The Week in Brief

College Republicans head keynote debate

Brohimer argued that Clinton should resign. He compared Clinton to former President Richard M. Nixon, warning that the situation presented a "serious constitutional crisis" which "warrant[s] the removal of our President from his office."

Brohimer added,"It is not about sex, it is about upholding the American system of government. The real issue here is not philosophical; the issue here is legal."

Jonathan Thessin, MC '99, regional coordinator of the College Democrats, gave the rebuttal. Thessin expressed his moral opposition to Clinton's actions, but stated that they "have no bearing on the running of this country. How can we call for the impeachment of our President when the law and the Constitution are on his side?"

Scientists' findings may link fat gland to cancer

Unlike most hormones, which merely send signals from the brain to the body, leptin has now also been discovered in the fat tissue itself. The implications of these findings are still unknown. The findings suggest that leptin may contribute to angiogenesis, the building of new blood vessels. Previous studies have shown that anti-angiogenesis drugs could slow the spread of cancer. Since cancer results from an explosion of cell growth, the regulation of tissue development might stop the disease from spreading.

But M. Rocio Sierra-Honigmann, a Yale associate research scientist, warns against jumping to conclusions. "It is just as likely that leptin may have nothing to do with cancer," Sierra-Honigmann said. Still, the fact that leptin may have methods outside of the brain for controlling fat growth opens a wide channel for new research.

Forestry dean brings global perspective

Speth is the administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, an agency that provides aid to developing countries. "The School of Forestry and Environmental Studies was founded in 1900 to educate a corps of professionals in proper management of the forests and wilderness areas in the United States," Levin announced. "The challenge that FES faces...[now] extends to understanding and managing the environment worldwide."

Levin also pledged the new dean's commitment to undergraduate studies in the environment, though FES is currently not a Yale major. "Our new dean hopes especially to enhance the FES contribution to undergraduate teaching," Levin said.

Speth will take over as dean in July 1999.

Grad school fraud sane but uncooperative

Jenkins was arrested in December 1997 when Yale officials claimed that she submitted false transcripts and recommendations. This July, Jenkins missed the hearing at which she could have entered a plea bargain. A superior court judge revoked the plea, declared her a fugitive, and drastically raised her bond.

The following day, police found Jenkins, who claimed she had been abducted from a New Haven parking lot, raped, driven south, and abandoned in Philadelphia.

Jenkins spent 21 days in prison until a court-appointed psychiatrist determined that she understood the charges. If convicted, Jenkins could serve up to 50 years. The next hearing will take place on Thurs., Oct. 8.

Sophomore wins grocery sweepstakes

While working this summer for Jumpstart, a federally funded community service organization, Fraga eagerly awaited the arrival of the new store. At the grand opening in July, she submitted her name and address to a contest that promised "Free groceries through 1999." Shortly thereafter, Fraga received an unexpected letter congratulating her on winning $1,800 in Shaw's gift certificates, an approximate equivalent of groceries until 1999.

"As soon as I won," Fraga said, "my roommates and I went on a shopping spree and bought anything we ever wanted. But we're planning to spend in moderation until the end of the year."

Fraga, whose favorite foods include Yoplait peach yogurt and mandarin oranges, is especially pleased with the swing space's proximity to the Whalley Avenue location. She has been able to take many trips to the supermarket. "Yeah, we have a lot of ice cream here," Fraga added.

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