Spring 2010 - Issue 3 by Tufts Observer

TUFTS OBSERVER

MARCH 8, 2010

INSIDE THE

VOLUME CXX / ISSUE 3

Tackling Tufts’ crime problem (page 2)

The sounds of street performers (page 19)

A response to the Crimson (page 24)

FEATURED ARTICLES

feature

How the nation’s “fourth most dangerous school” can cut down on crime

international

Female soliders have a Plan B

off campus

The Observer interviews street performers

6 19

campus

Tufts’ new concert series takes off

opinions

10 24

Our correspondent gets abducted by the Crimson

The Observer has been Tufts’ publication of record since 1895. Our dedication to in-depth reporting, journalistic innovation and honest dialogue has remained intact for over a century. Today, we offer insightful news analysis, cogent and diverse opinion pieces, creative writing and lively reviews of current arts, entertainment and culture. Through poignant writing and artistic elegance, we aim to entertain, inform and above all challenge the Tufts community to effect positive change.

CONTENTS

EDITORS

editor-in-chief ditor-inDaniel aniel Rosen managing anaging editors e Zachary chary Foulk Eliza za Mills Mil section ction editors edit Katie Boland Meg Boland Katie Christiansen Zachary Laub Marysa Lin Cara Paley Molly Rubin Natalie Selzer Ariana Siegel Seth Stein

PRODUCTION

production director David Schwartz art director Alyce Currier photography editor Elizabeth Herman lead artist Ruth Tam copy editor Kristen Barone layout directors Charlee Corra Daniel Weinstein assistant copy editors Danielle Carbonneau Kate Griffiths Carly Machlis Daniela Ramirez Isobel Redelmeier Elisha Sum Brian Wolf Zara Fishkin

BUSINESS & WEB web director Will Ramsdell assistant web director Charlotte Burger webmaster Jonathan Evans business manager Andrew McGowan distribution David Shottland

March 8, 2010 Tufts Observer, Since 1895

2 feature Aware, but Apathetic, by Daniel Rosen 4 national Barbie Goes Geek to Chic, by Molly Rubin life 5 campus Tufts Too Tough? Inside the Life of a Pre-Med, by Cara Paley 6 national Female Soldiers Have a Plan B, by Diana Baide life 8 campus Evaluating Tufts: A New Direction for Course Evaluations, by Marysa Lin life 9 campus Jumbo’s Facebook Feed, by Marysa Lyn & culture 10 arts Buzzed: The New England Electronic Music Festival, by Katie Christiansen 11 interview An Interview with Reggie Hubbard, compiled by Katie Boland life 12 campus Insane In Da Crane, by Katie Boland life 17 campus 5 Best Youtube Applications, by Katie Boland campus 18 off Dirty Dancing With Yourself, by Sophia Boudoir campus 19 off Street Sounds, by Ruth Tam 21 opinions Psychobabble: Playas, Hos and Evolutionary Biology, by Sophia Boudoir 22 opinions New Deal to No Deal, by Michael Bendetson 24 opinions C’s Story: A Response to the Crimson, by Cory Desole & prose 26 poetry Distance, by Matt Maraynes & prose 27 poetry The Freak, by Alex Blum safety 28 campus Police Blotter, by Ruth Tam

CONTRIBUTORS Diana Baide Michael Bendetson Alex Blum Sophia Boudoir Cory Desole Asher Leviton

Volume CXX, Issue 3 Tufts’ Student Magazine www.tuftsobserver.org

Matt Maraynes Rebecca Plante David Smythe

Since

1895

CAMPUS Reported Burglary & Aggravated Assault

as a Percentage of Enrollment

(source: US Dept of Education)

2006

2007

2008

Tufts University

0.70%

0.42%

0.72%

Harvard University

1.00%

1.01%

0.88%

Boston College

0.49%

0.53%

0.42%

Boston University

0.40%

0.20%

Aware b

Apath

DAVID SCHWARTZ

BY DANIEL ROSEN An analysis of the crime statistics that colleges are required to provide to the United States Department of Education reveals that compared to three other schools in the Boston area, Tufts ranks second, after Harvard, in incidents of reported crime as a percentage of enrollment. In 2008, the last year for which statistics are available, reported crime at Tufts had increased over last year. Potential explanations for Tufts’ high crime rate are plentiful. The Daily Beast points to the precarious location of two of Tufts campuses: the main campuses sandwiched between two working-class neighborhoods, and the medical school campus located in a high-crime area of Boston. While it is doubtful that the level of crime at Tufts would be as high if the university were located in Oberlin, Ohio, location alone does not account for Tufts’ crime rate. If so, one would expect universities located in high-crime areas such as Temple University or the University of Southern California, to also be prominently featured in any ranking of dangerous schools, which they are not. An investigation suggests that the Tufts community, and to a lesser extent the university itself, may bear equal responsibility for Tufts’ crime problems. 2

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Crime prevention at Tufts relies on our community as the first line of defense. According to Sgt. Joseph Tilton, the university’s crime prevention specialist, TUPD officers can’t be everywhere, so “students are used as tools” and are In September 2009, the respected weblog The Daily Beast r considered the department’s “eyes and ears.” To train students in problems. Included in the top 25 were several schools that crime prevention methods, TUPD of Maryland in Baltimore, yet the appearance of at least on officers stress the importance of educational programming. Operaratings, Tufts University is the fourth most dangerous sch tion Awareness, the crime-prevenogy of the rankings, which placed subjective weights on ce tion program that all first-year students are required to attend, is the results do highlight what many students are coming to a first step in this education. As most students will recall, this orientation pro- with the Medford and Somerville police decri gram provides information about blue light partments as examples of a direct response po phones, emergency numbers, bicycle and by the department—not individuals—to Bu laptop registration and the escort service. increased crime. However, it is clear that an Officers also point to the ResCop program university officials rely on the Tufts commume as another way to provide further training to nity to be the primary agent of change. John tem students. Finally, the ubiquitous safety alerts King, the Director of Public Safety for the in email inboxes and on building doors are university, confirms that the department will en also intended to raise the level of awareness respond to some increases in crime by putind in the Tufts community. ting additional officers on the ground with un Of course, relying on the community overtime but denies that an overall budget ma for prevention should not and cannot be the increase for the department would be useful cre only way a police department responds to in bringing the crime rate down. me an increase in crime. Officers cite increased Tufts’ approach hinges upon the belief ch patrols and visibility and a close relationship that a well-trained community familiar with wh

CAMPUS

re but

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You can put locks on doors all day long, but a lock is only as good as the person using it. - Sgt. Joseph F. Tilton

thetic

ELIZABETH HERMAN

research programs from biomedical engineering to high-energy physics, security would be paramount. Think again. This reporter was able to roam through many restricted rooms and areas without once being detected or questioned. Crime prevention in SciTech seems to closely mirror prevention measures in the rest of the university. Though several labs are protected by automatically closing card access doors, building security primarily relies on the efforts of the students, faculty and staff who conduct research there. Though “awareness” and crime education are in play—virtually every door is labeled with clear reminders to lock the room—many of the doors were left unlocked, The Daily Beast ranked the 25 schools with the worst crime some propped open by the very locks meant to secure them. Here, veral schools that one might expect, such as the University researchers are clearly “aware” of nce of at least one school seems shocking. According to the crime prevention measures, but fail to adhere to them. The failure st dangerous school in the country. Though the methodolof crime prevention measures is ive weights on certain types of crime, is questionable, the not limited to the researchers’ actions; the university has also are coming to acknowledge: Tufts has a crime problem. failed to address known security decrime prevention coupled with a vigilant risks. Several months ago, when researchers nse police force will minimize the crime rate. asked for video cameras to monitor certain —to But the statistics undercut this conclusion labs, the school agreed to furnish the equiphat and The Observer’s investigation of security ment but has yet to deliver the cameras. mumeasures suggests one reason why: the sysThe example of the SciTech building rehn tem is broken. flects the two primary problems with crime he The security situation in the Tufts Sci- prevention at Tufts: the community’s laxness will ence and Technology Center (SciTech) is in following even the most basic prevention utindicative of the larger problems facing the measures, and the university’s failure to exith university. The building, located just off the periment with different solutions. Of these, get main Medford campus, is home to an in- community apathy is the most serious. ful credible array of expensive research equip- TUPD prevention measures such as resiment and a number of highly dangerous dential hall FOB access and awareness camief chemicals. One would expect that at SciTech, paigns are only effective if their efforts are ith where Tufts conducts many of its expensive supported by community action. “You can

”

put locks on doors all day long, but a lock is only as good as the person using it,” declares Sgt. Tilton. “We can’t prevent personal property crimes because people don’t take the time to pack their laptop up and take it with them.” In some instances, failure to follow basic preventative measures does not just threaten the security of one’s personal property, but can endanger a larger portion of the Tufts community. Allowing individuals to “piggyback” into secured residential halls violates the security of even those students who use common sense in preventing crime. As long as students, faculty and staff are engaging in risky behavior, the crime rate is unlikely to decrease. Though the entire Tufts community shares responsibility for Tufts’ high crime rate, certain responsibilities belong solely to the administration. TUPD officers spoke of the importance of increased police visibility in preventing crime, so why not take action to improve that visibility? Adding an extra officer to patrol the campus area on late nights can only benefit public security, as can experimenting with using security cameras. Furthermore, TUPD should work to improve the safety escort service to reduce incidents of off-campus crime. Interviews with several students indicate mixed satisfaction with the program, including one student who reports being asked by an officer why “I needed a ride since I’m a guy.” (TUPD officials encourage anyone who is harassed during a safe ride to immediately report their encounter to the chief officer on duty through the TUPD non-emergency line.) Tufts’ crime rate can be reduced. There are areas where the university can do more, but our community must also step up. Don’t leave your laptop out, lock doors when appropriate, be aware of your surroundings and look out for each other. Simple tips and common sense can make a world of difference. O MARCH 8, 2010

TUFTS OBSERVER

NATIONAL

Barbie GOES CHIC TO Geek BY MOLLY RUBIN

ithout question, Barbie is a cultural icon. Her perfectly pointed feet and impossibly shiny hair have been barometers for girls to measure themselves against since 1959. She comes complete with a dreamhouse and a teeny-weeny bikini. Now, trying to usher their doll out of the standards of the previous generation, Mattel is trying to appeal to the Gen-X, millennial set of consumers with Barbie’s newest career: computer science engineer. What eight-year-old girl wouldn’t love Barbie’s newest addition to her already overstuffed resume? Computer Engineer Barbie comes complete with a wireless PDA, a hot pink laptop, a pair of bulky glasses, and a shirt with binary code on it. The accessories were chosen with input from the Society of Women Engineers and the National Academy of Engineering. Now every little girl who has always dreamed of programming in C++ and maybe even one day having Professor Lee Minardi for Engineering 1 can finally buy a doll that speaks to them. Comp-Sci Barbie isn’t exactly the most progressive of engineers. Her binary-coded shirt is written in an irrelevant language, and her computer looks like a glorified purse. “Barbie’s intelligence is immediately cast in doubt; she’s not a cutting -edge engineer,” says Ronna Johnson, lecturer for the Tufts Department of Women’s Studies. As being politically conscious and a pseudo-activist are becoming more and more “hip,” companies are changing their 4

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products to fit into consumer demand. Mattel, wanting to shed its image of celebrating vanity and vapid excess, has given Barbie a brain; it only took 50 years. This isn’t the end of Barbie’s intellectual awakening either. Mattel has plans for follow-up dolls with h futures in architec architecture and journalism. alism. Maybe this is just temporary—a ary—a quickfix marketing device evice aimed at moms who drive ive Priuses, listen to NPR, and believe in third-wave feminism for their little girls—or maybe this change is concrete.. Just because Barbie bie is getting a brain doesn’t mean what has made her an icon on is going anywhere. Her waist is still too small to achie achieve i ve without out removing ng a rib. Her size three feet eet are still permanently in tiptoe iptoe position. Her hair is still platinum blonde. Eyeliner is still tattooed d around her doe-ish blue ue eyes. Barbie used to only be beautiful to captivate ptivate its prepubescent followers, now she has to be beautiful and smart. Professor Johnson challenged the concept that Barbie can suddenly be dd l b smart. “The idea on one level is to intervene in girls’ education and make them feel as if [being intelligent] is something they can do. But it isn’t made unfeminine because they are still in Barbie bodies. This is just sugar coating sexism.”

Consumer giants that have impact on youth culture (Mattel, MTV, Xbox, etc) are never going to completely give up on the concept of superficiality as a marketing device. And in a sense, the “Brainy Barbie” is just another tool used to objectify the type of women girls are supposed to emulate and teach them that homogenization is a worthwhile worthw whi h le go goal. The default is always the long blond blo mane, the body with the curves, and the accessories. The question qu is whether or not a Barbie with w (relative) substance will sell. According A to Nora Lin, the President of o the Society of Women Engineers, this t is a definitive “yes.” “All the girls who imagine their futures futu ures throu through Barbie will learn that engineers, engi ineers, like l girls, are free to explore infini nite possibilities,” she said. But according ac to Johnson, this does not mean radical sea change is goin going to enact itself in terms of B Barbie’s image. “We’re not eempowering Barbie,” she ssays. “We’re just giving her a llaptop and glasses. Barbie is on the fantasy level. Except she isn’t a girl’s fantasy, but a boy’s fantasy.” Most pe people agree that real change won’t come with simple cosmetics. Giving Barbie glasses and an techy accessories does are giving up their dreams not mean girls ar models and pop diof becoming fashion fash sh sh vas. Maybe this is i the start of a new wave of socially conscious consci toys. No matter how superficial that consciousness c is, at least it is present. At the end of the day, little girls are going to still aspire a to look like a Barbie because it’s innate innat in our social sphere— girls have zero de defense against it. Potentially, Mattel M is revising our idea of femininity. The pink lips are still there ,but b now B Barbie bi is coding and calculating. Girls can hang on to the hope for the dream house, the two-car garage, and the pink kitchen, but the girls who like math and ask for TI-89s for Christmas can rock high heels too. They can be beauties with brains. O

BY CARA PALEY

e’ve all seen them; they peer bleary-eyed into textbooks, cursing the time on their computer screens. They skip frat parties and free time for Tisch and a latte, heavy on the sugar. Being pre-med sure ain’t easy. Boasting rigorous classes and renowned staff, Tufts joins the ranks as one of the most prestigious pre-medical programs in the country. In an atmosphere of stop-at-nothing science students’, determined to wow everyone with a top degree, the competition around the country is fierce, maybe too fierce. And Tufts Medical School is no exception. The program is an extremely sought after option for current undergraduates eager to boost their medical career under Tufts’ umbrella. Its cutthroat admissions welcomed just 200 out of 7,361 applicants into the 2013 class. The class of 2013’s GPA in those grueling, over-ourheads, pre-med courses? A 3.53. Tufts Med School doesn’t fool around. But, these statistics aren’t impenetrable for Tufts undergrads. Out of this year’s 200 enrolled students, 33 hail from the Medford campus, making Tufts the highest-represented institution. Admissions discrimination? Maybe. But it’s more than that. As Tufts undergraduate admissions becomes more selective, snatching up students from its competitive peers, the medical school applicant pool here strengthens. And so do GPAs and MCAT scores. As Chair of the Pre-Medical Committee at Tufts, Biology Professor Harry Bernheim has spent years scouting Tufts’ pre-med applicants. Needless to say, he’s

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( INSIDE THE LIFE OF THE PRE-MED )

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impressed. “Tufts has gotten more difficult to get into, so the student applicants are academically quite strong,” said Bernheim. “Everything has risen over the last decade at Tufts, including the intellectual abilities of students and numbers they come and leave with.” Many over-achieving Tufts students prove their worth earlier through Tufts Medical School’s early assurance option, an opportunity that allows highly qualified pre-med undergraduates to gain admission by the end of their sophomore years. “It opens up a lot of opportunities,” said EJ Testa, a sophomore who applied

cess. “Admissions is much more difficult,” said Bernheim in regards to the early option. “Applicants need to demonstrate in an obvious way that they really are committed to pursuing a career in medicine.” Nationwide, competition is boiling and admissions are slimming, causing more stress and extra pounding on pre-med advisor Carol Baffi-Dugan’s door. “I think it’s more competitive because the things that you have to do to get in are becoming the norm,” said Dana. “Like doing research, or having shadowed a doctor, or getting good grades—everyone has it nowadays.” To all those over-stressed pre-med students out there, keep reading. In response to recent trends of aspiring doctors fleeing to offshore med programs, nearly two dozen med schools are opening across the country, according to The New York Times. Programs are sprouting within established universities, including Hofstra, University of California, Quinnipiac, and Central Michigan, as well as the independent Commonwealth Medical College. When they officially open their doors, there will be an 18 percent increase in the 131 medical schools across the country. ASHER LEVITON The expansion addresses other factors threatening the via early option to Tufts Medical School. medical world: a growing population, im“I can shift from building a big resume for pending retirement of 1/3 of doctors, and med school to other things I want to do.” changes in health care, which would bring However, the application process isn’t newly-insured patients under the Amerieasy; along with three letters of recom- can health system. mendation, applicants must complete two “I’d like to see more physicians trained biology, two chemistry, and one organic because, as our population grows, the dechemistry course in just two years. And, if mand for physicians increases,” said Bernyou don’t have a GPA of 3.5 or higher in heim. these rigorous courses, don’t bother. So, when you see your fellow pre-med Even if you meet these credentials, Jumbos swarming Tisch and canceling early admission to Tufts Medical Program plans, remind them that it’s not all that isn’t guaranteed; only around 25-30 per- bad…right after you thank God you’re not cent of students are accepted via early ac- going to med school.O MARCH 8, 2010

TUFTS OBSERVER

NATIONAL

Female Soldiers Have A Plan B A

BY DIANA BAIDE

ll of us probably know someone who has taken Plan B (levonorgestrel), better known as the morning-after pill. Available in hospitals, pharmacies, and college health services across the country, Plan B is instrumental in protecting women ǡ Ǧ ǡ ǡ ȋ Ȍ Ǧ Ǥ Surprisingly, Plan B’s accessibility to female soldiers has only recently been approved. Currently, Iraq sets the record for the highest amount of interaction among

American women and men in the combat zones. While one would expect this to foster camaraderie among the ranks, many cases point to the contrary. Studies conducted by the Department of Veteran Affairs reveal that 30% of all women serving in the military are raped, 71% are assaulted, and 90% are sexually harassed at the hands of fellow soldiers. How are these devastating numbers possible in a military that now relies on women more than ever to be safe and successful in Iraq? ǡ Ǧ ǡ Ǥ ǲ ǡǳ Ǥ ǲ ǡ ǡ ǯ

Ǥ Ǧ Ǧ Ǥ Ǥǳ A report released last year by the Government Accountability Office found that as little as 10% of victims report sexual assault, which is extremely low compared to the amount of reports by civilians. These disparities indicate the negative implications of the military’s ”just deal with it’’ mentality. Studies also show how women feel that, in comparison to the casualties and injuries the military confronts everyday, their cases of sexual abuse simply do not mount to the same magnitude of importance. But if the government relies on the presence of women in the military, it is

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Perpetration of violence in one setting allow for the perpetuation of violence in the other.

TUFTS OBSERVER

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MARCH 8, 2010

US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

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time it holds itself accountable to the pro- ǯ balances that remain at the heart of victection of female soldiers on US military timization. Some women say they refuse bases. Ǥ to go out to the latrines at night for fear Many victims even thought that no of being assaulted. One female soldier even substantial response would be executed refused to drink water during the daytime had they reported sexual assault. Sadly, ϐ Ǥ because the fountains were so far from her many cases prove these suspicions right; ǡ bunker; she ate Skittles to keep her mouth often, the only action taken is a transfer or ǯ from drying up and, as a result, ended up honorable discharge of the victim. collapsing from dehydration several times. Thus far, the military has enacted only In another account, when asked how she basic measures to address female assault. Ǥ dealt with her own case of rape, the victim Officials have distributed kits to collect Perhaps this decision can finally empower referred to the popular military mentality forensic evidence of rape or sexual assault female soldiers to come forward about the of “Drive on.” Access to Plan B should serve as a and have provided confidential counselors sexual abuse they have suffered on military mere stepping-stone for further policy imto whom victims can go without having grounds. to make an official report of abuse. But, ǡ plementations regarding sexual behavior while pamphlets promoting this new sys- ǡ of soldiers in the military. It should represent the betem decorate ginning of a walls in many much-needcamps, these ed attempt initiatives are to eradicate vastly counthe injustices teracted by females face several comin military manders’ zones. skepticism of - 13.5% of women are under active duty in the U.S. military ǲ the validity of - 28.7% of women are under reserve duty in the U.S. military forensic kits and the foun- In 2008, 2,293 sexual assault reports were made worldwide dations of - 63% of these reports representated rape or aggravated assault ǡǳ many accusa Ǥ tions. - 1 in 3 female soldiers will experience sexual assault while in ǲ ǡ the military, compared to 1 in 6 women in the civilian world Ǧ Ǧ Ǧ ǡ Source: The Department of Veteran Affairs, CBS News, CNN Ǧ RUTH TAM Ǧ Ǥ ǲ Ǥ But it is not enough. Offering the ǡ Ǥ Ͷǡ ʹͲͳͲ morning-after pill is just one step towards Ǥ ǲ ϐ Ǧ creating a support system for female sol Ǥ Ǧ ǡ ǯ Ǧ diers. How will America continue to fight ǡ ǡ ǯ wars in which women are simultaneously fighting two battles? This country may have many victories on the battlefield, but what ǡǳ Ǥ ǲ ǯ does that have to say about how we honor Ǥ Ǧ the female troops who helped us reach Ǧ ǡ that point? As this nation relies more and Ǧ ǡ more on women who are willing to serve, Ǥ Ǧ it needs to take a more definitive stance on the policies concerning the abuse these Ǥ Ǥǳ Shocking accounts of many female women face. This should be the essence of Ǧ soldiers reveal the need to address the im- “Drive on.” O

Fighting Two Wars

MARCH 8, 2010

TUFTS OBSERVER

CAMPUS

Evaluating Tufts At the end of every semester, just about every student at Tufts is asked to complete a course evaluation for their classes. But, after they ’re collected neatly into a big manila envelope, where do they go? What purpose do they serve? As many students may have noticed, we can ’t even seem to nd them, let alone use them to inform our academic decisions.

BY MARYSA LIN

hen asked about this seemingly unfair situation, Dean of Undergraduate Education James Glaser said “if students think that they don’t have access to student evaluations, they are incorrect to a degree.” How is this possible? Technically, the Senate has the power to request the quantitative data (not the comments), process it, and post it on Jumbo Access, which is actually Tufts Reviews. While some student comments may be useful, the quantitative data under “Official” Reviews is woefully outdated and the site is barely managed. For individual students to have access to official professor evaluations, “it requires the student senate to acquire the data and to post it,” said Glaser. “But they have not asked in a number of years…it’s a big chore.” In fact, according to Glaser, the last time official course evaluations were released to students was in 2005. what do we need, how do we get it? The cumulative impact of filling out evaluations every semester without seeing any benefits seems to be that “students don’t really think that their course evaluations make any differences in the long run,” said senior Emily Maretsky, Student Trustee Representative on the Senate’s Academic Affairs Committee. This is readily apparent in the TCU Fall 2009 Survey. Evaluations, which for all practical purposes are totally inaccessible for individual undergraduate students struggling 8

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to pick classes, even popped up several times in the freeform “suggestions” portion of the survey. Students notice this gap, but so do professors. Professor Edith Balbach, Director of Community Health, recalls a student who was hesitant to take a class based on word-of-mouth. After seeing the 2005 reviews, however, he changed his mind and “got a lot out of it.” This frustration is not so at other schools, especially Northwestern University, which Maretsky cites as a prime example for a great course evaluation program. Maria DiBenedetto, Senior Assistant Registrar at Northwestern, detailed how they’ve collected evaluations online since 2004 and have integrated it with their student records system to eliminate redundancies and streamline information. Advantages include “a much quicker turn-around of the reports…more accurate course and enrollment information, and more extensive comments from our students.” Furthermore, the Northwestern system encourages participation because student access to the results “is based upon their participation in the evaluation process,” and nonparticipation gets students blocked from the system for the next quarter. “Numerical data is published for every class” with no exceptions, and professors can even allow comments to be published. Maretsky also finds a better example much closer to home. She praises the Tufts Medical School evaluations system for closing “the evaluation loop.” Not only does our own Medical School hire a specific person to process evaluations, they

also sit down individually with professors to make recommendations based on the data, so that a connection is made between suggestions and solutions. what’s the deal right now? None of this is currently possible at Tufts, where even Dean Glaser describes the existing system of “paper and pencil evaluations” as “barely adequate.” A planned overhaul would 1) bring it online and 2) post scores for students to see. No sooner than he acknowledged these plans did he fall back on the familiar administrative safety phrases: it won’t happen soon, there are “a variety of policy issues,” and some sort of resolution is being formulated by the Educational Policy Committee, which will be taken to the faculty for approval. Soon. In April. Nevertheless, any improvement will be a drastic one, even if only half of the current student body will be around to potentially enjoy a comprehensive online learning management system that will be replacing “a very old, antiquated machine and program” in the next year or two. While the system isn’t hard to navigate, Balbach and Maretsky both expressed the need to update and improve the actual surveys as well. “I think we collect a lot of information that isn’t that helpful,” said Balbach, who wants to see “how much students think they learned from a course and how effective the faculty member was.” The current archaic system borders on hilarious—in her research, Maretsky was directed by Dean Glaser to an ad-

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ministrative department that gave her 40 or 50 floppy disks worth of quantitative evaluations data from Spring 2009. On a sidenote, this means that every department at Tufts must have a computer that can still process floppy disks for this very purpose. Furthermore, the prospect of sifting through 50 floppy disks probably discourages any cross-departmental and school-wide analysis. Joann Jack, Tufts’ Registrar, didn’t have as much to say as her Northwestern counterpart. “[They] are scanned and the data is given to the department chairs to review,” she said. “They use the information for tenure cases.” Balbach adds that evaluations “make a difference in retention, promotion, and salarity decisions.” However, according to Maretsky, who has actually seen the final report of evaluation results, departments only take four out of the 20-or-so questions into consideration. Finally, there is little incentive to take evaluations seriously—“I just fill out all fives,” shrugged an anonymous senior. Balbach notes the potential harm of lacking access to evaluation data, saying that it worries her that students base their decisions solely on word of mouth.

President Bacow peacin ’ out in 2011 132,990 friends disliked this Harvard Crimson posted a new note “Tufts. ” Tufts Students collective eye-roll. Student Activities www.ehow.com/how_to_ride_red_line NYTimes tagged Tufts in an article “Applicants to Tufts University Turn to YouTube ” Tufts created an event “YouTube for Dummies ”

Harvard Isn ’t this discriminatory against …someone? Kaplan Test Prep created a new event “How to make an Elle Woods-worthy admissions video ” Career Services created a new event “Dining with confidence, business etiquette lunch ”

a brighter future. soon. eventually.

Tufts Students Don ’t you need a job before you have to at tend business meals?

Tufts’ eventual “move to an online course evaluation system and process” as described by Glaser involves several changes to the status quo, which has been detailed elsewhere. Optimistically, Glaser predicts that “we will be posting the quantitative evaluations” for students to see, though not the comments because they feel it’s inappropriate. The Class of 2012 or 2013 may one day have a chance to benefit from the experience of their peers, who may also face stronger incentives to thoughtfully complete evaluations. The subjective, handwritten portion of the surveys seem unlikely to find a home in any new system, even though they’re crucial to the evaluation process. Despite finding this portion the “most useful,” Balbach admits that comments are sometimes mean, and she “worries about making them broady available” without editing.

1467 friends found this wildly useless, prefer help finding real jobs or creating LinkedIn profiles Charity Navigator awarded Tufts a 4-star fiscal management rating Ginn Library There ’s a mouse. In here. It ’s sort of cute.

Jessica Biel tagged Tufts University i iin a video vide on February 14, 2010

In its constant struggle to maintain and increase the teaching quality while also pursuing research goals, Tufts’ planned reform to a more transparent online evaluations system is a big step forward. However, even the low-tech,

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bound, paper evaluations available in Ginn Library for Fletcher students still achieves the administrative transparency and student collaboration essential to improving the Tufts experience and reputation. O MARCH 8, 2010

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ARTS & CULTURE A

BUZZED:

The New England Electronic Music Festival

ucking stupid song. I hate it.” And with that glowing comment from Das Racist’s Victor Vazquez (referring to his own song, “Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell,” by the way), the New England Electronic Music Festival was off to the races. It has taken root as one of Boston’s foremost discussion and live music events and while the genre certainly has its haters, the bleeps and blips we’ve come to love as good Boston-liberal-artsschool-attending kiddies are only becoming more and more ingrained in the local music scene. On February 11, TogetherBoston, the group respon-Das Racist, on its own song, sible for organizing the festi “Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell ” val, invited electronic artists Das Racist, Kids at the Bar, and Southern a sort of music metablog that amasses the Belle to discuss the pros and cons of hype- most talked-about tracks and artists from building via social media interfaces. The various web sources and synthesizes them Tower Auditorium at MassArt may have into a digestible and brightly colored been less than packed, but everyone in page. Tracks that have been “hearted” by attendance participated eagerly by sub- enough of the site’s patrons can rise to the mitting questions through—get ready for top of the HypeMachine homepage. Kids it—Twitter. Yes, questions from the dozen at the Bar have twice found themselves or so panel auditors were only accepted if at #1 with their remixes of Empire of the you could get on your smartphone quick Sun’s “Walking on a Dream” and Passion enough to bang out 160 characters. Pit’s earworm “Sleepyhead”. Aside from the pretension of the For Southern Belle, Berklee student questioning (admittedly somewhat ap- Isom Innis’ musical moniker, getting a propriate), each panelist added insight young act off the ground can prove to be that was at once obvious and emphatic in a bit more difficult. its impression upon the importance of the “These days, you really have to use the Internet in building buzz and increasing Internet to get music or really anything visibility in the blogosphere, that golden out,” said Innis, a user of Facebook and flux of transient fame. MySpace. “If you want to get anywhere

“

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MARCH 8, 2010

you definitely have to put your music on the Internet. There’s just no question about it.” Perhaps the most popular and the most recent fad in buzz building has been Twitter, the social media outlet that everyone loves to hate and then decides, invariably, to love again. All of the festival panelists agreed that the site allows for a more instantaneous form of communication than either Facebook or MySpace. While all three have their merits, Twitter is the appropriate avenue for constant updates and musings. Boston’s electronic music scene, burgeoning though it may be, is heavily into tweeting, retweeting, and tagging. As for getting face time on blogs, the members of Das Racist believe that it’s best to let the folks behind the screens work their proverbial magic. “We’re not necessarily going out there and forming rapports with bloggers,” they explained. “You have to let them do their job.” “I send my music out to blogs,” added Kids at the Bar’s Raunborg. “I let them release it because then it gets forwarded on. Plus, recommendations of your music sounds more credible coming from a third party and not you.” “Yeah,” agreed Innis. “You need labels to put money in your pockets, not to promote sales. That’s for the blogs.” O

Fuckingstupidsong. I hate it.

“

Das Racist, an electronic rap sometimes-duo, sometimes-trio from Brooklyn emphasized their reliance on MySpace in promoting their music. “It’s all MySpace,” said the group’s self-proclaimed hype-man, Ashok Kondabolu. “It’s just where we put our music. At the end of the day, we’ve been fortunate to get a lot of good Internet press; MySpace has definitely been out best bet, though.” Rad Raunborg of Kids at the Bar touted the exposure granted by HypeMachine,

DAVID SMYTHE

The Observer recently attended the New England Music Festival ’s panel on Buzz Building at MassArt. The panel, moderated by RiotVine ’s Kabir Hemrajani, focused on up-and-coming electronic artists ’ reliance on new media and social networking interfaces to create hype. BY KATIE CHRISTIANSEN

Want to write for Arts & Culture? E-mail Kathryn.Christiansen@tufts.edu.

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REGINALD M.J. HUBBARD IV

A MOMENT OF CLARITY WITH

Reggie Hubbard

DAVID SMYTHE

After taking some time off to redefine his ideologies, the infamous columnist Reggie Hubbard let us pick his brain with the Proust Questionnaire. Read on to gain some insight into the man with the plan. INTERVIEWED BY KATIE BOLAND

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1. What is your idea of perfect happiness? Infinite exploration.

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3. What is your greatest extravagance? Sometimes, when I’m solo puffing, I’ll rip greens…and nothing else. 4. What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Loyalty. 5. Which words or phrases do you most overuse? There is a Star Wars gangster rap song where they manage to fit the Rancor into the rhyme: “Jabba you ain’t nothing but a fat-ass slug, / fake gold chains, you sorry ass thug. / Sitting in your palace 12. Who are your favorite writers? with your blue-headed whore / —trapdoor, to the Rancor.” Hermann Hesse, Nietzsche, Terence McKenna, Frank Herbert, I don’t bust it often, but when I do, it’s instantly overused. Tolkien. 6. When and where were you happiest? Tromping up and down mountains, passing a bag of wine and a bubbler back and forth between friends. 7. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My lack of wizardry. 8. What do you consider your greatest achievement? My current state of being. 9. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be? A motherfucking Spirit Bear (google it).

13. Which historical figure do you most identify with? Socrates—a lovable pain in the ass of the establishment. 14. Who is your hero of fiction? Paul Atreides from Dune — he’s educated, motived, skilled, and tripping balls 24/7. 14. What is your greatest regret? I still haven’t convinced my parents to get high with me, and God knows they need it. 15. What is your motto? “Wu Wei” which is “Action through inaction.”

10. Where would you most like to live? Ancient Greece.

Vanity Fair has used the Proust Questionnaire in every issue since July 1993, asking various celebrities (from Karl Rove to Ellen DeGeneres) to answer assorted character questions. The Question11. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? naire gets its namesake from the commonplace 19th Century parSolipsism—the notion that you are the only real person and every- lor game that included similar questions, a game which author one and everything is your fabrication. Happens much too much Marcel Proust was famously fond of. to me. MARCH 8, 2010

TUFTS OBSERVER

CAMPUS LIFE

T INSANE in da

CRANE

TUFTS OBSERVER

MARCH 8, 2010

BY KATIE BOLAND

he weekend rolls around. You’re looking for something to do; the frats are getting old, you hardly know the kids throwing that house party, and you are much too broke to do anything downtown. But what if you could go to a concert, for free, right on campus? Well, kid, you’re in luck- Insane in da Crane offers just that. “Crane provides students at Tufts with an avocado-walled, awesome-music filled environment where they can hang out and enjoy avocado-colored walls and awesome live music” says sophomore organizer Luke Pyenson. Insane in da Crane is the rebirth and transformation of what used to be Oxfam Midnight Café, a well-known small venue that has sadly disappeared from campus. Crane hopes to continue Oxfam’s tradition in their new, avocado-walled space. “We want to try to have many shows that appeal to many different tastes. Our main requirement: that it’s interesting and unique and not something you could hear just anywhere” says sophomore organizer Natalie Selzer. “Hopefully, we can make live music more regularly available on campus and expose people to innovative and creative artists that they might not have had access to before.” Crane hopes to host music that, Pyenson adds, “you might not hear in Distler, Cohen, Dewick, at Spring Fling, or anywhere else on campus.” Crane concerts are a little-known (but awesome) alternative to the typical Tufts social scene, offering everything from experimental jazz to indie-pop rock bands in the past few weeks alone. “Due to the very nature of the Crane Room, the concerts are intimate and casual affairs, typically involving lots of bandaudience interaction—certainly nothing you would find at larger Boston venues such as the Orpheum and Paradise Rock Club. Plus, it’s free. You can’t beat that,” says Selzer. With its new venue and new name, Insane in da Crane is also looking to expand their Tufts fanbase,

“We want there to be a lively audience for these great bands that are taking all the trouble to come out here and play for us! The more people we have excited about this thing and the more people that attend the shows, the more money we can get from TCU, which means bigger and better bands” says Selzer. Crane is also looking for people to help with promotion and technical set-up, hoping to re-establish the alternative music culture that Tufts was well known for with Oxfam. In the coming weeks, Insane in da Crane will be hosting bands Best Coast, This Frontier Needs Heroes, KC Quilty, and others. As Pyenson puts it, “Everyone has the opportunity to be Insane in da Crane if they attend one of our concerts,”—and, seriously, it’s worth it. O

U P C O M I N G CRANE CON CERTS: - April 11, 9 p.m. Best Coast with KC Quilty LoFi Pop

- April 17, 9 p.m. -

This Frontier Needs Heroes with Last Good Tooth Indie Pop & Folk Rock And more to come... More information about concerts at the Crane Room can be found at: www.myspace.com/oxfamcafemusic

he region holds more than one fth of the world s population and yet, for many an American student, South Asia is a place more of myth and misconception than reality. The dizzying complexity of the nations rich pasts and uncertain futures can feel overwhelming at times, but the reality of our globalized world demands an intelligent inquiry into this dense mosaic of tradition and change. While violent conicts such as those in Kashmir and Afghanistan often dominate the headlines, a mature approach to South Asia must remember that the subtle and gradual changes in the region are no less revolutionary. This year, Tufts was privileged to celebrate and study South Asia through the Institute for Global Leadership s Education for Public Inquiry and International Citizenship (EPIIC) Program. A semester of intensive study, visits by distinguished guests and student research projects all culminated in the EPIIC Symposium held on campus on February 22 to 25. For the veday event, EPIIC students attempted to put together panels of speakers that mirrored the diversity of the region. The result? An exchange of new and startling ideas on campus, an opening of the minds of experts and students alike and a humble recognition by all that no one can begin to claim a near complete understanding of the cultures, conicts and complexities that embody the region of South Asia.

SOUTH ASIA

---Mark Rafferty, EPIIC 09- 10

Nichole Sobecki

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN On a hill overlooking Kabul sits an Olymbic-size pool built by Soviets in the 1980s. It is said that the Taliban forced crimals off the platforms to their deaths at the bottom of the pool MARCH 8, 2010

TUFTS OBSERVER

Elizabeth Herman

NATIONAL

AJMER, RAJASTHAN, INDIA

(left) Residents of Kankarda, a small village on the outskirts of Ajmer, Rajasthan.

he countries of South Asia seem to attract our attention for the BEST AND WORST OF REASONS, whether as the home of a slumdog millionaire or the next nuclear-armed failed state. But by viewing each country and its troubles, which range from Islamic militancy to women s oppression, violent insurgency to environmental cataclysms, without considering the adjacent politics and demographic shifts of the ENTIRE SOUTH ASIAN REGION, we ď&#x192;&#x17E;nd ourselves either delving into Sisyphean missions and their concomitant blowback, or worse, overlooking the common ties that can bring this region s antagonists together. A simple change of mind-frame is what we attempted to accomplish during this year s EPIIC Symposium,

SOUTH ASIA: CONFLICT, CULTURE, COMPLEXITY, AND CHANGE. ---Cody Valdez, EPIIC 09- 10

Cody 14 Valdez TUFTS OBSERVER

MARCH 8, 2010

NATIONAL

small jasthan.

Nichole Sobecki

e h g o s m,

KATHMANDU, NEPAL

(above) Residents light candles to provide light in the evening, as access to electricty in Nepal is scarce.

We chose a theme that was completely compelling for all the salient headline reasons, but also because it spoke to the entrenched realities of our thematic base. - Sherman Teichman Institute for Global Leadership, Director

BOMBAY, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

(far left) A night scene at the Chor Bazaar --translated “thief bazaar ” --- in Bombay, India.

NOWABENKI, SATKHIRA, BANGLADESH

Mark Rafferty

(left) A worker for Nowabenki Gonomukhi Foundation, a small community development organization, crosses the river Nowabenki, Bagladesh after inspecting his organization s work in an impoverished refugee community. MARCH 8, 2010

TUFTS OBSERVER

Nichole Sobecki

his year marked the Institue for Global Leadership s (IGL) 25th year. In honor of the occassion, the Institue departed from its usual selection of a single conondrum issue for the year s colloquium, instead focusing on the region of South Asia, which allowed students a lens through which to view all the previous twenty-four themes. The IGL convened a number of the region s most prominent intellectuals, eighty international students from ten countries ranging from Iraq to Israel, and students from the United States military academies for the ď&#x192;&#x17E;ve-day long sympoium, stimulating dialogue between this diverse group through nine panels and a dozen expert-led discussions.

Elizabeth Herman

hen I look at twenty-ď&#x192;&#x17E;ve years, it s like every year is year one. It is completely fresh... it s like having a vault with a different treasure in it every year. It is unbelievably fresh and new.

I CAN T WAIT FOR NEXT YEAR. --Sherman Teichman Institute for Global Leadershop, Director 16

TUFTS OBSERVER

MARCH 8, 2010

The Top 5

CAMPUS LIFE

YouTube Application Videos As you may have heard from the New York Times, ABC World News, or Gawker, Tufts Undergraduate Admissions has instituted an optional YouTube video option on this year’s undergraduate application. All of said news sources highlighted some of the best videos, but over here at the Observer – being true Tufts Jumbos and all – we thought it our duty to do the same. After all, we’re the ones who are going to potentially have to rub elbows with these youngsters in Dewick next year…

#1 Betty Quinn AKA bettygoesboop – “Color Me Betty” This isn’t even a contest. Do you hear me Bendetson? I don’t even care about rest of her application, this video was far and away the best one. Seriously, I want Betty Quinn in. I don’t even think Wes Anderson could’ve done better when he was 17. Well, who knows… but really, it’s that good.

Deise AKA cheezymicron – “The Karaoke Girl”

Any kid who has the guts to sing shamelessly in stunna shades to Neyo as part of their college application is welcome at my next pregame any time. Tufts has been begging for some more spunk oncampus and this girl is most certainly fierce. Work it, Denise.

Shelby Listokin AKA shelbylistokin – “Through the Wire Girl” Shelby, your framed high school picture? Adorable. Your Kanye-post-jawsurgery rap? Priceless. Someone get this girl a Freshëns.

Max Smiley AKA maxmsiley – “Crazy Apple Stop-Motion Shit”

There were an obscene number of stop-motion videos floating around, most of which were reflective of the kids who made them: jerky and slightly awkward. Mr. Smiley’s, on the other hand – extremely impressive. Who knew apples could be so cool in skinny jeans? He made me smile, and un-ironically at that.

#5 Isabella Schiller AKA ithykinth “Macbeth Monologue”

Unsex me here at Tufts, Isabella.

MARCH 8, 2010

TUFTS OBSERVER

OFF CAMPUS

(Dirty) Dancing With Yourself

BY SOPHIA BOUDOIR

TB AR

t’s a weeknight, your roommate is at her boyfriend’s house, and you’re feeling feisty. But your current hookup has an orgo midterm to study for, and your ex is busy with his new blonde freshman— and in any case, your legs haven’t been shaved for a week. So you decide that if your roommate is going to ditch you every night, you may as well use the solitude to your advantage and buy a little something to make your time worthwhile. Many of us single young adults have encountered the need to mechanically simulate actual physical contact. But the process of finding the right tools to do so is shrouded by mystery and taboo. So who better to attack those taboos than me, your resident fearless sex guru? This past weekend I decided take the matter into my own hands and explore the local sex shop scene. Hopefully this will help you distinguish the helpful from the harmful when you do your own search the next time you’re in need of sexual assistance. A block away from the Central Square T-stop is Hubba Hubba, the closest comprehensive sex shop to Tufts campus. I would only recommend going there if you’re short on time and have already done your research on the different kinds of vibrators. It’s the type of shop that gives sex toys a bad name,, with questionable clientele and grimy counters. T h e woman behind the counter was aggressively nonchalant— when m y friend YA

CE LY CU RR IE R

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MARCH 8, 2010

and I asked if we could have a quick tour of the different types of toys, she raised her eyebrows and pointed to the display. Furthermore, all the vibrators are behind a glass case, so we couldn’t pick them up and compare sizes or features. The selection of toys wasn’t very impressive—the store seemed to be geared more towards fetish accessories (the shelves are brimming with fake fur, latex, fishnets, and spikes)—but the prices were relatively cheap. Do come to Hubba Hubba if you’re looking to buy a whip on your way back from a date, or if you need to get some replacement batteries or lube, but don’t expect a pleasurable experience. Our next stop was Sweet & Nasty, which is around the corner from Newbury Street, close to the Hynes Convention Center T-stop. Sweet & Nasty is actually a unique adult bakery, rather than an adult toy store, but, nevertheless, we enjoyed perusing the sexual sweets and confections, including three-foot penis cakes and boob-shaped lollipops. They have a small selection of external vibrators and rabbits, but the store definitely caters to bachelor and bachelorette party necessities, with phallic water guns and candles. Having had our fun eyeing chocolate penises, we made our way to Condomworld, sandwiched between Ed Hardy and American Apparel pparel on Newbury Street. Condomworld, as the name would suggest, boasts every kind of condom and lubrication you could possibly imagine. The front of the store has the usual condoms and lube, but it also provides sex manuals, gag gifts, sexual fortune cookies, and incense. As you go deeper into the store, there is a long hallway of sex toys, organized by type; there are external vibrators, g-spot toys, anal massagers,

and friendly sounding things like “the butterflies” or “rabbit.” Buried in the back of the store were other risqué items; erotic DVDs, fetish accessories, and smoking paraphernalia. We were initially hesitant to ask for help from the (male) assistant, but when we did he was extremely knowledgeable and professional, taking us through the different types of vibrators and giving advice very helpful for novices and experts alike. A few days after our adventure, I went with another friend to Good Vibrations in Brookline. Unfortunately, Good Vibrations isn’t easily accessible via public transit; the closest T-stop is Coolidge Corner, which is on the Green Line. Other than that, the store is fabulous. It is clean and femalefriendly, with brightly colored walls and displays and ridiculously knowledgeable staff. There is a wall of sample condoms and lube packets and a small room in the back with costumes, books, and bondage accessories, but the majority of the store is dedicated to toys and vibrators. Each vibrator is accompanied by a paragraph-long description (of its brand, material, features, price, etc…) and the best part is that the store has a model for each toy—unpackaged and charged—for the customers to pick up and test out. Good Vibrations also has a large selection of high-end including high end vibrators, vibr “OhMiBod,” which syncs to t your iPod and adjusts the intensity of vvibrations to the music you’re listening to. G Good Vibrations is pricier th than comparable stores, b but the friendly staff and comfortable atmosphere are worth it. Another added An bonus— bon you needn’t be afraid nee using your credof usin card here; my it car friend’s mother friend thought Good tho Vi br at i ons was a record store. O

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OFF CAMPUS GRAPHICS BY RUTH TAM

STREET SOUNDS BY RUTH TAM

You’ve seen them performing on the street and in the underground T station. You’ve listened to their music as you wait for the train. Who are they? They’re buskers, and they live to share their passion with you. Buskers are street performers who exhibit their talents for tips. Their first recorded emergence was in medieval Europe—buskers, then known then as minstrels and troubadours, were invited by merchants to entertain customers in local markets. Buskers and their curbside talents have survived the test of time. Some of the most successful and creative people in history were buskers. Benjamin Franklin was known to perform politically charged poems on the street. More recently, Glen Hansard, whose music in the film Once won an Academy Award in 2008, began as a busker in Dublin, Ireland. Many famous musicians have busked in disguise. Three years ago, the Washington Post published an article featuring renowned violinist Joshua Bell performing on the streets. The Post secretly followed Bell as he played his $3.5 million violin in a Washington, DC Metro station. For 43 minutes, Bell performed six classical masterpieces and made a little over 30 dollars in tips. Only one woman recognized him. While a seat in one of Bell’s concerts costs upward of $100, over a thousand Metro riders unknowingly heard his genius for free. The Post begged the question, “If a great musician plays great music but no one hears…was he really any good?” This query haunts musicians and music lovers alike and prompts us to appreciate what we may easily ignore. From impromptu acrobatics to public poetry slams, busking has taken a unique form in almost every metropolis, including Boston. The Observer sat down with two Boston buskers and got a taste of local street performing.

DONALD HELLER DOWNTOWN CROSSING HURDY-GURDY PLAYER [HURDYGURDYBAND.COM]

O: WHAT ’S YOUR BACKGROUND? DH: I am from Brooklyn, New York. In the ‘60s and ‘70s, I travelled a lot to India and Europe, and I have performed as a street musician since 1975. For some years, I’ve lived in Connecticut, but I spent two years playing on streets of Germany, in Munich and Berlin. WHEN DID YOU COME TO BOSTON AND WHAT BRINGS YOU HERE? My wife, Anicet, and I came to Boston in November because my son, Julien, is studying at the Boston Conservatory. We planned to stay just the winter, but we like it so much here. We do plan to play street music in Munich and Berlin this summer, but it’ll be nice to know we have a home here in Boston. WHY DO YOU LIKE TO PLAY IN PUBLIC? That I like to play in public places is something of an understatement: it is a core part of my life. I believe that playing and listening to live music is a basic part of the human experience. [Also,] there is no hype or manipulation involved: there’s no middle-

man. My audience either likes what I play and shows their appreciation and support, or they don’t. WHO TAUGHT YOU HOW TO PLAY? I had my first lessons on the Hurdy-Gurdy in Budapest, Hungary with Csoori Sandor of the folk group Muzikas. Since then, I’ve studied in France and Germany with various players. WHAT DO YOU WANT STRANGERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU IF THEY WALK BY YOU AT THE SUBWAY STATION? I suppose I want them to know that I’m honored to play for them and hope that they find some beauty in the music I’m offering.

GERRY DAVIS SQUARE ACCORDIONIST

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BUSKING? 10-15 years. WHAT ’S THE BEST PART OF STREET PERFORMING? My favorite part is playing in Boston’s parks during the summer.

WHAT OTHER INSTRUMENTS DO YOU PLAY? I play the saxophone, trumpet, and penny whistle, but accordion is my main instrument. WHERE ARE YOU ORIGINALLY FROM? I’m from Ireland. Limerick, Ireland...[I came to the US] in the ’80s. HOW DID YOU LEARN TO PLAY? When I was seven years old, I saw an accordion in a shop window and told my father, “I want that one!” That same night, he brought it back and told me he had paid for two lessons, nothing more. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE STRANGERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU OR YOUR MUSIC? I hope you enjoy it and get a kick out of it—because I do! WHY DO YOU LIKE THE ACCORDION? Accordions are good because they’re portable. Guitars you need amps and mics. Accordions are easy. You just take it out of the case and play it. WHAT TYPES OF REACTIONS HAVE YOU RECEIVED FROM ONLOOKERS? Pretty good [ones]. I was playing in a park once and a woman asked to take a picture of me. I said, “Sure, I don’t mind.” She came back with a camera and filmed me for a documentary. O MARCH 8, 2010

TUFTS OBSERVER

news writing photography web design copy editing poetry graphic design creative writing business NATIONAL

many interests, one outlet:

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observer@tufts.edu

OPINIONS

Playas, Hos, and

Evolutionary Biology by S Sophia ophia Bo Boudoir udoir

sipy campus, women must be careful to be choosy or otherwise risk being known as “easy.” But before the days of birth control, women had to be highly selective with the men that they chose to R IE RR ALYCE CU sleep with because, unlike men, they are fter a late night of far more limited in the number of children getting hot and they can bear and raise in a lifetime. Men heavy, my friend can theoretically father a nearly unlimited Calypso quietly got number of children. In order for women to dressed and snuck out of ensure their own reproductive success and the apartment of the guy increase their Darwinian fitness (measured she had met the previ- by the ability to pass your genes on to the ous night, only to run next generation), their best bet was to have into three of his fratty sex only with men who are financially secure housemates watching or have other traits predictive of future sucTV and drinking bottles cess, such as intelligence, ambition, and staof Busch Lite with breakfast. Cringing, she bility. In contrast, the easiest way for a man imagined the YEAH MAN!s and high fives to ensure his reproductive success and inthat would be exchanged between her boy crease his fitness was to inseminate as many and his friends as soon as she left. She, on women as possible. And while women are the other hand, told only me and another always sure that their babies are indeed their friend, with a giggle and an eye roll, after babies, in the days before paternity tests, making us promise that we wouldn’t tell men did not always enjoy the same peace of anybody because she didn’t want it to “get mind. Thus, men evolved to favor women around.” who were perceived to be chaste as opposed Calypso’s situation illustrates what is to those known to be sexually promiscuous. probably the most oft-cited male/female Taken together, the different ways in double standard; guys are encouraged to which men and women ensure reproductive fool around with anyone and everyone—the success and the issue of paternal uncertainty more the better—while when girls are pro- have caused men to prefer chaste women miscuous, they are assumed to have self-es- while simultaneously trying to spread their teem or “daddy” issues. Girls may fawn over sperm as widely as possible, while women players, pimps, and bad boys, but a girl who have evolved to be choosy and only mate has more than one sexual partner will more with men who are able to provide the relikely than not be called a slut. sources to support them and their future As much as girls bitch and moan about children. And although the advent of padouble standards, it turns out that this one is ternity tests and contraceptives (hallelujah!) more than just simply another manifestation have made both of these factors irrelevant, of gender inequality; it actually is rooted in men and women are still hardwired the evolutionary psychology. On our small, gos- same as always.

In 1989, a team of researchers led by David Buss set out to test this theory. They surveyed over 10,000 men and women from 37 cultures across the globe. In the vast majority of countries, it was important to men that women have “no previous experience in sexual intercourse,” whereas men who were “ambitious and industrious” and who had “good financial prospects” were ranked more highly by women. Additionally, men consistently care more about the physical appearance of a prospective partner than do women, tending to prefer women with smooth skin, fuller lips, shiny hair, and other features which suggest that a woman is youthful and, thus, fertile. Buss also found that on average men prefer women who are 2.7 years younger, and women prefer men who are 3.4 years older than them, which again shows that men want young partners who are more likely to be fertile, while women prefer older partners who are more likely to have financial resources. In the end, Calypso’s story ended up making the rounds; we do go to Tufts, after all. In response to her desperate pleas for advice on how to combat the wild rumors that were spreading (hot sauce where?!), I told her that her best bet was to spread the word that paternity tests and birth control had made the evolutionary origins of the dreaded double-standard irrelevant. After all, a woman can now sleep with a man without considering whether or not he has the resources to raise her children should he impregnate her. And if a guy has doubts as to whether or not he is really the baby’s daddy, he can order a simple paternity test. Unfortunately, Calypso wasn’t amused, and my friends and I had to cut another fraternity from our social scene. O MARCH 8, 2010

TUFTS OBSERVER

OPINIONS

From New Deal to No Deal

Reagan years (as Republicans love to do) to discover a healthy relationship in a divided government. President Ronald Reagan and Speaker of the House Tip O’Neil were about as different as two men could possibly be. While Reagan was the proud leader of a new conservative movement, O’Neil was a self-labeled New Deal Democrat dedicated to preserving the legacy of FDR and LBJ. However, these two polar opposites managed to work together on issues that BY MICHAEL BENDETSON Partisanship is healthy in a democ- needed to be addressed. They refused to racy. However, the hyper-partisanship of use partisanship as an excuse for inaction, n a recent New York Times/CBS poll, recent years has not only damaged people’s but rather, they viewed it as a crucial com75 percent of Americans disapprove of faith in government but also has proved ponent of healthy debate. No better examCongress’s job performance. This cyni- detrimental to the country itself. On every ple can be given on the strength of biparticism is not so much dimajor issue confront- sanship than the passage of social security  is the right to unlimited ing the United States, reform in 1983. The bill was not perfect, rected at a specific par- A debate on a bill. A libuster can be ty, although each carries overcome by calling a cloture vote, including health care, but it proved invaluable in extending the Hoover-like popularity, which ends debate and forces a job creation, educa- life of a bankrupt social security system. on the bill. At this point the but rather at the overall vote bill can pass with a simple majority. tion, climate change, Reagan and O’Neil would often joke, “AfWashington environand immigration, Con- ter six o’clock we can be friends, but before ment. Senator Evan Bayh’s recent retire- gress has failed to act. Our elected officials six, it’s politics.” ment announcement only underlined the seem more interested in scoring political Today’s Democrats and Republicans growing skepticism towards Congress’s points than in fulfilling their constitution- are enemies all day, all month, and all year. behavior. al duties. Over the course of recent years, Senator Bayh, while discussing his reasons In addressing the reasons for his de- senators and congressmen have seemingly for leaving the Senate, noted, “Back in the parture, the senator from Indiana can- shifted their allegiances from country to day they used to have a saying: ‘You camdidly stated, “For some time, I have had party. paign for two years, and you legislate for a growing conviction that Congress is not For those in my four.’ Now you camoperating as it should. There is too much generation, a time 1842|The House eliminated paign for six!” The sense partisanship and not enough progress, too without partisan poli- the right to unlimited debate. The of urgency that was so much narrow ideology and not enough tics seems like wishful Senate did not introduce the cloprevalent during the ture vote, which ends debate, unƟl practical problem solving. Even at a time thinking or even mere 1917--although it required 2/3 of Reagan-O’Neil era has of enormous challenge, the peoples’ busi- fantasy. However, one the Senate. It was changed to 3/5, all but disappeared in ness is not being done.” must only return to the or 60 votes, in 1975. this politicized Wash-

The NUCLEAR NUCLE Option Or how the Democrats Democr can stop worrying and pass healthcare reform Although the libuster can be a vehicle for minority obstrucƟonism, it is not ironclad and can be circumvented without a supermajority of 60 seats. These parliamentary tacƟcs are referred to as the “nuclear opƟon ”. The Democrats can sƟll pass healthcare legislaƟon by using one such tacƟc, the budget reconciliaƟon process. Republicans will certainly call foul play, accusing them of using undemocraƟc tricks. On the other hand, the Republicans used the reconciliaƟon process to ram through Bush ’s tax cuts over a DemocraƟc libuster. Of the 22 Ɵmes reconciliaƟon has been used since 1981, 14 were invoked by Republicans and eight were invoked by Democrats. How do the Democrats use this tacƟc to pass healthcare?

The reconciliation process was introduced in 1974. It cannot be filibustered and requires only a simple majority to pass. It was meant to ensu ensure that budget’s could be passed with a minimum of obstruction. However, the proposed bill must have a direct impact on the budget to qualify for reconciliation. Both the Senate and the House have passed separate health care bills. First, the House would need to pass the Senate bill. This is not going to be easy, as House Democrats preferred a more liberal reform of healthcare. Pelosi would need to assuage their fears that the Senate bill will be reformed using reconciliation. RUTH TAM

TUFTS OBSERVER

Once the House passes the Senate bill, the Senate Democrats would introduce a sidecar bill using the reconciliation process to change the original bill. They would only need 51 votes, or 50 plus Biden, to pass this bill. But the changes they propose may be limited by the requirement that all changes must be proven to have a direct impact on the federal budget. MARCH 8, 2010

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Filibusters per Congress since 1963

140 The 110th Congress set all time record for filibusters. The 111th, 14 months into their two year term, are set to break that record.

100

Democrat Republican

Republicans begin the modern history of the filibuster, prolonging debate on the Civil Rights Act for 57 working days.

Senate Presidency

120

N u m b e r o f C l o t u r e Vo t e s

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OPINIONS

The 95th Congress, from 1977-79, was the last time until 2008 when either major party had the 60 votes necessary to overcome a filibuster.

Filibusters spike due to opposition parties attempting to block Presidential judicial appointments, reaching a crescendo during Clinton’s second term.

80 60 40 20 0

Johnson

1963

Nixon

Ford

Carter

Reagan

Bush I

Clinton

Bush II

2008

ington environment. Recently, a bipartisan abused the power of the filibuster to block panding belief that Congress has become Conrad-Gregg debt commission failed to major pieces of legislation. The number of more focused on serving themselves and obtain the 60 votes necessary to pass the cloture motions being filed in the Senate their personal interests than in serving the Senate. Despite the fact that United States is unprecedented. Since 2007, 214 cloture country. Senator Shelby has become the debt is at its highest levels since World War motions have been filed. To put that in poster boy for self-entitlement. Earlier this II, Congress apparently perspective, only month, the senator from Alabama held up does not think that the 1851|The word “libuster ” is rst 90 cloture motions 70 Obama nominations including importo describe a legislaƟve process. subject is a matter worth used were filed in the tant appointees to the Pentagon and the The word originated from the Spaninvestigating. ish , meaning pirate. Before last four years of State Department, all to ensure that he gets Six Republicans it was used in its legilsaƟve sense, it the 1980s and 140 a tanker contract. Senator Shelby appeared applied to lawless Americans who during the last four more concerned with bringing 1,500 jobs who originally co- was tried to overthrow Central American sponsored the bill had governments. years of the 1990s. to Mobile than with equipping our defense a change of heart and Despite the fact forces with the personnel needed. voted against the debt commission in the that the Democrats hold majorities on key While Democrats and Republicans end. The leader of the pack, Senator John issues such as health care and job creation, remain constantly fixated on each other’s McCain based his objections on fear of the relentless Republican hold on the fili- polling numbers, let me provide them with increased taxes. This is an astounding buster will make all ef1957|Senator Strom Thurmond America’s numbers. turn for the Arizona maverick that voted forts futile. Contrary to sets the record for the longest libus- There are 47 milagainst the 2003 Bush tax cuts in the name what mathematicians ter by a single senator. He read from lion people without of fiscal sanity. In light of tough primary may think, 41 is greater the DeclaraƟon of Independance, health insurance. Washington ’s Farewell Address, the challenges, many of these moderate Re- than 59 in the United Bill of Rights and various phone books Unemployment refor 24 hours and 18minutes straight- mains around 10 publicans have perceived the need to shift States Senate. their positions to the right. Senator McThe intense par- -all in opposiƟon to the Civil Rights percent. We have a Act of 1957, which did not pass. Cain often reminded us during the 2008 tisan bitterness on the broken education campaign, “I would rather lose an election floor in both chambers of Congress is system that ranks 24th in math/sciences than lose a war.” Now, McCain and his col- only enlarging the disconnect between the worldwide. By 2014, our national debt leagues would rather lose an important American government and the American will have interest that costs more than budget debate than an election. people. From Representative Wilson’s “You our annual appropriations for domestic The country’s displeasure with Con- lie” to Senator Franken’s censorship of a programs. In the spirit of President Reagress extends far beyond the multitude of colleague, the line between healthy debate gan and Speaker O’Neil, our government major issues that have gone unaddressed, and hyper-partisanship was crossed long must act in a bipartisan manner to solve but to the behavior and conduct of its mem- ago. There is a growing disillusionment the urgent problems of today that cannot bers. In recent years, minority parties have with the federal government and an ex- be pushed off until tomorrow. O MARCH 8, 2010

TUFTS OBSERVER

OPINIONS

C’s Story The Observer reveals the backstory behind the Crimson Crimson’s ’s quest to “discover whether time away from the ‘Harvard Bubble’ is worth the effort.” “...We now had a more urgent problem: Our friend C. had elusively disappeared into the skimpy pockets of people and become our night’s Waldo.”

- The Harvard Crimson February 18, 2010

BY CORY DESOLE

hen I’m walking around Harvard Square, I take special care to remove any trace of Tufts from my person. Efforts to detect a hint of shame for my plebeian institution of origin will hit a wall; I am not embarrassed (mostly) to be a student at Tufts. Rather, I shudder at the idea of once more coming across a Coop attendant who, spying the Tufts pin on my bag, senses my puzzlement with the newest issue of the New York Review of Books that I have picked up (mistaking it for Newsweek) and cautiously directs me towards their collection of Nora Roberts potboilers located in a gutted bunker in their sub-basement, or to a stack of colorful post-its by the register, or (far worse) 24

TUFTS OBSERVER

MARCH 8, 2010

to the delightfully accessible musings of David Sedaris. He adds more salt to the wound ripped open by this intellectual profiling by revealing, upon my asking, that he went to Brandeis. Walking around Cambridge earlier this month on my way back from a shopping trip, I broke with usual protocol. Riding on a wave of pride for my alma mater, due of course to the scores of tasteful admissions videos submitted by prospies who can rap with a mouthful of rubber-bands after reconstructive jaw surgery or deepen critical understanding of Lady Macbeth by delivering one of her monologues while striking a perfect downward dog yogalates pose, I boldly displayed my Tufts pin. In a flash, an unmarked white Chevy Astrovan screeched to a halt in

front of me, and I was restrained and thrust inside. My captors revealed themselves promptly: the Editorial Board of The Harvard Crimson. Before I began to panic, they explained the reason for my seizure. Facing an apparent dearth of something, anything more interesting to write about, they were planning a series of reviews of the party scenes of neighboring schools and needed an “in” at Tufts. Their proposed date: February 14th. “No!” I protested, “that’s Valentine’s Day, and I plan to be... erm, busy that night.” As it happened, my schedule for the night of Valentine’s Day was empty, by no fault of my own, I might add. The Valentine’s Day cupcakes, which were doubtlessly delivered to my door by the dozens, went inexplicably missing. I woke up at two that afternoon, bracing myself as I opened the door for a meter-high pyramid of baked goods. Seeing none, I knew at once that they had been stolen. I berated a few of my hallmates, but they refused to admit their indisputable guilt. Luckily for me, I care far

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more about the cupcakes themselves than for any accompanying inedible sentiment. Feeling more than a little lonely after gorging myself on umpteen heart-shaped bonbons, I decided I might as well take the Crimson editors up on their offer. As luck would have it, Professors Row is a mere two-dollar cab ride from my room in Lewis, though a last-minute detour to the Danish Pastry House increased the fare marginally. As I have discovered during multiple DPH Sunday brunches, their iced chai is the perfect mixer for really any kind of liquor. In an astonishing coincidence, the cab driver that picked me up had just dropped off my Harvard conspirators at their destination on Pro Row. On the way to DPH, I chatted with the cabbie in his mother tongue, Haitian Creole. Of course, Creole and French are not mutually intelligible, and he ruefully described how the crew from Harvard had barked at him in the language of his colonizers, disregarding his request (in English) for proper communication. Regrettably, my narration ends here. I knocked back too many vodkachinos and André au laits in the cab ride to Professors Row, and my memory was wiped clean. It is now that I must reveal, for the first time in print, that the beguiling and elusive temptress referred to only as “C” in the notorious Crimson piece is none other than yours truly. As my Harvard collaborators tell it, having arrived at the frat, I disappeared briefly in pursuit of a “feminine grace,” only to return unharmed and partnerless. Fat chance. More like: I came to at five in the morning on the floor of the Metcalf handicapped bathroom. Sharpie marks on my face, items adhered to my clothes and hair with what I hope is only Natty, and a slew of new contacts added to my Blackberry all form a sort of fossil record of what must have been the best night of my life. And with that, I defer to the startling insight of my Harvard peers: “Just getting out is sometimes rewarding enough.” O

“

OPINIONS

Tufts at first seemed like a perfect fantasy option, ripe with potential and waiting to spring to life. We had a friend who knew about a party—a big one, with frat-ish people doing keg stands all over the place, and thousands of girls just waiting to slay themselves at our feet the moment they first got a peek at our Harvard gear. After all, isn’t this exactly what happened in high school? But we would brush away the siren fingers that playfully traced out the H’s on our jackets, knowing that on Valentine’s night, we would accept nothing less than true love.

”

PHOTOS BY ELIZABETH HERMAN MARCH 8, 2010

TUFTS OBSERVER

POETRY & PROSE

Distance

By Matt Maraynes

T RU

B I f

A d r I a M t I s

A t I T s t d I g l L

M TA

I s e A man sits in a dimly lit room with the shades drawn, molding a small gure out of clay. In agony, he places it on a table and weeps until he decides to paint a picture; it will never know the perfection he imagined. People gather outside his window, squint through the shades to try and make out the shape of his clay gure, and, for what little they can see, I ’m sure they call him a genius. 26

TUFTS OBSERVER

MARCH 8, 2010

POETRY & PROSE Behind a glass wall I watched a carnival for years. Again, children with gaping mouths devour cotton candy, ride ponies in circles. In great packs they marvel as a clown juggles chainsaws. Most, though, peer into the dark hut with metal bars. I press against the glass and see two emerald eyes there within.

The

Freak

Again, the children sidle towards the red-striped tent in the distance; I want so much to go with them. The eld clears, save for the ponies panting, the clown dabbing sweat from his neck and delicately scratching his painted nose. In the hut, the freak glares at me like some sideshow spectacle. Like the joke ’s on me.

By Alex Blum

I search once more for some hammer or ticket or gun, but have tried everywhere before.

RU T

HT AM

MARCH 8, 2010

TUFTS OBSERVER

CAMPUS SAFETY

POLICE BLOTTER

Wednesday, February 17

Every Tufts student knows the story behind the university’s beloved mascot, Jumbo: In the Tufts’ earliest days, American circus man, P.T. Barnum, was a major benefactor. One of Barnum’s donations to Tufts was the stuffed hide of Jumbo the elephant. The stuffed hide was famously lost in the 1975 fire of Barnum Hall, where the entire building burnt to the ground. Earlier last month, the ghost of Jumbo is rumored to have haunted the campus, specifically the basement of Hodgdon Hall. At 5:50 a.m., a clothes dryer caught on fire. Both TUPD and Somerville Fire Department responded and the fire was estinguished. While the cause of the fire is still in question,

TUFTS OBSERVER

MARCH 8, 2010

Sunday, February 21

TUPD responded to a call from a female student reporting suspicious activity at 9:30 a.m. While walking on College Ave., the student was approached by a man in a vehicle. The man offered the student a ride and continued to bother her after she refused. The student took down the license plate number of the vehicle, which matched up with the number of a recently stolen vehicle. Both Cambridge and Medford Police Department are investigating the case and officers believe they know the perpetrator. O many students can still hear the trumpeting of a long-lost Jumbo who once burned to the ground.

The Police Blotter was originally created by Ryan Stolp. While he is abroad, it is being illustrated and written by Ruth Tam.

MARCH 8, 2010

TUFTS OBSERVER

MARK RAFFERTY

NATIONAL

TUFTS OBSERVER SINCE 1895

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