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A prized first step

March 31

The recognition of South Korea's president, Kim Dae Jung, as the sole recipient of the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize by the Norwegian Nobel Committee merits recognition not only internationally but on our campus as well. The announcement of last year's laureate for one of the most prestigious awards in the world surprised few people, despite the record 150 candidates that were considered. Though there are undoubtedly others who have worked ceaselessly in their efforts to uphold peace in their respective regions of the world, President Kim should be regarded as a leader who is an embodiment of the struggle for democracy and human rights, not only in South Korea but also in Southeast Asia. President Kim Dae Jung's political career has been turbulent, to say the least. His first election to the National Assembly in 1961 was a short-lived success, as the National Assembly was dissolved three days later following a military coup d'etat. He was imprisoned or placed under house arrests several times from 1973 to 1985, and was exiled to the United States. It wasn't until 1987 that Kim was fully pardoned of his "crimes of treason" and had his civil and political rights restored. Some compare his tumultuous life to that of Nelson Mandela. Before his return from exile in 1985, President Kim Dae Jung openly fought for human rights and democracy in South Korea, leading various rallies and demonstrations against the somewhat authoritarian regimes of the past. And even after the December 1997 presidential election that led to the first democratic transition of power, President Kim has not faltered in implementing his vision of human rights and peace. He took up the cause of East Timor, and actively supported Aung San Suu Kyi, a Peace Prize laureate in 1991, in her struggle in the former Burma. However, these past achievements may have been overshadowed by the June 2000 summit meeting - the first ever between North and South Korea. This was a well-publicized and historic event since the two Koreas did not sign a peace-agreement after the end of the Korean War in 1953 and are still technically at war. At these historic meetings, it is evident that President Kim played a vital role in the process of reconciliation. His "sunshine policy," emphasizing common interests between the two nations through the gradual increase in interactions, is similar to Germany's Willy Brandt and his Ostpolitik, which won him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1971 (deservingly so, as evident by the important role that Ostpolitik played in the reunification of East and West Germany in 1989). These facts alone raise several questions: for one, why award President Kim for what appears to be only a small step forward towards the reunification of North and South Korea? Second, why not let the leaders of both North and South Korea share the prize? Furthermore, there are critics in South Korea who feel that President Kim has perhaps diverted too much of his attention to the "sunshine policy," and has neglected to deal with the pressing domestic concerns (especially economic problems). To respond to the first question, the "mere" first step is almost always the most difficult one. This Peace Prize recognizes Kim's brave attempt at reconciliation, and seems to encourage further possibilities of friendship that could ultimately lead to reunification. This would surely mark a momentous occasion for Korea and the rest of the world, considering that reunification would bury one of the last remnants of the Cold War. Answering the second question requires analyzing what the Nobel Peace Prize represents. It is more than just an award that praises those who work to create peace. It is truly a global award, one that has been given to many of the major personalities who have had a significant impact in promoting world peace. Though Kim Jong Il, the leader of North Korea, is commended for his part in the summit meeting, that alone does not seem to qualify him to receive this distinction. The international community cannot ignore his authoritarian regime that represses the civil and political rights of most of his citizens. Such a repressive regime does not merit a Nobel Peace Prize. Finally, with regards to the last major criticism that President Kim may face, it should be noted that South Korea was the first country to come out of the Asian financial crisis of 1997 under Kim's structural reforms of the economy. What's more, the democratic reforms that have been enacted and the peace efforts (be it a concerted effort by the two Koreas, the United States, or Japan) made under his presidency point to the fact that he has not neglected domestic issues, but rather that he has succeeded in addressing both foreign and domestic concerns. This is not to say that the democratic reforms have been completed, nor would it be wise to deny the existence of remaining problems with restructuring the different sectors of the economy. Awarding the Nobel Peace Prize may not be the key to the reunification of North and South Korea nor a fully sufficient solution for world peace. It may not even mean much to those who do not concern themselves with the importance of basic human rights. Nevertheless, it gives hope to those of us who are concerned. And the Nobel commission's recognition of the prospects for peace in the region may have far-reaching effects in the future that might not yet be evident to most of us.Jung Park is a senior majoring in economics.

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News

Harvard hires Sugata Bose, Tufts' South Asian center founder

March 31

Professor Sugata Bose, highly regarded for implementing Tufts' program in South Asian studies, will be leaving the University at the end of this semester to accept an endowed chair at Harvard. Bose said he hopes to build a South Asian studies curriculum at Harvard modeled after the Tufts program. A professor at the school of Arts and Sciences and at Fletcher, Bose will be the first South-Asian historian to fill Harvard's Gardiner Chair in Oceanic History and Affairs - a position which has remained unoccupied for over two decades. The chair has traditionally been held by historians who focus on the Western hemisphere, but Harvard specifically sought a professor specializing in South Asian studies. Bose was given a fully tenured professorship. "Harvard does not have a South Asian center - it has more of a focus on East Asia and the Middle East," Bose said. "Everywhere you see a more global vision and I think that was reflected in Harvard's choice.... It's an area that is becoming more and more important by the day." While Bose's departure leaves somewhat of a void in Tufts' history department, the South Asian studies program will continue, thanks in part to history professor Ayesha Jalal, who also specializes in this area. "We are more than blessed in having another great scholar and teacher... we're not going to be hurting too much," Provost Sol Gittleman said. "We've had only one for years, the second is a super luxury.... In another field we'd have to find a new person, but in this we don't." Gittleman described Bose's professorship at Tufts as "an epiphany for everyone," saying he has been a great teacher and scholar. "We were one of the first schools to realize that there were a billion people that we need to teach about," Gittleman said. The center Bose founded has grown to the point that Tufts now offers a "small but qualified" PhD program in South Asian studies. Bose stressed that Tufts' South Asian studies program, established in 1989, was unique for its time. Several members of the Tufts community, including Gittleman, helped make Bose's vision a reality. "The provost had the dynamism to make decisions and help me set up a center for my studies," he said. As a result of these efforts, the University has become a pioneer in South Asian discourse. "Tufts became the focal point of South Asian conferences in the New England area," Bose said. "Students here have exposure to what was the best of scholarship." Bose's specific interests relate to modern South Asia and the Indian Ocean south rim, and he currently teaches in the undergraduate history department, as well as at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. While his reputation and area of focus has led him to receive offers of employment from other universities throughout his 17-year tenure at Tufts, he did not choose to accept them, saying that Tufts has become a "home away from home." "Harvard made me a very attractive offer... it was something I could not refuse," Bose said. Harvard's offer of a full tenured professorship is a testimony to Bose's success as an educator and an historian. "They looked around the world for the best person they could get, and found that person five miles away," Gittleman said. Bose hopes the proximity of his new position to Tufts may lead to the creation of a Boston South Indian Consortium. "I believe what I have built up will endure even in my absence, and I have full confidence that the momentum I created will help Tufts continue to be a leader," Bose said. "I'm tremendously honored and excited by the Harvard appointment, but I think I'll keep coming back here to build links in my field... after all, I won't be too far away."

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News

The war is over, so now what?

March 31

The war between Eritrea and Ethiopia is typical of warfare to come: nasty, brutish, and long. Like the conflicts in Sudan, the Republic of Congo, and the former Yugoslavia, the fighting was dirty. Ethnically charged propaganda, child soldiers, mass deportations, and prolonged infantry combat characterized the war, leaving in the last two years from 20,000 to 100,000 dead, nearly one million refugees, decimated villages, and a slightly altered map. Wars like these happen on the fringes of globalization, where the combatants communicate with cell-phones and use hand-me-down weapons from the Cold War. Although the West moves toward integration (open borders, stronger international treaties, and more prominent supranational organizations), a large portion of the world is going the other way. Ethiopia and Eritrea's economies are dominated by subsistence farming. Ethiopia has repeatedly been struck by drought and famine and at times the government has opted to continue the war at the expense of feeding its citizens _ Human Rights Watch estimates one million people perished during the 80s from starvation. The fighting has caused vital foreign investment to dry up, exacerbating each country's plight. The war is strikingly similar to other dirty wars. Refugees reported mass deportations, looting, and a high incidence of rape. People not of Ethiopian descent were summarily rounded up and expelled. Independent news providers were eliminated. Landmines used in the conflict will continue to kill and maim people for years. The fighting is dirty because it goes past "traditional" war, which pits army against army. The casualties of dirty wars are mostly civilians _ they are wars against people, not governments. Ethiopia's leadership, like others in Africa and elsewhere, wore the trappings of a democracy _ elections, the separation of powers, and political parties _ but failed to practice one of a democracy's chief obligations: continuing a war not at all in the interests of the people. Like many dirty wars, there was no winner. The two sides fought to a standstill and are left with ruined economies, displaced populations, and practically no foreign investment. Although today Ethiopia and Eritrea are nearly irrelevant to the West's material interests, most of the world's population growth is occurring in countries like them. Barring a major war or arms race between the strongest nations (which is not likely in the foreseeable future), wars like this one will continue to be how many of the world's conflicts are manifested. Settling these conflicts now will be easier than settling them later, when there will be more people, a less clear global distribution of power, and perhaps slower economic growth. And it's about time _ the conflict in Sudan has raged for generations. So what can be done? For starters, the West should at least commit not to make things worse. The US continues to be the largest weapons retailer of the world. The mantra justifying this is, "If we don't sell arms, the French or Russians will." This is analogous to a thief justifying his crimes by claiming his victims would be robbed anyway. What happened during the Iran-Iraq war, where the US and USSR sold weapons to each side, is morally indefensible. Much more effort needs to be placed in converting part of the defense industry away from building weapons systems so it does not have to rely on foreign sales to stay in business. Also, the US must curtail its arms exports. Although some sales, for instance to Taiwan, are necessary to maintain regional stability, they should be undertaken only with the greatest of care and only for political reasons, not simply because the defense sector needs a customer. Even with the best of intentions, though, weapons such as the ubiquitous Kalashnikov assault rifle last for decades. This fact implies that weapons being sold today might be used 20 years from now, when the international scene is quite different. Halting the proliferation of these small-arms is a major challenge.last for d Second, organizations working to stop dirty wars must be supported. Beyond the so-called "CNN effect," when the public becomes outraged for a few days over pictures of suffering on TV, the West cares little for the conflicts in Africa. That much cannot be changed. What can be improved is the amount of support given to the groups who do care about what happens in Ethiopia and Eritrea. The UN's success rate in ending conflicts has been dismal. But before writing off the UN as a dinosaur from the Cold War, the sheer difficulty of its mandate must be appreciated. The UN faces criticism from all directions because it tries to assist in impossible situations. The UN, and a number of dedicated international organizations, step in where no government wants to go. There is ample need for reform, however, especially in the areas of peacekeeping, in the structure of the security council, and in its ability to act decisively. But the UN is not an irrelevant organization. Third, the US must be very weary of pushing democracy abroad. People suffering from dirty wars need food and peace much more urgently than an open, progressive government. Pushing too hard for a regime change can have disastrous consequences. Let us first worry about ending the fighting and then be available to help stabilize and democratize in a deliberate, thoughtful manner. Democracy should not be viewed as a panacea and the West's greatest concern should be the well-being of the people, not the form of government. On the bright side, the UN has been successfully moving troops between Ethiopia and Eritrea and is facilitating peace negotiations after a cease-fire was arranged in December. An even modest success here could greatly improve the UN's credibility as a peace-maker after imbroglios like Sierra Leone, Somalia, and Rwanda. And they need not work alone. The past decade has seen an explosion of non-governmental organizations created to assist ending similar conflicts. They can provide crucial help when governments will not get involved. Morality on the international scene is a tricky issue. True, there is a moral imperative to assist victims of war, but sometimes going in to help with the best of intentions can end up hurting everybody, as happened in Somalia. By curtailing the availability of arms, supporting international organizations such as the UN or the OSCE, and being weary about crusading for democracy, the West can help in situations no government wants to touch. Ending the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea is the latest example.

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News

Poll shows students oppose block schedule changes

March 31

Following last week's simulation of a proposed new block schedule, students and faculty members continue to question the need for change and whether the suggested modifications will prove beneficial. A Daily poll conducted last week suggests that the majority of students do not see any problems with the current system. Results of the simulation - in which courses meet in either 50-minute blocks on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays or in extended 75-minute blocks on Tuesdays and Thursdays or Mondays and Wednesdays - will be analyzed during the summer, and administrators will continue to gather student and faculty input in the fall, when each department conducts a second simulation. Out of 105 students surveyed, 59.2 percent said they were opposed to changing the schedule to the proposed format. While 52.9 percent said they have had "moderate difficulty" planning their schedule, only 32 percent believe that some change is necessary. And 41.2 percent of students reported that they have had no difficulty fitting their classes into the current schedule. The most frequently mentioned problem with the block schedule is overlapping blocks, which 57 percent of students mentioned. While the administration says the proposal will make it easier to schedule internships, only 4.2 percent of those surveyed say they have had difficulty doing so under the current schedule. Many students credit the block schedule for allowing them to schedule an entire day off, and 32 percent of students said they purposefully schedule classes for only four days a week. "The only problem is that it conflicts with sports practices, but that would happen with a new schedule, too," said one student. "I like the block schedule other than that." Other students found problems with the current schedule but say the new model might exacerbate the situation. "Too many classes are scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays," wrote one student. "I'm often overwhelmed on those days and have only one or two classes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays... I don't think the proposed schedule would fix that problem, I think it might actually make it worse." Overall, 61.2 percent of the 105 respondents said they do not see a need for change. Both students and faculty members have expressed concerns that the proposed schedule would limit flexibility, especially in terms of scheduling labs, writing workshops, night classes, and classes at the Museum School. "I don't think it's the world's greatest idea," psychology department chair Robin Kanarek said. "It's not going to solve the problem it's meant to solve.... We've dealt with [the block schedule] for so many years and it gives us flexibility that we don't think the new one will give." The Biology department is concerned that the lack of three-day blocks will force some classes to be taught twice a week. "We had no trouble grafting the courses into the new schedule, though we felt it gave is some problems with flexibility as to when courses could be offered," department chair Harry Bernheim said. "It's more of a pedagogical problem than a logistical problem." During the simulation, however, the department was able to solve one problem it currently faces - resolving scheduling conflicts between the introductory courses in biology, chemistry, and physics. The administration will address faculty and student concerns that arose during the block schedule simulation during its evaluation, and modifications could be made to the proposal before it is tested again in the fall. Administrators say they are looking to evaluate methods of scheduling and that change is not definite. "We have an opportunity to see common themes and try to find a solution," Kristine Dillon, dean of academic services and student affairs. She did say, however, that finding amenable solutions will likely prove difficult and that "no one will come up with exactly the same ideas on this problem." Dillon and Vice President of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering Mel Bernstein have led the most recent efforts to change the schedule, and both are interested in getting the "right result" from the evaluation, according to Dillon. "If [the block schedule] is the best even with the criticism, the one we will choose will be the one met with the most constituencies," Dillon said. Dillon said she believes that the hype surrounding the proposed changes is the result of exaggeration, as no official decisions have been made about the schedule's implementation. "The level of reaction of students is more anecdotal than representative," she said. "If they're willing to take the simulation seriously, they can substantiate their concerns... This is a process - a campus-wide opportunity to see what's going to be." Following the fall simulation, administrators hope to create student focus groups that will test the proposal by creating hypothetical versions of their own schedules based on the results of the department simulations. For mock registration, groups of ten to 15 students time will meet in Dowling and look up courses with assistance from administrators and faculty members. SISOnline will not be used for this process because a computerized model of the proposed schedule does not exist.

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News

Engineers win environmental design contest

March 31

A group of nine Tufts undergraduates took home first place at a national environmental design competition in New Mexico last week. The contest, sponsored by the Waste-management and Education Consortium (WERC), involved the design of a sustainable community in the remote southwest. Competition organizers required teams to develop, design, and present comprehensive proposals to transform a hypothetical remote area, "Brownville," into an efficient and environmentally-friendly community. Students presented their creations to a panel of judges comprised of representatives from local municipalities and other government agencies. "The idea was to try the minds of the students," civil and environmental engineering professor Chris Swan said. "The contest proposals provide ideas to people, and the sponsors are often intimately involved with people in fields such as the EPA and the Department of Energy." Proposals may be used in future work efforts in remote areas of the US that lack modern infrastructure and other utilities. "What they were doing was developing a novel system for getting drinking water and electricity for a rural community of moderate to low income," said John Durant, the faculty advisor to the team. "Their results will be directly applicable to rural community development in New Mexico." The Tufts team, led by student leader Christina Correa and faculty from the department of civil and environmental engineering, competed with nine other teams throughout the course of the week-long competition, held at New Mexico State University. In addition to winning first place, the team was awarded a $2,500 prize, which team members say will likely go to the civil and environmental engineering department. The experience gained from the contest might prove valuable for the participants' futures, particularly because many of the judges were looking to hire promising team members upon graduation. "The fact that we won opened up a lot of opportunities for us in New Mexico," said senior team member Sarah Wilding, who is considering working there after graduating. Students registered for the event last October as part of their capstone design course for the engineering school and began working on the design in January. Both students and faculty were proud of their accomplishment. "We've been involved for six of the last seven years, and I've always viewed this strictly as an educational experience - but this year it's nice to win," Swap said. "One of the reasons we were so successful this year is that we, better than any other groups, fulfilled the project objectives," Durant said. "The students really went about that enthusiastically and brought a lot of fresh insight to that particular challenge." This year's competition marked the eleventh annual WESC contest and the first which Tufts won.

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News

David and Goliath teams battle at UConn Invitational

March 31

With the Springfield Invitational rained out last week, the women's track team begins its season on the road tomorrow at the UConn Invitational in Connecticut. The meet, which should prove far more competitive than the Springfield meet would have been, will serve as an early litmus test for the squad. Tufts is one of just four Division III schools that will compete at the primarily div. I meet, which features teams such as the University of Massachusetts, Providence College, the University of Vermont, and Boston College. The other Div. III schools are Sacred Heart, Southern Connecticut, and Quinnipiac. "They get paid to run," coach Kristen Morwick said of the Division I schools. And while Tufts does not offer scholarships for women's track like many Division I programs, Morwick still has high expectations for her runners. The Jumbos will be running against a group of talented teams they'll be seeing again at the May 11-12 All-New England Championship at Williams College. "This is a preview of the Division I New England meet," Morwick said. Despite the Jumbos' disadvantage, Morwick's faith in her top runners overshadows any intimidation the Div. I opponents might generate. The team had a good week of practice since the rainout and according to Morwick, they are "more prepared this week to compete then last week. "The best kids [on our team] will do well," she said. She has great confidence in her top three runners, senior captains Leslie Crofton (5k) and Sarah Deeb (400m) and fellow senior Folake Aaron (100m hurdles). All three runners have already proven they have the talent to challenge and beat Division I athletes by placing top three in the New England Championships last season. Morwick is also expecting a strong showing from freshman Jessica Trombly in the 400m hurdles, but admits her sprinters and middle distance runners are not the team's advantage when compared to the strong suits of many Div. I schools. Additionally, Morwick expects her jumpers - led by freshmen Shushanna Mignott, Maritsa Christoudias, and senior Nadia Samadani - to give the Div. I opponents a challenge. "This is a warm-up meet for us," Morwick said. "We are not looking to score high, just looking to get practice in." While Morwick is not looking past this meet, she admits her real focus for the season will be the NESCAC Championship, to be held April 28-29.

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News

Off the court with coach Sheldon

March 31

At Tufts University, we know Bob Sheldon as the men's basketball coach. From November through February we see him pacing the sidelines, barking orders, and molding a group of young men into a team. But the basketball season is only four months long, and some wonder what becomes of the man when the season's final buzzer sounds. According to Sheldon, there is no off-season. In fact, much of his work occurs off the court in high school gymnasiums, his office at Cousen's gym, and at tournaments throughout the Fall and Summer months. "Fall is a big recruiting time," Sheldon said. "There are AAU tournaments, and every weekend we have to go to something. Fall is an important time for picking up names and following them. In the Spring we wrap up recruiting and we get the recruits up here and go to see them in all-star games and spend a lot of time talking to them on the phone." In addition to recruiting and coaching basketball, Sheldon teaches two golf classes each semester and serves as the coach of the golf team. While it is undeniably a hectic life, Sheldon says he knew what he was getting into. One might even say he was born to coach. "My dad was a coach and athletic director at St. Lawrence University so as a kid I was around coaching," Sheldon said. "I was a little gym rat. I played in high school and at St. Lawrence. [Sports] were a way of life." At St. Lawrence, Sheldon majored in physical education because of his passion for athletics. Despite this affinity for sports, he said he realized he'd make a better coach than player. "My physical education major led into coaching," Sheldon said. "I couldn't really play that well so I became a coach." After graduating, Sheldon began his career as high school coach in the late 1970's. After six years, he moved up to the college ranks and worked as an assistant at Tufts from 1983 to 1985. From 1985-1988 Sheldon served as an assistant basketball coach and the director of physical education at Clark. But in1988, he returned to Tufts, this time as the head men's basketball coach. "I came back and the rest you know as Tufts legend," he said. Coaching in the NESCAC is especially difficult, Sheldon says, because coaches must maintain their school's academic image, and NESCAC institutions are not allowed offer athletic scholarships. After scouting a prospective Jumbo at a high school game, NESCAC coaches are not even allowed to approach the promising athlete. "NESCAC is the hardest league to recruit," he said. "We are not allowed to do home visits. There is no [recruiting] budget and there are certain restrictions. I'll be at a game with some guy from Bucknell and after the game he will go talk the kid and I will go home. We like to think these restrictions are challenges." While Sheldon jokes about the difficulty of being a NESCAC coach, there is no denying that he is at a competitive disadvantage when compared to his peers at Division III programs outside the NESCAC. "First we have to identify kids who have the grades to get into Tufts," Sheldon said. "Then we make sure they are ball players, then we have to sell the school, and then we have to get parents to mortgage their house and send their kids here." In spite of the disadvantages of coaching at a NESCAC school, Sheldon and his staff have historically managed to bring strong players to Tufts. "Our motto is RDOD - recruit daily or die," Sheldon said. "We do mailings every week [to prospective players], call them, and see them play. I saw [freshman guard] Phil Barlow about 12 times his senior year."For the man bred to coach, Division III athletics might not be his final stop, but for now, while he raises his young family, Tufts will remain his home court. "DI and DII is a lot more time consuming. Recruiting is nationwide, and there are scholarships," Sheldon said. "I have some young kids and hopefully sometime I will move up. It will be nice to offer a scholarship and get it done. In DI they sign a letter and boom they are here."

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News

ELBO, TCUJ cleaning up election mess

March 31

After two major presidential election controversies in the past three years, the Tufts Community Union Judiciary (TCUJ) and the Elections Board (ELBO) are struggling to resolve the latest confusion and prevent similar problems from occurring in the future.The TCUJ will hold a hearing on Monday to decide whether ELBO should have included the TCU constitutional referendum and two constitutional amendments on the ballot. The ELBO voted to remove the questions after an e-mail informing to students describing the proposed changes was mistakenly attributed to the Elections Board. The TCUJ forced ELBO to include the questions on the ballot, but not to count the votes until a formal hearing on the issue could be held. The date of another hearing, to address the allegations of senior Emily Stewart that election tampering took place at the Dewick poling station, is also undetermined. "There will be a formal hearing unless she decides to withdraw [her complaint]. We haven't really decided on a procedure," ELBO member Adam Mueller said. According to Stewart, poll workers were not checking Tufts IDs and students slipped two ballots in the ballot box when poll workers were not watching. Many have pointed to ELBO's vague by-laws and ambiguous wording about the responsibilities of the body in the TCU constitution as hindering a fair outcome to TCU elections. Yesterday, during the various election controversies, ELBO was forced to make on-the-fly decisions without the benefit of clear contingency plans or precedent. Last night, because there was no set procedure, ELBO spent two and a half hours debating whether to count the presidential votes. "We had to ensure fairness. We had to hear the complaint because it was formally filed, but we had to set some type of standard," Mueller said. After the voter fraud allegations, ELBO decided that the difference between the two candidates had to exceed eight percent for the election to be considered valid. Two years ago, ELBO was forced to hold a revote on the presidential election between Larry Harris and Vivek Ramgopal after reports of voter fraud. In 1999, poll workers did not show up for their scheduled shifts, and the lack of supervision allegedly allowed some students to vote multiple times. Article IV of the TCU constitution states that is the responsibility of ELBO is to "insure fair elections" and "be the arbiter of any disputes concerning an election." But ELBO bylaws do not stipulate how disputes should be resolved or hearings on complaints conducted. "We haven't officially discussed changing our bylaws, but I think some clarification is certainly warranted," Mueller said. "The bylaws need to be looked at." Student government leaders, meanwhile, have been frustrated by the controversy that has overshadowed the presidential election. "I think the whole process was frustrating. ELBO needs to prepare itself for things like this happening," presidential candidate Michele Shelton said. Though Shelton said that ELBO handled the situation as best it could, she says that proper procedure for the body should be more clearly delineated. "They should have contingencies in place before the election," Shelton said, referring to the "eight-percent" decision. "I'm very happy they brought in a third party - Ed Cabellon, the assistant director of programming activities - that was a good idea," she said. If the TCUJ decides not to count the votes on the constitution question, a new election will have to be held in the fall, and many are concerned that students would not turn out to vote. But according to Senator Ben Lee, chair of the constitutional reform committee, disagreement over the constitution vote was unnecessary. "I think it's ridiculous that we've spent so much time to get this out. I am all for using the results that were attained yesterday," he said. "I don't feel like [the e-mail] jeopardized the election whatsoever." Another issue that may be addressed in discussions of ELBO reforms is the use of hired poll workers in running elections. These students have complete control of the ballots at their various polling stations. "We didn't actually train [poll workers]," Mueller said. "When they signed up, they signed a contract which outlined their responsibilities and a code." This code ordered poll workers to check students' bursar labels, to mark the labels to show they have voted, to refer to any printed information for the voters, and not to provide any personal opinions. Even after complaints over this election have been resolved, the controversy could still diminish student trust in their government. "I think that next year people will definitely have an eye on the Senate, especially towards the beginning - especially with the freshman election- to make sure that Tufts was not in Florida, as it was this year," Shelton said.

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Presidential ballots counted despite allegations of improprieties

March 31

After a day of political wrangling and accusations, the Elections Board (ELBO) decided late last night to count the results of yesterday's presidential election despite at least one allegation of electoral skullduggery by poll workers. Eric Greenberg, the outgoing Senate vice president, was declared the winner at 3:30 a.m. Rumors that poll workers committed various improprieties swirled around campus yesterday, with some students claiming to have voted twice, or having voted without showing an IDs card. Others said they saw fair ballots discarded. But when the polls closed at 11 p.m., only senior Emily Stewart had filed a formal complaint. "When I was voting at Dewick, there were several people who weren't being asked for their IDs," Stewart said. "There were several people who grabbed multiple ballots, and that's just while I was standing there voting. I think [the election results] should be thrown out. There should be an entire revote." The complaint was filed with ELBO, the body in charge of running elections and ensuring fair procedure. Earlier in the day, there was a question as to whether the TCU Judiciary (TCUJ) would review the complaint; however, an election grievance is only heard by the TCUJ if it involves direct ELBO action. The ELBO will still hear Stewart's complaint, but that hearing will have no impact on Greenberg's victory. The body decided yesterday that it would consider the complaint if the difference between the votes cast for each candidate fell at or below eight percent of the total votes cast in the election. Greenberg's margin of victory over the former treasurer, Michele Shelton, was large enough to rule out a potential revote. Yesterday's results, however, were almost discarded. In the afternoon, when ELBO was unclear how many complaints had been filed, the TCUJ said it might issue an injunction preventing ELBO from counting the presidential vote until a formal hearing could be held. But when it became apparent that ELBO was the proper body to handle the complaint, the TCUJ stepped back, and ELBO decided at around 12:30 a.m. to proceed with the ballot count. "Our main job was to count the vote and get the votes out. That's why the Elections Board made the decision," ELBO chair Shane Mason said. On Tuesday, ELBO voted to remove the constitutional referendum from the ballot after an e-mail describing the amendments falsely identified the Elections Board as the sender. The next day, the Judiciary reinstated the amendments on the ballot, but ruled that the constitution votes would not be counted until a formal hearing addressed complaints related to the e-mail. Appeals may be made within three academic days of the election, so it is possible that additional complaints could be filed. Members of various student government branches say the controversial referenda created a tense political atmosphere that led hypersensitive election monitors to scrutinize voting procedures. "The amendments and the constitution are very contentious and controversial, and I think that some people are looking for technicalities and ways to invalidate them," said senior Margery Yeager, a TCU senator. "This year especially, when we have the constitution and the two amendments on the ballot, people feel really passionately about both sides of the issue, and those emotions can get in the way," Shelton said. Although there will not be presidential revote, student government leaders say that passage of the new constitution and its amendments will be put in jeopardy if a revote on the referenda is mandated by the TCUJ. At least 20 percent of the student body must vote in order for the referenda to pass, and many believe that students will not turn out to vote again. This is not the first time ELBO has faced questions over the legitimacy of its elections. Two years ago, there was a revote in the presidential election between Larry Harris and Vivek Ramgopal because of voter fraud. In that case, poll workers did not show up to work during their scheduled hours. Lack of supervision over voting allegedly allowed students to cast ballots multiple times. Poll workers are hired by ELBO for election day and sign a contract agreeing to abide by ELBO guidelines. Shane Mason, ELBO chair, said without reliable poll workers, there can never be a foolproof election. "There's too much room for error; there's too many ways to abuse the system," he said. "Poll workers cannot be counted on." "That happens every year during an election. It just seems like this one is more chaotic and poorly run," Yeager said. "I've never been here for an election that wasn't in some way controversial." The ELBO had hoped to circumvent these problems by conducting online elections and was prepared to sign a contract with an outside company who would have supervised the process for the Senate elections. But no general student government elections were held because of a dearth of candidates for the Senate, Judiciary, and Committee on Student Life, and other student government leaders felt uncomfortable testing a new system during the presidential election. "Since the constitution was on the ballot, it wouldn't have been a good idea to have it on an untested system," Shelton said. If an election was held online, the dining hall polls would be completely eliminated, according to ELBO Treasurer Valentino Caruso.

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News

Senate working hard, but not hard enough

March 31

In my three years here, I can generally say that Tufts is an amazing place. The students and faculty all make this place the unique institution that it is. I would be lying, though, if I said that there were no problems here.One of the biggest problems at Tufts is the disillusionment of the students. Little things upset students, but most feel like they can do nothing to solve the problems. However, this is not the case at all, and the Senate needs to make people realize that those little problems can be solved if we all work together. The Senate is mostly responsible for this feeling. We have done a better job this year of both reaching out to students, and getting others involved in projects. The Cultural Coordinating Committee was a Senate initiative that largely involved non-Senators. This committee was able to come together and work on problems that plague various communities. The Senate also tried to reach out with tabling in Dewick, Carmichael, and the campus center.The Senate needs to work harder, though. Students should not come to us; we should go to them. Dorm programs with the Senate would be a great way for senators to get out there and talk to people about issues in a less formal environment. In addition, I would like to see senators attending organization events on a regular basis. The Senate needs to know how student organizations function and show support for all of the programs put on by organizations.In addition to students' voices being heard more by the Senate, student voices need to be heard by the administration as well. Currently, students, mostly senators, sit on Student/Faculty committees. These committees make policy recommendations to the administration on various issues, such as financial aid, information technology, athletics, and curricula. Some students on these committees do not get to vote. On all of the committees, there are many more faculty seats than there are student seats. With a situation like this, it will be impossible to ever get policies that students want, such as a change in the world civilizations requirement, since the faculty are against such a measure. Students and faculty should have an equal number of seats on these committees, to ensure that the administration hears a balanced view.Another major problem involves our various facilities on campus. Tufts is a research institution, but many of our classrooms lack in so many ways. We sit at old desks, in rooms that haven't seen a paint job in ages. Going beyond that, Tufts needs to update the technology in these classrooms, so that professors can teach to their full ability and make use of today's advances in technology. It is only by updating these facilities that Tufts students will be able to receive the finest education possible.One area in dire need of attention is the music and performance facility, or lack thereof. We have New England Conservatory students, students who are music majors or minors, and drama students, not to mention about 15 student organizations involved in the performance arts. With all of these groups vying for space, Aidekman is neither sufficient nor in good enough condition. Tufts needs to continue fundraising for a performance space facility. Even if the money is not there for a new, three-story building, perhaps a small building with an additional concert hall could be built near Cohen in order to alleviate some of the scheduling stress.The final problem I see with Tufts today is the general lack of pride that abounds on this campus. This is an amazing place to spend four years, and students need to be made more aware of everything this place has to offer. Career services should make an increased effort to publicize events, so that Tufts students realize that a degree from this institution is actually worth something upon graduation. Tufts also has amazing sports teams, both on the varsity and club level. But the only advertising for these sports events comes from a tiny booklet printed at the beginning of each semester and from the Spirit Coalition. TUSC should not be responsible for promoting every sporting event on campus. The emphasis should be from the athletic department. If our own athletics office does not have enough pride in our teams to advertise them sufficiently, why should students have pride in the teams and go to games? Every effort must be made on the part of the athletic department to support and endorse our teams. These are a few of the problems that I see as important to the Tufts community. Fortunately, with some hard work, these problems can eventually be solved. If we all work together as a community, Tufts can be left a better place then we found it. Michelle Shelton is a junior majoring in psychology. She is the Vice President of the TCU Senate and a candidate for president.

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Club volleyball sets up for successful season

March 31

The men's club volleyball team stormed into the beginning of their season, going 4-0 this past Saturday at Northeastern, where it polished off UMass-Dartmouth, UMass-Lowell, Boston University (BU), and the host team. The rookies of the squad also proved their worth on the team, turning in some solid performances."We were pretty happy with our results this weekend," senior captain Adam Goldfarb said. "The guys played very well." The tournament started with a match against Northeastern, which the Jumbos won 2-1 (9-25, 25-18, 15-8). The only loss came during the first game of the match, which was somewhat of a disappointment for the squad. "We always have a tendency to start slowly," Goldfarb said. "But the first game was upsetting. For the first game of the season, we lost [a game] to a team that we should have beaten very badly." Despite the loss, the Jumbos went on to win the next two games and claim their first victory of the tournament. "The loss really riled us up and we picked up the pace after that," Goldfarb commented. The Jumbos then bumped, set, and spiked their way to a second check in the victory column by beating UMass-Dartmouth 2-0 (25-21, 25-22), and got a third after overtaking UMass-Lowell 2-0 (25-20, 25-8). "Lowell was one of our best matches all day," Goldfarb said. "Everything really came together for us." The Jumbos took advantage of this streak and went on to face their final opponent of the day - Boston University. The squad emerged triumphant with another 2-0 win (25-21, 25-22). "Going into the tournament, we knew that BU would be the team to beat," senior setter Charlie Beckman said. "They tied us for third in the MIT tournament (on Sunday, Jan. 28), but this time we beat them pretty well." "BU is a very good team," Goldfarb added. "We were expecting those to be the closest games of the day. One thing that made a difference is that two of their starters were injured, so I think it would have been more competitive had that not been the case. I was optimistic but I knew it would be challenging." The rookies on the team got their first taste of real competition this past weekend, and the two players who have been called "the rookies to watch", freshman outside hitter Dan Coleman and sophomore middle Mike Lutz, performed up to expectations. "The new guys did a good job," Goldfarb commented. "[Lutz] is 5-10, which is below average for a middle, but he played very well considering the height difference. He played some great defense. Coleman is a very consistent player and came through when it was needed." Overall, the team has high expectations for this season, especially in light of its strong performance early on. "It's going to be a very competitive league this year," Goldfarb said. "I think this first tournament is going to be a good indication for the season." This coming Sunday, the Jumbos will face some tougher competition, including MIT, which also went 4-0 on Saturday, and Boston College. The tournament will be held at MIT.Ski Team fights the elements Despite the treacherous conditions, the Alpine Club Ski Team battled the elements and managed to come through with several skiers taking top-15 positions this past weekend at Berkshire East in Massachusetts. The conditions on Saturday were too dangerous for the regular slalom competition to be finished, so only the results from the giant slalom (GS) counted towards for the season. "The event was cancelled halfway through," coach Paul Wang said. "The skiers that had come in had done well, so it was kind of a disappointment." This put more pressure on Sunday's GS runs. The men's team only had one top-15 finisher, senior John Johnson, who came in 11th with a time of 1:27.47. The usually strong-finishing senior Matt Dreir just missed the top 15, ending up in the 16th position. Other strong performances came from seniors Nate Soles and Michael Krafft, who came in 20th and 29th, respectively. Compared to earlier races, this was a sub-par performance for the men's team. "It was a really hectic weekend," Wang said. "I don't think that there was really anything else to it." Despite the poor showing, the men's squad was able to hold on to their third place ranking in the Thompson Division standings. On the women's side, the "fantastic four", comprised of juniors Erin Boucher and captain Kate Meierdiercks and freshmen Courtney Benson and Sophie Dabuzhsky were all able to seize top-15 positions, with Benson coming in seventh, Meierdiercks in ninth, Dabuzhsky in 12th, and Boucher in 13th. Sophomore Anne Marie Braun was next in the line-up, taking the 20th spot. Even though the women were able to seize four of the top-15 positions, Green Mountain College (GMC) took first in the GS and broke free from its tie for first with the Jumbo squad, moving Tufts down to second place. "You kind of expect that GMC will take first if all of their people finish their runs," Wang said. "It's only when they make a mistake that we can really move in. GMC had perfect runs." This coming weekend, the Jumbos will head to Mt. Snow in Vermont to finishing off the regular season.

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Two Jumbo softball players reach milestones

March 31

Following the doubleheader sweep of Bates last weekend, two members of the women's softball team achieved honorable distinctions. Junior pitcher Jodie Moreau earned the NESCAC Softball Player of the Week honor after a phenomenal week of work on the mound. Pitching against Bridgewater State, a very competitive Division III program, Wheaton, and Bates, Moreau gave up only one run, while pitching three consecutive complete games. On April 2, Moreau faced a tough Bridgewater State squad, and only allowed three hits and no earned runs, striking out eight batters in the eventual 1-1 tie. Last Wednesday, Moreau shut out Wheaton 1-0, scattering just five hits. Finally, on Saturday, she struck out seven Bates batters in the 7-1 victory. On the season, Moreau has 38 strikeouts to go along with a 5-3 record. Her 2.19 ERA is seventh best in the NESCAC, but should fall even lower if she continues to dominate batters the way she did in the past week. Moreau has helped the Jumbos improve to a 10-7-1 record and an undefeated 2-0 mark in the NESCAC East. Last year, she helped lead the team to the Division III College World Series, a goal the team also holds for this year. Sophomore Lis Drake, less than halfway through her collegiate career, also accomplished an impressive feat this season, as she became the all time home run leader for Tufts. She passed Jen O'Malley who played from 1995 to 1998, who hit nine career home runs. Drake's tenth career home run, her third of the season, came in the Jumbos' third game this year. Last week, against Wheaton, the slugger hit her fifth long ball of the season, extending her own mark to 12. The catcher is second on the team in hitting with a .326 average and 13 RBI. Last year, she finished with a team-high .374 batting average, ten doubles, seven home runs, and 29 RBI. She was also named a NCAA Division III All-American.

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Two sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

March 31

What is the death toll by now? I wonder, as I sit down to write this Viewpoint. I could begin this article by recounting the latest news of the violence in the Middle East. The Israelis did this, the Palestinians did this, x number of people are wounded, y number of people are dead. But what's the point? As every major newspaper in the United States and no doubt the rest of the world has been reporting, this is a never-ending story of violence and fighting between the Palestinians and the Israelis. We all want peace, that much is true. Our differences lie in our definition of this and in how we think it should be accomplished. This is a temperamental time and a sensitive one because the faces of the leaders of the Israelis are in the midst of changing. Ariel Sharon is the new rime minister of Israel, and in several months Yassir Arafat will step down from his position, and after that, who knows what turn of events will take place. Analysts (as well as people not so qualified) have made predictions and have speculated, but we will have to wait and find out. Meanwhile, the violence continues and anger and hatred filter through these two groups. I want to set one thing straight right here and right now, though - no one group is to blame: They both are. The facts are these. The Israelis have weapons and the Palestinians have weapons. Some will deny it, but these are the facts. The Palestinians have killed innocent bystanders and so have the Israelis. In a Viewpoint written on Feb. 7 ("No justice, no peace"), the writer asks, "This article portrays the reality of the lives of the Palestinian people. The Israeli people should never have to suffer through such injustice, so why do the Palestinians have to? Is a Palestinian life not worth as much as an Israeli one?" Yes, a Palestinian life is worth as much as an Israeli one, but an Israeli life is worth just as much as a Palestinian one. Debates in our own country rage as media analysts accuse different publications of biased reporting, of inaccuracy and of racism. But here's the news - it occurs on both sides. On Feb. 9, Dina Karam wrote about Ariel Sharon ("Ariel Sharon - too laden with blood to fly with dove's wings"), "His name is synonymous with butchery, with bloated corpses and disemboweled women and dead babies, with rape and pillage and murder." Wait, was that about Sharon or Arafat? I guess it depends on who you ask. It is a personal issue on both accounts. I do not mean to say that either the Palestinians are evil or that the Israelis are. Both are responsible for the current situation, whether one side instigated more than the other or whether the other side reacted inappropriately to taunting. For both native Palestinians and Israelis, the fight over Israel/Palestine is about their homes, their lives, and the lives of their families and neighbors. For us hearing about the atrocities in the Middle East second hand, it is about our friends and our in the Middle East; it is about fighting violence, human rights, democracy, justice, and freedom. But it's like that for all of us. No one can pretend that they are not to blame. No amount of passionate writing on either side is going to accomplish that, either, and as I am writing this, I am aware of a certain futility in articles like mine. I was inspired to write because of the finger-pointing nature of these Viewpoints up until now. It is one thing to be horrified and devastated by a situation. It is still another to cry, to lose sleep, to demonstrate your position on an issue and even to pray that someday this violence will stop. It is quite another to disown blame from yourself and assert that this issue is one-sided.E.B. Solomont is a senior majoring in English. She is a member of Friends of Israel.

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Hits or Misses

March 31

Vitamin CMoreElektra There's no US RDA. for trash for an excellent reason. Vitamin C, "famed" for such songs as "Graduation (Friends Forever)" and "Smile," has cut a sexy pop record, and it's a catchy, seamless piece of garbage. The innocence of her self-titled debut has disappeared in favor of flesh - noted by the bare-shoulder, bare-back, bare-chest shot in the liner notes - and increasingly trite lyrics. "You are my hip-hopper," she moans, "you are my heart-stopper." And the message Ms. C is sending out is truly inspiring - "When a guy wants a kiss/ Who am I to resist?.... Everyone knows/ I can't say no." Our fortified heroine does have some embarrassingly catchy, inspired moments, particularly on opening track "The Itch" and the penultimate, R&B-flavored "Real Life." Vitamin's cover of the Waitresses' tacky classic "I Know What Boys Like" is bouncy and filled with heavy rhythms, but it sounds borrowed and derivative - just like the rest of the album. - Drew Sheltonmoe.DitherFatboy Records Jam bands get screwed on recording deals; they're forced to distill epic songs into five minutes, then their fans get pissy about the lost solos, and then the critics pan them for failing both to transfer their live energy onto the album and to make full use of the studio's mixing capabilities. Abandon your prejudice, and take a look at moe. (and groups like it) as though it were two separate bands - a live one and a recorded one. Taken on its own merits, Dither is an attention-grabber of an album. The group uses jazz guitar underneath modern rock vocals to create an intense and engaging effect. Songs like "New York City" have two complementary melodies bouncing back and forth, and the solid, tuneful percussion (independent of the drums) adds a unique, natural element. Don't expect a mere recording of a live set from Dither, but instead appreciate the solid songwriting that jam bands aren't always known for. - Drew SheltonPressure CookerI Want To Tell YouYou've probably heard Pressure Cooker's two general music genres before, even if you haven't exactly heard the band's work. Complete with a calypso vibe and generic beach-music feel, it's the faceless jam band seen poolside at a sunny, tropical resort. I Want to Tell You could very well be used as the soundtrack to a cruise line commercial providing visions of a faraway paradise, complete with Hawaiian-clad middle-agers dancing around with Daiquiris in tow.The other face of Pressure Cooker is that of lounge act, complete with swingin' horns, and swaggering attitude. Not much better.In these atmospheres, Pressure Cooker would surely thrive. But generic, indistinguishable music isn't so great for everyday listening. I Want To Tell You's unvarying vocals and beat don't lend themselves to a casual listen, nor to background party music. And so it seems the band will be condemned to playing Bob Marley covers somewhere in paradise. Hell, at least they'll be warm. - Sheryl Gordon

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The unmerited reputation of Zeta Psi

March 31

When I was a freshman here, like most of my classmates, I went out to fraternity parties to see what the campus had to offer on weekend nights. I remember going to a few houses where I had a lot of fun and where the brothers seemed similar to me. However, when Rush week came and I was trying to decide if I should rush a fraternity, I knew that the parties on the weekends would not be the most important factor to consider. Instead, the values of the brothers and the way of life in the houses would sway me most. Ever since I rushed the sometimes dirty and dingy dwelling that occupies 80 Professors Row, I have been drawn to the tight bonds and the tolerant attitudes among the fraternity's members. There is a closeness that is shared by the brothers here that I have rarely seen elsewhere among other groups of friends. The high level of confidence, trust, and teamwork at Zeta Psi attracted me. The hilarious antics of brothers, such as the famous Bluto, as well as the best parties in and around Tufts also captured me. It is for these reasons that I decided to pledge Zeta Psi. Whether I am mopping the thick and grimy residue-layered common room floor after a party or throwing a lacrosse ball around on the front lawn, it feels great to be a brother at Zeta Psi. However, it seems that members of the Tufts student body rarely associate this idea of brotherhood with Zeta Psi. Rather, labels such as wild, uncouth and underachieving are connected to our name. Furthermore, it has even been constructed in the minds of some Tufts students that ours is the "date rape" fraternity! I believe these remarks are heinous and show little understanding for our house. Maybe the halls aren't spotless and maybe there aren't any brass chandeliers to hang from the ceilings, but those things are not a top priority at our fraternity. And I admit that when people walk into our house for the first time, they are sometimes shocked not to find expensive fixtures or whatever other status symbols of which they might think. The atmosphere in our house is a result of the fact that brothers in our house are very unique, and that uniqueness is what fosters our open views and our lack of superficiality and pretentiousness. The value of a brother in our house is measured by his strength of character and by his devotion to the common good of the fraternity. We say and do what we believe, because that is who we are, though maybe that is what scares other students or disengages our relationship with some members of the student body. As for the whole "date rape" label that we have been branded with, I have no clue as to how this started. It is a ridiculous and most slanderous connotation that is totally unfounded. In addition, I am disgusted when I hear such an ignorant comment. It implies that Zeta Psi is not the friendly and accepting organization that it truly is. Christopher Kollar is a sophomore who has not yet declared a major. He is a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity.

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Salve Regina stuns Tufts 6-5 in playoff quarterfinal Seahawks' goalie records 60 saves in upset

March 31

Defeating a team three times in one season has always proved difficult in the sporting world, and unfortunately the men's hockey team discovered this the hard way, as it was shocked by visiting Salve Regina in the quarterfinals of the ECAC Northeast tournament last night. A fluke goal by Salve's Chris Pisani 1:32 into the overtime period ended the contest with the final 6-5, as the Jumbos, who dominated the entire game, were left in utter disbelief. While the game was played almost entirely in Tufts' offensive end, where a staggering 65 shots were taken, Salve Regina's goalkeeper sophomore Chris Burns proved to be a wall, recording 60 saves on the night. Backed by Burns' stoic play and a lot of luck, the Seahawks were able to subdue the Jumbos attack, and capitalized on nearly all of their scoring chances in a game that ended Tufts season. "Any time you take 60 shots and don't win, that really says something about the other team," coach Brian Murphy said. "If you asked people before this game if we were going to lose, most people would say no, but that's why you play the game." The game began auspiciously for Tufts, as senior tri-captain Natan Obed took a soft shot, which somehow glided in between the goalkeeper's knees, giving the Jumbos a 1-0 advantage. The Seahawks responded less than three minutes later, though, with a goal by Ryan Park deadlocking the game at one goal apiece. As the period progressed, the Jumbos continued to dominate, firing off shot after shot, and finally scoring on a three-on-two fast break. Junior Jason Boudrow gave senior Justin Picone a perfect feed, which he whizzed by Burns' glove. Boudrow followed up with a goal of his own with 42 seconds remaining in the period. Heading into the locker room, the Jumbos seemed to be in control of the game, as they out-shot their opponent 17-5 in the first frame. The Seahawks persisted though, and showed a few signs of life, as Billy Breaker scored a quick goal on a fast break, only 1:14 into the second period. Despite taking 29 shots in the second period, the Jumbos were unable to convert, continually coming up just short. With less than five minutes to go in the period, the Jumbos were dealt another serious blow, as the team's top-scorer, Boudrow, was hit hard and did a complete flip in the air, before landing hard on the ice and separating his shoulder. "Jason got really nicked up," Murphy said. "He separated his shoulder, but was able to continue to play a little bit. We were trying to rest him, but the game kind of dictated that we play him. He was far from 100 percent, but it's part of the game. You deal with it the best you can." In the third period, sophomore Rob LaQuaglia scored 22 seconds into the frame, but Salve responded with three unanswered goals, taking the lead for the first time all night, 5-4. Boudrow, despite the separated shoulder, was able to even up the game 5-5 at 8:43. Obed, who assisted his line-mate, recorded his 100th point of his Tufts career on the play. The period ended with the score locked at five, bringing on a sudden death overtime period, where the entire season was on the line for both teams. Entering overtime, Tufts had out-shot its opponent 64-30, but, as the Jumbos would soon learn, scoring chances alone do not win games. Only 1:32 into the final frame, a deflected shot allowed Pisani to catch freshman goalkeeper Ben Crapser out of position, and he snuck the puck into the left side of the goal. "Anytime when you are in that type of situation, you can lose the game," Murphy said. "We could have played better defensively. They are a good team. They had a few guys who can score and a very good goalie." The loss was stunning as the number eight seed ousted the top seed in the tournament, putting an end to the year that no one would have predicted. After going 15-1-1 in conference play during the regular season, expectations were sky-high entering the tournament. While the loss was devastating, perhaps nightmarish, the 2000-01 hockey season will not only be remembered for what could have been, but will also be looked at as one of the most successful in the history of the program. "I'm real proud of us and what we've done this year," Murphy said. "It's not easy to come into these different rinks and these different situations and continue to win. And to win 17 games is really something that they should be proud of. To finish first in the [ECAC] Northeast... I think later on we will be able to appreciate that more." In their final season in the somewhat weak ECAC Northeast conference, the Jumbos will take a huge leap competitively next season, as they join the ultra-competitive NESCAC. Despite the graduation of a handful of the team leaders, they will attempt to regain the form that propelled them to a 17-5-1 overall record this season. "We expect to continue to win," Murphy said. "These guys represent the university very well, and it's disappointing to lose this year, but we will be ready to go next year, and we'll be able to put a competitive team on the ice."

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Tony-Award winning Dame Edna plans to bring whim and whit to the Wilbur

March 31

It's not too often a true dame comes to Boston. But when Dame Edna arrives in town, one must pay tribute. "I'm a very approachable person. All you need to do is curtsey," says Dame Edna, comfortably perched on a plush chair at Maggiano's Restaurant. The woman is a sight to behold - with her red glittering dress, long hoop earrings, and purple wig - and easily the most dashing lady in the restaurantJust who exactly is this Dame Edna?The brainchild and alter ego of Australian comedian Barry Humphries, Dame Edna is a woman of many talents. She's a housewife, international mega-star, investigative journalist, talk show host, author, and teacher, among other things. And, to everyone's fortune, she has decided to travel the world with her show, Dame Edna: The Royal Tour, which hit the Wilbur Theatre earlier this week and will stay until March 18. She recently won a special Tony Award for a live theatrical event as well as a Drama Desk Award and an Outer Critics Circle Special Achievement Award for her performance on Broadway.But Dame Edna doesn't want to talk about New York. As a matter of a fact, she's quite excited to wet her feet in Beantown. "It's a bit of a dream come true for me, coming here from Melvin, Australia," she gushes. She loves talking about her Australian heritage. "I do come from Melvin, Australia, and I'm very proud of that. And Melvin is a sister city of Boston. Did you know that?"She holds a tour guide to Boston in her hand - Dame Edna is certainly doing her homework. "When I do my show at the Wilbur, you will think this woman must have lived in Boston all her life. That's what you'll think, " she says, emphatically. She's so earnest that it's hard not to believe her. "I really feel like I'm a Bostonian. I'm even learning to speak without using the letter 'R.'" She recognizes that Boston often gets short-changed in terms of quality theatrical performances. "Too many people insult you about trying shows out here. You are just an experimental home." She sighs, frustrated. "It's absolutely degrading for Boston that any show as rotten as it possibly could be, with the actors barely remembering their lines, could come here." Dame Edna wants to change all of that. Call it her mission. "Darlings, you will be presented with a world premiere of a show that I've only given the rubbish everywhere else. I pretty much walked through it. I haven't even tried. And yet I won a Tony?" She's pretty modest for a Dame.Despite her desire to learn about Boston, she is a bit perplexed by local culture. She finds the Big Dig especially baffling. "I want to get know this little city, which you are very proud of, even though you are tearing it down minute by minute. There is a demolition going on. It looks a bit like Dresden in 1945." Dame Edna magnanimously announces that she intends to donate the funds from her show into the Big Dig. Apparently, she recognizes the city needs all the help it can get.How did she get from being a housewife in Australia to becoming an international mega-star? According to Dame Edna, it's a rather typical story. When she was the young mother of three children, her friends sent a photo of her in a swimsuit to the local newspaper, the Morning Murdoch, for a contest called "the Lovely Mother contest." "I won," she exclaims, throwing her hands in the air. "I didn't even know I'd been entered." The prize was a trip to England and a ticket to My Fair Lady with Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews. "I had a lovely semi-obstructed view of the stage," she reminisces. "Luckily, I saw the Rex Harrison half and a bit of Julie Andrews."But the show was more than just an ordinary theater experience. "It was a about a little flower girl who becomes a duchess. And it inspired me. I'm not just a housewife. There's more in my body. It was an epiphany. A road-to-Damascus experience."Soon after her trip to England, she became popular in Australia after doing small shows. She went to England and met the Royal Family, who "adored me despite my strongly Republican views." It was not long until she had become an international star."I became one of the most famous and attractive, sought after women on the planet. And the lovely thing about me is I can say that, and I still sound modest," she says, laughing in a jolly manner. Dame Edna is among the most outgoing and funny ladies you'll ever meet. She claims, however, to be an extremely shy person. "I had to have therapy for my shyness. The therapist said the best cure for shyness is to walk onto a stage like the Wilbur and talk non-stop for two-and-a-half hours with changes of props, lovely songs, and dances."Outside the theatrical realm, she sees herself as somewhat of a fashion leader, not surprising considering her wild getup. She talks freely of how Barbara Bush sought her advice. "I personally eased that woman out of polyester." She also helped Margaret Thatcher in her time of need. "She was a bossy, rather provincial, dowdy looking woman," Dame Edna says, describing Thatcher in her pre-Dame Edna days. "I turned her into a beautifully dressed, bossy, provincial woman."Dame Edna plans to thoroughly enjoy her time in Boston. She will impart a bit of wisdom, have a little fun, and maybe even eat some clam chowder. Her visit is more than just an opportunity to present Dame Edna: The Royal Tour to unsuspecting Bostonians. Rather, she sees it as a cultural exchange. "It is Australia reaching out to Boston and having a little bit of a cuddle across all those miles."Dame Edna: The Royal Tour, The Wilbur Theater, through March 18th. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster (617) 931-2787, at all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com, and directly at the Wilbur Theatre Box Office. $25 to $65. Student rush tickets will be sold the day of the performance, one hour before curtain time, and will cost $25.

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News

Changes improve popularity of Trios

March 31

The popularity of Tufts' smallest dining venue, Trios 'Down the Alley', has increased significantly since it underwent changes to its menu and operating structure earlier this semester. Adaptations were made to expand the facility's visibility around campus and to provide students with more convenient and diverse dining options. The Mugar Hall eatery - former home to the 'Sunset Barbecue' - revamped its afternoon and evening menu to include a variety of wraps, salads, soups, fruit smoothies, and desserts. Student response to the changes has been favorable, and dining officials say many more students are visiting the revised Trios on a daily basis. Director of Dining and Business Services Patti Lee Klos said that Trios' former barbecue option, although popular with some students, was not bringing in a consistent number of patrons. Daily attendance peaked at 150 people, but dropped to approximately 50 or 60 students toward the end of the fall semester. "[The low numbers] didn't really justify having that [barbecue] service," she said. The revised menu at Trios has brought in a consistent number of approximately 125 customers daily. "A lot of changes that happen in food services are reactionary," explained Klos. "We also try to be visionary." Dining Services does so by observing student habits and compiling data from surveys about when and where students eat. Because several students had indicated that they would like Dining Services to provide fruit smoothies, Klos said offering the drinks at Trios was a good hook to improve the venue's popularity. From there, Klos decided to introduce other new items to the menu, especially since the kitchen at Trios was being underutilized due to low attendance. "I went here once before and it was bad," senior Gabrielle Grode said as she dined at the new Trios. The advertised changes in Trios' menu encouraged her to give it another chance, and she was pleased with the modifications. "It's a little more intimate and cozy [than the other dining halls]," she said. One possible deterrent for student attendance, though, has been the modification in acceptable forms of payment. Students were previously allowed to use a meal to purchase food there, but now only cash and dining dollars are accepted. "The really big disappointment I had was that the food is more expensive," said Melinda Coolidge, who, as chair of the Tufts Community Union Senate's services committee, assisted in implementing some of the changes. "But I think the changes that have taken place are generally for the good." Klos explained that meal plan payment was eliminated for financial reasons. The money that students pay for their meal plans primarily serves to covering the operating costs of the two main dining halls. Trios, however, is self-sufficient and must therefore cover its own operating costs. In addition, the seating capacity at Trios is limited to approximately 60 people, and a surge in frequenters could potentially lead to overcrowding. Klos also believes that Trios will be a good outlet for dining dollars, of which students on the 100 or 160 meal-plans have plenty. One of Trios' main attractions is its take-out option. Dining Services is well aware of student desire for accessible food after dining halls close at night, and Trios is intended in part to provide a convenient and efficient alternative to ordering out from local restaurants. The creation of Trios-Down-the-Alley is part of a larger process to extend campus dining hours. Takeout at Trios is currently available from 5-8 p.m., but Dining Services may extend the hours until 10 p.m. on an experimental basis at some point in April. If successful, the hours may later be extended to midnight. Dining Services anticipates having a Trios sampling at Dewick - similar to one that occurred in Carmichael earlier this semester - in an effort to further increase student awareness of dining options. Presently, Trios' clientele consists largely of members of the Fletcher community, both graduate students and staff.

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News

Inaugural NESCAC Tournament ends early for Tufts

March 31

The women's basketball team ended its season last night against the number two seeded White Mules of Colby College in the first round of the first-ever NESCAC basketball tournament. The Jumbos were close for most of the game, but couldn't find their shot, and Colby outscored them 24-9 from the free throw line en route to a 65-54 defeat. The game started off slowly, with only a combined eight points scored in the first seven minutes of the ballgame. Both teams had opportunities, but Colby went 1-5 from the line in the opening minutes and the Jumbos missed a number of close opportunities early on. Colby did manage a six-point lead, at 11-5, on a Caitlin Borque hook shot, but Tufts snuck right back in with two short hook shots from sophomore Emily Goodman, and a deuce each from juniors Jayme Busnengo and Katie Kehrberger over the next two and a half minutes to tie the game up at 13 with 7:00 to go. During the rest of the first half, Colby slowly built on its lead. Senior Jen Hallee converted a long pass off a fast break to give Colby a four point lead with 5:40 remaining in the half. A short jumper by senior Kim Condon pushed the lead to seven with 1:50 remaining, and Hallee converted an old-fashioned three point play off of another fast break ten seconds later to give the Mules their largest lead of the half, at 29-20. Jumbos sophomore Erin Harrington drained a three-pointer in the closing seconds to keep the Jumbos within striking distance. While a six-point deficit was by no means an ideal situation for the Jumbos to be in, Tufts was fortunate to be that close. The visitors shot just 33 percent from the field, missing a number of easy opportunities. Colby's defense frequently left Tufts with little time on the shot clock, forcing the Jumbos into ill-advised scoring opportunities. Colby's halftime lead came without the help of its leading scorer, Sarah Walsh. Walsh, who averages 13.2 points per game, was held to only four points in the first half. Condon and Hallee picked up the slack with seven and six points, respectively, as Colby did a good job spreading the ball around. In the second half, Tufts kept trying to close the gap, but could get no closer than five until the ten-minute mark. Sophomore Erin Harrington hit the second of her four three pointers to cut the lead to 40-36. Colby continued to hold the Jumbos at arm's length, though, as sophomore point guard Bianca Belcher hit a free throw and sophomore Christine O'Donnell added a baseline jumper with 7:50 remaining to push the Mule lead back to seven, at 43-36. Jumbo freshman Maritsa Christoudias answered right back with a three-pointer 30 seconds later to reel Colby back in to within four points of the stubborn visitors. It was the closest that Tufts would get for the remainder of the game, however, and it would be over five minutes before the Jumbos would score again. With 6:26 remaining, the clock finally struck midnight for this would-be Cinderella team. Goodman picked up her fourth foul, sending Colby junior Katy Lawson to the line. Lawson hit the front end of her two free throws, but her second miss was rebounded by Walsh, who tossed the ball in the hoop to complete a backwards three-point play. That kicked off a 9-0 Colby run that effectively put the game away. Tufts did not just roll over, however. Down 13 with 2:15 to play, Kehrberger hit a jumper from the right side to cut the lead to 11 and break the Jumbos five-minute scoring drought. Harrington added her third and fourth three pointers of the game to bring Tufts within nine with under a minute remaining. Christoudias was then fouled behind the three point line, and the freshman, who shot just 51.4 percent from the line during the regular season, made all three free throws, cutting the White Mule lead to seven with 27 seconds remaining. But it was too late for Tufts, as sophomore Jasmine Ashe hit five of six free throws during the last minute to ice the game. Free throws were the key for the While Mules as Colby outscored Tufts 24-9 from the line. Coupled with the Jumbos poor shooting, that free throw difference spelled defeat. Although a tournament loss is disappointing, the Jumbos will return all but senior Shira Fishman into the lineup next year, and the young team should pose even more of a threat for years to come.

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News

LGBT community investigates removal of chalkings

March 31

After pro-gay chalkings were erased and various decorations removed from campus last week, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered (LGBT) community is asking the administration to account for its actions. At issue is what prompted Facilities to remove chalkings in the academic quad in support of Tufts' LGBT community during April Open House. Admissions Office Manager Mary Alice Gryzb asked Facilities to remove the chalkings in front of Bendetson, but students are trying to determine who initiated the removal of similar chalkings in other areas of campus. Staff members of the School of Engineering alerted Facilities about chalkings in front of Anderson, according to Dean of Students Bruce Reitman. Senior Kat Cheung, an LGBT student, said she saw a Facilities employee remove one of the chalkings outside Ballou. "He said the order came in that morning to erase them," she said. "I asked him if he had to erase all the chalkings. He said no, just the gay ones. I asked him if he knew who ordered it. He said he didn't know." Representatives from Facilities did not return repeated phone calls for comment. University administrators say the removal of chalkings did not represent official policy, but rather the judgement of individual employees. "It sets a tone of hurt that gives the appearance that the community is trying to hide the gay community from Open House visitors. That's certainly not the case," Reitman said. "We are proud of the LGBT community and its presence and participation." But Angel Vail, the Tufts Transgendered, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Collective (TTLGBC) representative to the Tufts Community Union Senate, says Tufts' explanation is insufficient. "I don't think a worker at Facilities would care enough to take the time to take down the gay chalkings," she said. In light of the recent controversies, Reitman said Facilities will work to ensure that its employees do not respond to requests from individuals without clearance from supervisors. Facilities was also criticized two weeks ago when an employee painted over an offensive statement on the cannon. In a letter in the Daily last Friday, Vice President of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering Mel Bernstein apologized for the University's actions, but some LGBT students say his words did not go far enough. No one, for example, has been able to explain how the rainbow ribbons on the academic quad and banners in front of the Admissions Office and Dewick that LGBT students put up on Tuesday night disappeared the following morning. Bernstein said "he believed that the ribbons and banners were removed by individuals and not people associated with the administration, which we don't agree with," junior Vanessa Dillen said. "There were so many ribbons on campus, we really don't think that students would have taken the time to go through and take all of them down." "I understand that the ribbons we hung were not allowed, but chalking is allowed. It feels like we are being systematically erased from campus," Cheung said. According to Dillen, the banner in front of Dewick was at least 40 feet above ground. Cutting it down "doesn't seem like something a student would have been able to do," she said. While LGBT students are also concerned about anti-gay messages painted on the cannon last week by senior Mark Sutherland, they say investigating the actions of the University is more important. Sutherland is "just a guy who does things on his own, and he's not really speakingfor any community," Vail said. "When the administration goes and does something about it, then we have a problem." Reitman will meet with Sutherland this week to determine whether the University will take disciplinary action against him. The senior was arrested for disorderly conduct last Thursday. Sutherland has come into conflict with the University numerous times this year, but Reitman could not say whether his history would have any bearing on the decision in this case. Though the incidents have put a negative spin on what was supposed to be a celebration of LGBT pride, students say they are not discouraged. "The attitude of the LGBT community is queers don't quit. If they keep pushing, we're going to keep chalking," Vail said. "They can wipe away our chalk, but we can still wear our rainbow pins, and we'll just chalk again."

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