An optimistic try
By Elias Abou Samra
EditorÕs note: Earlier this year, Outlook responded to President WaterburyÕs speech in the Opening Ceremony, where he referred to the need for discussing all sorts of regional and international issues on campus. Outlook urged the administration to reconsider its method of educating students on the basis of democracy by reintroducing the Hyde Park Corner that was abandoned at the beginning of the civil war in 1975. The Debate Club, in coordination with the Office of Student Affairs, took the first initiative by organizing an open forum on the Student Representative Committee elections last week. more

Why not political parties?
By Rana Siblini
After the first phase of the elections, we have all witnessed that there are no such things as Òindependents,Ó and political parties triumph on campus. This phenomenon of Òindependents,Ó who are not really independent has in fact increased during the past years in AUB elections and is only being used to trick students who are still frightened and repelled by political parties, ten years after the war. Although some ÒindependentsÓ might be hardworking, hard work is not enough. more

Independent candidates fool students
By Mohamad Elfakhani
Local newspapers, in their coverage of the AUB elections, have said, for example, that 22 elected candidates were in groups and the other 70 were independents (An-Nahar). They go on, of course, to list ÒsupportedÓ candidates and the conclusion is few actual independents. All the stands last week were not for only 22 candidates but also for Òsupported candidates.Ó ThatÕs a nice way of putting it. One such example is that of the freshman group, F1. more

A callous truth
By Joelle Abi Rached and Michel Kabalan
ÒThey canÕt represent themselves, they must be represented.Ó Karl Marx These days, the pathway between Ada Dodge Hall and Nicely is too crowded. A few meters away, near College Hall, a bunch of students seem puzzled: ÒIs this the new veggie market (souk el khodra) of Beirut?Ó ÒApparently not,Ó replies another student, Òthese are the preparations for next weekÕs student body election.Ó more

A new sport on campus
By Rami Salameh
AUB is always proud of its athletes, and the students themselves have always taken pride in their achievements. Outlook dedicates space to feature AUB athletes. AUB students love sports of all kinds, and we students participate in every sport, ranging from track and field to ice hockey. Even more than that, AUB is proud of its studentsÕ ability to invent a pastime, or a sport to fit their needs. more