Wednesday, February 12, 2003

by Jeremy Schifeling
Co-Managing Editor

Another development in the troubled relationship between CIVIC and the
Student Budget Committee emerged this past week as SBC decided to cut
funding for individual volunteers working without a specific campus group
affiliation.

According to CIVIC intern Kai Xu ’03, who was informed of the decision this
past Sunday, the move will limit the community service opportunities
available to students both inside and outside of CIVIC.

Xu says there are currently some 20 students who receive travel
reimbursements from CIVIC for volunteer work in places as diverse as the
Delco Blind/Sight Center in Chester and the Women’s Law Project in Philly,
as well as 15 additional volunteers in the separate CHOP (Children’s
Hospital of Philadelphia) program.  All would stand to lose their funding
under the recent decision.

“A lot of students want to help these agencies that provide vital services
to the community, and these volunteers are essential to keeping the
programs running,” said Xu.

Xu especially objects to the alleged “superficial distinction” SBC is
making between individual volunteers and their group-affiliated peers
(students who work with SHIP or Positive Alternatives in Chester, for example).

“Though they claim that all volunteer work is important, they are
essentially saying that these volunteers are not participating in a valid
form of student activity,” said Xu.

Additionally, though the decision was not wholly unexpected, as SBC
discussed the possibility last semester while deciding to take control of
direct funding for CIVIC groups, Xu was disappointed with its timing.

“It’s unfortunate because Spring Budgeting starts next week,” said Xu.
“This makes it impossible for us to discuss the options during the normal
budgeting process.”

However, Xu did note that SBC Manager Jeff Traczynski promised to look into
alternative funding sources for such volunteers, including the Lang Center
for Civic & Social Responsibility and the Deans’ Office.

But, given that this did not seem like a viable long-term solution to the
issue, Xu pledged to appeal the SBC’s decision.

SBC members contacted for the story either declined to speak on the issue
or were not available for comment.

by Jennifer Canton
Gazette Reporter

* “I would date a single professor but not if I had to have any further
academic contact.” – Anon
* “I would, as long as it was a secret and he was not married.” – Anon
* “Relationship, yes. Affair, no. He can’t be married or have kids.” – Anon
* “I would definitely consider it as long as we’re both available and both
understand and are willing to sacrifice some public opinion.” – Tanya
Chotibut ’03
* “As long as it was Andrew Ward.” – Anon
* “Ewww. No.” – Collin Peng-Sue ’03
* “Not here, not now. But if there was someone attractive, I would consider
it.” – Anon

*****

On February 8, two Swat College Bowl teams traveled to the University of
Virginia to compete in Division II of the NAQT (National Academic Quiz
Tournament) Sectionals. The A team of Will Schricker, Chris White and Emily
Ullman finished the competition with a 12-2 record and the team’s first
victory of the year. Schricker and White were the divisions second and
third highest scorers. The performance also earned the team a berth in NAQT
Nationals which will be held at UCLA in April. The Swat B team competing at
Sectionals consisted of Adam Oleksa, Alex Glick and Matt Fowles.

*****

A local resident discovered unauthorized withdrawals from his bank account
when checking a recent statement. The resident met with Sergeant Wesley,
who is gathering information in order to pursue an investigation.

A car parked on Dartmouth Avenue was egged sometime during the night on
February 8th. It is suspected that it may have been the result of a parking
dispute. Sergeant Stufflet took the report.

*****

* An audiotape, believed to be by Osama Bin Laden, was broadcast yesterday
on Al Jazeera, an Arabic language television network. It called for all
Muslims to defend Iraq against the U.S., and called specifically for
attacks on America and Israel. The Bush administration claims the tape is
evidence of links between Al Qaeda and Iraq, and the tape also gave rise to
heightened security fears in the U.S. FBI director Robert S. Mueller warned
specifically of the danger of hundreds of Al Qaeda operatives present in
the U.S.

* Alan Greenspan criticized the Bush tax cut plan in testimony to the
Senate yesterday. Greenspan did not mention specifics of the 674 billion
dollar tax cut proposal, but he questioned the need for economic stimulus
and emphasized the negative economic effects of government deficits.
Democrats welcomed Greenspan’s opposition to Bush’s proposals, and some
believed his comments would make the passage of Bush’s tax cut plan difficult.

* European consumers are resisting genetically modified food products.
Although Americans eat genetically modified products on a daily basis, many
European supermarkets refuse to stock any genetically modified foods. Most
Europeans believe genetically modified food to be not as safe as other
food, but some see the opposition of Europeans to genetically modified
foods as simply a ploy to block American agricultural exports. Robert B.
Zoellick, the U.S. trade representative, called the European stance “immoral.”

*****

Biology Department garage sale
Martin 101, 12:00 p.m.

Mathematics & Statistics Colloquium lecture by Jim Wiseman
Kohlberg 116, 4:00 p.m.

“Connecting Laboratory Experiments with Astrophysical Phenomena”
Physics & Astronomy Colloquium lecture by Paul Drake, University of Michigan
Dupont 133, 4:30 p.m.

French Film Festival, “Manon des Sources”
Kohlberg 328, 7:00 p.m.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 screening
Sponsored by the Anomalous Picture Show
Trotter 203, 7:30 p.m.

————-
“The Vagina Monologues” will be performed in Lang Concert Hall on February
14 at 8 p.m. and on February 15-16 at 7 p.m. The performance will be
followed by a discussion with the cast and crew. Donations will be accepted
and all proceeds will benefit the Women’s Law Project.

*****

SPORTS UPDATE

Swarthmore improved its Centennial Conference record to 9-2 with a 58-39
victory over Bryn Mawr, clinching a spot in the conference playoffs for the
fourth consecutive season. Overall, the team is 16-5 on the season. Katie
Robinson led the team with 14 points and Kristen Lee contributed 10.
Jerusha Rodgers made a game-high ten rebounds.

*****

Today:
Badminton at Haverford, 5:00 p.m.
Swimming hosts Washington, 6:00 p.m.
Men’s Basketball hosts Johns Hopkins, 8:00 p.m.

Tomorrow:
Women’s Basketball hosts Johns Hopkins, 7:00 p.m.

*****

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“If I only had a little humility, I’d be perfect.”
–Ted Turner

*****
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