BEATING THE ODDS | WU STUDENT TAKES GOLD IN DEAFLYMPICS | SPORTS, PAGE 8
STUDENT LIFE
THE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER OF WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS SINCE 1878 VOLUME 128, NO. 60
WWW.STUDLIFE.COM
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2007
Law school diversity highest in Mo. v Diversity percentage at Wash. U. still lags behind national average BY MARGY LEVINSON STAFF REPORTER Washington University’s School of Law may have the highest percentage of African-American students when compared to other major law schools in Missouri, but it still lies far below the national average. According to a report from the Mound City Bar Association (MCBA), the oldest black bar association west of the Mississippi, black students only composed 6.2 percent of the total number of law students in the 2004-2005 school year. “[Diversity has] certainly been discussed,” said Janet Bolin, associate dean of admissions at Washington University’s School of Law. “It’s a very
real and very urgent need.” Bolin emphasized that diversity is more of a pipeline issue, meaning that preparations should be started from a young age. “[We need to be] getting young people from early on, on a path that will help them to get them to college and to law school,” said Bolin. She explained that students from different backgrounds might not be as aware of what is needed to get into colleges and graduate schools and thus do not have the same opportunities as other students. Bolin also explained that the University does recruit heavily at historically black colleges, but agrees that more needs to be done. “We need to…put more ef-
forts into our recruitment efforts, such as getting more information and more opportunities for people to visit or talk to people in the program, such as professors or graduates of the program,” continued Bolin. There are also efforts being made within the St. Louis community, according to Bolin. There are organizations that work with high school students from the public school system providing internships and helping to educate students on higher education at a young age. In addition, the dean of students and the dean of admissions met with the Black Law Students Association and the undergraduate pre-law society to attract a more diverse popu-
lation. Law students also acknowledge the efforts by the faculty. “I know we’ve talked to the admissions office and other deans here who want to increase diversity and are working with students,” said fi rst year law student Pooja Kadakia. The lack of diversity is definitely noticed. “I came from the U.C. school system in California, which is a lot more diverse than this; we have like 50 percent Asians,” said Kadakia. In addition, current students and alumni have been reaching out to students of various backgrounds to inform prospective students about their experiences. “They are defi nitely trying
See DIVERSITY, page 3
Student Life names Fults editor in chief for 2007-2008 year BY MANDY SILVER SENIOR NEWS EDITOR Junior Erin Fults has been named editor in chief of Student Life for the 2007-2008 school year by the Board of Directors of Washington University Student Media, Inc., the newspaper’s publisher. The announcement was made at Student Life’s annual banquet Friday night. Fults, currently Student Life’s Senior Scene Editor, will begin her tenure as editor in chief on April 4, 2007. As editor in chief, Fults is responsible for hiring the editorial staff, overseeing the production of the newspaper and
Bears win UAA conference championship
making all final editorial decisions before it is printed. Fults, self-described as a “people person,” hopes to take an open-minded approach to managing the paper. “I want all staff members, campus groups and any student to feel they can approach me about a concern or an event,” said Fults. “When you can connect with people and can make them feel a part of something, you gain their dedication and earn their contributions.” Fults has been involved in Student Life since her freshman
See EIC, page 3
WU Marrow Registry drive switches to cheek swabs BY PUNEET KOLLIPARA STAFF REPORTER
In addition, Marlow is an Arts & Sciences Council Treasurer, co-president of the marathon team for Lou Gehrig’s disease charities, an undergraduate representative to the Board of Trustees and a Science Outreach group leader. Science Outreach is a program that
The Washington University Marrow Registry’s (WUMR) annual drives begin this week and for the fi rst time getting onto the registry is both free and painless. According to senior Brayden Yellman, president of WUMR, thanks to innovative cell typing, students can get onto the national marrow registry with a simple cheek swab. Through sponsorships and community grants, WUMR is also fully subsidizing the $65 cost of registering for the second straight year. Yellman said that the group has high expectations for this year’s drives. “We would really like to see what the cheek swabs do to get people to come this year,” he said. “This new technology allows us to very quickly gather cells that can quickly be typed,” said Marla Esser the alumni advisor to WUMR. “And I think it’s going to bring a lot of people out.” The group has been publicizing the event by handing out flyers, contacting Residential College Directors and holding small events to inform people about the event and to alleviate certain misconceptions. The group is also giving away a pizza party to the freshman floor that registers the most students. According to Yellman, a common misconception is that joining the registry requires drawing blood through a needle, even though the process now only requires a cheek swab. “Registering is different than actually donating,” he said. “They’ll donate if they need to, but to join the registry the needle stick is not the most appealing thing.” With thousands of people on waiting lists for marrow transplants, the group hopes to draw large numbers to the drives, as the probability of a patient perfectly matching with a certain donor is about one in a million and even lower for minorities and multiracials. Yellman emphasized the relative ease of registering this year. “Coming to a drive takes about 15 minutes. Most of that
See AWARDS, page 2
See WUMR, page 2
LIONEL SOBEHART | STUDENT LIFE
Sophomore Tyler Nading gets carried off the court by the Phi Delt bomb squad cheering section after the Bears’ victory over University of Chicago Friday night, Feb. 24. With the victory Wash. U. took the UAA conference Championship. The women’s team also won, giving them them their 10th straight conference championship. BY ANDREI BERMAN SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR The road to Salem has officially begun. The 12th ranked Washington University men’s basketball won the UAA championship Saturday afternoon with a thrilling 79-74 victory over 11th-ranked Chicago before an announced crowd of 1,907 fans at the Field House. With the win the Bears (20-4, 11-3 UAA) received the league’s automatic bid to the Division III NCAA Tournament. Saturday’s championship tilt had all the makings of an instant classic. Bears
head coach Mark Edwards said the frenzied, red-clad crowd was the best he could remember in his 26 years at the helm of the program. Despite heavy morning downpours, the Field House’s lower bowl was completely packed, with much of the second deck full as well. Both Thurtene and Honorary and the Athletic Department heavily promoted the game throughout the week. Chicago opened the contest on absolute fire, as the three-happy Maroons connected on four of their first five attempts from downtown to take a 12-7 lead in the game’s opening minutes. The
Bears responded, however, thanks to the early hot-hand of forward Nick Nikitas. Playing in his final regular season home game, the senior scored ten of Wash.U’s first twelve points to keep the game close in the opening minutes. The Bears trailed by as many as six with 14 minutes remaining in the half before going on a 14-0 run over the game’s next seven minutes to take a 2820 lead. It was a lead they would never relinquish.
Lady Bears also take UAA title in Saturday’s matchup See Sports, Page 8
See BEARS, page 6
USA Today recognizes four seniors’ achievements BY SARA RAJARAM NEWS REPORTER USA Today awarded four undergraduate students at Washington University for their strong academic commitment and exemplary leadership outside the classroom. Senior Jeffrey Marlow was named to the All-USA College Academic First Team and senior Laura Klein-
man and junior Troy Ruths were named to the third team. Senior Jessica Friedman received an honorable mention. The University tied with the University of Alabama for having the most students recognized in the competition. Marlow is one out of the top 20 students who were selected out of the 600 students
Satisfying your sweet tooth Valentine’s Day may be over, but what if your chocolate craving isn’t? Scene’s Jackie Allen looks at the best place to grab a sweet bite around campus. Scene, Page 5
nominated nationwide by their schools. Members of the first team were awarded with $2,500 scholarship, a trophy and a copy of the USA Today newspaper honoring them. Marlow, a Marshall and Goldwater Scholar, is a senior majoring in earth and planetary sciences and chemistry. He has conducted environmen-
tal research in the Mojave Desert, Spain and Hawaii. In the summers of 2004 and 2005, he collaborated with scientists on the Mars Exploration Rover mission to study the geology of Mars and prove that liquid water once existed on its surface. One of Marlow’s main goals is to determine whether there is life on Mars.
Getting spirit back in the Fieldhouse Approximately 2,000 fans packed the fieldhouse this weekend to watch the Bears take home the championship. Why our editorial board wants to see more of that. Forum, Page 4
INSIDE: Scene . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Forum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Sudoku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
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