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Online matching would be a mistake

September 7

Web-based programs universities around the country are beginning to use to create "perfect" freshman year roommate matches carry with them high potential for balkanization of incoming students. Though the current roommate selection forms are too simple to create an ideal match, providing students with almost full control over their room and roommate selection is a mistake. One of the most important aspects of the freshman experience is meeting peers who come from different backgrounds and have varying interests. Freshman dormitory life is an exercise in tolerance-building and mind-opening, in part because of forced diversity. Natural instinct would lead most freshmen to seek familiarity: roommates who have similar academic and extracurricular interests, backgrounds, and world outlooks. Unless the University placed them together, an engineer who plays soccer and grew up in the suburbs might never be exposed to the ideas and interests of a five-year MFA student from abroad. The homogenization of freshman dorm rooms would be a tragic loss to the freshman experience.

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News

New technology allows freshmen at some schools to choose roommates

September 7

Meeting a new roommate is one of the notoriously stressful parts of a student's first year at college -- though it may be getting easier. A new program has personalized the process of roommate selection and gives students more control. WebRoomz, an Internet venture employed by a handful of universities around the country, has pioneered a new wave of applications which allow incoming students to choose their roommates individually. With the help of these programs, students can take control of their room situations; universities which have adopted the system hope that it will increase first-year students' satisfaction in both their living situation and other areas of student life. WebRoomz requires students complete a lengthy questionnaire about living habits and allows them to create a profile for their classmates to see. Students use screen names to hide their identities, and then e-mail each other requesting a roommate when the WebRoomz program indicates a match. Over the summer, Tufts' Office of Residential Life and Learning evaluated Internet-based matching programs and started to assess their appropriateness at Tufts. According to Residential Life Director Yolanda King, the office will discuss programs with the TCU senate and solicit student opinion on their use. Should the university pursue Internet-based matching, there are a number of options. The WebRoomz program is not cheap -- it costs $35,000 per school - prompting some schools to develop custom sites that allow incoming students to enter roommate-only chat rooms, view profiles and photos of classmates, as well as their future dorm rooms. Emory University in Atlanta has become one of the main proponents of the new technology. The school used WebRoomz for the first time this summer to match incoming students with roommates and its website allows students to take a virtual tour of residence halls before deciding where they would like to live. Like most universities, Tufts matches incoming freshmen with roommates based on a questionnaire that asks about living habits including smoking, floor gender preference, study habits, sleeping habits, and gauges interest in special housing options such as healthy living. Room assignments, which are determined manually, are based on the results of the questionnaire, and do not account for factors such as ethnicity or geography. Anonymous matching has often created stress for first-year students. "I didn't know anything about my new roommate besides where she lived," said current sophomore Liz Newberg. "And you're nervous about meeting, because you're going to live with them and don't know them." Some students find it difficult to answer the questionnaire about living habits before they set foot in a dorm. "I needed to come to a realization about what I wanted in a living situation," sophomore Shail Ghaey said. "You need time at college to figure it out." Because much of a student's satisfaction with his or her first-year experience at college has to do with their living situation, King said that it is important to take steps toward more personalized programs that may make better dorm room matches. No matter which selection process is used, however, much of a student's success with a first-year roommate can depend on how much the students are willing to compromise and allow for different living habits. "It's important to be open to new things, and to compromise about your living habits," Ghaey said. Newberg agreed. "I think my roommate and I got along well because we were honest and we communicated."

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News

Foer debut novel both funny and poignant

September 7

During the first chapter of Jonathon Safron Foer's first novel, Everything is Illuminated, I laughed so hard that I lost my place. This became a frequent occurrence as I navigated the unique and profound prose of Foer's debut novel -- until the final pages when I found myself having to pause in order to keep back tears. Illuminated is a book that begs to be shared, but its unique structure makes the novel surprisingly difficult to describe. Nonetheless, the novel proves to be an easy read. The book opens with an introduction from Alexander Perchov, a delightful Ukrainian youth who serves as the narrator for half of the novel. Alex is obsessed with American culture - from Michael Jackson to accounting school - and has a hard time understanding why anyone would ever visit the Ukraine. But that is just how the novel begins. Alex works for his abusive father's failing travel agency and he is booked, with little qualifications, as the guide for a young Jewish man who is traveling to the Ukraine to unearth his heritage. The young Jew's name, in a strange quasi-autobiographical sort of way, happens to be Jonathon Safron Foer. Alex has misgivings about his assignment as he says in his quirky way of speaking, "I will be truthful again and mention that before the voyage I had the opinion that Jewish people were having shit between their brains. This is because all I knew of Jewish people was that they paid Father very much currency in order to make vacations from America to Ukraine. But then I met Jonathan Safron Foer, and I will tell you, he is not having shit between his brains. He is an ingenious Jew." All Foer has to help him in his quest to find the answers to his past, however, is a faded photo of a girl whom he believed saved his grandparents from the Nazis, thus ensuring his existence. Foer is then thrown into a car driven by Alex's legally blind grandfather, whose "seeing eye bitch" named Sammy Davis Jr. (after grandfather's favorite member of the rat pack) will not stop humping his leg. From then on, Alex refers to Foer as "the hero." The style of the book is one of its most delightful aspects. There are two simultaneous stories in the novel told in alternating chapters: Alex's accounts of his family and his narrations of his travels with Foer, and the novel that Foer himself writes after his journey. As a transition between the two stories, there are letters that Alex writes to Foer critiquing his work and responding to Foer's criticisms of his own half of the book. Unfortunately, whenever there are two stories, one is inevitably better than the other, as is the case with Alex's sections of the book, which come alive with a witty exuberance and later, a profound poignancy. The humor comes from Alex's command of English, which he seemed to have learned from a thesaurus instead of a dictionary. Instead of sitting, people "roost"; he does not sleep with women he is "carnal" with them; a good thing is a "premium" thing, and so on and so forth. While in the earlier portions of the novel, Alex's awkward and clumsy speech illustrate his naivety (about Jews and America) and perhaps remnants of a Soviet way of thinking, his experiences with Foer allow his prose to undergo a transformation so that his later passages are poetic, emotionally mature and insightful, making comments about the importance of family and the relation of one's past to one's future. Foer's accounts of his journey in the little town of Trachimbrod range from ridiculous to insightful, from melancholy to joyous, and all with an underlying air of mythic earthiness. He creates an entire village complete with their own rituals and customs and an enormous cast of characters, each in possession of their own quirk. From a young girl name Brod, one or Foer's earliest descendents, who was married when she was 14 but spent most of her life alone, to Foer's grandfather, who was born with a limp mangled arm, which strangely enough put him in the good fortune of every women he met. While extremely imaginative and complex, Foer attempts to illuminate a little too much through the vehicle of Trachimbrod. He attempts to explain the entire history of a village through anecdotes on religion, sexuality, preserving history, and other themes, and how he became one of its last survivors, after the horror of the holocaust. In the end, however, Alex saves the day and Illuminated proves that it is one of those very rare pieces of prose that is both bitingly funny -- pointing out the ridiculousness of the human condition, of our struggles with our pasts and our uncertainty of the future. Strikingly poignant, Illuminated reminds us of the importance of the legacy of the Holocaust, to remember who we are and where we came from, and to never give up on human decency.

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News

New online health insurance form causes confusion

September 7

Many students and parents were confused this summer by a new system of processing health insurance waiver forms online. Though the new system will eventually increase the accuracy and ease of the waiver process, glitches and confusion caused a hectic summer for Health Services. The confusion stems from a combination of a state law and the particular billing process used by the university. Massachusetts state law requires that all full-time college students have health insurance. If students do not have health insurance, they are required to buy a plan offered by the university. Tufts preemptively bills students for a health insurance plan. "This charge appears on [students'] bill, and people are confused and worried," said Michelle Bowdler, Director of Health Services. In order to have the plan removed from their bill, the student must file a waiver to prove to Health Services that he or she already has health insurance. "It's unfortunate, because every year -- even if we have information that people have a plan one year, by state law we have to confirm that someone has insurance every year," Bowdler said. "It's one of those things that we try to make as painless as possible." The new system is a set of online forms that are available on the Health Services website. Previously, Health Services had to mail out and later process paper waiver forms for every student. "There were 6,000 pieces of mail coming back to us within three weeks," said Bowdler. "Invariably, there would be some errors made where people would say, 'I never got the mailing, and I wanted the insurance', or 'I didn't want it and I sent you the waiver, and even though it's April, you have to take it off my bill.'" For that reason, Health Services decided to switch to processing forms online. According to Bowdler, the switch was meant to make the waiver process easier for students and for the University. For students, there would not be any confusion over whether they had been waived, and there would not be any possibility of lost paper. The information could easily be included in a computer file that could be quickly sent on to both Health Services and to Financial Services. "Tufts has had success in their online forms," Bowdler said. Unfortunately, problems arose with the online waiver form. "Students are a lot more comfortable with online processes than parents. Parents were calling us up and feeling very confused. They had become accustomed to the old process." Bowdler said problems included everything from misunderstanding directions to not having a computer compatible with the form. For that reason, Health Services sent parents a letter with more explicit directions, which, according to Bowdler, resulted in fewer phone calls asking for help. Bowdler also cited technical problems with the Chickering Group, the insurance company who processed the forms. "To be honest with you, I think that any time you try an improvement, there's going to be some unexpected things that happen the first time you test the system." One problem involved Chickering upgrading its systems at the exact same time that 500 people attempted to process their waiver forms. "For about a week, those 500 people were lost in the system. It took a week or two to find them and get them taken care of," Bowdler said. For that reason, the company changed their regularly scheduled maintenance times from the afternoon to early morning. Already, Health Services is working on a way to keep students from having to waive every year. "One of the things we are looking at, is asking people before they leave school, do you know whether you are going to be covered by your parents' insurance, and if the answer is yes, try to get that list before the bills go out," Bowdler said. "That's our goal for next year." Though there were problems this year, Bowdler still considers the online form a success. "I think that for some people the process was challenging, but I don't think it was a disaster," she said. "Ultimately what I can tell you is that there are going to be fewer errors this year. That is going to make the students happier. I'm asking people to be patient, be understanding, and communicate with us if we have a concern."

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News

Acting affirmatively: Tufts continues to value diversity since Michigan decision

September 7

College admissions offices are typically less hectic during the summer months. But this year was different. When a monumentally important decision came down from the Supreme Court concerning the ever-controversial topic of affirmative action, the rules for college admissions were indelibly changed. More than a year after two white students brought cases against the University of Michigan claiming that they were discriminated against in the admissions process, the Supreme Court came to a decision which in effect created guidelines for universities and colleges around the country. In the decision, the Supreme Court struck down Michigan's system of using a 150-point scale to evaluate students. Under the system, certain minorities were awarded 20 points, but only up to five points for recognition for leadership and service. However, in a separate ruling about admissions to the university's law school, the court stated that universities may still consider race as one of many factors in their admissions processes provided that it is in the context of an individualized consideration of all applicants, and so long as race is not the only factor. According to a legal analysis of the decisions by the attorneys behind Harvard University's Civil Rights Project, the Court's opinions in these cases confirms that race may be used as one of many factors but policies which "automatically and inflexibly assign benefits on the basis of race" such as the point system will no longer be acceptable. "Universities that employ systems which lack sufficient individualized review will need to re-examine their current admissions policies to determine whether their policies require adjustment or revision in light of the Court's decision," according to the project's website. According to the University of Michigan's news service, the school has implemented new policies in the last month in which no points are issued and academic achievement, such as grades and test scores, as well as an essay, are given more weight than race or ethnicity. One question on the minds of many at the top tier private college and universities around the country is how this federal decision will affect those not under public regulation. President Bacow applauded the Supreme Court's decision in an interview with the national media. "I am pleased that the Court has now created a roadmap that will enable Tufts University and other schools across the country to continue to enroll students who enrich the educational environment for all students on campus," Bacow told E-News, the University's news service. "Tufts values diversity -- in every dimension -- as a critical element in adequately preparing students for a rapidly changing world." Though Michigan is a public university, the Court's decision has had an impact on private colleges and universities, in part because many try to boost minority enrollment without violating the Constitution's guarantee against discrimination. And because Title VI of the Civil Rights Act forbids institutions receiving federal funding to engage in racial discrimination, the decision could bear on private universities, which often receive federal funds for tuition and research. For many institutions, the court's decision provides national guidelines so that administrators do not need to independently decide what is and what is not discriminatory. According to Bacow, Tufts has always been a strong supporter of affirmative action. But the University has not had to significantly alter any policies since the Michigan decision. Allan Clemow, the Director of Undergraduate Admissions, says that Tufts "has not and does not use a point system in the evaluation and consideration of students to Tufts." The admissions process to the College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering involves a "detailed reading and evaluation of all of the materials submitted for a candidate followed by a committee process where decisions are made." Tufts has always used a system much like that of Michigan's law school in which each applicant is considered on an individual basis. "We consider more than a limited number of objective characteristics when choosing who to admit to Tufts," Clemow said. "We plan to continue to assess candidates in a holistic way, as we have always done." Earlier this year, Tufts joined other private and public colleges as well as military and corporate leaders in supporting an amicus curiae brief submitted to the Court. The brief, according to Clemow, stressed the "importance of diversity in ensuring the excellence and effectiveness of higher education in a complex, interdependent world." In an e-mail to the Tufts community soon after the Michigan decision, Bacow explained the goals of the University's admission process. "We consider more than a limited range of objective characteristics in deciding whom to admit to Tufts," he wrote. "We look for students who are interested in different subjects, extracurricular activities, and careers. We seek to admit a class that provides each student with access to an extraordinarily interesting, diverse and distinctive set of friends and classmates. This diversity contributes to an exceptional education." Clemow agrees: "Our goal continues to be the creation of entering classes that provide students with access to the most interesting, diverse, and distinctive friends and roommates with whom they can share the special opportunities of the educational experience at the University." Tufts is among the many other universities who consider the Michigan decision a victory, allowing the University to continue to admit a diverse student body, by following guidelines set by the government, and by which avoiding the same kind of claims of discrimination brought against Michigan. "We believe the Court's decision will enable Tufts and other schools across the country to continue to enroll students who improve the quality of education because of their experience together on campus," Clemow said.

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News

Having a plan before hitting the gym crucial to fitness success

September 3

I am a freshman here at Tufts, and I'd like to get in shape. The problem is, I don't know where to begin. Should I start running? Should I lift weights? Should I do both? -Janice L. Beginning a program to get in shape is not only a commitment of time to work out; it is also a commitment to make a major change to one's lifestyle. It is far too often that a person decides to start working out and does too much, too fast. Sure, you're motivated, you're excited. You want to get in the gym and sweat; you want to feel good about doing something positive for your body. Unfortunately, the gung-ho attitude can often sabotage your efforts. The last thing you want to do is make getting in shape an unpleasant experience. If you do so, sticking with the program is the last thing you will do. My first piece of advice is to start slowly, no matter what course of fitness progress you pursue. Gradually make lifestyle adjustments, such as changing your eating and sleeping patterns. You will be more likely to stick with your program. When starting a program to get in shape, you should first determine your goals. Do you want to lose fat? Do you want to improve cardiovascular endurance? Would you like to add muscle mass and/or tone? All of these questions should be considered before you embark on the training regimen in order to tailor it to your specific goals. As far as general fitness goes, it can be loosely broken down into three general categories: strength, cardio fitness, and flexibility. The quintessential program would incorporate all three of these aspects. The strength facet would be improved through resistance training (read: weight lifting). Improved flexibility can be achieved through consistent stretching, and improving cardiovascular fitness can be done by doing 20 to 30-minute sessions of cardio work three to four times per week. When you first get to the gym, the most important thing to do is warm up. Five to ten minutes of light cycling will get your blood circulating and will help lubricate your joints. You can also jog lightly, jump rope, etc. It's up to you. After the initial warm-up, spend at least 15 minutes stretching each muscle group. Stretching helps prevent injury and facilitates greater benefit from resistance training by allowing an increased range of motion for different exercises. After you have finished stretching and are thoroughly warm, it's time to lift. Beginners are usually put on circuit programs. This means you work one muscle group after another, in a circuit. For example, you may start with a back exercise, then move directly to a chest exercise, then on to one for shoulders. The weight used is fairly light because during this stage you are developing the neuromuscular connections that will enable you to lift more weight as you progress. Circuits can consist of any combination of exercises, but are commonly divided into upper body and lower body. An example of a circuit split would be upper body on Monday and Thursday, and lower body on Tuesday and Friday. Your lifting should take about 30 to 40 minutes of the workout. After you have finished, it's time to do some cardio. The goal of cardiovascular exercise is to elevate your heart rate and maintain it for an extended period of time: usually, 20 to 30 minutes. Begin with two to three sessions of cardio per week, each session lasting about twenty minutes. As you begin to improve your endurance, you can add another cardio day, or simply increase the time increment. Either option will increase exertion and improve condition. This was a very general outline of a program that may benefit someone who is just starting to get in shape. For a program that is designed specifically for you, ask about the TPPP program at the front desk in the gym. This program allows students and faculty to benefit from free personal training sessions in the fitness center. For more info, e-mail me at fitness@tuftsdaily.com

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News

Boutique care dangerous for US healthcare

September 3

Tufts-New England Medical Center (Tufts-NEMC) has entered highly contentious territory with its decision to offer boutique care services. In a boutique care system, patients willing to pay high retainer fees receive benefits that go "above and beyond basic healthcare." These "VIPs" get more access to doctors, more comfortable facilities, and longer appointments. Tufts-NEMC expects the income generated by retainer fees will finance the hospital's money-losing primary-care practice, which serves regular and low-income patients. Critics have pointed out that the extra services provided by boutique medicine often leave physicians with less time to divide up among their non-elite patients. Tufts-NEMC has preemptively addressed the problem by setting up a system in which the primary care practice will only miss one of its 24 doctors at any given time due to retainer services. The fact that the physicians will not be pocketing the annual fees -- unlike at most boutique operations -- further demonstrates that Tufts-NEMC's decision to move to a retainer system is sincerely geared towards continuing to serve the community. Most other boutique care services are motivated by profit. But relying on boutique care revenue to patch-up the shortfalls of the current healthcare system may be the beginning of a dangerous path. Dwindling resources for primary care patients may eventually force patients seeking decent coverage to pay for boutique care, while a greater number find that basic care is beyond their reach. The United States already spends more on healthcare than any other country, yet more than 40 million people in this country lack access to reliable care. While Tufts-NEMC's effort to solve the problems brought up by the conflict between health care access and cost is admirable, it is certainly not the ultimate solution so badly needed to America's health care crisis.

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News

Pirate Jenny rocks the seven seas

September 3

It's rare to come across a local group that is both bold enough to escape the expectations of the modern rock scene and talented enough to warrant forking over some pieces of eight, but Pirate Jenny somehow manages both at once. As the world's premiere (and perhaps only) pirate rock band, the buccaneers of Pirate Jenny are savvy sea dogs, swashbuckling and singing their way through their interpretation of what classical sea shanties might have sounded like if pirates had been the ones writing them. The members of Pirate Jenny might spend their free time singing about pillaging seaports and walking planks, but their talent is still remarkable. Hailing from Portland, Oregon, the group was officially founded in 1997. Brought about by founder Kevin Hendrickson, who had been experimenting with a unique format of music for years before recording "Scabby the Seaman" in 1991, the group has produced two full CDs and a collection of shorter albums, each with several unique pieces of their own. Hendrickson, a guitarist, was joined by fellow band members bassist Ron Lee, xylophonist Paul "Keel-haul" Ianotti, and drummer John Morgan in 1998 to create the latest edition of this far-spanning saga, and the quartet went on to record their most recent production, "Once Upon a Wave," in April 1999. The group takes its name from a song of the same title from Kurt Weill's1928 Three Penny Opera about a wench who worked at a portside tavern, and does her best never to forget her roots. Pirate Jenny refuses to let itself be easily defined even as it transverses the Spanish Main with its collection of pieces, both for and about pirates. Their musical style ranges from more traditional buccaneer songs, complete with the prerequisite piratical percussion, to modern day rock songs that detail the deeds of the scurviest scum ever to sail the seven seas. Fantastical characters lurk in their lyrics -- these pirates don't just sing yo ho ho and drink rum, but prefer to spend their time fighting evil spies and saving the world from aliens. As out of this world as their subjects can be, Pirate Jenny still saves the odd number to capture the rolling waves of the sea and the beat of the drum on board the deck, forever immortalized in their frolicsome refrains. The band's lyrical proclamations are anything but mundane. Whether declaring that "a pirate's life is peaceful (until he cuts you up)" or racing their galleons to war, what the band's listeners realize above all else is that its show is unique among the modern-day music scene. It seems odd upon first hearkening, but the transition from cheerfully light xylophone to pounding rock rhythms, or from ballad to hard-core, is never forced. In a way, the lyrics manage to transcend even the music -- two of the best pieces on their CD are different versions of the same song, one, a slow sea chanty, and the other a pounding cacophony of rock. The idea of pirates, men who barter in rum instead of abiding by the rules, has almost become a transcendent theme of our culture, with the buccaneers of ancient day taking their place in modern tradition as the ultimate rebel. In its own way, this group manages to stay true to the spirit of the pirates of yesteryear, paying tribute to the lawless raiders who passed before. Whatever you expect when you put on their CD, Pirate Jenny promises to surprise you. Though it may not be as baneful as Blackbeard or as clever as Kidd, the group has its own unique style that makes listening to it far more fun than a barrel of rum.

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News

Seven Questions with Dan Fowler

September 3

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the hair raising, often imitated, never duplicated experience that is Dan Fowler. While his Mets have treated this season as their own personal junk show, this Tufts grad has been doing his thing. 1. Now that you have graduated Tufts, what's the biggest thing you miss about it? I miss having people scream Fowla as I walk around campus. However, I live with three kids who also graduated from Tufts so sometimes they try to replicate the glory days for me by screaming Fowla around the house. But, it's just not the same. 2. Your brother is a freshman here at Tufts, in the end, who will leave the biggest legacy and why? Elliott, that is a fine question right there. To be honest, I was wondering that myself. I'm a tough act to follow, but Zak could be up to the challenge. 3. In one sentence, describe the Tufts athletic program. No. I'm still upset that the athletic department never contacted me about my column where I offered to be a Tufts coach (for free I might add). I'm also pissed that none of the coaches contacted me after I wrote a column offering my services as a Tufts athlete. On a side note, The Daily should really republish my Fowl Ball columns this year. 4. How could the Patriots cut Lawyer Milloy? I'm from NY so I'm a big fan of the move. I also think the Red Sox should give Manny, Pedro, and Nomar to the Mets. 5. Now that you have graduated and the little juice you had around the Tufts community is lost, how are you ever going to find companionship again? I'm hosting a party tomorrow in Providence. Holla at me for more info. 6. How should students protest the cable system on campus not carrying ESPN? What? You're kidding me? You don't have ESPN? That is ridiculous! I would suggest staging a sleep-in in the admissions office. That has been a successful method of protest in the past. 7. What is one thing that is good about the real world and one thing that sucks about it? Well, currently I am a reporter... so I now get paid to do exactly the same thing I did at the Daily for free. I'm not gonna lie, it's a pretty sweet deal. The bad thing is that I don't have Monday's and Friday's off like I did last year. It's mad hard to be productive five days a week. By Elliott Wiley

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News

British indie band Blur: hear them again, for the first time

September 3

Chances are you have spent an entire summer turning your radio's dials in complete desperation, unable to avoid those all too catchy pop punk lyrics and sophomoric emo melodrama. In that case, I have just the thing. Move over, Dashboard Confessional, and make way for Blur. After blessing us in the past with their hit songs "Song 2", "Girls and Boys", and "Coffee and TV", Blur is back with a fresh new sound. They have refined much of their youthful angst into something that is uniquely potent. Their show this past July 18, the first of many on their East Coast tour, reminded me that rock is certainly not dead and yes, the Brits do it best. Blur's indie edge sparkled that evening as retro style lights flooded the stage. Leading man, Damon Albarn's biting lyrics and melodic voice were at their best, while bassist Alex James's innovations and drummer Dave Rowntree's solid beats gave the audience something to cheer about. Accompanying the band was a group of three backup gospel singers and a multi- instrumentalist. While not officially part of the band, these new additions gave the appearance that Blur had come to the show prepared to deliver a polished performance. Prior to the release of their latest work Think Tank (2003), Blur had gone four years without recording new material. After mounting tensions between the four, the members of the group went on to pursue their own individual efforts -- Albarn worked as a member of the virtual hip-hop collective Gorillaz in 2001, while guitarist Graham Coxon, went on to release his first album The Sky Is To High, followed by Crow Sit On Blood Tree and The Kiss of Morning. With the Britpop craze of the nineties now long gone, the band seems dedicated in their attempts at mounting the charts again. We can credit Blur's musical genius to its fluidity. The band's members manage to contribute their own individual flavors while complimenting one another brilliantly. Blur began in 1980 when Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon met as fellow classmates at the Stanway Comprehensive School in Colchester, Essex, where they sang together in the choir. Both were drawn together by their own initial passion for music. Choir Boys no longer, Blur has spanned the creative spectrum. Crediting Martin Amis' book London Fields as one of their chief muses, the band has created a plethora of characters in song. These characters are, as quoted from Launch Music, "thoroughly British, and often thoroughly twisted." The group's uncanny ability for exposing the dark underside of the British bourgeoisie through their clever lyricism is what makes this group a dynamic force to be reckoned with. The release of their newest album, Think Tank, marks a significant turning point for the group. Guitarist Coxon took a leave of absence this time around. His bass guitar is not even heard until the CD's final track, "Battery in Your Leg." Despite Coxon's absence, the album is a fresh attempt at artistic experimentation and gives Blur a slightly different sound. While we can morn the death of the Blur of the past, I must herald the rejuvenating new artistry. In addition to Blur's incredible artistry, their fascinating opening act, Los Angeles band; The Moving Units, deserves a mention. This trio nearly rivaled Blur for the spotlight. The band's simple rhythms, textures, and moods take inspiration from British post-punk and early New Wave. Like Blur, the Moving Units work in nearly perfect sync. From Chris Hathwell's steady percussion to Blake Miller's raw guitar riffs and vocals, to Johan Boegli's volatile bass work, the Units has the potential for mass appeal. The best part is, it's music you can dance to. Ironically, it's the band's drummer, Chris Hathwell that steals the show. Hathwell, who stands at approximately 6'2, appears to have outgrown his drum set. His pallid face and the band's signature style of playing in the dark, lend the group its gothic mystery. While the band has only released a four song EP, each track resonates in the listener's ear long after having been heard. The LA weekly has awarded the band, 'best new artist' status, while TIME magazine will feature them this September. A word of advice: buy the EP now while it's only $5.00 online. These guys will be the next big thing.

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News

Zeta Psi shutdown follows summer of miscommunication

September 3

The closure of the Zeta Psi house at 80 Professors Row for the remainder of the school year was a result of a series of incidents and mixed signals sent between the administration and the fraternity throughout the summer and previous semester. The first in a long string of incidents, on May 5, the Committee on Fraternities and Sororities (CFS) decided to issue a two-year social probation punishment to Zeta Psi. The decision followed an April hearing regarding a Feb. 20 party that left two students were injured. The proposed punishment included maintaining a dry house -- with no alcohol in any rooms of the house or on its grounds -- through Aug. 31, 2005. The two-year punishment would close the house for two summers of the fraternity's choosing and it also required a Greek alcohol awareness program to be led by the fraternity -- an aspect initially proposed by Zeta Psi. Immediately after the punishment was announced, the Zeta Psi elders, who own the house and handle the legal matters for the chapter, informed the University that they would appeal the CFS decision. While Zeta Psi underwent the appeals process, on July 25Tufts police (TUPD) officers caught several students on the rooftop deck with a keg of beer. Because of the appeals process, they were not yet serving their punishment from the hearing. According to TUPD Captain Mark Keith, "an officer who was in the area heard what sounded like a large gathering." The officer entered the house and proceeded to the rooftop deck, where the officer found 25-30 students, the police report reads. There was also a refrigerator with a spout coming out of it connected to a keg, a bar with several bottles of liquor, and a pool filled with water. The officer was concerned that some of the participants were under age and combined weight of the people and the pool would cause the roof to collapse, Keith said. In addition, kegs are forbidden by both Zeta Psi and University policy. When the officer asked party attendees for IDs, several left and never returned, Keith said. The officer also initially took the gathering to be a full-scale sanctioned Zeta Psi party, which would have required a guest list and someone at the door checking IDs. However, according to Grant Held, the president and chairman of the board of the Zeta Psi Kappa Elder Association, none of the students on the deck were Zeta Psi members. It was only when the responding officer asked to speak with a fraternity member was one located, studying in his room in the house. The only other brother present in the house at the time, Held said, was asleep in his room. The student responsible for bringing the keg into the house and hosting the gathering was not a Zeta Psi member, though he was a summer resident of the house. At the beginning of the summer, all of the residents were warned that their behavior would likely be under supervision by the University. Held warned the students that if something happened "Tufts is not going to look at it like an isolated incident." Three days after the keg incident, on July 28, Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Todd Sullivan notified then Zeta Psi president Peter Schaefer that the appeal of the initial punishment had been rejected, and that if the fraternity wished to count this past summer as one of the two probation summers, the house residents would have to evacuate the house by Aug. 1. The Dean of Students office considered the proposal an "offer in good faith," Sullivan said. "It was a way to have three weeks count as three months." The University, however, did not notify Damien Puller (A '89), an attorney with the Boston firm Nixon Peabody who represents the fraternity, and a former Zeta Psi brother himself until Jul. 31 -- just one day before the house would need to be vacated. A phone call from Held to Diane Rosse, outside council for the University on most judicial matters, eventually extended the deadline to Aug. 2. Still, with only a few days to find alternate housing and vacate the house, the residents were unable to comply with the deadline. After the Aug. 2 deadline passed without the residents leaving, the TUPD misinterpreted Sullivan's offer to Zeta Psi as a requirement, and officers attempted to evict the house's residents. Within one hour, Keith informed the officers at the house of the miscommunication, and the residents were allowed back in. Before any University action could be taken on the keg incident, the fraternity elders association waived their right to a hearing and proposed a negotiated settlement. No specific facts about the keg incident could be ascertained, Reitman said, because "the fact-finding was shortcut when they made the proposal for a negotiated settlement." The Zeta Psi elders association agreed to close the house for the school year and next summer, which will be the first of the two probation summers. The house will reopen next year, though the fraternity will still be under social probation. "They'll be back a year from now, assuming there are no other difficulties," Reitman said. The new settlement classifies Zeta Psi as a suspended organization for the academic year of 2003-2004, the fraternity being barred from participating in rush, extending bids, or initiating members, and preventing Zeta Psi members from voting or holding office on the Inter-Greek Council or Interfraternity Council. Zeta Psi is also not allowed to use University facilities or services. House residents had to vacate the house by midnight on Sept. 1. Finally, no groups of members or former members of Zeta Psi are allowed to gather and act as a fraternity without jeopardizing Zeta Psi's reinstatement next year. Some Zeta Psi alumni protested that the wording of this aspect is vague and could limit Zeta Psi's alumni's legal rights to gather. Reitman insisted the settlement "does not affect alumni." Since the negotiated settlement was proposed by the fraternity, the punishment is not subject to appeal. Zeta Psi International, rather than the active chapter or the elders association, is handling negotiations concerning the medical expense reimbursement for one of the injured students from the Feb. 20 party. "Zeta Psi is working directly with [the student's] father to obtain the necessary information to meet that aspect," Held said. Negotiations between the University and Zeta Psi regarding the sale of the property and the fraternity house for a new music building have not been affected by the judicial events.

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News

Take a stroll down Avenue Q

September 3

This show is not your usual wonderful day in the neighborhood - though, in the fractured world of Avenue Q, an imaginative, goofy, and spectacular new musical, the sun is still shining on its residents, humans and puppets alike. Yes, puppets. But these puppets are not the likes of Elmo, Cookie Monster, or even Big Bird. Instead, Avenue Q, which recently opened in the Golden Theater on Broadway in New York City, is a fantastic look at what Sesame Street would be if it were drunk. Crass, unabashedly offensive at times, yet consistently hilarious, tickets to this show should go faster than a Tickle-Me Elmo at Christmas. The cast of puppets includes Princeton (John Tartaglia), an eager college graduate, with a degree in English who is endlessly searching for his purpose; Kate Monster (Stephanie D'Abruzzo), a lonely monster stuck in a substitute teaching job; and Trekkie Monster (Rick Lyon), a porn addict. The tone of Avenue Q is essentially defined by the opening number, "It Sucks to Be Me," in which each cast member declares why his or her life sucks more than any other. Along with Princeton, Kate, and Trekkie, the audience meets Christmas Eve (Ann Harada), her husband and failed stand-up comic Brian (Jordan Gelber), and in a fit of randomness, the loveable Gary Coleman (Natalie Venetia Belcon), who is the landlord of Avenue Q. Yes, Gary Coleman, of "What you talkin' about Willis?" and California recall fame, who is played by a woman and is not a puppet. It's weird. Created out of holiday skits at Sesame Street employee parties, the show is written by Robert Lyon and Jeff Marx, with the book by Jeff Whitty. Many of the cast members -- mostly the puppeteers -- are graduates of either Sesame Street or other Jim Henson productions. For this reason mostly, the message of love and friendliness still remains, but is hidden behind songs like "Schadenfreude," an homage to our favorite word to describe how we all love laughing at other people's misfortunes. The show revolves around Princeton's search for his purpose, during which he finds a romantic partner in Kate and a one-night stand with Lucy T. Slut, the puppet version of Anna Nicole Smith. Avenue Q makes musical theater history by presenting the first ever sex scene between two puppets, including full puppet nudity. It is as ridiculous and bizarre as it sounds, but is fall-on-the-floor silly as well. Princeton also runs into "The Bad Idea Bears," a clever take off on the altruistic CareBears, Bernstein Bears, Gummi Bears, and most other children's ursine role models, who convince him to go binge drinking, use drugs, and be promiscuous. He lives next door to two very familiar-looking characters, Rod, a closeted homosexual Republican, and Nicky, who claims "It's Okay if You're Gay/But I'm not Gay." The two sleep side by side in two beds -- Bert and Ernie have nothing on these two puppets. While PBS shows may deal with being a good neighbor, or how to respect your fellow man, the cast of Avenue Q lets us all know that "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist," and everyone should just accept that fact and move on. This bawdy musical is probably not for the prude tastes of the easily offended. Perhaps the only detractor from an otherwise wonderful Broadway experience was the inclusion of Gary Coleman. Yes, he is short, black, and his parents took all his money, but is there really any reason to include him (even when he's played by a female) in a parody of Sesame Street? The jokes made at his expense were repetitive and at times just not funny. Then again, in the wake of the real Gary Coleman's recent endeavors, maybe the writers have snuck in some good barbs about being governor of California. The central characters of Avenue Q may be puppets, but the actors/puppeteers provide the excellent voices and fill their fabric appendages with heart. Unlike The Muppet Show or other puppet-centric shows, the live actors stand on the stage in full view of the audience. Their facial expressions provide an extra level of texture to the otherwise immobile and inanimate puppets. Tartaglia especially is wonderful as both Princeton and Rod, and Rick Lyon -- the creator of all the puppets -- is equally superb as Trekkie Monster. In a trend that seems to have started with Mel Brooks' The Producers, musical theater has now taken on a self-deprecating quality evident in hits like Urinetown. Emphasis is now placed on witty and goofy lyrics and scripts, as opposed to the soaring melodies of Andrew Lloyd Weber or the flashy dances of Bob Fosse. Never taking itself too seriously, and always poking fun at itself and its public television counterparts, Avenue Q is lighthearted, lewd, yet at the same time heartwarming, in a unique and inspired musical. It may not easy being green, but it's very easy to fall in love with Avenue Q.

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News

Crunch time for National League playoff contenders

September 3

With Labor Day Weekend in the rearview mirror and summer officially over, National League teams are now divided into three categories: those who will make the playoffs, those who are out of contention, and those scoreboard-watching, nailbiters who will not know their fate until the end of September. The Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants occupy the first genre of National League teams. Atlanta has the best record in the Majors at 87-51. Even with Cy Young Award candidate John Smoltz out for two weeks with tendinitis in his right elbow, the Braves will coast into October in search of their first World Series appearance since 1999. Like Atlanta, the Giants will waltz into postseason play. With the second-place Los Angeles Dodgers a mile away at 12 games back and the return of homerun king Barry Bonds' to the lineup, San Francisco needs only to keep up the momentum to ensure they return to the World Series. The Giants will also play 18 of their remaining 24 games against NL West rivals. With a 41-17 record versus division opponents, this month should be a cakewalk for San Francisco. In much the same way as the old Brooklyn Dodgers did on an annual basis, many teams in the NL are waiting 'til next year. Of these, two teams stand out as choke artists in the second half of the season. The Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds have shown they know how to extinguish any playoff hopes with ease. Injuries have plagued a Cincinnati team that was considered a contender for the NL Central early in the season. The Reds have ten players on the disabled list including shortstop Barry Larkin, starting pitcher Ryan Dempster and outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. Additionally, the Reds lost a solid fielder and slugger in All-Star third baseman Aaron Boone, who joined the New York Yankees on July 31. The Reds are 2-8 in their last ten outings and occupy the NL Central cellar rather than first place as earlier speculated. While Cincinnati has a reasonably valid excuse for its collapse, Colorado has just plain folded. The Rockies were in the wildcard hunt up until mid August. With a 45-24 record at home in Coors Field, all the Rockies had to do was approach the .500 mark on the road. Not only are they well below .500, at 20-51 on the year, but they are just a few wins ahead of the miserable Detroit Tigers when they lose their home-field advantage. Colorado is 1-9 in its last ten games and may have to give up on its season completely. The team's pitching showed signs of life early in the season only to see 2002 NL Rookie of the Year Jason Jennings slump to 11-12 with a 4.98 ERA. Fellow starters Shawn Chacon and Denny Neagle are on the disabled list, creating a rotation of unknowns, sophomore slumpers, and cripples. Poor Todd Helton. Seven teams still remain in the NL wildcard hunt. The Philadelphia Phillies and Florida Marlins were deadlocked at the top with identical 74-64 records as of Wednesday morning. Los Angeles, the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs and even the Montreal Expos and Arizona Diamondbacks could still have a shot. Philadelphia is the hottest team at the moment, having won four of its last five games after losing six straight. This weekend's series against the last place New York Mets could help Philly distance itself from the rest of the field. However, the Phillies travel to Atlanta next week to face the Braves, who could act as spoilers for their division rival. The Marlins will hit the road to face the Expos this weekend and then the Mets next week. Florida sports a 30-38 road record to oppose their solid 44-26 home mark. The team will have to perform to keep pace with the streaking Phillies. In the NL Central, three teams are still in the running for the division crown. The race between Houston, Chicago and the St. Louis Cardinals will come down to the wire. The Cards took sole control on Tuesday after defeating the Cubs 2-0 at Wrigley Field. The Astros were half a game back and the Cubs were one and a half games behind as of Wednesday morning. The Cubs and Cards will finish off their series in the Windy City today. St. Louis' Brett Tomko (11-8) will battle southpaw Shawn Estes (7-11) in this crucial matchup. In other NL news, the Dodgers' Eric Gagne set the Major League record for consecutive saves with his 55th on Tuesday in the LA's 2-0 win over Houston. The Astros' loss also helped St. Louis take over the top of the NL Central for the time being.

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Tufts musicians weigh in on file-sharing controversy

September 3

Tuesday's article on file-sharing examined the effect of the RIAA crackdown on college students. This article explores the effects of file-sharing on the music industry and Tufts' community of musicians. The average music downloader's positive view of file-sharing does not mesh with that of the recording industry: witness the RIAA's recent crackdown on illegal file-sharers, as detailed in Tuesday's article. But what of musicians? Is their view of file-sharing in line with that of the average listener or that of the RIAA? The answer depends on the artist's current career status and future goals. Among musicians at Tufts, the general consensus is that file-sharing is an invaluable promotional tool for those artists seeking to achieve cult rather than mainstream success. Senior Jordan Kolasinski is the co-creator of Tufts' Jumbo Audio Project, an annual CD compilation of songs by Tufts musicians that is now entering its third year. A former Concert Board president and a musician himself, Kolasinki is certain that "sharing music is a tremendously effective way to promote artists." "Artists like John Mayer or even Tufts' own Guster have had huge sales and popularity, due in large part to the fact that everyone has at least one of their songs on their playlists," he said. Sophomore Dave Crawley says he has bought more records since he started downloading music. "File-sharing has exposed me to tons of artists I probably would never have listened to otherwise," Crawley said. "I think it helps small, independent artists a lot by getting their names and music out to the public." Senior Nico Juber also feels that file-sharing plays an important part in musicians just starting out. "For new bands, it's hard without Napster and Kazaa to get known," she said. Like Kolasinski, Juber is a musician seeking to broaden her audience. "I always encourage people to put my songs online," she said. "Maybe because I'm not signed and making a lot of money, [the Internet is] a really good way to get my music out." Three of Juber's songs are posted on her website. Several years ago, Kolasinski posted three of his songs as MP3s on Napster, successfully gaining what he describes as "pretty decent exposure." "Especially for completely unknown artists, Kazaa or Napster are incredible," he said. "Was it gratifying to know that people from potentially all over the world were listening to a song I created in my basement? Absolutely," Kolasinski said. "And only free file-sharing can let you do stuff like that." Kate McDonnell, a graduate student and TA who is releasing an album this year, agrees about the promotional potential of file-sharing. "If an artist is clever enough, they can use [file-sharing] to get known without record companies," she said. But she is not overly concerned that file sharing will hurt her success. "When you perform gigs, the real fans will buy your CDs," she said. "The real fans will want the pressed CD; the cool cover sleeve. Fans aren't going to come up to you and ask you to sign a disk they burned off the internet. They want to support the artist." "I always felt like Napster made me buy more CDs," she continued. "At first, people used [Napster] more as Internet radio -- you'd find a song you like, maybe a few songs to see if the album would be worth buying." As Internet connections got faster, however, Juber noticed a shift in the intentions of downloaders: "People started downloading more and more, often even complete albums," she said. The result of such file-sharing behavior? A slump in overall record sales and panic throughout the recording industry. "As with any business," Kolasinski said, "its all comes down to the money. So when people stop paying for CDs, the thousands of people who make money off of CD sales get [angry]. And they have a right to." However, according to McDonnell, who is also the teaching assistant for the sociology course Introduction to Mass Media, record companies have, at least partly, brought the present situation upon themselves. By consistently operating with profit in mind, she says many major record labels have sacrificed artistic integrity and variation in favor of generically appealing but largely unsatisfying albums. In such an environment, any artists outside the mainstream face great odds against their success, and the public's musical curiosity remains unfulfilled. Additionally, major record labels often take immense_and sometimes illegal_cuts of artists' profits. "If you're with a major label, you'll get ripped off at some stage," McDonnell said. McDonnell cited the Dixie Chicks as a recent example. The group, upon reviewing their finances, realized that they had been getting "scammed by Warner [Bros. Records] for years." The Dixie Chicks took Warner to court and won several million dollars. Artists taking on record labels do not always meet with such success, however. "You have to have an excellent lawyer, and even then, you can't really win because of all the legal fees you've incurred," McDonnell said. "It's kind of a vicious cycle." So why the need for major record companies at all anymore? Does what Associate Professor of Sociology Henry Rubin terms "the file-sharing era" bring with it the end of the reign of monolithic record companies? Probably not. Although file-sharing can bring independent artists a great deal of recognition and exposure, "you have to be signed by a major label to get bigtime airplay on the radio, MTV," McDonnell said. Going the "mainstream" route, then, still requires the backing of a major label. But file-sharing has increased the number of artists achieving success on a smaller scale -- and on their own terms. "If you decide to go without mainstream backing, you become labeled an 'underground' artist, which becomes very appealing to some and creates a cult fan base," McDonnell said. "That in itself can be a very welcome thing." Rubin concurs: "In the new file-sharing era, people listen more to the songs they really like," he said. "There are many more artists and more of what we used to call underground or niche musicians who are able to use bandwidth to get their stuff out there. This increases the heterogeneous nature of the art." File-sharing has made the public more aware of its musical options, and consumers, as Rubin said, are sick of forking over money for albums "where you get a single and ten duds." From a consumer standpoint, then, the record companies' situation is good news: "Now, the record industry is pressured to put out substantial albums," Juber said. Monday, in this series' final installment, we weigh the advantages and disadvantages of various legal alternatives and discuss file-sharing's effects on American community and culture.

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Psych professor Salvatore Soraci passes away

September 3

Renowned Tufts psychology professor Salvatore Soraci passed away Aug. 8, 2003, as a result of complications from lymphoma treatment. Professor Soraci was deeply involved in the psychology department, serving as co-director of the Engineering Psychology/Human Factors Program and conducting his own research in cognitive psychology. Soraci received the prestigious Research Career Development Award for his work in cognitive psychology. He was also a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He was hired in 1993 to take over the Engineering Psychology program. The program was designed to take behavior into account when designing offices and work environments. Though this was not an area Soraci had worked in previously, Department Chair Joseph DeBold said he "took on the extra work and was very successful." Soraci made an effort to go out into the community and make sure that graduates of the program would have job opportunities after they left Tufts. One of his passions was researching ways to make learning easier for mentally challenged children. He did much of this work through the Schriver Center at the University of Massachusetts, where he involved many of his graduate students in the research. Through his studies he came to firmly believe that people learn better when they are challenged. His findings have been incorporated in many study guides and teaching aids. Soraci's death came as a shock to many of his students, advisees, and colleagues, as he was expected to be back this fall in an advising role, according to DeBold. Senior Gati Dharani, who was an advisee of Soraci and took several of his classes, said Soraci will be greatly missed. "Students were always very comfortable speaking with Professor Soraci," she said. "They always felt that they could relate to him. The department lost a professor who was really passionate about what he taught. They also lost someone who was a good friend to his students, and that is really hard to replace." Though he had been diagnosed several years ago, Soraci rarely mentioned his disease and continued to work. DeBold described him as "always bubbly and enthusiastic." Soraci received a "series of treatments that kept it at bay" and only once took a leave of absence when the chemotherapy became intense. According to Dharani, students knew Soraci by his warm, light-hearted nature, and were rarely aware of his illness. "He always made people laugh," she said. "I would go back and tell my roommates and my friends his stories and jokes. He was just a very fun person. You couldn't really tell what he was going through from his demeanor in class. If you met him he was always so happy and joyful." Soraci was active in his research through the summer, and he published his most recent article, titled "Generative Processing and False Memories: When There Is No Cost" in July. Before he came to Tufts, Soraci worked at Vanderbilt University and the University of Arkansas. He earned his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt in 1982 and his B.A. from the University of Florida. A memorial service will be held at Tufts for students and faculty in the coming weeks.

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Summer Scholars Program successful on all counts

September 3

The trial-run of Tufts' new Summer Scholars Program finished as an overwhelming success according to those involved. The program received national attention from the Chronicle of Higher Education, and both faculty and students were pleased with the program. "Students are beginning to understand how important an in-depth study of a particular topic in their field is," said senior Mitch Lunn, the program's coordinator. "This program allows students to generate a strong relationship with their mentor, stay in the Boston area for the summer, and have it be financially feasible. It ends up being a 'win-win-win' experience in all those areas." The program, described by many faculty as "long overdue," is believed to be the most comprehensive of its kind for undergraduates. It encompasses all four of Tufts' campuses and is open to all majors. Thirty students of diverse interests teamed up with faculty mentors from across the University to conduct a broad array of research projects. Everything from the implications of the tobacco industry targeting women to philosophy was covered. Senior Rachel Jervis had a similarly positive relationship with her mentor, Community Health professor Edith Balbach. The two researched how the tobacco industry has targeted women by exploiting their concerns about weight. Jervis, who worked with Balbach prior to the program, noted that the scholarship encourages students to capitalize on previously existing student-faculty partnerships. The two hope that their collaborative research and scholarship will culminate in a submission to a peer-reviewed journal by the beginning of second semester. Although the majority of scholars this year were in science-related fields, the program encourages research in the arts and humanities. "Philosophy, precisely because it is not a science, was a different type of research and consisted mostly of reading and writing," philosophy major and Summer Scholar researcher Joel Wertheimer said. "It was a valuable experience learning how to process these [ideas] into a coherent essay, and it is something I might take further after school," Wertheimer said. His mentor, Professor Erin Kelly, agreed. "The Summer Scholars Program proved to be extremely valuable in helping Joel lay the groundwork for a senior thesis. He will be a junior this year, so he really has a jump on the senior project." The program was all-inclusive, giving scholars the chance to continue their studies while earning some money for the summer. Students received $3,500 stipends, $1,000 for materials, and were offered the chance to live in university housing. Faculty mentors also received $1,000 in research funding. Over 90 students applied for the 30 positions, and more than 100 faculty posted opportunities. The scholars will display their accomplishments in an early November poster session, and later into the year, at the annual Tufts Research Symposium. This summer was considered a test-run for the program because its inception by the Provost's Office was extremely rushed. Announced at the end of last March, scholars were selected by mid-April. The hastiness of its organization was the most common complaint by students and mentors. Lunn, however, said that the Summer Scholars Coordination team has already started planning for next year's program, and believes the process will run more smoothly this year. The goal is to make the Summer Scholars Program a long-term Tufts tradition, but it remains undetermined whether there are funds available to expand the program before summer 2004. "The Undergraduate Task Force recommended that Tufts create a summer scholars program, but it was so late in the school year that I honestly didn't think they could pull it off by summer 2003," Balbach said. "I really admire the Provost and the Dean of Colleges for going ahead with it -- the program went incredibly smoothly for its first year," she said.

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ESPN not on 2003 campus cable roster

September 3

Tufts students searching for College Football Gameday or Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN this past weekend were greeted with a rude surprise - the cable sports channel is not among the 59 stations available on campus this year. Tufts changed the provider of campus cable services this summer and under the new arrangement, it would have cost between $50,000 and $100,000 to add ESPN to the channel lineup. Due to a new method of buying channels and the cost of ESPN, inflexibility on the part of ESPN, and the Tufts Computing and Communications Services (TCCS) budget constraints and emphasis on educational, news, and foreign language channels, Tufts students will not have access to the 24 hour-a-day sports station. On the plus side, students now get basic cable at no additional cost, a change from the former policy. After last year's contract with Paetec ended as the outsource for television and phone deals, the university wanted "to look more creatively at how we offer services to students," Executive Administrative Dean Wayne Bouchard said. "We thought a local cable company would jump at the opportunity to cash in here." The hitch came when Tufts was unable to strike a reasonable deal with such companies as Comcast and RCN. Since broadcast TV is not a viable option due to the lack of antennae on campus, the school faced two possibilities: go the satellite route or subject students to a year without any television. Tufts hired Falls Earth Station Inc., which offers satellite service to campuses across the country, to negotiate with individual channels to create what TCCS hoped would be an enticing cable menu. Funding came from the Department of Arts & Sciences through tuition fees. At first glance, some of the selections raise some eyebrows - Lifetime, the Cartoon Network, and the Family Channel do not seem like priorities for college students. However, channels came in package deals in which one channel often could not be bought without another. "For instance, we knew we definitely wanted CNN, even though that meant taking a cartoon channel that came with it," TCCS Manager of Networks and Special Projects Marj Minnigh said. Most packages came extremely cheaply (in one instance, Tufts purchased a multichannel deal for the entire school for $25 a month). However, ESPN's four channel package of ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, and ESPN News would have cost between $50,000 and $100,000, more than every other channel purchased by the school combined. In the end, the university could not justify spending that much tuition money for entertainment channels. "We weren't cheaping out, but we weren't going the Cadillac route either," Bouchard said. "We feel we've offered a fairly reasonable selection considering we're using Arts & Sciences funds, and we decided if we're using tuition dollars, we really needed to focus on educational content as much as possible. I would have a harder time justifying stuff like ESPN, HBO and movie channels with that money." Indeed, channels like HBO, Bravo, and Showtime are available to students as part of optional premium packages. But the worldwide leader in sports would not make itself available in such a way. "That's not TCCS' fault," sophomore Nimit Barochia said. "If you blame anyone, you have to blame ESPN for being so rigid. But either way you look at it, it sucks for the students who are fans." No ESPN is not all bad news for sports diehards, however, especially Boston fans. The new deal includes Fox Sports Net and NESN, which, respectively, show every Celtics and Red Sox game not nationally televised. "Last year, NESN was incredibly grainy and we didn't even get FSN," sophomore Leigh Simons said. "Now I can watch every single game this year." Additionally, when TCCS realized ESPN was not going to work out, they tried to compensate by adding College Sports TV, which broadcasts collegiate sporting events ranging from NAIA football to Division I soccer. Although most Jumbos were upset with the lack of ESPN, they were happy that cable came at no additional cost and understood TCCS' reasoning in not purchasing the sports channel's package. "There go the early rounds of the baseball playoffs [which are televised on ESPN]," sophomore Erik Johanson said. "But I can definitely understand why the school couldn't commit all that money to sports." "I'd rather have free cable and no ESPN than have to pay a ridiculous amount extra for cable," sophomore Mike DeBartolo said. "We knew students would want it, we know it's popular, and we knew they would be upset," Minnigh said. "We wish we could have made it work, and hopefully we will next year." Bouchard was also upbeat. "For the first time ever, students are coming back to campus with phone, TV, and data services at no additional cost," he said. "We feel very good about that."

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Construction of new residence hall delayed

September 3

The University was forced to postpone a series of construction projects after the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission (SHPC) objected to plans to demolish a building on Professors Row. The former music building at 20 Professors Row, along with the buildings at 13 and 15 Talbot Ave., were supposed to be demolished to make way for a 150-bed environmentally-friendly dormitory. But the commission, whose approval was required before a building permit could be issued, objected to the project because of the music building's historic value. The wood-frame house was the home of former Tufts president Hosea Ballou, and in a letter sent in May, the commission said it would prefer that no part of the house be demolished. The University negotiated with the commission over the summer, but the dispute has not yet been resolved and there is still no start date for the construction of Sophia Gordon Hall -- even though the groundbreaking ceremony for the dormitory took place almost four months ago and demolition was supposed to begin this summer. The setback has forced the University to delay construction of the new music center, which is planned for the corner of Professors Row and Packard Ave., the current location of the Zeta Psi fraternity. But according to Barbara Rubel, the University's director of community relations, the administration is not worried that the objection will halt the project. "It is fair to say we're optimistic that we will build the dorm," she said. Tufts had consulted with the Somerville city government, but the commission did not get involved until late in the planning process. "We we're doing what we needed to do and [the city] was doing what it needed to do," Rubel said. Tufts also consulted with residents in neighborhoods adjacent to the University, and according to Rubel, only three people expressed concern. The University believes the dorm would benefit nearby communities because it would keep more students in university accommodation. "Pulling students out of the neighborhood and to the campus would reduce problems for residents," Rubel said. "Most students are fine neighbors but some aren't." Many students agreed with Rubel's observations. "If more students can live on campus then there are less off-campus parties and noise complaints," said sophomore Matt Everett "Plus it is easier and cheaper for the students." The new dorm would also reduce the demand for off-campus housing, easing the strain on the housing supplies of Medford and Somerville. According to Rubel, Somerville Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay supports the new dorm project, but she wants the University to reach an acceptable agreement with the SHPC. The dispute is part of an ongoing struggle between the university's expansion and modernization and the interests of Somerville and the SHPC. There has even been an attempt to create a historic district on Professor's Row. The University originally considered two other sites for the construction of the new dorm: off the side of Hill Hall with a bridge connecting the two buildings and behind Metcalf Hall where the Start House and Alumni House are located.

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The economics of internships

September 3

Given the current economy, finding an internship can be difficult enough. But an additional -- perhaps even larger -- problem arises once the internship is found. It is a white elephant no one likes to speak about: the funds students forego by taking such positions. Junior Neda Pisheva found she simply could not afford to forfeit any money this summer. "The only internships I could find this past summer were unpaid," she said. "It would have been a good experience but I could not afford not to make any money." Pisheva said she believes many students feel this way due to the economic slowdown. Junior Sarah Hoffman was also dismayed at the prospect of having no income over the summer, but it did not deter her from taking her unpaid position because of the future benefits. "With the Massachusetts budget shortage this year, this was the first summer the Boston state house did not pay their interns," Hoffman said. "It would have been a welcome perk to the internship." Internships can be a vital tool towards getting a job after college, as they provide insight and networking opportunities within an industry. Despite the difficulties, it is not necessary to give up making any money to have such an experience. Marie McCool, the Assistant Director of Internships and Employment Outreach at Career Services, is the University's point person for internships. She handles online searches, internship fairs, and the Winternship program. She knows that economics are important to students. "There are many students who come and talk about the realities of needing to make money," she said. However, there are many ways students can get around this problem and the University can help. McCool suggested searching for internships during the school year. Some departments offer credit for internships, but other students simply schedule it into their week. McCool says this option works especially well for juniors and seniors, who have "a little bit more flexibility" and can block off a whole day for an internship. "If you find a place you like and they like you, you've worked for a longer period of time [than summer interns]," McCool said. "You have a fuller view of what the year is like." Another option for students is to do an internship part time during the summer, leaving time for paid jobs. This is "definitely an option for many students" although it is not ideal. Some students face a different problem where they can afford to take an unpaid internship, but their business or company requires school credit. Since it is often large companies that require such credit, many students fall under the umbrella of companies requiring credit. Viacom is an example of such a company. McCool says this for-credit requirement is typical within communications, engineering and financial industries. Tufts does not give credit without taking a class, so students doing internships during the summer face the issue of having to pay as much as $1,300 to take an Ex-College class run by the Communications and Media Studies minor that will allow them to get credit for their internship. For students who cannot get credit for their internships, Career Services created a program called Academic Transcript Notation as an alternative to getting credit for an internship. Many companies simply want the University to acknowledge their internship program. This notation is a free way for students to have an acknowledgement on their transcript that they had an internship with a particular company, but it will not count towards their graduation requirements. Tufts also has a few scholarship programs which enable students to take internships during the summer while still earning money. One is given through Career Services with funding through the governmental Diversity Fund. This program gives scholarships or grants to four students of color each summer. "That encompasses a lot more than African American students," McCool said. Another program, led by the University College of Citizenship and Public Service (UCCPS), is the Active Citizenship Summers Program, which is being reinstituted next summer after a year off. This is a grant given to students who have internships where the goal is to make the world a better place, holding to the ideals of the UCCPS. About 50 grants are given, supplementing the income students would otherwise be earning had they taken a paid summer job. Even if these options are not helpful for a particular student, it is possible to gain a lot from jobs that do not take place in the business world. Former Dean of the Colleges Charles Inouye has some words of encouragement for downtrodden students who still must still work jobs during the summer as opposed to internships. "We are all limited by our lack of experience. The more widely and broadly experienced our students are, the better," Inouye said. "It's possible to focus too soon and too tightly on one's vocation, just as it's possible to focus too soon and too tightly on a major." "I'm more of an advocate about finding one's academic focus early than I am an advocate about finding internships that ramp up to a job someday, he continued."

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News

Pats choose salary cap over championship ring

September 3

After a 4-0, essentially injury free preseason, the New England Patriots' camp was more than likely full of high fives, strawberries and ice cream. The core players from the Super Bowl team of two years ago were still in tact as of three days ago, with minor cap casualties J.R. Redmond and Otis Smith being the exceptions. Then, like a kick to the groin, the high fives stopped as the NFL economic system reared its ugly head in the form of the Pats cutting three-time Pro Bowl strong safety Lawyer Milloy. It is simply difficult to be optimistic about the hometown team's aspirations as they prepare for the first game of a crucial season without the heart, soul and CAPTAIN of their defense. And this is not just any defense. This is Bill Belichick's defense that now has even better athletes at certain positions -- namely free-agent signees Roosevelt Colvin at Linebacker and Rodney Harrison at Free Safety, as well as rookie everything man Dan Klecko -- than he may have had for the Super Bowl team. In a preseason where such valuable commodities as Michael Vick, Chad Pennington and Frank Wycheck have gone down with injuries, the Patriots took an alternate route to diminishing their team's chances by waiving Milloy. While Belichick and player personnel director Scott Pioli have gotten a free pass since the Super Bowl victory, this is the first move that may call their collective "genius" into question. Only time will tell. But the outlook may not be as bleak as it appears. While he may sign with Buffalo and actually play against New England this week (I wouldn't blame him), Milloy managed to play every game last season and still not have one interception, sack, forced or recovered fumble. The coaches obviously know something we don't and are confident that a rotation of Chris Akins, Antwan Harris and Aric Morris can be sufficient in the system. As for the rest of the defensive backfield, the mixture of other veteran leaders as well as rookie studs will try to prove that LAL (Life after Lawyer) is actually manageable. Rodney Harrison lays big hits from the free safety spot and Ty Law has time and time again been a shut down corner. Youngsters Eugene Wilson and Asante Samuel, as well as newcomer Tyrone Poole, will battle for the spot opposite Law. The linebackers and defensive front have taken huge strides toward improving a unit that was 23rd in the league in total D and 31st against the run. And by huge strides, I mean obtaining guys like 365 pound tackle Ted Washington, who looks like he swallowed Adam Vinatieri whole. The 3-4 package should bring out the best in guys like tweener Willie McGinest and newly minted defensive end Richard Seymour. Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Roman Phifer and a healthy Ted Johnson should all benefit from Washington's adeptness at taking on blockers and Colvin's potential to take a little of the pressure off of them. Colvin makes the unit faster, and lack of speed caught up with the defense last year. Prior to Milloy being released, the microscope was on the offense, but more specifically the rushing attack. While these weaknesses may not be getting the attention now, they will still be just as suspect when the squad has to suit up in Buffalo this weekend. As with any team, the facility with which the offense moves begins and ends with the protection up front. Aside from Pro Bowl center Damien Woody, the Pats' line is more serviceable than spectacular. But even one injury could seriously hurt them, with depth being a problem after free agent signee Brendan Stai retired early in training camp. It was the third year in a row that a veteran lineman the Patriots had brought in for insurance retired in July. At running back, it does not appear that one man will be starting all 16 games for the Pats. Kevin Faulk, an off and on guy as far as reliability goes, has still found a niche as a third down back. But if Antowain Smith does not return to the 2001 form that saw him bumping off the first hit and busting long runs, Faulk could be pushed into every down duty. This would put the Pats on shaky ground, if it was not shaky enough already. The passing game, on the other hand, should not see any problems just as long as either Christian Fauria or Daniel Graham can emerge as good dump-off options for Tom Brady. The group of receivers is talented and has speed to burn as well. Troy Brown has emerged from third down playmaker into all-down playmaker, David Patten had a great preseason, and Belichick said rookie Bethel Johnson is the fastest player he has ever coached. As is often commonplace with the club, special teams should not pose difficulties. Vinatieri is the best clutch kicker in the game and the Pats have return men coming out of their ears. While a dynasty is nearly impossible in today's NFL, putting together a competitive bunch year in and year out is not. As long as the system is in place, a lot is possible. Prediction with Milloy: 12-4, AFC CHAMPS Prediction: 10-6, lose in the second round

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