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Students get more than their money's worth

September 26

Although a Tufts education is among the most expensive in the nation, it would be even higher if the University relied solely on student tuition and fees to balance its budget. In round numbers, the annual budget for Arts and Sciences is $230 million. Tuition and fees make up $190 million of that, leaving $40 million dollars to be made through other means. The additional income comes from a variety of sources. Tufts' endowment contributes $6.5 million annually and the fundraising organization Tufts Fund adds a little under $4.5 million. The federal and state governments give $25 million in restrictive income, and the rest of the money needed to break even comes from a variety of other sources, according to Executive Administrative Dean of Finance Wayne Bouchard. "The school's budget is break even," Bouchard said. "If we didn't have other sources of income, tuition would have to be higher." Tuition would have to be quite a bit higher, in fact. If tuition and fees were the only source of funds for the University, the 5,000 students of Tufts would be paying an additional $10,000 each year. The University has made an effort to keep student fees as low as possible. "Rather than say 'let's increase tuition and see how we can spend it,' we try to keep the price down," Bouchard said. Financial aid plays into a large part of the budget. Roughly $27 million is taken from tuition revenues and redirected to students who need aid. If this were divided evenly among the student body, students would be paying approximately $5,500 more. "Obviously numbers like that have significant impact on the Arts and Sciences budget," Bouchard said. "Wealthier institutions have the ability to use external sources to pay more costs. We have to cover financial aid from revenue sources." The downturn in the economy _ while not directly impacting the amount the University charges _ is still recognizable. There is pressure to keep costs down so that more students don't need financial aid. "If the economic indicators say the parents of our students are getting smaller salary increases, then we have to work harder for families to attend Tufts," Bouchard said. It has often been a complaint of both students and parents that the average college tuition is growing faster than inflation. At least at Tufts, the explanation is the increase in cost of facilities. These numbers have been growing more than twice as fast as the Tufts tuition increase of four and a half percent annually. These costs are mainly new construction, such as Dowling Hall and the planned new music department building and new dorm, according to Bouchard. Buildings such as Dowling have in fact helped reduce Tufts' costs. "Before Dowling, we had individual services doing their jobs, but they weren't efficient in terms of combining parts," Bouchard said. While Tufts' $36,465 per year price is expensive, it is comparable to other universities. In fact, it can even be considered a deal when Harvard, a university with 27 times the endowment of Tufts' $677 million at $18.3 billion, charges essentially the same amount for tuition and fees at just under $36,000. Students agree that tuition, while expensive, is reasonable. "Yes, tuition does keep going up, but so does every other university's tuition," sophomore Stuart Mueller said. "The only thing is that the University doesn't outline where the money goes to." The money is used in everything from professor salaries to purchasing new computers and building new dorms. The process of deciding the budget for the coming year is already in motion. All the different schools at Tufts, including Arts and Sciences, are now looking at what they face next year in terms of financial aid, professor salaries and even the cost of electricity. This preliminary budget is sent to the Budget and Priorities Committee. Between November and December central administration works to put together the final package and it is sent to the trustees in January. The final budget is decided when the trustees get together and vote in February. In recent months, both students and administrators have raised the issue of whether Tufts can move to need-blind admissions. Bouchard says he is hopeful for the day when this can happen but estimates that an additional $100 to $150 million in endowment is necessary to accomplish this. An increase in money raised by the Tufts Fund will also help. The $4.5 million Tufts Fund contributes is essential to the budget, but only 29 percent of alumni contribute each year. With the expansion of Tufts Fund and the endowment, under-funded programs can be compensated. The consensus seems to be that Tufts is doing what it can to keep tuition as low as possible. "We haven't loaded up tuition," Bouchard said. "We have tried to be creative and efficient. Our highest priority is 'Don't increase tuition more than you absolutely have to.'

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News

Homecoming brings sports and celebration to the hill

September 26

Last night's pep rally in Dewick-MacPhie Dining Hall marked the kickoff of Tufts' annual Homecoming Weekend, which will continue today with the a cappella concert and conclude with Saturday's football game against Bates. The Spirit Coalition hosted the Jumbo pep rally, which was emceed by sophomores Liz Sutton and Alexis Smith. Smith is also co-chairperson of the Homecoming Programming Board. The rally featured a performance by the Tufts cheerleaders, as well as the appearance and introduction of most of the athletic teams. This year's Grand Marshall, Alan McDougal, who is the President of the Alumni Association, also spoke. Various student organizations were present, offering giveaways and their support of the Tufts teams. Festivities will continue today with the elections for Homecoming Court. Elections will take place between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tonight, the Jumbo Club Distinguished Achievement Awards will be held, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with a Pre-Awards Cocktail Reception in Alumnae Hall. The Jumbo Club hosts this annual event to honor distinguished students as well as other accomplished athletes and leaders. This year, the Athletic Department and Jumbo Club will honor Lisa Stern Lax (A'86), Senior Producer of NBC Sports in New York. An a cappella show will also be held tonight at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. in Cabot Auditorium featuring the Beelzebubs, Jackson Jills, and Amalgamates. This is intended to boost Jumbo spirit while showcasing the award-winning harmonies of the a cappella groups. The final homecoming event scheduled for tonight is the Class of 2002 Welcome Back Party, which takes place tonight in Dewick MacPhie dining complex from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and is hosted by the Tufts University Alumni Association. Tomorrow's homecoming events begin early. First, at 9 a.m., the TUAA has a tent behind the Aidekman Arts Center where early birds may stop by to receive complimentary donuts and coffee. At 11 a.m., Tailgaters Village opens at the gate entrance of J-field near Powderhouse Square. Then finally, at 12:30 p.m., the homecoming parade commences and takes its course. First the parade circles the academic quad, and then makes its way down to the football field. Meanwhile, those partaking in the parade wave banners and signs, and many of them have their faces painted with Tufts colors. "The point of the parade is to kind of wake everyone up and get them all excited about the game," Smith said. The kickoff of the football game, which is being played against Bates College, is at 1 p.m.. At halftime, the parade marches out onto the field, at which time the Homecoming Court is announced. The Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned by the Grand Marshall. This year's Homecoming events are made possible by the collaboration of various groups, including the Tufts University Spirit Coalition (TUSC) and the Tufts University Alumni Association (TUAA). Students' expectations of this year's Homecoming are high. Suzanne Davis, a sophomore transfer student, is looking forward to this weekend's festivities. "We didn't have a Homecoming at Vassar," Davis said. "I heard that everyone here gets really spirited, though. I'm prepared to paint my face blue if I have to.

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News

Media Advisory Board unites student publications

September 25

In response to a number of debates concerning freedom of speech, the Committee on Student Life (CSL) suggested last spring that a student group form to monitor all the campus publications, and this Friday, CSL will meet again to discuss the issue further. When it made the recommendation, CSL was unaware that a Media Advisory Board (MAB), which incorporates all University-funded student publications, already existed. Senior Sam Dangremond, who heads up MAB, said the group should not have the power to penalize other student publications and that it will not take on this role under his leadership. However, if censorship becomes a concern, he hopes the MAB will unite as a coalition for First Amendment rights. "Once you censor one publication, you can censor them all," said Dangremond, the former editor-in-chief of The Primary Source, a publication which has faced censorship issues in the past. "Everyone's education suffers without freedom of the press." He feels student publications should be guaranteed freedom of speech as long as they do not break copyright laws, commit libel or incite imminent lawlessness. At the time of the decision, CSL said the "Tufts community can only flourish if people adhere to certain basic principles of conduct: decency, tolerance, and mutual respect." It then "challenged the editorial boards of all campus publications to meet the highest standards of fair and responsible journalism" and suggested "a media committee be established to ensure that all campus publications have written editorial policies that are consistent with these standards." It had intended to include the editor-in-chiefs of each publication on the committee. The student group would thus set the standard for journalism ethics at Tufts. Harry Bernheim, a professor and the co-chair of the CSL, said the group should decide, for instance, whether or not publications should be allowed to print anonymous letters. "Everyone should be held accountable for what they've written," Bernheim said. Dangremond explained that the MAB currently has two main roles: to coordinate the use of the MAB office and equipment which publications share and to act as a resource where publications can turn to for help with technological skills. This group, however, does not have the responsibility of overseeing or penalizing publications. Although the MAB used to hear complaints against publications, this practice ended four years ago. Regardless, members feel that MAB has already been effective in uniting the different publications. "MAB has made all the publications more aware of one another and more sensitive to each other's concerns, and has provided a chance for like-minded students to share their vision of what a publication should or shouldn't be like," said Justin Race, the editor-in-chief of the Observer. Dangremond said MAB does not have the infrastructure necessary to process complaints against student publications. The CSL, which currently hears these complaints, is a group with professors as members and a university counsel to advise it; therefore, CSL is equipped to handle due process, Dangremond said. The MAB, on the other hand, consists of only students. However, Bernheim feels a media group could be effective even without the power to penalize. "You can't stop them from printing but you can subject them to ridicule [if they violate the standards]," Bernheim said. In any case, if any standards for journalism were to be laid out, members of the MAB say they would like to be involved. "If they are going to appoint an organization to do that, I think MAB is the right organization, because it's made up of your peers," Genna Sankin, an editor of Outbreath, the literary magazine. "The members of the MAB lab have more of a direct interest in any type of censorship of student publications because any type of censorship will affect them." Problems arose last year when ThePrimary Source made two references in its humor section to student Iris Halpern, the leader of the Student Labor Action Movement (SLAM). Halpern filed a sexual harassment complaint against the Source, which appeared before the CSL before the charges were unanimously dropped. However, in its December issue, the Source printed an anonymous letter to the editor, in which the writer claimed that Halpern had molested her. Halpern then filed 13 complaints _ including the charge that the publication had committed libel and retaliation for filing the original sexual harassment _ against each Source editor. The CSL heard all of the subsequent cases and the Source was acquitted of all charges

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News

Boobs are bad for golf

September 25

I watched a little bit of the World Golf Championships last weekend during the commercials of the Patriots game, and I have to say that what I saw was not what you might call surprising. Tiger Woods was in his Sunday red, leading the tournament, while everyone else was trying as hard as they could to catch up. Tiger won, like you would expect, despite a 62 in the final round by Retief Goosen. It was his fifth World Championship, and he's only 26. This could have been the scene from any golf tournament this year, and it most likely was the scene if Tiger was playing. He's by far the most dominant golfer in the world, and, in my mind at least, the best golfer that has ever lived. He breaks records like it's his job, and leaves almost every golfer who challenges him in his dust. It's an absolutely amazing thing to watch. I thought all of this while I watched Tiger play on Sunday. But then I started to do that terrible thing I always do, and I began to think. I started to wonder why. Why is it that every time Tiger steps on the golf course, everybody in the crowd can be reasonably sure that he'll win? Is it because he can hit the ball farther than everybody else? Is it because he's the best putter in the world? Does he play his irons better than the rest of the field? He's at or near the top of every statistical category, but there can always be a player who has a big day or a big weekend and be better. Tiger is the best golfer in the world, but he's not really that much better than everybody else. His drives are maybe ten yards longer, and he maybe hits one or two more greens in regulation, but that can't possibly make him win every time. I ate some cheerios and pondered the question further. I even went as far as to research statistics on other golfers on espn.com, trying desperately to come up with an answer. Phil Mickelson is in the top ten of more statistical categories than Tiger is, and John Daly leads more categories than does Tiger. Obviously I was barking up the wrong tree. I turned my attention back to the TV, and I began to examine Tiger's opponents more clearly. I watched them drive, I watched them putt, and I watched them hit out of the sand. Watched short irons, long irons, wedges, and fairway woods, but I could not for the life of me figure out what put such a gaping hole between Tiger and everybody else. Then I noticed something. It happened while I watched Mickelson walk down the fairway after teeing off. God only knows why, but he was wearing some kind of ugly Lycra shirt, soaked with sweat and clinging to his chest. That's when I noticed them, bouncing up and down. Boobs. Phil Mickelson has boobs. And we're not talking little, hardly noticeable boobs _ we're talking full-fledged hooters. I looked at Tiger's other opponents. Vijay Singh _ boobs. Ernie Els _ boobs. Davis Love III _ boobs. Colin Montgomerie _ probably about a D cup. John Daly could probably wear Anna Nicole Smith's lingerie without anybody even looking at him funny. Then I looked at Tiger. His biceps are huge and his shoulders are massive. He's by far the most physically fit golfer on the PGA tour today, and probably ever. I mean, think about it. Do you think Colin Montgomerie ever brags to Phil Mickelson about how much he can dead lift? I can only imagine what the talk would be like between these guys in the gym. Mickelson: "Hey Monty, can you come spot me? I'm trying to lift my own golf bag today." Monty (in a pair of slacks and golf shoes, eating a jelly donut): "Bloody hell Mick, shouldn't we get Daly to help?" Then it all became clear. Tiger is not most golfers. Just look at him and you can tell that he spends countless hours in the gym, getting in top shape _ anything to get that extra little edge over his opponents. There are no other golfers on tour that look like Tiger. Granted not all have breasts, but there are none that have the actual physical stature of Tiger Woods. But it is not the muscles that separate Tiger from the rest of the pack. It is what gets him those muscles. His desire to win is so far beyond that of any other golfer on tour that a majority of the time, he will win. Maybe Mickelson would rather spend some more time with his kids than hit the weights. Maybe Daly would like to drink two, or three, or twelve beers instead of hitting the range. Maybe Colin Montgomerie is fat. All of them are great golfers. None of them has what Tiger has. Tiger has it ingrained in his head that the only acceptable result is victory, and he will not rest until he has done everything in his power to achieve that result. That's why he has so many championships. And that's why other golfers have boobs

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News

Field hockey on a roll

September 25

The field hockey team is four games into the season, and it is clear that it is here to make a statement. About to surpass the total wins from last year's record, the Jumbos have taken the field this year with an aggressive edge. The team's strong defense and ability to control the pace of the game has left the Brown and Blue in the comfortable position of being undefeated against NESCAC competitors. Last year at this time, the team was left to scratch its head over the fact that they had gone winless in its first four games. What is worse is that of those four games, three had been shutouts; Tufts did not score a goal in the 2001 season until its fourth game against Colby. The present team is a far cry away, as it is fighting and defending its way to a 2-2 mark so far. "While it is still early in the season, it was a good sign beating two NESCAC opponents," coach Carol Rappoli said. The difference for the team thus far can be found in the defense and the pace of the games. Last year, it was more often than not the opponents who were in control of the momentum of the game. This year, the Jumbos have taken charge on the field, particularly in their two wins against Amherst and Connecticut College. The defense was able to shut out the Amherst Lady Jeffs, holding them to only five attempted shots and three penalty corners. Meanwhile the offense was able to take control of the game with nine attempted shots and forcing nine penalty corners. Against the Camels, the numbers were even better, as the Jumbos out-shoot them 13-5 and had eight penalty corners versus five. "I think this year we are playing more as a team," Rappoli said. "Also, our midfield is stronger. We have a lot more experience and we have five new kids that are talented and have been able to contribute." Despite the early successes, the Jumbos still have some kinks to work out. A major problem for the team has been finishing their drives. Despite both defensive and offensive dominance on the field, the score for both the Amherst and Connecticut College games have been 1-0. Taking 13 shots in a game and only converting one is a precarious situation to be in, but one of which the team is aware. "We have been very strong defensively, but we have been struggling to finish the play," Rappoli said. "We have been able to win games 1-0, but it still makes you nervous." The team's struggle with converted shots were apparent in a 1-0 loss against non-conference rivals Wellesley. In the first half, Tufts was unable to convert any of the eight attempted shots. It was the goalies that came up big for the team, as senior Lauren Rufino made four saves and junior Julie Jackson made seven saves. While Tufts' defense has been style, the offense has been able to control the pace of the games thus far and cut through the opponent's defense to find their shots. Finding the back of the net appears to be the missing piece of the puzzle. But it is still early in the season, and the Jumbos are still sitting pretty. The team is working hard to remedy their problems, focusing in practice on "shooting, shooting, and more shooting," Rappoli said. This weekend will be chocked full of opportunity for the Jumbos to prove themselves. The team will travel tomorrow afternoon to Wheaton, whose record for the season so far is 3-3. Historically, Tufts has always had close matches against Wheaton, but the Jumbos have been able to pull out the win the past three years and are therefore hoping to continue the streak tomorrow. This will be followed up with a homecoming match against NESCAC competitor Bates (2-3) at 1 p.m. Bates is in the same position as Tufts this year, coming off a 2-11 season with something to prove. "The Bates game will be even more difficult [than Wheaton]," Rappoli said. "They also have two wins against NESCAC competitors and they are coming off a 6-1 thrashing of Trinity so they are very excited." Despite the challenge, the team is more than ready to show their stuff, and is planning no change in their game strategy. "We are just going to concentrate on what we do," Rappoli said

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News

The ivory tower's greatest responsibility

September 25

A few weeks ago, world leaders, grassroots activists, scientists, students and others gathered in Johannesburg, South Africa, for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Much of the coverage that the summit received in the media focused on its shortcomings. Indeed, there were many opportunities to criticize the summit as yet another forum for heads of state and government to make empty promises, as another wasted opportunity where many voices went unheard, and as a waste of global time and energy. Nonetheless, as a conference attendee, I can attest to the fact that the general feel "on the ground" in Johannesburg was quite different than what was portrayed in the media back home. The thousands of people that gathered at the summit were there to discuss and implement action plans for some of the world's most pressing issues. These issues included: reducing the number of people without access to sanitation by 2015 (currently 2.4 billion), reducing the number of people without access to modern energy services (currently 2 billion), and reducing the number of people who go hungry. As one of 22 students in the Tufts delegation, I had an opportunity to attend the summit and witness the passion that each of the participants brought to the forum. We attended many of the meetings, met delegates from across the globe, and interacted with people from different experiences, backgrounds, and with different agendas. While we learned that there is still a great deal of work to do before world leaders can agree on how governments might foster sustainability, we also found that there is plenty we can do at home to contribute to a sustainable world. Universities have an unparalleled opportunity to seize upon the initiatives brought forth at the World Summit. By virtue of the university's unique status as a place where thinkers and creators come together to develop innovative solutions to complex problems, universities have a responsibility to take full advantage of the resources at their disposal. Universities also have the freedom to experiment where a government or business might not be able. Moreover, they can serve as an example to the rest of the community that great things can happen if there is the political and institutional will. Many universities are already taking concrete steps to become more sustainable and reduce their impact on the global environment. Tufts, for example, has pledged to meet or beat the Kyoto target for university-related greenhouse gas emissions. Students at Lewis & Clark College approved a proposal to raise annual student fees to help it meet Kyoto standards. Even large public universities are taking initiatives to "green" their campus by instituting energy efficiency campaigns, purchasing clean energy and building super-efficient dormitories. Universities can also play an instrumental role in contributing to a sustainable world by introducing courses, concentrations and majors on sustainable development. If we fail to seize opportunities that reduce our ecological footprint, we will be compromising future generations. Universities have the technological know-how, general support of the student body, and funds for investing in infrastructure. Speaking as a college student, it is up to us to make sure that our presidents and our universities listen to us and engage in more ecologically friendly, sustainable practices. This will not happen, however, without a concerted effort on behalf of students who absolutely must realize that no one will take care of their future if they don't start doing it themselves. Sam Milton is a graduate student in the Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning program at the Fletcher School.

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News

Metcalf continues to smoke competition in intramurals

September 25

Welcome to this week's edition of Intramural Roundup, brought to you this week by the hell-on-earth that is nicotine withdrawal. It was Mark Twain, or perhaps Nate Newton, who once said: "Quitting smoking is easy, I've done it a hundred times." Mr. Twain's (or Mr. Newton's) humorous quote reminds us that persistence does matter, whether you are a intramural soccer team facing a 2-0 deficit at halftime, an 0-2 volleyball team looking to turn it around against a undefeated juggernaut, or a former smoker looking to gut that smirking fool of a roommate who didn't wash out his pasta pot after you specifically told him, like, ten times to do it. Sigh. Anyway, here are this week's tobacco-free intramural results. All of the leagues are underway as of this writing, but while the upperclassmen leagues get on their feet, Intramural Roundup will focus, once again, on the all-freshman soccer and volleyball leagues. In soccer action, the Mad Cows from Metcalf continued their dominating play by defeating the Titans 7-3. The Mad Cows, who now stand in first place in the "Wait, this wasn't in my Pachyderm" league, have been as smooth and dependable as a Camel cigarette during their first three games, outscoring opponents 32-10. Joining the Mad Cows at the in first place are the Felons, who dispatched Haskell/Jeff 2-1, and the Dirties, who defeated Tilton 1 3-2 in a hard-fought match that, according to some players, was very dirty indeed. Next week's Felon's-Mad Cows match-up should determine who is the early season King of Flavor in the "Wait, this wasn't in my Pachyderm" league. In other results, South 2 huffed and puffed to a 3-2 win over the Munchies while the Gangstars from Haskell were smoking butts like the bride at a New Hampshire wedding in an 8-3 victory over their siblings from Haskell/Maria. Arrrgh. Hold on. Cigarette break Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Now. In further soccer action, South 1 edged Uphill 1 5-4 in a tight game. John Q (actually freshman John Quashie), fresh off his vigil in the emergency-room, said of the game: "We kicked butt." Even more quotable were the victors from Lewis Invasion, who triumphed 5-2 over Tilton 3. "Emilio was the superfreak, he was our MVP," Omar Tuffaha said. "Omar is the worst kid on our team," his teammate Remy said. "We're trying to release Omar." The volleyball league was plauged by no-shows this week, with two games ending in forfeits. Remember the Titans? Well, they won by forfeit this week over South 1. South 3 did show up for their game. But their opponents, Metcalf, did not. The Lewis Wildcats beat the Haskell Raskells for their first win of the year and Hill held off the Tramps in a tight battle to stay undefeated. "We're number one!" the team boasted. That assertion will be put to the test next week when the Hill-people face off with South 2, which also moved to 3-0 by defeating Downhill 1. Next week, Intramural Roundup will branch out to the open leagues. Volleyball begins Wednesday, Basketball Thursday, and tennis will have a singles tournament coming soon. Intramural Roundup will return, of course, to the "Wait, this wasn't in my Pachyderm" league periodically, but next week's article will focus on the upperclassmen. Since Tufts is, in theory, a place of education, Intramural Roundup has decided to aid students in their digestion of the material by creating a Reading Comprehension Quiz. Responses should be taped to the top of a large pepperoni pizza and delivered along with a two liter of Coke to The Tufts Daily in Curtis Hall. Reading Comprehension Quiz 1. Explain the thematic significance of Denzel to this text. 2. Does anybody actually read the Pachyderm? Other than the alcohol parts? 3. Are you going to put that #$%&# spaghetti pot away or is this reporter going to have to clean it with your ugly face? 4. Compare and contrast Omar Tuffaha and Nate Newton as tragic heroes. Cite examples from the text. What did we learn this week? 1. Smoking doesn't kill people. People who are trying to quit smoking kill people. 2. Poor Omar. 3.

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News

A senior's pearls of wisdom

September 25

Attention, freshmen. I know what you're thinking, "Yes, I've finally escaped my parents' grasp and now I am living on my own _ at college. Just being in college makes me older and definitely cooler. Like, way cooler." One of the first things you'll learn at Tufts is that college students abide to the general principle that you become progressively cooler from freshman to senior year. Fortunately for all of you, you are just beginning college and have four years of increased coolness remaining. In fact, all principles holding true, you can maximize your coolness by spending five, six, or seven years at Tufts instead of the normally allotted four. So what if you have to take out an extra $120,000 in loans? According to the great philosopher Benjamin Jay, you'll be infinitely cooler by your seventh year. Jay's theory is based on the following hypothesis: "Since the United States has the best universities in the world and Boston is the best college town in the states, Tufts, the best college in the Boston area, must have not only the brightest and most successful students, but also the coolest people on the planet." While many regard Jay's theory as ridiculous babble, recent Tufts graduates only serve to support his theory. Juniors and seniors only have to think back to Fall Fest 2000, when thousands of Tufts girls, joined by a few select female faculty members screamed their hearts out as self-proclaimed super stud and Vanilla Ice look-alike Johnny Rodgers military pressed then Daily Editor-in-Chief Daniel Barbarisi. Afterwards, Rodgers signed autographs for fans and drove the girls crazy with his deep, scratchy, sexy voice. "Like, it was totally amazing. He is sooooo hot. Uh! I like, love his gold frosted hair. I mean, like, I just went, like, completely crazy when I asked JR to sign my chest and he said to me, 'Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeah. That's right baby, you know you want it.'" Freshmen, I know exactly what you're thinking: a.) Who is the legendary Johnny Rogers? and b.) How can I be like him? I'll spare you of a horrible inferiority complex by putting it bluntly; there will never be another Johnny Rodgers. While "J Rodge" showed us that achieving a state of personal coolness as coolness approaches infinity is possible, we need to face up to the truth that not every one of us can be perfect. I agree with you that it's not fair, but hey, life isn't fair. Do not fret; superior coolness is still attainable. Over the last few years, I have compiled a list of five keys to coolness at Tufts. Each entry is rated on a scale of 1-10, 1 being the absolutely uncool and ten being completely super-duper cool. If you follow my advice, you have my word, cub scouts honor, that you will have too many friends and will be, like, totally cool by the time you leave Tufts. 1.) Join LCS. While jumping on the bandwagon is normally not the "cool" thing to do, LCS is the largest organization on campus and has a wealth of great volunteer programs (including many similar to the Derek Zoolander center for kids who can't read good.) Rating: 10. 2.) Bring snacks to film series movies. Given the 95% chance that the projector will malfunction at some point during the movie (usually at the climax) you'll make instant friends by providing candy, popcorn, and "beverages." Or, if you feel like being really generous, you could just get the film series a new projector. Rating: 6. 3.) Work at Jumbo Express. Perhaps the best way to make friends on campus, providing hungry and procrastinating students with free candy, will automatically increase your popularity. But be careful not to get stuck working at Hotung, too. While giving away free food will go far, being associated with the painfully slow service could leave you with fewer friends in Boston than Bill Buckner. Rating: 8. 4.) Pay hosts of parties. Always give the host of a party at least $5. Throwing a college party is not an easy thing to do. Without the $5 financial support of freshmen it would be virtually impossible to have any parties at Tufts. Help carry on this decades-old tradition and make more upperclassmen friends than you know what to do with. Remember, it's just a rite of passage and it will pay huge dividends in the end. Rating: 9. 5.) Guest-meal upperclassmen. Giving free all-you-can-eat dining hall meals to upperclassmen is a surefire way to meet new, older, and cooler people. The more you guest-meal them, the friendlier they'll become (until they realize they'd rather beg for food than endure the once familiar wrath of Dewick/Carmichael). Rating 6. So there you have it, your own personal roadmap to coolness. I welcome you to Tufts and look forward to getting to know all of you over the next four years as I follow my dream to be a super-super-super senior. It's definitely worth the $120,000

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News

Area kids visit Cohen for music and dance

September 25

It was a Sunday afternoon at Tufts filled with cheering and much applause, as the crowd grow more intense with each play. No, we are not talking about last week's Patriot's game. The Tufts Symphony Orchestra presented its annual Children's Concert last Sunday along with the Tufts Dance Collective (TDC). Throngs of area children and their parents filed into Cohen Auditorium to be dazzled by the music of Bernstein, Bizet, McDonald, Tchaikovsky, and Grieg. The annual concert is designed for children ten and under, but the audience varied in age. Throughout the afternoon, TDC lead the children in interpretive dances to songs from Carmen, Sleeping Beauty, and In the Hall of the Mountain King. The orchestra organized the concert because they saw it as a way to get children excited about music. "It was good to connect the school and the community, and everyone had a good time," junior Carolyn Abbott, a violinist, said. Parents thought the event was an excellent way to get children excited about music. The concert was "very well designed, and [that] the movement was great...the kids were happy," one parent said. The interactive aspect made it enjoyable for students who attended as well. "I thought that it was a great idea to immerse children in that kind of culture," freshman Brett Baker said. "For children to experience something musical may trigger a desire to continue with something in that area." The concert even included a performance by Adele Bacow, who read a poem composed by Conrad Aiken. Aiken wrote compilations of poems about various animals for children, including Cats and Bats and Things with Wings, and A Little Who's Zoo of Mild Animals. This was Bacow's second year to take part in the Children's Concert. "I really enjoy it," she said with a grin on her face. Bacow's best performance was of Aiken's Animals, in which she captivated the crowd with descriptions of crocodiles, grasshoppers, frogs, bats, and lions. After the concert, the children were allowed up on stage to explore the various instruments. Several members of the orchestra permitted the kids to touch and even play with their instruments. "I like the fact that the kids are allowed to play with the instruments," one parent said, as she watched her daughter discover the viola. "It could pique her interest in music." The children, as well as other parents, shared those sentiments. When asked what she thought of the concert, one child put it simply that the show was "A-ok!

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News

7 Questions with Jess Trombly

September 25

Full Christian Name- Jessica Ann Trombly Birthdate- August 6, 1982 Hometown- Nashua, NH Nickname- Trombo Sport- Soccer and Track Zodiac Sign- Leo Favorite Backstreet Boy- Greg Hamilton Jess Trombly is a busy woman. In addition to being a starting forward on the women's soccer team, Trombo also runs track, and this past spring competed at nationals in the heptathalon. She was the NESCAC soccer rookie of the year in 2000 when the Jumbos advanced to the national title game, and last season was the team's leading scorer. The Daily caught up with Jess as she was listening to her treasured Junction CD and eating pizza. Naturally, 7 questions followed. 1) Word on the street is that you're addicted to Mario Kart. It's the best video game ever, but why the hell do you play with Wario? That guy is slow, fat and ugly. What can I say, opposites attract. 2) In a 200-meter sprint, who wins; you or Professor Michael Ulman? I'd win the sprint but his sweatband and 80s workout uniform would take the fashion show. 3) What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about? Then you haven't been doing much dancing. 4) In addition to your soccer prowess, you are also a stud on the track. How would you feel about a steel-cage, WWF style rumble as the 7th and deciding heptathalon event? Only if you are in the cage with me. I heard your special move was the Premature Jerk. 5) The readers may not know that along with three other women, you and I shared a hotel room in Paris. How would you describe my snoring in 50 words or fewer? Not as bad as your wetting the bed. 6) You're from New Hampshire, have you ever milked a cow? You're from Connecticut, are all of you that small? 7) Might you score a goal soon? I'll score a goal when you score with a girl. Oh shoot I just cursed myself!

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News

Local band set to perform at Middle East tonight

September 25

There are few people who would argue that Boston isn't home to a flourishing local music scene these days. With such a wide variety of venues and a tremendous range of musical tastes to cater to, it's hard for any one band to truly find its niche. But having lined up a show tonight at The Middle East, The Tourist is one area band defying the odds. This show "is a big deal," says band member Peter Sax (vocals, synthesizers, and sequences). "We just finished mastering our six song EP, and we're really excited to get back out because that's what this whole year has been leading up to." Comprised of four members, the band's music is a blend of live instruments and electronics. Travis Pullman (guitar and synthesizer), Tracey Sampedro (drums and handsonic), Fetus Murillo (bass), and Sax combine their various musical talents to create a brand of music that the band describes as "electronic fusion." While this classification seems simple, it is a description that the band does not arrive at without much debate _ each of the musicians brings to the band his own influences and musical style, making the band's sound difficult to categorize. "Travis is a lot more jazz oriented, Tracey has a lot of eighties sound, and mine is mostly mournful," explains Sax. "Together we kind of make the most kind of party music we can. It's definitely got an outlook to it, but it's not really sell out music." Having formed only a little over a year ago, the band is one of the younger musical groups working the Boston music circuit. In a short time, however, The Tourist has been making big strides. In addition to completing its EP over the summer, the band has found a growing audience for its unique brand of music _ The Tourist has gone from performing at smaller local venues to well-known music locales such as the Paradise. The group has even expanded its horizons beyond the borders of Boston and performed at the legendary Elbow Room in New York City. "It's hard to break the barrier from 50-100 people coming to see you and 300 people. We're now starting to get to the venues where we can play and get a much bigger following," Sax said. This process has been facilitated partially through the band members' experiences with other bands prior to forming The Tourist. The band has been able to take advantage of connections made through earlier musical endeavors. Finding gigs "hasn't been that hard because we started getting those connections [through earlier bands]. It's been easier for us to start getting places. It's tougher for other bands who don't know anyone," Sax said. "A lot of friends helped us out with our first shows," added Pullman, noting the importance of knowing people who are supportive of your work and willing to help out any way that they can. Finding a name for the band actually proved more difficult than getting a foot in the door at major Boston venues. At one point, the group was working from a list of over 50 possible names, resorting to asking friends for their favorite picks. "It became a game of attrition," says Sax with a laugh. After much deliberation, The Tourist seemed to fit the band perfectly "because we're all just passing through," he continued. There is "an idea of transience, and we don't know exactly what we're here for. I think it works, and people seems to like it." While the foursome have become friends since forming the band and spend time together outside of rehearsal and performances, they do not hesitate to admit that compromising between four very different musicians is sometimes a source of tension. They agree that this becomes most apparent when they set about writing new music for the band's repertoire of all original music. "Our writing process is kind of vicious on each other," confesses Sax. "We butt heads a lot. Eventually, after we almost kill each other, we come out with a song that kicks ass." Most of The Tourist's 13-song set is comprised of songs that have been written by all four members. Sometimes one person will stumble upon a particular riff, bring it to the rest of the band, and let the creative sparks fly. Other songs develop from jams. In the end, however, "the finishing process is definitely a collaboration," says Pullman. The band is very honest about its aspirations, admitting to finding appeal in musical stardom so long as it doesn't mean changing their style. They want to perform as much as possible and ideally be signed to a strong indie label. We want to be "as big as the type of music we play can take us. We're not going to change our style if we get big," says Sax. "You have artists like Stereolab and Bjork who do well, and that's all we're looking to do. We're not looking to be on MTV," says Pullman. Tonight's performance at the Middle East is proof positive that The Tourist is on the right track. Afterall, according to Murillo, they are simply "glad we pulled through the summer." Because students make up a large part of concert audiences in Boston, the summer months are a difficult period for area bands. "Summer months are always make or break time for a lot of bands," says Sax. "People go away, and there are no shows to be had. Our whole goal was to get this EP out, and then really hit hard when the students first came back. We feel like we're doing that. There's still starts and stops, [but] we're right on schedule for where we wanted to be.

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News

University to hire Asian American Studies professor

September 25

After a successful push by the Asian American Curriculum Transformation (AACT) project, the University has agreed to hire a professor of Asian American Studies. "It's a huge step; it's a monumental step," said senior AACT member Laura Horwitz. "But, we won't see any progress until next year _ two years after the process began." Whoever accepts this position will not be hired until fall of 2003 at the earliest. Then, because tenure is a lengthy and cumbersome process, Horowitz said it would take seven years until this person is able to become fully invested in campus activities and build alliances within departments. "When they get here, they'll need to focus on themselves," she said. Desire to create the position was sparked by the 1996 Task Force on Race's report and the lobbying efforts of the AACT. The report also suggested professors be encouraged to increase the level of Asian-American content in their courses _either in the creation of new courses or in modifications of existing ones. "That element of the project is going well too," Inouye said. The new professor will be a member of the English department who, along with Professor Jean Wu, will teach five or six classes a semester for Asian American studies. Currently, the University offers just two classes. While students in the AACT are excited about the progress made, they remain skeptical of future commitments to the project. "I think there's a misconception that just because we got this position that we have now an Asian American program," Horwitz said. Students are worried the focus on Asian American studies will be lost in the transition to other areas of the curriculum. But Inouye does not foresee that occurring. "The Asian-American curriculum is always a concern and it will continue to be a concern." he said. The Task Force on Race addressed the lack of culture classes offered at Tufts, finding shortages particularly in the areas of Asian American, Native American, and Latino/Latina studies in the spring of 1996. Six years later, with progress made in Asian American Studies, the University will shift its emphasis to Latino/Latina programs. Many students are optimistic about the prognosis for both areas of study "This year, Latino transformation progress is starting and they're in a good place," senior AACT member Aaron Chiu said. "People may say that the school has moved on from Asian-American issues to this. Ideally, they could grow together, build together and make it possible to have a whole new depth to study," he said. Students sometimes question prioritizing the depth of one ethnic study over another. While administrators sympathize with these complaints, they explain that there are not enough resources to please everyone. "As an Asian American myself, it's an odd feeling to look at the curriculum and not find much there that speaks to your experience," Inouye said. "But practically speaking, it is impossible to fill courses to everyone's background. Having one thing usually means not having another." With both the recent Princeton Review ranking of Tufts _ as the seventh worse university for "poor race/class relations" _ and student initiatives, students are still demanding more diversity in the curriculum. "We're behind Mt. Holyoke who has three Asian-American professors full-time and we're falling behind neighboring institutions like Columbia, Cornell and others who have majors in Asian American Studies," Chiu said. "There are plenty of schools the administration compares itself with and it would be a nice program to have when these comparisons occur," he said. Inouye was skeptical about the importance of such comparisons. "It's hard to measure perceptions," he said. Last year was difficult due to the administrative transitions, but the University is "actually doing much more than [it is given] credit for." Diversifying the curriculum affects the quality of college applicants, Inouye said. It would be difficult to have a first-rate university that doesn't speak to the Asian American population, he said. "Places like MIT, Berkeley _ the very best universities _ they draw a lot of Asian-American students.

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News

JumboCast takes Tufts athletics to the net

September 25

In the bottom of the seventh inning of the opening round of last season's NESCAC baseball tournament, the Jumbos clung to a precarious 5-3 lead over Williams. Senior first basemen Tim Ayres stepped to the plate, and broke the game open, lacing a long two-run triple. A Tufts parent frantically dialed Ayres' home across the country in Irvine, California to deliver the good news. However, when Ayres' mother picked up the phone she was already as excited as the screaming fans. She already knew about the clutch hit, as she had been listening to the game live over the Internet on JumboCast. JumboCast is the brainchild of Steve Clay, a computer engineer and a 1990 graduate of Tufts. Clay developed the idea of airing live broadcasts of Jumbo sports on the web after witnessing the great reaction received when WMFO, local Tufts radio, began broadcasting games in 1990. "It was really eye-opening to see how positively alumni and students responded when Tufts sports games were first on the radio," Clay said. In the winter of 2000 a faltering WMFO transmitter led Clay to jerry-rig a setup that allowed a live basketball broadcast to run over the Internet. Since that first remedial connection, JumboCast has grown into a resource few universities in the nation possess. In fact, Tufts is the only NESCAC school with an organization anything like JumboCast. "I don't know of any other school that has broadcasts of sports over the web like Tufts has with JumboCast," Paul Sweeny, director of sports information, said. "We are the envy of the NESCAC." Though Clay credits WFMO immensely in aiding Tufts sports, he is quick to point out the benefits of the JumboCast system. "We can reach a much larger audience," Clay said. "Even the webcast offered by WMFO can only handle 10-20 people. We're using the Tufts infrastructure and can be heard by a huge audience. We're also in a much higher fidelity. Broadcasts are no longer through a phone line and they sound much more pristine." Clay attributes the flexibility in broadcasting afforded by the WebCast to JumboCast's success. "The constraints on WMFO's schedule didn't allow it to broadcast a lot of games. We can broadcast anything we want, and then archive it where it can be accessed forever," Clay said. "We were fortunate to have the opportunity to build a sports broadcasting legacy at WMFO for 12 years, but the hope is that with WebCast we can really grow it further." In his venture, Clay is assisted by two former Tim Horgan Award-winning Tufts Daily sportswriters, Ben Oshlag and Vivek Ramgopal, in addition to Todd Bloniarz, the long-time voice of Tufts football, basketball and hockey on WMFO. Clay himself is a former editor in chief of the Daily. "Having a dedicated and interested staff only helps us create a great product," Clay said. Clay is even hopeful that JumboCast will help cure the widespread problem of undergraduate apathy toward sports on the hill. "We're creating the system before there's a huge demand for it," Clay said. "We're going slowly and trying to do it the right way. We really hope that the resource will increase interest in Tufts sports in general. We even think it can be a huge leg up in attracting athletes who can go to the website and actually listen to or watch an archived game." JumboCast is not a student organization, nor is it affiliated with the athletic department. Instead, it is an independent organization related to Tufts athletics. It operates on a shoe-string budget, and relies heavily on independent contributions. Though only entering its second year of existence, Clay is hopeful that JumboCast and Tufts' athletics will have a long and mutually beneficial relationship. "There are so many games we want to cover," Clay said. We see JumboCast as a way to broadcast all sports. We not only want to deliver the most audio and video content relating to Tufts sports that we can manage, but we also want to create a practical, hands-on training environment for Tufts students and alumni interested in broadcast sports journalism." JumboCast can be reached from the link at TuftsLife.com or directly at www.jumbocast.net. JumboCast will broadcast three live Homecoming events this weekend: the Carzo Cage dedication at 10 a.m. on Saturday, the football game against Bates at 12:30 on Saturday, and the men's soccer game at 1:30 on Sunday

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News

Discover The Fells

September 25

It amazes me how few Tufts students know about the Middlesex Fells Reservations. Commonly known as "The Fells", it is one of the few places I have encountered during my four years in Medford that can bring me that natural high that so many people yearn to have. Located just on the other side of Medford Square, it is a hidden treasure that should be discovered by all undergrads. I will never understand why someone would rather run mile after mile on a treadmill or pedal along on the stationery bikes of Cousen's Gym when a beautiful and scenic landscape is so close. The choice of the fresh air of a natural park versus the overcrowded, hot gym just does not seem debatable to me. Exercising outdoors is more exciting and always accessible. Also, you can save time otherwise spent driving to an exercise club. I understand the positive aspects of indoor exercise, such as protection from inclement weather, and the ability to weight-lift; however when you just want to go for a run or a short bike ride on that beautiful day, why would you ever choose to do it indoors? Is it to watch TV or listen to those great hits of Jammin' 94.5? You tell me. The Fells consists of approximately fifty miles of carriage trails and hiking trails. Trail destruction has become an issue recently, but there are still many miles of mountain bike trails available. Even if you do not want to exercise, you can just go to The Fells to relax, unwind, and get away from the fast-paced city life that most of us lead on the Medford/Somerville campus. For those non-athletes, The Fells has the Sheepfold picnic area, Bellevue Pond, Virginia Wood, and Spot Pond. The Sheepfold is ten acres of open field, used for picnics, Frisbee playing, or basically any sort of outdoors game. Bellevue Pond is a seasonal pond surrounded by trails and wide fire roads. These roads lead up to Wrights Tower, which looks out over the Boston Basin. Virginia Wood, the site of a vanished mill village called "Haywardville" is now a dense hemlock enclave. While the natural history of The Fells dates back to the retreat of the last glaciers, its land subdivisions have changed numerous times. Over the years, The Fells has been known for its timber, pastureland, diabase and granite block quarrying, ice industry, and the Haywardville mill village--the site of Goodyear's early rubber experiments. Also, the reservation was used in World War II as a tank testing grounds and in the 1950s as anti-aircraft battery position. For all it has to offer, a trip to The Fells today will afford you one of the most treasured gifts of Massachusetts: a New England fall. The colorful collage of bright reds, yellows, and oranges reflecting off the many reservoirs and into the crisp blue autumn sky will soon be the scenery and a sweet melancholy reminder that the winter days are approaching. So before the days are too short, I urge all students who have not yet taken advantage of this local park to certainly do so before the end of the season. I promise, it will be worth your while. . Andrew Kenney is a senior majoring in Computer Engineering.

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Breaking the mold this season at the Boston Ballet

September 25

The mark of a distinguished ballet company is not its technical mastery or comprehensive repertoire of classical productions, but rather the extent of its versatility. In 1999, the Boston Ballet lacked all three. The dancers lacked basic technique and stage presence _ anything more complicated than Nutcracker was beyond the scope of their artistic abilities _ and the company as a whole lacked a certain amount of cohesiveness. In three short years, a great deal has changed at the Boston Ballet. The recent appointment of new artistic director, Mikko Nissinen, has helped the company and its dancers achieve a new level of technical and artistic excellence, as demonstrated by the opening of its 2002-2003 season last weekend at the Wang Theatre. Straying from the traditional story ballet, the program consists of three different pieces choreographed by the most well-respected and influential of contemporary ballet choreographers. Surprisingly, the Boston Ballet was able to adapt its traditional style to this more modern choreography and present a program that was not only enjoyable and energetic, but also shows audiences that the company now ranks among the best and most versatile in the nation. The opener to the program is Mark Morris' "Maelstrom," set to the music of Ludwig van Beethoven. It is surprisingly traditional, given Morris' reputation as one of the more modern of contemporary ballet choreographers. Performed by seven pairs of dancers, the work is primarily comprised of a blend of classical lines with subtle, modern elements _ for example, where the foot would normally be pointed, it is flexed. Morris also incorporates some of the most basic components of ballet technique from the barre-work practiced each day in class. His playful use of space results in a very visual piece, with the dancers often arranged in geometric patterns of pairs, trios and straight lines. Like many contemporary choreographers, he employs a kind of "variations on a theme" progression of movement, with specific elements of the choreography repeating throughout the length of the piece. The second selection, "Sharp Side of Dark," marks the North American debut of Jorma Elo, a Finnish choreographer whose work is already well-regarded in Europe. The combination of lighting, set design, and costumes lends an urban, industrial feel to the work with steel beams, harsh spotlights and flesh-tone unitards. Elo's choreography is characterized by movements which make the dancers appear to slink through their bodies, making extensive use of the spine and its various contortions. While the dancers do not appear entirely at ease with the unusual choreography, there is still a certain technical elegance to their efforts in undertaking a piece that challenges the boundaries of their rigorous classical training. William Forsythe's "In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated" is a curious finale to the program. While both the choreography and dancing are unique and engaging, the music, by Thom Willems, is a distracting escalation of tension that never actually resolves itself. Forsythe recreates this tension in his choreography, as the dancers toy with balance, walk about the stage matter-of-factly, or lurk menacingly in the shadowy corners as a brief yet complex pas de deux is performed. The simplicity of the costumes focuses the attention of the audience on the movement as well as the threatening aura created by both the dancers and the music. Although jarring and intrusive at times, the piece is still successful in its attempts to question traditional themes of classical ballet. While most of the Boston Ballet's productions highlight the beauty and technical prowess of one dancer or another, Nissinen has selected a trio of dances that focuses equally on the talents of all his dancers. From principals to soloists, each dancer is paid equal attention as a result of the nature of the choreography. Nissinen has taken a tremendous risk in straying from the full-length story ballet with these three contemporary pieces, not only because of the ways in which they challenge the dancers' primarily classical technique but also given the expectations of his audiences. For many, ballet is little more than Romeo and Juliet or Les Sylphides. This is a program that casts aside such notions and expectations and uses ballet in unique and unusual ways. As such, it is a production that lacks universal appeal. For those whose exposure to ballet is limited to the annual production of Nutcracker, this program will seem harsh and perhaps even un-ballet-like. Such artistic risks notwithstanding, the Boston Ballet's 39th season has certainly started off with a bang. Nissinen has shown his determination to make waves in the ballet community, and as such has proven his dancers' abilities exceed everyone's expectations. The company rises to the particular challenges of this program and shows that its training does not limit it to the romantics of Giselle, but has in fact prepared them for a season that promises to be anything but ordinary

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News

Sophia's serves up sangria and salsa dancing

September 25

If you're counting down the days until you can go abroad and find a little Latin flavor, you may not have to wait so long. Head over to the Fenway area to Sophia's on Bolyston Street for a little Latin dancing, Latin food, Latin liquor, and if you're lucky, some Latin lovin'. Sophia's is surrounded by sketchy post-ballgame sports bars, and its outside d?©cor looks unassuming and quiet. Inside, however, the music pounds and the atmosphere is that of an elegant house party. It's more authentic Latin than anything Enrique Iglesias ever sang. With four floors and five bars, you can run, you can hide, but you can't escape the dancing. Start off on the first floor, which hosts the dining area, the largest bar, and a live band on some nights. The menu offers authentic Spanish tapas, which by our translation means medium-priced but tiny selections of food. The grilled stuffed pork tenderloin was lip-smacking good _ one of the most tender loins we've ever tasted. Also excellent was the tortilla Espanola, an omelet-like wedge of eggs, potatoes, and onions. The rest of the menu had great variety, but we opted to save our money for sangria. No matter what time of night you arrive at Sophia's, be sure to sit down for dessert. The panqueque de dulce de leche, a thin crepe-like dessert filled with rich caramel syrup, was nothing short of orgasmic. The chefs should be credited for creating desserts that are scrumptious yet not so rich and heavy as to prevent you from working your hips on the dance floor. But really, let's get back to the sangria. So what if a pitcher costs $26; you'll be feeling so good when you finish drinking it that you won't quite be able to make out the numbers on the bill. This luscious light-bodied liquid goes down like a girlie drink but tastes like fruit, not a pixie stick. Speaking of dancing, you're not pressed for choices in this sprawling joint. The bottom floor, dubbed the [no sex in the] Champagne Lounge, is the most chill of the floors but still offers a large dance floor and DJ. The second floor is truly the salsa spot. The party gets started there around 11 p.m., and with bars on either end of the room, you won't have trouble staying limber. The jewel in this Latin crown, however, is the open-air roof top with a view of Fenway and central Boston that rivals the top of the library roof. Don't start making out yet though, because you will be kept company by about 200 other people. On a crisp autumn night, the roof top is a nice place to talk, cool off from the salsa inferno, and sit in a swingy chair whispering sweet Latin nadas in the ear of your date. And, of course, the roof top has its own bar. Though Sophia's was a cut above an evening in Davis Square, it might be more formal than what the average Jumbo is used to. There's a $10 cover charge after 9:30. Don't count on getting in wearing your Levi's, and to add insult to injury, no baseball caps are allowed. But luckily for the ladies (ha), there is no rule about showing too much cleavage _ at this place, it might get you a discount, or at least a great dance partner. Sophia's is surrounded by sketchy sports bars and a neighborhood that is not active at night. Don't plan to meet people there, as you won't want to walk the four blocks from the Kenmore T stop alone. But do plan on dropping mucho dinero and drinking hard alcohol all night. The first floor bar is the only one with beers on tap, and the bottled selection is smaller than J-Lo's vocal range. If you don't think your salsa-dancing skills are up to par, head to Sophia's on a Wednesday or Friday night for Latin heartthrob 101. Sophia's instructors will teach you all the steps you need to feel like a pro on the dance floor _ and if that doesn't work, another pitcher of sangria can might do the job. The classy atmosphere of Sophia's makes it a great place to bring a date you want to impress or your significant other for a special occasion. But don't hesitate to go there with a large party of your friends, as Sophia's offers something for everyone and is known for its sexy singles scene. The crowd is slightly older and more sophisticated than those who haunt The Burren, but it is by no means a mid-life crisis support group. With four floors, five bars, and a seemingly never-ending supply of sangria, Sophia's is a classy place to kick off your shoes and say "bailamos." ?Viva la salsa

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News

TuftScope gaining national prominence

September 25

In only two years, TuftsScope, a journal of health, ethics, and policy, has created a strong presence on campus and has gained national acclaim. TuftScope is one of the only student-run bioethical journals, with peer review approach, in the country. Articles published have dealt with topics ranging from the use of cloning in stem-cell research, to the causes of Seasonal Affective Disorder, to HIV. These articles have also been cited by well-known publications, such as The American Journal of Bioethics' Stem Cell Biography. The organization also received the Evergreen Award from Tufts last May for best new organization of the year. The Office of Student Activities presented the award at the annual Student Organization Awards Banquet, when it acknowledges the hard work and accomplishments of ten student organizations. "The award recognized our positive contribution to the academic community, and acknowledged our team's hard work," said Brad Crotty, a founding co-editor of TuftScope. Though still in its infancy, the organization has come a long way since its inception in the fall of 2000, when it was an offshoot of the Pre-Medical Society at Tufts. TuftScope began as a medium for dialogue between students, centering on bioethical issues, but soon transformed into much more than a bioethics journal, founding co-editor Kate McGinigle said. TuftScope tries to promote Tufts' vision of active citizenship, advocating community service as well as responsible action. Published twice a year, the journal is a forum for the discussion of biomedical matters and the ethical and political issues arising from them. "TuftScope is all about bridging the gap," McGinigle said. "When some people hear the word 'science', they shy away. When some scientists hear the word 'politics', they don't know how to react. We're hoping to start a connection between the two." A peer reviewer, who specializes in the field of expertise pertaining to the submission, edits each submission to TuftScope. Peer reviewers can be Tufts graduate students and the faculty of Tufts University, as well as experts from other universities. Faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates comprise an editorial advisory board, which makes the executive decisions for the publication. TuftScope does more than publish a journal each year. Students involved in the organization attend national student bioethical conferences and hosts conferences to benefit the Tufts community. One of these was held at Tufts in March 2001 to discuss the implications of gene patenting and genetic privacy. Speakers at the conference included a bioethicist from Boston University, as well as members of the Tufts faculty

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News

Stealing Tufts

September 25

Getting your stuff stolen sucks _ there's no other way to describe it _ as the members of Sigma Nu were reminded last weekend when two individuals suspected to not be students broke into a first floor window, making away with an X-Box and a Palm Pilot. According to the fraternity, its members do not have theft insurance through the University or their national chapter. This does not mean that any student (in dorms, off-campus, or in a fraternity or sorority house) is without recourse for theft of their personal property. In many cases, a parent's homeowner's policy will cover a certain percentage of property that is located with a child attending college away from home. Unfortunately, if the insurance deductible (usually at least $250) is more than the value of the stolen items, the theft is a loss. Regardless of the details of a parent's, landlord's, or fraternity's insurance policy, students should be able to purchase their own insurance policies to specifically cover personal items kept at school. With the limited coverage of this type of policy, the deductible should be much lower, making it actually worthwhile to file a claim for a $200 video game system. While thefts are far from uncommon both on and off campus, Tufts does relatively little to educate students about their choices for protecting their belongings. According to Res Life guidelines, a brochure is mailed only to first-year students with information about obtaining personal property insurance in case their parents' coverage is inadequate. With the overabundance of University mail sent to pre-frosh before their first fall semester, it is unlikely that such important information is given the attention it deserves. Tufts should urge all undergraduate students to examine the level of insurance coverage, if any, for their property after school starts each year in an unambiguous University-wide email or personal letter. Many at Tufts are living on their own for the first time. The University traditionally wastes no effort in harassing students about such inane issues as Tufts' political activity policy and remembering which day to put the trash out at off-campus houses. It shouldn't be difficult to remind students about the importance of insuring themselves against loss. Off-campus students in particular need to be aware of even broader insurance issues. While dormitories and fraternities usually have sufficient liability coverage, landlords for off-campus houses may or may not be insured against fire and other types of damage or liability. The problems associated with this can be severe _ for example, if a party guest at your house breaks her leg falling down your steps, you can be held liable for her injuries. Renter's insurance is available to cover any gaps in a landlord's own policy, but this requires active effort by tenants. Tufts has the awkward responsibility of balancing students' common sense with their naivety during the transition between their teen years and adulthood. Tufts advises students how to protect themselves about campus problems such as rape and mental health issues. Theft is a more prevalent problem and also must be addressed

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Sig Ep to remain on campus, for now

September 25

The status of the Sigma Phi Epsilon (Sig Ep) fraternity is in jeopardy after members of the fraternity declared it "done" to the University and the national organization. Although Tufts told the group that it cannot fold, the financial and membership troubles it is facing illustrate larger problems that the Greek system is currently facing. "None of us believe that it can be saved," former Sig Ep President Jeff Fox said. "The other seniors and I decided that it wasn't worth continuing." Sig Ep has seen a drop in its number of pledges over the past few years, and only had four new members last year. Fewer pledges mean fewer dues, contributing to the financial strain on the house. Despite Sig Ep's recruitment efforst, "we didn't get the number [of pledges] we needed," said Fox. "We couldn't pay for everything. What [dues] we got went to administrative costs rather than parties." But when Fox and the other brothers went to the University with their decision, they were rebuked because shutting down would create an issue with their lodging house. The City of Somerville provides the lodging house license in recognition of the fact that the University, and the national office of the fraternity, agree to provide support and supervision. The chapter is also able to obtain indemnification through the national office and the alumni association of the chapter. Without that support, the city could decide not to issue the lodging house license, which would relegate the fraternity house to residential zoning, which allows only four unrelated people to live in a house. "The students made an assumption that the lease that they signed to live in the facility would continue in force. There is no way to know for sure what city officials would have done if the University informed them that the occupancy use had changed," Dean of Students Bruce Reitman said. Many believe that Sig Ep's woes are due to an overall decline of the Greek system's popularity on campus. "There is not as much of a fraternity system as there used to be _ these days, the chapters are more individual houses than they used to be," Reitman said. "The members who live in the chapter houses tend to be the newest members who just received bids. I think there used to be more pride in the system when upperclassmen lived in the chapter houses." "I don't know if it was mismanagement or bad luck, but their numbers did go down and they have been in decline for a while," Inter-Greek Council president Adam Biacchi said. "When I got here [this year], they were all ready to quit...the only people who [didn't] want to throw in the towel [were] the sophomores." Many have also cited a police crackdown on the fraternity system since the 1997 alcohol poisoning death of a MIT fraternity pledge and the subsequent lawsuit that cost MIT $6 million as a source of Sig Ep's difficulties. In the fall of 2000, the University and the city of Somerville took the then-president of Sig Ep and another member of the fraternity as well as the president of Theta Delta Chi to court for providing alcohol to a minor at a party. During last year's Senior Week, Sig Ep was caught with multiple kegs and had to pay fines of $300 per keg to the University, in addition to the national Sig Ep organization's fines, according to Biacchi. He explained that this added to the house's financial strain, causing members to think that the chapter could not be saved. A senior in another fraternity said the University's attitude toward fraternities had changed in his time at Tufts. "When I was a freshman, the atmosphere was a lot more laid back. As long as your house didn't do anything really stupid, the University would leave you alone. Now it's almost like they want us to do something wrong," he said. Fewer parties mean less unity in the fraternity and less visibility on campus, which leads to fewer pledges. Sig Ep, for one, has seen its brotherhood cut in half the past three semesters. "When I pledged as a freshman, the house was a lot stronger... more brothers, more unity," Fox said. Low pledge numbers not only affect financial issues, but a fraternity's status on campus; chapters need at least 15 members to remain recognized. Sig Ep is not the only member of the Greek system having trouble attracting new members. Membership in Tufts fraternities and sororities has dropped from a high of 18 percent of the enrollment down to 11 percent. In 1998, Theta Chi nearly became a "colony" after it failed to attract any new pledges. Other Greek houses still face the same problem. "There are other fraternities and sororities that are having difficulty attracting new members to replace the graduating seniors," Reitman said. "Popularity seems to be tied to the house _ the larger and nicer houses attract new members more easily." Biacchi said he didn't think fraternities were trying any less to recruit new members, "but there may just be some sort of paradigm among the student body that the frats aren't as popular as they may once have been." Tufts' large international population _ 12 percent _ may also be part of the problem for the Greek system, as international students tend not to be involved in it, according to Reitman. Although the demise of Sig Ep was caused by factors affecting all Greek houses on campus, other fraternities say they are still going strong. Each house "ebbs and flows," in popularity Biacchi said. Since Sig Ep revealed its intention to close to the University, the younger members of the fraternity have decided to work to save the group. When alumni learned of the house's crisis, they raised enough money to support the fraternity. The house then elected a new executive board and plans to hold rush this semester. The national Sigma Phi Epsilon organization itself is very concerned about the group's decision and organized Sig Ep alumni to bring new life into the chapter. "They didn't want to see the chapter go under," said Scott Thompson, the director of communications for Sigma Phi Epsilon. The national organization and Sig Ep alumni are handling much of this "revamping." "The alumni are trying to get our undergraduates to sell the fraternity experience to potential brothers. Alumni have experience they can bring to the table in order to get more pledges," said Thompson. The chapter's newly-elected president, Bryce Petruccelli, is optimistic about Sig Ep's future. "We're not going anywhere," he said. "Its been on a decline but as long as everyone else is there we'll be here." Many, though, remain skeptical that Sig Ep will be able to revive itself. "They're still very much a shell of what they were and on shaky ground," Biacchi said. The University appears supportive of the fraternity, as administrators said it has value on campus. "They have their challenges, but [Sig Ep is a] wonderful group of kids," said Ed Cabellon, chair of the Council on Fraternities and Sororities. "Like the other groups on campus, they want to succeed, do good things, and provide a service." Ver??nica Aguilar and Steven Leibowitz contributed to this report.

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News

Electronic degree audit system put on hold

September 25

Plans for a degree audit system first proposed during the consolidation of Student Services and Academic Services several years ago will remain on hold indefinitely because the University has yet to find suitable software. The system was intended to be a computer program that would assist students in their study plans. In theory, it would be able to organize and cross-list information about the requirements a specific student needs to meet and which ones have already been met. It could also tell what classes would fill different requirements. It will "systematically help you understand [if you are] on track to meeting your degree requirements and graduating on time," Director of Technology for Academic Services and Student Affairs Patricia Sheehan explained. Ultimately, the implementation of a degree audit system depends on when a new application is put into use, Sheehan said. "That, from my perspective, is why this project is taking as long as it is and not moving forward," she said. With a program that could determine whether they are on or off track with their studies, students would find it much easier to decide whether they should, say, pursue a double major, a minor, or even spend a semester or year abroad. A degree audit system would also determine whether courses might be able to be double-counted for more than one requirement. Now that Student Services and Academic Services have been consolidated in Dowling Hall and are now "looking at the next stage phase of projects and degree audit is on that list...but we have not yet assigned a start date," Sheehan said. The biggest barrier to the implementation of a degree audit system is the old manual application currently in use. "It lacks functionality, prohibits us from using cooler applications, and the stand alone technology makes it more difficult to do some things _ and to do them quickly," she said. The degree audit system would work best if integrated with the rest of the Student Services system. "Your course registration would be right there so you could run a degree audit... the moment after you register online," Sheehan said. However, such integration would not be possible with the current system and an extra application would have to be written to interact with any degree audit system. Sheehan feels that applications currently available on the market will be inadequate for the system she envisions. When a suitable program is available, the degree audit system would be available to students of all Tufts' eight schools. "I think that having a program like that would maximize scheduling efficiency," said sophomore Matt Nathanson. "It's hard enough getting in touch with your advisor, no less finding out all the information you need to know. Having that program up in a few years would be good for the students in a few years, but Tufts students today also need some guidance.

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