STUDENT LIFE
THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER OF WASHINGTON UNIVERSIT Y IN ST. LOUIS SINCE 1878 With two cartoons today, Dmitri Jackson provides commentary on tuition, the MetroLink, and student alcohol use on campus. Page 6.
In Scene’s first Friday Features section of the year, former senior News editor Sarah Kliff sends us a postcard from abroad. Page 5.
VOLUME 127, NO. 45
Debate rages about Ariel Sharon, Thomas Friedman, social norming, Student Life’s cultural event coverage, and more. Page 7.
Phi Delt’s community service program is a smash in the ring. See Sports’ back page for more details.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2006
WWW.STUDLIFE.COM
Wrighton tours Israel with Mayor Slay By Elizabeth Lewis Staff Reporter Chancellor Wrighton, accompanied by Mayor Francis Slay, Dean Edward Macias, and other University colleagues, recently traveled to Israel in an event hosted by the Jewish Federation. While there, they explored potential opportunities for further educational collaborations between Washington University and Israel. “Among the institutions we visited were Technion, Hebrew University, the Interdisciplinary Center, and the Weizmann Institute of Science,” said Wrighton. Wrighton also hosted a dinner that explained the recent progress of the University for the alumni and students who were studying abroad in Israel. Those representing Washington University in the delegation took the trip primarily because of the University’s interest in expanding its international ties. “Our University is interested in expanding its international impact in education, research, and service,” said Wrighton. “We have been very active in Asia and have developed new programs such as the Executive MBA
COURTESY OF THE OFFICE OF THE CHANCELLOR
Chancellor Wrighton (center) recently travelled to Israel with a delegation led by St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay (fifth from left). Wrighton toured the country and visited study abroad students and alumni. Program we offer jointly with Fudan University. Our new McDonnell International Scholars Academy has an initial focus in Asia.” Although the University
has made progress in Asia, no new definite plans have been made yet concerning the University’s collaboration with institutions in Israel, based on this trip.
“Our visit to Israel may lead to new opportunities for study abroad and collaborative education and research, but no decisions regarding these opportunities have
been made,” said Wrighton. Although the trip did not lead to any specific plans, the delegation was successful in laying the foundation for future ties with academ-
ic institutions in Israel, according to Wrighton. “The most important accomplishment was to have face-to-face meetings with academic leaders of key Israeli institutions and to learn directly from them about their strengths and areas of potential partnership,” said Wrighton. The University already has close ties with Israel—it has its largest study abroad program for undergraduates at Hebrew University and has a small collaborative partnership in social work there as well, explained Wrighton. Studying abroad has become an opportunity encouraged by President Bush. Wrighton recently attended a summit that was convened by Secretary of State Rice and Secretary of Education Spellings, entitled “International Higher Education in the National Interest” on Jan. 5-6. “The president himself addressed our meeting and encouraged universities to become more proactive in encouraging study abroad and in encouraging scholars to come to the United States for study,” said Wrighton. Several students have tak-
See ISRAEL, page 4
Diwali dance team Women ‘rush’ to Greek recruitment goes to Nationals By Ben Sales Staff Reporter
By Josh Hantz Associate Reporter The basement of Lopata Hall isn’t the grandest stage in the world, but it will do for the practices of Ashoka’s Garba team, going to its first national competition in February. Garba, a type of traditional Indian dance, has increased in popularity at Washington University over the past few years, as evidenced by its more important role in Diwali and the number of freshmen trying out. “I think increased interest in Diwali in general over the last few years, and the mindset that Garba is a selective dance, has been making it better and better,” said former choreographer Nivedita Kulkarni, currently studying in London. “It was a minor dance in the show before these past few years. Now it’s one of the main four dances.” Traditionally all-female in Diwali, the team recruited males to meet the requirements for the “Garba With Attitude” competition, hosted in Irvine, Calif. The male influence is something most girls seem to enjoy. “The guys are fun,” said sophomore Erendira Quintana Morales. “They change the dynamics of the group a little.” Junior Natasha Ho agrees. “With guys we get to do stunts and they also bring a new level of
energy,” she said. Rajat Jain, one of four choreographers, is one of the newly recruited males and said that he has enjoyed his time with Garba so far. “I’ve never choreographed before,” said Jain. “It’s a different experience. You’re around the same people and you get to know them really well and learn to trust them. It’s like being on a sports team. You trust others will pull off what they’re supposed to.” The dance originated in the state of Gujarat around Navratri— the Hindu celebration of worship and music. It has important differences compared to other dances like Raas that the team must also incorporate into its routine. “Garba is slightly slower and more graceful than Raas,” said senior and choreographer Erica Kane. “It doesn’t have dandiyas (batons) either.” The team’s success and hope for a strong competition has required much dedication and effort. Dancers and choreographers have been practicing almost every day since winter break for two to three hours at a time, sometimes past midnight. Constant improvement is key. “The hardest part is individually getting better,” said senior Noopur Garg, who only recently joined the team to replace a mem-
See GARBA, page 4
DAVID HARTSTEIN | STUDENT LIFE
Garba performs at Diwali last semester. The group will be attending the Garba with Attitude Competition in Irvine, Calif.
A record-breaking 339 Washington University women arrived one week before classes began this semester to participate in sorority recruitment (“rush”) activities. Of these, 298 women received bids for membership. “We’re really excited about it,” said Nicole Soussan, the former president of the Women’s Pan-Hellenic Association (PanHel), which organizes and facilitates recruitment week. “The freshmen and the women that rushed got a positive outlook on Greek life.” In addition to how smoothly the week ran, the jump in numbers also
pleased Soussan. She credits the rise in recruits to PanHel’s increased promotion efforts, which included flyers, emails, a spot on the underpass, and an additional information session. “[It was] the info sessions and the reaching out that PanHel did for them,” she said. “More women realized that they wanted to be part of the Greek community.” Although official documents for Greek organizations have increasingly begun to use the term “recruitment” to describe the selection process, due to concerns about the negative connotations of the word “rush,” the process itself has not changed at Wash. U., said Karin Johnes, the director of Greek Life.
“In the Greek world for the past several years, there’s been a push at the national level for a concept of recruitment rather than rush,” said Johnes. “There are a lot of big believers in the idea that language affects image. Our concern is that parents wouldn’t know what [recruitment] is. Fundamentally, though, it doesn’t change how our process works.” The five-day period began with four days of events during which the women got a taste of the University’s Greek life by attending parties facilitated by each sorority. The parties gave potential members a chance to meet current members and decide which sorority, if any, to join.
In addition to the events, potential members were assigned a Recruitment Counselor (Rho Chi). Rho Chi’s are current members of sororities who help women decide between the chapters. Although each Rho Chi is a member of a specific chapter, she distances herself from her own sorority to remain unbiased in her role 25 potential recruits. “You have a one-on-one relationship,” said Anna Braswell, one of this year’s Rho Chis. “It was great because I got to meet so many young girls.” Braswell also appreciated the opportunity that the Rho Chi groups afforded to the potential recruits.
See RUSH, page 4
Wash. U. soldiers’ stories, Part IV:
Stunned, satisfied and still serving Over the past few months, Student Life has corresponded with several Washington University graduates who have served or are serving in the military in Iraq. Some of these soldiers wrote first-hand accounts of their experiences in the Iraq War, as well as the transition from college to the military. These articles will run as a multi-part series over the course of the spring semester. Past articles can be found on our Web site at www.studlife.com. Today’s story is the fourth installment of the series and the third article by Jenny Pittam, class of 2002. Pittam said that out of all her Iraqi experiences, she is most proud of the confidence her platoon placed in her to lead them well. She was 23 at the time, while most of her platoon was significantly older. Pittam said that she had a fun time in Iraq with her platoon. “Life is easier when you are deployed,” she said. When asked how Iraq differs now from when she was there two and a half years ago, Pittam replied that the situation is much more dangerous today. Her unit then did not come in contact with the enemy and did not suffer any casualties. Pittam also said that the Army today is becoming “more nitpicky” with rules. During her deployment, she was given a lot of leeway to run her platoon as she wished. Now there are more rules and stricter regulations. But doing things by the book has the benefits of uniformity in a dangerous and chaotic place, she said. -David Brody
COURTESY OF JENNY PITTAM
Dan Davis and Jenny Pittam pose in front of their platoon leader’s tent at camp in Iraq. By Jenny Pittam Special to Student Life We delivered cargo to various camps and armies as they set up camps in Iraq. One international camp was just being cleared and built up when we delivered their unit equipment. I met with a Polish colonel who was the commander for the camp and with a Romanian lieutenant who was my point of contact. Our soldiers enjoyed Polish, Romanian, Ukrainian, and Filipino
food from their dining tents after the day’s mission was complete. We loved delivering to that particular camp since they would let us sleep in run-down, yet air-conditioned, rooms. AC was still a luxury at that point since our trucks had no hope at all for AC. We ran missions to Babylon; we would cross the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the heart of ancient Mesopotamia; we drove by Abraham’s tomb daily. One sunny afternoon,
we had a long convoy rolling north toward Baghdad. I saw up ahead that there was a cluster of trucks in the road. We slowed down and came to a complete stop next to a soldier standing on the roadside, pulling guard and directing traffic. It was well over 120 degrees outside and scorching in the truck, and the last thing I wanted to do was stop our convoy on the side of the road. I leaned out the win-
See SOLDIER, page 3