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Got Clinton tickets?

March 31

When juniors Neal Mathuran, Viet Le, Eric Stern, and Michael Suarez finally got their Clinton tickets at Dowling Hall last Friday, they were applauded by everyone in the Dowling Hall waiting room. Having spent the night outside on the bridge in front of Dowling, the four students certainly earned their prime spots in line. The juniors were among the many students last Friday who lined up in the cold for the first batch of tickets to the annual Fares lecture - 950 divided between Dowling Hall and the information booth at the Campus Center. "We were all up at 4 a.m. [and] we weren't doing anything," Mathuran said. "We were going to go there at 9 a.m. anyway. Why not just go there and sleep there?" The four friends came to Dowling around 4 a.m. with sleeping bags and pillows and were finally let into the building around 7 a.m. by a janitor. By 10 a.m., the enthusiastic group sat in room 745 in Dowling, where the real line began. For these students, camping out was about having fun and creating a memorable college experience. "We look forward to seeing Clinton but it wasn't the main reason," Mathuran said. "We knew we didn't have to be there at 4 a.m." Student strategies for acquiring tickets for the Clinton lecture this Wednesday varied from the extreme to the mundane. Tickets at Dowling on Friday sold out in 31 minutes according to Joanne Smith, manager of the Student Services Desk at Dowling Hall. "I thought it ran pretty well," Smith said. "I was really surprised about how many kids wanted tickets." Not wanting to risk missing out on a presidential visit, some students took it upon themselves to pitch tents outside the Student Services building yesterday. According to sophomore Rachel Androphy, who pitched a tent outside of Dowling at 1 a.m., there were about five tents on the bridge yesterday morning. And while Androphy is certainly pleased to get a ticket, she does lament waking up early when she didn't necessarily have to. "I kind of regret it now that I know I could've come later," Androphy said, adding that camping out was fun. She and her friends brought a radio and took advantage of the grill brought by dwellers of a nearby tent. The students all enjoyed their fair share of s'mores. "I really didn't want to miss out on this opportunity, especially because we tried to get tickets on Friday," Androphy said. "How often do you get to hear Clinton speak [live]?" Other students waiting out in the cold on Monday morning, did not share Androphy's enthusiasm. "He better be good," senior Connie Petruzziello said. Petruzziello had been standing on line since 6:50 a.m., at which point the line had already wound behind the parking lot behind Packard Hall. After a late night of studying, freshman Kevin Miller came to an already full bridge at Dowling at 6:30 a.m. on Monday morning. "I thought it was great [that people camped out]," Miller said. "If you wanted to get the ticket, you had to get up really early and do what you have to do go get a ticket." As one senior pointed out, it wasn't necessary for everyone to wake up early for tickets on Monday. "Considering that people who get there at 7 a.m. would still get tickets, I'd be pissed if I was there at 6 a.m.," senior Grace Hollister said. Hollister arrived at Dowling at 6:30 a.m. According to the Office of Student Services, there were 600 additional tickets available to students and faculty on Monday morning. The tickets were previously reserved for the Office of Development. According to Smith, Dean Christine Dillon decided to begin distributing tickets ten minutes before the designated time. Smith felt that despite the blustery March weather, students were warm in spirit. "Personally I think it's a fun thing, as an administrator, to see kids rally together," Smith said. "Students that don't even know each other...showing a little bit of spirit for whatever reason. It can bring people together." She adds that she was surprised that people slept at Dowling overnight, but thinks that it will be a memorable experience for students. Smith, as well as other staff members, patrolled the line to make sure everything ran smoothly at Dowling. They took a student's ID if he or she had to leave the line for any reason. Smith allowed students to switch places if they were taking shifts, but wouldn't permit students to go up and down the line to find someone to take their ID."Crowd control was hard," Smith said. "We did everything in our power to prevent cutting and that sort of thing, whether that was successful I don't know." From the downhill perspective, the line wound through most of the Mayer Campus Center, upstairs in the study areas, down into Hotung, outside on the patio and around the building. Students who got their tickets downhill also had sleeping bags and portable chairs as well as Dunkin Doughnut refreshments, but no tents were pitched. On Monday, sophomore Myra Valenzuela arrived at the Campus Center at 5:45 a.m. and was among the first to arrive. Despite the long line, she claims she enjoyed herself."It was fun," Valenzuela said. "I don't know if I would do it again. We were having fun, cuddled up for heat." It is difficult to determine how early students will line up for seats in Gantcher, but Mathuran and Le are already making plans."We were talking about camping outside Gantcher," Mathuran said. His housemate Le refuses to reveal any secrets."There are plans in the works, but no confirmation yet," Le said.

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News

Baseball team looks for NESCAC revenge

March 31

The baseball team finished 21-13-1 last season, but it was the unlucky 13th loss that the team had to stomach for the entire offseason. The Jumbos lost in the finals of the NESCAC tournament to Williams, losing out on a chance for the NCAA tournament. Though the team refuses to look ahead to the end of the season, it would love to have a chance at revenge. The Jumbos have the returning talent to get back to the finals of the NESCAC tournament, and an additional year of experience could put them over the hump. While three position players aren't returning for this season's run, the core of the team is intact and ready to head south for the annual Spring Break trip. Catcher Last year Joe Suprenant started 31 games and batted .283. He has graduated, leaving difficult shoes to fill. Not only does the catcher have to field his position from a crouch, handle the pitching staff, and hold his weight in the batting order, but he has to be the onfield leader. That responsibility will now fall on the shoulders of sophomore Greg Hickey, and the early signs are optimistic. "It's a tough position to just step into," junior centerfielder Evan Zupancic said. "You are accountable for a lot out there, but Greg can handle it well. He's coming along." Hickey started 16 games last year, though many were at the DH spot, batting .273. Teammates have been impressed with Hickey's play during early practices, but the real test will come on the Spring Break trip when the team plays outside for the first time of the year. While Hickey's numbers may not factor into the boxscore with regularity, his ability to fill in for Supernant will be a determining factor on the quality of this team. The corners One corner, first base, is set in stone, while third base is still up in the air. Senior Tim Ayers returns for another tour of duty at first base, and he is hoping to continue his impressive play. He was second on the team in batting average last year, hitting at a .349 clip. He also contributed 26 runs, 38 hits, and 29 RBIs. As important as his offense from the fifth spot in the order is his steadiness at first. "He's a wall at first base," Zupancic said. "Nothing gets by him." It's reassuring for the infielders to be throwing to such a steady target, but who will be throwing to Ayers from the hot corner is still in doubt. Dan LaPointe was the starter by the end of last year, but he isn't returning to the club this year, which leaves the spot up for grabs. Though the coaches haven't picked a starter, the job right now could come down to either sophomore Nick Palange or Adam Kacambrus. Palange started 22 games last year, but hit only .212, while Kacambrus played in only four games. "The trip will help determine who will be the starter," Zupancic said. Middle infielders It's tough to get a hit up the middle on Tufts, as coach John Casey returns his shortstop and second baseman - both of whom have plenty of range. Junior Brian Shapiro captains the infield from the shortstop position and has the athleticism and arm strength to cover a lot of ground throw out runners. He also bats cleanup for the Jumbos, and posted a .308 average with 26 runs, 44 hits, 27 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. His play garnered Shapiro a second team All-NESCAC mention. His double play partner is similar in many respects to Shapiro, as junior John Herbert covers considerable territory and rarely makes a mistake. Herbert also carries his own in the lineup, as he batted second last year, hitting .322 with 35 runs, 47 hits, 21 RBI, and 13 stolen bases.Outfield Like the rest of the lineup, the outfield is both a major strength and a question mark. Todd Boutwell manned left field last season, but with his graduation, Casey has the job of finding a replacement. Senior Brian Neville is one of the choices, though nothing is set in stone. Like the third base job, decisions will be made after the Spring Break trip. The rest of the outfield, however, is amongst the best in the region. Senior right fielder Dan Callahan, a tri-captain, is the driving force of the offense, as he led the Jumbos in every offensive category. He hit .420 with 38 runs, 60 hits, a team-record 41 RBI, and 12 stolen bases on the way to NESCAC Player of the Year honors. He doesn't take time off in the field, either, as he has above-average range and had six outfield assists last year. And any ball hit to right center that Callahan can't run down, Zupancic will. In fact, there aren't a lot of balls that Zupancic, who doubles as a cornerback on the football team in the Fall, can't track. If there is anything the tri captain needs to work on, it's the offense. Though he hit .308 with 26 runs and 14 stolen bases last year, he knows those numbers have a lot of room to increase. "I've been disappointed with my hitting the last two years," Zupancic said. "I have been focusing on that this preseason." Zupancic would like to increase his average by about 100 points, and if he can do that, his runs and stolen bases will go up at the same time. Pitching The pitching staff might be the biggest strength of this team, as the top four pitchers off last year's squad are all back. What Callahan was to the offense, junior Jon Lee was for the pitching staff, as he went 7-1 with a 2.09 ERA on the way to NESCAC Pitcher of the Year honors. Opponents batted only .214 against Lee, as a low ERA and opponent batting average was a trend for Jumbo pitchers last year. Junior Dave Martin was 5-2 with a 2.43 ERA while being hit at a .231 clip. Sophomore Randy Newsom (2-4, 3.50 ERA, .251 batting average) and senior tri-captain Steve Lapham (3-5, 3.57 ERA, .287 batting average) are experienced and round out the rotation. Outlook Despite the loss of three position players, Tufts has the bulk of its team back this year. Though the players are loath to look ahead to the NESCAC Tournament, if the Jumbos don't beat themselves in the early season, it's likely that they will face Williams again this season in the finals. The Ephs are 17th in the country in the preseason, so defeating them in the finals of the NESCAC Tournament will be a challenge. @s:Team one of the best in New England

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News

Detectives make progress in South Hall robbery

March 31

Newly revealed information is aiding Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) Lieutenant Detective Charles Lonero in his investigation into the Dec. 4 armed robbery of four students in room 189 of South Hall. Two suspects, who were allowed into the dorm by at least one of the victims, held one student at gunpoint and stole over $1,000 worth of cash and valuables. Prior to the winter recess, a witness came forward and told investigators he had interacted with one of the suspects during the first week of school. Freshmen Paul Peronnin and Andrew Ely, who lived in the room, have since moved as a security precaution. Two new students now occupy the room. Though the victims knew the assailants, the information they provided did not help investigators identify the perpetrators. Lonero would not release specifics or confirm the names of the victims, but said that police were considering the possibility that the robbery was drug-related. "The drug angle is being investigated," he said. The Boston Police Department created a composite photo of the suspect, which TUPD and the Somerville police are showing in areas the suspect may frequent. Investigators are aware of the first name of one suspect, but say there are two or more possible names for the second. In December, police removed furniture and other items the assailants might have touched. They are still being processed for forensic evidence. Lonero said he hopes police will find a match on the items when they apprehend a suspect. One promising lead has turned into a dead end. When provided with what the South Hall residents believed to be one of the suspect's cell phone numbers, investigators obtained a search warrant to inspect phone records. One of the victims had used the number to contact a suspect, but the cell phone turned out to be stolen, and phone records yielded no clues.

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News

Wendell Philips winner not sure what the frenzy is about

March 31

Senior Mike Ferenczy, winner of this year's Wendell Philips award, is not quite sure why he was chosen to be the only undergraduate to speak at this year's commencement exercises. "I think I had a pretty good speech," the engineering major said. "I don't know if anything really set me apart from the other seven finalists. From what I hear, they all had really great speeches, and I'm sure anyone of them would have been a great speaker at commencement." Despite his humble explanation, Ferenczy has the academics and a wide variety of activities to back up his award. The 22 year-old Buffalo, NY, native began his academic career at Hamburg High School in Western New York. While in high school, Ferenczy played baseball and the drums, the latter passion he continued last semester by playing for Torn Ticket II's production of Zombie Prom. Unlike many freshmen, Ferenczy began his year with an uncommon degree of confidence. "I had just come back from living a year with my family in Switzerland, and I was ready to go to college," he said. "I'd been through the typical anxieties about leaving home the year before, so I was able to enjoy freshman year without that added stress." Ferenczy credits college with teaching him how to live with a group of diverse people. "I think it's a hard skill to learn, and an important one that Tufts teaches you," he said. "Also, Hamburg, NY, is a pretty homogeneous place, and I've learned a lot about other people and cultures here." And though Ferenczy failed to earn a spot on the Tufts baseball team during his freshman year, he was more successful in other endeavors. Ferenczy has been a resident assistant for three years. "It's probably the most gratifying experience I've had at Tufts, or in my life so far," he said. "The positive effect I can have on someone's life is so much more important than any schoolwork I've done." And in typical RA mode, Ferenczy is full of advice about maximizing the Tufts experience. He is quick to recommend a few "must-have" professors. "Professor Morse is the most committed professor I have met at Tufts, and a great lecturer," Ferenczy said. "Both "Intro to Philosophy" with Professor David Denby and "Ethical Theory" with Professor Lionel McPherson were great courses." But most students would recognize Ferenczy's name from his work outside of the classroom, particularly in student government. He has been active on service committees such as Budget and Priorities, and has participated in Kids to College and Kids Day for Leonard Carmichael Society. Outside of campus, he has worked on cancer research in Buffalo at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, trying to find out why DNA replicates. Ferenczy is currently a TA for Chemistry 2 lab. As the Chair of the Tufts Community Union Judiciary (TCUJ), Ferenczy was involved in renewing the process of recognizing new student groups and running the "re-recognition" of existing student groups. His interest in the "J" spawns from his concern for advocacy and justice on campus. "We're training a group of students to act as advocates for people involved in the disciplinary process," he said. "This is a way to make the process better, and to hopefully give everyone the feeling that they're getting treated fairly." Ferenczy declined to comment on his college GPA. But he stressed that although academics have always been a priority, he has always balanced his classes with his extracurricular commitments. "I think it's important to develop both intellectual and emotional maturity at college," Ferenczy said. "You need to get a good GPA so you can accomplish your post-graduation goals, but a 4.0 isn't essential." In his speech to the Committee on Student Life during the competition for the Wendell Philips award, he said, "the most important lessons of life you don't learn in a classroom. You learn just by the act of living, especially during times of struggle." Ferenczy cites the tragic death of his father, when Ferenczy was 16, as a crucial life lesson that has defined his college experience. After spending time reading and reflecting, Ferenczy decided to try to move forward with his life. Reflecting on his father's illness, Ferenczy now says that "for more reasons than I can list" his parents are his true heroes. "When my father was sick, that taught me a lot about life," Ferenczy said. "My mother was amazing, holding my family together and raising three children and working and taking care of my dad. I learned values and strength and pride during that period." Claiming that he is no more an expert on dealing with life's hardships than any other student, Ferenczy recognizes that no two hardships are exactly alike. "Each person must learn to deal with struggle in his or her own way," Ferenczy said. "I do believe in the resiliency of the human spirit." After graduating this year, Ferenczy hopes to teach with Teach for America, possibly at an inner-city school. His first choice is a position in New York City. The volunteer spirit runs in his family; Ferenczy's brother, a junior at University of Pittsburgh, is pursuing similar goals. After the Wendell Phillips address is over, Ferenczy's plan is a bit less structured. "I don't know exactly what I'm going to be doing yet," he said. "I have a couple of ideas - I might go on to law school or grad school for science. I've always wanted to teach after having a career, but maybe I'll do it the other way around."

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News

Jumbos win six straight on spring trip

March 31

Despite a slow start, the Tufts baseball team returned from its spring trip boasting a 6-3-1 record. During the annual trip, the Jumbos play stiff competition from North Carolina and Virginia, and usually hope to return with around a .500 record. This year the team not only earned six wins, but they also came in succession after their 0-3-1 start. "I'm happy with the results of the trip," senior right fielder Dan Callahan said. "The fact is that by the end, we looked like a team, we played together, and we didn't get down after the slow start." The Jumbos can be excused for the poor start, as they had only practiced outside a handful of times prior to the opening game against Lynchburg, which they dropped 11-4. Tufts lost both games of a double header to St. Andrews and tied Methodist before righting the ship. "We practiced after the first few games," Callahan said. "So we had the opportunity to improve a lot." The improvement showed two days after the Methodist game, when the Jumbos defeated North Carolina Wesleyan 7-2, jumpstarting a six-game win streak. In the game, senior pitcher Steve Lapham shut down the team, while Callahan and junior shortstop Brian Shapiro did damage from the plate, going a combined 6-9 with three runs and four RBI. Callahan and Shapiro will team up this year with senior first baseman Tim Ayers to hold down the 3-4-5 spots in the order, and should pose an intimidating threat to opposing pitchers. "I hope we're intimidating," Callahan said. "With Brian and Timmy behind me, I know I'll see good pitches." On the trip, Callahan went 14-37 (.378) with 14 runs, 10 RBI, and a homer. Shapiro hit 19-37 (.513) with eight runs, 14 RBI, and two home runs. Ayers was right behind the two, batting .394 (15-38) with five runs and eight RBI. While those three provided the majority of the power for the team, coach John Casey was also impressed with some of the pitching performances, including Lapham's in the North Carolina Wesleyan game. The coach also cited freshman left hander Jeff Volinski's one-run performance against Virginia Wesleyan, and junior right hander Dave Martin's two games against Virginia Wesleyan and Methodist. Like Volinski, Martin also held Virginia Wesleyan to one run, as the Jumbos completed the sweep of the double-header. "We had good pitching on the trip," Casey said. The Jumbos also had a strong outing from a pair of right handers, sophomore Randy Newsom and freshman Jeremy Davis, which means that the Jumbos could have a solid rotation behind junior Jon Lee, last year's NESCAC Pitcher of the Year. Aside from winning games, Casey was also trying to determine who would get the bulk of the playing time at a few key positions this year. He wound up with the problem coaches love to have - too many quality players. "We're a pretty deep team," Casey said. "We're going to be a 12, 13, 14 man team. Not a nine-man team." Casey was true to his word, as he filled out ten unique lineup cards in the ten games the Jumbos played. The coach got 15 different people at bats during the trip, and as a testament to the depth of the team, 14 of them got at least one hit. "Depth is absolutely a strength," Callahan said. "We got a lot of contributions from a lot of people." The only positions that seem somewhat set in stone - though players and coaches alike insist that every position is always up for grabs - are first base, shortstop, center field, and right field, which will be filled by Ayers, Shapiro, junior leadoff hitter Evan Zupancic, and Callahan, respectively. The catcher spot, which was evacuated last year by the graduated Joe Suprenant, will be filled by sophomore Greg Hickey and freshman Bob Kenny, who split time during the trip. "Kenny impressed me, and Hickey came along at the end of the week," Casey said. Kenny played in seven of the team's ten games and went 5-22, though his contributions were felt more deeply on the defensive side. Hickey, who doubled as the designated hitter in a few of the games Kenny caught, posted similar offensive numbers, going 6-23. Just like in the catcher spot, Casey is blessed with a pair of second basemen that he can platoon. And like Hickey, junior Jon Herbert was able to DH a few games when freshman Frank Dinucci played second. Sophomore Adam Kacamburas spent time at third base and designated hitter, and made the most of his opportunities, going 8-23, a .347 clip. He split time at third with sophomore Nick Palange, who went 6-12 in the seven games he played. While Casey appears to have narrowed the players at catcher, second, and third, five separate players saw time in left, including Martin, who played outfield and designated hitter when he wasn't pitching. Along with Martin, sophomore Frank Giliberti, senior Brian Neville, sophomore Drew Blewett, and freshman John McBride all spent time patrolling left. The five combined to hit 7-38 (.184) with four runs and two RBI. "We have a lot of competition with in the team," Casey said, "which is good." Strong pitching, a potent offense, and team depth should make the Jumbos one of the top teams in the NESCAC this year. The Jumbos will carry their six-game winning streak into conference play this Friday when they travel to Maine to take on the Bates Bobcats.

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News

Student-teacher program prepares seniors for the "real world"

March 31

So you want to be a teacher? Tufts students can earn certification to teach in a school environment through the Child Development department in a program founded on the reciprocal relationship between students and full-time teachers. The program, most often used by _ but not restricted to _ seniors, supervises a teaching certification program that gives student-teachers the opportunity to apply their knowledge in curriculum-based courses. Senior Liz Exton is presently teaching first grade at the Hastings School in Lexington, after teaching preschool last fall. Two student teaching semesters, one in kindergarten or pre-K and one in elementary school, must be completed in order to be certified by the Child Development department to teach pre-kindergarten through third grade students. But this year, the program was altered: beginning in the fall of 2002, new participants will only gain certification to teach pre-K through second grade. "You teach with the teacher who's there," Exton says, "and at the end of the semester there is a 'take-over' week." Shawna Mahoney, another senior making use of the student-teacher program, says that during a "take-over" week, the college student literally takes over the classroom. "You have to plan all the lessons for all the different subject areas." The time commitment, both concur, is about 20 hours per week. Exton says she drives herself to the school where she teaches, but points out that those student teachers who do not have their own cars get assigned to schools that can be easily reached by way of public transportation. Other teaching certification programs exist for those interested in elementary school and high school classes, which are run by the Tufts Education department. Exton says that it is far more common to gain certification, for any level of teaching, through a masters program than as an undergraduate. "It's a really small program," Exton says. She can only name three undergraduates, other than herself, who are participating this semester and suggests that this may be due to the fact that the program is not extensively promoted. Exton believes that there is a widespread interest in the program, but that she recollects that many have discovered the program too late in their undergraduate careers to take advantage of it as undergraduates. According to Exton, working directly with children is bound to be a learning experience for all involved. "There are some things that I really like about the teacher [with whom I am presently employed] and some things that I would do differently." Smiling, she specified that she has some new ideas about group-oriented reading lessons. When Exton began teaching second graders in January, she was pleased to discover how capable the students were. Mahoney, who spent last fall semester teaching kindergarteners and presently teaches third grade in Sudbury agrees. "Their level of independence was surprising," she said. Mahoney reports that now she more fully understands the importance of establishing a good relationship with her students. She plans to get a job after graduation but recognizes that eventually she'll have to attend graduate school. Exton also plans on teaching for a few years after graduation. She is hoping that her future employer will fund her post-graduate education. Ideally, she says, she will go into administration. Both students hope to remain in the Boston area. Mahoney and Exton agree that being both a student at Tufts and a teacher in the community can be stressful, particularly during take-over week. "It's a juggling act," Exton said. Creating lesson plans and taking classes on campus certainly keep these students busy. Nonetheless, both student teachers believe that the program is well worth their effort. "It's definitely made me feel more confident about having a class of my own," Exton said.

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News

Women's fencing foils the competition

March 31

The women's fencing team will go to the New England Championships this Saturday, and while none have set high expectations, most team members say that they plan to finish well. At the team's latest success - a University of New Hampshire Conference meet on Feb. 9 - the Jumbos faced many of the same schools they will meet this weekend, including Boston University, Boston College, Wellesley, and UNH. "We really saw how far we have come this year," junior captain Frances Harper said. "We played close to many teams and feel that going into New Englands we have an edge based on other teams underestimating us." "We faced some tough competitors and showed that we can stay with them," sophomore Amanda Haley added. "Some team members were down because they lost their bouts, but when we talked about it we realized that our efforts had paid off, and we could compete with these schools." Of the team's loses, many were close games lost to more experienced opponents. Some competitors have fenced for as many as six years, while many on Tufts' team are new to the sport. The team also lost a number of starters to graduation last year, most notably former captain Amy Dickenson. Juniors Mika Mutoh, Lisa Grunder, and Kim Harbin are studying abroad this season, further cutting into the ranks. Replacing those experienced members was the hardest task this team has had to face yet. But the young team is led by a solid core of juniors, including Harper, Kasara Williams, Diana DeLuca, and Emily Cappetta, who have helped the new members get adjusted. At least one member from each of the three squads - foil, epee, and sabre - is new to the team, and the foil squad is composed entirely of new fencers. "It has been a difficult year since none of us on the foil squad had fenced at the collegiate level, and only one of us came in with any fencing experience at all," Christina Zahara, leader of the foil squad said. Coach Jason Sachs has worked diligently with the squads to bring them to a competitive level. The team is smaller than usual, but the women have responded well to his teaching style, helping them to take big strides in overcoming their inexperience. "[Sachs] is a young guy who is still very much involved in the sport," Haley said. "Because he still fences we find his teaching style is easier to relate to. We trust him more because of that as well." One of the big decisions Sachs has made going into this weekend's championships has been to place freshman Zinger Yang at the 'A' spot for the foil squad. Zinger is the only member on the foil squad with previous experience, but at the 'A' spot she will face the best foil fencers from other schools. This could be a difficult task for a freshman, but her teammates have confidence in her. Zahara says that the foil squad as a whole has reached a comfort level with the sport, where they can go into the championships and come away with experience and exposure. The more experienced members from the epee and sabre squads feel that the entire team can finish strong at the championships. "My freshman year was considered a rebuilding year and we finished fourth at New Englands," Harper said "This year was a similar situation, and I think we can do just as well, if not better." A good result could also propel some athletes into the regional competition on March 2.

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News

Janitors protest at Harvard Square

March 31

Harvard Square was enveloped in protest yesterday afternoon as Harvard University's Janitors and Service Union International (SEIU) local 254 fought for increases in custodial wages. The campaign is part of a continued "Justice for Janitors" campaign that the SEIU is organizing throughout the year at a number of universities, such as Tufts and Stanford. SEIU local 254 is the largest union in the state that represents janitors at institutions of higher learning. The march, held in coordination with Martin Luthser King Jr. Day, went off despite rain and cold temperatures. Many of the speakers reminded the audience that King demanded living wages for the working poor. The march was preceded by a rally held in the First Parish Church that included a speech by gubernatorial candidate Robert Reich. "It is important to provide all employees a living wage," Reich told the Daily. "Our institutions are our communities." At the rally, he went on to say, "A great university like Harvard should set a great moral example for the rest of the country." Civil rights leader Mel King took a harsher tone. "Harvard is not a great institution," King said. "If it was a great institution, we would not have to be here today." The union also represents employees of OneSource, Tufts' custodial contractor. Through fall campaigning, OneSource employees won a $3 wage increase that is going into effect this month. In December, a Harvard panel found that the university needed to raise the wages of its outsourced custodial staff to reach a level of parity with other university workers. Harvard President Lawrence Summers has yet to make a decision on the panel's recommendations. "At some point there will be a response, but I don't know when that will be," Harvard Spokesman Joe Wrinn said. "He's just distilling everything over the coming weeks." At Tufts, the Student Labor Action Movement (SLAM), looking for better working conditions for Tuft's janitors, used protests and petitions to publicize negotiations between the union and OneSource. SLAM leader Iris Halpern said that she thinks the Harvard recommendations, if instituted, are a good start. Halpern said she was "proud of Tufts for taking a pseudo-lead," but added that she feels that Harvard probably won't institute all the recommendations. "All parts of the community are pissed off," Halpern said about Harvard. "I think that they can go further." Harvard Janitor Shakespeare Christmas has faith that President Summers will institute the changes. "I think that he will because he talked highly of the custodians," Christmas said. As to the wage increase at Tufts, Christmas thinks that it's a good sign for Harvard. "If a smaller school is doing it, why couldn't they?" Many of the speeches were delivered in both Spanish and English as a reminder that the majority of the Harvard janitors are Hispanic, a point emphasized by some speakers. Throughout the rally, the SEIU representatives passed out signs and encouraged the crowd to chant "S?­, se puede" - Spanish for "Yes, we can." The rally included speeches by Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner and State Representative Alice Wolf. "We have to have justice for all in this country if we are going to call ourselves a democracy," Turner told the crowd. Harvard Education Professor Pedro Nogura said that if President Summers didn't institute the changes, the university's problems were only going to get worse. "I hope he gets the message that if he wants a peaceful spring, he will deal with this soon," Nogura said.

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McGlynn, Coupe honored by NESCAC

March 31

The NESCAC honored two members of the men's basketball team last Wednesday when it released the 2002 All-NESCAC awards. Junior guard Mike McGlynn was named Second Team All-NESCAC, and freshman center Craig Coupe was named Rookie of the Year.It marked the third consecutive season that the NESCAC Rookie of the Year award has gone to a Tufts player. Sophomore point guard Phil Barlow shared the honor last season, while junior guard Brian Shapiro received the award in 2000. "It was kind of the icing on the cake," Coupe said. "I feel like I had a strong season and it's nice to get recognized."McGlynn earned the recognition after playing in his first season as a Jumbo. He was a standout at Brandeis during his freshman and sophomore years, before transferring to Tufts. He wasted little time in asserting himself as the Jumbos' top offensive threat this season, averaging 18 points per game, including 23.6 points in NESCAC contests, good for fifth place in conference scoring. McGlynn proved to be particularly dangerous from behind the three-point line, as he led the NESCAC in three-point field goal percentage by connecting on 48.1 percent (102-212) of his shots from downtown. In doing so, he shattered Tufts' single season record for three pointers (90), set by Bill Slackman in 1990-91. McGlynn finished the regular season with 99 threes, and added three more in a postseason game against Williams to finish the year with a NESCAC-leading 102 three pointers. He connected on 20 more three pointers than the next closest player, Colby senior Damien Strahorn, who finished with 82.McGlynn's offensive contributions proved to be crucial for the Jumbos, who lost a large part of their offense when Barlow went down midway through the season with a broken foot. McGlynn performed well under the added pressure, and in doing so scored his 1,000th career point in an 88-87 loss to Trinity on Jan. 25. After scoring 756 points in his two seasons at Brandeis, he finished this season with 1,207 career points. McGlynn is joined on the second team by Williams junior Drew DeMuth, Trinity senior Bryan Dion, Amherst junior Pat Fitzsimons, and Bates senior Alex Wilson. The first team is comprised of Connecticut College senior Mizan Ayers, Wesleyan senior Leo Jones, Colby senior Damien Strahorn, Amherst junior Steve Zieja, and, Trinity senior Colin Tabb, also the conference's player of the year. Coupe received his award after providing coach Bob Sheldon and the Jumbos with a much-needed inside presence. After losing center and leading scorer Dan Flaherty to graduation last year, it was uncertain whether the team would be able to fill the hole left inside. Coupe answered this question definitively, developing into one the top big men in the NESCAC. He was third on the team in scoring with 11.9 points per game, and logged the second most minutes behind McGlynn, with 608. He was among the NESCAC leaders in blocks, rebounds, and field goal percentage. His 2.2 blocks per game was good for second in the conference, while he was fifth in rebounds per game with 8.5, and fourth in field goal percentage (53.1 percent). While his individual talent is apparent, Coupe attributes much of his success to the coaching staff and his teammates. "A lot of my success came through the coaching staff," he said. "They brought me along at the right pace, and didn't throw me out there right away. They waited until they felt I was ready to start. My teammates were really helpful in welcoming me and bringing me along as well."The Jumbos finished the season at 12-13 overall and 3-6 in the NESCAC. They sneaked into the playoffs, nabbing the seventh seed, but fell to Williams in the first round. Despite losing co-captains Bobby MacMannis and Bruce Reese, along with senior Kevin Reade, the team will return its top eight scorers next season.Both of this season's award winners will be back in uniform next year, and both say improvement is on the horizon. "As a team goal, we want to be one of the top teams in the NESCAC," Coupe said. "Individually I'd like to become more than just a one dimensional player, to be someone who can go inside and outside with ease."@s:Both all conference selections returning next year

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News

Ex-panding the classroom

March 31

Plagiarism, ethics, and honor codes were the topic of discussion on Wednesday evening, as students, faculty, and administrators crowded into the Faculty Dining Room for the Ex-college's 12th annual Opening Up the Classroom. This year's event was entitled "Ethics, Education and Enron: Integrity at Tufts and Beyond." Opening Up the Classroom is held annually to give students an opportunity to have real, productive conversations with faculty outside of the classroom. Ex-College director Robyn Gittleman said the discussions are intended to find ways to make a difference in the Tufts community. "Each year we try to find issues that are both important and interesting to the faculty and students," she said. "We want it to be fun, but also thought-provoking and something that can bring about realistic change." At the evening's inception, panels - highlighting press coverage of ethical issues in higher education - were placed throughout the hall to highlight discussions to come. One panel discussed a college that used photo design software to falsely superimpose a "black face" onto their admissions brochure. Another told of a Mount Holyoke professor who was suspended for lies about his background, just after winning the Pulitzer Prize. Ex-College board member and biology professor Ross Feldberg opened the dinner portion of the evening by saying the event was an opportunity to "bring various members of the Tufts community together to discuss topics." Although there was an agenda for the evening, the idea was to incite discussion, he said. Students and faculty began by discussing the subtle differences between theft from a person and theft from a corporation, peer-to-peer file transfer programs, and recent cheating controversies in Salt Lake City. For the rest of the dinner, groups continued to discuss the implications of plagiarism and whether Tufts students are aware of what constitutes plagiarism. Topics debated included the rationalization of unethical behavior and whether Tufts should accept money from donors with tainted pasts. Much of the discussion turned toward the possible implementation of a University-wide honor code. Ex-College board member Edith Balbach said her discussion group felt that "an honor code would need to come from the community, from students" to be effective. Economics professor and Ex-college board member Dan Richards said his group felt an honor code would be controversial, since it might require witnesses to be as culpable as perpetrators. He felt that the University should instead focus on community building. Feldberg's group was concerned about the implications of maintaining a code-based community - a necessity it felt would surely arise if Tufts were to implement an honor code. "For institutions that have an honor code, they attract students who are interested in honor codes." Still others felt the relationship between student and professor should be strong enough to prevent plagiarism, with some suggesting that professors should begin classes by telling their students the intrinsic value of what they will be learning - in effect, telling them what they stood to lose by cheating. One group determined that, "even without grades, people would still cheat." Proposed ideas included a weekend seminar each Tufts student would have to complete before graduation, focusing on case studies and discussions of ethics. University Provost Sol Gittleman, introduced as "Robyn's husband" by Feldberg, closed the evening, saying that though it was worth exploration, Tufts is not similar to smaller schools and military academies that have found honor codes successful. "This is not the kind of place where kids blow up each other's experiments," he said. Gittleman related a one-line honor code that had been brought up by one of his group members: "Do not take unfair advantage of anyone else," he said. He said that though not a psychologist, he thought it was human nature to rationalize cheating unless one fears getting caught. Gittleman also put into perspective the debate over accepting money from donors with questionable records. "The problem with tainted money is there 'taint enough of it," he said, quoting former Tufts president Jean Mayer. According to Gittleman, money from foundations begun by the likes of the Rockefellers and the Carnegies - found throughout higher education - cannot truly be considered "untainted." In his concluding statement, Gittleman focused on an image of Disney's Donald Duck. Every time the cartoon character made a decision, a devil and an angel would pop up on his shoulders for an impromptu ethical debate. Gittleman told students that these sorts of dilemmas would never become unfamiliar. "Those two little icons are going to be with you for the rest of your life," he said.Previous Opening Up the Classroom events have focused on what the community would expect from a new president, revamping the freshman experience, and questioning whether community service should be a curriculum requirement at Tufts.

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News

Hollywood is not behind the sun

March 31

Tired of Hollywood's wars, schizophrenic geniuses and elves fighting evil dark lords? Tired of seeing the same actors over and over again, even when you go clubbing at Avalon? Maybe Behind the Sun is the movie for you.Behind the Sun is a Brazilian film that takes place in 1910 at the Brazilian badlands. A bloodstained shirt blows in the wind as a family's desire for vengeance rows unbearable. Tonho, the 20-year-old middle son of the Breves family, is ordered by his father to avenge the death of his older brother, who was killed over a land dispute that has lasted generations and claimed many lives. The other family will in turn seek revenge if the mission is successfully carried out; essentially resulting in a death sentence for Tonho. If it is not, the family will have to face shame and the loss of their honor. The young sugar cane farmer carries out the tradition of violence -and winds up with only one month to live before it claims his life as well. The director, Walter Salles (Central Station), takes an old tradition, sets it on a collision course with new ideas, throws in an attractive gypsy girl, a love story, and a plot twist, winding up with a mellow folk story about peasant life, its hardships and its values. As is the case with many independent films, Behind the Sun is very artistic. Salles uses camera angles and coloring to very effectively illustrate the rather confused state of mind that Tonho experiences. For example, there is a repeated sequence in which the camera is focused on Pacu, Tonho's younger brother, while he is on a swing. It shows the child's calm face while the world is spinning behind him, expressing the confusing situation in which the family finds itself immersed yet again. To further keep within this concept, the cinematic coloring is overwhelmingly yellowish, which gives a sense of insufferable heat, synonymous with the excruciating decision that Tonho has to make in the beginning and the consequences of that decision. This heat is contrasted with the pages of a children's storybook that Pacu carries around that illustrates the story of a mermaid in the deep blue ocean. Overall, Salles does an estimable job in portraying mental conflict and the unhappiness with the tradition of violence. The use of cycles is another striking aspect of the film. In one of the scenes, the father grinds sugar cane with a pair of oxen. The oxen simply go in circles while pulling a big gear that grinds the canes. The father lashes the animals to move them faster until one of them collapses. In the same manner, Tonho attempts to break this vicious cycle of violence. He even tries to run away from home briefly, only to find himself back to face his destiny. This motif of running around in useless and monotonous cycles appears again and again in the film, and is shown in daily life, tradition, and even in thought processes. The movie's underlying theme is breaking away from cycles, as Tonho so desperately attempts to accomplish. Wells could have improved a bit on the thrill factor of the film- some moments were sluggish. Compared with typical Hollywood fare, however Behind the Sun manages to deliver a rather enjoyable film at a fraction of the cost of a big blockbuster. If you are expecting explosions, big-name actors, expensive sets and props, then this is not the film for you. But it is worth spending a few dollars to listen to the enchanting Brazilian language and to see the dynamics of another culture.THUMBNAIL: Behind the Sun, starring Jos?© Dumont, Rodrigo Santoro, Rita Assemany, Ravi Ramos Lacerda, 2.5 stars out of 5

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News

Debacle in Dewick

March 31

University President Larry Bacow moved the Trustee luncheon from the Gifford House to Dewick, all in a misguided effort to give the trustees more exposure to students. Given the open invitation to the luncheon, students had every right to proceed as they did, but the outbursts and antagonizing conversations between students and trustee members were nonetheless an embarrassment. The activists should be commended for confronting the University's big wigs, but they should have done it with a greater sense of decorum. Bacow had good intentions for the scaled-down event, but on a campus where students shout at Colin Powell and storm Bendetson, this weekend's Dewick debacle does not come as any surprise, and he should have seen it coming. The president's na??ve vision of trustees mingling with average students was a far cry from the scene that ensued as student activists realized this was a chance to complain directly to the University's money machine. The Trustees are at the top of the proverbial totem-pole, but they do not make decisions concerning exact money allocations nor specific student life problems. In short, the Trustees worrying about who was beat up at the cannon last week would be like President Bush dealing with the road work in front of Curtis Hall. Furthermore, the activists must realize their conventional methods of persuasion are not effective with the Trustees, who unlike the administration, are not paid to deal with them. If the activists' goal was to convince the Trustees to make the changes they were advocating, they should have thought it through a little bit more. If their goal was the embarrass Bacow and the Trustees to the point that the University would cede to their demands, they are walking a very fine line that may very well backfire on them. It's not easy being an activist on the Hill these days. Whether the issues are just not as pressing, or the student body is not as sympathetic as it used to be, activists' causes are not as compelling as decades past. They bring important issues to the forefront, but not as persuasively as they should be. Rather than escalating their tactics to unbridled disrespect, they must realize the most effective route to changing the system should not involve alienating it.

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News

Suit up and ship out

March 31

The worst part about graduation is not the fact you are becoming an adult, but the fact that you must now pretend you are an adult. Even though you still prefer Cocoa Krispies over caviar, and Britney over Beethoven, the trick is now fooling the rest of the world into believing you are a pensive, responsible, highly educated adult so you can get hired. And if "first impressions count" and "appearance is everything," then you had better be dressing for success. Which means only one thing: you need a suit. Before I ever had to think about getting a real job - back when job-hunting was a choice between camp counseling and babysitting - I couldn't wait for the day when I would wear a suit. With razor sharp lines and precision tailoring, this garment would transform me into an intimidating yet extremely sexy executive-cum-rock star. From nine to five, I would pace back and forth on towering stilettos, winning accounts and closing deals, a pinstriped predator in the urban jungle. At night, the ball-busting jacket would be exchanged for some floaty-deconstructed-Chloe-type top, perfect for an after-work date, or perhaps a movie premiere across the Atlantic. Alas, when you're 21 and about to graduate, life looks a lot less like a magazine spread than it did when you were 15 and scooping ice cream cones. I know this because I went shopping for a suit last weekend. I have a job interview coming up for a PR firm, and I need to look professional, experienced, and above all, not like a 21-year-old college graduate. Finally, the time has arrived when I legitimately need a suit. The day looked promising as I began my expedition: the sun was out, the sky was blue, and there were a minimum of screaming children along Newbury Street. The first stop was Emporio Armani, a logical choice for something corporate, classic, and understatedly elegant. Ascending the stairs to the women's floor, I felt confident this would be a one-stop trip. But as I reached the top of the stairs, instead of seeing rack upon rack of sober-colored separates, I see only white, gauzy, and obscenely sheer sundresses. Resort attire. Cabana-wear. In disbelief, I scan the store. Apparently the recession is worse than I thought and everyone is packing up for Fiji. The dark gray jacket and dress coordinates that had lingered barely weeks ago were now nowhere to be seen and in their place hang millions of sheer pants in ridiculous shades of cream, sand, and ecru. Disenchanted, I try on the only two suits in the store, and I emerge from the dressing room feeling even worse, my reflection in the mirror resembling Cruella de Vil's corporate kid sister. Next store. Deciding to play the numbers game, I head to Saks. With so many designers under one roof, I'm bound to hit pay dirt within the hour. I soon realize I would have hit pay dirt only if my interview was for the circus. These suits have so many tricks to them, I'm surprised they don't come with assembly instructions. The best fitting suit I found had puffed sleeves on the jacket (I mean, honestly...) and the simplest one could only be described as vaguely resembling a tulip. I'm just glad I came alone. The rest of the day was not much better. After hitting every (and I mean every) possible store in the Greater Boston area, the few suits I come across fall into two categories. One: those that transform me into an airline check-in attendant. As in, the person who checks your bags. I can't even pass for a stewardess in these getups. Two: those that age me a good 30-plus years. Box-cut and droopy, they practically scream "post-menopausal," and I get hot flashes just from glancing at them. I look like I'm heading to a costume ball as a latter-day Liz Taylor. Evidently, being a sexy corporate rock star is just too much to ask for. Disenchanted and demoralized, I make my way back home, a little older, a little wiser, and a little less Vogue. There are many things that I dread shopping for: socks, funeral attire, and textbooks being some examples. I can now add suits to the top of that list. My advice for my fellow graduates is to put those magazines away and deal with the situation rationally. Keep your chin up, hold your head high, and persevere, no matter how painful. Though it may seem otherwise, ultimately, as I realized, you are in control of the situation: when life throws you lemons, the smart ones find a really good tailor.

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News

Um, uh, I meant to say...

March 31

Have you ever felt that what you say doesn't always quite match the way you would like to say it? Nance Guilmartin wants to help you. Drawing upon 25 years of experience as a senior executive in broadcasting, government, and business, Nance Guilmartin (LA '75) teaches students a powerful approach to having bold and comprehendible conversations through the Ex-College's "The Art of Communication: Listen and Be Heard in Today's World." The class was designed to give students the skills, confidence, and determination to have a productive and effective conversation. Every Tuesday evening, 26 students attend this new, high-demand class, where Guilmartin guides them through the art of communication. The class is made up of students of all ages, because as Guilmartin puts it, " Life is made up of people of all levels and ages that must learn how to communicate with each other." Her goal seems simple: teach students that the key to being heard is to first be able to listen. But the task is not that easy. The three-hour class gives students the basic and advanced skills that are required to participate in the types of conversations that many of us avoid - conversations with peers, family, colleagues, and strangers. Members of the class will learn to hear both what was said and what was meant, deepen their communications skills during unpredictable moments, and learn the true meaning of listening. Guilmartin also offers private coaching sessions to students who want one-on-one treatment. Guilmartin's class is interactive, fast-moving - class participation is a must. But she has a gift that enables students to feel at ease. In the classroom, Guilmartin acts more as a facilitator than as a teacher. "The course will reflect a 'see one, do one, teach one' mentality where students will have a chance to see skills demonstrated, try them out themselves, and then coach or be coached in using them with others," Guilmartin said. Students interact with each other and participate in exercises and activities that make communicating effective and valuable. Freshman Maher Zamel enjoys the class' practical applications. "It's a great class in leadership and conversation skills," Zamel said. He adds that the class is an "active course." "It's more of an assessment class and not so much learning about theories," Zamel said. The course is not just all talk, however. The students read three books on conversation, including Emotional Intelligence, Getting Past No, and The Four Agreements. The reading contributes to the practicing of these speaking exercises done in class. Students' grades are based on class participation, willingness to experiment with new strategies and ideas, short papers, and journal entries. At the end of the semester, there will be written and oral exams to test the students' ability to have difficult and challenging conversations. Guilmartin's list of accomplishments reflects her success in fields of study other than the art of communtication. Guilmartin is a four-time Emmy award winning broadcast journalist, has served as Press Secretary to the late US Senator Paul Tsongas, and is a former Westinghouse Broadcasting senior marketing executive. Today, Guilmartin is a business consultant and public speaker. She helps companies, nonprofit organizations, and individuals achieve success by what she calls, "strengthening what is often their weakest link: communications." Guilmartin credits Tufts, and taking an Ex-College class, with turning her career toward media-based advocacy and problem solving. "My liberal arts education at Tufts taught me to learn how to learn. To question. To try ideas. To go beyond convention. I've been doing that ever since I left," Guilmartin said. Through "The Art of Communication," Guimartin hopes to give students the tools to be flexible, curious, open minded, and able to handle life's inevitable upsets. Today, Guilmartin is called into many companies, including Nike, Kraft Foods, and the American Medical Association, to help executives fix old habits that may hamper their success. Guilmartin also runs coaching sessions and workshops about problem solving, customer relationships, conflict resolution, and partnerships. She is the author of the upcoming book, Healing Conversations: What to Say When You Don't Know What to Say, which is due out in April 2002. This creative class is useful for students who want to work on their conversation skills. And as one anonymous senior in the class says, it's a class for everybody. "Everyone should want to learn how to be more effective when they speak. I want to become more assertive and more confident. The Ex-College is a great place for a course like this - it shows how education goes beyond textbooks and power point," she said. "The Art of Communication" teaches skills that can be used forever. Although Guilmartin is not yet sure whether she will teach it for a second time next fall, students are already asking for it. "By knowing what to say, how to say it, and when to speak, students will understand how their lives and careers can benefit from great conversations," Guilmartin said.

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News

Gore calls for rebuilding of America's communities

March 31

Calling the division of American communities a detriment to the development of today's youth, former vice president Al Gore addressed a group of more than 150 students in Cabot auditorium on Friday as part of a nationwide symposium on family-centered community building. During the two-hour event, which also featured a student panel, the former presidential candidate put students on the spot with tough questions as he tested a curriculum he hopes to implement in colleges around the nation. After acknowledging that America's institution of higher education is among the world's best, Gore criticized the system for being too compartmentalized. "A whole can be larger than the sum of its parts," he said, adding that many of today's problems require multi-disciplinary solutions that cannot be taught in subject-specific classrooms. Calling America "segregated and subdivided," Gore went on to apply the same reasoning to communities. A united community, he said, can accomplish far more than the sum if its individual parts. Following brief remarks from University President Larry Bacow and child development professor Richard Lerner, who spearheaded the event, Gore delivered an introduction riddled with self-deprecating humor that elicited frequent laughter from the audience. "I used to be the next president," he told students. "You win some, you lose some, and then there's that little-known third category." On the subject of the economy, Gore joked that as "the first one laid off last January," he was particularly affected by the downturn. Throughout the event, Gore interacted with a panel of five youths from community-building public service organizations around the country. The audience was particularly impressed with panelist Antoine Bennett, a former Baltimore-area gang member who credits Youthville, USA - a national youth organization that strives to "improve the quality of life for vulnerable children" - with saving his life. Out of 15 original gang members, all but Bennett are either "dead or incarcerated," he said. Also among the panelists was Tufts senior Jennifer Albertini, who took a leave of absence last January and crossed the Atlantic to fight the AIDS epidemic in South Africa. "Gore did an excellent job moderating the debate," she said. "He is starting a whole new field of study that people can use to go out and invent their own solutions in communities." From cookie-cutter housing developments to suburban strip malls, Gore said that American communities are becoming more and more divided. The American work ethic, Gore said, and the fact that many American parents hold more than one job, have brought about a deterioration in family interaction. He also encouraged family discussion instead of television during dinner, and pointed to statistics that correlate drug use to the number of meals eaten in front of the tube. "The family unit needs to be preserved where it is not dangerous and where it can be preserved," he said. According to Gore, the tendency to put children in day care centers rather than having them cared for by grandparents - who are now often in their own care facilities - also has a negative impact. "I remember my grandfather teaching me to spell," he said. Following the panel discussion, Gore took questions from the audience. After several students questioned the policy traction of his ideas, Gore addressed the "cynics" in the audience directly. That even the cynics were "actively involved" by attending the symposium, Gore said, proved that America's youth are more publicly aware than ever before in the nation's history. The five panelists spent most of the day with Gore, and discussed their experiences with him over lunch and dinner. "It was really interesting," Albertini said of her face-time with the former vice president. "He seemed really interested in our different projects and how they related to his own work." Tufts was the first school Gore visited aside from his professorships at Fisk University and Middle Tennessee State, where he is working to develop graduate and undergraduate curriculums in the subject of family-centered community building. By emphasizing a multi-disciplinary approach to problems such as crime, homelessness, poverty, and AIDS, Gore hopes to empower students to tackle these issues in the real world. Strong family and community ties, he said, are the best and last defense. Other panelists included representatives from Peace Games, a Boston-based violence prevention program for children; Helping Hands, a community service organization for elementary school children; and an Omidyar Scholar from the University College of Citizenship and Public Service (UCCPS).

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News

Less can be more in a chest workout

March 31

How many times a week should I train chest? Some people tell me that one is enough, but others say I need to do it at least twice. The amount of training you do on any given body part depends on a few things. First, you must determine what your particular goals, in terms of training, are. A person who is looking for shape and muscular endurance might be on a circuit-training program. He might feasibly train chest two or even three times a week, as it is incorporated into the "upper body" portion of his circuit. This is allowed because, since the workout hits all major muscle groups in the upper body, no one group is fatigued to the point that it needs more than a day or two of rest to recover. On the other hand, if you are trying to gain size and mass, quite often less training is more effective. In order to achieve this fitness end, you must train the individual muscle group thoroughly and intensely. However, since the workout is so taxing to your chest, it needs a few days to recover. If you throw in the other days in which you do a shoulder and/or triceps workout, you are easily looking at four to five days of rest (at least). Also, it must be kept in mind that a muscle's growth does not take place in the gym; it takes place after, while the muscle is repairing itself in preparation for your next workout. When you workout, you actually create micro-sized tears in your muscle fiber. It's when your body repairs these tiny tears that you actually get stronger and the fibers grow. To that end, rest is often considered as important as the training itself. So, if you are debating between adding another chest workout to your week and taking the day off, it will quite often serve you better to just take the extra day of rest. But make sure you get some sort of exercise everyday, regardless (not necessarily weight-training).My exercise routine incorporates a split of body parts each week. I do arms on Monday, shoulders on Tuesday, chest on Wednesday, back on Thursday, and legs on Fridays. My workouts haven't been very intense lately-I have been really tired. Any suggestions? Based on the description of your workout, it seems to me that the order in which you train each body part is self-defeating. You train arms the day before shoulders; you train shoulders the day before chest. If you want to have a good chest workout, you need the secondary muscles involved (shoulders, triceps) to be well rested and fresh. How can you expect to push the limits of your bench press when your deltoids are still fried from an intense workout the day before? The answer, quite simply, is you can't - actually, you could quite possibly injure yourself. Especially in the case of shoulders, many compound movements require smaller stabilizing muscles in order to keep form good. If your shoulders are tired, they will be unstable when it comes time to hoist that bar off the rack. This could lead to serious injury. Since most of us plan our time according to a five-day workweek, we plan our workout to fit into this small time frame, as well. But, in order to have an effective workout, one must allow sufficient time for muscle recovery between workouts. Here is an example of a good weekly workout:Monday-chest and triceps (your tri-s will be tired from the chest workout, so you will have to spend less time on them to fully fatigue them - this is a good thing)Tuesday-Back and biceps (same concept applies - your bi-s will already be tired-this is in the interest of saving time)Wednesday-Take this day to do smaller muscle groups, such as lower back, abs, calves, etc. Also, try to do some cardioThursday-Shoulders (your shoulders should be relatively recovered from your chest and back workouts)Friday-Legs If you implement this training schedule, each secondary muscle group should be fresh to commence each major workout. Follow this, and your training intensity should definitely pick up.

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News

The hijacking of a necessary and civil debate

March 31

The Pan-African Alliance has fought for a number of goals at Tufts since its inception in the late 1960's. Among them have always been minority faculty retention and tenure, increased recruitment of qualified students of color, and the promotion of a generally healthy atmosphere for students of color. This was the purpose of the attendance of the vast majority of those at the trustee luncheon on Saturday. The scope of the PAA's issues span beyond its distaste for ThePrimary Source. The PAA has always known it to be both immoral and not keeping with the ideas of diversity or free speech to advocate for the abolishment of The Primary Source. We cannot, but more importantly, should not involve ourselves in the business of policing people's thoughts. What we planned as a clam and intelligent dialogue with some of the most powerful people associated with Tufts turned into a childish and non-progressive fiasco toward the end of the event. But those who caused all the ruckus were not members of the PAA. In fact, they only served to tarnish the image of this organization and the students of color it represents. African Americans have adapted continuously to the set of obstacles presented to us in this country. Just about all of us understand that adult behavior yields adult solutions. Some of the leaders of various other extreme campus organizations have dragged personal animus for one another into the stage of what should be a civil and necessary debate on this campus. Since my freshman year, I have seen a steady progression of recrimination and violence between these extremists that is silly at best and damnable at its worst. And on Saturday, some of them hijacked the pressing concerns of the PAA for their own myopic and selfish cares.

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News

Yankees look set to play in fifth straight World Series

March 31

Baseball has finally arrived. The American League appears to still be the New York Yankees' to lose, but look for the Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox to give them a serious challenge. The AL East should prove an interesting race - and the league's only interesting race, because it's the only one that should provide a two-team competition for the title. We're talking Yankees and Red Sox, as the division's other three teams likely won't be around in October. The Baltimore Orioles have been reeling since their 1996 ALCS loss to the Yankees and will struggle without Cal Ripken's presence in the clubhouse. The Toronto Blue Jays have some promise with a young team featuring power hitting Carlos Delgado, but they don't have the weapons to fight for a division crown. And the Tampa Bay Devil Rays may be the worst team in major league baseball. The Red Sox, though, are promising despite a turbulent off-season. Ownership changed hands when the Yawkey trust sold the team to the Henry group. Immediate changes took place as General Manager Dan Duquette was fired and, soon after, manager Joe Kerrigan was given his pink slip. The Sox recently hired former Indians and Red Sox bench coach Grady Little, who has a good relationship with many of the players, as he was bench coach with Jimy Williams from 1997-1999. The Sox will boast a potent offense this season with a healthy Nomar Garciaparra, Manny Ramirez, and Johnny Damon. Acquiring Damon from the A's should help if he puts together a season like he had in 2000, when he compiled a .327 batting average and 46 steals. But Damon experienced a setback last season, hitting only .256 with just 23 steals. Ramirez, acquired a year ago, had a phenomenal season, hitting .306 with 125 RBI's. The Red Sox will need their offense in gear, though, as they only have a solid starting pitcher once every five games. As usual, as Pedro Martinez goes, so too go the Red Sox. Look for Pedro to return to form and put the Sox into a wild card slot. The Yankees will have a trio of proven stars on the mound in six time Cy Young award winner Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, and Mike Mussina, who had a 3.15 era last season. This team is as usual the most complete in the American League, boasting a top-notch offense to go along with its pitching. The Yanks made the most noise in the AL free agent market by landing former A's first baseman Jason Giambi. Giambi was AL MVP in 2000 and runner up to Ichiro in 2001, and will give the Yankees some much-needed pop. New Uork struggled mightily to produce runs against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the World Series last season, which ultimately led to a crushing 3-2, ninth-inning defeat in game seven. The Yankees' MVP, however, has been Mariano Rivera. Considered by most to be the best closer in the game, Rivera has made winning close games an easy task for the Yankees over his last six seasons. With Mariano on the mound when the game is on the line, it's no small task to beat New York. Don't tell that to the Seattle Mariners, though, who boast a great closer of their own in Kazuhiro Sasaki. Seattle also features Freddy Garcia and Jamie Moyer. Garcia had a 3.00 ERA with a solid 18-6 record. The M's also boast a tremendous offense. Mr. Reliable, Edgar Martinez, can always be counted on to hit over .300 in the DH role. Bret Boone is coming off a career year in which he hit .331 with 141 RBI's. Also, you can't forget MVP Ichiro Suzuki. The Japanese phenomenon tore up the league on both offense and defense last year, leading the American League in average and winning a gold glove. The only thing that might plague this Mariners club is that so many players had career years last season. A likely regression will leave the Mariners as winners of the West but probably nothing more. Seattle's main competitor in the West should be the Athletics. Despite the loss of the 2000 MVP to the Yankees, the A's still boast the best young pitching staff in baseball. Mark Mulder, Tim Hudson, and Barry Zito went a combined 56-25 last season and all had ERA's lower than 3.50. The Anaheim Angels may be the most intriguing team in the American League. They pulled off a great deal during the offseason, trading oft-injured Mo Vaughn to the New York Mets in exchange for proven winner Kevin Appier. Appier has a career ERA of 3.60, and last season was 5-2 after the All-Star break with 3.53 ERA. Troy Glaus and Darin Erstad should give the Angels some quality production on the offensive side. Erstad is a tremendous fielder and has a .293 career average. Troy Percival also has been important for the club with 32 saves and a 3.09 ERA last year. Regardless, it seems that the A's and Angels will battle for a meaningless second place finish in the AL West. The Texas Rangers are again the most overrated team in baseball. They have an eerie resemblance to the Indians of years past. Texas boasts one of the best offensive lineups in baseball with Juan Gonzalez, Alex Rodriguez, and Rafael Palmeiro. Unfortunately, the Rangers have almost no pitching. The acquisition of Chan Ho Park will help, but it won't be enough. Therefore, despite A-Rod's 50-plus home run potential, the Rangers will still end the season with a .500 record or worse.Finally, the AL Central does not feature any serious World Series contenders. Many people still consider the Cleveland Indians a viable contender for the AL Central crown. They still have power hitting first baseman Jim Thome, but they have little else. The losses of Juan Gonzalez and Roberto Alomar will severely hinder their offense. Pitcher Chuck Finely has seen his better days and Bartolo Colon has not lived up to his potential. The Minnesota Twins, on the other hand, are going in the right direction with some excellent starting pitching. After almost losing the franchise to contraction, the Twins may actually end up winning this division. Eric Milton, Brad Radke, Joe Mays and Rick Reed are all quality pitchers. Milton was 15-7 last season and is on his way up. The Twins, however, have very little in terms of a closer and have next to no offensive pop. While they may be able to win the Central, they will have a tough time against an opponent outside the division. The Chicago White Sox will look better this season with Frank Thomas back. They have a shot at approaching their 2000 form - when they won the Al Central. Will the Big Hurt's return be enough to get the Chisox into the playoffs? Stay tuned.

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News

Through the opera glass

March 31

Upon hearing the word "opera," many of us automatically think of a large female singer wearing the horned helmet of a Viking. But this image is far removed from the reality of Tufts Opera Ensemble. A little-known group of ten talented students, the Ensemble embodies the theatrical spirit of opera without conforming to its stereotypical profile. The group will present its end of the semester production tonight in Alumnae Hall, which will feature scenes from a variety of operas while covering a time span ranging from as early as the 17th century straight through the modern day. Under the direction of Carol Mastrodomenico and Steven Morris, the singers have been rehearsing weekly to prepare the scenes for this performance. They have also studied the historical context of their pieces, along with techniques involved in character development, staging, and costume design. The program includes duets, trios, and quartets from operas such as Hector Berlioz's Beatrice and Benedict, a musical rendering of the Shakespeare comedy Much Ado About Nothing, and a romantic scene from another adaptation of a Shakespeare play - a quartet from Benjamin Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream. A scene from Rossini's La Cenerentola offers an interpretation of the classic Cinderella story, complete with the two wicked stepsisters, a mysterious philosopher disguised as a beggar, and, of course, Cinderella herself. And a comic duet from Strauss' Die Fledermaus involves a couple pretending that they are not married in order to further their own personal desires, incorporating the hypnotic force of a pocket watch. But some of the scenes will focus on the darker side of drama. A distraught princess is saved by three spirits in a quartet from Mozart's The Magic Flute. A scene from Menotti's The Medium involves two families intent on contacting the spirit of their dead children and involves a touching s?©ance sequence. But the truth soon comes out that both the medium and her spirits are fake, thus ending the scene with great surprise. Interspersed within the program are three solo arias performed by the upperclassmen in the ensemble - juniors Nili Riemer and Tamra Spector and senior Kathleen Mulready - who have been actively involved with the group for several semesters. For these upperclassmen, as well as the younger members of the group, the upcoming performance is the culmination of an entire year of vocal study Each of the students in the Tufts Opera Ensemble is presently taking voice lessons either at Tufts or another institution. "The students are pretty remarkable," said Mastrodomenico. The singers are also enthusiastic about their involvement in the group, and feel that the ensemble has given them a greater appreciation for opera as an art form. Riemer, an international relations and voice major, is enrolled in the joint program between Tufts and the New England Conservatory and has been a part of the Opera Ensemble since her freshman year. She appreciates how the group has given her "the opportunity to jump right into performing and learn about all aspects of putting on a staged, costumed, and publicized theatrical night of music," while also exposing her to "extremely talented teachers" and "hard-working students." Freshman Kristin Livingston values how "each student has an understanding for one another," allowing "criticism from each other [to be] always positive." Though the Tufts Opera Ensemble has always performed programs fully staged with minor set design and props, this semester marks the first time that the group has worked with members of the drama department to obtain period costumes and props. Further evidence of the singers' enjoyment is their energy level at rehearsal. Each member believes the intense effort will pay off in the form of the upcoming concert - and, as promised by Riemer, the show will be " better than Cats!"The Tufts Opera Ensemble will perform a program of scenes and arias tonight at 8 p.m. in Alumnae Hall. Admission is free.

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News

Students mix business with pleasure in Delta Sigma Pi fraternity

March 31

And you thought you should never do business with friends. Sophomores Nikhil Abraham, Leslie Wang, and Pritesh Gandhi are planning to do just that, by bringing to campus Delta Sigma Pi (DSP), a nationwide coed business fraternity. Tufts' DSP was recently granted "colony" status until its brothers prove to the national office that they are dedicated to maintaining a full chapter on campus. Wang, who is double majoring in Quantitative Economics and American Studies,got the idea from a friend at UCLA who is the president of their DSP chapter. "Watching them I thought, man, Tufts really needs something like this," Wang said. "There's a void here at Tufts with business. I thought the fraternity would bridge this gap." "It's a shame that a university like ours does not have more organizations that encourage brotherhood," Gandhi said. "We have the pre-vet and pre-law societies, but those people don't become your brothers." To the disappointment of some, the bylaws of the fraternity prohibit chapters from having a house. This rule is in place to maintain accountability of the fraternity. The sponsoring organization does not wish to promote socializing that centers on drinking, which they feel has more likelihood of occurring in a house. There are specific drinking policies for the fraternity. The Boston University and Boston College chapters are presently inactive because they did not abide by the drinking policies. "Fraternities normally have a negative connotation and that's unfortunate," Abraham said. "DSP is supposed to be a fraternity of the people. It's an academic pursuit. Studying business is a very structured program with very specific goals." Wang lists the main focus of the fraternity as being brotherhood, community, leadership and professionalism. She says that there is a very supportive network nationwide between all the members of the various chapters of the fraternity. Sophomore Kavita Patel agrees that DSP would be a welcome addition to campus, especially for those who hope to enter the corporate world at one point after graduation. "There really aren't any opportunities for people who are interested in business at Tufts because there's no business school here," Patel said. "It is a good opportunity for networking, especially when the market is in a bad state as it is now." Chapters of DSP are not limited to universities that have business schools. Georgetown is one university that has a chapter but no business school. "This fraternity will bring name recognition to the University," Gandhi said. "In business it is who you know, it's networking. If this fraternity does one thing, it is going to make access to jobs easier for Tufts graduates." Abraham agrees that DSP could open more doors for students who are in need of jobs and internships. According to Abraham, other schools outperform Tufts in the area of getting their students recruited by successful alumni and corporations. "At other schools they hold $25,000 events, invite alumni and recruiters and students have jobs by the end of the night," Abraham said. "It is being done around the country with a high level of success." Wang says that the group's organizers already have seen significant interest from the student body, which includes 40 to 50 students wanting to be on the mailing list in addition to interest expressed via e-mails from students who are abroad. Freshman Roneel Punjabi says he found out about the business frat at Tufts through a Daily ad and followed up on it. He says a bunch of people he knew wanted to join, mostly sophomores and a few freshmen. "I think that maybe a business frat could make [Tufts] more attractive for future students," he said. Wang, who was unable to enter the entrepreneurial program as a sophomore, thinks that being a member of DSP would be a good alternative for people in a similar situation. "The high demand of business classes at Tufts shows that there's a huge demand for a fraternity in this field," she said. DSP is open to all of the student body, though the leaders are focusing on freshmen and sophomores in their recruitment efforts, in order to sustain the organization and fill leadership roles in the future. The first DSP chapter started 90 years ago at NYU. Today, there are over 250 Chapters around the country and 200,000 members and alumni.

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