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Angel in the centerfold

October 8

I was 14 and had just started my sophomore year in high school the first time I spent the night with a boy. After convincing my father that my friend's parents were on an abnormally long trip to the grocery store, I was left unsupervised in a house with my first real boyfriend. The house reeked of wet dog and urine, yet somehow I still expected every second to be magical. Had I known the "treat" that night had in store for me I would have worn a chastity belt and equipped my boyfriend with Chinese finger cuffs. Being fingered for the first time felt about as natural as stuffing a potato up my nostril, except that it sure as hell wasn't my nostril that was throbbing with pain. That night I learned that 14-year-old boys are not aware of the importance of the clitoris. My boyfriend was suffering from the common misconception that girls have orgasms if fingers are shoved up their un-lubricated vaginas. In early high school the clitoris was somewhat like Bermuda; everyone had heard of it, but no one actually knew where it was. It's understandable that most young men are uninformed about women's anatomy. What's inexcusable is that most young women are just as confused concerning their vaginas. I was lucky. My parents were very open with me about sex. I have always known I had a clitoris, where it is, and the importance of this organ. If my boyfriends were less enlightened, I would stop mid hook-up, draw a labeled diagram of the vagina, and then return to action. Sure I didn't always get the best reactions, but for the most part I always got off. My friend Brandy, on the other hand, who was 18 and had lost her virginity, and in a discussion about clitori said matter-of-factly "well, I just don't think I have one." I was appalled by how little my friends knew, and after examining the "educational" materials readily available to young women, I began to understand why. Hollywood would like to have us believe that the action of a man gallantly thrusting his penis into a woman is enough to leave her screaming in ecstasy. On the contrary, according to Dr. Ruth, a well-know sex therapist, only 1/3 of all women are able to reach orgasm through this action alone. Girls grow up watching movie sex believing that's what sex is like in real life. In reality, many of my friends were confused and disheartened because they weren't as ecstatic about the thrusting of their boyfriend's throbbing member. Many of my friends turned to popular women's magazines for sex advice. Glamour and Cosmopolitan boast cover stories like "Ten Ways to Please Your Man in Bed" or "Sex Tricks That Will Have Him Begging for More." Reading these titles one gets the impression that men are the ones suffering in the bedroom, on the kitchen table, and in the backseat of their Volvo station wagons. I refuse to believe that this is the case. The chances that a man fails to reach an orgasm are slim unless he is suffering from a sexual dysfunction, has had too much to drink, or is thoroughly spent. Popular magazines don't have sex columns giving women advice on how to make their own experiences more pleasurable or common misconceptions about the vagina. The only sex advice that we can expect adolescents to receive from the public school system is "just say no." Conveniently, this one slogan can be used for both drugs and sex. To some extent I agree with the abstinence campaign. The longer that girls put off intercourse, the more likely it is that their first experiences will be pleasurable ones. Oral and digital sex allow for exploration of the vaginal region. When intercourse is added into the equation, most of the exploration stops, as penises tend to gravitate towards moist, fleshy holes and overlook the surrounding areas. The chances of a woman having an orgasm after three minutes of intercourse are very low; and most of the men that young women are having sex with aren't going to be long distance runners. "Penises are straight forward," my friend Patrick used to say. "Vaginas should come with instruction manuals." Unfortunately, most of the sex instruction available to children comes from the media. As a result teens develop a very warped sense of female sexuality. If more accurate information was available, teens would be more prepared when vagina handling. Perhaps Hollywood could show a seventeen-year-old girl lying under her sweaty boyfriend looking bored and confused. Magazines could print articles about how to masturbate more successfully, and the government could change its stance from "just say no" to "just say clitoris." For answers to further questions, please contact me at tuftssex@hotmail.com.

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News

Admissions head Cuttino to leave at end of year

October 8

David Cuttino, the dean of undergraduate admissions, enrollment, and external affairs, will retire at the end of this academic year after 16 years in the position. During his years at Tufts, admission to the institution became increasingly competitive and joined the ranks of other elite universities. Cuttino called this year the "most convenient time" to vacate his position, based on other early retirements he has seen. "If I don't do it now, it's likely that I might not do it at all," he said. Dean of Arts and Sciences Susan Ernst and Dean of Engineering Ioannis Miaoulis recently notified administrators and faculty of Cuttino's decision via e-mail. A search committee for a replacement has not been established yet, although Ernst and Miaoulis are expected to head the effort. Cuttino has no specific post-retirement plans but wants to "explore other ways in which [he] can use [his] time and effort in support of some of the things [he is] curious about and interested in." He said he may venture into public service or education, two areas which interest him. The various choices he faces are similar to those that college students encounter, he said. "Part of this is really taking the time to explore some of those options, just in the same way that students here are thinking about what they're going to do when they leave the University," he said. Cuttino came to Tufts' admissions office in 1986 from Georgetown University. He decided to come to Tufts because he was excited to take part in a campaign of growth and development for the University's future, he said. "I'd been a part of that kind of development at Georgetown, and it was intriguing to think about being involved in the process of change and development at Tufts," he said. Admissions Officers at Tufts praised the work Cuttino has done for the University. He has "lots of ideas, he's very much a forward thinker," admissions officer Susan Ardizzoni said. "He's thinking about the future, and wants us to be sort of out there on the front lines of what's happening in the field of admissions." During Cuttino's tenure, Tufts steadily became more selective in choosing which students to admit. Over 14,000 applications were received for 1,285 spots in the class of 2006, representing more than an 84 percent increase since the late 1980s. In 1986, the average SAT score of incoming students was 1216, while this year's incoming freshman class heralded an average of 1336. The increase in both racial and geographic diversity among the student body has been the crowning achievement of Cuttino's career at Tufts. "He's worked very hard at making sure the incoming class is diverse," Ardizzoni said. Numbers of African-American, Hispanic, and Asian-American students rose dramatically over the past 20 years. International students now make up 7.5 percent of the enrollment, as opposed to 4.1 percent in 1985. "I think that [diversity] has been a goal for the members of the University community," Cuttino said. "We recognize that we're dealing with students who expect to become leaders in their field, recognized authorities. You don't do that by studying with people who come from the same perspective or same background." Cuttino was also active in establishing the Institute for Global Leadership, which now encompasses the Education for Public Inquiry and International Citizenship (EPIIC) program and the national high school Inquiry program. He also helped create the Institute for Leadership and International Perspective (TILIP) whose participants come from Tufts, Hong Kong and Beijing. Relationships built from TILIP's initiatives helped bring more Chinese and Hong Kong students to Tufts. The Dean also worked on developing Tufts' image across the country and the world. Tufts' recognition had long been limited to the Northeast, but Cuttino spread Tufts' name to high school students, teachers and guidance counselors. This "network" helps prospective students understand "some of the special characteristics of the University," and have "a clear recognition of the excellence of the students," Cuttino said. Cuttino's resignation follows a number of administrative changes over the past two years. President Larry Bacow took office last fall, replacing John DiBiaggio, and Jamshed Bharucha took over the position of Provost, formerly held by Sol Gittleman, this August. After the departure of former Vice President Mel Bernstein, who became Provost of Brandeis University, Bacow overhauled and streamlined the administrative system. As a result, many administrators are relatively new to their positions. But Cuttino does not think that the change in administration is a trend. "I think it was a different set of personal circumstances for those who were involved," he said. He called it a "very positive transition to excellent leaders" that will help Tufts in the future.

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News

A sad farewell, a proud Tufts

October 8

Tufts has long prided itself as an institution recognized globally for its diversity and well-roundedness in preparing critical thinkers and leaders of tomorrow. Over the years, our university has become increasingly selective, and admissions figures continue to reflect our positive reputation as a renowned academic establishment. One key figure instrumental to the enhancement of Tufts' growingly diverse and dynamic community will unfortunately be departing at the year's end. After over a decade of service to the University, Dean of Admissions David Cuttino will retire, yet his mark can surely not be forgotten. His efforts to create a diverse culture here at Tufts and to foster the growth of such well-known establishments as the Tufts Institute for Global Leadership and its programs, including EPIIC and TILIP, reflect his dedication and far-reaching visions for our school. Without such an influential force, Tufts would not be able to boast the figures in diversity, selectivity, and notability that we currently can. As students already enrolled at Tufts, the role and presence of the institution's admissions officers easily evades us as soon as letters of acceptance are in our hands. Yet Dean Cuttino's efforts in helping to shape and create the Tufts that we are proud of today deserve sound recognition and his departure will indeed leave yet another void that the school must work hard to fill at a time when sweeping administrative staff changes seem to be the norm.

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News

Jumbos look to straighten out up and down season against Trinity

October 8

With three consecutive NESCAC losses now sitting on their season's record, the Jumbos now look to Trinity to get back to their winning ways. "We want to beat a NESCAC opponent and keep our winning streak going," junior Andy Wood said. Despite starting the season with a hot 4-0 record, the Jumbos struggled with their conversions on goal, as they took 80 shots over their first four games that resulted in nine total points. Their inability to hit the net came to a confounding crescendo on homecoming weekend with a shut out loss to Bates on homecoming day and a 1-2 loss to Wesleyan the following day. Both defeats came as surprising heart breakers during a weekend when the Jumbos were expecting a sweep of their opponents. The two NESCAC losses dropped the Jumbos from sixth place in the national rankings to sixth place in their conference standings. Struggling to regain their composure, the team traveled to Brunswick, ME in an attempt to topple the top ranked Bowdoin Polar Bears. Once again the Jumbos fell to a conference opponent. Yet throughout the game, they displayed the strength they once possessed, playing perhaps their best game of the season. It was the second half that brought out the best of the squad as the Jumbos got themselves back into a game that was later stolen from them in a heartbreaking overtime. With a victory against Salve Regina yesterday, the Jumbos finally got themselves back into the win column. Paired with the competitive edge regained this past weekend, the Jumbos can only continue to produce their season's second winning streak. "Coming up for this weekend, Trinity is going to be big for us," senior tri-captain Matt MacGregor said. "We have to pick it up in practice this week. We have to win on Saturday." The task of creating a succession of victories will be harder for the Jumbos now than it was at the beginning of the season, as they face tougher opponents. The team's sizzling 4-0 start came against out of conference opponents Lasell and MIT along with NESCAC opponents Amherst and Conn. College _ two traditional basement dwellers. The Jumbos next four opponents include two teams that sit above them in the standings, 8-1 Williams and 4-2-1 Trinity. While these games will be tough, the heart of the schedule is important for Tufts to secure a high seed in the post-season playoffs. If the Jumbos are to continue their winning ways, they will need to improve their ability to convert on goal. Netting the ball has been the team's greatest weakness thus far this season. In the last two games the Jumbos have controlled the ball offensively, yet still struggled in scoring points. Taking 19 shots against Bowdoin with many close shots, the Jumbos finished the day with only one point on the board. The scoring woes continued as the Jumbos ammased only two goals yesterday despite taking 16 shots. Scoring against Trinity should present an interesting endeavor for the Jumbos, as the Bantams allowed their previous two opponents to score only one goal each _ yet allowed both Williams and Coast Guard to score six and five points respectively. Though the Jumbos have not traditionally dominated the Bantam defense, they have come out on top in their previous two match-ups 1-0.

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News

Hit or Miss

October 8

Rhett Miller The Instigator Elektra 4/5 In The Instigator, Old 97's frontman Rhett Miller glimpses at a personal underworld of emotion where things happen but nobody really sees them. Miller's talent for memorable songs has helped him achieve a rare balance between fun poppy lightness and love-struck earnestness. Miller with the help of producer and friend Jon Brion (who has worked with Fiona Apple and Aimee Mann) sets an outstanding and plaintive collection of wordplay within flawless melodies delivered with infectious energy. Interestingly enough, Miller seems able to render himself vulnerable only around the lively playfulness of the album. The had-edged, playful tracks "This is What I Do" and "Four-Eyed Girl" mask the pensive and melancholic yearn of the album's standout tracks, DeLillo- inspired "World Inside the World" and "Come Around," in which he ponders on whether he "[will be] lonely for the rest of [his] life." Rhett Miller's The Instigator arrives as a wholly personal statement of candor, yearning, and direct reflection. _ Ricardo Maldonado Sugarcult Start Static Ultimatum 4/5 Sugarcult has an aptly fitting band name, especially after the release of their latest effort, Start Static. I swear, certain tracks provide a better sugar buzz than a pint of Ben & Jerry's. And although in "Stuck in America" the group continually insists that "today I changed," the basic formula for their pop-punk songs does not. "Bouncing Off the Walls" shows the most radio-friendly promise, with a contagious beat that will embed itself in your brain and will undoubtedly cause uncontrollable humming or whistling. It's infectious... in a good way. Towards the end of the album Tim Pagnotta, the enthusiastic lead vocalist, even allows raw emotion to corrupt his smooth voice and it's certainly a refreshing change. The album progresses nicely, from basic pop to more passionate, indie rock near the end _ it's a natural maturation. The last, untitled track is a dramatic change of pace, with unexpected Dave Matthews Band influence intermingled with the group's short instrumental intro. Overall, the album is a solid effort, and definitely worth the investment... I, for one, am hooked. _ Michelle Foody Wilco Yankee Hotel Foxtrot Nonesuch 4.5/5 Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot subverts and reinvents today's cluttered genre of pop-rock as we know it. It wanders to its edge, and then cartwheels into a fuzzy nether region. Straying from its alt-country roots, the inventive band has recorded a beautifully eclectic album of cheerful pop and somber, cryptic tunes. "War on War" is a traditional '60s pop tune that incorporates distinct electronica elements. From the upbeat and cheerful "Kamera" to the somber and dark "Poor Places," the album is diverse enough to appeal to many musical tastes. The lyrics are often vivid, nonsensical compositions from the imagination of lead singer Jeff Tweedy. In "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart," Tweedy sings of "tongue-tied lightning" and "bible black predawn." Traditional guitar-drum arrangements are frequently complimented by beeps and other nontraditional sounds that lend a curious charm to the album. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is a welcome breath of fresh air. _ Milady Ortiz

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News

The Forgotten Refugees

October 8

Victor Balassiano keeps the record books for the last functional synagogue in Alexandria, Egypt. At the age of 62, he is the youngest Jew in a city that once had a Jewish population of 40,000. Today, there are only eight left. Balassiano doesn't tell people he is Jewish, trying to keep a low profile in a region where political tensions run high. Last year, his daughters moved to Boston to attend Northeastern University; he doubts they will ever return to Alexandria. In 1948, nearly 900,000 Jews lived in the Middle East and North Africa. The rise of Zionism and the birth of the state of Israel fanned the flames of Arab nationalism and sparked a backlash against Jews throughout the Middle East. Today, following decades of persecution and expulsion, with conditions disturbingly similar to pre-war Europe, 99 percent of these ancient Jewish communities no longer exist. In 1956, the Egyptian government used the Sinai Campaign as a pretext for expelling almost 25,000 Egyptian Jews and confiscating their property. Approximately 1,000 more Jews were sent to prisons and detention camps. On Nov. 23, 1956, a proclamation signed by the Minister of Religious Affairs declared that "all Jews are Zionists and enemies of the state," and promised that they would be soon expelled. Thousands of Jews were ordered to leave the country. They were allowed to take only one suitcase and a small sum of cash, and forced to sign declarations "donating" their property to the Egyptian government. The plight of the Jews in Egypt has been all too familiar for Jews throughout the region. In Algeria, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen, Jewish communities established as early as 586 B.C.E. have all but vanished. The conflict between Israel and the Arab states produced not one, but two refugee populations: Arabs from Palestine and Jews indigenous to countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Although considerable attention has been given to claims of Arabs displaced during Israel's 1948 War of Independence, the world has heard very little about the displacement and suffering of Jews from Arab lands. To gain a better understanding of the current situation in the Middle East requires a serious look at history. Although the Palestinian and Israeli narratives are considerably different, the fact remains that similar numbers of Jews and Arabs were displaced due to the war declared on Israel in 1948. Any final status agreement must seek justice for and compensate Jewish as well as Palestinian refugees. It is high time that this issue be included in any discussion of the Middle East. Emily Bernstein is a senior majoring in clinical psychology. Andy Leitner is also a senior, majoring in biology.

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News

Tickling the ivories

October 8

The musical hub that is Alumnae Lounge will come alive for two nights this week with performances by two respected Boston area pianists. Donald Berman will grace the recital hall tomorrow evening at 8 p.m. Berman is an adjunct faculty member who co-directs the New Music Ensemble (NME) at Tufts along with music department chair John McDonald. Berman's performance will be a preview of his own upcoming Carnegie Hall recital, which will occur on Oct. 16. The other pianist, Paul Carlson, is a Boston area musician with a private studio in Arlington, Massachusetts. He will be performing on Friday, Oct. 11, also at 8pm in Alumnae Hall. The event will serve to expose the community to works by modern composers and artists. As a composer himself, McDonald says he is committed to the performance of new music, which he brings directly to Tufts students through his work with NME. Berman's program tomorrow and at Carnegie Hall consists entirely of music written by Rome Prize Winners. While enjoying a residency at the American Academy in Rome, Berman selected music composed by Americans at the Academy. The series is called "Americans in Rome" and features music by ten composers dating from 1928-1929. Carlson's invite to Tufts came about because of her personal friendship with McDonald, who he met two years ago at a lecture. Since then, the two have been frequent guests at each others' programs; Carlson invited McDonald to speak at the music club that he co-directs in Lexington. While Carlson has an interest in performing 19th century pieces _ like Don Berman _ he also has a keen interest in new music, as well as an interest in playing music composed by people with whom he is acquainted. McDonald therefore agreed to compose an introductory piece to the Sonata, entitled "Partial Resetting." He also added to Carlson's program works by Kirchner and Valen, also 1850s composers whose pieces are similar Brahms' in their serene tone. The Tufts Music Department usually has four guest artist events every month, and will often invite guest artists to play with the recitals. For more information about this week's featured performers, see www.tufts.edu/as/music.

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News

Athletics have 'comfortable' role on campus

October 8

In larger schools, athletics are priority number one. Coaches court students and those most sought after receive athletic scholarships and assurances of athletic glory. At Tufts, however, the story is not quite the same; but the athletics program is content with its position beneath academics and is confident that its merit still is valued. "There is a proper role for sports to fill," Athletic Director Bill Gehling said. "Sports can get out of context. I'm very comfortable with our place on campus now, I think we have it right." The annual budget for the athletics program is one to two percent of the overall Arts and Sciences budget of $230 million. This money is spent on salaries and other direct expenditures such as equipment costs. Any additional expenses are paid through fundraising. The athletics budget is decided along with the rest of the Arts and Sciences budget. "As with any budget, there is always a need to make sure the budget reflects academic priorities," Executive Administrative Dean of Finance Wayne Bouchard said. "There is always budget pressure," he said. "I would have to say that whenever we have a budget challenge, we always revisit priorities and athletics are part of that _ but there is no discussion about cutting athletics' budget." The small percentage that athletics does get from the budget is adequate, says Gehling. "I fully understand that the University has priorities," he said. "I don't feel that we aren't valued here. I feel we are treated with respect." The construction of the new Gantcher Athletic Center is an example of sports fundraising in action. Former athletes and parents of current athletes along with the contribution of Tufts Trustee Nathan Gantcher, played an integral role in raising the necessary nine million dollars for the Center, which houses an array of indoor tennis courts and a state-of-the-art indoor track. The University's role in Athletic Department construction projects is to help by "closing the gap" for funding, Bouchard said. Because Tufts provides no athletic scholarships, the general budget does not earmark any specific money for athletics either. Instead, the process of choosing prospective athletes is similar to what most other applying students go through. Coaches do, however, alert admissions to prospective students they are interested in seeing attend the University. "Each coach will let us know who their hot prospects are," Assistant Director of Admissions David Brunk said. "We will look at them closely, and for very qualified and really talented athletes this can certainly help them in the admissions process." But athletes are under the same scrutiny as any other student, Brunk said. "We don't admit any unqualified athletes, just like we don't admit any unqualified legacies or staff kids," he said. "We'll just look at them as a little more qualified." Less than one percent of athletes get special consideration overall, according to Brunk. Tufts is looking for a balanced and diverse group of students and athletes play a part of that diversity, Gehling and Bouchard agreed. The University depends on athletes as well because of their role in fundraising campaigns after they graduate. The development office has not yet gathered data that shows that Tufts athletes support the University more in alumni donations, but there is anecdotal evidence. "We do find that alumni that became members of affinity groups support more often and more generously," Senior Director of Development Gary Lowe said. "Our numerous athletics teams are an example of that." And though Tufts might not have the spirit of a Division I school, those involved with athletics herald their contribution to the feeling of community. "As the community becomes more diverse, the question is how do we unify amidst diversity while celebrating it," Gehling said. "Athletics teams can do that for participants as well as the entire community."

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News

Former US senator denounces war to Tufts audience

October 8

Former US senator Dale Bumpers denounced President George Bush's promotion of military action against Iraq and discussed the undercurrents driving other policy debates in the nation's capitol during a speech on at Tufts on Monday. Amongst discussion of issues such as terrorism, Iraq, and the environment, Bumpers, a Democrat who represented Arkansas in Washington from 1975 until 1999, told students and faculty that he will have a hard time "going to bed every night knowing that three billion people around the world hate us." Public support for the President on the Iraqi issue, Bumpers said, is based on the idea that he has access to classified information that is pivotal to the Iraqi situation. "I believe that the country supports the president because they think he knows something they don't," he said. "He doesn't know much of anything." "Bush wants war and a regime change; he wants Saddam out." Bumpers, a former World War II Marine sergeant and two-term governor of Arkansas, has been celebrated for his ardent activism against wasteful military programs and his dedication to the protection of America's natural habitats. Tufts' International Environment and Resource Policy Program (IERPP) sponsored his speech, which was hosted at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and entitled "Power on the Potomac: Global Savior or Global Scourge?" The visit was organized by William Moomaw, a professor at Fletcher who worked with Bumpers while he was a senator. "I think many students are cynical about politics and politicians," Moomaw said when explaining the decision to invite Bumpers to Tufts. "I wanted to show the Tufts community a refreshing look on politics. Dale Bumpers has a lot of integrity and a strong moral compass. He follows his inner sense and only votes with his conscious." Moomaw referred to Bumper's voting record, which included support for returning the Panama Canal. He was the only senator from the South who voted for the measure. Although Bumpers is acclaimed mainly for his environmental advocacy and legislation, the former senator spoke extensively on the current situation in Iraq. Bumpers does not see the proliferation of nuclear weapons in Iraq as an immediate threat to US security. "If Saddam [Hussein] has or can get nuclear weapons, he won't be able to deliver them" because he lacks the means to do so, the former senator said. Delving into war with Iraq with only the support of Great Britain will leave the US more vulnerable than it is presently, Bumpers said. Hussein will only "cut a deal with al Qaeda... if it means that the nuclear weapons will be used against Israel," the enemy of the Middle East, he said. "If he has not done it yet, what makes the president think he will make a deal now?" Iraqi oil is no longer essential to the US, Bumpers said, therefore "no longer a valid reason for war." Much of US oil now comes from Venezuela, Mexico, and Russia, according to the former senator. Democratic senators were reluctant to go against the president and take a harder stance on Iraq because of their concerns about reelection and maintaining a senate majority, Bumpers believes. "I am reluctant to say this, but if the election had been 30 days ago I think there would be a very different vote." Amidst rising unemployment rates and increasing poverty within the US, Bumpers questioned the government's concentration on military spending. "When I was in the Senate, I thought we were spending too much on defense, and now we are spending more than ever," he said. Bumpers emphasized the increase in poverty rates over the last year, during which 1.2 million more people have fallen below the poverty line. "Forty-three million people are without health insurance, and the government is spending its money on the military," he said, expressing his concern about the $50 billion increase in the 2003 budget. Bumpers also addressed Bush's environmental policy. "We consider ourselves the moral leaders of the world, yet the president is the one that is destroying it," he said. Bumpers voiced displeasure with Bush's order to increase logging, his reversal of President Clinton's Antiquity Act to save national parks and forests, and his rejection of vehicle fuel efficiency laws. The former senator served on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and as chairman of the Parks and Public Lands Subcommittee.

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News

The need for a collective Israeli-Palestinian voice

October 8

This viewpoint is in response to the viewpoint "Reassessing the Palestinian voice" by Reem Assil that was printed in the Sept. 30 issue of the Daily, and viewpoints by Ilan Behm in previous weeks. Wow... "Genocide, ethnic cleansing, displacement and assassinations..." Those are pretty strong accusations against a country that was built by Holocaust survivors, a country that sent aid to Kosovars, and a country that assisted the Tutsis in Rwanda while the world stood by. To be honest, I don't know what ends Ms. Assil seeks to achieve by making claims which I find offensive in the name of being pro- Palestinian. Comments such as these do nothing to further peace and understanding; rather they alienate, inflame, and bring us farther away from our mutual objective of peaceful coexistence. With some 600 Israelis and 1500 Palestinians killed, I'm really not sure at what point we on the Zionist side of things get to employ the politically profitable claims of genocide and ethnic cleansing. Ms. Assil rightfully takes offense at the comments espoused by Ilan Behm in previous viewpoints. Mr. Behm's viewpoints express a belligerent point of view. I know that some of the Tufts community is offended and angered by the accusations in Behm's viewpoints, and I am writing this viewpoint in large part to publicly condemn such notions of "not trusting Arabs to maintain holy sites." As happens with most viewpoints, this one misses the opportunity to improve the plight of the Israelis and Palestinians. Just as Hanan Ashrawi emerged from a leadership vacuum as a visible spokeswoman who eloquently explained the Palestinian situation to the rest of the world, it is time for us at Tufts who represent the new generation of leaders to come out with new, progressive ideas. Many Israeli academics, politicians, and common citizens are vociferously condemning the occupation and policies of Sharon's government. So too it's time for new Palestinian and Arab voices to emerge. For example, in addition to debate on policy I would be charmed to hear new Arab voices condemning the broadcast of sermons like this on official Palestinian Authority (PA) television: "The Jews are Jews, whether Labor or Likud... They do not have any moderates or any advocates of peace. They are all liars... Oh brother believers, the criminals, the terrorists are the Jews, who have butchered our children, orphaned them, widowed our women and desecrated our holy places and sacred sites. They are the terrorists. They are the ones who must be butchered and killed, as Allah the Almighty said: 'Fight them: Allah will torture them at your hands, and will humiliate them and will help you to overcome them, and will relieve the minds of the believers'... The cost and the dowry of this bride, the dowry of this paradise, is that we fight in the path of Allah, and kill and be killed." Time and time again we hear that this conflict will not be solved without concessions on both sides. Now is the time for Arab leaders on our campus to denounce unproductive PA policies, acknowledge Arafat's corruption and disregard for Palestinian interests, and finally stop referring to suicide bombers as "terrorists" in quotation marks. I've shown the chutzpah to get up and publicly admonish Palestinians and Israelis who make unproductive accusations. Where's your chutzpah? Aaron Markowitz-Shulman is a sophomore majoring in International Relations.

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News

Varying leg workouts can be beneficial

October 8

What is the best exercise to do for legs? I have been relying mostly on presses, curls, and extensions for legs. Am I shortchanging my workout by only doing those three? For starters, doing the same exercises every workout will definitely shortchange your development, even if your form is flawless and your diet and recovery patterns are optimal. One of the most important aspects of any successful strength and mass gaining program is variation. This concept applies to any muscle group you are working, as well as any and all fitness goals you may have. Your body is incredibly adaptive, and will quickly get used to a given exercise regimen. This is evident by the plateaus that many athletes and weightlifters face every so often. Therefore, you should definitely mix up your leg workouts. For example, try doing some weighted lunges, stiff-legged deadlifts, or hack squats (if a machine is available). As far as the "best exercise" for legs, in my opinion, it would certainly be free weight squats. This is a compound power movement that incorporates a myriad of muscles in the body; from your quads and glutes (which are the primary movers in the movement) to your lower back upper-body stabilizers. Proper form, however, on this exercise is a little bit difficult, so I will take a minute to describe it. The motion for a squat is relatively simple: just bend at the knees until the thighs are parallel to the floor (any lower puts too much stress on the knee joint), and press up through your heels to the starting position. Never lock your knees during the movement, and always keep your lower back straight and tight. Do the exercise slowly and avoid bouncing at all times. As you are going through the eccentric portion of the motion (lowering the weight), breathe in slowly. Exhale forcefully as you press the weight up in the concentric phase (lifting the weight). Look straight ahead or slightly up, but make sure your neck is stable during the movement. There are a number of rookie mistakes that people will commonly make when trying to do squats for the first time. Sometimes, due to a lack of flexibility in the legs, a person's heels will inadvertently come off the ground. A way to correct this is to stick your butt out and concentrating on "sitting down" as you lower the weight; that is, try to imagine yourself sitting down slowly on a chair, distributing the weight to the ground through your heels. Leaning forward too much can be another problem. This can also cause your heels to come up, but the main problem with this mistake is the stress it places on your lower back. As you bend, try to keep your lower back as tight and straight as possible. If this continues to be a problem, you might want to invest in a weight belt, just until you get the form down. The most common problem I see, however, is when people do this exercise in a partial range of motion. I am sure we've all seen the guy who puts four plates on each side of the bar, only to break his knees and go down maybe a quarter of the way, screaming as he completes a "rep." The squat is maximally effective (recruits the most muscle fibers) when you go all the way down (to 90 degrees). If the weight is too heavy to go all the way down to 90, then reduce it. Form is always more important than the amount of weight you can move. That said, if you incorporate squats, along with a few of the other exercises mentioned for legs, your workouts should be more effective for strength/mass increasing. And remember: if you find yourself at a plateau, just mix it up; variation is crucial. I do reverse-wrist curls for the outside of my forearms, but I just can't get the burn that I want. I do four sets for fifteen reps, but it hasn't helped. Any suggestions? Here is a simple and effective set and reps strategy. Take a moderately heavy barbell (say 50 lbs for the sake of argument). Do as many reverse-wrist curls as you can. Quickly drop the bar and grab the 40lb one. Rep until failure again. At this point, your arms should be feeling a pretty significant burn. Immediately after failure, take the 30lb bar and, again, go to failure. If you can stand the pain, after failure grab the 20lb bar and rep out as many as you can. Rest a few minutes, and do it again. This drop range is sure to get the fire going in your forearms, and it only takes two sets.

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News

TUPA continues negotiations for salary increase

October 8

In the 16 months since the Tufts University Police Association's (TUPA) contract with the University expired, negotiations about a new contract have produced progress, but few results. Both sides, however, remain confident that the issue will soon be resolved. Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) officers are negotiating with the University for higher salaries which they say are consistent with their level of training, qualifications, reputation, and the salaries of officers serving at other local university police departments. The previous contract between the University and the TUPA expired on June 30, 2001. The two sides have made several offers and counter-offers since then, but have failed to reach an agreement. The 14-year-old TUPA has adopted "Five is fair" as its catch phrase and rallying cry, referring to its request for a five-percent pay increase each year. TUPD officers want the annual raise to be enshrined in a three-year contract. But the University has only proposed a three-and-a-half percent salary increase per year, according to John King, director of Tufts' department of Public and Environmental Safety. The negotiating team recently met with the union and offered salary incentives in addition to the proposed rate of increase, but the proposal was rejected, King said. Officers serving at other Boston-area universities such as Harvard, MIT, Boston University, and Boston College all earn significantly higher salaries than police officers at Tufts, according to TUPA's website, and this has been a bargaining point for TUPD officers. A Boston College officer earns the lowest salary of the officers at these institutions, but still seven percent more than a member of the TUPD. Boston University police officers earn the most of officers at the four universities, with a salary 16 percent higher than that of a Tufts officer. Although TUPD officers recognize the difference in the size of the campuses of the universities mentioned on the website, Officer Sean Donlon, the president of TUPA, said they all of the universities have similar police departments. TUPD officers have been trained in the use of firearms, CPR, and other techniques, and have undergone First Responder certification. According to Donlon, Tufts officers "are of the same quality with the same training" as sheriffs in Middlesex and Suffolk counties. "Even the money we're asking for won't bring us to those other college levels, but we want to at least stay in the ballpark," he said. Both the University and TUPA have their own views of what they feel is fair, but the police believe it has submitted a relatively modest proposal, Donlon said. "We feel we should get a little more. We know that the University has a commitment to the budget, but we don't feel we're asking for too much," he said. Inevitably, it is unlikely the ultimate contract decisions will completely satisfy both sides, "but I don't see it as a fighting issue," Donlon said. "I see it as something that has to be worked out, that both sides can be as happy with as possible." Educational incentives are currently built into TUPD officer salaries. On a per hour scale, an officer with an associate's degree in criminal justice receives an additional 25 cents per hour, 50 cents more with a bachelor's degree, and 75 cents more with a master's. These types of incentives are unusual, King said. "That is important to understand when you look at graphs comparing our officers with those of other universities." The University's negotiating team is expected to submit another proposal, at which time the executive board of the TUPA will determine whether or not they think the offer will be passed by a general union vote. If the proposal is voted on and passed, it will be signed. "Hopefully this is not too far down the road," Donlon said. Even with the current involvement of an outside mediator, the talks remain stalled. Although both sides seem willing to give a little, neither has proved to budge that final step. At one point, the University went against the mediator's advice and offered extra incentives, but the union rejected the offer anyway. The sides do agree, however, on the intrinsic value of TUPD. "We're getting a lot of recognition from people inside and outside of the University," said Donlon. But, he said, TUPD hopes the University will give it "a little bit more recognition." While contract negotiations sometimes produce a speedy resolution, it is not unusual for the process to take a long time, said King, the director of Public and Environmental Safety. "The important thing is that the department is continuing to do a great job. I'm hopeful that we'll be able to reach an agreement in the near future."

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News

This Bud's for you, Selig

October 7

Actually, Buddy Boy you might need more than a 12-ouncer of Milwaukee's Best after watching the first round of the American League playoffs. But a couple handles of Vodka mixed with a few valiums might do the trick. That's right Mr. Selig _ the Minnesota Twins, the Anaheim Angles and the Oakland A's delivered you a virtual flick of the middle finger when they qualified for the playoffs. Let's be honest, this was just another blip on the radar screen. Your life was already terrible. Your team, the Milwaukee Brewers, tied for the most losses in Major League Baseball (106), you recently fired your manager. You recently accepted the resignation of the team president (who happened to be your daughter), you got booed at your own home ball park in July when you announced that the all-star game would end in a tie. And despite having a brand new ballpark, according to The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, your attendance fell 30 percent from 2001. In 2001, the Brewers set a club record in attendance with 2,811,040, but in 2002 that number dropped by almost 1,000,000 as only 1,969,153 people made it to the stadium. This figures amount to an approximately $21 million loss in revenue, but I'm sure you already knew that. Oh yeah, and that new state of the art ballpark of yours with the retractable roof, leaks, creaks and vibrates. Additionally, your Milwaukee Brewers have not had a winning season since 1992. After suffering through 106 losses this year, they became the only team to have a losing record every season for the past decade and the only team that existed 20 years ago that hasn't made the playoffs since then. Making matters worse the fact that you are also commissioner of the laughing stock of professional sports, Major League Baseball. I almost forgot _ after your daughter, Wendy Selig-Prieb, resigned as team president, you replaced her with your buddy Ulice Payne, whose last name seems fitting because it sums up the team's history (read: painful). Despite a distinguished background (he is a former state securities commissioner and a member of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and on the board of directors of Journal Communications Inc., which publishes the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel), Payne(fuls)' only baseball related experience came in 1978 when he threw at the first pitch on Brewers' Opening Day. Payne(ful) earned that honor after he helped guide Marquette to the NCAA College Championship the year before. Earth to Bud _ you hired a basketball player to direct your baseball franchise. While you, Commissioner Buddy Boy Selig, have been one of the biggest cry babies in the labor disputes over the past few years, claiming that a small market team _ like your beloved Brewers _ cannot compete with teams like the big bad New York Yankees, your fellow small market teams have been turned into contenders. All you have to do is take a look at the American League playoffs to realize that small market teams CAN compete _ assuming of course that the organization has a competent leader and a clear organizational philosophy. Mr. Selig, just to let you know hiring your daughter and then firing her and replacing her with a basketball player doesn't count as a sound organizational philosophy, unless of course you are trying to break the 1962 Mets' all-time mark for losses in a season (120). On second thought, by hiring Payne(ful), perhaps, you were onto something. Maybe you are thinking big picture. You realize that the Brewers are going no where, but you also know that if things get bad enough, you can contract them and collect a cool $120 million from the other owners. Maybe, the solution is to hire former basketball stars turned middle aged businessman. Pay Larry Bird to play right field, Charles Barkley to play first base and throw Magic Johnson behind the plate and you will be well on your way toward 120 losses. Just think of it this way, after dropping 106 this year you only have 15 more to go _ it could happen. With your luck, however, even if you were trying to lose, the Brewers probably wouldn't lose as many games as you wanted them to, even with over 900 pounds of former basketball greats in your starting lineup. Enough about the Dream Team for a second, Buddy, and back to the big problem staring you right in your ugly face. Three small market teams qualified for the AL postseason, including the Minnesota Twins, who you tried to contract them last offseason. This is your worst nightmare. How, can you, the man who asks friends and foes alike to call him Bud, justify bitching about competitive balance when small market teams are tearing up the league? Your life became even worse this weekend when the upstart Angels played out a real life version of Angels in the Outfield as they slew the heavily favored Yankees just as David killed Goliath centuries before. After Game 4 of the series, when the Yankee dynasty came crumbling down my roommate, a die hard Red Sox fan, fixed himself a white Russian. "I made myself a White Russian, as strong as Troy Percival's right arm and as sweet as Derek Jeter's tears." While my roommate was beside himself, tossing back alcoholic beverages and celebrating the Yankees loss, as if his own sorry Red Sox (see 1918) had won the World Series, I thought to myself this is just sad. And, when I was feeling bad for my roommate and Red Sox fans alike it dawned on me _ you, Bud Selig, were probably in your office at Miller Park with a .44 in your hand pondering whether or not the Brewers could be winners in heaven. Bud it may seem like I am telling you that its time to end things and move on to heaven. But to be honest, sir, I'm not doing that, and even if I were, the likelihood that God and his friends would accept you, after all the damage you have caused, is dubious at best. I am, however, encouraging you to move on to another phase of life. Let the Notorious B.I.G.'s words guide you, "Get a grip mother (expletive)." The only way for you to do that is to go back to a simpler time. It's time to go back to days long ago, in that tacky little used car dealership where it all began. Get out of baseball Bud, do yourself and everyone else a favor. You are not a baseball commissioner, nor a baseball owner, nor a baseball player, and at times it's unclear if you are even a baseball fan.

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News

Students stress unity on Coming Out Day

October 7

The Tufts Transgender, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Collective (TTLGBC) celebrated National Coming Out Day yesterday with a festive and rainbow-themed rally on the Campus Center Patio, followed by a reception at Hillel. The rally featured various speakers who spoke in support of promoting Tufts as a tolerant and non-divisive campus. Many also spoke of their own personal experiences with coming out. One purpose of the event is to have a visible demonstration of the resources available to those who are uncomfortable or scared about the idea of coming out, according to TTLGBC co-coordinators Stacy Ulrich and Jonah Keough, who organized the event. Among the speakers were Chemistry Professor Chris Morse, who explained that as an undergraduate student, he was "just a big frat boy." Once he got attended graduate school at MIT Morse said he went through a confused two-year phase in which he questioned his sexuality. It was then that he realized that he was homosexual. "You can see me wearing my rainbow necklace," Morse said, pointing to his neckline. "I started wearing this at MIT." University President Larry Bacow spoke about the importance of creating a supportive environment for those questioning their sexuality at Tufts. "We are not perfect, but we strive to be better, and that is what today is all about," he said. The audience numbered about 50 people, including a number of professors and University officials. Attendees were receptive, and they laughed at and applauded the speakers' frequent jokes. English Professor Jonathan Strong addressed the supposed divisiveness of Tufts' cultural groups, calling this phenomenon "a big lie around campus." The only thing splintering the Tufts community, Strong said, is intolerance. "Who is dividing who? Who is doing the splintering?" Strong asked the audience. The event delved into the topic of religion and homosexuality though speeches by the various University religious personnel. University Chaplain Reverend David O'Leary, a Catholic priest, spoke about his religion's historic disapproval of homosexuality. He read passages from recent Catholic writings that support the homosexual members of the church. "Lesbian, gay, [and] transsexual orientation is not wrong and it is not evil," O'Leary said. "Let us make Tufts University a family and a community where dignity, tolerance and respect are not just words, but a loved reality." Rabbi Jeffrey Summit told the audience that God is about bringing people together, not pushing them apart. Referring to the Book of Genesis, he said all people _ not just some _ were created in God's image. "Be who you are," Summit said. "God made people in wonderful different ways. Celebrate that." Other speakers invoked personal and unconventional choices that they have made. "Courage is the power to let go of the familiar," Jodie Nealley, the Director of Student Activities, said. Nealley discussed the ways in which she has personally let go of the familiar, including holding a marriage ceremony with her partner, using in vitro fertilization to conceive a son, and then legally adopting her son with her partner. Nealley said that she feels privileged to live in a state where all of those things are possible. Michelle Bowdler, director of Health Services, also spoke of her experience with her own partner and son. She had difficulties in coming out, she said, and sometimes she still is not sure how to handle certain situations. At her son's "Back to School Night," she and her partner left a note for their son but were unsure whether to sign, "Love, your moms." Nonetheless, "I couldn't be prouder of who I am and of my family," Bowdler said. Members of the cultural centers and the counseling center also spoke in support of a united community at Tufts. Ulrich jokingly described her coming out experience during her freshman year. She rarely got dressed up and blow-dried her hair, she said, but she made exceptions on Coming Out Day and sorority rush. The latter "didn't go as planned," Ulrich said. Addressing members of the audience who were nervous or frightened, Ulrich said, "If anyone needs a hug, come on up here and I'll give you one." After the speakers were finished, the microphone was opened up to the audience. Sophomore Leah Knobler seized the opportunity and told the assembled crowd just how much the TTGLBC support on Coming Out Day had helped her to come out. "Last year on Coming Out Day, I made up any excuse I could to go to the campus center just so I could listen to the speakers," Knobler said. "I asked all my friends if they wanted to go to Jumbo Express.... Last year at this time, I was a completely different person."

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News

Got Bamboo?

October 7

Members of Tufts oldest a capella group have teamed up again to offer an oustanding compilation of a capella tunes. In the group's latest album, Bamboo, the songs capture the Mates distinctive sound, yet bear a passionate allegiance to the original versions. The members of Tufts oldest coed a capella group have imbued their renditions with harmonious energy and an amazing blend. And at its very best, the album remains delightful and solid, and will likely reap the many awards bestowed on the group's previous compilation, Juice. Bamboo _ named after a secret incident that occurred on the Mates Spring Break 2001 tour _ displays an earnest openness outside purely technical elements. According to the Amalgamates, the album does not contain "slights of hand, or fancy tricks." Every aspect of Bamboo, they say, comes "from the hearts and voices" of each member. The album not only offers the listener a wholly vocal experience, but it suggests that a pleasurable listening experience results not from technical twitches, but from direct connections with each performer. Indeed, the soloists are strong across the board. A warm combination of sounds makes the Amalgamates' female block especially noteworthy. The album begins with a potent interpretation of "Killing Me Softly," as performed by the Fugees. Becky Rubin's controlled but powerful vocal display _perhaps the best in the group_ rivals that of Lauryn Hill's. Rubin's cover of "I'm Your Baby Tonight" on their last album won the group an award for best mixed college soloist from the Recorded A Cappella Review Board in 2001. Bamboo also contains equally complex and textured displays: from Brian Quirk's cool and tender interpretation of Van Morrison's "Crazy Love," to the playful version of DJ Jazzy Jeff's and the Fresh Prince's "Summertime." Other noteworthy performances include Nathalie Wade's passionate "Why," Colin Simson's thoughtful "3 Libras," Maggie Beiser's "I Wanna Be With You," and Adam Pulver's remarkable rendition of "Don't Dream It's Over." The album does contain a few misses, mainly in which some soloists fail to communicate the force of the musical arrangement. Yet in those instances, the Amalgamates expertly employ the vocal lure of the background singers. In "Get Gone," Jessica Sutton's solo is not as stunningly deep as Fiona Apple's original version. But with Lisa Jacobs' arrangement, the soloist suddenly seems to be stepping gingerly from lyric to lyric. The Amalgamates worked with several sound engineers in creating Bamboo. Senior Lisa Jacobs and Mate alum Eric Tjonahen (LA'02) worked with the engineers on mixing and some technical aspects. Jacobs and Tjonahen produced the album along with Adam Pulver. The final product clearly emphasizes the nuances of each of the performers. Interestingly enough, all of the solos seem to arise in collaboration with the arrangements of each song. The vocal power of each Amalgamate member, and the melodious, sincere, and heartfelt energy of Bamboo make this a great album.

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News

Ousting Arafat

October 7

This viewpoint is in response to "Reassessing the Palestinian voice," by Reem Assil (Sept 30). I thank the author for a very thoughtful articulation of the difference between the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people. I also agree that much of Sharon's response is no longer business, but personal. Can Arafat's recently terminated isolation really be called a legitimate military exercise? In that context, I think an appropriate question is if a leader of the Palestinian people can expect to be held accountable by Israel for actions of militants who may or may not be under this leader's control, and if that accountability manifests itself in isolation, demonization, confinement, etc., who would want the job? Regarding Arafat, I think that even most Palestinians would agree that he has supported terrorists (martyrdom operations, "defense," whatever one wishes to call them). He has done this directly and indirectly, and has supported attacks on non-combatant Israeli citizens both within Israel and within the West Bank. In that context, and I would hope that the Palestinian people understand this, I do not see how Sharon, Shimon Peres, President Bush, Colin Powell, or Ronald McDonald would ever consent to making the peace with him. If one dreams of another historic handshake, including Arafat on the cover of Time Magazine, I recommend a week in rehab or another Tylenol PM. How on earth do we get rid of this guy? And I don't ask this because I don't like him; I ask this because I no longer think he's effective. Who is going to do it? Behind door number one, the Israelis! Bring in the tanks! Surround the compound! Shackle the guy! Cart him off the Cyprus! Sound a little politically infeasible to you? How about the option behind door number two? No, sorry, not the Russians. That's right, you guessed it: the Palestinians are going to have to do it themselves. I suggest armed insurrection. The Palestinians seem to have enough weaponry to attack Israeli settlements and soldiers. But barring that, demonstrations demanding his ousting might be a good start. How do we get someone to want the "job," as discussed above? Break the links to the past that haunts the Israelis. Eliminate the term "terrorist" from descriptions of the Palestinian leader. I would suggest that "ineffectual nothing" is a far superior title than "terrorist" with respect to creating an environment where negotiations might start. This view on responsibility may be unfair. But the problem with blaming Sharon is that the Israelis can and will replace him if popular sentiment demands it. There's a mechanism there called democracy and his job is permanently temporary. The same cannot be said of Arafat. So the Palestinians are going to have to get their hands dirty, and create that mechanism, through force if necessary, in the face of incredible adversity. The world is not going to solve their leadership problems. Get rid of Arafat; bring forward another leader, and if Sharon does not respond, the term "vote of no confidence" comes to mind. The people of Israel, and their moneyed backers in the United States, will take care of Sharon. If I were still on campus, I'd likely accept my fair share of stink eye from Palestinians for this piece. But for the love of Adonai, Allah, or by whatever name one calls God, I implore the Palestinians to get off their butts, stop complaining, and use their voice. Surely the world media will use its muscle to broadcast that voice worldwide. Use it to say, "Have a nice time in retirement."

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News

Open dialogue necessary

October 7

The protest against a war with Iraq yesterday was true to its intentions, bringing together concerned students and faculty in a vocal display questioning the intentions of the country's leadership as it appears headed for yet another war. But while the event may have bolstered support from those already involved in the Coalition (not to be confused with any other coalitions), the rally mainly involved preaching to the choir. Of course, political activism is always preferable to general apathy, and protests against war have a particularly important history in America. It is both unwise and dangerous not to question one's government, especially with such a major issue at hand. And maybe the demonstration yesterday managed to capture the interest of a few students unassociated with the cause. But if the library protest is the coalition's only significant effort, it will ultimately fail in its purpose. Campus demonstrations often run the risk of being ignored because they appear too liberal, or because they typically consist of the same cast of characters. More aware students should easily have placed activist figureheads like Liz Ammons and Gary Leupp at yesterday's event, as they are never far from any type of protest at Tufts. The chanting and marching on the quad was eye-catching, but a necessary follow-up should be for the discussion to be taken into an academic setting. The more diverse classroom atmosphere is unarguably a better place for a real exchange of ideas, whereas Coalition events tend to exclude those who disagree. Professors also shouldn't be afraid of expressing their own opinions in class, so long as they welcome opposing viewpoints. The Coalition is to be applauded for initiating a campus dialogue, but further exploration of the Iraq issue must be conducted with open minds and a recognition that disagreement is healthy.

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News

On strike

October 7

The current janitorial strike in Boston is, in part, a direct result of the efforts put forth by workers and students at Tufts and Harvard. Without the progress gained on our campus and at Harvard, we would not be at the historical point in which we find ourselves today. Student support has been crucial throughout this campaign, and now is not the time to distance ourselves. The Service Employee International Union (SEIU) Local 254 is at it again. Nearly two thousand janitors are on strike in Boston demanding higher wages and health benefits of their custodial employers-most are employed by UNICCO. They have been on strike for over a week after negotiations between the union and UNICCO management broke down. But how did this happen? Where did it come from? It didn't just fall out of the sky. Several years ago the janitorial staff that worked at Tufts were direct employees of the university and received a decent salary. Then, following a national trend among universities, Tufts decided that they would fire their janitorial staff, hire a cleaning company to manage the work, and have them rehire the same janitors at a significantly lower wage. How is that for active citizenship? There was some action around this issue at Tufts, but students remained largely out of the picture at this point. The advocacy really came from the janitorial staff themselves, Somerville and Medford residents, and some Tufts faculty members. There were also internal problems within the union that impeded the progress of the labor movement. A few years later, student activism at Tufts began to pick up, peaking in the fall of 2000 with the Tufts Students Against Discrimination (TSAD) sit-in at Bendetson Hall. Concurrently, Harvard students were waging their campaign to try to get their university to pay Harvard janitors a wage that they could live on. The students at Harvard took notice of the successful sit-in at Tufts and asked some of the Tufts students for help and advice on their own campaign. One night a group of Tufts students who took part in the sit-in went to a meeting of the Harvard Progressive Student Labor Movement (PSLM) to share the experiences they had with the Tufts campaign and sit-in. It was not too long after that many Tufts students became involved in the Harvard living wage campaign. Some stayed more connected than others. Some helped in the planning stages of their own sit-in while others simply attended the rallies. Late in the spring semester of 2001, PSLM conducted a sit-in at Massachusetts Hall on the Harvard campus. One Tufts student even joined their ranks inside the building. They were successful in establishing a task force to review the issue. Seven months later, Harvard janitors finally did get a raise that was retroactive to the time of the sit-in negotiations. That summer, the labor movement began to brew at Tufts. The contract between the union, SEIU Local 254, and the janitorial service providing company, OneSource, was going to end and negotiations for a new contract were to take place. The union had reshuffled its players and was ready to stand up to the OneSource management on behalf of their employees. Throughout the summer and into the fall of 2001, Tufts students, faculty, janitorial staff, Harvard students, and union organizers worked to earn the janitors a decent contract with the company. After several rallies, marches, negotiation meetings between the union and OneSource, meetings with Tufts administrators, and some mild direct action during Parents Weekend, Tufts janitors finally won that battle. This set the stage for what is occurring right now. Now, the master contract is up for grabs. It is no small cake-this is where the real battle is. This contract controls the minimum standards for more specific site contract negotiations in the greater-Boston area. Making gains on this contract helps all 11,000 janitors represented by SEIU Local 254. Janitors have been on strike for over a week, and students have been participating in direct action with janitors-including a sit-in at the Callaghan Tunnel that resulted in 26 arrests, and community members have been very supportive. UNICCO, which owns 30 percent of the cleaning market in Boston and employs many of the janitors that are currently on strike, has been the most hard-lined on this issue. Cleaning companies do not want to grant health benefits to employees who work under 29 hours a week. The union is asking them to drop that number to 27.5 hours a week and to allow any janitor to sign up for that many hours if they choose to. The union says that if they get their way, it would mean the difference between many small jobs at low wages with no health insurance and enough good jobs for union members with health insurance and a salary that can support a family. The lack of affordable housing and astronomically high housing costs in Boston make it difficult for janitors to make a living. It is important that students maintain their support for the nearly 2,000 janitors that are on strike. There is a Boston-wide student movement working on these important labor issues. Students really do have a lot of power to make a difference in people's lives. It does not take much effort and the rewards are great for the workers and their families. @s:On strike

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News

Boomtown has a refreshing take on the crime drama

October 7

Special effects and blood 'n' guts will always attract an audience, but nothing excites one like a great story. NBC's new drama Boomtown doesn't have one great story, it weaves many great stories into one fantastic show. Part Memento, part Pulp Fiction, Boomtown is a novel and risky type of cop drama that delves into the underworld of Los Angeles, a.k.a Boomtown. Each episode revolves around one crime, seen from many viewpoints. The crime is broken down from the perspective of two detectives, two policemen, the district attorney, a hard-hitting reporter, and a compassionate paramedic. Each take their own path to the truth, and the paths come together to a stunning climax to reveal the answers to the many mysteries of the crime. The producers and writers of Boomtown are masterful in developing the show's characters, while still sticking to the unique format. Former New Kid on the Block, Donnie Wahlberg, surprisingly shines as Detective Joel Stevens; who embraces his role as a determined officer and husband. He must balance his dynamic professional life with his rocky personal life (his wife is suicidal), and Wahlberg captures the nuances perfectly. The magic of Boomtown is partially due to the way the personal lives of the characters are developed, something missing from other cop shows like any of the incarnations of Law & Order. Other fantastic performances come from Forrest Gump's Mykelti Williamson as Wahlberg's partner, "Fearless" Bobby Smith, a Gulf War vet who lives up to his nickname. In addition, Neil McDonough captures the politically ambitious and morally lacking D.A. David McNorris. McNorris is caught in an affair with equally ambitious street reporter Andrea Little (Nina Garbiras), and the relationship between the two becomes more and more complex as the show progresses. Boomtown succeeds in ways that many other clich?©d cops and robbers shows fail. It moves to the beat of a human heart, and touches on the lives of the victims and those affected by the death of the victims. Dick Wolf, producer of Law & Order, prides his show on being "strictly the facts" and viewers can count on a specific formula for every episode. Boomtown, on the other hand, searches the human soul, and finds why a 16 year old will commit a seemingly senseless drive-by murder, as it did in the pilot. Ingenuity alone cannot make a television program fantastic. Like last year's innovative darling 24, Boomtown has extraordinary writing to drive its convoluted plot. Writer/Executive Producer Graham Yost (Band of Brothers) said the following about Boomtown, "Sometimes the best way to tell the whole story about something is not to try to tell the whole story, but to tell all the little stories and let the viewers put it together themselves." It is these little stories that make Boomtown such an exhilarating thrill ride through the world of Los Angeles crime.

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News

Study abroad prices leave students to make tough decisions

October 7

An estimated 500 juniors and seniors leave the Tufts community each year to study abroad. For each of those 500 students, decisions must be made regarding time abroad and the particular program to take. Similar programs in the same country as a Tufts program can run at about half the cost of a comparable Tufts program. For many students, the issue of cost becomes a primary determinant. Each Tufts program costs $35,597, no matter which study abroad location is attended. This cost covers orientation, full room and board, tuition, extracurricular costs, and cultural events, and excursions. Of the 500 students who go abroad, an estimated 160 students study with a Tufts program and 350 study with a non-Tufts program, according to Dean of Study Abroad Sheila Bayne. "While Tufts only has ten programs around the world, there are over 200 other programs that Tufts has found reputable enough to be approved by our faculty," she said. The cost difference, administrators say, is a result of how Tufts' programs are organized_ these programs handle almost every possible detail for the students. They assist in finding flights for students, in transferring credits and grades, and Residential Directors work at each of the partner universities. "For many other programs, the cost is so little because so much is actually paid by the student," Bayne said. "It is the student's choice whether to start the year off running with everything taken care of, or to spend a lot of time settling in." Though the listed price for Tufts programs may be more than those through other universities, the amount students pay can be less. Financial aid that students receive from Tufts can be applied to study abroad programs, but many students have to foot the bill if they choose other programs. For many students, their central concern is the ease of transferring credits or having grades count, and they choose to study with Tufts for this reason. Sophomore Jessica Katz is just beginning to think about studying abroad and is having trouble deciding between a Tufts program and a similar non-Tufts curriculum. "I want to study abroad for the experience of living in a different country," Katz said. But she is not sure if the program would be worth it if she would have to catch up on her requirements with an extra year at Tufts because her credits were not transferable. "If I could go to London for $10,000, why should I go for $37,000?" she asked. For each of the 200 recognized non-Tufts programs, most credits will transfer. "Credits will transfer and count on a student's transcript so long as the courses taken are similar to those taught at Tufts," Bayne said. Courses in subjects such as business, for example, cannot be given credit because there are no business courses at Tufts. But grades in these classes are not always calculated into one's GPA. Students say that getting help from Tufts does make a difference while they are abroad. "A Tufts program is easier because they do all the paper work for you," she said. But she doesn't know if that difference is worth the price spread. "Eight credits through a non-Tufts program are worth less than taking those same eight credits [with a Tufts program] but paying an insane amount more." If grades do not transfer, it is because the faculty at Tufts has not looked over the specific coursework to determine an equivalent grade, Bayne said. "We spent a long time creating firm relationships with our partner universities and through these long associations we have been able to fully integrate the foreign grades into Tufts." For other students, the choice of studying with either Tufts or another university was born out of necessity. Senior Carl Jackson had a specific place he wanted to study and without a suitable Tufts program, he was forced to look elsewhere. "I wanted to find a program in Africa dealing with developing economies, poverty alleviation, and politics in the developing world." Jackson said. The Tufts-in-Ghana program was temporarily suspended at the time he was to go abroad. Though many students say they are annoying by the large amount of paperwork they must file to go abroad on other programs, Jackson praised the help he received from Tufts in finding other study abroad options. "Tufts feels comfortable enough to know that not everyone is going to study with Tufts, and I think it is good that they help the others looking for alternative studies," Jackson said. The incentive for students to take part in other programs may not be necessarily financial, Bayne said. "Pretty much all Tufts programs are full-year and many students would rather study for only a semester. [The programs have] a very high language requirement... and many of the programs are very selective," Bayne said. The Oxford program, for example, requires a 3.7 grade point average. The decision about where to study abroad and with which institution is ultimately related to the individual person and their specific interests, Bayne said. "At a university like Tufts, we have the opportunity to help students find the right program for them whether it is with Tufts or someone else." Tufts offers programs in ten destinations: Chili, China, Ghana, Hong Kong, Japan, London, Madrid, Oxford, Paris, and T??bingen. But if these choices are not enough for students they can search among the over two hundred approved non-Tufts programs or even create their own.

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