weekly
THE
VOL.4, ISSUE 9
Good times gone bad Hazy nights of bars, booze and bad decisions are a sacred part of the “college experience.” How do you know when it’s gone too far?
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public indecency
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wolfgang amadeus
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the weekly
05.28.09
THE WEEKLY MEMO It’s true. As editor-in-chief, I’ve got it pretty good. I’m at the top of the masthead and I get my own column where I talk about anything (lord knows I’ve abused the privilege). But cast a glance below my name on the masthead and at the byline below each story. The actual success of the issues we’ve run this quarter has had a million times more to do with the incredible effort that our editors, designers and writers put into the magazine every week than any of my contributions. I can’t stress how much of an honor it has been to oversee their work. As for you, the reader, I’ve gotten lots of feedback, both positive and negative. But more than anything, I’ve noticed an increase in passionate and intelligent responses to the coverage this quarter by The WEEKLY and The DAILY. These responses reflect an increasing engagement of the student body with issues on and off campus, and I, for one, am very encouraged. My last words are simple: Don’t stop. Argue, protest, volunteer, write, opine, orate, challenge the powers that be. Whatever you do, keep it up. KYLE BERLIN THE
weekly
EDITOR IN CHIEF kyle berlin
kyleberlin2010@u.northwestern.edu
MANAGING EDITOR alexandra ilyashov
ilyashov@u.northwestern.edu
ASSISTANT EDITORS emmy blotnick jeremy gordon
e-blotnick@northwestern.edu jeremygordon2007@u.northwestern.edu
ART DIRECTOR sara fay
s-fay@northwestern.edu
ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR kristyn armour
kristynarmour2007@u.northwestern.edu
SURVEY IN NORRIS
faded to black C
opious consumption of booze is on our minds more than usual this week. Our cover story delves into the realities of alcoholism in college; plus, the debauchery of Dillo Day is less than 48 hours away. We asked 100 students in Norris to tell us what they remember – or rather, don’t recall in the slightest – about their recent buffoonery. The results have us questioning our own imbibing habits, since 11 of our peers blacked out in the past week. Among the other 89 responses, we got a few “No, I never have!” reactions, concerned pauses and some brownouts. That said, rage on, Dillo-goers ... Let’s all hope we remember anything the next day.
89
11
NO
YES
&denied
confirmed
GETTING ASS ALFRESCO We’ve seen our share of public displays of affection around campus this spring, but at least we were spared the sight of a couple actually doing it on the lawn last Wednesday. We get it: with non-freezing temperatures come the birds, the bees and uncontrollable hormones. But the grassy area between Kresge and Norris may not be the right place to act on them. “I first thought it was people sitting in a funny position,” says the Weinberg junior, who snapped shots of the raunchy sight while working on a class project. “As we got closer and saw the movement accompanying this ‘funny position’ it became shockingly clear what was actually going on.” That position entailed the girl face down in the grass (so passionate) while the guy sat upright, which spectators have dubbed the “hungry cow” and “froggy-style.” Whatever you call it, it doesn’t look like a comfortable position to sit in, much less have sex in. “I’m pretty sure the couple saw us taking pictures... they didn’t stop, though one of my friends yelled ‘get out of here!’ really loudly.” We don’t know who the, um, doers are, but the photos ended up on Facebook for all to analyze. Our source captured the most common reaction: “Overall, it was really awkward.” Courtesy of a Weinberg junior
contact the weekly at: 847.491.4901 send confirmed and denied tips to the managing editor want to join our staff? e-mail our editor in chief A weekly supplement to THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN.
DILLO DRAMA FIX Last week, with three Dillo Day acts announced, more than half of the students we polled in Norris felt a resounding “meh” about the lineup. The last two names – Mike Posner and Tally Hall – were just released by Mayfest, so does it still get a big sideways thumb from students? “Bringing Tally Hall was determined by the amount of money left, and other bands considered were nothing notable,” said one Mayfest committee member. “You can’t afford much for less than $10,000 besides indie bands, but at least you get creative control.” Mayfest did what they could, but the weather may screw it over. The forecast predicts sun, but last year, rain from the day before created a muddy mess exacerbated by party kings slam-dancing to Third Eye Blind jams. The damage was reportedly in the five-figure range, so this year, admin is burdening A&O with landscape maintenance. If it rains on Friday, you’ll be pounding pavement west of the field in lieu of frolicking on grass or heading to Patten. Bummer, but better than being indoors. A&O doesn’t have the money to risk ponying up for new greenery, and if its budget is too tapped next year we might get someone like, we don’t know, Tally Hall, for Dillo. Oh, whoops. WEEKLY EDITORS
TASTE TEST
Boxed Wines Like mini-fridges, pizza and all-nighters, boxed wine is pretty much a college staple. You need something classy to accompany the Spaghetti-Os you’re about to serve your dinner guests, but your bank account balance is hovering precipitously close to zero – enter boxed wine. A good boxed wine should taste like it came from a bottle, and if you strategically conceal it in your fridge, your guests will be none the wiser.
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“…A FEAST FOR THE INTELLECT.” –CHICAGO TRIBUNE
“…A RICHLY SENSUAL, EMOTIONALLY ROUSING…PRODUCTION.” “…FOR TIMOTHY EDWARD KANE AND MARY BETH FISHER THIS PRODUCTION IS A CAREER TRIUMPH.” –CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
HURRY, MUST CLOSE JUNE 7!
Inglenook Rhine $9.49 for 3 Liters
T
his wine claims to be “carbon efficient” (thumbs up, I guess?) and also gains points for its taste. Sweet enough to pass for apple juice, this is a refreshing wine to drink without a meal – it could easily overwhelm food and is best left for after-dinner sipping. But take caution: its lack of alcohol taste might make it a little too drinkable. And after more than two glasses, Iglenook’s finnicky twist-open nozzle could become a formidable challenge.
Grade: B
2
Franzia Chardonnay $12.99 for 5 Liters
F
ranzia is the Busch Light of boxed wines: a tried-and-true party favorite that no one would enjoy in any other context. It yearns to break free of its cardboard confines and be chugged, ideally, straight from the bag (or served in coffee mugs because your roommate broke all two of your wine glasses). Perfect for those nights when you want to cling to some modicum of class while still getting hammered, Franzia should never be served for its taste. Try pairing The Franz with Lady Gaga karaoke and some bad decisions.
Grade: C-
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Black Box Pinot Grigio $21.99 for 3 Liters
B
lack Box’s sleek design and push-button serving spout immediately set it apart as the highest-brow boxed wine of the three sampled. It practically says, “I may be in college, but I still have good taste,” even when stored in a fridge stocked solely with condiments. Taste-wise, it could pass for a bottle on sale at D&D; dry and tasty enough to serve with a meal. Impressive and worth the extra cash!
BY TOM
NEWELL
DON’T MISS THIS EXTRAORDINARY THEATRICAL EVENT FROM FOUR-TIME TONY AWARD-WINNER TOM STOPPARD! RADICALLY DISCOUNTED TICKETS—JUST FOR STUDENTS. Now the Goodman offers $10 day-of-performance mezzanine tickets for every show—just for students! Log on to GoodmanTheatre.org and enter promo code 10Tix for that day’s performance.* *$10 mezzanine tickets available online at 10am and at the box office starting at 12noon. Limit 4 tickets per student I.D. A student I.D. must be presented when picking up tickets at will call. All 10Tix purchases are subject to availability; not available by phone; handling fees still apply. Not valid on previously purchased tickets.
GoodmanTheatre.org 312.443.3800
Grade: A-
KATHERINE BERNOT
STOPPARD
DIRECTED BY CHARLES
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the weekly
Dillo Day:
Slap the bag
The Game
Dillo Day is the most blissful day of the school year: Besides the excuse to be outdoors all day and away from our computers, you never really know what’s going to happen. You may make plans, but who knows whose path you’ll cross? It’s almost as if there’s an omnipotent Lord Dillo looking over each of us, steering our hammered selves to places we didn’t expect to go and reuniting us with friends and classmates across campus (then again, that would be the same Lord Dillo that may facilitate an encounter with the cops, a tiff with dorm security or bad weather). Point being, it’s easy to think of the day as a big winding path, an adventure, like the old board game Chutes and Ladders. We ran with this idea (maybe a little too far) to bring you Dillo Day: The Game. WEEKLY EDITORS
Woke up hungover from last night. Took it easy in the morning. Went to Bar Louie for dollar burgers. Finished a leftover keg with some friends that night. My roommate shared his views on why America is the greatest country in the world, and that all the other countries suck. He argued that some people might think he’s a xenophobe, but he’s really just a patriot.
Mosh at N.E.R.D.
Lose your fake
9:00 pm Do the Vulcan sign at security
Awkward early evening hook-up
Wonder aloud, ‘Who the hell is Mike Posner?’
Smuggle beer and visiting friends into Bobb
6:00 pm
Crucial midday nap Jump in the lake 3:00 pm
Help ruin $60k in sod
Mope at The Decemberists Pizza at the lakeďŹ ll, 2:30 pm
Drunk text your dad by accident
1:00 pm Backyard Party
Public Urination Ticket
10:00 am Kegs and Eggs
Pancakes in Kellogg Funnel a beer in bed
social diary [Weinberg sophomore] 19 tuesday
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05.28.09
20 wednesday
It was a beautiful day so I skipped my classes and went to the beach with some girls and our dog. Northwestern Police kicked everyone out of North Beach. I guess the beaches are accessible only when no one is here. Discovered D&D sells Coke in glass bottles! That is a very underrated drink. Worked out and watched NBA playos.
21 thursday
Decided to grill a great steak ďŹ llet for dinner. Later that evening, I went to the gym. Found out my fraternity is having its spring formal at the Peninsula. Then I tried to do homework but ended up playing pool and watching “Curb Your Enthusiasmâ€? for a while instead. I pregamed for the Deuce but somehow I got too drunk and never made it.
22 friday
Ate Al’s for lunch. They were out of soup but at least they had chocolate chip cookies. Pregamed at Sherman Plaza for a sorority formal; I snuck in a water bottle of Makers. Got too drunk there, then came back to a party at my house. Lots of random people, but it was fun. Got peer pressured into taking more shots of Scotch. Don’t know what happened after that.
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You may pay fines at the Circulation Desk whenever the Library is open. To check the status of your fines and fees: s 'O TO HTTP WWW NUCAT LIBRARY NORTHWESTERN EDU s #LICK ON THE PURPLE -Y !CCOUNT BUTTON s ,OG IN USING YOUR 7ILD#!2$ BARCODE AND LAST NAME s 3CROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE
Mimosas and bagels
23 saturday People came over and we drank leftovers from the previous night. Small get together, but everyone got shit-hammered. I was woken up at four in the morning by a friend who needed a condom. I think she had sex on my couch soon after. She justiďŹ ed her actions by pointing out that the guy was from her hometown and that it’s okay to have casual sex with hometown boys. Great logic.
7:00 am
24 sunday My roommate’s girlfriend from home visited and it was my friend’s birthday so we had a party. At 2 a.m. someone turned on the strobe light and house music. Cops came. Blacked out after that. The birthday boy woke up on my couch (yep, the same couch) while I ... all I can say is an unnamed lady and I woke up wearing only sneakers and white tube socks.
25 monday Went to Walker Brothers to try to cure my hangover. Napped all afternoon. Later on I took a party bus downtown for a friend’s birthday. Watched in anguish as a girl took shots of gin chased with Skol. We went to a BYOB restaurant. The food was good and the dinner was fun. Got really drunk and went to the Keg. Then I took more shots. I don’t know how I got home.
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the weekly
05.28.09
Wasted: Binge drinking may be a social pastime, but when do good times turn into an addiction?
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half-eaten sandwich. A bag of chips. Leftovers “ransacked” from her sorority’s kitchen. Missing keys. Rumpled outfit from the night before. Cloudy memories of a cab ride with strangers, parties at friends’ houses. Jennifer (name has been changed) may have had the time of her life – too bad she couldn’t remember anything. “I didn’t play detective because I really didn’t want to know,” says Jennifer, a junior. “The only time I tried to find out what happened was when I lost my keys at a formal I went to the night before and had to trace back how I got home and where I went.” After six nights of blackouts – a total of 72 hours that she doesn’t remember – and five successive mornings of waking up in a haze of nausea, regret and unexpected fullness at the beginning of Spring Quarter, Jennifer decided she needed to get help. “I was obviously drinking just to black out,” she says. “I looked at the situation and had to ask myself – Is this just college or am I an alcoholic?” After seeing an advertisement in The DAILY, she went to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings at the Women’s Center on Wednesday nights to find out. Though Jennifer found out she isn’t a textbook alcoholic – someone who needs alcohol to get through everyday tasks – she definitely has a “unhealthy relationship” with everyone’s favorite social lubricant. “(Other meeting attendees’) goals were to stay sober for life – mine was to stay sober until I was comfortable,” she says. But her pre-AA story is not too different from the typical “Northwestern nightlife:” Keg Mondays, Deuce Thursdays and surfing open bars downtown as a carefree
Photos by Sara Fay/The Daily Northwestern
girl with no inkling that her nights were out of the ordinary. Jennifer says she starting blacking out more regularly after she and her boyfriend broke up when he left to study in Austria. “My thought was ‘I’m single again, I can act like it,’ which is not something that I do,” she says. Freshman and sophomore year she drank, but rarely to the excess that prompted her to seek help. Growing up in Miami, Fla., she went out every weekend and didn’t feel the high from the first taste of freedom experienced by many freshmen. Only one night from sophomore year sticks out in her mind. “I remember going to a jello shots party, where I got so sick. I mean how many jello shots can you have before you feel drunk – they’re like candy,” she says, laughing. “I was lying on the toilet throwing up and I said to my boyfriend, ‘Just let me die here on this toilet, right now, please.” She noticed the psychological effects more than the physical. She felt dirty, full of regret
student drinking and made the environment and out of control. “In the back of my mind safer for students. “As to whether or not stuI was thinking, ‘Should I really be letting this person touch me?’ or ‘Am I being taken advan- dents should be drinking as much as they do – that’s not what we’re dealing with. We want tage of or is this my own decision?” the university to emphasize safety.” Lobel Jennifer says her friends were incredmentioned Washington University, which has ibly supportive of her decision to go to AA, an “open door policy,” meaning that students some even saying “things like ‘I need to do can drink in their rooms as long as the door that, too.’” But not everyone recognized that remains open, which is meant to discourage behavior like Jennifer’s blackout week is undangerous drinking. healthy. “Others gave me the ‘it’s college, it’s The proposed program includes legal normal’ thing,” she says. “People avoid these amnesty for students who require hospitalizakinds of discussions.” tion, but also alcohol-free activities designed As far as alcohol scare stories go, hers is to make Norris University Center a 24-hour rarely told. The case of Matthew Sunshine, hangout spot, as well as a university-wide a freshman who died from alcohol poisoncalendar of events. Jim Neumeister, NU’s ing in Foster House nearly one year ago, is director of judicial affairs, told The Daily in the most recent tragedy at NU that caused a May that NU already serious consideration an amnesty policy – of alcohol policy. “In the back of my mind, has it’s just not publicized. Immediately after his death, William I was thinking, ‘Should I “We often take no action against students Banis, vice president really be letting this – even if they may have of student affairs, person touch me?’ or violated a university released a statement: rule – when they help “On behalf of the Uni‘Am I being taken another student in versity, I extend our advantage of or is this a crisis,” he said. deepest sympathies to Hospitalized students Matthew’s family and my own decision?” usually are monitored to his fellow students Jennifer*, NU junior afterward and are put and friends here at on probation, he said. Northwestern,” Banis Their parents may wrote. “The loss of also be notified, but otherwise there is no any one member of our community affects us disciplinary action. all.” There was no mention of policy or blame Amber (name has been changed) is a in the following weeks. typical party-hardy freshman who jokingly Sunshine is the rare yet tragic extreme; says “I’m an embarrassment,” to her roomJennifer is the hidden self-exploration and mate who is sitting on the floor beside her. questioning that maybe “college” is a poor Photos of her family and sorority cover the justification for the life-is-short, feel-good, walls where she sits, working on homework, no-fear lifestyle embraced by so many. When her wild nest of dark curly hair draped over the Office of Judicial Affairs reported that her shoulders. Last night, Amber estimates more than 80 students were hospitalized in fall 2008 alone for alcohol poisoning, students she pounded between 12 and 14 shots before passing out on a couch in a fraternity house have said they began to question NU’s existand waking up to “hilarious” drawings on her ing alcohol policy. And as for Jennifer, does body. “I never drink like ‘Oh, I’ll have a nice the University have a concern for legal drinkglass of this with my meal,” she says, laughing. ers who don’t go to the hospital, but consider “It’s always to an excess.” Amber is from El themselves, as Jennifer puts it, “under the Salvador, where the drinking age is 18. Though mentality that they need something to do she drank “a lot” throughout high school, she that isn’t totally lame, so why not drink?” says the environment was different – people The weird part about drinking at NU, Jendidn’t need to go to the hospital; they seemed nifer explains, is that binging isn’t uncommon to know their limits. Though she drinks about – it’s almost assumed. Alcohol is a painkiller for the socially awkward situations that define four nights a week at NU, she’s never had to go to the hospital – she’s only seen it. “I’ve NU’s social landscape. “Look at the Keg on a seen guys crowded around a girl feeding her Monday – it’s some weird social experiment. water or guys throw people in the shower Imagine going to the Deuce completely dry to make them feel better,” she says. “People – scary. (Alcohol) is an outlet for people.” misbehave more here because it’s illegal and The reckless drinking is the norm in some forbidden. I feel like drinking is a kind of social circles, but definitely dangerous, she socially cool thing to do, anyway. There were says. “When you’re wasted and trying to take definitely times when medical assistance care of a friend who’s sick, it’s like the blind would have been optimal, but we feel like we leading the blind,” she says. “Definitely not a have to take it into our own hands so we don’t good thing.” get in trouble.” Alcohol amnesty was first liberally thrown The biggest problem with the current poliaround the Associated Student Government elections. Michael Lobel, a member of the Al- cy is that it is unpublished and kept a relative secret. Lobel has been working on the online cohol Safety Task Force, says the committee aspect of the project, creating an accessible wanted to create a policy that acknowledged
the weekly
system so students know what the policy is. “Right now there’s no explicit amnesty policy, but there are circumstances where some students are not punished for calling an ambulance. There are a lot of rumors that this is the norm, and I think we need to give students a better idea of what the parameters are,” he says. Amber says she has a friend who once went to the hospital for alcohol poisoning. Another was written up at the freshman quad formal. In both cases, Amber didn’t really know what happened at Student Affairs, or how either of them were punished. Toben Nelson, an assistant professor of public heath at the University of Minnesota, surveyed thousands of college students nationwide for a 12 year-long (1989-2000) study conducted at Harvard’s School of Public Health. The study’s main finding, he says, was that drinking activity remained steady over time, though certain campuses tended
toward heavy use more than others. This begs the question of whether binge drinking is a societal problem or an issue only on certain campuses such as NU. He adds that “the forbidden fruit argument is simply not true. Of-age students are far more likely to binge drink. An amnesty program does not necessarily apply to them.” As a reaction to this research and an increasing consciousness of the situation on college campuses, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism created a task force to recommend courses of action for universities. In 2002, it published the results, which included increasing excise taxes (which has not happened nationally in more than 30 years), and local-level efforts like mandating training for bars and limiting the number of liquor stores and bars near campuses. Nelson says it shouldn’t be surprising that these measures haven’t been implemented. A NU student could take his or her yearly expenditures at the Keg, Hundo and EV 1 alone and multiply it by 8,000. “Local establishments have a vested interest in generating revenue from students,” Nelson says. Translation: The Keg wants your money just like any other business, and its owners are in no rush to deter students from guzzling toward their profit. So where do NU’s proposed policies fall? Medical amnesty and non-alcoholic programming actually aren’t supported by any studies or other empirical evidence, Nelson points out. The NIAAA also found that educational programs, like the AlcoholEdu program NU freshman endure, are not statistically supported either. As for amnesty, Nelson says he doesn’t know of any studies that have found evidence for or against these types of initiatives; it is a highly controversial issue within the substance abuse research community. However, Dr. David Anderson of George Mason University offers a slightly different perspective. He reiterates that he “cares about saving lives,” a persuasive reason for an amnesty program despite a lack of empirical evidence. Anderson advises schools to be consistent in their policies, but not to set up
05.28.09
a “police state.” With alcohol Alcohol-Related Hospitalizations amnesty, he says, there must 2007 - 2008 School Year 2008 - 2009 School Year come a follow-up. “There needs to be a policy in place Freshman 31 Freshman 48 that asks what caused the behavior to happen if medical Sophomore 16 Sophomore 21 amnesty has been offered,” he says. “I strongly support Junior 7 Junior 7 saving a person’s life, but also providing a professional, Senior 12 Senior 7 clinical follow-up.” Some universities require students Graduate/visiting 7 Graduate/visiting 13 go to counseling; some call parents or impose other reTotal underage 60 Total underage 85 strictions. NU currently has this stance, but it is subject Total of-age 3 13 Total of-age to change as the revised policy is drafted. Men 37 Men 46 It seems everyone agrees Women binge drinking is high-risk. 36 Women 50 Nelson, however, stressed Source: Jim Neumeister that amnesty policies protect there’s a problem.” against the rare, but leave students open to After 40 days of sobriety, Jennifer had more common health problems. Deaths are two beers two weeks ago, and says she “felt tragic but also infrequent – it’s more likely good, like I was in control of the situation.” that students will be sexually assaulted when This weekend, she relapsed. After downdrinking (50,000 each year nationwide), get ing eight drinks at an open bar downtown into fights or jump off of things. Anderson (constantly saying to her friends ‘Let’s keep conducts a national survey of college stugoing’), she hit two other bars and ended the dents every three years. His latest data from night in 7-Eleven, where she poured a bottle 2006 finds a myriad of damaging behaviors of Smirnoff into a Slurpee. “There’s no reason result from alcohol consumption, which to drink that much. I realized that I definitely amnesty programs don’t prevent. Of all cases have a bad relationship with alcohol,” she of physical injury students experienced, 39 says. Drinking in moderation in an environpercent were fueled by alcohol. Alcohol was ment where binging is a social painkiller if involved with 69 percent of acquaintance not a prerequisite is almost more difficult rapes, 58 percent of violence and 59 percent than staying sober. of unsafe sexual practices. These problems Jennifer plans to be sober this summer happen regardless of age, which is why while she lives in Washington, D.C. with her amnesty programs may only reach out of a boyfriend. She says her decision is “based on small sect of NU’s population. The escalation needing to get my life back together.” of alcohol-related hospitalizations may mean that NU’s stance is ineffective, and in need of deeper examination outside of amnesty. “We need to be clear with the message that we’re SARA PECK sending to the student body,” Anderson says. “If the message is, ‘We’re going to wink wink, All photos by Sara Fay/The Daily Northwestern nod nod,’ (at underage drinking and drinking)
this week in music
@ P I C K - S TA I G E R FRIDAY 29 University Chorale
Northwestern University Chamber Orchestra
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THURSDAY RSDAY
Northwestern University Chamber Orchestra: Music of Their Youth Pick-Staiger 7:30 p.m., $7/5/4 Robert G. Hasty, conductor Frederick L. Hemke, saxophone Kristin Figard, viola Samuel Foster Hall, Concerto for Saxophone and Viola Dmitri Shostakovich, Symphony No. 1 in F Minor
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MAY 29 - JUNE 6, 2009
30
SATURDAY DAY
University Chorale, Chorus, and Singers: Graduate Conductors’ Concert
Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra: Sounds of Europe
Pick-Staiger 7:30 p.m., $7/5/4
Pick-Staiger 7:30 p.m., $9/7/5
Adam J. Hightower, Nicholas McBride, Mollie Stone, and Thomas Tropp, conductors
Victor Yampolsky, conductor
A program of secular and sacred choral works performed by the University Chorale, University Singers, and University Chorus, conducted by graduate conducting students.
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Symphonic Band: Heroes, Lost and Fallen Pick-Staiger 7:30 p.m., $7/5/4 Ryan T. Nelson, conductor David Gillingham, Heroes, Lost and Fallen David Del Tredici, In Wartime
Claude Debussy, Ibéria Maurice Ravel, La Valse César Franck, Symphony in D Minor
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Contemporary Music Ensemble: Student Composition Concert Pick-Staiger 7:30 p.m., $7/5/4 Ryan T. Nelson, conductor New music by graduate and undergraduate students in Northwestern’s composition program.
NOR THWESTERN UNIVERSITY BIENEN SCHOOL OF MUSIC TICKETS: 847.467.4000 W W W . P I C K S TA I G E R . O R G
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the weekly
05.28.09
Letter from a Qatari student Attending NU halfway around the world (P.S. It’s pronounced like “cutter.”)
NOW DELIVERING !
A Camastro Family Tradition Since 1942
WELCOME ALL STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF Delicious oven baked Chicken Sandwiches Great Vegetarian Sandwiches Courtesy of Neal Sales-Griffin
posted on the same. With their support, I My name is Florent D’Souza. I was born have attended several conferences and events in Qatar and have lived all my life here. I was organized by some pretty big organizations always interested in perusing a career in media and Northwestern University in Qatar was such as Reach Out To Asia, the Qatar Law Forum and iCT Qatar. my dream now at my doorstep. NU-Q has I am also a student worker in the IT given me the opportunity to do what I love department at NU-Q. Working with the guys right here at home, which was perfect for the down here is quite a lot of fun; at the same professional table tennis career I had built-up time, it is very informative and I learn several for myself here in Doha. new things on a daily basis. The IT office Being accepted by Northwestern Universiis my getaway between classes and hanging ty in Qatar made me realize I can change the around with friends. It is just one of those world. I can effectively and efficiently go up places where there is always something new there and spread my ideas, my principles and and fun to learn and my bosses are by far the my ideologies the right way, the convincing most chilled-out and amusing people to be way. And that is when I knew it was all going around. They make you feel like you’re one to be different. I understood that being here of them and that makes me feel relaxed, even at NU-Q is an important opportunity that’s though I am working. not to be wasted. It is my chance to influence Being in NU-Q in this point in time is a the way people think. very unique and special opportunity. Every My first year at Northwestern was filled aspect of the instituwith mixed emotions. tion is in its set-up In the beginning I was Every aspect of this course and that is what sure I was ready for my life to change. Of institution is in its set-up makes it challenging. instance, I get course, I mean that course and that is what For to take part in the in a good way. I was makes it challenging. process of setting up ready for that change, brand new production both externally (in my labs, server rooms and attitude and behavior) new networking lines all from nothing. Thus, and internally (emotionally and psychologiit helps me gain knowledge from researching cally). But I have realized NU-Q makes you vendors to hands-on work with logistics and grow. Grow, as a mature, responsible, critical software updating and installation. The same thinker. Being in NU-Q over the past year challenge lies with the student groups as well has taught me a lot, but if those many things and it makes it so much more interesting. can be condensed into a single word, it would The classes at NU-Q are just as interbe ‘perspective.’ It has helped me look at esting and challenging as the ones on the people from different perspectives and learn home campus. We learn the same things the about their own individual perspective. Evanston students do but when it comes to I come to NU-Q every morning go applying that information, it becomes very through an American education with classdifferent owing to the cultural differences. So room filled with students from all around the there is this extra edge the Wildcats on the word who share experiences and insight in Qatar campus have to acquire in addition to issues we feel are relevant in our daily lives in their studies. The faculty is very supportive Doha. In the middle of so much diversity, to of this and they are as much in the quest for acquire and assimilate so much perspective cultural and social knowledge as much as we has led me to develop my own dynamic character, which I am proud of and owe NU-Q for are in the purely academic sense of the way. It is a sharing of knowledge that takes place in initiating this new Florent in me. the classroom and is more than just a one-way At present, among the NU-Q clubs, I am street. a member of the Northwestern Film Society NU-Q provides so many opportunities for (NU-QFS) and the Northwestern Debate and its students in the first year of its commenceModel United Nations Club (Debate This!). ment, which surprises me but also makes me Apart from these, I am also a member of feel privileged for being a part of something Education City-wide organizations such as this big. At the same time, I feel like I am a the Human Rights Student Organization and part of a small family of Wildcats. Going to the Feed A Brother Organization. NU-Q has Education City everyday and learning new played a key role in encouraging me to take things in class from some of the brightest part in the initiatives of these clubs and reminds in the United States, working with markably, all these organizations started from some of the most passionate IT professionals scratch but are now full fledged organizations at NU and interacting with my enthusiastic that have frequent events and contribute to classmates is something I truly enjoy, beyond making the student life in Education City words can describe. more interactive and interesting. Northwestern University in Education Apart from student organizations, the City is a place I get to be a true Wildcat student government and the student affairs in the spirit of any other student on the department do an exceptionally good job in Evanston campus but in addition to that, it notifying the students of events that they teaches you lessons in being a Wildcat away would be interested in attending. I pretty from home. much attend every single conference, forum, panel discussion and Doha Debates taping in and around Education City, and I owe the student affairs department for keeping me FLORENT D’SOUZA
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the weekly
“The other night, I called one of my best friends from my phone asking where my phone was, then proceeded to talk to four people I’ve hooked up with. I can’t remember anything I said.” -McCormick junior REGRET OF THE WEEK
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05.28.09
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Looking back into the sun Reflecting on Dillo Day after four years
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’ve never had a “real” Dillo Day. As a graduating senior, this will, in fact, be my very first Dillo Day. I’m not even sure when a traditional day is supposed to start. For the two years I did experience Dillo Day, everything started at around 5 a.m. When I signed up for Mayfest as a freshman, I honestly had no idea what I was getting myself into. It seemed the logical next step for people committed to A&O. (And hence the eternal confusion about what sister organization runs what. I imagine most people still don’t know as long as there are big music names on campus.) I felt my involvement with these two student groups was justified by my then-post-grad ambitions. After all, I wanted to be the next Lester Bangs or eventually put my journalism degree to better use and head up my own music mag. Sort of Spin circa-late-’80s but for the early 21st century. What I signed up for ended up being a defining moment of my time at NU. Something happens between the hazy hours of Friday and the wee hours of Sunday morning. Amidst the sweating, stressing and hoping for success, you really become a family with the people around you. You forget you’re simply a student. In a way we get to have the best of both worlds: take on the responsibilities of an adult while still having the freedom of an undergrad. I imagine anyone who’s given his heart to an organization or project during his time here knows that feeling. Perhaps it’s the delirium.
Then rolled along sophomore year and my infatuation with music journalism started to diminish. I started getting this itch to be a foreign correspondent in Latin America. My next logical step in Medill was to apply for the South Africa Journalism Residency, meaning I’d be gone spring of my junior year, prime time to be a Mayfest co-chair. I was torn. I came up with the insane idea to apply for co-chair in the fall hoping that junior year would pan out as planned. I didn’t get it. Instead I was chosen as the director of promotions. But then halfway through Winter Quarter, a crisis struck Mayfest. One of the co-chairs, a senior who was graduating early, had decided to drop out. He’d gotten a job offer he couldn’t refuse, weighed his options and said sayonara. Dumbfounded, I shot an e-mail to the remaining, now fledgling co-chair about my willingness to step up despite being an underclassman. Then, she said yes. And the next thing I knew I was being briefed on budgets, production schedules and our diminishing line up options. Was I inexperienced? Yes. Was I scared? More than a little bit. But in a lot of ways you’re only as good as your exec board. Luckily we were a strong crew, because this would be a hectic Dillo Day year. Funding kept fluctuating that year, and we weren’t entirely sure how the field was going to look. But, luckily Evanston bureaucracy prevailed and the soccer field renovations were delayed another year. Once our
CHRISTOPHER HERBERT INAUGURAL LECTURE Chester D. Tripp Professor of Humanities
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financial burdens were budgeted out, we still had to figure out the lineup. While our headliner, Cake, had been confirmed since February, the rest of the acts didn’t quite fall into place. Then, when we thought things were somewhat booked, one of our mid-day artists, Motion City Soundtrack bailed. So, we took a risk and banked on The Roots pulling through and then used the extra cash to rope in a local Chicago artist. Courtesy of Andrea Hart It was three days before Dillo Day. And likely the fastest contract concerts chairwoman. I was so embittered by turnaround in Dillo Day’s history. the lineup she put together, and yet so proud But then, there was rain. Mayfest pays for that I had to Skype her. a meteorologist to help monitor the weather. It was more emotional than I thought it And the week leading up to the big day he would be. I’d missed her voice and missed kept predicting thunder storms, lightning hearing the chatter and laughter of the Mayincluded. Worst part is that the official call fest crew behind her. to move the music inside had to be made at “I’m proud of you!” I shouted into my 5 a.m., and if we did risk outdoors, any sign laptop’s keyboard. “What?” she replied. Damn of lightening meant the rest of the day was connection. Made me want to be able to run canceled. It downpoured the night before. and hug her all the more. She’s one of those I remember because I didn’t sleep at all. My friends you go through a lot with in college twin sister stayed the night at my apartment and even though you don’t always remain and while she slumbered I sat up on my bed close, it doesn’t matter. Even while she’s tearlike a mad woman, flinching at every crackle. ing her hair out now, I’ll still pop my head in I made the call at 4 the office for a chat. a.m., activating our I’d missed her voice I’ve learned a lot from phone tree of adminher over the years. and missed hearing istrators and students. So, I guess this is the chatter and “We’re going inside.” more than a reflection What followed laughter of the Mayfest on Dillo Day. It’s kind was one of the most of the thank you I crew behind her. exhausting days of my never really got to say life. Despite the misor even knew how to haps, it seemed to have gone much smoother articulate to the people who incubated me than most people imagined. I learned a lot until I turned 21. They were the people who about myself as a student and as a leader. gave me couches to crash on so I didn’t always It was hard to break away from Mayfest have to make the commute back to my Logan and A&O last year. I felt like I was turning in Square apartment last year. Honestly, there my family for something completely different are few floors I’d rather sleep on than theirs. and uncertain. But being a founding editor for I actually had every intention of applying this publication proved just as rewarding. for an exec position this year, but then the Eventually it was distance that made me Medill D.C. program came up during Winter realize I had officially closed that chapter of Quarter. It’s funny how things just get in the my NU experience. I was on my journalism way like that. It’s even funnier how it feels residency in South Africa. Instead of getting more frequent as you become an “adult.” ready to storm the lakefill or build a stage, Now amidst the final countdown, the I was sifting through dozens of interviews I time crunch to graduation feels that much had done during my three-week stint at the sweeter. Random rendezvous with friends South Africa-Zimbabwe border. Immediately are that much more important. That’s what after returning to Cape Town, I had to churn I’ll try to use my first “official” Dillo Day as, out stories on an illegal holding center that a day to absolve myself of work and consume was abusing undocumented migrants and the my friends. But it’ll be hard to not be on the plight of unaccompanied migrant children. other side of a barricade, wearing a crew shirt As much as I was immersed in playing forand a headset. eign correspondent, I couldn’t help but think of what my friends were doing seven hours behind. One of my closest friends at NU, ANDREA HART the current Mayfest Co-chair, was last year’s
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the weekly
05.28.09
‘Theater has the power to definitely affect the world.’
MAN ON THE BEAT
WHY WE LIKE...
“RUNNING UP THAT HILL� BY KATE BUSH
Taube Brahms, senior theater major
She stands alone and tall, like the goddess Athena, entrenched like a lighthouse beckoning men stranded at sea not to give up, to keep on rowing until they can see the shore. Each word from her mouth sounds like a rose petal spread on a bedsheet, calling its lover back home to rest. Outside the window lightning cracks, illuminating her face like a frightening obelisk, solemn as everyone bows down in awe. Inside, the drums go on and on and on. I first heard Kate Bush on a compilation CD in the summer of 2008 but never paid her any attention. Later that fall in London, I stood inside a dark kitchen with my friends, drunk off cheap cider, watching as two of them clasped each other by the shoulder, close to tears as her siren voice echoed through the room. The bridge of the song (in which Kate finds herself on top of a mountain, crying to her lover to revel in the moment of understanding) – eternal as it is, brought us all to the height of nostalgia we hadn’t even begun to feel. Months later, I read about Kate’s reclusiveness, how she never toured after releasing her first album, how she wanted every music video and recording she released to be immaculate. Live performance couldn’t give her the perfection she needed. “Running Up That Hill� is Kate Bush’s proudest moment, not because it’s necessarily her best song (although I like it the most) but because it’s where she stands strongest, making a pledge to her lover and to her God while standing in the light, pleading us – the listener – to never let go. The drums, like the pattering of feet on a hard floor, are like her really running up that hill, toward something she can’t see but can only feel. “Unaware, I’m tearing you asunder / There is thunder in our hearts,� she sings, near tears. She invites us to feel with her, like the proud Athena, until we find a truth. JEREMY GORDON
How do you find time for all of that? The time – it’s hard. There was a period when Monday nights 7-10, I had rehearsal, Tuesday nights I had musical improv, Wednesdays from 7-10 I had Second City, Thursdays from 6:30-9:30 I had Annoyance classes, Friday shows and some Saturdays I had more improv from 10-1. It’s a lot, but I love doing it. I always really enjoy my time. But I guess, as my college career comes to the an end, it’s like, once in a while you want to be free to go to dollar burgers without having to go downtown, you know?
Amalia Oulahan/The Daily Northwestern
Taube Brahms will graduate from Northwestern in about two weeks (and counting) with a theater degree and a certificate in musical theater. She’s worked at both Second City and the White House, and for now she’s enjoying every minute of her last couple of weeks in college. Oh, and if you want to hear her casual Australian accent, just ask about her favorite TV show. What work have you done with Second City? Well, I’m currently in the conservatory and I’ve also had the opportunity to do some shows in Donny’s Skybox. The first show I was cast in was a sketch show called “Stop Staring at My Wits.� It was an incredible experience and we actually sold out every performance; we had to turn people away. Now I’m in “Let’s Call it Ralph.�
Judiciary committee, and most recently at the White House. Theater has the power to definitely affect the world. Artists, one would hope, are compassionate and empathetic and can really bring attention to their issues. I can’t image a bigger privilege than to make someone laugh for a night. There is a lot of hurt in the world right now, and I’m honored if I can be part of making someone happy for a little bit.
So, what else do you do in your free moments? I wrote this show called “Toby with an a-u-b-e ... wtf?� It chronicles and makes light of my time at Northwestern, and it has songs, impersonations, audience participation, some improv, some stand-up, a whole mix of things. I really want to make it happen before I graduate. I might be using Northwestern as a kind of test run, and then try to make the show more universal (for the Chicago audience). There may or may not be a dramatic reading of some e-mails from my sorority listserv.
What’s next? In this economy, prostitution perhaps? I’m kidding ‌ but you do sound like my mother. I was recently accepted to drama school in London. So, I may be moving across the pond. Part of me really loves the Chicago comedy scene, and part of me feels like I’ve been waiting my whole life to move to New York. Things are a little up in the air. I feel like Carmen Sandiego; I could be anywhere in the world next year. Some people are freaked out by that. I’m excited. Deep down I’m probably freaked out, but the opportunity to pick and up and go is really unique, so I’m trying to celebrate that instead of worry about it.
What inspired your show? Northwestern has been filled with many ups and downs. I’ve spent a lot of time crying, and now I’m ready to laugh. I started thinking about all these different things that have happened to me here, and a lot of them have entertainment value. I have a notebook that I carry around. There’s always room to add something more, so in some ways I feel like it’s never finished. It’s going to be a very self-deprecating evening, so obviously, hilarity will ensue.
Any favorite moments? What will you miss most about NU? Opening nights are really exciting, the first time there’s an audience there. Hopefully (the audience) doesn’t make you wait too long to hear laughter for the first time. Being part of an ensemble, you’re there for your partner. I think it’s a great lesson on theater and on life. You have to be open and willing to take risks. I’ve learned to be fearless. On stage, strangely enough, I feel like I can do anything. If it’s funny and it’s working, then go for it.
Any interests outside of theater? I really love politics. I spent a few summers in Washington, interning for the Senate
AMALIA OULAHAN
THE BROW critical reviews on the week’s new releases LOW BROW
MID BROW
Terminator: Salvation
HIGH BROW
Phoenix
Grizzly Bear Veckatimest
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
f there’s one movie you miss this summer, let this be it. Less a film than it is a series of strung-together explosions and slamming alt-rock songs, the newest installment in the Terminator-verse finds John Connor (Christian Bale) fighting the war against Skynet, screaming a lot of things along the way. By the halfway mark, after the thousandth explosion and ugly washed-out background, it’s clear director McG hasn’t brought any new ideas to the table, unless you count the part where Connor hacks a Terminator motorcycle by plugging in a USB cable. Stick to producing Supernatural, dude.
P
jeremy gordon
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ither you’re going to love this album or it will put you to sleep. Grizzly Bear’s previous two albums are beautiful but incomplete, with impressive instrumentation bogged down by predictable song structure. The more stripped-down compositions on Veckatimest aren’t afraid to front the group’s vocals, marking the maturation of these Brooklynites from disgusting to respectable artists. “While You Wait For The Others� and “Two Weeks� give a glimpse of Grizzly Bear at its most selfassured, and it’s hard to not to appreciate their unique sound in a genre that is beginning to stagnate.
benjamin goldrich
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hoenix’s Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is a showcase of the band’s hook-filled, high-energy style. Frontman Thomas Mars evokes Kevin Barnes, backed by his bandmates, who recall Cut Copy and M83 with their driving and whirring instrumentation. The French quartet’s fourth LP launches with the powerful combination of opening tracks “Lisztomania� and “1901,� and never loses steam as it rips through 10 tracks before crashing to a close. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix has the potential to please a wide range of musical tastes with its evenly weighed musical artistry and pop sensibility.
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