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THE
September 23rd, 2005
PLANET The American University of Paris
Counselors Call It Quits
Three international admissions coun-
selors have left AUP. Six members of
the admissions staff have taken the
same decision within the last year.
Alhan Keser
Admissions counselors Bruna Allain
and Amanda Williams, from the Paris office,
and Shawn Rae Passalacqua, from the U.S.
office, said goodbye to AUP in September. Al-
lain and Williams simultaneously announced
their resignation on July 11, while Passalac-
qua, who had been searching for an opening
in another university received a telephone call
in early September to take on a similar posi-
tion from his alma mater, Middlebury College.
All three have worked at AUP for over five
years and Allain, 30, is an AUP alum.
This latest wave of resignations is
nothing new in the Admissions department.
All began in September 2004 when Vice
president of Enrollment, William Black, left the
University after five years at AUP and a total Amanda Williams and Bruna Allain leave the office for the last time.
of twenty years of admissions experience. In
for so long.” He played a key role in 2004 in the selection
his footsteps, senior admissions counselor
“Sticking together is what made us of the new University logo and has since been
Isabelle Cota ended her eight-year-long stay
strong,” says Williams, “It is what was great concentrating on renewing the AUP image
at AUP for a position at the Sorbonne. Pe-
about our department. Counselors from other and increasing enrollment numbers.
ter Hammer, Cota’s colleague for five years
schools were amazed to see us year after “A change in direction often leads to
and an AUP alum, was dismissed in October.
year, always together.” a change among the employees,” says Dean
Only Randy Vener, supervisor of financial aid,
Communications professor Peter of Students Paul Marcille, “In any company,
remains of the six admissions staff members
Barnet replaced Black in November and has employees may keep an ‘allegiance’ to their
present at Orientation fall 2004.
since been appointed Executive Director for former boss and may not wish to work for a
“It’s normal,” says Passalacqua, “The
University Advancement (see Interview page new director.”
usual turn-over for admissions counselors is
6). Professor Barnet has had a life-long career Continued on page 6.
about two years. It is quite exceptional to see
as a marketing and advertising executive, no-
an admissions staff that has stayed together
tably working with brands such as Sara Lee.
< Saris and < Homesick?
Saffron
> Inside
Google has the
A look at solution. Your
13 14
the Parisian home seen
Ganesh from space!
Festival
2
> Let the games begin...
Dominique Hess the really hot place with those classy plastic cups of tequila sun-
rise, or you might just not remember…which is ok too, there was
the open Mic night/happy hour, which might have been a great
As orientation week kicks off the start of a new semester, time for many, and by many I mean those under the influence,
it also confirms the beginning of a very promising party season. but to most performers the sale of alcohol just seemed distract-
For only being here a little more than two weeks I, as ing for both the audience and the performer.
a freshman, have already come to a conclusion concerning the This was followed by the Pub Crawl where I have the
topic of partying at AUP… There is obviously not a lack of it. strangest feeling that more people actually came than signed
When the SGA President Ann Lillienthal’s main announcement up (yeah I was one of them) but from the point of entering that
during the University Convocations meeting was about the overcrowded bus until the very end of the night, which might
“eighty Euros Special” of buying a bottle and getting your own be a blur to most of us, was still a great time. The SGA recep-
table for free during their clubbing night, I realized that I was not tion for students, also known as “the free booze give away” was
in Kansas anymore. a hit among new and returning students. “It went as well as it
Not that I am from Kansas, but from where I am (Zu- could have” explained SGA Social Senator Mike Freyer to me
rich, Switzerland) finding a place to fit more than a dozen people as I asked him what he thought about the outcome of the events
that stays open after sunset can be a bit of hassle, let alone an planned by the SGA during Orientation. “It worked because we
entire University, but than again it’s not like we’re the University had many dedicated individuals who deserve credit for doing a
of Michigan, where a graduating class has about as many people lot of work and organizing.” To the SGA and the people attend-
as does the principality of Monaco. But I’m straying from my top- ing these events both nights were a success, and in the words
ic…let’s give a round of applause to our Student government for of Mike this semester will be “a lot of fun, great parties and great
organizing such an eventful and teenage-friendly (and by “teen- cultural events.” So let the games begin…
age-friendly” I mean alcohol) orientation! Along with the clubbing
night on Saturday September 3rd, which you might remember as
> Up in Smoke > Planet Poll: AUP
Ashley Ellefson Smoking Habits
Last week I found myself at an over-
crowded table in Amex trying not to let everyone
AUP TOTAL (50 participants):
see that I was holding my breath. I was sitting
with an AUP student from Turkey and her friend, Smokers.........................42%
who, between cigarettes, were discussing quin- No thanks!......................58%
tessential culture differences. Eventually my new
acquaintance said, “I have to ask you, why don’t
Californians smoke?” Here is my attempt at an
answer.
CLASS(IFYING) SMOKERS:
I’m from California – the land of movie
stars and sunshine. Some time ago the Holly- Freshman Class............25%
wood glamour associated with smoking vanished Sophomore Class..........45%
and the image of the Hollywood starlet has trans- Junior Class...................50%
formed from the voluptuous beauty with a cigarette Senior Class...................46%
in her hand to the unnaturally thin blonde with a OF SMOKERS:
dog in her purse. Since my youth I’ve been bom-
A half pack or more..........48%
barded by anti-smoking campaigns. The “smok-
ing kills” message is plastered across the media, A pack a day or more.......29%
preached by elders, and taught in school. I know
> OPINION
some people from home who smoke, but they Smoke at AUP..................38%
are either “trying to quit,” or “on their last pack.”
Californians now regard smoking as a dangerous
I’LL STOP SMOKING WHEN…
habit rather than as fashionable.
Before coming to Paris I took for granted …I have lung cancer...............14%
laws in California that prohibit smoking inside pub- …the price rises dramatically...10%
lic places. At my home university school policy …one of the Olsen Twins wins best actress
forbids smoking on campus. At AUP smoking is or hell freezes over.....................5%
commonplace. Sometimes I cannot believe my
eyes. Packs of people standing outside Grenelle
casually smoking: preposterous! A professor OF NON-SMOKERS: Why don’t you smoke?
having a cigarette between classes: unheard of! It’s Unhealthy...................43%
Someone in a bar who smokes not one but five It’s Disgusting..................31%
cigarettes per hour: dizzying! In California smok- Expensive........................17%
ing connotes negative stigmas; in Paris smoking Asthma or other ailment...5%
personifies culture.
So, what is a girl to do? Take up smok-
ing? Single-handedly lead a crusade against Note: Incomplete/self-conflicting surveys were disqualified
smoking in France? Carry around a personal fan for accuracy. Survey conducted by John Paul Parmigiani for
and breathe through a bandana? I’ll take none of The Planet.
the above. Smoking is one habit I don’t plan to
pick up in Paris, but it’s one I’ll learn to live with.
> Another Slip-Up, Mr. President?
> OPINION & PEOPLE
Julie Abramoff help. The President who so aptly comfort- breached New Orleans’ levees, Bush was
ed the American people after September not around to safeguard his country and
In response to what will prove 11th attacks was no longer. Today, he is not swift enough in taking action.
among the deadliest natural disasters to a withered man proven wrong in his dec- Today, we wait to see if the Pres-
hit the U.S., the President “should have larations on Iraqi nuclear weapons and ident can make amends. He has few Na-
done better” according to sixty-seven per- unable to secure the homeland against tional Guardsmen who are not deployed
cent of Americans. Our president, who Mother Nature. to Iraq. Those lucky enough to escape
threw America and an unnamed number Instead of uniting America in the New Orleans find themselves in long lines
of young soldiers into war against the aftermath of Katrina, Bush’s misdirected and sweltering heat. Our President, so
faceless enemy he calls “terror,” was try- and delayed reactions have caused his confident to invade and command foreign
ing to preserve his conservative support approval rating to go down four points. countries but unable to protect or take care
group last Monday while tragedy struck He has become the reverberate image of of his own people, has quite the problem
Louisiana. his father who thirteen years ago franti- on his hands. Katrina will end up costing
The President, having recently cally commanded Washington’s all-too- billions. It is an expenditure the President
returned from his August vacation, spent slow response to Hurricane Andrew’s cannot handle, yet he continues to prom-
Tuesday in Arizona before making his way devastation. Bush’s reaction last week is ise tax cuts. In his fight to save the world,
to a San Diego celebration. When weath- what Eleanor Cliff calls a “colossal failure America got left behind. Thousands are
er reports showed floodwaters ready to of leadership,” what Mary Landrieu refers dead, hundreds of thousands are home-
destroy a prized American city, he was on to as “staggering incompetence...insult- less, and George W. Bush lacks the
holiday. When disaster struck and thou- ing to the people of our States.” power to respond. He was on vacation
sands of Americans were missing, he was In today’s advanced world, Kat- when we first called, discussing politics
discussing Medicare in Arizona. From the rina, unlike a terrorist attack, was amaz- when we found him, and now misusing
man who believes it’s his duty to lead the ingly predictable. The storm, named ten U.S. forces while we need him.
new world, he was overtly unprepared. By days before it hit, had federal workers
the time Congress’ initial $10.5 billion was following its trail through the Bahamas, Read more on Katrina on pages 6 & 7.
finally put to use, ninety countries from Florida, and on its way to the Gulf Coast.
around the world had stepped in to offer When the all-too predictable storm
> People News
- her dog Tinkerbell. The cute Chihuahua with disgustingly
tiny doggy couture has been passed to Paris’s mother so that
Paris can devote more attention to her younger dog, Bambi.
I’m sure Bambi will serve just as well as Paris’s new acces-
Celeste Rhoads sory.
Naomi Campbell’s also been prone to junior high
antics lately. Actress Yvonne Scio has accused long legs Nao-
There are some huge stories this month in the celeb-
mi of attacking her after some squabble over a Fendi dress.
rity world.
Mariah Carey and Eminem are at it once again as
It’s a boy for Britney! The pop singer was “ecstatic”
well. Eminem is using Mariah as the butt of a few jokes for his
to announce the birth of her and hubby Kevin Federline’s, first
Anger Management tour, leading Mariah’s manager, Benny
child together. The baby was delivered by Caesarean section
Medina, to make a catty comment about Eminem’s “declin-
on Wednesday, September 14th, in Santa Monica. Now she
ing record and concert-ticket sales” lately. Ouch. There’s your
can finally kiss her baby one more time...
dose of uselessly enlightening and terribly important informa-
Sean, “P-Diddy” Combs has dropped the P and
tion about the celebrity world. Enjoy. And please, don’t follow
will now be known only as “Diddy”, not” Puff Daddy”, “P. Did-
the lead of the filthy rich and start any fights, okay?
dy” or “Puffy Combs”, but simply “Diddy”.
Paris Hilton has also dropped one of her trademarks
> Coming to Paris You speak like a cockney and you can locate Sussex
on a map then Revolver, Guy Ritchie’s new film, is made for you;
Lock, Stock… and Snatch resurrected the British gangster movie
Jean-Julien Kahn now we can only wish that Revolver won’t bury it on the 28th of
September.
The coolest “brother and sister” of garage rock are com-
On the 22nd of September everyone is expected at La ing all the way from Detroit on the 17th of October; The White
Maroquinerie to listen to the Editors; with a wicked mixture of Stripes accompanied by all the songs from their killer album are
new wave and rock this band will blow your mind away and make probably going to make the Zenith explode.
Joy Division sound like Coldplay. Anyone who has read and liked Dicken’s Oliver Twist will
Jamiroquai is going to tear Bercy apart on the 23rd of probably want to see Twist (28th of September) by Jacob Tierney
September; he has a couple of new hats and many new songs so with Nick Stahl in the lead role; this movie is a twisted Oliver Twist
this could easily be the resurrection everyone has been waiting for (I know that was really easy) with Oliver as a male prostitute. The
all these years. other you will want to see is the much more classical adaptation by
The MK2 awaits you on the 21st of September for the Roman Polanski with Ben Kingsley being released on the 19th
release of David LaChapelle’s hit documentary Rize; this extraor- of October; Polanski will probably magnify this story and release a
dinary journey through South Central will introduce you to a new new Oscar winning movie.
form of dancing/art called Krump. And last but not least, the best thing that has happened
The crazy E is coming to Paris on the 10th of October to rock in the last 5 years will crash the Zenith on the 28th of Octo-
with Eels at the Grand Rex; let’s hope that this uptight stage will ber; Franz Ferdinand’s new album isn’t out yet but if it is as good
not scare our favourite (but also the weirdest) American folk/rock as their first one this concert will be a memorable experience.
singer.
3
4
> Interdependence Day at AUP
Allie D’Aurora hard to prepare a series of mental organizations (NGO) talent displayed at the White
events that would speak to conferences. The first day of Mask and Spoken Word per-
As the rain poured the youth at AUP, and would events occurred on the AUP formances was incredible
on Saturday, September 10, hopefully let them overcome campus, while the other two and she valued the student
AUP students and faculty their prejudices. days took place at the Opéra body gathering to see a big-
gathered in the Grenelle and According to the Bastille and the Hôtel de ger picture. Even though
Combes buildings to take part invitation Comparative Lit- Ville. The affairs taking place Rhoads said she thought
in Interdependence Day. This erature professor Celeste in the Grenelle building gave AUP students are tolerant of
day marks an international Schenck sent students AUP, AUP students a chance to other nationalities, she en-
celebration of the interde- partnered with CiviWorld and be involved with the celebra- courages the concept of In-
pendence of world cultures, Collegium, held three days tion by running those events. terdependence Day.
nations and religions. Faculty of activities ranging from Junior Crislaine “I don’t think AUP
and student leaders worked spoken word to non-govern- Medina said she became has a problem accepting
involved with Interdepend- other cultures, but it’s never
ence Day when heads of a bad idea to bring people
the organization asked her closer,” Rhoads said.
to read poetry. Medina said While students did
she has been involved with attend the student perform-
Spoken Word at AUP and ances, Medina said she
joined Interdependence Day wants more of the student
to spread the message of in- body aware of the concerns
terdependence. raised by Interdependence
“To me, Interde- Day. However, Medina said
pendence Day is taking the she recognizes that the
separation between people number of students who re-
and trying to make it invis- ceive the message is not im-
ible,” she said. “It shows portant.
people how much the same “Sure, I wish the en-
we are, instead of how differ- tire student body paid atten-
ent.” tion to these issues, but you
The message stu- don’t need a huge group to
dent leaders portrayed was make a difference,” Medina
appreciated by most of the said. “We might not attract
students who attended this the bigger population of AUP,
presentation, like junior Ce- but as long as we attract
leste Rhoads. She said the some people it’s cool.”
> Orientation seen by a new student
Maximilian Hagen fromage we were “treated” to bunless US didn’t prepare me for a single conver-
burgers and big slices of greasy pizza. sation here in Paris.
Home didn’t feel so far away after all. Af- That night the student advisors
I remember what I thought ter a few meetings and one lecture the took us out for a night on the town. For
when I scanned the crowded lobby of the day came to a close, and I found myself the first time in history I was allowed to
FIAP for the first time: What have I gotten back in my dorm room with a cultural legally drink wine. The night turned out
myself into? Nowhere did I see the fear- melting pot of people. With me was a to be fabulous. With the combination of
loathing, crêpe-eating, barrette-wearing Filipino, a Russian, a Hungarian and a discounted beer and friendly classmates
French intellectuals who had painted my Texan. We all got along splendidly; a few I was beginning to feel right at home here
dreams for the past few months. of us even stayed up late into the night at AUP. I danced to aged American tech-
Instead I was greeted by a slith- and bantered about politics, the meaning no music and chatted with bartenders
ering line of normal looking American of life and other bizarre things I usually who nodded at everything I said (though
college students. I felt disappointed by don’t talk about with people I just met. I have a sneaking suspicion they didn’t
this first impression, but shrugged it off It was incredible to hear so many differ- understand me). I wouldn’t have let the
and joined the end of the slowly mean- ent points of view in one conversation. I night end had I not had student lectures
dering line. Soon I fell into conversation heard a Russian talk about the Cold War the next morning.
with the people around me, and my initial for the first time. He managed to con- Over the next few days I con-
disappointment dissolved. I met people
> AUP
vince me that Sputnik was a benevolent tinued the cycle of attending student
from countries that I barely even knew satellite and not the angel of death that lectures during the day and going out at
about -- Hungary, Bulgaria, Tahiti, and once taunted my father’s dreams. I never night. The experience was fun but as the
other places I still can’t pronounce. I was realized how biased the education sys- days went on the number of AUP stu-
already falling in love with life at an in- tem in the US was until that moment. dents at the FIAP slowly dwindled and
ternational school and felt happier than The next morning I awoke to eventually I was the only person left in
ever that I wasn’t among all the buzzing an empty room, except for a maid whose my room until I, too, found a home-stay.
WASPs that I left behind back home. I presence surprised the hell out of me. Now I am settled in my new location,
quickly made new friends as we circled She began speaking to me in French and ready to begin my college life abroad. I
around and talked about our native lands I immediately panicked and ran out of the am very grateful for the excellent intro-
over a cigarette, taking advantage of our room, taking only a breakfast ticket with duction Orientation gave me to my new
newly acquired privilege to smoke in- me. I found no release in the cafeteria, life in the amazing city of Paris.
doors. where the servers spoke only French as
Then it was time for lunch. But well. Five years of French classes in the
instead of croque monsieurs and fresh
> Who will be your next Info Manager?
> AUP
The SGA elections begin this week: make sure you know who the candidates are before voting!
Liz Mott
Previous Experience:
A cappella choirs
White mask musicals
Student ambassador
Student advisor
What I want to do:
Archive space for clubs
Intercom system throughout buildings, to make announcements
Fun, easy, informative weekly emails “Info Manager links the students to what
Posters and flyers that get students excited AUP and the SGA are offering. I’m a
hard worker, a team player, outgoing
Get the TV screens (SGN) working in all buildings and know almost every new student.”
Have someone at every event recording with a digital or video
camera, for archiving purposes.
Dana Bancesco
Previous Experience:
Head of student body newspaper
Tutored 300 level and higher French courses at Boston
University
In Paris; translation for expatriates as well as language
instruction
What I want to do:
Find more effective ways to communicate to student body “I have seen the inner workings of the
Create a virtual message board on the SGA website SGA and admire what this association
Increase transparency of information between students and does for the student body at AUP. I want
administration nothing more than the opportunity to
Deliver important messages in a more exciting way represent the students of AUP”
Motivate the student body to want to know what’s going on
Natalie Khanamirian
Previous experience:
Secretary/treasurer of the club SADD (students against destruc-
tive decisions)
President for several months of SADD
Helped organize events promoting the club’s ideals
What I want to do:
“I’m interested in public relations since
Help manage events in terms of advertising, getting more par- I’m an IC major, this position would allow
ticipation from AUP me to further explore the communications
Make professional looking posters, flyers to reflect talent at AUP field.”
5
6
> Counselors Quit, continued.
Continued from front page. the department with a mission to recruit sions counselors, and at the same time
for the AUP Masters Program and assist maintain our academic standards?”
Today, AUP alums have taken part-time in undergraduate admissions. One way was to prolong the
the vacancies left by the former admis- Amanda Williams remains admissions deadline – students were
sions staff. Joumana Hassan (class of sceptical as to the aptitude of a brand allowed to register at the University as
’04), is now the senior admissions coun- new admissions staff being able to recruit late as September. The admissions
selor after eleven months of service. an increasing number of students. “To at- department decided to take this extra
Alongside Hassan are Anna Törnqvist, tract students, alums can talk about how measure to increase the incoming AUP
hired in May, and Fabrice Mercier, who great the classes are and about their population. The second move was made
began his training in September. Mercier AUP experience,” says 33-year-old Wil- by Professor barnet during the August
graduated from AUP in spring 2005 and liams, “But will they be able to instill con- fervor of pre-orientation. He called upon
is a part-time DJ at Bar Three, where the fidence in the students’ parents – those Peter Hammer to help with last-minute
Orientation night-out was held Septem- who will pay for the college education?” recruiting. Hammer’s communication
ber 3rd. Williams continues, “The ques- skills were put to use to harnasse-in a
Meanwhile, Lynn Richardson tion remains: how can we wish to in- maximum number of students within the
from the AUP computer lab has joined crease the number of entering students remaining thirty days before the fall se-
while decreasing the number of admis- mester.
> A University in Motion
An interview with Peter Barnet, Executive Director for the University.
Libby Malcolm and growth at AUP. Some improve-
ments include the focus on the ad-
vancement of scholarship which our
Q. When did you come to the Ameri- president brought in with him and our
can University of Paris, and what is introduction of graduate schools which
your position? are going extremely well. The univer-
I came to AUP four years ago as an sity’s reputation is growing, our enroll-
associate Professor in the Communi- ment is growing.
cations department, had always been I would describe AUP today
interested in teaching and after having as a University in motion. There is a admissions counselors in Colorado,
spent thirty-six years in the market and huge advancement in scholarship. As they were telling me that more people
advertising world. I had retired from my so many people said at orientation, have called them interested in the uni-
agency here in Paris and had always which went very well, by the way, be- versity and commenting about how it
wanted to teach and that’s how this all tween the middle of September and the sounded because every day the web-
started. Today I teach two courses at end of term there’s hardly a night here site was changing with new activities
AUP and I have a lot of fun with that. when something exciting isn’t taking happening and that was a good indica-
Classes are a great source of pleasure place. That’s all part of the motion. tion of how vibrant things are. People
for me, so it’s something that I enjoy are increasingly interested in AUP, po-
very much doing. Q. In terms of advertising, what has tential students and others.
Given my background, one led to growth at AUP? As we complete orientation
thing led to another and first I became We have advertised more than we week, we will have probably over 300
involved in things with President della have in the past. We had a full page, new students, which is about 8% above
Paolera with the whole issue of the po- in color, in Le Monde, announcing our last year.
sition of the university transition from a open house and talking about the Uni- I believe that we are going to
fine liberal arts college to a top notch versity in June, that earned us a great see an excellent quality of students in
world university and what implications deal of attention and has further ad- the class this year. Not only will it be
that would have for our communications vanced the reputation of AUP. larger than last years class, but also
and our branding. So I spent some time Our website and the new the quality is going to be very good.
consulting with him on that subject and graphics have helped a lot. A year There are two pieces of evidence for
that is where the new brand of “knowl- ago, we averaged 500 new hits a day that, we have been giving out a number
> AUP
edge, perspective and understanding,” on our website from people who hadn’t of merit scholarships this year and of
came from. been there before. We were, last week, course a merit scholarship is given on
About a year ago I ceased at 1,500 new hits. When you triple the the basis of academic merit. When
being a consultant to the university number of people who are interested in merit academic scholarships go up,
and joined the President’s staff as ex- the University, that’s rather good. that means higher quality students.
ecutive director for university advance- We have seen a significant in- Our SAT scores from the US students
ment which entails the admissions and crease in our applications this Fall. Ap- are averaging 1184, which is ten points
enrollment management and external plications for fall 2005 have been 21% higher than last year. This is the high-
corporate corporations with the outside above applications for Fall of 2004. Our est average SAT score from entering
world. improved website, our improved visibil- class from the U.S. ever. That’s one
ity improving reputation, the advance- of many kinds of indications of student
Q. How do you see the future of AUP? ment of scholarship, the new brand are quality.
We are in an exciting period of change all contributing to that. In talking with
> French House fiasco
> AUP
Bill Kutz It was almost noon before one of the the girls may have been upset at how
girls saw the problem and called the long it took us to get back to them, but
Housing Office. On the phone she was we really were trying to figure out what
Every year in May we AUP
told that Brittany Stone (one of the first was best to do.”
students say goodbye to our graduating
three to arrive that morning) should not Around five that evening, a
friends. In the fall we greet a new batch
have been on the list. Stone called the mother of one of the girls went to AUP
of students, fresh off the boat. Many of
Office soon after to confirm if this was to inquire about the situation. On the
us looking back on our first days often
remember the disorder and excitement
of that time. “Where will I live?” Or
rather, “What am I doing here?” But for
“One idea was to kick out a girl who’s parents
the French House freshmen, this past weren’t here so that [AUP] wouldn’t have to deal with
August will always be remembered as them. Another idea was to drop the girl who registered
especially chaotic.
Some ten years ago AUP es-
for AUP last.”
tablished the French House (see Orien-
tation Issue - “Too many bitches in the
true. She said the Housing Office told way she found Rachael Burrington,
House?”) . It has been a place where
her, “Oh no, you’re not the one. We’re the RA, and told her what happened.
young girls live and support one an-
going to draw straws for the one who is Rachael raced to the Housing Office to
other during their first year abroad. The
going to be kicked out.” see what was being done. In that meet-
initial idea behind it was for the girls to
An anonymous source said ing she proposed to the University to
only speak French, but that never hap-
that administrators outside of the buy an extra bed and house all seven
pened.
Housing Office suggested other less girls.
The house is limited to six
sensitive options. “One was to kick out News of the meeting reached
freshmen and one resident advisor
a girl who’s parents weren’t here so the weary seven at six o’clock that
(RA). On the morning of August 29,
that [AUP] wouldn’t have to deal with evening. They agreed that since no-
while most of AUP was being housed,
them,” said the person, “Another idea body wanted to leave, it was best to
the French House accepted seven new
was to drop the girl who registered for sacrifice space to make everyone hap-
occupants and gave them their keys.
AUP last.” py.
No one saw the discrepancy in the
For the rest of the afternoon, The end result of the French
numbers. The seven went off to 10, rue
the seven girls waited to find out who House fiasco was that each girl would
de Rivoli to see their new home.
was going to leave. Nothing happened. receive reduced rent to compensate
“It was all my fault,” said Nan-
While the rest of AUP was being for the extra girl. Next semester the
cy Le Balc’h, AUP Housing Coordina-
housed, the girls were missing housing number of girls in the House will go
tor. “I thought there may have been in-
appointments at other places. back to six after one of the girls’ study
sufficient beds at the FIAP and wanted
In the meantime, Nancy and abroad session will have ended.
to get everybody out and housed as
Janine Brimbal, AUP Housing Assist- “We can assure you,” said
fast as possible.”
ant, did serious brainstorming. “We Nancy “This sort of thing won’t happen
The girls trickled in at differ-
were all upset,” said Nancy. “Some of again.”
ent hours and claimed their new beds.
> A University in Motion, continued.
The other one that is important cellent students here, they are all a mar- this year will be traveling to more fares,
is that we are selective. We didn’t accept velously bright, motivated, and attractive seeing more alumni, having more events,
as many people as we had more applica- bunch of people and I think we will have seeing more students than ever.
tions because our standards have been the finest effort I believe that
raised. we’ve ever had in we have a team in
recruiting students. I The answers students present at place in our admis-
the AUP Open House of June 25,
Q. Can you tell us a bit about the reor- do not expect to see 2005 gave when asked “How did sions department who
ganization in the Admissions Office? us become smaller you find out about AUP?” are living, breathing
There has been some turnover in the or struggle in any evidence of the kind
admissions department this summer. way. In the contrary, AUP website............................11 of terrific person who
Some people who were here for a long I expect to see us AUP Mailing.............................11 graduates from AUP.
time decided that it was time to do other grow, I expect to see Friends...................................... 8 Nobody in the world
things and we have had some new peo- the standards rise. Advertisement in Le Monde......6 is more equipped to
ple come in. There will be a bit of a re- We have Posters.......................................3 talk about the Univer-
organization, which will help the admis- expanded our territo- A counselor at school................3 sity than its most suc-
sions counselors with their work load. At ries. We have made No answer..................................3 cessful students.
this time, they really don’t have enough our first efforts in In- (Open House attendance.......45) I think we
administrative help. Some new people dia. We will make have the team, the
are coming in, which will enable our ad- our first serious ef- strategies, the mo-
missions counselors to travel and recruit forts in China in the coming year and as of tivation, the enthusiasm, the tools, and
new students. this week we are going to the first college certainly the travel tickets to get around
The new team in place are all fair that we have ever attended in Bue- and spread the word about the American
recent AUP graduates. They were all ex- nos Airies. Our admissions counselors University of Paris! 7
8
> Tulane students make new home in
Paris after Katrina destruction
Stephanie Vosk the city. of Washington had he not been abroad
“Living in that area, you know this semester.
His clothes, his books and it’s always a possibility, but it’s always He said his friends have left
even his writing portfolios were packed a very distant possibility, like it’ll never the city for their home states, but his
away in the attic of his New Orleans happen to me,” Walker said. cousin, who lives permanently in New
home. His sophomore year at Tulane As the first days of the re- Orleans, tried to hold out.
University was over, and Jordan Vance covery process passed, Tulane presi- Vance said his cousin, who
planned to spend the summer in Seat- dent Scott Cowen announced the restores houses, was trying to pro-
tle before heading to Paris in the fall. school would remain closed for the tect his latest project from looting for
Now, if and when he does fall semester. Universities both in the the first few days after the hurricane
return to his three-bedroom college United States and abroad, including passed through. His wife and child
home, he has no idea what he will AUP, opened their doors to the dis- fled to Kentucky, and when the police
find. placed students, offering deals rang- stopped patrolling the “Garden Dis-
“I’m really not expecting [my ing from tuition wavers to application trict” where he lived, he eventually had
possessions] to be there when I get fee wavers. to make a decision.
back, but that’s really the least of my Jillian Davis, a junior art his- “When it came down to it, it
worries,” Vance said. tory and psychology major from Tu- would be him and his gun against a
As Vance and several of lane, said she is relieved she will not bunch of looters with their guns, so he
his classmates were boarding flights have to make alternate plans at the had to make the decision to leave,”
across the United States to be on time moment, and hopes to return to Tu- Vance said.
for orientation at AUP, Hurricane Kat- lane in January. His cousins were part of the
rina was snaking its way toward the “We realize that we’re really reason he decided to attend school in
Gulf Coast. The devastation it would lucky to be here this semester,” Davis New Orleans in the first place. How-
leave in its path was still unclear. said. ever, he said, he was also attracted to
By the weekend, the Tulane e-
mail system and website were down,
the students who had moved into their
New Orleans dorms had fled the city,
and the only access to information for
the AUP visitors was through the cy-
ber café at the FIAP.
“You feel displaced, unsure
of what’s going on, unsure of what’s
> INTERNATIONAL
happened,” said Leslie Loeb, a junior
art history major from Tulane, sitting in
the Amex Café nearly two weeks after
the disaster. “It’s just really sad. It’s
hard to keep hearing about it.”
Loeb said at first it was diffi-
cult to reach her friends with no e-mail
system and cell phones frozen. But it
wasn’t long before she began to hear
from her classmates to find out both
their personal plans and anything they
knew about the state of the city.
Junior cell and molecular biol-
ogy major Addie Walker said she was
also frustrated by the lack of news.
“I feel that if I’d been in the Unit-
ed States, I would have had a better
idea, there would have been more in- Davis said some of her the uniqueness of the city, especially
formation circulating around,” Walker friends from school are now looking its “European” qualities.
said. “Here, it’s easier to be detached into going abroad, and others are at- “I know New Orleans is never
from it.” tending local schools such as Cornell going to be the same, that’s what you
Though Walker said she now and Syracuse. keep reading in these articles,” Vance
has a television in her apartment, it Dean of Academic Admin- said, “but I hope it can be close at
does not work, and she receives most istration Marc Montheard said as of least. I hope people can try to make it
of her information from MSN.com and September 8, at least five Tulane stu- a city again.”
the online edition of the New York dents affected by the hurricane had While Vance said he had de-
Times. She also said she has used signed on for the fall semester at AUP. cided even before news of the disas-
The Facebook as a source of infor- The university previously had a “co-op ter spread that he would like to stay at
mation, as her friends have started to agreement” with Tulane, and around AUP for the year, he has made a home
post their plans and feelings about the nine students were already attending in New Orleans and plans to return for
political implications of the situation. this semester, he said. his senior year.
She also said most of the infor- He said the university has tried to be “I wouldn’t want to gradu-
mation she has read has been about “as accommodating as possible.” ate from any other school, so I really
the city’s downtown area. Tulane is Vance said he would likely hope I can make it back to Tulane,” he
uptown, in the more affluent part of have chosen to attend the University said.
> Terrorism: What now?
> INTERNATIONAL
Cassidy Flanagan according to the BBC. Ten years later on the streets they didn’t feel much of a
Paris has remained more or less free change in the way the city of Paris was
of any fatal terrorist activities. Yet af- approaching anti-terrorist activity.
In the wake of the London
ter the events in London, the French “Since I live close to many of
bombings this past July, residents of
are not taking any chances. There has the embassies in Paris I have noticed
Paris may have begun to question their
been increased security in all metro and many police on the streets, yet it does
own safety on this side of the Channel.
RER stations, as well as in national and not seem much different than before,”
The attacks of September 11, 2001,
international railway stations. Some said sophomore Lily Frandsen.
though localized within North America,
students have noticed a change in the Junior Vasilije Perović and
seem to have found their way onto Eu-
amount of police in public areas. former student Anouk Lepretre say
ropean soil. However, France reacted
“There are definitely more se- they have not felt unsafe at all in Paris,
to those attacks in 2001 within days.
curity officials on the streets and I have even with the knowledge of the London
On September 18, 2001 the French
noticed that there have been more bombings.
government passed the Vigipirate Ren-
warning signals over the city’s inter- Both the U.S. State Depart-
force, which allows the government to
coms,” said junior Candice Vu. Despite ment and the Préfecture de Police in
mobilize its police force and military per-
the attacks in London, Vu has not felt Paris report that the best way to stay
sonnel in times of heightened security.
any real fear of using the public trans- safe on the métro and other public
At the time airports, train and métro sta-
portation in Paris. transportation systems is awareness.
tions as well as high-profile areas such
AUP staff member Phil Von They encourage passengers to
as schools, embassies and government
Eiff, who rides the RER twice a day, report any suspicious activity or strange
installations ha an increased number of
says he has not noticed any heightened packages to the station manager or
armed forces.
security on the trains. But another staff police in the station. Passengers must
While France has always been
member who rides the TGV daily has always be aware of their surroundings
active in searching out terrorism, it is no
witnessed French armed forces patrol- and not to hesitate to seek out help in
stranger to train bombings. In 1995,
ling every car of the train. case of any emergency. While there
eight people were killed and more than
Two AUP students as well as should be no immediate fear of traveling
two h hundred injured when bombs
one former student described that al- within Paris, we should remain alert.
went off in the St. Michel RER station,
though they had noticed more police
> Do your part: stay informed
Laura Macomber parents and friends. Some of us, as much more difficult without a constant
housing and Carte de Séjour appoint- radio and television source to keep us
And we, the AUP freshmen, ments crowded our already packed informed. But it is important, even as
thought we had it rough. Arriving in schedules, did not follow the event. our own lives change drastically and
a foreign country with just a few suit- But as the protective bubble of the we adjust to life in a foreign land, to
cases to get us through a whole nine FIAP burst and students began mov- keep abreast of world events, espe-
months of living and studying, we ing to their new apartments, news of cially those in our home country.
were scared and unsure as to what Katrina became unavoidable: our fam- And though most college stu-
the future held in store. But just 24 ilies, Le Monde and the visiting stu- dents don’t have a dollar (or euro) to
hours after arriving at the FIAP, our dents from Tulane acted as constant their name to donate to the disaster
lives were put into greater perspec- reminders to the travesty happening relief and tend to feel helpless in the
tive as news from abroad reached abroad. face of such a large-scale disaster,
our ears: Hurricane Katrina, the storm It is hard enough being away they should know that just by being
that most of AUP’s American students from our families. But hearing the hor- informed they are doing their part.
had just barely heard mentioned as ror stories of disaster-stricken Ameri- Too many people are suffering un-
they boarded their respective planes cans with nowhere to go, no home to necessarily because of poor planning,
to fly to Paris, was wreaking havoc all return to and no possessions to their irresponsible government spending,
across the Gulf Coast of the U.S. name made the experience of enter- and slow government response. We
For most of us, it was hard ing AUP much more surreal. should be learning from the mistakes
to process this information. Some of It was hard for a lot of us to of our country so that when we be-
us devoured articles online, keeping connect with the country we had just come fully-functioning, financially in-
up with the latest news and getting left behind: understanding the full dependent citizens, we will not let his-
nightly updates via telephone from our impact of Hurricane Katrina was that tory repeat itself.
> New Orleans under water, Bush under fire
“I think it puts into question all of the Homeland Security and Northern Command Planning for the last four years be-
cause if we can’t respond than this to an event we saw coming across the Gulf for days, then why do we think we’re
prepared to respond to a nuclear of biological attack?”
Former Republican House speaker Newt Gingrich, IHT – 03/09/05
9
10
> Not South African, But Not a Tourist
Laura K. Cook
Although I think that these
“anti-postcards,” as I’ve taken to call-
ing them, and the message on the
back could stand alone, a few words
of explanation might be in order just
to be sure that my points is clear, and
also to contextualize them, as they
constitute a very personal reaction to
my time here in Cape Town. The more
I travel, the more annoyed I become by
the industry of tourism and the mindset
that most tourists have, or perhaps it is
their utter lack of engagement with the
places they are visiting. However, in
not being a native of South Africa and
trying desperately not to be a tourist,
I find myself in a very curious and un-
certain position in relation to the local
culture. I have been living and studying
here for about four months, so I believe
I can legitimately say I have experi-
enced life in South Africa at a deeper
level than tourists who are only here for any number of dismal things, but the to capture the whole thing in the
a few days. scope of that would have been much frame, thus creating such a scale that
What I wished to do with my too large. So instead I chose to focus little else that might live in its shadow
postcards is show the South Africa that on my personal experience as a se- is visible. The view of the mountain
one would never see portrayed on a mester study abroad student, and how with which I am most familiar, how-
normal postcard. I do not claim to be that differs from the experience of a ever, is from the back, with Devil’s
presenting reality, and I am conscious tourist, or perhaps what they choose Peak dominating. This photograph is
of the fact that I have focused entirely to experience. I will start here with a taken on Station Road, Mowbray, the
on the negatives in an effort to bal- description of my reasons for each route I walk to school every morning.
ance out the idealistic images. Also, photograph and a few words on the From this angle and perspective, the
one of the limits of the postcard genre poem, then return to the problematic buildings appear nearly as large as
of photography is that it can only offer relationship between postcards and the mountain, and the ridges of the
a slice of life, and that in very static culture. mountain in the background are in
images, usually of scenery. In keep- some way less impressive than the
ing with this, I decided to merely take The Mountain: Table Mountain is the neat rows of spikes on the fence in
pictures of things/places I see in the image which graces nearly every sin- the foreground. Also, even if it may
course of a normal day, and not, for gle postcard of Cape Town. It is usual- turn out to be a sunny day, early in the
instance, attempt to capture a shot of ly taken from the city side, most often morning the sky is usually grey or of-
a mugging. If I truly wanted to show from Bloubergstrand (Wildman), its tentimes the majority of the mountain
the underbelly of life in Cape Town, I craggy greyness set off by an immac- is completely obscured by cloud and
could have taken pictures of the town- ulately azure sky. The distance to the mist with Rhodes Memorial just barely
ships, or street kids sniffing glue, or mountain is most often great enough visible.
> GET OUT
The Used Condom: Also on Station
Road on most days there is at least
one used condom along that fence,
thanks to the customers of the ladies
who stand at the top of the road. At first
this was a bit of a shock to me, and I
wasn’t sure whether to be disgusted
or glad that at least used protection.
The latter reaction was why I chose
red for the font and also to put “South
Africa,” as the problem of HIV/AIDS
is nationwide (although I suppose in
reality I could have put “Earth”), some-
thing about which most tourists try not
to think, and usually they are able to
avoid situations that would remind
them of it. In seeing these condoms
every morning, I was daily confront-
ed with the harsh reality of living in
HIV/AIDS-plagued South Africa. This
rather somber routine forced me out
of the complacency of the “sheltered”
student life and reminded me that life
in fact isn’t sheltered by anything.
> Not South African, But Not a Tourist
> GET OUT
The Safe Walk Post: Again this repre- friends who have uttered such shocked
sents a wider issue, that of violence and comments as, “You mean you walked
To Bloke
crime here in South Africa. Interestingly, down Mowbray Main Road all the way to
this is an issue experienced by resident, Rondebosch—what were you thinking?”
I dreamed of Africa
tourist and student alike. The common At the same time, there is a risk: I know
But little did I know
postcards of UCT show the upper cam- six people who have been mugged along
The nightmare that is Africa
pus with the mountain as a backdrop, the route I normally take to the grocery
But not my nightmare
or Jammie Hall with its columns lit up store, but I have to eat, and I don’t have
at night—again safe, static scenery. Al- a car, so I keep going.
I get the postcard Africa
though tourists may worry about crime,
Buy wooden animals
and are in fact prime targets for theft, The School: I remember the
And try to smile ubuntu
the likelihood they will get mugged going first day I arrived. We turned down this
Into hollow eyes
from the hotel to the bus to the museum street and on the left passed this school
with the graffiti and razor wire and broken
Do they secretly choke with rage
out windows, and I was though “Where
like you?
in the world am I?” Then the shuttle
And hide the violence
stopped to let me out. On the right side
Welling up inside
of the street was a row of beautiful Vic-
Caused by my comfortability
torian townhouses, complete with fancy
My easy, white-bread life
wrought-iron-painted-white balconies,
No bile to flavor my sandwich
one of which was to be my place of resi-
dence for the next five months. After I’d
But must I atone
gotten my suitcases moved in and had
For the sins of history?
a shower, I wandered back down the
Is my soul also tainted white?
street. It was a Sunday so the kids (who
A rainbow nation
I later found out to be from Guguletu)
Still means refraction
weren’t there, and the place had the
Then what does it mean
air of a ghost town. I was also able to
That combined light is white?
read the inscription “AIDS kill our soci-
ety” for the first time, and I almost cried.
Perhaps only in darkness
And standing there in the middle of the
Are we all “equal”
street, looking left, then right, then back
So shall we stumble blindly?
left, taking in the stark juxtaposition, I felt
And only really see each other
I understood South Africa.
When we cease to see at all?
The Poem: I actually wrote this
poem more toward the beginning of my all day in the hot sun forcing smiles to
in a large pack is very small. Living here time here, when I didn’t feel as comforta- white tourists who flounce in and argue
as a student though, has been a large ble as I do now and still felt like a tourist, over a price as meagre as twenty rand.
adjustment: to have to think about when or even sometimes trespasser. I was still Something inside me snapped and sud-
it is getting dark and how am I going to excited about exploring Cape Town, and denly everything seemed to be in very
get home, to make sure to walk with other one day we stumbled across a market, clear focus. I went through the entire
people and think about hiding your mon- and I indeed was buying some wooden basket and bought all the deformed ani-
ey in various places on your body. I don’t animals for my mother (long story). I mals.
feel, however, that I have been living in was looking down at them while trying The whole week after that I
fear here; living in wariness is more ap- to make sure they would stand up, when couldn’t get the woman’s face out of
propriate. I have often been surprised by I chanced to glance up at the woman my mind, and finally after a discussion
the fear of white South Africans who live helping me, and in that fleeting second of ubuntu in my African Traditional Re-
behind their gates and only venture out saw her life in the townships, struggling ligion class, and a session debunking
in cars. While this may sound like stere- to carve these figurines (or to buy them the rainbow nation in our seminar, this
otyping, I have directly experienced it in from someone who was), standing there poem squeezed its way out of me. I do
wish to qualify it now as showing my
early reaction to the `reality’ of Cape
Town as I was discovering it. As such,
the end of the poem reveals my lack of
tools to adequately address discuss this
reaction, and instead slips into a bit of
that rainbow nation, can’t we all just get
along rhetoric. It was originally my plan
to write a second poem now after having
had all the class discussions on theoreti-
cal pieces and literary works, and also
having been here longer and having be-
come better acclimated. However, I feel
as if that moment in the market I saw a
big knot clearly that I could describe, and
now, having attempted to untangle it, I
am sitting in the middle of a pile of small-
er knots, myself now also ensnared, a
mess that I could address at best nebu-
lously. 11
12
> Jet-Setter’s Regret
Cassidy Flanagan with my family and got the most emo- hadn’t known him for very long or that
tionally challenging yet exciting experi- the idea of him was so irresistible, but
Ever since I was a little girl, I ence to date. as I sat in the airport less than twenty-
have always loved films where the hero Now, the problem with con- four hours later I couldn’t help ques-
or heroine is jetting around the world. I stantly jet-setting around the world is tioning not whether this man was the
wanted to be that character who sud- that you are always moving. Relation- perfect man but whether he was the
denly finds herself in a strange land, ships, whether platonic or romantic, perfect man for me. Or was it simply
forced to adapt to a different language are often tested and besides the few the idea of him that was perfect? Or
and different culture. I always imag- exceptions, they only last for so long was he perfect because he was unat-
ined myself as the person who was before both parties seem to grow apart. tainable, which meant anything could
forced to cleverly manage sticky situ- Romantically, I have never been too be possible?
ations and who could charm an entire disappointed because I have always But then who am I kidding?
army without saying a single word. been excited to see what and who else This man, the man who appeared to
And, in reality, I have man- was out there. It never mattered that stick out from all the train wreck rela-
aged to do those things in my own way. it didn’t work out with guy A because tionships of my past, could end up be-
While I have never actually wooed guys B and C could be just around the ing the same as all the men I have met
the Soviet Army to dance with me in- corner where I was headed. so far; except that I will never know.
stead of kill me, nor have I ever saved So when I went home for five While there is always a frightening as-
an entire village from destruction with days, I never expected to meet a man pect to the unknown, there can also be
only a piece of rope, fishing line and who was not only better than guys A-M something comforting about it, too. If
some quick thinking, I like to think that I so far but also made me question if I you never truly know a person, then
have accomplish certain feats all on my even wanted to meet guys O-W (which they can remain in whatever light you
own. only makes you wonder whether there want them to be. There is no emotion-
For any person who has found will ever be a guy Z!). With all the feel- al messiness, and the only person you
him/herself lost in Paris at 4 a.m., just ings that were driving through my body, can blame for feeling hurt is yourself.
making it back to your doorstep on a all I could think of doing was complain- However, living like this
street which you can’t remember the ing! It was so unfair! There I was, days seems slightly shallow. Yes, it might
name of seems pretty impressive. And before I had to board a plane and I was keep you from feeling betrayed, hurt,
sometimes just making it through the trying to come up with excuses as to disappointed or even vulnerable, but it
day in Paris without being on the verge why I couldn’t pack my bags. is also a pretty lonely way to live. But I
of tears because of something the As I boarded the plane two have learned to accept that with some
French do differently feels like a step short days later, I found myself won- people you have to let it run its course:
up in maturity. dering where all this world traveling you cannot force a relationship nor can
Yet, whichever feeling moti- was leading me. Ironically, it seemed you hide from it. Yet for as much as I
vates me to keep moving in the world to lead me back home. But despite any pride myself on my mobility and eager-
and encourages me to satisfy that trav- feelings I may have had for this man, ness to be somewhere exotic, I sud-
el itch, I am always happy to hop on a our paths were headed in a complete- denly find myself having to leave again
plane and explore somewhere new. Af- ly different directions, and there was when every bone in my body wants to
ter spending the summer in yet another nothing controllable about that. stay rooted—and that is my jet-setter’s
place, I made my biannual check-in Perhaps it was the fact that I regret.
> To be or not to be... a virgin
> LIFESTYLE
Rachel Burrington that an increasing proportion of Ameri- To many college students, vir-
cans consider premarital sex ‘wrong.’ ginity seems an almost archaic notion.
Virginity Rules! At least that’s Their statistics show that while two Google the word “virgin,” and the first
what organizations like the East Texas years ago 39 percent said premarital few pages are all about Richard Bran-
Abstinence Program would like us all to sex was wrong, today it is 46 percent. son’s cola, airline, and record stores -
believe. Conversely, there is the opin- not self-restraint.
With the release of Steve ion that, 2 virgins, even after making Celebrity magazine Us Week-
Carell’s new film, “The 40 Year Old Vir- it honest in the eyes of God, generally ly indulged its readers with the “first
gin,” there has been a renewed interest equals very bad sex. Of course, Jes- times” of paparazzi favorites like Tara
in the concept of virginity. Perhaps the sica Simpson waited until marriage at Reid, who lost it at 17: “It was down at
most prevalent question on everyone’s 22 years of age to lose her virginity, but my Jersey shore beach house… It was
mind when it comes to mature virginity she and her husband are also very sexy disgusting. Four hundred mosquitoes.
is, “WHY?” The majority of AUP stu- people. If you can make washing a car I had hives everywhere.” Us Weekly:
dents, when asked for their thoughts on look that hot, chances are you’re not doing its part to deter the masses from
virginity in college retorted, “Lose it as going to have too much trouble in the screwing Tara Reid…or having sex on
soon as possible,” while those who do bedroom behind closed doors. the Jersey Shore.
not consider it a burden often cited reli- Sexually transmitted diseases The website okcupid.com/vir-
gion or lack of booty (for lack of a better also deter some from engaging in pre- gin is an online game of “Guess the
word) as the deciding factor. marital sex. Abstinence, some believe, Virgin,” in which you spot the virgin in
For some, maintaining their empowers youth by removing the stress the photo.This concept of judging who
virginity is a moral issue. Often a matter of possible diseases or pregnancy. On is and who isn’t brings up the stigma
of spirituality, remaining “pure” for one’s the other hand, some STDs can be that often accompanies mature virginity.
future spouse is seen as the ultimate caught from little more than heavy pet- Particularly for men, virginity at an older
gift. A report from the Princeton Religion ting or a toilet seat. age is often deemed bizarre.
Research Center recently announced
> Inside the Ganesh Festival of Paris
> PARIS
Amelia Neumann-Samek
White men in khaki vests shove
wide-angle lenses in my face. Dark-
haired Sri Lankans grab their cell phones
and quickly snap my photo. They hold it
up to their friends who then giggle and
smile.
I am splashed by milk as the
woman in the orange sari just in front
of me begins to violently sway and con-
vulse. Her eyes roll up into her head, and
her face turns green. Shirtless men with
a yellow armband reading “Volontaire”
hold the crowd back around her.
Possessed people are highly
respected in Hindu festivals, so the volun-
teers make sure she has enough space
to freely “exorcise” bad spirits from herself
or let Ganesh take over her body.
Meanwhile, behind me, a fa- chariot parade of Ganesh, the elephant- to the God. The shell of the coconut is
ther dangerously holds his two-year-old headed Hindu lord of success, education, said to symbolize the world, the flesh the
daughter in a bushy, jade dress in the and knowledge, celebrates his birthday individual karma, and the water the hu-
same arm as a metal baton tipped with and takes place every year according to man ego. By smashing the coconut, we
a disc of flaming camphor. He waves it the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated all offer our heart to Ganesh.
around carelessly and I feel for the first over the world, especially in Mumbai, In- Anyone interested in learning
time that I truly understand what the ex- dia, where a giant statue is built and car- more about Hinduism can go to the tem-
pression “spontaneously combustible” ried around the city on men’s shoulders, ple for their ten, twelve, or seven o’clock
means. then symbolically released into the Indian puja (worship ceremony), as it is open to
I suddenly got a thick whiff of Ocean. the public. There are two areas that are
punguent camphor smoke that coats my A special “abroad” version of the known for Indians/South Asians in Paris.
nostrils with a thin film of black grease. I parade takes place in the streets of Par- The 10th arrondissement
twist to look left and my elbow is slightly is, organized and sponsored by the Sri around métro Château d’Eau is home to
burned by another red-hot camphor fire, Manika Vinayakar Alayam Hindu Temple Passage Brady, one of the oldest covered
the culprit of my distress. at 72, rue Philippe de Girard in the 18th gallery passageways in Paris, which is
Instead of fire waving on a disc arrondissement. This year was the tenth now lined with nothing but Indian restau-
behind me, this time it is contained in a anniversary, and so it was a very special rants. The hosts of the restaurants stand
terra cotta pot on a woman’s head. Her parade. Preparations included importing in the street among the passersby, en-
daughter walks beside her and constantly more than five hundred coconuts from thusiastically inviting them to eat at their
feeds it with white cubes of fuel. I quickly Sri Lanka, Ganesh’s preferred variety, restaurant. There is also Cinéma le Brady
weave through the crowd, deftly attempt- as well as hiring musicians and Kavadi l’Albatros, at 39, Boulevard de Stras-
ing to miss camphor landmines. dancers (dancers who carry a wooden bourg, where Bollywood fans can catch
Partaking in the 10th annual structure with flowers and peacock feath- their favorite movies on the big screen.
Ganesh festival of Paris, I got to walk five ers on their shoulders). Also, the 18th arrondissement
kilometers of the 18th arrondissement of The city was paid to close down around the métro stations Marx Dormoy
Paris barefoot, in sari, with a milk pot and the streets and have street cleaners wash and La Chapelle offer a variety of Indian
coconut on my head. Overall, my impres- the road with a mixture of rose water and and Sri Lankan restaurants as well as sari
sion of the Ganesh festival of Paris is as saffron to purify it for the offering of coco- shopping, Indian grocery stores, and In-
follows: it is an attack on the senses, a nuts and barefoot participants in the pa- dian DVD stores to the heart’s content.
possible disaster at any moment, a crowd rade. At certain points, before the Ganesh For more information on Indian
of people, flying coconuts, wailing horns, chariot which carried him throughout the cultural events, such as concerts and
spastic dancing, and possessed women. 18th, men would clear back the crowd dance performances, check out the In-
The Ganesh Chaturthi, or and begin rapidly breaking sandalwood- dian Embassy webpage and www.ambe-
dusted coconuts on the ground in offering inde.com.
> To be or not to be, continued.
This is what makes the con- the idea of “getting lucky” is the very So, to answer that resounding
cept of “The 40 Year Old Virgin” funny genuine and all-too-common dilemma “WHY?” when it comes to virginity, there
and brings us to the most sensitive rea- of actually wanting to truly care about are number of perfectly sane motiva-
son for advanced virginity. the person you sleep with. Whether it tions. Whether it’s a matter of spiritual-
As difficult as it may be for is love, like, or just trust you’re looking ity, health, personal taste, or royal am-
some to believe, “losing it” isn’t always for in a lover, it isn’t always easy to find, bition, the obstacles are there and not
that easy. It seems simple, but when you which can contribute to an almost un- always easy to overcome. The next time
work in all the details - finding someone bearably drawn-out virginity. you snicker at the idea of a 40-year-old
clean, hopefully nice, and protection - it Let us not forget also that to virgin, bear in mind these complications,
can get downright complicated, espe- be eligible to be the next wife of the King and do not overlook the fact that who-
cially if you’re hoping for a cuddler…or of Swaziland, virginity is an absolute ever you’re laughing at may very well
aren’t that attractive yourself. necessity. So, that’s another completely become the next queen of Swaziland.
Of course, beyond looks or understandable reason to abstain.
13
14
> Nikki’s Films
Reviews by Nikki Peterson Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ☺☺ / 5
Critics had high hopes for Tim Burton’s remake of the 1971
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, inspired by the Roald
Mr. and Mrs. Smith ☺☺☺ / 5
Dahl book -- after all, Burton’s visual capacities are perhaps
The Hollywood blockbuster that is better known in the press beyond those of any other modern director. What critics failed
for breaking up Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston than for its to take into consideration, however, was that the original Willy
“content,” finally made its grand debut this August in Paris- Wonka would be somewhat less coherent when mixed with
ian cinemas. The verdict? Like Brad and Jen’s split, it is in Edward Scissorhands. Although Burton’s dreamlike aesthetic
every way typically Hollywood. The story was taken from and fantastical cinematography are ideal in this film, his ee-
Hitchcock’s 1941 film by the same name about two spies who rie and quirky style turn what was once a child’s tale into a
marry one another, unaware of each other’s true identities. strange hybrid. In the original film, Gene Wilder perfectly cap-
When the tangled web unravels, each attempts to destroy the tures the spirit of solitary genius Willy Wonka, the owner of
other to save their position in their respective companies. As the chocolate factory to which five lucky children win golden
banal as this remake could have been, its Hollywood perfec- tickets allowing them to visit the premises. Burton’s version,
tion is (for once) its saving grace. The carefully crafted, cliché however, portrays Wonka as a tortured soul who makes awk-
portrayal of the couple coincides perfectly with Hitchcock’s ward remarks and does not seem any more virtuous than
original commentary on dull suburban America, transforming the spoiled children touring his factory. Although Burton goes
it into a fabulous satire. If one overlooks the irony, however, into a deep explanation of Wonka’s childhood, the audience
it remains a typical summer blockbuster, packed with enough never attaches to his character, leaving the film with a sort
explosions and sexual tension to eternally satisfy a craving of emptiness. However, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
for action. Surely independent cinema fans will find it leaves does remain a visual feast, and those who have not seen the
something to be desired, but Mr. and Mrs. Smith brings out original may still be enchanted by the charming tale despite
the best of what Hollywood has to offer, making it a rather its shortcomings.
pleasant surprise.
> Google touches down to Earth
Leigh Mathews taurant highlighted on the map. Click ‘Schools’ and you can find
your old high school. Type two locations and the program will
“Leigh, did you know there are 167 trees on our prop- highlight the quickest driving route between them. Magic.
erty?” my dad recently asked me during one of our weekly Although my trees were clear enough to count, not all
phone calls. “No,” I replied, wondering why he brought up the world has been photographed in such high resolution. A lot
> ENTERTAINMENT
this fact from out of the blue. I know he doesn’t care about of land is blurry; you can just make out the infrastructures of a
the amount of vegetation that surrounds our Colorado home. city. Also, the satellite photos are out of date. Google Earth is
“Download Google Earth,” he continued, “and be amazed.” a compilation of images taken over the last three to four years.
I expected that this “Google Earth” program was an- (Don’t be disappointed when your picture doesn’t show up on
other one of those 20 Question games, magically and correctly screen, since you’ve just spent the last five minutes waving to
guessing random facts. I downloaded the program, opened it, the sky outside your house).
and a globe appeared on my screen. Click. Click. Drag… I was While Google Earth is a fun program, some people
zooming in on the globe. “How far in can I go?” I wondered. It I’ve spoken with are skeptical and even worried. After zoom-
was as if I was falling from space toward Earth like an astro- ing in to her Nantucket home, AUP student Michelle Soverino
naut. Magic. exclaimed, “Wow, it makes me feel violated!” The program is
I landed somewhere in the mountains and continued available to anyone with an internet connection, so there are
scrolling. Eventually I found my city, then my neighborhood, virtually no limits for stalkers.
and--! My house! There was my truck! My garden! And yes, you Michelle continued, “It seems that as a global commu-
could count each tree on the property. There are exactly 167 nity, we’re struggling to define the lines between the personal,
trees, clearly seen from a satellite image on my desktop. the private and the public.” So where do we draw the line? And
I investigated this fascinating program a bit further. who draws the line? “What next? Will there be live footage of
On the side of the globe there are options for different ‘layers.’ what’s going on in my living room? Am I to be the next reality
Click ‘Restaurants’ and you can find your favorite Mexican res- TV show with a Google’s click away?”
Spin your Google Globe to Europe and zoom on the
Netherlands. Recently Dutch officials expressed concern that
Google’s program could be used by terrorists to facilitate at-
tacks, giving details of the Port of Rotterdam, The Hague and
Amsterdam Airport. These landmarks are already potential tar-
gets for terrorists. Even in Australia the Minister of Defense
described the program as a potential threat to Australian na-
tional security. Google Earth illustrates the location and layout
of nuclear power plants, military bases and government build-
ings-- all possible targets for terrorists.
John Hankey, the general manager of the keyhole
group at Google states that they “are paying close attention
to what is being said…” they don’t want their “tool to be mis-
used.”
So is Google Earth the next handbook for terror-
ists planning attacks? Or for botanists counting trees? Or for
your average Joe trying to find an Italian restaurant close to
his house? Maybe all three. But for AUP students sitting in the
Amex crowding around a laptop, it’s the perfect opportunity to
show off your million dollar mansion.
> Road to Germany: World Cup 2006
> SPORTS
Haby Assevero pect of having to go through the playoffs. matically qualified and so their pre-World
Why Spain’s wealth of talent doesn’t Cup preparation is dedicated to a series
seem to translate into results when they of friendlies.
It seems that the French na-
need it most remains a mystery. The first of these during the
tional team are saving by the skin of their
England are also having a current international break went horri-
teeth what almost looked like a lost cause.
tough time at the moment. Their cam- bly wrong. The 2-0 loss to Slovakia only
A poor showing at Euro 2004 provoked
paign towards Germany is well advanced served to heap more criticism on an al-
the early retirement of several key play-
but losing 1-0 to N. Ireland puts a serious ready beleaguered German side. A 4-2
ers, notably Zinedine Zidane. Voted sev-
dent in the proceedings. Given Poland’s victory over South Africa in the second
eral times France’s favorite sportsman,
win in Wales, England are now five points friendly is unlikely to stem the public con-
Zidane provided a spark to the national
off the pace with a match in hand. With demnation of Germany’s coach Jurgen
team that they clearly can’t do without.
an England v Poland in the not so distant Klinsmann and his attack minded ap-
Without Zidane and fellow
future, the Brits have made life more com- proach to football. For most German pun-
early retirees Lillian Thuram and Claude
plicated for themselves than it needed to dits winning 1-0 is better than winning 4-2,
Makelele, France started their World Cup
be. the idea being not to concede goals like a
2006 qualifying campaign with three 0-0
Not everyone in Europe though, leaky faucet, as Germany have been do-
draws and two laborious victories against
is finding the road towards Munich’s Alli- ing.
Cyprus and the Faroe Islands. These re-
anz Arena, where the opener of the World Meanwhile across the Atlantic,
sults combined with those of other teams
Cup will be held, hard traveling. Italy are under the scorching sun of Brasilia and
in the qualifying group put France in dan-
well on their way, a 4-1 win over Belarus to the rhythm of samba drums, the five-
ger of not qualifying at all.
has stretched their lead at the top of the time and defending World Champions
And so for all his rhetoric about
group to five points. Norway losing 2-1 at (they beat Germany in the 2002 final)
breaking with traditions and starting a
home to Scotland while Slovenia won 2- were securing the right to defend their title
new cycle, French coach, Raymond Do-
1 away from home does nothing to take next summer. And they did so with style,
menech, was obliged to bring the veter-
away from Italy‘s serenity. thrashing Chile 5-0. Coach Carlos Al-
ans back to the frontlines. And sticking
Other results include Holland’s berta Parreira took advantage of Ronald-
with the military metaphor, Zidane and his
4-0 win over Andorra and the Czech Re- inho’s suspension to align the “Fantastic
faithful Lieutenants Thuram and Makelele
public’s victory 4-1 against Armenia in Four”, Ronaldo, Robinho, Adriano and
have made a most remarkable differ-
that same group. The gap between the Kaka. Given that Adriano scored a hat
ence. Each sector of the team, defense,
two sides is currently four points but they trick, Brazil fans are calling for Ronaldo
midfield and attack has a boss and now
face off in the next match. A Czech victory to be sacrificed when Ronaldinho returns.
the French national team is playing better
could see them within 1 point of the top That choice falls on Parreira but believe
than it has in months. This doesn’t mean
spot. me, every coach wishes he had that kind
they are playing well but it’s a marked
Also in the top spot of their re- of headache.
improvement since the beginning of the
spective groups are Portugal and the As for Brazil’s potential oppo-
Domenech era.
Ukraine. The Ukraine officially qualified nents next summer, it can’t be reassur-
France’s 3-0 win over the Ivory
for their first ever World Cup after the ing to see a master-class performance of
Coast in a summer friendly is proof of
first qualifier of the new season. Their 1- that level and imagine how much worse,
that. More importantly though, they’ve
1 draw with Georgia was enough thanks or better depending on your viewpoint, it
won the two qualifying matches that keep
to a 2-2 draw between Turkey and Den- would have been with Ronaldinho in the
their hopes for Germany alive. The 2-0
mark. Their 1-0 loss to Turkey in the team. If you need proof that this current
win over the Faroe Islands and the recent
second match being of no consequence. generation of Brazilian players is as good
1-0 win over Ireland mean that France
Likewise, despite their 0-0 draw with Rus- as anything the country has ever pro-
top their group, tied with Switzerland. The
sia, Portugal remains firmly in control of duced, take a look at the second goal they
next match is Switzerland - France that
their group, five points clear of Slovakia scored against Chile. Adriano crosses
will likely determine definitively who auto-
and Russia who are disputing second and the next three passes are one touch
matically qualifies for Germany and who
place. deviations from Kaka to Ronaldo and fin-
has to go through the play offs.
ished by Robinho. Simply genius. So in
Revenge in the Air case you were wondering, the World Cup
The Usual Suspects
All that’s left is to mention the two teams next year isn’t there to be won; it’s there
The French aren’t the only European
who fought for supremacy at the last for Brazil to lose. But somehow, I doubt
powerhouses in trouble. Spain’s 1-1 draw
World Cup in 2002. Germany is having a that will happen.
at home to Serbia-Montenegro puts them
torrid time of it. As hosts they are auto-
second in the group and facing the pros-
World Cup 2006 qualification
Europe - top 3 of each group* Key matches
Group 1 Group 3 Group 5 Group 7 October 8
1. Netherlands 28 1. Portugal 24 1. Italy 17 1. Serbia - M. 16 Netherlands - Czech Rep.
2. Czech Rep 24 2. Slovakia 19 2. Norway 12 2. Spain 14 Danemark - Greece
3. Romania 22 3. Russia 19 3. Slovenia 12 3. Bosnia - H. 13 France - Switzerland
Group 6 Italy - Slovenia
Group 2 Group 4 Group 8
1. Ukraine 24 1. Switzerland 16 1. Poland 24 Croatia - Sweden
1. Sweden 21
2. Turkey 20 2. France 16 2. England 19 2. Croatia 20 October 12
3. Greece 18 3. Israel 15 3. Austria 12 3. Hungary 13 Slovakia - Russia
England - Poland
* Thirteen teams will go to Germany: each first placed team automatically qualifies along with the two Ireland - Switzerland
best second placed teams. The six remaining second-placed teams will play against each other to
Bosnia-H. - Serbia-M.
distinguish three teams that will go on to the World Cup.
15
16
> Dear AUPeople,
First, thanks for all of your participation We have numerous other activities
and enthusiasm. We’ve loved seeing all of your planned for you - Open Mic Nights, Social Com-
faces, whether it be at La Galerie, the Back to mittee, the budget meeting . . . just to name a few.
School party, in Senate applications or in our office Every Monday, read details of upcoming events in
hanging out. That said, we have even more activi- the Weekly Email. Check out the huge calendar in
ties for you . . . the Lounge, stop by our office (B-12) or go to our
On Tuesday, September 27th the SGA website (http://sga.aup.fr). Our office hours are on
Senate election results will be announced in the our doors, or you can always drop us an e-mail at
AMEX. Clubs Night will follow - look for individual sga_president@aup.edu.
clubs to have stands set up in the Amex, in the We’re always available for you to voice
Lounge, and stop by the publications office. Club your concerns, share your opinions, or simply to
leaders will be present to answer all of your ques- get involved. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch
tions and will help you get involved. with us at any time.
You’ve probably seen their racy photos
all over campus – on Thursday, September 29th Thanks!!
twelve AUP bachelors will be auctioned off at the
first Coup de Pouce Date Auction. Free food, open Your SGA Exec
bar, good music and a good cause! Annie, Kat, Mike, Miruna, and Max
Photo by Alicia Karpetsky
AUPers hang at Bar Three during Orientation
THE PLANET
Editor-in-Chief: Alhan Keser
Layout: Leigh Mathews & Alhan Keser
Copy Editors: Laura Cook & Stephanie Handler
Writers: Ashley Ellefson, Dominique Hess, Jean-Julien Kahn, Julie Abramoff, Aimée Shaw,
Maximilian Hagen, Allie D’Aurora, Libby Malcolm, Bill Kutz, Laura Macomber, Stephanie Vosk,
Amelia Neumann-Samek, Habi Assevero, Nikki Peterson, Rachel Burrington, Laura Cook,
Cassidy Flanagan, Leigh Mathews, John Paul Parmigiani.
The Planet The Planet is the student newspaper of The American
American University of Paris University of Paris and is a full voting member of the
31, avenue Bosquet Publications Board. All submissions for publication are
75007 Paris, France subject to editing and publication is not guaranteed. The
opinions expressed within The Planet are not necessarily
Email: planetaup@gmail.com those of the Editors, the Publications Board, or The
Website: www.ac.aup.fr/planetaup American University of Paris. Questions and comments
The Planet 1980-2005 should be addressed to the Editor in Chief.
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