Friday, November 21, 2003

by Greg Leiserson
Campus News Editor

In order to ensure the reliability of public area Macs as the semester comes
to a close, ITS will be changing login screens so that the username and password
combination student/student is accepted on all computers. The changes, already
in effect in some dormitories, should be completed for every public area Mac
by Monday, December 1st.

The login screens were added over the summer to increase the effectiveness
of public area computers for students. Doug Willen, in charge of Mac OS X implementation
for ITS, explained, “User logins provide significantly more privacy for
our student users. The documents and temporary files created by an authenticated
user can only be accessed by that user, so long as that person logs out of the
computer when they step away from it…User logins also help us in solving problems
and in recovering lost files in cases where something unfortunate happens while
a user is working on a public computer.”

Students, however, found the system frustrating as logins were frequently rejected,
or, in some cases, caused the computer to crash. Commented Keefe Keeley ’06,
“If [the change] would free up more computers I’m all for it….It seems
to me like they don’t work a disproportionate amount of the time.”

Kyle Broaders felt the same way. He expressed approval that the decision was
made to allow local access in a more universal fashion, noting “it’ll make
the computers quite a bit more usable.”

Opinions in this vein did not go unnoticed by ITS. According to Willen, “We’ve
been disappointed by the problems students were having with the login process.
Too frequently there were delays or failures while trying to authenticate the
usernames and passwords against our Windows servers. While we were able to chip
away at the problems little by little, we are sensitive to the fact that this
has been an unusually difficult semester to be a student computer user here…As
we head into ‘crunch time’ for the semester, we needed to get the public stations
working with greater consistency and reliability.” ITS will, he added,
be looking to reinstate the login screens at some point in the future, but there
is no schedule for such a move at this time.

Willen encouraged students interested in the process or with concerns about
the system to contact ITS with their feedback.

*****

by Roxanne Yaghoubi
World News Editor

A panel of alumnae gathered in Kohlberg on Thursday night to discuss writing,
both at Swarthmore and in the real world. The panel was organized by the Writing
Associates Program. Chiara Riccardone ’05 introduced the alums and explained
that the motivation for the panel lay in a discussion she had had over October
Break on the issue of how Swarthmore prepares its students for the outside world,
and particularly for writing in that world.

Vasya Dostinov ’01 opened the discussion, speaking about writing in the business
world. Dostinov heads the customer service unit at Prudential Financial Services,
where he receives about 250 customer complaints a week and heads a staff of
15. Though writing well was not a prerequisite for getting the job, he said
that writing does play an instrumental role in his daily activities. As well
as writing letters in response to the customers complaints, Mr. Dostinov also
has to write performance evaluations for his staff. He believes that the writing-intensive
courses at Swarthmore helped to prepare him for his current job.

After Mr. Dostinov spoke, Bill Belanger ’66 gave his insights to the audience.
Mr. Belanger emphasized that he had held a variety of jobs over his life and
found that writing was an important part of all of them. However he also said
that Swarthmore emphasized education over training, and that courses in public
speaking and non-creative writing were generally not available during his time
here. Instead Mr. Belanger gained his writing skills by taking mini-courses
offered by the corporations he worked for. So while at Swarthmore he learned
how to learn and then he added to his experience by taking a very specific training
course. Throughout his talk, Mr. Belanger gave examples from his experience,
including his work as a writer for an FAA (Federal Aviation Association) magazine.

Avery Rome ’69, who works as an editor at the Philadelphia Inquirer, followed
Mr. Dostinov. As an English and art history major at Swarthmore, she did a lot
of writing while at Swarthmore, and gave the example of a test that she took
along with a friend who did not attend Swarthmore. Though the friend knew more
of the material, Ms. Rome got a higher score because her writing was clearer.
In general throughout her talk, Ms. Rome talked about how journalistic writing
differs from other types of writing, particularly how journalism appeals to
a wider audience. Thus the panelist said that journalists often find it hard
to write without jargon, but that it was really important since “with clear
writing comes clear thinking.”

The last panelist was Michael Davidson ’91, a corporate lawyer. Mr. Davidson
started his talk off by poking fun at law school, saying it is a “cross
between high school and vocational school”. Though the law schools purport
to teach you how to think, Mr. Davidson believes that because the exams are
so formulaic this is not true. Instead the lawyer believes that basics in writing
do matter, as does clean thinking.

Following the panelists’ presentations, students asked several questions including
any advice for preparing oneself for writing in the world outside of Swarthmore
and more discussion of the difference between journalism and academic writing.

*****

by Lauren Janowitz
Gazette Reporter

We’ve all seen the hordes of specs lately – it is undoubtedly admissions season.
What’s it like to be in the middle of it all? The Daily Gazette sat down with
Jim Bock ’90, Dean of Admissions, to find out just that.

Daily Gazette: What kinds of things did you do while you were a student here?

Jim Bock: I was an RA in Mertz, I played on the soccer team, and I also participated
in Mother Puckers. Academically, I came to Swarthmore interested in poli sci
and economics, but I ended up graduating as a religion major.

DG: How did you decide to go into admissions?

JB: I was a work-study student, and I worked all four years in admissions.
After graduation, I wasn’t sure what to do with my religion major – I had met
with reps from divinity schools, and I knew I didn’t want to follow that path.
Back home in Texas, no one had ever heard of schools like Swarthmore, so I decided
I wanted to work to promote the liberal arts. I took a job as assistant director
of admissions at Connecticut College, and after a few years I left to work at
the business school at UVa. I was thinking of leaving the field when this position
opened up. This is now my 9th year here. I think it’s almost better that I left
Swarthmore before coming back.

DG: Now for some admissions info. How many early applications did you receive
this year?

JB: The deadline was Saturday, and the number is still fluctuating a bit. We
had 229, but a few withdrawals have brought the number down to 225, which is
up a few from last year.

DG: Have there been any interesting applications? Any bribes?

JB: I’m trying to think of things I can tell you…in a past year we received
a Wheaties box with the student’s face pasted on it. Another year, a crate of
pineapples. One student had been part of a Swarthmore experiment as a baby,
and included a bib from that experiment as part of the application. We don’t
really get any bribes – most items that we receive are included to give us a
better idea of who the applicant is. However, we sometimes get presents afterwards,
sort of a “thank you for reviewing my application” thing. Lots of
food.

Oh, and this year we received a 17lb application.

DG: What was in it?

JB: I can’t really tell you… but it’s definitely a record. It won’t fit
in our filing cabinets either.

DG: What class size are you aiming for?

JB: About 370. Last year we wanted around 374, but due to the housing crunch
we held back a bit and ended up with 368.

DG: What sort of things do you look for in an application?

JB: Swarthmore is pretty self-selecting, so scores generally aren’t an issue.
We want to see a commitment to a few activities, see what your motivations and
passions are. There’s not really anything in particular – just follow your interests.
And of course we want to see a passion for learning, which is why the essay
is so important – it helps us go beyond the surface. One student may apply because
Swarthmore is a top school, which isn’t necessarily bad, but someone else may
apply because Swarthmore is a top school AND it has X, Y, and Z. We like to
see that a student has researched their choice.

DG: What’s your favorite thing about Swarthmore?

JB: This may sound trite, but it really is the students. You guys keep challenging
us, and challenging the status quo. It never gets old. Without the students
there’d be no reason to come to work everyday.

DG: Now for some randomness. Favorite movie?

JB: The Usual Suspects. And also the “Thin Man” movies. Those are
great.

DG: Favorite musician?

JB: I’m a big Lyle Lovett fan. Even though I’m from Texas, I’m not a big country
fan. But I like Lyle Lovett.

DG: Favorite food?

JB: Tex-Mex. Definitely.

DG: Anything else you’d like to add?

JB: Just that I’m a huge Gazette fan. I read it every day for the news and
weather. The fact that it’s a daily blows me away – I really appreciate what
you do.

*****

by Evelyn Khoo
Living and Arts Editor

Friday

Cat in the Hat! Enough said. Scratching your head in puzzled bewilderment???
Tsk tsk…every good special-effects fan (and we all know animation and digital
graphics is the pathway to the future; putting all of those Hollywood pretty
boys and silicon girls out of business. Let them all go off into politics.)
will have been waiting in breathless anticipation for this next Dr Seuss movie
to continue the grand tradition ‘The Grinch’ started. Book your place on the
Philly shuttle to see Mike Myers in furry action!

Saturday

One of Swat’s favorite theater groups, Pig Iron Theater, will be performing
“FLOP”, a dance/music performance in which “a series of comic
disasters imperil life on earth and three unlikely heroines must race against
time in order to save the world.” With a plot line like that, who could
possibly resist? Showtimes are 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Christ Church in Philadelphia,
20 North American Street (between 2nd and Church Streets) with prices ranging
from $15.00 – $20.00.

Sunday

It’s the only day of the week when you can spend three hours leisurely savoring
your food late into the afternoon without really feeling that guilty. So make
the most of it! These eclectic samples of Sunday brunch in the city if you want
a break from the Sharples omelette line:

Susanna Foo
Sunday Dim Sum Brunch
11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Highlights: A $24.95, three-course menu featuring a selection of Susanna’s dim
sum, or an a la carte menu featuring Cantonese egg foo yong with jumbo lump
crabmeat.
1512 Walnut St., 215-545-2666 or 8800

Dark Horse
11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Highlights: Smoked salmon Benedict on potato pancake, 4-ounce filet and eggs
with bearnaise sauce, and everything is accompanied by homemade scones, muffins
and cookies.
421 S. 2nd St., 215-928-9307

New Wave Cafe
Weekend Brunch
Noon to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday
Highlights: Breakfast versions of Chef Jason Seraydarian’s flatbread pizzas
with topping combos like smoked salmon, cream cheese, scallions, red onion and
caviar; scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese and crispy bacon; sliced potatoes, caramelized
onions, bel paese and pecorino cheeses, sliced Canadian bacon, poached eggs
and hollandaise sauce. Also on the menu: Panzanella, tuna and salmon carpaccio,
malted waffles and baked eggs on penne.
782-784 S. 3rd St., 215-922-8484

Tir Na Nog
11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Highlights: Traditional Irish breakfast served with sausage, bacon rashers,
eggs, potatoes, black and white pudding and sauteed mushrooms, or vanilla French
toast served with peach compote and pure maple syrup. Waldorf chicken salad
with rustic roll, apples, walnuts, golden raisins and red leaf lettuce.
In the Phoenix, 1600 Arch St., 267-514-1700

* Suspected Al-Qaeda bombers attacked Istanbul, Turkey again on Thursday, only
days after last Saturday’s explosions at two of the city’s synagogues. During
the latest attack, trucks loaded with explosives were placed outside the British
consulate and a London-based bank. The death toll is believed to be at least
27 people, with 450 wounded. The attacks coincide with US President George Bush’s
visit to Britain, but both Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair vowed
“not to flinch or give way or concede one inch” to terrorism.

* Tens of thousands of protestors marched in London on Thursday to protest
the Iraq war. During the march, the protestors toppled a 17-foot tall paper-mache
statue of the US president and burned a life-size effigy of him. Many of those
present during the march said that the Turkish bombings strengthened their resolve
to oppose US policy, believing in the words of one protestor that “you
will never change the hearts and minds of terrorists by bombing them.”
The Stop the War coalition, who organized the march, believe that 200,000 people
participated. The police estimate was 70,000. Though the protests were generally
peaceful, several arrests were made and two police offers suffered injuries.

* On Thursday, house Republicans urged conservatives to support sweeping Medicare
legislation, arguing that health-related tax breaks and measures to control
spending should outweigh any of the discomforts the conservatives felt. The
legislation could affect as many as 40 million Americans, and would cost the
federal government as much as $395 billion over the next decade. The congressional
vote on the legislation is expected to come before Thanksgiving, and President
Bush has said he plans to sign the bill.

* Michael Jackson was booked on charges of child molestation on Thursday. The
“king of Pop” had arrived by helicopter from Las Vegas, where he had
been shooting a video, a day after he had been charged with the crime. After
posting $3 million in bail, Jackson went back to Nevada. In a statement Jackson
continued to declare his innocence, saying “The truth will win this marathon
in court.” In a CNN interview, the pop star’s brother, Jermaine Johnson,
denounced the allegations as “nothing but a modern-day lynching.”

*****

Friday:

Lodge 4/John Williams Party
Worth Courtyard, 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Rhythm and Motion Open Dress Rehearsal
LPAC, 5:00 p.m.

Movie Committee Film Screening: “Far From Heaven”
Science Center 101, 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Elizabeth Polland Fetter Chamber Music Concert
Lang Concert Hall, 8:00 p.m.

Diya Week Cultural Show
Friends Meeting House, 8:00 p.m.

Anime/Manga Club Screening: Kiki’s Delivery Service
Science Center 199, 9:00 p.m.

Concert: “Out Hud/Natural History/Free Blood”
Olde Club, 10:00 p.m.

Saturday:

Muslim Student Association Community Dinner
Bond, 3:00 p.m.

Vertigogo 14.5Hours Show
Parrish 2nd floor CRC, 6:37 p.m. – 9:05 a.m.

The Swarthmore College Chorus, John Alston, conductor
Lang Concert Hall, 8:00 p.m.

Rhythm and Motion Concert
LPAC Mainstage, 8:00 p.m.

Contra Dance
Upper Tarble, 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

International Club “BlackLite” Party
Paces, 10:00 p.m.

Rhythm ‘n’ Motion AfterParty
Olde Club, 10:00 p.m.

Sunday:

Annual Turkey Trot
Lamb-Miller Field House, 12:00 p.m.
(runners meet at front entrance at 11:30 a.m.)

Peace and Social Concerns Committee of Swarthmore Friends Meeting: “Peter
Siegel and Friends in a Meeting for Music”
Friends Meeting House, 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (potluck lunch at 11:30 a.m.)

InterFaith Thanksgiving Dinner
Bond, 6:30 p.m.

SOAN 23D “Soviet Cinema I” Film Screening–Alexander Nevsky
Science Center 101, 7:00 p.m.

*****

SPORTS UPDATE

Today:
Men’s Basketball hosts Equinox Classic vs. Whittier, 8:00 p.m.

Saturday:
Men’s and Women’s Swimming at McDaniel, 1:00 p.m.
Men’s Basketball at Equinox Classic vs. RPI at Haverford, 1:00 p.m.
Women’s Basketball hosts Swat Tip Off Classic vs. Catholic, 2:00 p.m.

Sunday:
Women’s Basketball hosts Swat Tip Off Classic: consolation and championship
games, 2:00 and 4:00 p.m.

*****

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Drinking makes such fools of people, and people are such fools to begin
with, that it’s compounding a felony.”
–Robert Benchley

*****

Interested in reporting or writing for the Gazette?
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Just want to tell us what you think?

Contact the staff at daily@swarthmore.edu

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