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Bathroom Blues
August 31This campus has some serious bathroom issues. It seems that during construction of most buildings here, the men's bathrooms (I will not suppose to speak for women on this issue) were the last things to be considered. I have a small bladder that borders on incontinence, and I just don't feel welcome at Tufts. I can't wait until May when I graduate and head off into the real world, where there are many more bathrooms to choose from. The most famous example of Tufts' bathroom woes is the Tisch Library men's rooms. Did the Tisch family stipulate frightening bathrooms when they gave the money for the project? "Dear Trustees of Tufts College: Here is the money to build a great library, but with the following conditions: no e-mailing, and skimp on the bathrooms. In fact, make the bathrooms kind of scary, places where vandalism and sexual encounters take place. That will be neat. Sincerely, the Tisch family." The library bathrooms are little nooks of evil amidst an environment of higher learning. According to my analysis of the situation, fornication, voyeurism, and vandalism plague the downstairs bathroom, while the upstairs bathroom is home to mainly vandalism with an occasional incident of fornication. Thus the upstairs bathroom is the way to go, if only because the sheer scale of the vandalism is impressive. However, both bathrooms instill fear in my bladder. When I walk into either one I feel anxious, perhaps due to the red police warning attached to the door that says something like: "Warning: this bathroom is really, really messed up. The police don't even pee here, and they have guns. You may be filmed in here, and it is likely that there are no stall doors, and that one of the toilets is overflowing. But it is not like you have any choice, what are you going to do, walk to the Campus Center where they have the weird fountain sink? You're better off wetting yourself and going back to your studies - Tufts University Department of Public Safety." All the evil in the world seems to be flowing through both the downstairs and upstairs men's bathrooms. I am scared to go, not just because they are listed on a "cruising for sex" web site, because, I mean, whose room isn't on that list? I am scared because every time I go into a Tisch bathroom something essential is missing: doors on stalls, the handle that flushes the urinal, the toilet paper holder, the video camera that I usually wave to... all these things are in flux. There is more than a problem with vandalism in those bathrooms. I think there may be a time/space discontinuity, judging from the sheer amount of constantly missing items. On some level it makes me proud to go to a school where people are creative enough to walk out of a library with a bathroom stall door tucked under their shirt. It makes me wonder why I am not that creatively mischievous. There are so many challenges involved that the vandals have had to overcome. For example, how exactly does the perpetrator make it out of the library with the stall door? What do the people at the circulation desk say? "Oh, it's ok, as long as you're not stealing a book or doing e-mail. Have a nice night." Maybe whoever has taken the doors is just borrowing them for a while, after all, it is a library. What prompts people to steal a stall door anyway? Are they studying too hard and just crack? "No more calculus. Can't take it anymore! Must go pee. No, mustn't just pee, must steal stall door! Yes, I shall steal the bathroom stall door! Aha! Then you'll really be sorry, all you people out partying while I am in here. Next time you come in, you'll have to be half-naked in front of everyone else in the bathroom. Aha!" The combination of all the mysterious factors causes me to have frequent bouts of pee fright in the library bathrooms. I don't know if women have this problem with their plumbing, but basically it is when you have to pee, but can't, because you are self-conscious of your surroundings and feel generally 'weirded out' in some way. So you stand there with your John Thomas hanging out in the wind, and nothing happens. You have to encourage the stream along by saying things like, "It's ok. It's just a bathroom. No one is waiting for you; they're all waiting for someone else. You can do it dude, you can do it. There ya go, now isn't that better?" Urination problems of this sort are most common in crowded highway rest stops when a guy is forced to stand in line, and then tries to pee at a urinal while a motorcycle gang waits in line behind him. According to the American Council on Urinary Hesitation (ACUH) this ailment has never been documented in a library restroom before. The President of ACUH told the Daily that "this just shouldn't happen in a library. A library is supposed to be about learning, studying, reading, and the Dewey Decimal System - not urinary hesitation." The nearly constant vandalism has caused even more awkward moments for many men on campus. I have lost count of the number of times that I have walked in on a half-naked guy on the toilet. I am still waiting to stumble upon a humorous fellow who will say something like, "Come on in, I've been expecting someone. So, you crap around here often?" Instead I always get the frightened individual who mumbles something like, "Oh, um... I'm in here!" Hopefully I have not alienated my female readership by focusing on the men's rooms. I have no idea what the women's rooms are like; I would be more than happy to discuss them with someone who can enlighten me. Currently I envision them to be places of beauty and enchantment, or at the very least, more pleasant areas than the men's rooms. They probably have flowery wallpaper, comforting music, and stall doors. What I wouldn't give for some stall doors... I could keep going on this topic, but I have to pee.
News
Hotung hot with opinions and election excitement
August 31"I despise politics," junior Alwin Jones said amid a host of political junkies. "It's like a soap opera," he said, frustrated, readying himself for the 9 p.m. presidential debate.
News
Proposal in works to provide detail officers to parties
August 31In an attempt to ease the ongoing crackdown on Tufts' fraternity and off-campus parties, students and administrators are working on a plan to provide police details to weekend events. The proposal would reduce dissatisfaction with campus social life, as well as liability issues that were raised in court cases against two fraternity presidents at Tufts. The Committee of Fraternities and Sororities (CFS) is meeting this Friday to work out the details on a proposal that would have the University pay police officers to monitor three fraternity parties on each of the three weekend nights. The proposal, which could be implemented as early as the beginning of next semester, makes the detail officers responsible for ensuring that fraternities adhere to the required guidelines for parties. The officers would guarantee that mechanisms are in place for controlling parties, such as a guest list and identification bracelets differentiating who is legally allowed to drink, but would not be allowed to enter the house unless they have probable cause. "The fraternities are seeing this as a flexible option," Dean of Students Bruce Reitman said. "If there's an officer at the event, chances are it's not going to get closed early." However, there may be some further barriers on the police department side of the deal. Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) officers have traditionally opposed such assignments because they require working long shifts at late hours. Additionally, assigning one officer to ensure safety at these parties could possibly switch significant liability issues from the fraternities and the University to the detail officers. Having the officers at the parties would decrease the likelihood that future charges will be brought against fraternity presidents, Reitman said. "There is some shared responsibility for the event. It also reduces the exposure of the fraternity presidents... It will be more possible for them to keep control through a shared oversight of the event," he said. Under the proposal, fraternities will decide how to create a system for determining who will have parties when, in order to coordinate with the TUPD. "All the checks being put in place will make parties possible, but it's going to be a little different than it has been," Inter-Greek Council Vice President Louis Reines said. "The nature of all this policy change essentially will lead to parties becoming smaller." Advanced planning and registering will also be necessary. Reines said that although having officers monitor parties is not an ideal situation, it is a good way to compromise the University's concerns about liability with the students' desire for social outlets. "I'd really like it if we could just have parties like they were last year and the year before that," he said. "But, with the MIT incident and issues of liability, this is a necessary consequence. If it's going to save social life on campus, I think people will be willing to compromise a little." Tufts Community Union Senate Vice President Eric Greenberg, also a member of the CFS, hopes that the plan will help fraternities hold controlled parties so that police detail is no longer needed. However, he said that other steps need to be taken to provide students with non-alcoholic social outlets. "We don't have a Division I basketball team or Division I football team that everyone goes to watch," he said. "The administration should create something here." Reitman noted that he is assembling a committee to look at other ways to improve social life on campus, including increasing programming and extending hours of venues such as Hotung Caf?©. It has also been suggested that the University and the Senate partner with an outside business to sponsor a bus service to downtown Boston. "I don't think people should be forced to find social life off campus, but it may be part of the solution," Reitman said.
News
Tufts captain seeking one more career highlight
August 31According to Dave Drucker, the highlight of his Tufts soccer career so far occurred very close to its start in 1997. "We were playing Amherst on homecoming my freshman year and I assisted on the first goal," Drucker said. "The atmosphere was crazy with all the people there. It was a great way to start off my career." The goal led to a 2-0 defeat of Amherst and helped to give the Jumbos their last homecoming victory. Drucker is now a senior and has started for all four years of his career, spanning four successful years including a trip to the ECAC New England Championship in 1998. He has scored 18 goals and assisted on 20 others, giving him a career total of 56 points. "I don't really like to focus on statistics," Drucker said. "If I score, great. If I assist on the goal, wonderful. I just want to win the game." Still, Drucker's statistics for this season are impressive. Drucker has seven assists on the season, good for a share of the team lead with sophomore Matt MacGregor. His five goals and 17 points place him second on the team to MacGregor in both of those categories. Drucker is tied for eighth in the NESCAC in points with Franklin Perry of Amherst, and of the fourteen regular season games this season, Drucker has tallied a goal or assist in eight. Drucker's value to this year's team is measured in more than goals and assists. As a defensive midfielder, he is also vital in setting up the offense and presenting a strong first line of defense. "He's a strong kid, does a good job holding his position," assistant coach Pat Marino said. "He has a knack for putting the ball in the right place and making that final pass, in addition to scoring himself." Through his four years of college, Drucker believes he has improved the most as far as knowledge of the game is concerned. "I've learned a lot about the game in terms of what to do and what not to do," Drucker said. "I think my vision on the field and my knowledge of the game have improved in the last four years, and I really have to attribute that to Ralph [Coach Ferrigno]". This season has required Drucker to develop as a leader on the field. The team has nine freshmen, four sophomores, and six juniors so the two seniors (Drucker and goalkeeper Steve McDermid) must set good examples to effectively lead this talented but young team. "Steve and I have played together for four years so hopefully our experience has helped the other guys," Drucker said. His sophomore year, Drucker was named to the All-NESCAC second team, but the team struggled some during the regular season. The Jumbos recovered from an uncharacteristic 6-6-1 campaign to reach the ECAC New England championship game. Last season, Drucker was back on the All-NESCAC team again earning second team honors. Drucker was also named to the all-New England third team. He scored three goals and added two assists that year for a total of eight points. It was also a better year for the team as the Jumbos compiled a 10-5-1 record. "The winning is what is really important to me," Drucker said. "The honors are great, but it really comes down to wins and losses." The team has won quite a few games this season as well. "We have a lot of young guys with a lot of talent," Drucker said. "Everybody plays with a lot of heart. As a captain, I couldn't ask for anything more. The one constant throughout my career here has been a great group of guys that have played with a lot of heart and intensity." The Jumbos NESCAC season ended yesterday with a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Amherst, but the team is expected to qualify for the ECAC tournament which starts on Wednesday afternoon. A run at the ECAC championship would give the team, and Drucker himself, one more highlight for an already impressive Tufts career.
News
Jumbos stomp St. Mike's, 7-2
August 31Saying the right things only gets you so far; there comes a time when accolades come only with success. After drawing rave reviews in their first three quizzes, the men's hockey team passed their first exam with flying colors, pounding St. Michael's College 7-2 in Winooski, VT, on Wednesday night. So what was it about the Jumbos' win that was so unordinary? They overcame a three-hour bus ride. They battered their opponent in a place they had not won since early 1995. They netted the seemingly unconquerable total of seven goals for the fourth consecutive game. They maintained composure when their opponent drew dirty penalties. They dethroned the preseason number-one ranked team in the ECAC Division II with ease. And, they lit the lamp four times in the first period while playing what everyone agreed was "sloppy" hockey. Overall, coach Brian Murphy was pleased. "After a trip like that, it's difficult to get yourself ready to play in the first period," he said. "St. Michael's historically tries to take advantage of that. Luckily, we settled down. When we had our chances, we scored. But what I was most happy with was our discipline. That was really key. We stayed disciplined from start to finish." "It was awesome to go up there and win," junior Jason Boudrow said. "Everyone was pumped. To go to their place and beat them like that - we made a statement." Senior tri-captain Dan Mahoney echoed the forward's sentiments. "It was a big confidence builder," he said. "Our attitude was different this year. We went up there to win a hockey game, not to hope for some lucky bounces." Freshman standout Pat Byrne led the offensive attack with two goals, raising his season total to a team-leading six. Senior tri-captain Natan Obed had the Jumbos' first goal and chipped in three assists, and Boudrow tallied a goal and a career-high five assists. Sophomore Mike Carceo, Mahoney, and senior Justin Picone rounded out the scoring for Tufts. Ben Crapser continued his incredible freshman campaign in goal by stopping 30 shots. A pre-season question mark, Crapser has not only made the expected saves, but baled out the experienced blue line on several occasions. "Crapser was there to save us," Mahoney said. "We weren't covering the right guys. Our defense was noticeably shaky in the first 10-12 minutes. He was there though." Boudrow also raved about the freshman manning the posts. "He really is unbelievable. He is the backbone of this team right now," he said. "Our winning 7-2 could easily have turned into a tie game without him back there." The Jumbos knew that Boudrow would be a barometer of the team's success. Although he missed all of last season, Boudrow's torrid offensive production has been a key to Tufts' success thus far. "So far this year I feel good," he said. "I'm still not playing as well as I would like to... my timing is not all the way back yet." Even without his timing, Boudrow's presence has sparked an offense that lost its two most productive players from last year. Perhaps the biggest sign of things to come for this year's edition of the hockey team is the lack of complacency it has shown after its fast start. Players and coaches are quick to temper the November romp, always noting those things on which work must be done. "Our defense needs to be more consistent," said Mahoney, the blue line's anchor. Boudrow also spoke out. "We still have a things to improve on, like cleaning up our play in the defensive zone," he said. With the understanding that they will settle for nothing less than a championship, the Jumbos take an unblemished record into their Saturday rematch against Stonehill. "Stonehill is the best team we have played so far," Murphy said. "But we know if we play well we can win every and any game on our schedule. We will watch some tape, but we won the last game [7-4] so I don't think we have to adjust anything. We just have to be ready to play." Tufts looks to continue its winning ways in North Eaton on Saturday, where the puck will be dropped at 4:45.
News
Difficulty of retaining faculty of color continues
August 31The University has hired a significant number of tenured and tenure-track faculty of color over the past five years, but many students and professors are still calling for a more diverse faculty. Eight African-American faculty members left this semester, and many students have cited the University's low faculty-retention rate as its biggest obstacle to diversity. While the importance of maintaining a core of minority faculty members is shared by administrators, creating a staff that is representative of Tufts' undergraduate population is an extremely difficult process. Some students feel that Tufts has simply declared diversity a priority and set aside funds, but has accomplished little else. Currently, just over 18 percent of tenured or tenure-track faculty are of color - with 26 Asian or Pacific-Islander professors, 20 black professors, and 12 Hispanic professors, compared to the 253 white, non-Hispanic educators. While Ballou views these figures as promising, others assert that the number of minority professors on campus is unacceptable, denying students of color adequate mentors and a college life that reflects the nation's demographics. "If the effort is not put forth to get a diverse faculty and staff, how do you expect students to be more accepting of increased diversity?" freshman Tufts Community Union Senator Tiffany Gee said. A significant effort has been made to attract faculty of color to Tufts, and almost half of the tenure or tenure-track professors hired over the past five years - 33 of 72 - belong to a racial minority group. According to these statistics, Tufts' efforts to attract new faculty members of color are particularly successful, said Margery Davies, the director of the Office of Diversity Education and Development. "Most people who are told that 50 percent number are surprised," she said. However, Tufts has had difficulty retaining the new hires, and during the five-year period, 24 tenure or tenure-track faculty members of color left. Among African-American faculty, there were three tenure-track professors who left, and two non-tenure track - one who had been hired as a replacement faculty member for a one-year term, Davies said. There were also three staff departures. The reasons for the low retention rate are hard to pinpoint, as a faculty member's decisions to leave Tufts may or may not relate to the University's racial makeup. But critics of the University say that the reason why people leave is less important than the bottom line; there are less faculty of color at Tufts. One of the 24 faculty members who left was Steven Nelson, now an assistant professor at UCLA specializing in African-American art history. Nelson said that, while he could have imagined a "very long and very fruitful career at Tufts," several race-related issues contribute to Tufts' retention difficulties. "I was very well treated by the University and by my department, and that said, what was different were issues surrounding expectations. Expectation for minority faculty were different than for white faculty members," he said. "I was also told by various people that 'we love having you here,' but at the same time I was doing a lot of work compared to my white colleagues, and more work compared to most of them," he said. At Tufts, faculty of color are involved with "extensive mentoring," Vice President of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering Mel Bernstein said, and that extra duty can add some stress to the job. Nelson felt the pressure placed on faculty of color is part of a larger problem related to the way that the administration deals with racial issues. "The way Tufts defines diversity, which I don't think it good, is that, when there is any sort of a problem, they ask a minority faculty member to help out or sit on a committee," he said. "When you're a young faculty person, it's very difficult to say no. And in my case, it was impossible to say no." When faculty of color leave, it is often difficult to replace them because of the competitive academic market. Minority professors are in demand. Bernstein explained that there are a limited number of professors of color in America, and wooing them is a cutthroat business "Other universities have been actively recruiting faculty," he said. "We've made progress. We've improved our ability to attract a more diverse faculty. We're not able to retain faculty as we would like, for several reasons," he said. "When you think about the numbers game, when there aren't a lot of us around, people know who you are and they come after you," Nelson said. A UCLA study examining the status of ethnic-minority college and university faculty found that low numbers of faculty of color make this recruiting process even more difficult. "A major problem facing higher education is too few people of color are earning doctorate degrees, a job qualification required by the more elite universities. It's incumbent upon higher education to encourage young people of color to pursue academic careers and support them in that endeavor," said Professor Helen Astin, the lead author of the study. Frustrated with the departure of various African-American professors, the Pan-African Alliance (PAA) is attempting to push the administration to better address the issue of minority hiring and retention. Members of the PAA feel there is more the University could do to solidify its minority faculty base. "Professors leave in response to a sense of isolation in that they don't have colleagues to work with, that they don't have enough resources from the University, and that they're getting better offers from other universities," PAA political chair Carl Jackson said. "If you look at the issues on campus, what black faculty members would want to stay here and have to deal with all the other issues that take away from their teaching time." The consequences of a low concentration of minority faculty members are widespread, and many feel that it affects student-faculty relations, student social life issues, and dynamics within the faculty. "It makes you think that your culture group or your ethnicity isn't important. It even decreases the bond you feel with the faculty because you see a lack of other ethnicities," sophomore Ola Friday said. A faculty with few members of color can lead to a self-sustaining cycle that hinders attempts to attract and retain professors, according to an Association of American Law Schools document. "Perhaps the most important way to retain minority professors is to create a genuinely diverse faculty. Without a critical mass of minority colleagues, minority professors often feel isolated and alienated, and are more likely to leave," the articles reads. "If your recruiting stops with one minority professor or with just a few, you may continuously repeat a cycle of hiring a person, then losing that person, hiring a person, then losing that person." In addressing the issue of faculty diversity, the administration and academic departments are forced to prioritize their goals because of limited funds and the bureaucratic professor selection process. "Faculty hiring is a really complicated, messy process," Senate Cultural, Ethnicity, and Community Affairs Co-Chair Margie Yeager said. "In a search, they consider a variety of factors. It's hard - you can't just say you're going to higher five new faculty members. So that makes it difficult." "It's not just an administrative effort. Half is the administration, and half is the departments.... The University can push for diversity initiatives, and the departments can push for diversity, but everyone really has to be working together for it to happen," she said. "The University encourages the departments to pay attention to diversity, but they can't tell them what to do."
News
Green Party, Nader rally packs the Fleet Center
August 31The ride on the Green Line to the Fleet Center was swarming with Nader supporters. It was packed so tight that you wouldn't fall down if you lost your balance; one woman even got her foot caught in the subway door. And then the chanting started... "Let Ralph debate! Let Ralph debate!" Ralph Nader is the Green party candidate for president this November, but you won't see him this Tuesday night alongside Gore and Bush when they kick off the debate series at the University of Massachusetts - he doesn't have 15 percent support in the national polls. He currently has the support of five percent of eligible voters, or 14 million people. The Boston rally at the Fleet Center on Sunday was one of a series of Nader's "super rallies" designed to get people excited about Nader and the Green Party, and to encourage them to spread the word to all their friends and relatives. Striving to give supporters in attendance a good taste of his views, several politically progressive supporters also spoke at the rally Phil Donahue hosted. Historian and Boston University professor emeritus Howard Zinn opened the program. Following him was the vice-presidential candidate Winona LaDuke, and political commentator Michael Moore, who introduced Nader after a fiery speech. A leader from the Rainbow Coalition also made a brief plug for members of the progressive community in Boston to band together and be active beyond the campaign. A number of Tufts students attended the event, which drew an estimated 12,000 people. Sophomore Jesse Alderman, Tufts' campus representative for the Nader platform, sold 90 tickets to the rally here in a single week. "I have been amazed at the response at Tufts," he said. Alderman's reason for supporting Nader is simple but practical. "I don't see very much difference between Al Gore and George W. Bush. They have extremely similar policies that are in the corporate interests," he said. "College students have been so turned off by candidates that don't represent their interests one bit." The speakers all focused on Nader's philosophical distance from the major party candidates. In addition to their words, one of the highlights of the event was the screening of Nader's notorious campaign commercial on giant hanging monitors. The ad is a parody of the popular MasterCard advertisements. The video clip opens with images of George W. Bush and Al Gore on the campaign trail as a narrator says, "Grilled tenderloin for fund-raiser: $1,000 a plate. Campaign ads filled with half-truths: $10 million. Promises to special interest groups: over $10 billion." Nader, alone in an office surrounded by mounds of paperwork, then replaces Gore and Bush on the screen. The narration continues: "Finding out the truth: priceless. There are some things money can't buy. Without Ralph Nader in the presidential debates, the truth will come in last." The entire audience of the Fleet Center was on its feet, cheering and applauding at the end of the commercial. It was not the only standing ovation given at the rally. The crowd jumped to its feet as each and every activist took the stage. Zinn, historian and author of A People's History of the United States, was another highlight of the rally. Zinn has spoken at Tufts, and he encourages students to get in the habit of looking at things from a different perspective. Specifically, he advocates for examining history from the perspective of working people, not the ruling class. "We know why they're keeping Ralph Nader out of this election - it's because he has a fatal flaw. He tells the truth," Zinn said. Freshman Angie Mae Rodday went to the rally specifically to see Zinn speak. "My high school history teacher knew him, and I think he makes a lot of good points," she said. Nader's running mate, LaDuke, also spoke at the rally. One of Time Magazine's 50 most promising leaders under 40 years of age, she identifies herself differently. "I'm a mom of three, I'm concerned about the future of this country, and I'm running for vice president of the United States," she said in her address on Sunday. LaDuke lives on the White Earth Reservation in Minnesota and works on restoring the local land base and culture there. Filmmaker and author Moore was the next to speak at the rally. Angered by Nader's exclusion from the debates, Moore offered a sneak preview of Tuesday's event. This involved him repeating varying policy statements twice while jumping from one side of the podium to the other, thus representing both Gore and Bush at once. Not a difficult task, he claimed, given his view that they are, in essence, the same. "Why am I voting for Ralph Nader? I'm voting for Ralph Nader because it's the right thing to do," Moore said. Encouraging voters to "vote their conscience," Moore made a special plea to young people in the audience not to settle for less in the election, in politics, and in life. "You start going down a slippery slope," he warned. Moore also addressed the argument that some people have made questioning why anyone would vote for Nader when it's clear he won't win the election. "Is there some kind of mathematical problem I'm missing? Does anybody know who started this rumor that Ralph can't win? Well, Ralph can't win the World Series for the Red Sox, but you can't say that Ralph can't win this election." The highlight of the afternoon, of course, was Nader himself. Cheers erupted and confetti flew as he took the stage. He started with an observation of the irony of speaking in the Fleet Center. "I still call it the Garden," he commented. He proceeded to criticize the major party candidates and explain the focus of his campaign. "How are you going to shift the power to workers, voters, taxpayers of America? That's the central issue," he said. Nader then went on to describe some of the many reforms he was pursuing in the coming election. These include teaching civic skills to children, rehabilitating drug users instead of jailing them, ending tax loopholes for the rich, and instituting real campaign finance reform to restore democracy and put power back in the hands of the people. Nader refuses to accept more than the maximum contribution allowed by federal regulations from any individual, and he won't accept any money from corporations. But, the campaign was eager to accept any money that audience members would offer, halting the program of speakers to pass out contribution boxes. The money, they hope, will enable them to hold rallies in other cities. This will help them bring Nader directly to the people, without the media filter or the corporate interests. "If we as people do not pay for our politics, we leave it to the corporations to do it for us," said Nader organizer Mark McDougal. This request for money, on top of the $10 minimum ticket donation, is a big step up from the campaign Nader ran in the 1996 presidential election when he refused to accept any contributions from the audience. One supporter at the rally in Boston remembered this time. "The campaign was extremely disorganized. They wouldn't accept any money," he said of the 1996 effort. This year has been different, though. "I thought it was well-coordinated for the amount of funds that they had," freshman Ian Greenhouse said. Nader closed by urging the audience to heighten its political discourse. "Replace some of your small talk with exciting political talk about the future of our country." He encouraged the rally attendees to tell their friends, family members, co-workers, and acquaintances about his platform against a corporate America. A win, according to Nader, is expanding the local, county, and state Green Party-line awareness. The Tufts students at the rally were very much aware of Nader's slim chances at winning the general election in November. Freshman Emily Good, a registered member of the Green Party in New York, said it would be great for now if the party supporters just grew enough to include representatives in Congress. Alderman is planning on printing more handouts and flyers to be distributed on campus. "Hopefully this will create a momentum for us," he said. Students from Boston University, Boston College, Northeastern, and MIT accompanied the Tufts contingent. Rodday was excited to see the youthful turnout. "As college kids, it's really our responsibility to think for the future," she said.
News
Some mass fines eliminated, but students still forced to pay
August 31> In addition to tuition and housing, students are faced with numerous fines and fees throughout the year - either to access certain University services or as penalties for damages and misbehavior. Students have long complained about the financial burden caused by these fees, and the administration has responded by removing many of them this semester. However, numerous departments ranging from Residential Life to the Dean of Students Office continue to charge students anywhere from $100 to $400 each year for many services and infractions. One of the highest fees students pay every year goes to Health Services. The money, which was $464 this year, allows students an unlimited number of visits to Health Services or the Counseling Center each year, and to receive primary care, over-the-counter medicine, nutrition advising, counseling and gynecological care. The health services feel also pays for three visits to a psychiatrist, but students must pay for subsequent appointments as well as dermatologist and orthopedic visits and lab requirements. The health services fee has increased consistently at rate of 3.9 percent for the last few years, as has the overall University tuition. Director Michelle Bowdler explained that while not every student uses $464 worth of services each year, the charge is necessary because it provides the operating budget for the department. "Students receive more valuable treatment and attention from the fee," she said. It allows Health Services to streamline its processes and advance computer programming, which in turn improves the efficiency of the department. Besides the student activities fee, the Health Services fee is the only large fine that is imposed on all students. Several major fines were eliminated this semester, as most felt that they were unfair and a burden for financially-strapped students. Residential Life changed its policy of fining everyone with a key to the building for damage that occurred within it after students became angered over several incidents in Wren Hall last spring. Dorm residents were vocal about the unfairness of mass fines after they were fined after a pinball machine was destroyed and a fire extinguisher was misused. For the most part, students have been pleased with the abolition of group fines in residence halls. "The mass fining made a lot of people unhappy," Assistant Director for Staff and Judicial Programs Robert Clark said. Acting Director of Residential Life Lorraine Toppi said that the policy was revised so that "students' experience at Tufts could be more enjoyable." Under the new policy, no one is fined when a culprit for damages remains anonymous and students are rewarded for revealing information about the incident. The University, therefore, is left to cover the cost of such occurrences, which means that every student is paying for it through tuition. Another change occurred in the alcohol policy this semester, as the administration abolished the fine for violations and instead mandated that students be placed on probation. Previously, students were fined $50 for their first offense, and the fine increased with each additional infraction. Students have expressed widespread satisfaction with these changes. Senior Jackie Brot and her housemates were each charged with a $100 fine for a noise violation at an off-campus party last year. They had to meet with the Dean of Students to discuss the matter. "This party did not concern the University at all, and they shouldn't have gotten involved," she said. Brot and other students feel that the new policy is fairer, as the monetary fine was arbitrary and students were sometimes able to talk their way out of the punishment. Then there are some fines that students bring upon themselves and accept as part of collegiate life, such as those imposed by Dining Services and Tisch Library. The Library imposes a 25 cent fine a day for overdue books, and the money goes to the general Arts, Sciences, & Engineering operating budget. Dining Services often assesses a five-dollar fee to students who wish to gain entrance to the dining halls without their ID cards. However, that fee is subjective and the staff is advised to use their own judgement when applying it. This charge goes to the Senior Fund, which is a division of Financial Aid. Director of Dining Services Patti Lee said that a deterrent fine is necessary because as much as $2,000 can be stored in students' ID cards. "We want to know that it's you [as you enter the dining hall]," she said. Students who change or cancel their meal plans after the three-week grace period at the beginning of the semester are also charged a fee that goes to recover costs and pay the dining staff. There is also a fine if students are caught stealing or damaging utensils or property of Dining Services. This charge starts at $50 and can increase depending on the offense. Lee said that such instances are rare and fining often does not take place. She recalled one incident where a student stole dishes and silverware from one of the dining halls to make dinner for his girlfriend. "We would have gladly loaned it to him if only he had asked," said Lee. Parking is one example of how students are charged for services they use, as students must pay a fee each semester to obtain a parking decal. If cars are not parked in the few designated places or if they do not display proper permits, drivers face another fine from the Department of Public Safety. The type of parking ticket given out varies depending on where the violation occurs and how many times the vehicle has previously been ticketed. Visitors to the campus are also expected to pay five dollars a day for parking in visitor spaces at the University's new parking garage.
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Community calls for administration to take action against discrimination
August 31Chants of "Hey DiBaggs, up in Ballou. We don't discriminate, how about you?" and "2-4-6-8, we don't discriminate" accompanied the sound of beating drums and saxophone tunes as students, faculty, and members of the community joined hands in a circle around Ballou Hall yesterday afternoon. During this march and a rally on the library roof, event organizers approximate that 450 to 500 people turned out to request that the administration address issues of discrimination on campus. The party-like atmosphere created by the music quickly turned serious, as several short speeches by students and faculty implored those in attendance to action. Rally-goers were loud, and united in cheer to support the speakers' demands for administrative attention to the issue of discrimination. Organizers chanting "Out of your closets and into the streets" then led the boisterous crowd around the academic quad and to Ballou, where members of Tufts Students Against Discrimination (TSAD), an ad hoc committee of concerned students formed last week, delivered the 2,000 petitions in support of their cause to President John DiBiaggio's office. The slew of hate incidents this semester combined with the Tufts Community Union Judiciary's (TCUJ) ruling on a complaint of discrimination filed against the Tufts Christian Fellowship (TCF) spurred a campus-wide movement to fight discrimination. TSAD's petition criticized that decision, saying that it nullified Tufts' non-discrimination policy, and therefore calls for the administration to "intervene in this decision and fully protect the student body." "I feel that our University needs to be a safe university for all students. I feel the ambiguities mentioned in the TCUJ decision and the separation between beliefs and identities make it unsafe," said junior Roger Winn, one organizer of the event. "I hope it shows the school that we're mad. The school can step in at any time to overrule the J," TTLGBC co-coordinator Laurie Bishop said. "The school is going to realize sooner or later that they can't just let this happen." Protestors returned to the library roof and vowed not to stop their fight until they achieve change. "This not the end, this is only the beginning. Changing people's ideas takes a long time," organizer Kat Cheung told the crowd. "Please keep the student power alive. We can make a difference. We can effect change." Members of TSAD will be meeting with DiBiaggio on Friday morning and are asking him to hold a community forum to discuss the issue of discrimination. They are also demanding that the administration strengthen the non-discrimination policy, as they feel the TCUJ ruling implies that it is ineffective. Dean of Students Bruce Reitman attended the event and said that the administration will be working to address this issue. "Whether people are unsafe or feeling unsafe, that's a community problem that needs to be addressed, and it will be addressed," Reitman said. "The clear message is that people are concerned about safety and concerned about each other." Rally organizers were thrilled with the turnout. "The number of people that showed up for this rally shows how much we care about this University," Cheung said. "It's no longer an issue about TCF." The crowd was not limited to members of the Tufts community, as other area college students and people from Medford, Somerville, and Boston came to add their voices to the calls for action against discrimination. Students said that they were drawn to the rally because they feel that the TCUJ's ruling in the TCF case leaves members of the Tufts community potential victims to widespread discrimination. "I think this decision sets a dangerous precedent for the school," junior Vanessa Dillon said. "I think it's good that people realize that this isn't just a gay rights issue. It's not just a minority issue either, it's a human rights issue." "The present non-discrimination policy affects everyone, and it is great that such a big population came to show their concern," said junior Merneysa Rivera, who heads the TCU Senate's committee on Culture, Ethnicity, and Community Affairs. "It's great that this rally transcended all lines and boundaries between every group on campus." Not all students who attended the rally agreed with TSAD's argument that the TCUJ nullified the non-discrimination policy. "I support the TCUJ decision. I feel like here we have an issue where we have two rights in conflict. The ruling is the best possible way to reconcile the two sides," said sophomore Aaron Clift, who held a sign proclaiming that Tufts is safe. "I feel that what's really being silenced on this campus is the voice of common sense." Some criticized organizers for turning the cause of concern about discrimination into a protest over the TCUJ ruling. "This was not supposed to be strictly about TCF and non-discrimination. I'm very upset that it has turned into a protest," junior Angel Vail said. "We need to have a forum like the one on Thursday night, rather than screaming, which doesn't get results. I support the whole idea of this, but I don't support their means of doing it."
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Hello, I Love You
August 31There's always that "special someone" who doesn't even realize how you feel... or who you are. She could be anyone: the girl that you always see in Dewick on Monday afternoon, the one you walk behind from class to class all day, that one in your English class who just looks like she'd be so nice (and girls, feel free to change this to "guy" as appropriate). Yes, it's childish, and yes, you do it. You've never talked to her, she's never noticed you, and you don't even know her name (unless you're stalking her, that is), but you absolutely know that things would be great if you could just find some way to get your feelings across. What better way to proclaim your unrequited love and make her feel the same way than a persuasive mix tape? Avoid the most obvious of advances (U2's "All I Want Is You" is over the line) and use this list instead. Some of the songs are sweet and some are dejected, but together, both sides of this tape are about as subtle as a teddy bear with a red satin bow. How you get her to sit down and listen to it is up to you.Side A Semisonic, "Singing In My Sleep" Barenaked Ladies, "The Old Apartment" Bill Withers, "Use Me" Mother Love Bone, "Chlo? Dancer/Crown of Thorns" The Cars, "Just What I Needed" Liz Phair, "Polyester Bride" The Beatles, "When I'm Sixty-Four" B?©la Fleck and the Flecktones, "Big Country" Guster, "Happier" Third Eye Blind, "God of Wine"Side B Dave Matthews Band, "#41" The Get Up Kids, "Mass Pike" Jackson 5, "I Want You Back" Indigo Girls, "Galileo" Paul Westerberg, "Waiting for Somebody" Eddie Money, "Take Me Home Tonight" The Rolling Stones, "Beast of Burden" The Verve Pipe, "The Freshmen" Sugar Ray, "Falls Apart" Neil Young, "Silver & Gold" Billy Joel, "And So It Goes"
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Greek system should reach out to other minorities
August 31To the Editor:I would like to comment on the article, "Minorities and the Greek system" (11/29). This article commented about the lack of racial diversity in the Greek system, but failed to include other minorities as well. Although I support increasing the racial diversity of the Greek system, I do not think that we should stop there. It is also important to have members of the Greek systems practicing different religions, growing up in different types of neighborhoods, and having different sexual preferences. It is not very often that I hear someone show concern over the number of gay or bisexual students in the Greek system. I believe that this is another important minority that should have been included in the article. I am a bisexual sorority sister, and I currently do not know of any others. I do, however, know of girls that have rushed in the past that were not heterosexual, and I am positive that this will occur again in the future. I have been lucky enough to find sisters that know of my sexual preference and accept it even to the point where I can mention it in a group without it even being an issue. Supporting students that are in a minority due to their sexual preference is just as important as supporting those that are in a racial minority.It was also mentioned in the article that many minority students are not interested in the Greek system because they believe that they are losing part of their heritage. I believe that this can be the case with many students. I classify myself as a Caucasian and Latina bisexual female, and I still actively participate in cultural events on campus, including those not within my own heritage. Having students of different heritage, different religions and different identities empowers the Greek system. It is important that the members of the Greek system at Tufts reach out and relate to Tufts students of all backgrounds and identities.Angel Vail, '02
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Compilations and contemplative females galore
August 31Bare WireDelicatessenEristikos------2 stars-------- Bare Wire's debut CD is one that easily escapes classification. Her voice evokes mental pictures of Tori Amos, but any such comparison just wouldn't hold up. Bare Wire is a conceptual artist, something different from the drudgery of the standard female singer-songwriter scene. Delicatessen is meant to be a collection of self-portraits, of songs with titles like "Versimilitude," "Tunnel Visionary," and "Airport" - songs that one by one paint a portrait of the artist that has written them. Her lyrics are high-pitched and unintelligible, and her tracks are markedly short. In fact, the 15-track album clocks in at just over a half-hour in length. Instrumentation sounds deliberately artificial, and the CD is laden with deep, sustained, reverberating cello notes that paint a sonic portrait of terror and confusion. Delicatessen is a decidedly odd album, but it does make surprisingly good background music for studying or being contemplatively alone. (RB)DJ SkribbleEssential Dance 2000Atlantic Records------1 star------ Even if y7ou loved Cher's dance hit "Believe," it's probably not a good sign that there's a remix of it on Essential Dance 2000. What's truly incredible, though, is that DJ Skribble manages to drive the catchiness that made the song popular completely out of existence. Skribble wants popular appeal, and he aims at the lowest common denominator. He takes no risks (and so benefits nothing), remixing songs from well-known modern radio bands - among them Filter, Amber, Paula Cole, Vengaboys, and Moby - by simply adding extra beats and squeals. Some of his work is reminiscent of 1993 club wonder Haddaway. Don't remember that one? Of course not, but Haddaway was the artist behind "What Is Love" of Saturday Night Live and A Night At The Roxbury fame. If all that isn't enough to turn you off, that's fine. Go ahead and buy Essential Dance 2000. It was made with you in mind. (DS)Sara LeeMake It BeautifulRighteous Babe Records-----4 stars----- Sara Lee begins her solo career with impeccable credentials, and she proves them well. She's recorded baselines for the B-52's, Indigo Girls, Ani DiFranco, and Fiona Apple. With so much exposure to great music, the listener hopes for great things - and Lee doesn't disappoint. Songs like "Grace" combine her obvious rhythmic inclinations and previously underused vocals into something both memorable and driven. All of the tracks beg to be danced to, but - short of a heavy drum-machine remix - none of them would ever work well at Axis. Rather, these are concert tunes, ones that make you want to move with the performer as the world jams around her. The lyrics are precise and clean, but that's one point where Lee can't take credit: guests like DiFranco and Indigo Girl Emily Saliers wrote them. No shame there, though - if you could get them to write vocals like this for you, don't pretend you wouldn't. (DS)Various ArtistsListen.com Picks: Hip-HopNoiseland-------3.5 stars--------- Apparently online music showcase Listen.com has heard the future of hip-hop, and it's promising. This recently released compilation of fifteen tracks from up-and-coming artists from around the world touts the diversity of the global hip-hop community. Take, for example. EnterpriZe's "What About Love?" The Virgin Islands trio artfully blends classic R&B sensibility with modern rap lyrics. While that number may be a throwback to the 70s, most tracks give a sonic glimpse ahead to the soundscape of the future. Handsome Boy Modeling School's "Rock 'N' Roll (Could Never Hip-Hop Like This)" and Meta 4's "Numb Niggazz" deliver traditional samples over digital techno beats. While the effort to show global unity in hip-hop is laudable, it doesn't always work. Malaysia's Teh Tarik Crew sounds like a rapping ESL class, and Tony Scalpels' British-accented ghetto rants are questionable. The message is clear, though: hip-hop culture has made it to all corners of the globe. (RB)
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One fine mess in New York
August 31With the city's gaze focused squarely on Shea and Yankee Stadiums in the past few weeks, one of the biggest stories of the year in New York has gone virtually unnoticed. What happened last week at Madison Square Garden was not a Subway Series, nor was it a ticker tape parade. But Mark Messier's return to the New York Rangers evoked memories of the team's magical 1994 Stanley Cup season, and more importantly, may have been the beginning of a new era which could produce more memories. Messier spent three years away from the Big Apple, but for Ranger fans, it felt like an eternity. The Captain was let go, signed by the Vancouver Canucks after then-team president Neil Smith decided that his skills had faded. Whether or not they actually did is up for debate. What is not is that Messier's leadership was sorely missed, as the team finished below .500 and out of the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. That prompted new team president Glen Sather to re-sign Messier this offseason, despite his age (39) and diminishing numbers (Messier accumulated 60 or fewer points in each of the last three years, which he had not done since the 1984-85 season). The results have been mixed so far, but Messier's presence has awoken a moribund franchise filled with well-paid veterans and energized Ranger fans. He led the team to wins in its first two games of the season, picking up an assist on the team's first goal of the season in a 2-1 win over the Atlanta Thrashers before his Garden party last Wednesday. In that game, Messier electrified a sold out Madison Square Garden, scoring the game's second goal, which would also be the game winner, and leading the Rangers to a 3-1 victory. Then, in an 8-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, Mess scored two goals and picked up an assist, before going pointless in Monday night's loss to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Although 2-2-0 is nothing to celebrate, it compares favorably with the Rangers' recent past, especially last year, when they stumbled out of the gate and never recovered, despite having by far the highest payroll in the NHL. Perhaps even more encouraging is Messier's play, which seems to have been reinvigorated by the return to the city that never really stopped admiring and rooting for him, even after he left New York. But what is more exciting for the Rangers is that once again there is hope for a franchise that seemed lost in recent years. Messier's return, combined with the addition of new coach Ron Low and Sather means that the Rangers have three of the best leaders in hockey. And once baseball season is over, fans in New York will be very glad that they do.
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Jumbos try to scratch eight-year Homecoming itch
August 31The Jumbos look to end eight consecutive years of winless Homecoming games on Saturday when the Williams Ephmen come to town for a 2 p.m. game at Zimman Field. While the typically intimidating Ephs are not the ideal opponent in terms of ending the drought, Tufts may just have its best chance at victory in recent years against a team that is traditionally its toughest opponent. The last time the Jumbos (2-2) won a Homecoming match was in 1991, when they topped the Amherst Lord Jeffs by a 28-17 margin. Since then the team has racked up XXX losses to Williams, as well as a 10-10 tie in 1992. The most recent Homecoming game against the Ephmen came in 1998, when the Jumbos took a 4-0 record into the much-anticipated match-up and were hit with a 42-7 drubbing. Tufts coach Bill Samko maintains that even though Williams comes in with a mediocre 2-2 record, the team is no less talented than in years past. "They're definitely the best team we'll have played to this point," he said. Tufts came close to knocking off Williams last season, trailing 28-21 late in the fourth quarter in a late-season game in Williamstown. The Jumbos had a first and goal at the Williams five with the final seconds ticking away, but could not find their way into the end zone on repeated attempts. The victory extended Tufts' winless streak against Williams to 14 years, which includes 11 losses and two ties. In fact, Williams coach Dick Farley has not lost to the Jumbos since coming to the Ephs in 1987. Farley, who brings an overall coaching record of 90-15-3 to the field, lost his first three games as Williams coach in 1987. Legend has it that he lined up each of his players outside of his office after the third loss and asked them to explain why the team was struggling. Since that talk, Farley's team has not once lost two straight games. But that can change tomorrow, as the Ephs come off a 7-0 defeat at the hands of Middlebury last weekend and stand at 2-2. The injury-ridden offense could not manage a point in the loss, which also sets up the prospect of the team falling to an almost unheard-of below-.500 record with a loss to Tufts. But Samko is not deceived. "I'm not deluded by their record," he said. "They're still immensely talented." While the last time these two teams met in a Tufts Homecoming match culminated in a 42-7 drubbing by the Ephmen, things are a little different this time around for both teams. Most important for the Jumbos and Ephmen are resolving problems on offense and avoiding crucial mistakes that may have cost the team early games. Tufts' young offense has struggled at times, which is to be expected with an offensive line comprised of nearly all freshmen and sophomores, youth at the starting wideout position, and both quarterback options never having started a collegiate game prior to this season. The nod this week will likely go to sophomore Scott Treacy, who started the second and third games of the season, but was knocked out early on against Bowdoin two weeks ago. The athletic quarterback takes the reins from another sophomore, Todd Scalia, who has seen the majority of time at the position so far this season and has impressed at times, but has made costly mistakes as well. Scalia's fourth-quarter interception pass against Trinity last week could have made the difference in a 28-23 loss to the Bantams. "We made too many mistakes last week," Samko said. "We threw three interceptions. We have to eliminate those mistakes." But Williams is not entirely confident with its own quarterback situation, either. The Ephs will start freshman Joe Reardon on Saturday. Reardon made his first collegiate appearance in last weekend's loss to Middlebury. Like Scalia, Reardon came through at times, but also like Scalia, he threw two interceptions. Reardon took over the starting job last week from Marshall Creighton, who threw five interceptions in the first three games of the season. Both teams, then, will have to deal with the inexperience factor. Running back Brian Holmes is the only senior starting on offense for Tufts. Holmes is complemented by sophomore tailback Chuck McGraw, who had not started a game prior to this season. The starting wideouts, sophomore Bryan Pitko and freshman Matt Cerne, are also new regulars to the team. "We're a very young offensive team," Samko said. "There are times when Holmes is not in the game and we have no seniors on the field." Samko also says that Holmes, who suffered a hamstring injury earlier this season, has not practiced at all this week. The 1999 All-NESCAC athlete at special teams racked up 84 yards in last week's loss, and had not practiced for most of the week leading into the game. He had not played the week before due to the injury, after having his best game in week two, rushing for 131 yards in the Jumbos' 12-10 win over Bates. The Ephmen were expected to field a formidable ground attack, and did so in the early stages of the season, but injuries have depleted the teams' rushing game. Touted senior Fred Storz rushed for 196 yards in the first three games, while senior David Kinsley has compiled 216 yards on 43 carries in four games. But injury forced Storz out of commission last week, and neither he nor Kinsley are expected to be in uniform come Saturday's game. Instead, the running duties will be given to another freshman, tailback Mike Hackett. The wounded running game means the pressure will be on freshman Reardon, and the team's top receivers, senior Matt Student and junior Collin Brooks. Student has caught for 231 yards in four games thus far this season. Williams has allowed on average only 12 points a game this season, while Tufts has given up 19 per contest. In a battle of untried and mistake-prone offenses, the defenses could have a significant impact on the end result, with the game decided by a careless offensive mistake or two. Either way, one thing is sure: you can throw out those '90s Homecoming results, because this game will have quite a novel look.
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Jackie is the 'Drunken Master'
August 31As the price of movie tickets and movie concessions continues to rise, the movie critic must also continue to raise the standards of what makes a good movie. After all, if you're going to shell out at least eight dollars just to get into the theater (let alone what you spend on popcorn, drinks, etc.), you should be getting your money's worth. In other words, the gap between movies that are "not bad" to movies that are "very good" is constantly widening. Into this gap falls The Legend of Drunken Master, the latest entry from Chinese super-star Jackie Chan. Both a martial arts expert and a gifted comedian, Chan has been compared to everyone from Bruce Lee to Buster Keaton. He's a little of both, actually, and he brings a spark to every film he is in. No matter what surrounds him, Chan is always worth watching. The dilemma, however, is whether the film that surrounds him is worth seeing in a theater or better left to video. This is a question of taste: his latest films, Rush Hour and Shanghai Noon, have had more comedy than action; while early hits like Rumble in the Bronx and Supercop were kung-fu intensive with a little humor added in. The Legend of Drunken Master (which is actually a sequel to an earlier film Chan made) is an uneasy mix between the two styles, and it shows. Sometimes funny, sometimes amazing but mostly silly, Drunken Master is probably left better to video - which is where it's been since its original release (and over-dubbing) in 1994. It's important to understand that most of Chan's films are made of the same elements: bad dubbing, incoherent dialogue, dismissible plot, silly jokes, incredible kung fu, and - of course - Jackie Chan. Drunken Master is technically about a master of drunken boxing trying to stop some British thieves from stealing Chinese artifacts, but this plot-line is practically disregarded for 90 percent of the movie. Most of the fights are started with an awkwardly inserted "Get him!" and Chan giving an "I-don't-want-to-fight-but-I-will-defend-myself!" facial expression. Most of the jokes fall flat, while the characters are indistinguishable and are over-played by terrible actors. The line, "Gentlemen, everything is going to plan," is actually used. In truth, this is probably one of Chan's weakest films in terms of story and plot - even Rush Hour had a plot. It is in the fighting sequences, however, that respect must be paid. The drunken boxing sequences, along with an amazing fight in a restaurant, are masterpieces of timing and execution. There are no stuntmen in Jackie Chan films: all the flips are real, all the blows connect, and when someone lights Chan on fire, he is actually on fire. While recent films like The Matrix and (to a lesser extent) Romeo Must Die have raised the bar for American martial arts films, there is no substitute for a Chinese/Hong Kong action sequence. Drunken Master is no exception. The skill with which Chan performs his drunken boxing is unmatched. So once again, the question is posed; is this worth eight dollars and two hours of your time? Probably not. This is not one of Chan's better movies, and there are no standout sequences that would be diminished on video. But if you're a fan, and you want to see the master at work, eight dollars is a bargain.
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Young guns power Oakland
August 31On Dec. 9, 1992, the Atlanta Braves signed Greg Maddux from the Chicago Cubs. Maddux was added to a starting rotation that included a few young pitchers no one had really heard of. Their names? John Smoltz and Tom Glavine.
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Student activism spawns from recent TCF ruling
August 31Junior Phil Anwer screamed in frustration as he exited East Hall following Monday night's meeting of Tufts Transgendered, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Collective (TTLGBC). A mob of angry students followed, engaged in heated discussion over the Tufts Christian Fellowship (TCF) ruling. Many were too upset to comment on the decision as they towards Oxfam Caf?© for the first of what they say will be many meetings regarding student response to the controversial ruling. The feeling of exasperation was obvious as those in attendance struggled to understand the nuances and significance of this landmark case. The efforts at understanding underscored a common fear - that outcry over such a complex issue would remain within the gay community. "I just hope that this doesn't turn into a queer issue. I hope that this is an issue that everyone cares about," Anwer said, shaking his head. In an attempt to clarify the decision for the audience, Tufts Community Union Judiciary (TCUJ) member junior Michael Ferenczy came to facilitate the discussion and explain the intricacies of the ruling. Passing out papers that laid out the decision, Ferenczy went through the various motions amid a constant bombardment of questions and critiques. Students jotted down notes as they listened to one another's comments and prepared for the next strategic move. At the end of his explanation, Ferenczy assured the intimate crowd that the ruling did not justify or support the actions of the TCF. "What we didn't say in [the ruling] was whether this was right or wrong. We weren't trying to make a statement," he said. Having clarified the issues and decision, the students' focus shifted to making their outrage known by the campus at large. To ensure that members of the University relate to and understand the implications and true significance of the case and its outcome, students at the meeting decided to create a direct action plan. The first order of business was to create an "umbrella" organization called Tufts Students Against Discrimination (TSAD), composed of groups such as Hillel, TTLGBC, the Coalition for Social Justice, and Pan African Alliance (PAA). Targeting the administration and the students, TSAD hopes to launch a number of initiatives both on and off campus. "At this point, the whole entire campus is without a discrimination policy," sophomore Adam Carlis said, explicating the impetus behind the movement. Sophomore Louis Esparza, now a member of TSAD, agreed with Carlis. "It's pretty obvious that the non-discrimination policy isn't as effective as it needs to be and it needs to be changed," he said, rallying support from the group. Members of the new organization have already set up a meeting with Dean of Students Bruce Reitman to discuss potential policy changes. Carlis is optimistic that this meeting, set for tomorrow, will make strides. "This non-discrimination policy can be effectively changed," Carlis said. In addition to the assistance TSAD is hoping to garner from the administration, members plan to educate and mobilize their fellow students. They agreed to speak of the issues related to the non-discrimination policy and the ruling in their classes. "[We need to] help people relate it to themselves," senior Julie Catalano, the plaintiff in the case, said. "We're all angry and we all have to do something," Carlis added. The specific impetus behind the direct action is the view that the ruling itself is yet another hate crime plaguing the Tufts community. "We used to have nine [hate crimes] and now we have ten," Esparza said. Because students in the anti-discrimination group think the ruling is so nefarious, certain events already slated for next week have been reworked and intensified. The "Take Back the Night" rally scheduled for next Monday night has been renamed the "Take Back the School Rally." Carlis shared his vision of an enormous rally that would take over the library roof and then some. Students at the Oxfam gathering spoke of preceding the rally with a University-wide walk-out scheduled earlier that day. A request was also made to draft a letter to the administration, high schools around the country, and relevant newspapers such as the Daily, The New York Times and The Boston Globe. Students thought that a letter would be the most effective way to explain their perspective on the ruling. "We need to let them know that Tufts University is not a safe place," Carlis said. Students are hoping that their actions will have a drastic outcome. "[Tufts is] going to have 10,000 [fewer] applications next year and then [it's] f---ed. People will say: it's not safe at Tufts," Carlis said. Despite lofty hopes for change, some are wary of the administration's potential response. A member of Hillel made reference to a past student protest launched in the '80s that elicited stringent response from the administration. Other members of the group were concerned that high schools receiving the information about the TCF ruling wouldn't be fazed. Touting the prestige of the Tufts name, junior Amy Gelender said that her guidance counselor would most likely not share the report about the incident with others. Other TSAD members disagreed, arguing that their high schools would not hesitate to share information like this with students. Despite these difficulties, students plan to keep their campaign moving. In addition to their proposed activism Carlis has created a special web group to facilitate student involvement in the movement.
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Volleyball heads into NESCAC tournament
August 31After a demoralizing loss to MIT in its final regular season match up, the Tufts' volleyball team heads into the NESCAC Tournament at 16-16. After a promising 8-4 start, the Jumbos faced tougher competition after the first two weeks and ended the season at .500. Tufts fell to the Engineers in three straight games on Thursday. During the Thursday's match, when every player on the team was used, coach Kris Talon's squad post only 18 points in three matches. In the first match of the evening, the Jumbos lost 5-15, but they fought back in the second match, losing by a 12-15 margin. In the third and final match though, MIT swept the floor with the Brown and Blue winning the game 15-1. Despite the team's difficulty on the offensive end, freshman Amy Cronin launched her way to a .500 attacking percentage (seven kills with only one attacking error). Her counterparts, the "Killer S's," had off days. Jessica Stewart smashed over seven kills, but she also committed six attacking errors, which dragged down her attacking average to a dismal .042. Tri-captain Karen "Bear" Sillers crushed six kills and made three attacking errors, decreasing her uncharacteristically low attacking average to .158. Serving, which has hindered the Jumbos this entire season, was average. Tri-captain Kyre Austin led the team with one service ace. Tufts posted a combined service percent of .850 on the day, which falls below the year average of .905. Defensively, the team was not much sounder. "Bear" dominated the defense with eight digs, and Megan Pitcavage helped out as well with six digs of her own. There were only four blocks on the day (Pitcavage, Danielle Cafasso, Lis Drake, Lindsey Moses). Team members hope to put the game behind them and instead focus on the NESCAC Tournament, which will be held at Bowdoin. "No matter who is on the other side of the net," Tri-captain Nancy Phear said, "we want to play the best we can on our side. If we do, we'll be unstoppable." "We will open the tournament against Bowdoin which is a last place team," Talon said. " With a win against them, we would play Amherst, who we have lost to twice over this season. But, whoever wins that game, will head to NCAA playoffs."
News
Whiting enters sophomore season as soccer coach
August 31Last year, Martha Whiting took over a women's soccer team ranked fifth in the nation and first in the region. The Tufts graduate (LA '93) had spent seven years as the assistant coach, but this was to be her first campaign as general instead of lieutenant. Whiting's debut was a success, culminating in a 9-5-1 team record and subsequent postseason berth. You could say it was beginner's luck. You could say she inherited a talented team. Either way, Whiting's 1999 success will likely translate into further winning seasons, and the young coach claims to be more prepared for the 2000 campaign than she was one year ago. "The biggest difference is that I'm more confident about my coaching now," she said. "I know what to expect at each step of the way. I am more organized." Although Whiting brought her team to the postseason last year, she is far from resting on her success. During the off season, Whiting reflected on what worked and what didn't in her coaching, and has already applied those lessons this preseason. "There were things I would do differently from last year," Whiting said. "I have refined some things, and this year the initial jitters will be gone. There will still be butterflies before each game, but thenewness will be gone." Whiting spent much of the off season recruiting, another facet of her job title that has changed significantly in the past year. While she had always had a hand in recruiting as the assistant coach, she now finds herself with more responsibility. "The biggest thing is now I have to make the final decision on players we want to keep and players we don't want to keep," Whiting said. "Plus, I talk a lot more to the high school coaches of recruits than I used to." However, the increased responsibility also means that Whiting gets a greater say in the players she has on her team. "We lost seven players last year," Whiting said. "I had to figure out what kind of players we needed to keep on track. We needed help in the front and back, and I think we had a very successful recruiting year." Filling the shoes of a legend is never easy, but that's exactly what Whiting was asked to do last year. When Bill Gehling took the job as Tufts' Athletic Director, Whiting was in line to replace one of the best soccer players and coaches the school has ever seen. Having completed a year at the helm of the women's soccer team, Whiting understands that people will now expect her to keep the soccer team amongst the top in the region. In her collegiate days, she had been through a similar situation as the Jumbo goalkeeper. "I remember being a player and, when I was a freshman, no one expected anything from me," Whiting said. "But when I was a sophomore, I had to do the same or better. That's what happens when you have success, you have to keep building on it." The coach, however, feels more pressure to succeed from within the team than from any outside force. "I absolutely have expectations of myself on how to coach and how the team does," she said. "But the players also have expectations of their coach." Fulfilling the expectations of her players will be one place where Whiting won't struggle at all. She is the classic "player's coach," and recognizes that as one of her strengths. "My greatest asset is my ability to relate to players," said Whiting, who clearly prefers talking about the team than herself. "They notice the enthusiasm that I have for the team and the sport." Whiting, who says that she has read books by many famous coaches including John Wooden and Pat Summitt, cannot pinpoint her coaching style, but says that it has a number of distinct influences. "I try to take bits and pieces from different coaches," Whiting said. "I try to find out where I fit into their coaching style. I have also learned a lot from some of the great coaches in our own athleticdepartment." All of that should aid Whiting as she attempts to fend off any sophomore jinx. She remains absolutely certain that her team will be able to build on last year's success. "We need to work hard, have discipline and have a good time," she said. "We have the talent, we just need to make ourselves do it."
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