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Jumbos head into break on a roll

August 31

After a 1-2 start to its season, the women's basketball team is picking up momentum, recording non-conference drubbings of Lassell (84-35) and Wheaton (82-72) over the weekend. At 5-2, and riding a four-game winning streak, the Jumbos must now wait almost a month before they suit up again. Saturday's contest against the Wheaton Lyons (2-5) was far from a textbook victory, and though the Jumbos led from the opening possession, they struggled to get things going offensively, shooting under 30 percent from the floor. Perhaps the cold front that swept through New England on Saturday affected the two teams as well, as both were ice cold in the opening minutes of the game. Nonetheless, Tufts stumbled to a 13-3 lead thanks to Wheaton's inability to buy a basket. The scrappy Lyons clawed their way back into the game and pulled to within two points (22-20) with six minutes left in the half. But as the clock ticked down, the Jumbos found their rhythm, and freshman Erin Connolly and junior Erin Harrington connected from downtown on three straight possessions, padding the lead to 38-27 at halftime. The Erin duo has been on fire from three-point land this season, accounting for 71 percent of the team's baskets from beyond the arc. "When we are open we are instructed to take the three, and it has worked well," Harrington said. Tufts looked strong from the field in the closing minutes of the first half, although the team shot only 35 percent from the floor. Junior center Emily Goodman set the pace with 15 first-half points, and finished the day with a season-high 29. Tufts could not carry any momentum into the second half, becoming cold from the floor. But the team compensated at the line, shooting 28-35 (80 percent) from the charity stripe. Tufts went 7-32 from the field, but played well enough to stave off a Lyons run. Wheaton pulled to within three (57-54) following junior Jen Schefilti's jump shot, but clutch free throws on the other end sealed the 82-72 victory. "In the first half, it was so close because we weren't getting settled on offense," Harrington said. "In the second half, we started running different plays. They were really aggressive, and they played really hard." Goodman went 12-14 from the line in the second half, and junior co-captain Hillary Dunn hit 7-8 free throws down the stretch. Dunn also finished the game with a game-high eight assists. Harrington was the only other Jumbo in double figures with 12 points. Connolly scored nine points in 14 minutes off the bench. Although it was not the best executed game, Tufts played well enough offensively, and played a stellar game on the other end of the court, causing 21 Wheaton turnovers. Sophomore Maritsa Christoudias picked up four steals on the night, and eight other Jumbos had at least one. The turnovers were costly, as Wheaton had a higher field goal (37.1) and free throw percentage (80.8) than Tufts (29.7, 72.7) by the end of the game. "We thought it was a really good win, we played good defense," Harrington said. On Thursday night in Newton, Tufts demolished a young Lasell team 84-35, in the most lopsided Tufts victory in a decade. (In 1991, Tufts beat UMass-Boston 91-30). Connolly led the balanced scoring with 14, going 4-6 from downtown. The visitors shot much better against the Lasers, with 41.1 percent shooting, including 8-16 from three-point land. The game was a blowout from start to finish, with Tufts leading 42-17 at the half. Lasell's downfall was its difficulty holding onto the ball, and the team committed 38 turnovers. Dunn had six of the Jumbos' 19 steals, and she also recorded a game-high five assists. Because of the rout, all of the team saw significant court time. Freshman Alison Love and junior Sarah Conlon both had season-high totals of eight points. Harrington and Goodman scored 13 and 11 points, respectively, while Connolly netted 14 to lead the team. Lasell, which only managed 40 shots on the night, was led by Keri Tucker, who had ten points, and Monica Shepard, who chipped in eight. Through seven games, the women's basketball team has played extremely well at times, but has tended to play down to the level of its competition. When the season reopens on Jan. 7 against the University of New England, the Jumbos will see a higher level of competition, including nine important NESCAC games.

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News

Students celebrate Ramadan

August 31

Many Muslim students are currently observing Ramadan, the Month of Fasting, which began on Nov. 16. But Ramadan is more than a time for fasting: it is also a time in which many Muslims engage in intensive worship, read the Qur'an, give to charity, and perform good deeds. Fasting is seen as a way of developing sympathy for the less fortunate or for learning to be thankful for one's blessings. It is also believed to break a person's usual habits and over-indulgences. Some basic facts about Ramadan:- Voluntary fasting is always recommended in the Muslim tradition, but Ramadan is an obligatory fast from which only sick people, travelers, and some women are exempt.- Ramadan takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. In the US, most Muslims accept the sighting of the new moon anywhere in the country as the start of the month.- Fasting begins when dawn breaks and ends when the sun sets. During these hours, Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking, and sex.- Typically, a pre-dawn meal and a post-sunset meal are eaten during Ramadan.- Ramadan fasts last approximately 13.5 hours.- During Ramadan, many Muslims try to read as much of the Qur'an as they can and some spend at least part of each day listening to the recitation of the Qur'an in a mosque.- If you have a friend who is observing Ramadan, you may want to wish them Eid mubarak, a universal Muslim greeting that wishes them a blessed Eid-ul-Fitr festival.- compiled by The Tufts Daily

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News

New ELBO members appointed

August 31

The Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate and Committee on Student Life (CSL) re-appointed Adam Mueller to the Elections Board (ELBO) on Monday, after Mueller resigned following the failed freshman and Judiciary election in late September. Sophomores Joe Coletti and James Blockwood were also elected to ELBO seats. The student government bodies appointed the three students who applied for the four open ELBO seats for terms that will last until December. Late last month, the Senate and Judiciary accused Shane Mason, ELBO's former chair, and Mueller of botching the freshman election. Mason accepted all blame for the cancellation, citing poor communication and a lack of training. At the time, Senate Treasurer Ben Lee said there were problems with the ELBO structure. "All other branches [of student government] have training. ELBO never had that opportunity," Lee told the Daily. "They were expected to work a miracle." Training for the new ELBO members will begin today, before the candidates' meeting for three open Senate seats at 9 p.m. The Senate race will be the only election the new ELBO members will supervise. Jodie Nealley, faculty advisor to Tufts' student government, will train ELBO in TCU constitution and bylaws. She said she will encourage ELBO to draft goals and improve internal communication, intending to provide a more hands-on approach to prevent delays in the upcoming election. Elections for the freshman Senate and TCUJ seats were postponed for a week after Mason failed to contact an outside company that was hired to hold the elections online. The race was ultimately held using traditional paper ballots. Though optimistic about the training, Nealley said that it will ultimately be "up to ELBO to communicate with each other and follow the TCU constitution and their own bylaws." To maintain its partiality, ELBO is not governed by any branch of student government. To provide oversight, Nealley said she will be "more proactive in [her] role as advisor to the TCU and the other branches of student government." Judiciary Vice-Chair Alison Clarke said she feared that students have lost faith in ELBO, but believes that training could restore it. Coletti, one of the new ELBO members, said that training will help the board understand their roles. "We can only go up from here," he said. Valentine Caruso, the only ELBO member to survive the flawed first election, has conducted two elections this year. With help from senior Jesse Levey, Caruso conducted the late freshman and judiciary paper election, and then supervised the Senate's selection of Levey, Tommy Calvert, and Sean McDermott as trustee representatives. Student government representatives interviewed each candidate about their goals for ELBO and chose to appoint all three applicants. Coletti said he ran for ELBO in part because of the board's state of disarray. "I saw it as an opportunity to come in and help with the problems it's been having," he said.

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News

Hockey team lose second consecutive to Stonehill

August 31

The hockey team suffered its third setback of the season Tuesday night, as the Stonehill College Chieftains edged the Jumbos at home, 4-3, for their second victory over Tufts in the last nine days. The Jumbos, who also suffered a 7-4 drubbing at the hands of the Chieftains in the Coca Cola Thanksgiving Shootout Championship on Nov. 26, had previously topped Stonehill in each of the teams' last seven meetings. With the loss, coach Brian Murphy's squad dropped to 3-3 overall. "They're a much improved team," Murphy said. "We didn't play 60 minutes, and we're not good enough to play 30 minutes of the game and win against anybody. We didn't come out ready to go." Stonehill, on the other hand, got off to a fast start Tuesday with two goals in the first 11 minutes. Still, the Chieftains could not put the Jumbos away for good until sophomore Brandon Ready beat Tufts goalie Ian Kell from ten feet away for the game winner at 6:16 of the third period. "The guy was in the corner behind the goal line," Murphy said. "He sort of threw it out in front and it looked like it may have rolled off someone's leg and into the net. It was a real flukey goal." Stonehill's Jeff Rowe opened the scoring with a power play goal at 8:32, finishing a pass from Rob Pascale and Brendan Flemming. Flemming, who recorded four goals in the Nov. 26 game, then gave his team a 2-0 cushion at the 11:09 mark. Just over two minutes later, the Jumbos made it a game when freshman forward John Hurd converted a power play on an assist from junior tri-captain Mike Carceo and senior tri-captain Rob Greene. The goal was Hurd's sixth of the year, and extended his scoring streak to four games. Classmate and fellow forward Gino Rotundi then followed with his fifth goal to knot the score at 2-2 at 16:37 of the first. Freshman Shawn Sullivan and sophomore Pat Byrne were credited with assists on the play. But the Chieftains would reclaim their momentum after a scoreless period with two goals in the first six minutes of the third. Less than two minutes into the final stanza, the visitors capitalized on a power play opportunity, as Pascale put home a rebound. Eric Patten and Flemming registered assists - Flemming's sixth point in two games against the Jumbos. Ready then scored what would prove the game winner in the sixth minute. Tufts refused to go quietly, though, as Sullivan scored a goal of his own just 35 seconds later to make the score 4-3 at 6:48. The Chieftains would silence the Jumbos' surge as the period wore on, holding on for their fifth straight and sixth overall win of the season. "We missed some opportunities," Murphy said. "And we had a couple of breakaways that we didn't convert. If we played 60 minutes the way we can play, it would have been a different game." In fact, the two games against Stonehill mark the only times this season the Jumbos have been outplayed in the final period. And in two of Tufts' three wins, the team has been behind at the start of the third. Overall, Tufts has outscored its opponents by a combined total of 15-7 in the third stanza, which Murphy sees as a very positive statistic. "We want to be good in the third period," he said. "We just need to come out of the gates a little better. We need to work on our consistency." Murphy identified some specific areas of play at which the Jumbos need to improve. "We need to get better on penalty kill, do a better job on faceoffs and be a little more effective breaking the puck out of our end," he said. On Friday, the Jumbos will put their 2-1 NESCAC/East Division record on the line when they travel to New England College for a 7 p.m. faceoff. "We've gotta go in this weekend and get Friday night," Murphy said. "We need to do the job."

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News

Four involved in clash at cannon

August 31

Four students are facing disciplinary proceedings in the Dean of Students office after they were allegedly involved in an assault at the cannon early in the morning of Oct. 3. According to the Tufts University Police Department (TUPD), one student, later identified as senior Sam Dangremond, editor-in-chief of The Primary Source, filed charges claiming that three other students assaulted him while he was standing guard after painting an American flag on the cannon with members of his conservative publication. The alleged assailants, seniors Adam Carlis, Lou Esparza, and Liz Monnin, have also filed a complaint with the Dean of Students Office, alleging that it was Dangremond who assaulted them when they attempted to add to the Source's design. Dangremond told the TUPD that he was assaulted and his case was referred to the Dean of Students Office. Dangremond has repeatedly refused to comment on the alleged incident or designate a spokesman to speak on his behalf. Esparza, Carlis, and Monnin are members of the Coalition for Social Justice and Nonviolence, which is frequently ridiculed in the Source, as are many other liberal groups. The Coalition members would not comment on the alleged incident and referred questions to senior Danika Kleiber, who was not present at the cannon but spoke with the Coalition members involved the next day. After the groups met, Kleiber said, Dangremond assaulted the Coalition members. "Liz told me that when she stood up, [Dangremond] would push her back down," Kleiber said. The alleged assault was reported to the TUPD at 5:24 a.m. on Oct. 3. The police report indicated that four students were involved. According to TUPD Lieutenant Linda O'Brien, no students were taken into custody, and the case was referred to the Dean of Students office. The incident is in the hands of Veronica Carter, dean of judicial affairs, who said there will be "a hearing pending adjudication." Carter could hold multiple hearings to address the complaints individually or convene a joint hearing. An assault charge can bring penalties as severe as expulsion, depending on the injuries sustained and related circumstances, according to the dean of students' website,. Following the Sept. 11 tragedy, students painted the cannon with symbols and words of peace. The "peace cannon," as it came to be known, was not painted over until Oct. 2 when members of the Source painted an American flag over the peace design. A Tufts tradition, the cannon is painted frequently by groups advertising events and individuals expressing their political views. When the TUPD arrived at the cannon, the three students were told to disperse. The students say they were not acting as Coalition members, but the incident was referred to in a public e-mail sent to the Coalition list-serve. In its description of the incident, the Coalition painted the Source member as the aggressor. "Some of our coalition members were assaulted although the charges are being brought upon them," the e-mail read. The letter identified the students involved as "Adam, Lou, and Liz."

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News

Bhangra, baby!

August 31

The stage is filled with a blaze of colors, lively music, and synchronized aerobic dance movements. Is it the latest *NSYNC video? Sesame Street on Ice? No, something much more cultural and stimulating - the Tufts University Bhangra Team. Most Jumbos are probably not too familiar with Bhangra dancing. The style originated in Punjabi, India, and is performed during the harvest season to bring abundant vegetation and good weather in the upcoming year.The dance itself is lively, with brightly colored costumes and uplifting, rhythmic music that creates an vivid background for the energy it takes to perform the dances.Founder Vidushi Gupta, a senior, leads the 14-member group. She says she is excited by how interest in the group has grown in its three years of existence. The team has seven male and seven female members, a combination that makes for intense and varied dances and stunts. The first challenge was just making the team. Fifty girls tried out for the group, but for competition purposes, a smaller, tighter body of participants was needed. The team has been diligently preparing for a major competition this Saturday at MIT, but the dancers practice long hours throughout the year. At recent rehearsals, the group has worked for as much as three hours a night. The hard work is definitely worth it, Gupta says. "They enjoy it, that's the best of it all."Gupta's team remains true to the traditional customs of the dance, with the males donning beards and turbans while performing. But sticking to tradition can sometimes be a disadvantage in competitions, where Bhangra teams have started to incorporate acrobatic moves to impress judges. Although the Tufts team includes some acrobatics in its routines, it sticks mostly to traditional styles - an inclination that should benefit the team at this weekend's competition, where judges favor the more traditional style of dance. Gupta, who says her team has a good chance of placing this year, says it's just a matter of nerves. "On stage is where they shine, and they know it," Gupta said. Because many of the team's members are returning from last year, a close bond has existed from the first weeks of September. With this cohesive group of performers, Gupta hopes to earn a name for Tufts in the Bhangra dance community, despite its relatively small South Asian population. Not all of the members are of South Asian descent. Although the Bhangra Team is a TASA organization, Gupta invites dancers of all ethnicities to get involved. There are opportunities for anyone who wants to learn about the Bhangra dance and culture to join, Gupta says she is more than happy to teach newcombers. In the past, Tufts' Bhangra Team has performed in campus culture parades. It has been asked by the Asian Community at Tufts to participate in its culture show, and might join the Tufts Dance Collective (TDC) in its winter performance. Clearly, the team's unique talent and unwavering energy is in high demand.If you are interested in seeing Bhangra in action, check out this weekend's competition at the Kresge Auditorium at MIT. Doors open at 6 p.m. Ttickets are $12 per person.

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News

Football team goes back to business

August 31

For most of the football preseason, Tufts' thoughts focused on a veteran offensive line, an inefficient offense, and replacing Brian Holmes, the team's most valuable player last year. Last week, thoughts again centered around Holmes - though not about how to survive after the star running back's graduation. Instead, the team found itself worrying about his safety. Holmes had worked in the World Trade Center until three weeks ago, when he moved back to Boston. Holmes was fine, but the Jumbos were remained shaken by the tragedy. The team gathered last Tuesday, not to practice, but to discuss the day's events. "This affects everybody," coach Bill Samko said. "You see the horror and the pain on television, and it affects our guys as well." One of the main themes Samko preached to his players on Tuesday, and throughout the rest of the week, was to realize how fortunate they were. "We always talk about this, but last week, I asked our guys to know how fortunate they are," the coach said. "Everyone here has a great opportunity, and it is a crime not to take advantage of it." The team went back to practice on Wednesday, though time was spent each day either before or after practice to discuss issues that were still lingering. Samko recognized that his athletes' minds were diverted, and that adjustments to normal practice were crucial. Still, the coaching staff felt that it was important to return to the field swiftly. "We have to get back out there," Samko said. "If not, they [the opponents] win...We have to stay the course in spite of adversity." The team used last Saturday's scrimmage as a way to return to normalcy - and it did so effectively, defeating Hamilton 18-17. "It's nice to get away and do something else for two hours," senior co-captain Scott Mittenthal said. "But no matter what, [the tragedy] is still on people's minds." Samko was pleased with his team's performance in the scrimmage, more so by the play than the result. "The scrimmage went okay," he said. "We stayed healthy. We showed some things, didn't show some things. We won, and you like to win every time you step out there, but that wasn't our main concern." The win should give the team an increased level of confidence as it heads to Wesleyan for the season opener this coming Saturday. Wesleyan will present a stern challenge for a Tufts squad that believes it is stronger than the team that went 2-6 record last year. One of those six losses came against these Cardinals, after Wesleyan intercepted a pass and returned it for a score in the final minute to win 16-7 at Tufts. "They are always competitive," Samko said. "They have had four real good years in a row." What makes the coaching staff's job even more complex is that the teams know relatively little about each other. "Both teams are very different from where they were last year," Samko said. "We don't have a handle on their personnel, but we've been working on their base fronts and plays." One player Tufts knows it has to focus on is Wesleyan quarterback Brennan Carney. The sophomore was NESCAC Rookie of the Year in 2000, throwing for 1180 yards and 12 touchdowns. "He presents some problems," Samko said. "We gotta get up in his face, but that means we're going to have some man-to-man coverage. "We've made progress, though. This team is right where I thought it would be at this time." Tufts will start the opener at 1 p.m. on Saturday. @s:Jumbos to face off against Wesleyan, Saturday

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News

Real dialogue really works

August 31

The community dialogue between members of the Tufts Feminist Alliance (TFA), Delta Tau Delta fraternity (DTD) and the greater Tufts community was an important event for our campus. For those of you in attendance, I hope that you left Hotung that night, as I did - hopeful that this event would be replicated. Hopefully, this type of dialogue will continue so that there might be real discourse on this campus about critical and controversial issues. As I listened to student after student stand up to explain how this rush poster and how in general images of women as sexual objects affected them, I was proud to be at Tufts. I felt good not only because people were making strong points, and not only because the people who were making strong points agreed with me, but also because the students who passionately spoke showed that they cared about more than just the issue at hand. These students cared enough to put themselves out there about an issue that was important to them, and they cared about making other students understanding their perspective. That night in Hotung, I heard students whom I had never heard speak about feminist issues step up to the microphone. I heard students speak personally about this issue, not because they wanted "our side" to sound right or "win" the "debate." They wanted to give DTD an opportunity to understand the effects of their actions and hopefully incorporate what they heard into decision-making in the future. I cannot speak for everyone who attended the dialogue, but most people seemed pleased and thought it was a positive and constructive evening of discussion. It concerns me that what was such a refreshing moment of dialogue on this campus was put down in a Viewpoint on Tuesday, and that the Tufts Feminist Alliance was inappropriately criticized and insulted. Harris Dainoff, author of "Tufts Feminist Alliance picked the wrong fight" published Nov. 27 2001, was not at the community dialogue about the DTD rush posters. I regret that Harris wrote his Viewpoint without having attended the event because he raises an important and interesting issue; the value of his point is lost in a misrepresentation of the TFA/DTD event and his condescension towards TFA. If Harris had attended the dialogue, he would have heard the opening comments from the Tufts Feminist Alliance and would have realized the absurdity of his introducing his Viewpoint with an excerpt from the First Amendment. TFA thought long and hard not only about the points it wanted to make, but about how it wanted to frame this discussion. For this reason, the TFA opened the dialogue by explaining that it was not challenging DTD's freedom of speech or right to create or post the rush posters. It stated clearly that it was not the TFA's objective to officially limit the use of such images by student groups through censorship or new policies. The TFA asked explicitly for people not to feel like they must "choose sides" (a point that was reiterated by a speaker from the floor), but rather that its intention was for to have an opportunity to explain its concerns about the rush posters and to hear from DTD and other members of the community. As I mentioned previously, hidden beneath factual inaccuracies and unnecessary criticism, Harris does have an interesting point to make. I believe that Harris's Viewpoint - if redirected - could further the conversation that began at DTD's rush and continued at Hotung. Harris challenges the expanded use of such language as "violence against women" and "culture of rape" to include sexual harassment and sexual images, an issue that not all feminists agree with and an issue with strong arguments for both sides. This is material for an interesting and complex conversation. Instead of initiating this dialogue, though, Harris Dainoff used his Viewpoint as an opportunity to insult, judge, and put down the Feminist Alliance. I cannot fathom why Harris chose to frame his Viewpoint with such antagonism towards both the event and the Feminist Alliance. There is too much criticism and condemnation on this campus and not enough dialogue.I am concerned about the shutting down of communication on this campus and of the polarization of political camps into "us" and "them." I am also concerned that it is more acceptable to criticize a person or a group's actions in print than to personally approach them to disagree and try to better understand one another. I regret that Harris buried his challenge to the expanded use of the language, "violence against women" and "culture of rape," in inappropriate and hurtful attacks on TFA, because in doing so, he contributed to the criticism and lack of understanding that is tearing our campus apart. When I put aside my anger and frustration and tried to think about what Harris was really trying to say - the need for a critical dialogue - it is this notion that I would like to see receive more energy and commitment from our community.Liz Monnin is a junior majoring in women's studies and peace and justice studies. She is a co-chair of the Tufts Feminist Alliance.

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News

Reel Big Fish real big fun

August 31

On the ride home from any rock concert one is usually tired, sore, and covered in sweat. The question is: After an evening being pushed, shoved, crushed, and stepped on, was it really worth it? After Wednesday night's Reel Big Fish and Goldfinger show at The Roxy, the answer was a resounding yes. The show began a little after six with Long Island punk band The Movielife. The most appropriate adjective to describe the band would be would generic, though each of the band members did sport their natural hair color. Between songs lead singer Vinnie Caruana took a few moments to talk about the terrorist attacks, thanking the crowd for coming out, "...so we can forget about all this stuff for awhile and have fun." The next act, Mest, a punk band out of South Chicago, was slightly more interesting. Though the music was not bad, their whole set seemed forced. They also weighed in on the national tragedy, yelling "F--- Osama Bin laden!" Mest bombarded the audience with foul language and told crude stories (something not uncommon to punk), but it all felt a bit too contrived. It was no wonder someone in the audience screamed "You're not Blink 182!" Goldfinger, the next act, put on an impressive show. Band members entered the stage to the theme music from the Superman movies while lead singer John Feldmann stood on a speaker in all his mohawked glory, providing the perfect photo opportunity for avid fans. In addition to playing their radio hits "99 Red Balloons" and "Superman," Goldfinger also performed crowd favorites "Miles Away" and "Here in Your Bedroom." Their set was full of audience participation and even featured a few stage dives from Feldmann. In the middle of the set, three Golfinger roadies came out in drag and performed Destiny's Child's "Survivor" - complete with choreography - and quickly transitioned into a cover of the Ramones' "Blitzkrieg Bop." The finale included drummer Darrin Pfeiffer playing on flaming cymbals and mooning the audience as he walked offstage. During the encore "Amble," the band brought several fans onstage. Despite a missing drummer - Carlos de la Garza, who was on his honeymoon - and ailing trombone player Dan Reagan - who has a broken foot - Reel Big Fish persevered. Reagan was still able to play with the aid of a chair for his injured appendage. Filling in for de la Garza was Ryland Steen of Square who jokingly thanked Make-a-Wish for "making my dream of playing with Reel Big Fish come true." The band played its popular songs including: "She Has a Girlfriend Now," "Beer," and "Everything Sucks," as well as three versions of "Suburban Rhythm" after messing up and starting over, and a couple of songs from their new album set for a March release. Reel Big Fish ended its set with "Sell Out" and performed Sublime's "I'll Never Be" for an encore.

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News

Hijacking suspects identified as America copes with attack

August 31

Three days after the largest terrorist attack in US history, authorities have identified most of the men involved in the hijackings and Secretary of State Colin Powell has named Osama bin Laden as the prime suspect in the ongoing, worldwide investigation. Four thousand FBI special agents and 3,000 support personnel have uncovered the names of 18 hijackers on the four planes - five on each of the two planes that crashed into the World Trade Center towers, and four on each of the planes that crashed into the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania. On Wednesday, the FBI raided the Westin Copley Hotel in downtown Boston shortly after noon, detaining three men who were released later that day. The FBI also questioned individuals in Boston and Florida, where some of the suspects apparently lived and attended flight schools. Meanwhile, German police in Hamburg detained a male airport worker and questioned a woman in connection with the attacks. Defense Department officials estimated yesterday that 190 government workers died when an American Airlines Boeing 757 crashed into a section of the Pentagon. In New York, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said the missing persons count in Manhattan, where two Boeing 767s toppled the twin towers of the World Trade Center, exceeds 4,760 and is growing. Yesterday, White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said the plane that hit the Pentagon may have intended to strike the White House, although President George W. Bush was not in Washington at the time of the attacks. Shortly after that attack, the US Secret Service received a call threatening that "Air Force One is next." Congress plans to provide billions of dollars in emergency funds for rescue efforts and law enforcement. Lawmakers are also writing a resolution that would allow the military to respond to the attacks with force and President Bush said antiterrorism initiatives will constitute the main focus of his administration. "I weep and mourn with America," Bush said yesterday. "But make no mistake about it. My resolve is steady and strong about winning this war that has been declared on America. It is a new kind of war, and this government will adjust." Bush designated Thursday a day of "National Prayer and Remembrance" and called on Americans to use their lunch breaks to go to places of worship to pray for victims and their families. Bush is scheduled to travel to New York this afternoon to console victims' families and personally thank rescuers. In an unexpected move, Pakistan's leader, Pervez Musharraf, pledged full cooperation with the US in its efforts to punish the terrorists. Pakistan is one of only three countries worldwide to recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, where US State Department officials say bin Laden has taken refuge. US airspace reopened to commercial and private flights yesterday morning, after the Federal Aviation Administration allowed airports that had complied with new security guidelines to resume service. But Logan Airport, where two of the hijacked flights originated, remains closed. At Tufts, administrators continue to help students cope with Tuesday's tragedy. The University police department, meanwhile, has taken heightened security precautions to prevent further attacks. "There was an increase in visible presence of security officers," said Pete Sanborn, assistant manager of public relations. "The main priority is to make sure people feel safe." No change was made in the number of officers on duty. Dean of Students Bruce Reitman said he has heard of incidents involving students condemning others without basis because of the attacks. "There are rumors - no, more than rumors - from credible sources that this campus has been unable to avoid the aftermath of the tragedy with some incidences of blame assignment," he said. "The irrational assignment of blame is what I worry about." Though no incidents have been officially reported, Reitman said that acts of hatred will become part of a campus dialogue. "We don't hide it, we document it," Reitman said. Along with today's prayer and remembrance event, a series of forums will take place over the next week for students and faculty. The first two forums, held last night, was entitled "Blaming Others: Demonizing/Dehumanizing," and included personal reflections on the tragedy. Provost Sol Gittleman and Dean of Natural and Social Sciences Susan Ernst initiated the forums. Forum organizers say they are not sure how many students were personally affected by the attacks. Further programming will be initiated, said Dean Kristine Dillon, if "students learn about any tragic news concerning their own family members." Despite rumors of incidents on campus, Dillon said that students will respect one another in light of the attacks. "There are a wide range of backgrounds represented here," she said. "There's a sense of tolerance and not jumping to conclusions." Reitman said he hopes for a "dialogue across cultures" to prevent students from blaming other groups for the attacks. "It could be difficult, but it would be wonderful if we could do it," he said, adding that "we're inventing as we go - it's not something you rehearse." To help students cope with the events, the counseling center has offered group counseling sessions everyday at 1:30 p.m., although according to Dillon, counselors have not seen much interest in the sessions.

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News

Offense coming together for Samko

August 31

At the end of last year's football season, coach Bill Samko was faced with an offensive backfield that contained a graduating tail back and a pair of quarterbacks who, as a tandem, passed for over 200 yards in only one game last year. By season's end, fears for this year were already emerging. But now, a week into the preseason, the uncertainty is disappearing. Junior Scott Treacy, who split time with classmate Todd Scalia last year, is the starting quarterback, with Scalia out for the season with kidney problems. And though Treacy is the unquestioned starter for only the first time in his collegiate career, Samko says he has played well. "He's much stronger," Samko said. "A big concern with him has always been staying healthy, so he's gotten a little bigger." In addition to strengthening, Treacy spent time at Tufts this summer looking at film. Though Treacy's stats last year were unimposing - he threw for 121 yards with five interceptions and one touchdown - Samko says he is happy with the progress his quarterback has made. "What we're working on with him is no different than what pro quarterbacks work on," Samko said. "We're focusing on proper foot movement, technique, and adjustments." Treacy's game was on display for the first time, at full speed, yesterday, when the team had its first intra-squad scrimmage. Like last season, the passing game was rusty and inefficient, but Treacy utilized his speed, executing on both an option and rollout rush. The junior quarterback's passing statistics will take a backseat in importance if he can make the offense more efficient than it was last season. A year ago, the team punted the ball 65 times, compared to only 11 touchdowns and eight field goal attempts. The team's inability to score, and its proclivity to punt, stems from a 20 percent third-down conversion rate. Last year, Tufts' offense created long third downs by rushing the ball only 2.6 yards per attempt. That's where a trio of runners comes in. Now that Brian Holmes, the team's best all-around player and starting tailback, has graduated, senior Renato DePaolis and juniors Chuck McGraw and Keven Kelley will all get time at tailback. The three come with quite different pedigrees, though the most proven is DePaolis, who led Tufts in rushing as a sophomore in 1999 before transferring to Bentley College, where he rushed for 620 yards in nine games with five touchdowns. The senior is back and will be the "speed back" this year. "They are all good," Samko said. "If you're looking for a feature back, it won't happen. They all have specific skills, but none will get 30 carries a game." With DePaolis the fastest of the three, the 220-pound Kelley will get a chance to be the "bruiser." McGraw, who started two games last season, rushed for 162 yards and Tufts' only two rushing touchdowns by a running back. His new role will be more of a "slasher," but all three will be called upon to catch the ball out of the backfield. If you mention passing with the Jumbos, discussion immediately turns to Tufts' wideouts, of which Samko has three good ones. Sophomore Matt Cerne lead the team in receiving yards with 284 and a touchdown and was twice named NESCAC freshman of the week. Opposite Cerne is junior Bryan Pitko, who had 198 yards receiving and a touchdown last year. Samko is also pleased with the play of his third receiver, sophomore Tim Mack, who impressed coaches with his five catches for 60 yards last year. "We'd like to run the ball about 60 percent of the time," Samko said of his offensive strategy. "But in this day, you gotta throw the ball," Samko said. "You gotta take advantage of your players' capabilities, and we have three good receivers." With a starting quarterback, three dependable running backs, and three receivers, Samko has more confidence about his offense now than at the end of last season, when the offense was in disarray due to injuries. And no unit was more injured than the offensive line, which is now the offense's greatest strength. "They're doing a nice job," Samko said. "They've all played, they all have the experience, and we have nice depth at offensive line." Unlike running back, Samko knows exactly who will line up on the ball for him in the season opener on Sept. 22 at Wesleyan. Juniors Andy Dickerson (6'1", 298 lbs.) and Adam Collette (6'7", 249 lbs.) are the left and right tackles, respectively, while seniors Jim Higgins (5'11", 232 lbs.) and Mike Willey (6'4", 278 lbs.) are the left and right guards. Sophomore center Justin Kelly (6'0", 271 lbs.) rounds out the starting five.

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Sexual harassment complaint filed against 'Source'

August 31

Senior Iris Halpern has filed sexual harassment complaints against The Primary Source with both the Dean of Students Office and Tufts' Office of Equal Opportunity after written remarks and a cartoon - allegedly depicting her body - appeared in the magazine's most recent issue. The Oct. 11 edition of the Source contained two comments referring to "well-endowed female SLAM members" and "oh-so-tight tank tops" - references that Halpern says were aimed at her. Saying that the remarks do not refer specifically to Halpern, Source Editor-in-Chief Sam Dangermond denied the allegations last night. "Her name was used only once in our magazine, apart from the articles," he said. The specific reference in the "From the Elephant's Mouth" section, "referred to the clothing, not to her body or to her anatomy," he said.Halpern is a vocal member of the Student Labor Action Movement (SLAM), a campus organization lobbying to raise wages for Tufts' OneSource custodians. Previous issues of the Source, a conservative, semimonthly magazine, have criticized and ridiculed SLAM's politics and members. In addition to the two written passages, the issue published a cartoon that Halpern says is a degrading caricature of her breasts. "They showed my breasts everywhere and made references to my body," Halpern said yesterday. According to Halpern, Dangremond admitted in a phone conversation that the cartoon depicted her body and that the written material specifically referenced her. Dangremond, however, denies making those comments. Halpern said the magazine's portrayal was especially offensive because members of her family have had surgery to alleviate problems related to their large breasts. "I had to work so hard to respect my body because I'm one of the only people in my family who has not had breast reduction [surgery]," she said. Halpern told Dangremond about the complaint last Thursday, but yesterday, the Source editor said he did not know when it was actually filed. "She did not say when or what she was filing," he said. "Truthfully, I have not been informed." Saying that his magazine has a right to offend, Dangremond defended the Oct. 11 issue. "The Source does not have any problem being offensive," he said. "Hurting someone's feelings is not something that I am concerned about. "Perhaps it was unnecessarily rude in some way," he added. "We do not want to attack people just to hurt people." According to the Source's mission statement, the magazine works to "address campus issues... with an appropriate amount of humor." Dangremond said the policy leaves it "up to the discretion of what the Editor-in-Chief deems appropriate." Though Halpern claims that Dangremond apologized to her on the phone, Dangremond told the Daily that he gave no such apology. "I'd be willing to examine the possibility of giving an apology, but I'm not sure yet if that is what we are going to do," he said. "I did not admit guilt in any way." Director of the Women's Center Peggy Barrett helped Halpern write a two-page complaint, which was filed with Dean of Judicial Affairs Veronica Carter. Alison Clarke, chair of the Tufts Community Union Judiciary (TCUJ), said the Source's constitution does not include specific rules governing its content. Clarke said that University policy would ultimately guide the TCUJ's decision, if it hears the case. The Tufts Policy on Sexual Harassment does not specifically mention or provide guidelines for University publications. If the issue is not resolved through meetings in the Dean of Students Office, Clarke said the TCUJ could handle the complaint, since it often hears cases involving student groups. According to Tufts policy, anything that "creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment in which to work or to learn" including "offensive jokes and comments" and "display of pictures of a sexual nature" may constitute sexual harassment. Complaints are filed with the Dean of Students Office and are forwarded to the appropriate committee.Nicolas Ferre contributed to this article.

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Men looking to continue winning streak

August 31

The men's basketball team will put its 3-1 record and three-game winning streak on the line tomorrow night when it travels to Springfield College to take on the Pride. Springfield, a perennially tough team, is 41-16 lifetime verses Tufts, and boasts a winning record over every other team in the NESCAC. The Pride has posted wins over a number of Div. I programs. But despite Springfield's statistical advantage, the games have gone the Jumbos' way in recent years, with Tufts taking the last two matches, including a 59-57 come-from-behind overtime thriller two years ago in which the Jumbos handed Springfield its first loss of the season. This year's Springfield team is 2-1, having escaped with back-to-back one-point victories over Curry and Scranton after losing to Franklin & Marshall 85-61 in the season opener. As it has through its first four games, Tufts will look to its backcourt to lead the way tomorrow. Guards Brian Shapiro, Phil Barlow, and Mike McGlynn have double-digit scoring averages, while Barlow and McGlynn average 2.75 assists per game. The hot-handed McGlynn has hit 50 percent (13-26) of his shots from behind the arc, helping Tufts succeed with its new, perimeter-based offense. Along with all the action in the backcourt, freshman Craig Coupe is making a name for himself down low. The 6'7", 225-pound center is fourth on the team with 9.0 ppg and leads Tufts in rebounds averaging 5.3 per game. Coupe is also second on the team in shooting, going 16-27 (59.3 percent) this season. Springfield will be led by senior tri-captain guard John Gleason, who has tallied 20.3 points per contest. Another tri-captain, senior forward Michael Parker, and junior guard Jonathan Trant are also averaging double figures. Parker has been key in the paint for the Pride, grabbing 12.0 boards a game, while senior forward Keith Arnold has chipped in an additional 7.3 a night. But the Pride have been careless with the ball, committing 51 turnovers in three games, which could open the door for the Jumbos, who have given up only 58 turnovers in four games and are averaging almost nine steals a night. Springfield has shot just 37.8 percent from the floor, while allowing opponents to shoot 45.2 percent. Tufts is a combined 43.2 percent from the floor so far this year. Tomorrow's game will be the fourth road game for the Jumbos. Tufts will travel to Babson on Tuesday before playing two at home, hosting MIT on Thursday and Wheaton next Saturday.

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News

Plaintive punk plunks away at piano

August 31

Is it really true? Under the rough, jagged, angry exterior that defines Greg Graffin, the voice of punk rock's most elite and respected, lies an old softie?As it turns out, yes. Although you'd never know it by his work with hardcore legends Bad Religion, Graffin's introspection spans more than political ideology and spitfire rage. To let the world in on this masked persona, in 1997 Graffin took a step back from fronting the band so that his softer side could show.This solo project, titled American Lesion, puts the leader of punk rock's thinking men behind a piano and calms him down a bit. Mostly acoustic, the album delves into a personal side of Graffin - the lyrics focus on his life, and not the politics and anger that saturate Bad Religion's work.But have no fear: just because an album's tone is smoothed, and the pummeling guitars and the soaring harmonies are replaced by a simple piano and plaintive lyrics, doesn't mean that Graffin's trademark poeticism has been forgotten as well. He's always been the mastermind behind Bad Religion's cerebral lyrics, and what we have with this project is essentially a collection of his poetry. American Lesion combines a series of these verses, a piano, and Graffin's distinctive, sonorous voice -one still imbued with a punk sensibility that makes his words all the more endearing.Graffin utilizes this skill to make an album that is intensely personal. Its sound is a 180 degree turn from his work with the band, save for the poetic quality of the lyrics. Bad Religion's strength has always been its highly-intelligent, artful gift for expressing ideas. American Lesion continues this trend, but this time the focus is purely Graffin. One look at a snippet of "One I Fail" makes this clear: "One day my life will be/A chocolate shake and late night T.V./But right now I'm afraid of everything that is goin' down/Too many decisions, Too much responsibility/And no one is there to hold me When I fail." Aw Greg, who knew?Couple words like this with resonant vocals, and back them with a sparse smattering of instruments, and Graffin has the listener captivated. Any fan of Bad Religion will profess the beauty of Graffin's voice, which usually manages to delight the ear in sharp contrast to its pummeling punk background. Strip this harsh foil away, and the vocals serve as a main instrument. Album opener "Opinion" combines the voice, the background music that can only be called "easy listening," and trademark Graffin lyrics ("The cruel impatient tyrant/The frustrated malcontent/The need to find the pieces/And the absence of cement"). Having said this, it's also safe to assume that listeners unfamiliar with Bad Religion might not fully enjoy American Lesion; at least, they might not appreciate the work as much as fans would. Those unfamiliar with hearing Graffin's distinctive voice backed by high voltage electricity and angry punk might not appreciate these ballads of love, confusion, and sorrow. The album's charm lies in the notion that this is Greg Graffin, spouter of angry punk rock manifestos. It's not really fair to judge an album in the shadow of another, but with this one, you're forced to.But even Bad Religion fans can find humor in his attempts at toned-down punk. Let's be serious - singing "You piece of shit/You piece of shit/You piece of shit" while plunking softly on piano keys just doesn't translate. Save it for the punk.

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News

Days of infamy

August 31

Sept. 11 is doubly a "day of infamy" in my life. On Sept. 11, 1973, I watched in horror as unarmed civilians died around me in the streets of Santiago, Chile, innocent victims of General Augusto Pinochet's violent military coup against the elected government of President Salvador Allende. Later that day I looked in disbelief as Chilean Air Force jets bombed and set afire La Moneda, their country's White House. It burned with an intense flame that I recalled this Sept. 11 as I again watched in horror as planes and fire destroyed the buildings symbolic of my city, and the lives of thousands of innocent people in the process. But the parallel between these days of infamy extends much further. I realized this when I saw the photographs of the missing that their relatives posted around New York in a desperate appeal for information and in hope of learning that somehow they are still alive. I felt it again in the anguished cry of a mother close to me: "I can't find my son! Where is my son?" In Chile, during the days and weeks and months that followed Pinochet's coup of Sept. 11, tens of thousands of men and women "disappeared" into his regime's torture chambers, and thousands - perhaps as many as in the World Trade Center tragedy - have never been seen since. In Chile, too, I have witnessed the agony of mothers whose sons are "missing," and seen signs with the photos of their "disappeared" loved ones and the accusing words: "Donde estan?" - Where are they? But the parallels between these two infamous Sept. 11s end there, and the equally significant differences begin. The victims of Chile's Sept. 11 tragedy were victims of state terror - a terrorism in which the US government was complicit, as its own declassified documents have revealed a complicity rooted in our Cold War national security concerns. The victims of this Sept. 11s tragedy appear to have been victims of a terror perpetrated by individuals who believed that they were avenging past actions by the US government. Unfortunately, their horrific acts have a resonance far beyond the borders of Afghanistan or the boundaries of Islam. Friends and colleagues in Latin America express horror, sympathy, and solidarity in e-mails I have received since Latin America. But many of them also express resentment and are mystified by our inability to comprehend the hatred of the US as the result of past actions that our government have generated in many regions of the world - including Latin America. Seeing ourselves as others see us has never been our strongpoint. We are too blinded by our sense of mission. President Bush's speech designed to rally the nation with its oversimplified division of the world into good and evil, us and them - will not help us see the world more clearly. Once past the mourning and rallying around the flag, our nation needs a time of introspection. We should reflect on why there is hatred of the US and what we can do to lessen it. We need to ponder the lessons of a history that includes more than one "day of infamy." What lessons can be learned from this terrible conjuncture of past and present? In our rush to revenge, we must take care not to multiply the number of innocent victims - at home as well as abroad. We must also take care not to multiply our enemies and fan the flames of the all too human hatred that inspired this inhuman atrocity. We must not repeat our past errors of embracing tyrants and accepting violations of human rights in the name of national security. While pursuing urgent immediate goals, we must not lose sight of the long-term consequences of our actions. If we cannot learn from the past, we will be storing up hostages to future misfortune. If we can learn these lessons, those who died on these days of infamy will not have died in vain.Peter Winn is professor of history and director of Latin American Studies at Tufts.

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Tufts grad shines in dull Chekhov adaptation

August 31

On Sept. 18, Brookline's newest theater company, The Living House Theatre Company, presented Kevin Wery's production of The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov, the company's inaugural effort. The performance is a daring attempt to resurrect social conflicts in tsarist Russia, but despite quality performances from the older members of the cast, the show fails to excite the audience. Running at the Veronique Ballroom through this past weekend, the company performed Chekhov's masterpiece in an English adaptation by Jean-Claude van Itallie. Whether you enjoy theater or not, it would be worth the trip down the Green Line to experience the lovely, sophisticated Veronique Ballroom. Upon entering, you'll notices the Tudor architecture with hanging vines on the walls and mythological animals sculpted into the ceiling. Strangely, the audience enters through the stage to reach the seating, which consists of dining tables in front and rows of free-standing chairs in back. For an extra ten dollars, one can dine in elegant cabaret seating for the performance, providing the ballroom with more European style setting - an informal separation between the audience and the stage. Unfortunately, the play itself was also European and unable to hold the attention span of its American audience. Neither director Wanda Strukus nor the actors are fully to blame - the script lacked an attractive theatrical sense. Despite a multitude of characters and events, nothing memorable happened, or if it did, the audience was too far removed to notice. Chekhov's play parallels the theme of the division between "old money" and "new money" also seen in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. Written in 1904, the story revolves around the aristocratic (but broke) Lyubov Andreyevna, her brother Leonid Andreyvich, and the estate of their childhood. Due to a lack of funds and a reticence to build summer homes, the property it is put up for auction (including the beloved cherry orchard). The estate is bought by a wealthy family friend, but Lyubov and Leonid refuse to live with the new owner, who they say represents the "new money" and the "new regime" of Russia (i.e. the revolutionaries of the Russian revolution). This division was the most tangible message the audience could latch on to in trying to identify with the characters. Sadly, none of the other ideas or subplots capture the hearts or minds of the audience because the director fails to sculpt the key moments. After seeing the play, it was difficult to pinpoint certain moments or lines because the intensity level never rose or fell. In a play, if the actors treat every line like the most important and exaggerate every movement, then the audience will not believe the reality of the story. Rather, the experience is comparable to watching a soap opera. On the other hand, by not accentuating any of the actions or words, a play will fall flat and leave an audience bored. This production almost fell into the latter category. In defense of the director, the space on stage was balanced at all times, which was a thorny task with so many actors on stage for most of the performance. When too many characters are present, the audience usually faces the dilemma of a split focus. Yet, while the dialogue did not always include everyone onstage, there was almost never a battle for the audience's attention. And, in fairness, some of the "stage pictures" mentioned to be absent from the performance may have been present but nullified by the dullness of the production. Aside from the directing, the acting was generally impressive. Half the actors were either college students or recent graduates from a Boston-area school, and on the whole, their performances fell short of their older peers. Andrea Squires, one of the mature actresses, portrayed Lyubov, the mother of two girls who returned to live with her daughters and brother at the estate in Russia following her stay in Paris. Squires showed great depth in her role by exploring the character's childlike behavior without losing the other side that speaks from experience in love and money. Another mature actor, Rick Winterson, played Firs, the old servant who has lost most of his coherency but retains a sense of duty to his masters. Although his character served as the play's "old fool," Winterson provided comic relief without playing to much into the stereotype. Among the younger actors, recent Tufts graduate Andy Roth's performance was particularly impressive. Roth played Yermolay Alexeyvich, a friend of the family who comes from a peasant background but worked hard to become a wealthy merchant. Roth's portrayal captures the businessman who obsesses over time but has not the first inkling of social refinement and does not understand why his aristocratic friends refuse to build summer homes on the estate. Chekhov wrote the play to depict the transition from tsarist Russia to the next era. This theme, however, makes it difficult for an American audience to relate to his story at the turn of the 21st century. The cast and crew of The Living House Theatre Company put forth a valiant effort in performing this play 100 years after the fictional events took place. And in some ways, they succeed in making the play come to life. But the play's failure to engage the audience in both mind and heart overshadows the highlights of the production.

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Janitors deserve more 'green' when they clean

August 31

I chose to attend this University for many reasons. Certainly academics and the location outside of Boston attracted me to Tufts, but there are many other schools that fit these simple criteria. I came here for the diversity and commitment to public service and justice that this University rightly prides itself on. With such a reputation, I was all the more surprised when I joined the University community this past September to learn that our custodians lack fair wages, job security, health insurance and full-time employment. I suppose I was na??ve to expect a university's policy to agree with its ideology. It is unconscionable that a person working full-time at Tufts is forced to live below the absurdly low federal poverty line. There are 170 people in our midst who do the jobs that Tufts needs to have done in order to exist. These men and women clean our residence halls and classrooms, and they make the spaces that students and faculty inhabit livable and neat. Just imagine what would happen if suddenly these men and women ceased to come to our campus on a regular basis. Garbage would spill out of cans and pile on the floor, classrooms would be dirty and uninhabitable, and bathrooms would be wet and coated with toilet tissue on the floor. These jobs are integral to the functioning of our school.I am not asking much. It would cost nothing to guarantee, in writing, that if a new outside contractor were to be chosen by the University, that contractor could not fire the current custodians. It would cost nothing to guarantee that, no matter what contractor is hired, our custodians would, at the very least, be paid no less than they are now. It pains me that a school I so value could treat its custodians so callously. If we paid all 170 men and women $14 dollars an hour for fulltime employment and offered family health insurance, it would only cost Tufts about $620,000 per year. We clearly have sufficient funds. It is only that the University seems to place a higher priority on a fence around South Hall or a fireworks display at freshmen orientation than it does on the welfare of workers so critical to its daily operation.Thus far I have spoken very abstractly. I have discussed numbers and clean buildings, but I have not discussed lives. One Tufts custodian described his situation and the things he needed in order to have a secure future. "I work 60 hours a week and many times I do not have the money to pay for rent or for my medicines. I have one sick child in my country and I have to work hard to help him. This is the reason why I came to this country. We need a retirement plan, medical insurance, and sick days." This man does not ask for much. He simply wants the decent wages and medical benefits that would allow him to take care of his family and himself while keeping up on the rent. Every morning I walk out of my dorm room and see a nice man vacuuming the halls and cleaning the bathrooms. I greet him cheerfully, and he always replies kindly. I sometimes wonder whether he has a family to support or needs medical attention that he cannot afford. I wonder how long it takes him to get to work, since our custodians do not make enough money to be able to afford a two-bedroom apartment in the Medford-Somerville area. I wonder how many other jobs this man must hold in order to survive. I do not think he has missed a day of work since I arrived here. Perhaps he could not afford to take a sick day without pay or feared being fired if he should miss work.I want to believe that Tufts does value all human beings, not only the ones who are paying its tuition and donating to its latest capital campaign. However, as of yet, I have seen no proof of this commitment. I am waiting for the University to prove me wrong; many people's livelihoods depend upon it.Gerber is a freshman who has yet to declare a major.

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Gore visit postponed

August 31

A day after terrorists attacked New York and Washington, DC and the nation's air transport system screeched to a halt, former vice president Al Gore cancelled a visit to Tufts that was scheduled for today. Gore was stranded in Vienna, Austria after the Federal Aviation Administration banned all flights over US air space. He was scheduled to speak to undergraduates this afternoon as part of a nationwide tour on family-centered community building. A related symposium for youth development experts planned for tomorrow was also cancelled. Gore also cancelled a speech to the Internet Services Providers Austria on the future of the Internet. According to Deborah Bobek, the managing director of Applied Science Initiatives and one of the organizers of the Tufts event, Gore's visit to campus has not been rescheduled. In an e-mail addressed to President Larry Bacow, Bobek wrote that the event may take place in December, but she has since declined to speculate on a new date. Bobek said she was not surprised that Gore postponed his visit. "With all that has happened, it is not the foremost thing on the former vice president's mind," she said. Child development professor Richard Lerner, who was a guest lecturer last year at Gore's classes at Fisk and Middle Tennessee State universities, said that "it was not the right time to ask people to get on planes." Several major events were cancelled in addition to all commercial air traffic. The Latin Grammy Awards, scheduled for Tuesday evening in Los Angeles, CA and all professional sporting events have been postponed. Scheduled flights gradually resumed yesterday with tighter security in place, although Logan Airport was still closed last night. One hundred and fifty students and faculty were invited to converse with Gore as part of his project to develop a masters program in family-centered community building. Similar conversations are scheduled throughout the academic year at other universities participating in the initiative. Some students had complained that more people should be allowed to attend the discussion. "This is the former vice president and former presidential candidate coming to Tufts," Tufts Democrats President Sarah Molenkamp said last week. "It's an opportunity that a lot of people could benefit from." Yesterday, Bobek said the limited audience will encourage interaction between Gore and the attendees. "The format for the event is consistent with the guidelines for all the participating schools," Bobek said. "We intend to respect those guidelines," she said.

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Harassment charges against 'Source' dismissed

August 31

Almost a month after The Primary Source published suggestive remarks and a cartoon in its Oct. 11 issue - prompting senior Iris Halpern to file a sexual harassment complaint against the magazine - the Committee on Student Life (CSL) yesterday dismissed the charges against the Source. After an hour-long hearing and 30 minutes of deliberations, the committee's two student and six faculty members decided unanimously that the Source did not violate the University's sexual harassment policy when it published a cartoon featuring breasts and printed remarks about "well-endowed SLAM members" and their "oh-so-tight tank tops." Halpern, a vocal member of Tufts' Student Labor Action Movement (SLAM), said the cartoon and the remarks - one of which mentions her by name - were sexually degrading and filed a complaint with the Dean of Students Office and Tufts' Office of Equal Opportunity.It was not the first time Halpern and her organization has received coverage in the Source. As it lobbies to increase benefits for Tufts' outsourced custodians, SLAM is often the butt of jokes in the biweekly, conservative magazine. But Source editor-in-chief Sam Dangremond denied the allegations against the magazine and said that neither the comments or the cartoon referred to Halpern's body.According to Dangremond, CSL chair and Professor Peggy Cebe said the decision "was in no way an endorsement of The Primary Source.""They felt it necessary to uphold the freedom of expression at Tufts," Dangremond told the Daily last night, and he "expected nothing less."The outcome did not surprise Halpern, who said that the decision was made before deliberations even began."Half an hour clearly doesn't suffice if you go in neutral," she said. "The administration and the University do not care about sexual harassment. I'm sad that it wasn't even taken seriously." Dangremond arrived at the 6:30 hearing with two people, while Halpern was accompanied by a self-described coalition of more than 20 supporters. Some carried signs with messages like "Stop looking at our breasts" and "Keep your first amendment off my body.""There are a lot of people on this campus pissed off about sexual harassment," said Liz Monnin, co-chair of the Tufts Feminist Alliance and one of Halpern's supporters. "We're trying to make this campus safer for people."But Joshua Martino, the Source's former editor in chief, said campus support for Halpern was minimal. "We had support from outside the Source and we knew that Iris Halpern's support came from a small group of people who passionately disliked the Source and would see laws of the Constitution broken in order for us to punished."Dangremond said his defense at the hearing relied almost entirely on the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech. His argument cited several Supreme Court precedents."The right to parody public figures has a long frame of Supreme Course cases upholding that right," he said. "What we engaged in is parody and was not sexual harassment." Dangremond said the controversial cartoon was in fact a farce of one that appeared in The Observer in September and the other comments mocked SLAM's use of clothing to promote its cause. He added that the Source could not be held responsible for unintended interpretations of its content. But Halpern said that the cartoon that appeared in the Observer was decidedly different from the Source's "sexually degrading" reinterpretation. The original, she explained, featured virtually "no chest", while the Source set up its Oct. 11 issue with references to her. That way, she said, readers would recognize that she was the subject of the caricature.When she went before the committee, Halpern stressed that her complaint was about sexual harassment, not first amendment rights trumped by the Source."I wasn't trying to close down The Primary Source," she said. "We were not trying to censor anything and I never wanted to abrogate free speech."It was turned into a first amendment hearing when it had nothing to do with the first amendment."When the committee returned a 30-second verbal decision at 8:30 last night, she said there were no references to sexual harassment."[Sexual harassment] is as important as free speech on this campus," Halpern said. "The policy forbids individuals from being targeted."Dangremond said the Source did not meet the conditions for sexual harassment."We are creating a hostile environment with four tidbits in a magazine?" he asked last night.

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Tufts grads help boost media careers

August 31

The countdown begins as you rush around the news room, giving orders and pulling together last-minute leads for your late-breaking story. Three, two, one - and you're on the air, delivering calm, accurate news to the public, a rising star in broadcast journalism. And then you snap out of it. Such fantasies of media prominence could become more than just pipe dreams, thanks to an extensive network of Tufts alumni in media-related fields. These grads maintain contact with the University, and are often anxious to help their ambitious young counterparts. Whether your interests lie in television, newspaper, radio, film, or advertising, there is bound to be an alumnus who can open the door for you - or at least let you get a foot in. According to director of the Communications and Media Studies program Susan Eisenhauer, Tufts has well over 1,000 "media alums," including such prominent figures as New York Times publisher Arthur Sulzberger, Jr., and "The View" host Meredith Vieira. Many of the media alumni are right here in the Boston area, making it easy for them to maintain contact with current Tufts students through internships or by speaking on campus. Several other media alums are located in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC. "There are many ways we benefit from our alumni," Eisenhauer said, citing networking, winternships, internships, mentoring, and funding as the most common examples. Neil Shapiro, NBC News president and Tufts alumnus, is one example of an alum who has helped Jumbos find employment in the media industry. He is currently chairman of the Communications and Media Studies Alumni Advisory Board, and before becoming president of NBC News, Shapiro worked at Dateline where he often gave students internship opportunities. Shapiro has also hired recent Tufts graduates, and has spoken on campus about media-related issues. "He is a wonderful resource for students," Eisenhauer said. Another well-known Tufts alumnus who works with media-savvy Tufts students is Anthony Everett (LA '78), a news anchor on Boston's ABC affiliate station, Channel 5. While at Tufts, Everett was a double major in English and Philosophy with a concentration in pre-law. He was accepted to Boston College Law School but decided not to attend once his broadcasting career skyrocketed. "I feel the solid liberal arts background I received at Tufts has helped me bring depth and perspective to my writing and reporting over the years," Everett said. On the Hill, Everett gained experience in journalism after working for the Daily as a reporter, editor, and finally, editor-in-chief. He was also on the Tufts soccer team for each of his four years as an undergraduate. "I was fortunate to receive a terrific education and was able to participate in a variety of extra-curricular activities," Everett said. "That combination is what I look back on most fondly." Everett does not usually recommend that students major in communications at the undergraduate level, because he feels they can receive a more general liberal arts education and then study journalism more specifically at a graduate level or professional level. "My broadcast career honestly developed through on-the-job training and a lot of perseverance," Everett said. Steven Labitan, Washington correspondent at the New York Times and Tufts alumnus (LA '83), is another graduate with a desire to use his position to help current students. Labitan has repeatedly come back to Tufts to speak about different aspects of journalism and reporting. As a student at Tufts, Labitan reported for The Observer. "I spent a lot of long nights putting out the paper," Labitan said. "I think it was an invaluable experience." While Labitan said there are many different ways to become a journalist, he believes working for the school paper is a good place to start. He also emphasized the importance of a broad liberal arts education in providing some general background for a reporter. Tufts alumus and Sunday Boston Globe metro editor Neil Swidey (LA' 91), also commented on the benefits of his liberal arts education, during which he was editor-in-chief of The Observer. "Tufts allowed me to get a strong, well-rounded education in the classroom, on campus, and through the student media," Swidey said. "It was a terrific experience." Swidey has also remained in touch with Tufts through the Communications and Media Studies program. "I've been back to talk to students a couple of times, and at several of the papers where I've worked," Swidey said. "I have tried to open up internship opportunities to Tufts students." While it can often be difficult to edge into any of the media fields, with the help of Tufts alumni, the search for work experience is often made less daunting for students. "The broadcast field is very competitive - jobs are hard to find," Everett said. "But there is always a place for talent. Perseverance does pay off, and if you have and develop your broadcasting skills, you can have a good career in an interesting industry."

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