Thursday, February 12, 2004 by The Brown Daily Herald

T H U R S D A Y FEBRUARY 12, 2004

THE BROWN DAILY HERALD Volume CXXXIX, No. 12

An independent newspaper serving the Brown community since 1891

Advisor to Palestinian government says end of occupation will stop violence

Keefrider ’04 named “Mr. Brown U.” BY ALEXANDRA BARSK

It was quite a spectacle in Salomon 101 Wednesday night, as 10 men from the Class of 2004, each representing a different student group, competed for the coveted title of Mr. Brown University. The winner of the 2004 Mr. Brown University Pageant was audience favorite Michael Keefrider ’04, while first runner-up was Lance Rubin ’04 and second runner-up was Christopher Yee ’04. Along with the honor of being named this year’s Mr. Brown University, Keefrider’s organization — the track team — will receive 10 percent of the proceeds from the event’s ticket sales, the rest of which will go to the fund for Senior Week. The event, sponsored by the Class of 2004 and hosted by Nicole Morris ’04 and Julian Jordan ’04, began with a choreographed dance set to “It’s Raining Men.” The audience cheered as the contestants, two of whom were clad in spandex bike shorts, leapt across the

BY SARAH LABRIE

Nick Neely / Herald

Clockwise from top left: Christopher Yee ’04, Joshua Biber ’04, Glenn Riddlespurger ’04 and Mr. Brown University Michael Keefrider ’04 performed in Wednesday’s competition.

see MR. BROWN, page 5

Author draws on experience with hate mail in writing novel BY STEWART DEARING

“Writing about medical training while you are doing it isn’t something you plan. It just happens,” said Dr. Perri Klass at a Wednesday night reading of her novel “The Mystery of Breathing.” The author of three novels and several collections of essays and short stories, Klass is a practicing pediatrician and medical director of Reach Out and Read, a program that promotes youth literacy. During her time at Harvard Medical School, Klass used writing as an escape from the intense medical training, she said. “Anyone who has a full life includes writing in it,” she said. When Klass graduated from medical school in 1986, one-third of her classmates were women, she said, making her one of the first female medical writers who didn’t have to focus on being a pioneer. This experience made her literature more interesting, she said. In “The Mystery of Breathing,” Klass writes about a young female neonatologist. “I wanted to imagine myself in the head of someone like that,” she said. see KLASS, page 4

UCS approves new groups after intense debate BY KRISTA HACHEY

The Undergraduate Council of Students welcomed a new member and delved into issues of objective decision-making and accessibility to the student body at its Wednesday meeting. Campus Life Chair Ari Savitzky ’06, who is also a Herald opinions columnist, clarified the current status of tableslips in dining halls. Table-slipping is back permanently. The Brown Events Magazine will continue as a pilot program until the end of the semester, but the magazine’s fate in coming semesters has not yet been decided. George Mathews ’05 from the Brown Daily Jolt attended the meeting to request feedback about the online textbook exchange and the possibility of removing it now that book-buying period has passed. Council members praised the Jolt for the collaborative effort and for the site’s success. “The site is amazing — I managed to pay $130 for all my books for five classes,” said Class of 2006 representative Natalie Schmid ’06. Luke Meier ’04, UCS coordinator of appointments, urged Mathews to maintain the site throughout the semester. “I just sold a book yesterday, and I buy books in the middle of the semester all the time,” he said. UCS President Rahim Kurji ’05 addressed two key issues in his weekly Executive Board report. Kurji praised

the turnout and content of President Ruth Simmons’ Monday address, which he said will likely become a biennial event. “Simmons’ speech also gave greater legitimacy to UCS by including that fact the student body has brought the issues she spoke about to the forefront,” he said.

Student Alliance discusses misuse of lab fees, studio closing hours risd news, page 3

The White House could be within reach of the Dems, thanks to Dean column, page 11

The wall the Israeli government is building between Israeli and Palestinian settlements can only lead to more violence, which will not cease until Israel ends its occupation of Palestinian land, said Diana Buttu, legal advisor to the Palestinian negotiating team, in a Wednesday night lecture in Starr Auditorium. Buttu, whose speech was titled “The Wall: Dead End or Road to Middle East Peace?”, said its construction has hurt the Palestinian economy by killing a large percentage of local olive trees. Now 145 kilometers long, the wall is part of an attempt by the Israeli government to confine Palestinian movement while increasing the volume of its settlements, Buttu said. Palestinians living behind the wall must rely on the Israeli military to allow them access to the fields and water they depend on for survival, she said. “They are basically living in an openair prison,” Buttu said. Buttu suggested an end to the occupation is dependent on increased international awareness of its severity. “What really frustrates me is when I read in the New York Times that there’s no longer an occupation,” she said. The situation in Israel is “neither a dispute nor a conflict,” but “an occupation,” she said, and encouraged Brown students to push the media toward using such ter-

see UCS, page 5

see BUTTU, page 6

Study abroad applications to be available online this week BY JANE TANIMURA

Students interested in study abroad will soon be able to apply to programs from their own rooms. Application materials for Brown’s study abroad programs should be available on the Internet by the end of the week, said Mell Bolen, associate director of international programs. Students will be able to enter all personal information, essays and course choices online and to print out other forms, such as professor recommendations. Though OIP initially feared that providing applications online would discourage students from visiting the office to seek advice about programs,

I N S I D E T H U R S D AY, F E B RUA RY 1 2 , 2 0 0 4 RISD community members discuss the role of fine arts in the presidential campaign risd news, page 3

www.browndailyherald.com

administrators recognized that “online applications are the way of the future,” Bolen said. The office also wanted to facilitate the process for students away from campus, she said. Because submitted information feeds directly into the office’s databases, the online process will ultimately improve communication between students and the office, Bolen said. Students will be able to log into their accounts to confirm their applications have been processed. Under the old system students had to inquire in person at the OIP office. see OIP, page 4

TO D AY ’ S F O R E C A S T Gymnastics falls in Pittsburgh meet, losing to Cornell, Rutgers and Pitt sports, page 12

Men’s and women’s swimming teams both lose matches over weekend sports, page 12

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THE BROWN DAILY HERALD

THIS MORNING THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2004 · PAGE 2 Coup de Grace Grace Farris

W E AT H E R THURSDAY

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GRAPHICS BY TED WU

Four Years Eddie Ahn

TO D AY ’ S E V E N TS GLOBAL SECURITY SEMINAR SERIES Noon - 1:30 p.m. (McKinney Conference Room,Watson Institute) — Annick Wibben,Watson Fellow. “Human Security: Concept or Strategy?”

ENVIRONMENTAL FUTURE OF PLANET EARTH SEMINAR SERIES 4 - 5 p.m. (MacMillan 117) — Dr. Peter Kareiva,The Nature Conservancy. “Good intentions are not enough: using science to be smart about con-

MENU SHARPE REFECTORY LUNCH — Vegetarian Curried Apple Pumpkin Soup, Egg Drop and Chicken Soup, Chicken Fingers, Grilled Chicken, Cheese Souffle, Zucchini Yiachni, Raspberry Sticks, Yellow Cake with Chocolate Icing, Apple Crisp.

VERNEY-WOOLLEY DINING HALL LUNCH — Vegetarian Eggplant Vegetable Soup, Chicken Mulligatawny Soup, Hot Turkey Sandwich, Stuffed Shells with Sauce, Mashed Potatoes, California Blend Vegetables, Raspberry Sticks.

DINNER — Vegetarian Curried Apple Pumpkin Soup, Egg Drop and Chicken Soup, Chicken in the Rough, Cheese Tortellini with Meat or Meatless Sauce, Cajun Potatoes, Sugar Snap Peas, Cauliflower in Dill Mustard Sauce, Multigrain Bread, Raspberry Sticks,Yellow Cake with Chocolate Icing, Apple Crisp.

DINNER — Vegetarian Eggplant Vegetable Soup, Chicken Mulligatawny Soup, Baked Stuffed Pollock,Vegan Paella, Italian Roasted Potatoes, Belgian Carrots, French Style Green Beans with Tomatoes, Multigrain Bread,Yellow Cake with Chocolate Icing.

My Best Effort William Newman and Barron Youngsmith

Greg and Todd’s Awesome Comic Greg Shilling and Todd Goldstein

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Intricate networks 5 Little devils 9 Rome, e.g. 14 It became independent in 1932 15 Gather 16 Decreed 17 Humdinger 18 Muscle beach misfit 20 Olympic weapons 22 Adoptee, perhaps 23 Org. with some big guns? 24 Layers 26 Part of a chain 28 Mayor’s bestowal 33 Dr. Dentons, e.g. 36 Sport 37 Balkan capital 38 They’re used for bussing 40 Bandies words 43 Worthless 44 Like 46-Across 46 Kabob choice 48 Golfer Trevino 49 Mid-calf slacks 53 Urge 54 Enjoys avidly 58 __ diem 60 Diamonds, in slang 63 “If I Had a Hammer” singer Lopez 64 Wrestling maneuver 67 Corsica neighbor 68 Violinist Stern 69 Where many browsers shop 70 Panache 71 Slow, musically 72 Issue, with “out” 73 Novice DOWN 1 Trickery 2 Blow one’s stack 3 One making a bundle

42 Barrie baddie 45 Crete-born artist 47 Tantrum thrower 50 Inferior 51 Ben and Sam 52 Mason’s aide 55 Nonsensical 56 Open, as a door 57 Parts of one begin 18-, 28-, 49- and 64Across

4 Grating sound 5 Treasury Dept. branch 6 1986 World Series winners 7 Split up 8 Enthusiasm 9 Colorful footwear 10 Alehouse 11 Abundant 12 “Maude” producer 13 Novelist Ferber 19 “Purity / Is obscurity” poet 21 Jambalaya, e.g. 25 Words of support 27 MBA course 29 Draft source 30 Graduate grillings 31 Flooring option 32 Where Bill met Hillary 33 Fall heavily 34 Swing 35 Peter Parker’s alter ego 39 Glitch 41 Word of support

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58 Golfer Mickelson 59 Peace of mind 61 Bryant of the NBA 62 Radar search 65 Framer’s enhancement 66 Elizabethan dramatist Thomas

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RISD NEWS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2004 · PAGE 3

Student Alliance discusses misused lab fees, student reps BY ALEXIS KUNSAK

The RISD Student Alliance prioritized investigating possible misuse of lab fees and instating regular student representatives from each department at its Wednesday evening meeting. The Alliance also outlined the process of applying for funding for new clubs and senior shows at its biweekly meeting, held in the Tap Room. Alliance member Lizzy Cross RISD ’04 updated the Alliance on the investigation into complaints about expensive lab fees, including allegations that some departments are using the funds to supplement their budgets, as opposed to paying for student materials. “(Provost of Academic Affairs) Joe Deal and the deans of the school are checking into all of the lab fees being charged now to students. … We are hoping the total in fees, about $400,000, can be cut in half,” Cross said. “Guidelines are being created that will be applicable by next year, to show where the money students are being charged is going, because no system to monitor these fees was previously there,” she added. The Alliance advocates using regular student representatives of each department to open lines of communication among the Alliance, students and faculty, said President Suzannah Park RISD ’05. “We can only be as strong as the students who are willing to be the spokespeople for their department,” she said. By attending regular Alliance meetings, students will be able to apply for funding to start clubs or transform gallery space for a senior show, said Alliance Vice President Becky Fong RISD ’05.

To obtain funding from the Alliance, a student group must submit an itemized list of needs to the Finance Committee. Student representative attendance will now be required for a department to receive funds for a senior show, a change Park said would show students the Alliance is committed to continuous student participation. Although no RISD class is officially scheduled during the Alliance meetings, every other Wednesday at 5 p.m., some students in the printmaking and glass departments said they cannot attend meetings because of departmental studio time. “In order to require attendance, you have to give a reason for people to be here,” said Emily Rosen RISD ’04, of the printmaking department. Rosen said a required spring semester class will prevent her from attending meetings. Students voted to reinstate RISD Global as an official club promoting institutional diversity, and supported new initiatives of the RISD Frisbee Club and Outing Club. Details will be posted on the Intranet. Claudia del Castillo RISD ’06 opened discussion on wintersession studio closing times. “It’s ridiculous that students are kicked out at midnight, because many people don’t keep a regular schedule and would like to nap after class and still be able to get work done late at night,” she said. Murmurs of agreement went around the room, but Fong said that if students had 24-hour access to studios, there must be a safe way for them to return home see ALLIANCE, page 9

Arts belong in 2004 campaign, RISD’s president says BY HAYLEY TYLER

Public funding for the arts is not as controversial as samesex marriage or the war in Iraq, but when they ignore the arts in their campaigns, Democratic presidential candidates miss an opportunity to challenge President George Bush, some RISD community members say. Arts and the humanities are rarely central issues in American politics, and funding for the arts typically comprises a small portion of the federal budget. Bush requested an $18 million funding increase for the National Endowment of the Arts last month, but his budget proposal also included the elimination of the $35 million Arts in Education program. RISD President Roger Mandle said programs like Arts in Education are crucial to developing an audience for art. “People need to be exposed to (the arts) to understand how and why to appreciate them,” he said. Art appreciation has economic as well as social benefits, said RISD Professor of Sculpture Ellen Driscoll. By visiting museums, attending symphonies and frequenting the theater, Americans feed money back into the economy, she said. “Where arts in a city thrive, there’s been copious documentation of the arts having an economic benefit to society,” Driscoll said. “The only way in which the arts can enter into (public) dialogue is by linking them to the economy.” Though Bush’s funding proposal for the NEA would amount to a 15 percent increase in the agency’s budget, if approved, it will still leave the NEA with less federal supsee ARTS, page 6

PAGE 4 THE BROWN DAILY HERALD THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2004

Clark exits race, vows to help Dems defeat Bush Little Rock, Ark. (L.A. Times) — Speaking softly and appearing to fight his emotions, retired Gen. Wesley Clark formally departed the Democratic presidential race Wednesday, but not before pledging to do everything he can to help oust President George Bush from the White House. “Folks,” Clark told well-wishers, “this old soldier will not fade away.” Clark decided to end his candidacy late Tuesday night, after finishing third in the Tennessee and Virginia primaries. He took a bus from Memphis, Tenn., to Little Rock, Ark., his home, Wednesday morning to make his withdrawal official. Clark gave no indication he might run again, nor did he endorse any of the remaining Democrats in this year’s contest. But Clark, who registered as a Democrat only after he launched his presidential quest, stressed his commitment to

continue to press the party’s case against the Bush administration. “George W. Bush has not led America, he has misled America, time and again,” Clark said, his tone resolute as he asked the crowd of about 300 to join him in that effort. During much of his campaign, Clark focused on his own credentials and mostly refrained from criticizing his rivals. That changed recently; with his political fortunes flagging, he launched attacks on Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, the Democratic front-runner, and Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina. But on Wednesday, he complimented them both, as well as Howard Dean, the former Vermont governor. “Our country is well-served by John Kerry, John Edwards and Howard Dean,” he said. “And I applaud them all.”

Klass

When a story about hate mail addressed to Klass reached the front page of the Boston Globe, she wrote a letter to the paper in her own defense. “After that, the hate letters stopped,” she said. “I was targeted because I was a writer, and I fought back as a writer. As soon as it happened to me, I knew I wanted to write about it.” Of her novel, Klass said, the writing process was “very therapeutic, but it’s not really about me.” Klass’ reading drew an audience of about 20 to the BioMedical Center and was cosponsored by the Office of Women in Medicine, the American Medical Women’s Association and the Pediatrics Interest Group.

continued from page 1 “Someone who likes a closeness to life and death and intense situations. Someone who is the opposite of me.” For the novel, Klass said she also drew on the experience of receiving anonymous hate letters as a hospital intern. The letters attacked Klass’ competency as a physician and accused her of plagiarism, she said. The protagonist of “Breathing” receives similar written attacks. When asked how the letters affected her life, Klass said, “I didn’t have time to think about it. If I were really lousy, at this stage in my life, they would be letting me know.”

OIP continued from page 1 The online application process will also allow the office to improve its program evaluations. And, in addition to current online evaluations, a mid-experience evaluation will also be in place, Bolen said. “That gives us a way to track what we’re doing well and not so well … and also to track the process itself for the students,”

she said. Though study abroad programs have become increasingly popular in recent years, Bolen said she does not anticipate that the online application process will increase the number of applicants to Brown programs. But the online option does “make the process easier and more accessible,” said Julie Falconer ’04, an OIP peer advisor who studied abroad in Prague last year. “It expedites the process,” she said.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2004 THE BROWN DAILY HERALD PAGE 5

Mr. Brown continued from page 1 stage, twirled and, on occasion, clapped. The panel of judges included Yoni Goldberg ’04, member of the Class of 2004 Social Committee; Kate Wolford RUE ’06, project director for Campus Life and Student Services; Fatima Areia of Brown Dining Services and the man known simply as Kevin of Max’s Upstairs. Contestants were judged based on their personality, poise, talent and responses during the question-andanswer section of the pageant, Jordan said. Each contestant was given five minutes to display his talent to the audience and judges. Keefrider is more commonly known as “MCK,” a nickname audience members chanted enthusiastically throughout the evening. His performance culminated in the pageant’s second choreographed group dance, demonstrating his talent for being the “life of the party.” Glenn Riddlespurger ’04, representing Phi Kappa Psi, entered the stage wearing a black Kangol hat to audience shouts of, “You’re so hot. Oh my god,” and “Take off your pants.” Riddlespurger said that because he does not have any demonstrable talents, he would instead attempt to fix the problem of “crappy hugs” at Brown. Riddlespurger instructed the audience on how to give a variety of hugs, including the “chest bump” and the “bear hug,” each of which he said is applicable to a different social situation. Riddlespurger said the “heart hug” could be used to convey the message, “Hey, what’s up? I care about you.” Rubin, representing the Brown Derbies, used his five minutes on stage to demonstrate two distinct talents. First, he performed a dra-

matic monologue portraying the character Jack Traven of the film “Speed.” Rubin then proceeded to perform an ode to the University’s president. He encouraged the audience to join him in singing the song’s chorus: “Who needs other women, when you could have Ruth Simmons?” During his performance, Tom Lipinski ’04 told the audience a self-made fable. He graphically recounted an incident involving his zipper, his “member” and blood, which was worsened because, he said, “I always get incredibly aroused when I go into the library.” Lipinski’s final words were, “To all you guys who are handling your johns: be careful.” Yee, representing Fusion Dance Company, gave a multifaceted performance involving tap dancing, gyrations and a nipple tweak. The audience applauded when Yee ripped off his sweatshirt to reveal a black mesh shirt. Other performances included dancing by Michael Littenberg-Brown ’04, representing MEZCLA, and Luis Campillo ’04, representing the Latin American Students Organization. Jason Alperstein ’04, representing Students for Academic Freedom, and Nick Bayard ’04, representing Live for Liberia!, both sang while playing guitar. Joshua Biber ’04, representing Student Hunger and Housing, did what he said he does best, which is embarrassing his girlfriend in public. Rubin told The Herald he was happy with the results because “the support for MCK was infectious.” He said he told Keefrider before the hosts announced the winner, “MCK, if you don’t win right now, there’s going to be a riot in the auditorium.” Herald staff writer Alexandra Barsk ’06 can be reached at abarsk@browndailyherald.com.

people from New Jersey on this campus and a lot of people want to join and talk about their home state,” Savitzky said. “We cannot, as a council, say we do not like continued from page 1 the idea of a group and justify Kurji also shared a memoran- our decision based on preferdum from Dean of the College ences.” Montz added, “We can Paul Armstrong concerning the annual Diversity Honors Thesis streamline when groups apply Prize. Students may submit a the- for Category II and III status, sis focusing on issues of race and because we know what they’ve ethnicity and compete to receive been doing,” he said. “It doesn’t hurt anyone one of two $500 The proposed New to give these cash awards. people the UCS will contribute the sum of Jersey Coalition, which opportunity to express one prize, taking money from its seeks to bring together themselves. It gives us budget. S t u d e n t state residents, incited time to evaluate them Activities Chair Rob Montz ’05 discussion about how accurately.” T h e inquired as to c o u n c i l whether UCS experienced funds other thesis to evaluate clubs some tense prizes. Kurji moments replied that the objectively and how when some Diversity Honors members Thesis Prize is selective UCS should attacked the currently the only seriousness one UCS funds. be in awarding of the Brown Kurji helped to To r t o i s e establish the Category I status. Racing Club, prize as a firstspearheadyear on UCS in light of “the importance of diver- ed in part by Associate Member sity in our community and the Joseph Beals ’04. In defending the seriousness lack of thesis prizes that support racial and ethnic diversity,” he of the club, which will put on an annual racing event, Beals said, said. Montz put forth eight new “It is based on something that clubs seeking increases in UCS already exists at other academic recognition and funding. The institutions, though not in U.S. proposed New Jersey Coalition, institutions.” Secretary Joel Payne ’05 which seeks to bring together state residents, incited discus- reminded representatives about sion about how to evaluate clubs the checks in place to keep objectively and how selective groups active and directed. “We UCS should be in awarding want to trust the people here in Council, and we have given our Category I status. Despite concern that the club trust to (Montz),” he said. “It would not serve a valid function, they don’t have a tortoise race, UCS ultimately gave the group they can be de-constituted.” Representative Divya Category I status based on the merits of its level of organization Kumaraiah ’07 spoke about a UCS-Campus Leadership and activity, if not substance. “The group is large — there Alliance effort to bring together were six people at their table all student leaders through during Activities Night at any monthly meetings to explore one time, there are hundreds of collaborations and funding

UCS

options. The first meeting is slated to be held after the Feb. 26 Corporation meeting. “At the meeting, students will be more informed about the initiatives the Corporation is planning and will be able to foster a directed, meaningful discussion,” Kumaraiah said. In response to complaints members have reported hearing about Morning Mail, a new mode of daily communication from the administration, UCS plans to tackle the issue during next week’s meeting. Members also discussed the current use and potential of time spent in the UCS office. Class of 2006 Representative Ilena Frangista ’06 said UCS needs to more effectively publicize office hours. While members can use the time to tend to UCS projects, the open hours are primarily in place to make members available to students. “Even though I’m there and available, no one comes,” Frangista said. Admissions and Student Services Chair Sonia Gupta ’06 and Mathews discussed the possibility of spreading word of UCS office hours via the Daily Jolt. After holding internal elections to fill the position of former at-large representative Vijay Malik ’05, the Council elected former associate member Dave Bronfman ’07 from among three candidates. Bronfman is helping to improve the UCS Web site by including personalized profiles of members so that students can put names and faces to personalities and personal goals, he said. He said he also wants to work on developing new fitness facilities. The meeting paused for a “singing valentine” from the Ursa Minors, who serenaded the council. Herald staff writer Krista Hachey ’07 covers the Undergraduate Council of Students. She can be reached at khachey@browndailyherald.com.

PAGE 6 THE BROWN DAILY HERALD THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2004

Buttu continued from page 1 minology. Buttu also urged students not to invest in socially irresponsible companies such as Caterpillar, which manufactures the machines she said Israelis use to tear down Palestinian houses. The wall, currently under construction, runs along the borders of Palestinian lands on the West Bank. The area around the wall is a closed military zone guarded by Israeli soldiers. Anyone who enters the zone can and will be shot, Buttu said. In a question-and-answer session after her lecture, Buttu emphasized that the majority of Israeli citizens do not support the occupation. But Palestinian violence against Israelis will not end until a solution to the occupation has been reached, she said, either by the creation of separate, equal states or by granting the rights of Israeli citizens to Palestinians in the occupied territories. “The only way that change is really going to happen is to address the occupation,” she said. At the beginning of the lecture, Buttu provided a historical and political context for the wall,

giving the background to the Oslo Accords of 1993. The Oslo Accords set the foundation for Palestinian-Israeli relations from 1993 until 2000. Their signing was marked by an historic handshake between Palestinian Prime Minister Yasser Arafat and former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, ostensibly indicating an end to years of bitter feuding. Palestinians were motivated to support the Oslo Accords because they thought the agreement heralded an end to Israeli occupation, Buttu said. Instead, the number of settlers living in occupied Palestinian territory doubled as Israeli settlements expanded. “These settlements are a violation of international law,” Buttu said. Buttu said the settlements divided the occupied territories by providing a dual system of laws — one for Israelis and one for Palestinians. Bypass roads built between Israeli settlements caused the destruction of homes and schools and cut off Palestinian access to potable water. Palestinians are now forced to stop at checkpoints when traveling from one area to another, and the wait at these checkpoints can reach up to 6 hours, Buttu said.

“There are 757 checkpoints in an area one quarter of the size of New Jersey,” she noted. After the Oslo Accords were signed and checkpoints were instated, Palestinians in the occupied territories lost much of their freedom as citizens, Buttu said, and were unable to freely access their houses of worship. A state-wide economic boycott against Israeli products ended when Palestinian merchants lost the ability to ship their goods freely. In an ironic twist, the Palestinian Authority was made responsible for Israeli security by being held solely responsible for preventing suicide attacks, Buttu said. Herald staff writer Sarah LaBrie ’07 can be reached at slabrie@browndailyherald.com.

Arts continued from page 3 port than it had 25 years ago. The NEA’s budget was reduced in 1995 when Republicans gained control of Congress. Conservatives argued that some of the projects funded by the NEA, including controversial works by photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, threatened national morality. Controversy is often the only way the arts attract widespread political attention, which might explain why current candidates fail to address them, said Jennifer Lawless, Brown assistant professor of political science. “The arts come up when issues of morality and values are at stake, or when there’s a question of censorship and First Amendment rights,” she said. “Those are sexier topics.” But Democratic presidential candidates could bring the arts into the public forum by challenging Bush’s poor record on arts funding, Mandle said. He noted Democrats might avoid talking about the arts because they fear charges of elitism. But candidates can approach the arts in a “broad cultural sense, to unite the country,” he said. Cristina Zancani RISD ’05 agreed presidential candidates should discuss the arts, but said she worried the lack of adequate arts education would close people’s ears to the message. “Art is the culture of the nation; it’s essential to the history of the nation and it should be taken into consideration by the presidential candidates,” she said. “But I don’t know if the majority of the population would understand that, because there’s not enough education that deals with art. That’s the first step.” But Mandle said the private sector also plays a crucial role. “Legislation (for the arts) is only symbolic; it must be matched by private support,” he said. “People in our government, senators, members of Congress, business leaders, people in education, should speak out on behalf of the arts even if the money isn’t there to support them.”

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2004 THE BROWN DAILY HERALD PAGE 7

W. swim continued from page 12 dual meet record for the year to 7-3. With its regular season closed, the team now looks forward to finishing its season strong at the Ivy League Championships. “Our focus is now, as it has been the entire season, on performing at Ivies. We are in a good position, individually and more importantly as a team, to do just that,” McCoy said. “We have two and a half more weeks to prepare and, based on the meets we’ve had this semester, I expect to see some exceptional things from

Gymnastics continued from page 12 the event. By coming through under pressure when the team really needed her, Nguyen proved her worth as a leader on the squad in years to come, Finst said. “It shows a lot about her potential, because she really stepped up to the plate when we needed her,” she said. “Her entire team is very proud of her.” Nguyen’s performance helped set a tone for the rest of the meet. The floor routine was another strong event for the Brown gymnasts on Saturday. Here they were led by Amber Smith ’06 and Finst, who each scored 9.725. Suzanne Schlosser ’04 and Melissa Forziat ’05 also had solid performances. Mandi Baughman ’06 had her best floor routine of the season, with a score of 9.65. Baughman usually competes on the beam, but Saturday was her day to shine in a new event. She added difficulty to the routine, which increased the risk factor but also increased her score after her flawless finish. The team might not have pulled out a win against these three tough teams, but the spectacular individual performances could add up to a win this Sunday, when the Bears come home to host Springfield College.

this team.” Daniels agreed, noting that the team kept a positive outlook even though it was not victorious. “If anything, the Yale meet gives us more confidence than we had before,” Daniels said. “Two years ago, Yale beat us by 50 points, and we went and just missed winning the Ivy League title by 15 points. “Last weekend, our team and Yale were in very different positions,” Daniels added. “They were just coming off a taper, and we are just beginning our taper. We swam very well for the position we were in, and if there is one thing that we are walking

away from that meet with, it is the desire to win.” Head Coach Peter Brown also seemed optimistic about the upcoming challenge. “Dual meets are stepping stones and nothing more than that,” he said. “We are as determined as ever to make a good showing at Ivies and I am confident that the team we are taking to Harvard in two weeks will do just that.” The Ivy League Championships will take place Feb. 26 in the Blodgett Pool at Harvard University. The meet is the last for seniors Daniels, Hoban, Lee, McCoy, Pedersen and Pullman.

PAGE 8 THE BROWN DAILY HERALD THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2004

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2004 THE BROWN DAILY HERALD PAGE 9

Troy continued from page 12 minutes, that the Rangers would continue to miss the playoffs and that he and Andre Agassi would continue to use the same barber. In what was likely his final All-Star appearance, Messier chipped in with a goal and an assist. He now holds league records for All-Star Game assists and most times using a hockey stick as a cane. The game’s MVP honors went to Joe Sakic, who notched a hat trick. This marked the second straight year that the MVP came from the losing team. To commemorate the honor, the league is allowing the Anaheim Mighty Ducks to call themselves Stanley Cup Champions, despite losing to the New Jersey Devils in the finals. Even though his team lost, Sakic was happy to receive the honor and the huge paycheck that comes along for playing in a game with no real consequences. The NBA announced the participants for the Slam Dunk Contest and Three-Point Shooting Contest at this weekend’s All-Star Game. The line-up for the Slam Dunk Contest consists of Chris Andersen, Ricky Davis, Fred Jones

M. swim continued from page 12 respectively, against Columbia and Yale, in the three-meter event. Coming down the home stretch of the season, Brown is looking for a strong finishing kick to propel the team into the post-season. “I think you’re always looking for something to make yourselves better,” Brown said. “Detail is very important. Relay turns, starts, finishes and other technical issues are extremely important. We are making sure that we get the best we need.” Such precise training will be necessary if Bruno wants to make a name for itself at the EISL Championships three weeks down

and Jason Richardson. Can you even name the teams that any of these guys play for? The roster is not quite Brent Barry and Isaiah Rider, let alone Kobe, Vince Carter or Michael Jordan. The over/under on missed dunks is five, while the over/under of television shots of Dikembe finger-waving in the crowd is seven. The only way this year’s contest can be saved is if LeBron enters the competition, and a la Vinsanity, dunks over Yao Ming. If that happens, the Knicks will look to trade for Ming and play him and Fredric Weis as their new stars. At this point though, is there even any dunk that would be truly original? Windmill, tomahawk and between-the-legs slams have all been done. Unless a player dunked two balls and Spud Webb at once, it would be unimpressive. Finally, in his book coming out next month, Cedric Ceballos finally admits that he could see through his blindfold when he won the Slam Dunk Contest. After years of denial, Ceballos hopes the admission will allow him to watch an NBDL game. Joshua Troy ’04 is upset that Cal Ripken was basically thrown an underhand pitch to hit for a homerun in his final All Star Game.

the road. “Goal-wise, you want to have as many lifetime-best performances as you can,” Brown said. “We should have a goal of winning something at Easterns, along with getting as many points as we can as a team.” Brown returns to action Saturday when it travels to Ithaca, N.Y., to face Cornell University in the conclusion of the regular season. Two and a half weeks afterward, Bruno travels to Princeton, N.J., for the EISL Championships, March 4-6. Herald staff writer Chris Mahr ’07 is an assistant sports editor and covers men’s swimming. He can be reached at cmahr@browndailyherald.com.

Alliance continued from page 3 at night. “safeRIDE runs until 3 a.m., and you are guaranteed a ride if you call by 2:30 a.m., but there is a one-hour gap before RISD Public Safety offers to escort students home beginning at 3:30 (a.m.),” del Castillo said. “That system needs to be revised anyway.” Del Castillo and other Alliance members agreed to set up a meeting with Deal to discuss building closing times during the wintersession and regular semesters. Starting next week, the Alliance’s agenda will be posted on the Intranet for students to view the Friday before each the meeting. Any new suggestions can be emailed to officers for inclusion before the Alliance meets, Park announced. “We need to compile an agenda so that time can be used efficiently and we can cover topics like the expansion projects that need our constant attention so that we don’t get left out of decisions,” she said. “That way each meeting will end with a solid focus and an idea of our agenda and concerns for next time.” Herald staff writer Alexis Kunsak RISD’05 can be reached at akunsak@browndailyherald.com.

THE BROWN DAILY HERALD

EDITORIAL/LETTERS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2004 · PAGE 10 S T A F F

E D I T O R I A L

Not so fast Sometimes, comfort and ease shouldn’t be our goals. Being able to complete mundane tasks online from the comfort of the ergonomic chairs in the Rockefeller library makes all our lives easier. We pay credit card bills, renew library books and arrange to meet friends for dinner all over the Internet in ways that were impossible just a few years ago. But when it comes to tasks requiring more deliberation and care, the impersonal Internet simply can’t substitute for individualized attention. Making a major decision such as whether and where to study abroad shouldn’t be an easy one. It should be the result of a careful process of self-reflection and setting goals. That’s why officials from the Office of International Programs were hesitant about putting study abroad applications online — they worried that students would no longer be encouraged to seek out personalized advice in the Rhode Island Hall office. Yet this valid concern was superseded by a belief that “online applications are the way of the future.” Study abroad applications will go live on the Internet by the end of this week. Brown has always played catch-up with the ways of the future; the University is notoriously behind the times when it comes to what students can do online. At other, larger universities, registration and other bureaucratic processes are streamlined more efficiently than at Brown. But at these same schools, students can graduate without developing relationships with advisors and professors, without having to figure out where to get help and without consulting with fellow students going through the same deliberations. They can make bad decisions without speaking to anyone with the experience and training to stop them. Brown students have long compensated for their school’s technological deficiencies by actively seeking out help and advice when they need it. Their dedication and willingness to pursue help are two of the qualities that distinguish Brown students from their peers at these larger universities. It is disturbing to hear Brown administrators would compromise these qualities simply because it is what other schools do these days. OIP officials are right — online applications probably are the way of the future. But if embracing the way of the future means shortchanging the students of the present, maybe it isn’t time for us to plunge into the future quite yet.

SHANE WILKERSON

LETTERS

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OPINIONS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2004 · PAGE 11

ARI SAVITZKY

What we owe Dean (besides a vote) President Bush is feeling the heat. This week’s Time magazine cover features a face-off-style graphic of Bush with the title “Does Bush have a credibility gap?” The mainstream press, typically a sluggish, money-eating manatee of a creature, has awakened from its noontime nap just in time to cover a grand jury investigation of the White House over the outing of a CIA official, fan the flames over Bush’s National Guard Service (his records apparently have been to more states than I have), and splash the whole “we-werewrong-about-the-war” thing all over the weeklies. The president’s Feb. 8 appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” was roundly panned as at worst lying and at best — in the words of conservative Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan — “not impressive.” The president is polling below Democratic frontrunner John Kerry in some head-to-head polls at this point. Which brings me to Howard Dean. Gov. Dean has changed the nature of American political discourse, and ultimately shifted the course of American history. And while the corporate media and the Democratic National Committee might have made concerted efforts to quash the doctor, his candidacy will be responsible for a Democratic victory in November. After the 2002 congressional elections, Democratic voters yearned to be empowered, and Dean called on them directly to stand up and change America. This catalyzed the growth of the Internet as an organizing and fundraising tool. The empowerment meme worked for Dean, and now works well too for John “Stand up for Change” Kerry and John “You Have the Power” Edwards. Americans are starting to believe again that they own their government. Dean expressed his opposition to the war in Iraq

when the public was 70-30 percent for it. The most recent Gallup poll shows Americans are now split 49-49 over whether the war was worth it. While most voters may fit more into the I-was-duped narrative both Johns are peddling, Dean’s early audacity broke the taboo of criticizing the war on terror. Dean was hit hard for his

The governor has given the Democrats a shot at the White House. Bush-bashing, but his candidacy single-handedly mainstreamed the notion that Bush bungled his biggest issue. Similarly, Dean’s other criticisms of the Bush administration have become the talking points of the Democratic field. While the Johns both voted for the No Child Left Behind Act, Dean’s condemnation of Bush’s public school reform forced them to become critics of it too. His fervor inoculated the Democratic candidates against the contradiction between their own votes and their current stump speeches. Universal healthcare, fiscal responsibility, challenging the Republicans in the red states on jobs and education — the Democrats have a plan and a case against the current president because they aligned around Dean’s initial message. At the same time, the primaries have been a media bonanza. Howard Dean’s “I have a scream” speech bumped the president below the fold the morning after the State of the Union address. During the Democratic

primaries, voter turnout has increased by 500 percent from the 2000 presidential primary in some precincts, state turnout is way up across the country and Democratic voters are ready for a fight they can win. In New Hampshire, 2,500 Republicans wrote in Democratic candidates on their ballots. The media frenzy, the exhaustive coverage and the energized Democratic base are all directly related to Dr. Dean’s candidacy. The Doctor’s backbone transplants have translated into a rising Democratic party, and the longer the Dems have a powerful, unified field of candidates, the longer the story is them — and the closer we get to spending limits on W’s now targetless war chest. John Kerry has positioned himself well as the generic Democrat who has been challenging the president in the polls for several months. But it was Dean’s message (since pilfered by the other candidates), his initial boldness and his honesty about the state and the needs of our union that have created a polity in which a Democrat can beat George Bush. While Sen. Kerry is currently reaping the benefits, November will see America harvest the bounty the Doctor sowed. And regardless of whether Gov. Dean is on the ticket, he will ultimately be viewed as a political prophet. In some future histories, Dean’s candidacy will be seen as a means by which an insurgent candidate changed and shaped the American political discourse. In others, it will be the opening chapter of “The Dean Administration: How America Became a Better Place.” Ari Savitsky ’06 worked for the Dean campaign in New Hampshire over winter break.

Where did this panel go wrong? GUEST COLUMN BY BETH GOLDMAN, ARI JOHNSON, HANNAH LANTOS, MICHAELLA MATT, FATIMA QURAISHI, JAKE ROSENBERG, SHIRA WAKSCHLAG AND SARAH ZAKOWSKI

People may have come to last Tuesday’s (Feb. 3) panel, “Democracy and Peace: An Exploration of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict,” thinking it would be the same as any other panel that they had attended on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: full of anger, bitter blaming, polarized presenters, and all of the usual arguments about the unambiguous evil of suicide bombers or settlers. Unfortunately, they were right. We, the organizers, envisioned an event that would transform a divisive and bitterly emotional debate into an important new forum for intellectual exchange on a conflict that is in dire need of new ideas. We hoped to change the tone of the dialogue from a presentation of dogmatic and immutable positions into a constructive conversation with mutual understanding of each other’s arguments and pain. Those of us who organized the event are the leaders of a wide variety of student organizations, including Brown Students for Israel, Friends of Israel, the Muslim Students Association and Tikkun. Among these groups, we have supporters of the wall, opponents of the wall, supporters of the Israeli settlements in the West Bank, supporters of the Palestinian cause, supporters of the current Israeli government and everything in between. And yet we came together regularly for the past six months to plan an event that, through its panel of diverse speakers and its higher goal of greater understanding, would satisfy our common ground: our shared concern for peace in the region. We envisioned that our panelists, though not necessarily in agreement with each other, would explore together the challenges and aspirations of Israeli and Palestinian societies by delving wholeheartedly into the historical and contemporary role of democracy in the Israeli-Palestinian relationship. By bringing scholars together to discuss both

Palestinian and Israeli democracies, we sought to create a compassionate intellectual atmosphere where the audience could learn about and discuss the trajectories of the Israeli and Palestinian people and identify areas for improvement and growth in the Israeli-Palestinian relationship. We tried to express this vision to the panelists and to set up the structure of the panel in a way that would facilitate this kind of exploration. The schol-

In order to stop the conflict, we must change the conversation. ars of Israeli politics were instructed to focus on ways in which to improve and solidify Israeli democracy, while the scholars of Palestinian politics were asked to focus on methods with which to develop Palestinian democracy. We instructed the speakers to address the past, present and future of Israeli and Palestinian democracies, rather than just to make policy recommendations. Unfortunately, the panel did not realize our goals. The political perspectives were not balanced and the atmosphere of introspection and investigation never developed. We wanted to listen to panelists who would enable us to truly consider each point of view and understand and empathize where it was coming from. Instead, the presentations became polemical and at times bitterly emotional. Members of the audience responded to such emotional appeals on an equally combative and emotional key. As happens all too often at such events,

we failed to communicate and found ourselves and the audience clapping for the people we agreed with and sitting sullenly silent waiting for the people we disagreed with to stop talking. We struggled with this outcome. Why did we not get what we wanted? Why could we not change the dialogues, or lack thereof, at this university? Even within our group, we had very different reactions. Some of us thought the panel brought up essential and often unspoken questions underlying the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Others among us felt disappointed to have put our names on the organizing list of a panel we felt to have been one-sided and misleading. Regardless of the nuances in our reactions, we all agreed that the panel did not achieve our ideal of a discussion that encompassed a diversity of perspectives and not only listed demands for peace, but also embodied peace in its process. Some might argue that our expectations for a mutually compassionate and self-critical discussion of this conflict were unreasonable and naive. But we maintain that this is a vision we can and must continue to strive for. Bitter, emotional arguments about these issues reproduce and amplify the very conflict they attempt to resolve. Therefore, to help transform the conflict, we must first transform the conversation. While the panel did not create the kind of discussion we had envisioned, we believe that our collaborative process in organizing this event should be a source of hope for those who share our yearning to transform the discussion on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In organizing this event, we began to talk to each other. We are bringing different ideas together, and we are trying to understand each other. We disagree. And yet we can create a new conversation. Beth Goldman ’04 et al. don’t think talk is cheap.

THE BROWN DAILY HERALD

SPORTS THURSDAY THURSDAY 12, 2004 · PAGE 12

All-Star events showcase the best of the pros

and Julia Lippe-Klein ‘07 finished first and second in the 100-yard breaststroke and McCoy and Katie Schlesinger ’07 took first and third in the 100-yard freestyle. Contributing second-place finishes to the team were Alexis Skoda ’05 in the 200-yard breaststroke, Lindsay Hoban ’04 in the 200-yard backstroke and Jean Lee ’04 in the 500-yard freestyle. Also adding points to their team’s score were the Brown divers. Amy Latinen ’07 took second place and Jessica Larsen ’06 took third on the onemeter board, and the two took fourth and third, respectively, in the threemeter event. Despite Brown’s strong effort, Yale’s gambit was its 1-2-3 finish in the 200yard individual medley, the meet’s penultimate event. Even Brown’s firstplace finish in the 200-yard freestyle relay could not turn the tide in favor of the Bears. The result brings the team’s

It’s about that time, folks — time for meaningless exhibitions in which three major professional sports present the best they have to offer. The all-star games for the NFL, NHL and NBA happen within the span of a week each year, so I have decided to JOSH TROY bring you a recap of SPORTS COLUMNIST the first two and a preview of the third as only he can. The NFC comes back from a 25-point deficit to defeat the AFC, 55-52, in the Pro Bowl. The combined score for both teams was 25 points higher than the previous record for a Pro Bowl, and the game itself represented just the second time in NFL history that a total score surpassed 100. Apparently, the AFC’s defense consisted entirely of players on the Kansas City Chiefs, so expect Dick Vermeil to continue crying from now until the start of the preseason. In another down moment for the AFC, Mike Vanderjagt missed two field goals after missing none in the regular season, including one to tie the game as time expired. His Colts teammate, Peyton Manning, who also threw two interceptions, blamed their poor performance on being liquored up. For the record, none of Manning’s interceptions was to Ty Law. On the NFC side, Marc Bulger passed for an NFC-record four touchdowns and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. Unlike teammate Kurt Warner, Bulger did not celebrate his touchdown passes with a Bible reading in the end zone. The performance not only cemented Bulger as the Rams’ quarterback of the future, but also as a QB who plays best in meaningless games. In a game with 107 points, the leading rusher was Shaun Alexander, with just 66 yards. The teams agreed to run the ball only when Joe Theismann was not contradicting one of his co-anchors. In the NHL All-Star Game, the Eastern Conference bested the Western Conference 6-4. Just as when the Rangers won the Stanley Cup in 1994, 43-year old Mark Messier guaranteed victory for the East. Messier also guaranteed that each period would last 20

see W. SWIM, page 7

see TROY, page 9

Judy He / Herald

The women’s swimming and diving team dropped a tough meet to Yale University this past weekend, losing 155-145.The loss came despite strong performances from several individuals.

Women’s swimming drops heartbreaker, 155-145 BY ARON GYURIS

The women’s swim team was barely edged out by Yale University this past Friday in the team’s final dual meet of the season, held in New Haven, Conn. The Bears led halfway through the meet but could not oust the Bulldogs, and the team closed the meet a mere 10 points behind their adversaries, 155-145. “Yale won a couple of close races in the second half of the meet,” said Cocaptain Liz Daniels ’04. “This gave them the edge to beat us by 10 points, which is nothing in a meet where the score is in the high 100s.” Opening the competition was the

dominating first-place finish of Brown’s 200-yard medley relay team, consisting of Daniels, Elisabeth Wong ’06, Karlyanna Kopra ’07 and Co-captain Emily McCoy ’04. McCoy stepped up to the blocks again to take third place in the 200-yard freestyle, where teammate Toni Pullman ’04 placed first. The Bears’ offensive continued when Daniels touched the wall in the 100-yard backstroke with a convincing victory. Continuing their domination of the competition, Daniels and Eileen Robinson ’06 claimed first and second places in the 50-yard freestyle, Kopra

Yale, Columbia too deep for men’s swimming BY CHRIS MAHR

Despite strong efforts in freestyle and relay events, the men’s swimming team dropped tough decisions in a dual meet with Columbia and Yale universities in New York City Saturday. Bruno fell to Columbia 183.5-112.5 and Yale 193-95. Both the Lions and the Bulldogs entered Saturday’s meet with winning records for the Ivy League season, with Columbia coming in at 3-2 (4-4 overall) and Yale at 7-2 (9-3). “We match up well with their frontline people. After that, the way that they get us is depth,” said Head Coach Peter Brown. “What played into their favor is that we went with a long order of events and they went with a shorter order.” Despite the end result, Coach Brown said he was impressed with his team’s performance. “We swam well, about as well as we expected this time of year,” Brown said. “I felt that we competed well and performed well and I feel good about how we did.” Leading the way for Brown were two seniors, PJ Santoro ’04 and Jefferson Moors ’04. Moors took first in the 200yard freestyle against Columbia and third against Yale, while also taking first and

third, respectively, in the 200-yard backstroke. Santoro took first place against both Columbia and Yale in the 100-yard breaststroke. Santoro and Moors teamed up with Matt Zimmerman ’05 and Brian Sharkey ’06 to grab first in the 200-yard medley relay against both schools. “Everybody did a pretty good job, and I think overall we did just about everything I had hoped we would,” Brown said. “Winning the medley relay was very impressive, and our freestyle relay was rock solid.” Also swimming well for Bruno were Timothy Wang ’05 and Matthew DelMastro ’05. Wang tied for first with Tobin White of Columbia in the 100-yard freestyle and took third in the event against Yale. DelMastro had a strong showing in the 100-yard butterfly, taking first against Columbia and second against Yale. In the diving portion of the program, Matthew Freitas ’07, the lone diver on the men’s team, took second against Columbia and first against Yale in the one-meter event. Freitas followed up this success by taking third and second, see M. SWIM, page 9

Gymnastics team stumbles at Pitt meet BY BROOKE WOLFE

The women’s gymnastics team placed fourth in competition against Rutgers, Cornell University and the University of Pittsburgh on Saturday on Pittsburgh’s home turf. The Bears were unable to overcome strong competition from Pitt and Rutgers, who took first and second place with scores of 194.75 and 192.55, respectively. Brown has defeated Cornell in the past, but at this meet, Cornell came out with a slight edge, scoring 188.475 to Bruno’s 188.275. But with few opportunities to compete against schools as competitive as Pitt, the meet was a good opportunity for the team to spotlight its skills. The team boasted several outstanding individual performances but was not quite able to hold on to the amazing winning streak that lasted through Brown’s first three weeks of competition.

Despite the disappointing loss, the team finished the meet with a positive outlook. “Strong teams such as the University of Pittsburgh motivate us to work harder for meets to come,” said co-captain Jayne Finst ’04. Co-captain Gina Verge ’04 was Brown’s top performer, scoring a 9.7 on the bars, followed closely by Kelly Moran ’05 (9.65) and Sarah Cavett ’06 (9.625). Finst demonstrated her skills in all parts of the gym, bringing home a firstplace finish in the beam, two third-place finishes in the all-around and vault and a 13th-place finish on the floor. But it was not just the upperclassmen that had a chance to shine at the competition. Nadia Nguyen ’07 competed for Brown for the first time and performed flawlessly on the beam to place fifth in see GYMNASTICS, page 7