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Men's swimming & diving shine in opening meet

November 24

In the team's first meet of the year, the swimming and diving team showed why it expects this season to be one of its all-time best. Led by senior tri-captains Ed Edson and Ryan Lahey, and senior diver David Liebenstein, the Jumbos took care of the Clark Cougars on Saturday by an unofficial score of 176 to 78. "The meet went really well," senior tri-captain Peter Berkowitz said. "We all had fun and swam fast." The team won 14 of the 16 events, including both relays and both diving competitions. "I was very encouraged because in many respects we swam faster [on Saturday] than the last two years at this time [in the season]," Coach Don Megerle said. The match was the team's first of the year, though not against a NESCAC foe. Meets against NESCAC opponents don't begin until after Thanksgiving break when the Jumbos take on Bowdoin on December 7th. Every aspect of the team's performance in Worcester on Saturday showed that this year's team was off to an impressive start. Tufts finished first, second and third in the Medley Relay. Anchoring the first-place team was Lahey, who closed the race with a 21.8-second freestyle dash to the wall. On the second-place team, freshman Jonathon Godsey completed the first leg (backstroke) with a notable time of 25.1 seconds. Sophomore Seth Baron impressed many of his teammates with his performance in the 200-yard butterfly. He grabbed the wall 159.3 seconds after the starting gun, earning first-place for the Jumbos. Last year's only representative at nationals, Tyler Duckworth, also had a good first meet. He finished right behind Baron in the 200-yard butterfly (201.3 seconds) and won the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 218.5 seconds. Freshman backstroker Jason Kapit showed why this year's freshman class is the best in recent memory. The Maryland-native won both the 100-yard backstroke (56.6 seconds) and the 200-yard backstroke (201.5 seconds) on Saturday. "I'm glad I was able to contribute to the success of the team," Kapit said. Edson led the way for the upperclassmen, and won both the 200-yard (148.9 seconds) and 100-yard freestyle (49.0 seconds). He also joined forces with sophomore Richard Halpert, freshman Brett Baker, and Lahey to take the 200-yard freestyle relay, completing the relay sweep. "The meet went really well," Edson said. "The freshmen swam really well and team spirit was great _ we're really optimistic about the season." Freshman Andrew Burbach, in his first career meet, finished close behind Edson in the 200-yard freestyle (50.1 seconds) _ a promising achievement for the youngster. The Cougars were outmatched in every facet of the meet, including diving. Senior David Liebenstein swept the two diving events, winning both the one-meter and three-meter dives. "The team's support is really what makes our swimming and diving program go," Liebenstein commented. "The meet was a good start to the season, it was good to get our feet wet-no pun intended." Other notable performances were by junior Kaili Mauricio in the 500-yard freestyle, winning with a time of 508.9 seconds, and by sophomore Michael Schrimpf in the 100-yard butterfly, who won with a time of 58.1 seconds. "Everything went as expected," Edson said. "We have a lot to improve on." Tonight, the team will continue to showcase its talent in another non-conference affair against Bridgewater State at 6 p.m. Tonight's meet will be the Jumbos' home opener at Hamilton Pool.

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News

Hockey scores win over weekend

November 24

With a strong showing this past weekend against two solid opponents, the Tufts men's hockey team appears to be a great deal more competitive than last year's 6-17 version. A dominating 6-3 triumph over St. Michael's College and a tough 5-3 loss to perennial national title contender Norwich have made the team optimistic about its chances for the rest of the season. "It was a good weekend because Norwich is basically a Division I program," head coach Brian Murphy said. "But it wasn't a great weekend. As well as we played against Norwich, we still lost. So we can't get ahead of ourselves and we must continue to improve." During a game against Norwich last year, the team was down 9-0 after two periods of play. Needless to say, there is a big difference between the team that took the ice last year and this year's squad. There are twelve newcomers this year, some of whom have already begun to contribute. Included in this group is Ken Cleary, who had two goals and one assist over the weekend, Matt McCarthy, who had two assists, Pat Walsh, Colorado College transfer John Van Pelt and Remy Bickoff, who each had one assist. "The Norwich and St. Michael's games were complete team efforts," sophomore forward Sean Hayes said. "The new guys are stepping up big time." "All three lines were clicking over the weekend," sophomore forward Shawn Sullivan added. "That's a good sign for the rest of the year." While the team did work together in all aspects of the game, there were players who stood out more than others. Junior goaltender Ben Crapser certainly did his best to make the trip to Vermont well worth it. Against St. Michael's, he turned away 31 of 34 shots. Crasper's luck against Norwich was not as good however, as he had to face 45 shots and stopped 40 of them. Senior co-captain Mike Carceo picked up where he left off last year as the team's leading scorer with two goals and two assists in the two games. Sophomore forwards John Hurd and Gino Rotondi each played integral roles, with Hurd notching two goals and Rotondi getting a goal and two assists. "While we didn't pick up four points this weekend, I think we gained a lot of confidence," Hurd said. "I think this was something we can build on and we can use these two games as a stepping stone for this program. We're trying to quiet all the doubters." Head coach Murphy wants the team to keep the win at St. Michael's and the tight game with Norwich in proper perspective. "We have a lot of stuff to work on. There is a lot of room for improvement," he said. "Our goal is to keep making strides and hopefully, come February, we will be gelling as a team as we try to make the playoffs." Sullivan said the team cannot be satisfied with one win. "We have to expect this every game, and just go out there pissed off and pumped up each time out," he said. With a healthy mix of new blood and veteran leadership, there is a new feeling in the air for the Jumbo hockey team. The team's next game is next Sunday, when it will travel to UMass-Dartmouth for a non league tilt.

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News

A long, strange kick indeed

November 24

When I was a sophomore, just after the 1998 soccer season ended, Robbie Hyman wrote an article for the Observer that put into words everything I had experienced over the previous two months, and it captured, in a nutshell, what the next five years of my life would bring. You can find it here, and if you are at all connected to women's soccer, or are just curious as to what I'm talking about, I hope you read it. That was just after the team lost to Ithaca in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament, a week after taking the New England Championship in a dramatic penalty kick shootout against Wellesley. For me, it was just the beginning of what would be an amazing ride that just recently came to an end a week ago on the sidelines of a muddy game at Wheaton College. Like Robbie, when I first heard that I was going to be covering women's soccer, I wasn't too thrilled. I had a few good articles under my belt, and there were hints that I would get football, the most coveted of sports beats. But the powers that be sent me elsewhere, having me cover soccer, a sport I hadn't played or even watched since middle school, and knew virtually nothing about. And it wasn't even the guys. Needless to say, I had no idea what was in store for me. It's been 88 games, over five years, and I lost track of the number of articles a long time ago. I've been through two coaches, eight assistants, 47 players, and even two university presidents. The team posted a 60-23-5 record during my tenure, including two NCAA New England Championships and a Final Four appearance. That's a .710 winning percentage. Just as a comparison, the Yankees, who won three World Series over that same stretch, played at a mere .623. They made it easy. Three NCAA berths in five years and solid seasons in between kept me excited about this team, and eager to come back for more. I had all the bragging rights at the Daily. It was my team that had only had one losing season since 1980, my team that could actually beat Williams, and my team that would still be playing long after the other fall sports were done. But it wasn't just that they won. It was how they played. They came out every game with so much fire, intensity, competitiveness, heart, passion _ whatever you want to call it _ that all you could do was sit back and admire how good they were. These were players who, in the five years I covered them, never once went into a game thinking that they would walk off the field without a win. And, despite the fact that Tufts plays in one of the most competitive conferences in Division III, they rarely did. Because they kept me so interested, I slowly overcame my soccer ignorance, absorbing everything I could from being around the team, watching games, and talking to coaches. I grew to know the game, the players, the coaches, and even the parents far better than I ever thought I could. Looking back, it all feels like a big blur, but one that has filled my head and heart with so many memories, I could write books. I've run the full gamut of emotions, from the highs of celebrating after a big win to the lows of the heartbreaking losses that this team, unfortunately, has seen its fair share of. I was at the bottom of a sweaty pile of players in 1998, moments after Carmen Mikacenic nailed a penalty kick to give Tufts a win over Wellesley for the Jumbos' first-ever NCAA New England Championship. I rushed onto the field to join a swarming mob of celebrating fans that, if they hadn't already been tipped over, surely would have torn the goalposts down. Two years later, part of me died in a 15-second span on Nov. 19, 2000, when the best season any Tufts team has ever had came screeching to an all-too-abrupt end. And every time I step onto Kraft Field, I can see the play running over and over again in my mind. It's like what must happen to Bill Buckner when he goes back to Shea Stadium. Denise Buckley takes the ball at midfield and streaks down the far sideline. The countdown isn't going fast enough, and there's a growing fear in my gut that something awful is about to happen. I want to yell, run out on the field, do something, but all I can do is stare, watching it happen. Buckley gets to the corner and cuts in toward the goal. Ten-nine-eight. A pass across into the box. Seven-six. A shot, five, and a save, four. A rebound and another shot. three. No. Words can't describe what just happened. I fell to my knees on the sideline. Then, twisting the knife in my heart _ the ensuing kickoff. Three seconds left, down a goal, and a suddenly out-of-luck and defeated team had to go back out there and put an end to its own season. Then I had to walk across the field and do my job, fighting back emotion and forcing myself to remain composed, detached, and impartial as I interviewed a devastated team. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do as a reporter. And, as I watched that final game last Saturday, and saw a team fighting to keep its season alive, I kept hoping and praying that they could pull out one more miracle. Because, even after almost 90 games, it still ended too soon. I wanted to see the team keep going, make another run deep into the tournament, and maybe even bring home a national championship. But mostly, I just wanted the magic that surrounds this team to live just a little bit longer. Magic that I, in some small way, was a part of, at least as much as I could be. But now it's over, and here I am, writing my last article ever. It's an odd feeling, but I can't think of any better way to say goodbye than writing about this team one last time. Finally, all that's left is to say thanks, and I hope you'll pardon the Oscar-award type thank-you list. First, thank you to each and every one of the players, for letting me into your world, if only a small corner of it. Some of you wouldn't recognize me if we ran straight into each other, and others of you I truly consider my friends. But regardless of how well we knew each other, you all had an impact on my life. To the sports department, for letting me hang around and for putting up with my missed deadlines and absurdly long articles. To Steve Clay, for JumboCast. Thanks to you, I will now be able to stay involved with Tufts Athletics well into the foreseeable future. And to Kris Talon, my partner in the "booth." I'm already looking forward to next year. To Paul Sweeney, Bill Gehling, and the rest of the Athletics Department, and to John DiBiaggio, for everything you've done both for me and in supporting Tufts sports. A special thank you to Marianne Glassanos, and all the other parents, not just for the food, but also for all the support. And last, but certainly not least, thank you to Martha Whiting. It's been a blast. I've enjoyed watching you grow as a coach, and I'm excited to see where you can take this team in the future. Go Jumbos!

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News

Concert memorializes student who died from cancer

November 24

The New Music Enemble (NME) held what it hopes to be the first "Annual Physical" concert last Thursday in memory of Jonathan Neuman, a student musician who died this summer from leukemia. Neuman, better known as "Johnny Physical," was a member of the improvisational musical group during his time at Tufts. "Annual Physical" is NME's annual fall concert this year and the event is part of a continuing effort to commemorate Jonathan's contributions to the group. NME, a group of undergraduate, graduate students and Tufts alumni, was Neuman's favorite activity at Tufts. The ensemble experiments with a variety of avant-garde techniques, and its members frequently learn to play new instruments to enhance their performances both on and off campus. Neuman's commitment and enthusiasm made him an integral part of NME. "When I first joined the group I was a little hesitant to let myself go, but Johnny was never afraid to make a fool out of himself," NME member Don Schechter said. "He was always the one out there singing out of tune or banging on the piano." The idea for a concert in Neuman's owner came from his brother, who told Music Faculty Co-Director Donald Berman that he wanted to capture the essence of Neuman's character. The pioneer performance of "Annual Physical" included improvisational pieces that used recordings Neuman had made in the intensive care unit, new compositions created by NME members dedicated to Neuman's memory and works by some of his favorite musicians, such as Earle Brown and Robert Schumann. Despite an intense course of chemotherapy treatment, Neuman never relinquished his passion for music. He started a garage band, The Physicals, that was well-known on campus for several years. From his bed when he was sick, Neuman continued to compose and record music, including a song with Art Garfunkel. At the Thursday concert, the eight-member production used a variety of instruments, including the piano, guitar, cello, clarinet, accordion, flute, teremin, violin, and percussion. One piece included alumni Lee Todd Lacks' performance of an original song titled "Just Another Fool Who Believes." Other performances included Earle Brown's "Warning Bells," Schumann's "Kind in Einschlummern," NME's own "Schumann Dreams," and a guitar solo improvisation. The concert's second half had a more personal and intimate approach, begun with Music Department Chair John McDonald's piano solo "Physical Fantasy," which he composed in honor of Neuman's artistic ingenuity. "Johnny never had piano lessons and yet he played in the purest sense," McDonald said. Part of Neuman's innovative style was due to his percussion-like use of the instrument, McDonald said. In composing Physical Fantasy, McDonald hoped to sound like a hybrid of Neuman's and Robert Schumann's artistic styles. Neuman's musical style was also memorialized by senior Aaron Clift, who created "Johnny Physical Collage" by going through Neuman's tapes and choosing various sequences. The project was intimidating at first, Clift said, because he was not confident in his ability to emulate Neuman's music. The collage was performed by Ben Clouette on cello, Alex Chechile and Aaron Clift on guitar, and Donald Berman on piano, with Neuman's tape playing in the background. Clift, who learned about Neuman's death early this fall, composed a second piece, "Threnody," to express his anguish over losing Neuman. The piece eventually came to embody "a more generalized response to losing a loved one," Clift said. Many of Neuman's friends attended the concert, the room resounded with people sharing heart-felt remembrances of Neuman. Neuman was "the most encouraging person I know," Ray Kernani said. "He never looked down on anyone. Even in his sickest period, he always remained positive. He had the ability to bring out the best in people."

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News

Senate refuses to debate removal of VP

November 24

After over an hour of deliberation and complex parliamentary procedure, the Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate voted last night not to address a motion to remove Senator Andrew Potts from his position as vice president. At issue was the constitutionality of the motion, made by Historian Alison Clarke at the beginning of the meeting. An impeachment is supposed to be voted on by the Senate and then sent to the Judiciary (TCUJ) for a hearing. But a removal from a position _ but not from the Senate seat _ is not addressed in the TCU constitution. TCUJ members said that since the motion was a disciplinary action, it fell into their sphere and the Senate should not decide it. Several senators, however, felt that since Potts was elected vice-president by an internal Senate vote, it was up to the Senate to remove him from that position. The Senate voted 8-21-3 not to debate the motion, which meant that the reasons for discontentment with Potts were not discussed. These issues were revealed to Potts over the weekend by 13 senators who wrote him a letter asking him to resign from his post. "Andrew is not fulfilling his role of vice president to our satisfaction," said Clarke, the senator who gave Potts the letter. But the vote indicates that not all of the senators behind the letter agreed with the constitutionality of last night's motion. Senators' frustrations with Potts came to a climax on Friday when he did not come to the constitution reform meeting, which was attended by 23 out of the 33 senators. But Potts does not feel it should be the responsibility of senators to revise the constitution. The document is voted on by the entire student body, and there are no rules about who can reform it. "I've worked on three constitutional reforms, and I'm tired," he said. "I'm graduating, and I love this school, but I don't have time to work on this." Others, however, feel it is the responsibility of the vice president to deal with this issue because the conservative culture representative controversy earlier this semester proves that it is important to students. "It's his job to care about what the Senate and students care about," Clarke said. Potts was told by Clarke at several points earlier this semester that senators had criticisms about him, but he said he was never told of specific problems. In the letter, he was accused of not holding office hours regularly and of being inaccessible, allegations that he says are "smoke and mirrors." Potts was involved in a somewhat similar situation two years ago, when he resigned his post as chair of the Administration and Budget committee at the threat of being removed from the position. The vote last night solved little, and both sides expect further action to be taken to remove Potts from his position. The debate also caused passion and tensions within the Senate to explode. At one point, the debate became so convoluted that TCU President Melissa Carson had to call order and write on the blackboard in the room what was actually being voted on. Additional questions were raised by the role of the TCUJ in this debate. TCUJ members had copies of Potts' appeal on the motion in their hands before the vote to hear it even took place. The TCUJ had a quorum of members in attendance at the meeting and was ready to enter any debate they thought they were involved in. Throughout the meeting, senators were confused about the role of the TCUJ in clarifying the constitution in this case. Two members of the Senate executive board _ Treasurer Benjamin Lee and Clarke _ said that the vote not to debate the removal of Potts caused them to lose faith in the Senate and that they will consider reducing their roles as a result of it. Lee even stormed out of the meeting after the vote. Both Lee and Clarke were angry that the real issue _ Potts' competency _ was not discussed because a constitutional roadblock was placed in front of them. "I feel there is some huge error on the part of the Senate," Lee said. "The games that Andrew tried to play at the beginning of the meeting are another example of why he should be removed. "It makes zero, logical, intuitive, any sort of sense that someone outside this body should be deciding on this," Clarke said. But other senators heralded the vote as confirmation of the balance of powers in student government. "I came into this meeting feeling like student government was about to be torn down and rendered ineffective because we were assuming implied powers," Carson said. In the debate over the constitutionality of the motion, Parliamentarian Adam Koeppel explained that the Senate could technically make any motion it wants and that the TCUJ cannot step in until an appeal is filed. But when the votes were cast, he came out against entertaining the motion. "I don't like the reckless expansion of Senate power," he said. "The Senate tonight was moving in a way that was outside of the constitution." Koeppel raised the possibility that a bylaw could be passed in a future meeting to settle the constitutionality of the issue. It is not yet clear whether the senators who are dissatisfied with Potts will attempt to pass such a bylaw or motion to impeach Potts.

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News

Senate Constitutional Convention addresses problems

November 24

Last Friday's Constitutional Convention allowed students to debate and devise solutions for any problems they perceived in the Tufts Community Union (TCU) constitution. TCU President Melissa Carson and Senate Historian Alison Clarke sponsored the convention as the first event in a continuing effort to create a reformed, more accepted, constitution to present to the school. During last year's presidential elections, Carson and Clarke, who were both candidates, discussed holding a "very large dialogue" to gather student input on the constitution. The recent debate on creating a conservative culture rep showed that the campus environment still required a dialogue on the constitution, Clarke said. "So, we as people, and not as the Senate, decided that we needed to have this conversation and have as many voices as possible," she said. The Senate is committed to major change if the student body expresses the desire for it, Clarke said. The room in Eaton where the convention was held was packed full with students who wanted to share their opinions of the constitution. An overwhelming majority of the students, however, were associated with either the TCU Senate or the Primary Source. Only a small handful of those in attendance were not associated with either group. Junior Emily Rhodes, one of the few non-affiliated students, said it was "upsetting but not surprising that it was mostly student government [attending the meeting]." The absence of a wide range of student interest means that the Senate risks becoming "an inbred group forgetting what it's fighting for," Rhodes said. The opening meeting was used primarily to brainstorm and list the flaws students saw in the constitution. Many of the convention's attendees expressed the desire for reform in the Senate committee system, the election system, the protocol for presidential resignation, the commuter rep system, and the Senate absence policy. Much of the meeting focused on the Primary Source's recent bid to gain a conservative culture rep. Some students felt the culture rep system violates the "one man, one vote" principle, and that minorities are amply represented through their class senators. Since culture reps are elected by their respective cultural groups, the system means that "certain groups get a vote in two places," junior Senator Josh Belkin said. Another "logical flaw" in the system is that the entire student body votes on whether a group can have a culture rep or not. This process allows the majority to vote on minority rights, Belkin said. The addition of new culture reps also indicates a lack of confidence in the Senate, sophomore senator Chike Aguh said, and raises the question of the exact definition of the "marginalized groups" for which the culture reps speak. Defining what groups are "marginalized" is further complicated by the need for the entire student body's approval for new culture reps. "The whole school voting no [on the Primary Source's conservative culture rep] shows that they are marginalized," freshman senator Alex Mendell said. Other students feel the presence of a culture rep is the only fair way to represent minorities on the senate. "Discrimination at Tufts is the basis for this issue and the need for culture reps," Association of Latin American Students (ALAS) culture rep Juliana Zapata said. Some students proposed the complete elimination of culture reps, but others suggested less drastic steps, such as revoking the culture reps voting privileges, and having the student body select the students who serve as culture reps. The constitution should also define the term "marginalized group," the convention's participants said. The Senate's body includes four culture reps chosen by various groups, including the Asian Community at Tufts (ACT), ALAS, Pan African Alliance (PAA) and Tufts Transgender, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Alliance (TTLGBC). The culture reps are elected by their respective "cultures" and their votes are equal to those of the other senators. Senate leaders plan to address the constitutional reforms in committee-style "themed meetings" to focus specifically on those issues. The "themed meetings," which will be held on a regular basis next semester, will be open to the public. The solutions developed by the smaller groups will then be proposed to a larger group before the referendums are voted on by the entire student body. "The senate should make people come," junior Helen Tong said, stressing the importance of input from students who do not already participate in the Senate. "It's just the same people debating the same thing among themselves; they need to get more input." Carson was satisfied with the first meeting, however. "I'm very optimistic... it's going to require a lot of discussion and there's limited time but I think we'll get through it and come up with something to propose to the students by [the spring]," she said. The meeting was a "good start," Aguh said, "but now we need to make sure it ends well too." Aguh attributed the forum's abundance of senators to their familiarity with the issues at hand, but added, "Hopefully, as this goes on, it will be less of us talking and more of [the average student]. It's not about us, it's about them. It's about the ordinary student."

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News

Women lose opener to RPI, trounce Emerson

November 24

The women's basketball team kicked off its season over the weekend in the aptly named MIT Tip-Off Tournament. Tufts fell to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in the first round on Friday evening 61-49, but pummeled Emerson College 67-20 in the consolation match Saturday afternoon. MIT won its own tournament with decisive victories over Emerson (55-40) and RPI (68-56). Following Friday's disappointing loss, Tufts came out on Saturday in the consolation match against Emerson looking for redemption. "We worked really hard on Friday night and were frustrated," senior captain Hillary Dunn said "We took that frustration out against Emerson." Early intensity led the Jumbos to score 36 points in the first half. They also drastically improved their 21.4 percent success on free throwsfrom Friday's game with 13 points from the foul line in the first 20 minutes of the competition. "Our fast breaks were much more effective and we pushed the ball better up the court," Dunn said. The defense also played a tremendous game for the Jumbos. It yielded just seven points in the second half and 20 for the entire match. This was the lowest point total allowed by Tufts since the 1980-81 season when the Jumbos hammered Regis 87-17. Saturday's potent defense also forced 35 turnovers and kept Emerson's shooting percentage at 17.9%. Prior to the consolation round however, Friday's loss to RPI was a disappointing way to open the season for both the team and rookie coach Carla Berube. "We didn't know exactly what to expect against RPI," Dunn said, "they had a tough defense and we were really out rebounded." First game jitters were apparent as Tufts shot a meager three out of fourteen (21.4%) from the foul line and only junior Kate Gluckman broke into double figures with ten points. "We dug ourselves into a hole with turnovers and rebounds. We tried to force things and didn't do a great job taking care of what we needed to do," Dunn said. In contrast to the Jumbos' scoring struggles, RPI junior Kristin Kaczynski exploded with 29 points in the game shooting 11 out of 18 from the floor. RPI senior Jo Alexander also helped the Red Hawks with 14 rebounds. The win propelled RPI into Saturday's final against host MIT. This weekend's tournament was a way for the Jumbos to get in gear for the regular season and begin to mesh as a team. "The games we play in the first semester are mainly to get our chemistry right with the new coach and players so we are ready for our NESCAC match-ups next semester," Dunn said. Many of the squad's young players proved themselves with solid performances in the tournament. Freshman Jessica Powers scored nine points in her collegiate debut on Friday. Fellow freshman Julia Verplank had a great game all around on Saturday tallying eight points, three rebounds, two assists and four steals in the Tufts victory. "I was a little nervous going into my first college game," Verplank said. "It's really the next level. We are a fast paced team that is a lot of fun." Sophomores Allison Love and Krissy Nierenberg also contributed. Love had seven points and five rebounds against RPI and Nierenberg scored eight points and brought down eight rebounds versus Emerson. "We have a lot of younger talent that people haven't seen yet," Dunn said. "No one in New England expects much out of us so there is not a lot of pressure to perform. We are in a good position and are going to prove a lot of people wrong this season." The squad will have over a week to prepare for its regular season opener against Babson on Dec. 3. With the obligatory pause for turkey this Thursday, Tufts will be thankful for a new coach, young talent and the opportunity to improve its standing in the NESCAC this year.

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News

Monitoring our economy

November 24

Six months ago, the press was devoted to serious problems with the American capitalist system. Corporate fraud, accounting irregularities, and broker conflicts of interest were the center of the media's attention. Today, the media focus is elsewhere. The failings of corporate America are still present, yet America is not paying any attention. Legislation to establish accounting oversight boards and resolve conflicts of interest was passed by Congress, but the regulatory agencies in the legislation exist only on paper. As long as no corporate regulatory bodies exist, corporations will continue to cheat, and the economy's struggles will continue. Congress should consider new options for policing corporations, accounting firms, and investment banks. The concept of "self policing" is illogical. In an economic system where cheaters reap great rewards, and there is no regulatory body, many firms will cheat. The massive number of companies who restated their earnings after the collapse of Enron and WorldCom demonstrates how prevalent fuzzy accounting is in America. Agencies that monitor accountants are the only way to prevent accounting misconduct. Recent events have proven that we cannot trust American accountants and corporations to conduct business honestly. Conflicts of interest between investment firms and small investors still exist. When corporations were failing, some large investment firms recommended that their small investors hold stock, while the firms themselves were selling. Investment firms used small investors to hold up the stock prices of falling corporations while the firms sold their holdings. Investment firms cannot effectively advise investors when conflicts of interest exist. Brokerage firms can no longer be so closely tied to investment firms. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is an existing government agency designed to monitor stock markets, insider trading and investment banking. In the past, the SEC had a small budget, and could not effectively regulate. Recently, the SEC received a budget increase in order to make the agency more effective. The SEC already deals with illegal actions of corporations and investment firms. Instead of creating new regulatory agencies, Congress should consider granting the SEC the power to monitor accounting agencies and allow the SEC to examine conflicts of interest. Members of the SEC have experience dealing with fraud, and will be able to recognize it. Although the original goals of the SEC did not include monitoring the accounting industry, considering how accounting reports determine the actions of investors, the SEC should be able to monitor both. Given a larger budget, the SEC could effectively police many aspects of the corporate America. Instead of establishing new agencies to watch for accounting and corporate misconduct, Congress should strengthen the SEC. Consolidating the policing forces into one large agency would make for better monitoring. Corporations, accounting firms, and investment banks are all part of an intricate web in the American capitalist system. One agency should monitor all the players. Congress needs to investigate why its proposed monitoring agencies are not yet operating and consider pursuing other options for preventing corporate misconduct. Adam Koeppel can be reached at koeppel@tuftsdaily.com.

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News

Nappy Roots energizes at Fall hip hop show

November 24

Dewick-MacPhie was full of bopping heads and hip-hopping performers Thursday night, as Iron Mic, Turbo, Kenny Muhammad and the six members of Nappy Roots went all-out for their fans despite coming on stage much later than scheduled. Prior to the show, free CD's were handed out at the Campus Center to hype the band's popularity on campus. Senior Rah-nee Kelly came because she "liked them before they were on MTV _ and I like to dance," while Amy Aquino-Thomas had seen them on Black Entertainment Television (BET) and decided to take advantage of a live performance. The best parts of the evening came in flashes, like the little flickers of light that Nappy Roots asked the audience to show as solidarity for all those who had died in the hip-hop world in the past few years ("Do y'all miss Aaliyah? Tupac Shakur? Jam Master Jay?"). Kenny Muhammad, who kept the audience entertained by doing beats with his mouth _ what he calls a "scientific expression of vocal compression." Practicing a performance technique known as "beat-boxing," he could re-mix echo effects, techno, reggae and _ according to Kelly _ a little bit of James Brown brand of 70's funk. Muhammad could start off slow, decompose a beat, then speed up into a reggae sound and back down to an echoing techno re-mix _ all by puffing out his cheeks and manipulating his breath. Amazingly, he does not get tired when "beat-boxing." Muhammad said it was like "therapy for my body." After Muhammad's performance, however, the evening seemed to stretch into overtime due to some unforeseen circumstances which delayed the beginning of Nappy Roots' set. One Concert Board member cited the fact that Kenny Muhammad's escort got lost and had to call the Tufts University Police Department (TUPD). Another possible cause for the delay was that a girl who had been travelling with the headliner band needed medical attention and they were awaiting the arrival of an ambulance. At 11:10 pm, more than half an hour after Kenny Muhammad had exited, Nappy Roots still had not gone onstage. The DJ tried to keep up the audience's energy, jamming with R&B songs of past seasons _ spicing up Nelly's "It's Getting Hot in Here" and others _ however, the loyal fans in the audience held out to see the highlight of the night. Though 'the Roots' (as everyone called them) came on late, they were in no way tired out. They kept the crowd jumping in-between songs by asking the audience "Are y'all ready to party?" They also asked for the "ladies in the house, Mary Jane and some drinks" _ though their requests were not likely to be met at "Turts," as they repeatedly called the school. Their performance was down-home hip-hop with an attitude, as the six band members shouted and moved all over the stage. Skinny D even climbed up on the huge loudspeaker at one point and rapped from there, either from fatigue from moving around or simply to have a change of scenery. And though their lyrics were hard to understand, if you figured them out it was nice to know that their songs had a narrative. "Awnaw" talked about surviving down South without any money while "Po' Folks" dealt with taking responsibility. And just to "take it back," they made the audience happy by covering some other bands' songs like "Hey, Mon." Most people agreed, while they had come for Nappy Roots and really liked their energy, Kenny Muhammad stole the show. Sophomore Jon Schlitz said, "I couldn't understand what [the Roots] were saying. But Kenny Muhammad was amazing." Other performers included Ajahne Santa Anna and Connell of Iron Mic, who had good energy, though it took the two a while to warm up. In the beginning, they had trouble getting in sync and their rhythm was off. To their credit, they did get the audience going; you could see people waving their hands in the air and a few couples danced to the music on Turbo's mat in the center of the audience. Turbo _ the break dancing group _ was hard to see because they were in the middle of the crowd, though you could spot hands and feet waving around in the air above everyone else's heads. Santa Anna, of Iron Mic, felt that his group's performance was the highlight of the evening, and that Nappy Roots' show was "cool." "When you get six guys all yelling into the microphone with down-South accents, it's a given that people aren't going to understand," he said. "But they had that energy. Besides, if you're famous, it doesn't matter if people don't understand you." Whether or not the lyrics were intelligible to everyone, the audience emphatically yelled back at the Roots and danced with Prophet, Scales, Big V, Skinny Deville, Ron Clutch and Bo Stille. Above all the band showed themselves to be entertainers with a capital E.

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News

Renaissance Man

November 21

Jack Johnson has accomplished a lot is his short time on the planet. The 27-year-old is an accomplished surfer as well as a filmmaker. Currently, Johnson is enjoying success in the music industry, headlining his own tour with songs that frequently appear on the radio. Johnson took a moment last week to talk to the Daily about discuss his personal and professional experiences. TD: Can you talk about life before surfing and singing? JJ: Before was from the ages of one to three, and I started surfing at four and have been surfing my whole life. At 14 I picked up a guitar and started playing it. I didn't have my own guitar, but my friend would let me play his. Anytime I had a broken arm or something I would play. And I would take the guitar on surf tips and just play around with it. When I'm at home I now surf more than I play music. >TD: What was your first performance like? JJ: My first performance was at a friend's house in high school. I was in a punk cover band called Limber Chicken. We played Minor Threat, Fugazi, and Suicidal Tendencies. We were pretty bad. We were just a bunch of kids who'd only been playing guitar for like a year. Our drummer was guitar player too. He just played guitar the worst so we made him the drummer. It was cool though, just hanging out and playing for our friends. TD: What was high school like for you? JJ: People hardly listen to punk in Hawaii; mostly people listen to reggae and stuff. I did too sometimes. High school_ it wasn't bad, it was pretty mellow. It wasn't uncommon to see people barefoot in high school, or people going around shirtless because it was so hot. TD: What has been your favorite performing experience? >JJ: A couple of weeks ago we did the Bridge School Benefit. It's a really good cause in San Francisco for a school for kids who have cerebral palsy. It was also really good because of the people I got to play with: Neil Young, James Taylor, Tom Yorke, Brian Adams, and Tenacious D. There were a lot of artists I really admire there. TD: Do you have a favorite venue? JJ: I like playing outdoors a lot. I just played the Greek Theater in Berkley. The Santa Barbara Bull, the Fox Theater in Boulder, Colorado. [He then asked where Tufts was located]. I played the Paradise in Boston and the Orpheus was my first big show. It was my first show opening for Ben Harper. I was so nervous I can barely remember the night. I'm looking forward to coming back to Boston though. TD: Who would you cite as your musical influences? >JJ: Bob Marely, Otis Redding, Neil Young, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Nick Drake, Jimi Hendrix. New stuff I like: Ben Harper, G. Love and Special Sauce, Jurassic 5, Black- Eyed Peas and Radiohead. TD: What's in your CD player right now? JJ: I listen to a lot of stuff that people give me on the road, you know like up and coming bands. I also got these CDs from a show I played in Philadelphia, Sonic Session. Bob Marley. I've got Beck's new record. I like a lot of groups that are out now: The Strokes, the White Stripes. I rarely listen to any other singer songwriters. I really like Radiohead's Kid A. I also like Brazilian music from Joao Gilberto he's got a really good whispery voice. And Norah Jones. TD: What was your favorite cartoon growing up? JJ: The Road Runner. I always loved the Road Runner. I liked the end when they would show the coyote. I also liked Transformers. TD: What would you say is the driving force behind your success? >JJ: That's a good question, but I'm probably the last person who'd have the answer. I'm always surprised. I guess, well, pop music now has a negative connotation to it. Now it's with stuff that's created by the record companies. I'm still surprised though. I just stand there on stage _ I don't use fireworks or do splits TD: How was filmmaking for you? >JJ: Pretty simple. They are just basically surf films. It's kind of like a surfer would make a better surf film than a filmmaker would, because a surfer would know what shots look good and when to shoot. Basically, we would go on surf trips and I would hand them [other surfers] a camera. I would do the technical stuff like setting the f-stop and let them go. Surfers know what surfers want to see. I went to school and majored in film. When I got home from shooting the films I would listen to music to see what the music feels like. I wanted to show what it feels like to go on a surf trip.

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News

Tufts ranked best Boston-area nonprofit

November 21

In a recent report by a charity watchdog group, Tufts was ranked the best nonprofit out of 53 organizations in the Boston area. The University also achieved a high ranking among colleges and universities nationwide. Charity Navigator, a nonprofit organization itself, reviewed Tufts' IRS tax filings from fiscal years 1999 to 2001 and ranked the institution based on short-term spending practices and long-term sustainability. Out of a possible 70 points, the University reached 68.55 _ three points higher than local competitor Harvard University. Among the University's most impressive statistics were the numbers for fundraising efficiency and working capital ratio. For every dollar raised, Tufts spends an average of only $0.07 on fundraising. The University's working capital ratio, or the time it could maintain its current spending level without bringing in new revenue, is approximately two years. University President Larry Bacow responded positively to the recent rankings, but cautioned that there is more to Tufts than a number-crunched top ten listing. "While I am pleased with the ranking of Charity Navigator, no ranking system can properly capture all that makes a university special," Bacow said, coincidentally speaking from New York, where he was meeting with alumni and prospective donors. Tufts was ranked first over organizations including WGBH public television, the Museum of Fine Arts, the New England Aquarium, and the AIDS Action Committee. In a comparison of colleges and universities nationwide, Charity Navigator ranked the University seventh _ above schools such as Stanford, Yale, MIT, Harvard, and Princeton. Harvard generated the largest revenue of all nonprofits in the Charity Navigator database, topping $4.57 billion. While universities in general have an advantage over other nonprofits, each charity has its own unique obstacles to financial efficiency, according to Charity Navigator Program Analyst Sandra Miniutti. "For example, museums often have very high administration expenditures because they have collections and items to maintain," Miniutti said. "Public broadcasting has higher fundraising expenses because they have to use airtime to raise that money." In the case of higher learning institutions, revenue from students is a big benefit. "Whereas if you have a food bank, the receivers aren't contributing," Miniutti said. The IRS findings, which are detailed by Charity Navigator on its website, charitynavigator.org, reveal some interesting statistics about the University. Tufts' total revenue is listed at more than $532 million per fiscal year, with total yearly expenditures reaching $428 million. Former President John DiBiaggio's compensation is quoted as having been $328,169 a year, and the University's net assets top $1 billion. Fundraising has often been a source of contention on the Hill. But complaints about the University's endowment size have lessened in recent years, especially after the recent completion of the Tufts Tomorrow capital campaign, which raised $609 million. "We operate very efficiently as a university," Bacow said. "We also attempt to manage our financial resources prudently and will continue to do so." Strengthening the endowment, which currently stands at $677 million, is one of Bacow's goals as President. "As I said in my inaugural address, I hope to build our endowment over time," Bacow said. "It provides the resources that allow us to compete for the very best students and the very best faculty in the country." In a recent e-mail to the Tufts community, Bacow detailed $10 million in new donations to the University. The e-mail assured that, despite the economic downturn, "Tufts is doing better than most" colleges. New Jersey-based Charity Navigator was founded in 2001 to "deliver unbiased ratings of a huge number of charities" as a free service to potential donors, according to its website. Since then, the organization has profiled over 1,700 nonprofits nationwide. Among charities in Boston area, Charity Navigator listed 73 percent as being in exceptional or good financial health.

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News

Tufts prepares for Goodwill Regatta

November 21

The sailing team finished the regular season with decent performances at the Atlantic Coast Dinghy and at the Women's Atlantic Coast Championship. There is more still to come, however, as the sailors will soon head to the West Coast for the Goodwill Regatta. Tufts took fifth of 16 teams at the Atlantic Coast Dinghy at the United States Coast Guard Academy with a score of 243. Seniors Pete Levesque, Caroline Hall, and Rob Pascal took Tufts' division A team to third place with a score of 98 in sixteen races, including three first place finishes. Seniors JR Maxwell and Deane Madsen finished tenth for Tufts B after sixteen races with a score of 145 and one first place finish. St. Mary's finished first with a score of 89 and Harvard finished second with 90. It is hard to judge the performance of Tufts in the Atlantic Coast Dinghy because several top teams were there, most of which turned in inconsistent performances. Although St. Mary's finished first it was only because it started out with three first place races, though after these they were very up and down. Harvard was a little more consistent but never had a solid grouping of strong performances like St. Mary's did. This is not to say that St. Mary's performance was a fluke, however. "They are one of the most determined teams out there right now," Coach Ken Legler said. "Kings Point is a good team especially when there is wind or a breeze involved." Prior to the meet, Tufts was ranked ahead of St. Mary's in the national sailing ranks _ third and fourth, respectively. New rankings have yet to be released. At the Women's Atlantic Coast Championship at Connecticut College, Tufts finished ninth out of 16 with a score of 212. Juniors AJ Crane, Kristen Tysell, and sophomore Lindsay Shanholt, in representing Tufts A, took fifth place with a score of 82. Out of the thirteen races, Tufts A finished in the top three only once. In Tufts' B division, sophomore Lindsay Shanholt, junior Kristen Tysell, and seniors Clare Dooley and Taylor Fallon, took thirteenth place. Tufts B finished worse than tenth in seven of the 13 races. Next the sailors will head to the Goodwill Regatta at Newport Beach in California, which is not part of the regular season. The Goodwill Regatta includes mostly West Coast teams such as Hawaii and several Japanese teams. There are a few exceptions, however, such as Tufts, and Harvard. At this meeting, Tufts will be represented by two boats, with Crane and Tysell in one and Dave Siegal and Katie Shuman in the other. Also, Peter Levesque will head to New Zealand to sail in the World Championships. The Goodwill Regatta will be the last major event for sailing in 2002, as it turns the calendar to prepare for next spring. Though the Goodwill Regatta is more of an exhibition and it will be hard to determine anything from the event, it does give Tufts a look at the west coast and Japanese teams for future competitions.

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News

Backups rule this week in NFL

November 21

The story coming out of Week 11 was all about back-up quarterbacks. While under most circumstances, starting QB's gain most of the media's attention, after a week where the Philadelphia Eagles, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the San Diego Chargers lost their offensive leaders, the ability of the team to reach the playoffs now rests in the hands of second string quarterbacks. With the loss of Donavan McNabb on Sunday, the Eagles suffered arguably the greatest loss of all NFL teams, though they did manage to defeat the Arizona Cardinals. The entire Eagles' offense was centered around McNabb who was in the midst of another MVP caliber season. After suffering a broken ankle in the first quarter, McNabb remained in the game for the rest of the afternoon, but his pain was visible and he rushed for zero yards and barely left the pocket for the remaining three quarters. Despite his injury, McNabb finished the afternoon with 255 yards on the day including four touchdown passes. The performance may have been McNabb's last of the season, however, as his injury may limit him to cheerleading duty for the next six to eight weeks. While the Eagles' sit atop the NFC East with a 7-3 record, the team's reliance on McNabb's offensive ability along with the recent surge of the New York Giants does not bode well for Philly's division title hopes. But, the weakness of the NFC conference in general all but assures that the Eagles will clinch a playoff spot. The team now puts its fate in the hands of Koy Detmer. If Koy's Eagles debut bears any resemblance to his brother's past performances with the team, the Eagles may as well kiss hopes of a Super Bowl run goodbye. Though it is possible that McNabb would be ready to return late in the playoffs, with Koy guiding the offense, the odds that the Eagles will get that far are slim. The Pittsbugh Steelers' quarterback, Tommy Maddox, also suffered a devastating blow last Sunday. Maddox was tripped up by Tennessee Titans' safety Lance Schulters and was then hit hard in the shoulders by linebacker Keith Bulluck. Maddox suffered from a neck sprain and was carried off the field in a stretcher. While he was able to regain full range usage of his arms and legs only two days after his injury, the timetable for Maddox's return is still unknown. Similar to the Eagles' dependence on McNabb, the Steelers' offense is likewise dependant on Maddox. Playing in an AFC central division where the Cleveland Browns sit in second place though, the Steelers should be okay in the hands of backup QB, Kordell Stewart, until Maddox is able to rejoin his team. While winning the division shouldn't pose too great a task for the Steelers, a strong playoff run without Maddox back in the pocket seems unlikely. In some instances, however, the loss of a starting QB has proven to be just what the doctor ordered. After the St. Louis Rams began the season 0-5 under the guidance of their starting quarterback Kurt Warner, a broken finger in Warner's fifth loss opened the door for backup Mark Bulger. Since Bulger became the starter the team has evened its record at 5-5. Perhaps unfortunately for the Rams, Warner has recovered and Mike Martz now expects Bulger to reassume his position on the bench this Sunday against the Washington Redskins. It is interesting to note that when the New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe suffered an injury last season, which opened the door for Tom Brady, the Pats stuck with Brady even after Bledsoe had recovered. The Good With their win over the Redskins on Sunday, the Giants brought themselves within one game of the NFC East leading Eagles. In an ugly offensive game where the Giant's leading rusher, Tiki Barber, ran for only 64 yards, the Giants still found a way to secure their third straight win. Coupled with the loss of McNabb to the Eagles, the Giants now have a valid shot at taking over the division's top spot and winning the title. The Bad In a rematch that was hyped up all week, Tom Brady's quarterbacking skills once again lost the game for the Patriots as they fell 27-20 to the Oakland Raiders. Passing for only 182 yards on the day with no touchdown passes, the Patriots' offense was once again held back due to Brady's inability to fight off the Raiders' pressure. After an emotional come from behind Week 10 victory against the Chicago Bears the Patriots were unable to carry their momentum into Oakland. The Ugly Sitting at 1-9 on the season, the worst record in the NFL, this week's winner is once again the Cincinnati Bengals. With a worse record than even the expansion Houston Texans, the Bengals are on their way to securing themselves the top draft pick for next season.

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News

Squash looks toward year of adjustments

November 21

The women's squash team looks to open the season strong at this weekend's Dartmouth Tournament. The competition will include four matches against Dartmouth, Bates, Bowdoin and Franklin and Marshall. A scrimmage this past weekend, though, has left the team with mixed results. In their first court time of the season, they lost to Stanford, St. Lawrence and Vassar but defeated Smith College. "[The meet] was good for the bottom, inexperienced players," coach Doug Eng said. "[Senior co-captain] Winnie [So] was sick last weekend. She had to keep taking a lot of breaks, but she still won. We had a lot of good matches. It was a learning experience," senior Abi Cushman said. This performance may not necessarily reflect the team's later development, however. "I don't know how we stack up," Eng said. "There are so many new players, and we're feeling it out. We're learning how things are going to go and what players can do. We have four inexperienced players but they have good attitudes." This year's team returns five seniors, including the two captains So and Cushman. Unfortunately for the team, senior Eileen Connors will not play for family reasons. So and Cushman will be a lock for the top two spots, while the rest of the lineup has yet to be determined. "We're solid at the top two spots," Eng said. "It's hard to know the lineup after that." The team has a lot of new players, all with varying experience, including two new freshmen recruits Joelle Polivy and Zoe Bolesta. Approximately half of the team has had prep school experience, although Cushman began her squash career at Tufts. "It's a good group of girls. The team is going to bond a lot. It's a young team. A lot of the new people are going to contribute," Cushman said. With so many changes in the members of the team, the year is "not for rebuilding but for adjustments" Eng said. At the National Tournament each year, the teams are divided into groups of eight, so the first eight compete together, then nine through 16 and so on. Last year's team finished the season ranked 19th in the nation after its performance at the former Howe Cup, now renamed the Walker Cup. The Jumbos lost to Vassar 5-4 to place 19th in their grouping. This year the team hopes to improve on that spot. "We hope to win the third division [teams ranked 17-24]. Tufts has only won the division once in 22 years," Eng said. Last year, the team came close to winning the third division and this year the prospects to come out on top are just as good. "Sophomore year we were in Division 2 [teams ranked 9-16]. We're always somewhere in that area," Cushman said. "Last year Conn College came in right before us, but we think we can beat them."

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News

Men's squash team gets set to hit the road

November 21

Even before the official start of the 2002 men's squash season, the Jumbos have encountered some stiff competition _ on the home court. Due to the inadequacy of facilities on campus _ only four courts exist at Tufts, and even those are not of the standard international dimensions _ the team has been forced to split practices between their home campus and Harvard. As a result, coach Doug Eng was able to schedule only four matches in the Boston area, none of which will be played at home. "We will always be underrated," Eng said, "because of the nature of our court situation. If you are the Boston Celtics and you play all your games on the road, you might only win 30, when you would win 50 if you played them all at home." Eng indicated that it is difficult to overestimate the effect playing an almost exclusively away schedule can have on a team. "Even if you're dead even in ability with a team, you'll lose 5-4 [on the road]," he said. As if being forced to become road warriors isn't enough, the Jumbos are also left to deal with the loss to graduation of last year's tri-captains, Colin O'Higgins, Neil Pallaver, and Shayan Haque. The void formed by those departures will be filled largely by four newcomers. "We really went after freshmen this year," Eng said, before admitting that his recruiting strategy is "not exactly like Duke basketball's." Eng lost his two top recruits, who opted to attend Brown and Cornell, but did enlist freshmen Spencer Maxwell, Derek Lee, Pranav Tripathi, and Tom Keidel, to join on at Tufts. Squash competitions consist of nine singles matches, and as things stand, Eng will send out his four freshmen in the third through sixth spots. Below them will be juniors Jordan Kolasinski and Jesse Goldberg, playing at seven and nine, respectively, and sophomore Jason Krugman, who will compete in the eighth slot. Leading the Jumbos will be a pair of experienced senior co-captains, Chris Choi and Nathan Anderson. Choi, who edged Anderson in a challenge match this week to earn the top position on the team, went just 2-10 in dual meets last year, but was a respectable 3-3 in tournament play. Anderson was one of the Jumbos' best last year, going 6-7 in dual meets, and he is the only returnee with an above-.500 career record, at 23-17. "We have two very motivated and talented captains," Kolasinski said. Aside from those two seniors, the Jumbos are somewhat inexperienced. But despite their youth, and lack of a home court, Eng said his team should be able to improve on the 8-11 record and No. 20 national ranking they posted a year ago. The squad believes that a .500 record and No. 17 national ranking are possible this year. "[We need to] believe in their goals and remain committed to [the] plan. That's what we've been stressing this year," Eng said. The squad will look to bring a strong contingent to the Nine-Man Nationals, held in late February. The competition will be broken into divisions of eight teams apiece depending on rankings. The top eight teams compete against one another, as do the next eight, and so on. Last year, Tufts finished fourth in its division. To achieve its goal of the No. 17 national ranking, it would have to win that division. Doing so would also likely propel the Jumbos past rival MIT, which ended Tufts' season last year by defeating them at Nationals. The rivalry between the Engineers and Jumbos developed in part because the teams often practice together at Harvard. "After three months of seeing MIT every day at practice, we're going to get to play each other," Eng said. "MIT is a perfect rival." Squash is similar to a sport such as baseball in that it is heavily individual, but also has a team element. Even if the Jumbos have no control over their inexperience and unbalanced schedule, Eng hopes their cohesiveness will develop as the winter progresses and become a strength. "Team unity very often makes or breaks a season," he said. "You don't coach things like that, but just hope it happens."

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News

Reduction in federal funds would minimally affect Tufts

November 21

According to government insiders, earmarked funds of any sort from the government for universities are likely to go the way of the dodo in light of the recent economic recession, reported The Chronicle of Higher Education last month. If Congress cancels its direct funding to Tufts, the University would be negatively affected _ but not by much, since earmarked funding makes up only a very small portion of Tufts' money for research. The University receives roughly $100 million each year from outside sources to conduct research. Since 1992, earmarked funds have made up between one and 3.5 percent of the total money spent on research and the construction of research facilities at Tufts each year. The controversy surrounding earmarked funds is that they can be given to whomever the government deems fit _ without any of the careful consideration and peer review that goes into grants given by government research agencies. Many schools that receive government funding, especially for research, have connections to a senator or congressman, according to the Chronicle. There is no peer-review process in the earmarked funding process, and many worry that it could lead to inferior research. But Tufts administrators disagree with that assessment. "Just because a project does not go through the peer-review process, does not mean that the research can't be of superior quality," Associate Provost for Research Peggy Newell said. The vast majority of earmarked funds coming to Tufts are for construction, according to Newell. These funds have helped pay for the construction of the Jaharis Family Center, home to the Tufts School of Medicine, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, and Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. If these funds are reduced, there may be some belt tightening in the research budget, Newell said. "It may be somewhat harder in the future to find funds for construction if earmarked funds are cancelled." If earmarked funding is not cut, there is still the issue of whether such funding will overtake peer-reviewed research as the standard for university research across the country. The peer review process is important and must continue to be the standard for research into the future, Newell said. But she did say that there was no truly superior method. "There is probably room for both peer reviewed research and research supported by earmarked funding," she said. Tufts began an intensive relationship with the federal government when Former University President Jean Mayer secured in 1992 a government grant to build a new facility to hold the graduate schools. This grant has given Tufts funds totaling about $8 million in smaller increments each year since. Mayer was among the first university presidents to appeal to the government directly for funding. The funding for the Jaharis Center was the most important of many grants that the school acquired from the government during Mayer's time as president. These funds have been critical in Tufts development as a respected research university within the research community. The remaining 98 percent of the University's research funds come from research corporations and foundations _ which make up about seven percent of the $100 million figure _ and from grants from national science agencies that carefully select different universities to receive the funding. Under normal circumstances, when a grant is given by government agencies, like the National Institute of Health or the National Science Foundation, each university that wants research funds must write a proposal to be reviewed by experts in the appropriate field of study. One of the few exceptions is the research on the genetics of shrimp conducted by Dr. Acacia Alcivar-Warren, which does not go through the peer-review process. The goal of this project is to help the US learn effective shrimp farming because of recent supply problems. This grant was earmarked for use by Tufts, four other universities, and two non-profit research groups since 1999 by the US Marine Shrimp Farming Program. The practice of the government funding individual universities is a controversial one and many government officials _ including President George W. Bush _ have wanted to eliminate the government's direct funding of universities altogether. Yet funding increased again in the fiscal year 2002, despite the president's pledge that so-called 'pork barreling' of government funds into private or state-run institutions would stop. In fact, earmarked spending for universities has increased five-fold since 1996 to $1.837 billion. The issue many proponents of government earmarking have with peer-reviewed research is that the boards of experts are often filled with researchers from distinguished universities, and the tendency can be to give any new research to the more distinguished universities because of their superior track record and greater influence. This can leave many deserving but less prestigious universities struggling to earn grants.

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News

Far From Heaven

November 21

It's charmingly easy to fall into the world that was in the Todd Haynes awe-inspiring new film, Far From Heaven with its grandiose overture, Donna Reed-style dresses and '57 Chevys. At points, I found myself looking longingly at the calculated attire of the modern day Loews' Cineplex and wondering what a similar theater must have looked like fifty years ago. Through the eyes of a seemingly flawless suburbanite family (especially the fetching housewife), Far From Heaven, explores why the fifties were not as innocent and carefree as Nick-at-Nite would have us think. Taking place in a singular autumn, Far From Heaven gradually dissects the lives of faltering socialite Cathy(Julianne Moore) and homo-sexually repressed Frank Whitaker(Dennis Quaid). A stereotypical upscale couple from Hartford Connecticut. As far as appearances goes, she has it all: a hardworking and successful husband, a white picket fence house with beige trim, and two children who have the cleanest mouths this side of Disney World. Not far into the film, Cathy is photographed as the ideal wife for a home and garden social magazine. But the visuals cannot withhold the truth even though their intensity tries: the oranges toy with the hearts desire for warmth, the rich blues wreak of loneliness, and the precious lavender scarf that Cathy almost loses to the wind only foreshadows what's to come. Her black, misanthropic gardener, Ray Deagen(Dennis Haysbert), finds the scarf amidst the trees and returns it to its flustered owner. Their particular story will bud slowly through the scenes to come, but to the audience's dismay, never blossom. Frank's sexual awakening, on the other hand, will. Inspired by the 1950's melo-dramas by director Douglas Sirk, including Imitation of Life (1959), Written on the Wind (1956), and especially All that Heaven Allows (1955)_a similar tale with a similar despondent socialite, and inappropriate gardener. Far From Heaven succeeds in its challenge to the movies of old. It ties no ribbons into bows and leaves no sugary happy endings. It does, however, provoke sympathy pangs, considerable thought racing, and a pulsating silence after its hour and forty-seven minute run. Because beyond its era, it clanking of the champagne flutes and hidden winks that are devoid in certain modern lives right now, Far From Heaven is honest. It's a rare gem in movies these days. Pleasantville told a similar story, and it told the story well. But amidst the tale of longing and repression there were playful devices that in the end, made everything "okay". Haynes doesn't set out to write a fairytale, yet he succeeds in directing a work of art. The film's overpowering perfume of love, desire, and guilt transcends even the most stuffy of period sets. Rather, it awakens something so human within its audience that its hard not to emphasize with the characters, even though their particular situations seem somewhat outdated a half century later. Was there a homosexual protagonist hiding along the back railing biding his time until meeting a lover in the gay bar across the street? Could a mixed couple find solace even in the darkest corner of the theater? Was anyone in this decade as happy as we're told to believe in this time before sex, drugs and rock n' roll infested America? That's the wonder and drama of the piece_ while their lives themselves seem implausible now, their yearnings and constraints could not feel more tangible. Admittedly, this movie is not for everyone. It is not light fare. And the issues of race and sexuality are nothing short of shocking. In the end, that hunger for passion is what the audience is left with while crunching over stale popcorn upon exiting the equally stale theater. The ornate decorations upon the walls of 50's style movie palaces have been bulldozed over with more cost-efficient black walls. Likewise, Cathy and Ray choose the more cost-efficient path, acting in reverence to their children's future. You could say that no one will ever know the loss they experienced. But we know. Each time we go with friends to a movie and see the old man or woman sitting alone in the back row, we know.

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News

Tufts evolves along with tuition

November 21

It's staggering for students _ and their parents_ to think that a mere half-century ago, a University education cost less than $500. With the price tag of Tufts today at a hefty $36,465, the past 50 years have seen a tuition increase of almost $36,000. In addition to the obvious inflationary reasons, the increasing cost of a University education can be seen as parallel to Tufts' evolution as an institution of higher learning.The Times, They are A'Changin' Part Two of Five Tufts University was originally a commuter school when founded in 1852. In the 1920s, 51 percent of Liberal Arts students and 29 percent of Jackson (at the time, the University's women's college) students lived off campus. No graduate or medical students lived on campus at all. The lower cost of attending Tufts and the popularity of living at home during college meant that the price tag of an education was not as stressful to former students as it is today. For example, when Dr. Bill McDermott, who graduated from the University in 1951, started at Tufts, tuition was $440 a year. That price did not include housing, which McDermott recalls as costing an additional $250, or meals, which were "inexpensive." "My family was comfortable... we weren't panicked about paying the tuition. I could make $440 working over the summer," he said. "At the time, Tufts had a scholarship program, and _ without asking _ I was given a half-tuition scholarship which amounted to about $900 over the four years." McDermott attended Tufts at a transitional time in the University's history. Following World War II, a significant number of veterans composed the undergraduate student body. In 1947, 80 percent of Liberal Arts and Engineering students were veterans. "The University helped out the veterans a lot [financially]," McDermott recalled. For example, a group of two-story buildings known as "Stearn's Village" was erected near Cousen's Gym to house married veterans with families at a low cost. During the late 1940s and 1950s, the University shifted from its commuter school origins. Numerous dorms were subsequently erected: Carmichael in 1952, Hodgdon in 1954, Bush in 1959, and Tilton in 1961. Living on campus became a more central component of the University experience. The cost of attending the University rose, as it now automatically included housing as well as tuition bills. In the mid-60s, the Federal Work-Study program was implemented at universities nationwide, including Tufts. The salaries of students with work-study jobs are subsidized by the government. However, the University has long offered jobs to students, according to Director of Financial Aid Patricia O'Reilly. In the past, there were also ways for students to work off their loans. Elizabeth O'Shaughnessy, who graduated from the University in 1968, taught in a low-income school for five years to pay off the national defense loan she needed to get through college. "At that time, the government was really trying to get teachers....especially in the lower income schools," she said. There were also incentives for teachers to take classes at Tufts. A voucher program allowed Medford public school teachers like Marilyn Blumsack, who graduated from the University in 1979 to take one course per semester for free through the Continuing Education Program, now called Resumed Education for Adult Learners (REAL). This program allowed Blumsack, who is now a program director at the Experimental college, to take classes without digging into her kids' college fund. "They had limited financial aid," Blumsack said. "As a day student, my education probably would have cost me $15,000. [Because of the financial aid and the vouchers], though, it only cost me half that." As the cost of a Tufts education has risen, so has the number of students who take on part-time jobs to finance it. The number of students receiving work-study money since the establishment of the University's Student Employment Office in 1981 has remained relatively stable, but an increasing number of non-work study students are taking on jobs, according to Director of Student Employment Joanne Grande. "When I started in 1981, there were about 3,500 undergraduate students working. That number has gradually increased to about 4,000... that number stays basically the same because the school has basically stayed the same size," she said. Though Tufts' tuition has increased at a higher rate than inflation rates within the past decades account for, the rise follows a national trend among esteemed liberal arts universities. A variety of options for financing education continue to exist, though today they are more through work-study jobs, financial aid packages, and the Student Employment Office, which helps students to locate on and off-campus jobs. Though awed by the fact that yearly tuition rates are now in the mid-$30,000s, McDermott feels that a University education is nonetheless worth its price: "The school has grown so much and is so different from when I was there," he said. "Honestly, [Tufts] is a superb school, and it has improved immeasurably."

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News

Professors question English immersion

November 21

Two Tufts professors who specialize in bilingual education disapprove of ending its practice in Massachusetts public schools. But after a ballot question approved the replacement of bilingual programs with English immersion, their opinions have seemingly been ignored. One of Governor-elect Mitt Romney's campaign promises was to abolish bilingual education. Instead of a three-year, gradual literacy program, Romney suggested non-English speaking students should enter into a one-year, English immersion program. This design, Romney promised, would accelerate English comprehension and make it easier for non-native students to eventually enter the workforce. Those students who are unable to obtain proficiency in one year would be placed in remedial programs and be separated from other students. But experts at Tufts, like Education Professor Dr. Adriana Rodriguez, questions any child's ability to develop English proficiency in one year. "The research indicates it takes from six to seven years for children to develop a second language," said Rodriguez, a specialist in bilingual education and special education who has spent 20 years as a bilingual school psychologist. The problem with Romney's plan is that there is a difference between surface fluency and academic proficiency, Child Development Professor Dr. Calvin Gidney explained. "Children can achieve surface fluency... the ability to interact in typical social situations... in a language in a relatively short period of time," said Gidney, who teaches courses in language development and bilingual education. But, he said, it often takes longer to be able to use a second language well enough to do well academically. A key problem with English immersion, both professors said, is that non-English speaking students are often simultaneously developing their native language as well. "It's much easier to become literate in your native language first and then take on literacy acquisition in a second language," Gidney said. "If they don't have good language skills developed in the native language, it's hard to do two things at once," Rodriguez said. The benefit of bilingual education, she said, is that the language skills developed in the native language can easily be transferred to English. The removal of bilingual education may also impact learning in other school subjects, due primarily to the lack of vocabulary. Bilingual education benefits students by allowing them to learn in their native language, Gidney said. They "make progress in subjects such as history and science without being held back by their lack of mastery of English," he said. Rodriguez and Gidney also questioned the isolation of the English immersion program from the rest of the school because the students enrolled the program will have only limited interaction with English speakers and that could hinder their language development. On the other hand, while isolation is bad for non-English speaking students, it could be just as harmful to completely immerse them in English-speaking classrooms, Gidney said. The treatment of children who are unable to learn English in one year will not be proper under English immersion, Rodriguez said. If "they don't develop English well, they end up with the label of learning disability," she said. Failure of students to complete a seven year task in one year is not a learning disability, Rodriguez said.

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News

Senate to hold block schedule forum

November 21

In response to student complaints, The Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate will hold a forum after Thanksgiving to address a variety of student concerns with the new block schedule. The new block schedule, implemented this semester, has received mixed reviews among students. Athletes in particular have spoken against the new schedule, as many now have afternoon classes that conflict with practices. The Senate set up a committee to take student complaints on the new schedule. Sophomores Alexis Smith, head of the Education Committee, and Jackie Zapata, head of the Administration and Budget Committee, combined their efforts in hopes of resolving the problems. Smith said the goals of the committee are "to work together to come up with a compromise that will appease all people involved _ administrators, students and professors." Students are also able to voice their complaints via e-mail to the Senate. Zapata said they have been receiving "a steady amount of e-mails" concerning this issue. The Senate expects he forum to be a place where students can come and voice their concerns to administrators. Afterwards, if the administration thinks there is a legitimate problem, it will discuss changes with each department, said Zapata. Zapata is optimistic about the outcomes for the forum. "If this [the forum] is advertised enough, there is a big turnout, and students complain, something will be done," she said. "One idea discussed was to add more Friday classes, which would space classes along the week rather than within the day," Smith said. Though this will make it harder for students to arrange the coveted three-day weekend, students will have a choice between early mornings or evening classes and Friday afternoon classes, Zapata said. The changes, she said, are not likely to result in a complete overhaul of the block schedule but merely a shifting of class times. "The population most impacted by the changes is athletes," Dean of Students Bruce Reitman said. Because of the scheduling changes that pushed more classes into the late afternoon, athletes often have trouble scheduling practices around classes. Lab sciences were initially an issue, but sports such as football arranged their practices later to allow students to attend the labs. "The new schedule affected me, especially during the football season because classes were a lot later in the day," sophomore football player Jack Byrne said. "[Practice] takes four hours out of the day. If they're offering more classes later in the day, it definitely narrows down what I can take." The forum is scheduled to be held after Thanksgiving and follows the completion of another internal study to determine a way to solve schedule-related problems. The biggest problem with the previous scheduling arrangement was the high concentration of classes during the middle of the day, Interim Dean of Academic Affairs Paul Stanton said. It was, he said, "a disaster in terms of scheduling" for students.

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