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The Setonian
News

Unpealed is appealing

November 19

They may boast that they are Tufts' only co-ed Jewish a cappella group, but the appeal of Shir Appeal goes far beyond Tufts' Jewish community. The group's third album, Unpealed, shows a wide range of emotion and features haunting melodies and playful ditties that prove you don't have to speak Hebrew to enjoy the music. One of the most delightful aspects of Unpealed is the stirring solos, intricate harmonies, and a deep, booming bass that transcends any language barrier. You don't need to understand what the words are saying to get goosebumps on your arm when the voices rise in unison to a magnificent crescendo. But, even if you do shy away from linguistic barriers, the album includes many English verses, one English song and _ yes _ translations of all the Hebrew lyrics. Nearly a decade of evolution of Jewish a cappella at Tufts has created what is a wonderful mix of Israeli Pop songs, traditional prayers set to both conventional and new melodies, and Jewish-American Folk songs. Unpealed begins with two upbeat, yet calming tunes: "K'mo B'tmunah," and "Lomedet La'uf." Both display tight harmony vocals, great percussion and soothingly beautiful solos by senior Nili Riemer and alum Ravit Lessner. The relaxing tone set by these first two tracks puts the listener in a trance-like state of enjoyment. The third track, B'tzelem Elohim, and the rest of the album, seem to break the calm with songs increasing in excitement and variety. B'tzelem Elohim, is a wonderfully executed peppy number with solo performed by Steve Sobey. The sensitivity and quality of Sobey's voice shines as he glides through the song's chorus: "When I reach out to you and you to me, we become B'tzelem Elohim. When we share our hopes and our dreams, each one of us B'tzelem Elohim." The song's catchy melody and sentimental lyrics are performed so wonderfully by Shir Appeal that the listener might not even care that it is in English. The stellar solo is aided by the three part harmony of juniors Ben Zablostsky and David Pistrang, along with a perfect balance of soprano and alto counter melodies, sturdy bass and excellent percussion. If that track seemed a change of pace, then the next track may surprise many listeners. Abayudaya Kabbalat Shabbat, described as "Music of the Abayudaya (Jewsh People) of Uganda" is one of the highlights of this album, and sticks out as one of the most interesting and spiritual songs on the album. The song begins and ends with all voices harmonizing upon a tribal melody of very traditional Jewish prayers. Interspersed within the song are call-and-response chanting of two Psalms by Jake Cohen and Jonathan Nichols. The fact that no voices imitate instruments and that there are no human beat boxes in this track helps to move the listener and increase the flow. This is a testament to Shir Appeal's vocal prowess and skill at arranging. I imagine that many listeners will feel the urge to sing along with the group's joyful chorus as they take us skillfully into a divergence from western music and Judaism. Other great tracks include Andrea Kasowitz's haunting rendition of Barbara Streisand's version of Avinu Malkenu; Jon Tesser's soulful rendition of M'nagev Lach et Ha'Dma'ot, a doleful song with a very jazzy "instrumental" break; and a peppy, reggae rendition of Jimmy Cliff's Rivers of Babylon, featuring Dave Pistrang, and tight harmonies by Ben Zablotsky and Eitan Hersh; and Dirah Esrim v'shesh in which Jonathan Nichols strong voice and large range are perfectly complemented by the upper-counter melodies, harmonies, and pop-y basslines. The highlight of this album, though, is the album's last track in which all voices have a chance to share the spotlight, as the chorus travels from the female register, to a quintet of guys. This upbeat, very catchy dance tune, features tight soprano and alto chirping (which sounds too much like a keyboard to be true), excellent rolling rumbling bass, perfect percussion and a sweet verse solo by Eitan Hersh. The best part of this piece is the disco-breakdown: a great percussion solo is then built on by a lone female voice and the bass line (both of which sound so good that I forgot I was listening to human voices). To finish it off rest of the group joins in, featuring the solo quintet of Zablotsky, Nichols, Sobey and Josh Hyman. Don't worry kids, I was assured that all voices, no matter how in awe I was, were in fact that of human beings, more specifically, members of Tufts' only jewish a cappella group: Shir Appeal. By using varied repertoire, beautifully glued together by the individual musical strengths of each soloist and the tightly woven chorus of swift percussion, strong bass, tight harmonies and great expert counter-melodies, Shir Appeal's Unpealed shows the public why Tufts' only coed Jewish a cappella group should appeal to everyone.

The Setonian
News

The more things change...

November 19

For the men's basketball team, it's d?©j?  vu all over again. Last year starting point guard Phil Barlow, then a sophomore, went down with a foot injury early in the season, leaving the Jumbos without an experienced man to run the offense. Players were thrust into roles they weren't accustomed to playing, and starting lineups were juggled around as the team and the coaching staff tried to find the right person to run the offense. Lee Neugebaur, and Jim Wilson, then juniors both saw a number of starts at the point, as did then-sophomore Eric Mack. This season, after Barlow and Neugebaur quit the team for personal reasons, Wilson, now a co-captain, and Mack were left to battle for the starting point guard position. And no sooner had coach Bob Sheldon and his staff decided that Mack was the right man for the job than the 5'8" junior went down with a severe foot sprain. Once again, Tufts' starting point guard is out, likely until January. After a season riddled with injuries and inconsistencies, it appears, at least early on, that this season may feature much of the same. "We've already got three guys on the injured list, and the season hasn't even started yet," coach Bob Sheldon said. Another key player joining Mack on that list is promising freshman Dan Matin, a 6'8" prospect who would likely have seen substantial playing time. Martin went down with a broken leg, and, like Mack, will be out until January. So with all of the injuries, even before the season's first tip off, why is this team so optimistic? "Last year was a rebuilding year for us," Sheldon said. "When Phil went down last year, the other point guards hadn't been playing a lot. Now everybody's got more experience, and I foresee a good year." Indeed, there are many differences between last year's squad and this year's, and there are differences between last year's injuries and this year's. When Barlow's season ended last year, the team had already been playing together for over a month, and the offensive scheme was at least partially based around the sharp shooting point guard. The Jumbos based their offense on a run and gun style of play, where Barlow, and now-seniors Mike McGlynn and co-captain Brian Shapiro were the primary shooters. When one of those players was done for the season, so was the game plan. The offensive load shifted inside a great deal, and onto the shoulders of 6'7" Craig Coupe, and 6'5" Reggie Stovell, now sophomores. While both came into their own toward the end of the season, they struggled early on while they became accustomed to the fast paced NESCAC play. This season, both Coupe and Stovell have a year of experience, and will be key starters for the new-look Jumbos at the four and five spots. "Last year we tried to be run and gun, but this year we're looking to establish our inside game more," Sheldon said. "We're gonna look to pound it inside, which should help to open things up outside for our shooters." The Jumbos' presence in the paint should be considerably improved, as all three freshman on the team are listed at 6'5" or bigger, including Martin at 6'8" and Blaine Lay at 6'7". But this is not to say that the team will rely primarily on its big men. Tufts will certainly still be led by last year's leading scorers, Shapiro and McGlynn. McGlynn was one of two players from last year's team to receive All-NESCAC honors (Coupe was the Rookie of the Year), and led the team with 18 points per game, including 23.6 per game in NESCAC play. He was nearly unstoppable from three point range, shooting a blistering 48.1 percent from beyond the arc, far and away the team leader. But McGlynn's most valuable statistic may have been his attendance record, as he was the only player to start all 25 games last year, providing some much needed consistency in an inconsistent year. Shapiro was second on the team in scoring with 13.7 points per game. The 2000 NESCAC Rookie of the Year also led the team in assists and steals, and missed only two games all season. McGlynn and Shapiro will round out the starting lineup at the two and three spots, respectively. Also helping out will be sophomore transfer Andrew Kaklamanos, who played at a Div. II school in Florida last year. Kaklamanos may help co-captain Wilson at the point guard position while Mack is out. Possibly the biggest thing the Jumbos have going for them this year is experience. The team lost just three seniors from last year's squad, only one of whom played in every game. And even though Barlow averaged ten points per game, all of those points came in the first two months of the season. Despite the departure of three players for personal reasons, all of the major contributors from last season are back this year. Tufts opens its season next Tuesday at home against Springfield, in one of only eight home games the team has this year. With Mack on the bench, Wilson will make the start at point for the Jumbos, a position he became familiar with last year. Even with a new game plan, and without Barlow, the key ingredients from last year's team are still there. And with all of the injuries so far, this season is looking more and more like last year. But if the players and the coaches have anything to say about it, this year will be vastly different.

The Setonian
News

Women's basketball looks for fresh start with new coach

November 19

Old is not a word that can be used to describe this women's basketball team. With just one senior _ captain Hillary Dunn _ and a new coach, a core of solid young players will have to perform at their highest level for the team to be successful this season. After going 9-14 overall and 1-8 in the NESCAC last season, there is much room improvement. "Our goal is to get better everyday," coach Carla Berube said. "There is our big goal of making the NESCAC tournament, but getting better everyday leaves us with a sense of accomplishment." Despite last year's record was under retired coach Janice Savitz, Berube does not see this as a rebuilding year; she will not wait for her first official recruiting class to arrive at Tufts to attempt to win games. She implemented a motion offense to incorporate a "total team" style that gets multiple players shots. "Our offenses give us a lot of options so everyone is a threat," junior guard Maritsa Christoudias said. "There is not just one person, there are five people on the floor, and the offenses we're running takes advantage of that. I think our defense should give us a lot of the offense too." Berube stresses rebounding to set up fast break points to complement the half court motion offense. The goal of the offense is to make opposing defenses tired and open up a good shot. Berube feels to accomplish this; every woman on the team has to have a defined role. "We had several meetings in the preseason; there is a clean slate from last year," Berube said. "I think everyone will have their own role. Not everyone is going to play 30 minutes a game, but everyone will have a role that will be defined and probably changing throughout the season." Berube played Div. I basketball at the University of Connecticut where she says she spent six to seven hours in the gym a day, all year round. While the time commitment is not the same for a Division III team like Tufts, Berube did learn coaching styles and rules she hopes to bring to the table for the Jumbos. "I'm going to push my team," Berube said. "At UConn the coaches got the most out of all of us. When you come off the court feeling like that was the best I could give is what I'm going to push my team to feel." It is impossible to overlook the fact that the top three scorers from last season's team are no longer playing. Often when a team losses such a surplus of quality players, it hibernates into rebuilding mode, but the team has higher hopes than that. "On one hand we're starting from the bottom because we lost four starters and last year's finish couldn't have been any lower," Christoudias said. "So technically this year could be regarded as a rebuilding season, but we're expecting more than that. It's a fresh start and I think we're going to surprise a lot of people. We have all the elements we need and if we put it all together we can be more than just a rebuilding team." Part of the reason for the non-rebuilding year feeling is the talented freshman class. While the team lost four key players, it picked up four freshmen that look to make immediate impacts. "I think we will have to rely on our freshmen, but I don't look at age," Berube said. "We are all basketball players. We will lay it on the line now. Hillary is a senior, we are going to give it our all for her." As far as the NESCAC conference goes, Williams is always a contender, but this year's big gun is Bowdoin. The Polar Bears are currently ranked second in the country, but this and the rest of the conference does not intimidate the squad. "Anytime a team puts on a Tufts uniform, it's all about pride," Berube said. Berube is focusing her coaching more towards learning that winning. This season is a learning experience for her as well as her team while wins and losses are secondary, but still wanted. "I really don't care as far as wins and losses," Berube said. "We just want to get better after each game and feel like we gave it our all. We don't want to loss games we should have won, but do want to win games we should win." The team opens its 2002-2003 campaign at MIT for the MIT Tip-Off Classic against RPI, this Friday at 8 p.m. The Jumbos will play MIT or Emerson in either the winners or losers bracket on Saturday at 1 or 3 p.m. "Friday will be a great test for the women to see where we are," Berube said.

The Setonian
News

Does this count for World Civ?

November 19

Though the Ex College continues to offer a wide range of popular and unique classes each semester, history shows that too few of them can be counted toward various major programs. Courses that can be counted most often satisfy major requirements for American studies, with few other departments accepting any Ex College credits at all. This semester, still fewer classes can be counted as liberal arts foundation or distribution requirements. And although the Ex College shouldn't let department requirements dictate its ultimate offerings, this lack of incorporation may be preventing some students from even being able to take an Ex College class. This can be especially problematic for students with heavier course loads, such as those who choose to double major. For them, being able to take an Ex College class may be a luxury they can't afford if they hope to graduate in four years. Taking the unique Ex College classes can be key in teaching students to use academic theories to analyze current events and to show that education is a constant, evolving process. Since funding for academic departments at Tufts is partially dependent on the number of students enrolled in each department's classes, it may be possible that there is some reluctance to allow in-house electives to be replaced with Ex College offerings. Also, Ex College classes tend to avoid significant overlap of those already established on campus, reducing the likelihood that departments will endorse their classes. But what this means is that some incentive should be provided for departments to let Ex College classes that meet department standards count toward a distribution or major credit. The popularity of the "Genetics, Ethics, and the Law" course proves that students are excited about approaching subjects they may not find interesting through untraditional, interdisciplinary angles. While it would be nice if students were to take classes for the sole reason that they find them interesting, the nature of requirements at Tufts causes students to be extremely conscious of what counts for what. Students who double major, study abroad, or are preparing for a rigorous post-college program and engineers have little freedom in their curriculum. More choices could be given to them if the Ex College worked with departments to make more classes count for requirements. Whether this means suggesting revisions to courses or making the credit standards more relaxed could be determined by these bodies.

The Setonian
News

Conservative culture rep also issue at Amherst

November 19

Tufts is not the only University that has recently examined the possibility of adding a conservative representative to its student senate. Members of the Amherst College Republicans failed in their bid for a "politically conservative" diversity seat on the Association of Amherst Students (AAS) last month. The chairman of the Amherst College Republicans, Theodore Hertzberg, applied for a diversity seat to represent the "politically-conservative" student community, AAS Vice President Bob Razavi said. The events at Amherst parallel recent events at Tufts, as representatives of The Primary Source recently rallied for a conservative culture representative to the Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate, which would have been filled by a Source member. But Amendment 3, the Constitutional referendum that would have instituted a conservative rep, was voted down in a Nov. 8 referendum. The AAS Constitution says that all campus voices shall be heard, Hertzberg said, and specifically says that communities that have been "historically silenced" should be represented through diversity senators. "[Representation of] communities that have been silenced is one way" to attempt to make all voices are heard, but historical silencing is only one criterion that should be used in determining who gets representation, Hertzberg said. In late October, the AAS voted to recognize diversity senators for Latino students, international students, lesbian/bisexual/gay/transgender (LBGT) students, and Asian/Asian American students, Razavi said. The conservative student community was the only group whose bid for representation was denied. The African American student group is still in the process of petitioning for its seat and holding elections, said Latino student diversity senator Alan Vazqyez, who represents La Causa. Tufts' Association of Latin American Students, the Asian Community at Tufts, the Pan-African Alliance, and Tufts Transgender, Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Collective currently hold culture rep seats on the TCU Senate. "The conservative voice has been silenced for at least 30 years," Hertzberg said. "Are we really trying to reconcile the wrongs of 1830?" Students should be concerned with "the relative campus history," he said. The wording of "historically silenced" is inappropriate, Hertzberg said. "Surely the white supremacist vote has been historically silenced on the Amherst campus as well, but I surely doubt that the AAS will be giving white supremacists a diversity seat." Others disagreed with the Amherst College Republicans' argument that they had been historically silenced. "Conservatives have never been silenced... I think their whole stance was ridiculous," said Diversity Senator Daisuke O, who represents the International Students Association (ISO). Hertzberg said the group's effort was a ploy aimed at making a political point rather than actually gaining AAS representation. "The purpose was to show the greater community that on US campuses today, the liberal notion of diversity excludes diversity of thought but gives more weight to factors that are truly skin-deep," he said. "In an academic situation, in a community of thinkers, what should matter most, if not solely, is how one thinks," Hertzberg said. "The problem with awarding such seats on the basis of race or sexual orientation is that it assumes that people of [the same race or orientation] believe, think, and promote the same things." Hertzberg said that assumption is inherently racist and sexist. The unsuccessful proposition for a politically-conservative diversity senator accomplished the group's goal to draw attention to the larger issue, Hertzberg said. The effort was not about gaining the seat, but about pointing out the flaws of the diversity seat system, he said. The backers of the conservative representation bids at both campuses had, in the past, entirely opposed culture representatives and diversity senators, respectively, causing many students at both universities to question why the groups sought representation. Both groups expressed their desire to occupy a seat with the primary goal of reforming the system. "It was an effort to reform the culture rep system that many people have a problem with," Source Editor-in-Chief Megan Liotta said. Hertzberg clearly stated his opposition to diversity seats. "The only thing that I want to do on the Senate is to get rid of these damned seats," he told The Amherst Student. "Yes, diversity seats are anti-democratic, but not allowing the seats to be filled is constitutionally irresponsible," he said. O said the Amherst College Republicans should not have been granted a diversity seat and that their effort was not sincere. "They were making a complete joke out of the Senate by trying to gain a diversity seat in their attempt to get it banned completely," he said. Although diversity seats have existed in Amherst's student government since 1994, Razavi said, debate on whether to have such seats and who should serve in them was revisited when the governing body wrote a new Constitution last spring. The document, which outlines the purpose, powers, and election and removal procedures for diversity senators, was ratified in April. Hertzberg urged students to vote against the new Constitution on the basis of the diversity seat issue. After the Constitution passed, Hertzberg decided to apply for a seat himself. He and others are now circulating petitions to create a campus-wide referendum that would eliminate diversity senators altogether, he said. "All this has convinced us that diversity seats aren't worth the trouble," Hertzberg said. "I'm confident that the seats will be no more." The TCU Senate will host an open Constitutional Convention Friday to discuss possible revisions to the current Constitution. The role and voting powers of culture reps are expected to be a main issue addressed, although the forum aims to discuss all elements of the Constitution. Although the Tufts student body had the opportunity to vote for or against a conservative culture representative to the TCU Senate, the issue at Amherst was decided within the AAS, Razavi said. All Amherst students voted on the new Constitution, but only senators voted on the addition of a politically conservative representative. Hertzberg, who successfully ran to be the politically-conservative representative at an open Amherst College Republicans meeting, applied for a diversity seat and was granted the seat after a 3-2 vote by the AAS Executive Branch, Razavi said. But ambiguity in the Constitution led a senator to approach the Judiciary Council claiming that senators must vote on the Executive Branch's recommendation. The Senate then voted against the seat. AAS diversity senators operate under the same rights as all other senators except that they are not allowed to vote on money matters and cannot serve on standing or student-faculty committees, Razavi said. They are elected by the respective organizations they represent, rather than by the general student body, similar to election procedures for culture representatives to the TCU Senate. Diversity senators on the AAS are only a symbolic presence, O said. The senators have little power in the student government organization, he said, calling the AAS "little more than a glorified high school student council." Senators at both Tufts and Amherst said the majority of students at both campuses did not give extensive consideration to the possibility of a conservative seat. Prior to Amendment 3 voting at Tufts, Senate Treasurer Benjamin Lee told the Daily that he questioned whether the outcome of the election "would be the real will of the student body since there [wasn't]... much discussion on it." Amherst's O said the issue was void of much debate on campus. "Nobody cares about this debate in the general population of Amherst," he said. "The average student probably doesn't even know about diversity seats or care about them."

The Setonian
News

Spade, neutered, or nonoxynol-9ed

November 19

Back in the day when summers meant relaxation as opposed to getting ahead, I spent more time then I'd care to admit watching The Price is Right. Bob Barker concluded every show by thanking the audience for tuning in and reminding us to help control the pet population by having all our pets spayed or neutered. Sure, this public service announcement had nothing whatsoever to do with the show, but I do think he was on to something. Think of how much easier our lives would be if our partners were wiling to get spayed or neutered. Unfortunately, at our age, it's inappropriate to ask our lover to accompany Sparky to the vet and get "fixed." We must rely on less permanent forms of contraception. Birth control pills are a popular choice for college students because they can be taken without interrupting the action. Although the act of swallowing pills is quite simple, it's often difficult to remember to take them and what other drugs they interact with. If you've gone an entire day without taking a pill, are on antibiotics, sleeping pills, medication for anxiety, or St. John's wort, it could interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills. Therefore, most doctors say it is wise to rely upon a supplemental method of contraception for the remainder of that month. Although birth control pills are distributed in pastel carrying cases with sultry names like Yasmin and Alesse, I'd urge all consumers to beware. Any product whose name evokes pictures of frolicking maidens is attempting to cover something up. In this case, the frilly packages are an endeavor to mask the hours you may spend puking, the ten pounds you may gain, and the decrease in your sex drive. While many women take birth control pills with few side effects, adding extra hormones to your body isn't always a walk in the park. Men tend to like the idea of oral contraception because it gives them an excuse to "raw dawg" it and still feel protected. As effective as birth control pills are, they are by no means magical. There is no impenetrable vaginal field created by the little pink pill that wards off attacking viruses. Oral contraception protects against pregnancy, but not STDs. Sorry guys, even if your girlfriend is on the pill, it doesn't mean that you can do it "raw" and have nothing to worry about. The only form of birth control that effectively protects against both pregnancy and STDs is a condom. If your condoms have not expired, are stored at room temperature, and are put on correctly, they will fail only 3 percent of the time, according to the book Sexuality Today. But because not all people know how to properly use a rubber or fail to do so consistently, condoms are only 86 percent effective. Bone up on your condom etiquette, and they're an excellent contraceptive choice. To further increase the success rate of a condom, you may use one in conjunction with a spermicide. Spermicides such as Nonoxynol-9 and octoxynol aren't very successful on their own, but are a worthwhile supplement to another type of birth control. Since spermicides come in different scents, flavors, and ways of application, everyone should be able to find one that fits their fancy. Regardless of which spermicide you choose, once inserted, you have a limited time to get down to business, as spermicides are only effective for two hours. If you have chosen to go the sponge route, it's important not to remove it until eight hours after intercourse to ensure that all of the little spermies have been caught and killed. For those of you who are repulsed by the thought of removing a sponge of dying sperm from your vagina, spermicide can be purchased in the form of a suppository. Suppositories take ten minutes to fully dissolve, so if you're dating a minuteman, you have to insert one as soon as foreplay begins. Some women enjoy using suppositories because as they melt, they produce a warm tingling sensation. For those cold and lonely Boston nights, just add two shots of Tequila and you have yourself a party. As tempting as it may be to add spermicide suppositories to your pre-gaming routine, be warned that spermicide has been linked to increased incidences of certain types of urinary tract infections. While they're a good extra step for protection, just like chewable vitamins, don't pop 'em in like candy. Birth control pills, condoms, and spermicides are only three of many different types of contraception. They are however the least permanent measures and involve the smallest amount of doctor interaction. Safer sex can be a hassle, and the side effects of oral contraception can be intimidating. But the ten pounds you can gain from being on birth control pills is better than the twenty-plus you gain if you get pregnant. In keeping with Bob Barker, thanks for tuning in, and please folks, help control the population; have all your partners sterilized or nonoxynol-9ed. If you have any questions, please e-mail sex@tuftsdaily.com.

The Setonian
News

Morning Star' is an American Dream

November 19

In a small, cramped apartment in New York City in the early 1900s, a Russian Jewish family's experience serves as a microcosm for the political, social and economic turmoil that characterized that of many immigrant families searching for the American Dream. Theater Cooperative's new production of Morning Star, directed by Suzanne Bixby, is a saga about just one of these hopeful immigrant families. The family consists of Becky, a widowed Russian mother who is the source of strength for her son and three daughters. Becky's three daughters are different in personality and demeanor. Sadie, her eldest, is a spinster-like, officious young woman whose desire to be loved is never quite fulfilled. Fanny, the middle daughter, is the beauty of the family and longs to be a famous singer or actress. Esther, the youngest daughter, is a sweet child who is in love with the family's tutor. Hymie is the youngest and only boy; his main preoccupation is his upcoming bar mitzvah and his violin. Other supporting characters round out the ensemble cast: they include the boarder, Aaron Greenspan, the tutor, Harry Engel, and Greenspan's friend, Myron Brownstein. The storyline follows the family through its joys and hardships as it tries to find its place among the bustling energy of a country emerging from an industrial revolution and toying with greatness. It proves captivating and interesting, and the audience never tires of watching this group of people experience life and pain in the dusty vigor of this dynamic period in our history. Even the most mundane aspects of family life, such as the daughters arguing with each other, become fascinating and interesting. Morning Star is also filled with moments of hilarity and comedy. Greenspan, the witty, cranky Russian boarder, is the comedic center. His groaning and moaning about his woes as a boarder often inspire a laugh. His attempts to woo Becky, his landlord, are often sweet and ridiculous. Becky is often comical as she struggles with the puns and sayings of the American language. For example, when explaining the rationale behind a certain action, she says matter-of-factly, "When in America, we have to do as the Romans do." Brownstein also adds moments of hilarity to the story. A recently immigrated Russian Jew and socialist, his political commentary and fervor was often exaggerated and ridiculous, _ and always funny. When arguing against the utility of the American education system he cries out, "Schools...they are the tools of the bosses!" Despite its many amusing moments, Morning Star is underscored by a darker tone, one that is reinforced by the many hardships faced by an immigrant family at that period in history. The story hints at the labor unrest among sweatshop and factory workers. Also, the Triangle Shirtwaist fire, the worst factory fire in the history of New York, tragically impacts the family. The cast portrays the dichotomy of comedy and family drama realistically and helps spin a convincing tale of the American Jewish experience in the early 1900s. The yearning of the children to be American and accepted is touching and authentically conveyed. Notwithstanding the talent of the entire cast, there are several standout performances. Susan Grose Nicholes, as Fanny, is terrific as the energetic, fun-loving daughter. Fred Robbins, who plays Aaron Greenspan, is fantastic as the grumpy, yet hilarious boarder. Lastly, Maureen Adduci, as the loving mother Becky, is simply wonderful. Adduci radiates maternal warmth and strength and helps authenticate the family dynamic portrayed by the cast. The set is a modest, early 1900s New York City apartment. The set has some actual antique remnants of the period, including old Victorian lighting and an antique sideboard. The lighting was mellow and soft and gave the set a more intimate feel. Music was played only during scene changes. It was authentic, period music that was pleasant to listen to during the short intermissions. The actual theater arena is very tiny, and most likely fits 65 people at the most. However, this helps foster a more intimate theater experience and is the perfect space for the staging of Morning Star. The Theatre Cooperative, located upstairs in the Elizabeth Peabody House, is a little-known gem of excellent theater and acting talent. Morning Star, its latest production, is a poignant family saga of the immigrant experience that lingers with the audience long after it is over. Terrific performances and an interesting storyline make for a satisfying production. Don't miss it.

The Setonian
News

Tufts traditions shift but remain relevant

November 19

Why do so many current students and alumni feel that they are linked together as essential parts of one far-reaching Tufts community? What makes the Tufts college experience so different from that of other comparable institutions? The answer is rooted in one word _ tradition.The Times, They are A'Changin' Part One of Five Traditions have been uniting the student body at the University since the school opened its doors to a mere seven students in 1854. Since then, traditions have roused school and community spirit on the Hill, forging eternal links between students and the campus. As Tufts has evolved, so have its traditions. Decades ago, students did not paint the cannon, nor did they take part in the Naked Quad Run. One tradition that University students no longer take part in is Class Day. Begun in 1876, this event was customarily held several days prior to commencement. It was an opportunity for the graduating class to come together one last time, celebrating how far they had come. In the late 19th century, students were required to attend chapel. The events of Class Day included the last chapel service that graduating students attended as a class. After the chapel service, the students typically got together for a luncheon. For some graduating students, Class Day held more even more significance than commencement itself. University alumnus Frank E. Smith, whose diary entries have been preserved in a book entitled Very Fine Indeed! noted, "Every moment was of bliss to me. The day of my college life... I shall never forget this day." Although Class Day is no longer celebrated, graduating seniors are able to feel the same sentiments through the "Light on the Hill" candle lighting ceremony. First performed upon matriculation into the University (or, in this year's case, several weeks into the fall semester), students repeat this ceremony on the President's lawn four years later. Like Class Day for the students of the late 19th century, today's candle lighting ceremony allows graduating students to reflect upon the culmination of their undergraduate experience. In the early 20th century, many Tufts traditions sought to raise class spirit by promoting healthy competition between classes. Starting in 1905, freshmen and sophomores participated in "The Jam." Each class held a banquet, the aim of which was to stop members of the other class from going to their class banquet. In order to accomplish this, many students kidnapped members of the other classes, holding them hostage until the end of their banquet. Furthermore, from the early 1920s into the late 1960s, freshmen wore an article of clothing that denoted them as underclassmen. Men traditionally wore "beanies", or small caps. In the earlier years of this tradition, if an upperclassman walked by, freshmen were to touch their caps out of respect. At first, women enrolled in Jackson College wore green buttons to denote their freshman status. However, after many women protested that the buttons were harmful to their clothing, green bows took the place of buttons in 1931. University alumnus Steve Simons (E '54) recalls wearing the "beanies" his freshman year at Tufts. To him, it was a way to show school pride, as the sections of his cap alternated between brown and blue. Simons also looks back at the "Mayoralty Campaigns" as a tradition that greatly enjoyed by students of the past. The campaigns, which took place in the spring from the 1930s to the 1960s, focused on electing an unofficial "mayor" of the campus. "The mayor was like a spirit leader for the campus," Simons said. "There were big parades where people dressed up according to the theme and then marched through campus." Held a few weeks prior to finals, the Mayoralty Campaigns were an opportunity for students to relax and let off some steam. In recent years, Tufts students have been participating in another tradition that allows for them to take a break of sorts before finals set in. Hosted by the West Hall dormitory, the Naked Quad Run is held on the eve of the first day of the reading period before fall semester finals. The Naked Quad Run attracts many students, despite _ or perhaps because of _ the fact that this tradition involves running around the academic quad unclothed in the bitter cold of winter. Although many of the traditions observed in the early part of the century no longer exist, many traditions from the 1970s are still in place at the University. Senior Pub Nights at the Dewick-MacPhie Dining Hall began in 1977 to raise spirit in the senior class and offer entertainment to the graduating class. This year's Pub Night was held last Thursday. Another tradition still celebrated today that started around the same time was the painting of the cannon. Given to Tufts by the city of Medford in 1956, the cannon is a replica of one from the USS Constitution. According to legend, it is pointed roughly in the direction of Harvard University. Since the late 1970s, students have used the cannon as a forum to display messages to the entire campus. Other current campus traditions include Spring Fling, a major concert event that often attracts big musical and political names to the University campus. Kids Day is another more current tradition. Instituted by the Leonard Carmichael Society, it is a day during which elementary school children visit the University and enjoy a variety of activities, rides, and foods. Even though the specific traditions students take part in have changed over the years, the same nature is at the heart of all these shifting traditions, Simons said. "The main importance of traditions is to raise spirit and cohesiveness in the campus. They get kids involved and working together."

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Housing lottery numbers to be released before Winter Break

November 19

After discussion about the possibility of releasing housing lottery numbers as early as Thanksgiving break, the Office of Residential Life and Learning (ResLife) says that it now plans to release the numbers by Winter Break. Historically, lottery numbers have been distributed in the spring before students must select housing for the next year. The decision to move the release date to the fall semester instead of the spring, as in past years, is intended to help students who might be forced off campus to make housing plans for next year. Last year, Res Life tried to release lottery numbers early, but technical difficulties delayed the release for several months. This year, Res Life has made the early release of lottery numbers a priority, and a according to Dean of Students Bruce Reitman, the office will most likely meet its goal of releasing numbers this semester. The process is "miles ahead of where we were last year," even though getting numbers earlier means less accuracy. "It'll give people an approximate idea," Reitman said, although ResLife would stipulate that changes in enrollment could still affect the numbering. "They're working very hard at it and trying to get everyone to focus on just how important it feels to the kids," said Lorraine Toppi, the assistant director of Res Life. The results of an online survey which attempted to gauge the demand of rising seniors for on-campus housing will be released at the same time as the lottery numbers. The survey was conducted by the Dean of Students office in response to last year's high demand for on-campus housing for seniors. It asked students whether, if given a decent lottery number and a good choice of rooms on campus, they would seek on-campus housing for next year. The results of the survey will provide rising juniors with a better idea of their chances of obtaining on-campus housing next year, Reitman said. Once Res Life has determined the level of interest of the Class of 2004 in living on-campus, the office will be able to provide a more accurate estimate of the number of rooms available to the Class of 2005. The survey will provide a more accurate estimate of housing availability for rising juniors than in past years, said Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senator Josh Belkin, a member of the Housing Student-Faculty Committee. Previously, estimates have been based on "nothing more than a historical trend, because every year the situation is different," he said. Students will be able to "anticipate whether the popularity of living on campus is going to continue to grow" based on the survey's results, Reitman said. "If that's the case, it's going to be as tight for the juniors," he said. "If that's not the case, we want everybody to know the information as soon as possible because it affects their planning and their options." Some students, such as sophomore Natalie Levy, are hesitant to rely on early release of lottery numbers and have begun to think about living off campus. "But were they to come out early, it would definitely make me know how seriously to consider off-campus housing for next year," Levy said. An increase in rising seniors wanting to live on campus caused this year's housing shortage for juniors, Reitman said. "The problem was not that we had more people than before, it was just a shift that was not anticipated by anybody," he said. Current seniors occupy 250 more beds than the previous senior class, leaving only 70 of 1,200 juniors with on-campus housing, Belkin said. The increase in seniors seeking on-campus residences has primarily been attributed to rising costs for off-campus housing, and students who do not get on-campus housing are sometimes forced to consider other options. "I know people who are going away for a year just because they can't afford housing off campus," Levy said. "I don't think that should be the motivation for spending a year abroad." Rising juniors who plan to study abroad during spring 2004 may have trouble finding housing for the fall semester, Reitman said, because more students study abroad in the spring than in the fall. "It's going to be easier to find campus housing in the spring than it is in the fall, so it would be probably to be everyone's advantage to study abroad in the fall," Reitman said.

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Towards a coalition to oppose US War on Iraq

November 19

Contrary to cultural misperception of the anti-war movement as either a mob of emotional knee-jerk radicals and sentimental pacifists, or a hodgepodge of costume wearing urban students and their anti-American professor-demagogues, the current growing movement against US the war on Iraq comprises a diverse array of coherent political, ethical, and ideological standpoints, as well as a multi-cultural, multi-generational, and regionally varied group of people, brought together in an expanding "popular front." This front rallies around a growing list of reasons why Bush's war against Iraq is a horrible idea for the majority of people both inside as well as outside of this country. As the name of Tufts own local anti-war group, the Tufts Coalition to Oppose War on Iraq (TCOWI) _ of which I am a member _ suggests, there are many perspectives from which to oppose this war and the administration that is pushing for it. With this in mind, TCOWI is working to bring together people who for any number of reasons think or feel that US aggression against Iraq is _ at the very least _ a very bad idea, and to help these people become better educated about the coming war, what it means, how the rhetoric of the Bush administration holds up to rational and empirical scrutiny, and why this war is still being pursued even as the rational grounds for it fall apart. We also aim to organize anti-war sentiment to resist this war and to combat those who are pushing for it. While our efforts to better understand the present situation will continue, as we host speakers, hold teach-ins, and community forums on and off campus, TCOWI has produced the following public statement, which includes some of the more common and shared objections to the present drive to war. We are asking that all Tufts Community members consider this document and that (should you also oppose this war) you sign it in a symbolic and principled statement of dissent against those making this war. "Though opposition increases daily, both here and abroad, the US government continues to move towards war against Iraq. We, as members of the Tufts Community, as scholars, as teachers, as students, as workers, as citizens, and as human beings, oppose this very costly, extremely risky, and unjustified course of action. The American people have been told repeatedly that Iraq has some connection to the Sept 11 attacks, that it's sheltering al Qaeda, and that it's threatening the US and its friends with 'weapons of mass destruction.' But in fact, no credible evidence has been presented that Iraq had anything to do with the Sept 11 attacks. Furthermore the CIA says that there have been no Iraqi attacks on US citizens anywhere in the world since 1993, and that any al Qaeda activity inside of Iraq is limited to the areas controlled by anti-government (anti-Hussein) rebels. No credible evidence has been presented that Iraq, devastated by the 1991 Gulf War (which killed 100,000 Iraqis) and suffering under a decade of crippling sanctions (which according to UNICEF have killed a million more), constitutes a significant threat to the US. In fact, while Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Russia could all (theoretically) be hit by Iraqi Scud missiles (unlike the US), they do not feel threatened by Iraq, and oppose a US attack. As the Bush administration pushes for war, we know that the human costs of war would be huge _ casualties in the tens of thousands are predicted routinely. In addition, with our healthcare systems, schools, retirement plans, and economy in trouble, the economic cost of this Iraq war threatens to drain billions of dollars our country desperately needs. This unprovoked and unilateral war threatens the whole structure of international law that has evolved since the end of World War II. Such an attack will likely produce more outrage throughout the world, leading to greater instability and more hostility to the US. There is virtually no international support among the world's people for a US attack on Iraq. Even if the war ends quickly, the US military will occupy Iraq for years, at tremendous cost, and further suffering to the people of the region. And the war may not end; it may spread. The war planners also envision 'regime change' in Iran, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. Who's to say where Bush's 'mission of peace' will stop? We, as members of the Tufts Community condemn the move to war against Iraq. We pledge to oppose this war and those who advance it. They do not act in our interests. They must not act in our name." As our statement argues, the Bush administration's "justifications" for war just do not hold up. Why then _ and the question must emerge _ if Saddam is not a threat to the US, and if he is not "in" with the terrorists, (and also, as Rana Abdul-Aziz argues, if there is no reason to believe that the US will be inclined or even able to install a more humane or more democratically based regime in Iraq, post-Saddam), then why are our leaders pushing so hard for this costly, and risky war?! About a week ago, buried in the back of page A27 of the Boston Globe, Nikolai P. Tokarev, the head of a Russian oil company that has been doing business in Iraq since 1967, had this to say about US motivations: "Everybody knows why the US is doing this. The only reason is the US desire to establish full control over the oil-gas complex of Iraq." (See LA Times, 11.8.2002, article, "Baghdad's huge oil reserves hand in balance of debate.") Says another oil executive from US regional rival Russia, "Hussein's replacement by somebody else, particularly someone who is appointed by the US government, will mean that Russia may be ousted from Iraq sooner or later," adding that "It becomes clear that resolving the Iraq problem is all about the rivalry around one of the richest oil countries in the world." Such a "controversial" statement from a rival of Chevron-Texaco and Exxon -Mobil _ controversial enough to get buried on page 27! _ certainly does not end the war debate. But it is the hope of TCOWI, that such imperial-economic angles on the unspoken motivations for the US government's drive to war on Iraq will at least start the debate, where it hasn't started already. The Tufts Coalition to Oppose War on Iraq aims to help organize and inform such debate and to help channel it in a politically meaningful direction. We encourage you to help us oppose this unjustified war. If principled people in the bastion of privilege, liberalism, and rational inquiry will not stand against the militarist madness of Bush and Company, how can we expect anyone else to? Joe Ramsey is a graduate student in the English Department and a member of the Tufts Coalition to Oppose War on Iraq.

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Language and the American genius

November 19

Often one can learn a lot about a culture from its language. Linguists and sociologists have spilled oceans of ink over reams of paper describing the interplay between the language and culture of peoples from aborigines to Europeans. One group largely ignored, however, is Americans. And unjustly so _ American language says more about the American character than any volume of essays on Puritanism or frontier mentality could. From the time American English started diverging from British English, the British never tired of labeling American English as "vulgar" or "barbaric." In fact these descriptions are entirely apt, but perhaps not in the sense intended. The world "vulgar" comes from the Latin word vulgus, meaning the masses, the people _ the "hoi polloi," as the Greeks would say ("hoi polloi" means "the many" in Greek, but has found its way into English to mean "the common folk"). American English was always indeed a language of the masses. Whereas in Europe the ruling class and the rest of the population frequently spoke entirely different languages, everyone in America spoke essentially the same language, regardless of class. Of course, there was a difference between formal and informal speech _ what you might say to a professor and what you might say to your friend _ but your professor used informal speech roughly similar to yours when he spoke with his friend. Even Woodrow Wilson, who was president of Princeton University before becoming governor of New Jersey and then President of the United States, used phrases such as "we must get a move on," and "that is going some" with frequency, phrases which no Englishman even today would consider using in Parliament. More recently, President Bush has used phrases such as "smoke 'em out." Bill Clinton's 1992 campaign platform was "it's the economy, stupid." Two summers ago, I had a chance to visit the House of Representatives and hear some Congressmen speak. One thing that amazed me was the variety of accents _ a representative from Virginia spoke with a southern drawl, the one from New Jersey sounded like Joe Pesci, and the one from Minnesota sounded like he was auditioning for Fargo. But that is no problem _ in America, the language of the vulgus is the language of the political system. The language is not only uniform over classes, but perhaps even more amazing, uniform over the whole country _ and a very large country at that. Any student of European languages, as well as other widely spoken languages like Arabic, Japanese, or the various dialects of Chinese knows that within each language there is huge variation in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. In America, it is not so. Or at least, it is less so. Of course, as I indicated above, each region has its own accent or peculiar slang, but nothing someone from another part of the country could not understand immediately, and pick up after a few weeks. This facilitates flexibility in the job market and communication between political leaders (the European Union has huge problems with the first and spends about a third of its budget on translators to create the second). Being from North Carolina, the Bostonian use of the word "wicked" threw me off at first, but before too long I could use it myself. The word "barbarian" is a Greek word describing anyone or thing foreign, supposedly because foreign languages sound like the syllable "bar" repeated over and over again. American English has distinguished itself in its ability to incorporate foreign words. This comes partly through necessity, as America is an immigrant country. Early Americans used Native American words for things they didn't recognize, like "maize" (a Native American word which, oddly, is now used in Europe but has been supplanted in America by "corn"), and "succotash." As more immigrants came from Northern Europe, words like "sauerkraut" began to creep in, as well as countless wonderful Yiddish words which by now are extending past just the Northeast (like "schlepp"). Americans have also shown their creativeness, expressiveness, and humor in creating new words and phrases. Some new words were created to describe new wildlife _ thus "johnny-jump-up," "bullfrog," and "Jimson weed" (originally "Jamestown weed"). Other words, such as "caucus," arise out of the American political system. But the real creative spirit shines through in the idioms of America. When a country invents a phrase like "barking up the wrong tree," "fork it over," or "crapshoot," it is destined for greatness. In the last 100 years, other languages have started to assimilate American words, partly because of American political strength, but also because of the amazing capacity for invention in the American language. The word "movie" is infinitely more descriptive and useful than "cinema." The word "motherboard" is a linguistic masterpiece. Any language should be proud to include "rubbernecking." Flexibility and innovation, in its language, its culture, its politics, and its economy, is the core of the American genius. American society has an amazing capacity to adjust to any exigency without missing too many beats. And that, as the Americans would say, is nothing to shake a stick at.

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Class space enough for the short term

November 19

At most universities, an A+ sends students into total elation. At Tufts, however, undergraduates wince in pain at the symbol. This is because Tufts' new block schedule includes an early A+ 8:00 _ 9:15 a.m. class time _ part of an ongoing administrative effort to make better the use of available academic space. "There is no buffer or unused space on campus," Vice President of Operations John Roberto said, yet the University does not plan to expand in the short term. The concern has been recognized. "There isn't a campus organization, professor, or person who wouldn't like more space," Interim Dean of Academic Affairs Paul Stanton said. But the problem is not a lack of academic space, rather it is the inefficient use of existing space, Stanton said. Tufts' Space Management Board came to this conclusion after looking into the problem during the spring of last year. The old block schedule was one contributor to the classroom crunch, they determined. "We figured out we had too many classes pushed into some of the blocks in the schedule," Board Member Stanton said. The new block schedule attempts to move classes away from the peak areas and times, which were shown to be 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Under the old schedule, professor requests for classes sometimes reached 250 percent of capacity during these periods. On the other hand, demand on Friday afternoons was sometimes just ten percent of the classroom space. While professors and most students prefer to have classes during peak periods, there needed to be a reallocation of space, Stanton said. For this semester, department chairs were asked to schedule more classes in the mornings and the evenings _ taking pressure off popular times. Administrators called the program a success, noting most classroom requests were accommodated this term. "With the new, modified block schedule and a policy to go along with it, we've managed to spread things out a bit more," Dean of the Colleges Charles Inouye said. Students have mixed opinions of the new block schedule, which often means hours between classes, but also being able to schedule a three day weekend. Sophomore Jason Autore, a mathematics major, has had no problems with the block schedule. "I'm still able to have all of my classes during the middle of the day. I don't think there are any advantages, but then again I also don't see any disadvantages in the schedule," he said. Students are given some flexibility to choose the time of day which works best for them. "I don't like mornings, and try to avoid classes that are the A, B, C Block," freshman Jillian Harrison said. "Sometimes, there are required classes that you have to take early in the morning." Science and engineering majors sometimes have to take three hour labs during the evening hours. Many Ex College and three-hour, once-a-week classes also meet during the evening. Night-only offerings often come with their own downsides. "All of these evening classes interfere with possible employment and activities that I should have the nighttime open to pursue," freshman Lane Howlett said. "I was unable to avoid late classes even though I went into registration trying to do so." The University also uses other measures to spread out class times, taking pressure off the space crunch. The Classroom Management Committee continuously looks at academic space across the campus and addresses those areas found to be most in need of improvement. Past projects have included this summer's complete renovation of Pearson 104, the transformation of Braker 002 into a computer lab, and the installation of televisions and VCRs into classrooms in Eaton and Olin. These changes have worked out well for the University. "Remodeling these classrooms has a domino effect on space here," Stanton said. "It turns what was formerly the most undesirable space into the popular and that removes pressure from everyone else." The Classroom Management Committee plans to renovate the Crane and Terrace Rooms and add seat cushions to Braker 104 during the break between semesters. A new music building, which has yet to begin construction although fundraising is nearly complete, will add to performance space. Even with scheduling complaints, few students are willing to pay more tuition or take funds from another program in exchange for a more flexible schedule. "I feel like we pay enough already," Howlett said. "The block schedule issues are really not that big of a deal."

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Proper form is important in any exercise

November 19

I have been doing leg raises and the captain's chair for almost a year now, but it hasn't really made any noticeable difference in my lower abs. Do you have any exercises that I could try that would really punish my lower abdominals? This is an exercise that I came up with my junior year in high school. I used to train abs obsessively, so I was continually looking for new and better ways to bring out abdominal development. Needless to say, this exercise will leave your lower abs burning in pain. The exercise is done on a decline bench. The steeper the decline, the more difficult the exercise will be. I suggest you begin on the slightest decline until you master the form (proper form is paramount in the effectiveness of this exercise). In order to keep yourself on the bench, grab a rope (the kind used to do press-downs) and throw it over the foot rest at the top of the bench. You should now have your arms over your head, holding on to rope. Your feet should be pointed towards the floor, and your lower back should be flat against the bench. Slowly, keeping your back flat against the mat and your legs straight, bring your legs up towards the ceiling until they are perpendicular to the floor. At this point in the movement, your butt should raise up slightly off the bench. The first rep is number zero. Lower your legs slowly to starting position, pause at the bottom, and raise them up to the ceiling again. This time, pause at the top and press your feet up towards the ceiling for one rep. Keep your hips stationary during this movement _ rocking them will reduce the effectiveness of the exercise. This is rep number 1. Lower your legs slowly, and repeat, this time pushing your feet towards the ceiling for two reps. Lower your legs, and repeat, this time pushing up for three reps, and so on. The rep scheme of this exercise is what makes it so intense. You perform a joint movement, immediately followed by an isolation movement. This increases the intensity of the exercise. Try this for a few weeks, and I would be surprised if you didn't see a significant difference in your lower ab development. I have a question. If you're doing bicep curls with smallish dumbbells, does it matter if you come down straight with your palms facing out or if you turn your palms inward with the dumbbell running front to back? The different hand positions during a dumbbell curl serve to place the emphasis of the exercise on different parts of the biceps. When you are curling with hands prone (palms facing floor), you are putting more emphasis on the area of the bicep near the top of your forearm. Holding the weight with palms facing your body (hammer curls, for example) works the brachialis, a small muscle on the side of the biceps. Palms facing up hits the upper biceps. It is important to remember that each of these variations only slightly changes the emphasis of the exercise on a specific part of the muscle. This does not mean that doing the exercise in one way will neglect to work other parts of the muscle. Doing biceps curls will work the biceps. Changing hand position will only shift muscular emphasis. My friend told me that doing squats is dangerous. Should I stop doing them and do leg presses instead? I don't want to sacrifice leg development, but I am worried about injuring myself and not being able to lift at all. Squats, like any exercise using free weights, can be dangerous. However, if you maintain proper form and workout with a partner to spot you, they are no more dangerous than any other heavy compound exercise. Some risks include knee injuries from bouncing the weight or lower back injuries from improper form. However, the benefits of this exercise are such that, if you are confident that your form is good, it should never be forsaken in a leg workout. Squats not only help your legs develop, they can help add mass to your entire body due to the nature of the exercise. Leg presses do not. In short, any exercise can potentially be dangerous, but follow form and use a spotter and you will minimize the chance of injury.

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Music Reviews

November 19

The Derelict Brew Amputated Feelings mdg 2 stars The Derelict Brew's Amputated Feelings, is a failed experiment from the start. While the music itself shows hints of promise from time to time, overdone sound effects and poor mixing draw away from the overall effect of the CD. The lyrics are often hard to make out over the heavy bass guitar and interminable electric instruments. The band members themselves often seem confused as to whether or not they want to work on their groove or simply write a treatise on annoying neighbors. Many of the songs seem more dedicated to loud sexual encounters and boiling tea kettles than to the music itself. The Derelict Brew formed in Rochester in 1998, but is now based in Boston. The group calls on inspiration from rock music greats such as Sonic Youth, David Bowie, and The Beatles. Amputated Feelings marks the group's second album. _Sara Ludovise Rubikon Awaken Independent Artists 1 star Yeah, so there's this new album out by Rubikon, whom you've probably never heard of because (insert reason here). And even if you've listened to them, you would never be able to make out what they were saying. They don't sing, they scream. And I'm not talking Marilyn Manson screaming; there is no liberal off-beat message here. This is just a regular guy singing about problems we all have, only his are worse because he can scream about them and scratch the record a lot. The second song sounds like it's going to be somewhat decent, but then once again begins the incessant, desperate screaming. You want to just lock this poor man in a padded room to let him scream his misery and get it out of his system. Where do people get off wanting to record themselves wailing in agony? Well, we can't help people like poor...wow, the band members don't even bother listing their names. So the only thing you can do for society in this situation, for the benefit of yourself and all future lineage, is to not buy this album. _ Hilary Lustick Simian We Are Your Friends Source 3 stars The sound of the British band Simian's latest album We Are Your Friends is the musical equivalent of a schizophrenic. Diving into the bin of music genres, Simian emerges draped in 60's psychedelic rock, electronica, and...hip-hop? Yes, that's right. This indie-rock band's laid-back sound is infused with many sub-woofer friendly beats. The result is an interesting, innovative album that works more often than not. The opening track "LA Breeze" is a carefree, trip-hop concoction. "In Between" is a more experimental, sober track with a terrific percussive beat and a disco flavor. "She is in Mind" is a beautiful, haunting song that showcases Simian's softer, melodic side. The lead singer's vocals have bratty, arrogant accents similar to those of The Vines' singer. Overall, We Are Your Friends is a risky musical endeavor that lands on its feet. Neptunes-style beats and typical indie influences combine to produce an album that is oddly addictive ._ Milady Ortiz

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Men's swimming and diving poised for yet another winning season

November 19

The men's swimming program is defined by eight guiding principles, listed authoritatively on the team's own website: trust, respect, discipline, loyalty, friendship, communication, honesty, and courage. With such clear guidelines, it's no wonder that the team has been so dominant over the last few years, both in the pool and in the classroom. A close-knit group of 58 swimmers and divers make up this year's squad. After losing just five seniors to graduation last year and adding a total of 18 freshmen to fill the void, the team is looking forward to what they hope will be a successful year. "We definitely have a really strong returning class," junior swimmer Greg Schmidt said. "This is the best incoming freshman class out of the three years I've been here. They will make an immediate impact." "Our freshman class is loaded with talent and will really improve our depth and speed," senior tri-captain Ed Edson said. The Jumbo crew will start its regular season this Saturday with a meet at Clark University. The team finished fourth in the NESCAC last year, holding a 9-1 record in the dual meets _ the head-on-head competitions with other NESCAC schools. Last year's squad was dubbed 'A Band of Brothers' by its coach in reference to the HBO mini-series on World War II. Though this year's team hasn't been given a nickname yet, camaraderie and unity will surely be associated with the team's theme, as always. "We are one of the closest teams on campus and I really think that helps us excel in the pool," senior tri-captain Peter Berkowitz said. Over the past two seasons the team holds a 17-2 record in dual meets against NESCAC and other New England opponents. "The outlook is great potential," coach Don Megerle said. "But that's just a word. They have to continue to work hard, believe in the program, have integrity about their intentions, commit to each other and trust each other." Megerle is entering his 32nd year coaching and holds an impressive 228-81 overall career meet record. He is well known around the league and well liked by the swimmers. Working practice schedules around his swimmers' schedules, Megerle finds himself at the office into the late hours of the night and some days start well before six in the morning. The coach's work ethic has apparently rubbed off on the team _ it is a dedicated group of men anticipating an exciting and successful season. Led by senior tri-captains Berkowitz, Edson, and Ryan Lahey, this year's team hopes to build on last year's success and continue the tradition of excellence exhibited by Tufts and its coach. Last year's season was defined by three new records posted by Jumbo swimmers. Seth Baron (200 Fly: 1:55.29), Tyler Duckworth (200 Breast: 2:07.72), and Richard Halpert (200 IM: 1:56.23) all begin this season holding new Tufts' records. Duckworth, a junior swimmer (breaststroke and individual medley), was the only Jumbo to advance all the way to nationals last season, where he missed becoming an All-American by less than a second. "It's good motivation for me this season," Duckworth said. "I'm excited for the team because I think we're going to make a run at the NESCAC title." With all the individual talent on this team, Duckworth doesn't expect to make the trip to Emory University for Nationals alone this season. Just as impressive is the team's performance in the classroom, consistently earning one of the top GPA's in Division III. The 2000-2001 men earned the College Swimming Coaches Association of America's Academic Team Award for having the highest cumulative grade point average among Division III teams. Led by Coach Brad Snodgrass, the divers on the team expect to be key contributors to the team's success this season as well.

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Many apply to teach Ex College classes

November 19

In addition to the regular University classes, students will have the opportunity to choose from an additional 23 classes sponsored by the Ex College next semester. The teachers of these classes were narrowed down from a pool of over 110 applicants who wanted to teach a course in the Ex College. This surplus of applicants is nothing new, Director of the Ex College Robyn Gittleman said. She said that in her 25 years working at the Ex College, there have always been large numbers of applicants, although the exact number varies from year to year. Gittleman said that both the quality of students and the opportunity to teach a class draw many prospective professors to Tufts year after year. "One of the reasons that people want to teach here is that they would be teaching Tufts students," Gittleman said. "Also, it is a unique opportunity that enables them to teach a course that they feel passionate about and are an expert in." Another reason the Ex College receives so many applicants is because they have efficient advertising, Associate Director Howard Woolf said. "We have, over the years, created a pretty effective direct mailing list," he said. The Ex College sends mail to graduate programs, social, historical and cultural organizations, government offices, media outlets, and businesses. The economy also contributes to the amount of people interested in teaching at the Ex College, both Gittleman and Woolf said. "When the economy isn't so good, we get more people applying," Woolf said, "which is somewhat ironic because we don't pay a whole heck of a lot." The majority of Ex College teachers are not doing it for the money, according Woolf. Rather, they are professionals who are fervent about designing their own course and informing others on a topic they love, or are involved in academia and are not given the freedom that the Ex College offers in course topics at their places of work. An example of this, Gittleman said, was the story of a professor at Northeastern University who wanted to teach a class on assimilation but was not able to do so at his own university. After seeking out the Ex College, he was able to teach a class in which each student represented a country and interacted with one another accordingly. The process of choosing course offerings for the Ex College takes about six weeks in total. After submitting an application, most prospective professors interview with a sub-committee consisting of one faculty member and two students from the Ex College board. The Ex College board consists of five faculty members, five students, and the four administrators of the Ex College. Finding someone with both student and faculty perspectives is necessary for knowledgeable, communicative, and interesting professors, Gittleman said. After the interview process, a report on each applicant is sent to a faculty member in the department that most closely pertains to the subject matter of the class being discussed, so that a professor familiar with the material can give his or her input. The last step of the process is a large board meeting in which there is a vote to determine the final course line-up, which, for spring semester, will be decided by the end of reading period. Administrative Coordinator Cindy Stewart said that on average, 1500 students sign up for Ex College classes each semester, and that by graduation, 70 percent of students have taken at least one course at the Ex College. "The coolest thing about working at the Ex College has been talking to people at other institutions and describing what exactly the Ex College is," Stewart said. "It is such a unique program and people are always so amazed by it." Registration for Spring 2003 Ex College courses will take place after winter break and for the first time students will be able sign up for the classes online.

The Setonian
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The ads you hate to love

November 18

It's late. You haven't found your muse for that five-page anthropology paper due tomorrow at 1:30. The caffeine from Brown & Brew has you too wired to go to sleep, but you're too brain-dead to do any actual work, so you turn on the TV. Undoubtedly, there is nothing on TV worth watching, except for infomercials. Yep, you know you love them. It's the vilest guilty pleasure on the tube _ above Elimidate, Fear Factor and even reruns of Step-by-Step (yes, I know you watch that, too). Infomercials are the pinnacle of evil of our capitalist society. Yet, at the same time, they lift our spirits to think, "Hey, if this schlub can make loads of cash selling this junk, then maybe I can, too." Engineered to captivate and hold our interests, infomercials provide some of television's greatest entertainment. So now, as a special Daily feature, I present to you the top infomercials currently seen on your TV screen: The Ronco Rotisserie Grill. "Set it and forget it" _ the five most legendary words in infomercial history. Ron Popeil is one of the great American entrepreneurs who has been hawking products since 1956, beginning with the Chop-O-Matic. While most of his products (for which he holds the patents) have been moderately successful, the Ronco Rotisserie Showtime Grill has been a fantastic success. For just "five easy payments of $19.99" anyone can own the magnificent product. It "really cuts the fat" on anything you cook, from a prime rib to hamburgers, and with that special steaming tray on top, your vegetables can be steamed to, and kept at, "piping hot" (the most embarrassing part of this section is that I was able to transcribe all those quotes off the top of my head). The geniuses like Popeil concoct their pitches to do just that, get inside your head. With silly catch phrases like "set it and forget it," the Ronco Showtime Rotisserie is engraved in your memory. So the next time you get rotisserie chicken from the supermarket, you're going to think about Popeil and the phony "chefs" who laud the kitchen appliance as the greatest invention. The Turbo Cooker. In terms of phony chefs, the king of them all has to be the ambiguous Chef Randall of Turbo Cooker fame. He holds all the credentials of a cashier at McDonald's, and looks like the loser in high school who even the chess team rejected. His infomercial partner-in-crime, Cathy Mitchell, is even less appealing. Mitchell, in her excitement over the awesome power of the Turbo Cooker, comes across as Ethel Merman hopped up on speed. The "amazing" machine can bake, fry, boil, steam, or stew practically any recipe, all at the same time without the tastes of the different foods mixing. In one appliance, a cook can make a four-person, three-course meal within an hour. The Turbo Cooker is the "all-in-one" cooking system destined to let you live a "healthier and simpler" life. While it is clearly not a blockbuster success like the Ronco Showtime Rotisserie, the mere simplicity of Chef Randall's product is the key to its popularity. Miracle Blade III. On the Miracle Blade III infomercials (for those of you who missed out on Miracle Blades I and II), yet another famous chef, Chef Tony, shows his audience an amazing display of food mismanagement. In the course of one 30-minute spot, Chef Tony must throw out enough food to feed an entire horde of barbarians. While chopping aluminum cans into three pieces, he also slices up tomatoes, onions, chicken, bread and anything else you might want chopped. He subsequently dumps it all into a bottomless hole of trash hidden from the camera, no questions asked. Despite this blatant disregard for food conservation, the Miracle Blade seems to be a success. Maybe it is due to Chef Tony's claim that his knives are "so sharp, you can cut a pineapple in mid air." Another one of the infomercial's greater moments involves Chef Tony's presentation of bread slicing. With his unique Blade Slicer, he masterfully slices three pieces of bread from a loaf. When he uses a regular, generic and altogether horrible knife, the slice of bread is a smushed breadstick with holes in it. Ignore the fact that it's visibly obvious that Tony destroyed the latter sample by poking holes with his own fingers, and you have one fine and dandy knife set going for you. FoodSaver. While Chef Tony specializes in wasting food, the folks at Tilia _ creators of the FoodSaver _ want you to know how to save all the food in your house. Once again, the geniuses of home cooking have created an infomercial with a product so darn simple, it irresistible not to watch. Just put your food in a specially designed bag, put the bag under the FoodSaver and all the air is sucked out allowing you to put the food in a pantry or freezer and not have to worry about it going bad. The FoodSaver advertisement brings about another key ingredient to the success of an infomercial. While the concept itself must be as simple as possible, the pitchmen must ensure that there is some scientific explanation for the product's success. According to its website, the FoodSaver bags have "special channels to remove the air plus an outer nylon layer to ensure the air stays out." The ambiguity of such statements fly right over the heads of the infomercial watchers, probably because its 3 AM and they are either too drunk/stoned/tired/stressed to figure it all out. Either that or they just found their inspiration for that damned archaeology paper.

The Setonian
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Donahue

November 18

I never watch television. In fact, the only reason I have a television in my room is so that I can watch movies. And I rarely even use it for that purpose. This past Saturday night was one of those rare times that I turned my television on. I wish I had not. After watching a movie with my girlfriend Rachel, I started flipping through the channels. I caught a glimpse of the flashy blue diamond with a "D" in it that MSNBC's Phil Donahue is so famous for. I do not have cable, so the picture was a little fuzzy. As Rachel fixed the antenna so we could get a better reception, it became clear that it was not really "Donahue," but a Saturday Night Live skit parodying Donahue's show. I had not watched "Donahue" since early this summer when his new political show first debuted. From my observations, he was one of the more independently minded political personalities on television. And oh yeah, how could I forget _ he is a liberal. But not one of those spineless Democratic centrist liberals: Donahue has a populist flair to him. It was surprising to me that Donahue's show would exist _ even if it were on a third-rate cable news channel. I did not think people in the US were ready for Donahue's hard-hitting, in-your-face anti-racist, anti-corporate, independent, truth-telling liberalism. Michael Moore told a crowd at Tufts last year that most of the country is liberal, but that liberal political and cultural leaders today are simply pathetic. Was Michael Moore right? Well certainly it is true that liberal leaders are pathetic. But is most of the country liberal? This week's SNL skit portrayed a different picture. The Saturday Night Live skit involved Donahue (played by Darrell Hammond) interviewing someone playing Michael Moore. He also had guests Barbra Streisand (played by Maya Rudolph) and Al Sharpton (played by Tracy Morgan). The topic of the show was "Is Liberalism Dead?" The point of the skit was to suggest that no one ever watches Donahue's show; presumably because there aren't any liberals left in America anymore. At one point they displayed fictional ratings of the three worst shows on television. "Donahue" appeared as second worst _ losing to "The Black Israelite's Hour" and just beating an eye surgery show. Because there was a margin of error larger than their actual ratings, Donahue concludes, "There is no evidence that even one person watches this show." Streisand and Sharpton pound on that fact by repeatedly saying to Donahue, "Nobody likes you." There were other puns, such as cutting to a commercial break with nothing but a blue screen asking people to submit advertisements, and playing a clip from the next show showing Donahue running into an empty audience with a microphone to get a comment from one of the two people watching the show in the studio. Donahue went on to pick on Michael Moore's bathing habits. Moore said that he would occasionally splash water on himself from a running faucet in a sink and changes clothes just once a year when he needs a bigger shirt. SNL's perception of Donahue's ratings has merit. Donahue's ratings are pretty bad. MSNBC is actually looking to replace Donahue with ex-Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura. But it is interesting how comfortable it is for SNL, and everyone else for that matter, to humiliate persons on the left. Consider an alternative scenario where SNL humiliates the right: The O'Reilly Factor. Bill O'Reilly is interviewing Ann Coulter with guests Trent Lott and Arnold Schwarzenegger as a huge American flag waves in the background, occasionally blocking the camera. The name of the show is "Are Conservatives Imbeciles?" O'Reilly keeps cutting everyone off and acting like a talking head. Lott and Schwarzenegger repeat how patriotic O'Reilly is and how he is committed to the fight against foreigners. They list the shows with the highest ratings and they show "The O'Reilly Factor" second to "1,000,001 Ways to show your Patriotism," and ahead of "Showdown Iraq: The Wild, Wild Middle East." Then they cut to a car commercial and an SUV the size of Bendetson Hall with an American flag flying from the radio antenna is shown driving over trees in the Amazon rainforest. I doubt such a parody would ever get on television. Bill O'Reilly has nearly four times the viewers that Donahue has. People prefer the abrasive patriot that talks over people and always calls an ultra-right-winger in to balance the opinion of centrists to the wishy-washy liberal on what some conservatives call "PMSNBC" that is always complaining about something thought to be irrelevant. The Right scored another pop culture victory over the Left on Saturday night. They have been winning at the pop culture game for some time. I have been told that David Letterman is still making Clinton jokes and audiences are booing at Bush jokes. Although there are counter-examples, the prevailing paradigm is a conservative one. Is liberalism dead? Are liberals just conservatives without the American flag lapel pin? Maybe. If not, it seems like a lot of people think so. Lou Esparza can be reached at esparza@tuftsdaily.com.

The Setonian
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Consider merit scholarships

November 18

With last week's $5 million challenge grant to provide more financial aid to minority undergraduates, perhaps it is time for the Office of Financial Aid to begin thinking about offering merit awards to its most talented applicants and students. Unlike many schools, Tufts calculates financial awards based solely on the students' and parents' ability to pay (the only exception to this is a small award for National Merit finalists). While this ideally gives accepted students enough financial support to be able enroll here, it is often not without major personal sacrifices on the part of students and their families. The University expects all financial aid applicants to contribute a significant percentage of their summer earnings, if any, as well as to maintain a part-time job for the duration of their time on campus to help offset the cost of attendance. Although there is certainly nothing wrong with this expectation, its universal application may prevent the University from attracting high-caliber students that find more lucrative financial aid offers elsewhere. Additionally, using the donation to create merit scholarships would make the University more attractive to bright minority students. Merit-based scholarships can help provide additional aid that would reduce loan debt or the need to work at school. These are not small issues for high school seniors when choosing a school to attend; at Tufts, for example, it is not uncommon for loan borrowers to graduate with over $16,000 in debt. Of course, the ability to meet the minimal financial need of every student at Tufts must come before funds could be allocated for merit-based purposes. Given the state of today's economy and the skyrocketing growth of college tuition (which continues to outpace the national inflation rate), the strain on financial aid offices must be greater now than ever before. Nevertheless, the University is now investigating the implementation of a need-blind admissions policy, which would separate financial need from admissions decisions. The extra funding required to support such a policy would not make a merit-based scholarship system possible. Instead of jumping to need-blind admissions, it would be worthwhile for Tufts to examine which option would better increase the quality and diversity of the student body.

The Setonian
News

Goodbye, commercials

November 18

You've probably heard about TiVo _ a digital recording device (and service) available to replace the VCR. Considering the popularity of DVDs for prerecorded entertainment, TiVo is the recordable digital counterpart, allowing you to record shows and movies off of television without resorting to VHS tapes. And as TiVo allows viewers to fast-forward through commercials with ease, it may soon change the face of broadcast advertising. Sure, this is the same idea that sprang up with the introduction of the VCR, and the "revolution" never occurred. Some people started taping their favorite shows rather than sit through commercials, but most kept tuning in at the same time every week. This lack of change occurred more because of the hassle involved with taping a show than because of a fanatical devotion to seeing a given show at the scheduled time. Commercials aren't enough of a distraction to justify planning every program ahead of time. TiVo is not a mere digital VCR, however. It's as much a service as a product. It can record programs automatically every week, doesn't require tapes and allows for higher rewind and fast-forward speeds (think of the difference between VHS and DVD). The TiVo service isn't free _ you have to pay for it on top of the cost of the unit _ but it eliminates VCR-programming hassles. These small conveniences help make it a viable alternative to watching television the old-fashioned way. Even more promising: you can watch a show even as it's being recorded. Have TiVo record The Simpsons at 8. If you start watching ten minutes later, you can fast-forward through all the commercials and still finish at 8:30 like everyone else. Spend those ten minutes doing the dishes or reading the newspaper or (gasp!) talking to someone instead of watching the latest Burger King ad. TiVo turns television into an on-demand resource. Set your own schedule and skip everything you don't want to see. Think of the advantages for movies on television. You'll get more use than ever out of movie channels: Record a movie this week and watch it with your friends next week. Watch Mrs. Doubtfire on Fox and skip all the commercials. This is bad news for advertisers because they will lose their target viewers: young, upscale professionals _ those most likely to buy TiVo. This cash-heavy and spendthrift slice of the population won't see enough television advertisements to make the ads themselves worthwhile. Because given a real job with a real salary, a $200 box and a $13 per month service charge (TiVo's price) isn't all that much. Commercials won't die _ sports and news programs still demand live, to-the-minute content, and people will sit through ads in order to get that content. No Patriots fan will wait an extra hour each week before watching the game; his friends would know the final score before he would! Outside of live programs, however, commercials will have less impact all the time. What will happen to commercials as their natural audience dwindles? The basic method of advertising will have to change; advertising will have to merge with entertainment so that the two cannot be separated. First, product placement will become more important than ever. Sure, you see prominent cans of soda and new cars and expensive jewelry in movies today, but television advertising remains the primary tactic. If advertisers can't get you in between segments of shows, they'll find ways to get you during the show. It'll seem vulgar at first to see police officers munching on the new flavor of Doritos on NYPD Blue, but in time it could be as everyday as current commercials. People say that product placement is too blatant to be effective. I say it's a little less blatant than actual commercials, accepted even though they're nothing but short-films that serve as vehicles for advertisements. I agree that product placement can only go so far, however, and there are other new routes for marketers to take. The season premiere of Fox's 24 had no commercials at all, only bookend reminders that this "special presentation" was sponsored by Ford. This has been done before for such movies as Saving Private Ryan and Schindler's List, and I think it's a trend likely to continue as commercials reach fewer and fewer people. If viewers are going to skip the commercials anyway, why not skip them to begin with and make sure they know who did them the favor? Network television will become like HBO...only provided courtesy of Coca-Cola. BMW's marketing films foreshadow the most interesting possibility of all: full-scale sponsored entertainment. The car manufacturer has produced a variety of short films by Hollywood directors like Ang Lee, Guy Ritchie and Tony Scott, and put them up for free on the Internet (www.bmwfilms.com). These are sharp, sweet cinematic candy of the finest sort _ slick and fast and short enough to watch on any computer. The films' true stars, however, are invariably the cars. BMW has managed to draw millions of people in to watch BMW commercials voluntarily. This is the truest and purest direction of future advertising and entertainment. Rather than pay high rates for competitive timeslots on television, advertisers can sink their money into making actual entertainment designed around their products and turn a crass commercial venture into something respectable. Imagine the taglines: "A tense family drama from Reebok." "Budweiser's best comedy yet!" "Another gripping legal thriller from Hugo Boss." It sounds funny, but it makes good sense _ and companies like Nike have been making their commercials edgy and artistic for years. Why not just call it sponsored entertainment and be done with it? There's no need to deny the film's sponsorship; just make a good movie and let the good will it produces sell your products for you. Product placement wouldn't be obnoxious anymore; it'd just be in keeping with the theme of the movie or show. And no, I don't think this cheapens the artistic value of filmmaking. Movies and TV programs are made for the sake of profit already, yet artistic merit remains. Being brutally honest about where the film's funding comes from doesn't mean it can't say something worthwhile or at least entertain you for an afternoon.

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