Archives

News

Second Thoughts

February 16

Last year in these pages I wrote a few columns about the impending, and then actual, war against Saddam Hussein. I argued that war can be both necessary and just when there remains no other option to stop an aggressive threat to the peace. I concluded that inspections were futile against a power hungry dictator who denied the existence of the weapons he held. The war would be just, I thought, to remove the man from his weapons. Now that it appears he did not have the weapons that everyone thought he did, I've had to do some rethinking. Was the war unjust after all? There are some who argue that failure to find stockpiles of weapons changes nothing. Saddam was a horrible dictator, they say, who filled mass graves with his own people and used whatever money he didn't spend on pleasure palaces he used to fund terrorism. The world is a better place, they argue, with him out of power. And this is very true. But it doesn't really answer our question, which is, "was the war just?" To those who deny that notions of "right" and "wrong" have any meaning, the question is pointless from the start. For those who believe no person is free to do whatever their heart desires, but that all are obliged to do the right thing and shun the wrong thing, still divide among themselves on how one discovers what the right thing is. In general there are two camps, dividing on where rightness can be found: in an action or in its consequences. The latter group asks, are the results good? If so, then it does not matter what actions one takes to get the results, so long as the consequences are advantageous. That is the thinking behind those who say the Iraq war was just for the sole reason that Saddam is gone. The other group, before looking at any consequences, asks, is this action good? The presupposition is that there are some acts which are intrinsically wrong and can never be justified no matter what advantages come from it. Chattel slavery, for example, can never be justified by the amount of wealth it creates for others. Or, an innocent man ought never be condemned by the court, no matter what peace of mind it may bring to society. In general, evil can never be done so that good may come. It is from this group of thinkers that the concept of "just war" has come. In "just war" thinking, the aim of war is to protect the innocent and preserve the peace. Since the murder of the innocent is an intrinsically wrong act, war can be justified to stop it so long as the war itself does not murder innocents. As soon as a lasting, grave threat to the public peace becomes certain, war becomes justified, if not obligatory. In the months before the Iraq war, the claim was that such a time had arrived. The public peace of order and the lives of innocents were, as George Weigel put it, "under grave threat when aggressive regimes acquire weapons of mass destruction -- weapons that we must assume, on the basis of their treatment of their own citizens, these regimes will not hesitate to use against others." It was proposed that a just war need not wait for an actual attack. Weigel asked, "Can we not say that, in the hands of certain kinds of states, the mere possession of weapons of mass destruction constitutes an aggression -- or, at the very least, an aggression waiting to happen?" Many, including myself, agreed. To this date, however, no stockpiles have been found. Does this make the reason for the war false, and thus the war unjust? It is a question harder to answer than it seems. In the first place, the absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence. The Iraq Survey Group is still, says CIA Director George Tenet, searching for "weapons, people, and data" and is "nowhere near 86 percent finished". There may be surprises. Weapons and evidence may have been destroyed, or moved out of Iraq, in the weeks before and during the war. The threat may have been real indeed. We have to wait for more truth to come to light. Secondly, while Tenet admits that Saddam did not have nuclear weapons, nor does it appear that he had ready-to-use biological or chemical weapons, Saddam did have "the intent and capacity" to get them. In other words, Saddam was not repentant. He did not renounce his evil ways and become a kingly philanthropist. In fact, the U.S. has found its proof that Saddam was actively pursuing ballistic missile technology prohibited by the U.N.. The U.S. did not invade a country lead by a kindly old man whose watering bucket was accused of being a machine gun. Not only did he want these weapons, there was certainly no sign that his sons would give up the quest when they eventually succeeded him. We're confronted by the question, is a rogue state that wants but does not yet have weapons as much a threat as a rogue state that does have them? Is the danger to innocent life and the public peace not yet certain enough? Suppose we could have certainly kept the weapons Saddam desired out of his hands with constant obstruction. Does this protect the lives of his innocent citizens or preserve the public peace within his nation? If the international community has to subject an entire nation to strangling sanctions and policing in order to frustrate the designs of one man, hasn't that man made himself an aggressor to his own people? Is he himself a grave, lasting, and certain threat? Would it then be justified to remove him from power, using international war if necessary? I do not know the answer to these questions. Every time we stretch the definition of what a "just cause" might be we run the risk of making it mean whatever we want it to mean. Suppose that the worst has happened, and that Iraq's weapons really did go over into, says, Syria. If our intelligence only hints at that, though, is that grounds enough for the U.S. to start demanding Syria to comply with inspections? How can we trust our information? I was under the impression last year that the administration had plenty of strong and clear evidence that it just could not reveal to the public. Do policy makers have an obligation to refrain from making war until the grounds for that war are conclusively know? That of course puts us in a very vulnerable position. But is it the right thing to do? Jack Grimes is a senior majoring in Philosophy.

---

News

Jumbos make most of Middlebury, tie-break system

February 16

For now, it doesn't matter that the men's basketball team was only down 13 points at the half to the number one team in the country, but then only made 27.6 percent of its shots in the second half. And, it really doesn't matter that, a week ago, the Jumbos traveled all the way to Colby just to get smoked, 80-65. In reality, all that matters is that Tufts took care of business at home against Middlebury on Wednesday. That win meant Tufts would finish the season with at least two NESCAC wins, and put them in a three-way tie with Middlebury and Colby for the final two playoff spots. All three teams finished with 2-7 conference records. After going through seven basketball-related tie-breaking scenarios, the selection of the seventh seed in the playoffs came down to a "random action," according to Robb Modica, assistant director for conference operation of the NESCAC. That random action was pulling a name out of a hat. Andrea Savage, administrative director of the NESCAC, and Modica were both on hand as Tufts was the team selected. The Jumbos were awarded the seventh seed, meaning they have to play second-seeded Trinity in Hartford on Saturday. "I was kind of surprised the way we ended the season," senior co-captain Eric Mack said. "We lost games we shouldn't have. But I guess you have to get it how you get it." With Middlebury and Colby left after Tufts was selected as the seventh seed, Middlebury gained the eighth seed because the Panthers won in head-to-head competition over Colby. Middlebury travels to top seed Williams on Saturday. "I think they need to get a better way of tie-breaking," Mack said. "Maybe something that has to do with basketball, not just luck." While Modica feels the final tie-breaking criteria is unfortunate, a change would have to come from the athletic directors at each NESCAC school and so far, no AD has motioned for a change. Ready for Clark Now that the Jumbos are in the playoffs, their game Thursday at home against Clark actually means something and is an opportunity to improve on some of the weaker points of their game. Both junior guard Jesse Belodoff and classmate Reggie Stovell agree, the Jumbos transition defense needs work. "(Williams) had a style of play we haven't seen all year," Stovell said. "They got a lot of their points off fast breaks. We work totally different." In fact, Stovell feels Tufts was not intimidated by Williams at all and it is more talented than the Ephs. He felt the Jumbos couldn't handle the up-and-down style of play. Similar to Williams, next Saturday's opponent, Trinity, attempts a lot of three-pointers. The Bantams' shots become that much more effective if shooters can get open during transition phases. Also, Trinity will push the pace of the game if shots start falling, which could cause big runs. "I think our transition defense needs to be a real focus against Trinity," Belodoff said. "I think it has been an issue a few times for spurts during games throughout the season. We may give up a few easy buckets, but then we remind ourselves to get back and it's not much of a problem after that." >The infirmary If you looked over at the Tufts bench during the Williams game, you would have seen four players in street clothes. Belodoff, sophomore Brian Fitzgerald, and freshmen David Shepherd and Brian Kumf all were sidelined with injuries. With both Belodoff and Shepherd injured, Mack was expected to play many more minutes than he has throughout the season. In both the Middlebury and Williams game, Mack played a team-high 36 minutes. "You want to play as much as you can," Mack said. "But, you got to pick your spots and can't go hard the whole time. You have to conserve energy." In addition, Kumf and Fitzgerald's injuries hurt Tufts, especially when Dan Martin picked up his fourth foul with 14 minutes left in the Williams game. Belodoff is trying to come back for Thursday's game and Kumf could possibly come back this weekend, but Fitzgerald and Shepherd are both done for the season. Throwbacks Stovell and Mack were trying for some throwback power against Williams by wearing black Converse shoes compared to the rest of the team's white Nike's. "We're testing out Converse," Mack said. "We wore white at first but they fell apart, and the only ones they had left were black." Mack added, "They feel better than the Nike's." In addition, Stovell took out his braids/cornrows and let his hair breath in the form of a big Snoop Dogg/John Shaft-like afro. "I thought that the fro would have worked for the Williams game," Stovell said. "That's old school, he's taking it back, way back," Mack said.

---

News

V-day: a haven for expression

February 16

In the midst of my "sophomore slump," I tried out for The Vagina Monologues on a friend's recommendation. I went to the first read-through for the show and suddenly my uncontrollable enthusiasm morphed into a panic attack. "I just volunteered to spend a lot of time with 15 women," I thought. "And I don't really like women." I always got along better with guys than I did with girls. I like hockey and beer and chicken wings. My sarcasm and politically incorrect sense of humor did not seem to fit in with a troupe of overly sensitive femi-nazis -- or such was my impression of them at the time. I was sure that I would never find my place in this mix, and that while I would enjoy working in the theater again, I would never become a true "Vagina." How wrong I was. I still believe that I tend to get along better with guys than girls and I do not consider myself a political activist in any way, shape or form. But somehow, in the course of a month and half, I became close friends with the very girls whom I feared at that first read-through. What I always marvel at how these friendships have stayed intact, despite how different we all were... and are. The problem on this campus is that so many people are so involved in what they do that it creates a divide between people in the student body. It is hard to feel a sense of community at Tufts because many communities are isolated from each other. The women I met during my time as a Vagina were people I would never have otherwise come into contact with during the rest of my Tufts life. One was an Oxfam manager, one a drama major, another a rugby player... the list goes on. Somehow, the show superceded the separations we felt elsewhere. I found, for the first time, a diverse unified community at Tufts. As this year's Vagina Monologues director has said, "the play is about home." It is about coming home to your body, about coming home to yourself, about embracing all those parts of you that are female, or embracing the women around you whom you love. I found that I had more in common than I thought with the Oxfam manager and the rugby player. believe it speaks to the universality of the show's message that it draws such a diverse group of women. I suddenly found myself 'at home', in a way I had never thought possible before. I learned to embrace different sides of myself. I realized that the reason I had always gotten along better with guys than girls was because I had always neglected parts of myself that are female, for fear of being labeled a "feminist.". For me, my entire experience is summarized in one line from the show: "C*nt. I've reclaimed it." Instead of fearing being labeled something, I decided to own it. As the stage manager for this year's show, it has been truly incredible to watch the cast come together. Lacrosse players, Essence singers, Trunkers, and track runners have found themselves unified by the force of this play -- a force that everyone male or female can identify with on some level. After the show, the cast, the crew, and every person in the audience finds themselves home, because that's what the Monologues is about. There is a common ground between us that somehow V-Day has managed to bring to the forefront. The V-Day slogan is "Until the Violence Stops." People often misinterpret this idea. They believe that this slogan implies that the show alone is the solution to the problem of violence against women. It's not. The play gives us a common ground on which we can begin dialogue, a home where we can express ourselves. Every year, there are a myriad of responses to the show -- some good, some bad, and some just confused. Regardless of the response, I believe that The Vagina Monologues has done its part if people are talking at all. It makes us think, reevaluate, and it gives us a forum in which we can express ourselves that is otherwise inaccessible. Now in its fourth year, the show still provides this much-needed forum on a very divided campus, bringing background issues to the forefront.

---

News

Becoming a Double Jumbo

February 16

For every undergraduate who cannot wait to graduate from the Hill, there are there are many who cannot seem to get enough of Tufts and opt not to leave. These students look to the University's eight graduate schools to continue their education and earn a second Tufts degree, becoming what are known as Double Jumbos. Brenda Carr, Program Assistant of Admissions at the Tufts Office of Graduate and Professional Studies, says that many of the approximately 1,350 graduate students in the School of Arts, Science, and Engineering are Double Jumbos. Last May, 62 graduate degrees were awarded to students who were also Tufts undergraduates. Carr says that continuity exists in certain departments and programs in particular, such as in engineering, child development, and education. Given that International Relations is one of the most popular undergraduate majors, several students continue their studies at Tufts Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. "Tufts is our top feeder school, usually," said Julia Phelan, Admissions Coordinator of the Fletcher School. She added that most students take time off between their undergraduate studies and Fletcher to work in the field and gain experience. "More students apply from Tufts because they are familiar with the University and the Fletcher school, and that is reflected in the incoming class," Director of Admissions Laurie Hurley said. Carol Baffi-Dugan, who advises students interested in health professions, says that many Tufts undergraduates go on to take interest in Tufts School of Medicine. According to Dugan, 61 percent of Tufts applicants to the Med School were accepted in 2002 while 30 matriculated, a figure comprising 18 percent of the class. Additionally, in 2003, 66 percent of Tufts applicants to the Med School received an interview, while only 14 percent of non-Tufts applicants were granted an interview. Nationally, only 53 percent of applicants to medical school were accepted in 2002, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. At the Tufts School of Dental Medicine, 85 percent of Tufts applicants were accepted, making up three percent of the class. Seventy-one percent of applicants were accepted to the Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine, comprising eight percent of that class. For a liberal arts school, Tufts also sends a substantial number of students to its Veterinary School and remains in the Veterinary School's top ten feeder schools, says Director of Admissions Rebecca Russo. The school, however, still receives more applications from large universities that have pre-vet and agriculture programs. "From [places like] UMass and Cornell we get more applicants than a place like Tufts," Russo said. Not all Tufts graduate schools attract high numbers of Tufts undergrads. Out of the 51 incoming students to the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences last fall, none were Jumbos. Three had applied, but only one was accepted and that student chose to enroll elsewhere. At the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Elizabeth Cochary is "surprised" by the low number of Tufts undergraduate applicants, but said that the school does garner interest through its popular undergraduate nutrition class. Still, the Nutrition School accepted three Tufts undergraduates last year, and only one enrolled (the average class size at the Nutrition School is 65 students). In an effort to cultivate a stronger relationship with Tufts undergraduates, the Dental School held its first annual open house on Feb. 7. The goal of the event was to "increase awareness of dentistry, for students interested in health professions and to strengthen the connection between undergraduate schools and the dental school," said Katherine Wasilenko, Assistant Director of Tufts Dental admissions. Tufts undergraduates are encouraged to apply to Tufts graduate schools, and incentives are typically offered. The Graduate School of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering gives admissions breaks to Tufts undergraduates: according to Carr, application fees are waived for Tufts undergraduates, and many of the departments do not require GREs. In addition to these admissions incentives, there are many special early decision programs and fellowships available to Tufts undergrads. One such program is TuftsPlus, to which engineers may apply after completing their junior year. The program guarantees a tuition scholarship of at least 50 percent, waives the $60 application fee and GRE requirement, and requires two letters of recommendation instead of three. At the Dental School, Tufts candidates for admissions are given special attention. "We're aware of them as applicants and very much want them to come to us," Wasilenko said. "If they are qualified, we try to get them in as soon as possible. We try to expedite the interview process for qualified applicants." The Tufts graduate schools are undoubtedly familiar with the rigor of the Tufts undergraduate course offerings, another significant advantage for Tufts undergraduate applicants. "Tufts candidates are always very strong because the undergraduate program is so strong," Hurley said of Tufts applicants to the Fletcher School. At the Graduate School of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering, former Tufts undergraduates have already been in contact with much of the faculty, as many professors teach at both levels. "A strong faculty recommendation from another person on this campus can be very helpful," Carr said. However, simply being a Tufts undergraduate does not guarantee admission to one of its graduate schools. "Every applicant competes in the applicant pool," Phelan said. Coordinator of Admissions and Recruitment for the Nutrition School Kristina Bonnana does not see any special advantage to being a Tufts student. "[You must] have the credentials that they're looking for," she said. Next Tuesday, the Daily looks at the reasons why some students decide to become 'Double Jumbos' and others leave the Hill behind as grad students.

---

News

Student adds opinion to debate

February 16

As one of the four Animals in Public Policy students who was involved in "going public" with the tibial osteotomy study at the Veterinary School, I would like to add my opinion to the debate. Just to clarify, I have not accused Tufts of any crimes involving cruelty to animals. I do, however, feel that the intentional breaking of dogs' legs and the subsequent euthanasia of those animals should not be occurring at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine. Tufts Vet School is viewed as a leader in ethical veterinary education and practice, and this particular research project contradicts that image. I believe that the information sought from the study could have and should have been obtained through clinical research on dogs with naturally occurring injuries. Unfortunately, the study was not done clinically and was underway using purpose-bred dogs when the students became aware of it. The contentiousness of this issue seems to clearly illuminate the differing values that are placed on the lives of animals. This issue is one to which the greater Tufts community -- the donors, clients, and prospective students of the University -- obviously have valid perspectives to add. We students have not been informed of any incidents of violence or illegal activity stemming from our going public with this issue. There has been communication, both privately directed towards Tufts and in the media, from some angry members of the public who have said and written inappropriate things. This, I must say, has been disappointing. But there have been no indications that these sentiments have coincided with any illegal activity. Furthermore, these few individuals do not represent the vast majority of members of the public who have contacted the University with appropriate concerns and questions about the research study. I realize that not everyone is going to agree about the appropriateness of Tufts conducting the tibial osteotomy study, but I believe that the attention that the research has brought to the school is an indication that a discussion that includes the greater Tufts community is warranted. Diana Goodrich Animals in Public Policy student '04

---

News

Emotions run high as decision on gay marriage looms

February 16

The campus center teemed with activity last Thursday as the TTLGBC held their annual "Freedom to Marry Day." This year's event comes as the Massachusetts legislature tries to find a solution to an issue that does not seem to have one. The coordinators of the Tufts Transgender, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Collective (TTLGBC) run the event annually to promote awareness of gay issues at Tufts. TTLGBC members set up a table with a wedding cake featuring two male figurines on one side and two female figurines on the other. Large posters showed the views of President Bush and of the democratic presidential candidates on marriage rights. "The majority of the campus is uninformed about these issues," TTLGBC Co-Coordinator Kit Stanton said,. "I'd say even many of our members are uninformed too." Stanton was optimistic about the general Tufts interest in gay rights. "It's really exciting that so many people are coming by." After the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled for the right of same-sex marriage, the legislature is already debating a new constitutional change to address the court's decision. Without an amendment, Massachusetts must allow all couples to marry by mid-May. Students at Tufts are deeply divided on the gay marriage issue. Brandon Balkind, editor-in-chief of the conservative publication ThePrimary Source said he is most concerned that gay marriage may uproot the traditional family structure. "I don't believe the courts' interpretation of the Constitution was consistent with thousands of years defining marriage," Balkind said. While he supports equal economic benefits for heterosexual and homosexual couples, he opposes equal adoption rights until more research is completed on the effects of gay parenting. "It sounds unfair, but the fact is that [children] are too precious a resource to change the family unit when we don't really know the effects are down the road," Balkind said. President of the Tufts Republicans Philip Tsipman was against having a political demonstration by a Tufts-funded organization for a divisive issue like gay marriage. "Student groups are free to advocate for whatever they want" Tsipman said, but felt that the University acted inappropriately in backing such a controversial issue so openly. Balkind and Tsipman are in agreement that the University does not give conservative views the same attention as more traditional liberal ones. "This is a place for learning, not indoctrination" Tsipman said. Balkind said that he would like to think that if conservatives on campus petitioned a politically controversial event that they would be met with the same support that the LGBT Center was. An equally vocal portion of the campus supports the efforts to legalize same-sex marriages. "Every person knows someone who is gay," junior Anne Stevenson said. "How could anyone turn around and not support them in this?" "I think it's gross and out-of-date to be opposed," junior Sarah Sahn said. She said that drawing a distinction such as that between civil unions and marriages impedes the progress of human rights. "It will create the same separate but equal attitude that reigned in the South during the days of Jim Crow," Sahn said, if the ultimate court opinion results in the division of homosexual and heterosexual marriage. The division on campus mirrors the debate in the Massachusetts legislature. After a largely unproductive session in the Statehouse last week, proceedings will resume on March 11. The legislature was unsuccessful in passing an amendment that would allow civil unions for gays while making marriage illegal.

---

---

News

Commencement speaker adequate, but lacks name recognition

February 16

Tufts continues to be stuck in a rut of selecting relatively-unknown commencement speakers. Most Tufts students had never heard Walter Isaacson's name, despite his great achievements as a journalist and author, until the university announced him as the 2004 commencement speaker last Friday. His selection as commencement speaker is adequate but not ideal, especially for an institution that is often visited by world leaders and considers itself a top-tier university. Isaacson is a worthy choice because of the speech that he is likely to give. A Washington Post reporter who interviewed him after the publication of his most recent book said that "his mind is omnivorous, his energies prodigious. He is constantly threshing information, tuned to a world of deeds and doers, far more comfortable probing a source and setting the agenda than surrendering himself to chance." The administration is content with his academic credentials. Students can be sure that he will deliver a memorable speech. The problem with Isaacson as our commencement speaker is that he has little name recognition outside of his industry. This is especially evident when he is placed alongside the legendary Neil Armstrong, who will receive an honorary degree on the same stage. Students desire a prestigious name because they are proud of Tufts. A famous person, a big name, an informed celebrity would bring attention to our University in our graduating year. We would be sent off into the real world with glory and confirmation of the value of our Tufts degree. To be fair, the committee that chooses the commencement speaker is made up of wiser individuals who probably realize that many students will not remember the commencement speaker, no matter his fame. The caliber of the speaker is more important. The accumulated experience of four years on the hill is more important. The splendor of the event is more important. Nonetheless, in our ambitious youth it is a shame that we cannot bask in the glow of a more widely recognized speaker.

---

News

The great debate

February 16

In the wake of last week's controversy over the legalization of gay marriage in Massachusetts, this installment of "By the Numbers" looks at how different segments of the population view homosexuality 55% Americans aged 18-24 who think homosexuality is "morally acceptable" 21% Americans older than 65 who think so 2-10% Americans who are gay or lesbian 79% Americans who think the U.S. military should allow openly gay individuals to serve 35% Americans who oppose same-sex marriage 52% Americans who think homosexuals are as likely to have stable relationships as heterosexuals 32% Americans who support same-sex marriage 59% Incoming college freshmen who support it 38 States that have enacted laws or amendments that ban gay marriage 2 Margin of votes (100-98) by which Mass. House Speaker Thomas Finneran's proposal to bar gay marriage was defeated on Wednesday 3,700 Demonstrators (both pro and anti gay marriage) outside Boston's Statehouse last Wednesday, when the proposal was being debated 1 Openly gay member of the Mass. State Senate (Jarrett Barrios) 42% Americans who think a person's sexual orientation can be changed 42% Americans who think it can't 78% Voters favoring President Bush's reelection who oppose gay marriage 48% Voters favoring a Democratic candidate who oppose gay marriage 48% Americans who think there are currently too many gay characters and themes in the entertainment media 37% Americans who thought so in 2000 The statistics cited above come from the Pew Center for the People and the Press, Gallup Brain, publicagenda.org, the Standard Times, and the Christian Science Monitor.

---

News

Salem museum is frightfully, unintentionally funny

February 16

You don't hear much about the town of Salem's mystique, but it's clear that the Salem witch trials, and the deaths it caused, have captured America's imagination for centuries. What could set neighbor against neighbor, or send so many guiltless individuals to their early graves? Since we live in New England, we took the obvious next step and voyage out to Salem itself, home to a museum intended to educate visitors about the controversial tragedies that once took place in the little picturesque village. It's clear from the onset, though, that the only real plus about the overpriced Salem Witch Museum is the fact that its $6.50 admission is the monetary equivalent of a much longer bad Adam Sandler matinee movie. The museum's introductory show is a short treatise on the Salem Witch Trials, played out with narration and wax figures. It quickly turns into a lecture as to why the United States is a nation is superior to all of Europe since we only sent 19 innocent "witches" to their deaths while our former colonizers executed thousands. Whether or not this claim is a recent addition brought on by recent military endeavors and the national centricity that comes with it, or has always existed as an attempt to justify an extremely black spot on our early colonial history, the pure unmotivated superiority of it will make even the most patriotic American cringe at the attempted moral justification. One doesn't go to a witch museum to get lectured about how wonderful our nation is, and the suddenness of the claim will make even a jingoistic audience-goer burst out in pure, surprised laughter. The rest of the museum is equally misguided, as it is more of an attempt to preach about why "normals" should be open-minded toward witches than as any sort of a historical display. The few facts given are either inaccurate or exaggerated, and the exhibit concludes with a pair of mannequins dressed as modern-day "Wiccans." They explain to the audience that their religion has developed directly from practices dating back to Celtic times and that in fact, they're just like the rest of us -- really -- as they stand dressed in ridiculous ceremonial garb that looks like it comes from Marian Zimmer Bradley's version of Arthurian court life. Those responsible for creating the exhibit and the message it communicates have clearly hurt their cause more than they could have possibly helped it, as no visitor who has witnessed the obviously over-the-top display will be able to hear the word "witch" without it triggering a fit of sniggers for days afterward. It's not the sense of desperation or the willingness to play fast and loose with facts, but it is the pure egotism displayed by the exhibit that will make visitors cringe. The Salem Witch Museum, for all its purported history and its expensive entry price, is the New England equivalent of a circus sideshow -- fun to laugh at (the wax figure of the Devil who ends the show while philosophical questions play on the loudspeaker is guaranteed to send you to giggles) and utterly senseless. And it's not as if there's nothing else to do in Salem besides gawk at witches, even during the tourist off-season. One's money would be much better spent taking a tour of the House of Seven Gables, made famous in Nathaniel Hawthorne's book of the same name (which is also much more reasonably priced at only $3 per tour) or buying colonial sweets at the Ye Olde Pepper Companie, Salem's long-time candy company which can trace its routes back to the early 1800s. Either would give tourists a more historically accurate and more relevant look at Salem's colonial history, and visitors won't leave with the acrid taste in their mouths that comes with swallowing one's pocketbook. For this exhibit, it doesn't matter whether you're American or European, "normal" or warlock, overdressed Arthurian Wiccan with Celtic-leaning tendencies or modern-day practicing witch. The Salem Witch Museum is good for laughs, giggles, and maybe a side-splitting chortle or two. But if you want a historical account of Salem's tragedy that happened four hundred years ago, you're better off sticking to Professor Evan Haefeli's class, "Salem Witch Trials," than making the half-hour trek out to the town where it happened.

---

News

Grammy performer to play annual jazz show at Dewick tonight

February 16

As anyone who saw this year's Grammy Awards can attest, funk, or at least some mutant variation of it, is back in a big way. The Grammy's "funk medley," which featured Earth, Wind, & Fire, a performance of Outkast's "The Way You Move," and the incomparable George Clinton and Parliament, was one of the longest and most elaborate musical segments ever to appear on the awards show. Yet, as recognizable as most of these artists are, it was the relatively unknown pedal-steel guitarist, Robert Randolph, who stole the show from his fellow medley performers. Stuck innocuously between Outkast and Parliament, Randolph showed up both acts with a tight, funky rendition of his latest single "I Need More Love," which managed to be infinitely more entertaining than the ostentation of Outkast or the shambling, overcooked Clinton. Tonight, Tufts students will get a chance to experience what the Grammy audience saw firsthand when Robert Randolph and the Family Band headline the Concert Board's annual jazz show at Dewick Dining Hall. Concert Board invited Randolph as a way of bringing something new to Tufts. "[Randolph] has a nice, eclectic mix of blues and funk that will appeal to everyone," Concert Board co-chair Adam Drobnis said. "One that reaches to a more diverse audience." Randolph's diverse sound might have something to do with his equally diverse background. The singer and guitarist learned his trade in a New Jersey church, where it was not uncommon to put on a rock concert while praying. He was discovered playing at the Sacred Steel Convention in Florida -- sort of a trade fair for church-employed pedal-steel guitarist -- and Randolph suddenly found himself signed to a record label and playing with jam scene favorites Medeski, Martin, and Wood. From there, Randolph became a favored opening act for various jam-affiliated acts; everyone from the North Mississippi Allstars to Tufts jazz show alums, Soulive. He released an instrumental gospel/blues album, The Word, with keyboardist John Medesky in 2001, and a live album in 2002. It wasn't until this year, with the release of his first studio album and a spot opening for Eric Clapton on the guitarist's European tour, that Randolph began to make waves of his own. Randolph's secret weapon is the pedal-steel guitar, an instrument that defines his sound just as the electric guitar defined Hendrix's and the trumpet Miles Davis.' The pedal-steel looks like an ordinary electric guitar, albeit one with extra strings, laid flat on a table underlaid with pedals that allow the player to change the instrument's tuning on a whim. Because of this last detail, the pedal steel can jump from the deepest, chugging riff to a high-strung falsetto in the time it takes to pick a single string. Randolph puts the instrument's versatility to good use on his first studio album, the appropriately titled Unclassified. A wild mix of funk, soul, jam, and gospel, Unclassified features Randolph tearing through each genre with pedal-steel, simultaneously forging a distinctive style of his own. While his musical influences may be far-reaching, Randolph is at his best when playing funk. As a funk artist, Randolph falls somewhere between a wilder Stevie Wonder and a more restrained (i.e., less stoned) George Clinton. One of Randolph's greatest talents is turning an otherwise dull jam song into a fiery funk workout akin to P-Funk at their over-the-top prime. Randolph is certainly eclectic but it is funk that lies at the bedrock of his sound. If Randolph's Grammy performance tells us anything it's that this year's jazz show will give students a rare opportunity to see an artist on the cusp of a career breakthrough.

---

News

Playoff seed on the line for women's basketball squad

February 12

The time has arrived for the women's basketball team to discover its postseason destiny. With two league games on the road against the Middlebury Panthers tonight and the Williams Ephs tomorrow, Tufts (15-5, 5-2) has its playoff fate mostly in its own hands. Two wins and a Bates loss to Williams will clinch the second seed in the NESCAC championship tournament for the Jumbos. Coming off of a 76-66 win over Wheaton at home on Tuesday, Tufts looks to keep its two-game winning streak intact with a victory against sixth place Middlebury. The Panthers are 11-9 on the season with a 3-4 NESCAC record and sport a 6-4 mark on their home court. Tufts triumphed over the Panthers last year in Cousens Gym, 69-58. This year, Middlebury could have some momentum from its big 80-58 win over last place Connecticut College last weekend and from the fact that it could conceivably clinch a first round playoff home game with league victories this weekend. The Panthers have talented rebounders in junior Alexis Hollinger (9.1 rebounds per game) and senior Alexis Batten (8.1 rpg). Their main scoring threat comes in the form of sophomore Kate Fehsenfeld who has averaged 14.8 points each time she takes the court. "We need to play a lot of pressure defense on their players," sophomore guard Jessica Powers said. "We've worked on that all season." In addition, the Jumbos have also focused on breaking a zone defense, which gave them trouble in their loss to Bowdoin. "We worked a lot on the zone offense, and our own playing of the zone," Powers said. Should the Jumbos triumph over Middlebury tonight and should Williams beats Bates in Williamstown, Tufts would be in position to seize the second tournament seed on Saturday against the Ephs. Williams (18-4, 5-2 NESCAC) will do all it can to spoil Tufts' Saturday plans. After falling to Wesleyan 68-53 last Saturday, the Ephs will be on a quest for league redemption against the Jumbos, who beat Wesleyan 47-46. Freshman Margaret Miller has been a force for Williams this season, averaging 15.6 points per game and forcing 49 turnovers on the year. Sophomore Colleen Hession will also pose a threat to the Jumbos with her 43 season steals and 13.8 points per contest average. Hession is a formidable threat from three point range as well. On Feb. 6 against Conn. College, she broke Williams' all time record for converted three pointers in a season with 55. Last year, Tufts fell to the Ephs, 69-61 at home. Tufts could be looking to avenge that loss. "There's always 'they beat us last year so we want to beat them,'" Powers said. "They came here and beat us last year, but we're not focusing on revenge. We really need the game. Despite the stiff competition and the fact that its record is better at home, Tufts feels confident in its ability to win on the road. "I don't think we think about it much [that we play better at home]," Powers said. "We're very confident going in. We're not scared because we're away; it doesn't really matter where we are. Just stay focused." Senior tri-captain Maritsa Christoudias scored 13 points with nine rebounds and five steals against Wheaton on Tuesday, while Powers racked up 23 points in a Tufts' win against Colby last Saturday. Those two, along with starting sophomore point guard Julia Verplank and junior Allison Love, will have to put up those kind of numbers this weekend, especially against Williams.

---

News

Teams separate themselves from the pack

February 12

Halfway through the conference season, three teams have proven themselves worthy of No. 1 seeds come March, while that fourth spot seems wide open at this point. Duke's Blue Devils, Stanford's Cardinal, and St. Joseph's Eagles have distanced themselves from the rest of the college basketball landscape, with the other teams struggling to keep up with the win totals of the three. At times this season, several teams looked prime to move into the fourth No. 1 spot, including the UConn Huskies and the Louisville Cardinals. But after a recent string of losses, both teams have fallen back from the lead pack and look doubtful for receiving that high of an NCAA Tournament seeding. Duke's game last Thursday against the North Carolina Tarheels was another epic battle between the two schools, only eight miles apart on Tobacco Road. The game has already been dubbed an instant classic and ESPN Classic actually ran the game again this Thursday. After Jawad Williams of Carolina tied the game with a three-pointer with less than ten seconds remaining, the game went into overtime -- a fitting ending for such a great game between the greatest of rivals. The Heels tied the game again with a three-pointer with less than thirty seconds left, only to have Duke's Chris Duhon drive the length of the court Tyus Edny style, split two defenders, and score on a reverse layup. Duke prides themselves on not calling timeouts after made baskets late in the game, because it doesn't allow their opponent time to set up their defense. In this case it worked perfectly with much of the credit going to Coach K's preparation of his team. Many ask how you can rank a team with one loss above two undefeated teams, but the Blue Devils are more than worthy. They compete in the ACC, which is the best conference in the nation according to the RPI and may get as many as seven teams into the NCAA Tournament. And after last night's win over the Virginia Cavaliers, the Devils have stormed out to 10-0 record in the conference, unlikely to be caught. The Cardinal kept their unbeaten record alive with an incredible buzzer-beating shot to cap their impressive comeback over the Arizona Wildcats, 80-77. Trailing 77-74 with less than 43 seconds to go, Stanford stole the ball and swingman Josh Childress nailed a wide open three to tie the game. After calling a timeout, Arizona brought the ball up court and ran a congested play that led to a steal by third-string forward Nick Robinson. Robinson took two dribbles past half court and heaved up a prayer. Well, that prayer was answered and as the shot went down, the Stanford crowd rushed the court along with Tiger Woods, who was in attendance in the front row. Thanks to their trio of backcourt players, which is easily in the top five in the country, if not the best, the Eagles have been able to carry an unblemished record into February. Led by All-American Jameer Nelson, scorer Delonte West, and sharpshooter Pat Carroll (over 45 percent from 3-point range), St. Joe's has destroyed opponents with a barrage of long-range shots and excellent ball-handling. In Wednesday night's game against the conference rival Dayton Flyers, the Eagles dominated with an 81-67 win. Dayton was the largest roadblock left on the Eagles schedule, which now looks like clear sailing as they don't play any teams significantly over the .500 mark for the rest of the regular season. Mid-Major Report Never forget the kings of the mid-major conferences, the Gonzaga Bulldogs, who are sitting pretty at this point with only two losses. More importantly, their only two losses have been at the hands of the only two undefeated teams remaining in all of Division I basketball. If they win out, the Zags should be in line for number two or three seed in the NCAA Tournament, with a four seed being the absolute lowest that they would receive. Led by All-American point guard Blake Stepp, big man Ronny Turiaf, and transfer Errol Knight, Gonzaga looks primed to run the table in the West Coast Conference, something they have never done despite their recent dominance. Other mid-major powerhouses who look to cause a stir come March are the Utah State Aggies, the Southern Illinois Salukis, and last year's media darlings, the Creighton Blue Jays. Despite all of these teams having great years, they better plan on winning their conference tournaments, because there is no guarantee that they will get an at-large bid into the NCAA's.

---

News

In case you missed it the first time: Like Water for Chocolate

February 12

Valentine's Day has once again arrived, bringing with it a plethora of cards, teddy bears, and of course, chocolate. Chocolate, the ultimate Valentine confection -- dark and complex or smooth and sweet, and as varied as love itself. Chocolate can bring comfort to the lowliest unrequited lover or can ignite passion in the most listless couple. The delectable sweet presents a potent ingredient in any concoction, and even in a movie. Like Water for Chocolate, the 1992 Mexican romance based on the book of the same name by Laura Esquivel, is a beautiful feast for the eyes and the heart. It's a tale that mixes the human need for food with the human need to be loved. Like Water for Chocolate is the story of Tita, a young woman living in rural Mexico during the Revolution, and her love of cooking and for her older sister Rosaura's husband Pedro. Through a series of unfortunate coincidences, Tita is forced to suffer through her love for Pedro while working as the cook at the hacienda where they both live. As Tita's feelings become more passionate, so does the food she creates. Each carefully prepared dish becomes infused with her emotions. Whoever consumes Tita's food is then filled with the same emotions Tita experiences while cooking. Food then becomes a means of communication between Tita and Pedro to keep their love alive while never acting upon their emotions. This "love that dare not speak its name" provides a roller-coaster ride of feelings for anyone else that haplessly eats Tita's food as well; her other sister Gertrudis becomes so incredibly aroused by a certain dinner that she runs naked into the countryside, steam pouring off her body. Picked up and thrown on a horse by a Revolutionary fighter, the two go off into the sunset to try and cure her insatiable lust. Like Water for Chocolate is a richly visual film that captures the voracious love of Tita and Pedro. It's a movie that creates the kind of love we all seek in life, an all-consuming affair that inspires passion and fire into our daily lives.

---

News

Pearson sees progress in multimillion dollar renovation

February 12

Tufts is currently pumping over $10 million in upgrades to the Pearson Chemistry Complex over the course of several years in an effort to meet what the school describes as growing academic needs. The Pearson chemistry building is currently in the midst of its most recent construction phase, scheduled to be complete by September 2004. The current phase is projected to cost $4.4 million and focuses on the building's East Wing. Executive Administrative Dean Wayne Bouchard describes the current construction as an "immediate step forward," as the project addresses many issues currently pertinent to those who use the building. According to Vice President of Operations John Roberto, the Pearson Chemistry Complex was singled out because it needed to evolve rapidly to meet teaching and research needs. The construction will focus mainly on the building's laboratories. Bouchard detailed the changes, explaining that the first and third floor laboratories will be equipped with updated climate control, ventilation, lighting, fire protection, plumbing, and electricity. The P-200 laboratory on the second floor will be receiving climate control as well, and will be tied into the new building services. "Laboratories on the ground floor will be finished at a minimum level to enable efficient build-out for the research needs of new hires and the developing needs of an existing researcher," Bouchard said. Cramped space has caused limited equipment access, which is being addressed by redesigning space to provide more room for storage. With the completion of Pearson's renovation, Tufts hopes to become a more attractive option for potential undergraduate and graduate students, as well as potential faculty members. Bouchard stressed that those involved in the project share the dual priority of serving those already active in the department and drawing members of a similar caliber. The Tufts website says that "the chemistry department combines a liberal arts college atmosphere with all of the benefits of a major research university." Tufts is determined to maintain this reputation. The ability of the chemistry department to offer modern research facilities, in conjunction with a highly distinguished faculty, makes superior training available for students. The renovation project has been carried out in phases, due to the department's need to remain operational. The lulls between phases have largely depended upon the availability of the facility and funding. The construction team is administered by Tufts and consists of Paul Forgione, the University Construction Project Manager, Goldman Reindorf Architects, and the Linbeck/Kennedy, and Rossi Construction firm.

---

News

Sex without porn

February 12

The Dreamers is perhaps the sweetest, most wholesome movie about sex, drugs, revolution, rioting, rock and roll, and le cinema, ever rated NC-17. As disparate as that sounds, it's somehow an appropriate mixture for a film that, at its pink, quivering center, is about the sexual awakening of a dopey and na‹ve American cinephile and his French compatriots, equally young and awkward underneath their studied cool. Upon fleeing his home in California to study in Paris for a year, Matthew (Michael Pitt) finds himself sitting in the front row of the Cinematheque Francais, day after day, instead of in a classroom. A true film buff, he knows by heart every Godard, Truffuat, and Chaplin movie that graces the screen. He has competition in Theo (Louis Garrel) and Isabelle (Eva Green) though, Parisian siblings whom he meets protesting the expulsion of the Cinematheque's founder and director, Henri Langlois, by the French cultural minister. The three quickly bond and, after racing through the Louvre in a reenactment of a similar scene in Godard's Band of Outsiders, Theo and Isabelle take Matthew into their home and adopt him as another member of their family. All of this is set amidst the May 1968 student rebellions. Disgruntled with the cultural and political climate at the time, students, along with factory workers, took to the streets to overturn cars, graffiti slogans like "Never work!" on monuments, and throw fire-bombs at intervening police officers. The riots culminated with the construction of huge barricades in Paris' student-dominated Latin Quarter, where the protestors planned to cut themselves off from the city proper and live in a utopian world of their own devising. Although the action of the May '68 riots remains on the periphery of the film until its end, director Bernardo Bertolucci and writer Gilbert Adair draw parallels between the chaos of the streets and the seemingly sedate setting of Theo and Isabelle's apartment. With the authority figures out of town, the kids are living their own adolescent utopia -- having lots of sex and getting drunk. It's the sex that earned The Dreamers an NC-17 rating. The three leads are naked throughout most of the third act and Bertolucci certainly isn't shy about showing them so. When Matthew and Isabelle have sex for the first time the camera lingers on their coiled forms for what seems like an interminably long time, especially by contemporary standards where the rule for portraying sex usually involves cutting away at the last possible moment to an oil-derrick or a train rushing into a tunnel. While Bertolucci's unabashed portrayal of young love saves the film from being exploitive or pornographic, at the same time the characters' love-making never seems distant or cold. It's a delicate balancing act and one Bertolucci should be commended for pulling off, considering how many other directors have hopelessly fumbled through their sex scenes like adolescent schoolboys trying to unhook their first bra. The Dreamers' childlike fascination with all things carnal is reflected in the characters' own innocence on the subject. For Matthew, Theo, and Isabelle there's no difference between the films and music they worship and their sexual liaisons; both are an escape from the responsibility and reality of the adult world. For Theo, the student revolts serve a similar purpose. Theo has a Mao poster, a kitschy Mao desk-lamp, and the requisite Marxist pamphlets, but when it comes to attending a protest or taking to the streets, the young Parisian is hopelessly impotent as a party member. It takes a brick, inadvertently launched through the apartment's window, for the film's protagonists to even take note of the rioting in front of their building. The brick comes at the height of the characters' regression into adolescence. At this point in the film, Matthew, Theo, and Isabelle have built a blanket fort in the middle of their living room and, after getting drunk on their parents' most expensive wine, sleep naked in the fort, wrapped innocently in each other's arms. The brick is, in fact, one of the worst things that could have happened to Bertolucci's film, precipitating the movie's shift from an endearing Peter Pan-like quality where children remain young and irresponsible at all costs, to a Lord of the Flies narrative, where child-like decisions have real, often violent, consequences. The Dreamers ends on its weakest and most confusing note. Theo and Isabelle run to the front of the barricades to chuck Molotov cocktails at the cops while Matthew, exhorting everyone to "just get along!" turns away and dissolves into the crowd. What's unclear here is just what Bertolucci and Adair are trying to say about the revolution. Who remains a child and who manages to grow up?

---

News

Staying 'home'

February 12

It's junior year, and it seems like all your friends have left campus behind: your best friend is studying abroad in Paris. Your lab partner is documenting sea turtles in Baja, Mexico. Everyone else you know seems to be spending a semester in Australia. Though many students who remain on campus while their friends are abroad may feel like they're in the minority, only 40 percent of all Tufts students pursue coursework outside the country. "There is some pressure in college to take advantage of every opportunity out there, but for certain students, [studying abroad] is not for them," said Julie Jampel, a supervising psychologist at the Counseling Center. According to Foreign Study Advisor Sally O'Leary, some student decide not to study abroad for many reasons. "Apart from the fact that some have no interest in leaving the campus, there are a few reasons," she said. "Some play sports, some try to complete double degree programs, and others maintain rigorous schedules, such as those in the pre-med track." Despite such obligations, many students find it difficult to deal with life on campus in the absence of much of their social circles. "I certainly do have students tell me they're concerned about how their semester will go because friends will be gone," Health Services Medical Director Margaret Higham said. Jampel advises that those Jumbos feeling less than jubilant in the wake of their friends' departures contact the Counseling Center. "For anyone's who's really feeling a sense of loss, call and schedule an appointment," she said. "My sense is there certainly is fear and anxiety about how their social scene is going to change, along with their support system," Higham added. "But most students do find other ways to fill in those gaps." One way to "fill in the gaps" is to become more involved on campus. "While it was lonelier without some of my best friends, I took the MCAT and kept up with all my other extracurriculars," senior Neha Surana said. "So I was really busy -- it was almost better that they weren't here." Senior Margot Thistle took a similar route when many of her friends left to study abroad: "I had no interest in going abroad, but many of my friends did leave," she said. "So I ended up going out into Boston most weekends and visiting friends from home." Thistle also became more active in her sorority, Alpha Phi. Students who have not studied abroad may also feel excluded upon their friends' return. "When my friends came back, it was hard because I felt I had missed out on the experience when they reminisced together," said senior Susan Carle, who stayed at Tufts in order to take specific courses for her teaching requirement. "But on the upside, I was able to hang out with others that I might not have otherwise." "Everyone talks about their experiences in Chile or Spain, and I just talk about Medford/Somerville," senior David Frew said. For most students, however, the decision to stay at Tufts is not one to regret. "I didn't want to go abroad and put my life on hold for six months," junior Julie D'Andrea said. "I needed to keep a job here and I didn't think I knew enough Spanish yet. So instead, I moved into an apartment and was able to spend time with my new housemates." Senior Matt Keller said that his football and fraternity commitments were the reasons behind his decision to stay in Medford. "I played football, and in the spring off-season, it's a time when the juniors really step up and become team leaders," senior Matt Keller said. "It was a tough decision, but I was also the treasurer of Delta Upsilon so unfortunately, the opportunity to go abroad was outweighed by my priorities here at Tufts. Overall, I'm glad I stayed." Some students, however, are glad they stayed in Medford for other reasons. "Studying abroad in Spain, I would probably party too much," Frew said. "I think it's easier to practice moderation here rather than in that type of environment."

---

News

What's wrong with this picture?

February 12

John Currin is an artist who has emerged as one of the most controversial and celebrated contemporary painters in recent memory. The exhibit, which features Currin's mid-career work, contains approximately forty paintings from the last decade, which demonstrate the vast spectrum of his art. It will be on display at The Whitney Museum of American Art in Manhattan through February 22nd. In our time of overly conceptualized art, Currin's is nostalgic. Upon a first glance at Currin's work, anyone can notice the artist's successful modern innovations within the seemingly jaded and antiquated medium of oil painting. One nearby visitor gleefully remarked, "Thank God, art looks like ART again!" Despite Currin's return to classical painting technique and subjects, there is something slightly subversive about his retrospective. The viewer feels uneasy in front of his works, but can't quite put a finger on why -- this is Currin's genius. Fusing rich technical skill and renaissance style with contemporary subjects, Currin depicts coy women with cartoonishly large breasts measuring their bust sizes, homosexual men making pasta at home, middle-aged women trying to assert their fleeting sex appeal, and old playboys with youthful blondes clinging near. These are scenes so quintessentially contemporary that they could have been ripped straight from American television. Despite their striking familiarity, Currin's depiction of his subjects makes viewers anxious. Yet, there is a harmonious dichotomy in Currin's work that makes his solo show refreshing for both art aficionados and average museum goers. His paintings are beautifully rendered with transparent influence of the renaissance, classicalism and the old masters and, without overpowering their aesthetic appeal; they convey a very specific creepiness. Take for instance, "Stamford, After Brunch" which depicts WASPy women sitting on fluffy behinds, gossiping while the husbands are away. The scene is familiar and obvious, yet there is something about the women that is dramatically unsettling. You can almost feel their silly elitist attitude and hear the obnoxious laugh at the expense of the poor divorcee whose husband had been sleeping with another man. Currin psychologically charges his paintings through moderate stylistic and figurative distortions. Just as the classical artists distorted the human form to emphasize muscular beauty, Currin distorts his figures to have specific effects on the minds of his audience. His alterations are perfectly subtle and can almost go unnoticed; the visitors at the Whitney repeatedly whispered to one another, "What's wrong with this picture?" The most controversial paintings of the exhibit are the multiple portraits of gay couples. In Two Guys and Homemade Pasta, Currin depicts homosexual males in very typical situations. However, there is an ambiguously sordid element to the paintings. This element forces the viewer to question his feeling of disgust with the paintings. Do these feelings stem from the viewers own mind? Or is it guided by the gifted brush of the artist? Either way, Currin confronts his viewers with these paintings and unlike several acclaimed artists he does so without creating works that are overtly grotesque and bizarre. The Whitney exhibit also features several works from Currin's 1997 phase, exemplified by passive women with basketball sized breasts posing like girls from a vintage Playboy ("The Bra Shop" and "The Magnificent Bosom and Dogwood"). Throughout his career Currin has received harsh criticism from feminists because of his portrayal of women. However, the Whitney exhibit showcases pieces from the last decade that suggest Currin is far too sophisticated an artist to make his primary goal the subversion of the modern woman. There are several portraits of aging women that evoke an uncertain discomfort. Currin explores the roll of these women in society and mysteriously focuses on their sexuality in his portraits. Many of Currin's women seem to embody a combination of passivity and sexuality that would, and do, make feminists cringe. His female nudes and other portraits don't directly belittle women or even convey any specific social commentary. They simply portray the female subject with a revamped and modernized version of renaissance ideals. Currin's exhibit is refreshing because it is contemporary but at the same time very far removed from the modern direction of art. He seems closely tied to the ideals of the renaissance and portrays his modern subjects in comparable style to fulfill a similar agenda. Currin's greatest success is his ability to force his audience to re-evaluate his or her own views on contemporary popular iconography and culture. His exhibit offers beautiful paintings that, if given proper examination, can bring their viewers in better touch with the America of 2004.

---

News

Former Time, CNN exec to speak at commencement

February 12

Walter Isaacson, the president and CEO of the Aspen Institute, will deliver the keynote address at the May 23 commencement ceremony. Isaacson was the CEO of CNN and the Managing Editor of Time Magazine. He recently released his third book, a bestselling biography of Benjamin Franklin. The Aspen Institute brings world business and political leaders together to discuss and research current international trends. Joining Isaacson at the 148th commencement day ceremony will be five honorary degree recipients. Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong will receive an honorary doctorate of engineering, musician and Tufts graduate Tracy Chapman will receive an honorary doctorate of fine arts, and Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Richard Lugar (R-IN) will receive an honorary doctorate of laws. Morehouse College President and former National Science Foundation director Walter Massey will receive an honorary doctorate of science degree, and former University Board of Trustees Chair Nathan Gantcher will receive an honorary doctorate of business administration. Isaacson himself will receive an honorary doctorate of humane letters. Last year's commencement day speaker was Massachusetts Supreme Court Chief Justice Margaret Marshall.

---

News

New alumni association focuses on activism

February 12

A group of Tufts alumni have founded a new association because they feel the University's primary association does not sufficiently represent their interests. The Tufts Progressive Alumni Network (TPAN) was founded this year, partly in response to the bitter debate that surrounded the revocation of an Alumni Association award from one student activist last year. "The Tufts University Alumni Association does not have a monopoly on the voice of alumni, and we are not going to let them silence progressives," TPAN Steering Committee member Louis Esparza (LA '03) said. "We provide an outlet for people who want to give back to the university but feel that the Alumni Association does not represent their interests." But neither Alumni Relations nor the Alumni Association had heard of TPAN until this Wednesday, according to Director of Alumni Relations Tim Brooks. According to the group's mission statement, TPAN will support activism at Tufts, act directly to influence Tufts policies, provide community for progressive Tufts alumni through social and political events, and will provide resources for graduating progressive seniors. The group is also awarding an annual prize to a progressive senior. Nominations are due by March 1. The criteria for the award are "commitment to social justice, leadership ability, and potential to be future change agents." The group has attracted about 50 members so far, according to Esparza. The other members of the steering committee are Cindy Chang and Rachel Jones, who both graduated last year. Esparza was a well-known left-leaning activist during his time at Tufts. He was a member of Radix, a liberal student publication, and the Coalition for Social Justice and Non-Violence. Esparza is currently a doctoral student in sociology at Stony Brook University. But Esparza said the organization's represents a variety of alumni interests. "Our alumni were involved in a diverse array of student organizations," Esparza said. "We have representatives from Radix and the Tufts Republicans. We have engineers, lawyers, computer scientists, and aspiring paperback writers." Although the Alumni Association is the main alumni group -- every graduate automatically becomes a member -- there are 12 other alumni groups, according to the Association's website. Other groups include the Association of Tufts Alumnae, the Black Alumni Association, and the Tufts Hillel Alumni Alliance. However, none claims to be an alternative to the Alumni Association as TPAN does. TPAN is currently focused on several initiatives, including establishing a relationship with the University's office of Alumni Relations -- which is independent of the Alumni Association -- and the Social Justice Fund, a fund within the endowment that is directed to social justice activism at Tufts. According to the minutes of a Jan. 3 TPAN meeting, the organization is interested in how Alumni Relations could help TPAN increase membership. The organization also said the University could benefit from increased alumni participation. Palmieri has hopes for a positive and productive future between the Alumni Association and TPAN. "What TPAN is doing is a very positive thing," Palmieri said. "I just hope its goal is to further improve the entire alumni experience as a whole." According to TPAN's website, the organization is not necessarily looking for an immediate relationship with the Alumni Association, and stressed that "TPAN should keep its autonomy." "There is nothing militant or aggressive about TPAN, but it remains to be seen where they'll go, or how they intend to fix their problems," Brooks said. "My door is open to help them." Some of TPAN's members became disillusioned with the Alumni Association last year when the association revoked a Senior Award from Elizabeth Monnin. Monnin, a prominent campus activist and a co-chair of the Tufts Feminist Alliance, was told by the Alumni Association last February that she would receive an award, given each year to 12 seniors for academic excellence and outstanding leadership. But the decision was reversed only weeks later after the association learned about her involvement in a protest at the 2003 Fares Lecture delivered by Former President George H.W. Bush. Monnin was one of a small group of students who stood up and shouted protests during Bush's speech. They were then escorted out of the speech by police officers. "The Alumni Association really put off a lot of people when they took away Ms. Monnin's award," Esparza said. "The action that the Alumni Association took last year brought national shame to this university and violated the basic tenant of the Tufts Vision Statement, 'that active citizen participation is essential to freedom and democracy, and a desire to make the world a better place.'" The controversy attracted coverage in The Boston Globe and the Alumni Association received a "dishonorable mention" in The Boston Phoenix's sixth annual "muzzle awards." The faculty also unanimously passed a resolution condemning the decision. Esparza added that the Alumni Association failed to provide an appropriate response to Monnin's situation, and did not follow through with its mission statement of "instilling a sense of belonging that will extend beyond graduation." "If the Alumni Association was fulfilling its mission statement properly, there would not be as much interest in the Progressive Alumni Network as there is," he said. Brooks maintains that the Alumni Association was justified in its final decision. "One tenet for the Senior Award was the 'potential for alumni leadership,'" he said. "The Award Committee was right to question whether Ms. Monnin truly fit that criteria." Monnin now chairs the selection committee for TPAN's progressive senior award. Alumni Association President-Elect Ann Palmieri understands the delicacy of the situation, yet hopes that "people wouldn't let a single event affect how you judge an entire organization." Although Esparza said the controversy was not the singular driving force behind TPAN's inception, "it highlighted a general problem that we seek to address: the lack of support for progressive activism on campus."

---

News

Jumbos face must-win clash at Amherst tonight

February 12

Needing to gain two points on Amherst in the standings to attain the eighth and final NESCAC playoff spot, the hockey team is looking forward to this weekend's road trip. The team travels to Amherst for a must-win game tonight and then heads to Hamilton for a match-up with the Continentals on Saturday afternoon. Last weekend's 1-1 home outing, with a 6-5 victory over UMass-Boston and a 5-1 loss against Babson, pulled the Jumbos within just two points of Amherst in the NESCAC standings, keeping the teams' playoff hopes alive and kicking. In the victory against UMass, Tufts was led by sophomore Matt McCarthy, who netted two goals and one assist, as well as by fellow sophomore Ken Cleary, who matched McCarthy with two goals of his own. Against Babson, the Jumbos' lone goal came in the first period from freshman Matt Dalton. "We felt as though we played strong last weekend against UMass and Babson," sophomore defenseman Jack Thompson said. "We could have played a little better against Babson, but we're satisfied with last weekend's performance." "We just missed out on a couple of breaks against Babson," sophomore defenseman Zak Smotherman added. The team is looking for last weekend's solid performance to carry them into this weekend's contests, with only five games remaining in the regular season. On Friday evening, the Jumbos will travel to Amherst for a date with the Lord Jeffs and then head to upstate New York for a game with Hamilton on Saturday. "Both games are important for our playoff push," Smotherman said. "Especially Friday against Amherst." "The game against Amherst is a must-win," Thompson said. "We'll be in a lot of trouble if we don't beat them. But we're very close to their team in skill, so it should be a good match-up." The two teams have had 12 common opponents this season. In those games, the Jumbos have compiled a record of 3-8-1, while the Jeffs have gone 4-7-1. Tufts will attempt to correct last year's heartbreaking 4-3 overtime loss to Amherst, a game in which Amherst scored the tiebreaking goal with 1:18 remaining in overtime. The Jumbos will look to forwards Pat Byrne and John Hurd, who each scored a goal in last year's game against Amherst. "If we beat [Amherst], that victory will give us a big enough confidence booster to get into the playoffs," Thompson said. "We'll be tied with them in the NESCAC standings and ahead of them in head-to-head match-ups." The Jumbos will try to continue Amherst's current losing skid, as the Jeffs have dropped six of their last seven games, including their last five. However, those losses have come against Williams, Middlebury, New England College and Skidmore, all teams the Jumbos have also suffered losses to. In that same stretch, however, Amherst fell to Salem State 5-4, a team the Jumbos handily defeated 6-3 two weekends ago. "We need to just stick with our plays and systems," Smotherman said. "There's always room for improvement and if we keep doing what we've been doing, it'll all fall into place." At Hamilton, the Jumbos will look to continue their good luck against the Continentals, after handily defeating them last year 5-2. The team is hoping that Smotherman and junior Shawn Sullivan can help their own cause, after each netting a goal in last year's contest against Hamilton. "I don't really think the Hamilton game is a must-win," Thompson said. "We're really trying to focus on Amherst now because we know that the Amherst game means more to us at this point. But Hamilton is a good in-conference opponent, so they're a squad to be reckoned with as well." Smotherman added, "Our team has one goal in mind: Beat Amherst and snatch that eighth playoff spot away from them. This is our most meaningful road-trip of the year."

---