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Small cycling team gaining momentum

March 31

The club cycling team raced at Tufts this past Saturday, with fifth-year dual degree student Dan Allis finishing 17th out of 30 in the men's A race and sophomore Sam Dangremond finishing 15th out of 40 in the men's D race. More than 200 cyclists from the Eastern Collegiate Cycling Conference (ECCC), which includes schools from New England, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, came to compete on the tough 0.6 mile criterium (crit.), which shut down parts of Latin Way, Professor's Row, and other side streets for much of the day. "The race was considered a huge success by those who participated," Dangremond said. "A good time was had by all." The competitive Tufts crit. is a fast and technical course, and most cyclists in the A race Saturday finished 45 laps in around an hour. The course's location was also convenient for the schools which traveled to Medford, including Boston University, the University of New Hampshire, Bates, Rutgers, Cornell, and Bucknell. Although no more races are planned to be held at Tufts this season, the team was thankful for Saturday's outcome and hopes to host another race in the near future. "We were especially thankful that the weather was good," Dangremond said. So far this season, the cycling team has done well with its small group of four team members. And while Allis and Dangremond are the only two who compete, sophomores Dan Blake and A.J. Schrauth continue to train and show promise for the future. "[This year] is a rebuilding year, but I guess it's a little late for that," Allis added. "Hopefully by next spring we'll have more numbers." Allis and Dangremond made their way down to Lancaster, PA to compete during the weekend of March 17-18 at a race put on by the University of Vermont. Allis finished 26th out of 35 racers in the A race on Saturday, before being pulled out of contention at Sunday's race midway through. "I haven't been training enough," Allis said. "Last year I raced in the top category like I do this year, but last year I had more time to train." The following weekend, at a race hosted by the University of Pennsylvania and Penn State, Allis finished 25th out of 35 the first day, but was pulled three quarters of the way through competition the next day. Dangremond, competing in the D race, finished 9th out of 20 on Saturday and 5th out of 20 on Sunday. "Sam just couldn't get good positioning," Allis said. "But he really looked great." The cycling team is coed, though not many women compete at the collegiate level and women's races often feature far fewer competitors. "Women are always welcome, we'd like to see more come out and race," Allis added. "Usually women do well just by showing up." Besides coach and Tufts' alum Mark Abramson, who critiques the team's technique and gives the cyclists pointers, team members essentially train independently. "I find cycling incredibly fun and very unique, it takes a special kind of dedication and a lot of work," Dangremond said. "If you are able to make the investment it really pays off." For now, the team looks forward this weekend's long, hilly road race at U.N.H. The following weekend, April 14, they take on the very technical crit. course at Williams College, which has six more turns than the difficult Tufts course.

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News

Mystic River Awareness Week highlights environmental problems

March 31

Do you know what's in your water? It's a simple question, but the answer could have you drinking anything but H2O: pathogens, sewage, contaminated sediments, toxic metals, and chemicals plague Massachusetts's polluted water system, which has the second-worst water quality in the US, ranked above only New Jersey. This week, from April 17 to 21, the Massachusetts Community Water Watch (MCWW) will sponsor its first Mystic River Awareness Week at Tufts. The program will include five days of activities designed to promote environmental consciousness and awareness of Massachusetts's watershed problems. Highlights of the week include a showing of Chinatown on April 17 at Barnum and a speech by biodiversity expert Peter Alden in Cabot Auditorium on Wednesday. The week culminates with River Clean-up Day at the Mystic River on April 21, the day before Earth Day. The river clean up, which will be held at Middlesex Boys and Girls Club Boathouse, is one of 11 local clean-ups taking place on Saturday. It will be followed by a festival with face painting, a live band, a raffle, and lunch. The event guest list looks impressive, with Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn and Massachusetts State Representative Patricia Jehlen scheduled to speak to the 400 volunteers. The idea for the program came mainly from AmeriCorps member and Tufts' MCWW Program Director Stephanie Gros, who worked closely with Tufts students to plan a week's worth of activities to increase awareness of the river clean, which is part of the AmeriCore program. "So many times I have heard people say the Mystic River is polluted and nobody cares and there is nothing you can do about it," Gros said. But, "nothing is impossible, and organizing people, especially college students, is a powerful way to enact change." The organizers of the MCWW chose to focus on Tufts because of the University's proximity to the Mystic River and its tributaries. "It seems that a lot of students at Tufts don't know the river is so polluted, and many don't even realize that Tufts is so close to a river they could potentially get a lot of use out of," MCWW member Bret Kricun said. "When I tell people about the Mystic River, their first response is usually something like, 'Well, where is that?'" Kricum and others hope the popular student perspective can be altered. "The awareness week is not just designed to get people ready for the big cleanup on the 21st, but it is also designed to get people thinking globally and acting locally," he said. In 1972 Congress passed the Clean Water Act with the goal of making all US waterways "swimmable and fishable" by 1985. This goal has not been met. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency considers 65 percent of the lakes and streams in Massachusetts to be too polluted for swimming or fishing. "Water is increasingly being seen as our next natural resource problem, both locally and globally," said Paul Kirshen, a research associate professor of civil and environmental engineering. Kirshen, one of the founders of the Mystic River Watershed Collaborative, said the Collaborative is a great way to get students involved in protecting the environment while also gaining valuable academic experience. "It is difficult to create awareness of water problems in a society that's so consumer oriented," she said. "This is America in the 21st century: We're still discharging sewage into our rivers that are flowing right through our backyards." The MCWW has also organized daily water testing, educational field trips for local elementary schools, and another Mystic River clean-ups to take place in October. MCWW members are optimistic about the potential gains from the clean up. "By spending a few hours outside with friends, trying on waders and paddling in canoes towards floating trash, Tufts students can crucially alter the fate of the river; only with heightened consciousness... can Water Watch [MCWW] ever succeed," said MCWW member Allison Archambault. MCWW is part of the Mystic River Watershed Collaborative, founded last year by the University College of Citizenship and Public Service. The Collaborative includes MCWW, the Mystic River Watershed Association (MRWA), Tufts' Institute for the Environment (TIE), Tufts' faculty members, and various grassroots citizen organizations representing different water bodies in the Massachusetts watershed. Funding for Mystic River Awareness week comes from the Collaborative, the MRWA and TIE, as well as the Tufts Community Union Senate and Tufts Concert Board. A watershed is the area that drains rainwater to a river. The Mystic River watershed is a 76 square mile area that includes land where runoff and storm sewers bring water to the Mystic, as well as the Aberjona River, Alewife Brook, Chelsea Creek, Malden River and Mill Brook, along with numerous ponds and lakes. It is home to over 400,000 people in 21 cities.

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News

While Japha sits, team Edinbugh scores trip to playoffs

March 31

Last week I witnessed, in my opinion, one of the greatest basketball games ever. I know that no one reading this saw it, because it was played on the other side of the Atlantic between the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. I didn't just watch the game, I was also the timekeeper. Actually, I'm on the University of Edinburgh basketball team, but as we have 15 members and only ten can suit up for any particular game, the coach felt my services could best be used in street clothes operating the scoreboard. He was right. I managed to stop the clock every time the ref blew his whistle, and the score was more or less accurate the entire game. And what a game it was. With a win, we would be in a three-way tie for first place in our league, Since only the top two teams can go to the season-ending tournament, any ties would be broken by the scores in head-to-head contests. Because of our earlier 17-point loss (it happened well before I joined the team and started working the scoreboard) we had to win this game by 16 points in order to qualify for the season-ending tournament (I don't understand the math either, but I've found that in a foreign country, it's better to keep your mouth shut and do what you're told). It was not an impossible feat, but not an easy one either. Glasgow, despite having no coach, did have one player who was too much to stop. There was truly no one on our bench that could stop him. That's why we have refs, though. By half time he had committed his fourth foul (two of them offensive), and by early in the fourth quarter he was gone. By that time though, he had done enough damage to end our hopes of winning by 16, and now we were just struggling to hang on and get a victory. With just under a minute to go, we were up by three points when we got a steal and a quick jumper to make it a five-point lead. A nice cushion, but a long way from the necessary 16 point lead. Another Glasgow turnover lead to a quick foul and two made free throws with thirty-three seconds left. Up seven. I remember the time remaining vividly, as the scoreboard I was dutifully operating had a number of lights burned out, and no one could see how much time was remaining. This forced all ten players on the court, the two coaches, and the two officials to ask me how much time was left, individually. "Thirty three seconds," I yelled for the fourteenth time. We passed it in, but it was knocked out of bounds right away. I'll be damned if all fourteen people didn't ask me again how much time was remaining. "Are you guys idiots?" I asked. "Are your kilts on too tight? How much time do you think could have possibly come off the clock in the nanosecond the ball was in play?" To be fair to the Scottish, they do not wear kilts when they play basketball, though that could increase attendance, and I didn't in fact really say that. I thought about it, but instead shouted "Thirty two seconds" fourteen more times.Once my mini-drama on the sidelines was over, we inbounded the ball and got fouled again. Another two free throws dropped with about twenty seconds left. Up nine. Glasgow then proceeded to turn the ball over again, but this time you couldn't really blame them. Their backup point guard stepped out of bounds, normally a foolish mistake, but on this court it was pretty common. To call what we play on a basketball court would be generous. A better name for it would be "The Most Multi-Purposed Court Ever To Be Laid in the United Kingdom." The court is filled with lines for tennis, badminton, volleyball, and a European game called Korfball, which involves peach baskets and is so mindless it would take a whole other column to describe. There are so many lines on the court that when you look at it, it resembles a doodle you've worked on during class - random lines crossing over other random lines. On our ensuing possession, our center had the ball at the top of the key after breaking the full court press, and instead of taking advantage of a three-on-one fast break, pulled up for a three-pointer with fifteen seconds left. Up twelve. Amazingly, Glasgow turned the ball over for the fourth consecutive trip. It was either because of our increased defensive pressure, or because their point guard had fouled out. We got the ball inbounds to our best shooter and our captain, and he was fouled with eight ticks left. I know. I controlled how quickly they went off. Calmly, the Edinburgh native sank the first free throw. Up thirteen. He looked just as calm on the second one, which is why I was surprised he missed it so badly. He told me later he hadn't intended to miss it, but you couldn't guess that from this shot. It was one of those free throws other free throws are ashamed to talk about at family reunions. It clanked hard off the front right of the iron, and caromed at the high pace you would expect from a free throw that looked mass-produced from the "Shaquille O'Neal Charity Stripe Corporation." It bounded so hard off the iron that it went past the three rebounders right back to our captain, who alertly turned, took two dribbles to the three point line, and launched a turn-around, fade away, three-pointer with a man in his face. Only in Hollywood does a shot like this, with such dire consequences riding on it, go in. Well, Hollywood and Scotland. Up sixteen and in the playoffs. The only time you see a group of Scots celebrate and drink like that after the game is, well, every night. Why did I tell this captivating story? One, being away from the States for a while is just further proof that if you want to watch actual team basketball, the way the game was meant to be played, you have to look past the fancy uniforms and flashy dunks of the NBA. And two, so there is some documentation that I was in attendance, for it certainly won't come from the score sheet.

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News

Panelists debate role of IMF

March 31

While talk of international monetary policy - foreign direct investment and capital flows - may seem complicated to some, over 50 people filled Cabot 206 last Thursday for a panel discussion debating the role and future of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). "The Current Debate About the IMF" attracted a standing-room-only crowd of undergraduates, Fletcher students, and professors. All six panelists agreed that the Fund in its current state should be reformed. Created in 1944 to facilitate international trade and to stabilize currency exchange rates, the Fund has evolved into an organization that currently issues low-interest loans to financially troubled and less developed countries in an effort to aid in building their economies. Much of the current debate questions whether conditionalities - certain requirements that a country must meet if wants a loan - are actually hurting more than helping these ailing countries. According to research conducted by panelist James Vreeland, a Yale scholar, IMF programs actually hurt recipient countries' economic growth. "Lending isn't hurting, it's conditionality that hurts growth," he said. Vreeland said that forcing a country to enact certain policies such as cutting government spending or privatizing state-owned industries has the worst effect on middle-class and low-income citizens. Another well-accepted criticism asserts that forcing a government to implement particular policies infringes on the country's sovereignty. One of the guest panelists criticized the Fund for forcing economically distressed countries to enact stringent changes in their economies. Devesh Kapur, a Harvard professor, denounced the relatively small voice that less wealthy countries have in creating the Fund's policies. Small and less developed countries are most affected by these policies, since they receive the bulk of the IMF's loans. But a country's voting power is based on the amount of money it contributes to the Fund every year, so influence is concentrated in the hands of a few, more developed countries. "Developed countries know they probably wouldn't have to borrow money [from the IMF], so they have no qualms with expanding its role and conditionalitites," Kapur said. The panel's only representative from the IMF defended the organizations' policies, but admitted that reform is needed. According to representative Peter Clark, the Fund has begun to cut back on the number and scope of conditions that must be met to secure a loan. However, he defended the notion of enforcing certain requirements, saying that they are justified since all countries must adhere to these conditions. Despite the panelists' overwhelming criticism of the Fund, most asserted that it does ultimately serve a useful purpose. One of its most effective roles is being a "lender of last resort," an institution that will always be willing to lend money and advice when other resources are not available. Former Wellesley College professor Joseph Joyce likened the Fund to St. Paul, saying that it is "spreading the word" about economic development, citing the example of Russia in 1991. When Western countries (including the US) did not offer help, only IMF officials took the time to advise Russian officials during the country's transition from a socialist to capitalist market. Several panelists said that the presence of the IMF has a stabilizing effect on the international economy. "It's difficult to imagine a world where we would pluck these agencies out with no clear replacement," Joyce said. Clark added that a country receiving an IMF loan is tantamount to it earning a "Good Housekeeping seal of approval" in the eyes of foreign investors. When the IMF deems a country worthy of a loan, it signals investors that the country's economy will be in competent, stabilizing hands, making it a less risky investment. "The seal of approval is more important than the actual loan," Clark said. But Fletcher professor Graham Bird raised the question of whether the availability of IMF loans creates moral hazard, encouraging investors and governments to make risky investments knowing that the Fund will ultimately bail, should the investments fail. Bird pointed to the 1998 Asian financial crisis, which he said was partially driven by Asian banks making unsound loans because they assumed that their governments - and eventually the Fund - would pay off their debts should the loans go bad. On the question of moral hazard, Kapur asserted that "I think that there is moral hazard on the part of the developed countries... it costs the US more for more power, but comparatively it costs the US zero," since its annual contribution to the Fund does not put a substantial financial strain on the country. According to Kapur, this leads to wealthy nations haphazardly formulating policies that are not necessarily to the borrower's benefit. "Risks are born mostly on the borrowers' side; bail-outs don't hurt developed countries," he said.

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News

Biopic paints the life of Jackson Pollock

March 31

Ed Harris, director and star of Pollock, wanted to immerse himself in his latest character's life and mindset - one of depression and rage - before portraying him on the screen. "I wanted to be Ed Harris using all of his tools as an actor and as a person to allow Pollock's experience on this earth to touch me, inspire me, lead me to an honest performance." Use of the third person aside, Harris does just that in this biographical movie about Jackson "Jack the Dripper" Pollock. The story of Jackson Pollock begins in 1941 when he is living with his brother and is virtually unknown outside of the inner art circle of forties New York. Soon, he moves in with Lee Krasner (Best Supporting Actress Nominee Marcia Gay Harden), another struggling artist. She takes Pollock under her wing and introduces his work to an emissary working for Peggy Guggenheim. Pollock's reputation rises turbulently and quickly, as evidenced by a Life magazine headline in 1949 that readd: "Jackson Pollock: Is he the greatest living painter in the United States?" Despite the fame, though, his life is plagued by alcoholic rages, self-hatred and manic-depression, all of which ultimately bring him down. His wife stands by him, tending to his life outside the realm of painting. She had entered the marriage knowing full well Pollock's erratic, and sometimes violent tendencies. Nonetheless, she supports him, helps him, and encourages him to release himself to his art and avoid the drink. The main strength of the film is Harris' ability to beautifully portray Pollock's pain, as well as the salvation that painting provides him with. Pollock was a man of extremes who possessed the rare ability to release his frustrations, rage, and sadness through art. He could barely stand being a human being, yet created some of the most lasting art of his time. When not painting, he attempted to escape his pain through drinking, which ultimately destroyed him and his relationships. Harris has seemingly devoted himself to the film with the same fervor Pollock devoted to painting. If one word could describe Harris' performance, it would be "intense." He channels Pollock's energy throughout the film, staring intently at the canvas before beginning to apply paint. Despite all of this - the solid acting, smooth and subtle directing, and an intriguing subject - the film is missing some crucial element, some deeper feeling to the material. Pollock rants and raves, paints and cries, but the film often feels like a stiff, factual biography. Through years of work, Harris and others on the film may have created a product that is too careful, too neat. The film never ventures into the source of Pollock's problems or emotions. He rages, drinks, and cycles through manic-depression, but the film is never sentimental or judgmental about the man. It occasionally feels like the same tortured artist seen many times over. Jackson Pollock was an intense, creative, emotional man, and Pollock is an intense, interesting, well-executed film. At the same time, however, it is rarely engaging or emotional. The film is missing an essential core of emotion, and the audience may not come away with any real glimpse into Pollock, or have any true feeling for the man. Jackson Pollock has been called "an artist dedicated to concealment, a celebrity who nobody knew." This movie does nothing to change that.Pollock, 3.5 stars.

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News

Fixing the NBA

March 31

In this space last week, you may remember I took a small dig at the NBA. That was wrong, and I apologize. Now I'm going to devote my entire column to taking one, giant dig. There are tons of problems with the NBA, but then again, there are tons of problems with all major sports, so we'll only deal with a few of them. Here's what's wrong with the NBA: Players don't try very hard (at least not until the last few minutes of a game), they don't play real defense, they don't pass to each other, they don't acknowledge the crowd, and games are too expensive to attend. Five problems, each of them easy to solve if the powers that be in the NBA wanted to stop descending the slippery slope they're on. And if the owners and the players keep going about things the way they are, the league won't be around for very much longer. What they all forget is, if no one wants to watch their games, there's no point in playing them. In other words, if Kobe Bryant scores 50 points, and no one sees it, did he really score at all? You can say that I'm being dramatic, but as ticket prices continue to increase, fewer and fewer true fans (I'm not talking about corporate fans who bring clients to sit courtside at games) will attend. And do you think a middle-aged, working class fan who has essentially been booted from the stadium he's been watching games at for twenty years is just going to go home and watch some 20-year old selfish player that he can't relate to? No. None of these problems are new; you've heard them all before, but they exist, and they aren't going away. Here are a few suggestions as to how to fix things: The first involves a few rules changes. As it stands right now, the court is too small for modern players. Guys in the NBA are too big and too quick for the court. Subsequently, the lane is constantly clogged, people can't drive without being crushed by a slow center whose sole job is to block the basket with his enormous body. So I suggest we widen and lengthen the court. This would free up the action - especially in the lane - increase the pace of the game, and give more mobility to the skilled players in the league. At the same time, it would hurt the thugs of the league, in other words, any team coached by Pat Riley. The second rule change would allow zone defense. You're probably thinking, the NBA already has a problem with low scoring, why should it allow teams to play a zone, further decreasing scoring? First, while a zone may decrease scoring a bit, what it will do is increase the scoring runs that teams go on. There will be more ten-point swings in games, as teams that beat the man-to-man defense have to contend with a zone. This will make coaches do some coaching, forcing them to become strategists again, not just babysitters. Coaches will develop different zone defenses, and will have to scheme ways of beating the zone. This would also take care of the selfishness problem. There isn't one player in the NBA that can single-handedly beat a zone defense, though many probably think they can. It will force players to be more creative and to PASS THE BALL. Sorry Kobe. Along with these rule changes, the players and owners need to make attitude adjustments. Players must show their appreciation for the people that pay their salaries (the fans) and owners should figure out ways to get those people in the seats. At soccer matches, when the players run on the field, they actually applaud the fans. When a team wins, they run over to the fans and cheer for them. They throw water into the stands, they throw their jerseys into the crowd. Basically, they make the ordinary fan feel as though he were part of the game. They may not like it, but NBA players should be required to do the same. It may seem fake at first, but in time, players will find that the more receptive they are to the crowd, the more noise a crowd will make during a game, and the less it will boo when they screw up. It wouldn't hurt if every once in a while, the players went outside the stadium to greet the crowd. I know it's a big burden to stand around for 15 minutes and talk to people who don't make four million dollars a year, but imagine how far it would go in terms of public relations. Finally, the owners just need to offer cheaper seats and cheaper food at games. Anyone that reads the paper knows there is plenty of money floating around in these guys' bank accounts, so it wouldn't kill them to offer the occasional five dollar seat. Hey, fifteen thousand seats sold at a reasonable price is better than three thousand sold to corporations. In the end, though, basketball can only go so far until the players show they have a true desire to win. I've thought of rules changes for that too - a shorter regular season, awarding points in the standings for winning a quarter - but there's nothing you can do to make a player want to win. There are great individual players in the NBA - Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Ray Allen - but there are only a few guys in the league who know what it means to sacrifice individualism for championships. The only problem is one of them coaches the Indiana Pacers (Isiah Thomas), one is president of the Washington Wizards (Michael Jordan), one works as an analyst at Fox (James Worthy), and another is the GM of the Minnesota Timberwolves (Kevin McHale).

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News

George W. Bush: The first two weeks

March 31

As the final members of President Bush's cabinet are confirmed by the Senate, and as the executive branch shifts from Democratic to Republican, one would have to say that the new president seems to be off to a decent start. As of a little under two weeks into his administration, President Bush has already pulled the political strings that his father failed to pull at any time during his administration in making two decisions that will hopefully keep the religious right happy and quiet for the next four years. I must admit that, as far as Republicans go, I am probably one of the most moderate. In fact, I think of myself as moderate to any political party; so don't get me wrong - this Viewpoint is not coming from someone with a completely biased, conservative view (in fact, I dislike the Christian conservatives a lot more than most moderate and even some liberal Democrats). As a Republican, one of the things that I find particularly discouraging is the way the presidential election was finally decided. It may sound strange coming from someone (one of the only ones) who visibly rooted for Bush at the election night rally in Cabot, but I would have really liked to see who received more votes in Florida, though this would have been problematic. Since the laws were so ambiguous and poorly written, in an election that was as close as it was, chaos was inevitable. The laws are not partisan; they have no political affiliation, so we should not be bitter about the outcome of the election. The laws, not the Supreme Court or anyone else party to the post-election process, inhibited the ability of all the votes to be counted. That said, I think the new president did a very good job, probably even better than expected by most, in appointing his cabinet members. Colin Powell was an obvious choice for secretary of state, Don Rumsfeld has great executive level experience and will be effective in reassuming the post of secretary of defense, and Rod Paige is the only secretary of education to have ever actually been an educator. The cabinet as a whole is somewhat diverse, with minorities, women, and even a Democrat (heading the Department of Transportation) all represented. The problems with the cabinet choices obviously come from the appointments of Sen. John Ashcroft to the attorney general position and Linda Chavez to the position of secretary of labor. The Ashcroft nomination is obviously controversial because of his stance on abortion and civil rights. However, I think that as attorney general, Ashcroft will be able to put his extreme conservative views aside and enforce the laws. If he can't separate his personal views from his professional duty, I'm sure he will either resign or be asked to do so. I personally feel that the Chavez nomination was in bad taste because of the information that was discovered about her and the illegal alien whom she housed, as well as because of her strong stance against most positions taken by organized labor. Bush, however, is entitled to a cabinet that both holds his views and will institute the policies on which he campaigned. The inauguration was, as it has always been, a peaceful transfer of power that went off without a hitch. Yes, there was quite a bit of protesting, probably more than any other time since Nixon's second inauguration in 1973, but that is part of the beauty of our democratic process - being able to peacefully assemble and voice our displeasure with our leaders. The inaugural address was well delivered by Bush, as it asked Americans to come together to be active citizens. It encouraged people to set aside their differences and work together, much as Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams, and John F. Kennedy did during their inaugurations. The only problems with the celebration that I saw were the weather, the fact that Bush didn't walk more of the way down Pennsylvania Avenue, and that at the inaugural balls, Bush was observed to be an inept dancer (which I'm sure he'll work on over the next four years). If there's one thing that Bush will do better than most other recent presidents, it is charming his opponents while keeping his Republican ideals. Reagan was great at communicating to the public and getting his agenda pushed by citizens, from the bottom up to the legislators. Bush Sr.'s domestic politics seemed lost at times and Clinton, though charming to the public and constantly popular, in private was said to be cold and somewhat detached. I think and hope Bush will be able to push his agenda through by taking moderate positions on many issues and by charming Congress into going along with it. In fact he's already at it, taking Senator Kennedy with him on a school visit in order to reveal his education policy. The policy wonk that Clinton was, Bush will never be. Instead, he will rely on charm and persuasion that he seemed to have in Texas, and hopefully he'll be able to do what's best for the country. President Bush, like him or not, is everybody's president, and hopefully we can all respect the office and give him a chance to succeed. Phillip Berenbroick is a freshman who has not yet declared a major.

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News

How is Tufts commemorating Sept. 11?

March 31

Sept. 9, 7:00-8:30 PM at Cabot Auditorium"The New American Profile: Eye on the 'Other'"A panel discussion consisting of professors, lawyers, Fletcher students and local journalists discussing the changes in the national psyche and public policy issues over the past year.Sept. 11, 11:50 AM at 20 Professors Row"Musical Meditation"A musical reflection by students, professors and others on the past year.Sept. 11, 3:00 PM at Cabot Auditorium"Asia: One Year after September 11"Impact of Sept. 11 from Pakistan to Japan. Nayan Chanda from the Yale Center for the Study of Globalization will speak with faculty respondents.Sept. 11, 5:00 PM at the Academic Quad Memorial.Sept. 13, 4:30 PM at Cabot Auditorium"Middle East: One Year after September 11"Impact of Sept. 11 on the Middle East. New York Times reporter Serge Schmemann will speak with faculty respondents.

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News

A message from the editors

March 31

Sept. 11, 2002 deeply affected the lives of most Americans. As students at Tufts University, we too felt the wave of pain, fear, frustration and anger that pervaded the country. As freshmen away from home for the first time, we longed for the familiar. As sophomores who had finally adjusted, we did not know whether to comfort or be comforted. As juniors abroad we wished we could be closer to home, and as seniors pulled back into campus life, the last year was certainly not what we had anticipated it to be. After the initial shock, we responded as best we knew how. As students on this campus, we came together in vigils, discussions and various events. We found peace in solitude, spent more time with family, sought to strengthen our ties with friends, started a new relationship or rethought an old one. Realizing how short and precious life really is, we decided to take the opportunity to go abroad, or chose to spend more time in the United States and in our homes. We said, "I love you," "I'm sorry," and "thank you" as we should have previously done, but never did. Many of us made life-altering decisions after the impact of that day. But with spirits unshaken, we used the attacks to find something good - to make a change for the better. And although it can be said that those with the most widespread impact on others were politicians and world leaders, we ourselves realized the potential impact of our own actions on others. We then reached out to our friends and families, as well as to those whose views had long been fundamentally different from ours. Let us hope that this September, a year after the terrorist attacks on the United States, we can continue to grow, learn from each other, increase our awareness, compromise when necessary and work together for the betterment of society. May we listen to others, stand up for ourselves, and truly appreciate what we have and those whom we love.

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News

Outside committee finds strong language departments, offers advice for improvement

March 31

Tufts' commitment to foreign language studies has met with some trouble in recent years as a result of students' unbalanced interest in the various language offerings. The Spanish department in particular has had staffing problems as the number of students interested in learning Spanish has grown faster than the department's teaching staff. Vida Johnson, the chair of the German, Russian, and Asian Languages Department, said there is a national high school trend to emphasize Spanish over other languages. "We're trying very hard to buck the trend of students only going to Spanish," Johnson said. "German and Russian have lost enrollment over the past few years, while [other] enrollments have basically held steady." Administrators say they are making an effort to enhance their resources. To identify areas of possible improvement, Tufts employed an outside consulting committee. The review of the Department of Romance Languages, which took place last year, was sponsored by Dean of Arts and Humanities Leila Fawaz and was undertaken by professors from Harvard, Cornell, and Princeton. "The dean believes in external reviews, and she's been encouraging lots of departments to do them," Romance Language Department Chair Isabelle Naginski said. "This is part of an ongoing evaluation process on the part of the University." The final report identified a number of areas in which the department could be strengthened, prime among was Spanish instruction. "This discipline constitutes a gaping hole in the department and is underrepresented University wide.... Tufts has not met its responsibility to the Latino community," the committee found. The report recommended converting all or part of the 23 part-time Spanish faculty to full-time, increasing Latin American studies offerings, and adding more course administrator positions to assist with curriculum development. Other recommendations included adding Portuguese to the curriculum and creating an Italian major to compliment the minor that Tufts currently offers. Because most liberal arts students take one or more foreign language classes, the Romance Language Department must work to keep up with shifting demands. Naginski said her department hopes to meet all of the committee's recommendations and has continually made requests to fill needed positions, but her efforts have been stifled by budget limitations. "We just can't do everything we'd like to; we need more staff," she said. The department, however, was able to get approval to hire two new professors, and is in the process of negotiating with a candidate to teach Latin American culture classes, with an emphasis on Mexican literature and culture. Those involved see the tenure-track position as a significant step towards improving the quality of the Spanish program at Tufts. Though excited about that Tufts is filling the position, leaders of the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS) have questioned the candidates' qualifications. In an e-mail released to the Tufts community, ALAS treasurer Carlos Lenz alleged that the department passed over better-qualified Latino professors in their selection process. The candidate "is a North American professor who has been to Latin America once, only once, and is not qualified in that regard to teach a class on Latino culture," Lenz's wrote. But Naginski and deputy-chair Teresa Howe deny Lenz' allegations. "We wouldn't be interested in hiring this person if she wasn't very well qualified to teach Latin-American culture," Howe said, adding that the position requires a PhD and native or near-native Spanish speaking ability. Howe refused to elaborate further, saying that the negotiations are confidential and that she must respect the privacy of the candidates. Each of the prospective professors were invited to Tufts to speak with students and deliver a lecture. Fawaz and the University's affirmative action office also monitored the search and evaluated the final candidates. But ALAS remains skeptical. The group met with Fawaz last Monday and will meet with the vice president of arts, sciences, and engineering, Mel Bernstein, next Monday. Citing past incidences when professors who taught culture classes allegedly lacked sufficient expertise, the president of ALAS, Gabriella Blanco, said she wants to ensure a good candidate is chosen. "We were so excited about the position, and we fear that the person they'll hire won't have such a good understanding of Latino culture," Blanco said. The department is also working with the administration to convert more of its part-time faculty to full-time status. The move would increase professors' access to students, while allowing the department to broaden its course offerings. "In most universities, language courses are taught by grad students or teaching assistants," Howe said. "We have experienced people teaching all our classes; all have masters degrees, and some have PhDs." Though listing many possible improvements, the report was largely complementary. "These recommendations are made in a positive spirit of wishing to strengthen an already respectable and generally effective operation," the committee wrote. Johnson said she is comfortable with the status of her department. "We pride ourselves on our programs, where you can take small classes and get a real opportunity to work one-on-one with facility in a classroom setting," she said. Nevertheless, her department is taking steps to improve. "We're working on revising our teaching materials, and utilizing the most up-to-date technology," she said. "We need more money to create some positions. We'd like to start a masters of Japanese class, and we need money for faculty development. Overall, our budget is pretty lean," she said. Liberal Arts students are required to take six semesters of foreign language and culture classes, which sets the University apart from other benchmark institutions. Dartmouth College requires its students to take three ten-week long classes, with culture considered an integral part of the program. Students can test out of the requirement with a four or five on the Advanced Placement exam.

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Spiritual leadership rebuilding after McLennan's departure

March 31

The Reverend Patricia Kepler, pastor of Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church, has taken over as Interim Chaplain while the president's office decides how best to fill the place of former University Chaplain Scotty McLennan. McLennan, who announced his resignation last fall after 16 years of leadership, stepped into his new position as dean of religious life at Stanford University following winter recess. Members of Tufts spiritual community hope to find a full-time replacement, although the role of the position itself is currently being redefined. Many members of the student body feel that McLennan's strong passion for justice, fervor for student activism, and perspective on university life cannot be easily matched. The President's Office has formed a committed headed by Executive Associate to the President Judy Olson to look into how the University Chaplain serves Tufts. "We're trying to take the temperature of the community and find out what they would want from the position," Senior Vice President and Provost Sol Gittleman said.The University Chaplain was originally a faculty member in the department of religion. In the mid-80s, President Jean Mayer created the position, which McLennan filled shortly there-after. Tufts' new president will likely make the final decision about the role of the next Chaplain. For the interim, Kepler brings a great deal to campus spirituality. "I really want to hear from people about where they are and what they want from this office; how I could best serve the community. My door is always open," she said. She believes her job is to foster the religious development of Tufts students."The university chaplain facilitates the broad range of religious life on campus and has to be a person who can respect the breadth and depth of religious expression in the world," Kepler said, "people come from all over the world to this place with their religious faiths." Kepler arrived just at the end of the Tufts Christian Fellowship (TCF) controversy, and said that "ultimately it was handled very well. I think it is the responsibility of the religious community, across the board, to respect and stay within the guidelines of the whole University and in this case the non-discrimination policies." She also said she respects TCF's religious freedom."I don't think that anyone can impose, on the religions communities, systems of belief that they do not hold. So I do think there is an issue of both compliance with nondiscrimination policy, which must be respected by everyone on campus, and at the same time room for religious diversity," she said.In her last year at Drexel College, she abandoned a career in law to enter the Princeton theological Seminary. After graduation, Kepler served at a New Jersey church for nine years. She then spent a year teaching in Florida before serving on the National Church Board of Education as director of women's programming. Afterwards, she took on a five-year appointment as Director of Ministerial Studies at Harvard, and is currently serving as pastor of Clarendon Hill Church. Kepler is eager to continue reaching out to students, and holds various programs in similar fashion as McLennan. One service, called Reflections, is held Wednesdays at noon and is a chance to witness presentations from various non-traditional speakers. Speakers range from graduate students in the mathematics department to the director of the African American Center. She also conducts a Chaplain's Table on Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. to encourage religious discussion over dinner. Unlike McLennan, Kepler will not be teaching or serving other Tufts campuses.

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News

Hear Ani anew

March 31

Ani DiFranco's performance at the Orpheum last October left many of her fans fearing that the queen of do-it-yourself female folk had sold out. She appeared to have abandoned the audience's favorite classic Ani tunes, and the concert was over before 11 p.m. Those who had been listening to her for years walked out of the Orpheum worried that she would never again be the Ani they had grown to love. All those suspicions, however, are banished with her latest release, a double album entitled Revelling/Reckoning. Her variety of influences - ranging from folk to funk to jazz - are finally reconciled, culminating in a collection of 29 songs that range from the traditional "Ani and her acoustic guitar" style to "Ani and her five-piece band." Some tracks are reminiscent of earlier albums, like 1995's Not a Pretty Girl, while others are like nothing you've ever heard from her before. "There's probably more of a jazz sound on these new records than people may expect from me," DiFranco said in her press release. While she insists that the influence has always been there, it is true that it has never been as prominent as it is on Revelling/Reckoning. The addition of a horn section, as well as her innovative use of both electric and acoustic guitars, contributes to the jazzy vibe of the album. The undeniably different feel of the album can also be attributed to the construction of DiFranco's own studio. It has given her much more freedom to play with both her music and songwriting. As a result, Revelling/Reckoning covers a wide spectrum of styles. Her funk and jazz influences are more apparent on Revelling, the first disc of the album. She puts her band to work, incorporating horns, bass, drums, and even an accordion here and there. "Ain't That the Way," the opening track, is driven by powerful bass lines of Jason Mercer and drums of Daren Hahn. "Kazoointoit" as a similar feel to it - in addition to the bass and drums, the use of an answering machine message played over and over again gets incorporated into the track. While the majority of the 13 tracks on Revelling are experimental and play with sounds and texture, some of the songs are familiar throwbacks to older Ani styles. "Tamburitza Lingua," for example, is a variation on DiFranco's infamous spoken word tradition. In addition to speaking, DiFranco is also featured playing the tamburitza and the tongue drum. The result is a spoken word track very different from "The Slant" from her debut album or "Tiptoe" from Not a Pretty Girl. Reckoning has less of a studio-produced feel to it than Revelling, and as a result sounds more like the Ani the world has grown familiar with since she began releasing records on her own label, Righteous Babe Records, in 1990. Some of the songs, like "Your Next Bold Move," "So What," and "Imagine That," will probably sound familiar if you've been to any of her concerts lately. The album has been a work in progress and, as a result, DiFranco has already had a chance to try out some of these songs on stage. While the recordings are not identical to the versions she has presented in concert, you are still sure to recognize them. Moreover, you will also be happy to hear how she has softened the edges on the album to create a couple of near-perfect songs.Reckoning uses a lot of instrumental bridges to connect its songs, resulting in a seamless wash between tracks that keeps the groove of the album going. DiFranco has admittedly used this idea before - with short, wordless bridges first appearing on To the Teeth - but this time around, they're much more prominent. She attributes the use of these musical interludes to her work on a documentary soundtrack. When her guitar-based instrumental music wasn't used in the film, she decided to use it on this album. "They became interludes," she explained to the press, "so that the listener could pause and digest a song without being marooned in silence." DiFranco's penchant for experimentation and her acoustic guitar have finally found a middle ground on Revelling/Reckoning. Some tracks rock hard, others are softer and soothing. It may take a little open-mindedness to accept the changes in DiFranco's style as a musician, singer, and songwriter, but the tried and true fan will not feel betrayed or barraged by the array of new sounds on this album. For every "different" song on the CD, there's another to remind you of old-fashioned Ani, and that's what keeps everyone hanging on.

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Jumbos edge Panthers 4-3 in overtime

March 31

Though it was neither convincing nor thorough, the men's ice hockey team managed an important overtime win Monday night against ECAC Northeast opponent Plymouth State. The Jumbos improved to 16-5 overall record and a near-perfect 14-1 league mark. Tufts jumped out to an early lead against Plymouth with two power play goals a mere 17 seconds apart, netted by sophomore Rob LaQuaglia and defensemen Chris Martin. After Plymouth cut the margin in half, junior star Jason Boudrow scored his team-leading 28th goal of the season. But the mediocre 4-18-1 Plymouth squad refused to succumb, and when junior Chris Tortorella lit the lamps with a solid wrister with only 1:56 remaining in the third, one had to wonder whether the Jumbos were on their way to dropping a frustrating game to an inferior team. Perhaps a sense of urgency had taken hold, because senior tri-captain and star defenseman Dan Mahoney set up sophomore sniper Mike Carceo on a brilliant pass halfway into the extra frame to secure the victory. Careco's sixth game-winning goal of the season put him in a tie for first place in the nation in this category. A tie or a loss to Plymouth would have been devastating to the Jumbos' goal of owning the coveted number-one seed in the ECAC playoffs. The win sets up a clash of the titans tonight when Tufts visits Wentworth, a perennial powerhouse with an identical ECAC record. The showdown will decide who wins the regular season crown, thus obtaining top seed and home ice through the playoffs. "This is by far the biggest game of the year," coach Brian Murphy said, the excitement in his voice evident even through the congestion of a head cold. "In fact, this is the biggest game in a long time around here." A win would represent the culmination of an immensely successful regular season campaign for the Jumbos. Though ranked only fifth in a preseason poll, the Jumbos always insisted they were one of the league's elite squads, and their relatively painless march through the ECAC proved it. But victory against Wentworth is no easy task, and Tufts is aware of the difficult task at hand. "They are an incredibly skilled team," said Murphy. "They have six or eight forwards who can score at any time. This is a good team, a very, very good team. These guys tied Middlebury (currently ranked third in the nation), they have a ton of talent." When asked to compare the two team's styles, Murphy found mostly similarities. "They handle the puck well like we do, and they play great special teams," he said. "We play pretty similar styles. If I had to note one difference, I would say they like to play puck control a little more than we do. I think we are a more aggressive team; they take a little more of a conservative approach." If there is concern for Tufts outside of Wentworth heading into Thursday's marquee match up, it is the injuries that have pervaded the roster. Most are typical aches and pains associated with the grind of a four-month season, a tough league and a contact sport, but they are nonetheless a factor. When Boudrow left the Plymouth State game with an injury and did not return, Tufts had reason to worry. But his status for Thursday is not in doubt. Asked to comment on his star player's injury, coach Murphy was terse: "He's fine." So, with a beat-up albeit full roster, the Jumbos will take to the ice tonight with the opportunity to win their league. Murphy predicts a close game. "In a game like this, you have two evenly matched teams. The little things will decide this game: who gets to the loose pucks faster, who can control the puck, who can force their tempo on the other guy. Everyone has systems and schemes at this point of the season; everyone knows what they are supposed to go. The winner will be the team that does those small fundamental things a little better." The puck drops tonight at 7 p.m., and directions to Valley Forum in Lawrence, Massachusetts are available online at http://ase.tufts.edu/athletics.

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TSR tightens up finances to improve efficiency

March 31

While the microfridges themselves might not be running more smoothly next year, the student-run business organization that supplies them hopes to be. Next fall, Tufts Student Resources (TSR) plans to tighten its cash control to give managers more independence and increase efficiency in its seven major divisions. The semi-autonomous, non-profit organization will be taking steps to revamp its laundry, microfridge, summer storage, and aerobics divisions, as well as the Rez and Celebrations divisions to enable expansion of the organization's services in coming years. Members of TSR's central board decided at a meeting earlier this spring that certain organizational problems need to be corrected before it could add new divisions. "Before we expand, we want to revamp our internal control to set up a system that can carry over, even with our high turnover rate, instead of recreating the wheel every time," TSR operations vice president Victoria Crispin said. "We want to have something that is more structured and applicable for every fiscal year." TSR is increasing the paperwork that managers are required to fill out each week so that it will be better able to account for cash flows. The change should help TSR account for its budget surplus at the end of each fiscal year and reinvest the capital, providing funds for the expansion and revamping of divisions. The changes are part of an ongoing effort to clean up TSR's finances. "In the past [TSR] wasn't running like a pure business," TSR President Girish Karnani said. "Procedures and cash control wasn't tight enough, so it would be easy for people not to do their job. All of that has been fixed in the last year." While the organization says there have been few problems with TSR corruption, the TSR leadership hopes the changes will ensure continued ethical business practices. TSR also plans to create an incentive program to encourage employees to accurately fill out financial reports. The increased paperwork will allow managers and board members to determine monthly finances more easily. "For aerobics, a person would come to a class, they'd pay their $4, and we'd get that money at the end of the week from our managers," Karnani said. "But there was no way for us to know how many people were actually in the class. By implementing the use of receipts we have eliminated that problem. Now we have much tighter control on TSR." But some employees are unconvinced that the changes will have a significant effect. "I think they could be far more efficient with it, but I don't see how they're doing anything other than putting restrictions on the managers to put far more restrictions on the workers," said Liv Eales, who works at the Rez. Since its creation in 1981, TSR has provided the Tufts community with a variety of services, while offering employment and work-study opportunities to an estimated 90 students. It also allows students to gain business management and entrepreneurship skills without having to risk their own money. The diversity of the divisions within TSR leads to varying financial goals within the organization, and not all services make a profit each year. Divisions such as Celebrations and aerobics concentrate on providing a valuable service for students and their families rather than earning money, and summer storage is a relatively new division that has not yet proved its profit-making abilities. Other divisions, like the Rez, have struggled to break even in past years. But last semester, structural and managerial changes enabled the Rez to turn a profit for the first time in over five years. TSR's most profitable and widely used services are microfridge rentals and laundry and dry cleaning services. Several other proposals for the betterment of TSR services have been proposed, including the possibility of an online ordering system through the organization that runs 1-800-FLOWERS. The service would allow Tufts students to send packages to friends and family all over the country. TSR may also revamp the Rez to create a coffee bar. While TSR leaders say the changes implemented recently have kept clients and vendors happy, some students complain about the high prices charged for some TSR services. A microfridge costs $200 plus a $50 deposit per unit, and 15 pounds of weekly laundry service costs $395 for the year. This has led many students to adopt a do-it-yourself attitude. "[TSR's] prices were so expensive that it was much cheaper to get my own fridge," sophomore Sam Segal said. "I got a fridge for 60 bucks." But Karnani says the prices are only high enough to cover cost: "Tufts has certain requirements we have to meet and those machines are expensive," Karnani said. "People complain about it every year, but every year we run out of fridges. The fact that we're renting out all our microfridges every year shows that people don't mind paying the money." TSR bought 60 fridges last summer to meet demand, which upped the overall rental cost. Some students, however, say the Rez and aerobics classes are fairly priced. "[TSR aerobics] is a great option for exercise," freshman Natalia Garzon said. "The price is so decent because it's only $4 a class, and if you went to other places, they would charge you $20 or $30." Overall, however, TSR members say the organization is functioning before than ever. "I think everything is going extremely well," Karnani said. "Everyone's happy within TSR. People who use TSR are happy with the services and so are our vendors. We're financially stable. I think that TSR is finally strengthening up."

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News

The Sharks and the Jets set to battle it out

March 31

As the campus becomes increasingly littered with graffiti-like propaganda, the question on nearly everyone's lips is, "Are you a Jet or a Shark?" Torn Ticket II brings the legendary West Side Story to Cohen Auditorium this weekend -- and what a formidable task it is. With lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, music by the incomparable Leonard Bernstein, and a tragic love story derived from Shakespeare, the show's place in musical theater history is undisputed.West Side Story is the Romeo-and-Juliet-inspired musical that brought Sondheim and Bernstein together with scriptwriter Arthur Laurents. The original idea evolved from a love story between a Jewish girl and Catholic boy into the now-familiar tale of Maria and Tony, star-crossed lovers caught in the middle of American and Puerto Rican tensions. Bernstein, arguably America's greatest composer, invokes a Latin-American spirit for West Side Story, combining his orchestral brilliance with Latin flavor and just enough musical theater sensibility. "I'm just drawn to the music," says senior Kalinda Vazquez, the production's director. "Growing up, I found its portrayal of gangs in America fascinating." Music is something Vazquez connects with naturally. A singer from an early age, she says her parents were her driving influence. "There was always music playing in our house, all kinds," she said. This interest has led Vazquez to WMFO, where he deejays, as well as his involvement in sound design in Tufts theater, performances in Torn Ticket productions, and an internship at MTV. But West Side Story, she said, is her dream. "It was my favorite musical as a child. My dad grew up in the south Bronx, my family is from Puerto Rico -- it's a piece of American pop culture that I am personally connected with," she said. "The music from West Side Story must be my favorite," said senior Sejal Parekh, who plays Maria. "As a singer, it truly is a challenge similar to that of some other classical music I've studied through my years at Tufts. Bernstein calls for such control and range, not only in vocals, but in emotion as well." Music Director Tom Damassa has the unique opportunity at the undergraduate level to conduct a 21-piece orchestra playing Bernstein. "I think it's become sort of the holy grail of musical scores -- unquestionably moving, challenging, fun, exciting," he said. "You can hear joy, anger, love, tension, sorrow, and a host of other emotions within the music. I think this is one of the greatest things about the show...Words don't do it justice," Damassa said, admiringly. On top of a large orchestra, West Side Story requires a sizable cast. According to Vazquez, character is key: "We've had to create individuality in each role. I don't want any of the characters to be easily pegged -- hopefully, we've created complex personalities." Working with a cast and crew of this size has been challenging for the first-time director. "It's allowed me to gain an appreciation of how much one person can pay attention to at one time," she said. Senior Marco Carbone, the assistant director, has been with the production since its earliest stages. "We came into this thing optimistic but soberly aware of how complicated the show really is," Carbone said. "Most shows usually have one difficult aspect -- this one requires good dancing, singing, and acting. If any of those are compromised, the quality of the show suffers." Both Carbone and Vazquez say they are pleased with the progress of the cast, crew, and pit band. "The pit is the best ever pulled together since I've been at Tufts," Carbone said. Vazquez said the dancing in the production will surprise audiences. "We were blessed to find two amazing choreographers, Tali Paransky and Kalani Hawks, both freshmen and yes, both Texan," says Carbone.West Side Story drew one of the largest audition pools for a Tufts production in recent memory. The cast includes a number of Torn Ticket veterans, a generous helping of freshmen, and at least one faculty member. "I am having a blast," said Chris Morse, a lecturer in the chemistry department. The buzz surrounding the show caught his attention and prompted him to try out. "I really, really, really love musical theater, had never tried it before, the stage manager said I was eligible to audition, and my friend Omer (the director of Jesus Christ Superstar last year) said he would kill me if I didn't." "The music is absolutely incredible -- complex melodies and even more complex harmonies, not to mention the rhythms," said senior Matt Bargoot, the theater veteran tackling the role of Tony, the show's romantic hero. "Each song presents a new and different challenge." Bargoot has played some quirky supporting roles in his day. From the pompous and over-the-top Miles Gloriosus in last year's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum to his combat-boot-clad, fatigues-donned Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz last fall, Bargoot has made a college career of character acting. In West Side Story he gets the spotlight as a modern Romeo. Tony is a conflicted character -- caught between love and loyalty while trying to figure out his place as a teenager in society. "It's been a lot harder for me ease into the role of Tony, which is a bit strange since I can personally identify with his character," Bargoot said. Parekh, playing opposite Bargoot, agrees. "It may seem ironic, but portraying a character so similar in age and in this situation has actually been a challenge greater than any past role," she said. "When I put myself in the shoes of a character I don't relate to as well, I feel it is easier to create someone more unlike myself." "These characters are stuck between childhood games and acting like they're grown-ups," Vazquez said. "They think they can handle knives, rumbles -- they think they can handle adult situations." In casting, Vazquez and Carbone chose to put females in the gangs as well as men. The roles of "the girlfriends" of gang members are diluted somewhat. "If you want to see girl-on-girl action," quiped junior Vanessa Schiff, "see West Side Story." It's all in the spirit of giving the half-century-old musical a unique spin on the Tufts stage. "I had to look at a show that's been looked at hundreds of times by as many directors, and I had to decide what are the things I wanted to bring out," Vazquez said. "A lot of the show is about getting caught up and losing control," she said. "In Romeo and Juliet there is not as much of a sign that the lovers' experience changes anything. With West Side Story, the death and tragedy in the love story lead to a better, more hopeful end." Bargoot agrees: "I think that love is definitely a victim in this story, in that true love is found -- only to be ripped away by the world into which it was born. But even in love's tragic end, the world is affected and begins to change, offering a glimmer of hope for its future." West Side Story, Apr. 12 - Apr. 14 , Cohen Auditorium, 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the box office.

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News

Men's baseball sweeps weekend series

March 31

The task at hand was daunting for the men's baseball team: A two-day excursion to nearby Trinity, New England's top-rated Division III squad, for three games in two days. Trinity entered the series with an imposing 18-1 record, riding high on the arms of the touted brother tandem of Jonah and Jarrett Bayliss, the league's two most commanding arms. But if the weekend was a test, the Jumbos aced the exam with convincing victories of 22-0, 5-0, and 19-2 to improve to 11-7 (5-0) and move into first place in the NESCAC.The statistics were impressive: Tufts did not surrender a run until the fourth inning of the third game. The squad received stellar pitching efforts from its top three starters, Jon Lee, Steve Lapham, and Dave Martin. The trio combined to pitch 23 of the weekend's 25 innings, allowing two earned runs and walking only six batters. And the Jumbos played almost flawless defense, making only one miscue early in the first game. "Trinity is a good team," freshman pitcher Randy Newsom, who tossed an inning of flawless relief in the third game, said. "But this was sort of a culmination for us. We were focused on what we had to do, and for the first time we clicked on all cylinders. This is the way we need to play, and the way we can play, and we'll win our share."In the series opener on Friday afternoon, sophomore Jon Lee pitched a stellar baseball game, allowing only three hits, striking out eight, and walking only three in a complete game effort. With Friday's performance, Lee improved his season mark to 4-0. The big hit of the day, perhaps the biggest of the weekend, came from slugger and captain Todd Boutwell. With Tufts holding a surmountable 4-0 lead in the fifth, Boutwell smacked a three-run homer."Four runs isn't a huge lead," freshman third baseman Nick Palange said. "We knew going in this was a tough team, a team that thought it would win any game that was close. After Todd's homerun, they really seemed to buckle. It set a tone for the weekend."The Jumbos added more offense, plating five more runs in the sixth, three in the seventh, and seven more in the ninth to cap a stunning 22-0 victory.The second game featured a solid effort from junior Steve Lapham, whose pitching has seen a marked improvement after an inconsistent start. Lapham pitched six of the game's seven innings, and shut out the Bantams, striking out three, walking none, and working his way out of a few jams. Tufts would receive all the offense they needed on a first inning triple by right-fielder Dan Callahan, the weekend's offensive catalyst.Callahan, hitting in the third slot in the lineup, went 4-7 in Friday's opener, scoring three runs and knocking in three. He went 2-2 in Saturday's first game with two more RBI and in Saturday's nightcap went 5-7, scoring three runs while driving in another."Even Dan's outs were hit hard," Palange said. The third game was another blowout. Tufts had 22 hits, and batted around in the top of the first inning, scoring four runs and never looking back. Catcher Joe Surprenant drove in four runs, and the Jumbos cruised for a 19-2 win. While Trinity will undoubtedly be heard from again, when faced with the adversity of a pending defeat, it folded."Their strength is their pitching," Newsom said. "Offensively, we were good. We did everything coach told us to. We worked counts, didn't swing at bad pitches, got on base, and got big hits. We'll see them again and they'll be hungry for us, but for this weekend we had their number."Having won nine of its last ten games, Tufts gets right back into action today against Brandeis, a talented squad looking to deflate Tufts' momentum. But with three convincing wins over New England's highest-rated team, the Jumbos know that if they perform well and do the little things right, they can play with anyone.

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Present-day viruses do not match up to past epidemics

March 31

Nobel Prize winner Dr. Joshua Lederberg warned an audience of colleagues, professors, and students about the potential for epidemic outbreaks, even in a modern, scientifically-advanced society during his speech at Tufts on Wednesday. Approximately 140 people filled Cabot Auditorium to hear Lederberg's presentation on the nature of infectious diseases. He discussed 19th century epidemics, such as smallpox, and how the eradication of such diseases has allowed for the rapid rise in life expectancy of Americans, from about 47 in 1900 to 77 in 2000. But Lederberg cautioned that our society should not stop worrying about diseases, even strains that seem to have been wiped out. "How do we know for sure that smallpox is gone?" he asked. Numerous reports of deadly outbreaks that have plagued the world this century - including the Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever in Uganda, the Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome in parts of Africa, and the Enterovirus, a form of polio, in Taiwan - were discussed on during a slide presentation. But Lederberg said that none of the outbreaks came close to the scale of past epidemics. Most present-day viruses, he explained, have not killed more than a few hundred people. "Microbes have some shared interest in the domestication, hence the survival of their hosts," Lederberg said, explaining the reduction in disease-related deaths. If microbes kill their host, he explained, they kill themselves as well. The diseases most likely to survive are those that can infect a host without killing it - thereby spreading the disease. Lederberg said that concerted global and domestic surveillance and diagnosis of disease outbreaks are needed to prevent future outbreaks. Laboratories, he added, should be installed in areas and centers lacking them, and more money should be poured into public health education. In terms of disease research, Lederberg said the focus should be shifted away from hypervirulence and turned to the study of how host immunity is exploited and chronic infection sustained. According to Global Development and Environment Institute Co-Director William R Moomaw, who teaches an international environmental policy class at the Fletcher School of Law of Diplomacy, Lederberg had an accurate grasp of the international dimensions of disease. "Globalization is a hot topic nowadays, and globalization of disease gives us something to think about," Moomaw said. "From an educational point of view, we all get locked into our own departments and ways of thinking, and this event serves as a reminder that disciplines often converge, especially on an issue such as the future of infectious diseases." Students seemed to find the lecture informative. "I found it interesting to examine disease from an ecological perspective and to see the world through the eyes of microbes," said Salo Coslovsky, a student at Fletcher. Lederberg, who won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1958 for his research on genetic structure and function in microorganisms, has been involved in an array of scientific pursuits. He worked with NASA in the search for intelligent life on Mars and served on the World Health Organization Advisory Health Research Council. Lederberg was a government consultant for health-related matters, work for which he received the US National Medal of Science in 1989. Tufts Medical School presented him with an honorary MD degree. The 2001 Maurice S. Segal Lecture was sponsored by Tufts' medical and Fletcher schools in conjunction with the Global Development And Environment Institute.

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News

Deep roots in the west

March 31

You were in fourth grade - all right, maybe seventh if you're a senior - and your head was full of sugary cereal and flashing lights and the myth of summer vacation. You didn't pay attention to music on the radio, you didn't own a tape deck (unless it was one of those deadly, heavy Playskool versions that you could crack other kids' heads open with), and you certainly didn't know who Andrew Wood was, even when he died of a heroin overdose in 1990.

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News

Unearthing Cambridge's hidden treasure

March 31

Not that I'm a geometry snob, but there are just too many squares in Boston: Harvard Square, Davis Square, Teele Square. The list goes on and on, and for those of you who think you've conquered them all - think again. Inman Square, a quaint neighborhood in Cambridge, offers a wide array of fun restaurants, a world-class jazz club, a cozy coffee shop, bookstores, a toy store, and a delectable ice cream parlor, but remains largely unknown among Tufts students. Likely, the reason that you haven't hit this part of town is because it isn't accessible by T, a fact that deters many potential visitors. The locals, however, are passionate about their town, and apparently it is a place where everyone knows your name. "It is the last, cool neighborhood," says Jodi Malone, a bookstore owner in Inman Square. Another store owner, Brooks Morris agrees with Malone, calling Inman Square "a real neighborhood ." Inman Square is a short walk from Central Square and a ten-minute drive from Tufts. Or, visitors can take the Red Line to Harvard Square and then the 69 bus to Inman. For those who like to explore, this cute little nook of Cambridge offers a perfect escape from the hectic city life without actually leaving the city. S&S Deli Restaurant Address: 1334 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, 617-354-0620.Average Price of Meal: $6-$13If you're craving some good matzo ball soup, but don't feel like heading all the way to Brookline, visit the S&S Deli Restaurant. This 82-year old deli - founded in 1919 - won the Best of Boston Magazine 2000 award for affordable brunch and is practically a fixture in Inman Square. It is extremely popular among locals and other Bostonites. The restaurant's name comes from the Yiddish word "es," which means eat. "Es and es" the owner's great grandmother would say, and people listened. The resulting deli is a place that any Jewish mother would approve of. Customers can eat their heart out with Jewish staples such as potato pancakes, scrumptious chopped liver, homemade noodle pudding, and stuffed deli sandwiches. Take your friends from out West here and show them what a real bagel and lox plate is like. And for those of you who crave breakfast at odd times of the day, S&S is more than willing to whip up a perfectly executed omelet 'til closing. You might want to try the scrumptious Sunday brunch, but make sure you get there early. Even though the menu here is extensive, you're probably better off sticking with the basics. A good place to go with friends or with the family when they come into town.East Coast Grill1271 Cambridge Street, at Prospect StreetAverage price of entr?©e: $18 This restaurant, run by the barbecue expert Chris Schlessinger, is one of the most exciting and innovative restaurants in Cambridge. Although it's a bit pricey, it is certain to be a dining experience you won't forget. The restaurant attracts a young and fun crowd. Start out at the bar with its famed martinis, complete with little plastic dolphins or whales hanging from the side of the glass. This place is always hopping, so make sure to get here early. You can pretty much order any kind of fish you want. Dry-rubbed Mahi-Mahi with mango-jalapeno relish, raw Tuna with Wasabi, your basic Salmon with a kick - you name it. The always-fresh, mouthwatering fish is served on colorful platters with tasty sides like fried bananas and savory rice. The atmosphere is lively and you get to watch the chefs saut?© your fish to perfection. Make sure to try the delicious grilled oysters and Little Neck Clams. The clam and corn chowder served with chilies and sweet potatoes is always a favorite. And if you get a chance, check out the innovative Sunday Bloody Mary Brunch that is certain to wake you up from weekend sleepiness!Ryles Jazz Club212 Hampshire Street, Inman SquareAverage admission: $10 Sure, you've heard of the Ryles Jazz Club, but do you actually know where it is? Ryles, one of Boston's finest jazz venues, is tucked away in Inman Square. You can either get groovy in the downstairs jazz lounge or get your groove on in the dance hall upstairs. But dress nicely, as this club tends to attract an older and more sophisticated crowd. If you're on a date, the cozy downstairs room is a great place for intimate conversation and a drink. Make an evening out of it and grab some dinner from their extensive dinner menu. You'll be sure to enjoy the Ryles Jazz Band, numerous famous jazz artists, a cappella jazz, Latin bands, and other performers that grace the downstairs stage. For those who like to dance, this is one of the best places to strut your stuff. Put on a racy red dress and dance to some hot Latin music. Where else can you learn hot salsa and meringue dancing? Ay carumba!1369 Coffee House Address: 1369 Cambridge Street at Hampshire StreetStarbucks has literally saturated Boston with its over-priced lattes and strong coffee. With the recent disappearance of one of Boston's beloved coffee shops, Curious Liquids, it seems that the independent coffee shop is fast becoming a dinosaur. Thank goodness there is 1369, a cozy little coffee shop on the corner of Cambridge Street. Students and workers alike share space in this comfortable shop with original artwork on the wall from Cambridge's Out of the Blue Gallery. In addition to serving the typical coffee drinks, 1369 has a couple of specialty drinks up its sleeve such as the Almond Joy (hot cocoa with almond and coconut syrup), the Candy Apple (hot cider with caramel, whipped cream, and cinnamon), and the Chocolate Turtle Latte (a double latte mixed with chocolate, hazelnut, and caramel syrup, topped with whipped cream). Make sure to check out the scrumptious pastries, soups, and sandwiches. They also have a wide variety of scones such as White Chocolate and Apricot, Spinach Feta, and Maple Walnut. Who even knew they had scones in those flavors? Bring a book, sit down at the cozy tables with lamps, and settle down for a couple of hours. Christine's Homemade Ice CreamAddress: 1255 Cambridge Street After your meal at East Coast or S&S, you might want to go for a walk to burn off all those calories. Or you might just want to add a couple more hundred calories to the evening (why the heck not?) and stop at Christine's Homemade Ice Cream. This adorable ice-cream place is the perfect spot to hit after a date - it's cheaper than Ryles - or to go to with a bunch of pals. The store, which makes homemade its ice cream, has an ice cream flavor for practically everybody. You can go for basics such as vanilla or chocolate or head to more exotic realms with flavors such as Adzuki bean, white coffee, banana, pumpkin, or wild turkey (whatever that is!). For those of you who are philosophy majors, you might want to try Nietzsche's Chocolate Ascension. There are tables to sit at, but this place is so popular that it is sometimes hard to snatch one. Cristine's might be good to keep in mind for a friend's birthdays. They make ice cream cakes and ice-creamed stuffed cannolis. Don't forget to try the sinful malted milkshakes. For those trying to keep trim, there is a wide variety of frozen yogurts. In cold weather, you can warm up with hot chocolates, teas, and coffee drinks.House of Sarah BooksAddress: 1309 Cambridge StreetHouse of Sarah Books is one of Inman Square's hidden secrets. The used bookstore, owned by Jodi Malone, has a unique selection of books that is sure to please any avid reader. The cozy store is crammed with books galore and there are sections that cover topics such as linguistics, military, and mariology. There are sofas in the middle of the store where one can snuggle with a novel. The prices here are so reasonable that you might just end up leaving with a whole stack of books! Malone gets her books from book dealers who sell their goods on the book circuit and via the internet. Many book dealers rent space from her and one can buy books that come from places such as Southpaw Books in Conway, MA, or Oxbow Books in Newbury, VT. Malone prides herself on not stocking popular books. "I try not to buy something I wouldn't read," she says. El Rancho Buckaroo1297 Cambridge Street If you're looking for a fun and different gift for your friend, this is the place to go. El Rancho Buckaroo, owned by Brooks Morris, offers a wide range of posters, books, clothes, magnets, and tons of knick-knacks. The store has a retro, vintage, and pop culture feel to it. But Morris prefers not to label the items that he carries. "I call it just stuff I like," he says. The store used to be in Central Square, but Morris moved here because he was seeking a bigger space for his merchandise. He searches far and wide for the unique items in his store, and often can be found at gift shows in New York, flea markets, or scouting out the goods of local designers.

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News

Pick me, Mark Burnett!

March 31

Here it is: a first glimpse at my Survivor application (because I know you all REALLY care) minus my contact information and allergies (because some of you might care too much). Any advice is appreciated: Who is your hero and why?Oprah. She may be a bit obnoxiously ubiquitous, but it blows my mind to think about all she's accomplished. She overcame all sorts of adversity to become one of the most powerful people in entertainment. Even supposed chinks in her armor such as Beloved are impressive if you consider that the movie was made exactly as she specified. Now that she has a magazine, she has become a multimedia superpower. I would love for Oprah to be my sugar mama. [YEAH, I would.]List three items you would take with you to the remote location, if allowed, and why?1) My walkman complete with my running mix (which I seldom use anymore) because I need music around to keep me centered (and sane).2) Elisabeth's immunity headdress.3)One word plus two letters: Immodium AD. I cannot think of anything worse than having diarrhea while stranded in the middle of nowhere. [Although I've recently discovered that every contestant gets a never-ending supply of anti-diarrheal medication.]What would be the craziest, wildest thing you would do for a million dollars?I would gladly allow myself to be strapped to a large banner that would be dragged behind a biplane flying up and down the Jersey shore on a hot summer's day wearing nothing but a hot pink tutu (no leotard), black patent leather platform sneakers, and one of those crowns from Medieval Times (preferably green). [I was trying to think of something serious for this but I have NO ideas.]What would you NOT do for a million dollars?I wouldn't hurt (mentally or physically) any of my friends or family. I wouldn't change my name. And I most definitely would never grow my hair into a mullet. [After my time in Kentucky, I'm considering changing the mullet comment out of respect for the really cool people with mullets that I met.]What is your favorite topic of conversation at a dinner party? What topics are off limits?I love discussing pop culture, movies, and everyone else's problems. Still, my favorite topic of conversation is me. Off limits? Right now, talking about the impending end of college is definitely off limits. Also, don't ask about my plans for after graduation unless you want to get smacked upside the head. [This is true of most seniors. Leave us alone.]What skills do you bring to Survivor that would make you a useful member of the group?Many of my skills lie in the interpersonal realm. I have found over the years that I have an almost superhuman ability to deal with others. I think I'd quickly become the group counselor/therapist as well as entertainer. I find that people tend to trust me rather quickly and often consider me a confidante. I also do particularly well diffusing heated situations and handling crises. It helps that I'm unimaginably witty. On a more practical level, I think my youth and energy will be a huge asset in the challenges as well as day-to-day life. Also, as the son of a chef, the art of preparing food is in my blood. Screw tortillas; let me at those --------- (fill in name of indigenous animal). Most of all, I never give up. Never. [Alright, I suppose I've given up in the past, but I've felt really bad about it afterward.]What types of people would you choose to have with you on Survivor?I would want a nice mix of people - as long as they had an open mind and a sense of adventure. While I understand that the primary focus is to survive until the end and win the money, I'd want my fellow tribespeople also to be seeking to maximize the magic of the experience itself. Still, I'm looking for a challenge. Bring on the snakes and the rats. Let's see if they can handle little ol' me. [But no Jerri, please.]What types of people would you choose NOT to have with you on Survivor?Nazis. And Sean from Survivor I. My name begins with an A. I'd be screwed. [Sean voted alphabetically. Sean isn't the sharpest pencil in the box.]If you were stranded, who would you most want to be stranded with?Believe it or not, I wouldn't want to be stranded with friends or family. While I'd miss them, I would feel a need to take care of them, as opposed to taking care of myself, and that could screw me over in the long run. A group of complete strangers who were willing to take risks and work cooperatively to make a home would make for more engaging company. Especially if they were all attractive and worshipped me as a deity.What is your primary motivation for being on the show? What is your secondary motivation for being on the show?I'm perpetually underestimated. People see me as an entirely social being. I think that, to some, this makes me come off as shallow or flighty. With minor exception, even my closest friends don't think I'd be able to hack it on Survivor. I want to prove to them - and, to a certain extent, to myself - that I'm the beast that I think I am. Oh yeah, and I'm poor, unemployed, and in massive amounts of debt because my school costs more per year than a two-bedroom house in Eastern Kentucky. [I just feel like including a shout-out to the Jills here because I'm listening to their CD right now and I think they're all really cute.]Why do you believe that you could be the final Survivor?[This has to be my little secret. Sorry folks. Watch next season and find out.]

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