OCR::/Vol_094/WLURG39_RTP_19950324/WLURG39_RTP_19950324_001.2.txt ' '~w;~.s tr‘; my « A. ‘.({<§‘SE5.‘:".~7.i¥5.‘.~2“.~':fk’3.Y‘r3f?i'-‘.‘§? VOLUME 95, NO. 18 By ALEX CHRISTENSEN Phi Staff Writer “I’m glad to be here. I feel abit like the Christians being introduced to the lions.” That is how Dean Kenneth Ruscio, associate dean of the Com- merce School, opened Tuesday night’s discussion of winter Rush in the GHQ. About 40 students attended, including IFC President Kevin Batteh, senior. Only four of them were women. Some faculty members and Dean of Students David Howison were also in atten- dance. The event lasted from 7:30 un- til 8:40 p.m., with Dean Ruscio opening with a formal statement followed by an informal question- answer-comment period. Ruscio’s opening statement expressed his own personal “dis- appointment with the way the de- Gilbert makes farewell to Universitg and Phi Page 2 _ breast stroke Nathan flottle nafl champ in ZOO Page 4 WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY bate has been framed so far.” The discussion over winter Rush has been a series of confrontational moves from each side, the faculty and supporters of maintaining fall Rush, said Ruscio, without any concrete communication between the two. However, Ruscio did try to put forward an argument for winter Rush, which he personally sup- ports, while also addressing com- mon concerns about its possible effects. Ruscio began with the proposi- tions that fraternities are and will continue to be central to the stu- dent life of Washington and Lee and that any form of Rush is “in- herently undesirable” but unavoid- able. With those two parameters established, he proceeded to put forward the arguments for winter Rush and against fall Rush. Fall Rush leaves freshmen forced to rely solely upon con- trived meetings with fraternity members and whatever informa- tion they can glean from them to make an extremely important de- cision, said Ruscio. He said that while some argued that this was actually a better way for fratemi- ties to be presented, he felt that a more balanced view might emerge from three months more in which fraternities and the way they func- tion could be observed firsthand. He said that while faculty views are diverse, he personally would favor a fairly open contact rule for fall term under the winter Rush plan. He also expressed concerns that class unity is hampered when stu- dents are immediately divided up into little groups and taught sepa- rate traditions rather than having a period to develop a sense of group identity, responsibility and camaraderie. As for rebutting arguments against winter Rush, Ruscio as- serted that scenarios of increased LEXINGTON, VIRGINIA dirty rush activities and ruthless competition for pledges underes- timated the character of W&L stu- dents. He also said that while academics might not be too seri- ously affected by fall Rush, argu- ments that it was actually benefi- cial were baseless. Because of con- cems that fraternities would be adversely affected financially by winter Rush, Ruscio suggested that the University might by “sympa- thetic” to these concerns. As for student autonomy, Ruscio said he feels that saying that fraternities are central to W&L life and then saying that the deci- sion on Rush should be left solely up to the fraternities does not fol- low logically. He said that the de- cision is so important to the “flow and rhythm of university life” that all members of the community must be involved in it. Students then asked questions and commented on Ruscio’s state- ment. Ruscio responded where he MARCH 24, 1995 Ruscio explains faculty View of Rush Forum in GHQ lets students hear faculty concerns thought it was necessary. While most of the questions were techni- cal, trying to understand Ruscio’s position, one student received scat- tered applause when he suggested that the real problem was not the scheduling of Rush, but some other problem that has not been ad- dressed in the 30 years that this question has been debated. The student was unable to articulate what that problem was. ~ Junior Bill Rust, a member 0 Kappa Sigma and the organizer of the discussion was pleased with the results. “I think it went really well. Dean Ruscio was very articulate and brought up a lot of points I hadn’t heard before. I don’t think that he changed a lot of minds, but that really wasn’t the purpose,” Rust said. « “ He did succeed in advancing the debate and setting an example of how that can be done in a civi- lized manner.” Juniors Turbeck, Taylor, and sophomores Hartman, Rayner, Tye win in runoffs By Pi-:rE WEISSMAN Phi Staff Writer If you wanta high position in student government at Washington and lee, take a hint from freshman Mary Jo Mahoney, sophomore Sasha Hartman and junior Madeline White: start off as vice president of your class. Both Mahoney and Hartman became president of their classes after a year in the number two spot in this week’s class officer elections. White became chair- man of the Student Conduct Committee in the big four elections earlier this ‘month. More than half of the students in each classvoted March 20th. Tumoutwas slightly lower for the sophomore and junior class runoff elections Thrusday. TlienewClassof1996officersarePresi- dent Preston Miller, Vice Presidents Matt Smith and Bill Trubeck and Executive Com- mittee representatives Harris Morrison and Jesse Taylor. About 58 percent of the junior class voted in the first election, and about 40 percent voted in the runoff. The new Class of 1997 officers are Presi- dent Sasha Hartman, Vice President Steve Fanning and EC representatives Marcus Rayner and Steve Tye. About 53 percent of the sophomore class voted in the first elec- tion with 49 percent voting in the runoff. The new Class of 1998 officers are Presi- dent Mary Jo Mahoney, Vice President Stefan Neumeister, and EC representatives Chris Baldwin and Z. Taylor Shultz. There were no runoffs needed in the freshman elections with 54 percent of the class voting. The elections could be more important than some students realize, said the next next freshman class president, Mahoney. The president and vice president of each class serve on the Student Conduct Com- mittee, which disciplines students for un- gentlemanly behavior. “I think people should care who is judg- ing their peers’ conduct,” Mahoney said. New Freshman Class EC Representative Chris Baldwin said that it is important that students, not administrators, evaluate stu- dent behavior. ‘ “Being able to put yourself in the shoes of the accused is also a great asset,” Baldwin said. One trend in the election: the four candi- dates who were leading in the first election won their runoffs. Only Bill Trubeck came from behind in the first race to win his runoff as a junior class vice president. Past experience as a class officer helped many candidates. Only one officer of th freshman class, Stefan Neumeister, was not a class officer this year. Baldwin, the cur- rent freshman class president, will represent his class on the EC. Freshman Taylor Shultz was reelected as an EC representative. In addition to their SCC duties, class officers said they are looking forward to planning social events with their classes and fellow officers. Preston Miller, president-elect of the jun- ior class, said he wants to organize activites with Bridge the Gap and Kathekon. Officers disagreed on whether the tum- out was strong or weak. New Class of 1997 EC representative Steve Tye said the tum- out was low and unfortunate. But Neumeister said W&L has a higher turnout rate than other colleges. “I think 50 percent of the class [voting] is great,” Neumeistersaid. ‘Thestudentsmore or less have to take it upon themselves to vote.” OCR::/Vol_094/WLURG39_RTP_19950324/WLURG39_RTP_19950324_002.2.txt @112 iting-mm ifllii The Student Voice of Washington and Lee Founded September 18, 1897 When I was a freshman at Washington and Lee University, I was a victim of culture shock. I came from Portland, Oregon, hotbed of liberalism and the “alternative culture,” and at first, I did not understand the South, the invincibility of time-honored traditions or the ultra-conservatism of this school. Also, I did not understand the honor code; though I grew up in a very moral household with a father who is a pastor, I attended public schools where morality was never an issue. The students at those schools had no sense of pride in their honor, or their values; they only prided themselves on not being caught violating any of the various unworkable rules the school system put in place. If I can leave this paper, and this school, with any bit of wisdom, I would leave you with the incredible respect I have acquired for all of those things which, at first, I thought I hated. Because they were (sic; clliéferent from everything I knew, I initially put up a defense of s 1 e. - I have never, however, been a fan of prejudice or snap judgments, and I soon grew to love the South, love conservatives, love tradi- tions. And I developed an undying sense of pride in my honor, a sense of pride which my friends at other schools will never under- stand. Having been held to an absolute standard of honesty, I developed a new sense of self-worth in knowing that I have met the highest standard of honor and not been found wanting. I have, in essence, undergone the test of fire, and I am a better person for it. I took a final exam once, in a closed room, alone. I had locked the doors and closed the shades so I would not be disturbed. I had my books and notes near me in a backpack, and I came upon a question which I could not answer. I knew that I could find the answer in a matter of seconds in my notes. I knew no one would ever know that I had cheated. I could do so, turn in my exam, tell no one, and graduate unscathed. In high school, I would not have had to think twice. But my sense of honor was too strong, the respect for the grave of Robert E. Lee a few hundred feet away, if you will, was too great. I guessed. The Executive Committee, as the attendant of the honor code and its accompanying system of absolute compliance, has come under fire by many students in the past few weeks. Some younger students have told me the system is flawed. I have argued that it is as perfect as any system of its kind can be; it is ultimately workable. No other honor system, at any school, is. And in at least one student, who did not understand anything when she came, it has instilled the incredible sense of respect for her own system of values. Some interviewers ask me if I made the right choice in coming three thousand miles to school, in a culture that did not understand me, which I at first thought I disliked. Yes, I made the right choice, and I will leave Washington and Lee a much better person than when I came. Please, if I can leave the students of W&L with anything, take my respect for the honor system. You will never find anything else like @112 ifitng-tum lflhi Executive Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sarah Gilbert News Editor s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emily Baker, Ethan Krupp Editorial Page Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Anne Alvord Sports Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Stephen Williard Photography Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Betsy Green The Ring-rum Phi is published Fridays during the undergraduate school year at Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia. Funding for The Ring-tum Phi comes primarily from advertising and subscription revenues. The Wsahington and Lee Publications Board elects the executive editor and business manager, but The Ring-tum Phi is otherwise independent. Letters, columns and “My Views” do not reflect the opinions of The Ring-rum Phi Editorial Board. This newspaper observes current court definitions of libel and obscenity. Honor System belongs to stu- dents not Executive Committee The Ring-tum Phi, March 24, 1995 To the editor: Obvious to most on campus, the Executive Committee has been busy for the past few weeks. Amidst this activity, we think it is necessary to explain our position on a few topics. When students are found guilty in a closed earing, they have the choice of leaving and tarting anew. The confidentiality of our hear- 'ngs gives students a second chance — to go for pen for a student body jury to decide or to eave with no scars. On the flip side, however, ithdrawing students can clamor about the 'njustice of our System, tell an ourtrageous tory of pure fiction, harass those involved — till walk away. The EC and witnesses shut their mouths for the good of withdrawing stu- dents. In return, quilty students often attempt to disrupt an Honor System theat they could not handle. . We have no way to defend ourselves. We rely on your trust. We are not looking for sympathy or pats on the back. We can handle the heat and we can take the derogatory comments, although we would prefer your sincere questions. Howeverrn death threats to the EC and the harassing of witnesses and jurors not only the definition honor, but they are a clear violation of the guidelines in the White Book. If we permit people to break the confi- dentiality of an Honor Hearing or to harass those involved, or System would be de- stroyed by the fear to stand up against dis- honorable conduct. Do we want you to turn it in? That’s not the question. This is YOUR »See HONOR, page 3 Free Yearbooks Pick up a free copy of the 1992 and 1994 Calyx outside of the Calyx office on the second floor of the University Center anytime. Bikes The security office still has a number of student bicycles that were in the Grahm- Lees laundry room over break. Please stop by if you are missing your bike. Information Session Everyone is invited to an information session on International and Service Orga- nizations on Monday, March 27, at 8:00 p.m.in du Pont Auditorium. Alumni Jenni- fer Bandrowski, 91, Amanda Hughen, 91, and Gary McCollough, 90, will discuss their experiences with the Kennedy Center, Woodruff Arts Center, WorldTeach, Colden Gate National Park Association, and the Bill Wilkerson Hearing & Speech Rehabili- tation Center. Contact Contact presents David Frum, author of Dead Right , on Tuesday, March 28, at 8:00 p.m. in Room 327 of the Commerce School. His speech is to be titled “The Stakes in 96.” Media and the Law Washington and Lee's Media Law Fo- rum will hold its second Annual Sympo- sium on Media and the Law, on Thursday, March 30th, at 4:00 p.m. in the Moot Court- room at the Law School. There will be a panel discussion featuring members of the print and broadcast media and the legal community about the affect of the media on the legal process, and media coverage on the law. GENERAL NOTES The Wedding Banquet The next presentation of the Wash- ington and Lee Film Society will be the witty and charming comedy The Wed- ding Banquet, directed by Ang Lee. Screenings will be at 8:05 p.m. on Fri- day, March 24, and Saturday, March 25, at the Troubadour Cinema, at the corner of Main and Henry Streets. As always, there is no charge for admission. The film is in Chinese, with subtitles. Workshop There will be an internship owrkshop on Thursday, March 30, at 4:00 p.m. in the Mattingly House Conference Room. All students are invited to attend. Internships There will be an internship weekly update meeting on Thursday, March 30, at 5:00 p.m. in Room 108 of the Univer- sity Center. All students are invited to attend. FBI There will be a presentation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation of Thurs- day, March 30th at 4:00 p.m. in Room 114 of the University Center. All stu- dents are invited to attend. Phi The Ring-tum Phi has recently changed editorial staff, and is looking for new staff members If you are inter- ested in writing for the Phi or would like to get involved on the business end, come to our weekly meetings in Univer- sity Center Room 208 at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesdavs OCR::/Vol_094/WLURG39_RTP_19950324/WLURG39_RTP_19950324_003.2.txt The Ring-tum Phi, March 24, 1995 u>HONOR, from page 2 Honor System. You are not required to turn in suspect students; you are not guilty of an HV if you do not. If you think that a person’s actions are an insult to the freedoms we enjoy or damage the spirit of trust on this campus, let us know. If not, keep it to yourself. However, every student must real- ize that the freedoms that we enjoy are a result of our perception that the System works. Along with every freedom comes the responsibility to protect those very free- doms. By ignoring an Honor Violation, you weaken the System. Every student genera- tion determines how dar it wants the System people who make up the committee. We are here to do what you want us to do, and will never do anything that we believe you would not do yourselves. We neither hunt down nor look forward to having a closed hearing. We investigate each case carefully and make sure there is enough evidence before we decide on a closed hearing — which can take about eight hours. An honest mistake is not an honor violation. If you have any question or comments, dropaletterint he comment boxes in thelaw school, co-op, or library. Talk to an EC member or send an e-mail. The only way that we can clear up misperceptions, prob- lems, or questions is to encouraging. By the SPORTS to go. way, we take positive comments, too. The student body has elected the EC to take care of an Honor System that belongs to the students. It does not belong to the three people on the letterhead or the thirteen Potted plants have roots below the surface The following, of course, is a response to recent allegations that Washington and Lee women are to be likened to potted plants. I will try not to fall into the trap of generalizing about the large and diverse body of women at this institution. I think, however, that I can show by a couple of examples far more interesting observations could be made about W&L women than their comparisonto potted plants. My friend B. is not a potted plant. A potted plant does not come home from practice or a game with a nail torn off and a bruise so heinous that it has drained into her knee, only to call her father and tell him that prac- tice went well, that she enjoyed the MY VIEW Melissa Sawyer Sincerely, Alex M. Cross Executive Committee Vice President three-mile run. A potted plant does not fall asleep in the trainingroomwith an icepack on" each knee, completely exhausted from a night of studying for an economics exam after an away game. I have never seen a potted plant pull such a balancing act between maintaining above a 3.0 GPA and never missing a day of her sport. L. carries around a RCASA beeper to parties, knowing that she both cannot drink and must be home by midnightin case a victim of sexual assault calls her for help. L. is not a potted plant who waits around at parties for somebody to talk to her. S. is not a potted plant either. Every week she drives to Central Elementary School to pick up 1., a little Rockbridge County boy who communicates by either flicking people off or flashing a cavity-ridden grin. H., who studies for at least seven hours a day, is not of the plant species. She is an aspiring doctor who believes that acceptance to medical school is more important than next weekend’s band parties. M. is a socialite, who values her popularity on campus. She dresses up to go out and calls at least ten people each day. M. is not a potted plant though. She is always available to her friend who just had a fight with a boyfriend, or to the guy who just found out his brother was in an accident. Women must not be judged only by their interaction with men, just as men are not judged only by their interaction with women. The women at Washington and Lee perhaps no longer uphold the traditions of this school in that theylwill be heard, they will be leaders, the will be vibrant, idea-filled individuals. They can read poetry as expressively as they chug a beer, and ought to be recognized for both activities. They are, perhaps, no different from the women at surrounding colleges, except that they are sometimes persecuted for encroaching upon the “men’s territories” of athletics, Greek life, student government and academic leadership. There is no reason why the W&L community should not be one of mutual respect between the sexes. The institutional element, the 60-40 ratio, is not necessarily degrading or oppressive to those already admitted; the lack of sorority houses is not even always perceived as a negative by women. The professors really cannot afford to uphold a bias against women in the classroom and most indeed would never choose to do so anyway. If our attitudes are somewhat pre-forrned by our upbringings, there are ample opportu- nities for enlightenment. The first of these is communication and social interaction, recognizing that we each may indeed have more depth than a potted plant. Saralln: Congratulations on a great year. Good Luclkl OCR::/Vol_094/WLURG39_RTP_19950324/WLURG39_RTP_19950324_004.2.txt Last Week: Men’s Lax drops contest to Gettysburg for first loss. Women’s Tennis knock off Mary Washington. PAGE 4 SP (I112 ‘tiling-him ifilii RTS BASEBALL, GOLF, LACROSSE, TENNIS, TRACK AND FIELD This Week: Men’s Lax to face rival Roanoke Baseball takes on mory and Henry MARCH 24, 1995 Hottle sets pace in 2 beast By STEPHEN WILLIARD Phi Sports Editor The men’s swim team ended the year on a high note, bringing home eight school records, five first team All-America awards and four homorable mention All-Americas. Nothing could match the honor brought home by sophomore Nathan Hottle. Hottle won the national championship in the 200 breast stroke in addition to his five other All-American honors. Head coach Paige Remillard was pleased, but not necessarily surprised by the results. “We trained to have that kind of suc- cess,” remarked Remillard. “We had hoped for that.” David Stillman also had a fine showing finishing eighth in the 50 freestyle, break- ing the 13 year old school record and em- ing him first team All-American honors. Frank Braden earned honorable mention honors in the 200 and 500 free. ln fact, Braden’s time in the 500 free rewrote an 18 year old school record. Both the 400 and 800 freestyle relay teams all earned All-America status and the 200 free and 400 medley relay teams earned honorable mention honors. The 200, 400, and 800 free teams all broke existing school records. Tony Diedrich, Stillman, Craig Sears, and Hottle swam the 200, Stillman, Braden, Sears, and Diedrich swam the 400 and Diedrich, Braden, Sears, and Hottle teamed up for the 800 victory. The last national champion for Remillard was David Olson who won in the 200 back in 1989. When asked if the incredible success would put any pressure on next year’s squad, Remillard responded that he didn’t think so. Remillard was very complimentary of his athletes, saying, “These guys all paid their dues in the program.” He also added, “T 0 go to the National Championships and come home with a na- tional champ and five big ll-America awards —— you feel good for them.” Remillard was also impressed with the fact that all his performers regarded their relays and the team as extremely important. “Their driving force was the relays and the team,” said the coach. Remillard also added, appropriately, “They certainly have the right to smile at their success.” That is certainly true. 2 iFil:e Photo This year’s swim team gave Remillard something to smile about with their strong post-season performance Lacrosse readies for tough test against Roanoke By Kenn GRANT Phi Staff Writer The men’s lacrosse team has risen to its highest ranking in eight years despite the team’s first loss of the season. The Generals are currently the #4 team in Division III lacrosse going into this Saturday’s showdown with arch-rival Roanoke College, the nation’s seventh- ranked team. The game begins at 2:00 on Wilson Field. Washington & Lee (5-1) shot over Alfred, Roanoke, and Denison to the fourth posi- tion. Ahead of the Generals are defending national champion Salisbury State in the top spot, then Gettysburg and Nazareth. W&L was ranked seventh by the USILA preseason poll and proceeded to win their first five games of the year, matching the team’s best start since 1980. The Generals suffered their first loss last Saturday, though, falling 17-13 to second-ranked Gettysburg. Senior co-captain Scott Mackley scored three times and is co-leader of the Generals with 17 goals, tied with junior Ande Jenkins. The Bullets, though, got five goals from sophomore Dave Curry to offset the one goal/one assist performance from Gettysburg’s single-season points record- holder Tim Demore. W&L’s senior midfielder Ty Tydings registered one goal and three assists, raising his team-high assists total to 13. This annual match-up of regional rivals routinely decides the Old Dominion Ath- letic Conference championship. Since W&L entered the ODAC in 1987, the teams have combined for seven of eight conference titles, with the Maroons winning four. Each school has earned three trips to the NCAA Division III Touniament in that time span. In fact, in 1987 both teams were sent into postseason play and met in the quarterfinals. The Generals avenged the previous week’s 15-14 double-overtime loss to the Maroons and won the playoff matchup 19-1 1. Washington & bee first put their I-81 southern neighbors on the Generals’ sched- ule in 1967. The first nine games were won by W&L, a Division I power for much of that stretch. Since Roanoke first toppled the Generals in 1978, though, the teams have split their last 18 meetings. This year, Roanoke (4-2) is out for re- venge. The Generals (3-0 ODAC) are two- time defending ODAC champions after hav- ing taken the last two games between the schools in a pair of one-goal decisions. Last season’s loss clearly hurt Roanoke the most. While W&L was off to a subpar 3-3 start, 1- 1 in the ODAC, the Maroons were cruising through their early schedule and, having the advantage of hosting the W&L game, seemed on their way to becoming league champions for the eleventh time ever. With an 1 1-6 lead six minutes away from victory, Roanoke was stung by five straight W&L goals to force overtime. In OT, Jenkins fed Tydings for the game-winner in one of the school’s greatest victories ever. The one-goal difference marked the fifth occasion a single accurate shot separated W&L and Roanoke. Despite their second-place ODAC fin- ish, the Maroons entered this year as the fifth-rated team in Division III. With key returnees such as midfielder JJ Blatt (32 goals in ‘94), Roanoke still figures to be a toumament contender. The team’s first defeat was a demoraliz- ing 30-8 beating on their home turf by Salisbury St., a team some lacrosse observ- ers feel could rank among the top Division I schools. They have also lost to current #5 Ohio Wesleyan in a 15-14 overtime thriller. The Generals, however, have not lost two in a row in five years and may be fielding the school’s best team since their drop from Division I play following the 1986 season. After a perfect 5-0 start, W&L traveled up to Pennsylvania last weekend to face #2 Gettysburg. The Bullets had won the previ- ous four meetings between the two, includ- inga 10-7 battle at Rockbridge County High School last year. The Generals hung with the #2 team well, though. W&L made it a 10-8 affair midway through the third, but four straight Bullets’ goals put the game away. In fact, four of Curry’s five goals came in the final 30 minutes. Freshman Sam Horstrnan, junior Russell Croft, and senior Andy Dutton contributed two goals apiece. Jenkins, who leads the team with 23 points, was held to just one score, along with juniors Duncan Slidell and Adam Butterworth. Gettysburg featured too much speed and dominated on face-offs, 26-8, in finishing with a flourish for the 17-13 win. The 17 goals were the most allowed by W&Lsince 1991. Sophomore Doug Gubner made 18 saves, equaling his career-high, as his team was outshot 53-34. The Generals, though, are still just allowing an average of less than eight goals per game. Following the Roanoke game, W&L meets a lesser ODAC opponent at Wilson Field on Wednesday. The Generals host Guilford at 3:00, a school they have never lost to. The Generals are then off for exams until they travel to Virginia Wesleyan April 9 to wrap up their conference schedule and, they hope, a third straight ODAC championship.