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The Setonian
News

Unwritten Law: a solid, but unknown band

February 25

Unwritten Law may not have officially broken into the mainstream music circuit yet, but if they haven't, the only thing holding them back is a lack of name recognition. With roots dating back to Poway, California, this high-powered quintet has come to epitomize the SoCal punk rock scene. Unwritten Law possesses a furious energy that carries through to both their albums and their live performances, invigorating crowds and fortifying their popularity among the punk populace. It is rare, indeed, that a band can manage to incorporate such potent lyrics with intense, yet, catchy tunes without losing something in the translation, but the group's spirit and intensity helps them to stand out amongst the crowd. Featuring lead vocalist Scott Russo, guitarists Rob Brewer and Steve Morris, bassist Pat Kim and drummer Wade Youman, the band has produced five albums and has also been featured on the MTV Road Rules soundtrack. Their musical dexterity stretches from the more traditional hardcore punk rock to reggae with underlying surf rhythms, a throwback to the days of yore when punk bands played what they wanted, when they wanted to, without regard for the demands of executives or record labels. With a lively spirit and intensity that can only be classified as refreshing in these times of prepackaged sitcom music, Unwritten Law constantly strives to redefine itself and to surpass previously inhibiting musical barriers. Their new album, titled From Music in High Places, is certainly no exception. The collection actually resulted from the MTV television series of the same title, Music in High Places, which sent rock groups to exotic locations around the world to produce live concerts. In the case of Unwritten Law and its performance in Yellowstone National Park, the experiment can be hailed as nothing short of a roaring success. All of the songs on the compact disc, with one exception, were recorded live in Yellowstone, and the awe-stirring natural beauty of the forests surely contributed to the swelling energy and underlying spirituality of the album, unique even among Unwritten Law's distinguishing work. The collection opens with "Before I Go," a slow, laid-back number that hints at the group's reggae roots. With rolling drum riffs, emphasized bass and a featured guitar solo reminiscent of surf rock, this primary song sets a smooth feel for the entire album and does a fair job of hooking the listener from the start. "Rest of My Life" is up next, highlighting a quiet rhythm and harmonious background that settles well against Russo's vocal ability. Steve Morris's considerable musical talents are spotlighted in "Seeing Red" and "Geronimo," both with impressive moving guitar lines that bring life to the piece and echoes the beauty of Yellowstone. The number "Up All Night" stands out among the rest of the album with a unique rhythm and featured bass that commands attention from the opening note and truly demonstrates why Unwritten Law is becoming one of the premiere punk bands across the nation. It's rare that a musical group so unproven can conduct such an offbeat experiment in discordant harmonies, but the quintet succeeds beyond all expectations, capturing the sense of ultimate insomnia of which they sing. Also notable are "Rescue Me" and the closing number "Shallow," beautiful pieces truly capturing the environment in which they sing. Taken all in all, "From Music in High Places" enhances an already impressive musical resume. Unwritten Law may not have yet reached the popularity commanded by mainstream artists, but there is little to suggest it is through any fault of their own. With beautiful harmonies, soaring lyrics and an incredible selection of songs highlighting the group's dexterity and talent, this album is a necessary addition to any CD collection.

The Setonian
News

The Emerald Isle has what you need

February 25

America needs something. Sports are integral to the happiness of the American public and right now the people aren't happy because there's a serious lull in American athletics. Every year the space of time after the Super Bowl and before March Madness leaves people across the States with little to follow. However, have no fear. Just as the Irish have stepped in in the past to provide Americans with countless resources --Guinness, potatoes, and Lucky Charms --my people are ready to deliver what America has been waiting for: Gaelic sports. Unlike anything seen here in the States, Ireland offers a variety of fast-paced, highly skilled athletic endeavors that aim to keep the fans on their toes. Each year the 26 counties comprising the Republic of Ireland team with the six counties within Northern Ireland to see who will fare best in Gaelic football and hurling. If you haven't got a scrap of Irish in you, you've at least wished you were Irish at some point. So get out the family tree and trace yourself back to a county so you'll have someone to root for in the coming weeks. Touted as a blend of soccer and rugby, Gaelic football is in fact older than both of these sports and far more engaging. It is played on a pitch that is 137m long by 82m wide, with goalposts located at each end and crossbars lower than in rugby but a bit higher than in soccer. The ball used is round and a smidgen smaller than a soccer ball. In order to advance the ball down the pitch, it can be carried by hand for four steps, or can be kicked or "hand-passed"-- a striking motion performed by the hand or fist. After four steps the ball must be either bounced or "solo-ed," which involves dropping the ball onto one foot and kicking it back into the hand, and the ball can't be bounced twice in a row. Teams are 15-men strong, including a goaltender, three fullbacks, three halfbacks, two midfielders, three half-forwards, and three full-forwards. Players wear a jersey with their team colors and number on the back, with the goalkeepers' jersey different from that of any other player. Scoring is achieved in two ways. For a point, the ball can be struck over the crossbar using a foot, hand, or fist. For three points, the ball can go under the crossbar and into the net for a goal Though the rules sound tedious, they do nothing to slow the pace of the game as those playing it are highly skilled and make it look easy. The Allianz NFL 2003 campaign started up on Feb. 2 and is set to end regular season play on April 6. Last year saw County Tyrone take its first NFL title, however Tyrone have only gone 1-2 thus far in the season. It's only victory unfortunately came at the hands of my very own Galway squad. However my men in maroon rebounded the next weekend against County Kerry. There are weeks more of this action to take place, so we'll see where Tyrone ends up this time around. If Gaelic football sounds too similar to rugby and soccer for your liking, then hurling is the sport for you. The only similarities between the two sports lie in the number of people on the team and the positions they take as well as the way the scoring is done. However, instead of launching a soccer-sized ball by hand or foot towards the crossbar, a small ball about the size of a baseball is sent by means of a curved wooden stick. The ball is known as the sliothar and the stick, which is curved outwards at the end to provide a proper striking surface, is referred to as a caman, or hurley in English. As Europe's oldest field game, it looks like a cross between field hockey, lacrosse, and baseball, but played with greater intensity than the three. The sliothar can be hit on the ground or in the air, and can be picked up with the hurley. It can be carried for four steps, after which time the sliothar can be bounced on the hurley and back into the hand, but the sliothar can't be caught more than twice. In order to move with the sliothar without having to constantly bounce it around, the skill of balancing it on the hurley and carrying it down the field has been perfected. What ensues is a deadly aggressive game that moves so quickly that it can be hard to follow at times. The sliothar can be hit clear across the field, bounced, carried, or passed, and there are no timeouts or injury timeouts. Thus, it's a sport guaranteed to keep you occupied. Traditionally the Kilkenny Cats are the frontrunners in the prestigious Guinness All-Ireland Hurling Championships, with counties like Tyrone, Kerry, Dublin, and of course Galway trying to claw into Kilkenny. The Allianz 2003 season started up last weekend, with Kilkenny trouncing County Waterford in a commanding 4-11 to 0-12 victory. With the season going clear into March, there's more than enough time to pick a county now and follow it to the completion of the season without interfering with any American sport. So pick a county and get into either of these two thrilling sports before the doldrums of sports in this country gets you down. You'll see that though Irish is a small island nation known primarily for its propensity to head to the pub and renowned lush landscapes, it can also be a place of sports bliss.

The Setonian
News

Piece of Mind' is anything but

February 25

While the smooth beats and rhythms of Robin Lane and The Chartbuster's album Piece of Mind are in accord with the title and induce slow and steady head-bobbing and toe-tapping, Lane's lyrics are simplistic and range from whiny and melancholy to throaty and angry. Initially, the instrumentals themselves are worth listening to and actually have a rather large range of sounds, but Lane's voice adds nothing but flatness and an amateur tone to the music. The music itself, unfortunately, follows Lane's dreary lead. "All Fall Down" opens the album with an optimistic beat; but unfortunately that hopefulness is dampened by Lane's vocal entrance. The anticipation of a decent album is not entirely ruined however until we hear the second track, "Talk to You." This track is reminiscent of Alanis Morrisette's later music, far inferior to her earlier platinum records. Even that comparison is far fetched because Lane and The Chartbusters lack the raw talent of Morrisette and other female singers in her league. Aside from Alanis Morrisette, Lane attempts to imitate a slew of other female legends such as Natalie Merchant, Fiona Apple, Jann Arden, and to some extent, Sarah McLachlan. In a hopeless combination of angry feminism, slow and syrupy sadness, and monotonous attempts at upbeat melodies, Lane's endeavor to replicate these successes is drowned in trite lyrics, simplistic rhymes, and long overused clich?©s. As the CD progresses, the mode shifts from artificial replications of respected women artists to a sound similar to that of "My dog got run over by a truck and my boyfriend left me" country music, exemplified by track eight's "The Letter." Aside from incessant and simple guitar riffs, Lane's own writing gives nearly the entire CD the sound of filler songs. Her 'advanced' and 'poetic' lyrics range from rhyming "get" with "forget" to lines such as "I used to think I was so smart, but when you're around I'm losing control of my hea-art." As for redeeming qualities, if you're looking for an album where you can have all the words memorized after one listen, this is the record you're looking for. The songs are so one-dimensional that certain tracks including "Somebody Else" and "Idiot" are actually just grating repetitions of the same not so catchy verse. The tunes are evocative of stereotypical chants in Disney movies such as Peter Pan (The scene with the "Red Man") or maybe in early 20th century musicals. Another comparable musical talent that comes to mind is NBC's Friends' Phoebe and her coffee house guitar strumming. The effect is that of the untrained vocals of someone who learned a few very basic guitar chords and then made up a song using mundane rhymes and chant like melodies. The song itself could be made up as it was being sung. The product is very effective in the case of Phoebe with the addition of her onscreen charm and witty costars; however Lane can't quite reach the level of "Smelly Cat." Robin Lane and the Chartbusters were reaching for a worthwhile sound, and maybe even a worthwhile message, but they managed to fall short of achieving anything close to captivating, or anything close to "Peace of Mind". The sound is that of an amateur garage band with little innovation and an even smaller amount of preparation or instruction. If you're looking for a melancholy, or even angry, female artist, stick with Alanis Morrisette.

The Setonian
News

Ball handling

February 25

I've always wondered why men watch movies with one hand tucked snuggly into their boxers. It is as though while their attention is diverted to the TV screen, their testicles are going to seize the opportunity, detach themselves, and run away. Seriously, I think all men deserve an honorary UPS jacket for the amount of time they spend handling their package. Yet despite the frequency with which most men have their hands down their pants, I'd be willing to bet that very few regularly give themselves testicular exams. I guess it could seem as though there are more... ahem... productive things you could be doing while touching yourself then checking for tumors. But only a few minutes once a month is all that it takes to give your testicles a thorough examination. And these few minutes could potentially prevent a terrible disease, which anyone would argue is more productive than spanking your monkey. I know that when I think of cancer, I think of it as a health problem that people won't have to worry about until they're at least 30. And as a woman, this is for the most part true. Men, however, must start being cancer-conscious earlier on, since testicular cancer hits a much younger age group. According to the American Cancer Association, testicular cancer is the number one cancer killer in men aged 20 to 30. The good news is that the survival rate is very high. The bad news is that the survival rate is high only if the tumor is caught within the first three months. A doctor is your best bet for the most accurate tumor screening, but in between visits, it's wise to do a self-check up on the status of your balls. So in the name of good health, come on boys, get those hands down those pants! (It's not like it's something you're that uncomfortable doing.) While on your way to "the land down under," you might as well check for signs of venereal disease. Checking for venereal disease doesn't mean assuming you're clean just because you're member is intact, a relatively normal color, and didn't turn into a cauliflower over night. Your penis should be examined at all angles, meaning that bringing a mirror into the mix could be helpful. (Funny how some of our kinkier moments happen when we are alone). Bumps, sores, and blisters are all signs that you may have a disease. If you have any of these symptoms, take your hands off your family jewels, pick up the phone, and schedule an appointment with a doctor. If the Salami is kosher, then move on to your testicles. They're hairy, smell bad, and retract when you're cold, they are... dun na na... your balls. Take a second to get acquainted with your testicles, hell, even name them if you haven't already. Hopefully, you have just stepped out of a warm bath or shower so that your sac is hanging freely from your body. Grab each testicle one at a time between your thumb and your fingers and roll it around. You are looking for any small hard lumps that would probably be at the sides of your testicles. These lumps are very often painless, so even if it doesn't hurt, you should still call a doctor. Another reason you may want to contact your physician is if you notice a heavy feeling in one side of your scrotum. If you notice no lumps or heaviness, you are free to ignore your testicles for another month and concentrate all your attention back to Captain Happy if you so desire. Just make sure that after a couple of weeks you venture back into the land of the free ball and check those suckers out again. Everyone has a busy schedule, and remembering to give oneself a testicular exam isn't at the top of anyone's to-do list. Perhaps you could start associating Monday Night Football with your scrotum. Next time you catch yourself with your hands on your package watching TV, just remember to do a testicular self-exam that night after you get out of the shower. I like to think that everything happens for a reason, and all of our unexplained habits have some sort of evolutionary purpose. What if men's ball handling habits stem from some subconscious knowledge that their testicles need to be examined? On the other hand, it could just be that sticking one's hands down one's pants is the most convenient way of heating them. At any rate, with the amount of time that you boys spend holding your package, a testicular self-exam shouldn't be too much of an inconvenience, and it may even save your life.

The Setonian
News

Senior dinners attempt to foster community feeling

February 24

A series of dinners honoring the senior class and hosted by President and Adele Fleet Bacow this month will attempt to solidify the relationship between the University and graduating seniors. Mixed reactions from students in attendance show that the evening of mingling with alumni will make some seniors leave Tufts with a strong community feeling, and others no more likely to donate money or participate in alumni programs than before. The dinners, which bring nearly 1,000 students to the Gifford House over the course of eight evenings, were instated by Bacow with the intent of investing in students while still on campus, instead of waiting until they are alumni to make a connection. According to the Alumni Association -- the department that is in charge of running the dinners -- senior dinners are intended to foster gratitude, good will, and goal-setting among Tufts seniors. The event is considered to be part of the department's mission to make students "alumni in training." Alumni Relations "is an interesting mix of business and education," said Timothy Brooks, Director of Alumni Relations. For many years, Brooks said, the focus of the department has been to attract alumni who have established themselves and get them to donate to the University. The event is "meant to be a warm and fuzzy night without being hokey," Brooks said. Seniors who attend are greeted with a handshake by the Bacows and wear nametags, which are intended to facilitate the pre-dinner mingling between students and alumni. During dinner, seniors listen to remarks from the president's wife, a number of Alumni hosts, and President Bacow. Seniors are also invited to share a memory from their time at Tufts. Many of the seniors in attendance at the dinners felt that the networking experience was a comforting one. "I liked it," said Kishore Setty, an economics major. "The alumni were insightful. They told us to not worry too much, relax, first jobs aren't so great." He concluded that attending the dinners is a "good idea." With graduation looming, many seniors are worried about their future, and senior Erin Katsirebas said that the "the alumni were reassuring," and noted the "take opportunities as they come" theme of the evening. Other seniors felt that the overlying theme of the evening was forced mingling. "I think this is a feeble attempt to create community at Tufts. It seems false and forced," senior Emma Fletcher said. Fletcher also said that the dinner was not likely to affect her post-graduation involvement with the Alumni Association. "I do plan to stay connected, but it's because of my involvement with the senior fund and alumni fund. This dinner just seems artificial," she said. Alumni were interested in hearing about senior's plans after graduation. "It was great to find out what seniors are planning on doing after graduation," said alumni host Joshua Fox '98. Fox said that "the dinners can help seniors by providing them with an early opportunity to network," and by talking to alumni, "seniors can see that there are many exciting opportunities awaiting them after they graduate from Tufts." Senior Tammi Ruley said that the event made students realize how quickly graduation was approaching. It "took me back to senior year of high school," she said. "I was talking to a friend after, and it was like, 'we're graduating from college!' I had a bitter-sweet feeling." "We really enjoy hosting the seniors in our home," Adele Bacow said. "We look for opportunities to get to know these wonderful Tufts students better, invite them into our home, and help them feel connected to this fabulous university now and in the future." A positive experience at Tufts translates to success in Tufts admissions, in the press, the university's reputation, and even attendance at future events, Brooks said. Besides the "forced" feeling of the evening, the only other complaint seemed to be the lack of alcohol. "I was hoping there would be a bar," Setty said. President Bacow, who made the decision to keep the evenings alcohol free said, "It was a combination of the cost and the fact that these are all school nights." Since the first dinner two weeks ago, President and Mrs. Bacow have hosted nearly 750 seniors at the Gifford House, their on-campus residence. Another 150 are expected to attend this week. All seniors received invitations to one of the eight nights.

The Setonian
News

Protestors expected to voice anti-Bush opinions tomorrow

February 24

Large crowds are expected gather in and around the Gantcher Center tomorrow: more than 2,000 people will come to hear former President George H.W. Bush deliver the Fares Lecture; hundreds of others will come to demonstrate their disapproval of his presidency and what they consider the University's implicit endorsement of war in Iraq. Culminating weeks of planning, the anti-Bush demonstration will begin with a rally in Davis Square at 1:30 before protestors march to Gantcher in time for the start of Bush's lecture, scheduled for 4:30. Members of Tufts Coalition Against War in Iraq (TCOWI) have been planning the rally and subsequent march with the help of people and activist organizations unaffiliated with the University. The organizers intend to raise awareness of what they believe Bush represents and inform students of the negative aspects of his administration's policies. Joseph Ramsey, a graduate student in English and TCOWI organizer, expects as many as 1,000 people to attend the protest outside Gantcher. Word has spread through activist websites, and organizers have sought to include both local residents and students in their opposition. Ramsey expects students from Harvard, Boston University, and Boston College to be present. The opposition to Bush's invitation to Tufts is almost entirely related to the anti-war movement, and protestors cite continuity between the administration of George W. Bush and that of his father, which ended just over a decade ago. Speculation about what protesters might do inside of Gantcher is widespread, but there seems to be little consensus among activists. Most refuse to discuss their plans and it would appear that there is no concerted movement. Students suggested a variety of protests methods at meetings earlier this semester, including wearing a certain color, walking out of the speech, and sitting with their backs towards Bush. It is also possible that smaller groups of individuals might be planning more disruptive forms of protest, although there is no indication of what they will be doing or who they might be. Some students suggested standing in the aisles of Gantcher facing away from Bush, although the rules attached to lecture tickets prohibit attendees from standing during the lecture or leaving their seat. Signs and banners will also be banned from the center -- a change from two years ago, when General Colin Powell's speech to the University was disrupted by vocal demonstrators. Whatever their method of choice, Ramsey was confident that protestors would achieve their goal of raising awareness. Anti-Bush activists said that by inviting Bush, the University has implied that it supports war in Iraq. Many of them mentioned the names of proponents of war in the present administration, such as Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and his deputy, Paul Wolfowitz, who were also members of the administration that conducted the Gulf War in 1991. "Inviting him to the University at this time sends the wrong signal out to the world," said Physics Professor Gary Goldstein, the founder of TCOWI. Junior Ariana Flores, another TCOWI member, feels similarly. "If that wasn't the message [the administration] was trying to convey, they also did nothing to counteract that impression," she said. But Dean of Students Bruce Reitman said that Bush's lecture is "not meant to be an endorsement of any particular position." Bush critics have also complained that the University's policy of screening questions for Bush by requiring them to be submitted in advance via Tufts' public relations website violated their right to free speech. "Tufts brings [Bush] here in such a way so as to marginalize any opposing viewpoint," Ramsey said. "We are committed to making sure that it is made clear that there is a strong opposition to the view of foreign policy that is being supported by the University by inviting Bush in this way and screening him." The administration justifies the policy by citing incidents when Colin Powell spoke two years ago. But Freshman Laurel Powers, a member of the Coalition for Social Justice and Nonviolence, said that the administration was censoring people. "If they want an honest audience feedback there should be no screening," she said. Reitman defended the lecture's format, saying that all voices have a right to be heard but not necessarily at the same time. "We don't have an obligation to ensure that every presentation has two sides," he said, adding that people opposing the war have had many opportunities to present their views on campus. But some have argued that the structured dialogue takes away from the educational mission of the lecture. "This person was invited here presumably as an educational event, but this is hardly a way to engage in intellectual discussion," Goldstein said. Recently, many people have been questioning the purpose of the Fares Lecture Series and the selection of the speakers. "Why aren't we getting people from organizations that do good?," Flores asked. "Why is the pool limited to [Fares'] friends? That's not diversity of thought." When he comes tomorrow, it will be the second time that George Bush visits Tufts as the Fares Lecturer: he was also invited in 1994. According to Goldstein, he was a contentious choice then as well, and there was a "similarly large amount of people protesting." Powers expressed concern that Tufts does not have a large enough role in the selection process, saying that "if we just allow him to come here, we're allowing ourselves to be represented that way." For Goldstein, the series seems "to be more concerned with establishing ties with businessmen and important political figures. It is an opportunity for people to sit down and network." But President Larry Bacow has defended the choice of speaker and recently told the faculty that "it is an interesting time to have [Bush] here." Organizers have not been soothed by Bacow's words but do not believe that there will be any conflict with security forces outside of the event. The Pachyderm, Tufts' student handbook, states that the University "respects the rights of members of the Tufts community to peaceful and unobstructive demonstration."

The Setonian
News

Jumbos stampede at championships

February 24

In a meet that went down to the wire, the men's track and field team notched a third place finish at the New England Div. III Championships at MIT on Saturday. The Jumbos finished with 87 points, just one point behind second place Williams, in an impressive display of competition. "Saturday could be summed up in one word," senior tri-captain Greg Devine said. "Awesome. We had some guys PR, some guys improved a lot to take home some hardware." The point total was the Jumbos' highest since the team hauled in 100 at Brandeis in 1996. MIT, who won with 120 points, began the day with 29 points thanks to claiming the top four spots in the pentathlon, held on Friday. The majority of the team's points came on the track, with just four Jumbos competing in the MIT-dominated field events. Sophomore Nate Thompson (6.95 meters) came second in the long jump, gaining national provisional qualification. With an extra foot or so, he could be headed to the NCAA's. In the pole vault, freshman Seth LaPierre (4.29 meters) finished third in a highly competitive field. LaPierre fell just short of matching The Coast Guard Acadmey's Jeff Filipowicz and Bates' Matt Ondra, who both cleared 4.44 meters, but still cleared a career-best height. Junior Adrian Clarke (4.14) and freshman Will Heitmann (3.99) also set career bests while finishing just out of the scoring. The 55 meter hurdles saw the triumphant return of Devine following an injury that has limited his participation for the last couple weeks. Devine (7.56) did not disappoint, breaking fellow senior tri-captain Bryan Pitko's school record of 7.63 seconds. Pitko (7.69) finished second behind Devine, while Thompson (8.16) came in seventh. The trio combined for 20 points. "Greg's time was third best in the nation," coach Connie Putnam said. "Bryan will have the chance to reclaim his record this weekend [at the All New Englands], which should create some interest." Sophomore Nate Brigham ran a career best 15:02.65 in winning the 5000 meters by five seconds, while junior Peter Bromka (15:27.26) finished sixth. The race featured a greatly altered strategy from Brigham, an effort that clearly paid off. "Coach and I had discussed it earlier in the week, and we decided the best thing to do was to take the lead later in the race rather than take the pace out early," Brigham said. "All season I have been the one to pace races early on, so this was a different race for me. Late in the race the opportunity was there, so I just capitalized on it. I ran smart, made great decisions that gave me a chance to win, and in the end I had a little more than the rest of the field." The 400 and 600 meter dashes also featured strong Jumbo performances. Sophomore Ray Carre (50.50) finished second in the 400, while freshmen Shawn Hansberry (1:23.89) and Pat Mahoney (1:24.57) placed third and fifth respectively in the 600. The 1500 was marked by perhaps the most dominating field ever to compete in the New England Div. III's. Six runners finished in under four minutes, led by Trinity senior Ryan Bak (3:47.84). Bak shaved nearly two seconds off the Div. III record of 3:49.68, set in 1985 by Brandeis' Mark Beeman. Jumbo senior tri-captain Adam Sharp (4:02.40) and sophomore Aaron Kaye (4:03.97) placed tenth and eleventh. "It was a phenomenal race," Putnam said. "That might have been the best Div. III 1500 that I've seen at that meet. It shows the consistency of distance running in our conference." In the end, the meet came down to the relay events. The Jumbos won the 4x400 (3:22.96) by nearly four seconds, anchored by Devine and supported by Mahoney, Hansberry and Carre. The 4x800 team placed eighth (8:04.76). The distance medley relay of Sharp, Kaye, and freshmen Trevor Williams and Kyle Doran raced to a third place finish thanks to Doran's late charge from 15 meters behind in the final lap. "I was thrilled by it, he did exactly what I wanted and predicted," Putnam said. "He's a freshman, he's a small guy with big shoes to fill, and he did a great job of it. The whole team ran out of their minds all day. I felt I had our track guys in almost perfect condition, and was really impressed with the way they went out and competed. They never gave up or slowed down." The team will continue its charge at the All New Englands this weekend at Boston University.

The Setonian
News

Dallas' conference lead in danger

February 24

The number this week is 13. That is the number of games that the Vancouver Canucks have gone without losing. During that time they have posted a 9-0-4 record. In the longest unbeaten streak this season, the Canucks have played inconsistently, but always seem to come out on top. Although Inside the NHL has a soft spot for the 'Nucks, they sadly will not be able to challenge the NHL record of 35 straight games without a loss, since there are but 20 games left in the season. Vancouver still has issues with blowing third period leads and letting teams back into games, but it still has the top line in the NHL. When you put together the leagues' second leading scorer Markus Naslund, seventh leading scorer Todd Bertuzzi, and center Brendan Morrison, and then add some excellent secondary scoring of late, it is no wonder the Canucks are only two points away from taking the Western Conference lead from the Dallas Stars. The Canucks might be playing some dominating hockey for the moment, but when it comes to the playoffs, the Stars are still the favorites. Although goalie Marty Turco is a question mark, a playoff virgin as it were, no one doubts Dallas' depth and ability. Turco has missed the last five games because of an ankle injury, but backup Ron Tugnutt has been competent, going 2-1-2, and recording a shutout on Sunday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. But the Eastern Conference is no slouch this season either as it prepares for the playoff push. The Ottawa Senators are having an unbelievable year, especially considering their bankruptcy problems. At least that issue seems to be sorting itself out, and the Senators can concentrate on playing. Marian Hossa is second in the league in goals, and Patrick Lalime is in the top five in the league with a 2.07 goals against average, helping to lead the Senators to the best record in the NHL. And how the mighty have fallen in Beantown. From its spot as the top team in the league earlier this year, the Boston Bruins have fallen to a sorry state. They are seventh in the conference, 20 points away from division leaders Ottawa, and have a complete dearth of secondary scoring. True, the Bruins have had some injuries to key players, like Sergei Samsonov. But Boston should be doing a better job fighting through injuries, instead of giving up, which is what it looks like the team is doing with a 2-5-2-1 record in its last ten games. Luckily for Boston, ninth place Montreal is not playing much better, so the Bruins' playoff spot is still safe... for the moment. Right behind Ottawa, and definitely ahead of Boston in the Northeast Division are the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have been playing better hockey then when they made it to the conference championships two years ago. Goalie Ed Belfour has guided the team to an 8-2-0 record in its last ten games. Eddie the Eagle has been spectacular, especially after many in Toronto were ready to move to Detroit when former netminder Curtis Joseph went south there as a free agent. Belfour played horribly in Dallas last year, blew up at coaches, and trashed dressing rooms. Many had assumed that his career was over at the ripe old age of 37. But with Belfour in net in the playoffs, Toronto will be a tough team to beat. When he was playing well for the Stars, Belfour carried them to the Stanley Cup finals twice _ winning once _ and the conference finals another two times. I'm sorry Inside the NHL has been criticized for its stance on the New York Rangers of late, and has been informed that many of its opinions on New York's saddest team are wrong. And so, Inside the NHL would like to post a correction. It apologizes for saying the Rangers do not have a chance of making the playoffs. With 59 points, it is totally plausible that the Rangers could win 16 of their last 19 games to get up to 91 points, and earn a playoff berth. Why couldn't an underachieving and underperforming team for the past five seasons suddenly break out and win 16 in a row? Inside the NHL has clearly shortchanged the Rangers. So, for underestimating the overpaid talent on the New York Rangers, the Inside the NHL formally asks for forgiveness.

The Setonian
News

Blockbuster trade based on money, not game

February 24

@bodytext: The big ripple in NBA waters this past week were the trades of two all-stars and six other players that just slipped under Thursday's season trade deadline. The Milwaukee Bucks sent shooting guard Ray Allen, point guard Kevin Ollie, and forward Ronald Murray to the Seattle Sonics for point guard Gary Payton and swingman Desmond Mason. The Sonics also parted ways with point guard Kenny Anderson for the price of big man Elden Campbell. Taken separately, the Anderson-for-Cambell trade and the Payton trade could each be justified by the Sonics. Anderson was wasting away on the pine and the team needed more size in the West. Payton was going to leave anyway at the end of the season due to team financial limitations and a strained relationship with management. But taken together, the bottom line is that Brent Barry and Kevin Ollie now man the point guard position for the Sonics. That's just not going to get it done. However, Seattle wasn't playoff-bound this year anyway, and now they don't have to worry about signing Payton after this year. Instead they can build around a nucleus of Allen, Rashard Lewis, and whatever lottery pick they get this off-season. From the Bucks' point of view, the trade is also a bit confusing, and has both pros and cons for the team. Sam Cassell is not even happy when he is playing, and this trade can only mean less playing time for him. If the deal was Allen straight up for GP, then you'd have to say the Bucks lost out, because Allen is 27 and Payton is 34. But add to the mix 25 year old up-and-coming Mason (balanced against career backup Ollie and Murray, whom no one has even heard of before), and things tilt in the Bucks' favor. Additionally, the Bucks prevented Payton from going to division rival Indiana Pacers, who were reportedly interested in the veteran guard. It will also be interesting to see how things will work out between Payton and Bucks coach George Karl, who are reunited after several years apart. Remember, it was Karl, Payton and a much skinnier Shawn Kemp who guided the Sonics to the 1996 Finals before succumbing to the Jordan-Pippen-Rodman juggernaut. Also, money, possibly even more so than basketball, played a huge role in this trade. Payton's contract runs out at the end of this season, meaning that Milwaukee can either try to re-sign him or let him go to create room under the salary cap. Allen still has two years at $28 million dollars left, and coming on the heels of the off-season disposal of Glenn Robinson and his hefty contract, it seems like this is another move to trim payroll in Milwaukee. Why do this? Because Milwaukee owner (Senator Herb Kohl) has announced that he is putting the team up for sale after the season, so the financial situation regarding players is now more appealing to potential buyers. The other big deal (any deal in which Shammond Williams is the biggest name is not a big deal) was the Orlando Magic dishing Mike Miller and Ryan Humphrey to the Memphis Grizzlies for Gordon Gricek and Drew Gooden. This trade is noteworthy because a) it means that Jerry West admits he made a mistake drafting Gooden last spring; b) it clears some space at the crowded forward spot in Memphis and gives Miller a chance to see if he can headline for a team out of Tracy McGrady's shadow; c) it gives McGrady some inside help in the form of Gooden; and d) it was risky of Orlando management to trade away McGrady's best friend in Miller. How did McGrady respond? With 52 points in a victory over the Chicago Bulls and 46 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds to defeat the New Jersey Nets. As for the teams that didn't make any moves but should have, look no further than the Atlanta Hawks, which stood pat. Teams that did the right thing by not dealing before Thursday's trading deadline: the Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trailblazers, and Philadelphia 76ers.

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Dining hall hours changes in the works

February 24

Problems with employee scheduling prevented Dining Services from extending the evening operating hours of dining halls this semester, despite student complaints that the hours conflict with classes. At the request of the Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate's Services Committee, head of Dining Services, Patti Lee Klos had agreed to extend the hours of Carmichael and Dewick-MacPhie by half an hour every day, beginning in January. But at a meeting last semester, Klos said that it would be impossible to effect the changes for the spring. The changes would be "worked on" for the fall semester, she said. The committee had been meeting with Klos on a weekly basis throughout the fall semester, and the meetings "seemed to go smoothly all semester long," said Senator Alison Clarke, who heads the Services Committee and has led the initiative with Senator Josh Belkin. "[Klos] promised us that this change would happen for the spring semester, but asked us not to publicize it until they had met with their staff," Clarke said. The senators are both "concerned and disappointed" with the outcome, Clarke said. The Tufts Community Union Senate proposed extending the operating hours by a half hour every day, in response to student complaints that the dining halls close too early, particularly on weekdays, when classes conflict with dinnertime. The dining halls currently close at 7:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. "I hate having to eat junk for dinner all the time because the dining halls close right when I get out of class," freshman AJ Carr complained. Klos, who declined to comment on the issue, told senators that scheduling difficulties with the dining hall employees had stalled the plan. The increased hours would be problematic for Dining Services employees, one dining hall worker said. "Longer hours [would] give me less time to do my own stuff," the employee said. "My life doesn't revolve around people who don't want to eat dinner by 7:30 p.m.". Student displeasure with the hours of the dining halls has prompted some attempts to make improvements. The Office of Institutional Research recently conducted two surveys to determine student satisfaction with the current dining options, although the results of the surveys were not made public. The issue was also mentioned in a poll on the Senate's website, which asked about issues the student body wanted the Senate to address. Although Institutional Research's results were not publicized, one of the options presented by the Institutional Research surveys was to change the operating days of Hodgdon Take-It-Away to Sunday through Thursday, open until 10:00 pm everyday. Hodgdon is currently only open on weekdays. The reasoning behind the proposal was that since most students study on Sunday night, it should have the same hours as other weeknights. But the proposal has encountered the same employee scheduling problems. Clarke and Belkin will continue their efforts this semester in hopes of making changes next semester, although there remains uncertainty about whether any changes will actually take place. "[Klos] has said she will try but has made no guarantees or promises," Clarke said.

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Potter, rings fever still raging

February 24

Dumbledore, Gandalf, the Golden Snitch, the Fellowship, Middle Earth, and Hogwarts: just a few years ago, most college students were unaware of the meanings of these unusual words. With the onset of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings book and movie mania, however, these words have become recognizable among people of all ages -- college students included. The announcement of this year's Oscar nominations has unleashed a fresh surge of Lord of the Rings fanaticism -- Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Motion Picture. Similarly, the announcement that the long-awaited fifth Harry Potter novel will be released on June 21 has stirred Potter fans to new levels of excitement. The novel, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, will be the longest yet in the series, with almost 900 pages. According to Reuters, the fifth Potter novel will be hefty in price as well as in length: with a suggested retail price of $29.99, it ranks as the most expensive children's book ever released. But the book's high price does not seem to be hindering the enthusiasm of Potter fans. Two hours after the fifth book's publication date was announced, it became the number one seller on Amazon.com and set a pre-order record. (The record was previously held by Potter's fourth installment, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.) "I've been so excited to read this fifth book that the price really doesn't matter," freshman and longtime Potter fan Negar Razavi said. "I heard that there are many more pages in this book, so it makes sense to have a higher price." The Scholastic Corporation, which is publishing the book in the United States, plans an initial printing of 6.8 million copies of the book. The initial printing will be the largest ever of a general-interest hardcover book in the US. Released on Dec. 18, Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers was a popular movie choice for Tufts students over winter break. Students such as freshman Adrienne Poon reserved tickets for opening night weeks, even months in advance. "I read the [Lord of the Rings] trilogy in high school. I had seen the first movie on opening night, and I wanted to keep the tradition going with The Two Towers," Poon said. Associate Director of the Experimental College and movie buff Howard Woolf offers an explanation as to why the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter movies have had such broad appeal: "Lord of the Rings has always been a consistent best seller across all demographics," he said, adding that the Rings and Harry Potter movies "captured something on screen that the readers approved of." J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings is by no means a children's book. On the other hand, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, geared toward younger children, has still appealed to teenagers and young adults around the world. The Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings books are some of the best- selling items at the Tufts bookstore. "Harry Potter sells better than just about anything else in the store," Trade Book Department Supervisor Glen Whidden said. He added that both sets of books sell particularly well when their respective movies have been released. Woolf suggested that Potter's author, J.K. Rowling, has "tapped into a deep seeded set of archetypes that everyone responds to." The blockbuster film versions of each set of novels are also highly popular among students. The Tufts Film Series has responded to massive demand to bring these films to campus. According to Film Series Chair Davey Jones, the screenings of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings films drew some of the largest crowds last school year. "Lord of the Rings is requested the most by film series members and students," Jones said. Aaron Kabaker, a sophomore member of the Film Series, added that "among the 'film elite,' everyone wants to see Lord of the Rings." As Jones explained, "Now it is cool to enjoy fantasy, whereas before it was just for the nerds."

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Updates to SIS Online improve accessibility

February 24

Recent updates to Student Information System (SIS) Online have made the site more user-friendly and accessible for the visually impaired. Before the recent update, Tufts was using an older version of the SIS software that was beginning to show its age in its layout and usability. Users navigated between frames using an interface that was non-standard, which many found confusing. The new SIS Online application, which students use to retrieve grades and faculty use to report them, among other things, has a modernized layout and navigation between sections is facilitated by descriptions for each section and tool tips. The Student Services Center has received only positive responses from users, who have noted an overall interface improvement, according to Director of Technology Patricia Sheehan. The new system also overhauled the class registration process, which required time for development and testing before it was finally released to the university as a whole. Another aspect of the new interface is improved accessibility for the visually impaired. The site now follows the Web Accessibility Standards from the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998, according to Sheehan, as well as Web Content Accessibility Guidelines put out by the World Wide Web Consortium -- even though Tufts is not legally required to comply with these standards. In compliance with the regulations, SIS Online now offers two ways to log in. The non-frames version has been optimized for users who depend on screen readers, which read the text that appears on the page aloud. This version does not use JavaScript and puts all the information on one page, which supports the use of the screen reader. "Students with disabilities should find the site much more accessible as much work was done in order to achieve this goal," Sheehan said. In the future, all other websites supported by Student Services will be updated to incorporate similar usability and accessibility enhancements. The admissions website and Webcenter, which stores old exams online and provides the housing lottery numbers, will be part of the effort. "It is part of my plan to make the web[sites] as accessible as possible," Sheehan said. "Tufts plans to assess as an institution what must be done to make all of its websites as accessible as possible." SIS Online is an application that was created for use by many schools then customized by Tufts. Switching to the newer version involved customizing the program to reflect how classes are scheduled and grades are reported at Tufts, according to Mario Gonzalez, the programmer analyst for the Student Services Center. Nearly every student on campus uses SIS Online. Students use the application to change personal information, view transcripts and financial aid information, register for classes, and view schedules. Administrators use SIS Online to update financial aid and payment information, and professors enter the times they are teaching and report final grades.

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NCAA Basketball

February 24

ESPN is always great at marketing its Championship Week, and it is with the same enthusiasm that the network launched "Bracket Buster Saturday." This latest ploy involved showcasing the best teams from the mid-major conferences from noon to 2 a.m. this past Saturday on several on the ESPN nationwide networks. By showcasing these talented teams from small schools, the network is blatantly shoving these teams in the faces of the Tournament selection committee for future consideration. More than likely, this is a campaign by ESPN and many of its analysts to rally support for more at-large mid-major conference teams being admitted to the NCAA Tournament, in place of mediocre major conference teams. While smaller conference teams do not have the luxury of relying on an at-large bid, some of the large conferences get up to as many as five at-large bids. Not to mention that the team that usually wins major conference championships would have gotten an at-large bid anyway. In the world of small conference NCAA basketball, if you win your conference tournament you are invited into the world of March Madness. Lose, however, and you don't have a prayer of getting in. Last year, a mid-major power, the Butler Bulldogs, won 25 games, yet failed to win their conference tournament. Despite having one of the highest win totals in the nation and dominating their conference for most of the regular season, the Bulldogs were denied entry to the NCAA Tournament. The ESPN Network wanted to recreate the do-or-die type of mentality that accompanies these conference tournaments. Showcasing these smaller teams on a grand scale gives the teams a chance to prove what they can do in front of a national audience, as well as their ability to gain some fans outside of their small communities. Ultimately, the NCAA Tournament selection committee is trying to field the most competitive field of 65 teams, so a good performance in this setting could do wonders for a team's selection standing. The event this past Saturday featured 18 mid-major teams, including several from the top mid-major teams that were guaranteed to wreak havoc in tournament brackets come March. First on the schedule was this year's darling mid-major, the Creighton Bluejays, up against Fresno State Bulldogs. The Bluejays appear to be a lock for the NCAA Tournament, but if they slip they might need a victory against the Bulldogs to make it. Fresno State could have improved its resume with a victory against a ranked opponent. Lucky for the Bluejays they had Kyle Korver to lead them to a 67-66 victory. Korver, a player of the year candidate, lead Creighton with 27 points and 7 three-pointers. Obviously, Creighton realized the best thing for them to do, as a mid-major was to win every game and not leave the decision of getting into the NCAA Tournament up to the Selection Committee. Other games from "Bracket Buster Saturday" included mid-major contenders Ball State Cardinals, Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, Bowling Green Falcons, Hawaii Rainbows, Kent State Golden Flashes, and Detroit Titans. Kent State and Hawaii looked to be a vital game for the Golden Flash. The team plays in the competitive Mid-American Conference, where at-large bids haven't been automatic in recent years. Unfortunately for Kent State, they suffered a 79-78 heartbreaking loss at home. The night culminated with the marquee matchup of the nine "bracket buster" games with the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes at the Gonzaga Bulldogs at midnight. After being down 35-27 at halftime, Gonzaga staged a strong second half comeback, ending in a 69-60 triumph. The Bulldogs have been the cinderellas of the NCAA Tournament the past few seasons, but unless they win the West Coast Conference, they will need this win against the Golden Hurricanes to earn an invitation to the big dance. In August ESPN reached a multi-year agreement with several conferences to present "Bracket Buster Saturday," realizing that this event had a lot of potential. Hopefully, this showcase will allow more mid-major teams at-large bids the NCAA Tournament, and put an end to the early round exits of mediocre, underachieving power conference teams.

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24' keeps on ticking

February 24

There's nothing better than a great story. I fondly remember going on camping trips, sitting around a campfire, and listening to fantastic and captivating stories. In modern television, with the recent spate of reality series, the art of telling a great yarn is all but lost on audiences. While the tense moments leading up to who The Bachelorette or Joe Millionaire will choose are exciting, they pale in comparison to the thrills of watching 24. For those readers who missed last fall's preview of this upcoming season, 24 follows a Rashomon-esque format. The entire 24 episode season is based on the occurrences in one 24 hour period, with each episode following the events of one hour, in real-time. This season captures the period from 8 a.m. to 8 a.m. the next morning on one otherwise normal Los Angeles day. Only this day is clouded by a nuclear bomb threat, a government power struggle that may result in a coup d'etat, and many other possible catastrophes. Only Counter Terrorism Unit agent Jack Bauer, played with the perfect amount of brashness and resolve by Kiefer Sutherland, can save the City of the Angels. For a show with ridiculously poor writing and over-the-top acting performances, 24 still has the juice to attract a dedicated throng of viewers each week. Going on Hour 14 -- 9:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. -- with tonight's episode, the producers have provided enough twists and turns to fill the hour with nail-biting excitement. More importantly, they haven't resorted to cheap cop-out plot developments like last season with Terri's "short term amnesia" episode. 24's meager ratings, which never really reach beyond 12.0 on the Nielsen charts (top shows like Friends usually score in the low 20s), are thankfully ignored by advertisers because the show's audiences is apparently dominated by their dream demographic -- young, rich professionals. The biggest problem facing 24 is attracting newer audiences to the show, as the convoluted plot make it difficult for viewers to jump in during the middle of the season. So for those readers out there who have wanted to join in on the Kiefer thrill ride, here is a short synopsis of Hours One through 13, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., to get you back on track. Jack, still reeling from the loss of his wife at the hands of the devilish mercenary (for the Millionaire fans, that doesn't mean missionary) Nina, has been put on the case to locate the nuclear bomb and flatten the risk of a terrorist attack. In his search of the Second Wave terrorist group, he discovers that Nina has hired out her services to the group. While getting the most info about the bomb out of her, the plane they are in is shot down, a renegade group of army soldiers attack them, and Jack's life is bartered for the location of chief terrorist Syed Ali. Fortunately, Nina is quickly apprehended, and Jack goes on to become the modern MacGyver. Following his actions at CTU Headquarters are Director George Mason, and his aides Tony and Michelle. George, having been exposed to high levels of nuclear radiation, is slowly dying yet keeps on the job with idiotic diligence. Tony and Michelle have declared their mutual attraction to each other, which either means one of them is dirty (a mole) or one of them is going to die in a future episode. This is all after being blown up by another group of radical patriots earlier in the day. You should see the plot twists that I'm leaving out of this summary. In a totally unrelated plotline, at least by this hour, Jack's daughter Kim has been traipsing around Southern California vying for the World's Stupidest Girl award. She has accomplished all of the following in the duration of 13 hours: kidnapping a girl she had been the nanny for twice, been an accomplice to a vicious assault, carjacking, getting mixed up in a murder charge, starting a fire in a cop car to escape the police, finding herself stuck in a mountain lion trap. She currently is stuck in a bomb shelter with a whacko recluse in the middle of the Californian woods. It's shameless exploitation of Elisha Cuthbert's sexual appeal, and this current plotline better resolve itself soon, or it could ruin the show. Also monitoring the terrorist activities are President David Palmer and his loyal staff. That's with the exception of NSA Chief Robert Stanton, who for some god-only-knows reason knew about the impeding threat months ago and decided to track the bomb secretly. This is all apparently part of a great coup, spearheaded by none other than fan favorite Sherri Palmer. The now-divorced wife of the President is manipulating her ex, sneaking around the President's compound all of which are much to the chagrin of his staff. The climax of all these events has yet to peak, but Jack and the crew are hot on the bomb's tail, Mason is near death, Palmer just discovered his wife's disloyalty, and Kim should be wearing one of those "I'm With Stupid" shirts. Sutherland's performance has been phenomenal once again, although its all relative to the rest of the melodramatic cast. In spite of all the goofiness in plot, the story is what makes a show. Because if goofiness spelled doom for television shows, would we really be able to watch, Celebrity Mole?

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Increased funding for Pell Grants good news for recipients

February 24

After wrangling by lawmakers, the Federal Government will increase the maximum amount of Pell Grants by $50 this year, to $4,050. In addition to the increase, the Education Department's budget package will also provide at least $576 million in additional funds to fund Pell Grants of all amounts. The increased funding is intended to offset an estimated $2 billion shortfall in the program. Education Department officials estimate that the increased funding will allow an additional one million students to receive Pell Grants each year, which will raise the total number of recipients to 4.9 million. Pell Grants are the government's primary means of support for students from low-income families. This year, 537 Tufts students received them. The $50 increase signifies a triumph for colleges and universities, Cynthia Littlefield, the director of federal relations for the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, told The Chronicle of Higher Education. President Bush had originally proposed halting the scholarship at the 2002 level of $4,000 in both the 2003 and 2004 fiscal years. Therefore, even this minute increment will guarantee that the Pell Grant Program is "healthy," Littlefield said. The newly-raised maximum is the result of extensive deliberations in Congress, which were not completed until four months after the fiscal year began in October. The Senate had approved a spending bill in January that would raise the maximum Pell Grant by $100, to $4,100. But the White House's Office of Management and Budget condemned the bill, claiming that the legislation would raise the grant maximum while the government would not be able to afford the additional funding. The House of Representatives had wanted to keep the maximum grant at $4,000. If the House and the Senate had not reached a compromise, they would have been forced to keep spending in 2003 at 2002 levels. Despite the size of the increase, grant recipients and administrators responded to it positively. While $50 might seem negligible to some, even a small increase helps those students who are on tight financial budgets said Patricia Reilly, an associate director for Financial Aid. "The increase in the maximum Pell Grant is good news because of the current status of our economy. An increase is a step in the right direction," she said. Some students have interpreted the increase as a sign of a positive trend. "[The $50 increase] will not make a big difference for me, but I guess it's good that they're increasing," freshman grant recipient Felipe Nicolaou said. While Pell Grants serve as only part of the total financial aid package that students receive at Tufts, the grants are still beneficial, according to Reilly. "They enable the students to spread their Tufts money around more," she said. The small size of the adjustment will mean that the University will not make any significant changes to financial aid. Deficits have plagued the Pell Grant program for the last two years since demand for the scholarships far surpassed projections. Experts on student aid have postulated that the escalation in demand originates from a frail economy, the Chronicle reported. The economy has prompted recent graduates to continue their education rather than search for jobs -- creating more demand for grants. Others who have been laid off or are unable to seek employment sometimes enroll in short-term job training programs, which has also affected demand for Pell Grants. President's Bush's proposed budget for the 2004 fiscal year would further increase funding for Pell Grants by $1.9 billion, to $12.7 billion, to continue to lower the program's deficit.

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Mother and child

February 24

On February 11, 2003, these pages featured a viewpoint by Stephanie Glass ("Why women may choose abortion") in response to an earlier viewpoint of mine ("Why men love abortion" 2/5/03). Ms. Glass should be commended for adding a thoughtful voice to the subject, and I thank her for taking the time and effort to keep the issue in focus. Ms. Glass' viewpoint examines "the ramifications, for both mother and child, of not aborting an unplanned for and unwanted child." Her viewpoint concludes that they are mostly negative. Before we go further in her argument, I should clarify something I may have failed to make clear in my original viewpoint. It was never my intention to play suffering against suffering so as to prove why one should not get an abortion. I could not prove it in that way. A true proof, that abortion is a wrong, hinges on the question of the baby being a person (as I said in the beginning of the article). That is a matter of scientific fact that is either true or false, and requires a separate investigation. What I did intend to do was to, firstly, raise the question whether abortion helps men to abandon responsibilities and, secondly, dispel the popular myth that abortion is entirely "clean" and above all, "inconsequential." Having said that, the points that Ms. Glass makes do trouble me. Rather than respond to them all, I will address the main thrust, the article's main point: "Until a woman can and wants to devote her life and emotions to a child, that child should not live the alternative." Glass' viewpoint appears to affirm that that which is aborted is indeed a child. She presents, then, the following: Life is not worth living if it involves some level of inconvenience or pain (level not specified). A baby conceived by a disinterested or disadvantaged mother is given a life not worth living. Anyone living a life not worth living should not live (should be killed). Therefore, the baby should be killed ("terminated" in the words of the writer). The writer would not lack support for this argument in some academic circles. But please note it applies equally well regardless of the age of the child. Can the child become unwanted when she starts throwing mashed potatoes at Mom? If a wife is unexpectedly widowed, or abandoned, ought we kindly offer to terminate her three-year-old son? He looks far too much like his father to prevent emotional distress. Are any of us safe? To who else can we apply this principle? The terminally ill, or elderly? How about the disabled? The poor in general? The answer ought to be no one. There is no such thing as a life not worth living. I understand the temptation to think there is. It seems to be merciful, even compassionate. And that is precisely what makes it so dangerous. Glass writes, "My God tells me to care for others, that this is the highest way of life and the best way to honor Him." I quite agree. That is, we speak of the same God (there cannot be a "my God" and a "your God" but only one God). God shines the same sun on everyone, and offers Himself with no partiality. I am no better than anyone else, nor any more deserving of life, and so ought to direct my gratitude to the care of others. But how can we care for innocent people by killing them? That a single mother and her child need the full support of the public is beyond question. But you don't cure a disease by killing the patient. Especially when the "disease" is temporary. Children are not children for long, and quickly leave the period of extreme dependence on the mother to live their own lives and potential, free to make their own choices in education, work, and viewpoint-writing. Mother and child are not enemies. They are not naturally at war. Glass' viewpoint says that it is an act of "bravery and fortitude" to get an abortion. I highly doubt that it is bravery that brings most women to an abortionist's table. They do not look at their child, stiffen their lip, and hand the doctor his forceps. They do not even see the child at all. Planned Parenthood does not allow the use of the latest ultrasound imaging technology in their clinics. Most often these women are fed misinformation and rhetoric about "globs of tissue" or why having a child is a defeat for womanhood. Most unexpected mothers are simply scared. The natural, uncorrupted relation of mother to child is love, concern, and joy. No one needs empirical "scientific data" to figure that out. I don't even know how it could be gathered (how do you calibrate "willingness to change a diaper at 2 a.m.?"). Of course, the relationship isn't without its difficulties, trials, and pains, and Glass is right to point that out. It is the nature of relationships to involve giving and receiving, sacrifice, and help. But certainly it's not "idealistic" to construe the relationship as something more than being saddled with an eighteen-(plus)-year parasite? Anyone nervous about such prospects might be advised to avoid baby-making from the start. Letting a child live is not, as Glass' viewpoint suggests, selfish. Indeed, to raise a child the last thing you can be is selfish. Fortunately for parents who doubt their abilities or their assets, or who are victims of forced pregnancy, there are millions of couples waiting to adopt. As Glass says, "part of life should be the full and wholehearted care and safety of a parent or guardian." Adoption is not without its own consequences, but at the least the choice to live is not taken from the child. Before closing, I must admit that as much as I truly value the possibilities of public debate, I do not enjoy this one. I can argue all I want from this bubble, but meanwhile the real perils of abortion are facing real women in real pain. And the most silent are those who have had an abortion and now seriously regret it. If there are any such women in our community, I invite them to speak out. You can speak far better than I. And there is a chance for you to do some real good. A group called Operation Outcry (www.helpafterabortion.com and ooc.lexi.net) is seeking to challenge the practice of abortion in the court system as physically, emotionally, and psychologically damaging to women. They are collecting "Friend of the Court" statements (similar to the affidavits currently being filed in affirmative action cases) from women who have had abortions. Because abortion hurts. And the world should know.

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Your housing woes solved

February 24

Q: Angie, the housing lottery is coming up and it's tearing apart my friendships. I don't know what to do. This is the story: I'm a junior and I've been living off campus this year with a few friends. We are all so sick of paying bill after bill, we all want to live on campus next year! The problem is that not all of us want to live together again due to girl tensions in the house, but we are afraid of hurting feelings. It is really a mess because there are so many different options and combinations of us and our other friends for next year. What can we do? - Housing impaired A: The period right before the housing selection is notoriously stressful. Many students (juniors, in particular) have decided to take matters into their own hands and opt for a reasonable (although somewhat pricey) alternative: off campus housing! But you've been down that road, and it's normal for some students not to feel prepared for the responsibility that comes with renting their own place. With time running out, it's important to NOT worry too much about hurting feelings _ I would be more worried that planning behind people's backs would leave a deeper scar. As soon as possible, gather together the people involved in this selection process. When you're all there, be as honest as up front with each other as possible. You don't want people feeling like they're getting stuck in an unpleasant situation next year when there are other alternatives for them to seek out, such as single rooms, other groups or even trying their hand off campus again. Also realize that you must be flexible, because when it comes to the housing selection, a lot of the process is out of your hands. Try to be open to the idea of living in singles in a certain dorm and compromising with each other! Worst-case scenario, some of you could stay in your off-campus place again. I know it's not ideal, but in the words of the Rolling Stones: "You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you'll find you get what you need." Q: I don't drink, I never have, I don't want to... but all of my friends drink basically every weekend and they always try to make me. They are real good friends when not drunk but I am sick of "peer pressure". - Non-alcoholic freshman A: Good for you! I'm glad you're sticking to your conviction. It is absolutely inappropriate for your friends to try to pressure you into an activity that you do not want to engage in. Looking at it from their perspective, though, they probably enjoy your company and don't want you to "miss out" on the fun they are having. They also may feel as though you're judging them for what they're doing or look down on them somehow. They continue this behavior every week because you've been letting them get away with it thus far, and they may think you'll crack sooner or later. Maybe you should speak with them and make it clear that you will not standby and be pressured any longer. You should let them know that you value their friendships and respect the decisions they make for themselves. Try coming up with some non-alcohol related activities for next weekend, and they may realize they enjoy your company just as much when they're sober.

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Walk-out extends learning beyond classroom

February 24

Headlines on flyers displayed throughout campus read "No More Business as Usual!" It takes a closer examination to learn that these were posted by the Tufts Coalition to Oppose War on Iraq (TCOWI). Weeks ago, TCOWI announced that they will hold a one-day class moratorium the day after our country invades or bombs Iraq. It is the goal of TCOWI to suspend "business as usual" so that the Tufts community _ students, professors, and staff _ may gather in Goddard Chapel to take part in teach-ins, vigils, and protest. Students have reacted to this announcement disapprovingly. They voiced their contempt in two viewpoints printed in the The Tufts Daily ("Professors should not be participants in walk-out" and "Walkout makes no sense" Jan. 30, 2003), and most recently in the The Primary Source ("Breach of contract" Feb. 14, 2003). All three authors noted the economic unsoundness of this plan, criticizing that students should not be wasting tuition money to skip class. Two students also noted that it would be inappropriate for professors to participate in the "walk-out," since we are paying them to teach us in a classroom. It was discouraging to me that students became fixated on the financial details and failed to realize that learning is not confined to a classroom setting. The job of a professor is not only to teach in a classroom, but to educate. They have passions beyond academia and they want to share them with their students. Some of our professors were in our place, as college students, during the war in Vietnam, or perhaps even during the Gulf War. There is so much we can learn from our professors, especially when we change our approach to these relationships, from one of strict student-teacher interactions to an understanding that we are both people with dynamic experiences and opinions. We are not apart from the world conflicts that ensue, nor from each other. There is so much that can be learned from dialogue and conversations that would not take place under ordinary circumstances. When I was a junior in high school, I had a chemistry teacher who was known for his charisma, unmatched storytelling abilities, and his demanding, nearly impossible class. One Wednesday afternoon when we were supposed to have a lab, we instead sat in the poorly ventilated lecture hall and listened to one of his stories for the 90-minute double class period. My teacher was a freshman at Kent State University in 1970. He witnessed the riots that we had only heard of in history books; he explained the tension in that time better than I imagine any history lecture could. I hardly remember the details of the periodic table of elements, or the relevance of 6.02 x 10^23, but I clearly remember my teacher and the story he told us that afternoon. What we need to consider is this: if we do go to war, can we go about business as usual? I was at another campus, part of another community on Sept. 11, 2001. No one complained of having wasted their time or money when our professor did not show up for our 11:00 class that day, or when we decided to come together and talk about our reactions to the attack instead of discussing literature in my afternoon class. Common areas of the campus _ the chapel, the student center, dormitory common rooms _ were crowded with students, faculty and staff offering condolences and trying to make sense of the tragedy. The truth is, many of us are unsure of how we would react if we go to war. Some of us may feel strongly in favor or in opposition. I am sure that many more feel they do not know enough about the situation. The moratorium, if planned correctly, could be a unique forum for intelligent, passionate discourse about a situation that is both far removed from us, yet will drastically affect our lives. It is a tremendous opportunity to engage with peers and professors and learn _ from the experiences and opinions of others, in a setting that could teach us lessons we would never experience in a classroom. It is an opportunity for solidarity. Maura McCarthy is a junior majoring in Child Development.

The Setonian
News

Welcome to 'Planet Girl'

February 24

In a series of vignettes that range from the absurd to the absolutely insane, Greetings from Planet Girl at the Charlestown Working Theater is a delightful treat. Its offbeat humor and uncanny ability to agilely navigate between the taboo and the acceptable make it a uniquely entertaining experience. Greetings from Planet Girl presents a rare glimpse of what combining wit, femininity, and a touch of vulgarity can do for theater. Planet Girl is a female theater troupe of six women, whose talents vary as much as the material of this production. Clever songwriting, quick punch lines, and dance combine as these entertainers provide a night full of unexpected laughs. The play's title reveals little, save mystery, yielding a curious audience at the play's outset. As the play opens, lights reveal the Virgin Mary; she stands beside her sidekick Holy Girl, who is decked out in a royal blue bikini and white cape _they're here to save the day, and banish the world of all its sins, while exposing ample amounts of flesh in the process. In this comedic biblical portrayal of the Blessed Mother, saintly divinity is pleasantly human. "The widow of a carpenter has yet many splinters to pull," she proclaims casually while walking off the stage, as if to say her work here is not yet complete. The show is hardly over, however, and the next vignette begins: A woman seated on a metal folding chair is poised to deliver news of her boyfriend's emergent taste for fetishism and the world of S&M. She is shocked and unbelievably repulsed by her beau's confessions. He's been wearing her stiletto heels and cleaning house with the lesbian neighbors. Worst of all he appears to hold few misgivings about his behavior. Actress Cyndi Freeman fluidly plays both roles. Her transition from one character to another smoothly proceeds without flaw; her rendition of both husband and wife leave the audience rolling in laughter. "Ride me like a pony" the boyfriend calls, only to be met in the next instant by a character transition which finds us listening to the girlfriend reflecting on her never having had a pony, as a young girl. This hilarity proceeds until the scene ends. Perhaps the most memorable of scenes is Clit and Snatch, a spoof of National Public Radio's Click and Clack, a show put on by two men who offer their listeners advice on auto repair. In Planet Girl's clever rendition of Click and Clack two women, Clit and Snatch divulge the secrets of self-pleasure. As Greetings from Planet Girl draws to a close, a final musical number entitled the "Vagina Dentata" proclaims that women must rejoice in the power of their femininity. The program notes that "Vagina Dentata is a widespread, archetypal fear to be found in mythology, symbolism, and faiths worldwide. It is evocative of subconscious belief that a woman may devour or consume her partner during sex." The women of Greetingsfrom Planet Girl line the stage in silk robes, belting out the power of being female, then quickly disrobing to reveal, in all of its splendor, exaggerated foam, female genitalia. At its close, those in the audience have been left with certain fullness, having indulged in a night of laughter, absurdity, and vulgarity.

The Setonian
News

Reflections on a fallen friend, athlete

February 24

During my senior year at White Plains High School, the men's varsity basketball team won the state championship. Right in the middle of it all was my 6'3" friend and former teammate, Larry Warren, the basketball team's starting center. Last week, Larry found himself in the middle of something far more dangerous then a game against Mt. Vernon _ White Plains' arch-rival. When Sherif Wilson, another member of White Plains' 1999 championship squad became involved in a dispute with a man at local restaurant, Larry came to Sherif's defense. That decision ended up costing Larry his life. I had not seen Larry since early in my college career when I bumped into him at the mall. We exchanged pleasantries and then each went our own way. You can imagine my disbelief when I read in The Journal News, a Westchester, New York newspaper, that Larry had been murdered early in the morning on Feb. 16. Larry was shot to death when he tried to intervene in the argument between Wilson and another man. While Larry's murder was senseless, the circumstances surrounding his death were not shocking. Larry was the ultimate nice-guy, a great teammate. Therefore, it came as no surprise to me that Larry died trying to help out a friend. I will always remember the time I was going to the bus stop to meet up with some kids who wanted to beat me up. I was scared out of my mind. Some of my friends showed up with me, but I was still petrified. I'm not sure how Larry heard about the looming fight or whether he just happened to be heading in the same direction at the right time, but he saved the day for me without throwing a punch. Larry simply hopped out of a car, stood there for a few seconds and then the kids scattered. He didn't say a word. It was simply his presence. He had that same type of presence on the soccer field and on the basketball court. When we played soccer together in middle school, I always envied his foot. He played sweeper and when I would have to put everything into my kicks to get them to go anywhere, his kicks were so effortless and powerful. I remember how he toed the ball -- something coaches told us not to do. But, somehow it worked for him and even in the sixth grade he was a star. After I stopped playing soccer, I was no longer in constant contact with Larry, but we were always friendly when we saw each other. Then in high school, he was part of the big three that led the men's basketball team to the state championship. That team helped unify White Plains High School in a way I never dreamed possible. Everyone -- people of all different races, socioeconomic backgrounds, interests, even people who didn't care about sports -- jumped on the team's bandwagon. I can remember how my friends and I would follow the basketball team as it made its way around the state playing games en route to winning the state crown. I remember how we beat Mt. Vernon on our home court, with both sides of the bleachers down in front of about 500 people. Larry hit one of the biggest buckets of the game _ a prayer _ is what I called it in my article for the Orange, the White Plains High School newspaper. The ball slipped out of his hands, went ten feet into the air and then swished through the net. After the game, Larry claimed that he had meant to do that. I will never forget how my friends and I made the two-hour trek to Glenn Falls in upstate New York to watch the championship game. We swarmed the court once the final buzzer sounded and we were champions. After graduation, Larry received a scholarship to Dominican, a Div. II school, to play ball. However, an injury hampered him during his freshmen year and he ended up leaving the school. Recently, Larry had been preparing to get back into the middle of the action -- this time not as a basketball player or as a mediator, but rather as a firefighter. He also served as recreation department camp counselor and helped teach a Head Start program at St. Bernard's Church in White Plains. Larry would certainly have touched more lives had he been given the chance. More than 500 people showed up for Larry's wake on Sunday following Thursday's funeral. "Teachers and counselors, classmates and teammates filed by his casket," said The Journal News. While I wasn't one of those 500 people who filed by Larry's casket on Sunday, my fallen friend has certainly been on my mind. As I prepare to graduate in May, I can't help but worry about the future. I hope that I can live the rest of my life the way Larry lived his 21-years -- by positively impacting others. Larry Warren Sr., my former soccer coach, said at his son's funeral that "he was thankful that [Larry] had touched so many lives in a short time." I haven't seen him in two or three years, and it has been even more time since we associated on a consistent basis, but I can certainly say that Larry touched my life and I will never forget him. Rest in peace, Larry.

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