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Series of hate, sex crimes plague campus

August 31

At least four "incidents of intolerance" committed on campus this fall - including a sexual assault against a woman on Professors Row, a racially-motivated assault against a Caribbean student, a threatening e-mail sent to an Indian student, and homophobic graffiti written on walls in South Hall - have elicited a solemn letter from Dean of Students Bruce Reitman. Reitman called on the Tufts community to "be aware of what has taken place" and "do whatever we can to make Tufts a place where everyone feels safe." No suspects have been identified in any of the incidents, partly because all were reported some time after they occurred, according to Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) Captain Mark Keith. "On a college campus, you would hope that students would respect one another," said Keith, who encourages all students to call the TUPD immediately if they see any form of "harassment, physical confrontation, or suspicious individuals." Keith said that while such incidents are not reported very often, the TUPD has a much better chance of identifying the perpetrators when someone calls immediately after they occur and gives a description of the suspects. "It's so important to get that initial call to us and have us respond to the area," Keith said. "The sooner we get to the area, the better chance we have of identifying any suspects." He added that clothing descriptions, which are often very effective in identifying suspects on the scene, are useless the next day. "A [vague] description might fit half the people on campus," he said. In the first incident, which took place shortly before the start of classes, a group of male students sexually assaulted a female student on Professors Row in front of Health Services. One of the males, whom the victim identified as a "drunk freshman," approached her and proceeded to make sexual comments, grab her hands and breasts, and slap her buttocks. "He threw his arms around me and started humping me," said the student, who wished to remain anonymous. "He unzipped his fly, put his hand in his pants, and tried to get me to feel him. Then he slapped me really hard on the butt." "Something was really wrong with what he did. I chose to take Professors Row home because I knew that there would be a lot of people there. I usually cut across Fletcher Field," she said. The second incident, in which a Caribbean student was knocked to the ground and kicked in the head, took place on Sawyer Avenue near the beginning of the year. Friends of the victim, who was treated in the hospital for head wounds, did not report the altercation until an hour after it occurred, and the suspects, who hurled anti-Asian epithets at the victim, had already fled the scene. "There was a phone not more than 75 feet away," Keith said. He went on to encourage students to push the "panic button" on campus phones when they witness something happening, even if they don't remain on the scene. "You don't even have to stay there, we respond to all of those," he said. The third investigation, which is still underway, involves an e-mail sent to an Indian student "that contained many derogatory and insulting remarks about his ethnic background." Since the message was sent from an off-campus account, the University has had difficulty identifying the sender. The TUPD is currently working with both the administration and the city of Somerville to subpoena electronic records from the e-mail provider that might help to identify any suspects. "It is unsettling and unacceptable that these incidents occurred in our community," Reitman said in the letter. "Our safety depends on each of us being vigilant about intruders or members of the community who pose a danger to others." He went on to encourage students with information on any of these crimes to tell the Dean of Students office, the TUPD, or their residential staff.

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News

Women's team heads up performance on Charles

August 31

This past weekend's Head of the Charles Regatta produced mixed results for the Tufts crew program. The largest two-day head race in the world attracted top rowers from around the globe to compete in the three-mile event. The men's team finished in a disappointing 64th out of 68 in the Club Eight competitions on Saturday. Tufts' time was 17:13.46; over two minutes behind the first place boat of Marin BC. The boat raced without star coxswain Jeff Lindy, who will not be allowed to race until the spring due to his silver-medal performance in the world summer competition. He was an emotional and mental leader of the team, and his presence is definitely missed on the race course. Lindy's role is being filled by sophomore Anne Andrews, who coxswained for the men at the Head of the Charles this weekend. The team felt that Andrews did an adequate job in her role and was not the cause for the poor performance. "Anne was steering the straightest course," sophomore Max Bernstein said. "She did the best to keep us in the race." What seemed to be the downfall of the men's boat, ironically, was an incident involving homecoming rival, Williams College. Midway through the race, the men's boat was moving well until a Tufts oar collided with an oar from Williams' boat. By official rules, the contact of oars between boats results in a penalty, and the questionable call resulted in a one-minute penalty against Tufts. "It's unfortunate that we got into a bit of a war with homecoming rival Williams," Bernstein said. "We had the power and technique to do well." The one-minute penalty severely hampered an otherwise decent performance by the men. Without the penalty, the men would have placed well into the low, a much more typical finish for the program. The men still enjoyed the weekend, however, and do not hold any grudges. "[There is] no bitterness, it was a great experience for everyone. We were happy that we could be a part of it," Bernstein said. The women's crew team, on the other hand, placed a tremendous 14th out of 72 boats in the women's Club Eight with a finishing time of 18:25.25, a mere minute behind the first place Riverside BC. This was the women's best performance in the last eight years at this event. "[It was] a terrific performance," Gary Caldwell, women's coach and head of the crew program at Tufts, said. "To finish as high as 14th is the kind of thing I was hoping for." The women's Lightweight Eight finished a less impressive 58th out of 72. The women, however, were not discouraged, noting the difficulty of the field. "There was really tough competition," Caldwell said. This performance caps off a season of vast improvement for the women's program. "In that kind of competitive field we have met our expectations for the fall," Caldwell said. The women crew team also held a ceremony honoring Nancy DiBiaggio, President John DiBiaggio's wife. She was honored with a plaque and a new boat was named in her honor. This weekend's performance was atypical for a men's team that had been racing well throughout the fall season. Shaking off the notion that this would be a rebuilding season, the men had finished sixth in the Head of the Textile Regatta and third in the New Hampshire Championship. "In our three races this fall we were able to get a great look at competing New England schools," Bernstein said. "We stand a great chance in succeeding in the New England Tournament [in the Spring]." Their efforts will ultimately go towards earning a placement in the Nationals at Atlanta this Spring. With the thought of competing at Nationals coupled with its sub-par performance last weekend, the team will enter winter training motivated to increase team speed and strength. The Jumbos will be rowing on the water through mid November and then will move to primarily indoor training. They will use a simulated rowing machine called an erg in order to train for the spring racing season as well as weight training six times a week. Lindy will also become eligible to compete in the spring race season, an addition that will give the team a huge boost.

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News

Students looking to party off campus

August 31

Fed up with Tufts' ailing party scene, students are beginning to frequent off-campus clubs and bars in greater numbers than ever before. The decentralization of the drinking scene, while a boon for bartenders, is creating problems for resident assistants (RAs) and both campus and local police, while also encouraging the use of fake IDs, according to students and local pub owners. Area pubs have noticed a considerable increase in patronage by Tufts students. Chris Parks, manager of the Aquarium bar near Davis Square, said that he had observed a sizable growth in the number of Tufts students frequenting his establishment over the past few weeks. The manager of Mulligan's Tavern in Somerville noted that Tufts students seem to arrive much earlier than in years past, around 11:30 p.m. Senior David Edsall is one of those hitting the bars more often. "Most of the parties I've tried to attend this year are broken up even before I arrive. I've started going out to bars more, but that's very expensive, and costs even more if I have to take a taxi home," he said. The flow of students searching for fun off campus has included not only upperclassmen, but also underage students, and as a result, students report that fake IDs have become more popular. In an informal survey of 40 students in Miller Hall, one-third had fake IDs, and just as many said that they are planning to get them soon. "I go to bars now every Thursday night just so that I can have some sanity in case the weekend is dead here," said one sophomore, who reported that the dying social scene has led her and her friends to acquire and use fake IDs. "People are now going to look for social life other places." Over-21 students looking for a good time on campus, like senior Vernon Neath, have also been disappointed, noting that both the Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) and local police organizations seem far stricter this year. "I live in Latin Way, and had a small party a few weeks ago. Everyone there was over 21, and we had been careful to keep the music low," he said. "Around 11:30 p.m., the TUPD showed up, and without giving a single reason, told everyone that they had to leave or they would be arrested." The TUPD's aggressive policing of on-campus parties has prompted a rise in the off-campus party scene. Indeed, at the Hotung Caf?© forum on social life earlier this month, Director of Public Safety John King said that the number of reported off-campus incidents has doubled since last year at this time, leading to a corresponding increase in arrests by the Somerville and Medford Police Department. Forced to design their own social agenda, students are turning to wreaking havoc in the residence halls. Many freshman and sophomores said that they routinely return to their rooms with friends after an unsuccessful party search to drink behind closed doors. As a result, RAs have been forced to control large, rowdy crowds of drunken students. "Around midnight, large masses of students return to the halls, frustrated because of the lack of anything to do. It's midnight, and there's nowhere for them to go, so they wander the halls," said one RA. Another RA added that oftentimes her residents would have small parties in their rooms and consume large quantities of hard liquor. "Friday and Saturday nights in the residence halls are much louder then they were last year, plus I've seen a lot more drinking in the rooms compared to last year," she said. While students at the forum and elsewhere have repeatedly stated their understanding of the administration's motivations, especially in lieu of the recent lawsuit that the family of Scott Krueger filed against MIT, many of these same students believe a crackdown on parties is not a productive way of dealing with the issue of collegiate drinking. "I completely understand the pressure the administration is under to keep a handle on parties, but they are doing it with total disregard to the students," sophomore Robert Menn said. "Not only are they destroying the social scene on campus, but they are also not solving anything; they are just contributing to other problems."

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News

Subway Series hits New York

August 31

If you're from New York, you know the directions. If you're not, listen up: take the seven train from Shea Stadium to Grand Central Station, hop onto the four train heading uptown and then into the Bronx, and get off at 161st street and Yankee Stadium. It's knowledge that very well could come in handy if you're one of the lucky ones to nab a ticket to the first Subway Series since 1956, and the first ever pitting the Mets and Yankees. The Yankees advanced to the World Series for the third straight season by topping the Seattle Mariners, 9-7, late last night. New York, which won the American League Championship Series in six games, broke the game open with a six-run seventh inning that erased a 4-3 Seattle lead and propelled the team to a much-anticipated matchup with the Mets. Game One of the Subway Series is to take place on Saturday night at Yankee Stadium. David Justice got things going Tuesday with a three-run homer off Mariners reliever Arthur Rhodes early in the seventh inning, giving the Yankees a 6-4 lead. Paul O'Neill brought in two more runs with a bases-loaded single a few batters later, and Jose Vizcaino's sacrifice fly scored another run before the inning ended. Seattle retaliated in the top of the eighth behind a leadoff home run by Alex Rodriguez, and scored another two runs on a Mark McLemore double. Rodriguez went 3-for-4 on the day, but the rest of the Mariners could only manager a meager four hits in 28 at-bats. Yankees starter Orlando Hernandez improved to 8-0 in postseason play despite allowing six runs in seven innings, including homers to Carlos Guillen and Rodriguez. Hernandez gave up two runs in the first inning on doubles by Rodriguez and Edgar Martinez, but didn't allow another hit until Guillen's homer in the fourth, which put Seattle up 4-0. The Yankees got on the board in the bottom of the fourth behind Jorge Posada's two-run double and O'neill's RBI single. John Halama, Seattle's starter and a native New Yorker, had surrendered just one hit through three innings but was lifted after the fourth-inning barrage. The win sets up the14th Subway Series in major league baseball history, with the last one ending in the Yankees' seven-game win over the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956. The Yankees took on the Brooklyn Dodgers seven times and the New York Giants six times between 1921 and 1956. The last single urban-area series came in 1989, when the Oakland Athletics swept the San Francisco Giants in four games. The series will not mark the first time these teams meet, however, as the inception of interleague play in 1995 means the Mets and Yanks are familiar foes. The Yankees won four of the teams' six meetings this season, with the Mets taking the first and last games of the season series. The matchup will receive even more hype in the wake of Roger Clemens' beaning of Mets All-Star catcher Mike Piazza in the second game of a day-night doubleheader on July 8. Piazza, who suffered a mild concussion, maintains that Clemens hit him intentionally, while the veteran pitcher denies the accusation. Completing their half of the quest for a Subway Series, the Mets finished off the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night with a decisive 7-0 victory at Shea Stadium. Unable to reach the World Series since the unforgettable 1986 defeat of the Red Sox, New York clinched the National League title in a 4-1 series victory. By the end of the night, the Mets had joined the 1997 Florida Marlins as the only two teams to reach the World Series after making the playoffs as wildcard teams. The Mets' off-season acquisition of Mike Hampton paid off, as the '99 Cy-Young runner-up pitched a three hitter, extending his postseason scoreless-innings streak to 17 straight innings. Wanting to end the series after a Game Three loss to the Cardinals that was followed by a win in Game Four, the Mets scored quickly, with three runs in the first, and never looked back from that point while St. Louis struggled against Hampton throughout the night. Mark McGwire was resigned to pinch hitting during the entire series due to a bad back, and was a non-factor in the game, appearing only in the ninth inning once the Cardinals were essentially done for. Meanwhile, it was the Mets' bats that provided all the offense at Shea on Monday. New York first baseman Todd Zeile put an end to any realistic hopes that his former team had when he knocked out St. Louis starter Pat Hengten with a three run double in the fourth to put the Mets up 6-0. The hit gave Zeile a total of eight RBIs against his former club. Along with Zeile, the night capped a breakout series for Hampton and Mets catcher Mike Piazza, both of whom had previously struggled in postseason play. Piazza, who entered the series as a .211 hitter in the playoffs, batted .412 with two homers and four RBIs against the Cards. Meanwhile, Hampton, who entered the postseason with an 0-2 playoff record to go with a 5.78 ERA, turned his reputation around by propelling the Mets to a series victory and earning MVP honors. After helping his team take the initial series lead with seven scoreless innings to win Game One, Hampton had his most dominant big game performance on Monday in his complete game shutout to clinch the World Series berth. The left-handed pitcher compiled eight strikeouts, including Jim Edmonds three times. No Cardinal runner reached scoring position the entire night. The only damper on the night for the Mets was the eighth-inning injury to outfielder Jay Payton. Cardinal pitcher Dave Veres hit Payton in the helmet with a 1-2 pitch. Payton approached the mound as both teams' benches cleared, but no punches were thrown. Despite bleeding from above his left eye, Payton suffered no serious injuries and should be ready to play by the World Series. The Mets jumped out to a quick series lead early this week, leaving St. Louis up 2-0. They seemed to allow the Cardinals back into the series with an 8-2 loss in Game Three at Shea, yet were quick to right the ship again. Taking advantage of St. Louis starter Darryl Kile, who was working on only three days rest, the Mets hit five doubles in the first inning and went on to a 10-6 Game Four victory. Facing elimination on Monday, St.Louis was forced to go quietly against Hampton. While Hampton put up impressive numbers, Pat Hengten was unable to keep up on the opposite side. Starting his first game this series, Hengten was unable to last through the fourth inning, walking five and giving up six runs. Other pitchers did not seem to fare better than Hengten either. St. Louis was forced to use Hengten in Game Five due to the downfall of their promising 21-year-old lefty, Rick Ankiel. Ankiel lasted only two-thirds of an inning in Game Two, throwing two wild pitches, walking three men and allowing two earned runs. Brought back into the game on Monday in the seventh inning, Ankiel's outing mirrored his previous one. Once again he threw two wild pitches, walked two Mets and surrendered a run, ending the NLCS with a 15.75 ERA.

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News

Professor Berry talks election politics

August 31

In an effort to clear up some of the confusion and anxiety that many are feeling over the razor-thin presidential election, the Daily sat down with political science Professor Jeffrey Berry. Berry, an award-winning author, shared his thoughts on the election and on how the government will look over the next few years.

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News

New stages, same show in Central

August 31

In one sense, the AFC Central has been the most unstable division in football in recent years. By the kickoff of next season, not one team will be playing in the same stadium it was just seven years earlier. In every year since 1994, either a team has moved to a new stadium or entered the league. But while its inhabitants have shown a propensity to move geographically, there has been relatively little movement in the standings in the last few years. In fact, the Central was the only division to feature a repeat champion last year, the 1999 Jacksonville Jaguars becoming the only team in the past two seasons to successfully defend a division crown. While a Jaguars' three-peat may not be in the cards, they remain, along with the AFC Champion Tennessee Titans, the cream of the division. And just like last year, the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns will have to scratch and claw to get as many as four wins. In the end, the 2000 Central may look very similar to the '99 version. Bold Predictions: The window of opportunity has slammed shut on the Jacksonville Jaguars. While the Jags are still one of the better teams in the AFC, they are no longer a legitimate threat to win the Super Bowl, as they were entering the last two seasons. The Jaguars took advantage of a ridiculously soft schedule last season, fattening their record against the NFL's bottom-feeders. The schedule is still fairly soft in 2000 in the bottom-heavy Central. Consequently, the Jags will probably put together double-digit wins for the fourth straight season, but will look more like pretenders when faced with quality opponents. That includes in the playoffs, if they make it, where the team will be ripe for an early exit. The Baltimore Ravens will not surprise anyone - except those who think that the preseason counts. The Ravens have become a sleeper pick following a 4-0 preseason. If that sounds familiar, that's because by now it's probably become the team slogan. The Ravens were a sleeper pick last year after a 4-0 preseason. They were a sleeper pick in 1998 after a 4-0 preseason. They fell on their faces once the calendar hit September in each of those seasons, however, and never recovered. This year's optimism also springs from the fact that quarterback Tony Banks showed flashes of brilliance at the end of last year. But Banks has yet to prove that he can lead a winning team over a 16-game season. The guess here is that he can't. Things We Know for Sure The Tennessee Titans are for real. Whether Tennesee, which came up a yard short of glory last season, can take the next step remains to be seen. But after years of mediocrity, the Titans finally got over the hump in '99. Rookie Jevon Kearse burst onto the scene and changed the way opposing offenses operated. Running back Eddie George emerged as one of the NFL's best, and Steve McNair finally came into his own during the team's thrilling playoff run. The team got even better over the summer, adding wide receiver Carl Pickens and giving McNair five legitimate targets in Pickens, George, Kevin Dyson, Yancey Thigpen, and tight end Frank Wycheck. If they stay healthy, the Titans look like the most balanced team in the league, without any obvious weaknesses anywhere. Plus, it can't hurt that Tennessee owns its biggest division rival, the Jaguars, who they beat three times last year, including a 33-14 thrashing in Jacksonville in the AFC Championship Game.If you want to see good football in Ohio, you better go to Canton. That's because Cincinnati and Cleveland aren't going to offer any of it for the sixth straight year. To be fair, the Browns can hardly be blamed, as they were defunct between the 1996 and '98 seasons. But they surely didn't take the league by storm in their return to the NFL last year. The offense and defense both finished dead last in the NFL on their way to a 2-14 finish. While first-round pick Courtney Brown and defensive line additions like Orpheus Roye and Keith McKenzie should help the pass rush, the Browns offense is still a major question mark. They couldn't run the ball last year and adding Errict Rhett at running back and Roman Oben to the offensive line will not be sufficient to help matters. Plus, second-year quarterback Tim Couch has looked shaky in the preseason, which could mean another long year in the Dawg Pound. At least the Browns have an excuse. The Bengals ran out of them years ago. While there was some excitement over the drafting of electrifying wide receiver Peter Warrick, the Bengals, in typical one-step forward two-steps backward fashion, lost both of last year's starting receivers before Warrick ever played a down. Disgruntled Carl Pickens was shipped to Tennessee and projected number-two Darnay Scott was lost for the season to a broken leg. There is still hope that with Second-year quarterback Akili Smith under center, he, underrated running back Corey Dillon and Warrick can bring some excitement to the Bengals' new home, Paul Brown Stadium. The defense, however, is still awful, and Bengals lack depth across the board, both of which are recipes for disaster. Things We Have No Clue About What Bill Cowher is thinking. After benching quarterback Kordell Stewart at the end of last season, Cowher and the Steelers threw money at Kent Graham, himself benched by the New York Giants last year. That left Pittsburgh with one guy who hasn't looked like a starter since 1997 and another who hasn't resembled one at any point in his career. After neither distinguished himself in the preseason, Cowher elected to go with Graham to start the season but intends to use both as the season progresses. Apparently, Cowher forgot that such a plan never works. The quarterback position is too pivotal to platoon, as players, especially receivers, get used to one player's style and leadership. The Steelers decline, from 11-5 in 1997 to 7-9 in '98 to 6-10 last year should only continue this season. Never was that more apparent than on Sunday, when the offense could not put a point on the board in a 16-0 loss to Baltimore. How the Jaguars offense will perform. Among the best performing units in the NFL in recent years, the Jags' offense has suffered some significant losses coming into 2000. Backup running back James Stewart gave the team a cushion when starter Fred Taylor was hurt, a frequent occurrence last season. However, Stewart signed with Detroit in the winter, and now Stacey Mack, who carried the ball just seven times last year, will be under a ton of pressure should Taylor go down. To make matters worse, whether its Taylor or Mack carrying the ball, the holes will not be quite as big as in recent years. Right tackle Leon Searcy is out until at least November after tearing his right quadriceps tendon and star left tackle Tony Boselli, although he will play, is not completely healthy after tearing his ACL late last season. How Ray Lewis will handle hostile fans. Lewis, the Ravens' star linebacker who was acquitted of murder charges this summer, will undoubtedly be the target of opposing fans' venom after making a name for himself for all the wrong reasons this winter. Whether or not he can turn the other cheek will go a long way in determining how successful the Baltimore defense is. Rising Stars: Akili Smith, Bengals. The third overall pick in the 1999 draft wowed scouts and fans with his physical ability while in college. Add to that the mental toughness that he showed in leading the Bengals to an early-season win over Cleveland, a team that he felt used him prior to the draft while negotiating with Tim Couch, and Smith may be ready to break out in 2000. He has a playmaker to throw to in Peter Warrick, a decent line, and a good running game to take pressure off of him. With Jeff Blake gone, Smith may be ready to shine - now if only the defense could stop anyone. Kevin Johnson, Browns. Johnson, drafted to be the main target for Couch, quietly approached 1000 yards in his rookie season. The Browns drafted two more receivers, JuJuan Dawson and Dennis Northcutt, who if successful can prevent defenses from keying on Johnson. Even if they are not, with a year under his belt, Johnson is capable of 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns. Plaxico Burress, Steelers. He hasn't even played a game yet, but Burress has made believers out of those who have seen him play. He has the physical tools, at 6'5" and 230 pounds, to be the go-to receiver the team has lacked since losing Yancey Thigpen following the 1997 season. If the two-headed quarterback in Pittsburgh can get him the ball, he may be dangerous. Fantasy studs: Eddie George, Titans. George is a workhorse who runs, catches passes, and gets in the end zone. In short, he is what makes the Titans offense go. Last season, George rushed for 1304 yards, caught 47 passes for 458, and scored 13 touchdowns. If he stays healthy, he could even surpass those numbers now that opponents must respect Tennessee's passing game. Mark Brunell, Jaguars. His production tailed off last season as Brunell feuded with coach Tom Coughlin and battled nagging injuries. However, he is still among the top five quarterbacks in the league when he is on. Look for his numbers to improve from his 14-touchdown season a year ago. Jimmy Smith, Jaguars. Only Marvin Harrison of the Colts was more productive in the AFC last year. Smith caught 116 passes for an astonishing 1636 yards and six touchdowns. Then he revealed that he spent most of the season with horribly blurred vision in one eye. The problem has been corrected, leaving one to wonder what he'll be able to do now that he can actually see the ball. Sleeper Team None. Outside of the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears, the Ravens may be the most popular pick to surprise people. But their offense has too many question marks, and unlike last Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the defense is not good enough to compensate for the team's shortcomings when it has the ball. Fine, you say, but there are five other teams in the division. Ruling out the Jaguars and Titans because they won a combined 31 games last year including playoffs and aren't sneaking up on anyone, that leaves Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Cleveland. Enough said. Miscellaneous Sure, the Jaguars finished 1999 at 14-2. But amazingly, they did not beat a playoff team once in the regular season. Their only two games against a winning team were a pair of losses to Tennessee. . . In Bill Cowher, Jeff Fisher, Tom Coughlin, and Bruce Coslet of Pittsburgh, Tennessee, Jacksonville, and Cincinnati, the Central features four coaches that remain from the start of the 1997 season. Only eight other teams in the NFL have had such stability on the sideline. If rumors are accurate, however, all but Fisher may be gone, either willingly or not, by the start of 2001. . .Whatever happened to a good finish leading to a more difficult schedule? If the Titans and Jaguars did not have to play each other, they would have the two weakest slates, in terms of opponents' 1999 winning percentage, in the league this year. . . Although they only entered the NFL in 1995, the Jaguars still boast the longest streak of consecutive years having made the playoffs in the AFC, having made it every year since 1996.

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Nonviolent protest good in all forms

August 31

To the Editor: The nonviolent sit-in at Bendetson Hall brought to mind words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu: "When people decide they want to be free, once they have made up their minds to that, there is nothing that will stop them." There can be no doubt that people want to be free of discrimination. So much so that students are imagining Tufts free of homophobia, free of sexism, free of racism. Such utopian visions inspire nonviolent actions and cultures of peace the world over. Such dreams to be free from fear motivate members of our community to acts of nonviolent intervention. From Tutu's wisdom we should expect demands for an end to discrimination to continue. Demonstrative and passionate calls for policy reform and enforcement are but a part of the larger struggle. Coincidentally, today (Wed.) 12:30-2 p.m. in the Cabot Center Hall of Flags, Fletcher students in the International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution club are hosting a "Fletcherside Chat" on the merits and limitations of nonviolent action. I will join professors Schultz, Babbitt, and Joseph in framing the discussion. Join either dialogue - at Bendetson or Fletcher - if you can. Peace culture and conflict resolution begins where you live, work, and play.Dale Bryan Asst. Director, Peace and Justice Studies program

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TSAD members stage sit-in at Bendetson

August 31

A group of 20 Tufts students staged a sit-in at the Admissions Office yesterday, entering the building at 9:00 a.m. and demanding that the administration clarify whether its nondiscrimination policy allows campus groups to discriminate based on ideology. Most of the protesters were members of TSAD - the group formerly known as Tufts Students Against Discrimination. They brought food, water, and sleeping bags into the building as they prepared for a prolonged standoff, and they were still holding their ground as of midnight last night. The Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) dispatched at least five officers to the scene shortly after the stalemate began, and allowed students to enter and exit the building freely for most of the day. At 3:30 p.m., the administration ordered police to lock the front door of Bendetson. Students were allowed to leave the building if they wished, but no one was permitted entrance. A core group of less than 20 students remained inside the lobby, refusing repeated requests to leave and demanding to meet with administrators. Dean of Students Bruce Reitman, along with TUPD Captain Mark Keith and Public Safety Director John King, entered Bendetson at noon to negotiate with students. After meeting for several hours in the afternoon and evening, however, no resolution had been reached. "They've been explaining what they see as a necessity for change," Reitman said as he entered the building for a second round of talks. "It's just discussion, nothing definitive." TSAD, which has been pressuring the administration to clarify its policy since the Tufts Community Union (TCU) Judiciary ruled last month that the University does not prohibit groups from discriminating based on beliefs, had set a Nov. 27 deadline for the University to respond to its demands. After three letters from University President John DiBiaggio affirmed Tufts' current policy, group leaders said that they had exhausted all attempts to get through to the administration. "There's a large loophole in the nondiscrimination policy," said Mike Lambert, TSAD member and Tufts Transgendered, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Collective (TTLGBC) co-coordinator. "We need the administration to take a stand and reassert that identity and acceptance of identity are the same thing.... If they're going to arrest us, they will have to do it forcefully." TSAD chose Bendetson as the site of the protest because it hoped to draw administrative attention by threatening to deter prospective students. When the office officially closed at 5 p.m., police informed students that they were trespassing in violation of Massachusetts law, and threatened them with arrests if they did not leave the building. "They issued a warning that we were breaking the law, trespassing, and that we could be removed at any time," sophomore TSAD member Adam Carlis said. "They said that the arrests would be made by state troopers and Medford city police." University President John DiBiaggio issued a press release late in the day that reaffirmed Tufts' commitment to diversity and nondiscrimination. He promised to meet with the protestors today. "In spirit and in practice, the University seeks to provide an environment in which our community members are accepted and their diverse backgrounds and individual differences are valued. We are confident our existing nondiscrimination policy is rigorous and comprehensive," he wrote. "A small group of our students has chosen - through a peaceful protests within a University building - to express their passionate commitment to a vigorously respected nondiscrimination policy." In a written statement, students accused the administration of "timidly distancing itself from this controversial issue" and called for Tufts "to rectify the effects of the TCUJ's decision in order to restore a healthy campus atmosphere and reclaim the trust of an alienated student body." Protestors outside the admissions office distributed pamphlets to passers by and encouraged curious students to participate in the protest. While they did occupy most of the lobby, loudly played a stereo, and banged pots and pans, students claimed that they did not intend to prevent admissions officers from doing their jobs. Dean of Admissions David Cuttino said that the office attempted to carry out its functions despite the sit-in. "We're making every effort here to provide a forum for discussion," he said. "We're working with the [prospective students] that are coming and trying to make their visit as productive as possible." While many students stopped en route to class to show their support, others were openly opposed to the group's activist tactics. "I think Tufts' discrimination policy should stay as it stands," junior Mark Fitzgerald said. "Most people I know here think that student groups should be able to pick leaders whose beliefs are consistent with theirs. These kids are a small minority - their only real goal is activism itself. They like to see their names in the paper." While no professors actively participated in the takeover, a handful stopped by to share their views and encourage students. "I think that the students have been very responsible and patient," history professor Howard Solomon said. "I hope it gives the University a chance to understand how serious these issues are to students' safety and security." Professors Ronna Johnson, Jonathan Strong, and Lee Vigilant also attended the rally, which attracted attention from The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald, and Channel 5, Boston's ABC affiliate.

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Crying Woolf and getting away with it

August 31

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf

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Tufts skins Babson Beavers, advances to ECAC semifinals

August 31

The men's soccer team used two late goals to escape with a 3-1 victory at Babson College yesterday in the quarterfinals of the ECAC Tournament. After the hosts tied things up in the 73rd minute, the Jumbos rallied for two scores in the final five minutes to improve to 9-5-2 on the year and earn a date with sixth-seeded Keene State in the semifinals. The win is technically considered an upset for Tufts, which received the seventh overall seed ? much to its displeasure ? while Babson was second. "We understood that they were seeded higher," sophomore forward Garrett Dale said. "But we felt that if we played well and things went well for us, we could win. We're confident in our abilities." The first half of play held true to coach Ralph Ferrigno's prediction of "a one-goal game," with neither team able to get on the board. "It was really frustrating in general," sophomore defender Rupak Datta said. "They had a few opportunities, and then we had some breakdowns in the back. Personally, I know I didn't have my best game." Ten minutes after intermission, though, sophomore forward Garrett Dale put Tufts in the driver's seat when he headed in a corner kick from senior tri-captain David Drucker. Drucker's kick found Dale's head before it ricocheted off the left post, bounced back into the box, deflected off a Babson defender, and finally landed in the back of the net to give the Jumbos the 1-0 advantage. "It was a head ball from about six yards out," Dale said. "But then it went off the left post, off another guy on their team and went in. He was only about one yard out." Babson refused to roll over, however, and kept the pressure on Jumbo keeper and senior tri-captain Steve McDermid. The Beavers' break came with just a shade under 20 minutes to go in regulation, when senior captain Shaun Fitzgibbon scored a bizarre goal of his own. Fitzgibbon kicked in a loose ball while lying on his back in front of the Jumbo net to put some scare into the visitors. "I think their goal should have been offside," Drucker said. "There was a scramble in the box and they just knocked it in. It was very controversial." But the Brown and Blue would regain its composure before all was said and done. With four minutes to go, Drucker finished a pass from sophomore Matt MacGregor for what proved to be the game-winner. Drucker fired a one-timer that slid under the crossbar, and over the head of Babson goalie Tom Malloy. The tally is the sixth of the season for Drucker, who was recently named to the All-NESCAC first team, and 18th of his prolific career. "A lot of the credit for this game has to go to two of the captains, Steve and Drucker," Datta said. "Steve made a lot of great saves and then Drucker scored that amazing goal. They kept the season going... it would have been their last game." McDermid was credited with six saves on the afternoon, while his counterpart, Malloy, was forced to make eight. McDermid came up big late in the second half to squelch any hopes of a Beaver comeback when he made a diving stop on a breakaway by senior Keith Florian. Freshman Brian Mikel closed out the scoring when he added some insurance with 1:24 to go. Mikel put the nail in the coffin on a feed from MacGregor, his second assist of the day. MacGregor now leads the team in assists with nine, while Mikel has four goals on the season, good for a share of fifth place on the team list with junior Pat Brophy. Tufts now sits in the semifinal bracket of the ECAC New England region, opposite Keene State. The Owls advanced by virtue of a 2-0 triumph over third-seeded Amherst yesterday, much to the chagrin of the Jumbos. "We really wanted to play Amherst again," Dale said. "Obviously, Keene State is a good team if they beat them. That's something we couldn't do in two games." Even so, the squad remains confident. "I don't know much about Keene State," Drucker said. "But if we play the way we are capable of playing, we can beat anybody."

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Cross country disappointing in MIT loss

August 31

Cross Country star David Patterson finished a disappointing fifth place as he and his teammates turned in a disappointing performance against MIT on Saturday.

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School of the Americas is un-American

August 31

The movement to close the US Army's School of the Americas (SOA) is growing to become one of the largest and most powerful of our generation. This November an estimated 15,000 people will gather at the gates of Fort Benning in Georgia to denounce its history of oppression and attempt to permanently close its doors. This school, which has trained nearly 60,000 Latin American soldiers in its 55-year history, includes in its curriculum interrogation methods of torture, blackmail, execution and rape. Its infamous graduates are responsible for countless atrocities: the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero, the Uraba massacre in Colombia, and the rape and murder of four American churchwomen just scratch the surface of pain attributed to the SOA. Notoriously brutal dictators such as Manuel Noriega of Panama and Leopoldo Galtieri of Argentina record the SOA as their alma mater. The fact that such a blatantly immoral institution continues to receive more than $20 million tax dollars each year is beyond my comprehension. Congress is now remarkably close to passing legislation that would close down the school - only a handful of representatives are needed to bring this shameful chapter in our hemisphere's history to an end. There is no doubt we will succeed in our quest; the incarceration of dozens of peaceful citizens cannot be ignored. Next month's vigil will draw thousands willing to risk arrest as they seek justice for the innumerable victims of the SOA. These people come from all walks of life; nuns alongside college students will decry the human rights abuses endorsed by our government. I will join a number of other Tufts students attending the vigil Nov. 17-20, and plan on participating in acts of civil disobedience as I have in years past. The annual demonstration is held on the weekend in November closest to the anniversary of the massacre of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her 13-year-old daughter in San Salvador in 1989. This November will be particularly meaningful to me due to an emotional encounter that occurred on the last anniversary of this tragedy. Having attended the SOA demonstrations in '97 and '98, my mind was on the movement even though circumstances prevented me from being present. I had with me the symbolic white cross I received at my first vigil, with the name of one of the SOA's victims inscribed. As a gesture of peace and remembrance I brought it to a mountaintop near the village in Venezuela where I was living, where it caught the attention of another person enjoying the beautiful summit view. The man, a Catholic priest from Spain, approached me with tears in his eyes and explained that the victim whose name appeared on my cross, Joaquin Lopez y Lopez, was one of his dear friends. He was also a Catholic priest from Spain who had worked for most of his life in Latin America; it was his unyielding defense and compassion for the poor which contrasted with SOA doctrine and probably attracted his assassins. Learning about his life and witnessing his impact on another person moved me tremendously. I will return to Fort Benning this year with renewed determination and faith in justice. The School of the Americas is an evil institution that promotes the use of force and psychological intimidation to keep Latin American governments corrupt and to keep the people in fear. The purpose of our journey to Georgia is to promote peace among the American nations; a crucial concept in this time, especially, with continuing violence in places like Colombia and Chiapas. Emily Good is a freshman who has not yet decided a major. She is a member of the Coalition for Social Justice and Non-Violence.

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Community reacts, reorganizes after TCF decision

August 31

The Tufts Community Union Judiciary (TCUJ)'s ruling on a complaint filed against the Tufts Christian Fellowship (TCF) re-ignited a six-month-old debate on campus this week. The complexity of the TCUJ's decision, as well as its finding that Tufts' nondiscrimination policy does not protect beliefs, has united members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered (LGBT) community and other groups in a call to strengthen Tufts' stance on discrimination. While neither party involved in the case has announced an intention to appeal the decision, other members of the Tufts community are continuing the debate. Members of the LGBT community as well as other minority and culture groups have expressed worries that the TCUJ has opened their members up to discrimination and are calling for extended protective policies from the administration. In the last few days, the groups banded together to form Tufts Students Against Discrimination (TSAD), which will hold a rally on Monday on the library roof to convey its message to the administration and the community. "As we stand right now, Tufts' nondiscrimination policy has been completely voided. No one is safe anymore," said Tufts Transgendered, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Collective co-coordinator Mike Lambert. "We're in the process of forming an alliance among culture groups on campus to prove our solidarity and to prove that all of us, no matter what our race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, are outraged and will not stand for discrimination." The TCUJ found that TCF discriminated against Julie Catalano based on her sexual orientation because it treated her differently than a heterosexual member of the group who also believes that homosexuality is acceptable under Christian law. However, the TCUJ said that student organizations do have a right to set a standard of beliefs for their members, as long as a group applies those standards to everyone, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other characteristics. This ruling has caused an uproar in the Tufts community, and critics of the TCUJ's ruling say it undermines the nondiscrimination policy by allowing groups to discriminate as long as they do so equally. TCUJ members feel that they were asked to judge whether the TCF violated Tufts policy, not their personal moral standards, and that they are being unfairly blamed for the policy's ambiguities. "I'm surprised and disappointed at the illiteracy rates at this university. Apparently either no one has read our decision, or they simply don't understand it," said TCUJ member Michael Ferenczy. "We did not condone discrimination against homosexuals, we said the policy did. But the student reaction I have heard is surprisingly ignorant of that fact and even calls it a hate crime on the part of the J." "The people may think that we've interpreted the policy incorrectly, but the mere fact that we could interpret it at all vindicates our assertion that it wasn't clear enough in the first place," he said. . "A lot of people are thinking of the issue in their hearts, and they are not thinking about the fact that when we are elected to the J, we have to make decisions according to policy and not what we think is right," TCUJ Chair Robyn Herzog said. "I may not blame people for thinking the way they do, but I don't think they're stepping in our shoes and seeing how we have to interpret things." The TCUJ hearing was closed at Catalano's request, and members of the Judiciary feel that the lack of public knowledge about the proceedings has contributed to the anger over the decisions. "It makes it difficult that this hearing was a closed hearing, so that way people outside of it don't know all the evidence that was given and could more easily fall back on the emotions," Herzog said. "If it were an open hearing, more people could see the evidence at hand and therefore see logically how our decision was arrived at." The TCUJ recommended that the administration revise its nondiscrimination policy to more clearly delineate the distinction between discrimination and freedom of beliefs. Thus far, administrators have been fairly silent about their plans to deal with the controversy, saying that they are taking time to gauge student reaction, opinion, and concerns before they decide to act. "I and a lot of other people are still absorbing the TCUJ ruling, which was thoughtful and took a lot of work. So, I am still chewing on this," Provost Sol Gittleman said. Gittleman explained that the University's nondiscrimination policy is a close reflection of the federal mandate on the issue, except that it extends coverage to sexual orientation. President John DiBiaggio echoed Gittleman's statement in an e-mail to the entire student body sent yesterday morning. The difficulty in forming policy comes in balancing a group's right to set its own standards of belief with students' right not to be excluded by those beliefs. University Chaplain Revered Scotty McLennan explained that the issue is about religion freedom as much as it is about nondiscrimination. "We have two fundamental rights in conflict, and so we need to do the tough work of figuring out the best way to accommodate those rights. I don't think that's by saying one right simply trumps and eliminates the other," he said. Members of the TSAD and the LGBT community have pointed out that the TCUJ's ruling opens the door for groups such as a white supremacist group to receive recognition on campus and funding from the student activities fee. They say that they are not trying to prevent TCF from existing, but simply do not want their money used to support a group that they feel is harmful and exclusionary. "Everybody needs a home, just not at the expense of our nondiscrimination policy," Lambert said.

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Williams knocks off men's soccer 2-1

August 31

The men's soccer team put a scare into the number-one team in Division III before finally succumbing to the still-undefeated Williams Ephs, 2-1 on Saturday afternoon. Freshman Brian Mikel's goal gave the Jumbos a 1-0 halftime lead, but the Ephs bounced back with two goals in the second half to preserve its unblemished mark. With the win, Williams improved its NESCAC record to 7-0, and its overall record to 13-0. The Ephs also extended their regular season unbeaten streak to 36 games. The Jumbos are now 3-3-2 in the NESCAC and 6-4-2 overall. "The team played really well," Tufts coach Ralph Ferrigno said. "I couldn't have asked for more from them." The Jumbos came out strong against the Ephs, keeping the ball in the Williams end for the first three minutes of the game. Still, Williams had several early scoring chances, starting in the fifth minute when junior forward Ted Giannacopoulos fed junior midfielder Josef Powell, whose blast from just outside the box was blocked by a Tufts defender. In the 15th minute, Jumbo back Rupak Datta headed another Williams chance away, and keeper Steve McDermid turned back a point-blank header from Eph junior Walker Waugh one minute later. Consistent offensive pressure is the primary strength of the Ephs who have outshot their opponents 310-106 this season and outscored them 47-12. The attack is led by sophomore forward Alex Blake, Powell, and Giannacopoulos. "I think number 11 really did a lot for them," Datta said of Giannacopoulos. "He really made a difference." Tufts first real scoring chance came in the 23rd minute, when junior tri-captain Brad Stitchberry's shot from just inside the box bounced wide left. Five minutes later, Tufts broke the scoreless tie, and became the first team to lead Williams at any point this season. Mikel dribbled around a sprawled Williams keeper Ryan Spicer and tapped the ball into the net for the unassisted goal. The goal was Mikel's third of the season and it seemed to spark the Jumbos, who dominated play for the rest of the half. In the 38th minute, a ball from freshman Michael Blea set up two Jumbo shots that bounced off the crossbar in quick succession. Sophomore Matt McGregor missed high with another great chance one minute later. "We went one goal up and had some golden opportunities," Ferrigno said. Still, the Jumbos headed into the break with confidence. "We were really into it at that point," Datta said. "We just wanted to keep the D strong and maybe add another goal." When the second half kicked off, the Ephs quickly regained momentum. Powell headed a pass from senior forward Michael Cortese into the net to knot the score at one. Powell's fifth goal of the year came in the 47th minute and brought the Jumbos back to earth. Twenty-three minutes later, Waugh scored the game-winner, drilling home Blake's pass from the right side of the net, and saluting the Tufts fan section as he ran up the field. It was Blake's fourth assist, giving him a NESCAC-leading 34 points on the year. Waugh's taunt showed how intense this game had become. Four yellow cards were handed out, two for each team, and the entire game was played to the cheers and jeers of those drunk with Homecoming spirit. "Homecoming does have an effect," McGregor said. "We always have our biggest crowds. It does help you to get up for the game." Saturday's game was the latest in a long line of close Williams vs. Tufts soccer games. The Jumbos are 0-8-1 against the Ephs in the last nine meetings, and all of those losses have been by one goal. Last year's game was played in the rain and mud in Williamstown and was decided on a Blake goal just 34 seconds into the game. Despite the loss, Tufts held on to fourth place in the NESCAC by virtue of an Amherst loss to Wesleyan. Amherst stands at 3-5 in NESCAC play, tied with Wesleyan and Connecticut College. The Jumbos' next NESCAC game comes against Connecticut College, and a win over the 3-5 Camels will clinch fourth place in the conference. Fourth place would give the Jumbos home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs, which start Tuesday October 31. Before visiting Connecticut, however, the Jumbos will host Gordon on Tuesday afternoon. The Fighting Scots are in second place in the Commonwealth Coast Conference behind Roger Williams College with an overall record of 10-6-0. The only opponent Gordon and Tufts share is Newbury College. The Jumbos defeated Newbury 10-0 in the first game of the season, and Gordon dispatched with the Knights almost as handily, 6-0.

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Students rush to Ex College registration

August 31

Eager to register for Experimental College classes, droves of students packed the entryway of Miner Hall on Tuesday, creating long lines snaking through the building. Another semester of Ex College registration went according to plan - crowds, confusion, and chaos - as students took a break from the first day of classes to sign up for more. Students pre-registered to take classes well off the beaten path, such as "The Art of Film Music," "Heroes and Villains in American Mass Media," and "Imagined Worlds: International Relations Through Science Fiction." As usual, interest exceeded space and historically popular classes remained in high demand. "It's been busy," senior Shioka Kudo, an Ex College board member working registration, said, seeming relaxed as she fielded questions from the waiting mob. "Popular classes stay the same." Senior Nancy Leahy, signing up for the always popular "Understanding the Stock Market: History, Structure, and Impact" course, earned her place in the front of the line and asked incredulously if only 13 people, the number of students on the sheet in front of her, had signed up so far. Kudo replied in the negative; that was the fifth sheet completely filled, bringing the total of prospective students up to approximately 95 for a 20 person class. And there are still two hours to go. Leahy laughed, then noticed a class in Celtic mythology and decided to sign up - just in case. Students filled pages and pages signing up for the most popular courses - at the end of the day, 119 people signed up for the stock market class, 87 signed up for the nearly-as-popular "Genetics, Ethics, and the Law," and 80 students pre-registered for the new "Public Relations/Marketing Demystified" class. Unfortunately for most, many classes are capped at 20 or 25 students. To slim down classes, professors use their discretion and techniques such as entrance essays. In the Ex College, traditional rules governing class enrollment - such as seniority status - are thrown out the window. For instance, in the stock market class, Kudo emphasizes that the professor takes many factors into account, including major, gender, and an essay. Since the Ex College values the small class sizes, other alternatives are offered to shut-out students. "We keep our classes small because we wanted discussion-based classes with 20 students or less," Administrative Coordinator Tracey Tebrow said. "We accommodate and get [students] into another course. We do everything we can to get people into an Ex College course." Robyn Gittleman, Director of the Ex College, also said that the College might offer multiple sections for some overflowing courses. "If it's possible, we'll open up a second section if [the professor] has taught before," she said, adding that "if [a new course] is very popular and gets a good evaluation, we encourage [the professor] to repeat the course next semester." Senior Andrew Lutin signed up for the genetics course after being refused entry last semester. "I'm not as nervous," he said of his chances of getting into the course. "[The professor] said that seniors have an easier chance of getting in and she also said it would help if you signed up before." Freshman Victoria Tran, looking a little bewildered by the whole process, laughed about being on the third sheet of the stock market class' sign up sheet. Tran thinks the class would be interesting and she has some background knowledge in the subject from a high school economics course. However, she isn't getting her hopes up. "I'm going to take another class to fill one of my core [requirements]," she said. Despite some students' trepidation, Gittleman said that registration went "quite well," which is not surprising considering the range of courses being offered. Notable classes this year include "A World of Bugs: An Introduction to Entomology," which will be taught by a professor with a Ph.D. from Harvard Medical School, where he conducted research on fruitflies to understand the biological development of the nervous system. Another innovative course takes the classroom into a chat room. "Mental Health Treatment in the United States: A Computer-Based Learning Approach" will be taught primarily online through the use of e-mail, website interaction, and computer applications. To gauge whether the method is effective, students will be involved in an ongoing evaluation of online learning throughout the semester. Gittleman said that the Ex College is supporting this venture to "test if online courses would be successful or if [students] feel they're missing something" from lack of a physical classroom experience. Although it utilizes the same concepts as many other online classrooms and universities, Gittleman asserts that this class is different from distance learning since students live so close to one another and can easily access the professor when necessary. The class will also meet in person at certain times throughout the semester. Despite the day's mayhem, most of the Ex College staff looked towards the new year with optimism. Flipping through the course bulletin, Kudo points out some of the classes that grab her attention as she ponders the course titles and professors. "There are definitely notable professors - they're all very qualified," she said.

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Morwick has jumbo shoes to fill

August 31

The women's cross country team enters the 2000 season under the direction of a new coach, Kristin Morwick, who took the reins from Branwen Smith-King after the close of the past outdoor season. Smith-King had coached Tufts' track and cross country for 17 years. While coaching changes are usually followed by a significant period of adjustment, all involved in this transition remain optimistic about the coming season.

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Ethnic groups work to gain cross-cultural interest

August 31

Millions of dollars as well as countless hours of manpower are spent each year to increase diversity at Tufts. This has resulted in the creation of a slew of student groups based on ethnicity. These groups attempt to share their culture with the community, and while they often are successful, many feel that there is, at times, a lack of cross-cultural involvement. The lags in intermingling between racial groups makes Tufts more of a mosaic of cultural expression than the melting pot that diversity proponents envision. "The administration does a good job with recruiting students and trying to promote the image of racial harmony, but whether they sustain it is a completely other question," Pan-African Alliance member Carl Jackson said. Campus groups noted that student involvement in other cultural clubs is low, whether through attendance of events and activities or through the joining the organizations that plan these programs. For example, Arab Students Association (ASA) Co-President Dina Karam said that there is a demonstrated lack of interest from students outside the Arab community in her organization, whose "main mission is to educate people about Arab culture." "At least from the Arab point of view, most of the events we host only attract Arabs, which kind of defeats the entire purpose of their being an Arab cultural club," she said. "Even at the Shisha night, which was supposed to appeal to a wide range of people, we did not get as much diversity as we had hoped for. We wanted the majority of students to be American, not Arab." While ASA is one group that is finding it difficult to attract wide-spread student interest in its programming, a number of other campus groups have found a diverse market within the community. Many of these are arts and performing organizations, which use their medium to cut across racial boundaries. "Music has a unique role on campus. People can really enjoy it whether or not they have any background in it," said Rael Nelson-James, president of Essence, Tufts' all-female a cappella group dedicated to singing music of the African Diaspora. "Musical groups have a unique opportunity to try to unite people behind something that is an experience rooted in the senses rather than something rooted in something more cerebral." Essence prides itself on the fact that three of the 14 members are not African American. The group's website explains "When it was first founded, Essence was intended, or perceived to be, only for women of color. But now we are proud to be one of the most diverse incarnations of Essence ever." Junior Betsaida Garcia, one of the three non-African-American members of Essence, said that race is a non-issue for the group. "Those of us who are not African American are drawn there because of the music," she said. Garcia said that the group's disinterest in ethnic background helps them attract the most talented singers. "I think it helps for other groups to see that it is all about music," she said. "I think that if Essence were all African American, people would think that they couldn't audition because they weren't black. Even when I auditioned, there were other people who weren't black, and it showed me [Essence] was very open." Other cultural performance groups that work to attract students regardless of any ethnic affiliation have experienced some difficulties. "At Sprit of Color, we do not say we're just one color, but people sometimes assume they can't do it because they're white," said Larissa Johnson, treasurer of Spirit of Color Performing Arts Troupe. The group was formed in 1996 when students felt that the dance troupe Sarabande was not making enough efforts to include students of color. Spirit of Color, which Johnson said is one of the most diverse groups on campus, has no ethnic affiliation, and performs dances from a variety of cultures. "Most semesters we try to have at least four culture dances. We try to have it varied so it's not all hip hop or jazz," Johnson said. Sprit of Color's show last week featured two Indian dances - traditional folk dance and one that was a modern mix of eastern and western style - as well as numbers in step dancing and African American tradition. However, Johnson did say that, for other groups that do not have as central a focus as Spirit of Color does with the arts, diversifying membership can be troublesome. "I don't want to say that people don't make an effort to blend together, but when it comes to joining a group that seems like it's based only in ethnicity it's very hard to other people to join," she said. Nelson-James said, however, that in the end, race or ethnic backgrounds are not the determining factor in students' decisions to participate in or attend events. "Groups have good turnout at events not because they think these events are for people like me, they go because they feel it will be a great event," Nelson-James said. "A dynamic speaker is a dynamic speaker." The existence of the varying ethnic organizations on campus furthers a principle that the University tries to reflect in all aspects of campus life: diversity. The purpose of establishing a diverse campus, in theory, is to celebrate peoples' variant backgrounds and heritages. "[The University seeks diversity] for all the best reasons, to provide an environment that reflects the world around us," said Mel Bernstein, Vice President for Arts, Sciences, and Engineering, who is responsible for many of the diversity programs on campus.

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General Colin Powell to speak at Gantcher today

August 31

General Colin Powell will arrive on Tufts' campus today and will deliver a speech in the Gantcher center as part of this year's Issam Fares Lecture Series. The 1,150 student tickets distributed for the event sold out almost immediately as a wave of excitement and anticipation swept over the campus. Powell will present a speech titled "Management of Crisis and Change: The Middle East." This is the first time that the year-old facility is being used, aside from an opening gala last year. Although Powell will be met with great enthusiasm and interest, his chosen topic has the potential to be controversial, especially in light of recent events both in the area and on campus. As one of the most esteemed and respected American public figures, Powell's ambition originally drove him from humble roots in Harlem to powerful advising positions with presidents Regan, Bush, and Clinton. He is well known for his previously nonpartisan stance and his leadership in the Gulf War, which have made him a skilled and knowledgeable authority on the Middle East.Over the last month and a half, when the violence in the region has stirred up international concern, Powell's analysis of the conflict has been in heavy demand. Many Americans look to him for answers to a foreign affairs situation that is unusually shocking in its brutality. "With the world focused on the unfolding events in the Middle East, I think we are extremely fortunate to have a man of Colin Powell's stature and experience as this year's Fares lecturer," Dean of Humanities and Arts Leila Fawaz said. Fawaz is the chair of the Issam Fares Lecture Committee responsible for bringing a noteworthy speaker to Tufts each year.While Powell has traditionally identified with the Republican agenda, he is well respected by both parties and encourages people to consider politicians as individuals and not as party figureheads.Although the specifics of his message are undisclosed, the general is trusted to take a sound and unbiased opinion about the Israel-Palestine issue. For the most part, it can be assumed that his speech is at least designed to push students towards more awareness of the injustice that occurs beyond the walls of the University.While the majority of the campus is excited, some student leaders have expressed concern about the perspective Powell will promote on the issue. "As an Arab, you learn to constantly be pessimistic. He is such an influential figure that his words are considered golden," Arab Student Association co-president Dina Karem said. "I fear that he may present a biased view that is pro-Israel. If that's so, this campus and America in general will become even more negative towards Palestinians."Karem grew up in Lebanon, which lies in the heart of the struggling area, and has devoted herself to following the progression of Israeli-Arab relations. She received a personal invitation from Issam Fares in hope that the Arab constituency at Tufts will be present at the lecture to represent their side of the issue. "I don't think that Powell will really delve into the issue. He will skirt around it and talk about peace abstractly. I am sure he will continue painting Israelis as the victims," Karem said. "It is painful and frustrating that media coverage sends out such a faulty, slanted message. Palestinians are not terrorists."Zoe Hastings, who helped organize a pro-peace vigil last month in response to recent events in the Middle East, shared Karem's worries the Powell may advocate a certain slant on the issue."I am apprehensive about Powell's speech. He will most likely take the Israeli side and encourage military retaliation," Hastings said. "It's not a bad thing he's coming. Students need to be informed consumers, but in my eyes, he is just a Republican figurehead."Members of the Islamic Society at Tufts, however, are hopeful that Powell's speech will raise awareness on campus."I'm not sure how he will present the issue but I trust his politics, even if they are biased, and I think it's great that he's coming," said Assis Elahi, president of the organization. There is also a political dimension to Powell's visit, as both candidates have considered giving him an administrative position. Tufts Democrats President Greg Propper said the speech should give students insight on a person who carries great weight in the American political system. "It makes me nervous to consider Bush the potential president. But if he does win, he will need capable politicians like Powell in his cabinet to create leadership. If Gore is elected, it's possible that he may recruit Powell for a position as well," Propper said. "What's a little troublesome is that people are streaming to the lecture without knowing exactly what the question is about or who Powell really is, but it goes to show how well respected the General is."Tufts Republicans co-president Sam Dangremond said that students should not be quick to equate Powell's discussion with politics. "He is an excellent and prestigious leader who happens to share his views with Governor Bush," he said. Although potentially controversial, the topic of Powell's speech furthers the goals of the Issam Fares Lecture Series, which attempts to educate students about the Middle East and facilitate understanding about this commonly misunderstood areaIssam M. Fares is currently the deputy prime minister of Lebanon and an honored philanthropist. As founder of the Fares Foundation, he has provided education to 40,000 students, brought medical help to 50,000 people worldwide, and dispensed aid to projects such as agricultural, rural development, arts, small industries, and community programs.Fares has served on the University Board of Trustees since 1992 and has donated three buildings to Tufts. His son Fares Fares, a Tufts graduate, created the Issam Fares Lecture Series in honor of his father in 1991. In the past the series brought prominent conservative speakers such as Margaret Thatcher and George Bush to speak at Tufts.

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News

New location allows program to expand

August 31

In an effort to increase its presence and visibility on campus, the Institute for Global Leadership at Tufts has moved out of the cramped basement of Miller Hall and into a new location at 128 Professors row. The new space will allow the program to expand in both scope and size as well as facilitate better interaction between staff and students. The move comes after a mandate from the administration telling the Institute to expand its impact not only for the students in its three main programs, but "for University students across the board" according to Institute Director Sherman Teichman. The Institute encompasses three programs - Education for Public Inquiry and International Citizenship (EPIIC), the China Institute for Global Leadership, and Immersive Education. According to program literature, the goal of the institute's programs is to engage students in "complex international and national issues across cultures as global citizens." Faculty and staff have responded positively to the opportunities the new facility is affording them. "There is definitely a lot more accessibility... we're also able to run more programs and invite more people here in a way that we couldn't before," said program assistant Danielle Lightburn. "It's a serious opportunity for us," Teichman added. Senior EPIIC student Matthew Isles said that the new house will allow the EPIIC program to offer more programming by providing a meeting place for the student committees to coordinate activities. Each student is required to be a member of two committees, one of which organizes many programs, such as speaker visits, multimedia presentations, or high school mentoring. The second committee participation required of students is focused on completing administrative tasks, such as public relations or advertising. The EPIIC program also consists of intensive academic coursework on the year's chosen topic, currently Race and Ethnicity. The aim of the Institute for Global Leadership is teach students skills that enable them to apply their knowledge of world issues to their lives. "I think the idealism is clear. We want the students involved to be change agents, to try to rectify problems in the world... while also being pragmatic. They also have to figure out what they need to do," Teichman said. "I think there's a quality educational experience here," The interdisciplinary focus of EPIIC forces students in the course to synthesize issues "from multiple angles," senior EPIIC student Mimi Feldman said. "Even though it's a really intense program that requires lots of work, it gives students a chance to go more in-depth into a topic than a normal academic setting does." The Institute also provides resources for which its participants are able to pursue study abroad programs, internships, and research projects. The China Institute, formerly called the Tufts Institute for Leadership and International Perspective, provides a multicultural study abroad program which pairs 11 Tufts and Fletcher School students with participants at schools in China. Students are assigned internships, which expose them to a variety of mentors, as well as attend lectures, take a course, and attend cultural field trips. Immersive Education is the newest program offered by the Institute, and it is designed to provide students with opportunities such as internships that will allow them to learn through real-world experience. It combines traditional coursework and directed and independent studies with hands-on research, mentorships, and public service. The new facility contains offices for program staff, conference rooms, a library, and archives for student research. "It's just a magnificent, beautiful space that allows us to show the beauty of all our different artwork, photography and artifacts," Teichman said. The building's interior is decorated with tokens from many cultures, all donated by students and professional artists who have participated in or contributed to the program. The office is laden with "all different types of mementos, from elephant figurines to sabers, photography to costumes."

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News

Wu-Tang Clan returns with 'The-W'

August 31

Since first hitting the scene seven years ago, New York's Wu-Tang Clan has become one of the most successful - and most profitable - rap franchises of all time. Hailing from the city's "forgotten borough" of Staten Island, or "Shaolin" as the Clan would have it, the group has released five studio albums and been featured on over ten rap compilations. The original ten members founded the popular Wu-Wear clothing line and served as the inspiration for PlayStation game Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style. With this month's release of The-W, the revised Wu-Tang lineup proves that the group intends to remain on the scene for quite some time. Without a doubt, The-W loses some potential with the absence of founding member Ol' Dirty Bastard (ODB). True, he may be more famous for his solo work, such as the 1999 album Nigga Please (after all, it spawned the frat party anthem "Got Your Money"). The ODB's profane, often-shouted lyrics were integral to early Wu-Tang albums like Swarm. However, his recent flirtations with the law (drug possession charges) kept him out of the studio for most of the recording of The-W. That didn't stop the other nine members - RZA, GZA, U-God, Masta Killa, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, and Cappadonna (phew!) - from dedicating The-W to his honor. Despite the challenge the album faces without one of the group's key members, The-W still could become one of the most crucial rap releases of the year. "Chamber Music," the first track, proves why the Clan is famous: the uninterrupted lyrical flows jump from member to member with the listener barely noticing. The song barely has a point; it's just party music to open the album. It also manages to earn the disk its parental advisory sticker early on, but who cares? It's all in good fun, Wu-Tang style. Generally, The-W's lyrics speak for themselves. Many songs on The-W are simply feel-good raps, like "Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)," with lyrics like "Niggas can't gel or I'm too hot to tell?/ Put on my gasoline boots and walk through hell." Others, like "I Can't Go to Sleep," deal with more serious subject matter like police brutality and drug abuse. Like many rap albums, one finds useless expletives balancing numbers of syllables in lines and maintaining rhymes, but the Wu-Tang takes its lyrics a step further with a sort of rap onomatopoeia. The repetition of "Somethin' in the slum, rum pa pum pum" in "Careful (Click, Click)" isn't funny. When combined with haunting lyrics about murder and accompanying sound effects, it's actually chilling. Additionally, clips taken from kung fu and gangster movies are integrated as song introductions. These not only add character to certain songs, but to the album as a whole. The choice of loops and samples on The-W sets the album apart from other recent releases. While mainstream artists as famous as DMX look to techno for modernistic beats, the music Wu-Tang uses (or steals, depending on your perspective) is a throwback to bygone eras of hip-hop and funk. The slow beat of "Careful (Click, Click)" gives the song a tone of seriousness, while the funky interludes border on disco. Not everything sounds the same, though. "Hollow Bones" is heavily influenced by reggae and "Gravel Pit," the first single, sounds akin to Madonna's "Beautiful Stranger" with its female vocal chorus and seedy lounge music melody. Overall, of course, it's the vocal style of the Wu-Tang members that unifies the 13 tracks. As if the album weren't strong enough, The-W features a list of guest artists that would impress Puff Daddy. Snoop Dogg's flawless rap on "Conditioner" adds flair to the track, while Isaac Hayes himself makes a characteristically soulful appearance on "I Can't Go To Sleep." Nas speaks out against the police on "Let My Niggas Live," and Busta Rhymes uses his distinct style to show how rap allows the impoverished to gain economic prominence in "The Monument": "Street niggas now the corporate boss/ Still go to your restaurant for steamed fish and Irish moss/ The way we do it and you see how my shit bomb/ Your whole show whack and I'm'a cancel your sitcom." "Conditioner" features an ODB sample on the chorus. His gritty voice and breathing into the microphone make the production values sound deliberately low, but bring to mind the group's earlier work. Redman and Junior Reid also make appearances. The-W is just what a Wu-Tang fan would expect from the Clan, minus the usual share of the ODB's lovably profane rhymes. The musical variety and lyrical continuity of the album make it a strong contender, and the added special effects and stellar list of guest artists certainly help. The-W might not be anything entirely new, but it's certainly a well-crafted creation.

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