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Former coxswain excels as coach

August 31

When coxswain Jeff Lindy graduated last May, it seemed like the end of an era for the men's crew team, as its most decorated leader would no longer be a part of the program. During his four-year tenure as a Jumbo, Lindy played an integral role in the success of the crew program and dramatically changed the face of Tufts crew. But before his presence could be missed, he was back in a new role as men's assistant coach. The rowers are pleased that their former teammate has returned and they envision him playing just as influential a role as coach as he did when he was their coxswain and captain. For Lindy, crew has been an integral part of his life for the past 11 years, though his involvement began as a way to spend time with his best friend. During the summer between seventh and eighth grade, Lindy tagged along with his friend who was joining the school crew team. Although his friend only stuck with the sport for a year, crew gave Lindy a chance to participate in a sport where his smaller stature would work to his advantage. "I was always small, never really able to do a sport in middle school," Lindy said. "Crew gave me a chance to be part of a team and be a leader - kind of like being the quarterback." When he arrived at Tufts, Lindy continued with crew in his coveted role as the coxswain, which carries the double duty of steering the boat effectively while verbally urging rowers to perform at their peak and beyond. The coxswain must be encouraging and critical at the same time, able to point out areas of weakness while convincing rowers that they feel no weakness. This is no easy task, but all of Lindy's teammates say he has mastered the role. "He's so precise, and he knows so much," senior Shane Black-Macken said. "It's like he has an encyclopedic knowledge of rowing. "A lot of coxswains just scream and yell and make people nervous, but he's such a good competitor and a good influence that he's able to get people to listen to him, and then get the most out of them. The best coxswain I've ever had, he raises everyone's game." While studying at Tufts, Lindy accrued honors within the national and international realm of rowing, making his presence known in the competitive US Rowing circuit. He finished in third place finish at the 2000 CRASH B's (Charles River All-Star Has Beens), which is the Sprints World Indoor Rowing Championships done on erg machines and during the following summer, Lindy's talent and a few strokes of luck landed him at the 2000 World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, where his team took a silver medal in the men's four race. Just a few weeks ago at the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta, Lindy served as the coxswain for the US Rowing team, which earned a phenomenal second place finish in a competitive Men's Lightweight four field. For Lindy, the CRASH B bronze finish and the silver medal earned at the World Championships rank as his greatest accomplishments. "It's a tie between CRASH B junior year and the silver at World's," Lindy said. "CRASH B was great because it was an individual accomplishment, just me and the machine, on something that I'm not really good at, but I did really well." Although Lindy graduated last year, he says he was ready to leave the Tufts crew program. He had achieved so much in the sport of rowing, but says he felt something was missing. The crew program, Lindy said, deserves more success than it has seen in recent years, adding that by joining the coaching staff, he could point the program in the right direction "I didn't feel like I was done with Tufts crew," Lindy said. "I never got the results we wanted to, never got a medal at nationals, and that's not acceptable. I really want to in some way help Tufts get on the podium." As many on the team attest to, these are the traits that defined Lindy as a coxswain and have translated perfectly into the coaching role he has taken on this year. "Nothing has changed, besides the fact that he's not in the boat," junior co-captain Max Bernstein said. "We've still been able to retain his knowledge and expertise. He was such a great asset to the team last year, and he remains that way as a coach, but now we just can't have him talking to us during the race." Others note that his experience with the National team will carry over in his coaching role and that Lindy will be able to offer a unique and beneficial opinion. "He's more responsible for organizing the program and setting workouts and practices as a coach than he ever was as a coxswain. He's been working with the U.S. team so he really knows what to do," Black-Macken said. For Lindy, the coaching role is exactly where he wants to be. "It's not awkward coaching, after all I'm the only one who graduated last year. I'm coaching everybody from last year so the continuity is pretty great." Lindy is confident about the team he is guiding alongside head coach Ben Foster, and sees a lot of potential for the upcoming spring sprint season. "It's the fittest crew I've ever seen in my four and now five years in the Tufts program," he said. "They're putting up erg times I've never seen before. They definitely have the fitness, they're rowing pretty darn well, and expectations are really high," he said. The rowers are excited to see Lindy return this year as coach, and Lindy is more than willing to pour all of his knowledge and expertise into molding a championship team. As Lindy knows, hard work correlates directly to successful results in the arena of crew. "The thing about rowing is that you get back exactly what you put in," Lindy said. "In other sports there is a small degree of luck involved, but in crew there is no luck. The best crew wins. How you are as a crew is determined by the effort you put in." Judging by his accomplishments and contributions in the sport of rowing, Jeff Lindy has measured amongst the best.

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News

Broncos and Raiders class of AFC West

August 31

Denver BroncosThe Broncos will intimidate opposing defenses this year with 1,000-yard running backs Terrell Davis, Mike Anderson, and Olandis Gary, last year's most efficient NFL quarterback Brian Griese , and Pro-Bowl wide receivers Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey. The Broncos will also score their points, as they were the second highest scoring team in the NFL behind the St. Louis Rams last year. But the question is whether new defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes can solidify the defense. Under the old system, Denver's defense was a blitzing, gambling unit that specialized in both creating turnovers and giving up huge plays. Rhodes brings with him a cautious attitude that should allow the defense to keep the team in games while the offense does the rest. Other than the defense, the team's Super Bowl chances could hinge on a few limbs, the legs of Terrell Davis, who hasn't run in perfect health in two years, and the shoulder of Brian Griese, which underwent off-season surgery. If coach Mike Shanahan's team can hold opponents on defense, and hold themselves together physically, the division should be theirs. Oakland RaidersWinning the AFC West and making it to the AFC championship game last year proves the Raiders have talent. Adding a pair of San Francisco 49ers could be enough to send the Raiders to their first Super Bowl since 1980. Running back Charlie Garner, who will take the spot of the retired Napolean Kaufman, and wide receiver Jerry Rice will compliment quarterback Rich Gannon's offense nicely. The pair will join incumbent Raider stars Tyrone Wheatley and Tim Brown to make an explosive offense. Coach Jon Gruden's team is solid on defense as well, led by cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Eric Allen, and middle linebacker Greg Biekert. Oakland should be strong in the kicking game, as Sebastian Janikowski boasts one of the strongest legs in the league. The Silver and Black will be competing all year with the Broncos for first in the West, which means when the two meet in the final week of the season, the stakes should be high. That could bode poorly for the Raiders, who lost twice last year to the Broncos. Kansas City ChiefsChiefs' coach Dick Vermeil has won everywhere he has been, but this project could take a while. Vermeil built the St. Louis Rams into the most prolific team in NFL history two years ago, but will not have the same weapons at his disposal in KC. The coach will install his version of the West Coast offense, and rely on quarterback Trent Green, who also came from St. Louis. Green will have a trio of reliable targets to throw to in receivers Sylvester Morris and Derrick Alexander and tight end Tony Gonzalez. However, running back - Vermeil's strength in St. Louis - is a problem for the Chiefs, as they will be forced to rely on the unproven Priest Holmes. The defense is average, but has the advantage of playing in Arrowhead Stadium, one of the loudest and coldest, and thus most difficult to score in. The Chiefs will be in a rebuilding period this season, but could break even. Seattle SeahawksIn the past, Seahawks' coach Mike Holmgren has developed quarterbacks Brett Favre and Mark Brunell, and now he has a new project. The coach/general manager of the Seahawks brought in former Boston College quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to lead his team, and so far the reviews are mixed. Though Hasselbeck is talented and already knows Holmgren's complicated offensive system from their days in Green Bay, he has only thrown 29 passes in his pro career. Hasselbeck won't have to do it alone, though, as his supporting cast includes veteran Ricky Watters and two young receivers, rookie Koren Robinson and second year man Darrell Jackson. Outside of cornerback Shawn Springs, one of the best in the league, the defense is full of players who were stars a few years ago, like John Randle, Levon Kirkland, and Chad Brown. None are at the end of their careers, but their best years are all in the rearview mirror, which could be problematic for Seattle, which will have to face Denver and Oakland twice each.San Diego ChargersFor the first time since the Chargers went to the Super Bowl in 1995, the team's fans have something to be excited about. Quarterback Doug Flutie is finally a team's number one quarterback, and will keep the spot warm for a few years until second round draft pick Drew Brees takes over. San Diego first year coach Mike Riley is even more excited about his first round pick, running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who will start right away. Tomlinson better pan out, as he is only the second first round pick the Chargers have had since 1996. The other was Ryan Leaf, now a backup quarterback with the Buccaneers. Flutie will also have veteran receivers Curtis Conway and Jeff Graham, though his favorite target could become fifth-year tight end Freddie Jones. Junior Seau will lead the defense for the 13th season, and this year's unit is underrated, as Marcellus Wiley anchors a strong line. The Chargers might not finish last in the division, but they are still a ways from their '95 Super Bowl form.

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News

BC dampens Miami's title hopes

August 31

Number one seed in the country, the Miami Hurricanes, came to the northeast to face unranked Big East Conference rival, the Boston College Eagles. Miami won, barely, and lost its spot atop the Coaches Poll. Miami could manage only four field goals throughout most of the game mainly because of quarterback Ken Dorsey's four interceptions. The Hurricanes led 12-7 with four minutes to play but BC orchestrated a beautiful drive as time ran down. With the Eagles inside the Miami ten-yard line with only two minutes left, it looked as though BC might pull off the upset. Then an ill-advised pass from quarterback Brian St. Pierre led to an 80 yard interception return giving Miami an 18-7 win.Though Miami escaped with a narrow win, it was not so lucky in the rankings as it lost its number one position in the Coaches' Poll. Fortunately for the Hurricanes, Nebraska did not have a good showing in its game either, enabling Miami to retain its number one place in the AP Poll. Now the two teams have split the polls, showing one more time why the Bowl Championship Series exists.As Miami struggled, the number two Nebraska Cornhuskers had their own difficulties with a conference rival of their own. They beat the Kansas State Wildcats 31-21, but the game should not have been this close. Kansas drops to a 4-5 record (2-5 Big 12), as Nebraska remains one of three unbeatens in the nation.Nebraska jumped out to a 13-0 lead in the second quarter, but then two scores in under three minutes left the score 14-13 in Kansas' favor at halftime. In the second half, Nebraska again took the lead with 18 unanswered points. A late touchdown by Kansas was not enough, and Nebraska came away with the victory.In this match, both passing games were anemic at best. Nebraska quarterback and Heisman hopeful, Eric Crouch, threw for 60 yards and had two interceptions. Kansas quarterbacks were limited to 32 yards passing and three interceptions. As a result the game was played on the ground and Nebraska out-rushed Kansas 324-276.The BCS rankings came out yesterday and with the move into number one in the Coaches Poll, Nebraska was able to extend their BCS lead over Miami. The drop to second in this poll hurt the Hurricanes greatly this week. They remained number two, but by a narrow margin over Oklahoma University, who convincingly beat Texas A&M 31-10 this weekend.Though Oklahoma has one loss - to Nebraska - it has a much tougher schedule than does Miami. Oklahoma is ranked 18th in the nation, while the Hurricanes are 66th. If the Hurricanes continue on their current track, the strength of schedule component of the BCS could help Oklahoma finish ahead of Miami and play in the National Championship Game.Other Contenders... The most exiting game of the weekend was the Oregon Ducks' one point victory over the UCLA Bruins. UCLA kicker Chris Griffith missed a 50 yard field goal as time expired to give Oregon the victory.Oregon entered the matchup number seven in the nation with an 8-1 record (5-1 Pacific10). UCLA was 16th in the nation and 6-2 (3-2). The game was critical for Oregon which was looking to maintain pace with Washington State in the Pac-10. Oregon QB, Joey Harrington, led the way with 195 yards passing, one touchdown, and zero interceptions. The last part of those statistics, the zero interceptions, was the key factor in Harrington's play. Harrington didn't make any mistakes in the game, especially on the final scoring drive as he lead his team eight plays and 70 yards for the winning score. This was Harrington's 9th career fourth quarter, come-from-behind win. UCLA did not play poorly either, as the team bounced back from two interceptions to stay close. Had Griffith made the last second kick, Oregon's title hopes would have been shattered. But as it played out, Oregon held onto its hopes, moving to number four in the BCS. The rest of the top contenders had easy wins, many blowing out their counterparts. The Florida Gators continued their big win trend, beating South Carolina 54-17. Despite Florida's high scores, they remain fifth in the BCS. But, they are only 0.01 points behind BCS number four, Oregon. . . The Texas Longhorns blanked the Kansas Jayhawks 59-0. They are sixth in the BCS rankings, a little over a point and a half behind Florida. . .The BCS was created to ensure that the top two teams in the country play each other in a bowl game. The top two BCS teams face of Jan. 3 in the Rose Bowl.

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News

Boston and College Ave. intersection to be upgraded in spring

August 31

Repair work that was supposed to be down on the intersection at Boston Ave. and College Ave. over the summer has been delayed until spring semester because of a water main update that is being done in the area. The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is currently "rehabilitating" a 100-year-old water main below the intersection, and construction on the intersection is slated to commence in the spring. The project was set to begin this past summer, but was pushed back because of the water main update. The repairs are designed to improve safety for both drivers and pedestrians in a place that has long been labeled hazardous because of its unusual design and heavy pedestrian flow. Two students sustained minor injuries last February after being hit by a van while crossing the intersection. While complaints about the intersection have abounded for some time, action was not taken but until recently. Two years after a Design Public Hearing was held at the Medford City Hall in 1999, the city of Medford agreed to fund design work if the Massachusetts Highway Department paid for construction. But before the state begins to improve the intersection, the MWRA must reline and clean mineral buildup on the water main that runs underneath. Tufts' entire water supply for sinks, toilets, and water fountains comes through one 48-inch wide water main. City engineers drew up a plan to upgrade the intersection by repaving it and adding stoplights, and it has been approved by Medford's traffic commissioner. No construction firms are signed for the job yet, but the state is reviewing several bids. Waiting until the spring to start is in part due to the amount of time involved in delivering the traffic lights. "Traffic signal jobs require a lot of lead time," said Laird Walsh, of Medford's Engineering Division. "Most traffic signals take 16 to 20 weeks to be shipped." For pedestrians and drivers alike, the intersection should be safer after construction is completed. "It will striped better and there will be more defined lanes," Walsh said. "The traffic will be channeled much better than it is now."This is good news for students, especially senior Cicie Sattarnilasskorn and junior Minh Bui, who were both hit at the intersection.Though she was not hurt after she was bumped by a car, Sattarnilasskorn said the setup of the intersection is dangerous for drivers and pedestrians. "I definitely think twice before I cross there, even before I got hit," she said. "People have to be more careful of that intersection because you never know if you can see cars coming or if they see you."Bui, who was sent to the hospital along with another student after being hit last year, felt that the accident could have been avoided. "It's ridiculous that people had to get hit before the intersection was changed," he said. "It's something that should have been addressed a while ago."The unconventional design of the intersection and others like it in the Boston area are the remains of antiquated traffic patterns. Unlike other cities, where streets usually run parallel and perpendicular to each other, many Massachusetts streets were paved from original dirt roads. "When the pipe was placed in the ground 100 years ago, the intersection was shaped differently and there were no paved roads," said Tom Gawrys, spokesperson for MWRA. This intersection missed the advantages of having city planners and traffic safety supervisors plan its design.Brook Chipman, public affairs director for the Governor's Highway Safety Bureau, said that students should be cautious while crossing the intersection, especially during the current construction project."Pedestrian injuries tend to rise in the fall months due to the time change," he said. "Basically, people do not realize the sun sets earlier and are less apt to make the necessary perceptual adjustments."

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News

Despite key losses, hockey team plans to be competitive

August 31

Regardless of its record, 2001-02 will be a season of firsts for the Tufts hockey team. For the first time in its 29-year history, the Jumbos will have a permanent home rink of their own, in the new Malden Forum. This season also marks the first time that the team will compete as part of the NESCAC/ECAC East Division. The league, unquestionably the most competitive in all of Div. III, has produced six of the last seven national champions. The Jumbos (1-1, 0-1 NESCAC/East) have already received a not-so-warm welcome into the league, courtesy of perennial powerhouse Norwich Cadets, who are currently ranked sixth in the nation. After a 6-4 win over St. Michael's in the season opener on Friday, Tufts suffered a 10-2 thrashing at the hands of the visiting Cadets just a day later. But despite the lopsided loss, junior tri-captain and defenseman Chris Martin remains positive about the switch to fiercer competition."We always want to be moving up," Martin said. "And it's only going to make us better, even if its not going to be this year. It was definitely the direction we want to be moving in. We can definitely stick with these guys, we just have to do it for the whole game." Learning experiences are something the Jumbos will likely experience a lot of over the course of the season, as the team is playing in a new league with a roster featuring 17 underclassmen (nine freshmen and eight sophomores). Nevertheless, coach Brian Murphy remains confident that the kinks will be worked out before the end of the season, as the squad looks to secure its fourth consecutive postseason berth."Our goal is to be a better team in February than we are in November," Murphy said. "To do that, we need to teach a lot of these young guys to be more consistent. Right now we understand the system, but we're not thinking about the system, we're relying on instinct. The older guys, of course, don't have to think about what the system is."Forwards Coach Murphy's squad will have to compensate for some big losses up front. Forwards Natan Obed and Scott Hayes, who ranked third and seventh, respectively, on the team scoring list a year ago, graduated in the spring, while junior Rob LaQuaglia (fourth) left the team. But the biggest scoring void was left by Jason Boudrow, a junior last year, who is currently not with the team, but may return next season. Boudrow led the nation in scoring last winter with an average of 2.79 points per game (32 goals, 37 assists). In fact, the Jumbos are currently playing with only two (Carceo and sophomore forward Pat Byrne) of their top ten scorers from last year. "We've lost some scorers, but we've also gained some scorers," Martin said. "We picked up about three or four guys that are definitely going to take [Boudrow's] place. Don't get me wrong, he was a big loss, but these guys are good, big guys. They can handle it." Carceo, the team's second leading scorer last season (21g-23a-44p), will be back on the first line alongside a sophomore, Matt Spang (1g-3a-4p), and a freshman, Jon Hurd. The second line will feature two sophomores in Timm Schatz and Alex Rovzar, as well as freshman Matt Kniaz. Two more rookies will skate with the third line - Sean Sullivan and Gino Rotundi, along with Byrne, who was credited with 29 points (16g, 13a). The fourth line will consist of juniors Dan Geary and Matt Potts, and yet another freshman, Brandon Hayes."We have very strong lines and good depth," Martin said. "The forwards have a lot of speed, they work hard, and they're big and smart players." Byrne is already off to a quick start this year, with three goals and three assists in two games, as is Rotundi, who has registered two goals (both against St. Michael's) and three assists to date. Carceo is not far behind the pace with two goals and an assist of his own. Rotundi is not the only freshman to make his presence felt early, as Hurd also scored in the St. Michael's game, while freshmen Scott Sullivan notched two assists and classmate Adam Zussman, a defender was credited with one. "I think we can score," Murphy said. "We're young, but we're going to get some decent chances and we're going to bury it. But there's a lot more to the game than just that."DefenseAnother area where the team also suffered big losses due to graduation is on defense. Former captain and New England Hockey Writer All-Star Dan Mahoney is gone, as is Justin Picone, who collected 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) in his final season. "Dan Mahoney could be the best player that ever played here. Period," Murphy said. "As a defensemen, he didn't necessarily get as much credit. But he's a huge loss."Another key blue liner, Chad Pessini, is also not currently on the roster, but may be back before the season concludes. The Jumbos do have some experienced defensemen back, however, in Martin and senior tri-captain Rob Greene. "We've got a lot of work to do before we are where we want to be," Murphy said. "Rob Greene is doing a good job. He's getting more time than he had in the past and he's doing the small things right." Sophomore Ben Delaney Winn and junior Dan Reinhard, both of whom played sporadically last year, are also back. The rest of the spots will be filled by another crop of freshmen, namely Adam Zussman, Alex Gardner and Ben Horgan. Goalie Senior Ian Kell was back in net for the Jumbo's opening game after spending a semester abroad in Germany. Kell showed no signs of rustiness, either, making 35 saves including 14 out of 15 in the third period of the 6-4 win. Against Norwich, though, Murphy turned to sophomore Ben Crapser. As the team's regular goaltender last year, Crapser turned in a 15-6-1 record to go along with a 3.36 goals against average and a 88.6 save percentage. "We have two good goalies," Murphy said. "We could use either of them. Kell wasn't around last year, so it was hard for him to get elected captain, but he's obviously a team leader as well."Coach Murphy is entering his fourth season at the helm of the Tufts program after first serving as an assistant coach for three years. Murphy, who was named ECAC Northeast Co-Coach of the Year last year, has guided his team to three straight playoff appearances. He is also a Tufts grad and former All-Star himself, who captained the 1994-95 team that won 11 consecutive games and is regarded as one of the best teams in school history.

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News

Folkin' around at the Boston Folk Festival

August 31

Ah, the familiar signs of a folk festival. Skirt-clad individuals danced barefoot in clusters on each side of the stage. Baby strollers and blankets littered the grass. One could smell burritos and stir fry cooking and hear fruit being blended into a smoothie. The music was, of course, the key ingredient. This year's Boston Folk Festival, held at the UMass Boston campus, provided quite the elixir to the folk crowd that gathered this past weekend. The festival ran for two days, and both shows were crammed full of music and entertainment suitable for all ages. In the 14 hours of operation, radio station and festival promoter WUMB 91.9 managed to include 40 artists and group performances on nine stages. One stage literally floated - performers turned out sets on Saturday's hourly cruises of the Boston harbor, which were free for the day. Among the performers was Vance Gilbert, who brought his trademark wit on stage in the opening set of the festival. His talent may have merited a much bigger crowd, but his talent shone through nonetheless. Laura Love made apt use of her self-proclaimed "Afro-Celtic/Hip-alachian" vocals to warm up the microphone. The Texan accent and aggressive guitar riffs of Jimmy LaFave also pleased the crowd. Then, of course, there was Eddie From Ohio. EFO is neither a man nor is it from Ohio. The band brought its camper from Virginia and delivered its well-known magic to Sunday's lucky audience. Wrapping up its set with a touching rendition of "America the Beautiful" was perhaps the most gorgeous moment of the festival. Most folk festivals operate on the shoulders of volunteers, and this year's Boston Folk Festival was no exception. Talking with volunteers Pam Kirby and Richard Danca, it's difficult not to sign up to help. Both have volunteered for years, and neither seem to be running out of momentum. "For more than 20 hours, I get a free t-shirt," said Danca, genuinely enthusiastic. "I can't give a lot of money, but I can give time," Kirby said. Due to rumors about a possible terrorist attack in Boston, crowds were lighter than in previous years. While adding to audience-artist interaction, low turnout was disappointing for the musicians. Attendees had more room to breathe, but the event's CD sales were undoubtedly impacted by the smaller audience. Finishing up the festival, Sunday's last act was a lively Altan, which inspired a slew of Riverdance imitations. After Altan had to clear the stage, UMass President William Bulger addressed the captive audience. Audience members couldn't leave the venue fast enough to avoid listening to Bulger sang. His voice wasn't horrible, but he trampled the high-energy mood of the last set. Many would have preferred listening to his politics.

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News

Flores, Panse, Newsom win sophomore seats

August 31

Three sophomores - Ariana Flores, Shaunik Panse, and Randy Newsom - were elected yesterday to the Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate, taking the seats vacated by seniors Michele Shelton and Erin Ross, and junior Kathryn Klencheski. Flores, Panse, and Newsom won yesterday's election over nine other candidates. Of the 503 votes sophomores cast in the campus center, Flores and Panse each received over 100 votes. Newsom received more than 90. The seats were originally open to two seniors and one junior, but after no upperclassmen showed interest, the Elections Board offered the positions to sophomore students. Although not active in student government, the new senators have participated in other campus activities. Flores participated in the Student Labor Action Movement (SLAM) and Panse is a Resident Assistant (RA). Newsom plays for the football and baseball teams and is active in the Big Brothers of America program. Current senators said the number of candidates in the race indicates active participation by the sophomore class. "It showed me that a lot of people were passionate about [issues]," Senate President Eric Greenberg said. The new senators outlined some future projects at last Monday's candidates' open forum. Newsom said he will organize surveys to monitor student opinion and hopes to increase student participation in the Senate. At the open forum, Panse listed a number of pet projects, including procuring more computers for dorms and the campus center, creating a 24-hour study space, and improving resources to help students find off-campus housing. Flores said she wants to give a voice to "the unheard voices" on campus. She plans to work with another candidate, Abbey Moffat, to create a Senate culture representative position for the Women's Center. Moffat is the co-chair of Tufts Feminist Alliance. Both Panse and Flores said they are concerned about the Senate's stance on the sexual harassment complaint by SLAM leader Iris Halpern against the The Primary Source. Last Monday, Senator Pritesh Gandhi proposed a resolution condemning the Source and asking for clarification on the sexual harassment policy from the administration. The resolution failed and some senators questioned whether the Senate should be involved in the issue. "It is definitely a Senate issue because... we have a sexual harassment policy that is not backed up by the University," Flores said. "To say it is not a Senate issue when it directly effects the student body is totally wrong." The new senators will be introduced to the body and its procedures at this week's general board meeting with Senate Vice President Melissa Carson and committee chairs. The executive board will also attend the meeting, "so that people can answer their questions and all the committee chairs explain what their committees do," Carson said. Although the new senators have missed the first two months of proceedings, they say it will not hinder their ability to be effective leaders. "All of the three have a vision," Greenberg said. "They seem experienced enough in their own way. They're used to working in the group setting so as not hurt their ability."

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News

Farm girl turns folk

August 31

If Susan Werner wanted to break away from her image as a "girlwith guitar," she says she would remix the title track on her album Time Between Trains as a hip-hop dance track in the style of Suzanne Vega's "Tom's Diner." She sings a sample for me to demonstrate her knowledge of the style. You wouldn't know it from the album itself, but this woman has a rockin' sense of humor and great peace of mind. Many of the songs on her CD are soulful, passionate, and quiet, and are accompanied by guitar, piano, mandolin, and, of all things, a bagpipe. But talking to her on the phone had me laughing out loud. Werner, who claims that Tufts grads are "brainiacs," says she would have been a Maine lobstermen if she didn't become a songwriter. "Y'all need to go out to Dallas and have a relationship there, honey. Live life, go to Alaska, and be a lobstermen." This Saturday, Werner will showcase her style to "brainiacs" at the Somerville Theater in a show to release her new CD, New Non-fiction. She has toured with British folk-rock god Richard Townsend, who Werner calls "a tremendous live performer." He taught her to hurl herself at the audience, explaining "What are you gonna do? Play racquetball afterwards?" The intensity he brought to the show impressed her to do likewise. Werner got her start in Boston with a "Hipperati" show at Symphony Hall. The concert was for the hippie folks who got rich (read: our parents) at a revival night, where the point was to introduce the talents of the next folk generation (read: Susan). They liked her so much she got to play all over Boston, including the Orpheum Theatre and Harbor Lights, an outdoor festival near the Charles River. Werner was born and raised in Iowa and grew up on a farm with the dairy cows and hogs keeping her company. The rest of her family members are natural performers, too, and her brother is on national tour as a stand-up comedian. Her parents never stood in the way, she says, but just looked at their "funny kids" and let them do their own thing, marveling at their talents. "Too often, parents try to force kids," Werner said. The tracks on Werner's CD are quiet and unobtrusive but catch your attention once in a while with unexpected notes of irony, humor, and bittersweet undertones (and that bagpipe!). "Sorry About Jesus" brings to mind an image of Werner sitting down in her living room after a late dinner and a few drinks, strumming a guitar in a quiet obituary for faith in God. Werner says she gets a few pamphlets from that one, from people who think she is "spiritually wandering aimlessly." "It's not completely autobiographical," she says in response. Other tracks on this album have a bit of a Southern twang, as if the artists grew up on cornbread and the thump of drums in her formative years. In reality, she grew up to her father whistling a tune in the farm, where the heat of the cows in the barns "steamed up your glasses." The title track is reminiscent of Carole King - a little folksy, a little bit of whistling in the dark as she sings to the listener that it's been a long time between trains, but she's got "nice legs" and "she's not one to complain." Bittersweet is a good word to describe Time Between Trains - Werner has a quiet voice that nevertheless moves the listener. It's good music to do your work by or to relax to, with some tracks that are lazy and laid-back like "Montgomery Street," or with nice jazz riffs and bluesy jamming in "Bring 'Round the Boats." It's also good to listen to when you've hit a hard patch in your life. Werner transforms the bitterness of rejection by ex-lovers, ex-husbands, and abandonment by your own creativity, into a gentle rejection of the forces that bring us down. The last track, "Vincent," offers a new reading of an old song. With its jazzy accompaniment, it's kind of like listening to someone walking through the city alone with a cup of coffee in hand for warmth in the crisp twilight. The tracks give a feeling of intense, vast loneliness that lurks behind the irony, jazz, and humor. It seems that Werner is out there looking for meaning, which she attempts to find through her guitar and her singing - she's out there looking at the moon that is "unbearably bright" and thinking of old lovers and old friends. Above all, the tracks are about memory and a little bit of regret - a little bit of wishing to have done something else than she's done, and a little remorse for those moments when things don't go well in life. However, Werner says that this album is not representative of her newest one, which she will showcase this Saturday at the Somerville Theater. New Non-fiction is a jazz record written in the style of Cole Porter, cast in modern language. "It's very different from 'girl with guitar,' however. It has a great deal more energy and is more colorful."Susan Werner plays on Saturday, Nov. 3rd, 8pm, Somerville Theater, Davis Square, with Ellis Paul. Ticket info: 617-628-3390. Tickets: $22, 20; Add $1 on the day of show.

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News

Tufts released student info. to FBI

August 31

When Tufts officials were presented with a court order from the FBI demanding confidential student records, the University - like many of its counterparts nationwide - had no choice but to comply, according to University officials. Though Tufts did not release as much information as some public universities, it did hand over data about foreign students who hold student visas. The order came after the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education voted on Oct. 2 to require public colleges and universities to send student visa information to the FBI. Many private institutions - such as Tufts - received individual orders.About 12 percent of students enrolled at Tufts are classified as international students. The information released by Tufts goes beyond personal data available on the online directory, which posts students' college, class year, major, and telephone number, though even this basic information can be withheld at a student's request. The University will only release directory information to law enforcement agencies under a court order, according to Registrar Jean Herbert.The information released to the FBI is more confidential, according to Provost Sol Gittleman. Gittleman would not comment on the nature of the request, but said the information was not released voluntarily. "This isn't a request; we have no choice," Gittleman said. Dean of Students Bruce Reitman also said the FBI gave Tufts little leeway. Reitman said that the University generally evaluates requests on a case-by-case basis, but the court order left administrators with no room for discussion. "From my understanding, there isn't much choice," Reitman said. "It depends what the law says."University administrators say they will release a statement next week clarifying the laws regulating the security of records, Herbert said.The Board of Higher Education decision was aimed at public institutions, but set a precedent for private ones as well. Officials at state colleges and universities must forward to the federal Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) a list of their students in the country on visas who either never enrolled, did not enroll full-time, or have graduated, according to a Board press release.The scrutiny of college students, especially members of the international community, is largely due to the discovery that several Sept. 11 hijackers had entered the US illegally with student visas.The 1974 Family Education Rights Act, known as the Buckley Amendment, governs access to student records. The act protects private records, but permits disclosure to government agencies in cases of "safety emergencies."Citing this exception, the FBI is using its authority to acquire confidential information - mostly on international students - from numerous colleges and universities around the country. Law enforcement officials have had unfettered access to student records, according to Barmak Nassirian, associate director of the American association of collegiate registrars, as interviewed by the Daily Californian.Attorney General John Ashcroft has proposed even more stringent antiterrorism legislation that would give federal agents unrestricted access to private student records, with or without their school's consent. Justifying what some call an attack on civil liberties, law enforcement officials cite the discovery that one of the Sept. 11 hijackers was enrolled in a small California college, never showed up for class, and remained undetected while planning the attack. As the initiative awaits discussion in the US House of Representatives, its future is unclear.Ashcroft's plan, however, is not the only piece of antiterrorism legislation under consideration in Congress. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has resurrected a 1996 proposal that would force the INS to track international students studying in the US in a computer database. The legislation, which would call for $32 million to fund the project and a six-month moratorium on the entrance of new international students into the US, is under discussion.Tufts stands to be impacted by restrictions on international students because of its emphasis on foreign recruiting. According to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, 12 percent of Tufts students are non-US citizens or are US citizens who have lived overseas.

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News

Moonwalking

August 31

"Tufts is falling in the rankings." "We are no longer a Top 25 school." "We are at risk of no longer being a Top 30 school." "Our alumni giving rate is pathetic." This is what we constantly hear every year when the new college rankings come out. Some people think these rankings are the end of the world, but most people don't really care. It's just a number. Of course, we all know that the rankings are determined by silly guidelines that change every year; which allows a new number one school to be selected each year. Having the same list of schools each year would not sell too many copies of U.S. News and World Report. But that should not stop any of us from instituting positive change on this campus. All statistics can't be dirty lies, can they? By no means should we completely focus on our ranking according to the U.S. News findings. We should take them into consideration, but remember that above all, what we do here is to cater to the students of Tufts University - not the researchers, writers, and editors of some magazine. This is the perfect year to start making bold moves that will change the face of the University. First, this is the inaugural year for our new President, Larry Bacow. Students, professors, and administrators alike have expressed the feeling that our new president has the right type of attitude and spirit to take this University to new heights. He has obviously been in "sponge" mode for the last few months, taking in the vast amounts of information that have been directed his way. A better question is what he is going to do with that information. He has yet to be pressured into a situation that requires his immediate attention as well as action, but that will happen soon enough. Equally important and tangentially tied to President Bacow's first year here is the fact that this is the 150th anniversary of our University. It is clear that the administration has made an effort to raise the stakes this year, demonstrated by the memorable Convocation ceremony for the freshmen during Orientation. Held in the Gantcher Arena, the event literally blew the freshmen away, as well as attending upper-classman who remembered a not-so-lively and explosive Convocation ceremony their freshmen year. When the fireworks and fiery "Class of 2005" sign finally faded away, attendees of the event were simply awestruck. An upperclassman made the comment that he better see "Michael Jackson doing the moonwalk" for graduation in response to the awesome display. "They better do the same thing for us as they did for them," he added. And that is exactly what the University needs to do. Take the beautiful feeling that emanated within the crowd of almost 2,000 people last Wednesday night, and spread it throughout the entire year. Sprinkle just a little more flavor on every usual event that happens on this campus, from the Naked Quad Run (Re-instate the Pancake Breakfast? Hint, hint...) to spicing up Spring Fling. It would be nice to add one more event to our traditions at Tufts, and with a little financial aid from the Administration it could be possible. But then again, the Naked Quad Run is relatively cost-free, and with a little creative brainstorming, we could come up with an event that would be equally unique and special. But our "moonwalking" endeavors certainly should not be limited to more large-scale social events on campus. The social scene, while very, very important, is only half the battle. We are here to get an education. There are plenty of non-social initiatives that must take place in order to fulfill some of the greater needs voiced by students in recent years. Those include, but are not limited to, improved classroom space, more on-campus and off-campus dining options, better phone and cable service, curricular diversification, etc. And of course, we are still concerned about the new dorm that the Trustees have promised. Please, if we are to build a new dorm, let's build one that this campus really needs - one with at least 300 beds. The construction of a new Music and Performing Arts building has been a project on the horizon for some time now, and this should be the year to see some real progress on what has only been a vision thus far. There are countless other projects like the Music building that have only been a blip on the radar screen and nothing more. For some reason, at least in my three years here, the University has resisted making bold moves and choosing a direction that would make our school stand out in front of the rest of our "comparison schools." I was pleased to hear President Bacow mention the need to make "bold moves" in one of his many speeches during freshmen Orientation. So let's do that. This is possibly our best chance: a new President and new Administration. The 150th anniversary will be yet another factor in making real progress and change at Tufts. And while it would be the greatest possible way to end my four years here, I don't think we are going to get Michael Jackson for Commencement. It would be great but highly improbable. However, it would be pretty damn cool if President Bacow and the rest of the Tufts Administration could do a little moonwalking this year.

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News

Despite grief, college deadlines continue

August 31

Six days after terrorists attacked the Twin Towers and the Pentagon, plunging Tufts and the nation into a state of shock and mourning, many students are struggling to make up work they neglected while watching the story unfold. "I've found myself reading the paper more than my assignments for classes," said junior Maryann Kuruvilla, a native of New York. "It's still extremely difficult for everyone to concentrate." Some students are still having difficulty coping with the emotional aftermath of the attacks, and fear what may come next. They say that the University should have cancelled classes last Tuesday and Wednesday. Several other Boston-area universities, including Harvard, shut down and excused all non-essential personnel from work. Emerson College cancelled classes at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, while Boston College cancelled classes beginning at 4 p.m. and after. MIT remained open as events developed. E-mails from University President Larry Bacow last week indicated that students concerned about their friends and family should be excused from classes and work, and some professors chose to cancel their lectures. Other professors pushed back regular coursework to discuss the attacks with students. As a result, the University extended the deadline for adding courses to 5 p.m. on Friday, as opposed to this afternoon. But some professors stuck to the regular schedule, and students who were unable or chose not to attend classes are now under pressure to make up the work they missed. For some, Rosh Hashanah cut down on their class attendance this week as well. The measures did not satisfy some students. "What is it going to take for Tufts to cancel classes?" one student asked. "Bombs on our own campus?" The student was among several who cited Tufts' record of holding classes while surrounding communities suspend their daily schedules, noting in particular the lack of snow-related cancellations during the winter. But an e-mail from the academic deans of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering sent the day of the attacks explained the University's decision. "We feel that it is important to move forward as a community of learning," the message stated. At a memorial service later that evening, Bacow said it was important for students to learn from the crisis. Classrooms, he said, were the best place for that. All Boston-area universities are back in session, and Tufts continues to provide individual and group support through the Deans' offices, the Chaplaincy, and the Counseling Center.

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Big action in the Big Ten conference

August 31

The unranked Michigan State Spartans took on the number six Michigan Wolverines in East Lansing this weekend, finishing in a nail-biting victory in the final seconds with a touchdown pass from quarterback Jeff Smoker to T.J. Ducket for the 26-24 upset.This rivalry, one of the best in college football history, pits instate and conference rivals against one another. Typically, the Wolverines step onto the field as the favorites, but MSU plays a close game every year no matter how much higher Michigan is ranked. This year was no different.MSU played close with the Wolverines as the two sides traded leads six times throughout the game. The hosts had a chance to run the game clock down, when they had the ball with five minutes to play on their own 30 and a 20-17 lead but Smoker fumbled the snap. With the team's first turnover of the game, Michigan took over on the Spartan 38.Michigan promptly took advantage of the only Spartan error of the game to score a go-ahead touchdown. Two series later, however, Michigan was forced to punt from deep in their territory.The bad punt set up a Spartans drive at midfield, where a poised Smoker began the game's winning drive. He led his team 43 yards downfield in just over two minutes - converting two forth downs to keep the drive alive - he lofted a two yard touchdown pass as time expired. Though the Spartans (5-2, 3-2 Big Ten) do not have a likely shot at wining their conference, they greatly enjoyed hurting the Wolverine's hopes for that title. Now Michigan drops to 4-1 in the Big Ten, tied with Illinois and will definitely drop out of the top ten in the polls.Speaking of Illinois, the 21st-ranked Illini beat the number 20 Purdue Boilermakers 38-13. This win, coupled with the Michigan loss, brought the Illini into a tie with Michigan in the Big Ten.Going into the game, both the Boilermakers and Illini knew that the loser would drop out of contention for the conference title. But in reality, neither team played well enough to deserve that satisfaction of being a spoiler.Illinois committed six turnovers, including four interceptions by quarterback Kurt Kittner, leading passer in the Big Ten. Purdue quarterbacks gave up two interceptions and two fumbles.In the end, Purdue's inability to score off of turnovers led to their defeat. Illinois capitalized in this deficiency, returning two second-half interceptions for touchdowns. Their defense sparked the second half route by keeping the Boilermakers out of the endzone and contributing 14 points.In Other Action...Two 4-1 teams in the Pacific Ten Conference squared off on Saturday with the expectation of staying tied for the conference lead. The 11-ranked Washington Huskies met that expectation, beating the 10-ranked StanfordCardinal at home, 42-28.Though the score appears lopsided, it was tied at 28 with four minutes to go. That is when Washington tailback Willie Hurst broke the tie with a two-yard touchdown run. He would score again with under a minute left to assure the victory. Hurst carried his team to victory after the Huskies running game struggled in the early part of the year. He had 108 yards on 22 rushes and three touchdowns.In Washington's next three games they face conference rivals Oregon and Washington State, each of which has only one loss in the Pac-10.The Virginia Tech Hokies, number 12 in the nation, continued to slide, getting blown out by unranked Pittsburgh Panthers in Pittsburgh, 38-7. The Hokies were ranked fifth just one week ago with a 6-0 record. Now, two consecutive losses will drop them deep into the rankings and leave head coach Frank Beamer to wonder what has happened to his squad.The loss was easily Virginia Tech's worst outing of the season as it committed four turnovers, one of which was an interception returned for a touchdown.The Panthers played with seven in the box to control Virginia's running game because they felt the Hokie's passing game was overrated. The gamble paid off as Pitt out gained the Hokies with almost 400 total yards to Tech's 151.BYU remained one of the three undefeated teams in the country as it beat Colorado 56-34 on Thursday in Provo. BYU entered the weekend ranked 13th in the country.Despite its 9-0 record, the Cougars have received little national attention because of their soft schedule. They have not played a ranked team yet this year, and it is unlikely that any of their remaining opponents will creep into the top 25. Even if BYU finishes the season with a perfect record they will most likely be left out of the big bowl games. The rankings are determined by wins, national respect, and strength of schedule. BYU has earned only one of these distinctions. And fair or not, that is college football.

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BU grad makes it big as youngest member of Boston City Council

August 31

Five years after you graduate from Tufts, would you envision yourself attempting to convince an entire city that you are worthy of a vote? Mike Ross might not have known at 20 years old what the near future held for him, but a few short years after receiving his MBA from Boston University, he found himself making phone calls, knocking on doors, and raising money to prove that he could handle Boston's political arena.Ross, now 29, is the youngest - and the first Jewish - member of the Boston City Council. Fresh out of business school, he was only 27 when he was elected. Ross represents District Eight, which includes the Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Fenway, and Mission Hill neighborhoods.Ross spoke at Hillel on Tuesday evening about his campaign and what it entailed. "I worked hard to raise [sixty thousand dollars]," he said. "Raising money helps prove credibility." Early on in his campaign, Ross said, he was wary of getting too caught up with stating his positions on issues."You have to know your issues [for debates], but you're selling yourself. You put forward ideas after you get into office." In order to "sell" himself, Ross canvassed the diverse neighborhoods of District Eight. These areas include Irish, Latino, and Jewish communities and range economically from housing projects to brownstones. He knocked on the doors of "good" voters - citizens with a consistent history of voting in local elections - and introduced himself. Ross estimates that he reached about 10,000 potential voters by "calling, mailing and knocking." "You have to keep coming back [to people who aren't convinced]," Ross said.He believes the factor that distinguished him from his opponent was his outreach to college students. "I visited BU, and asked students to hold signs the next day at 7 a.m.," he said. Ross didn't think many college students would be willing to get up so early, and had forgotten about his request until the next day when a group showed up ready to help. "They asked to help. They wanted to organize the entire BU campus." The students ended up registering many fellow BU students, and about 300 voted for Ross. In the end, Ross won his election by approximately 300-400 votes. According to Ross, out of 60,000 voting-age citizens in the district, only 20,000 or 30,000 were registered to vote, and only 5,000 people actually voted."One vote can change an election," he said. "Only twenty-five hundred and one votes determined the outcome of my election."During his term thus far, Ross has played a key role in extending the hours of the MBTA and passing a sweatshop ordinance that ensures that police uniforms are not manufactured in foreign sweatshops. Ross's father is a Holocaust survivor, and Ross strongly believes in political morals. "You don't get rich being a politician. There's a satisfaction in this field," he said. "There's a trade-off between a high salary and the value of the job you're doing."Ross advised students interested in pursuing a political career to get involved and intern with local politicians. Students were impressed by Ross's easy manner and informative description of the road to elected office."[It gave me] good insight into campaigns," junior Jacob Berman said. Lisa Kane, also a junior, agreed. "It was interesting and insightful. [I liked that] he talked about getting college kids to vote. You don't usually hear about that."The event was coordinated by Tufts Hillel, and co-sponsored by the Political Science department, the Tufts Democrats, and Pi Sigma Alpha.

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News

A month without phone service

August 31

Some students are still having trouble making and receiving calls on campus phones, even though TuftsConnect says it has fixed the problems that have plagued the campus telephone network since the start of school.Students in dorms from Miller Hall to South Hall still get busy signals when dialing out, and off campus callers cannot reach them."I've been getting a busy signal for weeks," freshman John Glidden said last night.Some students suspected their phone lines were disconnected because they had not paid for service, but even paying customers have experienced problems."My bill has been paid and I still can't receive any calls," said sophomore Adam Stahl, who lives in Bush Hall. "It's really getting frustrating."Director of networks and telecommunications Lesley Tolman denied there was still a problem. "My understanding is that [the phones have] been working up and properly now," she said. "The problem was resolved last Thursday."Campuslink, which provides phone service to student rooms, was unaware of the problem at Tufts until it was reported last week. When officials began working to restore service, they said the complications may have been a "ghost" problem in network software which would be tough to diagnose and difficult to repair. "You've fixed everything you can fix and its still not working," Marj Minnigh, Manager of Networks and Specific Projects, told the Daily last week.TuftsConnect determined that the problem lay in the connection between Tufts' four phone systems, including the administration and student phone networks. But TuftsConnect could not find the cause of the blocked connection and turned to the hardware manufacturer for a solution.Technicians changed the electronic hardware and wiring involved in the tie-lines between phone systems. But the problem remained and repairs attempted last Monday accidentally connected many students to the New England Medical Center instead of the on-campus number they had dialed. The center, which is affiliated with Tufts' medical school, makes use of the University's phone system.

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Tennis duo wins doubles championship

August 31

The women's tennis team finished its fall season with an undefeated record (8-0) and a repeat third place finish at the New England Championships this past weekend at Amherst. But the story of the weekend was the doubles tandem of freshman Jenn Lejb and junior Katie Nordstrom, who won five matches en route to the number one doubles championship.

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Students advertise off campus

August 31

Starting this semester, student groups have been allowed to advertise off the hill for their on-campus events. The change came after members of the student advisory group to the University College of Citizenship and Public Service (UCCPS) lobbied administrators to expand the advertising base for campus events.Cindy Chang, a former Omidyar scholar, confronted the limitation last semester when she wanted to advertise an organization event off campus. She contacted Jodie Nealley, director of student activities, who explained the restrictions.The rules made some sense, Chang said, since inviting people outside of the Tufts community made organizations liable for their actions."I can understand that since you're inviting or at least expecting a huge group, you take a lot of responsibility," she said.Still, some student groups were frustrated that advertising rules prohibited them from reaching out to the surrounding public. Though certain events, such as the Leonard Carmichael Society's annual Kid's Day - which has brought children to campus for the past 38 years - do include the local communities, many other campus events could be beneficial to the public, Chang said."This rule doesn't allow outreach," she said, citing an event she would have liked to see made public. "There was a community health forum and we couldn't make it available to a larger audience." Chang and Brad Crotty worked with Nealley and Dean of Students Bruce Reitman to allow off-campus advertising starting this past summer. And while the result was new regulations permitting student groups to advertise outside of Tufts, the administrators took precautions to ensure that organizations could not misuse the opportunity. All ads must be approved by the Office of Student Activities, and events must be educational or helpful to the outside community to be advertised off campus. Advertising for fraternity parties, for example, is not permissible. Barbara Rubel, the University's director of community relations, also participated in the initiative, and said that advertising for campus events in the surrounding communities is great for outreach, but could lead to problems. "You invite lots of people, and if more people show up than you expected, it can be a problem," she said. "The room you hired may not be big enough, or you may not have enough food, seats, etc." Problems of another kind stemmed from this semester's Fall Fest concert, when curse-laden lyrics from rapper GZA spurred protest from local residents who could hear the residential quad-based music from their houses. Chang said the incident was indicative of the need to be concerned about offending local residents as a result of campus events. "You have to make sure that [the event] doesn't offend anyone," Chang said. "Otherwise, it would be a bad reputation for the organization." Rubel, who was not aware of any organization that had advertised off campus this semester, said that groups must carefully consider what they stand to gain by advertising an event to the larger public.

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Psycho killers, muppet directors, and time-tested love

August 31

Don't get us wrong: on any given weekend, this campus plays host to enough diversions to keep any student glued to Tufts' Medford turf. But should you find yourself in need of escaping this weekend's predicted rainy weather, Hollywood is waiting to whisk you away. Here's what the movie industry has in store for Friday.Serendipity Yes, it's a romantic comedy. But it stars two huge names, High Fidelity's John Cusack and British actress Kate Beckinsale, who made her American screen debut in The Last Days of Disco and is now globally famous for her role in Pearl Harbor. The two play a couple that splits up in order to test that old adage, "If you love something, set it free." Ten years after their breakup, they begin to search for each other in New York City to see if their now decade-old love was ever true. So maybe it's not the greatest premise for a movie. But the cast seems almost too talented to pass off. Saturday Night Live comedienne Molly Shannon plays Beckinsale's lesbian best friend. Cusack's best friend is played by Jeremy Piven, a career supporting actor who has played similar roles in almost four dozen movies - and once shared an apartment with Cusack, when they were both starving artists. If you happen to be a self-proclaimed romantic or a John Cusack fan, it can't hurt to see this flick. If you're short on cash but have plenty of time to waste before you pick up that Faulkner novel, www.serendipity-themovie.com is a procrastinator's paradise.Training DayTraining Day's opening was pushed back two weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks, so be warned of its violent content. (At least it's not Collateral Damage, the Schwarzenegger flick that's been rescheduled from this Friday to an undisclosed date next year.) But like Serendipity, its talented cast merits attention. Heartthrob Ethan Hawke plays a Los Angeles rookie cop, who faces the trials and tribulations of his first day working in an undercover narcotics unit. Denzel Washington plays Hawke's partner, Alonzo, an experienced, but corrupt, cop.Training Day is big on musical stars: Dr. Dre plays a cop, and Snoop Dogg and Macy Gray have supporting roles. Eminiem was asked to play one of the villains, but declined.Max Keeble's Big Move Feeling young? Looking to slip back into your childhood? Two hours and ten bucks will get you just that. Max Keeble's Big Move, formerly 7th Grade Heart Attack, is a Disney flick directed by Tim Hill of Muppets From Space fame. Child star Alex D. Linz plays Max Keeble, a publicly-branded "nerd" and 12-year-old outcast. When he finds out his dad is moving the family to pursue a new job in Chicago, he begins to do all the things whose consequences he feared before - only to learn that his family isn't moving after all. It may sound like a trite plot, but with the success of network shows like Malcolm in the Middle, who's to judge?Joy Ride The leaves are beginning to turn colors, a sign that Halloween is on the horizon. And here's this season's first teen-horror flick, Joy Ride. Joy Ride stars screen darling Leelee Sobieski alongside Paul Walker, who's been building his resume with recent teen flicks The Skulls and The Fast and the Furious. Walker plays a college student who drives east from his Colorado hometown with his brother. The goal: to pick up Sobieski, the girl of his dreams, from her college. On the way, the two brothers use their CB radio to play a prank on a trucker they meet on the airwaves. It turns out, though, that the trucker is a psycho killer who plans to make life very difficult for his teenage adversaries.Joy Ride sounds like a modern-day interpretation of Spielberg's 1971 cult classic Duel, in which a businessman driving through the desert is menaced by the unidentified driver of a huge oil tanker. Like this weekend's other releases, Joy Ride recycles a time-tested plot, but throws it at us with refreshing, young talent.

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Say no to the "Swordfish Special"

August 31

"I like fishes 'cuz they're so delicious!" Yesterday while at dinner I found myself humming the theme song of the Peppersidge Farm Goldfish commercial over my bowl of beans and veggies. I'm not terribly perturbed by this pervasive advertising - they're harmless jingles. I am more disturbed by the actual message of the jingle. For me, singing about savoring fish flesh is a highly distressing phenomenon, particularly in light of the recent menu selections at both Carmichael and Dewick dining halls. Our ever creative chefs have thought wise to experiment with swordfish. As a vegan, I can't comment on the quality of the food, but I can complain about the choice of animal product. Swordfish are large, highly migratory predators distributed throughout the world's marine ecosystem. Once a rare site on the dinner table because of their elusive nature, swordfish are again an uncommon dish, but this time because of a dwindling population. The problems facing the perpetuation of this particular species are many. Given the fishes' international habitat range, all conservation efforts are faced by the co-operation difficulties inherent in establishing worldwide protection programs. Preservation is also complicated by the highly commercial nature of the current fishing industry and increasing consumer demand for "healthy" fish products. As a result of these many pressures, swordfish in the North Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean have been officially classified as an over-fished species by the International Commission for the Conservation of the Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Meanwhile, fish in the Mediterranean Sea, the South Atlantic, and the Indian Ocean are suspected to be fully fished. Indeed, over-fishing of the North Atlantic stocks has caused serious change in both the US fisheries industry and in recreational fishing. In the 1960s, most swordfish caught in the North Atlantic weighed more than 250 pounds. Due primarily to over-fishing, the averaged-sized swordfish caught in the North Atlantic today weighs 90 pounds. Further, juvenile fish are being caught; over two-thirds of the net catch are not old enough to breed. More disconcerting is the number of discarded fish. In 1996, there were over 40,000 fish thrown away by US fishermen principally because they were below the legal catch size. As a result, it is evident that the continuation of a sustainable swordfish population is being seriously threatened. Many individuals have realized the dangers facing the swordfish population. Indeed, there have been several initiatives which have attempted to fight for the conservation of swordfish. The "Give Swordfish a Break" campaign, lead by SeaWeb, successfully lobbied for the closure of swordfish nursing areas to fishing. As well, the group effectively petitioned several well-known restaurants and large organizations, including the Peabody hotel chain, United Airlines, and grocery stores such as Wild Oats, to remove swordfish from their menus and dining choices. Nevertheless, while there are minimal quotas, size requirements and stock management programs in the US, these measures are hardly effective at invigorating the depleted international population. While the diminished swordfish population should be a major consideration for anyone opting for the "swordfish special," we should additionally remember that there are also problems associated with the longline gear used for swordfishing. A non-selective tool, longline gear catches and kills a variety of unintended victims including sharks, bullfish, and endangered sea turtles. As such, the consumption of swordfish has many weighty environmental impacts. These severe issues force us to re-evaluate our food choices and should encourage everyone to boycott all swordfish entrees. Hopefully this will persuade Tufts Dining Services to eliminate swordfish from their menus and in doing so, lessen the pressure on the swordfish population. And as for me, I'll stick to my goldfish crackers.Jennifer Ko is a freshman who has not declared a major.

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News

Traveling Treasure Trunk loses 14 years worth of costumes

August 31

Saying 14 year's of costumes and group memorabilia are irreplaceable, Dance and Drama Department Chairwoman Barbara Grossman has apologized to the Traveling Treasure Trunk for discarding its entire stock of performance wares, which were later incinerated. The misunderstanding took place earlier this semester when the department's artist-in-residence, Anthony Cornish, approached the department's chair, Barbara Grossman, about an unclaimed pile of costumes strewn in front of a fire door on the upper level of Aidekman Arts Center. When Grossman asked Cornish if the costumes belonged to Trunk, Cornish said that a member of the group had told him at the end of last semester that they did not. Grossman also contacted representatives of Magic Circle, Tufts' summer theater program for children, and the Leonard Carmichael Society, which uses costumes for its annual Kids' Day, but neither organization claimed the costumes. Grossman had already made sure the costumes did not belong to Torn Ticket II or Pen, Paint, and Pretzels, two other campus drama groups. Since no one claimed the costumes, she decided to throw them away, and on Oct. 25, they were incinerated by Facilities. The following morning, Grossman realized her mistake when she received a voicemail from Trunk member Andrew Sokol. He said the group's costumes were missing from "their usual storage space," she said. "I deeply regret the misunderstanding that caused the loss of these costumes," Grossman said. "We all feel just terrible about this." "We acted in a way that we thought was based on accurate and truthful information, and clearly there was a huge misunderstanding with unfortunate, irrevocable consequences," she said. As chair of the department, Grossman claimed full responsibility for the mistake. Last week, she apologized to Trunk members during a group meeting and wrote the group a letter. Grossman also promised to compensate Trunk with a "sizeable" personal check, to avoid further strains on Tufts finances. "As a theater historian, I know how precious documents about the past are," Grossman said, adding that no amount of money could replace 14 years of costumes and memorabilia. Trunk members declined to comment on the disappearance. To rebuild its collection, the theatre troupe, which performs for children in area schools, hospitals and day care centers, might hold an alumni weekend so that previous members of the performance group can donate their memorabilia. But a lasting solution, say those involved, would be to increase Aidekman's storage space. Members of Traveling Treasure Trunk and the Department of Drama and Dance are looking for new places to store costumes to avoid future misunderstandings, but as of yesterday, the drama department was still looking for a permanent place where Trunk can keep its costumes.

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News

Feeling safe on campus

August 31

Like most of her classmates, Freshman Hollen Spatz has found her new home of three months to be a relatively safe and friendly place. Comparing Tufts to her hometown New Haven, CT, Spatz said she doesn't think "crime has a strong presence" on campus. How can a mid-sized university campus on the outskirts of a large city have seemingly little crime? According to Sophomore Evan Berg, the feeling of safety at Tufts comes from mutual respect among students. "Basically I feel safe on campus because most students have enough respect for the school that they do their individual parts to reduce crime," he said. But University crime statistics, and the handful of students associated with them, show that crime is not absent from campus. The Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) alone - 24 officers and 17 officials strong, not to mention traffic and security officers - indicates the reality of crime and a need to control it. While generally pleased with Tufts students' conduct, Berg notes one exception to the rule: "except when they're drunk," he said. Last year, there were 190 liquor law violations at Tufts, up from 104 violations in 1998. Burglaries in 2000 totaled 27, almost double the year before. And drug law violations rose to 54, a dramatic increase from 20 and 35 in 1998 and 1999, respectively. Regardless of how insignificant these crimes may seem to some students, they can affect quality of life on campus. And there are certainly more serious crimes. With the limited number of aggravated assaults that occur each year or the handful of sexual assaults, or even the robberies and occasional car theft, there are victims. These are the students who feel insecure in leaving an item of value even for a short time, or who never walk alone at night, or who have learned to lock their door every time they leave their rooms. These are the students who make up the statistics. Junior Jeff Fox learned to lock his door early in his life at Tufts. As a freshman, Fox lost a leather jacket, a laptop, a cell phone, and cash when someone broke into his room. "I was surprised by how easy it was to get into a Tufts dorm," Fox said. Since the theft, Fox has become more wary and defensive, although he feels that the TUPD has been more visible throughout the past few years than when he first arrived on campus. Newly instituted programs like Students Sexual Assault Response Assistance (SSARA) and the student escort program aim to prevent crime and help students who have fallen prey to crime in the past. SSARA was formed in October as a response to the large number of college students who are sexually assaulted during their academic career. Although SSARA is still in its trial stages, one member says that the 24-hour service has already made an impact at Tufts. Students can call the service and leave a phone number where they can be reached, as well as a description of their problem, and a member of SSARA calls back within 15 minutes with assistance and available resources for the student. TUPD has always offered an escort service for students that operates from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m., but recently added a student-run escort service. Under the new program, three students are available from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. to walk students to their room if they feel unsafe. Both programs have been met with praise. "I think that both SSARA and the student escorts are excellent resources," Spatz said, adding that the escorts need more visibility on campus. "SSARA is really good about advertising themselves," Spatz said. "Maybe the student escorts should try a little more, though. I wouldn't even know where to find their number."

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