The Buff and Blue - Library Deaf Collections and Archives
Transcription
The Buff and Blue - Library Deaf Collections and Archives
THE BUFF AND BLUE ESTABLISHED 1892 Volume 106. Issue 15 GALIAUDET UNIVERSITY Friday, Febuary 6, 1998 Page 2 • The Buff and Blue • Febuary 6, 1998 ews Before DPN Actually Began... A Fireside Chat ,[ason L a m b e r t o n Buff II' Blue Staff BUBFANDHDUE Last Wednesday in the Peikoff . \ l u m a i House, e s t e e m e d mcmber.s of the Gallaudet community gathered for a "fireside chat" with President [. King Jordan, and two members of the B oard of Trustees who ver\ed on the board during the Deaf President .Now mo\ement. Philip B ravin and Laurel Glass. The purpose of this chat was to reflect on e \ e n t s leading up to the DPN protest, from the eyes of B ravin and Glass. Phil Bravin (right) reflects. I.King It all began when former they went to an outside search firm, President Dr. Jerry C. Lee resigned, and ultimately decided on one located and B ravin was asked by Jane Spilman. chair of the board, while in Nantucket, an island off the coast vacationing in Vermont, to serve as of Massachusetts. At first, the firm was hesitant chair of the committee for the search to take the j o b as they refused to and selection of Gallaudet"s new pres accept any assignments that already ident. was in progress. B ravin decided to Bravin explained that despite set up a meeting with being deaf he took a firm stance of the firm. He flew to Nantucket with making sure that everyone was repre out an interpreter and decided to give sented on the c o m m i t t e e , and he them a taste of deafness "cold v\anted to make sure that only the turkey." c o m m u n i c a t i n g with them most qualified person would be through only paper and pen and rudi appointed as Gallaudet's next presi mentary gestures. B ravin's purpose dent. On the other hand. Glass, being hearing, realized that it was lime for was to make the firm understand deaf Gallaudet to have a deaf president and ness firsthand, so they would know took a stance that had a bias in favor what they should do when they looked for deaf people. The irony was noted for applicants. Bravin added a short humor as she was the only person on the ous anecdote a b o u t his trip to board to hold that belief, whereas the other deaf people on the board held a Nantucket. When he was at the air port, getting ready to leave, he was "fair" stance. a s k e d how much his briefcase ,At first. 87 people applied for w e i g h e d and then how much he the position of president, but B ravin weighed himself, without him know and the c o m m i t t e e felt that there weren't enough deaf applicants, so ing why the questions were asked. When he embarked the plane, a small Student Wins ADA Lawsuit Against McDonald's Kim Nichols Buff n'Blue Sniff A 32 year old Gallaudet student was awarded SI .?00 in a lawsuit stemming from events that transpired on May 21. 199."; at a .McDonald's franchise near Gallaudet. on New York .Avenue. .Vlichael Bunjer. according to the court documents as well as his narrating, was in the drive thru lineup preparing to order a B ig .Mac. trench fries, and a Sprite with a written order. The McDonald's attendant was a young 16 year old lady who, according to Bunjer. appeared perturbed and was agitat ed as she was not trained to handle situa tions like this. Thus she refused to serve Bunjer. instead telling him to "Park your car and walk inside." B unjer gestured to the written order, only to face the same response. B unjer refused to move, remov ing the kev from the ignition and placed it in his pocket as a gesture of his determina tion. The .ittendant suore. then called the maiia^'cr The manager only stated. "Park \(iur car and walk inside." B unjer The "scolded" the manager, pointing out that the order has not been completed. The drivethrough traffic line grew longer as the standoff ensued. Bunjer. according to court docu ments, noted that the manager and the attendant were snickering uncontrollably, but she got the order in to expedite the problem. Snickering and giving incorrect change to B unjer caused a chain of events that would form the grounds for his law suit. The #1 super sized value meal costs $2.99 plus tax, yet with a S20 bill, he received SI5.05 in return. Suspicious as he was, he parked the car, then entered the McDonald's to get the correct change. In addition to the incorrect change, B unjer received, in lieu of Sprite, a cup of warm water with an unidentified white substance floating atop of it. Bunjer walked into ihe restaurant with an intent to solve the situation by placing his (irder on the counter, causing the water to spiil r^n the counic" top. according U' arjvstnig .i'' ..jr Wvirc!!, Bunjer wanted a refund aitJ v.\avt cii.ingc BUNJER CONT ON PAGE 14 Ely Center Room 319 Mail: Gallaudet University 800 Florida Ave NE Box 2334 Washington D.C. 20002 Jordan and L aurel Glass look on. 8seater, he was asked to sit on one side, along with everyone else, leav ing the other side empty. The riddle of w e i g h i n g e v e r y t h i n g was finally solved when one tall, obese woman boarded the plane and sat on the other side, thus equalizing the balance of the plane. J o r d a n first thought about applying for the presidential position after Glass cornered him at a formal reception honoring Lee and asked him t o apply. He, after deciding to apply. formed a team n a m e d " J " which assisted him with the application and interview process. Glass mentioned that Jordan was on the top of her ■'list" because she wanted someone w h o was deaf, a scholar, and Universityrelated, all of which crite ria Jordan met. Bravin said that the number of 87 was narrowed down to 25, then finalized to 18. All 18 were inter viewed. He laughed and mentioned that he was glad not to be an intervie DPN CONT ON PAGE 14 Double Arrest Made From A Single LineUp Elise Kiholm Buff n Blue Staff An interesting twist occurred in the Kendall robbery arrests made by DOSS and the D.C. police last .semester. In an article printed in the December 5th issue of The B uff and B lue, it was report ed that a DOSS officer arrested an individ ual for breaking into a car, and since he tit the description of the man who robbed two Gallaudet students, he was placed in a lineup arranged by cooperation between DOSS, the D.C. police, and the U.S. Attorney's office. An arrest was made as a result of the lineup. The head of DOSS. B ernard Holt, and Officer Fleming, who made the arrest, assumed that the same man they arrested was the one picked out of the lineup. Later, though, they learned the entire story. "The U.S. .Attornev working on the case came and we a^ked him what happened. and he was kuigh:;ig and said. 'You gotta hear this, it's funn).'" Holt said. ARREST COST ON PAGE 14 E-maii: [email protected] BOAR0 OP AitlSORS Ellen Beck Journalism Brenda KeJler B tisiness The B uff and Blue is an inde pendent campus newspaper published by Gallaudet University students. The Buff and B lue is circulated weekly during the academic year excluding final examination periods. The B uff and B lue operates as a nonprofit stu dent organization and is financed entirely through advertising, subscrip tion revenues and unit fees. The Editorln Chief has the final authority on newspaper content. The Editor In Chief is chosen by an advisory board, and serves as chair for the board. The B tiff and B lue welcomes all literary contribtitions to the newsl paper. The B uff and B lue reserves the right to edit any literary contributi(» on the basis of clarity, taste, grammar, reader interest, or any other reason deemed necessary. No part of the B uff and B lue may be reproduced or duplicated In any form, including paper or electron ic, without written permission from the Editor in Chief. The B uff and B lue welcomes opinions from its readers, expressed through letter to the Editor, addressed to: Editor, The B uff and B lue, P.O. Box 2334, Gallaudet University, 800 Florida Ave, NE. Washingtoa, DC 20002, or through emai! at bnb@gal lua.gallaudeLedtt. Letters must be signal, with a fiiU name and address. The B uff and Blue revives the right to edit any feasra^ftMr clarity, taste, and gramnKir. Guest editocals and letters neflect those of tfieir autitors jmd ncrt aecessar ily those of this newspaper, or oflier student, faculty, staff, and administra tors. This Week: The B nB is offering a bounty for any body who can catch the wild and wooly creature known as " excite ment", this shy creature is known to avoid Gallaudet U, so catch him!I Febuary 6, 1998 • The Buff and Blue • Page 3 Field House Expansion Delayed Dave Hunter Buff n'Blue Staff The construction for the additions to the Field House is being delayed due to red tape within the District of Columbia. What should have been started last November will ultimately begin in middle to late March, according to Dan Kirby, manager of Gallaudet Construction Services. The reason for the delay is that Gallaudet has submitted a zoning application form to the D.C. Board of Zoning Authority and gotten its approval but clearance hasn't yet come from the Regulatory Board. Clearance has to be given before a building permit can be granted to Gallaudet.. The Regulatory Board has stalled the process, requiring certain modifications. The board oversees several aspects of the engineering developments and they have a code, a building code and city code that each building being constructed must meet. The problem is that there is no set rule for several things, and it's up to the whims of the people in charge of those departments, such as sewer/water, fire, mechanical engineering, etc., to decide if A Productive Student Congress Session? Christian Wojnar Buff n Blue Staff Black History Month Black History Month (BHM) at Gallaudet kicked off last February 2nd with a speech by George Curry, the highly-regarded editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine. "The purpose of Black History Month," says Carol McLaughlin, "is to educate the community at large about the accomplishments and the roles of AfricanAmericans in U.S. History." A member of Multicultural Student Programs and the Special Assistant for Diversity Community Relations on the Diversity Council, McLaughlin is assisting the coordination of Black History Month. She adds, "AfricanAmercian history is not taught much in school... there are AfricanAmericans who don't know their own history and role in developing the Gallaudet will be holding a bidding contract on Feb. 19th to hear the cases from five different construction companies. After the bids have undergone review and a decision reached, building could then commence within two weeks. Kirby stated that he hoped for construction to being by mid-March and that it would take about 9 to 11 months for the construction to be completed. After that, the Hughes Gym complex is slated for razing. The Field House additions will include a new swimming pool, locker rooms for the varsity football team and other sports, a dance studio, and a new weight room which will include both free weights and cybex weights. Anderson to Receive Honorary Degree Hlibok to Speak at Commencement complied from press releases Braving the inclement weather, the Student Congress convened for its first session of the spring semester on Wednesday, February 4th in the Merrill Learning Center. Several significant motions were passed, with two other tabled until the next session. Harvey Nathanson was approved as the chairperson of the Election Week Committee, and Karl Ewan. representing the Kappa Gamma Fraternity was selected as the Auxiliary Service Representative. But, reflecting the apathy so many Ewan speaks to the Congress. students complain about, two motions Several representatives, were tabled until the next session: the including Kim Nichols of the Delta selection of a vice speaker and a Sigma Phi Fraternity, questioned the chairperson for the Rules and methods Speaker Douglas Dickinson Operations Committee. used in his selection of Nathanson. Nathanson, a junior, was Dickinson countered by explaining approved with a vote of 12-2. "I will that he "formed a committee, and try to bring back Election Week to its interviewed several applicants who glory days after a recent decline," replied to the e-mail announcing the said Nathanson. He outlined what he candidacy." will do: "Election Week will be more Ewan nominated himself for noticeable, we will have flyers posted the position of Auxiliary Service at every building on campus." Representative after several individuHinting the theme for the week, he als declined being nominated, saying, said there will be a great emphasis "Let's cut the bullshit. We need a "on teamwork. I do not want T' here representative there, and I am willing at Gallaudet. SBG needs teamwork." to do it." He also emphasized that the committee will be a diverse one. SC COST ON PAGE 16 Kelly Short and Kim Nichols Buff n' Blue Staff they meet the code or not. This, of course, will lead to numerous delays. Kirby says that this is the norm for the D.C. government; dragging its heels on something like this. "We went through the same process with the convention center as well as the [GUKCC] parking garage" said Kirby. "This is something that occurs daily within the District [of Columbia] government." Gallaudet did, however, hire a law firm to get Gallaudet through the red tape involved with the Zoning Board, and Gallaudet has also hired a consultant firm to help expedite the problems within the Regulatory Board. Both of these tlrms deal strictly with these types of problems. U.S.... integration of black history with regular U.S. history is improving but it is still not enough." The kick-off was held at Ely Auditorium, and Curry spoke on the topic of Affirmative Action. He touched upon various issues, emphasizing the many myths that the American public were fed with such as preferential treatment that affirmative action supposed gave to the minorities. Curry debunked the myth by comparing the Harvard University admission selection process. Harvard University, in selecting their applicants, tends to select the children of Harvard alumni and within that group of selectees, the average SAT scores were 30 points below that of nonalumni children. Curry was emphatic in stressBIACK HISTORY COST ON PAGE 14 Gallaudet University's Board of Trustees announced that the University will award Honorary Doctorate degrees during its 129th commencement exercises on May 15. 1998 to Dr. Yerker Andersson and Liisa Kauppinen. Professor Emeritus honors will be given to Dr. Ronald Nomeland and Dr. Anne SpraginsHarmuth. The Board of Trustees also announced that the commencement address will be given by Greg Hlibok. a 1989 graduate of Gallaudet University. Gallaudet University is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Deaf President Now movement which led to the appointment of Gallaudet's first deaf president. Hlibok was the president of the Student Body Government at the time of the DPN movement, and served as a student leader of the movement. Dr. Yerker Andersson was bom in Sweden, and came to the United States in 1955, to study at Gallaudet and received his bachelor's degree in sociology in I960. He then earned a master's degree at Columbia University in 1962. In 1981. he was awarded his Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Maryland. Anderson served on the Gallaudet faculty for 36 years and earned the Gallaudet University Distinguished Faculty Award in 1992. He also received the Powrie V. Doctor Medallion in 1986, and when he retired in 1996. he was awarded Professor Emeritus honors. Andersson is being recognized for his world leadership in serving deaf people. He was vice president and then president of the World Federation of the Deaf In 1995. President Clinton appointed Andersson to the National Council on Disability, where he currently chairs the International Committee. Liisa Kauppinen has given her efforts to the deaf community in Finland. She is recognized as an organizer for local clubs for the deaf and also worked for improved education and employment for deaf children and adults. In 1973, she became the full time professional executive director of the Finnish Association of the Deaf. From that position she was elected to the General Secretariat of the Worid Federation of the Deaf in 1987. She is currently president of the WFD and executive director of the Finnish Federation of the Deaf. Dr. Ronald Nomeland, a receiptent of Professor Emeritus honors, is Grei^ Hlibok, DPN leader audi WH commencenieni speaker a 1958 graduate of Gallaudet whose service to the University spanned 35 years. He has been a pioneer in media, materials development, instructional systems design, captioning, and computer assisted instruction with deaf students. He is the founder and chair of the Gallaudet University Department of Educational Technology. Anne Spragins-Harmuth. the other receiptent. is a nationally recognized school psychologist who came to Gallaudet in 1977 to design and establish the Gallaudet University graduate program in School Psychology. No other graduate program in school psychology specializes in training well qualified deaf and hearing school psychologists to work with deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind students. She has eamed the distinguished "Fellow" rank in the American Psychological Association School Psychologist Division. In 1996. she received the Gallaudet University Outstanding Graduate Faculty award. Yerker Andersson, Honorary Doctorate Recepient. Page 4 • The Buff and Blue • Febuary 6, 1998 :^:-::.^. 3UJ.^ KS'J 3:JJ3 TERRY GIANSANTI Editor-in-Chief JON LAMBERTON Managing Editor ELISE KIHOLM Business Manager CHRISTIAN WOJNAR News Editor MELISSA YINGST Associate News Editor LOUISE STERN Opinions Editor TYRONE GIORDANO SHELL WHITTAKER Features Editor Sports Editor GLENN LOCKHART Copy Editor HEIDI RAMBORGER Photography Editor TIM KETTERING Artistic Editor BREIN MCNAMARA Layout Editor The Opinion of the Buff and Blue Washington Post on Sundays? One of the ser\ ices students can get here at Gallaudet is the deli\er\ of the Washington Post. We recogni/e the need for being aware of what's going on out there. For that, we commend the delivery. Alas, as we w ish it would be. nothing is perfect. The Wa.shington Post is delivered to the students via the Post Office. They pick up the newspapers at their PO boxes. This is effective Mondays through Friday. On -Saturdays, sub.scribers have to wait until 10 am. and go to the Post Office to pick up the newspapers. This is acceptable to us. but we believe that the students could be served better On Sundays, it's a whole different story. As the Post Office is not open on Sundays, subscribers have to wait until Monday to pick up their new.spapers. This deprives the students of the comfort of reading the jam-packed Sunday new spaper at their leisure. On Monday, students generally will not have the time to read the newspaper, let alone two. But. we are not here to criticize without giving a solution. Our solution is that The Washington Post should be delivered to each student's dorm room. We realize the effort that it will take, and to rectify this, each dorm could have a representative who would deliver the newspaper to their rooms. If this is followed upon, everyone will have the privilege of reading their newspapers on Sunday, one of the time-honored traditions. Library's "Turn A Page" Turns Us On Yoti are what you read. And. we now know our professors, deans, and staff better, largely in thanks to the Library's efforts to bring the academic community closer to each other with their "Turn A Page" campaign. Since the project started last fall, there has been a new Gallaudet personality's own select collection of intluential books displayed weekly for all to .see. to gape 'at. or to snicker at. It is exhibited in the eastern entrance wing exhibition case. Now we know Dr. Johanson of the Business Administration Department likes some of the philosophy of objectivism espoused in Ayn Rand's works and that Dr. O'Connor of the English Department likes the works of Jane Austen, a notable feminist author. Insights into the lives of Dr. Epstein, Dr. Hardaway, Dean Moses, and others have been given. If there is truly to be a positive learning environment, the faculty and staff will be called upon to not only teach, but to also be scholars in example. The Library has done a good bit in the facilitation of that. And. now. wouldn't you think it nice if we could also find out the favorite movies, magazines, and music of our faculty and staff? And what about having all dissertations and book publications on call? Wouldn't that be cool? Student Congress No Longer Effective? Perhaps it is just a trend, but it appears that Student Congress has been losing its effectiveness as of late. Nothing productive seems to come out of the sessions, reflecting the apathy that is looming large on campus. The ineffectiveness has been exacerbated with the decision of Speaker Douglas Dickinson to have office hours by appointment only. Judging by appearances only, the decision could reflect Dickinson's lack of commitment to Student Congress, and to the SBG as a whole. Also, his decision to be an resident advisor for Krug Hall does not make the situation better, in our opinion. If he is able to balance the two positions successfully, we would like to applaud him beforehand for his balancing act. The representatives are not faring any better. Except for a few and sporadic signs of action, they are basically doing nothing. For example, in the last session of the fall semester, they had great difficulty in selecting a Rules and Operations Committee chairperson, vacant since November. Also, a motion was passed to begin nominations and approval for six representatives to serve on the Election Week committee. Out of approximately 25 representatives, they could only find three. Some of the reasons cited by the representatives were that they did not have the time. This leads to our next question, if they do not have the time to serve on committees, why are they representatives in the first place? If any of the representatives are not committed, they should be replaced with those who are. We believe that commitment is the key here. This will become very important this semester as Election Week, an event sponsored by Student Congress, is coming. In order to make things run smoothly, we need qualified and committed individuals in Student Congress. Letters to d 11 o r Weston In A ''Coloriess Worid?" Dear Editor: This is in response to the article by Bertram Weston (January 30, 1998). Mr. Weston is perfectly within his rights to speak his mind. After all, this is an institution of higher learning and a place where debate on various issues [is encouraged] whether they are controversial such as Elise Kiholm's wonderful article raising consciousness on the implications of the no-smoking ban in California. However, we do take exception to the manner in which Mr. Weston arrives at his conclusion and neglect in properly researching his topic before publishing in a newspaper that we black students support also with our unit fees. Mr. Weston admits that he does not frequent our meetings regularly. Perhaps if he did. he would be a c o n s t r u c t i v e and a c t i v e leader who would e m p o w e r us with his e n l i g h t e n e d l e a d e r s h i p . Instead, he shows up twice, and then goes out and criticizes us. We are not concerned as much with the criticism as we are with his methods. Why did he not come to use first? We are hopeful that his intent was positive and we do agree with some of his s u g g e s t i o n s , particularly where he encourages other races to also get involved in our effort to ensure black students are included in the fabric of Gallaudet life. All too often we are excluded or simply overlooked as potential candidates for various c a m p u s a c t i v i t i e s and seats of power, whether or not intentionally. Richard W r i g h t ' s classic. " I n v i s i b l e M a n , " comes to mind. We cannot claim to be an organization "gifted" with experienced leaders such as may be found in other o r g a n i z a t i o n s . We are aware that many other organizations are faced with the same challenges that we face. A part of our college experience i n c l u d e s d e v e l o p i n g t h e s e kinds of s k i l l s . Therefore, we see this as our training ground. If not here, where? We also recognize that we will eventually graduate from Gallaudet with leadership skills that we will be able to use in our communities in the future. We certainly recognize that organizations such as SBG. fraternities and sororities could help train us and similar organizations that may need to develop skills like leading effective meetings, etc. We are a small fraction of the Gallaudet community with the highest drop-out rates. Those of us who receive the support we need to thrive, do well and g r a d u a t e . However, there seems to be no real universitysponsored network of support. We must seek out this support on our own. Developing our own system of support by c o n n e c t i n g with black faculty and staff who are willing to give of their time. We are a "work in p r o g r e s s " and if you want to offer us a helping hand, get involved with us and help us constructively before you go our and tell the world what we lack. Even better, run for office and show us the way. Equality on this campus is certainly something we are striving for, but [have] yet to achieve. How about investigating that and writing about what the campus can do the make Gallaudet a better community for us as a group and for the community as a whole. Perhaps then there would be no need for a BDSU. We would then achieve the Utopia you speak about in the end where you mention that you were not raised to see color. I guess your world is colorless. Ours is a beautiful mosaic of people with various hues and shades. Sincerely, Active & Proud Members of the BDSU LETTERS CONT ON PAGE 7 Febuary 6, 1998 • The Buff and Blue * Page 5 1 tih JUI 1 LriJbiN It's Time to Shine Sara Stallard Buffn'Blue Staff We are members of an old institution with an international reputation. We are here t)ecause Lincoln granted our people his signature. We are here because the U.S. Congress believes in our potential. We were chosen to be part of this elite community: Gallaudet University—through due process and elimination. We are in the spotlight of the world. Each and every one of us has to have aptitude of some sort in order to make it here. Some stride with athletic prowess, some ooze sensuality through dance, some talk the moon down with elaborate jargon, some make the stage shine with their smiles, some sculpt figures of wonder, some make others laugh with offhand gestures... And most of us have the ability to persevere, to succeed in what we strive for, to commit ourselves to our ideals. And that includes studying, and working hard, which is the only positive attribute some people have. Gallaudet University is the blessed land for such opportunity. Gallaudet University professes to be to deaf people what America is to foreigners. But those who have made it through the promised gates often find that the lights are not as bright as they seemed outside. Is it because we have only so many talent- ed people that we must compete and ignore each other at the first sign of upward progress? Politics and the crab theory aside, this also impacts on all walks of life, mainly in the form of inhibition and indifference. Doing nothing to encourage one's talent is just as bad as putting it down. Tell yourself honestly how you would react if a shy sophomore suddenly stood up on the cafeteria table and performed a great ASL rendition of Poe's "The Raven?" Chances are, you would cringe at the thought of such impunity, instead of marveling at such ingenuity. I might be wrong, but the general sense I get around campus is that people are afraid to show their talents unless goaded on by close friends or mentors, of which there isn't enough to go around, because not many really care, and that means both students and faculty. Recognition is terribly lacking around here. I must admit the athletics we have here are decent, as well as the publicity, but what about the artistic, the literary, the technical, the political scopes that have long languished in the shadows? Where are the creatures of light that radiate and enlighten? We have passed through the promised gates, this is our environment, but we cannot expect the light to sustain us. We must be the light. Encourage yourself and others to shine. Is the Hazing Workshop Hazing? Dave Hunter Buff n' Blue Staff Last week on Wednesday, the University required those who want to venture into the realm of Greekdom to attend a "Hazing" Workshop. Now, I am not trying to be sarcastic or anything, but doesn't this violate Hazing rules? If you're scratching your head, don't feel alone. Let me clarify this point for you. Ok, the official Gallaudet policy on hazing is defined as: "Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, unintentionally, or recklessly, for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members are or include students, whether on or off University premises, directed against another individual or group of individuals which endangers the mental or physical health, well being, and/or safety of a student, or results in humiliation, embarrassment, ridicule, intimidation and shame or which violates any federal, local statue, or University policy." So, how is the workshop hazing? Simple. I am being forced to attend this workshop if I want to be initiated into a Fraternity. If I don't attend, I can't join. I don't have a right to say "no" to this, like I would in other hazing activities. Thus, this is hazing, plain and simple. If an organization tried this, they would be assaulted in every direction by Mr. Pramuk and his right wing storm trooper, Ms. Madan. I think I am in college, am I not right? I think I am old enough to set standards for myself, to allow myself the right to decide what is right and what is wrong. I think the University is just going a little bit too far. I also would like to see the "or off University premises" clause challenged in a court of law. Being a betting man, I give it a 7-1 odd in failing, if someone did indeed challenge it. If an organization wants to try to break my mind and spirit during pledge period, well, that is simply my problem. If I was looking for a walk in the park, I would simply join a fraternity that does not practice hazing. Simple life, eh? C u r r e n t S o r r y S t a t e of A f f a i r s at Our N a t i o n a l G l a d i a t o r s A r e n a Emily Mans Buffn'Blue Staff "If Deaf people are to get ahead in time, they must have a better image of themselves and their capabilities. They need concrete examples of what they have done and what they can do so that they can project themselves a brighter future." Fred Schreiber, 1970. There is no easy way to say this. But the Bible says it like so; "And it yielded much increase unto the kings when thou has set over us because of our sins; also they have power over our bodies, and our cattle, at our pleasure and we are in great distress: And yet for all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, our Levities, and our priests, seal unto it." -Nehemiah :36 And then in Nehemiah :38: "For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the heave offering of the com, of the wine and of the oil. unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers; and we will not forsake the house of our God." So many promises to God they made, and then when they broke them, God pretty much said, well, that's it, "I have called my mighty men for mine anger, even them that exult in my majesty." -Isaiah, Bk. IV. 13. Theorists have speculated that language was invented for the purpose of lying to each other So God in his anger, struck down the mighty nation of Babylon, thereby beginning the splitting up of languages and nations. It's called the Dooms of Nations. So where does that leave us now? Currently, we are fragmented by the debate over varieties of sign language. Gooey GU flaps and waves its babbling hands about nonsensically subsequent to the fall of the tower of Babel, worshiping our own majesty, let us not forget to go beyond the lessons made by kings and princes and priests of long ago. Before the fall, they let not the lie fall from so many wagging tongues. Doom of the Nations, I wish that I could castigate the mighty men of GU. I just wanted to tell them of the promises that they made to God, and warn the men of the current day of what those of long ago promised to men that they might enjoy in bountifulness. In the midst of the wreck of the mighty men of Babylon (I am sure you all know of the story) of how over the linguistic pluralism at Gallaudet University, I bemoan the lack of introspection and the absence of investigation into the mental processes that accompany signers. Maybe I am in the dark about the current body of scientific evidence generated by our little establishment, and in that case, please whcq) me, e-mail or snail mail-style. You know the BnB's address. Never more have the issues of linguistics been so popularized in the media than in the past few months. Of course, our humble professors and deans have been determinedly concerning themselves with these issues for quite some time. This is a university, right? So why do we see the distinguished faculty and emeriti conducting forays in the name of political expediency and not in the pursuit of knowledge? VPAA Roslyn Rosen has been bandying public relations sorties about like they were the emblems of the unsubstantiated limited, and our poor president has been kept running from one lecture to the next, our noble figurehead. One criticism is that the administration of GU has become so extensive, and this forces the individuals to be dependent upon them. Reality check; when this happens, people expect the administration to solve their problems instead of solving them themselves. I decided to practice what 1 preach and do some investigation myself In the vein of scholarly documentation. 1 chanced upon John R. Rickford's "A Linguist's Ebonics." which discusses the different aspects of linguistics, poetics and applied. "Black English." otherwise known as Ebonics, is a dialect of English which has been likened to ASL in the applied, er, ahem, bilingual teaching aspects. Around the country, Bi-Bi has been used in schools such as the Magnet School for the Deaf in Denver, Colorado. and here in Washington, D.C. And the most repeated and polished argument heard round these here parts is that we are just like a black university, and that we must resist integration, for that would also mean dissipation. I do not like people comparing Ebonics and ASL. I contend that this is unethical because it denies the fundamental truth that black people and deaf people face entirely different biological, psychological, and aesthetic paradigms and issues. I hate to use this phrase, but deaf people do have "special needs" and issues, ubiquitous as a result of living on EARth. A major criticism that I have of the "Declaration of ASL" [a pro-ASL campaign which failed last fall] is that it modeled itself after the "Oakland Resolution," a law passed in California which granted recognition to Ebonics as a separate language from English. I believe that it is too much like ideological plagiarism. Another criticism that I have of this form of plagiarism is that it denies the truism that ASL and Ebonics are two distinct variations of the human potential for language. Speaking of ASL, will I never cease to be upset that the Sign Communication Proficiency Interviews (SCPIs) have not been more rigorously enforced, because the administration is scared of scaring off the more intelligent hearing faculty which might want to teach here? It was not until this fateful day that I was invited to contribute my opinion in the form of a vote upon the teachers in the videotapes. So much power, what should 1 do with it? Now that I have been picked for jury duty, and as a citizen of hIVm COST ON PAGE 7 Page 6 «The Buff and Blue • Febuary 6, 1998 The Chief Speaks Listen to Lisi Terry Giansanti Editor In Chief Elisc Kihohii Business Mamn^er l-.\ .Xiiio ha^ struck, huh.' Toda\. as 1 was ualkiiig around i)ii campus. 1 noticed sc\eral people walking head-on into the storm, their umbrellas dangling b_\ their side. .At first. I was a bit confused — until one guy told me that umbrellas are rendered useless in weather such as this. Sure enough, a short while later, I saw an umbrella totally collapse, exposing a poor woman and her expensive coat to the horrible conditions. This is an opportunity for an aspiring Edison — invent weather-proof umbrellas that stay firm, even in gale winds. I've been around D.C. long enough to know that at this time of year it tends to snow. This year, we would have been blessed with a glorious snowstorm if the weather didn't have to be so darn warm. We've gotten enough precipitation around here to snow Gallaudet in for a good while but El Nino had to muck up things. Thanks a lot, EI. Instead of making snow angels, we're depressingly trudging our way around campus in the driving rain, trying to maintain a bright outlook on the day. 1 don't know about you, but I miss the feeling of oversleeping on a snowy day without a care in the world. Now about a different kind of storm: 1 have to say thanks to an Englishwoman who beceed to differ with the article 1 v\rotc last week. .After a careful re\iew. ! have to say 1 agree with her and 1 take back two of the paragraphs 1 wrote. In paragraphs 6 and 7. 1 said that I had grown spoiled to the variety of conversation that is present here at Gallaudet and preferred that over conversation with non-Gallaudetians. What I actually meant to say is that here at Gallaudet, there are so many deaf students in such a small space that I can get involved in any kind of imaginable conversation topic at any time. On the other hand, in the world outside Kendall Green, getting such a large number of deaf people in such a small space at once is, at best, a rare occurrence. So, as opposed to talking about 100 subjects with 100 people a day at Gallaudet, I might have to settle for 20 people and 20 subjects. One thing that deaf people outside of Gallaudet have over us students is experience. Most of them have already experienced way more than we have and we can all learn a lot about life from them. Remember. The Buff and Blue cannot happen without you students. We are always open to your feedback and suggestions. I would like to extend a hearty thanks to some of you who have given me valuable advice. Our goal is to reach for the skies, but your fuel is needed to help us reach them. 'Til next time. 'X)neof the Best Pizzas in D.C" $3.00 off any larne Pizza! iiv«h the preseniatton of this ad at purchase. It is well known that there are many different cliques here at Gallaudet made up of people who share interests, cultures, and more. There has always been one interesting group of students who manages to catch my eye and make me wonder; these deaf people who live as hearing people. They communicate with each other verbally rather than through sign language. Many sign language users scoff at such people, thinking of them as an abnormality. They have a right to communicate in whatever method they prefer, though. It's not their fault — it is the way they grew up, what they are accustomed to. Still, it causes a rift between them and many others because of one thing: communication. The ASLnow movement [which took place last fall] had a really good idea. Making new students with poor signing skills take ASL courses as an requirement would improve communication and general camaraderie. Also, it could offer them more options and have an enriching influence on their experience at Gallaudet; participating in plays, learning more about deaf culture, and joining Greek or other organizations —Buff and Blue, the SBG, or Tower Clock. Many of those activities are dominated by students fluent in sign language. It may seem like some kind of favoritism or discrimination, but the truth is, these organizations' success lies largely on communication. Clear and quick communication, that is. Would-Be Hearies If a person were to say, ""Well, the signing people at Gallaudet should make an effort to help them learn sign language and show these people what lies within the deaf culture," that person would be entirely justified in making such a statement. However, if one were to think about it, many of those people grew up with a limited choice of friends. When they came to Gallaudet, they are suddenly finding their niche, becoming friends with people most like them than anyone else they met before. Moreover, they are occupied with school, work, organizations, and forming lifelong bonds with friends and don't have the kind of time to spend to maintain friendships based on limited communication. Again, that is how making ASL a requirement would help those people here at Gallaudet. Sure, the would-be-hearies are comfortable where they are now, communicating verbally with their friends. But, they don't realize how much they are missing out on, though. Since ASL courses are not yet required, those fluent in sign language should make at least a little bit of an effort to include those people and make them feel at home. It is also the responsibility of those non-signers to make the effort to introduce themselves to others and show their motivation and desire to learn sign language. In the end, maybe that rift will lessen, if not disappear. Ratsie s Offers: 3. 3 U Q Ratsii's l y j ^ n Wing ^pin ratsie's P USkl^ as rated by the Washington Post. We Deliver. 864-8220 Limitad Mivary Ana AvailaU» Otter (KptTM Juns 17, 199S. 0 Prices mcreasc incrementally every thirty minutes imtil bade to r^ular price at 7 P.H. Febuary 6, 1998 • The Buff and Blue • Page 7 Letters CONT FROM PAGE 4 Organization of Unique Learners Established Dear Editor, 1 would like to inform the campus community that the Organization of Unique Learners (OUL) has been established at Gallaudet University. This organization is open to both undergraduate and graduate students who have "learning differences." (Some students prefer "learning dif ferences" to "learning disabilities.") Attention D eficit D isorder (AD D ), and/or Attention Hyperactive Disorder (AD HD ) students are includ ed. The purpose of the Organization of Unique Learners is to ensure better services and better programs for stu dents with learning differences at Gallaudet University. Most important ly, it would help them increase their selfesteem and they can reinforce and encourage each other throughout their college career. There are several services and pro grams for students with learning dif ferences at Gallaudet University. They can overcome the obstacles of academic work with the help of serv ices and accommodations. Because students depend on those services and programs, it is necessary to make some improvements. For instance, students wanted to establish a com puter lab in the Office for Students with D isabilities (OSWD ). Providing a computer lab would help these stu dents feel more at ease with their edu cation because the environment set ting would be established specially for them. OSWD finally met the stu dents' needs by establishing a com puter lab. OUL is an organization that can help improve services and accom modations on Gallaudet campus. A former Gallaudet student, Patrick Peters, stated, "If we sit back, the sit uation will not change. The situation will change for better only if we take action." People with learning differences are extremely gifted. They have their own unique learning styles. They usually get around their barriers and become successful at their academic work. Famous people such as Albert Muns CONT FROM PAGE 5 GoUyerdeaf. I feel tied by civic obligation to wield my freedom responsibly. I was invited as part of the student panel to eval uate the level of the sign language profi ciency of our professors. Tomorrow, I must go down to the dean's office and tell them the right way to sign, and who is the best at signing and 1 have only been signing myself for a mere five \ears. So I feel as if 1 were in Spain and they asked me to eval uate another foreigners performance. .As the} .tared in their IrtEer to snc'lf this per son were vour profc>i;r. '.wiuid ihi ;e\el oi conimunication he ,;eeepiab!e or unaccept able?" What di! \\c V.ant from our nroi'es « A « «*«t«.«.*««.*.4t«.*«.«.»%«. mit '«.*.■«. % Einstein. Thomas Edison. Woodrow Wilson, Theodore Roosevelt. Tom Cruise, and Cher have learning dis abilities. They overcame their disabil ities and made important contribu tions to society. Due to my learning disability, I can understand perfectly what the stu dents with learning differences are going through. I want to help them overcome their obstacles in academic work. It took me a year to organize my research on learning disabilities. My knowledge on this issue has helped me set up the organization. If you are interested in joining the Organization of Unique Learners, please contact OUL advisor Cristina Berdichevsky through email (cberdichevsky). Students who sus pect they may have learning differ ences are welcome. Faculty and staff are welcome, too. D r. Stephen Weiner, dean of the School of Undergraduate Studies, has agreed to be OUL's spon sor and he will support us. Thank you, Jodi Christel Becker, Sr. Being Spoiled By Intellectualism Dear Editor, Hats off to the new and improved Buff and Blue! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Reading through each article, I came across "Springtime In a Blink of the Eye," written by Terry Giansanti and as I was reading it, I was amazed at how judgmen tal one can be about those who did not attend college. I personally take this as an insult due to the fact that I have many friends and rela tives who did not attend college, but they are capable of discussing politics, sports, and current events. I understand that one could be easily be "spoiled" by the culture at Gallaudet. Guess what? Things aren't always what they appear to be because we will have to step out into the real world and face that there are different people with different strokes. So think again before you make a decision about conversing with someone who may or may not have attended col lege. You may learn something. YOU CAN WIN $ 1,000 AFTER READING THIS COLUMN! Sorry... since this column is mostly about mathe matics, and since most of you probably don't particularly enjoy mathematics, I thought I had to draw (and hopefully, keep) some attention for this column. And yes, you really can win $1,0(X). Read on. A prime number, if you remem ber your mathematics, is a number greater than one with only two positive divisors, one and itself. For example, 5 is prime because it is divisible by 1 and 5, while 10 is not prime because it is divisible by 1,2, 5, and 10. A Mersenne prime is a prime of the form 2'^pl (2 to a power p, less 1). For exam ple, 7 is a Mersenne prime because for p=3, 2'^3 = 8. Thus, 2'^3 1 is7. Why am I talking about such numbers? Well, a 19yearold student at California State University D ominguez Hills, Roland Clarkson, recently discov ered the world's largest known prime number using a special computer program and networking software. The prime number, 2^3021377 1, is only the 37th Mersenne prime number discovered so far. This number, 2 to the 3,021,377th power minus 1, is 909,526 digits long! Clarkson used a 200 MHz Pentium computer parttime for 46 days to prove the prime number. He is one of over 4,000 volunteers worldwide participating in the Great Internet Mersenne Prime Search (GIMPS). The server which runs this project distributes work to and col lects results from thousands of copies of the prime numberfinding program, effec tively operating as a single, massively parallel supercomputer. Discovering prime numbers of this size would have been impossible just a few years ago. GIMPS is an example of what can be accomplished when a large number of people, using spare computer time that would otherwise be wasted, combine forces over the Internet. The race to do things which may seem to be pointless per se, such as the race to the moon or this undertaking to discover ever larger prime numbers, is the byproduct of things that are most useful to society. For example, this project has led to advances in distributed computing. That is, using the Internet to effectively harness the unused computing power of thousands of machines. Why would people want tofinda prime so big? For one, tradition. Euclid was the first to define primality, in 300 BC. Second, they are very rare; only 37 Mersenne primes have ever been found in all of human history. To mathematicians, they are beautiful numbers too, because of the simplicity of the formula. Mathematicians look for proofs that are short, concise and clear. Furthermore, Mersenne primes give rise to perfect numbers (numbers like 6 and 28 which are equal to the sum of their divisors: 6 = 1+213; 28 = l^2+4+7+14). (Perfect numbers are equally rare to Mersenne primes.) How do Mersenne primes give rise to perfect num bers? The simple formula is to multiply the Mersenne prime number (2'^p 1) by 2 raised to the p1 power, i.e., (2'^p 1) * (2''(pl)). For example, the recently dis covered prime number, 2'^3021377 1, multiplied by 2'^3021376 gives rise to a 1,819,050digit long perfect number! Also, searching for Mersenne primes has been used as a test for comput er hardware. Intel uses part of the GIMPS program to find manufacturing defects in Pentium II and Pentium Pro chips before they are shipped. There is a cash prize for the dis coverer of the 38th Mersenne prime num ber who uses this program and server. The prize is Sl.CX) for every 1000 digits in the new prime (e.g., $909 dollars for the recently discovered Mersenne prime) or $1,000. whichever is larger. If you are interested in participating in the GIMPS program (and trying for the cash prize), check out the web site to get information and download the primenumber finding program: www.entropia.com/ips . Cool B ert Bertram Weston Thank you. Angie Osborne Thank God For DPN See page 6. Sorry Ed. How many people here really know how important D PN was? How many know how it has reshajjed and is continuing to reshape history here and afar? If you don't know or don't care, you should read on. For the first 124 years, the Gallaudet campus was mostly controlled and manipulated by those of the hearing culture. The people of the DPN movement took a look at this and felt, "how can someone of another culture truly under stand and meet our needs'^" Since DPX took place. Gallaudet ha^ made gigantic leaps into the future. One example of this is the Hal) Memorial nuiidini: \s here nian\ of you go to class. Yviu wnjid be surprised lo knou that ihe ciassroorns in the old HMB fi.id snme ni' ■iie sa!ne teatures of the ciassroori m sors? As long as it wears a tweed coat and hornrims. 1 am quite satisfied. Now I understand more about how hard it is to enforce SCPI. What are we to do about these issues? I say. end liberticidalism over the linguistics debate by any means necessary! Let this DPN thingie not be purely political, but let us rather seize the new Zeitgeist (the activist spirit of this age for protection) on the scientific as well as the legal aspects of our cause. Documentation i. Rickford, .?ohn R. "'Suite for Eb'nv and Phonics." Discoxer. i^eeember !''97 82 87, Mersenne Prime Numbers Jon's Jots plain old fashioned look that needed a face lift, inside and out. It got just that. Now, the Hughes gym is about to be torn down and something new will go up that everyone will benefit from, like the bene fits we greatly enjoy from the renovated HMB. Last but not least, the conference center located across from Peet Hall is like a blessing out of the sky! Wow! What administration is part of this vvondert'ul inno\ation? The one following DPN! This administration has done and continues to do so much for the deaf and hard of hear ing community. You \ounger folks need to recognize hov, hard the people behind DPN worked to g!\e us deaf dv.d hard o'i hearing people /: chance to lead our ovvii i!ni\ersit\. For the resuhs. look ar(Huici Vtlu. «<-■*■*•' ' '- \ ** W "a > \ 't '« V V *r > ** '*/*^X^ Page 8 • The Buff and Blue • Febuary 6, 1998 Features Trekking In Wintertime Tyrone Giordano Buff n' Blue Staff On D ecember 29. 1997, 16 peo ple set off on a trip to White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire. This coed mix of both experienced and inexpe rienced backpackers' intention was to trek the Zealand Trail, all 15.2 miles of it, in three days. Half the group were decked out in snowshoes, the other half used cross country skis. The sun shining down on them on a beautiful day, they set off on the first leg of the trip, and already 10 minutes into the hike, many were feeling the bum of overworking muscles. Soon, they had covered about 7.2 miles, when they stopped to look up at a steep hill. At the top of the hill was the midway stopover point of the trail, a hut where the weary travelers could rest and refresh themselves. "It was really disheartening, seeing the last part of that trail end up in .2 miles of hell," Justen Bums recalled. They struggled their way to the top, the skiers had to take off their skis, and in boots struggled to keep up with the snow shoeequipped group on the way up. "When 1 finally got up on the top... I regretted participating in that trip and wanted to give up," Angela Campion says. "You take out what you bring in," was the motto for the hut. The group stayed the night, passing it away with sto ries and games. Not realizing how exhausted they really were, due to their being out of shape, the weary hikers then put themselves to bed in preparation for the second day. The second day was easi er on the group, since they did not have to carry their heavy backpacks for the short fourhour trip. Relatively easy, since they came back in a much better disposition than when they had left. They bed down for the last part of the trip, playing games and such, cozy in their cabin, safe from the new snow that was now falling. Dawn rose on the third day. Tfie trekkers had their minds set to depart on the 7.8mile return trip to their cars at six in the morning. They found that this was not to be so. since they left at about 8 a.m. They began their trek downhill through freshly fallen snow. "There was about one to two feet of fresh snow covering the trail," Bums remarked. The snowshoers had to go first to stamp down the snow and help out the skiiers. The trail was a hellacious up and down roUercoaster affair that did not help the skiiers' situation any. The temperature did not help matters much, ranging from minus 10 to minus 14 degrees, not including the wind chill. "We couldn't drink any of our water, it had frozen! Since I was hungry, I thought i would take out a bagel, but it was frozen, too! We had to resort to eating gorp [hikerspeak for trail mix]." Lucinda Baugh recalls. At about two o'clock that afternoon, the group stopped to discuss whether or not they had lost their way. Julie Cantrell was the one who saved the group, finding Nora Yate s and Ange la Campion de e p in the Alpine the trailblazing mark on the wilderness. tree that indicated they were indeed on the right path. "It was really actually mild frostbite in her pinkie fin hard to see the marks, since the paint used gers, resulting in permanent damage. Reactions among the group were was white and the trees had snow all over mixed. Raylene Harris explains, "It was a them," Cantrell commented. The group educational and enlightening experi then pushed onward, dividing up into three separate groups of five, six, and ence." Even though they were a large four people. A beautiful starry sky greet group, the tangle of hikers learned to ed the first group as they arrived at about work together. Nora Yates reflects on the 7:30 p.m., the second 20 minutes behind hike, "It was like a long roUercoaster them. Cantrell was part of the third group, ride, you had no idea what was gonna and was behaving strangely. "She was not happen next." Bonnie Russell exclaims, herself, I could tell," recalls Julie "I have found a new love... and the name Hemstreet. It turned out that Cantrell had is the OUTDOORS!" The group celebrat gone into the beginning stages of ed their New Year's Eve at the local hypothermia and needed immediate med Applebee's, and then split into groups at ical assistance. She was whisked away to separate motels. The next day, the hikers the nearest hospital, 30 minutes from the all went on their own ways, never to end of the trail, and there she was diag come together all over again, but in their nosed with first to second degree frostbite memories, their efforts are forever on her toes. She made a speedy recovery remembered by each other. Some from in time for the New Year's festivities. the group have set their sights on loftier Maureen Yates would later find out what goals. Bums has new heights set in mind, she thought was merely cold hands was "Next stop. Mount Everest!" Costa Rica: LaHerra Bdla (The Beautifid Land) SaraStaDard Big n'Blue Stc^ Hiking aSsyp volcanoes. Relaxing in hot sfnings. Sampling quality coffee. Bungee jumping. Swimming undea" waterfalls. Gliding above the rain fcaesL WhitewatCT rafting with a guide who speaks cmly Spanish. Yes, tfiat's ri^t, Spanish. What am I talking about, you say? Those English (iirases seem ctKnmon, but imagine doing these things in a country where the natives ^leak Spanish. Definitely extraordi naiy! This past wintCT break, a groiq) of nine students basked in the warm summoof Costa Rica while studying ANDliving Spanish, espe cially with a teacher who knew Costa Rican sign language. It was total cultural immersicML We set up base in tfie capital, San Jose, whae we ccHiduded classes. In addition to studying Latin Amaican cultures and local legends, with all the text in Spanish, we explcwed the city and surtounding towns. With the warm ho^tality of our guide, Diana, and her husband, we leamed how peo ple really are the same everywhoe, in ^ite of our differences, and that qjenness was the key, as we mingled with Costa Ricans and did things their way. One memorable side tnp was to a carnival wh£3ie they had this wild ride that would make lawyers ridi in the United Stales. We also todc the plunge in a pisdne pool of waliO"firnna bubbling spring called Ojo de Agua (Eye of Water). But it waai't all play and no WMk; Tadii, our teacho; kept us to the grindstone, too! Vac relief fitxn wc«king so hard, we made a weekend ocfyssey to the isolated beach town of Montezuma wheiEtfiestreets are not paved, the waves Ixeak warm all night long and coH showers are bliss. The food thaie also was \£clific, as well as everywhae else in Costa Rica. Tamales, anoz con fiijoles, platanos maduros, guanabana.. we WCTE never himgiy for long. Funny how the saying goes, "the way to the heart is through the stomach." That certainly was the case in Costa Rica (knowing how food is so important, we leamed tiie Sjjanidi wcxds fiiom menusfirst!)and we left our hearts behind when we ittumed just in time for the sping semester at GallaudeL Hello, cafeteria food... "Iced In" for Five Days in Montreal place, and she was greeted by the family. .After her long excursion there, she evenmally decided to hit tile viek. S(^ Chn>tine snuggled into bed. Just iinother npiciii winter break for oiij Christine Ross ot G;\liaiidet University,'. vviimied in tlie presenee of her boyfriend and the Cti:>nne decided she would \ JNii her bo>friend. reception of his tiunils. .She v\oke up on the \ e J , m Montreiil to spend ^ome unie witli him. morning of the sixth of Januarx imd noticed her Sir: jiiauL'ed along nortiihoun'.. H' ne'' Ford suirounding: were a mt ditferetn. Tnc ahum Ej,>r. ■z,i\K .(head despite the laj. limi ii nad no clock \».us not vMirKJp.g. ilic iighLs were out. She ■,:ioi, .:;v The CiU'doesn'nKaKii; St:'V.' ^o;; inquired witli iier iAA'ijai''. nioilier who toid Jiiii,,! ,, ■ i\ ji, M) I wiis womeJ aiX'; ui,;:." her to sinipK K«,> .LU liie window. Chnstine Ross =v.,i ■.: etij had 10 encajv i ; : ' couldn't (ieiie\e her 0^ a \ ; wnnder [ito p<iwer wvi>t>lil—iiiero wa^.;! ai..I lliiek coating o! ;ce .empenia . ^i; Jurntionoi iiicuip. ^::. c\e'^wiie^c' bniia. a ._ . .icgev.: ^ < Uk ground, iiopint i ■ ''■•:.. up ior die jounk cu^ were ^iuc^i hi uva a':\ewa\ >, fxiV'.er imc riome] ^ ^ J :nadeittoheri>';v::"" ■ Tyrone (iiordano Biiff'n' Blue Skitf were snapped, everything was transformed to shimmering oystal ice. To top it all off, a two fool blanket of snou would later fall and cover the ice. She decided to check on Ned and found him happilx sleeping in bed now that he didn't have to get up for his 5:?>0 a.m. daily newspaper deliver, route. Ned's i'ather t(X)k out the kero.sene heater and set it up in L'lc fireplace area, where exerybtxjx huddled ur tiigether to keep warm. Luckii}. uie phone, wciv stili working, and Ned" parents contaaeu :a. grandmother who lived netirbv. Her hi •■use i.ad ~'. •wea and tlie tani il\ enioyed ma;i\ a kixunous montent and meal tiiere. hu: diere w a, t; nonc iiac t''are that quests could not stay overnight. Tuesday. Wednesday. Thursday. Friday... four nights of liv ing as a sav age. Still no power "Wic iSSf? had to use a ecx^kout gril! to boil thing." Ross rectills. Tliai Fndi\ evening, tiie family decided to paity at Gran.n.}'■. pad. Granny's home hadali the amenities; hetiin:c. eiectricitx. hx waie:'. ROSS COST OS PAGE 12 Febuary 6, 1998 • The Buff and Blue • Page 9 The Wiz Quiz: Abortion: As Real As It Gets Jennifer Peterson Buff n'Blue Staff It was a cold, rainy day. The moment I stepped outside that Saturday morning, I knew God knew someone was going to die today. The campus was still asleep, and it was easy to slip out without anyone noticing Samantha (not her real name) and me. We barely exchanged conversation, trying hard to avoid talking about what she would have to face later in the day. I hardly knew Samantha at the time. She had her friends and I had mine. But what friends she had, they couldn't be there for her, for whatever reason. I was the only one to accompany her and I didn't know what I was getting myself into. She had just found out about her pregnancy the week before, and collected a pool of about $250 dollars for the abortion at Planned Parenthood. Yes, Samantha thought long and hard about her decision, and I remember at the time 1 was Pro-Choice. That was before I learned that you can't make an opinion on something you don't know about. It should be a woman's right to make her own choices and the world doesn't need more unwanted children. 1, however, advised her on both the pros and cons of having an abortion, and made sure she was aware of her options and the situations she would have to face later on. We took the metro to Farragut North and walked a few blocks to Planned Parenthood. Not sure of what to expect, we were blocked from the entrance into the clinic. There was a group of protesters carrying gmesome posters of fetuses in a Silence Being Heard Joan-na Brand Contributing Writer I was overjoyed when the American Co-ed Pageant directors chose me to participate in their pageant. I wasn't sure of their knowledge of my disability, so I decided to surprise them with my deafness. The way things turned out was unbelievable. First of all, I had problems with the directors even before the pageant started. When my parents requested interpreters, the directors, Charles and Rebecca Scarabough, denied their request. The Scaraboughs suggested that we bring a family member who knew sign language, but none of them can hear! My mother explained to the Scaraboughs that our whole family was deaf. Then the Scaraboughs thought of "the perfect solution," SCRIPTS. Assuming we could read adequately and because we were deaf, they suggested we read what was being said. As everyone knows, a pageant is visual entertainment. No one can read and watch a pageant simultaneously. Secondly, the majority of people in my family were children. So my parents called the Chicago Hearing Society (CHS) and requested free interpreters. They managed to get interpreters for the whole weekend. When we arrived to the „ . „,„ . , . ^ Brand poses. O Hare Marriott Hotel in Chicago, we met our interpreter, Amy-Rose. She is the most inspiring interpreter I have ever had. She stood up for the deaf and wasn't afraid of anything. Amy-Rose helped deal with the controversial issues between the unfriendly Rebecca Scarabough and my mother. Unfortunately, it turned out that the American Co-ed Pageant had deaf contestants in the past year, and CHS had been going after them to provide interpreters for years. This year, I decided to make a difference and show them that deaf people can do anything and will not settle for what isn't right. My goal towards this PAGEANT CONT ON PAGE 12 vacuum and other sorts of signs. I was mentally scarred by these posters, but we tried hard not to look at them and entered the clinic. We were checked out by a security guard with a metal detector, and only images of a protester with a gun came into my mind. Murders of abortion doctors are a real thing, not just stuff you only read about. After signing in with the nurse, we sat down and surveyed the rest of the women in the room. You'd be appalled at the variety of people in an abortion clinic. Models, 30-year old women, teenagers (of course) and even fathers accompanying their daughters. Rich, poor, black, while— you can find them all in an abortion clinic. After waiting forever, we had to go through a series of steps before Samantha actually did it. Please do notice, I say We. Yes, we. Being her escort, I had to be present for her session with a counseling nurse. Her .standardized questions included, "Are you sure you want to have an abortion?" and "As her friend, do you support her decision?" It freaked me out, because in a way, I'm responsible for her, 1 confirmed her decision to have an abortion. I feasted on one of those free lollipops they hand out during the whole session, hating to take any part of this. We didn't have an interpreter either, which made things a bit uncomfortable. She then had her blood drawn out, quite a lot. We were told to go back to waiting room. Already it had been about two hours into the morning at the clinic. Next, there was the sonogram. Now, this is something interesting. They wouldn't let Samantha see the sonogram on the screen. And there I was, standing in full view of the screen, of Samantha's baby. A drumming heartbeat, I saw. Now I can see why they don't let patients see it. It's quite a knock to see something alive, and then for it to be gone the next minute. I wished I hadn't seen it. Now here comes the blow—Samantha finds out she's about 13 and a half weeks pregnant, which hit her pretty hard. She didn't realize that she was so long into the pregnancy, and 13 weeks is the borderline for a first trimester abortion. Now what does this mean to her? If ABORTION CONT ON PAGE II GET YOUR OWN MID WITH A HEART Michael Dorsey Contributing Writer Did you all know that you can save money and have a blast at the same time touring the Washington metropolitan area via Metro Transportation? All you have to do is go to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) office and bring your most recent audiogram. Then you will get a Metro identification card (MID) and before you know it, you are on your way to explore unknown horizons at good prices. Before you go down there, please try to reflect on my experience of getting my own MID card: Several years ago, I learned that there were some students saving money with MIDs and I was commuting to Gallaudet at the time. I thought that it would be great to have a MID for myself so that I could save money but I also felt that it was not really necessary to have the card since I did not really consider myself "handicapped." But one Gallaudet student convinced me that I had the right to take advantage of my hearing aids and my cerebral palsy and get the MID. So I went to the WMATA office to get my first MID and the process JAW 16 2003 NAME: By Leonard P. KeUy, Ph.D. Research Scientist Gallaudet Research Institute This week: important dates in February. Wiz Quiz questions are based primarily on information contained in "The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know."* This is a book that contains much information that speakers, signers, and writers expect their audiences to know in our society. The questions give you at least two clues to the correct answer. *"The Dictionary of Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know " was compiled by ED. Hirsch, Joseph E Klett, and James Trefil. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. 1. Mythology and Folklore: Name the home of the "Phil" immortalized in the following limerick: There once was a rodent named Phil, Who peeked out from under his hill. 'Cuz his shadow he saw There would be no thaw. And we shivered through six weeks of chill. 2. Mythology and Folklore: What is the Roman equivalent of the god Eros, who is often noted for his accuracy with a bow and arrow"? 3. Mythology and Folklore: What celebration is named after a Roman priest who secretly married young couples, contradicting a law that forbade young men from marrying? 4. Proverbs: Possibly because the emotions affect blood circulation, the temperature of what body part is associated with cold hands? mi#e ^KA^Bcn Tease Your Brain and Test Your Cultural Literacy EXP DATE 165441 J o h n D. Doe was easy for me. All I had to do was to show the desk attendant an official copy of my audiogram which proved my deafness. It was not long before I had my picture taken. As I was sitting down waiting for my new ID to be processed, an old man walked in wearing a dirty trench coat and a cane. He was walking quite slowly. When he arrived at the desk, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a ripped piece of paper to show some proof that he, too, was eligible to get his own MID and handed it to the desk attendant. MID CONT ON PAGE 11 5. Mythology and Folklore: Drugs concocted to produce amorous arousal borrow their name from the Greek goddess of love. Name her. ajipoiqdvs ireaq UUBM y 'f •ABQ s.aupuajBA JS £ •pidnQ 3 X^aaMBjnsxund i saaMSOv Page 10* The Buff and Blue • Febuary 6, 1998 CALENDAR (Note: for more information about University events, call the Athletics Department at x560i:for MSSD athlet ic events, call x536l.) 6 "Turn A Page" book display fea tures Dr. B arbara Gerner de Garcia, associate professor in the Department of Educational Foundations and Research. The dis play is inside the Library's east entrance. 7 B asketball vs. Goucher College, Women's at 2 p.m.. Men's at 8 p.m.. Field House 912 Never Too Late Club B ake Sale, all day, Ely Center 10 B lack History Month; Sistahto Sistah Rap, 11:30 a.m. 1 p.m., Ely Center, Multi Purpose Room; Men's Basketball vs. Villa Julie College, 7:30 p.m.. Field House 11 DPNIO: Reach for the Stars: You Can! teleconference, 1 2:30 p.m., email: teleconference for more information. 12 DPN 10: Truth B e Told Panel: "Documenting the Social and Historical Presence of Deaf People in the U.S.", 12 1:30 p.m., Ely Auditorium; B lack History Month: BrothertoBrother Rap, 11:30 a.m. 1 p.m.; B asketball vs. Mary Washington College, Women's at 6 p.m.. Men's at 8 p.m.. Field House 13 B lack History Month: "A Do Right Man" with author Omar Tyree, 11:30 a.m. 1 p.m., Ely Center MultiPurpose Room; ASL Interaction Lunch, 1 2 1 p.m., Merrill Learning Center, upper level Community Events 67 Publick Playhouse: B uffalo Soldier performed by Theatre IV, signinterpreted performance at 10 a.m and 12 p.m. on February 6 and at ] 1 a.m. on February 7. 5445 Landover Road, Cheverly, Md., (301) 2771710 (voice), (301) 277 0312 (TTY) 8 The Kennedy Center Theater Lab: Jamal Koram: Lions Could Fly, signinterpreted performance at 1 i p.m., (202) 4168410 (TTY). (202) 4168400 (voice) 11 The Kennedy Center Opera House: Dreamgirls, signinterpreted performance at 8 p.m., (202)416 8410 (TTY), (202) 4168400 (voice) Help... Is On the Way Dear Dr. Lytle, I have a secret past that is irrele vant, but significant to who I am. Should I tell my close friends and hope they don't judge me or should I keep it a secret and possibly screw up big time if it ever gets out of the bag later in the future? Secret Life Dear Secret Life, Hmmmm... secret "past?" Does that mean that whatever it is, it is no longer happening? I have to wonder what this is that is so secretive you can't mention it to a confidential columnist. B ut the "past" part is what really got me interested. Why should anyone care all that much about what has happened in the past unless there is a possibility it is still happening now or may happen again in the future? My first thought when I read this was that you were hiding a gay life, but since you said "past," you are either being unnecessarily obscure or that's not it. I am going to assume that's not it. I am also kinda stuck on your using the phrase "irrelevant but signifi cant" when you certainly seem to believe that whatever it is will certainly be relevant to someone. You also seem to be telling me that this secret is important to your identi ty. You are afraid of being judged and of having whatever thrown back in your face. Actually, I suspect you are feeling very guilty and/or ashamed of this "irrelevant" event in your past and you think you will be judged cruelly for it. I am wondering what your own judgment is of yourself much more than I am worried about your friends" judgment of you. Why don't you take a deep breath and explore that issue some more becau.se once you become comfortable with your self and your past (both negative and posi tive parts) your life will be much easier. I happen to think that we are all entitled to make mistakes as part of our growing up process and that if we can't laugh at these mistakes, we can at least learn to graceful ly acknowledge that, yeah, we were once that messed up/foolish/dumb/pick your adjective, but we, thankfully, have evolved. Then if your friends ever discover this incident and try to throw it in your face, you'll have much more confidence in your ability to live it down gracefully and let bygones be bygones. Another way to look at this is to know that you have grown up considerably from those old days and that you are a much better person because you have made mistakes and learned from them. Be proud of who you are now and let go of the past guilt and shame. make yourself do all those things you most don't want to do. I know you want to curl up in your bed and disappear, but that is one thing you shouldn't do. You men tioned friends so you do know you need to make some friends. Some of us have the incredible luck to be able to go out there and chat up most anyone and have loads of people around us. Others need to grit their teeth, take a deep breath and force a smile on their faces while they do something that is very, very hard—talk to strangers. Fortunately, if you do this enough, people don't stay strangers long. Now, you are lucky. You are in college and one thing schools have is sports, clubs and organizations for just about anyone. You need to look around, pick something that matches your interests and JOIN. Finding people who share com mon interests is the best way to meet friends. Furthermore, while you are wait ing for the friendship part to happen, you are kept busy doing things that interest you and get you circulating. So, like to write? Join the Buff and Blue. The physical type? IM sports if you don't have the skills for varsity. Organization your bag? SB G is there and waiting. There are lots of things around and most of them dying to have more members, so JOIN. Then if you are still depressed or feel your depression is so serious you are worried about your safety (you didn't say, but are you suicidal at all?), then get your self over to a counselor and find out more about what is going on for you under the surface and how to help yourself You also didn't say if this depression is old or new and if old, seeing a counselor really makes excellent sense for you. It is not necessary to walk around feeling depressed. There are things to make it better. I hope you act fast and I wish you success. Dear Dr. Lytle, A friend told me that deafies can get handicapped parking in a cinch. It'd be totally great to have that frill, but would that be a stupid thing to do? They're empty all the times anyway; it's not like gimps can drive anyway. Handicapped? Dear Handicapped, Whew, do you have a lot of sensi tivity training to do!! Now how would you like it if a bunch of heSries tried to play deaf to get the benefits? And "gimps?" How do you like the term, "deaf and dumb?" I truly see little difference. Is it a stupid thing to do? Yes and YES. True, some malls and parking lots overdo it and there do seem to be lots of empty handicapped spaces; however, that is no excuse for you to rip off all those deserving individuals who do need those spaces. I am told that if we only had to live in a wheelchair one day and put up with all the inconveniences and true suffering that our society imposes on us, that we would be a lump of clay at the end of the day and, I have no difficulty believing this at all. So, I say LEAVE THOSE SPACES ALONE. Besides, you need the exercise. Seriously, while state laws giving those permits dif fer, I doubt any reputable physician would sign one of those forms for you because of deafness. I think one of the challenges of being deaf is figuring out our individual personal comfort, zones for these "perks" that come because we are deaf You know what I mean: discount metro cards, dis count ski passes—little freebies like that. And then there are the biggies like, SSDI. Your personal comfort zone and mine may be very different. Just because it's there, doesn't mean we have to use it. Don't be a sheep and just follow. Do what feels right to you. You can reach Dr. Lytic at the following addresses: Dr. Linda Risser Lytle 2000 P Street, NW Suite 412 Washington, DC 20036 tty: 2022988515 fax: 2022988514 email: [email protected] "^CJ^^ Dear Dr. Lytle, I don't have friends. I think I am depressed. I don't know what to do. Depressed Dear Depressed, Even your writing seems depressed and that is a tough place to be. One of the most difficult things about depression is that the cure is to go out and ' DAY SKI & • •' ~" •"■ S N O W B O A R D LIF T TICKET NIGHTS LODGING. LUXURY C O N D O . F ULLY EQUIP. D A Y S & N I G H T S OF C O L L E G I A T t i , PARTIES. CONTESTS ETC. StadBntS from over 15a US Cott&tjes PAR^T:- Cull or f-Maif for a free color tsfochure tmi SPaCf JJST AflflHl fiJB WIIVTFR8REAK {JWUaBV) « SMWWGKlfJW Febuary 6, 1998 »The Buff and Blue « Page 11 Abortion COST FROM PAGE 9 she hadn't found out just then, it would have been too late for an abortion. Not only that, she would have to cough up another 100 dollars too, since she's at 13 weeks. Luckily, I had about forty bucks on me, and the clinic allowed her a promissory note, where she could pay the rest of the bill later. She was very lucky. Samantha and I were then escorted to a "second" waiting room for the final procedure. I wasn't allowed to go any further in with her. I went back to the waiting room, alone. Observing the rest of the patients, I had come up with stories to go along with each face as the time went past by. This older woman was by herself, nervously playing with her wedding ring. I guessed, perhaps, she had an affair with someone else, got pregnant, the guy ran off and only gave her money for the abortion, and her husband doesn't know about it. How terrible, how could anyone go through this alone? A lot of women in there were by themselves. Another one, an overweight 14 year old girl, sat between her father in overalls and another guy which I could guess was her grandfather! I don't want to know what the story is with her. A young woman came out of the office and hugged her sisters. She laughed as she left the waiting room, for she grabbed a whole armful of condoms from the big halloween-like bowl in the room. Everyone else smiled along with her. Nothing like having too many condoms. Finally, after about two hours, Samantha came back. We hugged and left the building. After passing a few blocks. I asked her, "Is that it?" I was surprised she could just go and have an abortion and walk just right out. Yeah, she didn't feel much. I felt like crying, because I couldn't, because it's not me. But I'm the type that cries for my friends. Again faced with rain, we solemnly walked back home. That night we watched TV together, and there was an infant on TV. Samantha started getting upset, and only I could know what she had just went through. I wrote her a letter that night, which I'm sure she still has to this day. Because of what we just went through, we had bonded together even more. I always think of Samantha and our experience together. After seeing what she went through, I slowly thought of life and death. I have seen death's own face. After Samantha, I know of probably over 20 people that have had abortions. It is not an easy situation to deal with, and with any decision, one should thoroughly think and research deeply about the situation. If you come across into something like what Samantha went through, please visit the SHS who will help you guide into whatever you decide. There's plenty of websites on the Internet about abortion and other contraceptives. There are several support groups for those who have had abortions. Another tidbit: to find out about providers that prescribe the morning after pill (it can be taken 72 hours after the time of intercourse), please call 1-888-NOT-2-LATE. CLASSIFIED ADS EMPLOYMENT Sales-Persons needed to distribute flyers. Flexible hours.Good pay. Innmediate opening. The Bikini Shops (202)331-8372 orC202)898-1122 Spring Break- Cancun and Nassau from $399 Air, Hotel, Transfers, Parties and morel Organize small group, earn FREE trips plus commissions! Call 1-800-Spring Break 1-800-777-4642 HOUSING Female Roommate Needed: Located In Bowie, MD. $425.00 for one of two Bedroom TH plus all utilities except water and sewer. About 20 to 25 min to Gaily. (301)-218-1390(TTY) evenings. Missing Poetry , -J-JTERT-I/SI,. Sarah Janssen Contributing Writer Art is the expression of never having to leave lu>me. -Unhwwn I've always considered English to be a complex language, but it has never stopped me from appreciating it. I love to read novels, short stories, and especially poetry. Even better, I love to write it. 1 notice there aren't a lot of students writing these days. It seems like writing is becoming a declining habit among us. I've written a few short stories, but I've written poetry as my true form of expression. My friends love to read my poetry and I'm curious as to how they will respond. I'm always hoping the most recent poem I wrote will be better than the last one. 1 believe each artist is always striving for perfection inside themselves. There's always something about writing a poem; and it doesn't have to be an unhappy one, even though I prefer them as they're more true, in the sense of being able to release one's feelings onto paper. The choice of words chosen, the style, and how to begin and end it; there's an exhilarating feeling after a poem is completed—the sense of one's soul finely tuned into words. I also love to read my friend's poetry. One of my very good friends writes maybe three times a month, but she can really put something down on paper each time. It's always in a different topic; love, life, or feelings typed in a different format in various lengths. She never ceases to amaze me. Every time I go to the bookstore, I somehow always end up in one of those modem writing sections browsing through some new novel or poetry book written by today's generation of artists/writers. I love reading what they write because they're the voice of our generation. Someday I hope to publish my poems in a book. So, if you haven't written a poem lately, get out a pen and paper and see what you can come up with. Deaf Entertainment Television TV Guide (ChamdZl-GdaudetC^bfeTV) Friday Feb 6 6 a.m. - I a.m. "What's Up, Gallaudet?" Saturday, Feb 7 / p.m. & 9 p.m. Deaf Drive-In: The Worker Miracle Sunday, Feb 8 9 p.m. Sign Language Plays: Oh Stop! Oh Stop! Monday, Feb 9 6 a.m. - 1 p.m. "What's Up, Gallaudet?" rerun, Deaf Comedians and Storytellers: Henny Penny 'Riesday, Feb 10 6 a.m. - / p.m. "What's Up, Gallaudet?" rerun, 9 p.m. Deaf Mosaic, 9:30 p.m. Deaf Documentaries: An Evening of Magic: Adama the Fulani magician Wednesday, Feb 11 6 a.m. - 1 p.m. CONT FROM PAGE 9 "What's Up, Gallaudet?" rerun, Unfortunately, the desk attendant 9 p.m. declared that the paper was unaccept- Deaf Drive-In: The Miracle able. The old man then put the ripped Worker MID My Sisters Place, a Washington, D.C. shelter for battered women and their children, is seeking volunteers for the crisis hotline and children's program, public speaking, and other opportunities. For more infonnation, call (202)529-5261, or TTY (202)5295991 piece of paper back into his pocket and slowly walked out using his cane, his head hung down. As I watched him leave the building, I felt ashamed about being able to have the card when he could not. It was then that I thought that I really did not need that card as much as he did. But today, I believe that the experience taught me a lesson; I can feel fortunate for having successfully obtained a MID, as long as I do not take it for granted. So when you get the Metropolitan Identification card for yourself, let us both bring the old man with us in our hearts when we are having a blast around town. Info-on the Washington Metro Area TVansit Authority (WMATA) Main Office: 600 Fifth Street, N.W. (near Judiciary Square Metro Station) Web Site: http://www.wniata.coni ID Card Information: (202)962-1245 Voice (202) 628-8973 TDD Thursday, Feb 12 6 a.m. - I a.m. "What's Up, Gallaudet" Friday, Feb 13 6 a.m. - 1 a.m. "What's Up, Gallaudet" DETis brought to you by the Office of Public Relations, Gallaudet University Library, and Gallaudet Cable TV. It is produced especially for the Gallaudet University community and can be found on Channel 21 on Gallaudet's cable TV system. Ifyou have any ideas or comments on shows that you 've seen or would like to see, let us know. You can contact us via e-mail at GUNEWS or by phone at (202)651-5505. Page 12 »The Buff and Blue • Febuary 6, 1998 Deaf Lad And The Three Bears Jennifer Perlis Buff'n'Blue Staff Deaf Lad was hanging around, watching reruns of B ugs B unny cartoons when his mom walked in through the front door. She handed him an envelope w ith his name on it. Deaf Lad opened up the letter. It was from his next door neighbors, the Grateful Dead B ears, asking him a favor. The letter read like this: Dear Deaf Lad, Our family is going out of town on vacation for the next week and a half We are going to visit the tombstone of Jerry Garcia and pay our respects to the greatest man that ever lived. We are leav ing tomorrow, and it would mean a lot to us if you could housesit while we are gone. The keys are under the doormat with the picture of Jim Morrison, you can't miss it. By the way. your probation offi cer said this favor would be considered community service, so what do you think? If you will housesit. tell your mom to call us. Thanks, Pop Bear, Yo Mama B ear, Sonny B ear Deaf Lad was quite annoyed. Does everyone in the free world has to know that he's on probation? So, it was settled, he would housesit for the B ears who were still living in the ■60s. The next day. Deaf Lad strutted over to the house and removed the key from under the Jim Morrison doormat. "What is so great about music?" Deaf Lad wondered. Opening the door. Deaf Lad was stung in the face by the smell of burn ing incense. The living room was dark, all of the windows were covered by tiedyed blankets. "Typical... potheads," he Ross CONT FROM PAGE 8 cooked food, and a phone to call home with. Ross let her parents know she was okay, "You know how parents are," she says. Rossremembersseeing the headlines on various newspapers proclaiming a state of emergeiKy for the entire area Amazed, she exclaims, ""There was this picture that showed those metal electrical towers toppled over from the ice!" Luckily for Christine and the family, western Montreal got its power back on Sunday night the 11th of January. The southern regions, consisting mostly of farms, were not so lucky, two weeks to totalrestorationof power being the prognosis, ""1 kinda felt bad about the ani mals there," Ross explained with concern. When asked about how she felt about the incident she expressed slight disappoint ment at how a vacation became an ordeal, but smiled it off. When asked if she now had a bet ter idea of what 18th century living was like, she responcted, "'Yeah... I never want to live back in that time. I've always hated the weather up in the north." In the end, aside from a few frazzled nerves, Ross admitted she came out of the whole adventure a newer, more improved per son. She muses, '"It was a good experience, it taught me how to survive should something like this happen again." thought. Deaf Lad started to get very hun gry, he entered the kitchen to find three bowls on the table. Behind each bowl there was a cereal box and the chairs had labels on them. Deaf Lad sat in the chair that said, "I'm the man!" He figured it must've been Pop B ear's chair. He poured a bowl of Cap'n Crunch Peanut B utter cereal. "Too crunchy," thought Deaf Lad. Deaf Lad tried the next chair, ""Sweet Thang." "Definitely Yo Mama B ear's chair... com flakes? Forget this! Man, there's got to be decent cereal on this table." He moved to Sonny B ear's chair, which had a picture of Cher on it. Too weird. Deaf Lad thought. He sat down anyway and poured himself a nice bowl of Fruit Loops. Ah, this hits the spot. Deaf Lad thought as he gobbled down the last spoonful. Deaf Lad felt kind of tired, and thought perhaps he ought to lie down for a bit. He walked up the steps, trying not to trip over the shoes and clothes lying every where. The first bed he saw was a king size bed. "Perfect!" he signed to himself. He jumped onto the bed and began to get comfortable when all of a sudden it started to shake. Oh man, the bed had hydraulics. Deaf Lad was not pleased, he moved onto the next room. He saw a queensize bed and even though the room was almost all pink, he was getting too tired to care. He flung himself onto the bed and was imme diately rocking all over the place, Christ, it was a waterbed. Those things make him sick to his stomach. Deaf Lad knew he was never going back into the pink room ever again. There were two more rooms to go, he passed the bathroom, which had flower power symbols everywhere. "How do these people live?" Deaf Lad asked him self. He didn't really want to know, some things are better left unanswered. Deaf Lad entered the last room, it was every young guy's dream. There was a huge LaZB oy chair in the middle of the room instead of a bed, a lifesized screen Pageant CONT FROM PAGE 9 pageant experience was to become a role model for other deaf people and to encourage them not to settle for less than the best. The Scaraboughs once more suggested that 1 use scripts to prepare myself. 1 chose not to because it would prove to them that I was "powerless" and was giving in. AmyRose suggested that I show them that I should be able to pre pare myself like the hearing girls could. The workshop, rehearsals, and contests on Friday went pretty well. 1 became one of the semifinalists in the talent competition. My talent was signing the poem, "They Say I'm Deaf by Saul Nessler, a deaf poet. AmyRose voiced it for me and everything went smoothly. Saturday was the big day. 1 had a different interpreter during the interview session, but the session wasn't too bad. 1 empathized with the deaf and deaf cul ture in my answers. Afterwards, my mother and I participated in the "parade of families" and impressed the audience with a taste of deaf culture. I received .several awards for participating in other optional contests. All participants had their pic TV in front of it, a Sony Playstation hooked up to it, a minifridge next to the chair filled with beer. Deaf Lad thought he was in Heaven. The only thing that was distracting in the room were all of these pictures of Sonny and Cher from the sev enties. Well, at least Sonny B ear is one decade ahead of his folks, which was bet ter than nothing. Deaf Lad got comfortable and fell asleep watching ESPN. What Deaf Lad didn't know was the fact that two bears had come into the house. Deaf Lad forgot to lock the door. These two bears were cousins to the Grateful Dead B ears. They were the Mafia B ears, named Don B ear and Vinnie B ear. They had come to pay their cousins a visit while taking a break from criminal activities. The Mafia B ears noticed some one had been eating cereal in the kitchen. Then they saw that someone had trampled over the clothes on the stairs, and the foot prints weren't paw prints, Don Bear pulled out his gun, which was loaded and ready to go. He nodded to Vinnie B ear that there was something wrong here. They slowly peered into each room, till they got to Sonny B ear's room, and what they saw was Deaf Lad asleep on the LaZB oy chair. "What the F....?" said Vinnie Bear. The Mafia B ears stepped away from the room. "What should we do, Don Bear?" asked Vinnie Bear. "Okay, here's what we do, we'll give him a warning to get out of the house and if the kid doesn't leave, we shoot out his brains." Don Bear replied. Together they walked into the room. Deaf Lad was sleeping like a baby, and the blanket was pulled up to his chin. "You there, I don't know why you're here, but get the hell out!" yelled Vinnie B ear. Deaf Lad didn't move an inch. "You trying to be a wise guy, eh? I said out of here, before I splatter your brains on the wall!" Again Deaf Lad remained motionless. The Mafia B ears looked at each other, puzzled. tures taken for the pageant scrapbook and afterwards, we rehearsed for the evening competition. During the rehearsals, my interpreter had to leave, and I was left on my own because there weren't any other available interpreters. I had to depend on my own hearing. It was hard because I couldn't understand what they were say ing. My escort for the pageant was also deaf. During the escort rehearsal, I had to use my undependable hearing once again to tell my escort what was being said. Personally, I felt that this sit uation could have been prevented. If the pageant directors had provided an inter preter, I wouldn't have had to depend on my own hearing and to try grasping what was being said. The evening competition started with the teen division's opening song. I feel that if an interpreter had been with me during the earlier rehearsal, I would have been able to sing along perfectly with the other hearing girls, but since I didn't, I had a hard time singing with the others. When that was over, I had to hurry because the semifinalists for the talent contest was next. I was rushed so much that the words of my poem escaped my mind. Luckily, I remembered them. Don Bear thought he should fire a warning shot into the wall to see if that would scare the kid awake. BANG! Nada, nothing happened. "Shit, the kid must be already dead!" Vincent yelled. Don B ear looked surprised, too, "We better get outta here before the cops come sniffing around." The Mafia B ears took off without looking back. They did not want this kid's death on their hands, after all, they only kill so many a day and they had already met their quota. About a half an hour later. Deaf Lad woke up to find cops everywhere. "What's going on?" he signed. Later, it was explained to Deaf Lad that someone had heard a shot but they couldn't find the bullet hole. After everyone had left and all the questions had been asked. Deaf Lad walked around the room feeling the wall. Guess where he found the bullet hole? That's right, through the poster, the bullet had gone through Cher's left nostril in the picture. Wow, Deaf Lad couldn't believe it. He shrugged his shoulders and sat back down into the LaZBoy chair. Sipping on a beer, he thought to himself, "Man, I guess I was as lucky as Goldilocks, only I'm better looking?" but the interpreter voicing for me wasn't AmyRose. She spoke too fast, resulting in a disastrous performance. The remainder of the evening turned out better than the beginning. The pageant results were superb and exciting. I was chosen as one of the 17 semifinal ists out of the 70 coed division partici pants. Although I wasn't selected as a finalist, I was happy with the title I earned and the message I sent to the pub lic. After the pageant was over, the first thing that came to my mind was "I am not finished," meaning that I wasn't done with what I wanted to tell the hearing world. I want to participate in other pag eants and show them that deaf people can do things. Like I've said before, "One Heather Whitestone isn't enough." I was asked to participate in next year's competition. I believe that if I compete in the pageant next year and oth ers in the future, I can give my message to the world more efficiently and compe tently. I also want other deaf and hardof hearing people to stand up for themselves and get what they need. In essence, I am proud of my deafness and want to turn this somewhat negative experience into a positive message! Febuary 6, 1998 • The Buff and Blue • Page 13 sc Rantings of a Freshman Rumors Are At Least Partly True, But Still Damaging Roger D esmarais Buff n' Blue Staff Heya Gallaudetians, I'm gonna share something I heard through the grapevine with you guys and move on from there—the story as I heard it: A Gallaudet student was sent to the hospital with food poison ing after eating a burger that was infested with the E. coli bacteria alive 'n well. The burger apparently was sold by a fraternity on campus during one of their fundraising activities or whatnot. After an ordeal at the hospi tal and such, the foodpoisoned stu dent threw a fit which posed as a potential imagetarnishing problem for the fraternity. So, the fraternity decided to do what was the best for themselves: they reached a $5,000 settlement with the student for his/her inconveniences. I don't know if this particular piece of gossip that's floating around campus is true. B ut if it was, it does n't really bode well that they didn't bother making some sort of statement to come forward to see if they were responsible for perhaps another stu dent's poor health? Imagine the damage this gos sip could do to the fraternity's reputa tion, image and standing if it was dis covered to be indeed true that they dished out undercooked E. coli infested burgers to us, the student body. The moral I'm getting at here: gossip and rumors are damaging to one's selfimage. What and who starts them anyway? I'd wager that nobody just thinks of a rumor out of blue just to spite people. I'd like to think peo ple in reality don't plot, scheme and then set out to destroy others' lives with lies like they do in various drama shows such as "Melrose Place" and just about every soap on TV (which belong in the crapper). I do, although, believe that gossip and rumors are based on truth, just not facts. It's like this—people base their assumptions on something they may have seen, heard or know and then create the stories/ theories which they believe to be true, which may indeed be true but are not necessarily supported by concrete facts. We humans, instead of creating the tumultuous lies that wreak havoc upon each other like they do on TV, base our assumptions (which later become fodder for gossip/rumors) on one insignificant morsel of whatever information, and the result may be greater or lesser than it is on TV. The difference lies only in the origin, purty interesting, isn't it? Spring Break... For Only $10!! Rosemary Wanis, MSW Intern Coordinator of Community Service Projects Seems like everyone is already planning what they are going to do for Spring Break even though Christmas Break holidays has just ended. I read the Spring Break advertise ments in the Buff and Blue newspaper and on the UNI VMSGCTR email messages from the end of last semester, and said to myself, "I have got to get my two cents worth in there now!" So here I am! Actually, the Spring Break that I am talking about will cost a little more than two cents, instead it will cost ten (10) dollars! That's right, folks! A Spring Break event for only $10.00!!! Can you believe it? Well, believe it! This year, for the first time, Gallaudet University's Community Service Projects is offering an altemative Spring Break. On Tuesday, Marcii 17 to Saturday, March 21,1998, we wJI! be joining D.C. Habitat for Humanity to build homes for lowincome families in the Southeast, Washington D.C. area. We invite you to join Habitat for Humanity and thou sands of other students around the country by accepting the challenge of doing something constructive over your Spring Break. Spend a week helping to build houses for those in need while having fun. This week is guaranteed to be an enriching and memorable experience which will last a lifetime! The best part is that it will only cost $10.00 dollars for you to participate! To get more information and/or to be a part of this exciting alternative Spring break, send an email to Rosemary at 11RWANIS or stop by the Campus Activities office and sign up with your $10.00 payment. I already got my $10.00 in! How about you? This alternative Spring Break is sponsored by Community Service Projects, a unit of Campus Activities. extra monies will be transferred immediately to the emergency fund."" COM FROM PAGE 3 Concerns were also raised at the Motions were brought to the amount of S3.000 being allocated to floor for the positions of vice speaker the SocialCultural Department. The and chairperson of the Rules and figure was high due to three major Operations Committee. B oth of them events being held this semester: Miss were tabled to the next meeting due to Gallaudet Pageant, Carpe Nox 3, and Festival. Nevertheless, lack of interest among the representa Rock tives. B oth positions were vacated by Kennedy expects a profit from all the resignations of Christian Wojnar three venues. in December and Nichols in In the president's report, SB G November, respectively. Jonathan President David Kurs explained to the Ikeda, alternate representative for the representatives what the Executive Class of 2000 Organization noted that Branch has been working on. He out anyone who was a representative lined the activities slated this semes before can apply for the position of ter. They include Miss Gallaudet vice speaker. Dickinson is to be con Pageant on February 21st, Carpe Nox Legislative Branch Budget ($1,500) Payroll ($13,000) Chief Justice Budget ($100) Executive Branch Budget ($15,900) Pie Chart of the SBG Budget 3, which is to take place after the pag tacted by email. DPNIO Nichols then moved to require eant, and Rock Festival. that the Student Congress office be activities sponsored by the SB G and open at least 10 hours a week. This financed by the University, such as motion was in response to Dickinson's the march to the U.S. Capitol and the decision to have hours by appointment Gala are scheduled. To the delight of only. Nichols explained that the the representatives, there will be no Speaker must be open and accessible classes from 1 to 4 p.m., when the to the people. Dickinson explained March is scheduled. Several changes in the that this decision was due to the fact that there is no vice speaker, and nor Executive B ranch cabinet were made. mal office hours will be set once one Replacing John Fenicle, Steve Snow is selected. The motion was passed, was selected and approved as the new Deaf Issues Department Director. 82. The SB G budget for the Also, Amelia Ortiz replaced Hilly spring semester was approved unani Owens as the Public Relations mously by the vote of 150. There Director, and Nathalie Johnson were several concerns about the rev replaced Sofia Normatov as the new enue, which was set at $28,000 for the Administrative Secretary. spring semester, along with $2,500 from the fall semester, which totals at $30,500. John Kennedy, the business manager for the Executive B ranch, explained that the fig ure is a very conserva tive estimate as the unit fees for the spring semester has not arrived. ■ Questions then were raised on the pos sibility of the unit fees being higher than expected. Kennedy quelled those fears say ing. "The budget vv remain the same, .\n\ Tile Faraprqfessionui Fair m Ely Center. Page 14 • The Buff and Blue • Febuary 6, 1998 Bunjer COAT FROM PAGE 2 and a proper order yet he did not receive either, for he "twice pushed" the money back toward the personnel and refused to leave, according to arrest reports. While trying to indicate to the security officer that he wanted to talk with the manager, his request was denied. He was ordered to leave. At that point, the security officer deemed him under arrest for disorderly conduct as Bunjer's actions cau.sed numerous patrons in the establishment to gather in close proximity to the officer. Bunjer was then physically restrained with a choke hold. The security officer then radioed the Metro Police Department to provide transportation to the holding jail. Bunjer was transported to the holding cell, remaining there for six hours. Finally, in the early morning of May 22nd, he was released on a bond. Upon release. Black History CONT FROM PAGE 3 ing that no one was born to a single parent, everyone is born to a set of two parents. Since statistics were piled against the children of single parents, there have been notable successes such as Clarence Thomas, Jesse Jackson, W.E.B. Du Bois, Frederick Douglass, and including Curry himself. In conclusion of the wellattended keynote speech, Curry stated that it is time for Americans to seek the truth of the rationale behind affirmative action. He challenged the audience to be able to live together despite varying diversities in the he returned via cab to McDonald's to fetch his car. but his key was misplaced. After that incident, Bunjer filed a lawsuit under the ADA law. The court decision was rendered as of last December holding McDonald's at 75 New York Avenue responsible and permanently enjoined from discriminating against deaf customers in McDonald's by posting a sign at the drive thru instructing deaf patrons to proceed to the cashier, establish written policies and training programs to deal with the needs of deaf customers, and also to keep written records of such incidents. In Bunjer's case, there was a video camera in use, yet the videotape was not admissible in court. Bunjer received $1,500 as a result of this case, based on his claim of emotional distress caused by the incident. It should be noted that it was the second time that Bunjer faced discrimination from McDonald's. future. BHM will be relatively small at Gallaudet because of the ongoing DPNIO events; still, plenty of activities are planned, such as a Deaf Oprah on February 5th and a book signing by Barbara Hathaway on February 25th. Due to the overlapping of DPNIO and BHM, the focus of BHM will be on the students. For example, there will be meetings where African-American faculty and students will meet and get acquainted, building a stronger community. Possible future plans for BHM include "a more integrated program, part of a university-wide cultural/ethnic celebration," McLaughlin remarked. DPN CONT FROM PAGE 2 wee. because an applicant would walk in a strange room, with 22 eyes staring down at him/her, not knowing to expect. Those interviews whittled down the number of survivors to 6. That's when Bravin said, "My mission was to get the BEST person for Gallaudet," regardless of hearing status. A group then did the next step of interviewing, evaluating each person, evaluations of which would be reviewed by the board to decide on the three finalists. The board ultimately decided on Elizabeth Zinser, I. King Jordan, and Harvey Corson, the latter two being deaf. With three candidates left, Spilman, the chair, asked Bravin to handle the board's own interviews of the candidates. Bravin declined as he wanted to be involved in the selecting process. Glass added that the three had their own unique characteristics. Zinser was very talented, open, friendly. Jordan had all of the good qualities but was simply not experienced, Corson had experience only in high school, so they wrote him off, thus leaving either of the two others to succeed Lee as the next president. Bravin said that two issues were brought up. Should the board look at deafness or administrative skills, because either "winner" would have to learn one trait, with Zinser learning about deafness, or Jordan learning administrative skills. But, before the vote was taken, the possibility of a protest was brought up, during a discussion with some people that included Bernard Holt, now the chief of DOSS. The idea of training the D.C. police for a possible protest by deaf people was brought up, but never implemented. After a long process of selec- Arrest CONT FROM PAGE 2 Officer Fleming explained the situation, "When they were arranging the line-up, they needed one more person, so they got a guy who was in the station for another line-up. He was a suspect in an off-campus robbery at a market on Florida Avenue." The two students viewed the line-up .sepa- tion, the board voted on whom was to be the next president. It was 10-4 in favor of Zinser, sparking the DPN protest. Glass broke down the vote, saying that all 10 people who voted for Zinser were hearing, and the lone 3 deaf members of the board and one "deaf-minded" hearing person, herself, voted for Jordan. The rest is history. Bravin was the one who broke the news to all three candidates. The remaining time of the fireside chat was used for the audience to ask the three individuals questions, trade stories, and so on. Bravin told one more story: when the students were getting ready to march to the Capitol building, one policeman came up and said that they couldn't march without a permit. Gary Olsen, then the executive director of the National Association of the Deaf, offered to interpret what the officer was saying, but instead, he told the crowd to MARCH, defying the officer's orders! Bravin wondered what would have happened if the D.C. police were indeed trained for a protest by deaf people. One person from the audience stood up and asked both Bravin and Glass if they thought a deaf person could become president of a hearing university. Both replied, "Why not?" Glass did add that she had some genuine sympathy for Spilman because she was immediately labeled as a scapegoat by the students, even though she was very devoted to Gallaudet, and she let Bravin, a deaf person, "run the show." On a final note, Bravin told another anecdote about when he met a TV crew. The TV crew explained that they were the protest van, following all protests held in the Washington, D.C. area. Bravin asked them what they thought of the DPN movement. They replied that it was the best one, because the students won. rately, and they both pointed to the same suspect and both were absolutely sure he was the guy. The police were puzzled because the suspect they pointed at was not the same suspect DOSS arrested. It was the extra man brought in at the last minute. By some weird twist of fate, DOSS had both crimes solved; the original suspect confessed and plea-bargained to three auto break-ins at Gallaudet, and the Kendall robbery case was closed, too. Become « Profes$io«ai Coitasetor vrttb Deaf, Deafened, & Hard of Heariiif Persons San FrancUco Scatc Untver.$tiy txatas reiubtlitatioB fdanselors to work with Deaf, Deafened, & Hard of Hearing pers«K, In addition to a full rehabiliuiios mastersi decree coaaseling cutiicttluuu it inclados: • • • Psycht^ogicai Aspects of Deafness & Hearinit Loss Menu! Health Assessaoeat Aura! Rehabilitation Psycbological Testing This prograro can be taken m conjunction wuh career, college, school. gerontoiog). <iiid aianiagc, fdjmly & child C4jun.sel:r>g A bachelor's degree is requiicd. Per.5onai experience with heaxsng loss, ifltcffncdtite sign language & adapiivs devices ars useful. Stipends of up to $'.500 are -iiv.iiiable lot qualified <.tudent<; Ft/' mom informauflr,. iomac:: .\lie« Nemon, DSW, Sao Francisco State tRiv«riiitv, Deafness Rebabilitation Traittlng Project. College of Health & Human Ser*kt3, 3^00 Hoilowav Ave., San Franci-ico, iZ.k 94132 41 S.35g.-'869 V-'TTY Welcome Back! We h o p e y o u h a d an e x c e l l e n t w i n t e r b r e a k . Safety Tips for the Dorm L o c k Your R o o m D o o r (It o n l y takes a thief few s e c o n d s to steal y o u r v a l u a b l e s ) R e p o r t S u s p i c i o u s Activities and P e o p l e Report Vandalism DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY AND SECURITY GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY BERNARD A. HOLT, CHIEF INFORMATION AND SERVICES The mission of the Department of Safety and Security is to preserve life, protect property, maintain human rights, and promote individual responsibility and community commitment to preventing crime. OUR MISSION: PHONE NUMBERS AND E-MAIL ADDRESSES Our office is located in Cariin Hall on the ground floor and is open 24 hours a day. Emef^ency on campus, DIAL (TTY) 651-5444 (V) 651-5555 Non-Emergency ^TTY) 651-5444 (V) 651-5445 Department Fax Number 651-5363 Department E-Mail DOSS Chief Holts E-JV!ail DSS_BHOLT SERVICES AND PROGRAMS Campus Patrol Security officers are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and provide patrols of the campus by means of fully marked and unmaiiced patrol cars and by bicycles and on foot. Escort Service During the hours of darkness, an officer will walk with anyone wishing to b e escorted from one building to another. Personal Safety Checks If you are working or studying late in an office or study area, and you are alone in a quiet or secluded area, you may contact Security and an officer or DOSS Student Aide will stop by and check in on you periodically. Operation Identification This program Is designed to discourage the theft of students' possessions by marking their valuables for later identification by the police. An identification number is marked on the valuables with the use of an engraver. An Index Is maintained of identification numbers at DOSS which ^ s l s t s in ttie identification of stolen property. Safety Seminars The department gives presentations on a wide range of safety topics throughout the year. Crime Prevention PamphkKts and Bulletin Boards Located on the first floor of all dorms are bulletin boards with crime prevention information and pam- phlets on personal, car, bicycle, travel, and public transportation safety. Bicycle Registration You may register your bicycle at the Security office. There is a $2 fee for the license. Please call for an appointment. Photos for Passports From 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.. members of the campus community who need a passport photo taken can have it done at our office. There is a $2 fee for this service, payable at the Cashier's Office, located in the basement of College Hall. fingerprinting We will fingerprint students who need this service for |ob applications. This service is free. Call for an appointment. Replacement of Dorm A c c e s s Cards If your dorm access card is lost or stolen, stop by DOSS for a quick replacement any time of the day or night. A $10 fee is charged. Vehicle Battery lumps We will assist in starting your car if you are having a problem. There Is no charge for this service. Child Identification Kits This is a booklet to help teach your children how to react in various emergency situations. It also contains a f>ersonal identification section, complete with a fingerprinting kit, to help you keep an up-to-date file on your child. Lost and Found Found items are usually turned over to DOSS. If you lost anything of value, stop by or call our office to s e e If we have it. Annual Crime Report The yeariy crime report is available at numerous locations around campus including the Security office. Qateudal Univwsity is an aqual oppmtunjty employer/educaOoraa ina^Mion and does not Omcrirrinaaa on the basis of race, color, sex, natentt origin, religion, age. hearing stabs, disability; covered veteran status. marilel status, personal appearwnre, sexual orientation, lamily reeponsltaWes. mairicuialioa poMical aMialion. source of inconie. place o< business or , pregnwwyi diHdbinh. or any omer untawU basis. 97-51SM ^\^y^w. 5 I Auxiliary Services proudly presents... Ik I Ualeniine s Day 4 I I I Wnen: Wednesday Sreb. 11in. Wnere: One ^bbei/ I Uime: 7:00 p.m. I I Valenti OD«t« in the BOFF AND BL e to the table aiprventer on y j u e s d y ^ Wednesday FrollN(Mr2pin or at the Cafeteria from 4:30pm-6:30pm. fimfjtM Page 18 »The Buff and Blue ■ F ebuary 6, 1998 Golf CONT FROM PAGE 20 and I wanted to compete on the PGA Tour, I would find a way to be involved without the use of a cart. I would use a wheelchair to trove around the course on the trail. I would roll myself (on my wheelchair] to the hole, then walk to the hole and swing or putt at the ball, then walk back to my chair and roll myself to the ball. Maybe people wouldn't complain that I had an advantage (with a wheelchair], I would have to use my arms to roll myself around for 4 to 5 miles, being in a wheelchair would wear you out more than walking. I think Martin should challenge himself by trying to play without using a cart. If Martin qualifies for the Masters, the most prestigious golf course in the world (the Masters course does not permit carts), he should try competing without a cart. Sports Briefe Women's Swimming Enters Final Stretch The Giillaudet women's swimming team is preparing for the final stretch of their season with a go;il in mind. According to Head Coach Jennifer Johnson, she is happy with the way the members of the team performed as of late but she has a mission for them. "I would like for each member to improve on their personal best times." Two meets lemain for the team in the upcoming week and then there is Capital Athletic Conference Champioaships next weekend to close out the season, Tte team has by far been led by senior Nathalie DeVigTE who has been the loneGallaudet swimmer to win individual events i^ to last week when senior Laura Kim won the 1,000 yand treesfyte in a meet against Hood College. Johnscm, when asked which swimmer has stood out this seascm, refased to name any indivkJiMis but said, 'Everycme on tte team all stands out They all worked hard all season, they had geat cooperatic« and spirit, and they all helped each other out" IiMk)or TVacksters ShiiK The indoOT track season is underway as the Bison forticipated in a meet last weekend and will be in two more meets, induing the Mason ESxon ChampitHiships oi Fetenaiy 22. The out (toor track seascm begins Mach 22. ffcad Coach Jack Mika was elated with die team's performance last weekend. "We had a veiy good start to our seascm. Our team is smaB but we have swne veryfine^hletes," Mika said Patrick "PT' Deas utKyfiRciaDy brrfce the recatl in the 55 mete" (fash and fieshma} Natasha Bacchus «i the women's side baely missed ttie record in the same event The times were recorded by handtimers instead of efcctronic timers. Mika is excited about the strength he has in the women's sht< put "The GallfflKterecwdwin be broken this year," Mika said "Die cxtiy queaion is which thrower will break itfirstI tWric it will be bn^en a few times this year." Two new tteowas in He^ho Schoenwald and Nficheile Haniiltwi join Captal Athletic Confeerce recotdhofcfcr i\sa&m ' ^ x " Lig|)tfoot *T1iis kxAs to be a gre^ year forfliewtxnen ftaow os," Mika said If Martin wins this case, there advantage. Therefore, he should try a dif will be a lot of impact on disabled athletes. ferent approach such as using a wheel They will be inspired to try to get into the chair. I wonder if the PGA would have sport of their choice. On the other hand, objected to Martin using a wheelchair. I there will be a lot of controversy in other would like to ask that question to the PGA sports like football, basketball, and base myself and see what they have to say on ball. I cannot imagine a disabled person this. We have to remember that the ADA trying out for football or basketball law has loopholes in it and lawyers for because these sports are very physical. In both sides will use any kind of loopholes the PGA, other golfers will use their to win this case. I prefer to have the U.S. injuries as a disability and request a cart. Congress revise the ADA law to make it There has to be a policy on how you rate a more stricter and fair to everyone in this disability in order for the commission to country. I support the ADA law, but it decide who can use a cart or some type of needs to be revised. assistance. I hope that people will not abuse this case if Martin wins. I would Jake Nunez is a senior at Gallaudet hate to see this case screw up the sports majoring in history and is an avid sports world. fan. He has been deaf and wheelchair Martin won the first PGA tour bound since birth and he has participated last month, and in that tournament he had in intramural sports such as flag football the usage of a cart. Did he have an advan and floor hockey , the latter in which he tage? Some people will say yes and others was his team's goalie. will say no. In my opinion, he had an Wrestling CONT FROM PAGE 20 Willigan that the Gallaudet wrestlers are working hard to improve. With only five wrestlers left on the team, with three being freshmen, the Bison have a gcxxl and solid future ahead. With sever al prospective recruits coming from high schools such as MSSD and Maryland School for the Deaf, Gallaudet should steadily improve its status as a wrestling team. Gallaudet's next match is tonight at Western Maryland College at 7 p.m. Gallaudet also has a match against Johns Hopkins tomorrow morning. With only a couple of weeks left, Gallaudet has a lot to prove to the community and to them selves. Gallaudet is chockfuU of news and events. Be in the thick of things. Be a reporterfor a world famous paper. Get your name in print We are looking f for a few goodpeople! Th Febuary 6, 1998 • The Buff and Blue • Page 19 NBA BEAT Jason Franklin now. Football is officially over, and the baseball season doesn't start for another couple of months. That means that everyone will be watching basketball. Cool, huh? There are a couple of things I want to address before the all-star break. First is the Latrell Sprewell appeal. It seems as if there are a lot of breaks in this case. Apparently he might be able to play again before the season is over. The whole thing reminds me of one of those OJ Simpsontype cases. No one really follows it and it seems to drag on and on... Secondly, Detroit Pistons Coach Doug Collins led the Pistons to 1(X) wins in his first two seasons. Pretty impressive, and he was the only coach to ever do that. What did he get for that? He gets fired after a slow start. I am from Michigan so I'm kind of partial to Detroit. For lack of a better word, they are pretty lousy but that isn't Collins fault though. They tried to improve on a really good team from last year and brought in new players that just wouldn't mix. Finally, the Bulls; leave them alone, will ya? Yeah, they lost to the Lakers big time on an "internationally televised game." Who cares. I'm betting that when June comes around the Bulls will be there and they will still be under scrutiny. They are a dynasty that won five championships in their last seven seasons. Somehow, they keep on finding the motivation to have the fourth best record after a really lousy start. The league hasn't seen this kind of domijjf'irMlhPff Bulls Still On Top, Regardless nation since the Celtics of the "TOs. The Bulls are still the best team in the NBA. Take my word for it. If you don't want to, let me close with this statement made by former NBA great and Laker General Manager Jerry West, "Listen, the Bulls dynasty is not over." 1. Chicago (34-14): Yeah, they lost by 25 to the Lakers last Sunday. So what? Every time this team loses two in a row people start talking about the end of a dynasty and how Michael and Pippen and the gang should retire. Oh, please. 2. Seattle (36-10): They have the best chance of meeting the Bulls in June. They have all the necessary components and they have been there before. Utah is the only contending team in the West that can say that. 3. Utah (30-14): I told you at the beginning of the year when they were doing lousy that once the Jazz are healthy they will win. They have been on a warpath lately. They were only one game behind the twin towers of San Antonio on Tuesday and also beat the Bulls in a game where they came out with a lot of fire power I give more credence to this win than the Laker win because the Bulls were never into that game. onships. They don't have the experience and they are way too flamboyant and egotistic. 5. Indiana (32-12): 1 was really surprised by these guys in the first half of the season. Along with the Bucks, the Pacers are a team I thought was to watch out for The Bucks have been a disappointment whereas the Pacers have been playing up to their potential. They are really responding to Larry Bird as a leader He has proven like Danny Ainge of Phoenix to be as great a coach as he was a player 6. Phoenix (30-14): They were riding on a lot of momentum like Atlanta from last year They also have a lot of talented players. Kevin Johnson and the pack are back. This time they have more experience. They always had a way to win in the past, beating championship-quality teams like Seattle when many thought they would be blown out. They could make a run at L'lah and Seattle this year 7. San Antonio (33-14); They have a great record. They aren't very well known though. They might hold their own in the post-season but 1 don't see them getting farther than the second round. They don't have any experience together 8. Miami (28-17): Mediocre this yearonlv because of losing close games. Watch for them in May and June. 9. Cleveland (27-18): Kemp is doing a great job leading them to a great record this year They may have a very small and slim chance. 10. New York (25-19): They won't get anywhere. Ewing is out, and so are the Knicks. End of story. 4. L.A. Lakers (33-11): Yes, they beat the Bulls by 25 on Sunday. Yes, that takes skill. No, they won't win the champi- INSTANT CREDIT Guaranteed Credit Cards with Credit Limits Up To $10,000 Within Days! N o CREDIT, N o JOB, N o PARENT^SIGNER, N o SECURITY DEPOSIT! no credit • b a d credit • no income? You Can Qualify To ReSceive Two Of the Most Widely Used Credit Cards In The World Today! Want VISA 6t MasterCard ii I I I i i I I I i I I I i 1^ YES I Name Address.^.. City ..— Signature. Credit Cards? ORDER FORM i i I w a n t t'eWJ;f±ik^ydd^WAiddsUvA^a Credit Cards immediately. GACC, VO BOX 1 6 6 6 2 , ATLANTA, GA 3 0 3 2 1 „State I I I I I I ztp Hred of Beina Turned Down? Guaranteed no.OOO In CreditI F!~F: J Page 20 • The Buff and Blue • Febuary 6, 1998 i mu^ Women's Basketball Hits a Snag Miller Hits 1,000 Terry Giansanti Buff n'Blue Staff' Bison's Career Leading Scorers moments as the crowd roared their approval. It took Miller only 42 games to reach the After rolling to a near-perfect 14-1 start, millennium mark, and she needs 395 the Gallaudet women's basketball team points to eclip.se Sherry Bradley {1,431 has dropped two of its last three games points) as Gallaudet's career leading scor(before Thursday's home contest against er. Salisbury State) to drop to 15-3 overall and The two losses dropped Gallaudet to 5th in the latest NCAA Division III Atlantic 6-2 in the CAC. What made the two losses more painful Region polls. The drop may jeopardize were that they came against York and Gallaudet's chances of making the NCAA Catholic, the 6th and 7th-ranked teams in Tournament. The CAC Tournament chamthe league with a combined 5-11 league pion gets an automatic berth into the tournament; otherwise. Gallaudet has to finish record. The poor week overshadowed sophomore 6th or better in the final poll to win a berth. center Ronda Miller's 1 .OOOth career point, Finishing 4th or better would assure the which came in last Thursday's game Bison of one home game in the NCAAs, against Western Maryland. Midway providing a long-awaited chance for the through the first half. .Miller hit a nmner in Field House to sell out for a basketball the lane and the game stopped for a few- game. To the team's credit, both losses came on the road. They're still a perfect 8-0 at home (pending Thursday night's game). Two crucial conference matchups are coming up: Mary Washington, who is currently tied with Gallaudet for 2nd in the CAC with a 6-2 record, will visit the Field House on February 12th. On the 18th, the team will travel to first-place St. Mary's with the goal of toppling them off the top of the CAC and assuming their mantle. But, the Bison will have to focus on the tasks at hand. Salisbury State, only a game behind the Bison in the CAC standings, visited last night. And, tomorrow, league cellar dweller Goucher (0-8) comes to the Field House. Two solid wins in a row would help get the women back on track and gear up for the stretch run. Losing Streak Continues for Men's Squad Challenges Encounter Gallaudet Wrestling Team Shell Whittaker Buff n' Blue Staff The Gallaudet men's basketball team encountered two more losses last week to bring their season-long losing streak to 11 games. The Bison played a rescheduled game against Salisbury State University last night and. depending on the outcome, there is a possibility that the men will finish the season stuck on two wins for the season. All that remains for the team are conference games against Goucher. Mary Wa.shington. JVIarymount. St. Mary's, and Catholic, as well as a non-conference game against Villa Julie. The best chance the Bison have for another victory is none other than Villa Julie, who has been demolished by several CAC teams this year. Villa Julie won over Gallaudet last year 7774. There seems to be only two bright spots among the team this year. Senior point guard Stefan Bergan is among the national leaders in assists and steals and senior Robin Johnson is one of the conference leaders in three-point shooting. The story in the CAC this year is the emergence of Catholic University (15-3. 6-0 CAC), who are now ranked #2 in the Middle Atlantic Region polls and off to their best start in history. Goucher College, who the Bison will play at home tomorrow, is one game behind Catholic with a 6-1 CAC record and is followed close behind by .Marymount College with a 6-2 C.AC record. The remaining CAC teams all have losing records in conference play. Chris Kaftan Buff n'Blue Staff In a tiring season of rash injuries and illnesses, the Gallaudet University wrestling team has stood on its own. With only a few weeks left in the season, there are many wrestlers on the team trying to prove themselves. Since the return from winter break, a series of illnesses hit the team, just like it did with the women's basketball squad early into the semester. With the tlu recently completing its sweep, the team has reunited in time for the upcoming double-matches which will take place this weekend. After returning from winter break, senior Josh La Vine, junior Joseph Ochoa. freshmen Chris Kaftan and Ivan Jarama competed in the Swarthmore Open Invitational at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. LaVine registered the team's first win of 1. Sherry Bradley 2. Corina Gutierrez 3. Sheryl Simpson 4. Nona Sutherland 5. Joanne O'Neill 6. Felice Peyser 7. Ronda Jo Miller 1,431 1,430 1,250 1,246 1,140 1,122 1,037 Congratulations, Ronda Jo!! the season with a 6-3 decision over an opponent in the consolations. In the following week, more bad news came as junior Jeremy Hamke suffered his second concussion in two months, and was forced to cease wrestling for the rest of the season. In addition, junior Jay Einhom found out from Coach Marty Willigan on return from break that he was over the ten semester eligibility rule under the NCAA. Einhom will still help the team out occasionally during practice. Ochoa also severely bruised his ribs in practice and was sidelined for almost two weeks. Gallaudet played against York College on January 24th. Although Gallaudet did not register any points against York or King's College, the Bison wrestlers fought hard against their opponents. Each wrestler gave their best effort to show Coach WRESTLING CONT ON PAGE 18 Casey Martin vs. PGA: ADA-Granted Right to Accessibility Invoked [Background of the case: Currently, a topic of heated debate in the sports world is the case of Casey Martin versus the Professional Golf Association. Martin has been crippled since birth with a shruken leg resulting from a rare J a k e Nunez blood circuContributing Writer latory disorder, Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome. The right leg is half the size of his good leg and bulges with purple veins that swell with blood when he stands up. Martin doesn't have the vein that runs along the bone in his lower leg. Blood returning to the heart goes through a jumble of veins near the surface of the skin. When they get sirgssed. t b ^ bleed, causing, pj^in and Commentary damage in the leg, especially in the knee area. [Martin claims walking to be an extremely difficult and painful activity and has requested that he be allowed to use a motorized cart when playing in PGAsponsored tournaments. Upon his original appeal, the PGA refused, saying that it would grant him an unfair advantage since the physical exertion and mental exhaustion golfers get from walking several miles during four-hour-a-day, four-day tournaments are both considered inextricable aspects of the sport, and if a cart was allowed, many other golfers would create excuses to get carts too. The sports world fears a ripple effect may be created in which people would demand accessibility in other sports (i.e. Jie£uing guides for deaf hunters in tournaments) which would undermine the integrity of the sport. Martin has since then sued the PGA, saying the accessibility provision of the ADA law was violated. A PGA spokesman has retorted, saying that the fundamental appeal of sports is that all participants are given fair competition, regardless of their athletic superiority or inferiority. Currently, there is a Nike commercial featuring Martin with the slogan "I Can" being aired on the ESPN channels. -Ed.] I have been reading about the case of Casey Martin vs. PGA, in which Martin, who has problems walking, sued the PGA because they are not allowing him to use a golf cart for PGA tournaments. This is a very interesting case here. I never thought that this issue would come up. I can understand Martin's argument and the PGA's argument, too. If Martin used a cart, he would have the advantage of saving his energy and being mentally prepared for the next hole. However, if the PGA allows him to use a cart, would he have an unfair advantage? That's a question that I am qualified to answer. Many people don't realize that the golfers walk 4 to 5 miles in one competition. By using a cart, Martin would have much more energy than other golfers. I use a wheelchair myself and it is hard for me to get around campus every day. I think I would love to challenge myself by using a wheelchair on the tour and see how I do. If I was a good golfer GO^F <;ONT ON PAGE 18