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From Fall Fest to Fall Ball: a new tradition

September 14

Fall Ball rocked the Gantcher Center last Friday in what the TCU Senate is hoping will be a start of a new annual tradition. This was the first year that the traditional Fall Fest concert and carnival was replaced with a semi-formal style dance featuring DJ Kid Capri. Last year, because the Fall Fest's format was changed due to a lack of funding, it bore more of a resemblance to a carnival. The Senators were looking for a way to reinstate a memorable University-wide event while remaining on the tighter budget. "Fall Ball will be a much more economical activity in being able to put on a better event for about a quarter the cost to students," explained TCU Treasurer Josh Belkin. Fall Fest used to cost the Senate an average of $35,000 every year, while Fall Ball 2003 cost only $8,500. The remaining $26,500 will then be used to subsidize the 135 TCU funded student organization budgets. "The smaller Fall Fest was, largely, an unsuccessful endeavor. When it came time to discuss the issue of reinstating Fall Fest last year, the largely freshmen body had little reason to have faith in, or continue with, a tradition that they had never really experienced," senior and former senator Julia Karol said. "We realized that only 50 percent of this year's student body knew of Fall Fest as a concert event so if we wanted to change the event's shape, this was the time to do so," says sophomore Jeffrey Katzin, the Senate Historian. The decision was made not to hold the event on the quad but at the Gantcher Center, which is the only facility on campus that can hold the entire student body. Concerts are prohibited at Gantcher but according to TCU President Chike Aguh, he was "able to lobby effectively for use of the facility to the administration." "The only reason concerts have not previously been held there is due to the lack of audio insulation of the venue," said Katzin. "However, we have taken measures to reduce the amount of sound leaking out of the building and have personally delivered letters to neighboring residents that are within a designated distance of the Gantcher Center." The Senate decided to hold the function in this format due to the lack of a school-wide dance during the year. All of the decision making powers concerning the event lay in the hands of the TCU President. "The exact form of Fall Ball was left up to the discretion of the President and it was left to the President to plan Fall Ball over the summer," said Aguh. Aguh raised the extra funding needed for the event during his time on-campus all summer lobbying for various issues with administrators. Aguh said that after the disappointment of the rain-related cancellation of Spring Fling last year, the Senate did not want any weather concerns interfering with Fall Ball. Katzin also noted that with the crackdown on campus social life, there was need for another event. "With scrutiny coming down the pipeline regarding the Naked Quad Run and regarding Greek Life, it seemed like it was time to start a new tradition on campus which is what we hope to get out of Fall Ball -- an annual event that will be the main social function of the fall, much like Spring Fling is to the second semester," he said. In previous years, performances by bands like Save Ferris, Deep Banana Blackout, and the Gza headlined Fall Fest. "After much debate, the Senate decided to cancel Fall Fest for a year to help with the budget problem," said Karol. "This was one of the many contentious debates that year." According to Aguh, the dress code -- no jeans, no T-shirts, no sneakers -- was in place to differentiate this event from other parties that are held in Dewick and other facilities. The expected turnout for this event was 1500 to 2000 people. Freshman Mackenzie Moffat found the Fall Ball "a great way to bring the community together. It was a really fun atmosphere." She also expressed a desire to have more events like this The entire University was welcome, and the admission, drinks, and food were all free. Before the event, the Senate conducted a poll on its web site which Tuftslife posted a link to for several weeks. Katzin says that the results showed that an overwhelming majority liked the idea of a Fall Ball as opposed to a concert, carnival, or other event. "The administration liked the idea so much that a lot of the funding and manpower needed for the event has come from various offices across campus," he said.

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News

Men's cross country has the bar set high

September 11

Last year was the rebuilding year. This is the year to get it done. With a team that is talented, experienced, well-bonded, essentially injury-free, and so deep that Coach Connie Putnam simply could not stop rattling off names of potential contributors, the men's cross country team is poised to have one of its most successful seasons ever, and they know it. "There's a certain confidence among the guys, even coach," senior co-captain Peter Bromka said. "We expect to be really good." The Jumbos return 12 of their top 13 runners and both co-captains from last year's team, which finished sixth in New England. "We're definitely very comfortable with each other," sophomore Matt Lacey said. "It's like last year's team, only we're in better shape and more experienced." Leading the team is junior All-American Nate Brigham. "He's a killer front runner," Putnam said, "And when he gets a low number at the top of the pack, it lets us race four on five against the other teams." Right behind him are Lacey and "his partner in crime," sophomore Neil Orfield. Both runners finished among the top seven at last weekend's Hayseed Classic. Fellow classmates Kyle Doran and Mike Cummings could also play a role. But while talent is crucial, all good teams need senior leadership. Unlike last year's team, which lost four seniors out of its top seven to graduation in 2002, this team has five solid fourth years: Peter Jurczynski, James Lamoureux, two-time co-captains Bromka and Jon Rosen, and Ian Joseph. Joseph finished first on the team in the Alumni Race after he worked over the summer to get into what Putnam called "the best shape of his life." Brigham, Lacey, Bromka, Rosen, Cummings, Orfield, Joseph, and Jurczynski all had at least two top five finishes last year. That roster does not even include juniors Brian MacNamara and Mike Don, who were injured last season after racing in Nationals as freshmen, nor does it mention Rochester Institute of Technology transfer sophomore Matt Fortin. If that wasn't enough talent, the Jumbos also boast a deep freshman class, highlighted by Josh Kennedy and Dan Sullivan. Simply put, this team is stacked. "There's going to be ten quality runners who won't even run varsity," junior Mike Don said. "We basically have three varsity teams." While that might cause a problem on some teams, it will not for the Jumbos. "Last year we tried to build as much team energy and chemistry as possible," Bromka said. "And we carried that into this year, because we know we can fire on all cylinders." The NCAA coaches recognized the Jumbos' potential in their Sept. 10 poll, voting Tufts #12 in the nation and behind only perennial power Keene State in New England. But the squad is aiming even higher. "We think we'll place higher than we currently are in both polls," Bromka said. Considering Tufts is ranked second in New England right now, the statement leaves little doubt about where it wants to be at the end of the season. "Our goals are to win NESCACs, ECACs, the New England Regionals, and get to Nationals," Rosen said. "It's an ambitious set of goals, but we have a good team and we'd like to give it a shot." The runners, however, are quick to draw the line between confident and cocky. "We've learned from the past not to think too highly of ourselves or what others think of us," Bromka said. Two seasons ago, the Jumbos were ranked extremely high before they flopped, finishing 23rd out of 24 teams at Nationals. "I don't like being ranked so high," Don said. "It doesn't mean anything until we prove ourselves." Indeed, the team has never won NESCACs nor New Englands, so they shouldn't get ahead of themselves. But everything is pointing in the right direction, including the fact that the team has managed to avoid the serious injury bug that nabbed Don and MacNamara last season. Right now, Fortin is out with a deep bruise but should be back within ten days, and Joseph has a strained foot tendon but should be back by the Jumbo Invitational on Sept. 27. That race will be important because not only will the team be racing for pride but, according to Putnam, that is when a steady varsity roster will be determined. "Right now we're trying to stack things so guys run two out of three weekends," Brian MacNamara said. "Then down the stretch guys will be rested and we'll be able to go with our best." "Last year we were young and unproven," Bromka said. "Now, we're still somewhat unproven, but in the past we were more anxious, not we're just excited."

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News

Sullivan takes over as department chair

September 11

Political Science Professor Vickie Sullivan now chairs of one of Tufts' largest departments this week. She replaces James Glaser, who became the Dean of the Colleges for Undergraduate Education this week. As the new chair, Sullivan said her priority is to maintain an environment where the political science faculty can be "as effective as possible for all students." The most important task for the department this year, according to department members, is hiring. "Our faculty determines the character of the entire political science department," Sullivan said. "That is of utmost importance to me right now." The department's faculty is currently short by three positions, while enrollment in political science classes is at a historically high level. This semester, 1,376 students are enrolled in political science classes, 46 percent more than two years ago. "This comes as both a blessing and a challenge for the future," Sullivan said. "It's incredibly exciting for our entire faculty that so many students are enrolling." However, she recognizes the challenge that the understaffed department faces of assuring that all students have a fulfilling experience in political science classes. With the loss of Glaser as a full professor, the department is currently searching for a new professor of American Politics, which has proven challenging. "Glaser has been an incredibly effective teacher," Sullivan said. "It will be a huge hurdle to find someone who can even approach him in terms of his ability to connect with his students." According to Sullivan, finding new professors of comparable prestige to the rest of the department will be a challenge as well. Tufts typically seeks professors of recognized expertise, and most applicants have published scholarly articles. Two faculty-authored books will be released this year, and eight more are scheduled for the next two years. A handful of assistant professors will be up for review this spring. The entire department will be helping lead these junior faculty members through the review process. "It's important to all of us to continue the success of political science at Tufts," Sullivan said. "We've built quite the momentum over the past few years, and we intend to try our best to continue facilitating that same productivity."

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News

Drama department institutes new major requirements

September 11

Increasing the amount of specific required courses, and forcing its students to experience a wider spectrum within the world of drama the drama major has been revamped for the fall semester. Although the course load has not increased significantly, jumping from 10 to 11, the requirements themselves have been significantly reworded. Additionally, the requirement of working on the run and preparation crews for faculty directed major productions (non-credit) has also increased. According to Department Chair, Barbara Grossman, the reasoning behind these changes was to increase flexibility within the major, after all, "a 20th century course in modern dance is rather important!" she said. The reshuffling of courses includes changing one of the electives in literature, history, or theory of drama to a requirement for Drama 4 -- which is "Twentieth-Century Drama." What was previously a requirement for one credit in design or technical theater is now two specific courses. Also, the requirement for a studio dance or acting class has been increased to two. In the same manner, the three electives in the student's specific area of interest have been reduced to two. Current Drama majors have the option of completing their studies using the old concentration requirements, but Grossman believes that most students do not have any problems with the change. Junior Daniel Balkin, a drama major, welcomed the change, agreeing with the increased technical and design classes. "I feel like it gives students an extra...it gives you another side of theater, which I think every actor should have." Balkin emphasized the utility of these courses for students who have focused more on the acting side of the dramatic arts. "There are so many different angles that have to be worked in, I think it's a good idea to have everybody have a taste of all the other aspects," he said. According to Grossman the Drama major emphasizes a broad range of styles and techniques both in class, rehearsal and performance, and the major offers a challenging theater arts program that encourages creativity and gives a wide exposure to the various aspects of the dramatic arts. Along with altering their basic requirements, the Drama faculty will be re-examining their core history classes, DR 1, "Comedy and Tragedy", DR 4, DR 137 "Prehistory through the Renaissance", and DR 138, "The Early Modern Period", since there is concern about overlap. Grossman said the Department wants to find a different way to construct the curriculum and hopes to bring their concerns to committee by the end of the year. In the interim, she encourages students to experience all aspects of the theater world, and to understand their quest for knowledge as an evolving intellectual and creative process that will contribute to the cultural enrichment of Tufts and the community at large.

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News

Finding your place in the Tufts art scene

September 11

Within the Tufts community there is a club or organization for pretty much everyone. Of the countless organizations, the arts and performance arts have one of the most eclectic as well as numerous selections. Here is a brief overview of the arts organizations as well as the contact information for those who are interested. 16mm: 16mm offers Tufts students the opportunity to learn about and participate in the filmmaking process. The organization holds a variety of events and has produced a number of student films. For more information go to http://ase.tufts.edu/16mm/ or contact David D'Onofrio at ddonof01@tufts.edu. >A CAPELLA: The several A Capella troupes on campus all have an individual personality and flavor and all require auditions. They are The Amalgamates, Tufts oldest coed group; the Beelzebubs, Tufts' oldest all male group; Essence, a group promoting black popular music on campus; the Jackson Jills, Tufts' only all female group; Shir Appeal, a coed group associated with Hillel; and sQ! Tufts'd newest coed group. For contact information on all A Capella groups visit the Tufts Student Organization web page, and keep your eyes peeled on campus for audition announcements. >BARE BODKIN: Tufts' newest student-run performing arts organization features plays written, directed, and performed by members of the Tufts community. For information on upcoming auditions and events see the Balch Arena announcement board. >BEATS: To bang drums and be a part of Tufts' only all percussive performance group contact Steve, Chris, Vijay, or Josh at tuftsbeats@yahoo.com . >CHEAPSOX: The on campus improv troupe features a group of wacky, fun, impromptu, and generally silly individuals performing improvisational skits using specific games and techniques. Auditions are required. For information contact Allan Rice at allan.rice@tufts.edu. >CRAFTS CENTER: An "oh so groovy place to hang out and make stuff," the Crafts Center is located in Lewis Hall and provides materials for various artistic endeavors including paper marbling, candle making, paper making, fimo, jewelry making, and ceramics. For information Caroline at caroline.davis@tufts.edu. >EXPLOSION LATINA DANCE TROUPE: For an authentic Latin dancing experience with explosive movements and smooth beats, contact Angie Pillier at latinadulce26@msn.com. >HYPE MIME GROUP: Hype's innovative performances offer the perfect mixture of lyrical movement and dramatic intonation. Auditions are required for this small mime troupe, and dance experience is helpful, although not obligatory. Contact Max at Max.Dionne@tufts.edu for more information. >INSTITUTE FOR BETTER ANIME: For information on this mysterious organization contact Theo Benson at theophilus.benson@tufts.edu. >JUMBO MARCHING BAND: This non-marching "pep" band makes musical appearances at all Tufts football and basketball games as well as being involved in the outreach program. For information on how to become part of the Tufts Marching Band, please regard the Tufts Student Activities website. >PEN, PAINT, AND PRETZELS (3PS): 3Ps is committed to encouraging theatrical interests and endeavors at Tufts by supporting and performing entirely student run shows, including but not limited to original plays by members of the Tufts community. For information contact Megan Hammer at o megan.hammer@tufts.edu r visit the Balch Arena announcement board. >SARABANDE: Sarabande offers a professional atmosphere to both dancers and choreographers with an array of eclectic dance disciplines and styles. Dances are choreographed by troupe members. For audition information please e-mail Lauren Rochell at Lauren.rochell@tufts.edu . >SPIRIT OF COLOR: Spirit of Color is another of Tufts' premier dance groups featuring an especially "loud" variety of hip hop, jazz, and ethnic dancing. Each performance also includes a wild intermission dance contest. For information on how to get involved contact Vijay at vijay.nathan@tufts.edu . >TORN TICKET II: Torn Ticket II is Tufts student run musical theater group. The group puts on at least two full scale musicals a year with other "minor" shows throughout. For information visit the Balch Arena for posted audition announcements or contact Kalani Hawks at kristen.hawks@tufts.edu >TRAVELING TREASURE TRUNK: This colorful troupe specializes in children's theater and performs at many children's venues within the wider Boston and Tufts communities. For audition information contact Erica Kung at Erica.kung@tufts.edu. >TUFTS DANCE COLLECTIVE: This dance organization is open to dancers at all levels and encourages artistic expression through workshops, jam sessions, films, master classes, and their end of semester concert. For information contact Tufts_Dance_Collective@hotmail.com . >TUFTS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: Be a part of Tufts' only complete symphony orchestra by contacting Malka at malka.yaacobi@tufts.edu for audition information. >TUFTS UNIVERSITY WIND ENSEMBLE: Play and travel with 50 other wind ensemble artists who play concert band music from Sousa to Hindemith. The group also plays music for smaller ensembles and has traveled to Ireland, Disney World, and London. For audition information contact chasemcc@rcn.com . >TURBO: To be a part of Tufts' only break dancing troupe please contact David at David.Laporte@tufts.edu .

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News

Freshmen senators elected

September 11

Nine freshmen were added to the Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate yesterday and two students were elected to the TCU-J yesterday after voting concluded in an online election. Twenty-four freshmen ran for senate seats, ten more than last year. Thirty-four percent of the class of 2007, or 480 students, cast ballots online. Although the entire undergraduate population was eligible to vote in the TCU-J election, only 18 percent of students voted. Seven students ran for the two open seats on the J. The TCU-J election was held after only five people ran for seven open seats on the Judiciary in the spring. Senior Michael Douglas, who served on the Judiciary for all of last year, originally planned not to run because he will graduate in December. Douglas decided to run after he heard about the vacancies and was convinced he would not be "depriving anyone" by serving. Douglas was elected, and will only serve during the fall semester To be eligible for the elections, candidates were required to attend a meeting held by the Elections Board (ELBO) on Monday night. At the meeting, ELBO members explained election rules and candidates were required to submit their petitions. Freshmen running for Senate were required to collect 100 signatures; students running for the TCU-J needed 50. At a forum at Hotung Caf?© Tuesday night, senate candidates read statements on their campaigns and fielded questions from the audience. Attendance at the forum was light and consisted mostly of current senators. Freshman Jessica Feinberg, who was elected to a senate seat, discussed her participation in her high school's student government and a desire to become involved at Tufts. Another elected candidate, freshman Zach Landau, said he was encouraged to get involved by his successful first two weeks on campus. He added that he "loved the idea of students being given the opportunity to have a strong voice." Landau promised in his campaign to solicit feedback from peers and printed his address and phone numbers on all his campaign posters. The audience questioned candidates for the TCU-J to gauge their opinion on the new TCU constitution, which was passed in May, their reasons for running, and how they would uphold the laws of the judiciary. Douglas highlighted the accomplishments of last year's Judiciary in his speech. "I think last year the J did a good job doing a number of things," he said. "There were situations that arose that were difficult to solve because of ambiguities but I think that the J did an excellent job of handling those situations." According to results released by the Elections Board (ELBO) yesterday, the new Freshmen senators are Michael Abare, Andrew Caplan, Jessica Feinberg, Brody Hale, Zach Landau, Jamil Ludd, Harish Perkari, Simon Sassenberg and Nick Schrobock. The TCU-J seats went to senior Michael Douglas and junior Shaharris Beh.

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News

Crimson' sues university over police reports

September 11

A student newspaper at Harvard has filed a lawsuit against the Ivy League institution that, if successful, would require university police departments to publicly release more information about incidents of crime on campus. The Harvard Crimson, Harvard's daily student newspaper, filed a suit this summer against the Harvard University Police Department (HUPD) demanding the department comply with the same public records laws as other police departments. The paper is represented in the suit by the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. Many university police departments, including the Tufts University Police Department (TUPD), release only brief descriptions of campus incidents. In contrast regular police forces must make available detailed reports. Since HUPD employs special state police officers, Crimson President Amit Paley maintains it is subject to public records laws. But, as Paley explained, Harvard contends that it is not subject to public records laws since it is a private institution employing a police department. "The University contends that since it is a private institution employing a police department, HUPD is a private police force and not subjected to public records law," he said. The difference between the brief police logs and detailed crime reports is length and breadth. The Crimson wants more details, such as access to confessions, racial profiles of suspects and victims, and the specifics of the incident. In a Crimson article, Harvard spokesman Alan Stone countered that releasing records with personal information would violate students' right to privacy. Even if HUPD did not release the names of students involved in campus incidents, revealing specific locations and physical descriptions could be enough to identify the parties involved. But because Harvard is a private institution operating a police force, HUPD officers may not qualify as agents of the state, according to the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA). "I don't know of any federal laws requiring a private police department to release their records," IACLEA President Dolores Stafford told the Crimson. "They are still considered private agencies, even if they receive their police authority through the state." But the IACLEA's official position on campus law enforcement recommends there be no distinction between public and private law enforcement practices. One of the association's official position statements says "whether law enforcement is a proprietary function of the campus or the public services offered through the state/province or municipality, citizen access to the criminal justice system is to be ensured." Paley contends that HUPD should be subject to the same records laws as a regular police force. "The HUPD consists of real police officers, not a bunch of security guards standing around," he said. "They also serve the Commonwealth and respond to incidents outside of Harvard." The Crimson's requests for information are not the only ones HUPD has received, but the newspaper is the first to take the issue to court. Community residents have reportedly complained about HUPD's refusal to release incident reports. Mark Goodman, the executive director of the Washington DC-based Student Press Law Center and an expert in media law, believes the Crimson has a strong claim. "This is an important case," he said in a telephone interview. "It's hard to argue when a police department exercises lawful authority, they shouldn't be obligated to public records law." Goodman referred to a similar case in the '90s at the University of Richmond, where the student newspaper sued for access to criminal reports. Though the Virginia court ruled against the newspaper, the court amended the law one year later, subjecting the university's police force to public records laws. "Massachusetts law is significantly different," Goodman explained. "And the Crimson's case is stronger than that of Richmond's." In Massachusetts, the Clery Act requires all private colleges to maintain and make available weekly police logs. But the Crimson wants more information. "There is a clear connection between information and public safety," said Paley, who believes the release of more detailed crime reports will improve campus safety. The threat of notoriety could also deter potential criminals, he said. John King, Tufts' director of public and environmental safety, said Tufts' stance is similar to Harvard's. Tufts only releases the details of a crime after receiving a written request explaining the need. "[From] time to time, we'll make incident reports available for things like stolen laptops, because the insurance companies need police incident reports from the students," he said. By state law, TUPD officers have authority throughout the entire Commonwealth. But TUPD officers usually only respond to off-campus calls when an incident involves Tufts students, such as loud parties. The department has not received any complaints about its records policy from Tufts, Medford, or Somerville. "If anyone has questions regarding an incident at Tufts, they can contact us and we can talk about it with them, if we can't release the incident on paper," King said. "We won't release sexual assault cases, but our philosophy is not to keep this information from people -- but we want to protect the privacy of individuals." In addition, Tufts' police log is printed in issues of The Tufts Observer, which tries to anonymously cover any incident. Often, the magazine reports on loud parties, alcohol confiscation, and illegal drug usage incidents.

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News

Women's Soccer prepares for first NESCAC matchup vs. Amherst

September 11

Last season, the women's soccer team went to Amherst on Sept. 14 in what was certainly one of their biggest games of the season. Fresh off an ill-fated loss to the Gordon Scots the week before, the Jumbos headed west to face the then-second ranked team in the nation. The Jumbos left Amherst with their biggest upset of the season, a 1-0 win on a low liner into the corner of the net by then-sophomore Jen Baldwin. The victory sparked the Jumbos to take nine out of 10 contests over the next month. The tables have turned this year, as the Jumbos play host to Amherst this upcoming Saturday at 11 at Kraft Field. As of September 8th, the Jumbos are ranked third in New England and 16th in the country, while the Jeffs are nowhere to be found in the top 10 or top 25 rankings. Amherst, fresh off its loss last weekend to Connecticut College, is licking its chops at a chance to play the Jumbos in Medford and avenge last year's loss. "Any NESCAC opponent is very, very tough. Especially Amherst, coming off its first NESCAC loss, is going to come out hungry for the win and play hard for 90 minutes," coach Martha Whiting said. "It's going to be a tough game because they certainly do not want to lose two straight conference games." The Jumbos will look to feed off the momentum from their 7-0 clobbering of the Gordon Scots last Tuesday. The offense will be led by junior Baldwin, senior Jessica Trombly, classmate Becca Doigan, the team's leading scorer thus far, and speedy sophomore Sarah Callaghan. With the graduation of senior co-captain and team leader goalie Brooke Diamond, the four attackers along with the rest of the Jumbo lineup will look to put pressure on sophomore keeper Lauren Coape-Arnold by taking lots of shots and trying to get easy goals off deflections and rebounds. The midfield, patrolled by juniors Sarah Gelb, Becky Greenstein, and Alina Schmidt, and sophomores Lindsay Garmirian and Lydia Claudio, will look to transition the ball from defense to offense and keep the flow of the game as fast as possible. "We're going to need to play at a quicker pace than we did against Gordon," senior co-captain Abby Herzberg said. "We, though especially the midfielders, are going to have less time and less open space with the ball and we just have to stick to our fundamentals." Herzberg and fellow senior co-captain Jess Lovitz will lead the defensive charge against the Jeffs. The Jumbos defense has been their strong suit over the past few seasons, allowing a mere .67 goals per game last season. The two seniors will be joined by junior sweeper Catherine Benidict, sophomore outside back Ariel Samulelson, and Schmidt. Benedict, who didn't practice for a good portion of the preseason due to injury, never thinks twice about sacrificing her body for the ball and is often the first player on the ground scrambling for possession. Samuelson, who played attack on her club team for the better part of high school, is extremely quick and can beat almost every offensive player to the ball. The Jumbos will be led by junior keeper Meg McCourt, who even last season, has let up just two goals in her last eight games. She only faced one shot in 78 minutes against Gordon. "The Amherst game is going to be much, much tougher than the Gordon game," McCourt said. "We're going to need more communication, especially within the back four girls and quicker pressure on the ball in the center of the field." The Jeffs will look for support up front from All-NESCAC Second Team senior tri-captain Sara Elkins and fellow captain and classmate Jenny Rossman, who leads all Jeffs with 21 career assists. The Jeffs return their top four scorers as well in juniors Ashley Harmeling, Adrienne Showler, Lee-Jay Henry and Tracy Montigny. Harmeling, the Jeffs' top scorer, ranked sixth in the NESCAC in goals per game (0.60) and finished ninth in the NESCAC in points per game (1.27). "This Saturday is a big game for us," Callaghan said. "We just have to focus one day at a time at practice and work hard to get physically and mentally ready."

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News

Seven Questions with Reid Palmer

September 11

Campus Celebrity (n.) - That guy who walks around campus who everybody knows. You really can't figure out why the person is a spectacle, but you always recognize him. There are legends of this person's antics; basically a campus celebrity is living history. This week's Seven Questions is with one of Tufts University's premiere campus celebrities, Reid Palmer. Palmer is a senior and starter on the football team, but remains one of the nicest guys around. If you don't know Palmer, he is a tall light skin kid in the liberal arts, as well as museum school usually wearing an outfit that appears to have no color scheme. Luckily, I caught up with Palmer in the athletic training room icing his painting hand after football practice, and naturally Seven Questions followed. 1. This season, is it possible for you to become sack-master Reid Palmer? It is definitely a possibility. Although I may not be rushing the passer as much this season, NESCAC passers should be on the look out. 2. How did you get into art and football? Did the two always go hand and hand with you? Well I got into art because I hate homework, and I got into football because being tired from practice was always an excuse not to do anything at home. So really it was an issue of not wanting to do anything except play Playstation. 3. You and Randy Newsom were roommates sophomore year, he wanted me to ask who won the contest. I mean I don't know why that is even a question. Who do you think won? >4. Do you wake up every day and pick out clothes that do not match on purpose? Well I don't have windows in my room this year, so when I come out of that cave, what I'm wearing is a surprise to me. As for all the years before this magical one, my excuse is going to have to be: I spent all my money the night before and wrecked the matching outfit by spilling cape coder on it. 5. Now that DU is out of commission, what are non-frat football players doing to relieve stress? If by relieve stress, you mean using the dimly lit DU basement to seduce women, I would like to bring to your attention that the Squire (Gentleman's Club) does not have a cover charge on Sunday night. 6. I hear Coach John Walsh, the team's defensive coordinator, has a lot of sayings. What is your favorite? I am going to have to say "crank it up" which can be used both on and off the field. For example: no cover charge at the Squire, Crank it up. 7. What makes Reid Palmer, Reid Palmer? It can't be explained, it must be experienced, and unfortunately for you E, I'm not a switch hitter. By Elliott Wiley

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News

The search for a reliable source

September 11

The ongoing conflict in Iraq has occupied the forefront of American consciousness for much of the past year. Many Tufts students have relied upon a variety of sources -- Internet, television, and newspapers -- to stay informed. Other students, however, display a lesser degree of commitment to staying abreast of the current situation in Iraq. University professors, while generally more informed than students, are also more highly critical of the media's news coverage and seek to make their students similarly savvy media consumers. "[Students] paid more attention [to the news] than usual... [But] students generally regard skimming headlines on the Internet as an adequate source of news," Political Science Professor Jeffrey Berry said. "You have to read a high-quality newspaper every day." Students, like Berry, frequently place greater trust in print journalism than in television news: "I'm more confident in the newspapers over the news, because depending on the channel they [can be] idiots," sophomore Daniela Mauro said. Many students said, however, that they tend to watch TV news programs more frequently than they read newspapers. This is partly because watching the news is more convenient than reading the paper: "I can put the news on in the background while I do work," sophomore Liz Halperin said. Despite its convenience, however, television news may not be an accurate source of information on the war with Iraq, according to Berry. He is wary of television news, particularly news talk shows: "They're not often informative, and are often so heavily ideological that you have to discount [them]," Berry said. "Given the low quality of TV news, I really wish students would listen to NPR [National Public Radio], where there is a tremendous amount of news and analysis." Political Science Professor Robert Eichenberg says that it is up to the viewer how to interpret their news sources. "Sophisticated media consumers always filter [for bias]," he said. Eichenberg finds such bias in abundance on channels such as Fox News. "I know that Fox News is biased; so do the people who watch Fox News," he said. Several students expressed opinions similar to Eichenberg's and found that they had less confidence in certain news channels. "I trusted Fox News the least, because they were strongly pro-war," sophomore Austen Eadie-Friedmann said. "I found the conservative anchors to be biased in their reporting." Freshman Liz Kulik agreed, calling Fox News "very right-wing and harsh." Sophomore Jenn Cantelmi takes her distrust of the news even further. "I don't trust American news on TV at all, because they're always focused on vocal issues to get people's attention," she said. "They never talk about international issues unless they directly affect the U.S. It's very one-sided...it seems like they're going for the entertainment aspect instead of straight reporting." Like Cantelmi, Kulik was frustrated by television news in general. "I was glued to CNN at the beginning," she said. "As the war dragged on, I became more frustrated with TV coverage, and started using the Internet because it's more selective." The Internet has significantly changed the way students inform themselves. Online news sites are a very popular source of war information because of their convenience. According to a study by San Diego State University, Internet news sources are enjoying increasing success due to their availability and accessibility. In addition, online news coverage can be more engaging and interactive, with 24-hour streaming video and interactive surveys. Online sources also offer students more choices. During the first Gulf War, multimedia coverage consisted of two forms: print journalism (newspapers and magazines) and broadcast journalism (television and radio).Today, online media features a blend of the two, with access to video clips, full text stories and sound bites. The internet does not escape from bias and inaccuracy, however, as there is often less fact-checking and more ambiguity than in broadcast and print journalism. Professors tend to rely more heavily on newspapers than other forms of coverage. Partly, this is generational: "I grew up in an age of newspapers," Berry said. According to Eichenberg, "Media consumption habits have a lot to do with lifestyle differences." "I drive a lot, which dictates a choice -- I use the radio," Eichenberg added. "Students are usually not 'radio people'." "Newspapers offer depth in a way TV doesn't," Berry said. The professors quoted, as well as the students quoted, cited The New York Times as their most trusted overall source of news. Newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, The L.A. Times, and The Washington Post were also regarded highly by the University professors quoted. "I didn't care much for the [Wall Street Journal]'s position editorially, but their coverage was pretty strong," Berry said. Eichenberg, who teaches the heavily-media reliant course "Public Opinion and Foreign Policy," uses the Internet as a supplement to newspaper-reading. "Part of my job is to be thoroughly informed," he said. "I look at quality sources of news every night for the next day's news." Eichenberg cited the Washington Post, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and The Guardian as sites he regularly checked. "This is where the advent of the Internet makes my job cheaper and easier," he said.

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News

Jason Mraz: see him live, see his star rise

September 11

Your average music fan might not realize it, but there is much more to Jason Mraz - the new "it" guitarist-singer-songwriter-every-girl-wants-him rising pop star - than his hit single, "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)." We may have all heard his trademark number a few too many times by now, but as many young music listeners around North America are quickly discovering, Mraz isn't just a manufactured pretty face. With his beautifully flawless voice, true talent for songwriting, and an astounding stage presence, Mraz has become a deserving musician who thoroughly respects his art. Having been a devoted Jason fan since my junior year in high school (I'm a sophomore now) and having already passed up the chance to see him in concert a year ago, I jumped at the opportunity to finally see Jason Mraz in person when I found out that he was going to be rocking the Roxy on Sept. 3. I raced downtown after a day of classes to meet my friends, most of whom had been waiting in line since two o' clock that afternoon. Even five hours before the show was supposed to start, the queue stretched halfway down the block and was filled with excited fans, many wearing trucker hats. Two hours later, the doors finally opened; everyone raced in to stake out their spots around the stage. Almost three hours passed before Jason hit the stage. One might think that performing would have become a little monotonous after touring the continent for over a year, but the band conveyed the exact opposite message to the audience. The show's opening was solid and powerful, and it was obvious from the crowd's reaction that they could feel the anticipation. The six-piece band played an amazing set, which included songs both on and off Mraz's debut album, Waiting For My Rocket To Come. In fact, as the lucky audience soon learned, many of Mraz's best songs are not even included on his CD. The performance included a fair collection of his less-publicized pieces, like "Unfold," "Halfway Home," "So Unusual," and an acoustic version of "Did I Fool Ya?," along with a series of Mraz's better-known hits off his CD: "You & I Both," "No Stopping Us," and, of course, "The Remedy." Memorable numbers include a show-stopping rendition of "Common Pleasure;" the compelling "Tonight, Not Again;" a cover of the Kermit-the-Frog hit, "Rainbow Connection," complete with a whistling interlude by bongo-player-extraordinaire Toca Rivera; and "Sleep All Day," presented with a disco spin. Mraz and the band were very warm to the audience, and even invited a couple members up on stage to play the always interesting "Say Anything" game, which is basically just another opportunity to steal some rhymes from the M-I-C. The performance was honest, humble and raw from start to finish, and more than deserved the audience's enthusiastic praise and applause; Mraz and his band left us wanting more. And more we shall get. Countless fan are discovering Jason Mraz' talent across the nation and around the world (he is currently touring the UK and Japan). There is no doubt that he has strong staying power and a potentially large fan base. His tour dates are racking up -- he already has two concerts planned in the greater Boston area this October. If given the opportunity to see him perform, I urge you not to pass it up. Check out Ticket Master for info about upcoming concerts, and visit his official fan site at www.jasonmraz.com. Also check out live performance videos at www.unclecrispy.com

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News

Once Upon a Time in Mexico there were some fireworks

September 11

El Mariachi asks: "?Qu?© quieres en la vida?" or "What do you want in life?" I want a movie that doesn't try to answer this question while blowing up military tanks with flame-throwers hidden in guitar cases. And yet, Once Upon A Time in Mexico, the latest installment in the El Mariachi saga, painfully attempts to do just that. Directed by Robert Rodriguez, the filmmaker famous for creating the original El Mariachi on a micro-indie budget of $7,000, Once Upon A Time in Mexico completes the action trilogy about the infamous gun-totting troubadour El Mariachi with Antonio Banderas as the title role. The first film, El Mariachi, was a tongue-in-cheek action adventure reminiscent of the old "spaghetti westerns" and it never took itself too seriously. Once Upon A Time in Mexico appears to be in constant limbo trying to balance almost farcical dialogue with mega-budget special effects and minimal substance. Meanwhile Desperado heralded the return of a great heroic action character and helped launch the careers of both Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek in the United States. Rodriguez's original lack of funding forced him to use his resources sparsely and economically, a technique that enhanced the film by packing a great amount of drama into even the smallest scene. Mexico, however, with its multi-million dollar budget, appears to be an overblown attempt by Hollywood to squeeze the last drop of profit from an underrated action series. The story this time around is filled with so much angst and revenge as to drive even the mildest mannered musician to wild acts of raging violence. El Mariachi's newest adventure is filled with double-crossing henchmen, corrupt American civil servants, power-crazed drug lords and army generals, guitar wielding assassins, and not a single original plot line amongst the bunch. After living a relatively secluded existence, the troubled Mariachi is thrown back into action. Still haunted by a mysterious past, he is forced out of hiding by the corrupt CIA agent Sands (Johnny Depp) in order to sabotage an assassination attempt on the president of Mexico. El Mariachi finds himself pitted against yet another amoral drug kingpin, Barillo (Willem Dafoe). Enlisting the aid of two additional (if not ridiculously random) mariachis for the job, Lorenzo (Enrique Iglesias) and Fideo (Marco Leonardi) the trio sets out on a convoluted mission of salvation for the president and all of Mexico. While no previous knowledge of El Mariachi or Desperado is required to understand the basic plotlines of Mexico, the film actually falters by basing chunks of the movie on flashbacks that try to explain the original storyline to new audiences. Strangely enough, while Salma Hayek is prominently displayed on all posters and throughout the trailer, her character technically does not make a real appearance in Mexico except in these flashbacks. The main character of Mexico may be the haunted Mariachi of Antonio Banderas, but Johnny Depp's Sands steals the show by bringing an enjoyable blend of smarmy treachery and self-aware humor to the otherwise dull and stoic assortment of cookie-cutter characters. Everything Sands does from cashing in on rigged bullfights to waging some of the most inspired gun fights in recent memory are carried out with Depp's characteristic fervor. Banderas and Dafoe both deliver less impressive performances. When not showering his enemies with bullets or "surfing" down stairs on guitar cases, Banderas' Mariachi displays little more than perpetual brooding, a tedious development that diverges from the original humorously unsuspecting and fatefully na??ve character. The Mariachi of the first film, then played by Carlos Gallardo, was truly an accidental hero. Banderas seems to have lost that sense of oedipal powerlessness that is necessary to drive his character forward. Dafoe, on the other hand, is not given enough real material to create a memorable character as he did in films such as Platoon, Boondock Saints and even Spider-Man. His Barillo is the clich?© drug lord: cold, calculating, and, of course one, who eventually undergoes plastic surgery. The other minor characters suffer the same horribly underwritten fate as Barillo. As a case and point, Enrique Iglesias seems to be in this film for no other reason than a 30 second guitar solo and song. I felt compelled to jump into the film and whisper sweetly into his ear, "Mi amor, PLEASE don't ever try acting again. Just stand there and look pretty". As a side note, please do not equate this film with the rich and intense world of actual Mexican cinema. Most films and filmmakers coming out of Mexico today have emerged as leaders and revolutionaries in global cinema. So to get the real "sabor" of Mexican cinema check out films like Amores Perros, El Crimen del Padre Amaro, Y T?? Mama Tambi?©n, and La Ley de Herodes. . In a movie set in a colonial Mexican town and supposedly about a Mexican hero, an actual Mexican is far out of sight. Besides the limited presence of Salma Hayek, there is not a single actual Mexican in the whole film. While there appears to be a plethora of Spanish actors (i.e. Banderas and Iglesias) I feel it safe to assume that the only Mexicans here are half-hidden extras. Not that there is an apparent lack of Mexican talent (i.e. Gael Garc?­a Bernal and Diego Luna), but Hollywood often seems to thoughtlessly substitute one group of people for another. Granted, this is a separate issue, but it is still worth noting. It's almost tragic that with such a talented director and cinema legacy, meaningless action and random, sloppy, Spanglish dialogue all combine to make this a more or less "cero" of a movie. Apart from a few rowdy action sequences, explosions, gun battles, and a seriously twisted performance by Johnny Depp (which might make the movie worth seeing only on video), Once Upon A Time In Mexico delivers little else than one would expect from the utterly average end of summer blockbusters.

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Tufts students weigh in on the California recall

September 11

When thinking about the California recall election, the image of Danny DeVito in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" leaving the rainy world of reality and driving into the sunny world of Toon Town comes to mind. This month in California, Jessica and Roger Rabbit have been replaced with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Gary Coleman -- and Toon Town seems to be invading the gray and very real world of politics. California's upcoming recall election was prompted when the Sacramento Bee, a local newspaper in California, published an "Intent to Recall" in the newspaper last February. Proponents of the recall say that Davis understated the huge California deficit ($34.8 billion, more than all other states combined) in last November's election. In their opinion, Davis deserves to be recalled for misleading the public about the state of the economy. "Davis should have known that avoiding difficult questions on energy and budget would lower his approval ratings, but he is an endemically short-sighted, risk-averse politician who rarely looks beyond the current situation," Dan Walters said in the Sacramento Bee. While many Californians agree that Davis has not been productive while in office, many feel strongly that a recall is neither appropriate nor productive. "The rules state that you don't replace a governor before his time is up unless he has committed some crime," said Political Science Professor Michael Goldman, who is also the president of a communication consulting firm located in Boston that specializes in campaign consulting and government liaisons. "Incompetence is not a crime," Goldman added. "If it was, then Herbert Hoover would not have completed his term in office as the Depression struck." Although Goldman does not particularly approve of Davis's methods in office, he does believe that "democracy functions because everyone understands the rules; you run, you win or lose, you serve, and then you run again." In his opinion, that process, not the recall election process, "is when the public gets to choose whether you are retained or removed." Though the Tufts campus is hundreds of miles away from California, the recall election has had an impact on it as well. Many University students from California must now decide if and how they will vote through absentee ballot. This summer, junior and California native Loreal Lynch could not help but notice all the attention this election has received from the media. "At first I thought it was a joke because of all of the funny people running," Lynch said. "It was all over the news, and very entertaining." Lynch knows firsthand, however, that there is nothing funny about what the newly elected governor must do once in office. Recently, Lynch's aunt, also from California, lost her job as a teacher due to cuts in the education budget. "I don't think that Grey Davis has done a great job, but it is not all his fault; the national economy is bad," Lynch said. "Yes, my aunt lost her job because of cutbacks, but I don't think that Arnold Schwarzenegger could have changed that." Junior Kerry Strapazon, a native of Los Angeles, is not thrilled with the recall election either. "I think it defeats the purpose of having elections if we can recall politicians and are always questioning results of elections," Strapazon said. Not all California students have been affected by the recall. Sophomore Ashley Berman, another Los Angeles resident, spent some of her summer in California. "It's not that I am uninterested," Berman said. "It's more just that I am uninformed." Whatever its outcome and impact on Tufts' students, the recall election has certainly turned the usually dull world of politics into a three-ring cirus. "It's so sad being from California right now," Strapazon said. "We have always been thought of as Hollywood and surfers, but now we just look crazy."

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News

ESPN article unbalanced

September 11

While I applaud the Daily for reporting on the lack of ESPN on the campus' cable package this year ("ESPN not on 2003 campus cable roster," Sept. 4), I was disappointed at the nature of the reporting. The story reads much like a press release from Wayne Bouchard and TCCS. Judging from the article, Tufts is merely the victim of ESPN's greed and students (based on the quotes offered) are forgiving. If the Daily is intent on blaming ESPN and interjecting opinion about what a "reasonable deal" is, at minimum, balanced reporting requires the paper to contact someone at ESPN to allow the company to explain its actions. In addition, the quotes from students do not seem to be reflective of campus opinion as a whole. Students I know on campus have expressed a great deal of anger about the situation, and one said he would rather pay for cable with ESPN (as in the past) than receive free cable without it. The author also should have qualified what "$50,000--$100,000" meant in terms of Tufts' larger budget. I hope the Daily will pay closer attention to these issues in the future and maintain the commitment to fair and balanced reporting that has made it one of the best college newspapers in the country.

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Jumbos fall to Lasell for first time in team history

September 11

Sometimes the ball just doesn't go in the net. Although it outshot Lasell 25-5 on Tuesday in Newton, the men's soccer team fell to the Lasers 2-1. It was the first time the Jumbos have ever lost to a Lasell squad and the first time since 1996 the team has come out on the losing end of its season opener. "We just couldn't convert," junior quad-captain Scott Conroy said. "Their goalie made some good saves, but we really didn't test him too much. We were composed all over the field but weren't able to finish the ball." All of the scoring took place in the first 39 minutes of play. The Lasers struck first when freshman Mike Dewire netted an unassisted shot just four minutes and 20 seconds into the match. "The first goal Lasell scored was a perfectly struck ball from about 30 yards out, nothing you can do about that one," Conroy said. Senior quad-captain Mike Blea locked the game at one 30 minutes later with a penalty shot. However, the score would remain tied for just four minutes as Lasell counterattacked. "We deserved that penalty shot," associate head coach Andy Nelson said. "We took the game to them pretty much for the remainder of the first half." Fellow Lasell freshman Matt Walsh capitalized on a momentarily disorganized Jumbo defense to knock in the game winner. "A little defensive letdown led to a second Lasell goal," Conroy said. "It was a tough loss especially considering how well we played. We just had a few bad breaks." For the remaining six minutes of the first half, as well as the entire second half, the Jumbos dominated, but were unable to score. "[Lasell] just sat in and got nine field players behind the ball," Nelson said. "They just defended and defended. We had a few chances, but we just didn't put them away." Though the final score was not in the Jumbos' favor, the squad was proud of its poise. "Even though we were behind, the team didn't panic," Nelson said. "[We] tried to create things instead of just sending in long balls." At least one of the team members felt the same way. "The game yesterday showed a lot of promise for the team," Conroy said. "We played together very well and gave ourselves an excellent opportunity to win. In the end, it just didn't quite work out for us." The Jumbos will open their home season on Kraft Field against NESCAC rival Amherst (1-0) on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The Lord Jeffs are coming off a 4-0 win over Salve Regina last Saturday. "[Amherst] is big, strong and aggressive," Nelson said. "They are a talented team. It will be a great test; whether they are behind or in front, they will be coming at [us]. It will be a more open game than [against Lasell]." The Amherst match will be the first of eight NESCAC league games played this season. Amherst eliminated Tufts from the NESCAC Championship Tournament last November with a 2-1 victory. Earlier in the 2002 season, Tufts came out on top with a 3-1 victory on Sept. 14. Over the last four years, Tufts is 2-4 against the Lord Jeffs, but has won two of the last three. After defeating Tufts in the 2002 playoffs, Amherst went on to lose the NESCAC crown to Williams. However, the Jeffs continued on in the postseason and secured a spot in the NCAA Div III Tournament for the first time since 1997. They finished with a 13-5-1 record and won the Little Three Championship. With history in its favor, and momentum from last week's win, Amherst will be a formidable opponent for the Jumbos. "[Amherst] will be more of a test than Lasell," Conroy said. "But we will be up for it."

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LCS makes move to Lincoln Filene Center

September 11

The Leonard Carmichael Society (LCS) will relocate its headquarters to the Lincoln Filene Center, home to the University College of Citizenship and Public Service (UCCPS). The move, scheduled for Oct. 3 this year, will bring LCS on campus from its current location at 17 Chetwynd Road. LCS Vice President Stacey Kokaram said the organization's "impact on the Tufts student body will be greater" as students will find it easier to stop by the new office. Even though LCS and UCCPS will share the same building, there is no plan to change the independent status of LCS. "[UCCPS] and LCS have agreed they will be co-located in the building and the move is not going to change their relationship," LCS president Lisa Fishlin said. "The two are going to remain completely separate entities." Kokaram acknowledged that the similar goals and missions of UCCPS and LCS may cause confusion regarding their work. According to the representatives, the mission of UCCPS is "to provide support for strengthening education for active citizenship" while that of LCS is "to try to create a more socially responsible world". While UCCPS supports and provides for student organizations, LCS is an umbrella organization that provides long and short opportunities for students to volunteer through 37 different programs. What separates LCS from UCCPS is that LCS is completely student run. "No one is going to have influence on it other than the students," Kokaram said. Robert Hollister, Dean of UCCPS, emphasized that fact. "The continued independent operation of LCS and the UCCPS is built into the structure of governance of both organizations," he said. "I, and everybody else at Tufts, feel strongly that an impressive strength of LCS is its independence and its tradition of being entirely student-led." Hollister said there is a possibility that UCCPS funding for LCS may increase in the future, though no definitive decision has been made. He suggested that funds and resources of UCCPS will be able to strengthen LCS activities. In the past, LCS has received funding from UCCPS mainly for educational programs such as retreats. Fishlin said she hopes it stays that way. "It's a very small fraction," of the total LCS budget, she said. Overall, both parties are happy with the move. Hollister said that "providing a more central, accessible location for LCS represents a big vote of confidence from the administration and faculty. The prospect of creative opportunities and synergies of working together is very exciting." Fishlin agreed. "LCS staff members are also very excited about the move," she said.

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New policy to affect increased number of freshmen in triples

September 11

The Office of Residential Life and Learning has changed the University's policy regarding freshman triples and spring housing lottery numbers this year. The new policy dictates that only the student who moves out of a triple will receive an advantage point in the housing lottery in the spring -- will guarantees a student a high lottery number within their class tier. Before this year, everyone who was placed in a freshmen triple would get an advantage point in the lottery, even if one student later moved out. These triples are commonly known as "forced triples" because they result when Tufts does not have enough housing for a large incoming class. Freshmen living in these rooms live three to a room meant to be occupied by two. The Office of Residential Life & Learning (Reslife) changed the policy because "last year, a significant amount of students didn't want to be broken up." ResLife Director Yolanda King said, "We want to encourage students to stay if they are happy in their rooms. A letter was sent this summer to each student assigned to these triples explaining that they had been placed into it by ResLife's computer matching program and that the office would be making every effort to move them into a double. Freshman Hannah Jones, who is from Kenya, did not find out about her triple until she got to Tufts on move-in day -- the letter did not arrive at her home before she left. "I had no idea I'd be in a triple," she said. "I was disappointed with the size of the room." ResLife prefers to call these rooms "temporary triples" because "that's what they are really. Very few 'temporary triples' stay triples for the entire school year," King said. Temporary or not, these rooms are cramped, even with bunked beds. "Well, obviously, it's pretty cluttered," said Jones, "there's no room to keep all our stuff." "It's pretty hard to move around in our room," agreed freshmen Lindsey Williams, one of Jones' roommates. At the very beginning of this semester, there were 27 "temporary triples," slightly more than the 24 last year. Three have already been "de-tripled", and, according to King, four more should be broken up within the next week. The three dorms containing "temporary triples" this year are Carmichael, Miller and Hill Halls. Rooms are chosen for triples by square footage as well as consideration for total bathroom usage on the floor. Size also affects the order in which triple rooms are reduced to normal capacity. The smallest of the rooms are detripled first. With minor exceptions, Reslife policy will be to break up Carmichael triples first, followed by Miller triples, with Hill triples, the most spacious of the three, scheduled to be detripled last. This order is not set in stone. "Obviously, we are always here to listen to individual concerns," King said. Students are beginning to react to the policy change. "How are we supposed to decide who leaves?" asked Jones, "It's so hard. We all get along, we like everyone on our floor, we like each other, and no one wants to have to move." "The issue of lottery numbers definitely complicates things," added Williams. ResLife leaves it up to the students to decide which student moves out of a "temporary triple." "So far, we've had no problems with the move out," stressed King. Sophomore Chris Eager and his two roommates chose to remain in their Hill triple last year. "We decided not to de-triple because the three of us were lucky enough to end up being really good friends," he said. Eager also cited the hassle of moving, potentially to a new part of campus, and having to meet and adjust to a new roommate as further reasons for staying in a triple. Eager pointed out some of the negative aspects of triples, however. "Privacy is an issue," he said, "Unless your roommates have identical schedules, it's hard to get time alone." "I think that anyone involved in a triple for a significant amount of time, maybe greater than two weeks, should get an advantage point in the lottery," he said. Sophomore Ellen Kasson, who also had a "temporary triple" last year, agreed. "People in a triple are paying the same as people in a double next door. I think that everyone in a triple should be given a housing advantage, because everyone had to suffer through the triple. Maybe the person who moves should have a bigger advantage than those who stay." Kasson's triple was broken up two months into the year, but "[ResLife] didn't want to give us our housing advantage because we had de-tripled," she said. ResLife is currently working to breakup as many triples as they can as quickly as possible, but the office's ability to detriple depends on room vacancies. According to King, "it's a matter of musical chairs, with people shifting rooms." Room vacancies open up when people leave the school or the dorms and also when people no-show on the first day. One reason for no shows is last minute waitlist acceptances at other schools. King said that the average freshmen triple lasts through the first semester because second semester many students go abroad and a few may choose to leave Tufts, which will open some space. But she stressed that, like six rooms last year, some triples may choose to stay together. It is ResLife's policy to not house freshmen with upperclassmen, but King says that if they cannot de-triple enough rooms, ResLife may consider it. The current housing crunch may be alleviated by the construction of the new residence hall, Gordon Hall. Construction on Gordon was delayed this summer due to objections placed by the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission. The new dorm will house 150 students when it is completed. For now, at least 20 rooms remain "temporary triples." "We still feel pretty uninformed about the whole thing," said Williams. "[ResLife] just keeps telling us 'go talk to your RA.'" "They haven't really told us anything," Jones agreed. King, however, acknowledges that the situation is difficult. "We are always open to feedback from students," she said. "We're trying something new this year with this policy. We think it can work out."

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A "Spellbinding" saga from A to Z

September 9

P-U-L-S-E - P-O-U-N-D-I-N-G. E-X-H-I-L-A-R-A-T-I-N-G. E-N-T-H-R-A-L-L-I-N-G. As directed by Jeffrey Blitz, Spellbound is all of these. The documentary, which follows eight students in their quest to win the 1999 National Scripps Howard Spelling Bee, is alternately gut-wrenching, hilarious, and inspiring. It's even a little bit sad -- and more than a little bit profound. As seen through the eyes of these particularly determined children (and their sometimes disturbingly determined parents), letters are not just letters. Each "O" and "Y" and "X," instead, is a hinge; a tiny bridge upon which words -- and, for these children and their families, worlds -- teeter. Of Spellbound's star spellers, none seems more immediately aware of each letter's potential importance than Ashley White. White is a D.C.-area student whose conscious commitment to bettering herself is both impressive and endearing (she uses phrases like "triumph over trials and tribulations" without irony). With both bashfulness and pride, White smiles at the camera before informing us, succinctly, of her goals and what achieving them would signify. For White, then, the Bee is a means to an end, not an end in and of itself. White's calm demeanor is in sharp contrast with that of another profiled speller, Harry Altman. In footage outside the competition, Altman -- a twitchy, squinty boy whose sense of humor is almost as wacky as his mannerisms -- is a ball of frantic energy. When spelling on the National Bee's stage, all of that energy is compressed into expressions on Altman's face: it is as if, through his facial gymnastics, we are experiencing his thought process's physical embodiment. To soft-spoken Angela Arenivar, whose Mexican immigrant parents do not speak English, personal success in spelling represents success as Americans for her family. It is heavy stuff for a not-yet-teenager to handle, but Arenivar does so with grace and humility. ("I didn't even know some of those people!" she confides, excited but bewildered, after a group of students at her school congratulate her on her achievement.) While preparing for the national Bee, Neil Kadakia deals with pressure of a different kind: his father has pledged to feed 5,000 people in India if Neil wins the Bee. Kadakia, quiet, reserved, and gangly, is one of the few children profiled whose parents seem more obsessive than supportive. Ted Brigham, April DeGideo, Emily Stagg, and Nupur Lala round out the talented octet at the heart of Spellbound. Each of these spellers is so endearing - particularly DeGideo, a self-described "pessimist" - that a problem arises: who on earth should we, the audience, be rooting for? Don't ask Blitz. Bucking convention, the director does not provide the audience with any easy answers as to which kid - if any -- is the smartest or most deserving. Instead, Blitz maintains the utmost respect for his subjects, presenting all of them on an equal playing field. Blitz clearly realizes that painting certain students as "underdogs" and others as "frontrunners" would not only be a cinematic copout, but would do all of the contestants a disservice. It is only in segments like that in which Kadakia's father asserts that "in America, if you work hard, you will make it" that Spellbound falters. Such declarations, though they might be true for the Kadakia's specific personal experience, are simplistic and false as blanket generalizations. Additionally, the foundation of spelling bees -- competition -- is universal, so the claims throughout the film that spelling bees are "uniquely American" are somewhat ungrounded. One of the film's most suspenseful moments comes when White, who describes herself as "a praying fool," is given the word "ecclesiastical." If White spells the word correctly, the result will be a breathtaking example of intellectual and spiritual synergy. If she does not, the irony is cruel and crushing. And there in that moment is the inherently ironic nature of the spelling bee encapsulated: after the striving, the studying, and the sacrifice comes, for all but one contestant, the slip-up results in failure. Spellbound's beauty is in its skillful inversion of that logic; in its patient and non-platitudinous refusal to equate slip-ups with failure. The stories that unfold within Spellbound illustrate that "winning" -- in spelling bees, card games, and, yes, life in general -- is relative. Luck and coincidence are as essential to "winning" as skill. None of these are new themes. In fact, had Blitz handled them more heavy-handedly, Spellbound may have crossed the line from inspiring to irritating. But Spellbound does not preach. Instead, it shows. And it leaves us with the quiet knowledge that disappointment, while painful, can pale in comparison to accomplishment. But do these children realize this? In their minds, has their "failure" to win the National Bee invalidated all of their hard work? Indeed, it is gutting to see the children - White in particular -- crumple onto their parents' shoulders, crushed. And in those moments of frustrated disappointment, it is impossible not to wonder, as an acquaintance of Stagg's mother does, if these students' spelling regimes do in fact border on being child abuse. But in the end, the sense of accomplishment wins out over the sense of disappointment. Were you to ask White or any of her fellow spelling stars if all of their studying was worth it, Spellbound leaves you confident that their answer would be yes.

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News

Intramural seasons to begin in next few weeks

September 9

With football season just beginning and the baseball playoffs approaching fast, 'tis the season for heated athletic competition. For those athletes not going pro straight from of high school, playing soccer at North Carolina, or even suiting up for varsity competition at Tufts, intramurals (IMs) offer a fun and laid back way to satisfy the competitive appetite. In 2002, the intramural program coordination duties were given to the softball office. Former head coach Kris Herman and then assistant coach Cheryl Milligan tried to enhance the program's popularity. "[We] tried to build it up a little bit, make it a little more organized," Milligan said. "We added a freshman league in the fall and just tried give a little oomph to the program." With Herman's resignation and relocation to Williams College, Milligan will now take control of the program and make some small adjustments for the softball office's sophomore season of intramurals. "Last year was a learning process for the softball office," Milligan said. "Without really reinventing the wheel, we essentially had to reinvent the wheel. Hopefully we will be offering some new sports as we go along, like badminton this fall. There was a big cry for badminton. But there won't be any major structural changes." As was the case in 2002, there will be two groups of intramural sports this fall. The freshmen-only league will feature coed indoor soccer and volleyball. "We try to create a bigger, better campus experience," Milligan said. "[It's good] to jump in as a freshman and create those bonds with teammates that playing sports can do. It also gives first years [a chance] to acclimate themselves to the athletic facilities and playing intramurals." Over 25 percent of last year's freshmen participated in these two sports alone. Members of the class of 2007 are just as excited as their predecessors about IM's. "I played soccer for about eight years, but was on hiatus for a while," freshman Bryan Shilowich said. "I was in a club sport outside of high school varsity, but now that I'm on a closed campus, I'm highly interested in the intramurals here at Tufts, especially soccer." This time around, freshman games will be played on Wednesday nights between six and ten. Teams do not necessarily have to be dorm based, but many athletes feel playing with the people they live with builds camaraderie. "I would like to participate with people I know," Shilowich said. "I also look forward to meeting friends with the same athletic interests I have." Soccer games will be held in the Gantcher Center and volleyball matches will take place in the Carzo Cage in Cousens Gym. There will be a six week long regular season followed by playoffs. As for the rest of the student body, faculty, staff, and freshman needing more IM options than just soccer and volleyball, regular intramurals begin later this month as well. Participants can choose from flag football, basketball, softball, indoor soccer, volleyball, tennis and field hockey. Each person can play as many sports as he/she would like, but cannot be on more than one team in any sport. The popularity and variety of intramural sports is largely due to students' enthusiasm for competition and team building similar to high school athletics. "I was a high school athlete, but playing varsity in college seemed way too intense and time consuming," sophomore field hockey player Erin Gregory said. "But I didn't want to give up the sport." Though competitive, intramurals offer a chance to play with a once a week time commitment and relaxed atmosphere. "[Intramurals] are very laid back," Gregory said. "It's pretty much the highlight of my week." As for those varsity athletes craving more competition, regulations limit the number of varsity or past varsity players to one per team in the varsity sport they played. Simply put, if a varsity basketball player wants to play IM basketball, he/she can be the only varsity basketball player on the team. However, if nine varsity softball players want to form a soccer team, they can all play on the same squad. Intramural play begins the week of Sept. 22, to sign up, visit http://ase.tufts.edu/athletics and click on the intramurals link.

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News

Changes at Tisch include printing charges

September 9

Over the summer the Tisch Library underwent numerous changes aimed at increasing the usability and efficiency of its resources. The major changes in the library consisted of implementing Pay for Print, the new ILLiad system, and a website redesign. The most controversial of the changes is Pay for Print, a new policy in which each student is charged ten cents per page printed. Paul Stanton, Director of Administration at Tisch, emphasizes that this is about "necessity, not profitability". According to Stanton, the ability of the library to fund the printing has diminished over the years. He notes the example that in the last five days of the spring semester $80,000 worth of paper and toner were used. "It's a management of resources [issue]," he stated. Stanton said that there was an extensive survey of peer institutions which led to the final decision to charge for printing. One of the major printing issues was what Stanton called "frivolous printing." Stanton said that he has found "futon ads, ESPN baseball scores, and unnecessary article copies" in the waste bins near printers. In addition Stanton said that Tisch had become known for its free printing among Boston schools. "Students would come and print hundred page computer manuals for free. Tisch shouldn't be funding that". One way that the library hopes to ease the burden of cost on students is by giving out prepaid printing cards. Tony Webb, Senior IT Support Specialist, noted that these cards are available to undergrads at Eaton Computer Lab any time the lab is open. Each undergrad is entitled to one card with a value of $10, or 100 pages of printing. These cards can also be used in campus copiers, and Stanton said that the library is investigating technology to use student ID cards as a form of payment. "The library is in a learning curve with the new system" Stanton emphasized. Stanton has only received student feedback to the idea, not to the actual system. However, he noted that he "hasn't met with anyone who doesn't see the logic of the system when presented with the facts" Derek Fehrer, a Librarian's Assistant at Ginn Library, said that many of the graduate students are having difficulty adjusting to the new system. "Even though they're given cards, they are still frustrated by the new limitations." In addition to the new charges, the library has also outsourced the work so that the printers, toner, and paper have all been replaced by an independent company. Conway Office Products, Inc. will now handle printing in addition to copying. The second major change to Tisch was the implementation of the ILLiad interlibrary loan system. The system is meant to expedite the transfer of books among subscribing libraries. Jo-Ann Michalak, Director of Tisch Library, praised the system calling it "much more efficient, it saves time for all involved." She noted that with no re-keying of information the turnaround is much quicker. Michalak is hopeful that this will increase student usage of the resource. "The old Inter-Library Loan system was not a big sell," she said. The idea of the system is that a student can enter his or her information into the system once, creating an account which will record all transactions and alert the student via e-mail when the awaited material arrives. Another added benefit of the system is that it is an enormous improvement for articles, Michalak said. Many of these are now available in a .PDF format, viewable with Adobe Acrobat. Finally the interlibrary aspect is improved with the new system. Any book in a participating ILLiad library is available to students. Michalek said that this effectively means any book one could possibly want. The third major change to the library was a redesign of the website. After a usability study with students and faculty the website was changed "based on what users wanted access to," Michalak said. The new website features many more links on the home page. Michalak says this is to reduce the number of "clicks" a user needs to access a given resource. The "Research Assistance" section of the website is also new. This "provides specialized help for undergrads, graduate students and faculty." There is also a "Quick Tips" section of the website which provides users with advice on conducting research. Several items such as "Ask the Librarian" and "Frequently Asked Questions" were also added to the "Quick Links" bar on the right of the site.

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