Illinois." "Illinois" is part of Stevens's incredibly ambitious "50 States Project," wherein he aims to record one album for every state in the country. Don't hold your breath: at his current rate, Stevens should finish sometime around 2053. "Greetings From Michigan," the first in the series, was one of 2003's most well-received records. Far from directly representing Michigan's famed musical past (Stevens is more lo-fi than Motown), the album draws on the artist's experience as a folk-rocker to explore the state's complex present. "Say Yes! To Michigan!" celebrates Stevens's affection for his home state, while more introspective songs like "Flint (For the Unemployed and Underpaid)" lament the same economic struggle that was explored in fellow Great Lakes State native Michael Moore's "Roger and Me." Prior to "Greetings From Michigan," Stevens released 2001's "Enjoy Your Rabbit." The album was an electronic "song cycle," with one track for each animal of the zodiac (plus some extras: "Year of the Asthmatic Cat," while a sweet allusion to his label, Asthmatic Kitty, is nowhere to be seen on Chinese zodiac charts). Rounding out Stevens's concept pieces is 2004's "Seven Swans." Breaking from the 50 States Project, Stevens recorded an album about his religious faith. Deactivate your "Christian rock" alarm: "Seven Swans" is not so much Creed as it is banjo players on the front porch of a Faulkner novel. Southern literary influences are visible in the song "A Good Man Is Hard to Find," a take on the Flannery O'Connor story of the same name. "Illinoise" features the same eclectic mix of musical styles and affinity for quirky titles. Stevens recently told MTV that he thinks of his performances "as sounding like a sixth grade band." This vision is evident on songs like "Come On! Feel The Illinoise!," which is broken into "Part I: The World's Columbian Exposition" and "Part II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me In A Dream." The end of Part I is signaled by an instrumental interlude during which one can visualize black-clad 12-year-olds stumbling around in the dark, trying to get the set ready for the triumphant return of Part II. Other standouts include "Chicago," which builds up to a chanting cavalcade of voices and "They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From The Dead!! Ahhhh!," which name-checks Reagan and Captain Clitus and teaches listeners how to spell words like "Illinois" and "birds." The album's scale and diversity, while perfectly effective on disc, may be the only hindrance to a comparable live show. Stevens plays 19 different instruments on "Illinois," an impossible feat to replicate on stage. And although Stevens tours with a more extensive entourage than your average singer/songwriter, he will probably not be able to fit the entire Illinoisemaker Choir (who are credited in the liner notes as providing "vocals, clapping, hooting, hollers") into the Somerville Theatre. Stevens is known for having a shy, thoughtful, almost reverent stage presence, which will serve songs like "John Wayne Gacy, Jr." (an unlikely ballad about the serial killer) well but could be jarring when offset with more theatrical songs like "The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts." But Stevens will likely find a way around these limitations. One of the more innovative artists in today's music scene, Stevens has shown that he can mix Chinese cosmology with modern Christianity, the Great Lakes State with the Prairie State. And if tonight's show goes well, he might just find inspiration for the first single off of 2041's "How Do You Spell Massachusetts Anyway?" album.

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