By Marissa VogtNEWS EDITOR

Student leaders and administra-tors from Boston area colleges metwith the Boston Police Departmentlast night to discuss the OperationStudent Shield initiative launched inearly January.

The initiative is a partnershipbetween the Boston Police and col-lege administrators with the idea ofimproving on and off-campus safetyby increasing communicationbetween the groups.

Boston Police CommissionerKathleen O’Toole said that thedepartment is trying to get involvedin college housing fairs, orientations,and student meetings to promotesafety and improve student quality oflife. Each institution has identified aliaison with the Boston Police withinits administration, she said, and someadministrators are participating in“ride-alongs” where they assist thepolice in responding to complaints.

O’Toole said that it is “importantto keep the dialogue open” about“challenges we will face, not just onSuper Bowl Sunday, but over thecourse of the year.” She said that aspart of Operation Student Shield, thedepartment wants to encourage collab-oration and “enforce as a last resort.”

Undergraduate Association Pres-ident Harel M. Williams ’05 andInterfraternity Council PresidentChristopher P. Child ’06 represent-ed the MIT student body at themeeting. Associate Dean for Stu-dent Life Programs Barbara A.Baker and Detective Sergeant MaryBeth Riley were also present.

Operation Student Shield is ledby Boston Police Captain WilliamEvans, who was not present at themeeting last night.

Safety a priority for Super BowlMuch of the discussion centered

By Kelley RivoireNEWS EDITOR

Around 500 members of theMIT community braved a snow-storm that had caused a campusclosure to watch the finals of6.270, the Autonomous RobotDesign Competition, on Wednes-day night.

Team “This is Mike Lin,” com-posed of David M. Carpenter ’05,Ron Ron Cheng ’07, and MichaelJ. Gebauer ’06 were victorious overalmost sixty other teams in thisyear’s Star Wars themed competi-tion, entitled “Attack of theDrones: May the Torque be withYou.”

Competition more complexThis year’s competition featured

more difficult scoring rules than lastyear’s, said 6.270 Organizer DavidC. Wang ’05.

The game featured a boardwith three scoring areas for eachteam and red and green ba l l swhich the robots would maneu-ver . Robots could “vote” bydepositing balls of either colorinto either the red or green binslocated on the two sides of thetable. The vote count was deter-mined by number of balls in eachcolor b in , regard less of the i rcolor. The winning bin was theone that had more votes, or, ifneither team voted, was predeter-mined. Balls of the same color asthe“winning” bin were worth 2

By Kelley RivoireNEWS EDITOR

The Cambridge License Commis-sion issued a warning last Friday toSimmons Hall for an unregisteredparty held last October that involvedunderage drinking.

The warning requires Simmons towork with the Campus Alcohol Advi-sory Board and to lead an initiative tocreate a social host training programfor Simmons and other dormitories,said Simmons President David A.Nedzel ’07. The ruling also mandatesthat underage Simmons residents notconsume alcohol in the building andthat Simmons report to the CLC insix months on their progress, Nedzelsaid.

Daniel Trujillo, associate dean forcommunity development and sub-stance abuse programs, said that hebelieves the decision by the CLC was“one of the best outcomes you canhave” and reflected the efforts ofSimmons to “make sure the entirecommunity was aware of how to pre-vent this in the future… That’s whatthe CLC wants,” he said.

The CLC could have revokedSimmons’ housing license.

Simmons to lead training programSocial host training is currently

only available for members of frater-nities, Trujillo said. Nedzel said thatthe new social host training programwill be developed by consideringwhich aspects of the fraternity train-ing are applicable to dormitories andwhat additional components might beuseful.

By developing a training programfor dormitories similar to that of fra-ternities, Simmons can “providesomething that’s valuable,” Trujillosaid.

The training program will beimplemented no later than next fall,Nedzel said.

Some component of the programSimmons creates might be used during

an orientation for freshmen who moveinto the dormitory this fall, he said.

As part of the charge to becomeinvolved with the CAAB, SimmonsChairman Andrew T. Lukmann ’07said he would appoint a resident toattend CAAB meetings.

The CAAB, a coalition betweenMIT and the City of Cambridge,deals with alcohol issues both on andoff campus, Trujillo said. One focusof the CAAB is to educate studentsabout the process for event registra-tion and to encourage students to reg-ister parties, he said.

Regarding the component of theCLC decision forbidding underagestudents from consuming alcohol,Lukmann said that he does not know

whether Simmons will institute anychanges to its current policies.

“I don’t think anyone has theinterest of becoming a police forcefor the dorm,” Lukmann said. Hesuggested that graduate residenttutors might take a stronger role inaddressing the issue “so that peoplecan keep a better eye out.”

Nedzel said that the Simmonsgovernment is still in the early plan-ning stages regarding the stipulationsmade by the CLC, and he expectsSimmons will work with the Dormi-tory Council in developing the pro-grams.

The details of the CLC warningwill be discussed by Simmons offi-cers at a leadership seminar this

weekend, Lukmann said.

Simmons making progressSimmons residents have become

more educated about party registra-tion and underage drinking since theincident in October. “I think the CLChas made residents much more awareof the seriousness of underage drink-ing,” Nedzel said.

The CLC decision reflects theunderstanding that Simmons hastaken positive steps following theparty, including holding mandatorycommunity forums, Nedzel said.

“It’s important for Cambridge toremind the Simmons community ofthe standards of not only MIT, butthe city around us,” Lukmann said.

STEPHANIE LEE—THE TECH

The Cambridge License Commission recently issued a warning to Simmons Hall regarding an unregis-tered party involving underage drinking.

Volume 125, Number 1 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 Tuesday, February 1, 2005

MIT’sOldest and Largest

Newspaper

The WeatherToday: Sunny, High near 39°F (4°C)

Tonight: Clear, 20°F (–7°C)Tomorrow: Partly cloudy, 37°F (3°C)

Details, Page 2

“Order ofRandomCauchy”WinsMASLab

Page 16

Comics

Page 5

NEWSLargest 6.370 Competition Ever

Page 7New UA Secretary, TreasurerAppointed

Page 10

World & Nation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

CLC Issues Warning to Simmons for Party

CHRISTINA KANG—THE TECH

Students stand in one of three long lines at the MIT COOP in Kendall Square on Monday, Jan. 31.Many students purchased books for their classes on registration day.

“This isMike Lin”VictoriousIn 6.270

Colleges, Boston PoliceDiscuss Students’ Safety

Safety, Page 15

6.270, Page 7

By Neil A. LewisTHE NEW YORK TIMES

WASHINGTON

A federal judge ruled against theBush administration Monday,declaring that detainees at Guan-tanamo Bay, Cuba, were clearlyentitled to have federal courts exam-ine whether they have been lawfullydetained.

The judge, Joyce Hens Green ofFederal District Court in Washing-ton, rejected the argument that fed-eral courts could not issue writs ofhabeas corpus for Guantanamo thatwould require the government tojustify the detentions before ajudge.

Green said that although theGuantanamo base was in Cuba, theSupreme Court definitively ruled in

June that it was not out of the reachof American law as administrationofficials have argued.

“American authorities are in fullcontrol at Guantanamo Bay, theiractivities are immune from Cubanlaw,” leaving no reason to contendthat American law does not apply,she wrote.

“Although this nation unques-tionably must take strong actionunder the leadership of the com-mander in chief to protect itselfagainst enormous and unprecedent-ed threats,” the judge wrote, “thatnecessity cannot negate the exis-tence of the most basic fundamentalrights for which the people of thiscountry have fought and died forwell over 200 years.”

Green also declared unconstitu-

tional the tribunals that the militaryestablished over the summer toreview the detentions in the hope ofsatisfying the Supreme Court ruling.In addition, she questioned whethersome of the information usedagainst the detainees had beenobtained by torture and was thusunreliable, the first time that prob-lem has been brought up in a judi-cial opinion.

The Justice Department has con-tended that federal courts shouldsteer clear of involving themselvesin the detention of terror suspectsbecause that is left to the sole dis-cretion of the president in his consti-tutional role as commander in chief.

But over the last few years, somefederal courts have rejected thatsweeping assertion.

WORLD & NATIONPage 2 THE TECH February 1, 2005

Britain Not Yet Confirming C-130 Was Shot Down

By Lizette AlvarezTHE NEW YORK TIMES LONDON

British officials said Monday that they were investigating thecrash of a British C-130 plane in Iraq on Sunday and could not con-firm any connection between the crash and Islamic militants.

Two militant groups took responsibility on Monday for downingthe plane, but neither claim could be substantiated. The first statementwas issued on an Islamic Web site by Ansar al-Islam, a group that hasbeen loosely linked to al-Qaida. It said it had shot down the RAF C-130 Hercules on Sunday, election day in Iraq. “A group of youngmujahedeen from Ansar al-Islam managed to detect a C-130 Herculesflying at low altitude from Baghdad to Balad, and downed it with aguided rocket,” the statement said.

Later in the day, Al-Jazeera television broadcast a video thatappeared to show the downing of the British transport plane, with aclaim that the “Islamic National Resistance in Iraq” had filmed theattack and claimed responsibility for it.

Senate Democrats Cool to Bush’s Social Security Plan

By David E. Rosenbaumand Richard W. StevensonTHE NEW YORK TIMES WASHINGTON

Six of the seven Democratic senators from the states where Presi-dent Bush plans to campaign for his Social Security plan this weeksay they are unalterably opposed to his main principle of divertingtax money into personal investment accounts.

Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida takes an unequivocal stand typical ofwhat others have expressed in interviews and public statements. “Iwill oppose diverting money from the Social Security trust fund,”Nelson said in a speech at a luncheon in West Palm Beach on Mon-day.

He continued: “I will fight against cuts to Social Security benefits.I will fight against any plan that relies on massive borrowing andincreases the debt. And I will fight to protect this program that pro-vides a safe and reliable source of retirement income for millions ofAmericans.”

The one exception among the seven was Sen. Ben Nelson ofNebraska, who said in an interview he could not make a commitmenton Social Security until he saw the specifics of the president’s plan.

A New Language Arises, And Scientists Watch It Evolve

By Nicholas WadeTHE NEW YORK TIMES

Linguists studying a signing system that spontaneously developedin an isolated Bedouin village say they have captured a new languagebeing generated from scratch. They believe its features may reflectthe innate neural circuitry that governs the brain’s faculty for lan-guage.

The language, known as the Al-Sayyid Bedouin Sign Language, isused in a village of some 3,500 people in the Negev Desert of Israel.They are descendants of a single founder, who arrived 200 years agofrom Egypt and married a local woman. Two of the couple’s fivesons were deaf, as are about 150 members of the community today.

The Al-Sayyid clan has long been known to geneticists, but onlynow have linguists studied its sign language. A team led by Dr.Wendy Sandler of the University of Haifa says in Tuesday’s issue ofThe Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences that the Al-Sayyid sign language developed spontaneously and without outsideinfluence. It is not related to Israeli or Jordanian sign languages, andits word order differs from that of the spoken languages of the region.

Tabulation of Ballots BeginsAs Attacks in Iraq ContinueBy John F. BurnsTHE NEW YORK TIMES

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

Teams of Iraqi election workerssat down behind banks of computersin Baghdad’s tightly guarded interna-tional zone on Monday and begantabulating millions of ballots that willdetermine the makeup of the coun-try’s 275-seat transitional assembly.

Iraq’s interim prime minister,Ayad Allawi, led many of the coun-try’s leading political figures in abuoyant assessment of the electionson Sunday that saw large turnoutsacross many parts of the country,especially in Shiite and Kurdishareas, and surprising numbers of vot-ers casting ballots even in Sunni areasin central and northern Iraq where aparalyzing boycott had been feared.

“The terrorists know now thatthey cannot win,” Allawi said in abrief appearance before reportershere. “We are entering a new era ofour history, and all Iraqis, whetherthey voted or not, should stand sideby side to build their future.”

The celebrations were jarred,however, by the deaths on Mondayof three Marines south of Baghdadand a statement from the U.S. mili-tary command that American troopshad killed four detainees at a deten-

tion center in southern Iraq.The Marines were killed in com-

bat during a security operation inBabil Province, the military said,according to Reuters, giving no fur-ther details. In an earlier statementon Monday, it reported that aMarine from the First ExpeditionaryForce was killed Sunday in Anbarprovince.

The deaths of the four detaineescame during an effort by Americansoldiers to suppress a riot on Mon-day at the Camp Bucca detentioncenter outside Basra, where thedetainee population, as at AbuGhraib prison, has been swollen bymore than 2,500 arrests of suspectedinsurgents in the last month, part ofa nationwide pre-election crack-down.

The command’s statement saidthe riot began when guards weresearching detainee quarters for“contraband,” with detainees in fourof the camp’s compounds “throwingrocks and fashioning weapons frommaterials inside their living areas.”Six detainees were hurt.

The command said it was inves-tigating the cause of the riot, as wasArmy’s criminal investigations divi-sion, a standard procedure.

“Guards attempted to calm the

increasingly volatile situation usingverbal warnings and, when thatfailed, by use of nonlethal force,” itsaid. “After about 45 minutes ofescalating violence, lethal force wasused to quell the violence.”

In another reminder that theelections have done nothing thatpromises Iraqis any early relief fromthe insurgency, Al-Jazeera televi-sion broadcast a videotape on Mon-day in which one of the main Islam-ic militant groups, Ansar ul-Sunna,claimed to have shot down theBritish C-130 military transport thatcrashed 25 miles north of Baghdadon Sunday, killing the 10 Britonsaboard.

The big questions left hangingby the elections — those of turnoutand the breakdown of seats amongthe parties — remained unansweredon Monday as 200 election workersset out in three round-the-clockshifts to begin the computer tabula-tions of the ballots. Iraqi electionofficials said final figures for theturnout, which is crucial to the elec-tions’ legitimacy in Iraq and abroad,would be announced within 48hours, possibly on Tuesday. Nofinal party-by-party breakdown ofthe vote was likely for as much as10 days.

Federal Judge Extends RightsFor Detainees at Guantanamo

Winter part deux?By David FlaggSTAFF METEOROLOGIST

Yesterday was the coldest day in Cambridge since last January, as bitingWednesday, Feb. 2 is Groundhog Day. According to legend, this peculiartradition derives from the early Christian observance of Candlemas Day,also seen as a mid-point of the winter season. The old Scottish rhyme: “IfCandlemas Day is bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year” isone example of this folklore. After the Romans imported this concept to theTeutons in modern Germany, they chose to identify “bright and clear” withthe appearance of an animal shadow (a hedgehog). They also dictated thatthe “second winter” would be six weeks long. German settlers in the state ofPennsylvania introduced this custom to the U.S., where groundhogs wereplentiful and used in place of the hedgehog. Groundhog Day was born. Eachyear since 1887, revelers in Punxsutawney, PA observe this celebration byyanking the helpless creature, named “Punxsutawney Phil,” out of a treestump to the delight of several thousand on-lookers and declaring his prog-nosis. I recommend joining the celebration at least once in a lifetime!

Extended Forecast:

Today: Sunny. High: 39 (4°C)Tonight: Clear. Low: 20 (–7°C)Tomorrow: Partly cloudy, seasonal. High: 37 (3°C)Tomorrow Night: Partly cloudy. High: 25 (–4°C)Thursday: Increasing clouds, light snow possible. High: 35 (2°C)Friday: Overcast, possible light rain/snow. High: 36 (2°C)

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Compiled by MITMeteorology Staff

and The Tech

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WEATHERSituation for Noon Eastern Standard Time, Tuesday, February 1, 2005

February 1, 2005 WORLD & NATION THE TECH Page 3

Aneurysm Scans Urged for Older Men Who Smoked

By Gina KolataTHE NEW YORK TIMES

In a sharp change from current policy, an influential medical advi-sory group is recommending that all men aged 65 to 75 who haveever smoked have an ultrasound screening test to see if they aredeveloping a condition that could kill them in minutes by bursting amajor artery in the abdomen.

The group, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, is an inde-pendent panel of medical experts that advises the federal Agency forHealthcare Research and Quality. Its recommendations help set gov-ernment policy and are generally followed by primary care doctors.

The task force last looked at the condition, abdominal aorticaneurysms, in 1996 and concluded that there was insufficient evi-dence that a screening test would save lives. But now, it said, fourlarge clinical trials have provided the evidence it needs, at least forthose most at risk.

Finding aneurysms early, with a scan that can cost $350 to $400,and repairing them with an operation that can cost $15,000 to$20,000 if there are no complications, can cut the death rate by athird. Although the surgery can itself cause death, the risk that a largeaneurysm will suddenly rupture and kill the patient is greater, thegroup said.

The condition kills at least 9,000 people a year in the UnitedStates. With screening, “the science comes down to saying this isworth doing,” said Dr. Ned Calonge, chairman of the task force andchief medical officer of the Colorado Department of Public Healthand Environment.

Special Forces Allowed to Pay Informants and Recruit Soldiers

By Douglas Jehland Eric SchmittTHE NEW YORK TIMES WASHINGTON

Congress has given the Pentagon important new authority to fightterrorism by authorizing Special Operations forces for the first time tospend money to pay informants and recruit foreign paramilitary sol-diers.

The new authority, which would also let Special Operations forcespurchase equipment or other items from the foreigners, is spelled outin a single paragraph of an 800-page defense authorization bill passedby Congress and signed into law by President Bush in October. It wasrequested by the Pentagon and the commander of Special Operationsforces as part of a broader effort to make the military less reliant onthe Central Intelligence Agency, according to congressional andDefense Department officials.

A Pentagon spokesman, Bryan Whitman, said the new authoritywas necessary to avoid a repetition of problems encountered in theinvasion of Afghanistan in 2001. During that conflict, Special Opera-tions troops had to wait for the CIA to pay informants and could notalways count on timely support, the Pentagon concluded.

Russian Inflation Magnifies Sting of Welfare Changes

By Erin E. ArvedlundTHE NEW YORK TIMES MOSCOW

More than ever, painful changes in Russia’s economy are hurtingcitizens on government assistance, and the effect is being magnifiedby inflation.Russia missed its 10 percent inflation target for 2004,ending up with 11.7 percent. That has cast doubt on the feasibility ofthis year’s 8.5 percent target.

“I believe that it is possible to achieve the 8.5 percent target,”Russia’s economic development and trade minister, German Gref,told the Federation Council, the upper house of parliament, inremarks carried by news agencies on Friday. He admitted in the samespeech, however, that inflation in January would exceed 2 percent.

The higher inflation comes as President Vladimir V. Putin isembarking on some of the most difficult economic changes since thefall of the Soviet Union. Benefits for pensioners, veterans and dis-abled people, including free transportation, telephone calls, housingand medicine, were replaced at the beginning of this year withmonthly cash payments. Those payments, to be paid to 32 millionpeople, start at $7.

Economists are already skeptical of the government’s war oninflation, saying prices will rise 11 percent to 15 percent in 2005.

“There’s a substantial potential for inflation this year, and the tar-get of 8.5 percent is wishful thinking,” said Peter Westin, economistat Aton Capital, a brokerage firm and investment bank. “Inflation isunfortunate, but it’s also a necessary consequence of adjusting pricesand wages.

Pulitizer to Be Acquired By Lee Enterprises

By Jacques SteinbergTHE NEW YORK TIMES

Pulitzer Inc., the publisher of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Ari-zona Daily Star and 12 other daily newspapers in the Midwest andWest, has agreed to be acquired by Lee Enterprises, a newspaperchain based in Davenport, Iowa, for nearly $1.5 billion.

The deal brings together two like-minded companies. Lee’s 44daily newspapers stretch from Glens Falls, N.Y., (where it publishesThe Post-Star) to Oceanside, Calif., (The North Country Times), butare largely clustered in the Midwest. The company publishes TheWisconsin State Journal and The Capital Times in Madison, Wis.,and The Sioux City Journal in Sioux City, Iowa. The two companiesannounced the deal late Sunday night, in an unannounced e-mailstatement sent to reporters who cover the industry, as well as in arti-cles that appeared Monday in their own publications.

By Lee’s tally, the 58 daily newspapers owned by the combinedcompany, which would be known as Lee, would make it the fourthlargest in the country, behind Gannett, Community Newspaper Hold-ings and Liberty Group Publishing. As measured by its combinedweekday circulation, the company would rank seventh, Lee said.

HP Researchers Develop NewLogic Device of Molecular SizeBy John MarkoffTHE NEW YORK TIMES

SAN FRANCISCO

A group of Hewlett-Packardresearchers will report Tuesday thatthey have created a molecular-scalealternative to the transistor. The newdevice could increase the viabilityof a new generation of ultrasmallelectronics that may one day besmaller than what is possible withtoday’s silicon-based technology.

In an article to be publishedTuesday in the Journal of AppliedPhysics, three researchers at thequantum science research group ofHewlett-Packard Labs, based inPalo Alto, Calif., describe how theyhave designed a device called a“crossbar latch,” making it possibleto perform a type of logic operationthat is essential to the functions of amodern computer.

The advance is significant,according to scientists, because forthe first time it provides molecularcomputer designers with a completearray of logic devices to develop thenew technology.

“Their latch demonstrationexperiment is significant and a bigstep forward for molecular-scaleelectronics,” said James C. Ellenbo-gen, a scientist and member ofMitre Corp.’s nanosystems group inMcLean, Va.

The new device consists of awire that is crossed by two otherwires. The resulting junctions serveas switches that are only a fewatoms across and can be pro-grammed by a repeatable set ofelectrical pulses. Standard electronicdevices require conventional tran-sistors to perform the same opera-tion.

After a burst of progress in mol-ecular electronics in the late 1990s,there has been some industry skepti-cism about whether the field mightever be refined to the point that itcould replace conventional micro-electronics.

While the technology is notready for commercialization, theHewlett-Packard announcement iscertain to re-energize the field. Theresearchers, Philip J. Kuekes, Dun-

can R. Stewart and R. StanleyWilliams, said they believed theirtechnology could be available afterthe end of this decade.

Currently, the semiconductorindustry’s most advanced manufac-turing process is based on a 90-nanometer minimum feature size:About 1,000 transistors made usingthis process would fit in the width ofa human hair.

The Hewlett-Packard researcherssaid they began to focus on molecu-lar electronics a number of yearsago because they realized that tradi-tional semiconductor manufacturingtechniques would eventually beunable to produce the ever-fasterspeeds that advanced computingrequires.

“As things shrink, it gets hard,”Kuekes said, referring to problemsof heat and quantum mechanics thatplague manufacturers of the small-est transistors. Not only do thesedevices leak current in the form ofheat, but it also becomes increasing-ly difficult to determine whether aswitch is on or off.

By Eric Liptonand Matthew L. WaldTHE NEW YORK TIMES

WASHINGTON

Fearing that the nation remainstoo vulnerable to a “dirty bomb” ornuclear weapon, the Bush adminis-tration intends to announce a signifi-cant expansion in February of feder-al efforts to monitor the importingof radioactive material and itsmovement around the country, offi-cials said Monday.

The office for domestic nucleardetection, set up at the Department ofHomeland Security, would coordi-nate a growing but fragmented net-work of radiation detection equip-ment, administration officials said.

The security department is thebiggest player in this field, installingmore than 400 radiation monitors inthe past two years at ports, bordercrossings and post offices that han-dle international mail. Cities likeNew York have also been buyingdetection equipment.

“The threat is very real,” saidRep. Heather A. Wilson, R-N.M.,who led a recent study that calledfor better coordination of nuclearsecurity efforts. “The possibility ofnuclear material falling into wronghands may be small, but it wouldhave devastating consequences.”

The new federal office wouldcoordinate research into new detec-tion technologies, improve trainingon how to use them and help decidewhere to place them, administrationofficials said. If radioactive materialis found, the office would also takecharge of the federal response.

The program would include rep-resentatives from the Department ofEnergy, the FBI, the State Depart-ment and the Department ofDefense.

Bush intends to include about$100 million of new financing forthe program in the budget he is torelease next week, along with anoth-er $100 million directed from otherprograms, an administration officialsaid.

A Homeland Securityspokesman, Brian Roehrkasse, saidhe could not comment on the effortuntil the budget was released. Buteven before the details have beendisclosed, some people questionwhether the new spending will sig-nificantly enhance security.

“In theory, it is a great idea,”said James Jay Carafano, senior fel-low for defense and domestic secu-rity at the Heritage Foundation, aconservative research group basedin Washington. “The real questionis, Will this office actually have the

authority to make budget decisions,set priorities and establish require-ments for nuclear detection activi-ties? It is a very open question.”

Detecting radiation in shippingcontainers or trucks is fairly easy,experts say, but it is much harder touse that information as a clue to thepresence of a nuclear weapon, or adirty bomb, which is intended tocontaminate a small area withradioactive material using a conven-tional explosive.

The most prominent recent casecited by the shipping industryinvolved a vessel called the Paler-mo-Senator, which Navy Seals andEnergy Department techniciansidentified as a possible threat on thebasis of radiation emissions when itwas in port in Newark, N.J., in Sep-tember 2002.

The Coast Guard ordered thevessel back out to sea. Two dayslater, the source of the radiation wasfound to be naturally occurring traceelements contained in ceramic tiles.

Such false alarms are less fre-quent now but still occur. On Satur-day, Customs and Border Protectionofficers at the Port of Los Angelesfound cobalt-60 in an engine storageroom on the container ship Toledo,which was under charter to MaerskInc.

Insurance Broker Marsh & McLennanFined $850 Million for Rigging PricesBy Joseph B. TreasterTHE NEW YORK TIMES

NEW YORK

Marsh & McLennan Cos., thelargest insurance broker in the world,agreed Monday to pay $850 millionto settle a lawsuit accusing it ofcheating customers by rigging pricesand steering business to insurers inexchange for incentive payments.

Although the company did notformally acknowledge any wrong-doing, Michael G. Cherkasky, thechief executive of Marsh, apolo-gized for what he called the “shame-ful” and “unlawful” behavior of “afew people” at the company. But hesaid, “We don’t believe that our cor-porate entity has ever been involvedin a pattern of covering up or a pat-tern of criminal behavior.”

The $850 million, which Marshwill pay over a four-year period,will be used to compensate about100,000 corporations and smallerbusinesses whose commercial insur-ance was arranged by Marsh from2001 and 2004.

In the days after the chargeswere filed in October, Marshstopped taking incentive paymentsfrom insurers and its chief execu-tive, Jeffrey W. Greenberg, wasforced to resign. The companyagreed Monday to fundamentalchanges in the way it does business.

The lawsuit, brought by EliotSpitzer, the New York attorney gen-eral, maintained that Marsh receivedkickbacks from insurance compa-nies that increased the cost of cover-age for its customers and did notserve as an unbiased broker. He hasalso been investigating other bro-kers and insurance companiesaround the country for similar activ-ities, and attorneys general andinsurance regulators in many stateshave joined in with their owninquiries.

Spitzer said in an interview Mon-day that the settlement “captures ourbest effort to bring principles ofintegrity to this industry.” He said hehoped that the settlement wouldserve as a template for bringing his

other investigations to a close “inthe next several weeks to months.”None of the other attorneys generalor insurance regulators participatedin the settlement with Marsh.

Spitzer said the $850 millionwas largest settlement with a singlecompany since he began investigat-ing corporate wrongdoing threeyears ago. He has negotiated bil-lions of dollars in penalties andrestitution from banks and mutualfunds for cheating customers. Butthe largest single payment until nowhas been the $300 million paid byCitigroup, whose analysts wereaccused of providing misleadingadvice on stocks.

In the settlement Monday, Marshagreed to return about half of the$1.7 billion in incentive paymentsthat it had received over four yearsfrom insurance companies.Cherkasky did not acknowledge thatthe incentive payments increasedthe cost of insurance but he saidMarsh agreed to the settlement to“put this behind us.”

Fears Lead US to Plan ExpansionIn Radioactive Material Tracking

Co-Pay ClarificationsIn response to the Jan. 26 Letter to the

Editor, [“Viagra vs. Mircette”], we would liketo clarify facts regarding the costs at MITMedical pharmacy for oral contraceptives anderectile dysfunction agents. Before discussingthe specific drugs and their tier placement, itis important to note that the tiered co-paymentstructure mentioned in Ms. Roberts-Kopp’sletter applies only to members of the MITemployee health plans. It does not apply tostudent health plan members.

MIT Medical places drugs in tier cate-gories based on clinical effectiveness and theavailability of alternatives. For example, mostgeneric drugs are Tier 1 ($8 co-pay), brand-name drugs without an alternative genericequivalent are mostly in Tier 2 ($25 co-pay),and brand-name drugs with an alternativegeneric equivalent are generally found in Tier3 ($40 co-pay).

Ms. Roberts-Kopp’s letter stated that whileViagra, a brand-name drug for erectile dys-function was a Tier-2 medication, birth-con-trol prescriptions such as Mircette were Tier-3drugs. In fact, 10 of the 18 oral contraceptivesin the MIT Medical pharmacy formulary arein Tier 1 ($8), six are in Tier 2 ($25), and twoare in Tier 3 ($40). Mircette, the oral contra-ceptive cited in Ms. Robert-Kopp’s letter, is abrand-name drug with a generic equivalent.The MIT Medical formulary places Mircettein Tier 3, however, the generic equivalent toMircette is available in Tier 1 for a co-pay of$8.

The MIT Medical pharmacy formularylists three erectile dysfunction agents. Viagrais in Tier 2 ($25), while Levitra and Cialis arein Tier 3 ($40).

MIT Medical is committed to workingwith all our patients to find the most cost-effective care for their needs.

William Kettyle, MD, Medical Director

Ratna Bhojani, RPh, Chief Pharmacist

Viagra, Mircette BothDifficult to Justify

Ms. Roberts-Kopp’s Jan. 26 letter, whichcompares the relative importance of “get-ting a hard on” and “preventing unwantedpregnancies,” demonstrates her acutelybiased perspective on the entire matter.Viagra and Mircette are in fact identical inpurpose; they al low recreat ional sex.Women can avoid unwanted pregnancieswithout Mircette by not having sex, just asmen can avoid erectile dysfunction withoutViagra by doing the same. If one accountsfor the benefit of Viagra for procreationalsex, perhaps its lower co-pay is justif ied.Personally, I think the drugs should be treat-ed equally.

Amal Dorai ‘05

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Page 4 THE TECH February 1, 2005

Page5

February 1,2005

Trio by Emezie Okorafor

If you draw cartoons for The Tech, everyone will know your name.

Be famous!join@tt.mit.edu

by Brian Loux

Page 6 The Tech February 1, 2005K

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scroll16 Stead17 Goggle at18 Poetic Muse19 Slight advantage20 Roomy areas23 Post-larval stage24 Illuminated25 Well-mannered28 Really dry30 Decorative vase33 Soon34 Bowie's weapon35 Natal lead-in36 Soupcons40 Fit out

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member45 Fingered a

rhythm47 Jiffy48 Move

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By Jenny ZhangNEWS EDITOR

We first decided to try out6.270 just for kicks because wethought it would be pretty cool tobuild a robot and maybe even get itto move. Plus, we were thrilledwith the possibility of naming it

“Poop-bot” or“ F a r t -bot.”

W eall had

other commitments and vowed that6.270 would NOT take over ourlives, as others had claimed it cer-tainly would. The team consistedof two math majors and one then-chemistry major. Eventually, espe-cially during the last week, webegan spending entire nights in labsave for a couple hours of nappingin the Tech office. The funny thingwas we willingly did this becausewe liked hanging around eachother and also are nerdy MIT stu-dents with no lives or better waysto spend our Saturday nights.

6.270 started on Jan. 3, the firstday of IAP, or Jan. 2 for one teammember, who did parts sortingbecause his teammates didn’t getback in time. The first couple daysweren’t so tough, just a mix of 10a.m. lectures and workshops whichtaught the basics of Lego-buildingand programming. During one ofthe lectures, our organizer Vimalshowed us why shorting out Hawk-er batteries is bad by doing pre-cisely that. The batteries began toemit sparks and smoke. Theysmelled really good.

During one of the evenings, the6.270 organizers and TAs held acrash course in C programming.Two of us (myself included*embarrassed look*) fell asleep,and then I woke up because I heardsomeone fart. It may or may nothave been me. *Looks aroundinnocently*. My laughter woke upmy teammate Kathy (read:Yeuwhai K. Lin ’06), and I toldher the story. She then fell out of

her chair laughing, and everyonestared at us. Just kidding.

Back on topic. One of theworkshops on soldering was espe-cially fun because we got to meltstuff together and breathe a toxicfume called flux, which for somereason or other helps the soldermaterial work well. Our expansionboard (which goes onto the robot’sbrain) didn’t work at first, so likekids with a broken toy, we broughtit crying to Vimal and asked himto fix it. He basically fixed all ofour crappy soldering and thenwoohoo! It worked! Both Kathyand I have longer hair than ourthird team member, so we got toexperience the pleasant odor thatresulted from burning our hair onthe soldering iron.

Our first major assignment wascalled “Romeo and Juliet.” Ourrobot was supposed to find a spoton the game board by knowing itscoordinates, as communicated byradio frequency.

It seemed really simple: justdrive from point A to point B, butof course it wasn’t. My teammates,being math whizzes, quickly fig-ured out a nifty angle-checkingprogram through which our robotlearned how much it needed to turnto align itself to the straightestpath to the other point, a.k.a.Romeo.

During the month of January,we spent hours and hours in lab,breathing that appetizing solderand singing songs with new lyricsthat we made up. Towards the end,the staff held “marathon” hoursand lab was open 24 hours a day.To entertain themselves and us,they played movies continuously.We brought in a laptop with myplaylist, which consisted of songsby Billy Bob Thornton, Hanson,Beach Boys, and Michael Jackson.We also really l ike the song“Stacy’s Mom,” because it’s reallycool. Maybe we annoyed the heckout of our neighbors, but nobodyto the best of our knowledge toldus to quit singing along to the

beautiful music.Robot impounding was around 5

p.m., and around noon we beganrealizing that we would not be ableto get most of the things we hadplanned to work. We were sad for awhile, but too tired to really carehow we did in the competition. Weall genuinely were glad we had par-ticipated, even with the knowledgethat our robot might not work at all.

As 5 p.m. approached, we wererunning out of time for coding sowe just pasted together randomcode we already had and hoped forthe best. We had never tested thefinal code we loaded into the robot,so on the morning of competitionday, we were thrilled that the robotactually moved during the qualify-ing rounds, even thought it was in avery twitchy manner. Very soonafter, it got stuck into a wall nearthe voting area and stayed there forthe rest of the one minute round. Atleast it looked like it was attempt-ing to vote, though we had nevertried to make it do so. The compe-tition was double elimination, butso many teams lost in the morning(a double loss is possible if bothteams don’t score) that the staffdecided to allow all the teams toparticipate in the finals round thatevening.

The evening round was reallyexciting, even though we had lowexpectations for our robot. Wewere being webcast l ive, andKathy managed to pick her nose onthe big screen. Although we lost inthe first round of the evening evenafter luckily shoving one ball ofthe right color into our scoringarea, we stuck around for the dura-tion of the competit ion. Aftergoing through the experience our-selves of trying to build a function-al robot, it was much easier toappreciate how well other teamsmust have designed, built, and pro-grammed their robots to get themto work consistently. After havingworked alongside these teams allJanuary, it was fun to see some oftheir designs work out.

points, while balls of the “losingvote” were wor th -1 . Teamscould score for themselves orgive other teams negative pointsby put t ing bal ls of the losingcolor into the opponent’s scoringareas.

Winners use simple strategyThe winning team employed a

relatively simple, “non-intelligent”strategy, aiming to produce a reli-able robot rather than risk complica-tions, said Cheng. Their robotwould first determine its orientation,then straighten out and knock fourballs into the scoring zone, guaran-teeing at least two points. In theirstrategy, the robot would then com-mit the side of the table opposite theother team’s robot, and collect allthe balls on that side. The robotwould then check the vote andguess, according to where it waslocated on the board, what colorballs it had. If the robot determinedthat the balls were the same color asthe vote, it would move into itsscoring area; if the vote was oppo-site, the robot would deposit theballs in their opponent’s scoringarea, he said.

They made the robot have “asfew moving parts as possible” sothat “not much could go wrong,”Cheng said. The robot “did what itwas told to do very well.”

Cheng said the team was “verysurprised to see our robot do verywell.” He said that the team decidedto enter the contest because Gebauerhad recently switched to Course 6and needed the credits.

Features added to competitionThis year’s competition included

many “new technological advances,”said Wang. In previous years, robotshad a “very hard time navigatingaround the playing field.” This year,the contest organizers implementedan interactive system in whichrobots received real-time informa-tion about the positions of the tworobots and the status of the votefrom radio frequency sensors, said6.270 Organizer David P. Ziegler G.

The goal of the changes was to“make it so that teams can havemore flexibility in what kinds ofdesigns are good and worthwhile,”

he said. The more complicated scoring

mechanism was a trade-off, Zieglersaid. It allowed teams to “be moreinventive and creative,” but wasalso “a little more difficult for audi-ence members to understand,” hesaid.

The scoring rules also encour-aged a wider range of strategies thanin previous years, leading to agreater dependence on good coding,said Wang.

Teams were also allowed freereign in modifying their electronics,Ziegler said. One team chose toreplace both their motors and batter-ies, he said.

Ziegler said that, as in otheryears, the key to success in thisyear’s competition was having areliable robot. “If you want to beone of the top five teams, you haveto be reliable,” he said, though headded that winning the competitionalso involved a certain amount ofluck.

Contestants had mixed emotions Participants in the 6.270 contest

praised the accomplishment theyfelt when their robots functionedcorrectly, while lamenting their lackof sleep.

The robot created by the teamincluding Omar S. Bashir ’05 wasseeded in the top five, but ran intodifficulties after some last-minutechanges, Bashir said. He said theteam had a “really risky strategy” inwhich his team’s robot immediatelymoved to the other team’s side ofthe table. They were “sure it wouldhave paid off,” but because of anerror in programming, the robotended up “crashing and burningpretty early,” he said.

David E. Tobias ’06 said histeam constructed a robot in whichtwo smaller components would sep-arate, with one component going totheir scoring area to score positivepoints and one component going totheir opponent’s area to score nega-tive points for the other team. How-ever, their sensors began to mal-function on the day of theimpounding, and the team had topull out of the competition. Tobiasalso said that because of all timespent in lab, it was easy to becomefriends with members of otherteams.

February 1, 2005 THE TECH Page 7

6.270 Features NewSensors, Technology6.270, from Page 1

6.270 Fun Regardless of Results

Reporter’sNotebook

By Kathy LinEDITOR IN CHIEF

With over 250 students on 127teams, this year’s 6.370 softwareengineering competition was thelargest yet. At Saturday’s finals,team “CDG,” comprised of mem-bers Clifford A. Frey G and JamesM. Roewe, came away victorious.

This year’s competition wassimilar to last year’s, although theorganizers changed the rules, objec-tive, and types of robots “enough sothat people could get credit again,”said Aaron B. Iba ’05, one of thecompetition’s two chairmen.

In the competition, teams werechallenged to “combine battle strat-egy and software engineering… towrite the best player program forthe computer game Robocraft,”according to the 6.370 Web site. Inthe competitions, two teams of vir-tual robots controlled solely bysoftware vied for resources andattacked each other, according tothe Web site.

There were “lots of cool strate-gies,” Iba said. For example, somerobots “snuck up from behind” onother robots, said David L.Greenspan ’06, the other chairmanof the competition.

One “big challenge” was thateach team had “multiple robots thatcommunicated with each other,”and the teams had to figure out

good methods for communication,Greenspan said.

Iba said he likes to call 6.370 the“Super Bowl for nerds,” andGreenspan added that there is “playby play commentary.”

Andrew W. Houston ’05, whotook fifth place as a one-man team,participated because it “seemed likea fun thing to do,” he said.Although many teams had two orthree people, Houston said it isharder to work with more than oneperson because it is “tough to coor-dinate.”

Houston said his strategy was to“try to do all the core things reallywell,” whereas other teams hadreally complicated strategies.

This was 6.370’s fifth year as asoftware robotics competition, Ibasaid. Iba and Greenspan, who ranthe competition for the second timethis year, had the “ambition ofgrowing it,” Iba said. When theywon the competition two years ago,there were 30 to 40 teams, and theywon a 300 dollar prize, Iba said.Since then, the competition hasgrown to over 12 thousand dollarsin prizes and 127 teams this year,Iba said, with many companiessponsoring the competition. 6.370was a good opportunity for finaliststo meet recruiters from sponsoringcompanies and “get to know them,”Houston said.

Team “CDG” Takes FirstIn Programming Contest

This space donated by The Tech

Page 8 THE TECH February 1, 2005

Looking for a careerthat defiesthe law ofgravity?

Isaac Newton 1642–1727

Then talkto someonewho knowsscience.

If you want to head upward in the world of science, it’s essential you don’t leave your career to chance. At ScienceCareers.org we know science. We are committed to helping you find the right job, andto delivering the advice you need. Our knowledge is firmly founded on theexpertise of Science, the premier scientific journal, and the long experienceof AAAS in advancing science around the world. So if you want your career tobear fruit, trust the specialist in science. Go to ScienceCareers.org.

Help Wanted Search engine optimization,

MarketingPart time / flexible hours,

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Please email with brief descriptionof qualifications and/or resume

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February 1, 2005 THE TECH Page 9

CHRISTINA KANG—THE TECH

A member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority welcomes back her re-affiliated sisters with a bannerand a smile. Following the end of the sorority recruitment period on Monday, Jan. 31, membersdis-affiliated for recruitment purposes were re-affiliated in Kresge Auditorium.

This space donated by The Tech

By Kathy LinEDITOR IN CHIEF

A new Undergraduate Associa-tion treasurer and secretary generalhave been appointed by UA Presi-dent Harel M. Williams ’05, pend-ing approval by the UA Senate.

Yao-Chung King ’06 has beenappointed treasurer, replacing JanetY. Zhou ’06. Zhou resigned toreplace Phillip A. Vasquez ’05 asthe UA Vice President.

Tulasi Khandan ’06 has beenappointed secretary general, replac-ing Amelia L. Laughton ’06.Laughton resigned near the end offall semester because she “wantedto focus on other things,” Williamssaid.

Neither has prior experienceworking for the UA, and both wereselected through an application andinterview process.

Both candidates bring experienceKing “has a lot of background in

finances,” including serving as trea-surer of the Chinese Student Club,going through treasurer training,applying for funding through theUA’s Financial Board, and doingsimilar work for his fraternity,Williams said.

Through working for the CSC,he “has the perspective of a studentgroup” applying for funding, whichwill help him with the job of trea-surer, Williams said.

Khandan’s main experience thatprepared her for the secretary gener-al job is her term as the secretary ofthe House Committee of MacGregorHouse, she said.

“She’s clearly energetic aboutimproving student life,” Williamssaid.

As the secretary general, Khan-dan will be “the communicationsliaison” of the UA and will beresponsible for maintaining commu-nication between the UA and out-side individuals and groups, accord-ing to the UA Web site. She willalso be the UA’s primary archivist,according to the Web site.

“I have to get used to what theUA does and how they go aboutdoing their work,” Khandan said.“Mostly, the aim is to make surethat all the proceedings are well-documented and carried out in theright way,” she said.

She also plans to work withother UA members on planned pro-jects, such as the launching of anonline forum.

Page 10 THE TECH February 1, 2005

No one knows what the future will bring.

Except those creating it.

Except those creating it.

© 2005 Raytheon Company. All rights reserved. Raytheon is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer and welcomes a wide diversity of applicants. U.S.

Citizenship and security clearance may be required.Visit our Career Fair Booth on Thursday, February 3.

Opportunities are available in the following areas:

Computer Science

Computer Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Math

Physics

Systems Engineering

Aeronautical Engineering

Optics

Check out our website at rayjobs.com/campus for further

information, including our Campus Recruiting Events.

Start your job search by clicking Find a Job.

The power of applied intelligence.One of the most admired defense and aerospace systems

suppliers through world-class people and technology. Our

focus is developing great talent.

CHRISTINA KANG—THE TECH

A pirate ship sails in front of Kresge Auditorium on the morning of Monday, Jan. 31. The hack wasin honor of the Department of Ocean Engineering, which merged with the Department of Mechani-cal Engineering on Jan. 1.

CHRISTINA KANG—THE TECH

Katherine H. Aull ’08 stamps registration forms in Dupont Gymnasium on Registration Day, Mon-day, Jan. 31. Aull is a member of Alpha Phi Omega, which volunteered its services for the day.

UA Fills Positions ofSecretary, Treasurer

This is The Tech’spineapple.

Keep it happy!join@tt.mit.edu

February 1, 2005 THE TECH Page 11

Want to light up the worldwith your career?

Thomas Edison 1847–1931, Founder of Science

Then talk to someonewho knows science.

If you want to light up the world of science, it’s essential you don’t leave your career to chance. At ScienceCareers.org we know science. We are committed to helping you find the right job, and todelivering the advice you need. Our knowledge is firmly founded on theexpertise of Science, the premier scientific journal, and the long experienceof AAAS in advancing science around the world. So if you want a brighterfuture, trust the specialist in science. Go to ScienceCareers.org.

MIT Students Enjoy the Winter Blizzard Creatively

OMARI STEPHENS—THE TECH

GRANT JORDAN—THE TECH

(left) Yushan Kim ’07 leaps onto a pile of snow ahead of Christine Fanchiang ’07 as Ryan E. Pester ’07 takes a picture Sunday afternoon Jan. 23. The three met in theNew House 3 courtyard to frolic in the mounds of white stuff.

(right) Scott D. Torborg ’07 (right) stands next to Steve Brown of the Cambridge Fire Department Dive Rescue Team during an ice diving class held last Sunday. BothTorborg and Daniel Nedelou ’06 participated in the course at Glen Lake in Goffst, NH.

This space donated by The Tech

Page 12 THE TECH February 1, 2005

17.433/434 Spring 2005

International Relations of East Asia

Is the 21st Century the Pacific Century?

Will there be war in the Taiwan Straits?

How strong is al-Qaeda in Southeast Asia?

Why did Nixon go to China?

What is ASEAN?

This course will attempt to answer the questions above as it analyzes the international

relations of East Asia. During the Cold War, East Asia witnessed intense competition and

conflict between the superpowers and among the states in the region. In the post Cold War

era, East Asia has been the engine of the global economy while undergoing a major shift in the

balance power whose trajectory and outcome remain uncertain. This course will examine the

sources of conflict and cooperation in both periods, assessing competing explanations for key

events in the region’s international relations.

For more information contact Prof. Fravel, fravel@mit.edu

Professor Fravel

Tues. & Thur.

3:00 - 4:30pm

E51-361

We’ll show you how to get busy

in the dark room.W20-483, x3-1541

join@the-tech.mit.edu

This space donated by The Tech

February 1, 2005 THE TECH Page 13

MIT Hillel Presents…

A Tsunami Benefit

Concert

Saturday February 5, 2005

MIT Chapel

8pm

Proceeds go to AJWS Tsunami Relief Fund

For more info check out www.ajws.org

Suggested donation: $9

This program is sponsored by MIT Hillel, Hillel Schusterman

International Center, MIT Council for the Art Directors

Fund,

MIT Office of the Provost of the Arts, AEPi, Tzedek @ MIT

OMARI STEPHENS—THE TECH

Chris L. Cary ’05 catches some air off a ramp he built withJiengju J. Lin ’05, Jonathan J. Parks ’05, and others. The rampwas located in front of Kappa Sigma fraternity on AmherstAlley.

This space donated by The Tech

Page 14 THE TECH February 1, 2005

Scaling New

Heights

Attaining Your

Dreams

Amaranth is seeking

MIT’s best and brightest

for internship positions of:

Risk Management

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Resume Drop Deadline: Wednesday, February 2, 2005

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Over the past decade, a team of some

of the best and brightest minds in the

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When it comes to hiring, Amaranthbelieves in scaling new heights, providing

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Amaranth encourages applications from

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A leading finance and economics consulting firm.A dynamic culture of growth and collegiality.

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Summer AnalystRésumé DropMonday, February 7

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You areprobablyCourse 6

Join TheTech

join@the-tech.mit.edu

on the riots that followed lastyear’s Red Sox and Patriots victo-ries and how to increase safety forcelebrations following the SuperBowl.

O’Toole said that every availableBoston Police officer will be work-ing on Sunday night, and they willbe collaborating with the Massachu-setts State Police and CampusPolice from the local colleges anduniversities.

Boston Police Captain Robert M.Flaherty, whose district includes the

Kenmore Square area, asked the stu-dent representatives to impress upontheir constituents that they shouldnot go to Kenmore Square on Sun-day evening. “It’s not in [student’s]best interests,” he said.

Baker said that the office ofDean for Student Life Larry G.Benedict will be providing funds forfood to dormitories, fraternities,sororities, and independent livinggroups.

“Our focus really is for studentsto provide awareness about safety,”Baker said. She also said that alter-native events will be encouraged.

February 1, 2005 THE TECH Page 15

Sunday, February 6th

12:00– 3:30 pm

Walker Memorial

Free Beads!

Pinata!

DJ! Face

Mardi Gras!

Sponsored by ARCADE funding

Tech Catholic Community

Food! Drinks!

Jugglers! Masks!

*Carnival * Karnaval * Cropover *

*Martedi Grasso * Carnaval*

Colombian

Association

of MIT

Super Bowl SundaySecurity Stepped UpSafety, from Page 1

We are The Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago, whose mission isto achieve international impact through world-class education and research infundamental Computer Science and Information Technology.

We are now accepting applications for programs leading to Master’s andPh.D. degrees in Computer Science. Programs begin Fall Quarter 2005.Located on the University of Chicago campus, students are able to cross-register for University courses. Tuition assistance/stipends for living expensesare available in the Master’s program. Ph.D. students receive full supportwithout teaching requirements.The Ph.D. program is highly selective — only asmall number of positions are available. Our On-Line Student Application isavailable at: http://www.tti-c.org/apps/student/student.htm

We are also accepting applications for summer interns at the undergraduateand graduate levels for Summer 2005. Email your resume for summer internpositions to: jobs@tti-c.org.

As a small institution, we offer students and summer interns the opportunity tointeract closely with faculty renowned in their field.

For our On-Line Student Application, further information,or to contact us, please refer to our website:

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TTI-C is an equal opportunity institute.TTI-C is an equal opportunity institute.

join@the-tech.mit.edu

Page 16 THE TECH February 1, 2005

By Kathy LinEDITOR IN CHIEF

Over 50 students on 15 teamsparticipated in the MobileAutonomous System Laboratory,better known as MASLab, competi-tion during the Independent Activi-ties Period.

For the competition, teams ofthree to four students built robotsthat competed in the finals last Fri-day evening. Daniel M. Kane ’07,Anders H. Kaseorg ’08, You Zhou’07, and Andrew P. Spann ’07 wonthe competition with the most pointsscored.

MASLab puts an “emphasis onbuilding cool robots,” said Christo-pher F. Batten G, one of theMASLab organizers. Although thereare some restrictions and rules,teams are relatively free to decidewhat materials and strategies theywant to use.

“We don’t want to inhibit peo-ple,” Batten said. The team mem-bers get “a really hard problem andsome really good equipment, andwe just see what they can do,” Bat-ten said.

The competition was vision-based, meaning teams used digitalcameras on their robots to look atcolors on the playing field and try toearn points.

In this year’s competition,robots earned points by collectingballs and doing different thingswith the balls.

The playing field was a 20 by 20foot field, but the actual shape of theboard was unknown. The robotswere given three minutes to explorethe board, then three minutes toactually score points.

Few teams, however, decided touse the exploration period, andonly one team used it to its advan-

tage. There was a pretty wide range

of robots and strategies, Battensaid. For example, one robotcould slide sideways, while anoth-er used mouse encoders for navi-gation.

Another robot was able to textmessage a laptop with a speech syn-thesizer, so it could say what it wasthinking, Batten said. For example,the robot would say “ouch” when ithit a wall.

Many teams also had creativestrategies for image processing,which was one of the big chal-lenges in the competition, Battensaid.

“We were trying to have fun, butwe were certainly trying to win,”Kaseorg said, adding that their team“spent basically all day every day,”especially during the last week, onthe robot.

“Order of Random Gauchy” Wins MASLab

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Why do states pursue WMDs?

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What factors account for the emergence of

terrorist groups interested in suicide bombing

and in causing mass casualties?

What does Usama bin Laden and Al Qaeda

want?

What is the risk that terrorists will use WMDs?

How should the United States balance the need

for homeland security against other priorities

and values?

This course will address these questions as it

provides an in-depth understanding of the

history of terrorism and proliferation, the

current challenges posed by these phenomena,

and the range of national and international

responses to these threats.

Visiting Scholar:

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Tues. & Thur.

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UBS is one of the world’s leading financial firms, employing 66,000 people in

50 countries. Our wealth management, global asset management and investment

banking businesses offer clients a wide range of products and services designed to help

them meet their individual needs and goals.

We seek highly talented individuals who can bring something different to our

organization and offer them superb career opportunities to match their potential.

Our people reflect a diversity of views and cultures that is unique in the industry. UBS is

committed to an open and meritocratic environment where every employee has the

opportunity to thrive and excel, supported by some of the best development and

training programs in the industry. You and us – a winning partnership.

UBS is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in its workforce.

We are currently accepting resumes from the Class of 2006. We welcome those

interested in an internship to apply via your career office by:

Thursday, February 3, 2005 (Equities, Fixed Income, Rates and Currencies,

Information Technology, Information Technology Security Risk Control,

Market Risk Control)

Tuesday, February 15, 2005 (Wealth Management and Business Banking)

UBS Interviews will be held at your Career Services Office on:

Wednesday, February 16, 2005 (Information Technology)

Thursday, February 17, 2005 (Equities, Fixed Income, Rates and Currencies,

Information Technology Security Risk Control, Market Risk Control)

Tuesday, March 1, 2005 (Wealth Management and Business Banking)

To apply for a position, please visit your Career Services Office or our website:

www.ubs.com/graduates

© UBS 2005. The key symbol and UBS are registered and unregistered trademarks of UBS. All rights reserved. In the US, securities underwriting, trading and brokerage activities, and M & A advisory activities are provided by UBS Securities LLC, a registered broker/dealer that is a wholly owned subsidiary of UBS AG, a member of the New York Stock Exchange and other principle exchanges, and a member of SIPC.

Global AssetManagementIWealth

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Global career opportunities.

You & Us

JONATHAN WANG—THE TECH

A team looks on as their robotcompetes in the MASLab com-petition on the evening of Fri-day, Jan. 28.

DEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPERDEF TUV TUV OPER OPER

Nig

htlin

e

The Tech ProductionDepartment’s Word

of the Day:

ver�bo�ten

adj.Forbidden; prohibited.

February 1, 2005 THE TECH Page 17

Ask a MedLink

What will they tell my parents?

Submit questions by:

email: askamedlink@mit.edu

anonymous online form:

http://web.mit.edu/medlinks/www

campus mail: Ask A MedLink,

E23-405

We can't respond individually, but

we'll answer as many questions as we

can in this space. And you can always

talk with a MedLink in person; see

web.mit.edu/medlinks/www/ to find

the MedLink(s) in your living group.

Do you have a question?

Dear MedLink: Before I

access the services at MIT

Medical, I want to know about

my privacy rights. What med-

ical information is and is not

disclosed to my parents? —

Confidentially Yours

Dear Con: That’s a great

question! Many people wonder

about the same thing and

don’t know who to ask for an

answer.

To get the facts, I spoke with

psychiatrist Kristine Girard,

associate chief of MIT

Medical’s Mental Health

Service. Dr. Girard answered

your question quite simply:

“MIT Medical holds medical

information in the strictest

confidence and does not

release any records to parents

or guardians without a stu-

dent's consent.” This is true

even if you are under the age

of 18, she explained, because

college students are consid-

ered “emancipated minors,”

which means they have the

same privacy rights as legal-

age adults. “If a student is

assessed to be imminently in

danger of harming himself or

herself, is seriously injured,

or is medically unable to con-

sent to necessary medical

care, parents may be contact-

ed,” Dr. Girard added. “But

MIT Medical does not disclose

information about a student’s

relationships, sexual activity,

or substance use.”

You may also be wondering

how your privacy is protected

when you fill prescriptions

at MIT Medical and charge

them to your student

account. Rest assured that

pharmacy charges are not

itemized on the account state-

ments sent to your home;

rather, those charges are just

listed as “Pharmacy” on your

bill.

Hope this helps!

Solution toKRT Crossword

from page 6

Don’t worry. Be happy!

Page 18 THE TECH February 1, 2005

The Tech is in your future

join@tt.mit.edu

February 1, 2005 SPORTS THE TECH Page 19

STANLEY HU—THE TECH

Christine Fanchiang ’07, center, leads Amy S. Ludlum ’08, left, and Caitlin Moore of Holy Crossen route to winning her heat for an overall fourth place finish in the 55m hurdles on Saturday atthe TechTrack Invitational in Johnson Athletic Center.

Men and Women Compete at Weekend Track MeetsThe MIT Men’s track team attended and won a meet hosted byBowdoin College last Saturday, Jan. 29.(right) Kenneth K. Rosche ’08 hands off MIT’s baton to David A.Blau ’06 during the 4x400m relay.(bottom right) Zachary J. Traina ’05 pounds out of the blocks at thestart of the 4x400m relay.(below) Fivos G. Constantinou ’06 runs MIT’s anchor leg during the4x800m relay.

Photography by Omari Stephens

California Cryobank, the world’s leading reproductive tissue bank, is

looking for healthy males, in college or with a college degree, to

become a part of our anonymous sperm donor program.As a donor

you will be compensated up to $900 per month. In addition you will:

receive a free comprehensive health and genetic screening.

experience a minimal time commitment with flexible hours.

help infertile couples realize their dreams of parenthood.

For more information or to see if you qualify call 1-800-231-3373

ext. 41 or visit us on the web at www.cryobankdonors.com.

1-800-231-3373 Ext. 41www.cryobankdonors.com

SPERMDONORSNEEDED

Fit Males Needed For Nutrition Research Study.

A research study is being conducted by the US Army Research Institute of

Environmental Medicine (USARIEM), Natick, MA, to evaluate the effect of

fitness level on protein requirements during an increase in exercise. The 13 day

study involves consuming a specialized diet and following a specific workout

routine for 11 days. All food will be provided to participants during the study.

Data collection will include questionnaires, blood, urine, stool samples, and hi-

tech measures of fitness, energy expenditure, and body composition. All data are

coded and strictly confidential. To participate, interested persons must meet

screening criteria. If you are very fit and between the ages of 18 and 35 years

please email Usariem.proteinstudy@na.amedd.army.mil or call (508) 233-5140 for

more information.

Submission Deadline

February 15th

E.merging, a student literary journal, seeks writing

and artwork that reflect the bicultural and bilingual

experiences of MIT students. Poetry, short stories,

creative non-fiction, and artwork that explore issues of

identity and being part of “more than one”

culture/nation/race/language are encouraged.

Submit now!

web.mit.edu/emerging

SPORTSPage 20 THE TECH February 1, 2005

Men’s BasketballNEWMAC Overall

Place Team Wins Losses Wins Losses1 WPI 7 0 16 12 Wheaton 5 2 14 43 Springfield 4 2 14 54 MIT 3 4 9 85 Coast Guard 2 5 10 86 Babson 1 4 7 117 Clark 1 6 5 13

Latest Games: MIT def. Wheaton 71–62 on Jan. 25,Coast Guard def. MIT 67-62.

Women’s BasketballNEWMAC Overall

PlaceTeam Wins Losses Wins Losses1 Babson 6 1 10 8

Mount Holyoke 6 1 13 33 Springfield 6 2 13 54 Coast Guard 5 3 11 75 Wellesley 4 3 9 66 WPI 3 4 8 10

Wheaton 3 4 7 118 Clark 2 5 9 99 Smith 1 6 5 11

10 MIT 0 7 3 12Latest Games: Springfield def. MIT 81–62 on Jan. 27,

WPI def. MIT 56–42 on Jan. 29.

NEWMAC SCOREBOARD

By Yong-yi ZhuSPORTS COLUMNIST

What baseball lessons did welearn over that month and a halfwhen many of you took a break

from thes t r e s s f u lroutines ofschool and

indulge in the pleasures of everydaylife?

For one thing, we learned thatrunning a baseball team is amongthe many tasks at which Harvardgraduates don’t excel. They mightbe more arrogant than we are, butwhen it comes to making decisions,I wouldn’t trust them with theimportant ones.

A perfect example is the generalmanager of the Los AngelesDodgers, Paul Depodesta, a Harvardgraduate. He was entrusted with thetask of making the Dodgers success-ful but has both ruined his own rep-utation and severely hindered thechance for LA to win anotherNational League West title in thisupcoming year.

His first mistake was taking partin a three team trade with theYankees and the Diamondbacks. Hewas willing to give up big nameplayers like pitchers Brad Penny,Kaz Ishii, and outf ielder ShawnGreen for money. Depodesta doesn’trealize that he is no longer anOakland Athletic and now works ina large market city with lots of cashto play with.

His second error was backingout of that trade, as it destroyed hisreputation and precluded him fromother trades during this off season.

His third mistake was signingoutfielder J.D. Drew and former RedSox pitcher Derek Lowe to monstercontracts when they are both suspectin their abilities at best. Drew isvery injury prone and Lowe did nothave the best of regular seasons lastyear.

Well, what can you expect froma Harvard alum?

The second lesson learned thiswinter is that the song “New York,New York” stands for two New Yorkbaseball teams, and we can neverforget about the NY Mets.Oftentimes, we fans are impressedby the Bronx Bombers’ $200 mil-lion payroll, but now that the Metshave snagged two of the Yankees’most coveted free agents this offseason, we know that Mets GeneralManager Omar Minaya is taking astab at not only the NL East, butpotentially at the World Series.

Everyone short of GerryHunsicker thought that pitcherPedro Martinez and center fielderCarlos Beltran were both going toNew York. But a $53 million and a$119 million dollar deal later, theYankees payroll wasn’t any biggerwhile the Mets were two steps clos-er to getting out of fourth place intheir division.

Sure, the Yankees got pitchersRandy Johnson, Carl Pavano and

Jaret Wright, but it just shows thateven Yankees owner GeorgeSteinbrenner has a ceiling when itcomes to payrolls and Yankees GMBrian Cashman is not willing to takethe same kinds of risks as Minaya iswith those two (probably very over-paid) players.

Another lesson we learned is thatwe can no longer separate the finan-cial factors behind baseball from thegame itself. Teams no longer signplayers just to make their roster bet-ter or to win a championship. Takepitcher Roger Clemens and theHouston Astros. There is no waythat paying $18.5 million per year(Clemens’ new salary) for one play-er significantly improved the Astros’chances of winning the NL Central;it was merely a way to fill the stadi-um with fans every fifth day.

Another money-oriented movewas the Orioles trade for SammySosa. They had lost out on prettymuch every major free agent on themarket, so the only plan to attractfans was to bring in someone wellknown through a trade.

Cubs outf ielder Sammy Sosaseemed to be the perfect candidate,as he is a fan favorite and the Cubsare desperately trying to get rid ofthe slugger. What it comes down tois the Orioles trying to fill the standswhile not making a large effort atwinning anything substantial.

Even in a winter month, thereare still many lessons to be learnedin the world of baseball.

Tuesday, February 1Varsity Women’s Basketball vs. Babson College

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rockwell Cage, 7 p.m.

Thursday, February 3Varsity Men’s Basketball vs. Newbury College

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rockwell Cage, 7 p.m.

UPCOMING HOME EVENTS

Winter Off-Season Teaches UsSeveral New Baseball Lessons

STANLEY HU—THE TECH

Christopher A. Chapman ’08, front, fights to break loose against an opponent from the Universityof Southern Maine during Thursday's tri-meet against Bridgewater State College and USM. MITwrestlers lost to Bridgewater 48-6 and to USM 39-15.

STANLEY HU—THE TECH

Meredith N. Silberstein ’05 soars into the air during the longjump competition at Saturday’s TechTrack Invitational inJohnson Athletic Center. Silberstein placed fourth with a jumpof 15 feet and 11 inches and also placed fourth in the 55mdash and third in the 200m dash. The women’s track teamplaced third overall (113.50 points), behind Holy Cross(209.50) and Colby College (140.50).

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