“Misalliance” Read the top 10 TODAY’S WEATHER KeeganKeeg Bell talks about why ways to help out anderbilt Hustler takes to the stage he’s leavingl ... the recession… ForFor more,more see Sports, page 6 this weekend … For more, see News, page 3 For more, see Opinion, page 4 CHRIS PHARE / The V CHRIS PHARE The / T-Storms,TStorms 6464/46 Extended forecast, page 2 THETHE VOICE OF VANDERBILT SINCE 1888 '3*%": "13*- tTH YEAR, NO. 34 THE WALL CAMPUS NEWS BRIEF compiled by LAKENDRA SCOTT Commons draws Professor Giorgio named chair of THIS WEEKEND un- biomedical engineering VUT’s ‘Misalliance’ An students of high VU Theatre will put on Todd D. Giorgio, professor of biomedical George Bernard Shaw’s engineering, has been named chair of the play “Misalliance.” The talents to form Department of Biomedical Engineering, show begins at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday Common Vanderbilt News Service reported. and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Class of 2012. He will succeed Thomas R. Harris, an Orrin The show is free to all Henry Ingram Distinguished undergrads. Each new group of admitted students always Professor of Engineering, who seems to be better than the last. But with the draw is retiring in May. of The Commons, the Class of 2012 might be even “While conducting TODAY class more exceptional than usual. a national search for a Writing workshop Exactly one week ago, the Office of successor to Dr. Harris, we The writing workshop Undergraduate Admissions sent out admission became convinced that Dr. “What is My Paper by NIKKI BOGOPOLSKAYA decision letters to what they refer to as a “truly Giorgio would be the best About, After All? Staff Reporter GIORGIO — Revising Thesis historic” class of applicants, who, according to the possible person to chair Statements” presents Vanderbilt Admissions blog, “featured an amazing the Department of Biomedical Engineering,” students with strategies depth of personal and scholastic excellence — said Kenneth Galloway, dean of the School to construct strong energy, passion, leadership and commitment to a of Engineering, to Vanderbilt News Service. thesis statements. The range of ideals (diversity, community, humanity, “During the past eight months, he served as a workshop will begin at 12:10 p.m. in Alumni service, etc.).” very effective interim chair of the department. Hall, Room 117. As of mailing day, the Office of Undergraduate His considerable leadership skills, scholarship Admissions had received 16,875 applications, up and teaching abilities will prove valuable in 30.7 percent from the 12,911 applications they leading the department to even higher levels of TODAY received last year. achievement.” Branscomb Open Mic In a year of historically low admissions rates, Giorgio said he wants biomedical engineering Coffee House CLASS OF 2012 as The New York Times reported this week, “to achieve greater visibility within the university The Branscomb Quad is Vanderbilt’s acceptance rate also dropped — from and throughout the academic world consistent hosting a coffee house Number of applications: 16,875 35.7 percent last year to 23 percent this year. with the accomplishments and potential of our with free coffee and Of the admitted students, the average class faculty.” student acts. The event begins at 7 p.m. in the Percent increase in applications: 30.7 rank was in the top 3.7 percent of their class; 92 “Biomedical engineering at Vanderbilt Branscomb courtyard. percent of the students admitted were ranked in brings together quantitative engineering with Percent admitted: 23 the top 90 percent. The middle 50 percent of SAT fundamental science,” he said, “leading to Average class rank: Top 3.7 percent scores for the admitted students was 1380 to 1540 innovations in medical practice.” SATURDAY, APRIL 5 and the middle 50 percent for the ACT was 31 to Please see GIORGIO, page 3 Test of severe Middle 50 percent of SAT: 1380 to 1540 34. weather sirens And the admitted Class of 2012 is not only The Vanderbilt severe Middle 50 percent of ACT: 31 to 34 ranked higher than the rest of us, they are weather warning more diverse. Admissions for students of color sirens will sound for approximately 30 increased from 27 percent last year to 30 percent seconds following the this year, and both applications and admissions Metro siren test at noon. from students in the northeast, southwest and A Holi lot west coast increased. International applicants were considerably more interested in Vanderbilt SATURDAY, APRIL 5 as well — up to 739 this year from 444 last year. Holi All this information is readily available on the of colors Masala-SACE is Office of Undergraduate Admissions blog, run sponsoring the festival by admissions officers Thom Golden, Ken Shows by SYDNEY WILMER of colors. Students can and James Onwuachi. Golden regards the blog as Senior Reporter come out and get messy throwing powdered a “means of serving the information needs of our color, jello, water digital public.” Wear a white T-shirt and a pair of shorts, but balloons and “mystery “It only takes a few seconds into a Google search do not expect them to stay that way when the balloons.” The event to discover the high level of interest and questions powdered paint starts to fly, splatter and then begins at 12 p.m. on about Vanderbilt and especially Vanderbilt’s smear. Wilson Lawn. admissions process,” Golden said. “We were All members of the campus community are noticing that in many cases individuals were invited to participate Saturday in celebration attempting to fill that information gap with wrong of the traditional Hindu festival Holi on Wilson SATURDAY, APRIL 5 BRAD WEINER / photo provided and/or misleading facts. The Vandy Admissions Lawn at noon. Also called the Festival of Colors, Rang Barse: A The admissions office held their annual “stripping party” last week, where staff gather blog is an attempt to provide accurate information the holiday is held in honor of spring. Musical Journey around the bins of admitted student packets and remove, or strip off, the paper adhesive. Please see ADMISSIONS, page 3 Sophomore Sheena Walia, one of the main Through India This concert features coordinators of this year’s Holi celebration, said a fusion of traditional the student group Masala-SACE will provide Indian and Western pizza, paint powder and, for the first time, instruments, as well as T-shirts. a guest performance “This is a holiday I have celebrated my whole by Joe Rudolpho on the Being the best of buddies sitar. Admission is free life,” Walia said. “It is one that everyone takes for Vanderbilt students part in as well.” and $5 for non-students. Unlike Diwali, which the group honors annually in November with a dance and cultural showcase, students from all over campus SATURDAY, APRIL 5 participate in Holi. Blair Student “There is always an audience at events like Showcase Diwali — not at Holi,” Walia said. As part of the Blair Though participants tend to come out of the Signature Series, the event stained various colors, Walia insists it Blair Student Showcase is entirely worth turning the shower hot pink, will be held in Ingram purple and green. Hall at 8 p.m. “I would say it is really fun,” Wallia said, “because you are throwing colored powder and water balloons all over the place.” SUNDAY, APRIL 6 Wallia made only one warning — those with Vanderbilt lighter colored hair should probably cover it. Commodore Steel Blond hair has a tendency to turn several different Drum Band Spring shades of color during the festivities. Concert The Vanderbilt Wallia encourages everyone to stop by Commodore Steel Drum Saturday. Band will perform a free “Typically, people walk by and join in. It is so concert at Ingram Hall much fun,” Wallia said. “And this year there will at 8 p.m. BRYAN CANDELARIO / The Vanderbilt Hustler be even more color!” ■ Senior Brooke Huffsmith (left) and graduate student Kelly Harper (right) help one the buddies play pin the tail on the donkey at the annual Best Buddies carnival on Thursday evening at the —Sydney Wilmer can be reached at [email protected] See http://calendar.vanderbilt.edu Student Recreation Center. for more events. Ask about our affordable online advertising opportunities Call George Fischer at at InsideVandy.com 615-322-1884 2 Friday, April 4, 2008 The Vanderbilt Hustler www.insidevandy.com WHAT’S NEW ON INSIDEVANDY.COM WEATHER THE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 compiled by LAKENDRA SCOTT STARTING • Read articles from multiple staff members in Versus SATURDAY compiled by SARA GAST Magazine. Jobless claims for unemployment benefits shoot 1up to highest point since September 2005 t4FF4BN,JNTQIPUPTGSPNJOUSBNVSBMTPDDFSQSBDUJDF WASHINGTON — The number of new people signing up for unemployment benefits last week shot up to the highest level in more than two years, fresh evidence of the damage to a national t3FBEBCPVU,FFHBO#FMMTEFDJTJPOUPMFBWF7BOEFSCJMU economy clobbered by housing, credit and financial crises according to The Associated Press. The Labor Department reported Thursday that new applications t8BUDIBTMJEFTIPXPG#SZBO$BOEFMBSJPTQIPUPTGSPN filed for unemployment insurance jumped by a seasonally adjusted 38,000 to 407,000 for the week ending March 29. UIF#FTU#VEEJFTDBSOJWBM Partly Cloudy, 64/45 —Check InsideVandy.com often for more Web-exclusive content. SUNDAY States facing budget trouble consider releasing 2 inmates early to save millions PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Lawmakers from California to Kentucky are trying to save money with a drastic and potentially dangerous budget-cutting proposal: releasing tens of thousands of convicts from prison, including drug addicts, thieves and even violent criminals, The Associated Press reported. Officials acknowledge that the idea carries risks, but they say they have no choice because of huge budget gaps brought on by the slumping economy.