OCR::/Vol_095_096/WLURG39_RTP_19950915/WLURG39_RTP_19950915_001.2.txt JAMK G. LBYIURN UIRARY \‘l/AI~D'C$«5‘ I ‘LC ‘II!-Sb/‘FIlTY LQQOITIM, VA 800 8EP 1 8 1995 Fall TV preview Water polo cruises in Fall classic 1 9' or or . x 9 5 . VOLUME 93, N0- 2 WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY LEXINGTON, VIRGINIA SEPTEMBERI5, 1995 ' O * W&L ranked No , 15 by U.S. News WW®Ww .aaaaamama H” E"°°‘”"’° Ed”°' 25th for academic reputation, third for y student selectivity, and 77 percent of Washington and Lee University has the incoming freshman were in the top again been named the 15th best na- 10 percent of their high school classes. tional liberal arts college in the nation. W&L Was also ranked 16th for its This is the second year the school has student retention and boasts a gradua- garnered that position. In 1993, W&L tion rate of 89 percent. 4 was ranked at number 20. While Howison is pleased with the Bach September us. News and recognition W&L attracts, he said the World Report, a national news maga- University does not cater their prac- zine, compiles the listing to aid high tices to place well on college ranking . school seniors as they begin their lists. ,3, college search, However, the University does focus “we should be proud to beincluded on the areas to which surveyors look among the best national liberal arts When S00rlhg- Thus, the UhlV¢fSitY colleges in the country,” said Dean of Wins these accolades largely by de- Students David Howison. “ Because fault, h0t 0Ut0f3|'|)’ C0nC€It€d ¢ff0It t0 I we are.” be Number One. ’ U.S. News studies a variety of cat- “Take our graduation rate,” said egories to determine the rankings. Howison. “Our goal is to have as many Academic reputation, student selec- students graduate as possible. Eighty- tivity, faculty resources, student reten- nine percent is quite high and is indica- tion, graduation rate, and other criteria tive of a quality education.” 4 figure into a college’s overall score. Howison believes the list is an im- The listing of the best national lib- portant resource for ‘high school stu- Betsy Green, phi photo Edna, eral arts. colleges should not be con- dents who are choosing colleges. To Moooove along fused with the listing of the best na- that end, the feC0gmtl0fl b0deS Well tional universities, also compiled by for W&L. ‘( U.S. News. Dean of the College W. Lad Ses- " Freshmen males gather in the BDG quad for one of the three rounds of Rush open houses held this weekend National universities usually have S'°"S.agr°ed wlth H°w.'S°" that ‘t was ' more-selective admissions and greater pleasing to be recognized for excel- resources. According to U.S. News, lence,butplaceslittlestockinthe meth- 0 0 0 they offer a wide range of baccalaure- odology of the survey. Stadium renovations st art this We ek a on wi- A , research, and award many Ph.D.’s. leges could slip five or more places in F ‘e )1, input in designing the new fa_ system to ensure students’ safety at W&L. Two weeks into the school cilities. Suggestions were given year, Dean of Freshmen Dennis Manning and Head of Security Michael ,0 architect Kelly Ludwig of Young have not received any complaints. the Richmond based firm last year, freshmen faced an increase in theft, solicitation and Marcellus, wright’ Cox and unwanted guests in their halls. General Meters Corporation in Colorado ‘‘ Smith After the budget and Springs, CO, provided the answer with the new system. Although it may By BET!-[ANY BAUMAN Phi Staff Writer A --"l Like several other W&L buildings, the Wilson Field Sta- dium will be getting a face lift this year. Renovations on the stadium began this week. According to assistant ath- letic director and facilities man- ager ChuckO’Connell, the start of the construction has been a long time coming. Talk about amount of input that they had in the design. “We were happy to have as much access as we did with the architect and with the administration. They backed up with our sugges- tions and were very cooperative...I think that’s in- dicative and characteristic of Washington and Lee in terms of administrative support,” said head athletic trainer Tom Jones. The stadium is set to be completed August 1, 1996. For the next fall sports season, all of the W&L field teams, with the exception of the cross- country teams, will be operat- ing out of the new facility. Thisisamovethat many mem- bers of the athletic department are eagerly anticipating. “We’re outgrowing the gym with the number of people who are participating in sports. And a lot of the teams are doubled, almost tripled up, in the locker rooms as it is now...it is much more convenient for athletes to be over closer to their fields, especially if there’s an injury,” said assistant athletic trainer Patti Colliton. Until the construction is completed, field teams will have to adapt to working out of the Doremus Gym facility. But according to Coach Frank Miriello, the Generals football team has not had trouble mak- ing the change. “We’re an A and I team, adjust and impro- vise.” Miriello also stated that the new stadium facility will be a plus for W&L recruiting. Despite any inconvenience that the construction will cause the W&L athletic community, it will be well worth the wait. “A lot of consideration has gone into the plans, more than a lot of people would have guessed. lt’s going to be very functional and practical, but very attrac- tive,” said O’Connell. ‘ .% m and 2.2 million dollars. renovating the stadium began about ten years ago. Making formal plans, however, was put on hold until funding was av ail- able. During the University’s “On the Shoulders of Giants” capital campaign, part of the money was earmarked for the stadium renovation and exten- sion. The budget forthe project has been estimated between 1.8 Last school year athletic di- rector Mike Walsh and O’Connell met with the equip- ment managers, athletic train- ers and coaches to get their space allotment specifications were worked out, Walsh and O'Connell again met with per- sonnel to discuss the layout and design of the new stadium. Members of the athletic de- partment were pleased with the ck)‘ .-ae- Betsy Green, Phi Photo Editor p * Plans to expand Phone Mail System i ,4. K. By CELLESTE RASMUSSEN Phi Staff Writer In the first week of school, W&L freshmen are faced with many new challenges: roommates, quiet hours, communal bathrooms, and the Phone Mail System. While the first three may eventually be tolerated at best, the Phone Mail Sstem soon be- comes an intricate part of residence hall life. Not only does it give access to e-mail and the Internet, but it also eliminates the need to purchase a separate an- swering machine and telephone for students living in University-owned housing. One large group of students in University-owned housing is being left out of the Phone Mail loop, however: the residents of W&L’s fifteen fratenity houses. Fraternity houses, which have been owned by the school since the completion of the Fraternity Renaissance Program, are currently being served by the regional long distance company, Sprint—Centel; and fraternity members must dial in via modem if they wish to log onto Liberty. Last year, after considerable interest from frater- nity members, a Virginia company was contacted to work out the schematics of laying down the fiber- optic cables that are necessary for the Phone Mail system. However, according to Associate Dean of Students Leroy Atkins ll, the treasurers of the indi- vidual chapters received a letter this summer saying that the plans have temporarily been put on hold. Director of University Services, Jim Johndrow, cites two road blocks to the completion ofthe project. Firstofall, the funds estimated to install wiring in the houses themselves was underestimated. Secondly, laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia prevent schools, such as Washington and Lee, who run their own long distance service (used in all main campus housing and offices) from providing long distance service to non-contiguous properties. Basically, fraternity houses whose lots do not border the main W&Lcampus, such as the fraternities in the Davidson Park area, must use the regional long distance carrier. Despite this initial setback, Dean Atkins is very optimistic that the law will be changed this fall, and Jim Johndrow assures that the Telecommunications department is actively working to iron out the logis- tical problems so that the system can be installed next year. Hopefully, in a few months fraternity residents will be able to hear the familiar voice of the “Phone Mail Lady” when they check their messages instead of their own answering machines. Get ready for Mock Con: See page 2 for GOP Watch Topping this list was Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and Stanford. National liberal arts colleges are also highly selective but emphasize — and award more than 40 percent of their degrees in — the liberal arts. Amherst College in Massachusetts topped this survey with an overall score of 100. Coming in at number 21 with an score of 87.9 was Davidson College in North Carolina, W&L’s long-time rival. one year. lnparticular, he doubted how Davidson, which he called a fine aca- demic institution, could fall from num- ber eight to number 21. “l have strong doubts about the re- liability and viability of the rankings,” said Sessions. “They aren’t etched in granite. The ratings are slippery.” According to Sessions, Washing- ton and Lee will continue trying to become a better institution regardless of whether or not surveys notice it. New security system installed in freshmen dorms By Eiuc CHRISTENSON Phi Staff Writer men dorms Washington and Lee Security has installed a new card-access system in the Baker, Davis, Gilliam and Graham-Lees dormitories. Students are required to use their student identification to gain access to freshmen halls. increased crime last year prompted the appropriation of $60,000 for the be an inconvenience to bring a card jogging or on a trip across the quad, the system proves worthy at night when freshmen can sleep soundly without worries about unwanted intruders. With a rising number of sexual crimes being committed against women, their safety is also a concern. The new card system has been well received by freshmen despite general disdain to waiting a few seconds before entering a hall. Despite the minor inconvenience, students are less than complaining about the switch from locks to the card system; Silas Morse, ‘99, explains, “lt’s nice because now we can visit the girls’ halls anytime.” Mr. Young agrees, “[The security system] is more effective than nothing. It is impossible [to check the identity of every entering person], unless we have an absolute lock-down. We need to protect the people living in our doors and this is an effective way.” The only danger is from lost cards, but they can be immediately canceled when reported. Due to the positive results seen thus far, the it is possible that the card-access system may see expansion in Gaines Hall, Woods Creek Apartments and/or other university housing. Card entry systems now adorn the doors of all the fresh- . ‘i. Betsy Green Phi‘ Photo Editor OCR::/Vol_095_096/WLURG39_RTP_19950915/WLURG39_RTP_19950915_002.2.txt BEYOND THE BLUE RIDGE Quake rocks Mexico City Mexico City——Thursday ‘s morning rush hour was interrupted in Mexico City when a serious earthquake struck the area. The quake lasted for approximately a minute and registered a 7.2 on the Richter Scale. Four people are reported dead; roads and buildings were damaged. Scientists report that the epicenter was about ninety miles from Mexico City. NATO pauses air strikes Bosnia—After an eleven hour meeting Wednesday night with the Serbian President, U.S. diplomat Richard Holbrook announced Thursday that NATO’s air strike, Operation Deliberate Force, against Serb forces in Sarajevo would pause for three days. The temporary halt, it is planned, will allow the Serbian military time to remove heavy artillery around Sarajevo. The removal of these weapons will fulfill the main goal of Operation Deliberate Force; however, the strike has not been permanently discontin- ued. Peace talks will continue during the three day cease-fire. Belarus apologizes for attack on U.S. hot air balloons Belarus—Officials in the former Soviet Republic of Belarus have issued an apology for Tuesday’s military attack on American hot air balloons participating in an international competition which began Satur- day in Switzerland. Two American crew members were killed when their balloon was shot from the sky and crashed just inside the Belarussian border. Four others were taken prisoner and later released after their balloons were forced to the ground. The balloons’ flight patterns over Belarus had been cleared in advance, but Belarussian officials maintain that they flew over a military area and would not respond to radio contact. American officialsare calling the Belarus government’s apology inad- equate. Basketball lockout to end New York——The National Basketball Association’s two-month-old lockout of players is expected to end Monday which would practically insure an on-time start to the 1995-96 season. At the core of this agreement between the players and the union is a six year labor contract that, among other things, increased the salary cap from $15.9 to $23 million and guarantees players a minimum of $5 billion in league revenues. The only obstruction to this deal is a challenge to the National Basketball Players’ Association by a small group of players, led by Michael Jordan and Patrick Ewing, who wish to de—certify the union; thus, rendering the contract void. In light of a vote on Tuesday by NBA players, support for the union is overwhelming. New government spending plan proposed to avert shutdown Washington, D.C.—President Bill Clinton and congressional leaders agreed on Tuesday to propose a short-terrn spending plan that would avert the impending government shutdown on October 1. Citing negative publicity, both Democrats and Republicans decided that it would be in the best interest of the country to extend its present spending policy until a long-term spending plan could be put into law. House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Senate Republican leader Bob Dole still hope to havea spending bill in place by October 1. Beyond the Blue Ridge is compiled by by Peggy Stuntz and Laura Knapp The Rin -mm,-Phi: temb r 15 199 A Film Society works to bring culture to Lex ‘ BY DAN ODENWALD Phi Executive Editor One of the most common criticisms of Lexington, or any small town for that matter, is the lack of cul- ture and art. For more than twenty years, the Washington and Lee Film So- ciety has worked to combat that problem. Comprised of both stu- dents and faculty, the organiza- tion presents a series of critically- acclaimed American and foreign films. In the words of their mis- sion, the series is designed to present to the campus and the com- munity noteworthy contemporary film achievements. The group appeals to the gen- eral population with such films as Reality Bites and Dazed and Con- fused, but also select non-tradi- tional and off-color films for vari- ety, said Co-President Julie Doring, ’96. Instead of driving an hour to Roanoke, students can go to the Troubadour Theatre to see art-house films that do not play in the mainstream theaters. The movies are shown early on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:05 p.m. to avoid competing with W&L’s rigorous social scene. “It’s something to do during that dead time between 7 and 10 p.m. before the parties get started,” Doring said. Films are selected by the organization’s members from a list of possible choices provided Artist Lance Hidy teaches workshop, displays work by film distributors. Between twelve and fifteen selections are screened each academic year. The films attract members of the W&L community, residents of Lex- ington, and students from area col- leges. 'VMI cadets are given special permission to attend the screenings as BY ANNE ALVORD Phi News Editor Visiting artist lance Hidywill offer computer work- shops in Adobe Photoshop 3.0 on Tuesday, September 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.and Wednesday, September 20, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.. Working from scanned images, Hidy will show partici- pants ways to alter images, cut away backgrounds, and layer for photomontage. Participants are required to have basic Macintosh skills. The emphasis of the workshop will be on the use of the program for creative expression. Hidy will also demonstrate Penumbra, the multiple master typeface he designed for Adobe Systems. Anyone interested in joining the workshop should con- tact Kathleen Olsen. Enrollment is limited to 20. An exhibition of Hidy’s work is on display in du Pont Gallery through October 5. Hidy will also give a lecture and demonstration followed by a reception on Tuesday, Sep- tember 19, at 5:30 in du Pont Hall. j GOP WATCH LCR donates rejected contribution to Specter Log Cabin Republicans, the national gay Republican group, has given the returned $1000 contribution from the Dole campaign to the campaign of Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Penn). Dole returned Log Cabin Republicans’ contribution Aug. 25 after learning they were the first Republican presi- dential campaign to accept money from a gay organization. “Arlen Specter is fighting for an inclusive Republican Party,” said Richard Tafel, execu- tive director of Log Cabin Republicans. “He is taking on the radical right, while other GOP candidates like Senator Dole are bowing to them. He knows the politics of exclusion will ruin the chances for a Republican victory in ’96.” Specter responded, ‘‘I welcome the support of all Ameri- cans who oppose discrimination and who seek a more limited government, joining the principles of fiscal conservatism with social libertarianism.” Specter’s presidential campaign has specifically targeted the Christian Coalition and its leaders for harsh criticism. In July, LCR contributed $1,000 to the presidential campaign of Gov. Pete Wilson (R-Calif), which was also publicly accepted. Wilson closes Iowa office California Gov. Pete Wilson (R) has announced he is closing his campaign office in Iowa, the site of the first caucus in the Republican nomination contest. Wilson’s strategists said the move was designed to free the candidate to spend more time in the states where his presence will do the most good, starting with New Hampshire. Wilson remains in single digits in most national polls of GOP presidential primary voters. In one recent poll in his home state, Wilson trailed the GOP front-runner, Senate Majority Leader Robert J. Dole (R-Kan). Wilson’s opponents said his decision to pull out of Iowa was money-driven. “This is the beginning of the end of the Wilson campaign,” said Mark Merritt, campaign communi- cations director for former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander (R). “He’Il be out of the race by Thanksgiving.” Wilson reported raising $3.8 million for his presidential campaign in the midyear report he filed in July with the Federal Election Commission——short of his goal of $20 million by the end of 1995. Wilson campaign manager George Gorton denied rumors that the campaign has missed payrolls and laid off staff. In a memo distributed to the campaign staff, the campaign also announced that they would not participate in any more straw polls. Wilson finished a distant eighth in the Iowa straw poll in Ames last month, with just 1.2 percent of the vote. Forbes considering Republican run Malcolm S. “Steve” Forbes, Jr., publisher of Forbes magazine and others, has said that he will decide within the next week whether to join the Republican nomination race. Forbes has formed a presidential exploratory committee which has inquired about a major television and radio event for later in the month. Forbes said, “It’s looking much more green than red.” Forbes would campaign as a pro—growth, pro-trade, flat-tax Republican. Colin Powell showing signs of presidential Fmr. Gen. Colin Powell may be beginning the first stage of a run for president. Powell will appearwith Barbara Walters on ABC’s “20/20” tonight and then begin a 25-city book tour and media blitz. In Powell’s new autobiography, My American Journey, he describes himself as “a fiscal conservative with a social conscience” and says he is not comfortable with either of the two major parties today. He also speculates that the time might be right fora third party to represent the “sensible center.” A recentNewsweek poll found that voters would tend to favor Powell over President Clinton by 51 percent to 41 percent if the retired general were to run with the GOP nomination. The poll indicated Powell, as an independent, would run a distant third, at 21 percent,.in a three-way race, with Clinton pulling 36 percent and Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole drawing 33 percent. Barbara Walters’ “20/ 20” interview got the general to comment on several specific issues. Of abortion, Powell said, “lt"s a matter between her [the woman considering abortion], her doctor, her family and her conscience and her God, and if she chooses to abort, that’s her choice, so that’s pro-choice.” On gun control: “I am a gun owner, but, at the same time, I am willing to put up with some level of inconvenience in acquiring guns or having guns in my possession that make sure that I am a responsible citizen who should be allowed to have a gun.” On prayer in school: “I have no problem if, on arriving at school, a quiet moment is allowed for a child to do whatever a child wishes to do in that private moment. I would be against any sort of stricture that says, ‘You will come in and you will pray,’ and anything of that nature.” Ofa possible run, Powell said, “If I were to decide to enter politics and run for the presidency, the easier way to do it, I think, would be as a Republican,” though not ruling out an independent or Democratic primary run. GOP Watch is compiled by Alex Christensen fever well. While most of the choices appeal to a vast spectrum of viewers, some films have created controversy. According to Film Society Advisor Dick Grefe, The Last Temptation of Christ caused an uproar. Some Lex- ington residents called the film blas- THE jADVENT_URES 01''‘ Courtesy of Island Records The Film Society will present Priscilla, Queen of the Deserttonight and Saturday at 8:05 in the Troubadour Theatre. phemous and objected to its being shown. David Lynch’s Blue Velvet also received negative attention because of R the picture’s explicit treatment of vio- lence toward women. Doring said last year’s screening of Naked raised some eyebrows about the film ’s graphic violence and rape _,( scenes. Grefe said the past contro- versy does not interfere with the group’s selection process. “If a movie is considered and form their own opinions,” Grefe said. The Film Society receives one-half of its budget from the Executive Committee. Some 3 money is given by the Office of the Dean of the College for it deems the films to be relevant to the university’s curriculum. One-fifth of the organization’s from patrons at the door. The administration has re- cently funded a project to line the Troubadour’s walls with the theater’s acoustics. Doring expects that more viewers will come to screenings as a result of the renovations. The Film Society has a full schedule of films to be screened this fall including Kevin Smith’s Clerks and the Cuban film Srrawbeny and Chocolate. Showing tonight at 8:05 p.m. is clan of ABBA-crooning drag queens entitled TheAdventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. R. T. Smith named editor of Shenandoah From Phi staff reports Rod T. Smith, poet, fiction writer, and former writer-in-residence at Au- burn University, has been named edi- tor of Shenandoah, The Washington and Lee University Review. He as- sumes the position July 1. Smith succeeds Dabney Stuart, who has served as editor of Shenandoah since 1988. Suart has returned to full- time teaching in W&L’s department of English. A native of Charlotte, N.C., and Griffin, Ga., Smith received his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and master’s degree in English from Appalachian State Uni- versity. He served as Alumni Writer- in-Residence at Auburn University for the last 19 years. He was the founding editor of Cold Mountain Review and a former editor of Southern Humanities Review. Smith’s poetry has appeared in Shenandoah, as well as in other liter- ary publications. He has poems in the current issues of Georgia Review, Carolina Quarterly, and The Literary Review as well as in recent textbook anthologies, Literature: A Contempo- rary Introduction (MacMi1lan), Imag- ining Worlds (McGraw-Hill), andNew Worlds of Literature (Norton). Smith has published more than a dozen books, with three more forth- coming: Faith: Stories, Black Belt Press; Trespasser, LSU Press; and Hunter-Gatherer, Livingston Press, to be published next spring. In 1988, Smith was awarded the Alabama Governor’s Award for Achievement by an Artist. His numer- ous honors include the Emily Dickinson Prize and the John Masefield Poetry Prize. He has been the recipient of an NEA Literature Fellowship, a Fellow- ship to the Yeats School, Sligo, Ireland and twice awarded an Alabama Coun- cil for the Arts Literature Fellowship (1986 and 1994). ’ Shenandoah was founded in 1950 by a group of W&Lstudents, including authors Tom Wolfe and William Hoffman. In addition to material by Wolfe, Hoffman, and other students, the first issues of Shenandoah included works by e e Cummings, William Carlos Williams, Ray Bradbury, and Donald Davidson. The magazine has contin- ued to publish famous writers, includingW.H. Auden, William Faulkner, and Reynolds Price. Smith is the first full-time editor in Shenandoah ’s 45-year history, a posi- tion that has traditionally been heldby a member of W&L’s teaching English faculty. He will also serve as chairman of the Glasgow Endowment Commit- tee, which brings distinguished novel- ists, poets, dramatists, and critics to the university. The program was estab- lished at Washington and Lee in 1960 by the late Arthur G. Glasgow. Smith’s tenure as editor also coin- cides with the establishment of the first full complement of offices for Shenandoah on the second floor of the Troubadour Theatre. important, people need to see it X funds comes from donations "‘ carpet in an effort to improve gt the Australian picture about a A ‘at. .$ .- OCR::/Vol_095_096/WLURG39_RTP_19950915/WLURG39_RTP_19950915_003.2.txt l some eye on Tile BALL BONNY ROMM PERFORMS TONIGHT AT THE GHQ of. A The Ring-tum Phi, September 15, 1995 PAGE 3 The Scoop (fiourtncyis favorites) Friends 8 pm Thur NBC What is the deal with that girl from China? Rachel and Ross belong together! Seinfeld 9 pm Thur NBC. Where can a show go after seven seasons? I hope they have some new material; last year was stale exclud- ing two very memorable menage a trois episodes. As always, I want to see more of Kramer! GR to pm Thur NBC It can't get any better. This is the best show since Cheers. I finally got my roommate (pre-med) hooked, and she loves it almost as much as I do. ill.l. TIIEVIEW TO BY CINDIE YOUNG Phi Features Editor “ "The power is yours to set the trends and shape the schedule. All you need is your remote... ” -TV Guide Excitement, heartbreak, drama, zaniness, poignancy and wit are soon to arrive in vivid technicolor at the W&L campus, in thirty and sixty minute time slots. Within the next week, television’s four major networks, not to mention its many additional cable stations, will unfurl a slew of new shows designed to move you, the viewer, to new levels of laughter and compassion. “If there’s one word to describe this fall,” TV Guide’s September 16 issue reads, “it’s big.” And big it is. A record 42 new series willjoin television’s prime time alone, with many more miniseries, sports shows, syndicated and cable shows, and specials filling out the other 20-some hours of each day. Across the channels, many new faces will peer out at the student eager for distraction. And along with the new faces will come new twists altogether in the tried and true formu- las of sitcoms past. CBS’ "If Not For You" casts two young professionals, each separately involved in a somewhat dull, sparkless relationship, as an accidental couple drawn together at first sight. The show's executive producer, Larry Levin, asserts that "If Not For You" is “not just cute TV, all neatly wrapped up,” but instead “an exploration of couples...more offbeat” BY COURTNEY E. MILLER Phi Features Editor Right this moment, as you are read- ing this, somewhere very far away someone else is doing something else entirely unrelated to anything. Also right now, a man thirty-five years of age is preparing to reveal his amazing extra-sensory powers to an audience of non-believers--Washing- ton and Lee students. Coincidence? I think not. The Ronny Romm show is one of this country's most sought after enter- ‘ tainers. l t has been described by former non-believers as "an extraordinary ex- perience in entertainment." Student Activities will present the Ronny Romm Show, demonstrations of ESP and hypnosis, tonightat 10 p.m. in the GHQ. The audience will become part of the show by volunteering to challenge Romm's hypnotism and ESP powers. Romm's show promises to avoid cliches such as, "reply hazy, ask again later," other common clairvoyant de- vices like the "Magic Eight Ball." Names and numbers known only to the members of the audience are revealed with startling accuracy. Even their innermost thoughts and personal questions are revealed and answered. (Let's hope that regrettable hook-up doesn't slip out.) The audience can also expect en- lightenment about hypnotism. Is it sleep or some altered state? And why do people under hypnosis respond to the slightest suggestion? Romm will answer these questions as he draws the audience into a side- splitting demonstration of what hyp- notism, and the human mind can do. (We W&L students have already tapped into that 90 percent unused brain power trying to pass Organic Chemistry.) The audience participants will en- gage in such activities as a body build- ing competition, speaking martian, or becoming a prima ballerina or even an army drill sergeant. (Watch out VMI !) Of course, all the above activities will be performed under the influence of a swinging’ crystal ball. If we are lucky, Guns and guitar make The Facts Title: Assistant Professor of than typical twosome series. The powers that be at Fox, meanwhile, have slated their new pairing, "Ned and Stacey," for the time slot following the ever tacky, ever beloved "Melrose Place." The show follows "Partners", a new sitcom by the creator of "Friends", at 9:30, and producer Michael Weithorn promises in the show’s unlikely combination of the self-involved business- man Ned and leftish newswoman Stacey an “intelligent character comedy that’s really about the relationship.” Fox may not be quite so easy to turn off, after all. In the midst ofthe sea ofnew faces filling out television’s prime time in the forthcoming season, some familiar faces will also be appearing. British screenstar Nancy Travis (Three Men and a Little Lady, 50 I Married An Axe-Murderer) becomes half of the hectic relationship behind "Almost Perfect" on CBS, while Jeff Foxworthy of “You might be a redneck...” fame be- comes a father and business owner this fall on ABC’s "The Jeff Foxworthy Show." Actor Corey Feldman (Stand By Me, The ’Burbs) also joins the world of weekly television, as one of three techno-geeks on CBS’s "Dweebs." Even with so varied a list of names and faces, some common themes emerge from this season’s batch of shows vying for prime time. All the networks apparently plan to convert America’s current infatuation with the legal process into Nielsen ratings, and a host of new sitcoms and shows will center around the courtroom. Such shows include "The Home Court","The Pursuit of Happiness", "Murder One", "John Grisham’s The Client", "JAG", and "Courthouse." Another theme ofthis season seems to be the plight ofthe maybe even Elvis will make an appear- ance. (Personally, I would like to see good ole Ronny use his powers help me pass Russian 261.) Warning! This show is not to be taken seriously. Please consult a li- censed professional therapist before making any drastic life-style changes. Next to reading your horoscope every day in the Roanoke Times, or hitting the local palm reader at the state fair, this is the closest we students will get to the realm of the occult--the un- known. So, tonight, bring your sense of humor, and an open mind. Take some time off from the most stressful event at W&L —-Rush-— and journey into the . Ronny Romm Zone. . Gibbs spen IEST REASONS IGNORE YOUR HOMEWORK single man of the '90s ("Hudson Street," "Charlie Grace," "The Drew Carey Show," and "The Single Guy") and his female counterpart ("Almost Perfect," "Caroline in the City," "The Naked Truth," and "Can’t Hurry Love"). Amidst the flurry of new shows being launched this season, expect some old favorites (or not-such-favorites) as well. Among those returning are Fox’s "Married...With Children," "The Simpsons," "Melrose Place," "90210," and "Party of Five," together with NBC’s "Mad About You," "Wings," "Frasier," "Friends," "Seinfeld," "ER," and "Sis- ters." CBS will bring back "60 Minutes," "The Nanny," "Murphy Brown," "Murder, She Wrote," "Picket Fences," and "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman"; ABC meanwhile plans to air another season of "Lois & Clark," "Ellen," "Grace Under Fire," and "Family Matters." If the television screen alone fails to offer enough enter- tainment (or distraction) to the seasoned viewer, another screen is now also available for diversion: the computer screen. Some television networks now have addresses along the information superhighway, at which much more thorough information can be learned regarding upcoming shows. Among such addresses are those of NBC (http:// www.nbc.com) and CBS (http://www.cbs.com), and even the magazine of the entertainment industry, Entertainment Weekly (http://pathflnder.com./ew/). With so many shows this fall to choose from, every evening promises to offer at least one or two good excuses to take a break from studying and turn on the television. The hardest decision may well be which channel to tune into. Ronny Roan, hypnotist, performs comedy routines around his mystic extra- sensory perception powers . lici Photo ding time in office instead of in line to retire. You find i rm:-tr-oo my this asysoon I , maybe, just maybe. you'll learn rlbou .r:nelf..’f Desperado — Two and a half One of the greatest surprises of the past few years was a little film namedElMariachi, created by Robert Rodriguez. The film was shot on such a low budget he couldn’t even afford credits, and when the movie was fr- nally picked up by a larger distribution com- pany, the credits they added cost more than the entire rest of the film had. But as those of you who saw it at the Film Society can attest, it was a little witty, off-beat piece about a mariachi player mistaken for a hit-man. So when Rodriguez’ independent success finally landed him the much sought afterbig— studio contract, it is understandable that he wanted to build off his previous success. The result is Desperado, a quasi-sequel to El Mariachi. I say ‘quasi-’ because although he borrows some of the same characters, the actors, the mood and the storyline couldn’t be more different. These differences are dis- tracting, but in the end they become nothing more than annoyances and the film is down- right enjoyable. One thing I found disturbing was how the film makes references back to El Mariachi, even though few in Desperado’s audience will have seen it. At the same time, so much has changed from the first fllm that those who did see El Mariachi will be equally confused. How did the guitar player become such an artisan with a gun? Where the heck did the mariachi’s equally deadly friends come from? The point is, Rodriguez seems to be trying to satisfy two separate formulas, one for a big-budget typically flashy Holly- wood film, and another for a similarly quirky follow—up to El Mariachi. An even greater problem for the film is its page sihouettes of Antonio Banderas and the hard-edged copy, I was expecting an open- throttle action film. Instead we get a very stylish tongue-in-cheek parody of the typi- cal Van Damme flick. Rodriguez takes ev- ery opportunity both to display fantastic slow-motion leaps and rolls and to throw in unexpected flashes of silly humor. If you can go into the film not expecting hard-core seriousness and tension, you’ll emerge both laughing at the humor and stunned by the stylish visuals. In fact, if I had to choose one word for this film, it would be stylish. Rodriguez’s suc- cess with El Mariachi enabled him to cap- ture a hip supporting cast, including Quentin Tarantino (who needs someone to tell him to stick to directing and writing and to leave the acting to others), Steve Buscemi (Reservoir Dogs’ Mr. Pink) and Cheech Marin. Hunk- of-the-moment Antonio Banderas, leading- lady Salma Hayek, and the extra-smooth drug lord Joaquim de Almeida (the Colum- bian intelligence agent in Clear and Present Danger) round out the leading roles. They all do fine jobs, but at heart this movie has got nothing to do with character, plot, action, or dialogue. This film is all about camera angles and moody lighting, with a few neat-o stunts thrown in for good measure. Orson Welles once compared being a movie director to having access to the ulti- mate toy box, and this seems to be the philosophy of Rodriguez here. Having made his previous feature for a few thousand, he clearly loved the millions he could use for this one, and he seems to want to make sure all that cash is seen on the screen. It is almost as if he were afraid that the old friends back home might not believe the reports in the local paper about how much Rodriguez had to work with, and so he had to prove it to them. The end result is a weird mix, as a seedy bar in a crummy town is filmed in what can only be called an opulent manner. The result is showy but fun. If you can go into this film expecting neither another El Mariachi nor a straight-out bad-ass action marketing strategy. Judging from the full- nan--69,2: this film now. while it‘s3 ‘stillon bucks you 'u ‘pay if you see it outside Lexington probably see it on videotape.’ sun, p:gba'b‘ty;'“B¢ne:: be better served on your education, its ' . flick, you’ll enjoy it immensely. cm-okay, so there have been bet ’ films; ’Neve'_x:lu.~._ 1}-It happens to be on HBO, and you '1: blowing o‘mqmo_r_miv's mding.vA1though _y_oa::time‘svjou_ld probably . . .9"’F°. l?§f¢d» 39 80x8head and wiItciI’ii« ” I if I if . -I 0-Even if it's free and your best friend said he pester laughed harder, trust me, this one sucks.‘ _ Don’t waste your time, or at least don’t waste iton this, ('I'lxere’s always’M'l’V.)*?' '9 ‘-;: - 1 Management Birthplace: Velasco, TX ("It no longer existsl It was annexed by another‘ town.") Family: A 19-year-old daughter, Ginny; and two sons: 17-year-old Jonathan, and 4-year- old Michael Greek Af- filiation: Pi Kappa Alpha Favorite Food: Chicken enchiladas with white sauce BY DARCEY LIVINGSTON Phi Staff Writer It’s midnight—the night before a major exam. You need help and you need it now. No problem, if you have Professor Philip A. Gibbs teaching your class. Chances are he’ll still be chug- ging away in his office. The question is, “Why?” “I think I ’m just a very slow worker,” laughs Gibbs. “I’ve got students who come in and tell me to get a life! I got in the habit of working late hours when I was a Ph.D. student, which wasn’t all that long ago.” However, Gibbs does have some time to devote to leisure activities. “I read things that I don’t have to read, which is always nice,” says Gibbs. His recent material includes The Alche- mist, a book by Paul Coelho. “It’s about a person on a journey of self- discovery,” explains Gibbs. He also likes to see a lot of movies, with Clueless being one of his most recent viewings. When asked if he saw any similarities between W&L students and the main characters, Gibbs decided to take the Fifth. The professor’s eyes brighten when he talks about the weekends he spends with his son, Michael. “We play a lot. We go to what he calls the “Big Play- ground,” which is Kids’ Playce, and Sweet Things. And we go to listen to the clock bells ring at Lee Chapel, which is one of his favorites.” Prof. Gibbs did his undergraduate work at the University of Texas, a place he says is much different from W&L. “When I was at UT, the Long- horns were a nationally ranked football team. So, football was the reason that all of us went to school,” relates Gibbs. “Youcanimagine my amazementwhen I went to the first football game at W&L, which was Homecoming. When I arrived, the stands were practically empty. They filled for half-time, and after the queen was announced, they emptied. At Texas, you stood in line to get football tickets early in the mom- ing.” Imagine that.... Despite the lack of a major football following, Prof. Gibbs loves W&L, and loves his profession. “I never want I really don’t! something that you enjoy doing, and then retirement is not a goal any longer. As long as you’re physically and men- tally able to do it, then you keep doing it. Besides, I have a 4-year-old. I won’t be able to retire—he’ll be in college until I’m seventy-five or so!” Prof. Gibbs wants his students to view him as a tough but fair professor. ‘‘I want them to see me as a real human being, one that they can relate to. I think, just like everybody, I want to have an impact.” Don’t worry, Professor. Your stu- dents think of you in just that way. Junior Keith Beckerle had Gibbs for Financial Statement Analysis last spring, and summed up the opinions of many of his classmates when he said, “Gibbs was very demanding. I learned a lot from him during the short tom, and when I finished the class, it was like overcoming an obstacle.” Until his contract expires next year, Prof. Gibbs’ students will continue to overcome--and learn from—the ob- stacles placed in front of them by their workaholic teacher. MEN IN PANTYHOSE AND HEELS BY MICHAEL HEWLETT Phi Associate Editor Imagine for a second a place where men shook their behinds in mini-skirts and walked in high heels with pantyhoses hiding their hairy legs. Imagine pseudo-masculine straight men who made love to these drag queens, fulfilling theirdark, closeted homosexual fantasies. Imag- ine a place on the gritty, dirty edge of American society, a place where the poor find themselves trapped and the rich only come to visit and partake of its erotictreasures. Imaginea muscle- bound hustler named Apollo who pimped his body and provided sexual tricks for cash to support his drug habit. This is the world that the characters in Bruce Benderson’s novel, User, occupy. Benderson creates human beings we often don’t think about and usually avoid meeting in a dark alley. The story starts in a seamy after-hours bar where Apollo swivels his torso, tempting un- knowing customers to experience sexual treats. In a drug-induced rage, he slams the bouncer, Casio, against the wall as he stumbles out of the theater. We follow Apollo as he hustles for enough money to get another shot of Dilaudid. We see him make contact with other souls with no where to go in life. On his trail is a homosexual detective named Juan Pargero who sleeps with Tina, the drag queen owner of the after-hours bar. Meanwhile, Apollo freeloads off his former AIDS-infected lover who writes in his diary on occassion: “Dear Death Diary, Apollo’s my pain pal. In the first place, he confirms all my theories about drug use. At this point in the game, I’m an alienated sonofab****—always trying to sniff out the hypocrisy of so-called common sense. Being HIV-positive, I’m lately goingthrough a period where I’m feeling a lot of physical pain. Recently I spent thirty-six hours in one of our city’s glorious emergency rooms. l’ve got an axe to grind with those licensed pillpushers. It is my opinion that access to ending pain is controlled by a greedy, insensitive bunch.” We also meet Casio’s son, Baby Pop, who was molested when he was young and has taken to selling sex to get by. He dresses in three layers of clothes and carries an algebra book, a Bible, and a Stephen King book, telling every- one he is going to college. When he’s not tricking, he’s searching for Apollo, the cabron who hurt his father, and sleeping wherever there is empty space. These are the characters that Benderson creates for us to view from a distance. His story flows quickly and effortlessly. His writing sparkles with realistic and sharp detail, present- ing haunting images for our sometimes inno- cent eyes. User is a story about human survival, about the daily struggle simplytolive.The characters in this novel never aspire to anything greater than what they are. They try to find dignity in the circumstances they make for themselves. Sometimes they succeed and sometimes they fail. This book has no happy ending because Benderson understands that life doesn’t oper- ate like those Disney films you see to escape the insanity. Instead, he brings the insanity of a drug—filled, sex—crazed world to the reader with eloquence and sensitivity. Even more, he re- minds us in this let-us-blame-them political environment that sometimes we aren’t much different than they are. OCR::/Vol_095_096/WLURG39_RTP_19950915/WLURG39_RTP_19950915_004.2.txt Want to recapture that youthful inno- Z’ Remember your Want a free date Then apply to de- liver newspapers Dondero Incorporated advertising specialties promotional products I la Custom Engraving on plaques H trophies -trophies . custom engraving 0 T—Shirts 0 Hats 3 Sweats ‘Jackets MAIN 0FllCE&SCREEN PRINT SHOP PO. Box 408 I State Route 710 West Fairfield, Virginia 24435 Phone: 540-348-6753 & 377-6753 Fax: 540-377-6418 fl . .Back to School . . .New Area Codfi Let us make the transition easier for you! We offer the following services: Screen Printed Textiles SHOWROOM 17 1/2 South Randolph Street Iexington, Virginia 24450 Phone: 540-463- 2618 copies business cards word processing flyers typing forms & applications resumes faxing and more , 0 e/zraaaabo» Z44 P.O. Box 1409 0 12 W. Nelson Street Across from the Post Office _ J PHONE: 540-463-1712 ' FAX: 540-463-9455 The Ring-tum Phi, September 15, 19! 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