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April acceptance letters get makeover

March 4

Students accepted during the regular decision application cycle will be welcomed with a revamped acceptance package this spring. A collaboration between the Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate and the admissions office is seeking to enhance the percentage of accepted students who accept enrollment at Tufts. The change in acceptance materials is part of a larger effort to increase the University's admissions yield which has decreased to 33 percent from 37 percent two years ago. The package includes pamphlets and letters with more visuals than in previous years, centered around the theme of 'Are You Ready?' Also included will be a letter from the TCU Senate, welcoming students to the Tufts campus. The letter from the senate will "let accepted students know just how vibrant the student organizations at Tufts are," TCU Senator Rafi Goldberg said. "The huge emphasis on [extra-curricular activities] at Tufts is another major selling point for accepted students, many of whom were very active in student groups and community service organizations during high school." New materials will also include a brochure called "Tufts Narratives," which will describe the accomplishments of high-profile former Tufts undergraduates. "[The new package] is much more comprehensive and graphically appealing," Dean of Admissions and Enrollment Management Lee Coffin said. Goldberg initiated the project last spring, after he found previous mailing material to be inadequate. He first presented the idea to former Dean of Admissions David Cuttino, who Goldberg said was not receptive to the project. Plans were revived this year when Coffin took over as dean of admissions. Increased awareness is a selling point that has not been communicated in the past, Goldberg explained. "This marks a dramatic departure from previous years, when the regular decision acceptance letter was accompanied only by a lackluster pamphlet about April Open House." At least one prospective student finds communication from the school very important in making a college decision. "You hear a lot of horror stories about students enrolling at what they thought were their first-choice colleges, and then having miserable experiences because they weren't aware of what that college's social life was like," high school and prospective Tufts student Andrea Schwartz said. "It's really tragic, and anything that can possibly help accepted students get closer to the real thing is almost necessary." Schwartz's older sister, Beth, enrolled at Colgate University in the fall of 1998 and was "disappointed by the social scene, the lack of diversity, and the location -- all of which was poorly advertised in [the] acceptance letter." Beth Schwartz transferred to the more urban New York University (NYU) after her freshman year at Colgate. Goldberg and Coffin have already produced a draft of the Senate letter. The letter will continue to be revised over the next few weeks, and will be ready for the acceptance package mailings in April. There are also several other efforts underway to help increase enrollment percentage. Several senior members of the admissions staff are to accompany members of the Tufts faculty to receptions for nationwide services around the country in early April, Coffin said. There are also plans to enhance the three-day April Open House, a time for any accepted students and their parents to get an in-depth look at the campus and make final decisions. "This is Dean Coffin's first year on the job, and he is already on the verge of revolutionizing the way Tufts makes its case to accepted students. I am convinced his efforts will help ensure a bright future for the Tufts community," Goldberg said.

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News

New plan marks changes for 2004 commencement ceremony

March 4

From this year onward, graduating seniors will not receive their diplomas in front of their entire class. Instead, students will be divided up by major and each group will receive their diplomas in separate ceremonies. This change, as well as several others, is the result of a number of proposed changes which have been approved by the faculty. During past commencements, only graduate schools separated for their own smaller diploma ceremonies. Phase I of commencement will now consist of a University-wide academic procession where all graduates will hear the keynote speech and the President's address. In Phase II, the graduating class will be broken up by major to receive its diplomas at various locations around campus. Complaints in the past have been about the commencement ceremony's long length and organization. Using the ideas from the Task Force on the Undergraduate Experience and further enhancements proposed at outreach meetings. The University Commencement Committee, headed by Paul Tringale put the plan into action. All university faculty and staff involved with commencement were involved in the Committee. Free seating for students during the keynote speech is the first change to the commencement event. "Previously students had no choice with whom to walk in and sit with; all engineers and bachelors of AS&E had to sit together. Now rules are not necessary any more. We want students to be able to sit with their friends during the first part of the commencement," he said. According to Glaser, it will only take about an hour and a half for everyone to receive their diplomas in Phase II, under the new commencement plans. Currently, it takes approximately two hours and 15 minutes for the entire graduating class to receive its diplomas. Phase II itself will consist of three "waves" of diploma handouts, with the administration "taking great pains to ensure that similar departments are not included in the same wave," Tufts Community Union Senate President Chike Aguh said. This should ensure that students double-majoring in similar fields will not be forced to miss one of their ceremonies. Although the current commencement configuration calls for a half-hour break between waves, senior Pritesh Gandhi suggested an hour to enable more time to meet with friends and move to different locations. Phase II ceremonies themselves range from 50 to 250 students each. All ceremonies will be held indoors with the exception of the International Relations and Political Science majors, and the Economics and Child Development majors. These two ceremonies will graduate on the commencement site regardless of weather. One concern raised by the commencement committee is how students with double majors will receive their diplomas. "Many common double majors are being grouped together," Glaser said. "With majors not grouped, students will choose which venue to get their diploma in. Students will not be able to go to both ceremonies and receive recognition and their diploma, but will be able to attend any ceremony." A website is being created where seniors will be able to select the department with which to graduate, as well as provide proper name-spelling for diplomas and accurate name pronunciation. Aguh recommended in a meeting with Dean of Students Bruce Reitman last week that this information be made public to the senior class. "People should be able to find each other during commencement," Aguh said. To facilitate connections, "faculty members who work between two departments or are part of an interdisciplinary program will be contacted to create coherent groupings and further try to keep double majors together," Glaser said. Glaser also addressed the concern students will not be able to attend commencement with their friends, an issue he called a "common misperception." The separate ceremonies in Phase II will enable individual departments to "completely customize, personalize, and infuse Phase II ceremonies with handshakes and hugs with professors," Glaser said. The details of the plan were worked out and refined in the past year, Glaser said. The plan was tested in open outreach meetings held with faculty and students. "Most attending the meetings responded to the idea favorably," Glaser said. Some students hold mixed opinions about the revised commencement plans, however. "It's disappointing that we will not get our diplomas with all of our classmates," senior Bonnie Rose Schulman said. "But I'm looking forward to the more intimate ceremony with professors who have especially shaped my experiences here." "In general the changes in the commencement are not affecting me too much," senior Anthropology major Edwin Johnson said. "However it is nice for the commencement to break up a little, because with it being large, it is too impersonal." Faculty had an overall positive opinion of their involvement in the revamped ceremony. "The changes are a good idea so students and family will be able to spend more time with their peers," Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Robert Gonsalves said. Gonsalves was "not impressed with the shortened ceremony itself; just the social aspects of the new format are to be commended." Associate Electrical Engineering Professor Karen Panetta was part of the task force that suggested the commencement change. She said after "having been to ten years of graduations and sitting through 2,000 names," the old commencement style was "painful and impersonal because you couldn't find students, interact with parents, or get a last time to say goodbye." "Faculty members have not shown up in large numbers in the past since the incentives to do so were low," Glaser said. "They were props in the old ceremony and did not play a meaningful role for their large investment of time." Looking for more student input about the commencement process, Glaser and Reitman have plans to meet with students over the next few weeks to "determine how to make the commencement the most meaningful ceremony possible."

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News

Hockey proud of season's result

March 4

Despite a slow start to the season, the men's hockey team came out strong in the second half of the season, and, with a little help, was able to make it into the NESCAC playoffs. "I think if you take the first eight games out, we played very well," coach Brian Murphy said. "We really got our act together and played pretty well over the last 16 games." The Jumbos began the season in early November with four straight home contests, going 1-3 with losses against national number one Norwich, Saint Michael's, and UMass Dartmouth, with their one win coming against Southern New Hampshire. The Jumbos slide continued into January, when they lost four straight contests to, among others, NESCAC and national powerhouses Williams and Middlebury. Perhaps the turning point of the season was the Jumbos first NESCAC victory on Jan. 13, at home against the Connecticut College Camels. The Jumbos escaped with a gritty 5-4 victory on a game winning goal by sophomore Matt McCarthy and 39 saves from senior net minder Ben Crapser. From that point on, the Jumbos began to step up their level of hockey. The squad went 7-8-1 over the last 16 games of the season, playing as a cohesive unit both on defense and offense. "The first eight games, we weren't playing well as a group," Murphy said. "But we worked on it, and played better as the year went on." The high point of the Jumbos season was, according to Murphy, the Jan. 31 victory over the Salem State Vikings. The Jumbos chalked up a convincing 6-3 win, led by senior tri-captain Pat Byrne's two goals and Crapser's 36 stops. "The Salem State win was a good win," Murphy said. "They're a good team, they made it to the Final Four in the ECAC east, and they beat Middlebury, so we're proud of that win." The last weekend of the regular season proved to be the most fruitful for the Jumbos. After a loss to Trinity on Friday night, Tufts bounced back to close out the regular year with its first shutout of the season, a 2-0 win against NESCAC rival Wesleyan. The win gave the Jumbos eight on the season, eclipsing last year's total of seven. "Beating Wesleyan was a nice win in our last home game," Murphy said. "It was good to get a shutout for Ben [Crapser] in his last home game. Also, for most of the year, we worked hard to be better defensively, so it was nice as a group to have that happen." In addition, the squad found out that due to disciplinary reasons, the Cardinals were forced to forfeit their spot in the playoffs, giving the Jumbos the eighth seed by default. The squad was eliminated from the playoffs after a 7-1 loss to Middlebury in the first round, ending its season. The end of the season marked the end of the careers for Tufts' three seniors, Byrne, Crapser, and Timm Schatz. "They're all going to be missed, each of them brings something different to the team," Murphy said. "Ben's our starting goalie, and we're obviously going to have some trouble replacing him. Timm Schatz is an unsung hero on this team, he doesn't really get any of the credit he deserves. And Pat, he's going to graduate with almost 100 points, and his presence will be missed." Despite the loss of the seniors, the Jumbos are looking forward to next season and hope to build on this year's success, while learning from their shortcomings as well. "Next year, we have to play better from the get go," Murphy said, "we can't wait until mid-January. But that's something we'll talk about over next couple of months, and hopefully correct it for next year."

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News

Bush budget focuses on college loans, not grants

March 4

President George W. Bush's proposed budget for the 2005 fiscal year calls for the first increase in Federal Student Loan limits in years. But this increase will likely lead to a decrease in the availability of federal grants for college-bound students, according to some higher education experts. According to Tufts Financial Aid Director Patricia Reilly, the proposed budget "may help students marginally, but the proportion of grant money decreases each year. This budget proposal continues that trend." Approximately 55 percent of Tufts students receive some form of federal financial aid. While students are encouraged to seek private scholarships, those make up only a fraction of the money some students need to pay tuition. Tufts gives a substantial amount of aid in the form of Tufts Grants, which are awarded based on financial need and must be reapplied for each year. The grant is combined with work-study and federal and state loans. For students in the class of 2007 who receive financial aid, the average Tufts Grant amount is $19,000. "Tufts is committed to a generous financial aid program," Reilly said. "We do meet full need and will continue to do so." Higher education lobbying groups are split on their evaluations of the budget proposal. In a recent press release, the Coalition for Better Student Loans said, "While much more needs to be done in both loan and grant programs for students, [Bush's] proposals represent an important first step in bringing the federal student loan programs up to date with the reality of student costs." The State Public Interest Research Group (SPIRG) is concerned with the growing amount of student debt as well. Last year the group called on Congress to not focus on loans in this year's budget. In a press release from September 2003, the group stated that an increase in loan limits would serve to increase student debt and lead to higher tuitions. According to Kate Rube, a SPIRG Higher Education associate, the government "should be talking about increased grant aid and about ways to make student loan debt more manageable." The budget's increase in loan levels may discourage high-need students who are financially unable to incur so much debt. "I think we're lucky at Tufts that there are better ways to pay for college," freshman Cristina Sanchez said. "It seems like federal financial aid just focuses on loans." As far as the federal student loan program, Reilly said, "I would love to see a return to an emphasis on grant money for high-need students." Bush's proposal does not change the funding for the Pell Grant, College Work-Study, and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant programs. The Perkins Loan, a low-interest plan for students from low-income families, did not receive increased funding for 2005. The Bush administration is proposing to eliminate the program's funding altogether and redirect it to other financial aid programs. The Bush budget does include options for increased grant aid through the State Scholars program, which requires students to complete a rigorous high school curriculum, including four years of math, science, English, social studies, and a foreign language. It provides an additional $1,000 for students' first two years of college. The proposal also includes an initiative to aid continued education. "This budget continues to support high standards in our schools and proposes a Jobs for the 21st Century Initiative to ensure older students and adults can gain the skills they need to find work now," Bush said in his proposal.

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News

ECAC's await Jumbos at Bowdoin

March 4

"Extend the season for one more week," is the thought zooming around in the minds of select members of the men's track and field team heading into this weekend's ECAC Championship at Bowdoin. The two day-event, which kicks off tonight at 6:00 p.m., marks the last chance for Jumbos to post qualifying times to advance to the upcoming NCAA National Championships March 12 and 13 in Wisconsin. "We're heading into this with more of a qualifying approach rather than a team-winning approach," coach Connie Putnam said. "We have a great chance to improve some times and send some guys to nationals." While no one on the roster is currently automatically qualified for the NCAA's, two Jumbos seem almost certain to be in Wisconsin next weekend: freshman Fred Jones and junior Nate Brigham. Jones' 48-foot, half inch jump last weekend, which won him the All-New England triple jump title, is less than a foot short of the automatic distance of 49 feet and a quarter inch. Jones doesn't want to fly out to the Midwest to compete in just one event, however, so he's looking to improve also on his provisionally qualifying long jump of 22-10. "I have to get about six more inches from my personal best in the long jump [to have a shot]," Jones said. "I'm feeling good, and I think I can do it." Junior Nate Thompson is also hoping to qualify in the long jump this weekend. Thompson will also be running the 55 meter hurdles, but said he felt he had a better chance of qualifying in the jump due to the strength of this year's hurdles qualifiers. Brigham ran a stellar 5000 meter race last weekend, in a school record of 14:33.34. This time left him just off an automatic qualifying time of 14:33.0. Although Brigham isn't guaranteed a spot, Putnam is fairly confident that he'll get one. "I said [before All-New England's] that I wanted him to get down to 14:36, and he went beyond that, so he should be okay," Putnam said. Due to this confidence, Brigham will not be running in the 5k this weekend. Instead, he'll race alongside fellow junior Brian MacNamara and sophomores Kyle Doran and Matt Fortin the 1500m. Doran is the only one currently qualified nationally, but he hopes to emerge from the weekend higher up on the provisional list. Putnam said that junior Mike Don could run the 3000m or the 5000m, where he would race alongside freshman Josh Kennedy and sophomore Matt Lacey as they try to beat the 5k qualifying time of 14:55.0. Lacey ran a 14:55.9 last week, while Kennedy was on his way before dropping out after losing a shoe. While merely making the provisional cut would most certainly exclude the runners from nationals, it is still a goal they're striving for, and would be a strong way to finish their season if they don't advance. "We definitely want them all racing under fifteen minutes," Putnam said. Aside from Brigham, Jones, and Doran, the relays probably have the best chance of advancing to NCAA's. Both the distance medley relay team and the 4x400 meter squad are already provisionally qualified, but feel they can do better. "We want to improve our times in both races," said junior Ray Carre, who will carry the baton for the Jumbos in both races. "We're sort of on the bubble right now." Putnam is still tinkering with the exact DMR lineup which he thinks will be the most successful. After running the second fastest time in school history last week, whichever foursome he selects will have the benefit of the number one seed -- and thus a fast heat -- to lower their time. "We're really solid in the DMR," Carre said. "Everyone who could run is jacked up for it; we want to go to nationals, so we're going to run a spectacular race." The 4x400 team of Carre, freshman Nate Cleveland, and sophomores Pat Mahoney and Trevor Williams will also look to improve upon its time of 3:18.7, run last week on Boston University's bank track. Cleveland will also be trying to qualify in the 800, while Carre will compete in the 400, a week after taking a spill in that race after getting tripped up with Wheaton's Ajay Sisodia. "It happens," Carre said of his fall. "I'm feeling ready and I'm feeling good. I'm pissed about last weekend so I just want to get out there and run it again." In field events, junior Dan March will try to improve upon his provisionally qualifying weight throw distance, and sophomore Seth LaPierre will try to qualify in the pole vault. The Jumbos finished fifth out of 44 teams at the 2003 ECACs.

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News

Bacow faces the Balance of Power

March 4

"I'm tough -- don't worry." With these words, University President Lawrence Bacow began a 45-minute interview on Tufts Television's (TUTV) "Balance of Power." Shot and aired live yesterday evening, the forum was an opportunity for Bacow to espouse his opinions on issues ranging from the school's alcohol policy to his voting habits. The conversation was mediated by host Elliott Wiley, and Bacow had only limited knowledge of the questions in advance. The show also featured pre-taped questions from students around campus and a discussion with senior Tufts Community Union senator Randy Newsom. Several times during the discussion Bacow reiterated that while students are free to express themselves, "Tufts is not a consequence-free zone." Students at universities are responsible for following the laws of the surrounding communities, he said. He specifically mentioned noise ordinances and restrictions on open alcohol containers as laws that should be enforced, even on the Tufts campus. The nature of fraternity life on campus was debated at length. Bacow questioned the need for fraternities' loud, "raucous" events. Bacow said fraternities should be focused on protecting fraternal values, academic integrity and community service. He refuted Newsom's suggestion that fraternities needed to serve as social centers for the campus, and that social life suffered when several were placed on probation last semester. "I don't think social life necessarily needs to center around three houses," Bacow said, "and if it does, I think there's a problem." Bacow was involved with Zeta Beta Tao during his undergraduate and faculty days at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He said brothers from his fraternity days remained among the best friendships of his life. He declined to answer whether frats should play a larger role on campus, saying that was up to individual students to decide. Bacow did affirm that he is committed to the continuation of fraternities on campus, noting his decision to hire Todd Sullivan, the new Greek Affairs officer. "I think the problem is that Tufts hasn't invested enough in the fraternity system," Bacow said. He lamented that the fraternity houses are in terrible condition, and that students are not respecting property. When asked to comment on this year's Naked Quad Run, which Newsom called a "success," Bacow was more ambivalent. "There's nothing I haven't seen. I'm not a prude," Bacow said, citing his year-long stay in Amsterdam as evidence. He denied ever having streaked or participated in any public nudity. His concerns with the run stemmed from a near-death and eight hospital visits incurred during 2002's run. "I know how to put an end [to the run]," he said, "but I didn't." Some of the mystique surrounding the President's personal views was removed during the interview, when Bacow answered a series of yes or no questions about national politics. Bacow said gay marriage was morally acceptable and should be legalized. He refused to say whether John Kerry was the "best candidate" for president of the United States, but said that he would "probably" vote for him in November. Bacow said he was "in the middle" of the political spectrum. Frequently, he said he found himself among the most conservative members of university audiences, but among the more liberal people in general audiences. Bacow also used the forum to clarify his role on campus. The individual schools are run by the deans, and student affairs by Dean of Students Bruce Reitman. The role of the president, as leader, is to "identify the people who will assert other positions of authority." When asked by Wiley how much input he had over everyday affairs, Bacow reversed the question. "How much control do I have over your life, Elliott?" he asked.

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News

Mmmmm ...donuts

March 4

For a city so full of students, Boston's late-night scene is decidedly lame. The subway stops running at 12:45. There is a severe lack of all-night diners. And, worst of all, the Davis Square Store 24 closes at midnight! What's a night owl to do? Luckily, in spite of the city's puritanical tendencies, there are a few options for nocturnal noshing when you find yourself up past the rest of the city's bedtime. White Hen Pantry -- 1864 Mass Ave, Porter Square, Cambridge Located in Porter Square, this glorified convenience store also features a deli, a salad bar, and a bunch of tables perfect for after-hours study breaks. With such variety, it can be a healthy alternative to many of the other late night options. The hungry insomniac should try White Hen Pantry's miscellaneous meat sandwich, made with random cold cuts. It's like a pi¬ata for a carnivore: you never know exactly which meats you'll get, but they are guaranteed to be delicious. 24 Hour CVS -- 36 White St, Cambridge Directly across the street from the White Hen is the 24 hour CVS. It's not a restaurant, exactly, but if your inner hypoglycemic is lusting for some sugar and Jumbo Express has been closed for hours, this drug store just might hit the spot. If you're in a pinch, CVS also sells school supplies -- if what you're craving is a little more academic. Dunkin' Donuts -- 364 Broadway, Somerville Donuts and coffee all the live long night. Enough said. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts -- 35 Paul Revere Parkway, Medford Krispy Kreme, the little southern corporate donut store that could, opens at 5 am every morning and closes at 2 a.m. during the week, 3 a.m. on weekends. The drive-through, however, is open 24 hours. Sure, there are two to three hours per day where you can't actually go into the store to fulfill all your donut related needs, but don't underestimate the appeal of delayed gratification. There is nothing sweeter than walking into the store at 5 a.m., being handed a free, freshly (baked? fried?) pastry, and realizing that yes, life is good. Chau Chow City -- 83 Essex Street, Chinatown For food and adventure long after the T stops running, hitch a taxi to Chinatown. There are a handful of restaurants that serve food late, but the best and most popular is Chau Chow City. Here, they serve dim sum until 1 a.m. nightly, and the restaurant is open until 4 a.m. on weekends. Try the clams with black bean sauce. Mmm ... cockle. IHOP -- 1850 Soldiers Field Road, Brighton Many sleepless foodies rave about this International House of Pancakes. It's open all night long, and you can't go wrong with a Belgian waffle, no matter what time it is. South Street Diner -- 178 Kneeland St, Boston Some say the only real way to eat late is to eat at a diner. The South Street Diner is Boston's solution. Believe or not, the name doesn't lie. It is located right by South Station. You can get all your diner basics: from greasy western omelets to greasy french fries to milk shakes that are thick enough to satisfy all night long. Of course, your standard cup of coffee or piece of pie is also available. South Street Diner isn't as sketchy as your hometown favorite, but in this city of early-risers, this 24 hour diner will do the trick.

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News

No. 1 Seeds: Gonzaga: No, St. Joe's: Yes

March 4

Even with their recent success in the regular season and the NCAA Tournament, this year has brought unprecedented highs for the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The Bulldogs are undefeated in the West Coast Conference, which they have surprisingly never gone through without a loss before. At the moment, they are also ranked fourth in both the AP and ESPN/Coaches polls; their highest ranking in school history. Coach Mark Few has already made the claim that if the 'Zags run the table the rest of the way in the WCC, they should receive a No. 1 seed this March. On one hand, Few does have a point. Gonzaga is 25-2, with its only losses coming to the undefeated Stanford Cardinal and the St. Joe's Eagles, the No. 1 and 2 teams in the nation. The team has done everything that the selection committee could expect out of a mid-major team. This includes A) playing elite teams away or on neutral courts (Stanford and St. Joe's), B) having a perfect or near perfect conference record (14-0), and C) having a high RPI (13th highest). Even with Coach Few's statement, there are definite weaknesses to Gonzaga's Tournament resume. You could say that the Bulldogs have taken care of everything put in front of them, but they do have two losses on their record. To be truthful, there is a different standard to which mid-major teams and power conference teams are held. While the Duke Blue Devils or Mississippi St. Bulldogs are allowed several losses and still be considered for a No. 1 seed, Gonzaga would have to be perfect to earn one. The Bulldogs have been beating opponents by an average of 17.1 ppg, but that has to say something about the quality of play in the WCC. Some of these weaknesses all revolve around their lack of play against the nation's top teams. The Bulldogs' 90th ranked strength of schedule is exponentially too low for a No. 1 seed. Obviously, their strength of schedule is a little misleading, because their conference opponents bring their rating down significantly, but even their non-conference SOS is only 24th highest in the nation. More importantly, they only have seven games against the Top 100 in RPI and are 0-2 against teams in the Top 25 in RPI. This lack of success against the only two good teams that they have played will ultimately be their seeding downfall. Let's say that Gonzaga was in the ACC, which based on the RPI is the nation's toughest conference. It is highly unlikely that the Zags would escape without a conference loss. That's what the top conferences do; their teams beat up on each other. It's hard to say that Gonzaga hasn't done everything it needs to do to get a No. 1 seed, but it just hasn't had the competition. In reality, the Bulldogs would be in perfect position for a No. 2 seed. On the other end of the spectrum, St. Joe's is being pushed out of a No. 1 spot, which is completely baseless. Granted its strength of schedule and opponents aren't as tough as competition in the ACC or SEC, but it has taken care of everything put in front of it. Sure, just like Gonzaga, the Eagles would have at least one if not more losses in a major conference and they may get killed by a middle of the pack team from a power conference, but the point is that they have not lost all season. The selection committee shouldn't take that away from them. St. Joe's has the nation's toughest non-conference schedule to make up for some of the cupcakes in the A-10 Conference. The Eagles have the nation's second highest RPI -- even higher than top-ranked Stanford, who even though it plays in the Pac-10, hasn't played that many tough teams with the exception of the Arizona Wildcats and Gonzaga. The RPI takes into account the opponents' record, so obviously the Cardinal's opponents are no Goliaths either. Yet everyone keeps talking about St. Joe's illegitimate status as a No. 1 seed as they continue to blow all of their opponents out. Give the Eagles their due. There haven't been any undefeated teams going into the NCAA Tournament since the UNLV Rebels in 1991, so give them some credit already. One thing is for sure. The Bulldogs are assured an at-large bid even if they fail to win the WCC Tournament. They have clearly transcended the role of mid-major spoiler or "Cinderella", but they are not worthy of a top seed.

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Week in, week out, can you really call it the best?

March 4

It may sound unbelievable to the casual television viewer, but there was a time when the slogan of VH1 was "Music First." The station was originally created by MTV as a channel for their more mature music fans and at once carved a niche for itself as a home for classic rock and up-and-coming indie and critical favorites. But lately, VH1 seems to have been given a make-over. The music-heralding motto has been long since abandoned and it seems to have been unofficially replaced with the more marketable "Popular Culture First." The channel that once aired music-themed programs like "Legends," "Storytellers," and "Behind the Music," has become the home of celebrity-worshipping shows like "Its Good to Be... ", "All-Access" and "ET on VH1." The newest foray into pop-culture adulation is "Best Week Ever," a program that serves as a "roundup of everything we loved this week about pop culture." It's a show VH1.com has billed as the "child" of their popular hit "I Love the 80s." This relationship between the two shows seems plausible, but where "I Love the 80s" was a fun program that sparked an outpouring of 80s love and nostalgia, "Best Week Ever," while enjoyable to watch, seems contrived and unnecessary. The format of "Best Week Ever" is the same as its VH1 program parent. A topic from the past week is introduced and a panel of B, C and mostly D-list celebrities, little-known comics and other cultural aficionados provide amusing and colorful commentary. On last week's show, the panel covered such captivating topics as Oscar predictions, the end of "Sex and the City," and the feud between tween queens Hillary Duff and Lindsey Lohan (the rift was sparked after it was discovered that both had dated prepubescent heartthrob wannabe Aaron Carter simultaneously), just to name a few. In addition, the panelists are presented with certain celebrities and asked to remark on whether the person's status received an "upgrade" or "downgrade" that week. Finally, the pundits decided who indeed had the "best week ever" (this week it was ubiquitous ditz Jessica Simpson). The panelists generally provided humorous, droll and deprecating observations regarding the events (their mockery of Fox's misguided offering "Celebrity Spelling Bee" was particularly enjoyable) but their comments lacked the wistful, nostalgic tone of the "I Love the 80's" panelists and sounded too much like a stand-up comedy act. One of the main problems with the program is that there is often not enough pop-culture fluff, emerging trends, or gossip to fill the program. Topics are often reintroduced week after week, garnering similar comments each time. Who cares what MTV VJ Kennedy thinks about Donald Trump's hair week after week, especially if it doesn't change much? In addition, many of the pop-culture stories presented and commented upon are obscure and involve people with whom only a small portion of the audience may be familiar. The other integral issue with "Best Week Ever" is that reruns won't be interesting in the least bit after the weekend on which they air, for few people remember or care about what happened the week before in the generally trivial world of popular culture. While "Best Week Ever" is captivating for the half an hour that it has your attention, it does not stay with you. It is a classic example of a show to watch when there is nothing on, just to pass the time, perhaps between classes, or while procrastinating. Yet to be fair, it does provide a half an hour of mindless enjoyment that is actually funny, something which few television programs can boast.

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News

Catching some elusive Zzzzs

March 4

While it's nearly impossible to fit enough hours of sleep around late night cram sessions for midterms, sleep deprivation is not unique to exam periods. For most students, lack of sleep is a fact of college life. "Most students want to burn the candle at both ends," Health Services Director Margaret Higham said. "Classes are often in the morning and [students] want to stay up late, do things with their friends, and then there's probably still work to do after that." In an attempt to increase their time to sleep without sacrificing time with friends, some students avoid registering for early morning classes. "I definitely choose classes according to how late I'll be able to sleep," sophomore Preston Dickey said. "It was very important for me not to have late classes on Mondays, and no classes on Fridays." "I usually try to steer clear of anything before 10:25 AM," sophomore Daniela Fairchild said. "But I wouldn't be hindered from taking a class that I really wanted because it was earlier." Some students, however, have no choice but to take early classes. Many classes required for the pre-med program, for example, only meet at 8:25 a.m. "I don't have an 8:25 this semester, but I did last spring," sophomore Adrienne Poon said. "I was completely exhausted, and I would only wind up being awake because of the coffee in my system. Actually, I learned very little in the class." Along with early class times, schoolwork and the general dorm environment are other factors which contribute to student's sleep deprivation. "I don't sleep too much because the walls are paper thin in Lewis, and homework keeps me up until about two or three every night," Dickey said. Other common student sleep-stealers include extracurricular activities and jobs. Junior Matthew Pohl works two jobs -- an internship and an on-campus job as a tour guide -- and has had to readjust his sleeping patterns. "The new hours have been somewhat disruptive, especially since I've had to switch my tour guiding times around twice," Pohl said. Students also attribute their lack of sleep to procrastination and distractions. Many find chatting over instant messaging programs addictive and consider it a prime cause of late nights. "In the end, it's not how much work you have that keeps you up [at night]," Fairchild said. "It's how many conversations you had on AIM for the three hours you wasted before doing work." "AIM can definitely mess up your time management because minutes suddenly become hours," Pohl agreed. According to Higham, the ideal solution to inadequate sleeping habits is better time management. Many students, however, devise their own -- admittedly less effective -- alternatives: "I take naps all the time," Fairchild said. "It's really bad, because reading between classes always turns into a half hour nap." Instead of catching catnaps, Higham recommends that students make and adhere to a sleeping schedule. "If students aren't on a schedule, their bodies never really have a chance to catch up," she said. It's also helpful for students to jettison those activities that eat away at their sleeping time. "I've come to realize that I can't do absolutely everything," Pohl said. "Some activities take priority over others, especially if those [other] activities have anything to do with academics."

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Bible not a defense against gay marriage

March 4

I love it when people cite scripture as the basis for arguments. Especially now when the issue of gay marriage is so heated, and spreading to many parts of the country. I was infuriated after reading the recent viewpoint "More than the Ten Commandments?" (March 2). Not because the author is against gay marriage, but because she uses the Bible as her defense. I am an atheist, I think religion is a load of garbage, so quoting Matthew or Paul is meaningless. I must be mistaken in the fact that marriage is a civil contract, where religious leaders are given the right to consecrate marriages by virtue that the state authorizes them to. And since there is a strong (or I hope there will still be) separation between church and state in this country, what rabbis and priests do is a civil function. People choose to go to a church because they are Christians, fine with me, but their marriage was not religious, it was civil. The reason opponents of gay marriage are so vehement about a constitutional amendment is because they know that gay marriage will not hurt the institution itself. Of course, taking away their religious views, they can make no valid argument that suggests a rational state interest in limiting marriage to a man and a woman. If they were true to their faith, why not also ban interfaith marriages as well? Why not constitutionally ban divorce? Rather than face the real threats to marriage, conservatives squabble about nothing. If opponents can show me a valid argument without resorting to a contradictory story written two thousand years ago, I'll listen. But hey, god is love, right, so why is there all this hate? I can't believe how hypocritical all of these people are. Noah Fortinsky LA '06

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News

Steroids issue overshadowing start of spring training

March 4

Spring training has finally started, but instead of the usual questions being asked, such as "who's coming in out of shape?" and "when will Pedro arrive?" people are asking "who's on the juice?" The steroid talk is all over the place this spring, so much so that people might think they're watching President Bush's State of the Union speech instead of baseball. The investigation of Barry Bonds' trainer is what started the steroid talk all over again. Current players are starting to become more frank about the issue. Just listen to this gem from former San Francisco Giants reliever Turk Wendell: "I mean, what, because he's Barry Bonds, no one's going to say [he's on steroids]?... I mean, obviously he did it. [His trainer] admitted to giving steroids to baseball players. He just doesn't want to say his name. You don't have to. It's clear just seeing his body." Those 73 home-runs are starting to look a lot less impressive, especially given the fact that the San Francisco Chronicle reported recently that steroids had been given (though there was no proof they were ingested) to Bonds and the New York Yankees' Gary Sheffield and Jason Giambi. Not that this is all really surprising, it's just sad that it has had to come to this. The steroid testing system currently in place is an absolute joke. The first time players get caught they have to go to counseling. It's not until the fifth time using steroids that a player will be suspended for a year if caught. It's about time the Players Association stepped to the plate (pardon the pun) and took responsibility for the situation. A union is supposed to care for the health of its employees. Not only that, the system in place now just punishes the players who are honest. Instead of advocating a new testing program, the union is hiding behind right-to-privacy arguments. They should be more worried about the privacy of players under the current system because accusations are flying everywhere. Until changes occur, instead of examining things like whether Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer will be the next Johnny Bench, we'll be talking about the size of Barry Bonds' head, and that's a shame. Meanwhile, this is the first Inside the MLB to appear since the monumental Alex Rodriguez trade, which demands some attention. Of course it was a big trade -- anytime one of the top players in the game gets traded to New York it's huge. But let's not anoint the Yankees quite yet. Before the trade was made, the balance of power in the AL East was nearly split between the Yankees and Boston Red Sox, and whichever team stayed healthy over the course of the season was probably going to win. After the trade, one would have to give a very slight edge to the Yankees, but it's still going to come down to whichever team stays healthy. ARod is a phenomenal player, but his value is lessened somewhat by his move from shortstop to third base. (As an aside, wasn't Jeter supposed to be the ultimate team player? If he is, then why wouldn't he give up his position to Rodriguez, who is a vastly superior shortstop?). In addition, let's not forget the Yankees are giving up a solid hitter in Alfonso Soriano. ESPN's Rob Neyer looked at the home and road numbers from Soriano and Rodriguez and they show some surprising results. Rodriguez clearly benefited from playing in Arlington, Texas, a notorious hitter's park. Rodriguez had a 1.082 OPS (on base plus slugging percentage) at home and a .939 OPS on the road. Soriano, on the other hand, played in a fairly neutral park, and he posted a .771 OPS at home and a .889 OPS on the road. That's not to say the Yankees didn't make a great trade, but there's no reason for Red Sox fans to jump off a bridge. So let's just all sit back, appreciate the start of spring, and enjoy seeing what it's like to have Greg Maddux pitch for the Chicago Cubs, what happens when Pedro goes against the Yankees, and everything else that's wonderful about baseball. P.S. doesn't Brett Boone just have to be on 'roids?

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News

Bringin It All Back Home

March 4

Call it a phenomenon or a coincidence: beautiful young women with beautiful voices and matching skill on the piano have become the queens of popular music in the early 21st century. It's a formula that has worked across musical genres from R&B, to pop, to jazz. And Norah Jones is arguably the most talented to emerge from this group, which includes notables like Michelle Branch and Alicia Keys. Both Jones and Keys overpowered their competition at the Grammy Awards in consecutive years. But Norah seems to have the greater gift with a striking voice that has drawn comparisons to Billie Holiday and Nina Simone with her 2002 debut "Come Away with Me." In fact, Norah was special enough to be signed to the esteemed Blue Note Records which distributes the music of artists including Al Green and Miles Davis. Yet, with all this potential, Norah Jones refused to realize her gift on her second album release. The beautiful New Yorker was poised to continue her incredible 2002 debut success. Instead, she rejected the spotlight and the airplay to create the country and folk plagued "Feels Like Home." The substitution of jazz for a country music sound is most painfully clear on the duet with Dolly Parton, "Creepin' In". It's barely a duet as Jones allows her voice to be completely concealed by Dolly's louder and higher pitched warble. Unfortunately, "Creepin' In" is typical of an album in which Norah Jones rejects being the center of attention. Producer Arif Mardin, who also produced Jones' first album, is the natural target of blame. Blame him for letting Norah sound amateurish in what was supposed to be a successful duet with Dolly Parton. Blame him for encouraging an indifferent sound in Norah's voice. Her voice is always aesthetically beautiful, but emotion and passion seem to lack from it in all but a few tracks. And blame the producer for hiding Jones' other great talent -- her jazz piano. This time around, Norah plays the Wurlitzer piano instead of the Grand. This change helps relay the more country/blues sound to "Feels Like Home." Even so, his musical arrangements (while professional) give the piano a secondary role when it isn't ignored altogether. A track like "The Long Way Home" exemplifies what the album itself is lacking. Start with Norah's voice. It's as beautiful and intimate as ever, but she doesn't seem to care. She's not connected to the lyrics and you can hear it in her singing -- it's almost tiresome. Turn to the production. A monotonous and simple bass line rambles from beginning to end with no piano accompaniment. The final product is boring and distant background music, characteristic of an album which Norah Jones seems to have slept through. There are some exceptions. The first track, "Sunrise," is reminiscent of the best kind of lullaby. Norah's voice is soothing and infectiously happy, and her piano playing serves to increase the tempo and keep the track lively. The piano saves "Sunrise" from actually being the kind of lullaby it evokes. Jones finds her calling on the last track, "Don't Miss You at All." Norah's piano/vocal interpretation of Duke Ellington's "Melancholia" with her own lyrics is the most soulful work on the entire album. Norah's voice reaches full potential, unhindered by her band, while calling up a jazz sound that, perhaps unconsciously, releases the passionate character of her voice. Norah Jones can be praised for following her musical ideals. Certainly, a formula existed for continued success. She found that formula in 2002 with songs like "Don't Know Why." Instead, she made "Home" to represent the musical direction she's following now, to acknowledge the country and bluegrass influences she might have had growing up in Texas before returning to New York. She spurned a formula that would have necessarily thrust her into the focus once again and left her band to serve as as the focus. But the album is billed to be by Norah Jones not The Norah Jones Band and listeners will find her absence obvious. Compared to Norah, her band is like a candle in the sun, but unless Norah accepts her brilliance, albums like "Home" could decrease her exposure.

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News

Mardi Gras tournament gives team reason to celebrate

March 3

Mardi Gras in Louisiana is arguably the ultimate party. This annual marathon of debauchery brings revelers from around the world to New Orleans' streets for some easy livin.' This year, the ultimate party hosted the ultimate guest: the Tufts E-men Ultimate Frisbee team. The frisbee team, however, did not travel all the way to Louisiana simply to party. The squad kicked off its spring campaign by going 5-1 in the Mardi Gras tournament the weekend of February 21-22. The team qualified for the championship bracket and impressed some southern opponents. "Tulane's coach asked us why we weren't in the championship bracket to start," sophomore Rob Spies said. "He said that we were one of the best teams he had seen at the whole tournament." In its first real games of the year, the team beat out Rice, Grinnell, Carelton GOP, College of Charleston and Tulane. Its one weekend loss came to number two seeded Florida State (FSU), 12-11 in the first round of the championship bracket. "[FSU] was definitely the best competition we faced in the tournament," Spies said. "We lost on a hard fought point. It wasn't that anything went wrong, we [just] traded points the whole game." In a national tournament where schools with as many as forty thousand students like Louisiana State competed, the Jumbos more than stood their ground. Part of this early strength comes from the E-men's team chemistry. "Some people call us a frisbee cult, or a frisbee frat, but we're much more like a family," sophomore Chris Healey said. "We play together, always end up eating together, partying together, and often end up living together." These close bonds have brought the E-men success over the years. The 2001 and 2002 teams qualified for Nationals in their spring seasons. Last year's squad was 16-10 in the spring, but did not qualify for nationals. A strong core of senior leaders including Ariel Santos, co-captains Matt Abbrecht and Andy Valen, and Zach Geller offer experience and a backbone to the team both on and off the field. "We just have amazing chemistry between the seniors who have played together for four years and the sophomores who are a really tight group that just clicked last year," Healy said. "Everyone is a contributor," Spies added, "We have 21 players and there's not a single person who couldn't perform in a key situation." Unlike other club sports, the frisbee team feels it receives adequate support from the Tufts administration and athletics department. The E-men practice in the Gantcher Center and have regular field times as well. They also receive school funding for some of their travel to distant tournaments. "The school is really supportive," Healy said. "We receive extra support from President Bacow [whose son plays Ultimate at MIT]. He often shows up to watch us play." Over the next few weeks, the E-men, ranked 25th nationally, will prepare for the tough competition they will face over spring break in two tournaments, the Southerns in Statesboro, Ga and Easterns, held in Wilmington, N.C. "We should face some better competition out of those two tournaments," Spies said. "It's [also] nice to get outside to the 70 degree weather after playing inside Gantcher." With team chemistry in place and their sights set on nationals, the E-men feel that even though they play in an open division with huge schools and many talented players, they can play with the best. This sentiment was proven to be true with the team's success in the Mardi Gras tournament. "Everything was flowing really well," Spies said. "Everyone was coming up with big D's. We were really working as a team and communicating well, which is surprising considering it was our first tournament of the year."

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News

Seven Questions with Deana Davidian

March 3

Full name: Deana Davidian Nickname: "D" Hometown: Pelham, NY Favorite hobby: chasing after balls Birthdate: August, 4 1982 Zodiac sign: Leo Favorite athlete: Andy Roddick This week's 7 Questions is with softball senior tri-captain Deana Davidian, one of the anchors holding down a Tufts program that has won the last three NESCAC titles. In the field, Davidian has a more accurate arm than Chuck Knobloch, displays more range than Todd Walker, fields grounders better than Alfonso Soriano, and holds her temper better than Roberto Alomar. At bat, the second baseman reaches base more than 40 percent of the time and when on base is always a threat to steal. This season, the team is led by former assistant and now coach Cheryl Milligan. Meanwhile, former coach Kris Herman chose to ignore Willy Wonka's directions by eating from the Eph tree. She is now a swollen purple cow. I caught up with Davidian placing her glove under her mattress to break it in, so naturally "7 Questions" followed. 1. Kris Herman, head coach of the Tufts softball team for the past 16 years, left your team to be head coach of rival Williams College -- how do you feel about that? Kris Herman who??? We're under a new reign now, Elliott. >2. Last year you batted .362, including one homerun. With those inflated numbers, I have to ask -- are you taking steroids? That depends....are there steroids in Coors Light? >3. I know you are from New York, but you have gone to school in Boston for almost four years. Who is your favorite team (Red Sox or Yankees) and why? I love the Yankees, and I love October. It gives me a chance to sit at home and watch the World Series. Kinda like the Red Sox. >4. Last season you led the team in stolen bases ... care to comment? What can I say; I go all the way in fewer than three seconds. 5. I've heard you have a tendency to try and make a play on every ground ball even if it is hit directly at another teammate. How are you going to curb this behavior? I dated Jeff Maier for a while back in middle school, and he taught me how to interfere. One time I even jumped onto the field at Yankee Stadium to catch a ball for Bernie Williams. That was rock bottom... now I see a sports therapist. >6. Is there anything worse than your team's 6 a.m. practices? Yes, the language/culture requirement. >7. Would you rather graduate with our class or play in the softball World Series and why? There are classes here? * By Elliott Wiley, Jr.

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Starting the weekend early

March 3

While bantering in the gym about second semester senior year, someone said to me, "Is it terrible that every Monday morning I wake up and all I can think about is Thursday night?" Definitely not -- Class Free Fridays are the greatest invention in senior year scheduling. It leaves you in the home stretch by Wednesday night, and most importantly, free to release the stress of the week (hey, admit it, senior year isn't always fun and games) and make the most of Thursday night. Last Thursday, "wicked tired" from our week of classes, work, and whatnot, we sought refuge, socializing, and cold drinks at Underbones. Satisfyingly, we found all three. Upstairs, the restaurant, Red Bones, is famous for its barbeque and southern flair; downstairs, the bar is known for its beer selection, relaxed atmosphere, and err, interesting paintings. The walls in Underbones are decorated with psychedelic artwork depicting mostly dogs, and of course, tons of bones (there's even bones on the ceiling). The colors are neon and vibrant against the shady lighting. Although I'm not a beer connoisseur myself (I'm much more a Bud Light girl), the beer list, I was told, is quite extensive. They currently have 27 beers on tap, not to mention all your bottled favorites, and, for the girlies, mixed drinks. The drinks are reasonably priced: around $4 for beer, and $5.50 for mixed drinks. Underbones also has a late night menu (which ends at 12:30 am), perfect for people with the munchies. The menu features a wide variety of bar fare from the more unusual -- Catfish sandwich (solo dish $5.95) and Hushpuppies (fried corn fritters, $1.95) -- to the more traditional -- nachos ($5.95) and fries ($1.95). As the food upstairs is noteworthy, so is it downstairs. My friend ordered the Hushpuppies and said they were "absolutely delish;" she also praised the restaurant, saying that despite the roasted meat premise, the place has great side dishes for vegetarians. As for my male cohorts, who housed the nachos and buffalo shrimp, no comments were necessary -- they just licked their fingers. The bar isn't too large; it's essentially one big room, so you can see everyone there. On this particular night, there were plenty of Tufts kids, so there was a friendly (not obnoxious) "seen and be seen" attitude with lots of "hellos" and "I haven't seen you in forever!" -- kinda like the campus center at lunchtime, but less hectic and more relaxed. It was also Max Twine's birthday, so everyone sang him Happy Birthday. Twice. There are lots of tables and chairs, and the place is great to sit, drink, and chat. On other nights, the chill atmosphere can be too sedating, so it's always good to come with a big group of friends. Don't expect too wild of a night at Underbones (or at least on Thursdays), and even though I'm sure it's happened before, if you get smashed here, you're probably the only one. Before 12:15 a.m. the music was unclassifiable; I think it was classic rock, or something that matched the walls of the room, but I can't quite remember. (And yes, I was still sober.) After that, however, the music changed to current hits and hip-hop. Although a bunch of us shimmied and danced in our seats, there wasn't really any place or space to dance. The music's volume was loud enough to remind you were still in a bar, but quiet enough so that you could have conversations with people at your table. From everyone I talked to, people seemed to really enjoy the night -- one person even claimed that Underbones is the equivalent of the Burren (in terms of student popularity) for Thursdays this semester (minus the cover charge). Whether it was the company of friends (except for a few locals, the bar was mainly filled with Jumbos), the lip-smacking food and array of beer, or just the fact that we didn't have classes the next day and the weekend was still to come, Underbones whetted our appetites for the weekend and gave us something to look forward to on Monday morning.

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News

Freshmen look to contribute again after successful fall

March 3

Last year at this time, they hadn't even graduated from high school. Now, freshmen additions to the women's tennis team Kylyn Deary, Jennifer Luten, and Stephanie Ruley will soon be taking to the courts to battle out the second-half of the NESCAC as well as selected national competition for the latter half of Tufts' split-season. And while they may be young, the freshmen's experienced play and calm stature could spell veteran-style success for the team this coming spring season. In the fall, Luten played third out of six in singles competition, and twice played higher, once in each the second and first positions. During regular season singles play, she amassed a perfect eight wins in eight tries. She also made it to the top four out of 32 competitors in the third position during post-season play held at Tufts in October. "We played well last [fall] season," the freshman from St. Louis, Missouri said. "However, our tougher competition is in the [upcoming spring season]." The first half of the season was played in the fall, with the Jumbos playing such common opponents as Trinity, Bowdoin, and MIT. However, the spring portion is considered more difficult, with Tufts scheduled to face off against Williams, Amherst, and Emory. Williams and Amherst were the only schools to finish ahead of the Jumbos in the fall's New England Championships, while Emory finished the fall ranked number one in the nation. Luten also played number one doubles with junior Jennifer Lejb, and the tandem went a combined 7-1, the sole loss coming to Middlebury on the road. However, Luten isn't the only freshman making an impact. Deary held the ranks either at the fifth or sixth singles positions, although she played as high as third at one point. Deary, like Luten, also completed the fall season without experiencing a loss, and expects big things ahead from the Jumbos squad, currently ranked third in the nation. "I know personally for me and the other girls on the team that we're not just looking to be third in the nation, we're looking to be tops in the country," Deary said. "We have the potential this year to win nationals." Indeed, a first place ranking in the nation would taste sweet for the Jumbos, who last year ended up second out of 11 teams in the NESCAC. The added depth and heightened level of play as a result of the newcomers this year could make that goal materialize. "Last year, the team was very close to getting into the [national] tournament, it really had a chance and here we are again" said Ruley, who will be playing singles this spring. "Unfortunately, there were some serious injuries at the end of last season for the team." The experience that all three freshmen bring to the table could help the Jumbos reach their goal come season's end. Luten has played tennis her whole life, rising through juniors and playing throughout high school. Both Deary and Ruley got serious about tennis in high school - Dreary switched over from soccer and Ruley began playing when she moved from New York to South Carolina.

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News

Poor questions yield poor results

March 3

Did it really take a survey of the student body for the Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate to figure out that students like having free transportation from campus into Boston on the weekends? Or that not all students have Fleet/Bank of America accounts, and, in fact, they do not like paying ATM surcharges? Senate efforts to reach out to the student body are admirable, but this survey was laughable. It seemed to simply provide statistics to validate already known attitudes. The Senate survey did highlight one concern worth considering further, however. Slightly over half the students polled said that they would like a "shopping period" in which it would be easier to add or drop classes. Under the current system, however, there are no restrictions on "shopping" around and enrolling in a class that a student does not originally register for, other than the inevitable wait list. We could have senators pushing for a change that really does not need to be made. The poll data must be analyzed well or else unnecessary and detrimental changes will follow. Though half the students polled wanted a "shopping period," less than one-third actually thought that the current system hindered their ability to change classes. Polls are limited by the questions they ask, and how the answers are interpreted. If the questions have obvious answers, then the results are useless. If answering a question in the affirmative would require impractical changes, then the results are useless. The Senate, with some financial help from the University, has spent over $6,000 on survey equipment since 2001, but it will all be wasted unless the Senate uses it sensibly. The Senate's latest survey is a warning that asking impractical questions can waste everyone's time, and that the answers to the sensible questions may push for the wrong results.

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News

Jumbos coming off strong fall season

March 3

With the warm weather comes the opportunity for Tufts to showcase one of its most consistently competitive athletic teams. Being ranked among the top teams in the nation may be rare to many teams on this campus, but for the women's tennis team, it's just business as usual. Going into the spring season, coach Jim Watson has already had a means of evaluating his squad's prospects not available to other sports. That is because the team plays two seasons, one in the fall and one in the spring. Tufts is coming off a successful fall season that saw it go undefeated in eight matches. The team finished the season ranked third in the nation, behind only Emory University and Washington and Lee University. The Jumbos were 46-2 in singles matches, as well as 20-4 in doubles. This spring season will be difficult, as the team is looking to take down a most challenging trio of teams: NESCAC foes Williams and Amherst, as well as national number one Emory. During the fall NEWITT championships, it was these first two teams that stood between Tufts and the title. Add to that the fact that Williams stood in the way of the Jumbos earning the NESCAC Championship last year, and it's no surprise that Tufts will be gunning for the Ephs. As the spring season begins, the Jumbos have a title on their minds. * by Chris Munsey

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News

Former captains left their mark

March 3

Last spring, the women's tennis team was denied an opportunity to compete together as a team in the NCAA National Div. III Championships. However, they did not go unrepresented in the three-day tournament. Then-sophomore Jen Lejb and freshman Rebecca Bram to carried the Brown and Blue flame in the singles tournament, and the duo of Lejb and graduated senior Katie Nordstrom to throw in their ante in doubles. However, Lejb will need a new doubles partner this year, as Nordstrom has since moved on into the real world. Also gone from the collegiate ranks is graduate Iffy Saeed, who, along with Nordstrom, contributed four years to the team. Both Saeed and Nordstrom were leaders in their final season as co-captains. Over the course of four years, Nordstrom and Saeed combined for 109 career season singles wins, while accumulating just 35 losses. Nordstrom, usually playing from the number two, three, or four spot, went 20-3 last season, while Saeed quietly amassed a 23-2 record from the number five and six spots-- including a clutch win over Williams' Tracy Cheung in the C bracket at last year's NESCAC tournament. It was in doubles, however, where Nordstrom really made her mark. In all but three matches, Nordstrom played as one member of the number one doubles team, usually with Lejb. Over her career, she earned a 32-14 record in various duos--with Lejb she was 25-9. This success career culminated with the berth in the national tournament, where the pair was knocked out early in the first round by Elena Blanina and Carla Simpson of Methodist. While losing both Saeed and Nordstrom was tough for the team, the influx of talented freshmen has helped to fill the shoes left by the former captains. The team certainly did not miss a beat in the fall, going undefeated in regular matches. "Both Saeed and Nordstrom were very good players," Lejb said. "But the really strong freshmen we have added have just as much, if not more, talent. They are also younger, which pushes them because they want to prove something." Perhaps the biggest obstacle the team had to overcome, and one that the freshmen couldn't fill, was the leadership void left by the two departed captains. Both led by example, particularly Saeed, who was known for her mental toughness and consistency (58-11 career record). Senior captain Barclay Gang stepped into this role, and juniors Lejb and Trina Spear also came into leadership roles this season. "We have had to step up a little bit and give guidance to the younger players," Lejb said. "We want to give them a good example, so when they are in our position, they will know what to do."

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