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The Setonian
News

Playoff race heats up in the east

March 31

The 2000-2001 NBA regular season only has a month left and some teams in the Eastern Conference are fighting for their playoff lives. As squads play their final games on the schedule, the playoff picture is starting to clear up and some teams are rapidly falling out of the playoff hunt, while others are simply finishing up terrific seasons. The Philadelphia 76ers are an example of the latter. The Sixers have had a remarkable year and have earned the right to be called the best team in the league. Philly is 47-16 and ten games ahead of the New York Knicks and Miami Heat in the Atlantic division. Of course, to understand the secret of Philadelphia's brilliance, look no further than Allen Iverson. Iverson is averaging 31.1 points per game this season and seems to score at will. He should be a lock for the MVP award. But coaching cannot be overlooked - Larry Brown has done a phenomenal job at getting his role players to play well. Dikembe Mutumbo (since coming over from Atlanta), Eric Snow, and Aaron McKie have had standout years under the tutelage of Brown. Putting Snow at the point has given the Sixers a true floor general, leaving Iverson to explode from the two spot. The Milwaukee Bucks are another teaming in the midst of a standout season. Coach George Karl has taken the Bucks, an eight seed a year ago, to the number two spot in the East, and helped produce two All-Stars, guard Ray Allen and forward Glen "Big Dog" Robinson. The Bucks, who should prove a formidable foe in the playoffs for any team, also get solid play at the point from Sam Cassell. The next layer of teams in the East consists of the 3-7 seeds, teams which can be considered slightly better than average. While playing well enough to lock up playoff spots, they haven't done anything to scare the Western Conference powerhouses. Nevertheless, some success stories can' be ignored. The Heat lost superstar center Alonzo Mourning for the entire season with a kidney ailment, but thanks to great coaching from Pat Riley and a career year from Anthony Mason, have managed to jump into the fourth spot in the East right behind the Bucks and Knicks. Eddie Jones and Tim Hardaway have also been solid, averaging 18.1 and 14.8 points per game respectively. The Knicks, Charlotte Hornets, and Toronto Raptors are nearly mirroring their play from last season. The Raptors, despite undergoing a recent point guard change (Chris Childs for Mark Jackson) and losing superstar Tracy McGrady during the off-season, can still count on the play of Vince Carter. They are currently in seventh place - the same spot that they finished last year. Toronto may give a team like New York or Milwaukee trouble in the first round, but shouldn't advance far into the postseason. This year's Knicks, like last year's, have gotten the bulk of their production from their two major scorers: Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston. However, New York is also seeing improvement in Kurt Thomas and Marcus Camby. Camby is putting up 11.3 points and 11.5 rebounds a game, and Thomas is shooting a phenomenal 84.6 percent from the free-throw line. If the Knicks are to go far in the playoffs, Camby and Thomas will need to play significant roles. The Hornets have adjusted well to the blockbuster trade that saw Eddie Jones and Anthony Mason go south to Miami in exchange for Jamal Mashburn and P.J. Brown. Mashburn has quickly become the team's leading scorer, averaging 20.2 points per contest, and David Wesley is having a solid year with 17.7 points per game. The final group in the East consists of teams that are less than mediocre yet somehow still have a shot at making the playoffs. The Indiana Pacers, despite being seven and a half games behind the seventh-seeded Raptors, are still holding on to the eighth seed. The Pacers have had a tough time adjusting to new coach Isaiah Thomas and the departure of the bulk of their starting lineup in the off-season. Still, Indiana must be viewed as a threat to any team as long as Reggie Miller is in the lineup. The Boston Celtics are not far behind the Pacers and sport a record of 27-36. The Celtics have gotten great production from the 2-3 spots as Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce have had impressive seasons. The Celtics and Pacers will be in a fight to the finish for that coveted final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Setonian
News

An accessible candidate

March 31

To the Editor: I would like to say a personal word about Steve Grossman, one of the Democratic candidates for Governor in Massachusetts. As reported in a recent Daily article ("Husband of Tufts professor running for governor,"(4/26)The Tufts Democrats, including myself, attended a Grossman campaign eventand did not have the opportunity to meet the candidate. The reason for this, however, is not because Grossman is inaccessible. I feel this is important to clear up for two reasons: First, out of all the candidates who have run for public office in Massachusetts since I was a freshman, Grossman and his campaign have been the most accessible to Tufts students and the most interested in earning our support. So far, he has done so by reserving spots for Tufts students at his latest rally, eagerly speaking to groups on campus whenever he is invited, and by encouraging as many Tufts students as possible to join his campaign. He has even gone so far as to offer career advice to graduating seniors on a regular basis, even if this means returning their calls as late as 11:30 p.m. to make sure he reaches them. For those of us considering jobs in politics, his accessibility and interest is a rare and refreshing commodity. Second, Tufts students are often left out of local politics because many of us are not registered to vote in Massachusetts, and those of us who are often chose not to exercise this right. Therefore, I feel it is important that when a candidate reaches out to us, we should applaud this overture, not criticize it. I respect any candidate, Democrat or Republican, who chooses to engage Tufts students in his campaign. Steve Grossman should be a role model for other candidates in this regard. Let me make it clear: The Tufts Democrats are not endorsing any candidate in the gubernatorial primary. I would also like to make it clear, however, that the reason we did not speak to Mr. Grossman at his rally was because we had to leave early, not because he was unavailable. I am grateful to him for allowing us to take part in the political process, and hope this relationship continues in the future.Greg Propper, LA '01 President, Tufts Democrats

The Setonian
News

New majors added in Italian, Community Health

March 31

In response to student demand, the University has added majors in Italian Studies and Community Health. Community Health will award its first degrees this year, while the first Italian Studies degree was awarded last year to Nicole Baum (LA '02). Previously, the Italian department only offered a minor. After several students began taking more courses than were required for the minor, the department decided to offer a major. These students were "approaching the level of involvement that [the department] asks for in a major," Italian and French Professor Vincent Pollina said. The new major requires twelve courses, seven more than required for a minor. Patricia Di Silvio, the Italian language coordinator, said the Italian Studies major is interdisciplinary, and includes courses taught in English about Italian literature and culture, as well as Italian language courses. Students can also study Latin language and literature and Roman culture. The Italian minor has previously appealed to students with a background in Italian language courses, Italian heritage, or who have studied in Italy. Most of the students who study Italian culture study abroad in Italy, which Di Silvio notes is a "popular option for its culture, music, fashion, food, and art." Pollina said there are a large number of career opportunities available to Italian majors. Students can pursue careers in international trade or diplomacy or attend medical school. Talented students are encouraged to enroll in graduate programs so they can teach high school- or college-level Italian. For Community Health, the new major will be an upgrade from a "certificate program," which required eight courses and director Edith Balbach called "outmoded language." The certificates will still be available to graduating seniors.But students who choose the new major will have to choose another one as well - Balbach called it a "second major." Community Health is an interdisciplinary program, and involves studies of medicine, sociology, ethics, political science, public health, biology and other areas "as they affect our understanding of communities' strategies to promote health and cope with disease," according to the program's website. Only 20 to 25 percent of graduates who hold a certificate in community health pursue careers in clinical medicine. The majority of students enroll in graduate programs in public health or work for private companies, non-profit organizations, or pursue community-based research in public health issues for the government.

The Setonian
News

Students join in anti-Bush protests

March 31

An estimated 20-30,000 demonstrators, including six Tufts students, gathered from across the country to protest George W. Bush's inauguration in Washington D.C. this past weekend. Their goal was to demonstrate their opposition to Bush's policies, the flawed election process, and the corruption of the American political system. Most of the protestors' venom was directed at Bush's policies regarding the death penalty, social policy, and education. "The protest was a broad-based effort with specific points. We went because it was necessary to show our disagreement and concern," sophomore Roger Winn said. The protest was organized by the International Action Center, whose goal was to peacefully voice its objections. Despite the protestors' commitment to nonviolence, some said the police were needlessly hostile and aggressive. "Washington must have been very nervous. Bush had militarized the entire city, and security agents were everywhere," Winn said. Both police and demonstrators resorted to violence, resulting in hundreds of arrests. The six Tufts students were hassled by police for attempting to walk on the sidewalk, but avoided serious trouble. "There were some very scary moments," Winn said. "In general, the feeling was a mix between fear and empowerment. I was glad to see so many people voice their disapproval. The protesting had some effect, but if there had been more media coverage, the people who came would feel more rewarded." Those opposed to Bush were not the only Tufts students who participated in the inauguration weekend, as a group of Tufts Republicans also journeyed to the nation's capital. Freshman Nikhil Abraham said that, while he disagreed with the cause of the protestors, he admired the passion in their beliefs. "It was interesting to speak with them and impressive to see the variety of opinions of different people in this country," he said. Anti-Bush sentiments could be felt on campus among students who dislike Bush, but did not join the protest. Junior Doug Hansen watched unhappily the inauguration festivities from Tufts. "Bush's record isn't attractive, and along with the fraudulent election, there is plenty to protest," he said. "I wouldn't want to go and protest about the election being stolen from the Democrats, or turn it into a whine-fest for Gore... the media flocks to violence, and now other countries will see how Americans feel about this election and their new president." Bush's pro-life views have spurred opposition from a large faction of feminist activists. The nomination of John Ashcroft for Attorney General has stirred further agitation, as Ashcroft's anti-abortion and civil rights policies worry many Tufts students. "I'm personally afraid that civil rights cases will not receive any attention or recognition under the Bush administration, since both Bush and Ashcroft are opposed to extending the nondiscrimination act," said Michael Lambert, the co-coordinator of the Tufts Transgendered Lesbian Gay Bisexual Collective. While protestors knew that it would be impossible to prevent Bush from being inaugurated, they still felt that it was important to voice their opinions. "The protest had some effects. It let the world know what's really going on helped some students feel like they did something to oppose Bush and the laws he wants to enforce." Winn said Rebecca Batchelder, Stacey Dubin, Emily Good, Thea Lavin, and Erich Tisch also participated in the protests.

The Setonian
News

Getting Singled Out

March 31

Eighty-two students gathered in Dewick Wednesday night for the chance to be Singled Out. The Order of Omega and the Golden Key sponsored the event that brought together students for the chance to win a free date, in a format based on the once-popular MTV dating game show. Emily Kott was the lucky girl to win a date with Randy Newsom in the lively game's second round. Kott gave consistently witty answers to the questions that Newsom asked, but one answer in particular won him over. "If I were a car, how would you drive me?" Newsom asked. Following the round, Newsom grinned broadly, exclaiming, "She wants to drive me like a stick shift!" As for the beanie-clad Kott? "It wasn't quite like the TV show, but it was still fun," she said. Elias Vasquez bent over backwards - literally - to win a date with Alethea Pieters. When Pieters asked the contestants to show the audience their best dance moves, Vasquez did a back flip. The strategic move won over the audience - and Pieters. The event was emceed by Eric Greenberg and held four rounds. The winners of the other two rounds were Sara Rosenbaum and Wes Jewell as well as Maria Suarez and Dave Frew. According to Stacey Hofflich, the Order of Omega - the national Greek honor society - decided to hold the event in response to a Letter to the Editor printed in the Daily. "There was a Letter to the Editor about how the dating scene at Tufts stinks," Hofflich said. "Since we're a really new organization, we wanted to get our name out there - and what better way to do it?" In addition to the Order of Omega, the event was sponsored by the Golden Key Club, and area restaurants and clubs donated prizes. The winners won tickets to Blue Man Group, House of Blues, and the Improv Asylum, as well as dinner at John Harvard's Brew House and the Joshua Tree. Students paid $5 for the chance to be a main contestant and $2 to be "singled out," while audience members shelled out $2 just to watch the comedy unfold. All profits will be donated to Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD).

The Setonian
News

Programs abroad gain more popularity, influx of applicants

March 31

The popularity of study abroad programs, both through Tufts and other colleges, has increased steadily over the past several years. While students must apply to get into abroad programs, the Programs Abroad Office continues to make efforts to accommodate rising enrollment demands. The popularity of study abroad programs has increased steadily over the past several years due to the influence of the strong international relations program and large international student body. While students must apply to get into abroad programs both at Tufts and through other schools, the Programs Abroad Office continues to make efforts to accommodate enrollment demands within their programs. Just how competitive admissions to study abroad programs are varies from year to year and program to program. And while there is no set pattern for the number of students who apply to each program, projected numbers can be obtained by looking at foreign language enrollment numbers. The acceptance rate for each abroad program is contingent upon the number of spaces available at the foreign institution, and the Programs Abroad Office works with the schools to open as many spaces as possible. While not everyone is accepted blindly, there are a number of options that almost guarantee students enrollment abroad, according to Foreign Study Advisor Sally Kavolus O'Leary. The actual application process depends on the program. Typically, for Tufts programs, a panel of professors from a cross-section of departments review and discuss applications before admitting qualified students. For most Tufts-sponsored programs, this is usually enough for acceptance. However, for some programs, such as Tufts-in-London, the partner institution reserves the right to make the final admissions decision. Since students are told in advance of the minimum grade point average and obligatory course work required for admission, it is rare that a student will not be qualified for the program. Students must also be in good academic and disciplinary standing. The decision of where to apply is a "self-selecting process," according to O'Leary. "It's hard to generalize admission into Tufts programs due to the kind of programs, the nature of the University, and the nature of the students," Associate Dean of Programs Abroad Sheila Bayne said. This year, 164 juniors are or have been enrolled in Tufts Study Abroad Programs; for non-Tufts programs, the number is 340. The number of students enrolling in the program has held steady from last year. Each year, between 35 and 40 percent of the junior class chooses to study abroad, giving Tufts a rank of eighth in the nation for the percentage of students pursuing studies in foreign countries. Since so many students are enrolled in Spanish classes and wanted to study in Madrid and Chile, a program with the University of Alcal?? in Madrid was added to the options this past fall. Enrollment in non-Tufts-sponsored programs has climbed over the past several years, although this spring's numbers are slightly lower than in the past, O'Leary said. Each school whose abroad programs have been approved by Tufts has its own requirements for admission. For acceptance through other provider schools, such as Butler and Beaver Colleges, the pre-selected applications are forwarded to the providers, who in turn can either make the final admissions decisions or forward those applications to the school overseas. "Providers are eager to have Tufts students," O'Leary said. Some students choose to apply to more than one program during the same semester. Each application is looked at individually, and the student can choose the program in which he or she wants to participate. Some schools cannot accommodate changes past a certain date, however. Students may also choose to spend an entire year away by spending one semester each in two different countries. Tufts students have priority for admission to Tufts-sponsored programs and do not compete for spots against students from other universities. Non-Tufts students from schools such as Columbia, Princeton, and Bates are often accepted to fill spaces in some of the smaller programs, such as those in T??bingen, Germany. More students choose to go abroad in the spring and, for the past three years, the Tufts-in-Australia Program has been especially popular. Many students enrolled in the fall only find by the experience short-lived, and contact Tufts to obtain an Extended Leave for the spring. While Tufts cannot make the final decision for the institution overseas, most students do not encounter problems when applying for the second semester. The Programs Abroad Office, located in Dowling Hall, offers a myriad of opportunities to juniors who wish to take a semester or two leave. There are currently eight Tufts programs, excluding Ghana, and 215 programs - spanning 52 countries - accredited by Tufts through other colleges. For those who do not wish to study in a foreign country during the academic year, there are several alternatives, including programs at other colleges in the United States. Summer programs overseas are also becoming a very popular alternative. These last from four to six weeks, depending on their intensity. If a student is not satisfied with any of these options, he or she may directly enroll into any accredited four-year institution, according to O'Leary.

The Setonian
News

Women's basketball provides hope for the future

March 31

While the Tufts women's basketball team didn't get as far as it may have wanted to, it did achieve one very important goal. "One of our goals is always to make the postseason and we did that," sophomore Emily Goodman said. " We were happy about that because we didn't make the playoffs last season." The 2000-01 campaign began with a slew of injuries and illnesses. Senior captains Meghann Gill and Shira Fishman and sophomores Sarah Conlan and Erin Harrington were all sidelined. Fishman and Harrington would return at the beginning of the second semester, but Gill and Conlan were lost for the year. Despite these missing players, the Jumbos managed to go 4-1 prior to winter break. Goodman led the way (as she would all season) earning NESCAC player of the week honors twice before the new year. Sophomore guard Hillary Dunn stepped up admirably during these five games, logging 35.2 minutes and 4.2 assists per game to offset the loss of Fishman. Also picking up some of the slack during the early going were freshmen Kate Gluckman and Maritsa Christoudias. Christoudias averaged 13.4 points per game prior to winter break, and Gluckman chipped in just under seven rebounds per game. The team spent winter break in the Bahamas, winning games against Washington College and Marion College in the Great Goombay Shootout. Harrington scored 12 points in her return, and Fishman tallied seven assists in 26 minutes against Washington. Following a loss to Wellesley upon returning to the States, the Jumbos headed back to Cousens for a five game home stand over the course of ten days, and managed to win three while dropping two. Tufts opened up the stretch of home games with a rout of Smith and a six-point victory over the Brandeis Judges. The two victories moved Tufts record to an impressive 8-2, and upped the Jumbos home record to 4-0. That perfect record was tainted just two days later as MIT pulled away in the second half to win 68-48, the most lopsided loss that the Jumbos suffered all season. As with most of Tufts' losses this season, the Engineers were buoyed by a poor Tufts shooting performance. The Jumbos shot 22 percent from the field in the second half, while MIT shot a red-hot 50 percent. As difficult as the loss to MIT was to handle, harder still was the loss two days later to Bates in the NESCAC opener. "That was definitely a low point," Dunn said. "It was a close game that was especially heartbreaking because we lost it at home." Bates managed to stay slightly ahead of the Jumbos for most of the game, but didn't pull away until under five minutes to go, when the Bobcats went on a 10-2 run to put Tufts away. Bates freshman Laura Dubois was particularly damaging to the Jumbos, scoring 18 points and contributing six rebounds. Tufts' shooting also played a negative role. It was the third straight game that Tufts had shot better from behind the three point arc than from in front of it. Conference games carried a new meaning this season with the introduction of the NESCAC women's basketball tournament, which determined who would get the conference's automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament. It was Tufts' misfortune to get stuck with the better NESCAC teams early on. Four of the Jumbos' first five NESCAC opponents (Bates, Amherst, Colby, and Bowdoin) finished 1-2-3-4 in the league standings at the end of the season. The exception was the Trinity Bantams, who Tufts squeaked by 53-50 the Friday after the Bates game. Against Amherst, the team would have no such luck, losing 61-51 for its second NESCAC loss. The Jumbos got a break from their ultra-competitive NESCAC schedule, and took advantage of it, beating up on the Gordon Fighting Scots 66-49 on the road, but were right back in the thick of the NESCAC race the next weekend with games against the then second place Colby White Mules, and the then first place Bowdoin Polar Bears. The Maine trip started out promisingly enough, as the Jumbos were tied with Colby with roughly ten minutes to play, but were blown away by a 21-10 Colby run and ended up losing 70-59. Mule sophomore Bianca Belcher poured in 19 points, and Tufts was outrebounded by Colby, 44-37. A big run by an opposing team doomed Tufts against Bowdoin the next day. The Jumbos only trailed by seven at the half, but an 18-4 Polar Bear run put the game away. Goodman was held to only ten points in the loss and Tufts went 7-26 from the field in the second half. By this time, the Jumbos were in dire straits with a 1-4 NESCAC record, putting them only one game out of last place in the conference. Fortunately for Tufts, the remaining four opponents had a combined NESCAC record of 8-14 and Tufts would have the advantage of playing them in the confines of Cousen's Gymnasium. Still, Tufts needed to pass one team to qualify for the playoffs. First up were games against Williams and Middlebury, two 3-3 (in the NESCAC) teams. Against Williams, the Jumbos were as impressive as they had been all season. Tufts shot 58 percent from the floor in the second half and turned a three-point edge at the break into a 75-64 final. Goodman had 23 points and ten rebounds to lead the Jumbos. "The Williams game was definitely a high point," Dunn said. "It was our spirit night and we played well." Dunn added 11 points of her own, going 3-3 from three-point land. Unfortunately, the team couldn't keep the momentum going against Middlebury, blowing a ten-point lead in the final ten minutes to lose 69-67. Two games remained in the regular season and the Jumbos were tied for the seventh and final playoff spot with both Wesleyan and Trinity. It so happened that Wesleyan was one of those remaining two games. The Cardinals came to Cousens and immediately started making trouble, leading by seven points at the half. The game went down to the wire, but a jumper by junior Katie Kehrberger and free throws by Goodman and Dunn sealed the victory for Tufts. Trinity lost to Colby 80-66 that night, and Tufts earned a trip to the NESCAC playoffs for the first time. Goodman poured in 35 points, a season high, and Tufts shot 44 percent in the second half to earn the victory. A 91-61 demolition of Connecticut College (winless in the NESCAC) the following night, led the Jumbos into the playoffs on a hot streak, but Tufts still had to settle for only the seventh spot in the conference, drawing Colby as a first-round opponent. Against Colby, Tufts managed to stay close to the White Mules for most of the game, but were outscored 24-9 at the free throw line, and lost 65-54. Fouls were the key as Goodman spent most of the second half in foul trouble and Fishman ended her Tufts career by fouling out with less than 30 seconds remaining in the game. "We shut down their two main scorers," Dunn said, "but we couldn't get it going offensively." The loss to Colby was disheartening, but the team is in good shape for next season. The Jumbos return everybody but Fishman and should also regain the services of Conlan. Fishman's leadership, defense (she was second in the NESCAC in steals), and passing will surely be missed, but Dunn has played well enough to allay fears that there will be any dropoff at the point guard position. Dunn was the team's leading three-point shooter and averaged 3.2 assists per game. "Each year, we are getting better," Goodman said. "Our record last year was slightly better, but I think we had a better season this year."

The Setonian
News

Admissions decisions by email

March 31

As the days get longer and longer, flocks of prospective students trod the sunny quads, anticipating the onset of their college years. Those visiting campus this spring just recently received word of their acceptance to Tufts - but not necessarily through the mail. Now, nervous fingers can click on "You've Got Mail" before the traditional white envelope even arrives, and read either good or bad news on the monitor. All students who supplied a valid email address on their applications received either acceptance and rejection emails from the Office of Admissions. This admissions endeavor is a work in progress, and its future remains up in the air. Andrew Sonnenschein, the assistant director of technology at Dowling Hall, said that 13,000 emails were recently sent out to applicants. "Up until this point, we only sent out acceptance emails to applicants from other countries or on the West Coast," Sonnenschein said. "This is a pilot year - the first time that we emailed all applicants - and we are still assessing the method." Paul Vandenberg, a high school from Atlanta, GA is one applicant who experienced email admission Vandenberg's friend was regularly checking his email last week when he found he had been "politely" rejected from Tufts, and then suggested Vandenberg check his own email. Vandenberg's email contained the opposite response, congratulating him with an acceptance. "I had no idea that they were going to send emails," Vandenberg said during a visit to campus. "It was official, exactly like the actual letter which arrived a couple of days later. I can't complain about the email because the information it conveyed seemed more important than the form." According to Vandenberg, however, his friend felt email too impersonal a manner by which to deny a student. Julie Crudele, a high school junior from Florida, is shocked that admissions would even consider such an "inhumane" way to notify its applicants. "I would hate to be rejected via email. It would crush me. And to be accepted in an email ruins the anticipation that getting into college is all about," Crudele said. Though it may seem Tufts is saving time with emails, that is not admissions' goal. The truth, according to Sonnenschein, is that the emails are intended as a student service, with the intention of saving applicants a chunk of time. "It doesn't make our job any easier at all," he said. "Unfortunately, many are convinced that we are attempting to distance ourselves from our pool of applicants. I think this is a very useful and necessary step that pushes Tufts to be more technologically advanced. The letters are still sent out regardless, but with the emails, we're only trying to facilitate the applicants' decisions." Since email admissions is a potentially contentious endeavor, admissions has teamed up with the Systems Department at Dowling Hall to devise a balance that pleases as many people as possible. "Maybe we'll create a log-in to a secure database for next year. Who knows, but it would certainly be a shame not to try something," Sonnenschein said. Meanwhile, other universities in the Boston area are sticking to the traditional method. The admissions office at Boston University said it is policy to only notify students by paper. Marlyn McGrath Lewis, the Director of Admissions at Harvard, asserted that "while we occasionally send out a few emails, we currently have no plans to change our present system. We always consider alternatives, but so far a regular letter does it well enough." Does this mean Tufts is racing ahead the times? Sophomore Angela Lepore, whose little sister was recently admitted to Tufts, certainly thinks so. Lepore shares an America Online account with her sister, and found something from Tufts that "looked official," she said. "[The email] was about the whole 'acceptance' business, but we didn't expect to get it online, so I was sure it was a fraud," Lepore said. "Who would have thought? I remember getting my answer in the mail and that was only two years ago. But email is becoming professional so quickly. I'm glad Tufts is not planning on falling behind."

The Setonian
News

University chaplain appointment postponed

March 31

@bodyhead: The search for a new University chaplain has been postponed because of the ongoing search to replace President John DiBiaggio, and Revered Patricia Budd Kempler will hold the interim position for at least another semester. After Reverend Scotty McLennan vacated his 16-year post this past January to accept a job at Stanford University, Kempler was appointed to hold the position until June 2001. Her tenure has been extended through December 2001, and could last longer if no official appointment is made. While the presidential search is not inhibiting the University from conducting a search for a new chaplain, the University is hesitant to make a selection without consulting the new president. Although the Board of Trustees is responsible for making the chaplain appointment, the person will have to work closely with the University president. "It seems appropriate to allow the new president the opportunity to make the decision regarding the future of the University chaplain position, since that position currently reports to the president," said Judy Olson, the executive associate to the president. Once the new president is chosen, the chaplain position could be filled immediately. Selecting a new chaplain is an important process because of the prominent role the figure plays on campus. "I see the University chaplain as a special resource when dealing with interfaith relations, ethical issues, and community conflicts... [as well as] promoting general sanity on campus, good relations among religious communities, and productive, civil discussion in the Tufts community," Rabbi Jeffrey Summit said. The position of University chaplain was created during the mid-1980s by then-President Jean Meyer to unify religious life on campus. Though its original job description included acting as a coordinator, resource, and mediator among Tufts' various religious communities, the role has since expanded. The University chaplain oversees the Jewish, Protestant, and Catholic associate chaplains, and is an advisor to other religious groups on campus, often serving to resolve inter-faith conflicts. The chaplain also often works with students who have no religious affiliation. During the Tufts Christian Fellowship controversy last spring and fall, McLennan was instrumental in helping the community deal with the sensitive issues that were raised. The University chaplain "serves as a mediator and spokesperson for all," Summit said. The University chaplain's other duties include "pastoral care and counseling... ceremonial functions at University events, consultation on religious and ethical issues, teaching, and administrative responsibility for Goddard Chapel," according to Protestant Chaplain Reverend Steven Bonsey. The new chaplain will have the opportunity to revamp details of the role, and Olson arranged several meetings earlier this semester at which students, faculty, and staff discussed the position. The dialogue focused on how and why the position is important to the community, and what changes they would make to the position to help foster further growth within the community. No major conclusions were reached. One concern Summit has is whether the new position will be a full or part-time job. "I believe very strongly that the role is very essential on campus, and so it is important to have a full-time chaplain. The right person could be extremely helpful to the school," he said.

The Setonian
News

Horton's leadership propels women's swim team

March 31

In an individual sport such as swimming, it is sometimes difficult to find a team player. But senior tri-captain Kristin Horton, Tufts' top swimmer in the breaststroke and a member of the swimming and diving team, offers the University much more than her individual achievements. In fact, she might be a perfect example of a team player.

The Setonian
News

Use of e-mail notification by Admissions sparks criticism

March 31

For the first time in University history, applicants for Tufts' class of 2005 who supplied e-mail addresses received electronic notification of their acceptance, deferral, or denial. While every student was also mailed a letter - and some applicants preferred e-mail notification - the Admissions Office received criticism last week that e-mail was a callous method of informing rejected applicants. Nearly a dozen students who received electronic notification of their denial promptly sent Tufts irate e-mails venting their frustration. "The general feeling that came through the e-mails was, 'What? You couldn't even spend 34 cents on me?' and it was like, 'Well, actually, we did - the letter's in the mail," said Douglas Burns, coordinator of admissions information. Hard-copy letters of acceptance and denial were sent to applicants on March 28, and e-mails went out the following day. E-mail has been used for the past two years to notify international students, and the practice was expanded to West Coast applicants last year. Candidates for both rounds of early decision this year also received e-mails bearing their admissions decisions. "We are trying to find the best and most efficient way of dealing with students," Dean of Admissions David Cuttino said. "We know that students are comfortable with dealing with technology so we try to reach out to them in that way." The substantial increase in e-mail usage over the past few years led the Admissions Office to implement electronic notification to more quickly inform anxious high school seniors. The percentage of applicants with e-mail access rose by 443 percent over the last four years, and 94 percent of this year's applicants supplied an e-mail address. E-mail notification allows students to immediately learn their admission status, which enables families to make appropriate travel arrangements for April Open House. It also benefits early decision applicants who are deferred or denied, and must prepare applications to other schools. But some students see e-mail as impersonal and, in light of recent criticism, the Admissions Office is rethinking its policy. "This is still a pilot project, we are in the constant process of evaluating" Cuttino said, speaking of electronic methods of notification.

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The Friday releases are few but hopeful

March 31

Last week saw no great waves made in movie theaters, with few notable releases. As we looked to the future, we hoped for something to get us through the long winter nights. "A comedy," we cried! "A tragedy," we lamented! This weekend audiences will be disappointed again - but in quantity only. The Movie Gods of Hollywood have answered our calls for horror and humor in the most concise way possible. This weekend sees the arrival of the much-anticipated sequel to Silence of the Lambs as well as its polar opposite, the comedy Saving Silverman. Before all the snow melts and you start spending time outside in the (hopefully) milder weather, take advantage of an excuse to hide in a dark, warm theater for an evening. You'll be glad you did.HannibalDirected by Ridley Scott (Gladiator, Blade Runner, Thelma and Louise)Starring Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore Not exactly what you'd call a light movie, unless your idea of "light" involves cannibalism and a nice Chianti. Since the release of Silence Of The Lambs in 1991, fans of Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lechter have been eagerly anticipating author Thomas Harris' next novel. I won't compare the high hopes for this sequel to those that surrounded The Phantom Menace, but it did cross my mind. Hannibal finds Lechter up to his old antics - this time in Italy. FBI Agent Clarisse Starling re-appears and once again exploits her "connection" with Lechter in the hunt for a serial killer who they've identified as one of Dr. Lechter's former patients-turned-pedophile. Hannibal promises to be less cerebral than Silence, bearing Ridley Scott's directorial signature rather than Jonathan Demme's. Though Hopkins has few on-screen appearances in Silence, he's the star of the show the second time around. The role of fledgling FBI agent Clarisse Starling, played originally by a budding Jodi Foster, is now taken by Julianne Moore. The change of actress reflects not only Foster's rejection of the role, but also a change in the Starling character - the agent in Hannibal is more mature and has more sex appeal. There's a rumor that in the novel, Starling herself turns into a cannibal, but fear not! Even director Ridley Scott and noted screenwriter David Mamet (State And Main) wouldn't cross that line on the silver screen. It's shocking, I know, for a screenplay to diverge from the novel it's based on. Still, Hannibal is far from tame, with issues such as disemboweling and Hannibal's cannibalism, so perhaps you'd like to pass on the popcorn for this one.Head Over HeelsDirected by Mark S. Waters (The House of Yes)Starring Freddy Prinze Jr, Monica PotterWe fell in love with Freddy Prinze Jr. in She's All That, and we fell in love with Monica Potter in Patch Adams. How fitting it is that the two should fall in love in Head Over Heels. Don't you just hate it when all the beautiful people end up together? And don't you just hate it even more when the beautiful people are cast as the normal people? Potter plays Amanda Pierce, an average girl with four supermodel roommates. Amanda needs a man to hold, but she's down on her luck. As a restorer of Renaissance paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Amanda finds scant opportunities for love, until she meets Jim (Prinze), a fashion manager living across the street from her and her beauteous roommates. The supermodels arrange a meeting; the two hit it off, and Amanda goes home only to see what she believes is Jim's silhouette murdering another woman. Can this be? Can her one chance for love be a murderer? She and Fox Force Four set out to solve the crime. Remember, kids, this is a funny movie and not a detective story. Don't expect to be drawn into the film by the murderous sub-plot - the main idea is romantic comedy. Chances are it'll be a great date movie, if you go in for that whole Valentine's Day hooey.Saving SilvermanDirected by Dennis Dugan (Big Daddy)Starring Jason Biggs, Steve Zahn, Jack Black, Amanda Peet We've all got friends like Darren, played by Jason Biggs, but most of us don't react as adversely to situations as do Darren's friends. His girlfriend, Judith (Amanda Peet), has him whipped to the umpteenth degree. Once they get together, Darren forgets all about his friends and fellow band members, Wayne (Steve Zahn) and DJ (Jack Black). The band? "Diamonds In The Rough," a group that covers Neil Diamond's greatest hits. This is clearly a Lowest Common Denominator comedy - joining the perfectly respectable genre of very successful endeavors a la Billy Madison and Tom Green - and so its characters are not only typecast but also stereotyped. It's not enough that Judith's behavior shows her whip-dom over Darren, she has to make it obvious with phrases like, "Darren is my puppet, and I'm the puppet master." Darren's friends won't let him go down without a fight. When he announces his engagement to Judith, they pull out all the stops and every possible one-liner to prevent the joyous occasion, going so far as to kidnap Judith and pretend she's dead. They then try to get Darren back together with his high school flame, who is on her way to becoming a nun. Brilliant plan, boys. You'll laugh, and you'll enjoy Neil Diamond's cameo... but save your money and see Saving Silverman on video.

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NESCAC presidents must reinstate old postseason policy

March 31

As an athlete, I can tell you that the games during the season are fun, but nothing compares to the intensity and excitement of postseason play. The tournaments of the postseason are the reason you work so hard during the season. As the captain of the men's soccer team at Tufts, I can also tell you that at the bottom of every letter sent to anyone who has anything to do with Tufts men's soccer is a little list of accomplishments, such as 1994 and 1996 NCAA qualifier, 2000 ECAC Champions, and so forth. We student-athletes gauge the success of our season largely on how we perform in the postseason, much like professors gauge our performance in a class on finals. So, to hear that on April 19 the presidents of the NESCAC schools, in all likelihood, will not take the time to reconsider their 1998 vote (which goes into effect next year) that decreased the number of NESCAC schools which have the opportunity compete in the NCAAs by eliminating "at large bids," is alarming. If they don't take time to reconsider this issue, they better damn well take the time to reconsider my having to take finals at the end of the semester. Why would the presidents even think about limiting the number of teams that can qualify for the NCAAs and be a part of such an amazing experience? I ask myself this question repeatedly as I sit in the meetings and listen to some presidents conjure up lovely reasons; and believe me, I have heard quite a few. One of the reasons behind the presidents' logic is that they believe too much emphasis is placed on postseason tournaments, which keeps student-athletes away from the classroom and their studies. In my opinion, the possibility of playing, at most, six more games at the end of one's season does not decrease terribly the amount of time a student-athlete has to study, nor does it outweigh the benefit it gives to others. This last statement proves an instrumental point that certain presidents are clearly missing. Athletics does not benefit only athletes! When the women's soccer team qualified for the NCAAs, on an at large bid mind you, and made it all the way to the final match, many of these women would probably tell you it was their biggest athletic accomplishment, but those 19 women were not the only students who had an amazing experience that weekend. About 2,000 people attended the Final Four weekend at Tufts and a good number of those were Tufts students, professors, and administrators who came to support their team. I fail to see how one could possibly say that weekend did not have a positive impact on people other than the players. When was the last time a group of students, professors, and administrators came together for a unified cause and had a good time doing it? And to think that next year, if the presidents do not reconsider their 1998 vote, the members of the women's soccer team would not have qualified and some of the 2,000 attendees would never have had the chance to say they attended a Final Four NCAA competition to come together to cheer their team on. They would have spent the weekend studying, grading papers, preparing exams, and doing what happens every other weekend here at Tufts. Well, maybe some of the presidents are right, maybe athletics is becoming too important at some of the NESCAC schools and this may overshadow our prestigious reputation as a university _ I mean we are considered to be in the best conference for Division III athletics in several sports. When I came to Tufts, I came because it was a great school. If you look at Bowdoin College, it is also a very prestigious college and at Bowdoin 70 percent of the students participate on a varsity athletic team. So I say, what's wrong with being a great school and having a high level of athletic competition? I don't think the president of Duke is sitting around saying, "Hmm, it looks like our basketball team is going to be really good again this year. I hope people don't think that we're not a good school." It's okay to portray athletics as important to a university, because it benefits everyone. As long as the student-athletes are performing in the classroom, regardless of how they perform on the field, everyone benefits. The last time I checked, Tufts' student-athletes were doing just that. Bill Gehling will assure you that one of the first tasks on his agenda when he became Athletic Director was to research how Tufts student-athletes were doing academically compared to the rest of Tufts students. He can tell you that Tufts' student-athletes academic performance is very similar to the average student at Tufts. Finally, some presidents feel that when such a high level of importance is placed on athletics, standards of admission are lowered as colleges and universities try to recruit star players. What they seem to have overlooked is that, no matter what, postseason tournaments will always be important to athletic teams and by decreasing the number of NCAA bids, as the 1998 vote did, schools will only try harder to get in those star players who may not be able to perform as well in the classroom but may be able to secure their team that one NCAA birth. We are now at a point where our students are performing in the classroom and on the field, so why did it change? To the presidents of NESCAC schools, I say to vote your conscience on April 19, because the only thing that needs to change, for the good of the community, is the way you voted in 1998.Brad Stitchberry is junior majoring in French and economics. He is a photography editor at the Daily.

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Losing the war on drugs

March 31

A new drug czar (Michael Douglas) has been appointed in Washington D.C. He doesn't know that his daughter is a drug addict. A Mexico state police officer (Bencio Del Toro) discovers a shipment of drugs, only to have the shipment personally taken away from him by Mexico's top drug enforcer. The drugs somehow end up in San Diego, where two DEA agents (Don Cheadle and Luis Guzman) catch both the drugs and the dealer. The dealer (Miguel Ferrer) names names, and people are arrested. A mother (Catherine Zeta-Jones), the wife of one of the names named, is suddenly left alone to run an illegal operation that she knows nothing about. All of these stories collide in Traffic, a modern-day epic on the reality that is the government's "war on drugs". Directed by Stephen Soderbergh (Erin Brokovich, The Limey), Traffic is worth your time, your money, and your patience. And you will need patience to get through this movie: it's long, talky, occasionally devastating, and it certainly takes its time. At a little over two and a half hours long, it could have used some trimming in the editing room. However, the payoff for having patience with the movie is well worth it. You will not find a movie about drugs that feels more real. From the drug cartels that deal drugs to the law enforcement officers that try to stop them, the film's dialogue is crisp and honest. The words achieve a balance, where every phrase has a purpose and yet nothing feels forced or contrived. There are no true heroes or villains: both the criminals and the police are portrayed in equal shades of gray. Michael Douglas' character appears hard and strong, but he crumbles soon after his daughter runs away. Catherine Zeta-Jones has our sympathy at first. However, we find she can be very cold when it comes to protecting her family. In fact, every character goes through periods of audience support and distaste, because they are real people who can't be defined through simple classifications of "good" and "bad." While most of the all-star cast gives fantastic supporting performances, the fractured nature of the film never gives any one character enough time to be the true lead of the movie. That is, every character except for Bencio Del Toro's. He doesn't have more screen time than any other character, but his performance stands out from all the rest. He is the one man that you can never truly figure out: what he stands for, who he's fighting for, what he will do next, and you can't take your eyes off of him. If there are any acting awards given out for this movie, he deserves them up front. Vividly shot, carefully directed, and a powerfully told story, Traffic has a lot going for it in this otherwise-weak Oscar year - and its limited release in late December puts it in the running for this year's awards. It will make you argue with whomever you see it with and it will unsettle you. It will also take up the better part of three hours of your life. Go in with a prepared frame of mind, though, and you'll still be talking about it well after the Oscars are over.

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Pre-frosh share their feelings about Tufts

March 31

Anticipation. Anxiety. Excitement. Curiosity. Prospective students experience a wide range of emotions as they try to decide which college is right for them. Spending a night with a current student often helps one get a better feel for a school's atmosphere - from the dorms to the dining halls to the student body. And for the pre-frosh already been accepted to Tufts, April Open House (AOH) is one of the most popular times to set up camp on a dorm floor and get a feel for life on the Hill. AOH visitors first showed up on Tuesday and overnights continue through Friday morning. Samantha Katz, a high school junior from East Long Meadow, MA, came to Tufts this week for her first overnight college visit. She said she thinks there is "more freedom and independence and I saw that here," she said. Katz was surprised with how the students she met at Tufts interacted with each other. "I'm impressed with by the sense of community here, how close the groups of friends are here...and how connected people were and how friendly," she said. While Katz is just beginning her college search, students already accepted to Tufts might use overnight visits to help them make final decisions. For these high school seniors, stays involve more than simply looking at Jumbo and the view from the library roof. This week's AOH gives students the opportunity to stay overnight, visit classes and information sessions, and take tours, all with the goal of narrowing their list of schools from which to choose. For Teresa Platt, an accepted student from St. Louis, MO, AOH is her second overnight stay at a university. "I visited NYU just before I came here. It's interesting to compare other schools together," she said.As for her expectations of college life, Platt mentioned that what comes to most high school students' minds is the parties."[I think] the main difference between high school and college is the partying that goes on," Platt said. She admitted that the media is probably responsible for glorifying the college party scene.Platt has not yet decided which school she will attend, but does have a sense of what to expect both socially and academically should she choose Tufts. "I knew Tufts students would not always be partying," she said, comparing it to one of her other acceptances - the University of Missouri - "where they party 24/7."Those visiting Tufts through the University's official overnight program might not get to taste the full social scene, though. since hosts are told not to bring prospective students to events at which alcohol is present.And while Platt doesn't see Tufts as much of a party school, she did praise it for academics, the student body, and location. "Everyone here is really friendly... I love how the campus is so close to Boston. It's a great location," she said. Sara Arcaya, an accepted student from Ardsley, NY, has similar expectations of college life. "When people talk about college, they talk about the parties, the meeting people, and living with others." As for her opinion of Tufts, Arcaya was relived to find that some of her worries proved unfounded. "It's more chill here than I thought it would be. People here aren't pretentious," she said. Both Platt and Arcaya were concerned about a stereotype that Tufts students are smart kids, but bitter about getting rejected from the Ivies. "I was afraid that the students [here] were just those who wanted to go to the Ivies," said Platt. "But it wasn't like that at all."As the first day of AOH drew to a close, Platt said she had enjoyed her visit. "I think it's the most valuable thing. You get to see students just being themselves, not just admissions people who are praising the school."

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Tufts, Wesleyan split weekend games right down the middle

March 31

The baseball team had more than its fill of the Wesleyan Cardinals this past weekend. The Jumbos played the Cardinals two times on Saturday at Tufts, and twice again on Sunday at Wesleyan. The teams split the four games right down the middle, with Tufts winning the opener on Saturday, 8-1, and the final game last night, 7-4. Wesleyan prevailed in the second game on Saturday, 10-0, and the first game on Sunday, 3-2. The 2-2 weekend brought the Jumbos' overall record to 7-7-1, and their NESCAC record to 3-2. The Cardinals, meanwhile, moved their overall record to 12-5-1, and their NESCAC mark to 5-2. The first two games, played Saturday in Medford, were a wash. The Jumbos topped the Cardinals 8-1 in the first game behind a strong pitching performance by sophomore Jon Lee, while the second game saw another dominant pitching performance, but this time from Wesleyan starter Ron Guglielmino. Guglielmino tossed a no-hitter, blanking the Jumbos 10-0. "Personally, I didn't think he was that dominant a pitcher," senior Corey Dolich said. "We hit a couple balls hard, and we didn't play as well as we are capable off. His stuff wasn't that dominating." Guglielmino did walk six Jumbos, and Tufts had a few opportunities to break up the no-hitter. In the third inning, Tufts had runners on first and second with two outs, but senior Todd Boutwell popped up to end the Jumbo threat. Tufts again had two baserunners in the seventh, but Guglielmino coaxed a long fly ball out of Jon Herbert and the Jumbos again failed to score. By that point, however, the game was out of reach, as Wesleyan used a six-run fifth inning to put it away. Cardinal sophomore right fielder Matt Johnson hit a grand slam to increase the Wesleyan lead to 6-0. Sophomore Bill Robinson added a two-run homer one inning later, as Tufts dropped its overall record to 6-6-1. Tufts junior starter Steve Lapham and sophomore Chris Lovejoy shared the pitching duties, giving up ten runs on 12 hits. In the first contest, Lee threw a complete game, allowing only eight hits and one run, while striking out six, to up his season record to 2-0. The only Wesleyan run came in the first inning, when senior left fielder Winsor Schmidt singled, scoring sophomore Jim Barletto. The Jumbo hitters wasted no time in regaining the lead, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first, aided by extra base hits from Herbert and sophomore shortstop Brian Shapiro. The first five batters in the Tufts lineup had all of the team's hits in the game and were responsible for seven of the eight Jumbo RBIs. Herbert, the team's leading hitter at .449 before Sunday's games, has been on fire lately, hitting .615 over six games entering the weekend. He added three more hits in the first game Saturday, driving in two runs. "When you start hitting well, things just go your way," Herbert said of his recent tear. "You start seeing the ball better. You just have to hope it stays that way." The split, while not an ideal outcome for the Jumbos, was impressive in that Tufts handed the Cardinals their first NESCAC loss of the season. Wesleyan (10-3-1 entering the weekend) returned the favor by giving the Jumbos their first conference loss; last year, the Jumbos swept Wesleyan, winning 10-6 and 5-0 in a doubleheader in Middletown. "Coming out of the first one, we expected to win both and we really needed to win the second," Herbert said. "We are playing inconsistently," Dolich added. "The first game was one of our better games of the year. We were crisp."@jump:BASEBALL

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Time to take responsibility: graduate students need to unionize

March 31

An external review performed at the request of Rob Hollister, former Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS), this year found that both the quality and reputation of the Graduate School are slipping. So is its advocacy. In place of a dean dedicated exclusively to the needs of the GSAS, Susan Ernst shall become the Dean of Arts and Sciences for both graduates and undergraduates. She will be assisted in her twin tasks by Professor David Walt as chair of a new University Council on Graduate Education, which will use all its wisdom to decide how to strengthen the Graduate School. But the matter is a simple one: many graduate programs are under-funded, with the preeminent consequence that salaries, stipends, and scholarships are low. It is for this fundamental reason that our research, the University's reputation as a Research I institution, and the prestige of many of Tufts's graduate programs suffer. Many good applicants reject Tufts not merely because they can't afford their education here but because, even more directly, low incomes necessitate either more loans or more work, both of which prove obstacles to solid, speedy, sanguine graduate work. This essential point will not be addressed by this Council (of perhaps five non-graduate student members). Moreover, this council will not attend to the concerns of students in what are called, "self-sustaining" Master's programs. (Actually, they are "sustained" by students employed as RAs and TAs who are willing to pay considerable sums to study here, often incurring significant debt to do so; nothing "sustains" itself, just like cars don't run without fuel in them). So that the available funds can be suitably distributed to the GSAS, the Council's biggest responsibility will be identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the University in order (in President Bacow's words) to "create synergy across graduate programs on all three of our campuses." The problem here is that many of the departments (especially in the Arts) are weak. However, this is not because they aren't comprised of dedicated, hard-working graduate students, but because those students, overworked and underpaid. Students simply don't have the same time and energy for their research and writing as those with incomes enabling a fuller commitment to scholarship. Even now a better alternative presents itself. Like graduate students on other campuses like Columbia and Brown, grad students here should join the ongoing Tufts campaign to unionize. Alongside the Graduate Student Council and individual departmental graduate organizations, a union would provide the appropriate, legally recognized forum with which to collectively address crucial issues - most obviously salaries, stipends, and health care - that directly influence our daily lives both as students and as people with very real needs. Our grad students are informed, responsible, open-minded, and committed to social issues, and our union would be strong, democratic, and representative. And there will be absolutely no leaving any graduate students (particularly those in smaller programs, or Master's candidates) behind: a union encompasses all who are employed by Tufts. Some graduate students here have argued that to make change we should work with faculty to influence administration, department to department. But faculty have their own interests and responsibilities. We are not children, and it would be absolutely inappropriate to involve them officially in matters of the utmost importance to us - regardless of how concerned and willing to help they might be. After all, when, as both President Bacow and Professor Walt understand, many faculty are apathetic about, if not hostile to the Graduate School, it seems unlikely that we will find the faculty support necessary to represent our wide-ranging needs and interests. The likelihood, indeed, is that some already overextended faculty members would assume a burden on our behalf for which they would not be fairly compensated themselves. Unionization means knowing our specific community and its specific concerns and working together to address them officially. In doing so showing Tufts that its Graduate School takes itself seriously and believes that it's worth making better. President Bacow says there is money to be allocated to the Graduate School to make it stronger and more competitive; our unionization would allow us to be a legitimate, respected part of whatever decision-making must be done.Carl Martin is an English Graduate Student Lecturer.

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NHL playoff action heats up

March 31

The first round of the NHL playoffs has been thrilling thus far, as the 16 teams have battled for a spot in the next round of action. Tonight, six teams square off in three important games. The Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars have played three out of four of their games into overtime. They are knotted at two a piece and the Stars are hoping they can take the edge in tonight's game as the teams travel back to Dallas for one game before returning to Canada. In game two, Edmonton evened the series at a game a piece through the efforts of Dan Cleary, Rem Murray, and Anson Carter who all scored on power-play goals as the Oilers beat the Stars 4-3 for the first time in 13 games in Dallas. Game three saw the Stars go into Edmonton and regain the momentum, only to be deflated in game four by an overtime loss. For Edmonton, they must continue to keep pressure off goalie Tommy Salo, who has been inconsistent throughout the season and his entire career. But thus far, they have been able to use their youth and speed in their favor. The more overtimes they force, the better the chance they have of pulling off a series upset. Another match-up, even at 2-2, will be played tonight in Missouri. The St. Louis Blues and San Jose Sharks are reliving last year's memorable series in which the Sharks came out on top. With home-ice advantage, the Blues came off to a good start. Lead by Pierre Turgeon, who had a goal and two assists, the Blues won 3-1. St. Louis also got an outstanding performance from goalie Roman Turek, who saved 21 shots and allowed only one goal. As the series has progressed, the Sharks have seen that Turek is playing with conviction, and not with the inconsistency he showed in the season. Thus, the Sharks are having difficulty scoring, even with power house players such Vinny Damphousse, Teemu Selanne, and captain Owen Nolan. Unlike the Blues, the Sharks are having problems in the net as Evgeni Nabokov has the flu, which probably played a role in his poor performance in game three, and resulted in his absence from game four. His replacement though, Miikka Kiprusoff, came up with 39 saves in that game, which, combined with solid offensive production, led the Sharks to victory. Now, with the series even, the Sharks must continue to work hard offensively and try to defeat Roman Turek, for this is the battle within the series that will determine the winner. Turek is trying to make up for poor play last year that resulted in his team's early exit, and so far has done well. The Philadelphia Flyers are not having much luck with the Buffalo Sabres. After winning their regular season finale, Philly held the higher seeding, but now, when it matters most, they are folding. The Flyers lost the first two games of the series in Philly. They then went to Buffalo two games down, needing to win one of these road games to stay in the series. They were able to do this by taking game three in Buffalo with the winning goal coming from an unlikely source. Andy Delmore, a third year defensman for Philly, was told he was playing only 90 minutes before game time. He was inserted into the lineup in place of Chris McAllister, who had an awful night in the previous game. With people wondering whether this was a good decision, Delmore scored a goal with nine minutes left in the game to give Philly 3-2 victory and their first win in the series. Now, the Flyers return home in hole, down 3-1, but at least they are not out. In order to win this game and push the series into the weekend, they will need to control Buffalo's Miroslav Satan, the right wing who scored 62 points this year. He leads the series with six points and has controlled the ice with the power play and penalty killing units. If they cannot, then Satan and the Sabres will finish off the Flyers, and earn a brief rest before round two.

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Elimination of SAT I for UC admissions not likely to affect Tufts

March 31

Number two pencils may soon be a thing of the past for students applying to University of California (UC) schools, after UC President Richard Atkinson moved to eliminate the SAT I from the University's admission criteria last week. The announcement, made at the American Council on Education Conference, sent shock waves through public and private universities nationwide, but Tufts administrators say it will not affect the University's admissions policy. Atkinson's proposal rests on the notion that standardized tests are often overemphasized in the application process and that the SAT I in particular does not directly relate to a student's program of study. Overemphasis on SAT I scores during admissions, Atkinson said, leads to a distorted education system where students, teachers, parents, and high school administrators focus almost exclusively on test performance and tend to neglect in-depth study of academic curricula. But the Tufts administration does not perceive the alleged pernicious effects of the SAT I, viewing the test as a useful tool that, if employed properly, provides the admissions committee with a more comprehensive picture of an applicant, and enables admissions officers to make more informed decisions. "Why would you eliminate a piece of information that would be very helpful to you?" Dean of Admissions David Cuttino said. "A grade is a symbol, and its meaning varies. We try to compare and understand students coming from different schools and in that context, testing helps," Cuttino said. When reviewing applications, Tufts' Admissions Office first looks at the student's academic record contextually, measuring the student's grades against the difficulty of the program offered at his/her particular school. SAT I scores provide an additional point of reference by which the admissions committee can analyze the applicant. According to Cuttino, Tufts is constantly looking to improve its admissions procedures and has evaluated how testing fits into the admissions equation. "But we've never considered eliminating [the SATs]," he said. Provost Sol Gittleman also defended the SAT's role in the application process, "as long as it does not become the only benchmark." Would Tufts' pool of applicants change drastically if the University did not mandate the SAT I? Gittleman wasn't sure. "I like the quality of applicants we have now," he said. "But I like the flute players too," he added jokingly. Although about 300 American colleges and universities do not consider SAT I scores in their selection processes, UC is the first highly selective state institution to consider abolishing the standardized test. One of Atkinson's primary motives behind the elimination of the SAT I is to make admission to the UC schools less dependant on economic status. In his speech, Atkinson said that black and Latino minorities often score lower on the SAT I because many of them attend public schools that do not offer specialized SAT preparation courses. UC Student Regent Justin Fong said that eliminating the SATs will force UC to be more "critical and rigorous" in its selection process. Many Tufts students do not fully support the UC proposal, and said that the SATs can be useful in a limited role. "The SAT should still be used, but people place too much importance on it, and colleges do, too," sophomore Joe Tuggle said. "I think colleges should look more at grades." But some prospective students and their families offered a different sentiment upon hearing the news from California. Often, students are disillusioned when their standardized test scores do not reflect their academic achievement. One mother from Franklin, Mass. who was on a campus tour at Tufts shortly after Atkinson delivered his speech, criticized the standardized test: "My daughter is a smart little girl, but the tests are so hard they make her feel stupid," she said. Based on acceptance numbers for the class of 2004, Tufts takes only one quarter of its total applicants. To select students, admissions officers look at four years of high school grades, SAT I or American College Testing (ACT) scores, three SAT II tests, teacher recommendations, essays, and often an interview conducted by an alumnus. While the requirements at other US colleges are similar, the weight each university places on individual aspects of the application greatly varies. A number of universities exempt a handful of students, often athletes and other recruited applicants, from the SAT I requirement. "Many schools, including Georgetown, Stanford, Harvard, and Duke, don't count SAT I scores for their Division I athletes," Gittleman said. "I think that's phony." "Admissions committees at each university need to have the ability to put together the class they want to have," Cuttino said. "To reduce the amount of information in understanding the student's achievement... is unfortunate," he said of the UC proposal. Schools like Middlebury College in Vermont offer applicants the option of sending their SAT I scores, but they are required to take either three SAT II's, three Advanced Placement (AP) tests, three International Baccalaureate (IB) tests, or a combination of the three test types. "We believe in academic ability," Middlebury Director of Public and External Affairs Philip Benoit said. "If that happens to be achievement in a test combined with the student's academic record, then that's what we want to see." Benoit said that although there are reasons to question the SAT I, there are also many reasons why it is a good tool for some institutions. Whether the SAT I is considered by a particular university is based on its particular experience, he said. "I wouldn't second guess the University of California at all in their decision." Atkinson's proposal must be approved by the Academic Senate, the body that determines academic policy at the state level, and the UC Board of Regents. Though revisions to the proposal and final decisions could take up to a year, the majority of the members on the Board of Regents seems to be in favor of the change.

The Setonian
News

Still sitting

March 31

Pressure is mounting inside and outside of Massachusetts Hall at the university just two T-stops from Tufts as 40 students continue their six-day sit-in to demand a living wage for Harvard employees. Politicians, religious leaders, Harvard faculty, and graduate students have all come out to support the protesters, but the Harvard administration seems unmoved. Colorful tents have decorated Harvard Yard since Friday, when seven students emerged from the administrative building and erected a "tent city" to increase their outside presence and attract attention from media, politicians, alumni, and the community at large. Over 50 people camped out Sunday night and more tents have been donated by supporters, adding to the already two dozen standing tents. But the sit-in, posters, banging drums, and innovative chants have not moved the Harvard administration. Jow Wrin, Harvard's spokesman, said Saturday that negotiations would not take place while the sit-in continues, and there are rumors that the police may evacuate the building. Increasingly, however, members of the Harvard and Boston community have demonstrated support for the Living Wage Campaign, a year-and-a-half long endeavor by the Progressive Student Labor Movement (PSLM). The protestors are demanding that Harvard pay a minimum wage of $10.25 per hour to all university employees. Although PSLM members worked hard to promote their efforts, they did not expect to receive as much support and enthusiasm from such varied and often high-ranking figures. On Saturday, the Massachusetts State Democratic Party issued a press release endorsing both the Living Wage Campaign and the Harvard sit-in. US Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich, and AFL-CIO President John Sweeney paid in-person visits to Mass Hall to show their support for the PSLM. Though Kennedy was denied entrance to Mass. Hall by the Harvard police, he was allowed to shake hands with protesters through opened windows. "Something positive happens every few hours," junior Alex Horowitz said, speaking through a side window of Mass. Hall. Over 100 alumni have pledged not to donate money to Harvard in support of the Living Wage Campaign, and one prominent undisclosed benefactor - whose name engraves the entrance of one of the university buildings - decided to shift his donations from Harvard to the living wage fund. A number of notable figures, along with hoards of students, have attended daily noon rallies since the beginning of the sit-in. While dining workers march around Mass. Hall every night, bringing protesters meals, many of the students inside Mass. Hall and PSLM organizers outside chose to fast yesterday to demonstrate their commitment to the cause. Divided into four non-hierarchical affinity groups with rotating spokespersons, the students inside Mass. Hall have brainstormed plans for the remainder of the sit-in. A consensus was reached Friday for three students to leave the building and begin the "tent city" outside. Those who exited possessed particular skills, including communication and video-editing abilities, which have been helpful in preparing a video that is repeatedly played to the crowd while those rallying take breaks and rest their voices. "A visual presence is important because that way we cannot be ignored," said Adams Racks, speaking through a heavily decorated window of Mass. Hall. The founders of the "tent city" were joined by four other students on Saturday. Protesters are criticizing Harvard for denying its workers a living wage, which the city of Cambridge fixes at $10.25. Those in the sit-in also refute the wage statistics figures provided by Harvard. While the university claims there are only 300-400 workers who receive wages under $10.25 per hour, the protesters argue that approximately 1,000 other employees - usually subcontracted or temporary workers who are not allowed to unionize - have not been accounted for. The policies that the university has created to abate PSLM discontent have further angered the group, since the ad hoc committee hand-picked by university administrators to solve the issue failed to include students and workers and, according to the activists, only addressed the wage complaints of 19 employees. "The workers who have spoken at the rally have stated that they were insulted by the committee's actions," Horowitz said, adding that the Harvard Corporation which controls university finances chose not to pay a living wage to cut costs. "It does not consider workers to be a part of the Harvard community, as students, faculty, and alumni do." But not all students protesting at Mass. Hall are from Harvard. Iris Halpern, a junior at Tufts who worked at Harvard for a year and a half researching global reproductive health, chanted loudly and gathered supporters at noon to march around the administrative building. "I felt it was ridiculous that I was a part-time worker at Harvard and was getting paid $10 an hour when I'm still financially supported by my family, and these people can't even get that amount and they depend on themselves," she said. Halpern had been living inside Mass. Hall until Friday, when she decided her communication skills would be of greater service outside in the construction of the "tent city." "The inside has an element of glory and solidarity, but after working out here, I realize it's as important or more important," she said. "Both are pretty intense, but the people out here are still part of the sit-in; they are doing things people inside can't do," she said. By denying a living wage, Halpern said, Harvard administrators are complicit in creating poverty in America. A member of Amnesty International and Habitat for Humanity, among other organizations at Tufts, Halpern commended the Tufts administration for its quick response to last semester's sit-in at Bendetson Hall. "I have to hand Tufts some credit because they started talking to us after one day of a sit-in," she said. "You can't just ignore a peaceful sit-in." PSLM members do not plan to extend their takeovers to other Harvard buildings, saying the highest ranking administrators - the president, the vice president, and provost - all work in Mass. Hall. They did, however, protest a meeting for prospective students on Saturday, distributing leaflets to incoming freshmen. One-third of the questions asked by visitors to Harvard, Horowitz said, referred to the sit-in. Support has come from unexpected sources, Halpern said, noting that workers at the Harvard T stop allowed those wearing Living Wage Campaign pins to travel free, smiling through the glass windows inside their booths. The PSLM's website, which is continuously updated with the latest sit-in news, suggested that the national media has purposely glossed over coverage of the protest, the longest sit-in the history of the Ivy League, and the first since 1969. Articles have appeared in The Boston Globe, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, but some PSLM members insist that the university is repressing their efforts to get widespread media exposure. As of yesterday, the protestors had no plans to end the sit-in. "You'll never convince them you're doing the right thing, but you might embarrass them into doing something," said UMass-Amherst Professor Robert Wolff, speaking to the crowd.

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