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The Setonian
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@headlineRepublican gubernatorial candidate to speak at Tufts

March 31

Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate Mitt Romney will speak at Tufts tomorrow afternoon as part of President Emeritus John DiBiaggio's course on Leadership for Active Citizenship. The former president of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC) will discuss his experiences planning the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and the need for active engagement in leadership in a lecture open to all students and faculty. DiBiaggio said Romney was not necessarily coming as a candidate. "He's coming as a leader and a person who did an excellent job as the security coordinator for the Olympics," he said. Romney, 55, entered the race for Governor on March 19 just hours after Republican candidate and Acting Governor Jane Swift announced she was terminating her candidacy. His role on the SLOC included solving a $379 million operating deficit and overseeing one of the largest security operations to date. DiBiaggio said he was thrilled to find that Romney's schedule enabled him to visit campus. A connection between the Republican candidate and Tufts was discovered in the process. "When it became clear that he was going to be a candidate, we corresponded with his office and it turned out that there was a Tufts graduate working there," DiBiaggio said. "When I explained the class that I was teaching, he wanted to get involved." Leadership for Active Citizenship, a course offered through the University College of Citizenship and Public Service (UCCPS), examines a variety of leadership styles and relates them to community issues. The class has welcomed several speakers this year, including Democratic gubernatorial candidates Steve Grossman, Robert Reich, and Warren Tolman. "We have a class where people are engaged in volunteer leadership, political leadership, and corporate leadership," DiBiaggio said. "Mr. Romney has participated in all these fields, plus we wanted to represent all political sides." Following the event, students enrolled in the course will meet privately with Romney. Before presiding over the SLOC, Romney founded Bain Capital, a Boston-based multibillion-dollar holding company. In 1994, he unsuccessfully challenged Democrat Edward Kennedy for his seat in the US Senate. Romney graduated from Brigham Young University in 1971 with highest honors. In 1975, he received his Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from Harvard Law School and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He lives with his wife Ann and has five grown sons. Romney will speak at 4 p.m. on Wednesday in the ASEAN Auditorium at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

The Setonian
News

Duquette-less Sox series bound?

March 31

The smell of baseball is not yet in the air, but there was a scent of relief in Boston last Friday - the new owners of the Boston Red Sox fired unpopular general manager Dan Duquette. Just one day after buying the team for a record $660 million, John Henry and company ousted Duquette, and promoted former assistant Mike Port to the head GM role. In an interview with ESPN on Thursday, Duquette said that he would be "shocked" if he was not with the Sox for the 2002 season. It was this very sense of oblivion that characterized the ex-GM's eight-year tenure in Boston, and made his departure this season so probable. Throughout his stay in Beantown, the Dalton, MA, native made a number of decisions that showed he was aloof and detached from the clubhouse. After the 1996 season, Duquette believed that Roger Clemens was in the "twilight" of his career and chose not to re-sign him - 88 wins, three Cy Young Awards, and two World Series rings later, the "Rocket" is still throwing in the upper 90s. While giving up on Clemens, Duquette chose not to abandon Carl Everett, a player whose temper tantrums, clubhouse antics, and selfish attitude outweighed his statistical accomplishments and wreaked havoc with the team's chemistry. In addition, last season Duquette fired Jimy Williams, an accomplished manager well-liked by most of his players, and replaced him with inexperienced pitching coach Joe Kerrigan. A 17-26 record ensued. The drafting of Nomar Garciaparra and the acquisition of Pedro Martinez do not compensate for these incidences of administrative ineptitude. Will the new management prevent Boston's late-season flops and playoff failures, and bring a championship to this desperate city? It is uncertain. But any change is favorable for a team whose aspirations rely on an 80-year old imaginary curse. While Boston's "curse" is almost as aged as the team itself, the "curse" in Cincinnati just celebrated its second birthday - the anniversary of Ken Griffey, Jr. coming to the Cincinnati Reds from the Seattle Mariners. After celebrating a successful 1999 campaign without Junior, the Reds failed to make the playoffs in 2000 and crawled to a miserable 66-96 record last season. Three offseason developments have Reds fans questioning Griffey's presence in the Queen City. First of all, it was recently discovered that Cincinnati is not actually a northern suburb of Orlando, a fact that weakens the sluggers' claim that he wanted to live close to his Florida home. Secondly, Griffey Senior abruptly abdicated his coaching position with the team last week, although the resignation had "been on his mind for a year and a half." So much for Junior's desire to play alongside his father. Third, in recent weeks, longtime Red Ron Oester and ex-Reds Pokey Reese and Dmitri Young have harshly criticized Griffey for demanding special treatment and not acting as a leader for the club's many young players. While the 10-time All Star claims that he just "wanted to fit in," turmoil and discontent are obviously plaguing the clubhouse - and do not portend a healthy team chemistry for the upcoming season. Only time will tell if this "curse of Junior" reaches Bambino proportions. In other National League news, San Francisco Giants' second baseman Jeff Kent will miss the next 4-6 weeks after an unlikely mishap on Friday evening. The 2000 NL MVP broke the vancular bone in his left wrist while washing his truck at a self-serve car wash in Scottsdale, Arizona. After slipping from the back of his white pick-up, Kent tried to break his fall, fracturing the end of the bone in the process. Manager Dusty Baker is optimistic that Kent, who has five consecutive 100 RBI seasons as a Giant, will be able to make a full recovery before opening day on April 2. Newly acquired third baseman David Bell will be able to fill Kent's spot at second if the injury takes longer than expected to heal. Serious injuries may be disrupting some clubs this spring, but the New York Yankees are not among them. The most notable ailments in Yankees' camp in Tampa are Mike Mussina's devastating middle-ear infection and Jorge Posada's terrifying rolled fingernail. While newcomer Jason Giambi did miss the Yanks' first two spring-training contests with slight tightness in his left hamstring, he made his pinstripes debut on Sunday and immediately began earning his $17.4 million yearly salary. Giambi homered in his first plate appearance and added another dinger later in the game, finishing the afternoon with three RBIs and two runs. Acquired to replace St. Louis-bound Tino Martinez, the first baseman has averaged 38 HRs, 127 RBIs, and a .330 average over the past three seasons. After falling in game seven of the World Series last year, the Yanks signed Giambi to a seven year, $120 million deal this past offseason.

The Setonian
News

NEMC to take Tufts name again

March 31

More than 70 years after its inception, the New England Medical Center (NEMC) will once again bear the Tufts University name in its official title. The downtown Boston teaching and research hospital will now be known as the Tufts-New England Medical Center (T-NEMC). Administrators at both institutions say the re-implementation of the Tufts name will increase the already strong connection between the institutions and could lead to increased collaboration. The NEMC first bore the Tufts name from 1929 - when Tufts helped collaborate with the Boston Dispensary to create the NEMC - until the 1980s. University President Larry Bacow believes that the official affiliation has come at a particularly good time. "We look forward to exploring new ways in which out shared teaching and research enterprise could address some of today's most challenging health issues," he told The Boston Herald. Despite the fact that Tufts and the NEMC have not been associated officially since the 1980s, many area residents already believe that the two organizations are not necessarily separate. T-NEMC President and CEO Thomas F. O'Donnell, Jr. stated that the name change is simply an affirmation of a widely-held conception. "Most patients and doctors link the name anyway," he said. Also, many chiefs of service at the NEMC also hold appointments at Tufts School of Medicine and chair respective departments within the school. While the name change does not necessarily translate into an increase in collaboration between Tufts and the T-NEMC, many felt the distinction of name was important. "The relationship between Tufts and the hospital is stronger than it ever was, and we believe it's a proper expression of who we are," T-NEMC Chairman Malcom Sherman said. Bacow hopes that official recognition will be beneficial to both institutions, and that increased collaboration with the T-NEMC will extend across the University to encompass the Schools of Medicine, Dental Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, and the Friedman School of Nutrition, Science, and Policy. The name change is also good news for Tufts medical students, as the official connection will facilitate access to extensive research and educational opportunities in clinical care. Tufts' School of Medicine dean, Dr. John T. Harrington, expressed his optimism, saying, "I am glad to see the relationship reinvigorated, and I anticipate many benefits for both institutions." The T-NEMC, which includes the Floating Hospital for Children, is Boston's first full-service, private teaching hospital. Its achievements include the first preparation of Human Growth Hormone, the creation of the world's first pediatric trauma unit, and the performance of the first successful laser heart surgery.

The Setonian
News

You could knock that in with your head'

March 31

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2002 scores big - or should it be scores small? This is golf, after all. Brimming with depth, surprising bouts of originality, and sharp gameplay, this year's Tiger Woods is well worth the precious time of all golf fans. And even those who are not particularly fans of the sport can certainly find a lot to like here. Although the gameplay in last year's Tiger game was decent, there were only three selectable courses and a handful of golfers. In hindsight, it almost seems as though it were a demo. Thankfully, this year's version corrects those problems and then some. Gameplay Now this is golf. It works like this: you drive from a tee, keep hitting, and eventually hope that your ball finds its way to the bottom of a little cup hundreds of yards away. As for how Woods 2002 handles this process, well, it's rather clever. EA has done away with the familiar power meter from previous games. Rather, they've chosen to employ the PS2's analog stick. It works like so: pull the stick towards you and your golfer starts into his/her backswing; push the stick away from you and your golfer lets it rip. You judge the strength of your swing by visually watching the golfer's backswing. It sounds difficult, but the control scheme is quite intuitive once you start playing. For more realism, you can have your golfer either hook or slice the shot by not pulling the analog stick perfectly straight on your backswing. So, mess up the controls slightly and your shot could be far off. Sounds like real golf.Woods 2002 also employs a completely redesigned putting system. At first I was skeptical, as the new system provides you with a "caddy tip" for each put. It will say, for instance, "One foot, seven inches long, three inches right." It's then your job to move the cursor to those coordinates and sink the shot. Thankfully, the new system does not water down the putting and simply make it easier - the putting is still quite challenging. After all, the caddy tip is merely a recommendation. And besides, you still have to judge the distances it provides the player. You can only improve through practice, much like putting in real life. Overall, there's little room for originality when it comes to gameplay in a golf game. But implementation is a different matter: Tiger Woods 2002 executes well. It takes the processes of golf and molds them logically to your controller. What else could you want? Grade: B+Graphics The grass looks lush and green, the trees sway in the wind, squirrels scurry about the fairway, birds fly overhead, and the character models are rendered nicely. With little room for flare, EA packed Woods 2002 with plenty of graphical details that round out the package. One of the coolest graphical touches in the game, however, is one that is rather unnecessary. But who cares? If you hit a shot perfectly, the camera pauses, switches to a bullet-time slow-motion, and spins around your golfer in 360 degrees. Your ball then zooms away with a smoke trail behind it. It's beautiful. And if you hit a shot perfectly with maximum power then you're treated to the Happy Gilmore shot: again, the camera switches to bullet-time, your golfer steps back, takes a few running steps, and whacks the ball. The game also employs a variety of camera angles that, toggled automatically, lend a surprising air of suspension to more significant shots. For instance, on a par three, if your shot is close to a hole-in-one, the camera switches to widescreen, displays a camera shot from directly behind the pin low to the ground, and kicks in the slow-motion - all while your controller beats like a heart and the sound of a beating heart rumbles through the speakers. But when it comes down to it, can there's only so much one do with the graphics in a golf game. It simply can't put the PS2's graphical prowess to work. Grade: BSound"Uhhh...the flag is quivering." This is one of the many quips you hear from the new TV-style commentators in Woods2002. Rather than merely letting the player hear the random shouts of excitement and anger from the golfing personalities themselves, with chirping birds and gusts of wind interspersed, EA decided to use TV commentators for this edition. And like the commentators in other EA games (Madden, SSX Tricky, etc.), the quality is above average but wears thin after hardcore play. After a few hours, the comments start to repeat. But after playing heavily for over a week now, I'm still hearing some new, and often rather comical, quips. "This should be routine; you could knock that in with your head."Decent, realistic commentary comes together nicely with the standard bird chirping, wind gusts, and other necessary sound effects. It's golf sound. And much like the graphics, there's only so much that can be done. There's no room for a giant, well produced musical score. Grade: BReplay Value This game is quite deep. Offering a dozen or so professional golfers to compete against in the "Tiger Challenge," numerous records for you to zero in your sites (for instance, one of the records for which you can receive a $1,000,000 bonus is to eagle every par five on the game - talk about a challenge), and a litany of other gameplay modes. As you complete these challenges, set these records, and win these tournaments you collect money along the way. The money is then used to strengthen the attributes of your golfer. And here EA getss clever on us again: they make the attributes progressively more expensive. Rather than "one unit" costing $500 each time, perhaps the first unit will increase your power from 30 to 31 and cost $500. Increasing your power from 70 to 71 later on will set you back $15,000. It allows for you to jump in and make your golfer decent quickly. But to truly become great and boost those attributes to the max will take some time and skill. If you're looking for a good golf game, this one will keep you coming back. Plenty of options and a half-dozen or so modes of gameplay provide plenty of depth. Grade: B+ From two-player split-screen speed golf to bullet-time camera shots on powerful drives, Tiger Woods 2002 goes the extra mile. Adding to the solid gameplay of last year's offering, EA packs this edition with loads of extras and it pays off. Tiger Woods 2002 finally brings a deep, fun, semi-realistic golf simulation to home consoles. Overall: B

The Setonian
News

Faculty say leadership skills most important in new provost

March 31

The search committee for Tufts' next provost is working to narrow down its pool of candidates with the goal of selecting one of them by the end of the semester. Amidst this process, faculty say that good leadership skills are the most important quality to look for in applicants, though many individual members would like to bring in someone who will diversify Ballou. Most professors say it does not matter whether the new provost, who will take over after Sol Gittleman steps down at the end of this semester, is chosen from within Tufts. Some say it would be refreshing to bring an outside perspective to Ballou, but internal candidates have an advantage in that they are familiar with the people, policies, and character of the University. James Schmolze, chair of the electrical engineering and computer science department, said that an outsider is needed to carry out the "ambitious goals" that President Bacow set when he came to Tufts."Tufts has to be creative in running itself. An 'insider' will have more difficulty leading this transition than an 'outsider,'" he said. Though much administrative reshuffling has taken place this year, all of it has remained internal with the exception of the new president. Susan Ernst and Ioannis Miaoulis, both moved up in the University's ranks last semester, were both professors and deans. English professor Kevin Dunn has been appointed the new dean of academic affairs for arts and sciences. Psychology Professor Robin Kanarek was recently selected to serve as dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Across campus in Dowling Hall, two of the top three deans were chosen from within Tufts. Dean of the Colleges Charles Inouye started as - and remains - a professor of Japanese, and Dean of Students Bruce Reitman graduated from Tufts and worked in the administration for many years before a search committee named him to his post. Dean of Academic Affairs and Student Services Kristine Dillon is the only one of the three to have come from outside the University. But many professors say that a candidate's background is much more important than where he or she comes from. Professors stressed that the new provost be an academic, but that his or her particular field of expertise does not matter. "I'm more concerned about the qualities of the individual," economics professor David Garman said. "A provost who sees herself as representing any particular set of academic disciplines is likely to fail at a school as complex as Tufts. She must be open to perspectives that range from arts to veterinary science." Given the demands of the job, other professors say it is important for the next provost to have interdisciplinary interests. "We need someone who is capable of working with very disparate constituencies, considering the large number of schools we have with different needs," geology professor Anne Gardulski said. "Tufts is very strong in its interdisciplinary programs," said Paul Joseph, professor of sociology and director of the Peace and Justice Studies program. "I would like to see a provost who recognizes that aspect of contemporary university life." Along these lines, some faculty see Gittleman's departure as a chance to diversify what they say is a relatively homogenous group of administrators. While Tufts has made strides to improve the racial and ethnic diversity of the student body, some professors feel that such efforts have not been made within the administration, faculty, and curriculum. "I would hope that the president would give serious consideration to the issue of Ballou being basically a Caucasian stronghold with no people of color in the upper echelons of the administrations," German and Swahili professor Daniel Brown said. "It's most important for the new provost to have a clear sense of vision and commitment to diversity at Tufts and to be able to join the president in leadership on that," English professor Elizabeth Ammons said. "Given the lack of diversity in the current administration, it also seems important to me that Tufts seek and hire a provost who is a person of color." While these professors say diversity issues were never specifically under the domain of the provost in the past, they think they should be high on the new provost's priority list. Others say a commitment to diversity is important but can come from a person of any background. Professor Leila Fawaz, the former dean of arts and humanities who now directs the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, would like to see a provost committed to "diversity of origin and diversity of color." She stressed that the new provost should focus on increasing minority representation in the leadership of faculty committees. Both Ammons and Brown say that in order to make changes in the diversity of the administration, it is necessary that the new provost come from outside the University. "I think we gain expertise and a broader set of ideas about how to do things if someone can come from elsewhere," Ammons said. Others, like department of drama and dance chair Barbara Grossman, would like to see a female provost. "I hope she'll be fantastic," she said. Grossman also stressed that the new provost be someone who "respects Tufts as a University, and has a vision for Tufts that will be harmonious with the president." One thing all faculty agree on is that the new provost should have an extensive background in teaching. Gittleman has taught courses throughout his career as provost, and faculty say they respect a provost who understands the classroom issues professors encounter on a daily basis. Most also say that certain personal qualities, such as good listening skills, an open-minded perspective, high energy, the ability to work well with the president, and the ability to inspire all members of the Tufts community, are important in a provost. Fawaz said that a provost needs to exercise leadership skills that will bring the schools together while giving them the space to blossom on their own. Biology professor Harry Bernheim thinks the new provost should be able to "transcend their own education experience. You have to have extremely good interpersonal skills and intelligence," he said.

The Setonian
News

Resident Assistant job more popular than ever

March 31

So you want to be an RA next year? Welcome to the club - over 125 freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are competing for next year's spots. The applications for the ever-popular position of Residential Assistant for the 2002-2003 academic year were due last week, and this year the Residential Life office received a record number of applications. Prospective RAs will be waiting a while before they are told whether or not they have been hired. Tufts Resident Assistants face a demanding job - they're required to do more than "be there" for the students on their hall. In addition to helping students schedule classes and providing personal advice, RAs must be "on duty" at least one night a week in case of an emergency, perform occasional dorm room checks to ensure that students do not have illegal substances, and plan programs and social events for their halls. Has your RA encouraged Hall Snacks, started an inter-dorm game of Assassins, or set up a class-scheduling workshop? If not, maybe your RA isn't taking his job seriously enough. With all of the responsibility, why do students want to be RAs? Many students apply for the perks. Being a Resident Assistant is a leadership position worthy of mention on any r?©sum?©. In addition, the University provides RAs with free housing, subsidizes their meal plans, and completely covers their local phone service. Some students become RAs to avoid the problems associated with the University's housing crunch. The subsidized meal-plan and free housing attracted freshman Mike Ferenchick to apply to be a RA for next year. "Money is clearly of interest when deciding to be an RA. Anyone who tells you that is a bad motivator for being an RA is wrong," Ferenchick said. But in addition to the financial motivation, Ferenchick says that he would enjoy the responsibility of guiding other students. "I could see myself playing sports with the kids in my hall, perhaps ping pong and football," he said. Many students look past the tangible perks of being a RA and see it as an opportunity to have a good time, help students feel at home at school, and create friendships. "Sure, the incentives aren't bad, but actually the reason that I want to be an RA is that it looks like a lot of fun, really enjoyable," freshman John Dulac said. Freshman Liz Goergen applied to be a RA because she saw it as a way to continue the peer counseling and leadership activities she participated in throughout high school. "Since I love talking and getting to meet people anyway, I figured that being an RA is a great way to get paid for doing what I like to do," Goergen said. As a prospective RA, Goergen hopes to help foster friendships between hallmates with stress relief activities like making crafts. "Nothing too demanding, difficult, or educational... just amusing, and a different way to spend time hanging out with people on the hall," Goergen said of her future RA activities. Zach Baker considers RAs important to the dorm experience. "I am applying to be an RA because I want to be able to help people and form a strong bond in my hall. I feel that living in a dorm is one of the most important experiences at Tufts, and I want to make it the best experience for everyone in the hall," he explained. Assistant Director of Residential Life Lorraine Toppi attributes the high number of applications received by Res Life for next year to the current RA staff. "We have an amazing pool of candidates," Toppi said. "We received over 125 applications, the highest number in quite a few years. [The current RA staff] is an extremely talented and caring group this year, and it must show to have so many of their residents want to emulate them." Junior Mike Coughlin, a current RA, says that it is one of the best jobs he has ever had in his life. "It's extremely fulfilling and the rewards, meaning the free room, phone service and dining plan discount are great," Coughlin said. "In addition, I enjoy living in the dorms, and I don't feel detached from the campus like I would if I lived off campus. My classes are far enough as they are!" Prospective Residential Assistants may be wondering about a RA's job description. RAs are required to arrive early to campus to receive mandatory training. RAs must also stay on campus until the end of finals week and through some of graduation at the end of the year. According to junior RA Jeff Malbasa the obligations of being a RA are not too tedious. "The RA commitment is not an overwhelming one. I feel a little bogged down since I work a decent amount at another job, but I do not feel overwhelmed by my obligations." The main obligations of being a RA, according to junior RA Jeff Malbasa, are to be a resource for hall mates and to maintain a safe, happy community on the floor and in the building. "I really believe being a good RA is all about being able to recognize that the most important thing is respect. No matter what the problem, respect is at the heart of it, and that as long as people respect each other, there aren't that many problems," Malbasa said. "As long as I am there for my residents to answer questions and the floor and building are being inhabited in a respectful manner, than I really do feel that I have fulfilled my obligations." But taking on the responsibility of being an RA is not all fun and games. They must ensure that their hall has a clean and safe living environment, and also must reprimand students who break University rules, and report them to the Tufts Police if necessary. Tales of drunken debauchery and roommate conflicts may seem funny, but RAs are often the ones who have to resolve students' problems. "Once a kid threw a couch off of the Hodgdon balcony and was shocked when he got caught, Malbasa said. "That kinda cracked me up."

The Setonian
News

Wendell Phillips finalist to be selected today

March 31

Candidates vying for the prestigious Wendell Phillips award will deliver their speeches tonight in an attempt to win the privilege of being the only undergraduate speaker at the University's 146th Commencement. The speeches will be given at 5 p.m. in the Coolidge Room of Ballou Hall. The Committee on Student Life (CSL), a student/faculty body that selects the candidates, will choose from the group of eight finalists, which passed the first round last January out of 20 nominations. Seniors Tommy Calvert, Michael Ferenczy, Seren Levinson, Jesse Levey, Alethea Pieters, Erin Ross, Michele Shelton, and Anoop Swaminath were all selected. The candidates will give three- to five-minute speeches in a competition open to the public. Contestants will not be allowed to hear other contestant's speeches. Since the finalists were announced last month, some students have said the pool is too homogenous, and that the CSL should have better attempted to diversify the group. Seven of the eight finalists have been involved in student government at Tufts. "They're all the same, all political science people," one senior said yesterday. "I think it shows a lack of serious attention on the part of the administration to look beyond the people who are not always in the spotlight." Another senior expressed frustration at the pool being composed of "the same names you always see." Senior Malissa Ortiz, disagreed. She said homogeneity is not a fault of the system but rather reflects upon a lack of campus-wide interest in the award. "I think if they're similar, its not the fault of the system," Ortiz said. "Everyone had an equal chance to be a part of it." All seniors may apply for the honor, and many receive nominations from faculty. The CSL reviews all applicants, who tend to be influential leaders on campus. The CSL determines the finalists by having the nominees record a speech and write a 500-word essay, one of which must relate to community service. CSL member Talia Alexander said that she thinks that the honor's requirement of community involvement tends to attract a certain type of person. The topic of today's speeches will be a response to one of two observations made by Phillips, the famed Boston orator who championed the cause of abolition and women's suffrage in the late 19th century. "Seldom ever was any knowledge given to keep, but to impart; the grace of this rich jewel is lost in concealment," is one option; the other: "The best education in the world is that got by struggling to get a living." Candidates will explain how education will be a part of their efforts to make a difference in society. In addition to speaking at commencement, the Wendell Phillips winner also receives a monetary award of approximately $400. The award was established in Phillips' honor in 1896 by a memorial fund association. Winning students are selected based on their speaking abilities as well as their sense of public service and social activism. Harvard University shares the honor with Tufts - each school selects one winner annually. Last year's winner was Thea Lavin, a former organizer of Tufts Students Against Discrimination (TSAD).

The Setonian
News

Ghosts to Glory': Death is fun again Defend you life and your boxers

March 31

Welcome to the life of Maximo. He's just returned from battle. His war-buddy has turned evil, taken over the kingdom, and snatched away his girlfriend. What's a guy to do? Well, first things first - he must die. Yep, right off the bat, the main character dies at the hands of King Achille, his war-buddy. But not to worry, this isn't Executive Decision and the main character is not, thank goodness, Steven Segal. The opening CG footage shows Maximo die, then promptly fall into the dark abyss that is the underworld. Then, out of the blue, we're introduced to a crucial, if not odd, new character: the Grim Reaper. And what an introduction it is: the Grim Reaper enters screen left and yells "Boo!" to which Maximo simply responds with a perplexed look. The Grim Reaper then quips, "What? Not afraid of death?" The humor is subtle and brilliant. So, of course, the question that needs answering is how the hell does Maximo return to the world of the living to start the game? Well, simple. You see, King Achille has built a giant drill and is drilling into the underworld, stealing the spirits of the dead. The Grim Reaper is none too happy about this, and recruits Maximo to put an end to it. He agrees to return Maximo to the world of the living to 1) collect the spirits that Achille has taken and 2) defeat Achille. Ladies and Gentlemen, we now have a quest drawing its inspiration from the old-school (I mean 1985-only-playable-in-the-arcade old-school) classic Ghosts 'n Goblins, which spawned NES and SNES sequels Ghouls 'n Ghosts and Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts respectively. Maximo: Ghosts to Glory is one worth owning. Gameplay: This game is hard and it's unforgiving. It all comes down to Maximo, his sword, shield, armor, and his uh...boxers. That's right, his boxers serve as Maximo's crucial last line of defense. The game uses his clothing to reflect the status of his health meter. When sporting full armor, Maximo's health bar is full. After a few attacks, his armor falls to the ground, his health meter lowers, and Maximo is left wearing ordinary clothing. Repeat this process and Maximo is left in his boxers. Get hit a few more times and rather than losing his boxers, Maximo dies. Hope you have an extra life. Each article of clothing, or each health bar, can only withstand three or four attacks. So you can only allow Maximo to be hit a handful of times before he dies. It's surprisingly harder than it seems. As the enemies, who are often skeleton warriors fighting for Achille, surround and gang up on you, you can start losing life fast. Not to mention that the game uses an adept collision detection system: if you're too close to a wall when you swing your sword, it will clang off the wall and render you vulnerable for a second. You're given three lives and theoretically unlimited continues, with one caveat: the Grim Reaper grants you continues. To obtain a continue from the Grim Reaper, you must collect death koins for he requests one, then later in the game, two, three and four before allowing you to continue. If you don't have a death koin, game over. Timing your sword attacks and blocking are far more crucial in this game than in any platformer that I've played in recent memory. It makes the game difficult but surprisingly rewarding. Challenging gameplay is back and I like it. Grade: AGraphics: Overall, the graphics in Maximo are clean and above average, but it's noticeable that the game was originally in development for N64 in the late '90s. Maximo's shadow, for instance, is blurry and jagged. Sure, it's a small feature but it's noticeable. And likewise, some of the textures are blurred and could show more detail. But to be fair, the animation is great. It appears that developer Capcom (Devil May Cry, Onimusha, Resident Evil) understandably focused its attention on using the PS2's power for character animations rather than the background textures. And it was a wise decision as Maximo's and his enemy's animation is flawless. And there's always the question of that ubiquitous fog, something that seems to pop up in every game now. It's even in the new Tiger Woods golf game! It can be done well and it can be done poorly; the fog in Maximo is excellent and its presence perfect. After all, the first stage of the game takes place in a graveyard. What is a creepy graveyard without cool fog effects? Overall, the graphics in Maximo are good: not amazing, but solid. Grade: BSound: From the clanging of your sword, to the moans of pain as Maximo is hit, to the comical quips of the enemies (such as the guards who pace back and forth chanting "Hut two, three, four. Hut two, three, four"), it's the little things that make the sound stand out in Maximo. The background music is fitting: it is simple and fun - exactly the music that you'd expect from a cartoon that takes place in a graveyard. It is not creepy, but it certainly provides an upbeat, exciting, adventuresome atmosphere. Just what is needed for this quest. Grade: A-Replay Value: The game is hard. It will take upwards of 15 to 20 hours to beat the first time through. And short of an RPG, that's a substantial chunk of time for any game. And best of all, it's fun. So as often as you may die, you'll keep coming back for more. And the feeling of accomplishment after finally beating some of the more challenging levels is immense. Not to mention that you can beat each level without truly mastering it - each time you beat the level, it tells you what percentage of the level you've mastered. The fun of playing and running through a level here and there could draw you back for quite some time. The replay value is quite high.Grade: A- While it may not be the best platformer on PS2 (I reserve that title for Jak and Daxter), Maximo: Ghosts to Glory is certainly one of the better ones. The fact that its gameplay is challenging and unforgiving makes it unique unto itself among modern platformers. If you want a challenge, start swinging your sword: Maximo is for you. Overall: A-

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Men's crew suffers first loss of season

March 31

The men's varsity eight crew team saw its winning streak end this past Saturday on the road at Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, MA, as the Jumbos came in third place out of four boats. Tufts defeated NESCAC rival Connecticut College, but finished behind both Ithaca and Holy Cross. Up until this point in the season, the crew had breezed through races with teams like Boston College and Wesleyan, both of which have historically been trouble for Tufts. For this past meet, the crew had been gearing up for one of their toughest competitions yet: a race against Holy Cross. During the beginning of the race, it looked like the Jumbos were going to again be able to preserve their undefeated record. The team had a good start, and had the lead over all three competitors through the first 1000 meters. Upon entering the final fourth of the race - the portion that is normally a strength for Tufts - the boat faltered and lost the edge on both Holy Cross and Ithaca. "We just had an awful finish," sophomore Jim Burke said. "We led through the 1000 but just fell apart in the end. There seemed to be a kind of mental breakdown and then we just basically beat ourselves." In the end, the Jumbos only lost the race by a margin of three seconds. Ithaca crossed the line first, closely followed by Holy Cross. The Jumbos finished in 5:59.04. Despite the loss, coach Ben Foster saw the race as a positive experience. "I thought it was a good race," he said. "It was a good opportunity to evaluate where we are at this point in the season and really start to improve." Changes in rowers' seating arrangements, initially made last week in practice, were maintained for last weekend's race and will most likely stay in place throughout the remainder of the season. "I think it was a positive change," Foster said. "The boat is now a lot faster. We were getting a little stale and I wanted to give us a new look." The crew was buoyed by its performance against Holy Cross, realizing that the Crusaders are a beatable team. "Despite the outcome, the race was encouraging," Burke said. "Holy Cross was supposed to be one of our biggest rivals. We know that we didn't row our best and that is what cost us the victory, rather than Holy Cross dominating us." This knowledge is important for the crew because they will be facing Holy Cross again in two weeks at the New England Championships. With the record for the team now at 6-2, the boat is in a good situation to make waves at both the New Englands and the Avaya National Championships being held the weekend of May 11 in New Jersey. "We will continue to improve," Foster said. "We are going to work hard on the things we need to work on. We'll have good results in the end."

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Dangremond is a racist

March 31

To the Editor: Mr. Dangremond does not seem to understand why so many students, particularly students of color, are so angry at him and his publication. Yes, the Source's editorial and cartoon accusing the Pan-African Alliance of stealing copies of the publication does make sweeping references to the Capen House. But more than that, the image created - that of characterizing all Blacks at Tufts University as "petty thieves" - is most disturbing. In his Letter to the Editor ("Clarifying the allegations of the Source," 2/7), Mr. Dangremond referred to the Pan-African Alliance as "a pack of liars." Note the word choice. Not only has Mr. Dangremond characterized Blacks as thieves, but now he is stating that the Pan-African Alliance has animal-like characteristics. In my five and a half semesters at Tufts, I have seen the Source ridicule many groups in many ways, but never have I seen them refer to any group as a "pack." Mr. Dangremond need not "regret any miscommunication" because there is no miscommunication. Mr. Dangremond is clearly racist and so is his hate magazine. Our Tufts community has the responsibility and the obligation to address the reality of racism at Tufts.Louis EsparzaLA '03

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School vouchers, it's worth a try

March 31

Not a day goes by without a myriad of articles in local and national papers addressing the topic of international terrorism. Since Sept. 11, the subject has permeated every aspect of American life. Today, when the President appears on television or gives an interview, the subject is nearly always in some way related to the al Qaeda and the future of American security. Flash back to the 2000 Presidential race, however, and the issues were much different. While foreign policy certainly had a role in the election, it was a minor part. The issues that really took center stage during the campaign revolved around domestic concerns, such as the economy, social security, and education. Bush, in particular, latched on to the education issue, making it part of the centerpiece of his campaign. With many public schools in large urban centers putting up abysmal scores on every conceivable objective test, Bush proposed a new education plan, that included rigorous testing and support for school choice. Since Sept. 11, all domestic programs have been put on the back burner as foreign adversaries present the most immediate problem for the current administration. Lost in the shift from a domestic to a foreign policy focus has been the administration's commitment to school choice. Even before Sept. 11, the Bush administration had begun to back down from its support for school vouchers, and now the issue (at least in government) seems dead. This is a sorry statement about the power of public school teachers' unions and the information level of the American public. For many bright kids who live in the inner cities, vouchers may provide the path to a better life. As of now, many public schools have failed to provide an education to the students they are supposed to serve. Voucher advocates believe that allowing parents to send their kids to private schools will increase the quality of education in the public system by forcing competition and will allow bright kids who have poor access to better education through the capability to attend top quality private schools. Opponents argue that all of the talent that is forced to be in the public schools now, due to lack of fiscal resources, will flee the public schools, and thus will help destroy the public school system. Opponents of vouchers, which include the teachers' unions such as the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers, argue that the public school system, while broken, can and must be fixed. For them, it is the school system itself, and not the quality of education that is important. This fundamental point is at the core of the debate surrounding vouchers, and cannot be under-stressed. To teachers and others who oppose vouchers, the public school system is a sacred cow which must be preserved, whatever the cost. Even in school systems which have broken down completely and graduate students who are unable to read their diplomas, teachers unions and their supporters will say "fix it." For voucher proponents, the public school system is merely one way of educating a student, and all that matters in the end is whether the child is educated. If a student can get a good education at a public institution, well and good. If not, then the student should be able to go elsewhere. To voucher proponents, the public schools are merely one possible way of educating a child, and if they don't work then they should be ignored and resources pumped into more promising avenues.Oftentimes, public schools can and do serve a community well. However, in crowded urban areas public schools have often failed to deliver the same performance as their counterparts in more suburban or rural neighborhoods. Often, the attempted solution has been to throw money at the problem, but as Washington DC schools prove, more money does not necessarily lead to greater performance. Washington spending per pupil is near the top of the range for public schools, yet its performance is near the bottom.Of course, the groups who suffer the most by being forced into sub-par school systems are poor minorities, who constitute a large portion of inner cities where the schools are the worst. For these kids, there exists no alternative to a bad school, while richer families are able to pay for their children to receive an education at better institutions. While not a perfect solution, vouchers, which are essentially scholarships, will give at least some kids a chance to advance in life. Opponents will say that when all the good kids leave the public system will be worse off than before because only less bright children will remain. But should our goal be to save the public school system or the children in it? Keeping bright students in the public school system just so that the system can survive does nothing to serve the interests of the student and everything to serve the interests of the teachers and administrators who work in the system.No one knows whether giving students the choice of vouchers on a nationwide or statewide level will work. As of now, there are only a few voucher programs in the whole country. Though the results look promising (particularly in the area of parental involvement in the school community), the limited size of such programs makes it hard to judge how they will do on a wider basis. They may fail. The price of not trying, however, is to concede that miserable public schools are the only option for many bright students who lack financial wealth. These kids deserve better and the public schools aren't delivering.

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Family, faculty, students celebrate life of Medeiros

March 31

Remembering his love of life, courage, and kindness toward all, faculty and students gathered in Goddard Chapel Friday afternoon to honor Tufts junior David Medeiros. Medeiros, 20, died last month after a year and a half battle with pancreatic cancer. A child development major who worked at the Eliot-Pearson Daycare Center last fall and was an active member of the student theater group Pen, Paint, and Pretzels (3Ps), Medeiros will be missed, administrators, students and faculty said. Father David O'Leary, who welcomed students to the service, read a passage written by family members. Medeiros' family stressed that above all, he "loved kids," and that "he wanted more than anything to become a father." His family asked those who have or will have children to cherish them, and those who teach children to "teach them well" in honor of David.The family emphasized his desire to live life to its fullest, even as a young boy. When given the opportunity to become involved in a new endeavor, his response was always an eager "sign me up," and he spent time advising younger scouts in the Boy Scouts of America and as a swimming instructor. Close friends Aditi Gupta and Beth Gaertner called Medeiros the "kind of guy you'd feel privileged to meet once." They told of Medeiros' love of cooking and of a time when the three had planned to go to his house so he could teach them to bake cookies. Instead, he ended up in the hospital and was unable to be with them. Despite his condition, he offered to send them cookies in the mail to make up for not being there. The two called this type of selfless behavior typical of their friend. Administrators who attended the event expressed their pride at Medeiros' continued contributions to the community. Interim University Chaplain Patricia Kepler gave the invocation. "We weep for the great loss of David Medeiros, we celebrate all that he was," she said.President Emeritus John DiBiaggio called Medeiros the "quintessential Tufts student" - exemplifying academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, wonderful friendship to all who knew him, and "such vitality and such love of life." He spoke of Medeiros' insistence that he attend classes and participate in normal activities even while suffering with intense pain caused by the cancer. From the initial diagnosis, Medeiros "maintained optimism that was incredible," DiBiaggio said. "He taught us how to die with dignity," he added, calling him a "true Jumbo whose spirit should be an inspiration to us all." Dean of Students Bruce Reitman said Medeiros will be remembered for his courage and generosity. Reitman read an excerpt from Medeiros' Tufts admissions essay in which the college hopeful accredited his "close-knit family" with encouraging, supporting, and helping him to discover the truly important aspects of life. "In all of my endeavors I know I will have the continued support" of family and friends, the essay read.Reitman said that while those endeavors were cut short, Medeiros made the most of his time at Tufts.Friends said they were particularly touched by Medeiros' love of life. Close friend Kristin Leahey spoke of the transition she observed within him over the course of his time at Tufts, from a shy freshman to a mature young man. "What I never got to tell my dear friend Dave was, 'Thank you. Thank you for teaching me how to live,' " Leahey said.Medeiros played a large role in the theater community on campus, both acting in and directing performances. Department of Drama and Dance chair Barbara Grossman said she was honored to have experienced Medeiros' "electric presence and participation" She added that his "vision, passion, and wonderful comic flair" made his directorial debut - 3Ps Fall 2001 minor production Reflections on Ice-Breaking - unforgettable. Medeiros once spent 12 hours in the emergency room and told his doctors that he had to perform that night because his fellow cast members needed him. He left the hospital at 7 p.m. to perform at a 9 p.m. show. Only his parents knew the intensity of his pain as he played Elvis in the 3Ps minor production of Picasso at the Lapin Agille. Artist in Residence Anthony Cornish said that from the day of his first audition, Medeiros was a well-known face in the department. "David made a very real impression upon us all as a creative, talented, and witty man who will be missed," Cornish said.Friends and fellow Tufts students Kathy Eagan and Amy Reid read from sacred scripture before the chapel was filled with the sounds of one of Medeiros' favorite songs, "I'll Fly Away," from the soundtrack to O' Brother Where Art Thou? Medeiros worked with two of his doctors at the Dana Farber Institute and participated in several Harvard Medical School courses, helping doctors understand the needs and anxieties of cancer patients, especially young adults. O'Leary read the words of one Harvard Medical School faculty member who said Medeiros' help was inspirational to many. "Patients of students will benefit for years to come," O'Leary read. One night when Medeiros could not sleep, his family shared, he told his mother that he felt like the luckiest person in the world. When Pauline asked him to explain, wondering how a person in so much pain could feel that way, he said, "Because I felt completely surrounded by love."Medeiros is survived by his parents, Frank and Pauline (Turco) Medeiros and his sister, Lea MedeirosContributions may be made to the David A. Medeiros Memorial Fund, c/o Ben Franklin Savings Bank 76 North Street Medfield, MA 02052.

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What I loved and hated about these Olympics

March 31

With the 2002 Winter Olympics over and done, I'm having some trouble figuring out what to make of them. Were they really the euphoric, peaceful competition we all like to think of them as? Are the games fair, or does too much cheating go on? Does Bob Costas really know that much, or is he actually an android surviving on a constant diet of nine-volt batteries? Since the Winter Olympics won't be around again until I'm 24, and I probably won't have a column anymore (because, come on, what the hell am I doing with one now?), I've decided to take this time to try and answer some of these questions - or at least pretend to. So without further ado, here is the good, the bad, and the ugly of the 2002 Olympic Games.First off, the bad: curling. Curling is possibly the greatest game I have ever watched in my entire life. But that's just the problem with it. It's a game, not a sport. Curling has absolutely no business being part of the Olympics. Sure it's hard. Sure the curlers have to train their whole lives to be as good as they are. But if that is the only criteria for something to be in the Olympics, maybe we should include knitting, or even crochet. 85 year-old women will race to see who can finish her cardigan first, and the winner will get a date with Jim McKay. Give me a break. Could anyone, in good conscience, honestly compare an Olympic curler to a speed skater or Nordic skier? To quote one young curling fan, "It's like chess with the rhythm of bowling." Is this really how we want to display athletic prowess, with a cross between chess and bowling? The next on the list of the bad is skeleton. Luge on the stomach. Where is the skill in this event? When I was a kid, we called this "sledding." There are no brakes and no steering. The rider simply goes with the flow down the track, and whoever ran fastest and jumped on his sled the quickest wins. I just don't get it. Maybe because a sport is risky, it has credibility to be in the Olympics. I guess that next it will be speed skiing and Russian roulette that we call Olympic events. Do Americans really need medals so badly that we have to reinstate such an inane sport as skeleton? Now for the ugly: the French and the Russian figure skating judges. Just as the Olympics were beginning to come out of the shadow of the IOC bribery that brought the games to Salt Lake City in the first place, these judges had to go and ruin the credibility of more Olympic officials. Who do these people think they are to take away something that these skaters have worked they're whole lives for? I can only imagine how the Canadian pair must have felt when they learned that, even though it sacrificed so much to give a gold medal performance, it was getting the silver because the French judge wanted her ice dancers to do well. When did the Olympics become more about winning than about fair play? Call me an idealist, but I think that whoever performs the best should win the gold medal. Period. And now it's time for the good. First off: Johnny Mosely. I will never get tired of watching him rock the bumps and nail that dinner roll. A jump which he had to petition judges to allow was probably the reason he didn't get a medal, but it is also the reason why he is the greatest mogul skier of all time. Mosely could have easily been more conservative on his jumps and medaled, but he preferred to challenge himself and better his sport. Four years from now, nobody will remember who got first, second, and third, but they will remember Mosely sticking that dinner roll. And I know I will never forget seeing him take off his skis and jump into the crowd in celebration. Mosely to me represents why every athlete should compete - for the love of the game. Next good: Bode Miller. Maybe this is a little bit of hometown pride coming through, but I truly think that Bode Miller was one of the greatest names of these Olympics. Miller took two silver medals during these games, both in events that had never seen an American medalist. He put together one of the greatest runs of all time in the combined to come from way back and nab the silver, and was equally impressive in the Super G. And of course let's not forget where Bode went to high school - Carrabassett Valley Academy, Carrabassett Valley, Maine. Also on the list of good are Bob Costas and Jim McKay. I get such a kick out of these guys. Costas is the smartest man alive, and McKay is old enough to remember what the best thing was before sliced bread. A hypothetical conversation between the two:Costas: Jim, do you know when the last time an American won a bobsled medal was? I do. I know everything. McKay: Well Bob, now that I'm 147 years old, I don't really know much of anything. I like pizza. Another on the good list has to be Apolo Anton Ohno. Watching Ohno crawl across the finish line for the silver medal after crashing in the last lap was, without a doubt, the highlight of my Olympics. Even with a gash on his leg that would later require six stitches, Ohno was so determined to succeed he scrambled over the finish line on his hands and knees, even though his dream of four gold medals had been shattered. Now that's heart. I can think of countless other good moments, but alas, I don't have enough space in which to share them. The Belarussian upset of Sweden, the 21-year anniversary of the Miracle on Ice, the opening ceremonies, there are tons of other awe inspiring and jaw dropping moments. Though there were a few faults and disgraces, I'm sure I will have completely forgotten about them by the time the next Olympiad rolls around. What will really stick with me are all of the moments that made me say, "I wish I could do that." And I guess that really tells me what to think of the Olympics. I love these games.

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Requiem for a dream

March 31

Cousens Gymnasium transformed from an athletic facility into a concert hall on Saturday afternoon, playing host to a conglomerate of three different choirs and the Tufts Symphony Orchestra performing Johannes Brahms' Ein Deutches Requiem (which translates to AGerman Requiem). Though the amount of people playing and singing in the piece nearly exceeded the number of those sitting in the audience, the members of the Tufts University Chorale, the Wheaton Chorale, and the Eastern Nazarene College A Cappella Choir complemented the orchestra's dynamism to create an exciting afternoon of music. The Requiem, which premiered in Leipzig, Germany in 1869, is Brahms' longest composition and is noted for its controversial inclusion of texts from the Lutheran Bible. Like its name suggests, the piece offers reflections on life and death, which historians suppose in this case were initially inspired by the death of composer Robert Schumann in 1856. But unlike most requiems, there is no mention of sin or redemption in Brahms' chosen texts. Rather, the oratorio offers a widespread message of consolation to people of all religions and creeds. This becomes apparent right in the opening movement where the chorus offers words from the Book of Matthew: "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." These initial strains of music rose gradually and smoothly from both the orchestra and chorus and set the right mood for the remainder of the concert, conducted masterfully under the baton Tufts University Chorale director James John. There were certain moments in the piece - particularly in the many canonic passages - where the music sounded like pure bits of heaven. Much of this can be attributed to the skillful blending of the choir; an extremely difficult feat to achieve in a group with significantly more women than men. Occasionally the soprano melody seemed a bit heavy, but for the most part remained at the perfect level - especially toward the latter movements of the piece where everything came together at a moving cadence. The orchestra faced the opposite problem, with the lower bass instruments dominating in a few sections. But this may very well be attributed to the seating arrangement in Cousens which placed some of the audience directly in front and on the same level as the orchestra, thus making the center of sound contingent upon where a person was sitting. Regardless, the orchestra did justice to several particularly difficult string passages, with cutoffs that were crisp and accurate and dynamics that were reflective of the solemn mood. Though the choir mastered the difficult German text, there were times when it seemed that the singers were not fully internalizing the music, though there were others where the music seemed to speak for itself. The English translation in the program helped enormously in understanding both the figurative and the literal meaning of the piece. And the two soloists - baritone Thomas Jones and soprano Carol Mastrodomenico - made up for any flaws in interpretation with their expressive emotion and stage presence. Jones joined the choir for the third and sixth movements, filling Cousens with powerfully rich vocals. Mastrodomenico, who teaches voice at Tufts and directs the Tufts Opera Ensemble, produced a gorgeous and completely unforced sound on the fifth movement - which was quite possibly the most beautiful and moving section of the entire piece. The concert was the result of a semester's worth of labor on the part of all three choirs and the Tufts Symphony Orchestra. While the orchestra, currently under the direction of interim conductor Chris Younghoon Kim, has made several other appearances over the semester, the group has made this Brahms Requiem concert its major focus. The orchestra and choirs reunited yesterday at the New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall for a concluding engagement to their weekend of Brahms Requiem performances.

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In support of culture rep. amendment

March 31

Knowing David Moon, I was very surprised to read his opinion (New amendment is a sham, 4/4) on the proposed "lobbyist" amendment. I would stop short from calling his viewpoint racist, but it was certainly race-baiting. Such low-blow political discourse at Tufts is very disappointing, whether coming from The Primary Source or leaders associated with the culture clubs. The amendment is a very good one, and deserves a fair hearing. While commuter students could benefit from a voting Senate representative since it may be hard for them to vote in the regular elections, that is certainly not the case for students with "class, race, gender, sexual orientation" - and I would add religious and political - concerns. It is even less so for those involved in four of the best-funded clubs on campus: ACT, PAA, ALAS, and TTLGBC. All students are allowed to run for the Senate and, as Senators, work on projects they see would improve student life for all or a few. So, there is no reason to effectively give the students in these four clubs an extra Senator. There is even less reason to allow them to vote on their own and others' budgets, as they can now. The amendment allows all groups - including TASA, the Arab Students Association, International Club, MOST, the Muslim Students Association, the Tufts Republicans, and the Women's Union at Tufts - equal footing with others in presenting their very relevant concerns to the TCU Senate. It will bring the Senate more in touch with student concerns from a wide spectrum of opinions. So, I hope you will come out for the referendum on April 24 to support this amendment.

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More than bars and nightlife

March 31

The city of Montreal, for many, brings to mind one simple phrase - legal drinking. Though it has a lively bar and club scene, the French-Canadian city, with its European ambiance and French flair for fun, has a number of entertaining, non-alcoholic activities worthy of attention. Getting to Montreal from Boston takes approximately six hours by car, and the trip north is fairly undistinguished. Through New Hampshire and Vermont the scenery is a beautiful but uninterrupted sequence of trees and rocks - count on a good snooze. There's also the border crossing to consider. Though Canadian customs workers have not taken to thorough body cavity searches, American officials do not share their lax attitude. They will inquire suspiciously as to all your foreign purchases upon your return, and they may ask to search your luggage. Just remember: when you get the urge at Duty Free for quantities of alcohol in excess of one bottle, you'll be taxed $2.80 USD. Of course, there are plenty of travel issues to consider long before you reach the border. For example, in the summer it's extremely difficult to get any hotel, regardless of cost, without a prior reservation. That said, the city has an extensive array of lodging choices- everything from grungy and very inexpensive youth hostels on the seedier end of Rue St. Catherine to apartment-style suites with kitchen facilities, in addition to all the large chains such as the Holiday Inn, the Sheraton, and the Four Seasons. Of even more importance: money. As it is a foreign country, you'll need to obtain Canadian currency and its plethora of change (in addition to pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters, they have "loonies" and "toonies," which are their one- and two-dollar coins, respectively). With the current state of the Canadian dollar, Montreal - anywhere in Canada, for that matter - is extremely cheap. The best place to exchange your money? The ATM - it'll give you a better exchange rate, and they're all over the city. Along the same lines, it's fairly easy to get by without cash due to the prevalence of Interact (paying with your ATM card), a service offered at the majority of hotels, restaurants, and shops. If you do have difficulty with money issues or anything else, just ask. While you may occasionally get a taste of the Quebec superiority complex, most will not ridicule any tourist's attempts at French, and everyone is bilingual. Nevertheless, such details are all peripheral to the actual Montreal experience. Montreal has it all: food, music, art, shopping, history, and, of course, alcohol. True to its cosmopolitan attitude, the Quebecois city has a vast array of international dining options. Along only two blocks of Rue St Catherine, you can find a bakery offering authentic baguettes and Montreal-style bagels, a shop specializing only in egg dishes, a vegetarian cafeteria, a greasy spoon advertising 49-cent French fries, a classy-looking Italian restaurant, a Lebanese diner, and a Chinese take-out joint. Equally plentiful are the bars and pubs - good news for those eighteen and older. Indeed, even in the dead of Montreal's notoriously frigid and snowy winter, it's not difficult to go on a pub crawl without the aid of a car. There are places to suit every taste; from Le Swimming to the Peel Pub, Montreal and legal drinking make the scene relaxed and entertaining. For those interested in Montreal's cultural offerings, there are several art and history museums of international repute. There are two exhibits currently on display at the Montreal Musee des Beaux-Arts. "Monograph," a retrospective of the lifeworks of List, is the first comprehensive showing of the famed photographer's work, while the second is an equally interesting collection of political lithographs by Goya. For a quintessentially historic perspective, Old Montreal, with its beautiful old buildings and unique shops, is a great place wander around or people watch in a caf?©. If you're a fan of the French language, there's an entire contingent of French language movie theatres, plays, poetry readings, and events. Meanwhile, no trip to the city is complete without a visit to the well-frequented tourist site of Mont Royal, an entire hill that has been dedicated for use as a park. When the crowds are somewhat slimmer, it's a scenic spot to take a picnic, go rollerblading, running, or feed the geese that swim in the large central pond. Montreal also abounds in first class shopping. Due to the excellent exchange rate, the prices of many familiar stores are considerably less than here in Boston. Not only is the city home to American favorites such as the Gap and HMV, but it also possesses a plethora of uniquely Canadian boutiques and chains that sell items unavailable in the States. For example, on Rue Crescent, Shan Boutique offers a variety of uniquely textured and styled swimsuits that can be custom-fitted. Other interesting stores include Neon and Parasuco for jeans, WitBoy for a variety of sweaters and pants, Mountain Equipment Co-op for hiking gear and related goods, and B2 for boots and shoes. On the whole, it isn't surprising that Montreal feels as youthful as Boston - it's home to three universities and several colleges. With its diverse cultural and entertainment offerings, the distinct Canadian flavor is well worth the considerable trek north.

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The rebirth of a nation

March 31

An interesting phenomenon emerged in the aftermath of the tragedy of Sept. 11, a disconcerting backlash to the rediscovered patriotism that for a while washed the nation in red, white, and blue. I witnessed this anti-patriotism in the oddest of places: wild tangents in professors' lectures, editorial sports articles, and even keg parties, when instead of carousing, college kids were illustrating that nobody is ever too young or economically privileged to be cynical to the bone. September of 2001 was, if nothing else, a slap to this country's punch-drunk collective face. Growing up the youngest of three brothers, I've learned a few valuable life lessons from being on the receiving end of a good smacking. For many, this one was a very rude awakening. For everybody else, allow me to fill you in: the freedom and security that we enjoy everyday are not God-given. They are under attack and need to be protected. Success breeds jealousy and contempt in others, cancerous sentiments that make the envious lash out in frustration at their chosen scapegoat. If you don't follow this cause-effect relationship then odds are you've never been a Yankees fan at Fenway Park. Please don't misinterpret these words as encouragement for Americans to curb their criticism of the US government's domestic and foreign policies, nor for Oliver Stone, Michael Moore, or Zach de la Rocha's ilk to stop opening our eyes to the blemishes that Washington, like every government in history, has on its rap sheet. I encourage the opposite - it is all warranted. Plus, the French can't get enough of this stuff. Since the moment the first European, Leif Ericsson, touched Viking oar to North American water (and no doubt long before), this land has played host to horrible bloody power struggles. Along with America's finest hours, we Americans have much to be ashamed of. Instead of allowing this to jade us, let our actions be all the more guided by patriotism. Patriotism is defined as "the passion which inspires one to serve one's country." Allow yourself to be patriotic, not jingoistic, skeptical, but not cynical. Find that balance between Alex P. Keaton and his parents. Class of 2002, we now disperse into a challenging, uncertain world different from the one in which we matriculated. We are faced with the responsibility of turning our inherited cynicism into a passion for improvement, towards protecting civil liberties at home and ensuring that the US is a benevolent actor on the world stage, fighting atrocity rather than committing it. Do we feel up to the task? As Beatrice Hall, paraphrasing Voltaire, once wrote, "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Expression of anti-patriotic sentiment is a freedom that exists only because American men and women go to work each day and fight for it. And who knows, if we continue to take these blessed privileges for granted, we may wake up one morning and discover they've disappeared in the night. Until then, kick back, turn up your Linkin Park CD, grab a double cheeseburger and super-sized Coke, and don't groan if the car in front of you sports more Stars 'n Stripes than the Kid Rock entourage tailgating at a Pistons-Raptors playoff game. If you need me come May 23rd, seventh inning stretch, I'll be the idiot with the New York hat, singing along to "God Bless America" over the roar of "Yankees suck." I will do it because I can, and I know that this makes me fortunate, because I have that damn Yankee pride. Nathaniel Swinburne is a graduating senior majoring in Computer Science

The Setonian
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Baseball team Tufts best ever?

March 31

After 12 straight wins, the baseball team seems to have recovered from what was an uncertain future after going 0-3-1 on its annual spring break trip. As they head into the NESCAC championships, the reinvigorated Jumbos have left no doubt in their own minds or the minds of their fans about their capabilities. Although victories against out of conference teams are desirable, NESCAC wins are what matter. NESCAC baseball is tough as is, but when a team has high expectations to live up to, it makes the season that much more difficult. Last season's baseball team made the playoffs and finished second to Williams College. "The expectations were definitely high because most of the team was coming back from last year," junior shortstop Brian Shapiro said. "We felt this was going to be a special year."The baseball team has not disappointed fans since the spring break trip. The squad tore through NESCAC competition, suffering only one defeat. With that near flawless record, the team earned home field advantage for the NESCAC playoffs. "It definitely feels good," Shapiro said. "We are all comfortable playing on that field and the fact we don't have to travel is better too." The Jumbos success was an all-around team effort, from pitching to hitting. With all of the members of the team multi-talented on the field, leadership off the field gives the team an edge. "Everyone is aware of the standards of the team and the responsibility everybody has on the team. We are only strong as the weakest guy," junior tri-captain Evan Zupancic said. "It's a team game, you can't win with individuals. With it being a team game, everybody has to lead at some point." When speaking of leadership, it is difficult to talk of any college team without mentioning its seniors, and the seniors on this squad have done an impeccable job using their experience to lead. Senior tri-captain Dan Callahan was under much pressure coming into the season, having been the NESCAC player of the year last season. As a true leader does, Callahan stepped up to post stellar numbers once again and broke numerous career records. Senior tri-captain Steve Lapham has also shown a lot of heart all season. Lapham's performance on the spring break trip against North Carolina Wesleyan (3/21) might have turned the season around, as the squad broke their four game winless streak, earning its first victory of the season. Teammates find his leadership irreplaceable and his record (1-2, 3.94 ERA) does not reflect what he means to this team. Perhaps the most underrated player on the team is senior first baseman Tim Ayres. With a quick glove and equally quick bat, Ayres has served as protection for Callahan and Shapiro all season, as well as making a name for himself. Ayres is batting .327 with 24 RBI. Senior outfielder Brian Neville has not had the same amount of playing time as his classmates, but he practices as much. Neville is an example of how leadership does not always have to come from the field. To support teammates in any given role is a characteristic that is hard to find in many individuals. "It's nice to have a year like this for our seniors because they have been here for four years," Shapiro said. "They put in the time and hopefully we can take advantage of this opportunity for them." This season's Jumbos have a chance at breaking the school's all time mark in wins (27), as the team is currently at 25-7-1 and 10-1 in the NESCAC. Any team that is going to see the Jumbos in the playoffs will be in for a dogfight. Whether down one or 14, the squad will not fold. Coach John Casey formats the Jumbos' practice schedule to condition them for this time of year. Although the team has only played one or two teams from the NESCAC west, its out of conference schedule is as good as any around. "Coach makes the schedule for us so we're playing the best teams around and if we're not on top of our game we're going to get beat," Shapiro said. "That's what happened a couple of times, but luckily we were able to bounce back." Unlike previous weeks, every team the Jumbos can face in the playoffs has had the opportunity to rest. With the Tufts as the number one seed, competition will be gunning for them. Tufts has already taken two of three from NESCAC east second seed, Trinity College and three of four from NESCAC West first seed, Wesleyan College. The team opens the post-season with a hope to exact revenge on Williams College. "None of the teams have played in over a week. We are going to be facing the best pitching," Shapiro said. "All of the games are going to be tight, so we can't make mistakes. We have to take advantage of any opportunities the other team gives to us." While some teams would be content with a NESCAC playoff birth, the Jumbos made the playoffs last season and want an NCAA birth this season. Through leadership and overall talent, the Jumbos feel anything less than a NESCAC title would be a letdown. "I think it's gone pretty well so far. Once its all said and done, what matters is how we turn out in terms of NESCACs," Zupancic said. "We have played well until now and this is the endnote, this is the final task to how we are as a team. If we go out and play the way we are supposed to play and are capable of playing, then we should win and move on."

The Setonian
News

Panda Palace saves endangered MOPS

March 31

Six weeks after Panda Palace became the fourth Merchants on Points (MOPS) vendor - filling a slot that had been vacant since fall - students are pleased with the choice. General concerns over delivery time and charges have died down, even though some students have grumbled about the mandatory delivery charge. "Students that I've heard from have been extremely happy with [Panda Palace]," Senator Josh Belkin said, who worked with Dining Services to add the fourth MOPS vendor. "The food quality is much higher than most people have been used to with normal Chinese food." Because Panda Palace is further from campus than was Rose's - the restaurant that previously held the fourth MOPS slot, but left the program after only a few days - some students worried that delivery times would be too long. But according to Belkin "they have delivered in about 35 to 40 minutes." "When it's a peak time, like Saturday night, the delivery will take longer," Senator Ed Schwehm said, who also worked with Dining Services. "However, the time estimate for delivery they give is correct." Director of Dining Services Patti Lee Klos provided the restaurant with maps to familiarize themselves with the campus. Many students complained about an initial lack of utensils with delivery. Panda Palace usually delivers to homes and customarily did not provide utensils. When the restaurant was alerted that college students often need utensils, they began to provide them. Others were put off by the $2 delivery charge tacked on to each order. If a group of students each place a different order, the charge will apply to each student. Panda Palace refused to lift the charge because they say drivers are not adequately tipped. "We treat the students as our regular customers," owner and manager of Panda Palace Fred Lin said. "The delivery charge goes to the driver. I would suggest that students can still give tips." "So many people don't look at their receipts. Students should just rotate when ordering so they can avoid the extra cost," Schwehm said. Some students, however, still find the charge too much, especially with a $10 minimum delivery. "A $10 order delivery minimum and then $2 for delivery," sophomore Adam Mueller said. "That's why Espresso's is better. You can just order a salad. But, the food [at Panda Palace] is pretty good." The addition of Panda Palace has run smoothly partly because the restaurant is larger than Rose's. While Rose's hired more drivers to deliver, its kitchen could not keep up with the flood of orders. Panda Palace has added more drivers, but has not needed to add cooks. "We have had no problem adjusting to new orders," Lin said. "We have over 100 seats in our restaurant, and people ordering out. No problem." Lin estimates that business has increased ten percent since Panda Palace joined MOPS. Its share of Tufts business is comparable to both Near East and Wing Works, but still far behind Espresso Pizza. The Panda Palace contract with Dining Services comes up for renewal at the end of the year. Both sides are happy thus far, and Dining Services hopes to extend the contract. "We have no cause to not continue with them," Klos said. "They understand that this is a year long arrangement and they will be evaluating how it impacts their business. They have not given me any indication they plan to stop." "I have no reason to think it won't continue to be a success," Klos said. "It's good Chinese food."

The Setonian
News

Now or never for women's basketball

March 31

The women's basketball team takes its show on the road this weekend with two games in Connecticut against Wesleyan and Conn. College on Friday and Saturday respectively. These games have the potential to be the final act in what has been an up and down season for the Jumbos or it could serve as a springboard into the NESCAC tournament. Going into this weekend's games, Tufts currently resides in ninth place in the NESCAC with a 1-6 record. The top seven teams in the conference qualify for tournament play. "This is kind of do or die," junior co-captain Hillary Dunn said. "Our season has basically come down to two games. If we can win these two games, we should make the NESCAC Tournament and if we make that than anything can happen." Despite a rough two-week period since its last win, which has included four straight losses all against NESCAC opponents, Tufts has been able to take a couple positives from the losses. The Jumbos last win came on Jan. 29 in a non-conference matchup with Gordon. "The two losses to Colby and Bowdoin were two close games," Dunn said. "And losing to Bowdoin by two points was encouraging. I think that we have to forget about the last two weeks and really realize that these two games are our season." On Saturday Feb. 2, one night after nearly toppling Colby, the Jumbos just missed pulling off the biggest NESCAC upset of the season as they dominated top ranked Bowdoin for most of the afternoon before losing by two points. Tufts led for the majority of the game before Bowdoin's Lora Trenkle connected on two free throws with ten seconds left. Tufts had one more shot to tie or win the game but senior co-captain Jayme Busnengo's shot from behind the foul line fell short. While picking up back to back wins might appear to be a daunting task, a closer look shows that if a NESCAC team needed to pick up consecutive wins, Wesleyan and Conn. College are the squads which would be the most desirable to face. Conn. College has yet to win in the NESCAC (0-7) and sports an overall record of 1-18 on the season. Not surprisingly, the Camels are the cellar dwellers of the NESCAC. Wesleyan is also fairly weak this season and is currently tied with Amherst (2-5) for seventh in the NESCAC. "We can't look past the games this weekend and into the tournament," Dunn said. "But if we play well we should have a good shot at winning both of the games. But we have to focus on the games." Forgive the Jumbos if they do not appear to be overcome by nervousness. However, facing a do or die situation to make the NESCAC tournament is old hat to Tufts as they were in the same position last year, except for the fact that the final four games were at home while these are on the road. Almost exactly one year ago on Feb. 16 2001, Tufts hosted Wesleyan with a NESCAC Tournament birth on the line and Emily Goodman scored 35 points in a 65-61 come from behind victory, assuring one of the seven seeds in the tournament. "We were in this exact same position last year, having to beat Wesleyan," Goodman said. "It was a close game, and I'm sure this is going to be another close game. I think we are going to be pretty prepared." After defeating Wesleyan last year and knocking them out of postseason contention, the Jumbos expect the Cardinals to come out fired up this evening. "Wesleyan is going to be pretty hungry because they lost their spot to us last year," Goodman said. "I think it is anyone's game. Whoever wants it badly enough will win." Although Tufts did look fairly good in its two losses two weeks ago, last weekend the team did not play as well as it may have liked in consecutive defeats at the hands of Williams and Middlebury. In those two contests the Jumbos lost by 29 and 14 points respectively. "Everyone was disappointed with last weekends performance so I think that everyone will be on the same page in terms of proving that last weekend was not us," Goodman said. "I think that is what will be motivating us. We have been inconsistent this season. It could go either way each game day. It can't be like that. It's a little late to realize that so we just want to go out on a positive note." In order to ensure that their season continues past Sunday's regular season finale the Jumbos have been working on a number of defenses such as the triangle and two, man to man and a 3-2 zone especially to combat Wesleyan's freshman point guard. "Wesleyan has a freshman point guard that we think we can rattle so we have been going over a lot of defenses," Dunn said. "We are going to switch off the D's and try and rattle her." Tip off tonight is at 7:30 p.m. at Wesleyan and tomorrow at 3 p.m. at Conn. College.

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