STUDENT LIFE
THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER OF WASHINGTON UNIVERSIT Y IN ST. LOUIS SINCE 1878 Do seven-year-olds really have more spirit than WU sports fans? Columnist Allie Wieczorek comments in Sports. Page 6.
Poker mania! Sports wraps up parts two and three of its three-part series on the poker phenomenon at WU. Page 7.
VOLUME 127, NO. 4
Columnist Joshua Trein explores the explosive debate and discourse surrounding Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Page 5.
Washington University students do have school spirit—they just show it in quirky, idiosyncratic ways. See Sports for details. Page 10.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2005
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Hurricane students seek WU admissions By Laura Geggel and Brad Nelson News Staff Four days after Hurricane Katrina devastated student move-in at Tulane, Loyola and other universities along the Gulf Coast, students have been frantically searching for colleges that will temporarily enroll them until their campuses are deemed safe for return. “We have had so many calls today that it overloaded our phone bank, we’ve had more than 150 inquiries over the past three days,” said Robert Wiltenburg, the dean of University College. Most students applying to the University will be placed in the Visiting Students Program and remain at University College for either a semester or a year. “Frequently [the program] will be for someone who is a St. Louis native who had been going somewhere else but has pressing family reasons to be back in St. Louis,” Wiltenburg said. The program, which usually accepts 10-15 students a semester, will try to accommodate as many students affected by the hurricane as possible. “We don’t know yet exactly what [the fi nal acceptance numbers] will turn to because we’re still in the process of meeting with the students and their parents and evaluating their situations,” Wiltenburg said. Ap-
proximately 12 students have been accepted into the program as of yesterday. Almost all of the students applying for the University College Visiting Students Program are undergraduates. “The graduate students are in a different situation, if they’re writing a dissertation, they might need [specific] library faculties,” Wiltenburg said, adding that an equal number of freshmen and upperclassmen students have been requesting admittance information. In an e-mail to the University community, Chancellor Mark Wrighton announced that “Washington University will be accepting some of these students on a visiting, non-degreeseeking basis and also will be offering library privileges and work space to graduate students and scholars.” He noted that the University has “already heard from some of these students, including many from the greater St. Louis region.” One of those is the son of Steve Fazzari, the chairman of the economics department. Fazzari, who’s son Anthony was about to complete his senior at Tulane University, said he’s had some communication with the admissions office here about his son enrolling in the school for semester. “They’re very helpful. They’re very accommodating. They’re doing everything they
can,” he says. But Fazzari and his son won’t make a decision about plans for the upcoming semester until Anthony returns home tomorrow from Dallas, where he went to ride out the hurricane. In the meantime, Tulane administrators are gathering in Houston to form a game plan for the next few months. “Obviously, he would prefer to go to his own school. He’s a senior, he’s pretty far along with the credits he needs to take.” Fazzari said. “So we’re waiting for Tulane. They haven’t communicated with anybody. Nobody thinks they can mount a semester at Tulane.” When he returns to New Orleans, Anthony will come back to an apartment – the condition of which is unknown – in which he left almost all of his belongings. “He left Saturday night, took his laptop, a few days clothes, threw them in the back of the car and went off,” Fazzari said. “All the other stuff is sitting in a second floor apartment.” University representatives will also discuss the possibilities of a University-wide response to Hurricane Katrina in a meeting this afternoon. Student groups are invited to send representatives to the meeting, which will take place from 1-3 p.m. in McMillan Café.
MICHAEL AINSWORTH | KRT CAMPUS
As the National Guard patrols, Louis Jones, left, and Catherine McZeal, right, walk down flooded Poydras St. in New Orleans, on their way to the Superdome on Thursday, September, 1, 2005, days after Hurricane Katrina flooded New Orleans.
MOUNTAIN OF SUPPLIES PRECEDES SERVICE FIRST
Katrina sends gas prices skyrocketing By Shweta Murthi Contributing Reporter
DAVID HARTSTEIN | STUDENT LIFE
Students began organizing this mountain of cleaning and painting supplies on Thursday morning to get ready for Saturday’s annual Service First program. Service First provides new students at the University with an opportunity to volunteer at schools and other locations around the St. Louis area, and is followed by a community service fair on the South 40.
For fish: Is bigger really better? By Laura Geggel News Editor Is being big really worth it? If you were a male mosquito fish, you might not be so sure, according to the new research of a Washington University PhD candidate. Males with a larger gonopodium, the technical name for the reproductive organ of that species of fish, tend to attract more attention from females. However, these well-endowed fish are also easy prey. The drag from an extra-long gonopodium decreases a fish’s burst speed when escaping from predators. “The larger the gonopodium the lower the burst speed,” said Brian Langerhans, a PhD
candidate in evolutionary ecology at the University. “If you compare a cross population, it can be as much as a 20 percent difference in speed. It’s actually quite an impact, but so far it’s hard to say exactly because there are a lot of other traits acting at the same time,” Langerhans said. Male mosquito fish are one of the few fish belonging to the family poeciliid, including guppies and other fish that bear live young. Unlike most fish, which spray semen on already laid eggs, poeciliid males physically inseminate the female. “The gonopodium is a modified anal fi n that’s basically a sperm transfer organ,” Langerhans said. “After copulation occurs, the females bear live young [that] develop
from egg to larva to actual juvenile fish inside her body.” Langerhans raised and mated fish in captivity fi rst to prove that gonopodium size is indeed a heritable trait. “Basically, I showed that the pattern in the wild is also maintained when they were raised in the lab,” Langerhans said. Focusing on the evolution of fish body shape, Langerhans compared mosquito fish in predator-free zones in captivity to the survival-of-thefittest conditions of the wild. “Fish at a site without any type of predatory fish at allthey have a pretty big gonopodium. And the gonopodium is, on average, 15 percent larger than at a site you fi nd with predators,” he explained. Langerhans devel-
oped a mate-choice experiment for the female fish in captivity. Just as in the wild, the females exhibited preference for the male with the larger gonopodium, spending 81 percent more time directly interacting with him than his smaller-sized counterpart. Females also approached the large-gonopodium male 28 percent more times than the small-gonopodium male while fl itting around the tank. Yet predators like the sun fish and large mouth bass in Texas and the barracuda in the Bahamas constantly threaten mosquito fish with excessive baggage. Thus the mosquito fish dilemma; pre-mating sexual selection drives favors larger gonopodia, whereas
See FISH, page 3
Already reeling from soaring summer gas prices, Missouri residents were hit again with over a thirty-cent increase per gallon after Hurricane Katrina shut down nearly a dozen major crude oil refi neries in the Gulf of Mexico. As of Monday, nearly 12 percent of the American refi ning capacity has been shut down completely. “Thirty cents is pretty significant,” said Steve Fazzari, chair of the economics department. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes up another 10 to 20 cents higher. But compared to the rest of the nation. “The big problem is that there is no excess capacity elsewhere. In a normal market, if there’s a disruption it could be picked up by other refi neries. But the US market doesn’t have the slack,” Fazarri added. Fazarri said he expected prices to lower in a month or two after refi neries in the Gulf of Mexico resumed production.
President Bush opened up the Strategic Petroleum Reserve on Wednesday that was secured specifically for times of national emergencies. But Fazarri says this will have no impact on prices “If the bottleneck is on refi nery capacity rather than oil reserves, then dumping more oil on the market [through the Strategic Petroleum Reserve] will not affect the consumers of the oil market,” he said Hurricane Katrina has affected more than just crude oil, however. The storm damaged several underground pipes that bring in natural gas. Limited access to the affected areas has made it increasingly hard to determine the extent of the crisis. Many power plants use natural gas to generate electricity; however it cannot be easily imported from overseas. George Csolak, from Laclede Gas Company, which provides natural gas to the greater St. Louis
See GAS, page 3
MIKE CARDEW | KRT CAMPUS
Judy Williamson and her son, Tony Neel, contemplate their next move after finding the gas station they were in line at had closed for the night in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on Wednesday August 31, 2005. Gas prices around the country are surging because of the loss of Gulf Coast refineries in Hurricane Katrina.
2 STUDENT LIFE | NEWS
Senior News Editor / Sarah Kliff / news@studlife.com
FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 2, 2005
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Susan Wood, the director of the Food and Drug Administration’s office of women’s health, announced her resignation on Wednesday in protest of the agency’s decision to further delay the approval of over-the-counter morning-after pills. In an e-mail to FDA staff members Wood explained to staff members that she could no longer work at the agency “when scientific and clinical evidence, fully evaluated and recommended for approval by the professional staff here, has been overruled.� The delay of over-the-counter morning-after pill was announced Friday afternoon, when the FDA announced that it could not figure out how to ensure that only women 17 and older were able to purchase the pill.
"IG "END
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FDA women’s health director quits over morning-after pill
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University a cappella singing groups will host auditions for new members throughout the Labor Day weekend. Groups holding auditions include After Dark, the Amateurs, Greenleafs, Mosaic Whispers and Stereotypes. The Amateurs begin their auditions today, while all other groups start on Saturday. On Labor Day, all a cappella groups will host their callbacks.
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News Editors: Laura Geggel, Brad Nelson Contributing Editor: Mandy Silver Forum Editors: Zach Goodwin, Daniel Milstein, Jeff Stepp, Brian Schroeder, Matt Shapiro Cadenza Editors: Adam Summerville, Jordan Deam, Robbie Gross Scene Editors: Kristin McGrath, Sarah Klein Sports Editor: Joe Ciolli Photo Editors: Pam Buzzetta, Oliver Hulland, David Hartstein Online Editor: Dan Daranciang
Two men from the St. Louis area pleaded guilty to stealing an estimated $4 million worth of artwork, including paintings by Pablo Picasso, Matisse and Salvador Dali. The theft occurred in 2002, when the two men were both employees of an art shipping company. The artwork belonged to a couple in Florida. The theft was discovered after a man purchased the stolen artwork from one of the thieves.
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Editor in Chief: Margaret Bauer Associate Editor: Liz Neukirch Managing Editor: David Tabor Senior News Editor: Sarah Kliff Senior Forum Editor: Molly Antos Senior Cadenza Editor: Laura Vilines Senior Scene Editor: Sarah Baicker Senior Sports Editor: Justin Davidson Senior Photo Editor: David Brody Senior Graphics Editor: Brian Sotak
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Senior Convocation
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Next Tuesday
The Community Service Program, the Richard A. Gephardt Institute for Public Service and the Campus Y will host an open meeting for representatives of student groups, offices and departments wishing to develop and participate in a collective effort in response to the hurricane and its aftermath.
September 6, 2005 5:00pm Graham Chapel
Friday, September 2, 2005 1:00-3:00pm McMillan CafĂŠ
A BBQ Will Follow in Bowles Plaza.
Please visit www.communityservice.wustl.edu/hurricanerelief for more information on ways to support the hurricane relief effort. ÂŽ
Senior News Editor / Sarah Kliff / news@studlife.com
FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 2, 2005
GAS v FROM PAGE 1 area, said, “this year’s been more difficult than most because the price spikes have been pretty dramatic. You’re looking at hot weather and the impact on the storage of natural gas, the hurricane season, the oil prices. There’s little growth in new gas supplies. There’s a lot more demand than the supply.” Some Washington University students have already been deterred by the rising
gasoline prices. Sophomore Patrick O’Brien said, “I’m only going to try to take it out on the weekends. If there’s a place I’m going that I know is on the shuttle route, I’d rather take the shuttle.” Junior Mercede Savala added, “I thought I’d use it a lot more, but with gas prices, but I’ll probably use the shuttle a lot more if it’s close by. I live in the area, so I have use of my car or the Metrolink that
I can use.” With threats of an extra severe hurricane season this year, Csolak says Missouri residents “do have a new energy policy enacted, but it’s more geared toward long term impact than short term. There are a number of incentives starting in January such as buying energy efficient appliances that require less energy and tax credits for buying hybrid cars.”
STAFF/FACULTY PROFILE Jerome Sincoff Dean of Architecture Tell us about your background—where you were born, where you grew up, your family, and your education. I was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. I’m married to my wife, Suzanne, and have five children (Julie, Bob, Biron, Steve, and Jennifer). Did you attend college and/or job training? Where? I am a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis. What brought you to Wash. U.? I grew up in St. Louis and thus attended Washington University in St. Louis.
STUDENT LIFE | NEWS
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Student Union works to implement suggestions By Elizabeth Lewis Staff Reporter Last school year, the Student Union enlisted the help of five business school students to look into how the body could do its job better. Now, with the recommendations in, the Student Union (SU) will begin the process of implementing them. “The suggestions provide framework of how to change our culture,” said Student Union President David Ader. “We are going through semester plans and are trying to figure out how to use the suggestions.” “The biggest thing we found is that Student Union needs to work to partner with the students,” said Stephen Bishop, a second-year MBA and member of the research team. “Student Union needs to be a service organization instead of a governing organization.”
Among the recommendations: •SU should become “more of a service entity rather than a governing body.” •There should be incentives for students to join SU. •The elections should become more competitive. •The SU logo should only appear at very large events that it funds current logo appears on all events and activities that are funded by the student activities fee. Doing so would send a message that SU events are special. Currently, the SU logo appears at most studentrun events. •Students should be better informed about how SU is spending money. “[The business school students] made a lot of good points,” said junior Ana Bailey, the SU senate academic affairs committee chair. “A lot of the suggestions we were already aware of. They made sugges-
tions about the perceptions that students hold.” The students, from the Olin Center for Experiential Learning, conducted their research using two main methods. They sent surveys to members of SU, the undergraduate student body, and to officers of clubs, and received over 1380 responses. The team also interviewed members and some students. Ader said SU “decided to have [the research] done because there has never been an assessment of Student Union processes. We were looking for objective outside perspectives and a systematic look at the process.” But Bishop said he’s “unsure” if SU will follow through with any of the suggestions. “We did not get a lot of feedback from our proposal of what they would do in the future,” he said.
How did you get into the field of architecture? I knew when I was growing up that I wanted to be an architect, so that is how I chose my major in school. What is your favorite memory of attending Givens School of Architecture? I enjoyed meeting all the new people and the teachers and their ideas. Who was your favorite teacher at Wash. U.? Joe Passonneau. What was your most memorable project while attending Wash. U.? My favorite project was building a foldable geodesic dome when Bucky Fuller was at school. What’s the best thing about your job? What’s the most challenging part? Today was the first day of classes…so call me in a few weeks. Can you name some of your past works and achievements? My work on the National Air and Space Museum. What is your favorite book/movie? I like books on Albert Einstein, and my favorite movie is “Casablanca.” What do you hope to accomplish in the coming year? We plan to pass our accreditation review with flying colors.
If you didn’t buy your textbooks at Half.com, you paid too much. Half.com has all the textbooks you need like chemistry, astronomy and history for a lot less. FOR A LIMITED TIME, SAVE AN ADDITIONAL $5 ON PURCHASES OF $50 OR MORE.* SIMPLY USE THIS CODE: SAVEBIGNOW *$5 off promotion open to legal U.S. residents 18 years of age or older who are first-time buyers on Half.com. $5 off promotion good for first-time purchase of $50 or more, excluding shipping and handling, on Half.com only. Limit one offer per user ID, and offer may not be combined with any other offer, coupon or promotion. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted. Offer expires September 30, 2005 at 11:59:59pm PT.
FISH v FROM PAGE 1 predation, another aspect of natural selection, favors some kind of reduction. “Everything I study revolves around similar questions; trying to understand the ecological mechanisms that drive evolutionary changes in body shape. We have to figure out why organisms have the traits they have,” Langerhans said. Langerhans plans to continue this research by investigating evolutionary trends in related species. He hypothesizes that the female partiality for larger gonopodia might help explain the evolution of the swords-like caudal tail fi ns in male swordtail fish, a theory he plans to test in future research.
BRIAN LANGERHANS
Representative laboratory-reared G. affinis males derived from predator-free (A) and predator (B) populations. Arrows indicate the gonopodium. Note the larger gonopodium in (A). The scale bar represents 5 mm.
4 STUDENT LIFE | FORUM
Senior Forum Editor / Molly Antos / forum@studlife.com
FORUM White card alert
E
very year, the administration manages to surprises its students with a couple of new quirks and changes, just to make each new year interesting. One of this year’s changes is the new keycard system used in the Millbrook apartments, as well as in Houses 9 and 10 in the Village, WGE residential college and the new Koenig building. Rather than using keys with locks, as had been done in the past, the University installed new computerized locks on all the doors, each of which can only be opened by a white card belonging to each of the students in that apartment. These cards are also used to
open the locks on specific room doors; each time a student in Milbrook wants to go into her room, she must double swipe, fi rst outside the apartment, and then at her room. With these new locks, leaving apartment doors open, whether accidentally or on purpose, is no longer an option, enhancing the safety and security of these living arrangements. Especially with the soon to be opened MetroLink stop right by the north side of campus, additional security measures will most likely be needed. Though the white cards certainly present some safety advantages, there is
also the issue of cost. On the company’s website that manufactures these particular locks, the listed price for an individual lock is $1,500. ResLife would not comment when initially asked how much the locks cost in total; this reluctance certainly does not downplay any concerns about the locks’ cost. The locks are also eventually going to be installed in all ResLife buildings, but the project could not be completed this past summer because it would have been too expensive. With the general idea of “security” presented by ResLife as the only reasoning behind the new locks, this specific solution
seems at least somewhat questionable. If safety is such a great concern, surely students in all ResLife buildings should have the same security measures available, rather than those living in a seemingly random selection of buildings. On the other hand, if safety is not enough of an issue for this to be a priority for all students, perhaps it is worth wondering why the University is spending so much money on this issue to begin with. Safety should always be a priority on this campus, but perhaps there should be a bit more thought put into the implementation of potential safety measures.
BRIAN SOTAK | EDITORIAL CARTOON
FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 2, 2005
Overstaying your welcome Thirteen years of college
R
ob Shuck entered Cornell University the same year I began the fourth grade. It was 1993: William Jefferson Clinton was the newly elected, scandal-free president; Russia was awkwardly adjusting to capitalism; MTV’s “The Real World” was one year old. Despite the best interests of all involved, the world was awash in fl uorescent colors and Beanie Babies.
Zach Goodwin
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
More devastating than 9/11 Dear Editor: Hurricane Katrina is far more devastating than 9/11 was. An American metropolis is almost completely underwater, in some parts 30 feet deep. Sewage and other chemicals are contaminating the water and the city, which is being described as the world’s biggest Superfund site. There are up to 100,000 residents still in the city, most of whom are black and poor and remained in the city because they had no way to get out and no place to go. Now that the hurricane has destroyed their city, they have no possessions, no jobs, and are struggling to survive. Few of them have insurance to cover what they have lost and help get their lives back. As residents of St. Louis, a city that knows the devastation of a major flood, we need to offer all the assistance that we can. The University should set up a donation Web site to send money to the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities
and other humanitarian relief organizations, and then the University should offer a matching donation for every dollar given by students, faculty and staff. The city of New Orleans may never recover, and the people of New Orleans need all the help they can get. -Joseph D. Adamson, Class of 2006 Arts & Sciences
Liberals: please work on your tolerance Dear Editor: I would like to mention that my original correspondence was not a letter I had even wanted to be published. It was sent to the author of the article and not to Forum. As noticed by your failure to correctly
publish my graduation year, I did not follow your requirements to submit a letter to the editor, since that was never my original intent. Also, after I received a response [from Student Life], I realized how I had misinterpreted the comment as biased and apologized. You can only imagine my surprise as I return to school a month later and read my original e-mail published as a Letter to the Editor. Norman Pressman’s comments are exactly the sort of thing I would expect from the liberal community here. Their tolerance of everything but a conservative viewpoint still boggles my mind. I’m sorry to inform you, but I do not watch Fox News. I know you must be shocked. I do not listen to Rush Limbaugh, nor do I “love” Reverend Robertson. I didn’t think politically correct, tree hugging, SWAloving hippies promoted stereotypes. I guess I was wrong. Also, your claim of affirmative action letting in
more conservatives who can’t think for themselves is quite absurd (one might even say “absoludicrous”). I will proudly say I was admitted for my residency in the tiny state of Ohio (seventh largest in population). As shown by the 2004 election, it also is a very conservative state (rolls eyes). I also do not remember checking a box noting my political affiliation when I was applying. Well, I need to get off the phone with Ann Coulter now. She’s given me all the firepower I need to write this letter. If it weren’t for her, I’d have nothing to say. -Bill Maas, Class of 2007 Arts & Sciences
Mr. Shuck, as a gangly and doe-eyed freshman in 1993, was, by all accounts, ambitious. He kicked off what would become a college career of titanic proportions by pursuing an engineering degree. After three years of scholarship, however, it became clear that computer science was his true calling; he left engineering and began accumulating credits all over again. Then, following a brief romance with computer science, Mr. Shuck determined that, in fact, he was meant to be a commercial pilot. With this in mind, he began leisurely studying of “atmospheric sciences”—though he would eventually settle on economics and fi nance. And all the while, as the years ticked by and new crops of freshmen came and went, Mr. Shuck remained, happily, in the basement of his fraternity house. For Mr. Shuck, each year seemed to bring with it both a precipitous decline in ambition and a new, wholly unrelated major. But Rob Shuck is no quitter, and his story has a happy ending. With considerable fanfare and the sounding of trumpets, Mr. Shuck will graduate next fall after 13 years of undergraduate work. He is 30 years old. The life and times of Rob Shuck (which is documented beautifully by Mickey Rapkin in this month’s GQ) seem especially appropriate given my current predicament. You see, I am—despite my best efforts—nearing graduation. And thus, while a good portion of me is prone to condemn Mr. Shuck for his world-class indolence, I can’t help but appreciate the thoroughness with which he is avoiding the real world. Re-
spect certainly isn’t the right word, but I at least “marvel” at his ability to accomplish so little, so confidently. In short, though living in a fraternity house at 30 years old sounds like some kind of Sartrian hell, I can empathize with the motivation. The world, it seems, can be a scary, genuinely un-fun place. Ah, but I am here to report that hope remains! You see, I did a little investigation of the post-collegiate world this summer and found that our prospects are actually quite good. It turns out that, if internships can be any guide, life does go on after college: the sun continues shining, the earth continues spinning and fun is still an option for those over the age of 22. I saw, with my own eyes, a city’s worth of twenty-somethings blissfully overindulging each night of the week. I met scores of suit-wearers that claimed to be truly happy. I encountered adults of all stripes that sincerely
“Life does go on after college: the sun continues shining, the earth continues spinning and fun is still an option for those over the age of 22.” enjoyed, and felt fulfi lled by, their jobs. I even ran into lawyers that smiled regularly. And I was reminded again this weekend when I went home for my cousin’s wedding that we hardly have the market cornered on drinking and debauchery. It seems that there is life left to be lived. My point is this: breathe deep, fi nd something you wouldn’t mind doing, and start doing it. For me, it was calming to think that though I may not feel like leaving, there is at least something for which to leave. So, practice real world living with an internship or two, and allow yourself to be buoyed by the fact that literally every happy, successful adult has once stood in your shoes. Besides, as Mr. Shuck illustrates, the alternative is pretty unpalatable. Who wants to be living in Millbrook at 30? Zach is a senior in Arts & Sciences and a Forum editor. He can be reached via e-mail at forum@studlife.com.
Correction: v
In Justin Davidson’s article “Calling all card sharks: the on-campus poker game,” which appeared in the Orientation Issue on July 27, Cary Adickman was incorrectly listed as the administrator of the AOL Instant Messenger screen name WUPoker. Adickman is completely unaffiliated with the WUPoker service. Student Life regrets the error.
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FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 2, 2005
STUDENT LIFE | FORUM
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The no-longer-looming oil crisis
H
opefully everyone out there hasn’t fully sealed themselves into the Wash U Bubble that seems to trap all of us eventually, but just in case you’ve missed the weekend news because you were part of the bad group of kiddies out there who were actually having parties the weekend before school started I’ve decided to present you with a small recap: New Orleans no longer exists, except for assorted vampires and the remnants of a Girls Gone Wild camera crew. Now while this is very bad news in and of itself and the fallout of Hurricane Katrina, one of the most disastrous and powerful hurricanes to hit the continental United States, will be felt for quite a long time down south, the extent of the damage to the rest of the nation is only now becoming known. Hurricane Katrina forced
the United States to shut down more than 10% of our refining capacity and over 25% of our production capacity. The short-term result of the closing of two of the East Coast’s major oil transportation pipelines will be prices well over $4 a gallon in the consumer market, especially in markets who have already had their supplies stretched by consistently growing demand, such as California. Once the pipelines are re-opened, which should happen “soon”, according to Colonial Pipeline, the price of gas should retreat to a level more on par with pre-shutdown levels. Worst case scenarios set the average price of gas at around $3.00/gallon for the next few months, with the best case scenario setting the price of gas around $2.60/gallon. The long term effects stretch beyond just the price of gas at the pump, however. The
loss of transportation ability will ultimately result in a major setback to our nation’s efforts to create a larger strategic reserve of crude oil and natural gas and reduce our ability to weather shortterm decreases in crude oil availability.
Brian Schroeder While the supply problem has always been on our minds, with the most notable example being the Arab Oil
Embargo of the 70’s, a larger and, up until now, mostly ignored problem is no longer looming on the horizon, but has actually shown up, with no small thanks to Hurricane Katrina. This problem is the diminishing oil refining capacity of the United States. According to the Department of Energy, US refining capacity has “held steady” over the past few years at around 16 million barrels a day. Too bad that our demand has risen 41% since 1970 and doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon. Right now the rising price of gasoline, which accounts for around 40% of all crude oil used in the United States, is not due to an artificial and easily manipulated restraint, such as an embargo, but a very real and not so easily manipulated restraint, our ability to turn crude oil into refined gasoline. In 1983 we were only using 70% of
our refining capacity. Want to guess how much we are using right now? 90%. That doesn’t leave much wiggle room, especially when one hurricane can shut down 10% of our refining capacity. Its also interesting to note that between 1991 and 2001, the profit rate for crude oil refining rose 15%. See any correlation here? During that time period we had presidents from both political parties in office, so neither party is really to blame, or maybe both parties are to blame for falling asleep while on guard duty. Its no wonder then that Shell tried desperately to demolish its refinery in Bakersfield, California (my childhood home, which says a lot about how much my parents loved me) and further increase the profitability margin of refining crude oil. The lesson to be learned this week is that unless the
United States steps up and works out a deal between environmentalists, who have legitimate concerns about the construction of new petroleum refineries, and oil companies, who don’t really want to increase their refining capacity any more than they have to, something bad will happen. The question of whether or not OPEC will export enough oil for the long term increase in demand is no longer important. The important question is whether or not we can convert that oil into something useful quickly enough to prevent gas prices from settling in for the long run at $4/gallon, something that was considered impossible just a few years ago. Brian is a senior in Arts & Sciences and a Forum editor. He can be reached via e-mail at forum@studlife.com
Sex, lies and video games A violent battle heats up between consumers, politicians, and video game producers By Joshua Trein Columnist
T
he video game “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” was briefly retracted from store shelves over the summer after discovery of hidden content forced it to be re-rated from “Mature” to “Adults Only.” A fair question is immediately brought to mind, as in, why should I care? What I feel this story underscores is a further intrusion by a conservative U.S. government into matters of free speech and sexual liberty, inane pandering by the Democratic party to rightwing voters, and a resounding death knell for personal responsibility in American life. Grand Theft Auto (GTA) is a series produced by Rockstar Games that prides itself on open-ended action. You control some sort of a male strong-arm type and run around cities performing tasks that usually involve killing people or transporting drugs. For its scope and ingenuity, it has been hailed as a milestone in video game history, and has sold millions upon millions of copies. Considering the level of violence in the game, it is arguably the most popular game of its type ever produced. In a series of events that would surprise no one living in America for the last decade, the game’s content has led to any number of lawsuits claiming, among other things, that it inspires children to kill. Since the first title in the series, it has been the whipping boy of groups ranging from Evangelical Christians to the GOP, if a distinction can be drawn between the two on this
issue. Until now it has been relatively unscathed by any social controversy it engendered. Then it was released on PC. It turns out that when video games are released, unused code sometimes cannot be deleted and so merely gets tucked out of the consumer’s purview. To exploit this, a computer program was written and released by a consumer that allowed access to what Rockstar Games had hidden: a mini-game in which the main character has sex with a woman. The male character keeps his
“What may been considered a faux pas in a more sexually-liberated nation came as godsend to those seeking a foothold against video game producers. ” clothes on and the female character is nude, although in an extremely crude and rudimentary manner; suggestive poses and dry humping ensue as the player tries to succeed filling a progress bar marked, simply, “excitement.” Titillating, I know. What may been considered a faux pas in a more sexually-liberated nation came as godsend to those seeking a foothold against video game producers. Rockstar Games had finally made a misstep. On cue, the crazies came out of the woodwork. The first lawsuit filed “on behalf of consumers nationwide” was by a grandmother who bought GTA:
San Andreas for her 14-year old grandson (http://www. cnn.com/2005/TECH/fun. games/07/27/game.lawsuit. ap/index.html). She claimed that Rockstar Games misled consumers, and asked that they be forced to “give up any profits from the game for what amounted to false advertising, consumer deception and unfair business practices.” To shorten a list that would run pages, events in the game include drive-by shootings, vehicular manslaughter, drug use, racial slurs, prostitution, gang warfare, and heavily implied sexual intercourse. The newest official rating, clearly labeled on its box, listed it as containing “blood and gore, intense violence, strong language, strong sexual content, use of drugs, [and] nudity.” The addition to this list after the computer patch was made public? Nudity. The lawsuit seemingly has nothing to do with the charges, as they appear to be after-the-fact rationalizations in an attempt to bankrupt Rockstar Games. What good are ratings if consumers willfully ignore them, and then sue to declare they aren’t good enough? In what has become a common phrase in the over-hyperbolized realm of social issues, Hilary Clinton said “the problem of explicit video games [is] ‘spiraling out of control’” (www.cnn. com/2005/POLITICS/07/15/ senate.videogame.reut/index. html). Her attempt to lead this conservative crusade is emblematic of a deeper problem within American politics, that of politicians finding themselves unable to piece together arguments that don’t hinge upon one of the following: God’s divine will, White Man’s burden, the moral depravity of liber-
BRIAN SOTAK | STUDENT LIFE
als, or how awful it is to kill babies. We as Americans are no longer even pretending that personal integrity exists. In a letter she wrote to the Federal Trade Commission, which would have the power to discipline Rockstar Games, Clinton opined that GTA “has fallen into the hands of young people across the country,” while neglecting
to address how many adults purchased this game for children without even bothering to flip the box over and read about what they were buying. I have not and will not say that Rockstar Games is without fault, but their complicity in this is quite beside the point. Long after issues of regulating creative expression and free speech have
been decided, the specifics of this incident will be forgotten. The fact that it helped pave the way for a narrowing of social freedom and responsible living, however, should stick in your mind. Joshua is a senior in Arts & Sciences and a Forum columnist. He can be reached via e-mail at jctrein@wustl.edu.
Burst the bubble in the flood’s aftermath By Anne Lamb Op-ed Submission
T
he beginning of the school year is always one of my favorite times of the year. I love walking across campus and hearing the screeches of friends reuniting after the summer, or watching the freshmen flocking together around campus as they become acquainted with their new freedom. The beginning of every year holds so many possibilities—new subjects to explore, new relationships to form, and new mischief to be had. It is also one of the only stress-free times of the year—rather than bitching and moaning about our work loads, we are relaxing in the sunny quad and partying every night (or at least more than once a week). Perhaps that’s why the students of Tulane University have been lingering in my thoughts as I read accounts
of the devastation wreaked on the southern states by Hurricane Katrina. Freshman move-in day is hectic even under perfectly good conditions, but for Tulane students it became a nightmare as they were ordered to evacuate the campus before they had even fi nished unpacking. Many of them had to leave their new electronic gadgets and their boxes of clothing in order to get out of the city as quickly as possible. Washington University, like other colleges across the country, is pulsating with the energy of a new school year; Tulane on the other hand, lies in ruins, without power, wreckage strewn across the campus walkways, with nearly 400 student and faculty refugees holed up in nearby Jackson, Miss. And believe it or not, Tulane actually came out better than most of the surrounding area. School officials are fairly certain that all of their students and faculty mem-
bers safely made it through the hurricane. Other local residents were not so lucky. Poverty abounds in New Orleans, and although the evacuation decree came with a fair amount of warning time, many city dwellers just did not have the means to escape. These residents faced seemingly simple obstacles that became, in many cases, life-threatening obstacles. Many had no cars and could not afford other methods of transportation, or if they did have transportation, they often had nowhere to go to (for an indefi nite amount of time with little money to pay for lodging). Essentially, many residents were trapped in their own homes, with imminent destruction ahead, but helpless to do anything. As I have read accounts of Hurricane Katrina and the widespread devastation of Louisiana and Mississippi, I am moved with sadness and pity for the victims of the
disaster. At the same time, I experience a sense of awe and disbelief at the pictures of ruined houses, flooded streets and looters stealing away food and survival supplies. You see, for some reason, disaster and destruction are so alluring. We are drawn to bloody action-packed fi lms, grotesque pictures of prisoner abuse, and the ghostly ruins of demolished cities. We are moved by human affl iction. In fact, sometimes disastrous human affl iction is the only thing intense enough to move us at all. Day in and day out, humans steadily struggle with life; day in and day out mundane triumphs and mundane downfalls fi ll the news, but for many of us it takes a large-scale devastation for us to sit up and take notice of the rest of the world. How many of us took any notice of Thailand and Indonesia before the tsunami hit? Unfortunately, rather than inspiring us to be more
carefree with our blessings, disasters often prompt us to hold on to what we have a little more tightly. We sympathize with the victims, we send our money to the Red Cross and other relief funds, we pray and we hold the victims in our thoughts, but do these disasters really resonate in our own lives? Do we ever stop for a moment to breathe, to check our perspective, to realize that we are not the center of the universe? What can disaster show us? It should provoke us to relish the moments of humility and vulnerability that we fi nd in disaster, to appreciate what we have and to remember to keep our lives in perspective. I think this problem is even more acute for Wash. U. students—we have all experienced the vacuum of the “Wash. U. Bubble.” Sometimes, with our drive, our over-involvement and our culture of high anxiety, we forget how privileged we are for the op-
portunity to be at college in the fi rst place and to wake up each day with the knowledge of our safety and stability. Instead we often end up concentrating on what we don’t have or on our long to-do list. We sometimes lose sight of the people and the relationships that make our lives worthwhile in the fi rst place and we forget to appreciate the mundane. So I have a challenge for you this year: let’s give our best efforts to pop the bubble—pick up a newspaper, or hop online, even if it’s only for 10 minutes to scan the headlines. And when the work gets heavier, and the midterms roll around, try this stressbuster—look beyond the world of Wash. U., and perhaps that midterm won’t seem so bad after all. Anne is a senior in Arts & Sciences. She can be reached via e-mail at atlamb@artsci.wustl. edu.
6 STUDENT LIFE | SPORTS
Senior Sports Editor / Justin Davidson / sports@studlife.com
FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 2, 2005
Seven-year-olds are better than WU students We’re not Division I, so get over it. By Allie Wieczorek
directors have created is truly magical.
Sports Columnist Far removed from ESPN and civilization as we know it, I was immersed in what might be deemed an alien sports world this summer. I was a sailing counselor at a sleep away camp in Maine and hardly expected to return with any great column ideas. There were no particularly athletic campers and my job description didn’t quite include playing spectator at any intercamps (camp terminology for a sporting event with another nearby camp). My camp, presumably like many others, is really a world of its own. We like to promote positive attitudes and being “kinder than necessary.” Though cheesy to the core, the idealistic atmosphere the
mantly avoided using the word “lost” in announcing the results of an intercamp. Whether a team “didn’t win” or “came up on the short end,” no Laurel South team ever “lost.”
“Wash. U. could undoubtedly use some spirit.” During the fi rst few weeks of camp, I couldn’t help but cringe each time I heard that “everyone’s a winner at Camp Laurel South!” The directors liked to say, “We have never lost an intercamp here…there are some games we haven’t won, but we have never lost.” Other staff members ada-
After all, Laurel South athletes had “more spirit, more fun, more sportsmanship” than the campers from any other camp, according to our staff. It became some kind of joke to everyone that our camp was always losing. Of course, it made me absolutely sick. There is nothing funny about losing. It wasn’t funny when Duke’s Jason Williams
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missed the free throw that would have tied the game with four seconds left, instead giving the Indiana Hoosiers the Blue Devils’ ticket to the 2002 Elite Eight. And it wasn’t funny when the Chicago Bears’ QB Rex Grossman recently broke his ankle just in time for the Bears to blow another season. And it certainly wasn’t funny when the Chicago Cubs…isn’t funny that the Cubs…Okay, I’m not even going to go there. But then it occurred to me
“Make a concerted effort to attend at least a few athletic events.” that this is camp—a camp for seven- to fi fteen-year-olds. I
saw the amount of campers trying to get involved in these intercamps, the amount of fun they had, and their lack of tears and anger after losing. And I began to appreciate rather than tune out the “We’ve got spirit. Yes, we do. We’ve got spirit. How ‘bout you?” cheers coming from the fields while I was trying to sail or teach sailing peacefully. Truthfully, while as close to perfect as any college could possibly be, Wash. U. could undoubtedly use some spirit. It was incredibly hard for me to confront the fact that we go to a Division III school. But if seven- to fi fteen-year olds can participate in or cheer on the sidelines for some of the worst athletes in the state of Maine, I think we can handle supporting some of the best athletes in Division III athletics.
So this is really a plea to our freshmen—since the rest of us have heard this before— to make a concerted effort to attend at least a few athletic events. If our women’s volleyball team’s eight Division III titles and the women’s basketball team’s four titles don’t get you to the games, maybe Red Alert’s free pizza will. WU has many incredibly talented athletes who rarely “come up on the short end” or “don’t win.” I know there are lots of you out there who still wish we were a Division I school—well, just because we’re not Division I doesn’t mean we still can’t get quality athletics by quality athletes that give you just about everything you can ask for in a sporting event.
Senior Sports Editor / Justin Davidson / sports@studlife.com
FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 2, 2005
STUDENT LIFE | SPORTS
7
Diary of a Poker Player n n n Four Months of Poker Abstinence n n n By Alex Schwartz Sports Columnist My palms are a little sweaty as I get ready to play my first hand of Texas Hold’em since April. After a few intense months of nonstop poker towards the end of second semester last year, I was ready for a vacation. After finals, a few weeks of vacation, and a three-month internship in London, I am back in my old position of comfort in front of my two 20inch monitors and ready to go. As I drove out to school with my dad, he asked me if I thought I was going to be as good as I was four months ago. I laughed at him, told him the game never changed, and promptly forgot about the question and the implications it raised. That is, I forgot all about it un-
til I started playing again. Just as I begin to think about it in more depth, the first hand is dealt, and my focus is entirely on the game at hand. Almost immediately I flop a straight. The hand has four players in it, and after a round of raising, it’s capped on the turn and river creating a pot with over 50 big bets. Just as I get ready to win the pot (after my river cap is called by my three opponents), I realize that I misread the board and I’m actually holding a much less imposing four-card straight. At this point it hits me— maybe the game isn’t that easy. Maybe each session is a building block on the one before, and it’s not something that you can just come back from. A few hours later, I’m down a few hundred dollars and play-
ing poorly. I decide to call it quits for the night and think about my session. I realize that, like all other games of skill, poker requires huge amounts of practice. While the numbers never change, the feel for it comes and goes, and after four months of neglect, my feel is totally gone. Situations where I had been able to consistently make the right choice have faded into various shades of doubt, and my ability to maximize profits seems a distant memory. It has now been five days since my first session of the new academic year. Sure enough, I’ve had a few more up-and-down sessions, and I’m just starting to approach a point of proficiency that I’m marginally pleased with. Over the eight hours I’ve played this week, I’m right around even,
which is very good considering my first few sessions, but nothing compared to some of the gaudy numbers I was capable of putting up in February, March, and April of the 2005 spring semester. If anything, my inability to replicate my win rate from four months ago gives me more respect for the game of poker. In the past, I’ve always referred to poker as a game of numbers with an element of people-reading. But the fact is, while the numbers will always be the most important aspect in any decision you make, the ability to adapt to surroundings, recognize the weak players at the table, and randomize decision-making are other essential weapons in the arsenal of any successful player.
BEGINNING TO FEEL THE consequences of poker ber is still a statistical ficials, whether it be an n By Erin Harkless n n the darker side: addiction Student Life Staff
This is part two of a three-part series discussing the allure, addiction, and effects of the poker craze on WU’s campus and elsewhere. Look for the third installment on page 8. While many students can keep their playing under control, some do admit they are heading down a path to addiction and seek help. According to Associate Director of Counseling Services Tom Brounk, his office has seen a large increase in the number of students, particularly males, seeking help for gambling problems. “It’s not a huge problem on campus, but students are beginning to experience the consequences,” said Brounk. Brounk noted that five years ago, there were practically no students with gambling problems seeking help in his office. While today the num-
handful, the figure has increased dramatically in the past few years. Brounk said there are probably more students with gambling problems on campus, but his office will not necessarily hear about it since students can hide it well and the tip offs are not as apparent at an academically rigorous institution like Washington University. If a student recognizes he or she has a problem, he or she can set up an appointment with Student Health and Counseling Services where an assessment will be conducted to determine what the best course of action is. Counselors help students see what is happening in their lives and then give recommendations to particular changes that can be implemented to help the student manage the addiction or problem. When a student does not recognize that he or she has a gambling problem, Residential Life of-
RCD or RA, will step in and try to help. Brounk said that in this type of situation, ResLife will intervene fi rst and unless the student is causing a problem for the greater community, he will not be forced to seek counseling. According to Brounk, the two main diagnoses are addiction and problem gambling, which lie on a continuum. A player starts out winning and the excitement of these wins leads to more betting, fantasy and optimism. The next phase is a losing phase, where a player will brag about his winnings, but lie about the losses and try to cover his behavior. Time is shifted from academics and other social activities to more gambling and the player becomes increasingly reckless. Eventually the player turns to borrowing and credit to bail himself out of debt. The next step is marked by despera-
tion, remorse, panic and alienation from friends and family. The player starts to blame others and potentially engages in illegal activity. The fi nal phase on the continuum is rife with hopelessness and emotional breakdowns. The player might even face legal consequences for his behavior. Barlow never felt he was addicted to the game and said he does not have the desire to play online
as much now, but he noted that for students whose fi rst poker experience comes online, it can become more addictive than if a student starts with live play. “The sterile nature and the fact that you’re solely playing for money online can be addictive. If you play live, it gives you an opportunity to appreciate other aspects of the game,” said Barlow.
DAVID BRODY | STUDENT LIFE
Top: Freshman Kevin Feld (L) and senior Elliot Weiss (R) play in an AEPi poker tournament at Ursa’s on Monday, February 28, 2005. Bottom: (L-R) Junior David Greenstein, freshman Marc Mondry, and senior Brian Evanson go all out in a hand later that day.
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8 STUDENT LIFE | SPORTS
Senior Sports Editor / Justin Davidson / sports@studlife.com
FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 2, 2005
Getting into Poker: Why take it up? n n n n n n Psychological and economic incentives n n n n n n By Erin Harkless Student Life Staff This is part three of our three-part series discussing the allure, addiction, and effects of the poker craze on WU’s campus and elsewhere. Over the long haul, even if students start out winning, they are bound to lose some games, but if that is the case, then why do many play consistently? Researchers have long looked at the psychological and economic links in the decision making process as a guide to answering this question. Professor Green specializes in behavioral economics. He said that psychology
offers several theories as to why people gamble, but two loom largest: intermittent reinforcement and valuation of gains and losses. With intermittent reinforcement, there is an occasional win, which means that players are more likely to continue their gambling versus a scenario where they always win. The intermittent victories are very powerful, said Green, because the player is paid off in a variable ratio. The more he plays, the more likely he is to win, so he maintains the gambling habits. People also value gains and losses differently. Green explained that wins often loom larger than losses, especially when the losses are
discounted relative to the wins. In order to stem these effects and curb excessive amounts of poker playing, Green said that it is ultimately up to the individual, as he needs to set up a commitment strategy that limits the amount of time spent online and thus the amount of time spent gambling. “Students have to engineer their environments,” said Green. “There’s a built in mechanism at college with midterms and papers, but some students still won’t stop. Easy access to computers is the problem, especially since there’s a low opportunity cost of gambling online.” Students must try to determine what is influencing
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Will the Popularity Continue? Many poker players on campus do not see the game as a passing fad. While some are not sure if they would continue playing with a high level of consistency after college, many still think the game is a good way to bring in extra money if a player has
the right skills. Barlow said that he does not exactly find the online game to be fun anymore, but that he still plans on playing because it is an easy source of cash. “I played poker before it was all over TV and I like the game,” Barlow said. “I don’t see why I’d leave it after college.” Moffitt echoed these sentiments for the most part, but noted that the amount of time he would have available to devote to the game in coming years would depend mostly on his work status after college. For his part, Green does not see the lure, or love, of the game fading in the near future. Easy access to the in-
ternet remains a key driver of online poker’s increasing popularity he said. Furthermore, the low involvement costs and the ability to play multiple games and even do other activities while playing brings about multiple levels of enjoyment and only increases the likelihood of more participation in the game over time, and ensure that most players are not likely to fold any time soon.
SPEEDTALK
RANKING v FROM PAGE 10 Who would want to come and watch the volleyball team that has won eight national championships and qualifies for the final four almost every year? Or what about the women’s cross country team who finished third in the nation last year? I completely understand why a student would not want to cheer for a program that finished sixth overall in the NCSA Power Rankings (a ranking which compares athletic programs across Divisions I, II, and III and their performance throughout the year). Wash U students are just not accustomed to being ranked ahead of Harvard, Princeton, and even Notre Dame with their prized football history. Unless you cheer for Stanford or Duke, every team you followed through the Bowl Championship Series and March Madness was ranked below the athletic program right here at Washington University. Baum said, “All the athletes like each other; we live together. There are no attitudes despite that we all strive for the same goals.” With that in mind, muster up the courage to join Red Alert, wear the t-shirt, and come witness what promises to be another year of domination. Upperclassmen should join the enthusiasm that many freshmen initially have and take pride in what Wash U has to offer outside the classroom and dorm. “Red Alert is geared towards the freshmen so we hope it becomes contagious to all classes,” commented Smith. “There is no other time in your life when you can paint your face, go crazy, and have a good time. The games are free, and you are supporting your classmates who are accessible peers, not faces on ESPN.” Plus, they give out free pizza, and everybody loves free pizza.
their behavior and then try to limit those influences in their lives. Then, it is possible to reduce the amount of time playing the game. “The reasons they give might not really be what’s influencing behavior,” said Green. “If you don’t know what’s influencing you, then you can’t have control.”
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FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 2, 2005
STUDENT LIFE | CLASSIFIEDS
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AUTOS ADVERTISING PRODUCTION MANAGER needed. Student Life is looking for someone to design ads and manage the advertising production process. InDesign, Illustrator experience required. Mac experience a plus. Must be able to work at least a couple of hours each weekday. Great pay, flexible hours. Email aodell@studlife.com. AFTER SCHOOL SITTER needed for our 12 year old daughter: 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM, M-F. 4 mi. from WU in mid-county. Must have reliable car and a good driving record. References required. Call Katina Truman: (314) 935-6700. BARTENDING! $300/DAY POTENTIAL. No experience necessary. Training provided. 800-9656520 ext. 176. DRIVER/BABYSITTER NEEDED 3:30 - 4:30 PM weekdays. Adorable five year old. $50/week. Call Brian or Lynnea 725-6678. BABYSITTER. WALKING DISTANCE. Occasional Wednesdays from 2:30 - 5:00 PM or Mondays from 12:00 - 5 PM. $10/hr. 721-1506 or markensona @yahoo.com for details. COLLEGE STUDENTS: WE pay up to $75 per survey. GetPaidToThink.com
GRADERS/TUTORS WANTED. A west county mathematics and reading learning center is hiring part-time graders/tutors helping children ages 3 to 15. We offer flexible schedule, fun and rewarding working environment. Interested candidates call636-537-5522. Email: jwchan@earthlink.net MAD SCIENCE INSTRUCTORS: Enthusiastic instructors needed to teach part-time (after school, 1 to 5 days per week), fun, hands-on science programs in elementary schools. Must have transportation. $25.00 - $27.50 per 1 hour class. Call 314-991-8000. WORK STUDY RESEARCH assistan needed. Varied & interesting assignments. Highly competitive rates. Language & data kills desirable, but not required. Contact Professor Gibson email: jgibson@wustl.edu SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER NEEDED. Student Life is seeking someone to manage and maintain our database of parent/alumni subscriptions. Duties also include sending out weekly mailing. 4-6 hr/week. $6/hour. Email: jobs@studlife.com to apply. NEEDED: HOSTESSES, COOKS, and management. Full and Part-Time. Nights. Sansai. 39 N. Central. Clayton, MO. 727-1621.
MAKE UP TO $15/HR. Math and reading helper. 8-10 hrs/week (M & Th or W & Sat) at Kumon Center (w w w.kumon-ladue.com). Need own transportation. Prefer Kumon experience and 1 year commitment. Call 993-9192 or email resume to tdk@cse.wustl.edu. NEED SITTER FOR MY 5 year old daughter. Need someone from 5:30-7:00 on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights. Live right next to offcampus dorms. Pays well. Call 314-920-7674. NOW HIRING: ON campus promotions assistant and counter help. Flexible hours. Frozen Assets Ice Cream 863-4581.
3BR/2BA CLAYTON CONDO located in the Moorlands Neighborhood. Walking distance and/or 5 minute drive to campus. Bright and spacious. 1800 square feet. Central air, hardwood floors, garage, excellent closets. Asking $1500. Call: 314863-5808 or 314-23-4404. 1BR/1BA APARTMENT HOMES $400/MO. Centrally located, A/C, Electric, Cable ready, off street parking, 24 hr. Laundry Facility, on-site mgmt./maint., Walking distance to NEW Walmart. Call 314-644-0732.
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LIVE ABOVE KALDIS! Studios, 1&2BR apartments available. Charming, airconditioned. 12 months minimum lease. Call Suzanne 503-6103. NEWLY RENOVATED 1BR condo for rent. 4355 Maryland Ave in the CWE. CALL US TODAY TO SEE THE APARTMENT! Contact 314304-6248.
FEMALE GRAD STUDENT and her elderly cat are looking to share LARGE and SUNNY, two bedroom apartment in U-City near Green Line. The apartment is the second floor of a two family flat and has a sunroom, dining and living rooms, kitchen and bath, plus a sun porch and basement. Rent is $240 per month plus half utilities. Available mid August. Contact Linda 314-725-5261. Leave message with date and time you called.
BEDROOM & KITCHEN ACCESSORIES for sale. One almost new white microwave available for $20. One under- the-bed storage unit available for $10. One black desk storage unit for sale for $5. Please contacty Emma at egbasch @artsci.wustl.edu for details. I can deliver all items. CHEAP TEXTBOOKS! SEARCH 24 bookstores with 1 click! Shipping and taxes automatically calculated. Save! Why pay more? www.bookhq.com LEAGUE OF WOMEN Voters Tailgate Sale. Labor Day Sept. 5. 8 -2. Household items - Clothing - Collectibles. For further information call 314-961-6869. GARAGE SALE ON SATURDAY 9/3, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Major appliances, furniture, bed and frame, linens, computer, clothing, books, cds, and much more. 7301 Forsyth Blvd at the corner of Forsyth and Manhattan.
FOR SALE: WOMEN’S 10 speed bicycle. Combo TV and VCR stand. Best offer. Call Chris at 314-993-2320. FOR SALE: CANNONDALE H200 bike. Serias seat, rear rack, excellent condition. $100.00. Please call (314) 721-3127.
AUTOS 1997 MITSUBISHI GALANT. 4 DOOR SEDAN, manual transmission, front wheel drive, black w/ grey interior. Only 66,300 miles! Asking $3,900. Call 314-726-1701. email htru e@cellbiology.wustl.edu FOR SALE 1998 SUBARU Impreza L (white), very good condition, automatic transmission, all wheel drive, hatchback, driver & passenger airbags, air conditioning, power steering, windows, locks. 97,000 miles. $5,400 or best offer by 9/4. Call 725-2959.
2000 SATURN SC2 3-DOOR sport coupe. 4-cyl, 5-spd stick. Metallic blue, grey interior, 124k miles (mostly highway). Pwr steering, windows & locks. Cruise, premium AM/FM/CD/ Cassette. Brand new tires. Original owner selling for $3900 OBO. dmartineau@ gwbmail.wustl.edu or 734904-5875 for pitures or to see it.
WANTED: OLD BOOKS to reuse/recycle. Please don’t fill landfills with your old books. If the bookstore didn’t buy them back, I will pick them up. Any unwanted books will be reused or recycled. 314-330-1287. mlbeck@wustl.edu
10 STUDENT LIFE | SPORTS
Senior Sports Editor / Justin Davidson / sports@studlife.com
FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 2, 2005
SPORTS College football games you can’t miss home) and then head to Tempe to face the preseason 20th-ranked Sun Devils. Senior WR Derek Hagan has All-America skills and will look to lead the upset over the defending champs.
By Scott Kaufman-Ross Sports Reporter College football season begins this weekend, and all eyes are on the University of Southern California (USC). The Trojans have won the national title the past two seasons, and due to the return of their two offensive stars, QB Matt Leinart and RB Reggie Bush, they are once again favored to bring the title back to USC. However, USC is not without its challengers. Here is a viewers’ guide of the top games to watch this season.
October 8 Oklahoma vs. Texas (in Dallas) If you watch one college football game during the regular season this year, it has to be this one. This game has proven to be the Big XII championship game over the past few seasons, with Oklahoma taking this contest en route to a trip to the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) title game the past two seasons. The Sooners have won the previous five meetings in this matchup, but Texas believes this is their year. The Longhorns boast Heisman favorite QB Vince Young, who can beat you with his arm or his blazing speed. Expect this to be the only roadblock to the Rose Bowl for Texas, if they can get the monkey off their back.
September 5 Miami at Florida State This classic battle headlines kickoff weekend as two of the top teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) square off in Tallahassee. Playing for the fi rst time as members of different divisions in the ACC (Miami, Coastal; Florida State, Atlantic), many expect to see a rematch in the league’s fi rst title game in December. Both teams will have to get adjusted to new signal callers as Miami lost Brock Berlin to the draft, and Florida State lost QB Wyatt Sexton for the season to Lyme disease, after an incident where he told police officers that he was “God.”
November 5 Miami at Virginia Tech A game which seems to decide the Big East each year now holds its weight in the ACC. Last year Virginia Tech won in Miami en route to an ACC Championship and a trip the Sugar Bowl. The Hokies are led by QB Marcus Vick, younger brother of Michael, who returns to Blacksburg as the starter after serving a year suspension for off-the-field problems. The Hurricanes counter with electrifying kick returner Devin Hester, but face a tough task in Blacksburg. No. 8-ranked Virginia Tech has won the previous two meetings, and if they get past the Hurricanes once again, a win in the ACC Championship game could lead to a trip to Pasadena.
September 17 Tennessee at Florida Urban Meyer gets his fi rst true Southeastern Conferfence (SEC) test when the Tennessee Volunteers head to Gainesville for the conference showdown. Predicted to be the top two teams in the SEC, the SEC East could very much be determined on the outcome of this game. The Gators are led by junior QB Chris Leak who heads into the year amongst the top Heisman Trophy contenders. The Vols counter with veteran RB Gerald Riggs, Jr., yet uncertainly behind the center, although sophomore Erik Ainge has impressed coaches thus far.
November 19 Ohio State at Michigan
October 1 USC at Arizona State The easy choice for ‘most likely team to knock off USC’ is California on Nov. 12, but if the Trojans are to be defeated, I believe it will be down in Tempe. The Trojans have a tough stretch early on: fi rst they travel to Eugene to face Oregon (who are always tough at
JARED LAZARUS | KRT CAMPUS
USC quarterback Matt Leinart prepares to throw against the Oklahoma defense in the first half of the Orange Bowl at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Fla., on Jan. 4, 2005.
Perhaps the biggest rivalry outside of Army-Navy, the Big Ten powers collide in a meeting that will likely decide the Big Ten Championship, and possibly a trip to the Rose Bowl. Michigan returns its freshman standout duo of QB Chad Henne and RB Michael Hart. Ohio State boasts perhaps the most talented player in college football in WR/KR Ted Ginn, Jr., but in this series the locale often determines the winner. The game is being held in the Big House this year, and the Wolverines high expectations could land them a spot in the Rose Bowl with a victory.
2005 Cardinals would put the 2004 team to shame By Andrew Nackman Sports Reporter
CHRIS LEE | KRT CAMPUS
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Chris Carpenter pitches in the second inning against the Houston Astros. The Cardinals beat the Astros 3-0 at Busch Stadium on July 17, 2005.
The 2004 campaign was a dream season for the St. Louis Cardinals and their fans. The team coasted through the regular season, fi nishing with an MLB-high 105 victories, winning their division by 13 games. The National League playoffs were no different as they manhandled the Los Angeles Dodgers and squeaked by the Houston Astros, thanks to clutch lateinning hits by Albert Pujols, Scott Rolen, and Jim Edmonds. But when their marathon journey reached the World Series-the Cardinals’ fi rst appearance since 1987--they fell flat on their faces. Their 4-0 series annihilation at the hands of the Boston Red Sox left a dark stain of embarrassment on their season. While any trip to the World Series should be considered a success, the manner in which the Cardinals were dispatched proved that despite their tremendous performance in the regular season, they clearly were not the best team in baseball. This year, despite a similarly dominant regular season that is nearing a close (the Cardinals lead the majors in wins
with 85 and lead their division by 14 games), why should the end result be any different from last year? With the Red Sox, New York Yankees, or a muchimproved Chicago White Sox team most likely awaiting them in the World Series, what makes the 2005 Cardinals a more formidable foe than in 2004? The key ingredient to winning the World Series is starting pitching at the top of the rotation. Last year it was Curt Schilling and Pedro Martinez for the Red Sox. In 2003, Josh Beckett was nearly unhittable in the playoffs, carrying the Marlins to the crown. In 2001, the Diamondbacks relied on Randy Johnson and the aforementioned Schilling (Note: there is no logical explanation for the Anaheim Angels winning the World Series in 2002. It is still a mystery). In 2004, the Cardinals starting pitching lineup had depth but lacked the true No. 1 and No. 2-starter slots that these past champions have had. Woody Williams, who had an injury-plagued season, and Matt Morris served as makeshift aces and got exposed when the team’s standout bats quieted in the World Series. In a best-of-seven game se-
WU ranked ahead of Harvard By Carrie Jarka Contributing Reporter School spirit at Wash. U. is about as evident as a Yankees flag in Boston. That is to say, it doesn’t exist. As junior volleyball player Whitney Smith pointed out, “People didn’t even know that we won the national championship two years ago. They just asked if the season was over.” Most students complain that Division III sports are not as competitive as the Dukes and USCs of Division I athletics. As I sat in the Athletic Complex in the midst of Convocation, I had an epiphany. Is it possible that the varsity teams at Wash. U. are just too good? With 12 NCAA Championships and 105 conference titles (11 titles last year alone), the varsity teams do not provide the struggle that is essential to a good ballgame or rivalry. They just dominate everyone. And with the volleyball, football and wom-
ries, two dominant starting pitchers can take over, starting as many as five of the seven games. Right now, there is no better 1-2 punch in baseball than what the Cardinals own: starting pitchers Chris Carpenter and Mark Mulder. After fi nishing last year with 15 wins but an extended stay on the disabled list that prevented him from pitching in the playoffs, Carpenter has returned with a vengeance this season. At 194 and with an ERA of 2.29, he is well on his way to winning the National League Cy Young Award. Mulder has yet to prove himself in the playoffs, but he’s been the best pitcher in baseball over the course of the 2005 season. There’s no reason to assume he’ll stop now. Mulder, acquired from the Oakland Athletics in the off-season, is 15-6 with a 3.76 ERA and boasts a sensational .667 career winning percentage. Even though his Oakland teams could never manage to win a playoff series, it is through no fault of Mulder’s: he holds a 2.25 ERA in four career playoff starts. Additionally, the healthy return of Morris has given the team a very reliable No. 3 starter.
The only team that can match up with this playoff rotation is the Houston Astros with Roger Clemens, Andy Pettite, and Roy Oswalt. However, their hitting has been so anemic that they probably won’t even make the playoffs. The 2005 Cardinals have also proven to be a resilient squad, plugging up the holes made by injuries to Rolen and Larry Walker with talented backups in So Taguchi and Abraham Nunez, who are both hitting a shade under .300. The off-season losses of Edgar Renteria and Tony Womack to free-agency have been fi lled adequately by David Eckstein and Mark Grudzielanek. Without All-Star Rolen in the lineup this post-season, the team’s hitting will not be as formidable as in 2004, but it should not matter. With Carpenter and Mulder on the mound, St. Louis fans should feel at ease come October, when in Busch Stadium’s fi nal year, the Cardinals will dissipate all memories of their 2004 World Series performance, and bring home the championship trophy for the 10th time in team history.
Upcoming WU events Football Sat., Sept. 3 -Mount Union College 2 p.m., Alliance, Ohio Sat., Sept. 10 -Westminster College 1 p.m., Fulton, Mo. Volleyball Fri., Sept. 2 Washington University Classic -Dominican University (Ill.) 5:15 p.m., home -Whitworth College 7:30 p.m., home Sat., Sept. 3 Washington University Classic
Sun., Sept. 4 -Rhodes College 4 p.m., Memphis, Tenn. Wed., Sept. 7 -Fontbonne University 7 p.m., home Women’s Soccer Fri., Sept. 2 -DePauw University 1 p.m., Wheaton, Ill. Sat., Sept. 3 -Wheaton College (Ill.) 5 p.m., Wheaton, Ill. Tue., Sept. 6 -Maryville University 7 p.m., home Cross Country
-Rhodes College 10 a.m., home STUDENT LIFE ARCHIVES
A crowd of Bear faithful express their support for then-freshman Megan Delcourt. It’s guys like these that got Wash. U. ranked above Harvard in NSCA Athletics.
-Illinois Wesleyan University 2:30 p.m., home Men’s Soccer
en’s soccer team already picked to win the University Athletic Association conference before play even begins, I can under-
stand the disinterest. As junior volleyball player Amy Baum explains, “Even if the gym is packed with fans for the
other team, the energy is contagious. As long as someone cares, it makes you play better.”
See RANKING, page 8
Sat., Sept. 3 -Millsaps College 2 p.m., Memphis, Tenn.
Sat., Sept. 3 Wash. U. Early Bird Meet -St. Louis Priory H.S., all day Sat., Sept. 17 Southern Stampede -Joplin, Mo., all day