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New media groups recognized by TCUJ

March 31

Two new media-related student organizations, the Jumbo Media Group (JMG) and Radix, were officially recognized yesterday by the Tufts Community Union Judiciary (TCUJ). The JMG hopes to help students get involved in communications and media activities, primarily through internship fairs, speakers, and encouraging members to participate in the communication and media studies minor. Radix will be a political and literary outlet for students with ideologies in the center-left to left range. JMG's first event was a panel on Monday that featured students who have completed internships in various fields of communications and media, including public relations, television, and book publishing. Next up is a trip to The Boston Globe with Tufts alumnus and Experimental College Lecturer Mark Jurkowitz, the Globe's media critic. A key goal for JMG is to raise media awareness on campus, according to co-founder Ben Stein. "We want to get people involved the CMS minor early on in their academic careers," he said. The group hopes to create strong ties between underclassmen and upperclassmen, alumni and students, and the communications field and Tufts community. In its presentation before the TCUJ, Radix members said their publication will fill a void that was created when the liberal magazine Submerge disbanded. "We're more than just a publication," Adam Carlis, a Radix editor, said. "We're both a political magazine and a group which facilitates empowering students." At the hearing, the TCUJ asked Radix representatives how they planned to succeed where Submerge failed. In response, Radix member Lou Esparza said that Submerge was not successful because of the hierarchal structure of its staff, and that Radix will make decisions through consensus. "We're going to try to be more inclusive - everything from centrist to anarchist," Esparza said. Every member who attends Radix meetings will play a key role in guiding the magazine, according to its founders. With this strategy, Radix member say their group will disintegrate if one or two key people leave or become disinterested. Another facet of Radix's strategy will be an intense focus on utilizing a diverse body of writers. Included in the group's constitution is a clause assuring that if the group finds itself insufficiently diverse, it will focus its resources on diversifying rather than creating publications that fail to meet the group's objectives. "If we're not being diverse, we're not being inclusionary, and that's contrary to our goals," Carlis said. Both new media groups hope they will be forces of influence in campus media long after their founders graduate. "We want to create a strong foundation for the group so that we can thrive in the future," Stein said. The increased interested in media could lead to more participation in campus publications, according to senior Zachary Bromer, the former editor in chief of The Observer and the chair of the Media Advisory Board, the student/faculty body that oversees campus publications. "It will spark more interest in media-related internships, and students will realize they need to become more involved in order to stay competitive for the internships," he said. "It should attract more people to start writing for the Daily or working at TUTV to build up clips and experience that are so valuable when applying for jobs." The TCUJ voted unanimously to recognize both groups.

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News

Early returns in for American League

March 31

Although salaries and ticket prices have increased throughout the league, attendance figures for most MLB teams have gone up. With so many players switching teams, old and new fans across the Major Leagues are turning out to see what their team is paying for. In Boston, fans are turning out in large numbers to see if Manny Ramirez, the $160-million man, can drive in runs like he did on the first pitch he saw in his first at bat of the Red Sox home opener. In Texas, Rangers followers are praying that Alex Rodriguez, their $252-million man, can overcome his shaky start. The Toronto Blue Jays ended last season in the middle of their division, behind the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. So far this season, the Blue Jays are ruling the American League East. The Blue Jays had a dismal spring (12-15), but true baseball fans know that a dire spring often precedes a strong regular season. The one bad sign for the Blue Jays is pitcher Steve Parris (0-2), who was hit hard in an 8-1 loss last week to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and saw his ERA skyrocket from 9.00 to 16.88. "I just pitched like (crap) basically," Parris, who surrendered a first-inning grand slam, told The Toronto Star. "I felt pretty good. I thought I threw the ball pretty well. I just could not get it over for strikes." Will the pitcher fare as poorly today versus the Kansas City Royals? While the veteran is having trouble keeping his ERA down, Chris Michalak is finally getting his moment in the sun. On Saturday, the 30-year-old rookie earned his first major-league win. This wasn't just any major league win; Michalak defeated the world champion Yankees. Toronto has some good young talent, but its strong 7-3 start may not be indicative of where its season is headed. The Blue Jays will have to compete hard to attain that lofty position. The Chicago White Sox are looking for another chance at the top since they claimed the title of American League Central champions last year, but didn't do much after that. So far this season, the White Sox have been perfectly mediocre, with a 4-4 record. Starter Cal Eldred was forced out of Wednesday's game with the Cleveland Indians after two innings because of pain in his surgically repaired right elbow. The 33-year-old underwent ligament replacement surgery in 1995. The White Sox, despite losing their pitcher, hung on for a 7-6 victory. Alex Rodriguez, the new powerhouse of the Texas Rangers, has had a less than stellar beginning to his season. He ended last season with a .316 batting average and 132 RBI, but this season has posted a measly .242 batting average. On Friday, A-Rod and the Rangers faced Rodriquez' old team, the Seattle Mariners, for the first time since the shortstop traded uniforms. "Those guys (Mariners) are my friends for life," Rodriguez told The Dallas Morning News. "A whole bunch of them called me and congratulated me after I signed the contract.... If it was just based on teammates and manager and staff, I would have signed a contract there forever." Rodriguez had five trips to the plate, and collected one walk and two strikeouts. The Mariners played well and a 10th inning homer helped them secure the victory over Texas. Seattle seems to be doing just fine without the All-Star shortstop, leading the American League West with a 6-2 record, while Rodriguez's new team dangles in the center of its division. On Tuesday, on his first road trip with Texas, A-Rod was booed loudly. He went 0 for 4, while the team sleepwalked through a 7-2 loss to the Anaheim Angels. It remains to be seen whether or not the new shortstop will be able to live up to the hype surrounding his signing. Of course, the season is still young and things seem to even out over the long haul. Teams that are playing above their heads now usually do sink, while the teams that start out lousy, but are predicted to do well - generally succeed. But there is always that one surprising team that will come from, excuse the pun, left field and sweep a division.

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News

INS proposes fee for international students to study in the US

March 31

International students studying at Tufts and other American schools could be hit with a $95 government fee as early as next year if new immigration regulations are published before next semester.The government's Immigration and Naturalization Service department (INS) anticipates to finilize the regulations this summer and will begin to collect the fee thirty days later. But colleges have expressed outrage at the proposal because they say the timing will not allow them to inform students of the changes."It could cause havoc if implemented this summer," said Jane Etish-Andrews, director of Tufts' International Center, which handles immigration affairs for the 800 foreign students at the Medford/Somerville Campus. "We send out information to incoming international students at the end of May and we would like to give them as much information as possible. Knowing the way the government works, we won't see this moving too fast." The director said she was not certain if the fee would apply to students already in the U.S. and she was anxious to let current students know if they would be affected by the regulations. She also added that Canadian students would have to pay the fee, even though they do not require a visa to study in the US.Students will be able to pay the one-time fee using a credit card over the Internet or with a money order drawn on a US bank. If implemented, the fee will be paid by more than 100,000 students and visiting scholars annually, in addition to visa fees of at least $45. According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, the proceeds will be used to fund a tracking system containing the addresses and academic status of all foreign students in the United States. Plans for the fee were discussed last year when the INS asked institutions to collect the fee for them, but, according to Etish-Andrews, nothing emerged after colleges and universities refused to act as INS branch offices. With all the possible administrative headaches the fee may cause, several universities have written to the INS to oppose the changes, and educators are optimistic that the fee will not be implemented in the immediate future. "It probably won't happen in the summer, but the fee may still go into effect later," the director said.But many are still against the fee in principle. International Club President Sean McDermott said he was against the fee because he found the idea of tracking students unethical."I find that it is a bit of a controversial idea and not necessarily the best way of addressing immigration problems," he said. "I might be in favor of a fee if it was going to be used for a better purpose."Many educators are against the charge because they say it will create an undue burden on many students, particularly those from developing countries without access to the methods of payment. With the cost of an American college education fast approaching $40,000 for international students, they are concerned that the new fee will do more harm than good. Etish-Andrews said foreign graduate students, many with limited resources, would be hurt the most by the fee. "Many grad students are here on scholarships and they don't have a lot of extra money," she said. "And all these fees add up."And although undergraduate international students tend to come from more affluent backgrounds, according to Etish-Andrews, a few make real sacrifices to come to the United States.According to Director of Financial Aid Bill Eastwood, 14 of 400 foreign undergraduates are receiving aid from the University, with seven to ten more anticipated in next year's freshman class. He said the university would consider paying the $95 fee for those in need. But while students may be able to manage with the extra burden, many see a contradiction between the fee and the United States' desire to bring in international students."We shouldn't be taxing people like this," Etish-Andrews said. "The US takes for granted this great industry we have of educating people from abroad." Etish-Andrews was concerned that the new fee would discourage international students from studying in the US, thus changing the international make-up of the Tufts community. "Students are savvy and they are looking at other markets where the education is cheaper and more closely related with their education at home. If we keep adding on fees, we run the risk of losing students." According to The Chronicle, Australia and the UK are emerging as America's competitors for students. Although the number of foreign students is much lower in those countries, enrollment has grown much faster there than in the US.

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News

Junior High Dance Syndrome Plagues Tufts Campus

March 31

Remember junior high school dances? Vanilla Ice was blaring out on the dance floor, lights were flashing around the old gymnasium, and streamers disguised the old basketball hoop. Oh yeah...the mood was there, but the dance floor was empty. It was like everyone was too cool to dance, but it was really that no one wanted to be the first to do so. To be the first one dancing meant that everyone would watch you; all eyes would be focused on you, noticing your every move. That's an accurate description of hell for a 13-year-old. Junior High Dance Syndrome is when everyone is standing still, waiting for someone else to break the ice. We know that once someone does break the ice, we're all going to have a good time, but we still wait for that other person to do it for us. The real problem arises when everyone just keeps waiting, and before you know it the dance is over... and it sucked. But that was Junior High - hopefully your senior proms were different - and we've grown past that. Or have we? At Tufts we pride ourselves on academics; there are more people in the reading room on a Thursday night then there are in the Campus Center. So we do our work outside of the classroom, and perform well on tests. But I can tell you first-hand that many Tufts students have horrible classroom habits. If you've ever been in a recitation you know what I'm talking about. Recitations are supposed to be helpful tools that serve as question/answer and discussion sessions. This is where we take the knowledge from the lectures and apply it, or clarify it, or develop it. So the TA asks a question - I swear to God you can hear crickets chirping, the old heating system is humming louder than ever before, and you suddenly notice that one sick kid, wheezing and blowing his nose - the only sounds actually coming from a student. People look around the room as if the question doesn't apply to them. Everyone is looking for someone else to break the ice, for someone else to make that first step out to the dance floor, but it never happens. The TA tries to reword the question in several different ways to get someone to say something - anything! But it doesn't happen. Finally the TA is forced to call on someone, and this person acts like he just woke up. He sits up straight, clears his throat, and says...the most brilliant thing. Yes, brilliant! Tufts students are smart, but when we do have something to say, we just don't say it. Why must we be trapped in Jr. High? Why can't someone speak up for a change? I hate breaking the awkward silence, but I hate the prolonged awkward silence even more. For an academic university filled mostly with students from the first decile of their respective high schools, one would expect more enthusiasm in the classroom. So I plead with you, Jumbos: say something the next time your teacher asks you a question. Say what you're thinking. Let's just have a normal discussion for once. This syndrome also applies to the social life at Tufts (or lack there of). The other day my friend Alec said to me, "I want to start a bar on campus. It'll have a big screen TV, music, alcohol...That will really spice up the social life around here." Then I reminded him that only one-fourthof the students could legally drink, and that Hotung serves beer anyway. He tried to explain to me how Hotung was lame. I wouldn't buy it. What most people don't realize is that Hotung really is decent. It has a big screen TV, food, drinks, DJs, live bands, etc. Of course, it is still empty every weekend. If Hotung were a "cool" place to be, everyone would come and have a good time. If a group of people hung out at Hotung, maybe danced a little, more people would come. The more people who come, the better the party. All it takes is that first step out on the dance floor. So, from now on, I declare Hotung the cool college hangout. If you don't go to Hotung, you're not cool. If you're not cool, then the world will come to an end. Let's not be in Junior High anymore. Grab a partner and head out to the dance floor. Let's all get our grooves on, and have fun for a change.Arun Lamba is a sophomore majoring in economics and physics.

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News

Blazing a trail to a title?

March 31

The Portland Trail Blazers - sometimes dominant, sometimes mediocre, always enigmatic. Just when you think that you've figured this team out, they take another sharp turn away from predictability. The Blazers have won 15 of their last 19 games, but dropped three of the last five. Still, they sit atop the Pacific Division with a 32-14 record and a half-game lead over the Sacramento Kings. Last Monday, the Blazers were embarrassed by the Cleveland Cavaliers, losing 84-58 - a nearly historic night of misery on offense. After wins in Chicago and Indiana, the Blazers took another step backwards this past Saturday, losing 93-80 to the Minnesota Timberwolves on national television. It's no secret that the Blazers have loads of talent. The entire second string could well have starting roles elsewhere in the league. Currently, the Blazers' statistics reflect this balance with five players averaging double figures and center Arvydas Sabonis averaging 9.8. Entering play on Tuesday against the Bulls, the Blazers are a league-best 22-5 against the Eastern Conference, and have already won more inter-conference contests than in any of the past 22 seasons. But through mid-December, the Blazers were unimpressive and far from championship form. The team hovered close to first in the standings, but was still getting beaten by lesser clubs. If the Blazers' season ends in success, the Dec. 22 loss to the Denver Nuggets may well have been the turning point. In an unenthusiastic, lackluster performance, the Blazers lost by 20 and gave up a season-high 116 points to the Nuggets. That did it. A team meeting was called, and finally emotions and animosity came to a head. The band of struggling superstars asked their animated coach to back off a little. Ease up from the sidelines and let things flow more. A frustrated Mike Dunleavy didn't have much choice, and with the Washington Wizards next up on the schedule, he said "why not?" The immediate result was a victory, even if it was just the Washington Wizards. But more importantly, that win proved to be the beginning of a ten-game win streak which included a nationally televised Christmas Day win in Los Angeles against the Lakers and another important road victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Team defense has improved immensely for the Blazers. After sagging considerably in the early going, Portland now stands sixth in the league in points allowed, giving up only 90.6 per contest. The rival Lakers are 25th in the league, giving up 100.8. Aided by the defensive improvement, the Blazers are scoring more in transition, and getting more easy baskets. The Blazers are now shooting at nearly 47 percent, third in the league, trailing Utah and LA by fractions of a percentage point. The composition of this team has changed greatly from the one that lost a championship bid in the fourth quarter of Game Seven against the Lakers in last year's Western Conference Finals. The most significant change has not come from personnel moves, but adjustments in style and structure. One critical reason is the emergence of forward Rasheed Wallace as the team's go-to player. No team in the league has managed to neutralize him. He's averaging 19.4 points, 8.2 boards, and 2.7 assists per game. He is shooting 50 percent from the floor, 78 percent from the line, and can knock down the outside shot. The league can only wonder how to defend this guy. Point guard Damon Stoudamire has also come a long way from last season. He has vastly improved his decision-making. He's taking better shots, doing a better job of setting up the offense, and is hustling on defense. He is averaging 13.8 points, 3.7 boards, and 5.7 assists per game, and shooting at a 43 percent clip. Although he is generously listed at 5'10", and is still a liability in some situations, his quickness with the ball is nearly unmatched. Stoudamire definitely deserves All-Star consideration. Bonzi Wells has also become a force in the Blazer backcourt. Wells is the fourth leading scorer on the team, averaging 11.5 points per game, and shooting an unprecedented 53 percent from the field. Wells is usually too strong for guards to match up with, and too quick for forwards. Furthermore, he benefits from constant double-teaming of other players. Dunleavy's switch, putting Wells in the starting line-up, and bringing 2000 Dream Teamer Steve Smith off the bench, has surprisingly been an enormous success for Smith as well. ESPN's David Aldridge discussed Smith's new role in his Jan. 29 column. According to Aldridge, Smith looked dead the first six weeks of the season, largely due to his Olympic stint in Australia in the late summer. During December, he shot 50 percent from the floor only once in 13 games, and shot 32.7 percent (36-110) for the month. Through the end of Portland's road trip on Sunday, he'd shot 50 percent (33-66) from the floor in seven games off the bench. Though Dunleavy has cut back Smith's minutes slightly, he has run more plays for him, allowing him to maintain his productivity. This combination of adjustments and improvements has sprung Portland back on to center stage, but the recent slumping demands explanation. Is it simply a small lapse in an 82-game season, or a sign of weakness to the high powered Western Conference competitors? It's hard to say for certain. The Portland team is a difficult one to understand. The players are emotional and demanding, sometimes lapse into individual dazes, settle for outside shots, and shy away from leadership responsibilities. The loss to the Cavaliers was evidence of that. The team shot a dismal 28 percent from the floor, no player scored over 12 points, Wallace added to his league leading collection of technical fouls, and, as things fell apart, Dunleavy got himself ejected. The Trail Blazers have enough talent to win the championship this season, though they face serious challenges in unseating the Lakers and surviving the Midwest-leading Spurs. But the team that has the best shot at beating the Portland Trail Blazers is the Portland Trail Blazers. If the team can manage these intangibles through the rest of the season and into playoffs, there could be a parade in the Rose City come June.NotesScottie Pippen was placed on the injured list Thursday. Pippen banged his elbow in the Jan. 8 game in Boston, and has since experienced pain and swelling. He's been sidelined for seven of the past eight games by tendonitis in his right elbow. Pippen last played on Jan. 20, scoring two points in 24 minutes against Sacramento. He did not play in the next game and was not in uniform Tuesday night in Chicago. He is averaging 10.5 points and 5.0 rebounds in 36 games this season.

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News

Forget about a night on the town.... Try spending a night in

March 31

While Spring Break may have been fantastic, it may not have been restful. If that's the case, you might need some serious recovery time; sometimes vacations can be so tiring that you simply need a break after a break. While the desire to have an action-packed social calendar the weekend after you get back is tempting, sometimes it's be better to take it easy. Catch up on that sleep you so desperately need, let that darned sunburn recover, and just relax. We here at We Plan Your Life suggest you take one night this weekend and spend it in. Forget the call of frat parties and heed the call of your room. It will be the best time you never had.Step OneA truly relaxing night in simply wouldn't be complete without a good movie to relax with. This could be a great night for romantic classics like Casablanca or When Harry Met Sally. Also consider Gladiator, just so you can sound educated when people argue about the merits of its Oscars win over Traffic. If you're lucky enough to have a car, you might want to drive to the video store. City Video in Porter Square is probably your best bet, with its wide selection of current, foreign, and independent flicks. If you're too lazy to leave your bed, http://www.kozmo.com might be your best option. Get your vides delivered straight to your door. This is the ultimate in laziness - embrace it. Make sure you order some popcorn along with your rental, so you can down those fluffy white kernels as you watch Bogart and Bergman embrace.Step TwoAfter the movie, you're bound to get kind of hungry...and you don't really feeling like ordering from Wing Works or Espressos again. After all, how many calzones can one human being consume? This might be the time to try a takeout place that isn't on points. Check out Dragon Garden in Davis Square (617-623-4383) Not only do they deliver, but they have some of the tastiest and highest quality Chinese food in the area. Try their savory vegetable soup and crunchy scallion pancakes. Highly recommended are the vegetable dumplings - to die for! If you're not in the mood for Chinese, try Amelia's Kitchen in Teele Square. (617-776-2800). Get a hearty meal of chicken parmigian or their delicious baked ziti. And make sure you order one of their mouthwatering cannolis as well. After the meal, make some coffee, put your Renato Carosone tape in the stereo, savor the cannolli, and your Medford dwelling will magically transform into an elegant Italian bistro.Step ThreeAfter the wonderfully sappy movie and decadently fattening dinner, you might start to feel a little down and lonely. At this point, call your friends - chances are they're sitting at home twiddling their thumbs because they're not out with you. Invite them over for a game of Cranium. If you've never seen Cranium before, it's that multicolored game they're always selling at Starbucks. It's tons of fun, and draws on your drawing, acting, sculpting, and singing skills. You and your friends will have an absolute blast. They will learn many new things about you, such as how you can't hold a tune or draw anything but a stick figure to save your life. You'll laugh so hard, you'll feel like your sides are busting. Who knew somebody could draw a crawling baby so .....interestingly? Have one of your friends bring over Scrabble or Pictionary and you'll be up till the wee hours of the morning. Step FourIt's time for dessert once again. Your friends are complaining that they're hungry and your cannoli is long gone. You tell them you have a solution, dramatically strut over to the refrigerator, and pull out two packets of Toll-house Cookie Dough with M&Ms (the absolute best!). Guaranteed, you'll get squeals of excitement from your pals. Put the cookie dough in the oven, whip up some hot cocoa, and everyone will be smiley and happy, guaranteed.Step FiveAt this point, it's about five in the morning. All your friends are complaining they're exhausted. Tell them that Hillsides is simply just too far. Announce that you're having a sleepover, dash into your room, and whip out some blankets. They'll be so tired at this point that they will reluctantly agree. Stay up for another couple of hours chatting and then finally head to bed. Your head will delicately touch the pillow and you'll have dreams of Cranium, cannolis, and Casablanca. Not so bad for a night in!

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News

Golf ready to tee off

March 31

After a disappointing end to last season, the golf team will begin its 2002 campaign this weekend at the Bowdoin Invitational with an optimistic attitude. The team lost few key players to graduation, and has regained its strongest player, who studied abroad last year. "We're going to win NESCACs," said senior Dan Kramer. "We should be really solid from top to bottom." The Jumbos ended last year at the NESCAC Championships tied for sixth with Hamilton College. The team's combined score was 653, 48 strokes behind first-place Williams. "That was disappointing, a little bit," Kramer said. "But we really only lost one player, and we're getting several freshmen who are, on paper at least, really good." Indeed, of the five players who participated in the NESCAC Championship weekend last year, only Erich Muhlanger, will not be back this year. The team lost three other players - Ben Eastwood, Mike Feldman, and Jon Japha - to graduation, but none were usual top five players. Since the team did not carry a single freshman player last season, this year it will be heavy with older, experienced players. One of the most important among them will be Senior Elliot Barr. Barr was the team's top golfer two years ago, but spent last year studying abroad in Spain. Barr's return to the team should provide a spark for the squad early on this year.The other strong players include junior Brad Hawes and Kramer, who were part of a four-way tie for ninth place individually at the NESCAC's last year, earning them automatic All-NESCAC selections. Hawes shot rounds of 76 and 83 for a combined 159, while Kramer shot a 79 and 80, also combining for 159. Joining Barr, Kramer and Hawes will be seniors Arun Lamba, Brian Tarmey, and Arvind Chary. Lamba and Tarmey both played in the NESCAC Championship. Lamba was named to the NESCAC All-Academic team last year, and was top finisher for the Jumbos at the New England Championships, with a score of 160, tying for 65th place out of 229 competitors. Along with the seniors will be several returning juniors, some of who began playing for the team only last year. Juniors Dave Hendler, Andrew Weiss, and Nat Sager will return to the team this year, looking to edge their way into the top five. Although there is some idea of what the team will look like this year, the squad is far from set. Tryouts for the team take place this week, and many freshmen and others will be vying for one of the few spots. Coach Bob Sheldon will likely try to carry fewer players this season, making the tryouts even more competitive. The squad's top five will not be set until much later in the season, if they are ever set at all. "It really changes a lot throughout the season," Kramer said. "There could be as many as two or three number one players." He explained that last year, there was little consistency in who held the third, fourth and fifth spots. "This year I could be playing as low as four, where last year I was number two," Kramer said. "It just means we're that much better." No matter how the team takes form, players seem to have put last year behind them, and are confident about upcoming season. "It should be a really exciting season," Kramer said. "If you can get excited about golf, this is definitely a season to be excited about."

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News

Tennis team gets bad bounce, loses final game of season

March 31

The men's tennis team finished off its regular season on Wednesday with a heartbreaking loss to one of its formidable NESCAC opponents. The team's co-captain, Adam Scott called his squad, "the best team I've been on in my four years here." But Tufts too often fell victim to misfortune and a hesitancy to capitalize on its challenger's mistakes, which resulted in a season that did not reflect the team's full potential. In all fairness, the Jumbos' problems have often not been any fault of their own: every member of the team has had to fight a nagging injury for a prolonged period of time. But the most recent loss to Bates College is just one of the matches that Tufts thought it could have, or should have, won. The Bates match was not an expected victory for the Jumbos. Bates was ranked one place ahead of Tufts in the ITA rankings at the end of last season and ranked fifth in the East by the ITA on April 12th. Nevertheless, Tufts had more than its fare share of chances. In the doubles matches, which were played first, the Jumbos dropped two out of the three match-ups and lost the point awarded to the team that wins two of its doubles matches. Then, in singles, Tufts' number one player, sophomore David Ruttenberg, was able to edge out a first set tiebreak, which broke Bates' Alex Macdonald's spirits and allowed Ruttenberg an easy 6-0 second set win. The second match to finish was freshman Jon Bram's contest with Bates' Ben Lamanna. Bram was finished off in straight sets (6-3, 6-4). Adam Scott, Tufts' second ranked player, took the first set off Greg Norton but let down a little at the start of the second set to allow his opponent back into the match. Scott lost the third set 6-3. As a senior, this was Scott's last home match of his career and it was filled with extra emotion. Scott has had to shoulder the burden of teammate David Ruttenberg's injuries for most of the season, and playing in the number one spot, he was never able to find a winning rhythm. "Adam's been knocking at the door all season, but he just can't seem to turn it around," Watson said. Sophomores Danny Lang and Brian Brendell, playing in the fourth and sixth spots respectively, both won big matches for Tufts. Brendell out-dueled Bates' Brett Carty 6-2 in the third set, while Lang cruised to a 6-4, 6-4 victory. Brendell was previously thought to be lost for the season with an ankle injury, but remarkably, he is healthy again and his ankle did not seem to cause problems on Wednesday. So, with the team match knotted up at three a piece, the deciding point was to be decided by co-captain Mark Fitzgerald's match with Milko Todorov. "Mark fought and scratched and clawed," Watson said, and though he managed to storm back from down 4-1 in the third set to earn a tie at five, he lost his serve, bringing the third set to 6-5. "Then a monumental game took place," Watson said. Fitzgerald put his all into the game and dove for the ball a total of four times (winning three of those points) in a Boris Becker-like effort. The game had twelve deuces and Fitzgerald was able to fight off eight match points; his opponent fought off four game points before capitalizing on a match point, and with that, sealing the victory. "I called it the game of the decade," assistant coach Doug Eng said. "I've never seen anything like it." "This match was an example of how much the team has fought all season," Watson said. "It was a real heartbreaker," he continued. The loss to Bates will likely preclude the Jumbos from playing in the NCAA Regionals in May. They will still participate in the NESCAC tournament, however, which starts later today, and the team hopes to end its season on a high note.

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News

Bigger or Better?

March 31

Talk about building another dorm abounds, as do predictions about the possibility of a new music complex. Meanwhile, the construction of the psychology building continues, providing further evidence of Tufts' swift physical expansion. But another less talked about form of University growth - academic - will soon require tough administrative and student attention. Tufts should be prepared to limit the expansion of its course offerings or the academic trends of the day will soon overshadow the tried and true disciplines that make this University great.In the face of student lobbying for new majors and language options, the University must realize that it is more important to offer quality traditional programs rather than cater to each passing fad. The focus of academic expansion must be the addition of resources to departments like economics - those with proven appeal, real- world application, and a basis in the liberal arts tradition - rather than to untested fashionable programs that require new departments and faculty and whose interest among students is not yet assured. But if Tufts chooses to address academic expansion by allowing the amount of programs it offers to proliferate, the University will almost assuredly find itself spread too thin and with little money to enhance its core offerings. The basis of a liberal arts education ought to be attention to the sciences, both physical and natural, history, philosophy, English, political science, and economics. Moreover, Tufts has always rightfully held that students should be worldly, and for this reason some attention must be paid to foreign language and cultural studies. These basic programs should be the main recipients of academic funds - everything else can be covered through independent studies or, as Provost Gittleman notes, by combining the current resources of departments, as was done with Biopsychology and IR, allowing new topics to be addressed without additional faculty and staff. While Tufts does not have every program that one might expect to find at the largest of universities, the programs it does offer demonstrate across-the-board quality. This consistency - not incredible facilities nor nationally recognized sports teams - is Tufts' best feature and the single most important factor in keeping the University competitive with wealthier and larger schools. Furthermore, academic reputation is one of the most important factors that administrators must consider when allocating scarce resources. Tufts will never have the money or space to offer some of the more practical, but less academic, programs such as a business major, a comprehensive communications and advertising curriculum, a journalism program, or an accounting major, even though these fields attract so many of today's career-minded students. These programs aren't realistic in our constraints, so it will be left to the reputation of the economics department, for example, to convince the top finance students in the country to come here over schools of lesser quality that may offer more focused courses. For this reason, Tufts should concentrate its attention on traditional disciplines; for if they are preeminent in the country, drawing qualified students will never be a problem. But Tufts, like many other colleges, has veered somewhat from its liberal arts objectives with the introduction of too many fashionable programs - some have value, but too many become a drain. The attempted introduction of new language programs - Hindi/Urdu, Armenian, Czech, and Korean - have showed the difficulties encountered when introducing and maintaining new courses: little money, trouble finding quality faculty, and inconsistent demand. The current Hindi/Urdu program, while popular, has experienced obstacles in finding and retaining a professor at the relatively low salary that the Ex College offers. The Korean and Armenian programs took off briefly, but could not be sustained in later years for a lack of interest. Outside of language programs, the women's studies major was controversial at its inception, with some students questioning whether this subject constitutes a legitimate discipline. The international letters and visual studies major - which allows students to choose from a virtual cornucopia of courses in film, literature, and other visual arts - is interesting, but not a vital liberal arts pursuit. Cultural studies, like Middle Eastern or Judaic studies, and the interdisciplinary programs such as the peace and justice major, are also on the upswing as seen with the impending inauguration of the Middle Eastern studies program this week. Some of these programs may have been as successful if offered as an IR cluster, perhaps requiring less new faculty or staff.The problem with these programs is not their utility; the difficulty is that with the introduction of each new program comes an obligation to find quality professors - a rather expensive obligation. True, other schools, Cornell among them, offer upwards of 30 languages to service 20,000 students. But these universities are far larger than Tufts and can afford to squander resources on programs aimed at the few. Tufts should keep the programs it currently has, and when more money appears in the face of fewer building costs, the University should still avoid the temptation to accommodate certain intellectually thirsty students. For at that point, although the economics and Spanish departments may well be fully staffed, there will assuredly be other core areas of instruction in need of financial assistance.If small programs continue to luxuriate, however, they will continually siphon resources from the traditional disciplines. With departments like Spanish and Economics struggling to offer enough courses to interested students for a lack of professors, Tufts should learn to say "no" quickly, but politely, to calls for new majors. Even at a student-centered university, it is the only responsible answer.

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News

Men's ultimate team flies to 7-0 start

March 31

The ultimate frisbee team exploded onto the scene this past weekend in its first tournament of the year, going 7-0 at the University of Pennsylvania-hosted event. Early in the season, Tufts is ranked seventh in the nation in the Ultimate Players Association (UPA) rankings. "This is going to be a tight spring," junior co-captain Mike Bright said. "New England is a strong region, and there are a six or seven teams that could go to Nationals at the end of the season. It should be exciting." On Saturday, the weather was conducive to frisbee competition - low 50's and no wind. Having practiced indoors since the fall, the team - which as a club sport goes by the name elephant men (E-Men), and not Jumbos - had to re-familiarize itself with different conditions. "Playing indoors is different than playing outdoors," Schneider said. "It took a few games to get used to it, but by the end of the day, we were used to it." Despite the adjustment, the squad crushed Princeton 13-5, with the help of a strong defensive effort early on. The E-Men went on to defeat Carnegie Mellon, 13-3, on a slightly less than ideal field, with glass scattered throughout the playing area and with endzones of differing sizes. The men went on to finish off Salisbury State with little trouble, winning 13-3, and annihilated Lehigh, 13-1, before sundown. Saturday was a day of pool competition, in which the different seeds compete against one another to determine the brackets for Sunday's play. With their 4-0 record, the E-Men were seeded first, and looked to continue the streak on Sunday. "We went into Sunday thinking - it's on," Schneider said. But the weather proved to be much different - rain and sleet. Games were shortened to compensate for the difficult conditions. Even in the cold, the E-men remained sizzling, going 3-0 after decimating Haverford 13-1 in the quarterfinals, beating U. Penn 11-4 in the semifinals, and dominating Princeton 11-2 in the finals. According to team members, the marks in the win column will not be stopping anytime soon. "I had a lot of fun this weekend," sophomore Josh Weisstuch said. "It is definitely fun to win. I think we'll be doing a little more of that in the coming weeks." "We have really high expectations," sophomore Ian Schneider said. "Last year was the first time that we had gone to Nationals in about ten years, and this year, we look to exceed that performance." The wins were not the only thing that team members were excited about last weekend - two promising freshmen, Matt Abrecht and Ariel Santos, made their debuts as well. "Abbrecht is a deep threat," Schneider said. "Meaning that we can throw [the frisbee] to him deep and there's a good chance he'll come down with it. Santos should be good too; he played in high school." The E-men's first tournament came after a tough training schedule throughout the fall and early winter. During the fall, the team practiced three times a week outside and played tournaments on weekends. "Basically the fall is like a warm-up time for the new guys, to teach them the plays and whatnot," Bright said. During the winter, the team practices three to four times a week in the Gantcher Center, and has one practice per week dedicated to running. "We've been training really hard," Weisstuch said. "We're all really excited for this season." "Not only do we have an amazing coach [Jeff Brown] and dedicated leadership this year, but our team is really deep, and that's going to be huge for us later in the season," Schneider said. "Last year we were definitely not as deep. When you've got guys coming off the bench, they need to be just as ready as the starters were." After the season's first weekend, it looks as though the E-Men will be able to capitalize on this depth. The team is off until March 17, when it heads down to Georgia for the next tournament.

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News

Shamir wrong in using the term 'virus'

March 31

To the Editor: My organization and I were disturbed by the rhetoric in journalist Israel Shamir's lecture, which Tuesday's article "Israelis culpable for Middle East violence" (4/10) recounted. Shamir said in his lecture that "Israeli people represent a virus form of a human being, because they can live anywhere." Having attended the lecture, I realize that Shamir's statement was part of his attempt to make the point that Jews have settled in many countries and continue to do so. That is a valid argument. Shamir also made other points that are possible to defend through the use of facts and figures. For example, he "accused Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and former Prime Minister Ehud Barak of having planned the intifadah." Although I disagree, I believe that one could make a reasonable argument in support of that belief. He also said that "much of the media... is controlled by Jews." I disagree with that statement as well, but again I believe it is possible to defend that point using concrete evidence. However, I believe that most people, and most groups of people, would be offended by being compared to a virus. Furthermore, the term becomes even more hurtful in this situation when one realizes that the Nazis referred to Jews as viruses. It is my hope, and it is my organization's hope, that intellectuals stick to arguing about policies, politicians, and people and refrain from using such offensive rhetoric.Adrian Wilairat, LA '01President, Friends of Israel

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News

Men's tennis struggles against tough competition

March 31

The men's tennis team faced three of its most fierce NESCAC opponents this week, beating Middlebury 5-2, but losing badly to both Williams and Trinity 0-7 and 1-6, respectively. "Every team seemed to be better than the last one," said Adam Scott, the team's co-captain. Most recently, the Jumbos faced Trinity College, when, due to what coach Watson termed "disciplinary actions," Tufts played with a depleted squad. Co-captain junior Mark Fitzgerald and freshman Jon Bram were not allowed to play in the match for undisclosed reasons. "Fitzgerald and Bram are not the only ones to be punished. There will be more to come," Watson said. The effects of the player absences were definitely felt in the Jumbos' 6-1 loss. "[Trinity's] one and two are solid players - quality players," Watson said. That showed in David Ruttenberg's and Adam Scott's straight set losses. The rest of the lineup was forced to move up a couple of spots and sophomores Danny Lang and Brian Brendell couldn't handle the jump, both dropping their matches without mustering much resistance to their opponents' onslaught. "With our whole team we could have beaten them," coach Watson said. Surprisingly, the best efforts were put forth by two members of the team who are not usually in the starting lineup. Freshman Sonny Kathpalia lost to Trinity's Murmmer Khan 6-2, 6-1, but Khan's victory was not as easy as the statistics indicate. "Although the score doesn't reflect it, Sonny had lots of adds to win games, but just couldn't capitalize," Watson said. Tufts' only win came from an unlikely source, sophomore Nick Nguyen, who had not played in a varsity match all season. Nguyen had relatively little trouble with Trinity's Peter Green, winning 6-2, 6-4. After the match, coach Watson said he was proud of Nguyen's win: "Nick's win reflects our depth - he played a great match and worked hard," Watson said. Three days earlier, Tufts traveled to Williams to take on the team that finished the 2000 season ranked fourth in the nation by the ITA. The Jumbos, as expected, had a lot of trouble with the Purple Cows, and though the starting team played in the match, Tufts was trounced 7-0. The silver lining for coach Watson's team was that all three top players, though they did not capitalize, had set points. Playing a sport so often decided by a small number of points, many of the Jumbos' losses this season have been the result of the team missing opportunities. "The lower half of our lineup is working hard and playing well," Adam Scott said. Unfortunately, they were overmatched by the depth of the Williams squad. The Jumbos were worn out for the Williams match; their only win of the week had come hours earlier against a strong Middlebury squad. In the Middlebury match, the only two losses for Tufts were suffered by Scott and Fitzgerald. "I had a pulled hamstring all of last week, so I don't think I played that well," Scott said. Fitzgerald, who put up a strong fight, won the first set in a tiebreak before dropping the second and third sets to Middlebury's Matt Dougherty. The teams Tufts faced this week were competitive, and the odds were further skewed by the injuries from which most of Tufts' players are recovering and by the disciplinary actions that kept some key players off the court The tennis team should have a healthy and full squad when they travel to Bowdoin today for a rematch of a disappointing loss last season. Emotions will run high as Tufts tries to avenge the defeat. Bowdoin is a vocal team, according to Watson. "They won the second point of a doubles match and they were out there yelling and screaming and chest-bumping," he said. Following last year's match, the Polar Bears said they would never play at Tufts again, but NCAA rules forbid teams from backing out of matches until a year after a complaint is filed. This year's match is unavoidable, but potentially intense. "We're looking forward to the Bowdoin match more than any other match all season," Scott said.

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News

Powell confirmed as secretary of state

March 31

The US Senate confirmed Gen. Colin L. Powell as the new secretary of state of the Bush administration on Saturday. Though Powell had been the object of a recent controversy surrounding his speech at Tufts last November and relationship with former Trustee Issam Fares, the Senate was quick to approve his appointment. While Powell's speech at Tufts was not a factor in the confirmation hearing, media attention over the last month had focused on the amount Fares, the deputy prime minister of Lebanon, paid Powell for the lecture. The Jerusalem Post estimated the fee at $200,000, but the retired general turned circuit speaker adamantly denied the report. Powell's financial disclosure statement to the Senate - filed last week - showed that he received $59,500, his normal college rate, a spokesman from the Office of Government Ethics said. Following the Post story, Fares issued an angry statement from his office in Beirut. Nevertheless, Tufts has yet to comment on Fares' inflammatory comments, the cost of the lecture, or the details of the payment process. Powell's payment emanated from money donated by Fares, though the actual check came from the University, according to the Office of Government Ethics. While political watchdog groups typically question the intentions of any foreign political leader who gives money to a prominent US figure, it is unclear how much, if any, influence Fares had in deciding the amount Powell would receive for his lecture. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted unanimously to recommend Powell for confirmation. The entire Senate then confirmed Powell in a rare Saturday session held just hours after Bush's inauguration. Powell was sworn in as secretary of state later that day. Despite the worldwide headlines over the past month, Tufts' Alumni Relations Office did not receive any calls asking about Tufts' involvement in the issue, Director Tim Brooks said. In general, alumni have not been vocal in the past during other campus controversies such as the TCF decision and the proposal for coed housing. "I've been there since September 1999 and I've not had an instance where an alum has come to me to complain," Brooks said. "That's a pretty good track record for a university that may be dealing with a lot of controversial issues." However, Brooks did report that he and other University officials received briefs on the issue. "I was alerted that there could be, based on some negative press, some negative reaction [from alumni]," he said. Since retiring from the military, Powell has served as the chairman of America's Promise, a community service organization, and has also worked as a professional speaker. Last year, according to his financial statement, he earned $6.7 million in speaking fees from a variety of corporations, trade associations, and universities, including Tufts. Powell's appointment makes him the first African-American secretary of state as well as the highest-ranking African-American political figure in US history. He succeeds Madeline Albright, the first woman to hold the position. As secretary of state, Powell is fifth in the order of succession for the presidency, should those above him be unable to fulfill the job. Other prominent cabinet members that were confirmed Saturday include Donald Rumsfeld as defense secretary, Paul O'Neill as treasury secretary, and Spencer Abraham as energy secretary, a post filled by Tufts graduate Bill Richardson during the Clinton aministration.

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News

Proposed TCU constitution goes liberal, but will play it safe

March 31

Members of Tufts' student government are submitting changes to the Tufts Community Union (TCU) constitution to address questions of voting rights, the nondiscrimination policy, and the general language of the supreme governing document. Government leaders are proposing an updated, streamlined version of the constitution, as well as two specific amendments involving the nondiscrimination policy and voting rights for culture group representatives. The amendments that would give Senate culture group representatives full voting rights and prohibit student groups from discriminating on the basis of one's self-acceptance of a belief were kept separate from the general constitution revision for fear that their controversial nature would endanger the passage of the larger proposal. "We had people for each of them, and we had people against each of them; that's why they're coming out as separate amendments. We couldn't come to an agreement on either," said Senate Parliamentarian Ben Lee, who has been leading constitutional reform efforts all year. Each of the three proposals must be submitted to the TCU Judiciary, along with a 250-signature student petition, before they can be placed on the April presidential election ballot. A number of senators are working to secure those signatures, and say that they will be ready to submit the amendment to the TCUJ at its meeting next Monday. The general constitution proposal would clarify the document's language, and includes two significant policy changes: the amendment gives the TCUJ expanded power to interpret University policy - previously the body's interpretive power was limited to the TCU Constitution - and enhances the Judiciary's, as well as the Senate's, interpretive power by adding the University's nondiscrimination policy to its mission statement. The three proposals are a product of almost two years of discussion among student government members. They were officially submitted to the Senate a week before Spring Break by Lee, TCUJ chair Michael Ferenczy, and Committee on Student Life (CSL) member Sam Dangremond. Ferenczy said the modification of constitutional wording will have a significant effect on the Judiciary's recognition and re-recognition procedures. While there is agreement that that the general constitution proposal is important, many are divided on the degree to which the two proposed amendments will affect the everyday function of the student government. The first proposed amendment, concerning the voting right of culture group representatives, is seen as the more liberal solution to an issue that has been debated within the TCU government for a number of years. Culture representatives say they attend meetings and take on the same work load as senators, and therefore should enjoy the same voting rights. Currently, however, these senators are denied suffrage. A watered-down version of the amendment, which states that these representatives be allowed to vote on procedural matters only - including the elections of the Senate's general board - has already been included in the comprehensive constitution overhaul proposal. The individual culture reps, who represent the four recognized culture areas on campus - the Asian Community at Tufts, the Association of Latin American Students, the Pan-African Alliance, and the Tufts, Transgendered, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Collective - are elected by their fellow group members. While the issue of culture reps' voting rights has been a longstanding point of contention, there is some doubt about whether it will create substantive change. "To a degree, the voting rights amendment is symbolic," Lee said. "The things we vote on so many times in the Senate don't usually involve controversial matters that a few votes down the middle wouldn't affect it." Others, however, argue that the amendment would have a clear impact. "I would say that it is not symbolic," Dangremond said. "If that first amendment is passed, culture reps would have the ability to control senate money and buffer funding and do anything senators can do, and I see that as very functional." Students proposed a similar amendment five years ago, but it did not come close to passing when it was put to students in the April ballot. TCU government members say that the debate over the voting privileges of culture reps will not stop at this April's vote. Members of the CSL, the faculty/student committee that oversees student government functions, say they may oppose the proposal if it is approved by the student body. The students who elect culture representatives also choose TCU senators for their classes, which means that their opinions would be counted twice in elections if the first amendment passes. "I believe that both the amendment that would give the culture reps full voting rights and the constitution, which gives them the right to vote on in-house matters, essentially violate the underlying principles of any democracy, which is that every individual has the same voting power," Dangremond said. The second amendment would add a clause concerning the self-acceptance of one's ideas and personal characteristics to the TCU constitution. It would most likely not supercede or violate the University's nondiscrimination policy, which will be included in the mission statement of the constitution, and its intent is to go farther to protect the rights of students. The proposal was put forth by the same group of students who staged a sit-in at the admissions office to call for the strengthening of the University's nondiscrimination policy, and is an attempt to give student groups a clarified definition of what is included in the University policy. But, it is unclear whether the amendment, had it been included in this year's TCU Constitution, would have had any impact on the Judiciary's decision in the Tufts Christian Fellowship case. Yesterday, the significance of adding this clause to the TCUJ's powers remained unclear. "In the proposed constitution is now the nondiscrimination policy. I think that would have been enough to give the J more interpretative power. I don't think the J receives any more interpretive power with the second amendment," Ferenczy said. In order for the revised constitution or any of the amendments to be adapted, at least 20 percent of Tufts students must vote on the question. If between 20 and 25 percent of students vote, each proposal will need a two-thirds affirmative vote to pass. If more than 25 percent of student participate however, only a majority vote would be necessary to adapt the changes.

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News

Bates out-treads Tufts in close NESCAC showdown

March 31

The women's swimming and diving team fought hard at home against Bates on Saturday, but fell just short of a victory, losing 156-144. Tufts kept the pressure on throughout the meet, which was highlighted by strong performances from the diving team, especially freshmen Mika Sumiyoshi and Kierstyn Thayer. In a race where even third- and fourth-place finishers made a big difference, the Jumbos just missed getting the points they needed to win. Not only was the meet a close one in terms of points, but each individual race was close as well. First and second place were less than a second apart in nine of the 14 swimming races, and in the 50-yard backstroke, the 100 freestyle, and the 100 individual medley, first and third place were also less than a second apart. Bates got off to an auspicious beginning, finishing first and second in the 200 medley relay. However, Tufts picked up ground in the 400 individual medley relay and the 200 freestyle with first-place finishes by Sumiyoshi. Sumiyoshi swam a commanding race in the individual medley with a time of 4:44.86, almost six seconds ahead of second place finisher Jill Kopicki of Bates. Despite swimming again almost immediately after, Sumiyoshi also edged out Bates swimmer Gudrun Mirick by less than a tenth of a second in the freestyle event. "Mika had a great meet," coach Nancy Bigelow said. "We asked her to do a lot, swimming the 400 IM and the 200 freestyle back-to-back, and she came through." Sumiyoshi's back-to-back first-place finishes were followed by a first-place finish by Thayer in the 50 backstroke and a second-place finish by senior tri-captain Kristin Horton in the 50 breaststroke. Thayer came in first with a time of 29.96, just out-touching her teammate, sophomore Daniele Blaney. Horton fell just short of defeating Megan Ferrari of Bates in the 50 breaststroke with a time of 33.22. Despite the swimmers' best efforts, the team was down by 13 points when the divers took the board. Led by two first-place finishes in the one meter by freshman Beth Wecksell, the divers were able to pull the Jumbos ahead by 11 points. Wecksell won the first round of diving with a score of 186.65 and the second round with a score of 152.25. She was followed with two second-place finishes by sophomore Angela Russo, who had scores of 161.55 and 142.45. Also contributing to the divers' 31 points was sophomore Lauren Reveley (131.95) with a third-place finish in the second round of diving and senior captain Sally Abbott (129.95) with a fourth-place finish in the first round. "The divers were awesome," Bigelow said. "They really came through for us and allowed us to keep it close." "We are diving well," Abbott said. "There are a bunch of us qualifying for New Englands, so we are excited." Unfortunately, Tufts could not hold on to the lead, despite a win by Sumiyoshi in the 500 freestyle and an exciting win by the Tufts 200 freestyle team consisting of freshman Amanda Bloom, sophomore Ashley Jennings, Blaney, and Sumiyoshi. "It was a great meet," Bigelow said. "We had to compromise on the program. It would have been nice to swim more of our strengths. We had good times, a lot of people improved. It is disappointing to lose but you have to find the little positives along the way." Many of the swimmers did improve on their times from earlier in the season. Horton swam a season best in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:32.5. "I was happy with my times," Horton said. "It was my best swim by far all year. It felt good." Perhaps it was the spirit and determination of the team - a determination that was obvious to any spectator at Hamilton Pool - that helped to push swimmers to better times. "The spirit was very high, especially towards the end," Horton said. "Everyone was standing and cheering. That is swimming at its best." The team will continue to prepare for the NESCAC Championships, which will be held in mid-February. The Jumbos are now 4-2 for the season with three meets left to go before the postseason begins. "We'll have a great end of the year," Horton said. "We are tired now, but we will be rested by then. We'll put in a good showing."

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News

Intercultural festival promotes cultural awareness

March 31

If parts of campus seem more like Latin America or Western Europe than a New England college town this week, there's no need for double-take. It's all part of the annual Intercultural Festival, a 10-day event that promotes awareness of the many cultures represented at Tufts. The festival, which kicked off last Wednesday and will last until Saturday, is sponsored by Tufts' International Club (I-Club). Activities encompass aspects of culture including food, dance, costume, and art with the goal of educating the community - even those not interested in joining culture groups - about the range of cultures represented by Tufts students. "The festival gives the Tufts community the opportunity to explore other cultures, with us more or less just taking care of the details. We might be considered a travel agency in that respect," said Sean McDermott, the I-Club president. The I-Club has also been working outside of the University community with groups such as Humano, a Latin dance band, and the Honduran Embassy to spice up the week's events. The group has tried to bring multiculturalism to the surrounding area as well. McDermott is assisting the Medford school district in the creation of an elementary school intercultural festival to expose children to global customs. While the Tufts festival has been held annually over the past ten years, this year's events are slightly different from those of years past. Activities are held on a daily basis, but there are fewer total events taking place. "We purposefully cut down the number of events that we normally have. We kept all the big ones, but dropped the ones that had very low attendance. The idea was quality over quantity," McDermott said. Additions to the festival include speakers on an array of topics such as Wednesday's lecture on "Global Concerns on Nuclear Weapons" by Professor Gary Goldstein and a speech on Friday by Jennifer Hyndman on "Roads, Shrines, and Bodies." For the first time, the festival will present International Orientation Skits, performed by students applying to be International Host Advisors for incoming freshmen next August. Some modifications to the Intercultural Festival were made possible with the help of an extra $35,000, won earlier this year through an Iagora.com competition between international clubs worldwide. The ten-day celebration culminates with the Parade of Nations at Cohen Auditorium on Saturday. Tufts' cultural groups will perform live music, dances, and acting skits, as well as screen original videos. Flags from represented nations will adorn the Auditorium. There will also be a fashion show in which students model traditional costumes from around the globe. During the parade, the winner of the Oliver Chapman Award - an award given to a senior who demonstrates remarkable involvement in the international community - will be announced. The nominees are seniors Ayesha Siddiqui, Bernardo Monzani, and Shou Min Tan. All proceeds from the Parade of Nations go towards the club's International Scholarship Fund, which was established ten years ago to assist international students with financial difficulties. "Though we aren't yet at the point where we have enough in the fund to give an actual scholarship, right now the money is used if needed as emergency loan money," McDermott said. So far, the I-Club's efforts have been well received by the Tufts community. "I appreciate the way Tufts supports and encourages its students to unite and share the many different cultures on campus," freshman Meghan Brown said. "The reason I came to Tufts was because of its international atmosphere," freshman Marci Ferraro said. "You can see all different cultures represented in the student body as well as things about each culture you may have studied only in a class. The festival is a good way to experience the different cultures." The week was organized primarily by the I-Club's 12 board members, though an estimated 35 other students helped organize and advertise events. Culture clubs were also contacted and responded enthusiastically to the opportunity to share their organizations with the rest of Tufts. During the Intercultural Festival, the groups will sponsor and participate in various events, such as this Thursday's Tertulia Carnival being run by the Spanish House. Other late-week events include "Around the World," an exhibit of photographs taken by Tufts students traveling abroad, and "A Night at the Savoy," a dance set in 1940s Harlem.

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News

Retired professor back for more

March 31

Hugo Bedau just can't get enough of Tufts. Bedau, the Fletcher professor of philosophy, retired 18 months ago but is back on campus this spring to teach his now-famous course, which is based on his 1964 book, The Death Penalty in America. The course focuses on the imbalances, irregularities, and assorted controversies that concern the institution of capital punishment in America. At the beginning of each class, students receive a question sheet that addresses their readings from the previous night - the textbook for the class is the newest edition of Bedau's book. The questions provide the direction for class discussion. It is the only class Bedau has approached in this manner, but he finds the format effective, given the subject. "I don't want the students to skew their reading in order to cater to my interests," he said. "I want them to read and make their own judgments about what's interesting." Bedau also takes pains to provide his class with the most current information available, particularly if it is newer then the most recent edition of his book. "[The last edition] is now about five years old and I want students to have much more up-to-date information. I mean, [the book] is good background, and we need to know what happened... years ago, but we also need to know what happened last year," he said. Most of Bedau's students enter the course equipped with strong feelings toward the death penalty. Even those whose convictions are firmly in place flock to register for the class. Sophomore Alison Clarke, though strongly against capital punishment, took the class to find information to bolster her stance. "I wanted to learn about the different arguments for and against and learn how to better argue my position," she said. The class, along with others that address human rights, philosophy law, and punishment, is offered by the philosophy department solely through Bedau - nobody else wants to teach it, according to the semi-retired professor. Though he tries his best to continue the classes, the rigors of instruction are taking their toll. "The hardest part about teaching... is correcting student papers. That's the most demanding, the most exhausting, the most irritating - but it has to be done," he said. The death penalty and its implications piqued Bedau's interest when he was an instructor at Princeton in the 1950s. He began lecturing on the subject - but not to his college students. "[I spoke to] church groups and the rotary club and whoever would invite me to talk on the subject," he recalled. Eventually, Bedau realized that no books were available that contained sufficient information and a diverse portrayal of capital punishment. He decided to write the definitive work, and the rest - as they say - is history.Today, Bedau is recognized as one of the country's leading academics in the study of the death penalty. He credits The Death Penalty in America for his reputation. "Once that book was published, then of course I became an authority, and I've been coasting on that ever since," he said.According to Bedau, the United States Supreme Court has even, on occasion, referred to his book for information. Even as a nationally regarded authority, Bedau prefers to oppose the death penalty in a strictly scholarly manner, through his writings, classes, and lectures. He has visited death row and met with families of victims and inmates, but refrains from other avenues of personal involvement. "I'm not a touchy-feely person really, and so I try to exploit my opportunities and talents as an educator," he said.Bedau has taught the course for the past six years, since its beginnings as an Experimental College offering. It came under the wing of the philosophy department when the department heads noted the enduring popularity of the class.And, although Bedau still enjoys teaching - he taught at Tufts' in Talloires last summer after first coming out of retirement - he has a research program in London that occupies much of his time. The project involves transcribing the 200 year-old work of the English philosopher Jeremy Bentham at University College London. But with thousands of Americans on death row, and the death penalty in the forefront of American public discourse and political debate, Bedau often can't help but be involved with today's pressing issues.

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News

Vomiting kuchas versus nimble ogakors

March 31

Rumors are that Kimmi, the Long Island bartender Survivor II: The Australian Outback, will be following in the steps of the infamous Richard Hatch... at least in terms of running around in her birthday suit. But that is only one hint of the excitement that is bound to come in the second season of CBS's hit Survivor. Poisonous snakes, man-eating alligators, and bug-filled fruit are just some of the obstacles these greedy, fame-seeking survivors will have to endure in order to win a million bucks and an indefinite amount of money in endorsements and commercials. CBS executives are riding on the success of the original Survivor, whose scheming and crafty contestants entranced America last summer. The much-anticipated Survivor II: The Australian Outback aired last night following the Super Bowl. In typically kitschy Survivor style, the contestants were divided into two tribes: the Kucha (Aboriginal for kangaroo) tribe and the Ogakor tribe (Aboriginal for freshwater crocodile). The first sight we caught of the survivors was on the bus-like military plane that was about to drop the contestants in the middle of the Australian Outback. Many of the survivors looked visibly nervous and uncomfortable. In an endearing touch, the cameramen made sure to zoom in on one of the men vomiting. As the contestants stepped off the plane, it became clear that the producers had garnered together an unusually attractive and buff bunch of young people to brave it in the Outback, with the oldest member in the group a 53-year old man from Kentucky. The Kucha tribe seemed to have the glam-thing and the New York-thing going for them. Among some of the tribe members were hunky Nick Brown, a US Army officer and Harvard Law School student, tough as nails Alicia Calaway, a personal trainer from New York City, and Kimmi Kappenberg (how Long Island can you get?), a whiny but attractive Long Island bartender. At first glance, they looked a lot more likely to be the winners in the final challenge than the Ogakor tribe, whose members seemed to be a bit on the softer and mellow side. Among the Ogakor tribe members are Mitchell Olson, an aspiring musician from South Dakota, Kerri Manthey, yet another aspiring Los Angeles actress, and Tina Wesson, a nurse and devoted mother from Knoxville, TN. The show got off to a rather slow start as we watched the confused contestants gather as many supplies as they could from a wooden crate. They then had to find their way to their respective camps using only a map and a compass. Some of the members seemed to have some directional issues, but they all eventually managed to reach their destinations. And then came the always-problematic issue of fire. You might think that the contestants would have diligently studied the art of fire making before they were marooned in the Outback. But no, we had to watch them as they pathetically tried to rub pieces of wood together in the hope of igniting a spark. Neither tribe had much success, despite one of them hoping that pounding on a drum would help them out. It is amazing how cluesless they all were. One of the Kucha tribe members, Debb Eaton, a Corrections Officer from New Hampshire, told the tribe that she had at least read up on how to make a fire. However, her know-it-all attitude only seemed to get the other clueless tribe members mildly annoyed. In one of the finer moments of the show, Kucha tribe member Michael Skupin fearlessly bit into a supposed "fig" that was growing off a vine near their camp. He immediately spit it out after noticing that it was infested with hundreds of bugs. Yum. Jeff Varner, the sickly Internet project manager from New York who had thrown up on the plane seemed to be on the verge of throwing up again (which he, of course, did later). On day two, suave host Jeff Probst gave the tribes their first challenge. Using boards, they had to cross a poorly constructed wooden bridge across the river. Then, they had to grab a torch, put it in a raft, float the raft across another body of water, and climb to the top of a structure where they placed the torch. This challenge proved that looks don't necessarily translate into action. The less-buff, less-attractive Okagor tribe proved to be quick on their feet, and won the contest easily. This victory gave them immunity for the evening, as well as a single match to start a fire. Meanwhile, the poor Kuchas had to decide which member of the tribe would be voted out. This is when the show started to get interesting. The Okagor tribe faded into the background the last 20 minutes as the Kuchas began secretly discussing who was going to get the ax. The producers certainly wanted us to think that Jeff would be booted. Deb made sure to make all the tribe members aware of his tendencies towards vomiting and his unhappiness with being stranded in the Outback. Jeff started to become paranoid and seemed to feel as if all the tribe members were secretly scheming against him. It came as a surprise when it turned out that Jeff was not the one voted off the Island. Deb, strong, independent, and scheming - the one who seemed most likely to initiate the famous alliances formed by Rudy, Sue, Kelly, and Richard on the first Survivor - was voted off with four votes. Jeff had only received three votes. The tribal council vote was certainly the most exciting and suspenseful part of the show. The producers set it up so that, even though the viewers thought they knew who would get booted, they would be wrong. As Debbie exited the granite waterfall where the tribe was sitting, she appeared a graceful loser. "Kick ass," she told them as she walked off. Much of the groundwork for the show was set in this first episode. The leaders of the tribes seemed to have already emerged. The arrogant Michael Skupin of the Kucha tribe should prove the most likely "leader" among his people. It was hard to tell who could be the leader of the Ogakor tribe, even though it seemed as through Maralyn Hershey, a retired 911 communications commander from DC might be a contender. CBS executives are gambling hard on the success of Survivor II, especially with the network coming in third in the Novembers sweeps. In a daring move, they placed the show against the ever-popular NBC hit Friends. NBC, visibly nervous, responded by extending Friends an extra ten minutes every week. Will Survivor survive? The move may be arrogant, but CBS is hoping that they will be able to get America hooked once again... perhaps they already have.

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News

Boston basics: Find your way off the Hill

March 31

So it's the first day of classes and you're already looking for some weekend fun away from the Hill? With dry rush only a couple weeks away, venturing off campus may sound quite appealing. No ideas? Have no fear - the Daily is back from vacation and ready to show you a wicked good Bostonian time. So go ahead and take advantage of Beantown? just don't forget to bundle up, since it can get pretty chilly this time of year.The 'hoods Boston is a city of neighborhoods. There's the North End, Chinatown, Back Bay, Southie, Roxbury, Beacon Hill... the list is various and sundry. But some neighborhoods are more popular than others, especially among the overwhelming population of 18-25 year-olds in the city. What ever you want to do - be it clubbing or taking in a museum trip - your options are wide open and the T can get you just about anywhere you'd want to go. Hungry college students seeking good Italian food and great Italian company need look no further than the North End, located a quick walk from the Haymarket stop on the Green and Orange Lines. Countless small restaurants line the streets, each suggesting that the meal will be an experience in itself. The narrow streets and old men speaking Italian makes you feel like you've wandered onto the set of every mob movie ever made ? but in a good way. You have probably heard about ? if not yet experienced ? the homemade pastas and cannolis, but you may not know that the North End was also home to Paul Revere. If you're feeling particularly patriotic, you can check out Old North Church, where lanterns were hung to warn the Boston suburbs that the British were coming. Ironically, you'll likely find that the North End - one of the oldest neighborhoods in America - is more European than any other section of any other city in this country. If you haven't yet hit Faneuil Hall, you're missing out on a quintessential tourist attraction. During the warmer months, the marketplace is characterized by the various plant stands and the overwhelming selection of fresh flowers. People gather in circles around performers who sing, perform magic tricks, and do just about anything else to please the crowd. In colder months (a.k.a., now) the outside courts are not nearly so crowded or boisterous, but the restaurants and bars that line the streets more than make up for it. When most people talk about going to Faneuil Hall, they really mean Quincy Market. Faneuil Hall refers to the building that once served as the location of the rebellious town meetings leading up to the revolution, earning it the nickname "Cradle of Liberty." Now the hall is home to historical paintings, a military museum, and a collection of small restaurants and shops. The recently renamed "Faneuil Hall Marketplace" ? the building formerly known as Quincy Market ? opened in 1826 and became Boston's first food market. Today tourists and natives alike flood the building for the variety of available foods and the busy atmosphere. But a word of advice ? if you're lucky enough to find a seat in the rotunda, hold onto it with your life because someone is likely laying in wait to jump in your seat should you get up. And if you can brave the cold (and cold, of course, means freezing), there's nothing more romantic, or just plain pretty, than a nighttime walk through Faneuil Hall when white lights illuminate the trees in the courtyard. Besides, you can always warm up at one of the many Starbucks that have cropped up in the area. Even commercialization has its perks.For a shopping scene closer to campus, stop by Harvard Square. This ever-popular destination for stir-crazy Jumbos deserves recognition as one of Boston's more interesting, honorary neighborhoods. Just two T stops from Davis, Harvard Square provides excellent shopping, live entertainment, and people watching to the most interesting extent. The variety of people that hang out at Harvard is noteworthy, from the downright nerdy to the skate punks. The stores in Harvard speak to this dichotomy ? the foreign language bookstore is just as well-known and popular as Urban Outfitters.If shopping is your forte, Newbury Street should be at the top of your priority list. Eight blocks of international shopping await you, with everything from Armani to Boutique Unique. Newbury Street is also a popular place to sit and people-watch at the restaurants and outdoor cafes that occasionally interrupt the blocks of stores. Just make sure that the people you notice are well out of ear shot before you start talking about them. Chances are good that they've got something in one of those shopping bags that would hurt you if they "accidentally" threw it in your direction. For a more active pastime, ice skating at Frog Pond in the Boston Common is an experience not to be missed. The music is a little teeny-bopper-ish and the rental skates are sometimes flawed, but the whole scene can't be beat - and the crowd is forgiving of those skaters who spend more time brushing themselves off from their last fall than actually skating. Whether you bring a big group of friends or you actually go for the ultimate cheesy-but-sort-of-sweet date, it's a good time. And if you're really miserably cold, you can always watch from afar with a cup of hot cocoa from the snack bar. There's a lot more to Boston than we could possibly print here, but if you're still lost for ideas, you can always make it a Blockbuster night.

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News

The buck stops there

March 31

Your palms were sweaty. As you made your way to the front door, you adjusted your tie or skirt for the 47th time in ten minutes. You took a deep breath as your mother advised, and you rang the doorbell, not knowing what to expect. The door opened and there, standing in front of you, was your last obstacle. Flashback to senior year of high school and one of the most intimidating parts of the college admission process ? the alumni interview. Even more intimidating is that the person who grilled you about your extracurriculars and volunteer work may not have been just any old Jumbo - he or she might have been a University trustee. But would that have meant anything to you during that nerve-wracking hour? Does it mean anything to you now?A trustee of a university is generally viewed as someone who has a lot of money and a burning desire to see his or her name on the front of the newest building on campus. But like most stereotypes, this diminishes the importance of the trustees. In essence, trustees are individuals who are willing to devote their time, energy, and yes, cash, to improve the university. This Friday and Saturday, the 37 members of the Tufts Board of Trustees will convene in Medford to discuss pertinent issues affecting the University. This is the second of the board's tri-annual meetings, with the other two taking place in November and May. According to Linda Dixon, secretary to the board and liaison between the trustees and the Tufts community, approximately eight trustee committees meet on a more regular basis throughout the year. "Three of [the eight committees] are the major committees that have the responsibility for major everyday matters," Dixon explained. These groups - Academic Affairs, Administration and Finance, and University Development - consist of members of the board, in addition to two student representatives, one undergraduate and one graduate student. These student representatives are elected to speak on behalf of the entire student body at trustee meetings. The name Jesse Levey, for example, probably rings a bell if you're an upperclassman concerned with getting on-campus housing next year. Levey, a junior, is one of three undergraduate trustee representatives who has been working to get the board to approve a plan for a 300-bed dormitory. On Saturday, Levey will make a presentation in support of the interests of Tufts students on the issue of housing. The Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate will also be in attendance."[The trustees] really take time to listen to students," Levey said. "They've always given me opportunities to share my opinions." Levey said that the trustees care a great deal about the lives of Tufts students ? if they didn't, they wouldn't invest so much time and money into the University. "They really are out for our best interests. Sometimes it's just hard because they are only on campus a couple days a year," he said.According to Dixon, the trustees volunteer their time to ensure that Tufts students enjoy their college experience. For generously giving their time and money, Dixon says that the trustees deserve recognition.But in light of the influence trustees wield, some people on campus worry that students and trustees do not interact enough. "It sucks that only certain people have the ability to talk to these trustees," senior Rene Grignon said. Part of the distance between trustees and students is due to a lack of interest on the part of the student body; but another factor is that trustees lead busy lives inside and outside of Tufts and simply do not have time to visit Tufts to mingle with its students. "Well, obviously I would like for there to be more interaction between the trustees and the students," Levey said. But he admitted that it is not always feasible, given the trustee's schedules.For junior Alethea Pieters, another undergraduate trustee representative, interaction between students and trustees should not even be an issue. "I'm not sure I understand the importance of getting to know the trustees better. That's not their role. Their role is to improve student life," she said. "That's why we have student representatives ? to bring the issues to them." Furthermore, Pieters added, if the trustees had the time to get to know more students, they would. So, how do representatives like Pieters and Levey decide what issues are important to the student body? Both agreed that talking to students from different venues ??be it classes, student organizations, or dorms ? is the most beneficial mode of uncovering the issues most pertinent to students. "We don't get to bring every issue to the board," Pieters said. "We really only bring the major issues, and I think that we do a good job of finding out what the major issues are on campus." And once the student representatives present these issues, how can the trustees judge what's best for the students? According to Dixon, the trustees stay very current on issues and attitudes on the Hill. She said that most trustees subscribe to and (more importantly) read the Daily and the Observer. "I think that the trustees are more aware of student life than students think," Dixon said. Many of the trustees are also on campus regularly, according to Dixon. "They're on campus, they go to the bookstore, they go to the library," she said. "They know the campus."When the board meets at Tufts, its schedule leaves room for little down time ? which prevents student interaction. Dixon stressed that although time constraints usually render informal meetings impossible, trustees enjoy getting to know students. "Most of the trustees went to school here and they really care about this place," she said. "They are intensely interested in this university."Approximately 85 percent of the trustees are Tufts alumni and about half of them have children who graduated from Tufts."I think the students have very fair representation with the trustees," Dixon said. Senior Bethany MacMillan said that holding a forum in which trustees can meet with student leaders of campus groups might prove enlightening for all involved. Just talking to trustee representatives or senators, MacMillan said, doesn't clue trustees into "the certain passions" that group leaders hold. To Grignon, an online poll that trustees could access which would allow students to enter their ID numbers and answer questions about student life would serve the University well.Levey said such a general, larger forum of the student body would be ideal, but is unrealistic in terms of time. "The trustees are very busy and they really don't have any time while they're here to meet with students, even though they'd like to," Dixon said.

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