WEDNESDAY NOV. 3, 2004 Vol. 126, No. 27
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STUDENT LIFE T H E I N D E P E N D E N T N E W S PA P E R O F WA S H I N G T O N U N I V E R S I T Y I N S T. L O U I S S I N C E 1 8 7 8
INSIDE
Democracy at work
DAVID BRODY | STUDENT LIFE
South 40 residents cast their votes at Wydown Middle School. Washington University students turned out in large numbers to make their voice heard. By Rachel Streitfeld Contributing Editor
The men’s soccer team put a wrap on their conference road schedule with a tie and a tough loss.
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Students weren’t sure whether to cheer or to cry yesterday as networks held off on calling the presidential race late into the night. They could claim a stake in the process, though, thanks in part to a massive get-out-the-vote effort on campus. Neither candidate had been projected to win by press time. Last night students across campus tuned in to watch as network political analysts divided up the states—blue for Senator Kerry, red for President Bush. The crowded election parties raging both on and off campus, as well as winding lines at polling sites serving the Washington University area, suggest that students have shrugged off some of that infamous political apathy. For many, this was a first-time voting experience. Students braved the chilly weather and light rain to head to the polls. While many successfully cast their ballots, some ran into problems at the voting booth. Several students learned that their registration had not been processed correctly only when they showed up at the polls. Susan E. Block, a former judge who served as a voter advocate at Wydown Middle School, said she escorted several
students downtown to a central voting site after they encountered problems in voting. One student had registered in the wrong district, which was quickly rectified, and two others from Florida said they never received their absentee ballots. Block said the latter two students had cast provisional ballots, but she did not know if they would be counted. Senior Shira Friedman was in for a surprise when she tried to vote at St. Rochs Middle School around 9:30 a.m. yesterday. Though Friedman had registered to vote at the St. Louis County office before the deadline, she never received her voter registration card in the mail. When Friedman showed up to vote the election officials could not find her name on the voter rolls. “It’s just incredibly aggravating,” said Friedman, who was able to vote. “[But the specialists] were incredibly helpful, nice and totally willing to help.” Jeremy Gray, an election specialist, found Friedman’s registration after a 20-minute search. “We try everything and anything to get people to vote,” said Gray, a University law student. During the day, volunteers from Project Democracy tabled
While many Washington University students headed to the polls yesterday, a group of University Law students worked to make sure that errors were not occurring at polling booths throughout the city. Just Democracy, a non-partisan group started at Harvard University Law School and brought to campus
See STUDENTS, page 4
See LAW, page 3
University law students work as election judges By Erin Harkless Contributing Editor
GOP strong in Mo. By Kelly Donahue News Editor
Professor and poet Carl Phillips is a contender for a prestigious prize.
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Finding a computer in Olin Library isn’t that hard, says Neil Patel, as long as you’re willing to plan ahead.
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EMILY TOBIAS | STUDENT LIFE
Colorful political signs endorsing the various candidates litter the yard outside the Northmoore polling location.
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WU questions role of Greek community n
What do a mallard duck and the election have in common? Aaron Finbloom reports on this; you decide.
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INDEX News Forum Classifieds Crossword Sports
Washington University students headed to the polls Tuesday en masse to vote on a number of heated races at both the state and local levels. At the state level, Missouri voters were slightly mixed in their party preference. At press time, incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond led Democratic candidate Nancy Farmer by a relatively wide margin of 57.3 percent to 41.7 percent. In the heated gubernatorial race be tween Democratic candidate Claire McCaskill and her Republican opponent, Matt Blunt, Blunt appeared to be pulling ahead by a margin of 51.3 percent to 47.4 percent. In the race for lieutenant governor, however, Republican Peter Kinder was winning after a close race with Demo cratic opponent Rebecca “Bekki” Cook. Press-time results showed a 49.5 percent to 47.9 percent lead for Kinder. Democratic victories were also pending in the races for secretary of state and attorney general. Democratic incumbent Attorney General Jeremiah “Jay” Nixon was sweeping the polls over Republican candidate Chris Byrd, 58.9 percent to
38.7 percent. Robin Carnahan, Democratic candidate for secretary of state, was also beating out her Republican opponent, State Representative Catherine L. Hannaway, 50.7 percent to 46.8 percent. Republicans were winning the state treasury seat, however, as party candidate Sarah Steelman, a state senator, led Democrat Mark Powell by 6.4 percent. Missourians also voted to pass Constitutional Amendment No. 3, with a simple majority needed to pass. The amendment will restrict the use of gasoline taxes in the state, requiring that fuel revenue taxes be used only for state and local highways, roads and bridges. Democrats were also sweeping both of the races for U.S. Representatives in the districts surrounding the University. Incumbent William Lacy Clay, Jr., was trouncing his opponent Leslie Farr II by a 48.5 percent margin in the 1st District. At press time, it also appeared that Russ Carnahan would take over Congressman Dick Gephardt’s seat in the 3rd District, leading Bill Federer by 9.1 percent of the vote.
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Chapter presidents called to public forum to defend presence
By Mary Bruce News Editor Chapter presidents of Washington University’s 18 Greek organizations were called to a public forum Monday night, where each was asked to answer three questions regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the Greek system and why the University should host Greek organizations. “I invited you here tonight because I would like to listen,” said Jim McLeod, vice chancellor for students and dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. McLeod hosted the forum, during which each organization addressed an audience of students and faculty involved in the Greek system. McLeod began the meeting by reiterating the positive role of the Greek system in the greater University community. “We have some wonderful organizations here. The sororities and fraternities and their contributions to the school are obvious,” he said. “In your organizations you teach things that the University can’t teach.” McLeod hopes that the current moratorium on alcohol will give the Greek system time to pause and reevaluate. “We are open to discourse and open to dialogue and disagreement—that’s a part of our commu-
STUDENT LIFE
nity. But I think we’re facing a challenge and need to revisit what are our values, what do we stand for and why are we here,” McLeod said. Although some members of the Greek system feel they have been placed on trial by the University and are being threatened by the administration, McLeod reassured the Greek community that the University wants to make improvements to form “a stronger Greek system.” Chapter presidents affirmed the importance of a Greek system at the University. “Greek organizations are an asset to this campus,” said Sara Kaufman, president of Alpha Ep silon Phi. The positive influences of the Greek system were elaborated upon as each chapter president highlighted the important roles of his or her organization. The Greek system provides a family structure and sense of community for its members, the presidents concurred, while offering leadership and philanthropy opportunities. “Being in a sorority is like having a second family, a huge second family,” said Erica Lev y, president of Alpha Phi. Many chapter presidents cited the benefits of the support system offered by the Greek com-
One Brookings Drive #1039 #42 Women’s Building St. Louis, MO 63130
DAVID BRODY | STUDENT LIFE
Dean Jim McLeod addresses members of the Greek community. He called a meeting of all the fraternities See GREEK, page 2 and sororities to discuss the role they play on campus.
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