STUDENT LIFE
THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER OF WASHINGTON UNIVERSIT Y IN ST. LOUIS SINCE 1878 Crash and burn for Health Services: Johnny Chang’s editorial cartoon makes student opinion on the move to Forsyth clear. Page 4.
Talk abounds about hairy men on campus, Can people are taking over campus! Scene the impact of offensive cartoons, the senior has the scoop on why you need to recycle in class gift and other issues in Forum. Page 5. our Friday Features section. Page 3.
VOLUME 127, NO. 51
With their Bears for Bears campaign, WU athletes managed to collect a record number of these cute fellas for charity. See Page 8.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2006
WWW.STUDLIFE.COM
Dialogue sheds light on Ben Folds an unlikely friendship set to ‘rock
this bitch’ at spring WILD
v Talk between two
women from warring factions brings in a standing room-only crowd
v Matt Nathanson, local group The
By Marla Friedman Associate Reporter Almost 150 students packed into Northwest Wohl on Tuesday when Washington University’s “Students for a Peaceful Palestinian Israeli Future” hosted a dialogue between two women, one Israeli and one Palestinian. Although Students for a Peaceful Palestinian Israeli Future (SPPIF) had expected a fairly large turnout, not having enough seating for the 140 people who attended was a pleasant surprise. “We expected at least 50,” said Aviva Joffe, acting president of SPPIF. “We were shocked that so many came, and we had to start adding more benches in the back… we had originally requested Ursa’s Fireside and didn’t get it, and, actually, it would
Feed and unnamed third act to open By Mandy Silver News Editor
EITAN HOCHSTER | STUDENT LIFE
Israeli Eliana Avitzour (L) and Palestinian Lama Tarayrah field questions from a crowd of more than 140 Wash. U. students Tuesday night in Wohl Center. The two came to the University to speak at SPPIF’s event “Choosing Peace.” have been too small.” During the dialogue, Palestinian Lama Tarayrah and Israeli Eliana Avitzour spoke about their lives in the midst
Hillel’s executive director resigns By Kristin McGrath Senior News Editor After four and a half years at St. Louis Hillel, the largest Jewish organization at Washington University, Executive Director Margo Hamburger-Fox resigned following a January decision by the organization’s board to replace her. Hamburger-Fox will remain in her position until June 30. “The executive committee made the decision that they wanted to move forward with an executive director that had a different set of skills than mine,” said Hamburger-Fox. “What I’ve done has been great for the organization, and I have a great set of skills, but they want to move in a different direction.” Although she said that the decision was “a little bit of a surprise,” Hamburger-Fox added that she understood the board’s need to “look towards the future.” She plans to use the remainder of her time at St. Louis Hillel to explore other opportunities. “For me this is a great opportunity to look at all my skills and look at what I love and to tailor my next career move to that,” said Hamburger-Fox. “That could be a lot of things, because I have a lot of things that I love to do. My Master’s degree is in College Student Personnel, and that’s what brought me into Hillel in the first place. So I’m looking at continuing to work with college students.” For junior Rachel Kaplan, president of the Jewish Student Union (JSU), the board’s decision was a surprise. As JSU president, she sits on Hillel’s board. “I was surprised,” said Kaplan. “I didn’t see it coming at all, and I was really confused by it…At the same time, I understood that it was a board decision, which I respect, and there had to be some reason for it. I’m still disappointed, because I really like working with Margo.” Like Hamburger-Fox, Kaplan is optimistic about Hillel’s future. “While we’re very disappointed that we’re losing her because she’s a good asset, any change can be good. I’ll be on the search committee to find a replacement, and this is a great opportunity to
think about what direction [Hillel wants] to go in,” said Kaplan. The search committee has met once so far and will continue to meet weekly throughout the semester. “I would want to look for someone like Margo, who is passionate about working with college students, dynamic, energetic, is a good manager, relates well with a variety of people, is a confident and strong presence in working with students, and is passionate about outreach,” said Kaplan. Rabbi Hershey Novack, Director of the University’s chapter of Chabad, the other main Jewish organization on campus, has worked with Hamburger-Fox since Chabad came to campus. “She welcomed us three and a half years ago, and she helped create a collegial, professional relationship,” said Novack. “She’s in a uniquely challenging position. It’s sad to see her go, and I wish her well in the future. I hope that whoever follows her will work to continue that relationship.” During her time at Hillel, Hamburger-Fox has seen programming expand to include a greater variety of students. A greater number of more traditional Jewish students has led to daily minyans (a traditional Jewish morning service). In addition, Keshet, an advocacy group for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered Jews, has become more of a presence on campus. “On any campus it’s a struggle to reach out to as many students as you can,” said Hamburber-Fox. “Students have a lot of things to do, and their Jewish identity might be something that’s there, but they want to do something else. But we’re there for them when they do want to express their Jewish identity…I think just providing a safe space for students is really something that I’ve been proud of and helping students realize that they can express Judaism on their own terms.” This supportive environment is something that senior Maura Linzer, who serves on Hillel’s Student Advisory Board, will remember about Hamburger-Fox’s
See HILLEL, page 2
of an ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The event embodied the original goals of (SPPIF) when the group was begun
last spring. “We wanted to promote inclusive dialogue between
See PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI, page 2
WATTERS WOOS WASH. U.
EITAN HOCHSTER | STUDENT LIFE
Junior Nathan Watters was crowned Mr. Wash. U. last night in Edison Theatre. Senior Edison Hong placed second and senior Pushkar Sharma came in third. Mr. Wash. U. is a fundraiser for City Faces, an after-school art program for inner-city kids. The event hoped to raise $15,000 and ended up bringing in over $21,000.
At yesterday’s Happy Hour, Team 31 Productions announced popular piano rocker Ben Folds as the headliner for this year’s spring WILD. Although WILD is traditionally a Friday evening event, this year it will take place in Brookings Quadrangle on Saturday, Apr. 29 to better accommodate the band’s schedule. To build student enthusiasm for Folds’ Saturday performance, Team 31, CPC, and the Student Programming Board (SPB) are working closely to host additional daytime activities on Friday, Apr. 28 in Bowles Plaza. Opening acts for Ben Folds include Matt Nathanson, The Feed, and a third act to be announced at a later date. Rising singer/songwriter Nathanson made his major label debut in March 2003 with his album “Beneath These Fireworks” and is becoming a fast favorite among fans of John Mayer, Train, Howie Day, OAR, Maroon 5, Guster, and Five for Fighting. St. Louis’ own The Feed is also expanding its fan base, attracting local audiences at venues such as the Pageant and Blueberry Hill with their “blues-infused punk” music. Trying to appeal to as many University students as possible this year, Team 31 Co-Chairs Matt Jones and Jake Greenblatt asked the student body for their artist requests. After receiving over 100 requests for various artists, Ben Folds, known for his unique combination of jazz and rock accompanied by reflective lyrics, was at the top of the list. “The student body was a great resource in helping us recruit a band for WILD. They were able to tell us who is great live and who would appeal to the Wash. U. population,” said Jones. “We are fortuitous enough that Ben and his management wanted to come to St. Louis.” Greenblatt added that Team 31 is thrilled to
be bringing Ben Folds to WILD. Gauging success from overheard student conversations, Greenlatt said that “most people who have already received word are incredibly happy.” After hearing the announcement at yesterday’s Happy Hour, senior Hilary Schwarzenbach is living up to Team 31’s forecasts for a good student reception. “I think [Ben Folds is] appropriate, because, just like all other WILDs, it’s a musical artist from my past reborn on stage at Wash. U.,” said Schwarzenbach. Despite positive reactions from most of the University’s student body, Jones noted that “realistically, not everyone can be satisfied.” Freshman Matt Smith was one of those less enthusiastic to hear that Folds will headline the concert. “I have no respect for [Ben Folds] as an artist,” said Smith. “He relies on a popular image. There are so many alternative artists that would have been a better choice, but I don’t think he has what it takes. He’s got a good stage presence, but musically, he’s not all that great.” Freshman Nate Frogge, although unexcited about Folds’ impending performance, is thrilled about the opening act, Matt Nathanson. “After [Ben Folds] left Ben Folds Five, his independent work has been a little off,” said Frogge. “But I like Matt Nathanson. I saw his concert, and it was the best one I’ve ever been to…he’s going to upstage Ben Folds, definitely.” Admission to WILD is free with a valid Washington University ID. Those with a University ID can purchase an additional guest ticket at the Edison Theatre box office for $20. If you are interested in helping to produce WILD you can visit the Team 31 Web site or e-mail team 31e x t e r n a l r e l a t i o n s @ yahoo.com.
22,000 served: The Writing Center turns 10 By Helen Rhee Staff Reporter
GEORGE GENNIS | STUDENT LIFE
Freshman Rebecca Alpert works to revise an E. Comp. paper with the help of Writing Center tutor Burton Pu on Thursday.
The Writing Center is approaching its 22,000th tutorial appointment as it nears its 10th birthday next week. Starting on Monday, Washington University’s Writing Center will celebrate its fi rst decade of service and its fi rst ever “Writing Center Week,” which coincides with the inaugural International Writing Center Week. The theme for this year’s celebration: “Writers helping writers through the process of revision.” The Washington University Writing Center opened in 1995 and began offering tutorials on the fi fth level of Olin
Library. Since then, the Center has moved to the fi rst floor of Eads. Initially, the Center started off with four tutors, but now it boasts 17 faculty and peer tutors. During the 2004-2005 academic year, 2,385 students made appointments at the Center, and during fall 2005, the Center assisted 1,206 students. “The majority [of our appointments] are with seniors and graduate students,” said Doreen Salli, director of the Writing Center. “Typically, they’re writing the most and take their writing very seriously.”
See WRITING CENTER, page 2