The Week in Brief

Gates calls for national untiy in Chubb lecture

LIZ OLINER/YH Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Gates spoke of "a crisis of class differentials...within the black community." He proposed "a Marshall Plan for the cities" and urged black colleges and African American departments to organize internships.

Gates urged audience members to "fight for affirmative action," but added "I think we have to make adjustments in affirmative action." He suggested moving "beyond historical experience" so "poor whites" could benefit.

At a dinner hosted by Timothy Dwight Master Robert Thompson, BR '55, Gates, a former Yale professor, talked about being denied tenure in 1985. "I survived. It killed me, broke my heart. But there's more than one place to teach," he said.

--Sharon Lin

Lee discusses science, law at Master's Tea

Lee reflected that a good forensic scientist must separate the "scientific evidence" from the emotional aspects of a trial. "You have to...just deliver the scientific facts and let the chips fall where they may. Otherwise, you will burn up," he said.

He also discussed the stigma attached to forensics who testify for the defense or for the prosecution as a "hired gun." "They are going to label you...but you have to call it as it is," he said.

Lee said the prosecution questioned the ruler he used to analyze evidence in the O.J. Simpson trial because it was off by .001 inches. "They brought in seven lawyers.... The only thing they could get [to weaken Lee's testimony] was a ruler." Lee gave Master Brownell one of his trademark rulers to give to a student. Lee's rulers have been requested by 15,000 people, including Judge Lance Ito and prosecutor Marcia Clark.

--Ayon Nandi

WYBC board members criticize format change

Student DJs have circulated a petition demanding that Abdelnaby be impeached. Blues format head David Drewes, PC '98, said they plan to present the petition to the station's Executive Board after spring break.

Collins said he thinks the petition will gain the necessary support of 75 percent of the General Board. "If last night's meeting was any indication, we have the numbers and certainly have the desire [to impeach Abdelnaby]."

--Jennifer Supernaw

ECHO raises awareness through sports panel

Baker, a former athlete, said, "In sports, where you win by one-hundredth of a second, you'll do all kinds of things to get that winning edge." She pointed to the emphasis on female athletes' appearance in sports such as swimming, running, and gymnastics. Young discussed the difficulties of "the identification of the [eating-disorder]" and stressed the need for "an outlet to express concerns."

Student coordinator Rona Ezer, BK '98, said the group hopes to expand its outreach efforts through similar panels. "ECHO is a relatively new organization--this is only our fourth year, and we hope to expand and increase our outreach programs in the future," she said.

--Sangeetha Ramaswamy

Women's Center forms new sex assault group

"We're hoping the group will be self-directed and informal, less oriented toward therapy, and more focused on getting to know people with similar experiences," organizer Anne Estabrooks, DC '98, said.

Women's Center co-coordinator Tassi McKay, TD '99, explained, "We wanted to be sure that women who don't want to file an official report have another option besides isolation and silence."

Women's Center co-coordinator Rachel Deutsch, ES '00, criticized the University. "It's the responsibility of the Administration to do more to combat sexual assault. It's not a Women's Center problem," she said.

--Molly Ball

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