OCR::/Vol_105/WLURG39_RTP_20020429/WLURG39_RTP_20020429_001.2.txt THE RING-TUM PHI BEGINS THE 1051'}-1 VOLUME! T I W1?l15t¥{i§ll1l\-)>-* 1. Pi Beta Phi 3.462 2. Chi Omega 3.358 3. Kappa Alpha Theta 3.328 4. Kappa Kappa Gamma 3.215 5. Kappa Delta 3.200 Fraernity Rankings All Sorority 3.304 All Women 3.277 Non-Sorority Women 3.217 All Students 3.177 All Fraternity 3.1 10 All Men 3.096 Non-Fratemity Men 3.048 Sorority Rankings . Pi Beta Phi 3.355 . Kappa Alpha Theta 3.271 . Chi Omega 3.182 . Lambda Chi Alpha 3.094 . Kappa Delta 3.026 . Phi Kappa Psi 2.984 . Phi Gamma Delta 2.976 . Kappa Sigma 2.965 . Pi Kappa Phi 2.963 . Pi Kappa Alpha 2.889 . Kappa Alpha 2.884 . Beta Theta Pi 2.874 . Phi Delta Theta 2.822 . Sigma Chi 2.786 . Sigma Nu 2.778 . Chi Psi 2.706 . Sigma Phi Epsilon 2.684 . Phi Kappa Sigma 2.675 [\)r—->->—ai-—->->—a>—ar—-w»>—\OOO\lO\U1-kL;.)t\)>—A ©\DOO\lO\U1-D-U-)I\)>—*(D Freshmen GPA . Kappa Kappa Gamma 3.180 . Sigma Alpha Epsilon 3.096 6:00 p.m.—Java-Palooza. Java- Palooza and Habitat for Humanity present Poston" Brown opening for Agents of Good Roots. This is the Habitat for Humanity Spring Kickoff. BDG Quad. Cookout is 6-7 and con- cert is 6—10:30. (rain location: Doremus Gym) Wednesday, May 1 12:00 p.m.—Environrnental Stud- ies Luncheon 2001-2002. “Reading the Roots: American Nature Writing before Walden,” Michael Branch, as- sociate professor of Literature and Environment at the University of Ne- vada, Reno. Room 114, University Center. RSVP to Lynda Bassett de Maria, ext. 8932. 8 p.m.—Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting. Fairfax Lounge. All W&L students, faculty/staff and the Lex- ington community are welcome. Cof- fee is provided. Thursday, May2 8:30 p.m.—Reunions 2002: Open- ing Assembly. Keynote Speaker: Lamar J .R. Cecil, professor of history emeritus. Lee Chapel. 9:30 p.m.—Reunion 2002: Welcom- ing Reception. Alumni House. Friday, May3 ll a.m.—60 Minutes with the President. OCR::/Vol_105/WLURG39_RTP_20020429/WLURG39_RTP_20020429_002.2.txt I, ’. PAGE 2 r . ....,....... rr«rr.\—r.r-er .r........«-...... rut rrtfrrfrlxrxt Sf.i“FE‘PEDITonAL Introducing the sprin g lineup Twenty-five of the Phi’s best issues have come and gone, and in accordance with tra- dition the new staff must be introduced. Fresh from South Central Chevy Chase, our new opinions editor brings his own brand of street smarts to his section. Rejecting his predecessor’s donnish trappings of academia, Andrew Alvah Latimer isn’t fronting, he’s phat and real. Brett Timothy Kirwan, -the former opinions editor, is working for an Ohio senator. Democrat, naturally. Ohio is the land that is high in the middle and round on the sides, and itnow has W&L’s most vocal commentator on the barricades of the culture wars. On the sports page, David Michael Crowell replaces Jeremy Scott Franklin. Franklin is on special assignment to Germany, hoping to introduce American sports (and pho- tographer Meg Ferrara) to a country that sorely needs them. No more cricket or bocce for the citizens of the Federal Republic! Crowell is currently pursing his undergradu- ate degree at Washington and Lee University. Fair Photo Lass Mary Guy remains on staff. The Life page mourns the passing of Mat- thew Coursen, who undertakes the rigors of se- nior year. Catherine Clare Guy remains, a stal- wart figure not unlike the Statue of Liberty, safely directing scores of immigrants to freedom Irrrran Naeemullah remains in news, and newsworthy. He enjoys long walks on the beach, British cinema, bloody steak dinners, and foreign travel. Like Sirius Vega Centauri, a migratory star that abandoned its planetary system for the void, the Phi’s brightest celestial body Katie Jane Howell, associate editor, leaves for California. Although temporarily absent, editors everywhere still fear the long reach of the Evil Queen’s pica scepter. Editor-in—Chief Matthew Buchan McDerrnott will remain on staff, dispensing grandfatherly advice and Christian cheer. Volume CV’s new editorial board pledges to continue the fine work begun in the previ- ous edition, ensuring continuing strides in story and layout quality. UOTE OF THE WEEK: RINK—TUM-PHI, STICKERI-BUMl WE ARE THE STUFF FROM LEXINGTONl — 1898 CALYX THE RING-TI:uI PHI PINIONS ANDREWIAIIIEI OPINIONSEDIIOR E-MAIL LAIIMEIIA@xxIL'.EI)U Needle exchange a good idea American officials need to rethink the way they combat the spread of AIDS Now there has been nothing in the news of late to really bring the subject of my article this week to light, but it is something I en- countered in the reading for one of my courses. So, I thought I’d pollute your minds with my liberal slant on the matter. In the United States it is proven again and again that many beneficial harm reduction policies concerning drug use do nothing but meet an overwhelming opposition. Of these proposals, arguably the most controversial is the idea of needle-exchange programs for us- ers of illicit intravenous drugs. That this means is local clinics and hospitals provide an opportu- nity for intravenous drug users to exchange their dirty, used needles for new ones. There are several reasons that these types of policies continually meet resistance among politicians and their constituents alike. Prima- rily, it is believed by many that these types of policies will “send the wrong message.” To illustrate this, I will use an example of another harm reducing policy. Many of America’s illegal im- migrants live in situations in which their children and families suffer from malnourishment because these families live well below the poverty line. Some have advo- cated policies that would give these families benefits to help them out. The opposition to such pro- posals believes these types of poli- cies would do here is one of addiction, not a shortage of clean needles. But, as is shown by such pro- grams in other countries, if we can make these needles available then addicts will take the effort to use clean needles. Moreover, the biggest reason for concern is obvious. We know that needle sharing has been shown to be just as likely to spread HIV as promiscuous sexual activity between homosexuals or heterosexuals. I believe our gov- ernment has a responsibility to keep this disease from spreading amongst all of our country’s com- munities, includ- nothing but en- courage a steadier flow of LEFT OF CENTER ing illicit drug _ users. NICHOLAS RAMSEY ‘O3 1“ reality. it illegal immi- grants to come to the United States. The same is believed to be true for needle—ex- change programs. Opponents to the idea believe that such policies would send the wrong message to the public. I ask, is it likely that someone will say, “Well, I can get free needles from the local clinic. I should develop a smack habit.” Moreover, addicts are not go- ing to increase use of their addic- tive drugs because the needles are free. We know that they are al- ready sharing needles with other drug users because they cannot get sterile needles. The problem Letter to the Editor seems callous for our government to sit idly by as more and more drug users become infected. Nearly sixty percent of tested drug users in New York were found to be HIV—positive and these numbers are found to be only slightly less in Eastern Europe and Asia. Studies in 1998 showed that ap- proximately one-third of new AIDS cases here in the US were linked di- rectly or indirectly to drug use. Currently, countries like En- gland, Canada, Australia, Sweden and the Netherlands have been successfully operating needle—ex- change programs. Some started as early as the 1980s. These programs coumsr or now/.cor71erI17z4grlorr.og A sHorr IN THE ARM: Successful needle exchange programs in other countries could serve as a model for a similar venture in America. exist only in the dozens here in the US, often operating underground. They are forced to do so because no tolerance laws in many states forbid such programs. Meanwhile, the National Insti- tutes of Health, the Centers for Dis- ease Control and Prevention and the National Academy of Sciences have all endorsed these exchange programs. Sadly, government policy cannot seem to be as pro- gressive as scientific research needs it to be. Lastly, I do not believe that this type of action would be an- other economic drain on society. Sterile needles are much less costly than the drain of AIDS research and care for infected patients could ever be. And lastly, whatever opinion you may have of these addicts, no one deserves to be put at such a blatant risk of contracting this hor- rible disease. While those who are clean cannot comprehend the physical and mental addiction that drug users have, it literally makes them unable to behave in a way where their own well being takes prece- dent. Drugs are always their first priority. Therefore, if our government can take actions to keep drug us- ers from getting infected, thus slowing the spread of AIDS, and decrease the economic drain these new cases create on our economy, then why shouldn’t they? Edi tor- in-chief Matthew B. McDermott Associate Editor Katie J. Howell Asst. News Editor ImranNaeemullah Opinions Editor AndrewA. Latimer W&Life Editor Catherine C. Guy Sports Editor David M. Crowell Photo Editor MaryE.Guy Photographer Meg F errara Business Manager Paul A. Seifert Circulation Manager Brian Castleberry Asst. Business Manager Emily Barker Advertising Manager William Litton Internet Editor Peter L. Djalaliev The Ring-tum Phi is published Mondays during the _ undergraduate school year at Washington and Lee Univer- sity, Lexington, Virginia. The Washington and Lee Publi- cations Board elects the Editor-in-chief, but The Ring- tum Phi is otherwise independent. The Ring-tum Phi welcomes all responsible submis- sions and letters. All subrrrissions must be e-mailed to phi @wlu.edu or in the University Center mailbox by 5 p.m Friday to appear in the following week’s edition. The Ring-tum Phi reserves the right to edit submissions for con- tent and length. Letters and columns do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Ring-tum Phi Editorial Board. Ad- verljsing does not reflect the opinions of The Ring-tum Phi or its staff. This newspaper observes current court defini- tions of libel and obscenity. The Ring-tum Phi Mailing Address: University Center Washington and Lee University Lexington, Virginia 24450 Street Address: 31 Washington Street Lexington, Virginia 24450 Telephone: (540) 462-4060 » Fax: (540) 462-4059 Email: phi@wlu.edu http.’//phi.wlu.edu Annual Subscription Rate: $30 W&L students who favor maintaining status quo should start packing Dear Editor, I am writing out of concern for the young men who have recently voiced their discomfort with dis- cussions about the course of cultural change at W&L I think they’ve got it backwards and may need to reconsider whether they made a mistake when decid- ing that W&L was the right choice for them. While it seems that some students may have de- cided on W&L, looking for a homogeneous outlook among their peers, I am certain that Admissions was not presenting W&L in that light. Our Admissions experience portrayed a different view of W&L leadership moving in another direction, encompassing an appreciation for the richness of intel- lectual life that comes as a result of intentional efforts to recruit a freshman class offering a broad representa- tion of human experience as an overall goal in selecting from among the most promising applicants each year. As a W&L parent, I know that my daughter views both the heritage and present W&L with sincere passion and positive appreciation. She enjoys intellectual debate and would be very unhappy at the lack of opportunity for growth if W&L students all shared common viewpoints. For those who are discounting the value of growth and change at W&L that has taken place after the Presi- dency of Robert E. Lee, it may be a benefit to read some of his own writing about education. As a leader, he embraced intellectual growth and accomplishment. If the intellectual climate at W&L were frozen in time, as suggested recently, W&L would not have maintained the stature that Robert E. Lee envisioned for a great insti- tution of higher learning. The idea that those who are not in line with the “status quo” thinking at W&L ought to attend else- where seems to suggest that the author(s) of that opin- ion have written their own remedy. Since they are not in sync with goals at W&L, their logic would lead them to get their transfers in order. For the time being, since young women were not admitted at W&L until recently, these young men ought to stick to their convictions and abstain from ’any social activities with any of the female students at W&L. I am certain that my daughter, among others, will not mind that at all. Sincerely, A W&L Parent Judy L. Konkel Parent of Robyn J. Konkel ‘05 MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2002 Oh,the burns, the hippies, the anthrax A report from the front lines of the battlefields on Capitol Hill The latest article from Brett Kirwan marks the first installment in a series of “Dispatches From The District”'as he embarks upon Wash- ington Term. This week: protesters, the loom- ing fears of anthrax, supporting the home- less and other perils. ‘« The Washington Term class has arrived in Washington; one week down and if any anthrax is yet to come through the Capitol, we’ll be the first to know. Constituent mail takes up much of the time of Senate side staffers, although the Honorable Senator from Ohio, has, thankfully, decided that interns shouldn’t be on mail duty, so I have a reprieve. However, the paid staff in my office has been sorting through “°“’1y five ”‘°“’ RIGHT or THE AISLE sand copies of the same letter—— vot— KJRWAN ‘O4 ers really do mail in the form letters sent to them from lobbying groups. 1 A Other mail highlights include letters explaining why and how to get rid of daylight savings time, all manner of threats to Senators, the Senate and the United States and the always exciting irradiated let- ter that crumples when touched. Not only are the security measures rendering mail anthrax-free, but oftentimes illegible as well. Washington is never a dull city, though, no may ter how many hours one spends in the mail room. In fact, our very first commute was punctuated by idi- otic, yet colorful, protests. Several hundred rich white suburbanites and burned-out hippies were blocking traffic and trampling the lawn in front of the Capitol. The average protestor really has no gripes ‘ with the government or America. Most probably go to Georgetown and have daddy’s credit card in pocket. As such, they dress in rags, but film their pointless rallies with $700 video cameras. Everything is on tape. A dirty look from the po- lice is filmed as evidence of the terrible treatment dealt to the well-heeled, worthless wimps who chant in solidarity with the oppressed in the third world. Who knows what these unwashed granola-eaters are angry about? Their one-verse chants included com- plaints about ?trie'soA, military aid to Columbia, the plight of the Palestinians and a litany of the usual lib- eral boilerplate. They cheered loudly and applauded when one of their number was arrested and carefully * escorted to a waiting Metro bus. ~ _ There were, of course, more chants that praised the great courage of the arrestee, as if being carried away for stepping into the street when politely asked not to by a police officer who could, and had every right to, break you in two demonstrated any cour- age or deep political insight rather than incredible immaturity and a juvenile rebelliousness. All in all, the protestors are easily ignored and accomplish little more than giving headaches, early mornings and overtime to the hard—working men and women of the D.C. police department. Another aspect of the commute that Lexington doesn’t offer is the homeless people sprawled along the sidewalk and around the Metro stations. One in particular, Steve, is on the street begging for food with a sign that assures any donations‘. won’t be used for booze or drugs, but is always. ‘ eating. Every time we have seen this bum he has either been sleeping or eating, yet he wants my money! Afriend of his, Al, provides passers-by with oldies hits playing from his boombox. Creativity abounds among the homeless com- munity. One lady who is stationed outside the Metro in the afternoon used to carry a sign claim-a ing she has three children to feed. The last few 1 days she has brought a child to sit next to her and l T look extra pathetic. _ Others seek to provide a service to the commu- nity in exchange for handouts. The sidewalk in front of Union Station is filled with bright trumpet music >4 from a man who knows everything from “Charge!” to “We’re off to See the Wizard.” Thursday after- noon he had to compete with a violin duet for the travelers’ money. Hilarity is easily found inside the Senate as well. Who knew that Idaho had a Senator named Mike Crapo? Who knew that Hillary’s trailer is a double-wide? TAl.KBACI<: \l/hatis your favoritecxcuse forslrippirrg Spring Term classes? ) it “A bottle of Scotch and a “My teachers require me to go, so “Sleep,” “Moi? I never Skip Classes.” “Sleeping.” A good cigar-” Igo-” -Robert Floyd ‘04 -Mehul Srivastava ‘()4 -Maria Golubiewska ‘04 -Mike A gnello ‘02 -Susan Slopek ‘04 ‘It. ,. OCR::/Vol_105/WLURG39_RTP_20020429/WLURG39_RTP_20020429_003.2.txt [ma 3 .§rugmVumt§£ - .sm-msmtstv mm Copper Cotl. e Gracious comfort awaits you at Copper Cottage. Enjoy breath taking mountain views and beautiful sunsets. In a peaceful relaxed atmosphere. You can have the serenity and privacy that comes with country living, and still have the convience of being less than 4 miles from downtown Lexington. Sleeping 4, Copper Cottage offers such amenities as a fully equipped kitchen, direct tv, central air and a deck with gas grill. So whether your trip to Lexington is business or pleasure let Copper Cottage be your home away from home. Call 540 463 9222 for further information and reservations. owes MONDAX’, APRIL 1, 2002 Lexington Art Gallery 13 W. Nelson Street Lexington, Va 24450 (across from the movie theater) Contemporary Photography Silverl Platinum I Palladium Prints W&L and local landscapes Exclusive Portfolio “Rockbridge 2002” & Robert E. Lee 1870 portrait printed from Miley Glass Plate Sat 10 to 6 Sun 11 to 3 & Appts. Phone 540-464-8080 EMail: lexart@ntelos.net www.lexingtonartgal|ery.com OCR::/Vol_105/WLURG39_RTP_20020429/WLURG39_RTP_20020429_004.2.txt r_Vjl_0NDt\1,__r\l’RlL 29. 2002 AMERICAN RED CROSS CLASS COMMUNITY FIRSTAID & SAFETY INFANT/CHILD ADULT CPR STANDARD F IRS TAID DOREMUS GYMNASIUM 500-LEVEL CLASSROOM MAY 2, 9, AND 16 6 TO 10 PM EACH EVENING FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT RED CROSSOFFICE, WAYNESBORO, VA., 540/943-4511 ,Lcx‘ington,. Virginia , Where entet'tain[m_entc0mes naturally. Keiip tanley 8: The Clinch Mt. Boys Sunday, can at Friday, May 17, 7:30 pm. Janis la Sunday, June 2, 7:30 pm. ,_ . _ _ . Doc Watson Sunday, May 26, 7:30 p.m. a Tix & Information WWW theateratlirnel