I 25, V 42

utlook ‫ اجلامعة األمريكية في بيروت‬The American University of Beirut

Vol. XLII, No. 25 |

Monday, May 24, 2010

| The Independent Student Publication Since 1949

INSIDE

USFC strikes deal with administration

Editorial Opinion Campus News

www.aub.edu.lb/outlook

2 Outdoors 3 Out of The Box 4-8

9-14 15

Editorial

USFC Suckerpunches Student Body

2

What happened this week?...

Bliss Street, West Hall 208 tel: 01 350 000 ext.3193

readoutlook@gmail.com

2

Editorial Editorial USFC Sucker-punches Student Body

Mohamad Yahia Hamade Editor-in-Chief The past week’s events were revolutionary, to say the least. We stood together, united in our mission to overthrow oppression, and we made our voices heard. As we were marching towards College Hall, picket signs and hopes in hand, we believed that the USFC had our best interest at heart. However, in light of recent revelations, it has become evident that the USFC has been working in parallel, with a committee that they had assembled to represent them on the grounds as the leaders of this movement, and to come up with day-to-day action plans regarding the movement that the students created.

The USFC has despoiled and mitigated every effort and hope that we, students held in our optimistic hands. This veiled, newly formed committee went behind the student body’s back and presented a proposal to the Provost, which entails nothing that the committee had agreed upon or had even been informed of. The said proposal included many suggestions and requests, most of which are improbable and unrealistic. What pains me most is not the betrayal of the USFC against the students, but the flimsy, decrepit attempts behind the construction of this proposal, which could easily be outdone by an MUN stu-

dent’s poorly written resolution. However, I am not here to analyze the less-than-mediocre English skills of the USFC, but to defend the promise made to the students who supported this movement.

One of my favorite proposed ideas is that of a selection committee, headed by USFC members, which would be responsible for picking and choosing the students who would receive financial aid.

Yet, how could it be a fair process if the USFC itself is selected based on political affiliation and manifesto, instead of character and kahunas? Moreover, it suggests that “AUB [will] cover the extra cost of the additional three credits for every student eligible for financial aid, over and above the regular financial aid amount.”

Now, I may be slow to comprehend, but how would this help the original cause? The main reason behind our protest is the collective desire to not pay an additional $3000 for our education, regardless of whether or not we are receiving financial aid. This would mean that AUB financial aid will cover the 3 extra credits, but you would still have to pay for the other 12, which will be more expensive anyway. I mean, what does that save me, like, $6 to buy a hotdog with?

Our “fearsome” leader, Elias Ghanem, sold us out by working hand-in-hand with the administration on postponing and prettifying the policy, without actually changing anything about it.

All this was done without the approval or knowledge of the official committee, that was hand-selected by Ghanem himself, which he ended up bamboozling anyway. To top things off, our “leader” had the nerve to publicly state that he did nothing wrong and stands up for every step he took, no matter how detrimental it could be to our

cause. How are we supposed to trust our appointed leaders if they go about deciding our future without even listening to us and marginalizing other committee members and other appointed leaders of this movement? This form of surrender will not help our mission, but hinder it, because it does not suggest any changes, only minor modifications to completely unrelated issues. What’s improved financial aid selection going to do for those who do not receive their need-based support?

Speaking in economic terms, this policy will cause an overflow of financial aid applications, which will, in turn, cost AUB more than it will profit from the increased fees. So, to be honest, I don’t get why this policy is being enforced in the first place. As students, we have a responsibility to succeed in our academic journeys, which includes stuff like occasionally showing up to class, paying some attention, and the rare case of actually studying. What this responsibility does not include is working our butts off to pay for our education, which should be rather affordable. Just like one of our slogans said, “education is a right, not a luxury.” We’re paying to learn here, not buying a Bentley.

We have much to discuss with university officials and student representatives, and we thought that we had made our opinions clear in last week’s demonstration.

We realize that this is a corporate decision which cannot simply be revoked, but that still doesn’t change the fact that it was done without the students’ knowledge or consent. Why did everyone neglect to acknowledge us when this policy was created, as if we weren’t going to be impacted by its results?

Who’s paying? We are. Who’s suffering? We will be.

3

opinion To quote Britney Spears

To quote Britney Spears, “there’s only two types of people in the world, the ones that entertain and the ones that observe.” Disregarding the allegedly vapid medium and context across which these words were carried, they do have some meaning.

And last Thursday, this meaning hit me like a truck.

Actually, it was a truck. And to be more specific, I hit it!

Standing there, in the middle of the road, exchanging information with the truck driver, I could not help but notice everyone who was noticing me.

Rather than simply going on their way, everyone had to ask about what happened, stare, and pass by in slowmotion.

But, everyone does this. Everyone likes a spectacle, and that is exactly what I had be-

Confessions of a (Self) Drunkard

Timmy Malkoun Staff Writer

Rami Diab Staff Writer

come, for that brief time at least.

The thing is, though, that the people who are spectacles become that in the eyes of the spectators, and only that. In other words, to them they are no longer people, but just something to look at.

Empathy/sympathy seems to be a thing of the past, and I guess that has to do with the culture we seem to have collectively adopted.

We currently live in a world where we are bombarded with entertainment opportunities, so much so, that we have grown to acquaint almost everything that does not enter our lives and affect our immediate realm as such.

A person protesting at Job Fair is not only a person protesting at Job Fair, but something to look at and be entertained by, albeit temporarily. On the flip side, a person making an utter fool out of themselves is not that, but again something to stare and laugh at.

More so than ever, we objectify one another. This can’t be good.

was unconsciously a victim of the very poison I was dreading, diseased with the sickness I so desperately tried to escape. Like a prey unto myself, I felt consumed by my own arrogance and this “paradigm self,” which had taken me such time and mindful concern in building, instantly crumbled before my eyes.

And to think, that all this time I was humbled by ignorance, balderdash! Where is the humbleness in fearing one’s vacancy of knowledge, in securely concealing his ignorance the way one does precious gems and jewels? Where is the shame in being oneself, in unmasking one’s experience and inexperience alike? Foolishly, I had tried to camouflage my ignorance, as if somehow and ironically, by some awesome stroke of luck, it would be an open door way into my pruning. Where is the sense in that I ask you? Now I stand before you in guilt, but more importantly, I stand corrected, cured from the bewitched spell of pseudo-modesty, that devilishly wounding raw yolk of pride. For what it’s worth, I’m glad to have discovered it at long last. So my question to you is, have you too by any

Mikhael Naime, in his short story titled The Cuckoo Clock elegantly demonstrates a silent yet common tragedy of mankind. He writes, and I quote in Arabic to English translation, “the earth sees no shame in culturing its flowers [alongside] its thorns and its wheat grains [alongside] its spoiled seeds, for all that it encloses is pure. People however, ashamed by their thorns and spoiled seeds try with all their might to suffocate them when in the end, it is truly them who are suffocated.” Up until last week, I believed that I had so far led a role model lifestyle, unsoiled by the filth of inflated pride, and hence, one could only imagine just how disappointing it was for me to discover that a contrary truth lay hidden within the bounds of my heart. All along, it seems I

chance been held captive by your fear of ignorance? When was the last time you felt the resistance of your ego? For how long has your heart of life been leached of its openminded ignorance, the type which remains unabashed by its own symptoms?

There is nothing wrong with weaknesses; in fact, there is nothing better, weaknesses define our benchmarks for self-improvement. Like juvenile crustaceans buried beneath our shells, immobilized for the most part by this heavy burden of self. Let us prepare ourselves, for the seasons of molting approach high tide, that we may cast away this artificial self and allow time for some earnest personality reform. So I say to you all, let us do away with ignorance by doing away with its root cause, the fear of ignorance, else a day will come when we will feel no smarter than broomsticks, no more astute than baboons on hallucinogens and not for lack of knowledge mind you, but for lack of proper judgment of what strengthens and what weakens us. Nay, we are no saints of knowledge, only perfectly normal humans we are only human.

Redundecy is bad.

4

campus news

Monday: The formation of the Student Resistance CommitFouad Badaoui teeWriter Staff

A

uditorium A witnessed a rather heated exchange of ideas Monday, May 17 at 6:00pm, during the USFC’s meeting to discuss the student body’s reaction to what is being labeled as “the largest tuition increase in AUB history” (Elias Ghanem, VP USFC).

The audience was unusually diverse as representatives from most faculties, clubs, societies and political parties attended and proposed their ideas in all honesty, free from any censorial restraints.

Ghanem and USFC treasurer Yahya Oueini explained the administration’s intentions and revealed that one of Ghanem’s emails calling for a general class boycott had not been sent despite approval from the Dean of Students’ Office (the email was instead sent out the next morning at 12:45am). Oueini stated

that the USFC was “not convinced” by the administration’s arguments as to why this sudden change is necessary and many students expressed similar dismay and disappointment.

Ghanem expressed his disapproval of the idea that students should be discriminated against based on their financial status in accordance with the new policy and said that this meeting’s purpose is to hear the student body’s opinions and to discuss an appropriate mode of action.

Several representatives of various political affiliations expressed their eagerness to set aside all differences and to attempt to exhibit a united, organized student front, devoid of any violence or abuse.

Others noted that the boycott could be costly to many students, especially with the finals approaching and the

risk of some not being able to graduate as a consequence.

As the flow of ideas became overwhelming and progress had slowed down, it was decided that only club and SRC presidents as well as political representatives would meet in room 310 (West Hall) in order to elect a 12 member committee to help legislate, implement and organize the USFC’s decisions concerning the matter.

After much deliberation, the committee had finally been elected and the initial brouhaha of roughly 120 students died down as 20 students remained in room 310 (these included the committee as well as Outlook and USFC members). The first matter at hand was to decide whether or not the administration’s town meeting to be held on Tuesday, May 18 would be boycotted. The first priori-

ty was to expose the student body as perfectly united and organized and some felt that the administration had already revoked its chance to officially present the 15 credit policy. Nonetheless, the committee decided that attending the meeting would only strengthen its position since it would have the added argument of having accepted even the very last proposal of diplomacy before the boycott.

In light of these facts, the committee decided to attend the town meeting as long as all student questions would be channeled by three preselected speakers who would each address, respectively, the justifiability/transparency of the policy, its financial aspects and the united students’ opinion to revoke it.

Shirts and flyers promoting the class boycott will also be distributed starting Tues-

day. On Wednesday morning, groups of students scattered around tactical positions on campus will continuously rally others until, at 11:30am, all congregations will merge on Main Gate, which will be the committee and the USFC’s base of operations during the boycott. Although the strike may very well have to last several days, it has been decided that Outdoors will not be tampered with and will take place normally. The 20 students left room 310 spent yet satisfied, as each rushed to make his/her arrangements for the coming days. Suffice it to say the following week will unlikely pass quietly and promises to be an eventful test of the willpower of AUB students.

5

campus news Tuesday: “This institution is not the rich”-VP for Finance Kenney Fouad Badaoui Staff Writer

T

uesday, May 18, 2010 saw an escalation in tensions between student representatives and AUB administration in charge of implementing the 15 credit policy for new students. A secret budgeting task force meeting was crashed and an audience of organized students under the guidance of the USFC, Clubs and Societies of AUB attended the town meeting at 4:00pm.

When Outlook staff called at 2:45pm to make an appointment with Provost Ahmad Dallal, his secretary on the line expressed candid surprise due to the fact that Outlook actually was aware of the budgeting meeting. A few minutes later, as the task force was just starting their meeting in the Saab Medical Library building, they were caught unaware by a group of four students that included USFC Treasurer Yahya Oueini and an Outlook staff writer. VP for Finance Stephen Kenney was standing in the middle of a semicircle of tables as the group walked in and distributed pamphlets and Outlook issues that clearly expressed the student body’s outrage at the new policy. The staff writer announced to the task force that the newspaper was sacrificing its impartiality

for the sake of a show of unity among all students.

In Bathish at 4:00pm, Dean of Student Affairs Maroun Kisirwani had made sure every member of the audience had received a paper indicating AUB’s current budget numbers and estimates for the 15 credit policy. Kisirwani told the audience that they were all here in the spirit of dialogue and hoped everyone could keep a civilized nature. President Peter Dorman expressed his gladness in having students attend the town meeting and explained that universities are complex and include numerous constituencies including staff, parents, donors and future employees.

VP for Finance Kenney then started explaining the policy. The planning has started in October 2008 for 2 main reasons: the administration wished to make AUB more accessible to students from all social backgrounds through improved financial aid and loans and the administration intended to make students take the registration process more seriously, as withdrawals from courses would mean wasting the money paid for those credits.

In February 2010, a survey had been filled by students on campus to measure the students’ aspiration for more

abundant loans and financial aid. What followed were diagrams showing AUB’s income (47% came from AUBMC patients and 41% from tuitions) and expenses (53% for salaries, 24% went to maintenance and 10% to the administration). Kenney said he expects about 2500 students to take up to 25% loans on their tuitions per year and that, by 2012, $12 million would be set aside for loans.

He explained that the annual increase (after the policy implementation) would not exceed 4% in order to provide “stability for students and parents.” Finally, he expressed his discontent with losing 20% of his students (Kenney also teaches at AUB) by the withdrawal deadline and that “this institution is not for the rich, it’s for all students who have access to it.”

It should be noted that Kenney’s presentation included PowerPoint and was actually much more technical than stated in this article and several audience members said they were confused and frustrated by all the numbers appearing on screen and had trouble following the chronology of ideas.

Jeffrey Karam, the elected spokesperson for the Student Committee, expressed concern over the “”irreversible damage” the 15 drecit policy

could cause to the AUB community and said it was still unclear how it would make Financial Aid more accessible. His opinion is that it would make more financial sense to stick to the 12 credit policy: “we want the cancellation of this policy and will fight to see that happen.” He stated that the policy has no real justification and that it will push away AUB’s sussrounding community, making it an isolated island, which is not a good thing in the Middle East. His rebuttal consisted mainly of numbers as well and he gave several examples of the administration not keeping up with its own deadlines and not reaching previously set financial goals throughout recent years. Karam also addressed Provost Ahmda Dallal personally, telling him he must be aware of the negative effects of socioeconomically discriminating among students and asked him to “think of our kids.”

After a few remarks shared by members of the audience, Dallal did admit that the Financial Aid process is not flawless and that there is potential room for corruption, but no evidence. He also admitted that more transparency is needed. From the audience, Ziad Bouassi of the Communication Club asked

Dallal and Kenney if what they want out of AUB is an institution that only accepts “the filthy rich and the poor genius.” Computer and Communications Enginnering student Izzat El-Hajj noted that, as far as he’s concerned, it’s just a “larger discount for a larger price.” Sociology and Anthropology graduate student Anna Reumert asked Dallal about the possibility of a “green policy” in AUB in order to cut down on useless energy cost.

Later that evening, in West Hall room 310, the committee met a second time and it was officially decided that they would meet the next day (Wednesday, May 19) at 7:oopm in front of West Hall to start the first day of protests. Several groups, each with a Team Leader wearing a black RIP t-shirt, would spread out on campus and campaign near the main buildings that hold classes and at the gates. Also, a demonstration group would form in front of Bechtel at 9:00am when Dorman would be giving a conference there. Finally, it was agreed that USFC VP Elias Ghanem would speak to those assembled at West Hall at noon.

6

Campus news

Wednesday: “Be Fair”- Dean of Student Affairs Kisirwani

Fouad Badoui Staff Writer

T

he West Hall area saw unusual commotion at 7:00am on Wednesday, May 19 as the first day of the AUB class boycott took off.

USFC VP Elias Ghanem busied about as members of the student committee and USFC distributed t-shirts, stickers, flyers and instructions to the many teams that would have to spend the day convincing their fellow students to participate in the boycott.

All members of the committee had stressed repeatedly that the protest was non violent and that they did not intend to make enemies of the Protection Office. The main event of the day (the one for which the media was expected to show up) was the gathering at Main Gate at noon.

The different teams were placed at tactical positions around campus: OSB, Bechtel, FHS, Green Oval, Lower Campus, Main Gate, Penrose Gate and Medical Gate. The team leaders who wore black t-shirts would be in charge of shifts rotations and the application of a strictly non violent demonstration.

By 7:30pm, they had all reached their respective places and had begun campaigning in order to convince other students not to go to class, to join them, and to eventually walk with them to converge with all other teams at Main Gate at noon. Throughout the day, two megaphones, one belonging to the USFC, the other supplied by the Palestinian Cultural Club, circulated around campus, constantly used for chants, slogans and instructions. Dean of Student Affairs Marun Kisirwani had no comment other than “be fair” and VP for Human Resources Radulski, sitting quietly in the zoo area smoking his pipe, reminisced:”this brings him back to my student days.” He also added that the protest as a form of activism was beneficial to the students if maintained as peaceful.

At 9:00am, President Peter

Dorman was met in front of Bechtel by many students shouting “no way we won’t pay” accompanied by a megaphone. Nicely was the most inflamed area in the morning as a group held handmade banners and chanted loudly, discouraging most from entering the building (some also wore masks). People entering the campus from the Bliss Street gates (Medical, Main and Penrose) were given flyers and the occasional megaphone appeared and energized the present activists.

Finally, at 12:00pm, the area between Main Gate and College Hall filled to the brim with what was estimated to be anything between 1500 to 200 students. the sheer strength of the crowd made real organization impossible, but fortunately, the typical fears that come with large gatherings (flash mobs, trampling) never occurred and, although not many could hear Ghanem’s press release from the few speakers provided by the Office of Student Affairs, all seemed to know instinctively when to applaud and when to boo. Ghanem informed the media of what the students already knew: the administration’s decision to implement an unexpected policy and the students’ reaction. At some point, the podium was moved to the middle of the Main Gate stairs and Ghanem gave his speech, inviting the administration to revoke the policy for the sake of the students. Following that, in an act that surprised most present, Provost Ahmad Dallal himself made his way to the podium, told the students he respected their resilience and asked for new discussions. A march was then announced and, with the ushering efforts of RIP t-shirt wearing students, the bulk of the crowd moved to the Green Oval, encircled it clockwise and continued down to the Marquand House where it stopped for a while

to chant “shame on you.” It then made its way back to Main Gate, stayed there for a while and finally descended to OSB, where a few classes were still being held.

In room 310 of West Hall that very same evening, the committee members criticized themselves strongly for the lack of organization among t-shirt holders and for the lengthy march that forced the crowd’s numbers to finally dwindle to about 400. They condoned the door blocking that took place in some buildings but congratulated themselves nonetheless for the impressive turnout and the Provost’s speech, saying that the administration is now surprised and a bit hesitant while they actually listened to Dallal’s speech.

7

campus news

Thursday: “You shall all pay for this”- Provost Ahmad Dallal Fouad Badoui Staff Writer In the evening of Wednesday, May 19, the committee feared that, despite the large number of students that showed up the previous day, the administration may not have been inconvenienced enough. But there were also those who were concerned about the negative connotations associated with “non violent escalation.” As Jeffrey Karam noted, the USFC would be held liable and could be thrown in jail if any serious damage or injuries should happen. Some members complained about the attitude of protesters armed with frying pans and sticks.

According to them, this was not the message the USFC, Clubs and Societies of AUB wanted to send. Others, on the other hand, praised the frying pan wielders, explaining that, before their appearance, the ambiance wasn’t sparked enough and that without them, the turnout at 12:00om would have been far less impressive. The Secular Club was praised for its exemplary and unique motivation and input, but it was also asked to tone it down a bit as most saw their attitude

to be slightly more aggressive than was desired. Another issue would have been the faculty’s support. It was greatest in FEA, where it seems 75% of professors had cancelled their classes in support of the protest and many wondered what their reaction would be to escalation, violent or not. It was finally decided that civil disobedience would be adopted starting Thursday, May 20, that a sleep in under College Hall would be proposed for the following night and that the Faculty would be appealed to in an email from the USFC. At 7:00pm on West Hall, for the second time, active students met. This time, names were called on a list and the organization was noticeably better. A group of probably 50 students moved to College Hall and sat down around the door, effectively blocking it for anyone who did not intend to step on students. Immediately, Head of the Protection Office Saadallah Shalak appeared and ordered the students to clear the area as he himself attempted to push a student aside. The reply from the stu-

dents was the chant “Hell no, we won’t go.” Then Provost Ahmad Dallal appeared and tried to enter the building, but with great difficulty.

At this point, he gave up and blamed the students for violating others’ rights and imposing themselves. Then he announced:”You will all pay for this” and “shame on you.”

In response to this, USFC VP Elias Ghanem raised his megaphone and revealed in a resounding voice to all those present that the Provost had officially threatened them.

All around campus, groups of students sat down outside gates to buildings that held classes. This raised tensions greatly not just between students and faculty/security, but also among students.

Many uninvolved students felt that they were being forced into boycotting their classes, as opposed to the previous day’s policy of “choice, not force.” In addition, several professors expressed that their support for the cause and their disapproval of the sit-ins simultaneously. Some isolated incidents took place where several t-shirt holders actually entered a class

room order to empty it. This provided a sharp contrast to Wednesday’s classrooms (a CVSP lecture in Bathish was cancelled that day because the only ones to show up were the lecturer and two students).

Escalations continued in front of Issam Fares Auditorium after the Provost’s meeting with faculty members. Shortly before 5:00pm, President Peter Dorman exited and was instantly greeted with a contingent of protesters that launched unending salvos of “shame on you” even as he crossed cars in the street on his way to the Medical Gate. Shortly after this incident, Shalak, who was meeting with a member of the police force outside Assembly Hall, expressed his deep disgust with the new tactics:”Shame on us? Shame on you!” Shalak said he could not believe that this behavior was that of tomorrow’s leaders but that they would not go after students who had glued shut Nicely doors or started fire alarms, although it would not be difficult to apprehend them.

Another rather consequen-

tial incident was the surrounding of Shalak and Dean of Student Affairs Marun Kisirwani by protesters. It was unclear whether the protesters thought they were acting under the USFC, Clubs and Societies’ instructions or not but Ghanem condemned the activity, stating that the only 2 administration members on the students’ side were Shalak and Kisirwani. What followed was the dissociation of the Palestinian Cultural Club from the committee, although not all students involved in this incident were from the PCC.

9

campus news

Friday: “I hope we can work together in the future”- Provost Dallal Fouad Badoui Staff Writer

A

s the committee met the evening of Thursday, May 20, the atmosphere was tense, negative and there was a great lack of trust among those present. Nevertheless, all had decided that, for the sake of the protest, they should clear the air as soon as possible and get back to work.

Several members felt the committee’s popularity had taken a blow and that something different needed to be done if Friday was going to be the last day of protests.

Therefore, the boycott was cancelled. It was admitted that many students did not have the proper motivation and that it was now too late to give it to them. The focus will

instead be College Hall: with the media present, a massive sit-in to block all exits of the building should be enough to shake the administration enough until the town meeting at 3:00pm that the USFC had called for.

On Friday, t-shirt wearers were circulating on campus but no one was sitting at the entrance of any building. Instead, the media was contacted in the morning and told about the blocking of College Hall. At around 11:00am, the phones of President Dorman, Provost Dallal and VP for Finance Keney as well as their secretaries (all on the 5th floor) were ringing incessantly. Students from 2 areas on

campus kept calling until Security finally shut down the operation. By then, the main entrance to the building was blocked by students forming a sit-in larger even than the one of Thursday morning as megaphones blared and chants went on. Later the Registrar, Cashier and a tunnel that leads into the building were also blocked, to the discontent of both employees and students who had urgent business in College Hall. They were all told the same thing: no one goes in or out. This went on, despite very high tension between students and conflicting interests even among committee members. Luckily, the

blockade of College Hall ended shortly before Shalak announced to Outlook that the police had been asked to intervene.

It ended in Bathish, with the Provost accepting to seriously look into the USFC’s proposal to delay the implication of the 15 drecit policy by one year in the course of whice a committee comprising of USFC representatives and consulting firms would convene. In this way, the number crunching would be objective, justifiable and transparent to all and the student body would have a year to propose alternatives. Yet a large portion of protesters were far from satisfied with the consensus, calling the USFC backstab-

bing hypocrites for making a compromise with the administration. Supporters of the proposal said that it’s the best the students could hope for in such short notice. The fact of the matter is, the origin of the proposal is still shrouded in mystery and the real circumstances and implementers have yet to be revieled. Although the final atmosphere in Bathish was one of confrontation, the boycott and protest had both ended and all await the Provost’s approval or revoking of the proposal on Monday.

8

campus news Why We Failed Hisham Tohme USFC VP 08-09 It saddens me to see what was promising to be the greatest student protest movement become a major failure and even, dare I say, a farce. I was, as usual, following what was happening in AUB over the past week very closely, receiving all sort of information on the way, whether from the side of students or the administration. This allows me to assertively claim that the failure of this protest movement can in no way be placed on the shoulders of any single individual or any single group for that matter.

I will start by accusing the administration of failing to communicate to the students the plan to adopt this policy before it was passed by the Board of Trustees. This would not have necessarily quelled students’ complaints about the policy, but I think that publicizing this information beforehand might have led to a more relaxed and thought of dialogue to take place between the students and the administration. Secondly, there clearly was mismanagement at the level of transmitting the message since hardly anyone knew the details of the policy before Wednesday’s sit-in.

Most students at that point believed that they were directly affected by the said policy (and I was personally asking around to check this), which clearly reflected in student participation in

the so-called escalation of the protest; the administration could have done a much better job at spreading the message, knowing full well that a majority of students do not check their emails and do not bother to read the news on the AUB’s website.

Students also contributed the major share in failing the protest. The general student population acted impulsively on many occasions, especially considering how very few of them were really interested in discovering what the problem was all about. Many of them thought of the protest as a means to skip class or harass their teachers, and a large number of students did not show up on Thursday, comparing the strike to a holiday where the goal is simply not to hold classes. Others showed a blatant disrespect towards the issue being discussed, as proven by the slogans they held on Wednesday’s sit-in including one calling for the death of America and another declaring Jihad on the 15 credit policy!

Finally, the organizers of this strike who happen to be representing all political factions, parties, and groups in AUB proved, once again, that it was never about the students but rather about student elections next year.

While I do not want to belittle the role of some of these students who were truly involved and honestly believed

in what they called “their cause”, they were simply dragged into the political battlefield of student politics, no matter what the excuses or the reasons for that are. Still, failure did not only show its ugly face at that level. Even when considering the actual organization of the strike, one cannot but wonder about the unprofessionalism and lack of maturity on the part of some, if not all, of the organizers. First, all decisions were taken without taking into consideration an expected result. What would sleeping under College Hall do to the cause? Can it in any way bring forward any reaction from the administration? My personal answer is that this was probably the least productive activity I have ever seen in eight years of student and political activism.

Second, all decisions seemed not to take into consideration that the administration was also an active partner/opponent in this conflict. When students blocked College Hall, hoping to paralyze the administration and called it peaceful action, they did not for one second think that people inside that building were thinking of themselves as hostages and would act accordingly. Also, these demonstrators managed to alienate, even if it were for a small lapse of time, the person most sympathetic to their cause from within the

administration, Provost Ahmad Dallal. While I know for a fact that many were waiting for the second the administration cracked down on the strike, Provost Dallal was still advocating for students to have a more active role at the center of the decision making process in AUB, earning him bitter criticism from certain members of the administration for his honest opinion.

Third, the collective action of the organizers seemed to be much disorganized considering the effort being placed in this action. I have heard on many occasions that some decision was taken during a meeting only to see that action on the ground ran opposite to that decision. Furthermore, spur of the moment action only served to weaken the strike. For example, moving a very large number of students throughout campus in the midst of the day only served to wear these people down, knowing full well that AUB students are not really used to much physical effort as some had expected.

Finally, it was clear from the beginning that most organizers were in this for the publicity it was to bring them. Let us not forget that most political parties have some of their leaders on the Board of Trustees!! Others were very quick to claim possession of the strike declaring to be both its found-

ers and the turbines behind its movement, and the righteous representatives of all students who, to be honest, are completely oblivious to this claim. From what I have seen, every single one of them should be credited with both the successes and the failures of this strike, while acknowledging where the scale of the balance tips.

All I have to say to conclude is that the USFC needs to seriously assume its role as the representative of the student body, for political parties to engage this issue with some degree of conscience, for the student body to become aware of the problems it faces and think of feasible solutions, or behave the way it always does (i.e. swallow whatever it is being fed), and for the administration not to alienate itself from students, irrespective of their actions now, and to keep moving towards further incorporation of students into the decision making process. As for the issue at hand, I think that this is a private institution which has the complete rights to the changes it is proposing. However, I also think that for that level of tuition increase, students have the right to something better than what AUB is currently offering in terms of quality of education.

READ SHARE RECYCLE

3/2010

10

Out of the box Psyched Out

The Outlook team

ADHD in ADULTS

Chairperson

Rita Obeid

I

Faculty Advisor

will recognize that he/she has t is often that we hear of might have a genetic predisthe same symptoms that their children diagnosed with position, it might be caused by child has and will begin to unA t t e n t i o n - d e fi c i t / h y neurobiological dysfunctions derstand some of the traits peractive disorder (ADHD) (levels of brain activity relatthat have been causing them which is a neurobehavioral ed to levels of attention). Othproblems for years such as: disorder characterized by iners studies show a correlation impulsivity, restlessness and attentiveness, distractibilibetween the use of cigarettes distractibility. Others might ty, hyperactivity, and impuland alcohol during pregnanseek the help of a professionsive behavior. However, do cy with the risk of developing al for their depressive sympwe ever come to wonder what ADHD in the child. Moreover, toms and only come out to find happens to these children environmental toxins, such that the root for such sympwho are diagnosed as kids as lead, may lead to problems toms is due to their ADHD. with ADHD? Basically, more in brain development which For an adult to be diagnosed than half of the children dimight in turn lead to ADHD. with ADHD, this adult should agnosed with ADHD continMoreover, there is little evihave childhood and current ue to have ADHD symptoms dence that states that ADHD symptoms of ADHD. Making well into adulthood. As these is a cause of the environment such a diagnosis is a difficult children grow older, if unat one’s home. and serious task and should treated become more prone to ADHD treatment plans inbe done by clinicians with drug abuse, antisocial behavclude: great expertise in the area of ior, and injuries of all sorts. attention dysfunction. This is It is common that adults with Addressing the appropriate a very difficult task because this disorder are unaware professional the patient’s childhood histothat they might have ADHD, Web Sudoku - Billions of Free Sudoku Pu…Educating the individual ry should also be assessed to they often think that they about the disorder check whether ADHD truly have a problem in sticking to Medication had a childhood onset (which appointments or getting orgaSupport Groups is a critical factor in diagnonized. Simple and daily tasks Psychotherapy sis). It is important to note such as getting to work on Coaching in organizational that comorbidity with other time and being productive in skills disorders such as anxiety or work seem to be major chalVocational/educational counspecific learning disabilities lenges for ADHD adults. seling is common.

Diagnosing an adult with Appropriate accommodations When addressing the causes ADHD is a difficult task, offor work or school of ADHD, health professionals ten when a child is diagnosed are still unsure. This disorder with this disorder the parent

Responsible Director Editor-in-Chief Associate Editor Arabic Editor News Executives Layout Director Member at Large Business Manager Photography Editor Staff Writers

Evil Puzzle 1,430,082,977

5 1 2

5

7

3

4

8

9

6

7 Photographers

1

7

9 4

3

6 4

7

2

1

3

6

8

1 4

For more print sizes and options, try Web Sudoku Deluxe!

Back to puzzle

Print another...

Cartoonist

Maroun Kisrwani Cleo Cacoulidis Antonios Francis Mohamad Yahia Hamade Marwan Jaafar Mariam El Ali Tala Kardas Rasha Salem John Hajjar Simon Barakat Rachid Akiki Salim Batlouni Rawan Abu Salman Mohamad Al Medwar Fouad Badaoui Fatima Buhilaigah Moussa Chalah Abraham Daniel Hajjar Rami Diab Yasmine Fansa Nadine Ghaith Maryam Hoballah Mhd Izzat Husrieh Heather Jaber Wajiha Jurdi Kheir Lojine Kamel Elie El Khoury Timmy Malkoun Rita Obeid Roupen Ohannessian Yasmine Saab Wally Saad Sandra Sawaya Maya Terro Ilija Trojanovic Tarek Tutunji Mohammad El-Jabi Emile Zankoul Qater Al Nada Mohsen Dima Barbir Tariq Buhilaigah Deedee Jilani

11

out of the box AUB: Pride or Shame?

Heads Up on Health

Healthy foods nowhere close to being ‘healthy’

Maya Terro

Nariman S. Hamadeh Asking AUB students ‘not to worry because the new tuition policy will not affect them, but only new-coming students’, is asking the responsible citizens that they are ‘not to care because only the rest of the community will be worse-off with this decision, not themselves’!

This goes against all AUB traditions of nurturing responsible citizens who are the drivers of change for their communities and societies and who are equipped with the tolerance, maturity, critical thinking and strong sense of belonging and involvement to make it happen.

So even if the new tuition policy does not affect us, WE CARE. And even if you reiterate this a thousand times, we will still care and will continue to fight against it for the sake of our younger brothers and sisters, cousins, neighbors and fellow Lebanese and International youth. So please STOP using this as an argument. It is such an insult for all of us concerned AUBites: students and alumni!

How can we allow ourselves to

say that the students receiving Financial Aid will only pay 25% of the extra cost arising? Do we not know that the students receiving Financial Aid many times cannot even afford an extra 1%, and would be actually working their blood off - together with their parents - to try to make every extra Dollar available to cover the rest of their tuition (that which is not covered for by Financial Aid)? Do we not know how many students receiving Financial Aid petition - times and times again - for an added coverage, be it through F. Aid Work, Student Employment or even an extra grant?

I always used to say: “If you love someone, wish for them to get into AUB”. But to be honest, I am not sure anymore this is the AUB I want them to join! I cannot but stop to say that I am not proud of what AUB might turn into.

The AUB we pride by is this of the current student movement to revoke the new tuition policy. This AUB we will carry in our hearts, always.

Don’t give us an AUB that will shame us...

Some of you might know that anything starting with the word ‘fried’ is a calorie cow that needs to be fought with a stick! However, do not be fooled—apparently some foods famously tagged as being healthy are actually worse for your weight than snacks in vending machines and junk food. Below are some of these so-called smart snacks are just junk food in disguise.

Sushi Rolls –Apparently the veggies and seaweed wrap that makeup sushi rolls are low in calories, but a lot of the most popular rolls served usually come with cheese or mayo (like in that spicy sauce that comes on many options), not to mention that sometimes the seafood inside might be dipped in batter and deep fried. Owing it to these ingredients, a standard roll can contain 500 to 600 calories.

Also, soy sauce is loaded with sodium ---it won’t make you gain weight, but it’ll cause you to retain water, meaning that your jeans will feel (and look) tighter.

Dried Fruit –On a cup to cup basis, and because of its dehydrated nature, dried fruit has

five to eight times more calories than the fresh kind because. Fresh grapes, for example, have 60 calories per cup, while raisins have 460.

And many brands add sugar, amplifying up the calorie count even more.

Granola –While it’s true that granola cereals are loaded with good-for-you nuts and oats, but oil and sugar are usually added to make it crisp and yummier. Calorie wise, one bowl of granola racks up around 500 calories. Other cereals with the same nutrients but less oil and sugar pack half that.

Wraps –No matter what you put in it, the average wrap can pack up to 300 calories. Since the surface area is way bigger than two slices of bread, you will unintentionally be coating it with a lot more mayo or dressing than you would a regular sub or sandwich.

Rice Cakes –Yes, it’s true that these light snacks are fat-free and low in calories, but they’re also completely lacking in fiber and protein—ingredients that experts say actually curb hunger. In other words, downing two or three rice

cakes won’t do anything but add more calories to your daily total and leave you craving something with substance.

Moreover, it is advised to limit the flavoured kinds because they don’t satisfy you more and tend to have lots of sugar or sodium in them.

Salads –Sure there’s nothing better for you or your waist than naked veggies, but the things that come with your salad –namely; shredded cheese, candied nuts, croutons, and globs of dressing – often make salads as caloric as an oversized dish of pasta. And nutritionists are quick to point out that innocent-sounding vinaigrettes, though not as fattening as ranches, can be almost as high-cal.

Tofu –Order this “healthy food” at a restaurant and what you’ll most likely get is a plateful of sodium, calories, saturated fat, and even sugar.

However, Tofu itself isn’t the issue—the problem is that the white stuff lacks taste and is accordingly often deep-fried to give it flavour and texture and finally is served doused in sauces, making it literally a ‘‘diet disaster’’.