Good luck on finals!

MIT’s The Weather Oldest and Largest Today: Rain, 40°F (4°C) Tonight: More rain, 37°F (3°C) Newspaper Tomorrow: Partly cloudy, 55°F (13°C) Details, Page 2

Volume 124, Number 59 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 Tuesday, December 7, 2004 Mental Community Welcomes President Hockfield By Jeffrey Chang STAFF REPORTER Health It wasn’t her birthday, but Presi- dent Susan Hockfield received a cake placed in her office by a group Response of hackers yesterday, continuing the tradition of creative welcomes for MIT presidents on their first day. The cake was in the shape of Criticized MIT’s great dome, complete with a replica of the Wright brothers’ flyer By Beckett W. Sterner on top, and a plastic policeman. A EDITOR IN CHIEF group of students identifying them- Two people hospitalized by MIT selves as the ones responsible for as undergraduates have said they the hack requested anonymity but felt the decision was either unfound- said that when the group asked ed or inappropriate, and in both Hockfield what she thought of the cases that MIT did not act quickly cake, she said that she liked it. The to resolve the situation and remove students also said that Hockfield them from what they described as a said her first day was a success and traumatizing experience. that people have been very welcom- The two, a man and a woman, ing and enthusiastic. requested their names remain Hockfield’s first day as president anonymous for privacy reasons, but concluded with a lively reception in for convenience will be referred to the Stratton Student Center from by the pseudonyms “Alex” and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Attendees were CONNIE YEE—THE TECH “Shirley.” Alex was committed in President Susan Hockfield converses with members of the MIT community at her welcome reception in 1998, Shirley in 2003. Welcome, Page 16 the Student Center on Monday, Dec. 6. Both stayed a total of 12 days at McLean Hospital, a large psychi- atric facility of Harvard Medical Presidency ‘An Enormous Honor’ For Hockfield School, and both sought to leave substantially earlier while relying on President Susan Hockfield a life scientist, as president of MIT owe it to the current generation of ity must be to build on MIT’s visiting friends for clothing, person- recently responded to questions will seem a natural progression; to students, and to subsequent genera- strengths and to help the Institute al items or academic work. from The Tech’s news department others, it will seem a remarkable tions, to continue the progress use those strengths to chart its Neither said that in retrospect in an e-mail. The questions and departure from past traditions. toward what we can truly and course into the future. I believe being hospitalized was necessary or Hockfield’s responses follow. Viewed from any perspective, it is proudly call a great meritocracy, on deeply in the strength of communi- particularly helpful in fixing the sit- an enormous honor to be the first this campus and across the nation. ties and the power of ideas that uations that initially led to them TT: What significance do you woman, and the first life scientist, to I hope that my election to MIT’s come from the people in those com- being committed to McLean. attach to being the first woman have been chosen to serve as MIT’s presidency will give confidence to munities. My top priority for the Due to anonymity, MIT adminis- named president of MIT? president. women and girls, as well as to peo- present is to learn from MIT’s facul- trators were not able to comment on Hockfield: We often feel that I have benefited enormously ple from all backgrounds, to believe ty, students, staff and alumni what the specific cases, but Robert M. change comes too slowly, but the from the pioneering women and that they, too, can take on roles that they view as the key opportunities Randolph, senior associate dean for last few decades have been a time of men who made it possible for perhaps have not previously been and challenges in the years ahead. students, said that the length of the rapid change that have brought steadily increasing numbers of open to them. From the day my appointment was two’s hospitalizations are “so increasing opportunities for people women of my generation to take on TT: What is your top priority as announced, I began meeting with, from all sectors of our society. To key roles in the academy and the new president? Hospitalization, Page 12 some, the election of a woman, and throughout our society. Now, we Hockfield: Clearly, my top prior- Interview, Page 17 Zhou Approved as New UA Vice President IFC Plans To Facilitate

By Kelley Rivoire tion going on between ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR different student gov- IAP, Spring Recruitment Janet Y. Zhou ’06 was unani- ernments.” mously elected as Vice President of Williams said the By Tiffany Chen attempt to attract more members, the Undergraduate Association by UA will perform addi- STAFF REPORTER the IFC will be facilitating recruit- the UA Senate last night, filling the tional recruitment to The Interfraternity Council is ment and approaching recruitment vacancy left by the recent resigna- fill the vacant treasurer planning to hold spring recruitment in a more centralized fashion. tion of Phillip A. Vasquez ’05. To slot by next semester. during Independent Activities Peri- “Fall rush is very intense and take on her new role, Zhou subse- He said there was “no od and February of next term. lots of pressure,” said IFC President quently resigned from her position real time-sensitive Unlike previous years, the IFC will Christopher P. Child ’06. Spring as treasurer. issue,” as next semes- be hosting activities to allow people rush typically offers a more sedate UA President Harel M. Williams ter’s budget has to explore the various fraternities at way for freshmen to rush fraternities ’05 praised Zhou’s work as treasur- already been complet- MIT. and independent living groups. er and said he anticipates that “she’s ed, and the new trea- Spring recruitment will allow In addition, Schiller said that going to continue to do a great job surer can “transition people who missed fall rush to join freshmen may have had experience in her role as Vice President.” She very quickly.” fraternities. IFC Recruitment Chair with only one house during fall. “has brilliant ideas about how to Brad W. Schiller ’07 said the IFC Spring recruitment will therefore make things more efficient,” he UA passes Simmons will be conducting study sessions allow freshmen to meet everybody said. resolutions and other activities to enable people and go to the various fraternity Zhou said that her role as trea- The UA also passed to familiarize themselves with fra- houses. surer has been a “wonderful learn- two resolutions related ternities. IFC Vice President Jordan K. ing experience so far,” and she to the Oct. 9 party at Fabyanske ’06 cites the freshmen on Changes in recruitment “look[s] forward to learning more” Simmons Hall, which CHRISTINA KANG—THE TECH campus policy as one of the primary in her new role as Vice President. was unregistered and Janet Y. Zhou ’06 was elected Undergradu- In the past, fraternities conduct- reasons for spring recruitment. He As Vice President, Zhou said she ate Association Vice President at a meeting ed their own spring recruitment hopes to “improve the communica- Election, Page 18 of the UA Senate last night. individually. This year, in an Rush, Page 15

This is our last issue of the Comics NEWS semester. The Tech will publish MIT professors explore miscon- World & Nation ...... 2 on Wednesdays during IAP, start- ceptions about innovation in Opinion ...... 4 ing with Jan. 5, 2005. Have a their new book. Arts ...... 9 good winter break! Sports ...... 20 Page 6 Page 16 Page 2 THE TECH December 7, 2004 WORLD & NATION French Lose Their Own Test Congress Reaches Consensus Explosives On Flight By Matthew Saltmarsh THE NEW YORK TIMES PARIS For Passing Intelligence Bill France’s interior minister called it “scandalous.” Le Figaro called it “ridiculous.” But whatever you choose to call it, on Monday, four By Philip Shenon not “abrogate the statutory responsi- ligence adviser and who would take days after the police at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle International Air- THE NEW YORK TIMES bilities” of the Defense Department. authority away from both the CIA port planted explosives in an unsuspecting passenger’s suitcase, WASHINGTON Congressional officials said final and the Pentagon. nobody knew yet where the explosives had gone. Congressional leaders said they House and Senate votes would “I think we need intelligence “We hope the person who finds this will take it to the local author- reached final agreement Monday probably occur Tuesday or Wednes- reform,” Hunter said at a news con- ities,” said a spokesman for the gendarmerie, France’s national allowing passage of a bill to over- day, allowing Bush to sign the bill ference Monday with Sen. John W. police, who planted the mobile-phone-size lump of plastic explosives haul the nation’s intelligence com- into law this week, setting in motion Warner, R-Va., the chairman of the as part of an exercise to train bomb-sniffing dogs. “We hope they munity and enact the major recom- the largest overhaul of the nation’s Senate Armed Services Committee, don’t throw it away.” mendations of the independent Sept. system for gathering and sharing who also announced his endorse- The explosives, which had no detonator, are not thought to 11 commission, including creation intelligence since the creation of the ment of the revised bill after pose a danger. The police spokesman, Pierre Bouquin, said that if of the job of national intelligence CIA in 1947. expressing reservations in the past detonated, they would probably be enough to blow a door from a director to force the CIA and other The bill would also create a few days. car. government spy agencies to share National Counterterrorism Center to “My obligation is to the defense The police are working on the assumption that the explosives left intelligence about national security coordinate terrorism intelligence sector in this bill, the military aspect Paris aboard a flight between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday. About 90 threats. from throughout the government, as of this bill, and the men and women planes left the airport in that period for international destinations, The agreement ended a weeks- well as establish an independent who wear the uniform of the United including Italy, Japan, Brazil and the United States, as well as for long stalemate over the bill, which civil liberties board to review the States,” said Hunter, who was able French cities. had been endorsed by President government’s privacy policies. to block a final House vote on the Bush and the commission that Prominent civil liberties advo- otherwise popular intelligence bill investigated the Sept. 11 attacks but cates have opposed the overall bill, last month. “We have received a OPEC May Weigh Cutting opposed by a group of Republican saying that it grants broad new sur- satisfactory provisions that protects lawmakers close to the Pentagon veillance and anti-immigration pow- them, and so I will vote for the bill.” Some Production who insisted that the bill would dan- ers to law enforcement agencies that In a joint statement, the bill’s By Jad Mouawad gerously dilute the authority of the endanger constitutional protections. chief Senate authors, Susan Collins, THE NEW YORK TIMES Defense Department over intelli- The bill’s supporters described R-Maine, and Joseph I. Lieberman, Oil prices have been at record highs this year, with money gush- gence needed on the battlefield. the last-minute revisions, which D-Conn., said they welcomed the ing into the coffers of oil producers thanks to the world’s growing The Republicans, led by Rep. were worked out with the White agreement and said the bill “creates thirst for oil. But as OPEC leaders head into a fifth and final meeting Duncan Hunter of California, chair- House during weekend negotiations a more coordinated intelligence for the year on Friday, the topic on their minds and on the agenda is man of the House Armed Services directly overseen by Vice President community with one person in whether there will be too much oil sloshing around the world next Committee, said they were satisfied Dick Cheney and his staff, as minor. charge, to help make Americans year. For some, production cuts may be in order. by a last-minute revision of the bill They said they would not undermine safer and better serve the president, After hitting a record of more than $55 a barrel in October, oil to include a sentence requiring that the powers of the national intelli- the military, Congress and other prices in New York have since fallen by 23 percent. Under pressure the new national intelligence direc- gence director, who is described in agencies that rely on national intelli- to bring down oil prices, members of the Organization of Petroleum tor operate under guidelines that do the bill as the president’s chief intel- gence.” Exporting Countries began pumping at full capacity this summer and they continue to do so. Now, because of OPEC’s efforts, there is more oil on the market than is needed to meet demand. With the group’s production at its U.S. Consulate in Saudi Arabia highest in 25 years, some producers fear oil prices will tumble as demand slows next year in the wake of high prices and the usual sea- sonal brake in the second quarter. This means OPEC might be tempt- ed to act pre-emptively and reduce output. Raided, Al-Qaida Tie Suspected By Neil Macfarquhar unprecedented move of listing the 26 “members of a deviant group threw Justice Department Begins THE NEW YORK TIMES most-wanted terrorists linked to al- explosives at the gate of the U.S. JIDDA, SAUDI ARABIA Qaida in Saudi Arabia. In the ensuing Consulate.” The terminology is the Studying Safety of Tasers Five attackers thought to be year, about 17 have been captured or ministry’s usual shorthand for the By Alex Berenson linked to al-Qaida staged a brazen killed in numerous skirmishes offshoots of the terrorist network al- THE NEW YORK TIMES daytime raid on the U.S. Consulate throughout the desert kingdom. Qaida operating inside Saudi Arabia. The Department of Justice has begun to study Tasers, the electric in this kingdom’s most cosmopoli- But the attack on Monday was a The announcement said Saudi guns that are increasingly popular with police, in the face of new tan city on Monday, storming reminder that the increasingly frag- security forces wanted to assure the questions over their safety. through the sprawling compound’s mented group was still capable of public that they are determined to Rusty York, the police chief of Fort Wayne, Ind., said that a Jus- fortified gate and starting a three- lethal violence. The choice of an stamp out anyone attempting to bring tice Department researcher, Joyce Gammelmo, contacted him last hour gunbattle that left five local American target, and a heavily “schisms and corruption” into the week to follow up on a report in a local newspaper that the city had consulate employees and four of the secured one at that, may have been country. The attack brought a huge decided to buy Tasers after studying them since early 2003. Gam- attackers dead. an attempt by al-Qaida to win back swath of Jidda, Saudi Arabia’s finan- melmo wanted to know more about Fort Wayne’s research, York It was the first deadly assault some of the support it lost here by cial and trade hub, to a standstill. said. against a large expatriate target in killing civilians, including many Streets around the U.S. Consulate After York outlined his department’s work, Gammelmo encour- this country in seven months, and Saudis and other Arabs, in a string were sealed. The consulate lies near aged him to conduct more research before buying the guns, York the first against a Western diplomat- of attacks against residential com- the waterfront. Some people stopped said. More than 70 people have died after being shocked with Tasers, ic mission since a stretch of terrorist pounds. to gape at a helicopter circling above though the company that makes the weapons, Taser International, violence erupted here in May 2003. A brief announcement from the the heavy black smoke billowing says the deaths were not related to their use. The attack fell exactly a year after Interior Ministry, carried by the offi- into the gray winter sky from a build- the Interior Ministry made the cial Saudi Press Agency, said that ing set on fire inside the compound. WEATHER Cold, Cold, and More Cold Situation for Noon Eastern Standard Time, Tuesday, December 7, 2004 By Michael McGraw-Herdeg 130°W 125°W 120°W 115°W 110°W 105°W 100°W 95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 75°W 70°W 65°W 60°W PRODUCTION STAFF 40°N A confluence of factors beyond mortal comprehension has conspired to

provide the MIT campus with yet another winter. There are some “fronts”

moving around, but this is mostly meaningless jargon. You should know ▲

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that temperatures at, around, above, or below the freezing point of water are ◗

▲ expected for much of the next week. Today we are likely to experience rain ◗ 35°N

which desperately wants to freeze; professional meteorologists call this ▲

“freezing drizzle.” Temperatures will not exceed our Tuesday high of 40°F ◗

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(4°C). ◗ ◗ Watch out for ice! It can be slippery even when it is not wet. Also,

although icicles may look pretty, do not stand directly beneath them. They 30°N

may not be as securely attached as you imagine, and they are often very ◗

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sharp. This accident can be very embarrassing to explain to MIT Medical. ◗

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Extended forecast: ▲ 25°N

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Tonight: Showers of rain fall towards the ground. Do not worry! It is ▲

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not harmful! Low 37°F (3°C). ▲

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Wednesday: Parts of the sky are cloudy. Other parts are not. High 55°F ▲ ▲

(13°C). ▲ Wednesday night: The sky is still partly cloudy. The rest, after 4:12 PM, will be dark. (To one minute of precision, this is the earliest the sun sets in Boston all year!) Low 30°F (-1°C). Weather Systems Weather Fronts Precipitation Symbols Other Symbols Thursday: Still partly cloudy. High 45°F (7°C). Low 32°F (intriguingly, Snow Rain Fog this is 0°C). High Pressure Trough - - - Showers Thunderstorm

Friday: It may rain or snow! If it falls from the sky and it is wet, do not ◗ ◗ ◗ ◗ Warm Front Light Low Pressure Haze be concerned! It is not fatal. Low 37°F (3°C). ▲▲▲▲▲ Cold Front Moderate Compiled by MIT In a few weeks this week will seem warm. Don’t worry about long-term Hurricane ◗ ◗ Meteorology Staff ▲ ▲ Stationary Front Heavy snowball storage space in your freezer just yet. Good luck with your finals! and The Tech December 7, 2004 WORLD & NATION THE TECH Page 3

U.S. Troops to Leave Iraq Within British Warn on Anti-Depressants For Adults By Alan Cowell Four Years, Predicts Rumsfeld THE NEW YORK TIMES LONDON By Eric Schmitt case.” next March. But many American British medical regulators urged physicians on Monday to show THE NEW YORK TIMES Rumsfeld quickly noted that military officers and senior Iraqi greater caution in prescribing anti-depressants to adults and said they KUWAIT President Bush has repeatedly said ministry officials have forecast that should be clearly labeled with warnings about their use. Regulators Defense Secretary Donald H. American forces would stay as long the United States would have to did not dispute the benefits of the drugs for most adults, but the Rumsfeld said Monday that he as needed in Iraq. But Rumsfeld’s keep a sizable troop presence in Iraq newest warning seemed to reflect a growing caution among British expected American troops to with- answer offered intriguing clues into for years to come to battle a resilient medical specialists about the use of anti-depressants, particularly in draw from Iraq within four years, his thinking on two crucial subjects: and deadly insurgency, and to help cases of mild depression, and an equal sense that physicians should but he cautioned that any final deci- the duration of American troops in prevent the country from spiraling also consider counseling and other forms of psychiatric therapy. sion hinged on the progress that Iraq and how long he will stay in his into civil war. The warnings did not go as far as British rules a year ago that Iraq’s civilian government and secu- job. President Bush last week asked counseled against the use of six anti-depressants — not including rity forces make by then. The Defense Department last Rumsfeld to stay on as defense sec- Prozac, made by Eli Lilly & Co. — to treat depression in patients Asked by reporters traveling week announced it would increase retary in his next administration, a younger than 18. Those rules led to similar recommendations by U.S. with him whether U.S. forces the number of American troops in request Rumsfeld confirmed Mon- health authorities last September. would be out of Iraq by the end of Iraq to 150,000 from 138,000 by day that he had “enthusiastically” The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority — his term, Rumsfeld paused to ask early next month, to help provide accepted. the British equivalent of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration — whether that meant a second four- security for the Iraqi elections on But Rumsfeld said he and the said that while selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, known as term term. Jan. 30 and to keep pressure on the president did not discuss how long SSRIs, were “effective medicines in the treatment of depression and When told yes, he then said, “I insurgency. he would remain, and the secretary anxiety conditions” in adults, “clear advice” should be given “in all would certainly expect that to be Pentagon officials said this is declined to go into the subject with SSRI product information” about withdrawal reactions, dose changes the case and hope that to be the only a temporary increase, through reporters. and suicidal behavior. Alison Langley, a spokeswoman for the authority, said this guid- ance related to the level of information physicians should give to NASA: Shuttle Expected to Meet patients. U.S. Students Lag in Math Skills By Floyd Norris New Safety Rules, Fly This Spring THE NEW YORK TIMES PARIS By Warren E. Leary requirements mandated by the board lent plan, in place,” Casper said of High school students in Hong Kong, Finland and South Korea do THE NEW YORK TIMES investigating the loss of the shuttle efforts to launch the shuttle Discov- best in mathematics among those in 40 surveyed countries while stu- WASHINGTON Columbia before shuttles could be ery by May or June. dents in the United States finished in the bottom half, according to a Although still more work needs launched again. Five of the require- The three remaining shuttles have new, international comparison of mathematical skills shown by 15- to be done, NASA officials said ments have been satisfied, the report been grounded since the Columbia year-olds. Monday that they were close to said, and managers added that the was destroyed upon re-entry from The United States was also cited as having the poorest outcomes meeting all safety requirements for agency was close to meeting the space on Feb. 1, 2003, killing its per dollar spent on education. It ranked 28th of 40 countries on math getting space shuttles flying again remaining 10. seven-member crew. The accident and 18th on reading. by spring. “We are well on our way to review board concluded that the dis- The study, released Monday by the Organization for Economic “We’re looking forward to return return-to-flight,” said John Casper, aster had been caused by debris from Cooperation and Development, a group based in Paris representing to flight,” William Parsons, the planning manager of the shuttle pro- the main fuel tank. The debris dam- 30 nations, used tests given to students in 2003 and was intended to shuttle program manager, said at a gram. A year ago, he said, NASA had aged the shuttle’s wing on takeoff, assess relative performance and to try to determine reasons for it. news conference. “We think we’ve not complied with any of the investi- compromising the thermal protection “The gap between the best and worst performing countries has turned a corner.” gators’ recommendations or an addi- system and causing the craft to burn widened,” said Andreas Schleicher, the official who directed the The National Aeronautics and tional 14 that the agency had imposed up in the atmosphere. study and wrote the report. Space Administration released its upon itself before flights could Parsons said that more work was The study compared student performance in 29 of the 30 countries third major revision of its return-to- resume. Now the agency has resolved needed on methods to repair the in the organization, which includes all major industrialized nations, flight plan on Monday, saying the a third of the investigators’ require- heat protection system but that the and in 11 other countries that chose to participate. Due to insufficient 268-page document detailed how ments and half of its own, he said. first flights would carry the best cor- participation in the study, figures for Britain were not reported. the agency was addressing 15 “We have a good plan, an excel- rections available to be tested. Join Us morganstanley.com/careers

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Morgan Stanley is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to workforce diversity. (M/F/D/V) © 2004 Morgan Stanley Page 4 THE TECH December 7, 2004 OPINION Giving Up Far Too Easily Chairman Unless we’re missing something, MIT’s latest announcement in All we can say that we hope that somehow, he’s wrong. MIT Hangyul Chung ’05 response to Professor Postol’s rather serious allegations about missile could have a very serious problem on its hands here, one that casts a defense testing is far from acceptable. Professor Postol has made seri- terrible pall over the entire campus and all its research activities. For- Editor in Chief ous, direct claims about scientific mer President Vest’s legacy has been to increase federal funding for Beckett W. Sterner ’06 research performed by MIT’s Lincoln research — but if this is the cost, that that research must get the Editorial Labs, specifically about the perfor- “right” answer or else face repression, this is worse than a tragic Business Manager mance on one infrared sensor. The response of all parties has been to legacy; it is a stain on MIT’s reputation with an unfortunate degree of Lauren Leung ’07 obfuscate, evade, and spin their way away from addressing his charges. permanence. There could be no worse crime than to turn scientific No one has answered the simple issues he’s raised. investigation into a parlor game. The allegations and MIT’s blatant Managing Editor Every time Postol directly challenges on the grounds of freely pub- refusal to address them cast doubt on the institution’s entire body of Tiffany Dohzen ’06 lished, unclassified scientific evidence, he convinces his audience. scientific research, and make Vest’s bargain with Washington appear We’re not masters of the whole case — but if the professor’s simple truly Faustian. NEWS STAFF arguments are correct as they appear to be, sufficient unclassified evi- Whatever the holiday rush, whatever the excitement over transition News Editors: Kathy Lin ’06, Jenny Zhang ’06, dence already exists to prove his case. Of course, a scientist familiar to a new President, this is a history that won’t change itself, and a prob- Waseem S. Daher ’07, Tongyan Lin ’07; Associ- with the paper said “that we have data that proves that he’s wrong.” lem that won’t go away. We’re not impressed with President Vest’s ate Editors: Kathy Dobson G, Kelley Rivoire ’06, But such unverified protestations can prove little, and it is only a matter handling of this case, to say the least. We expect it to dominate the Ray C. He ’07; Staff: Michael E. Rolish G, of time and Postol’s refusal to be silent, then, before the game comes institute’s attentions in the near future, to our collective detriment. Tiffany Chen ’08, Marie Y. Thibault ’08, Jiao crashing down on any attempt at cover-up. Stay tuned. Wang ’08, Tatyana Lugovskaya; Meteorologists: Cegeon Chan G, David Flagg G, Samantha L. H. Hess G, Vikram Khade G, Robert Lindsay Korty MIT Contributes Its Fair Share G, Greg Lawson G, Nikki Privé G, William Ram- strom G, Michael J. Ring G. The Cambridge City Council has recently discussed plans to get ized by the students and associates of each of these universities. The more money from MIT and Harvard to pay for the city budget and ease universities are directly or indirectly responsible for much of the an impending rise in property taxes. MIT and Harvard, as educational, employment in the city of Cambridge, and hence are providing the PRODUCTION STAFF non-profit institutions, do not pay prop- source of most of the tax dollars that fund city budgets. Editor: Sie Hendrata Dharmawan ’05; Associate erty taxes on their extensive land hold- In addition to drawing thousands of students who continually Editors: Austin Chu ’08, Michael McGraw- Editorial ings. Councillor Kenneth Reeves import money from parents and loans to spend in the local economy, Herdeg ’08; Staff: Joy Forsythe G, Wanda W. asserted that universities “are not sharing in the burden of taxation.” employing much of the city, drawing substantial tourism, and paying Lau G, John Cassady ’06, Jennifer Huang ’07, Y. Ultimately, it’s up to MIT to assess its impact on the city and to make annually increasing multimillion dollar tribute to the city, the universi- Grace Lin ’07, EunMee Yang ’07, Sylvia Yang its case against taxation, but from The Tech’s perspective, the numbers ties have other helpful programs. MIT sponsors collaborative projects ’07, Evan Chan ’08, James R. Peacock IV ’08, indicate Cambridge is already deeply indebted to MIT and Harvard, with Cambridge Public Schools in which MIT students teach local kids Shreyes Seshasai ’08. and that it should rethink its spending priorities before reaching for science, SAT preparation, and basic tutoring at little or no cost. more money. Nationwide, there is a crisis over municipal budgets. The Nov. 29 OPINION STAFF The Cambridge Council notes that 51 percent of land in Cambridge Boston Courant reports that property taxes may double throughout Editors: Vivek Rao ’05, Ruth Miller ’07; Staff: is not taxable, and much of that is owned by MIT or Harvard. Howev- Boston in five years, and notes that Chicago, Dallas, and New York Basil Enwegbara SM ’01, Ken Nesmith ’04, W. er, Cambridge’s primary expense is education; it comprises one third face the same problem. In tough economic times, regular people tend Victoria Lee ’06, Daniel Barclay ’07, Josh of the city’s budget. The land owned by MIT and Harvard houses resi- to spend a bit less money, since they don’t have as much. But in a letter Levinger ’07, Chen Zhao ’07, Julian Villarreal ’07, dents who almost never make use of Cambridge schools, and hence for accompanying the 2005 budget, City Manager Robert Healey notes Ali S. Wyne ’08. the purposes of education funding, the city can be thought of as about that despite economic downturn, the city’s “enviably strong financial half its geographical size, with a corresponding tax base. The nontax- condition has left us better prepared to deal with slowed local revenue SPORTS STAFF able land is not relevant. growth.” The Cambridge 2005 Budget increases expenditures 4.8 per- Editor: Brian Chase ’06; Staff: Caitlin Murray MIT and Harvard do, however, draw upon other city services, such cent over the previous year, to $362 million for the city’s 95,000 resi- ’06, Yong-yi Zhu ’06, Travis Johnson ’08. as street maintenance, whatever policing the MIT Police forces do not dents. undertake, and the doubtlessly positive externalities created by the pub- There are a lot of demands on MIT’s budget these days. Everyone ARTS STAFF licly funded Cambridge Peace Commission and local Cable TV station. who pays for health care, from janitors to graduate students, has been Editor: Amy Lee ’06; Associate Editor: Kevin Do the universities pay sufficiently for such goods, or are we getting a complaining about the rising cost of health insurance, and asking the G. Der ’06; Staff: Bogdan Fedeles G. free ride? Well, beyond the fee arrangements made directly between university to shoulder more of the cost. A new dorm is in the whisper- the universities and the city, where the universities pony up an annual ings-in-the-halls phase. Fraternities are asking for ongoing financial PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF chunk of cash (nearly $3 million last year) for city officials, the univer- support, as they face troubles precipitated by a ban on freshmen living Editors: Brian Hemond G, Jina Kim ’06; Asso- sities contribute rather substantially otherwise. Examining a list of the in their houses. ciate Editor: Daniel Bersak ’02; Staff: Jimmy top 25 employers in Cambridge (available on the Cambridge City Web Harvard, however, has lots of money, and may be a more natural Cheung G, Frank Dabek G, Dmitry Portnyagin site), one notices that Harvard and MIT are the number one and two ally of the Cambridge political ethos. Maybe they can pay for every- G, Stanley Hu ’00, Andrew W. Yip ’02, Scott employers in Cambridge, respectively. (In third? Cambridge City Gov- thing; it probably doesn’t hurt to ask, as the City Council well knows. Johnston ’03, John M. Cloutier ’06, Grant Jordan ernment.) Throughout the rest of the list, you’ll notice a plethora of But in the face of a national realization that nearly all government bud- ’06, Stephanie Lee ’06, Edward Platt ’06, Batya biotech and startup companies whose existence can be directly attrib- gets are high enough that they demand new debt, taxes, or spending Fellman ’08, Scot Frank ’08, Tiffany Iaconis ’08, uted to work related to the universities. Not on the list but cumulatively cuts, the City of Cambridge shouldn’t be granted a free pass by using Christina Kang ’08, Erqi Liu ’08, Omari significant are the numerous small businesses and restaurants patron- Harvard and MIT as ATMs. Stephens ’08, Kenneth Yan ’08.

CAMPUS LIFE STAFF Editor: Akshay Patil G; Associate Editor: Overseeing Oversight Tiffany Kosolcharoen ’06; Columnists: Kailas Narendran ’01, Daniel Corson ’05, Rose Developing Management Solutions Grabowski ’05, Danchai Mekadenaumporn ’05, Mark Liao ’06, Alex Nelson ’06, Zach Ozer ’07, Dan Scolnic ’07; Cartoonists: Jason Burns G, In the Wake of the Big Dig Fiasco Brian Loux G, Jumaane Jeffries ’02, Sergei R. Guma ’04, Sean Liu ’04, Jennifer Peng ’05, Nancy city would be left with a jewel that would be investigation to date indicates that we Phan ’05, Qian Wang ’05, Ash Turza ’08, James Vivek Rao the envy of the world and would catalyze a missed two opportunities to correct the spe- Biggs. sort of Golden Age for the Hub. Until now. cific wall problem ahead of time,” MacDon- Recent reports detailing serious structural The series of underground tunnels that ald said. “We seriously regret not doing BUSINESS STAFF flaws in Big Dig construction may very well compose the heart of the Big Dig appear to enough to prevent this incident. There is no Advertising Manager: Jeffrey Chang ’08; Oper- have been the last straw. The most expen- be riddled with minor leaks. Both contrac- satisfactory explanation for this.” ations Manager: Jennifer Wong ’07; Staff: Lynn sive and ambitious infrastructure project in tors and the Massachusetts Turnpike Author- Perhaps I can help. Like most companies, K. Kamimoto ’05, Melissa Chu ’08, Daniel Ding the history of the United States, the Big Dig ity have defended such leaks as normal, Bechtel was probably just out to maximize ’08, Yi Wang ’08. has been fraught with problems since its promising a typical approach of identifying its profits, and supervisors no doubt made a conception. Skyrocketing costs, frequent and fixing such defects, but it is clear that calculated decision when weighing a 1999 TECHNOLOGY STAFF postponements of the projected completion something else is afoot. Big Dig tunnels engineer’s report suggesting structural flaws Director: Jonathan T. Wang ’05; Staff: Lisa dates, allegations of fraud, and even an have experienced major flooding more than against the cost of the repairs necessary to Wray ’07, Connie Yee ’08. occasional investigative television report once, including a major leak this past Sep- remedy those flaws. documenting boozing workers have been tember. As long as significant public works pro- EDITORS AT LARGE among the numerous black eyes associated So what happened? Consider what John jects or other construction endeavors are Senior Editors: Satwiksai Seshasai G, Keith J. with the Dig. Yet through it all, Bostonians MacDonald, chairman of the Big Dig’s pri- handed over to private contracting compa- Winstein G, Jennifer Krishnan ’04, Christine R. could at least take heart in the simple fact mary contractor Bechtel/Parsons Brincker- Fry ’05; Contributing Editor: Marissa Vogt ’06. that once construction was completed, the hoff, told lawmakers this past week. “Our Big Dig, Page 5

ADVISORY BOARD The Tech reserves the right to edit or condense letters; shorter letters Peter Peckarsky ’72, Paul E. Schindler, Jr. ’74, V. Opinion Policy will be given higher priority. Once submitted, all letters become Michael Bove ’83, Barry Surman ’84, Robert E. Editorials are the official opinion of The Tech. They are written property of The Tech, and will not be returned. The Tech makes no Malchman ’85, Deborah A. Levinson ’91, by the editorial board, which consists of the chairman, editor in commitment to publish all the letters received. Jonathan Richmond PhD ’91, Saul Blumenthal chief, managing editor, opinion editors, a senior editor, and an opin- Guest columns are opinion articles submited by members of the ’98, Joseph Dieckhans ’00, Ryan Ochylski ’01, ion staffer. MIT or local community and have the author’s name in italics. Rima Arnaout ’02, Eric J. Cholankeril ’02, Ian Lai Dissents are the opinions of signed members of the editorial Columns without italics are written by Tech staff. ’02, Nathan Collins SM ’03, B. D. Colen. board choosing to publish their disagreement with the editorial.

PRODUCTION STAFF FOR THIS ISSUE Letters to the editor, columns, and editorial cartoons are writ- ten by individuals and represent the opinion of the author, not nec- To Reach Us Associate Editors: Austin Chu ’08, Michael essarily that of the newspaper. Electronic submissions are encour- The Tech’s telephone number is (617) 253-1541. E-mail is the McGraw-Herdeg ’08. aged and should be sent to [email protected]. Hard copy easiest way to reach any member of our staff. If you are unsure The Tech (ISSN 0148-9607) is published on Tuesdays and Fridays during the academ- submissions should be addressed to The Tech, P.O. Box 397029, whom to contact, send mail to [email protected], and it will ic year (except during MIT vacations), Wednesdays during January and monthly dur- Cambridge, Mass. 02139-7029, or sent by interdepartmental mail to be directed to the appropriate person. Please send press releases, ing the summer for $45.00 per year Third Class by The Tech, Room W20-483, 84 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Mass. 02139. Third Class postage paid at Boston, Room W20-483. All submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. two days requests for coverage, and information about errors that call for cor- Mass. Permit No. 1. POSTMASTER: Please send all address changes to our mailing before the date of publication. rection to [email protected]. Letters to the editor should be address: The Tech, P.O. Box 397029, Cambridge, Mass. 02139-7029. Telephone: Letters, columns, and cartoons must bear the authors’ signatures, sent to [email protected]. The Tech can be found on the (617) 253-1541, editorial; (617) 258-8329, business; (617) 258-8226, facsimile. Adver- tising, subscription, and typesetting rates available. Entire contents © 2004 The Tech. addresses, and phone numbers. Unsigned letters will not be accepted. World Wide Web at http://the-tech.mit.edu. Printed on recycled paper by Charles River Publishing. December 7, 2004 OPINION THE TECH Page 5

Big Dig, from Page 4 but there is little reason for us laypeople to assume that other projects are free from such a Context Crucial to nies, such decisions balancing public safety plight. After all, there tends to be a lack of with profit maximization will inevitably transparency in these situations until a major ensue, and at least occasionally, safety will problem has already occurred. Religious Interpretation be overlooked. This is not just a problem that the gov- Even the most ernment needs to greater pilgrimage that Allah and His Apostle steadfast optimists worry about. In the Ahmed E. Ismail are free from liability to the idolaters; there- would likely agree past decade alone, fore if you repent, it will be better for you, and that expecting compa- The lack of efficient MIT has taken on at Ken Nesmith’s column [“Reading the if you turn back, then know that you will not nies to make ethically least three huge con- Whole Bible,” Dec. 3) was (as always) a weaken Allah; and announce painful punish- sound decisions and and intelligent investigation on struction projects in thought-provoking one. However, his asser- ment to those who disbelieve.” threatening hell the part of a committee in charge the form of Simmons tion that “Mus- 9.4 “Except those of the idolaters with should they not will Hall, the Stata Center, lims pick and whom you made an agreement, then they have not completely solve of overseeing a $14.6 billion and the new brain and Letter To choose passages not failed you in anything and have not this problem. What is cognitive sciences from the Koran backed up any one against you, so fulfill their really needed is more project should at the very least building. All have to follow, often agreement to the end of their term; surely competent and strict rattle our faith in the system been or are being car- The Editor (but not always) Allah loves those who are careful (of their oversight. ried out by private ignoring ones that directly order physical duty).” A recent article in of accountability imposed on contractors. Had con- domination or destruction of non-Muslims” 9.5 “So when the sacred months have The Boston Globe struction of Simmons deserves further analysis. passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever [“Big Dig leak expos- companies in charge of massive and Stata been a The most frequently cited of the verses you find them, and take them captives and es failures, fuels building projects. remarkably smooth being referred to is verse 9.5, which translates besiege them and lie in wait for them in every debate,” Nov. 21] sug- process, oversight roughly as follows: ambush, then if they repent and keep up gests that officials may have been a 9.5 “So when the sacred months have prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way who oversee the Big merely secondary passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever free to them; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merci- Dig failed to address the leak problem in a concern. However, both buildings cost you find them, and take them captives and ful.” timely fashion, despite documents and evi- roughly 50 percent more than initial esti- besiege them and lie in wait for them in every 9.6 “And if one of the idolaters seek pro- dence that should prompt immediate action: mates, no doubt prompting skepticism from ambush, then if they repent and keep up tection from you, grant him protection till he “Since 1996, the state has paid roughly a some members of the MIT community won- prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way hears the word of Allah, then make him attain half-million dollars for a ‘Central dering about the factors involved in the cost free to them; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merci- his place of safety; this is because they are a Artery/Tunnel Project Oversight Committee’ overruns. ful.” people who do not know.” to coordinate oversight efforts by the state It would be foolish to automatically This verse unequivocally calls for vio- The “contract” being referred to was a attorney general, the state auditor, and the assume that all contracted infrastructure pro- lence. Yet, historically, we also see that the peace treaty signed with various local tribes, state inspector general. jects are poorly run. That said, especially in three hundred years between the expansion of which was broken when those tribes attacked All three of those offices had access to Big the context of the Big Dig’s numerous prob- the Islamic empire and the start of the Cru- the fledgling Muslim community. What we Dig managers and contract documents lems and inefficiencies, oversight and public sades, when the Muslims had achieved politi- find from this is that the problematic verse describing the burgeoning leak problem. Still, perception of that oversight demand signifi- cal and physical domination over the Holy was revealed in response to a specific issue, the pervasive problem came to light only after cant attention, perhaps from the Sloan Land, was a period of relative peace and co- and therefore cannot be construed as a general the Globe detailed it this month.” School. In the absence of satisfactorily com- existence among followers of all three Abra- call to arms against non-Muslims. We even The lack of efficient and intelligent investi- petent and clearly publicized oversight com- hamic faiths. If Muslims are supposed to slay note that in this specific case, people who gation on the part of a committee in charge of mittees, a Big Dig induced phobia will no non-Muslims, as this verse obviously com- chose not to break the treaty were not to be overseeing a $14.6 billion project should at doubt scar the public’s opinion of any build- mands, why were there not wholesale mas- attacked, and mercy was to be shown to those the very least rattle our faith in the system of ing projects that run into difficulties, and sacres of Jews and Christians during the who chose to surrender. accountability imposed on companies in that does not bode well for an institution like eighth through 10th centuries? I subscribe to Mr. Nesmith’s view that charge of massive building projects. Granted, MIT that has shown a clear commitment to The explanation for this apparent conun- adherents should not attempt to cherry-pick in one poorly run project does not make a trend, ambitious and cutting edge construction. drum is context. The verse does not exist in matters of faith. However, I also believe that it isolation, but is part of a larger injunction. To is wrong to demand that people justify their see this, look at the four verses before it and faith on a line-by-line basis, which is what the verse after it; in other words, start at verse Mr. Nesmith appears to imply in his column. 9.1: The issue of context is central to the role of 9.1 “[This is a declaration of] immunity by faith in modern times. Understanding that our Allah and His Apostle towards those of the faith, whatever it may be, must evolve to idolaters with whom you made an agree- encompass the situations we deal with every ment.” day forces us to determine what are the essen- 9.2 “So go about in the land for four tial teachings of the various faiths, and how to months and know that you cannot weaken incorporate those core principles into our Mommy would Allah and that Allah will bring disgrace to the lives. unbelievers.” Ahmed E. Ismail is a postdoctoral associ- 9.3 “And an announcement from Allah and ate in the Department of Chemical Engineer- be proud to hear His Apostle to the people on the day of the ing. you are well- rounded.

Write for Arts.

Write for The Tech. December 7, 2004

Page 6

Tr io by Emezie Okorafor

by Brian Loux

Deviants from the Norm by A.K.Turza

ACROSS 54 Nu followers 25 MS image format 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1 ___ breve 57 German sausage 26 Loud kiss 14 15 16 5 Popular database software 61 Crunch-time you saw coming? 27 Actress Berry 11 Accounting prof. 64 Brazil city, briefly 28 Yellowish-green color 17 18 19 14 Ukraine capital 65 Pulled someones chain 29 Ex-Knick Patrick 15 Elements author 66 Zodiac August animal 30 Reviving past style 20 21 22 16 Here, to Horace 67 Desire 31 Imitator’s cry: 2 wds. 17 What you pay for at the end? 68 Stagnations 32 Happen 23 24 25 20 Watts ofThe Ring 69 Mu and care extender 33 Domain 21 Flanders of The Simpsons 34 Shouts 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 22 Convergent DOWN 40 Pairs with a better 23 NFL half 1Related 42 Simians 35 36 37 25 Alive affix 2 Soviet biochemist Stern 43 Technical non-prime 26 Why pre-recs don’t help? 3 Dune duke Atreides 44 This-coast summer time std. 38 39 40 35 West African country 4Traditional prayer: 2 wds. 47 Ant and ing preceder 41 42 43 44 45 36 Prepares to mop 5 MS registration num. 48 Make bronzy, back in the day 37 Passing grade 6 Devastate 51 Nimble 46 47 48 38 Others, to Ovid 7Pimples 52 Pray, to Pierre

By Daniel P. Corson 39 Tech. sch. of TV 8Dressed in 53 Agent Flux of anime 49 50 Solution, page 16 40 Brief Berkeley preceder 9 Dem. 54 TV warrior princess 41 XXXI multiple 10 Enlightens morally 55 Vexes 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 42 Marilyn or James 11 Style 56 Captain Hook cohort 45 Empty set 12 Pocket bread 58 Baseball stats. 61 62 63

rminal Conditions 46 Continued success hope? 13 -RCO functional group 59 Gin type 49 Paris-Berlin dir. 18 Fissure 60 Watch over 64 65 66 50 High-temp. polymerase 19 Cloth-weaving machine 62 Tit for ___ 67 68 69

Te 51 Hit with open hand 24 Wrist nerve disord. 63 Psyche divisions December 7, 2004 The Tech Page 7

ACROSS “The” 22 Bury 1Concrete 61 Oriental nanny 25 To __ his own 6 Avid 62 Eight in Barcelona 26 Cleopatra’s river 10 Tatted material 63 Shadings 27 Hubbubs 14 Loos or Baker 64 Back of the neck 28 Apple PCs 15 Puzzle cube inventor Rubik 65 Beach toy 29 Erin of “Happy Days” 16 Woeful word 66 Grow dark, perhaps 30 Invites 17 “Skittle Players” painter 67 God of war 33 __ vivendi (ways of life) 18 Big help 68 Of sound mind 35 Indian garb 19 Steiger and Stewart 69 Wear away 36 Hitch 20 Curvaceous shape 37 Trademark waffle 23 Science class 38 Highland loch 24 Electron tube parts 40 Two-masted vessel 25 Glossy paint DOWN 41 Chicago hub 29 Dillon of “Drugstore Cowboy” 1Window part 46 Hooting cries 31 Verdi opera 2 Not taken in by 48 __ Beach, SC 32 Book after Joel 3 Stead 49 Bob Hope film, “Call Me 34 Ruhr industrial city 4 Roman road __” 39 Anthony Burgess novel, with 5 Hang loosely 50 Hunt or Alexander

Solution, page 18 “A” 6 Shish __ 51 Day’s march 42 Wiesbaden’s state 7God of love 52 Dull pains 43 Short race 8 Baseball’s Slaughter 53 In one piece 44 Scott Joplin works 9Dieting adjective 55 College sports org. 45 Duplicate 10 “Key __” 56 Slender 47 Acapulco buddies 11 For all to hear 57 Winter frost 49 Whitener 12 Core group 58 Toward the center 53 Dryly humorous 13 Double curves 59 Requisite KRT Crossword KRT 54 Lillian Hellman play, with 21 Susan Dey series 60 Feudal serf

ACROSS 61 Struck, old-style 25 Koko’s dagger 1 “__ the night before...” 62 Winter frost 26 Royal pronoun 5Coarse file 63 Big name in building 27 Some linemen: abbr. 9Confuse blocks 28 Language suffix 14 Oldsters’ grp. 64 Yearned 30 Archaic: abbr. 15 Villainous 65 Little woofs 34 Humbly patient 16 Had the nerve 66 Genesis garden 35 Russian chess master 17 Start of a quip 36 Engraver’s tool 20 Golfers’ shouts 37 Towel word 21 Bishopric DOWN 38 NYC summer hrs. 22 True up 1Skater Babilonia 39 Sony rival 23 Fish entree 2 Spoke evasively 40 Having a potbelly 29 Part 2 of quip 3 Ornate wardrobe 41 Ignited 31 Dutch commune 4 Sprinkle 42 Two in nine? 32 Encourages in 5R.E. Lee’s troops 43 Collided and rebounded wrongdoing 6 5th or Lex. 44 Excess 33 Gaelic tongue 7Bro’s sib 45 For each 34 Pub. submissions 8Blood fluids 47 Brought up 35 Either part of a fly? 9 Element of a total 48 Theater award Solution, page 13 37 Attendee’s answer 10 Smidgen 49 Rush headlong 40 Pants fold 11 Actress Joanne 53 Trees with needles 43 Flatfoot 12 Permit to 54 Small viper 46 Part 3 of quip 13 Asner and Sullivan 55 # of Kubrick’s movie? 50 Surveillance jobs 18 Meddlesome women 56 Long, long time 51 Decoy 19 Light gas 57 AAA suggestion 52 Writer Beattie 22 Wonderment 58 __ polloi 53 Uproar 23 Soap ingredient 59 Music genre 54 End of quip 24 Superlative ending 60 Male offspring Bonus Crossword

Dilbert ® by Scott Adams Page 8 THE TECH December 7, 2004 December 7, 2004 THE TECH Page 9 ARTS FILM REVIEW ★★★ ‘Twelve’ Ought To Do It, Don’t You Think? More Wit and Suspense in ‘Ocean’ Sequel By Nivair H. Gabriel can’t still be slick. Despite some regret- Ocean’s Twelve table shoe choices, Directed by Steven Soderbergh every character in Written by George Nolfi Ocean’s Twelve is Produced by Jerry Weintraub dressed to impress and Starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt filled with snappy lines, Damon, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Andy Garcia, quick comebacks, and Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, and Julia Roberts amazing charisma. Warner Bros. Pictures Linus Caldwell (Matt Rated PG-13 Damon) is a notable Opens Friday, December 10, 2004 exception, acting as comic relief for the cean’s Twelve” fulfilled so many of most part, but Damon my holiday wishes. I’ve been wonder- can not be in a movie ing since 2001, when the eleven most without a few priceless Ocharming men in the world swindled moments, and he cer- the ruthless casino owner Terry Benedict tainly has them here. (Andy Garcia), if Benedict would ever return Though Catherine Zeta- to exact his revenge. There was nothing more Jones and Pitt, who are bonechilling than watching Benedict bust in paired off a number of on the group’s carefully concealed lives, times, don’t have near- accompanied by his familiar intimidating ly the chemistry that thugs. As far as excuses for a sequel go, Bene- Pitt has with Clooney, dict’s vindication was a nice one. they are talented Like the majority of filmgoers who saw enough actors to lend the popular “Ocean’s Eleven,” I’ve been imi- tasteful intrigue to the tating writer Ted Griffin’s lines, laughing at plot. his jokes over and over again, and reveling in George Nolfi picked the opportunity to watch the actors work their up right where Griffin WARNER BROS. PICTURES magic again in Twelve. Soderbergh indulged left off: the story does- Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, and George Clooney star in the sequel “Ocean's Twelve.” this desire, first showing us the playful Rusty n’t lose an ounce of suspense, though it screen time she has, the better; her portrayal an opportunity to mock the French. Zeta- Ryan (Brad Pitt) pick up his old Tyler Dur- gains quite a bit of complexity, and the of her character is formulaic at best, and she Jones was marvelous as usual, and it was a joy den-ish tricks in a hilarious opening scene. humor that made “Ocean’s Eleven” endear- doesn’t resonate at all with the rest of to see the strong female presence that Roberts Then, Benedict enters the plot: Andy ing is very much alive in its sequel. The race Ocean’s team. Far too much screen time is couldn’t offer in “Ocean’s Eleven.” Though Garcia sucks the joy out of every radiant for payback is made all the better by the spent in worship of Roberts, and I’d rather Eddie Izzard’s role was not large, the wacky thief by giving them a two-week ultimatum snazzy, active soundtrack, which is very have basked in the great comic abilities of British comedian tripled the amusement of to pay his $160 million back with interest, or well matched to the style and mood of the Casey Affleck, Scott Caan, or Bernie Mac, what could have been an unnecessary cameo. die. From that moment, a whirlwind plot full film. Soderbergh’s presentation again whose roles were smaller in Twelve. For those with a weakness for heist of new angles begins — this time around, shines, just as much as it did in “Ocean’s Newcomers pleasantly spiced up the brew. flicks, a love of the modern Rat Pack, or any the eleven are less worried about planning Eleven.” Vincent Cassel’s lighthearted portrayal of his taste in movies at all, Ocean’s Twelve — to than they are about escaping. Soderbergh, however, repeated one mis- character provides some excellent entertain- steal a term from the script itself -— really That doesn’t mean, however, that they take — casting Julia Roberts. The less ment — and not because his presence affords is a Smuggler’s Paradise. CONCERT REVIEW MITSO Performs John Harbison Chamber Orchestra Contributes Corelli By Bogdan Fedeles pieces aren’t that great, but the performance sions. The Chamber Orchestra definitely as an apt introduction (prelude); yet, very STAFF WRITER they received was somewhat unyielding. The took advantage of these opportunities and soon, the main idea is taken over by the MIT Symphony Orchestra addition of the solidly-performed baroque delivered the piece beautifully, especially strings section, becoming meditative and Conducted by Dante Anzolini (Corelli) and neo-baroque (Harbison) ele- the magistral finale chorale in major key — winding, typical for a fantasy. The energy of Kresge Auditorium ments to the lavishly descriptive French the Holiday spirit of Christmas. the opening comes back as a steady pulse, Dec. 3, 8 p.m. music clearly saved the day at the end of the By contrast, MITSO’s rendition of eventually merging with the winding fantasy concert. Ravel’s “Rapsodie espagnole” was not as idea and eliciting a recapitulation of the or their second concert this term, the Indeed, Arcangelo Corelli’s “Concerto fulfilling. Ravel’s rhythmic clockwork and opening statement, this time subdued. MIT Symphony Orchestra (MITSO), Grosso Op. 6 No.8,” also known as the delicate orchestrations of Spanish dances did The second movement (Rondo-Capric- conducted by Dante Anzolini, reunited “Christmas Concerto” was an inspired insert not sound truly convincing, often because cio) develops the idea of duets, which is in Fcampus fans and classical music affi- to the program and also promoted the much the ensemble seemed shaky and surprised by fact another way of expressing the bipolar cionados. The ambitious, yet exquisite, pro- younger Chamber Orchestra (founded only a the turns of the piece. This was like a ver- approach of the piece. The capricious gram had a little bit for everyone’s taste, but few years ago), which never seems to make sion of Ravel one hears when playing an episodes that alternate with a elaborate the focus was on early 20th century music, it into the spotlight. The good performance ancient record on a barely functional rondo subject often feature groups of instru- with Ravel and Debussy. Two welcomed sur- offered was certainly pleasant and wel- turntable. ments in pairs (two percussionists playing prises were the Boston premiere of John Har- comed, combining intrepid soloists with Debussy’s piece “La mer” fared better, together, two solo violins, two flutes and bison’s Partita, and the chamber music inter- solid ensemble work, good balance, and because the strength of Debussy’ music is two oboes, a solo string quartet, etc). The lude offered by MIT Chamber Orchestra, strong sense of direction. Corelli’s piece not precision (like Ravel’s), but mostly the exquisite sonority of soloists emerging from which performed a Concerto Grosso by proves to be quite capricious and experimen- color and the nuances. The highly descrip- the heavy orchestral tuttis was particularly Corelli. Had it not been for these surprises, tal (plenty of movements and many tempo tive interplay of winds and waves which lies striking and enjoyable; this was also due to the concert wouldn’t have been too exciting. changes), which gives ample opportunities at the heart of the piece, came out very very convincing performances. This is not because Ravel’s or Debussy’s to showcase a wide range of musical expres- musical and picturesque, the windings of the The slow movement that follows (Aria- music following closely the agi- Sarabande) starts with a singing and sighing tation of the sea and the emotions motif which is slowly darkened, re-orches- it elicits. The orchestra seemed trated and eventually amplified into an erup- confident handling both the tion of sound dominated by a very elaborate expansive sonorities of the cli- percussion rumbling effect. Here the instru- maxes and the subdued, graceful mentation choices are very imaginative, yet transitions. The softer parts were appropriate for the intense atmosphere less hesitant and most expressive, intended. and hence, they were especially Finally, the last movement (Courante- enjoyable. Gigue) takes the merging idea very literally. However, the main focus of The themes for the courante and gigue are the evening was the Boston pre- exactly the same, only the gigue starts later miere of “Partita for orchestra,” in the movement and it moves much faster composed by institute professor so that, by the end, the two converge. This and widely acclaimed composer movement was especially amazing, as the John Harbison. The composer in syncopated theme is quite memorable and the audience watched rather rest- one can clearly hear both ideas (slow and lessly as MITSO brought to life fast) fighting for the front stage, while chas- one of his latest creations, a ing each other to the uncompromising end. piece whose movements are con- MITSO delivered a solid performance of structed formally by intersecting Harbison’s piece, showing once more that it two typical baroque forms in has the skill and dedication to deal with con- very ingenious and elaborate temporary music, and not just superficially. ways. The result is fascinating They deliver reference renditions of fresh and especially appealing to the masterpieces, such as this Partita. A very mathematically inclined MIT nervous Harbison rushed to the stage, to YUN WU spirit. offer his thanks to the orchestra, the conduc- MIT Symphony Orchestra members Madeleine Baverstam, Brian M. Kardon ’08, and Clare E. The first movement (Prelude- tor and, of course, the large audience Davis ’06 perform at the Winter Concert last Friday in Kresge Auditorium. Fantasia) starts off declamatory, applauding at the end of the concert. Page 10 THE TECH ARTS December 7, 2004 CD REVIEW ‘Street’s Disciple’ Conflicted Yet Cohesive Nas’ Double-Album Runs the Gamut From Exogamy to Political Efficacy By Philip Burrowes that is in some ways his progenitor. He fol- topic of “Getting Married,” she provides the outright by his paternal fawning. It’s a bit lows with two tracks where he masquerades impetus for his litany of past sexual conquests hokey, but an interesting change of pace. In Street’s Disciple as a female collaborator under the nom de on the misogynistic yet mellifluously pro- any case, its presence is buffered by the bonus Nas guerre “Scarlett.” duced “Remember the Times.” Presumably “Garden of Eden” — sampling “Thief’s Sony BMG Lyrically, they still fit with the disc’s she is also the eponymous ideal of “The Mak- Theme.” Released November 30 theme of ultimate impotence and irrationality ings of a Perfect Bitch,” an overextension of The second disc’s maudlin self-indulgence by dealing with power of death over posses- the old “lady in public, whore in the bed- would be impossible without the cynical asir “Nas” Jones is the type of rapper sion. It’s not a pleasant story, but it comes room” concept. external focus of the first, but by itself the who begs to be taken seriously, but across more realistic than pessimistic. On the From his fiancée to his father, Nas then first would just be a slightly more clever iter- whose work just doesn’t hold up second disc, however, he takes on a positive moves onto his daughter Destiny. “War” ation on old themes. Combining the two Nunder extreme scrutiny. He either yet equally practical perspective. The funk details the difficulties he had with Destiny’s allows Nas to explore his multiple identities says something ignorant which undercuts his backgrounds of the first disc are replaced by mother, managing to stay away from directly yet maintain a unified Street’s Disciple expe- philosophical aspirations, or he retreats an eclectic mix R&B samples, acoustic blues, addressing her rumored affair with Jay-Z. rience. Moreover, while artists from Outkast wholesale into superficial imagery. The vocal percussion and even some Iron Butterfly Keon Bryce provides a hook that’s so sooth- to Nelly jack up the price for their extended cover to his new double-album “Street’s interpretations. Each new sound evokes the ing you’d assume it’s a sample. “Me & You,” work, Street’s Disciple’s MSRP is that of Disciple” fits both perceptions as he reenacts different slices of life Nas loves, so the pro- on the other hand, is a saccharine singsong many other single-records. On the iTunes the Last Supper by playing the part of Jesus duction melds into a overarching theme even tribute to Destiny herself: “Daddy just wanna Music Store, it actually retails at the base and all twelve Apostles. At first glance it if it doesn’t blend sonically. show you / All the heartache I go through.” $9.99 tag. With a wealth of both quality and simultaneously suggests egomania and At the beginning, it seems Nas has fallen Any fans disappointed by the filial emotionali- quantity, this double-album merits actually schizophrenia, not a good combination if back into the commercialist demands of the ty of Nas’ previous album will be disturbed buying. you want two records worth of a coherent industry, with the radio-friendly Busta theme. Somehow, the double-disc format Rhymes providing a worthless cameo. What makes this mix work, as he takes us on a differentiates the delineation of street life track-by-track journey through his multiple here from that on the prior disc is that Nas viewpoints. openly admits his temporal separation from Disc One is a nihilist criticism of the here the street: “With wifey touring / My life get and now, with seventies-heavy sampling that boring / Start to remember / All types of tor- recalls the early nineties. “A Message to the ment.” It’s no longer a critique on the con- Feds…” espouses the post-Great Society temporary, but an almost wistful reminis- belief that the government is “out to get” cence. Blacks in America while “American Way” Sometimes the nostalgia is in the text, as reminds us that this is a bipartisan effort: “The with his “prehumous” eulogizing of Rakim Black vote mean nathan/ Who you gonna with “U.B.R.” On “Virgo,” the September- elect / Satan or Satan”? It’s with “Coon Pic- born Nas collaborates with Zodiac cohorts nic” that Nas transcends riling against the sys- Ludacris and Doug E. Fresh that stylistically tem by calling to light the self-destructive recalls the days when beat boxing wasn’t capabilities of his audience rather than blam- reserved for a cappella groups. In a duet with ing it all on The Man. his musician father, Nas reaches back both Beyond berating the exploitative elements lyrically and orchestrally, reifying hip-hop’s of “Black television” that Spike Lee and connection to the American singing tradition: Aaron McGruder have already taken flack for “Old school, new school, no school rules / All documenting, he condemns Kobe Bryant for these years I’ve been voicing my blues.” Nas perpetuating slavery-era stereotypes with vio- so loves his craft that he toys with making the lence against white women: “From OJ to love song “Getting Married” into the cliché Kobe/ Let’s call them Toby.” Next up to get concerning matrimony with music: “Will you shot down are fellow rappers, from whom Nas take music as your wedded wife / I do / Psy- distances himself on “Disciple”: “This ain’t che, this ain’t about music / Y’all know who Fifty / This ain’t Jigga / This ain’t Diddy / I’m talking to.” This’ ain’t pretty.” It’s not uncommon to His human inamorata is the singer Kelis, claim more “realness” than your competitors, and while she guests on the first disc, it is on but he takes down these hip-pop stars along the second that she shines, albeit as subject with the new-wave of so-called conscious rap and not performer. Besides being the true IAMNAS.COM Rapper Nas shines in his new double-album “Street's Disciple. CONCERT REVIEW Chorallaries Chant and Strip in Concert MIT A Capella Group Capitalizes On Background Vocals By Mario Marrufo they met my expectations. Name of Love)” by U2. Though modern rock with the male lead in terms of sheer volume. The concert was opened by “The Method,” is usually not the best genre to arrange in an a Of course, it’s a rather difficult song to sing, Chorallaries a Berklee all-male a capella group. They were capella setting, their performance of “Pride” because the two leads are trying to harmo- 54-100 obviously a group with an extensive knowl- was acceptable, and with some struggle the nize with each other while singing radically Dec. 4, 8:30 p.m. edge of music and, for the most part, they put lead singer was able to hit all the notes Bono different pitches several times during the that knowledge to good use. Their best hits. song. However, I did like the more or less ’d never seen a Chorallaries concert moments featured rather complex jazz vocal This leads me to another disappointing faithful adaptation of the music into the before, so I went into their concert hoping arrangements and effective uses of improvisa- aspect of The Method’s performance. I found vocal arrangement, especially the strings sec- that the Chorallaries would sing in tune tion. The majority of the songs they per- that although the background harmonies were tion near the end. Iand knowing that they would perform formed were jazzy. For their finale, they consistently very tight and nearly flawless, A lead who gave a strong vocal perfor- “The Engineer’s Drinking Song.” Happily, mixed it up slightly by singing “Pride (In the the lead vocalists often failed to capitalize on mance was Prathima Nardivada ’06, who this. No, they sang Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You.” I was were almost truly impressed at how well she was able to never out of tune, stand out. but they didn’t Between every few songs, the Chorallaries make an effort to would break up the musical tension with a shine. Overall, running skit about the history of nerds. There though, The were a few funny moments here, including Method were an the ancient Egyptian engineer who attempted enjoyable experi- to hit on Cleopatra with a pick-up line along ence and fitting the lines of “I think I’m imaginary. I sure introduction to have ‘i’s for you.” Another was the engineer the Chorallaries. of King Arthur who used butter from a cow The Choral- to reduce the friction of the chains in his laries began with drawbridge, which is how he came up with the Puddle of the coefficient, “moo.” Mudd hit “Drift The highlight of the show was when the & Die,” which is Chorallaries succumbed to years of chanting, another modern and sang “Africa,” by Toto. The introduction rock song. The was rather clever, containing tribal rhythms same complaint and animal noises. Once again, the back- (mind you, it’s ground vocals were excellent, but by the time just about the lead singer Andrew Harlan ’07 took off his only complaint) I concert shirt to reveal an unbuttoned Leopard had with The Shirt after the first chorus, I got the idea that Method showed he was attempting to make up for his weak up here too, espe- falsetto with sex appeal. It’s a poor substitute, cially in their but I suppose it’s working for Justin Timber- performance of lake. “Broken” by This concert, which turned out to be fun Seether with despite its missteps, culminated in a rendi- Amy Lee of tion of “The Engineer’s Drinking Song.” To Evanescence. me, this made the entire concert worth JIMMY CHEUNG—THE TECH The female lead attending, especially since the vocal perfor- The Chorallaries pose for the end of “Times Like These” by Foo Fighters. The song was the first of two encore in this song often mance was practically flawless, as there was performances. The concert took place in 54-100 on Saturday night. failed to compete no lead. December 7, 2004 ARTS THE TECH Page 11 CONCERT REVIEW Twin Rock Stars Next Big Thing Tegan and Sara Deliver a Fresh Sound

By Brian Stephenson “I Hear Noises,” which combined a great out I was writing rock beat, catchy melody, and funky impro- an article on the Tegan and Sara visations. They followed these songs with band, they were Middle East Club the slower “Not Tonight,” from their 2002 eager to talk Nov. 30, 10:30 p.m. CD, “If It Was You.” Unfortunately, by the about why they end of the song, chatting among concert- loved their music For those of you who are tired of formu- goers at the back of the room was almost as — even when the laic pop songs but find it hard to get into loud as the group’s vocals. group was play- alternative rock with no musical “hook” to Next, Tegan announced they were going ing a song. In my keep you interested, you may be pleasantly to play some songs from their new CD, kick- part of the audi- surprised by the up-and-coming Canadian ing things off with “I Know, I Know, I ence, it seemed group, Tegan and Sara. The group is headed Know.” Easily the catchiest track on their like the concert by twin sisters, Tegan and Sara Quin, who new album, it wouldn’t surprise me if this was more of an play guitar and provide vocals. Despite song shows up on pop radio stations in the excuse to hang being twins, the sisters have very different, near future. out than to enjoy but complementary, singing styles and vocal Between songs, Tegan and Sara took the music, and ranges. Sara’s voice is much higher than turns delivering monologues. Neither the constant Tegan’s — so much higher that unfortunate- appeared at all self-conscious in front of a background noise ly it didn’t come across very well on the crowd—Sara in particular seemed to enjoy from people sound system at the Middle East. Some of telling long, expletive-filled narratives for chatting really her high vocals sounded squeaky, in stark the crowd’s amusement. As she put it, “I surprised me. contrast to the CD. don’t support drugs, I don’t support drink- Granted, this The sisters are backed up by Ted Gowans ing, I don’t support dropping out of school, I isn’t music that on guitar and keyboard, Rob Chursinoff on don’t support Bush [cheers from the audi- you can mosh to, drums and the tambourine, and Chris Carl- ence], but I do support swearing.” but if you’re son on bass. The group has toured with As the night progressed, the band kept a really a fan, I bands such as Ben Folds, Neil Young, and good balance between fast and slow songs. would think TEGANANDSARA.COM The Pretenders, among others, and are cur- The poppy “Walking With a Ghost” was you’d want to Tegan and Sara Quin performed at the Middle East Club to an enthu- rently out promoting their new CD, “So particularly well-received. During slower listen to the siastic crowd. Jealous.” numbers like “I Can’t Take It” and “Fix You music. Tegan and Sara kicked the night off with Up,” there was a lot of talking in the crowd, Despite distractions from the crowd, I running through my head long after the con- two lively songs that, while keeping a lot of although there was plenty of applause at the enjoyed the evening’s performance. Tegan cert finished. Overall it was a strong perfor- creative distance from pop music, didn’t shy end of each song. and Sara had a great stage presence and per- mance, and I expect to see (and hear) much away from catchy themes. My favorite was When nearby audience members found formed quirky, catchy songs that I found more of Tegan and Sara in the future. BOOK REVIEW And Here We Thought Our Lives Mattered Tom Wolfe On Sex and Status in Elite Academia By Ken Nesmith falling back out of use. expose this scene for the absurdity that it than as a claim to new status? STAFF WRITER Give Wolfe credit for his hard work. (probably) is? I suspect Wolfe isn’t sure. He makes sev- Iam Charlotte Simmons Wolfe, who generally wears white suits, One must make an effort to remember the eral feints, hinting that religion or classical Written by Tom Wolfe changed to blend in with undergrads as he hiding norms that Wolfe refuses to concretize, studies might be normative, but backs away Published by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux toured college campuses around the country, perhaps because he himself is unsure of them. from them with mockery. When honesty 688 pages so as to make spot-on satire of campus exis- In the face of stunningly effective, quietly appears, it seems at first to liberate Wolfe’s Nov. 9, 2004 tence. The school he creates, Dupont, is a nihilistic satire, we should validate what in characters, but they quickly revert to a Frankenstein of the bests; the best athletics, existence has worth, lest we be left to wallow revised despicability. Charlotte herself finds eet Tom Wolfe, master of snobs. the best academics (besting Harvard, Yale, in sexual status competitions. Making such a relief from social entanglement by acknowl- Wolfe’s worlds are constructed and Princeton), the most wealthy, and so conscious effort does indeed dull the power of edging its irrelevance and finding honesty around details of social rating, forth. The dynamics of the frat-party scene, his work; it constrains its roaring narration within herself. But this reinvention lasts for Mwhere all existence is interpreted the fitness center, and freshmen year dorm and social commentary and exposes the fairly a little more than a page before she resumes through the lens of social judgment. Status adventures are recreated faithfully and enter- thin, limited plot. social competition, driven by the need to consciousness determines social behavior, tainingly. This is Wolfe’s trademark, and he Wolfe’s world-view is flawed, or incom- appear strong in the eyes of peers. She fin- Wolfe tells us in a New York Times inter- hits a home run here. plete. He has difficulty handling human emo- ishes the novel that way, declining her moth- view. In practice, this means that Wolfe’s By reading Wolfe, one gets the sense that tion that does not relate to sociological com- er’s invitation to have an “honest talk with characters interact on the basis of wealth, any portrayal entails belittlement. Throbbing petition. In a chapter about move-in day at [her] own soul.” Every norm offered is repu- power, and sex – especially sex. prose paints a world through the eyes of char- Dupont, we get laborious assessment of sta- diated or declined. In “I am Charlotte Simmons,” Wolfe acters who are invariably flawed and small- tus-revealing details and intricate emotional Because “Simmons” is about college, we takes on the world of undergraduate life at minded, surmountable and dissolute. Any- and sociological interface between Char- might say Wolfe was just attacking the dark an elite university. He resumes all of his thing we see in “Simmons” is filtered through lotte’s rural family and her roommate’s blue- world of academia, but the structure of favorite old habits. We get any and all their eyes, and through their petty mental blood elite clan. But when Charlotte feels a social control and competition that Wolfe crowds likened to animal gatherings. We get constructs, inviting our dismissal. Wolfe pang of a different emotion, the simple, uni- has formally exposited is mirrored here as it profuse, crude, and imaginary rap lyrics that, writes so powerfully and so clearly that most versal feeling of homesickness, Wolfe gives is in his other books. Wolfe once told a set off in italics, appear silly (Yo, you take of the time, we are inclined to nod and chuck- her not more than a line, and an obligatory British paper that he doesn’t feel alive my testi-culls, Suck ‘em like a popsi-cull) le in agreement with him. few paragraphs of hugs goodbye. unless he’s fighting somebody (not some- until you expose real rap lyrics to the harsh Finish “Simmons,” and it stays with you. Emotions that are not full players in a com- thing, somebody). He’s made a career of it, treatment of writing them down. We hear Pick up any other book in its wake, and the petition for human dominance get scant atten- with the mighty pen, and he’s endowed regional accents by reading the spoken prose seems dull and stilted by comparison. tion, but Wolfe maintains a similar discomfort every character with that spirit. Learning words, and then reading Wolfe’s version of Where’s the florid, sometimes tumescent with honesty and independently validated self- what makes Wolfe feel alive, domination of what the words sounded like, a repetition detail, lighting up each scene for us, cutting esteem. When concretized human virtue peeks other human beings, can help us to make that frequently becomes mockery. Each few to the core of the social dynamics in any situ- its head out from the plotline, Wolfe can’t, and sense of his writing. Is it possible that a 70- chapters feature a few new vocabulary ation? Books aside, take a walk in real life: won’t, handle it; he instead nervously washes something year old man never learned to words (semaphore, rheostat, métier) that where’s the white-suited man in the corner, it away with his firehose prose of detail and live peacefully in this world, without vio- reappear in conspicuous proximity until quietly cataloging minutiae for ammo to status. Does virtue have any meaning other lence? Unfortunately, of course it is.

SIE HENDRATA DHARMAWAN CONNIE YEE—THE TECH The Cross Products try to be more “cool” in a skit by singing Backstreet Boys’ The MIT Concert Band, conducted by Jeremy W. Nimmer ’02, performs at their “I Want It That Way” during their fall concert on Saturday, Dec. 4 in 54-100. concert this past Sunday evening in Kresge. Page 12 THE TECH December 7, 2004 Hospitalizations Inappropriate, Former Students Say Hospitalization, from Page 1 talization and required her to reapply for admission as an undergraduate. unusual these days because of man- “Massachusetts laws are such that aged care that there must have been unless there’s a real perceived danger something serious going on.” to self or danger to others, you can't Director of Mental Health Alan hold anybody in the hospital,” Ran- E. Siegel said that “it’s a difficult dolph said, so MIT does not make a thing to be in the hospital,” and decision to hospitalize a student “that’s why we only hospitalize stu- lightly. dents when there’s the greatest “It would be embarrassing to urgency.” send a person to the hospital” only A spokesperson for McLean for the hospital to find them healthy Hospital declined to comment. and turn them away, he said. Nationwide, demand for mental health services has been rising on Stressed and suicidal college campuses. The number of Shirley went to the doctors at hospitalizations at MIT rose from MIT Medical in the late summer of 16 in 1995 to 27 in 2000, according 2003 because she had become to MIT’s Mental Health Task Force extremely unhappy about a disagree- report in 2000, although Siegel said ment where she might have had to that the number has decreased since pay several thousand extra dollars for then. housing both on and off campus or The report, instigated following possibly lose her registration as a stu- the suicide of Elizabeth H. Shin ’02, dent. found that “MIT currently sees 12% She said she was “pretty much a of its student body annually as com- non-functional person” and “hysteri- pared to 14-16% of the student body cal” at the time, but that she was annually in comparable schools.” looking for a “verbal punching bag,” GRANT JORDAN—THE TECH someone at MIT Medical to help her McLean Hospital, located in Belmont, MA, is one of the primary facilities to which MIT sends students Establishing risk of serious harm calm down. it finds to be at risk of causing serious harm to themselves or others. For doctors to commit a person to Her current doctor, Kristine A. a mental hospital against his or her Girard, to whom Shirley gave per- The Department of Mental Health S. Ebert, quoted it only as, “You tion XII to McLean,” referring to will, they must demonstrate “that the mission to speak about her case, said Form 5A that MIT Psychiatrist Lili A. know, maybe I will go nuts and get a Massachusetts general law, chapter failure to hospitalize would create a that, according to Shirley’s medical Gottfried filed petitioning to commit rifle and just start killing all of you.” 123 on emergency restraint of danger- likelihood of serious harm by reason records, “she was indeed talking Alex to McLean cited as its primary The documents cite other evidence ous persons. of mental illness,” according to about a great deal of stress” and “not evidence for risk of harm a “tense, for Alex’s hostile behavior, including Alex said that he was working on a Massachusetts general law. knowing what to do about it.” angry recent e-mail (attached) threat- other angry e-mails, possessing an air research project in his lab when he Both Alex and Shirley, however, Girard said that Shirley had ening ‘to get a rifle’ and shoot all of rifle, and nailing shut the hall’s kitchen found about MIT’s intention to hospi- signed a paper agreeing to voluntari- “talked about wanting to kill herself” you.” [Alex said that the copy he door. Alex said that the gun was talize him as hallmates with police ly commit themselves; the conse- to the admitting physician. She had received from McLean did not include owned by someone else on the floor scanners “e-mailed me that they were quences for refusing can be serious. also been hospitalized once before the attached e-mail, and that he no and was turned over to the graduate told I was ‘armed and dangerous,’ and Given that in both cases, MIT for risk of suicide for a shorter period longer had a copy.] residence tutor upon request. He also my neighbors said Campus Police administrators or doctors had docu- of only three days. Alex said that the e-mail was said that he had nailed the door shut to were waiting on the hall.” mented evidence of a risk of serious “I don’t fault them” for commit- “grossly misquoted and cited out of make a point after finding the kitchen He said that when he returned to harm, they or the doctors at McLean ting her, Shirley said, especially context.” He said the full sentence in an extremely unpleasant condition, his room to get a book around 1 a.m., could have pursued an involuntary given MIT’s possible liability for her was, “If you really think I would get a and that the nails were only halfway in the police officers there were relaxed commitment, which would be valid actions otherwise. However, she said rifle and go postal, they should send and were easily removed. in their manner and said “MIT Med- for a total of six months the first time that it would have been better “if I you to the mental hospital.” According to his discharge sum- ical just wants to talk with you.” and could also come with “Roger’s had just been isolated for a few The wording of the sentence mary, after sending the e-mail about When he arrived at MIT Medical, Orders” that give permission for days… not in a mental hospital.” changed several times according to the rifle, Alex “was urgently requested he said that Gottfried told him after a involuntary medication. “What I found in the hospital, I several of his medical documents Alex to report to the dean’s office. He brief physical that he was to be com- The student’s status at MIT is wouldn’t wish it on anyone else,” she obtained. replied via e-mail that although he mitted to McLean. He said the police also not guaranteed. MIT Director of said. “I don’t think anybody should His Discharge Outright Summary would be happy to come and speak then strapped him to a stretcher, citing Mental Health Alan E. Siegel has have to go through that, not even for quoted it as, “You know, maybe I will with the dean, he would be unable to “standard procedure,” and took him to said that following a hospitalization, a day” go nuts and get a rifle and just start comply with this request until his the hospital. MIT has to “make a decision about killing all of you. If you believe that, exam periods were finished [Alex’s whether we believe it’s safe enough A ‘threatening,’ misquoted e-mail they should send you to medical for hospitalization overlapped with finals Contact with MIT limited for [the student] to come back.” In MIT, including Randolph, sought counseling.” week]. At this point the dean and MIT Shirley said that when the doctor Shirley’s case, MIT ultimately decid- to commit Alex because of a per- The Forensic Consultation done by psychiatrist, Dr. Gottfried, decided ed to send her home after her hospi- ceived risk to his hallmates. Senior Forensic Psychologist Ronald that the patient should be sent on Sec- Hospitalization, Page 13

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December 7, 2004 THE TECH Page 13 Students Found Environment at McLean ‘Stressful’ Hospitalization, from Page 12 patients because she was from MIT. admitted patient to request discharge, quickly found him mentally sound. issues involved in students who are “They won’t talk to you like a baby subject to a maximum three day hospitalized and in their taking time she had seen decided to have her like they do for the others,” she said. delay by the hospital supervisor, but Shirley forced to leave MIT off… I think we try to do the best we committed, an emergency medical She said, though, that she avoided the doctors at McLean saw it as a Shirley said she was ultimately can to think through what is in the technician or police officer came to many of the other patients. “I didn’t hostile action on Alex’s part. diagnosed as “mildly hypothymic” best interest of students.” the room and escorted her directly to want to hang out with the other The Forensic Consultation done and bipolar, essentially being unable Randolph said that the “issue is the ambulance, which took her to the patients because they scared me.” by Ebert said that “he has been seen to deal effectively with depressive never liability for MIT.” hospital. She described one middle-aged through this hospitalization to mini- mood swings. She said that MIT sent Shirley said that after returning She said she had no opportunity man who “had a thing for girls,” and mize his behaviors, to show poor her home after her release from home, she began taking antidepres- to bring any personal belongings or a another woman who went into a insight, and to lack understanding of McLean and required her to reapply sants, and applied for admission in second set of clothes, and had to wait angry rage at another female patient, why others might be troubled by his for admission to return. the regular fall early action program, until some of her friends were able to screaming, “Don’t you call me a E-mails.” Upon leaving McLean, she said but was rejected. bring her some during visiting hours. fucking cunt, you fucking bitch.” The accounts of various doctors’ she took a taxi back to MIT and After that, she said she took the Alex, whose hospitalization over- She said there was very little to interviews with Alex, however, rely learned that MIT had bought her a MCATs and volunteered at a local lapped with finals week, said he was do in the hospital, which offered almost entirely on the evidence pro- plane ticket back home, “which I fig- hospital. In general, she said she dependent on his friends to bring him basic television, newspapers and vided by MIT. “Throughout the ured was the least they could do “just tried to be normal,” but by the his books and homework and to con- board games, but not internet access. process,” Alex said, “I told the psy- since they put me through all that summer was “losing all faith” of tact his professors about postponing “I did nothing,” she said. “I was chiatrists that if they wanted a realis- shit.” returning. She said she applied a sec- his exams. so bored. Finally, I don’t know, on tic picture of the hall and me, they She also said that Assistant Dean ond time during the spring, and was Both Shirley and Alex said their Wednesday [six days after being should talk to people that know me of Counseling Services Kunya S. finally readmitted at the end of July. contact with administrators or doc- admitted], I tried to make friends — my friends. They refused.” Desjardins “was adamant about get- tors from MIT was very limited. with one of the more normal The documents do not give fur- ting me out of there as fast possible,” Two say little was gained Alex said that only Randolph vis- patients.” ther evidence for Alex’s perceived ideally in one day. Shirley said it was MIT’s actions were “inappropri- ited the hospital regarding Alex’s “The most difficult part” of being risk of harm, and generally refer to her perception that the urgency was ate,” Alex said. “They were benefi- hospitalization, and then primarily to in McLean, Alex said, “is that there him as a “guarded” but moderately because MIT would be legally liable cial only in that I believe people can speak to McLean doctors. are patients in genuine need of social and cooperative patient. should she hurt herself while still on grow from any experience, no matter “The thing that angered me help… People had seizures. People A summary of his stay at McLean campus. how unpleasant or unfair.” most,” Shirley said, “was that I heard were placed in padded cells or found that “he submitted a three-day She said she was frustrated with “You can’t ever say what would from a nurse that [MIT was] going to restrained for medication. People letter requesting discharge… Never- having to leave so quickly. She said happen,” Shirley said, but “nobody put me on a medical leave,” rather cried and screamed. Such an envi- theless, the patient’s behavior was she felt like “I would really like to likes to be seen as some dust to be than hearing it from someone at ronment is stressful. The patients appropriate. He was not threatening accommodate you,” but “I have to swept under the rug.” MIT. saw right away I was OK.” or self-destructive and he was coop- pack… [and] get my friends to store She said she sees “no reason to She said she had to wait for about He said the length of his stay was erative with the evaluation process.” stuff for me” at MIT. keep the students in the hospital in seven days before receiving a visit due to a consistent conflict with Alex, who was a member of Desjardins “had an undertone that those conditions for that long.” from anyone from MIT. She said it McLean doctors because he main- ROTC at the time, said that his job she really wanted me out of there “When I was on leave I wanted to was Siegel who visited, but after see- tained that the e-mail was misquoted, after graduation required two further really soon,” Shirley said. say something that would change ing him she then had to wait for him and because he had filed a three-day evaluations to clear him for work in Desjardins said she was unable to MIT Medical,” she said. They are to return from vacation over the notice for release as permitted by the navy because of his hospitaliza- comment in detail, but wrote in an e- “doing the best they can, but I think weekend to be released. law. The law allows any voluntarily tion, and that both examinations mail that “there are a lot of complex they can do better.” “I got [to McLean],” she said. “I thought I was going to get out in three days like last time.” Eventually, though, “I felt like I was never going to get out of there,” she said. “I was so mad I had to wait an extra long time the entire week- end” for Siegel to return. Siegel said that he would visit the student “at the point that McLean feels that they have enough informa- tion” to determine how the student is doing. He also said that much of the level of outside contact was depen- dent on the desires of the student. Tell Us the Truth “We let the McLean staff know to ask the student to please contact the housemaster,” he said, but due to medical privacy laws, MIT cannot inform anyone without the student’s consent. About MIT Medical care of mixed value The workers at McLean “were very accommodating, very quick,” Shirley said. She said they were nicer to her than to some of the other Help prospective students get past the marketing brochures by Solution to Bonus Crossword telling them what being a student at MIT is really like. We invite all from page 13 undergraduate and Sloan MBA students to describe the unique aspects of the MIT student experience by participating in our stu- dent survey at http://survey.review.com.

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This space donated by The Tech Page 14 THE TECH December 7, 2004 What Are You Doing Ask a MedLink The Zzzzzz Center this Dear MedLink: If I need to cut corners on sleep somehow, which is better—taking several shorter naps during the day or getting however much sleep as I can at —Sleepy@MIT January? night? Dear Sleepy: I know how you feel. Between juggling classes, a UROP, activities, work, and friends, it can seem nearly impossible to find time to sleep. Still, according to MIT Medical psychologist, Xiaolu Hsi, Ph.D., following your body’s Check out the circadian clock is the best way to feel rested and energized. Ideally, this means sleeping seven to eight continuous hours each night. However, if this isn’t realistic for your lifestyle, you should definitely try to sched- ule quick naps throughout your day, not only to give you an energy boost but to also IAP 2005 Guide counter your “sleep debt,” which, over time, could prove deleterious to your health. Try to keep naps to between 20 and 30 minutes in length or longer than 90 min- Exclusively online at: utes. The shorter naps will give your body just enough time to rest and recuperate before dropping off into the deeper stages of web.mit.edu/iap sleep, and 90 minutes will give you enough time to complete an entire sleep cycle. But remember that napping for two to four hours isn’t an effective way to increase your Contact: [email protected] productivity or alertness.

Ultimately, however, when it comes to catching up on sleep, each of us is unique, so there is no magic formula that works for ISRAEL IS THE everyone. It sometimes seems that sleep is expendable here at MIT, but the truth is that sleep deprivation may have many CANARY IN THE MINE short- and long-term health effects. In addition to interfering with your ability to The war between Arabs and Jews concentrate and weakening your immune system, insufficient sleep also interferes is not the cause of the war on terror, with your body’s regulation of insulin pro- duction, which may increase one’s risk of as apologists for Muslim radicals developing Type 2 diabetes. Moreover, lack is of sleep also decreases production of the claim; it the war on terror. hormone leptin, which tells your body to Twenty-five years ago, there were two non-Islamic democracies in the Middle East: Israel and stop eating when full, so people who regu- Lebanon. This was too much for Islamic radicals, Syrian irredentists and Palestinians who joined forces larly cut corners on sleep are more likely to to destroy Lebanon and make it a base for terror. be obese than those who get enough sleep. The goal of the post-Oslo Intifada is not to establish a Palestinian state alongside a Jewish state. Its If you continue to have questions about goal is an Islamic umma extending “from the Jordan to the sea.” That is why Oslo was rejected by sleep, use the resources at MIT Medical to Arafat even though Barak and Clinton offered him an independent state on virtually all of the land get answers. Discuss your concerns with Palestinians claimed in the West Bank of the Jordan and Gaza. That is why the very birth of Israel is your primary care physician or speak with a referred to by all the present Palestinian leadership as the “Naqba” – the health educator in the Center for Health “catastrophe.” To Islamic radicals at war with the West, the very creation Promotion and Wellness (E23-205; 3-1316). of Israel is a catastrophe. Sweet dreams! —Anu ’07 American apologists for Arab aggression are also apologists for Islamic aggression. In their eyes, Arab terror in the Middle East has a root cause in the policies of Israel, whom terrorists refer to as the “lit- tle Satan.” For apologists of the Islamic terror of 9/11 and the Zarqawi terror in Iraq, jihad is not a self-generating creed but has a “root cause” in the policies of “the Great Satan,” which is us. Peace in the Middle East and peace in the war with al-Qaeda and Zarqawi will come only when the terrorists surrender or are defeated, and when Arab governments cease their incitement of hatred against Do you have a question? Israel and the United States. Submit questions by: ~ David Horowitz email: [email protected] anonymous online form: “ THE INTERESTS OF MUSLIMS AND THE INTERESTS OF THE http://web.mit.edu/medlinks/www SOCIALISTS COINCIDE IN THE WAR AGAINST THE CRUSADERS.” campus mail: Ask A MedLink, E23-405 ~ Osama Bin Laden, February 14, 2003. We can't respond individually, but we'll answer as many questions as we can in this space. And you 30% off if ordered from Frontpagemag.com can always talk with a MedLink in person; see web.mit.edu/medlinks/www/ to find the MedLink(s) in your living group. WWW.FRONTPAGEMAG.COM December 7, 2004 THE TECH Page 15 Frats Planning for Spring Rush Rush, from Page 1 spring,” explained Kappa Sigma hoping spring recruitment will give Rush Chair Mitun P. Ranka ’05 in me an opportunity to pledge now added that spring recruitment is but an e-mail. that I have a better understanding of one of the ways fraternities are “Our philosophy for Spring Rush Greek life at MIT,” said James T. adapting to attract more members. is to focus on people that we’ve met Albrecht ’08. With IFC-facilitated spring recruit- throughout the Fall term that we’ve Others are more hesitant about ment and a more centralized already gotten to know a little bit spring recruitment. Brandon T. approach, Fabyanske hopes to and try and spend time with them Yoshimoto ’08 said that he doesn’t recruit more members. ina lower-key setting,” wrote Delta think he will look into joining a fra- While a majority of the houses Upsilon Rush Chair Cory L. Zue G ternity because it “looks like it takes will participate in spring recruit- in an e-mail. “We’re not going to be up a lot of time” and said that he ment, some fraternities such as Phi hosting huge events to bring in a lot still has the stereotypical image of Delta Theta and Phi Kappa Theta, of new people like we do in Fall fraternities. who both received over ten pledges rush.” In response to the stereotypical each in the fall, will not recruit new fraternity image many students members. Response to spring recruitment have, Schiller said that “the frat Participating fraternities will be Some non-affiliated freshmen stereotype that we’re just a bunch of generally more laid back than dur- express great interest in spring party animals really doesn’t fit MIT ing fall recruitment. “We feel that recruitment. “I was disappointed I at all. We’re more academic than there is not enough buzz around couldn’t find a fraternity I really people imagine.” campus to go full scale during the wanted to join during rush, but I’m

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Attend all sorts of concerts! Bose Corporation 1-800-444-BOSE [email protected] ©2004 Bose Corporation. Patent rights issued and/or pending. Delivery is subject to product availability. Page 16 THE TECH December 7, 2004 MIT Professors Study Innovation Groups Entertain at By Robert Weisman Piore break it into two parts: prob- environment that is intellectually THE BOSTON GLOBE lem solving and interpretation. rich and full of people who are ask- Innovation has become an all- Companies focus constantly on the ing questions,” noted Mitchell Hockfield Reception purpose tonic, the default prescrip- former, which tends to be a rational Adams, executive director of the tion for every pain associated with step-by-step process. If they talk Massachusetts Technology Collabo- Welcome, from Page 1 “There’s so much excitement” the retrenching American economy. about the latter at all, it is under the rative. and a very warm welcome, Hock- Whatever the problem — slower guise of “listening to the customer,” The collaborative runs the greeted with balloons, free food and field said of the afternoon’s festivi- growth, global competition, fewer a less well-defined discipline. Massachusetts Nanotechnology drinks, live music, and Tim the ties in the Student Center. After well-paying jobs — innovating, we Much of the book is devoted to Institute, devoted to bringing Beaver as they meandered around talking with students, Hockfield said are told, is the solution. case studies of product develop- together people from science, busi- the first three floors of the building. what she found most exciting was Now a pair of MIT professors ment in fields ranging from cell- ness, finance, and academia who Hockfield arrived around 3:40 the enthusiasm that many showed has dissected the practice of inno- phones to medical equipment to are interested in the field. “There is p.m., and a reception line quickly for MIT’s mission, and she was vating and found it to be generally bluejeans. Successful innovators no club or bar you can go to to talk formed outside of the second floor very impressed by the extraordinary misunderstood. In “Innovation: The “created spaces where they could about nanotechnology,” Adams lounge. Students and faculty waited commitment that students show. Missing Dimension,” published by have open-ended conversations” said. for a chance to greet and speak with She said that she will continue her Harvard University Press in Octo- about technology and markets, In the past, much of the conver- the new president, while the Mark process of learning about MIT, and ber, Richard K. Lester and Michael Lester, who directs MIT’s Industri- sation about technologies and their Greel Band played jazz music on “wants MIT to be stronger than it’s J. Piore argue that much of the inno- al Performance Center, said in an possibilities took place at corpo- the first floor. ever been.” vation effort in American business interview. rate research centers, such as Bell “It feels fantastic to finally be Hockfield has also met with the goes into solving problems but rela- One of their chief strengths was Labs and Xerox PARC, that pio- here,” said Hockfield, though she Student Advisory Board, who will tively little into identifying possibil- the ability to interpret a situation. neered new technology and also said that time had passed very present her with students’ positions ities and opportunities in the mar- “We compare the interpretive man- sparked the innovation that drove quickly since Aug. 26, the date of and opinions about important issues ketplace. ager to the host of a cocktail party,” the great economic expansion of her appointment. on campus in several lunches this “We are in danger of learning the Lester said. “She decides who to the 1990s. But corporations winter and spring. wrong lessons about innovation,” invite, she brings people together, increasingly have been reining in Hockfield meets with departments Lester and Piore warn in the book. she begins conversations, and she their basic research and concen- During her first day as president, Music groups welcome Hockfield “As a result, we risk neglecting those tries to keep the conversations trating on applied research. As a she met with a variety of people, Music from the jazz band was capabilities that are the real well- going. That’s radically different result, more of the responsibility and talked to some reporters, Hock- interspersed with performances by springs of creativity in the US econo- from what the problem-solving for innovation has shifted to field said. She also had lunch with several of MIT’s a capella groups. my — the capacity to integrate across manager does, which is often to get research-oriented universities like the Institute’s department heads, The Muses, an all-female group, organizational, intellectual, and cul- a product out the door.” Massachusetts Institute of Tech- where they discussed her observa- were the first to sing, and opened tural boundaries, the capacity to A more sophisticated under- nology. tions from the past three months and with the short but well-known experiment, and the habits of thought standing of these conversations, and Smart companies seek to plug the enormous confidence she has in Beaver Cheer. Afterwards, the that allow us to make sense of radi- their role in innovation, could be a into campus technology dialogues MIT. “They were a great group,” group had a chance to talk to Hock- cally ambiguous situations and move boon for Boston, a world center of by taking part in collaborative Hockfield said. When asked about field. forward in the face of uncertainty.” technology, research, and expertise research projects, said Lester, who any immediate goals or plans she “We said we were excited that While innovation is typically of all stripes. “When companies agrees the Boston area should be has, Hockfield said she would like she was MIT’s first female presi- seen as a single process, Lester and come here, they’re locating in an able to capitalize on the trend. to increase interdepartmental com- dent,” said the Muses member munications. Frances W. Weld ’05. “She said it’s an honor to be the first.” Hockfield also said that it was interesting how it wouldn’t be that much of a change at other universities, but for some reason it’s different at MIT, Weld said. MIT’s Resonance also had a chance to speak with Hockfield after their performance. “She was very interested about all the a capella groups at MIT,” said Resonance President Stephen S. Lee ‘05. She mentioned that Yale has sixteen a capella groups, and said she was looking forward to hearing the dif- The Sloan Subject Prioritization System ferent types of music from MIT’s groups. When Hockfield learned Bidding Dates for Spring, 2005 Classes that graduate students were also welcome in the group, she jokingly replied, “What an innovation to have grad students involved in cam- http://sloanbid.mit.edu pus activities!” said Lee. Leave password field blank, create new password under ‘Personal Information’ The all-male group the Loga- rhythms sang last, performing songs such as Modest Mouse’s “Float On.” Later, they surprised Hockfield by surrounding and serenading her Institute-wide bidding for Sloan subjects: with an impromptu performance of “Babyface.” “[Hockfield] said she Open 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 21 had heard a lot of a capella singing, and hoped to hear more, but from a Close 5:00 p.m., Thursday, December 30 farther distance away,” said Loga- rhythms President Douglas H. Fras- er ’06. Hockfield is replacing Charles M. Vest, who held the position for the past fourteen years. When Vest Waitlist-only Round for closed Sloan subjects: assumed the presidency in 1990, hackers welcomed him to MIT by Open 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 5 hiding the door to his office behind Close 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 12 a fake bulletin board. Solution to Terminal Conditions Terminalfrom page Conditions 6 A L L A O R A C L E C P A Waitlists for closed Sloan classes are part of the Course Bidding K I E V E U C L I D H I C I N T E R M I N A B I L I T Y System, beginning in the Institute-wide Round. N A O M I N E D F O C A L A F C B I O S H O R T T E R M M E M O R Y M A L I S W E E P S C E E Successful bids appear on your Registration Form on January 31and A L I A I T T U C A L C L V M O N R O E N U L L will be posted on the bidding website as of January 24 – write down K E E P O N G O O D T E R M S E N E T A Q your password to check results! S P A N K X I S W U R S T P R E D E T E R M I N A B L E R I O Y A N K E D L I O N Y E N S T A S E S S S E D

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[email protected] December 7, 2004 THE TECH Page 17 Hockfield on Politics, Budgets, and Adjusting to MIT Interview, from Page 1 the world at large. There is a long tive and productive ways to the con- operating expenses? Currently, MIT alumni recognize — and contribute tradition of MIT people serving as cerns voiced by American universi- relies on private donations for sev- in significant measure to — the dis- listening to, and learning from peo- advisors on matters of critical ties about visa processes. This sum- eral hundred million dollars of its tinctive excellence of American ple who know MIT from the inside. importance to government and soci- mer, the State Department gave budget. Is that sustainable over the institutions. MIT’s alumni have I will continue these meetings in the ety, both here and in other parts of students and scholars priority in long term? been enormously supportive of the coming months and years. the world. MIT, as an institution, scheduling visa interviews and sub- Hockfield: MIT, like all of the Institute, giving at an extraordinary, TT: The National Labor Rela- has earned the reputation of being a stantially decreased the waiting major research universities in this unprecedented level in our recent tions Board in July reversed its 2000 source of unbiased and objective times for visa screening processes. I country, relies on private donations campaign. decision and reclassified graduate knowledge. As individuals, we will plan to work on further improving as one source of revenue to sustain Private donations represent only assistants as students, not employ- maintain and enhance this reputa- visa processes for international stu- and enhance our academic activi- one of the major revenue sources for ees, and therefore unable to orga- tion by using fact-based evidence dents and scholars and on policies ties. Over the last several years MIT MIT, with income from grants and nize into unions. During your time and rational argument in our public that will continue this country’s has had a remarkable fund-raising contracts, endowment investments as graduate student dean at Yale, statements and engagements, just as great history of welcoming the performance, as evidenced by the and tuition also figuring prominent- what was your involvement in we do in our discussions and world’s best minds to our universi- achievement of the current cam- ly. Sound financial management Yale's opposition to the formation debates about our research and edu- ties. paign’s $2 billion goal. One of the requires ongoing assessment of the of a graduate student union, why did cation on campus. TT: Is relying on private dona- great strengths of American opportunities and risks of each of Yale actively deny students the right TT: When situations arise where tions a safe way to support MIT's research universities is that our the major revenue sources. to organize, and what are your opin- the U.S. government makes decisions ions on graduate student unions? contrary to or ignorant of scientific Hockfield: The critical role of knowledge, as has happened in the faculty-student interactions and the past few years, should a university individually tailored nature of the take a strong stand on the decision? very best graduate programs make Would you be willing to risk govern- educational relationships and prac- ment funding for MIT or Yale to con- tices different in important ways tradict what you saw as a scientifical- from relationships governed by ly incorrect or unfounded decision? MACROEPIDEMIOLOGY labor law. For that reason, Yale Hockfield: It is my strong belief, University has held the position that as president of MIT and as a U.S. BE.102 TR3-4:30 56-169 (U) SPRING 2005 (3-0-9) the unionization of graduate student citizen, that when we consider pub- Created for new to advanced students interested in a personal integrated teaching and research assistants is lic policies it is important that we not in the best interests of graduate obtain the best evidence available perspective of the physiologic, genetic and environmental causes of common students themselves, of undergradu- and debate the issues in the light of mortal diseases. Each student will learn by organizing and analyzing ates, or of faculty. reason. MIT has a well-deserved As Dean, I worked with the facul- reputation for establishing internal multiple levels of data for a self-chosen disease such as a cancer, vascular ty, students and staff of the Yale policies that align with the highest disease or diabetes. Beginning with the quantitative complete history of Graduate School to build a stronger principles of advanced research and common disease mortality in the U.S. (See http://epidemiology.mit.edu.) community for graduate education education. And presidents of MIT and a better environment for teaching have played a major role in advanc- students will create qualitative, then quantitative, models based on human and scholarship. Some of the ing national policies for science, populations genetics, human somatic genetics, cellular and molecular biology improvements included new academ- technology and education that, simi- ic policies to encourage timely com- larly, align with those principles. I and the history of changes in the human environment. Includes technological pletion of degree requirements, will do all I can to continue that approaches to discover the genes, if any, carrying risk for common diseases. increases in the financial support for MIT tradition, keeping a strong graduate study and the institution of voice for the good that comes from formal reviews of graduate programs. solid investments in, and sound Bill Thilly, '67, Professor of Genetic Toxicology and Biological Engineering We also strengthened career advising, policies for, higher education and teacher preparation and other student research. life activities in ways that brought TT: Universities are still adjust- together graduate students from dif- ing to the conflicting natures of ferent academic disciplines. undergraduates as both adults and TT: How important do you think underage drinkers. How strong a it is for a President of MIT to hold a role do you think a university degree from MIT? should take in policing its students Hockfield: I am spending a great personal lives? That is, is the cur- deal of time learning about MIT, and rent litigious trend towards in loco I can certainly appreciate that some- parentis administration appropriate? one who already knew MIT would Hockfield: College is a time for not have as much to learn — like the young people to stretch their minds, building and course numbers! There to seek out new experiences, make was a time in this country when our new friends, and take steps toward major educational institutions looked greater independence and self- only to their own graduates for facul- reliance. At the same time, it is the ty and for academic leaders, but now responsibility of the university to all leading colleges and universities provide a safe environment within seek out and try to bring the most which such growth can occur. It is a able individuals to their campuses. delicate balance, best achieved by Coming from the outside, I bring a students, faculty, and administration respect for MIT’s great accomplish- working together, to create caring ments and for its extraordinary cul- communities that encourage and ture of excellence. As I learn about support exploration and learning. MIT activities, traditions and prac- TT: The Chronicle of Higher tices, my questions provide a chance Education reported that colleges for MIT’s students, faculty, staff and nationwide had seen an 18 percent alumni to articulate what they find drop in international graduate stu- valuable about this Institution and, in dent admissions this year. What can the process of articulation, stimulate be done by universities to ensure a renewed appreciation for the Insti- that increased security measure do tute’s values and ambitions. not lead to a further drop in interna- Over the years, MIT has enjoyed tional admissions? great leadership by people who grad- Hockfield: National security is a uated from the Institute and by those very real and very serious issue for who did not. No matter the back- all of us today. American universi- ground of MIT’s president, the cen- ties have served as the gateway for tral task must be to preserve the some of the best minds in the world unique character and culture of MIT to join our nation’s commitment to while guiding the Institute’s respons- improving the lives of all people. es to the changing academic and Balancing these risks and opportuni- research environments, so that MIT ties requires insightful development can retain and expand its leadership of national policies that take into in this nation and around the world. account the important role and dis- TT: Do you believe the president tinctively open cultures of universi- of a highly-regarded university such ties. MIT has traditionally had a as Yale or MIT should speak pub- powerful voice in the articulation of licly about current political or social national policies, a tradition I will issues? Does advocating for science continue. include advocating for the solutions The recent drop in the admission or positions supported by science? of international students to Ameri- Hockfield: In general, I believe can graduate programs, including that the greatest value institutions MIT’s, endangers the vitality of our like MIT can bring to highly educational institutions and the charged debates is to provide envi- strength of the nation, particularly in ronments where opposing ideas and science and engineering. MIT, opinions can be intelligently and together with our peer institutions, thoughtfully discussed. Therefore, has encouraged the U.S. govern- generally I do not favor the articula- ment to adopt policies and practices tion of “institutional positions.” that, while responding to national All great universities have sever- security concerns, would not deter al important missions. Most impor- the very best international students tant among these are the creation of from pursuing their education in this knowledge and its dissemination to country. The good news is that the those in our own community and to government has responded in posi- Page 18 THE TECH December 7, 2004 UA Bill Supports Simmons Hall Election, from Page 1

resulted in disciplinary action against several residents. The first, the “Bill to Facilitate Improvement of Student Discipli- nary Procedures,” allows the UA President to convene a committee with possible membership from the UA and the Dormitory, Interfrater- nity, Panhellic, and Living Group Councils to investigate the handling of the incident at Simmons. The committee would also work with administration to develop policies to better deal with similar incidents in the future. The second item, unanimously passed, was a “Resolution in Sup- port of Simmons Hall,” which “encourages the Cambridge License Commission (CLC) to consider the quick and cooperative response of the Simmons Community to the Oct. 9th, 2004 incident and respond leniently in their findings.” Andrew T. Lukmann ’07, UA Senator from Simmons, Chair of the Simmons House Committee and sponsor of the resolution, said that “people are getting very worried” about the possible sanctions that could be imposed by the CLC at the upcoming Jan. 4 hearing, and the resolution aims to show the CLC “support from the entire undergrad- uate body” relating to the Simmons Hall incident. “I think it’s really important for the entire MIT com- munity to come out and support Simmons,” he said. Lukmann said that since the Oct. 9 party, the Simmons House Gov- ernment has discussed plans to add cameras, which could be monitored by the desk worker, along the back Your remedy for of the dormitory where doors had been propped open during the party. * In addition, he said, there are plans the to add alarms to many of the exits in the building, so that doors left open for extended periods of time would MCAT be noticed. The resolution also cites actions taken by the Simmons Hall Judicial Committee such as mandatory Town Hall discussion sessions to encourage party registration and call for “greater personal responsibility Hyperlearning MCAT of community members.” classes at MIT start soon. Solution to KRT Crossword from page 7 Call or go online to enroll.

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*MCAT is a registered trademark of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University.

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Informal Caroling to follow in Lobby 7 followed by a sumptuous dinner in W11 ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sponsored by the Lutheran-Episcopal Ministry at MIT http://web.mit.edu/lem/www/ Page 20 THE TECH December 7, 2004 SPORTS Swimming, Diving Teams Set Records in Double Win By Victoria K. Anderson Holbrook’s record-breaking per- with two pool records in the 100 Statistics for Swimming, Diving Meets TEAM ALUMNA formance was echoed by fellow and 200 back. The 100 back also The MIT Men’s and Women’s teammate Katherine C. Thornton gave Edwards his first NCAA Pro- Saturday, December 4: MIT Women 157 – Colby Women 139 Swimming and Diving teams came ’07, who broke the pool record in visional Qualifying Time of the Event Place MIT Result home from Maine on Saturday with the 1,000 yard free en route to her season, with Matthieu Fuzzelier ’05 200 Medley Relay 2 MIT-A (Julianna K. Edwards ’08, Katherine C. 1:54.80 a pair of victories victory over the field. right behind to provisionally quali- Thornton ’07, Annika S. Larsson ‘08, Sasha B. Brophy ’08) over Colby College. The Beavers were also helped fy as well. 3MIT-B (Jennifer A. La’O ’05, Melissa E. Dere ’06, 2:03.03 The men were victori- out immensely by the double indi- Joseph P. Carlucci ’05 set a pool Jessica A. Harpole ’07, Jolinta Y. Lin ’07) ous 195–92 while the vidual victories from Julianna K. record in an exhibition 50 breast, 1000 Free 1 Thornton 10:50.98 women snuck past Edwards ’08 and Jennifer A. La’O while the 400 free relay team of (Pool Record) Colby in a close ’05. Edwards won the 100 back Josiah B. Rosmarin ’06, Edwards, 200 Free 3 Brophy 2:00.98 157–139. and the 100 fly, taking the latter Grady A. Snyder ’06, and Jonathan 100 Back 1 Edwards 1:01.59 The women’s victory was led by over Colby’s Laura Miller, who S. Varsanik ’05 also set a new pool 100 Breast 3 Dere 1:13.75 a 1-2-3 sweep of the one and three took second in the event at the record by nearly five seconds. 200 Fly 1 Larsson 2:19.19 meter diving events. Doria M. Hol- NCAA Division III Championships During the record-setting meet, 3Katrina M. Cornell ’06 2:35.66 brook ’08 led the effort on both last season. While Edwards cleaned the men boasted three double event 50 Free 3 Brophy 26.61 boards, including a pool record and up in the sprint area, La’O joined winners in addition to Edwards, 1 Meter Diving 1 Doria M. Holbrook ’08 251.78 her second NCAA Division III Qual- with Thornton to demonstrate the who swept the backstroke events. (Pool Record, NCAA Provisional Cut) ifying Score of the season on the one team’s depth in the longer distance Mark Y. Liao ’06 took first in the 2 Ashley R. Rothenberg ’05 142.89 meter. Jaryn E. Finch ’05 was second events by taking the 200 back and 500 and 1000 free while Snyder 3 Jaryn E. Finch ’05 125.85 on the three meter and third on the 400 IM. won the 100 and 200 free. Finally, 100 Free 2 Edwards 54.80 one meter, while Ashley R. Rothen- The men were also in record- Nicholas O. Sidelnik ’05 demon- 200 Back 1 La’O 2:16.27 berg ’05 was second on the one setting mode on Saturday, with strated versatility by winning the 200 Breast 3 Thornton 2:32.85 meter and third on the three meter. Craig Edwards ’07 leading the way 400 IM and the 200 fly. 500 Free 2 Brophy 5:28.21 100 Fly 1 Edwards 59.81 3 Larsson 1:02.66 Not So Much Perfection, Please 3 Meter Diving 1 Holbrook 196.76 2Finch 142.21 By Yong-yi Zhu And last year, even though Notre Dame felt that losses are losses 3 Rothenberg 133.81 SPORTS COLUMNIST Louisiana State University and USC and they didn’t want to deal with los- 400 IM 1 La’O 4:48.08 Has this been a successful college did split the title, many felt that there ing anymore. 3 Thornton 4:49.96 football season? were three good teams and both of Unfortunately, they didn’t realize 400 Free Relay 1 MIT-A (Jennifer J. DeBoer ’05, Larsson, 3:48 It is true that we saw five pro- those teams were very deserving of that there is no real quick fix at the Stephanie A. Sidelko ’07, Jacquelyn M. Nowicke ’08) grams finish the season undefeated. the crown. NCAA level. True, Ty Willingham Not since However, this year, we will not had not brought in enough speed at Saturday, December 4: MIT Men 195 – Colby Men 92 1979, when have two champions. Whoever wins the skill positions as schools like Event Place MIT Result Column Alabama, the Orange Bowl will be the National Miami have done time after time. 200 Medley Relay 1 MIT-A (Craig Edwards ’07, Kalvin D. Kao ’08, 1:38.68 Brigham Young University, Florida Champion and Auburn, assuming True, Willingham has not repeated Jonathan S. Varsanik ’05, Matthieu Fuzellier ’05) State, McNeese State and Ohio State they win the Sugar Bowl, will be the success that he had in his first 3 MIT-B (Nicholas O. Sidelnik ’05, Jeffrey B. Gilbert ’05, 1:44 were all undefeated, have five divi- champion number two. And when season. True, Willingham has lost to Jeffrey J. Pan ’07, Grady A. Snyder ’06) sion I-A schools done that well in the that happens, Auburn, the SEC and USC by 31 points in each of his three 1000 Free 1 Mark Y. Liao ’06 10:03.72 same year. Congrats to Auburn, their fans will not be pleased at all. years — at least he’s consistent. 3 Sidelnik 10:37.73 Boise State, Oklahoma, University of So maybe all those perfect teams But Willingham hasn’t even had 200 Free 1 Snyder 1:48.15 Southern California and Utah for weren’t such a blessing overall. one of his recruiting classes go 2Kao 1:48.64 being so perfect. It is true that this season we saw through the program yet. He’s been 100 Back 1 Edwards 52.72 However, all that perfection gets great football games all over the at Notre Dame for three years, and (Pool Record, NCAA Provisional Cut) people wondering who should play country. From Northwestern beating there is no easy way to turn a pro- 2 Fuzellier 52.88 for the national title. Are there two Ohio State for the first time in 33 gram around in that short period of (NCAA Provisional Cut) undefeated teams this season that years, to North Carolina beating time, especially if Willingham is try- 100 Breast 1 Joseph P. Carlucci ’05 1:00.55 clearly stand above the other three? Miami on a last second field goal, to ing to install his own system at the 3 Gilbert 1:04.21 Not really. There are three teams that Sylvester Croom’s big win against university. 200 Fly 1 Sidelnik 2:03.15 stand out, but the BCS does not Florida. Notre Dame seems to no longer 3 Neil J. Kelly ’06 2:10.46 account for three teams. But this season was not all roses. be about integrity and honor, but has 50 Free 2 Varsanik 22.33 In the past, although there have There were several major sour notes, wholeheartedly adopted the philoso- 3 Carlucci 23.19 been BCS nightmares, the end results the biggest of which was the firing of phy of winning. Who could imagine 1 Meter Diving 2 Mikko A. Solomon ’07 134.63 were not so uncomfortable. When Notre Dame coach Tyrone Willing- that Our Lady would do something 100 Free 1 Snyder 48.31 Florida State, and not Miami, played ham. The Notre Dame season was so tasteless and completely outra- 3 Fuzellier 49.04 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl in one filled with close losses. They lost geous as this? But in the end, it was 200 Back 1 Edwards 1:58.14 2000, a split national championship their opener to BYU by three points. all those close games that led to the (Pool Record) would have happened had Oklahoma They then lost to Boston College by eventual demise of Willingham. 200 Breast 1 Kao 2:16.00 not come to the rescue and beaten a measly point. And before the I guess upon further review 2 Carlucci 2:18.86 Florida. But Oklahoma prevailed. destruction to USC, the Irish fought (which is something college football 500 Free 1 Liao 4:53.66 When Nebraska, and not Col- hard against Pittsburgh only to lose should seriously consider adopting, 3 Rosmarin 5:03.94 orado, played Miami for the Rose again by three points. after watching that horrendous call 100 Fly 1 Varsanik 52.82 Bowl in 2001, again a split champi- If those games had turned the against UCLA Saturday night) this 2 Fuzellier 53.29 onship was imminent. But the Canes other way, Notre Dame would be football season was at once very good 3 Pan 57.43 whooped up on the Huskers and looking at a 9–2 season, instead of a and very bad, about all you can expect 3 Meter Diving 2 Solomon 149.70 again, chaos was spared. 6–5 one. However, the directors at from college football these days. 400 IM 1 Sidelnik 4:23.84 2 Kao 4:26.53 3 David D. Lohrey ’05 4:32.38 400 Free Relay 1 MIT-A (Rosmarin, Edwards, Snyder, Varsanik) 3:13.83 (Pool Record) 3MIT-B (Liao, Nemanja L. Spasojevic ’04, 3:32.31 Boris E. Revzin ’08, Michael D. Dimitriou ’06)

CHRISTINA KANG—THE TECH Taylor W. Barton ’06 competes in the State Junior Olympic Rifle Championship Match for stu- dents ages 12-19 on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004. Having shot for a chance to train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs sponsored by USA Shooting, Barton finished third place in both the air rifle and smallbore divisions. Write about your favorite sports!

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