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Midgets, shaving, and the holidays

August 31

"He's actually here!" shouted a female voice as Comedy Central's Dave Attell ran up one of the crowded aisles in Cohen Auditorium. Wearing an olive green sweater and khaki pants, Attell - who proclaimed himself both "short" and "bald" - was set to begin. He was among two other comedians who performed to a packed-in Cohen crowd Thursday night as part of Entertainment Board's annual Fall Comedy Show. Despite heightened sensitivity created be on-campus political correctness, the show's expectedly raunchy humor continuously floored the crowd. Local comics Robbie Printz and John Turco opened the show. Within seconds of setting foot onstage, Printz had the crowd roaring. Tall, lanky, and wearing a red baseball cap, Printz made use of his gangly appearance to turbocharge the laughs he elicited from the audience. Among his chosen topics were Internet pornography, traffic, and religion. The crowd appreciated his musings on heaven, hell, and purgatory, as well as his loud, lively impersonations of a sinister Hitler and a furious Mother Theresa. "There should be a separate hell," he eventually concluded, "where it's not hot, it's just really humid." Turco followed Printz with a slightly lower-key set, pacing slowly around the stage and delivering sarcastic musings. He announced that he had attended the University of Georgia, "where all you need to get in is a number two pencil." His jokes about Who Wants to be a Millionaire? and Survivor seemed stale, but his ability to work with the crowd kept his set from capsizing. After commenting on Tufts' tuition, Turco asked if students had cable in their dorm rooms. When one shouted out that it cost $300 extra, Turco responded, "Three hundred extra? They're porkin' you guys!" After Turco's set, Printz returned to deliver a few more high-energy jokes and introduce the man everyone had come to see, Dave Attell. Attell calmly strolled across the stage, clutching a bottle of Poland Spring in one hand and a wireless microphone in the other. As soon as the applause abated, Attell launched into a raunchy set that delved into subjects from pornography to pubic hair, masturbation to midgets. Though it was perhaps not the broadest possible range of subjects, but the audience didn't seem to mind. Although he was probably oblivious to recent spats between Tufts and Harvard, Attell mocked the Ivy's admissions policy - "Do you think you're better than everyone else, or your dad was?" - in the opening minutes of his set. Throughout the show, he interacted with a pair of inebriated female students in the back row of the auditorium, a pair he discovered when he announced he was "looking for drinkers." Though many students were annoyed by the pair's never-ending, high-pitched commentary, Attell used their presence as material for his set. "That's the worst thing about college," he said, pointing in the duo's direction. "You leave broke and fat." Both males and females in the crowd laughed heartily, hunching over in their seats. They seemed to understand Attell's sexism to be a deliberate facet of his stand-up style. Indeed, perhaps Attell's raunchiness provided his audience the means to lighten up in the midst of Tufts' increasingly intense culture of protests and political correctness. The only material that seemed to truly offend the audience was Attell's talk of midgets. "I have a friend who knows karate. He knows how to fight 20 guys at once, 20 guys at once!" he proclaimed. "Do you know how many that is in midgets? All of them!" Smiles dropped from some people's faces as Attell segued into his discussion by mocking his own alleged "midget friend" and discussing the unlikely possibility of one day having midget meteorologists. But the then-absent smiles returned when Attell returned to more straightforward stand-up subjects. "I travel a lot, I hate traveling, because my dad used to beat me with a globe," he joked. With the current season in mind, he attempted to explain the mystery of the creation of eggnog: "I want to get a little drunk, but I also want pancakes." He admitted to shaving his pubic hair after a "horrible gum accident." And he continued to work with members of the audience, both male and female, throughout his set. Even if some attendees were put off by Attell's jokes - always a risk at a stand-up show - the Cohen crowd appeared to leave a satisfied bunch. Afterward, Attell descended from the stage to spend time with his fans, chatting and signing countless autographs. His accessibility and trademark humor made for a memorable evening of laughter.

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News

Jazzology

August 31

Because both my parents are artists, I have always been taught to love art. I've been playing jazz trombone since I was ten years old, and since that time, I have been fortunate enough to perform with several renowned jazz artists: Byron Stripling, Wycliffe Gordon, Wessel Anderson, Terrel Stafford, and Fred Wesley, among others. I can tell you the importance of fundamentals from my extensive playing experience, but more than that, I can illustrate the importance of fundamentals from my even more extensive listening experience. I like what The Tufts Daily is attempting to do in their installment, "So, you wanna get into jazz?" I understand that this is intended to focus on Jazz since Charlie Parker, but in the end, I think that rather than broadening the campus' artistic palette, starting at that point in the history of Jazz is counterproductive, and works against its own noble mission. By introducing the Jazz of the 1950s and 1960s - a period generally characterized by a style called Be Bop - to those that are unfamiliar with it, the article ignores the first 50 or 60 years of what Jazz is. It can't be emphasized enough how important the roots of Jazz are to understand and appreciate Be Bop, Cool Jazz, and subsequent styles. Though it is infinitely indebted to its ancestors in Latin America, Africa, and Europe, Jazz is, as the writer correctly pointed out, a purely American art form. To see the synthesis of those three cultures into something that is uniquely ours as Americans is really exciting; and it should specifically strike a chord with Tufts students because of our adamant pride in cultural acceptance and our large international student population. The article recognizes this, and includes a recording of Dizzy Gillespie. Gillespie is one of the best, and most important trumpet players of all time, and he is renowned for his inclusion of Latin American musical elements in his own playing and composition. But he wasn't the first-Duke Ellington would be able to clearly demonstrate that cultural diffusion before Gillespie. Louis Armstrong, the father of every jazz musician since him, needs to be heard in order to even understand what comes after him. Jazz is an art form that builds upon itself in a number of ways. In the same way that American musicians in New Orleans at the turn of the century built upon the ideas of Latin America, Africa, and Europe, every Jazz musician today uses concepts of musicians before him, and in that way shows his respect and tribute to those musicians. Because it builds upon itself, if you don't start at the beginning, you might feel lost, and you definitely won't get as much out of it as you can. Don't misunderstand my opinion as one against Be Bop, or Cool Jazz, or the artists that represent those periods. Indeed, those mentioned in the article, every last one of them, are supreme artists. It would be useful to understand Blues and Swing before being introduced to Be Bop in the same way that knowing a little European History is useful before the study of American History. This way, both American History and Jazz fit into a broader context, and make more sense. Without that context, American history might seem a bit formidable and even frustrating: "Who is that Spain character anyway? How do those 'French' people have a claim to this land?" the examples are ad infinitum. In the same way, with an appreciation of Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet, you can set yourself up to enjoy the suggested Be Bop recordings that much more. Jazz can be the most spiritual, expressive art form there is. This idea manifests itself into jazz dance, as well as jazz music - but we know that they're one in the same anyway, anyone who thinks otherwise is just kidding themselves. Be Bop and Cool Jazz are really expressive, but in more subtle ways than Blues and Swing. In order to hear what those musicians are trying to express, you have to understand the language they use for expression. Musicians like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Sidney Bechet, and Ella Fitzgerald define that language; they communicate their feelings to us through their own vehicle of expression - whether the pure human voice, or the amplified human voice that is the horn, piano, drum or string. They cry, shout, moan, pray, growl, provoke, sing, make babies, and in turn, make us do the same things. If you really "Wanna get into jazz" then, I suggest that you walk with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Ella Fitzgerald before you run with Diz and Bird, Miles Davis, Charles Minus and Oscar Peterson. - Jonathan Silver is a freshman who has not yet declared a major.

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News

Credit problems, but not of the academic kind

August 31

They're everywhere. Paired with free gifts in Harvard Square. In bookstore bags with your textbooks. In your dorm mailbox, or even shoved under your door. They are credit card applications, and they all want you to apply. The transition to college represents a new and independent way of life, but beware: credit card companies know you're easy prey. These solicitations, whether by mail, by phone, or in person, can be tempting. There is essentially no obligation, as most cards marketed to college students include no annual fees. With all the gifts, the deferred payments that come with a credit line, or even a feeling of adulthood, there are many incentives to fill out the short application. And the applications are generally approved. With no prior credit history, students don't have to worry about past mistakes that could get them rejected. Creditors also know that students, equipped with various degrees, will be in the job market after a few short years, so their temporary unemployment isn't so important. With over 15 million students nationwide, the college market is no stranger to card companies. According to Nellie Mae, a major national student loan provider, 67 percent of undergraduates had credit cards in 1998. Last year, the number was up to 78 percent. And Nellie Mae estimates the average debt of card-holding undergraduates at $2,200. The data is unclear on how much of a strain this actually puts on students' finances, since many receive regular income from parents or other relatives. There are no official statistics on the personal finances of Tufts undergrads, but some say that students receive help from parents through allowances or parental charge cards. "I feel like most people at Tufts use their parents' credit cards," one female junior said. As more and more college students sign up for credit cards, the companies are finding better and better ways to hook them in. The reasoning of the credit card companies is similar to the lucrative offers auto creditors extend to recent college graduates. By establishing "brand loyalty" among younger customers, companies say, students are more likely to stick with them. But students aren't the only recipients of credit card incentives, universities also get bonuses from card companies for campus publicity, such as inserts in bookstore bags and tables around the campus center. Some students believe that credit card solicitations are not the root of the problem. They feel that poor financial planning among undergraduates, such as charging more than they can afford or only making minimum monthly payments, is to blame for mounting credit debt. "I think credit cards are a horrible idea," junior Abigail Pratt said. "If you don't have the money to buy something, you shouldn't be spending it." Others are less critical of the cards, but only if the user has a constant job or a steady income. "What if you really need something, and you can count on a paycheck?" junior Jackie Lester asked. But students that get into credit problems have just as many concerns as anyone in the working world - in fact, they might even have more to worry about. Bad credit can prevent students from being able to buy a car, take out a loan, or purchase a house after graduation, and the typical student's limited credit history means there may be no good credit to fall back on. While credit card companies are busy enticing college students with free gifts and special offers, they're also trying to crack down harder on their nonpaying customers. Congress is currently considering the Bankruptcy Reform Act, a product of intense lobbying by credit companies that's backed by the Bush administration, which would make bankruptcy relief from credit card debt tougher to come by. "Credit card companies want to have it both ways," Harvard law professor Elizabeth Warren recently told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "They want an unregulated market so they can target anyone, no matter how young or inexperienced. Then on the flip side, if someone gets into financial trouble, they want the government to jump in and squeeze consumers harder to make them pay." The issue of allowing credit card companies to solicit on campus is heavily debated at some schools. Colleges struggle to balance their concerns for student welfare with the financial implications, which can include generous payments to the school, of allowing the use of their space for such purposes. According to Director of Student Activities Jodie Nealley, the campus center is off-limits to credit card companies. "[The] campus center does not bring in any vendors who 'sell' services - this includes credit cards," Nealley said. "The basis for this decision is based on the feeling that we should only provide vendors who sell things and not a service a student may or may not really want for the length of a binding agreement." If students want to make sure not to charge things they can't end up paying for but are looking for the convenience and portability of a credit card, debit cards are a typical alternative. These cards are linked to the user's checking or savings account, and deduct charges from the account immediately at the point of sale."I wish I could use a debit card for the rest of my life," Pratt said. Sophomore Dan Peres feels that college students should have no problem handling a credit card account. And owning a card provides unique benefits - a solid credit history can make borrowing money much easier in the future. "They're fine as long as you don't overcharge," Peres said. "As long as you don't view it as imaginary money."

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News

What's your problem?

August 31

Q: Doctor K, I need help. I think I'm in love. There's this girl who I've been friends with since the beginning of the summer. She's super cool, we get along really well, and I'm sure that both of us have a ton of fun every time we hang out. She probably calls me a few times a week, just to talk, or because she wants to see me. She even got me this great birthday present that meant a lot to me, and she knew it. I'm starting to think about her a lot and miss her when she's not around. The only problem is that she has a boyfriend! What the hell is going on? I KNOW I'm her type, but why does she act like she wants to get close to me if she's got this other dude on the side? Could someone PLEASE explain the way women work to me? - Frustrated by an Evil WenchA: For me to explain the way women work would take up more volumes of reading material than the world has room for. One thing you have to realize when dealing with any member of the female species is that they were put here to confuse the hell out of men. On a happier note, once you can find a woman who suits your needs (and vice versa), then she can also provide the greatest happiness you can imagine. Now that we've got that cleared up, on to your dilemma. It appears that your dear female friend is absolutely confused by her current situation. And she's dealing with it in a way that is leaving you with your head spinning. My guess is that she really does care about you a lot - after all, she did get you a meaningful birthday gift, which she wouldn't have done if she thought of you only as a good friend. She is showing her true affection for you in ways that will not get her in trouble with her boyfriend. You see, it's not technically cheating if she just hangs out with you, calls you, buys you very special presents, tears your heart out, and plays hacky sack with it. But even though she doesn't think she's cheating on her boyfriend physically, there is a large emotional component that she needs to pay special attention to - because she is devoting her heart to not one, but two people. Apparently, she is at a loss as to what to do. She could truly love her boyfriend, but has come to realize that she isn't as committed as she once thought. It seems like the only way you will ever truly know how she feels is to talk to her. Now, this is definitely not going to be fun or easy, but is absolutely necessary if you want to find some sort of peace of mind. She is crazy about you! And for her to show it in these not-so-subtle ways is unfair to you because you can't do anything about it. My advice would be this: the next time the two of you are together, let her know that you really care about her. Make a point to tell her how meaningful the gift was, and how you've noticed that you spend a lot of time together. Ask her straight up if this is more than a friendship. You can't be subtle about this, because she will be likely to dance around the subject for as long as possible. In fact, she probably wants to avoid talking about it until she figures out what she needs in her life. You, my friend, need to be the person to make her figure it out now - no more stalling! By being up front and honest about your own feelings, you will hopefully encourage her to speak her mind. If for some reason she freezes up, then maybe you guys need a break from each other for a while. But if she is responsive (which I have a feeling she will be), then this could be the opportunity of a lifetime. Don't let it pass you by.Q: Dr. K, what's going on? Three years ago, I remember graduating high school and thinking: "Ahh, college: where all the girls are easy." And now look, it's the middle of my senior year, and I STILL haven't had sex. What's wrong with me? I've been working out, I go to the frat parties, I take girls out on dates - I even started wearing cologne! We fool around and stuff, but still no nookie. I look around, and I feel like even the ugly kid in my French class has gotten some - everyone has except me! What should I do? - Urgin' VirginA: Gee, I can't imagine why any girl would pass up such an intelligent, upstanding, respectful guy such as yourself! I mean really, since college is obviously where "all the girls are easy," then what could possibly be going wrong? So, you work out - big deal. Do you think women are solely interested in a good body? It helps, for sure, but if you don't have anything in the cranium to match, then you're pretty much useless. You go to the frat parties - now, there's a great way to meet the ladies. Drunken chaos and cheap beer definitely do not comprise a decent effort on your part to entice a lovely lady. And when you take girls on dates, do you sit there eyeing them like a piece of rib-eye steak the whole time? I'm going to take a wild guess that you do. Oh, and lastly, if you're as studly as you think you are, then you probably don't understand the concept of how to wear cologne - it is a huge turnoff to pour the stuff on you so that your next door neighbors can smell it. WAKE UP! Obviously, your attitude about the whole college scene is so grossly skewed that you are unknowingly driving away hoards of women who might otherwise be interested in getting to know you. You've heard it before: start thinking with your other head! You need to change your attitude about women before you even think about getting intimate with one. Learn how to respect others and yourself, and try to make an effort to get to know a person before getting them in bed. You might just surprise yourself and find that caring for a person makes sexual experiences that much better.

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News

Some call Joel tickets a steal, others lament the $35 price tag

August 31

Limited seating and ticket prices that surpassed those of other schools didn't stop thousands of Jumbos from attempting to get tickets to the Entertainer himself, Billy Joel. The online distribution method used to determine who received tickets made a successful debut and might be used for future programs. Nearly 1,000 requests for tickets were submitted during Monday night's online scramble, but after 44 seconds, 235 students had claimed all 470 tickets. The ticket purchase site, accessed through www.tuftslife.com, received approximately 3,300 log-on attempts before the lottery was shut down. Despite the high demand for tickets, some students complained about the $35 price tag. Tufts students paid more for their chance to see the Piano Man than students seeing the same version of the show at other campuses. University of Pennsylvania students are paying $5 per student for seats at Joel's Nov. 6 campus appearance. A representative of the UPenn Student Life office said that various funds allocated for Joel's performance defrayed the cost, giving students a more affordable ticket price. About 1,300 tickets to the Irvine Auditorium show and 300 for the concert's simulcast in Penn's Houston Hall were sold in an online lottery. The estimated 600 tickets to Joel's performance tomorrow night at New York University (NYU) were sold for $12 a piece, and students were only allowed to purchase one ticket each. According to a representative of NYU's Program Office, the ticket price was determined by the university's Office of Student Life. The Office of Student Affairs will subsidize the cost of bringing Joel to NYU. Georgetown students paid $25 each for more than 700 tickets to Joel's Nov. 11 appearance in Washington, DC. The event is being sponsored by the Georgetown Program Board and the Students of Georgetown, Incorporated. In response to complaints about the $35 ticket price, Assistant Director of Student Activities Ed Cabellon said that the cost is inexpensive when compared to normal tour ticket prices for big-name performers like Joel. "In one sense I can see students saying that's nothing, and I can see other students saying that's expensive," he said. "No matter how you slice it, Billy Joel himself will be at Tufts University," Cabellon said. Although Northwestern University had been identified as another venue for Joel's campus tour series, Northwestern university officials and students say they have no information about a possible show. Princeton University has also been considered as a possible stop along Joel's tour. "At this point, we don't have a signed contract with Mr. Joel," Princeton Assistant Dean Tom Dunne said yesterday. Tufts is using the $15,000 allocated for the annual Fall Rap Show to help fund Joel's $35,000 performance. This left Concert Board and Office of Student Activities $20,000 short, which set the $35 student and $45 staff ticket prices. Excess revenue will cover the cost of the agent's services, lighting, sound, piano tuning, piano rental, and other miscellaneous expenses. "We knew he wasn't going to take anything less, so that is what we bid for him," Cabellon said. "My understanding from what I was told by our agent is that this price was the same for all the schools." But The Daily Pennsylvanian, UPenn's student newspaper, reported that UPenn had paid "significantly less" than Tufts to bring Joel to campus. Representatives of UPenn, NYU, and Georgetown declined to specify how much they were paying for the concerts. Students who were able to purchase tickets Monday night will be assigned seats in the order in which their requests were submitted. Students will mostly be seated on the main floor of Cohen Auditorium, while staff members will watch the performance from the balcony. Cabellon said that distributing tickets online was "the most fair and equitable process for this show, which is a unique situation because there are only 470 student seats." By avoiding the long lines and possible camp-outs, he said that students did not have to miss class or lose sleep trying to get tickets. "[This] might be a model for the future such as Senior Week ticket sales," he said. In the event that any tickets are left unclaimed, the Concert Board will hold a charity raffle on Nov. 11. It will be run through the Red Cross and will benefit the Massachusetts victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.

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News

Seminoles reign of dominance over

August 31

The mighty has fallen Bobby Bowden had already lost a lot of things this season, but no single event was as painful as the 41-9 loss his number five Florida State Seminoles suffered to the unranked North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday in Chapel Hill, NC. The implications of these misfortunes are now becoming clear: a decade of dominance is on the verge of ending. Among Bowden's losses for this season were his offensive coordinator, who left to pursue a head coaching job, as well as three premier impact players to season ending injuries: running back Davy Ford, wide receiver/quarterback Anquan Boldin, and wide receiver Robert Morgan. Ford was supposed to lead the ground game, Morgan was billed as Peter Warrick's successor, and Boldin was supposed to star at either QB or WR. And to make matters worse, only one defensive starter returned from last year's squad. In Saturday's game, Florida State was out from the beginning. UNC scored late in the first quarter to go up 7-0, but the more impressive figure is that their defense held FSU without a score in that first quarter. Then in the second quarter, it appeared FSU would rebound from its lackluster start, as the squad produced scores both offensively and defensively. A safety by the defense and a touchdown pass from true freshman Chris Rix gave the Seminoles a 9-7 halftime lead. But the second half went all Carolina's way. It held the Seminoles to 11 total yards in the third quarter and without a score in the whole second half. Meanwhile, the Tar Heels scored 24 points after intermission, running the score up to 41-9 to hand the visitors just their third loss in 74 games against Athletic Coast Conference (ACC) competition since 1992. UNC did not dominate every statistical category, though; its win came off of Florida State errors. In his third collegiate game, Rix threw one interception and fumbled twice, three turnovers that this young team could not bounce back from. They are not the typical Florida State that can commit turnovers and still bounce back. This loss presents severe implications to the Seminoles title run and conference championship. FSU has won eight straight ACC titles since joining the conference in 1992. Bowden's team also has 14 straight years of top ten finishes and two National Championships. The ACC is becoming a much more difficult conference, and North Carolina has emerged as a veritable threat. The Seminoles have a tough schedule in which they will face the number one ranked University of Miami and then travel to number two University of Florida and number 18 Clemson. Florida State has overcome early season losses to still finish in the top ten in past years, but now, with Bowden starting a true freshman at quarterback for the first time in his career and a run-by-committee backfield because of injuries and graduated players, the 'Noles may find it difficult to win more than seven games. The preseason ranking of five was generous knowing FSU's weaknesses, but the media and coaches had difficulty not putting Bowden's team that high because of who they are. But with a tough road schedule and still no solutions to their problems, expect FSU to struggle through the season and barely finish in the top 15.Fresno state continues run The Cinderella watch is still on for Fresno State. After convincingly beating number 12 Oregon State and number 23 Wisconsin on the road, it continued its win streak this weekend by beating Tulsa 37-18. The win marks Fresno State's first 4-0 start since 1991. and the team's top 15 ranking has not gone to its head. The Bulldogs maintained their winning strategy as starting quarterback David Carr, now a Heisman candidate, had 314 passing yards with only one interception. He was also helped by his running back Josh Levi, who ran for 107 yards in a game totally dominated by Fresno. Carr threw for three touchdowns and increased his season totals to ten touchdowns, two interceptions, and a completion percentage of 62.8. He also ranks third among collegiate passers with 1,092 yards. These are astonishing numbers for a signal caller from a team that came out of nowhere. Experts also thought that the pressure of being a top 15 team would have gotten to the Bulldogs by now, but the team showed it can perform under pressure and in the spotlight. As Fresno climbs the ranking this week they will receive more national attention. If Carr continues to perform as he has, he could very well find himself in the top four of Heisman trophy voting and lead his Bulldogs to their first ever WAC title.@s:Fresno hasn't lost Cinderella slipper yet

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News

Around the NESCAC Field Hockey

August 31

Last weekend's NESCAC field hockey action saw two overtime games, a trio of shutouts, and in the end, three teams tied atop the standings. After blanking Wesleyan 3-0 on Sunday, Bowdoin gained its second conference win to move into a tie with a pair of teams that had already won the day before - Colby on a 4-2 victory over the same Wesleyan Cardinals, and Middlebury, which topped Tufts 1-0 in overtime. In Bowdoin on Sunday, freshman Marissa O'Neil's scored the final of her three goals in two days. Faye Hargate and Shoshana Kurikoff also tallied goals in the contest, both off of deflections. Bowdoin goalkeeper Gillan McDonald posted a shutout. McDonald had 12 saves the day before, while O'Neil had her first two goals of the season, as Bowdoin defeated Williams 2-1. Colby kept its share of the conference lead by doubling up the Cardinals, 4-2, on Saturday. In Waterville, the White Mules scored three first half goals against a beleaguered Wesleyan squad. Just last year, the Cardinals won their second straight ECAC title, but now find themselves 0-2 in the conference and in an unsettling position as NESCAC cellar dwellers. The final first-place team is Middlebury, which struggled with the Jumbos for all of regulation and nearly a full overtime period before Char Glessner, the conference's leading scorer, netted the game-winner with ten seconds left. It was Tufts' second loss of the season in as many games, though only its first conference defeat. Middlebury improved its overall record to 2-1, but remained perfect in the NESCAC standings. The other overtime affair of the weekend came in Connecticut, where the host Conn. College Camels finished off Trinity when sophomore forward Emily Huffman scored off a pass from junior wing Christy Basset. The goal, and the win, brought Conn. College's conference record to 1-1, while Trinity failed to win in its first conference game of the year. Amherst shut down visiting Bates on Saturday, 4-1, with the Bobcats' lone goal coming off the stick of junior forward Johie Farrar. For the host Lord Jeffs, junior forward Abby Ouimet was the story, as she had a pair of goals and assist. Sophomore midfielder Christine Ryan had the fourth goal on a penalty stroke. It's still early in the NESCAC, but with only one team going to postseason play, every game is that much more important. Another weekend of NESCAC play begins on Saturday. Williams will travel to Wesleyan, Trinity will play at Bates, Amherst is on the road at Conn. College, Middlebury and Bowdoin face off in a game of undefeated teams, and Tufts will visit Colby. The Sunday game will feature Middlebury at Bates.

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News

Women's cross country wins Fall Foliage Frolic

August 31

The women's cross country team captured its first meet title of the year last Friday when it won the Fall Foliage Frolic. Tufts earned 22 points, 15 ahead of second-place Williams, in the race that was held at Williams College. Williams, who is the second ranked team in New England, rested its top runners last weekend in preparation for this Friday's New England Championships at Franklin Park in Boston. The race was a 4k - 1,000 meters shorter the team's usual race distance. "If Williams raced their whole team we would have not been expected to beat them," assistant coach Sarah Deeb said. "It would have been nice if they raced a few more people." Nevertheless the Jumbos made the best of the situation and lack of competition, and dominated on the day, placing five runners in the top seven. "Our 1-5 runners finished nine seconds apart and our 1-7 runners 35 seconds apart," Deeb said. "It was good because our top five and seven ran together; we needed to keep the distance small and run together." The Jumbos were led by sophomore Lauren Dunn (15:49), who finished second overall, and junior Aly White, who placed third with a time of 15:50. "Lauren ran as well as she has all year," coach Kristen Morwick said. "It was a big improvement in Aly White. She went out with the leaders and managed to stay with them. It was not a surprise to the coaches, but it was to her." The team's habitual top runner this season, senior co-captain Heather Ballantyne, slipped out of that number one spot, finishing third for Tufts and fourth overall. But she was only two seconds out of a second place finishing with a time of 15:51. "Heather did not have her best day," Deeb said of Ballantyne's performance. "She started out too hard." Junior Heidi Tyson and sophomore Lauren Caputo rounded out the scorers for Tufts by finishing in sixth and seventh place, respectively. Like the rest of the squad, their times were close - 15:55 and 15:58 respectively. "They both have been in the top five all year depending on the course and how they practiced," Morwick said. "I could see Lauren in the top three." Freshman Rachel Brandenburg (16:24) continued to improve and finished seventh on the team and was the eleventh person overall to cross the line. "Rachel still cannot run everyday," Morwick said of Brandenburg, who sustained a stress fracture last summer. Other runners who fared well were sophomore Emily Craighead (16:57) and junior Sarah Foss (16:58), both of whom finished in the top 12 of the Tufts runners, in 16th and 17th place overall. "We accomplished what we needed to do," Deeb said. "We also got a chance to run on the course that is used for the ECAC's." The ECAC Championship will be held at Williams, Saturday, Nov. 3, at 11 a.m. The cross-country team is faced with its largest test of the season this Friday, the New England Championship, where top teams from all three divisions will compete. Seven people from each team are allowed to race and the top five score points. "We are not expecting a whole lot this weekend," Morwick said. "It is not quite indicative on how strong our team is because the race has all three divisions."

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News

Proud to be an American

August 31

Making calls to "moral high ground" and universal peace, as Emily Good did in her Viewpoint ("Reverse terrorism not the answer,"10/16) is easy. While her emotional pleas may have been quite moving, I have to say that I find her viewpoint to be downright offensive. I would be quite "willing to pick up guns and fight if drafted." This is because I believe in things like "Freedom. Peace. American ideals." I'm sure Ms. Good would love to ridicule me, and people like myself, for falling for the "military propaganda" of "our corporate media networks." But before she goes that far, I'd probably recommend that she take a look inward and make sure that she, and people like herself, are not falling for unjustified, unsupported, trite, and trendy ultra-liberal ideologies. She talks about the "economic, political, and social injustice" that the World Trade Center represented to some. Well, quite frankly, a ruling party that advocates anti-education for women, imposes extreme restrictions on what we would call human rights, and would arrest you for shaving your beard isn't exactly a bastion of equality and justice. Not to me, nor to the majority of the civilians in Afghanistan (who don't support the Taliban). People need to gain some perspective and realize just how much life in America really is better. We are allowed to say what we think. We are allowed to believe what we believe. We are allowed to make personal choices. We're given the opportunity to better ourselves, our lives, and the lives of those we love. If you've ever been to a developing nation, then maybe you can truly understand the nature of "economic, political, and social injustice." I'm not saying the terrorists should agree with me on that. These are things that I, and many Americans, believe in, and these are things that I would be willing to fight for. Asking Americans to "look inward and make essential changes in ourselves" just to make room for terrorist ideologies is weak. When you believe in something, truly believe in it, you should stand up for it. I'm not saying that everyone has to get along (like Ms. Good is saying). I'm not saying that everyone has to believe in the same things (which is the only way that there could ever be a world of non-violence, and a world without "the spirit of hate," as Mahatma Gandhi put it). These are strong ideas, and probably even good ideals, but if we allow terrorists to get away with bombing the World Trade Center, and on top of that, change our policies and ourselves to meet with their ideas, then what does that advocate? It advocates a world where terrorists committing acts of war on civilians rule. The US cannot allow that. Our military efforts aim for military posts, terrorist camps, ammunition silos, and hostile government targets (there are mishaps, of course). Theirs aim for civilians. These are fundamentally different things, and equating them is not logical. In short, it is important to understand the implications of one's violence, but it is also important to understand the implications of one's nonviolence. Maybe one of the beauties of America is that we can take it for granted. Our lives are so good here that we forget sometimes how different it can be elsewhere. We assume it's like this everywhere; some kind of contented ignorance that befalls most of us. I've realized in the last few weeks that, especially now, we have to try very hard to avoid taking America for granted. See it for all that it is, good and bad. There is a lot of bad, needless to say. But the good is so basic and fundamental, and that is what we should all be willing to fight for and defend.Sameer Puri is a junior majoring in electrical engineering.

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News

Conference races enter full swing

August 31

The Big East Conference After falling to second in the coaches' polls last week, the Miami Hurricanes surged back to the top by beating up on the number 21 Syracuse Orangemen, 59-0, on Saturday. Both teams had come into the matchup 5-0 in the Big East, but only Miami left undefeated. This game was crucial to the Hurricanes - it brings them one game closer to winning the Big East title, and the margin of victory returned the number one seeding in the coaches' poll. Syracuse remains in second place in the Big East, but the Orangemen might find difficulty holding onto that spot as their last game comes against Boston College, which had star running William Green back in the lineup this weekend after his one-game suspension.Virginia Tech, number three in the Big East, has just a slight chance of finishing second. Tech faces Miami on the last game of their season, and could play the role of spoiler, but could also serve as a stepping stone on the Hurricanes' road to the national title game.The Big 12 Conference As usual, the Nebraska Cornhuskers are undefeated in the Big 12 Conference. They were idle this weekend but play the Colorado Buffalos next weekend. Nebraska should win that game fairly easily, and then go on to represent the North in the Big 12 title game. Most bets are on the Cornhuskers to win this game and remain number one in the BCS going into the bowl games. In the Big 12-South, the Oklahoma Sooners are looking to hold off the Texas Longhorns to earn a berth in the title game. Oklahoma did beat Texas during the year, but has lost to Nebraska once. If the Sooners do make it to the title game, few would bet on them to beat Eric Crouch and the Cornhuskers.The Southeastern Conference The SEC race is coming down to the Florida Gators (6-1), the Tennessee Volunteers (5-1), and the Auburn Tigers (5-2). Florida managed an important victory Saturday by beating in-state rival Florida State, 37-13. Though FSU does not have a strong team this season, the Gators had not defeated the Seminoles in three years, and will look to take advantage of the morale boost in its final game. That game will be a Dec. 1st matchup between the Gators and the Volunteers, who will face off for the right to play in the SEC Championship. The home team usually wins this game - unfortunately for the Volunteers, it will be played in Gainesville, Fla.Auburn plays two more SEC teams, Alabama and Louisiana State. Though neither of these teams is a major threat to Auburn, the Tigers must be careful not to become complacent or they risk losing their chance of playing in the title game.The Big Ten Conference The Big Ten might be the toughest and most consistent conference in college football, with the title race having come down to Illinois and Michigan. Illinois beat Ohio State, 34-22, this weekend. Ohio State might have posed a bigger threat if starting quarterback Steve Bellisari not been suspended by the team for a pending DUI charge. Michigan faces Ohio State next week, and it remains unclear whether Bellisari will be allowed to play or whether the team will hold him out for the rest of the year. If Bellisari does not play, Michigan will most likely win the game and tie Illinois, which plays a weak Northwestern team next weekend, for the conference title.The Pacific 10 Conference Heisman candidate quarterback Joey Harrington and the Oregon Ducks, who were idle this weekend, will take on rival Oregon State next weekend. The Ducks are already ensured of a BCS bowl game - the only question now is which one.The Ducks secured this position when Washington State lost to Washington on Saturday, 26-14. Washington State was second in the conference and the loss takes it out of the Ducks' range. Still, second place in the Pac-10 is nothing to be ashamed of, and with the conference win, Washington moves into a tie with Washington for that spot.The Atlantic Coast Conference For the first time since 1991, the Florida State Seminoles will not at least share a portion of the ACC title - and they joined the conference in 1992. The Maryland Terrapins will win the conference despite the fact that their only conference loss was to FSU. The Seminoles lost to North Carolina and North Carolina State in a year that was not representative of the typical Bobby Bowden team. Never before had FSU lost two conference games in a single season.After hurting FSU's chance for the title, NC State almost spoiled Maryland's shot. But in Saturday's game, the Terrapins came back to beat NC State 23-19. Maryland's fourth quarter comeback concluded with a eight-yard Shaun Hill touchdown pass to Guilian Gary.

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News

Can the Lakers three-peat?

August 31

 Neck and NeckThe Los Angeles Lakers are the two-time defending NBA champions,so it would be silly to think anyone could knock them from their throne.The Lakers have the most dominant player in the game, Shaquille O'Neal,and one of the most talented players in guard Kobe Bryant. Some nights,it doesn't seem fair to put these two on the same team. But there are weaknesses to this team, which is what the restof the league will have to count on to prevent a three-peat. First, O'Nealand Bryant could easily regress to the bickering that hurt their team lastyear. Also, the Lakers lost Horace Grant in the off-season, which meansthey are weak at the power forward spot. Will Smith look-alike Robert Horryis penciled in as the starter, but he can't guard the top power forwardsin the league. In the Lakers' run to the title last season, Grant had toguard Rasheed Wallace, Chris Webber, and Tim Duncan - no way Horry cando that. But if the Lakers start to fall - still a Shaq-sized if - theSacramento Kings should be there waiting. The Kings made two importantmoves in the off-season, signing Webber to a long-term deal, and tradingpoint guard Jason Williams for Mike Bibby. Webber is the MVP of this team,and as flashy and exciting as Williams is, he's not a good point guard.Bibby will bring consistency to the position, and will be able to distributethe ball to scorers like Webber, Pedrag Stojakovic, and Vlade Divac.Fantasy Stars The two biggest stars are in LA, where Shaq averaged 28 pointsper game (ppg) and twelve rebounds, while Kobe chipped in 28 points a nightlast season. Up the coast in Sacramento, Webber was one of the top powerforwards in the league, averaging 27 points and 11 rebounds a night. Anotherstar forward, but with even more attitude than Webber, is Portland TrailblazerRasheed Wallace. But Wallace's numbers (19 points and seven rebounds anight) were disappointing last season.If you're looking for points, look no further than Phoenix Suns'point guard Stephon Marbury, who hasn't met a shot he didn't like. Marburycame over from the New Jersey Nets in a trade for Jason Kidd, bringinghis 23 ppg with him. The Los Angeles Clippers have a trio of youngtalent, any of whom could break out for a superstar year. Power forwardElton Brand (20 ppg), small forward Lamar Odom (17 ppg), and reserve DariusMiles (9 ppg) will look to take the exciting Clip Joint to the playoffs.    Moving AroundThe Lakers lost Horace Grant and Isaih Rider, but brought in SamakiWalker, Mitch Richmond, and Lindsey Hunter...the Kings dealt Williams forBibby... the Suns and Nets exchanged point guards... the Blazers lost SteveSmith to the San Antonio Spurs but replaced him with the Spurs'Derek Anderson... the Seattle Sonics were able to keep point guardGary Payton, and were glad to see Patrick Ewing leave for Orlando...    Questions AboundThe question on everyone's mind is: Can the Lakers three-peat? To answerthat, they might have to answer a few other questions. Can Kobe and Shaqco-exist? Can Shaq possibly play center and power forward ? Can RobertHorry and Samaki Walker fill in for Horace Grant? You get the feeling thoughthat the answer to all those questions is yes, because coach Phil Jacksonmakes it so.It seems as though every other team in the division has a few questionmarks as well. The Kings need to know if Mike Bibby is the answer at pointguard, and if he is, can they figure out a way to stop Shaq? The Blazers have a new coach in Maurice Cheeks, but Cheeks hasto wonder if his star player, Wallace, can keep his cool and live up tohis super-star billing. The Sonics are wondering how bad it can get, andhow they ended up with Vin Baker. And Clippers fans are wondering if thiswill finally be the year they return to the playoffs.And the Award Goes to...MVP: This is a no-brainer. Shaq is the most valuable player onhis team (that's right, Kobe), in the division, and in the league. Andfor all the Shaq-haters out there, he may not be the most talented playerto come along, but when you find someone who can guard him, then you canstart talking.Coach of the Year: You hate to see all the awards going out West,but Phil Jackson is the best coach in the NBA. People say that he's beenlucky to inherit such talented teams, but luck has very little to do withit. He turned the Bulls from a good team into a championship team, andhe has done the same with the Lakers. Plus, he has to figure out a wayto squeeze into a locker room cluttered with the egos of superstars. Rookie of the Year:Golden State Warriors: Shootingguard Jason Richardson from Michigan State has the chance to be in thestarting lineup fairly soon. The coaches are excited about his athleticability, and coaches in Golden State don't have a lot to get excited about.Richardson could see a lot of shots this year.

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News

Muslim leaders justify US bombing during Ramadan

August 31

Leaders of Tufts' Muslim community say the US should not suspend its bombing campaign in Afghanistan during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month that began Nov. 16 and does not end until mid-December. Ramadan is not a time when everything shuts down, according to Imam Noureddine Hawat, Tufts' Muslim spiritual leader. "Ramadan is a month where we fast, but it is not a month for stopping war," he said. "There are four different months that you cannot start a war, but Ramadan is not one of them." The month of Ramadan in the Muslim lunar calendar is a time of prayer and reflection. During daylight hours, practicing Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, and smoking. The first day of the next month in the lunar calendar, Shawwal, is set aside for celebration. Hawat said Ramadan is a time of intense prayer, but that Muslims are not supposed to make changes to their everyday routines. "Just because it's Ramadan does not mean that everything should stop," Arab Student Association Vice President Seif Shieshakly said. But asked about US bombing during Ramadan, Shieshakly said he "could see how some people could get upset." Other religious figures recognize the importance of Ramadan to Islam. "It's a time of reflection and compassion," Interim Chaplain Reverend Patricia Kepler said. "It's important for us in the US to appreciate the depth of what this celebration means for observant Muslims." But Kepler isn't sure if stopping the war in Afghanistan during the fast is necessary. "Should we pause during Ramadan, Christmas, or Passover?" she asked. "I don't know." "The larger question is whether we should be doing this large scale bombing at all," Kepler said. Many Muslims, however, say that if the cause is right, the timing of the fighting should not matter. "If the objective is to fight terrorism, it won't matter if it's Ramadan or not," Shieshakly said. This war is justified, Hawat added, saying the US should not relax its actions in deference to the Muslim fast.

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News

TuftScope' clashes with administration over use of University name

August 31

TuftScope, a student journal that discusses healthcare issues and bioethics, will retain its title after a battle with University officials over its use of the Tufts name. Administrators had argued the magazine could be confused with an official University publication because it does not sufficiently inform readers it is a student publication. Future covers of TuftScope will feature a disclaimer that the magazine is a student organization that does not represent the official viewpoints of the University. Steve Manos, Tufts' executive vice president, talked with Dean of Students Bruce Reitman last week to confirm Tufts' acceptance of the continuation of the TuftScope name. The first issue of TuftScope, published last May, was dubbed "The Tufts University Journal of Health, Ethics, and Politics." According to administrators, including Manos, the phrase "Tufts University" made the magazine seem like an official University journal as opposed to a student publication. The magazine changed its subtitle to "The Interdisciplinary Journal of Health, Ethics, and Politics" at the end of last semester at the request of then-Associate Provost June Aprille. As a Tufts Community Union (TCU)-funded organization, TuftScope is permitted to use Tufts' name in its group title. But after Aprille left her post, administrators said that TuftScope was in violation of the institution's policies governing the use of the Tufts name and insignia. Regulations published by the Office for Technology and Industry Collaboration on Sept. 1 state that "the name of Tufts University may not be used in the title of any journal or other publication without the expressed permission of the University. Such permission will not normally be given in any circumstance where the University does not retain exclusive editorial control over the publication." Administrators are looking into the possibility of adding further policies regarding use of the Tufts name that would require student publications to clearly define their affiliation with the University. "It would not surprise me to see the need for all student publications to have to define their status at the university in some prominent way in the future," Reitman said.TuftsScope Editor-in-Chief Brad Crotty, meanwhile, says his publication's title is not in violation of existing policy. "I understand why they want to do that. You can't have a lot of Tufts University journals," he said. "Having TuftScope in the name doesn't constitute [a violation]." While Manos singled out TuftScope because the magazine's cover did not mention it was part of a student organization, similar publications were not targeted. For example, the student-run publication Hemispheres is subtitled "The Tufts University Journal of International Relations." TuftsLife.com, a TCU organization, uses Tufts' name and insignia and links to various University webpages, but the site does not prominently designate itself as a student-run organization on its main page.The Primary Source calls itself "The Journal of Conservative Thought at Tufts." Source Editor-in-Chief Sam Dangremond says his magazine has been allowed to keep that label because inside each issue it identifies itself as a student publication. "We do watch over the use of the name very carefully to protect its integrity, among other things," he said. According to Crotty, administrators did not target Hemispheres because it is supported by faculty. "They have an IR program that sort of backs them," he said. "We have a faculty program that has not chosen to be supportive but has chosen to make sure that they distance themselves." In fact, Crotty said it was biology professors who complained to Manos about TuftScope's use of the University name. Although Crotty has reached a consensus with the administration about the use of Tufts' name, he says the rules about the issue are not clear and has brought his concerns before the Senate. "Brad came to open forum and everybody in the Senate thought the rules were absolutely ridiculous," Senate President Eric Greenberg said. Greenberg said Trustee Representative Jessie Levey has a good working relationship with Manos, so he was sent to broker a compromise with the University. Dangremond also says the rule is arbitrary and that TCU Judiciary approval of an organization should be sufficient to give the group the right to use Tufts' name. "I really don't think that every student organization should have to come crawling to Steve Manos every time they want to use the Tufts name," he said. "I think there's a fairer way of protecting the Tufts name and the Tufts copyright." The latest issue of TuftsScope will be distributed on Friday.

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News

Defense leads Ram's rejuvenation

August 31

When someone selected the St. Louis Rams' defense in my fantasy football draft, he was laughed at. First by only one person, but soon the whole room joined in. Of course, we all remembered the Rams as a team that scored about 50 points a game and gave up about 45. It's not so funny anymore. The Rams' defense is a major reason the team is the sole unbeaten squad in the NFL. Sure, quarterback Kurt Warner, running back Marshall Faulk, and receivers Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, and Az-Zahir Hakim get most of the press, but it's the eleven anonymous guys on defense that make the Rams the most dangerous team in the NFL. In St. Louis' fourth game, a 35-0 blowout against the Detroit Lions on Monday night, the offense looked like a juggernaut as always, but the defense put on the real show. True, the Lions don't have a lot to boast about offensively, but the Rams still shut them down. Other than holding the Lions scoreless, St. Louis scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery, had six sacks, and two interceptions. The week before, the defense held the Miami Dolphins to only ten points, sacking quarterback Jay Fiedler twice and creating four turnovers. While the Rams have yet to go against the top offenses in the league, it's clear that this is a much-improved defensive unit in comparison to last year's - and even superior to the squad that won the Super Bowl in 1999. So what makes this unit so talented? It's not big-name players, though there is a pair in linebacker Roman Fletcher and corner back Aeneas Williams. But other than that, it is a group of strong, quick players who understand their roles and execute. The four starters on the line are all over 6'2 and weigh between 267 and 297 pounds, but they're all quick, especially the ends. Chidi Ahanatu and Grant Wistrom line up outside and are responsible for creating the most havoc in the offensive backfield. The two ends are supported by reserve Leonard Little, who leads the team with four sacks. Fletcher is the key to the linebacking corps, and the best all-around player on the defense. The middle linebacker is only 5'10" and 241 pounds, but he leads with 33 tackles. Fletcher also has three sacks and an interception to his name. Left cornerback Aeneas Williams was a pro-bowler with the Arizona Cardinals but came to St. Louis as a free agent this offseason. He has teamed with right corner Dexter McCleon to form one of the strongest tandems in the league. They are second and third on the team in tackles, and McCleon already has an interception on the season. And Williams' backup, Dre Bly, has the Rams' lone defensive touchdown this season. Since this defense is working with a new defensive coordinator, Lovie Smith, and a number of new starters, it will probably improve on its current ranking of tenth in the league. This Sunday, the Rams play the New York Giants, in a game that, in past years, was a matchup of the Rams great offense against the Giants' stingy defense. That's no longer the case, as the Giants will have to figure out how to score on the Rams. In the long run, if the Rams have a chance at going undefeated on the season, it will be due in large part to the defense. The goodPittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis moved over 10,000 yards rushing for his career with 153 yards against the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday. It was the Steelers first game in their new stadium, Heinz Field, and Bettis helped the home team open up in style, as Pittsburgh won the game 16-7. Bettis is now 14th on the all-time rushing list. The bad There were once three teams in the NFC East without wins. Now there are two. After Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 21-20 in the final minute, only the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins remain without a victory. The Redskins fell 23-9 to the Giants, and the Cowboys lost 28-21 to the Oakland Raiders. There are other teams without wins in the NFL, but for now, the Redskins and the Cowboys are going to remain here until they win. The ugly Raiders kicker Sebastian Janikowski gets the award this week, and not just because of his physical appearance. The kicker, who weighs 255 pounds, was pulled from a night club last weekend after he was found incoherent on the floor, kicking and flailing wildly. This is not the first time Janikowski's been involved in an incident of this nature, and the NFL is looking into appropriate punishments.

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News

Jolly good time for men's soccer team in Britain

August 31

Every four years, the men's soccer team tours around Europe at the end of August, playing professional teams and honing skills in preparation for the upcoming fall. For a relatively young team that peaked at the end of its season a year ago when it captured the ECAC Championship as the fifth seed, the tour could not have come at a better time. "It was certainly good timing," assistant coach Pat Marino said. "We had such a young team [last year], and it just took a lot of time for them to gel and find their identity. We had a lot of talent, but we had a lot of disappointing results. The tour gave [coach Ralph Ferrigno] a chance to see a lot of the young guys, and the team had some success over there as well." Junior co-captain Matt MacGregor was equally positive about the experience, while also singling out team bonding as an important benefit of the trip. "It was a good tour; there were a lot of good games against some great competition," he said. "But aside from that, we gained a lot from the time that we spent together as a team." The Jumbos kicked off the 13-day springboard to their season with a stop in Edinburgh, Scotland for two games, before heading to Liverpool, England, where it spent six days facing top-notch competition. Ferrigno and his team lived in the University of Liverpool dorms during their stay, which consisted of five games against both youth professional and amateur teams from London, Liverpool, and Edinburgh. Outside of Liverpool, the Jumbos took on the under-19 team of Tranmere, a professional club that plays as a member of England's first division - one step below the illustrious Premiership, the top league in the county. Tufts refused to let intimidation be a factor, though, and held its own in the contest, battling to a 1-1 tie. Senior tri-captain Brad Stitchberry clinched the tie when he finished a beautiful feed from junior Alex Berg in the 85th minute. "We were a little disappointed to have to settle for a tie," MacGregor said. "But it was the best game we played in England." Another match pitted Tufts against Crew Alexandria's under-19 team, also a professional club that plays as a member of England's first division. Crew Alexandria is renowned for developing players and then selling them off to the bigger clubs, managing continuously to field a very strong team of its own. "Crew Alexandria was the best team I've ever seen," junior defender Rupak Datta said. "They had one player who was worth 1.8 million pounds." Not surprisingly, then, the Jumbos were overmatched and suffered a lopsided loss, 9-0. Despite the result, they came away from the game with new insight that will surely aid them in the highly competitive NESCAC Conference. "Crew Alexandria beat us pretty badly," MacGregor said. "But it was a learning experience, because we're going to come back to the NESCAC and play teams of equal or lesser caliber." Other NESCAC schools used similar tactics for their summer training programs, with Williams, Amherst, and Middlebury each making overseas trips of their own. This will only boost the already high level of competition within the conference, with nine teams fighting for a single postseason bid. Due to a new ruling last year, NESCAC teams will no longer be playing in ECAC tournaments, meaning that the only means of reaching the postseason is to win the NESCAC Tournament. "They know that they have to win the whole thing to get to the postseason," Marino said. "And I think after winning the ECAC's last year, a lot of them expect - whether its realistic or not - to be the NCAA representative. I don't think we have to put pressure on them, they're going to put it on themselves." Since returning from Europe, Ferrigno and his staff have used the past week to begin making final decisions regarding roster spots and positions in preparation for the team's season opener on Sept. 12 at La Salle. Just two seniors departed from last year's Tufts team - captains Steve McDermid and David Drucker - leaving limited spots open for the seven freshman and 25 upperclassmen in the program. The loss of McDermid, a four year starter in goal, leaves Ferrigno with senior Ryan Plichta as his starter. Plichta does have experience on his side, albeit limited, with 200 minutes of action and one win in three years. Behind him are four freshman recruits, who will compete for the back-up role this year and ultimately the starting spot in the future. "Plichta played excellent on the tour," MacGregor said. "He doesn't have much experience in net, but he is an excellent shot stopper. I think that if he can step it up and gain confidence, he'll be able to fill the role." On Sunday, the team got a chance to showcase its skills in a game situation on American soil, with a dual scrimmage against Harvard and NESCAC rival Bowdoin at Kraft Field. The high powered Crimson edged Tufts 1-0, while the Polar Bears battled the hosts to a 1-1 stalemate. Marino was happy with the squad's performance but maintains that the level of expectations has been raised as a result of last year's fanfare down the stretch. "We had a very good showing against Harvard," he said. "I wasn't impressed with Bowdoin. Our last year's jayvee and younger guys did very well against a lot of their first team guys. We're very excited, but the expectations are a lot higher. They know what has to be done." And Datta remains assured that he and his teammates are up to the challenge, thanks large in part to the European tour. "We came off a good season last year to go into the trip," he said. "And now, after it, we're more confident and we know where we are."

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News

A wider perspective

August 31

Surfing around the New York Post's website on Tuesday, I came across a message board with the question, "If you could clone anyone, who would it be?" The most interesting part about it, however, was that the comments - two in particular - had nothing to do with the issue of human cloning. Both said that Osama bin Laden would be the person they would clone, but for very different reasons. Both advocated murder in their comments, but again, in different ways. The first post, from "Divine Justice" wrote; "I would clone Osama bin Laden because he has done something that the USA has done all over the world, financing dictatorships all over the world which have cost millions of missing and dead people. What happened to Americans is what the Palestinian nation suffers everyday, the whole Middle East suffers...." The second post read, "Osama bin Laden: This way we can raise him in a cage and kill him when we're ready and know that at least we'll get one of him." (The poster went to say something about Anna Kornikova as well, but that's for another time). Neither of these points of view are unique, as both have been shouted around the world since Sept. 11. But instincts tell me that while most Americans would be disturbed about the lauding of bin Laden, they might admit they've harbored many of the same feelings as our friend with an affinity for cages. It is this opinion that I take exception to. I'm not saying that we should clone as many Osamas as possible, or that the work of the Al Qaeda network is even remotely condonable. I do think, however, that Americans have become fixated around getting even for what happened in New York and Washington DC and that we are ignoring some of the larger lessons of this tragedy. How many people stopped to think about "Divine Justices" accusations before they denounced the writer as a lunatic? It seems that sometimes we forget that there are other people in the world who matter. Much of the world sees the US in one of two ways. Either as an isolationist who couldn't care about anyone else, or as an imperialist who is trying to destroy everyone else. Before dismissing these opinions as bad PR on the part of the White House, perhaps we should actually think about them. Does the rest of the world have a case? Do we have license to ignore their concerns, just as we would scoff at pro-bin Laden remarks, just because we don't like what we hear? The world, not just fundamentalists, has grievances with us. They don't like us, and that includes a good chunk of our NATO allies. As we move forward in the 21st century, there are two ways to proceed. America can do as President Bush did prior to Sept. 11 and tell any complainers out there where they can stick it. Or, Americans can wake up to the world and start to think about where we fit into a complex political map. If you're interested in the latter option, the first step is to listen. Listen to what people you don't like are saying. Try to understand their viewpoint, and why they wouldn't mind seeing you dead. If that sounds too painful, or bothersome, we can just continue along our present course; building up our GDP, increasing our standard of living, and ignoring how the rest of the world lives. The choice is ours. Just remember, either way, we're all still stuck on the same planet together. That is, until one of us goes and blows the other off of it again. Matt Kane is a junior majoring in economics. He is currently abroad in Brussels, Belgium.

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News

Professors criticize outgoing IR director

August 31

Professors and students in the international relations program are expecting a change of direction after its director, a political science professor, was replaced this fall by German Professor Christiane Zehl Romero. Many professors criticized Robinson's leadership approach as too narrow and said she was not effective at securing funds from the administration. Romero took over the program from Pearl Robinson, whose second three-year term as director ended last semester. Her appointment marks a shift for IR - a program usually dominated by economics, history, and political science professors. The two previous directors were professors in the political science department.Many faculty members welcome the change in leadership, saying Romero will be better able to broker compromises and make even-handed decisions. They see her as an able lobbyist for IR funding from the administration and believe she will balance the needs of smaller departments against larger ones.As director, Robinson had "great credibility in her own work, her own field," sociology Professor Paula Aymer said. But some say that Robinson, a self-proclaimed "ideas person," used her position to further her own research projects. Aymer described Robinson as a motivated leader whose "boundless energy" sometimes alienated those who did not share her passions. Robinson's critics say she was a weak lobbyist who neglected University politics and let IR fall by the wayside."I did in fact find myself unable to meet all of the demands of what I was doing," Robinson said, explaining that her research activity and work on a distance learning project demanded much of her energy.Romero's leadership will focus on expanding the resources available to IR students and increasing student scholarship and research. As director, she says she will promote interaction between faculty and among students.Economics Professor David Dapice said he looks forward to working with a director from outside the three central departments and hopes she can emphasize the importance of culture in international relations. "Cultural components are extremely important," he said. "She makes us understand why they are important."Romero's admirers say she has a strong reputation for negotiating finesse in working with the administration on financial issues. Although not an Arabic professor herself, Romero is credited with building the six semesters of Arabic now offered in the department of German, Russian, and Asian Languages and Literature, of which she is a former chair. Romero has also been a voracious committee member, chairing several committees charged with controversial tasks where she was able to foster compromises on contentious decisions. In 1995, she served on a faculty committee evaluating the relationship between IR and the Education for Public Inquiry and International Citizenship (EPIIC) program. The two were long thought of as rivals with strained relations."She has the respect of students and faculty, and she knows how to deal with the administration," said Leila Fawaz, who appointed Romero as director in her former capacity as dean of Arts and Humanities. "She knows how to get consensus around an issue."These strengths will be helpful in increasing the visibility of the IR program, which has long seen itself as neglected. With a small office on the sixth floor of Cabot, the program went seven months without an assistant for Associate Director John Jenke.While the IR office benefits from its proximity to the Fletcher School, some at Tufts say it deserves increased space. Romero says she will find a larger, more suitable space, which may require constructing a new building. "Buildings are a big investment and last a long time, but IR does need more space," she said.The number of IR majors has more than doubled over the past decade, but the program has not seen its budget significantly grow. As the program grew in popularity, Robinson failed to obtain a proportional increase in funding.Professors also criticized the direction in which Robinson took IR, saying the concentration of the program mirrored the director's own research interests and failed to account for the larger core faculty. "Professor Robinson had her own priorities and followed them," Dapice said. "Maybe Professor Romero will canvas a little more carefully."Aymer also said that under Robinson, IR focused on political science. "I think that the IR program was strongly political science because that was the research area and academic skill of the director," she said.Instead of focusing on bureaucratic issues, Robinson undertook three major programs as IR director: a conference on IR and jazz, a small states conference featuring the chief of state of Barbados, and a distance-learning program with two African universities.Professors say privately that the IR program's priorities too closely mirrored Robinson's African and African-American politics specialty.This left some professors feeling alienated by the program. IR core faculty come from various departments and many professors focused more energy on their departments at the expense of the IR program, because of the lack of "clear intellectual leadership," said one professor, adding that Robinson's leadership style was "idiosyncratic."Robinson does not dispute that she followed her research interests, saying that each director brings the program in the direction he or she knows best. "Being director of IR enabled me to do things I wouldn't otherwise have been able to do," said Robinson, who teaches African and African-American politics. "One of my goals of being director was to make Africa more central." Romero, who does not list making comparative German literature a focus in IR among her priorities, says she will target undergraduate research as an area for growth. "What I want to do is get some more resources for Tufts IR in general," she said. "I want to use this for small IR research scholarships, to offer them small stipends to do research projects." Robinson implemented structural changes to the IR program that will help Romero institute her goals. When Robinson first took her position, only the director and assistant director decided which courses could count towards the major. Now a standing Curriculum Committee makes the decision.The small states conference attracted international attention, though was not necessarily well-attended at Tufts. Aymer, the sociology professor, chaired a panel at the small states conference and says it was well-run, attracting undergraduates and professors from many countries.Beginning with $10,000 for a conference on jazz and IR in 1997, Robinson aggressively sought outside funding for her initiatives instead of for the IR administration. To pay for the small states conference held in the spring of 2000, she raised $80,000 and the administration contributed an additional $10,000.Her most recent project, the distance learning program, included several trips to the African universities, a joint website, and a curriculum developed between the three schools. For this project alone she has raised $400,000 from the Ford and Carnegie Foundations and the federal government."Being director of the IR program was an ideal position to launch this effort," Robinson said. "It was a project that required an awful lot of time."One University staff member who traveled with Robinson to work on the Uganda and Tanzania program says outsiders hold Robinson in the highest regard. "She's been great for the project," said Steve Cohen, who works in Computing Services and helped Robinson on the distance learning initiative. "If she's doing anything, it's leading by example."Now, with the new director, faculty and students hope that Romero's background outside of the social sciences will bring diversity to the program and a larger emphasis on culture.But not all faculty and students are enthusiastic about a stronger emphasis on culture. Some students see it as a softening of the curriculum and fear that her background may lead to a shift away from IR's traditional core.One professor who teaches IR courses went so far as to say that Romero "doesn't know anything about IR." Romero, who chaired the program when Robinson went on sabbatical in 1997, says she will leave theory to the specialists, emphasizing her focus on administration."In terms of theory, I count on my colleagues," Romero said. "I study literature in the social and political context. In the context of my work, I have to deal with the politics of the time."

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News

Dunn and Goodman: basketball's odd couple

August 31

For a basketball team to be successful, the point guard and the leading scorer must have chemistry. In the case of point guard Hillary Dunn and Emily Goodman, the team's center and leading scorer for the past two years, their relationship extends beyond the hardwood. "I have already planned the speech for her wedding," Goodman said of Dunn. "We always talk about how when we are 90 we are just going to be sitting around and talking like [we do now]. If someone asked me who I would keep in touch with after college, she is definitely one." It should not be a surprise that Goodman and Dunn, both juniors, have developed such a strong friendship. In fact, after living together for all or parts of three years it would be strange if they weren't close. The pair began their off-court friendship during winter break freshman year, as the team, like other winter sports, was required to return early and live in Stratton. And as luck would have it, Dunn and Goodman were assigned to be roommates. "We really clicked then," Dunn said. "We did everything together second semester freshman year. That year during spring break we visited each other. I went to New York and she came to Massachusetts." According to Goodman, during that first time as roommates they bonded in part because of the lonely situation and also because they shared a similar sense of humor. "The main thing that brought us together was our similar ridiculous sense of humor," Goodman said. "When you are back here and it is depressing because no one is around, laughing helps you get through it. And that was the main thing that drew us together. We were in the same room and everything became funny." Interestingly, had it not been for basketball, the pair may have never met. "We've talked about this before," Dunn said. "If we didn't play basketball we probably wouldn't know each other. So basketball brought us together as friends." While the duo became best friends in the middle of freshmen year, they really didn't begin developing an on-court chemistry until their sophomore year. As a freshmen, Goodman was the starting center and Dunn appeared sporadically as the backup point guard. That all changed during their sophomore year, when starting point guard Shira Fishman was recovering from a partially torn ACL. Dunn was thrust into a starting role and the pair began to develop on the court as well. "At the beginning of the year [Fishman] was hurt so I played almost every minute of every game," Dunn said. "So we had that crash course of constantly playing with each other where freshman year was sporadic. A lot of people were injured at the beginning of last year so we were both logging a lot of minutes. That was the first time we played together constantly." This season there should be even more highlights featuring the pair as coach Janice Savitz has developed a motion, inside-outside offense that will utilize the skills of both Dunn and Goodman. "Obviously the book is that Goody is the focal point of offense and we have to get other people involved," Savitz said. "So we have get more offense out of perimeter people." "The inside outside-offense caters to both of us," Dunn said. "More than shooting outside I like to drive to the basket and that will open opportunities for her and that will make it easier to pass to her. And when she is double teamed she can kick it out to me for the three." This year, Dunn and Goodman will be counted on to be amongst the team's leaders. "Being in the point guard position, Hillary is kind of extension of the coaching staff. Her leadership skills are such that and she has a lot of respect from her peers," Savitz said. "Goodman with the course of a couple years under her belt has matured into one of the best players in the conference." Once the duo is finished with the game or the practice they jump right back into their own little world. "There was one specific time when we were in our room [last year]," Goodman said. "I don't know why we didn't leave. We just went stir crazy. I think it was during the snow storm. Hill got up and started jumping into the wall and it was the funniest thing at the time. She was saying 'get me out of here I'm bored." That is just some of the stupid [stuff] that goes on. We were just sitting there absolutely hysterical because it was so dumb. It was ridiculous." While some people might have thought that Dunn was going crazy, Goodman thought it was funny, perhaps even normal and that is the sign of a friendship which clearly transcends basketball.

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News

Ghana program hires new program adviser

August 31

The Office of Tufts Programs Abroad is working to reinstate its Tufts-in-Ghana program, ending an eight-month suspension that followed the rape of four students. Tufts students were sent home one week before the end of their semester last spring, but completed their final exams. Those scheduled to go last fall received a letter last summer informing them the program had been suspended. An administrative team that oversees the program and initiated the suspension recently hired a former Peace Corps worker in Ghana, Janna Behren, as a new program advisor to help restructure the program to ensure the safety of Tufts' participants. Behrens is meeting with administrators, faculty, students, program alumni, and officials at the University of Ghana to decide on measures to recommend. The administrative committee will decide whether to implement Behrens' proposals. Behrens will visit the University of Ghana campus in Legon in October to meet with administrators, including the program's resident director, Dr. Kweku Bilson. She will also evaluate the University of Ghana's efforts to increase the safety of foreign students. Tufts' program is one of many hosted by Ghana's largest university. Since Tufts suspended its program, the University has built a dorm specifically for foreign students. Tufts students previously lived in dorms with Ghanaian students, but a University strike in the spring of 2000 vacated the campus. International students left on campus were relocated to a single dorm. The dorm for foreign students will have increased security, but critics of the plan say segregating foreign students deprives them of the opportunity to interact with Ghanians. The plan, moreover, will not increase the safety of Tufts students abroad, program alumni say. According to some alumni, the best form of security comes from befriending Ghanaian students in the dorms, not from security guards. George Akanlig-Pare, a University of Ghana exchange student studying at Tufts, shared this opinion. "I personally thought that foreigners should stay with us," he said. "They would learn a lot of things they wouldn't learn in the classroom." Behrens worked in Ghana with the Peace Corps from 1995 to 1996, before moving to Boston to work as a Peace Corps recruiter. She said Ghana has changed considerably in the four years since she lived there, but she plans to visit in October to assess the country's security situation. Many juniors are considering study abroad in Ghana, though the recent rapes gave them and their families pause. "I had thought about going last year," junior Erika Robbins said. "I had talked [my parents] into it before they closed the program. When they heard it was closed, they said, 'no way.'" Tufts began its Ghana program in 1996 with support from music professor David Locke. Since its inception, 50 students have participated. The program was suspended last fall after a Tufts student was violently raped on the Accra campus. The rape was not the first instance of sexual assault on the program. A Tufts University Police Department publication lists three reported rapes in 1998 alone. The University cited the spring 2000 incident as the immediate cause of the program's suspension, but also pointed to prior security concerns. The University of Ghana, which houses 15,000 students, is located just outside of Accra, the nation's capital. Ghana is regarded as one of West Africa's most stable nations, with a market economy and a democratic government. Last year, Ghanaians elected a member of the opposition party as their new president.

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News

Undergraduates venture into Fletcher

August 31

The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and the political science department will venture into uncharted territory next semester when they premiere a Fletcher-taught undergraduate level course. An unconventional version of the international law course will be taught by six graduate-level international law professors and will be open to thirty students. Although the political science department has offered international law in the past, this is the first time the course will be formatted as a survey with the six professors alternating on a weekly basis. Fletcher professor Ellen Lutz, who has taught the undergraduate course in past years, will oversee the class to provide cohesion. While a handful of undergraduates typically enroll in Fletcher courses and the two schools share resources such as professors, books, and speakers, this offering is something new. "We are interested in building bridges with Fletcher," said professor Jim Glaser, chair of the political science department. He expects such bridges to be appealing to many undergraduates because many applicants choose Tufts for its international relations focus, which has increased immensely because of Fletcher. The syllabus for international law will cover topics such as human rights law, international organizations, foreign investment law, international trade, and the general structure of legal systems. The course will also address current events such the Sept. 11 attacks and international law repercussions, which will make the material timely and relevant. Trade and environmental concerns, as well as controversial issues in the international arena, will also be themes. Each of the six professors - Lutz, Joel Trachtman, Hurst Hannum, Alfred Rubin, Ian Johnstone, and Jeswald Salacuse - is an expert in his or her field and will focus on a specific area. "No one professor could teach the entire course," Trachtman said. "And no one in the [Fletcher] law department has the time to offer this course full-time either." While Fletcher will create the syllabus and schedule professors, the political science department will administer grades and enroll students in the course. International law will not be taught in this format in the future. "It is a one-shot deal," Glaser said. "We are going to want to try different things in the future and there is a high cost to this type of course, in terms of time and effort from each of the professors." Because the course has not been widely publicized, most students are unaware of the changes. But those who do know about it have responded enthusiastically. "It's a good idea because it will offer many different opinions on one subject, so the course won't be biased," Florence de Sola, an IR and French major said.Senior Nigel Bruce, an IR major, has taken another team-taught class and found the experience beneficial. "I took an art history course that also brought a series of professors from the department and it was really well taught, each one was an expert in his or her field," he said. "I think this will work the same way, and you will get a chance to be in contact with many professors." The international law course has been widely popular in the past and both Glaser and Trachtman expect that more than 30 students will want to enroll. Fletcher classes tend to hold about 20 students, making 30 an increase. Fletcher professors stress that while the graduate school has overlapped with Tufts undergraduates in the past and will continue to do so, it primarily caters to graduate instruction and must prioritize its own functions and goals. "I hope that we will be able to continue to offer similar courses in the future as opportunitiespresent themselves," said Lisa Lynch, academic dean of instruction at Fletcher. "However, Fletcher's primary mission is to be a professional school that trains graduate students in international affairs." The location of the international relations program in Fletcher-based Cabot Hall also allows for constant communication between the undergraduate and graduate schools. "One of the advantages of where I am physically located at Fletcher is that my office is just across the hall from the international relations program office," Fletcher Dean Stephen Bosworth said. "This really works to improve the coordination and discussion of programmatic activities between Fletcher and the IR program."The idea for the course developed during Glaser and Trachtman's discussions over filling the curriculum gap in the political science department. "We want to share ideas and have more flow between both institutions," Glaser said. To accommodate the schedules of six different professors, the course will be held once a week, during a two and half-hour block beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays. The course requires PS51, Introduction to International Relations, as a pre-requisite.

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