Characterizing AUB
By Elias Abou Samra

IThe AUB campus is certainly the most superb campus in Lebanon and, probably, in the Middle East. Looking out on the Mediterranean and Sannine, our campus provides us with a calm and relaxing environment where we can Òlive life more abundantlyÓ. But are old buildings and tall Cypress and Banyan trees enough to build a university character? Certainly, another necessary ingredient for a healthy campus environment is a healthy university spirit, and that must be generated by the student body. To many, AUB is the number one university in the region, despite the fact that competition today is harder than ever. Still, people point to our facilities, staff and equipment, as a sign of our preeminence. However, many universities around the country have acquired staff and facilities that put them on the same level as AUB. Our computer labs are similar to those of any other institution more

The giants we stand on
By Lama Tassabehji
Issac Newton once said, ÒI can see as far as I do because I stand on the shoulders of giants.Ó Well I ask you this, if we keep relying on these giants to see as far as we do, wonÕt our weight on their shoulders soon sink us both down into the ground, shortening our sight with each extra day of added weight? Metaphorically speaking our problems weigh us down, or so we hear, therefore, weighing our giants down. LetÕs refer to reality. If AUB donot employ a Dean of Student Affairs for a long term position today, then the entitled position will only be gathering more and more unfulfilled long term plans leading to a heavier load on the Ògiant.Ó If AUB doesnÕt employ a brighter system that allows for professors to teach and research at the same time, then the burdening common lecture more

Kibbeh Bi Laban is my favorite dish
By Naji Issa
On the last issue of Outlook, I noticed a ÒLetter To The EditorÓ signed by Òa group of hygienic studentsÓ in an article about AUBÕs cafeteria. The writer made an assumption that AUB students are not interested in ÒkoussaÓ and Òkibbeh bi labanÓ and rather prefer junk food. I would like to draw to your attention that home made food is the most hygienic meal one can have, and that the display of kitchens to the customerÕs eye in Bliss streetÕs restaurants gives no clue whatsoever about the quality of food used (the meat, the oil, etc), but I can understand this remark, given that most people are always taken by appearances. It is a pity to see Bliss streetÕs old places disappear: the old famous Faysal restaurant (not the one we have today) that used to face AUBÕs main gate, famous more

Seven minutes of hope
By Rami Salame
The story I am about to relate to you took place on October the first; the day all the new students were walking around the campus, overflowing with hope, pride, and fancy clothes. I have been around for more than three years, and so I have lost that hope and pride, yet I still indulge in fancy clothes every now and then. Today, October the first, I received a letter through the mail. It was a letter from an international poetry contest I had participated in. I had no intention, much less hope, of winning. Somehow, they were notifying me that I had become a semi-finalist. I Òcould be the lucky winner of 1,000 dollars,Ó or Òthe lucky winnerÓ of the 10, 000 dollar grand prize. Moreover, my poem will be published in a Òcollected poemsÓ book, and will be read by millions. Naturally, I felt lucky. My friends saluted me, and we almost went off campus for a celebratory drink. Today, I was more