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Bacow inaugurated as twelfth Tufts president

March 31

Larry Bacow was inaugurated as the 12th president of Tufts Friday afternoon. The ceremony, which took place at Ellis Oval, was filled with music, poetry, and words of praise from academics within and without the Tufts community. Though the crowd was smaller than expected, students, friends, and family of the Bacows, trustees, and faculty members were present. University Interim Chaplain Patricia Budd Kepler led the crowd in an invocation followed by the Star Spangled Banner by the Beelzebubs, the Amalgamates, and the Jackson Jills. Representatives from campus groups, undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, graduate school faculty, and alumni spoke to honor and greet the new president. Outgoing Provost Sol Gittleman emphasized the importance of the search for a University president, in the spirit of celebrating American higher education. Attendees were particularly taken with endorsements given to Bacow by other prominent members of the academic community. Charles Vest, president of MIT, praised Bacow and wished him the best of luck. He said the complex job of university president requires extreme versatility and coordination, while making it all look easy. Bacow had served under Vest as Chancellor of MIT before coming to Tufts. "He brings a sense of what is best for the whole community," Vest said. James Freedman, President Emeritus of Dartmouth, also spoke in congratulations. "We know we can count on Larry to stimulate the pursuit of excellence," Freedman said. Board of Trustees Chairman Nathan Gantcher invested Bacow with the symbols of office - the charter of the University, the keys to Ballou, and a medallion with the names of all the past Tufts presidents engraved on the chain. Bacow is "respected, well liked, tenacious, hard working, visionary, honest, smart, scholarly, intellectual, insightful, and tough but fair," Gantcher said. At the end of the ceremony, Bacow took the stage to give his inaugural address. Throughout the speech, Bacow took pride in the accomplishments made at Tufts throughout its first 150 years. He expressed concern for how to improve the school for the future and the importance of "educating the first generation of leaders in a truly global world." Bacow stressed the importance of enriching the institution and said that increasing the endowment would be high on his list of priorities. He said he recognizes that the job of president is a difficult one but said it is one that he embraces wholeheartedly. Bacow also listed people who provided him with important life lessons. He thanked his father for teaching him to speak his mind and his fourth grade teacher, Shirley Chandler, for teaching him the importance of listening to others. Chandler, who attended all the inauguration festivities, showed Bacow that "other people have very interesting things to say." Bacow listed four areas he would most like to work on at Tufts. First, he wants to "ensure that Tufts is accessible to all, not just the wealthy few. "Tufts needs to be need-blind, yet must preserve its intimacy. Tufts cannot sacrifice quality for efficiency and productivity." Secondly, he said Tufts must be attentive to the full range and realm of the undergraduate experience. He said we must "continually raise the bar of intellectual excellence and find new ways of educating." Tufts must also strengthen its graduate programs and enhance the quality of education for its graduate students, he said. Finally, Bacow said the University must "draw together more closely our eight distinguished schools. Our ability to contribute depends on our capacity to pull together as one." Graduate student Colleen O'Connor and Chair of Drama and Dance Barbara Grossman praised Bacow's "quest for academic excellence" and dedication to tolerance and diversity. Dental Medicine School Dean Lonnie Norris and Alumni Association President William O'Reilly wished Bacow the best of luck. "We pledge to you our hearty and united support and willingness to undertake all things necessary and advisable," O'Reilly said. Eric Greenberg, president of the Tufts Community Union Senate, was absent for the ceremony but his speech was read to the crowd. Greenberg described the inauguration as a "momentous occasion" and praised Bacow's efforts at getting to know the student body. "[Bacow has] soaked in the life blood of this University," Greenberg wrote.

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News

Serendipity

March 31

Horace Walpole first coined the word "serendipity" in 1754. It was taken from the title of a silly fairy tale, called The Three Princes of Serendip: as their highnesses traveled, they were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things which they were not in quest of. By sagacity and perhaps a few accidents, we of the class of 2002 are graduating from Tufts. Instead of thinking about college as something we are in, college is now something we have done. I often trace the numerous little chances and coincidences that brought me to Tufts, and the many small but significant contingencies that brought me here today: the admissions people who took a chance on me, the crazy rule that does not let you double major and minor (creating a perverse incentive to triple major), deciding on a whim to study abroad in Ireland and Washington DC, and of course the Institute for Global Leadership - one of the finest educational institutions at Tufts or anywhere. I did not plan ahead for any of these, yet each profoundly shaped my last four years. Strange as it seems, any given path in life is a bizarre and unlikely coincidence of numerous factors completely beyond our control. It is tempting to think we are each masters of our own destinies, choosing a sound and safe plan after examining all the options and weighing all the costs and benefits. Yet how often is this really the case? All the most interesting things in life seem to be unplanned for, and all of us are given at some point the opportunity to do something truly innovative - to really make a difference. Like surfing, you can wait and wait for the perfect wave to ride. You prepare and train and watch the tides and swells until everything, or at least most things, look just right. Though even on the perfect day, the perfect wave may never come. So you wait, watch and try again tomorrow. Yet somehow, with patience and openness, it seems to all work out. That is serendipity. Serendipity is what gets you where you need to go, despite (or because of) all the accidents along the way. Serendipity is what allows us to make upsets into opportunities. Then once you seize one of these chance opportunities, once you catch the wave, that is when training and preparation pay off. That is where Tufts comes in. The real value of a liberal arts education is not in any specific discipline but rather the ability to think critically, to communicate effectively and to organize (though, sadly, not how to act ethically). Itis hard to comprehend the knowledge and skills you get through Tufts because they become internalized. Yet they are the basic prerequisites for making a difference in the world. So you need both: the openness to serendipity and the training in critical thought and effective action. Without the openness, you are never willing to risk taking a change of course and without the preparation, you cannot capitalize on the opportunities you find. Yet even these are not enough. Ultimately, we need someone to take a chance on us we need someone who believes in us. For me, that has been several teachers. It is hard to overstate their role in helping me find my passions and work towards my goals. They, more than anything else, have defined my time here. So that was what I learned at Tufts: thinking critically, acting and communicating effectively, and being open to serendipity. Everything else is a detail.

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News

A guys' guide to Tufts girls

March 31

With acceptance letters finally in the mail, this campus will soon be inundated with pre-frosh. And who better to help those poor lost souls acclimate to this beautiful campus than myself. Having spent the last three years deeply immersed in Tufts social scene, I can say that I've learned many a lesson about the female student body, literally and figuratively. As a man around campus, I've learned who is who, and what exactly that means to you. So here you go boys, I call this the Guys Guide to Dating at Tufts:The Banana Republic Princess The BRP is characterized by her always trendy outfits. Unfortunately, her taste in fashion is strictly limited to the newest catalog received in the mail. These sisters of the Tufts establishments Chi Omega or Alpha Phi can be spotted from afar by their year-round orange tan. They can always be found monopolizing most of the Campus Center dining tables during lunch hours. PROS: 20 girls living in one house is great odds CONS: They hog all the cardio equipment at the Fitness CenterThe Westchester County WesCo's do not necessarily reside in Westchester County, New York; but, those that don't secretly wish that they did. With their Dolce Gabana sunglasses, Diesel jeans, and Armani T's the WesCo is a fashion boutique manager's dream come true. After getting her hair re-highlighted on Newbury Street, she is likely to be found chain-smoking while indulging her appetite with a salad. When not attending to her fashion needs, the WesCo can be found cruising Professor's Row in the new BMW/Lexus/Infiniti SUV daddy just bought her. PROS: She's got plenty of money CONS: You're still going to be the one payingThe Jumbo-ette When not on the field of play the Jumbo-ette is usually busy playing hard elsewhere. The fierce competitive edge on these girls when combined with alcohol can often lead to some disastrous outcomes. In fact, the Jumbo-ettes provide an explanation for the Massachusetts state law that categorizes any residence within which four or more females live and alcohol is present as a brothel. PROS: Hanging out with them will keep your testosterone up CONS: They'll fight you if they lose in a drinking gameThe Activist These political activists use their status in minority groups to make efforts at social change. Unfortunately, these attempts lead to slumber parties in the Admissions Office and chalking obscenities on the campus sidewalks. They can be identified by memberships to groups named with unpronounceable strings of letters. When not attempting to change world politics with noisy rallies, they can be found enjoying a cone at Denise's. PROS: They don't always need you CONS: They won't ever need youThe Groupie Groupies come from all the other categories of girls, but they take their allegiance to male companionship much more seriously. These girls follow a variety of different male groups, ranging from fraternities and male sports teams to the Beelezebubs and student actors. These girls are sometimes hard to identify as groupies, but the fact that they know everyone's name and act like they own the place usually gives them away. They can also be found consuming all the accessible food late at night, and walking home as the sun rises. PROS: They have very colorful, usually secret, nicknames CONS: There is always a good reason for the nicknames I hope my experience can be of use to all of you who are planning to attend our prestigious university. Have a great summer, and come prepared to face off against some of the most intelligent girls in the country. Jamie Konn is a junior majoring in psychology.

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News

Swimmers oust the Judges 174-120

March 31

The men's swimming and diving team wrapped up another win at Hamilton Pool last weekend when it overwhelmed the Brandeis Judges by a 174-120 score. With the victory, the Jumbos upped their unblemished record to 9-0 on the season.With the season coming to a close, the team is now tapering for next weekend's meet and the subsequent NESCAC championships. The Jumbos displayed great depth against Brandeis and nearly swept a number of events. Though it can be argued that Brandeis brought less talent to the pool, this was the same squad that defeated Babson earlier in the year - a team that the Jumbos defeated by only a 131-110 margin on Nov. 29. Sophomore Tyler Duckworth was a big contributor, winning the 200-yard Individual Medley (2:00.52) and the 100 breaststroke (1:02.02) Sophomore Josh Edwards and junior Brendan Smyth also put forth strong performances. Edwards significantly improved his season times in the 100 butterfly and the 100 backstroke, dropping his fly finish by 4.5 seconds with a time of 1:04.00 and nearly six seconds in the backstroke to finish at 1:06.91. "I was happy with my time and with the team's performance," Edwards said. "Our depth has helped us for many meets, but it will be different with Williams because they also have a lot of depth." Smyth had strong finishes in the 200 (1:53.30) and 500 freestyle (5:16.29) He performed particularly well considering that he had been swimming short distance events for most of the season. Though the Jumbos fared well last weekend, they must prepare for a much different type of meet now. The Williams Ephs, a who sport a strong 8-1 record and a recent win over Middlebury, are a perennial New England powerhouse and will be tough competition. The Williams squad will be lead by last year's NESCAC championships coach of the year Steve Kuster and player of the year Jeff McBride. It will be a battle of two strong traditions, as Kuster will square off against Tufts coach Don Megerle, who has thirty years of coaching experience under his belt. "Williams is a very dominant team," Megerle said about the Ephs earlier in the season. "They are a strong squad, but we too have potential to perform really well." Although Megerle is opening up 24 spots for swimmers to compete in the NESCAC Championships, 19 or 20 players have already been selected to compete. The Williams meet will serve as the last contest for many of the swimmers. With a few remaining spots available, many swimmers will be working to better their previous best times. "There are a lot of people who have been doing well the past couple weeks," Edwards said. "I wouldn't really want to speculate on who those last spots might go to. I think that it is going to be really close amongst a bunch of swimmers." Tapering is underway, as swimmers are reducing volume in their muscle mass to induce improvements on muscle strength and power. With the taper, training has been decreasing. While at the beginning of the season, swimmers would swim up to 3,500 yards a day, the tapering has brought them down to swimming only about 2,000. The method of muscle mass reduction for swimmers extends outside of practice as well, as the swimmers are put on early sleep schedules and demand much more body rest. "Coach Megerle runs an interesting taper," freshman Rich Halpert said. "Our training already starts with medium to low intensity at the beginning of the year, and is reduced even further as we are tapering for the championships." As for this weekend, the swimmers are excited for the opportunity to improve their season times and to maintain their undefeated record. "I think that Williams is going to be a really tough meet for us on Saturday, but I expect that a lot of people are going to do some very impressive times," Edwards said. The Jumbos will compete in Williamstown on Saturday at 4 p.m.

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News

How to be a campus superstar

March 31

You've seen the posters plastered all over the library steps, or tripped while reading a chalking while on your way to the campus center. And you must have certainly heard the enthusiastic yelps of invitation at the a cappella concert last night: "The so-and-sos are having auditions next week....my number is ALL over campus, and I want to see ALL of YOU there!" If you're creatively inclined, then these notices may hold spark the beginning of your performance "career" at Tufts. But with so many choices, where should you begin?The best bet is to sign your name to any audition list that strikes your fancy -chances are that at least one will be a success, and you can always decide between your offers later. If things don't work out, don't let your ego suffer from feelings of rejection. Remember that the freshman class alone is probably more than twice the size of your entire high school, so you're competing against a much larger pool of talent. Just keep trying - there are always minor theatrical productions cropping up all semester. And now, without further adieu, the Daily presents your guide to auditioning for a cappella groups, plays, and more for the coming semester. A Cappella You've probably been hearing all about Tufts' a cappella scene from the moment you stepped on the hill as a pre-frosh. As your tour guide passed by Goddard Chapel, he or she likely ticked off the accolades of Tufts' six a cappella groups. Though each ensemble has its own distinct flavor, expect the audition process for each to be the same: sing a pop or rock solo (a cappella, of course), sing a few scales and pitch-matching exercises, and then learn and a harmony parts to one of the group's songs and perform it with the other members for blending purposes. The Amalgamates The Mates, as they are affectionately called around campus, are Tufts' oldest coed a cappella group. The singers have long had a reputation for excellence - most noted by the several national awards given to their latest album, Juice. Look for their next album, Bamboo, due out later this semester. The Beelzebubs The Bubs have a cult following on campus, thanks not only to their vocal talents but to their reputation of being all-around dynamic performers. The all-male a cappella group is happening upon its 40th year on the hill, and their most recent album was a live performance with Bubs alumni, who are always an active force in the group. Essence This all-female group specializes in singing music from the African Diaspora. Though its vocal percussion sounds aren't as heavy as some of the other groups, Essence's smooth soulful sounds make for some of the best blending on campus.The Jackson Jills The Jills, or the girls in black, as their frequent concert attire suggests, are Tufts' oldest all-female a cappella group. Along with the Mates and the Bubs, they are the third part of the trio of the original a cappella groups on the hill before newer groups like Essence and SQ! were formed. Shir Appeal Tufts' only coed Jewish a cappella group sings mostly in Hebrew, but it will occasionally take on a "Jewish-flavored" song in English (such as "If You Believe" from The Prince of Egypt). Closely affiliated with Tufts Hillel, the group often performs at synagogues around the area. SQ!The newest coed addition to the a cappella scene, SQ! was founded in 1994 by a group of engineers looking for the fun of singing together and performing around the community - but without the stress. Drama and Dance Department The callboard that hangs just outside the Balch Arena Theater is the best place to find out about happenings in the Drama and Dance departments. New announcements are posted all the time, so you should make a habit of checking it out if you're super-interested in being involved. The callboard is also the place to go to sign up for audition appointments, and right now there are three upcoming productions to chose from.Broadway The first of three plays in the Drama Department's Balch Arena season is George Abbot's all-American comedy Broadway, which showcases the lifestyles of bootleggers and chorus girls in the roaring '20s. Directed by drama Professor Laurence Senelick, the comedy-melodrama captures the glamour and romance of a bygone era. The other Drama Department shows for this coming year include Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music and William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Dangerous Liaisons The racy French drama Dangerous Liaisons takes center stage as this fall's Pen, Pain, and Pretzels (3P's) major production. A 1988 movie by the same name stars such notables as Glenn Close and John Malkovich. The story was also used as the basis for the film Cruel Intentions. Godspell This fall's Torn Ticket II major is based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew. The show takes the religious parables of Jesus as well as several of his most notable sermons and brings them to life on stage through drama, music, and acrobatics.Cheap Sox This improvisational comedy troupe is best known for its hysterical audience participation sketches. Cheap Sox is always good for more than just a few laughs, and people trying out for the group note that the audition process is so fun that they enjoyed the experience regardless of whether they were accepted into the group.Hype! They don't say much, but Tufts' only mime troupe is quickly coming into its own. A fairly recent addition to the Tufts drama scene, Hype! incorporates music and movement to create their own original pieces. Traveling Treasure Trunk A partnership between the Drama Department and the Leonard Carmichael Society, Traveling Treasure Trunk performs short plays adapted from children's stories at schools and hospitals throughout the area.Music Department The Music Department boasts a plethora of ensembles, ranging from the more traditional Tufts Symphony Orchestra (TSO) and Chorale, to the experimental New Music Ensemble and Kiniwe, an African drumming group. Singers have the opportunity to sing with both the Chorale and the smaller Chamber Singers, which has plans for a tour of Spain this coming spring. The Tufts Opera Ensemble provides opportunities to perform scenes from major operas. Instrumentalists can take their pick from the larger ensembles like TSO (which will travel to Germany later this year), Tufts Wind Ensemble or a variety of smaller groups. Students performing in music department ensembles have the option of receiving academic credit for their participation. Sign-ups for all of these groups can be found on the bulletin board in the Music Department office at 20 Professor's Row.

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News

Tufts on TV

March 31

Tufts University will join the ranks of Jon Stewart, Battlebots, Mr. Hanky, and old Saturday Night Live reruns as part of Comedy Central's programming for an evening. The Boston episode of Insomniac with Dave Attell which airs tonight at 10:30 p.m. features a few minutes of Attell's stand-up routine from last Fall's Comedy show. The random clips include Attell's riffing on the complexities dorm life, Q-tips, cuddling, and shit jokes. After a bit of bantering with some of the Cohen audience's more vociferous young ladies whom he eventually labels "the whores," the show cuts to Attell walking out of Aidekman, where he invites his viewers to let their "powedered wigs down" and join the party. And that's the last of Tufts, our 15 minutes of fame measured a tad closer to two and a half. The rest of the show features, among other adventures, a trip to the Harvard Square pit to chat it up with a few pro-marijuana protesters. Later, Attell visits some unknown college's Sigma Alpha Epsilon frat party, takes a few beers through the funnel, and catches a peep at two young coeds eager to show their true colors. From there Attell investigates the Beacon Hill Pub, a bathhouse where he chats it up with a bunch of old fat naked guys, the Marshall House, the Sam Adams statue with a pint of the beer in hand, and finally the ever so-ripe Chelsea Creek Headworks sewage Treatment plant. And to think that very evening of perverse drunken revelry started with a few hours in Cohen Auditorium. What a way to get things rolling. -Rob Lott

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News

Your Tax Dollars at Work

March 31

Today, 8 April, is the eleventh day of the re-occupation of Ramallah andits twin city El Bireh. It is the fourth re-occupation in as many months, but this one is by far the most extensive, savage, and severe. Since hundreds of Israeli tanks and armored personnel carriers bearing thousands of soldiers rolled into Ramallah on the night of 28 March, normal life has simply ceased to exist. The entire city is under a strict, around-the-clock curfew. Anything seen moving outdoors can and has been shot on sight by Israeli snipers deployed throughout the city; not a few of the more than 30 dead recorded so far - men, women, children - have beenkilled in this manner. Because of the siege and curfew, there are no children or teachers in schools, no officials or citizens in public institutions, no workers or clients in office buildings, no proprietors or customers in any of the city's supermarkets, restaurants and theaters. Ramallah - a town of some 45,000 people - may as well have been hit by a neutron bomb and has been reduced to a ghost town. Inside their homes, the residents of this city are terrified, desperate, yet defiant in equal measure. Parts of the city have been without water, electricity, or telephone connections for almost two weeks, after Israeli forces deliberately shut these off. Other parts of the city suffered disruptions due to severe weather, with repairs being delayed on account of the curfew. Stocks of food, water, milk, medicines, diapers, and other essential supplies have been running extremely low, especially in the poorer parts of town. We have been fortunate with the inclement weather - many residents report that they placed buckets in the rain so as not to run completely dry. We appear to be much better off than the residents of Jenin refugee camp in the extreme north of the West Bank in the sense that I have not (yet) heard of the residents of Ramallah drinking from sewers so as notto die of thirst. It is true that the Israeli military has since 28 March lifted the curfew on three occasions for a sum total of 9 hours. But such measures become increasingly meaningless with the passage of time, because the siege around Ramallah means that the military is preventing its resupply with basic goods. Indeed, a clearly marked UN convoy which entered town about a week ago was shot at by the military. Journalists have been shot too. Israel declared Ramallah a "closed militaryZone" on 29 March with all foreign media ordered to leave, officially "for their own safety" but in fact so the army could plunder and lay waste to Ramallah away from the eyes of the world. Quite a few refused to leave and have remained holed up in small offices, unable to go about their duties in normal fashion. The local media has fared considerably worse, and has been literally smashed to bits. Why journalists are not welcome in Ramallah is not too difficult to discern. At least 15 summary executions - including several civilian non-combatants - have been reported and require urgent investigation. For perhaps the first time in the history of armed conflict, medical care is being systematically and deliberately used as a weapon of war; emergency services such as ambulances are being explicitly prevented from collecting the dead and wounded - men, women, and children alike, whether victims ofthe conflict, kidney patients, or women in labor. Ambulances have been shot at by the Israeli military and their staff injured, to the point where the International Red Cross recently announced a suspension of services out of fear for the safety of its staff. It seems beyond question that many of the dead sustained treatable wounds but were deliberately left to bleed to death. Even the transport of decomposing bodies to mortuaries and provision of a decent burial has been forbidden. On those rare occasions where ambulances have been permitted to operate, it is not uncommon for Israeli soldiers to kidnap wounded passengers. An awesome number of buildings in Ramallah have been raided by the military. Often, soldiers use one or more civilian residents as "human shields" in such exercises. More often, they loot such homes of personal belongings such as cash, jewelry, camcorders, and the like. Virtually always, they leave with a number of "suspects" - sometimes several males been 15 and 50, sometimes all of them. And without exception, they leave behind a path of violence and destruction. This has applied equally to private homes, schools, commercial establishments, medical clinics, government buildings, and refugee camps. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics and Ministry of Education are just two of the facilities that have been emptied of most of their contents, the remaining files and equipment smashed to bits. Israel claims that its current campaign is no more and no less than a war against terrorism. While the Israeli military has indeed killed or arrested a handful or two of wanted militants and found a number of weapons caches, this has been the least successful aspect of its offensive, both in terms of objective military criteria and because the methods used have created several dozen new militants for every one eliminated. The wider goal of this "war" has been to create the conditions for a permanent Israeli occupation of the West Bank through the elimination of the Palestinian leadership, the destruction of the Palestinian Authority, and the severe degradation of the entire infrastructure of Palestinian society. Institutional racism has always been an integral component of Israeli domination of the Palestinian people. Currently, apartheid is beingformalized before our very eyes. It is often forgotten that the Israeli military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip is the key factor in Israeli-Palestinian relations and that both the first uprising in 1987-1993 and the current one which commenced in September 2000 are a result of this occupation and not its cause. In terms of the methods used to prosecute this conflict the US is quite right to insist that there can be no justification for Israeli civilians being deliberately targeted and indiscriminately murdered by Palestinian militants. But it is a demand which lacks any form of moral authority whatsoever for the simple reason that the US has not once - and I repeat not in even a single instance - explicitly condemned the deliberate and indiscriminate murder of Palestinian civilian non-combatants by Israeli military forces. Nor has it ever called on those responsible for such killings to be called to account. One assumes this is because those doing the killing on the Israeli side are America's strategic allies, and the weapons used for such murder and mayhem are manufactured by the US and provided to Israel courtesy of the American taxpayer. Whatever one may think of various American governments, American citizens are blessed with what is without a doubt the largest degree of domestic political freedom yet achieved in human history. But with this comes a responsibility as well as a duty; a responsibility to know what is being committed here in your name, and a duty to exercise the influence you have as a voting tax-payer to end what any rational observer would only describe as Israeli state terrorism.Mouin Rabbani is a 1987 Tufts graduate. He is director of the Palestinian American Research Center in the West Bank town of Ramallah.

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News

Where everybody calls you 'cuz'

March 31

Perry wants me to have a drink. As I wait for him to finish wiping off the counter of his restaurant, Jay's Deli, he glances over at least twice to offer whatever I'll have: Tea? Coffee? Hot chocolate? I politely decline. "You're sure? A little juice?" he asks. I decline again. He turns, reaches for a paper cup, and fills it with neon orange liquid from a machine behind the counter. "Have this here," he says, handing me the cup with a straw. "A little tropical drink." You don't say no to Perry, not when it comes to food, and not in Jay's, the turf he's called home for 41 years. It's a place where first names will do, a down-home Medford staple where everybody might not know your name, but Perry sure will. And everyone who's been there knows his name. No, newcomers, he's not "Jay" - that was his father, Jay Serfes, the man who created the restaurant in the '60s, on the portion of Boston Avenue flanking Tufts. He had wanted to go into business for himself after he got out of World War II, and soon enough, the family-owned and operated establishment was born. Perry is the gentle-eyed, lanky man who's always there wiping the counter, waiting on tables, schmoozing with regulars, or ringing up the register. He may not be Jay, but nowadays he is Jay's Deli. After his father passed away three years ago, it became his responsibility - along with his older brother Arthur - to keep the family name going. "We've sort of become fixtures here," he says in his the familiar soft voice, one that belies his friendliness. This 49-year-old is the restaurant's premiere staple, not only in presence, but in attitude. Walk in for a second. If he's not scurrying around to make sure that things are running smoothly, he's there greet you with a "hey cuz," to ask you how everything is going, and to personally make sure you have everything you need for your entire stay. Arthur, the quieter Serfes brother, is the man frying up stuff in the back. Day or night, you can be sure that both of them will be there. This is their life. It's a simple life, and Jay's Deli is a simple, no-nonsense establishment. Decorations are sparse: a Christmas wreath still sits on one wall, next to an "Olde Tyme" style menu that still gets updated. A curiously out of place Ansel Adams print hangs in back. Two Tufts pennants adorn the far wall, greeting anyone who happens to peek in to see what's going on. But none of these define Jay's Deli, which could normally just be another diner with great eggs and chicken parm subs. "It is a great place to get a sandwich or a burger. The food is good, the atmosphere is friendly," senior David Kraemer said. "But Perry is the life of the place." Perry didn't always intend on running the Deli for the rest of his life. As a young boy, he watched his father, mother, and brother spend long hours in the tiny establishment. When Perry was old enough, he started working there evenings after school, giving his hardworking parents the opportunity to take a break. After graduating from Medford High School, he attended Boston's Northeastern University, where he minored in philosophy, majored in philosophy of education. "With that type of education, you need a Masters and then a PhD to teach...but then with responsibility and family, it seems like you get sucked into working," he explains. What started out as a part-time job turned out to be double time, he says, as he and his brother worked more and more hours. Pretty soon, they had an equal hand in running the place. Jay's had become an entire family affair. Jerry Dottin has been working next door at Espresso's for 17 years. "They've been there for eons," he said. "I'll go in and talk to him once in awhile. He'll give me a coffee, give me a tea." Perry is renowned for this kindness, this pure hospitality. While we sit and chat, he personally greets every man and woman who walks through the door. And as he rings up the customers, he slips one a steaming cup of coffee, on the house. Soon after, a frazzled elderly woman walks into Jay's, and heads straight toward our small table. "Perry, can I borrow ten dollars?" She mutters something about a cab waiting outside, and a relative in the hospital, but Perry is already out of his seat, walking toward the register. "I'll pay you back tomorrow," she promises, looking outside at her waiting taxi. "I'll pay you back tomorrow," she repeats. "No problem at all," he assures her. "God bless," he calls, as the door closes behind her. Anyone who has been in the area for a while has a personal Perry story to share. Senior Claudia Krug, a self-proclaimed Perry enthusiast, has been dining at Jay's for years. "Going to Jay's is like going home," she said. "One time I went with some friends after a cold day of skiing, and Perry took care of us like a parent, with enough food to feed an army." Neil Farbman, who graduated from Tufts last year, remembered a similar Perry encounter. "One time I was there with a couple of my housemates. It was pretty close to closing time, and Perry brought us some free soup and twice as much food as we ordered, and he sat down to talk with us for awhile about his daughter, and Greece, and Tufts," he said. It's those rare lulls at the end of the day that give Perry the opportunity to meet locals and students, and get off his feet. He currently works 14-hour days, at least six days a week, and eats almost all of his meals where his customers do. "This is a break for me here, right now" he says, leaning back in his chair. "I like it." For this particular break, he has only allowed himself a 30-minute conversation. But a few summers ago, he closed shop to go to Europe, and swooped down to Greece to visit family. He's been there three times, and says it's amazing. Recently, though, he's had very little time to take a vacation. He'll only break away for a week or so in the summer, when business slows, and head down to New Hampshire or Cape Cod with his family. And although he says it's beautiful there, he has no plans to leave Medford any time soon. "Unless I win the lottery. Then I'll take three or four days off a week." Perry, who has three children: (Nicole, 26; Alexander, 24; and Alissa, 12), is no longer married. " I'm married to Jay's Deli now," he jokes. "That was the problem." The only time he has a chance to breathe is during the summer, when Tufts essentially empties. The school, and its hungry weekend breakfast/brunch crowd, make taking a second to relax any day before 2 p.m. almost impossible. Because of this student support -both for the inexpensive comfort food, and for the service - Perry has become kind of a personal historian for the school, and stands as a familiar face alumnae come back year after year to revisit. "I enjoy Homecoming," he says. "That's part of the reason we stay here. On occasion, we can place when they graduated. Over the years, we've had quite a few nice times...made some acquaintances and friends. "But more often years ago than now," he adds. "Every year, less and less people come back." Perry says he especially enjoys seeing different generations of one family attending Tufts, and loves when parent alumnae bring their kids in for a meal. He's also a testimony to the evolution of Tufts' social scene. He comments a few times on the distinctive change in the Tufts climate over the past ten years, and attributes an increase in tuition and a stronger focus on academics to the fact that undergrads are, "More serious... Less into partytime." "People party less, so it's quieter," he said. "Years ago, Thursday, Friday, Saturday night, people would walk around loaded." At the end of last semester, the hosts of Sarabande's Supershow called upon campus personalities to help MC between skits - Perry joined President Larry Bacow and others at the event. He walked onstage to cheers, bid audience members good luck on their studies, and introduced improv troupe Cheap Sox. "I would have loved to hang out and sit in the audience," he says. "I could only stay for about ten minutes." Work, as it always does, called Perry back to Boston Ave., to close up Jay's Deli. He says he doesn't like to be away from the restaurant. And anyone who happened to visit Jay's in that short span of time probably felt that something was missing. Not just that familiar face, but the comforting attitude he brings with every meal. "We don't make money," he says. "We make friends."

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News

Nutrition matters

March 31

Most people like to snack. There's just something truly satisfying about munching and crunching between meals. And although you may not think so, it turns out that snacking can actually be good for you and help you to lose weight. Current research suggests that four to five small meals help maintain a more constant level of blood sugar, which helps keep your energy level up and keeps you from getting overly hungry. When you're ravenous you'll eat almost anything, and often these decisions are unwisely made (like that midnight pepperoni pizza that comes back to visit you the next day). But snacking on good foods can be a real challenge when you're on a cafeteria food plan or when you leave your apartment at 7 a.m. and don't get home again until late into the evening. What can you buy that will taste good, give you energy, and be good for you? If you want the most energy in the smallest package, you can't beat nuts. My favorite are raw, unsalted almonds, which you find ready-to-eat in plastic bags in the produce section of the supermarket. The nuts roasted in oil have only a few calories more than the un-roasted variety, and can be found in the snack food aisle, along with sunflower seeds. And don't forget the lowly peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a nutritious snack, especially if made with whole grain bread. You can also grab a granola or trail mix bar. These bars give you the staying power of whole grains, and are often mixed with nuts and dried fruit. Whole grains satisfy longer than refined white flour because they fill you up with their extra bulk and take longer to digest. My favorite bar is the Nature Valley Trail Mix Bar, which has raisins, nuts, and no trans fat (one of the "bad" guys of the fat world). Other tasty treats are the many varieties of whole grain corn and rice cakes made by the Quaker Oats Company. I hear you groan, "Ugh! Not rice cakes!" But try them; you'll like them. They now come in caramel, chocolate, and, my favorite, white cheddar.Fruit is a good snack that fills you up quickly because of its bulk (fiber), but doesn't have much staying power because of its low fat and protein content. But add a small handful of nuts, and you've got yourself a nutritious mini-meal. Harder fruits, like apples, can be carried about without much harm, but beware the dangers of sticking a banana into your backpack. The stink of a squashed, rotten banana may never come out! Here's where dried fruits make a big splash. They're lighter and easier than fresh fruit, and the variety can't be beat. Try figs, dates, raisins, dried apple rounds, and pineapples. Find these dried fruits in the produce section and in the snack food aisle of the supermarket. "Great! So if I can get to a supermarket in between classes, I'm all set! What about those of us chained to the cafeteria meal plan?" Well, there are salads, raw vegetables, fresh fruit, and yogurt. A small bag of potato chips would be okay occasionally - just remember that the baked variety has fewer calories than the fried chips. And have you ever tried veggie chips? They cost a fortune, but are really delicious. For the most part, you'll find that most chips and cookies are laden with trans fat (the bad guy) and aren't your best bet for a snack. Pretzels, while not very nutritious, are at least free of both trans fat and saturated fat (the other "bad" guy of the fat world), and also provide a nice crunch. Bagels are okay, especially if you choose one with some seeds (sesame, poppy), whole grain (wheat, rye), or vegetables (onion, pepper). If you like cream cheese, try the light variety, which is lower in saturated fat. And don't forget about pizza! There's a snack dear to most people's hearts. (But, unfortunately, not very good for most people's hearts.) The next time that you are eating pizza, try adding a salad on the side, order a veggie pizza, or ask them to go light on the cheese and sausage. You might even find you like the lighter pizza because it won't sit like a brick in your stomach for hours. You (and your roommate) will be happy to know that less saturated fat means less gas for most people. Again, try it. Are energy and protein bars good snacks? These bars can be useful for athletes, but they're expensive as an everyday snack. The energy bars, which are mostly sugar, were developed to quickly replace the athlete's energy stores after hours of strenuous aerobic exercise. Protein bars have more protein and fat then the energy bars, and were developed to provide protein's amino acids to rebuild muscle fibers damaged after strength training. Both energy and protein bars contain between 200 and 300 calories, and tend to cost between $1.50 and $2 each, compared to 50 cents for a granola or trail mix bar. Also, most of these bars lack whole grains and have too much saturated fat. Balance Outdoor (Balance Bar Co.) and Flax and Soy Bar (Zoe Foods) are two energy bars that are lower in saturated fat and have some whole grains. How about drinks as snacks? Fruit and vegetable juices give you carbohydrate calories for energy, and also vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to keep you healthy. Fruit and vegetable drinks have water and sugar added to the juice, but they're still good for you. V8 Splash comes in mixed berry, tropical, and other flavors, all of which are delicious. Soft drinks, such as Coke, are empty calories - no nutrition for your money. Fruits, nuts, pretzels, and pizza. There are so many good foods to enjoy. Eat up, eat well, and eat frequently. "Five a day" is not only the number of fruits and vegetables you should eat, but also the number of mini-meals you can eat and know you're doing your body good.

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News

Lasting Impressions

March 31

As President of Tufts, I get to do lots of fun things - preside over matriculation and commencement, welcome people as varied as Billy Joel and Bill Clinton to campus, help crown the homecoming queen, run with students - I could go on. But one of the most fun things I get to do is to travel around the country to meet with alumni. And, like meeting with students, I always learn something when we get together. This past year I visited 18 different cities speaking to alumni. I met alumni from the classes of 1931 up through 2001 and everything in between. Exactly 70 years on the Hill, almost half the total time that Tufts has existed. Clearly our alumni share many common experiences. For each, Tufts has been a place where they grew and matured in many ways - intellectually, personally, emotionally. Most have stories to tell about professors that they will remember for the rest of their lives, teachers who have touched them deeply. Many alumni describe how Tufts prepared them for the world in ways that they could not have imagined while they were students. Nearly all tell stories about friendships forged that have endured for decades. I have also met lots of couples that met each other right here on the Hill and a few who met at alumni events - another reason to stay connected to Tufts. I think few students pass through Tufts unscathed. All are changed by their experiences here. Mark Twain had a pithy way of describing the college years. He recalled meeting a young man who had just graduated. He asked him what he learned. The response: "Not much, but my parents seemed to have learned an awful lot in the four years that I was away." Another interesting perspective that one gains from talking to alumni is how much Tufts has changed through the years. We take much for granted about this place, but the only thing that really seems constant is change. For example, alumni from the period before World War II describe how they routinely commuted to campus. Back then Tufts had very little housing. We were literally a commuter school. While we have not solved all of our housing problems in the intervening years, we have made substantial progress. I have also heard stories about the reservoir that used to occupy the green in front of what is now Carmichael, the golf course that used to be located down Hill, the Crane Theological Seminary (now the home of the Ex College), the fire that destroyed Barnum and Jumbo ... I could go on. I have also heard lots of complaints from alumni about things that they believe ought to be changed .... like the absence of a campus center (done), the need for a better library (done), better dorm food (certainly improved), the need for a hockey rink and boat house for crew (both far better than they used to be), etc. Sometimes people complain not about what hasn't changed, but what has. My favorite is the alumnus who was quite upset about the elimination of the door exiting Ballou that once existed on the east side of the building facing the chapel. I received a long letter on this topic. I guess some people really have a hard time with change. Some of the most poignant stories have come from minority alumni from years past. Perhaps because I am Jewish, I have heard quite a few stories from Jewish alumni who describe a campus in which Jews were once limited in number by policy, often required to live together, and not always welcome in all living groups. These alumni are pleased to hear about the important role that Hillel now plays on campus. Our alumni of color are also pleased to learn how their numbers have grown in both our student body and the faculty. While we still have issues to deal with, Tufts is a far more diverse and welcoming place than it was in years past, including the relatively recent past. For those of you who are graduating, I suspect you too will grumble to future presidents (maybe even me) about changes that need to be made or that you believe should not have been made to your beloved Tufts. When you return here for your fifth reunion, the campus will look different. By then, we should have a new music building, a new dormitory, a new biomedical research building in Boston, some additional housing for graduate students - all of these projects are already in the works. No doubt, there will be other physical changes, and also changes to the curriculum, to student organizations, maybe even to some long standing traditions. Great universities are vibrant and organic institutions. They must adapt and change if they are to continue to thrive. I hope for those of you who are graduating when you return to campus you will both recognize the familiar, but also be pleasantly surprised by the new. And please don't be too hard on the president. She will be doing the best job she can. I have truly enjoyed getting to know you this year. Best of luck to all of you, and please keep in touch.Lawrence S. Bacow is finishing his first year as president of Tufts University.

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News

Poll: students apathetic toward Greek system

March 31

A perpetual source of debate, the Greek system is a popular topic of discussion among students, administrators, and participants at Tufts and around the nation. Recently proposed reforms to the system have raised questions about the relationship between Greeks and the larger Tufts community. A Daily campus opinion poll revealed that a majority of students from within and without the Greek system say it is appealing, but not without its shortcomings. The compromised endorsement of the system does not bother Inter Greek Council (IGC) President Adam Biacchi, who said it is here to stay, at least from an administrative perspective."The only real threat to the Greek system [would come from] the Greek system," Biacchi said. In accordance with Biacchi, 80 percent of the 97 students polled, including both Greek and non-Greek, said that the system has a future at Tufts. And while only 15 percent of University students belong to a fraternity or sorority, many find the Greek system worthwhile. When asked if they "feel the current Greek system appeals to students, both current and prospective," 69.6 percent said yes or "at least somewhat." Just over 63 percent of the non-Greek females polled and 83.3 percent of the non-Greek males polled share this opinion. Still, the poll showed that even Greek students do not believe the system to be flawless. Of Greeks, both male and female, 38.9 percent feel the system needs reform. "The Greek system is not united," one survey participant said. "There needs to be a stronger unification within the IGC." Other students mentioned the need for stronger relations with the administration, more funding, clearer Greek system guidelines, and more unity with the larger campus. Sophomore Joe Coletti, a brother at Zeta Psi and chairman of the TCU Elections Board (ELBO), echoed the sentiments of surveyed students who called for improved Greek-administrative relations. "I think the biggest problem is that the Greek system and the [administration] are so detached from each other," he said. "They feel like they don't help each other." He went on to say that the administration and the Greek system lack a give-and-take relationship. "We both have negative feelings towards each other because neither side does anything for the other." Biacchi said the system does, in fact, provide services for the University. Fraternities and sororities, he said, give members a "support network and people that you can count on" within their Greek house. Biacchi added that the Greek system gives students "somewhere to go on Friday and Saturday to be in a controlled, safe environment. If the fraternity system would disappear, all hell would break loose." Junior Daniel Kramer, a member of Delta Tau Delta, said he feels thesituation between Greeks and the administration is improving. Before spring breakmembers of his fraternity met with administrators, including President Larry Bacow and his wife Adele, to discuss their vision for the Greek system."The administration is ready to be on our side, we just have to open the door for them," Kramer said. "I don't know what the changes are, but it will be better for us to have a role in shaping them then just kind of letting them happen to us. I think [Bacow] just wants to maximize our positive impact for Tufts and for Medford and Somerville." One poll question asked students to rate the Greek system's efficacy in adding to the campus social life on a scale from one to five, with five being the most effective. One hundred percent of Greek males ranked the current system at four or above, while 50 percent of non-Greek male students ranked it three or lower. Of all female students polled, both Greek and non-Greek, 60 percent ranked the efficacy three or lower. Biacchi, himself a member of Zeta Beta Tau, said that fraternities and sororities also fulfill a philanthropic purpose. "Even though there is no philanthropy requirement for the Greek system, [the Greek houses] have philanthropic events of their own volition," he said. These events have included fundraisers for individual charities and volunteer work in soup kitchens and Habitat for Humanity programs. Students were asked to rank the Greek system in the category of community service and philanthropy. Of all students polled, 58.8 percent ranked the fraternities and sororities at one or two [five being the most philanthropic]. Within this group, 50.9 percent of non-Greek females ranked the system's efficacy in community service and philanthropy one out of a possible five.

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News

The difference between a 4 and a 5

March 31

If you've recently requested that Dowling Hall send your official transcript to a possible employer, or if you're considering the classes you might take to fulfill the distribution requirements here at Tufts, you've noted that Advanced Placement (AP) credits make a difference. Details surrounding the process of receiving those credits have recently been the subject of a debate in higher education. At most universities, AP credits can place you out of an introductory level course or get you out of a distribution requirement. At Tufts, a 4 or a 5 on a language AP may even help satisfy part II of the Foreign Language/Culture option. It's a practice that has come under fire recently, highlighted by Harvard's announcement last week that it would cease accepting 4's for course credit - leaving a 5 as the only possibility for credit. Critics say the extensive advertising of Advanced Placement exams coerces ill-prepared students to take the examinations. Jeremy Knowles, Harvard's dean of the faculty of arts and sciences, told the Yale Daily News that Harvard found "evidence that - at least here at Harvard - a 4 on the AP exam is not an equivalent preparation to the Harvard course that it exempts one from." According to Dean Richard Brodhead at Yale, his school had been conducting a study of its own for several years, but does not plan to change its policy in response to Harvard's announcement. At Yale as at Tufts, departments currently have different standards for awarding acceleration credit or placement. "Our thought is that the best way to solve this is by looking at the educational realities rather than by solving it by universal generalizations," Brodhead said to the Daily News. As a result of the evaluations that have been completed, Yale students must score a 5 in areas like biology and economics but are able to place out of introductory courses in subjects like mathematics or physics with a 4 or a 5. Other area schools, such as Boston College, Williams, Smith, and Brandeis all accept 4's for credit towards their distribution requirements. Amherst does not accept AP credit. Since AP scores do not always correlate with how well high school students will perform in related college courses, the current Tufts policy supports Brodhead's belief that requiring a 5 for all placements is too general a policy.Like most selective universities, Tufts gives placement or eligibility for a higher-level course, an acceleration credit, and/or the fulfillment of a University requirement to those students that earn 4's, 5's, and occasionally 3's on AP exams. Students generally feel the University's system for AP credit is satisfactory.Most students, such as freshman Molly Ritvo, disagree with the movement towards accepting only higher scores. She got a 4 on the US History exam and was given course credit for it."What's wrong with a four? A four is fine," Ritvo said. "On an AP exam, very few multiple choice questions determine the difference between a 4 and a 5. Not only did I study a lot for the [US History] exam, but taking the test itself was expensive, and a 4 is definitely worthy of credit."Junior Seif Shieshakly suggested, however, that adopting the policy just implemented by Harvard could be useful. "It would be an incentive for students to work harder, so why not?" he asked asked. "If Tufts were only to take 5's, it would drive students to work harder, and perhaps it would also show that the university is not happy accepting [lower score] high school APs." But with students often criticizing the distribution requirements at Tufts as overly stringent, many see AP credit as a relief. "I'm really glad that the University accepts a wide range of APs," sophomore Elizabeth Candee said. "I had a lot of credits that got me out of a bunch of distribution requirements, which was great, because now I have more time to take the classes I'm truly interested in."The University's crediting policy varies depending on the score and the AP particular exam taken. Jean Herbert, an associate dean, says that at Tufts, what scores will count for credit is and will remain "strictly a departmental decision." Herbert says that departments constantly conduct reviews of their AP policies - the Mathematics department is conducting a review this semester - but that the University will not institute a blanked credit requirement such as that recently installed at Harvard.David Cuttino, Tufts' dean of admissions, said that different departments are giving AP credit options ongoing attention."Part of the Tufts selection process considers the challenges that students are able and willing to take and evaluating the students' academic record in that light," Cuttino said. "We understand that we are dealing with applicants of different backgrounds and opportunities, and in the admissions process we use the student's program to try to see what choices they made. Clearly AP exams are a factor, but not the deciding factor." Herbert said AP credit is useful in preventing students from spending time in a class whose subject matter they are already sufficiently versed in. "To me, it's always been an advantage for students to avoid repeating information that they already know," Herbert said. "Our policy allows students to challenge themselves with more difficult courses." The majority of Tufts undergraduates support that view of AP credit. Freshman Jeff Martin said it's in students' interests that departments decide which AP scores suffice for particular classes. "The department knows best as to what is covered in their courses and how well an AP score indicates a student's capacity for the subject," Martin said. "AP test scores are generally good indicators of how well you understand certain subjects, but each test is different," freshman Dave Turkington said. "Some tend to be harder than others or test different aspects of the material, so there shouldn't be just one rule that applies to all of the tests."Official Advanced Placement scores are described as follows: "1- no recommendation, 2- possibly qualified, 3- qualified, 4- well-qualified, and 5-extremely well-qualified." But as with most standardized tests, students say that scores are not always indicative of performance abilities. Junior Justin Morong said AP credits fulfilled some of his requirements, but that he was also placed in classes below his level. "Perhaps there's another way," he said. "If an individual is intelligent or fortunate enough to matriculate at Harvard, Tufts, it seems that they should be able to enter whatever class they choose, at whatever level. If they can't deal, they can't deal."

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News

Year filled with ups and downs for Jumbos

March 31

The 2001-2 athletic year was particularly prolific for Tufts, as the Jumbos ran, hit, and threw their way into the record books. Eight teams made the playoffs, one team finished second in the nation, seven athletes competed in nationals, another was drafted by a professional baseball team, and one competed in the Olympics. The men's basketball, baseball, soccer, lacrosse, and tennis teams all competed in their respective playoff tournaments, as did the women's soccer, softball, and tennis teams. Junior track and field stars Greg Devine and Brian Pitko represented their team in national competition, while sophomore heptathlete Jess Trombly stood toe to toe with others from around the country at her national competition. Sophomore Mika Sumiyoshi and freshman Erica Weitz swam their way to nationals, and sophomore diver Beth Wecksell twisted and somersaulted to the national meet in Ohio. Men's swimmer Tyler Duckworth also competed in the men's national meet. In February, freshman Christy Ren competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, representing her native Hong Kong in short track speed skating. Ren was the first person from her country to compete in the Winter Olympics. Back in New England, the football team began the athletic year by charging to a third place finish in the competitive NESCAC, as junior running back Kevin Kelley led the squad to a 6-2 record on the year. Kelley ran for 1,079 total yards last season, averaging 134.9 yards per game, and 4.7 yards per carry. He was named to the All-NESCAC team along with six other teammates, while he and senior offensive guard and co-captain Mike Willey were named to the New England Football Division II-III All Star team. Tufts' strong athletic performances continued in the winter as the men's basketball team arrived at the NESCAC playoffs, despite losing seven of the last nine regular season games. The Jumbos made it to the postseason behind the stellar play of junior Mike McGlynn, a transfer student, who was hot from downtown night after night with a blistering .481 three-point percentage. The team also relied heavily on NESCAC Rookie of the Year Craig Coupe, who provided a much-needed inside presence for the Jumbos. Four years of stellar performance on the baseball diamond field landed senior Dan Callahan his dream job - he was selected in the 21st round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Callahan is currently playing for the team's single A affiliate, the South Bend, IN Silver Hawks in the Midwest League, where he is third on the team in batting with a .260 average. Last year, the 6'4,"190 lb Callahan led the team to the NESCAC championship and the second round of the NCAA tournament. He finished his career holding nine different baseball records, including career hits (219), runs (153), and runs batted in (130). He had a hit, a run and an RBI playing in the New England College Baseball All-Star game at Fenway Park. The Jumbos won a school record 27 games last season, including the program's first NCAA Tournament win in 52 years. But with last year's highs come lows, and while many of Tufts teams and athletes experienced record breaking years, others struggled to achieve mediocrity. In its first season playing in the NESCAC, the men's hockey team sputtered its way to a 6-17 record (4-15 NESCAC) and a last place finish. The Jumbos suffered a 10-0 defeat to eventual NESCAC champion Middlebury, the worst of the season. The lone bright spot for the team may have been the play of junior Mike Carceo, who scored 14 goals, and 39 points, including the 100th of his career. Similarly, the women's basketball struggled to a 9-14 record (1-8 NESCAC). After a promising 5-2 start, the team lost 12 of its next 16 games, including six straight to end the season. With the end of the tumultuous season came the end of coach Janice Savitz's career. The coach resigned after eight seasons, and the team will play under new coach Carla Berube this year.

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News

Cheerleaders try to lift spirit of apathetic student body

March 31

Tufts is not known for its school spirit. Attendance at sporting events is often sparse, and the attitude of the student body toward Tufts athletes is often viewed as apathetic. One critic, freshman cheerleader Nadia Exama, puts it bluntly. "We need a lot more school spirit on campus," she said. The Tufts cheerleading team, under a new coach for this season, is doing all that it can to try and change the prevailing attitude. The Jumbo squad has been infused with new blood this season, with a new coaching staff and a team that is comprised of 60 percent freshmen. "Having a young team is actually a good thing," freshman cheerleader Elizabeth Sutton said. "We're all enthusiastic, and having a lot of freshman provides a strong base for the program. In four years we will have so much experience." The new coaching staff includes Tufts graduates Erika Beam LA '99 and Anna Wong LA '01, and 1997 Appalachian State University graduate Amy Welch. All bring youthful enthusiasm to the cheerleaders. "They're great," Sutton said of the coaches. "The head coach and one assistant both went to Tufts so they know how things work around here. They are also all young and energetic." The appeal of cheerleading is, for most of the freshmen, carried over from high school days. "I really enjoyed dancing all my life," said freshman Jade del Castillo, a cheerleader during all four years of high school. "And I decided that I wanted to try something more competitive. " Exama took a different route from Castillo. She performed in the color guard at Brockton High School, but decided to make the jump to cheerleading in college. "I'm a big college sports fan and I want to support Tufts," Exama said. "I talked to the assistant coach before I came and she said that it was okay that I didn't have previous experience." The team performs at Tufts football games in the fall, and men's basketball games in the winter. The team also incorporated women's basketball into its schedule this season. In addition to patrolling the sidelines at Tufts sporting events, the cheerleaders are working on a trip to the National Championships for next season. While both seasons have their pros and cons, the winter season has a couple of advantages."I think I like basketball better," Castillo said. "The crowd is more involved and it's not as cold out." "I've always liked basketball," Sutton said. "I came from a small high school where there was no football team." Both the fall and winter squads - most of the cheerleaders are members of both - follow a similar training regimen. Practices run four days a week for two hours and team members are also expected to follow a lifting or running program on the side. Cheerleading is a somewhat interesting choice as an extracurricular at Tufts, given the school's Div. III status and small student body, but there are many advantages that cheering on the Hill has over larger schools. "It's interesting because its D. III," Sutton said. "But it is nice because it doesn't take up as much time as it would at other schools. At a bigger school, you wouldn't have the freedom to do anything else. Sutton herself is evidence of that assertion. In addition to being the freshman class president, she also serves on the Programming Board and the Spirit Coalition. This opportunity to change the stereotype of the vacuous, gum-snapping, pom-pom girl is a good reason to cheer at Tufts, but it isn't the only one. "It's a really great group of girls," Castillo said. "It's a great sense of accomplishment when you work hard on something that nobody else would do. And to get to share it with the others is great. "My favorite thing is just revving up the crowd," Exama said. As for Jumbo fans and their supposed passivity, the team believes that it can turn them around. "I think the crowd lately has been more into the games, and more impressed with us. It's a priority of ours."

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News

What's To Drink?

March 31

"Ugly Bags of Water"A bit of trivia: What movie describes humans as "ugly bags of water?" Was it: Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe, Star Wars, or Star Trek? Answer at the end of this column.We really are bags of water (but I don't think we're ugly). Sixty to sixty-five percent of our total weight is water, so it makes sense that water is the best choice of drink. Current recommendations are to drink eight to 12 cups (four to six of those little Poland Springs water bottles) of fluid each day, depending on your activity level and the ambient temperature. You should drink at least eight to 16 ounces of water before you exercise; four to eight ounces every 15 minutes during exercise; and 24 ounces after exercise. Thirst isn't an adequate stimulus for water consumption after exercise because it's a delayed response. If you depend on your thirst to tell you how much to drink, you'll fall short of your needs.Sports Drinks Sports drinks, like Gatorade, have been around since the 1960s. They're a mixture of salted, flavored sugar water with some potassium added and about half the calories of a soda or fruit drink. They were developed for endurance athletes to help replace electrolytes (like sodium and potassium) that may be lost in sweat during lengthy, strenuous workouts. Although controversial, current research suggests electrolyte losses are negligible until your sweat loss reaches five to six liters, which might occur after exercising strenuously for five hours or more. In other words, the average exerciser doesn't need sports drinks. In fact, the sugar and salt in these drinks actually slow down water absorption. The only reason to drink a sports drink is if because of the taste. First, get your water in; then consider a sports drink if you still need more fluid, like the taste, don't mind the cost, and can afford the extra 50 to 80 calories in each eight ounces.Energy Drinks Energy drinks, like Red Bull and SoBe Adrenaline Rush, are caffeinated sugary drinks that have a mixed bag of vitamins, minerals, biochemicals, and herbs added. They usually contain between 100 and 160 calories in eight ounces, similar to a soft drink. "Not too bad," you might say. But considering that some of these drinks come in super-sized bottles containing two or more servings, you can see how easy it would be to chug down several hundred extra calories (and get hyper on the caffeine). These drinks are not a good way to re-hydrate after exercise because the high amount of sugar they contain hinders fluid absorption from your stomach, giving you that "squashy" feeling inside. Also, the caffeine in energy drinks (a strong cup of coffee's worth in each eight ounce drink) acts as a diuretic, increasing urine production and dehydrating the athlete. You should also be aware that various adverse effects have been reported when energy drinks are mixed with alcohol. A caffeine-alcohol combo causes the drinker to feel wide-awake and not realize how drunk they are getting or how badly their ability to drive is becoming. The vitamins and minerals in these drinks may do you some good if your diet is lacking in these nutrients. The herbals and creatine are added in amounts much smaller than are thought to have any of the reputed health effects. Other ingredients include L-carnitine, hydroxycitrate, and pyruvate. These compounds are all involved in the body's metabolism of food energy, but none have been shown to help lose weight or build muscle when taken in supplemental form. Go to www.runnersworld.com for more on energy drinks.Diet Drinks Diet drinks such as Slim Fast serve as a pretty good pre- or post-exercise food. Since such drinks are more of a mini-meal than a drink, you wouldn't want to have one of these shakes immediately before or right after exercise. That's the time when water is your best friend. But a Slim Fast shake would be okay as a light meal one to two hours before exercise, or for a snack shortly after exercise. Vitamins and minerals are added to the original milk-based shake, as well as the newer fruit/soy-based shake. The answer to the trivia question is Star Wars, but I'm not sure which one. Maybe you could tell me. Send to features@tuftsdaily.om along with any nutrition questions you'd like answered in this column. Check out the accompanying table for some interesting comparisons, and decide what drink is best for you.

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News

Phenom & Giddy's Urban Vibez

March 31

Weekly PHEast Of Hot TracksTruth Hurts feat. Rakim -"Addictive" Can't stand the old Indian songs mom always played at home? Imagine those same songs being sampled into an extremely hot beat underlying melodic vocals with Rakim, the man with the master plan. This track is going to be everywhere shortly - grab it while it's hot!B-Rich - "Whoa Now" Whoa is right! B-Rich incredibly pulls off rhyming over The Jeffersons' theme song to create an undeniably catchy, hand-clapping, knee-slapping, booty-smacking hit.Naughty By Nature feat. Carl Thomas - "Naughty By Nature" Naughty's Back with Carl Thomas and Cab Calloway. If your curiosity isn't tickled enough, I assure you that you won't be disappointed. This track is unmistakably unique and bangin'... Jersey!The Clipse feat The Neptunes - "Grindin'" This joint is on something new. Real simple and packed with bass, this one is a grimy heater. The rapping isn't anything crazy, but the beat will hook you before you even think about who's talking.Ruff Endz - "Someone to Love You" Phew, Ruff Endz has dropped another hit after their last one-hit album. This mid-to-slow tempo ballad should have been in the singles section a lot sooner, but its not too late to grab this goodie from Ruff Endz. For all you lovebirds, or PHEllas who have an eye on someone special, definitely check this one out. Joe Budden - "N.B.A." I don't know whether to shake my head or congratulate Joe for being original. If the rhymes in this weren't as clever as they are, I'd shake my head. But, props to Joe for making even the NBA theme song hot. On a side note, RasKass has also been heard rhyming on an interpretation of the NBA theme song featuring Xzibit. Amerie - "Why Don't We Fall in Love" What a voice this PHEmale has! It's always nice when the voice can shine on a track even when the beat is killer. Columbia's new beauty Amerie is undoubtedly due to cause some ruckus in the near future so be the first on your block to check out her debut single off her debut album due sometime in the near future.PHEatured AlbumsGlenn Lewis - World Outside My Window (Epic): (5/5 stars) Fifteen tracks of pure bliss is Glenn Lewis' new album in a nutshell. Contemporary R&B/soul with a neo-soul and classic R&B/soul twist is how this record's vibe is best explained. Considering that this a debut album, Lewis is able to show us so many sides of his incredible talent. The maturity in his lyrics shines bright in every song while he shows he is flexible enough to sing over everything from old school ballads to up-tempo, more contemporary tunes. The word on the street is that Lewis sounds like the legendary Stevie Wonder. Even Jill Scott has been quoted, saying, "his voice is a story inside itself." Lewis' amazing range is wonderfully able to harmonize and blend in with background vocals of soft and loud intensities like he was a hot knife on a buttery track. His lead hit single, "Don't You Forget It," is a great track to catch a mainstream audience, but don't think the track can displays all his abilities. His next single, "It's Not Fair," will show a softer, slower, instrumental, and more classical side of Lewis. The whole album is very complete and is definitely a "Start to Finish" kind of album. If you're still unsure, check out "This Love," "Lonely," "One More Day," "Beautiful Eyes," "Take Me," "Sorry", and... oh whatever... just get the darn album! All the tracks are highlights! -PheAshanti - Ashanti (Murder Inc.): (3.5/5 stars) As the intro to this album plays, I'm reminded of the hot tracks that this young lady has been on: from Cadillac Tah's P.O.V. City Anthem to Fat Joe's What's Luv, to J. Lo's I'm Real (I hope y'all didn't think it was Jennifer Lopez singing that hook), Ashanti has already established a strong track record. Finally this first lady of Murder Inc. gets to come to the forefront and showcase her talent in her debut self-titled release. The lead single from the album, "Foolish," has been blowin' up in videos and on radio. The song focuses on Ashanti's inability to walk away from an abusive relationship, while also reminding fans of Biggie's "One More Chance (remix)". On later tracks, entitled "Happy," "Baby" and "Rescue," Ashanti further details the ups and downs of relationships. The majority of this album is introspective and Ashanti's ability to articulate her feelings is one of its strengths. While the stories of relationships gone good or bad are from a woman's perspective, this is definitely an album that appeals to both sexes. Tracks like "Movies" get the fellas wondering what flick Ashanti's down to watch this coming weekend, while "Dreams" gives you that "I Believe I Can Fly" feeling. From beginning to end, this album is full of tracks that either get your head nodding or your hands lighting candles to prepare for the night's activities. Don't be "foolish," go pick up this album. Tweet - Southern Hummingbird (Gold Mind/Elektra): (4/5 stars) Oops, here we go again talking about Tweet. While Timbaland and Missy Elliot are behind her, you won't be getting those bouncy, club-bangin' beats we've become accustomed to on this album. With Southern Hummingbird, Timbaland produces a number of smooth, silky, melodic beats that fit perfectly with Tweet's sensual voice. Right off the bat, the album starts off with two of its hottest and most sexual pieces, "My Place" and "Smoking Cigarettes." While these tracks highlight the heights and depths of relationships, Tweet also manages to enlighten us into the world of self-love with her lead single, "Oops, Oh My." Other highlights of this album include a duet with Bilal, entitled "Best Friend," and "Call Me," a ballad about Tweet being ready to "chill" with her male friend whenever he wants, so they can "do something." While the typical Timbaland beats are not overpowering throughout the album, they do rear their head on tracks such as the bouncy "Make Ur Move" and the laid-back "Drunk." This album is an easy and pleasurable listen. Part of this has to do with Tweet's voice; the rest has to do with the album just being that good. Timbaland and Missy definitely came upon a gold mine with this hummingbird.

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News

A Day in the Life of a Dining Hall Supervisor: Steven Poole

March 31

Ever wonder who comes up with ideas like Stir-Fry Night at Carmichael? Or whose job it is to make sure the pizzas are hot, the Reese's Pieces on topping night are out, and the Lactaid is flowing like wine? Little do students know, but behind the scenes at Carmichael works a man of few words and much culinary expertise. This man listens to the angriest of students - the girl who demands to know why the frozen yogurt machine isn't working and the guy who complains that there are no clean knives. This man takes complaints like these in stride. He's the guy with the tie who isn't pledging AEPi. You can catch him lunching with other Carmichael employees and making sure too many pieces of fruit don't walk out of the dining hall in students' pockets. He is Steven Poole, the Carmichael Dining Hall supervisor. A service supervisor at the University for two years, Poole has been working at undergraduate institutions since 1979. His work in the dining services sector began at Westfield State College, where he served as a general worker. Since then he has worked at colleges throughout Massachusetts, including Bentley College, LaSalle College, Emerson College, and the Boston Conservatory of Music. Working for dining services is a demanding job. Managers like Poole work ten hours a day, for a total of 50 hours each week. His day typically begins at 10 a.m., when he arrives at Tufts. Poole starts his day at the uphill dining hall, Carmichael, where he is in charge of what dining services calls "the front of the house." Although most of his day to day activities involve general office work, part of Poole's daily duties include sanitation - ensuring that the dining room and serving areas stay clean - and taking care of dining hall cashiers and workers. He also responds to the concerns and complaints of students. Every morning when Poole arrives, he begins his day by making necessary checks of instruments in the kitchen. "After I arrive I input service records, check on refrigerator temperatures and water temperatures of dish machines and pot washing machines," he said. He also makes sure that all the equipment works, that the workers are set for their day, and that the food is in the dining halls. According to Poole, the most hectic times in the dining halls are usually the rush times for lunch and dinner and also when the kitchen is short staffers. Poole generally stays at his job until around 8 p.m. These days, Poole works mainly at Carmichael, but in the past he has worked at Dewick. He has eaten in both dining halls, but says he enjoys Carmichael more. "Carmichael and Dewick are unique in their own ways," he said. "I would have to say Carmichael because of the students and the people I work with." While Poole's current job involves mostly administrative work, he is actually a chef by training and has been one for 20 years. He has taken many cooking classes in the past. "My passion is cooking; I love to cook," he said. Poole said he enjoys working here at Tufts because of the attention he can give to individual students. "It's more of a family atmosphere," he said. He also likes working with the staff here, saying that they care about their jobs. Schools like Tufts are more flexible and offer more choices he said. And as a chef, Poole likes working at Tufts because of the quality of food and the high standards. "We buy good quality stuff," Poole said. Since coming to Tufts, Poole has seen several changes. He says things are getting better at the University because people are very open-minded towards new and different ideas. He says that dining services treat the students well here. "Students are 'guests' here, not customers," Poole said. "Everyone wants to make their experience a positive one." In his time at the University, Poole has been involved in the implementation of several new programs in the dining halls. He helped implement Stir-Fry night, Mediterranean foods, individual-omelet making and cultural dinners like the recent African night held in Carmichael. "I enjoy cultural dinners," Poole said. "I like to interact with the different groups." According to Poole, the most frustrating part of his job is the fact that he is not able to please everyone. He wants to hear student's comments on the dining halls and tries to deal with everyone's requests. There have been many changes in the food services at colleges over the 20 years that Poole has been employed. The biggest difference is the variety of food that modern dining halls and cafeterias offer students. "There used to be two entr?©es, a starch and two vegetables," he said. In the past, dining halls were much more cafeteria-oriented. Now students have so many options, it sometimes is difficult to choose. Working in the dining hall means that Poole eats a lot of meals there. He says his favorite meals include macaroni and cheese, stir-fry, omelets, and pizza. And at the end of the day, Poole understands that students can get very sick of the food by the end of the school year. He wants to develop and implement a new menu cycle to increase the amount of variety in the dining halls. "I'm constantly trying to find better menus," Poole said.

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News

Men's tennis looking to rebound from last year's 7-8 mark

March 31

The men's tennis team battled its way to a 7-8 regular season mark and placed sixth out of 11 teams at the NESCAC Championships last season. This season, the squad is looking to improve on the mediocre mark, and with the loss of only one player to graduation and the influx of a couple solid, young players, there is strong potential for improvement. For the tennis team, everything starts at the top where coach Jim Watson will enter his 21st season at the helm. Watson, who also coaches the women's tennis team, sports a 171-94 record as the men's coach. Watson's accomplishments also include guiding his men's team to the NCAA Tournament on three occasions, an appearance in Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd," and recognition as the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's (ITA) East Region Coach of the Year in 1994. While Watson provides the off-the-court inspiration, the leading man on the court is junior standout David Ruttenberg. Last season Ruttenberg was named to the All-NESCAC team. In addition, he was the 14th-ranked singles player in the country by the ITA last season. "He is the team leader," Watson said of Ruttenberg, "I expect great things from him." Other key players returning to the team this year will be senior captain Mark Fitzgerald, junior Danny Lang, and sophomore Jon Bram. While Watson expects this group to continue its solid play while simultaneously providing leadership, the keys to the season could be the emergence of two freshmen: Rifat Perahya and Adam Yates. Perahya, who hails from Istanbul Turkey, could have the most significant impact on the team, as the youngster is expected to take control of the vacated number-two spot. "He will strengthen our number two spot" Watson said. "We had problems last year but now we have a bona fide number two." Meanwhile, Yates could also contribute to the team's success as he is expected to see some playing time in the sixth spot. Despite their youth, Watson seems optimistic about the potential of his two young players. "I have hopes that this will bolster the whole team," he said. With Watson's lineup ostensibly set, featuring Ruttenberg at one, Perahya at two, Bram at three, Lang at four, Fitzgerald at five, and Yates in the sixth spot, the coach is now focusing on match strategy. One area that Watson has emphasized early on has been how his players manage the middle of the court. "I preach how to attack the middle and go to the net," Watson said. "We have to learn how to attack and go to the net." While Watson has been working on strategy he has also has been careful not to restrict the way his team plays. In other words, Watson feels that although it is important for his players to work within a certain framework, he does not want to take away from the style that has made them successful in the past. "I'm here to supplement the style they came in with," Watson said, "It's not my way or the highway." Watson is not alone in his optimistic predictions. Fitzgerald, who will occupy the fifth slot this season, also has high hopes for the team."We are definitely ready to compete for a top spot in the NESCAC and maybe even go to nationals," he said. Fitzgerald realizes these goals are lofty but says that the team can accomplish this feat, even after coming off a somewhat disappointing 7-8 showing last season. While a trip to Nationals may be too much to expect for this team, success within the NESCAC should not be. "Williams and us will be battling for first," Fitzgerald said. The season begins this afternoon when the Jumbos head to Brandeis. Tufts kicks off its NESCAC schedule this weekend with showdowns against Conn. College and Wesleyan on Friday and Saturday respectively. Making matters even more difficult for the Jumbos is that all three of these matches are away. On a positive note, however, Tufts did defeat both Conn. College (10th) and Wesleyan (ninth) at last year's NESCAC Championships. Though Tufts should have the advantage in these matches, it will not be easy. "It will be hard to make adjustments," Watson said. "All these teams are solid. We will see right off the bat how capable we are."

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News

Fowler's freaking out about "his" Mets

March 31

I am not going to lie to you - I, Daniel Jackson Fowler, am worried. What in God's name is going on? The Mets sign Roger Cedeno, Pedro Astacio, and David Weathers and trade for Mo Vaughn, Robbie Alomar, Jeromy Burnitz, Shawn Estes, and Jeff D'Amico. After all those moves, I couldn't help but think that Christmas had come early. I spent the entire offseason alternating between singing Christmas carols and "We are the champions." But it appears that my dream is well on is way to becoming a nightmare. I have started humming the "death" music of such fine bands as Godsmack and Marilyn Manson. The Mets' ownership had bestowed an assortment of gifts on me and thus the Christmas carols. Likewise, "We are the Champions," resulted from the fact that I presumed, perhaps foolishly, that after all these acquisitions, the New York Mets were poised to win their first World Series since 1986. On the first day of Spring Training, I picked out the outfit that I planned to wear to the Mets Championship Parade down Broadway: my black Mets jersey which was going to say "Fowler #1" on the back, my cap from the 1986 series, my lucky soccer T-shirt from fifth grade (which I am not embarrassed to say still fits me), and of course my silk, leopard print boxers. While you might not think I would look good in this collection of clothes, you can be damn sure that I would be proud to walk down Broadway in the get-up. Apparently, however, I am not allowed to wear the outfit in my apartment because when I modeled it for my roommates, one of them tried to attack me with a steak knife while another simultaneously screamed "I kill you." Regardless, I thought I looked damn good. Anyhow, after Opening Day - a 6-2 Mets win - everything seemed to be going according to plan. I even put on the outfit and walked around my room to celebrate (but avoided stepping foot into the hall because I value my life). Al Leiter looked was in midseason form on the mound, and the Mets' offense (anemic in 2001) managed to score six runs. I almost tossed back a few cold ones before I went to class, but I figured I couldn't exactly explain to my professor that I was drunk because I was celebrating the Mets "World Series victory" on the first day of April. Instead, a glass of red wine and a toast to Mets GM Steve Phillips, the designer of this dynasty, had to suffice. I thought about breaking open a bottle of Dom, but I decided not to jump the gun too much. On day two of the 2002 baseball season, I nearly broke the unopened bottle of Dom on my television after the Mets managed to lose to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Okay, let's be honest - I lied. Do you really think I would have a bottle of Dom in my house? I don't think so. The bottle that I referred to previously is actually a King Cobra 40. But the details don't matter. The issue at hand is that the Mets, a team I figured would coast to a record-setting season, had already suffered a loss two games into the campaign. You can imagine that I was beside myself in game three when Pittsburgh tripped up the Mets yet again. At this point, I stopped rooting solely for the Mets and decided that I was once again a fan of "New York baseball." Basically what that means is that the Mets are playing like crap and depressing me so I begin to root for the Yankees as well. Usually, this happens later in the year when the Mets fall out of the pennant race, but I cheered like mad when Andy Pettitte pitched a gem in game four, pushing the Yankees record to 3-1 on the season. My thought pattern here is that if the Mets suck, I can at least say I'm from New York when the Yankees inevitably dominate the league and win the World Series. Outside of the Mets winning the World Series, nothing is better than watching the face of a dejected Boston Red Sox fan after the Yankees whip them, as they have basically every year since 1918. In games four and five of the 2002 campaign, the Mets got back on the winning track, picking up victories in the first two games of their series against the hated Atlanta Braves. I was back on the Mets bandwagon. I called up my friend - a diehard Yankees fan - and told him that I'd see him in the World Series. Of course he responded with some choice words, but I felt that I had made my point - the Mets were once again a veritable powerhouse. After the Mets dropped game six of the year in 13 innings, a game in which they had ample opportunity to score the winning run but didn't, I became concerned. Also disconcerting was the fact that Mike Piazza and Mo Vaughn - the two most important components to the Mets offense - were both out with injuries, and thus the Mets offense once again looked feeble to say the least. Then on Monday the Mets failed to score a single run against the Chicago Cubs, losing 2-0. Making the situation even more desperate was that the Mets put Mo Vaughn on the disabled with a broken bone in his hand. Apparently, Vaughn's injury was worse than the Mets had originally suspected. To summarize, the glorious year that I had dreamed of since December seems to be slipping away faster than you can say "1918." Now my housemates, who mad fun of me for my "lucky outfit" are actually asking me to wear it around the house - perhaps to rub in the fact that I may have gotten a bit ahead of myself. I didn't mean any harm, I just felt that I was being "realistically optimistic." Although I don't think it was presumptuous to clear my calendar of all October obligations in early January - so I would be free to watch the Mets blow through the playoffs - I have nevertheless come to the sad realization that the Mets will not go 162-0 this season. Seven games into the season and I can already pretty much ensure you, my faithful readers, that I am going to develop an ulcer by the end of the summer. However, as ludicrous as it may sound at this particular juncture in the season, I guarantee that the Mets will at least make the playoffs or my name isn't Daniel Zachary Fowler III. Wait, that isn't my name - nevermind

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News

Who are you calling a nerd?

March 31

"You're an engineer? Ha, more like an engiNERD." Tufts' engineering sect has long been stereotyped as hard-working, intelligent, and yes, slightly nerdy individuals. In addition, these labels also usually assume the student in question is male - men have traditionally dominated the field of engineering, with few women reaching top ranks or even pursuing the course of study during their undergraduate years. Dr. Karen Panetta, an associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science, hopes to change these negative stereotypes. She has started "Nerd Girls," a women in engineering project that takes much of its conception from TheReal World series on MTV. The program aims to show the intimate lives of undergraduate women in engineering. The focus will be on their creation of a solar car, but the background will show their lives outside of the classroom. With one student ranked number five in collegiate tennis, and another dancing the lead in TheNutcracker, Panetta thinks she will have little difficulty conveying the women's diverse interests. They are anything but nerds - in her eyes, the program's name is slightly tongue-in-cheek. The documentary will officially be called Nerd Girls: Breaking the Stigmas and Stereotypes of Women in Engineering. Several preparatory moves have already been taken: a web site is in the works and two electrical cars are already scheduled to come to Tufts. Several students are already involved in areas from production to modeling. "This showcases engineering, but also utilizes many different fields," Panetta says. "It involves modeling, film crews, production and editing, all by students at Tufts. It's a nice project." Panetta's motivation for this program or one like it initially comes from her days as an undergraduate. With no women in engineering, she did not have a strong support system. She sees little difference today. "That should have changed by now," she says. With this documentary, she hopes to expand the appeal of engineering to women who may have never even considered that a viable option. "A lot of women go into computer science, but I don't know what keeps them from going into engineering," she said. Panetta feels that many young women feel the need to "dumb themselves down" as they don't want to appear to be "nerds." She believes that if women see models of engineers who are also athletes, beautiful, and smart, it could have far-reaching effects. "Suddenly these [characteristics attributed to engineers] won't be holding them back," she said. "It's no longer a negative thing." One large audience Nerd Girls hopes to reach is young girls. After the completion of the documentary, Panetta plans to drive down the East Coast in an electric car built by Nerd Girls to talk to young children about engineering. Although Panetta compares the documentary to shows such as The Real World and Pop Stars in concept, she had far different goals than they do. On Pop Stars she sees girls crying because they are not the best singers or actresses. She wants to promote education and other paths to success besides entertainment, an aspect she does not see the reality shows focus on. Senior Nannette Martinez, the first multimedia major graduating from the Multimedia Arts program, agrees that the program lives up to its name. "I think it really breaks down the stigmas and stereotypes of women in engineering," she says. "It won't be like the other shows that are reality-based," she says. "It won't just show women going around doing what other women want to do." In addition, the far-reaching scope of television will only be a bonus. "We will get a broad and diverse audience," she said. "You don't have to be rich to watch television. Therefore, we will have access to a wider, broader, much more diverse audience." Panetta explains that the project would not have been possible without the support she has received from Dean of Engineering Ioannis Miaoulis, a strong proponent of programs for women. "He has been instrumental in supporting us," she says.The Experimental College's Howard Woolf and Dr. Steve Morrison of the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Departments have co-directed the program and documentary with Panetta, the first film/major project to come out of the Multimedia Arts program. Despite all it encompasses, the program has a simple message, according to Panetta. "Through motivation and determination, you can aspire to be anything you want," she said. "That's the American dream. That's our goal."@j:NERD

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