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A winning wine business

November 16

Bill Murphy never imagined when he graduated from Tufts in 1967 with an electrical engineering degree that he would end up in the California wine business. But with his wife Brenda, the couple has successfully turned what was a hobby -- growing a few Chardonnay vines in their backyard -- into the Clos La Chance Winery, an 85-acre vineyard in San Martin with a 60,000-case production facility. Murphy traveled to Tufts last week from his California home and spoke to two classes: Entrepreneurial Leadership and a class at the Gordon Institute. Once part of Silicon Valley, the Murphys now produce their own wine under the label Clos La Chance (Clos is a French word for the small fenced-in area encompassing a vineyard, and La Chance is Brenda's maiden name). They founded their winery in 1987 and in 1996, they established CK Vines, a vineyard maintenance and installation company which helps people like the Murphys start their own homegrown vineyards. Their clientele is extensive and includes people such as former figure skater Peggy Flemming. The Murphys expanded their vineyard in 1998 when the CordeValle Resort and Golf Club approached them about a partnership. They opened a hospitality center with a tasting room and banquet facility for weddings and corporate functions. Today, the Vineyard has become a family affair as both Murphy daughters also work for the company. Murphy did not foresee his winery success, let alone living in California. According to Murphy, he grew up in Lawrence, MA and had "never been west of Pittsfield [MA]." After graduating from Tufts, Murphy was assigned by the General Electric in Pittsfield to work in San Diego. Two years later, Murphy returned to school at San Diego State to get a degree in business marketing. "I started to realize I'm better with people than with things," he said about why he decided to go to graduate school for business, not engineering. While at business school, Murphy worked part-time at Hewlett Packard as an engineer, and remained with the company for 31 years, climbing the ranks to an executive management position. Although Murphy decided to go to business school, his engineering degree, as well as working for Hewlett Packard, was "if not required, extremely important." According to Murphy, his degree has been helpful throughout his entire career. An "[Engineering degree] has served me well to this day," he said, citing the analytical skills and the ability to assimilate data and draw conclusions he learned while at Tufts. When his backyard wine business became successful, Murphy left the high-tech world and began to concentrate on expanding his wine company. He sought the expert advice of Dr. Jim Wolpert, chair of the viticulture and enology department at UC Davis. As he is not traditionally a winemaker by trade, Murphy attributes his company's success to great people who he has hired. "It's true in any business -- in hiring people -- always hire people smarter than you are," he said. From his experience, Murphy suggests that students work first before attending graduate school. According to Murphy, delaying graduate school proved to be beneficial. Otherwise, he says, he may have gotten a degree in engineering instead of business. Murphy said that it is reasonable that students are often unsure about their future career plans. "When I graduated I had no idea either," he said. "When you're 20, 21, 22, I'm not sure how you'd know." Murphy encourages students to try all different things and not expect to always follow a traditional path. Life is not simply "ready, aim, fire. You may have to learn, aim, aim, and aim again," he said. "Find out what you're really interested in because you probably don't know." Murphy gives future Tufts alumni the same advice that he gave his daughters when they graduated from college -- what he calls his "passionate pitch:" "Find out what you're passionate about to make the next 40 years fun," he said.

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News

It's Alright for the Right

November 16

This semester has seen a lot of talk about the presence of conservative students on campus. By all accounts, the majority of students at Tufts lean to the left, but there is a sizable, vocal conservative minority. As a student who identifies as fairly liberal, I do, for the most part, appreciate the presence of that minority on campus. However, I do not, by any means, feel bad for conservative students at Tufts. I don't think most conservative students here desire my sympathy or pity in any way. However, there are some conservatives on campus who think that the best way to increase their standing on campus is by making people feel bad for their plight. But although this campus isn't exactly a hotbed of conservatism, life as a conservative on campus really is quite bearable. Conservatives at Tufts have not consistently been discriminated against. Many raise the issue of a pro-Bush sign being defaced on a student's door as a bias incident. However, political ideology is not a protected class in regards to bias incidents. According to The Pachyderm, the protected classes in terms of bias are race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, ethnic or national origin, and age. Disagreeing with, or even putting down, someone's political ideology is allowable on campus. And it happens all the time, to conservatives and liberals alike. In fact, one of the strengths of the conservative students on this campus is only possible because of this ability to put down other's ideological beliefs. This strength is The Primary Source. In my mind, the Source is one of the most well-written, thought-provoking, and humorous publications on campus. While that can be debated, no one can debate how widely read and discussed the Source is. This shows that Tufts students are at least willing to consider the conservative viewpoint on a regular basis, and show some respect for it. The Source provides an outlet for students with conservative views to express themselves in a Tufts Community Union (TCU)-funded setting that is distributed throughout campus. If Tufts was so rabidly anti-conservative, this would not be the case. Consistently, conservative students have been elected by the student body to leadership positions in student government that control all of student life. In my time at Tufts, prominent conservative students have been elected to the Committee on Student Life, the TCU Judiciary (TCUJ), the TCU Senate, and even to leadership positions within the Senate. If Tufts students really did discriminate against conservatives, they would not be voting for them. If one looks objectively at the way groups like the TCUJ has treated student groups on campus, it is clear that conservatives are treated no worse, if not better, than liberal students. As the Democratic presidential primaries near, numerous student groups have formed supporting individual campaigns. However, the TCUJ has ruled that they cannot be recognized as individual student organizations and must be part of the umbrella Tufts Democrats. This forces competing organizations to compete further over the tiny budget allotted to the Tufts Democrats. The TCUJ, however, had no problem approving the Tufts Right to Arms (TRA) group, which is much more closely aligned with the goals of the Tufts Republicans than many of the Democratic candidates are with the "New Democrat"-dominated Tufts Democrats. TRA says it is more than a political group, but as its title indicates, its primary mission is to preserve the right to arms, a platform of the national Republican Party. The TCUJ also took an ideological stand by recognizing TRA, saying yes, the student activity fee can be used to help people shoot guns and learn to shoot guns; a decision I for one feel uncomfortable with. There is actually a stronger anti-left sentiment on this campus than an anti-conservative one. Yes, most Tufts students are left of center, but not that far left. As a high school history teacher once told me, "Liberals are a radical's worst nightmare." Radical Jumbos are mocked and looked down upon by moderates just as much as conservative students are, if not more so. And in terms of discrimination, I do not recall a conservative student ever losing a scholarship, a la Liz Monnin and last year's TUAA Senior Awards. I have no problem with the conservative presence on Tufts' campus. But I do have a problem when conservative students whine about how terrible their lives are here. Tufts has never claimed to be a bastion of the right, and students know that when they first come here. To compare bias against political ideology and sexual orientation is cheap and inappropriate, and does absolutely nothing to advance the position of conservatives on campus. I look forward to worthwhile debates on political issues that matter to students on both the right and the left. However, petty attacks against groups like Tufts Transgendered Lesbian Gay Bisexual Coalition (TTLGBC) for responding to bias incidents are worthless in constructing an open campus dialogue. Adam Pulver is a junior majoring in Political Science and Community Health. He can be reached at pulver@tuftsdaily.com.

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News

Senior Pub Night marred with problems

November 16

Last Thursday's Senior Pub night at the Hong Kong in Harvard Square ran into numerous issues which may increase the cost of Senior Week this May. Between 60 and 80 fake tickets were used at the door according to Senior Class Council Member Courtney Benson. The fake tickets were made on a home computer and all but one contained a stamp from the Office of Student Activities (OSA). Benson said the influx of fake tickets was an issue because "the people at the door were not expecting it at all." Tufts Community Union (TCU) Treasurer Josh Belkin said the fake ticket problem was compounded with the absence of a list to cross-check names. "At previous senior pub nights there was a list of the ticket numbers and it was verified with your ticket," he said. A new policy of the TCU Treasury forces student groups to use the OSA ticket printer to prevent problems. Belkin said "we mandated that all student groups use the OSA ticket printer to legitimize the process." The Senior Class Council must follow these regulations because they receive TCU funding. This machine was malfunctioning recently and was unable to print the tickets for senior pub night. Now groups must get their tickets printed at Gnomon copy, which is "very easy to reproduce." Belkin said the policy was created to prevent groups from skimming off ticket sales. Belkin said centralizing the ticketing authority makes auditing groups easier. According to Benson, the Class Council has been forced to make changes because of Thursday's problems. "We are going to have to spend more money on getting Ticketmaster-type tickets to make sure they can't be reproduced, which takes even more money away from our budget." In addition to the ticket fiasco, there was an issue on one of the busses on the way back from the bar. One of the windows was broken, and according to Council Member Carrie Postel, "We don't know who it was, but as the buses were leaving to go back to Tufts at the end of the night someone broke one of the back windows of one of the buses." Though they have not received the bill, Postel estimates the window will cost approximately 500 dollars. The Council will have to pay for the replacement, since the perpetrator has not been identified. Though there is no specific program that will lose funding, Postel said the money would have gone to events like senior week tickets or other pub nights.

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News

A smorgasbord of talent

November 16

This past Saturday night, the Sarabande Supershow brought 11 different on campus performing arts groups together in an eclectic mix of genres. Following Saturday's performances, a few things became clear: pirates are always funny, mimes are not necessarily creepy, and Michael Jackson and construction workers are somehow a perfect match. Sarabande, an all female dance troupe, makes their Supershow an opportunity for Tufts students to see a variety of groups they might not normally see or even know about. According to Supershow producer Sarah Fiorello, Sarabande works hard to get diversity in the acts. "We try to choose up-and-coming acts and groups that don't have their own show," she said. Sarabande's efforts to represent "a conglomeration of everything going on on campus" made the show interesting and unpredictable. The show appropriately opened with Sarabande, who performed a dreamlike dance to Evanescence's "Bring Me to Life." Sarabande uses material one wouldn't normally associate with traditional dance styles; other routines were choreographed to Tori Amos's "Crucify," Ani Difranco's "OK," and the Rolling Stones' "Miss You." Sarabande's more traditionally styled dances provided a strong foil to the other more unconventional acts of the evening. The first non-Sarabande group to perform was B.E.A.T.S., which brought its usual energy and thing-banging abilities to the stage. One of the coolest segments in its routine was a hand-slapping bit which far surpassed any playground "Miss Mary Mack" game you may remember from elementary school. The next group up was Spirit of Color with "Work Me Down," which was welcomed onto stage with cries of "Let's go, 80's!" It's hard to say whether it was the impossibly high kicks or the sparkly red armbands that were more incredible. As one of the more athletic dances of the night, it definitely got the crowd excited for what else was to come. Next up was the Arab Students Association, which performed a belly dance. The dancers sexily undulated to the sounds of accompanying instruments, which were also provided by the Arab Students Association. The dance lost its momentum in the middle, when a long pause almost wiped out the energy of the first part of the act. Luckily, the second half more than made up for any lags in action. Hype struck a chord with anyone who had a bad roommate experience their freshman year. Their "Tilton 215" routine showcased an interaction between one innocent girl and one total jerk. With only a few boxes to serve as beds, Hype created a make shift dorm room in which the horrible roommate committed every possible ResLife infraction: drinking, smoking, and using drugs in the room; hooking up on the roommate's bed; puking on the floor; stealing the roommate's perfume. Hype's routine was innovative, not relying on standard mime tricks like the "glass box" or the "invisible rope." After the intermission, Tufts Dance Collective presented "The Way You Make Me Feel." A bevy of dancers wearing jeans, wife-beaters, and construction helmets leapt enthusiastically across the stage. As usual, TDC had a ton of dancers, but each one was clearly so excited to be a part of the routine that the energy grew exponentially throughout the dance. The improv troupe Cheap Sox put on a brief but funny "Dinner Party," appealing to the audience to give roles to the players which included lovers, pirates, and conjoined twins that work at the U.N. Johnny Depp might have had some criticism for the pirates' accents, but the skit was well-played and illustrated Cheap Sox' ability to think on its feet. Cheap Sox also provided the show's hosts, Allan Rice and Graham Griffin. The two were able to work around technical difficulties, the death of a beloved bug, and an onstage spat to reconcile in an extremely touching performance of "Total Eclipse of the Heart." The last non-Sarabande act was the Tufts Garba Team with a dynamic and flashy routine. At one point the dancers were spinning so fast that bracelets flew off their wrists and rolled off the stage. Cool tricks like leapfrog jumps and complicated stick-throwing made the traditional Indian dance exciting for everyone. After the show, Cohen Auditorium's lobby was full of people marveling at the acts they had seen that night. The appreciation went both ways: "the audience was great and we had a good mix of groups from around campus to make a good show," Fiorello said.

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News

Companies compete for class ring market

November 16

A multiplicity of class rings has left various students confused -- or just surprised. Two companies, ArtCarved and Ringware, are licensed by the Tufts Licensing Department to sell different styles of Tufts class rings. ArtCarved is a national ring company and Ringware makes the official class ring of the Tufts Alumni Association. The Alumni Association promotes the Ringware ring as the official ring of Tufts alumni through mailings to students' homes. Ringware appears regularly at the Campus Center. ArtCarved sells rings through the Tufts Bookstore at the Mayer Campus Center. Timothy D. Brooks, Director of Tufts Alumni Relations, says that the multiple ring environment may be good for students and his advice to students is "to shop and compare." While no hard statistics were available, Ringware maintains that it is doing significantly better than Milestone Traditions, the company that previously sold rings at Tufts through the Alumni Association. Kevin Ferro of Ringware says that sales have roughly gone up 2 to 1. ArtCarved, which bought Milestone Traditions, has been aggressive in its marketing this year and its convenient location helps sales. Bookstore manager Ron Gill says that to the best of his knowledge, Ringware's entrance into the market has not decreased ArtCarved sales. Ferro said that Ringware is responding to ArtCarved efforts with six on-campus visits this year, as well as plans to e-mail the entire senior graduating class and mail out brochures. ArtCarved gets considerable business because of location and timing -- prior marketing efforts just faced an unfortunate timing situation, according to Brooks. According to Ferro, ArtCarved is misleading students by saying that it is the only official ring for sale. Ringware is advertising on Tuftslife and in student publications to remedy that. The Tufts bookstore receives commission from the sales of ArtCarved rings. According to Assistant Manager Frank Moore, that money simply counts towards the sales of the bookstore. The Alumni Association also receives a commission on the sale of the sponsored rings, on average $10 per ring according to Brooks. This money goes into the Alumni fund for sponsoring events such as the "From Backpack to Briefcase" program. The Alumni Association is looking into reinstating a ring ceremony to promote class rings sales. The ceremony has been canceled in recent years because of low attendance. "We are looking into incorporating a ring recognition ceremony into the President's lawn party at the end of the year and also discussing this issue with the Senior Leadership Core," says Brooks. Brooks is very happy with Ringware and says that sales of the Alumni Association ring have increased since the switch to Ringware from Milestone Traditions in the fall of 2002. "The goal of the Alumni Association is to do everything we can to connect the alumni family and the students -- the commission is not our prime motivator," according to Brooks. Ringware is also looking into hiring student representatives to help spread the word about class rings. Senior Seth B. Leiboh originally bought an ArtCarved ring, but, upon finding out that another option was available, returned his ring within its 14 day return period and is still considering his options. According to Ferro and Brooks, there have been several instances of students purchasing an ArtCarved ring and then later wishing to exchange it for the official Alumni Association ring. Ringware has been doing its best to try to resolve such problems with the help of the Alumni Association. Senior Frederick Liu bought a class ring. "I wanted it as a keepsake. I just went to the Campus Center and got one. I think I bought it from ArtCarved. I'm not angry; I'm just surprised because I did not know that there was another option or an official ring." Because both rings are licensed by Tufts, in the end it all comes down to a student's personal preference in the style, price, and concept of his class ring. The average quoted prices for ArtCarved ranges roughly from $400 to $500 dollars, though prices fluctuate greatly depending on style. The Ringware prices range from $125 to $585 depending on the chosen metal.

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News

New trustees accept Board elections

November 16

Tufts' newest trustees have accepted their nominations, and will soon be on campus to begin their work. The four trustees were elected at the Nov. 1 trustee meeting. Karen Pritzker, Bill Richardson, Dr. Alfred Tauber, and Bill Thompson, Jr. have been contacted by President Larry Bacow and Trustee Board Chair James Stern, who followed up on the trustees' invitation. The trustees can serve a maximum of two five-year terms. Pritzker is a member of the family that founded and operates the Hyatt Hotel chain. She attended Tufts for two years before finishing her degree at Northwestern University. Pritzker and her husband Dan, who graduated from Tufts in 1981, have made several contributions to the University over the years. They also serve on the board of the Pritzker Cousins Foundation, which donated nearly $3 million in 2001. Last year the couple also pledged $5 million over five years for the Jay Pritzker Scholarship Challenge Grant. The program, which began this year, gives financial aid to minority students and matches the grants of other contributors to minority students. This fund is critical in attracting minority students, administrators said. "The Pritzker Scholarship is a major asset in our efforts to enhance Tufts' already impressive commitment to undergraduate diversity," Dean of Admissions Lee Coffin said. "Thanks to the generosity of the Pritzker family, the University can recruit and enroll a new generation of students from underrepresented groups who otherwise could not afford to attend Tufts." Director of Financial Aid Patricia Reilly said, "Considering the commitment that the Pritzker family scholarship fund has made to minority students, I think [Karen Pritzker would] be a wonderful addition to the board." Bill Richardson is the governor of New Mexico. He was elected in 2002 after serving as Clinton's Secretary of Energy. Richardson was previously the US Ambassador to the United Nations and a member of the US House of Representatives for eight terms. He graduated from Tufts in 1970 and received a master's degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1971. Trustees and administrators said Richardson's experience and his close ties to government will promote the University's interests. "Bill Richardson brings a wealth of experience at the highest levels of public service and will be enormously helpful in our relations with the federal government," Stern said. "His accomplishments and impressive experience at multiple levels of government will be a tremendous asset to the Board of Trustees," Vice President for University Relations Mary Jeka said. Tauber, who received a BA from Tufts in 1969 and an MD from the Tufts School of Medicine in 1973, teaches pathology and philosophy at the Boston University School of Medicine, in addition to practicing hematology at the Boston Medical Center. Tauber "brings a critical health sciences perspective to the Board," Stern said. His experience as a professor will also help the board, according to Trustee Secretary Linda Dixon. "The trustees love having people who are professors because they understand how the academic world works," she said. Bill Thompson graduated from Tufts with a Political Science degree 1974. He is the Comptroller for the City of New York. Before being elected in 2001, he was the the city's Board of Education president. He was also the Senior Vice President for Public Finance at the investment-banking firm George K. Baum. His experience in both the business and education fields made him an ideal choice for the Board. Thompson "is a dedicated public servant and business manager who understands the world of higher education," Stern said. The new trustees are expected to visit the Tufts campus and meet with other Board members to familiarize themselves with the issues and procedures before the next Board meeting in February.

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News

Seniors on both sides of the ball will be missed

November 16

Coming off a disappointing 3-5 record last year, the football team was looking to reverse its fortunes in the 2003 season. Despite having their ups and downs, the Jumbos were able to do so, winning five games and finishing as one of only four teams in the NESCAC with a winning record. After starting the season with three straight victories, Tufts dropped their next two and looked as if it was headed towards a repeat of 2002, when the team lossed its last five games. This year's team was able to bounce back from those losses, however, and followed them with impressive victories against Amherst and Colby. "The feeling on the team after those two losses was completely different from last year," senior quad-captain Reid Palmer said. "We were able to put the past behind us. I think this team really got a good sense of how we play football at Tufts. Overall, I felt good about the season." Tufts was led all season by the play of its seniors. The defense started six of them, including four on what turned out to be one of the best defensive lines in the league. Caleb Hudak, Palmer, Jay Hirsh, and Matt Keller all anchored that line. Hudak was second on the team with 58 tackles, including a team-leading 14 for loss. He was tied with Hirsh for second on the team with three sacks. Palmer had two interceptions on the year, including one he returned 91 yards for a touchdown against Bates. Hirsh showed his toughness, playing through an ankle injury all year and still managed to finish second on the team with seven tackles for loss. Keller matured into one of the best defensive linemen in the league, and finished his senior season with 47 tackles, including six for loss. Cornerback Mark Tilki and linebacker Matt DePaolis also played major roles for the Jumbos. Tilki had an outstanding season, intercepting five passes and returning two for touchdowns. Tough against both the run and the pass, Tilki saw teams running fewer plays to his side as the year wore on. He had an equally exceptional year as a return specialist, ranking among the nation's leaders in kickoff return yardage. DePaolis, who Tufts defensive coordinator John Walsh calls "a true student of the game," was fifth on the team in tackles with 45. Defensive backs Mike Leist and Greg Hamilton, and linebacker Gaetan Kashala also saw considerable playing time as seniors on defense. "Every senior on the defense had a role," Walsh said. "That's really special. Tilki and Hudak are irreplaceable; Matt Keller, Palmer, and Hirsh turned into phenomenal players. Those seniors were why we were so successful; they were leaders in practice and in games." On the offensive side of the ball, several seniors had huge impacts for the Jumbos. Tim Mack was switched from wide receiver to running back half way through the year, and had a terrific season. Mack led the team in rushing with 526 yards, and he averaged over 100 yards a game after the transition. Wide receiver Matt Cerne had 19 catches for 216 yards on the year, and also returned punts on special teams. Justin Kelley anchored the Tufts offensive line, opening big holes for Mack and the other running backs. Adam Wylie stepped into the fullback spot and was a big part of the team's success running the ball. Ed Casabian's contributions could not be quantified by numbers -- until the last game of the season when he more than doubled his career offensive production with three catches for 58 yards. Senior kicker Marcellus Rolle had an outstanding season, setting a new NESCAC record with 10 field goals. The high point of the season for Rolle came in the Amherst game, when he hit the tying field goal as time expired, sending the game into overtime. The Jumbos pulled out that victory, turning their season around. "I think this was definitely a very successful year, both for the team and for individuals," Rolle said. "We didn't 'pull out' any victories, we made victories. And that's what we wanted." "All the seniors did fantastic jobs," coach Bill Samko said. "That's a great thing. This senior class will be sorely missed. They all did something to help this football team." Tufts will return a talented team next year, but both Samko and Walsh emphasized that it's now up to the players to improve in the off season. "Big shoes have to be filled," Samko said. "We think there's strength in our freshman and sophomore classes, but they have to do the things necessary to get better. We could be very good again, but we'll see if somebody steps up and takes on the leadership role." Most starters return next year, including junior quarterback Jason Casey, junior running back Steve Cincotta, and several important defensive players. Casey took over the quarterback position full time after the fifth game of the season and "really matured", according to Samko. He will face competition for the job from sophomore Casey D'Annolfo, who received limited of playing time early in the year. Casey will also have his favorite target to throw to in junior Kevin Holland, who led the team in catches (43), yards (533), and touchdown catches (three). Cincotta was the team's starting running back at the beginning of the season before he was sidelined with an ankle injury. He will be healthy and hungry next season. On defense several players are expected to pick up the slack next year. Junior defensive lineman Chris Lawrence led the team in sacks (five) and Walsh calls him "one of the best in the league." Junior Donavan Brown was injured for much of the season, but he returned to his cornerback spot in the last two games and had three interceptions. Sophomores Pat Magoon and Zack Dumas are also coming off of impressive seasons at safety and linebacker, respectively. Dumas especially established himself, as he led the Jumbos in tackles with 63. Despite the team's occasional struggles, Samko and Walsh both saw the year in a positive light. "This was one of the best, if not the best, teams we've had since I've been here," Walsh said. "I can't say enough about this team's character, effort, and leadership. Wins and losses are obviously the goal, but coaching a team like this means so much more to me than wins or losses." Samko echoed Walsh's sentiments. "I wish we were still playing," he said. "This is one of my favorite teams. They were really a fun group. I enjoyed coaching them."

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News

Film can inspire personal fashion

November 16

Film and fashion share an inseparable bond. Costumes are vitally important when it comes to delineating character, setting the mood, and creating those glorious cinematic spectacles we all love. Whether the film is a low-budget independent movie, or a Hollywood blockbuster, what an actor or actress wears is a visual guide; a map if you will of his or her personality. The same is true off the silver screen. The clothing you choose to wear speaks volumes-intentionally or otherwise about who you are. What kind of messages are you sending? Are these messages the types of things you want to send? Costume designers send messages to the audience by selecting clothing that can compliment an actor's performance and the director's overall vision for the film. Oftentimes, this involves elaborate historical recreations that capture the flavor of a bygone era. Such films are affectionately known as "costume dramas." While such films are far too numerous to count, I've selected three of my personal favorites. Films you might be familiar with for discussion. While we explore how film costuming can effect our perception of fictional characters, you may want to think about what you have to say through your own personal style. Frances Ford Coppola's 1992 re-make of Bram Stoker's Dracula features remarkable costumes. Say what you will about the acting, but the actors look marvelous! Although the clothing is not entirely historically accurate, it embraces the opulent Gothicism of the original story while skillfully incorporating a distinctly Victorian look. Corseted waists and elaborately bustled skirts are lavishly exaggerated. As far as character is concerned, symbolism is felt throughout. Lucy (Sadie Frost), eerily beautiful and flirtatious sports plunging necklines as she entertains gentlemen callers while the modest Mina (Winona Ryder) wears high-necked gowns. Lucy's wedding dress is a departure from Victorian styles with a neck ruff that looks quite Elizabethan. This is perhaps meant to draw parallels between the supposedly "Virgin Queen" Elizabeth and Lucy, whose supposed purity has in fact been tainted by Dracula's fangs. Ryder appears at the beginning of the film as Dracula's love in a deep emerald gown with gold leaves-recalling the lush hues of unspoiled nature. Watch for the same color and leaf motif when she later appears as Mina. 2002's Far From Heaven features subtly symbolic costumes, as well. In this film, a housewife (Julianne Moore) must deal with a broken marriage and an impossible love affair. The trademark silhouettes of the 1950s are accurately recreated in every costume. Color and line are used to chart character development-one sequence features a highly improbable, yet stunning, image of a group of women standing under bright fall foliage all wearing similar colors to those of the leaves above them. This extremely controlled color palette creates a lovely picture and establishes the tone. Moore's character wears the full A-line skirt typical of the era, until the very end when she trades it for a more somber tailored ensemble. This transformation mirrors her transition from the idealized housewife into a wiser, heartbroken woman who has traded her frilly illusions for practical utility. Angels and Insects the most striking and symbolic of the three films, draws a behavioral comparison between the Victorians and the insect world. Some argue that the film becomes annoyingly pedantic in this comparison, but it still looks cool. Perhaps the costuming is a bit overly obvious in its direct correlation between insects and humans, but it is certainly interesting to observe how the designer embellishes Victorian gowns to become clearly insect-related. The first scenes show a ball in which many gowns are colored like exotic butterflies or are decorated with those fruits and flowers eaten by insects. In another scene, a day dress is done in black and bright yellow with horizontal detailing on the bodice. This suggests that the women wearing it figuratively "stings like a bee." Another highlight is the sequence in which a woman appears in an ethereal silvery gown amidst a flurry of equally ethereal moths. The point is as clear as if the women were wearing a moth body-suit and superbly links back to the director's underlying theme. While costumes are ultimately limited by the director's vision for the film as a whole, there are no limits on your personal wardrobe. Sure, your fashion choices may not be as symbolically complex as those in the movies, but they still are an important part of who you are. Embrace fashion as a tool for self-expression. Whether you are making a bold statement or just having fun, there is no denying the empowering effects of a great outfit. You're sure to give a performance that isn't easily forgotten.

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News

Environmental Panelists hold conference

November 16

A group of 30 students, local residents, and local environmental activists convened on Saturday in the Tufts Administration Building to discuss environmental justice in the Mystic River watershed. The first Environmental Justice Across the Mystic (EJAM) summit featured state Senator Jarret Barrios as keynote speaker. Barrios called upon citizens to support efforts to codify existing environmental policy into law in the form of Senate Bill 1190, The Clean and Healthy Communities Act. "A policy exists as long as [someone] wants to have it. A law means there is no discretion at all, and that enforcement is required," Barrios said. Under S.1190, the state will have to increase public outreach efforts, provide neighborhoods with the necessary resources for empowerment, and give incentives for the development of non-polluting industries. Barrios said studies have correlated areas of poverty and environmental damage. "We shouldn't have to experience pollution just because we live in a certain zip code," Barrios said. The EJAM was founded in response to the widespread pollution in the valley. Eight of the 15 most polluted communities in Massachusetts are in the Mystic River Watershed. EJAM was formed through a partnership between the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) and Tufts. The New England Chapter of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sponsored three public forums and two environmental justice training sessions. Saturday was the culmination of these efforts, where participants came together to develop an action plan for the region. After Barrios' address, the summit split into four groups: water quality, land use and transportation, communication and participation, and exposure and public health. The groups then identified problem areas and suggested possible actions and solutions. The four groups then reconvened to report their conclusions to a group of panelists. Suggestions included increased monitoring of pollution sources, consideration of the long-term effects of road projects, community outreach and education about health-related issues, and working with local groups to create public health NGOs. The panelists responded to each group, emphasizing training, education and the formations of partnerships to addressing new issues. They also noted activists must take care to include all interested parties in their actions, while being aware of time frames and other limitations. "We hope that interested parties will follow through and form coalitions around specific issues," said Nancy Hammet, one of EJAM's co-chairs. The summit was EJAM's final event because its EPA funding has run out. However, the Mystic Watershed Collaborative plans to develop a committee to continue discussion of EJAM issues. "The main goal now is to distribute the information learned and discussed throughout the workshops, trainings, and summits," said Anastasia Marshak, a Tufts sophomore who has worked closely with MyRWA.

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News

As universities change their professor-student dating policies, Tufts remains ahead of the game

November 13

Consenting adults beware: your extracurricular activities could get you fired. Recently, universities across the country have been changing (or adding) policies addressing student-professor relationships. Most recently, Iowa State University, Syracuse University and the University of New Mexico have instituted no tolerance policies towards these relationships -- and these schools are not alone. Tufts has had a policy against professor-student dating since 1992. The policy applies to any professor regarding any student whom he or she "instructs, evaluates, supervises, or advises, or over whom he/she is in a position to exercise authority in any way." "Once upon a time there was no policy," said Professor Daniel Mulholland, who has been with the History department since 1968. "One used to hear long, long ago of things going on between faculty and students, but I never knew of any while they were going on, and only learned of them much later." The University's policy states: "Faculty members and academic administrators exercise power over students, whether by teaching, grading, evaluating, or making recommendations for their further studies or their future employment. Amorous, dating, or sexual relationships between faculty members, academic administrators, and students are impermissible when the faculty members and academic administrators have professional responsibility for the student." The policy goes on to explain some of the reasons such relationships would interfere with the role professors are meant to play: "Voluntary consent by the student in such a relationship is suspect, given the fundamental nature of the relationship. Moreover, other students may be affected by such behavior, because it places the faculty member and academic administrator in a position to favor or advance one student's interest to the potential detriment of others." Violating the policy could result in disciplinary action, including termination, for the professor. Junior Erin Connolly believes this type of policy is necessary: "In the college environment, it is inappropriate for there to be any type of relationship between a professor and a student other than an extremely professional one," she said. "At the college level, there should be boundaries between a student and a teacher," Connolly added. "There are lines that shouldn't be crossed, and a physical relationship is definitely one of those lines." Connolly touched on many concerns that the policy addresses, including bias and the fact that both parties could be in the relationship for inappropriate reasons. "The teacher may take advantage of the student using their power, prestige, and age to attract a younger maybe more naive student," Connolly said. "The student may be pursuing the teacher for the challenge of going after someone older in a position of power with the possibility of maybe achieving a better grade." However, there seems to be no record of any such relationships at Tufts. Dean of Undergraduate Education James Glaser, who is new to his position, said, "I don't know of any [student-professor relationships], but I haven't been in a position to know." After contacting many members of the Tufts faculty and administration including Glaser and Dean of Academic Affairs Kevin Dunn, as well as Siobhan Houton of Tufts Public Relations, Tufts Magazine editor Michele Gouveia, and Nancy Sardella, Assistant Director to Alumni Relations, no one was able to recall an instance of a professor pursuing a romantic relationship with a student. Tufts administrators stand by their policy. "We feel it is a detrimental thing for professors to have relationships with students when they are their students," Dunn said. Although the policies at other universities vary, there is a thread common to most schools' professor-student dating policies: of the two consenting adults who would be in breach of policy, only the professor ever seems to be punished. "[It's] hard to think a student would be punished," Dunn said. Junior Sarah Hoffman has been in a class where the professor was rumored to be seeing the teaching assistant romantically, but she takes many of these rumors with a grain of salt. "There are always rumors about student-professor 'relations,' but typically they are unfounded and elaborated excessively," Hoffman said. "That is not to say they do not occur, but everyone likes to have something to gossip about." The policy is not supported by all, however. Some students believe that the University's policy is unnecessary and intrusive. "I feel at this age everyone should be allowed to do whatever they want as long as they respect other people," senior Eugenia Vandoros said. "The idea of a student having a relationship with a professor in general doesn't phase me, but then again it completely depends on circumstances." Vandoros added that she would not mind being in a class with a professor who was involved with another one of the students, as long as both parties could separate personal and business life. She did acknowledge, however, that "a lot of the times, I suppose emotions might get in the way." As for professors, the fear of penalization is certainly real. "Nowadays, everybody is scared to death to even think of such matters," Mulholland said. Since the policy came into fruition, there have been no changes. Because there have been very few instances where the policy has been openly broken, the administration does not see this as one of its top priorities, according to Dunn. "It's not a priority only because it's not coming up," Dunn said.

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Jumbos' season ends with loss in quarterfinal

November 13

The volleyball team began its quest this season with one ultimate goal in mind -- a NESCAC championship. Unfortunately for the Jumbos, this goal eluded the squad once again, due to a loss in the quarterfinals to Amherst 2-3. "Everyone thought we could do better, so [the season] was a little disappointing," junior Alison Sauer said. "However, it was still great." While the outcome of the postseason speaks the loudest, those who have followed this team the entire season know that there are many quieter accomplishments to boast about. Most importantly, the team proved what it means to have depth on the bench, after two key starters went down in October with injuries. Six-foot middle hitter senior Amy Cronin sustained an ankle fracture early on and was unable to return to the court. Last season, Cronin led the team in kills with 416, averaging 3.6 kills per game. She was also named to the All-NESCAC first team, and was expected to be the leader of the Jumbo attack at the net. To make matters worse for this team, senior setter Lindsay Moses also was unavailable to play for the better part of the season. Losing Moses, who contributed ten assists per game last year in a position that is vital in controlling the pace of the game could have ruined the season. "It was hard to lose them," Sauer said. "Especially when we went into the season thinking we had them and working around them. However, I think we turned out to be just as good. It was a shame for them to miss out on their last season, but overall I think we coped with it well." Simultaneously losing two starters, both captains, out of a six-member starting lineup is certainly a roadblock to success. Coach Cora Thompson, however, had a deep bench just waiting to be tapped into, specifically sophomore April Gerry and junior Rebecca Schaevitz. Gerry stepped into the vacant spot at middle hitter without significant collegiate experience at the position. Holding her own, she managed 2.24 kills per game and 69 assisted and solo blocks. Likewise, Schaevitz did not miss a beat sliding into the leadership roll of setter, amassing around 12 assists per game. But the two were not alone out there, as the success of this season has to be attributed to the increased intensity by the four starters who remained. At the net, sophomore middle hitter Courtney Evans had even more required of her as she was the player with the most experience at that position in the rotation. She answered the call with 2.63 kills per game and a team high 144 assisted and solo blocks. She also led the team in service aces with 37 throughout the season. Key contributions also came from other positions on the court. Junior outside hitter Emily Macy, contributed the second highest numbers in kills per game (2.71) and digs (326) and stepped up to provide leadership. Also stepping up was the only remaining captain on the court, senior libero Danielle Cafasso, who led the defense with a team high 327 digs. Also providing leadership was junior right side hitter Sauer, who contributed all around play and 2.28 kills per game. Also, one cannot ignore the all-around performance of freshman outside hitter Kelli Harrison, who put up senior class numbers. She led the team in kills with 3.65 a game and contributed 36 aces. Defensively, she was equally strong, including 265 digs and 45 blocks. She was also named to the NESCAC honorary mention team and will be someone to watch next year. Combining a talented bench with the strong conviction from the four remaining starters, Tufts produced a season that even the team at 100 percent could be proud of. "Everyone really stepped into their roles." Sauer said. "This team worked really well together." Tufts finished the season with a record of 20-11, 6-4 in the competitive NESCAC. In fact, though the Jumbos did not numerically top last season's wins (20), this squad can say that it improved upon last year's performance. Thompson purposely added more difficulty to this year's schedule, including matches against Gordon and the MIT tournament, fully knowing that this might impact negatively on Tufts' win-loss record. There were also specific highlights this year that deserved honorable mention. Against Wellesley, one of the top teams in the region, the Jumbos were able to come away with a 3-1 victory. The win was the first against Wellesley in ten years. The team also had a seven-game winning streak in the beginning of October that streak included a weekend of NESCAC play. "We played well throughout the season," Harrison said. "There were a few low points, but every team has them. Overall, we had a successful and energetic season." These low points include the way the squad's performance slipped in the last few weeks of the season, when they were unable to put away games with closely matched counterparts such as Bates and Colby. End of season fatigue and stress took its toll on this squad that already was dealing with the loss of experienced players. Despite the setbacks, this will be a team to watch next season, as the Jumbos will lose only one active senior. Additionally, they are in a position to start six members on the court with a least a full season of playing experience in their positions. "We stayed together and worked together as a team, especially in our last game at Amherst," Harrison said. "Next season we need to remember to show up pumped to every game, to play each game as if it was a championship."

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How are the Celtics doing this?

November 13

It was beautiful, textbook basketball. First, the Sacramento Kings got a layup directly off the opening tip. Crisp passing led to open jumpers. Backdoor cuts led to uncontested layups and dunks. In the first few minutes of the game, the ball barely touched the floor for the Kings, and they were up 15-2 on the Boston Celtics before fans at the Fleet Center were even in their seats. Your final score: Boston 91, Sacramento 82. Two nights later at Conseco Field House, the Celts found themselves down 48-34 at halftime to the Indiana Pacers as Jermaine O'Neal exploded for 21 points and nine rebounds in the first two quarters. Your final score: Boston 78, Indiana 76. Both the Kings and the Pacers have loads more talent than the Celtics, which begs the question, how are the Celtics doing this? When Boston traded Antione Walker and Tony Delk to the Dallas Mavericks during training camp, it was supposed to set Beantown back for a least a year. And while the 4-4 Celtics aren't exactly world beaters, they have changed their style of play to the point where they can now hang with almost every team they play. But looking down the roster, it's easy to ask how. Paul Pierce shot a combined 14-34 in the two wins, and thus far he is getting to the line just five times a contest (last year he averaged 9.5 free throws per game). But that's because with Walker gone, he is the sole bona fide offensive option on the squad, and opponents are swarming him when he has the ball. The good news is that, thus far, Pierce has done a good job looking to dish the rock rather than take low percentage shots. Eric Williams provided the team with a huge spark coming off the bench in the Sacramento game, and he has done so all year. He uses his body as well as anyone in the league to draw fouls. Jiri Welsch is unquestionably one of the worst European shooters in the NBA. We expect guys like Kedrick Brown, who grew up watching Sportscenter, practicing dunks, and avoiding college like the plague, to be bad shooters. But after Peja Stojakovic and Dirk Nowitzki, we expect our European players to be sharpshooters. Yet Welsch plays solid defense, and when he gets into the lane, his long arms and court vision allow him to find open teammates. Speaking of Brown, he seems to be finding his niche: running the floor, skying for rebounds, playing lockdown D, and limiting the number of times he shoots the ball from outside ten feet. Newcomer Raef Lafrentz has done a good job for the Celtics. His three pointers haven't been dropping as much as the team would like, but he runs the floor, plays smart, and works feverishly on the offensive glass for tip-ins. And for $62 million dollars over the next six years, you would hope he would. Tony Battie has been solid, and Mark Blount actually looks somewhat like an NBA player rather than someone who got drafted merely on the basis of being seven feet tall. As for Vinny Baker, what can you say? Even cynics have to be happy for Baker, who after a summer of alcohol rehab seems to have his life and his game in order. He's slimmer, faster, and the J is falling, as evidenced by his game-winning pull-up jumper over O'Neal in the victory over the Pacers. Even the last men on the bench, Walter McCarty and Jumaine Jones, are solid role players. In many ways, the Celtics are reminiscent of the 2001 Philadelphia 76ers team that made it all the way to the NBA finals. Like this year's Celtics, the Philadelphia team wasn't incredibly talented, but it had a group of scrappy, hardworking forwards who knew their role and played off a superstar guard, in that case Allen Iverson. In fact, the only thing really keeping Boston from contending for an Eastern Conference title is the lack of a quality point guard -- and remember that they passed over Tony Parker and Jamaal Tinsley to select Joe Forte. Currently, the Celtics feature the fearsome point guard tandem of Mike James and Marcus Banks. James, who was handed the starting job in camp, has no court vision and has trouble getting the ball past half court at times. Marcus Banks is fast and fearless, and that's about where the positives end, at least until he develops. He dribbles the ball higher than anyone else in the NBA (almost up to neck level a la third grade style), looks for his own shot too much, and takes the phrase "out of control" to a whole new level. The Celtics have been playing a defense oriented game with a focus on rebounding and running, but if the point guards can't get the big men the ball when they're open on the break, they will stop running the floor.

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Engineering registration conflicts solved

November 13

Engineering students choosing their classes for next semester recently discovered that a number of required courses overlapped. Chemical Engineering Professor Gregory Botsaris said that the block schedule, while better than its predecessors, had caused some of the problems and was still not perfect. When they started choosing courses for next semester, second-year chemical engineers discovered that two required courses, Thermodynamics and Process Calculations II and a biology course were scheduled at the same time. Seniors also discovered that Chemical Process Design met at the same time as a required biology course. The department responded to complaints by changing the spring course schedule and eliminating conflicts. "They definitely understood our [concerns] and worked them out for us," Sophomore Chemical Engineer Rebecca Seabry said. Botsaris explained that a University rule that forces departments to distribute courses throughout the day was a limitation and caused some of the conflicts. The rule restricts departments from scheduling more than 55 percent of their courses between 10:25 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., and Dowling Hall instructs departments to schedule a course in the early morning, late afternoon, or evening for every class it schedules during the peak period. Administrators also advise that recitations be held outside of this busy time period. Botsaris said the School of Engineering is prepared to go to great lengths in order to accommodate their engineers' schedules. "We do whatever we can," he said. Botsaris also pointed out that schedule conflicts between engineering courses are rare because students' schedules are largely pre-determined and include relatively few electives. "Unless engineers didn't take a course when they were supposed to, there should hardly ever be a conflict," he said. However, the rigidity of the engineering curriculum has caused some students to encounter problems when fitting required liberal arts courses into their schedule. Although liberal arts students are not required to take engineering courses, engineers are required to take at least five liberal arts classes. Since its implementation, the block schedule has received mixed responses. "I definitely think we're better off," Tufts Community Union Senator Rafi Goldberg said, "but a lot of people, especially athletes, still have scheduling conflicts." By distributing courses throughout the day, classes are more likely to conflict with extracurricular activities scheduled for the late afternoon. According to a report prepared last year by Associate Professor Charles Inouye when he was Dean of the Colleges, "this is the price to be paid for what we have gained: improved course selection for the majority of our students at some inconvenience to a minority of students." Under the old block schedule, more than 33 percent of all courses were not assigned regular block times. Since the new block schedule was introduced, that number has fallen to less than ten percent, reducing a source of many previous conflicts.

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Students now able to apply for Tufts credit card

November 13

Now students and alumni alike will be able to show their financial support for Tufts by using a Tufts-branded credit card. The Alumni Association (AA) announced last Friday that the cards, previously only for alumni, would be available for students. The Tufts credit card is the result of a partnership between Tufts and the MBNA America Bank. The AA's decision to allow students to apply for it was detailed in a University-wide e-mail sent out last Friday. Senior Alumni Relations Officer Jonathan Burton said the decision is "part of an overall campaign to educate students about the financial process. We know students will get credit card endorsements from elsewhere, so we thought 'why not extend the opportunities for education?'" Education about the credit process will be supplemented, according to the plans of the AA, by regular information sessions jointly sponsored by the AA and MBNA. At these workshops, steps and advice for financial planning will be detailed. Credit card holders do not have to attend these informational sessions. The bank will play as large a role as the AA in the educational aspect of the card. James Donahue, spokesman for MBNA, says that "educating students on how to make credit work for them instead of their working for credit is something we invest a lot of time in." With the Tufts credit card, students would also have more insight into what happens with their money, Burton said. According to Donahue that the close affiliation between the University, specifically the AA, and the bank is a "point of leverage," by which card holders will presumably have more influence over their credit process. Burton said that there is an added "level of responsiveness" in this system, as the bank is obligated to answer to the University and vice versa. "It is not," he says, "just a faceless company anymore." If students have problems with their cards, they have the University to complain to. According to Burton, this direct partnership also serves to minimize fraud. An additional benefit of this partnership to the University is that it has a royalty relationship with the bank. A portion of money spent on retail purchases is returned to the AA. "This additional revenue stream gives the AA additional funding for student activities," Donahue said. The funds gleaned from this program have already gone to the creation of a full-time position in Career Services, the alumni career services coordinator. Issues have been raised, however, with the timing of the introduction of the credit card. Freshman Phil Mattia said, "Most students I know who were going to have a credit card already have one." Even though he is a freshman, Mattia made the transition to financial independence long ago. Burton offered an explanation for this apparent poor timing. "It was delayed because we wanted to be sure that students' private information, like e-mail addresses, was not released to MBNA," he said. "Tufts wanted to market the card itself, and this process just took a little longer to do." Burton expects that MBNA will see a five to ten percent increase in subscriptions for the Tufts credit card with the addition of student applicants. Despite the AA's efforts, most students seem indifferent to the idea of the card. Sophomore Jacque Silva says that she will not get the card. "I already have a credit card," she said, "and it just seems like a hassle to get another one." Students also argue that this credit card is just another way for the University to make money. "I pay $40,000 a year to come here. I think that's helping Tufts enough," said Mattia. Those students who decide to apply for the card should not take for granted that they will be accepted. "The majority of cards are granted to alumni," Donahue said. "We turn down more student applications than we approve, and those who are approved receive a significantly lower credit line than an adult applicant would." Still, Donahue calls the idea that students are financially irresponsible customers "anecdotal." He says that more attention is paid to the cases of students who could not pay back their debts, but that in his experience "students who have and use credit cards are as responsible in the handling of those cards as anyone else." The average balance on a student card is $550, which, according to Donahue, is one third the size of the balance on the cards of college-aged customers who are not students, and one fourth the size of the balance on alumni cards. Credit card companies "take an educated risk on a student," says Donahue. "We assume that the student will probably move on to bigger and better things, and we try to establish a lifelong relationship with that person to help them do so." Over 700 colleges and universities have alumni credit cards with MBNA, the world's largest independent credit card issuer. Only a small fraction of these, including Columbia University, allow their students to apply as well.

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Lee lecture focuses on human rights, nuclear possessions

November 13

Fletcher Professor Sung-Yoon Lee called North Korea the "last major hermit society," in a speech sponsored by the Korean Student Association (KSA) Wednesday. A highly regarded expert on North Korea, Lee began his lecture with history, beginning with the peninsula's division in 1948. While South Korea opened to the West and became one of the world's largest economies, the North's isolation has resulted in extreme poverty. Lee blamed the nation's lack of natural resources for its poverty. "North Korea relies on the outside world, including China, which alone provides nearly one-third of North Korea's food and electricity. It still does not have enough food, fuel, or electricity. Its principle revenue is $500 million, raised through drugs and counterfeit money." The North Korean government has turned to a nuclear weapons program to try and compensate for the numerous disadvantages the country faces, Lee said. North Korea has declared itself a nuclear power, and withdrew from a 1994 agreement to stop development of nuclear weaponry. The Bush administration has been in negotiation with the regime to halt the country's weapons program. Lee said these efforts were not likely to succeed. "There is no way that we can stop North Korea from going nuclear," he said. "But the US can't acknowledge that publicly." Once they acquire weapons, Lee said the nation could endanger international stability. "There is a very high likelihood that North Korea would sell nuclear weapons and technology to anyone willing to buy," he said. Poverty has led to "gross violations of human rights," Lee said. He cited statistics claiming between two and three million citizens have died from starvation over the last seven years. He also said North Korea has over 200,000 political prisoners held captive in concentration camps, and has abducted Japanese nationalists to act on their behalf. Despite flagrant violations of human rights and the imminent nuclear threat, Lee said self-interest prevents other nations from intervening. "The collapse of North Korea would mean the migration of millions of Koreans into China, which is not in its interest. South Korea has been neglecting the gross human rights violations for fear of upsetting its neighbor," Lee said. For the United States, "war is not a viable option. It would mean the loss of thousands of servicemen," Lee said. "[North Korean leader] Kim Jong-Il has stable control. It is unparalleled, and is the most successful dictatorship. He has no intention of giving up power." Some academics have voiced concerns over Bush's combative foreign policy toward the nation, including naming as member of the "axis of evil." Lee rejected these arguments. "North Korea is the problem -- not Bush, and not the US." Lee advised "continue[ing] to try to engage North Korea in diplomacy. If we could buy North Korea and its weapons, we would. But they won't play brinksmanship. North Korea has repeatedly agreed to international agreements, and they have repeatedly cheated." A citizen of South Korea, Lee received his masters and doctorate from the Fletcher School in 1998. He is currently a professor of International Politics at Fletcher and a professor of History in the College of Liberal Arts. "We learned about Professor Lee from word of mouth. We jumped on the opportunity to have him speak, and we are lucky to have such a qualified professor in our facilities. For me this was so important because North Korea is such a current threat. It is important to raise more awareness. I hope it will make people less ignorant," said senior and KSA vice-president Catherine Lee. Freshman David Huh echoed her sentiment. "[Lee] was chosen because he is both Korean and an expert on North Korea. Professor Lee gave a good foundation on the history of North Korea, and his lecture gave incredible insight on why this situation exists and why some previous foreign policies have failed." Huh expressed a desire that the lecture might help others understand for Korean students, North Korea "is an issue that strikes very deeply." KSA President Kelly Condit said, "I thought that Professor Lee's lecture was very honest and candid; he offered amazing insights into the various international and geopolitical issues surrounding North Korea." Condit said the current climate surrounding North Korea makes her uneasy. "Whenever an Asian country is politically attacked, I can't help to fear the types of repercussions that the Asian American community will have to endure at home."

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Jumbos aim for national berth

November 13

Depending on results at the Division III New England meet this weekend, members of the women's cross country team may hop a plane to Indiana for Nationals next week--or they may hang up their racing flats for the season by Saturday afternoon. The top five squads at the Div. III meet in Cumberland, Maine, will qualify as a team for NCAA's, to be held next Saturday, November 22, at Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana. While Tufts still has a shot at capturing the fifth New England team spot at nationals, the best chance of seeing a lady Jumbo race in Hanover lies in senior tri-captain Lauren Caputo, who stands in good position to qualify as an individual. Sophomore Becca Ades and senior tri-captain Lauren Dunn could potentially win individual berths at the meet also, since nine runners who are not on the top five New England teams will proceed to nationals without their teammates. Caputo has been Tufts' top finisher in all but one meet this season, and was recently named to the NESCAC All-Conference second team. That honor was bestowed upon her for placing 12th at the conference meet two weeks ago, an impressive feat considering the overwhelming strength of the NESCAC league. According to the most recent national rankings, four NESCAC teams -- Middlebury, Amherst, Williams, and Trinity -- are among the top five teams in the country. "New England on the national scene is exceptional," coach Kristen Morwick said. The region is such a powerhouse of women's cross country that it is granted more team and individual national berths than any other. Morwick suggested that the strength of the region could further help the Jumbos if they make it to Indiana. "We wouldn't be freaked out by the best teams because we already race them every week," Morwick said. Saturday, Tufts' closest competition should be Wesleyan and Bowdoin, who placed fifth and sixth at the NESCAC meet, just ahead of the seventh-place Jumbos. Bowdoin only beat Tufts by seven points though, and if each Jumbo performs up to her full potential -- which was not entirely the case at NESCAC's -- the Polar Bears should be a feasible target at Division III's. "I think we can get Bowdoin," Morwick said. "Wesleyan is a different story. We'd have to race great and catch them by surprise." The Wesleyan Cardinals are led by junior All-American Courtney Quirin, whose second-place finish at NESCAC's makes her the sole Wesleyan runner that Caputo did not beat. This weekend, Morwick hopes that Caputo can land herself in the top 15, and that Ades and Dunn can finish in the top 30. "If we can do that, then the team has a great shot, but only if the four to five runners are in the 40s," Morwick said. "Each person has an individual assignment, and if they can stick to that, we'll do really well as a team." Junior Emily Pfeil, freshmen Sarah Crispin and Sam Moland, and junior Katie Sheedy will race in Tufts' fourth through seventh slots, respectively. Crispin, a native of Auburn, Maine, will be racing on the same course where she competed throughout high school. Morwick hopes that this advantage could elicit a stellar performance from Tufts' top freshman. "She loves the course, so I think she could be our secret weapon," Morwick said. Dunn also expressed confidence in Crispin, commenting that she "still [has] a lot left in her legs, so she could have a great race." Overall, Dunn called the Tufts contingent for Div. III's a "solid seven." "We just need to stay healthy and put as many people into the [All-New England] top 35 as we possibly can," Dunn said. "We want to support everyone's individual goals along with our team goal of getting to nationals," Dunn added. Any national qualification this weekend would mean the first appearance of a Tufts woman at NCAA's since 2000, when Leslie Crofton (LA '01) took fifth in the country. Crofton's is the all-time best performance of any Tufts cross country runner, male or female, at Nationals.

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Jumbos looking to advance to Nationals

November 13

A return to the National Championship Race will be on the line for the men's cross country team when they race in the NCAA New England Championship at Southern Maine at noon tomorrow. "It's been two years since we went to Nationals," junior Nate Brigham said. "We raced badly then, so we want to get back and redeem ourselves. We took our one year hiatus, and now we're ready to return and do some damage." In order to qualify for the National Championship Race, which will be held November 22nd in Hanover, Indiana, Tufts will have to finish in fourth place or better tomorrow. Last year, Tufts missed the cut with a sixth place finish out of 35 teams, while in 2001 the squad made the nationals only to finish 23rd out of 24 teams. There is no reason to think the Jumbos won't qualify this year, as they have not finished lower than third in a race the entire season, with the exception of a ninth place finish at the All-New England Championship. However, they actually finished first out of all the Division-III competitors at the meet. For Tufts not to make nationals, four other D-III schools would have to slip in front of them tomorrow. Still, the squad is not taking the competition lightly. "We're not out of the woods with teams like Amherst and Williams," senior co-captain Peter Bromka said. "We beat them at NESCAC's so they'll be ready." While the most important thing for the Jumbos is to hold off those teams and qualify, they also want to win. "We figure if we aim to win, we'll at least qualify," Bromka said. "We don't want to set the bar too low." The battle for the New England title seems likely to come down to the Jumbos and the Keene State Owls. The Owls defeated the Jumbos in a head to head full-strength matchup on September 27th at the Jumbo Invitational, but Putnam's squad seems to be peaking at the right time. The squad opened the season by finishing as the bridesmaid in its first four races and third in its next race, but since then, the Jumbos finished as the number one D-III team at All-New England's and then captured first place in three consecutive races, including NESCAC's and ECAC's the last two weekends. "We've been doing great," Bromka said. "We're well rested and healthy and ready to go." Barring injury, Brigham, freshman Josh Kennedy, Bromka, junior Brian McNamara, and sophomores Kyle Doran, Neil Orfield, and Matt Fortin will represent Tufts. Kennedy was named NESCAC Rookie of the Year and a first team All-NESCAC selection, while Brigham, McNamara, Orfield, and Doran were second team selections. Fortin, who transferred from RIT this year, was hampered by an early season injury and has yet to garner a top five finish on the team this year. But he has completely recovered and put on a strong performance at NESCAC's. "I've got my miles and my training back up," Fortin said. "Everything feels good again and I'm ready to go." As an additional benefit, Fortin is from Maine and has raced on the course several times in high school. "I ran there several times during high school, so I know the twists and turns," he said. "Matt's definitely a guy we want running this race," Bromka added. However, Fortin is not the only Jumbo who has trekked the course before; the entire squad ran on it when they captured the Twin Brook Invitational on October 18th. Despite Tufts' win, its primary goal that day was getting a feel for the course. "Coach had us run conservatively when we went up there, and we felt uncertain but looking back it was a smart decision," Bromka said. "Now we feel like we can give more this time, rather than feeling like the course has already gotten the best of us." The Jumbos on the racing roster will go up to Maine Friday and stay in a hotel, while the rest of the team will drive up Saturday morning, ready to break out the body paint. "I'm excited and nervous," Kennedy said. "I just want to get out there with the guys and do it."

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Cartoons: Not just for Saturday Mornings any more

November 13

We all remember those days too well -- creeping out of bed early on a Saturday morning and sneaking downstairs, intent on getting to the television set before our siblings so we can switch on our favorite cartoon without elongated whining and parental intervention. But the Saturday morning cartoons of our youth are long gone for most college students, and it's not just because it requires an increased effort to pull oneself out of bed at 8 a.m. after an all-hours toga party the night before. Sadly, these days, if you go the extra mile to wake up early in the morning in order to get your weekly animation fix, you're liable to be disappointed. Cartoons used to dominate the airwaves on weekend mornings, but today, the number of networks that still show them could be counted on one hand. The Saturday morning tradition seems to have been a fad enjoyed by our generation in our youth; now that we're all but grown, it's gone the way of Popples and pogs, relegated to a back corner of the '90s psyche. But where have the cartoons gone? Surprisingly enough, many animated shows seem to have developed with us, showing now during the college kid's prime awake hours: late hours of the evening. What's more, they've taken on a much more adult timbre and tone than the Saturday morning cartoons of our sentiment past. Thundercats and Transformers have given way to programs like Futurama and The Family Guy, both of which can be caught nightly at 11 p.m. on Cartoon Network. Cartoon producers are also much more actively trying to ensnare the older crowd in a way they never did during our youth. Animated hits from the '80s and '90s, like Justice League and X-Men, are making a turn-of-the-century comeback with jazzed-up storylines and more adult jokes. Scooby-Doo has also been reanimated for the new millennium (although the villains have become, if possible, even more cheesy, and the technology jokes seem to be inserted every three lines to remind viewers just how up to date the show's writers are). Even shows that are admittedly aimed at children find ways of sneaking in just enough humor to keep their adult viewers entertained (do you really think any eight year old is going to catch any of those inserted Beatles song lyrics in Powerpuff Girls?). Weekly afternoon fare, like Batman and Superman, have a much darker, grittier edge than similar shows did ten years ago. The subject of cartoons have also drastically shifted as networks try to appeal to more adult viewers. Anime programs from Japan, restricted to the likes of Dragonball Z and Sailor Moon a few years ago, are now multiplying, giving fans a chance to get their fix without forking over hundreds of dollars for imported tapes. Also on the menu is the bastion of the '80s movie industry, including the sci-fi smash Star Wars. As the latest official addition to the Star Wars universe, the new animated series Clone Wars represents creator George Lucas' collaborative effort with the artists at Cartoon Network, bringing the heavy-lined, angular style of Cow and Chicken and Dexter's Laboratory to the world of Yoda and Anakin Skywalker. The show is publicized as an "epic microseries" with short episodes averaging three to five minutes in length, and is being simultaneously broadcast on Cartoon Network itself (with new segments airing every night at 8 p.m. for the next week) as well as being made available to viewers over the show's website. The story of Clone Wars is designed to cover a span of time in between the second and third Star Wars prequels, the latter of which is due out in theaters in 2005. The exciting plotline follows the Jedi Knights, allied with the Galactic Republic's army of cloned warriors, in their epic battle against the evil Darth Sidious and his robotic military fleet. Anakin Skywalker, in the meanwhile, inches closer and closer to becoming the villainous Darth Vader. The most intriguing aspect about the microseries is the format in which George Lucas chose to bring his story to life. The animation style itself, made popular by director Genndy Tartarkovsky in his other shows like Dexter's Laboratory and Samurai Jack, is fairly simple, but the sharp lines and bright colors allow cartoonists to add elaborate detail to the backgrounds where necessary. The fact that the entire show is animated also gives the production team much more leeway in coming up with intense battle scenes, which would have cost a fortune to produce in live action. Currently, there seems to be no logical reason why well-done cartoons can't perform on level footing with live action shows. Some of the best aspects of Clone Wars lie more in what the cartoon represents than the fierce battles on screen; if deemed a success, it may pave the way for other storytellers to turn to the same animated dramatic format. And while the networks still need proof of this phenomenon, there is no question that cartoons allow much more freedom for elaborate action sequences and exotic characters. In the end, perhaps, it is simply the only adult direction for drama to take.

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News

36 groups seek recognition

November 13

There has been a sharp increase in the number of student organizations applying for University recognition this year. Since the beginning of the semester, 36 groups have applied for temporary recognition, the first step in becoming recognized by the TCU Judiciary (TCUJ). Of those groups whose applications have advanced to the Judiciary, nine were approved, two were rejected, and three applications are currently tabled. One group withdrew its application and the remaining 21 groups have not completed the application process. Approved groups include the American Sign Language Club, the Persian Students Organization, Tufts Quiz Bowl, Tufts Vox, and the Tufts Right to Bear Arms Club. As recognized organizations, they have the right to use the Tufts name and will be able to apply for student activities funding. Last year, only 13 groups were approved during the whole year. "The current freshmen and sophomore classes are very active, they are very involved, said Director of Student Activities Jodie Nealley. "They have ideas." Several of the new groups seeking recognition are individual lobbying groups for Democratic presidential candidates. Rather than endorse one candidate, the Tufts Democrats have encouraged supporters to form independent organizations and hold events. As part of an effort to ensure only active organizations are recognized, the Judiciary derecognized groups for the first time in several years last spring. Nearly 30 groups were stripped of their school recognition, although some have applied this fall for new recognition. Queen Head's and Artichoke, a literary magazine, and Galactica, a science fiction group, were both derecognized last spring, but have since received temporary recognition. While administrators in the past have worried that the increase in student organizations would outpace funding, TCUJ Chair Abigail Moffat said the Judiciary's recognition process has not been affected. "There are now hundreds of student groups on campus, but I wouldn't call it an 'excess,'" Moffat said. "If groups are actually active, then obviously they're serving a purpose: they are enhancing the lives and experiences of Tufts undergraduates." There were 158 organizations with temporary or permanent recognition as of last Monday, according to the Office of Student Activities. A decade ago, there were 119 recognized organizations. Moffat said that with more student organizations, students may have difficulty developing unique ideas for clubs. "We are now at a point in which we have nearly 200 student organizations," Moffat said. "It is more likely now than ever that a new group would be similar to an existing group." In cases where the mission of a group seeking recognition overlaps with that of an existing group, the existing group is required to submit a letter to the Judiciary supporting the new group if it is to be recognized. The Judiciary then deliberates whether the new organization would serve an original purpose and should be recognized. Approval is not automatic, as the Tufts Bhangra Club discovered earlier this fall when its application to form a group was rejected. The Bhangra Team has existed for five years under the Tufts Association for South Asians (TASA) and had a letter of support from the TASA when it went before the Judiciary in October. The team applied for status as an independent organization to reflect the differences between it and its parent organization. "We have very specific goals," team president Priti Julka said. "TASA is very broad to the general South Asian culture. We are focused on Punjabi culture and Punjabi tradition. Although TASA promotes diversity, the majority of their members are of South Asian background, and interest for Bhangra has been shown by a very mixed population." Julka also said the team would like to host new activities, including Bhangra nights at Hotung, attend competitions at other universities, and invite professional dancers to instruct and perform. But the Judiciary rejected the Bhangra Team's application on the grounds the organization's new goals could be achieved under the TASA name. "Bhangra is doing more now and benefiting the community and its members more now [as a part of TASA] than it ever could as an independent organization," Moffat recently wrote in an e-mail to the Coalition for Social Justice. In its decision, the Judiciary said that any issues the Bhangra Team had with implementing its goals could be solved by improved communication with the TASA board. The Bhangra Team plans to appeal the decision to the Committee on Student Life (CSL) after it receives the minutes of the Judiciary's meetings. The Tufts Trumpet Ensemble was the other group whose application for recognition was rejected. The applications of the Tufts League of Independent Voters, the Paintball Club, and Dialogue have been tabled pending receipt of further information. The groups were given an additional 30 days to collect the necessary information and reapply to the Judiciary. The Judiciary initially tabled the recognition application of the Tufts University Presents Archeology Club (TUPAC) because it questioned the "viability" of the membership list the group submitted. According to the letter, a substantial portion of the membership resided within the same Hillsides suite and included a number of students "who do not appear to have any direct affiliation with an interest in archaeology." But TUPAC organizer Jason Bauer explained that the group of students in the suite became friends on the archaeological dig. "Even though we don't think that we should have to, we are working at getting more classics and archaeology majors to join," Bauer said. The Judiciary recognized TUPAC after reviewing an updated membership list last Thursday. "We got another list of names and I guess it was acceptable [to the TCUJ]," Bauer said. Students seeking to form a new organization must first receive temporary recognition from Nealley. This allows the group to hold a general interest meeting, advertise, and recruit 15 members. To gain permanent recognition an organization needs to meet with the Judiciary's New Club Recognition Chair, Jordana Starr. After receiving a sample constitution and checklist, groups have thirty days to appear before the Judiciary. While many groups seek temporary recognition, several of them never make it to a hearing. Organizations that fail to recruit 15 members or write a constitution must wait until the next academic year before they can reapply for recognition.

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News

Bare Bodkin hosts first ever marathon theater festival

November 13

To put on a play takes weeks of rehearsal and meticulous planning, right? Well, not necessarily: last Friday night, I gathered in Alumni Lounge with 16 other people to begin the Bare Bodkin Theater Company's first ever 24 Hour Theater Festival. Starting with only our loopy imaginations on Friday night, we participants were then divided into three groups each having to create a 22 minute play to perform the following evening. It was as crazy as it sounds. The only requirement, besides the time limit, was that all three plays would have the same opening line that was picked out of a hat filled with suggested lines. After dividing up and receiving the opening quote of "Don't Provoke me. Don't you dare provoke me," the groups then went off to various locations around campus to begin writing their scripts. At first this seemed like a tremendously daunting task for my group as we sat around my living room staring at blank notebooks. However, as soon as some ideas were thrown on the table, we eventually decided on a concept and forged ahead bravely into the night. In accordance with the rules of the "24-Hour Theater Festival," by noon the next day, each group had to turn in a finished script with technical cues. After this deadline, neither additional lighting nor sound elements could be added to any show. Other than that, anything could be changed right up until the performance at 9pm on Saturday when the groups would present their final product. For our group, the most difficult aspect of the experience was incorporating everybody's ideas while at the same time not devoting too much effort on one section of the script. As the night wore on and the pressure to finish became stronger, our beds seemed more and more enticing. Fellow group member senior Jenn Henriksson commented that the hardest part of the evening was, "staying awake at 4am." Other groups encountered similar problems. Junior drama major Dan Balkin said that his group had trouble tying the show together and that "with more time we could have gotten the concept to make more sense to the audience". However, the intense process proved to be both wacky and fun. All three groups chose to write comedies, so the processes mainly consisted of churning out funny situations. One of the more astounding aspects of the 24-Hour Theater Festival was that through the element of collaboration, the melding of everyone's ideas resulted in an end product that was better than anyone could have written on their own. The plays were judged on Saturday night by a panel of celebrity judges including: Tyler Duckworth, self-proclaimed "homecoming queen;" Amber Madison, Tufts Daily sex columnist and cast member of MTV's The Real Cancun; Barbara Grossman, chair of the Department of Drama and Dance; Virginia Johnson, costume design faculty; and Allan Rice, director of Cheap Sox. The celebrity panel judged the three plays by criteria such as originality and artistic merit and declared a winner at the end of the evening. However, the real winner of the night was the Bare Bodkin, for successfully getting both cast and audience members to celebrate theatre at its grassroots. In spite of the participants' fatigue, the end results were outstanding, mostly because of the amount of energy generated by an energetic and enthusiastic audience. The unrehearsed nature of the shows also gave it an innate excitement The performance really illustrated that one of the key ingredients for successful theater is spontaneity, freshness, and collaboration. Each bitingly witty play had a unique style and concept. The Bare Bodkin Theater Company hopes to continue the precedent it set this semester and make the 24-Hour Theater Festival one of its trademark events. As Balkin put it, "it was bare bodtastic!"

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