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Volume 123, Number 61 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 Friday, December 5,2003 Vest to Announce Retirement Institute By Keith J. Wlnsteln Krueger '01 at a fraternity event Will Close NEWS EDITOR gone awry. Vest responded by President Charles M. Vest, ordering all students to live in dor- whose 13 years at MIT were mitories for their freshman year and marked by a dot-com era building announcing a crackdown on alco- During boom and a sequence of high-pro- hol, moves that were wildly unpop- file deaths that brought dramatic ular among students and brought changes to student life, is expected him student enmity that still per- Holidays to announce today that he is step- sists. ping down, Institute sources and a A student died here every year By Harris Wang student leader said. The news was from 1995 through 2001, including first reported by The New York several high-profile suicides that The MIT campus will be closed Times. brought renewed attention to mental for II days from Dec. 25 until Jan. Vest, whose tenure as MIT's health services and much unwanted 5 in an effort to reduce operational 15th president is the third longest, press attention on the Institute, as expenses. presided over a period of successful well as three multimillion-dollar The closing comes at a time fundraising and investing that lawsuits against MIT, each still when the Institute is facing budget almost quadrupled MIT's endow- pending. cuts following poor investment ment, despite a recent decline of returns and a drop in MIT's endow- more than a billion dollars. Diversity signature issue for Vest ment from $5.4 billion to $5.1 bil- Buoyed by the dot-com boom, Vest's focus on diversity, lion. the Institute started work on sever- equality, and affirmative action While essential services such as al ambitious and signature con- became a signature issue of his campus police and health services struction projects, including the presidency. wil1 be staffed as they normal1y are Stata Center, the Zesiger Center, "Our educational system must on weekends and holidays, other Simmons Hall, the Sidney-Pacific better serve an increasingly plural- areas such as mail and payrol1 will dormitory, the McGovern and istic society," he said in 1990 upon provide very limited service, Picower Centers, and the Media assuming the presidency. "Efforts according to the Finances Web site. Lab Extension. (Only Zesiger and to attract women and students of Instead of normal departmental Sidney-Pacific have been complet- color and to provide an environ- deliveries, mail and packages will ed.) ment in which they can successfully be available for pickup at Mail Ser- In an event that appears to have complete their education must con- vices in Building WWI5. Time sen- permanently subdued student life, tinue and grow increasingly effec- sitivemail such as FedEx may be the Institute was rocked at the mid- tive." prearranged for special delivery. point of Vest's ten1.l:reby the 1997 Mail to the dormitories will not be TECH FlI.E PIIOTO drinking death of freshman Scott S. Vest, Page 17 affected because the U.S. Postal President Charles M. Vest at the beginning of his presidency. Service delivers directly to the dor- mitories, said Marty O. Brien of Second Hanrard Study Finds Binge Drinking Mail Services. Paychecks will be available for pickup in Building NE49 on Projector Wednesday, Dec. 3 I. The Cashier's Less Frequent on Diverse Campuses Office in Building 10 wil1 be closed By Megan Ogilvie tutions with higher percentages of Analyzing data from 114 col- from Dec. 25 to Jan. 4. Installed minority, female and older students, leges in the United States that par- Saferide will operate on normal White male college students may according to a study by Harvard ticipated in four College Alcohol schedule while Tech Shuttle will not be less likely 'to binge drink at insti- School of Public Health researchers. Study surveys from 1993 to 2001, be available during the holiday clos- InInjinite researchers found that binge drink- ing days. By Rlcha Maheshwarl ing rates of white males and under- Residence halls will remain open age students were significantly as usual during the holidays because ..~ Audio Visual Services has lower in schools that had more many students, especially interna- added another digital projector to minority, female and older students. tional students, stay on campus dur- the Infinite Corridor. The new pro- Dr. Henry Wechsler, director of the ing the winter vacation. jector installation in Building 4 Harvard School of Public Health On-campus dining facilities will • follows on the heels of another College Alcohol Studies Program be limited. At least one on-campus digital projector installed in Febru- led the study. food provider wil1 be open during ary in Building 3. In response to Wechsler's find- the break, except for on Christmas "We put up the corridor 4 pro- ings of the moderating effects of Day and New Year's Day. The holi- jector to respond to the increasing student diversity on heavy episodic day dining schedule is posted at demand from the corridor 3 projec- drinkers, Associate Dean of Student http://web.mil. edu/dining. tor," said Louis W. Graham Jr., the Life Daniel A. Trujillo thinks that Audio Visual manager. Each pro- MIT may be ahead of the curve. Closing days, not vacation days jector installation cost about "We do have a diverse student Many employees use their vaca- $8,000, he said. population, and certainly the recom- tion days around Christmas and With $50 per week and six to mendation of spreading the diversi- New Year's because they want to twelve PowerPoint slides, anyone ty, wel1, MIT already has a diverse extend their holidays. Because these at MIT can broadcast a message on population group," said Trujillo. days are general1y "low productivity the projectors for two and a half days," the Institute has decided to hours a day. Each projector runs Drinking rates vary among groups turn them into cost-saving days by from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Although approximately two of closing parts of campus, said Execu- Students were mostly indiffer- every five college students are tive Vice President John R. Curry. ent to the prospect of more adver- binge drinkers, rates vary among For employees, the closing days tising - or more advertising student sub-groups, according to are meant to be equivalent to Insti- opportunities - in the Infinite Wechsler. tute holidays. The closing days will Corridor. Previous studies conducted by not count toward employees' vaca- "I appreciate it when there are Wechsler have found that African tion days. reminders for deadlines" broadcast American, Asian, female and older "It's a form of benefit that will on the projectors, said Cody B. BRIAN HEMOND-THE TECH students have lower rates of binge offset, for quite a few people on this Leung '04. Students crowd the electronics lab In 38-500 the night before drinking (low-risk groups) than do campus, the fact that they will not Groups wishing to advertise projects are due for many classes. Rlkky Muller G (left) white, male, or younger students be getting raises the next year," should contact Paul D. Shay, the demonstrates her 6.302 final lab project, a magnetically levI- (high-risk groups). Curry said. Audio Visual events coordinator. tated miniature toilet complete with real toilet paper, to The study found that incoming Curry is not aware of any previ- Katherine A. Llllenkamp G. Projectors, Page 12 Alcohol, Page 19 Closing, Page 14

OPINION Comics FEATURES Chen Zhao advises Democrats to Sex and the Saferide explores World & Nation 2 take a stand on the gay marriage the pros and cons of long dis- Opinion 4 issue. tance relationships. Features 7 Events Calendar .11 Page 5 Page 9 Page 6 Page 2 THE TECH December 5,2003 WORLD & NATION • India's Leading Hindu party Bush Rescinds 21-Month'()ld Makes Gains in Elections

TilE NEW YORK TlJIES NEW DELHI. INDIA Tariffs on All Steel Imports The Hindu nationalist party that leads India's coalition govern- ment decisively won three of four key state elections held on Mon- By Richard W. Stevenson ers and their workers. communities that depend on steel day, according to vote totals that were counted Thursday. and Elizabeth Becker The president said he would for their jobs and livelihoods," The results, seen as a prelude to the general elections to be held THE NEW YORK TIMES continue a program to monitor Bush said in the statement. "The next year, were an unexpected boon for the Bharatiya Janata Party. WASHINGTON steel imports closely to detect any safeguard measures have now They also provided another in a series of blows to the once-proud Citing an improving economy destabilizing surges of cheap for- achieved their purpose, and as a Indian National Congress, whose incumbent governments lost in and cost-cutting efforts by domes- eign steel. The United States result of changed economic cir- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh. The Congress Party, the tic steel makers, President Bush would also continue pressing cumstances, it is t~me to lift base of the Nehru-Gandhi family dynasty, retained control only of lifted tariffs on imported steel on other nations to stop subsidizing them." Delhi. Thursday, averting a trade war their own inefficient steel produc- But Pascal Lamy, the top Euro- Indian voters are strongly anti-incumbent, so in one sense the with Europe but risking a political ers, he said. pean trade official, immediately turning out of the Congress Party was no surprise. But few expected bac~lash in some industrial states In a written statement explain- took credit for Bush's decision, it to lose by su~h substantial margins. In Rajasthan, home to about 57 heading into the 2004 election. ing the shift, Bush did not men- telling a news conference in Brus- million people, the Bharatiya Janata Party won 120 seats to the Con- Twenty-one .months after tion the threat from Europe' or the sels, Belgium, "I am pleased to gress Party's 56. In Madhya Pradesh, home to 60 million people, imposing the tariffs and saying ruling against the United States on announce that all our efforts have Bharatiya Janata won 174 seats to Congress' 37. they would remain in place for as the permissibility of the tariffs by worked." long as three years to help the the World Trade Organization, the Lamy said Europe would drop struggling industry, Bush said he international body that sets trade its threat of $2.2 billion in sanc- Appeals Court Voids Part would rescind them as of mid- rules. tions in the form of additional tar- night on Thursday. The president instead cast the iffs on U.S. products and would Of Widely Applied Antiterror Law The announcement of his deci- decision as dt:iven by improve- also eliminate countertariffs it had THE NEW YORK TIMES sion immediately led the Euro- ments in the outlook for domestic already imposed on U.S. steel. WASHINGTON pean Union to drop its plan to steel producers since he imposed The president's decision to A federal appeals court ruled on Wednesday that key portions of an retaliate with tariffs on a variety the tariffs in March 2002. abandon the tariffs was welcomed antiterrorism law are unconstitutional because the law, relied on heavi- of U.S. exports from states vital to He said steel makers were ben- by advocates of unfettered trade ly by the Bush administration, risks ensnaring innocent humanitarians. Bush's political fortunes, includ- efiting from the economic recov- and by representatives of states The ruling from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in San Fran- ing Florida and Michigan. ery, new labor agreements, stable and industries that were paying cisco, throws into doubt the administration's reliance on portions of a Despite hopes within the prices, increased efficiency and the price for the trade protection • 1996 antiterrorism law making it a crime to provide material support to industry that the tariffs would be the assumption by the government in the form of higher steel prices. groups designated as terrorists. lifted gradually or that steel com- of some of the industry's pension "Too many Iowa manufactur- Since the Sept. 11 attacks, the material support ban has become a panies would receive additional obligations. ers faced increased production favorite weapon of choice for the Justice Department in a host of ter- government help in offsetting the "I took action to give the costs because of these tariffs," rorism cases, including the prosecutions of John Walker Lindh, an costs of union health and pension industry a chance to adjust to the Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, American who fought with the Taliban in Afghanistan; Lynne Stewart, benefits, Bush announced no new surge in foreign imports and to said in a statement supporting the defense attorney accused of helping a client pass messages to ter- steps to aid or protect steel mak- give relief to the workers and Bush's decision. rorist associates; and terror suspects in Lackawanna, N.Y.; Portland, Ore., and Detroit. But the famously liberal 9th Circuit ruled that two key portions of the law were unconstitutional. u.s. Companies Work to Help Automakers Agree to Make SUVs Sold in U.S. Safer Reconstruct Economy of Iraq By Danny Hakim By Michael Janofsky investment counselors and more than ma Steel. The company motto, he TilE NEW YORK TIMES THE NEW YORK TIMES 40 Iraqi officials working with the said, is, "We stand behind our walls." DETROIT ARLINGTON. VA. Coalition Provisional AuthoritY, who But for the most part, the net- The auto industry, which for years has disputed critics' con- The room had the feel of a souk, a were eager to meet as many suitors as working was upbeat, as-business and tentions that sport utility vehicles posed a significant danger to constant buzz, chatter in lots of lan- possible .. government leaders sought each other other vehicles in collisions, agreed Wednesday to make design guages, display tables showing off If the participants conveyed a out as potential partners in the enor- changes to SUVs and pickups sold in the United States so they are wares. common message it was this: Despite mous task of reconstructing the coun- less dangerous to the occupants of passenger cars. In fact, it was a marketplace of suicide bombers, snipers and sneak try. Fifteen auto makers from four nations agreed to redesign their sorts, just off the lobby of a Sheraton attacks from Saddam Hussein loyal- "Our purpose is to help United light trucks, mostly SUVs and pickups, to reduce the likelihood hotel here, but one with a specific ists, Iraq is open for business. States companies connect with Mid- that they would skip over the front bumpers of cars in collisions. purpose: More than 400 people from There were sobering reminders of dle Eastern countries and with indi- They also agreed to increase protection of passengers in vehicles 30 countries had gathered Wednes- the daily dangers that confront both vidual Iraqis with lots of emphasis on struck in the side, most likely by making side airbags standard day and Thursday for a conference military personnel and civilians, the alliances already on the ground," equipment in vehicles sold in the United States. The changes like focusing on how to rebuild Iraq and including one company selling vehi- said Samir Farajallah, president of the airbags, which protect people's heads if their vehicles are get a piece of the $18.3 billion Con- cle armor protection and another sell- New Fields, the United Arab Emi- struck in the side, are particularly aimed at helping passenger car gress has authorized for the effort. ing walls so strong that they could rates company that organized this occupants survive when struck by light trucks. There were bankers, architects, withstand 50 mm rounds. "We're meeting and another one last month • The changes, which will cost about $300 a vehicle and be phased in lawyers, engineers, real estate devel- working on one now that will be able for the authority. "You hear a lot of between 2007 and 2009, will probably save thousands of lives annually, opers, insurance agents, construction to sustain shoulder-fired rocket negative stories out of Iraq, but the according to projections included in a letter released Wednesday. specialists, transportation experts, attack," said Prentice Perry, vice truth of the matter is, there are a lot communication company owners, president of the wall company, Ther- of very successful stories." WEATHER Weekend Snow Situation for Noon Eastern Daylight Time, Friday, December 5, 2003 By Robert L.Korty o~ ;,~ ~~ ~~ <5~ ;,~ o~ o~ o~ ...~ ...q; ,,1-- ...' ..." ...<::i ...~ ~<:l ~(;) STAFF .\ftTEOROI.OGfST ., 400N A storm that swept across the country this week will reorganize and intensify off the Mid-Atlantic coast this afternoon. As it heads northeast, heavy snow will spread across southern New England. There will be a sharp boundary between dry air over northern New England and a storm intense

enough to deposit a foot of snow. The numerical weather model output 35°N makes a major snow storm appear likely, but a complicating factor is the mild ocean temperature. As it is only early December, the water is still 46°F (8°C), which is warm enough to allow a rain and sleet to mix with any snow falling in Boston and along the coast. 0 Only on five occasions during the past 135 years has there been six inch- 30 N es or more of snow in Boston, largely owing to the relatively mild ocean temperature this time of year. Snow will develop late Friday night, but may mix with sleet and rain and taper in intensity Saturday morning. By afternoon, precipitation should 25°N become heavy and turn to all snow as temperatures fall. Snow will continue to be heavy Saturday night before ending early Sunday. It looks fairly cer- tain that the first sizeable snowfall of the 2003-04 season will begin tonight and continue through Sunday morning with accumulations between 6 and 12 inches across most of eastern Massachusetts; these could be a little less in the city if snow mixes with rain. Extended Forecast Today: Cloudy. High 32°F (O°C). _Trough Fog Tonight: Snow. Low 25°F (-4°C). H IIigh Pressure - Showe~ - Thunde~torm Saturday: Snow and sleet early, becoming heavy and all snow during ..... ~..-...... Warm Front \l* \l "R Light the afternoon. High 30°F (-1°C), dropping into the 20s F (-1°C) late. L Low Pres ....re () l131.e ~ColdFronl Moderale * 0 Compiled by MIT • Saturday night: Snow, heavy at times. Low 25°F (-4 C). ~ IIurricane Melrorology Staff ...... SLalionary Frool lIeavy ** Sunday: Becoming partly cloudy. High 36°F (2°C). *** and Th, T~ch December 5, 2003 WORLD & NATION THE TECH Page 3

• Newly-Found Fossil.Hailed as Boston Archbishop Residence Will Be Sold to Help Compensate Abuse

TIlE NEW YORK TIMES World's Earliest Recorded Male BOSTON By James Gorman length. was hard to know for sure, and such The Roman Catholic Archdiocese orBoston said on Wednesday TIlE NEW YORK TIMES Siveter's colleagues, who con- fossils are exceedingly rare. that to help pay for an $85 million settlement to compensate hundreds A 425-million-year-old fossil tributed to the research, were Derek The new fossil, of calcite found of clergy sex abuse victims, it will sell the grand archbishop's resi- found in Herefordshire, England, E.G. Briggs of Yale and Mark D. in volcanic ash, has modem descen- dence, the palatial quarters that housed Boston's Catholic Church may be the oldest record of an ani- Sutton and Derek J. Siveter, both of dants that are almost exactly the leaders for 75 years. mal that is unarguably male. Scien- Oxford. The Siveters are twins. same, down to two hairs on the end The residence, modeled after an Italian palazzo and appointed in tists report Friday in the journal Sci- There are many fossi Is, some of its swimming appendages. marble and mahogany, had become a despised symbol during the ence that the tiny crustacean, only earlier, that paleontologists judge to It also offers a striking example sexual abuse crisis. As the home of then-Archbishop Bernard F. Law, two-tenths of an inch long, had an be male by overall size or other of evolution almost standing still. the residence in the neighborhood of Brighton represented what'many unmistakable penis.' characteristics. But fossils may be a "This," Siveter said, "is an animal perceived as the archdiocese's indifference to the plight of its abused In their paper, the scientists bit like the ultrasound images that whose basic ground plan hasn't and angry parishioners. name the creature Colymbosathon prospective parents inspect so care- changed in 425 million years." It In fact, when Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley took the place this ecplecticos, which they say means fully - only the presence of a penis has evolved hardly at all. summer of Law, who resigned under pressure, he quickly decided swimmer with a large penis. is considered definitive. A geologist at the U.S. Geologi- that he would not live in the residence, and moved into a small recto- David J. Siveter, a geologist at Ostracode shells are common cal Survey in Reston, Va., Thomas ry behind the city's cathedral, a good distance from Brighton in a .the University of Leicester, said that fossils and used in studies of ancient M. Cronin, who uses ostracodes in a more urban setting. although this was his literal transla- climate and of the pace of evolution. variety of research, said that it was tion of the Greek, it may, like so They are also used in oil exploration "unbelievable to see the similarity many other references to virility in to help determine the age of drilled with the living forms." New York City Agrees males, be a bit of an exaggeration. cores. And modem ostracodes are Cronin also praised the detail Colymbosathon, he said, was not everywhere. They are common in with which the fossil was recon- To Release 9/11 Records remarkable among its group of crus- oceans, shallow seas, rivers and structed. Siveter and colleagues TIlE NEW YORK 71MES WASIIINGTON taceans, the ostracodes. Some have lakes .. ground the fossil down 20 microns copulatory organs one-third the What is more remarkable than (one one-thousandth of an inch) at a In an abrupt reversal, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York length of their bodies, he said, and the sex of the fossil, Siveter said, is time, taking a digital photograph at City announced on Wednesday that he had agreed to release records some produce sperm 10 times the that it pushes back the presence of each step. The photographs were of emergency 911 calls and other materials sought by the federal length of their bodies. Colym- ostracodes 200 million years. Some combined in a computer to create a commission investigating the Sept. II terrorist attacks. bosathon is more modest; its penis fossils were presumed to be ostra- precise, three-dimensional, virtual Bloomberg's action comes nearly two weeks after the commission • was less than a fifth of its body codes, but with no soft body parts it reconstruction. announced that it had issued a subpoena to New York City for records related to the attacks. The panel said that the city's refusal to turn over the infornlation had "significantly impeded" its investiga- U.S. Hospitals, Doctors Criticize tion. Initially, Bloomberg said he intended to challenge the federal sub- poena, arguing that the request was "ghoulish" and that complying with it would invade the privacy of the victims' families. Medicare Reimbursement System But with the deadline for complying with the subpoena looming, By Reed Abelson guard of critics who say that scholarly journal, more than a dozen the Bloomberg administration reached a deal with the commission THE NEW YORK TIMES Medicare's payment system is fun- health care experts, including sever- that seemed to address the privacy concerns raised by the mayor even SALT LAKE CITY damentally flawed. 'al former top Medicare officials, as it gave the commission access to the materials it has been demand- By better educating doctors Medicare, the nation~s largest urged the program to take the lead in ing. The city had until Wednesday to comply with the subpoena. about the most effective pneumonia purchaser of health care, pays hospi- overhauling payment systems so that treatments, Intermountain Health tals and doctors a fixed sum to treat they reward good care. Care, a network of 2 I hospitals in a specific diagnosi~ or perform a "Despite a few initial successes, Boeing Behind. Schedule, Over Cost Utah and Idaho, says it saves at least given procedure, regardless of the the inertia of the health system could 70 lives a year. By giving the right quality of care they provide. Those easily overwhelm nascent efforts to . On Spy Satellite Program drugs at discharge time to more peo- who work to improve care are not raise average performance levels out TIlE NEW YORK TIMES pIe with congestive heart failure, paid extra, and poor care is frequent- of mediocrity," they wrote. "Deci- WASHINGTON Intermountain saves another 300 ly rewarded, because it creates the sive change will occur only when The Boeing Co. is running more than a year behind schedule and lives annually and prevents almost need for more procedures and ser- Medicare, with the full support of billions of dollars over cost on a highly classified program to build 600. additional hospital stays .. vices." . the administration and Congress, the next generation of reconnaissance satellites, forcing the govern- But under Medicare, none of The Medicaf'e legislation that creates financial incentives that pro- ment to shift an estimated $4 billion from other spy programs, senior these good deeds go unpunished. President Bush is expected to sign mote pursuit of improved quality." government officials said on Wednesday. Intermountain's initiatives have on Monday calls for studies and a Medicare's top official is quick The Boeing project was initially set at about $6 billion, but the cost it millions of dollars in lost few pilot programs on quality to agree that the payment system National Reconnaissance Office had to add substantially to that figure hospital admissions and lower improvement, but experts say that it needs to be fixed. "It's one of the to address what auditors described as large problems with the pro- Medicare reimbursements. In the does little to reverse financial disin- fundamental problems Medicare gram, the officials said. Even so, the officials said, the reconnaissance mid-'90s, for example, it made an centives to improving care. faces," said Thomas A. Scully, who office has had to scale back its expectations for the satellites' initial average profit of 9 percent treating "Right now, Medicare's payment as the administrator of the Centers performance to well below what Boeing had promised. pneumonia patients;' now, delivering system is at best neutral and, in for Medicare and Medicaid Services Boeing is now under scrutiny for improprieties related to other better care, it loses an average of some cases, negative, in terms of has encouraged better care by steps Pentagon deals, including a $20 billion contract to provide aerial several hundred dollars on each quality - we think that is an unten- like publicizing data about the quali- refueling tankers to the Air Force. The problems with the satellite case. able situation," said Glenn M. Hack- ty of nursing home and home-health program are not related to that deal, but Boeing's involvement in the "The health care system is per- barth, the chairman of the Medicare care and by experimenting with pro- spy satellite business is part of a broader effort by the company to verse," said a frustrated Dr. Brent C. Payment Advisory Commission, an grams to reward hospitals for their increase its share of federal contracts, and the delays and cost over- James, who leads Intermountain's independent panel of economists, efforts. runs have become a further source of deep strain between the compa- efforts to improve quality. "The health care executives and doctors But the steps taken so far have ny and the government. payments are perverse. It pays us to that advises Congress on such issues been small, and many experts say harm patients, and it punishes us as access to care, quality and what to that rather than paying for more when we don't." pay health care providers. studies, Congress should start mak- Judge Voids Colorado Intermountain's doctors and In a letter published in the cur- ing significant changes to the way executives are in a swelling van- 'rent edition of Health Affairs, a doctors and hospitals are paid. School Voucher Law TilE NEW YORK TIMES A Denver judge struck down Colorado's new school voucher u.s. Secretary of State Urges NATO law on Wednesday, ruling that it violated the state constitution by stripping local school boards of their control over education. "The goals of the voucher program are laudable," wrote Dis- To Have a Greater Presence in Iraq trict Judge Joseph E. Meyer III. "However, even great ideas must be implemented within the framework of the Colorado Constitu- By Christopher Marquis from the Bush administration that it role as well." tion." TIlE NEW YORK TIMES seeks to share the costs and sacri- Noting that the United Nations The Colorado vQucher law, enacted in April and scheduled to BRUSSELS, BELGIUM fices of rebuilding Iraq with interna- has already approved a resolution to take effect with the next school year, would have made vouchers Secretary of State Colin L. Pow- tional partners, even if that means encourage the engagement of multi- available to low-income, low-achieving students in school dis- ell on Thursday urged NATO to surrendering a measure of opera- lateral and regional groups to rebuild tricts with eight or more low-performing schools. Other districts consider expanding its activities in tional control. Iraq, Powell pressed the ministers to would have had the choice of participating or not. But the ruling Iraq, in the Bush administration's Faced with a self-imposed sum- prepare for action by next June, blocked implementation of the plan, known officially as the Col- most pointed appeal for internation- mer deadline to transfer authority to when the NATO heads of state meet orado Opportunity Contract Pilot Program. al help since it went to war last an interim government, U.S. offi- in Turkey. Gov. Bill Owens said he would appeal the ruling. spring. cials also appear eager to confer "As we prepare for the Istanbul "Securing school choice for the children of Colorado was a Powell stopped short of making greater international legitimacy on Summit, we urge the Alliance to long legislative struggle and there was always the likelihood the a specific request from NATO, pre- the effort as they wrestle with politi- examine how it might do more to struggle would extend to the courts as well," he said in a state- senting the proposal as an idea that cal challenges and terror attacks in support peace and stability in Iraq, ment. "Children from low-income families should not be facing a merited discussion. He also called Iraq. which every leader has acknowl- dead end if they are in a school that is below par. They deserve a for a "more robust" role for the The administration is testing the edged is critical to all of us," he said. choice and that is why we will appeal the court's decision." United Nations in Iraq. waters after a series of devastating Turning to the United Nations, The lead plaintiff in the challenge to the voucher plan was the Ministers in the 26-nation securi- attacks on allies who have backed which drastically scaled back its Colorado PT A, which was represented by lawyers from the Col- ty organization - some of whom the United States in Iraq, bringing operations in Iraq after the bombing orado Education Association and the National Education Associa- staunchly opposed the war that top- recent casualties to Italy, Britain, of its headquarters this fall, Powell tion. Other religious and advocacy groups were also plaintiffs, pled the Iraqi government - react- Turkey, Spain and Japan. All of said that a new Security Council along with several individuals. ed coolly to the proposal, with some those governments have said their resolution would not be necessary Opponents of the voucher plan, which budget officials estimat- suggesting that NATO already has support will not waver, though pub- for the United Nations to claim a ed would ultimately take $90 million a year out of the participat- its hands full in nearby Afghanistan. lic sentiment is rising against' it. prominent role in the reconstruction. ing districts, argue that the loss of that money and the departure of But none of them opposed the idea "The United States welcomes a In a meeting in his home last month, so many students would undermine the public schools. outright, ministers said. greater NATO role in Iraq's stabi- he prodded Kofi Annan SM '72, the The Colorado Education Association, which represents 37,000 The exchange, at a regularly lization," Powell told his colleagues organization's secretary-general, to teachers in the state, hailed the ruling as an important victory for • scheduled meeting of NATO diplo- in a speech on Thursday. "We wel- find a way back into the country, local control. mats, was the sharpest indication yet come a more robust United Nations Powell said. Page 4 THE TECH December 5, 2003 OPINION

~ Chairman Jyoti Tibrewala '04

Editor in Chief Christine R. Fry '05 Business l\tlanager Roy K. Esaki '04 Managing Editor David Carpenter '05

Executive Editor Eun J. Lee '04

,VEWSSTAFF Nens and Features Director: Jennifer Krishnan '04; Nens Editors: I(eith 1. Winstein G, Lauren E. LeBon '06, &-ckett W. Sterner '06; Associate Edi- tors: Kathy Lin '06, Marissa VO!,'t'06, Jenny Zhang '06; Staff: Jeffrey Greenbaum '04, Michael E. Rol- ish '04, Jay K. Cameron 'OS,Sam Hwang 'OS, Issei Anne L. Lim 'OS, Jessica A. Zaman '05, Brian C. Keegan '06, Tiffany Kosolcharoen '06, Lakshmi Nambiar '06, Jennifer Wong '06, Waseem S. Daher '07, Tongyan Lin '07, Julian E. Villarreal '07; l\leteorologists: Samantha L. H. Hess G, Robert Lindsay Kor1y G, Greg Lawson G, Nikki Prive G, William Ramstrom G, Michael 1. Ring G.

PRO[)U( 'lION STAFF Editors: lIangyul Chung 'OS, Kevin Chen '06, Timmy Dohzen '06; Associate Editors: Sic Hen- drata Dharmawan 'OS, Nicholas R. Hoff '05; Staff: Andrew Mamo '04, Albert Leung '06, Jolinta Lin '06, Jonathan Reinharth '06, Jennifer Huang '07, Yaser M. Khan '07, Y. Grace Lin '07, Sylvia Letter 10 The Editor Yang '07. OPI,V/ON ,\-TAFF Praise the Lord? Editors: Andrew C. Thomas '04; Associate Edi- promises a future of unimaginable pleasures love sinners (as all of us are) but to hate the sin tor: Vivek Rao '05; Staff: Basil Enwegbara SM Why is it morally wrong to deny gays the for those who resist these same indulgences: (I daily despise the sin in my own life). Jesus '0 I, Gretchen K. Aleks '04, Ken Nesmith '04, Atif right to marry? To what absolute standard of ''No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind chose to spend his short life among lepers, tax Z. Qadir '04, W. Victoria Lee '06, Daniel Barclay morality do groups making this claim appeal? has conceived what God has prepared for collectors, and prostitutes whom he loved '07, Ruth Miller '07, Chen Zhao '07. While advocates of same-sex marriage have those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). enough to die for. Jesus never condoned their only to fall back upon their own opinions and Love and obedience are complementary. sins, though, because he knew the greater hap- SPOR TS STAFF reasoning, Christians believe the God of love Christians hold to the truth that God wit- piness that would accompany freedom from Editor: Jennifer DeBoer '05, Phil Janowicz '05; has already given the world a moral code nesses every action on 'earth, including all mar- these sins, Jesus told his followers, "If you Columnists: O.B. Usmen '03, Eric Rosenblatt which enables us as tainted human beings to riages. Marriage was intended to only take on hold to my teaching ... Then you will know '04; Staff: Brian C. Chase '06, Yong-yi Zhu '06. live in the ultimate freedom. Leviticus 18:22 one form: "from the beginning 'God made the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John .IRl'SSl'AFF states, "Do not lie with a man as one lies with them male and female.' And He said, 'This 8:31-32). This is real freedom. Likewise, gen- Editors: Jeremy Baskin '04, Allison C. Lewis a woman; that is detestable." Christians main- explains why a man leaves his father and uine Christians do not oppose homosexual '04; Associate Editor: Kevin G. Ocr '06; Staff: tain that this command was instituted in 1440 mother and is joined to his wife, and the two marriage to serve their own selfish agendas; Bogdan Fedeles G, Ruby Lam G, Sonja Sharpe BC by the Being who created mankind long are united in to one'" (Matthew 19:4-6). Based we passionately want others to know true G, Fred Choi '02, Chikako Sassa '02, Jed Home before man established any laws of his own. on the promises of Scripture, I was deeply sad- wholeness. In "Can We Separate Church and '04, Pey-Hua Hwang '04, Petar Simich '04, Amy This mandate is surrounded by prohibitions dened to read front-page stories of homosexual State?" (Nov. 21) I was thankful for one thing: Lee '06, Lauren Nowierski '06. against incest, sacrificing one's children and couples proclaiming, "This is the happiest day it opened with the expression, "Praise the Lord PIIOIOGRAPII}' STAFF having sexual relations with animals. While [the day the ban on same-sex marriage was [!]," and these three words could never be Editors: Brian Hemond '04, JonathanWang 'OS,Dan some believe that acceptance of forbidden lifted] of our lives," because they are missing echoed across this campus enough. Bersak '02; Associate Editor: Peter R. Russo G, practices will lead society to "a better future" out on the greatest joy imaginable by settling Sara Vassallo Jina Kim '06; Staff: Marcus Dahlem G, Wendy Gu ("A Victory for Gays," Dec. 2), the Bible for this lesser joy. The Bible teaches people to Lab Technician G, Stanley Hu '00, Eric 1. Cholankeril '02, Scott Johnston '03, Miguel A. Calles '04, Jimmy Cheung '04, Dmitry Portnyagin '04, HassenAbdu '06, Matt D. Brown '06, Jimmy Cheung '04, John M. Cloutier '06, Grant Jordan '06, Stephanielee '06, Edward Platt '06, Omoleye Roberts'06, Rene Chen '07. Erratum FE" lURES STAFF Editor: Brian Loux '04; Associate Editor: Ricarose Roque '06; Columnists: Bruce Wu G, Kailas Narendran '0 I, Devdoot Majumdar '04, Akshay Patil '04, Danchai Mekadenaumpom 'OS, A map accompanying the Alex Nelson '06; Cartoonists: Jason Bums G, Nov. 25 article about the new Jmnaane Jeffries '02, Sergei R. Guma '04, Sean Liu proposed winter shuttle stops '04, Jennifer Peng 'OS,Nancy Phan 'OS,Qian Wang ["Winter Shuttle May Add '05. Brookline Stop"] gave incorrect HUSINESS SIAl' F locations for Zeta Beta Tau, Adnrtising Manager: Aye Moah '05; Staff: Epsilon Theta, and the new pro- Lynn K. Kamimoto '05, William Li '06, Victoria posed stop for the Boston winter Fan '06, Lauren W. Leung '07, Donald H. Wong shuttle. The map placed ZBT '07, Jennifer Y. Wong '07. two blocks east of its actual

l'f.O INOLOG}' .'ITA FF location, ET one block east, and Director: Roshan Baliga '03; Staff: Frank Dabek the proposed stop two streets G, Daniel Leeds '05, Lisa Wray '07. west. Please see the corrected map at right. f."/HTORS AT lARGE Senior Editor: Aaron D. Mihalik G, Satwiksai Seshasai G; Contributing Editors: Joel C. Corbo '04. Joy Forsythe '04.

ADVISOR}' BOARD Peter Peckarsky '72, Paul E. Schindler, Jr. '74, V. OpiI1ion Policy will be given higher priority. Once submitted, all letters become Michael Bove '83, Bany Surman '84, Robert E. property of The Tech, and will not 'be returned. The Tech makes no Malchman '85, Deborah A. Levinson '91, Editorials are the official opinion of The Tech. They are written commitment to publish all the letters received. Jonathan Richmond PhD '91, Vladimir V. by the editorial board, which consists of the chairman, editor in The Tech's Ombudsman, reachable bye-mail at ombuds- Zelevinsky '95, Anders Hove '96, Saul Blumen- chief, managing editor, opinion editor, a senior editor, and a pho- [email protected], serves as the liaison between The Tech and thal '98, Joel Rosenberg '99, Joseph Dieckhans tography editor. its readers. From time to time, the Ombudsman writes an indepen- '00, Ryan Ochylski '0 I, Rima Amaout '02, Ian Dissents are the opinions of signed members of the editorial dent column reflecting the complaints, questions, and concerns of Lai '02, Nathan Collins SM '03, B. D. Colen. board choosing to publish their disagreement with the editorial. the readership. Letters to the editor, columns, and editorial cartoons are writ- OMBUDSMAN ten by individuals and represent the opinion of the ~uthor, not nec- John A. Hawkinson. essarily that of the newspaper. Electronic submissions are encour- To Reach Us PRODU(.TION STAFF FOR 77/IS ISSUE aged and should be sent to [email protected]. Hard copy The Tech's telephone number is (617) 253-1541. E-mail is the Editors: David Carpenter 'OS, HangyuJ Chung 'OS, submissions should be addressed to The Tech, P.O. Box 397029, easiest way to reach any member of our staff. If you are unsure Sie Hendrata Dharmawan '05. Staff: Lauren Cambridge, Mass. 02139-7029, or sent by interdepartmental mail to whom to contact, send mail to [email protected], and it will Leung '07, Sylvia Yang '07, Jennifer Huang '07. Room W20-483. All submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. two days be directed to the appropriate person. Please send press releases, 1M Te. ~ Letters, columns, and cartoons must bear the authors' signatures, rection to [email protected]. Letters to the editor should be ...... ll1I)9 Thod~_~"_M-._Nn I p("',.M ....~A_ vnd 011 ...... - 1M TKIo. PO "'" J97f129. ~..- addresses, and phone numbers. Unsigned letters will not be accepted. sent to [email protected]. The Tech can be found on the 0213"-1ll1'J T~ (b17)nl-IS4I._ \617)~. ~ 16\1) ~ _ .. ~~"""_ u..._Q1OIlJ"Tlw The Tech reserves the right to edit or condense letters; shorter letters World Wide Web at http://the-tech,mit.edu.

Tft"It. /n"tnJ 01'1 rrcyrW popH by ( 'Itcukt Rllw, PI4hIi.Jtuw December 5t 2003 OPINION THE TECH Page 5 • A Matter of Conviction Revitalizing

Chen Zhao On-Campus ative point of viewt whereas if Democrats do Iy ends up pleasing no one.

the same thingt then they have to worry Reverend AI Sharpton is one of the few

Nowt Pm as much a loyal Democrat as about offending the majority of Americans Democratic candidates who openly support the next person and I reflexively cringe when - otherwise known as voters in the 2004 gay marriage. He says that he would happily Buildings criticism is directed towards the party or a presidential election. perform a marriage ceremony for a same-sex Democratic politician. I am also cynical But, hey, life is tough and we all have to couple. to say, Sharpton also has a Pius Uzamere and Jacob Faber enough to understand that politicians are make decisions sometimes when we don't slim to none chance of winning or even com- among the most opportunistic people on the want to. Yes, it would be easier for the can- ing close to winning the Democratic nomina- MIT is revitalizing the east side of cam- face of the planet and that only the most ide- didates to just ignore the issue of gay mar- tion. So, he really has nothing to lose by tak- pus by adding emerging academic centers, alistic of us can truly believe that politicians riage until after the presidential election, sort ing a risk and speaking his mind. most notably the Stata Center. This incredi- stick to their principles all the time. Howev- of like how Arnold Schwarzenegger told the While Sharpton may not be the ideal can- ble building, along with the new brain and er, on the issue of gay marriage, I believe media that he would not give the details didate, the other candidates definitely should cognitive sciences project and proposed that the Democratic candidates need to stop about his groping numerous random women follow suit when it comes to this thorny adclitions to the Media Lab and Sloan screwing around and until after the Califor- issue. It may be a risk now to openly support School, will shift the focus of campus activ- take a firm position. nia recall election. legal recognition of gay marriage, but, as his- ities towards the east. As more of the MIT The Supreme Judi- Arnold can hardly be tory has shown us, society does progress. community spends time here, our facilities cial Court of Massa- ... Democrats just come C?if considered the great- The majority of Americans may not be in and infrastructure must be ready to accom- chusetts recently ruled est political role favor of gay marriages now, but think of modate the increased student life demand. that bans on gay mar- sounding stupid by refusing to model; this is the everything that the majority of Americans Unfortunately, amidst MIT's blitz of riage are inherently same guy who was have been against in the past that are perfect- academic renovations and improvements on unconstitutional. This take a side [on gay rnarriage]. quoted as saying, "I ly acceptable now. Just to name a few: inte- the east side of campus, there is a lack of decision has caused think that gay mar- grated schools, women's rights, saying the commensurate investment in student Iife- many ripples in the riage should be word "penis" on television, and string biki- related facilities upgrades in the vicinity. state and the country. between a man and a nis. In the near future, these candidates may The east side has been receiving new acade- Governor Mitt Romney said that he would woman." very well have to retract their current opin- mic buildings while new dorms, athletic work for a state constitutional amendment to Right after the court decision was ions and appear to contradict themselves. facilities, and dining option upgrades have overturn it. President George Bush said that announced, most of the Democratic candi- Look where being indecisive got John tended to land west of Massachusetts he "will work with congressional leaders and dates came out with somewhat contradictory Kerry. In the wake of Sept. 11, he voted to Avenue. In fact, the east side is losing a din- others to do what is legally necessary to statements saying that while they support allow President Bush to use force in Iraq. ing facility and the dormitories are overdue defend the sanctity of marriage." Although I legal rights for same-sex couples, they do not Later, after the war became a quagmire, he for renovation. East Campus and Senior cannot in any way agree with these points of support gay marriage. When asked about a did not quite do a 180, but he definitely House are home to hundreds of undergradu-

viewt I have to say that George Bush and Constitutional amendment banning gay mar- turned a good 150 degrees or so and decided ates. The needs of this community must be

Mitt Romney may be completely off trackt riage, they voiced very strong opposition to that the war was unjustified. In an effort to addressed. but at least they are taking a strong stance on such an idea. Of course, support for the convince anti-war Democrats that he could Certainly, with the Stata Center this very important issue. amendment would result in nothing less than be their candidate, he voted against giving promised to open in the spring of 2004, the

Of courset it is harder for the Democratic political suicide in the Democratic primary. Bush the $87 million that he wanted. Instead east side will see many improvements in candidates to decide where they want to fall In the general election, however, opposing of being viewed as a good anti-war Democ- this regard. The building features athletics on this issue since polls have shown that the amendment would make them vulnerable rat, he came off as being fickle. facilities, classrooms, dining services, most Americans are against gay marriage to attacks from Republicans and the majority That is not what these candidates need library amenities, and many other programs (for example, 59 percent according to a potJ of the country. right now. They need to simply stop evading that will directly impact student lives. How- by the Pew Research Center for the People I believe that I am hardly alone when I the question and voice a definite opinion one ever, the Stata Center alone will not be and the Press and 61 percent in a say the Democrats just come off sounding way or another. After all, I believe that enough. The Walker Memorial building CNN/Gallup/USA Today poll.) The Republi- stupid by refusing to take a side. After all, Americans want, or at least should want, offers a fantastic opportunity, particularly cans can confidently stick with their conserv- when one tries to please everyone, one usual- politicians with firm convictions. now that the dining function will be taken offline. The Walker Memorial building deserves the same imaginative design, technological upgrades, and financial investment as MIT The Ombudsman 's trendier new construction. As our campus evolves through the addition of new build- ings and facilities, we must look to our older buildings for solutions to student life "A:'JJiok "atthe;News Assignment Process and learning concerns, as well as soaring construction costs. This is particularly rele- times slip until Thursday evening. day stories eight days in advance of their • vant considering the current economic cli- John A. Hawkinson deadline, rather than one. mate. Last term's process In line with Chris's concern about edit- We would like to see an investment in I've heard criticism of recent Tech issues, Last term's process was similar, but the ing time, writer/editor communication needs student lounge space. The effect of the sim- suggesting that there hasn't been enough crux of it differed. Then-news Director to improve. Sitting in the newsroom watch- ple addition of several couches and good meritorious news. Last issue's news stories Keith Winstein took tips, evaluated them, ing The Tech come together on Ads Night lighting to the Stratton Student Center lobby were: "Students Should Get Flu Shot, MIT and only presented a subset to the writers. (two nights before the issue prints) and Issue has been tremendous. This area is now so Says," "Smith is New BC House-Master," He says, "I decided what I thought should Night (the night before the issue prints), popular that, for most of the day, it is diffi- and "IFC, ASA Develop Easier Recognition be in the paper." most news editing doesn't happen until late cult to find seating. Emulating, improving Procedure." The previous issue: "Winter Though this raised concerns about on Issue Night. upon, and implementing this model on the Shuttle May Add Brookline Stop," "City selection bias, I think it produced a better Even when a story comes in before Ads east side of campus is necessary. The Stops Short on Gay Marriage," "'Wet' Frat paper. Night, if an editor doesn't see it until Issue Undergraduate Association is working Parties to Be By Invite Only, IFC Says," Night, there's still no time for writers to do through a committee to find and develop a '''Alterations and Additions' Under Commit- Efficacy of the current process additional reporting and interviews to small space with furniture, a microwave. tee's Scrutiny," and "Community Gears Up Writers don't have sufficient opportunity answer an editor's concerns. (Sometimes and entertainment such as a stereo or televi- For Holiday." to take story assignments outside of news news editors edit stories on Ads Night, but sion. In an informal discussiori, Chris T. meetings, nor do they get information about not consistently.) The Association of Student Activities Lesniewski-Laas G suggested, "Couldn't available stories as quickly as might be has been advocating for more student office The Tech try putting out half as many issues liked. Tuesday's Editorial and Opinion sections space for a long time now. The number of that were twice as good?" (he went on to News editors have had a hard time get- Tuesday we had another hollow editorial undergraduate and graduate student groups suggest twice as much editorial and report- ting writers to accept assignments. Ideally with no interviews. has exploded over the past few years, and ing work per story). It seems worth trying to writers should take assignments that are due It repeats an error seen in the popular continues to do so. Many of these groups explain the process by which the news a week or more out, but this doesn't seem to press, asserting "the SJC decision forces the need space to run their operations and store department assigns news stories. happen. Editors have also had poor success state legislature to change the law to comply the tools and hardware of their various getting news writers to accept assignments with the ruling within 180 days." In fact, gay functions. There must be an investment in This term's assignment process over e-mail, so most assignment happens at marriage will be legal 180 days from Nov . such space and Walker Memorial is conve- . 1. Story ideas (tips) get sent in to the meetings. 18 if the legislature does nothing (see Mar- niently located for such a purpose. news department (via e-mail to news@the- News Director Jennifer Krishnan thinks tinek, Paul J. "What happens now?" at There are obviously many other possibil- tech.mit.edu). There aren't as many tips as the news "assignment process went better http://www.masslaw.com/goodridgeJ.cfm). ities for this building. For example, the there should be, I think. That address is read last term." She contends that the assignment The editorial also contained the choice Undergraduate Association's senator repre- by the news editors. process is driven by the experience of the sentence, "The court recognized that the senting off-campus students, Katherine 2. A news editor (usually Beckett Stern- news writer pool. Last term had more expe- benefits of civil marriage should not be Allen, is working on finding a kitchen space er) summarizes collected tips and e-mails rienced news writers; this term, "the staffers denied to those couples who wish to make that could be used during the day by under- them out to the news writers, usually once that we have who have written a lot of sto- these commitments, lest the members of graduates living in apartments or involved per week before the news meeting. Writ~rs ries seem to have lost interest in being at these couples become legally inferior to in the Senior Segue program. Another pos- are encouraged to take assignments over e- The Tech." their opposite-sex counterparts, which is a sibility is having scheduled hours at Morss mail, but this rarely happens. She's right to a certain extent, but I think clear violation of several statutes underlin- Hall during which some of our numerous 3. On Sundays at 5 p.m., the news depart- the editors need to work harder at convinc- ing equal protection in the state constitu- theater, dance, and performing arts groups ment meets. All news editors and writers are ing writers to take assignments, and to take tion." could utilize the space. expected to attend. I (the Ombudsman) try to them with sufficient time to develop them A statute is a law; there cannot be sever- We realize that to achieve the potential show up, too. At news meetings, news staff well. al in the constitution. Asked to explain, edi- of Walker Memorial, a substantial invest- brainstorm about additional story ideas and Krishnan also observed that this term, torial board presiding member Andrew ment is required. The estimate that has been the news editors attempt to assign stories to news editors have been writing less and Thomas declined to comment, two other publicized is $50 million. While far from a writers. Additionally, writers discuss exist- editing more: "The amount of story-taking members claimed to have abstained (no evi- trivial amount, this is considerably less than ing story status, etc. from the news editors is not as high as it dence of abstention was printed), and two the millions of dollars earmarked for the 4. After the news meeting, news writers has been." She finds this good because thought it was an error. additions to the Sloan School, School of are e-mailed a summary of available stories news editors can devote their time and ener- On the plus side, I was pleased to see Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, the and who has been assigned to what. gy to editing, but bad because it reduces the direct quotes in an opinion piece ("MacGre- Media Lab, and dormitories. As the leader- 5. News stories for Tuesday's issue are number of "quality writers in the writer gor's Space And Alcohol Policies" by ship of the Undergraduate Association, we theoretically due at 6 p.m. on Sunday, but pool." Jolene Singh '05). Real research in opinion feel that this financial commitment is neces- are frequently allowed to slip until Monday The practice of assigning stories on Sun- pieces! We need more of this. sary for the future development of the M IT • evening. day for Tuesday issues leads to weak stories The Tech's Ombudsman welcomes your campus. 6. News stories for Friday's issue are due and less time to work on them. The news feedback, to [email protected]. Pius Uzamere IJ and Jacob Faber are at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, and only some- department should try harder to assign Tues- His opinions are his own. the Undergraduate Association president and vice president. Page 6 THE TECH OPINION December 5, 2003 On Being Shot (In"the Head)

cals confronted them and started chanting. been hit dead on by a rubber bullet, and my appropriate force on these latter protesters. Michael Bon/eke After fifteen minutes, cops began launching ear bled pretty easily. At the same time, my Reports cut to clips of police showing jour- tear gas to disperse the crowd. friend had been hit in the diaphragm by a nalists a cache of weapons allegedly taken On Thursday, Nov. 20, tens of thousands Let me be clear: from my vantage point - hard translucent plastic pellet with a metal from anarchist protesters: a double-bladed marched on Miami to protest the Free Trade ten meters away atop a two-meter electrical core, knocking the wind out of him. Medics knife, bottles of urine, metal nuts, and sling- Area of the Americas meetings that were tak- box - it was the police that initiated what escorted me to a wellness center where many shots. Other newscasts focused on the injuries ing place there. Instead of talking about the some would call an attack, and others would injured activists had already been treated. I a few policemen suffered during the demon- agreement, however, I want to discuss an call riot control. When the tear gas did not dis- spoke to three people with head wounds; one strations, with scenes of a policeman in the unusual experience that I had while in Miami perse the demonstrators, police began march- person got it in the neck, one had a large hospital, having strained his back while keep- - namely, getting shot by the police. Howev- ing to move the crowd back physically. Some bump on her forehead above her eyes, and ing the peace. er, I need to explain the circumstances sur- cops had large wooden batons, and some had one had gotten hit inches above his left eye. Blatantly missing were images of protest- rounding the shot so as to convey as accurate- riot shields. They carried various types of When I got stitched up at the hospital, I ers bleeding or being beaten. The only TV ly as my personal perspective will allow the arms, including paintball guns, rifles, and a spoke to another activist who got sixteen report that mentioned police repression was brutality and impunity with which the police gun with a large barrel that I could have mis- stitches above her right eyebrow. The doctor Univision, a Spanish-speaking channel. Few acted. taken for a grenade launcher if I didn't know who stitched me said there was one protester other local newscasts, if any, interviewed peo- The large union march against the IT AA better. needing surgery, and one that had orbital ple who had been in the conflict - not to organized by Teamsters, Steelworkers, and After being pushed back by indiscrimi~ate damage. mention someone who had gotten shot. For AFL-CIO members had ended in the late fire of assorted ammunition, including paint- I haven't even told you about the retired people outside of Florida, the coverage was afternoon on Thursday. The unionists then ball pellets and bean bags, the crowd was persons who were arrested, the undercover almost nil. The story was neglected by The went to an amphitheater, leaving the more swept into a side street. Then another police cops, the agent provocateurs who charged New York Times and most mainstream TV sta- radical demonstrators on the street. Earlier, line behind them prevented the crowd from protesters with felonies for walking to their tions. (For the vast majority of you still in the the police had diverted the march from its per- moving back any further. At this point, my hotels, or the illegal searches conducted by dark about the FT AA, visit mitted route, resulting in a march through two friends and I found ourselves in the front cops a few days before the protests and purely http://stopflaa.org.) Miami's industrial sector. Many felt disap- of the crowd, not more than twenty meters for intimidation purposes. If you're thinking that the FTAA protests pointed that people were bringing our mes- away from the police line. After a brief cessa- If the tactics used by police were exces- in Miami are unrelated to your studies, you're sage of resistance to corporate-driven so- tion of firing, a second line of police moved in sive, the reporting done by the media was technically right. But the police chief that was called "free trade" to a bunch of cement front of the first, at which time the firing complicit. Before the protest, Miami journal- contracted out from Philadelphia to Miami to mixers, dump trucks, and vacant buildings, recommenced. My two friends were holding ists had stated on television that they were train the 2,500 cops for the demonstrations but to almost no people. their hands up in a peace sign, while I was going to embed themselves with the police has been contracted to Boston to train the The radicals eventually marched to the next to them, wearing a gas mask, and waving and cover the story from there. On the night police here for the Democratic National Con-" police line twenty meters in front of the secu- a black shirt I had found on the street. of the demonstration, the media framed the vention. I encourage all readers not to miss rity fence that surrounded the hotel in which All of the sudden, there was a thud on the clash as they have many others, claiming that that one. trade ministers had their meeting. I was ten right side of my ear; I temporarily went deaf, the majority of protesters were peaceful, a Michael Borocke is a member of the class meters away from the cop line when the radi- except for the loud ringing in my ears. I had minority were violent, and the police used of2001.

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Be Proud

Write for The Tech! [email protected] December 5, 2003 THE TECH Page 7 • FEATURES • Sex and the SafeRide The LOR By Daniel ehal more, especially the LOR. The LOR has all Don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying Even though they're good, they're also COLUMNIST of the limitations of a regular relationship that you shouldn't date someone from Fiji; expensive and time-consuming. Unless your "My boyfriend is 500 miles away and I'm with fewer of the benefits. it's just going to take a lot more work and last name can be found on one of the build- afraid he might cheat on me." First, there's no actual human interaction. commitment. If you want to make an LDR ings on campus, making frequent trips to There's no question that a long distance You can't go to the movies together, you work, then you're going to have to foHow another time zone can end up costing a lot - relationship can be can't go to dinner together, and you can't some of these rules: more than a UROP can afford. Column rough. I've been stroH down the Infihite making everyone t. Trust him or leave him. s. Mutually understand. ------__ through one else jealous together. Also, no actual human If you think he's going to cheat on you, You both need to know where you think myself, and it's not exactly a walk in the interaction means no actual sex. why the heH are you still with him? And the relationship is going, what the bound- pC:lfk.Knowing this, why do people still get Let's face it, phone sex just doesn '.t besides, there's no guarantee that he'd be aries are, and what you're trying to get out themselves into this increasingly common count. Which brings us to our next point: all faithful even if you were living together. of it. Ambiguity should be left to those who situation? the interaction you're going to get is over the Either stop wasting your time worrying can at least see each other on a regular basis. Well, in college, it's simple. Most of the phone or AIM. The best you can hope for is about it, or leave him for someone closer. So my advice comes down to this: if time you'll try to keep the flame burning as phone sex while your roommate has gone 2. Resist the urge. you're in an LOR, stick with it as long as it's long as possible from a relationship you've for a shower. The worst comes in the form of It's not exactly the healthiest thing for a worth it, and don't sleep with other people. carried over from high school. In other a long, dragged-out argument that costs you relationship if you go cheating on your sig- Then again, that's applicable to all relation- cases, you've met someone from out of town $250 on your cell phone bill. nificant other. Actually, that's the worst thing ships. who likes you and doesn't realize that you're And for all you instant messengers out you could do. If you're not in an LDR, you should prob- a total loser, even at MIT. there, I don't care how much you're onl ine, 3. Never let her hang up angry. ably look into dating someone in the same Also, with the invention of the Internet you can't convey how happy, angry, or sad If she goes crying to her best guy friend area code. Unless your name is Ludacris. - and subsequently, Friendster - meeting you are in one of those emoticons. about you and they end up in bed together, Daniel Chai is a pseudonymous male new people from halfway across the world And the last pitfall? You're stuck in the well, you're SOL. If she goes crying to her undergraduate studelll at MIT who writes a isn't as hard as boarding the Mayflower and middle of a city densely populated with sin- best female friend and they end up in bed weekly column about se."(and dating in col- setting off for lands unknown anymore. gle college students with whom you can't together, play your cards right and you could lege from a guy s perspective. Questions or Every relationship has its pitfalls; it just hook-up because you're taken by someone be a very lucky man. comme1l1s? You can co1l1act .him at daniel- • so happens that certain types of them have who lives in Fiji. 4. Frequent visits"are good. [email protected]. Blind Date: Thanks to you. all sorts At Least There Were Flowers of everyday products are By Devdoot Majumdar Instead, tout your fraternity's jacket (DKE, in the liquor. being made from the paper. STAFF WRITER Jon 's case) like all other frat boys who can't (For the record, Oean Trujillo, both blind Everything was in place for Joriathan R. pull off the GQ look. date participants are over 21 and purchased their Harris '04 to be off frolicking with a tasty Jon chartered a taxi for the two of them off own liquor, so take it easy on us, big boy. As far plastic. metal and glass that young blonde junior from California last to Sonsie, a restaurant on Newbury Street that . as this column's policy goes, I advocate alcohol weekend. The only problem was that this tasty w~s to be their evening's sole destination. use only in cases of extreme social anxiety.) blonde found herself a strapping young man in Oddly enough, Irene was the one who hailed They both had a fine meal at Sonsie, as you've been recycling. tJ1e meanwhile, leaving Jonathan dateless, the.cab" but we'll come back to that point later. they continued their meaningless banter~ .. 5' 10", and with nowhere to go. Theif conversation boiled down to the same old throughout the evening. Irene, considerably But to keep recycling And that's how Irene S. Sonu '04 got herself mea~lngless chatter that I've come to expect more tipsy than before, got giggly. And Jon involved in Jonathan's love life. Irene was one from the dates without much sexual tension. began to think, "She seemed to like me a lot, of my blind date "stringers" for a bit, slipping Their parents both lived in Virginia. but I wasn't sure that it wasn't because of the working to help protect the from almost-date to almost-date, but cancelling They're both one of four children. Blah, blah, martini." on account of sorority loyalties and fears of men blah. "There was so much superficial business With that, their evening ended, they took a with fedoras. So when Jon said he was seeking to talk about," Irene said later. Jon was fine cab home, exchanged a hug (the only physical environment. you need to someone "smart, outgoing, attractive, well-read, wading the shallow waters of small talk, com- contact of the evening), and Irene continued active, athletic, and confident," I set him up with menting that they discussed "nothing too on to a birthday party. Not as convinced as Jon Irene, the only 5' I" girl I know who fits the bill. deep, and nothing touchy-feely." of their chemistry, Irene reflected, "I didn't see buy those products. Jon met Irene in Baker with a dozen pink Irene's brilliant idea of the evening was to any sparks, but maybe on the second date." roses. Indeed, I had made a fuss in the past throw a little alcohol upon the smoldering Jon has, in fact, "penciled" Irene in for a about guys who come flowerless, but gentle- matchstick that was their date. As they waited date on Dec. II, if I haven~t already killed it .c BUY RECYCLED .. (.) men, there is a bit of a difference between a for a table at the restaurant, they stopped by by writing this article. So even without some ~ single flower and a bouquet, even if it's just the bar. ripe chemistry, they managed to turn out a <1.l from Star Market. Save the bouquets for And here comes one of the more disap- second shot. Irene, who says she has found far ~ >. moments of Dance Troupe mock appreciation . pointing realizations of the evening. By all too many men far too inadequate, insists that .c "0 "She was sh~rt, but I dido't make anything accounts, Irene was a tad too dainty and puck- "there's no reason to be hasty; I'm still free Q) of that. It would have been nicer if she was ish to be the navigator in the relationship. And after all." roc taller, but I'm not as tall as I want to be," said yet, somehow, Irene admits, "I guess I was the Sadly, this is the best I can do at MIT so o "0 Jon of his first impression oflrene. man in this whole situation." far. Two good natured people give each other a Q) U Irene was admittedly taken aback by the Irene bought Jon the drink. She hailed the second chance. I think the problem is that my co a. flowers. But the best she could offer on Jon's taxi. And when he seemed flustered at what bl ind date candidates don't Iike to air their (j) choice of ~ttire (business casual meets bomber type of red wine to order, she just made the laundry. So, if you're a needy, insecure girl or (j) jacket) was a feeble, "I hear they're [bomber big wine decision for him (which was "a nice an arrogant, young prick, send me an e-mail at ; ~ -";1 jackets] making a comeback!" The verdict on house wine"). Irene, who instead of wine got a [email protected], and I'll send you on a fun- AND SAVE: that one is no, do not wear bomber jackets. martini, became much more evocative after filled evening. i- So look for products made .. Scratch Paper I from recycled materials, and I I Why MIT Makes Us Fat buy them. It wOuld mean the I By Tiffany Kosolcharoen In countries like Japan, packaged and this week - we can't afford the food that con- COLUMNIST processed foods are expensive while the noo- tains the vitamins to cure us! world to all of us. I It's dinner time and you're hungry. The stir dles, fish, and rice remain affordable. Perhaps While the Coffeehouse remains unfilled fry at Baker Dining is $6.50, so you look for that is why Japan set the record for the world's because we are still searching for a vendor I; cheaper options. At Alpine Bagel, you choose oldest person, Mitoyo Kawate, who lived until that does not threaten other food monopolies For a free brochure, write 1\, between the $4:99 114 and passed away a month ago. on campus, vending machines have been set Fl juicy burger and Welcome to America. This is the land where up in prime places like the fifth floor of the l Buy Recycled. Environmental I lJ 0 Um n fries, or the healthier McDonald's is in Wal-Marts, Starbucks are at Student Center. At midnight, a candy bar with $5.49 chicken salad. every T-stop, and the distribution system for 50% of the recommended daily allowance of Guilty because of your after-Thanksgiving day Cokes and Doritos is more efficient and main- saturated fat becomes our only option. Defense fund. 257 Park Ave. splurge at the mall, you go for the greasy burg- tained than that of pasta, salads, and real food. In their "delicious revolution," the Yale er. Notice how it is the wealthy like Sarah Jes- University Sustainable Food Project had the If large caesar salads cost $1.00, you sure- sica Parker who can afford a personal trainer university devote an acre of land to growing South. New York. NY10010. ly would have chosen the greens. Nobody at and is paid for 1.5 hours of exercise a day. organic produce that ended up in their food MIT would be gaining their holiday 15 if MIT Filthy rich socialites such as Paris Hilton have and hire celebrity chef Alice Waters (chef of subsidized healthy foods . white-jacket chefs to whip up their fat-free Chez Panisse) to create dishes from antibiotic- or call1-BOO-CALL-EDF These days it seems you need to be upper- angel food cakes when a craving arises. free meats for college students. Students raved class to afford to be healthy. Studies have Sure, most of us are from families that can about improved taste, quality, and freshness of shown that America's poorest are often Ameri- afford four years of an expensive private the new menu! ca's most obese, stemming primarily from the school. Yet, we students are still on a budget! It is time for MIT to change what is on our • fact that the value meal at McDonald's is MIT needs to recognize that three dollars for a plates. If we had better food, we would actual- cheaper than going to Star Market and buying fruit cup or a yogurt parfait is absurd! It's no ly stay awake in class instead of falling into the ingredients for a low-fat salad. wonder that we're all coughing and wheezing food comas. Now that's food for thought. Page 8 THE TECH FEATURES December 5, 2003 Ask Nutty B

By Nutty B Anything is better than "What's up?" family, you won't have to worry about giving In short - depression can be hard, but COLUMNIST How about asking her if she would like to some outsider $2 billion doUars because I, as there s help around. The two main sources oj NlItfy B is currently a graduate stlldelll at study together or work on the class project? your son-in-law, can help you manage all the help are Mental Health (253-2916. 24-hour MIT. Pleasc e-mail him with whatever ques- Start with a simple and casual conversa- money. I will send you my Swiss Bank line, walk-in hours M-F 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.) and tion you would like someone to listen to. and tion and be genuine. I am sure everything account number in private. Counseling and Support Services (253- help him have an will go smoothly. Good luck! By the way, just a few days I ago, I got an 4861). lIolumn excuse to procrasti- e-mail apparently from your relative Mr. You Calf also cQ.ll us (253-88002 from 7 Lll nate at 3 a.m. Dear friend, Jones, another exiled King in Africa who p.m. to 7 a.m. every night - were not pro- Please send al/ ques- My name is Mrs. Johnahenitti and I am wanted to give me $100 biIJion dollars. Your fessionals. but we are caring student listen- tions to [email protected] the wife oj my late husband Mr. Johnahenitti, offer of$2 billion is rather paltry in compari- ers who keep all conversatfons ;n the the exiled king of Zimbaya. Zimbaya is coun- son. I not only agreed to help, but also strictest confidence. Dear Nutty B. try on the east oj Africa. I am writing you with signed him up for my daily porn newsletter Thanks/or writing. I am a new reader oj YOllr column: You the utmost sincerity Jor a potential business so than he will be able to have some enter- - Nightline Staffers seem like someone that knows what he is partnership. My late husband, beJore he tainment during his exile. Would you like me Dear NigbtJine St1ft"ers, talkillg about, so I am going to give this a passed away. managed to transfer $50 billion to subscribe you, too? Thank you very much for the input. Your shot. There is this girl in one of my classes dollars out oj the country and now the whole e-mail came into my inbox five seconds that I really like, and I think she likes me, sum is at my and my only daughter s disposal. Dear Nutty B, before I was about to submit my column. I too. Because of the political circumstance. I After reading your response oj 11/21 to am glad that my column bas caught campus- The problem ;:;that I am shy, and she is would like to use your bank account to deposit Depressed at MIT. we Jelt that we would wide attention! sh)~ too. So far the only conversations we the money and then later to go back and hope- respond to hislher question diffirent~v: To all readers: Depression can by annoy- ha\'e had are "Hi, how are YOll?" alld Jully rebllild my lost cOllntry when the political Dear DepressedatMIT. ing and frustrating, but it's not something "What s up?" I am frustrated that every time climate is stable. In order to thank you, I will Seeking outside help in this situation is you should be ashamed of. There are many I go to class. I call do nothing but look at let YOIlkeep $2 billion dollars. an option that's worth thinking about seri- different people willing to help and listen to her. What do I do? Please consider this proposal and I look ous(v. Depression can be debilitating. and you, and you are entitled to take advantage -Teddy Bear for your reply. Yours froly, may not go away by itself no matter how of all these services around you. As a matter Dear Teddy Bear, - Mrs. Jognahenitti, theJonnal queen oj hard you fight it. Taiking to Jriends may help, of fact, I am thinking about talking to some- Me? Someone who knows what he is Zimbaya but if they try to cheer you up too Jast, it call one about my nuttiness, too! talking about? Are you sure you didn't mean Dear Mrs. Jognahenitti, also be Vel)'Jrustrating. Everyone deals with Always try to keep a positive attitude and to send your question to Dear Abby? This is I am truly flattered that despite my yahoo depression at their own pace; it can be good use the resources around you to make your probably the nicest and most unrealistic e-mail spam guard, you can still manage to to talk to someone who understands this. life as enjoyable as you can. You are the compliment I have received, but thank you send junk e-mail to my inbox. Were you also Deciding to get help can be the hardest owner of your life and you should enjoy it! just the same! By the way, welcome to the the one who was so kind as to subscribe me thing - it s good that you wrote about what s It's just up to you to make that happen! Nutty B fan club. to the daily porn newsletter? happening. /t can feel liKe the depression Nutty B would like to thank all oj you "What's lip?" Nothing but the sky is up! Thank you for your thorough introduc- isn't related to anything in particular. but wondelful readers Jor your support and let- Is that the, best pickup line you can come up tion, but here in North America, we general- talking to someone who understands depres- ters in the past few months. This will be last with? I am sure most ladies, at least those ly know you are the wife, when you address sion might help bring out specific causes. coilimn oj the season until lAp, bllt during, who work for Pimp Master Nutty B, are someone as your husband. Once YOll have a better idea oj the causes the holidays, if you ever feel the need to talk sophisticated enough to detest this kind of 1 will be more than willing to help you. and oj your options, you can decide what to someone (i.e., indigestion from large lame pickup line. If you know you like her, However, I have a solution that's even better you want to do. Christmas (linner. ideas to get rid otyour and you know she likes you (although I am than yours. How about if you just give me aU Short-term and seasonal depressions are bad Christmas presents, proper way/or " not sure how your previous dialogues can the money and let me marry your daughter? real, and talking to a therapist or counselor counting down on New Year's Eve, 01: simply\ discern this), why don't you go up to her and You see, I am the Prince of Canada, and by soon may be helpJul in either case. It can why Canadians are jllst better) please {eel "" start some REAL conversations? our marriage, we will be able to secure the help you understand and deal with YOllrfeel- free to send him an e-mail and keep Nutt]B' Ask her how she likes the class, the quality of the royal lineage. ings of depression, and opens a door, which busy. Finally, have a 'jolly and nutry Christ- homework, the weather, the cat. .. whatever. Also, when I become a member of your cOlild be useful if these feelings, last or recur. mas. HoHoHo ... , Positive Sinking Bigger, Better, Fewer'Calories

It- By Akshay Patil loyal, giving, understanding, considerate, tan- with the turkey-and tried to stick you in the COLUMNIST gible, and sitting. oven? Don't laugh, it can happen. Well readers, let me commend you on the As for Olympic sport - this weekly train- Sign me as... (( You catt prevent colon 'cornucopia of e-mails you have sent since I ing business has been great. My fingers have - Traumatized Jor life cancer, even beat it." started whining about lack of love. As the end never been in better shape. And since I don't Hey man, I was watching "Ruddigore" the of the term draws get paid, I'm still an amateur. Not much of a day after, and I heard some guy tell the joke to • HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON • 110lumn near, I feel obliged to spectator sport, though,. his friends 'behind me. "Don't blame me, I Lll use as many of these I'm going to have to pass on the black read it in The Tech." Yeah, like that's an MAI<'E THE TIlVIE ------e-mails as possible tea ... I'm not much of a tea drinker really. excuse. That's like quoting something from with hopes that y'all will send many more Blame my genes, the taste, or the drugs, but TO GET A TEST the Classifieds and then excusing yourself during the holiday break and lAP. I've never really been a sipper of coffee or tea. with "But it was in the New York Times." THAT COULD SAVE The only tea-like substance I enjoy drinking is And if you thought the pole joke was bad, YOUR LIFE. Hey Akshay! chai, and Indian chai at that. Did you know take refuge in the fact that the title to that col- How you doing? I was slltftng around and that chai is not in my word processor's dictio- umn ("A Bit Off") is part of the punchline for Colon cancer is the second read one of your columns ["CheW on This," nary? I know that because the damn thing ,~other.geeky Joke that I spared you, the read- leading cancer killer and everyone Sept. 26]. I could not hold my tongue after keeps adding a little squiggly thing under the er. reading. "That why all of us should learn to aged 50 and older is at risk. s word and I'm too lazy to reach over to the I have to say the holiday season falls pri- speak with a Canadian accent ... just do it, mouse to right click and tell it to add the word More than 50,000 Americans marily into !he "positive" side of the coluinn. eh? " Cuz there ain't no Canadian accent !!!! to "standard.dic." will die from colon cancer and It gives me an excuse to not worry about work .c .) Ah crap, now it's underlining or the ..future, enjoy the fam, and get amazing (,) 131,600 new cases will be ~ -Michelle "standard.dic." I can't win, I just can't win. deals on electronics at Fry's. You know what diagnosed this year. Q) Yes there is. You know, I know it, the Anyways, as I was saying about chai with I'm talking about: hard drives at CRAZY low ~ >. Colon cancer is an equal opporru- American people know it. Stop denying it, you little squiggles, it seems strange that my genes prices .. .n nity disease that affects both women hoser, and just accept it, eh? That's what it's should decide to assert. beverage favoritism as Oh my, something that good just HAS to ~ and men. This silent killer frequently all aboot. opposed to all sorts of Indian traits I could be fattening. The standing in line part sucks ro begins without symptoms and those On a more serious note, anyone who has have. For example: I am not hairy. This may thougli. It's like Disneyland/world but in an 6 with a f.'lmily history are at even engaged me in conversation when I'm in a' shock you, but I'm not. So many of my Indian "0 electronics store. Maybe they should add peo- Q.> greater risk. quirky mood will attest that I, myself, say friends grow full-length beards over the ple wandering around dressed up like cartoon u ro "eh" regularly. course of an hour, but it takes me a week of characters - yeah, that'd probably take our a. Colon cancer is prevcncable--cven (/) It's a wonderful... sound? And I'm not non-shaving to get people commenting, "Hey, curable when detected early. In minds off of how much time we spend in line (/) even from Canadia! Though I have been you're looking kind of scruffy there." :c fact, if cancer is found early enough, to just to have sixty seconds of exhilarating I- the patient has more than a 90 there ... is it infectious? Trust them wily Cana- I don't know if this is a blessing or a curse. cashier fun. percent chance of survival. dians to come up with a virulent language. On one hand, I can get away with looking Remember kids, always wash your hands after clean-shaven for up to three days without any It'has come to my attention that quite aJew Colon cancer screenings are safe and handling Canadians - don't argue with me, effort on my part. O~ the other, I just can't of your published e-mail queries seem to be efft:ctive and are now covered by it's for your own safety. grow anything. It would take me close to a written by people who live on your floor. How Medicare and an increasing number year to grow a goatee; two years for a beard. I do y,0u respond to this? of other health providers. There's hello mr sin king, think that's tragic .. - The guy next door even a test that can be llsed in the I have decided that your e-mail Jood palate Well, as opposed to launching on a long At le~t Ican pronounce "California." privacy of your own home. will benefit from e-mail cake. diatribe atJout facial hair, let's pick the e-mail so here you are. [CAKE] ~~ Talk to your 'doctor about behind d~or three. ' Do you miss those days whe.npeople really since rambling seems to be the newest gettitrg tested. meant it when they $f;lid, "r need someone who sport you alight to start training Jor the ':4 simple pole in a complex plane?" It s is able to' fake care oj these Junds in a secure olimpics. nice to know that my countless hours of writ- private account?" I know I do. That s why I'm ~NATJONAL personally i see it as more oj an art fonn, ing tutorial notes is being used as an attempt urging YOll, the e-mail sending citizens oj this so congratlilations on the most creative and at humor (not a particularly wonderful great nation, to send e-mail to Junny series oj ramblings or column I have attempt, but your heart s in it, and I suppose [email protected] about absoluteiy anything ever read. that s what cOllnts). mildly amusing. If I had come up with an ~t~~ i suggest a black tea with your e-mail cake. And now Jor something completely differ- alternative to "mildly" that began with the let- oh. and you aught to wipe the icing off SPONSORED DV THE NATIONAL ent: what are YOllr thollghts on the holiday ter "a," I could have turned that final clause COLORECTAL CANCER ROUNDTABLE your face. season; do they fall on the "positive" or the into some killer alliteration. But I didn't, FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL THE -Jrom lady "sinking" side oj the column? Have any becallse the matter beJore us is a serious one AMERICAN CA:>ICER SOCIETY You've been reading other columns? But I amllsing stories YOll can share? that warrants. the JlIllest attention and utmost AT 1-800-ACS-2345 thought I was the only one! How COULD For instance, was your mother ever so resolve. So please, for your children s chil- you!? And all this time I thought you were busy on Thanksgiving that, she conJused you dren s children. December 5, The • 2003 Tech

Page 9

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''kel~~Bobby,,' wh,atd9YoU think Ughl You actually LIVE in here? Moral of the story: when 8 day old ,of my ~,C>rmroom? Sorry ififs This is ridiculous! Clothes and 'papers Well. your leftovers smell like they've gone bad. You should turkey goes bad, it goes BADI and junk are EVERYWHEREl ....-::::;;;; probably take them out of the -slittle mesSy... 'J, And what's that funny smell? fridge and throw'them awayl ,tioly Macarenal A "1;:!fI1-Emessy?1 Sniff, snifL.hmm ...1 think that might be the smell of my ( .Fridge.? '. \ - ( Thanksgiving leftovers ... )

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, ~ oJ "j \ i 1 YoUR I FOONO IT oN THE WHAT?'- MoTHER'S CoMPUTER AND PRINnD ARE "PETER I RECOMMEND THAT OR WE COULD JUST ,~ STOP LABELING ME WITH ANNUAL oUT CoPIES To INCLUDE DAD, ms You SToPPED WE BREAK INTO SUB- MEET NEXT WEEK AT ~ HACKNEYED PHRASES I WHAT'S LETTER. WIlli no£. CHRISTMAS CARDS. IS AN oLD SURE? USIN& GROUPS TO CREATE A OUR USUAL TIME. nilS? IT'S A HUGE TIME-SAV£R. oNE. I l DIAPERS PROCESS FOR CHOOSING k YOU'RE A '''CUT THIS OUR NEXT MEETING . YEAR ..." NOW, MEASURE TIME . .... LATER- TYPE. I . \ ~ ( o ) ~ o

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!" December 5, 2003 __ II11tII II The Tech Page 11

* Events Calendar appears in each issue of The Tech and features events for members of the MIT community. The Tech makes no guarantees as to the accuracy of this information, and The Tech shall not be held liable for any loss- es, Including, but not limited to, damages resulting from attendance of an event. Events Calendar Contact information for all events is available from the Events Calendar web page.

Visit and add events to Events Calendar online at http://events.mlt.edu

Friday, December 5 It Is particulariy popular In Asia, Africa and the middle east. Prizes: Pride, Honor and snacks. Free. Room: Rm 1-190. Sponsor: Techiya. maybe some chocolate bars. Free. Room: Sidney and Pacific Games Room. Sponsor. 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m, - Lord of the Dreidels: Techlya's Winter Invitational Con- 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Holiday Craft Fair. Tech Community Crafters' sale. Free. Singapore Students Society, MITSSS, GSC Funding Board. cert. Join Techiya. MIl's JewiSh/Hebrew/Israeli a cappella group, in our annual win. Room: Lobby 10. Sponsor: MIT Women's League. 7:30 p.m •• 9:00 p.m. - Bible Study. Is there more to life than grad school? We ter invitational concert. Featuring Tufts' 'Shir Appeal-, Harvard's -Mizmor Shir", and 10:00 a.m. - Admissions .nfonnatlon Session. Groups over 15 people need to make believe the answer is "YES'" Come study the word of God with us. There will be dinner BU's .Kol Echad., Lord of the Dreidels, will be fun for anyone who loves Jewish special reservations. Free. Room: 10-100. Sponsor. Information Center. provided and games afterward. Free. Room: 4-149. Sponsor: Asian Baptist Student music. The concert and refreshments afterwards are free. Room: 1-190. Sponsor: 10:00 a.m. -,4:00 p.rn. - Chrlsbnas Card Making. Make a card for a friend, and one Koinonia Graduate Division. GSC Funding Board .. Techiya. for charity! It s on us! Free. Room: Student Center (W20) Lobby. Sponsor: MIT Public 8:00 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. - Sangam Movies. Screening of popular movies. Please sub- 8:00 p.m. - MIT Wind Ensemble. Frederick Harris. music director. Bach's -The Art of Service Center, National Society of Collegiate Scholars. scribe to [email protected]. Free. Sponsor: Sangam, GSC Funding Board. the Fugue," Shostakovich's "Festive Overture: Wagner's "Trauersinfonie- and music 11:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. - MIT/CRE C3reer Services Presentation - Toll Brothers. 8:00 p.m. - Resonance Fall 2003 Concert. A fall concert brought to you by MIl's for saxophone and percussion ensembles. $5 at the door. Room: Kresge Auditorium. Free. Room: W31.301. Sponsor: Center for Real Estate. freshest a cappella group. Resonance promises good music, boys in the girls' room, Sponsor: Music and Theater Arts Section. 12.:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Writers Group. New writers are invited to join our weekly and Jean-Luc Picard. Free. Room: 54-100. Sponsor. Resonance of MIT A Capella 10:00 p.m. -12:00 .a.m. - Winged Migration. $3. Room: 26-100. Sponsor: LSC. Wnters Group. Share a piece of your writing with other Interested and supportive writ- Group. ers. Open to all MIT students. staff, faculty, and spouses. Free. Room: 14N-417. 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. - Sharq Arabic Music Ensemble. The SHARQ ArabiC Music Sunday, December 7 Sponsor: Writing and CommunIcation Center. Ensemble is composed of distinguished Arab-American professional musicians. The 9:00 a.m. - Varsity Pistol JORC. Free. Room: MIT Pistol and Rifle Range in DuPont 12:00 p.m. -1:30 p.m. -Iraq: What Now? A CIS Starr Forum discussion of U.S. polI- ensemble is a traditional Arabic Tarab group performing on classical Arabic instru. Athletic Center. cy options in Iraq. Moderated by MIT Politlcal Science Professor Stephen Van Evera ments with vocals and chorus. Their musical repertoire consists of suites and songs 9:00 a.m. - Varsity Rifle JOse. Free. Room: MIT Pistol and Rifle Range in DuPont Ath. Associate Director of the MIT Center for Intemational Studies, and <»sponsored by' from the Andaluslan period up until modem Egyptian classical music of the mid- letic Center. the Boston Review. Speakers: Daniel Benjamin, Center for International and Strategic 19OOs. Although it Is classical music, the energy level is high due to aggressive per. 10:00 a.m •• 1:00 p.m. - Tang Hall Brunch. Free. Sponsor: Tang Hall Residents Asso- Studies and co-author, "Age of Sacred Terror"; Ivo Daalder, Brookings Institution and cusslon and imaginative instrumental improvisation. Advance tickets $5 students, $8 ciation, GSC Funding Board. co-author, "America Unbound: The Bush Revolution in Foreign Policy"; and Juan Cole, non-students; door tickets $8 students, $12 non-students. Room: Lobdell, MIT Stu- 11:00 a.m •• 12:30 p.m. - Ashdown Sunday Brunch. Free. Room: Ashdown. Sponsor: Professor of Modem Middle Eastern History, University of Michigan, an expert on dent Center. Sponsor: Arab Student Organization, Aga Khan Program for Islamic Archi. Ashdown House, GSC Funding Board. Iraq's Shi'ites. Free. Room: Wong Auditorium (E51). Sponsor: Center for International tecture, Green Hall. MIT Council for the Arts. MIT Club of Saudi Arabia, Office of the 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Ballroom Dance Lessons. No partner required. Social focus Studies. Boston Review. Dean for Student Life/Dean for Undergraduate Education. rather than competitive. $1.$5 depending on level. Room: La Sala. Sponsor: Ballroom 12:00 p.m •• 3:00 p.m. - Rainbow Lounge Open. MIl's resource lounge for lesbian 8:00 p.m. - MIT Symphony Orchestra. Dante Anzolini, music director. World premiere Dance Club. bisexual, gay, transgendered, and questioning members of the community offers a ' of Giovanni D'Aqulla's "Through the Mines of Moria," commissioned by the MIT Sym- 3:30 p.m. - 2-Plano Chamber Music Society Concert. Free. Room: Kresge Auditori. place to hang out, various activities, and a lending library during its open hours. Free. phony Orchestra; Glazunov's Violin Concerto in A minor (soloist Insoo Kim, junior in um. Sponsor: Music and Theater Arts Section. Room: 50-306. Sponsor: Ibgt@mit. management); Shostakovich's Symphony No. 11. $5 at the door. Room: Kresge Audi- 4:00 p.m •• 6:00 p.m. - Klnaesthetlcs Lab Contact Improv Wor1

ACROSS 42 Heroic saga 2 "The _Mutiny" 34 Sheltered bay G) 1 Flesh mark 43 Declare frankly 3 Viewpoint 35 Shaving-cream 5 Alum 44 Lummox 4 Shorten a plank ingredient 9 Son of Venus 45 Beginning 5 Evaluator 36 Not a parvenu? -N 14 Sugar source 46 Handled 6 SitaristShankar 38 Smidgen 15 avis 48 Den 7 Goctof war 41 Blackthorn N 16 With dispatch 50 Leak slowly 8 Russian villa 45 Popular cookie :I 17 Sets up 52 Ebb 9 Elsinore or 47 Makes fun of 18 With in Aries 57 Type of ray Balmoral 49 John or a. ~.... 19 Spread here and 60 Not embroiled? 10 Not oppressed? Washington there 63 Zones 11 Whittle 51 Keats or Yeats IL 20 Not bizarre? 64 Needle case 12 Tops the offerings I: 22 Shock or lock 65 Top-notch cupcakes 53 Butt heads .-e If 23 Runt 66 Trapper's device 13 Moisture of 54 Bring forth .2 24 "Alice's 67 Horace or mornings 55 Jeans fabric 0 .... Restaurant" Thomas 21 Beatty and Kelly 56 Utopias oS! singer Guthrie 68 Thin coating 25 Letters on 57 Clump ~ -X 26 Retarding force 69 Arranges by invitations 58 River of 29. Marsh plants category 27 Concerning Florence en 33 Lots and lots 70 Uneven hairstyle 28 Grave robber 59 Just aro'und th,e. en 37 Con's knife 71 Skirt.edges 30 Interruptions of corner ..... 39 Be gutsy continuity 61 Location of Zion 40 Marco DOWN 31 Cleveland's lake National Park • 41 Brownstone Temporary 32 Faction 62 Fish for a .(.)e entrance money 33 Spring resorts casserole Page 12 THE TECH December 5, 2003

Solution to Crossword It's a connected world. from page 11 New Map • SCARIGRAD CUPID CAN ERA R A A PAC E Do your share. RIG S A V E CST R E W I N l AND ISH T RES S Slated PEE W E E~R lO DRAG.SEDGES Fo~ 30 ways to help the environment, write Earth Share, SCADS.~HIVIDARE 3400 International Drive ,N\'q, Suite 2K (AD4), POlolSTOOP EPIC For AVOW lOUT.ONSET Washington, DC 20008. Earth Share SEE N T '0.LA IR S E E~R E C E D E MAN T A 0 U T VOL V E D ARE A SET U I A 0 N E Lobby 7 S N ARE MAN N SKI N SliI/lI'IITIIltring S 0 R T S S HAG HEM S Projectors, from Page I ",6111 10!JiI~'! ., •...... e•• " r r••, 0".""., __ ero. _tu"•• , JOmOiCO' Mexico, Bohomos, ond Flo.rid..o. More information is available at + ':. ' ., Sell Trips, Eorn Cosh ond Go Freel http://web. m it. edu/av/www/ !i"1/oJ_C-_ .... ;t/r .... I •' .' • Coli for group discounts. MoreHtml/Corridor _3.htm. ~ For more information, ~. contad STATravel ntAnl Interactive map to come to Lobby 7 at 617-225-2555 """'CD The north wall of Lobby 7 will This space donated by The Tech 1.1!!:{llll!;H:~f:'" 'l'j~'H'JIII undergo renovations this February, if the Interactive Campus Map project goes according to sched- Nightline: ule. ~onda~Dec.8,2003 A 52-inch plasma screen will the answer to all questions display a rolling calendar of 7:00-9:00P.~. events, and a kiosk will contain an interactive map of the Institute. MIT Room 4-163 x3-8800 The MIT Design and Construction Group is working on modifying the design of the map. Safe, clean energy? This space donated by The Tech "The map could serve as a pro- totype for something in the future Loss of natural habitat? where someone could type in the • location and print out exact direc- G 5 I I e tions to where they are going," Prof. William Sbutkin said Ronald J. Catella, a senior Urban Studies and Planning, MIT project manager. Jim Gordon Cape Wind Project / USASPRINGBREAK.com Ernie Corrigan Cancun,Bahamas, Acapulco, Jamaica & More Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound 1 Don't be fooled! Go with Mark Forest quality and experience! 28 years in business Aide to Congressman Delahunt Largest Student Tour Operator t MIT'so JU (Division of USA Student Travel) sponsored by MIT Greens, S.A.V.E., LFEE Call 1-877-460-6077 Ap e: Man nua I 20 Now hiring Campus Reps t..(~{~ns~~liiil.t{lu ftar )Hor(~\j~f(a . ' or more tsfellowshi Led Earn 2 Free Trips for 15 Travelers & $$ r~~~ .~'I: ~ nline: w spe 1:,0g1:J ,,\ "\ 1\

We're good at fitting people to jobs.

•••4, 4, 4, And jobs to people.

It wouldn't be clear to every firm that a man with an A robotics guru. A nationally ranked blackjack player. ,The D. E. Shaw group will conduct on-campus

M.F. A. in poetry was the right choice to head an auto- An operatic mezzo-soprano. And a lot of people who are interviews on Thursday, February 12. To apply, log mated block trading unit. Or that a designer of solar- just exceptionally strong in CS, EE, math, and finance. on to http://web.mit.edulcareerlwww/monreg.html. powered race cars was the right woman to help launch If this isn't possible, please send a resume and The firm currently has openings in quantitative analy- a new venture in computational chemistry. But after we cover letter stating your GPA and standardized test sis, software development, information technology, talked to them, it was clear to us. scores, broken down by section where applicable, to computer architecture, business development, compu- [email protected]. All applications must be The D. E. Shaw group is an investment and technology tational chemistry, accounting, finance, and investor received by January 29. development firm. Since 1988 we've grown into a relations. We're looking for creative but pragmatic number of closely related entities with approximately people, articulate, curious, and driven. Our working US $5 billion in aggregate capital by hiring smart peo- environment is intense but surprisingly casual. We, ple from a wide range of backgrounds and letting them provide, unusual opportunities for growth. And we implement-and manage-what they invent. compensate extraordinary people extraordinarily well.

Members of the D. £ Shaw group do not discriminare i/l employmenr matters on tirebasiJ of race, color, religion. gender, national origin, age, milirary senrlce eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, mariral status, disability, or any other protecred c1as.f.

[email protected] I5EShaW& Co December 5,2003 THE TECH

"

Boston 219 Mass. Ave. 617.536.4280 • PETER R. RUSSO-TIlE TECH Lauren E. Tsal '04 looks for an open teammate while surrounded by Emmanuel College defenders Cambridge last Tuesday. The Engineers lost the game 57-34, dropping their season record to 1-3. 438 Mass. Ave. www.economljhardware.com 617.864.3300

We're looking for proposals for events, activities, and educational programs to enhance racial and cultural relations at MIT. All members of the MIT community - students, faculty, and staff - are welcome to apply.

Proposals are reviewed on a monthly basis. Applications are to be receive'd by the first "school day of any month from October to May. Applicants will be notified of a decision by the middle of the month. For more information or an application, contact the Committee on Campus Race Relations at 3-1706, or [email protected].

Come and bring'your friends to'exp~rience,.' - the wide variety of authentic North Indian Cuisine and relaxed atmosphere of India Quality Restaurant. Tandoori specialties and breads from Tandoor are also available. Luncheon specials vary from $4.95-$6.95 (11 :30am-3pm) and Daily Dinner Specials from $7.95-$11.95 (5pm-11 pm). Special Breads $1.95-$3.95 (stuffed with spinach, potatoes, meat, garlic, onion, mint). Great selection of beer and wine. Dine In or take out!

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Walk-up registration opens Monday, December 8 at 7:30 a.m.

Keynotes by: • William J.Mitchell- Dean, MIT School of Architecture and Planning • Graham Spanier, Ph.D. - President. Penn State University

PLUS Conference Tracks Aligned to Key Campus Technology Issues, Seminars, Panel Discussions, Networking and Vendor Fair Page 14 THE TECH December 5, 2003 l\fiT Campus Closing You are cordially invited to an A 'One Time Affair' Advent service of Closing, from Page I Becker, who works at the Labo- ratory for Nuclear Science, finds ous closings and does not anticipate that he is most productive during the Lessons and Carols future closings at MIT. holiday vacation. "Because every- one is away, I switch off my phone, Numbers still unclear and get some real work done," he Curry declined to comment on said. the exact amount that the Institute Becker does not think the clos-. will save through the closing, but he ing will affect his graduate students said that "it will be a meaningful because most either leave for the amount of money." break or they can work on their the- The Institute spends about $100 ses from home. million per month and two-thirds of that is employee salary, which the Inconvenience for some students closing does not affect, said Curry. Many international students stay Wednesday, December 10 The practice of closing college for winter vacation. International campuses during winter break is not travel and visa hassles force some 5:15 in the MIT Chapel uncommon. Curry admits that clos- students like Basel AI-Naffouri G to ing during the break is more diffi- stay on-campus for the holidays. cult and not often done for a "I'd rather I have the campus research institute such as MIT open. It's inconvenient with every- because there are laboratories and thing closed," said Al-Naffouri, who . experiments running constantly. will not be able to go home to Syria Curry ensured that critical needs this winter. "The Religious Activi- in laboratories and facilities will be 'ties Center and the chapel may be met during the closing. "Labs that closed as well so I will not be able need to run will run," said Curry. to pray there," he said. "During last year's break, a Inforlllal Caroling to follow in Lobby 7 . Working during the closing . . group i!iends and I watched movies Some find. the wi~ter break" t~.be 'in one 'of the classrooms with the

followed by a sumptuous dinner in Wl1 the best time to work. J projectors," said Nasruddin Nazerali "That time i~ when I can really - '05, who is. from Ethiopia. "With work," said Professor of Physics 'the campus' closed, it might be an Ulrich J. Becker, referring to the inconyenience, but it's not so bad," holid':lYclosing days. he said .

. ~ Sponsored by the Lutheran-Episcopal Ministry F~ee [oo'd ~ft~r ,.1"1p~. at MIT http://web .miteedu/lem/www /

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Make new friends.

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, December 5,2003 THE TECH Page 15

FOOD and PRIZES - DVD, BOOKS, POSTERS! MIT Walker Me~orial (Building 50) Sponsored by: 142 Memorial Drive Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship Graduate Christian Fellowship Cambridge, MA Black Christian Fellowship ARCADE Questions? [email protected] Page 16 THE TECH December 5, 2003 THE CIS STARR FORUM MIT CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES and The Boston Review "Iraq:What Now?"

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2003 12:00 a.m. -1:30 p.m.

A discussion of US policy options moderated by MIT Political Science Professor Stephen Van Evera, with Daniel Benjamin, Center for International and Strategic Studies, Ivo Daalder, Brookings Institution~ Juan Cole, University of Michigan

Wong Auditorium ES1 (Tang Center, 70 Memorial Drive) DMlTRY PORNYAGIN-THE TECH Dark clouds gathered over Boston at sunrise Tuesday, moments before a fierce 15-minute snow- storm. A larger snowstorm arrived a few hours later, leaving a light dusting of snow on the [email protected] ground...

, t----~------., I La Luna Caffe This space donated by The Tech : La Luna Caffe I 403 Massachussetts Ave , I Comer of Columbia and Mass Ave IBuy any sandwich and: (617) 576 - 3400 : get a complimentary : I 1. I cannOl ~ : House Specialties Include I I , Coupon Expirt'. 01/31/04 ~ I I l.Jmil on" ronpon I"'r visi' I Espresso Drinks ~ ~ C:~l_~e • t Something to Italian Pastries & Gelato - ,------', Garden Fresh Salads I ,, feel good aDQUt. Panini Sandwiches : La Luna Caffe :' , I Homemade Soup : Buy sandwich and I I dessert, get .afree'\) : .".,~~.. : , . " -~~:..: _.~ : cappuccznoq:

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~ MorganStanley Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to workforce diversity. (M/F/OM @ 2003 Morgan Stanley December 5,2003 THE TECH Endowment Increase Marks Vest's Tenure Vest, from Page 1

In 1996, the faculty, charged by Vest, condemned the milita'ry's poli- cy of forbidding open homosexuals from participating in MIT's Reserve Officer Training Corps program and attempted, in an effort since suspend- ed, to develop a modified ROTC that would include open homosexuals. In 1994, Vest encouraged an internal study on discrimination against women faculty in the School of Science ("Just do it," Vest report- edly said). When, in 1999, the study found evidence of discrimination, Vest won praise for publishing the study and pledging to make MIT a beacon among universities for improving the treatment of minority faculty.' In 2003, MIT led a group of schools as a "friend of the court" in the Supreme Court's examination of affirmative action in university admissions with a forceful, and ulti- TECII FILE PIIOTO mately successful, defense of the Mil President Charles M. Vest addresses the Undergraduate Association in October. practice. "Is race a flash point with Chuck schools until ninth grade." to teaching. (He is a professor of Through his wife, Vest cancelled an Vest? Yes, it is," he said earlier this . mechanical engineering.) interview with The Tech set up last fall, in condemning a student party .Vest future plans unclear Kathryn A. Willmore, the secre- night. he said was racially insensitive. "I It was not clear last night exactly tary of the corporation, declined to Vest is expected to stay through grew up in a border state, in West what Vest planned to announce comment or confirm the reports as the summer or until a successor is Virginia. I went to segregated today, and whether he would return she left Vest's house late last night. chosen, the Times reported. (No matter how much of it you have left.)

Fair skin. light ('Y('S and a tl'nJency T-SHIRTS • to burn in the sun, also put you at a • • hi~her risk. So, cxaminc your skin •••a necessary fact of college life ••• MIT •••••• PUBLIC SERVICE CENTER order direct - 'NO middlemen! ••• •• Sl'C • unusual, your Jermato/o~ist. ph - 617-625-3335 web'.mit.edu/mitpsc Ix - 617-625-0404 email [email protected] www.qrsts.com

Attend a free lAP workshop to learn more about RSI prevention and adaptive computing tools on Wednesday, January 14,2004, noon-2 p.m., in the ATIC Lab (1-143). ") More information: x3-1808 or [email protected]. I MIT Medical stop by E23-308 call us 617-2.53-4481 logon web.mit.edu/medical

/ .0 R51: Repetitive Stress Injury Shortly after starting to use a new workstation, MIT senior she learned more about ergonomic positioning and Lindsay Price, an aeronautical and astronautical engineer- workstation set-up. She was also able to tryout adaptive ing major, noticed that her hands felt a bit strange. "They hardware and software. "I ended up writing a 2o-page just got tired more easily and felt clumsier," she explains, paper using voice recognition," Price says. "It's the only "I didn't t~ink it was anything serious." way 1 could have written that paper at that point."

But within weeks, her symptoms worsened. "I couldn't grip "Individuals with RSI need to change the way they work," a pencil to take notes in class," she says. "I started waking Diamond emphasizes. "Medications and bracing may mask up with pain in my hands and forearms. Soon it started symptoms temporarily, but only primary interventions to LU avoid injury will keep RSI from getting worse." hurting even to wash my face."

Price was diagnosed with repetitive strain injury, or RSI, After giving her injury time to heal, modifying her work- an injury to muscles, tendons, and/or nerves in the hands, station, and chang!ng her work habits, Price has recovered wrists, elbows, arms, shoulders, ~ack, or neck, caused by almost completely. ''I've learned to keep my wrists high

overuse or misuse. More than 100 MIT students are diag- and hands relaxed when I type" she says. "I take frequent nosed with RSls each year, and that's just the tip of the stretch breaks, and when I know 1 have something long to Vol.1, NO.2.3 iceberg, says MIT Medical's chief of medicine, David type, I still use voice recognition." Medical Director William M. Kettyle, M.D. Diamond, M.D., an RSI expert. "A recent MIT student sur- Price encourages other MIT students to learn more about Executive Director Annette Jacobs vey suggests that about half of all MJT students have had RSI prevention and pay attention to early symptoms. "I Editor Kim Schive occasional symptoms from computer overuse: and about 15 wish I'd taken it seriously sooner," she says. "The soft tis- Managing editor Katherine Wahl percent have more prolonged or severe symptoms,'" sue damage from RSI happens quickly but takes a long Staff for this issue Julie Banda, Alexis DeSieno '05, Weifeng Victoria Lee '06, Price initially responded to her symptoms by trying to type time to heal. 1know now that if I type in an awful position Pam U '04, Grace Un '05, Laura Stuart, less but found it hard to keep up with class work. for two hours, it can take my wrists two weeks to recover." Eventually she was referred to MIT's ATlC (Adaptive Judy Yeh '05 Learn more about RSI and on-campu.A RSI reliOUrCeA at Design Hecht Design Technology for Information and Computing) Lab, where http://web.mit.eduiatic/www/TAilmitrAi.htm.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT Medical, E23-308 77 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139-43°7 Page 18 THE TECH December 5,2003

•"'..,

Combat. tested.

[email protected] W20-483, x3-1541 December 5, 2003 THE TECH Page 19 MIT Students, Administrators Respond to Study on Drinking Alcohol, from Page I munity, she shook her head. a student's college career can really "From what I've seen, [drinking] set certain patterns of behavior." white freshmen who did not binge may be more evenly distributed "We try and intervene early with drink in high school were less likely between men and women. The students who may have had some to start binge drinking as college desire to drink may be the same," experiences with alcohol, and [edu- students if their campuses had high- Coffin said. cation] is one way to change behav- er proportions of African American, "Drinking is a behavior that ior so those issues don't exacerbate Latino, Asian, or older students. takes place in a context and whatev- in the future," said Trujillo. In addition, incoming white er the context, people are influenced freshmen that did binge drink in by the environment that they are 'Binge drinking' is 'controversial' high school were less likely to con- drinking in," said Dr. Alan The Harvard study defined binge tinue drinking in this way at cam- Berkowitz, one of the founders of drinking as the consumption of at puses with higher percentages of the Social Norm Theory, a widely least five drinks in a row for men or low-risk drinking groups. used marketing technique that pro- four drinks in a row for women dur- In an effort to reduce binge motes healthy norms about alcohol ing a single episode. This is a com- drinking cases, the study suggests consumption in order to reduce col- mon definition of binge drinking creating a campus environment that lege binge drinking. and is "now widely used in both would attract a diverse student "This study is proving something research and policy," said Dr. body, and encouraging women, that makes intuitive sense based on George Dowdall of Saint Joseph's minority and older students to live all the things that we know about University. on campus, and in fraternity and college student drinking patterns," Trujillo thinks that although the sorority houses. Berkowitz said. term "binge drinking" is used for Paul J. Mitchell G agrees that a research, it doesn't accurately MIT students respond to study person's environment will affect describe many college students' According to a survey conducted their behavior. "If students are drinking experiences. by the Community Development around people who are acting stu- "'Binge drinking' is a very con- and Substance Abuse program, 84 pid, they will have an influence," troversial term," Trujillo said. percent of MIT students drink zero said Mitchell. "'Binge drinking,' the way the term to four drinks per week, and 50 per- "Education might be good for is defined, is rather ambiguous and cent of MIT students consume an freshmen who are living away from doesn't take into account blood average of zero -drinks per week. home for the first time," said alcohol levels," said Trujillo. These numbers seem a little low Mitchell. According to estimates from the for freshmen Irene S. Tobias '07 The Harvard study also makes National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Heather D. Coffin '07. sense to Trujillo. and Alcoholism, I,400 college stu-

MARCUS DAHLEM-THE TECH Although Coffin herself drinks "Some incoming students come dents die each year from alcohol- In the spirit of the holiday season, a colossal wreath hangs on very little, she has seen plenty of with an established pattern of drink- related injuries. In addition, research the entrance of 77 Massachusetts Avenue. drinking among the freshmen class. ing, and some increase their drink- has shown that binge drinking is When asked if the findings of the ing once arriving on the college associated with lower grades, van- Harvard School of Public Health campus," said Trujillo. "The first dalism, and physical and sexual vio- study made sense for the MIT com- semester, even the first six weeks of lence in students.

~reonance. fall concert 2003 MIT a cappella

featuring the inflatable cactus and special guests Integration By Parts & WPI Simple Harmonic Motion Frida Dec.5t 8 p.m. 54-100 freeeee THE TECH December 5, 2003

PETER R. RUSSO-THE TECH Andrea J. Dooley '06 looks beyond an Emmanuel College defender during Tuesday's varsity basketball game. " " ~. fiowOo You, ..... '. ..c: o MeasUre the:.I ••• Growtll of.A:Child? ~ III ' ' .... nfortunately for children' Q) U living in some of the poorest !" ~ countries in the world. iltakcs ~ >. more than fading I113fks on a wall. .0 . , '~ "C Childreach. one of the oldest Q) +-' and largest child sponsorship . co C organizations. measureS growth .' o by !he number of hospitals, wells' J "C for clean water. and self-help , YrS.' Q) programs we build in pannership .. _ , (.) co with the proud iari-;i1ieS and' a. co~unities where our (/) spOnsored .children jive. , , (/) For IIIOI't Inb'uiatioa about ' ,,' - " :c Childrucb sponSorship, p~ call' }r. ~ ,1-800-752-3400" ". " or SfIId In \be atladled CoupOn. ~' .-

MIT Arab Students' Organization proudly presents:

The SHARQ Arabic Music Ensemble

. on evening of musIc.

tradition and high culture

8:00 PM Friday, Dec 5th 2003 Lobdell Hall, MITStudent Center Tickets: Available online at http://web.mit.edu/arab/www $5 students (wIlD), $8 non-students.

Door tickets: $8 students (wIlD). $12 non-students.

Event sponsored by the MIT Arab Student Organization and Green Hall. Funded in port by a Director's Grant from the Council for the Arts at MIT. the MrT Club of Saudi Arabia. the Office of the Dean for Student life/Dean for Undergraduate Educa. tion. and the Agha Khan Program for Islamic Archi1ecture.