Archives

News

Do you believe in miracles?

February 5

This is a film about a team. Not about a star player, and not about an undersized kid with a lot of heart. It's about a team that is full of heart, that only a movie called Miracle could match. In February, 1980, in Lake Placid, NY, a group of young, brash, determined college hockey players came together to form the U.S. Olympic Hockey team with Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) at the helm. There, a vivacious home crowd bore witness to the "Miracle on Ice," as the U.S. squad defeated the previously unstoppable team from the U.S.S.R., gold medal winners at the past four winter Olympics. The relatively no-name cast serves Miracle well as it helps to hone in on the importance of Team USA as a whole, as opposed to only goalkeeper Jim Craig (Eddie Cahill) or captain Mike Eruzione (Patrick O'Brien Demsey). Cahill is probably the most recognizable actor from his bit role as Rachel's boytoy "Tag" on Friends, and then there are players like Demsey who had never acted before, and was hired based on his natural character and hockey skills. The rest of the cast is full of preppy-looking twenty-year olds; at times, the players are indecipherable among themselves. But director Gavin O'Connor (Tumbleweeds) purposely used an unknown group of hockey players as a part of underscoring the TEAM aspect of the Miracle story. There is no James Van Der Beek-like star to steal the thunder from any of the other players. Even Kurt Russell acts as second banana to the team in his moving portrayal as the masochistic but caring Coach Brooks. Similar to war movies where a platoon of indiscernible soldiers bond together to become a "band of brothers," Miracle profits from its homogenous crew and captures the essence of what it means to be part of a team. The other advantage of using actual hockey players in lieu of actors is that the onscreen action is incredibly riveting. The tough training sequences look authentic and the actual games even more so. With each bone-crunching body check against the boards, the audience cringes in empathy for the players. O'Connor seems to have done the impossible, make hockey exciting on the big screen. That alone should be a reason to see this film. The "Miracle on Ice" happened twenty-four years ago this month, and as such, essentially anyone under the age of thirty has little to no recollection of the stunning hockey game or its social significance. Screenwriter Eric Guggenheim did well to keep this in mind, and provides constant references and reminders of the turbulent years preceding the 1980 Olympics. The opening credits arise out of a montage of crucial events from the 1970s, everything from Watergate to Atari to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. This latter incident serves the greatest importance in relationship to the Cold War mentality of 1979 and 1980 that carried over into Lake Placid. Guggenheim treats the era with the right amount of fear and caution that permeated the time. Thankfully, he doesn't resort to portraying the Soviet squad as evil, angry, and barbaric Commies, but as an insurmountable opponent, unbeatable for essentially two decades. It is the greater community and country that gives the game such high social significance -- the players saw it as just a hockey game. By showing both perspectives, O'Connor has created a wonderful meld of a historical drama and a sports movie. As with any sports movie, authenticity is key. This is especially the case with Miracle because most of the adult audience will have lived through the "miracle." The film succeeds on almost all levels: the sports scenes are exhilarating and the costuming and scenery are believable. The sole disappointment is O'Connor's treatment of Al Michaels' memorable call, "Do you believe in Miracles? YES!!" The climactic line seems thrown away in the movie, almost as if it were only there because every sports fan is waiting for it. Michaels' commentary throughout the rest of the game scenes adds a goosebump-inducing layer to an already tense atmosphere. On one level, Miracle is a moving, archetypal story about how the underdog triumphed over the favorite. On another, it is about how a country came to terms with its position after its defeat with the war in Vietnam. Any way you look at it, and regardless of your age, it is a film that throws you into the hockey rink and leaves you soaring as you depart the theater believing in miracles.

---

News

Humanities award gives $1 million for research

February 5

A $992,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is to be distributed over six years for Tufts University post-doctoral fellows in the humanities. "Grants of this size are few and far between in the humanities," Dean of Academic Affairs for Arts and Sciences Kevin Dunn said. He added that the grant will "serve as a magnet, drawing some of the country's top humanities scholars to Tufts as post-docs." The university wants to use the money to expand interdisciplinary studies by pairing Tufts' post-doctoral scholars with people outside their field. "Tufts is now well positioned to be a training ground for the next generation of humanists who want to pursue cross-disciplinary research," Dunn said. "The importance of the humanities is critical, and it's a testament to Tufts' strength in this area." The English, History, Language and Art departments expect to benefit from the grant. However, Dunn said the interdisciplinary focus of the grants will allow for the hiring of post-doctorate students in other departments, including psychology and political science, and pair them with a humanities specialist. The grant hopes to break down divisions between departments and promote a more productive scholarly environment. "The proposal was designed to bring young scholars to Tufts to work with more advanced scholars on research projects," Dunn said. Another part of the Mellon Grant will allow eight Mellon Fellows to teach one course per term, including a team-taught course the first semester with a faculty mentor. These courses will allow for interaction between scholars and undergraduates, which could lead to research opportunities for undergrads -- a stated administration priority. Dunn and Provost Jamshed Bharucha also hope to incorporate some aspects of the Mellon Grant with the recently-started Summer Scholars Program. "It is likely that undergraduates participating in the summer program may be able to help with some of the fundamental aspects of the scholar's collaborative work," Dunn said. While the prestigious grant will see new experts interact with the undergraduate community, students were largely unaware of the grant program and its possible applications. "This sounds like a great opportunity for the University," Sophomore Meg Simpson said. "But as a psychology major, I'm not sure how much this will affect me." This is not the first time the University has been awarded a grant from the foundation. The Friedman School of Nutrition has received several scholarships from the Population Program of the Mellon Foundation to support its Famine Center Summer Grant program. The Famine Center program supports graduate student internships, doctoral candidates and faculty research on issues related to the complex planning and displacement issues that surround famines. The scholarships have been used to stimulate applied research in issues pertaining to complex emergencies, refugees, internally displaced people and famine, and to facilitate internships overseas for work on these issues. Universities and institutions are encouraged to enter short proposals regarding the need, nature, and amount of their proposal. If the proposal is solicited by the Mellon Foundation, grantee institutions are then carefully reviewed; unsolicited applications are rarely receive grants.

---

News

Tufts looks to improve playoff position this weekend

February 5

With less than a month until the first round of the NESCAC playoffs commence and seven games remaining to unseat the Amherst Lord Jeffs from the final conference playoff spot, the hockey team is looking forward to its two games this weekend after coming off a huge 6-3 victory on Saturday at Salem State. The Jumbos will face conference opponents UMass-Boston and Babson on Friday and Saturday respectively, finally getting a chance to play at the Malden Forum after a four consecutive away games. The Jumbos notched a key victory over conference foe Salem State last weekend, a team that had previously beaten a strong Middlebury team ranked third nationally. The Tufts team currently sits at 5-10-1 overall and 2-9-1 in the NESCAC. "The Salem State win was the biggest of the year so far," senior goalie Ben Crapser said. "They are an all around good team." Junior tri-captain Shawn Sullivan and senior tri-captain Pat Byrne led the team in that game. Sullivan amassed two goals and senior Byrne tallied one goal and two assists. In addition to the win at Salem State, the Jumbos saw improvement in their play, notably in the games against conference opponents Colby and Bowdoin, both ranked in the top four in the NESCAC. "Our team's confidence level is quite high," Crapser said. Crapser, along with the rest of the Jumbos, is hoping to carry high spirits into Friday's contest against UMass-Boston, a team that the Jumbos handily defeated last year on the road 9-0. Tufts will be looking for Sullivan to step up after leading the Jumbos' attack last year against the Beacons with two goals and an assist. "UMass Boston is one of the weakest teams in the league, but we can't take them lightly," Crapser said. "Even though they have not won a game all season they have been in close games with some good teams." The second and tougher game of the weekend comes on Saturday evening when Tufts hosts Babson, a team against whom the Jumbos are seeking revenge after suffering an exhibition loss earlier in the season and a tough 5-2 loss last season. However, the Jumbos are a much different squad now than they were at the beginning of the season as they begin to hit their stride. In addition, Crapser noted that Babson is a team much like the talented Salem State team that the Jumbos knocked off last weekend. "[They] have talented forwards," he said. "We need to play like we did last weekend and continue to generate quality scoring opportunities while playing strong defense." The ninth-ranked Jumbos will need both victories as they attempt to climb past Amherst (9-7-2, 4-7-1 NESCAC), a solid team currently holding the eighth and final NESCAC playoff spot. To do so, the Jumbos need to gain four points on Amherst in the conference standings with only six conference games remaining in the season. But with one of those six games against Amherst and a few more against lower competition, coupled with Tufts' improving play, the Jumbos are still contenders for the playoffs. "If we can continue to improve as a team, we can beat any of the teams we face," Crapser said confidently. Both of this weekend's games can be seen at the Malden Forum at 7:30 p.m. Directions to the Forum can be found online at http://ase.tufts.edu/athletics.

---

News

Backpack to Briefcase' connects alumni, students

February 5

More than 70 alumni returned to campus Wednesday night to share their experiences with seniors and prepare them for life after academia. The event, called "From Backpack to Briefcase," does not "guarantee a job, but wisdom and learning about what life is like after college," Director of Alumni Relations Tim Brooks said. The program included an informal reception and a question and answer session to address lifestyle transitions and personal finances after seniors graduate in May. Many alumni have "a great deal of affection and loyalty for Tufts," Brooks said. They remember that "alumni helped them when they were students." The Alumni Office works closely with Career Services to establish contacts for graduates. The future life prospects are uncertain for many of the attending students. Senior Victoria Tran's "tentative" plans are to work as an emergency medical technician for at least a year before deciding whether to pursue medical school. Brooks noted that the average college graduate holds eight different jobs before retirement. Despite the job-seeking challenges graduates face, Brooks retains a positive outlook for graduating seniors. Seniors "walk out the door with a Tufts degree -- it looks prestigious on the resum‚," he said. "People know it's a great education." Jason Potts (LA '00), who now works as an analyst for State Corp. in Boston, agreed. "Tufts was excellent preparation for my job and life in general -- academically and pre-professionally," he said. "Students are way more prepared [than in past years]," Senior Alumni Relations Officer Jonathan Burton said. "They're asking the right questions early." The event showcased the variety of fields Tufts alumni have entered, including jobs in business and finance, medical research, social services, education, and the non-profit sector. Michelle Yanetti (LA '97) admitted that life after college was "a little scary." She worked in a hospital, a biotechnology company, and she is now completing her M.B.A. at Babson College. "The market's gotten a lot better," she told current seniors. "Some of it is the luck of the draw," Yanetti said. "Even if you have the qualifications, [it is more a question of] whether your values and ideas fit with the company." Amy Dumphy (LA '03) works for a non-profit in Cambridge called Women in Politics, that "helps women to get involved at the local, state, and national levels," she said. The organization also holds fundraisers for women's' political campaigns. Dumphy minored in political science and was excited that her job enabled her to explore that interest. Senior child development major Lisa Fishlin was pleased to see Dumphy's success at finding an interesting and rewarding job. "It was definitely helpful, I hadn't really been exposed to many alumni who had similar interests and activities at Tufts," Fishlin said. The alumni who attended appreciated the opportunity to give current students advice. "[This is] a great experience," Potts said. "Coming back is one way to give back, and help seniors to have as good an experience as I did." This is the first of several events where seniors have an opportunity to make contacts with alumni. There is also an online message board and forum for students and alumni to network.

---

News

Here Comes Little Naked Ani

February 5

Ani DiFranco, tirelessly endeavoring to slay "willful ignorance" while perpetually on tour, presents us with yet another introspective album exploring what it is to be Ani. Educated Guess is a god-send for Ani fans everywhere after last year's less-than-stellar Evolve album. While Ani sought to expand her musical horizons drastically on Evolve with notions of expanding the pop and jazz in her acoustic-folky rock style, this year it is a return to the good ol' Ani whom dedicated listeners have come to know and love. Ani's latest album is stripped down to the basics: straightforward, folkish-acoustic-rock tunes with jazzy notions here and there. Her songs speak of jumbled and ambiguous lovers, national and personal politics, and the multiple faces of Ani. In addition to enjoying Ani's return to her grrl with guitar roots with Educated Guess, audiences will also get to don black turtlenecks and snap in tune to the singer's beatnik spoken word interludes. These poetic confections are truly what Ani fans everywhere have been waiting for. Occasionally a few of these appear in live performances, tickling aficionados' listening senses, but finally a couple have now been put to plastic, giving fans the opportunity to have Ani's words wash over them again and again. "The True Story of What Was", puts the other spoken word tracks on Educated Guess to shame. Amongst quickly fleeting backup vocals and bebop trumpet, Ani describes herself having "conversations consisting/ of the kind of marks we make/ when we're trying to get a pen to work again". If only it didn't cut off after two minutes and flow into the droning and lamenting "Bodily." With "Grand Canyon", Ani bridges patriotism and loyal opposition. "I love my country," the singer assures before launching into various issues and often painful politics, but then ends her exploration on a positive note, stating, "behold breathlessly the sight/ how a raging river of tears/ is cutting a grand canyon of light." "Swim" and "Animal" highlight the album. Although "Swim" flows much smoother during Ani's incredible and inspired Central Park performance, it is still a fun, jazz-inflected, lilting sort of song. Ani, being a self-satisfying little woman, croons "...I finally drove out where/ the sky is dark enough to see stars/ and I found I missed no one/ just listening to the swishing of distant cars." She gently introduces her audience to the politics of Ani in "Animal." Atop simple, humbling cords she nearly sighs, "Harm here is harm there /...and aggression begets aggression / it's a very simple lesson..." In "Bliss like This," Ani is carefree for a change about the beginnings of a relationship and frolics about with delicate jazzy tones. "Origami" dramatically departs from the rest of the mode of the album. It conjures up the Ani of years past, except now her voice is reduced to a weak grumble, as opposed to an in-your-face growl. While Ani might fall a bit short on the rest of Educated Guess, it is excusable because she has spent so many years continually touring and tirelessly recording album after album. For those who haven't experienced the mixed up and lovely world of the singer, get your hands on Little Plastic Castle or Living in Clip, a truly delightful live album.. Educated Guess is better than the listless Evolve, to be sure. Even Ani herself didn't touch much upon Evolve material during her performances last year. While not her best, Educated Guess won't disappoint true Ani fans.

---

News

Men gear up for playoff push

February 5

At the beginning of the week, prospects for the men's basketball team looked bleak after a pair of blowout losses to league rivals Amherst and Trinity. Then, in its most impressive game to date, the Jumbos knocked off national vote getter and former number 24, Keene State, Tuesday night at home. On the heels of that victory, Tufts enters a crucial campaign this weekend against NESCAC competitors Bowdoin and Colby. The Jumbos currently sit in a tie with Middlebury for seventh place in the conference, and with two weeks left of regular season play, the upcoming road trip will help to finalize the playoff picture. "We are pumped up," sophomore Dan Martin said, "But, we aren't going let that change the way we do things. We were happy to have that win, but it doesn't help our playoff goal." As far as the competition goes, Bowdoin holds the slight edge in the standings, where it is currently in sixth place with a 3-3 NESCAC record. Both Bowdoin and Tufts were able to knock off cellar dweller Connecticut College (5-13,0-5) earlier in the season. However, while Tufts succumbed to Wesleyan 88-100 on Jan. 17, the Polar Bears were able to dismiss the Cardinals 93-85 that next weekend. A key contributor for Bowdoin in that game was sophomore forward Kyle Petrie, who also is the leading scorer for the Polar Bears this season. Petrie has averaged 19 points per game, including a 26 point outburst against Wesleyan. Preventing the 6-5 forward from getting hot will be a major concern for the Jumbos. Also instrumental in Bowdoin's victory over Wesleyan was clutch shooting from beyond the arc by senior guard TJ McLeod, who contributed four of the game's 12 three-pointers. McLeod has struggled this season, shooting only 38.9 percent, but still averages 15.5 points per game. With the top eight teams in the conference making the playoffs, a victory against Bowdoin all but assures the Jumbos a bid. Saturday's game against struggling Colby (5-15, 1-5) is no less important, however, as any NESCAC win will help push the Jumbos into higher seeds, and easier post-season competition. Colby currently sits one slot below Tufts in ninth place, though each team has only one NESCAC win -- both against tenth place Connecticut College. The main threat from the White Mules comes from junior tri-captain Patrick McGowan who has been averaging a modest 14.9 points per game. "We should be able to beat them," Martin said. "After last Tuesday, we are ready to go out and take on whoever is next." In order for that to happen, Tufts must see significant contributions from several different players, as it did against Keene State. Tuesday's game saw five players in double-digits. According to East, the Jumbos benefited from standout performances from big men Martin and classmate Blaine Lay, as well as junior Reggie Stovell, each adding 17, 17, and 19 points, respectively. Eric Mack also stepped up offensively, hitting two three-pointers, and helping to break the Keene's full court press. Meanwhile, East also picked up his level of play, adding 20 points and a team high six rebounds. "I played more aggressive offensively," East said. "I took the shots I thought I could make and it worked out." Tuesday's victory over Keene State has given the team confidence heading into the important upcoming stretch. "Talent wise we match up with any of the teams we have played," East said. "The areas where we are lacking are execution and focus. That was a big part of Tuesday's success. We came in mentally focused and played hard."

---

---

News

Low percentage of Fulbright applicants moving on

February 5

Thirteen Tufts students were selected to advance to the final stage in the Fulbright Scholarship competition, a number that disappointed those involved with the process. These students will now be evaluated by committees specific to their region of concentration. "We're going to cross our fingers and see if we can yield a good number of them," Dean of Undergraduate Education James Glaser said. The 13 students moving on represent one-third of the 39 applicants -- a relatively low percentage in Tufts' Fulbright history. The percentage of Tufts students making it to the second stage fluctuates from strong to weak over the years, Glaser said. "Our mean is pretty high. I would say that this is a little on the disappointing side because we had some really spectacular candidates who did not move to the next level," he said. According to Administrative Assistant for Student Services Joanne Ferguson, 17 Tufts students advanced to the second round last year. In previous years Tufts fared much better. In the 2001-2002 school year 40 percent of applicants passed to the final round. On average, 27 percent of students from Tufts receive grants. The thirteen students who are moving on to the next round are: Joanna Friedman, Hyosil Hwang, Rachel Jervis, Vinita Kamath, Gwynne Langley, Angela Lee, Abigail Noble, Kristin Roslonski, Jeffrey Ryan, Jenna Sirkin, Adeline Sutphen, Valerie Wencis, and Christina Zahara. "I feel that [Professor Charles] Inouye and others involved with the applications of Tufts students did a tremendous job guiding us through the application process," said Zahara, who is a double-major in Political Science and History. She applied to teach English in South Korea. Lee, an International Relations and Child Development major who applied to teach English in Taiwan, said predicting the number of winners is difficult to do because the applicant pool can vary in size. "The Taiwan teaching assistantship program is relatively new," she said. "They are awarding about eight teaching scholarships this year, but I don't know how many people have applied." Despite the decline in advancing students from Tufts, Glaser said, the effort alone deserves commendation. "You don't get anything if you don't put an application in," Glaser said. "It reflects very well on Tufts that so many students decided to apply."

---

News

This Week: Pasta, Chocolate, and Vitamins

February 5

Note: This is the first of installment of a bi-weekly feature on specialty stores in the Boston area. Today, the Daily looks at specialty food stores. >Dave's Fresh Pasta Though its brightly colored sign and charming storefront are sure to have caught every Tufts student's eye at least once while passing by on the Joey, it's easy to go your entire college career without ever once setting a foot inside Dave's Fresh Pasta. But missing out on this highlight of the Somerville/Medford community, with its quaint atmosphere, high-quality food, and friendly staff, would be as much a disaster as spending all four years of your Tufts experience locked away in your dorm room without ever leaving campus. As its name might suggest, Dave's is a specialty pasta shop, though it does not exclusively sell noodles: everything from gnocchi to semolina is available here. A moderately-sized selection of Italian cheeses and various olive types are displayed in the front counter, ready to be measured out upon request. Nearly everything is homemade, from the multitude of fresh ravioli (the vegetarian comes highly recommended, but everything from gorgonzola to scallop, anise, and leek ravioli is available on their shelves) to the myriad of fresh sauces to various types of fancy pasta shapes that only a gourmand would know even existed, and the extensive collection of baking supplies will please even the pickiest cook. But Dave's Fresh Pasta caters to the college student even more than the enterprising Italian chef. Also for sale are soups and lasagnas that can easily be reheated in a small kitchen or microwave, along with some cold pasta salads and Italian bread. The store offers free instructions and recipes for cooking their products, and hosts a once-a-month pasta-making class for an additional fee. Special orders can be completed with three days notice, making Dave's the perfect place to go when you're organizing that dinner party for all your friends, and the prices are affordable enough to make cooking at home an attractive alternative to eating out. Dave's Fresh Pasta is located at 81 Holland Street in Davis Square. Open 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Cardullo's One might not think of imported candy bars as a reason for visiting Harvard Square, but that's no reason not to stop off at Cardullo's the next time you're there. Described by its employees as "the other institution in Harvard Square," this specialty food store has been serving the community in Cambridge for 54 years and will be featured on Food Network's program "The Phantom Gourmet" this upcoming Valentine's Day. Cardullo's may have plenty of imported foods (with chocolate from Great Britain and cookies from France), but their local products are equally appealing. Their shelves feature all sorts of New England preserves, ranging from sour cherry jam to raspberry peach champagne jelly and cranberry horseradish sauce, and they have a wide selection of spreads for sandwiches (all sorts of mayonnaise, mustards, and olive oils, along with almond and pistachio butter), along with a cold cuts section where customers can order inexpensive sandwiches. Caffeine addicts will definitely find Cardullo's worth the trip, as they sport close to a dozen different brands of tea (including the fancier flavors that you can't find in your neighborhood supermarket), as well as fresh coffee. Also worth stopping in for is their fairly extensive wine collection, especially with a certain holiday encroaching on the horizon. Cardullo's is located at 6 Brattle Street in Cambridge, close to the Harvard Square T-stop. Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday Cambridge Naturals It's easy to go your entire college career without taking a single vitamin, but at least one store in Cambridge makes it so you won't have to. Cambridge Naturals, which is located about a five minute walk up Massachusetts Avenue from Porter Square, is airy and open with a knowledgeable staff eager to answer any sort of questions about which product might be best for a particular customer. Products for healthy living are hardly lacking here, as you can buy everything from immunity enhancers and protein powder to homeopathic treatments. The store features an extensive collection of herbs, which can be purchased either bottled or in bulk from the oversized jars lining the back wall and ranges from sassafras and lemon grass to dried rosebuds. Raw honey can be purchased either in moderate amounts or in bulk, and the huge selection of energy bars displayed under the front counter means customers will never have to miss another meal due to a lack of time again. Also available are a wide selection of specialty teas and a small selection of healthier foods like soymilk and free range chicken broth. Cambridge Naturals is located at 1670 Massachussets Avenue in Cambridge, about five minutes from the Porter Square T-stop. Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 12-5 p.m. Sunday.

---

News

Home away from home

February 5

An increasing number of students are struggling to catch their professors in their offices due to the growing trend of professors commuting from out of state. According to the Tufts 2002-2003 Factbook, 19 percent of the Tufts Medford/Somerville campus faculty lives outside of a "reasonable daily commuting distance." That number have been on the rise in recent years. This increase comes after last year's Task Force on the Undergraduate Experience recommended more interaction between students and professors. While commuting professors may not spend as many hours on campus, they say that the hours they do spend on campus are devoted nearly entirely to their students. Dr. Laura Baffoni-Licata, a senior lecturer in the Italian department, commutes from New Hampshire and is usually on campus only two days per week. During that time she teaches her two classes and attends meetings and events. As a result, Baffoni-Licata said it is not unusual for her to be on campus until 8 p.m. or later on the days she is at Tufts. "Those two days are very concentrated on teaching and office hours, so very often it happens I may need to come down an extra day as well." Similarly, Professor Carl Beckman, a lecturer in the English department, has commuted to Tufts from Maine "for all but three of the last seventeen years." On the three days he is on campus, he often meets with students into the later hours of the evening. Both Baffoni-Licata and Beckman say having email both on campus and at home has made it possible to stay available to their students. "Having e-mail access has been extremely helpful. When I am home I am constantly checking my e-mail," Baffoni-Licata said. "Through the Internet I can access the website and whatever I need whenever, and wherever I am." Sophomore Talia Goodkin said that she believes living near the campus is an obligation for professors. "Teachers who teach here and live far just aren't really making enough of a commitment to their students," she said. But, Goodkin added that it was a compromise she could handle "because they were both really great professors and I felt privileged to have them at all." Baffoni-Licata said that instead she sees certain advantages from being a commuter. "I feel I like the two different environments because when I come here I really appreciate students, the library, the collegiate atmosphere," she explained. "When I go home I refresh, and look with new eyes when I return. I like the distinction because when I am here, it is really about the students." Beckman believes much the same thing. "Living in a rural area gives me a very different perspective on contemporary America than I would get living in suburban Boston," Beckman said. "I can bring some of that perspective to bear on issues we discuss in class. And, walking my dog in silence under stars that I can see helps me think." Beckman stressed his availability by making clear to students that "they can contact me by phone at any hour -- and I mean it!" He also said he meets with students outside of his regular office hours on days he is on campus. Sophomore Aristotle Kousakis, who took Beckman's class last semester, agreed that "he definitely let us know we could contact him whenever [we wanted to]. His absence from campus on other days was not a problem for me." There can be communication problems with commuting professors, however. "There were times when I wanted to talk about readings and [my professor] was never available," Goodkin said. "He taught all his classes on Mondays, so any other time of the week that I wanted to talk to him I couldn't." She added that "a teacher's job is more than just teaching the class, it's also providing an outside framework for discussion." Beckman agreed that it would be better to be able to spend more time on campus. He cited schedule conflicts, such as faculty workshops, that can spread over several consecutive days. "I'm afraid I also miss some campus events and have to work harder to keep up with student life on campus," he said. Part-time professors, like those at the ExCollege, also rely on technological communication since most are not full-time professors on campus. Because ExCollege lecturers do not have offices at Tufts, they are not required to hold office hours.

---

News

Jumbos face big test against nation's top team

February 5

It is an often repeated maxim of sports that to be the best, you have to beat the best. The women's basketball team gets its chance to do just that on Friday, as the Jumbos take on the NESCAC-leading and undefeated Bowdoin Polar Bears, who also happen to be the number one ranked team in the nation. Tufts is currently in a three-way tie for second place with one conference loss, and a win would push them into first place, giving them a huge confidence boost. The Jumbos face tough competition from Bowdoin, a team that holds its opponents to just 44 points per game. The defense has allowed the Polar Bears to outscore the opposition by better than 24 points per game. Despite Bowdoin's defensive prowess, Jumbos coach Carla Berube seems confident that the Jumbos can score on Bowdoin. "We're just going to play our game, do what we normally do," Berube said. "We'll run the break, try to get some easy transition baskets, and really attack them." Berube did emphasize, however, that the team needs to be at the top of its game against what will likely be its toughest opponent all season. "We really have to execute," Berube explained. "That means setting screens and throwing strong passes." Tufts will also focus on limiting turnovers. Much like the Jumbos, Bowdoin forces nearly 24 turnovers per game, leading to easy baskets and keeping the opposition out of rhythm. The fast pace at which the Jumbos like to play has at times led to turnovers. Sophomores Julia Verplank and Jessica Powers and freshman Taryn Miller-Stevens, the primary Tufts ball handlers, will have to be aware of Bowdoin defensive pressure. "It's very important that we take care of the ball," Berube said. "That means making smart plays and watching our passes." Despite possessing no size advantage inside over Bowdoin, Tufts will try to work the ball into the post to junior Allison Love. Love, who has already been named NESCAC player of the week twice, and leads the team in both scoring and rebounding. A good game from her is important for the Jumbos to have any shot at dethroning Division III's top team. Defensively, Tufts will likely use full court pressure both to slow down the Bowdoin attack and to beat Bowdoin at its own game by forcing the Polar Bears into sloppy turnovers. "They're a great team," Berube said. "But they're not unbeatable." Tufts won't get much chance to recover from what is sure to be an intense Bowdoin game, as Saturday afternoon the Jumbos host the Colby White Mules. But Berube said she expects no letdown from Friday night. "We understand how important each NESCAC game is," Berube said. "It's not easy playing the back to back games, but we'll be ready." Colby has struggled this year after a very successful 2002-2003 campaign. The White Mules lost three senior starters from that team and stand at 9-12, including 2-4 in the NESCAC. Despite their struggles, Berube still described the team as "very tough." Although playing back to back games presents challenges for Tufts, Berube didn't seem overly concerned. "Right now, we're just gearing up for Bowdoin. That's what we're focusing on," Berube said. "We'll probably have a shoot around Saturday morning to talk about Colby. I think it's easier for us, because we prepare for what we do, not so much for what they do." Berube also said that while she is focused on the upcoming games, she isn't thinking about what they could mean for the Jumbos' season. This could be the most important two-game stretch the team plays, as wins in both games would give Tufts crucial momentum heading into the NESCAC playoffs. "I'm not really thinking about what the games can [mean for the season]," Berube said. "There's such a thing as looking too far forward."

---

News

Painters and the spouses that loved them

February 5

Frances Cohen Gillespie was told constantly that her work was inferior, her style was childlike, and that her husband was a better painter than she could ever hope to be. Such was the story of Mrs. Gillespie, a woman known for her large-scale paintings of flowers in the same vein as the work of Georgia O'Keefe (though without the references to women's anatomy). But she was always living in the shadow of what some consider her more talented husband. "He had technique, and she simply did not," said Tufts English professor Jan Swafford, who had met Mrs. Gillespie at the MacDowell Colony in New Hampshire years ago and remained friends with her until her death. The show at Harvard's Fogg Art Museum, entitled "Life As Art: Paintings by Gregory Gillespie and Frances Cohen Gillespie," is the work of a couple obsessed with their art and displays their unique styles, each artist's definition and level of attaining of realism. Their life together could not be considered tranquil by any stretch. The two met while studying art in New York and were married soon after in 1959. They divorced over twenty years later in 1983, a result of the intensity in the relationship as well as Gillespie's unfaithfulness in 1983. Mrs. Gillespie passed away from cancer in 1998 and Gillespie took his own life in a dramatic fashion in 2000, hanging himself in his studio right after a retrospective of his work at MIT. With her altogether different style, Mrs. Gillespie shows herself to be more open and free with not only her paintings, but life as well; Swafford, a longtime friend, remarked that when Mrs. Gillespie heard that she had lymphoma, she immediately bought a ticket to Italy to take advantage of her time left. Her work, generally done with flowers as subjects, is expressive and in a large scale, though perhaps a bit ordinary. Mrs. Gillespie would paint flowers all the time, but they would die very quickly and she would have to keep buying new ones as she struggled to attain the level of realism she would have liked. Swafford has memories of her crowded, dusty bedroom littered with dying flowers. Mrs. Gillespie was so attached to her work that she would literally live with it all the time, keeping a studio in her bedroom and living room. Swafford believes that her need to constantly have her work -- and the chemicals used in it -- may have contributed to her ill health and later mental imbalances. One can sense a great amount of tension inside the paintings; of always trying to achieve a more realistic effect but never quite getting to the level of realism attained by her husband. At an event right before his death, Gillespie agreed that had his wife had the same technique as him, her paintings would have been "facile and stupid." It is the tension and the struggle inherent in all of her compositions which makes them interesting. Mrs. Gillespie's brushwork is unnoticeable, and the result is a very smooth, clean effect. She enjoyed showing the clear nature of a vase of flowers juxtaposed to a table cloth dense with design, and the majority of her work showcases her interest in nature with the falseness of its indoor backgrounds as executed in a highly methodical approach. In contrast to Gillespie's precise brushstrokes and his penchant for details, Mrs. Gillespie paints herself in a simpler way, with smooth brushing in sharp contrast to her husband's small, hard style. In a self portrait titled "The Touch," her body is half turned, and there is an unknown hand reaching out to touch her right shoulder. While one would not know this from simply attending the show, the piece was originally conceived as a double portrait of herself and her husband, but he suggested she saw off his half and leave herself. Her look is serious, and her eyes shine sharply at the viewer, away from the man touching her. There is intrigue in this painting as well as emotion, something lacking in her floral pieces, and the show would clearly have greatly benefited from showing more breadth in her work. Gillespie was well known during his life for his small works and produced a great number of intense still lives and landscapes, a highlight being "Street in Madrid." This tiny streetscape, only ten inches per side, was executed in 1963 in oil on wood -- the base medium of choice for both Gillespies, giving their paintings a matted, sometimes textured finish. While many would walk right by the small oil painting for its size, it is important to stop and observe the smaller pieces in this show and see the amount of work and effort put into the two artists compositions. The square painting is dark in hue, showing a dead end street with low-lying buildings, people casually chatting on the sidewalk and a hazy yellow sky atop. Though there is very little variation in color, with only people's clothing colored and the rest painted in dull, tinted shades, it has clarity, detail and an ability to capture a hazy day in Europe just prior to sundown. The amount of self portraits Gillespie painted in his lifetime is another highlight to the show. Though the show at Harvard is quite small, there are nine self portraits displayed. The show's curator, and a close friend of the Gillespies, Theodore Stebbins jr. wrote that, "no American painter revealed himself more dispassionately or more courageously." In most of these self-portraits, Gillespie looks serious, sullen or perhaps even drugged out. The paintings follow him through his life and his various psychological states at moment he painted them. Though both Gillespies went on to remarry -- he to his Buddhist spiritual advisor, and she to a scientist -- the couple's legacy is entwined in their art. He had some bad demons and she was known as somewhat of a "crazy den mother" to friends, but their art lives on, as do their memories with friends, family, and admirers of their work. The Fogg Art Museum is located at 32 Quincy Street, near the Harvard Square T-stop on the Red Line. Exhibit on view through March 28, 2004.

---

News

Health issues to force Rick Majerus resignation

February 5

Despite the obvious focus put on the student athletes of college basketball, many marquee coaches roam the sidelines on our nation's campuses. Many succeed at the college level and then move onto the NBA for a shot at what they think will be the ultimate prize: fame and money. Yet many times the big city lights pale in comparison to the admiration and enthusiasm of an entire campus of fans and supporters. College coaches are the kings of their domain and great names from John Wooden to Adolphus Rupp to Dean Smith have left a legacy of great coaching in the college game. This week was a turbulent time for a few of the premier coaches in the game. Health problems will force coach Rick Majerus to resign from the Utah Utes at the end of the season. At a height of about 6'1" and weighing more than 325 pounds, Majerus has been in a state of health risk for many years. His weight has ballooned to new heights over the last few years, and family and colleagues are worried about his heart condition. Fortunately on the other end of the spectrum, Rick Pitino returned to the sidelines after an absence of only two days to coach his Louisville Cardinals against conference rival, the Marquette Golden Eagles. The coach's still mysterious, painful ailment will not stand in his way of coaching this year or in the future, but Pitino refused to comment on the exact nature of his medical situation. Despite Pitino's return, the Cardinals fell out of the top five with a loss to Marquette on Saturday and a loss to the Memphis Tigers on Wednesday. Both Francisco Garcia and Taquan Dean are banged up, and they just have to worry about getting healthy before the NCAA Tournament. Bobby Knight's name has entered the headlines again, but unfortunately not for the stellar play of his Texas Tech Red Raiders. Coach Knight had originally been suspended for five days because of a screaming tirade he waged upon the Tech chancellor at an upscale supermarket -- the suspension was later lifted after a Knight apology. According to ESPN reporters, the administrator complemented the coach on his recent good behavior, upon which Knight pulled a classic Bobby Knight move and exploded. One or two other Texas Tech employees, as well as many members of the community witnessed the scene. The supermarket owners are just lucky that he didn't throw any chairs or kick any balls around the crowded store during the lunch hour. This week's other notable event was the schedule of games played all day long last Saturday. Halfway through its broadcast of Saturday's games, ESPN began referring to the day's events as "Upset Saturday." Eight teams who were then ranked in the Top-25 were beaten by unranked conference foes; including Louisville (No.4), the Kentucky Wildcats (No.5), Cincinnati Bearcats (No.7), Kansas Jayhawks (No.12), North Carolina Tarheels (No.15), Florida Gators (No.20), Purdue Boilermakers (No.21), and the South Carolina Game Cocks (No.23). Even the top two teams -- the Duke Blue Devils and the Stanford Cardinals -- were pushed to the limit against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Oregon Ducks, respectively. Duke was down 15-4 before mounting its comeback and Stanford was down by more than 20 at halftime, before blowing out the Ducks in the second half. This just shows the parity in the top conferences top to bottom. Any team can beat a conference rival, especially on their home court. This week also marked the pinnacle of the regular season as "Rivalry Week" took place. Bragging rights are either won or lost this week, so there is a lot at stake for college basketball fans.

---

News

Hey baby, what's your sign?

February 5

At one time or another, pretty much everybody has been asked about their zodiac sign. This question may seem somewhat dated -- "I don't even think 'What's your sign?' is a good line anymore," University Chaplain David O'Leary said - but the popularity of horoscopes among college students attests to its relevance. There are some students on campus that do have at least some faith in the power of astrology. "I believe in astrology," sophomore Tatyana Shvayetsky said. "Maybe it's because every description I've ever encountered about my sign, Taurus, has been pretty much right on track." Many magazine and newspaper publications, including the Daily, feature a section on astrology, often in the form of horoscopes. Horoscopes predict the personality and the path of any given individual by referring to their zodiac sign. While some Tufts community members do believe that the stars can predict their future, most seem to view astrology -- the divination of the supposed influences of the stars and planets on human affairs and terrestrial events, as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary -- purely as entertainment. "As a religious person, I see astrology as just for fun," O'Leary said. "Most religious persons would have their higher power as having more power and effect in their lives than any planets." While some students take their horoscope at face value, others agree with O'Leary and are more skeptical towards astrology. "I enjoy reading the horoscopes in the Daily because it's a nice perspective," sophomore Jackie Stone said. "But it certainly doesn't rule my day whether I get a good number or not." Reading horoscopes without putting particular weight on what they predict is actually a popular pastime for many Tufts students. "I like reading my horoscope, but I don't really believe in it," sophomore Marina Shaw said. However, Shaw does admit that getting a positive horoscope can still feel somewhat rewarding. "If you get a good horoscope for the day, whether you believe in it or not, there will be a little part of you that looks forward to something good happening," she said. Although students tend to be more familiar with astrology from newspapers or magazines, some utilize other sources to get their advice from the stars. Shaw, for example, has spoken with a professional astrologer. "I was at a themed restaurant in New York City, and they had an astrologer come around to every table," she said. "She said some stuff that resonated a little bit, but it didn't seem that believable. I mean, 'You have a lot going on in your life right now' can apply to pretty much anybody." While some students, like Shaw and Stone, think of reading their horoscopes as a fun way to kill some time, Junior Jeff Kerner doesn't even bother to read them. "I tend to believe more in science than stuff like astrology," Kerner said. "There might be some factual basis to it, but I wouldn't rely in it, especially in the horoscopes that people put in the Daily or other magazines." There is no known date that marks the foundation of astrology. However, it is known that the concepts of astrology were present even in our earliest histories and that the 12 zodiac signs in use today were created around 600 B.C. According to associate professor of astronomy William Waller, astronomy and astrology were once similar, but developed into different entities. "The relationship between astrology and astronomy has some interesting historic roots, when they were one and the same," said Waller, who is also affiliated with the New England Space Science Initiative in Education (NESSIE). "By 1600, with the advent of the telescope, the two endeavors parted ways." While astrology may have had initial scientific roots, it is now viewed as a more psychological pursuit. "Today, astrology is more of a psychological therapy akin to palm reading, where one uses the observed phenomenology...for self-reflection," Waller said.

---

News

Lichtenstein wins senate seat

February 5

Freshman Evan Lichtenstein was elected to the Tufts Community Union Senate in a special election Wednesday. A freshman seat was left available following the resignation of freshman Nick Schrobak last month. "I am very ecstatic to be elected," Lichtenstein said last night. "I can say that this is somewhat of a surprise." Lichtenstein beat five other students to assume the seat left vacant by Schrobak After orienting himself to the senate, Lichtenstein said he would "pick one goal that the freshman class feels needs to be accomplished and ensure the issue is resolved," he said. He said possible issues he might concentrate on include the installation of hand dryers in dormitories. In addition Lichtenstein said he wants to improve communication between students and administrators. "I'm not exactly sure what form it will take," he said, "whether it will be a website or a forum or a newsletter." Lichtenstein joins the Senate for his first time at its weekly meeting this Sunday. The Elections Board did not return phone calls last night. -Jon Schubin

---

News

Men's squash earns split on Saturday games

February 4

The men's squash team moved to 5-2 on the season after it split a pair of weekend matches against Fordham and Hamilton - the team's only two home matches of the year. The Jumbos dropped a 5-4 decision to Hamilton on Saturday afternoon, after trouncing Fordham 9-0 earlier in the day. Sophomores Tom Keidel (7-9, 9-6, 9-5, 9-6) and Spencer Maxwell (9-3, 9-7, 9-5) got the job done at the number one and two positions, respectively, against Hamilton. Keidel felt that focus and composure were keys to his victory. "I lost the first game but I came back and played well," Keidel said. "I actually got hit in the face by my opponent's racquet in the third game but I came back strong. I worked on being less emotional which helped me keep my focus." The Jumbos typically relies on their depth to carry it to victory, but were beaten at their own game by Hamilton. "We knew it would be a close match going in," Keidel said. "We thought we could win two out of the first three matches, which we did. But we were hoping to win numbers five through nine also and we couldn't get it done." Senior co-captain Jordan Kolasinski fell at number three (8-10, 3-9, 4-9), while sophomore Pranav Tripathi also lost at number four (3-9, 4-9, 5-9). Sophomore Dan Karlin dropped an intense five-game match at number five (9-5, 10-9, 7-9, 4-9, 9-10). "I thought I played well, but he just adapted really well to my game," Karlin said. "He was sitting on my cross court shots, and I was sitting on his. We were just slugging it out and he came out on top." Karlin says that he will use his loss as motivation for future matches. "That was probably the most disapointing match I've ever played, but it was entertaining I guess. I'm just going to learn from it and get motivated for next week," he said. Senior Alex Busse and senior co-captain Jesse Goldberg lost at the number six and seven positions respectively. "I just wasn't on," he said. "I just wasn't as focused as I needed to be. I was trying to make shots that I don't normally, and I was playing my opponent's game rather than my own." Freshman Dave Linz (8-9, 9-4, 3-9, 9-5, 9-1) and sophomore Fernando Kriete (8-9, 9-4, 3-9, 9-5, 9-1) both battled hard and won at the eight and ninth positions respectively. Keidel hoped the match would be a learning experience for the team. "We were disappointed, but hopefully we'll learn to play smarter and be more focused," he said. Coach Dough Eng gave credit to Hamilton for its strong performance. "Hamilton's on a hot streak right now," Eng said. "We didn't execute our game plan. We needed to hit tight, soft shots and work Hamilton into the corners but we didn't do it." Tufts fared much better against Fordham, as no Jumbo surrendered a game. Goldberg and Linz did not lose a point in their matches. The Jumbos will play their next match this weekend at Connecticut College.

---

News

Tufts' Sagging Social Scene, Part II

February 4

Tufts is a unique university. It is close enough to Boston that all of Boston's bars and clubs are accessible, but it is far enough out of the city to have a residential environment. Yesterday, the Daily wrote that the new shuttle into the city will not solve the problems with the University's social scene. It should not be a surprise for the administration, but students actually like Tufts and want to stay on campus to party. They desire an exciting social scene at Tufts. It is our university, our friends are here, we have at least one thing in common with everyone we meet, and if we had wanted the bars and clubs of a city to be our playground, we could have gone to BU. This attachment to the campus is common to many universities. At many NESCAC schools, the administration organizes large parties open to all the students to fulfill this desire. At Tufts, fraternities have historically served this function. The actions of the Tufts administration regarding fraternities will be under close student scrutiny for the next couple of weeks. Many upperclassmen are anxious to return to parties at DU and DTD, and freshmen have their first chance to experience the complete Tufts social scene. Many students are concerned that the administration will use any reason it can to put them back on probation. The University is worried that the frats will continue to flagrantly break rules. There are lessons for both sides to learn from the past year. The University was right to serve the fraternities with a reminder. They must respect the rules and take responsibility for what takes place in their houses. Nonetheless, it would be a huge mistake for the administration to continue to be draconian in its treatment of the fraternities or to plan to phase-out fraternities. The administration should be thankful for fraternities. They provide an on-campus social scene. They improve relations with local residents by keeping noise within boundaries. They have to be aware of the people in their house and what those people are doing, as police often check in during parties. They keep people on campus and happy with Tufts. And for those who do not like the Greek system, and are happy with the many other social events on campus, it is an easy task to avoid it. Fraternities realize that the administration is keeping a closer eye on them. They must show that they are able to act maturely with someone looking over their shoulder. And at the same time, the administration must give fraternities some slack, and allow them to prove themselves.

---

News

MOPS program delayed by technical difficulties

February 4

Technical problems with new hardware have kept new Merchants on Points (MOPS) vendors from serving the Tufts community. Prior to the semester break, Dining Services announced that Boston Avenue restaurants Pasta Pisa/Cafe de Crepe and Andrea's House of Pizza would be added to MOPS at the start of the Spring semester. Flaws with new equipment, however, have kept the restaurants from processing orders. The technical issues also posed a problem for business owners, who hired extra help to deliver and cook the increased number of orders. "I have on the list a lot of drivers and people inside. I have three more people for inside, but I can't hire anyone," Andrea's owner Bob Iliopoulos said. Dining Services is currently testing the equipment at Pasta Pisa/Cafe de Crepe. "Once [employee] training is complete, we'll start accepting points," said Dining Services Patti Lee Klos, who is unsure when training will be completed. Students had expected that the businesses would be added after the semester break. Iliopoulos said that he did not know when Andrea's would move to the MOPS system. "This weekend, especially, we got a lot of calls from students," Iliopoulos said. Dining Services director Patti Lee Klos said that the new equipment processes orders through a traditional credit card reading machine made by VeriFone. The new equipment is will allow students to more easily dispute or change orders. Previously, merchants were unable to change or cancel orders on points, requiring students to deal with Dining Services for refunds. "The original MOPS hardware has become obsolete," Klos said. Existing MOPS merchants Espresso's and Wing Works are upgrading their systems, but Panda Palace is not. The original system cost each merchant $1,800 and took up as much desk space as an older personal computer. The cost of the new equipment varies as some merchants can get the VeriFone system through their respective banks for free, Klos said. Iliopoulos estimates Andrea's system to cost about $700. Klos said that "volume issues" are of the greatest concern to restaurants participating in MOPS, and are the reason why Rose's Chinese Restaurant abandoned the program in the spring of 2002 after being inundated with orders. If Andrea's proves popular this semester, Iliopoulos may consider adding more ovens and deep fryers over the summer. For now, he's hoping for a "soft" opening. Andrea's eagerly sought to join MOPS even before the program was expanded at the end of the fall semester, going so far as to petition students who ordered at the restaurant or accepted deliveries. Pasta Pisa/Cafe de Crepe was selected through a Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate-led survey of businesses students would most like to see added to MOPS. Previously, Pasta Pisa/Cafe de Crepe had only attempted to join MOPS once, after they opened seven years ago.

---

News

Solipsists' Student Association?

February 4

In response to Dan Grant and Calvin Metcalf's formation of the Secular Student Association, I propose that the Tufts student body pursue their idea a step further. I write today to urge for the formation of the Solipsists' Student Association (SSA). In light of Grant's and Metcalf's desire to foster philosophical and rational inquiry on an even deeper level, the TCU should also acknowledge "fundamental" secularism -- which inevitably leads to the concept of solipsism. Given the need for this student organization, I urge that the TCU consider the formation of the aforementioned organization, and provide funding as well. Given the nature of the organization, its membership will be severely limited. In fact, it will only consist of one member: me. Amie Kuttruff LA '06

---

News

Troubled Pizzeria Roma changes ownership structure

February 4

Medford restaurant Pizzeria Roma, formerly Near East Caf?©, closed over the semester break and was replaced by a new restaurant, Helen's Roast Beef and Pizzeria. The new restaurant will not be included in the MOPS program, although it is currently unclear who made that decision. Helen's menu still proclaims, "We have points!" However, Helen's co-owner David Qyrasi clarifies, "we don't have points anymore -- it was a Tufts University decision." "There wasn't much interest. In the future, maybe." This account contrasts with Dining Services Director Patti Lee Klos, who said the new restaurant owners originally told her the new business would be on the points program. Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senator John Valentine on the TCU service committee confirmed that Helen's would not be participating in the MOPS program. According to Valentine, the restaurant's new owners did not like the 15 percent commission that Dining Services charges restaurants for all points orders. "They thought the 15 percent commission... was just too much," Valentine said. There is also confusion over the new ownership structure of the restaurant. Klos was told that former Pizzeria Roma owner Fatma Ugur would be staying on in some capacity, but Qyrasi said the restaurant was under completely new ownership. The restaurant has been heavily promoting the new owners in hopes of distancing Helen's from a bad reputation that followed Near East Caf?© even after it changed its name to Pizzeria Roma. "We remodeled, we've been closed for a month and a half, everything's all totally brand new," Qyrasi said. The kitchen and fixtures have also been upgraded. According to Klos and Qyrasi, Pizzeria Roma closed because of the Ugur's lack of employees, and a disadvantageous dependency on Tufts students who leave in the summer months. Ugur had told TCU senators working with her that "99 percent" of her business was from Tufts students. "She didn't have any help," Qyrasi said of his restaurant's former owner. "You have to watch out for the food and take care of the customers and try to make everybody happy as much as you can." Klos agreed, saying that Ugur was often working alone and that she would not have been able to stay open relying solely on Tufts-related business -- especially when working by herself. Ugur's problems started when she took a two-year medical leave. She placed Near East in the hands of a temporary management team who "kind of messed it up," Ugur told the Daily last February. "[They] said the students were happy. I came back and realized that wasn't true." After her return, she tried to save the restaurant's reputation by changing its name and -- more importantly -- changing the kitchen staff and management. "I definitely noticed an improvement," sophomore Mark Robinton said of the revamp a year ago. Unfortunately, according to Klos, this improvement meant that Ugur was often working too many hours and dealing with problems herself, and the restaurant was unable to bounce back. Helen's opened yesterday in Pizzeria Roma's location on Boston Avenue. According to Qyrasi, Helen's will feature roast beef sandwiches, pizza, and Greek fare. "We have very special dinners, like steak tip dinners," Qyrasi said. Pizzeria Roma focused on Italian and Turkish foods. While this leaves a temporary gap in the cuisine offerings at Tufts, Klos said that there is a chance that Pasta Pisa/Cafe de Crepe will add more diverse cuisine. The restaurant is planning to add Halal meats. Qyrasi and his brother, Klod, have co-owned several restaurants north of Boston. Additionally, there are another "six or seven" restaurants in the Qyrasi family.

---

News

Not your typical breakfast food

February 4

Tonight's concert at Hotung Cafe ostensibly might be better suited for a different on-campus eatery. Sponsored by AppleJam and featuring Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers as well as Fuzz from Deep Banana Blackout, this collection of breakfast-food names should be dislodging stuck bagels from the toaster at Dewick or dishing out the scrambled eggs at Carmichael, not playing rock music at Hotung. This, however, is no typical dining hall experience. Kellogg and Co. know a lot more about music than the scowling card-swipers and Bon Jovi-listening dish-washers of Tufts' dining halls. Kellogg's style of "classic folk rock" mixed with his propensity to put on a "comic act" promises to be "not your traditional concert," his manager, Steve Bursky, said. Bursky emphasized that "Kellogg shows are always kind of a party," which is exactly what attracted AppleJam to the group in the first place. Explaining the choice of Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers to headline AppleJam's first show of the year, co-president Loni Carp said that their shows are "full of energy, and the guys look as though they are having so much fun when they are up on stage that you have fun as well just watching them." AppleJam is a student organization that books creative artists for the Tufts community. The group is all about fun, and it doesn't specialize in one particular genre of music. Instead, they aim to "bring a wide variety of music that will appeal to everyone and introduce people to new music that will expand their musical collection," Carp said. Carp hopes that the small venue of Hotung will offer concertgoers more interaction with the bands than they would have in a larger setting. In fact, the small Tufts caf?© should be the perfect place for Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, who are growing in popularity in colleges all along the East Coast. Kellogg honed his charismatic stage presence working for local clubs in his hometown of Northampton, Mass. The Sixers are actually a three-piece band, made up of Kellogg on guitar and vocals, Keith Karlson on bass, and Brian Factor on drums. The three cite among their influences Jim Croce, Cat Stevens, and Led Zeppelin, a bizarre mixture that makes more sense once one attends the group's eclectic shows - performance styles range from folk to "80s metal" to, "on a good night, even stand-up comedy," Bursky said. Of course, the band is not all about wacky stage antics. Their latest album, Bulletproof Heart, is a mature and polished release. It deals with themes of loss and heartbreak so eloquently that you don't realize you're crying as you bob your head along to the catchy melodies. One of the pieces, "Scorpio," uses clever metaphors to express distaste for fickle women. The band layers the lyrics with sophisticated piano-playing to make the song sound almost celebratory, instead of angry. "See You Later, See You Soon," varies between gloomy lyrics like "no one understands me like the whiskey on my breath" and silly ones like "see you later alligator" in a song that laments the lost innocence that comes with growing up. This idea of shared childhood, despite its sad overtones, reinforces the idea of the friendship of the three bandmates. The camaraderie among the members of the band (all of whom attended UMASS Amherst, though at different times) extends to the opening act. Fuzz is an old friend of Kellogg's and played guitar on one of the duo's former side projects, All Stripped Down. Fuzz may be better known for being the guitarist for funk band Deep Banana Blackout. In the spirit of friendship and friendly responsibility, Fuzz may be dragged on stage again tonight to help Kellogg out with guitar. Though neither could predict what exactly will happen, both Carp and Bursky affirmed that it will be impossible not to have a good time at tonight's free show at 10 p.m. Even concertgoers used to moody, glowering rock stars will not be able to pass up a chance to see an old group of friends having fun on stage. Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers will also be performing at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston on February 26th.

---