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VOLUME CIV, NUMBER 18 PASADENA, CALIFORNIA MARCH 3, 2003 From Chandler to JPL, CDS Boosts Food Fees By ADAM SEARS Caltech Dining Services (CDS) is despite the economics ofit, with recently raised prices across cam- hundreds ofundergraduates locked pus to counteract increases in over- into spending dining dollilIS arou~d head' and cost of supplies. The 5% campus, with CDS incomplete con- ; ~creas~ ~c:\s ,affect~d food ."'1u"f<. trol of the~ options. . ,item pO(~e~ at every venue ~'1\\, £. iJ;:\ Accordmg to NatalIa .:fwm Chandler to JPL, V~e"'.' Im~~Deligne '04, student chair with the only exception!:;: Se I 'es::>:. of the institute's Food being Coca Cola and ~~a ,rni !Committee, there are sev- Minute Maid fountain\~D j ~ ll.,_i:"jeral contributory factors. drinks, whose prices re- \..~C;. , /:,1~1 Food, for one thing, con- main flat. ~e 0,t'Y" stitutes only about a third The price hike has ofthe cost ofa dinner; the briefly brought the topic of board rest is overhead, staff and cooking plans and food back into the cam- costs. This, by the way, is why pus dialogue, giving Techers a houses are reimbursed only a por­ chance to complain about dorm tjon of the total cost for a missed food like most college students. meal. Students are concerned with the Moreover, student waiters, paid excessive cost ofon-campus living, for serving and for cleanup after­ the inability to escape a board con- wards, are provided for out of the tract, declining portions and formal CDS budget and are only partially

D, Karta/The California Tech dinners. subsidized by the university, which Lawrence Krauss, mastermind ofThe Physics ofStar Trek, gestures during a particularly emphatic point A. number of objections are un- Continued on Page 2 Column 3 in his Wednesday lecture, which shined the light ofscience on everything from worm holes to phasers. aVOIdable due the vast number of ' students CDS must simultaneously satisfy. Still, large groups ofunder­ Krauss Muses on Star Trek Physics graduates obviously have some sort BOD DOLES OUT of bone to pick with CDS. have a blue unifonn, but I digress. fortunate, however, that Krauss By O.J. CARLTON One significant gripe regards off­ Fortunately for his readers and for lacked Starfleet security training; if $10,000 SURPLUS I guess I'll start with a confession. the crowd at Beckman, Krauss has he had managed to actually pop the campus upperclassmen who selec- I only came to Caltech because it a keen ability to put physics in balloon as he was desperately at­ tively visit for dinner. More often ENTERTAINS MONEY SEEKERS was the next best thing to Starfleet down-to-earth tenns that even a tempting to, its proximity to his la­ than not, visits come on the bi- Academy. Ifthere's any earthbound Ferengi could understand. Borrow­ pel mike would've deafened the weekly steak night, when they can By MATTHEW WALKER institution capable ofdevel­ ing heavily from his best­ people in the first 12 rows or so. get the most benefit for their money. Intheir final meeting Wednesday oping warp drive, it's prob­ News selling book of the same He peppered his address with clips Freshmen quickly learn that costs night, the outgoing BoD settled a run high for off-campus students ably this one. So it's no sur­ Analysis name, Krauss entertained from the series that illustrated his number ofissues, mostly involving prise to me that the turnout and enlightened the crowd points. who choose to eat in the houses and spending a $10,000 surplus before last Wednesday to see on such far-reaching topics The really great thing about that they in fact are paying a fairly their tenn's end and the account's Lawrence Krauss's talk The Phys­ as wormholes, transporters, and xe­ Krauss's take on Trek is that he high price as well. An average din­ Friday closure, BoD members also ics ofStar Trek was nearly double nobiology. shares the kind of enlightened op­ ner costs over $7 for freshmen, who tied up loose ends on several other that for the previous Voices of Vi­ There were some interesting sur­ timism that makes the show so ap­ are on the Richter "Traditional" financial issues, beseeching funds­ sion event. prises in the talk, to be sure. Dr. pealing. While he is honest and rig­ Meal plan, and around $10 for off­ seekers to turn in receipts by Fri­ Boasting a list of academic cre­ Krauss was kind enough to bring orous in examining the science be­ campus upperclassmen. day and accenting the urgency of dentials that would rival those of both a warp drive and a wonn hole hind the technology of the 24th cen­ The difference stems from the fact completing the issues. most Vulcans, Krauss has made his with him, which he had hidden be­ tury, the reader gets the definite that off-board students are charged The surplus arose from a number mark on academia numerous times hind the podium. Granted, his impression that he wants it to work. the same price as visitors. Many stu­ ofdifferent sources. The social bud­ as researcher and author in the implementation was limited to a On a number of occasions, when dents say they can easily imagine get had a large surplus due to the fields of elementary particles, as­ helium balloon-based universe, but dealing with a seemingly totally preparing or purchasing a similar low cost of "What I Love About trophysics, and quantum mechan­ he made his point effectively. implausible theory, such as wonn­ meal for much less and are sur­ Caltech" and funds that weren't ics. If he were on a starship, he'd Those ofus in the audience were holes, Krauss concedes several lay­ used for a proposed winter social prised at the necessity of such ers ofanalysis, but leaves an open­ event. The larger freshman class ing for the dreamers. He cited Kip prices. Bing Huo '06 remarked that yielded additional dues. Several Civil Rights Legend Roberts Thome's analysis ofthe impossibil­ given the circumstances, "Ifthey're clubs didn't pick up their funding ity of creating stable wormholes not making a profit, something is for the year, resulting in about $500 using conventional matter, but really wrong." of surplus. The BoD forwent food Shares Past, Present Outlook quickly noted that, ifone uses nega­ But in reality, even with what. for most of its meetings, leaving tive energy, "all bets are off." seem to be steep prices, CDS is not still more unused money in the ac- By LEA HILDEBRANDT Continued on Page 7, Column 3 even breaking even financially. This- Continued on Page 7, Column 2 Last Friday, Terrence Roberts, structed by Martin Luther King of one of "the Little Rock Nine," nonviolence, did not fight back. spoke at a luncheon at the Ath- The experience of these students enaeum in honor of Black History in being the first black students to Month. The topic of his talk was attend Little Rock Central High "Lessons from Little Rock: An Edu- school was both traumatic and life­ cational Agenda for the 21st Cen- changing. As one ofthe Nine com­ tury." mented in a video that Roberts In his talk, Roberts recounted the showed the audience at the begin­ persecution he faced as one of the ning of his talk: "That was the end "Little Rock Nine," one ofthe first of our youth. We were adults; we nine black students chosen to inte- could never go back to that precious grate the previously all-white Little innocence again." Rock Central High School in com- But, despite the constant tonnent pliance, with 'the- U.~. Supreme and discrirniJ;lation, the Little Rock Court's'landmark 1954 Brown v: Nine held on..Roberts said that one Board ofEducation manaating na- of the main things that motivated tionwide integration. him was the fact ,that .so many Although then-President Dwight people had given their lives in the Eisenhower sent the 10151 Airborne struggle for civil rights. "IfI did not Division to protect the nine students go through with this, it would be as in the face of massive opposition ifI turned around and spat at their led by Arkansas's segregationist graves." governor, "the Little Rock Nine" Before the next school year were subject to persecution every started, segregationist governor day of their school career at Cen- Orval Faubus closed down every tral High. They were constantly school in the district in order to beaten, spat at and called obscene avoid integration; this is how op­ names. In fact, Roberts said that posed he was to white and black each of the Nine-had a "personal children going to school together. tonnentor" who would always be When the school reopened a year there, ready to hurt him or her in later, two ofthe Nine went back and .. D. Karla/The California Tech any way possible., But the Nine, in- graduated from Little Rock Central One of the ''Little Rock Nine"-the first black students to attend Arkansas's Central High SchooI­ Continued on Page 2, Column 1 Terrence Roberts shares his experiences and opinions on race relations last Friday in the Athenaeum. 2 THE CALIFORNIA TECH NEWS MARCH 3, 2003 Demands ofWaste, Breadth, 'Flexibility' Force Fresh Round ofCDS Price Hikes Continuedfrom Page 1, Column 5 ever, because CDS must buy its erenced a study conducted in foots just 15% of the cost. food in bulk and different houses Fleming in past years that found Politics take their toll, when with similar formal dates might around 30% of food at dinner time money spent at different venues choose to serve different entrees, is wasted, due to expensive tradi­ during lunch must be distributed the choices options went up in tions and the consequences of an accordingly. Some seemingly irrel­ smoke. all-you-can-eat mentality. evant campus-wide fees are as­ The move is just one of several In addition, CDS must deal with sessed even for CDS, said Deligne, made in the past couple years to employees who are looking for a which further hurts their bottom streamline the department and full-year job, even though under­ line. hedge losses. Andre Mallie, the graduates are here for only nine When it comes to quitting the Dining Services director, had his months out of the year and an ex­ Board program while still living in own take on the difficulties CDS pensive local economy. Also, over­ one of the houses, some students faced in serving the undergraduate head, security and electricity bills feel as though they're getting a raw community. Mallie cited another have skyrocketed an extra 150% D. KorUilThe California Tech Iram Parveen Bilal '04 looks over meal costs in the South Kitchen, deal. Students interested in staying economic force-the economy of across campus, over the last year, one ofthe many food venues slapped with a new round ofprice hikes. on campus but not willing to pay scale-whichseverely hinders their straining the budget even more. for the full Board program are likely financial operations. It's gotten to the point thatCaltech out of luck. That's because unless Frankly, Caltech has a dining sys­ has offered its services to local they have an unavoidable allergy, tem far too complex for the small schools to compensate for its losses •• there's little chance they'll be per­ number of students it is designed on campus. We provide food for the In OtT Their Chesst: Wei Ii and Patrick, Ma and Pa of the mitted to drop the plan. the past for. He explained that "Caltech Westridge School for Girls in Pasa­ new chess team, lead their crew to victory, hummeling couple years, only a handful ofstu­ doesn't have that base of 20,000 dena, where CDS gets 5% ofits rev­ opponents and Freeing the team of any doubters. A Gra­ dents have been allowed to skip out, students." With seven dining halls enue. Despite the quibbles many ham of prevention is worth an ounce of cure. primarily for religious and medical and two kitchens-not to mention might have with CDS, it's impos­ conditions. The decision to allow Avery, which has its own set of sible to ignore the super job they Physics ofStar Trek: Stuck on Data overload, Lawrence students out, however, is handled problems-Qverhead is incredible. do in sizing up the needs of the has loyal Trekkies Krauss-eyed. Doubters who scoffed at not by CDS officials but by the stu­ Coke machines, waiters and custo- community. his creations are now fazered at his success. How will his dent-run Food Committee, so it's . dial services must be provided for Like many nonacademic depart­ .. critics worm themselves out of this hole? unclear where the blame lies. each house, whereas a typical uni­ ments on campus, CDS has adapted A Bone to Pick: Already, eating pizza every day costs a The issue with formal dinners is versity might-have two dining halls to fit the requirements of the busy lot of dough, and now even vegan food costs too much a fairly insignificant one. A while supplying the' same demand. Techer, while at the same time deal­ green. The meat may be cooked, but this deal is raw. ago, head waiters were able to But that's not all, It's no secret that ing with funding slashes facing ev­ Something's a little fishy. choose which three dinners to serve dinners at the houses have an un­ ery division. The flexibility offered their house for dress dinner. How- believable waste factor. Mallie ref- through box lunches, Snake kits, the declining balance system, all-you­ can-eat dinners, open kitchen, veg­ Governor Faubus from using the etarian bar, get-well meals, pre­ National Guard to deny the nine made dinners for athletics teams on From Arkansas to Pasadena, Roberts black students admittance to Cen­ the road, etc. is incredibly liberat­ tral High. ing to a campus that probably This time, all nine students made TakesILittle Rock Lessons' to Heart wouldn't have time to empty its it into the building, but by 11 a.m. trash cans ifhousekeeping didn't. Continuedfrom Page 1, Column 2 body be the same, which is just not selves forced to integrate. the situation was again so danger­ And all from a department so High School. the way the world is. His comment: Thus, nine black students, among ous that they left through a back friendly, that to get anything done Roberts moved to Los Angeles "difference exists and that's okay. them Roberts, were chosen to inte­ door. This prompted President all you need is to send an e-mail to after he had attended Central High Let's see each other as we are and grate Little Rock Central High Eisenhower to issue an executive Melissa Wettengel, CDS's customer for one year and finished his high embrace each other." School, which had been the best order to send the 101st Airborne service manager. The extracosts as­ school degree there. He then went As to affirmative action, Roberts school in the district and previously Division to Little Rock to protect on to study at California State Uni­ believes that one of the main prob­ open only to whites. The black stu­ the nine students, and so began sociated with providing vegan food versity, Los Angeles, where he lems is that "the people who talk dents were supposed to start attend­ Roberts' career as one of the Nine. and unlimited fresh pineapple, earned a Bachelor of Arts in soci­ about it do not really know what ing the school in the September All of the Little Rock Nine are when only a select group ofunder­ ology. Roberts continued with they are talking about." Roberts of1957. still alive today. They have a foun­ graduates will really appreciate it, graduate school and now has a doc­ defined affirmative action as "af­ But then-governor Faubus de­ dation, the Little Rock Nine Foun­ is indicative ofthe dedication CDS torate in psychology. firming the right of people to suc­ clared integration an impossibility dation, with a popular Web site. The has to truly assist students in an In 1985, Roberts and his wife ceed and of providing all of the and sent 270 national guardsmen main goal of the foundation is to environment where on a bad day, it moved to Pasadena, just a few opportunities necessary for this suc­ armed with rifles to prevent the provide scholarship assistance. may seem that even the food is blocks away from Caltech on San cess." In view ofthis definition, af­ black students from attending the Roberts encouraged everybody to against you. Pasqual Avenue. After they had firmative action has always been school. When the students arrived make a contribution to this cause. In the end, the minor increase in moved in, a couple from the neigh­ important in the United States. ''The at Little Rock Central High School The luncheon was part ofa series food and retail items made to com­ borhood came by and said that they issue then is not of whether we on the first day ofschool, they were ofprograms in honor ofBlack His­ pensate for consumer price index, justwanted to let the Roberts fam­ should have affirmative action but met by such violent opposition that tory Month. The special aspect of Sept. II-boosted insurance related ily know that they voted for them ofwhether we should include those they had to leave to protect their this particular program was that it costs and other fees is just a red at the neighborhood meeting. As other people," he said. lives. was initiated and planned almost herring. Caltech still offers a com­ Roberts found out, there had been Roberts' legacy dates backto May But they were not going to give entirely by students: the Black prehensive Board program that's a neighborhood meeting and a vote 17,1954, when Brown v. Board of up this easily. Three weeks later Graduate Student Association of usually $1000 cheaper than South­ held before Roberts and his wife Education declared segregation in they made a second attempt at at­ Caltech. Other offices around cam­ ern California schools and among moved in to make sure that a ma­ education unconstitutional and or­ tending Central High. This time pus that sponsored this event were "peers such as MIT, Stanford and jority of the people in the neigh­ dered schools across the nation to they had a better chance since the office of Minority Student Af­ Harvard, etc." said Mr. Mallie. borhood approved of a black integrate. By 1957, even the schools NAACP lawyers Thurgood fairs, the Caltech Y and the But as long as CDS keeps serv­ couple moving there. Roberts' in very segregationist towns like Marshall and Wiley Branton had Women's Center. ing up the same perks for students comment: "The surprising thing is Little Rock, Arkansas saw them- issued an injunction that prevented on board, that's just one more fish not that the meeting was held but , we'll have to occasionally put up that we'd be surprised about it. with. This is, after all, the United States ofAmerica." Roberts is in general quite pessi­ ijCbe QCaIifornia ijCecb mistic about the state of black and Calteeh 40-58, Pasadena, CA 91125 white relations in the United States. editorial desk: (626) 395--{;153 advertising desk: (626) 395-6154 He believes that the changes that editorial e-mail: [email protected] have been made since the 1950s are advertising e-mail: [email protected] superficial and that discrimination VOLUME eN, NUMBER 18 is still as extensive today as it was back then. Furthermore, Roberts Tammy Yee Wing Ma Vi Thong Tran views Little Rock as a microcosm Managing Editor Business Manager of the United States. What hap­ Kevin Carl Bartz Circulation pened there received much national News Director Chris Crabbe attention but similar things have Leo C Stein Tearsheets happened and are still happening, Commentary Editor Tim Tirrell maybe to a lesser degree, all over the United States. Asked what he The Tech is published weekly except during vacation and examination periods by the Associated Students of thinks about the studies that have the California Institute ofTechnology, Inc. The opinions been made about racism and preju­ expressed herein are strictly those of the authors and ad­ vertisers. dice in the U.S., Roberts replied, Letters and submissions are welcome; e-mail submis­ ''Why study racism ifwe don'thave sions to [email protected], including the author's name, by Friday of the week be­ the commitment to do something fore publication. Sorry, the Tech does not accept anony­ about it?" mous contributions. The editors reserve the right to edit and abridge all submissions for any reason. All written Roberts was also asked about his work remains property ofits author. views aboutcolorblindness and af­ The advertising deadline is five p.m. Friday; all adver­ tising should be submitted electronically or as camera­ fimiative action. He is strongly op­ ready art, but the Tech can also do simple typesetting and posed to the conceptofcolorblind­ D. KorWThe Clzlifo.....ia t;';;h arrangement. All advertising inquiries should be directed to the business [email protected]. For ness. He believes that this concept A student representative speaks at Terrence Roberts' talk, coordinated by a variety of campus subscription infonnation, please send mail to "Subscrip­ is based on trying to make every- organizations in honor ofBlackHistory Month. tions" or call (626)-395-6154. THE CALIFORNIA TECH COMMENTARY MARCH 3, 2003 3 III , lIl....J"iI"'4I'JI·'II"'iI"'.£1I.sh Weekend mlng at + Undergraduate Body Calls For 'In~yourlace Democracy' tprospectives' Perspective By TOM FLETCHER By MATTHEW WALKER You may notice I'm dividing this colunm Mannion and Matt Brewer about our money day is that neither Thursday nor Friday are up into subsections. I realized it would be a and our plans for the next year. According to very social, as students recover from the pre­ good idea when last week's column was finance, ASCIT is flush with cash-how em­ vious night's work on Friday. Without expo­ somewhat unreadable, even by the author. powering!-and we've transitioned most of sure to Caltech social life, a lot of the more­ Gotta start rolling with the punches it to Caltech's internal system. We used rounded students, that is, the ones who would sometime. to do our banking with Bank ofAmerica, make positive contributions to Caltechsocial but have switched overnow to hopefully life, will decide not to come to Caltech be­ First ASCIT BoD Meetirlg keep better track ofour money. Caltech cause they will think that Caltech is all work. has also volunteered to file our taxes for One component ofCaltech character that sets us for so ASCIT no longer needs it apart from other is the "work to shunt money off to an accountant and nei­ hard/play hard" im- ther will it miss its taxes again. pression will be lost a chance for them to expeliel1ce events that occur Saitunjay While there is pn~fnJsh weekend is portnlVe:d

Wl1JW..its.cai~te(:h. /?d~I'!-()tI()tt(lcl. PrC\11011S stu­ meetilLlgs was I've talked the of the school con­ Marianne Bronner-Fraser, and sellf-E;ovenlm,ent should be we now have two spots there: my- fun-and I think it would be to self and Galen, as vice pn~si(jerlt find our voices at least on a small scale. We were also a third guest spot for So, all been duly informed. We'll another student to attend; the reason we all make a ruckus come Wednesday. I encour­ can't is because there is only so much space age you to get your food to go, bring a bean in the Millikan Board room and it may be a pair prefrosh from getting a good feel of the bag, blanket, chair or sofa while before they decide undergraduate community. Freshmen are re­ and sit down for what to meet on the Olive Walk Dear editors, quired to spend two terms in one ofthe seven should be an interesting "My real goal is too. My intention is for houses; prefrosh should thus be well exposed experiment in student this spot to rotate amongst We would like to express our outrage and to the house community during Prefrosh government here at we, the students, find interested undergraduates disappointment with the changes made for Weekend. Avery is a long walk from the seven Caltech. And hey, if it so that they can have an this year's Prefrosh Weekend. At the first houses; prefrosh living in Avery will not have doesn't work and people exciting to be able to idea of how the school is Prefrosh Weekend representative meeting this much motivation to spend as much time as still don't take an interest run. Since I have no idea Monday, the representatives, one from each they otherwise would in the houses and with in what we do, we'll just witness the meetings. " how strong interest is, house, were informed that among other undergraduates. Moreover, it is one thing to have to try something else right now I'll just ask for changes, Prefrosh Weekend had been short­ visit a house but it is completely different to until everyone is involved. volunteers. Now ifyou all ened by a day. Furthermore, instead ofhost­ live in a house. This may also deceive get as excited about student government as I ing all prefrosh in the seven houses, prefrosh prefrosh into believing that Avery is a hous­ Whom did I meet with this week? hope you do, we'll have to come up with a could additionally be hosted by students liv­ ing option for them at the beginning offresh­ better system later. Until then though, e-mail ing in Avery. man year. As ASCIT President, I had three meetings me if want to come. These changes were made without any stu­ These proposed changes to Prefrosh Week­ this week. Two were with Marshak 1\lh, rl,>c;"'a is to see interested freshmen and dent consultation. This reflects the growing end are detrimental to interaction between Prefrosh SOjJh()mOH$ come so that future classes of trend decisions that affect students prefrosh and Caltech students. Not only does cutbacks at reJ,reselltaltivles will have some idea without student activities it shorten the "weekend" to effectively one be into and accord- traditiolJlally slated for the of day, but also it eliminates student-planned ac­ you all ofthis. Prefrosh will the pn:fn)sh tivities on all of interaction with current students. In the social events into pn~fnJsh Your Moment of student hosts had little interaction with certain prefrosh until and Satur- exposure to un,der'gnldulate day as most and is hosting them away from houses. Op]porturliti(~s to inter­ I I'd closing out this column spent working on sets. Satur- We are outraged that no students were con­ about on a humanities note, ifanything to disprove day is traditionally full of house activities, sulted prior to making these changes and dis­ to work the L.A. Times. So I was listening to music in such as tie-dying in Dabney, miniature golf appointed in the decisions made. We hope with the one rep­ the shower today and was struck by how the in Ruddock, etc. Without the opportunity to that in the future such serious oversights will resentative from every house, to find a way last stanza resonated with how I was feeling. participate in such events, prefrosh will meet not be made. to preserve every house's traditional event in Maybe it captures how you're feeling too, fewer students and not get a good feel as to Sincerely, a way that is hopefully satisfactory. maybe not. Heck, maybe it'll lead to some the uniqueness and culture of Caltech. Nevertheless, ifyou feel strongly about this, discussion and debate. We can never have too Hosting prefrosh in Avery will further im- The Interhouse Committee I encourage you to sign the petitions going much of that and Locke would be proud. around the houses so that admissions knows Continued on Page 6, Column 1 next year to put and end to this experiment. So now as I'm leavin' Also, talk to your prefrosh representative so I'm weary as Hell he or she knows how you feel and can make The confusion I'm feelin' your opinions known to admissions and other Ain't no tongue can tell administrators. The words fill my head Another interesting outcome of the meet­ And fall to the floor Fin.e Han.d Woven. Jewelry ing was Margo's push to "disarm" both sides If God's on our side Jewelry Repairs and Special Orders on the issue of representing Caltech. She He'll stop the next war. Yamii~ (Emit~) gauti.sta~Navarro urged admissions to put on a more truthful "With God On OurSide," Bob Dylan, 1964. 'Design.er face of Caltech life-no more covering up the darker side of life here. Peace out, Along the same lines, she asked that we the Tom Fletcher 18 North Mentor Avenue students move to represent ourselves more J'as,lden,a, California 911 06 truthfully in our discussions with students. If P.S.: Really, the jefe bylaw is coming. Are you hate this so, but she asks that you excited we not scare the For ASCIT's the con1mittee findings

meetirlg ! had was 4 THE CALIFORNIA TECH FEATURES MARCH 3, 2003 rium, with capacity 1I00. is preferred. bara Estrada, extension 3609 Saturday, March 8th; 2:30 - 4 p.m.; Braun Tom announces that he plans to replace Thursday, March 6, 2 PM: "'Endnote for The Literature Faculty is pleased to an­ Multipurpose Room FREE for Students. Friday morning ASCIT Donut Man donuts Absolute Beginners" nounce the 57th Annual McKinney Com­ Sponsored by Caltech DanceTroupe Caltech with Winchell's donuts and-gasp!-bagels. Thursday, March 13, 2 PM: "Endnote Fo­ petition. The Mary A. Earl McKinney Prize contact: Liz Jones liz,[email protected]. The old BoD enjoys a wry and hearty laugh rumll is awarded each year for excellence in writ­ Gladiator OPI. At the height of Roman at the idea of venturing once more into that You may register for these and other up­ ing. Only full-time students officially regis­ might, citizens of Rome were known for particular breach, but Tom is serious. coming classes at library.caltech.edullearn­ tered at CaItech as undergraduates are eli­ their daily festivities. One man, Emperor ASCIT Minutes "There's a war on terror right now. It's un­ ing. For further information, please contact gible to enter the competition. This year, Vespasiano, had a greater vision. In 72 AD February 26, 2003 patriotic not to support my reduced oil con­ Kathleen McGregor at x6713 or prizes will be given in three categories: po­ he commissioned the construction of the Present: sumption from saving trips to Glendora," he [email protected]. etry, prose fiction and nonfiction essays. All greatest entertainment structure in history. BoD: Ted, Joe, Kim, Marcus, Basit, Neda, explains. The new BoD agrees to meet S.P.E.CT.R.E, Caltech's science-fiction submissions must be typed and double­ When it was completed in 80 AD, the Coli­ Andrea. Absent: Vikram, Jialan. weekly during lunch on the Olive Walk, set­ club will be presenting a talk by CaItech spaced. Include your address and phone seum sat over 50,000 spectators for what Guests: Tom Fletcher, Galen Loram, Anna ting Wednesday as the first day. They may Alumus and science fiction writer David number. In the poetry category, entrants may must have been one of the most spectator Sczaniecka, Joanna Cohen, Jeremy Pitts, also buy beanbag chairs. Brin,"Probing ForQuicksand: HowWe Peer submit up to three poems. Submissions of sports in history. Featuring gladiator fights, Corinna Zygourakis, Shane Arney, Spencer BoD members transfer keys, passwords a BitAhead, Into Tomorrow's World." prose fiction should not exceed 12,000 staged naval battles, and wild animal hunts, Rarrick, Dylan Simon, Keris Allrich, Eva and instructions to their successors. The new millennium has people ponder­ words. Essays may be ones prepared for a the Coliseum was the most popular week­ Murdock, Evan Murphy, Matt Walker. In one last item of fairly important busi­ ing the future as never before. We already humanities class or any good piece oforigi­ end destination of the time. In festive Ro­ Meeting called to order at 10:26 p.m. ness, Ted, Joe, Marcus and Neda are elected devote much ofour economy to all kinds of nal writing on a topic relevant to the humani­ man spirit, Ruddock House welcomes all to The last meeting ofthe 2002-2003 ASCIT "by acclamation"-like Popes!-to repre­ forecasting, from weather reports and stock ties. The prize in each category will be $300. Gladiator OPI this Saturday, March 8. 2003 BoD convenes and we are in a spending sent the BoD on the CRC Rep Appointing analyses to financial and strategic planning, Each student is entitled to only one entry in in the Ruddock House courtyard. Featuring mood tonight! It's in the spirit of "midnight Committee, which will meet next Wednes­ from sports handicapping to urban design, each category. Contestants should submit two dance floors, including an impressive appointments," except this time it's more like day. from political prophets to those charlatans work to Professor Jenijoy La Belle, Divi­ bi-Ievel replica of the Coliseum, and music "midnight apportionments." Joe feels like We wish the 2003-2004 ASCIT BoD all on psychic hotlines. Which variety of seer sion ofthe Humanities and Social Sciences, to satisfy all tastes, Gladiator OPI will be John Adams anyway. the best and good luck. And on a personal you listen to can often be a matter Of style. 101-40, by no later than March 6, 2003. No the place to be. From nine p.m. to two a.m., Guests: note, it has been a joy and an honor to serve Some prefer horoscopes, while others like entries will be returned. Each category will enjoy food and drink, including Ruddock's "Give me money," says Shane. "OK," says the student body these pasttwo years. Thank to hear consultants in Arrnani suits present be judged by a committee from the Litera­ famous milk shakes. Remember. how you the BoD. The IRC Ath Man has come to re­ you for the chance, everyone. a convincing "business case. n The talk will ture Faculty. Essays will be judged on the party in life echoes in eternity. Come to quest funding, already budgeted, to subsi­ Meeting adjourned at II:49 p.m. be held Wednesday, March 5th at 7:30 p.m. quality of thought and the effectiveness of Gladiator OPI. dize letterjackets for varsity athletes. $1000 Respectfully submitted, in Dabney lounge. Contact spectre@its to the writing. Winners will be announced in Matthew Walker '06 is approved, 5-0. Keris, Eva and Corinna win a chance to have dinner with the author. May and the names ofthe winners would like to take Prof. Tirrell to lunch, The Literature Faculty is pleased to an­ will appearin the commencement which is approved, 5-0. nounce the Annual Hallett Smith Compe­ program. The Committee may di­ Dylan is here on behalf of the ASCIT tition honoring the fmest essay devoted to vide the award in each category DVD Library, which apparently still hasn't Shakespeare. Only full-time, officially reg­ in case ofmore than one outstand­ restocked itselffrom all ofthe lost DVDs or ASCIT Secretary istered undergraduates are eligible to enter ing submission. Previous winners missing and damaged DVD cases, although YNews the competition. All submissions must be in anyone category are not eli­ there is money left in the budget for this. Upcoming Events: typed and double-spaced and should not ex­ gible for the competition in that After a long and entertaining story from Ted - On-campus tutoring, 3/4 and 3/6, ceed4,000 words. The essay may be onepre­ category. If you have any ques­ about how we discovered a box containing Winnett 4-6 p.rn.: Stop by Winnett and tutor pared for a humanities class or may be spe­ tions, contact Prof. LaBelle, several thousand dollars in cash and Tim a local middle or high school student. No cifically written for this competition. No stu­ x3605 or Barbara Estrada, x3609. Wan spent that instead of the budgeted experience necessary, drop by as your sched­ dent can submit more than one essay. All Bellydance Workshop at money, the BoD agrees that they can spend ule allows. Contact y-veep@ugcs if you'd contestants must submit two hard copies of Caltech! Learn Basic Bellydance the rest of the DVD money. Joe notes ap­ like to join the tutor mailing list. their work to Professor Jenijoy La Belle, Technique with Leela, one ofLos provingly that the list Dylan passes around - Reading to Kids, 3/8, 8:30 am to 12:30 Division of the Humanities and Social Sci­ Angeles' most popular Bellydance includes "Apollo 13." $2000 is allocated, 5- p.m.: Read to children at a library in down­ ences, 101-40, no later than April 17, 2003. PerformerlInstructors. Experience O. Eric Tuttle would be proud. town Los Angeles. You must register with This year's prize will be approximately $300, the Exotic Rhythms and Sensuous Courtesy ofJ. Pitts Spencer has priced speakers at the guitar the Reading to Kids organization online at though the judging committee may divide Moves that make Bellydance so Ruddock members labor on an extensive store, although he thinks that's probably not www.readingtokids.org before attending. the award in case ofmore than one outstand­ Exciting and Mysterious: it's great the cheapest place to buy them. Two cabi­ Contact SidharthJaggi [email protected] ing submission. For more information, con­ for your body, it enhances your enclosure for their gladiator-themed an­ nets, a subwoofer and amps would make up Factoid: tact Prof. La Belle, extension 3605 or Bar- creativity and it's FUN! nual inter-house party. the minimum system we would want to buy, Did you know that March is Women's th he says. JBL offers reasonable quality, with History Month? This Saturday, March 8 , is speakers $1500 each, subs $600-1000 and International Women's Day - a day of glo­ an amp $2000-3000. EAW is higher quality bal celebration for the economic, political speakers for $2500 each. Despite thetempt­ and social achievements of women. Check ing potential to spend an awful lot ofmoney out the Women's Center for more informa­ all at once, the BoD decides it's probably tion: www.womenscenter.caltech.edu best to wait on this purchase, since it's sub­ Y Not Join Us? stantial and would definitely be worth our Come to an ExComm meeting! All meet­ HEY. WHAr'5 rHAr? while to do some price comparison. But ings are open to students, staff and faculty ­ Yau'Re Nor _G 1"0 ~r Spencer will not leave empty-handed: Ted every Monday at noon in the Caltech Y. rHAr filiNG RUN YCUR CIII. Ir5 MY HeW ENrlRe /./FE. ARe yau? remembers that our Jamroom Manager and The Y x6163 is located on the first floor 1'11'11. I'M FlNAU-Y his partoer Joe Olivier are owed $50 each, of the Student Services Building, south of KEEPING rRAeK a NAIl, yau KWOW Me plus a potential $50 bonus, for their work the Holliston parking structure. If you are eVeRYfIIlNGI I this year. Spencer laughs and openly says interested in a Y activity or have questions I ...... -.Jr;:; he doesn't deserve a bonus since he didn't about the Y, please stop by orsend an e-mail do anything. Noting that the Jamroom seems to the Vice President at y-veep@ugcs. Signupsareup for Secretary, (\\\ :J to still be functional, at least, the BoD ap­ mc mc proves a total of $100 to split between the AthMan, Food ChairandCRC until Tues­ two, 5-0. "Don't spend it all in one place," day March4th at 5 p.m.. Interviews for IRC we admonish. Secretary, AthMan and FoodChairare Tues­ General Meeting: day, March 4th starting at 10 p.m., interviews Neda has money-spending ideas includ­ for CRC areWednesday, March 5th. Signups ing concerts and sumo-wrestling on the Ol­ for interview times are posted outside Sac ive Walk, bnt no one has answered her e­ 33. mails, so we agree that none of them are Interested in Amateur Radio? Electrical GUIDE TO SLEEPING Engineer? Want to talk to others all around DURING LECTURE: doable by Friday. The seniorclass is request­ POSITION 1: Head Back ing money, approximately $900 each for the world? Come to the Caltech Amateur Risk: Low Comfort: Low fruit trees, but that won't happen by Friday Radio Club Meeting: 6 p.m., Saturday either. March 8, Winnett Club Room. We decide to put $1 00 in each ofthe house Caltech Opera Club is meeting on Fri­ accounts that we have established under day, March 14, 12 -I P.M. Brennen Confer­ ASCIT for the purpose of providing tax de­ ence Room, 3rd Floor, Center for Student ductibility for alumni contributions to the Services houses. This amount, the BoD feels, will Topic: Wagner's Der Fliegende Hollander, encourage house treasurers to learn how to The Flying Dutchman use the accounts, ifonly to get at the money. The unforgettable romantic tale of a con­ $700 is approved, 5-0. demned sea captain and the redemptive Tom Fletcher brings up a secret "black" power of woman's love. project regarding academics. It's been in the Please bring your lunch and friends. Hope works for quite awhile, buthe has apparently to see you all there. just learned of it and is very enthusiastic. Library Classes. The following sessions We resolve to hide it in the Dept. of are approximately one hour of formal in­ YOU KNOW. IF I HAI7 A CA~ Agriculture's budget. struction in the Sherman Fairchild Library I PROSASI-Y COUI-I7 FINI7 AI/HHHHHH! MORE TOYS... AW17 PICK UP CHICKS The StudentJFaculty Conference will be MultimediaConference Room in Room 328. THE SECONI7 WAVE WAS THAT ENGI-ISH? inRamo Auditorium--capacity 30~unless Walk-ins are welcome, but pre-registration OF JUSTICE I-EAGUE funding can be found for Beckman Audito- ANIMATEI7 FIGU~ES A~E OUT!! WHEN NOT TEACHINe OR SPACE / A WIIU

AHHHII! THE~E WHE~E A~E AI-I- THE THERE. MY SASIES. 31J5flee ~AGIJI! TOYS? WHeRE ARe rHeY?1 THE MEAN 01-17 MAN 171171

CD CONTENTIONAL ARROW WATCH

Crappy Comics: CD gets away with another strip with NO original art Arrows Amok Alliteration: Screw Newsweek arrows. - Please Visit ­ How about some DDR? 414 W. fOOTHill BLVD. TIP: Try reading the MONROVIA, CA 91016 Dean's Corner all the way across Pun Pain: Kevin't take puns? EXIT NORTH off 210 to FOOTHILL the page, ignoring the columns. Bartz they are so clever. At Santo Anita Avenue _ E. 1 mile At Myrtie Avenue .... W. '/2 mile Makes mllre sense that way. Corner MAYflOWER in 7-11 Center Rosemary Wright, Director &oodSofulilllll(6tb)576·m THE CALIFORNIA TECH COMMENTARY MARCH 3, 2003 5 aSSlve ag By DARIO AMODEI at lunch, PJC will be in front ofthe for the consequences as Donald Red Door with petitions and anti­ Rumsfeld is. Latest Electronica Album 'Shows Great Improvement' The social critic Neil Postman has war literature. Stop by on your way What's that you say? I'm an ide­ By BEN MATHEWS warned that the greatest danger to lunch and sign our petition. Pick alistic hippie who's totally wrong In their first two studio albums, the album and is an excellent ex­ American democracy faces is not about the war? Come out and ar­ up a flyer. Listen to what we have Massive Attack managed to create ample ofhow O'Connor and Mas­ an Orwellian dictatorship but a cul­ gue your case. Engage us in debate to say. Spread the word and raise a lot ofsongs that made good back- sive Attack are extremely comple­ ture that makes politics and public the alarm. and discussion. So far I have not ground music-if you didn't pay mentary. O'Connor's plaintive discourse irrelevant. Postman be­ What's that you say? You think heard a pro-war argument that can't much attention, the songs sounded voice soars over Massive Attack's lieves that our society has turned the war's wrong but it's too far be refuted in a single sentence: great, but once you listened more haunting electronic background; to­ into a circus, so impatient and ob­ away to affect you? Think again. "There's a link between Al Qaeda closely, you realized that each in- gether they create an extremely un­ sessed with trivialities that it is los­ This is not just some quick bomb­ and Iraq. Saddam could give weap­ dividual song was quite repetitive. nerving atmosphere. ing the capacity to make intelligent ing operation. Invading and admin­ ons of mass destruction to bin large-scale decisions. To paraphrase istering Iraq will cost hundreds of Laden." Patently false. Even the They improved with their third al- Occasionally, O'Connor's lyrics Postman, we fervently fight to pro­ billions, maybe trillions, ofdollars. CIA is doubtful and not one piece bum, Mezzanine, which had a few are a bit too simple-for instance, tect our democratic rights, but we Remember the recession after the of evidence has been made public. energetic, dynamic songs, but still in "What Your Soul Sings," she often have little desire to use them. last Gulf War? Well, this time "Saddam refuses to disarm. We half of the album was a little te- gives the listener the all-too-com­ Living at Caltech is a forceful re­ around isn't going to be any better. have to confront the threat and get dious. mon advice that he should follow minder that Postman was right. This This time there's no one to share rid of him before he becomes like lOOth Window, their latest album. his own desires: "Don'tbe afraid­ collection ofthe world's future top the financial burden because the Hitler." Iraq probably has a few shows great improvement on this open your mouth and say-say scientists is also almost entirely in­ world doesn't want this war. This weapons of mass destruction, but and many other fronts. To be sure, what your soul sings to you." Even different to the political decision­ time the economy is bad even be­ is no threat whatsoever compared a bit of patience is still needed to ifher lyrics aren't extremely inven­ making process of our nation. We fore the bombing has started. What to North Korea and al Qaeda.1n any make it through the album, since the tive, her voice still sounds good are distracted not by the sex scan­ do you think will happen when you case inspections have already de­ shortest song is five minutes long against the drum loops and synthe­ dals and sensationalism of the rest look for a job in two years? Even stroyed some ofthese weapons and and many reach almost eight min- sizers. of the world, but by problem sets, better, why do you think Caltech Iraq cannot hide them all indefi­ utes. But this time, nearly all the The remaining six songs, which computer games and bizarre argu­ just raised tuition by $2,000? nitely. IAEA chief Mohammed El songs have climaxes and progres- O'Connor did not work on, are also ments about the availability of do­ An increased U.S. military pres- Baradei has concluded that it will sions which make them interesting good. They are slow and less cli­ nuts. We, who have so much power take only two more months to de­ to listen to. The notable exception mactic than the three O'Connor to influence the future, have termine decisively whether Iraq has is the last eleven minutes ofthe CD, songs, but they are still well done. bafflingly renounced our right to it. "The only thing necessary any potential for nuclear weapons which consists of a slowly-varying The only great disappointment on For months now the Bush admin­ and that this checking can be done low-pitch electronic noise. As far lOOth Window is the lack of a fol­ istration has rattled its sabre at Iraq, for the triumph ofevil is without Iraq's cooperation. as I can tell, there's no musical lOW-Up to Mezzanine's instantly increasingly against the grain of "We should free the Iraqi people value to this part ofthe album-it's catchy single, "Teardrop." To be world opinion. The debate has risen for good men to do noth­ of a brutal and evil dictator." Yes, more of a test to see how long you fair, Teardrop felt out of place on to a deafening crescendo, but one we should. There are international can stand it before you have to stop Mezzanine, but it was such a good would never know it by the mood ing." Edmund Burke mechanisms for indicting these your CD player. song that it really didn't matter. It on campus. I've rarely heard the people, such as the world court, As is usual for Massive Attack, would have been nice to have a subject mentioned in casual conver­ which the U.S. refuses to support many of the lyrics on lOath Win- new single ofsimilar quality, but I sation, except where I brought it up ence in the Middle East is the best because it has repeatedly pointed dow are extremely hard to under- can understand why there isn'tone, myself. Aside from news articles on thing we can do to make sure Sep­ out American crimes against hu­ stand. In a first for them, however, too. the Social Activism Speaker Series, tember 11 happens all over again. manity. Do you have better argu­ lyrics are included in the booklet for Overall, I think that lOOth Win­ which I commend, the only men­ A CIA report commented that ments than these? Come and chal­ all but one of the songs on the al- dow is quite a good album. Those tion ofthe war in the Tech was Abe Saddam was unlikely to use weap­ lenge us. bum. They don't always help, how- who liked previous Massive Attack Fetterman's flippant pro-war article ons ofmass destruction or seek col­ All the great idols of Caltech, ever-the song "Butterfly Caught," AUlfls should enjoy this one; for in late November. In it he makes up lusion with terrorist groups unless from Richard Feynman to Linus for instance, begills \Vith:-"Weight: those who haven't heard Massive a cute little dialogue between Bush he was attacked. Even military lead­ Pauling, have understood the need less falls, honeysuckle, strangers, Attack before and are curious about and the U.N., explaining to us why ers like former NATO supreme to be citizen-scientists, to contrib­ strange this, lights from pages." By them or about electronic music in the army and not the CIA, should commander Gen. Wesley Clark ute their analytical skills to the enor­ the end of the song, it isn't any general, lOath Window is a pretty take down Saddam. In fact, I don't claim that war will "supercharge mous forum that is our democracy. clearer what the song means. accessible starting point. think a serious opinion on the war recruiting for Al Qaeda." Ifthe Los We who seek to emulate them sci­ Not all the songs are so cryptic, has ever been published in the Tech. Angeles city center is blown to bits entifically should also do so politi­ however. For three songs on Last week I went to a meeting to by terrorist attack, do you want to cally. We should never let ourselves lOOth Window, Massivei\t:_ help organize Caltech's participa­ feel like our bellicosity made it pos­ be reduced to amoral technicians tack collabBrated with tion in the national walkout day this sible, that we could have prevented who run the machines of war as Sinead O'Connor, the con­ Wednesday. The leader ofCaltech's it by being reasonable? casually as we do our computations. troversial and extremely Peaceful Justice Coalition told me What's that you say? You don't Once again, please make your short-haired Irish pop star. an interesting fact: several hundred think your few minutes can make a voice heard on Wednesday's na­ Because of O'Connor's people are on the PJC interest list, difference? Nonsense. Every major tional day ofprotest. Noon to 2:00 more mainstream influ­ but only a handful ofthem are con­ reform movement has been started p.m. in front ofthe Red Door. Learn ences, these three songs, sistently active. The problem isn't about Pasadena's march and rally by a lot of people with, individu­ when compared to the rest that everyone is just peachy with the ally, very little influence, not lead­ planned for the day the war starts. on the album, are easy to un­ idea ofbombing Iraq; it's that most Sign our petition and speak out. Tell ers who spontaneously decided to derstand, have lyrics that people are opposed in principle but have a conscience. We have the us we're wrong if that's how you make sense and are ex­ refuse to give one millisecond of privilege and duty to preserve the feel. But for God's sake, don't just tremely vibrant and ener­ their time to the issue. ethical integrity ofour community, walk by because you want an extra getic. This needs to change, right now our nation and humanity. Ifwe fail minute to finish your ACM set. and without delay. On Wednesday to do so, we are just as responsible One of the three, "Special Cases," is the first single off Youth Director Wantedl refrosh eed Protracted Native English speaker. also fluent in Mandarin or Taiwanese. Jr. & Sr. High youth group. Friday rught & Sunday morning-paidI Glimpse Into Campus Life FirS" Th.iWQ,hese Pres...,....e ....iO'"h G.h4....eJ, of Pe:Uert.clehC\ Continuedfrom Page 3, Column 4 Interested? Call Chris (323) 72 1-81 74 struction houses do for parties. the entire campus on Saturday. Stu­ BAMBOO TEA HOUSE Blacker House hosts midnight ulti­ dents have expressed willingness to Tea as a way of life LONDON Por mate, another popular social event host barbecues for prefrosh on Sat­ 700 E. Colorado Blvd. $321 throughout the year. The wide range urday. If each house sponsored its Pasadena EURAIL PASSES Prom $249 ofsocial activities allows everyone prefrosh, a significant fmancial bur­ Across from Vroman's Books to participate in something they den could be lifted from the Insti­ 626 577-0707 HIP HOTELS Prom $18 could be interested in. Shortening tute. Prefrosh would get another prefrosh weekend will only limit chance to interact with students and IEa.m $1.000 • $2.000 (domest;ic ond intef'flotionol) the variety of interests that is dis­ stay for the night's activities. Inci­ played. dentally, the houses can probably for Jour Student According to Vice President of provide the food for less than half Group in just :I houn! ewplore north* america Student Affairs Margo Marshak, the cost ofCaltech Dining Services, USA 1II CANADA 1II HAWAII "The reason that Prefrosh Weekend since they don't have a lot of over­ backpacking, cruises, tOUI'S and mOl'e is being shortened is fmancial." The head and they don't pay themselves major costs seem to be food, plane to cook. fare m'tmoo tdpffj)mlAX. $ubjettt$~hangeaftdi)\'anabillty ••. Tax tickets that Caltech offers to women Many students came to Caltech Multiple fund raising options n« iOClUdetLR~ictiOf\$ andbladt():l)~ .;pplv, and underrepresented minorities based on their experiences at available. No carwashes. No and possibly increased liability in­ Prefrosh Weekend and several have raffles. Just success! Fundraising surance. The prices ofplane tickets said it was the single biggest factor dates are filling quickly. Get increase significantly for many ori­ in their decision to come. Depriv­ with the programs that work! gins if prefrosh weekend is short­ ing prefrosh of the chance to fully ened to Saturday. This means that experience Caltech will only hurt many prefrosh who pay for their the student character that makes own plane tickets may stay until Caltech unique. If the students are Sunday anyway and that Caltech willing to share the cost to preserve will pay more ifit hasn't done away this important event, administration with that practice. A major avoid­ should be willing to negotiate to able cost of food is providing for prevent its loss. 6 THE CALIFORNIA TECH MARCH 3, 2003 ----~------

In ---_._------By SAM TH4)M1~:EN By JEAN·PAUL REVEL Residence Life. The CRC contrary to the BoC is composed not just of I come here to hang with We talk Honor Code, some of us students but also members of the peoplejust as genius as me? Should dream Honor Code, many study un­ other tiers ofthe community. There I haverealized that an honor code der the Honor Code, most live by are two co-chairs, the associate which allows students to .exercise the Honor Code. Students tell us dean and a student, elected by peers. their good judgment isn't half as they come to Caltech because ofthe More students, members ofthe staff appealil1g as a set of telling Honor Code. and the Faculty complete the com­ me exactly how to behave? Yet, in spite ofall this interest and mittee roster. A "routing group" When deciding to come attention, there seems to be a great meets to review new cases sincerely believed apIJro:aching deal about the Honor Code that re­ and assign to one or the other prc,ble:ms from mains It should not be. or to the deans. You can read about the honor sys­ BoC and CRC work tem and how it is where": there is an booklet handed out to students Caltech.At the 1999 but do

of the the Boe me:etlJags somehow "did not know. an at1nosmf1eJ"e very for There are two groups these days disregard by students the I say ing customs of ordinary mortals who are entrusted with the duty to secrecy ... uncontl'olJ(ea that came for three main rea·· well known. It is often seen as a protect us from those who would sons: the challenge, the research take" unfair advantage." One, the badge ofdistinction not to go to bed rumors breed well and am speaking out not against the and the honor code, all three of Board of Control, has ended up in until the rooster crows; the problem administration, but to let the admin­ which require unmatched creativ­ the main dealing with academic ofcourse is made worse by the fact spreadfar. " istration know that the students are ity and independence. transgressions. It is composed of that there are not many roosters an important part of Caltech and Furthermore, I want to make it eleven students. The chair, also the between Del Mar and California many are eager and willing to help dearthat Ian's statement, "The laws vice president of ASCIT, and the In a second step they decide what Blvd. The late hour of the meeting shape the future ofthis school. The ofphysics determine what is safe," secretary are elected by the student to do to protect the community, tak­ and the hush-hush location of the particular vision ofthe future we are was inserted for effect. It's true to a body. Each house sends a represen­ ing whatever steps seem necessary meeting place can suggest that advocating is one where Caltech certain extent, but it is an oversim­ tative toe board, the "house rep." to prevent a recurrence. In all cases something inappropriate is going continues to be as creative, unique plification and skirts the real issues. with whom you can discuss the their decisions are recommenda­ on, that it is not a quasi judicial pro­ and independent as it has been in The incidents you cite are not en­ workings ofthe Board orproblems tions to the deans who, after appro­ cess but an inquisitorial proceeding. the past. tirely analogous. The nightclub ac­ you might have in applying the priate review, are charged with en­ Because the CRC has a mixed What we wish is that cident in Chicago involved over a Honor Code. There are also two forcing the board's decisions. In membership, its meetings take Caltech didn't to societal thousand people, the use reps at large appointed by the some instances the deans may re­ place in broad daylight and while pressures. ev- spray-no fire-and a narrow Board from the whole student verse the decision of the board or secrecy is equally important to for, as ide- as the exit. On occasions The Honor Code as it is ask it to review its decisions or take tect the innocent, there is less a certain kind of elitism. 40 enter or exit the impk:ml~ntedat Caltech leaves our some other action. threal:ening aura to its pnlceedilllgs. cO\lr1:',ranlin a rush-as wnn UOUlm- sttldents in of policing In tenure as dean I have found I must nuts the courtYaJrd,fOl" eJi.anlPJ,e­ themselves. it to work with the dedi- of the is I a there is no pf()blI3ll1. Another the Conduct Re- cated :,tU

of word "n;·~~~~" was clever too. if you weren't so you would Lionel '05 THE CALIFORNIA TECH COMMENTARY MARCH 3, 2003 7 MATHEMAGICAL! Worm Holes, Warp Drive ~~~ed~~:~c;h~~:~.~~~~th~~dr~f vague reports ofresearch into warp And a Visionary Physicist ~a:~;~:~~~~~es':~,e~~~ minum oxide, but close enough. Continuedfrom Page 1, Column 3 that's enough for me. The list continues: Krauss later summed up his posi- The style of the talk was well- videoconferencing, voice-con- tion on the possibility of extrater- rehearsed and fluid, owing in no trolled computers, the hypospray, restriallife by saying, "I firmly be- small part to the fact that he'd multiple advanced medical tech­ lieve there's life elsewhere in the likely given it countless times be- nologies including laser surgeries, universe." He added that unfortu- fore. Despite this repetition, there artificial hearts, cloning and genetic nately, it's unlikely we'll ever en- was no sign ofhis being bored with technologies, synthohol, nano-ro­ counter it. it; he answered questions with an botics, tricorders, androids, and It would not have been difficult earnest interest characteristic of doors that slide out of the way for Krauss to write the book from a the best teachers-and Starfleet of- automagically upon being ap­ completely different angle, slam- ficers-I've had the privilege of proached. In some areas, the tech­ ming the show for numerous incon- knowing. His undaunted curiosity nology oftoday has even surpassed sistencies and irreverence for real was perhaps influenced by his that ofthe Enterprise crew: the Tab­ science. His choice to keep an open Treksmanship, and he later admit- let PCs make Personal Access Dis­ mind about the myriad of implau- ted that whether his interest in play Devices look antique, and sible possibilities makes him a bet- physics prompted his interest in don't get me started on user inter­ ter scientist, a better daydreamer, Star Trek or vice versa was a face design; if you think Windows and a much more successful author. "chicken and egg question." is bad, try typing an e-mail using Every Trekkie remembers arguing Krauss is of course not the only an LCARS interface. If you don't with a science teacher over why the real-world thinker with a little spark get it, don't worry; it just means light speed barrier can't be insur- ofSpock in him. One doesn't have you're cooler than me. mountable. Screw relativity; all you to lookfar to see where science has Last but far from least, a private have to do is cut a whole in the fab- caught up with science fiction. It lab in Portugal has brought sight to ric of space-time, go through it, seems that if anything, a blind man using an artificial eye come out the other side, llJld sew. it Roddenberry. underestimated our hardwired to his brain stem, while back up... progress in some areas, to the de- similar results in countries limited The single most frustrating thing gree that technology is outpacing to more conservative human experi­ in all of modem physics is know- the writers' creativity. mentation methods are forthcom­ ing that there's an essentially infi- While audiences scoffed at Kirk's ing. The Genesis project is sadly nite universe of worlds to explore, handheld communicator, in retro- much further behind schedule, as and our best minds are telling us spect one could fit four cellular funding for terraforming Mars is in that we can'tgo there-orifwe did, phones in that space today. The short supply. we couldn't come back in the life- CAVE, a predecessor to the I'mgoing to go out on a limb here time of our friends in the Terran holodeck, is being used in industry and say there probably isn't another P. DormianilThe California Tech Systemto tell them about it. I know to evaluate automobile prototypes series that comes close to this level Master magician Bradley Fields stimulates creative thinking and ill- some really smart physicists are without ever building them. This of technological prediction, al­ spires curiosity by revealing the secrets behind startling magic tricks painting some relatively bleak pic- month's PopularScience describes though in some cases it's difficult at his performance lastSaturday in BeckmanAuditorium. His show, tures of superluminous travel, but the first Airborne Laser capable of to determine which came first. MatheMagic! aims to demonstrate the beauty ofmath. as long as there's room for hope, destroying missiles-or other tar- Baywatch was a quality show, to be ======~sure, but even the most optimistic viewers aren't holding their breath waiting for a world populated by GEOLOGISTS Surplus Blesses Movies, LUKE'S LAND Pamelas. I have a feeling that the reason Star Trek technology is being re­ WIN ICE SHELF Tax--free House Funds ACQUISITION alized at such a high rate is that a Continuedfrom Page 1, Column 5 significant number of the best FOR RESEARCH minds in the world have grown up counts. In the end, many such un­ ment and buying food, but the out­ STILL IN FLUX with the series. According to By ROBERT TINDOL spent small budget items snow­ going BoD left the suggestion to Krauss, essentially everyone in balled into the $10,000 surplus. incoming BoD for consideration, By IRAM PARVEEN-BILAL physics is at least familiar with it, There aren't too many living in­ ASCIT staff proposed several since the proposed event would take Caltech is moving forward on a and many find it something of an dividuals who can go to the mall ideas for the extra cash. The movie place during their term. plan to purchase property currently obsession. and buy a globe with their name chairs received up to $2000 to pur­ Jamroom Manager Spencer host to St. Luke's hospital in north­ Krauss first spawned most of his printed on it, but the California In­ chase movies and extra cases. They Rarrick '04 presented some infor­ east Pasadena on East Washington groundbreaking ideas in his book, stitute of Technology just added plan to buy movies from the list of mation he had found doing research Blvd., said Vice President ofBusi­ from which Krauss drew the mate­ two. those lost two years ago and from for a new ASCIT sound system. A ness and Finance Albert Horvath rial almost verbatim for his talk. If Barclay Kamb and Hermann the list obtained from last summer's bare-bones system, he said, would Thursday. you liked the talk, you'll love the Engelhardt, longtime researchers survey. Approximately 100 movies consist of at least two cabinet "We started looking at the possi­ book, and if you loved the book, on the workings ofthe Antarctic ice have not been repurchased from the speakers, a subwoofer and support­ bility of acquiring St. Luke's last then the talk is okay. The only prob­ streams, have been honored by the list of those lost. Another 150 re­ ing amplifiers. summer," he said, "and since then lem is if you'd read the book re­ American Advisory Committee on main from the list that were sug­ Spending economically, ASCIT we have been trying to analyze the cently, then you found yourselfpre­ Antarctic Names (ACAN) with the gested by students on the survey. could purchase JBL brand equip­ value of the site to Caltech and are dicting what he was going to say. renaming of two features near the Last year, however, the BoD ment, getting the speakers for tying lose ends thatcould ultimately Ofcourse, for a Trekker, that's noth­ gigantic Ross Ice Shelf, a Texas­ found a "box ofmoney," apparently $1,500 each, the subwoofer for be­ lead to a negotiation." ing new; most ofus are accustomed sized mass of floating ice. Hereaf­ left overfrom the days when ASCIT tween $600 and $1,000 and the am­ In the summer of 2002, a com­ to predicting lines with the preci­ ter, the feature informally called charged for admittance to ASCIT plifiers for between $2,000 and mittee undertook analysis of the sion of an android. "ice stream C" will bear the formal movies. The few thousand dollars $3,000. Higher quality, EAW brand site's structural value to Caltech and So, if you haven't read the book, name Kamb Ice Stream and "ice in the box went to replacing as speakers could be purchased for be­ took evaluations from focus groups read the book, and if you've never ridge BC" will be formally named many ofthe lost movies as possible. tween $2,500 and $3,000, with the that had representatives from all seen Star Trek, for the love of Q, the Engelhardt Ice Ridge. The BoD also approved a motion other costs remaining rougWy the campus constituencies. In addition, start now. Ifyou're a physicist, stop to put $100 in each of the house same. Rarrick advocated more re­ Dr. Kamb, a geology professor, is they visited the site and were ini­ being so whining and dig me a funds that were set up earlier this search into the matter, so the BoD still active in attempting to under­ tially considering it as an appropri­ worm hole. Ifyou're a biologist, I year to allow people to donate to didn't set aside money for it. stand the rapid flow of the Antarc­ ate "swing space" for accommoda­ want a tribble-preferably fixed, the houses tax-free. The aim was to Citing accounting procedures, the tion of undergraduates during the although given that they're born tic ice streams and its potential ef­ entice house treasurers to learn how BoD turned down a request for planned renovation of the houses. pregnant, this might prove difficult. fects on the health of the great ice to use the account by giving them a money by BoC chair Galen Loram That plan was dismissed instantly, Props to the computer scientists out sheet that covers 98 percent of the little money to withdraw from it. '05. Loram requested money to however, thanks to its distance­ there; ya'll're doing your part. As Antarctic continent. Ifthe ice sheet There was some debate about fund food for cases, which helps overfour miles from campus-

Courtesy ofR. Tmdol Geology professors Barclay Kamb and Hermann Engelhardt display a slab ofice from the Antarctic ridge that now bears their name.