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Men's track search for championship qualifications

With just one week left in the regular track season, the men's track team is approaching this weekend's meet with anticipation and excitement. The Jumbos play host to a slew of teams at this Saturday's Last Chance Stampede, a meet that has much more personal than team importance. The Stampede is the final opportunity for many athletes to qualify for the championship meets, which commence next weekend. These include the New England Div. III's, the All New Englands, which includes all divisions, the ECAC's (Div. III), and finally the NCAA's in the middle of March. "There's a complete sweep of goals from team-oriented ones to personal ones," senior tri-captain Greg Devine said. "We're hoping to get a few more guys qualified for the ECAC's and potentially some for the nationals too." At this stage, All-Americans Devine and fellow senior tri-captain Bryan Pitko will both be making the trip to DePauw University in Indiana for the NCAA's. The pair qualified in the 55 meter hurdles with times of 7. 66 and 7. 65 seconds respectively, two of the nation's top five times. Pitko, Devine and sophomore Nate Thompson (7. 92) are the top three hurdlers in New England. Devine has also qualified for the Div. I All New Englands in the 200-meter dash, and Div. III All New Englands in the 55-meter dash. Sophomore Ray Carre (50. 29) qualified for the All New Englands in the 400, and could join Devine in the 200 with a strong performance this weekend. Freshman Shawn Hansberry (1:22. 49) is currently the top seed in the 600-meter dash and is qualified through to the All New Englands. The vaulting team has strong contenders for qualification, led by freshman Seth LaPierre (4. 27 meters), who has a Div. I vault, while some of the throwers may gain qualification this weekend too. One of the season's most exciting achievements has come in the 3000-meter run. The team has nine runners under nine minutes in the event, led by sophomore Nate Brigham, eight of whom have received ECAC qualification. "Having nine guys in the 3000 under nine minutes is really big," assistant coach Ethan Barron said. "It really shows our depth. We're deep all around. " For each championship meet the qualification times are progressively faster, and the distance requirements for the jumping and throwing events greater. This means that some athletes may qualify for every meet all the way through to the NCAA's, such as Pitko and Devine have done, while others may only qualify for the earlier championships. The importance of this final chance is not lost on the team. "We'll be out there hooting and hollering for them," Devine said. "We'll be cheering it up [from the sidelines]." Devine will not race this weekend as he continues to rest an injury sustained two weeks ago in the 55 meter dash. However, many other team members will be competing hard in search of a berth in the championships. "It's everyone's chance to improve their seeding," Barron said. "It really is the last chance for a lot of people." If an athlete does not qualify, however, it is not necessarily the end of the road for him, according to Coach Connie Putnam. The team can enter the competitor under a "provisional standard." This allows them to be on a reserve list, from which they may be called upon to compete, if on the day of the championship meet another athlete fails to appear for his event. "The people with provisional standards stay alive until the athletes check in at the field," Coach Putnam said. "The fields end up with about thirteen or fourteen [competitors] in each, which really spruces up the meet." The relay teams are one part of the team looking to post good times. The 4x400 relay team is seeded number two in the nation, while the distance medley relay team (DMR), yet to be finalized, is also a strong contender for qualification. "We'd really like to see the relay teams qualified," Devine said. "It gets some more bodies out there, and it's a fun trip [to the NCAA's]." Barron agreed. "We're hoping the DMR does well; we're putting together a real 'A' team," he said. "It's the first event so everyone will be fresh, and hopefully we'll knock out a good time." The men's track and field team meets are this Saturday, Feb. 15 at 10:30 a.m. at the Gantcher Center.

Huge weekend awaits hockey team

With inconsistency as its Achilles heel, the men's hockey team has no choice but to let old habits die and play their best hockey of the year in this weekend's games. Last weekend, the team lost at Babson 5-2 but rebounded to defeat hapless UMass-Boston 9-0 the next day. The Jumbos are facing off against Hamilton tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Malden Arena, and again tomorrow against Amherst at 3 p.m. The squad is only 1-3-2 at home this season. As has been the theme for much of the year, these games are chances for redemption against NESCAC rivals who beat up on the Jumbos last season. To Hamilton and Amherst, the Jumbos lost 10-2 and 8-1, respectively, last season. But never has it been more important to put last season behind them and focus on the path ahead than right now. Hamilton is in fifth place in the NESCAC, only three points up on the 6-7-4 Jumbos, while the Jumbos are deadlocked with both Amherst and Williams in sixth place. Needless to say, the importance of these games cannot be understated. "These are two of the most important games we've seen around here in a while," coach Brian Murphy said. "Depending on how we do, we could finish up anywhere from fifth to tenth in this conference. Four points this weekend would really give us a boost in our playoff push." According to players, the Jumbos cannot afford to only win one game this weekend. While devoting their attention to one game at a time, they know they need to win both to help their playoff positioning. "We control our own destiny, as opposed to last year where we had to hope for things to fall into place to even make the playoffs," sophomore defenseman Sean Hayes said. "These two games are definitely the biggest of the year, and arguably the biggest in Tufts hockey history." Bold statements such as that will call for bold actions from a Jumbo team that has had trouble against teams that are statistically better. Besides their win against Williams, they have yet to beat a team with a better record. Such is the task tonight against Hamilton. The Continentals come in with an 11-8-1 record, 8-6-1 in conference. They are near the upper/middle of the pack in nearly every major statistical category: fourth in scoring, fourth in scoring defense, fourth on the power play, and fifth on the penalty kill. On both ends of the ice, Hamilton has freshmen leading the charge. Forward Gus Katsuras leads his team and all NESCAC freshmen in scoring (27 points) and goalie Gabe Tash has posted a .914 save percentage (second in the NESCAC). The Jumbos know what they have to do to quell the success of these two fresh faces. "Wins, especially against Hamilton, are going to come from the defense," Hayes said. "If we can hold them, we'll have a serious shot." Aside from defense, the Jumbos fore check needs to take a step forward. Getting the puck in the other team's zones and keeping it there is an integral part of Coach Murphy's game plan. "We've got some size and toughness up front, so when we get the puck deep we can cause problems for the other team," Murphy said. "We have to maintain consistency on our fore check." While tomorrow's opponent coming into Malden Arena is a 6-11-3 Amherst team, the Jumbos are not in any position to take the Jeffs lightly. With a 6-7-2 conference record, the Lord Jeffs are deadlocked with the Jumbos. They are led by the leading scorer in the NESCAC, sophomore Beau Kretzman (30 points). But the problem has been a supporting cast for Kretzman, as no one else on the team has more than 18 points. The team's top goalie, senior Justin Jagher, is last in the NESCAC in every statistical category. The team is near the bottom in nearly every category as well. But the fact of the matter is that all these statistics get thrown out the window once the puck is dropped. These games will come down to who shows up for sixty minutes. Plain and simple. And no one understands that more than the Jumbos. "We have to play each game like everything's on the line, because that's the situation we're in," Hayes said. "We have to play our game."

Seven Questions with Erick Mack

Women's basketball pulls off nail-biter

Sometimes the basketball just falls into the hands of the right person at the right time. Such was the case on Tuesday night when senior captain Hillary Dunn sunk two crucial free throws with 1.4 seconds remaining in regulation to seal the Jumbos' 16th win of the season at Wheaton College. "It was good to see [Dunn] as a senior, captain and leader be able to step up and make those free throws," coach Carla Berube said. "I knew when the ref called the foul that we were going to win the game." In a rollercoaster ride in which Tufts gained several big leads only to see them fritter away, Dunn's big shots concluded what was almost a huge Lyon comeback. Tufts entered the contest fresh off last weekend's losses to NESCAC opponents Bowdoin and Colby. The Jumbos stormed out of the gates taking a commanding 19-4 lead just 11 minutes into the first half. "We had a great start and were playing very well," Berube said. "It was some of the best basketball I've seen out of us in a long time." Freshman Jessica Powers drained two shots from downtown in the opening spurt adding to the ten points she scored in the first half. The Lyons, however, would not go down on their home court without putting up a fight. Sophomore Vanessa Savas had eight straight points in the second quarter to help Wheaton chisel away at the Jumbo's huge initial lead. The Lyons eventually clawed their way back to score 28 points in the last nine minutes of the half cutting the Tufts advantage to 40-32 at the break. "Towards the end, we kind of turned if off and let them back in," Berube said. "They fought hard." After halftime, the Jumbos had a difficult time reviving the momentum they showed in the beginning of the contest. Midway through the second half Wheaton tied the game and was threatening to pull ahead. "We can't turn it on and off like that and think we are going to win games because we are a better team," Berube said. The Jumbos initiated a small charge with about ten minutes to go in the game to put themselves back on top by ten. Later, Wheaton mounted a drive of its on, culminating with senior guard Kerry Deshefy hitting a three to deadlock the score at 61 with just 1:37 remaining. Powers immediately countered just seconds later with a long bomb of her own putting the Jumbos up 64-61. The Lyons again took possession of the ball and proceeded to continue the three point trend as junior Amanda Dow-Allen converted yet another field goal for Wheaton. With the score standing at 64 all and overtime looking to be a certainty, Tufts had one last chance to come up big in the closing seconds of regulation. Dunn took the ball from one end of the court to the other and was fouled in the process. She headed to the line with less than two seconds remaining, and the rest is history. The Jumbos probably would not have needed Dunn's last second heroics, however, if they shot anywhere near as well as they had in the first half. Their shooting percentage dropped from a healthy 56 percent in the first half to a dismal 33.3 percent after intermission. "Our defense, our hustle, and our aggressiveness give us things like the 56 percent shooting," Berube said. "When we turn those off, our confidence in our shooting goes off too." Powers' 21 points was a game high. Junior Erin Buckley picked up nine points and seven rebounds. Dunn also had nine points and contributed to the team effort with six assists. The Jumbos now look ahead to their final weekend of NESCAC play. Friday's game versus Middlebury and Saturday's contest against Williams, both at home, will determine Tufts' final position in the NESCAC standings and its seed for the league tournament set to begin on Feb. 22. Tufts is currently tied with Middlebury in sixth place with a 3-4 league record. Williams is in third place with five wins and two losses against NESCAC opponents. "I think we'll be up for the last two games," Berube said. "They are against two big NESCAC teams and will be fun. I hope a lot of people will come out to see the games. We are really going to fight hard."

Never say never

Fortunately, it appears that the vet school will be only division of Tufts to receive a severe budget cut. Still, it seems risky to assume that other Tufts programs will remain completely unaffected. After all, when the state cut its funding for the vet school, the money that was taken away was essentially already in Tufts' hands. While it may only be a remote possibility, there is no reason to believe that the research opportunities and other programs at Tufts are completely safe from cuts in federal funding. Tufts-affiliated organizations are certainly at risk. Few undergraduates may have heard of the Center for Applied Child Development, but most child development majors are familiar with its work. Funding reductions for this program, for example, would certainly be felt by many in the Tufts community. Tufts prides itself on its ability to offer research opportunities to its undergraduates, and these are the opportunities that seem to be in the most potential danger. While a reduction in research opportunities may not make a noticeable difference to students at first, it will certainly be felt by faculty and will eventually impact the campus as a whole. The federal government's push to reduce costs at colleges and universities may have more impact at Tufts, which needless to say has a small endowment compared to its peer schools, than at other similar colleges and universities. While it seems very unlikely that government funding would be cut entirely, the University must be prepared to verify what Dean Bouchard called "the real cost of doing research." A major reduction in the number of research opportunities would be an incredible loss to both the undergraduate and graduate communities. The moral of the story: Tufts needs to be ready. Dean Bouchard has assured the Daily that the University has planned for all types of budget cuts. Still, a simple glance at the endowment figures and the knowledge of what happened to the vet school should act as a clear message to the Administration that additional precautions may be necessary.

Steinbrenner strikes again

I don't usually do this, and I apologize. In fact, in the two semesters that I've had this column (which may have been two semesters too many, but that's a whole different debate) I have devoted but one article to this topic, and that was only in response to a jealous tirade by a funny little man who wears his pants too low. But I feel like the time has come. Things are starting to get ridiculous. I mean, have you seen the Yankees payroll? For anyone who hasn't heard, the Yanks entered spring training with (gulp) an estimated $164 milllion payroll. Now I'm not a banker or anything, but $164 million is a serious wad of dough. There are a lot of things you can buy with $164 million. You could buy LeBron James 3,280 new hummers. You could pay a year's tuition for 4,555 Tufts students. You could buy 164 million items off of the McDonalds dollar menu. You could park at a parking meter for roughly 37,442 years. You could buy my textbooks for the next 328,000 semesters. Or, you could buy yourself, and your whole team a brand new set of World Series rings, engraved and everything. That's what jolly old George Steinbrenner is banking on, anyway. In standard Yankee fashion, King George cleaned up in the free agent market, nabbing Hideki Matsui and Jose Contreras, for a cool $15 mil a year combined. But wait, wasn't there a new labor deal not long ago? Isn't there supposed to be more competitive balance in the league now? Well technically, or at least in the minds of every inhabitant of New York, there is. Because the more Steinbrenner pays his players, the more cash he has to dish out to other teams around the league. So instead of cutting costs, like everyone thought they would have to do after the new labor deal, the Yankees have increased their payroll by about $40 million. Their payroll is $45 million higher than the next highest team, which coincidentally also happens to be from New York, and is $61 million higher than the Red Sox. The Yankees pay about five times more for their players than the Devil Rays do, which is the largest disparity between the highest and lowest payrolls in any professional sport. But still, it's not really the money that's upsetting me. And it's not all the championships, and it's not the Curse and it's not 1918, or any of that baloney. It's the excess that bothers me. It's the selfishness. Right now the Yankees have seven starting pitchers. Six of them, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettite, Jeff Weaver, David Wells, Mike Mussina, and Contreras would easily be a number one on most teams in the league. And the seventh, Sterling Hitchcock, would be a two or three on most clubs, and even a one on some. And this is after they dealt El Duque to the Expos. This is the very definition of excess. Nobody needs that many starters. And the way things look right now, Contreras will probably be a middle reliever, at least to start the season. I haven't checked my figures or anything, but I doubt if there's any other reliever in baseball (besides a closer) who's making $32 million over the next four years. And this is what gets under my skin. It's like last season when they were already leading baseball in home runs, and they decided they needed to go get Raul Mondesi, who was leading the Blue Jays in home runs. It's just excess. They don't need it, they just don't want anybody else to have it. It's like going to a grocery store and buying every single box of Cheerios, just so nobody else can have them, even though you know there's no way in hell that you're going to be able to them eat all before they get stale. Now one person ends up with a whole garage full of wasted Cheerios, and even though you'd love nothing more than to have a delicious bowl of Cheerios for breakfast, you can't, because George Steinbrenner is hoarding all of them. And it's just not right. I'm not really that bitter about it. Maybe I am a little bitter, but that's not my main problem. I'm not mad at Steinbrenner for getting Contreras over the Red Sox. Boston offered him $40 million for four years, and he still went to the Yankees for $32 million over four. I'm not even all that mad about the three way trade that sent Bartolo Colon to Chicago instead of Boston, because the fact of the matter is that the Sox didn't even really want Colon _ they wanted Javier Vazquez. (And we'll forget, for the moment that the trade pretty much ended any chance for the Red Sox to make any kind of deal with the Expos for anyone.) I'm not mad about any of that stuff. I'm mad that Steinbrenner has to rub it in. It's not good enough that the Yankees try to put themselves in a position to win _ they have to do everything they can to put everyone else in a position not to win. And that's what irks me... Their 'If we have everything then no one else can have anything' attitude is a pox on baseball and it shows all too well how unbalanced the league actually is, even with that joke of a labor deal. Maybe I'm just a bitter Red Sox fan, and maybe nobody in baseball is worried about this. But if I was a GM, I'd head to the grocery store and buy some Cheerios, before Steinbrenner nabs every last one.

Freshman Powers her way into starting line-up

It isn't often that a freshman can have as great an impact on a team as Jessica Powers has had. From her quiet demeanor and underwhelming build, Powers' prowess and intensity on the court seems unimaginable. Yet speaking to any of her teammates or coaches, it becomes quickly evident. "She's one of the most competitive people I've ever met," said senior co-captain Hillary Dunn. "No matter what the score is, she still approaches the game in the exact same way with the same competitive nature." This starting guard on the women's basketball team currently leads the team in total points (284), average points (13.5), and minutes (646). Not only has her offense shone brilliantly over her first season of play, Powers has also displayed superb defensive skills, leading the team with 54 steals. Powers first began playing basketball in elementary school. A soccer star as well, she knew that basketball was her first love. Growing up in Massapequa, New York, it was in high school that Powers needed to focus on one sport to continue. Focusing on basketball with the knowledge that she could continue on in college, Powers was lucky to develop her skills on one of Long Island's most competitive teams. With only one senior, Dunn, leading the way for the Jumbos, the team was forced to rely upon Powers, along with two other freshmen to have an immediate impact. As Tufts has a history of underclassmen contributing immediately, handing a freshmen the ball in the clutch was no new feat for the Jumbos. And strong opposition throughout her high school career made the transition from high school into collegiate easier for Powers, and allowed her to respond to this new challenge. "It was so easy and smooth," Powers said. "The girls were very welcoming on the team and coach made it an easy transition." The ease of Power's transition was apparent as she scored 23 points in only her third game, and she has started from the very beginning of the season. It was not long until Powers became the team leader in most offensive categories. "It's definitely different playing college basketball and high school basketball. I've been surprised at her transition and how composed she can be through a game," coach Carla Berube said. When she joined the Jumbos, becoming a leader was not one of Powers' expectations. "I really didn't know what to expect," Powers said. "I didn't come in here expecting to start, I just wanted to contribute." With a strong work ethic in both practice and on the court, Power's offensive weapons were soon evident for the team. "As soon as I saw them play I knew that she was going to be a good offensive player for us," Berube said. "She has a lot of weapons: she's got a great pull away jumper, she can shoot three and is hard to the hole." "It was obvious in the preseason that she was going to be an impact player," Dunn said echoing Berube's sentiments. "The fact that she's having a successful season isn't a surprise to anyone on the team." Powers' contributions could not have come at a better time as the Jumbos have roared to a 16-5 start. After a 9-14 season in 2001-2002, the team lost several starters and seemed as if it was headed for another losing season. The influx of a new coach along with several new freshmen has helped turn the team's fate around though, and Powers has been a large contributor to this turnaround. Berube herself was unaware of how Powers' role would play out as it was her first year coaching at Tufts and she had not been the one to recruit Powers. While the Jumbos and Berube have worked hard at turning a transition year into a successful season, Powers and her teammates continue to improve and build for the future as well. "She's a great kid," Berube said. "Her work ethic is great and it's obvious how much basketball means to her and how much the team means to her. She's very focused and a lot of fun to be around. She's goofy but a very passionate person and I'm lucky to have her for another three years. I'm sure she's going to have a great career here."

'A Little Night Music' an enchanting performance

As the lights come up in the Balch Arena Theater, the elegantly dressed figure of Mr. Lindquist (Deane Madsen) strolls across the stage, leans gallantly over the top of it, and taps a single key, a key he uses to sing his lyrical waltz. Four other opulently dressed men and women soon join him to sing the Overture for A Little Night Music, the Spring major production of the Department of Drama and Dance. The quintet transitions into "Night Waltz", the enchanting song and dance that sets the stage for Stephen Sondheim's Tony award winning musical about the individual's struggle to find simple human connection amidst a milieu of lust and misconstrued love affairs. The show, which opens the night before Valentines Day (Thursday, Feb 13) is an inspiration to take a chance at love. It reminds us that there is never a wrong time to take this chance. These ideas are told through Sondheim's magnificent score, described by Frank Sinatra as being "a lovely marriage of words and music." The melodies are all written in three, or waltz time, which contributes the dreamy qualities of the show, and range from light-hearted tunes to deeply touching ballads. "Send in the Clowns", which comes midway through the second act, never fails to bring tears to my eyes. The scenes float among realistic exchanges between characters and musical soliloquies that reveal the characters' inner thoughts. The chorus sings about the desires and hopes of the characters, as well as the events unfolding in the plot. Director Barbara W. Grossman, who is also the chair of the Department of Drama and Dance, chose the show because of "its emphasis on human connection and second chances. Many of the characters in the play have made mistakes in the past and, in the course of A Little Night Music, have the opportunity to correct them and... find happiness. That's a comforting thought for all of us." Set in Sweden at the turn of the century, the show revolves around many colorful characters from the social elite to their servents. Frederick Egerman (Josh Bauml) is a charming wealthy lawyer who has married Anne, (Merrin Lazyan) a woman far too young for him, perhaps in an attempt to cling to his youth. Frederick's son, Henrik is a "sexually repressed, angst filled minister... in search of the answers to life" as described by Adam Stahl, who plays Henrik in the production. Henrik is a year older than Anne and is desperately in love with her. Henrik cannot find love and his advances upon the maid, Petra (Julia Arazi) are thwarted, despite the fact that Petra is "a maid that believes in living your life as you please and seizing the day" according to Arazi. Lisa Birnbaum plays the graceful and charming D?©sir?©e Armfeldt, Frederick's old flame, whom Frederick visits late one night to release some of his frustrations. She has another lover, Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm (Mike Flynn) who is married to Countess Charlotte Malcolm (Suzanne Corbett). Eventually all the characters end up at the estate of Madame Armfeldt, the mother of D?©sir?©e, where the intricacies of their love affairs reach a climax filled with second chances and amorous realizations. Because of the variety of locations and complexity of the scene changes that result, stage manager Emily Wharton says that "this is the most technically demanding show the department has ever put on." The set is ornate but beautiful _ an enormous archway of trees reminiscent of an enchanted fairy tale forest. Various set pieces slide on and offstage from every recess of the theater. The set has provided cast and crew with headaches but the end result is incredible and the overall effect captures the "sense of romance and mystery" that led Grossman to choose this show. A Little Night Music is a show for all of us, as we have all made mistakes and missed opportunities. But, as the play show us, despite past errors, inner qualms, and all the emotional red tape that builds up in a lifetime, it is never to late to take life by the throat and force it to go your own way.

Building Inspector: Owner appears to have known about violations

The city of Medford filed civil and criminal complaints yesterday against the owner of the home on Harris Road where junior Wendy Carman was killed in a fire on Jan. 18. "We filed two complaints to Somerville District Court," Medford Building Commissioner Paul Mochi said. The criminal complaints included 12 violations of Massachusetts State Building Code, and one violation of the City of Medford Zoning Ordinance. The civil complaint, on behalf of the city, sought to reimburse the costs of fighting and investigating the fire. The complaints were filed against Thomas Bagley, the trustee of the Frederick Shaffer Realty Trust, the company that owned the building. The date for the hearing of the criminal complaint has not been set. If the court hears the complaint, and the building's owner is found guilty, he could face fines of up to $1000 per day for the State Building Code violations and up to $300 a day for the City Ordinance violations. The owner could also face one year in jail. Mochi said that it would be "speculating" to say that the owner intended for the garage space where Carman lived to be inhabited, but that "it appears that [the owner] did know." It would also be difficult to determine when the modifications to the building were made because of the structure's age, according to Mochi. "That loft was originally built in 1903 _ it was a stable," he said. "Since that time, 1903, we have no records indicating that permits have been issued for any work in that area." Determining the owner's responsibility for the building codes may be difficult. Four people inhabited the building, which classifies it as a lodging house under the Medford City Zoning Ordinance. However, the property was never listed as such. Because there are no applicable permits on file for the building, determining the owner's responsibility for the building code violations could be difficult. "He wouldn't need a permit if he rented out to less than three people," said Mochi. "He had four _ it puts you in a lodging house classification." Mochi said that although the Building Commissioner's office received complaints about illegal apartments, this situation was particularly dangerous. "It's very seldom that we get one that's in a garage area such as this one was, which makes it even worse. This appears to be not a very common situation," Mochi said. "We all hope that we don't run into this kind of scenario anywhere."

Senate to purchase new software program

A resolution passed by the Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate last week will allow for the purchase of a new software program that will make it easier to survey the student body on a wide range of topics. The aim of this software is to produce surveys that will be sent to all undergraduates via the Internet. The software would theoretically produce more scientific results, and be a more formal and more accurate method of gathering data than what currently exists. The Senate has not been allowed to use University resources to conduct polls. The administration has run polls in the past which addressed student concerns with dining halls, the library, the administration, and the telephone system. The Office of Institutional Research (OIR) _ which gathers and analyzes survey information for the University _ is not allowed to work with students on this type of undertaking. However, the OIR has agreed to help draft the surveys which the senate will use with the new program. Although the Senate had purchased a large amount of expensive equipment for a similar purpose in the past, it is no longer suitable for their current needs, said freshman Dave Baumwoll, the senator spearheading the project. Efforts made by past senates to conduct polls ended after a lack of sophisticated software made the projects too difficult, Baumwoll said. "[The Senate] wants to get more connected to the will of the student body and sometimes when we don't know what people are thinking, we just have to go by what we hear. This software is going to be the way to do it," Baumwoll said. Aside from giving students the opportunity to voice their level of satisfaction with university services, Baumwoll adds that the surveys will likely alert the Senate to possible concerns, such as the school's alcohol policy. "With this, we can get figures so that we can focus our efforts a lot better, and not just pull ideas off the tops of our heads," he said. The specifics of the software are not yet known, but it will include templates for setting up surveys, programs that enable the surveys to be sent via email, and should be easy to use. The cooperation between the Office of Institutional Research and the Senate on this project is an unusual approach, since OIR is normally restricted from contact with students. But the office's Executive Director Dawn Terkla has agreed to work with the Senate to screen the proposed surveys for bias and straightforwardness before they are administered. Survey construction consultation is one of Institutional Research's main missions, along with designing, executing, and reporting projects for the University. The office also habitually finishes marketing research, outcome assessment, and policy analyses. Past survey topics have included undergraduate matriculation, graduating seniors, the Tisch Library, retention rates, Tufts in Talloires, graduate school alumni, and health care. Baumwoll is also interested in forming a Senate Surveyors Board, responsible for the creation and distribution of the surveys, but development for that is not yet underway. A public relations committee _ which would consist of three individuals to aid with organization _ is also in the works. The estimated cost of the software is $1,350. Baumwoll is confident that the Senate has sufficient funds set aside for such an investment, citing that the decision to put the course guides online this year saved them money. "The leftover money from [the online course guides] has helped us out a lot, and we will budget for future years as well," Baumwoll explained. Student opinions are mixed on the subject and whether or not they think this is a positive investment. "Yes, I think it's worthwhile because this is a good way to get complaints addressed that are otherwise ignored," freshman Ilya Lozovsky said. Others are more quizzical. "It depends on how much money is spent in relation to the budget, who decides that?" freshman Bradley Scott said. "What do they hope to accomplish? It's hard to gauge how good an investment will be when you don't know what the outcomes are or what's going to be achieved."

Complaints filed against Thomas Bagley

Thomas Bagley is the trustee of the Frederick Shaffer Realty Trust, which owned the building in which junior Wendy Carmen was killed last month. Violations of the Massachusetts State Building Code 1 - Section 3603.5.1 _ Improper opening between private garage and sleeping room. 2 - Section 3603.5.2 _ Improper fire separation between garage and residence. 3 - Section 3603.10.1 _ Improper means of egress. 4 - Section 3603.10.2 _ Improper exit doors. 5 - Section 3603.13.1 _ Improper stairway width. 6 - Section 3603.13.11.1 _ Improper exit doors. 7 - Section 3603.13.3 _ Improper stairway headroom clearance. 8 - Section 3603.14.1.1 _ Improper stairway handrails. 9 - Section 1001.3 _ Unlawful alteration of exits. 10 - Section 103.1 _ Improper maintenance of means of egress. 11 - Section 103.2 _ Negligence by owner to properly maintain building. 12 - Section 110.1 _ Altering a building without a building permit. Violation of the City of Medford Zoning Ordinance 1 _ Section 94-148, Table of Use Regulations _ Item #21 _ Operating a lodging house in a General Residence District without a Special Permit of the Medford City Council (SPC). A lodging house is a house that has four or more tenants. Information provided by the City of Medford Building Commissioner's Office

Inouye responds to article

Dear Editor, Your article "Course Requirement Changes on Hold until Final Task Force Report" (Jan. 31, 2003) may have given people the wrong impression. Deliberations about curricular requirements are not on hold. To the contrary, some of the faculty committees about which you wrote _ EPC, and the two Curriculum committees _ will be addressing the issue of requirements this semester, as a part of the effort to produce a final Task Force report. That report must get a nod of approval from the faculty, since it includes curricular matters. It is hard to predict how far these committees will get in their discussions of the requirements this semester, but the Task Force has urged the faculty to take advantage of the moment. Needless to say, many students and faculty members have been waiting for a long while for a decision on the Foreign Language Culture Option and a possible Diversity Requirement. Respectfully, Charles Shiro Inouye Dean of the Colleges

From Carnegie Hall to Walnut Hill

This week's Student Artist is Merrin Lazyan. She has been studying voice since she was eight years old, but started her real classical training during her freshman year of high school. She has studied and sung classical music, Western art music in French, Italian, and German, as well as operatic arias. In high school, she sang classical choral music and began studying some oratorios (unstaged operas) while singing with the New York Choral Society. With the NYCS, she performed in Carnegie Hall and Avery Fischer Hall. As the culmination of her vocal study in high school, she performed a senior recital singing art music in French, German, and Italian, as well as Italian arias. At Tufts, Lazyan has continued her study of classical music and operas. She takes private lessons and is a Member of the Tufts Chamber Singers and Opera Ensemble. She has played the Countess in a scene from The Marriage of Figaro and Gretel in a scene from Hansel and Gretel and will be playing the role of Catherine in an opera called The Lantern Marriage by Offenbach. She also does some musical theater and is currently playing the role of Anne in A Little Night Music, which opens this week. Daily: What first drew you to the opera? Merrin: What first drew me to opera (and to classical music in general) was its beautifully expressive nature. Opera music is so dramatic, and since it is intended not only to be melodic and musical, but to tell a story as well, there is so much to convey in just one song. Arias especially aim to trace the development of a character, and there are a great deal of intentions and emotions packed into some extraordinary music. It is just a lot of fun to work with. Daily: What's the difference between singing normally and singing operatically? Merrin: There are a few main differences between singing normally and singing operatically. The first is the way in which, in order to sing opera, you really have to use your entire body as an instrument. That not only includes feeling grounded, not just in stance and posture, but also just a sense of connection to your physical being. Daily: If you could compare opera to any type of nut, which would it be and why? Merrin: Well, Marc, I see opera as a walnut. Although it may be hard to break the shell and really get into it, once you do, there are glorious colors and textures to be found. Daily: What is your favorite language to sing in? Merrin: Italian is definitely my favorite language to sing in! The intonation, bright vowels and the vocal placement of consonants all make it very communicative. Besides, some of the best operas have been written in Italian! Daily: What is your favorite opera in that language? Merrin: My favorite Italian aria is called "Pianger? la sorte mia" from the opera Giulio Cesare. It begins with a recitative section (which is singing that is supposed to resemble speech patterns and often precedes an aria) that explains the character's fear that her lover has died. The aria begins with a description of her grief and sorrow, then moves into a middle section in which she becomes angry at the injustice of the world and vows to seek her revenge, and then returns to an even more anguished final section. I love this aria because it brings both the singer and the listener through the entire grieving process, from denial and disbelief to sadness, then anger and resentment, and finally, to acceptance and an exhausted sense of sorrow. Daily: What are the odds that the average Tufts student has heard of it? Merrin: I have a feeling that most Tufts students would not know of this aria, however, some have seen me perform it at studio classes, student recitals and juries. Daily: Now, if your favorite opera was coming to town and tickets went on sale tomorrow, would you brave the cold and camp out? Merrin: If Mozart's The Magic Flute were coming to town, I would most certainly camp out for the opportunity to experience a very entertaining story and one of the world's most famous soprano arias! Daily: I think it'd be fair to say that most of us have not sung opera. How would you describe the feeling one gets when performing what many consider one of the most expressive of arts? Merrin: To sing such an elaborate and dramatic form of music is truly incredible. Operatic music, in its beauty and the stories that it tells, often touches on aspects of the human condition that are both personal and universal. Being able to make that connection and to share my passion through performance is so magical and thrilling for me, and I know that I will pursue this art form seriously and indefinitely.

Exploring Sovereignty and Intervention at the EPIIC Symposium

We find ourselves in a political climate of great intensity. Our own country is contemplating a war that much of its populace does not support. A great nuclear belligerent is making dangerous overtures. Our allies in Europe are spurring fractious debate. This is not a time when isolationism and introversion are qualities to be admired, especially in an academic setting such as Tufts. We must also realize that the causes of these international dilemmas, as well as the potential solutions, are not abstract, faceless market forces or "globalization", but real, interested, powerful people. Some of them run non-governmental organizations, some are brilliant economists, some are generals, some are heads of state and some are victims. Now, visualize these people in a room, debating the futures of notions of sovereignty and global intervention. Imagine they say something that proves everything you've come to believe from years of near-Ivy league overachieving completely false. Or better yet, imagine that they piece together and bring to life all the theories and abstract text that you have grappled with over the past several years. What would you think? What would you say? Now place this entire scenario on your campus, and give yourself a front row seat. Welcome to this year's EPIIC symposium on Sovereignty and Intervention. In two weeks, a collection of incredibly distinguished academics, practitioners, theorists, victims and former heads of state will convene on this campus under the banner of non-polemical discourse. They will speak on a broad spanning range of topics, from pressing international crises ("Israel-Palestine: The Conundrum of Coexistence", "Market Evolution and Political Revolution: Mad Money in Latin America") and populations ravaged by famine and war ("Humanitarian intervention and Human Rights: The Responsibility to Protect?", "Preserving the Peace: Dilemmas of Nation-building") to transnational threats ("Transcending Borders: Global Governance and the Environment", "Transnational Crime: Subverting Sovereignty") and metaphysical questions of self ("Sovereignty of the Self: Genomics and Being Human in the 21st Century). Panelists include the former President of Ireland, a former Senior U.N. peacekeeping commander, former foreign minister of Australia, President of the Council of Foreign Relations, and the Secretary General of Interpol (invited). This international symposium provides a unique and important opportunity for Tufts students, not only to learn about the experiences, opinions, and visions of these captivating panelists, but also to challenge and engage in conversation with these speakers on such compelling issues. The theme, sovereignty and intervention, bears a striking relevance to our current international condition. Considering these pressing circumstances, once again, we are reminded of our responsibility to think outside of our, often inflexible, Tufts bubble and beyond our traditional frameworks. The EPIIC symposium, featuring diverse perspectives, including non-western viewpoints stretching from all corners of our globe, grants us a forum in which we can explore the interplay among these deeply entrenched ideas. As members of a university that purports to educate students for a global community, it behooves us all to attend. It's an opportunity for interested minds, as well as those repenting for previous lack of interest, to think and inquire with these distinguished guests about what kind of global climate we are now entering. Naomi Sleeper in a senior majoring in Philosophy and Environmental Studies and J. Jeremy Sueker is a freshman who has not declared a major.

Who really needs a car?

As the wind chill factor drops and the University campus feels more and more like a polar ice cap, many students find themselves wishing that they had a car to get around campus. For sophomores, juniors, and seniors, this is a viable option, but University policy forbids freshmen to keep or register a motor vehicle on campus. But for those who have the option, is a degree of convenience worth the extra cost of maintenance and parking? As approximately 100 students discovered this weekend when their illegally parked cars were towed during a snow emergency, campus parking can be a liability and an unwanted hassle. Whether or not a car will prove beneficial for a given student depends upon an individualized balance of advantages and disadvantages that varies with each student and his or her situation. Some benefits of having a car on campus are fairly obvious: getting to classes without battling the snowy hills and bitter winds in the winter, easier access to points of interest outside of the T line such as Salem and Walden Pond, less time wasted waiting for the campus shuttle, and no more searching for extra taxi cash just for a quick trip to Target. Other benefits of having a car on campus apply more specifically to certain groups of students. One such category includes those students who consistently work in the Boston area, such as interns or tutors. For these students, driving to their destinations would cut down on time spent using mass transit, and aid punctuality on the job. Having a car at the University is also appealing to students who hail from far away locations. Freshman Greg Bonci, who comes from Pittsburgh, said, "Flying home is extremely expensive for me unless I book months in advance, and having my car available to drive home would be convenient for me as well as for my parents, who have many other expenses to look after." Some athletes also view having their own cars as a positive, citing the lack of a shuttle stop anywhere near Cousens Gym and the Gantcher Center. "It takes at least ten minutes for me to walk to the gym, and the cold makes it even worse. It definitely lowers your motivation to work out," freshman athlete Laura Spring said. There are negative aspects, however, to having a car on University premises, such as a limited number of parking spaces. According to the University Parking Regulations for 2002-2003, sophomores are only allowed to park in Carmichael, Miller, and Hill Hall lots and are not allowed in any downhill lots. Because of the limited amount of visitor parking spaces, no student can park his or her vehicle at any of the parking meters on campus. Also, a parking decal or pass does not guarantee the student a parking space. In addition, contrary to popular belief, the Dowling Garage is only open to staff, faculty, and commuter students who have gone through the process of getting a Tufts University Parking Decal and have received a garage access card. Even if one has obtained these permits, however, no overnight parking is allowed in the garage. Seasonal changes can make the process of finding a parking space severely worse. Winter parking regulations, in effect from Nov. 1 to April 1, stipulate that when a snowfall of two inches or more is predicted or broadcast, motor vehicles must be removed from the areas marked, "No Parking 1:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m." In order for snow removal operations to effectively work without any interference, no parking is allowed on any University streets from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.. Anyone disobeying these regulations or the campus speed limit of 20 miles per hour faces the consequences of fines or towing. If towing is the case, the University is not responsible for any damages made to the motor vehicle towed from the grounds. Even if parking is not a big concern for the vehicle owner, prices may be. For the 2002-2003 academic year, the parking decal price for a resident student with overnight parking is $380. For a half year decal, the costs is $190. A full year decal is valid from Sept. 1 to Aug. 1. The first semester decals purchased in September expired on Dec. 31, and the second semester decal lasts from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31. Besides the decal, vehicle owners cannot forget about gas prices and the chance of getting a ticket or fine. The gas prices in the Somerville and Medford areas are currently $1.44 or $1.45 per gallon. In central Boston, such as on Cambridge Street, current prices run as high as $1.69 a gallon. Sophomore Tom Latronico recognizes that there are advantages in having a car on campus, but does not plan on bringing his own. "Someone might want a car on campus for visiting friends at one of the other area colleges or universities, but I haven't had a problem not having one here," Latronico said. Many students find that their transportation needs are met by the campus's free shuttle service and the one-dollar subway system. "I don't think there is any need for a car at Tufts. Everything you need is right here on campus or in Davis, or on Boston Avenue," said freshman Travis Nevers, who was born and raised in Medford.

Traveling Lush sings Hannah's praises

It's the time when you wake up early on a Friday morning, use the bathroom, drink a glass of water, and roll back into bed when you truly realize the sheer magnificence of "no-class Fridays." Not only does it make you snicker at all the unfortunate underclassmen who trudge by your window at the ungodly hour of 9 a.m., but it also gives you that extra reason to stay out an hour longer, down that extra drink, or go that mile further for Thursday night fun. For all its benefits, however, ending your week on Thursday impairs all attempts at simply taking it easy. Any attempt to lounge on the couch effortlessly screening NBC's Thursday night lineup almost always falls peril to one rally call: "We don't have class tomorrow." And so it happened last Thursday night as my efforts to catch up on the zzz's and nurse a nagging cold were shattered by my housemates' call to arms and a short cab ride out to Hannah's for Thursday Night Karaoke. After starting the night off with some spirits over on Fairmount, I relentlessly tagged along with a group of Bromfielder's, destined to make a fool of themselves in front of the mic. As it turned out we were not alone. It seems as if Hannah's _ rejuvenated by the work of some ambitious bartenders and an all out effort to filter out the clientele _ has established a warm rapport with some of the Tufts community. After just a few years of restructuring, Hannah's has transformed from a haven for tattoo-laden bikers to a decent mix of local and college crowds. Despite the lingering need for a "No cut off T-shirt" rule and a fair share of local regulars, Hannah's has become a great second choice for those of who can't make it all the way into Boston and are weary of the Davis scene. The spacious interior complete with an extensive rectangular bar, multiple pool tables and two seating areas is large enough to hold a decent size crowd and intimate enough not to get lost among the masses. As an added bonus, the fairly high ceilings help thin out the smoke, leaving your Thursday night outfits wrought with less of a cigarette stench then you would find in many other local bars. Then there's the singing. Of late, Hannah's has capitalized on its patrons' desires to sing themselves silly, instituting a Thursday Night Karaoke contest with a grand prize of $300. As with all karaoke, some of the performances are good, some better and some just down right ugly. Tufts representation varies; a short while ago, a well-known Tufts Beelzebub sang himself into the finals. Unfortunately, our Thursday night crew did not reap as favorable results. Wailing away at "I Will Survive" and serenading us with R. Kelly's "Bump and Grind," a flock of Fairmount seniors and two suave gentlemen of Tappa Kegga pulled out all the stops in attempts to make it to the finals. Yet, despite their efforts, their singing careers were stifled by a late night judge's decision. Personally, I think they got screwed..."I don't see nothing wrong, with a little bump n' grind." But after all, it's not whether you win or lose that really matters in the scheme of things _ it's whether or not you can remember making a fool of yourself the next morning. For my own part, a tranquil night at home had turned into an all-out rager. After introducing myself to the bartender as a writer for the Daily, my wallet remained closed and full while my palate quenched. Grey Goose after Johnny Walker Red after Johnny Walker Black passed though my lips and all hope of getting rid of my cold faded with each delicious cocktail. And then came the killer. Looking for a way to cap the night off, one of the bartenders offered me a specialty, his "signature drink," I was told. It was a drink so fantastic that he had yet to find a name worthy of its majesty. And after a few rounds of "taste-testing," I had to admit... it was that damn good. So I named it. Next time you find yourself down and out on a Thursday night, looking for a night spot closer than downtown and outside the confines of Davis, head down to Hannah's, sing your lungs silly, and ask Nathaniel for a round of "White Jumbos." With any luck, you won't have to wake up for class the next morning.

Why aren't you asking yet?

It is comical, and yet, disturbingly, it is a reality that in my four years at Tufts the most common response I have received from my peers when I have told them that I am from Beirut has been: "Oh...you mean like the game?" Now, what is scary is that I can never be sure whether this question is intended as a joke, or not. So here is a question for any of you Tuftonians out there who upon hearing or reading the word Beirut immediately think of beer rather than a city with international significance: When is the last time you really looked at a world map or a globe? I am asking with utter seriousness. The unfortunate truth is that our University administration is currently deluded in its assumption that the large majority of Tufts students are well read, well informed and/or have a strong comprehension of the global events of the last few decades. Do not get me wrong; I have had plenty of intriguing conversations with some students (mostly international students or History/IR majors mind you) about the Middle East and what kind of chaos a war with Iraq may cause in the region. But sadly, many more conversations are brought to a close shortly after the beer comment has been made. By now we are all aware that the current headlines in the news are constantly mentioning Iraq in one-way or another. But to be frank, how many of you non-Political Science, non-IR and non-Middle Eastern Studies majors know exactly where Iraq is located? Do you know why we attacked it during the Gulf War? Do you know why the US government wants to attack that country now? How many of you have a clear understanding of why so many people and countries around the world do not want the US to attack Iraq? For those of you who do not know, I have a serious request to make: PLEASE ASK! It is time for every student who does not know answers to those questions to make it their duty to start finding out. If you do not agree that our generation of American University students has a crucial responsibility to be well informed about the world we live in, then I ask you: What are you doing here at Tufts? On this campus professors, scholars, published authors, lecture series and film series are at our disposal, ready to provide facts, stories, ideas and opinions about what is happening in our international community. Every one of us is privileged enough to have on-campus access to the Internet, television, newspapers and radio for free. And please, not one of us who has the time to sit and watch Joe Millionaire or TheBachelorette and discuss with friends who was eliminated every week should be giving the excuse that they are too busy to read, watch or listen to the news. So here are some of my suggestions as to how anyone (even busy people) can easily make time to learn about current events: _Sign up to receive regular emails from an online newspaper such as newyorktimes.com or independent.co.uk. _At the gym, instead of reading Cosmo or Glamour while on the bike or the elliptical machine, read the newspaper (try the opinion-editorials section of the New York Times). _While procrastinating in your room, rather than playing snood or solitaire for the millionth time, check out: worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/me.htm. _In the car, rather than listening to a radio station that will play the same songs that you have already heard over and over and over again, listen to a discussion on AM talk radio or National Public Radio (WBUR 90.9 FM in Boston). _Next semester, take a history class or political science class pass/fail, even if you are an engineer, an artist or a science major. _Attend one of the many engaging, informative, and often controversial lectures, film screenings and discussions happening every week on and around campus (and the George H.W. Bush lecture does not really count because nothing he has to say will surprise anyone). I personally make it my business to do all of these things as often as I can, and I promise that if you take any or all of those six suggestions listed above, you will learn some things that will surprise and interest you. It will be well worth your time. Look, I am not even going so far as to ask you to "get involved" or assert an opinion; I am only asking you to seek answers to the questions looming in the back of your head. Ask those questions, even the "dumb" ones... especially the "dumb" one. (And keep asking them.) This way, when we meet, I can tell you I am from Beirut and know you will respond with something other than a comment about how much you love the game. Maybe we can even talk politics. Mona Damluji is a senior majoring in Architectural Studies and minoring in Communication and Media Studies.

19 students head to final round of Fulbright Competition

Nineteen Tufts seniors entered the final round of competition for Fulbright awards last month, more than half of the 32 who originally applied. Only about 2,000 of the almost 5,000 applicants make it to the final round, and only half of those 2,000 are awarded grants. The Tufts finalists who moved into the second round have varied academic interests, with seven IR majors, three German majors, two biology majors and one engineer. Tufts students have a history of success in the yearly competition _ an average of 27 percent of applicants is awarded a grant, which is six percent higher than the national average. Last year, 40 percent of Tufts applicants were awarded a grant. Each year, through Fulbright Grants, the US State Department funds nearly 1,000 projects in 140 countries, allowing students to continue their studies, pursue academic research or teach at a foreign school. But reasons for applying for the grant can vary. "I'm really looking forward to teaching as a further career," said senior Justin Leahey, who hopes to teach English in Germany. Senior Marianne Chow plans to conduct research if she wins a grant. "There is very little research of Chinatowns in Japan," Chow said. "I want to take documentary courses this summer, and then make a documentary," she said. To receive a grant, students must go through a rigorous application process that involves a study or research proposal, essays, proof of proficiency in a foreign language, a transcript, and three recommendations. According to senior Taryn Morrissey, the application, while challenging, can be rewarding. "It really made me reflect and affirm that I wanted to do this," she said. Studying abroad often inspires many students to apply for the Fulbright. Many students see it as a way to revisit foreign countries and deepen their cultural experience. "I did study abroad in Japan," Chow explained, "but I didn't really get a full feeling of what Japanese society was like." For others, like Morrissey, the Fulbright is a way to go abroad because they could not go while at college. "This seems like the perfect opportunity. Plus, I'm able to really get in depth, more than a senior thesis." Dean of the Colleges Charles Inouye and the Scholarship Committee work to encourage those who study abroad to consider applying for the Fulbright. "We spend a lot of effort junior year finding likely candidates," Inouye said. "We visit study abroad programs to advise juniors getting ready for senior year." Many of the finalists credit Inouye and the Scholarship Committee as the source of their success. "Charles Inouye egged me on; I don't think I could have made it this far without the help from the administration," Chow said. Tufts promotes the Fulbright grants and encourages students to seek them because it helps to emphasize the school's strong points, Inouye explained. "We made this a priority because it fits so well with our strengths, and the strengths of our students, and it's a boost for the reputation of the school," he said. The recent success of Tufts students in the Fulbright competition bodes well for both the school and the students. Like the National Merit Scholarship for high school seniors, success in the Fulbright Competition leads to additional scholarships, grants, and opportunities. "Scholarships are a domino effect, leading to grad school and fellowships," Inouye said. "It really changes students' lives. I've seen careers take off because of this experience." Inouye added that the next step is to try to "do for Marshall and Rhodes Scholarships what we've done to Fulbright." Ultimately, the success of this year's 19 finalists and the Scholarship Committee will be determined when the grants are awarded in late April. For Chow, it already has been a success, "Even if I don't get it, I think the application process was a rewarding process. It gave me a ground to determine what I want to do in life," she said. The grants are given to US citizens who have, or will, complete their undergraduate work that year, as well as graduate students and professors. The Fulbright grants began in 1946 when Senator J. William Fulbright wanted to fund projects of intellectual and cultural exchange for students here and abroad after World War II.

Women's fencing goes 4-1 last weekend to better season record to 8-3

Carrying the momentum of the previous weekend's performances, the women's fencing team came within one point of sweeping their second conference meet this past weekend, going 4-1 on Saturday. Despite the tight 14-13 loss to Boston College, the Jumbos looked impressive in their other victories, crushing Wellesley 23-4, Boston University 24-3, New Hampshire 20-7, and UMass-Amherst 16-11. The slew of contests helped the squad to lift its overall conference record to 8-3. Having faced extremely difficult competition in past weekends, including four matches against top 20 programs, the Jumbos felt confident heading into this past weekend's contest. They jumped out of the gate in a hurry, burying conference foes Wellesley and Boston University. However, going into the meet, Tufts knew that the most difficult and exciting matches would be against Boston College, and the match up lived up to its billing. The teams matched each other well, with most individual bouts being decided by a mere one point difference. In the end, the Eagles squeaked by with a one point victory, but Tufts was not discouraged. Despite the loss, Tufts still feels it is the better team. "We should be able to defeat them at the New England Championships," senior co-captain Frances Harper said. The women were able to quickly rebound and take care of New Hampshire and UMass-Amherst, although fatigue began to show near the end of the match. With this meet coming just a week after two previous tournaments, Tufts appeared sluggish near the end, and according to coach Jason Sachs, the team barely escaped UMass-Amherst due to enervation. Despite the exhaustion near the end, the team, in general, seems to be peaking at the right time. Using a combination of experienced seniors like Kasara Williams and Diana Deluca along with a crop of promising freshman _ which includes Sasha Brodski, Katherine Zouein, and Camilia Miller _ the squad seems certain to make an impact in the upcoming post-season events. The team now has a two-week rest period before the post-season begins, starting with the New England Championships. "The break allows us time to work hard in preparation for our post-season meets, including New Englands and NEIWFAs," senior co-captain Christina Zahara said. "We have a strong enough team this year that I believe we can win New Englands if we work hard enough." Sachs, while continuing to push his group to work harder to prepare for the difficult challenges that lie ahead, is proud of his team's overall performances to date. "In general this has been an exciting year," Sachs said. "Last year was a serious rebuilding one and our team is reaping the benefits from it. We had a lot of beginning fencers and people who were on the cusp of becoming great fencers who just needed more seasoning. This year, these people, coupled with a very strong freshman class, have made us very strong." The New England Championships, consisting of 12 teams who qualified for post-season, is set to take place on Feb. 23 at the University of New Hampshire.

It's All True' is quite confusing

What do you get when you put together Marxism, New York, sexual ambiguity and a few powerful voices? Unfortunately, not much. It's All True, a play by Jason Sherman, is now running at the Lyric Stage Co. in downtown Boston. The play is based on what happened behind the scenes of The Cradle Will Rock, a play Orson Welles directed in 1937 that lost its federal backing for purporting socialist sentiments. If you noticed too many prepositions in that sentence, you have already picked up on half the problem with the play _ a behind-the-scenes look at a play that itself is a behind-the-scenes look at real life, the script lacked immediate contact with its proposed themes of theatre, political ideology, and lost love in Depression-period America. Perhaps the premise is too full of possibilities for just one play. Marc Blitzstein, a widowed playwright with a passion to broadcast his support of the union and the wishes of his dying wife, proposes The Cradle Will Rock, a dowdy musical about disillusioned steel mill workers, to director and radio-broadcaster James Orwell. Blitzstein is thrilled and astonished to see Welles' enthusiasm for the play, until he realizes his ulterior motive. Welles' wants to manipulate the play in order to make it convey his socialisit messages. To this end, he convinces anyone who opposes his direction _ using his eloquent and booming radio voice _ that his ideologies are in line with theirs. Surrounding this dynamic are the actors Orwell stomps on, the wife he ignores in favor of younger women and work and the strange ghosts of dead loved ones that haunt both his and Blitzstein's consciences. There is also an ambiguous sexual attraction present throughout the play between Orwell and Blitzstein, which keeps renewing itself and disappearing without ever seeming to justify its significance to the ultimate resolution or point of the play. The acting is the saving grace of the show. Geoffrey P. Burns, whose voice as Orson Welles bellows with the conviction of an avalanche, is especially convincing. Julie Jirousek, who interestingly plays Blitzstein's memories of his late wife as well as a character in his play, is as charming as a Russian intellectual rebel-rouser as she is a sweet, self-conscious housewife-turned-actress. Her affair with fellow actor Howard Da Silva (Neil Casey) leaks too much love into the play and must be destroyed _ by the ever-divisive Welles _ in order to maintain the purely political aura of the production. The scheme leads to some poignant quips, such as "no time for love when you're saving the world!" But even this romantic storyline falls flat on its face, for there is no reconciliation for her lost love, either on her part or on the part of the other characters. The side plots of this play seem to wander off the main path in too many directions. Perhaps Sherman is showing us what the union attitude was about _ the development of the individual character made inconsequential for the sake of societal evolution. I am no enemy of socialism, but I do expect that a play elucidates a problem with the intent to resolve it later on. When The Cradle Will Rock defies the "fascist" government and goes up with a flourish, as indeed it did in 1937, the audience is left with a feeling of triumph that is neither founded nor touching. Sherman invites his audience on a spectator's jog through the evolution of a play that changed theater's relationship to politics, but it only left me with a shot of adrenaline. Either he led me off the path, or I just wasn't fit to keep up.