Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
The Daily Gazette
Swarthmore College
Friday, December 4, 1998
Volume 3, Number 56
NEWS IN BRIEF
1) Student Budget Committee updates SAF rules
2) Twelfth Night takes the stage
3) World news roundup
4) Campus events
SPORTS IN BRIEF
1) Today’s and tomorrow’s contests
WEATHER FORECAST
Today: Partly sunny and mild. High in the mid 60s.
Lovely weather to perfect that tan…
Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Low near 50.
…in time to bare some skin at Paces (10-2) tonight!
Extended Weekend Forecast
Saturday: Considerable cloudiness with a chance of sprinkles. High near 60.
Sunday: Partly cloudy. Low in the mid to upper 40s. High in the low 60s.
You didn’t want to get out of bed anyway.
NEWS REPORT
1) Student Budget Committee updates SAF rules
Student Budget Committee (SBC) hosted an open meeting on Tuesday night in
Parrish Parlours to discuss proposed revisions to Student Activity Fund
(SAF) rules. These rules govern how funds are allocated to campus
organizations and how SAF money can be spent. The existing SAF guidelines
were written in 1984, after students took charge of administering the SAF,
and few changes have been made to the regulations since then. SBC decided
to update and clarify the SAF rules in the interest of “effectiveness and
accountability,” said SBC Treasurer Josh Bess ’00. He added, “These changes
will affect the student body because they will have increased confidence
that their money is being spent wisely. These changes alone are a small
step toward this confidence, but they set up the framework.”
The new guidelines raised some controversy on campus. If the rules are
passed, students seeking SBC reimbursement will be subject to stricter
enforcement of receipt and reimbursement policies. Bess explained,
“Basically, we are trying to make sure the money is spent as it was meant
to be spent.” Another change which has aroused some concern is SBC’s new
voting policy. Previously, SBC members had to reach a consensus to pass a
proposal, resorting to a vote by default. Under the new rules, proposals
are passed by a simple majority, though Bess says the “spirit of consensus
will be maintained, even if not in writing.”
Bess was “disappointed” with student turnout on Tuesday night, since this
issue will directly impact the budgeting process and therefore a majority
of students on campus. SBC is sincerely interested in student input; after
all, Bess said, “We’ve never re-written rules before. We want to know what
students want done.” This soliciting of student opinion is only one part of
SBC’s effort to increase communication between SBC and the student body.
Bess said, “[The new rules] will be published and posted and distributed by
every means possible in this campus and students WILL be responsible for
knowing the new rules that govern their particular activities… I have
made it my personal goal that by the time I hand the SBC Treasurer position
over to someone else, this entire campus will have far fewer
misunderstanding and misconceptions about the whole process that is SAF
budgeting.” The new rules will be submitted to Student Council for
approval. If SC approves the revision before winter break, the new
guidelines will go into effect for the spring semester.
*****
2) Twelfth Night takes the stage
No tragedy here. A far cry from the pathos of Romeo and Juliet, director
Mary Meiklejohn is bringing Shakespeare’s light-hearted Twelfth Night to
the stage on Friday and Saturday, December 4 and 5 at 8:00 pm. This comedy
involves the usual Shakespearean comedy devices of cross dressing and
mistaken identities, ending with everyone getting what they want. There is,
however, a twist: this Twelfth Night is set in 1840’s Mexico.
The basic plot goes like this: Viola and her twin brother are separated at
sea, and both believe the other to be dead. Viola, alone in the world,
dresses as a man and goes to work for Count Orsino as a messenger. Orsino
is in love with the lady Olivia, and Viola is sent by Orsino to plead his
case. Unfortunately for the Count, however, Olivia falls in love with Viola
in man’s costume. At the same time, Olivia’s uncle and friend are plotting
to humiliate her steward, Malvolio.
An elaborate set, complete with a 24-foot tall tower and a working
fountain, completely fills the stage. The costumes and sound correspond to
the Mexican setting, hoop skirts and mariachi music. Opening night is
expected to be spectacular; Stage Manager Samira Mehta ’00 said, “The dress
rehearsal went really well.” For those who need an incentive to go see
anything Shakespearean, Melanie Hirsch ’02, who plays Viola, said, “There
are some really funny sombreros. And lots of tequila.”
*****
3) World news roundup
EUROPEAN BANKS CONDUCT COORDINATED INTEREST RATE CUT
The eleven European nations that will adopt a common currency next month
cut their interest rates Thursday to a uniform 3 %. The Bundesbank of
Germany and the Bank of France initiated the move, and the other nine
participating nations quickly followed suit. Only Italy’s rate remains
higher at 3.5 %. Three percent had been decided to be the starting
interest rate of the euro when it was introduced on January first, and
Thursday’s move had been expected to be made in December, but not this
early.
FEC REVIEWS 1996 CAMPAIGN FINANCE AUDITS
The six-member Federal Election Commission began reviewing preliminary
recommendations made by auditors Tuesday that the 1996 presidential
campaigns of both Bill Clinton and Bob Dole should repay millions of
dollars of campaign overexpenditure. The auditors, working for the FEC,
charged that both campaigns had coordinated supposedly independent party
advertisements to enjoy publicity without accounting for the money as
campaign funds, and suggested that funds granted in return for meeting
expenditure limits be repayed. The recommendations assign a $7 million
bill for Clinton’s campaign and $17.7 million for Dole’s, but the FEC has
the power to alter the figures as they decide.
IN OTHER NEWS…
The House Judiciary Committee decided Thursday to drop charges of campaign
finance wrongdoing from their impeachment inquiry and likely may vote on
the more essential articles next week… A fire devastated a wooden
orphanage building in Manila early Friday morning, killing close to thirty
people, mainly children… At least 14 are dead and over 20 others injured
after a bomb exploded Thursday in a market in western Algeria…The body of
Martin Gurule, a death row inmate who had escaped from a Texas state prison
Saturday, was found floating in a river four miles from the prison Thursday
evening, ending a large-scale manhunt that had been conducted since his
escape.
*****
4) Campus events
FRIDAY
HOLA Alumni Lecture
Intercultural Center, 12:30 p.m.
“Twelfth Night”
LPAC, 8:00 p.m.
Orchestra Concert
Lang Concert Hall, 8:00 p.m.
Dead Dog Cafe featuring Backwater Blues Wayne Miller Tribute Band
Mary Lyons, 9:30 p.m.
Movie: “Deep Impact”
DuPont Lecture Hall, 7:30 p.m., 10:00 p.m.
SATURDAY
Gospel Choir Concert
Friends Meeting House, 3:00 p.m.
16 Feet: Christmas Carols
Clothier Bell Tower, 3:00 p.m.
String Quartet Concert
Lang Concert Hall, 8:00 p.m.
Movie: “Amadeus”
DuPont Lecture Hall, 7:30 p.m., 10:00 p.m.
SUNDAY
Gamelan Concert
Lang Concert Hall, 3:00 p.m.
Cantatrix Night of Song
Olde Club, 8:00 p.m.
*****
SPORTS UPDATE
1) Today’s and tomorrow’s contests
TODAY
Women’s basketball travels to the Seven Sisters Tournament at Wellesley
TOMORROW
Men’s swimming hosts Western Maryland at 2:00 p.m.
Women’s swimming hosts Western Maryland at 2:00 p.m.
Women’s basketball competes in the Seven Sisters Tournament at Wellesley
Wrestling visits SUNY Maritime at 10:00 a.m.
Badminton competes at the Harcum Doubles Tournament at 9:00 a.m.
*****
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The Daily Gazette
Board of Editors
Joseph Genereux
Jeff Heckelman
Lorrin Nelson
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Ty Wilde
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Ira Lindsay
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Nellie Tong
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Laurie Smith
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This concludes today’s report.
Copyright 1998 by The Daily Gazette. All rights reserved.