MIrs The Weaffer Oldest and Largest Today: Rain, mild 43°F (6°C) Tonight: Continued rain 37°F (3°C) Newspaper Tomorrow: Cloudy, warm 52'F (I C) 0. Details, Page 2
Volume 112, Number 6 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 Tuesday, February 18, 1992
I - I II --· ---- I I _ __ Democratic Candidates Jo0 in Opposing Bush's Policies
By Sean Findlay is preferable to fossil fuels because The speech was given by Secretary of the dangers of global warming. of State James A. Baker III to In the final debate before today's Governor Bill Clinton of nuclear scientists of the former first presidential primary, Arkansas repeated throughout the Soviet Union. Kerry said he would Democratic candidates joined in debate that he has provided specific give this same speech to American opposing President Bush's policies, solutions for a new and different scientists. but failed to highlight policy differ- economic course. He labeled this a Kerry's economic plans were ences among themselves. big election year and stressed his less succinct. When questioned on The only major differences aired ability to lead and to energize, say- his proposed middle class tax cut, during the 90-minute debate arose ing,"l believe that what the people he admitted it would not provide A from the candidates' positions on a need in a president is someone who "massive stimulus" to the economy, middle class tax cut and reductions has the vision to tell people where but said the estimated $30 a week in the tax on capital gains. Former we are and where we ought to go." extra would make a difference to a Massachusetts Sen. Paul Tsongas At one point,, he sought with little family earning only $15,000 a year, distinguished himself through his success to redirect the debate by and thus would restore economic support of nuclear power plants, in asking "What do we think of the equity. contrast to the other candidates' two or three really big, defining Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin began the varying degrees of opposition. issues of this election?" Clinton debate on the wrong foot and Tsongas, identified in recent exhibited leadership in managing to appeared off balance for most of the polls as the front runner, said he get all the candidates to agree that evening. The first question posed to .'enjoyed being attacked rather than Bush should bring the United States Harkin asked how he would explain patted on the head," as he was in up to European standards for carbon his proposed 50 percent reduction in previous debates when he was much dioxide emissions and energy effi- defense spending to defense plant less popular. He added that his con- ciency. workers who would lose their jobs. gressional record on conservation, Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerry strik- He responded, "I would be delight- renewables, and the environment ingly remarked on the role of U.S. ed to answer, but first I would like could not be challenged. Tsongas science. Kerry told of a Bush to thank the people of New said his first priorities are to maxi- administration speech which said, Hampshire, who have been so kind mize conservation, increase the use "We want to help you find new pro- and gracious to me over the last few of renewables, and use more natural jects that will allow you to ... earn a months."' Harkin continued in this gas. He feels that of currently avail- decent living applying your skills in . able energy sources, nuclear power the cause of science and peace." Primary, Page 15
students Cannpaign for Credit
By Sarah Keightley look" at campaigning by having One class member, Seema ASSOCMA TE NEWS EDITOR them work "in the trenches," Jayachandran 793, is working for In this year of debates, scandals, according to course instructor Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton's cam- and primaries, students may find it Charles Stewart III, associate pro- paign. She has worked in Clinton's hard to understand what really goes of Political Boston office, calling voters in New Team Baptala Mike, Deffy '§92,#41),.|sp- upCoXst fl balI fessor in the Department through the baset at Thumdayts hA giae sond, ft-t on during the presidential election Science. Hampshire. She has also handed out UnlvlrqKy, The effort was not *nought. b save, Mit, fronm a process. Presidential Elections To fulfill one of the course's videotapes door-to-door there, and (17.269) helps solve this problem. must volun- participated in rallies in both Boston 94 los.' . , requirements, students The class gives students an "inside teer for a presidential candidate's and New Hampshire. L campaign. Students may work for "At least in New Hampshire, the candidate of their choice, there's a lot of grass roots cam- on Education Stewart said. From the first week of paigning going on," Jayachandran Candidates Speak Out classes until March l0, the date of said. The level of this grass-roots the Massachusetts primary, students efforts surprised Jayachandran Pell Grants, Political Correctness, and Affirmative Action Discussed spend 10 hours a week working for because her previous knowledge of their candidate's primary campaign. campaigning had come only through By Chris Schechter according to his spokesman in New Chronicle of Higher Education, Students work in Boston and New debates, newspapers, and television STAFF REPORTER Hampshire. The president had made Clinton proposes a "General Issue Hampshire, Stewart added. advertisements. Candidates in today's presiden- a $6.6 billion budget request for Bill" that would allow every This field work sets the class She participated in an event in tial primary have expressed a wide 1993 for such grants, a 2.2 percent American student to borrow funds apart, he said. Students go through Nashua, N.H., where supporters of range of views on several issues increase from this year. Bush also from the government and repay the "Iunique experiences" and are different presidential candidates related to higher education, includ- favors using grades to determine eli- loans after graduation. Clinton's encouraged "to get involved in the stood, holding placards, on the four ing the financing and distribution of gibility for these grants. He propos- office in Boston said that if Clinton campaign as well as see the academ- corners of the city's main streets. Pell grants, the spread of political es that every school should be free is elected, he would introduce legis- ic side" of the election process. Jayachandran found waving the correctness on college campuses, to submit minimum academic stan- lation giving universal access to col- About 20 students are currently placards at passing cars the "most and preferential consideration of dards for the approval of the secre- lege for anyone who desires it. enrolled in the class, and Stewart preposterous thing. People would minority students. tary of education. Tsongas suggests a comparable said they enjoy it. "MIT, as you roll down their windows and honk Several candidates differ on the Both Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton program under which the govern- know, is a tension-packed place. -it was really fun." financing and distribution of Pell and former Massachusetts Sen. Paul ment would enable students to take The course gives students with a Jayachandran said there are a grants. President Bush wants to E. Tsongas both would like to com- out loans to cover the cost of their political interest a chance for direct ensure adequate funding without pletely eliminate the present grant political participation, and students Class, Page 17 making the program an entitlement, structure. According to The Education, Page 17 appreciate that." Area Students Run a Bisiness with HelpIoi MnT INSIDE By Anna Fortunato Gabrielson '93, an MIT student coordinator who non-native English speaking students, Gabrielson a STAFFPHOTOGIUPHER works for Multico through an internship in the explained. Fifteen MIT students are teaching Cambridge political science department. The grant donators, who chose to remain * Wayne's World stands area students the valuable skills necessary to run The students have full control over the day-to- anonymous, put very few restrictions on the a business. The Cambridge students, all of whom day operation of the business. Directives from the grant, except that any program it funds should up to SNLoriginal with are non-native speakers of English, run Multico, student-held positions of sales manager, invento- involve many different age groups and cultural clever wit. or Multicultural Company. Multico's sales of ry manager, and personnel manager determine backgrounds, and include both a business focus pens and T-shirts give these students both a which products are sold, where and when they and MIT students. source of income and experience in the business are sold, and what sales techniques should be Page 7 world. used, Gabrielson said. The MIT students stand by Cultural diversity emphasized Multico is made up of six high school, nine only to advise - the ultimate decisions remain The company targets the large and varied cul- * Oulsde tkDog middle school, and 14 elementary school stu- with the company personnel. tural groups in Cambridge. They sell T-shirts dents, along with a group of adult coordinators. Multico arose from a grant set up last year by with maps of various countries printed on the Museum reaches too far In addition, local teachers and businessmen run Alan Dyson of the Cambridge Partnership at back and pens and pencils with messages in the grant-based program, while the MIT students MIT, a group designed to create programs run by forTruth. Page9 act as paid advisors, according to Curtis A. MIT and the local Cambridge community for Multico, Page 13 Page 2 THE TECH February 18, 1992 WORLD & NATION
I Gold Rush Brings Mercury Israel Assassinates ~Moussawi; Poisoning to Amazon W'ASHIJNGTON' POST SANTAREM, BRAZIL Violence Exrpected ;icreaseto Manuel Pereira de Almeida was spry and clear-headed when he retired eight years ago. Today he needs help to walk, cannot always By Daniel Williams Israeli helicopter gunships rocketed had entered into last year's pro- recognize his wife and lives with a never-ending ache in his bones. and Nick B. Williams Jr. their convoy. Eight other Muslims longed hostage bargaining in hopes His doctor says Periera was poisoned by mercury. LOS ANGELES TIMES were killed and 29 wounded in two of gaining his release. Israel let it be Since 1979, the Amazon River basin has been the site of the JERUSALEM waves of raids in southern Lebanon known that it would free more than fastest, wildest gold rush in Brazil's history, on a scale with the Israel's weekend assassination of on Sunday. 200 Shiite Lebanese prisoners it California boom of the last century. In the 1980s, at least 990 tons of the leader of a militant Shiite The funeral procession, orga- holds, plus abducted Hezbollah cler- gold were filtered from riverbeds and scraped from hillsides by wild- Muslim group has starkly highlight- nized by Moussawi's pro-Iranian ic Abdel Kariim Obeid, in exchange cat gold panners called "garimpeiros." Today, Brazil is among the top ed the progression of violence in Hezbollah, passed by tenements for Arad. four gold producers in the world. South Lebanon. draped with black flags of mourning Expectations of Arad's release The Amazon's 650,000 garimpeiros use toxic mercury to concen- Since last spring, Hezbollah, the for the man Israeli officials had were dashed when Lebanese kid- trate gold dust into nuggets. Brazilian biologist Sandra Hacon esti- Iran-backed militant Muslim militia declared a terrorist. nappers freed all American hostages mates that for every pound of gold mined, at least one pound of mer- in south Lebanon, has steadily In Iran, which sponsors after elaborate dealings last year - cury has been released into the Amazon environment in the past stepped up its attacks on the Israeli- Hezbollah, Ayatollah Ali dealings in which Moussawi played decade, a total of nearly 1,000 tons. occupied buffer zone in south Khamanei, the Shiite spiritual a key role. Although Israel recov- Mercury poisoning can damage the nervous system and kidneys Lebanon. and cause birth defects. In its most virulent form, it is known as Israel has responded - not only Minamata disease, after a Japanese bayside town where dozens of with patrols by its own troops and IrOe learned that terror organizations like residents were killed or deformed in the '40s and '50s by mercury an allied Christian militia in the waste from a chemical plant. south, but also by ever more daring Hezbollah only understand one language - the forays north of the zone into Hezbollah-dominated territory. language of force." Sunday's killing of Hezbollah Israel Defense Minister Moshe Arens AFLCI1 Leaders to Meet on leader Abbas Moussawi in an attack by helicopter gunships was the lat- Endorsement (Bal Harbor) est in a series of events. leader, declared, "The United States ered the bodies of three missing ser- THE WASHINGTON POST More confrontations are likely, and the Zionists should know that vicemen, Arad was left out. BAL, HARBOR, FLA. creating the threat of an Israeli clash such crimes do not pave the way for Defense Minister Moshe Arens The AFL-CIO leadership will meet Wednesday to decide whether either with the Lebanese army, their dominance. Nations cannot be deflected concern that Moussawi's to abandon the federation's presidential endorsement process and which is trying to extend its control scared." assassination would end any hopes allow individual member unions to support whomever they like throughout the country, or with Despite the timing of the heli- of recovering Arad. On the contrary, among the Democratic candidates, AFL-CIO President Lane Syria, the military and political copter raid, which at first appeared he suggested, harsh attacks in Kirkland said Monday. steward of Lebanon. to have been meant to retaliate for Lebanon would ease the way for his Faced with the prospect of a victory in Tuesday's New Hampshire Israeli officials are openly threat- an armed Palestinian guerrilla attack release. "We've learned that terror rm primary by former Massachusetts senator Paul E. Tsongas, who has ening more raids. "The liquidation on an army base in Israel, senior organizations like Hezbollah only a little labor support, and no clear front-runner in the campaign, of Abbas Moussawi ... constitutes a Israeli officials affirmed that the understand one language - the lan- w Kirkland - here for the 35-mernmer Ruling Executive Council's first step demonstrating the determni- helicopter attack on Moussawi was guage of force." midwinter meeting - was asked at a news conference whether labor nation of Israel to confront to the only marginally related. was reconsidering its endorsement policy. best of its ability the hostile actions Israel has been warning Israel attributed 60 bombings Two national unions have broken ranks with AFL-CIO leadership of Hezbollah," Uri Lubrani, Hezbollah for months that it would and hit-and-attacks on its soldiers in L. the rl and endorsed a candidate: the International Union of Police Defense Ministry's overseer for react sharply on two counts: First, South Lebanon to Moussawi's 10- Associations backed Sen. Bob Kerrey, D-Neb., on Feb. 2 and the south Lebanon, said Monday. that the noticeable increase in guer- month reign as a top Hezbollah International Union of Electrical Workers endorsed Sen. Tom Harkin, In Beirut, seething anger filled rilla attacks in south Lebanon would leader. In the past year, 10 Israeli D-lowa, Sunday. the streets, as Shiite Muslims vowed bring ever harsher retaliation; sec- soldiers have been killed in the Most of the politically active unions appear to favor Harkin, retribution for the Israeli air raid. ond, that the failure of Iran to turn buffer zone and 15 more wounded. although the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Tens of thousands of Shiite men Over a missing Israeli serviceman Ominously, Israeli officials were Employees and the American Federation of Teachers have been marched for three hours in the teem- who is believed to be in the hands of speaking of the Moussawi assassi- working at the local level for Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton. ing southern suburbs of the an Iranian-allied militia would result nation as only a first blow in an
Lebanese capital, carrying the in military action. impending war on the organization. F coffins of Moussawi, his wife, and The missing soldier, Ron Arad, "This won't stop here," predicted II Bones Found Reported to Be Haile their 5-year-old son. They were is an air force navigator shot down government spokesman Yossi killed Sunday afternoon when over Lebanon a decade ago. Israel Olmert. U- Selassie's Remains (Addis Ababa) THE WAS11ING TON POST
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA Ethiopian gravediggers Monday exhumed a small skull and IAEA Launches ThrebYear Dnve assorted bones that authorities say are the remains of former emperor Haile Selassie, who was deposed in September 1974 and died a year later amid strong implications that he had been murdered. to Prevent Nuclear Proliferation The gravediggers located Selassie's remains Sunday after three days of digging under former President Mengistu Haile Mariam's office at the Grand Palace, which was also the late emperor's resi- By R. Jeffrey Smith A special nonproliferation treaty is inevitably corrupt the agency's dence. rHE WASHINGTON POST probably needed to dispel deep dis- effectiveness. On Sunday in an Addis Ababa prison yard, workers exhumed the WASHINGTON trust about nuclear ambitions in the Blix said the dual role gives it bodies of 61 senior officials from the emperor's government who The director of the UJ.N. agency Middle East, he added. the leverage to promise peaceful were summarily executed in November 1974, two months after Haile that polices nuclear proliiferation has Blix, who has directed the IAEA nuclear assistance in exchange for Selassie was driven from power. launched a three-year dr*ive for uni- since 1982, recently presented his inspection agreements. During a A group of monarchists and family members allege that Haile versal adherence to treatiies blocking idea in writing to representatives of recent visit to Libya, for example, Selassie was murdered by Mengistu and six army officers, a charge additional countries frorm obtaining the five permanent members of the Blix argued that officials "should that has been repeated by several prominent Ethiopian exiles. nuclear weapons. U.N. Security Council - Britain, invite us" to help dispel foreign sus- Mengistu has always maintained the emperor died of natural causes Swedish diplomat IHans Blix, China, France, Russia, and the picions about any nuclear weapons after recovering from surgery. director of the VierHnna-based United States. He said that in con- work, which would lead to collabo- International Atom icc Energy sultations last week, many nations ration with others. Libya responded Agency, said in New York last indicated it was a feasible and with a press release welcoming for- week that recent movess by North worthwhile goal. eign inspections of nuclear facilities Korea, Argentina, Bra~izil, South Blix said he was particularly anywhere in the country, he said. Africa, and Iran to acce, -pt interna- encouraged by the Security Blix, who also recently visited tional scrutiny of their niiuclear pro- Council's declaration WEATHER last month Syria, said he was told there that the Yeh-Kai Tung grams indicate that "tthe general that proliferation is a threat to global STAFF' ,UMEEOROLOGIST country is willing to allow IAEA trend is a positive one." peace and security; that it is impor- inspections of nuclear research Blix said in an interviiiew that the tant for states to accept IAEA faciiiies in the immediate future and recent discovery of Iraq',Is advanced inspections; and that any significant to participate in a long-range plan nuclear weapons progra~im"should violations of nonproliferation to rid the region of Spring Preview not lead us to think we aiire going in pledges will trigger appropriate nuclear arms. Other the wrong direction," e)ven though U.N. action. officials note that such a plan would A large batch of warm, moist air will be moving over our area the program was hiddenffrom IAEA Having won new visibility from have to settle what to do about during the middle part of this week, bringing rain and spring-like inspectors authorized to visit Iraqi special inspections inside Iraq since Israel's existing nuclear stockpile. temperatures. The rain will last through Thursday, when it will be nuclear facilities twice ea4ich year. the close of the Persian Gulf War, He also hailed the willingness of slightly cooler but still cloudy. Temperatures will remain above nor- With worldwide atten~ition newly Blix said he foresees a heightened North and South Korea to negotiate mal into the weekend. focused on the need to hhalt nuclear role for his agency and its inspec- a special arrangement calling for Tuesday. Rain. Mild. Southeast wind 15-20 mph (24-32 kph). proliferation and a beefed-upt tors, but critics, including some U.S. mutual inspections of nuclear facili- High 43°F (6°C). inspection plan to help briring to light officials, say they wonder if the ties. Within a year or so, Blix added, Tuesday night. Rain continuing, but tapering off as winds turn any covert weapons efl'forts, Blix agency has the fortitude to find and all nations in Latin America are westerly and die down to 5^10 mph (8-16 kph) towards morning. said he believes it is reali,istic to seek confront covert weapons makers. likely to ratify the 25-year old Low 37°F (3°Q "the universalization of n,ionprolifier- These doubts stem in part from Tlatelolco Treaty barring nuclear Wednesday. Cloudy with showers. Warm. High 52°F (I VC). ation by 1995." the agency's dual role as nonprolif- arms anywhere in Latin America Low 32°F (0°C). This could be accomliplished by eration enforcer and global promot- including Mexico, Central and Thursday. Cooler. Cloudy with chance of showers. High 44°F winning universal approoval of the er of civilian nuclear power, which South America, and the Caribbean, (7-C). 1969 Nonproliferatioiin Treaty, requires technology that is also including Cuba. The treaty allows already signed by 140 nations,r or highly useful to nuclear weapons any adhering nation to request spe- regional acc-ords such. as,s the, Latin work.. Skeptics wonder if the pairing cial inspections inside the territory
-- American Tlatelolco Trea, - - - - ' - i aty, he said. of these responsibilities -will ofanother, We hotdI . . .
I F-ebruaiy __18, 1992 I WCORLD & NATION __ THE TECH Page 3
B lr-meianPoiy oud u 0d .SJ a
IBy Sam Jameson That is the main cause of fr~ictions." Kuriyamna said that he did not save enough, are making insuffi- Japanese often concentrate on cari- LOS ANGELES VUMES Called out of semi-retirement, view recent moves to promote a cient investments in industry~, must catures and fail to see the whole pic- TOKYO Kuriyarna, who advocates that "Buy American" campaign in the reduce their federal budget deficit, ture. Tsakakazul Kuriyarna; 60, Japan's Japan shed its "small-country men- United States as "representative of and need to improve competitive- "It is a fact that Arnefican com- amnbassador-designate to tality" to develop what he calls "an the sentiment of the American peo- ness in some industries. he said. He petitiveness in international markets Washington, predicted Monday that unassuming diplomacy of a super- ple." But he added that, if the cam- has expressed that viewpoint - has relatively declined .... It is one U.S.-Japanese relations were in for power that doesn't look like a super-- paign spurs "widespread discrimina- one, he said, that is shared by "a of many issues that Americans have a "crucial period of mutual adjust- power," will leave in mid-March to tory practices" against Japanese wide range of people in the United to address .... But it's a big mistake mnent" and warned that "our whole assume his post in Washington. goods, "it is obvious that our whole States" - before in speeches and ... to lose sight of the fact that there relationship is going to be in serious Building a true U.S.-Japanese relationship is going to be in serious articles. are many areas" in which trouble" if a "buy American" cam- 14global partnership" joined by trouble." But unlike his compatriots - Americans are "much more compet- paignm against Japanese products Like some of his countrymen, including Prime Minister Kiichi itive than Japanese." becomes widespread. Kufiyama found fault with the way Miyazawa - who have denigrated America must solve its prob- In an interview with selected the U.S. economy operates. such things as the American work lem~s, he said, to soothe U.S.- correspondents here, Kuriyama also Americans over-consume, do not ethic, Kuariyama complained that Japanese frictions. declared that "mnutual criticism and recriminations' that have soured the s I rr Is QP s u Is I Il two nations' relations recently "are r- based on outdated and insufficient information about each other," I I) Worksho P~~~~~~~~~ including "half-truths." I I The highly respected envoy, who I I I IN last July completed a 37-year career I at the pinnacle of the Japanese pro- I Io fessiosnal diplomatic corps - in the it k. IOF I post of vice minister of foreign I I affairs - said that both government CA,P p w and public awareness of rapid I MIT Students ,I change and growing interdepen- I dence in the United States and Japan I 11 must catch up with reality. I "Otherwise, we are heading for I iI more troublie," he said. I With the pgurchase of two DHinner entrees, I Until the 1980s, he said, Tokyo- I receive the lesser pri~ced entree with our I Washingtqn ties represented a '"one- I I I~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~i sided relationship in which Japan I complim~rents. I was dependent upon the United I I States in all aspects - political, I Conveniently located on the corner of the Longfellow Bridge witht I security, economic and others." I Scenic Viws of the Charles ]River and Boston Skryline. I But with Japan's rapid economic I Thursday, February 206 I rise and the emergence of a "multi- I Coupon valid Sulnday -'Ibursday after 5 p.sm. Not valid for take- polar world in which the United I 12:10 - 1:00 pm, W20-400 I out, Daily L~obster Speciapls and Big Deal DinnerIs. States could no longer play the kind I of dominant role it used to play," I I Vali at One Memorial Drive Cambridge only. I Led by Linda Antinoro, Nutritionist Japan and America now find them- Call 225-22222 for eservatios and,directioes. selves "in need of each other," he I- I said. "Both political leaders and the I I public in general in both countries I Coupon expire 2 27/9 I Call 253-1316 for details. have found it difficult to adjust I I themselves to the change that has I taken place in the relationship itself. II I Sponsored by the MIlT M~edical Department's Health Education ServiceI k II ·I)B ·I) I) II I PP ·I I II P I 11 111111 111 a a ul - I------I I~- -- ~--- -- Is LITERARY STYLE FROMI THIE MIT PRESS i IERTEEBO~i I I I I I I I (CTOBER I SCHOLARLY I I PUBLISHING6 IN: I Computer I I 6 Science I I Artif icial I Intelligence I Robotics I I Neuroscience I I Cognitive I Science I I Economics I Linguistics I I THE BA~SIC BLACK** OCTOBER* STRUCTURE AND THE AGE OF INTIELLIGENT MACHINES* I I The original MITb Press Tee. A 100% medium The First Decade, 1976-1986 INTERPRETATION OF Raymond Kurzweil I weight cotton shirt with our famous logo silk- edited by Annette Michelson, Rosalind Lavishly illustrated and easily accessible, The I COMlPUTIER PROGRAMS" I screened in white. Krauss, Douglas Crimp, and Joan Copiec by HaroldAbelson and GeraldJay Sussman, Age of Intelligent Machines provides the I Aduit.- S, M, L, XL, and children's sizes too: "Among the most advanced journals in the with Julie Sussman background needed for a full understanding I I S 6-8, M 10- 12, L 14-16. All ata basic fields of art theory, criticism, history, and This is the MIT introduction to the subject. of the enormous scientific potential I (bargain)price $6.95. practice ....intimately familiar with the cultural "The book is never dull and it reinforces my represented by intelligent machines and of I THIE BASIC SWEAT and political avant garde and able to attract belief that one of the main attractions of their equally profound philosophic, I I The MIIT Press logo on a warm, comfortable its best thinkers."-Choice $16-95 pb $30 HC computing is that it is fun." - The Times economic, and social implications Running I p I sweatshirt. Black logo on grey shirt or White OCTOBER: THE JOURNALL Higher Education Sup.plement alongside Kurzwueil's historical and scientific I logo on black shirt. 50/50 cotton/poly blend. The best quarterly for "art Itheory I criticism Trade edition published by The MIT Press. narrative, are 23 articles examining I M, L, XL $15-95 XXI $19-95 I politics" Current and back issues $8.00 $~49.95 HC contemporary issues in artificial intelligence I I THE BASIC TOTE OCTOBER BOOK SERIES SOFTWAREI by such luminaries as Daniel Dennett, Sherry, I Turkle, Douglas Hofstadter, Marvin Minsky, I The MIT Press tote bag heavy black canvas AIDS: Cultural Analysis/Cultural Activismt IBM or Macintosh versions with manual. I bag with extra long handles for dragging all edited by Douglas Crimp $13.95 pb S2.5. 00 p b I those books. that picnic to the beach, or ... and recently published, call for full info: INSTRUCTOR'S MANUnaAL I I Another basic bargainat $6. 95. The Destruction of Tilted Arc: Documents Miore problems. excercises. and discussions. i I THE BASIC WRITING TOOLS Against Architecture: The Writings of (You don 't have to be an inistructor to buy it!) I Fill your bag or pocket with MIT Press logo Georges Bataille S 19.95pb I I writing implements. Unlball Microl"' rolling Techniques of the Observer T-SHIRT I I ball pens (black ink) $1.50 or mechanical The Woman in Question: m/f Cover (without type) image screened in red I I pencils 950. and white on a purple 50/50 cotton/poly tee. I S, M,L. and R S$9.95. I !SILENCE=DEATH# T-SHIRT AIDS activist graphic similar to image on I Crimp book. Black 100% cotton. All proceeds I I go to AIDS activism work of ACT-UP/Boston. i M, L, XL $12. Button: $ 1.00. I I I Published by The MIT-Press. A variableat fine bookstores
Kendall Square - 292 Main Street, Cambridge - MIT Building E-38 - 253-52·49 - Mon-Fri:9-7, Sat: 10-6, Sun: 1-6 - VISA/MC -phone & mail orders (+$2.50/item priority mail).
~4Pll i4- 41 " 4. 5 1 Page 4 THE TECH February 18, 1992 OPINION
I M ---- I----- I ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~a
r.
V's %_g kr7SZrLe~ i
I
Chairman aF Josh Hartmann '93 2
Editor in Chief Brian Rosenberg '93
Business Manager Jadene Burgess '93
Managing Editor / ML 1\ Jeremy Hylton '94
Executive Editor Karen Kaplan '93
NEWS STAFF Editors: Reuven M. Lemer '92, Katherine Shim '93, Joey Marquez '94; Associate Editors: Sarah Keightley '95, Sabrina Kwon '95, Eva Moy '95; Staff: Lakshmana Rao G. Sabrina Bimer SM '89, Judy Kim L I '94, Sharon Price '94, Chris Schechter '94, Kai-Teh Tao '94, George Ipe '95, Jayant Kumar '95, Trudy Liu '95, Ben Reis '95, Eric Richard '95; Meteorologists: Robert X. LETERS TO THE EDITOR Black G. Robert J. Conzemius G. Micharl C. Morgan G. Yeh-Kai Tung '93, Marek Zebrowski. behavior in posting anti-Semitic jokes was to feel even worse for my friend, who was the Honor Code Imperfect "prove a point," rather than being an PRODUCTION STAFF original recipient, and all her fellow alumnae As an undergraduate at the University of expression of a warped sense of humor, is in the Delaware Valley. It is obvious not only Night Editors: Daniel A. Sidney G, David baseless. from the invitation, but more A. Maltz '93; Associate Night Editors: Virginia I lived under an honor code system. importantly Matthew Konosky '95, Garlen C. Leung The code forbade anyone to commit or toler- In its implied linkage of those who advo- from the nature of the event itself, that the '95; Staff: Chris Council '94; TEN ate cheating, lying, and stealing. There was cate freedom of speech with those who seek to participation of these alumnae was not consid- Director: Reuven M. Lemer'92. only one punishment: expulsion. The judging offend, Vest's position parallels Senator ered very important by the organizers. committee was composed of students, and the Joseph McCarthy's association of civil liber- Considering that MIT is now about 40 per- OPINION STAFF committee considered the severity of crimes. ties advocates with the communist movement cent women, and that M IT claims (and per- Editors: Bill Jackson '93, Matthew H. We had to sign every exam and piece of in the 1950s. In the context of campus-wide haps succeeds, at least to some degree) to fos- Hersch '94; Staff: Mark A. Smith '92, homework, saying that it was our own work. discussions of; -;adermic honesty, such mis- ter an atmosphere of gender equality on its Christopher M. Montgomery '93, Jae H. The code worked because we were all leading statements send a dangerous message campus, it is very disappointing to find that INam '93, Jason Merkoski '94. scared to death. During the 16 months I was that expedience is more important than the there are still some MIT groups which make truth, a message reinforced by the MIT SPORMSSTAFF _ there, only one person was expelled. no such effort. However, the system was not perfect. There administration's disregard for the spirit of free For all the men out there who are thinking, Editor: Dave Watt; Stafff: Mike Purucker inquiry from which the truth emerges. "Oh, big deal. What's all the fuss about? It's '93, Nick Levitt '94. were occasional thefts of clothing and other violations. In addition, the code did not find Lars Bader G only a show!" I would like you to consider ARM STAFF anything dishonorable about vandalism, this: How would you feel if you received an Editors: Joanna E. Stone '92, Chris assault, rape, and fornication, all of which are invitation from your alumni club which was Roberge '93; Staff: Mark Webster G. illegal in Virginia. MIT Club Invitation filled with pictures of scantily clad men, and Manavendra K. Thakur '87, Michelle P. In some European universities, a totally which invited you to their meeting, to be held Perry '91, Sande Chen '92, David Hogg '92, different approach is taken. It is virtually Harasses at, let's say, Chippendale's. Would this make Rick Roos '92, Roy Cantu '93, Brian Rose impossible to cheat on mid-term exams, you feel very welcome? Just think about it. I recently moved back to MIT, having '93, Nic Kelman '94, David Zapol '94, quizzes, and homework because these univer- Samuel R. Peretz '89 Elaine McCormick, Chris Wanjek. spent a couple of years living in the region sities have no such things. The final grades referred to as the Delaware Valley. I was are based on heavily proctored final exams, PHOTOGRAPHYSTAFF never actually involved in the MIT Club of complete with picture ID checks and denial of Editor: Douglas D. Keller '93; Associate the Delaware Valley, but when a friend of bathroom use during the exam. Editorial Was Cynical Editor: Matt Warren '93, Michelle Greene mine who still lives in that area forwarded that '93; Staff: William Chu G. Morgan Conn G. Tugrulbey kiryaman G club's most recent meeting invitation, I was, In both your editorial and the accompany- Dan McCarthy G. Andy Silber G. David- to say the least, rather shocked. ing dissent about the proposed honor code Henry Oliver '91, Jonathan Kossuth '92, Picture this: In the top left comter, the MIT ["Addressing Cheating Requires More than Lerothodi-Lapula leeuw '92, Sean seal above large letters reading "MIT Club of Vest Restricted Speech Just an Honor Code" and "Ho~nor Code Will Dougherty '93, Sang H. Park '93, Hugh B. Delaware Valley." In the top right comner, a Solve None of the Institute's Problems," Feb. Morganbesser '94, Michael Oh '95; sketch of a woman on one knee wearing ruf- Darkroom at U. of Michigan 41, the authors make the cynical claim that an Manager: Douglas D. Keller fled lingerie, garters, and feathers, and under- '93. honor code would be superfluous because it neath, the words "Lily Langtry's." The letter would not make cheating any less "prof- President Charles Vest's assertion that he itself informs the reader that the "MIT Club of FEA TURES STAFF itable." Students would adapt to the post- defends "freedom of speech and academic the Delaware Valley is holding its February Christopher Doerr honor code world and quickly find newr ways G. Jon Orwant G. Pawan meeting at Lily Langtry's Restaurant and f Sinha G. Mark Hurst '94. freedom" is less than truthful ["Free Speech of cheating to supplant the old ones. The dis- Theatre." Note that this gathering is adver- Does Not Protect Ethnic 'Jokes' ", Feb. 14]. sent even objects to the fact that an honor BUSINESSSTAFF tised as a meeting, not a social event. The let- While Vest was provost of the University of code might impinge on a student's loyalty ter goes on to boast of the "spectacular enter- Advertising Manager: Haider A. Hamoudi Michigan, a speech code was adopted there oath to his fraternity brothers (this strikes me '93; Associate Advertising Manager: tainment," including "beautiful showgirls, which restricted freedom of speech so as a better argument against fraternities than Karen Schmitt '95; Circulation Manager: dancers," that can be found at that establish- against honor codes). Finally, the authors Pradeep Sreekanthan '95; Staff: Oscar Yeh severely that the administration later had to rnent. Enclosed with the letter is a tacky, glit- insist that changes to the "academic environ- '95. make exceptions for classroom discussion. tery postcard from Lily Langtry's featuring a ment" alone, such as clearer boundaries Even after the speech code was loosened, a picture of a "showgirl" -a woman wearing CONTRIBUTING EDITORS between collaboration and cheating, would federal judge struck it down, finding that it frills and feathers and a skimpy sequined biki- Vipul Bhushan G. Michael J. Franklin '88, better serve the community and eliminate dis- unconstitutionally restricted free speech. ni. Marie E.V. Coppola '90, Deborah A. While I was personally offended by this, I honesty. Levinson '91, Shanwei Chen '92, Lois E. Vest's claim that a student's offensive It would be helpful if instructors had clear Eaton '92, Mark E. Haseltine '92, Benjamin -I , .sl,- I_ I-III , - -- I r policies on collaboration, but these policies A. Tao '93. can never be all-encompassing, and students will always confront questions that fall AD[VISORYBOARD LEVERS POLICY between the cracks. A good deal of cheating, V. Michael Bove '83, Jon von Zelowitz '83, moreover, does not fall in any gray policy Bill Coderre'85, Robert E. Malchman '85, Editorials, printed in a distinctive format, are the official opinion of The Tech. They area -it falls squarely in the black: cheat Jonathan Richmond PhD '91. are written by the editorial board, which consists of the chairman, editor in chief, manag- sheets, whispered answers during tests, pla- PRODUCTIONSTAFF FOR THIS ISSUE ing editor, executive editor, news editors and opinion editors. giarism, etc. Some would blame this kind of Dissents, marked as such and printed in a distinctive Night Editors: Daniel A. Sidney G. Reuven format, are the opinions of the dishonesty on the travails of "the system." An signed members M. Lcrner '92, Jeremy Ilylton '94; of the editorial board choosing to publish their disagreement with the honor code would put the blame squarely on editorial. Associate Night Editors: Garlen C. Leung the student, where it belongs. '95; Staff: Vipul Bhushan G. Deborah A. Columns and editorial cartoons are written by individuals and represent the opinion No one has ever claimed that simply pub- Levinson '91, Matthew Konosky '95. of the author, not necessarily that of the newspaper. lishing an honor code in the course bulletin Letters to the editor are welcome. They must be typed, double-spaced and addressed would eliminate cheating overnight. The code T'fe If ah i ISSN 014R-9607) Is published on rucsdavs and to The Tech, PO Box 29, MIT Branch, Cambridge, Mass. 02139, or by interdepartmental Fridays during the academic year (except during MIT should form part of a larger program that %acations). Wednesdaavy during January. and monthly mail to Room W20-483. Electronic submissions in plain text format may be mailed to includes, as suggested, clearer collaboration During the summer for S20J 0( per year Third Class bv AcI Tech, Roomn W20-483, 84 Massachusetts Avenue, tech~qathena.mit.edu. All submissions are due by 4 p.m. two days before the issue date. policies, confidential student review panels, C'ambndge. lass 02139-0901 'Ihird Class postage paid at Letters and cartoons must bear the author's signatures, addresses, and phone numn- Aubern, hasc Non Profit Org Permit No. 59720 and agencies to prevent unreasonable work- PINS l he I lSER: Pleage send all address changes to our bers. Unsigned letters will not be accepted. No letter or cartoon will be printed anony- loads. In the end the cheating problem is one Maling addrcos 7'vc h'J(1,PO Box 29, Ml'l' Brancl. mously without the express prior ('aTnbnrldgc. Mass ()0139-0901) Iccphone (61 7)253- approval of The Tech. The Tech reserves the right to of principle, not of crime and punishmnent, and 141 i AX (617)258-82h .Adnvrtus/ng. shucriptron. and edit or condense letters. Shorter letters will be given higher priority. We regret we cannot riqwc.,mllnL rall(Rsavlahicte% Fintlrc contents (, 1992 'i'he the honor code should be a concise statement I cch. l rintt d ho(.ftJL \ l; Prm-ting publish all of the letters we receive. eh C( L· of that princi-ple.
L i - I Casimir Wierzynski G February 18, 1992 OPINION THE TECH Page 5 Grad Students Handicapped in Search for Funding
By Jonathan Richnond ate schools. At the University of California at they must pay non-resident tuition, though research students' "costs across the entire ADVISORYBOARD Berkeley, for example, RA stipends are tied to they receive next to nothing in return. Institute" to recognize the substantial contri- This column is the second of two dis- the market value of their services. All out-of- Many students who live locally take "non- bution to knowledge they make and to enable cussingfunding ofgraduatestudent tuition. state graduate students - whether assistants resident" status because it is all they can them to complete their studies at MIT? The Graduate student research assistant tuition or not - compete for centrally-funded out-of- afford. They cannot accept even the modest answer is quite simple: there's no money to be is paid out of an "employee benefits" pool, state tuition waivers. Both Harvard and funds departments may have available. A made. MIT's attitude to far too many unfund- traditionally used to pay for health insurance Princeton Universities provide need-based department might, for example, be able to pay ed research students is quite simple: "If you and the like. Over $12,000 in tuition costs is scholarship support for graduate students $3,000 in cash to a doctoral candidate to teach can't pay, you're on the street." not covered by sponsor "benefits" payments A major restructuring of graduate student for RAs. This money is taken from funds funding is urgently needed, based on honesty allotted for non-student employee benefits. By and fairness, not on expediency. Research these costs across the Institute, the direct cost A major restructuring of graduate student funding is urgently sponsors should receive a complete account- of RAs is reduced. needed, based on honesty and fairness, not on expediency. ing of where their payments go, with costs More disturbing, however, is that while charged directly as far as possible. research assistants have their tuition heavily If money is to be made available to ease subsidized in this way, those without assis- without assistantships. a seminar. But the student cannot take the the tuition burden, it should both be explicitly tantships - who are in far greater need of Graduate students who are ineligible or money without paying over $7,000 more identified and be made equally available to all tuition assistance than RAs - get no similar have exhausted federally guaranteed loans are tuition for the term, effectively charging the graduate students, not only those already for- subsidy. left with only restrictive MIT-funded loans. student $4,000 for the privilege of teaching! tunate enough to have research assistant Master's degree RAs in the School of Such loans may cover last-minute gaps near Ironically, this situation often forces appointments. Engineering receive $26,845 in salary and graduation. But during the opening phases of "poor" departments to hire lecturers from out- Most importantly, the barriers which the tuition for a nine-month academic year, while degree programs, graduate students must side MIT. Why should externally-funded RAs current system presents to those students try- doctoral candidate RAs get $27,880. RAs in prove to MIT's financial aid office that they draw over two-thirds of their tuition from ing to make it on their own must be disman- the School of Science receive similar pay- can cover most of their costs from other money paid for other employees' benefits, tled. It should be recognized that "non-resi- ments. These payments exceed the market sources, or they are refused MIT loans alto- while other students receive no credit at all to dent" students remaining in the Boston area value of the services they provide: MIT has gether and forced to give up their studies. enable them to take such assignments? cannot pay any more than they do now, and a said that if the subsidies supporting these pay- Foreign graduate students get no loans during The MIT administration's blindness to this new status created to enable them to receive ments were to vanish, postdocs would become their first year of study. problem is epitomized in the article written by relatively small amounts of Institute employ- cheaper to hire than MIT graduate students. Recognizing that unfunded graduate stu- President Charles M. Vest in the January issue ment or support which may become available, In the Schools of Architecture and dents required to pay full tuition could not of The M4IT Faculty Nevtulelfer. Vest argues without having to pay full tuition first. This Planning and Humanities and Social Sciences, complete doctorates, and discovering that that by spreading RA costs "across the entire would cost the Institute nothing, since these there is little research money. Stipends are many of them were breaking their registration Institute, this procedure has held down the students are not paying full tuition now. typically much lower than in engineering or to avoid such payments, MtIT instituted "non- cost of research assistants to grants." If, by Relatively more scholarship-based support science, covering only partial tuition or none resident" tuition for those with approved the- contrast, the full costs of research assistants should be made available to otherwise unsup- at all. Many students in these schools, along sis proposals. Students pay 15 percent of the were to be charged directly, "it is likely that ported graduate students, as is the case for with students in other schools who choose a full rate, but are barred from using most cam- faculty -in order to compete successfully for undergraduates. The argument that there is project for which there is no research support, pus facilities, taking employment or funding research grants -would have to employ inadequate funding to make progress should are l6ft without assistantships at all, and must through MIT, or from receiving degrees until post-doctoral scholars or research staff instead not be allowed to prevail against a possible fend for themselves. they register once more at full tuition for at of graduate students on research grants." reallocation of existing funds to achieve This turns out to be a virtually impossible least half a term. Vest ignores the analogous situation MIT greater equity. battle, and MIT's system of research funding This is hardly a sweet deal. Doctoral can- has thrust upon itself. Because unfunded In the long-term, the fairest system would stacks the cards against those who must do so. didates in the Department of Urban Studies research students enjoy no break of the type pay all assistants according to the market Worst of all, they receive no tuition subsidy, and Planning, for example, often find it finan- enjoyed by RAs, many fall by the wayside. value of their services, with separate funds such as that enjoyed by RAs. cially impossible to remainl full-time graduate Departments already employ outsiders rather available for tuition scholarships, awarded Graduate students, unlike their undergrad- students beyond general examination comple- than graduate students because MIT's policies competitively to any student - assistant or uate counterparts, have virtually no access to tion. They are forced away from MIT's make it too expensive for them to do other- not - on a basis of merit and need. Those centrally-allocated scholarship money. This .research community, the reason they decided wise. currently the worst off would then have a discrepancy sets MIT apart from peer gradu- to come here in the first place. While away, Why doesn't MIT spread unfunded chance at getting a fair piece of the pie. PE Registration Could Stand Some Improvement
Andrew Kaufman tremendous displays of athletic ineptitude. So entire athletic center beating my life into tion of IAP). GUESTCOLUMNIST on Reg Day I go over to the scuba diving line. scrambled eggs. Suddenly, I was breathing Here are some suggestions for improving After a desperately needed break from the Then I read that it costs $270 to take scuba - very rapidly as I walked very fast out of the PE selection: dull, moribund MIT scene known as where will a poor student get that kind of gym to gasp some fresh air. Instead of calling 1. Allow students to submit their PE Indifferent Activities Pefiod, I was ovejoyed money? the paramedics I sat down and decided to requests electronically. Students could be at the prospect of Registration Day. As if that I walk over to table tennis - too many write this tidbit so as to prevent further coro- selected by a weighted lottery system giving wasn't enough, I had to get up extra early nerds at that one. So next it was tennis, then nary lapses on Reg Day. priority to those who were previously rejected after the last night of mental health before the dance. The lines kept getting longer and Surgeon General's Warning: Physical from classes or those who are graduating term only to sign up for some ridiculous phys- longer. My pulse was racing faster and faster Education registration may cause serious seniors. This system will eliminate waiting ical education requirement. Okay, so you want as I was haunted by the eccentric appearance health risks including the following: heart fail- time in that stinking gymnasium and assure America to be healthy and so on, but if you of the people surrounding me in line, boxing ure, loss of feeling and chronic wedgie in the fairness to all. stay in shape and exercise on your own why me in, forcing me to breath stuffy air tainted gluteous maximus region, tooth decay, and 2. Have an additional space on the aca- should you have go through this anxiety caus- with the vile scent of the masses. When I gum disease (from chewing on pens and stab- demic reg form form that allows one to regis- ing process? finally joined the hockey line they said they bing gums with pen caps after seeing the per- ter for PE classes there as well. But I like PE classes. They offer a chance were only taking x people and I was number x son in front of you get last spot in aerobic 3. Enable students to visit individual PE to learn a new, fun activity, broaden your ath- + 7 in line. I froze. dance), and nasal nip (from smelling MIT stu- instructors and fill out cards at their own letic horizons, and see some pathetically I could hear everyone else's heart in the dents who have lived at Athena for full dura- leisure and then submit them for the lottery. -- -- I I -" -- '' I --- s~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
? Join us for a discussion on academic dishonesty. Is a student honor code the answer? Do professors have any idea how much work their classes really require? Do they communicate their standards of cheating adequately? Do they care what you think? Do you care what they think? What's wrong With collaborating on a problem set if you learn the material eventually anyway? Is your archnemesis on the COD? Guests: Paul Gray, Chairman, MIT Corporation "I believe that MIT should seriously consider establishing a student honor code and system. ... An honor code and Nelson Kiang, Chair, Committee on Discipline system...can build trust and community, [And] can couple Arthur Smith, Dean for Undergraduate Education and responsibilitywith the privilege and freedom accorded to MIT Student Affairs studen ts... " -- Charles M. Vest, President- Sheila Widnall, Associate Provost, and Chair, Committee on -- -I Academic Responsibility
A meeting of the Undergraduate Association Council. 6-120 Tomorrow-Wednesday, February 19 7 p.m. -- -- Page 6 THE TECH February 18, 1992 --cl ------~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- Ne Sazle ou 'veBan Waiting For: 20-255So OFFEntire Stack ofBraxn ElefsL!
What's cooking at The Coop? Delicious savings on famous Braun coffeemakers, juicers, food processors, hand Braun 10-Cup Gourmet Braun mixers and more. Plus welcome savings on Braun shavers, too. Aromaster Aromatic 0 Coffeemaker. Coffee New from Braun! Grinder. g With flavor seal It has a 2.5 oz. carafe and pivoting capacity, which is >>. lift-out filter. KF420. enough for 12 cups. X White or black. KSM-2. Reg. $22 < Reg. $40 NOW NOW ·r· ·- ·
$16.99 r $29.99 : 'i··· · : :·ij . ·$ .. .. W: ·· :- ·: