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This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the College Publications at Digital Commons @ Columbia College Chicago. It has been accepted for inclusion in Columbia Chronicle by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Columbia College Chicago. THE CHRONICLE o f C OLU MB COLLEGE C t1 C A GO VOL. XXX, No. 20 March 17, 1997 a e man arreste Web page re-opens 'n Torco Building A year later, policy addresses Web page but questions still remain
By Rui Kaneya departme nts and its offerings to prospective stu Slaff Writer dents," he said. In the process of developing the policy, no For decades. integrating computers into student input was allowed. The meeting of school systems has agonized many TLTR on Dec. 12 was deemed a closed door college administrators. And. with the progress meeting by Thompson. And the access for the of the World· Wide Web in the last few years, Chronicle reporters to cover the meeting was not administrators now have new headaches. granted . "At that time, I explained to student About 3.000 coll eges and universities in 80 reporters that I felt it not appropriated for these countries now offer their home pages on the proposed po licies to be interpreted peace Internet. More than 1,150 of those are in th e meal-and publicly- prior to th ei r submission United States. As Web usc in sc hools increases, to the members of the Columbia College so do the ethical. legal, and technical issues. Council," Thompson said. In order to handle those issues at Columbia, Thompson told the Chronicle in December Teaching, Learning and Technology that he inte nds to eventually Chicago Police arrest student Jermaine Chandler. Roundtable group (TLTR), a Web allow stude nts to get more PIwIO by Bob Chiarilo site interest group of 12 core mem See Editorial, involved. "My intention and my Bell, who saw him through the bers and a larger committee of fac wish and my desire is that we By Bob Chisri!o ulty, administrators and staff, has page 9 find a way to acknowledge the Illvestigative Editor window of Columbia's book store. After seeing Chandler, developed "World-Wide Web Site, expertise of students formall y by Bell alerted security that he was Computer & Network Usage including them as members Columbia student Jermaine getting away. Chandler was on Policies and Guidelines." All sec- within thi s forum," he said. Chandler was arrested tions but one were approved by the Columbia He held the student roundtable March 13 to Wednesday after allegedly walk the 800 S. block of Michigan Ave. when he was approached by College Council on Jan. to. The complete ver discuss the technology issues surrounding the ing naked in a Torco Building security and asked him if he was sion was approved Marc h 7. college. He said this is an opportunity "to get a hallway. a Columbia student and if he was Until the creation of policies , Associate working group of students, who can make thei r Journalism senior Diane Bell in the Torco Building. Chandler Academic Dean Peter Thompson, who chairs feelings known about this particular issue." witnessed Chandler, 22, of TLTR, had been taking a "temporary" editorial With the creation of new policies, Chicago, naked in the hall on the responded yes to both questions th and agreed to fo llow the guard control over Columbia's unregulated Web site Thompson's editorial control is no longer in 13 fl oor of the Torco Building for roughly a year to ensure that the college is effect. All decisions on Columbia's Web page around 1 p.m. After being spot back to Columbia. Once back at the Torco represented appropriately on its home page. will be made according to these policies. ted by Bell, Chandler ran into an However, the way Thompson and TLTR han The new policies state that the information empty classroom. hid behind the Building. Chandler was detained in an empty dled the operation raised the eyebrows of many published on Columbia's Web site is twofold : door and called out college community members. Some expressed "official" information, a renection of the coll ege to her, according to audio/visual room on the fi rst floor the concern of censorship. catalog, representing Columbia College; and Be)) . Some computer links to Columbia resources, " unofficial" information, created by faculty, "He said 'come ··How·s Your while Bell was in te rviewed by including those of a few academic departments staff and "recognized student groups." here. I'm not going Steak '?" examines that had their own sites, were removed from The official information contains admissions to hurt you,' Director 0 the naked mall. Security Jose Columbia's home page- with permission of and curriculum information, calendars, academ recalled Bell. ". each ,$.roup created the site. No new informati on ic departments, general studies requirements, walked a little clos Gallegos. Bell positively was allowed to be added to the We b page, except certain college policy state me nt s and si milar er and he said 'I'm See page 9 for the link to the Columbia 2 program. informati on. an exhibitionist identified Chandler as the Thompson said that hi s action was to prevent The official information on the Web is subject and I've always incomplete and misleading information fr om wanted to do this. suspect and signed a complaint against him. A few representing the entire coll ege. "[The Web site] See TLTR, page 3 Can you keep a secret?'" gave a totally distorted view of Colu mbia, its Bell proceeded to go back to minutes later, four Chicago her class and inform Journalism Police Officers arrived and instructor Scott Fosdick, who placed Chandler under arrest. called security. When asked about the incident as In between the time Bell spot police officers led him to a paddy Happy St. Patrick's Day! ted Chandler and called security, wagon, Chandler replied "I'm he got dressed and left the build innocent." Chandler was charged ing, initially eluding security with public indecency and guards that were searching for released after being fingerprinted him. on the following day. He is Chandler began walking scheduled to appear in court south down Mi chigan Avenue April II. when he was again spotted by See Naked, page 3 2 NEWS March 17, 1997 THE CHRONICLE Clinton offers "Hope" to college students Journalism Department 623 S. Wabash Ave., Suite 802 By C huck Jordan financial aid population at Columbia. "We've come out strongly for Pell grants," Copy editor He said that the plan has some benefits but O'Brien said. "We respect the president's Chicago, Illinois 60605 and Michelle Pocock he has concerns about it. plan. But it isn't enough." Staff writer " It will give students the feeling that they Some suggest that a combinatio n of the tax News desk: have more choices," said Olino. "The more credits and aid may be the answer to needy (312) 663·1 600 Ext. 5343 Current and prospecti ve college students choi ces, the better chance of finding a school students. don't need proof that the cost of educati on is that is the best fi t for yourself." "Tax policies improve college afTordabili Photo desk: skyrocketing. Recent statisti cs have illustrat Olino also said that he was troubled by the ty, but student aid policies improve both (312) 663-1600 Ext. 5732 ed that the price of education is increasin g at GPA requirements for the Hope Scholarship. affordability and access to hi gher educati on ," twice the rate of inflation. He argues that enforcement of the scholarship said Jamie Meri sotis, Preside nt of The Advertising desk: Most college students feel that they have would end up causing more work for the Institute for Higher Education Pol icy. "If we (312) 663-1600 Ext. 5432 little choice but to pay up. The j ob market has institutions. The schools financial aid depart are to succeed, our policies must re nect both become more competitive and coll ege educa ment would be forced to keep academic approaches." tion can o ften limes mean the difference records of the Hope recipi ents. The grades Many feel that the government should do FAX: between success and failure. would be given to the IRS. more to help the aid correlate with the ri si ng (312) 427-3920 President Clinton is trying to fu lfi ll his It would also cost more money in the long cost of education. The American Council on pre-eJection promi se to improve access to run because of the government bureaucracy Education beli eves that even with the new e-mail: higher education. He feels that his plan, involved in the enforcement. plans, students will not bene fit because the Chron96@ interaccess.com which he announced in hi s January State of Non-profit groups al so said that they have colleges will continue to rai se the cost of the Union address wi ll help students and their doubts about the program. The Institute for tuition; college prices have continued to rise Web page: families. because the market has been able to bear the hUp:llwww5.interaccess. Clinton introduced college refonn as part increases. com/chronicle of a 10 point plan to improve the education O' Brien says that the tax credits are more system. The refonn agenda would focus on palatable to politicians because they don't enacting a Pell grant increase and two new tax require revenue. New programs aren't likely Editor-in-Chief pl ans: Hope scholarships and tax deductions. because there is an interest in balancing the John Henry Biedennan The Hope Scholarship can potentially budget. If a new program is added it will like offer a $1,500 tax credit each year and last up Iy come at the expense of a current govern Managing Editor to two years, assuring many students of a ment program. Merna Ayi community coll ege education. It would In addition, The Ameri can Federation of require students to maintain a "B" average Teachers has voiced concerns about the tax News Editor and remain drug free to renew the scholarship c red i ~. They argue that the growing differ Leon Trippleu a second year. ence between the enroll ment rates of hi gh A $10,000 tax deduction is available to and low- income students isn't be in g Assistant News Editor fami li es earning less than $200,000 in order addressed. Moreover, -they said that they fear Jason Kravarik to offset the cost of tuition. The deduction students from lower income backgrounds are becomes smaller as the family'S income being forced into junior college and public Features Editor increases. universities. Thus, private college, public uni Jill Schimelpfenig Families could be free to use either of the versity and 2-year college attendance will be tax plans but not both. based primarily on income. Assistant Features Editor Clinton's other education proposals Congress will ultimately decide if the edu Michelle DuFour include a raise of the need-based Pell grants cation plan will be enacted. Members of from $2,700 to $3,000. This increase would Higher Learning, a non-partisan organization Congress in both parties have announced Investigative Editor provide almost $7.8 billion to the 4 million whose goal is to aid student accessibili ty to their disapproval, citing many of the same Robert Chiarito college students who are eligible for the college believes that the Pell increase would reasons as the organizations. grants. be helpful to middle income students. They Lawmakers such as Sen. Paul WeJl stone Opinion Editor Also, included are plans to expand the remain skeptical about its ability to help (D-Minn.) contend the Pell increase should be Robert Stevenson work-study programs. The president said that lower income students. higher. He has proposed increasing the grant hi s goal is have work study available for one "The tax credit and tax deductions are to $5.000. Photography Editor million students by the year 2000. good in general. However, it won't increase Members of the Republican party have Blair Fredrick The proposal also includes a reduction in access for low income levels," said Colleen their own plan whi ch stresses expansion of interest rates from 4 percent to 2 percent on O'Brien, managing director of The Institute tax deductible items for families of college Web Page Editor Stafford loans, and to 3 percent on non-need for Higher Learning. bound students. Mark. Dascoli based loans. She cited a 1995 study of tax returns con· In 1965 Congress began th e Higher The Department of Education, which ducted by the The Educati on Resources Education Act, a li st of legislative aid pro Design Editor admini sters the federal aid programs, praised Institute and The Institute for Higher grams under the aministrati o n of the Nick Kononelos Clinton's plan in a recent report to Congress. Education policy. Families that earned less Department of Education in order to make They said that tax credits are importan.t than $30,000 made up 9 percent of those who education more accessible. Programs such as Copy Editors because they would encourage families to set itemize their tax returns while families mak Pell grants, loans, and work study are includ Rob England money aside for education. ing between $75,QOO.$JOO,000 made up 74 ed in the plan. The HEA, which is responsibl e Chuck Jordan Many college presidents also endorse the percent of those who itemized their tax for 70 percent of aid programs, comes up for Jerry La Buy pl an, especially the tax credit component. The returns. The institute contends that itemiza· renewal this year. The The president 's plan James Boozer American Council on Ed ucati on, which rep tions become"'an indicator of who could take calls for placing the tax plan o utside of HEA resents coll eges and universities, gave the advantage of the plan because tax payers O lino said that he realizes that the propos Advertising Manager president their support. - can' t receive returns without itemizations. al is complex, but he said he is wi ll ing to help Amy Pickle John Ol ino, Columbia's president of finan O'Brien also said that the Hope scholar students understand the system, if it passes. c ial aid department, said he is uncertain ship could end up being a disadvantage for He reminds students that they have a Senior Writers about the effects of the proposal which would students. She said it would add more hurdles chance to vote and voice their opinions to Daniellc Hirsch impact approximately three-fourths of the fo r students to match in their freshman year. lawmakers and make a difference.
Staff Writers Douglas Arnold Roumiana Bankova Study time hard to find for students Eri n Bonillo Ann Gabor Arjumand Hashmi By Edwina Ora nge can get projects done in a timely manner. Rui Kaneya Staff Writer " I' m always busy, so when I get around Ei leen La Valle to studying the week is over and the Timothy Matthews All walks of life enter through the homework is due," said Darnell Young, a Jeremy Nelson doors of the Wabash Building and each freshman Graphic art maj or. Keri Norton person has a different agenda, but to most With the amount of stude nts at Edwina Orange students the thought of studyi ng tends to Columbia being parents, workiqg two or Michelle Pocock be more of a chall enge than a chore. more jobs or just trying to deal with the C laudia Ri vera More than 20 percent of Columbia's world , some priorities get caught up o r Maria Tacderas undergrad students rank studying number misguided. Kit Wolden ten on their li st of things that are of impor "I have a lot of responsibilities and my Paul Zabratanski tance. Family life, work and stress all time is limited," said Patrice Ward, a compete for number one. sophomore and mother of a four-year-old StatT Photograph.", Patricia Lanfair, a junior, said "I have daughter. 10 Machado poor study habits because 1 am a single "Most students carry a heavy load and mom and I work full· time, any extra time maintaining balance can be difficult," said Brian Markiewiscz I have is spent with my son to make sure Peter Hirsch, a math and science tutor, " I Lisa Mendez his homework is done. would sug gest that students be mo re crc Stacy Morgan Some people may view poor study ative in studying and to find places to go habits as th at of a freshman, because it's with minimal interruptions." Faculty Advisor their first sign of independence and free Sin ce studying is essential in doing Jim Sul ski time is spent "finding themselves." But well, group studying· is another suggestion this thought is hi ghly misconstrued. This to help students who find individual The Chronicle is a student-nm news problem effects the e ntire stude nt body as studying isn't making the grade. paper orColumbia College Chicago. well as teachers and the schools curricu Students should take advantage of the Science and Math, Writing a nd other vari It is published weekJy during the lum. Laurie Ann Bender, an academic advi· ous learning centers offered at Columbia. school year and distributed on sor, offers students a he lpful hint for S tudents may not realize the harm Mondays. Views expressed in this decreasing the burde n of studyin g by sug they're doing by not studying, bu}, when it newspaper are not necessarily those gesting that stude nt s look at th e entire comes to the real world of dollars and or the Journalism Department or the semester, not just on a weekly basis, but cents, they will. collcgc. compare their syllabi and see how they M -a 17 -1997 NEWS 3 Deadline around' corner Clothed and cuffed for Weisman Scholarships How By Keri Norton Staff KTi/er Your The Weisman Scholarship fund was named after the late Albert P. Weisman and was created to encourage Columbia College students to com plete projects in all fields ( Although scholarships Steak? will not be awarded to projects that are incom plete). AI Weisman was a trustee of Columbia College With and one of Chicago's best respected communica John Henry Biederman toTS. The basis for consideration of projects is quite open. Any project that is related to the world of communication will be considered. The project It's getting awfully chic has to he able to be displayed, published or pre· sented to the public in any way. for an on-campus streak All projects are evaluated by a group of pro· A rlaked mall foulld ill our halls, fessional communi cators from Chicago beyolld the men's room alld its stalls, Communications. Each project is considered for that's a serious bit, but you've gotta admit Chicago Police escort student Jennaine Chandler into a paddy creativity, potential contribution to its field, and that the guy's sure got a lot of balls. wagon Wednesday after being arrested. He was cbarged with pub how it will further the applicant's scholastic and It's abQul time this SIOry did break. lic indecncy Cor allegedly walking naked in the Toreo Building. professional development. alld they found thaI sly cOlon Ihe make Applications may be sUbmit.ted by either seen the signs, warning ''flasher'': please beware Naked, from page 1 undergraduate or graduate students who are cur· the nude dasher? Although actions li ke «:handler's are rare to Columbia, this. is not rently enrolled at Columbia with at least 15 cred Well the lip first came through "How's Your the first time public indecency has been witnessed at the school. Last it hours fo r the fa ll and spring semesters com· Steak ?" year and again in January a naked man was spotted in the Wabash bined. "I wanna write some more column!" ~ Building, but witnesses were unable to give a detailed description. Applications for thi s scholarship are avaliBle in BUCKLES VoN CHUCKLER Currently. there still is a security alert warning students and faculty to room 301 in the Wabash Building. "Buckles! Settle down!" L10HN 'S • •• ER , be advised of an Feb. 19 incident of indecent exposure by a medium The scholarships grant up to $2,000 per project F"RIENO-ANO BUCKLES ' BROTHER bui1t, male African-American, S'S" with a medium complexion and and will not exceed fif~ percent of the cost of the KNUCKLES VON CHUC K LER SAYS. "This col round wire rimmed glasses. . project. The scholarships have been given to umn provided a public service somehow! Did you Gallegos said the Chandler incident doesn'fresemble the Feb. 19 many people in various fi elds such as, see that page-one story? John supplied the original incident, but may be connected to previous acts of indecency. Advertising, Creati ve Writing. Dance, tip ! It·s hi s constipational right to write about the As for sanctions against Chandler by Columbia. on Friday Dean of Journalism, Opera. Photography, naked man's apprehension!" Students Jean Lee said that she hasn't looked over Columbia's securi· Applications are due by April 14, and final WELL I WOULPN'T GQ THAT F"A R. ANp ty report but said there may be mitigating circumstances to consider. decisions will be made before the en~ of the KNUCKLE.S MEAN S C ONSTlTUTlP NAL •• "I'm sure that something needs to be done," Lee said . "We may sprin~ term. "Clam, narrator!" KNUpKLES SAYS "John have to help the kid, not just punish him." deserves a banquet thrown by the college!" Yg U ' RE. DREAMIN'. pAL . TLTR, from page 1 The office of the Dean of Students is pUler systems. On an weekend mom this past semester respo n s ibl ~ for the review of the To prevent Intern et users from I found nalure's call slarting to fesler to scrutiny by the college. .. A applications of these groups. sending "indecent" or "patently in the Wabash, 8th floor, nearing the men's room Webmaster Team" is responsible for Once approved. those groups will offensive" material to minors, door adding and .dropping such official not be under the college control in President Clinton signed the law as found a sprinting, stark naked young jester. information at the request of the terms of what they publish on their part of a major telecommunications Then security came in a jiffy administrator responsible for that . pages. bill last year. Though the law is saying "just the facts, guy, " looking spiffy informatio n. The team therefore In deciding what to allow on its being blocked by civil -liberties nature boy gal away, on that September day functions as liaison to any college site, the college is likely to have groups, the U.S. Justice Department man the things some will do for a stiffy! community members who develop many things to worry about. cited fo ur Web pages created by stu "I'm sick of him acting li ke the Red Byron!" content for the site. Students at other colleges and uni· dents at the judicial hearings to KNUCKLES MEANT T O SAY LORD BYRON. The appointment of Brian Katz. versities around the country are decide whether the measure is need· THI S BIZARRE PHENO M ENON HAPPENED facilitator for faculty technology already putting out their own home ed. WHEN KNUCKLES W H A C K ED L10HN IN THE support and core member of TLTR, pages using the Web space provided The fo ur student Web sites-all HEA D WITH A COMPUTER MONITOR WHILE and Bill Mette, network technician by their schools, and some are bring· of which contained images of naked L10HN WAS RHYMING ••• in the management information sys ing legal problems to their schools. women-were created at Duke "I hit him because he was naked with my sister... " tems department. as. the members of For one thing. students are creat· Uni versity, Michigan State "Only because I was giving him a massage!" Webmaster Team was officiall y ing · home pages . without much Un iversity, Whitman Coll ege and Soon these sign popped up all 'round Ihe schQol, announced March 3. Other responsi thought as to who might own the the University of Texas at Austin. warnillg us to be cautious and cool bilities of Webmaster team include . copyright. on the images or other Some coll ege administrators and 'cause a free-wheeling flasher-could it be our supervising day-to-day operations of works they are using. Simply put. legal scholars fo ll owing these cases lIude dasher?- the site .maintaining quality and are wondering if academic was at large, showing off his [ave tool. consistency of site appearance and insti tutions would be held "You know, he in' Sirloin fac e here has a tendency providing trai ning and support to li able for such materials, to get naked for a massage up here ... " KNUCKLES faculty. staff and administrators. for which they provide Web SAYS . Any students, faculty and staff space. "And the guy they caught doesn't seem to match who wish to express their opinions When such si tu ation the description on those niers ... " SAyS BUCKLES. or display their artistic works may occurs at Colum bia, the I just call 'I beliel'e that admonition! be linked to the parent pages of a ~, .... ~ .. . -._.l."-"""",,_a..... __• coll ege doesn' t assume the Coming in my lamentful condition! department. Those personal pages "" ~- legal responsibility of the ...... _.>I...... "_.. . ~_ .. ,*_:.,..,:w_1ttc...... now I may have my kinks-quiet Buckles, jinx ~ ;.~~t.-.iI.t. _"'_~_ , :<..~_ ...... ~_
.~ - ~ ------. - ~ ilnternships ...... am I ready? I ' 1/ .. how do I qualify? ; .. where do I sign up?
get the answer to these and other questions at
STRAIGHT TALK II II II
, on internships I ' WEDS. MARCH 19th 12noon - 1 :15 pm, and 5 - 6:15 pm! W306, 623 S. Wabash
I co-sponsored by the academic depts_ and Career Planning & Placement of COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO ; I ' For more info., call or stop by! 623 S. Wabash, 300W, 312-663-1600, X5280. Ma rch 17, 1997 ADVERTI SE M E N T 5
TheAnnualWEISMAN Scholar$hips Applications are now available for this unique scholarship program Scholarship winners receive:
• Grants up to $2,000 to help complete projects in all fields of communication (including advertising, creative writing, film, public relations, photography, video, and many others)
• Opportunities to work with leading professionals in Chicago's communications industry
• Spring Showcase in Hokin Student Center
• Learn more and pick up an application by visiting:
III*" Student Life & Development 623 S. Wabash - Suite 301
III*" Hokin Student Center
W Or call: Sheila Carter 663-1600, Ext. 5 18 7
Application Deadline: April 14 6 FEATURES March 17 1997
Film • seminar• Ins~r~s . Chicago
By Maria Tacderas Staff Writer
"We are promoting the screenwriter as a creative force and C hi cago as a creative cen ter," said Pam Pierce. event director for the second annual Script Sessions, a seminar geared to enhance the image of both the beginning and established screenwriter. Co-sponsored by CineStory and Columbia College, Script Sessions, held March 7-9 at the Union League Club of Chicago, featured many prominent members of the independent film industry, including producer Nancy Rae Stone ("The Last Seduction"), Meg LeFauve. vice president of Jodie Foster's Egg Pictures and producer Ken Kokin ("The Usual SuspeC!s·'). Billed as a screen writing workshop with out the Hollywood glitz and pretentiousness, Script Sessions was deemed a success by the event's coordinator, Susan Hahn. " It was a success in three ways," said Hahn. "First, the attendees. There were more of them and they came from all different pans of the country. We were almost near capacity (150). Second, we had more people [from the film industry] than we knew what to do with. People called us and asked us if they could come. Thirdly, what evolved out of this was a very strong Chicago film community." reading with Nancy Rae Stone with one of my own scripts." Seminar participants networked, made personal contacts, It had long been accepted practice to flee to either coast if you received critiques of their own scripts and practiced pitch sessions had serious intentions of making it. Although the three-day event in a series of an hour and a half roundtable discussions. focused on honing the talent of the individual, the emergence, and Event coordinators opted for a more intimate environment to subsequent arrival, of Chicago's film community was finally ensure the attendees received the individual attention they paid for acknowledged. (~dmission was SI50 for students with IDs, $245 for groups and "We really no longer have to feel self-conscious about living in S295 for individuals). Chicago," said Hahn. "Just because you don't live in New York or During the open-mic session, participants were able to ask L.A. doesn't mean you don' t know how to write." . industry types for advice on how to launch their burgeoning Producer Phil Koch ran a session called 1be Chicago careers. Producers Gathering. 1be Illinois Film Office came and it was In a session called "Page on the Stage." professional directors just a great sense of community. . were given scripts written by several of the participants and with . The Script Sessions weekend could not have been more ideal hired actors demonstrated their directorial techniques. despite the absence of Christopher McQUarrie, the Academy "All the sessions were held in conjunction with each other," Award-winning screenwriter for The Usual Suspects, who~ pres said Hahn. "And had you signed up early enough in advance, you ence was highly anticipated, . could have gone in for a synopsis session, or a personal one-on "It was a very inspiring three days for anyone who is a serious one with one of the industry participants. In fact, I did a synopsis writer," said Hahn. English department devotes class to study of Vietnam literature
By Sheryl Tirol won the National Book Award in 1986. and Vietnamese pieces of literature, so they "I had Mr. Nawrocki, but rYe learned Corresporuienl Coincidently, Nawrocki knew and worked get both sides of the story. more in these three weeks than I have in with Hinneman, a Vietnam Veteran and " I'm pleased with the way the class has a ny other class," said student Kellie It's uncommon to find a class that fonner Columbia College instructor. been going so far and students are open . Rendon. . devotes time to a particular war. But this " I was with the Marine Corps in about their feeli ngs. As for myself, it does During one class, Dan Howell , a poet spring at Columbia, a new class has been Vietnam from 1966-1970 and I know a chum up all kinds of memories that are and instructor at Columbia who is also a added that not only di scusses the history of number of Vietnam Vets who write books," good and painful, but it's a way of dealing Vietnam Veteran, was the guest speaker. the war, but goes in-depth and beyond said Nawrocki. with what's happened," Nawrocki said. Howell read excerplS from his book. "Los! those historical aspects. With a topic such as the Vietnam War, "A lot of veterans do not want anyone to Counlly." and poems from another book. The class in mention is Literature of many of the students agree not just anyone forget because there are many lessons to be "Obsceni!ies." by Michael Casey. Vietnam, offered by the English depart can teach this class with the full effect of learned from it, and I know because I have Howell described the language and ment. someone who was a part of it. a two-year old son and an eight-year old tenns of that particular time. Tenns such In class, students study literature from " T h e d a ughter as "Blanke! Party". ''01 Showers" and the Vietnam War with Tom Nawrocki, a kids want to and I "Barrack Incidents" were a few mentioned teacher and a Vietnam Veteran. know about n eve r in Casey's poems. "J had proposed the class two years ago the war, and wan t "It was a different language," said to the English C ha ir, but I've kicked they want to them to Howell. "It was the language of the mili around the idea for twelve years," said know the experi- tary and Casey didn't spend time medi(a!' Nawrocki. experiences ence any· ing about it, he transcribed exactly what Nawrocki said he got serious about the from somc- - Tom Nawrocki, writing instructor thing like happened and"il's pretty authentic." class two years ago when the proposal was one · first- r t hat . Howell went on to speak more about his made. About 200 other un iversities offer a hand," said His tory encounters through his poem "4A Shuffle." similar class. Nawrocki. '------.... shows us It deals with the realities of the war and Although the class is mostly literature, Deeper in the semester, hen students arc what happened but poetry, fiction, and cre what it did to people. Nawrocki said, "T he most natural concern s immersed in reading. he wants them to ative non-ficti on show emotion and "Men tended to smoke more, eat more when J talk with most in structors ahout thi s write journals and break into small groups humllnity. If you relive the war through the and even acquired a different walk into a c(J ur~ e is that thi s may he the onl y Vietnam for di scussions. literature, it drives home the important sliding motion," described Howell. cour... c b tudenl... ] wi ll take and, of course, He would like for them to write and dis- lessons." "The best thing about the class is thaI hi !>tCJry is needed Ito un<.lcrst.md the litera cuss their thoughts and impressions about Many students have e nj oyed being Mr. Nawrocki was there and he can draw ture]." the war. taught by Nawrocki. from his own experience which definitely 'Inc cia ...... c"vers riction, poetry and cre "I think they need to know how the "I had an uncle and a godfather in the adds to the effect," said student Pat Goode. ative nfJlJ -ri ction frum <.luring and after the mythology evolved and discover what's war and I didn't know too much nbout ''It's hard sometimes becauso mnny of war. Si nce the war, 3,000 nun-fi ction and valid and what's not valid," said Nawrocki. Vietnum ,Ind I didn't anticipate learning so my good friends including a cO\,lsi n were poe try tmob and ahout 1,000 nuvels have SluJelits in the class lire expected to much," :mid student Carolyn Madia. killed nnd their nnmes'appear on the wall,': hcen written, write two short essays, analyze lilemture, Like Mlldia. many studcnts in the class Nawrocki snid. "But I think as painful as Some of' the texts usetJ in the class arc report on works of art lind respond to tl film have had relatives or close friends who Ihe memorios, nnd losses nre nod the sur· " J)i"plJlchcs" hy Mit:hael Herr, lIhout Vietnam. experienced being in the war, whi le others fering Ilnd sl\crifiee of how people weI'C "UlH..ke nha wk" hy Jj"h Mwwn and Nawrocki would alsn like fur his stu- hnd Nawrocki in" previous clnss und wllnt killed. we hnve to mnke lIure we remomber " I·(I(..f)'" Story" hy Larry If innel"an. which tJ ellts to get a cU lllhilUltioli of Alllerielin etJ tn Hike another clnss of hi s, them lind honor the ir deRths." March 17,1997 FEATURES 7 You must "Whip" it
By Ann Gabor and that her lover, Spencer, is a theatrical gcnius-genius Rebcca agrees to have StaffWritu being a relative lenn in this situation. Rebecca, unable lu nch with him; he must to understand any of the unrelated subjects Suze spo· ask again to make sure he 1Qe lights go down, the entrance radicall y spits out, finally grasps the idea that Suze heard her correctly. music fades, and the audience chit-chat gently subsides as wants her to meet Spencer, pl ayed by 1.0 . Mathein. to However, Rebecca stage lights foc us on Suze Light, a spastic aspiring actress di scuss his upcoming work, a musical version of becomes Terry's "Kinen played by Amy Eaton. and Rebecca McTeague, a country "The Epic of Oilgamesh." With a Whip" when he girl wanting to become an actress played by Deborah Suze, Spencer and Rebecca discuss, over Chinese catches her smooching King. food and Spencer's annoying chewing noises, the with Michael (Chris Rebecca's timid manner leaves her unprepared for her prospect for the play_ Spencer decides that quiet, shy Anderson), her encounters in the Chicago theater scene as well as Suze's Rebecca is his perfect Ishtar, the goddess who is vio- bee r -.d r ink i n g , whirlwind personality. lent and angry when rejected by Gi lgamesh. This is l ou d - be l chi n g , Suze Li ght gives the audience many opportunities to where the audience giggles at Spencer's inability to truck-driving boyfriend chuckle as she digresses over the misfonune her name has grasp the obvious. from back home and caused her. Rebecca, and the audience, learn that Suze Rebecca accepts the part , and the consequences of Spencer, the supposedl y has stuck with "Suze" for.approx.imately a year now; just Suze's anger; Ishtar was to be Sure's part. Now Suze ingeni ous playwright. As another ex.ample of Suze's dingy personali ty. must play the Harlot. which she accepts because soft and sweet as Rebecca "Kitten With a Whip," a play directed by Michael Spencer convi nces her that the part was made fo r her. looks, her actions sting as Kotze, written by Jack Helbig and prod uced by Helbent Reality sets in for Rebecca as she realizes that, to pur- much as the tip of a leather Productions, is a comical tribute to the Chicago off- loop sue her dreams of becoming an actress, she must supple- Whip. theater scene. . ment her income by working as a temporary offi ce assis- The conflict between Sure The pl ay follows the adventures and mishaps of tant. and Rebecca and between Terry Rebecca McTeague, a young actress from downstate Each day she works at a di fferent office and convers- and Rebecca contri bute to the llIinois, as she tries to make her way in any genre of the es for a few minutes each day with Terry. another problems already unorganized. pushy and sometimes gaudy off-loop theater aspiring actor and the. guy who waters the offi ce S~ncer (J.D. Mathein) lets out a s ur r O.U n d i. n g scene. plants. A fondness begins to grow between the two yell as the mighty Gilgamesh. Spencer s mUSical. Suze's incessant babbling reveals that she is an actress theater buffs. The mUSical "The The fri ghtening variety of Epic of people that Rebecca meets as a temp Gilgamesh." lac king music due to technical difficulties. is well demonstrated by Katie Taber. opens to an audience of one, "that asshole from the read who pl ays the office manager at each er," whic h is a direct reference to Jack Helbig, writer of establishment. Her personalities vary "Kitten With a Whip" and a theater critic for the Chicago from ignorant and easily confused to Reader. strict as a mi litary commander. Either The reviews fo r Spencer's self-proclaimed masterpiece way, the office manager succeeds in are horrible for everyone except Rebecca, who is not men simultaneously intimidating or tioned in the review. Spencer shares his theory that any annoying Rebecca while entertaining one who is tru ly great has tons of bad reviews. Sure then the audience. shares that Spencer has almost a ton of them. Terry, played by Columbia student In the end. Suze and Rebecca continue thei r friendship Howard Cohen, is a shy character by when Suze consoles Rebecca because Suze believes she nature, bu t ex.tremely ex.c ited about must be horribly devastated over not mentioned once in actin g. Terry's awkward behavior the review. Spencer and Suze remain lovers because when he first sees Rebecca tells the Spencer could never get Rebecca into bed and Terry and audience that Terry is a dork and he's Rebecca begin their new relationship after Michael always getting burned by whoever he becomes engaged to her high school nemesis. gives his heart to. To catch a good laugh, this one act comedy can be seen Terry describes his responses from at Cafe Voltaire, 3231 N. Clark St., Feb. 21 to March 29 women as, "Hi ! I'm Gwenyth on Friday and Satu rday nights at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 Rebecca (Deborah King) listens to Suze (Amy Eaton) babble. IPaltro~ and I have a boyfriend." So per person. For more infonnation or reservations, call L./ ______"- ______--" . ____--1. Teny IS naturally surpnsed when Helbent Productions at 708/524-8857.
hillary r. kalish scholarship
Announcing •••
The Hillary R. Kalish Scholarship - established to assist students who are facing difficult medical and financia1 challenges as they complete their studies at Columbia College. Students may be enrolled full-time or pan·time and must demonstrate motivation, persistence and financia1 need. Maximum award (for a full·time student) will be $2500.00 fot the academic year.
Application forms and details available througb: Office of Financia1 Aid, 600 S. Michigan, Room 303, OR Office of the Associate Provost, 600 S. Michigan, Room 300
application deadline: ....ay :I., :1.997
Columbl. CoIl.. _ c ...oqo eoo South Michl.... A"enu_, Chlc-a:o, III ao.oe e a12..... 1.00
ColumbIa College admIts students ..... Ithoul !ega!d 10 age. lace. color. Qeed. sex. lehOlon. llandlcap dJsablhay. sexual onenrauon. and nauonal o! etllnlc ougm to space soever. on They onl y with the Von Charlie Brown was pretty killer. stereotypes by a bitter college Chucklers ! If Biedennan And a high five or six newspaper editor[s). doesn't have anything of value to (depending how many fingers The next time you want to write about, he should offer that you have) to Bob Croarito, whose I am writing in regards to last I just read your guest colum write about life from a woman's space to someone who does (such Feb. 28 investigative article on week's "Abundance of intern· nist Buckles Von Chuckler's little perspective, let a woman do it! as Merna Ayi and her "Loft Diane Brazier and Marlita Davis ships go unsought," by Jill spiel, and I must say that you Loft"). John Henry Biederman single·handedly destroyed a cou· Schimelpfenig. I am one of the have hit an all time low. If that "Anonymous" should take advantage of pie of careers. Great job, my many undercl assmen who would was supposed to be funny or Columbia's new Sylvan Learning friend. Mabye you shouldn't like to apply for an internship amusing in any way, then you Anonymoul: We'r. so glad you Center programs. Perhaps they have gotten a little more infonna through Columbia College. missed the .boat completely, and alerted us to thll problem with can teach him how to write. tion before you wrote such a I. however, am not qualified in doing so, managed to greatly ludd.l...... 'HI aren't hyper biased article. I thought journal through Columbia to obtain an insult women. I.nlltl.... .nough and cartoony Carrie L Nelson ism was supposed to be fair. internship because of my twenty· In a society that is running out characters Ihould form perfect Finally, I would like to know one credit hours that bring me of people with good values, little rol. mod.ls! You should form an Ms. Nelson, Oh yeah? Woll tho where the beautiful A. Noelle short of "fitting" the criteria. do we need your frivolous scrib· ag.ncy to ·combat this .gr. Von Chuckters have had enough Gabor went to. Her piece was the Although, I probably have more bling, especially in a[n] educa· gioul Inlenlltlvlty b.caus. of Carrl. N.llon continually best article on the subj ect of eagerness than those students tional settin g such as a college w.'v. noticed a few exampl.1 complaining about our columnl paper that I have ever read. If it who you say are qualified but newspaper. Why are you wasting ours.lv.s-l) Bugs Bunny: dosplto tho fact that she obvi were up to me she would write don't seek the internships, I do the time of the readers of the Stereotypes rabbits, wh.n w. all ously readl them. -Edl .. this whole paper. But that would not have the support of Columbia Chronicle? Don't you want to know they pref.r I.afy gre.ns suck wouldn't it; this paper might College (that I feel can be neces· keep what few readers you have? to carrots; 2) Popey.: Vlcloully actually be compelling and sary) seeking and completing an Also, it was in poor taste to perpetrat.1 the myth that all maybe even readable. So take internship. Someone likes write, "Success isn't supposed to sailors mlspronounc. words two seconds like you usually do, be, like di ffi cult or something." and; 3) Yogi a.ar: Stereotypel John and Bob! and rip on my opinions like five Erica Hubbard What makes you think, even in bears constant thlev.1 of year-old children. your pitifully satirical state, that "picanic" boskets!-£ds. I would li ke to congratulate Erica: We're sorry to hear about women look to their boyfriends you ' on an exceptional year of Bradley A. Ponlecore your problem and may be able as inspiration to slack? journalism. I would especially to help. The Chronicle could use With the word "commitment" A full-Nelson like to give kudos to Mr. PS Mr. Chiarito, you know there a few interns and here are our fast losing meaning in the '90s, Biederman. Your "How's Your is medical attention that you can qualifications: Must have office you say women don't know how for "How's Steak" article is often one of the seek for your problem. skills, type 4' words per minute, long they should wait around most interesting of the lot. mix a mean martini and be will until their boyfriends become Your Steak?" Especially the ones that pay sole Bradley: Great! Now w. have to ing to chase copy editor Chuck successful in order to provide for attention to a fake character that get a bodyguard for Ms. Gabor! Jordan around the water them? No. women don't need "How's Your Steak?" is the has no redeemable quality what· -lids. cooler.-£ds. strength, talent, dexterity, or tions, the media had pounced on him Letter of the week What with call s for his head and wicked gibes. One gibe parsed Reynolds as one 1 am writing in response to the March 3rd with art work that communicated environ who could not fix his crossed teeth but issue of the Columbia Chronicle. Although I mental concerns through powerful visual Becomes of could perfect fraud. It was as though was very happy to see the coverage of the media and the turnout was excell ent. I could Chicago politics needed excitement and embarrassment the Columbia administration not be more pleased with the growth of our Mel Reynolds readily strip-danced. cal1s a recycling program, I felt that the cov membership numbers and the growing Reynolds began hi s Congressional erage of our organization was unclear. awareness of our organization throughout eareer with a victory over incumbent ECO, the Environmentalists of Columbia Columbia. Reynolds? Gus Savage in 1992. A few days before Organization, is a student organization com· Another tool that has been instrumental the election, he had accused Savage of posed of students, faculty and staff dedicat· in our quest to educate the Columbia com~ Oladimeji Ad~oye plotting an attack on him, appearing at cd to educating and making people aware of munity has been our newsletter, a news conference with bandages the environmental dangers and disasters ER.E.E.D.O.M .• which stands for Friends Life is doing a number on ex~con· around hi s temple. Many who did not around us, while exposing the ,avoidable Relating Environmental and Ecological gressman Mel Reynolds. He is who the believe him thought he was a shameless evils we have already created. We discuss Dangers and Other Matters. Currently, our gods want to kill first because he is liar scheming to get elected. They have simple precautions and procedures to third issue is going to press. ER.E.E.D.O.M. making them mad. From a promising been vindi cated by facts from hi s trans· improve our environment and hope to raise contains articles, photos, and other infonna· Rhodes scholar in a suit to working gressions, including recent charges of awareness of the delicate situations in our tive pieces by students and faculty that is prison shifts in jumpers for II cents and misappropriating campaign funds and ecosystem both locally and globally. di stributed throughout the college. hour, Reynolds represents a classical finagling banks out of thousands of dol What we are is not Columbia's Recycling Along with the newsletter, we have a 24- descent. It began with an accusation of lars in loans. Club. I do, however, cany home in my back hour hotline (312-2 14-1072) and e-mail. having sex with his underage, former During and since the trial no one has pack recyclable items. such as plastic and ([email protected]). to distribute and campaign worker, foll owed by an said ilnything about Reynolds' achieve glass bottles, which I purchase at Columbia receive information about the group. Any aggressive prosecuti on led by an exu· ments as a congressman. Whatever they but cannot recycle at school. But I do not questions, concerns or comments can be berant state attorney, who would later might be, they seem to have perished consider this to be pan of my official duties directed to us through these routes or I ean earn his own retribution. Then, when along with his character. as President of ECO. personally be reaehed in the Science' and everything appeared to have subsided To the extent of his misdeeds, yes, Another statement I di sagreed wi th is the Math Department. room SOO of the Wabash and Reynolds was looking forward to Reynolds deserves a hundred lashes of headline, "School, students toss environ Building. hi s release, new charges of fraud were wet rattan cane on hi s buttocks. He has mental iss ue" which implied that students We hope to continue educating and grow brought against him. Recently, his wife, lost more dignity and self-esteem than a and administration are "tos.sing" back and ing throughout this school year and beyond. who has been cooperating wi th author· king paraded naked at the town square. fonh blame for the ineffecti veness of the We have many events planned, includint ities, decided to divorce him. His soon·to-be ex-wife is out of sight · recycling program. Our opinion is that another art show and movie nights, to keep Now there is very little more to do to with their three children. What could be Colum bia administration fumbled the pro ECO's success going to the next level. We Reynolds besides killing him-that is, if more humiliating than your wife testi gram long before J was a student here and will continue to be a substanti al pan of cam he doesn't do it himself. His career is fying against you in court? That is what certainly before BCO began. BCO believes pus life and a definitive voice for the envi · shamefull y gone and hi s li fe as a fami~ will happen to Reynolds during hi s that there should he multiple recycling bi ns ronment here at Columbia. Iy man is moribund. upcoming trial. on each floor of every Columbia building We hope to have continued coverage of Recently, Rey nolds went on a He has lost most of his friends and and thallhesc hins should be emptied by the our organization and the developments in hunger strike to protest conditions, but political cronies. His lawyers who custodial staff. Recycling is everyone's the recycl ing prognun by the Chronicle. I quit when a judge threatened to have defended him from the start just responsibility but should be considered the also hope nothing more than the heightened him force fed. Imag ine Mel Reynolds, resigned from the case. The only person same as wasle management by the school. awareness of such neglectful wnstes for ex· memher of the powerrul HOllse who vis its him reguarly in prison is hi s As of the writing of this article, the Columbia's paying c u slo m crs ~ ~ th e student Ways and Means Committee, restrai ned mother. Reynolds is n deserted man. response to BCD has been overwhelming. body. on a gurney, onc bcefy guurd prying So whm further would the $overn We have open meetings in mom 3 I 3 of the open his mouth, unot her throwing :\ ment nchieve wi th this new tnnl nnd W:thash huilding on Tuesdays from 3 ~ .s p.m. Eflvimnmemally YOllrs, mi xture of mushed potato nnd ground possible convicti on'! Rc l mhiliuui()n ~ We hall fin an sh(,w in December thilt dealt /Jemie! O'Cmmell, Pre ,~i delll of ECO heef t..l own hi s th rout! nt). Pcrscclltion··it uppcnrs so. From the heginning of the in vest i gu ~ March 17, 1997 EDITORIAL 9 This Stuff Is From This Staff
Bob Chiarito Chuck Jordan
Swing batter, SWlDe:! R-E-S-P-E-C-T! ry to imagine working in an ~ri:~ek; t~;~:~~/n~~~:~ industry that gets little L C lb· t· I T respect, constant criticism and almost no praise. ~~:~~\~~:~:;~~:~~:y~c~~:~:~~: 0 urn la: rl cy C e As far as I'm concerned, you rectn ess gone amuck. don't have to imagine, this profes sion actually exists. No, I'm not talk thel~,:~ YI~u ~:;~~;t g:e:.,~ ~~:: ing about the law profession , which students of the mostly wh ite South- n the In 1..... ormatl·I on seems to be a popular target , I'm side Cathol,ic Brother Rice High talking about journalism . School taunted players of the In my five months at Chron icle, I've noticed that for every positive ~~~~~~o~ai~'H:r~~~ is a mostly uperhl· ghway comment there arc at least two dozen Specifically, observers said a ow ...... negati ve comments. tion of about 200 Brother Rice If a story isn't covered the way a dents sat across Thornton's reader wants it to be, the reporter is and chanted "Bluckwheat, 1 Ifyou've been anxiously awaiting the grand reopening of Colu mbia's Web either accused of being biased or a Buckwheat" and other racial site, we're sorry to say that Rui Kaneya's front-page story brings bad news. shoddy journalist. including "nigger" and "coon." But after reading Kaneya's story, our new "World Wide Web Site Policy" and Many people don't realize how Thornton star Melvin was 0 difficult it is to work for a newspaper. focus of most of the excerpts from Associate Academic Dean Peter Thompson's Jan. I speech about While covering a news story you heard chants of "hooked on nh"n;,·<" I that policy, we can only "come to one conclusion: You waited in vain. Our Web site's must be clear, accurate and objec while at the free throw line. only future role is that of a joke. And what's more, the joke is on us. tive. Reporters are up against con Brother Rice students were The Chronicle has followed this story from its onset last March, when Thompson stant deadlines. They must find a mimicking monkeys. and his Teaching + Learning + Technology Roundtable (TLTR) seized control of way to have their story fit the len gm While the taunting students the college's Web site, in effect freezing it by allowing no college entity (with the the editor wants. Often, hours of no doubt be disciplined and research are required before anyone from attending any future games, exception of our continuing education wing, Columbia2) to touch it. Thompson can be interviewed. what may happen should raise eye- called the takeover "temporary," and sought, unsuccessfull y, to assuage our fears by When a story is covered accurate brows. stating that maybe one day students would have some say in the site's policy. ly and fairly, chances are there won't Brother Rice director of admis- That day has not yet arrived. be congratulations. sions Jim Casey said that the school The.TLTR met again last semester, locking the Chronicle out of its gathering. I covered an activity of a new stu is going to recommend that all taunt- dent organization and wrote an arti ing at high school basketball games Thompson issued a statement to then-staff writer Michele S. Gomez concerning the cle for the paper last fall. I felt that I be prohibited. He also said that stu- meeting-a PR rambling which said nothing in a whole lot of words. As testimony had fairly and accurately conveyed dents will only be allowed to cheer to Thompson's shameless, spin-control twisting of facts, his speech of Jan. 10 the group's mission. I didn't hear for their team , but acknowledged that (which, again, we were forbidden from attending) called that statement a "lengthy anything positive or negative about the policy will be hard to enforce. interview." my story. Recently that group was While many old-timers find taunt- covered again by a different staff ing classless and embarrasing to the Sorry, Mr. Thompson, but there's a big difference between a press release and an writer. A member of the group was home team, it has become a part interview. In fact, this goes beyond spin control-this is outright deception. unhappy with the article in the sec sports, both amatuer and profession- Thompson is doing all he can to make it appear that the TLTR has some concern ond story. He said that the Chronicle al. over what students think (have you seen those "We' re willing to talk" fliers mis- had done a good job of covering While racial taunting never should leading students all over the college?). Is that why our questions and concerns can their organization in the past. He be tolerated. to disallow other forms was referring to my story but I had no would be a blow to freedom of die- be voiced now-after the final policy was put in place March 6? way of knowing that I had done a hard sports fans around the country. Having the site policy now in hand, the reasons for Thompson and the TLTR's good job in his opinion. Just imagine the boredom if every- secretive dealings are apparent. Web postings are divided into two categories: J was at a meeting for another time the Knicks played the Bulls, Official and personal. Those of the official type are mostly about the college itself- Columbia student organization last Spike Lee was only allowed to sit I I·· ... f . week and I was asked why a recent quietly and only clap for Ewing and C ass Istmgs, regIstratIon m ormatIon, etc.-and are of little concern to students or event in volving a faculty member Starks. After his Knicks were beaten faculty seeking tp express themselves on the Web. The policy and Thompson's wasn't covered. In fact she went on on the court, Bulls fans wouldn 't be speech both claim that postings of a personal nature will not be censored, but the to say that I shouldn 't be at her event able to tell Spike what he could do policy also states that all postings must a) conform to established guidelines and but covering the incident mentioned. with that towel he waves. policies and b) be approved by the academic department they fall under (w ith the I wasn't given the chance to explai n Or if boxers were not allowed that I was a copy editor who has no call each others' mother's names exception of those posted by "recogni zed student groups). control over what gets pri nted. I can press conferences. With the What dictionary did Thompson get his definition of "censorship" from? on ly make suggestions. quality of heavyweights today, Take a look at the Web page of most any other college; then take a look at Journalists are always accused of ing matches would be attended Columbia's. Our site contains little more than text-there's not even a design in the looking for bad and sensational few and far between. background. It's laughably paltry next to other college sites on the multimedia-rich news. But, people do the same thing. From fans waving towels W, b d h 'h d d . h . Journalism, just like any field, has and distract players, loud e ,an t e reasons aren t too ar to eClp er. people that do unethical things, such played in stadiums like Just what did Thompson and the TLTR do over the span of a year? You read that as slant and sensationalize news. thrash-talki ng by players, right-for a year, Thompson and his power-hungry band of bureaucrats seemed to It is clear that people are more part of every game. And it accomplish nothing more than the drafting of a site Policy, full of legalese gob- preoccupied with bad news than they new. bledygook and numbering less than ten pages, and the creation of even more are with good news. How many of you read the front Sid~~e~~1 :e:~~~ ;a~b~n was bureaucracy. Now, in addition to the TLTR, Thompson and his cabal have also cre- page story about the drinking allega and he played in the first ated: the Computer and Web Site Steering Committee, a Webmaster Team, the tions about workers in me financial century! Speaking of Management Information Systems Department-in addition to the numerous aid department on Feb. 24, but paid most think taunting is most Section Coordinators (for each department) and the involvement of the Dean of only a passing glance to last week's in basketball and football, for Students (overseeing recognized student groups' postings). coverage of the benefit for Girl X? catchers have been the master A . f d d b I'm not saying either story was talkers of sports. You can be sure S I we nee e more ureaucracy tying up our Web Site. less newsworthy. Both stories needed certain catching greats Our Web policy states, in many words, that Columbia College is not responsible to be covered. Cinninati's Johnny Bench for the contents of postings by individuals or groups linked to the home page. I don't mean to complain . I enjoy Chicago's Carlton Fisk are in the Considering that most other schools allow a significantly greater level of freedom the career path that I have chosen. of fame for more than their on their sites (Northwestern has even defended the First Amendment rights of an All I'm saying is that working at the abilities. Think about how anti-Semitic posting on its Web site), how is this paranoia J·ustified on the part of Chronicle is a learning experience. times big sluggers struck out If you feel someone hasn' t done a Bench or Fisk informed them our great "arts and communications" school? fair job of covering the news, write a they had naked pictures of their wives Considering that our Web site wi ll remain barren until students and faculty cre- letter to the editor and explain what is for sale. You see, taunting can actual- ate the postings, Thompson is delusional to think that potential Columbia commu- wrong with it. And in the interest of Iy enhance the game. nicators will submit to this needless bureaucratic censorship when they can post fairness, if someone does a good job Brother Rice 's Casey anything on the Chronicle's message board (we've probably fielded more general of covering a story or you want to reconsider hi s thank the paper for drawing attention end taunting. After losing Columbia questions than the College's site already) or simply start their own page. to an issue, feel free to do that. Thornton, maybe what he should Our advice to readers: ignore the college's Web site. If it withers away against a Treat the news media with the is require it from all students. backdrop of other schools' si tes that actually reflect the unfettered creativity of their same fairness that you would like students, so be it. It will be a mercy killing. them to treat you. 10 FEATURE M a rch 1 7 , 1 997 INSIDE . •• THE CHICAGO
PART II IN A The Shappening
By John Henry Biederman Ediror-in-chie!
- Estelle's, at 2013 W. North Ave., is one of the poetry scene's grand daddies, beginning shows in 1987 under host Jose Chavez, when the bar was briefly named Adolph's. Before moving on to his venue at Lounge Ax, Thax Douglas hosted the weekly reading here, as did Dave Gecic. still a host of the occasional reading and, at least on an amateur level. a chr.onicler of scene hi story. Gecic. Estelle's host from January 1994(0 mid-I995. brought the bar's reading into the limelight as an attraction all its own (for years, the Green Mill was viewed by many as the only important venue). Estelle's has always had a party feel , and'some poets would have it no other way. Like the Bop Shop, Estelle's is a popular haunt for locals, with -drink specials most every night, a popular pool table and a location off Wicker Park 's main intersection at Damen and Milwaukee avenues. Although occasionally an uninterest ed crowd competes with poets in. volume, most regulars are used to the poetry and at least tolerate it. Even the drunkest regulars pay attention, cheer a~d sometimes even recite ... something. Un like the Bop Shop, Estelle's is primarily a drinking establishment and, although many come for the poetry alone, most patrons, including poets, consume plenty of alcohol. This' can be either a plus or a minus for the current host, Shappy, who's dubbed the reading 'The Shappening." Shappy usually manages to harness the party into a positive energy. An actor and comic who's hosted for Comedy Central, his between-act antics are sometimes the most memorable part of an evening. His poetry, however, can get angry, as this excerpt from his poem, "Let me tell ya' something," attests:
No one who grew up in the '70s is satisfied with their "real world" scenario- If they are, then they are Ronnie Reagan Residue of the '80s- Convinced that a "lifestyle" is more important than a life...
Shappy is a fonner National Slam finalist who als~ toured with the LoUapaJooza rock .show as a slam poet in 1994 while hosting shows in the cities that tour took him through. Shappy is especially adept at improv. He'll spin a fictional background fo~ a poet on the spot, giving some of the most entertaining intro ductions the scene has ever known, peppering his banter with references to 19705 and '80s nostalgia. . The Shappening uses music of a rock and roll variety as accompaniment. There is no regular band, per se, and a different group of perfonners plays every week. It began as an experiment-Shappy let a handful of friends each playa drum for one evening, and poets could request or forgo the service. As time went on, different musicians joined the drummers and everything from electric bass to flute can now be found in The Shappening band. This arrangement has turned into a chaotic. cacophonic mess at times, with music besting verse in volume. But Shappy has mostly brought things under _con trol through trial and error and the music is now the reason some attend The Shappening. While not the most experienced host on the scene, Shappy has met his share of challenges. When Gecic quit the job in late 1995-, a few short-lived hosts took the reins before Shappy. One drove poets away by reading from his own epic poem constantly-at times reading more than the other poets combined. Shippy has brought Estelle's back where j[ belongs on the poetry scene: as a major player. And his comedic verse has regularly been featured on the Mancow Miller's WRCX-FM morning radio show, attracting larger crowds and bringing an occasional spread of food to The . March 17, 1997 FEATURES 11
POETRY SCENE
CONTINUING SERIES at Estelle's
A1x>ut this series
Photo Interpretations by Amber Gribben Clockwise, from upper left corner: The night's guitarists in the ever-changing, always-surprising Shappening band accentuates the verse with some guitar licks; Shappy does a little schtick for the crowd of party-crazed poetry spectators; Shappy perfroms one of his own pieces; Greg Gillam, also a poetry host (at Poop Studios in Wicker Park on a monthly basis) performs his work; Shappy acting like ... well, Shappy; Jules wows the crowd with one of her signature performance pieces. you see some I know that J can 't at least twia • week and I talk to him woman together, just know that now change the world. or make because I mjoy his By Er in Bonillo Relations, reiterated the importance of taking that Staff Writer first step, "Remember that person is huake a call, use tact and courtesy when speaking with them. "color complex" Today you arc whizzing through classes, fult Introduce yourself and state specifically what you of bright optimism for your future career plans. are aiming for career wise, and ask for their Four years you're feeling stagnant and stuck, advice and insight. If you do this with considera wondering where the jobs that you had been tion for their time, chances are you will make a studying so di ligently for are? You've invested good contact, who may remember you when they group the effort of a four year education; why isn't the hear of a job lead or connection. mented that the color com~'le:d market there for you? The fact is that all that The key is not to expect ajob from any contact. started at home. st udyin g amounts to nothin g if you don't use it. Professional references are your lifetime to a "My father told me not Your success in acquiring that new dream job potentially limitless source of opportunities, but date black men," she depends on how you go after it. Welcome to net ex.pecting a job connection from each of those And "I wish your mother working. sources will most certainly backfire. Good net 'good hair' like you." For those of you who boo networking as a worki ng is an art; you have to learn the basics Another member, who throwback to the early eighties - think again. The before you can master it and tap into its rewards. biracial, recalted a time U.S. Department of Labor and Statistics proved Fortunately, it's not difficult, especially if you she brought her mother to high school swim meet. that 80% of people who found jobs in this coun enlist the help of Columbia's Career Planning and The team was predomi try over the last five years, did so by networking. Placement Office. Sending out resumes, and hunting down job leads The center is open weekly for students to come white and everyone as:,ulne;dl that she was black in the classifieds rarely work any longer. This in and talk with counselors, check the job and mother . who was especiall y pertains to fine arts fie lds, like those internship board, and have open access to the offered at trade publica skinned came to one Columbia, where tions and period- meets. future jobs can't be icals. Paula She said that she found in the paper Networking BoolC:s Eubanks, an . ed after everyone or up on a job advisor in she was black. She board. Career Planning aced "The good jobs and Placement, are never adver ''The Career Trap" by Jeffrey Allen said "Unless you tised," said Bob are a social ani Blinn of the c., 1995 mal, it can be Planning and hard and intimi Placement office. dating fot people "It's a matter of to start the net knowing the right 'lob Search Networking" by working process. person and having Here at the that connection Richard Beatty c. -1994 Placement that will get you Center we can work." provide one on It 's a simple concept really ; connecting with one coaching for networking and preparing a plan people in your field to gain insight, advice and job for a student to attend functions, and make those leads. contacts." She added that sometimes the most Yet the actual specifics, often allude most stu important network is the teachers themselves. dents, who are caught up in projects, reading Perhaps stude·nts should quiz the instructors on assignments and grades. Making the mistake of field contacts, rather than just mid-term reviews ignoring the contacts ayailable to students on and reading assignments. campus can be a crucial loss later. It is a matter of The instructors and counselors are throwing "Does their getting organized and using the resources avail live bait at students daily, but few bite. Bob Blinn intra race discrimi able right now. of Career Planning and Placements said he put a was posed. The The first step is to make a list of all the people notice up on the board last week, advertising for a by those in attendance you know who are working or have some exper free lunch at the Hilton for anyone who came to resounding 'yes.' tise in your field. It is not a bad idea to start a his office to ask him for it. Only a few students member said she felt Rolodcx file this early, to collect names that wilt showed over the course of the week. ''That just children are taught be beneficial later. Go to the library and look shows how little initiative the students take." That di,;crim,inaleat an early age. under the Encyclopedia of Associations. There experiment proved how the majority of students school, light skinned you will find numerous trade associations and aren't using the resources available to them at would be the 'teacher's community groups that you can add to your file Columbia. It is imperative that you take the initia skinned children and nu mber list. ti ve to soak up all these opportunities available at I,e,oented this. Thus the begin Usc them and attend. Unless you are a total college now. The networking, internships, and job t "'';;IPlex the light superiority wall flower, you can be guaranteed to meet other connections available on the third floor of the It and the dark inferior- connections there; individuals with even more Wabash building are collecting dlJst. occurs. associates to pass on to you. Get the picture? It is So keep studying, because your product is just Accordin~ to this theory a system that slowly branches out and encircles as crucial as who you know, but don't ignore the achieving their you with valuable contacts. opportunities available now. Bottom Line: it is not possible.. The next step is to watch for key names in comes down to being prepared, willing to' make light skinned children trade journals and alumni letters. Be aware of who the contacts, and usi ng the resources available, try their best . because is working in your field and look them up. Don't that determine who's working and who's not. You are given special treat- trauma were lei intimidation hold you back from making a ' may be swamped in homework now, but if you everyone in the vital connection. are ready when opportunity presents itself, it children have the infe of the answers Eric Mixon, assistant director of Alumni won't pass you by. comple;\, causing them debate among \ March 10, 1997 FEATURES 13 Students honor holiday through Irish poetry By Michelle Pocock Staff Writer Last week, in preparation for St. Patricks Day, Columbia theater students put on an Irish Theater ~redmIcLm Workshop_ Written, compiled and staged by Color "'paration house seeks technically-minded Phowshop, CeciJie O'Reilly. the program featured numerous Quark, U1ustrator qurus. Full-time or part-time. ~ac only. Ser:"ice bureau erri. Irish poems dating back to the fourth century. enee experience prefermi. Great entry-level tech Job, fun envlOmmenl Sen The program began in the present day with an resum~ references, salary requirements to SPIDER SYSTEMS : 219 W. Chicago American college student (Emily Burell) cram· Ave, 3nl Floor, Chicago , ll. 60610. No phone calls please. ming to finish a paper at the last minute. Emily's paper is on Irish poetry. and while she delves lhrough the books, she is also exploring her her itage. ~ The purest fono of capitalism! Waitstal! needed for Middle Eastern and As Emily looks over poems about the famine. European cuisine. Apply at 2242 W. Devon- 11-4 p.m. Ask for Deborah. ancient heroes, gossip. romance and politics, the rest of the company acts out each poem. With difficult dialogue, complete with accents Seamus Heaney, a recent winner of the Nobel Prize and Irish step dances, the company of Lisa Corley, for poetry, one poem from Seventeenth Century SIIIRC lIEll-Cancun or Mazatlan Kasie Shoaf, Margie Hachmei ster, Jessica Blake, writer Jonathan Swift, and another from Art Sell 15 trips &travel free+ cash. Connie Anderko, Kevin Murphy and J. Patrick O'Leary who O'Reilly calls "one of the greatest "'west Prices Guaranteed! Garone did an exceptional job. laments of all time." Several of the poems were Call Sun breaks I (800) 44~5 . Cecilie O'Reilly has been working on this play tagged as anonymous, because the poets of ancient since last year. She has worked on similar plays at Ireland passed their stories on through the spoken the Humanities Festival, sponsored by the nIinois word only. Humanities Council. The cast had been working since the third week 1IoIoI7_ln the Hamson Hotel. Newly decorated, ca!Jl'ted, nicely-furnished, maid "I love this stuff," O'Reilly said, talking about of the semester break for the four perfonnances s",'ice,24 Hr. Swikhboanl, Laundry room on premises. Student Discount Call the Irish poetry. "I am also interested in the poetic held at the Classic Studio at the II th Street build now, (312) 427-800II. language in the Irish repertoire of plays, for it rep ing. The final perfonnance was held at the Lunar resents a particular challenge for the actor." Cabaret on Sunday. The selection of poetry included works by s,nq hl! tmoI Freel Organiu a small group, earn US. Cancun, Jamaica, Bahamas. Packages include: 2 m"~ and 3 hrs. AIl-you-can-ilrink daily. Surfand Sun Tours- Don (800) 763-5606. 1Iask: IIdDSIry IDttmsblp Asylm Marketing seeks intern in Chicago, sophomore/above. 15-25 h",fwk reqUired. Knowledge of new music and your market a must. Ability to get college credit a plus. Call Gloria @ (213) 368-4738 or fax resumes to (213) 954-7622. I'ImmIw- MotiYated groups needed to earn $500+ promoting AT&T, Discover, gas and retail canis. Since 1969, we've helped thousands of groups raise the money they need. Call Gina at (800) 592-2121 ExL 198. Free CD to qualified calle". Need entry-level or experienced salesperson to sell commeltiat photo lab services. Full- and part-lime needed. Salary or Commission negotiable. Located in Addison. Call (630) 543-2556 BRAIDSJRAIDSJRAIDS __Fas~Quality, Professional braids. 10 yea" experi ence. Low Rates. Save $$$. Call Nana (312) 262-9795. SophbIi $IF petite, smart, fun, and ohhh sooo sassy, seeks SIll who is big (tall), beautiful and brilliant, who likes to party. No losers (you know who you are) need apply. Please write me in care of the Chronicle, code' A1125 ~ handsom~ 3O-ish, 5'10", 160 Ibs., dark blond, hazel eyes, HIV- and very muscular. rm a channing, sexy, caring romantic Leo looking for an attractive, intelligent, warm , compassionate man. I am a non-smoker/ noo.ifrug user who seeks same. I enjoy quiet time at horne, which includes roma.ntic din ners and thought-provoking cODversation. Please write me if you want someone strong to keep you warm on those cold winter nights. code IA 1028. To respond to a Personal ad, write to the code number in care of The Chronicle, 600 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, II. 60605. 14 ADVERTISEMENT March 17., 1997 the Career Planning & Placement Office presents the business of getting I a back to back April 2, 1997 (to back) (Weds. during break!) workshops gAM to 1 :30PM or on April 16, 1997 (Wednesday) 2PM to 6PM or job 4PM to 8PM research with employers and i ntervi ewi ng career advisors register now resume/ at cover letter 312-663-1600 X5280 writing Suite 300W Columbia ColI~ge Chicago March 17, 1997 FEATURES 15 Jamiroquai: T~e CO, T~e Concert, T~e Interview By Bianca Williams Stuart: Whats your name? Correspondent Bianca: Bianca. Even though the third album from the British band Jamiroquai continues to use the funk sound as Stuart: There s this after party. Do you want to its base, it contains a dash of Latin flavor, reggae come? grooves and jungle beats. ''Traveling Without Moving" is funkier than the bands previous releases. Bianca: Sure. Where is it? It contains more memorable choruses, hooks and dance tracks. This album not only speaks volumes Stuart: Hey (some guy comes over). Give her the musical1 y. but lyrically it call s for the higher self to address to the party. become aware of the social issues of today. 1be sold out Jamiroquai concert at the Riviera Stuart leaves the room. Three hours later when Nightclub was the third stop of a five city U.S. pro sleep is kicking in at three in the morning, the roam motional tOUT for its new album, "Traveling Without ing reporter si ts at a table in an underground location. Moving." The first Jamiroq uai member, Stuart Zender, finalJy Lead singer Jason Kay danced his way onto the makes ap appearance. He talks to some people, takes stage with a big! black, furry hat on hi s hyad. He off hi s coat and goes into a room. The reporter puts on opened the concert with three old lunes that includ her coat to leave but patiently waits for Stuart to come ed the Litle tracks from the band's two previously and join the party. When he emerges, the reporter released albums, "Emergency On Planet Earth" and walks up to him. "Return of The Space Cowboy". The encore consisted of an old song and the hid- Bianca: Hi . . den ttack "Funktion" that appears on the UK ver sion of their latest ·release. Sandwiched in-between Stuart: Hi. You made it. these crowd pleasers were eight ttacks off the new release. Much to Jamiroquai's surmise, the audience Bianca: Wh ere s the rest of the gang? sang along as they performed the new funkier, catchier tunes. Stuart: Sleeping. What I should be doing. When the first cords of the racy song "Traveling Without Moving" were played, a fifteen by twen Bianca: Did you like the concert? ty-fi ve foot backdrop with a Lamborghini Diablo and buf Jason: I knOw. I had dinner with Mickfourweeks ago. faloman sign in a snc-capped mountain setting, descend Stuart: Yeah. It was great. But, we were tired. ed from the ceiling. The backdrop was raised during the Bianca: On your current release. there are tracks with encore to display two giant buffaloman symbols outlined Latin influences, reggae connotations and jungle beats. Bianca: What did you like about il? on each side of the stage. The appearance of the symbols Has Jamiroquai decided to makea transition from its funk produced a roar of approval from the audience. base to other types of music? Stuart: The audience singing along. 'Throughout the concert, Jason ta1ked to the audience and displayed his sensuous energetic dance moves along Jason: No ... because my dad is Portuguese. Bianca: In the credits of "Traveling Without Moving, " with his band-leader ability as he conducted the band to you thank everyone in Chicago. Why does Chicago and slow down or pick up the tempo. While the band per Portuguese probably is referring to the Latin influ Jamiroquai have a strong bond? fanned the instrumenta1 songs that displayed the talenri ences. Before Jason Kay could respond to why his band doo, Jason would sign album. covers, T-shirts and pieces added reggae and jungle beats to the new album. someone Stuart: Because Chicago likes different music. of paper for the fans. The one hour and twenty five pulled him away to introduce him to another guest. minute concert was exhilarating. Jarniroquai was over Jason willingly obliged the person with his undivided Bianca: Jamiroquai is huge in Europe and Japan. whelmed by the audience's response to their new materi attention. The reporter walked around to look for other However, you're nOI that popular here. Do you want to be al. And the audience was left wanting more of them. members of the band. By the door was Jamiroquai's popuwr ill America? Getting an interview with Jarniroquai at the last minute bassist, Stuart Zender. is considered impossible (you usually get a "sorry. can't Stuart: No . .. No, because we wouldn 'i be able to hang do "by Sony reps and the band's publicist). However, for Bianca: Hi Stuart. Does· Jamiroquai plan to release out. those who believe in positive thinking and the ability to an instrumental album? will something to become objective reality, it only takes Bianca: Weil, it was nice meeting you Stuart. I have to being recognized on the front row at the concert and being Stuart: I plan to. go. I have to be at work in four hours. invited backstage for the post-show party by the band. Getting to Jason Kay (the lead si nger) backstage was Bianca: When are you going into the studio to record? Stuart and the reporter shake hands. next nearly impossible. People surrounded him constant ly. However, eye contact and a smile can always stop any Stuart: After the tour. Bianca: Gel some sleep. conversation. . 1be roaming reporter leaned over the bar behind the Bianca: When are you guys coming back to Chicago ? Stuart: I will. Bye. bodyguard. Jason Kay leaned toward her as their hands touched. Stuart pauses and stares at the reporter. The reporter made it horne safely. The night with Jamiroquai was worth being deprived of sleep. It's also Bianca: Hi. Jason: I'm Bianca. StUDrt: May. refreshing to know that the hottest UK funk band would rather hang out in America than wi n the popularity contest Jason: Bi - an - "- Bianca: At least it will be wamler. on the record charts. . Bianca: No. Be - n - ca. as in Bianca Jagger. 'Whiplash' displays James' unique sound By MichoUo S. DuFour After finishing "Booth and the Bad Angel" Assislallt Feature Editor Woodstock in album in New York. August, 1994. which So after several recording Four years after the release of ended three years of studios. two producers, two their hit album "Laid," James re touring in the states, years of writing and taping and emerge.s into the music scene "Laid" had sold a near band split, "Whiplash" with their latest album 600.000 copies in finally came together. "Whiplash." America. The seven The II track album begins Although James fonned in member band with the bold, upbeat song England in ~983, and has returned to Wales "Tomorrow" which flows into released seven albums so far, and London to work three morc solid songs: "Lost a major success in the United on their next album. Friend," "Waltzing Along" and states did not corne until 1992 But soon afterward. the pop hit "She's a Star." with the release of "Seven," and Larry Glott (slide The diversity of the album the popular song "Born of guitar). a founding shows thfough when it takes a Frusttation ... member of James turn toward industrial disco in "Whiplash" seems to be a along with singer "Go to the Bank," combination of "Seven" and Tim Booth and "Greenpcace" and "Play Dead ," "Laid." It displays the urgent bassist Jim Glennie, followed by two more pop-like melodies sound from "Seven" announced that he songs. and the focused pop of "Laid," could not go on At thc end, the album winds especially in the song "She's a being a touring down with "Watering Holc·· and Star." member of the band. ends with the intimate "Blue While James released James also found Pastures." "Seven" and "Laid" only a year out that they owed "Whiplash" is ready to tour despite losing founding member Larry Glott. Ahogcthcr. Booth 's search apan. the four years in between five years in back ing lyrics and yearning vocals "Laid" and "Whiplash" proved to taxes, and the band together. Late in 1994, James 1995, Booth hooked up with mixed with the band's insistent be trying years for the band. and nearly split. released an improvisational dou renowned composer Angelo melodies make "Whiplash" a they are surprised to sti ll be But the band continued to ble-album under Brian Eno Badalamenti and the two spent unique sounding album well together today. work and the music kept them which energized the band. In most of the year working on their worth the four year wait. .16 ADVERTISEMENT March 1.7,1997' Can you OT' can ~ou not find you,., t,-,ue love at Columbia? Tell us in one sentence and you could win the sound- t,-,ack 0'-' fr,ee passes to: . We love because it is the on Iy true adventure. L and other cat a s t r 0 p h e ' s A screwball comedy by Emma-Kate Croghan. mONO filMS PRmNB "lOVE AND OTHER CATASTROPHES' fRANCfS O'CONNOR Alief GARNER MAIIHEW OYKTYNSKI MMlIW RAOHA MIIOlHl ~ ANASJASIA SIDERIS /lII!g HEUN MNO~ YAH BEIIlMAN .. KEN SAlllNIS = JUSIIN BRICKlE "'o: S1AVROS ANOONIS EFlHYMIOU Dl'":EM MHNE CROGHAN .. ~H BERGMAN ID HEUN BANOIS -:S1AVROS ANOONIS EFlHYMIOU w-....~ . l!L"'.!!!' ==:= ~ .rnHMMAK.!1E CROGHAN . ~n~ ~:; ~ "; 3 gl'and-fYY'i'Ze winnel's willl'eceive -the \\ Love and o-thel' ca-tattl'opies" soundl'ack! 7 lucky winnel's willl'ecieve a ~ee pass (fol' -two) -to . see -the movie! Bl'i~ 01' send ~Ul' answel'S '-to: Arl]~ Pickle, C/o -the Lhl'onicle, I- Last month, the Chronicle reported the recent success ·of 1991 Columbia graduate, Theodore Witcher, with his Sundance awaro-winning film "love jones." Now, we bring you a review of the film and a personal perspective from an interview with writer/director himself. By John F. Clorus m Correspondent The projector starts up and music comes into the screening room. I settle into my seat as the room quiets down and the cur tains open. All the lights arc now dimmed down and I'm wondering what it will be like to see a feature film by a Columbia student. The screening room is so crowded a late comer has to sit on the floor. There is a good buzz around the industry about this film . With a budget of about five million dollars and four hundred theaters releasing the picture it has golten a lot of sup port. Larenz Tate stars as Darius and Nia Long stars as Nina in Theodore Witcher is a Cormer Columbia College stu The director's name is Ted Theodore Witcher's romantic comedy, "love jones." dent and director oC TriStar picture's ''love jones" Witcher. a Chicagoan who grad uated from Columbia in 1991. memories from the days when ban households view blacks in His story is a fami li ar one to he used to be a house poet at thi s country: as a separate urban those of us in the film depart Spices. group that resorts to violence ment. While at Columbia he "Love jones" revolves around whenever confronted with con· Spotlight ove~hadows a poetry club and a group of flict. The film is an important began recording sound and working on sets doing camera African-American twenty some· contribution to cinema, not and lighting work. After gradua thing artists that attend poetry through any radical statements, big shots tion he worked around the city, readings weekly. It is during one but through showing real people working on music videos and of these evenings that the two with real problems. occasionally working with artist leads, Darias (Larenz Tate) and By Doug Arnold Nina (Nia Long) meet and the Staff Writer in residence Michael Wri ght. After writing a script for the 'love jones' begi ns. A com Hughes brothers (it remains pelling love story, it's their For the first time in the 68 years that the Academy of Molion friends and the way they interact Pictures Arts and Sciences has been awarding film excellence, unproduced), he began writing in Los Angeles. Being close to that makes the story so believ Hollywood's major studios were shunned, and the little guys able. The film is about the peo walked away with most of the nominations. As a result, films the studio system, Witcher was able to pitch the film and even ple, their relationships and their that normally would have been relegated to an houses moved on ideas. "love jones" is one of the to multiplexes. long lime Hollywood outsiders ac:h ieve~ main tually able to get it made. There are several reasons first black films to show every stream recognition, and Siskel and Ebert arC? stIll d ~ mg cart day people going through their wheels. But is it really the independent revolution thallt seems'! why so many critics and people arc embracing this film. "Love li ves of their litt le melodrama's Lets take a look. Hollywood 's larger studios, such as without resortin g to violence. Columbia, Warner Bros., Paramount, MGM, Universal , Un ited Jones" is a fresh love story about the passion two people have for There have been films in the Artists, Disney's Buena Vista, and Twentieth Century Fox did· recent past such as "Jason's n't get any Best Picture nominations. one another and the consequence of hiding their love. The story is Lyric" or "Poetic Justice" but TriStar's "Jerry Maguire" was the onl y major studio release these film s deal with the way to get the nod. The rest of the nominees, "The EnSlish Patient" based on experiences Witcher most white middle cl ass subur· (Miramax), "Fargo"(Gramercy), "Secrets & Lies" (October), had while living in Chicago, and and "Shine" (Fine Line) were released by comparatively minor studios that are commonly referred to as independent. Roger Eben srud in the Sun-Times, "It's as if the voters - criticized for years for being out of touch - made a declaration of indepen dence." The acting and directing categories are slightly kinder to the big boys, but small fry reigns supreme. Of the lead acting nom inations, only Tom Cruise ("Jerry Maguire"), Woody Harrelson "Waiting for Guffman" ('The People vs . Larry Flynt"), and Diane Keaton ('1M arvin's Room") are for the majors. ~urthennore, 'The People vs. Larry demonstrates talent of virtual unknowns Flynt," about a First Amendment crusading porn king and "Marvin's Room," about a dysfunctional family aren't exactly By Sandy Campbell A lot of the humor in "Waiting For blockbuster material. Of the ten Supporting Actor nominations, Correspondenr Guffman" is very subtle and witty, whi ch is five are for indies. Three of the five nominated directors helmed what makes the film work. The fi lm also shows what are considered independent films. Just when you think Nigel Tufnel of "This is the uncanny tal ents of people whom we never Names like Madonna, Woody Allen, Debbie Reynolds, Spinal Tap?" has n't been doing anything for really thought talented. Our society might think Samuel E. Jackson and Eddie Murphy, all projected nominees many years, along comes "Waiting For that the late scrv member John Candy was tal during pre-announcement hype, were snubbed for relative or Guffman" directed, co·wriuen, and starred in by ented. But Eugene Levy? What is he doing with complete unknowns like Geoffry Rush (actor), Billy Bob the afore-mentioned. hi s life at thi s moment? Thornton (actor, screen writer), Anthony Minghella (director), Of course Nigel is only a character played by I am grateful for showpieces such as Emily Watson (actress) and many others. Christopher Guest (also known for the six fi g "Waiting For Guffman" and John Ritter's per Ebert and other critics have lauded the revolution and tri ured man from "The Princess Bride", "Saturday formance in "Slingblade" because they prove umph of the independents this year, but how independent of the Night Li ve", and being married to J<;lmie Lee the talents of individuals whom we never really studio system these films actually are is questionable. As with Cunis for 12 years.) considered to be talented. The fact of the matter the record industry, the definition of independence is blurry. Guest plays overt homosexual Corky St. is not that these individuals are not talented but TriStar is the only established major with a Best Picture Clair, whose sexuality is not obvious to the the styles of entertainment that they usually nomination, but the rest have ties. Miramax is owned by Disney, small townsfolk. in charge of putting on a local appear in is way below there talenrlevel. and was criticized two years ago for aggressively campaigni":g play about the history of Blaine, Mo. "Waiting For Guffman" concerns Corky St. for nominations for Pulp Fiction and other films. Gramercy IS A lot of the actors in the film are either best Clair who is in charge of putting together the owned by Columbia. Fine Line an~ October by Sony. It can h,e known for old TV shows (Paul "Bently" musical "Red, White, and Blaine," with the help argued that the majors are aban~oOl~g s mall -s~ale films to ~elr Benedict from the "Jeffersons", Fred Willard of the local music teacher (Bob Balaban). Most "baby" companies, while pounng big bucks mto and gleanmg from "Femwood-2-Night"), ex-Scrv members of the townsfolk who audition for the roles are the profits from popcorn movies like "Twister" and (Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy), small-time people who never had the opportunity to act, but "Independence Day." Also, they can quietly take. ~~i t for: dis character actors whose name escape us , but always had the bug. . tribuung smaller, intellectual films that are cnUc s darhngs, their faces are familiar (Bob Balaban, Paul A local movie critic stated that he did not achieving the best or both worlds. Dooley) or up and coming young actors (Parker like the movie because it stereotyped the small On the other hand, films by companies lik~ Fin~ Line obvi "Party Girl" Posey, Mall "The Stupids" town and the residents who inhabit it. The cnt· ously aren't ·traditionaJ studio works we~ng mde~ndent Keeslar) and recurring panelists/comedians ic grew up in a Wisconsin town of 1,500. I grew masks; they put their lack of money where therr mouth IS. from "Politically Incorrect" (Larry Miller, up outside a village containing about 300 pe0- Of the Best Picture nominees, only "Jerry Maguire" and David Cross). ple, and I was not offended by the movie as he '-"The English Patient" have bl;'dgets of over $10 ~iIlion . ~th "Waiting For Guffman" parallels with was. the exception of "Jerry Magum:," all or the films producuon Guest's work in 'This Is Spinal Tap?" because As I said before, the film is very witty and costs were less than Tom Cruise's "Maguire" paycheck. the movie is also shot in a mock-documentary subtle and the spirit of the townsfolk is what Whether truly independent of H olly w~ or not, tJ:»ere is a fashion. Another connection between these two makes the film an enjoyable experience to definite difference in the mood of voters thiS year. If rabngs suf films is that Guest and fellow SpinaJ Tap mem watch. Any movie that contains "My Dinner fer for lack of mainstream knowledge of the nominees, it will be bers Michael McKean and Harry Shearer com· With Andre" action figures and "Remains of interesting to see if the song remains the same next year. pose the music and lyrics for the film 's musical The Day" lunchboxes has to be funny. B+ "Red, White, and Blaine." 18 FEATURES Mar c h 1 7, 1 9 9-7 Who am see me? You associate me with death. called me evil, branded me inferior. In saved your !ide and offered you peace. You called me ignorant. Enslaved me, took my family, imprisoned me, and addicted me. Killed me and taught me to destroy my own kind. . Have you forgotten, I gave birth to you? RiWlled your 'S it my destiny to H e empires, helped you find this country you stole from my Who/am ' children! I built you this nation, fought and died for it Or who I'm suppose4 to be. while you kept it away from me. . Could it be that destiny can't be You have held me back for fear of mY- improvement and ,I Never wilt H , evolution. Haven't you learned you can't escape fate? Because of the world amfits complexity. I pity you because you can't escape me• ./ am the words in the. books you write. I hold the very stors in the sky. When Is it me who looks Ustiny in Jhe eye you leave this existence I am the last thing you see. Only 10 see and empty aspiralUm of an arli/idaljOUTMY. %- "U}- Try to change me. Lesson and add to my number. Bul I A journey many waitt to go _ • consume you and become slronger. Now Ihat you have learned you can'l reslrain me, you should reach with me. I Live to Help By Cortez Mack i live 10 help. yeah, to make sure you make illhrough your day, to help keep you on your way.. . yeah, also i live 10 encourage. il', through my poelry, plays, or songs, "m here 10 make sure you go on ... yeah, thai's iI. If it's jusl to go Ihal exira mile i live 10 help jusllo make you smile, there when no one underslands eXlending my hand, . we should help one another IlIIters and you're my broIMrI... yeah, i live to help. you and i hope you need me, help each olher, we bolh can suc· ceed. you, help me, Ihal 's Ihe key I yeah, help. March 17, 1997 ADVERTISEMENT 19 March 10, 1997 FEATU R ES 20 * * * Sara on sports * * * By Sara Willingham what? This i.n't the play-off•. Frankly, I think the loss was quite timely. If nOlhing else, us Chicagoans can M~st people arc reading this column right now and breathe a .igh of relief because we now know that the thinking that it's a figment of their imagination. It's an Bulls ARE boatable, and there actually IS a reas;on to illusion. mirage, a daydream, a truly ingenious visionary watch the NBA play-off.! idea! Yes! I(,s a SPORTS column in the Columbia Also, this week and next, brings us some of our Chronicle! Finally. a place for the spons-minded char toughest opponents: Atlanta, Seattle and Detroit. There's acters amongst us to express'ourselves freely, discussing no better a time to be knocked off our high-horse than and debating statistics, seeds. and athletic sagas ... ne right now. Toni Kukoc is still out of the game, and our maner how warped we might be. It truly is a beautiful bench has suffered because of it. DeMis Rodman had a thing. series of "the usual" last week. You know, OK. boys and girls. the seeds for the men's and one-gadropped law-suits (for a 2-year-old pinChing inci women's NCAA Tournaments have officially been dent), and technical fouls. Thank goodness Jason Caffey announced. Have you been good kids this year and has stepped-up his game. Caffey even picked-up a dou filled -oul your brackets? I have. and it seems thal I'm bJe-double last week. Is there anyone out there who also right on target with Vegas for the men's tournament. knows what Rodman COULD be capable of if be was From my second round picks. to the Sweet 16. the Elite focused? It's frightening to think of...too bad for imma Eight, the Final Four, and finally the championship turity. game, Las Vegas and I only disagreed on three second Well, hang on to your seats Bulls fans, we're winding round choices: Wisconsin, Purdue, and Illinois State down into April. And between Michael (now in 6th University. I chose the teams to advance despite their place for overall scoring in the NBA), the bench, and underdog numbers in Vegas. Here's a brief look at my Rodman-antics, it should be an exciting show... Final Four picks through the Champions for both the ••••••••••••• men and the women: The poor, poor, Blackhawks. They just can't seem to MEN'S NCAA TOURNAMENT shake their home-ice sJump. They haven't won at the Sara's Final Four: United Center in three games, and their next SIX games UCLi\ (ranked #2 in the Midwest) will take place in Chicago. Last week, they checked into Kentucky (ranked # I for the West) a hotel after their morning practice at the United Center North Carolina (ranked #1 in the East) to pretend that they were on the road. They tied with the Kansas (ranked #1 in the Southeast) Vancouver Canucles that night. Still no win in Chicago. Please note: 1 chose UCLA to upset the Midwest's Personally, I would suggest that they ride around in number one ranked school, Minnesota because UCLA is limos every day before the game. WAY more experienced at tournament play. Overall, I Then, they should fly to Indianapolis and back daily pick Kansas to win it all. Aner all, everyone is out to so they REALLY think they're on the road. And finally, knock the Jayhawks off THEIR mountain, and I don't they should stay at hotels for the next three weeks see it happening. I must however, express my dedicated straight. C' MON Hartsburg (the Hawks' head coach)! devotion to my favorite coach and team in the NCAA Everybody knows that focus, desire, dedication, and (hold on to your pants, Chicago), .. Mr. Bobby Knight and ICinncinati motivation come from within! Why not ask the boys to the heaven- sent Hoosiers. Although my brain sees IU go home a THAT rather than mess around with goofy going out in the second round, my heart will push for superstitions. Just a bit of advice from a die-hard their success. If anyone feels the need to E-mail me in '-______...:.... __.:.... ____-' Blackhawk supporter. .. slump or no slump. regards to these picks (or, of course, my IU pride), you but to kiss championship hopes goodbye when they face ••••••••••••• can reach me at [email protected]. UConn in the regionals. I simply cannot end -this column without mentioning WOMEN'S NCAA TOURNAMENT And that's that. On March 30th, another women's something about our re-building Bears. Don't all groan Sara's Final Four: NCAA Championship will be behind us, and the winner at once, but the Bears re-signed Erik Kramer as a Connecticut (# I in the Midwest) of the men 's tournament will be within hours of being back-up quarterback for ex-Seahawk. Rick Mirer. I don't North Carolina (ranked # I for the East) decided. March truly is a month of madness ... and I love . like Kramer. I don't like Mirer. I don't see the play-offs Stanford (#1 in the West) it! As a matter of fact, I think I'm addicted to March. with Louisiana Tech (ranked 2nd in the Mideast) Please, if there are any other March-addicts out there, either of them (feel free to dispute this thought). But Yes, you did NOT see the Mideast's number one seed, please E-mail me ... a March Madness-fix just isn't worth even worse than the QB situation, is finding a replace Old Dominion, in my Final Four. I picked Louisiana anything without various opinions. Next week we' ll take ment for comer back Donnell Woolford. McKaslcey Tech to upset Old D. in the Regionals even though a closer look at the Sweet 16, and see (after one or two wants to save a few pennies and sign Steelers free agent, everyone else in the world expects Old Dominion to rounds of play) if I'm still right on track with Vegas. Rod Woodson, over Cris Dishman and Tom Carter even advance...... thoud (31) and slow. Didn't anyone ever tell that The champions, in my opini on, will be the onl y Bulls, Bulls. what a wonderful team. TIle more they McKaskey fellow that you get what you pay for? Oh unbeaten Division I team for both the men and the lose, the more they gleam. The more they gleam. the bet well, I still can't wait for the NA.. season to get under women, UConn. Some other points: I see DePaul bow ter they play, so who cares if they let the Knicks get way. Hopefully I'll be able to erase from my memory all ing out in the first round to number five Duke. I chose away?! OK, OK, the Bulls picked-up another "L" for the of the green and gold trauma that was suffered from the number 4 Illinois 10 topple Duke in the second round, record book, and it WAS a loss to New York, but so last footbjlil season. - " .. ~ Kenneth wlflidool Stacy. Matthews 'I'rable Wallace MaritI Melchor Luis Segura Jaime Avalos Radio FashIon design Advertising Radio Radio Graphic Deslan Junior Sophomore SenIor Freshman Freshman Sophomore No, because it is I' m nol rca"y The leprechaun I'm not renlly Sure It is, I'm I do think it is Ihe only culture I familiar wi lh Iri . h .ymbol dilies back fnmilllr wilh Irish Mexiclln, I'm short rncially discrimina know of that USC!; cullure so I wouldn 'l 10 Ireland nnd ellrly cullure, nnd when I wclIr tive becau e I'm the leprechaun •.• a knuw WhUr' H n part Iri sh folklore. Some green I'm not mis short Latino, and . yrnhol of Ihal Iype. or their cullure. I people mi ghl con luken for being Irish. I'm nOllrish. wouldn't aS RUlnc sider Ihe symhol lu It's u bnd stcrcOlype, nnylhing unleNS I he radnl hUI I don'l. know Ihe fll c l ~.