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Panel discusses the complicated issues, challenges facing transgendered people

April 4

Tufts students gathered last night to discuss the complex topics of gender issues and transgenderism. Denise Leclair, Executive Director of the International Foundation for Gender Education led the discussion with Tufts graduates Kelly Sanborn (LA '04) and Kit Stanton (LA '04). The panel commenced with an explanation of what exactly transgenderism is, and a definition of transsexuality. "Transgenderism has come to be an umbrella term in today's society - it has come to mean somebody who challenges today's gender rules," Leclair said. "Many believe transsexuals to be people who changed gender through surgical procedure, but this is not always the case. Many times these people don't have the money to change or simply don't like doctors." Leclair summed up her definition of transgender people by noting that "transgender people may be confusing but we are not confused." The conversation then switched to the challenges facing transgender people in the United States. "Many transgender people can't get proper documentation for their sex and that makes it difficult to find a job," Leclair said. "Also, more than half of the transgender people I know are disowned by their families. They find themselves on the street getting by hustling drugs or being a prostitute. It's not because you want to but because you have no choice." Stanton, a transgender Tufts graduate, talked about discrimination at work and the difficulty of finding a bathroom. "The job I got had a non-discrimination policy but did not mention anything about transgender people," Stanton said. While filling out an identification form at work, a superior insisted that Stanton write "Katherine," the first name listed on Stanton's birth certificate, instead of "Kit" - the name that Stanton had been known by for years. When Stanton asked the superior why the name change would be so important, he said that it would be more comfortable that way. "I didn't know if I could even file a complaint about this or not because the company had no policy at all," Stanton said. "When I went into the bathroom, I would get a lot of awkward stares, awkward silences," Stanton said. "I thought, 'Do I have to explain myself to these people when I go to the bathroom?'" Sanborn then mentioned the changes she worked to make on the Tufts campus in order to make it more transgender-friendly over her years at the University, including changing some of the bathroom designations to make them more accessible for transgender individuals. "There are a lot of single-stalled lockable bathrooms at Tufts that were gendered," Sanborn said. She worked with the Tufts administration to change the signs on the bathrooms so that they did not specify any gender. "The administration was very friendly and some changes were made ... but a lot more still has to be done. There was some hostility from groups on campus ... who made lots of excuses that basically showed the transgender uneasiness that existed on campus," Sanborn said. Sanborn also worked successfully to include a transgender policy in the housing policy at the University, which changed the housing policy to deal specifically with transgender cases. Leclair concluded the presentation by calling for change in discrimination laws to include transgender people in the United States. "At a national level we don't have much success, but on a state and local level we are seeing more support," Leclair said. The event was sponsored by the Tufts Transgender, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Collective (TTLGBC) and by Emerge, a political organization working on behalf of the LGBT community.

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News

Baseball | Slugger has been key on offense

April 4

In its last two games, the baseball team has exploded offensively, posting a combined 25 runs and surging to key victories over Massachusetts Maritime and Bates College. Much of the recent offensive success can be attributed to the play of sophomore first baseman Bryan McDavitt, who has brought a solid and explosive bat to the Tufts lineup. McDavitt blasted a grand slam and a three-run homer this past weekend against Bates, and has been among the leaders in key offensive categories this season. McDavitt is hitting .368, with a .605 slugging percentage and is leading the team in hits (14), RBIs (10), home runs (two), and total bases (23). McDavitt attributes much of the recent success to the preparation and teaching of coach John Casey. "I've seen the ball a lot at the plate so far," McDavitt said. "I've listened to Coach, who has kept telling me to stay back and try to hit the ball the other way." McDavitt also commended Casey for molding him into a solid first baseman. McDavitt played third base and shortstop in high school, and said the switch to first base required learning different footwork and positioning skills. According to Casey, McDavitt is a unique player whose success comes from his hard work and diligence. "He's tough, competitive, plays hard and just loves baseball," Casey said. "He does what we ask our hitters to do, and he's the type of kid we look for. Hopefully he'll keep it going." Baseball is not the only sport in which McDavitt excels. The Holden, Mass., native played both baseball and football all four years of his high school career, and decided to pursue both at the collegiate level. In the fall, he straps on pads and steps on the football field where he plays defensive back and punter for the Jumbos. Last season, McDavitt recorded 37 tackles and defended five sacks. However, he admits that balancing two sports along with academic rigors can be a challenge. "It's a lot of commitment and it's tough playing both sports," McDavitt said. "I always have something going on, and have to sacrifice some social privileges with it. But I love playing and competing." McDavitt plays under coach Bill Samko, the head football coach and an assistant coach of the baseball team, in both sports. According to Samko, McDavitt has been a rock of stability and a playmaker when it counts for both teams, and although McDavitt may not be the biggest guy on the field (standing 5' 10" and weighing in at 185 lbs) he makes up for his size with hard work and consistency. "He's a great kid, and has been very dependable for us," Samko said. "His greatest strength is his tenacity. You know what you're going to get with him. He's not the biggest or fastest guy out there, but when the money is on the line he's at his best. He makes plays and it's a testament to his competitiveness." According to McDavitt, the transition from high school to collegiate athletics posed some challenges, especially on the football field, because of the depth of knowledge and complex plays he is responsible for knowing. McDavitt took on the role of starting safety last season for the Jumbos, and is responsible for calling out many of the defensive schemes. The transition to collegiate level baseball, McDavitt's favorite of the two, was not as challenging. "There was not much of a transition for me playing baseball," McDavitt said. "I'm more of a baseball guy. I grew up playing baseball, my dad played in college, and I just always had a love for it." Despite his offensive success this season, McDavitt's main concern is the success of the team. "The numbers don't matter," McDavitt said. "[The team] has to build on what we've done so far, and I just want to make a run at it this year, and make it to the playoffs."

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News

Marissa Beck | Eat this!

April 4

WARNING - do not read this column without a calculator in hand - calories are closer to you than they may appear in mirror. Not everyone has the same, "based on a 2000 calorie diet" caloric needs. Here are some equations to play around with while you are, A) eating lunch by yourself and pretending to be engrossed in the paper, B) sitting in lecture and can't unscramble the word jumble, or C) waiting in the campus center for your extremely hot writing fellow. It's important to know your body's daily caloric needs so that you can adopt a realistic diet and physical activity plan to help maintain a healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight protects you from numerous chronic diseases and provides many health benefits. According to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) 2005 Dietary Guidelines, being overweight or obese increases your risk for high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, certain types of cancer, arthritis, and breathing problems. A healthy weight is key to a long and healthy life. The first step is to figure out your basic energy needs according to your age, gender, size and weight; this is called your "basal metabolic rate," or BMR. Your BMR is the amount of calories you burn just by being alive - even when you are lying down, doing nothing. Then, between 20 to 50 percent of your daily caloric needs are determined by physical activity. You also burn a small amount of calories to digest and metabolize food. This is known as the thermic effect of food. Add the calories you will need to support your training activities (based on the type, duration, and intensity of exercise) to your BMR and energy needed for the thermic effect of food, and you've got your estimated total caloric intake for the day. To estimate your daily caloric needs, you can use what's known as the Harris-Benedict equation. This equation is one of the most commonly used amongst nutritionists, but there are others. 1. Convert - First, figure out your weight in kilograms by dividing your weight in pounds by 2.2. To determine your height in centimeters, multiply your height in inches by 2.54. (Note: one inch = 2.54 cm and one kilogram = 2.2 lbs). 2. Calculate BMR - If you are a female, complete the following equation: 655 plus [9.6 multiplied by your weight in kilograms] plus [1.8 multiplied by your height in centimeters] minus [4.7 multiplied by your age in years] = "X." If you're a male, your equation is: 66 + [13.7 x weight in kg] + [5 x height in cm] - [6.8 x age in years]. "X" is your BMR. Now, let's calculate your daily activities: 3. Add activity factor - Multiply X by one of the following activity factors: A) 1.2 if you are sedentary - You do little or no activity. You sit in your room and watch TV all day. The thought of walking to class is overwhelming. Or, you might just have an injury. B) 1.375 if you are slightly active. You do some light exercise one to three days per week. You might find yourself frequently reading a magazine while exercising. Or, you stand around all day doing lab work. C) 1.55 if you are moderately active. You do moderate exercise three to five days per week. You enjoy a brisk walk at four mph, or you play a game of tennis. You are "one of those" who run around campus from class to class because you think you're still in high school. D) 1.725 if you are very active. You perform strenuous exercise five to six days per week. You're on a varsity team, playing full court basketball or lacrosse. E) 2.0 if you are extremely active. You're an animal, performing hard daily exercise six to seven days per week, sometimes training two times per day. You're currently training for the Boston Marathon or doing a competitive triathlon. 4. Then, multiply your figure by 1.1, which accounts for a 10 percent increase in your energy needs due to the thermic effect of food. Once you have a fairly reliable estimate of your daily energy needs, you can then create a diet around a combo of foods you enjoy, with the nutrients you need. As you make these adjustments to your daily calorie intake, it's important to remember that you have a good balance of foods including carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and water. The next step is to adjust your calories according to your primary goal. The math part of calorie balance is simple: to keep your weight the same, calories in should equal calories expended. To lose weight, you need to create a calorie deficit by reducing your calories slightly below your maintenance level (or keeping your calories the same and increasing your activity above your current level). To gain weight, you need to increase your calories above your maintenance level. The only difference between weight gain and weight loss programs is the total number of calories required. You might need to experiment with your "calculated" needs, since metabolic rates of individuals vary. If it seems too low, you may need to up it a little, or if it seems too high, you may need to decrease a little. Keep in mind that those numbers are only an estimate. Differences in caloric needs among individuals can vary greatly, and this is just the one-size-fits-all formula that gives most people a decent ballpark figure.Senior Marissa Beck, an English and art history major, works with the Strong Women program as an assistant manager and personal trainer for the Tufts Personalized Performance Program. She can be reached at Marissa.Beck@tufts.edu. This column is written in conjunction with Emily Bergeron, R.D., the editor of the Daily's Balance section.

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Brian Wolly | Wolly and the Teev

April 4

It's a rare occasion when I'm not writing my column on a Sunday night, and an even rarer occasion when I'm not flipping through the channels to find something worthy enough to distract me from writing said column. For the past few weeks, I've seriously found myself watching some fascinating programming courtesy of C-SPAN. Suddenly I am transported from my cramped Hillsides room to the archaic pews of Parliament in London, England. There, from 9 to 9:30 p.m. each Sunday night, the members of the House of Commons play Twenty Questions with Prime Minister Tony Blair. And it is the most riveting example of political entertainment on television since the latest "American President" rerun. The C-SPAN broadcast is a re-airing of the previous Wednesday's "Prime Minister's Questions"-which you can incidentally watch live at 7 a.m. on C-SPAN2-and is quite a spectacle to behold. For half an hour, Tony Blair sits in the center of the House of Commons at the mercy of the entire chamber and answers each and every question thrown at him. Like most other Tufts students, I pretend to have a working knowledge of how the United States government operates. From reading The Washington Post or The New York Times online, I hope that I'd be able to explain the general system of checks and balances to a na??ve outsider. But to be perfectly honest, I've probably learned the majority of what I know about Congress and the White House from watching reruns of "The West Wing." On the flip side, I don't pretend to know anything about how the British parliamentary system works. I vaguely comprehend that Prime Minister Blair governs with a different construct of "power" than does President Bush in the U.S. government. But beyond that, I'm totally in the dark. I hereby provide an open invitation to any political science majors to give me a crash course in the operating procedures of the British government. Blissful ignorance aside, the actual telecast is truly fun to watch. The Prime Minister sits on a pew on one side of the room with a large book on his lap, facing the members of the opposition party in the pews across from him. When asked a question, he pops up like a jack-in-the-box, ready and prepared to respond. Sometimes he refers to the tome, as if it were something out of a medieval library. After answering, he promptly sits down, only to rise again thirty seconds later to answer the next question. This ludicrous manner of rising and sitting appears even more absurd when the entire House does so as well. Each time Blair finishes his response, dozens of members of the House stand up like prairie dogs, and when not called upon, they sit back down. I'd love to believe that the process is well-organized and structured, but either way, it's a joy to watch this organized chaos. One of the other fascinating things about those crazy Brits is their penchant for cheering or sneering at the Prime Minister while he speaks. Blair cannot argue about housing prices or the war in Iraq without someone cheering "Here, here!" or "No, no!" If the racket becomes too loud, the Speaker - an old codger reminiscent of the stereotypical Jeeves the Butler - kindly asks the room in his eloquent accent, "ohdeh, ohdeh ... it's well an unworthy thing to shoot acroos the chamber, it's unworthy..." In between outbursts from the crowd, the Prime Minister occasionally has the opportunity to define his party's position on specific subjects, something he does magnificently. It doesn't matter what the subject is - whether it be health care, the Iraqi war, crime prevention, education issues, or even laws about child care (which they adorably refer to as "childminding"), Blair will have an answer about it. Sometimes, when Blair says something the Conservative opposition party finds objectionable, the majority leader of the party stands up and rebuts the Prime Minister's statement. But he does this from no more than three feet away! Here are the two biggest political figures in the country, debating with each other like Talmudic scholars, standing close enough to shake hands - or exchange blows. I realize I sound like the na??ve American here, but I honestly enjoy watching these British politicians carry on, and wonder why we can't have something like this here. Pundits always complain that the youth of America are apathetic about politics. Maybe if they had something like the "Prime Minister's Questions," they could be excited about politics. What if Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid could go toe to toe with President Bush on a weekly basis, discussing their thoughts on social security or healthcare reform? What if our executive branch was held accountable for its actions more than once every four years? Can't issues be discussed in non-election years? Imagine if President Bush, the man who runs an administration with tighter lips than Marcel Marceau, went before Congress and said "bring it on" to each and every representative. Imagine, hard as it may be, having a chief executive who would take it upon himself to be knowledgeable about the issues facing each and every citizen of our nation. I realize it's not feasible, but wouldn't that make great television? And more importantly, wouldn't that make for an even greater country?Brian Wolly is a senior majoring in history. He can be reached via e-mail at brian.wolly@tufts.edu.

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Theater Review | Shallow script degrades stage farce, 'Trojan Whore'

April 4

Somewhere along the lines of history, wordplay took its toll on the Trojan War. In Mill 6's production of "The Trojan Whore," we see "what really happened" (unlike the Brad Pitt/Orlando Bloom saga): a mix of witty marketing, odd gods, and some kooky characters. Although it contains some funny moments and cleverly acted personalities, this parody borders on clich?© at points and takes a plunge in the second act. Written by up-and-coming playwright Sean Michael Welch, "The Trojan Whore" is meant to be a relief from the dry and dramatic renditions of classical tales that have been floating around lately. Basically, it contends that the war was not fought for just some pretty girl - it was actually a marketing strategy created by Todd Harper, Agamemnon's craftily Americanized political consultant (in conjunction with a certain record-keeper, later to become Homer.) Although entertaining at times, the humor here is not anything deep; it is comprised of a lot of situational comedy, a bit of slapstick, some cross-dressing-the usual. A sliver of aptly-placed satire of contemperoray politics could have done wonders; there was a hint here and there, but it was practically lost amid the zaniness. Throughout the show, the characters find themselves facing such pressing dilemmas as: Do the gods really talk to mortals? Did Achilles steal Todd's girlfriend? Is Agamemnon a bit dim or just really confused? And does Todd really sleepwalk at night dressed as a woman? To their credit, the actors in "The Trojan Whore" didn't have much stage to work with as the Devanaughn Theater is not exactly the toast of the Theater District. It is actually a basement - not an easy one to find at night, either - with three rows of seating, located in the back of the Piano Factory on Tremont Street. However, despite the lack of a real stage, the actors managed to portray each comedic personality with wit and consistency. The actors' stage presence and movements used the space well. Particularly fun was Irene Daly as the Oral Stenographer - i.e., the official record-keeper for the kooks in charge of the war. Her vocal intonations alone were enough to induce laughter, though at first you might not even notice her. Daly found a first-rate comedic balance between appearing in the background at the beginning of the show and then taking center stage at a moment's notice. Lonnie McAdoo, as Agamemnon, was also an interesting personage. The sheer boom of his voice more than managed to fill the three-row theater. Moreover, he was so comfortable playing the king, fully oblivious to his own cluelessness, that one would think McAdoo has a side job reigning in real life. Todd, played quite well and naturally by Jason Myatt, is the central character. He is the sort of smarmy fast-talker that is seemingly ubiquitous in the corporate world, so by the end of the show one is left with an even more profound dislike for publicists and marketers than usual. The other personalities - Sean Barney as Odysseus, Tony Dangerfield as Nestor, Antoine A. Gagnon as Menelaus - had shining moments as well. Overall, the cast interacted well as an ensemble, but this collective energy was undermined by a script that at times felt flat and forced. Each character had a distinctive personality trait that was played up for comic effect, but character development in the work itself was minimal. This is, of course, a farce comedy, but there was nevertheless a notable lack of depth, and too much mood vacillation during the second act. The first act was amusing: we meet the Greeks (who aren't so mighty after all) and discover their idiosyncrasies as well as the true circumstances leading up to the war. But in the second act-during which the war is "happening," we learn what is going on through the eyes of the characters. Various subplots, where Todd impersonates a god and Achilles' sexual orientation is questioned, seemed out of place and turned into overkill. One starts to forget exactly what each character's goals are by the latter half of the second act, and the ending does little to reassure the audience. The war drags on for ten years-and it certainly feels like it. Although some aspects of this production-namely a few nicely delivered punch lines, use of stage, and the ensemble work of the cast-come off very well, the piece does not do justice to the actors' comedic potential.

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Men's Lacrosse | Trinity falls to unbeaten Jumbos

April 3

Tufts got up early and never trailed Saturday in a 9-2 victory over Trinity, its second straight 9-2 NESCAC win. Off to a 5-0 start, the Jumbos turned in a great team performance to improve to 2-0 in the conference. Juniors Billy Granger, Michael Hughes, and Dane Carillo each had two goals, and 12 Jumbos had points in the win. The balanced scoring was important for Tufts, who was playing without its leading scorer, senior tri-captain and two-time conference player of the year Bryan Griffin. "It's great when in any given game you've got two or three different guys who have stepped up," Clarke said. "We've got seven or eight guys who can come in on offense and score goals, and it makes us a better, more dominant team." Tufts scored the first six goals of the game, the last of those coming from Hughes with 10 minutes to go in the second quarter. Trinity finally scored with under four minutes to go in the half, but the Jumbos answered with another goal to take a 7-1 lead into halftime. The score stayed at 7-1 until senior Casey D'Annolfo scored with just over two minutes to play in the third. Junior David Harty picked up an assist on the play after a great defensive play. More than 11 minutes would go by before either team scored. Trinity picked up its second goal with 6:40 to go in the fourth quarter and Hughes scored his second goal of the game with just under five minutes to go to wrap up the scoring. The Jumbos came up with a great defensive showing for the second straight game. Trinity managed just eight shots on goal, with senior goalie Andy Starr coming up with six saves. "[The defense playing well] has been really important," Clarke said. "The defense has been playing great all year, and with all the new defensive guys we have, it's been great. And with that balance, when one part of the team is struggling, the other one's winning games for us." Clarke and the offense deserve a lot of the credit for the team's defensive success, as for long stretches of Saturday's game they held the ball and kept it out of the hands of the Trinity offense. "We're always looking to score," Clarke said. "But the more we have the ball, the fewer chances they have to put up points. Once we get a lead, sometimes our best defense is keeping the ball. It gives our defense a chance to rest, and then when they have to, they come up with stops." Tufts was coming off a victory over the then 12th-ranked Amherst Lord Jeffs, but showed few signs of deflating after such a big win. "It's easier to get up for the big games with Amherst, Middlebury, and Wesleyan," Clarke said. "But we know that it's a NESCAC game, and all of those games are going to be good. We're going into it with the mentality of just taking one game at a time." Griffin, who suffered a non-contact knee injury against Amherst, said he will return "as soon as possible." "Hopefully with the brace I'm getting and with the physical therapy that I'm doing I'll be back sooner than expected," Griffin said. In his absence, much of the offensive onus will fall to Clarke, who joined Griffin on the preseason All-American team. "Obviously [Griffin's injury] makes it a lot tougher on the offense; we don't have our go-to guy," Clarke said. "But no one guy is trying to do too much. Again, we have seven or eight guys who are capable of being productive, so that's how we're going to approach it. We're just going to keep working and playing hard." The Jumbos, ranked fourth in the nation by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association, have their first two road NESCAC games this week, Wednesday at Bowdoin and Saturday at Williams.

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Higher Education Briefs

April 3

Survey shows higher salaries this year@brieftext: According to a new survey from the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUP-AHR), faculty salaries rose by 3.2 percent this year - a significantly marked increase from last year's 2.1 percent. Such a large salary increase was attributed mostly to growing salaries in public institutions. The 3.1 percent increase in salary at the public institutions more than doubled the 1.4 percent increase noted in last year's survey. The average college and university faculty member earned $66,407 this year. Law professors had the highest salary according to the survey, at an average of $111,909 a year. English, visual and performing arts, and recreation studies posted some of the lowest average salaries, each averaging less than $57,000 annually.New Harvard aid policy increases economic diversity A new financial aid program introduced this academic year at Harvard University gives students whose families earn less than $40,000 per year the opportunity to attend the institution and not need to contribute financially to their education. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, this new policy has brought a record number of undergraduate applications to the University as well as what looks to be the most economically diverse freshman class to date. Almost 360 of the more than 2,000 students admitted to Harvard are expected to qualify for the program, based on the number of fee waivers requested, the number of students who requested financial aid, and information provided in the students' application. Although this academic year is the first that this program is available, students already enrolled in the University can take advantage of the new program as well. "What we're trying to do is stimulate the pipeline," William Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Harvard, told the Chronicle.Columbia professors acquitted of accusations of anti-Semetic comments A Columbia University faculty committee found no evidence that professors had made anti-Semitic comments during lectures. The committee's report came on the heels of a slew of complaints that professors in the Middle Eastern Studies department at the university had intimidated pro-Israel Jewish students. The David Project, a Pro-Israel group, produced a short film called "Columbia Unbecoming," in which students at Columbia and Barnard College criticized professors for intimidating and harrassing them, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. The report did find, however, a case where Middle Eastern Studies Professor Joseph Massad stepped over the limits in class when he publicly criticized a student he felt was in support of Israel's treatment of Palestinians, according to the Chronicle. The report noted a general lack of civility on the campus and tensions in classrooms between pro-Israel students and opposing sides. The university's failure to quickly deal with the tensions and problems was resulting in a lack of trust between faculty and students, according to the Chronicle. Massad criticized the committee, calling it illegitimate and unfair.--Compiled by Brian McPartland from the Chronicle of Higher Education

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Faculty and staff e-mail shut down over the weekend

April 3

Tufts Computing and Communication Services (TCCS) shut down e-mail services to all University faculty and staff Saturday afternoon in a "preemptive" attempt to save staff messages, according to Director of University IT Infrastructure Lesley Tolman.

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In Our Midst | Gerber brings Crohn's out of the bathroom

April 3

For those of us born with sensitive stomachs, concern over finding a nearby toilet might be sporadic and fleeting. For someone afflicted with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (the classification for Crohn's Disease and its sister ailment Ulcerative Colitis), however, that concern is only the least of his or her troubles. Junior Zach Gerber has suffered from Crohn's Disease since the age of 14. Given the sensitive nature of the disease, as well as his emerging role as an activist for the cause, Gerber has endeavored to learn as much as possible about the disease, sharing the information he has learned through his studies and through working at the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). According to Gerber, Crohn's is an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system attacks its intestines, thinking there is some foreign body there when there is really nothing. The resulting symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, severe stomach pain and weight loss,due to an inability to eat and contain many foods. Ultimately, if medicines are not working for a patient, then he or she must undergo surgery to remove the affected tissue. "I had six inches of my small intestine removed when I was 16," Gerber said. His case is typical in the sense that the disease's onset took place around puberty, when most people with the disease first show symptoms. "They think it's a hormonal trigger," Gerber said. Doctors first believed that Gerber's symptoms were indicative of a bad case of appendicitis. His severe pain was situated by his appendix, and he was vomiting and exhibited a loss in appetite. The doctors did a scan that showed inflammation, which they assumed to be of the appendix. It was not until they had opened Gerber up for surgery that they realized their error. "They took out the appendix anyway and just looked at me," Gerber said. "They took tests and dissected a section of my intestine that they removed. I had Crohn's." That diagnosis was only the beginning: Gerber would not feel relief from his symptoms until his entrance to Tufts, four years down the road. Gerber began going to a gastroenterologist who was a Crohn's specialist and who prescribed him medication. Though it is possible to treat the disease using steroids, they have many side effects. Therefore, Gerber was put on a daily dose of Asocol acid and immuno-suppressant medication. Though there is no proof that the immuno-suppressants weaken the entire system's ability to protect one from disease, Gerber feels that taking them has made him weaker. "I think I am [more susceptible to illness]," he said. "I think I get more colds and it takes longer for them to go away than before, but overall I think it's positive because my quality of life has improved, and it's really given me a pretty normal life here." Life wasn't so "normal" for Gerber in high school, though: his body took a while to acclimate to the medications, so he was in and out of school due to bouts of severe symptoms. Crohn's no longer negatively affects Gerber's life with any great frequency, but his symptoms were potent and numerable in high school. In addition to having to take medication for the rest of his life barring any cures, he cannot eat nuts, seeds or popcorn, as they could potentially block his intestines. In high school, in addition to the multitude of drugs he had to take to manage the disease, he had to deal with the nutritional effects. He lost a lot of weight, a typical occurrence as many kids suffering from the disease become malnourished and have their growth stunted. Gerber says he should have grown to 6'5", but he stopped at 6'1". "In college, it's more about management and taking the pills," Gerber said. "Some days I'll have pain." Gerber still has his disease in mind at all times, though: if he goes on vacation, he needs to bring more than enough medication, as well as make sure he is close to a hospital in case of emergencies. He is very careful not to drink the water in strange locales and to be cognizant of what is in his meals. "In high school, I had a really bad infection caused by the Crohn's," Gerber said. "That's the reason why I had to have the surgery. One night I got rushed to the hospital with a 103 [degree] fever. Nowadays, every couple months you get a little problem, but you just modify your lifestyle for a couple days." Gerber found that the college atmosphere has been more conducive to discussion of the disease than high school had been. "In college, because everyone shares a bathroom, it can make it more apparent," Gerber said. "It's hard to hide in college." Gerber hopes that his efforts will raise awareness and encourage research. "There's a lot of promise in stem cell research," Gerber said. "There is a positive outlook for a cure."

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Catholic community remembers John Paul II

April 3

The passing of Pope John Paul II on Saturday was honored in last night's 10:00 p.m. Catholic Mass in Goddard Chapel.

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Jeff Volinski | Stop Whining!

April 3

College means a lot of things. To some, it means pulling all-nighters and spending early Saturday mornings in the library studying for marine biology quizzes. To others, it means abusing your body with cases of The Beast and late-night chicken parmesan calzones from Espressos. Still others believe that the college years may be the best opportunity to black out in a fraternity house basement and have unprotected sex with a total stranger. These people are incorrect; it turns out that the best time to do this is actually on your 74th birthday. Unfortunately, college also means going to class. As a freshman, I thought that class was simply a period of time where students gathered at a predetermined location to stare at and listen to a more learned being. Boy, was I wrong. It turns out that "class" is actually a vibrant ecosystem that supports a wide variety of student species. The first species that we'll examine is the "Show-up-Late-and-Leave-Early Guy," or the SULLEG for short. A fairly common breed, this species of college student carries the Daily crossword with them at all times. This specimen has a unique biological clock that automatically sets itself to "show up at least 10 minutes late for everything" during the academic year. One variety of the SULLEG enjoys leaving class remarkably early and feels no remorse when he or she interrupts the professor's lecture and makes known his or her complete disinterest in his or her education. Once in a blue moon, when the SULLEG's internal clock is set to show up excessively late and to leave excessively early, we watch in awe as he strolls in to class, sits down, and immediately gets back up to leave. Nature can be so damn beautiful. A less common breed is the SPAT, or "Sweat Pants All of the Time." Whether it's an 8 a.m. class, a 6:30 p.m. class, or a semi-formal dance, this class of college student has just rolled out of bed and has neglected to shave. SPATs have a strong, almost religious belief in the omnipotent power of sweatpants and their ability to preserve the sanctity of the original Nintendo Entertainment System. The Achilles heel of the SPAT, however, is his inability to hide even small amounts of sexual arousal. A rare and chesty breed is the "I'm-Too-Smart-to-Take-Notes Guy," or DICK for short. To be blunt, notes insult this person's intelligence. Chances are the DICK owns a total of zero textbooks, which also insult his intelligence. Also insulting to the DICK is anything. There is nothing more infuriating than an EOCQH (pronounced ee-ock). Short for "End-of-Class-Question Hero," this species of college student enjoys asking unnecessary questions at the end of class. Common knowledge indicates that when a professor says, "Does anybody have any questions?" he or she actually means, "Let's strike a deal: if you shut the hell up, then I'll shut the hell up." Nevertheless, there is always at least one EOCQH in the class who wants to stick their nose up the professor's fudge tunnel with an arrogant inquiry. Take the following example: HISTORY PROFESSOR: "In summary, the end of the Roman empire is generally accepted to be in A.D. 476, when the Germanic Odoacer ousted the last emperor from Rome. Tomorrow's test will focus on the political corruption before A.D. 476 that led to the decline. Any questions?" EOCQH: "Can you tell us about the sweeping religious movements that arose soon thereafter?" This is when you'll often hear the sound of the entire class convulsing in agony. Call me spiritual, but I believe that when an EOCQH takes it upon itself to ask such an egotistical question, he disrupts the intrinsic balance of the universe. This is when I often take it upon myself to offset the heinousness in the room by asking an idiotic question, equal in magnitude. Take the following example, which occurs just after an EOCQH's question: BIOLOGY PROFESSOR: "As I said before, the test will focus only on the physical attributes of the North American beaver, including its anatomy. Also, our case study on the rare albino beaver will be addressed. Any other questions?" ME: "Does the albino beaver crap white?" This is when you'll often hear the sound of me making out with someone for asking such an awesome question. Balance is restored to the universe once again. So that finishes up my discussion about the species of class. The test tomorrow will focus on all of the varieties of students listed above, as well as the "One-Notebook-for-all-Classes" guy and the "I'm-Going-to-Impress-You-by-Wearing-my-Sunday-Best" guy. Any questions?Jeff Volinski is a senior majoring in mechanical engineering. He can be reached at Jeffrey.Volinski@tufts.edu.

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News

Pope defined our generation

April 3

This weekend, the world turned its eyes to Rome and reflected on a papacy that shaped both the world's faith and politics. Although Pope John Paul II's death was expected, it was still a source of sorrow for Roman Catholics, many of whom feel as if a family member has died. What is remarkable is the profound effect the Pope's death has had on non-Catholics, a testament to his ability to unify and spread his message of goodwill worldwide. For most of us here at Tufts, this is the only Pope we've ever known. We expect Popes to frequently travel abroad and be available to the public. Over the past 26 years, John Paul II transformed the papal office into an accessible and press-friendly face of the church. Instead of sitting in the Vatican as his predecessors did, John Paul II traveled to over 120 nations, including those that did not have large Catholic communities. He celebrated mass with millions at a time, and paid particular attention to the world's youth. Many young Catholics feel a strong connection to this Pope because of this dedication - witness the rock-star style greetings he was given on trips - making the transition to a new pontiff even more difficult. This is not to say that John Paul II had a perfect papacy. He left a Church divided, especially in North America and Western Europe. The sex-abuse scandal has not yet been resolved, although the Vatican has done little to address it, other than moving priests to other parishes, or giving them haven in Rome. The scandal has done little to help the severe shortage of priests. Church attendance has dwindled, particularly because many found the Pope's policies on birth control, abortion and divorce too conservative and out of touch with the realities of modern life. This is in stark contrast to the developing world, where the Church is flourishing. John Paul II shifted the Church's focus from Europe (Italy in particular) towards Latin America and Africa. Now, there is talk of the next Pope coming from one of these regions. Latin American cardinals, along with those from Spain and Portugal, make up the largest contingency in the College of Cardinals, of whom all but three were appointed by John Paul II. It's as if he moved the Church towards parts of the world where he knew his conservative approach would be popular. The Pope should have done more to rehabilitate the Church in the eyes of jaded Americans, but in this way he was not a political character. He had strong moral convictions and felt that upholding them was part of his duty to lead the Church. John Paul II did manage to create a strong connection between the Vatican and the United States on his five trips to the country during his papacy. Despite the gulf of opinion between liberal Catholics and the Pope, he ultimately wanted to create unity under Christ's love that superseded political opinions. This is not to say that John Paul II stayed out of politics entirely. He came to office at the height of the Cold War, and put considerable effort into supporting democratic movements in his native Poland and elsewhere. Pundits have credited him, former U.S. President Ronald Regan and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher for bringing down the Iron Curtain. The Pope showed us the power religion can have on the global stage, especially when helping to topple autocratic regimes. Despite all his faults, Pope John Paul II should be remembered as a pontiff who extended a hand to the whole world, bringing a message of peace to people of all faiths. The next Pope should emulate John Paul II's pastoral exercises, continuing to travel and being accessible to the public. Although it is impossible to guess who the next Pope will be, a pontiff from the third-world would be a good way to illustrate John Paul II's desire to make the Church more global and reflect the needs of its members.

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News

Opera Review | In this case, art does not mirror Tchaikovsky's entertaining life

April 3

Eugene Onegin's story reflects an integral part of Tchaikovsky's tumultuous and romantic love life: na??ve young person professes love to another, gets rejected and is then begged to come back. In real life, the na??ve young person was Tchaikovsky's wife, Miliukova, who had written romantic letters to the composer for months before their marriage. In the opera, the na??ve one is Tatyana, who writes a melodramatic love-professing letter to the handsome Onegin, and is then rebuffed. Tchaikovsky's marriage supposedly failed because he was gay; Onegin's attempt to return to Tatyana years later fails because he is too late. But while the superb musicianship of the ensemble, leads and orchestra impresses during this latest Boston Lyric Opera (BLO) production, not much else does. On the whole, "Eugene Onegin," based on the verse of Russian national hero Pushkin, is boring and best appreciated by only the heartiest fans of opera, Pushkin, Tchaikovsky or unhappy love stories, who can sit through its three hour running time. In short, the real-life story remains more interesting. Soprano Maria Kanyova (Tatyana), tenor Garrett Sorenson (Vladimir Lensky), and baritone Mel Ulrich (Yevgeny Onegin) give top performances throughout the entire program. They have no problem filling the theatre with their rich voices during every solo, duet, and ensemble piece, and the choral segments featuring the entire cast are a pleasure to listen to. The orchestra, led by Maestro Stephen Lord, deftly interprets the score, which features many woodwind solos, a couple of fanfares, and lots of gushing melodrama. The two most anticipated scenes in "Eugene Onegin" include a letter-writing scene in which Tatyana composes a letter professing her love to Onegin, and a duel scene during which Onegin shoots his best friend Lensky. Kanyova successfully carries her long solo letter scene, completely embodying the innocence and na??ve youthfulness of her love-struck character ("Everyone calls me a child ... playful, carefree, and light of heart.") She sits alone in the dark, on an antique wooden bed until "dawn," when she's interrupted by a concerned babushka-clad grandmother. The music is predictably gushing and lyrical, and all goes well until director James Robinson decided that Onegin should awkwardly appear by the bedside in white linen as a personification of Tatyana's dreams; it's cheesy, weird-looking, and doesn't work. The more exciting duel scene features appropriately tense music, most notably the heartbeat sounds of the basses and cellos, which anticipate the untimely and tragic death of Lensky (the fact that he's the genius that proposed the duel, however, loses him pity points). To accompany the great musical performance during this scene is the fake snowfall, which is admittedly one of the coolest parts of the opera. The snow goes particularly well with the twelve full-sized birch trees comprising most of the elegantly simple set. But while the trees look great during the duel scene, for example, when the characters are actually supposed to be in the woods, their immobility poses a problem during every indoor scene. Needless to say, having twelve birch trees in Tatyana's bedroom might seem like a great idea at first, but its novelty wears off quickly. The actors wear humorously stereotypical Russian fashions. Babushka-clad women dance joyfully in ensemble scenes, and, in some of the more upscale scenes, the militaristic-looking conservative aristocrats look like they've just returned from lunch with the Czar. The rest of the story contains few exciting moments. Notable exceptions include the dancing peasants accompanied by waltz-like melodies, and two ballroom scenes featuring loud fanfare and aristocratic costumes. But neither the story nor the d?©cor are enough to maintain interest during slower, filler-like segments because this opera lacks the ridiculousness typically present in more famous Italian and French pieces. Onegin, upon learning that Tatyana will not take him back, recognizes that "happiness was so close at hand ... but now out of reach." His story is similarly out of reach for anyone not fully immersed in the world of opera.

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News

Inside the NBA | Timberwolves are a letdown this season

April 3

The Minnesota Timberwolves are in the midst of a disappointing season, in which they were expected to compete for the NBA title. Instead, the T-Wolves have a 38-35 record and currently trail the Memphis Grizzlies by three games for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Minnesota's struggles can be attributed to the inconsistent performance of veterans Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell, as well as a lack of strong frontcourt players to complement the perimeter ones, among other things. However, one player who has done all he can to pick up the Wolves is forward Kevin Garnett. Garnett, arguably the league's best and most versatile player, continues to post numbers in his 10th season that have made him an eight-time All-Star and NBA MVP of the 2003-04 season. He leads his team in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks per game, and his numbers in these categories are all in the top 25 in the league. He plays with an intensity matched by few others in the league, and his playoff performance last season dashed any critiques of Garnett as an underachiever. The only thing missing from what has been a great NBA career for him thus far, like many other great athletes, is a championship. Garnett is probably the league's best player without a ring, but the prospects for him and the T-Wolves to win one in the near future are not particularly bright. Garnett is doing just about everything within his power to make his team as successful as possible, but the lack of support from his fellow teammates has hurt the team and will continue to do so unless changes are made. Garnett has never had a reliable partner in the frontcourt to help shoulder the responsibilities closer to the basket. The current Wolves lineup has Ervin Johnson, Michael Olowokandi, Mark Madsen and Eddie Griffin as Garnett's frontcourt mates. Johnson is a 12-year veteran whose days of contributing significant minutes are well behind him. Olowokandi, the first pick in the 1998 NBA Draft, has fallen short of lofty expectations and has never come close to reaching his potential. Both Madsen and Griffin have had lackluster careers thus far, and while they are young, are not good starting frontcourt players. Minnesota could look to the draft or free agency in an effort to solve this problem. Cleveland Cavaliers' center Zydrunas Ilgauskas will likely hit the free agent market, as well as Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler, both of the Chicago Bulls. In addition, the draft presents some potentially intriguing prospects, such as Sean May and Ike Diogu, among others. The other major roadblocks in Garnett's pursuit of a championship are, surprisingly, his two most consistent aides: Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell. Both players were acquired before the 2003-04 season with the hopes that they would be able to finally allow Garnett and the Wolves to make the leap into the elite teams in the NBA. In their first season, Garnett and the team nearly realized this goal, before they lost to the Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs. Their production has fallen greatly this season and it has taken a significant toll on the team. Sprewell is having the worst season of his 12-year career, averaging career lows in points, rebounds, assists and steals per game. His scoring has dropped 4.4 points from last season to this season. While Cassell's season is not a career worst, his drop in production has been as bad, if not worse then Sprewell's. He is scoring six points less per game, and, as the team's point guard, is dishing out only 5.3 assists per game, down from 7.3 per game last season. With Cassell being 35 years old and Sprewell being 34, it seems as if they may be passing their primes and need to be replaced. Michael Redd, Larry Hughes and Jason Richardson are among those who will be sought after and could provide the Wolves with some talented youth in their backcourt. Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves have been trying for years to find the formula for success in the NBA. Its lack of players to complement KG has caused problems that have cast Garnett's chances to win a championship in the near future in doubt. However, a few personnel changes could have the team performing as well, if not better, then they played in 2003-04, ultimately resulting in the O'Brien Trophy that Garnett and the team is seeking.

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News

Viewpoint | Lying and Your Health

April 3

We write to correct an inaccuracy portrayed by Mark Phillips' March 28 Viewpoint ("Lessons from Tufts"). Mr. Phillips implies that disclosure of underage alcohol use at Health Services or at a hospital will lead to disciplinary referral, either mandatory counseling or a reprimand from the Dean of Students' office. Unfortunately, this is a common misconception. In reality, it could not be further from the truth. Clinical practitioners have an ethical - and legal - obligation not to divulge such patient information unless a patient is in imminent harm. Even in these extreme situations, information is not used to punish a student, but to protect him or her. As we kick off National Alcohol Awareness Month, we feel it is important to correct this and other misconceptions surrounding the goal of health-oriented alcohol services on campus. The goal of Health Services at Tufts is to promote health and wellness on campus and to treat those in need of care. Discipline is not in its purview. Furthermore, the staff of Health Services and affiliated Alcohol and Other Drug Program does not believe that the consumption of alcohol by underage individuals makes them bad, morally flawed people in need of punishment. The emphasis is not on absolute elimination of all drinking, but rather a pragmatic harm reduction approach. Underage drinking occurs on college campuses, but that does not have to result in serious health outcomes for those who drink and those around them. Health professionals, especially on the Tufts campus, do not treat alcohol and drug use based on their assumptions or instincts about college students. Rather, they practice treatment and prevention strategies based on scientific research. Lying to a medical practitioner is a bad idea in general. Practitioners at Health Services and other medical facilities are unable to help patients to the best of their ability when they are not provided with complete information about the injuries and behaviors of the patient. Several prescription medications have dangerous interactions with alcohol. Alcohol and drug use is often a sign of mental health issues, including depression and stress. It is also involved in a large percentage of cases of disordered eating, body image disorders and incidences of sexual and other types of violence. Health professionals seek to help students address these health issues, not eliminate underage drinking. As members of The Student Health Advisory Board, we work with Director of Health Services Michelle Bowdler and Alcohol and Other Drug Program Director Margot Abels on a regular basis. We can tell you that they do not care if you have one, two, or even three drinks in the course of a weekend. We can also assure you that their concerns about student alcohol use come out of their desire to achieve a healthy campus by preventing serious consequences of alcohol overuse including alcohol poisoning. It is not to punish underage drinkers. The same goes for the clinical practitioners at Health Services. According to the most recent survey of Tufts students, 80 percent of undergraduates describe themselves as drinkers. Eight percent have also at some point had to take care of a drunken student. But perhaps most indicative of the need to treat alcohol use seriously and honestly, 65.5 percent of respondents said they know at least one person on campus who they think is headed for a problem with alcohol. If you do have a problem with alcohol or drugs, the worst thing you can do is lie to a clinician about it. There are extraordinary, confidential resources available to Tufts students dealing with these issues. Using them does not involve any disciplinary referrals to the Dean of Students office. In addition to the medical staff and Program Director Abels who are available to talk to any student who has a concern about their own or another's substance use, Health Services has a clinical social worker dedicated to working with students with alcohol- and drug-related problems. There is also a confidential peer support group for students trying to stay sober. Other support groups are in the works. Health Services and the Alcohol and Other Drug Program work with members of the Greek system and different cultural communities on a regular basis to try to understand the context of unhealthy drinking on campus. As an organization, we actively work to combat such misperceptions such as those exhibited in Mr. Phillips' article. With all of the discussion on campus about alcohol use, the "crackdown" on parties and fraternity life, etc., what is often missing is the realization that there are places students can freely discuss their alcohol use without fear of disciplinary action. Those places do exist, and Health Services is one of them. It is our hope that students feel comfortable discussing issues of substance use with practitioners there on a confidential basis, and if for some reason they do not, they let us or Michelle Bowdler know. No one should feel compelled to stay silent about any health issue they face.The Student Health Advisory Board (SHAB) works with Health Services and other campus professionals to promote health and wellness on the Tufts campus, and to provide a student voice to campus health policy. They can be reached at shab@tufts.edu Adam Pulver is a senior majoring in political science. Lindsay Cohen is a sophomore majoring in English.

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News

Students with (Wall) Street smarts get invested in competition

April 3

Through the first annual Tufts Investment Competition, Wall Street-savvy Jumbos have a chance to win big bucks.

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News

Read by the River turns pages with community

April 3

Over 500 local children gathered in Cousens Gymnasium yesterday for the sixth annual Read by the River literacy fair.

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News

A 'Bash' to stimulate bowel discussion

April 3

"It's so hard to talk about, which is why a lot of people don't know about it, but it affects a million Americans," junior Zachary Gerber said about Crohn's Disease.

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News

Athletes of the Week

April 3

Bryan McDavitt, Baseball The sophomore slugger has led a reawakening of the Jumbo offense, going 5-8 with two home runs, four runs scored and eight RBI as the Jumbos put up 25 runs in their past two games to defeat Massachusetts-Maritime and Bates. McDavitt had a monster game against the Bobcats in Tufts' NESCAC opener. The first baseman drove in seven of the team's 10 runs in the team's 10-3 win, hitting two home runs, including a grand slam. The righty hit his first homer in the third inning to give the Jumbos a 4-0 lead in the ballgame. Later, as the Bobcats were creeping back into the game, McDavitt broke it open with a grand slam in the seventh inning to give the Jumbos an 8-3 lead that the Bobcats would not challenge. McDavitt had success going the other way as both his home runs scaled the wall in rightfield. His onslaught of Bates was not his first of the week. In Wednesday's 15-2 romp over Massachusetts-Maritime, he went 3-4 with two runs scored and an RBI with a double. McDavitt is hitting .368 with 10 RBI on the year and will battle Bates on Tuesday.Megan Doughty, Lacrosse The senior co-captain has been on fire as of late for the Jumbos. Doughty had a hat trick and an assist in the team's 16-9 win over Babson on Tuesday and tallied two goals and an assist in Saturday's 7-5 win over Connecticut College. Doughty has spent the season making her presence felt, harassing opponents in the midfield and leading a strong defense. That defense has kept teams under 10 goals for every game except the Jumbos only loss to St. Mary's, giving up 11. On Saturday, her two goals were key in the win over the Camels as the Brunswick, Maine native paced the Jumbos by scoring their fourth and fifth goals to end the first half and keep the Camels at bay. Registering seven points in the last two games, Doughty's senior leadership and play has helped the team jump out to a 6-1 record, a strong record as they enter the NESCAC portion of their schedule. Doughty will take the field this Tuesday against Bowdoin as the Jumbos look to win their fifth straight game.

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News

Theater Review | '36 Views' is visually stunning but lacks in substance overall

April 3

In the Huntington Theatre Company's production of "36 Views," paintings transform into dramatic art. Written by Naomi Iizuka, the play was inspired by a series of woodblock paintings by Japanese artist Hokusai Katsushika. The work attempts to incorporate artistic history into a mysterious drama which follows the interactions of aesthetes and intellectuals over a newly discovered "pillow book," the ancient journal of a Japanese courtesan. The play opens with an intricate and beautiful set that is clearly Japanese-inspired. In the first moments of the play, the main character, Setsuko Hearn, disrobes a Japanese kimono to signify the story's progression from an ancient time to the modern era. Though the play's lyrical dialogue is at times over-the-top in its pretentiousness, the acting is consistently convincing. Male lead V. Craig Heidenrich plays Darius Wheeler - a suave, manipulative and self-assured gentleman who happens to be the owner of a successful Asian art dealership. Claire Tsong (Jane Cho) is the passionate, urban punk who is somewhat annoyed by Wheelers' haughtiness and who consoles herself with the thought that she is a free-agent, and not his full-time employee. Brad Heberlee plays John Bell, the quiet, awkward and over-educated personal assistant to Wheeler and the discoverer of this mystifying "pillow book." As Professor Owen Matthiassen, Macintyre Dixon plays the part of a dignified Asian art connoisseur very well, frequently making nostalgic references to "Orientalistists." Finally, star Christine Toy Johnson is graceful and seductive as Setsuko Hearn, an East Asian literature professor who shares Wheeler's arrogance and confidence. The actors are more than able to handle the awkward scripted switches between the ancient and modern characters, and this is facilitated by Teresa Snider-Stein's costume design. The visual aspects of this play are certainly its strong point and help to weave together the story in a more focused and coherent way. Despite the fact that the lengthy monologues throughout the play are rife with poetry and crammed with profound, lyrical interludes, the plot ultimately lacks substance. As the play progresses, mysterious ninja-like individuals who wear black hoods became a major presence. At certain times, they simply move props offstage but in other scenes they take off other characters' kimonos. The fact that these sinister entities appear invisible to the characters onstage add to the mysterious allure of the play. Adam Stockhausen contributes to that allure with his unique set, celebrating all forms of Asian art. Graceful, mischievous and sexy, its clean lines depict both modern and ancient times. The delicate and fluid screens help to create an absorbing, indeed, awe-inspiring set which enhances the Japanese aspect of the play. The set is effectively used to initiate flashbacks within the story. As the play proceeds and the setting jumps between generations, the scenery changes accordingly, and the set is able to convert from one time period to another with ease. In fact, both the costumes and the set are unique in that they capture the distinct grace and refinement of Japanese culture. The production elements of the play certainly deserve credit. Between Evan Yionoulis' dramatic blocking of the play, the elegant costumes of Snider-Stein and the graceful scenery created by Stockhausen, audience members are taken back in time. There is even a memorable traditional Kabuki performance in full Japanese regalia. Although these artistic details contribute to the overall production, the play lacks substance. Between the stilted and pretentious language, the long and prolonged discussions of various art pieces, and the lack of an interesting plot, this is a play that likely will not be appreciated by attendees without a background and interest in Asian art. The actors are all quite talented and the scenery is absolutely stunning, but these items are overshadowed by an uninteresting script, lengthy monologues about inaccessible art topics, a lackluster storyline and sloppy plot twists. "36 Views" is a halfhearted version of "Memoirs of a Geisha" meets "The Da Vinci Code." This play is a visual treat but unless you are an art scholar, you are not going to enjoy this wanna-be mystery thriller.

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