WEDNESDAY FEB. 9, 2005 Vol. 126, No. 49
Cold 30° / 20° w w w. s t u d l i f e . c o m
INSIDE
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
Bush to eliminate Perkins Loans By Laura Geggel Staff Reporter The 2,178 students at Washington University who receive Perkins Loans may have to look elsewhere for financial aid if President Bush has his way. In his 2006 budget released Monday, Bush proposed phasing out the federal Perkins Loan program over a period of 10 years. This new financial maneuver would substantially change how students apply for federal loans and grants in the future. “It was a shock,” said Bill Witbrodt, director of Student Financial Services at Washington University. “We knew that the government was going to eliminate further contributions to the fund, and we were modeling the impact of that over the next 10 years—but now we have to pay back all of the federal money that the government’s given us for the Perkins Fund. That changes things dramatically.” The Perkins Loan program allows both undergraduate and graduate students to take out a low-interest loan of five percent if they are eligible for financial aid. Schools lend students the money with government and school
funds. Students must pay back the loan within nine months of completing their education unless they are in the military or have mitigating circumstances, in which case their grace period can be extended up to ten years. Schools then recycle the money into new Perkins Loans. Undergraduates can receive up to $4,000 a year in loans while graduates can loan up to $6,000 a year. Bush plans to divert the money saved from the elimination of Perkins Loans to Pell Grants, a program that will soon target very low-income students. The new Pell Grant program, if passed by Congress, will increase the maximum amount eligible students can receive by $500 over the next five years to $4,550 a year. “This legislation is aimed at a broader base of students,” said Witbrodt. “The President’s goal is to help very low-income students attend community colleges and trade schools and as well as other lower-cost institutions that weren’t previously eligible to receive Perkins funds.” In essence, only a small number of four-year institutions were eligible to receive Perkins funds.
PAGE 4 INDEX News Forum Classifieds Sports
1-3 4-5 6 7-8
Bush’s proposed plan: Phase out Perkins Loan program over
10 years
By Rachel Streitfeld Contributing Editor
DAVID BRODY | STUDENT LIFE
Four fire trucks, three police cars and two ambulances reported to Park residential hall at 10:15 Monday night to deal with some burnt Ramen noodles. Sophomore Allison Cartwright lives across the hall from the noodles in question. A plastic container overheated on the stove, causing the hall to fill with smoke and fumes. “All our stuff is going to smell, and we are really sad about it,” she said.
Burglars hitting apartments off campus are becoming increasingly brazen in their attempts at theft. Last Friday around 10 a.m., students living in an apartment on the 6100 block of Waterman Ave. surprised a suspect who had walked into the apartment through an unlocked door. The residents interrupted the man as he was inspecting their electronic equipment. “They were in another part of the apartment and they heard noises and they came out and spotted the person disconnecting the stereo system,” said WU Chief of Police Don Strom. The suspect immediately fled, empty-handed. Police have issued an alert to all members of the off campus community, describing the suspect as a black male in his mid-to-late-30s wearing dark clothing and a black “skull” cap. Strom repeated advice he’s been giving students living off campus for months. “It drives home the importance of keeping doors and windows locked,” he said. The crime advisory also warns students to report any suspicious persons or activities to WUPD and never to
See THIEF, page 3
Gottfried to speak on science in politics By Erin Fults Contributing Reporter
PAGE 5 The brownies and Rice Krispie treats you buy at your favorite campus eateries have gotten smaller. But they now come wrapped in pretty plastic bags with gold foil ties!!!!! The Editorial Board takes on the issue in what can only be described as “investigative reporting at its finest.”
$4000 for undergraduates up to $6000 for graduate students up to
Students spot thief in action
PAGE 8 “Doesn’t everyone have nipples?” Dan Milstein asks in Forum. One year after it happened, Milstein examines the infamous “wardrobe malfunction.” (And yes, Dan, we all have nipples.)
2,178 Wash U students receive them
See PERKINS, page 3
HOT RAMEN
Freshman Troy Ruths scored a career-high 18 points off the bench Sunday en route to a men’s basketball victory over rival Brandeis.
Impact of Perkins Loans
STUDENT LIFE ARCHIVES
Kurt Gottfried will be giving a lecture today at 11 a.m. in Graham Chapel.
Kurt Gottfried, co-founder of the Union of Concerned Scientists and influential physicist, will speak today on the role that science plays in the political arena. His lecture, entitled Science Meets Politics: From Thomas Jefferson to George W. Bush, will draw on historical examples to illustrate the distortion of science in the pursuit of political goals and policies. The lecture will begin at 11 a.m. in Graham Chapel. Gottfried will focus specifically on the Union of Concerned Scientists’ objections to the alleged misrepresentation of scientific fact by the Bush Administration. Gottfried, an emeritus professor of physics at Cornell University, boasts a broad spectrum of honors and in-
volvement. In 1969, he co-founded the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), an independent, non-profit organization that lobbies to change public policy in order a safer living environment. The UCS currently has over 100,000 citizen and scientist members that work to research and share information concerning such hot topic issues as global warming, genetically engineered crops and renewable energy. Gottfried has devoted much of his time and expertise to the issue of nuclear disarmament, leading a UCS critique of what they have dubbed the “Star Wars” program – unnecessary governmental development of nuclear weapons. A UCS statement in 2003 suggested that “instead of spending time and money on building an unworkable missile shield, the administration should focus on the
pressing threat of terrorists obtaining weapons of mass destruction.” Jonathan Katz, assistant professor of physics, took a course from Gottfried as an undergraduate at Cornell University. Katz raised concerns with the “Stars Wars” argument endorsed by Gottfried and the UCS. “What I disagree with is the basic philosophy—that missile defense is a bad thing,” said Katz. “If missile defense can be made to work it would be a good thing. There have been very few tests…there have been many failures. But the fact that it’s failed a signifi cant number of tests does not mean it can’t be made to work…it’s just not ready. I sometimes get the impression that they [the UCS] are fundamentally against missile defense.” While Katz does not endorse all
See GOTTFRIED, page 3
NASA sends sun particles to WU researchers By Helen Rhee Staff Reporter An unprecedented sample of the sun was recently delivered to two Washington University researchers. Scientists at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston shipped a sample from the Genesis spacecraft’s polished aluminum collector to physics professor Charles M. Hohenberg and Alex Meshik, a senior research scientist in the department. A new arrival at JSC, the collector contains particles from the solar wind that will give insight into the composition of noble gases in the sun. In turn, understanding the composition of the sun will provide new insight into how the solar system was formed. Meshik and Hohenberg will investigate the composition of isotopic and elemental abundances of noble gases in the sun, specifically focusing on neon, argon, krypton and xenon. “The sun contains 99 percent of the matter that makes up the solar system. Measuring accurately the composition of the noble gases will help us understand how the solar system started,” said Hohenberg. Primary research by NASA scientists confirmed the traces of ions from the solar wind.
STUDENT LIFE
COURTESY OF JPL/NASA
Scientists work to recover samples from the Genesis return capsule. Some of those samples were then sent to researchers at Washington University. Genesis was launched four years ago on Aug. 8, 2001, from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on a mission to collect particles of solar wind. It collected
One Brookings Drive #1039 #42 Women’s Building St. Louis, MO 63130
Newsroom: (314) 935-5995 Advertising: (314) 935-6713 Fax: (314) 935-5938
particles flung out of the sun while orbiting outside of the Earth’s gravitational field. The canister containing the sample landed in Utah on Sept. 8, 2004. Due to technical difficulties Genesis failed to land properly on land, thereby crushing and bending all the solar collectors. From its landing until October 2004, scientists used extensive recovery efforts to salvage remains of the particles. At first, scientists were skeptical that any elements of solar ions had survived through the contamination. Luckily, particles of noble gases, found on one of Genesis’ pieces, remained purely intact, allowing researches to fulfill one of the mission’s primary goals: investigating the composition of noble gases. “This sample will be the best chance at directly measuring the composition of noble gases produced from the sun. Determining the composition of the sun will be an important reference point,” said Meshik. The Genesis mission began a few years ago with the objective of understanding the formation of the solar system. The title of projectGenesisrelates to the ultimate goal of the mission: finding the beginning
Editor: editor@studlife.com News: news@studlife.com Calendar: calendar@studlife.com
See NASA, page 3
Please Recycle
2 STUDENT LIFE | NEWS
News Editor / Liz Neukirch / news@studlife.com
WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 9, 2005
POLICE BEAT
NATIONAL
Tuesday, Feb. 1 4:07 p.m. AUTO ACCIDENT, PARKING LOT #34- A student riding a bicycle struck a vehicle as it approached the intersection of parking lot 35 and Wallace Circle Drive. Both parties refused medical attention. Disposition: Cleared.
the WUrld Compiled by Sarah Kliff and Laura Geggel
6:23 p.m. AUTO ACCIDENT, PARKING LOT #4 - Leaving The Scene Of A Vehicle Accident - Parked vehicle struck in the door between 11 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Disposition: Pending. Wednesday, Feb. 2 11:06 a.m. MEDICAL, RUBELMANN DORM - Sick Case, Ambulance. Disposition: Cleared.
CAMPUS
3:42 p.m. DAMAGE, WOHL CENTER - Damaged Property. Sprinkler head struck and broken, which activated a false fi re alarm. Disposition: Pending.
Foreign service information session to be held tomorrow
Thursday, Feb. 3 11:01 a.m. LOST ARTICLE, UNDESIGNATED AREA OFF CAMPUS - Lost wallet, possibly on red-line shuttle. Wallet contained student ID, two credit cards and three gift certificates and $50. Items later found on bus and returned to owner. Disposition: Unfounded. 11:19 a.m. PARKING VIOLATION, MILLBROOK GARAGE - Fraudulent permit displayed on vehicle. Vehicle cited by transportation and towed by Hartmann’s. Disposition: Cleared.
Students interested in entering the United States Department of Service can attend an information session regarding the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship. The Fellowship provides students with tuition, room, board and mandatory fees during their junior and senior years of undergraduate study as well as during the fi rst year of graduate study. Applicants must be sophomores with a minimum GPA of 3.2. The session will be held tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. in Brown 118. In conjunction with the information session, Styx International House will offer a drop-in session the following day from 10 a.m. to noon to help students in the application process.
SpongeBob Squarepants and other toons under fire about homosexuality Conservatives and liberals are still locked in debate about whether or not cartoons should portray images of homosexual couples in a positive light. The debate—which has centered on such children’s favorites as SpongeBob Squarepants and Buster of the Arthur cartoon series—brings to light the question of whether or not children should be taught tolerance of homosexuality. Conservative organizations such as the We Are Family Foundation feel that it is not right to expose children to what they consider to be atypical lifestyles, while representatives from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation applaud efforts to encourage children to accept all lifestyles. PBS, the network that broadcasts “Postcards from Buster” decided not to distribute the episode in question (in which Buster allegedly visits the home of a child with lesbian parents) to its almost 350 stations, but the show’s producer is distributing it directly to over 20 stations.
4:38 p.m. FOUND PROPERTY, SHEPLEY DRIVE - A student turned in an item found on Shepley Dr. Disposition: Pending. 5:45 p.m. PROPERTY DAMAGE, ATHLETIC COMPLEX - Student stated that unknown person(s) entered his locker, removed his belongings and threw them around the locker room. There was nothing stolen from the locker. Disposition: Pending. Saturday, Feb. 5 2:11 a.m. MEDICAL, SOUTH 40 DORM AREA - Sick Case. Disposition: Cleared. 2:37 a.m. MEDICAL, UMRATH DORM – Sick Case. Disposition: Cleared. Sunday, Feb. 6 9:12 p.m. AUTO ACCIDENT, UNDESIGNATED AREA OFF CAMPUS - NSP Guard involved in a single car accident in the rear of 710 Eastgate. Disposition: Cleared. 11:03 p.m. LOST ARTICLE, UNDESIGNATED AREA ON CAMPUS - Student had her wallet in her purse when she went to the airport and found it to be missing upon her return to campus. Disposition: Unfounded. Student located wallet in dorm room. Monday, Feb. 7 5:32 p.m. UNDESIGNATED AREA OFF CAMPUS - Creve Coeur Police contacted this department and reported that they had a subject in custody who had a check from Washington University made out to Harcourt Assessment, Inc. Subject gave confl icting statements about the check. Disposition: Under investigation.
The Week Ahead WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9 Career Planning 101 Workshop: Part I @ 4 p.m. at The Career Center
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10 Information Session: WU Higher Education: Transitional Opportunities @ 12:00 p.m. at The Career Center Interviewing Skills 101 Workshop @ 4 p.m. at The Career Center
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11 Campus-Wide Career Fair @ 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the Gargoyle
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14 Internship Search Strategies Workshop @ 3:30 p.m. at The Career Center Information Session: Fund for Public Interest @ 6 p.m. at Prince 6
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Careers for the Eco-Friendly @ 3:30 - 5 p.m. in Umrath Lounge Information Session: Miller Brewing Company @ 7 p.m. at The Career Center
To RSVP for an event, log on to Career Options at www.careers.wustl.edu.
2005 INTERNSHIP BOOK Looking for an internship? Stop by The Career Center, 157 Karl Umrath Hall, to pick up a copy of the 2005 Internship Book, which is full of a variety of internship opportunities in different industries. This book is a great tool to explore the wide range of internships available. Stop by The Career Center today to get your copy!
Opportunities Below are just a few opportunities that are available for Washington University students. To apply to any of these and other opportunities, log on to Career Options at www.careers.wustl.edu. Questions? Call us at 935-5930.
INTERNSHIPS LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOUNDATION OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO offers summer interns the opportunity to do extensive outreach work, interview and represent farm worker clients, negotiate claims, advocate before federal and state agencies, do legal research, and help develop litigation, as well as educate farm workers about their rights. This paid internship is headquartered in Chicago with satellite offices across Illinois. Application Deadline - March 1 MERROWVISTA EDUCATION CENTER is accepting applications for summer interns. Merrowvista is located in Center Tuftonboro, New Hampshire overlooking Dan Hole Pond, and surrounded by the Ossipee Mountains. A weekly stipend, housing and meals are provided. Application Deadline - March 15 TOXIC ACTION CENTER is accepting applications for a pesticides internship. Interns will work with community activists to help stop pesticide exposure from agricultural sources, right-of-way spraying, and use by municipalities. Internships are located in Boston, MA; Montpelier, VT; and Portland, ME. This employer accepts applications on a continuous basis.
ENTRY-LEVEL POSITIONS FUND FOR PUBLIC INTEREST is currently accepting applications for a canvass director. Canvass directors run a campaign office in one of several cities throughout the country. Canvass directors build a team of committed activists who mobilize hundreds of thousands of citizens to take action on environmental issues. Application Deadline - February 15 HOLDING & INVESTMENT COMPANY in the New York area is accepting applications for a financial analyst position, an exclusive opportunity for Arts & Sciences students provided by a WU alum. Applicants need not have a background in finance or business. This position will offer direct interaction with principals of the company with a tremendous opportunity to learn. Application Deadline - February 21
News Editor / Liz Neukirch / news@studlife.com
WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 9, 2005
PERKINS n FROM PAGE 1 This is the first time that the president—who is reducing the education budget by one percent to $56 billion—has reduced the education budget since he took office in 2000. He has also proposed cutting 150 nationwide programs, 48 of which are in the education department. Sophomore Bobby Jones, a student at the University who has a Perkins Loan, voiced his disapproval at the proposed elimination of the program. “Who will benefit more?” he said, questioning Bush’s proposal. Jones believes that the students who receive loans should
be “the people who are able to give back the most to society.” “I know a lot of people who were in the top 10 percent of my high school class who had to go to Missouri State University [because they couldn’t afford to go to elsewhere],” Jones said. Now many of his friends, who could not manage the price spike at MSU their sophomore year, are attending community colleges instead. “I don’t want to see that happen to other people,” Jones said. Washington University senior Michael Hernandez, who also has a Perkins Loan, noted that while he only receives $1,000 a year from the program, it “adds up over the years.” “It definitely helps a lot because I also have a sibling who
goes to college who’s younger than me, so money’s really tight in my family right now,” he said. “I have scholarships here and I had outside scholarships to come here, but I also applied for this loan.” Witbrodt will be sad to see the federal loan program crossed out of the budget. “I think the Perkins Loan has been a wonderful program for Washington University. It’s been a very important part of our students’ financial assistance,” he said.
STUDENT LIFE | NEWS
3
NASA n FROM PAGE 1 of life. Hohenberg and Meshik are the first researchers in the country to receive samples from Genesis. Hohenberg and Meshik joined the project after proposing plans to NASA in which they provided information on how they intend to investigate the noble gases. After their plan was accepted, the University became one of the sites for this research. “We were working together with the principle investigator at NASA. He knew us. So when he was proposing the mission, before it was even accepted, we gave our input… on the proposal,” said Hohenberg. According to Hohenberg and Meshik, the investigation may take up to three or four years.
news@studlife.com news@studlife.com
GOTTFRIED n FROM PAGE 1 of the UCS arguments, he believes the organization plays an important role that deserves attention. “The UCS is a fairly well known advocacy group,” said Katz. “He’s [Gottfried’s] fairly prominent in this group of scientists who seek to influence public policy. They have a very distinct point of view…they certainly represent one end of a responsible spectrum. That doesn’t mean I agree with them, but they’re certainly the type of people who should be listened to whether you agree with them or not.”
Dr. Karol Chandler-Ezell, a post-doctoral fellow in the psychiatry department, also recognized Gottfried’s important role in both public policy and physics. “Dr. Gottfried is tremendously influential in physics, he really helped synthesize a wide array of physics theory,” said Chandler-Ezell. “He’s a very important person in physics. I’ll be taking lunch early tomorrow. It’s defi nitely something I’ll be checking out.”
EMILY TOBIAS | STUDENT LIFE
Students recently stopped a thief from stealing their stereo system when they walked in on the suspect. The attempted robbery was committed in the 6100 block of Waterman Blvd.
THIEF n FROM PAGE 1 open an apartment door to a stranger. Thefts have not been confined to off campus housing, however. Police are still searching for a suspect in the theft of three laptop computers, an iPod and a wallet from Wheeler House on Jan. 28.
news@studlife.com news@studlife.com
MUST PRESENT COUPON WHEN ORDERING. ONE PER CUSTOMER. NOT GOOD WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. PROMO 129
No one knows what the future will bring.
Except those creating it.
Visit our Career Fair Booth on Friday, February 11. Opportunities are available in the following areas:
Computer Science Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Math Physics
Systems Engineering Aeronautical Engineering Optics
Check out our website at rayjobs.com/campus for further information, including our Campus Recruiting Events. Start your job search by clicking Find a Job.
The power of applied intelligence. One of the most admired defense and aerospace systems suppliers through world-class people and technology. Our focus is developing great talent. © 2005 Raytheon Company. All rights reserved. Raytheon is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and welcomes a wide diversity of applicants. U.S. Citizenship and security clearance may be required.
4 STUDENT LIFE | FORUM
Forum Editor / Roman Goldstein / forum@studlife.com
FORUM
WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 9, 2005
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS Write a letter to the editor letters@studlife.com or Campus Box 1039 Submit an opinion column forum@studlife.com or Campus Box 1039
STAFF EDITORIAL
Less food, but what attractive packaging!
F
eeling ripped off by the food? Upset that you’re paying restaurant prices for cafeteria dinners? Well be prepared to feel even more cheated. Bon Appétit has shrunk portion sizes. Rice Krispies treats and brownies are slightly smaller (but not any cheaper), according to Rick Turner, director of operations for Dining Services. Over the summer, Dining Services consulted with the University dietician to bring portion sizes more in line with the USDA’s Food Pyramid. That’s quite a positive spin on decreasing portion sizes: it’s not downsizing, it’s “rightsizing”! And what are they doing with the cost savings from providing less sustenance? Wrapping treats like brownies in individual plastic bags with gold foil ties. Very pretty. Everyone knows that attractively packaged foods taste better. And in fact, Turner said that aesthetics were a big factor in moving toward the bags. “They’re more up-to-
date,” he said in a phone interview. Upscale packaging in the brand new Whispers cybercafé—you can’t get trendier than that. Or can you? Concern for the environment is still “in,” as is holding food prices down to help students graduate with manageable debt. Dining Services seems hip to the fi rst trend. Turner said the decision to bag sandwiches was due in part to environmental concerns. Compared to the old bulky plastic containers, the bags produce far less waste. Dining Services can go further, though, and eliminate more waste by nixing bags for brownies and Rice Krispies treats. They could put these items, unwrapped, in display cases, like the muffi ns, scones and other treats. Germs aren’t an issue, since employees handle food items with tongs already. Turner admitted that the new packaging costs more, though he didn’t immediately know how
much. That cost did not figure prominently in the decision to bag sweets, he said. Getting rid of brownie bags would cut costs—and therefore save students money—in two ways: one, by eliminating the work hours needed to bag the treats and put the twist tie on; two, by eliminating the need to buy those bags and twist ties. On Monday, we called for the University to hire an auditing fi rm to point out inefficiencies in University operations. Bagging treats is just the sort of inefficiency we had in mind. Think of all the little things on campus that could be changed to make the University a leaner, more cost-sensitive entity. The University should make an effort to save students money. How else will students be able to afford supplementing the newly reduced portions with pizza deliveries?
BRIAN SOTAK | EDITORIAL CARTOON FORUM POLICIES v
OPINION COLUMN (OP-ED): A bylined essay of between 500 and 650 words that reflects only the opinion of the author. It should include the name, class, position (if applicable), major (if applicable), and phone number of the author. E-mail forum@studlife.com to submit.
v
LETTER: A piece of writing under 300 words in length, directed to the Student Life opinion editors, that may or may not respond directly to content printed previously in Student Life. It should include the name, class, position (if applicable), and phone number of the author. E-mail letters@studlife.com to submit.
v
STAFF EDITORIAL: An opinion that reflects the consensus of the editorial board. It is written by the Forum editors.
v
FORUM FLASHBACK: A summary of an article previously published in Forum, followed by an analysis or update to the opinion.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A duty to fairly cover the black community Dear Editor: I’m appalled by this paper’s absent coverage of Black Anthology. Diwali and Chinese New Year Festival were both given lengthy front-page (and then some) articles, complete with interviews. As someone who worked on both of those shows, I think they deserved it. And as some one who worked for BA, I can say that its cast and crew had as much dedication as those of the other shows and are equally as entitled to be able to read about it in the school paper. Student Life showed that BA was essentially just a dance number followed by some play. Anyone who was at the show knows that BA was an incredibly conceived, unbelievably well executed theatrical production focusing on a black family and its struggles, internal and external. I suppose Student Life figured, “Why talk about this when we have a great headline of a black dropout rapist? We can even put his picture in!” You had an opportunity—I’d say responsibility, following Diwali’s coverage—to show black Wash U students’ achievements and gift to the campus but decided that a disparaging, sensationalist headline at expense of the black community was (somehow!) more appropriate. If black people were on the front page every day, such a grievous display wouldn’t have been so hurtful to our population on campus. But when that’s how we can get in the campus paper, it reflects as badly upon us as people as it does upon you as journalists. Even so, the atrocity is amplified, as the outstanding BA performance should’ve superseded all of the news from that weekend, anyway.
Maybe Student Life didn’t like that part of BA challenged white Americans. Maybe you were disappointed that we didn’t make fun of ourselves to appease people’s prejudices. Maybe you were mad that we didn’t center BA around the song-and-dance lifestyle black people are so frequently portrayed as living. Whatever the reason, you certainly said a lot by not saying anything about BA and must try to avoid such a terrible oversight in the future. -Rob Collins Class of 2005 Assistant Director, Black Anthology
Black Anthology coverage promotes racial stereotypes Dear Editor: I have an issue with the Jan. 31 issue: the Black Anthology production was sorely underrepresented. I strongly believe that BA did not receive as much coverage as other culture events on this campus. The coverage of Diwali was much more extensive. Also, on Feb. 7, the Chinese New Year Festival was represented by a picture followed by an actual article. BA was basically dismissed and ignored: there was no headline, no picture of the actual event and no summary. It appears to me that BA was brushed off as an event that only mat-
STUDENT LIFE Editor in Chief Associate Editor Senior News Editor Senior Forum Editor Senior Cadenza Editor Senior Scene Editor Senior Sports Editor
Jonathan Greenberger Cory Schneider Liz Neukirch Roman Goldstein Matt Simonton Sarah Ulrey Mary Bruce
ters to the already underrepresented black community. This is unfortunate because as students of Washington University, African Americans are just as much an equal part of this community as any other group. Also, BA’s juxtaposition was a definite problem. I’d like to know why Bobby Collins, a U. College student for two semesters three years ago, was more of a pressing issue than current, active students living on this campus who worked to produce something that was amazing, thought-provoking and creative. This tells me that black images in this paper aren’t necessary unless somebody’s doing something wrong or going to jail. This is just advancing the stereotypical reputation that has been attached to the black race. You might as well have said, “Another one’s going to jail, are you surprised?” BA is one of the many examples where African Americans disprove this view. The time of segregation is over, and this newspaper is supposed to represent the lives of students. So why are the lives of so many students unimportant to you? What about all of their hard work? Why is it so crucial to have Bobby Collins instead? I hope that you correct this situation by giving BA the same coverage as any other similar event at this University. An article and a printed response would be appreciated. -Kristal Matlock Class of 2008 [Editor’s Note: such a response is found on this page, to the right]
Senior Graphics Editors Brian Sotak, Emily Tobias News Editors Doug Main, Sarah Kliff Contributing Editors Erin Harkless, Rachel Streitfeld, Forum Editors Cadenza Editors Scene Editors Sports Staff
Editor’s note: If you are a regular reader of these pages, you have probably noticed the recent discussion of Student Life’s coverage of Black Anthology, especially in light of our story about former student Bobby Collins’ conviction of home invasion and rape and his subsequent sentencing to a 540-year prison term. Regarding Black Anthology, the lack of coverage was the result of a miscommunication. We had judged Black Anthology to be newsworthy and intended to write a story, but an error was made along the way. As with all student-run organizations, we sometimes make mistakes. Yet the fundamental misunderstanding of Student Life evinced by these letters needs to be addressed. Let me be clear: the newsworthiness of a story is the only criteria upon which we base our decisions about what to cover. • We do not cover events like CNYF or Diwali to “reward” those who have put time into the shows. If coverage is interpreted as a reward, that is fine, but it is not our purpose. Our obligation is to our readers, not the organizers of any single event. • We do not have a blanket policy of covering all “major cultural events” on campus, nor will we ever. • We do independently evaluate each possible story that comes to our attention on its own merits to determine whether it is “newsworthy.” A variety of factors enter into
Photo Editors David Brody, Pam Buzzetta Online Editor Margaret Bauer Copy Editors Kelly Donahue, Allie McKay,
David Tabor Daniel Milstein, Brian Schroeder, Aaron Seligman, Justin Ward Designers Laura Vilines, Tyler Weaver Sarah Baicker, Kristen McGrath Justin Davidson, Harry Kang, General Manager Dan Novack Ad Manager
this decision—including, among others, how many people a story affects; broader implications of the event; whether we can provide new information or a new angle to our readers; the coverage of other campus, local, and national media; and whether an event is a new occurrence or happens on a regular basis. That said, in this case these are moot points, since we had judged Black Anthology to be newsworthy—and would have covered it, had a miscommunication not occurred. We also made the recent decision that the conviction and sentencing of Bobby Collins was newsworthy. Collins was not, as some letterwriters have suggested, a person with only tangential connections to Washington University. As a star running back on the University’s football team, Collins was wellknown around campus for being just the fifth Bears football player to rush for 1,000 yards. A Web search reveals Collins was mentioned at least eight times in the University’s own public relations newsletter for his feats on the gridiron. Unfortunately, Collins never left the spotlight. Indeed, it is newsworthy when a person who just three years ago was so visible on campus is sentenced to 540 years in prison for crimes the judge says are the most “heinous” she has ever seen. -Jonathan Greenberger Editor in Chief, Student Life
Copyright 2005 Washington University Student Media, Inc. (WUSMI). Student Life is the financially and editorially independent, student-run newspaper serving the Washington University community. First copy of each publication is free; all additional copies are 50 cents. Subscriptions may be purchased for $80.00 by calling (314) 935-6713. Student Life is a publication of WUSMI and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of the
Nina Perlman, Shannon Petry, Washington University administration, faculty or students. All Student Life articles, photos and graphics are the TJ Plunk, Jonathon Repinecz property of WUSMI and may not be reproduced or published without the express written consent of the General Manager. Pictures and graphics printed in Student Life are available for purchase; e-mail editor@studlife.com for Anna Dinndorf, George Lai, more information. Student Life reserves the right to edit all submissions for style, grammar, length and accuracy. The intent of submissions will not be altered. Student Life reserves the right not to publish all submissions. Ellen Lo, Laura McLean, Jamie Reed, Camila Salvisberg If you’d like to place an ad, please contact the Advertising Department at (314) 935-6713. Andrew O’Dell If you wish to report an error or request a clarification, e-mail editor@studlife.com. Christopher Kiggins
Forum Editor / Roman Goldstein / forum@studlife.com
WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 9, 2005
STUDENT LIFE | FORUM
5
Needing a new nipple
J
anet Jackson’s nipple may have been contained. But since the infamous “wardrobe malfunction” in last year’s Super Bowl, it’s looking like we may need to let it out again. The threat of FCC reprisal has caused such a suppression of possibly risqué material that the quality of the public discourse has been severely downgraded. In fact, it is getting to the point where such repression may ultimately be harmful to society. The tremor that has gone through the entertainment industry since Jackson’s left nipple was exposed during last year’s Super Bowl halftime show has been nothing less than astounding. Live events, advertised with the slogan, “anything can happen,” were put on delays—ensuring that anything can happen, but not anything can be seen. “Saving Private
Daniel Milstein
Ryan,” which had been traditionally shown by ABC on Veterans Day to commemorate our nation’s war heroes, was kept off the air this year because of violent content. And according to New York Times columnist Frank Rich, federal investigators are currently looking into last year’s showing of the Olympics because actors wore body suits in a tribute to the nude statues of the Olympics in ancient Greece. The media’s restraint could potentially be very dangerous to our culture. What this censorship is causing is a stifl ing of the discussion of important issues. By not showing “Saving Private Ryan” because of the prospect of punishment from the FCC, images of the brutality of war are being concealed. It would be foolish to believe that war isn’t bloody or violent, but to be shown on TV, it seems like that must be true, at least in movies. However, the public needs to know how atrocious war can be so that a true opinion can be formed about going to war. Would it really be fair to the families of soldiers if we went into a war that had popular support without people knowing what could happen to the people actually fighting the war? An open discussion about sex is desperately
needed. If more teenagers were educated about the virtues of safe sex instead of being told how virtuous it is not to have sex, unwanted pregnancies could be reduced. Teenagers grow up with the idea that sex will at least make you feel good ingrained in their minds. And considering how much money sex makes for companies (just look at a beer or clothing commercial, or watch a highly rated show like “Desperate Housewives” for proof of this), it is hard to imagine that there will be lots of talk of sex as a bad thing on TV. Thus, many young boys and girls will not believe in abstinence, instead aspiring to spend a night with one of the girls from a Coors Light commercial or a guy from the Abercrombie catalogue. When these fantasies turn into more realistic relationships, the children (who hopefully, if they are having sex, are at least teenagers) need to be sufficiently informed about contraception and STDs. If there could be open discussions about sex in the media, as well as preaching safe sex instead of no sex (the Department of Education is currently pursuing an abstinence-only sexual education agenda), then the participants should be fully aware of the complexities of having sex. If children
can make more informed decisions about sex, there will be less unplanned pregnancies, and, as a result, less abortions. Shouldn’t a pro-lifer like Bush be in favor of that? This year the NFL took the safe route, hiring Paul McCartney to perform in its halftime show instead of a pop star like Janet Jackson. The NFL approved of McCartney’s set list before the actual event, even though McCartney played the old Beatles song “Get Back,” which hints at marijuana use and transvestites. But it shouldn’t have to be that the only way such topics can be brought up in a public arena is through metaphor in a song. We should be able to talk about it freely. We can be more knowledgeable, and, if we’re able to talk about topics like homosexuality without immediately thinking “sin,” more tolerant as well. Hopefully, the next time an event like the emergence of a nipple occurs, the nation won’t be thrown into a rabid fervor and instead will be able to accept it as something natural. After all, doesn’t everyone have nipples? Daniel is a freshman in Arts & Sciences and a Forum Editor. He can be reached via e-mail at forum@studlife.com.
A problem we can’t take sitting down End homophobia By Anna Dinndorf
on campus
Staff Columnist
P
icture this: it’s an average weekday. You walk into Whispers in the hour between your chemistry lecture and your biology lab. You think to yourself, “I’ll use this time to catch up on some reading rather than walking all the way back to my dorm.” You buy your mocha and muffi n and look for a table so you can get down to business. You survey the scene. Your eyes search over every possible place to sit, and you realize with a sinking feeling that there are no empty tables. You could venture into the actual library to work, but food isn’t allowed in the library, and you prefer the laid-back environment that Whispers offers. Left with no other options, you lean against the wall and scarf your muffi n before reluctantly going into the deathly silent library. During the day, there is a serious lack of seating at many of the popular locations on main campus. I doubt there’s a single person out there who hasn’t had a difficult time fi nding a place to sit at Mallinckrodt around lunchtime. And trying to fi nd a table at Holmes between the hours of eleven and two is next to impossible. What’s a person to do? If you buy your lunch at Mallinckrodt or Holmes you’re not going to want to go too far to eat it. You could wait around until someone else leaves, or you could sit on the floor. Neither of these solutions are very enticing, however. When the weather is nice, eating outside is a great option. But when it’s 20 degrees outside, the last thing anyone wants to do is spend one second more than necessary in the cold. A seemingly simple solution to the seating issue would be to get more tables. However, this is easier said than done. Mallinckrodt’s open areas are basically completely taken up with tables and there aren’t really any other places for more. And while Holmes could potentially accommodate a few extra, it would lose some of the aesthetic value for which many people love it. Based on my daily observation of seating patterns at Whispers, I have noticed that many people sit alone at tables meant for three or four to do homework or read the newspaper. I’m not condemning these people – I happen to be one of them from time to time. But perhaps if there were
By David Brody & Adam J. Olansky Op-ed Submission
O
RACHEL TEPPER | STUDENT LIFE
more smaller single tables in Whispers, more people would be able to sit, and it could accommodate both the people who use it as a place to meet friends as well as those who just need a little background noise when they’re studying. If you’re like me and you run into trouble fi nding places to sit every day, you may just need to relocate. There are a few nice places to sit on campus that are almost never full. Hilltop Bakery is a gem that is often forgotten. With a similar atmosphere to Whispers, Hilltop is conveniently located and has tables of different sizes and heights so there is something for everyone. The library is another place to go if you’re trying to get some quick studying done without distractions. If you want lunch but don’t want to deal with the mob that is Mallinckrodt, go to Subway. Depending on what time you go, the lines can be a little long, but there are almost always places to
sit and the line generally moves fast during the day. Another option when dining in Mallinckrodt is to take your lunch into the Gargoyle. During the day it is full of tables and few people think to venture there. Finding a place to kill an hour between classes shouldn’t be so difficult. If there were more places to go many of us wouldn’t waste our valuable study time trying to fi nd somewhere to sit for half an hour. Getting more tables would be the best solution, but until then we’re going to have to diffuse throughout campus so that we are not all in the same place at the same time. Now, if you’re in Mallinckrodt when you’re reading this and you’ve fi nished eating, get up and let some other poor soul have your table. Anna is a freshman in Arts & Sciences. She can be reached via email at aldinndo@a rtsci.wustl.edu.
Clinton for DNC chair
T
his week it is likely that the Democratic Party, in one of their fi rst moves toward rebuilding the party for the 2006 midterm elections, will elect a new chairperson. The role of the chairperson is to be Democrat cheerleader number one. This entails promoting the party, the party’s ideals and candidates and raising tons of money along the way. While Howard Dean is the presumptive candidate for the post, I believe the Democrats are overlooking an obvious fi rst choice: Bill Clinton. Over winter break I read two books that convinced me Clinton is the right person for the job. Thomas Frank, in “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” explains how Republicans have been able to win middleAmerica voters who used to be Democratic strongholds. Clinton’s memoirs, “My Life,” offer insight to the former president’s motivations, values and, most importantly, his experience. In his book Frank claims that the Democrats have been losing ground since the Clinton administration because of Clinton’s policy of balancing the budget to reduce the national debt. Many voters have assumed that Democrats and Republicans have similar economic plans. Therefore, voters use some other variable in casting their vote, and the “values issue” then comes into play. Putting Clinton atop the DNC would make blatantly obvious to voters the contrast that Democrats, not Republicans, are the party of fiscal responsibility.
Aaron Seligman
Frank argues that the paradox for these red-staters is that they are voting against their own economic benefit. Supporting a party which believes in lower taxes and less regulation for big business is counterintuitive to working-class Americans. Clinton understands this demographic because he grew up with them and governed them his whole life before becoming president and can help communicate this message. Clinton also defies the critical stereotype of Democrats as “east-coast liberals” or “west-coast hippies.” The book talks of a resentment of the “intellectual, latte-sipping, Volvo-driving liberal.” Unlike John Kerry, Clinton clearly does not fit this profi le. In Clinton’s book, he admits that one of his own major faults is an inability to really play partisan politics and draw lines about who is liberal and who isn’t. He concedes that people like Bob Dole and Newt Gingrich were much shrewder politicians than he ever was. Clinton believes he did not win re-election as governor of Arkansas because he raised vehicle registration prices. The state needed the money for highway repairs, and, though it was the right thing to do, it wasn’t popular. Clinton could offer voters a break from partisan warfare. His role these past four years as the “elder statesman” has shown that he really does believe in what is best for the country, not just what will get him elected. One of the weakest points for Democrats in recent years has also been their responses to attacks from the right. Frank points to the political gain Republicans have made from the backlash associated with gay marriage, teaching evolution and church/state issues. However, it is not that Republicans really hate gays, think evolution is junk or want the Ten Commandments on any
courthouse. It is that they want people to think their religion and families are under attack in order to motivate more conservatives to get out and vote. Republicans have also been much more effective at attacking Democratic candidates during campaigns. If there is anyone who knows how to defend against Republican attacks, it is Bill Clinton. In defending himself, Clinton took a very different approach to the KerryEdwards strategy. Instead of countering negative attacks like “You threw away your Vietnam War medals” with more negativity, like “You’re both draft dodgers,” Clinton would instead defend himself. In his book he explains the difference between defending yourself as opposed to more mud-slinging. Clinton didn’t respond to Lewinsky questions by attacking Gingrich for having an affair (though Gingrich did in fact commit adultery). Clinton instead pointed to all of the positive things his administration had done for the country. The Democrats are sorely lacking someone who can fight negatives with positives and has a proven, winning record to back it up. Clinton should be the DNC chair because he can show that Democrats can win through policy, not politics. His message can speak to rural and southern voters because he really does “feel their pain.” He can make the economy the key voting issue again and take the focus off of backlash issues. Most importantly, Clinton is a symbol of acting in the public interest. Or to put it another way, he doesn’t stop thinking about tomorrow. Aaron is a senior in Arts & Sciences and a Forum Editor. He can be reached via e-mail at forum@studlife.com.
ne of my regular indulgences is poker. I play daily on my floor, and it’s usually an enjoyable experience. However, there’s one phrase that never ceases to ruin the game: “Man, that was gay.” Maybe it’s just that I cannot picture a pair of aces having sex with each other, but that phrase doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense. In fact, that indecent saying pops up all over campus. Washington University has a systemic problem with homophobia. The problem is deeper than just referring to inanimate objects as having homosexual motives. Time and time again I’ve observed all kinds of different, odd, upsetting, or threatening things called gay. I’ve walked down dorm halls and witnessed guys writing “faggot” and “queer” on other guys’ whiteboards. A student in one of my classes equated the coming-out of a family member with the death of a loved one—a grieving process. I know a guy who makes movies. Not serious or real movies, but funny, stupid movies. The kind that require merely a camcorder and some wit. Once he was outside fi lming some randomness when a guy yelled, “Faggot!” at him. He hasn’t fi lmed anything since. We as a student body need to confront the fact that we have a problem. We’re homophobic—in some cases intensely so. These slurs go beyond “just joking around.” Homophobia is a character flaw stemming from ignorance. It’s high time we realize the damage that our words cause. The reputation of the University rides on our prejudices. When we hate, Wash U hates. I’m of the belief that Washington University was established to build good people, not merely rich ones. Our bigotry shapes the school’s reputation. Do we want to be responsible for running our school’s name through the mud or for elevating it to ambitious heights? The biggest effect of the problem is far more ominous than a poor reputation. Homophobia is oppressive, especially on a college campus. It is directly oppressive to gays and lesbians, who are forced to live as second-class citizens. It is oppressive to those who are silently questioning their own sexuality, discouraging self-exploration and preventing them from truly knowing themselves. But the widest felt effect is that it is oppressive to anyone who is not in the mainstream culture, anyone who is different or quirky. Homophobia smothers diversity. Every time some unthinking guy calls an eccentric person gay, the school conforms a little more. Washington University seems to love social norming; homophobia is our strongest tool for conforming and norming our student body. Accepting that homophobia is a problem on campus, we must now confront it. First, most people aren’t truly bigoted. Most homophobic comments are made as a reflex. A guy might be just as likely to call something gay as to call it stupid. Therefore, the easiest way to lessen the impact of homophobia is to get people to think twice about what they say (“Is that video game really involved in a homosexual relationship?”). If we remove slurs as a social crutch then we’re on our way to a tolerant school. We also need to instill the confidence in each other to speak up when someone says hateful things. If we challenge the wrongdoer whenever he cries queer, then he won’t feel as confident with his hateful speech. Peer pressure and social norms allow for homophobic sentiments. If we make these sentiments seem abnormal, they will wither. But merely silencing the problem is not the same as solving it. We need a mindset solution if we seriously want to make a difference. The University needs to take an active role and propel change by increasing campus dialogue about sexual issues. This dialogue must be more than a few token info sessions and workshops. Meaningful compulsory education on the matter is needed. It’s too easy and convenient to throw a few modest gestures out there and pretend that all is well. College is the place where minds are made; we should strive to make them well. The University needs to lead by example. If the faculty and student body is to be knowing and tolerant, then the University must take a stand for knowledge and tolerance. Washington University prides itself on its racial, ethnic and religious diversity; it should pride itself on sexual diversity as well. Only with an atmosphere of openness and inclusiveness can we break down the social barriers that limit and conform us. David and Adam are freshmen in Arts & Sciences. They can be reached via e-mail at davidrbrody@gmail.com or ajolansk@artsci. wustl.edu.
6 STUDENT LIFE | CLASSIFIEDS
WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 9, 2005
CLASSIFIEDS Line Ad Rates
Placing Your Ad
Deadlines
Rates listed below are for businesses or individuals not affiliated with WU.
http://www.studlife.com
In order to be published, all ads must be placed and paid for by:
FREE Classifieds
Classified ads are free to students, faculty and staff in most instances. To place your FREE 25-word ad, simply email us from your WU email account.
Classifications Help Wanted For Rent Roommates Sublet Real Estate For Sale Automotive
Wanted Services Tickets Travel Spring Break Lost & Found Personals
BABY SITTERS NEEDED $10+ / hr. Sitters needed for local families. w w w. S t L o ui s S i t t e r s . c o m MAKE MONEY TAKING online surveys. Earn $10 $125 for surveys. Earn $25 - $250 for focus groups. Visit www.cash4students. com/mowu SUMMER JOB? MONEY driven college students needed to sell Pest Control services. $4,000 -$10,000/mo. Call Tyler @ 636 -299-7828. THE KUMON LADUE Center is currently hiring math and reading helpers. Eight to ten hours available per week at $9-$10 per hour. Must be available Wednesdays 3- 6pm. Great kids, great location, great job! Freshman or Sophomore students preferred. Call Dan Kimura at 993-9192 or email your resume to tdk@ kumonladue.com
3 BEDROOM 2 FULL BATHROOMS - Forsyth Blvd. - House available spring or summer. $2400/month. One or two year lease! Beautiful house, yard, garage, near Wash. Univ. and new Metro stop. Must see!! Call David 314- 496 -8731. AFFORDABLE HOUSING LARGE rooms, includes utilities, central air, ceiling fans, stove and refridgerator, large fenced yard, off-street parking, near metrolink and buslines. Double occupancy: one bedroom $275, two bedroom $350. Contact Mrs. Dogan at 636 -537- 4914.
FREE
1-5 issues: 50¢ per word, per issue 6-9 issues: 40¢ per word, per issue 10+ issues: 30¢ per word, per issue
Terms & Conditions
For the fastest and easiest service, place and pay for your ad online! Click on the “Classifieds” link on our website to get started! • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Email: classifieds@studlife.com Don’t forget to include a contact number so we can confirm pricing & payment! • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Phone: 314.935.6713
There is a 15-word minimum charge on all classified ads. The first three words (max. one line) are bold and capitalized. All ads will appear on studlife.com at no additional charge. Please check your ad carefully on the first day of publication and notify Student Life of any errors. We will only be responsible for the first day’s incorrect insertion.
Prefer to speak with someone? Call us to place your ad by credit card! • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Mon. edition: Wed. edition: Fri. edition:
2 pm Thurs. 2 pm Mon. 2 pm Tues.
Payment All classified ads must be prepaid prior to first insertion by credit card, cash or personal check. Checks should be made payable to
WU Student Media, Inc.
Fax: 314.935.5938 Don’t forget to include a contact number so we can confirm pricing & payment!
3 BEDROOM 1.5 BATH APARTMENT. Half block from RED line shuttle. Many amenities! For more info www.homeandapartmentre ntals.com Tom 314.409.2733.
HP DESKJET 932C PRINTER $40. With two brand new ink cartridges (78 color and 45 black). 314- 479-5051.
AUTOS VW JETTA. 2003 VW Jetta, 38,500 miles, good condition, $11,500. Call 721-1257.
DELUXE 3-BEDROOM CONDO, Brekenridge, CO. Deluxe 3-bedroom unit, loft, 6 beds, full kitchen/bar. Steps from main liftlines and town. To inquire, 516 - 410 -2626 (Jesse Minc). Dates March 5th-12th. SPRING BREAK 2005 WITH STS, America’s #1 Student Tour Operator. Hiring campus reps. Call for group discounts. Info/ Reservations 1-800 - 6484849 www.ststravel.com.
ANNOUNCING $600 GROUP FUNDRAISER SCHEDULING Bonus. 4 hours of your group’s time PLUS our free (yes, free) fundraising solutions EQUALS $1,000 -$2,000 in earnings for your group. Call TODAY for a $600 bonus when you schedule your non-sales fundraiser with CampusFundraiser. Contact CampusFundraiser, (888) 923-3238 or visit www. campusfundraiser.com.
CLASSIFIED ADS!!!!
FACULTY, STUDENTS AND STAFF MAY RECEIVE FREE CLASSIFIEDS ADS IN MOST CASES. EMAIL US TODAY!!!
Your Horoscope for Wednesday, February 9, 2005 By Linda C. Black, Tribune Media Services Today’s Birthday (02-09-05). A surprising development leads you to great riches. Invest them into your business as frugally as you can. Another surprise later could dry up that oil well as quickly as it came. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.
Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is a 7. You’ll have more time the next few days to rest and recuperate. Don’t attempt any big advances now, you need to recover your strength. Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is a 7. You’ll have more time to spend with friends for the next couple of days. That’s good, but resist the urge to splurge the money you’ve recently earned. Gemini (May 21-June 21) Today is an 8. One surprising development just went your way, but the next one won’t. Don’t
push your luck, show respect. Cancer (June 22-July 22) Today is a 6. Your efforts will pay off for years to come. You should be proud of yourself. You’re not quite through yet, so postpone a trip you’d like to take. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 7. Take time away from the game to add up your wins and losses. Don’t worry about missing anything, this is not a good time to gamble. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is a 7. Maybe you need to look at the situation from a new point of view. Imagine you’re seeing it through the eyes of a kooky friend. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is an 8. After you’ve made the commitment, it’s time to get down to work. You’ll learn more as you go along, so continue to pay attention. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is a 7. You’ll have
more time in the next few days to cuddle with someone you love. Make arrangements for something special, but don’t spend a lot of money. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 7. It’s not a good idea to get your roommate all riled up. Advise caution for the next few days, and practice it yourself. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 7. Previous commitments interfere with your ability to study the subject you’ll be using next. Just do the old stuff the old way. It’ll be easier.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is an 8. Don’t get carried away in your enthusiasm, and buy a bunch of toys you really don’t know how to use, yet. Easy does it. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 7. Changes are predicted for the next couple of days. Don’t let yourself be pushed this way and that. Steer a steady course.
Sports Editor / Mary Bruce / sports@studlife.com
WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 9, 2005
STUDENT LIFE | SPORTS
NBA at mid-season: year-end award picks By Dan Novack Staff Columnist By now, most NBA teams have surpassed the 41-game benchmark, the halfway point of the grueling NBA regular season. With All-Star festivities in Denver coming up next weekend, coaches and players alike are lobbying hard for All-Star reserve spots and chances to compete in popular events such as the slam dunk competition and the three-point shootout. More importantly, however, the halfway point represents a chance to reflect upon the state of the league, its players and teams. With that in mind, the following are some of my picks for the end of the year awards. MVP: Right now, Phoenix’s Steve Nash is the popular pick, due in no small part to the Suns’ incredible improvement from last season’s dismal 29 -53 train wreck. As their only major off-season acquisition, Nash has guided the red hot Suns to an astounding 38-11 midseason record with his league-leading 11 assists per game. Though he has durability issues and is not even close to being a good defensive player, the MVP race is always determined by a combination of statistical excellence and team performance—Nash has both. Defensive Player of the Year: Provided he stays healthy for the rest of the season, Utah’s Andrei Kirilenko is my pick. In an injury-plagued half season, Kirilenko is leading the league in blocks per game with 3.86 despite playing just 32 minutes a game. Most importantly, however, Utah is a good defensive team with him and a really poor
Campus Special
SUPER BOWL n FROM PAGE 8
one without him. That, and the fact that he reminds me of Ivan Drago from Rocky IV, is reason enough for him to win Defensive Player of the Year. Most Improved Player: This is an interesting year for the most improved race, as most of the primary candidates are players who were already terrific last season (LeBron James) or whose massive statistical leaps can be attributed to the addition of an MVP caliber teammate (Steve Nash for Amare Stoudemire in Phoenix or Shaquille O’Neal for Dwyane Wade in Miami). Because of these discrepancies in the race, my pick goes to someone who is not a superstar, the underrated Bobby Simmons of the Los Angeles Clippers. In his first three seasons, Simmons was a 15-minute and five points-per-game bit player on the mediocre Wizards and Clippers teams. But this season, Simmons has more than doubled his minutes per game to 38 and is scoring three times as many points per game (16.5) than his career average. Simmons has the surprising Clippers poised to sneak into the playoffs as a possible 8th seed by playing inspired defense and adding great toughness to a young Los Angeles squad. Rookie of the Year: Even though Emeka Okafor is the clear favorite, I have to go with 19 -year-old Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, just because if he were in college right now instead of the NBA, Dick Vitale would probably be calling this player a “diaper-dandy.” 6th Man: Is it possible to win 6th Man of the Year but not even be in contention for Rookie of the Year? Ben Gordon of Chicago has been a revelation off the bench and a major factor in Chicago’s unlikely position among the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Providing lights-out shooting from the perimeter and the ability to drive into the paint and unleash a devastating tear drop floater, Gordon is instant offense off the bench. Most importantly, he is on the floor at the end of close games, already having hit multiple go-ahead or game winning shots this season.
$
Even in the U.S. though, the commercials were really the only thing that could have taken away from the football aspect of the Super Bowl. Super Bowl XXXIX was a perfect example of how Super Bowls should have always been and should always be. It was an event and it was a bigger deal than your average regular season football game, but it was classy. And it was still football. The entertainment didn’t take away from the sport. We didn’t hear the National Anthem from Beyoncé or the Dixie Chicks—we heard it from the combined choirs of the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets in a very patriotic WWII tribute. Even before that, a group of students from the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind joined Alicia Keys in singing America The Beautiful and paying tribute to Ray Charles. And the halftime show was Paul McCartney—a Beatle, a legend. There were no opportunities for anything Justin and Janet-esque to reoccur. Just some classic, quality music to make the tickets worth the extra money. Maybe it was just the NFL’s attempt to redeem itself for last year’s fiasco, but it still worked. When the game ended, my first question was who was going to be the MVP of the game, not how did someone’s nipple get on national television and what are they going to do to her. Needless to say, it was some unbelievable football. We aren’t talking about those boring blowouts the Super Bowl usually gives us. We’re talking about some good competition, some great moments for both teams, and the best possible example of what an NFL championship game should look like. It was still a show. And the people who weren’t watching it for the football still got their spectacle. McCartney put on a great performance and the pre-game show was incredibly touching for everyone. But for once, the people who were watching the game for the football got it. sports@studlife.com
ATTENTION
$
Healthy Adult Men & Women Looking for Tuition Assistance? Would You Like to Study and Get Paid for it?
Party Time
EARN $400-$4000 You May Qualify if: • You are a healthy adult, male or female (18 or older) • Take no medications on a regular basis • Have no current health problems • Available for 24-48 hour stays at our facility You can earn hundreds of dollars and help generic drugs obtain FDA approval. Gateway Medical Research, Inc. has been conducting research for pharmaceutical companies for years and thousands of people have participated. Find out how easy it can be to earn $$$! Call our recruiters today at (636) 946-2110 or visit our website at www.gatewaymedical.com.
$
7
Gateway Medical Research, Inc. 400 Fountain Lakes Blvd. St. Charles, MO 63301
$
8 STUDENT LIFE | SPORTS
Sports Editor / Mary Bruce / sports@studlife.com
WEDNESDAY | FEBRUARY 9, 2005
SPORTS Men’s basketball triumphs over Brandeis; Troy Ruths hits career-high 18 points Women fall to No. 2 in UAA tempt to overcome a sluggish start. After a tough loss Friday night, the men’s team (13–7, 5–4 UAA) bounced back, beating Contributing Reporter Brandeis (11–9, 4–5 UAA) in an 80–65 win. For the men, freshman Troy Ruths scored a career-high 18 On Sun., Feb. 6, the Washington University men’s and points off the bench in the Bears’ victory over Brandeis and women’s basketball teams faced off against their heated was a major contributor in the overwhelming WU second-half University Athletic Association (UAA) rivals, Brandeis Uni- assault, where the Brandeis Judges were outscored 44–30 by the home team. In the game’s closing minutes, Ruths was a versity. The women (16–4, 6–3 UAA) went up against 14th-ranked one-man scoring machine, capping off one of his best perforBrandeis (17–2, 7–2 UAA) in a battle for sole possession of the mances with an emphatic breakaway jam. When asked about Ruths’ performance, Head Coach Mark top spot in the UAA standings. The Lady Bears were unable to pull out a victory in front of the home crowd and lost 59–55, Edwards said, “Troy has been playing well all season. We despite a strong performance and the team’s valiant at- haven’t gotten to play that many home games, so a lot of people haven’t seen how he’s developed, but he’s been making contributions all season.” Seniors Rob Keller and Anthony Hollins, junior Mike Grunst and sophomore Brandon York all scored in doubledigits for the Bears, whose well-rounded attack was too much for the Judges to overcome. “The strength of our team is our depth,” said Edwards. “It wears on the other team putting 11 or 12 guys on the floor and not losing anything. We never know who’s going to have a big game. We have a number of players who can score 20 or 30 points in a game.” Another major factor in the Bears’ victory over Brandeis was their ability to keep the Judges’ star players out of the game. Brandeis’ top scorer, Bryan Lambert, was held to just eight points on 3–12 shooting, and freshman standout and former UAA Player of the Week Florian Rexhepi turned the ball over six times and shot 6–16 from the floor. “The key to the game was that we didn’t let Rexhepi get going,” said Edwards. “The same is true with Lambert. We shut him down with ball pressure. They could hardly get him opportunities to score. It was a total team effort.” After winning the opener, the crowd was poised to watch the Lady Bears ascend to the top spot in the UAA against the Judges. While the Bears fans were certainly disappointed with the outcome, the see-sawing second half excited everyone in the stands. Behind the strong effort of star senior Kelly Manning (20 points, 3 assists, 3 blocks, 3 steals) WU came out playing well in the second half, but Brandeis never let WU’s lead extend beyond three. Anytime the momentum seemed to shift in favor of the Judges, however, Manning was there to knock down another big shot. “Kelly is our three-point threat,” said Nancy Fahey, head coach for the women’s team. “We set her up fairly well. Unfortunately, we didn’t complete a lot of easy shots.” The quality of play inside the paint was a major difference between Sunday’s loss and WU’s 70–40 win at Brandeis on Jan. 28. PAM BUZZETTA | STUDENT LIFE “Brandeis did not shoot well in game one. Sunday was the opposite,” said Fahey. Freshman Troy Ruths goes in for a baseline layup against a Brandeis
By Alex Schwartz
PAM BUZZETTA | STUDENT LIFE
Junior Alicia Herald readies for the rebound in Sunday’s fall to Brandeis.
Despite this, the Lady Bears were able to keep the game within striking distance for the entirety of the second half. Unfortunately, a series of missed free throws and field goals, coupled with a few key turnovers, left the girls on the losing end of this hard-fought game. “It was a one possession game. Everything makes a difference. Every little detail makes a difference,” said Fahey. The men and women are in action next on Feb. 11. at Emory University.
sports@studlife.com
defender.
Oot and aboot for Super Bowl XXXIX While the rest of you were watching the Super Bowl at sports bars, dorm parties, and frat houses, I was watching it in my room at the hardly ritzy Hotel Ruby Foo’s in Montreal, Canada. And instead of watching it with all of my boys, I was watching it with a whole bunch of my old and gray extended family members, excluding my dad, my brother, and everyone else in my family worth watching sports with. We ordered in a Montreal specialty: smoke meat sandwiches (smoke meat is like a happy medium between corned beef and pastrami). At halftime, one of my mom’s crazy cousins insisted we go down to the lobby to the hotel bar, Chez Vito (Yes, Vito—like Uncle Vito on Viva La Bam), for some sake shots. So instead of football with beer and Buffalo wings, we had football with cold sake Allie and strange meats. Wieczorek Although the setting and grub were somewhat sub-par, I must say that this Super Bowl was one of the best ones I’ve ever watched. It was pure American football at its greatest and especially, of all places, in Canada. The thing about being out of the country during the Super Bowl is that you don’t get any of the commercials. And of course I had spent the plane ride up there reading all about them in Sports Illustrated and getting all excited. However, it did make the Super Bowl more about football. I was focused on the players, on the score, and on the plays—not on the commercials that came on in between them.
See SUPER BOWL, page 7
Big acquisitions are key to 2005 MLB season By David Israel
Contributing Reporter The big changes this off-season came from the teams that needed it least. Six of the eight play-off teams made major changes to their rosters. Los Angeles, St. Louis, Anaheim, Boston and the Yankees have all retooled for the upcoming 2005 season, while the Mets and Marlins made the most important moves of the non-play-off teams. The hometown Cardinals lost a key part of their infield with the departures of Edgar Renteria and Tony Womack. Offensively, the Cards still stack up with an imposing Big Three of Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds and Albert Pujols and should have no trouble racking up the runs. The Cards defense improved, as David Eckstein will handle the shortstop duties while the already formidable pitching staff swapped out the aging Woody Williams for All-star Mark Mulder. Mulder should adjust to his new settings, and fans should look for the Cardinals to again win the NL Central. While Mulder came to town, it seems every other free agent All-star went to the Mets. General manager Omar Minaya signed former Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez, as well as Carlos Beltran, easily the most coveted free agent on the market. The Mets also re-signed Kris Benson, who should have positive effects in his first full year at Shea. Offensively, look for the position switch of Jose Reyes and Kazuo Matsui to bring both of their bats around. Beltran and Mike Piazza should both drive in runs. The player to watch is third baseman David Wright—he tore up the Majors late in the season and should be productive in his first full year. The Red Sox and Yankees continued to raise the level of talent—and the payroll—of their teams. The Sox said goodbye to Derek Lowe, Pedro Martinez and role player Dave Roberts, but acquired David Wells, Matt Clement and Wade Miller to replace them. Those three, along with ace Curt Schilling and Bronson Arroyo, form one of the most formidable staffs in the league. With Johnny Damon, Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz leading the offense, the Sox should have no trouble finding a play-off spot. The Yankees didn’t settle for a quiet off-season after losing to the Sox in the playoffs. They brought in Randy Johnson and held onto their potent offense. The key to the 2005 Yankees is going to be their bullpen—Mariano Rivera is still one of the best ever, but the Yanks may have trouble getting from their starters to their closer. The other player to watch is Jason Giambi, who may be
playing his first full steroid-free season. The Anaheim Angels lost the closer Troy Percival and third baseman Troy Glaus, who both left for new destinations, but the Angels’ farm system has produced suitable replacements in Francisco Rodriguez and Dallas McPherson, respectively. The addition of Steve Finley and Orlando Cabrera, combined with the return of Vladimir Guerrero and Bartolo Colon, has the Angels again poised to win the West. The LA Dodgers failed to re-sign National League MVP candidate Adrian Beltre, and they also lost the aforementioned Steve Finley and Shawn Green. JD Drew and Jeff Kent will try to fill the offensive void left by their departure, but will have trouble producing at the same level as in years past. The Dodgers brought in Derek Lowe, who performed fantastically for the Red Sox in the play-offs. Lowe and Brad Penny will lead a mediocre corps of starting pitching. The Dodgers’ strength is their bullpen, headed by the incredible Eric Gagne and including a variety of valuable setup men. Look for the Dodgers to be competitive again this year. On to what really matters: the pre-season predictions. First, the American League: the East will again send two teams to the play-offs, with the Yankees winning the division for the umpteenth time in a row, and the Red Sox again winning the Wild Card. The maturing Cleveland Indians will win the Central, led by Travis Hafner and Jake Westbrook. The AL West will come down to the wire, but I think the Angels can hold off the Texas Rangers. (Yes, the Rangers.) In the National League, the addition of Carlos Delgado to the already-good Florida Marlins puts them over the top, allowing them to win a very competitive NL East. Look for the Mets to challenge the Braves for the Wild Card. The Cardinals will again run away with the Central division, especially since both the Cubs and the Astros got worse over the off-season. The NL West will be won by the San Diego Padres, due to a maturing offense, the addition of a true lead-off man in Dave Roberts and a solid bullpen. I just don’t see the Dodgers or Giants being able to go through the whole season injury-free, which may be their only hope due to lack of depth. As far as play-offs go, look for the Boston Red Sox to repeat over the Florida Marlins in the World Series. It may be unlikely, but so was winning it all the first time. sports@studlife.com