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STUDENT LIFE

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THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER OF WASHINGTON UNIVERSIT Y IN ST. LOUIS SINCE 1878 Former Senior Forum Editor Molly Antos delivers glowing praise for Sigma Chi and The Solution in today’s Forum. Page 7.

Catch the antics and costumes of Art Prom in our photo spread documenting the most eccentric formal event of the year. Page 2.

VOLUME 127, NO. 69

Read about the sweeping success of softball and the tenacious triumphs of track in today’s Sports. Page 4.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5, 2006

WU junior to be one of 75 Truman Scholars By David Song Contributing Reporter Last week, the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation announced that 75 students from across the country had been selected as Truman Scholars. Among these students is Laura Kleinman, a Washington University junior. Kleinman, a University Danforth Scholar and philosophy major, was selected from a pool of 598 candidates. The Truman Scholarship Foundation, which is directed towards juniors committed to careers in the government or the not-for-profit sectors, was established in 1975, three years after former President Truman’s death. Since its inception, the Foundation has selected 2,480 students and provided those students over $40 million in funding. According to its Web site, the Foundation seeks “to provide [students] with financial support for graduate study, leadership training and fellowship with other students who are committed to making a difference through public service.”

See Page 10.

Although Kleinman was unaided in competing with other University students to be nominated by the University as a Truman scholar, she did receive considerable support in her applications once nominated. “Once I was nominated, the University took a vested interest in me,” said Kleinman. “Without a doubt, Dean [Ian] MacMullen was my biggest supporter. I must have given him 25 drafts of the application.” The 2006 application consists of 15 questions regarding high school and college activities, leadership experience and what societal problems applicants hope to address during their public service careers. “[Applying] took easily hundreds of hours,” said Kleinman. “The Truman Scholarship Foundation asks very substantive questions— ones I could write a thesis on—but we have a very limited amount of space in which to answer them. The character constraints were the most frustrating part of the whole application.” Kleinman, who has been

Anonymous benefactor makes students hot to trot

committed to public service throughout college, worked in the community with underprivileged girls before attending Washington University. During high school, she worked extensively with Girls Inc., a national organization that aids girls at risk for abuse or those in low-income families. “Before college, I spent virtually all my free time working with at-risk youth in inner-city Indianapolis,” said Kleinman. “I taught various classes concerning literacy, preventing adolescent pregnancy and abuse, among other courses aimed at giving atrisk kids the tools they need to become productive members of society.” Kleinman has continued tutoring inner-city children in college. She founded the Pathways program, which involves sophomore Danforth Scholars. “We target kids in a lowincome housing project who seem to have the potential to thrive in higher education settings, but who have no exposure to college as an option,”

MEGHAN LUECKE | STUDENT LIFE

Freshman enjoy an afternoon ride in a horse-drawn cart Monday, April 3 on Danforth Campus. Students rode to class in style on Monday thanks to a mysterious act of kindness. Two horse-drawn carriages, paid for by an anonymous sponsor, shuttled students from the South 40 to main campus between 9:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. “It’s the most amazing thing that’s ever happened to me in my entire life...it should happen every Monday,” said freshman Aaron Sidorov. Affi xed to each carriage was a sign that read, “It’s your turn,” a message that has appeared on signs all

See TRUMAN SCHOLAR, page 3

ART PROM: SANDBOXES, SLIDES AND STUDENTS

Staff Reporter

RACHIT PATEL | STUDENT LIFE

Washington University. “People didn’t want to believe it was free,” said Day. “We had to keep saying, ‘Come on, take a ride!’ The atmosphere here is really pretty and laid back. The people are friendly. It’s a great campus.” Sophomore Rich Siegel, felt “kingly,” when he caught the last carriage back to the South 40. “It’s a gorgeous day,” said Siegel. “This really adds to the beauty of life. Bio lab was awful, and now I get to take a ride home on a carriage.” — Kristin McGrath

across campus during the past week. The message has also accompanied a box of toys left in front of the Women’s Building and flyers encouraging passersby to send kind words about their fellow students to yourturn06@gmail.com. Carriage driver Kristen Day said that Paragon Carriage Company received a call from a person who asked to remain anonymous requesting carriages for an event “to do something nice for someone else.” According to Day, she and her horse Sam enjoyed their day at

Cyber Mall brings together student-run businesses By Troy Rumans

Seniors Margaret Day, Justin Thompson, and Chloe Byruck are sprayed with an unidentified liquid during Art Prom at the St. Louis Children’s Museum on Saturday night. See page 2 for more Art Prom coverage.

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Ever wanted to rent movies, buy furniture and fi nd storage at the same time? Students can now do just that without leaving their dorm rooms, as the Washington University Web mall is on the way. “What we want to create is a virtual mall, where instead of going to the storefront you can do everything you need online,” said Julie Thornton, the adviser for the Student Entrepreneurial program at the University. “I think all the businesses have Web sites and in some cases their whole business is online.” The proposed online mall for all University businesses comes as part as a wider project to unify all student businesses at the University. The idea behind the mall itself came as a response to the current dearth of online resources for the entrepreneurial program. “If you were to search for entrepreneurial programs on the Washington University Web site, you’d fi nd almost nothing,” said Thornton. “To put together a much better Web site that better explains the programs and highlights its benefits is key.” Additionally, the Web site would provide services for student business owners, such as accountants and attorneys, as well as other resources that would otherwise mystify a student striking out in the business world. “As a representative of Off the Row, we’re certainly willing to

take advantage of it. It’s a great one-stop shop for students to see all the businesses working together,” said senior Cliff Payne, who has been a part of the entrepreneurial program since he was a freshman. The University entrepreneurial program has witnessed a renewed vigor this past year from the student body. As Thornton noted, much of the progress being made this year comes from the dedication of the students involved. “My involvement has seen renewed student engagement in [the program] and the possibilities in this community—that the student program exists, and that there is more than just this storefront,” said Thornton. Another major change coming up for the program stems directly from this sentiment—a studentrun executive board, created for the purpose of assisting new and old businesses has been working to improve itself. Junior and co-owner of University Trucking Ari Vared, who is spearheading the creation of this board, believes the students can do much to vitalize the entrepreneurial program. “The program has been underdeveloped,” said Vared. “At Wash. U., we have one of the most unique opportunities in the country to own your own business. It’s unlike any other campus.” Working together might help student business owners to achieve a greater presence on campus.

“A major problem is that we’re not yet very unified as business owners. Without that, we can’t really move forward,” said Vared. “There needs to be a group of people who will take initiative. That is the purpose of the student executive board.” The Student Entrepreneurial program currently has a board of advisers, but the connection between this board and the students has been distant. Vared and Thornton hope to close that distance with the student board by selecting a student representative to sit on the board of advisers as a liaison. Vared sees student entrepreneurship as a valuable opportunity for the campus. He hopes that the student executive board will also foster more interest in entrepreneurial activities from students who have not necessarily considered starting a business. “There are a lot of creative people on campus and the executive board will create a way to help people become more involved and help people start businesses of their own,” said Vared. “The education you get from outside of the classroom as a student business owner is much different than in the classroom...It’s priceless.” The current entrepreneurial program has had notable difficulties with growth due to its strained resources. Currently, the only faculty member who is specifically assigned to the program is Thorn-

See CYBER MALL, page 3

Dining Services reshapes meal plans v

Plans broken into semester-sized bites with more options made available to students on Kosher meal plan

By Josh Hantz Associate Reporter Dining Services is making several changes to meal plans for next year. Most notably, points will be sold by semester rather than by year to be more consistent with the current practice of billing students for tuition and room and board by semester. The sizes of the plans will not change, but students will have only half of their points available to them during the fall. The other half will be available for use during spring semester. One reason for the change is that many students on

smaller plans have been using a year’s worth of points in one semester. This creates confusion when they graduate early or go abroad and are billed in the spring for points they used during the fall. “Student accounting services is up to 50 calls a day regarding this issue,” said Marilyn Pollack, director of Dining Services. Now students will be billed each semester. Pollack also noted that other high-ranking universities like Cornell and Yale use this method of selling points by semester. If students run out of points in the fall, they may purchase additional points for

$1 per point. Unlike other institutions that sell meal points by semester, however, Washington University will allow points to carry over from fall to spring. “It would be too much of a culture change for them not to,” said Pollack. “We just want to do what’s reasonable.” Some, however, still do not think the change will benefit the students. If students run out of points during the fall, they cannot begin to use the points designated for spring semester. The additional points they purchase in the fall might then translate into extra nontransferable points left over at the end of the year. “Some kids buy the smallest

meal plan on purpose knowing they’ll run out so that they can buy more at the end of the year,” said freshman Dylan Mathieu. “They won’t be able do that now.” Major changes are also being made to the Kosher meal plan. Currently only one size, the Square Meal Deal, is offered for everyone. Beginning fall 2006, however, Dining Services will offer four plans to appeal to a wider range of students. Like students with standard meal plans, students wishing to purchase Kosher meal plans will now be able to choose from the Meal Manager plan, the Square Meal Deal, the Meals Plus plan and the Boun-

tiful plan. The Kosher versions of these plans will be priced slightly higher to account for the additional costs incurred for the purchase and preparation of Kosher food items. Additionally, the price of the Kosher plan will fall by eight percent, compared to this year’s prices, while the cost of standard meal plans will increase by 2 percent. This year, the Kosher meal plan costs approximately $1.70 per point compared to the standard meal plans, which cost between $1.30 for the Bountiful Plan and $1.45 for the Grab-a-Bite plan. Next year, the various Kosher plans will cost between approximately $1.50 and $1.60

per point. “Our goal is to make the plan attractive enough so students stay on [the Kosher plan] as sophomores and juniors,” said Pollack. Of the 40 students on the Kosher plan this year, most are freshmen. Traditionally, the majority don’t return to the plan in the future for several reasons. “The Kosher plan was priced so high that no one was going to it,” said Pollack. “We couldn’t cover the costs. We talked about all these things and what we needed to do and we thought it was a good plan.” The adjustments will go into effect in fall 2006.

2 STUDENT LIFE | NEWS

News: (314) 935-5995 Advertising: (314) 935-6713 Fax: (314) 935-5938 e-mail: editor@studlife.com www.studlife.com Copyright 2006 Editor in Chief: Sarah Kliff Interim Editor in Chief: Liz Neukirch Managing Editors: David Tabor, Justin Davidson Senior News Editor: Kristin McGrath Senior Forum Editor: Dan Milstein Senior Cadenza Editor: Laura Vilines Senior Scene Editor: Erin Fults Senior Sports Editor: Andrei Berman Senior Photo Editor: David Brody Senior Graphics Editor: David Brody News Editors: Mandy Silver, Caroline Wekselbaum Forum Editors: Jeff Stepp, Joshua Trein, Matthew Shapiro Cadenza Editors: Adam Summerville, Jordan Deam, Robbie Gross Scene Editors: Sarah Klein Sports Editor: Joe Ciolli Photo Editors: David Hartstein, Pam Buzzetta, Meghan Luecke Online Editor: Dan Daranciang Design Chief: Laura McLean Copy Editors: Allie McKay, Nina Perlman, Kelly Donahue, Erin Fults, Rebecca Emshwiller, hannah draper, Julian Beattie, Mallory Wilder, Paige Creo Designers: Ellen Lo, Anna Dinndorf, Jamie Reed, Andy Gavinski, Elizabeth Kaufman, Kate Ehrlich

ARTPROM

2006

Art Prom 2006 was a night of crazy costumes, fine cheese, BudLight and . . . sand boxes? At The Magic House, a children’s museum on South Kirkwood Road, Washington University students got the chance to be kids again—and to drink from the open bar while they were at it. Giant, psychedelic images of everything from Alice in Wonderland to unidentifiable reptiles were projected onto the ceiling of the main hall while students danced the night away.

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General Manager: Andrew O’Dell Advertising Manager: Sara Judd Copyright 2006 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 Washington University administration, faculty or students. All Student Life articles, photos and graphics are the 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 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. If you’d like to place an ad, please contact the Advertising Department at (314) 935-6713. If you wish to report an error or request a clarification, e-mail editor@studlife.com.

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WEDNESDAY | APRIL 5, 2006

CYBER MALL n FROM PAGE 1 ton—and that is only one of many of her responsibilities. “I’ve been the adviser [for the program] for just a year, and there’s still so much I’m learning. It was something added to my position last April, and it unfortunately doesn’t get as much time as it really needs

as there’s so much growth potential for it,” said Thornton. Lately, however, students have taken the lead in developing the program. Vared spoke fondly of a recent gathering of all the student business owners at the University, and the feeling of camaraderie among

the attendees. “I think there’s a lot of exciting ideas going on, [and] the business leaders are becoming more unified,” said Vared. “It’s a very exciting time for entrepreneurship in general at Wash. U., and especially for the student entrepreneurs on campus.”

TRUMAN SCHOLAR n FROM PAGE 1 said Kleinman. “We work with them in high school and try to give them the wherewithal to achieve their academic potential and pursue education after high school.” Kleinman’s interests lie not only with helping children. She also helps the community by working with adults, specifically with abused women and children as well as with men who batter women. “It’s been an eye-opening

experience,” she said. After graduation, Kleinman intends to pursue a career in public policy, specifically with regard to reform in education and the criminal justice system. “I would like to enter the realm of government through the court system,” said Kleinman. “At some point in my career as a public servant I hope to be a judge. Ultimately, I hope to be an elected official, working to promote

widespread social change,” said Kleinman. Kleinman feels honored to have been selected as a Truman scholar. “Any feelings of pride I have are secondary to inspiration,” she said. “Being considered among such amazing students who are genuinely motivated to make the world better inspires me to work even harder because I know we are all working together.”

roller which had been parked in front of his vehicle while he was offloading. No damage to the roller, minor damage to the truck. Disposition: Cleared.

fore the police were notified. Subject was gone from the area on arrival. Disposition: Clear ed.

POLICE BEAT Tuesday, March 28 8:50 a.m. INFORMATION NON CRIMINAL OR INFORMATION ONLY REPORTS— MALLINCKRODT CENTER—An unknown subject set off the alarm on leaving the bookstore; when confronted by store personnel he ran north across campus. Unknown what was taken. Subject described as black male, 30, 5”11”, 170, thin build, possible goatee/mustache, wearing black hooded “athletic” coat with white stripes down the arms and across the chest, a dark sweat-shirt with lettering across the front and khaki trousers. Disposition: Pending. Wednesday, March 29 7:29 a.m. AUTO ACCIDENT—BROOKINGS DRIVE—A truck driver struck an asphalt

Friday, March 31 Thursday, March 30 7:32 p.m. LARCENY-THEFT STEALING UNDER $500—ENGINEERING COMPLEX—Victim responded to the police station in reference to his bicycle being stolen. Victim advised that sometime between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. person(s) unknown stole his Trek mountain bike from the bike rack near Sever. Bike was secured to the rack with a cable type lock. Disposition: Pending. 11:37 p.m. SUSPICIOUS PERSON—SOUTH 40—Student reported an unknown suspicious black male loitering in the area. This incident was delayed approximately 15 minutes be-

7:11 a.m. INSTITUTIONAL VA N D A L I S M — M A L L I N C KRODT CENTER—Men’s room vandalized; paper towel dispenser cover torn off and broken along and cover for the airfreshener torn off. Occurred sometime between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on March 30. Reported by Aramark. Disposition: Pending. Monday, April 3 12:17 p.m. LOST ARTICLE— SOUTH 40—Reporting party stated she lost wallet while playing volleyball in the swamp area on Saturday 04-01-06. Disposition: Pending.

STUDENT LIFE | NEWS

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4 STUDENT LIFE | SPORTS

Senior Sports Editor / Andrei Berman / forum@studlife.com

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY | APRIL 5, 2006

IN BRIEF: The No. 19 softball squad won four straight shutout games over the weekend to improve their record to 18-3 on the season. They blanked Westminister College 8-0 and 4-0 before shutting out Blackburn College 140 and 8-0. The women’s track and field team won the Washington University Invitational on Saturday while the men’s squad placed fifth.

Women run to gold, men not far Softball hits homerun with sweep of weekend games behind at Wash. U. Invitational By Scott Kaufman-Ross By Carrie Jarka

Sports Reporter

Sports Reporter The Washington University women’s track team took first place while the men finished fifth this past weekend at the Washington University Invitational. Of the fourteen women’s teams that participated in the competition, Wash. U.’s nearest competitor was 100 points behind, and the men’s team was just 40 points off the leader. “Both programs are carrying over momentum created during the indoor championships,” said head coach Paul Thornton of the impressive performances over the weekend. “We feel good about where the team is and look forward to each week,” he added. On the women’s side, the field events were characteristically strong as sophomore Morgen Leonard-Fleckman won the pole vault by clearing 3.40 meters. In doing so, she provisionally qualified for the NCAAs. Classmate Danielle Wadlington joined Leonard-Fleckman as an NCAA qualifier winning the triple jump at 11.36 meters, but Wadlington did not stop there. She went on to win the 4X400 relay, teaming with seniors Michelle McCully and Laura Ehret and junior Natalie Badowski to finish the race with a time of 3:56.73 to qualify for the NCAAs. Wadlington also won the 110 meter hurdles with a time of 15.77. Ehret won the 800 in 2:17.19. Sophomore Abbey Hartmann won the grueling 3,000-meter steeplechase for the second straight week, finishing at 11:28.79. The men’s team also featured a number of strong showings at the Invitational, winning several individual victories and having one athlete qualify for the NCAA provisional qualifier. Junior Kevin Gale won the 3,000-meter steeplechase with an NCAA qualifying time of 9:19.27, while senior Greg Reindl took first in the 5,000-meter, finishing in 14:55.23. Junior Cameron Williams also performed well for the men, placing second in the high jump clearing 1.95m, and senior David Skiba fi nished third in the 110-meter hurdles (15.01). The Bears will continue the season with the Wash. U. Select Meet this weekend at Bushyhead Track. “Four [student-athletes] qualifying this early says a lot to how prepared they are with the upcoming season. It’s still the beginning,” continued Thornton. “We look forward to preparing for the UAA championships, Drake, and the last-chance meets. We feel good about where the team is and look forward to each week.”

STUDENT LIFE ARCHIVE

The Wash. U. men’s team placed fourth overall at its own invitational this past weekend.

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After struggling to a 2-3 record in the Midwest Regional Tournament a week and a half ago, the Bears returned to form this past weekend, taking both ends of consecutive doubleheaders on Thursday and Friday. “We had a tough week, but as long as we keep improving throughout the season is really all that matters,” junior Jamie Kressel said. “We want to make sure we win the last game.” Westminster College came into St. Louis on Thursday with a 5-7 overall record. In the first game, Laurel Sagartz continued her outstanding season, pitching yet another shutout. She struck out 13 batters, allowing just two hits over six innings as the Bears defeated the Bluejays by way of the mercy rule, 8-0. Senior Amanda Roberts singled and then stole second and home to start off the game. Roberts would later tie a school record by stealing three bases in the game. Sophomore Amy Vukovich and Kressel drove in the next two runs, both on RBI singles, to give the Bears a 3-0 lead in the home half of the first inning. Sophomore Laura D’Andrea added a two-run double in the third. She also had an RBI triple in the second inning and an RBI single in the sixth to end the game. Both D’Andrea and Kressel finished the game with three hits as the Bears rolled to the easy victory. The second half of Thursday’s twin bill also displayed the Bears’ pitching prowess, as freshman Susan Gray and sophomore Kaylyn Eash split time on the hill and tossed a combined

shutout, 4-0. Gray pitched the first five innings, allowing just four hits while striking out three. Eash then came in to pitch a perfect sixth and seventh, getting her first save of the season in the process. Offensively it was Kressel who stole the show again, singling in senior Diona Little in the first and then adding a two-run homer in the sixth. Kressel’s long ball was the fifteenth of her career and third this season. On Friday, the Bears dominated Blackburn College, posting another pair of shutouts. The first game featured one of the University’s most impressive performances of the season. Sagartz pitched another shutout, striking out 13 Blackburn hitters while allowing just one hit over a mercy-ruled five innings. Laurel struck out 13 of the 16 batters she faced, lowering her season ERA to 0.11. Sagartz also launched a threerun homer, her second of the year, as part of a five-run first inning. The rest of the Bears offense held up their end of the bargain as well, scoring 14 runs over five innings. D’Andrea went 3-3 with six RBI and freshman Katie

Johns added three hits of her own. Roberts, Kressel and junior Erin Wolf each added two hits apiece as the Bears invoked the mercy rule for the third straight game. The second leg of the doubleheader again showcased the Bears’ dominance. Sophomore Kaylyn Eash tossed a complete game shutout, allowing just two hits and striking out two to improve her record to 6-0. The Bears jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after Kressel knocked in two runs with a double. Kressel added a sacrifice fly in the third, and senior Monica Hanono added her first homerun of the season to stretch the lead to 6-0. The Bears added a run each in the fourth and fifth innings, as the University extended its streak of mercy-rule shutouts to four. Of the improved performance shown by the squad over the weekend, Kressel noted, “We worked hard in practice last week and tweaked a few things. We got back on track and everyone played amazing.” The team returns to the field this weekend when it travels to Bloomington, Illinois for the Illinois Wesleyan Tournament.

Senior Cadenza Editor / Laura Vilines / cadenza@studlife.com

WEDNESDAY | APRIL 5, 2006

CD REVIEWS

Ani DiFranco: ‘Carnegie Hall’ By Jason Dowd Cadenza Reporter Ani DiFranco’s latest live album is not a typical “new� release. Over the four years that have passed since its recording, DiFranco has released four other albums, including a two-disc collection of live performances. Thus, one might wonder, with older material thoroughly covered and a stockpile of recent creative efforts, why jump back? This release is a solo album that contains material spanning much of DiFranco’s career, though it is not really about the music. In fact, some of the songs do not sound like very crisp recordings. DiFranco focuses instead on the experience of putting on a personal and politically charged performance in New York City

seven months after 9/11. She tells stories and shares her insecurities. At one point, she even questions whether her fans really know the song she is about to play because she doesn’t think she remembers the intro correctly. Near the end of the set, DiFranco unleashes two of her most biting poems/songs to an almost silent New York audience, detailing her disbelief and frustration in the wake of 9/11. She adequately conveys the intensity of the moment as well as her own humility. It becomes clear that the real purpose of this release is in the impact that the performance had on her. First-time DiFranco listeners may be put off by this album. It is not as accessible as her previous album “Knuckle Down,� and it does not accentuate her music as

much as earlier live albums like “Living in Clip.� Rather, this release lends itself to listeners with an interest in DiFranco herself, including her personal and political views. It is an interesting reflection on what was an important occasion to her, even though the material is not so recent. In the case of this album, satisfaction is not in the sound, but in the delivery. Ani DiFranco “Carnegie Hall� For fans of: A hard-core Lillith Fair Download: “God’s Country,� “Detroit Annie,� “Hitchhiking�

The Lashes: ‘Get It’ By Brian Stitt Cadenza Reporter “The Lashes� are easy to write off. With songs sporting simple guitar hooks we have all heard before and lyrics that border on the inane, it’s no problem to lump them in with all of the other hipster power-pop groups searching for the limelight. Fame is exactly what the group wants, but the public is so fickle these days that even having the band’s debut album “Get It� released by a major label like Capitol does not ensure its success. However, what the group does offer is rarer than some might think. In the days when being “indie� is the easiest way to gain respectability, The Lashes counter with an unabashed pop record that may be simple but bounces with an exuberance that’s infectious. The songs here are boiled down sugar-pop recorded with a West Coast edge. On the outset, “New Best Friend� sounds like any other emo/

w uss-punk song that has come out in the past three years, but the catchy chorus and jumpy rhythm section pull us in enough that by the time “Daddy’s Little Girl� starts, we can see that whining and complaining are not what these guys are about. It’s the closest thing, lyrically, to a Jan and Dean record I can see coming out of the dank streets of Seattle postNirvana. With song titles like “A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody� and “The World Needs More Love Letters,� I expect Burt Bacharach guesting on keyboards. Even within the pop idiom, the record is far from perfect. “Sometimes the Sun� sounds exactly like a Strokes song, and others are heavily reminiscent of Elvis Costello or even The Cars. Singer Ben Clark has a habit of repeating lyrics so much that Cake would be ashamed, but he has an easy, earnest voice that invites you to sing along, even if it’s the first time you’ve heard the song. With six members in the

band, the music is unnecessarily thin, but I’m pleased that they fought the urge to add a horn section and kept the sound relatively simple. “Get It� is hardly for everybody. But as a debut album, it is successful on almost every level. It delivers 11 catchy, aggressive pop tunes in under 35 minutes— and, most importantly, The Lashes don’t pretend to be anything they’re not. This sets the band apart from last year’s pop superstars The Killers, who rode two decent tunes to super-stardom. Pop music with a cigarette, The Lashes are bound to sell millions or fail miserably. If they get radio play, I think they’ll stick around. The Lashes “Get It� For fans of: The Strokes, The Killers Download: “Wanna Girl,� “New Best Friend�

STUDENT LIFE | CADENZA

Watching crap so you don’t have to By Adam Summerville Movie Editor “V for Vendettaâ€? was released two weeks ago to startling critical and commercial success. However, in reading reviews written by my supposed peers and talking to my actual peers it has become apparent that the movie obviously confused a lot of people. It seems as though most people missed at least one relatively major plot point, although that plot point shifts from person to person. At ďŹ rst, I was dismayed by this revelation. Here is a movie in which the source material is somewhat dear to me, and people were leaving the movie not understanding it. However, upon second consideration, this made me quite happy. Here was a movie, a “comic book movieâ€? (I put “comic book movieâ€? in quotations because I feel it is a ridiculous modiďŹ er, as ridiculous as saying a “novel movieâ€? or some such other thing), and people were having a real dialogue about the ideas it put forth. Finally, I thought, people might appreciate comic books for what they are. For far too long comic books have been thought of as children’s things, things that no self-respecting adult with a decent sex life would be caught dead with. Sure, the comix movement of the ‘60s and ‘70s brought about a new era of the medium that could never be considered “kiddie.â€? R. Crumb and Harvey Pekar (both of whom have had biopics of some import made about them) created works that no child would want to read let alone choose to read. Despite the work of these artists, comics seem to still be considered “kiddie.â€? Sure, “Spider-Manâ€? and “SpiderMan 2â€? have been immense blockbusters, and such large grosses could never have been achieved with just chil-

dren attending, but it’s not as if people respected them as having any sort of real message. Most of the “comic book moviesâ€? that have been well respected are not even known as having come from comic books. “Ghost Worldâ€? and “Road to Perditionâ€? are both wonderful ďŹ lms derived from comic book sources, and most people never realize it, probably because “Ghost Worldâ€? has more in common with other quirky indie ďŹ lms than it does with “Superman,â€? and “Road to Perditionâ€? is more akin to a Scorcese work than it is to a Stan Lee work. Those ďŹ lms succeeded at being more than just “comic book moviesâ€?—and in fact were too successful, so far transcending what people expected from comic book sources so as to be completely unrecognizable as “comic book movies.â€? Last year, on the other hand, was a bumper year for “comic book movies,â€? with both “Batman Beginsâ€? and “A History of Violence.â€? These two movies were some of the most intelligent ďŹ lms to come out all year. Sure, “Batman Beginsâ€? might have been pretty transparent with its themes, but it is hard to argue that such ďŹ lms as “Crashâ€? or “Brokeback Mountainâ€? were that much more opaque. “A History of Violenceâ€? was easily one of the most disturbing and thought-provoking ďŹ lms to come out last year. Perhaps it was the deft touch of the madman that is Cronenberg, but when viewing “A History of Violence,â€? remember this one fact: the writer of the source graphic novel was also the writer of the “Judge Dreddâ€? series. Of course, one must also remember that “Judge Dreddâ€? as a comic book was far more intelligent than the horrible (I almost said dreadful!) Sylvester Stallone vehicle. Now, with “V for Vendetta,â€? we are practically in a renaissance for comic-book–derived ďŹ lms. Superheroes are more

than ash and spandex; they are larger than life characters, most of whom have incredible aws (not just Kryptonite and such) to go along with their incredible abilities. These movies have only just begun to tap into the wealth of source material available. “V for Vendettaâ€? is great and all, but writer Alan Moore’s greatest work is easily “Watchmen.â€? “Watchmenâ€? is a story that takes every convention of the superhero genre and turns them on their heads in a story that is every bit as condemning of the Cold War as “V for Vendettaâ€? is of Thatcher-era Britain. A “Watchmenâ€? movie is supposedly in the works, but it has supposedly been in the works for the last 20 years, so it’s anyone’s guess if or when it will come out. “The Ultimatesâ€? is also an amazing work that deserves a movie. “The Ultimatesâ€? is a reimagining of The Avengers, the superhero team of the Marvel comic book universe comprised of Captain America, Iron Man, The Hulk, Thor and others. “The Ultimatesâ€? has amazingly clever writing, using such terms as “Persons of Mass Destructionâ€? to describe the superheroes. Even superheroes that previously had been thought lame by even the most devout comic book fans, such as Thor (“Mighty my Mjolnirâ€?? My God.), were reimagined in such a way to be interesting, complex characters. “Blanketsâ€? by Craig Thompson, a bittersweet tale of ďŹ rst love, and “Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Boy in the World,â€? a postmodern look at a loser and his family history, are great works of writing and will make you rethink what a comic can or cannot be. I could go on for pages about graphic novels and comic books that could be turned into movies, but I won’t. Instead, head over to Star Clipper and check some of these out.

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6 STUDENT LIFE | FORUM

Senior Forum Editor / Daniel Milstein / forum@studlife.com

FORUM

WEDNESDAY | APRIL 5, 2006

Our daily Forum editors: Monday: Jeff Stepp jsstepp@wustl.edu

Wednesday: Daniel Milstein daniel.milstein@wustl.edu

Friday: Joshua Trein jctrein@wustl.edu

To ensure that we have time to fully evaluate your submissions, guest columns should be e-mailed to the next issue’s editor or forwarded to forum@studlife.com by no later than 5 p.m. two days before publication. Late pieces will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We welcome your submissions, and thank you for your consideration.

STAFF EDITORIAL

More competition needed in non-exec elections

W

ell, maybe there’s another problem in this year’s elections. While it is great that there are two highly qualified slates for SU exec positions, there is absolutely no competition for Senate, Treasury, or Class Council seats. This is something that cannot continue in the future. Last year, this section termed the SU elections “a joke,” and encouraged students to vote for their favorite write-ins instead of the actual candidates. While we will not

go that far this year because of the competitive exec elections, students will have to resort to write-ins if they want a complete ballot. For the 26 Senate seats, there are a grand total of seven candidates, all but one of them in Arts and Sciences. Treasury did better, but still, only 10 people are running for the 19 available seats. At least the Class Councils will have a complete ballot, but there is no competition there either. All sorts of excuses can be made for the lack of candidates in the Senate and

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Whispers’ coverage questionable Dear Editor: It was interesting, especially in light of recent controversy over Student Life’s coverage decisions (Feb. 3-10), to read Shweta Murthi’s article about the Mosaic Whispers’ upcoming concert. Although the Whispers’ Splash of Color has always been an excellent show, Ms. Murthi’s reporting seems inconsistent with this paper’s narrow position on promoting student events. Many student groups have presented productions on a similar—or larger—scale than the upcoming Mosaic Whispers’ show without receiving even modest Student Life coverage of their event. Cultural celebrations, such as Black Anthology and Diwali, draw an enormous attendance at their shows each year and involve dozens of student participants. Many performance groups have invited alumni to participate in programs both routine (annual dramatic and musical productions) and momentous (The Pikers’ 20th anniversary concert). All of these, including the Whispers’ show, are exciting parts of campus life. None of them, except the Whispers’ show, received a front-page headline promoting the upcoming event. Although it is nice to see some coverage of the Wash. U. a cappella community, a scene involving twelve groups and over 100 students, here, too, it seems Student Life is playing favorites. On February 4th, After Dark hosted the regional quarterfinals of ICCA, the international a cappella tournament, featuring the Washington University Amateurs and Stereotypes, as well as other groups from Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, and Nebraska. All of these groups completed a rigorous qualification process and prepared for the competition over several months. Wash. U. was honored to host the quarterfinals for only the second time in the last decade, and yet the event received only 60 words in Student Life’s events listing on February 3rd. The contrast between

Treasury elections. Anyone planning on going abroad cannot run, and that certainly eliminates some prospective candidates. Maybe students are happy with the jobs their respective Class Councils have done, and are not running to show their support. Susan Land, a current Senator, Neil Patel, and Aaron Robinson, each Treasury Representatives, are running for higher office, and hopefully will continue their exemplary work in their current positions if not elected as execs. But these are not

suitble reasons for having an incomplete ballot. Blame for this problem does not lay with Student Union. SU has done everything they can to publicize the elections. They have consistently been urging people to run in the “SUpdate” as well as their various other advertising outlets. Instead, the general apathy of the student body is at fault here. Every undergrad gives money to SU as part of his or her tuition, but it seems like only a few people actually care what that money is used for.

Everything from WILD to the swing dance club is funded by SU. Recently, the Senate has supported the use of closed circuit televisions to try to enhance security. SU deals with issues like this all year. These are issues that affect everyone on campus, and every undergrad pays for it through the activities fee. Is it really true that only 32 people (who don’t spend most of their time writing articles for a certain on-campus newspaper) care about issues like this? It’s a sad reality that the

most competitive elections tend to be the race for CS40 exec spots. What is sad about this is that the reward for winning these seats is free (or close to it) housing, in addition to running CS40. The issue of compensation for SU and CS40 execs will be tackled at another time. But it is impossible to believe so few people either do not have the time to devote to SU or just care so little how their activities fee is used that they do not run. This year’s elections may not be a joke, but they are a little funny.

RACHEL TEPPER AND KARL IMPROV | EDITORIAL CARTOON

this and the front-page preview of the Whispers’ annual show is striking. In no way is this an indictment of the Mosaic Whispers, who should be applauded for their extensive concert promotion and consistent contribution to the Wash. U. a cappella community. However, perhaps Ms. Murthi and her editors at Student Life should reflect upon their coverage decisions. After all, how long can they hope to remain the “Independent Newspaper” of Wash. U. if they keep running their advertisements pro bono? -Brian Loyal Class of 2005 Alumni, Washington University After Dark

Praise for criticism of construction habits Dear Jeff Stepp: Thank you for your insightful and well-explained article “Olin Solar Panels Will Be Our Tombstone.” My husband, Professor and electrical engineer Bob Morley, has been a huge proponent for energy saving devices since his undergrad days. More kids of your generation need to be aware of this stuff, as well as more people in ours...it’s amazing that we live so close to the “greenest building in the world” (Alberici’s headquarters at Page/170) and have such wasteful destruction and construction here at Wash. U. I applaud you for sharing your thoughts and hope it will raise awareness around campus with students who can help design more green projects in the future and the policymakers there at WU. Keep up the good journaling! -Deborah Morley Field of Plenty

Logical “Per-

spective,” or Studlife’s “PerSUnal” interest? Dear Editor: Student Life’s rationale in their endorsements for the SU exec race lies somewhere between counterintuitive and downright idiotic. Their primary concern with the PerSUnal slate is that its candidates are SU “insiders.” In other words, the Studlife staff seems to believe that the PerSUnal candidates should not be SU execs because they have experience. To me, it seems outrageous to argue that experience is a damaging characteristic of a candidate’s qualifications. On the contrary, Studlife should support “insiders” because they are more likely to do a good job. Not only have they seen how things have worked in the past and know what to do, but they have also signaled their commitment to SU and the student body through their aforementioned participation. I also want to point out one particular of the Studlife staff’s argument.

They readily acknowledge that “People who know as much about SU as Patel are few and far between,” and, yet, they endorse Moinester instead because of his “approachability.” My 16-year-old sister is very nice, approachable, and friendly, but does that mean she would make a better president than a qualified and experienced candidate? Writing Patel in for VP is not a sensible solution either. It makes much more sense for the one who knows what he is doing to be in charge; if you want outsiders with fresh ideas in office, then vote for them to support the knowledgeable candidate. In addition, even if Studlife would like to see both presidential candidates in office, they ought not disregard the person running for VP altogether. That is disrespectful to the dedication and commitment that Jones is putting into his campaign. In the end, it appears that Studlife’s personal interest in “transparency” has blinded them to who the more qualified candidates actually are. Otherwise, it is inconceivable to me that they could make such dimwitted arguments.

-Joseph Goodman Class of 2007

IFC and Panhel numbers not accurate Dear Editor: As the Vice President of Finance for Panhel, and one of the main campaigners for Panhel/IFC Block Funding, I thank you for your support of our quest for consistent funding. However, before you take a stand on the issue, please make sure you have all the facts. First, when comparing Panhel and IFC’s block funding request to that of any other student group, it is crucial for you to understand that we are two distinct student groups, both of which are asking for a paltry $2.50, ringing in a COMBINED total of $5. Both Panhel and IFC hold over 20 events each year, only a few of which are actually cosponsored. Secondly, realize that the $15,000 is NOT more than the two groups have been allocated in the past. At first glance, it seems Panhel

and IFC were allocated approximately $6000 each in the past. However, a closer look (at allocations and appeals) reveals that these figures do no necessarily reflect reality: 2005-2006 Panhel $ 7,990.35 IFC $ 5754.76 2004-2005 Panhel $13,980.31 IFC $ 8,098.47 2003-2004 Panhel $ 7,446.66 IFC $14,289.50 2002-2003 Panhel $17,296.58 IFC $ 8,744.20 The numbers themselves illustrate exactly why we believe that Block funding is essential to our student group. Each group’s funding is frustratingly sporadic; however, as you can see, each group often receives nearly the amount requested. Hence, we are requesting no more than we are usually allotted—rather, we are simply asking for consistency! Finally, let’s turn our attention to a calumny, namely baseless allegations that events were canceled or cutback because of “lack of planning by former executives.” That is patently false.

See LETTERS, page 7

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WEDNESDAY | APRIL 5, 2006

STUDENT LIFE | FORUM

7

In bed with Alex Trebek I

’m not going to lie, I kind of want to spend a night with Alex Trebek. Well, not a night, it’s more like an afternoon (night just seemed like a better way to start a column, and considering that I only have one more regular column after this, I’ll do what I want!). Regardless of the time of the day, it explains why I locked myself in my room at 10 on a Thursday night to take the Jeopardy! test. Appearing on Jeopardy! has been my lifelong dream (as well as playing second base for the Mets…and having my own record label…just call me a dreamer). I even included it in some of my col-

lege applications. Whenever I’m free at 3:30, I always make sure to turn on channel 5 and watch “another half hour of questions and answers.” So it wasn’t that hard for me to decide whether I wanted to drink, or wait 15 minutes and pretend that I’m smart fi rst. The test itself wasn’t particularly hard. It comprised of 50 questions, ranging from sports to Shakespeare to science. When it came to sports, I was like ResLife doling out housing to people with bad lottery numbers—I owned them. With Shakespeare…let’s just say this time I’m applying for housing, and my number started to rise. I was able to muster up a decent guess, but

learned a lot since then (yeah, chances are, I won’t get what that’s my excuse), how could I I want. Science, on the other remember what I did in high hand, might kill me. I was esschool, let alone eighth sentially a freshman grade? going for Millbrook. Of course, I have a The worst part is solution. There are all that for all the scithese science classes ence questions that that non-science I just couldn’t even majors take just to get guess on, I had, at that NS cluster out of one point, known all the way. Stars and galthe answers. With axies, dinosaurs, blah the literature stuff, Daniel Milstein blah blah. The problem I never really knew with these classes is it that well. But I that they’re all too learned what an focused. You could know enzyme is in high school bioleverything there is to know ogy. I had all that stuff about about the eating habits of a nuclear power plants and fisbrontosaurus (I never took sion and whatever down in my the dinosaurs class, so I don’t eighth grade science class. But know if that’s actually what I don’t remember it now. I’ve

they talk about in it. I like to think I’m right though), but how much basic science do you really know? If the goal of forcing non-science majors like myself to have a broader set of basic knowledge, many of these classes, while being good classes, just don’t accomplish that goal. What there should be is a broad, basic “science for nonscience majors” class. Something that reviews everything learned in high school, and reinforces the basic knowledge that at least the Jeopardy! question writers think people should know, instead of just physics in classes like How Things Work. There could be a similar “social sci-

ences for non-social science majors” class for the unlucky souls who decide to major in the natural sciences (even though everyone knows that political science is the only real science). This can replace the cluster system in these areas, and allow students to focus more on their major(s), and become even more of experts there. So when the fi nal Jeopardy! question is about economics, I know, without a doubt, that I’ll be set. Daniel is a sophomore in Arts & Sciences and Senior Forum Editor. He can be reached via e-mail at forum@studlife. com.

Speaking beyond the Bubbles The Solution By Ian Schatzberg Op-ed submission

P

aulo Freire, a well-respected scholar and activist on behalf of education, would certainly turn his head in dismay if he entered many of the classrooms on campus. It’s not that the lectures aren’t stimulating, or the topics not engaging, but a fundamental pedagogical problem lies at the center of most lecture-based courses: the multiple-choice test. This obsolete system for evaluating students continues to transform critical thought into mechanical regurgitation. If the university’s intended existence, and this may be contestable, lies in producing citizen’s capable of interrogating and critically engaging society, then a new method for evaluating knowledge must be conceptualized. Only when the institution begins to promote students to think dynamically and outside the multiplechoice bubble can we begin to feel comfortable with the virtues of our education. The multiple-choice test has long been a staple of the educational experience. From a high school history course, SATs, and the unfortunate future of destinies of students living under Bush’s No Child Left Behind, our institutions have been taking the fertility of student’s minds and shaping them into boxes, bubbles, and number two pencils. Not only do these types of tests reshape the way we engage educational material, they reshape the educational material itself. Jonathan Kozol gave an alarming note at the Assembly Series lecture this semester when he remarked that educational institutions now teach towards the test—Shakespeare, Woolf and Aristotle now speak through bubbles. In doing so, institutions that continue to adhere to this form of testing not only drain the student’s

ability for creative thought, they literally drain the life out of even reading the material itself. We would hope that the pedagogy of an enlightened institution such as this one would be beyond the seemingly obvious ramifications of administering multiple-choice tests. We would hope, but we hope in vain. Still across the disciplines, heavily within psychology, and almost ubiquitous in all introductory classes taught, this method still serves as the primary form of evaluation. This being the case, don’t Introduction to Cultural Anthropology or Introduction to Psychology fall victim to the same pedagogical traps Kozol critiques in regards to the effects of No Child Left Behind? But let’s bring this back even further, beyond Bush, contemporary education, and the lecture hall you might be sitting in right now as you read this. It’s time we as students reconsider what Paulo Friere puts forth in Pedagogy of the Oppressed. Friere claims that oppressive educational systems engage in what he calls the Banking Method. This term should ring fear into the ears of educators in all institutions. He describes the method in these terms: “Education thus becomes an act of depositing, in which students are the depositories and the teacher is the depositor. Instead of communicating, the teacher issues communiqués and makes deposits which the students patiently receive, memorize and repeat.” The hierarchical dynamic, this drone-like relationship between student and lecturer, insidiously persists throughout the halls of this university and its consequences are immense—even on the elite minds of Wash. U. students. As depositors, our lecture classes provide us with restrictive knowledge. Since no emphasis is placed on

By Molly Antos Op-ed submission

I

RACHEL TEPPER | STUDENT LIFE

drawing out the larger connections behind information and application, knowledge can only exist between A, B, or all of the above. Furthermore, as many of my peers will testify, taking classes that evaluate students by using multiplechoice exams has made them some of the best test takers in the nation. Can they remember the larger thematic relevance of that lecture they took last year? Perhaps, but they sure as hell remember getting that question that gave them an A. Next time you take a multiple choice test, ask your professor: what is the pedagogical virtue behind this exercise? Our minds are not depositories; they are an intri-

cate domain that when pulled and stretch, made to think critically and think in terms of application, yield tremendous results. Freire writes, “Knowledge emerges only through invention and re-invention, through restless, impatient, continuing, hopeful inquiry human beings pursue in the world, with the world and with each other.” During our educational experience, we should take these words to heart and challenge ourselves to enact their teachings in every lecture hall and classroom. Ian is a junior in Arts & Sciences. He can be reached via e-mail at isschatz@artsci.wustl. edu.

V for Voting By Chandan Khandai Op-ed submission

I

n less than a week, we shall bear witness to the end of the Aderocracy. Being a sophomore, I have never seen the SU President NOT be Ader—who else can make quality appearances on WUTV, sit up front at Convocation, and have an entire Facebook group dedicated to poking him? Much like President Clinton, he is a leader I have grown up with—a great caretaker president, with few wars and general prosperity, but minus the sex scandals. Probably minus that. However, once the current SU Executive Board has graduated, the problems will still remain. Overprogramming abounds on campus, reducing the overall effectiveness of the $2 million we pay to fund Student Union and SU-sponsored organizations. There are fast becoming more niche groups than there are niches on campus, further draining SU funds. Greek Life continues to struggle to find its place on campus. The Assembly Series, ostensibly for our educational benefit, is grossly underattended. Our university wastes resources with an alacrity that would make Captain Planet

weep. Most importantly, the student body still views Student Union as an insider organization, as transparent as a mango smoothie from Hilltop Café. How can we fix this, you say? I would not advocate sit-ins in Admissions; Delise is an amazing person, and we have a lot of pre-frosh coming in. Hunger strikes are out too, although you may not have any points left anyways. Lobbying the administration may work, but Chancellor Wrighton is probably far too busy… doing whatever he does. What then, is there to do? Simple—vote today and tomorrow in SU elections. Supposedly, Student Union exists to govern our activities fee with responsibility and accountability, and represent all students’ needs to the administration. If you care about these issues, vote on WebSTAC. If you don’t know what the issues are, then talk with your friends. If you simply don’t care about the issues or this campus, then by all means turn to the Sudoku section, and please don’t complain in the future… ever. If you do care, vote. Oh, but wait—you probably realized that there is virtually NO choice in SU elections—most are uncontested. Luckily, there is, for once, an exciting electionwith fun things like platforms

and relevant campaign Websites—between two slates for the SU Executive Board itself. Whoever wins will be in positions of power over us all, so hopefully you can make such a decision. Then again, both slates have the same publicity—Facebook groups, campaign websites, chalking, flyers, posters, and business cards, with well-posed political pictures that would delight Karl Rove himself. If you seriously read their statements, both also advocate similar issues. Nobody is against greater communication with the student body, and only fools would want to decrease clarity in Student Union. Both slates will work with Greek Life—who would ignore 30% of our population? Finally, neither will be soft on terror (or any other abstract nouns). In such a situation, you have to make a final decision based on new ideas presented, the history of the candidates themselves, and the effort put into the campaigns. If you look through all of the above, you will see a remarkably clear choice—the status quo vs. change. Although I am friends with both slates, personally I am voting for Perspective. While both slates carry the same

’ve never seen anything like it. Black lights flooded the entire room, while practically every person in Center Court wielded a green highlighter and wrote on the back of anyone within arm’s distance. The room was almost filled to the brim; loud music blasted from the huge speakers as people danced in huge circles, laughing and having a fantastic time. A big, heartfelt congratulations goes out to Sigma Chi, Kappa Alpha Psi and the Association of Black Students for their amazing accomplishment last Friday night. The party, “Black Lights, White Tees” was a phenomenal success with an overwhelming attendance of over six hundred people from all aspects of the Washington University Community. The groups raised $2,400 which not only covers the scholarship for a University City High School student, but also goes to City Faces, an art program for teenagers living in public housing. Everyone notices the separation of various racial groups, but it is seldom that the problem is publicly acknowledged and that steps are taken to alleviate it. The blame for this problem does not lie with any particular camp of people; we are all equally to blame for the apathetic unwillingness to branch out that keeps segregation alive. We are a campus filled with educated students that brags to the outside world of its diversity. But we, the fortunate participants, do not take full advantage of the opportunities afforded to us by this situation. Even though it would be a lie to say that all racial tensions have been completely relieved due to this one party or even the inception of this well founded student group, something extraordinary did take place when Joe Brown had a vi-

sion and Sigma Chi decided to join forces with ABS and Kappa Alpha Psi. The celebration of this merger was a giant step in the right direction for a better integration of this campus. Aside from the party itself, the effort that went in to publicizing the event and preparation for it helped bring groups of people together that might not ever have met otherwise. Despite the windy gales attempting to keep us down, a huge group of us prepared for the festivities by taping down humongous tarps to the windows of Center Court. Somewhere in the midst of hanging streamers and listening to music on a small boom box, relationships were forged. This party is just one small step in a giant direction. A portion of the money raised is going to go toward a retreat next fall for all the groups involved to facilitate new friendships and discussions about racial issues on campus. It is wonderful that these people have begun something so spectacular. Sigma Chi, in particular, can really be proud to be part of this revolutionary event. It’s just another example of the wonderful contribution this fraternity makes to the community. The party accomplished what it set it out to do. Even if certain tables in Mallinckrodt are still occupied by the same groups and even if it might be too early for a new member to pull up a chair for lunch, I really hope that a previously estranged member of the table might wave on his way to go sit at his table. Even if all the party did was change one person’s mind or make one new pair of friends or get one person to realize the important concept behind it, that is a great feat. Molly is a senior in Arts & Sciences and the former Senior Forum Editor. She can be reached via e-mail at mjantos@artsci. wustl.edu.

LETTERS n FROM PAGE 6 depth of experience, they have a greater breadth of background, all the better to serve the entire student body. Cards that feel nice are all good and well, but actually taking the time to meet with over a dozen student groups shows true dedication to addressing student needs. PerSUnal funds are a great idea in concept, but far too corrupt in practice (not that corruption is ever an issue in government). I don’t want the same old, same old; I want a new perspective on what responsible student government can be. I cannot simply tell you whom to vote for. If I was simply in charge, this would be a totalitarian state, and a man in a Guy Fawkes mask would come gunning for me. As I am personally against my own demise, and I am sure you care about who represents you and takes your money, take charge of your own life. Vote on WebSTAC, or write in whom you believe better deserves the position. The Aderocracy is over; it is time for democracy to pick its successor. Chandan is a sophomore in Arts & Sciences. He can be reached via email at ackhanda@ artsci.wustl.edu.

Last year, Panhel and IFC boasted amazing leadership that took great strives to better the community. It is from their strength and determination that Panhel and IFC have derived their success. -Katie Kotowski Panhel VP Finance Class of 2008

Storch’s prochoice views ironic Dear Editor: Rachel Storch’s participation in the recent on-campus pro-choice rally exposes a tragic irony: she spends part of her legislative workday advocating that people are so optional as to be disposable before birth, and the rest of it wondering why society doesn’t value people more. -Bryan Kirchoff University College

Kudos for swim team coverage Dear Editor: It was great to read two pieces in the sports section of the March 24 edition of Student Life regarding the swim team’s performance at the national meet and the reflections of some outgoing senior athletes. One trait that these articles shared was that they featured the voices of the athletes themselves, and were not mere rehashes of games or events. This is the kind of story that students want to read, ones where we can share in the experiences of our fellow student-athletes. Thank you, Katie and Molly, for your stories. -Cory Zimmerman Class of 2006 Co-Captain, Varsity Swim Team

8 STUDENT LIFE | CADENZA

Senior Cadenza Editor / Laura Vilines / cadenza@studlife.com

WEDNESDAY | APRIL 5, 2006

MOVIE REVIEWS

‘Thank You For Smoking’ By Adam Summerville Movie Editor For a comedy about a smoking lobbyist, “Thank You For Smoking” is surprisingly non-preachy. Are cigarettes bad? Are cigarettes okay? The movie doesn’t really make any effort to answer these questions. Instead, it parades a stream of weird characters in front of us, makes them do even weirder things and calls it a day. Occasionally their antics are amusing, but more often they are just too tongue-in-cheek to be interesting in any way. It’s as if the screenwriter sat down and thought, “Wouldn’t it be cute if blah-blah-blah happened. That’d be so witty. I’m so funny,” not realizing that all of the situations he thought up were trite and contrived. A few subtle, legitimately humorous moments did make it in, but they are few and far between. The best scenes are when tobacco lobbyist Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart) does lunch with his buddies, who are lobbyists for the alcohol and fi rearms industries. They talk about who has the hardest job and boast about whose product kills the most people. David Koechner of “Anchor-

‘Slither’ By David Freeman Cadenza Reporter At one point in “Slither,” a character remarks, “Grroooossss.” This aptly sums up the first worthwhile horror movie of the year. As yet another entry into the resilient undead-horrorfilm genre, “Slither” is violent and smart, a slimy gore-fest with a brain—a brain that has been taken over by a virulent, interstellar slug-monster that has burrowed into the mouth and then the cerebellum, giving its host a zombie-esque gait, acid-gleeking ability and a hunger for raw meat. The slugs are disgusting (as slugs often are), and there are thousands of them. The little red slimy torpedoes squirming all over buildings, people and bathtubs are the most unforgettable moments of the film (and try as you might, you cannot shake the horrible images from memory). The sleepy town of Wheelsy, on the cusp of the long-awaited deer season, is caught unawares when a meteorite slams into the woods, bringing a tiny parasite with big plans. Local bigwig Grant Grant (Michael Rooker) gets needled by the creature and carries out its nefarious plan: assimilate every living creature as host or food, the most important stage of this plan being the violent impregnation of poor, unwitting Shelby (Jenna Fischer). Her fate is the worst of all the characters. Grant’s wife Starla (Elizabeth Banks), along with Officer Bill Pardy (Nathan Fillion), try to save the townsfolk as best they can, but hey, it is a creaturefeature—a lot of people are going to get killed. True to horror form, “Slither” finds novel and sickening ways to dispatch extras. Director James Gunn demonstrates his love of horror (and horror done correctly) with this film. Scares are paired with laughs, and the two are so adroitly interwoven that at times the audience finds itself laughing at gruesome scenes. Is it an accident, or are we actually enjoying the terrible spectacle of it all? Presentation of violence as humor takes a discerning hand, and in “Slither” the effect is total. Without the campy dialogue, gut-wrenching gore and out-ofcontrol plot, the balance would be thrown. People would leave the theatre. However, the tongue-incheek self-deprecation that this films delivers keeps us glued to our seats. This style of shlocky creaturehorror is reminiscent of classics such as “Gremlins,” “Tremors,” and the more recent “EightLegged Freaks.” Such B-movies, even when released by major production companies, hold a special place in our hearts—we scatter popcorn in fright, laugh at the stupid one-liners and then revel in the inanity of it all. This is honest cinema that connects the audience with the screen at a truly visceral level.

man” fame is quite funny as Bobby Jay Bliss, the lobbyist for the gun manufacturers. William H. Macy plays the villain, an anti-tobacco senator, but unfortunately for him the role is very thin. We don’t like him, not because we disagree with him, but because he’s generally just something of a prick. Rounding out the cast is Naylor’s son, Joey (Cameron Bright), who is just about the only legitimately likeable character. The plot doesn’t matter much and is more a loose binding together of episodes than any sort of cohesive narrative. The only central theme to the movie is the power of bullshit and spin. Spouting such things as, “You can’t prove that you’re right, so you have to prove that they’re wrong,” the movie does its best to convince us that it isn’t the message that

matters—it’s how you spin it. Unfortunately for the movie, its biggest stumbling point with its logic is itself. The movie has no substance and tries to convince the audience that the substance of a message doesn’t matter, just the style, but it winds up falling fl at on its face. The funny moments are there but just not common enough to truly make the movie worthwhile. A couple months down the line this might possibly be worth a rental with a group of friends—but for now, thanks but no thanks.

“Thank You For Smoking” Rating: ★★★✩✩ Starring: Aaron Eckhart, William H. Macy, Maria Bello, Katie Holmes

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WEDNESDAY | APRIL 5, 2006

STUDENT LIFE | CLASSIFIEDS

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MOTHER’S HELPER: WE are in need of some reliable, cheerful help for our busy family! Hours would mostly be late afternoons and early evenings, a few days each week. This is a great job! You would help transport two great teenagers to activities, maybe prepare dinner, etc. you will have lots of time to study or just hang out at our home which is close to the Galleria. 725-4825. PART-TIME WORK $12 BASE/APPT. Flexible sched., customer sales/ service, may continue in spring or secure summer work, all ages 18+, 314997-7873. PLAY SPORTS! HAVE fun! Save money! Maine camp needs fun loving counselors to teach all land, adventure & water sports. Great summer! Call 888-844-8080, apply: www.campcedar.com

3 BEDROOM 1.5 BATH APARTMENT. Half block from RED line shuttle. Many amenities! For more info www.homeandapar tmentrentals.com Tom 314.409.2733 BOTANICAL GARDEN NEIGHBORHOOD: Beautiful two bedroom, fireplace, spacious kitchen, cable-ready, security system $850. Call 314954-7374. CLAYTON, U. CITY LOOP, CWE and Dogtown. Beautiful studios, 1, 2 bedrooms. Quiet buildings. $365-$750. Call 725-5757. GREAT 2 BEDROOM+ in the U. City Loop. 7xx Heman. Elegant, spacious and updated. $695. call 725.5757. WEST END TERRACE makes it happen. “Great” 1 & 2 bedroom apartments for rent in the “Heart of The Central West End”. We offer Washington U. students 5% student discount or 1 MONTH FREE RENT, and reduced deposits. Waiting for you a 24 hour fitness center, business center and laundry center, FREE PARKING, sparkling swimming pool, BBQ in a park like setting, large apartments, all appliances included, all electric, and most pets are welcome. CALL 314-533-8444 or stop by, 4466 Greenwich Court, St. Louis, MO, 63108.

SINGLE FAMILY HOME. Completely updated in 2003. 4 bed/2 bath, 1,400 sq. ft. Hardwood floors. Washer and dryer in basement. Blocks from WashU, Loop and Schnucks. On Green Line shuttle route. $1,300/mo. 6833 Bartmer. available June 1st. Call Chris @ 314-322-4936. URBAN LIVING in the CWE and on the WU line. Beginning June 1st 2006, 1 & 2 bedroom loft apartments with W/D, modern kitchens, internet, cable & satelite, access control garage parking and more! Rents starting @ $990 per month. See us on the web @ www.metrolofts-stl.com or call 314-367-2400

1 BEDROOM IN A 2 bedroom apartment is available for sublease from April 25 to June 25. Located in Delmar loop, close to Hilltop campus. $290/month + 1/2 utilities. E-mail ajaypsr@yahoo.com or call 314-495-4709. SUMMER SUBLET 2 BR available in 4 br furnished apartment. 3 blocks from campus. 2 male roommates. Internet, parking, laundry. Email askloost@wustl.edu. SUMMER SUBLET: 1BR IN a 4 BR apartment. 6678 Washington Ave. Close to campus and the Loop. Very spacious and nicely furnished. Parking and laundry available. Through mid-August. Email: ms10@cec.wustl.edu. SUMMER SUBLET: 3 BR/ 1 Bath on Southwood. Clean, furnished, internet, parking, AC. Available all summer. $350/month each. Contact Julia: jcbuck@artsci.wustl.edu. SUMMER SUBLET: FURNISHED 2 BR, 1 bath on Kingsbury. AC and dishwasher. Available June-August. Contact Jaime at jrbraver@artsci.wustl.edu

BRANDNEW DELL INSPIRON 600m laptop Celeron M 1.4 GHz/14.1” XGA/1GB RAM DVD burner 40 GB Harddrive Wireless. Ask only for $600 (firm), email dew_ box@yahoo.com. DINING ROOM SET for sale: Beautiful white pine dining room set that includes at 43” x 72” table, extra leaf, 6 oversized chairs, and china cabinet (51” wide x 80” tall) with glass doors on top. Great condition, less than 4 years old. Call 636-2332903 or email aconover@ gwbmail.wustl.edu.

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Sudoku GRANT WRITER NEEDED: Part-tme Grant Writer needed. Local conservation organization needs someone with good writing skills to write grant proposals. $10/hour, approximately 10 hours per week. Call Dan at 314-241-2122.

9

By Michael Mepham

MOVING OUT SALE. Tables, chairs, lamps, curtains, etc. All very inex- pensive. Please contact Emma at egbasc h@artsci.wustl.edu.

Level: Gentle Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk.

AUTOS

Solution to Monday’s puzzle

2002 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN EX, 39k miles, leather, power seats, power windows, power sliding doors and liftgate, roof rack, new tires, alloy wheels, cd, $14,300. 314894-8978.

4 BR APARTMENT WITHIN 10 min walk from WASHU for next school year (lease pref. starting in June). East of Skinker preferred, but we are very flexible. 2x2-br ok too. Please contact cjpolace @art.wustl.edu with any info. SUMMER SUBLET WANTED: seeking furnished 1 bedroom apartment near campus, needed from mid-late May to early-mid August (move-in date negotiable). Please contact jamesm@wustl.edu UP TO 500 MEAL points for cash. Email adbaker@wustl.edu or call (314) 369-8538 if you are interested. WANTED: EMBROIDERY ON blazer. University Seal. Needed by 4/22. Call 815-953-1355 or email reddish@wustl.edu.

TWO TICKETS TO THE Strokes Concert (sold out) at the Pageant on April 8th. Please contact ssj1012@aol.com if you are interested, and leave a number you can be reached at. Thanks.

ANNOUNCING ATTENTION FIGURE SKATERS. Interested in Skating on a USFS Open Junior Skating team August 2006 - April 2007 please attend: Skate with Synchro- Mon, April 10th at 7pm- Webster Groves Ice Arena-near intercection of hwy 44 and Elm Ave 63119. For more info call (314) 541-7166. SWIM LESSONS CONDUCTED by Washington University Swimmers. 6 lessons for $100. 4:30 - 5: 15 or 5:15-6:00. April 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27. Contact Beth Slaughter at beths@ athletics.wustl.edu. Register by April 7. ADVERTISE FOR FREE. WashU students, faculty and staff can place free advertisements in Student Life. Email classifieds@studlife.com for more information.

© 2006 Michael Mepham. Distributed by Tribune Media Services. All rights reserved.

4/5/06

10 STUDENT LIFE | CADENZA

Senior Cadenza Editor / Laura Vilines / cadenza@studlife.com

CADEN Z A

WEDNESDAY | APRIL 5, 2006

n. a technically brilliant, sometimes improvised solo passage toward the close of a concerto, an exceptionally brilliant part of an artistic work

arts & entertainment

! E M E R T X E RENTAL PICKS A I S A By David Freeman, Cadenza Reporter

I

f you are like me, you are tired of the formulaic rut that American horror fi lms have fallen into. I have seen enough shrieks-andtight-t-shirts teen slasher fl icks and elaborate serial killer fi lms to make me want to throw up my hands in frustration and sell my “Evil Dead” DVDs to Vintage Vinyl for 50 cents apiece. Fortunately, the death rattle of the American horror genre has been vivified by fresh screams from across the Pacific. Horror as an art form is on a dramatic rise in Asia, especially in Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong and Japan—indeed, this new movement has been dubbed “Asia Extreme.” The revitalization of the genre has followed from the successful reception of recent motion pictures: Hideo Nakata’s “Ringu” (involving the now iconic long-haired girl crawling out of the TV, better known from the American remake “The Ring”), Takashi Miike’s “Audition” (a deceptively sweet date movie that turns violently grotesque and sadistic) and “Battle Royale” (starring the legendary Beat Takeshi, who orchestrates a game in which 42 children are made to fight to the death). These three Japanese fi lms sparked a groundswell of interest in this horror nouveau, which (excluding “Ringu”) moved away from the standard supernatural ghost stories of traditional Asian cinema.

“Oldboy” “Oldboy” (2003): South Korea What would you do if suddenly one night you were kidnapped and locked in a hotel room for 15 years without reason? Or, just as suddenly, you were released on a roof (after being packed in a suitcase) with a freshly pressed suit and a command that you have five days to discover who kidnapped you and—most importantly—why? This is the opening for “Oldboy,” and as Dae-su Oh (the previous rhetorical scenario applies to the poor fellow) unfolds the horrible mystery, we spiral into madness as he does. Director Chan-Wook Park seems to have a predilection for vengeance movies, with just a cursory glance of his titles “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance” and “Sympathy for Mrs. Vengeance.” “Oldboy” is unforgiving in its in-yourface violence, and the revelatory twist at the end would make even M. Night Shyamalan faint. Classic scenes: the unbelievable one-shot hallway brawl and Dae-su Oh’s fresh octopus meal.

“Ichi “Ichi the the Killer” Killer” (2001): Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea Another extreme fi lm by Takashi Miike, a director for whom the line of “good taste” was never drawn or crossed. Adapted from a famous manga, “Ichi the Killer” follows the travails of a childishly insane assassin with razor-sharp heels and a deadly kick. This relentless killer, whose cartoonish naiveté somehow inspires sympathy, is mixed up with gangsters. Look for the psychotically masochistic Kakihara and his penchant for needles and (ahem) “big smiles.” No one is a hero or even an anti-hero in this black comedy, and if you can handle the gore, you will love the fi lm.

“Ju-on: “Ju-on: The The Grudge” Grudge” (2003): Japan The story is supernatural, but this fi lm is defi nitely “Asia Extreme” in quality: an unassuming house has been cursed by the violent deaths of two of its former residents, a mother and her little cat-eyed son. Inspired by “Ringu” and its famous videotape, anyone who enters the house is doomed to suffer the vengeful, gruesome fate of the lingering grudge. Writer/director Takashi Shimizu later went on to remake the fi lm for U.S. audiences with Sam Raimi, but the original “Ju-on” remains the better fi lm, with a brutal opening sequence and a far more naturalistic and claustrophobic feel. Other “Asia Extreme” fi lms to explore: “Three…Extremes,” “Gozu” and “The Eye (Gin gwai)”

April April welcomes welcomes emo emo shows shows to to St. St. Louis Louis By David Kaminsky Cadenza Reporter Has life got you down? Has your significant other recently broken your heart? Can only a song with lyrics worthy of being your away message make you a well-adjusted college student again? Well cheer up, emo kid, because outside of Wash. U., April welcomes some of the biggest bands you should have stopped listening to in high school. Get ready for crowd surfi ng and mosh pits, facial piercings and eyeliner and, best of all, a crowd full of teenage angst-ridden high school kids who aren’t afraid to cry on your shoulder. Here’s your guide to April’s best emo, screamo and pop-punk concerts. On April 7, the Sub City Take Action! Tour is coming to Mississippi Nights, and Matchbook Romance, best known for their singles “Promise” and “My Eyes Burn,” are headlining the show. On Valentine’s Day of this year, they released “Voices,” which Corey Apar of “All Music Guide” calls “a moody, intense, dramatic and orchestrated second fulllength tour de force.” In promotion of the new album, you can expect Matchbook Romance to feature

much of “Voices,” particularly their latest single “Monsters,” as well as plenty of crowd favorites from “Stories & Alibis.” Second on the bill is Early November, best known for their singles “For All of This” and “Something That Produces Results.” With a new triple-disc album slated for release in July, Early November’s fans can look forward to previewing some of the group’s new material in its set. Saves the Day comes to Pop’s on April 12, also promoting their new album, “Sound the Alarm,” which is set to be released the day before the show. After achieving fame with their 1999 sophomore release “Through Being Cool,” they released “Stay What You Are,” which MacKenzie Wilson of “All Music Guide” says “mixes emocore delight with postgrunge snarl.” Saves the Day then followed that up with 2003’s “In Reverie.” After three years without a new release, Saves the Day’s fans will fi nally be able to pick up their latest offering on April 11 and hear it live along with fan favorites from their entire catalog the next day. April 14 brings the synthbased pop-punk band Motion City Soundtrack with opener Straylight Run to Mississippi Nights. In 2003 Minneapolis’ Motion City

Soundtrack gained a strong following in the indie community with their debut “I Am the Movie.” Since then Motion City Soundtrack has released a second album, “Commit This to Memory,” and has acquired a larger mainstream fan base, playing last year’s Van’s Warped Tour and this year’s Nintendo Fusion Tour (with headliners Fall Out Boy). Sophomore Ben Spector was at the Nintento Fusion Tour and said that Motion City Soundtrack sound “perfect live, and the singer’s hair is tight.” Opener Straylight Run is best known for the hit single “Existentialism on Prom Night” and is a mellow, piano-based emo band that features harmonies between male and female vocalists. Emo mainstay Alkaline Trio comes to The Pageant on April 26 to promote their latest Satanistthemed album, “Crimson.” Alkaline Trio is best known for hits such as “Fuck You Aurora” off of “Maybe I’ll Catch Fire” and “Stupid Kid” off of the follow-up “From Here to Infi rmary,” but the group’s latest album has been very well received. Sophomore John Godfrey has been a big fan of Alkaline Trio for years but has never seen them in concert before. “I’m really excited for the Al-

KRT DIRECT

kaline Trio show,” said Godfrey. “They’re a hardworking band that’s been around for a while, and their new record, ‘Crimson,’ is defi nitely their best effort yet. Plus, they’re from Chicago, which makes them that much cooler.” Be prepared to hear material spanning Alkaline Trio’s entire career but songs from their new al-

bum, “Crimson,” in particular. Other upcoming shows of the high school variety: April 1: The Starting Line at Mississippi Nights April 6: 30 Seconds to Mars at The Pageant April 14: Taking Back Sunday at Pop’s

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