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A war on terror?

February 29

Experts struggled with the definition and purpose of the current worldwide conflict on terrorist action Saturday night. There was a strong sense that panelists in "War on Terror," a portion of this year's EPIIC symposium, felt that the United States has redefined the response to Sept. 11 to serve its own political interests, and that the Bush administration was mishandling the fight against political organizations. "We are not in a global war on terror," said Stanly Heginbotham, former Chief of the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Division of the Congressional Research Service. "We are in a largely definable war against al-Qaida." According to Heginbotham, this "war on terror" has been expanded to include actions against states that are seen as sponsors of terrorist organizations, such as North Korea and Iraq. In addition to the problem of defining the "war on terror," former ABC News correspondent John Cooley said the Bush administration and other governments have used the term "terrorist" so much that the word has become "devoid of any inherent meeting." He noted Bush uttered the word "terrorism" 22 times on a recent "Meet the Press" interview to answer questions unrelated to al-Qaida. In effect, the "United States was asserting absolute global and permanent dominance" in the world arena when it declared this permanent war on terror, Cooley said. Heginbotham rejected the idea of a "war on terror" as justification of the invasion of Iraq, arguing that conflicts against states should be clearly delineated from the conflicts with non-governmental bodies. Jonathan Schell, author of "The Fate of the Earth," said that "there seems to be a surprising gap between cause and effect" in the Bush administration's rationale for war in Iraq. Several panel members said the need to eliminate Saddam Hussein as a result of the al-Qaida threat was invented by the Bush administration to justify a long-term policy goal. "I did not feel that there was an independent demand to attack Iraq before the administration put it on the table," Schell said. MIT political science professor Steven van Evera said the United States was guilty of having "no coherent strategy" and was not effectively containing the continuing al-Qaida threat. He said the United States should crack down on Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, which have lent support or served as safe havens for terrorists. "The United States' military should not be the main instrument to fight this war." Van Evera said. Instead, he said the State Department, the Center for Disease Control and other policy bodies should be used as part of the conflict against al-Qaida. Van Evera said there also must be more "public diplomacy," or efforts to persuade Middle Eastern countries about the benefits of stopping terrorists. To end the influence of terrorist groups, Van Evera recommended a strategy of pursuing democracy around the globe. "Freedom is a good thing," he said, "It will cause moderates in the long-term to win out." All of the panelists said the United States should make eliminating al-Qaida its top priority. All rhetoric aside, panelists agreed that al-Qaida poses a very real threat. Van Evera said the organization has claimed the right "to kill four million Americans, including one million children." "People should take no comfort in that fact that there hasn't been another attack on the U.S.," Van Evera said. He predicts another major terrorist attack on the United States within the next twenty years. According to former Senate Investigative Attorney Jack Blum, the United States was correct in entering Afghanistan, because it was necessary to destroy the al-Qaida's "base of operations." Blum did criticize the United States for allowing senior leadership to escape into the mountains during the Battle of Tora Bora and for allowing the survival of decentralized groups. It was these groups that carried out the Oct. 2002 bombing in Bali and May 2003 bombings Saudi Arabia. Threats such as al-Qaida need to be eliminated or contained, said Gwyn Prins, author of "The Heart of War." In al-Qaida's view, citizens of Western countries are "infidels" who deserve to die or live as slaves. Such ideology is more dangerous than those of past terrorist groups such as the Irish Republican Army (IRA), which made demands that governments could theoretically grant. Prins said society finds this new type of terrorism scary because it is "very strange, very frightening, and appears very amorphous." Governments have no choice but to confront terrorist organizations, since there is no possibility of compromise. Prins cautioned that only by defining and narrowing the scope of what is defined as "terrorism" can scholars and policy makers create strategy to pursue future action.

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News

EPIIC Symposium addresses United States' world role

February 29

By 11:15 p.m. on Saturday night, it was clear the EPIIC group is a hardworking bunch. The twentieth annual Education for Public Inquiry and International (EPIIC) Symposium drew large crowds throughout the weekend as dozens of academics debated "Dilemmas of Empire and Nationbuilding: The United States' Role in the World." "By all accounts, things went extraordinarily well," Associate Director of the Institute for Global Leadership Heather Barry said. Twelve panels of scholars, policy-makers, and academics debated topics drawn from the central theme, including "The Relevance of the U.N." and "U.S. Engagement in Africa." Each session included a question and answer period where students and visitors could address panelists. Long question sessions led to panels that stretched over three hours and pushed back subsequent talks. Rather than being annoyed, attendees saw these delays as proof of the successful dialogue that was emerging. Senior Katherine Reynolds, who is a member of the Tufts Institute for Leadership and International Perspective praised "the dynamic between students and academics and practitioners; coming together from all walks of life to talk about serious international issues." The conference "put together a bunch of ideas and strategies that we've been talking about all year," EPIIC participant and sophomore Anura Patil said. The majority of panels were held in Cabot Auditorium, which has a larger capacity than Alumnae Lounge, where the event has been held the last three years. Cabot's sloped floors allow better viewing for all audience members, Barry said. "Now that they've redone [the auditorium] it provides an excellent forum for debate," she said. EPIIC is already preparing for next year's symposium, which will focus on "Oil and Water," Barry said. Next year's symposium will celebrate 20 years of EPIIC. But future plans were far from the minds of attendees last weekend. On Sunday afternoon, Director of the Institute for Global Leadership Sherman Teichman summed up the attitude of the weekend. "Are you enjoying this?" he asked. "I think it's amazing." Turn to Page 2 for additional EPIIC coverage, with profiles of three of the weekend's events and photos.

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News

Fletcher to undergo $10 million in renovations

February 29

The buildings housing the Fletcher School of International Law and Diplomacy will undergo multi-million dollar renovations this summer in an attempt to increase the building's productivity. According to Fletcher Executive Associate Dean Gerard Sheehan, plans to renovate Mugar Hall and the Cabot Center first materialized in the fall of 2000. "We knew that as the school continued to grow, our existing space and facilities weren't adequate for our growth plans," Sheehan said. "There was space that was not optimally used, that could be used for classrooms, offices, or student space." According to Sheehan, Fletcher put together a financial plan that was approved by the University Board of Trustees in February. The $10 million plan divided the cost in half: $5 million would be financed through a fundraising campaign, and the other $5 million would be long-term debt under the University's current bond authority. Architect Ralph Dinneen of the Boston-based firm RE Dinneen Architects and Planning was brought in to evaluate the space and propose a new master plan for the school. Dinneen spoke to Fletcher students and faculty about their likes, dislikes and desires. Dinneen presented various drafts to Sheehan, and the result was a master plan that was approved in mid-October of 2001. Cost estimates for the renovations, however, came to $10 million, which the school could not afford at the time. "Of course, the big challenge for us was where do you get the money to make this happen?" Sheehan said. Previous smaller renovations had been completed using the capital funds of the Fletcher school, and the cost of renovating the multiple-use ASEAN Auditorium had been shared between Fletcher and the School of Arts Sciences and Engineering. "This is but one important project for Fletcher that our office is seeking funding for," School Director of Development and Alumni Relations Roger Milici said. According to Milici, Fletcher raised $45 million in the last capital campaign for student scholarships, faculty chairs, student internships and other school priorities. Fletcher now has a committee of its own overseers to work on identifying prospects for donations to the campaign, Sheehan said. "We've been doing a lot of ground work." That committee is a volunteer task force led by Boston real estate developer Gerald Blakeley, a Fletcher board member. "Our Board of Directors supports the initiative 100 percent and we have identified a number of individual prospects and some additional foundations to approach," Milici said. "The project entails a number of naming opportunities ranging from $100,000 to $1 million." "We are confident that over the coming five to seven years, we will be successful on this project," Milici said. The construction project is divided into three phases. Phase I will begin this summer and planners hope to have the work finished before classes begin in the fall. Fletcher already has a grant of $200,000 from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundation, according to Milici. Phase I includes three projects. The first is consolidating the stacks in the Ginn Library into the first and third levels using high density shelving and maximizing unused space. Following this, the second level of the stacks will be converted into office space with a small bridge built from the Hall of Flags into the office space, Sheehan said. The second project of Phase I will take up most of the summer. It will involve a complete overhaul of the fourth floor of Cabot, where many administrative offices are. According to Sheehan, space has been "carved out" over time so that offices have become "dysfunctional or suboptimal." For that reason, "We're going to close the fourth floor, gut the interior, and try to rationalize the use of space," Sheehan said. The third project of the first phase is laying the foundation for a building that will eventually take up the courtyard in the middle of Mugar, which will house more library space and a state of the art tiered classroom. The construction of the two-floor structure will be part of the later phases. Phase II and III will proceed as the funds are made available.

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News

The costs of controversy

February 29

240,000 children in Massachusetts live in poverty (Project Bread). At a given moment, nearly 15 percent of the American population lacks health insurance of any kind (Centers for Disease Control). Our jails are overcrowded and our public education system is on the brink of failure. These facts should not be surprising to anyone, as they hardly represent new developments in the United States. However, by looking at the policy agenda in both our nation and on our campus, one would assume that we live in a Shangri-La. For instead of focusing on dire problems that threaten the very life of American citizens, the policy agenda has centered on "non-issues": ideological, petty 'controversies' that take attention away from the problems in society that, objectively, are more pressing. What are these non-issues: the fact that some people may be uncomfortable with sexuality in general and that they may be uncomfortable with the fact that I may want to spend the rest of my life with another man. In the face of the problems in the world today, complaining about the Sex Fair, the Vagina Monologues, and gay marriages is just a waste of time and resources. Last semester, I wrote a column emphasizing the need for activism on this campus. So I guess I could be happy with the uprising against comfort with our bodies and how we choose to use them, but I'm not, because everything in life comes with opportunity costs. That is, in doing one thing we make it impossible to do another. By choosing to spend time on the issue of whether or not c**t is offensive, we choose not to spend time on helping the poor. Even assuming both are noble discussions, we simply cannot have both. In the same way, sometimes it is impossible to protect someone's 'rights' without infringing upon another's. So how do we decide what to do? Well, we measure the comparative harm done and the comparative good done. While I don't personally think that discussion about sex, graphic cartoon drawings of genitalia, or even the word 'c**t have any real negative effects on the adults in the Tufts community, for argument's sake, I will accept the contention that some people feel 'uncomfortable'. However, that's too bad, so sad. Discomfort is not a reason to stifle free speech, something this University has a duty to support and tends to do. (See the Tufts Right to Arms; the idea of students shooting guns with my student activities fee makes me very uncomfortable.) The University also has a responsibility to encourage healthy behaviors amongst its students, including sexual ones. Partners that feel comfortable discussing sex and sexuality will be more likely to discuss sex before engaging in it, and more likely be proactive in using forms of protection. Open discussion of sex and sexual activity isn't what makes students uncomfortable. They are already uncomfortable and ashamed of the fact that we are sexual beings, and even if we never speak of sex, that won't change. The Vagina Monologues have a valid purpose, just as the Sex Fair does. Violence against women is a real problem in America and throughout the world, and I applaud anyone who is attempting to solve it. But what problems do its detractors attempt to solve? The fact that college students aren't engaged in meaningful relationships? I question that this is a problem at all, certainly not comparable to violence against women. Besides, the fact that I am not engaged in a serious relationship has nothing to do with the way sex is portrayed in society, and most of my single friends would express the same view. This failure to connect cause and problem is apparent on the national arena, where our President and esteemed Presidential contender John Kerry have voiced their opposition to marriage rights for same-sex couples. The problem that gay marriage causes is still unclear to me, except that it has something to do with weakening the institution of marriage. Straight couples have done enough to weaken that institution on their own, and I don't think gay couples could possibly do any more damage. There is no legal or moral right to not see same-sex couples marry, and there is no compelling interest that anyone has in stopping gay couples from marrying. The procreation argument is empty, because gay people won't have anymore children if they are single than they would in a marriage. But as the influential political pundit Jon Stewart commented, "Gay marriage...so shiny!" (The Daily Show, Feb 26) Sexual politics are distracting, and making a fuss about people's expressions about sexuality keeps the important issues off the table. Neither the left nor the right has a monopoly on defining a policy agenda that actually addresses the human condition and the important issues of our time. And there is certainly room for disagreement on how these problems should be solved. But why do conservatives on this campus merely take reactionary responses against attempts to end violence against women instead of taking proactive stances? How come abstinence education is still proffered as the solution to sexually transmitted infections, although it clearly has not been working? If the weakness of marriage is such a big problem, why haven't people been discussing solutions for it? Right now, the right and left on our campus are not even looking at the same issues. Activism is great, but don't become an activist simply for the sake of causing trouble, personal vendettas, and pissing people off. Instead of complaining about Janet's nipple, Adam and Steve, c**ts galore, and prophylactic parties, take a walk in Dorchester. The deteriorating social fabric of America is shown in our failure to care about the children there, not in my sexuality. Adam Pulver is a junior majoring in Political Science and Community Health. He can be reached at Pulver@tuftsdaily.com.

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News

Tufts grabs twelfth in All-New England's

February 29

According to men's track coach Connie Putnam, "when you face elite competition, and you gear up to meet that competition, you are going to get exceptional results." That was mostly the case for his team this weekend at Boston University, where the squad finished tied for 12th in a field of thirty at the All-New England Championships. Freshman Fred Jones' New England title in the triple jump paced the Jumbos, who, along with Springfield College, finished with 22 team points, one behind rival MIT. Division I UConn dominated the event, which featured schools from all three divisions, with 162 points. Jones continued to set the bar higher and higher in the triple jump after breaking his own school record last week at the Division III New England Championship at Bowdoin with a championship jump of 14.28 meters (46 feet, 10.25 inches). He topped that on Friday, jumping a 14.34 in the trials before winning with a 14.64 (48-0.25) leap. "[Winning a New England Championship event] doesn't happen every day to a freshman," Putnam said. "He was able to stay calm and focused, and he got the upper hand over the field." All of his jumps but one warm-up were over 14 feet for Jones, whose win gave the Jumbos their first All-New England event win since they captured the 4 x 400 relay title in 1996. Jones also finished fifth in the long jump with a 22-06.25. Jones' two jumps accounted for 14 of Tufts' 22 points. In the 5000 meter race, two of the Jumbos' three participants broke personal records. Junior Nate Brigham claimed fifth place and set a school record with a 14:33.34, while sophomore Matt Lacey was also sharp with a 14:55.9. "Nate was phenomenal," Putnam said. "I'm happy to see a more modern athlete hold that record." Brigham was also happy with his time, although not with his race. "I really didn't have that great of a race," he said. "I didn't have a lot of pop in my step, and for some reason my confidence wasn't that high. My splits were even, but I think I could have run faster." Brigham largely attributed his time, which may give him a chance to race in the NCAA's, to the fast track and tough competition. The third Jumbo to run the 5k, freshman Josh Kennedy, was running in a pack with Lacey for awhile but experienced misfortune when he was accidentally spiked from behind, taking his shoe off at about the two mile mark. Kennedy ran about half a mile in one shoe and one sock before dropping out. "He was blistering pretty badly," Putnam said. "He would have finished, and still had a very good time, but it wasn't worth it." Kennedy, who subsequently had to be scratched from the 3000, was not the only Jumbo who experienced some difficulty. Junior Ray Carre was tripped up and fell in the 400 before quickly popping back up and finishing with a 55.50, the slowest time on the board. "It's a shame, because I think he could have had a national qualifying time there," Putnam said. "But it's water over the dam now." Carre was unfazed, however, and bounced back to contribute to two highly successful relay efforts. In the Friday night distance medley relay, a team of sophomore Matt Fortin, Carre, freshman Nate Cleveland, and Brian MacNamara produced a national provisional qualifying time of 10:09.5, which doubled as the second fastest in school history. While the time probably won't hold up for NCAA's, it does earn the Jumbos the top seed, and thus a faster heat, at this weekend's ECAC's, which should give them a good chance to improve that time. Carre and Cleveland also ran on the 4 x 400 relay team which produced the third fastest time in school history, 3:18.7. Sophomores Pat Mahoney and Trevor Williams ran the other two legs for Tufts. The 4 x 800 team also scored the third fastest time in Jumbo history, a 7:51.36, thanks to solid efforts by freshmen Scott Merrick and Dan Sullivan sandwiched between superb opening and closing efforts by junior Aaron Kaye and Fortin. In the 55 meter hurdles, junior Nate Thompson was the last qualifier for the nine man finals, but in the championships he posted a sixth place 7.83, his second fastest time of the year. In the mile, sophomore Kyle Doran ran a 4:18.07, the sixth best time in school history. Slightly disappointing for Tufts was Dan March's 51-04.25 throw in the weight throw. "He had an average day," Putnam said. "It was the first time he went into a meet a little too rested and a little too psyched up. His timing was just a little bit off and that can make a big difference." In the pole vault, sophomore Seth LaPierre had an impressive day, clearing 15 feet for the first time in his Tufts career to place him in a four-way tie for seventh. "We had a pretty remarkable weekend," Putnam said. "The guys are in great shape, the great facility psyched them up, and the D-I guys psyched them up. It was pretty easy to go over there and get motivated."

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News

Jumbos overwhelmed by top seed Middlebury

February 29

Wesleyan gave Tufts a golden opportunity. The Jumbos weren't able to cash in on it. After a strange sequence of events that saw Wesleyan forfeit its spot in the NESCAC playoffs, allowing Tufts to take the eighth and final playoff spot, the Jumbos traveled to Middlebury this weekend for their NESCAC quarterfinal game and fell 7-1 to the top-seeded Panthers. Earlier in the week, Wesleyan was forced to forfeit its seventh seed in the NESCAC playoffs after ten of twelve seniors on the team were suspended due to a preseason party the team had, according to the Wesleyan Argus. This move set into motion an unusual chain of events, with eighth ranked Amherst moving to the seven slot and the ninth ranked Jumbos slipping into the eighth and final playoff spot, a goal that had eluded them all season. But Tufts' hopes of causing some damage in the playoffs were stifled on Saturday evening by a strong Middlebury squad (22-3, 15-3 in NESCAC) which has appeared in the Division III national rankings this season. The Jumbos played well in the first period, going into the first intermission tied 1-1. Tufts' lone goal came on the power-play from sophomore forward Ken Cleary at the 15:53 mark. It was assisted by fellow sophomore Pat Walsh and junior Gino Rotondi. "We had tried some new things in practice and we had high hopes after the first period," sophomore Tim Kane said. The Panthers showed their prowess, however, and came out firing in the second period, amassing five goals in a span of ten minutes and eighteen seconds. "Originally, we trapped them," sophomore Matt McCarthy said. "But they adjusted very well in the second period and we failed to readjust our game. The second period was definitely rough." The Jumbos were outshot 26-4 in the period. "We had a couple of penalties in the second period that just killed us and put us down 4-1," Kane said. "And then they scored two more goals in that period. It's really tough to come back against such a good team like Middlebury when you're down like that." Middlebury put the icing on the cake less than five minutes into the third period by scoring their seventh goal of the evening, while holding the Jumbos scoreless for the remainder of the game after their lone first-period goal. Six different players scored for the Panthers, led by senior John Dawson (two goals, one assist) and freshman Evgeny Saidachev (one goal, two assists). Middlebury's dominance of Tufts was obvious in other facets of the game as well. The Jumbos were outshot 54-14, putting huge amounts of pressure on senior goalie Ben Crapser. Tufts also amassed eight penalties (for a total of 16 penalty minutes), which eventually led to two Panther power-play goals. Middlebury had just three penalties for a total of six minutes. Tufts finished the season 8-15-1 while Middlebury will host Colby in the NESCAC semifinals. The White Mules, who disposed of Williams by a count of 3-1 in the quarterfinals, will try to avoid following in Tufts' footsteps in the Panthers' 2,100 seat Kenyon Arena. "It was really tough playing up there with such a large crowd cheering against you," McCarthy said. "But I'm very proud of the way we played. No one gave up, even during the last minute of the game when we were down big." Kane echoed that sentiment. "We just kept playing," he said. "And I think that says a lot about this team's character. We have some good kids on this team. No one gave up and we kept playing hard. We'll be back next year."

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News

Club Dread' slashes slasher flicks

February 29

Somewhere between "Scream" and "Scary Movie" lies "Club Dread." A parody of 1980s slasher flicks, the film was written by Broken Lizard, a 5-man sketch comedy group founded at Colgate University and responsible for the sleeper hit "Super Troopers." In their sophomore attempt at a wide-release feature film, Broken Lizard succeeds, but only marginally. The movie takes place on "Pleasure Island," a spring break resort owned by burnt-out '70s rocker Coconut Pete (Bill Paxton). Everyone is enjoying themselves until staff members begin to die at the hands of a mysterious machete-wielding killer. The staff consists of about 10 people, but this is quickly whittled down to the more memorable and likeable characters: the British tennis instructor Putnam (director Jay Chandrasekhar), the drugged out DJ Dave (Paul Soter), the captain of the "fun police" Sam (Erik Stolhanske), the sexy aerobics instructor Jenny (Brittany Daniel), the South American dive master Juan (Steve Lemme) and Lars (Kevin Heffernan), the masseur with the magic touch. "Club Dread" is at its best with its stereotypical comic characters. Putnam is an effeminate proper Brit, while DJ Dave can be quieted simply by sticking a pacifier in his mouth. Paxton is great as Coconut Pete, who is crass but likeable. Juan's accent is ridiculous and constantly played for laughs. Be sure to watch for a funny cameo by two typical frat boys as island guests. Also, some of the set pieces are genius, such as the life sized Pac-man game or the tequila squirt gun. The comedy plateaus, however, when some of the jokes meant to ridicule are overused and lose their efficacy. Club Dread uses the "pop-up scare" tactic in almost every scene. Funny the first time, the bit gets old quickly. Also, some lame wordplay (a staff member is named "Yu") doesn't help. Groping for material, the film relies too heavily on mimicking the camera techniques of the slasher films it seeks to mock. "Club Dread" should be commended for having an original style. Even when scripts making fun of slasher movies have almost become a genre by themselves, Broken Lizard is able to maintain the parody without pop culture or self-references. The movie has multiple examples of absurd horror movie logic, such as a couple having sex in the woods and then going to "find a quieter place" -- the middle of a cemetery. And of course they'd decide the absolute best place to be in the cemetery is the creepy old mausoleum. The inexplicable nigh-invulnerability of the killer is another horror movie clich‚ that finds its way into "Club Dread". Broken Lizard almost challenges the audience to find the plot holes and gaps of logic that purposefully permeate the film. So, if the film has all this comedy going for it, why the middle of the road rating? While funny, "Club Dread" isn't usually laugh-out-loud hilarious. It lacks the quotable lines that made "Super Troopers" a cult hit. Finally, the contrasting elements of comedy and horror don't mix perfectly; some scenes are distinctly horror-based while others rely on jokes. Although the film has some great moments, as a whole, it's not that great. Go see this movie if you liked "Super Troopers" or want to kill some time with a mindlessly fun comedy. If you are looking for an uproariously funny movie or something deeper than a superficial genre parody, don't bother.

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News

Peel away winter like an onion

February 29

Spring is drawing near and with the hint of warmer weather, you may be tempted to cast off your heavy winter clothing. However, with unpredictable drops in temperature and Boston's staggering winds, you can't put away all your winter clothes just yet. The transition from winter to spring is an awkward time in fashion -- it's all about balancing comfort, practicality, and, of course, style. The most important concept to follow this time of year is layering. This is by far the most practical way to approach extreme temperature fluctuations characteristic. Layering is a difficult concept for many because it requires a greater level of coordination between multiple garments. Also, the frump-risk runs higher are higher as one dons more clothes. Layering, therefore, must be approached with great care and preparation. You may be asking, "Who has time for that?" Well, the easiest solution is to build an arsenal of basic items in different weights that can be easily mixed and matched. Everything should work alone or together so that you can add and subtract layers depending on the temperature throughout the day. A nice solid-colored tee-shirt is a great place to start. I'm not talking about a flimsy undershirt here. Try to find one made out of a nicer, heavier fabric which will look great by itself or worn under something else. If you find a style you like, I recommend buying several colors at a time. Black, grey and white are always appropriate, but the bottom layer can also add a hint of color to your ensemble. Thus, a bright tee-shirt can look quite exciting peaking out from under a button-down shirt or v-neck sweater. Speaking of sweaters, there are multiple factors that one must consider when selecting a sweater for layering. Crew neck or v-neck? How heavy should the sweater be? What do you wear under it? There are several looks you could go for. For example, a crewneck sweater worn over a polo shirt with the collar up is ultimate prep. A v-neck sweater worn over a button-down shirt with the collar tucked in neatly is a snappy look, while wearing the collar out over the sweater is more laid back. When considering the weight, or thickness, of the sweater, take into account the other pieces of the outfit. Thick, chunky sweaters are best paired with jeans or trousers of a heavier material. Do not -- I repeat -- do not commit the horrible fashion crime of wearing a dressy bottom with an athletic, oversized sweatshirt. Lately, I have seen far too many slinky black skirts and high-heels worn with ridiculous logo hoodies. You know who you are, ladies.... That brings me to the topic of outerwear. You may find that it is too warm to wear a winter coat over a tee-shirt and sweater these days. Yet, just a tee-shirt and heavy winter coat is not warm enough! The best thing to do is find a neutral light-weight spring jacket. While denim jackets are nice, be careful about mixing contrasting jeans and denim jackets -- this looks absolutely terrible! Instead, find something in a basic chino-type fabric. A sassy little trench coat or a motorcycle jacket would work. If you need extra warmth, try doubling up on sweaters. I know what you are thinking, "Wear two sweaters? Is he crazy?" Well, it can work. The key to layering is showing a little bit of each layer. Each layer should reveal the other to create a visually appealing "multi-tiered" effect. Just make sure that the two sweaters have different, complimentary necklines. For instance, don't pile on two crew-neck sweaters. Instead, find a zip-front cardigan with a collar. You can zip up the front half way and leave a bit of the crewneck showing underneath.. This multi-tiering strategy is, by the way, the same concept many stores use on their display mannequins. With a multitude of layering options, you will never run the risk of being too hot or too cold. When the weather goes to extremes, avoid clothing that is too cool or too warm. Instead, opt for several garments that can be removed or replaced according to climate changes. It may not quite be time to break out you spring clothing, but you can still look great in the meantime.

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The U.S. tries to dismiss its label as a world empire

February 29

U.S. military experts discussed the aims and goals of the United States' military involvements around the world on Saturday, and whether those involvements could be sustained in the long term. Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Greg Fontenot, retired Army General William Nash, London School of Economics professor Dr. Gwyn Prins, and Tufts political science professor Jeffrey Taliaferro spoke to a full Cabot Auditorium amid rolling video cameras and photographers for the EPIIC symposium lecture, "U.S. Grand Strategy: The Future Role of the U.S. Military." Taliaferro contended that "the U.S. has been an empire since the Spanish-American War" in terms of its "preponderance in all aspects of material power," but that the United States has been reluctant to cast itself in that light. "We don't like the e-word," he said, referring to the label of empire. Nash insinuated that the present administration's involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan took a more aggressive and less developmental approach to intervention in foreign countries than previously. The United States, Nash said, involved itself in other countries in order to rebuild the economic, social, and political infrastructure of the "failed" state. Most recently, however, the United States saw Iraq and Afghanistan only as rogue states, whose corrupt systems of government needed to be dissembled. Prins stated his opinion of the typical U.S. intervention strategy as "pour on fire, go fast in, fast out. War is hell, and needs to end as quickly as [possible]." Despite "the preponderance of the U.S. in all forms of material power," Taliaferro questioned the decision to go to war in Iraq so soon after engagement in Afghanistan, effectively engaging in two wars at once. "[The] military is spread much too thin," he said. While maintaining that a military presence was imperative for stabilization purposes, the panelists discussed the definition of a real victory, agreeing that pure military exertion was insufficient for creating true security in terms of long-term stability. "[War] is as much building as destruction. [It] is much broader than a military context," Nash said, emphasizing "the integration of political, economic and social factors." Killing and mayhem may occur in the absence of war, but it is "not peace," Nash said of the current conflict in Iraq, where over 500 U.S. soldiers have died since the war was officially declared over last spring. Prins agreed, citing the inherent limitations of strictly military power. "Hard power is like a razor blade, it's sharp, but inherently brittle. When used alone, it will break," he said. Nash, in his closing remarks, emphasized caution regarding the moral nature of warfare. "The problem of Iraq is the age-old problem of greater and lesser evil, it's an arena that challenges us morally," he said. "When force is used, the most terrible danger is to have it transform the person who uses it. [We must make sure] that when terrible things have to be done, that they do not destroy us." Tom Butler, an outside guest who attended the panel, strongly opposed the attitudes presented. "I'm appalled," he said. "These are very rational brilliant minds, [but] they accept this concept of a permanent war on terror. The war wasn't about weapons of mass destruction -- it was a political gesture [to displace Saddam Hussein]. They talk about the invasion of Iraq as justified, and accept future wars." One student asked Nash whether the management of Iraq and Afghanistan would change were President Bush not re-elected. "I see little change regardless of the president in 2005," Nash said, who did not see "any likelihood of a cut and run or dramatically changed priorities" among the potential presidential candidates. During the presentation, Nash was presented with the Dr. Jean Mayer Global Citizenship Award by Adrienne Van Nieuwenhuizen of the EPIIC Colloquium. William Lange and Guergana Petkova, also of the EPIIC Colloquim, moderated the panel.

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News

Anthropology students take coursework beyond the classroom

February 29

For most students, a research paper is something to spellcheck, hand in, and then never think about again. Meghan Donohue took the paper she wrote for an Ex-College course, "The Culture of the Tourist," a step further. At the First Annual Greater Boston Anthropology Consortium (GBAC) Student Conference last Friday, the Tufts sophomore presented her research about tourism and religion at the Old North Church to students and professors from Tufts, Brandeis and Wellesley. "I really had no idea what to expect from this," Donohue said after her presentation. Neither did the organizers. "We had never tried to hold a student conference before," Tufts anthropology Professor David Guss said. "We were all a little apprehensive." "What we are doing is a direct result of an initiative of the undergraduate task force: trying to promote faculty-student interactions and have them be important, intellectual interactions," Dean of Undergraduate Education James Glaser said in his introductory remarks at the conference. Attendees called the event a success. "I've been dazzled by the quality of the papers," Brandeis lecturer Mark Auslander said. "It's been a joy to work with so many talented students at all three campuses." Guss said the success of this year's conference will probably lead to another next year. He also said that the schools might eventually collaborate in creating a joint anthropology graduate program. The conference allowed students to test their ideas in front of an audience beyond a circle of peers. Brandeis assistant professor of anthropology Janet McIntosh said the forum was a place for "overcoming initial fears of having ideas taken seriously in public." For students considering a career in academics, she said the conference was "a rite of passage." Other professors in attendance agreed on the importance of pursuing projects beyond the constraints of a semester-long course. Sharing research at a consortium conference introduces students to professors from other universities, creating a forum to exchange ideas and perspectives. "We are filling in many gaps because we are all very small departments, except for Brandeis, which has the only [anthropology] graduate program [of the three]," said Anastasia Karakasidou, associate professor of anthropology at Wellesley. The unique aspect of the work by Tufts undergraduates was direct research in public anthropology. While most of the Brandeis and Wellesley undergraduates presented projects that relied heavily on secondary sources, Tufts students addressed topics that necessitated fieldwork. Donohue learned about the Old North Church by attending services, guided tours and interviewing church members. She supplemented her primary sources with internet and library research. "It will be interesting to see the way other schools respond to our coursework [which consists of] doing public anthropology and of going out and doing research," Guss said. While the event attracted only anthropology students and professors, Guss hopes the program will inspire students in other disciplines. "Certainly it is something at this point that is limited to our department," he said, "but it creates a model for cooperation that could exist in any department." Other Tufts students participating in the conference were sophomore Anastasia Konstantakatou, presenting "The Construction of Ethnic Identity," and juniors Lexie McGovern and Cecilia Dos Santos with "Salvadoran Immigrants." Guss moderated the third panel of the day, "The Labor of Self-Fashioning." Along with Tufts graduate student Cathy Stanton and students from Wellesley and Brandeis, Donohue participated in the first panel of the day, "The Politics of Historical Memory."

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News

Club sports grapple with budget issues

February 29

This past weekend, the women's Ultimate Frisbee team squeezed into two vehicles belonging to team members and traveled to Delaware for a weekend tournament. Unlike the Ultimate team, the rugby team does not even have the option of using its own vehicles, as NESCAC rules for rugby demand that vans must be rented for away games. As a result, the team competes in only three away games a season. These transportation issues highlight a larger problem facing club sports at Tufts, a general lack of funding. "The budget is just adequate enough to cover the season, but we always have a tough time making ends meet," rugby coach Kara Yimoyines said. "And we never have enough money to participate in tournaments or special events." For all student activity groups on campus, including club sports, the source of funding comes from the student activities fee -- a set dollar amount each year that all Tufts undergraduates must pay. This year, the fee was $216, giving the TCU treasury board approximately one million dollars to allocate to the 145 TCU-recognized organizations, including club sports. Meanwhile, varsity-recognized sports enjoy a separate allocation of funds from the university budget. A club sport holds a unique position as a marriage of two types of groups. A varsity team is required to have a coach and a captain, while a TCU organization is required to have officers designated to perform different duties. A club sport is required to have both. The men's club volleyball team was unable to hire a coach due to financial constraints, so senior Dan Coleman currently holds the positions of captain, coach, and president for the team. "We need money, because we need a coach," sophomore teammate Angel Nieves-Negron said. "[Coleman] does everything." Coleman described a vicious cycle: the team needs increased funding to increase numbers and success, but larger numbers are needed if the team is to see an increase in funds. "The bottom line is that we need funding and recognition from the school. Without funding, we can't grow," Coleman said. The athletics department, specifically Nancy Bigelow, the director of club sports, determines if a club sport will be recognized and allocates funding. However, the athletics department does not provide those funds. Instead, senate bylaw number 21 states, "money shall be allocated at the beginning of the fiscal year directly from the student activities fee to the athletics department for the sole purpose of funding for club sports." Executive Administrative Dean Wayne Bouchard saw to this arrangement after he was approached a couple of years ago by the TCU treasury and several members of club teams with a request for University money, to increase funding. "We gave serious consideration to the proposal, as we do with any reasonable request," Bouchard said. "It was well thought out and, based on the numbers participating and their increasing popularity, an increase was warranted." The University was unable to directly provide funding, but a compromise was reached: to take two dollars per student from the $216 each student contributes to the student activities fund and transfer it to the athletic department to use for club sports. This was done for two years. This year, four dollars from each fee was allocated to club sports. Bouchard has not received any complaints about the system, but still feels that the agreement will be revisited in the next five to ten years. Senate Treasurer senior Josh Belkin appropriated $19, 235 to club sports this year, a fixed figure under the current system. After receiving that amount, Bigelow distributes 30 percent equally among the clubs as a flat rate, 60 percent based on the number of participants in each sport, and 10 percent is left over to distribute based on each sport's budgetary needs. This system is favorable for a team that attracts a large number of players every year, like men's ultimate frisbee. "We have a large number of people on our team," senior co-captain Andy Valen said. "That number is always increasing. We get more money each year because of that." This system however, does not leave much money for expensive sports, such as skiing. The ski team spends $45,000 annually on a week-long training camp, ski race training during the season, race registration, transportation, accommodation, food, and ski passes. Only $3,000, less than ten percent of the team's expenses, is covered by the school. The team raises about $7,000 to $10,000 a year, but the gap still exists, and the roster usually dwindles from about 60 to 70 students at the start of year to about 45 because of expenses. "We sell t-shirts every year," junior Erin Johnson said. "We write to companies for donations, sell hats and clothes for them, we do raffles." "There are a lot of things that I feel the University could deal with much better in terms of club sports in general," coach Rob McCune said. "However, my view is that [skiing] is a recreational club sport just like [any other] would be. The funding just doesn't seem exactly well laid-out to me." According to Bigelow, however, calling a club sport recreational is misleading, because competitions are formally organized, and the team has to register with a national organization. Hence, a recreational group such as Tufts Snowboard can be considered a TCU recognized activity, while the ski team shares its funds with the other club sports. "It would be great to have more money, but we don't," Bigelow said. "I have to keep things as equitable as possible. My primary concern is that each team gets enough money so they can at least compete." And though it may mean piling into cars for road trips and existing solely on a diet of PB&J at weekend competitions, clubs sports find ways to compete. The women's rugby team shares uniforms between players. The Ultimate Frisbee team just returned from a tournament in Baton Rouge, LA that was paid for through fundraising and by team members. And two years ago, when the same team earned the right to go to Nationals, they were able to have their trip funded by the university through buffer funding. "The University has always been generous when we have asked for money," said Matt Abbrecht, senior co-captain and treasurer of the Ultimate team. "There just isn't a lot of money to go around." Jesse Gerner and Stephen Johansen both contributed to this article.

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News

Inconsistencies in the culture requirement

February 29

On Feb. 26, I approvingly read the Daily's news story about the creation of a faculty-student committee designed to overhaul the language of the culture requirement. Half a dozen years ago, I engaged in quite a bit of dialogue with professors regarding these provisions. As the new committee goes forward, I urge it to rectify a few basic inconsistencies in the current rule to most effectively guide the wonderful students who attend Tufts University. The current wording of the requirement states the culture may not be "native to the student." I am fairly certain that enforcement of this rule historically failed to regularly occur. I suggest the committee strike the language entirely due to its application being a slippery slope fraught with dangerous decisions and implications. Primarily, the rule does not state what "non-native" means. Does it indicate that an African-American student cannot take a class in African-American subculture? If so, the color of one's skin serves as a horrible basis for such a distinction. An African-American student growing up in a predominantly African-American neighborhood experiences "African-American culture" very differently than another African-American student raised in a Caucasian neighborhood like Grosse Pointe, Michigan. If the latter student wishes to learn more about the African-American culture, the aim is the very goal this provision seeks to serve. Culture and racial self-identity are not necessarily congruent concepts. How would the determining body handle a student that grew up in a neighborhood that was extremely diverse in American subculture? Would it deny each represented culture as native or make an assessment based on census data? The gray areas are abundant. Tufts would serve its students better to trust their judgment as to what is foreign to them. The committee could avoid administrative waste and discriminatory application of a hard-to-define rule by striking it entirely and instead including a recommendation that students study outside their current cultural comfort zones. The culture option's design intends to impact students like me: horrible with linguistics but eager to learn in general. Students that speak a language other than English do not have this requirement, nor do students engaged in the upper-levels of foreign language study. Instead, the requirement allows linguistically challenged students to grow in a different way -- one these students are far more likely to carry forward with them into life: appreciation and understanding of culture. It is a marvelous requirement. However, in pressing this goal, the current rule contains its other great flaw: the denial of the various Anglo cultures. While Anglo culture roots itself into American evolution, certain students may gain enormous insight from studying Anglo societies. I studied abroad in Australia and the accompanying learning underlined the vast differences in politics, societal outlook, and history between the two nations. While the two countries share a language, only an ignorant academician could state that Americans typically understand the culture enjoyed by the citizens of Australia. There are far more Mexican immigrants living in America and contributing to its cultures than Australians. Studying Australian politics, sociology, and geology offers no less a cultural study to the average American than studying those same subjects for Mexico, France, or several other non-English speaking countries allowed under the rule. Magnification of this argument occurs when one considers the subculture options available to students. I fulfilled my requirement through the African-American subculture option, taking Professor James Glaser's "Southern Politics course" and the two African-American history courses taught by Professor Gerald Gill. The courses were among the best I took at Tufts. Each class I would recommend to current students regardless of the existence of a culture requirement. However, I learned more about concepts and subjects that were foreign to my knowledge in Australia than I ever did in those courses. I believe both sets of classes offer significant value. The committee should keep the subculture option, and stop the obstruction to Anglo cultures -- which reflects a misleading ideology that Tufts students all come to the institution as engrained with the same British cultural identity as the nation's forefathers. Thankfully, I studied more about Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, and Adolf Hitler in high school than I did Margaret Thatcher or Queen Victoria. I came to Tufts with more knowledge of this nation's troublesome persecution of minority cultures than I did how Australia evolved as a vibrant nation out of its infancy as a penal colony. I studied them both, I will continue to learn more throughout life, and I encourage all to embrace their educations. The current rule's inconsistencies are apparent, easy to fix, and in need of reform. This alumnus is more than willing to take time out of his schedule to help make these changes. They are a long time coming. I commend the Tufts faculty for working to address these issues. I pray that agendas of departments do not interfere with the candid discussion. While changes to requirements impact class demand and departmental funding, the overall goal of creating a meaningful requirement that furthers student knowledge is the most important objective. Treat the various cultures with equality and open minds. This rule should bend over backwards for students wishing to learn more about other cultures. Let's make it happen. Doug Burns is a 2000 Tufts graduate and a legal intern at the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and former Daily columnist

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News

School records, national qualifiers for Jumbos

February 29

For the women's track and field team, the aim of this weekend's All New-England Championships was attaining individual goals. And based on the results, the Jumbos were right on target. The team traveled across the Charles River to Boston University on Friday and Saturday for the two-day meet, focused on personal, rather than team performance. Tufts came away successful, breaking two school records and receiving two national qualifying times. Tufts finished 16th with 12.5 points, one place and half a point better than last season. UConn (112) and Boston College (97) dominated the meet, which featured Division I, II and III athletes. The nation's top Division III 4x400 relay squad of sophomore Rachel Bloom, junior Sika Henry and senior quad-captains Emily Bersin and Jess Trombly smashed its own Tufts record of 3:53.94 seconds by over a second, gaining an automatic national qualification with a third place finish (3:52.82) behind Division I schools URI (3:48.53) and BC (3:50.51). The group will rest at next weekend's ECAC Championships, the final event before nationals. "We were seeded in a very competitive heat, the only Div. III school in it," Trombly said. "We were kind of confident going into it but expected to be behind. It was very competitive within the race, we didn't let anyone push us around, and had really good handoffs." The distance medley relay (DMR) team of senior quad-captain Lauren Caputo, sophomores Megan Sears and Rebecca Ades, and freshman Sarah Crispin recorded a national provisional time by finishing seventh in 12:09.75, shaving nearly 12 seconds off its previous season-best. "We all did really well, Sarah Crispin had an unbelievable 800, a huge PR," Sears said. "We were all really pumped up, it was huge for us. Even though it was a huge PR, we're going to go after it again next weekend to try to cut off a couple more seconds and guarantee a spot at nationals." The DMR is the sixth Jumbo entry to gain at least provisional national qualifying this season, something Henry believes shows the strength and quality of this year's team. "We seem to be a better team this year. [Coach] Kristen [Morwick's] coaching has been phenomenal," Henry said. "She's gotten us to peak at the right time, and we've been PR-ing a lot. People are taking it more seriously, and the hard work we've been doing has been paying off." Caputo (5:12.82) and Ades (5:13.06) both ran the mile in addition to Friday's DMR. Caputo ran her best time of the season while Ades ran a PR, earning a spot at ECACs for her efforts. Caputo -- already an ECAC qualifier in the event -- improved her time by 1.5 seconds. Trombly also competed in two individual events, breaking her own school record in the 200 dash with a 25.59 second run in qualifying and 25.62 seconds in the finals. Trombly's previous record of 25.75 came at last season's Tufts Stampede. "I don't run the 200 a lot, so it was pretty competitive," Trombly said. "I just tried to stay close." She also placed sixth in the 55 hurdles in 8.61 seconds, two tenths of a second off her previous best but good enough for three points towards the team total. Combined with the 4x400, Trombly contributed to nine of the team's 12.5 points. Henry split points for seventh place in high jump, tying seven other jumpers with 5-03.00 feet but sharing points with just URI's Liz Pugsley because the pair had the fewest missed attempts at lower heights earlier in the event. Both competitors received 1.5 points. The Jumbos also received strong performances in several other events that did not show up on the scoreboard. Bersin ran a PR in the 400 heats, breaking the 60-second mark with a 59.60, four tenths of a second better than her previous best. Freshman Kate Makai (1:21.14) also shaved four tenths off her PR in the 500 with a 1:21.14, while classmate Samantha Moland (3:03.97) ran a three second improvement on her best in the 1000 meters. Bloom ran a sub-26 second 200 (25.96) in the preliminaries, narrowly missing a finals berth alongside Trombly. Due to the impressive individual performances and the support of team members not in uniform, the Jumbos were happy with their performance. "A lot of it was just team support," Sears said. "Even people not competing were there supporting us, which really pumped us up. We've got a great group of girls."

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News

Parade of Nations weaves colorful tapestry of fun

February 29

With close to seven percent of Tufts undergraduates hailing from beyond U.S. borders and nearly half coming from non-white ethnic backgrounds, the Tufts community boasts substantial diversity. However, between classes, cliques, and tight schedules, it becomes easy for everyone to forget the rich cultures that are represented on the Hill. Saturday's "Parade of Nations," presented in Cohen Auditorium by the International Club, served as a reminder that there is a world of difference among Jumbos. With the right music and lighting, these differences can come together to weave a vibrant tapestry as brilliant and colorful as the nations represented. Directed by senior Gustavo Lugo and sophomore Samar Habayeb, the informal multimedia production gave each national group a chance to present a short act of their choosing. The performances ranged from the Arab Students Association's gyrating belly dancers to a poignant slideshow of Afghanistan to a Russian spoof complete with fur hats and too much vodka. Entering Cohen, the audience was transported into an energized atmosphere of silhouetted back lighting and understated techno beats. The auditorium encompassed an element of foreign chic reminiscent of a swank European club or boutique. As the lights went down, the show's MCs, junior Alethea Amponsah, sophomore Angel Nieves, and senior Ligaya Tichy, were greeted by the shouts and cheers of an animated audience. The audience's consistent energy helped to carry the lengthy two and a half hour production. This continuous chemistry, along with varied performance styles and captivating visuals, kept the audience engaged throughout the show, despite the extensive program. The international feel was solidified as audience members were immediately thrown to the far corners of the earth with the shows opening act, "Dance of Shehrezade." Dancers adorned with colorful costumes and jangling sashes gyrated to an eclectic musical m‚lange combining the familiar sounds of Paula Abdul and Shakira with the unfamiliar beats of Hisham Abbas. The dancers' sultry moves were set against bold backlighting, creating a striking and exotic tableau. The following acts were a bustling combination of video, dance, and theatrical sketches. While each individual act added a particularly unique flavor to the production as a whole, the highlight of the night was an astounding choreographed sketch by Tufts' own Tae Kwon Doe group. The hilarious performance was complete with back flips, slow-motion, bunny slippers, an appearance by Jumbo the elephant, and flying ninjas breaking wooden blocks in mid-air. Other highlights including a good humored skit performed by the Russian Circle. The group poked fun at their own national stereotypes with fur hats, thick accents, and lots of liquor. In good-natured self-deprecation, an actor in the skit proclaimed, "We got really drunk on vodka, and then the police took our money!" The response from the rest of the group was a hearty, "Welcome to Russia!" While some groups poked fun at themselves, emphasizing the inherent silliness of stereotypes and cross-cultural rifts, others took a more somber approach to international misconceptions and their often dangerous repercussions. "Igniting the Spark," a slideshow composed by "Tufts Why Me?", an international awareness organization, emphasized the potential impact and deception of images as it highlighted the poignant images "they don't show on television." A picture of smiling children coupled with the phrase, "They are like us," preceded the image of two more equally adorable children visibly struck by poverty, captioned with the phrase "...they are not like us." This powerful compilation of pictures and phrases highlighted the issue of disparity of resources between cultures. On the lighter side, the audience was treated to a vibrant, authentic fashion show featuring past and present looks from around the globe. Models representing their respective regions got a chance to strut their stuff in everything from bold African tunics to beautifully crafted geisha robes to some of today's more laid back looks (An Adidas t-shirt and relaxed-fit jeans were among some of the show's less exotic looks). The show also featured spirited salsa dancing, a turn-table face off with some of Tufts' DJs, an awards presentation, a traditional Filipino Light dance, a final belly dance, and appearances by Spirit of Color and Tufts' own remarkably flexible break dancing group, TURBO. With powerful images, playful sketches, and dynamic performers, "Parade of Nations" went beyond statistics to showcase and cultivate Tufts' diversity.

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News

Off Campus Tutoring Services: Not Worth the Price or Priceless?

February 29

As the semester progresses, the workload for students piles up, their to-do list grows exponentially, and the library becomes swamped as students seem to roam the campus dazed from a lack of sleep. Business as usual for students at academically rigorous universities like Tufts. So where can students turn for help? Some students turn to off campus professional tutoring services to help tackle the overwhelming workload. But are these services worth the cost when the Academic Resource Center (ARC) provides similar aid for free? Jeff Golden, owner of Golden Tutoring, believes that one reason students turn to outside tutoring services is that they feel peer tutors are not as knowledgeable as experts. At the privately owned tutoring business, nearly all of the tutors have a master's degree and four to five years of tutoring experience. "One of the main reasons college students use our services is that they feel the student tutors do not know much more than they do," Golden said. Golden Tutoring offers tutoring in math, science, computer science, standardized test prep, English, writing, editing, and foreign languages. Their clientele ranges in academic ability from grade school to PhDs, but most of them are college undergrads from the Boston area. Professional tutor Robert Cruickshank specializes in math and science and has a shop called Knowledge on Call on Highland Ave. in Davis Square. He explains why students come to him instead of using on-campus services. "Students come to me for one of three reasons: knowledge, convenience, or my communication skills," he said. Cruickshank has been a professional tutor for ten years, helping students in math and sciences from universities like Boston College, Harvard, MIT, and UMass and credits his tutoring experience and degree from MIT for attracting students. Students also appreciate his open availability, he says. According to Cruickshank, student clients complain to him that they don't feel professors are approachable or graduate TA's can not convey the material in clear, simple language, and that is why they opt for outside tutoring. Although Cruikshank's clientele is mainly K-12 students, he does receive a fair number of Tufts students, especially as it gets closer to exams. "Toward finals I get more college students and half of them are from Tufts," he said. The cost for convenience and the knowledge of outside tutors is affordable, but may feel burdensome in comparison to the free services at Dowling. Cruickshank recently lowered his rates to $40/hour for K-12, $30/hour for introductory college subjects (i.e. intro to physics, intro to calculus), and $20/hour for more advanced math or science classes (for example, differential equations or linear algebra). Aware of student budget restraints, Golden Tutoring offers competitive rates. Depending on how far in advance someone schedules a tutoring session, the rates can vary from $60 to $20 per hour. This business strategy allows Golden Tutoring to provide services to a wide range of people on the socioeconomic spectrum. "We want to be socially conscious and provide everyone with an opportunity to get ahead," Golden said. "We do this work because we enjoy it. Profit is not our motivation." According to Golden Tutoring, very few Tufts students use their services. The ARC, however, tutors hundreds of Tufts students per year. The ARC not only employs tutors, but also conducts writing workshops and holds seminars about enhancing study skills. Freshman Kathleen Martin praised its services. "I received some tutoring last semester," she said. "It was very helpful." Sophomore Katie O'Keefe finds the cost and location to be a plus. "I'd rather take advantage of the tutoring services offered at Tufts," she said. "I wouldn't want to pay extra for tutoring and it would be easier to go to it if it was on campus." The services provided by the Academic Resource Center are extensive. Regularly scheduled tutors are available for almost every subject. The Head Tutor program consists of ten "head tutors" who hold regular drop in hours at Dowling. Of these ten, four are resident tutors who live in either Tilton or Houston and provide convenient academic assistance to freshmen. Each tutor (one per floor) specializes in one or two subject areas. There are also over 60 regular tutors available to help students when head tutors are not available. "I was very happy when I found out about the tutoring services here at Tufts," Houston resident tutor Ashiyana Nariani said. "I used them for all my classes and they inspired me to become a tutor." Tutors must go through rigorous training the week before fall semester begins. They are familiar with class material and use this knowledge to help students pick out their class schedules. "I really appreciated having the Academic Resource Center available," said sophomore Julie Buce. "They helped me pick a schedule that was right for me." Despite the extra help from tutors -- both on and off campus -- many still students prefer seeking assistance from the professor directly during office hours. "After one tutor asked me how to do a chemistry problem, I decided to just go to office hours if I needed help," freshman Stacy Watkins said.

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News

Panelists ask, can the U.S. maintain its supremacy forever?

February 29

Friday's EPIIC panel "U.S. Empire: Pax or Pox Americana" tackled the issue of the United States' future in the modern world. Dean of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University Joseph Nye warned that "we ought not to assume that the United States' supremacy will last forever." Likening the might of the United States to the Roman Empire, he said that "the Roman Empire died the death of thousands of cuts from barbarians ... the new barbarians today could be seen as terrorists." Nye said that many people are fooled into believing that an unparalleled United States military is the ultimate sign of supremacy in the world. "People mistake military power as the only sign of an American empire, and they are very mistaken," he said. "There is a balance of power at the economic level." He said that for the United States' dominance to continue, it will have to make use of "soft power." Soft power is defined as diplomatic and communication techniques that are equally as important as brute military strength. "If we're going to win the war on terror, we must attract moderate Islamists so they aren't converted by extremists," Nye said. Swedish Ambassador to the United Nations Pierre Schori said that military strength alone is often not an appropriate response. "Peacekeeping today involves so much more than a gun.... I think the United States in Iraq could learn from the peacekeeping mission in the Congo," he said. Multinational U.N. forces worked in the Congo to reduce violence there. U.S. Ambassador Patrick Kennedy defended the actions of the United States in the wake of Sept. 11, noting that "any nation will act unilaterally if its interests are sufficiently threatened." Kennedy said that the terrorist attacks against the United States deserved immediate action, which the U.N. was unwilling to support. "I don't believe the United States' powers were used in an unrestrained or excessive way," he said. Thomas Donnelly, a fellow a Defense and National Security fellow at the American Enterprise Inistitute, describe himself as the "token neo-conservative of the panel." He made the case for "hard," or military, power in defense of United States interests. "Diplomacy is ineffectual without hard power," he said. Donnelly said he saw no reason for the United States be apologetic for using its power to expand freedom throughout the world, as is the case in Iraq and Afghanistan. "When we do exercise our power [for these purposes], we have an obligation to finish what we've started." Permanent Representative of Singapore to the United Nations Kishore Mahbubani focused on why the U.S. is perceived in an increasingly negative light throughout the world. "The pro-American tide turned at the head of the Cold War, when the U.S. felt it could start acting like any country, and didn't need to fulfill any obligations," he said. That lack of responsibility aggravated many around the world who looked up to the United States as the most powerful nation. "The seeds for what we see today were planted ten to 13 years ago," Mahbubani said. The final speaker, Fletcher professor of International Law and Politics Antonia Chayes, said that the unilateralist tendencies adopted by the United States have occurred "because we focus more on what multinational organizations cannot do rather than what they can do." Oftentimes, she said, the United States has backed out of international treaties and conventions, such as the Kyoto Protocol, and then expressed surprise when other countries were less willing to side with the United States. "Without understanding the consequences of lack of support of nations, it's very hard to understand that when we opt out [of multinational agreements], others might do the same," Chayes said.

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News

Harvard stem cell announcement was overdue

February 29

Harvard University's announcement this weekend that it will soon launch a center for research on human stem cells is overdue. As one of the leading research institutes in the world, and endowed with an enormous amount of cash to use for research, Harvard has the responsibility to promote research in areas that the federal government does not for various political reasons. Research about stem cells has suffered in the United States since President Bush announced strict restrictions on the use of federal funding for stem cell research in August 2001. The declaration by Harvard is likely to reignite the debate about the propriety of using embryonic stem cells in scientific research. Embryonic stem cells have the capacity to become any cell in the body, but as the cells in the embryo divide they become more specialized and lose this ability. Scientists and people who support the study of embryonic stem cells point to the overwhelming list of diseases and injuries that the use of stem cells can cure. The argument against the use of stem cells begins with it the premise that embryonic stem cells are human beings, and that to use them in research is the same as killing a person. The end, no matter how great, does not rationalize the means. A large part of their argument is that to use stem cells is against Christian values. Pope John Paul said that "A free and virtuous society, which America aspires to be, must reject practices that devalue and violate human life at any stage from conception until natural death." Neither side was happy with President Bush's decision in 2001. Scientists lack the financial support and credibility that the federal government provides. Activists against stem cell research realize that allowing research to continue on the 60 stem cell lines already discovered is a slippery slope towards the abyss of unrestrained research. Other than Christopher Reeves' lawsuit against the government restrictions on funding, little attention has been given to stem cell research since 2001. Harvard is pushing the issue back into the public eye. It is doing so in an open-minded manner that will invite dissenting opinions. Harvard Provost Steven E. Hyman told The Boston Globe that the stem cell research project will include "the business school, the school of government, the law school, and the divinity school will be invited to participate, as part of an effort to understand the ethical, social, and business dimensions of the new technology." Ideally, the privately funded research conducted at Harvard will find ways to avoid the ethical dilemma, possibly through the discovery of a viable non-embryonic stem cell, and allow President Bush to rescind his ban so that America can continue to be at the forefront of medical research and scientific discovery. Realistically, the involvement of so many diverse disciplines will create the oversight, constraints, and moral accountability that will allow research to continue, while not devaluing human life.

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News

How to make your partying environment-friendly

February 29

Ever wonder how your Saturday night is affecting the earth? You may not realize it, but your typical weekend activities have environmental repercussions. So, what are the most environmentally responsible ways to party? For the fun loving environmentalist, drinking locally produced and packaged beer in glass bottles is the best option. It takes a massive amount of energy to produce aluminum cans -- an average of 7.5 kilowatt-hours of electricity for each pound of virgin aluminum. Aluminum is made from bauxite, the third most common element on earth. The United States manufactures aluminum on a large scale. Removing bauxite from the earth contributes to environmental problems such as deforestation. Bauxite is recovered by opencast mining, which destroys land. Roads must also be built through previously open areas to allow for workers to travel to and from the site of the mine. Glass is made from sand mixed with limestone. Melting sand into glass requires less energy than making aluminum out of bauxite. Although aluminum production is more energy intensive than glass production, in some cases it can be difficult to decide whether it is more ecological to drink out of an aluminum can or a glass bottle. Glass is a lot heavier than aluminum, so the energy costs of transporting glass are substantial and would exceed those of transporting aluminum. Drinking locally bottled beer or wine saves energy. For information on brewing your own beer, you can visit websites such as http://www.thebeeressentials.com or http://www.ebrew.com. Both glass and aluminum can be recycled, but the benefits of recycling aluminum exceed the benefits of recycling glass because producing aluminum is more energy-consuming. In 2001, Tufts recycled 100 tons of bottles and cans (about 3.25 percent of the total trash generated). It is unclear what percentage of beer bottles and cans get recycled at Tufts. All in all, the environmental effects of drinking out of aluminum cans versus glass bottles are minimal. "Environmentalists should be more concerned about other issues," Recycling Coordinator for Tufts Institute of the Environment (TIE) Anja Kollmuss said. Instead of stressing about your drink bottles, worry about the car you are driving or how often you fly. Take care of your car so that its many aluminum parts have a long and fruitful life.

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News

Sly Fox takes in Boston before heading to Broadway

February 29

Some of the stars were missing from the Academy's red carpet last night. They were here in Boston, onstage at the Shubert theatre, performing in the pre-Broadway run of Larry Gelbart's "Sly Fox." While the production still has a few kinks to work out before its Broadway debut, it is effectively held together by a talented ensemble of both well-known and up-and-coming actors. Richard Dreyfuss plays Foxwell J. Sly, a miser who capitalizes on what everyone believes are his dying days. His aim is to accomplish the truly impossible: to take it all with him. With the help of his aptly named assistant, Simon Able (played by Eric Stoltz), he milks the crowd of opportunists surrounding his deathbed for all that they are worth. In return for their gifts of gold and financial fidelity, they are each promised to be the sole heir named in Sly's will. "Sly Fox" was born in 1976 when, at the request of director Arthur Penn, writer Larry Gelbart adapted Ben Jonson's classic play "Volpone" into its more modern incarnation. "Volpone" (Italian for "fox") is a comedy about a corrupt businessman in 17th century Venice, seeking to maximize his wealth. "Sly Fox" is the story of a corrupt man trying to do the same in California during the Gold Rush. Dreyfuss is entertaining, especially when he is playing the "dying" Sly. He gibbers uncomprehendingly in his four poster bed, convincing the brown-nosing fortune seekers around him that he really is only a few steps from death's door. While the idea that anyone would actually fall for Foxwell's ruses is highly implausible, it's the show's element of farce that transports the audience out of the drone of everyday life and into a world of theatrics that is much more fun. The supporting cast of sycophants is remarkably rich. The actors include Bob Dishy as Abner Truckle, Rene Auberjonois as Jethro Crouch, and Bronson Pinchot (you may know him as Balky from "A Different World") as Lawyer Craven. Throwing themselves into their respective roles, they all play their parts well. Auberjonois, a decrepit old coot who disinherits his son in the hopes of gaining Sly's favor, is particularly convincing. Elizabeth Berkley, of "Saved by the Bell" and "Showgirls" fame, makes her (pre)Broadway debut in "Sly Fox" as Mrs. Truckle, the pious and coveted wife of one of Sly's lackeys. Berkley is beautiful on stage, but her acting lacks nuance. She delivers her lines woodenly, which is adequate for the part of the cloistered, bible thumping Mrs. Truckle, but not terribly engaging. In contrast, Rachel York, who plays Miss Fancy, a fortune-seeking prostitute with a heart of gold, is charming and leaves the audience wanting more. The set is beautiful. Masts of majestic ships soaring into the blue pacific sky are visible over the walls of Sly's "sickroom". When opened, the chest in which Sly keeps his riches shines like a beacon to his bloodsucking, money hungry entourage. The costumes are equally lush; Miss Fancy's vibrant bustled dresses highlight her as a sort of treasure in her own right. With witty writing and a talented and capable cast, the show has some great moments. However, the cast still seemed to be finding its rhythms. There were moments when actors didn't wait for laughs, jumping too quickly back into a scene before the audience was ready to let go of the last funny moment. Similarly, there were some problems with acoustics. From the first row of the balcony, I had problems hearing some of the dialogue. While the cast has yet to perfect the art of anticipating the character of a given audience, the show has great potential. The cast and crew will certainly take advantage of this week's run in Boston to work out the kinks before it hits Broadway with full force.

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News

Fantasy is for everyone

February 29

There are 29 days, 11 hours, and two minutes until the 2004 Major League Baseball season begins. Does this mean that you're going to wait around until April 1 to start filling your brain with the general necessities of insane fandom? No, dude! Now is the time to be doing your research, equipping your freezer with game-ready snacks, and drafting your fantasy team. So last week my Fantasy Baseball article debuted and since then I've had several sports fans come up to me and tell me that they have never done fantasy sports. And my question for them is, what are you waiting for? Not even the Daily's Sports Department has a league organized, which I assumed would be a main part of being on the staff here. Some kids have told me that fantasy is just not for them, even though they've never tried it. Others just complain that they don't know enough about baseball. So to all of you I say: get in the game, you lamo. Fantasy baseball has pretty much been an entirely pleasureful experience for me and everyone I've played with, sports fanatic or otherwise. If you consider yourself even remotely a fan, and you enjoy gambling, negotiating, finagling, managing, bargaining, trading, analyzing or being creative, fantasy is right for you. You want to be a stock broker or the CEO of a Fortune 500 company? Try working out a three-way trade that gets you a closer and an upgrade at shortstop, while only parting with your third best outfielder and satisfying everyone else You think that you might be interested in marketing? Consider figuring out when the demand for starting pitchers is high, so you can trade yours for big rewards and then get them back cheap when the market is down (like at the end of the season when everyone has maxed out their innings allowed, and you can get Mark Mulder for Raul Mondesi because Mulder has become worthless to his owner). What about sales? Ever try to convince someone that Ray Durham is the answer to all his or her second base woes? Store manager? Well, let's just say that there was one time that I set my alarm for 2:59 a.m. so that I could make room in my line-up for a pending free agent acquisition by putting Phil Nevin on the Injured Reserve just before the West Coast deadline. Yes, my girlfriend thought I was crazy. No, I'm not. I just love fantasy. It's like the best game I could imagine, where I get to joke with my buddies, stay ridiculously on top of baseball news, and taste minor victories or failures with every time I read the ESPN bottom line. Honestly, I have put more energy, thought, and enthusiasm into a fantasy baseball season -- and I've learned more -- than any class I've ever had, and I am not a unique case. At almost any given point in the season, if you asked me, I could give you the top five home run leaders for third basemen and the exact totals. Really, you think this sounds absurd, but it's all for fun. And it is fun. You have something to think about all the time, and every morning you have a reason to watch Sports Center. Every time you see someone else who you know does fantasy, you instantly have interesting news to talk about instead of just saying "what's up" or "sweet party, man." Every time you see someone from your own league, you have a trade to pitch, a collaboration to discuss, fantasy gossip about another league member to laugh about. "I can't believe Cooter traded Renteria for Piniero! What was he thinking?" Every little ebb and flow in baseball -- an injury, a hitting streak, a position change -- is something that you experience directly and effects you in an exciting and opportunity-creating way. If you still don't think fantasy is right for you, all I would say is give it a try. If you've turned to this section of the newspaper, you're obviously interested in sports. Find some friends, go to Yahoo!, and start a league for free. You can even get ambitious and go to ESPN.com or the The Sporting News and pay a few bucks to get all the extras. It's easy. You'll learn just by clicking around, and you can turn back to this column every Monday for tips. If you're already in a league, try doing two and expand your knowledge of players. Fantasy will change you. It will develop your skills. It will improve your life. It will make you a better person. Fantasy for everyone! GET IN THE GAME.

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