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Volume 123, Number 62 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 Tuesday, December 9,2003 Orientation to Precede Student Missing Since Friday 1nrm rrnus';ng Lol-fnry By Christine R. Fry DV n" '" f,f,tij EDITOR IN CHIEF Daniel S. Mun '05, a biology By Beckett W. Sterner said, but "as it stands now, the abili- major who lives at the Chi Phi fra- and Lauren E. LeBon ty for freshmen to go through an in- ternity, has been missing since early NEll'S EDITORS house rush is next to zero." Friday morning, authorities say. The The schedule for Orientation She said that Dormcon was in MIT Police are working with 2004 moves the freshmen housing the process of consulting with the Boston and Cambridge police to lottery until after the end of Orienta- Undergraduate Association and search for Mun, said Senior Associ- tion, and also shortens the length of . Interfraternity Council, and that ate Dean Robert M. Randolph. Orientation to four days. they were planning an official Mun, known to friends as Dong, The decision to move the hous- response to the schedule this week. "was last seen at his living group at ing lottery back was made primarily 4: 15 a.m." Friday by his roommate to separ~te the academically- Timing of dorm rush not fixed and friends, when he got out of bed focused orientation program from While many events during Ori- to use the bathroom, said Lowery D. dormitory rush and the housing entation are fixed in the schedule, Duvall '05, the president of Chi Phi, process, said Chairman of the Ori- the current draft does not specify the a fraternity of about 45 students entation Committee J. Kim Vandiv- exact timing of residence explo- near the Prudential Center in er.. ration' or the housing lottery, Boston. Q Vandiver said that the decision although it requires they happen MIT has filed a missing person ~ was a consequence of past experi- after the end of Orientation on Fri- report with the MIT Police, the ences when both dormitories and day September 3,2004. Massachusetts State Police, and the fraternities, sororities, and indepen- The events, whose order in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, dent living groups held rush during schedule are fixed, are those which Randolph said. orientation. "The Orientation events must occur before freshman regis- "The pol ice are noti fied," he just suffered," he said. "Rush domi- tration or depend on the schedules said. "We're in constant contact nated the week." of speakers, said Elizabeth C. with hospitals and prisons and other He said that there was no direct Young, assistant director of enter- places where missing people might

student input into the current sched- prise services. show up." Clf/PIII ule, but he and Associate Dean of Specifically, freshman registra- "There will be a boat on the river Daniel S. Mun '05 has been missing since early Friday morning. Academic Resources Julie B. Nor- tion requires that each form be to search the river and river banks," man have met in the past few days entered into a computer database by Randolph said. He said that river vide no update on the search. dinner Friday evening or later in the with representatives from the hand before the regular MIT Regis- searches will likely occur today and evening, Duvall said. This was out Undergraduate Association, ILTFP tration Day, which takes several periodically after. Chi Phi organizes search parties of character for Mun, he said. (a student activist group), and oth- days. This means that all advanced Late last night, the MIT and Fraternity members became con- ers. standing exams, learning group Boston police said they could pro- cerned when Mun did not return for Mun, Page 12 "We've been getting student explorations, and the academic expo input for two years," said Vandiver, must happen before freshmen regis- and Orientation is "still all a work in tration on Thursday, Sept. 2, Yo'ung VestDiscusses Retirement and Future progress. " said. Dormitory Council President Other events, such as an alcohol By Keith J. Wlnsteln ofMIT. cation worldwide. Emily E. Cofer '04 said that "next awareness talk or women and NEll'S EDITOR The Tech: What do you see as I feel that I have helped to year we'd like to see some marked minority events, have not yet been President Charles M. Vest your legacy at MIT? reestablish a good sense of partner- improvement in terms of consult- determined beyond having two announced Friday that he is step- Charles M. Vest: That's such a ship between the federal govern- . ing" with student government. evenings set aside during Orienta- ping down after J 3 years at MIT. hard question, but several things ment and our research universities "We thought that the actual tion as place holders. The Tech sat down with him Mon- come to mind that I feel have been by maintaining a steady drumbeat of overall orientation material was day morning in his office to talk accomplished by MIT during this trips to Washington .... And I also overall very well organized," she Orientation, Page 15 about his presidency and the future period. The one thing is really get- believe that the opportunity to sup- ting us on a vector to have real- port Professor Nancy Hopkins and world leadership in Brain and Cog- her colleagues when they came out nitive Science: the establishment of with the report on the status of the McGovern Institute and the senior women faculty in the School Picower Center, and bringing the of Science and the whole national BCS department to the core of the - and indeed international - School of Science. avalanche that that unleashed, I felt I am extremely pleased that we very good about being part of that. were able to launch OpenCourse- TT: What are your personal Ware, because I believe this is future plans? going to prove to be an extremely Vest: Well, when my father important force and the beginning of a larger movement in higher edu- Vest, Page 16 Bus, T Fares To Rise on Jan. 3 MBTAPromises Better Security and Renovations with Money By Jennifer T. Wang have steady financial status, we can make improvements," he said. Stock up on T tokens because Improvements will include the the Massachusetts Bay Transporta- addition of more frequent bus and tion Authority will be increasing Green Line service, the rebuilding fares on January 3, 2004. Bus fares of the Charles / Massachusetts Gen- will rise from $0.75 to $0.90, and eral Hospital Red Line station, and subway fares will increase from increased security. . FRANK DABEK-TIIE TECH $1.00 to $1.25. The Central Transportation Institute Professor John H•. Harbison has been commis- MBT A spokesman Joe Pesaturo Planning Staff, an independent sioned to compose a short choral pieCe by Pope John Paul said that the fare increase was analysis group, predicted that the prompted by large discrepancies ridership would decrease by 3 per- between revenue and expenses. cent after the fare increase. Howev- "The T has a $25 million gap er, Pesaturo said that the group pub- between revenue and expenses, and lished a similar result after MBT A a projected $50 million gap between fare increases in 2000, which raised revenue and expenses for next bus fares from $0.60 to $0.75 and Harbison, Page 19 year," said Pesaturo. "The fare increase will close the gap. Once we Fare Hike, Page 10

This is our last issue of the Comics FEATURES World & Nation 2 semester. The Tech will publish on Akshay PatH's nerd humor ends Opinion 4 Wednesdays during lAP, starting the semester. You'll laugh, you'll Arts 17 with Jan. 7, 2004. Good luck on cry, you'll_exit ( -1) ; Events Calendar 22 final exams, and happy new year! Features 23 Page 20 Page 23 Sports 24 Page 2 THE TECH December 9,2003 WORLD & NATION • Supreme Court Appears Likely With Large Ceremony, Bush To Overturn Texas Man's Death TIlE NEW YORK TIMES WASHINGTON Signs M~care Bill Into Law Delma Banks Jr., a Texas death-row inmate, lay strapped to a gur- ney with barely 10 minutes to go before execution last March when By David E. Rosenbaum blue banner with a large "Rx" and lion over the next 10 years, he will the Supreme Court granted a stay in order to hear his claim that pros- THE NEW YORK TIMES the words "Keeping Our Promise to at least neutralize a big political ecutorial misconduct rendered his murder conviction and death sen- WASHINGTON Seniors." advantage Democrats have enjoyed tence unconstitutional. With the pageantry of a cam- "You are here to witness the for more than 35 years. Banks, the longest-serving of 453 prisoners on Texas' death row, paign kickoff rally, President Bush greatest advance in health care cov- The tactic was similar to one has had 15 execution dates in the nearly 24 years since he was sen- signed into law Monday the legisla- erage for America's seniors since used by President Bill Clinton tenced to die at age 20 for killing a 16-year-old acquaintance and tion giving the elderly prescription the founding of Medicare," Bush before the 1996 election, when he stealing his Cat. Given the justices' reactions on Monday to the argu- drug coverage under Medicare for declared. diminished a traditional Republican ments in his Supreme Court appeal, it is unlikely that he will face an the first time and changing the "Our government is finally political advantage on welfare by execution date again in the near future. Medicare system so that private bringing prescription drug coverage signing a law that required most The court appeared strongly inclined to set aside at least the death insurance companies will have a to the seniors of America," he said, poor people to work if they wanted sentence, if not the conviction itself, in a case that death-penalty much bigger role. and "giving older Americans better government assistance. opponents have cited as an example not only of what can go wrong in The ceremony took place in one choices and more control over their Democrats are banking on the a capital prosecution but also of what they deem the casual attitude of the largest halls in Washington, health care." belief that the Bush strategy will that the federal appeals court with jurisdiction over Texas has adopt- filled with thousands of cheering Democrats immediately as~ailed backfire and that elderly people will ed toward the capital cases it reviews. supporters of Bush. More than a the legislation. At a rally on Capitol become disenchanted when they dozen lawmakers, nearly all of them Hill of labor leaders, representatives learn that the new Medicare drug Republicans, surrounded the presi- of the elderly and liberal lawmakers, benefit, which will not become u.S. Asks Taiwan to Avoid dent as he signed his name. the Democrats declared that the effective until 2006, is not nearly as The elaborate bill-signing was president's legislation was a sham generous as many had hoped. For Voting Over China Issue the most visible evidence so far of that would destroy the venerable instance, based on existing drug HIE SEW YORK TIMES how the president intends to make program. They maintained that prices, someone with $5,000 in WASHINGTON the Medicare measure an important theirs was the only party that could annual drug expenses would have to The Bush administration issued an unusually strong warning to issue in his re-election campaign. be trusted to protect Medicare. bear 70 percent of the cost, with Taiwan on Monday not to hold a referendum that could fuel the The White House distributed to "Who do you trust?" Sen. Medicare paying only 30 percent. island's independence movement. The decision was intended to curb lobbyists, campaign donors, politi- Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., Bush emphasized these four ele- tensions in Asia and avoid a crisis there while U.S. forces are tied up cians and other luminaries 2,200 shouted. "The HMO-coddling, drug ments of the massive legislation: • elsewhere. tickets to the ceremony in the his- company-loving, Medicare-destroy- ~ Insurance coverage that for a The warning came just a day before President Bush is to meet toric OAR Constitution Hall, the ing, Social Security-hating Bush premium of about $35 a month, China's new prime minister, Wen Jiabao, at the White House. ornate auditorium near the White administration? Or do you trust and after a deductible of $250, will All three parties - China, Taiwan and Washington - are House that was once the center of Democrats, who created Medicare cover 75 percent of the cost of pre- engaged in a delicate dance that involves as much international diplo- classical music in the capital. The and will fight with you to defend it scription drugs up to $2,250 each macy as domestic politics: Taiwan's leaders are up for reelection, the public address system played John - every day of every week of every year and 95 percent of drug costs Bush administration needs Chinese help on issues like Korea and Philip Sousa marches 'as they filed year?" after patients have spent $3,600 trade, and the Chinese would like Washington to take a harder line through the doors. In an interview later, Kennedy out of pocket. towards Taiwan. An array of elderly people, many said he had been busy and had not ~ "More health care choices," Administration officials insisted that there was no change in the. flown by the White House staff to watched the signing ceremony. so that elderly pe,ople c~n choose fundamental one-China policy, and, indeed, the State Department in Washington from around the coun- The Medicare program, created to drop the convention~l Medicare recent weeks had said it opposed steps that could lead to indepen- try, sat grinning and applauding in in 1965, is one of the gemstones of program and join private managed dence for Taiwan. bleacher seats behind the president, President Lyndon B. Johnson's care plans subsidized by 'the gov- But the warning on Monday was usually blunt and officials went where they were in full view of the Great Society. It provides health ernment. further by stating that they were abandoning three decad~s of deliber- television cameras. Many of the insurance for 40 million elderly and ~ Medicare coverage of routine ate ambiguity about how far either China or Taiwan could go in their women wore fire-engine red coats disabled Americans and is one of physical examinations. - constant maneuverings for the upper hand on the question of reunifi- or tops, ensuring that people would the most. popular government pro- ~ Health savings accounts .that cation or independence. notice this was a mixed audience, grams ever developed. would allow Americans to buy not all male like the one that Bush hopes that by fulfilling a high-deductible health insurance grouped around the president last promise he made in his 2000 cam- and set money aside in tax-free New Jersey Hunters Kill Bears month when he signed the bill paign and securing the biggest new savings accounts to me~t. medical With Protesters in Their Sights restricting some abortions. benefit since the program was enact- expenses not paid f(ir by their Over the president's head was a ed, at an estimated cost of $400 bil- insurance. i TIlE NEW YORK TIMES VERNON. N.J. Hundreds of hunters armed with shotguns and muskets tromped through a foot of snow on Monday in search of some of what could Psychologist Says Sniper Was be as many as 3,200 black bears thought to be residing in northwest New Jersey. The six-day hunt had been alternately hailed as an attempt to cull a bear population that had grown to dangerous proportions and lam- indoctrinated by Father Figure • basted as a cruel exercise in human vanity. Protesters were also out in force on Monday as the fierce weekend By James Dao Franklin, facing the death penalty if "He understood he was being snowstorm that struck the region threw an unexpected wrench into THE NEW YORK TIMES convicted. He has pleaded not guilty trained to do something to get the the hunt. Bears live in 41 states, 27 of which allow bear hunts. CHESAPEAKE. VA. by reason of insanity. A jury in Vir- children back," Cornell testified. But the issue in New Jersey, the nation's most densely populated Months after he confessed to ginia Beach sentenced Muhammad That training included learning state, has been the subject of a handful of lawsuits and a welter of almost all of the Washington-area to death last month for the killing of how to use high-powered rifles, controversy. sniper shootings last year, Lee Boyd Dean Meyers in.Manassas, Va. playing "stalking games" on shoot- There was speculation early in the day that the snow would keep Malvo told a psychologist that his Cornell testified that Malvo ing ranges, viewing sniper training the bears in their dens, where hunters were forbidden by the rules of confession was a lie intended to pro- recanted his confession after several videos, playing sniper-style video the hunt. But by 5 p.m., hunters had bagged 61 bears, the largest tect the real shooter, John Allen months in jail, when he began to games and watching violent war weighing 498 pounds, the state Department of Environmental Protec- Muhammad, the psychologist testi- break free of Muhammad's sway. movies. Cornell compared the train- tion said. fied on Monday. At that time, he said, Malvo told ing to the indoctrination that child The psychologist, Dewey'Cor- him he had served as a spotter in the soldiers in Africa experience. nell, said that Malvo, 18, so thor- Franklin shooting, using and giving Once a firm but warm father fig- WEATHER oughly idolized Muhammad, 42, Muhammad the green light to shoot. ure, Muhammad increasingly and had been so completely indoc- During their conversations, ~ecame a drill sergeant, coaching Record Snowfall trinated by the older man, whom he Malvo took cre'dit for only one .Malvo to "not let himself have feel- By Roberto F. Rondanelli called his father, that he was pre- shooting, that of'a bus driver in ings" and to act like a "soldier on a pared to go to jailor even death row Montgomery County, Cornell said. mission," Cornell testified. What are the chances of witnessing two of the biggest snowstorms to shield Muhammad. Cornell was the latest of several To give jurors a taste of the so- in record in a period of 10 months? Although the final amount of During weeks of "training" for defense mental health experts whose called indoctrination, Cooley snowfall at Logan Airport station was only 17.1 inches, many places the shootings that left 10 people' testimony was intended to convince showed the jurors snippets from around New England and the Boston metro area received significantly dead in the Washington area, jurors that Malvo was so in thrall- to video games and the film "The more, ranging from about 10 to 40 inches. Cambridge recorded about 2 Muhammad told Malvo he must Muhammad that he could not make Matrix," which he said Malvo feet of snow (50 cm), 5 inches more than for the President's Day "self-destruct" if arrested, Cornell independent moral judgments: watched more than 100 times, once snowstorm, which set an all-time record amount in Logan Airport of said. The younger man understood Cornell, who met with Malvo 21 just before the Franklin shooting. 27.6 inches. Considering the greater Boston area, this snowstorm is at that to mean that he should "take times and interviewed him for 54 Muhammad also taught Malvo least comparable in magnitude to the one in February. Even with the full responsibilities for the crimes," hours, testified that he believed his brand of black nationalism underestimated amount of snowfall measured in Logan, the snowstorm Cornell said. "The most important Malvo suffered from a mental ill- drawn from the teachings of the ranks second in amount of snow for the month of December since thing in his life was to fulfill the ness at the time of the crimes, mak- Nation of Islam, Cornell said. He 1920. mission and not disappoint his ing it impossible for him to tell right required Malvo to read speeches by In the forecast, temperatures will keep cool today and tonight. Dur- father," said Cornell, testifying for from wrong. black separatist leaders and even ing Wednesday we expect some southerly winds advecting relatively the defense. Under questioning from Craig S.. played recordings of those speeches warm air as a low pressure system approaches New England. The win- In interviews with investigators Cooley, one of Malvo' s lawyers, to Malvo while he siept. ter is still two weeks ahead and who knows what other surprises may in November 2002, Malvo took Cornell gave one of the most The core of that philosophy bring. Enjoy it. credit for firing all of the fatal shots, detailed descriptions yet of Malvo's taught that white people were "dev- Extended Forecast including one that killed Linda view on the evolution of the sniper ils" who had enslaved black people, Today: Mostly sunny. High 38°F (3°C). Franklin outside a Home Depot in plot. The psychologist said Malvo making violent rebellion and the Tonight: Mostly clear. Low 26°F (-3°C). Falls Church, Va. The teenager told him that Muhammad had begun killing of innocents morally accept- Wednesday: Partly cloudy becoming increasingly cloudy in the laughed about the crimes in taped training him for an unspecified mis- able, Cornell said. Muhammad also afternoon, chance of rain on wednesday night. High 42°F (6°C). remarks that were played for jurors sion after Muhammad's former wife said he wanted to extort $10 million • Thursday: Rainy, becoming clear late in the afternoon. Low last month. gained sole custody of their three from the government so he could 40°F (4°C), High 46°F (8°C). Malvo is on trial in the killing of children in late 2001. create a utopian community. • December 9, 2003 WORLD & NATION THE TECH Page 3

(; United Russia Election Victory Humanity? Maybe It's In the WIring Criticized, Called Undemocratic Tm: NEW YORK TIMES Neuroscientists have given up looking for the seat of the soul, but By Steven Lee Myers the most votes of any party in any liamentary . Assembly, Bruce they are still seeking what may be special about human brains, what THE NEW YORK TIMES election since the collapse of the George, said at a news conference it is that provides the basis for a level of self-awareness and complex MOSCOW Soviet Union in 1991. Turnout was in Moscow that the vote represented emotions unlike those of other animals .. International observers on Mon- a low 56 percent. a "regression in the democratization Most recently they have been investigating circuitry rather than day criticized Russia's parliamen- Two groups that sent election process." He also reported "blatant specific locations, looking at pathways and connections that are cen- tary elections as a step backward in observers, the Council of Europe fraud" in Bashkortostan Republic, tral in creating social emotions, a moral sense, even the feeling of the country's democratic transition, and the Organization for Security in the southern Urals, and "irregu- free will. only moments after President and Cooperation in Europe, said in a larities" in Siberia and the Far East. There are specialized neurons at work, as well - large, cigar- Vladimir Putin described them as report that the results also reflected The criticism is not likely to dent shaped cells called spindle cells. "free,- honest, open and democratic." "the extensive use of the state appa- the exercise of Putin's power. Rus- The ~nly other animals known to have such cells are the great United Russia, the party defined ratus and media favoritism to benefit sia, which is a member of the apes. These neurons are exceptionally rich in filaments. And they almost entirely by its fealty to Putin, the largest pro-presidential party." OSCE, has ignored the group's appear to broadcast socially relevant signals all over the brain. swept to overwhelming victory on The report, based on the findings protests over its conduct in Chech- The body, it turns out, is as important as the brain. Dr. Antonio Sunday after benefiting, t-he of 500 observers, offered some of nya. Damasio, a neurologist at the University of Iowa Medical Center and observers said, from fawning cover- the harshest criticism yet of Russian Indeed, Putin interpreted the the author of the book "Looking for Spinoza: Joy, Sorrow and the age on state television and official elections, saying the vote called results as a clear validation of the Feeling Brain," has pioneered the argument that emotions and feel- support at all levels of govetnment. "into question Russia's willingness course he has set in the four years ings are linked to brain structures that map the body. From human Putin's party crushed the Commu- to move towards European stan- since he became president, despite social emotions, he said, both morality and reason have grown. nists and ousted all but a handful of dards for democratic elections." steps viewed here and abroad as liberals from Parliament, capturing The president of the OSCE Par- autocratic. Secondhand Smoke May Hann Family Pets, Too Gore Will Announce -Endorsement TlfE NEW rDRK TIMES A small but growing body of research suggests that secondhand cig~rette smoke, which has been shown to harm humans, may harm pets, too. Of Dean for -President, Aides Say Lung cancer is rare in dogs: Only about one dog of 25,000 gets it By Adam Nagoumey would not run again, stunned' said: "I think this may be the begin- each year, according to one study. But a 1992 study published in the and Jodi Wilgoren Democrats and emboldened the ning of the end for the other candi- American Journal of Epidemiology of 51 dogs with lung cancer and THE NEW YORK TIMES Dean campaign, which chartered dates. I don't know how they stop 83 dogs with other cancers found that dogs in smoking households WASHINGTON three jets to carry Dean, Gore and him." had a 60 percent greater risk of lung cancer. Al Gore has decided to, endorse dozens of reporters to Cedar Gore's decision put him in the The risk was even higher for dogs with short or medium-size Howard Dean for president, aides to Rapids, Iowa. odd position of supporting an insur- noses: "everything from pugs to poodles," said the chief author, Dr. the men said Monday, a move that "This is huge,." said Donna gent candidate who has built his John S. Reif, a professor of environmental health at Colorado State rocked the Democratic presidential Brazile, who was Gore's campaign campaign attacking the centrist University . field and hastened Dean's evolution manager in 2000. "It gives Dean Democratic positions that the for- A 1998 study, published in the same journal, of 481 dogs with from a long-shot maverick to a what Dean has been missing most: mer vice president has espoused for cancer showed that long-nosed dogs like collies and wolfhounds were leading candidate of the Democratic stature. Gore is a major-league two decades. twice as likely to get nasal cancer if they lived with smokers. Reif, establishment. insider, somebody with enormous It also came as a devastating who also led this study, speculated that carcinogens became trapped Gore will announce his endorse- credibility that Democrats respect, surprise to Sen. Joseph 1. Lieber- in their nasal passages. ment of Deim on Tuesday morning who can rally the grass roots and man, D-Conn., who was Gore's In a study published in the same journal last year, veterinarians at events in Harlem, New York, and who's been speaking very strongly running mate in the disputed 2000 from the Tufts University veterinary school found that cats whose in 'Iowa, Democrats close. to both in the last few months about the election. Lieberman delayed enter- owners smoked were three times as likely to develop lymphoma. men said. The decision by Gore, the direction he wants to take the coun- ing the 2004 race until he was sure Lymphoma is the most common cat cancer. The risks are greater, former vice president who opened try." Gore would not run, a show of the study found, if the cat has lived in a smoking household for five th,e floodgates to this crowded Gerald McEntee, the president courtesy to Gore that Democrats years, and greater still if two smokers live there. Democratic 'nomination contesJ by of the municipal workers union, later blamed for Lieberman's slow , 4ec1ari~g .last D€?cember thflt he w~ich endqrsed Dea!1 last month, start in the race.

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. Page 4 THE TECH December 9,2003 OPINION •

Chairman Jyoti Tibrewala '04

Editor in Chief Christine R. Fry '05

Business Manager Roy K. Esaki ' 04

Managing Editor David Carpenter '05

NEll'S STAFF News and Features Director: Jennifer Krishnan '04; News Editors: Keith 1. Winstein G, Lauren E. leBon '06, Beckett W. Sterner '06; Associate Edi- tors: K1lthyLin '06, Marissa Vogt '06, Jenny Zhang '06; Staff: Jeffrey Greenbaum '04, Michael E. Rol- ish '04, Jay K. Cameron '05, Sam Hwang '05, IsseI Anne L. Lim '05, Jessica A. Zaman '05, Brian C. Keegan '06, Tiffany Koso1charoen '06, Lakshmi Nambiar '06, Jennifer Wong '06, Waseem S. Daher '07, Tongyan Lin '07, Julian E. Villarreal '07; Meteorologists: Samantha L. H. Hess G, Robert Lindsay Korty G, Greg Lawson G, Nikki Prive G, William Ramstrom G, Michael 1. Ring G. Il'{@l PRODUCTION STAFF Editors: Hangyul Chung '05, Kevin Chen '06, Tiffany Dohzen '06; Associate Editors: Sie Hen- drata Dharmawan '05, Nicholas R Hoff '05; Staff: .Letters 10 The Editor Andrew Mamo '04, Albert Leung '06, Jolinta Lin 05CND-MIT.html) cuts right to the core: serving the traditional definition of marriage. '06, Jonathan Reinharth '06, Jennifer Huang '07, Questioning Vest "He also dealt with enduring problems of Just two days before The Tech editorial was Yaser M. Khan '07, Y. Grace Lin '07, Sylvia • Dear Editor: student life like drinking and mental health. printed, The Boston Globe published an article Yang '07. On Friday morning, news of President The death of a freshman, Scott Krueger, 'from about religion at Harvard and MIT stating that OPINION ~TIFF Vest's resignation broke to the world. For many an overdose of alcohol in 1997. after a fraterni- "there. are 15 evangelical Christian fellowship ty hazing, highlighted the alienation many stu- groups at the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- Editors: Andrew C. Thomas '04; Associate Edi- MIT alwnnae and alwnni, word came via an e- tor: Vivek Rao '05; Staff: Basil Enwegbara SM mail from Beth Garvin, executive VP and CEO dents felt at the university, largely because so nology alone ... Hundreds ~f MIT students are '01, Gretchen K. Aleks '04, Ken Nesmith '04, Arif of the MlT Alwnni Association. Beth invited us many had lived in fraterni.ties and independ~nt ' involv~d in these fellowships - blacks, Z. Qadir '04, W. Victoria Lee '06, Daniel Barclay to take great pride in our school's accomplish- houses around Boston and Cambridge, Mass., whites, Hispanics, and Asians" ("God on the '07, Ruth Miller '07. ments and influence on the world while Chuck since the institute was chartered in 1861." Quad," 'Dec. 30). The artiCle also explained Vest has been at the,helm. Indeed, we can, and I The thesis - in particular, the thesis as seen that evangelical Christians believe only in tra- ' SPORTS STAFF certainly do. However, one thing we cannot by international media at a pivotal moment in ditional marriage between a man and a woman. Editor: Jennifer DeBoer '05, Phil Janowicz '05; take pride in is Dr. Vest's abandonment of the Chuck Vest's career - is flawed, and every- This is not to mention the many other religious Columnists: 0.8. Usmen '03, Eric Rosenblatt rights and responsibilities of students as legal thing that flows from it is suspect. In order to and secular groups and individUals'on campus '04; Staff: Brian C. Chase '06, Yong-yi Zhu '06. adults. Dr. Vest's drive to destroy the indepen- handle this "alienation," we need to dismantle a who likewise support traditionill marriage. ARTS.)/"AFF dent living group system (and by that I specifi- system of communities that for generations Please understand that by championing the Editors: Jeremy Baskin '04, Allison C. Lewis cally mean all ILGs, of which fraternities are have let students, feel like they have finally , cause of one. group on campus, you are mar- '04; Associate Editor: Kevin G. Der '06; Staff: but a subset) is rooted in politics, fear, and come hoIl1e. We had to destroy the village in ' ginalizing the religions and core belief systems Bogdan Fedeles G, Ruby Lam G, Sonja Sharpe greed, not a dedication to the mental and educa- order to save it. Perversely, th}s purported ~ure o(other'MIT groups. In the spirit of MIT's G, Fred Choi '02, Chikako Sassa '02, Jed Home tional well-being of MIT's students. Catalyzed for alienation has resulted in some of the most "accepting community" to which yo~ refer, we '04, Pey-Hua Hwang '04, Petar Simich '04, Amy by Scott Krueger's death, the notion that indi- profound antagonism arid distrust between MlT urge The Tech to take a more balanced and Lee '06. viduals are responsible for their own successes and its students illrecent memory. representative approach to this issue. PHOTOGRAP/H' 5TAFF and failures - a notion that has been a founda- At this point, one can only hope that , Cristie Charles Editors: Brian Hemond '04, JonathanWang '05, Dan tion for the heights to which MlT and its schol- MIT's next chief executive will realize the MIT Affiliate Bersak '02; Associate Editor: Peter R. Russo G, ars have soared - has devolved under Dr. error of his predecessor's ways, and make a Jina Kim '06; Staff: Marcus Dahlem G, Wendy Gu Vest's tenure into a morass of in loco parentis sincere effort to build new, bridges to the stu- From the editor in chief The purpose of G, Stanley Hu '00, Eric 1. Cholankeril '02, Scott that mirrors, rather than challenges, the dismal dents, rather 'than razing them. Foremost, this The Tech's editorial board, like at most Johnston '03, Miguel A. Calles '04, Jimmy Cheung legal riptide of our society. requires that' students be respected as free- newspapers, is to debate topics of relevance '04, Ben Gallup '04, Dmiay Portnyagin '04, Hassen MlT's independent living group system gave thinking individuals: so that at MIT they learn to the readership and decide on an opinion. Abdu '06, Matt D. Brown '06, Jimmy Cheung '04, those students who wanted it a wide-ranging not just how to choose their own path' for- That gay marriage should be allowed is John M. Cloutier '06, Grant Jordan '06, Stephanie Lee freedom to live as they pleased in one of the ward, but also when to defy the path and step indeed our editorial board's opinion . '06, Edward Platt '06, Omoleye Roberts '06, Rene world's great cities, and gave those students who off into the great unknown. But we do not suggest that those who dif- Chen '07. desired it an intimate community of their peers Kevin McCormick '99 fer with us are illegitimate players in the FEA TVRf."'SSTAFF and colleagues, never more than a few minutes' debate. We are happy to have a vibrant , walk away. Now, purportedly for the puq>Oseof debate on camp,!s - we love being the • Editor: Brian Loux '04; Associate Editor: Diversity of Opinion Ricarose Roque '06; Columnists: Bruce Wu G, "building community," Dr. Vest has simultane- medium of campus debate, and the more Kailas Narendran '0 I, Devdoot Majumdar '04, ously eliminated choice and made MIT take new This letter was co-signed by 43 other MIT well-reasoned disagreement there is, the Akshay Paril '04, Danchai Mekadenawnpom '05, responsibility for the consequences. By requiring community members. more columns we can have on our op-ed Alex Nelson '06; Cartoonists: Jason Bums G, freshmen to live on campus supposedly because Dear Editor: pages. Feel free to contribute your own. Jumaane Jeffries '02, Sergei R Guma '04, Sean Liu MIT is "safer" and because they are supposedly For a newspaper bent on supporting diversi- I want to stress that no news editor or '04, Jennifer Peng '05, Nancy Phan 'OS, Qian Wang incapable of handling the decision to live else- ty, it is ironic that The Tech would state an reporter participates in the editorial board. '05. where, MlT now has to explain itself when the "official opinion" (see Opinion Policy) strongly We are very serious about that separation.

BUSINESS 5TAFF theory is proven flawed. To wit: the tragic death supporting same-sex marriage and leave so lit- Our editorials are not supposed to influ- of Elizabeth Shin in 2000. tle room for diversity' of opinion on this subject ence our news coverage, and we enforce this Advertising Manager: Aye Moah '05; Staff: Indeed, Friday's article in The New York Lynn K. Kamirnoto '05, William Li '06, Victoria (see "}lictory for Gay Marriage," Dec. 2): We by forbidding opinion staff to write n~ws Fan '06, Lauren W. Leung '07, Donald H. Wong Times about Dr. Vest's resignation (http:// would like to point out that a significant portion articles and vice versa. (I am the sole, rare, '07, Jennifer Y. Wong '07. www.nytimes.com/2003/12/05/education/ of the MIT community believes strongly in pre- exception.)

TECHNOLOGY STAFF Director: Roshan Baliga '03; Staff: Frank Dabek given higher priority. Once submitted, all let- G, Daniel Leeds '05, Lisa Wray '07. Opinion Policy ters become property o( The Tech, and will Editorials are the official opinion of The not be returned The Tech makes no commit- EDITORS AT LARGE Erratum Tech. They are written by the editorial ment to publish all the letters received. Senior Editor: Aaron D. Mihalik G, Satwiksai board, which consists of the chairman, edi- Seshasai G; <:ontributing Editors: Joel C. Corbo The Tech's Ombudsman, reachable by tor in chief, managing editor, opinion editor, '04, Joy Forsythe '04. e-mail at [email protected], a senior editor, and a photography editor. serves as the liaison between The Tech and Dissents are the opinions of signed mem':' ADVISORY BOARD its readers. From time to time, the Ombuds- bers of the editorial board choosing to pub- Peter Peckarsky '72, Paul E. Schindler, Jr. '74, V. man writes an independent column reflect- lish their disagreement with the editorial. Michael Hove '83, Barry Surman '84, Robert E. ing the complaints, questions, and concerns An article Friday ["Vest to Announce Letters to the editor, columns, and edi- Malchman '85, Deborah A. Levinson '91, of the readership. Retirement"] referred incorrectly to a Jonathan Richmond PhD '91, Vladimir V. torial cartoons are written by individuals construCtion project begun under Presi- Ze1evinsky '95, Anders Hove '96, Saul Blwnen- and represent the opinion of the author, not dent Charles M. Vest. It is the McGovern thai '98, Joel Rosenberg '99, Joseph Dieckhans necessarily that of the newspaper. Electronic To.Reach Us Institute for Brain Research, not the '00, Ryan Ochy1ski '0 I, Rima Amaout '02, Ian submissions are encol!fClged and should be McGovern Center. Lai '02, Nathan Collins SM '03, 8. D. Colen. sent to [email protected]. Hard copy The Tech's telephone number is (617) The article, also omitted a credit. Jen- submissions should be addressed to The 253-1541. E-mail is the easiest way to reach nifer Krishnan and Frank Dabek con- OMBUDSMAN Tech, P.O. Box 397029, Cambridge, any member of our staff. If you are unsure' tributed to its reporting. John A. Hawkinson. Mass. 02139-7029, or sent by interdepart- whom to contact, send mail to general@the- Another Friday article ["Harvard PRODUCTION STAFF FOR TJIIS ISSUE mental mail to Room W20-483. All submis- tech.mit.~du, and it will be directed to the Study Finds Binge Drinking less Fre- Editors: Kevin Chen '06, Tiffany Dohzen '06; sions are due by 4:30 p.m. two days before appropriate person. Please send press releas- quent on Div~rse Campuses"] misspelled Staff: Jennifer Huang '07, Lauren W. Leung '07, the date of publication. es, requests for coverage, and information the reporter's surname. She is Megan Sylvia Yang '07. Letters, colwnns, and cartoons must bear about errors that call for correction to 9gilvie, not Oglivie.

TIw r A lISoY; 014%07 •• ~~ m T ...... and r...... -?lll'I T~(617.2.5J-I~1. _.,.17)2.5lI-8J2'I, -.....c.l7)~ _, __ .. _ """ ~,_ """ """""*. f...... - C 2ftl) 11w or condense letters; shorter letters will be Web at http://the-tech.mit.edu.

Ttdl. PnnlrJ 0" ~/,..j ptlpf'f" 17," Clturln Rivrr p,J,[bltutte- December 9,2003 OPINION THE TECH Page 5 Supporting Graduate A Different Idea Student Health Care For Presidential Selection Jamil R. Abo-Shaeer hope MIT will join its peer institutions by giv- Jason H. Was}} tributes serious money to fostering more inti- ing similar treatment to its graduate students. mate connections between faculty and under- In failing to do so, the Institute will risk its graduate students. Over the past few years the Institute has status as a premier academic institution, since MIT's creative innovation has always set These are just a couple of examples of how tightened its belt to compensate for the declin- it depends so heavily on graduate students to the l!lstitute apart. From the pioneering engi- Khoury understands that at a great research ing economy. Budgetary concerns affect conduct its research. neering work in the 1940s that helped the institution, innovation in education and inno- everyone, from student~ to faculty to staff. In light of these events, student groups U.S. military defeat the Nazis, to the bold vation in research can - and, indeed, must - Until the economy recovers we must all learn have formed to lobby their department chairs OpenCourseWare initiative that will help go hand in hand. That happens, for example, to make do with less, be that lab equipment, to ease the burden of increased costs. Several bridge the technology gap between rich when top-notch faculty discuss their research building maintenance and, in some cases, departments have been receptive to the needs nations and poor ones, to the necessary with enthusiastic undergraduate Burchard salary. Bearing this in mind, I am writing this of their students, increasing student stipends admission a few years ago that MIT has his- scholars. letter to voice my community's concern about significantly. Unfortunately, the departments torically discriminated against female scien- If you're still not convinced that a social the way that the Institute is treating its gradu-' can only partially offset the increase in the tists, and now needs to lead the drive toward scientist should lead MIT, then consider the ate students' during these lean years. cost of living. It is clear that this is an Insti- full gender equality in American science - case of MIT's third president, Francis Amasa Based on recent events, the general senti- tute-wide problem and, therefore, it must be innovation always has pushed MIT to the Walker. Before coming to MIT in 1881, ment among graduate students is that the addressed at the Institute level. My hope is forefront of teaching, science policy, and Walker was professor of political economy administration's cutbacks disproportionat~ly that recent cutbacks to our standard of living research. and history at Yale. So a social scientist has target those with the least. During the past two mostly result from our weak voice to the So now that Chuck Vest has decided to served as president of M IT before. And years we have seen a substantial decrease in administration. If these disjointed student retire, how can we choose a new president to although Khoury has served as a forceful our disposable income. This was mostly groups can unite under the umbrella of a com- ensure that MIT will continue to lead for champion of humanities, arts, and social sci- brought about-by a 100 percent increase (60 mon cause, we will be able to pressure the decades to come? ' ences at MIT, he understands the centrality of percent this past March) in the cost of manda- administration to address our concerns. Well, the answer might be a little more technology to MIT's mission. tory health insurance, the Studen't Life Fee, To this end, I ask you to join us in unifying creative innovation, MIT -style. The implicit "The principal role of history and the and escalating rent in both on- and off-campus the graduate student community behind the assumption behind many of MIT's choices of other humanities disciplines at MIT," Khoury housing. In addition to the skyrocketing cost demand for subsidized health care. The cost of provosts and presidents in the past has been said last year, "is to contribute to the prepara- of health insurance, ~e've seen a dramatic such a subsidy would constitute less than one that presidents should be engineers, and tion of tomorrow's leaders for all walks of reduction in benefits ..These include large cuts percent of MIT's annual budget. This is far provosts should be scientists. The Institute life and mainly for careers in science, tech- in OB-GYN services, reduction in mental less than the over-budget costs that MIT has hasn't always followed that rul.e (the current nology and management. These future leaders health benefits, large co-payments for many paid for some its recent building projects., The provost, Bob Brown, is a chemical engineer), require at least as much rigorous training in , medical procedures; and a 50 percent increase impact on the MIT community, however, but many have considered leadership from the qualitative, synthetic, and contextual in prescription drug co-payments. would be far more significant. scientists and engineers essential for the methods learned in the humanities as they do According to the Institute's own, cost of In addition to graduate students, we hope world's premiere institution of technology. in the quantitative analysis, logic, and prob- living analysis, the annual disposable income to gain the support of the entire MIT commu- But with this important decision in front of us lem-solving learned in the sciences and engi- for graduate students has plummeted by over nity, professors, undergraduates, and adminis- now, challenging traditional assumptions will neering." $3,000 during the last two years. Provost trative staff. If you share our concern about prove crucial once again. This represents not only a clear under- Brown has already stated that the cost of graduate student life at MIT, we ask that you So here's an idea. Philip Khoury, a histo- standing of the importance of science and health care is expected to increase again: next sign our online petition located at http://peti- rian, and the current dean of MIT's school of technology at MIT, but a sophisticated and year, with graduate students likely to absorb tion.mit.edu. At this site you will also find humanities, arts, and social sciences, should subtle appreciation for the social implications the extra cost. It is unfair to so drastically detailed information about the fight for parity become the next president of MIT. Khoury of science and technology. And, crucially, it reduce the level of support for students that with our peer institutions. Already, in our has overseen a bold expansion of humanities represents recognition that students are central came to MIT with the expectation that they infancy, we have collected over 1,000 signa- at MIT - notably, in working to organize to MIT, and that good research should not will be able to Imeet 'their expenses over the tures. and implement the $75 million school of squelch educational initiatives. , next five' to six years: The situation is espe- For those of you interested in helping out, humanities, arts, and social sciences Kenan Just to make sure that no one thinks cially grave 'for married and international stu- there are a number of things you can do: We Sahin Fund, which at the time represented Khoury has put me up to this, I have no idea if dents': Annual' family health insurance costs ask that everyone signing the petition encour- the greater portion of the largest gift ever to he'd be interested in the position. He'll proba- several thousand dollars, arid now far exceeds age his or her classmates, friends, and advis- MIT. Much of the money in the Kenan Sahin bly get mad at me for writing this. And I sus- that of several of our peer institutions. Gov- ers to also sign. Discuss this matter with your Fund will go to support educational initia- pect he'd never consider himself a candidate ernment grants. and loans are unavailable to d~partmental ~tudent organization (or orga- tives and graduate student fellowships . for the position.' But I hope that both Khoury .international students, who comprise nearly nize a group if YQu don't have one). Arrange Khoury has worked to support students in the and MIT will opt for creative innovation in 1,' • 0'. I •. I' ..

40 perce'Iit 'of graduate student population. ' j to meet with' yo~r 'department chairs to let co'ntext of a university that too often shoves selecting the new president - casting aside It is ironic that the Institute's treatment of , them 'know that the decline in quality of life is student priorities aside for other institutional the implicit assumption that an engineer or a its graduate students seeIlJs to run counter to your major concern. You can also visit the site missions. scientist must lead the Institute. What's recent actions taken by peer institutions (Har- to download a poster for your office door or a And that certainly was not the first time absolutely essential is that the new president vard, Yale,' Berkeley, Stanford, and Caltech), paper petition to collect signatures. Finally, that Khoury has worked hard on behalf of understands the importance of education to where steps have been taken toward improv- we can always use more help and we encour- student interests. Khoury seems to have a l\1IT's mission, and appreciates MIT's pro- ing the quality of life for graduate students. age you to join us at meetings. Please, let your keen sense for how much the gulf between found ability to drive new innovations in sci- Examples include increased stipends (without voice be heard. Any questions, concerns, or to faculty and students threatens educational ence and technology in the context of a highly additional fees or health care increase), fully volunteer please e-mail [email protected]. quality at the Institute. Almost 10 years ago dynamic global society, subsidized medical and dental care, and hous- Jamil R. Abo-Shaeer is a graduate student now, Khoury led the establishment of the Jason H. Wasly 'OJ is a student at Har- ing subsidies. As a leader in education, we in the Department of Physics. Burchard Scholars program, which con- vard Medical Schoo/. . .Suspicious Timing on Human Rights Day province of China for over a hundred years. years after China's accession of Hong Kong, region early this year. Many lives were lost and Tim Suen and Sonya Huang After being occupied by the Dutch in the Chinese officials enacted measures against the epidemic lasted months longer than it 1600s, Taiwan remained a backwater territory existing democratic programs, such as popular should have, when China prevented World Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao' s visit to the that received little imperial attention for over elections in Hong Kong. Health Organization from dispatching assis- United States, which takes place this week and 200 years. It was not until 1887 that Ching The Chinese government has also inter- tants to Taiwan. China's insistence on prioritiz- includes a lecture at Harvard .tomorrow morn- officials declared Taiwan a province of their fered repeatedly with the democratic process ing political nomenclature above human lives ing, is no small matter. Wen is the highest- empire. Only eight years later, however, in Taiwan. China ran military exercises along casts serious doubt on the possibility of ranking Chinese official to visit the United China ceded Taiwan to Japan after losing the the coast in an effort to intimidate voters dur- improving living conditions in any region it States since Hu Jintao became President of Sino-Japanese war. Taiwan then became a ing Taiwan's first direct presidential election seeks to claim. China in March. The most pressing concerns colony of Japan until the end of World War in 1996 and repeatedly threatened to use force What remains unclear, amid heated on his agenda involve. the sovereignty of Tai- II. When the Chinese Nationalists lost the during the 2000 polls. As Taiwan prepares for debates and military tension, are the reasons wan. Specifically, he wants the White House to civil \yar in 1949, they fled to Taiwan and its next presidential elections in 2004, China behind China's persistent need to stake politi- declare that it opposes the independence ofTai- 'established control of the island. Thus, Tai- seems eager to replicate its past behavior. cal claim over Taiwan. Rather than demon- wan and any efforts the government of Taiwan wan's government, military, and economy Recent referendum laws allowing the people strating any "foreseeable benefits that might might take in that direction. Rather, China, have been separate'from those of China since of Taiwan to vote on constitutional and .other result from the unification of China and Tai- maintains that it has the right to "regain;' con- .1895.. public policy changes have already elicited wan, China argues that the only alternative trol of this "renegade province" by force if nec- The difference between the two is that Tai- threats of violence from Beijing. In fact, laws would be disrupting "peace" and "stability" of essary~ This attitude toward Taiwan deeply dis- wan has evolved into one of the most enabling the Taiwanese to decide their own the. Asia-Paci fic region. Yet the threat to turbs Taiwanese Americans and should advanced demo'cracies in Asia while China future have so enraged Chinese authorities regional stability will not be the result of any unnerve p.eople of democratic nations world- not only remains undemocratic but also shows that they claim willingness to wage war with- initiatives Taiwan pursues toward indepen- wide. aversion to any attempts towards democracy out regard to the economy and people of dence per se, but the attack that China promis- Wen's assertion that Taiwan is an inalien- under its jurisdiction. While Taiwan institutes China. es in response to such initiatives, Instead of able part of China is unsettling on several progressive reforms, such as the Gender Nor has China convinced us that it is capa- allowing peaceful means of resolution, China counts. First, it i's historically inaccurate. Sec- Equality Labor Law, China continues to ble of managing affairs beyond its corporate would rather resort to violence to ensure an ond, no communist nation has a reasonable refuse, its citizens their freedom of expression hubs in Shanghai and Beijing. When the 1999 outcome in its favor. The 500 ballistic mis- claim to a developed and thriving democracy. and religion, cracking down on political earthquake claimed the lives and homes of siles aimed directly at Taiwan today is just Third, in its interactions with Taiwan,. China activists and spiritual groups such as the Falun thousands in Taiwan, the Chinese government one of China's tactics to distort the prospect has proven itself to be an irresponsible care- Gong. Chinese oppress~on of the East Turk- impeded relief efforts from Red Cross interna- of independence. taker. Fourth, China continues using threats of istanis has worsened and treatment of the tional, insisting that Taiwan's disaster relief On the eve of World Human Rights Day and violence to intimidate the Taiwan~se' people Tibetans remains reprehensible. Not only has was China's own concern. Yet the aid that Tai- Premier Wen's visit to Harvard, let us consider and deny them their right to self-determina- the government of China repeatedly violated wan finally received from China, long delayed the freedoms we take for granted and stand up tion. the basic human rights of its inhabitants, but it by bureaucratic processes, was not even com- to preserve the rights of those around the world. , Taiwan has never been ruled by the Peo- has also made a point of ensuring that democ- parable to the independent donations. This sce- Tim Suen and Sonya Huang are members ple's Republic of China and has not been a racy does not go unmolested. Only a few nario was repeated when SARS struck the of the class 012005'. Have a lot Write opinion for The Tech! Call 3-1541 or stop by W20-483 to say? or e-mail [email protected] Page 6 THE TECH OPINION December 9,2003 The Ombudsman When The Tech Runs Pictures of Students .on RoofS When I discussed them with him, he said date), and mentioned the administration was extremely bad for the staff involved. Keyser John A. Hawkinson that he took photos of interesting activities, talking with ZBT. describes the paper's duty as- "to cover the and that he made no special effort to concen- Carol Orme-Johnson, assistant dean for news, and to do it honestly and truthfully"; I I dug myself in a hole on this one and got student discipline, inquired of think he hits the point head-on. snowed in. My Sept. 23 column, encouraged The Tech how the people in the Student journalists take their craft seri- you to "stay tuned for some hacking com- photo were identified as ZBT ously, and in such a case their reputation mentary," and now this is last issue of the members (the answer: by their would be damaged. Readers would always term. I apologize; the subject was relatively conspicuous fraternity lettering). have to wonder how much information The complicated and the victim of much procras- I spoke to her in early October, Tech has that we have chosen not to print. tination on my part. and she said, "It's my job to Some people have asked me if The From time-to-time, The Tech covers investigate incidents that go on Tech's journalists are students first or jour- activities on campus that can fall under the across campus.". When asked nalists first. It's an uncomfortable question. general umbrella of "hacking" - technically what effect the photograph could Everyone has divided loyalties, but I think illicit (meaning against the rules), though have, she said, "It's evidence, it expectation of the public needs to be that generally not illegal, happenings that occur is not proof. It's' not conclusive The Tech's journalists are journalists. (It's on campus, as part of the the Institute's tra- proof of .guilt. It could be also important to understand that all journal- dition of hacks. The IHTFP Hack Gallery rebutted. " ists need to have an ide~ of the sense of dam- (http://hacks.mit.edu) defines a hack as a I. also talke

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CHARLIE'S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE @ 2003 Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All Rights Reserved. WHALE RIDER @ 2003 Sony Pictures Television Intemational. All Rights Reserved . . . Page 8 THE TECH December 9,2003 Heater MBTA Will Allow Amplified Music in Subway Trumpets and Drums Still Banned; Musicians ~imited to CertaiI:l'Performance Areas By Jenny Zhang Causes ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR Following widespread public opposition, the Massachusetts Bay FmtFire Transportation Authority has modi- fied its Subway Performers Program By Ray C. He . Policy to allow for the use of ampli- .~TAFF REPORTER fiers at a limited decibel level rather A fire broke out at Theta Xi fra- than banning them altogether. ternity at 64 Bay State Road, last Massachusetts Senator Jarrett T. Wednesday, according to the MIT . Barrios had heard complaints from Police incident log. his constituents about the. ban on David N. Rogers, associate dean amplifiers and spoke with Michael of fraternities, sororities, and inde- H. Mulhern, the general manager. of pendent living groups, was notified the MBT A, who agreed to delay the of the fire and wem to the scene to ban for a week to allow further dis- assess the situation. The fire "was cussion, said Barrios's press repre- caused by a space heater," Rogers sentative, Colin Durrant. said . The MBT A and musicians then "As soon as the fire caught, peo- . reached a compromise that permits ple ran in with fire extinguishers. the use of amplifiers at limited vol- There was still a lot'of smoke after- umes, said MBTA spokesperson wards," said Aaron H. Bell '06, a Lyaia Rivera. "We spoke to musi- member of Theta Xi. cians, the musician's guild, com- The fire itself causes little dam- muters, and local officials," she age. "The majority of the damage said. was water damage from the sprin- Other rules, including the ban on klers after the fire was put out," Bell trumpets, requirement that musi- • SYLVIA YANG-THE TECH said. cians obtain photo permits, and lim- Pumla Bhungane sings to music from a CD at South Station. Bhungane has been singing at T stations "There was no fire damage and itation of performance areas to for four years. He is able to continue singing after the MBTA decided to allow amplifiers for musicians. little water damage," said Hua- Yu MBT A-designated locations, still S. Cherng 'OS, president of Theta stand. The policy is online at Musicians are also limited to horns. "There weren't many.trum- listened to us," he said. Xi. hup:l /www.mbta.com/blls illess _t/Sll MBT A-designated performance pets and drums" to begin with, He said that he understands the "The sprinklers are fixed and bwayperformer. asp. areas, indicated by signs on the sub- Rivera said. photo ID requirement, and wel- refilled; the electrical work was The new rules were implemented way station walls. Brian James, a The restrictions on subway musi- comes it because it legitimizes the rechecked and they were all fine to yesterday; however, musicians will vocalist and guitarist who has been a cians were a result of post-Septem- subway musiCian system. James move back into the house," Rogers have until the end of the year to subway musician for two years, said ber. 11 recommendations for thinks that imposing a sound level said. obtain their permits, according to a that some of the designated locations increasing subway safety, Rivera limit is also understandable, Fires in FSILGs are not a com- Dec. 4 article by The Boston Globe. are unreasonable because "nobody said. There were concerns that the although he s'aid' he personally mon occurance. "This is the first stands there,". and that would cut musicians were drowning out rarely rece!ves complaints about one I've been to," said Rogers. "I've Policy limits sound, requires ID deeply into musician earnings. announcements and blocking traffic. being tOQloud. , been here three years and this is the The new policy limits music Durrant said that subway musi- She said that the MBTA has no He saiq he had taught music' for first time I've dealt with one." sound level to 80 de~ibels at 25 feet cians may appeal to the MBT A to plans to change the performers poli- several years to t'eenagers with away, and requires that musicians ~hange or add designated perfor- cyagain. behavioral problems, b1}t the job . "obtain a photo permit from 'the mance areas . "needed lots of time and energy." • •••• MIl MBT A for a fee of $25.00 prior to The policy also bans "trumpets Busking crucial, musician says James said that his commitment to •••••• PUBLIC SEilVICE CENTER •••••. I any performances." Each permit or trumpet-like instruments, and Subway performance, also this oc£upation prevented him from web.mit.edu/mitpsc lasts for a year, at which time the drum~, as they are not suitable for known as busking, can be very performing, so he quit, and turO.-edto Room 4-104 performer must obtain a new one. the subway environment." The ban .important to a musician's career and subway performance as a means of . x30742 "ID will be routinely checked," said does not apply to trombones, saxo- financial situation, James said. contributing to his income. He Rivera . phones, tubas,. baritones, and French . When he received the letter in . found the experience to be-invalu- .. mid-Nove.mber ..from the MBTA ... able~" .. -. announciiigthat amplifiers would be "It was'an epiphany, :working for banned, he was very concerned.'~It myself,': he said. "It's been the best. . was J1erve-wracking to not know thing, having a place to practice, and ! where my income would come get better. and earn income." . 2 CENT COpy DAY from," he said. "People tell me to "1 play to' a wide range ot peo- .~ get a real job, but this is a real job. I .ple,' and I can test original songs," , was thinking what part. o~ my he said. "It's very differt?nt from income comes from busking, and I playing for myself, and I can find . IS TODAY! . thought that on December I, I' out if the audience likes a piece or would have to find a full-time job." . not." He said that he has also When he heard that the ban on earned invaluable gigs and connec- amplifiers would not go into effect, . tions through 'his subway perfor- James said he was grateful to the mances. MBTA and people who worked for "It's like a live demo tape, they the policy change. "I'm actually' know exactly what they're getting, "THANKS" impressed with the MBT A. They he said. To ALL Students for a GREAT semester! All self-service copying 2 Cents per side (8.5xll/20 lb white paper/B&W copies)

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AARON Mil/AUK-TIlE TECH ( COPYTECH COPYTECH COPYTECH ) Irene E. Brisson '05 (left), Janet Y. Zhou '07 (front), and Mar- tine Lamy '04 are silhouetted against a backdrop in "Cliche Soup.", December 9,2003 THE TECH Page 9 Early Snowfall BuriesMIT

One of the largest storms the Northeast has seen in recent history blew through last Friday night and contin- ued on through Sunday morning, leaving more than a foot of snow on t~e ground.

Clockwise from top left:

Cars cross the Harvard Bridge Saturday In the middle of the storm.

The annual Christmas Tree decorating the steps of the Stratton Student Center lies underneath a blanket of snow.

Beacon Street lies covered in snow less than an hour after the storm arrived Friday night.

A fallen street lamp lies beside the sidewalk outside of Burton-Conner, illuminating the accumulating snow.

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Department of MIT FACILITIES - Use Less and Save More Use less e~ergy and save our environment

• Turn off lights when leaving a room.

• Close all fume hood sashes in labs and turn off all non-essential lab equipment when not in use. P"LUSH DADDY FLY

• Turn off all non-critical office equipment, including co~puters and monitors, copiers, fax machines, scanners, & an~ printers during the special closing period. THE INVISIBLE FISH HOOK • Close all exterior doors and windows to prevent pipes from freezing. If you need assistance, please call 3-4948. , Did you know? ORIGINAL SKETCH COMEDY If every member'of the MIT community turned off,his or her computer each n{ght, savings could total as much as $1,448,699 over a one-year period. THURS'DAY DEC. 11TH 8:00PM For more Information about MIT's special holiday 10-250 FREE! closing period, visit web.mit.edli/facllities. Thank youl Page 10 THE TECH December 9,2003 Frequent T Riders VoiceFrustrations•• Fare Hike, from Page 1 community members on Nov. 6, members of the MBT A board voted subway fares from $0.85 to $1.00, unanimously to approve the fare there was no subsequent decrease in increases, The Boston Globe report- ridership. ed on Nov. 7. However, they decid- ed that bus fares would increase to Subsidized pass price to rise $0.90, instead of the originally pro- MIT Parking and Transporta- posed $1.00. tion will continue to offer subs i- . Despite the promised improve- dized T passes for MIT employees meI!ts, commuters still tend to be and students,' but prices will wary ofthe'MBTA. . , increase because of the fare "I have friends who are very increase. As of February 2004, angry" with the fare increase, said monthly subsidized bus passes will Nicole Rioles, library assistant at cost $12, up from $9.50, and sub-. Rotch Visual Collections. "The way passes will increase to $22, up last increase in 2000 had no posi- from $17.50, according to the tive outcome - there were no pos- Parking and Transportation Web itive benefits for the cost site. increase." Despite the price increase, John When the MBT A first proposed M. McDonald, assistant director of fare hikes in March, distrust of the enterprise services, said that he does transportation authority led to the

BRIAN IlEMOND-TIlE TEell not expect to see a drop in MIT formation of advocacy groups Sl;lch For the second time this year, heavy snow has led to the deflation of the James B. Carr tennis community T passes purchases. The as "Beat the Fare Increase." bubble. The bubble suffered a similar fate during storms in 1994 and in 1997. number of people buying the passes According to its Web site, http:// did not drop after the fare increase www.ace-ej.org/Farelnc.html, the in 2000. group said that fare hikes would force low-income riders to shoulder MBT A plans to improve services the costs . The MBTA plans to improve Another concern was voic~d by service by providing more frequent the advocacy group Massachusetts •" service to the busiest .bus routes, Public Interest Research Group. The deploying additional two-car Green group said that transfer rates from Line trains during evening hours, buses to subways we,re too high. A and offering express set:Vice on the November report released by Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line, MassPIRG showed that although the according to a Nov.'6 press release. cost of a on~-way ride is lower in . In addition, the MBT A plans to Boston than in other cities, the pro- increase supervision on certain posed fare increases would drive it routes, recruit ten additional police tothe top. officers to patrol the system, and Pesaturo said, however, that the hire fifteen more Commuter Rail report included inaccurate data for conductors. the Chicago and District of Colum- It will also use revenues to fund bia transit syste~s.

its Capital Improvement Project, I which Will include maintenance pro- Committee to discuss concerns jects such as the rebuilding of Red _' To encourage discussion Line stations at Charles / Massachu- b~tweenriders and the MBTA, the . setts General Hospital and Dorch- Transportation AuthoritY will create ester. Other projects include expan- a Rider Oversight Committee, sion of the new Silver,Line DUs which will hold monthly meetings route, addition of more environmen- to address rider concerns and try to tally-friendly buses to the fleet, and increase ridership. the installation of automated fare Pesaturo said that the committee collection equipment similar to that wil' comprise 24 individuals, divid- used with the MetroCard In New ed 'evenly between MBT A man- York City. agers, advocacy groups, and MBTA L riders. Applications,for the commit- MBTA and riders disagree tee will ,be available on the MBT A After hearing testimony from Web site, and flyers will be posted in the transit system. The MBT A t said that it will announce the mem- e] ,TJ I:.r~'r:<:= bers by Jan. 15. • It-• ::t:~ :l.....~~

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PLEASE VISIT GS.COM/CAREERS TO COMPLETE AN ONLINE APPLICATION. Goldman Sach~ is 8n equal opportnnity employer. GS.COM/CAREERS II Page 12 THE TECH December 9,2003 Proximity MIT Card Raises, Allays Security Concerns By Ray C. He concerns over security and priva- Office. extended. "We have coming up http://www.ai.mit.edu/people/ STAFF REPORTER cy .. technologies that will allow us to andre/miccard/ . MIT has'begun to switch faculty The possibility of covertly read- Privacy of cards not certain detect vehicle tags. That's usually Some of the problems DeHon and students from magnetic swipe ing and copying the cards, even as "Since [proximity cards] can be several feet," she said. identified were then addressed by identification cards to "proximity" they rest in other students' pockets, read at a distance, someone could the Card Office. The bits increment- ======~ cards read remains a concern. Nobody has set up a bogus ID reader in Lobby 7 Security depends on Card Office ed for a reissued card were random-, Analysis a~le from ~ demonstrated this, but nobody is to scan ID's as people pass," said . Security depends not only on ized, McDonald said, making a ------dIstance, prepared to say it is impossible or Chris T. Lesniewski-Laas G, who Indala's technology, but also on the stolen ID card useless once its but has yet to address the security even particularly difficult for proposed a replacement for the MIT MIT Card Office, which programs owner received a new card. concerns with both the new system MIT's electrical engineering Card in 1999. the readers. and the old system as a whole. majors. The typical range of the card "Any proximity reader and prox- Proximity cards have benefits Like the replacement of the stu- The card has the potential to readers is from 5 to 25 inches, said imity card, we program them in our "The RFIDs should be better dent services card with the origi- offer some new security benefits, Cherie O'Donnell, a sales represen- office, so we determine the encryp- than mags tripes because it'll be nal, multipurpose, magnetic-stripe however. A large part of the securi- tative for Indala Corp. of California, tion in our office," said John M. more difficult to copy it," Lesniews- MIT Card in the spring of 1994, ty of the card depends on the pro- which created the proximity card. McDonald, the assistant director of ki-Laas said. "It'll require more the shift to a new technology raises gramming done by the MIT Card The range of readers is being enterp,rise services. "We're still expensive equipment." using Indala' s equipment, but lndala While the proximity component themselves, even our vendors, do of the cards-may be harder to copy, not have the keys." the magnetic stripes - which Depending on MIT's use of remain on the MIT Cards - have these encryption and password fea- not changed. tures, the availability of proximity A notable improvement in securi- card reader and writer equipment, ty is the ability to access doors with- , and motivation, the cards could still out taking the card out of a wallet. be duplicated by people outside the "There's an obvious security Card Office, Lesniewski-Laas said. benefit, if you don't have to open "I would expect that within a your wallet to open a door," year or so, someone will have fig- Lesniewski-Laas said. "There's less ured it out," he said. incentive for people to hang around doors, like muggers for example." Some issues of swipe cards solved Indala uses a technology dubbed Some of the concerns raised FlexSecur, which keeps data on the about the 1994 incarnation of the proximity card encrypted. "The MIT Card still exist for the proximi- entire data field is scrambled prior ty cards. to programming the card," accord- "The RFIDs inherit all the con- ing to a technology information cerns of the magstripe IDs," page on Indala's Web site. Lesniewski-Laas said, using the This doesn't necessarily make it abbreviation for Radio Frequency harder to copy the information on Identification. the card, but it does mean, the Web These flaws included relatively site says, that "the data on the card easy duplication, the possibility of cannot be decoded to determine the card-reader lines being tapped, pre- actual information on the card." dictable modifications to deactivat- Indala would not divulge specific ed cards after they were reported technical information relating to the stolen, and the use of the cards as security of their cards and card read- JIMMY CHEUNG-THE TECH collateral, according to the "Securi- ers beyond what can be found on its Albert Un '04, a Milnet Residential Computing Consultant, swipes with a proxy card in his wallet to ty Assessment of the MIT Card" by Web site. exit N42. In addition to the magnetic stripe, all new Mil ID cards contain embedded RFiD tags that Andre M. DeHon '90. The docu- "That information is proprietary-

can be used with proxy card readers. ment is available at: I information," O'Donnell said. How Do Chi Phi, Police Search City_ of Boston for Mun You Measure Mun, from Page 1 and stores frequented by members and told no one where he may have was intoxicated at the time of his of the fraternity. gone. Randolph also said that there disappearance, Duvall said that he is the Growth Duvall said that on Saturday, Duvall said that the MIT Police was no indication of where Mun "not certain" and that Mun "had members of Chi Phi organized small searched Mun's belongings at the may have gone. been seen [from 1-4 a.m:] in peI:- of A Child? search parties of two or three people. fraternity house yesterday afternoon . "We weren~t able to find any- fectly normal condition." . "We organized into groups to and that some of his belongings had thing," Duvall said. There was "no "I did not realize that there might nfortunately for search commonly-used routes been given to the police. indication of psychological prob- be any indication that something is Uchildren living in around" Chi Phi, Duvall said. He lems or stress," he said. wrong," said Mun's father, Kyung some of the poorest " . said that groups looked for Mun No clues of possible whereabouts In response to an e-mail sent to countries in the world, ,15. Mun, speaking from his home in it takes more than fading along the routes to the MIT campus Duvall said that Mun left no note student group lists that, said Mun Missouri. -' marks on a wall. Randolph said he would not ChUdreach, one of /?~ speculate on a cause for Mun's dis- th~ oldest and l~est [email protected]~L appearance. child sponsorshIp ~ .. organizations, •• measures growth by .,r= MIT provides support for Chi Phi the number of hospitals, Randolph and David N. Rogers, wells for clean water, th~ assistant dean in charge of fra- and self-help programs ternities, said that their offices are we build in partnership with the proud families working with the members of Chi and communities Phi to provide support. where our sponsored ['- Daniel H. Daneshvar '05, the children live. incoming Interfraternity Council So when you become ;'6 ~ president, said that the Student Life a Childreach sponsor .tr-¥lI and receive pictures ~ Programs office had set up support and letters that speak of for Chi Phi and that MIT Medical hope, you'll know that , had spoken with its members. you have helped to make "We're all hoping for the best at a real difference in the 1r. lives of a needy child,. this point," he said. family, and community "All I can say is that I have been overseas. following the progress of this through communication with the dean's office and just deeply hope that this has a good outcome," said President Charles M. Vest. "But at this point, we just don't know." Randolph said that any tips or or send in th~ coupon below. information about the whereabouts of Mun should be directed to the

STEPHANIE LEE-THE TECH MIT Police (617-253-1212), the Phillip l. Johnson '05 sings a solo with the Mil Logarhythms at Alpha Phi for their holiday mixer dean for student life's office (617-

",,',,"" • : ... ~ ;1 Friday evening. 253-4052), or Randolph himself ' .f~_ ,.._':"'-~ (617-258-5484). .~ ;' .. . - .c: (.) chiJt ~ ..-.-=--' Q) r ------'-, ~ I Ytf! I want to know mort about Childrtach. I >. 1 1 .0 '0 1- 1 Q) 1 1 -ro+-' 1- 1 c o I~ I '0 J Q) 1- ZIp 1 u 1 I ro • 1 _c:coo • V)QJ 1 c. (/) Please .end to: 1 1t. (/) 1 c:h.ikIrWJ Child~(h:I55 Plan Way, 1 .. _ .. _ WarwICk. RJ 02886-1099 I Students Promoting Health at Mil :c I- December 9,2003 THE TECH

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man with an M.F.A. in poetry was the right ranked blackjack player. An operatic mezzo- interviews on Thursday, February 12. To choice to head an automated block trading soprano. And a lot of people who are just apply, log on to http://web.~it.edulcareer/ unit. Or that a designer of solar-powered exceptionally strong in CS, EE, math, and wwwlmonreg.htmL Ifthis isn't poss.ble, race cars was the right woman to help finance. please send a resume and cover letter stat- launch a new venture in computational ing your GPA and standardized test scores, The firm currently has openings in quantita- chemistry. But after we talked to them, it broken down by section where applicable, tive analysis, software development, trading, was clear to us. to [email protected]. All applications business development, accounting, finance, must be received by January 29. The D. E. Shaw group is an investment and investor relations. We're looking for and technology development firm. Since creative but pragmatic people, articulate,

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Members of the D. E. Shaw group do not discriminate in employment matters on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other protected class. December 9, 2003 THE TECH Page 15 Housing Lottery"Extended, May Hurt Dormitory Life Orientation, from Page 1 con would likely seek to move resi- to explore dorm cultures they will fit' lottery form that freshmen filled out ' As f()r the adjustment lottery, dence exploration and in-house rush into." last year indicated that 98 percent "It'll definitely make people stay in Vandiver said that he was open "back, during or before Orientation Last year, only 140 freshmen, or were "content" with their housing the same places." to discussion about the relative events begin," she said. one-seventh of the freshmen class, assignment. When asked to compare his Ori- orders and timing of residence She said that a later Orientation requested to transfer dormitories, Ubong Ukoh '04 said that the entation in 2002 to the proposed exploration, FSILG rush, and the would not mean more upperclass- and 80 were able to move. This fall, three day residence exploration peri- new Orientation schedule, Ukoh housing lottery. If someone gave men to represent dormitories or 200 freshmen made requests to od will not have much of an effect said "I think the old method has him a convincing argument, he said, floors because those students not move, but only 110 of the requests on dormitory rush. more pros than cons, and I would "1' d say fine." returning early would arrive right were fulfilled. "} don't think it's significant," suggest that they use the old "I think it's in the FSILG's inter- before classes started, and would A questionnaire on the housing Ukoh said. method." est if [the housing lottery] happened . not be any more able to contribute later," Vandiver said. He said that it to co~unity events. was. important to cpnsider the hous- ADVERTISEMENT ing system as a whole, including Later lottery may hurt dorm life both FSILGs and dormitories, and MIT' s hou~ing system changed that it was important to help support drastically in the fall of 2002 when living groups in the transition period freshmen were required to live on following freshmen living entirely campus for the first time in on campus. decades. Additionally, freshmen, Ultimately, Vandive'r said, the were allowed to remain in the dor..: best system for housing would be mitory they were initially assigned the one with "the fewest students to, essentially opting out of the who wen~ unhappy with where they housing lottery, and FSILG rush were put first:" was moved to the middle of the term. Housing events spread over weeks Some students believe that Currently, residence exploration allowing freshmen to opt out of the events are scheduled for four days housing lottery will be detrimental from Friday until Monday, wl.1ichis to dormitory culture and distinctive- Labor Day. Dean for Student Life ness. Larry G. Benedict said that one pos- Cofer said that "this is seriously sibility for a freshman move-out day going to impact the abilitY of dorms following the lottery was the four to maintain 'their cultures." day weekend several weeks into Pi-Han Lin '04 said there "will September. Vandiver said that definitely be a lot of students who FSILG rush was assumed to begin will not want. to 'go through the has- the Friday after Labor Day as it did sle, even if they prefer another dorm this year. or another side of campus," However, the schedule does not "I think with each incoming set aside a time during Orientation freshman class, dorm cultures' will for in-house rush between floors or fade away. I think it's regrettable," living groups. said Lin. "With implementations It "poses a big problem of in- like this, the Institute is not giving house rooming," Cofer said. Dorm- students enougi.1degrees of freedom PLUSH" DADDY FLY CSAIL Delays Planned & Move to Stata Center THE AGONY OF DEFEAT 1)1e Computer Science and Arti- (or start it), and, for ficial Intelligence Laboratory was instance, 'pack your more slated in January to start moving archival material that you into the $285 million Ray and Maria are not likely to need for Stata Center, in progress since 1999. the next while into orange In an e-mail sent late last night, crates over the next few ORIGINAL SKETCH COMEDY lab director Rodney A-. Brooks said weeks. Then when the move the move would be delayed: really does come you will be able to finish sorting Dear colleagues, and pac.king without much TH Up until this morning distruption to your sched- THURSDAY DEC. 11 8:00PM 10-250 FREE! the Stata Project Teamwere ule. still aiming at getting our move started on Jan 12th Thanks for your patience! and extending through the -Rod rest of the IOOnth. Due,to a combination of factors it now looks like we will not be starting our SMILE@MIT IOOveat that time. We are working with the Project Smile@MIT is a the MIT chapter of Operation CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL Teamto identify a new date that will not have to Smile, a non-profit organization.' Operation WINNERS!!! ! change again. The aim is to Smile performs free reconstructive surgery on move when the' network Grand Prize: Five course dinner for 4 at the infrastructure has been' children with facial deformities and bums. adequately tested and when Top of the Hub almost all work ".lin our Smile@MIT organizes fundraising events in Ticket No: 0303 - Sheldon Hewlett space has been completed. A March move is being which all proceeds go towards the surgeries. discussed as the best solu- During the week of April 14th to 18th , 2003, Consolation Prizes: tion to the' constraints, Smile organizes 8 Smile, in which people Ticket No: 0830 - Kate Baty but there are still a num- ber of discussions to be voted For their favorite professor by donating Ticket No: 0112 - E. Ptacek had and it could be sooner. any amount. The event raised over $300.The Ticket No: 0368 - Miguel Ferriera I'll let you know as soon as we are' able to fix a winner of that' event was Professor Mattuck Ticket No: 0124 - Chris Gichuhi definitive date. who raised $72.74. Ticket No: 1506 - Veronica Cedillos In the, meantime don' t Ticket No: 0307 - Sheldon Hewlett despair! For those of you who have seriously started On the '26th of April 2003, Smile and Number Ticket No: 0660 - Sofia Caleggero thinking about the moveyou 6 co-hosted an people auction. Dates offered know there is a lot of sorting, packing and dis- themselves and people from the audience Emails have been sent to all winners. Winners carding to be done. I sug- bided. The event raised over $1300. should send an email to smile-admcmmit.edu gest you continue this work to collect prizes. This semester, Smile@MIT organized a raffle. Sponsors of the raffle are Top of the Hub, Fire Smile! and Ice, California Pizza Kitchen, Bombay Club and Pizzeria Uno. Tickets were sold at $1 each and 1147 tickets were sold. The draw of raffle tickets was held on Saturday, 6th =) December "inthe Coffeehouse. Page 16 THE TECH December 9,2003 Vest Considers Sabbatical, Reflects onMITs Future Vest, from Page I the next president wi 11 stay the course and continue the path that the retired, he was a mathematics pro- Task Force on Student Life and fessor, I said, "Dad, what are you Learning set us on [in 1998]. '" going to do next?" He said, "I'm Each president has to decide going to paint the living room." He what they want to do beyond the hadn't planned much beyond that. fundamental responsibilities they So I'm in about the same stage. have, and I chose that largely in the Seriously, the Insti.tute has made a sense of national service and the sabbatical leave available. I haven't Washington domain. The next per- taken a sabbatical since 1974, and son may choose something entirely I'm hoping that I can actually do different, but I would advise that that. I just think after this incredibly they pick something that they take intense period of what will have particular ownership and try to been at that point 14 years, I would exert a little national leadership as like a little time to reflect and read. well as performing their duties I'm probably going to do some writ- here. ing, and think about wh~! I can pro- TT: Do you have any regrets ductively do next. about the last 13 years? I do not intend under any cir- Vest: My bigges.t regret is that cumstance to go to another universi- we haven't been able to build more ty. momentum and establishing greater My hope is that I'll remain here diversity across our faculty and, as I in some way, but I'll have to figure said, across our graduate student out a way to earn my keep. I cer- body. tainly hope to keep involved in TT: Knowing what you do now national affairs, policy affairs, about how the stock market was . maybe do a little bit more work for going to go, do you think MIT • AARON D. MJJlALIK-THE TECH . the non-profit center one way or would have financially planned dif- Institute President Charles M. Vest discusses MIT's commitment to the current policy of using an appli- another. So it's all very fuzzy right ferently four years ago? cant's race as ~ factor in college admissions in February 2003. now, but I am forward to a little Vest: I hope not. And let me tell time to reflect but I am certainly not you that in 1997-98, that academic ter, Shin, and Krueger matters, MIT open atmosphere and understanding with me, e-mail was the way to do ready to go out to pasture. year, you may remember that I seems to have developed a skittish on the parts of colleges and univer- it. ... TT: No immediate plans to go wrote my president's report that relationship with the press. How do' sities - the bar~ -'are going to go But seriously, the world has back to teaching at MIT? year on the path to our future, which you think MIT can heal its relation- down and a lot of .opportunity is changed immensely and there are a Vest: No. I'm pretty far out - really was a condensation and an ship on that front? going to be lost. So, I feel very couple of things that are on my it's been twenty-some years since attempt to bring coherence to the Vest: My hope is that having strongly about that. mind at the moment looking ahead. I've been engaged as a scholar in . general discussions of planning and opened up some of these horrible To get to the core of your ques- One is that I hope that over the com- research, but as you know I have a aspirations of the faculty .... things that every university and uni- tion, I think we're a lightning rod. ing years that MIT will begin to lot of interest and experience in pol- We had a set of things to versity president has to deal with, When things go wrong here ... we playa leadership role in sorting out icy matters and so forth. So I'll give accomplish, and to be honest, I was the tragedy of suicide among won- get put under a microscope, and I how we are going to generate ener- it some thought. I wouJd hope that bound and determined to accom- derful young people, my only hope think we just have to live with that, gy for this planet in the future and to maybe some seminars or maybe plish those no matter what the is that that having 'been opened up a but we do have, we should have the do so in an environmentally sustain- some sort downstream. But right stock market was doing. And I bit helps people to think, to.realize ability to insist that reporting be fac- able -way. I think this is perhaps the now I'm looking to another nine or used to kid the members of the the problem. tual and not just be piling on, and I largest challenge with a clear tech- ten months of hard work, and then executive committee that when we America has a suicide problem think really in the last couple of nology base that humankind fol- I'll stop to think about that. looked at the expenditure rates, the among young people. Every statisti- years, the major papers have pretty lows. TT: What advice would you nwnerator never changed, only the cal base shows that. Every institu- much moved beyond that. But 1 And while we continue to .play have for the next MIT president? denominator changed. So it's a fact tion is wrestling with it. And as you refuse to approach such serious mat- leadership in the things. the faculty Vest: Look, I believe this is the that, given the strong buildup over know, the reason I have been so ters as a public-relations matter. have developed in recent years - in best presidency in the United States, several years, and particularly the worried about how things 'like law- That's not what's it all about. nanoscale science and technology, and whoever the person that follows year where we ended up 57 per- suits may play out, is that a~,the end' TT: Where do you see MIT in brain and cognitive science, in me is, I hope wilt have as rewarding cent, it enabled me to get the back- of the day,. if society decides that twenty years from now? the scientific. underpinnings of a time personaJJy and professionaJJy ing and support of the trustees to institutions are liable for the results Vest: It is amusing to look back genetically-based medicine and so as I have had. The number one thing do what we planned to do. But I of such tragic deaths, what's goi~g and realize that I was in fact the first forth - I hope we wiHalso pay that I hope they understand is that was kind of Iike a bulldog on get- to happen is that thousands of young president of MIT to have a comput- attention to the macroscopic science being president of a major institu- ting those basic things done, and I men a-nd women who may have er in the office. We actually had that of that scale. And to' me, the combi- tion like this is a life. It's not a job, think we would have done them emotional difficulties who are now credenza built so I would have a nation of energy and environment is it's a 24-hour-a-day activity: very even if we hadn't had the really able to go to college and benefit place to put a computer. Very soon a huge challenge out there, that intense, as everything else at MlT rapid ramp-up. from it - because of the onset of after I came here, I made it known we're doing a lot in, but I hope tends to be. I very much hope that IT: With, for instance, Carpen- new medicines, because of the more that if people wanted to get in touch we'll do more .

By Kate Zemlke on campus or in publicizing the admission, versity and overseen an increase in tHe THE NEW YORK TIMES in a highly unusual report in 1999, that the endowment, to $5.1 billion this year from DEC. 7.2003 • university had discriminated against women $1.4 billion in 1990. Dr. Charles M. Vest was not the first on the faculty. At the same time, he has bee~ a persis- choice when the trustees of the Massachu- "He was visionary on the fu~damental tent presence in Washington, 'arguing for setts Institute of Technology went looking changes that were happening in academia, he the need to continue federal financing for for a new president in 1989. was tactical in terms of what MIT needed, science and serving on a number of com- But when the first choice, PhjJ)ip A. and yet he was extremely sensitive in deal- mittees to advance scientific research. After Sharp, a professor of biology at MIT, backed ing with many of the issues of student life," the September 11, -2001, attacks, he urged out after his selection had been publicly said Denis A. Bovin '69, vice chairman of that the national security move to limit the announced, the search committee telephoned Bear~ Steams and'an MIT trustee. "It's not topics. foreign students could study be bal- Vest, who was provost and former dean of hard to find someone who's good in one of anced by the continJIing need for academic engineering at the University of Michigan. those areas. To find someone who excelled freedom .... In Cambridge, Mass., people raised an . in all three is quite rare and precious." . "Chuck's success is that he is very much ) eyebrow at the notion of choosing an out- One of the earliest problems Vest tack- of the world of the newest of ideas and high sider. Vest himself doubted that he would led was a suit by the Justice Department technology, and yet his natur~ is very low- get the job. against a group of elite universities that met "Here was a young guy who went to each spring to agree on how much financial West Virginia University and spent some 20 aid they would offer individual students. years at a major state institution in the Mid- While the other universities settled, Dr. west," he said on Friday, after announcing Vest chose to fight, arguing that not being that he would retire as soon as his successor allowed to share information would lead to has been appointed. "I felt I would be sur- a bidding war for students. MIT lost. But . prised if a great elite institulion on the East the government settled before an appeal Coast like MIT would be interested in me." went to trial; the settlement was widely In his 13.years as president, Vest, 62, has seen as an admission that it could not win been credited with tremendous shiiJ:s at MIT, the case. long considered one of the most prestigious He also recognized that federal financing universities, in aspects like the footprint of for research and development was drying up the campus, the quality of student life and and that the university had to seek more how research is financed. money from private sources. When he His fans said it was the outsider's per- arrived in 1990, most of the operating budget spective and the West Virginia folksiness was from federal research funds, with 21 that made Vest, widely known as Chuck, so percent from gifts or endowment. Now, effective, whether adxocating for more fed- research makes up 36 percent of the budget, eral money, fighting against changes in gifts and endowment 39 percent. He has financial aid, dealing with student drinking secured 18 of the 25 largest gifts to the 001- Got a tip? Call The Tech News Hotline: x31541 December 9, 2003 THE TECH Page 17 ARTS A CAPPELLA REVIEW While a few lines were undistinguishable because of the chorus drowning out the soloist, this song was the most dynamic, and had the most energy. It Just Keeps on Resonating Better The second part of Resonance's perfor- mance began with "Why Can't 1" by Liz Major Improvements Seen in Resonance~ Latest Performance Phair. The soloist' for this song, Sara M. Tenenbein '04, had the right voice fo'r the By Marissa A. Cheng bridge/Boston-area a capella 'group. Their first co 'OS, was holding back - the song lacked song, and was heartfelt. This is nitpicky, but I song, the Mario Brothers theme song, was the requisite edginess. thought that the ending sounded like it was cut Resonance, with Integration by Parts and slightly hard to recognize at times, but maybe Between the first two songs and second .short. Simple Harmonic Motion that's because I saw Super Mario for the first two songs, there was the skit about the inflat- The next two songs were songs by depart- 54-100 time about a month ago. "Lois Lane" by able cactus you read about in Resonance's ad ing members of the group, Charlene A. St. Dec. 5, 8 p.m. Uncle Bonsai was very well choreographed, in The Tech. Quite frankly, skits at a capella Pierre '03 with "Tainted Love," and Jamie with good harmonies. The last, song, "Bad concerts have always puzzled me - it's not a Clark '99 with "Breaking Up." "Breaking tjustkeeps getting better and better. Fri- Touch" by the Bloodhound Gang, had a lot of variety show - and in my experience, they Up," an arrangement combining two different day night's"concert in 54-100 was the fifth personality, though at times it was hard to have their ups and downs. This skit, which songs by Neil Sedaka and 2ge+her, is one of Resonance concert I've been to, not hear the soloist. For its size, though, Integra- featured an inflatable cactus as a contestant in Resonance's best songs, and is also on their Iincluding events like Greater Boston Invi- tion By Parts was very solid, with a lot of various reality TV shows, goes in the "ups" CD. The song was better than the CD record- tational Sing. In the past six months Reso- imagination. category. One highlight: "Survivor: Mojave ing, because of the added depth that Reso- nance seems to have grown in size, since I After Integration By Parts, Resonance sang Desert," where the host challenged the cactus nance has this year, though the rap segment 'don't recognize most of the group any more. four songs, including the two best songs of the and two guys to go without water for the towards the end is always too soft for the hard This is a good thing - Resonance's fall con- evening: "Banditos," by The Refreshments, longest period of time. of hearing. cert is now at the top of the list of a capella came first, then "Androgyny" by Garbage. As Resonance's third song was my favorite, Andrew M. Iannaccone G soloed in the concerts I've been to. Garbage is one of my favorite bands, I was "Ghost" by the Indigo Girls. It blew me away. next song, "Shimmer" by Fuel, which was The concert began with a performance by excited to hear the song. I liked the arrange- I'd heard the Indigo Girls' version of the song technically Resonance's last song. However, Integration by Parts, ~ six-member Cam- ment, but felt tha~ the soloist, Julia P. Patriar- before and didn't like it. I think it's much bet- no audience lets an a capella group go without ter suited to a capella (sorry, Indigo Girls). an encore. Resonance's encore was "Maria" The song had great hannonies, and was much by Blondie, with a solo by Patriarco. This is a richer in sound than the actual song - I can't song that she sings well, but the song that she wait until Resonance records this song for does best is "Always Getting Over You" by their next CD. I especially liked how the voic- Angela Ammons. es of the soloist, Caroline A. Niziolek 'OS, and After more profuse applause, Resonance her partner for the duets, Stephanie R. Silber- came back for one more encore, "Steal My stein '06, meshed. Kisses" by Ben Harper. The voice of Stephen The next song, "Here is Gone" by the Goo S. Lee 'OS was stronger than it was the last Goo Dolls, was my second-favorite song of time I heard the song, and there was a new the evening. The soloist, Solomon M. Bisker percussion interlude in the middle of the song '06, was well-chosen for the song, and he set- that was, quite frankly, amazing. The song tled into the song confidently as it progressed. was lively and full of energy: an excellent end It was in this song, and "Ghost," that I thought to the concert. that Resonance really sang with everything This year, Resonance is especially good, they had. The percussion throughout the entire with consistently solid songs and several concert was excellent, but was especially excellent songs. Since their last concert, strong on this song. they've added a lot of depth to their group, Resonance took a break at this point, pre- and have a well-balanced, robust sound, as senting their second guest group, WPI's Sim- well as a lot of personality, both required ple Harmonic Motion. SHM has performed at qualities for a truly good a capella group. previous Resonance concerts, and seemed The only problem I see now is that some- stronger than they were last year. Their open- times their soloists hold back, even though ing song was "Sweet Adeline," which had you can tell that they can really sing it the way great harmonies. The second song, Toto's it's meant to 'be sung. Having seen them "AfrIca," was'sol)"(J, but 'unInspiring; it seeTne,£" progress over the past few years, r'm excited , MITRA LOHRASBPOUR-TllE TECH like the range of the soloist's voice was slight- to see what Resonance does with their next Stephen S. Lee '05 sings "Steal My Kisses" by Ben Harper at Resonance's Fall con- ly too high for the song. The third song, "Pin- concert - I'm sure it'll be even better than cert. on Friday in 54-100. ball Wizard," by The Who, was the best. this one was .

• ~ .... f :.., _ A CAPELLA REVIEW Reilley '06 in the chorus. As with tradition, the Muses invited their alumni up to the stage to sing their classic Hot A Capella on a Cold Winter Night "How High the Moon" for a vibrant and inter- esting contrast to their previous format of solo perfonnances. Even though one of their alum- Exuberant Muses Dazzle Crowds with Sheer Talent ni came dressed in white instead of their clas- By Thomas Eng dy of "Stand by Me," entitled "Muses Amuse went to the nearest department store to find a sic black, it was clear they integrated back as Me." Soloist Anastasia Rodriguez '04 gave better one. After examining several possible a single group very easily with a confident MIT Muses, with Bassix depth to lines such as "When I can't find a choices, she ended up choosing the newest style seen in their solos. 10-250 date on a Saturday night, then those hot model with several different "vibrate" modes. The evening was a resounding success, Dec. 6, 8 p.m. Muses will be there to amuse me" while After the break, Liz Lin '06 and Frannie demonstrating once again that the Muses are excellent choreography expanded with tanta- Weld '05 gave solid solo renditions over a one of the best a capella groups on campus, ast spring, Marjan Bolouri '04 wrote lizing (if not saucy) imagery an9 suggestive wide range of artistic styles from The Pink with effective percussion, choreography, that at the Muses' next concert, they poses. The effect on the crowd was clear, as and Sneaker Pimps. However, during "Good- choral harmony, and of course amazing solo . would undoubtedly' perform to a'stand- they responded with enthused cheers and clap- bye Earl" by the Dixie Chicks, a technical vocalists. They have already mastered the Ling room only crowd. If not for the ping. problem with their sound system failed to spectrum of songs written and performed by audacious blizzard raging through the Eastern Not a single one of their songs was sung bring out the soloist's voice - you could hear female vocalists. Could they possibly chal- seaboard, her prediction would have been cor- with difficulty; it was obvious that they had the speakers cracking with distortion as they lenge themselves with a song sung traditional- rect. Even with the terrible weather, the practiced long and hard. The backup singers failed, overshadowing the voice of Caroline ly by men? Muses' charismatic and energetic style com- harmonized and comple- bined with their unrivaled singing talent was mented the soloists with more than adequate to fill 10-250. near perfection, utilizing The concert opened with the well-known 'their wide vocal range and "Tech Cheer" to introduce their cover group, mastery of different styles. Bassix, an all-male.a capella group from Wham's "Wake Me Up Northeastern University. Relaxed and full of (Before You Go Go)" fea- energy, they presented an eclecJic seven-song tured the powerful and con- set. -Their opening song, Simon and Gar- fident voice of Sheena funkel's "Me and Julio Down by the School- Hembradorm'06. yard," was rather weak and lacklusJer, failing Combined with expres- . to reach the same emotional depth as the orig- sive choreography, Stephanie inal. Cho '06 delivered a beautiful Their other songs, such as their rendition solo performance in the of the Scottish folk song "By Yon Bonnie GoGo's "Head Over Heels," Banks" and the hymnal "Oh Holy Night" by showcasing her clear, Chappeau de Roquemaure, were emotionally impressive voice. The ener- stirring and captivating, as their stronger getic and expressive voice of soloists rose to the spotlight. "Oh Holy Night" Charlene Shih '07 resonated was a clear choice for the holiday season, with with emotion, in a slower, its religious overtones. Bassix was even able more natural version of Avril to continue an ~nscripted i~~ovisational a Lavigne's "Sk8er Boi" capella harmony despite a lighting problem in which showed more depth the middle of their performance. They round- and understanding than Lav- ed out their set with renditions of Moxy igne's version .. Friivous' "Gulf War Song" and Fountains of The expected skit in the Wayne's "Stacy's Mom," two humorous middle of their performance pieces that ended their performance on a high was absolutely hilarious. note. Jen Fishe '07 needed a new In typical dramatic fashion, the Muses ass from sitting for too MARCUS DAllLEM-TlfE TECH stole the spotlight by dancing onto the stage many hours in front of an Soloist Frances W. Weld '05 sings "Six Underground" by The Sneaker Pimps during the Muses Fall Con- from both sides with a fantastically MIT paro- Athena terminal, s6 she cert last Saturday In 10-250. Page J 8 THE TECH ARTS December 9,2003 CLASSICAL REVIEW MITSO Discovers 'Lord of the Rings' Shostakovich Symphony, Reprise of World Premiere Makefor Long But Anirnated' Concert' By Bogdan Fedeles with the belated, but welcomed composer in performance, very. S7:WF H'R/TI.;R audience. descriptive and MIT Symphony Orchestra Shostakovich's Symphony No.ll, subti- genuine. Dante Anzolini, conductor tIed "The Year 1905," perhaps the most pro- The spec ial Insoo Kim '05. violin grammatic of his works, follows a story line moment in the Kresge Auditorium as well (the early 1905 Russian revolution), program was Dec. 5. 8 p.m. and yet the music is more independent and Glazunov's Violin more descriptive than the 0'Aquila piece. Concerto, per- ast Friday, during a cold and snowy A symphony of grand proportions, formed by Insoo evening, MITSO performed their end Shostakovich's II th runs for more than an Kim 'OS, co-win-- of tenn concert, comprised of 20th and hour, which seems incredibly long, especially ner of the Concer- L 21st century music. Despite being very after a 35-minute intermission. However, to ,Competition long and repetitive (one piece was performed MITSO performed eloquently, enticing the last year. A staple twice), the concert w~s well-received by a audience until the very last minute .. of the violin reper- large and brave audience. The program The bleak atmosphere of the beginning in toire, and of early included a world premiere by Italian compos- the "The Palace Square" was weJl depicted, 20th century er Giovanni D' Aquila ("Through the mines of featuring an excellent. string section seconded music, Glazunov's Moria"), Glazunov's Violin Concerto (featur- by the harps. The tuttis of the intense second concerto offers ing soloist Insoo Kim, '05) and movement ("The ninth of January") were remarkable inter- Shostakovich's Symphony No. I I. forceful, but not too loud. A revived percussion pretation chal- The title of Giovanni D'Aquila's piece, section, with many new people, dominated the lenges, together "Through the Mines of Moria," takes us instan- ensemble and the evening, without overdoing with some brilliant taneollsly to J.R.R Tolkien's world of the it. The military rhythms so often encountered technical work, aJl _ "Lord of the Rings." The intention of the piece, in Shostakovich's music were rendered with a in a fairly succinct however is ambiguous. It sounded both like a lot of determination and character. .. piece that runs musical poem and incidental film music. How- A good viola section stood out the in the without pause. ever, the piece did not have a character of its third movement ("Eternal Memory'.'), singing Kim displayed own, relying exclusively on the story's details. very intensely the mourning theme, later an exce"lIent com- The music describes the fellowship of the picked up with the same pathos by the whole mand of the vio- ring passing through the mines of Moria, and string section and woodwinds. The finale lin, with a solid wizard Gandalf's battle with the Balrog. ("Alarm") featured more exact ensemble technique and very Without the story, the piece doesn't make' a work, with good brass and, percussion above expressive play- lot of sense musicaJly. Nevertheless, there is a expressive string and woodwind playing. ing. The lyrical lot of pretty music to enjoy superficially and Especially good was the closing English horn passages"- were given the solid performance that MITSO solo (Molly G. Bright '06), very passionate . utterly romantic, delivered, it was enough for the audience to and musical. AJI in all, when chaJlenged with full of indulging' enjoy this piece, even twice. This is because the huge expanses of the Russian symphonic slides and wide the piece was performed at the beginning of landscapes, such as this piece, MITSO con- vibratos. When each half of the concert - the second time, firmed its class and delivered a high caliber audible, the expan- sive technical pas- sages sounded fresh and,detached, Kim showing a relaxed easiness of playing, very enjoya.ble. to watch. I write "when audible," because the ~alri tl~w or' the piece was the balance with the orchestra. Glazunov's thick SYLVIA YANG-TIlE TEClI orchestration de- Violin soloist Insoo Kim '05 performs Alexander Glazunov's Violin manded a more Concerto in A Minor, Op. 82, with the MIT Symphony-Orchestra -.in careful blending Kresge Auditorium on on Dec. 5.. - of the soloist with' the orchestra, which sadly, didn't quite hap- sparkling. Of co~rse, we can also blame, liRe pen. The accompaniments were often too bold Illany performers do, Kresge Auditorium and too loud, overwhelming the solo part, itself, a hall whose front stage is in a rather especiaJly in its low register. Kim was relaxed odd acoustical spot that doesn't project well. enough and didn't try to overcompensate, thus Nevertheless, Kim's rendition of delivering a very consistent performance, .Glazunov's concerto with MITSO was color-

SYI.VIA YANG-THE TI£H even if at times very independent from the ful and engaging, lacking at most a handful of Music director Dante Anzolini conducts the MIT Symphony Orchestra in its' perfor- orchestra. careful rehearsals for balance and overall mance of Dmitri Shostakovitch's Symphony No. 11, "The Year. 1905. " The cadenza was especially vivid and ensemble sonority.

1yearo/d,/991

2yearso/d, 1994

Stevie Ace Flores. Killed by a drunk driver on MarCh 23,1993, on Padfic Coast Highway in Wilmington, Calif. If you don't stop your friend from driving drunk, who will? Do whatever it takes. WENDYGU-THE TECH Frederick Harris Jr. conducts the MIT Wind Ensemble during Saturday night's concert "The Art of the Wind Ensemble" in Kresge. The concert featured a variety of small ensemble pieces as well as full ensemble works to provide an evening of U.S. Department of Transporlabon enjoyment for those who braved the snowstorm to attend. This space donated by The Tech December 9,2003 ARTS THE TECH Page 19 Harbison s 'Abraham' ,To Be Performed for the Pope Harbison, from Page 1 Pope John Paul II. In addition, Harbison also choir was allowed to perform it, and a copy Yet Emmanuel is the exception, rather ------initially suggested that the piece have parts in exists today only because Mozart, who was than the rule, Harbison says, in terms of the On the program is Mahler's Symphony three different languages (Hebrew, Latin, and invited to conduct it, purportedly memorized importance of music in the church today. No.2, "Resurrection," and Levine wanted Arabic). In the end, however, a single text was the score and transcribed it. Music "is so downgraded in the general something more contemporary to serve as a chosen from the the Old Testament (Genesis), _ Yet, as most music history students learn, scheme of church life around the world ... prelude to the Mahler symphony. And hence, and it will be sung in the oddly secular lan- right around Beethoven's time, composers We've sort of gone from being a great hymn- the commission was born. guage of English. divorced themselves from both their religious singing, rabble-rousing country, with a grass- Even the dedication .of the work was a and secular patrons and began to compose roots tradition," he says about the United Commission heavily planned negotiation, the writing of which was mostly independent of one overarching sponsor. States, to having "a very tepid idea of what 'Harbison chooses hi's words carefully out of Harbison's hands: The dedication is to Religious music, however, did not stop sacred music is, with a few exceptions. I think when describing his communications with the pope, but the commission comes from being composed. Most major composers gospel music does retain that sense of connec- many disparate entities in putting together this somewhere else. The full text is: "Dedicated since Bach have composed liturgical works, tion." commission, though he does say that in gener- to His Holiness Pope John Paul II in honor of with masses and requiems as the most out- Even the Lutheran Church, whose founder, al, he "enjoys certain kinds of restrictions, his pontificate, his long dedication to fostering standing examples. In relatively recent years, Martin Luther was a composer and a poet, has self-imposed or from the 'outside," when,Writ- reconciliation of the people of Abraham - Harbison names in particular Olivier Messi- seen music diminish greatly in importance. ing music. Jews, Christians, and Muslims - and with aen, Cesar Franck, Igor Stravinsky, Frank "The Lutheran Church is not the vigorous pre- Why did Harbison choose, for "Abraham," deep gratitude to Maestro Sir Gilbert Levine, Martin, Alfred Schnittke, and Kryzsztof Pen- server of Schutz and Bach ... Go to Lutheran brass instt;uments to accompany his choir of KCSG, for his 15-year long creative collabo- derecki as examples of major composers for churches now and you'll mostly hear guitar roughly 300 voices? The Mahler symphony ration with His Holiness, which led to the whom religious music was a major part of players." that follows on the program, Harbison says, great honor of this commission. Commis- their output. }las "an unusually large group" of brass play- sioned by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Stravinsky, for example, dedicated his Harbison '5 Vatican visit ers who will be making the trek to Rome, and, with the generous support of the Knights of "Symphony of Psalms" to "The Glory of God All of these trends make Harbison that "in terms of the playing load, they have prob- Columbus." and the Boston Symphony Orchestra." much more excited to have been given the ably the least to do. They playa lot in that "As you can see, it's carefully worked "You wonder," Harbison says with a opportunity to engage in a musical dialogue piece, but of course they play)ess than every- .. out," Harbison said. smile, "if there should be a comma there." with the religious leaders at the Vatican. body else." . Thus, in modern times, religious pieces of Dialogue is an interesting choice of word, Why thirteen brass instruments? The Pitts- Church's role in the arts diminished music are still being written, but unlike the because oftentimes patrons have unreasonable burgh Symphony Orchestra, 'which will be The Roman Catholic Church is a far cry "liturgical works of Bach's time, they are usu- expectations of the composers whom they performing the "Resurrection" Symphony, today from what it was half a millennium ago, ally not written directly for the Church audi- commission. As an aside, Harbison recounts a will provide the brass players for "Abraham," not only in terms of political influence across ence or financially supported by the Church. story in which members of the New York Bar but they must number at least thirteen in order the world, but also in terms of patronage for Or at least not until Harbison's phone rang Association walked out on the premiere of a to be identified as the Pittsburgh Symphony, the arts. Hundreds of years ago, many com- in September. piece their organization had commissioned according to the orchestra's contract with its "posers made their livelihood from the Church," Harbison to write, as both the music and the musicians. perhaps most famously Giovanni Pierluigi da Religion influential to Harbison selection of text was jarring to their ears. The subject material, though, was agreed Palestrina. As a child, Harbison was exposed to reli- Will the papal audience react in a similarly upon from the beginning. Abraham was cho- "Some of those popes," Harbison says, gion not only through the' usual avenues (e.g., visceral way to "Abraham"? sen as the focus for Harbison's six-minute "they weren't theologically the most august, going to church) but also in hearing about his "In the dialogue of the kind that the pope motet, the composer says, as this Biblical fig- but they were among the greatest patrons of parents' professional activities. His mother is reopening here," Harbison says, "we have ure is the ."father of many nations. " After the arts: musical works, architectural works, was a writer who worked for a magazine to address the idea that the composer reserves some negotiations, mediated by Levine, with a paintings. They were unbelievably discerning called "Presbyterian Life," and his father was the right to expose listeners to unfamiliar papal artistic committee, texts and a language and highly knowledgeable." a historian of the Reformation. experiences. They're not willy-nilly, random were chos~n. As the concert is part of a con- Pope Julius II "was perhaps not the most "The music that I gravitated to was Luther- ones - those can be saved for one's home, ference of Christian, Jewish, and Islamic reli- admirable spiritual leader, but he understood a an," Harbison says. "As a very young musi- but they are perhaps going to be outside the g"ious leaders, everything isa sensitive issue. lot," Harbison says. "If there was a choice cian, the music I was most interested in was experience of the listener, and they may be as There is "no topic you can get into today between giving money to Michelangelo or Bach, and later on, in college, Schutz." much of a bridge towards some spiritual that's as rough as the Middle East," Harbison starting another [military] campaign, he'd When he canle to Boston, he found spiritu- world as very familiar ones. says. usually put Michelangelo first." ality at the Emmanuel Church, the home of "For anyone with a sense of history, you Harbison initially suggested texts from the The .Church was somewhat bizarre in their the Cantata Singers, a group he directed from would feel ".. a great sense of opportunity and Old.Testament, the New Testament, and the" dealings with composers, too. "Miserere mei," 1969 to 1973. Though the church is officially fascination that the leader of an institution as Koran. He also proposed poems by two mod- arguably the most famous work of Gregorio Episcopalian, they are "remarkably broad- powerful as this one is willing and able to em poets, the British-American Denise Lever- Allegri, a 17th-century composer who com- ranging in terms of the kinds of ideas you can engage in a dialogue about aesthetics, or even tov and Czeslaw Milosz, the 1980 Nobel Prize posed music for the Roman Catholic Church, hear, Harbiso~ says. "It pursues what I would says that music is an important element in laureate in Literature who has interacted with was deemed so heavenly.that only the papal call an inquiry rather than a dogma." worship and the experience of religion." INDIA QUALITY RESTAURANT Authentic Indian Food

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WEDNESDAY, DEC. 10, 2003 exciting things are happening @ AT 5:00PM www.statravel.com WE'VE BEEN THERE. onLinE» on THE PlionE » on (AmpUl» on TliE ITREET The Decem.ber' ~, Tech 2003

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Bobby's 2004 New Year's Resolution: Well. now that I'm older, I've come)o "friendship" realize that fnendship really IS I!ke.a dream ... I've never really been much of a good friend ... Usually we find ourselves in the midst of ,it, never really rememqaring when or After, all" yO'unevet,l from it/pUlan' ugly ti9; and:Qo.to, work~ type ...staying back' aDd watching " an , , , ".r" " , helplessly as my dearest friends would We spend all our time ques~oning gradually drift away from me ... whether it's real, until POOFI

Uke dreams that I once enjoyed. but The morning CO~esl and the dream Is could no longer remember ... over ...

" 8 GOSH' IT'S BECAUSE '11 ... WHEREAS . BUT I'M LOSING HAIR. IN THAT 'CASE ••• ~ I'M LOSiNG THINK TOO MUCH! CROWN BALDING BOTH ON THE FRoNT v .I I FRONTAl1Hlf'NNG MEANS '(OU ARE A AND ON THE CROWN! . - MY HAIR. MEANS 10U ARE A PLAYBOY. ~\ lHlNT T T eGO GOG • December 9, 2003 The Tech Page 21 AAAAt.{t.{t.{I.t.. GOOD 0..: JAVA ... I CAN ALREADY FEEL Tt.{E CAFFEINE VAPORS COlJRSINC:r Tt.{ROJC:r(.l MY VEINS ... REINVIErORA TINEr ME. -..

PILED UI6UER AND DEEPER

FoxTrot by Bill Amend Dilbert@ by Scott Adams

E i ~ HOME PHONE ... CELL ~~. ., .AND IF THAT I'VE. NEVER DONE .; PHONE ... WORK PHONE _ FAX MACHINE IS THIS BEFORE, BUT ~ ... HOME [-MAIL ... 1 OUT OF PAPER, TRY MAY I Hf>lVE YOUR i WORK E-MAIL OTHER THE ONE DOWN THE PHONE NUMBER? ~ HOME E-MAIL . HALL. BUT LEAVE ME PERSONf>lL WE B SITE. . f>I VOICE MAIL IF YOU \ DO. ~ ..o Q

WHo WAtlTS To SEE WHO WANTS To SEE WHO WAtlTS To SEE PETER. SUClCII'K> ME PUT 10 SQuIRTS ME PuT 20 SQuIRTS ME PUT THIS ENTIRE AH. THE oPl THE ICE MAlC1R EARN MONEY 50 I ~N YOUR SHOWER 15 wootT C>ET IT To WAKE UP f>lND of HoT SAUCE oN of HoT SAUCE ON 80TTLE of HoT SAucE TEARS LEf>lVE ON THE LIGHTS woRle AtolY FASTER. TRUDGE TO REf>lDY. I TURNED MY., TACO? . MY, TACo?- oN MY ,TACO? of A IN EVERY ROOM. IT ON LAST NIGHT. Q.oWN. '- WORK!

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CD ACROSS ' note 3 Farm tower 34 Fired 1 Pianist Myra 45 "_Gynt" 4 Goulash and 35 Coen brother N 5 Actor Dillon 46 Latvian capital .ragout 37 Henri's head - 9 Wound marks 47 Coats 5 Continent 39 "Pursuit of the 'N 14 Issue forth 49 Promising clue 6 Italian wine Graf ::S. 15 Arthur of tennis 51 Adams or Knotts center 42 TWA and EI AI 16 Cold-blooded 52 Zodiac lion 7 Like a wafer 43 Conductor's O 17 Anger .54 Set of tools .8 Aptitude assistant D- ... 18 Suffix for 56 1995 Angela determiners 48 D.C. VIP diseases Bassett movie 9 Even more 50 New Jersey fort I 19 Diameter halves 65 Playwright eccentric 53 Old Irish alphabet I 20 Peter, Paul & Chekhov 10 Bird's crop 55 Blow with a blunt 1! c: Mary hit 66 Celeste or Ian 11 Autobahn auto' object .2 23 "My Gal _" 67 PC operator 12 Keep in check 56 Flying stinger 0 'Iii .a 24 Viewed 68 Put into words 13 Lost traction 57 Part of ABM ,~ .g 25 Plane ride: abbr. 69 One-celled plant 21 Actor McKellen 58 Slanted type: 28, Rest periods 70 Chinese dynasty 22 Actor Linden abbr. 31 Responsible 71 Stacks 25 Causing death 59 ~arry en 36 More than enough 72 Have in mind 26 Alpaca cousin 60 Lacquered en 38 NBA team 73 Blocks of paper 27 Hungarian wine metalware 40 Everglades wader 29 Look furtively 61 Gymnast Korbut 41 Attemp.t to calm DOWN 30 Harden 62 Home to billions e down 1 Parsley or sage 32 Ripening agent 63 Advance U '44 Violin maker of 2 Runner Zatopek .33lntenNoven locks 64 Joule fractions Are you funny? Do your friends laugh at you anyway? Join the team of fun at The Tech. Page 22 The Tech * (IHUHNJ [fJ~(GJ EHS) December 9, 2003

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

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

Absolute Beginners. Weekly informal Bible study for grad stu- Tuesday, December 9 12:30 p.m. " 1:30 p.m. - PLC Toastmasters Meeting. Guests are 10:00 a.m. - Admissions Information Session. Free. Room: 1()' always welcome at Toastmasters meetings! At Toastmasters, we 100. Sponsor: Information Center. dents; refreshments provided; Igbt welcome. Free. Room: W11- 8:00 a.m. " 5:00 p.m. - Program on the Pharmaceutical improve our communication and leadership skills through pre- 12:00 p.m. " 1:00 p.m. - BrIoQuery 6 Quick Start. This Quick 007. Sponsor: Lutheran-Episcopal Ministry. Industry Conference. Pharmacogenomics, Drug Development pared and Impromptu speaking opportuntles. Gain confidence as .- start introduces you to the MIT Data Warehouse Web site and 6:00 p.m. - The Phantom of the 'EngIIs11' Bauhaus: Modernist and the Cost of Health Care Conference New technologies are a public speaker and have fun at the same time! Free. Room: how to get authorized to access data. Pointers to Instruc;tions for Artists and Architects In BrItain, 1937-1951. HTC Forum. Free. shifting the terrain of drug discovery and development. The W89-305. Sponsor: Toastmasters. MIT Organization and Employ- downloading and installing BrioQuery will be given. You'll take a Room: 3-133. Sponsor. History, Theory and Criticism of Architec-. world of healthcare is undergoing the first part of a major revo- ee Development, Human Resources. tour of the BrioQuery 6 environment and tools. You'll learn how to tu re and Art. lution. What will the future look like? This symposium, co-spon- 2:00 p.m. - Admissions Information Session. Free. Room: 1()' download and run an MIT standard report. BrioQuery version 6 6:03 p.m. " 7:00 p.m. - Weekly meetings. Regular meeting of sored by the MIT Program on the Pharmaceutical Industry, 100. Sponsor: Information Center. features will be compared to version 5.5 and changes In the new the core group at muddy charles. Free. Room: Muddy Charles. bring together distinguished representatives from industry. sci- 2:00 p.m. "3:00 p.m. - String Theory Seminar. Statistics of version will be highlighted. Room: N42 Demo Center. Sponsor. Sponsor. Techlink. ence, government, and academia to explore this revolution and String and M Theory Vacua. Free. Room: Center for Theoretical Information Systems. 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. - Holiday CeJebratlon and Networking the key challenges facing scientists and the pharmaceutical Physics. Sponsor: Laboratory for Nuclear Science. 12:00 p.m •• 1:00 p.m. - English Bible Class. You are welcome Reception. Join us for an evening of inspiration and holiday industry. Will the tremendous advances in science and technol- 3:00 p.m •• 5:00 p.m. - Introduction to LabVIEW and It's uses. to attend this free Bible class led by Barbara Beevers of Ba~ist cheer at this annual, members only event. The program will ogy that have unfolded in recent years serve the goal of greater at MIT. This talk will be given by John Callan of Nationallnstru- Campus Ministry. International spouses are welcome especially. begin with Dr. Judith Gwathmey, Founder, CEO/President and human health? Free to MIT community (Advanced Registration ments. Several MIT uses ot'LabVIEW will also be discussed and but open to all. Come practice English, ask Questions and make Chief Scientific Officer of Gwathmey, Inc., a pre-clinlcal research Required). Room: E51. Sponsor: Office of Corporate Rela- demonstrated. LabVIEW is a graphical development environment friends. Free. Room: Wll Board Room. Sponsor: Baptist Cam- company offering animal studies and in vitro assays for drug tions/ILP. MIT Program on the Pharmaceutical Industry. with built-in functionality for simulation, data acquisition, instru- pus Ministry. development. Dr. Gwathmey wiil share some of her experiences 10:00 a.m. - Admissions Information Session. Groups over 15 ment control, mesaurement analysis. and data presentation. 12:00 p.m. " 1:00 p.m. - Holiday Welgllt Gain: battling backl in transitioning from clinician to successful entrepreneur. and people need to make special reservations. Free. Room: 1()'100. Free. Room: 1()'250. Sponsor: Academic Computing. Do you think it's Inevitable that you'll gain your usual five to ten will offer Insights into what it takes to become an accomplished Sponsor: Information Center. 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Special Joint LNSjCTP seminar. Discov- pounds this holiday season? Are you looking for ways to fight business woman. After the presentation, indulge In some deli- 10:00 a.m. - U:oo a.m. - MIT /WHOI Joint Program Coffee- ery of the KsI_32 new pentaQuark states at CERN: can the cor- back? Come to this session for tips on surviving holiday parties, cious appetizers and get ready for a game of WEST, our version Donut-Bagel Hour. An opportunity for MIT and WHOI based stu- rect pentaQuark model already be extracted? Free. Room: Center preparing healthy holiday meals and desserts, finding time for of the old favorite Bingo. Whether you're developing, practicing dents to interact on the days when Joint Program classes are for Theoretical Physics. Sponsor: Laboratory for Nuclear Science. exercise. and much morel Free. Room: 66-168. Sponsor: MIT or polishing your networking skills. a round of WEST will surely held in Woods Hole, Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - HPCES Seminar. A Method for Staffing Medical. encourage you to meet new people. You won't want to miss this ' .... semester. Room: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Student Large Call Centers Based on Stochastic Ruld Models. Free. Room: 1:00 p.m. " 3:00 p.m. - Free Conversational English Class. special eveningl Advanced registration by December 9th: $20 Center, 3rd Roor, Clark Laboratory South. Sponsor: WHOI Stu- 4-237. Sponsor. Singapore-MrT Alliance/HPCES. International students, scholars and spouses are welcome to On-site registration: $30. Room: Deloitte & Touche, 200 Berke- dent Organization. GSC, EGSAC. 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - spouses&partnersQmlt weekly meet. attend a free conversational English class. Come exchange cul- ley St, Boston, MA. SpOnsor: Women Entrepreneur in Science 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Chanukah Sale. Sale will feature Ing: Annual Holiday Party. Bring a sweet or savory treat to ture, learn about American culture and holidays and make last- and Technology. menorahs, candles, dreidels, and other holiday items. Free. share. Students, spouses, and children welcome. Free. Room: ing friends. Free. Room: W11 Board Room. Sponsor: Baptist 7:00 p.m. - Sushi Study Break with Queer Women, Friends, Room: Lobby 10. Sponsor: Hillel, MIT. Ashdown House - West Dining Room. Sponsor: spouses&part- Campus Ministry. and Questioning Women. Chat. play games. chill, eat, relax with 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Mac OS X Quick Start. For newcomers ners@mit. 1:00 p.m. " 2:00 p.m. - Weight Watchers at Workl Room: great Queer women and friends in a friendly, relaxing, positive, to Mac OS X, preview some of its useful features - network and 4:00 p.m. - Environmental Chemistry and Biology (and more ... ) Women's Lounge. Room 8-219. Sponsor: Weight Watchers. open environment. Free. Room: Rainbow Lounge, Walker, 3rd printer setup and file management with the OS X Finder. Take a Seminar. What have viruses got to do with photosynthesis? Free. 1:00 p.m. " 7:00 p.m. - Rainbow Lounge Open. MIl's resource Roor. Sponsor. ibgl@mit, 'QWiLLTS. look at applications that run "native' in OS X. Get answers to Room: NE2()'285. Sponsor: Civil and Environmental Engineering. lounge for lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgendered. and Question- 7:00 p.m. " 9:00 p.m. - Once Upon a TIme In Mexico. $3. your Questions about OS X and updates on the status of support 4:15 p.m .• 5:15 p.m. - Turan-type results for Topological ing members of the community offers a place to hang out. vari- Room: 26-100. Sponsor: LSC. for OS X at MfT. Room: N42 Demo Center. Sponsor: Information Graphs. Refreshments at 3:30 p.m. in Room 2-3.49. Free. Room: ous activities. and a lending library during its open hours. Free. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Graduate Christian Fellowship Bible Systems. 2-338. Sponsor: Combinatorics Seminar. Department of Mathe- Room: 50-306. Sponsor: Ibgt@mlt. Study. Come join us for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship! We 12:00 p.rn. - 1:15 p.m. - BlomedIcaI EngIneerIng Initiatives at the matics. 2:00 p.m. - Admissions Information Session. Free. Room: 1()' are currently studying the book of Ephesians. Free. Room: NatIonaIlnstttute for BIomedical Imaging and BIoengIneering. Free. 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Nanostructures Seminar Series. Proper- 100. Sponsor: Information Center. NW86-560. Sponsor: Graduate Christian Fellowship. GSC Fund- Room: Bartos Theatre. Media Lab. Sponsor. HST. ties of Magnetic Nanostructures - Rings, Bars and Dots. Free .• 2:00 p.m. - Counting Critical Points and Vacua. Free. Room: 5- ing Board .. 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. - Future Directions In Blomedlcallmag- Room: 34-401. Sponsor: Nanostructures Laboratory. MlT Tiny 217. Sponsor: Mathematics, Department of, Special Lectures In 7:30 p.m. " 9:30 p.m. - Chess Club. Meeting. A prominent player • Ing and Bioengineering Research. Dr. Pettigrew, the first Direc- Tech Club and Techlink. Mathematics. of the club will talk about some ideas in the opening. Then it will tor of the new National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bio- 5:00 p.m. - MIT Chamber Music Society Concerts. The Cham- 3:00 p.m. " 5:00 p.m. - MIT Inventor's SpotllgJrt: AmbIent DIsplay be designated time for play! Free. Room: Student Center, PDR engineering will share his perspectives on national priorities in ber Music Society, coordinated by Prof. Marcus Thompson, is Devices. M~t recent MrT alumnus Rahul Bhargava, inventor of a 1&2. Sponsor: Chess Club. biomedical research. Free. Room: Bartos Theater, MIT Media comprised of students selected by audition.to study & perform device that translates newswire stories into socia! commentary. See 8:00 p.m. " 10:00 p.m. - IALM Aim Seminar. MEI robO mas Lab, E15. Sponsor: HST, HST Biomedical Engineering Seminar chamber music literature. Check online calendar link below for and hear Drums of War, ahd talk with the invent~r about how ambi- gr8I)CIe Jamas contado," by Daniel MOIUon (2002). Directed by Series. further info and confirmatll:>n. Free. Room: Killian hall. Sponsor: ent display technology is redefining our contact with large amounts Daniel Monzon. Free. Room: 4-237. Sponsor: International Film 2:00 p.m. - Admissions Information Session. Free. Room: 10- Music and Theater Arts section. of data. Free with MrT Museum admission. Room: MrT Museum. Club, GSC Funding Board. 100. Sponsor: Information Center. 5:10 p.m. " 6:15 p.m. - Worship Service (Holy Communion). All Sponsor. MrT M~seuin. ' 8:00 p.m. - Rambax. DanCe Party with Lamlne loure, master 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Renormallzatlon Group Approach to students, staff, and faculty are welcome at our weekly worship 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Hydrology Seminar. Free. Room: NE20- Senegalese drummer. Bo~ in 1973. Lamine Toure comes from Global Asymptotic Analysis. Free. Room: 2-338. Sponsor: Physi- service. Free. Room: MIT Chapel. Sponsor: Lutheran-Episcopal 285. Sponsor: Civil and Environmental Engineering, Parsons Lab a long line of griots: a caste of musicians and oral historians cal Mathematics Seminar. Ministry. (general). Rafael L. Bras, Elfatih Eltahir, Dara Entekhabi. Charles' among the Wolof people of Senegal. He received his early train- 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - MlTea TIme - Culture Exchange - 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. - Activities Committee Meeting. Free. Harvey, Dennis McLaughlin. ing as part of his family's drum troupe and formed his first group English Chinese Class. Our free English Class is good for new- Room: 5()'220. Sponsor: GSC Meetings. 4:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Physics Colloquium: Donald Monroe, , while still a teenager. After playing with various groups, he joined comers to get started on their English conversations in a very 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - European Club End-of-Term Dessert MThe SchOn Affair: Investigating Scientific Misconduct." In the Alioune Mbaye Nder et Ie Setsima Group in 1997 and has toured friendly environment. It is also good for people who have an Party. Come to enjoy delicious cakes, refreshing drinks and spring of 2002, Hendrik SclOn appeared to be on a fast track to extensively in Senegal and throughout Europe and North Ameri- interest in leaming the American culture. American lifestyles, other desserts & candies! Enjoy these treats with other a Nobel Prize for his experiments In electrically conducting organ- / ca. Known for his ability to fuse traditional rhythms with jazz. _ etc. Lots of interesting topics and discussions will be a good Euromembers' and friends of the European Club in a fun and ic materials (although others were having difficulty reproducing rock and Afro-pop, Toure showcases his musical talent and ver- start for your English. Feel free to come and have wonderful dis- relaxed atmosphere. Free. Room: Edgerton House. Sponsor: his results). A few months later, his careerwas over and his " satility on a wide range of percussion instruments, from sabar' cussions with our native English speakers. Refreshments will be European Club, MlT, GSC Funding Board. work largely discredited, after an investigation panel found him and djemb!l to tama (talking drum), as well as in taasu (rhythmic served. Free. Room: 5-134. Sponsor: Chinese Student and 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - MISTI Holiday Party. Please join us at ' guilty of scientific misconduct. Donald Monroe will describe his . poetry similar to rap). Free. Room: Sala de Puerto Rico. Sponsor: Scholar Association, Graduate Student Council. MIT CSSA & the MIT Intemational Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI) experiences as a member of that panel. the procedures that Rambax, MIT .• ' . GSC. Holiday Party! Good Food! Good Companyl Much Fun! Free. were followed, and the detailed evidence that compelled the 8:00 p.m. - "ALCESTIS." Written by Euripides, adapted by Ted 3:30 p.m. - Re-Deemlng Scripture: Women and Contemporary Room: 1()'105. Sponsor: Center for Intemational Studies, MISTI. panel to conclude that pervasive misconduct occurred. Free. Hughes, direCted by Bob Mussett. $10 General Admission. $8 Mldrash. An Afternoon Poetry Reading. Refreshments will be 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - Graduate Christian Fellowship Bible Room: 1()'25O. Sponsor: Physics Department. MIT staff/faculty, senior citizens. and other students with 10, $6 served. Free. Room: 14E-304. Sponsor: Women's Studies Pro- Study. Come join us for Bible study. prayer, and fellOWShip! We 5:00 p.m. " 7:00 p.m. - Ignition Forum: BloMEMS. Deshpande MIT /Wellesley students with 10. Room: Kresge Little Theatre gram. Writing Progam. are currently studying the book of Acts. Free. Room: 66-369. Ignition Forum: Industry experts debate future market opportuni- (lower level of Kresge Auditorium, building W16). Sponsor: MIT 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Arthur D. little Seminar Series: John Sponsor: Graduate Christian Fellowship. GSC Funding Board. ties for technology. Followed by WineLink, in part sponsored by Community Players. : Tully, Yale University. Physical Chemistry Seminar Series MIT 6:00 p.m •• 8:00 p.m. - Wednesday NJgtrt DInner. Weekly dinner. MrT TechLink. Free. Room: 66-110. Sponsor: Deshpande Center 8:30 p.m. : 10:00 p.m. - Underwater Hockey. The MIT SCUBA Westem Hemisphere Project: Open Meeting. We hold informal Share a meal with a friend. For McCormick residents and friends on for Technological Innovation .. Club invites all to participate in Underwater Hockey. Underwater sessions throughout the year to discuss events in the news and the guest list. $6.50. Sponsor: McCormick Hall. 5:30 p.m. " 7:00 p.m. - Building a Sustainable Future: The Role Hockey is an exciting co-ed sport played at the bottom of a pool to work on Project activities. If you want to just chat about these 6:00 p.m .• 8:30 p.m. - The BusIness of Gaming. Case: Turbine of Architecture and Construction. Free. Room: 4-237. Sponsor. with a short stick and a lead puck. Free. Room: z-pool. Sponsor: things, or if you want to join in and help organize, we'd love for Entertainment Software: Jeff Anderson, President & CEO. Panel: Student Pugwash USA, The MIT Chapter of. Students for Global Scuba Club. GSC Funding Board. Scuba Club, Undergraduate you to attend. Free. Room: 4-231. Sponsor: MlT Western Hemi- David Solomont, CommonAngels, Andrew Graff, Allen & Gerristen Sustalnability, LEF (Large Events Funq), Design'that Matters: Association. ~ sphere Project. and Mike Goodman, Yankee Group. Free with student 10. $20 Engineers Without Frontiers. 10:00 p.m •• 12:00 a.m. ~' Once UPon a Time In Mexico. $3. 7:00 p.m. - MIT Chamber Music Society Concerts. The Cham- Forum Members, $25 Non Members. Room: 10-250. Sponsor. MIT 5:30 p.m. " 7:00 p.m. - Weekly Grad Student Bible Study for Room: 26-100. Sponsor: LSC. ber Music Society, coordinated by Prof. Marcus Thompson, is Enterprise Forum of Cambridge, Inc. comprised of students selected by audition to study & perform 7:00 p.m." 8:00 p.m. - Bible Study. Weekly Bible study held by chamber music literature. Check online calendar link below for the Baptist Student Fellowship. Free. Sponsor: Baptist Student further info and confirmation. Free. Room: Killian Hall. Sponsor: FellowshiP. Baptist Campus Ministry. You are cordially invited to Music and Theater Arts Section. 7:00 p.m. - MIT Chamber Music Society Concerts. The Cham- 7:30 p.m. " 9:30 p.m. - Boston Voice lJsef Group. Free. Room: 2- ber Music Society, coordinated by Prof. Marcus Thompson, is 147. Sponsor. Information Systems, MrT User Groups. comprised of students selected by audition to study & perform 7:45 p.m. - 9:15 p.m. - Graduate Christian Fellowship Bible chamber music literature. Check online calendar link below for Study. Currently studying "Experiencing God" (Blackaby and an Advent service of. further info and confirmation. Free. Room: Killian Hall. Sponsor: • King). Free. Room: Eastgate. Sponsor: Graduate Christian Fellow- Music and Theater Arts. ship. 7:00 p.m. - Varsity Men's Ice Hockey vs. Central Connecticut. ~l / 8:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. - Contra Dance for All. Hot Contra Free. Room: Johnson Athletic Center. Lessons and Carols Caller: Ann Cowan. Live Music: Tea Party Dance with a partner 7:00 p.m. - Varsity Women's Indoor Track vs. Springfield Co~ (we'll provide) and a group to jazzy live music. All dances taught; lege. Free. Room: Johnson Athletic Center. all skillle~ls welcome. Light refreshments are served at the . 7:00 p.m. " 10:00 p.m. - Chicks Make flicks: Tupperware. lau- break halfway through. MIT students free; other students $3; rie Kahn-Leavitt shQwing her documentary "Tupperware,' which non-students $5. Room: Stratton Student Center: Lobdell Dining tells the history of the 1950s from the inside - and from the Hall. Sponsor: Folk Dance Club. Music for Robin. bottom up. Rare archival footage and fabulously funny stories 8:00 p.m. - Student Pugwash Movie Series. Issues of science, are interwoven in this remarkable yam of Brownie Wise, the self- technology and society as explored through film fiction. Free. taught saleswoman who built an empire out of bowls that Room: 4-237. Sponsor: Mil Chapter of Student Pugwash USA. burped. The film explores the lives of the Tupperware Ladies 8:00 p.m. - Francophone movie. Beginning of the franco phone Brownie trained and inspired: lower middle-class women with few movie series: "Un air de famille" (Klapisch, 1996), with English opportunities who were able to eam thousands, even millions, subtitles. Free. Room: 6 -120. Sponsor: GSC Funding Board, selling Tupperware in living rooms across the country. Free. Wednesday, December 10 Club Francophone. Room: 4-270. Sponsor: Women's Studies Program. Women In 9:00 p.m .• U:oo p.m. - LIVEmuslcOtheEAR: Dan. Free. Room: Film and Video New England. The Thirsty Ear Pub. Sponsor: The Thirsty Ear Pub. 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Boston Macintosh User Group. Meeting 5:15 in the MIT Chapel of the Boston Macintosh User Group. Free. Room: E51-372. Wednesday, December 10 Sponsor: MIT User Groups. 7:00 p.m. " 9:00 p.m. - Back Bay USA. Meeting of the Back Bay 8:00 a.m. " 12:30 p.m. - Program on the Pharmaceutical Indus.. USA (Large Installation System Administration) User Group. Free. try Conference. Free to MIT community (Advanced Registration Room: E51-145. Sponsor. MlT User Groups. Requir~d). Room: E51. Sponsor: Office of Corporate 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. - Tech Model Railroad Club Meeting. Relations/ILP. MlT Program on the Pharmaceutical Industry. This is an informal meeting when we design and build the layout 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Student Art Association Holiday Ceram- and run trains. Visitors welcome. Students welcome to join. Ics Sale. Come see the latest creations at the Student Art Asso- Free. Room: N52-118. Sponsor: Tech Model Railroad Club ciation's annual holiday ceramics sale. A great opportunity to (TMRC). support student art at MIT while doing your holiday shopping. 8:00 p.m .• U:oo p.m. - Israeli Folk Dancing (participatory). Free. Room: Lobby 10. Sponsor: Campus Activities Complex. Informal Caroling to' follow in ~obby 7 Israeli Folk Dancing Early Teaching at 8 p.m., followed by teach- . 10:00 a.m. - Admissions Information Session. Free. Room: 1()' Ing and requests until 11 p.m. Beginners are always welcome. 100. Sponsor: Information Center. Family dancing usually occurs from 7 - 8 p.m. each week. Great 10:00 a.m .• 12:00 p.m. - Working Committee Meeting. Free. for kids of all ages! To confirm family dancing for a given week, followed by a sumptuous dinn~r i~ Room: 68-121. Sponsor: EHS. and for up-to-date announcements about each week's dance, 12:00 p.m .• 1:30 p.m. -ITAG Lunch Time Seminar. lTAG Lunch see our Yahoo Group. Free for MIT students: donations wel- Time Seminar. Free. Room: W2().20 Chimneys. Sponsor: InfoS- come. Room: Lobby 13. Sponsor: Folk Dance Club. WIl ys. 8:00 p.m •• 10:00 p.m. - IFiLM Film Seminar. Screening of a 12:00 p.m. -1:00 p.m. - Orientation to Computing at MIT. This movie followed by a discussion. Light refreshments provided. seminar provides basic information about the MIT computing More information (Including movie titles) on our Web site. Free. environment, presented in language accessible to anyone. Top- Room: 4-237. Sponsor: International Film Club, GSC Funding ics include: help resources, supported operating systems, sup- Board. ported software and recommended hardware, the campus net- 8:45 p.m •• U:30 p.m. - Swing Dancing. Beginners welcome, work (MITnet and more), security issues and how to address no partner necessary. Free. Room: Student Center 2nd floor. them, telephones and voice mail, computer.related health Sponsor: Lindy Hop Society. GSC Funding Board. issues. Room: N42 Demo Center. Sponsor: Information Sys- tems. Thursday, December 11 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Selective Sampling for Classification and Filtering. Free. Room: E25-401. Sponsor: 'Brains and 8:00 a.m.'- 5:00 p.m. - MIT-NASA Workshop on Transforma- Machines' Seminar Series, McGovern Institute. Dept. of Brain & tional Technologies. The purpose of this workshop is to enable Cognitive Sciences and CSAIL. NASA to identify highly innovative applications of emerging tech- Sponsored by the Lutheran-Episcopal 12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. - Gallery Talk: Ught, Color, Place- nologies to future space systems and architectures by invitation Seeing DIgitally and Photographically. In conjunction with her only. Room: MIT Student Center 3rd Roor. Sponsor: AeroAstro. current photography exhibition, Knowing Where to Stand, Anne. The Advanced Systems Office in NASA's Office of Space Right. Ministry at MIT Whiston Spirn, MlT professor of architecture and planning, dis- 9:00 a.m. " 4:00 p.m. - Student Art Association Holiday Ceram- cusses the revolution in digital imaging and color printing. Visit Ics Sale. Come see the latest creations at the Student Art Asso- • http://web.mit.edu/spim/www/photo.htm. Free Compton ciation's annual holiday ceramics sale. A great opportunity to Gallery, MIT Campus. 77 Massachusetts Ave. Free. Room: .http://web. m~t.edu/lem/www / support student art at MIT while doingyour holiday shopping. Compton Gallery. Sponsor: MlT Museum. Free. Room: Lobby 10. Sponsor: Campus Activities Complex. December 9, 2003 THE TECH Page 23 • FEATURES Positive Sinking Wrap It Up and Spit It Out

BY Ak.hay Patll total of three readers who actually understand that, let's get guin will pop out of this column's text. Isn't technology COLUMNIST back to the berating). amazing? Ashkay, Actually, I don't feel like ragging on you any more. Here is some alliteration for you: ..... about absolute(v Because deep down, I'm a nice person. And even deeper So ! was sitting on the john the other day thinking to anything AT AU amusing ... " Come on, was it all that hard? down, I'm not wearing underwear. myself "hmm ... that guy that invented the toilet partition -Abe While you are the first to e-mail sinking@ in a dyslexic must be a millionaire." And then! thollght "but maybe there s You know, I'm usually a pretty easy guy to please. I was state, you are certainly not the first to e-mail or refer to me a better way to organize toilets in the bathroom, like, change all ready to like you: you sent e-mail to sinking@ and you by that abominable nominal permutation. Just don't do it the way we partition them. Maybe we could stack em?" J seem genuinely dedicated to the task of making this a better again. No tote/plastic bag for you. Moving on ... think! got a multi-million dollar idea here. What do you column. This love, this adoration, all of it, is lost because you think? spelled my name wrong. Sir Akshay, -The Dude Send me insults, tell me the column sucks, throw feces What does "no bones about it" mean? Do you think it has As you're probably well aware, many of history's greatest from your roof at your children, but for heaven's sake, don't anything to do with Yale and/or the teen slasher cra=e of the ideas were thought on the toilet. Einstein was particularly spell my name wrong. 90s? well known for his prolonged and frequent bowel move- Is it really that hard? I mean, you probably skim over it -Tchi ments. The guy who came up with sliced bread? That's right, ... once a week as you throw darts at my column. Or maybe you Wow, I'm definitely liking this e-mail better. Not only is he was a toilet tester. You could be next, my friend. Pursue could have done a little fingering action with my last name to the nanle right, but I'm "sir" me. Makes me feel like spelling your dream, I tell you. I'd offer to help you, but I don't want set things straight. Or, in a moment of lazy hesitation, you things British. to be around when something goes wrong and the you-know- could have just addressed me as "Positive Sinking;' "You . Not that I don't already, but usually word processors what hits the fan. And by fan, I mean the poor sap in the stall there," "what's-your-face," or something equally witty. change it back into the traditional American English before I underneath. But no. You had to brazenly type my name with two - even move on the next word. Because I don't feel like turn- Well, tlrat s my momma. Join us next tenn for more sink- count them, two - inversions (you know, the number of ing auto-correct off, all you readers at home are going to ing in the positive direction. And while YOli re eating, sleep- swaps bubble sort would have to do in order to rearrange have to use your imagination to figure out how half of these ing, globe trotting, mountain siding. bridge diving, sun soak- your eye-sore to its prope,r form ... ok, that's not funny, but words were spelt (ohhh, you like that? archaic British ing, or bathroom going. think of all (one) of liS here at " let's see you be funny after large amounts of coding. It's not spelling of "spelled," that's the sort of witty tricks that don't [email protected] and send us all e-mail about whatever it is easy, lemme tell ya. You start thinking things like "my @sort- win you anything, really) before my computer decided I was that's tickling YOll ill the back of YOli head right next to the a ed 1 = sort {sigComp($a, $b)}' @{(shi~) };" are terribly clever illiterate. left ear, no 110 lower ... to the left ... harder oh yeah, that s when, in fact, they aren't. Anyways, having amused the grand And after that, try crossing your eyes, and the 3-D pen- the stuff.

''',A'"" The Productiori Departtnent's Word of the Day .Ogham: An alphab~tic system of inscribed notches for vowels and lines for consonants used to write Old Irish

'" . ., [email protected]

.. I ~"

1,_ .. t The Sloan Subject Prioritization System Bidding Dates for ~pring, 2004 Classes

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Institute-wide bidding for Sloan subjects: Opens 9:00 a.m., Friday, D~cember 19 Closes 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 31

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Waitlists for clos~d Sloan classes are part of the Course Bidding System, beginning in the Institute-wide Round.

Successful bids appear on your Registration Forl17on February 2 and will be posted on the bidding website as of January 7--write down your password to check results! Page 24 THE TECH December 9,2003 SPORTS • MIT Fencing Scores Problems With the BCS'Playoff Against Be, Others System: Testing the Champions By Lynn Wang made a stunning showing, winning TEAM MEMBER six of their nine bouts against St. By Yong-yI Zhu ond-ranked team in both of the On Sunday, Nov. 23, the MIT John's. Special props to Christalee COLUMNIST human polls, while FSU was third. fencing team gave an outstanding Bierber '07 for stepping up the chal- I know that the BCS system is However, when the computers performance at Boston College, lenge when the team was short a not perfect. The real question is cranked out the numbers, FSU got going up against the player. whether there is any, way to make to play in the title game and not NCAA schools St. The men's fencing team found it close Miami, creating a possibility for a 1 John's University, formidable opponents in St. John's Column to per-- split national championship if Brandeis University, and Brandeis while scoring clear feet. FSU and Miami had both won } Vassar College, and victories against BC and Vassar. For those of you not aware, their bowl games. Obviously, the Boston College. Michael Pihulic '04 led on the BCS stands for Bowl Champi- BCS needed to be fixed, and it TThe women's team achieved sabre squad, scoring eight bouts onship Series, a system designed was. clean victories against Brandeis, for the team. Likewise, squad to find the top two Division I-A Then, in 200 I, Nebraska lost in Vassar, and BC with scores of leader Vincent Chen '05 guided College Football teams in the the last game of its regular season 16-11,20-7, and 20-7, respective- men's foil with six victories. In nation. It takes into account polJs to Colorado. Thus, they did not Iy. Despite the loss against St. two intense bouts, Vincent Chen of both Associated Press writers get a chance to go to the Big XII John's, our women had several great and Jason Chen '07 sealed the vic- and coaches, polls from seven Championship Game and did not moments. Particularly, Captain tory against BC by defeating two computer ranking methods, num- win their conference. Colorado Priscilla del Castillo '04 scored a tough opponents. "I'm happy that ber of losses, strength of schedule, won the conference and was voted great bout against St. John's sabrist, the foi I squad has improved and whether or not a team has highly by the human polls. How- Kasia Wieronski. The score was tied markedly since our performance beaten other teams in the top ten. ever, once again, when the com- at 4-4 when del Castillo made a last year, becoming much more The computers then sum all the puters did their job, Nebraska beat beautiful attack in preparation to competitive in historically strong numbers from each individual sec- out Colorado by the slimmest of win the bout. The rest of women's New England foil," said Vincent tion and create a total. The teams margins to get a chance to play sabre followed suit with great show- Chen. with the two lowest totals play for Miami in the Rose Bowl for the ings of their own, especially Shauna This meet totals the season score the national title game. National Championship. Again, . Jin '06 who won eight of her bouts to 8-} for the women and 6-2 for This system was originally talk of fixing the BeS was in the on Sunday. Women's epee also the men. installed in 1998 to settle disputes works. between the Associated Press and What many are looking to do • the coaches and to determine, via is to implement a system where a set system, who should play for several of the top teams get a UPCOMING HOME EVENTS the national title. and who gets the chance to play in a playoff, much Sears Trophy. However, since like that of the National Football then, we've come to some very League. This way, the best team in the country can truly be tested Wednesday, Dec. 10 close calls. In fact, two of the last three championship games have before being crowned, and nobQdy 7 p.m., Varsity Women's Indoor Track, not come without much debate. will have qualms about voting lo Springfield College In 2000, Florida State lost one a particular national champion. 7 p.m., Varsity Men's Ice Hockey, game all year, to Miami, who had However, is there r~ally; a solution Central Connecticut also only lost one game. In fact, that will appease everyone? Miami was voted to be the sec- Although this system would ~ ~ ' Nightline:

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