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The Setonian
News

New electronic music class appeals to engineers, musicians

August 31

Tufts musicians who spend their days as engineering majors got a rare opportunity to combine the disciplines this fall in a class entitled Electronic Musical Instrument Design. The engineering elective class "builds a bridge across the gap between technology and art," according to its professor, Paul Lehrman, a lecturer in the music department. The class was offered this fall for the first time, and the seven students enrolled have spent the semester learning how to create non-keyboard electronic musical instruments. "Music, like it or not, has become dependent on technology," Lehrman said. "The people who are in charge of technology need to know more about art, so their technology becomes useful for human beings."Electronic music made popular by contemporary artists like Moby and Beck has been around for years, according to Lehrman. He says that new techniques and technology and greater accessibility to technology has made the sounds more prominent in today's music scene. Besides engaging engineers, the class enlightens students' inner musicians. "What's cool about he class is that musicians see... totally different ways to make music outside of the box - any way to make great music," said Todd Nocera, a Tufts graduate student who is Lehrman's teaching assistant. In the class, students analyze existing electronic instruments such as theremins and woodwind stimulators and learn how to use a Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) sequencing program and Max, an object-oriented language for processing MIDI data.The students work in small groups to create three projects throughout the semester, and eventually create their own instruments. A concert during finals week is planned to showcase the prototype instruments. Throughout the class, students must combine their knowledge of mechanical engineering with their musical abilities. "You need some music ability to be in this class, [and] you need to be musical to make it work," Lehrman said. "There is an engineering side - learning about concepts, the hands-on - but it applies engineering to real life stuff." The class can count toward the multimedia arts or musical engineering minors. Multimedia arts minor must take classes in both music and engineering, develop his or her own instrument, and conduct research for either Steinway, a piano company, or Selmer, a band instrument company. Although Electronic Musical Instrument Design is a new offering this semester, a similar class - Musical Instrument Design, in which students engineer their own band instruments - has been around for a few years. Both classes receive funding for equipment from the Steinway and Selmer companies.Mechanical engineering professor and musical instrument design instructor Chris Rogers said classes that combine engineering and music are both interesting and useful. "I think that's what makes it fun; instruments are associated with black magic and mystique, for example, why a certain brand costs more than another... there is both a scientific point of view and musical point of view," Rogers said.Lehrman, too, defended the practicality of an instrument engineering course. "What's better, making an obscure wire circuit, or an instrument you can use?" he asked. Since this is the first semester the electronic design course is offered, the syllabus is something of a work-in-progress - in fact, the students have helped to create it. "The students define how the class is going; the students' skills determine where it's going," Lehrman said. "There is a lot of brainstorming with the students." And some students contribute with specialized knowledge, Lehrman added. "Some students know more about electronics I do," he said. The students come from different backgrounds in engineering and music, and many play at least one instrument. Sophomore Matt Levine, a computer engineer and trumpet player, saw the class as a great outlet for combining his interests."I've been interested in music for a long time and I'm an engineer, and it made the next logical step when I saw a flyer for the class to put the two together," Levine said."It's a fun class and I enjoy... being able to play around with all the equipment and try to make music in a new way." Senior Aidan Collins, an engineering psychology major, says he enjoys the guest speakers, who are involved with electronic music on either the academic or industry level. "We've had guest demonstrators that are really inspiring to watch since I don't know what to do after I graduate," Collins said. But students also enjoy the experience Lehrman brings to the class. "He's quite a smart guy and knows the equipment," Levine said. "It's nice to have someone who has done stuff in the industry more than he has taught it, someone with first-hand experience." In addition to teaching at Tufts, Lehrman is a composer, writer, and technologist. He has written scores for television, film, and multimedia, and composed the word's first all MIDI-album in 1986. Lehrman was also the principal author of the standard college text on MIDI, a required book for the course. He has also written numerous articles for major recording and music magazines and is currently the web editor of Mix, an audio and music magazine. Lehrman taught at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell for 12 years before coming to Tufts in 1999. "I'm really happy to be at Tufts - I love the atmosphere and the students," he said.

The Setonian
News

Recent dorm thefts leave students on guard

August 31

Elyssa Rosenberg was woken from her mid-day nap someone she initially assumed was her roommate, Adrian Yeganeh. But the perpetrator who disturbed her slumber was someone Rosenberg had never seen before. Upon Rosenberg's alarmed questioning, the stranger said that he was leaving a note for her roommate, and mumbled that his name was "Dave" as he left the room. Later, Yeganeh discovered that her wallet - which had been inside her bag - was missing. While there wasn't any money in the lost wallet, she had to cancel her credit cards and get a new drivers license. "It's frightening that at 12 p.m. on a Friday afternoon, it's unsafe to have your door unlocked," Yeganeh, a resident of Haskell Hall, said. There have been a number of reported incidents like this one on campus. And according to Officer Linda MacKay of the TUPD Crime Prevention Unit, everyone on campus should be aware of their valuables at all times. "Anybody could be a victim if they're not aware of what is going on. You become comfortable because Tufts is a safe campus.You think you know everyone around you, but, unfortunately, in the five minutes you're gone to the bathroom, you could lose your laptop," MacKay said. Dorms are not the only place on campus where students can become victims of theft. There also have been five reported incidents of theft in the last month from the cubbyholes at the Fitness Center in Cousens' Gym. Items such as walkmans and wallets that are left behind by unsuspecting students have been disappearing. MacKay recommends that students do not leave anything of value unattended, even at the gym. "I wouldn't leave any personal property in the cubbies. You can't monitor them while you work out," MacKay said. She suggests that students carry a "fanny pack" with them to hold their ID and money to the machines. MacKay also warns students not to leave their wallets or money on the bleachers in the intramural gym next to the fitness center. When theft occurs, it's not just the money that's hard to replace. Sophomore Raja Taunk had money stolen from his wallet when his roommate left the door unlocked after coming home one weekend night. The difficulty, he says, is replacing a driver's license or a social security card while far from home. "As a college student, every dollar matters," he said.The Crime Prevention unit recommends several practices for students to avoid such situations. "Your room door is not like bedroom door at home," MacKay said. "Your room door is like your home door, you should it lock at all the times." The officer urges students to treat their dorm door in the same way and not to prop it. She says that while students may have polite intentions for holding the door for the next person who is coming in, "piggy-backing" allows easy access to dorms for outsiders.TUPD alerts students to repeated incidents or criminal issues on campus with Secure Alert warnings, a sign that describes the problem, which are posted near area in which the problem occurred. Students had a way to protect their laptops last year through Security Tracking of Office Property (STOP), but this service, which was run by Tufts Online, is not available this year. Through STOP, a metal plate was firmly attached to the top of a laptop and leaves a permanent tattoo if removed, which shows that the property was stolen. Not only does STOP help students in retrieving their lost item, but it works as a theft deterrent since thieves would not be able to resell the computer. This would not stop a thief, however, who plans to use a stolen laptop for his or her personal use. While STOP is no longer available, TUPD does allow students to take part in its Operation ID program. This program, which can be used not just on personal computers, but on any item that numbers can be engraved on such as stereo equipment, Palm Pilot, or cell phone. TUPD loans engravers for 24 hours and recommends students etch their driver's license number on to their property. The data goes into a national crime computer and if the stolen item is recovered it can be used to retrieve their lost property. TUPD and student get copies of the information put on the item. The program is not catered solely to students - anyone in the community can borrow the engravers.Anya Potter didn't find it necessary to use STOP or Operation ID - the sophomore just uses a lock to secure her laptop. "I was talking to a friend of mine and she pointed out that it would be hard to sell it and I might want to sell my eventually. The lock was just fine with me," Potter said. She added that people who lease their laptops do not have the option to participate in these programs One anonymous sophomore isn't concerned about losing his laptop and does not lock it regularly. "I just don't worry about it being taken if I'm only out of the room for five minutes. There is someone always there, if I'm not there my neighbors are," the sophomore said.MacKay stresses that students should try to be aware of their belongings. "When we forget that we leave things alone, when things are left unsecured, that's when things happen," MacKay said.MacKay recommends that students use all the theft deterrents mentioned. "Anything that you can do, anything that is a deterrent, is a good thing. Once you lose a laptop, you lose not only price of the laptop but the information, if it's not backed up on a disk, and that's priceless," she said.TUPD has a liaison program with Res Life called "Have Trunk Will Travel," in which TUPD comes to many of the main dorms on campus to encourage students toparticipate in Operation ID. There are five remaining programs for the semester: tonight at Miller, Sunday Nov. 11 at South, Wednesday Nov. 14 at Wren, and Sunday Nov. 18 at Carpenter House. MacKay advises students that "being aware is something that we need to be." She urges students not to leave valuables unattended and locking the door and bringing keys with you. "It's so much easier to bring your keys with you than return and find out something is gone," she said.

The Setonian
News

TFA and DTD square off at panel discussion on body image, violence

August 31

To some, Delta Tau Delta (DTD)'s rush poster was simply an advertisement promoting the fraternity's fall recruitment events. But to the Tufts Feminist Alliance (TFA) and others, the poster promoted something else entirely: violence towards women, unhealthy body image, and "rape culture." The flier, which borrowed an image from Maxim magazine, features a head-to-waist shot of actress Jamie Pressley wearing a black bra with one strap pulled off. "Rush DTD," it says next to Pressley, who is staring into the camera. The poster was approved by the Office of Student Activities. TFA and DTD squared off last Thursday at a two-hour panel forum about images of women in advertising. Representatives from the two groups discussed whether these images contribute to violence against women, and took questions from a crowd of 100 students gathered in Hotung Caf?©. While TFA speakers said the ad objectifies women and reinforces stereotypes of unnatural body images, DTD brothers argued that the image served as a good attention-getting device. "The sole reason for this poster was to attract eyes and attract attention," said junior Daniel Kramer, a DTD panelist. "It was not meant to offend anybody or make anybody feel scared." TFA members argued that despite the brothers' intentions, the fraternity should not have used the advertisement. DTD should "look at what their actions are really doing to people on this campus," said sophomore Caroline Davis, a TFA panelist who said the ad made her feel unsafe. "If we continue to use women as objects, then you are continually perpetuating violence." The Dean of Students Office called the forum a "community conversation" - an event typically held in response to controversies that do not involve violations of Tufts' disciplinary policies. Dean of Students Bruce Reitman, who moderated the forum, said that such dialogues generally occur once or twice a year. At the forum, TFA members presented a poster of a scantily clad woman put out by the Thai Club earlier this year. The poster, which advertised a general interest meeting, included the phrase, "You won't be disappointed." After TFA objected to the ad, the club printed an apology in the Daily. TFA members approached DTD about the poster at a rush event last month. The members were initially welcomed, but were asked to leave when they made clear their intention to have a serious discussion about the poster. DTD brothers called the Tufts University Police Department, which ejected the TFA representatives. TFA panelists and speakers said images portraying women as objects, not humans, lead to eating disorders and violence against women. Speakers said repeatedly that they took offense to the poster, but Kramer countered, saying some of TFA's accusations were themselves offensive. "I have felt a bit attacked," he said, before quoting from a TFA handout at the forum. "I took offense to this. [The poster] was not intended to 'present women as sexual objects, ready for sex and rape at men's leisure.'" DTD panelist Andrew Potts said the model would not have consented to being photographed if she thought the image would harm women. "If she thought her image would be destructive to women all over the world, she wouldn't have done it," Potts said. But because the image promotes an ideal of beauty, Monnin said, it causes low self-esteem. "We have images of ideal beauty, we know we don't look like them," she said. "We know what is expected of us and images like this cause women to have eating disorders." Panelist Sam Dangremond, editor-in-chief of The Primary Source, said that though TFA could argue that eating disorders were related to this type of photograph, the images do not relate to violence. "It comes down to interpretation," he said. TFA was supportive of senior Iris Halpern's sexual harassment complaint filed against the Source earlier this year. Although the Committee on Student Life dropped the complaint and the Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate voted down a resolution condemning the Source material, TFA members continue to lobby on her behalf. On Thursday, TFA members distributed a flier entitled "Warning: The Primary Source is Violent Towards Women," which reiterated Halpern's case. Panelists and speakers did not directly reference the complaint, however, after Reitman warned that the event was "not a forum to discuss everything that is occurring." Halpern spoke later in the discussion, addressing Dangremond and the DTD panelists. Responding to Kramer, who said the poster was meant to attract attention, Halpern argued that the ad was noticed because it "sold" sex. "I don't think it's fair to sell your fraternity through images of sexual objects," she said. "It is about gender and sex or you would have not used that image to sell your frat." But a speaker from DTD argued that since the poster does not include any text related to the image - as did the Thai Club poster - the interpretation lies with the viewer. "It's just the poster," he said. "No interpretation, no slogan, no insinuation. It's purely on the viewer." An audience member, junior Eric Mitton, asked whether the offense some students took with this ad matched the offense students took with TTLGBC "Coming Out Day" chalkings from two years ago. Speakers who agreed with DTD said the chalkings, some of which were highly sexual, were equally offensive. TFA Co-Chair Abby Moffat, who made an unsuccessful bid for a sophomore Senate seat last week, said the chalkings were intentionally lewd and, unlike the DTD poster, did not make students feel unsafe. "None of the TTLGBC chalkings made anyone feel unsafe," she said. "The point was to make people feel uncomfortable." Mitton, however, spoke again, arguing that the theory that images cause violence is unproven and that the real contention is whether the poster offended students. "You can't find a single student who isn't offended by the Primary Source or Radix," he said. "It all comes down to offense... at Tufts, you have that choice." At the forum's close, Reitman said he hopes the groups will consider their actions and methods of advertising more closely during the next rush season. "Do I think that anyone's leaving here with a different opinion - probably not," he said. The forum, he said, "has the potential of having people understand the impact of what is done."

The Setonian
News

Blood donors at Tufts, nationwide told to hold off

August 31

Three days after the tragedy at the World Trade Center, Tufts students are searching for ways to help those injured in the attack. While blood donations are a simple and effective way for Americans to do their part, an unusually large number of donors over the past few days have left the Red Cross struggling to catch up. Senior Phil McCarthy tried to contact the Red Cross yesterday, but was surprised to find its website inaccessible due to high traffic. Its 1-800 number gave an unrelenting busy signal. When he finally reached a local branch of the Red Cross, he was told to call back in a few days. "They were completely swamped - their blood bank was at capacity they'd had so many donors," he said. "They weren't accepting any more because they had no place to put the blood." McCarthy said he knew at least ten other students who had encountered similar problems donating blood. According to junior Matthew Alford, who worked as a donor recruiter at the Red Cross this summer, blood donation sites all over the US are being inundated with would-be donors. Many sites are receiving three to four times their usual number of volunteers and are unable to accommodate the influx. "If they usually expect 50 then they're getting 300, which they can't deal with because staff and equipment are very limited," Alford said. Many sites are encouraging donors to wait days, even weeks before coming back. Alford, who organizes blood drives along with other members of the Leonard Carmichael Society (LCS), said that donors' blood will be as essential in the coming weeks and months as the national blood supply attempts to recapture its pre-Sept. 11 level. "When you give blood you can only give every 56 days, which is about eight weeks. If we all give now then there won't be blood available in the future," Alford said. "Then they would be hurting in three weeks when they need it just as much." Alford said the effects of Tuesday's catastrophe will be felt in the national blood supply until at least the end of the calendar year. "This will be a long process, the people who survived will continue to need blood. The Red Cross is encouraging students to spread out and give consistently and continually over the next few months," he said. Blood has a relatively short shelf life so experts say it will be essential to continue giving a consistent supply in the coming months. Giving blood generally takes an hour, but this week, it has taken donors several hours to navigate the long lines. Red Cross CEO and Director Bernadine Healy said she was touched by the response. On a recent Larry King Live interview, Healy noted that in response to the genuine apologies made by Red Cross employees for the long wait, donors have simply responded: "We want to be here." Tufts students are among those waiting in line. After word of the attacks sperad on Tuesday, students rushed to Mass General Hospital only to be met by long lines and instructed to return later in the day. Yesterday, LCS blood drive directors Dan Keesing and Iris Gelbort, along with Alford, sent an e-mail to the University community explaining the extraordinary situation. The three made a special effort to contact the Red Cross to coordinate a University-wide blood drive, only to discover that the Red Cross had advised students to hold off for a while. The blood drive is scheduled for Oct. 22-24. Red Cross centers nationwide have been inundated with donors. Across the country, blood drive sites have been flooded with potential donors willing to wait in line for hours to help the cause. Additional medical professionals have volunteered to staff the Red Cross locations and have been quickly trained as phlebotomists (blood collectors), based on their training in obtaining blood samples. The public reaction has not been without its inspiring stories. At American Red Cross headquarters, over 100 potential donors opted to return to donate blood, even when informed that there was a five to six-day waiting period. A visitor from Kosovo spent hours combing Washington, DC for a Red Cross center where he could donate blood, hoping to thank the Red Cross for its assistance in his homeland. According to Dr. Christopher Stowell, director of the Massachusetts General Hospital blood donor center, the blood supply in New York and Washington, DC is sufficient to treat the survivors of Tuesday's tragedy.

The Setonian
News

Jumbos look to bowl over Amherst defense in Homecoming match

August 31

The football team has its work cut out for itself this weekend, as it goes to battle against the Amherst Lord Jeffs on Saturday. After a heartbreaking 21-17 loss to perennial rival and undefeated Williams last week in Williamstown, the Jumbos will again be forced to elevate their level of play. "Williams is the best team that we've played," coach Bill Samko said. They made some great plays. They made some great calls, we made some great calls. I'd like to play them again. I wish we could have a best of five or seven series like they do in baseball." But for now Samko must focus his attention on Amherst, which comes into the game with a 5-0 mark and a blistering defense that has given up just six points on the season. The Lord Jeffs also have a grip on the rivalry in the recent past, having topped Tufts seven times in the teams' last nine meetings. As usual, Tufts will again turn to its most consistent weapon - the running game, which spelled disaster for the team's first four opponents. The Jumbos racked up totals of 315, 340, 208, and 249 yards on the ground, en route to a 4-0 start. Junior Keven Kelley was the workhouse over that stretch with 627 yards and six touchdowns, highlighted by a career-high 221-yard outburst in a 9-7 win over Trinity on Oct. 13. Junior Chuck McGraw also added 226 yards of his own, as the Jumbo backfield and accompanying offensive line became the talk of the NESCAC. Even against Williams, the running game was still strong (226 yards), and so were Kelley (80 yards) and McGraw (108), but missed opportunities by the Jumbos translated into a 16th straight loss to the Ephmen. "Against Williams, we had more possession time, more first downs, no penalties," Samko said. "I'd say we outplayed them. We ran the ball effectively against them. If we make two field goals, or we don't get that bad call, it's a different game. But you can't control the officials. We came back from that. We gave ourselves chances. But you gotta make the play. You gotta execute. It doesn't shock me that we lost because we didn't execute at the end." Samko's squad will have to capitalize on opportunities Saturday, when it faces a defensive juggernaur. Amherst's defense, which has three shutouts in five games, has yet to surrender more than 105 total rushing yards to an opponent. In fact, the Jumbos produced more rushing yards against Wesleyan (315) and Bates (340) than opponents have against the Lord Jeffs in five games (312). Overall, the Lord Jeff defense ranks third in Division III on defense, allowing an average of 199.4 yards of total offense per outing. Even so, Amherst coach E.J. Mills and his defense are quite aware of Tufts' running potential. "I don't think you're going to stop [the running game]." Mills said. "I don't think you can. So it's not a question of stopping it, it's more a question of containing it. They got a lot of big guys up front and a lot of good backs." Amherst's concerns lie on the other side of the ball, where the team's offense has struggled to put points on the board in the first half of each of its last three games. Coach Mill's squad combined to score just nine first half points against Middlebury, Colby, and Wesleyan, but rebounded each time after intermission to secure the win. In the second half, the Lord Jeffs totaled 38 points. "Offensively, we have to come out of the gates strong and finish even stronger," Amherst senior wide receiver Derrell Wright, one of the team's four captains, said. "We've struggled early in the game and our defense has been there to bail us out a lot this year." Despite its first half woes, the Lord Jeff offense has still put up big numbers. Junior running back Okey Ugwonali leads the team with 403 yards on the ground, including a 138-yard effort last week. Quarterback Jeff Brown is among the leaders in the NESCAC with a 107 rating, along with 535 yards passing and three touchdown throws. Brown has quality targets in Wright and Jerimy Hiltner, as well as a quality back-up in freshman Mosh Mosley, who threw two touchdown passes in his collegiate debut last week. Tufts' defense, largely overshadowed all season by the offense and this week by its Amherst counterpart, is led by senior co-captain linebacker Scott Mittenthal, graduate lineman Everett Dickerson, sophomore lineman Caleb Hudak, and junior defensive back Evan Zupancic. The unit has been stingy in its own right, giving up an average of just over 12 points and holding opponents to 94 rushing yards per contest. And it has already proven that it can make the difference in a game, too - sophomore defensive end Reid Palmer's interception with 1:23 to play sealed the win over Trinity. "If you ask me, I'd say we're the underdogs," Mills said. "They're a good team physically. I'm really concerned. But we're not going to change what we do. We just have to execute our defense and they have to execute their offense. They're certainly the best team that we will have faced. We've got a big challenge, no doubt." All things considered, this year's main event at Homecoming could go either way, but the advantage may fall on the visitor's side. The Jumbos will undoubtedly put up a good fight in front of a large homecoming crowd, but they'll need a good amount of luck to knock off this year's edition of the Lord Jeffs, a team with more weapons than it knows what to do with.

The Setonian
News

Students have mixed feelings about office hours

August 31

When freshman Kim Boehler needed help in some of her classes at the beginning of the semester, she opted to seek help from her peers rather than from her professors. "I didn't know about office hours when I came to school and didn't know how helpful they were," Boehler said. "If I had gone to office hours, it would have helped." Then, when she figured out how to get assistance from her professors, scheduling and communication problems thwarted her attempts. According to Boehler, competition among students in larger classes for a professor's time can be fierce. Some large classes do not use TA's, and students end up waiting for hours to get assistance. For Boehler and other students, it's a discouraging experience. Sophomore Alana Harrison said she had difficulty getting individual attention from the professors of some of her large lecture classes. "For huge classes, especially the intro to science classes, the demand is too high," Harrison said. "Too many students are competing for the professor's individual attention." Despite more than five scheduled office hours each week, chemistry lecturer Christopher Morse finds the system inadequate."This semester has been much less successful. I am teaching Chem 1, which started with 320 students. The five-and-a-half hours are only partially enough, because every week about 50 people want to meet with me one-on-one and that's no longer possible," Morse said.Like many professors, Morse has tried to make himself accessible to his students in any way he can. "However, some days, my office hours are empty for a full hour, just me by myself, and other days there are 25 people clamoring to get into my office," he said. While some students have had negative experiences working through and around the system, others seem pleased. Senior Nate Perlis has never had any difficulty with getting assistance from his professors, and said the system is fine as is. "Teachers are pretty accommodating," Perlis said. "It's a pretty good system. I don't know how else they would do it." Those students who do receive help at office hours usually find the experience worthwhile. "[Professors] are glad to have office hours. They like helping us out," freshman Osa Odigie said. And more than getting class-oriented help, some students use office hours time to get to know their professors out of the classroom. "I definitely get to know students better who come to my office hours more often. Those are the ones that I generally have more to say about when it comes to recommendation letter time," Morse said. So how can the benefits be available to more students? Even for students who see flaws in the current office hours system, it's unclear what to do or where to lay the blame. While extended hours could be part of a solution, in the end it's often up to the students to help themselves. "Of course there are going to be other people trying to use [office hours]," freshman Andrew Lannaman said. "It's up to you to get there first." Not everyone can make the time, though. Many students point to scheduling conflicts as their reason for not making use of office hours. They complain that their professors' scheduled times are not of sufficient length or frequency. Sophomore Tito Pena says he does not visit his professors because their office hours typically conflict with his other classes. "[All professors] should definitely have office hours at least three times a week," he said. Although he feels he seldom needs to go to office hours for help, sophomore Elliot Freeman regrets not using those times to get better acquainted with his professors. "Office hours are just at odd hours or at times when I have classes," he said. Awkward schedules can also pose a problem during crunch times, when students have no time to waste when it comes to getting advice on that paper or problem set. "Sometimes it takes weeks before you can find a time to meet when often you don't have weeks before a test or a paper is due," Freeman said. The system seems to work best for those who are on top of their work to the extent that they can schedule meetings well in advance. But timing is not the only challenge to those seeking extra attention. Iris Higgins, a sophomore, dislikes the one-on-one setting and admits that she is "generally not that comfortable talking to my professors." "It would be my last resort," freshman Lauren Saft said. "Professors are kind of scary." Still others see limited access to office hours as cause for tension. Some students who are unavailable during a professor's scheduled hours are frustrated when they see other students meeting with professors on a very frequent basis. "A few students go and schmooze with the teacher with the intention to get their grades boosted," sophomore Justin Korval said. "It's unfair to the other students who achieve legitimate grades."

The Setonian
News

Penn Masala brings fusion fun to Cohen

August 31

The University of Pennsylvania is most often associated with rigorous course loads and serious studies, but this weekend's visitors from U. Penn. showed Tufts another side of the school. In a concert organized by Tufts' Association of South Asian Students (TASA), Penn Masala, the country's first Hindi all-male a cappella group, entertained a packed Cohen Auditorium with their unique brand of "fusion fun" both Friday and Saturday nights. Tufts' own breakdancing group, Turbo, opened the show. Dancing to a variety of Spanish rap and hip hop, the primarily male group flipped, spun, and rocked the crowd. Marked by a sense of spontaneity, the group's animated stylings received an enthusiastic response from the diverse audience. Following Turbo's performance, Penn Masala presented "Behind the Music." Broken into three parts, this parody of VH1's popular program told the tongue-in-cheek history of Penn Masala. Laden with jokes, the video had fun with references to a variety of cultural icons such as the Kwik-E-Mart, goat herding, and New Jersey. While the self-effacing humor of the video elicited much laughter, the highlight of the evening was Penn Masala's performance. The group sang three sets, beginning with a fusion of Hindi and English love songs, followed by the well-received "What it Means to be a Desai." This song, loosely based on the popular Backstreet Boys song of a similar title, explained the differences between "ABCDs" and "FOBs." Amusing for anyone familiar with modern stereotypes, the song encapsulated Penn Masala's essence of humorous, yet sensitive cultural awareness. Catering primarily to an Indian audience, as evidenced by several inside jokes, Penn Masala also attempted to please all members of its diverse audience. Its selection of English songs included such golden oldies as Van Morrison's "Brown-Eyed Girl," and more modern songs like the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "The Other Side." Although its vocal talents were evident regardless the music genre and any technical difficulties, Penn Masala is recognized more for their renditions of traditional and popular Indian songs. Indeed, the crowd went wild for favorites from India, such as "Bharat Hum Ko Jaan Se Pyare Hai," songs from Lucky Ali's "O Sanam," "Ek Pal Ka Jeena," as well as a unique interpretation of a Punjabi favorite, that garnered riotous cheering. Throughout the show, the cultural blend of North America and India was unmistakable. In another nod to the Backstreet Boys, the Masala boys changed costumes three times, alternating between pants and blue shirts, black suits, and traditional churidar-kurta outfits. While its lighthearted approach was a hallmark of the show, the singers also punctuated the performance by a serious petition encouraging students to help out various agencies working for improvements in India. Penn Masala will be donating the majority of the profits from the over 1,500 tickets sold to such charities as Child Relief and You (CRY), an organization that works with children in India. The two acts following intermission also addressed grave issues. Harvard's Ghungroo Tut Gaye, a group of eight girls that makes up the school's new South Asian Fusion Dance Troupe, performed a creative dance to a modern Indian song. Its combination of elements from both Western dance styles and traditional South Asian techniques, aided by innovative lighting, provided an interesting continuation of the evening's hybrid cultural theme. In contrast, Boston University's Dance Theatre Group presented its tribute to the victims and survivors of disasters. A unique blend of motion and classical music, the three female performers demonstrated one of the many ways of using art as a method of expression. While the audience enjoyed the variety of dance and TASA's version of the "Weakest Link" during the a cappella time out, the return of Penn Masala to the stage was awaited with much eagerness. Finishing with its characteristic combination of Hindi and English vocals, the group expressed its appreciation of the audience, for which they received two standing ovations and were cajoled into an encore. With its fun attitude and unique song list, Penn Masala's performance at Tufts definitely perpetuated its loyal fan following.

The Setonian
News

Move over Bertucci's

August 31

Let's face the facts - there is a lot of bad food out there these days. A lot of restaurant experiences that, though they leave us with a full stomach, also leave a frown on our face as we exit the restaurant. Thankfully, Figs is not one of these places. Rather, it is a restaurant which will satiate your hunger, give you some new and unusual flavor combinations to savor, and, most importantly, allow you to enjoy a good meal and still have enough money left for dessert or a beer. The nearby Charles Street location of Figs, an upscale chain of pizzerias created by celebrity chef Todd English (who, among other things, hosts a cooking show on PBS), opened its doors in 1995. The restaurant sits in Beacon Hill, one of Boston's oldest and wealthiest neighborhoods and a mere five minute walk from the Charles/MGH T-stop on the Red Line. Red brick buildings line the street, many of which no doubt have been in existence since the early days of Boston, while a myriad of upscale antique shops catering to the wealthy denizens provide interesting eye candy. A short walk leads to Boston Common and its free entertainment and people-watching possibilities, giving you a chance to stretch your legs after the meal. In the face of these high and mighty surroundings, Figs has carved out a niche as the neighborhood pizzeria, combining gourmet ingredients and culinary know-how with a sophisticated, yet cozy atmosphere. The restaurant seats about 40 patrons at its mostly two-seater black tables, and amidst the few spots where the brick of the surrounding buildings shows on the walls, black and white pictures hang of Italian families producing and enjoying ethic cuisine. I went to Figs with a group of five on a Friday evening, and though Figs does not take reservations, the managers are more than happy to place your name on a wait list over the phone. We were immediately seated at 7:30 p.m. - impressive considering the size and popularity of the restaurant. A basket with two types of bread and an accompanying cup of olive oil arrived at our table shortly thereafter. Long, tall pieces of a white bread boasting caramelized onions on top tore as easily as cotton, and had a nice gooey texture. This contrasted well with the wheat bread, whose crisp crust and slightly firmer insides left a hint of spice lingering on the taste buds. As we would see, the bread basket's combination of sweet and savory is a staple of Figs' menu.AppetizerItems ranged from a basic Mixed Greens Salad with lemon vinaigrette ($5.25), to a Wild Mushroom Ragu with creamy parmesan polenta, a touch of mascarpone cheese and truffle oil ($7.95), to the traditional Italian Antipasto. A friend and I decided to try the special of the day - a Roasted Butternut Squash Soup drizzled with fresh ginger crema ($8.95). The presentation was simple yet elegant. Atop the semi-muted olive color of the soup, the white crema had been arranged in a thin crosshatch pattern, and finished off with a light sprinkle of parsley. Served perfectly warm, its rich, velvety texture coated the throat as it went down. Faint hints of nutmeg added an earthy undertone that complemented the pureed squash, and though the ginger was a fairly pronounced taste, its bite was kept in check by the round flavor of the squash and a touch of honey. I could have done without the few stringy pieces of squash that stuck to the roof of my mouth and teeth, but this aside, the soup on the whole was an enjoyable and filling appetizer. Rating: 2 and 1/2 stars out of 4Entrees In any discussion of the various pizzas offered on the Figs menu, one factor cannot be neglected - shape. Looking more like an ellipsis than the customary circle of "normal" pizzas, Chef Todd English has chosen to dub his creations "free-form" pizzas. In line with this deviation from the norm, he's assembled a menu unlike any other pizzeria around. With pies such as the White Clam, with freshly shucked Cape Cod littleneck clams with oregano, garlic, olive oil, and grated parmesan ($17.95), the Fried Rock Shrimp, with oven-roasted tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and a touch of scallion oil drizzled with an artichoke silk aioli ($17.95), and the slightly more traditional Bianco, with mozzarella, sweet onions, fresh tomatoes, arugula, extra virgin olive oil, and balsamic vinegar ($13.75), it's clear that Chef English has forged his own ideas about what can and can't go on a pizza. For those who can't decide, Figs offers the option to do "1/2 and 1/2 pizza orders," charged according to the higher priced pizza. All pizzas come on Figs' uniquely thin crust, which is both crunchy and soft (try to imagine it). In addition to the various pies, there is also a full pasta menu with items ranging from noodle dishes such as Spaghettini and Pappardelle to a Wild Mushroom Risotto and and Oven Baked Chicken with Rigatoni. On this occasion, I sampled four of the 13 different "free-form" creations. The first taster was the Fig & Prosciutto, with a crisp rosemary crust, fig and balsamic jam, prosciutto and gorgonzola cheese. Take note - this is a very sweet pizza, with whole figs atop a combination of two other sweet ingredients, a mixture of mashed figs and balsamic vinegar. To cut through the potentially disastrous sugar rush, tangy gorgonzola cheese is subtly added, and a thin layer of salty prosciutto is placed on the pie after cooking. For those interested in expanding their taste buds and conception of pizza, this is a viable option, and one which I enjoyed. Although it is in some senses an assault on the taste buds with such disparate ends of the flavor spectrum in each bite, it is quite good. On the other hand, a second pizza, the Crispy Prosciutto, with gorgonzola cheese, pumpkin puree and caramelized onions didn't fare as well. Merely thinking of the flavors and textures in my mind, it seemed that in this pizza the chef was attempting to fuse ingredients that should have been kept apart. I was right. The sweetness of the pumpkin was no match for the salty prosciutto, the pungency of which was simply reinforced by the gorgonzola. The sweetness of the onions had probably been used to balance the salty and pungent flavors, but in both texture and taste, it just didn't fit in. My advice to you regarding this pizza: look, but don't taste. To contrast with these more "radical" pizzas, I tried one of the specials of the day - the Fresh Asparagus pizza with roma tomatoes, feta cheese, caramelized onions, and saut?©ed zucchini. In a sense, this was a departure from the sweet/savory combinations of the Fig and Prosciutto and the Pumpkin and Prosciutto. Though the caramelized onions hinted at the same theme, this pizza was much more in the mainstream in terms of its ingredients. Some of the tomatoes were perhaps a bit too soft, but their juiciness and texture nonetheless worked with the slightly stiffer feta (of which I could have used a bit more). The asparagus had been cooked nicely as had the zucchini, but as I ate each bite I wondered, were the onions really necessary? Or was this just Figs attempt to keep the same idea going in every pizza? Additionally, the flavors sometimes blended into each other a little too much, leaving a sort of muddled impression on my tastebuds. To see what else Chef English could do with asparagus, the last pizza I sampled was the Fresh Asparagus with imported fontina cheese, marinated mushrooms, roasted red onions, and a drizzle of roasted tomato aioli. The asparagus was well cooked once again, and sat on what nearly amounted to a bed of wet mushrooms, which had been marinated in - surprise - something sweet. As with the first asparagus pie, the cheese seemed somewhat auxiliary to the other ingredients, and once again the sweet factor was at work with the onions. The aioli was good if not a bit bland, though in combination with the mushrooms it made for a slightly wet pizza. Rating: 2 1/2 stars out of 4 Overall, my experience at Figs was a good one. Three giant pizzas, one soup, and a glass of wine later, the bill came to about $15 per person. Though it might not be as cheap as Espresso's, give Figs a shot the next time you're going out. But be warned: Service can vary from the good to not-so-good, and it would be wise to consider balancing sweet and more savory pizzas, so as not to leave feeling like you've eaten dessert. That being said, in an age where bad food abounds, you'll likely enjoy some good eats with reasonable prices at this neighborhood pizzeria.

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Make or break season for Dungy, Bucs

August 31

Tampa Bay Buccaneers With Pro-Bowlers at almost every major position, the only obstacle standing in the way of a Bucs run to the Superbowl will be the Buc' players themselves. In a division where three teams have playoff potential, it will be up to new quarterback Brad Johnson to help the team avoid repeating last year's collapse, when the underachieving 10-6 team bowed out of the playoffs in the first round to the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bucs' offense should benefit from wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson's accuracy, as he has a career completion mark of 61.8 percent, compared to quarterback Shawn King's 54.4 percent mark. Running back Warrick Dunn should put up the 100-yard games he consistently had last year, and defensively, Warren Sapp leads one of the most intimidating defensive lines in the game. Sapp is also a vocal leader, as he has publicly announced that this season is "do or die" for the future of the team. If sixth year coach Tony Dungy cannot produce a Superbowl contender out of this all-star lineup, then he will probably be gone come February.Green Bay Packers The Packers, who won four straight games to end last season, made very few changes in the offeseason and are ready to pick up where they left off. Ending the season with a winning streak usually translates to rings and celebrations, but for the Packers, it meant a 9-7 record and a plane ride home. But the team is back this year, and Brett Favre enters his tenth full season with the Packers with hopes to return to the form that earned him three consecutive MVP trophies from '95 to '97 and a Super Bowl ring in '96. Offensively, the team will rely on the running back tandem of Ahman Green and Dorsey Levens. The two should help take some pressure off of the underachieving receiving squad, which features Antonio Freeman, who has neither the speed nor the ability of most other top receivers. Nevertheless, with a healthy Favre at the helm, expect the Pack to make its way into the playoffs. Minnesota Vikings After seeing their Super Bowl dreams shattered in a 41-0 loss to the New York Giants in last years' NFC Championship game, the Vikings can expect to take another plunge this season. Running back Robert Smith, who rushed for 1,521 yards and earned a Pro Bowl berth last season, announced his retirement at the young age of 28, and five other starters moved to other clubs. To top it all off, the Vikings will be without tackle Korey Stringer, who died during a preseason workout. On the positive side, quarterback sensation Daunte Culpepper and the feared receiving duo of Randy Moss and Cris Carter are still on the team, and rookie running back Michael Bennett has created a buzz in the preseason because of his speed and potential. Coach Dennis Green has done an admiral job of preventing a total breakdown from his team thus far, but with the adversity they have faced, don't expect the Vikings to come anywhere near the 11-5 mark that they posted last season, especially since they have the hardest schedule in the NFL. Detroit Lions Last season, the Lions were nearly the surprise sleeper team that squeaked into the playoffs, but a Christmas Eve loss to the lowly Chicago Bears ended their hopes and sent the 9-7 team packing. Not much has changed in the offseason, but with the questionable Charlie Batch still quarterbacking the squad, the Lions will prove that last season was a fluke. Batch battled serious injuries all of last year and has been unimpressive this preseason. Detroit recently signed perennial backup Ty Detmer as the other option at QB, and this ten-year veteran will almost surely see significant action by season's end. Defensively, the Lions are deep and experienced, and the defense could be the difference if the Lions are to break .500 this year. One positive sign from last week's exhibition game against the Cincinnati Bengals was return specialist Desmond Howard's backup Larry Foster, who returned both a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns.Chicago Bears The Bears have not had a winning season since 1995, and even a Bears' "superfan" could not be excited about this year's squad. One few positives lies in the Bears defense, which is solid, led by veteran James Williams and last year's Defensive Rookie if the Year Brian Urlacher. Unfortunately the good news stops there, as the Bears offensive woes will prevent them from going anywhere in this high-octane division. With only 12 career starts, quarterback Shane Matthews is not experienced enough to take the team far. Running backs James Allen and Skip Hicks are slow and inconsistent, and the only receiver of note is rookie David Terell, who scored 14 touchdowns last year for Michigan.

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Don't judge bin Laden Tufts' donation

August 31

September 11 will surely be a day that none of us ever forget. The collapse of our nation's financial center represented the loss of our generation's innocence and peace of mind. We thought we were untouchable, a strong economic dynamo that no one would dare challenge. Osama bin Laden's mission proved us wrong. His carefully planned suicide missions destroyed our sense of security and transformed the financial capital of the world into a morgue. As time passes, we try to move on but never forget. More than 3 weeks after that fatal day, I opened the New York Times to note the usual plethora of articles about bin Laden and the investigations that follow. What I didn't expect to see was an article relating to Tufts. There it was, in black and white. Our most prestigious Fletcher School had accepted $300,000 dollars from a relative of bin Laden in the early 1990s. My first reaction was to feel anger and embarrassment. How could Tufts accept money from someone affiliated with such hateful acts? As I thought more about it, I realized I was being oversensitive, as we all tend to be during a time of crisis. My initial overriding emotions were soon overcome by my logic. Osama bin Laden did not donate any money to Tufts. His half-brother, Abdullah bin Laden, whos denounced any support or relationship with Osama, donated the money. As Professor Hess noted in the Times, "...Osama Bin Laden is not only unwelcome in their family but is engaged in destroying their business opportunities." Osama bin Laden is an enemy of his own family, an apparent black sheep. They cannot control his actions. He is a hateful, angry man who is relentless in his quest to destroy the West. Abdullah bin Laden, however, is a respected United States resident and a graduate of Harvard Law School. We should not be too quick to judge people that we know very little about. The United States is built on foundations of acceptance and tolerance. How can we be so quick to judge Abdullah bin Laden simply due to name recognition? The entire bin Laden family has been estranged from Osama for some time, and some of them happen to reside in the Boston area. Does that mean we should kick down their doors and send them back to the Middle East? I think not. They have not given us any reason to doubt their good intentions. During times of crisis, increased sensitivity tends to be a prevalent theme. Bill Maher was nearly fired for "implying" that the military was cowardly. In fact, he wasn't saying that all. Regardless of his intentions, he was forced to endure scrutiny and apologize publicly numerous times. The fact is, people are angry, confused, and most of all they feel helpless. This helplessness creates frustration and anger that builds up. People are looking to point the finger at anyone remotely involved with bin Laden in order to vent this frustration and make themselves feel in control of their lives once again. But we need to remember that blaming the wrong people will get us nowhere. Andrew Hess, a well-respected professor at the Fletcher School, sets this example. What better mentor could we have to make such a decision? Abdullah bin Laden met professor Hess at a conference in Boston and most generously agreed to donate money in order to benefit the Asian and Islamic studies. Abdullah bin Laden donated this money in order to broaden the perspective of the Fletcher students. Perhaps we should take Abdullah bin Laden's example and remember that although we've been through a most horrendous tragedy, we must remain in control of our decisions and think logically before jumping to conclusions. It's the only way we can remain united as a country through this most trying time in American history.Amy Goldman is a sophomore majoring in economics.

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Kelly-Gay endorses SLAM

August 31

Somerville Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay and Cambridge City Councilor Marjorie Decker pledged support to the Student Labor Action Movement (SLAM) Tuesday night during a forum to advance contract negotiations with OneSource. An estimated 80 students, faculty, custodians, and community members attended the forum - one of SLAM's last attempts to mobilize student support for campus custodians before today's contract negotiations deadline. If officials from the custodians' union and OneSource, the private company Tufts hires to provide custodians, cannot agree on terms today, the custodians will begin working without a contract. The date for negotiations has already been pushed back for three months. In addition to Kelly Gay and Decker, the forum attracted Massachusetts State Senator Charles Shannon, and Somerville Board of Alderman President Kevin Tarpley. Students, professors, and custodians also spoke at the three-hour meeting in Pearson Hall. Kelly Gay, who is up for re-election next month, said she cares about the issue because she picketed for Tufts custodians in 1994, long before she was elected mayor. Kelly Gay commended SLAM, saying Tufts is not treating its custodians fairly. "It's an injustice and we do have to stand up to it," she said. "I pledge my unwavering support in your actions to get equitable benefits and wages." Decker, a Cambridge city councilor, also put her support behind SLAM, saying a university's purpose is to create a more civil society. Decker, who worked in Cambridge last year on the city's Living Wage campaign, said that working without a living wage is a national trend. "It's happening everywhere," she said. "Tufts is not so different." Decker, who left a candidates meeting to speak at Tufts, told the Daily that she hoped SLAM would create a "rippling effect" of living-wage campaigns. The forum began with a 20-minute film produced by state Representative Pat Jehlen in 1997. It documented protests and picket lines by Tufts custodians in 1997, when the University switched custodial providers from UNICCO to OneSource, and the new company dismissed 110 custodians. Many of those fired had worked at the University for over ten years. SLAM is demanding job security for custodians if the University changes service providers again, citing the 1997 lock-out of Tufts custodians. Other demands include putting standards of labor in writing, improving wages, family health insurance, sick day allowances, and expanding full-time work opportunities. Two custodians spoke with the group about their experiences. Junior Alice Bajana translated for the workers, who explained the difficulty of holding multiple jobs, and their need for family health care and sick days. One custodian told a story of a co-worker who had to return to work ten days after a serious operation. In addressing the need for job security, another custodian said, "We do not want to be treated like an old pair of shoes and thrown away. We do our jobs with dignity." In 1999, Kelly Gay's first year in office, Somerville passed an ordinance that guaranteed city employees, contractors, and service contractors receive a living wage of $8.35 per hour. The rate was to be adjusted annually to federal poverty guidelines for a family of four and the annual average increase in area consumer product indexes (CPI). Economics Professor Frank Ackerman addressed the cost of SLAM's proposal saying that the $300,000 they want the University to spend amounts to less than one percent of the University's $445,000,000 annual spending. Ackerman said it was implausible that the University could not find money to pay for the cost. "It boggles the imagination," he said. Dividing the cost over Tufts' 8,157 students, he said it would cost about $37 per student per year in tuition increases. Ackerman, who is looking at potential colleges for his daughter said, "No one ever said to us that my college is $37 cheaper." Sophomore Ariana Flores received applause when she said that the University's president receives in benefits more than twice what an individual custodian makes in a year. "I would like to see President Bacow pick up a mop for just one day, and we'll talk to him then," she said. Political science Professor Gary McKissick said Tufts should not separate the issue's moral and economic implications. "Universities are not corporations, at least they're not supposed to be," the first-year professor said. "We've basically chosen to take the most vulnerable population in our midst and treat them worse." McKissick also addressed the need for health insurance because the US, he said, has made the historical accident of aligning health insurance with a person's career. He stressed the inequality of giving some Tufts employees health insurance and others not."It doesn't matter who we are," he said. "Sickness strikes us all." Shannon and Tarpley attended the panel for an hour, but Halpern scheduled them to speak last. The political figures left without speaking and Halpern said she did not know they were constrained by time. "The only thing I regret, is not having known the [political] etiquette," Halpern said. "I'm happy they heard, and learned and listened and saw."

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Inside College Football

August 31

#4 Tennessee Volunteers defeat #2 Florida Gators, 34-32 The Gators were supposed to beat Tennessee at home and then go on to win the Southeastern Conference Championship. This was the victory that would have secured a Florida-Miami Rose Bowl Championship game. But, Tennessee, the 18-point underdogs, saw it differently.Tennessee won in the Swamp for the first time in 30 years and significantly improved its chances at playing in the Rose Bowl, while ruining those very hopes for the Gators. A failed Florida two-point conversion with just over a minute remaining won the game for Tennessee.In the first quarter, the Volunteers took a two-touchdown lead, but by halftime, Florida was back on top, 20-14. Florida and Tennessee then traded scores all the way through the second half. A final touchdown by Florida with 1:10 left in the game brought the score to 34-32. The Gators then missed their two-point conversion, handing Tennessee the victory.The Volunteers' win was fueled by the play of tailback Travis Stephens, who ran for 226 yards on 19 attempts and scored two touchdowns. Stephens, a redshirt freshman, showed veteran leadership all year, the type that was exemplified in this game. If Stephens and his teammates can beat LSU in the SEC Championship game, they might be going the Rose Bowl. But a loss or a weak performance could send Oregon or even Nebraska to the coveted game.#24 LSU Tigers defeat #22 Auburn Tigers, 27-14 This game was the showdown for the SEC West representative in the SEC Championship game. Claiming the spot to take on Tennessee, LSU controlled Auburn to earn the victory. Rohan Davey led his LSU squad with 245 yards passing, one touchdown, and only one interception. He came up big when the team needed him, including three key rushes that totaled 21 yards. LSU jumped on top with a surprise onside kick that led to a touchdown, followed by a four-play scoring drive from Auburn. LSU clinched the victory in the second quarter, though, taking a two-touchdown lead which it held onto for most of the game. As the Tigers look toward playing Tennessee, they hope to dash the National Championship contender's hopes. More realistically, though, Tennessee and Travis Stephens should run all over LSU.#1 Miami Hurricanes defeat #13 Virginia Tech Hokies, 26-24 In a game that was closer than expected, the Hokies pulled off a fourth-quarter run that made the game interesting. In the end, their comeback efforts fell short and Miami landed a spot in the Rose Bowl Championship game.Virginia scored first, with a field goal in the first quarter. In the second, Miami took control of the game, scoring 20 unanswered points. Entering the fourth quarter, Miami led 26-10, but Virginia Tech refused to die. The Hokies scored two touchdowns in under three minutes - including a Brandon Manning 22-yard blocked punt return - and the comeback threat loomed.After the second touchdown, with the score 26-24 and six minutes remaining, the Hokies risked a two-point conversion attempt. But Ernest Wilford dropped Grant Noel's pass, and on the next series Miami controlled the ball and the clock, running both to the end.#3 Texas Longhorns defeat #10 Colorado Buffalos 39-37 With a late game on Saturday, Texas should have played better. Though time of day should not matter, the Longhorns saw Tennessee beat Florida earlier and knew that a victory over Colorado would almost assuredly have put them in the Rose Bowl.Instead, they fell into the trap of Colorado's late season surge, which enabled them to win the Big 12 crown. With two big Colorado victories - last week they ran up the score on Nebraska - the Buffalos should see their number 10 ranking shoot up a few spots.Unfortunately for Colorado, its two early season losses make a Rose Bowl berth virtually impossible, though the last two victories should propel them high enough in the rankings to play in either the Sugar or Fiesta Bowls.Major Applewhite, the Longhorns' quarterback, passed for 240 yards in relief of starting quarterback Chris Simms. Yet because of Simms' four first half turnovers, Applewhite could not bring the Longhorns back from their deficit. The Buffalos ran for 223 yards on 53 carries, led by Chris Brown's 182 yards and three touchdowns.#5 Oregon Ducks defeat Oregon State Beavers, 17-14 With all of the upsets this weekend, Oregon held a slim chance of making a BCS bid for the Rose Bowl. Yet their narrow victory over unranked, in-state rival Oregon State was not a convincing argument. Down 6-3 in the fourth quarter of a rainy evening, the Ducks capitalized on a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown by Keenan Howry. The return gave a spark to the Oregon squad, who scored later in the quarter on a 12-play, 80-yard drive. The win assures Oregon of playing in the Fiesta Bowl. The Ducks probably will not make enough of a surge in the rankings for a Rose Bowl appearance, though they hope their Pacific 10 Conference title will sway voters.

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Jumbos lose to Amherst but defeat Wesleyan

August 31

The women's squash team enters its third week of the season after a week marked by mixed results. Although squad fared well against Wesleyan on Sunday, winning for the first time this season, it struggled against Amherst on Tuesday night. The Lady Jeffs, the tenth ranked team in the nation, had their way with the Jumbos en route to a 9-0 victory. "They are a better team," coach Doug Eng said after the Amherst game, which anchored the Jumbos to 1-5. One bright note for the Jumbos was the play of fifth seed Eileen Connors, a junior. Though Connors lost in five-game duel against Amherst's Emily Stak, she put forth an excellent effort (6-9, 9-5, 9-4, 4-9, 9-4). "I know I could've beaten this girl," Connors said. "I wasn't moving the way I should have been...There are just some things they can do better than us," Connors said. "In order to win, everyone would have to be in the zone." The team's top three spots didn't fare well, either. Number three player and senior co-captain Justine Kurland suffered a 9-0, 9-2, 9-4 defeat. "She was really tough," Kurland said. "I could have been more aggressive and controlled points more. I moved with her very well though." Fellow co-captain and senior Anne Montesano, the team's number one player, also had a rough time with the Lady Jeffs, losing 9-2, 9-3 and 9-1 to Amherst #1 Susan Burke. "She was strong, she basically could get a lot of my shots," Montesano said. "I played well, but it's always disappointing to lose" A few days earlier, the team had been in high spirits after its 7-2 victory over NESCAC rival Wesleyan in Middletown, CT. "It was an important victory," Eng said. "We expected to win and they didn't [expect to win]." Montesano led the way for the Jumbos in the top spot, defeating Rebecca Dodge-Katz in four games (6-9, 9-3, 9-3, 9-5). Though Nicole Arens and A.J. Crane dropped their matches in the second and sixth spot, the rest of the Jumbos cruised to victories. Of the remaining six Tufts victories, only Kurland dropped a game, defeating Susan Park 10-8, 5-9, 9-0, 9-5. Sophomore Leigh Checchio, Connors, and freshmen Eliza Drachman-Jones, Nida Ghouse, and Trina Spear all won in three games. Eng said the team's confidence has played an important role in its steady improvement. "We have been going into a lot of matches confident," Eng said. "This is a major step towards improvement." Connors echoed her coach's sentiments in assessing the match. "We have done a lot of hard work," she said. "We played our hardest." Eng is particularly pleased with his play from the top five spots. "They are all going to be in tight matches," the coach said. "There is a fair amount of parity between the two through five spots and I am confident that whoever we put at the five spot would do quite well." Despite the 1-5 start, Eng said he remains confident for the rest of the season. "We are definitely gonna get better," Eng said. "There is really only one place to go and that's up."

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Tufts to buy vacant Hillside school

August 31

Pledging never to house students in its newest building, Tufts formalized an agreement with the Medford City Council for the $801,852 purchase of an abandoned school on Capen St. The University will remodel the 19,000-square-foot building to create faculty apartments. During negotiations, which lasted several months, Tufts also agreed to set aside three of the building's 12 apartments for affordable housing, limiting eligibility for single residents to applicants with an annual income of $39,200 or less. Walnut Hill Properties, a Tufts-controlled real estate company, will formally own the building. If Walnut Hill later sells the building to Tufts, the University pledged to pay property taxes in full, although its non-profit status would suggest it is tax-exempt. Although Tufts' offer was $151,852 higher than Hillside Development, the next highest bidder, the city was not inclined to sell the school facility and land to a tax-exempt institution, according to Bruce Ketchen, Tufts' director of real estate property and property manager for Walnut Hill company. The property was worth more to Tufts because it lies so close to the Medford campus, Ketchen said.Medford received 12 bids in total, and the city was prepared to accept an offer as low as $550,000. While University trustees committed to building a new dorm on campus last spring, the need for faculty housing is also pressing, Ketchen said. Tufts has not yet chosen a definite construction site. In recent years, several faculty members have been lured to institutions that offer, in addition to higher salaries, lower-cost housing than is available in the Boston area. "There are an awful lot of schools competing for this pool of people," Ketchen said. "We don't have sufficient graduate and faculty housing, and a lot of other institutions do," John Roberto, vice president of operations, told the Daily during the early negotiations. The Medford City Council approved the purchase and sales agreement last Tuesday. Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn is reportedly satisfied with Tufts' efforts to comply with the demands of the city's "reuse" committee, which recommends development strategies for Medford's various vacant schools. Along with the tax and affordable housing concessions, the University also agreed to deny residents on-street parking rights and to preserve a memorial in the adjacent playground.The stipulation that students not be housed in the building allayed fears of neighboring residents who said they did not want unruly undergraduates living on their street.

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Football looking to continue win streak against Bates

August 31

The football team will put its 1-0 record on the line this Saturday at 1 p.m., when it travels to Lewiston, Me. for a match-up with NESCAC foe the Bates Bobcats. The Bobcats, who finished 1-7 a season ago, have not beaten the Jumbos since 1985. But after losing by a combined score of 52-6 in the 1997 and 1998 match-ups, Bates has been inching closer to erasing a streak that now stands at 15 straight losses to the Jumbos, falling by just five total points over the last two years (13-10 and 12-10). This year, however, Tufts has another advantage on its side other than history- confidence. Last week, while Samko's team was in the process of defeating Wesleyan, 35-20, Bates was being dominated by Trinity, ultimately suffering a 41-7 defeat. Bates struggled on offense all day, mustering only 125 total yards and nine first downs, with a long play of only 18 yards and an average gain of just 2.2. On defense, the Bobcats again found themselves overmatched. Trinity racked up 266 yards rushing and another 168 in the air for a total of 450 yards from scrimmage and an average of 6.3 per play, while moving the chains 24 times. Tufts ran the ball just as effectively as Trinity last weekend, accumulating 315 yards of its own on the ground against Wesleyan, and are looking to duplicate the feat at Bates. It was the first time the Jumbos had broken the 300-yard barrier since 1995, when they totaled 308 yards against Bates. Junior Keven Kelley led the charge, last Saturday, with 168 yards on 27 carries to go along with two touchdowns. Kelley's first touchdown - a 40-yard run to the endzone - broke open a 14-14 game in the third quarter. His second score, a five-yard scamper, put Tufts up 35-14 with For his efforts, Kelley was named NESCAC Player of the Week. Junior quarterback Scott Treacy, now officially the team's starting quarterback, also showed that he is comfortable in his role. Treacy tossed three touchdown passes on the day including a 27-yarder to sophomore Brian Pitko with 1:11 to go in the first half to put Tufts up, 14-7. He completed 10 of 17 passes for 74 yards without an interception, while also adding 27 rushing yards. On the defensive side of the ball, Tufts held Wesleyan to just 40 yards rushing on 16 carries. The secondary also picked off two passes. Wesleyan was also limited to just over 20 minutes of possession, while the Jumbos held the ball for close to 40. Limiting the run will be key against Bates, which features 2000 All-NESCAC selection Sean Atkins at running back. Tufts will also be focused on quieting junior quarterback Kane Jankowski, as he tries to rebound from his 7-22 passing and two interception performance last week. In short, it looks as though the Bobcats will have their work cut out for them, once again, as they prepare to face a rejuvenated Tufts squad. The Jumbos are clearly the better team and should come out on top, proving that they do indeed have Bates' new number this time around - 16.

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Controversy reigns

August 31

It's the classic dilemma coaches love to face. Two players at the same position, each with superfluous merits to start. Decisions, decisions, decisions. In the next few weeks, two coaches of teams on the playoff bubble will square down this problem. It has already started in Boston, as the New England Patriots' coach Bill Belichek has to decide on a quarterback. Almost the entire city has jumped on the Tom Brady bandwagon, as he has been at the helm for all five of the Pats wins. Under Brady, New England has gone 5-2, and under three-time Pro-Bowl quarterback Drew Bledsoe, the Pats were 0-2. Before now, there was no controversy. Bledsoe suffered a "sheared" blood vessel in his chest cavity after a hit he endured in the second game of the season against the New York Jets, and was on the sidelines for the past seven games. But he's been cleared to play by the New England medical staff, which means Belichek has a decision on his hands as the team gets set to host the St. Louis Rams on national TV Sunday night. He has decided to put off the controversy for at least a week, announcing that he will start Brady this Sunday in one of the most important games the team will play this season. The real debate will start on Monday morning. There are a number of scenarios for Belichek to consider before deciding who will start the following week. There is something to be said for sticking with the hot player, and Brady has been that. The second-year man out of Michigan hasn't put up Kurt Warner level numbers, but he's getting the job done. He's thrown for 1426 yards in just over seven games, with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. Four of those picks came in the fourth quarter of one of his losses - to the Denver Broncos. There's also something to be said for not losing your job to injury, which is what Bledsoe is undergoing. Though most of the region has turned against the veteran, his numbers haven't been as porous as most sports-talk callers would declare. Bledsoe completed nearly 60 percent of his passes despite being chased most of the time. He was sacked 44 times last year, but still threw for over 3,000 yards. His 17 touchdowns to 13 interceptions ratio is below average, but again, not as bad as many claim. The fact of the matter is that Bledsoe is still one of the top throwers in football. He may not have the versatility of a Donovan McNabb, but he never has, and for that matter, neither does Brady. For now, Brady is the man, but if the team is going to make a serious push at the playoffs, it might have to be with Bledsoe. But if they do put him back in the huddle, the Pats need to be sure to design their offense for his strengths. He can't be allowed to hold the ball too long in the pocket and he should be encouraged to use the speed of his receiving corps. Belichek has it much tougher than Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, who will have to make a choice between two running backs in a few weeks. At least Holmgren can play both at once, if he wants. Veteran Ricky Watters is the only player in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season with three different teams. Watters was on his way to another solid season, rushing for 191 yards in the first two games of the season, before injuring his shoulder early in the third contest. Two years ago, Seattle drafted Shaun Alexander out of Alabama with the idea of grooming him for a few years until Watters retired. It appears Alexander has been groomed enough. He has filled in for Watters and become one of the top backs in the NFL. In his first performance as a starter he went for 176 yards and two touchdowns. Last week, he rushed for 266 yards and three scores. The 266 yards are the fourth most ever in an NFL game. So what does Holmgren do? It is a hard read. Early in the season, Holmgren's quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck, got injured and was replaced by Trent Dilfer, who won the Super Bowl last year with the Baltimore Ravens. Dilfer enjoyed success, but as soon as Hasselbeck was healthy, he was inserted back in the lineup. The move paid off, as Hasselbeck looked good in Seattle's win over the Oakland Raiders last Sunday night. But Alexander is not as easily replaceable. Like Hasselbeck, Alexander represents the future of this organization. The two of them, plus young receivers Darrell Jackson and Koren Robinson, could end up being one of the best offenses in the league in a few years. And if Alexander is effective now, it makes sense for the Hawks to ride his shoulders the rest of the season. That will be a tough sell to a proud veteran like Watters, though. It's a problem coaches love to have, but it's still a problem.The good Three players scored three touchdowns each on Sunday, which was good for both their teams and fantasy football owners. Aside from Alexander's 266 and three, Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison caught nine passes for 174 yards and three scores. Meanwhile, the league's top running back, New York Jets' Curtis Martin dashed for 113 yards and three touchdowns. Each player is crucial to his team's success the rest of the season. Alexander is doing a yeoman's job filling in for Watters, Harrison is now the Colts' best offensive option since running back Edgerrin James is out for the year, and Martin is the only offense the Jets have.The bad Bad news for the Colts is the health status of James. The Pro-Bowl running back tore ligament in his left knee two weeks ago, and will be out for at least two more weeks. Sources close to the team, though, worry that his services might be lost for the season. To add injury to injury, quarterback Peyton Manning broke his jaw in last Sunday's loss to the Miami Dolphins. He's tough, though, and won't miss a shift. The ugly Billy Joel. Great musician, but he's kind of short, fat, and bald.

The Setonian
News

A smoker's delight

August 31

Dispatch remained true to its reputation as an engaging live band Friday night as it played to a sellout crowd at downtown Boston's Orpheum Theater. The trio played a lengthy two-hour set of original, reggae-influenced rock along with the occasional cover, all to the pleasure of an equally enthused crowd. The band began its tour in October to promote its new live album, Gut the Van. This double CD, released Nov. 6, contains songs recorded in New York and Washington DC, among other US cities. Dispatch is not known for its studio albums, and the latest return to its performance-based roots just confirms the band knows how to put together a great live show. Dispatch, composed of Chad Urmston, Pete Heimbold, and Brad Corrigan, is a band of many talents. Each member is lyrically inclined, and each is an accomplished musician on his own. In fact, they frequently and comfortably switched instruments and shared vocal duties as Friday night's set progressed. The drummer laid down a strong back beat with the bass drum while occasionally using loud rim shots and creative symbol fills. The bassist locked in well with the drummer, providing a strong rhythmic backdrop for the guitarist to add nice, clipping chords. Dispatch's wide range of styles also allowed the band to sound folksy, sometimes simply using an acoustic guitar and bongos. Combining their talents, the three musicians have a unique sound that is clearly influenced by a wide range of contemporary and classic artists. Although Dispatch's style is primarily a reggae/rock reminiscent of Sublime, the group also has songs that jam Phish-style, rock out with a punk flair, and become as mellow as the work of Tufts' own Guster. On Friday, this eclectic variety kept the crowd on its feet. Concert-goers responded to the band's efforts by listening quietly and waving lighters to the beautiful "Spades," then jumping to their feet in a dancing frenzy for rockers such as "Bang Bang." And the venue couldn't have been better. If you haven't seen a show at the Orpheum, you're missing out on a captivating experience. While the 2,800 seat theater is old, it's among the best places in Boston to watch a concert. The Orpheum resembles an old playhouse on the inside, but it's beautifully blessed with impressive architecture and even better acoustics. The wide theater gives every seat in the house a great view and the balcony, which some claim actually bounces during shows, adds a nice touch. At Friday's concert, though, many fans seemed not to appreciate the listener-friendly Orpheum; rather, they were there rather to socialize and party. The aisles filled with delighted dancers and young fans falling over each other took away from the overall experience - and a true appreciation of Dispatch's craft. But while Dispatch played to a slightly disrespectful crowd, it's performance wasn't hindered. The band's arrangements, though tight and groovy, were always simple, allowing Dispatch to focus on its strongest talent: vocal harmonies. Each member is an amazing singer, and when all three put their talents together, it creates a beautiful patchwork of melody lines and vocal soundscapes that are the signature of the Dispatch sound. The night's clear highlight came when the band wrapped up its high-energy set by playing "The General." A longtime favorite of Dispatch followers, the song drew a roar from the crowd with its first telling chords. With each chorus, the crowd responded emphatically with the lyrics, "Go now you are forgiven...you've got to be, got to be livin'." Among the night's best moments came when the band played Bob Marley's "War," a song protesting racism throughout the world. Their rendition mixed great harmonies and beautiful dub-reggae instrumentation that surely made for a smoker's delight. Despite Dispatch's socially-conscious effort to provide a sign of the times, many in the young crowd did not recognize the cover and only expressed interest when the band eventually segued into Sublime's "Pawn Shop." The two-hour set concluded before midnight with an encore version of "Bats in the Belfry" before the crowd poured out into the cold Boston night - tired, but satisfied.

The Setonian
News

Palmer's pick salvages victory

August 31

After three blowout wins, it took a last-minute interception on Saturday for Tufts to hold off the Trinity Bantams, as the Jumbos won 9-7 and maintained their perfect record (4-0). With 1:27 remaining in the game and the Bantams driving on Tufts' 35-yard line and needing only a field goal to win, sophomore defensive end Reid Palmer dropped back into coverage and picked off Trinity quarterback Greg Ward's pass. "We were in a prevent coverage," Palmer said. "We've been working on getting underneath the out pattern since the first day of practice. I got in position and made the play. We needed someone to make a play." Palmer's pick, the first of his career, preserved Tufts' fourth victory and allowed the team to take a collective sigh of relief. With Tufts up 9-7 - a score the teams had been stuck on since 2:41 in the second quarter - the ball at the Trinity 36, and 3:26 left on the clock, coach Billo Samko had a decision to make on 4th and 2. He could have run the ball with his bruising back, junior Keven Kelley, who had already amassed 214 yards on 37 carries, or punted. Samko chose the safe route, and senior kicker Howie Rock booted one of the best punts of his college career. "It's difficult to drive 80 yards consistently," Samko said. "So we just didn't want to make the field shorter for them. And Howie Rock, our punter, is the best punter in the conference. We're kind of playing old-fashioned football: we try to run the ball, and we are not adverse to kicking it back to you as long as we give you a long field to work with." The punt pinned Trinity at its own six-yard line, and as Samko handed the game over to his defense, things looked up for the Jumbos. But then Ward started picking apart the Jumbos' secondary. Ward started the drive with a ten-yard completion to running back Tom Pierandi for a first down. After two incomplete passes, Ward connected with wide receiver Joe Wahl - also the Bantams' punter - for 13 yards. The tandem had been effective all day, as Wahl caught seven passes for 138 yards. Four more completions kept the Bantams moving into Jumbo territory, but after two consecutive incomplete passes, Trinity was faced with another third and ten. Again, Ward found Wahl, but this time only for six yards, setting up a fourth and four. From the shotgun, and with the Tufts secondary chasing Bantam receivers, Ward took off on a quarterback draw and gained five yards for another first down. That set up the fateful first and ten from the 35, and Palmer's game-saving interception. "The offense has been big all season," sophomore defensive lineman Caleb Hudak said. "It was our turn today." As confident as the defense was, it was getting worried as the Bantams continued to drive. "We were just trying to catch our breaths," Hudak said. "We were tired, but we were the better conditioned team, and Reid made a hell of a play." Hudak was a major part of Tufts' defensive prowess. He batted down four passes, recovered a fumble, and had eight tackles on the day, including a number of stops in clutch situations. "We knew that their quarterback threw the ball low," Hudak said of his deflections. "So we just tried to get our hands in the air." Not only did the defense hold Trinity to seven points, but it contained Ward's passing for the most part. While the quarterback was able to complete a few long passes, the only drive that was sustained through the pass was the final one. Trinity got on the scoreboard first, as it put together an impressive scoring drive late in the first quarter. The Bantams went nine plays and 67 yards in 3:39, as running back Brian Fabrizio dove to pay dirt from one yard out. The key to the drive was a fourth and five conversion from the 17-yard line. Instead of a field goal, the Bantams opted to pass, and Ward connected with Fabrizio for eight yards and a first down. It would take Tufts less than four minutes to answer, as junior running back Chuck McGraw took a pitch from quarterback Scott Treacy on an option from the shotgun and ran 33 yards, cutting all the way back across the field for a touchdown. Rock missed the extra point, making the score 7-6 Trinity with 14:37 left in the first half. McGraw's run had been the first play of the drive, as the Jumbo defense had pinned Trinity and forced a punt, which went out of bounds at the 33-yard line. "Sometimes you get lucky, and sometimes players make plays," Samko said. "I thought that was a great individual effort by Chuck. Once he got in the open field, cutting it back - it was a hell of a run. It was just like I coached him." Late in the second half, Rock capped the scoring with a 28-yard field goal. It was a disappointing score for the Jumbos, as a one-yard touchdown run by Kelley was called back for holding. The Jumbos are now 4-0 and head to Williams next week to face the undefeated Ephmen. While Tufts is unbeaten in the first half of the season, it is the second half - with games against Williams, Amherst, and Middlebury - that will pose the sternest test for the Jumbos. @s:FOOTBALL

The Setonian
News

In the mood for a melody

August 31

With Billy Joel playing our very own Cohen Auditorium this evening, it's hard to imagine what might happen. Sure, sure, nothing might happen. He could come, play, and leave. That'd be just fine, and Tufts will have gotten something for its $35,000. For that much dough, though, I would like to think we've got something even more eventful, something pretty darned fantastic in store for us. What have you got for us, Billy? Give us something to be proud of, something to tell our friends back home when we return for Thanksgiving next week: "You'll never guess what happened when Billy Joel came to play at Tufts..." Our university ought to prepare for its ascension, climbing the hierarchical ladder of coolness, passing other institutions of higher education and leaving them to stare at our butt as we move higher and higher. Surely, it is tonight's concert that will get us going. I wonder what the piano man has in store for us?Scenario 1: The Entertainer(s) Wouldn't it be cool if he brought a friend or friends? I can see it now, Joel and his buddies (all of whom are very famous musicians) are all hanging at the AmeriSuites in Medford: Joel, because he's got the concert tonight; his friends, just because they're taking an extended Veterans' Day vacation and want to chill with their buddy. I can imagine how the conversation went last night...Billy Joel: So, friends, I am going to play at Tufts tomorrow. I'm really excited. I've always wanted to play Cohen.Paul Simon: Ah, wow! Cohen! Billy, you're gonna love it. Your evening sounds much more exciting than what I have planned for tonight: sitting around and doing nothing, like the rock that I am.Elton John: Yeah, Cohen really is a sweet venue. The acoustics are great, and those seats with the pull-out desks will allow your listeners to take copious notes.Eric Clapton: Hey, yeah, you do seem to have quite an evening ahead of you. All those students will be awfully impressed because you really do look wonderful tonight. We'll be thinking of you while we sit here together doing nothing, as our various instruments also sit here unused. Sigh.Britney Spears: Yeah, maybe we can go for a walk in Medford Square. I have a friend over 21 who can buy us some booze and we can go get plastered in the park, eh?Joel: Oh Britney, don't do that! Oh Paul, oh Elton, oh Eric, oh Bob, why don't you join me tonight at Cohen? We can all perform together.Bob Dylan: Really?! Do you think they'll mind? I mean they did pay for you, Billy, and who are we but just some of your lazy friends?Joel: Oh Bob, don't think twice, it's alright.Scenario 2: Movin' Outside Surprised at Cohen's small size in comparison to the recent venues at other schools, Joel will wonder, discouraged, if he had made a mistake. "There aren't even 500 students here and that is for whom I sing!" But then an idea will come to him and being a man of action, Joel will make it happen. Using his Herculean strength and a piano on wheels, Joel will push his instrument off the stage, up the aisle, move outside, make a left on Talbot, a right on Latin Way, a left on Professors Row and then carefully up the steps behind Ballou until he's reached the quad. The entire student body, faculty, staff, and administrators will fill the vast grassy space, while Joel sits down to play for well over four hours from his entire catalogue in chronological order. The Tufts community is smitten - not a single student has a single negative comment for Joel. Then, for his final encore sometime around 12:30 a.m., Joel performs "New York State of Mind." Attempting to be clever, he replaces the word "New York" with "Tutts," mispronouncing the name of our university and revealing a considerable ignorance of the very venue in which he had chosen to end this mini-tour. The University trustees, wishing to avoid any awkwardness or possible disrespect for the rock god, have an emergency meeting and officially alter the school's charter, changing our name forever to Tutts University.Scenario 3: Rappin' it up Just before going onstage, Joel overhears rumors that a number of students were upset that the Fall Rap Show was cancelled to make this concert possible. Always eager to please, sick of performing the same old pop hits, and disappointed at the poor response to his classical work, Joel uses this Tufts performance as an opportunity to debut his latest attempt at reinvention: rap versions of his greatest hits. The musician walks on stage wearing baggy pants; what hair he has left is bleached blond. He refers to himself in third person as "Willy J" and launches into a rendition of "Cap'n Jack and Cap'n Yo Ass." Though taken aback at first, the audience seems to dig his new look and style. The show's highlights include a performance of "Say Goodbye to Hollywood" dedicated to all of his "West Coast homies," and his final encore, "Uptown Bitch." So what is actually going to happen tonight? Who knows. Whatever it is, though, I hope we're ready for it. All this hype, all this excitement, all this Joel-mania - I'm feeling a little ragged, a little under pressure. It's about time that lucky regular crowd shuffles into Cohen and forgets about life for a while.

The Setonian
News

SCOPE provides real feel for Tufts

August 31

If you have noticed an unusual number of pre-frosh on campus today, you might want to stop, introduce yourself, and tell them a little about what it's like to be a Tufts student. That is what the admissions office and the student leaders of SCOPE - Students of Color Outreach Program - encourage. The program hosts two sessions annually, one this weekend and one in the spring for admitted students. This week, SCOPE has brought in 125 high school seniors from around the country. All identify themselves as students of color and expressed an interest in Tufts. SCOPE's main goal is to show these students firsthand what Tufts has to offer.The program is designed to give the students an opportunity to visit campus, attend classes, talk to students, and meet members of Tufts' cultural communities. "[We] connect students with the right people... so that they can see upfront all of the resources available to students of color," said Susan Mantilla, the admissions officer responsible for SCOPE. But Mantilla is not alone in this initiative. "My coordinators are amazing," she emphasized, referring to juniors Mia Roberts and Jonathan Snyder. But Mantilla insists the show could not go on without extensive help from a large network of student volunteers. The coordinators think of program ideas, and volunteers' efforts bring them to fruition. One of the many events featured was last night's Super Show, a showcase of multicultural art and talented performing groups at Tufts. Another is a student-only discussion that provides the setting to ask "real" questions and hear about students' experiences. "People appreciate honesty," Roberts said. "Until they see it, they can't know how great Tufts is." Although the Tufts admissions process is not officially need-blind, meaning admissions decisions may depend on a student's ability to pay, the group of minority students brought to campus represents great socioeconomic diversity. Financial status is not considered for the SCOPE program, which attracts students from both private and public schools. All that matters is that they are interested in Tufts. The costs associated with the program mainly cover student transportation. Busses are provided from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Students that live farther away must be selected based on their academic performance to be flown to attend SCOPE. But how is the spending for a program that benefits only a small part of the University community justified? "I think the people who don't understand the program are the ones who argue against it," Mantilla said. So far, the program has proven to be very effective. Statistically, 80 percent of SCOPE students who visit Tufts end up applying for admission. Those who have passed through the program agree it is helpful. "Our university doesn't always do things to show that we're committed to diversity," sophomore Pete Shungu said, adding that SCOPE was one of the biggest reasons he chose to attend Tufts. Freshman Chieme Ejirika said that her SCOPE experience helped solidify her decision. "[Without SCOPE] I might have missed out on coming here," she said.Sophomore Patrick Taylor also felt SCOPE was beneficial. "It condensed what was actually going on at the school," he said. By bringing together so many students of color at once, some might suspect the experience gives a false impression of the University. The face of the program, however, is a compilation of efforts on behalf of many minority student organizations and individuals from every ethnic background. "They are going to see that you are still a minority at Tufts," Roberts said. "One thing we stress is that we have allies, and the only way to make this program work is to have allies." After meals in the dining halls and nights in the dorms, the hope is that students will see a picture of the real Tufts. "We don't live in a bubble. This is a goal we are trying to work together to reach," Roberts said. "A lot of our kids are mixed or biracial, so you're not even dealing with one ethnic group." "How do you make someone from multiple ethnic groups feel comfortable?" Roberts added. "We're trying to stress that we do have a community here."In a school where many feel the percentages of African Americans and other minority ethnic groups are not at the levels where they should be, SCOPE is working to better the situation. "[SCOPE] shows us as minorities how we are tied into the school," freshman Ana Depina said. "SCOPE is the true essence of outreach," Roberts said. "I hope our minority numbers continue to grow, but it's still not enough. We need to reflect the society in which we live. That's the only way to make things a little more equal."

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