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Speakers call for strength, unity at non-denominational service

August 31

Struggling to come to terms with what has been called the worst terrorist attack in US history, hundreds of students gathered on the academic quad yesterday afternoon as part of a non-denominational religious service led by the University chaplaincy. Comparing the events to the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the assassinations of John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Martin Luther King, University President Larry Bacow said that he has faith in the nation's ability to survive the crisis. Bacow, Dean Kristine Dillon, and five of Tufts' religious leaders addressed a crowd that Dean of Students Bruce Reitman described as "the largest I've seen here since Kent State," referring to the 1970 shooting of four student anti-war protestors by the Ohio National Guard. Cautioning students not to react violently towards individuals of the same religion or nationality as those suspected of the attacks, the speakers offered prayers for the victims and their families and emphasized the need to pull together as a community. "[The attack] struck every citizen and resident - those who acted did not discriminate," Bacow said. "All of our lives have been changed forever." He also stressed the importance of maintaining a sense of normalcy throughout the Tufts community by not canceling classes and holding University events as scheduled. "Tufts is a strong community - a learning community that prides itself on engagement and active citizenship," he said. "Our job is to ensure that something positive comes out of this unspeakable tragedy." Dillon later reiterated Bacow's sentiments, outlining the University's plan for counseling students directly affected by the attacks. Reitman and Dean of Judicial Affairs Veronica Carter joined other administrators at the campus center until early this morning, meeting with students who wished to voice feelings and concerns. Culture houses, residential lounges, and religious centers also served as hubs for students to gather and seek counseling. "We have ongoing centers for students to come together and show strength... it's a community experience," Dillon said. During their brief remarks, Tufts' religious chaplains also echoed the need for strength and unity. "This is not a time to lose faith but a time to come together with compassion and courage," said Interim University Chaplain Reverend Patricia Kepler, as she introduced the prayer portion of the service. Reverend Steven Bosey, the Protestant chaplain, also discussed themes of community and the need to "break down the walls that separate us," offering a "prayer for the human family." Muslim spiritual leader Imam Noureddine Hawat was especially vocal on this issue as he discussed the emotional impact of yesterday's events. "We must unite together and not serve the purpose struck upon us today," he said. "We must go against it and strike love." Both Rabbi Jeffrey Summit and Roman Catholic Reverend David O'Leary discussed how Tufts should proceed in the wake of yesterday's attacks. "There is much to remember now," Summit said. "We must make a commitment to sustaining communities of peace." Bacow said he was impressed by the way students were handling the situation and by the vast turnout at the vigil. "In some ways what is more important than what was said is that we all came together," he said. "I thought it was good how they had all the different chaplains say a prayer, and everyone could relate to all the prayers," sophomore Emily Rhodes said. "It's a delicate topic that you have to approach in a certain way and I thought they handled it very well."

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News

The real custodial issues

August 31

As evidenced by the demonstrations and marches I've witnessed on campus lately, wage increases and improved benefits for our custodial staff is a hot topic. However, I strongly feel as though the arguments of the student activists are lacking in economic reality, and their solutions to the problem could have unintended consequences that must be considered. Outsourcing is a smart policy for Tufts University. On many levels, it is a question of specialization. Tufts is an educational institution, and its specialty is providing quality higher education to its students. For example, Barnes and Noble, as a member of a national network of booksellers, is better situated to run a bookstore than Tufts University, so it makes sense to out source there. Simply put, they have the resources to do a better and cheaper job than Tufts could if it chose to operate a bookstore independently. Outsourcing custodial services to OneSource is the same idea. Running a custodial operation is something that a company that specializes in such activities can do more efficiently than an institution of higher education. Through outsourcing, Tufts saves money and resources and is able to concentrate its efforts in education and learning. However, a mandated increase in the wages of its workers negates the efficiency and cost benefits of outsourcing. We must remember that OneSource is a business that must have a certain profit margin in order to sustain itself in a competitive market, and sets its wage accordingly. A mandated wage increase will lead to two possible scenarios. First, it is very possible that OneSource - or whoever assumes the contract - would pass the increase in operating costs to us, the consumers of the product. That would translate into a marked increase in our fees and housing costs. The magnitude of this increase is debatable, but regardless, it is an increase. Without question, I agree that the university and its students have certain community obligations, but it is important to remember that a Tufts education approaches $35,000 a year. As a graduate student paying full tuition, I firmly believe that the University also has an obligation to its students to keep costs as manageable as possible. The other possible scenario of a mandated wage increase is that OneSource would be forced to keep a smaller employee roster or hire its staff for less hours in order to compensate for the rise in operating costs. Having a reduced custodial staff hired at a higher wage would be great for those who manage to retain their employment, but what about those who would be released? A decrease in the quality and/or range of services provided would be inevitable with a smaller work force. Or what if the company keeps its workforce but just hires for less hours? Are the workers necessarily better off? Rather than asking for wage increases that will inevitably increase prices for everyone or reduce the quality of facilities, we need to understand why the custodial staff is paid such a low wage, bearing in mind that wages for similar employment are basically the same across the Boston area. The unfortunate reality is that the janitorial staff lacks the skills or education to obtain higher paying employment in today's technology-oriented job market. If we really want to improve the living standards of the custodial staff, we would help it obtain the skills necessary to move up the economic ladder. Instead of organizing student demonstrations and sit-ins, concerned citizens could coordinate efforts to provide ESL and computer classes, and GED tutoring. The possibilities are endless, and as university students, we all know first hand that education is the true key to increased opportunities in life. It takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice to break the cycle of poverty, but for those willing to make the final break from a minimum wage existence, the opportunity to do so should exist.Sara Yun is a MALD candidate graduating in 2003 from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

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Freshmen roommates help lead cross country into new grounds

August 31

At first look, the residents of 122 Carmichael Hall seem like your average freshmen. Yet along with the academic stress of midterms that most freshmen are experiencing, Nathan Brigham and Brian McNamara must also focus on their athletics. As members of the cross-country team, the two have had an immediate impact on the team's performance this fall. The men's cross-country team has on of the strongest group of runners in recent history and features an unusual varsity setup. Four seniors lead the seven-runner lineup, while the other three spots are taken by freshmen, Brigham, McNamara, and Michael Don. And despite their inexperience, as the team enters the post season, much of its success will rely on these freshmen. While most freshmen begin their collegiate racing careers with the JV team, Brigham and McNamara have catapulted into the team's top ranks, and in turn have taken on a great deal of pressure. "They're two freshmen who are in a difficult position," coach Connie Putnam said about the team's expectations of their performances. Yet Brigham and McNamara have welcomed this pressure with enthusiasm. "I wanted to go to a place where I could contribute right away," Brigham said. Contributing to the team effort is what Brigham and McNamara have done best so far, despite having to make the transition from high school to collegiate racing. For McNamara, the atmosphere among the Jumbos was not much different from his high school. He came from a successful program in Saratoga Springs, New York, and his high school track team was nationally ranked. "The team was always a big deal there instead of individuals," he said. He has found this same mentality at Tufts, where once again the Jumbos emphasize the team's running ability instead of relying on one man to carry the load. This individual mentality was what Brigham experienced at his high school in Merrimack Valley, NH. Coming from a program that focused on his ability to carry the team, Brigham welcomed the change in atmosphere at Tufts. "Being part of a team and having people to run with is so much easier," Brigham said. Yet for both roommates, the transition to college running has come easily, whether similar or different from their previous experiences. "They integrated really well into the team," senior co-captain J.R Cruz said. Teammates point to the duo's dedication to the sport as the main reason for their continued success. The two are constantly immersed in looking at results and comparing themselves to other, and always strive for improvement. McNamara's dedication is extraordinary, as he holds a four-year streak of running every day despite sickness and weather. "They're mature distance runners and really dedicated guys," senior co-captain Ben Smith said.For McNamara, running came naturally, as he followed in the footsteps of his mother who was also a runner. He began with the middle school recreation program, and his strong school program motivated his efforts. Meanwhile for Brigham, his cross-country career began more by default than a desire to run. Considering himself a competitive person, Brigham's search for a sport to participate in was narrowed by his lack in dexterity. "I needed to do something that didn't require any coordination because god knows I don't have any," Brigham said. Brigham's efforts were also supported by his father, a cross-country runner at the University of Maine and his primary coach throughout high school. Even so, Brigham does not consider himself a natural runner and instead credits all of his accomplishments to the hard work he put into his sport. "Cross country is one of those things where you work hard and you see the results," he said. Under the fa?§ade of serious and dedicated runners, the two rookies have not allowed the pressures of the team to minimize their enjoyment of the season. Both Brigham and McNamara take pleasure in running and look forward to practices. "For every time I don't want to go to practice, there's more times that I'm excited to get out there and run," McNamara said. While many freshmen would keep to themselves amongst a group of seniors, these two have created roles for themselves as the team's jokesters. McNamara tells the jokes, and Brigham attempts cartwheels and impressions, all in an attempt to bring the team energy and make practice more enjoyable for themselves and their teammates. "If we're not having fun, then we're doing it for all the wrong reasons," Brigham said. For now, these two have yet to be intimidated by the pressures of post-season varsity running, and continue to take the challenges of the season in stride.

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Women's cross country races backups at ECAC's

August 31

Looking toward the women's cross-country NCAA Regional Championship at Westfield State University this Saturday, coach Kristen Morwick chose to rest her top seven runners at last weekend's ECAC Championship.

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Tennessee out; Nebraska, Oregon, or Colorado to play Miami for the Roses

August 31

The Louisiana State University Tigers upset the Tennessee Volunteers in Saturday's SEC Championship game at Atlanta, 31-20, to win their first SEC title since 1988 and eliminate Tennessee from Rose Bowl contention. LSU sealed the game with 2:26 left to play, facing a fourth and goal inches from the endzone. The Tigers clung to a four-point lead, 24-20, and a field goal would have forced Tennessee to score a quick touchdown to send the game into overtime. Nevertheless, head coach Nick Saban chose to go for it. The gamble paid off as LSU scored and left Tennessee down by 11 with two minutes to play. LSU will now play in the Sugar Bowl, and Tennessee will likely compete in the Citrus Bowl. Two fumble recoveries also helped bring the victory to LSU which was without starting quarterback Rohan Davey and starting running back LaBrandon Toefield for most of the game. Both went down with injuries in the first quarter, but Davey came back, only to be injured again in the second quarter. The LSU replacements played just as well as their injured counterparts would have, however, and helped propel the Tigers to victory. Although Matt Mauck, who came in for Davey, only completed 5 of 15 passes, he rushed 12 times for 43 yards and two touchdowns. Mauck maintained control of the game and did not turn the ball over. Toefield's replacement, Dominick Davis, ran for 78 yards on 16 carries. The LSU offense stayed together through the work of receiver Josh Reed. The star receiver had only four catches, but they were all important. His presence alone eased his teammates and kept the injured offense from falling apart. With Tennessee officially out of contention, the door is open for either Nebraska, Colorado, or Oregon to step in and play Miami in the Rose Bowl. With the AP and ESPN polls in, the Bowl Championship Series rankings will come out later today. The BCS factors in the two polls along with six out of eight computer rankings, strength of schedule, number of losses, and number of wins versus top 15 ranked teams. Coming into this weekend Nebraska was ranked third in the BCS, but with changes in the polls, Colorado is making a surge to get into the Rose Bowl. They appear to be the frontrunner because of their rise in the polls and their strength of schedule, which was the second hardest in Division I football. Many people fear that the BCS will pit an unworthy opponent against Miami in the Rose Bowl, but a negative argument can be made against each of the three teams in the running. Nebraska got blown out by Colorado just two weeks ago and failed to play in its own conference championship game. Colorado has two loses, which were early in the season, but the other two contenders only have one apiece. Finally, Oregon played the weakest schedule, by far, of all three. Whichever team makes it to the big game, do not be surprised if they pull an upset. The way college football has gone this year, the underdogs have played with much more intensity. Tennessee learned the role of the underdog in the past two weeks, beating Florida in last week's game after being 18 point underdogs. This week, they were favored and lost.Crouch Wins Heisman Whether or not Nebraska makes it into the Rose Bowl, Eric Crouch will still be able to go home and polish his new Heisman Trophy. The Heisman is given to the best all-around player in Division I football. This year, the running came down to four quarterbacks, Ken Dorsey of Miami, Rex Grossman of Florida, Joey Harrington of Oregon, and Crouch of Nebraska. Although the entire race was close, it was speculated that Crouch, Dorsey, or HarGrossman would win. Perhaps in the end Crouch's seniority won him more votes. Crouch is a senior, Dorsey a junior, and Grossman a sophomore. Crouch is a quarterback, but he won many games with his legs. In 2001 he rushed for 1,115 yards and 18 touchdowns. He complimented that with 1,510 passing yards and seven touchdowns through the air.

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Staying true to the 'Sox'

August 31

Red sox fans hate the Yankees. This unalienable truth is as woven into the fabric of Bostonian culture as Dunkin Donuts and the Big Dig. I am a Red Sox fan. As a child I can remember my father telling me tales of how the Yankees would beat up on old ladies, and would steal from the poor to finance their next free agent purchase. We all have different reasons, but the universal constant among Bostonians is that when you're not cheering for the Red Sox to win, you're just looking for the Yankees to lose. In the case of four out of the five last World Series, Bo-Sox fans have converted into Braves, Padres, and Mets fans without hesitation. However, this year stands out among the rest. For the first time in the history of baseball, New York has the moral high ground. The attacks of Sept. 11 have been considered by many an attack on the fortitude of the human spirit of New Yorkers. Most citizens of the US have turned to the Yankees to deliver a moral message to the terrorists of the world. The idea is that the team symbolizes perseverance and victory that cannot be compromised by the madness of those who wish to strike at the core of this country's ideals. Now an internal conflict has arisen in the Red Sox fan. Should we believe that the symbol of American freedom be connected with a World Series championship taken by the New York Yankees? Before the beginning of Game Three of the World Series, President George W. Bush stood at the top of the pitchers mound of Yankee Stadium, and looked around him at stands that were packed with 57,000 proud Americans. Above the stadium flew an American flag that was torn and dirty. It was a flag found in the rubble of the World Trade Center, and it was hoisted as a reminder of the victims of the attacks. This is the symbol of our national spirit: the president of the nation standing in the middle of a stadium in plain view of thousands of people to ceremonially commence a game of the championship series of our national pastime. The recent message to the American people has been to continue living our lives. We've been told that this is how we defy terrorism. For a Bostonian to cheer for the Yankees would not only be wrong, but in a sense it would be refusing to continue with our lives. In a sentimental way there isn't one person in this country who wouldn't see a Yankees victory, in the name of the victims of the World Trade Center attacks, to be good for the moral of the city. In fact, if New York does win the World Series, I can see myself applauding for a recently devastated city in celebration. I just simply believe that in order for all of us to do our part we must stay our course. So to the Red Sox fans out there with this dilemma in mind, don't change who you are. That's not what this country needs. Go Arizona!Ricardo Martinez is a senior majoring in mechanical engineering.

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T' expands with Silver Line

August 31

Future Jumbos will have an easier way to get to the airport to return home for the holidays when the Silver 'T' line joins the Red, Orange, Green, and Blue subway lines. The silver line, which will be completed in 2010, now takes passengers on a one-stop ride from Dudley Square to Logan Airport. The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) is building the Silver Line to respond to the rapidly growing South Boston population, where there is no convenient public transportation to and from the neighborhoods. When completed, the Silver Line will be able to accommodate up to 60,000 riders per day. The Silver Line will eventually link downtown Boston to South Station. "This is the 'T's attempt to be seen as more than a bus," MBTA Spokesman Noah Berger said.The subway cars will travel both below and above ground and will have the right of way against surrounding traffic, unlike Green Line trains. The MBTA hopes this will enable the Silver Line to travel more frequently, faster, and more consistently. The Silver Line stops will also feature computerized signs that tell waiting passengers when the next train will arrive. MBTA is constructing the new line is three stages. The first step will be completed next spring, when service will commence from Dudley Square to downtown Boston. By the end of 2005, MBTA plans to have a line running from South Station to Logan Airport via the south Boston waterfront. In 2010, the line will link downtown Boston to South Station. The cost for the project is estimated at $1.7 billion. This price tag includes $600 million to build the South Boston stop and $50 to $60 million for the Washington Street stop. Building the tunnel to connect the two stops will cost $700 million dollars, according to MBTA officials, but other city analysts put this figure at around $1 billion. Such high costs may affect all 'T' takers if token prices are raised again. They went up to $1 in September of 2000. The new 60-foot carriers will feature low floors for easy access for wheelchairs and strollers. The line will stop at seven stations that are located at major intersections in Roxbury and the South End. There is much demand for the new line, according to Berger. A quarter of Boston's population lives within five blocks of the Washington Street stop, where the Orange Line used to run. After the stop was moved, residents in the area wanted a more reliable, easy method of transportation. Although the line will not be completed until current students graduate, many think the addition is a good idea. Sophomore Edwin Johnson, who lives near Dudley Square, said he takes the 'T' often. "It seems pretty cool," he said. "I really like that it's connected to Dudley." The line's connection to Logan Airport will make travel more convenient, Johnson said. "All I've heard is that [the line] will help," he said. The line will be environmentally-conscious as well as convenient. When above ground, it will emit low emission fuel. Underground, the 'T' will run on electricity, so no fuel will be emitted.

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Bain wins open Judiciary seat

August 31

After much anticipation, freshman Kenny Bain was announced to be the newest member of the Tufts Community Union (TCU) Judiciary last Thursday. The count comes after controversial election that encompassed delays in counting the ballots and a violation of the election rules by one of the candidates. The runner up, sophomore Phillip Berenbroick, was 45 votes short of Bain's 184 votes. Freshman Daniel Mandell finished third out of the three candidates with 125 votes. There were 119 ballots cast the day of the election, Oct. 4, that only cast a vote for the freshman elections. The vote was delayed after the Elections Board (ELBO) was unable to conduct the elections on the date scheduled. Once the votes were in, the count itself was held up by allegations that candidate Berenbroick violated ELBO rules when an e-mail was sent out advocating his candidacy. Election policy states that e-mails advocating a certain candidate are only acceptable if the candidate was unaware of the e-mail. The ELBO, comprised only of senior Valentino Carsuo, investigated the matter. Caruso decided that though the e-mail was in violation of the rules, he would allow Berenbroick's votes to be counted because of an incident during the freshman election in which a similar incident occurred and the candidate's votes were counted anyway. In the end, the controversy did not matter, as Berenbroick did not win the seat. Bain said his strategy was not affected by the controversies of the past two weeks. Though he wishes he had deon more campaigning during the gap between when the elections were scheduled and when they actually occurred, in hindsight, his campaign still worked. "It was more of a silent campaign. I really didn't want to push or anything," he said. "I didn't want to campaign very much." In line with his relaxed campaign are his campaign promises. "I didn't really promise anything," he said. "The only promise I gave was that I would be impartial and fair to every case that came to us." Bain was happy with the results of the e-mail debacle too, and felt was handled fairly. TCUJ members say they are happy that the controversy has been resolved. The TCUJ and Senate, however, cannot have anything to do with the elections, because its their members who are being voted upon. "Val was being cautious in what he was doing, but I am glad at the way they turned out," TCUJ vice-chair Alison Clarke said.

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Students show off active citizenship summers

August 31

Senior Abby Noble spent her summer trying to boost college admissions for poor and minority students - and she got paid for what would normally be a volunteer position. Noble worked for New Profit, Inc. in Cambridge and received a $4,000 stipend from Tufts' University College of Citizenship and Public Service (UCCPS) for ten weeks of work. Noble is just one of 45 students - undergraduates and graduates alike - who received UCCPS Active Citizenship Summer grants. The grants paid students to take on public service jobs that would usually be unpaid or would pay very little. UCCPS Student Development Coordinator Carey Levitt said that the stipend gives participants the opportunity to work volunteer jobs that they would be unable to afford otherwise. Without financial support, Levitt said that students with volunteer positions usually take on second jobs, like waiting tables at restaurants. But the added hours usually burn students out. Stipends allow interns to focus solely on their civic work, what Levitt described as "typically undervalued." Senior Allison Goldsberry worked for US Senator John Kerry this summer, writing US embassies around the world to request visa grants for relatives of Kerry's constituents. Though Kerry's office only employs unpaid interns during the summer, the UCCPS paid Goldsberry $200 a week for ten weeks of part-time work. "Volunteering is great and it shows you're not doing it for the money," said sophomore Nikhil Abraham, who was paid $2,000 to intern at the Enterprise Center in Philadelphia, PA. "I wasn't going to be able to financially afford working there if I didn't get paid for it." Students took pre-arranged internships in institutions addressing various societal issues or proposed their own internships to receive grants up to $4,000. The grants stipulated that students continue their involvement in UCCPS throughout the year by attending follow-up workshops. "It was definitely a luxury that we got large stipends," said junior Valentino Caruso, who worked for Tufts Climate Initiative with a UCCPS grant. "In economic hardships, [internships are] the first thing people cut. They're unnecessary expenditures." The UCCPS, founded in 1999 by President Emeritus John DiBiaggio, aims to promote active citizenship in the Tufts community. But DiBiaggio secured a $10 million gift in the spring of 2000 from Pierre Omidyar (LA '88) and his wife, Pamela Omidyar (LA '89) earmarked specifically for the UCCPS. The Omidyars intended to provide enough for the college's first five years of operation. By the fifth year, the college must find its own continual stream of income. Because the UCCPS does not grant degrees, it does not receive tuition money like other colleges in the University. Instead, it depends on the philanthropy of individuals like the Omidyars through the Omidyar foundation. The college's first year of operation included many new programs, but most of these programs were discontinued this semester. In a meeting last winter, Omidyar foundation lawyers met with Tufts officials to discuss the successes and failures of individual programs. They agreed to focus on programs proven successful, including Active Citizenship Summers and the Omidyar Scholars program.Last Wednesday, 45 students displayed posters at the Aidekman Arts Center gallery describing their summer work. Students worked all over the country, in internships ranging from the Tufts chemistry department to political offices.

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Tufts prepares for Parents' weekend festivities

August 31

Students will welcome their parents, brothers, and sisters to campus today as Tufts kicks off its annual Parents' Weekend events. This year's events - including a reception, speeches from high-level administrators, and symposia on various world issues - will be coordinated with the University's sesquicentennial celebrations.Despite travel repercussions in wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, the Development Office believes that more east-cost parents will visit campus than usual. "I think that the Middle Atlantic and New England parents are particularly eager to come up," said Director of Parents' programs Ellie Short, adding that current national turmoil is making many parents anxious to spend time with their children. Short said that she will work to reassure parents that Tufts is a supportive community for their children. "Any time that I speak, I'm going to talk about Tufts as a family or as a unit." While the administration does not plan to address the terrorist attacks formally, Short said she anticipates that University President Larry Bacow, Provost Sol Gittleman, and various professors would address the events in their speeches to parents and students. "I don't think anyone's speech will be what they thought would be in July," Short said.Among the weekends events are the following:Friday, Oct. 123:30-4:45 p.m. Tufts World ViewsJoin members of the Tufts faculty for discussions on current international topics. All seminars will be held in the Tisch Library.5-6 p.m. Parents ReceptionHosted by members of the Tufts Parents Fund Committee. Parents, students and family members are invited to join the committee for light refreshments. The Jackson Jills will entertain. Alumnae Lounge, Aidekman Arts Center8 p.m. ConcertSesquicentennial Surprises: Musical Treasures Celebrating 150 Years at TuftsA selection of worldwide musical styles presented in performances by ensembles of the Department of Music. Coordinated and co-hosted by Tufts Symphony Orchestra Music Director Malka Sverdlov-Yaacobi and Tufts Music Department Chair, Prof. John McDonald. Cohen Auditorium, Aidekman Arts CenterSaturday, Oct. 1310 a.m. IntroductionEllie Short, Director of the Parents Program10:15 a.m. Welcome Dr. Lawrence S. Bacow, President of Tufts UniversityKeynote Address"TUFTS UNIVERSITY AMIDST THE WONDER OF AMERICAN HIGHER EDUCATION"Sol Gittleman, Senior Vice President and Provost. Cohen Auditorium, Aidekman Arts CenterSESQUICENTENNIL AT TUFTS4:15-5:15 p.m. President's ReceptionPresident Lawrence S. Bacow and Adele Fleet Bacow welcome parents and family members to Tufts University. Entertainment provided by the Tufts Jazz Band, conducted by Joel Larue Smith, and student a cappella groups-the Amalgamates, Jackson Jills and Beelzebubs.Tisch Library roof and Goddard Chapel stairsRain site: Cohen Auditorium, Aidekman Arts Center7:15 p.m., 8:30 p.m. Theater PresentationsDrama and Dance Department and Student Organizations - Barbara Grossman, Chair and Associate ProfessorMarston Balch Arena Theater, Aidekman Arts Center

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Football looks to return to winning ways against Colby

August 31

The football team will look to rebound from back-to-back losses when it travels to Waterville, ME on Saturday for a match-up with Colby. Coach Bill Samko's squad should be prepared to redeem themselves against the White Mules, who have struggled at times this fall and currently stand at 3-3. Revenge will also be on the Jumbo's minds - Colby, which surprised the NESCAC a year ago when it finished 7-1 and earned a share of the conference crown, handled Tufts along the way with a 28-14 victory in Medford. Although the 4-2 Jumbos are the clear favorites, they will need to avoid the costly mistakes that have become a pattern in the last two weeks. In tough losses against both Williams (21-17) and Amherst (14-10), Tufts outplayed its opponents, but fell short in the end due to second half turnovers during crucial drives. In fact, the Jumbos turned the ball over nearly as many times in the last two games (six), than they had in their previous four (seven). "In both those games, we had less turnovers than the other guys had," Samko said. "We try to win the turnover battle against teams and we did both times. And I still don't think Keven [Kelley] actually fumbled at Williams. But that's the one thing we've changed, I told him not to jump over the pile any more." Offensively, Samko will again call Kelley's number most frequently. Kelley remains the top rusher in the NESCAC at 143.7 yards per outing, having redefined the term "workhorse" this season for the Jumbos with 862 yards on 173 carries. And barring any unforeseen circumstances, Kelley, who ran for 155 yards last weekend, should easily eclipse Tufts' single season rushing record of 1,070 yards, set by Paul Dresens in 1988. Along with Kelley, junior Chuck McGraw has seen his share of touches, translating them into 383 yards on the ground. The Jumbos remain first in the NESCAC with an average of 260.5 yards rushing per game, and Samko makes no secret about his game plan. "We're not going to change a damn thing," he said. "We've changed two out of the 150,000 plays we started with. If I thought we were wrong, I'd change. But we haven't been doing much wrong, we just have to finish better." Colby, which has won its last two, is led by the potent combination of junior quarterback Pat Conley and senior wideout Danny Noyes. Noyes, last week's NESCAC Co-Offensive Player of the Week, caught nine passes for 209 yards and scored twice in the White Mules' 42-0 thrashing of Bates. For the season, Noyes has 47 catches for 776 yards, ranking him first in the conference. "Offensively, they're pretty good," Samko said. "They throw the ball well, and if I'm not mistaken, they're ranked first in the NESCAC for total offense." Even with its dominant air attack in place, Colby has scored more frequently on the ground this year, with 12 rushing scores compared to six from Conley's arm. The backfield trio of senior Joe Murray, freshman Aaron Stepka, and junior Don Williams could do some damage behind a veteran offensive line. Defensively, the squads are even. Colby ranks third in the conference in total defense, and will have key in on Tufts' ground game and watch junior quarterback Scott Treacy, who comes off his best two passing games of the year (152 yards against Williams and 112 against Amherst).Tufts, on the other hand, ranks fourth in total defense and will concentrate on containing Conley and Noyes, as well as the ground game. Williams had a big passing day against the Jumbo secondary, but better coverage against Amherst limited the Lord Jeffs to just 35 yards.Either way, Samko is confident not only in his team's ability, but also its attitude. "I like our guys," he said. "I like their attitude, their fight, their pluck. We play hard. We don't give up. And if they keep doing that, I have no complaints."

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Phenom & Giddy's Urban Vibes

August 31

Today the Daily introduces two recurring guests, Phenom and Giddy, to highlight some of this week's premier players in rap and hip-hop. Check out the buzz on hot singles and upcoming albums every week.PHENOMenal Singles to Get GIDDY AboutDr. Dre - "Bad Intentions" (Interscope) He's back at it again. From The Wash soundtrack, Dre laces us with another hot beat with definite hit written all over it. The flute in the background leaves you hypnotized while Dre attacks the song with all the "Bad Intentions" running through his mind.Usher - "U Got It Bad" (Arista) "If you're touched by the words of this song/ Baby you got it, you got it bad." Deny it if you want, but everyone needs this kind of slow jam when feeling down. Great job on the new album, Usher (8701).G-Dep - "Special Delivery" (Bad Boy) *Giddy's Gem* It's Bad Boy, baby! G Dep, Bad Boy Records' new golden child proves he's no one-hit wonder with a unique and brilliant flow over an "All About The Benjamins"-like beat. Nov. 20 will prove to be a very busy day for record stores, as G Dep's Child Of The Ghetto and Timbaland & Magoo's Indecent Proposal drop among other heavy hitters with tentative release dates.Glenn Lewis - "Don't You Forget It" (Epic) *Phe's Fav* Stevie Wonder meets Carl Thomas in Canada. Yes, that is right, this soul savior is Canadian. Who would have thought a new Stevie Wonder would come from Canada, but this song is amazingly smooth, so keep an eye peeled for his self titled debut album soon. You can find the single on Red Star Sounds Vol.1: Soul Searching, a collection of tracks from today's promising new soul artists. "Don't You Forget" about him!Ludacris, LL Cool J, & Keith Murray - "Fatty Girl" (Universal) "F is for the fatty's where's my ish... Girl you taste like a Cinnabon... I'm not supposed to do this type of thing, I'm a Christian... Girl you got a badonka donk." This song can be quoted all day with its clever metaphors and club-friendly beat. Also on the Fubu collection Fubu Presents The Good Life.Phenom's Got a Good Pheeling About... Bubba Sparxxx "It's gon' get ugly... in here... in here" claims Bubba Sparxxx and successful producer Timbaland in his first single "Ugly" from his debut album entitled Dark Days, Bright Nights. Bubba Sparxxx is the first member of Timbaland's new venture with Interscope Records known as the Beat Club which will somewhat compare to the Ruff Ryders or the Roc-A-Fella Family. In addition to the album's six Timbaland-produced tracks, Dark Days, Bright Nights features five songs produced by Shannon Houchins, two by OutKast's Organized Noize production team, two by Atlanta producer Khalfani, and one by Gerald "Geo" Hall. Bubba has been referred to as a white Ludacris with his slow, southern style of rapping, while representing Atlanta and what he calls "The New South." Among Bubba's influences is Too $hort, whose music turned Sparxxx into a huge rap fan, but it was the Atlanta group OutKast that inspired Sparxxx to become an active participant in the rap game. Bubba's next single is rumored to be "Bubba Talk," also produced by Timbaland. Very consistent with Bubba's image, the single is laced with horses and cows over an upbeat banjo riff. Similar to "Ugly," "Bubba Talk" and the album Dark Days, Bright Nights are bound to be hits. Bubba can be seen in the new issue of XXL and be sure to look out for the album, out in stores today. For more info and a great game where one must get all the pigs on the farm to get into their pen, go to www.BubbaSparxxx.com.Giddy's Second Look at... Jimmy Cozier Although this is his first self-released project, Cozier has been in the music scene for years now, writing songs for the likes of Mya, Blackstreet, and Janet Jackson. Using a fusion of R&B and Caribbean, Jimmy Cozier brings a unique blend of soulful artistry and unabashed expressiveness. His smooth yet raspy voice is reminiscent of Carl Thomas and Case, yet Cozier manages to stand alone with his Caribbean-laced ballads. After one of the year's hottest R&B singles, "She's All I Got," was released off his self titled album, many were expecting a lot from Jimmy Cozier. However his first project was met with lukewarm response, most likely due the overwhelming popularity of his lead single. While the response to his album may lead you to believe that his album was lacking in quality, a true listen to his self-titled release leads you to believe otherwise. Besides the infectious lead single, highlights include a duo with Alicia Keys titled "Mr. Man" and the emotional "Heartfelt Letter." Cozier also gives a shout out to the British R&B fans with the song titled "Two Steps," which talks about difficulties with relationships and the "Two-Step" style of music that Craig David has brought to the US from England. Cozier's unique style, his voice and his talent let you know he isn't new to the music game and he's here to stay. For more info on Jimmy Cozier, hit up his website at www.jimmycozier.com

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News

Georgia pulls off miraculous upset over Tennessee

August 31

The Georgia Bulldogs pulled off the biggest upset so far this year in college football, defeating the Tennessee Volunteers 26-24 with a last second drive for a touchdown on Saturday. With less than six minutes remaining in the game, Georgia kicker Billy Bennett hit a 31-yard field goal to break a 17-17 tie. On the ensuing possession, Tennessee set out for a game-winning drive as sophomore quarterback Casey Clausen and star running back Travis Stephens led the Vols to a go-ahead touchdown. With under a minute remaining, Clausen completed a screen pass to Stephens as the Bulldogs were blitzing. The screen countered the blitz beautifully and sprung Stephens to a 62-yard score. The Volunteers left Georgia with only 44 seconds. After Tennessee kicked a short line drive that allowed Georgia to start with the ball at its own 40, a series of passes and first downs to stop the clock allowed quarterback David Greene to find Randy McMichael for a 17-yard pass that would set up the 6-yard game-winning pass to Verron Haynes. Georgia had entered the game unranked, battling for recognition in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), while Tennessee was ranked sixth in the nation and looking to pad its bid for a berth in the SEC Championship Game. Georgia had different plans for the Volunteers, though, and equaled Tennessee on all ends from the game's opening. After Tennessee scored early on a touchdown pass from Clausen to freshman sensation Kelley Washington, Georgia responded with an equally impressive drive, led by redshirt freshman Greene, that stalled out at the 22 yard-line and resulted in a field goal. Tennessee would score another touchdown in the first quarter after a costly Georgia turnover, but Georgia sophomore receiver Damien Gary ignited his team soon after when he returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown. The Bulldogs had momentum going into the second half, and continued to stymie the Tennessee offense, but the Volunteers' third-ranked defense stepped it up, holding Greene in check.The emotionally charged win brought Georgia into the top 25 AP rankings - the team debuted at 19th - and dropped Tennessee seven spots. The loss hurts the Volunteers more than just in the rankings, though. A loss makes an SEC Championship appearance, as well as a chance at the national title, almost impossible. While no one expected Georgia to have a chance against Tennessee, the Bulldogs now have a 3-1 record (2-1 SEC) and have lost only to Lou Holtz's undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks.Next Weekend's Thriller At noon on Saturday, the Miami Hurricanes - ranked first in the ESPN/USA Today poll and second in the AP poll - face the number 14 AP (#13 ESPN) Florida State Seminoles in their yearly meeting. Last year, the Hurricanes beat FSU for the first time in five years when Seminoles kicker Matt Munyon missed a field goal wide right, a common theme in this series. This year, the 'Canes are looking to dominate the nation like they did in the '80s, and a win Saturday would help that end. On the flip side, Florida State and Bobby Bowden appear to have fallen from their untouchable '90s status. Despite these opposite trends, this game brings perpetual excitement to the table. Ken Dorsey is making a strong Heisman Trophy run for the 4-0 Hurricanes, and the Canes just may break an FSU trend by winning in Doak Campbell Stadium, a place where the Seminoles have not lost in 54 games. For FSU, this may be its only shot at redeeming the season. Having already suffered a 41-9 loss at North Carolina, even a loss to the one of the top-ranked teams in the country would put Florida State's hopes to rest.

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News

If I knew Picasso

August 31

Call it senior nostalgia setting in. Call it having grown up in a tropical climate where "changing seasons" was a foreign concept and leaves were always on the trees (not to mention eternally green). Call it a recently rekindled, poisonous hatred of the Yankees. Whatever the reason, lately Boston has seemed like an absolute ideal place to live. It's just this quaint gingerbread land of major metropolises - vibrant golds, reds, and oranges stand out against the ancient buildings, people talk a little funny, and everybody knows your name. This semester I've been almost ridiculously appreciative of the city, singing praises of its small-yet-big-town aura and feeling surges of quasi-Bostonian pride. But nothing, nothing, truly ingratiated me into the Boston mindset like this past Saturday night at Landsdowne Street's Jake Ivory's - being one of a roomful of people, young and old, singing Aerosmith's "Dream On" at the top of its collective lungs. It's a common understanding that music that brings everyone together. It's also understood that everyone likes to sing, very loudly, preferably while having their voice drowned out by other (bad) voices. This club is the place to do it, down-home Boston-style. Jake Ivory's stands out on nightclub-infested Landsdowne as one of the few places where pretension, tight black pants, and noxious amounts of cologne aren't requisite. While pulsating techno beats emanate from its swankier neighbors, Jake Ivory's fills the surrounding air with frat boy rock, '80s classics, Piano Man ballads, and the vocal accompaniment of hundreds of drunken fools. For those of you not lucky enough to obtain Billy Joel tickets (and, sorry, those lucky enough to tote a 21+ ID), this might be the next best thing. Kind of. The club is a "dueling piano bar" that features live music every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. It's essentially a human jukebox. Two pianos sit on the low stage, and two men sit behind them, ready and willing (and able) to play and sing anything your little heart desires. Well, anything so long as your wallet desires it, too - these guys only seem to take their requests seriously when attached to something green with a number greater than "5" printed on it. Don't worry - once the alcohol starts flowing and 400 people are singing "Crocodile Rock" in your ear, you'll be willing to scrounge up a bit of cash for some peace of mind. Case in point: There was a five-dollar request to play some Neil Diamond, to which some of the packed house met with both gasps of delight, others with shrieks of horror. Just as he arrived at the crescendo leading up to the chorus of "Sweet Caroline" ("Hands....[everyone has their hands up, everyone is swaying]...touching hands...touching me....touching yoooooooou"), he stops. "I got a six dollar request not to play this! Seven dollars starts it up again!" He breaks into Bon Jovi's "Dead or Alive" and everyone becomes a rock superstar. "I'm a cowboyyy. On a steeeeel horse I...." He stops again. "Wait, wait! Seven dollars!! Here we go....'Sweeeeet Caroline. Doo doo doo.'" And so on, for about five straight hours. You name it, these guys will play it. The best part is that all of this starts at about 9 p.m. It's the pre-party that everyone likes better than the party itself. Everyone was there as the Diamondbacks were scoring their 15th run against the Yankees, and a rousing cheer arose from the back bar as roomful of people crushed up against one another imitated Steve Tyler's falsetto. The place is simply packed - and packed with all sorts of people, too: college kids, heavily-made up older women laughing it up to "Paradise by the Dashboard Light," fortysomething guys belting out "Glory Days" in a fit of tough-guy grandeur one minute and sashaying to "I Touch Myself" the next. You name it, this place has got it. Jake Ivory's takes the best parts of Lansdowne and combines them - it puts the Fenway Park mentality into the club scene, and adds flirtatious bar dancing to the All-American fun of singing James Taylor while being very, very intoxicated. There's something about the place that's just quintessentially Boston - a certain down-to-earthness of the patrons, a huggy/kissy Cheers-esque rapport between tables. I left feeling all warm and fuzzy, surrounded by crisp New England air, a man wondering where the hell his "f***ing cah" was, and "Blister in the Sun" in my head. Boston is a wonderful town, indeed.

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News

Knicks lose their general

August 31

Last Saturday, Jeff Van Gundy stepped down as the head coach of the New York Knicks for what he called "family reasons." He said he had "lost focus" as a coach. Van Gundy has been on the Knicks staff since 1989 and served as head coach for seven years. He leaves as the third winningest head coach in Knicks history with a record of 248-172. This season his Knicks stalled, but then jumped to a 10-9 start. Assistant Coach Don Chaney led the Knicks to a 101-99 victory over the Pacers on Saturday night.Lakers prove to be beatable Last Friday, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered their second loss of the season after jumping out to a 16-1 record. What seemed like an invincible squad proved it was only human as the Sacramento Kings downed them 97-91. The Kings showed the Lakers that teamwork does not always sell more tickets, but that it gets the job done in the long run. Six of the eight members who saw playing time in the game scored double digit points, as opposed to the Lakers who only had three players out of nine who played scoring in double digits. What makes the game ever more special for the Kings is that they pulled out this victory without their start player, Chris Webber. That's right; the Kings played Scot "One T Samurai Warrior" Pollard and Vlade Divac on the Mack-truck of a center, Shaquille O'Neal. Although Shaq still scored 31 points, the damage could have been far worse. Teamwork and overall shooting seems to be some of the reasons mighty Goliath was slain by the Kings. One would think the winner of this game had fewer turnovers and miscues. Not the case - the Kings turned over the ball four more times then the Lakers. That turnover margin can play a large role in a six-point contest. But what the Kings lost in turnovers, they gained in shooting. The Lakers were 4-19 (21 percent) from downtown and the Kings were 8-12 (67 percent). Free throw shooting also played a large role in the Lakers defeat. The Lakers were 15-24, shooting a miserable 63 percent, while the Kings shot 74 percent, making 23 of 31 attempted.Heat and Bulls are far from Eastern Conference Championship days It does not seem that far in the past when the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat used to duke it out for rights to play in the NBA finals. Tim Hardaway vs. Michael Jordan has turned into Ron Mercer vs. Eddie Jones. Sure that does not sound bad on paper, but when you look deeper, it is terrible. With a combined record of 7-29, a Bulls vs. Heat match-up is hardly intriguing. The two teams are hardly respected, even by the teams that lost to them. Collectively they are the basements of the league's Central and Atlantic divisions. Now, each team is on a one game-winning streak. Can that be considered a streak? Well when a one team is 3-14 and the other is 4-15, that is as good as it gets.Western Conference too good for own good With a good portion of the league's power out west, a log-jam has been created in the standings. Six of the Western Conference's top teams have the same amount of wins, 12, as the top two teams in the Eastern Conference. The Lakers, Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks, and Phoenix Suns all have at least 12 wins on the season. The top teams in the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Pistons and the New Jersey Nets only have 12 wins apiece. This sort of competition leaves good teams fighting harder then they should for eight conference playoff spots. Teams like the Portland Trailblazers that own a 10-9 record try to stay competitive so they can hope for a seventh or eighth seed in the playoffs. Other teams like the Golden State Warriors must be cursing their location, as they are 3-9 against Western Conference foes and 5-4 against the weaker Eastern Conference. Does the strength of each conference really matter? No, when it comes down to the fine print, each conference is allotted eight teams in the playoffs and has one representing them in the NBA finals.

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News

Generalizations not acceptable

August 31

To the editor: In response to Harvard student Will Rosenbaum's letter in last Monday's Daily: I'm surprised that you actually had the audacity to write a letter to The Tufts Daily to trash our students. If you have issues with Dean Inouye's comments, that's fine. People have different opinions on different things; as mature individuals we should be able to respect that. However, you pompous generalization of Tufts students as not good enough is not fine. Tufts students have great work ethics and are intelligent persons. Not being enrolled at Harvard does not mean that we did not make the cut. In fact, most of us just didn't even apply to Harvard. You have degraded yourself and your alma mater more that you will ever realize by writing such an arrogant and ignorant letter. Moreover, grade inflation has actually been proven to rampant at Harvard long before the Daily wrote about it.Marco EnriquezEN '05

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News

Opening day exciting across NESCAC conference

August 31

The NESCAC football season opened this Saturday, marking just the second year that a conference champion will be named. The top was crowded last year, with Amherst, Colby, and Middlebury each earning a share of the first-ever NESCAC crown with identical 7-1 records. If the first week's dominating wins are any indication of what the rest of the season will bring, it should be a dogfight for the title once again. The once-unstoppable Williams Ephmen, who struggled to a disappointing fourth place overall last year with a 5-3 mark, enacted its revenge on Colby this weekend with a 28-13 win in Waterville, ME. In last year's season opener, the Cinderella White Mules shocked the Ephmen in Williamstown, 27-24. This year was a different story - the visitors were kept out of the end zone until late in the fourth quarter and held to just 90 yards rushing. Williams set the tone early, when junior defensive back Johnny Kelly intercepted Colby quarterback Pat Conley's pass on the opening play of the game. The Ephmen then took over on Colby's three yard line, and needed just one attempt to punch the ball into the end zone for a 7-0 lead. Sophomore running back Tyler Shea did the honors, as coach Dick Farley's team began its assault on the ground. Led by sophomore Mike Hackett's 96 yards, the Ephmen combined for 162 yards on 32 attempts. In the first half, Colby did manage to construct drives of 76 and 68 yards, but could only muster a pair of field goals. Conley put up big numbers, completing 25 of 51 for 279 yards and a touchdown, but was picked off twice courtesy of Kelly, who also had seven tackles. Joe Reardon, Conley's counterpart, held his own in the Williams pocket with 192 yards on 19-of-25 passing with a touchdown and an interception. Just over 50 miles away in Brunswick, ME., the Middlebury Panthers were dominating the hometown Bowdoin Polar Bears in similar fashion. The Panthers also scored on their first play from scrimmage, en route to a 21-7 victory of their own. Unlike Williams, though- Middlebury's opening score was a bit more sensational, as junior Bill Lazzaro raced 74 yards into the end zone for the score. Lazzaro finished the afternoon with 142 yards rushing on 21 tries. The score remained 7-0 until early in the second half when the visitors struck again, as quarterback Scott Roberts connected with Denny Smit at 11:32 minutes into the half. A little over six minutes later, freshman Eric Shaley capped off Middlebury's scoring with a six-yard jaunt. Bowdoin finally made some noise in the fourth quarter, capping an 11-play, 48-yard drive with a quarterback sneak. Middlebury proved that the defensive lapse was only temporary, however, as it held on to ensure coach Bob Ritte earned his first career win. The third contest in Maine saw another home team fall as Trinity trounced Bates in Lewiston, 41-7. The Bantams found the end zone on five of its first six possessions and jumped out to a 35-0 lead at halftime. Trinity's backfield of sophomore Tom Pierandi and junior Brian Fabrizio ran the Bobcat defense into the ground, combining for 224 yards and three touchdowns. Amherst blanked Hamilton in Clinton, NY, 24-0, in the weekend's only shutout. The Lord Jeffs mimicked last year's season opener when they also held the Continentals scoreless, 30-0. Okey Ugwonali put Amherst on the board with less than two minutes remaining in the first quarter on a two yard run, sparking a 10-point second quarter. The nail in the coffin for the Continentals came in the fourth quarter, when Kevin Kennard ran the ball in to finish off a drive. Hamilton, who finished 2-6 last year, fell short on multiple scoring chances in the second half. Next week, the main event on the NESCAC schedule will be the Colby-Middlebury contest, which kicks off at 1:30 p.m. in Vermont. Another match-up will feature two perennial NESCAC powerhouses, as Williams travels to Hartford to take on Trinity. Tufts will also head north to Bates, while Wesleyan and Bowdoin will be at Amherst.

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News

Jumbos trounce Salve Regina, 6-1

August 31

After a disappointing 2-1 loss at Bates on Saturday, a defeat that dropped the team to 2-2 in the NESCAC, the men's soccer team bounced back with a 6-1 thrashing of non-NESCAC opponent Salve Regina in Newport, Rhode Island on Tuesday afternoon. Though the opponent was mediocre, the offensive breakout was much-needed, as the Jumbos prepare for three consecutive, tough, home NESCAC games in the next week. The scoring on Tuesday was well distributed, with leading scorer, junior midfielder Garret Dale netting a goal and assisting on two others, while senior Pat Brophy and sophomore Alex Berg each tallied a goal and an assist. "Coming in all we knew is that they played Trinity tough and lost 3-1. So they are a pretty competitive team," said sophomore keeper Joe Coletti, who recorded 2 saves in the victory. "Against Bates we took it to them, but just couldn't finish. Against Salve, we were just able to shut the door." Brophy scored the first goal in the 12th minute of competition by heading in a beautiful cross from senior tri-captain and defenseman Mike Prindiville. Ten minutes later, Tufts extended the lead when sophomore Justin Schreiner scored his first collegiate goal, assisted by Brophy. But it was in the second half when the Jumbos put the game away. Tufts scored four goals in a span of only ten minutes. Berg had a goal on an assist from Dale only five minutes into the second half. Dale then scored himself, heading in a pass from Prindiville, moments before junior tri-captain Matt MacGregor scored from Berg. And one minute after that, senior tri-captain Brad Stitchberry hit the net with his first goal of the season. "I think the intensity is right where we want to be," Coletti said. "We have to keep it up, but it was great to see some strong finishes." The six goals were by far the most by the Jumbos this season, and the highest goal total since the team netted seven in a win against Lasell last October. The outbreak ended a mini-offensive slump for Tufts, which had only scored two goals in its last two games against NESCAC opponents Amherst and Bates. "For me, it was just good to see some action, it was good to get back on the field," Coletti said. "To be successful at anything you always have to be ready, so that's my approach." The win moved Tufts to 5-2 overall as it embarks on the most crucial week of its season. The Jumbos will host Bowdoin, Wesleyan, and Trinity within a span of seven days. The three teams, all NESCAC foes, have a combined record of only 5-5, but the Jumbos are looking to win all three and move out of a tie for fifth in the conference. "Bowdoin is doing really well right now," Coletti said. "Against them we always expect a physical game. We'll be at home, and hopefully have a lot of support. They are a quality team. I think the key against Bowdoin, and even heading into our other two games next week will be defense. We need to stay strong and keep up communication. Solid play in the back ensures opportunities for our midfielders and forwards. With that, everything starts to fall into place." The critical week kicks off at 12 pm on Sunday, when Bowdoin comes to Kraft Field.

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News

Women's soccer shocked in season opener

August 31

Despite its preseason ranking of first in New England and fifth in the nation, Tufts' women's soccer team opened the season with a disappointing 4-1 loss at non-conference foe Babson College on Saturday. The loss marked the first time the Jumbos had dropped a game to the Beavers, their perennial opening game opponent, in the last four years. Babson improved to 3-0 with the win against a Tufts squad that was without senior co-captain and top scorer Lynn Cooper, who missed the game due to a family commitment. "It's tough," coach Martha Whiting said. "It's so disappointing. Kind of embarrassing for all of us. But if anything, it's only going to motivate us. We're really going to be okay." And even with Tufts' impressive track record against Babson and all the Jumbos' accolades, Whiting did not attribute the loss to overconfidence. "It's not so much overconfidence as pressure to live up to the expectations of everyone else," she said. "We have different expectations, because everyone else sees only awards and statistics. It's just a matter of pushing all the external expectations aside." Tufts jumped out to an early lead Saturday with a goal by sophomore Becca Doigan in the third minute of the contest, only to watch the hosts claw their way back with four unanswered goals of their own - two in each half. But the pivotal moment came in the 24th minute when senior goalie Mara Schanfield received a red card for a goal-saving foul. With the score tied at one, Schanfield interfered with a Babson player on a breakaway by grabbing her opponent's leg, preventing a goal but heavily penalizing her team in the process. In accordance with a new NCAA regulation that any intentional foul warrants a red card, Schanfield was immediately given one as the foul was deemed premeditated. "The Babson attacker got through the defenders," said Whiting, a former Tufts goalkeeper herself. "It was a clear breakaway, maybe 25 yards out, and Mara had been pushed up where she should be. In a last ditch effort, she reached for the ball and ended up catching the kid's leg instead. That was her instinct, and that's fine with me." As a result of the penalty, Schanfield was ejected from the game and Tufts was forced to continue with 10 field players instead of the normal 11, though the team was allowed to bring in its back up goalie, freshman Meg McCourt. Also in accordance with NCAA regulations, Schanfield will be forced to sit out her team's next game, a 4:30 p.m. match-up on Wednesday at Wesleyan. While Schanfield acknowledges the foul, she questions the official's decision to hand out a red card. "It's disappointing," she said. "Yes, I definitely committed a foul, but I don't know if it warranted a red. My main objective was to protect the goal." The forced absence is a disappointment for Schanfield, who was starting for just the fourth time in her career. After spending the previous three years as a back-up to the since graduated, third-team All American selection Randee McArdle, Schanfield had appeared in nine games and logged 451 minutes between the pipes with three wins and 21 saves to her credit before Saturday. "I'm just going to work really hard this week and get ready for Middlebury," she said. McCourt entered the game in place of Schanfield, and was credited with two saves on the day. Whiting complimented McCourt's play, especially considering the circumstances. "She did well, considering the situation that she was thrown into," Whiting said. "She's been with us now for only a total of eight days. Of the goals she gave up, one was a phenomenal shot 35 yards away on the wing. The other two were breakaways, and there's not too much a goalie can do on those." Doigan put Tufts on the board at 3:10 in the first half with an unassisted tally, when she converted her own rebound for the third goal of her career. But just over seven minutes later, Babson began its scoring wave when freshman Lauren Angelos beat Schanfield, and continued to dominate play for the rest of the first half. In the second half, although the Jumbos stepped up their offensive attack, Babson still managed to tack two more scores onto its lead. The first came on a breakaway three and a half minutes into the second stanza, as senior Tara Haverty scored her fourth goal of the year. Freshman Jennifer Donahue then provided the nail in the coffin at 68:53, to push the score to 4-1. Donahue took a picture-perfect pass from classmate Toni Pantuosco and promptly blasted the ball past McCourt. "For a lot of the second half we dominated play," Whiting said. "We weren't quite as good in the first half. And if you put on constant pressure, then when the other team counters quickly, you're on your heels a bit defensively." As a result of this, Whiting singled out defense as an area that the squad needs to work on. The defensive starting unit of sophomore Jess Lovitz, senior co-captain Katie Ruddy, sophomore Abby Herzberg, and junior Cara Glassnos spent less then 20 total minutes together on the field, as Glassanos was used sparingly due to a back injury. Freshman Alina Schmidt subbed for Glassanos and played well, according to the coach. "I need to prepare the defenders more for Wednesday," Whiting said. "I could have prepared them a little better for different scenarios." Schanfield echoed her coach's sentiments. "There are a couple of things we need to work on defensively," she said. "Like communication and our defensive shape and closing down the spaces." The Jumbos also had trouble finishing scoring opportunities against Babson. Tufts outshot its opponents for the afternoon, 23 to 15, while also taking seven corner kicks to Babson's three. "We didn't put the ball in the net, and we didn't play well defensively," Whiting said. "I think it's both ends. Both areas need some work. I think having Cooper back will help as well." But for now, the consensus for the Jumbos is to focus on the present, rather than the past. "It's hard," senior midfielder Katie Kehrberger said. "Everyone expects so much. But this is a new team. It's a new year, everyone always talks about last year, last year, last year. [The loss] is easy to bounce back from. We're obviously disappointed, but it's not a season-ending loss."

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News

Video conferencing brings speech near and far

August 31

A once dingy classroom in Eaton Hall looked more like the bridge of the Star Ship Enterprise last night. Large TV's with cameras and microphones were positioned on every surface. People talked to the TVs, and the people on the TVs answered."I come from the industry with peace," said a man in front of the room, holding up two fingers like Captain Kirk..In a speech about the computer industry, Alan Cooper, a technology guru, said that software is overburdened with features and is too difficult to use. His condemnation, which included technologies ranging from laser printers to cell phones, said software engineers should think about users in the design phase.Using $50,000 in video conferencing equipment recently installed in the classroom, Cooper said people should not have to adapt to technology. "It has to stop," he said. Cooper said software design should reflect the needs of computer users. The automated telephone systems at giant corporations, he said, are not designed to help customers. The software behind the "Press 1 for technical support" was created by programmers out of touch with actual users, he said.Cooper's speech, which was available to Tufts' Boston and Grafton campuses via Internet 2 video conferencing, catered to an eclectic mix of computer science students, professors, and administration technology officials. About 35 people attended the speech in Eaton. According to political science Professor Ken Portney, yesterday's speaker event was the debutante ball for the expensive equipment, but only three people watched from remote locations.In his speech, Cooper, who wrote software in the 1980s, said computer programmers are born and not made. He was not a born programmer, but learned the trade working closely with programmers. In addition to adding useless features, Cooper said a culture of rushing to market leads to inferior technology. Companies founded in the dot-com boom of the late '90s built themselves around a corporate culture that encouraged rush work, Cooper said, adding that products rushed into the market are less efficient than those created with good design and planning. Cooper started in the computer business 25 years ago and was instrumental in the invention of technology still used today, including the visual programming language in the Microsoft Office suite. The consulting company he founded specializes in technology, design, and usability.Author of "The Inmates are Running the Asylum," a book that argues that computer programmers are far removed from users, Cooper said the software industry should learn from Hollywood, where heavy emphasis is placed on pre-production work. Software companies, he said, should spend more time planning and designing on paper, where it is easier to start over or discard bad ideas. Poor code, he said, "never gets thrown away." Companies continue to use poorly-designed code and focus on new features over good design. His talk, interspersed with coded engineering jokes, emphasized engineers' inability to understand users. "I'm human. I am an engineer. So I am a human engineer," he said.He said software designers emphasize speed in early production, under the assumption that they will improve the software for future versions. These revisions, Cooper said, rarely take place. "Because we cannot manage it, let's do it faster," he said. "This process is toxic." Students and designers can learn from user testing for future designs, but by the time a piece of software reaches the testing phase, massive amounts of money have been poured into the coding, he said. The attention to users must come before the coding. Answering a question about usability testing, Cooper reiterated the need for software designers to undertake advanced planning. Similar video conferencing facilities were built at the veterinary and medical schools and attendees could see the audiences on large TVs. Professors from Tufts medical school, however, attended the lecture in person. The Afilliated Computer Services paid for video conferencing equipment in Medford and Grafton using money from the Tufts Computing and Communications Services budget. The medical school provided the funding for its own Tandberg system.The video conferencing system, which consists of televisions and remote controlled video cameras, can use older ISDN technology or newer IP technology employed by the Internet 2.The Eaton classroom, the only one of its type on the Medford campus, required extensive renovations.

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