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Baskteball Vs. Net Struggling to reach LAU

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year Xiii, vOl. i, nO. iii

TRIBUNE
page 3 page 5 page 6 page 9 The Official STudenT newSpaper aT The lebaneSe american univerSTy

Monday, nov.28, 2011

TribuneLAU@gmail.com

Meager Evaluations
By Mayya Al-Ogaily

High Ranks Still Belong to Men

Iman Soufan LAU Tribune staff
mom has two jobs while the father has one. The ratio of male to female professors varies across LAUs various schools but the pattern is consistent; the male professors outnumber the females in all cases except medicine where they are equal. In the school of business, for example, the number of male professors amounts to seven while that of females is zero. Said El-Fakhani, dean of business in Beirut, is not surprised. How many females, then, were willing to go through getting a PhD then willing to go all the way for at least 12 more years in order to be eligible to apply for promotion? he asked. Studies show that education for women is encouraged in Lebanese society, even among conservative communities. But female students, the studies say, go to university mostly to become better wives and moms and to find better husbands. Khaled Nasser, a lecturer in interpersonal communication at LAU, did a research about arranged marriages in Beirut. He found that parents insist that their daughters be educated at university level, even if there are no plans for her to work at all. Education, Nasser suggests, is seen as a womans weapon in case she gets divorced or her husband dies. Dabbous-Sensenig concurs. Yes, more women are getting educated and the gender gap in education is closing, she said. But the
Photo by: Iman Soufan

LAU Tribune staff

It was his first year as a lecturer at LAU. Eager to show the chair of the department that he performed well and students liked him, the young man looked forward to class evaluations. Finally, the dean of arts and sciences sent him an email with the results. He opened the folder, his heart pounding, only to find that none of his 12 students filled in the evaluations. By the end of each academic semester, LAU sends out emails to all students, asking them to submit an evaluation of the courses they took and the instructors who taught them. Although they may vary from one department to another, evaluation forms usually include around 10 questions about the instructors performance and another two evaluating about the course itself. Room for qualitative comments is also available. Asked to fill such optional surveys for at least three or four classes, most students dont take evaluations seriously and fail to send helpful feedback, if any. Most are not aware that these surveys can make or break an instructor. Evaluations play a role in the promotion of full-time professors and help department chairs decide whether they should keep part-time instructors or release them. A survey by the LAU Tribune revealed that 86 percent of students interviewed dont fill in the evaluations. Students who do either ex-

press their absolute admiration to a specific course and its instructor or vent out their frustration. None of the people surveyed believed that student feedback makes a difference in the eyes of the administration. Most instructors are aware of this problem and think the way evaluations are administered should be changed. Abdullah Sfeir is LAUs provost. He oversees curriculum development and other teaching, instructional, and research-related affairs across the university. According to him, LAU plans to make the evaluations obligatory. Before 2009, evaluations were compulsory. Distributed to students during class time, they were still filled quickly and carelessly. Most instructors got very good or very bad evaluations. Its true we had problems in the past with evaluations being compulsory, but now that they are voluntary we get a small sample of students who either loved the course or hated it, Sfeir said. Were still considering the best choice, but I think eventually its going to be compulsory again. Ibrahim Houssari, English instructor at LAU, thinks that students dont take the evaluations seriously and do them off hand. Houssari argued that evaluations shouldnt be optional. Unlike before, a few number of students even bother to fill the evaluations out,

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In fall 2010, the number of full-time male faculty was listed as 165 and females as 118. But what seems like an encouraging statistic becomes more disappointing with further scrutiny. The number of professors may be broken down by rank, with six categories ranging from assistant instructor as the lowest to professor as the highest. The number of females in the highest ranks is six while the males are 23 almost four times the amount. Associate professors at LAU the second highest rank include 41 males and 19 females. The statistics are not weird nor unusual to me. This is actually very common in universities worldwide, Dima Dabbous-Sensenig, director of the Institute for Womens Studies in the Arab World, said. There are more male professors than females in different countries, not only in the Arab world. The American University of Beirut has 41 male and five female professors.

Studies have shown that, with the amount of work it takes to be a full-time professor, women cannot do to the best of their abilities especially if they have a family, Dabbous-Sensenig explained. They face many obstacles, especially if they have kids and cannot dedicate themselves the way males do. Assistant professors at LAU apply for promotion three to seven years after they are hired as full timers. To succeed, they must show evidence of excellence in teaching, research and services to the community. After working for a minimum of twelve years, associate professors are eligible to apply for promotion. Assistant professors receive 50,001 US dollars as an annual basic salary while associate professors get 67,595 US dollars and full professors 97,099 US dollars. On a societal level, the mother does most of the work at home, DabbousSensenig said. A working

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CAMPUS NEWS
Palestine 101
By Zahi Sahli LAU Tribune staff
Photo via: Creative Commons

Tribune

nov. 28, 2011

LAU Students Unite for Independence

By Assaad Hawwa LAU Tribune staff
LAU celebrated Lebanons 68th independence anniversary on Nov. 16 under the rain near the cafeteria. Im so happy that all the students are gathered together to celebrate their countrys independence, Nadine Daouk, an interior design senior, said. The independence celebration began at noon. Loud music could be heard all over campus as students from different political parties, religions and regions, all held hands and participated in the dabke. It is nice to see people from different backgrounds united, especially after what happened right here two weeks ago, Daouk added, referring to the political clash between LAU students, which left several injured on Nov. 1. The grounds around Nicol Hall and the cafeteria were filled with students who didnt let the rainy days forecast affect their participation. Lebanon acquired its independence from the French and its forced mandate on Nov. 22, 1943. Students united twice this week, the first time when supporting the Lebanese soccer team, and the second during this celebration.

Education Opportunity in Holland

There are approximately eight million Palestinian refugees around the world. Hazem Jamjoum, a Palestinian writer and researcher, said during a presentation about the history of Palestine on Nov. 23. The Palestinian scattered Diaspora continues to be the largest and longest-standing refugee issue in the world as Israel proceeds with its plans to expand its settlements. The highest concentration of Palestinian refugees anywhere in the world is in the Gaza strip, Jamjoum said. It has 1.5 million people, 1.1 million of which are refugees. The misery of the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza is amplified by the fact that Israeli forces continue to demolish homes and bombard the Palestinian territories at their wishes. Overnight all of the houses that did not exist before 1948 became illegal because they are agricultural zones, Jamjoum said at the event organized by the Palestinian Cultural Club. He was referring to the policy adopted by the Israeli government during Ariel Sharons tenure as minister of agriculture. According to Jamjoum, those targeted by reoccurring home demolitions receive a court notice asking them to destroy their illegal properties. Israeli forces then attack illegal Palestinian homes, destroys them and sends families the bills accounting for the costs. If they do not pay the fine, Palestinians are sentenced to prison. In an effort to direct Jews to the Palestinian territories before 1948, governments of European countries and the United States passed legislations to ban Jewish refugees from entering their countries. Despite efforts by Zionist organizations to bring in Jews into the Palestinian territories, the Jewish population stood only at 33% of the general population at the eve of the Nakba, the day in which the compulsory displacement of Palestinians took place, commemorated on May 15. Beginning in the 1930s, the Zionist leadership began to put in place military plans to forcibly remove the Palestinians from Palestine, Jamjoum said. While Jamjoum said that the largest community of Palestinian refugees is in Jordan, the researcher explained that Lebanon currently holds no less than 450,000 Palestinian refugees divided among 12 camps.

By Natalia Elmani LAU Tribune staff

Photo by: Carol Khater

The Netherlands Institute in Beirut reached out on Wednesday, Nov. 23, to LAU students interested in pursuing gender studies in Holland. Its representative emphasized the Masters and doctoral degrees and even offered scholarships for outstanding performances. Dima Dabbous-Sensenig, director of Institute for Womens Studies in the Arab World, and Elie Samia, director of the Outreach and Civic Engagement Unit at LAU, welcomed Taco Van der Zwagg, the director of the soon-to-be-established insti-

tute in Beirut, for a conference which helped students broaden their horizons with educational possibilities in Holland. With the completion of a bachelors degree, one may have access to a number of top universities spread throughout Holland with a variety of English-taught programs focusing on issues such as ethnicity, gender and womens studies, international health and many more. Students who are able to engage in this international program will be on the fore-

front of issues, said Van der Zwagg, emphasizing on the cutting-edge courses that are offered at many European universities. The Netherlands has roughly 16.7 million inhabitants and is the 16th largest economy in the world. With 14 research universities, most of which are at the top of the 200 rankings, this Scandinavian country enables students to acquire knowledge through intricate and intriguing courses. For more information on the opportunities, contact assistantmanager@ni-beirut.org

Correction In the previous issue of the Tribune, an article incorrectly said that MP Albert Moukheiber gave a lecture at LAU. His grandson, MP Ghassan Moukheiber, was LAUs host at the time.

SPORTS
Basket Vs. Net
By Mayya Al-Ogaily LAU Tribune staff
Sana Chahine, a communication arts student at LAU and a member of the women soccer team, was swamped. Having to cope with a demanding major and regular training is not easy, especially when you do not feel appreciated. She went to see Sami Garabedian, the director of the LAU athletics department, and told him she would like to quit if she doesnt get the athletic scholarship she deserves. To her surprise, Garabedian did not prevent her from renouncing her commitment to sports. If I am still playing, its only because I love the game, she explained. I am not getting anything in return. LAU is an active member of the Lebanese Federation of University Sports (FSUL), and its two campuses sponsor 18 varsity sports teams: handball and rugby (for men only) and basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, table tennis, swimming, Thai kickboxing and taekwondo (for both men and women). Rumors around campus recently alleged that LAUs athletic department favors some sports teams over others. The claims sounded like overstated complaints coming from pampered students. But, after further investigations, the Tribune found that the women soccer team at LAU is unsatisfied because of differential treatment. According to members of the women soccer team, the athletic department has failed to meet the demands of the players, although they snatched the first place in the league last year. LAU gives us very little or no importance at all, as athletes, Yara Ghabris, a soccer team member, said. During our games we have quite a few that support us, in comparison to other sports. Other team members like Chahine, Dima Farroukh and Fida Ghabbar agree with Ghabris. The girls explained that no one from the LAU athletics department attended the final game of the Soccer League Championship last year. No one, not even Mr. Sami Garabedian was there for us, Ghabbar said. All we got from them was a trophy a few months later. More importantly, girls in the women soccer team complained that none of them had an athletic scholarship in recognition of the teams accomplishments. We do not get scholarships, despite the fact that we won the league last year, while some teams, like the basketball team, get scholarships and they dont even achieve what our team has achieved, Farroukh said. We risk our studies and grades just to spend hours in training to get those results. We deserve some credit. Over five basketball team members have athletic scholarships. Sami Garabedian,director of the athletics department, denied

nov.28, 2011

Tribune

LAU Sailors: A Sneak Peek

By Maria Fellas LAU Tribune staff
the teams allegations and explained that athletic scholarships are only given to 10 incoming students per year, and they all happen to be on the basketball team. But Chahine, an outstanding player on the team, said that she applied for a scholarship as a new student and still did not get it. Her cumulative GPA was 3.4 at the time. Today, it is 3.3. Samir Obeid, head of the financial aid and scholarships office, insisted that all team members are offered scholarships if they are entitled to one, no matter what sports they play. If theyre responsible enough to balance between their studies and their duty towards the sports theyre playing, and if they have what it takes to be outstanding players, they would definitely get a scholarship, he said. Ghabbar complained that all soccer games take place outside campus for lack of space, which makes it hard for students to commute and reduces audience attendance considerably. Garabedian explained that its the team members responsibility to invite their friends to their games and help crowd up the audience. He personally makes sure every game gets the publicity needed, he said. If they are complaining about lack of publicity then they should know that
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continued on page 10

We have very good players on the team, said Reine Alameh, captain of the LAU Sailors, the universitys women basketball team. But we definitely need to work on the chemistry between us. MVP for two consecutive years, Alameh believes that, if the players work together, they have a chance of achieving very good results. Ibrahim Jarouj, assistant coach, agrees. They are good, but they need to concentrate more during the games, he said. During their last game against Haigazian University, the Sailors lost by 7 points. This result was, to a certain extent, predictable since Rihab Khalifeh, center player, was absent from the game due to an injury. This result was fairly good for the first game of the season, Jarouj said. But they couldve done much better. Coach Najib Choueity selected 16 female students to play on the varsity team. Representing LAU Beirut in the

league and in several tournaments, these young women have a great deal of responsibility thrown upon their shoulders, Jarouj said. Karine Naji, who started practicing with the team last year while still in school, received an athletic scholarship of 15 percent. Alameh and several other players also benefited from the same financial assistance. I really hope we make it to the final four this year, Naji said. This would be a great experience, especially for me, since its my first year on the team. Naji is a player in the 2nd division national team and a part of the track and field team at LAU Beirut. Tara Haydar Ahmad is another new comer to the team. With our three-times-aweek practices, and with hard work from all the players, I believe we can keep our previous ranking and even top it this year, Jarouj said. The LAU Sailors were ranked 4th nationally last year.

Quote of the Issue

Our focus must be on Valencia - we are still in front of Valencia, it will be a good battle and a decisive one because we expect Leverkusen to do their job in Belgium against Genk, Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas said after his teams 2-1 away defeat against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, November 22, and ahead of their final Group E match against the in-form Valencia.

Upcoming games
La liga
30/11

Upcoming games
Serie A
29/11 02/12

Upcoming games
Premier League
03/12

Upcoming games
Champions League
06/12

Barcelona V Rayo Vallecano

3/12

Napoli Genoa Inter Napoli

04/12 03/12

V V V V V V

Juventus AC Milan Udinese Lecce Cesena Fiorentina

Sporting V Real Madrid Barcelona V Levante Valencia V Espanyol

10/12 Real Betis V Valencia Real Madrid V Barcelona

Newcastle Man.City Wigan Aston Villa

05/12 10/12

V Chelsea V Norwich city V Arsenal V Man.Utd V Liverpool V Everton V QPR V Wolves

Fulham Arsenal Liverpool Man.Utd

Juventus
10/12

Inter

Chelsea Olympiakos Barcelona Plzen 07/12 Man.City Villareal Inter Basel Ajax

V V V V V V V V V

Valencia Arsenal BATE AC Milan Bayern Napoli CSKA Moscow Man.Utd Real Madrid

CAMPUS LIFE
Living in My Parents Shadows
By Layan Doueik LAU Tribune staff
I am a business graduate by force, an artist by nature, Nancy, who refused to give her family name, said defiantly. Nancy is an LAU alumna who was forced to enter the business world. Her dream of becoming a director took its last breath with her dads rejection of a communication arts major. My dad didnt care about my artistic passion; all he cared about was for me to gain money from good career prospects, Nancy complained. As a child, Nancy liked to draw, act and even play the piano, her mother said. Even now, whenever she watches a new movie or a video clip, she tends to give several comments on the way she wouldve done it or some remarks on how to improve it, the mother added. Students graduating from high school are often confused about the choice of major and university, but the situation becomes even tougher when parents get involved in the selection of the right career path. Nancy holds her parents fully responsible for the discontent she felt while studying at LAU. Unlike many of my friends, I wasnt excited to talk about my future expectations or even to stay on campus, Nancy explained. I mechanically attended business classes and didnt take a real part in them. Numbers have never interested me. But for Nancys parents, this disinterest is not a central issue. Coming from a different generation, they see that the ultimate financial gain from a career spent in business is significantly more important. I was once a student and I know what it is like to have a certificate with no financially comfortable position waiting for me, Elie, an engineer and Nancys father, said. He believes that his daughter had a lot more guidance today than he did when he was younger. She must make use of it, he said. Older generations in Lebanon, and some of their younger counterparts, tend to value majors like engineering, medicine or law, because they often lead to prosperous careers and eventual wealth. The emphasis on money makes specializations like fine arts or journalism more unpopular among parents. Raed Mohsen, the dean of student affairs, explained that the grades of students forced into their majors may highly suffer. Many, on the other hand, perform well academically but later change career when older. They might be doing it to please the parents and not to disappoint them, Mohsen said. Nancy graduated six years ago and now owns a small fashion store in Beirut. I graduated with a good GPA but up till now, I havent applied for any job offer in

Tribune

nov. 28, 2011

any company because I want to be my own boss, she said. Nancys father helped her open this shop because he knew she wouldnt have worked otherwise. She doesnt have the passion, Nancys father said. At the end of the day, shes my daughter and I want the best for her. Ahmad Yassine, a 20-yearold finance student at LAU, shares Nancys experience. Yassine excelled during his high school years in mathematics and physics and thus his parents automatically assumed he would choose a domain that suits his academic potential. I avoided medicine and engineering and eventually settled for finance so that my parents would still think that I am smart enough, Yassine confessed. This young man did not discuss major choices with his parents; he just gave in to their preference. Meanwhile, he had another plan in mind. I didnt even present the idea of entering into communication arts to my parents, he said. I know they would never have accepted. Although LAU does not offer a minor in radio\TV\film for non-communication arts, Yassine insisted on taking all his electives from the major in question. His parents are not aware of his course choice. I dont care about the certificate, I can work with my ex-

Photo via Creative Commons

perience and passion, Yassine said. Im not costing my parents any additional penny.Yassine acknowledged that his obsession for communication arts will eventually lead him to oppose his parents wishes. Im going to graduate as a business student but continue to work with what I really like, he said. My parents wont care as long as I work and make money. Khouloud Mardini, a psychology senior, defied her parents and chose the major she loves most. Although her mother insisted she studies hospitality management, Mardini managed to apply, get accepted and later excel at the social sciences department. Mohsen spoke of two reasons why parents interfere in their childrens choice of major. Probably the father is a lawyer or a dentist and wants his son or daughter to inherit his clients, he said. After all, he has worked hard to establish his business and build a clientele. It could also be that the par-

ents project themselves onto their off-springs, Mohsen explained. My mother used to tell me that I would turn out to be a psycho and end up having psychological issues if I entered psychology, Mardini said. She believes that hospitality will help me gain me more money and social experience. Mardinis mother always wanted to become a hotel manager but never had the chance to go to college. Now I can pay for Khoulouds college. I want her to fulfill my dream, the mother said. The passion in the discourse of Khoulouds mother is comparable to that of her daughter, of Nancy or of Yassine. Behind every one of those stories is the passion about a given profession or, perhaps more importantly, about the ability to make an independent choice. Passion has a role because thats where the heart is, Mohsen said. The student will be majoring in something he or she loves, thus the commitment to excel is strong.

Vox Pop: What Do Think of the New Cafeteria?

Zein Bustami 20-year-old education student The cafeteria is better than last year. It is cleaner and more efficient. I usually order sandwiches, mainly turkey and cheese.

Mustafa Houmani 20-year-old pre-med student Nothing has changed in the cafeteria, except for the variety of food which I dont care about. Honestly, I prefer my mothers food.

Ali Zein 21-year-old accounting student I find the cafeteria this year organized with a better service. I regularly order salad bar to stay in shape.

Aya Ibrahim 19-year-old marketing student At first, I found it attractive with a greater variety of food but, after finding a fly in my salad, I had second thoughts about it.

Farah Shami 20-year-old radio/TV/film student This year, the food is freshly delivered, with a delicious taste. I usually order a daily plate with chicken. I love chicken.

CAMPUS LIFE
CEP: A Key to Your Success
By Lyn Abu-Seraj LAU Tribune staff
Riad Abdelkhalek, a business student at LAU, could not continue his education here. But, instead of dropping out of school, he enrolled in the Continuing Education Program (CEP) in Fall 2010. They gave me critical thinking, stress management and two other business courses, Abdelkhalek said. These courses helped me understand how to divide my time, organize my studies and improve my grades. According to its website, the CEP offer[s] innovative learning opportunities for future business leaders and adult learners while promoting professional advancement and encouraging achievement. Granting LAU certificates to people who wish to enhance their performance, the program offers courses such as human anatomy, group fitness, fitness management, internships, human resource development and financial accounting and reporting. At the Continuing Education Program, we have engraved in our mission statement the necessary skills that working and aspiring professionals require to attain excellence in the workplace, Michael Majdalani, the director of CEP, said. CEP students explain that teachers at the department are understanding, helpful and can relate to the student problems. I was not a big fan of CEP because I sometimes felt like it was more of a punishment, Abdelkhalek said. But ever since he enrolled in the program, Abdelkhalek improved his GPA and soon resumed his studies at the business school. Hussein F. Zeaiter is an assistant professor of economics at LAUs school of business. He has a PhD in economics from the University of Wisconsin, an MS in applied economics from Eastern Michigan University and a BS in business economics from the LAU. His accomplishments originated at the CEP in 1996-97.

nov. 28, 2011

Tribune

Zeaiter comes from a village in Baalbek, where schools focus on science rather than English. Because I failed EEE, I needed to improve my English so I can enroll at LAU, and major in economics, Zeaiter said. He enrolled at the CEP. The program is an excellent start for students who need it, according to Zeaiter. Not only was it a good start academically but also socially, Zeaiter explained. After a whole year at the CEP, the young man repeated EEE and enrolled into intensive English at LAU before he continued as an economics

major. The English language consists of alphabets and, without the letter A, you cannot continue, Zeaiter said. CEP is the key and it provides the letter A for those who are looking for it. Bushra Badran has been the CEP officer for eight years now. She teaches management of office finance, introduction to business and accounting I. She also serves as support for CEP programs and students. As CEP officers, we have one aim, which is to strengthen their knowledge, Badran said. We also train students

for university entrance exams such as SATs and EEE. The CEP division also trains employees, helping them deal with business-related issues and better manage their work environment. Students range from 18 to 40 years old. Every year, the CEP serves more than 1,000 applicants, most of whom come in to enhance their English. Raja Habib, a coordinator and supervisor for the English program, has been part of the CEP for 20 years. What is interesting about CEP is that we also teach instructors to prepare students for SAT, he said. The CEP offers summer camps for children aged 5 to 12 an age group that presents different physical and learning activities. This year alone, more than 350 applicants were enrolled. The CEP at LAU is leading the way into the future by effectively bridging the gap between the academic world and the marketplace, Majdalani said.

Photo via Creative Commons

Struggling to Reach LAU

By Caroline Feghaly LAU Tribune staff
This was my first time on a public bus and I was scared to death. With the bus driver racing at full speed, I found myself falling onto the woman sitting next to me with every curve. I repeatedly apologized but could not avoid the annoyance as no seatbelts were available. I held my purse tightly, scared that someone would snatch it. My trip from Aley to Baabda was relatively short but it felt like hours. If you opt for public transportation to get to campus, you encounter different people and experience different smells. The bus driver only stops when he almost kisses the car to his front, fearless of possible accidents and unaware of the many souls he carries with him. He drives with one hand on the wheel. The other holds a cigarette and hangs out of the window. During my 30-minute ride, the bus constantly stopped to let in new passengers yet the driver never looked at his rearview mirror to check for cars behind him. The smell of sweat and smoke, the constant stops and the sharp turns made me nautious. What am I to say about the students that come by bus to LAU everyday? Joanna Fawaz is a 21-yearold business student who lives in Mar Elias. She doesnt have a car here in Beirut. On Fridays, her cousin picks her up and she goes to Tyre to visit her family. She takes a bus back to Beirut on Monday mornings. Even when the traffic is minor, the drive still streches for two whole hours. I have a class at 2 p.m. on Mondays, but I leave Tyre at 9 a.m. so I can make it on time, she said. Sometimes, it takes a whole lot more than two hours. At the end of her drive from Tyre, Fawaz reaches the Kuwaiti embassy in Beer-Hassan around 11. She takes a cab to Mar Elias and, from there, another cab to LAU. She reaches campus at noon.I get very tired. The whole ride Id listen to music and chat on my Blackberry service, Fawaz explained. Her overall ride costs 9,000 Lebanese pounds. Sultan Hamadeh, a 20-year-old political science student at LAU, lives in Aley. Everyday, he takes a bus from home to Cola and then a cab to Hamra. It takes him two hours and he pays 3,500 Lebanese pounds. There are several colleges closer to home but, in Lebanon, getting a degree from a well-known university determines your future, Hamadeh said. There is no balanced development in Lebanon. All good universities are centered in the city. My hometown, lying between Aley and Baabda, is called Bdadoun. My daily drive to LAU (I drive my own car) takes 40 minutes on a good day but, most often, the traffic is atrocious. To make it on time, I leave the house two hours before my class. I sometimes feel that my energy is spent on the road. Getting a degree from an accredited college is crucial for a better future, a reality that leaves students outside Beirut at the mercy of traffic and public transportation. Those who opt for private transporation face a heavy financial burden. Sumayah Radwan, an education major who lives in Aley, takes a private taxi. She pays up to 20,000 Lebanese pounds daily to get to LAU. Before moving to Ashrafieh, Sara Saab, a psychology student, lived in Baabda. I used to drive very fast in order to make it on time. The traffic gave me a headache. It drained my soul, she said.

PEOPLE
By Carla Hazarian LAU Tribune staff
At first glance, you see a small and petite woman with a youthful look. But the more you talk to her, the more you realize youre facing a strong personality, opinionated in her beliefs. Zalfa Chehab teaches broadcast journalism here at LAU. Chehab grew up in Lebanon during the civil war. We didnt know what was going on in the entire country, and we were stuck in one region, she said. We were the generation of the war. Her idea of freedom was to get out of Beirut and be with her friends. We are talking about checkpoints. They were armed, she recalled. Well, I would try to get to the other side to meet my friends.. Well, what we call the other side. Chehab was a rebel in her younger years. She would do what she pleased then what was considered right or wrong in Lebanon at that time. She just wanted be herself and discover her country with her own eyes. Originally, Chehab majored in three languages at Saint Joseph University, with a focus on law economics, geopolitics literature, and media. It was by chance that she got into journalism. At the beginning of her career, Chehab created a magazine with some friends called The Click. She wrote articles about events going on in the country and freelanced for other newspapers and magazines. She discovered that she really had a passion for journalism, and liked the interaction with people. Defying the many challenges around her, she applied for and attended Paris II Assas University, and started training at

Tribune

nov. 28, 2011

Zalfa Chehab: The Challenge of a Journalist

the French TV Network TF1. She did a double masters in multimedia and information communication. When I went to Paris, I really wanted to do something about Lebanon, she said. I really believed that spending some time there and taking advantage of the experience can help me make a difference back home. Soon, Chehab found herself writing the news edition for LCI, TF1s news channel. It was crazy; we started our shift at 4 a.m. and finished at 2 p.m., the young woman said. She also worked at another news network from 3 p.m. till midnight. Despite her hectic schedule, Chehab enjoyed music festivals and other cultural opportunities in France something she never experienced in Lebanon. I came from a country where I was stuck in shelters, she said. We were exposed to music and movies underground, it was how we learned about cultures outside, but we didnt live it. So I guess this need came from that. As the only Arab-speaking newswoman at TF1, Chehab found herself thrust into the coverage of the eventful Mideast, from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to the effects of the War on Terror in the region and from the invasion of Iraq to the death of Rafic Hariri. When the 2003 Gulf War started, she was in charge of the Arab World coverage. It was a particularly difficult time because of the grotesque footage she had to go through and the loss of coworkers who died in Iraq. Chehab covered the aftermath of Hariris killing and the assassinations that followed from Lebanon. In 2005, Chehab moved to Dubai to work with Al Arabiya. As special coverage producer, she was in charge of all special coverage duties. Many of her reports were about terrorism. Eventually, she decided to resign when her husbands job took him back to Beirut and she became pregnant with twins. Exposed to many clueless journalism graduates through her previous jobs, Chehab thought she could make a difference by teaching broadcast journalism at university level and soon found herself at LAU. We need more journalists who can promote freedom of speech, democracy, and human rights, I feel this is my contribution to help change my country for the better, she said.

Nabelah A. Haraty: One of a Kind

By Zeina ShehayebLAU Tribune staff
President Bush said once that he is misunderestimated, Nabelah Haraty, English lecturer at LAU, said with a smile. Haraty believes that students remember examples of mistakes important figures make during their public speeches. Mistakes happen even if you are the president of an important country, Haraty added. You should be careful when you open your mouth. Haraty teaches an oral communication class and several English courses at LAU. She has a BA in English literature and teaching language, an MLA from the University of Western Maryland, and an educational doctorate in educational sociolinguistics communication from University of Brunel, England. Haraty believes that public speeches are not an easy task. They require confidence, intelligence, patience and knowledge about the subject at hand. A mistake in a public speech can never be erased or taken back, unlike a mistake in writing where you can edit, Haraty added. Once a word has left your lips, it has started its journey. George Bushs infamous slip haunted him throughout his career and ended up in a book about the US president, The Bush Boom: How a Misunderestimated President Fixed a Broken Economy. Haraty reaffirms the importance and impact of a public speech on the audience during each class session and through different examples. She never runs short on critical examples. Haraty started teaching at LAU when she was 23. Back then, she says, she was an anxious, formal and rigid instructor unlike what she is now. I didnt only mature in age like wine but I matured in personality as well, Haraty laughed. Her method of teaching is the result of hard work and self-improvement, based on trial and error. She remembers that, as a new instructor, she was afraid of joking in class so as not to create a wrong impression. I dont mind doing that anymore because Im sure that when my students laugh, they laugh for a reason, Haraty added. The English lecturer likes to read law stories and watch television comedies. In her opinion, not all sitcoms are good sitcoms. I also watch talk shows to give examples in class about whats wrong in the way the message is conveyed, Haraty said. Haratys office door is always open to students who have questions related to her course as well as those seeking help in personal and romantic problems. The office is like Victoria Station or an information desk, Haraty said with a smile. I try to engage students because I like communication and talking. As we spoke, a few students passed by to say hello. Some of them had not even taken a course with her. I try to treat them like young sisters and brothers but I keep the distance that entails respect, Haraty said. Behind her on the wall are many awards she received from students. One is a certificate of appreciation, another is a painting by a graphic design student with her picture in the middle. Medallions and other gifts students have offered her are distributed on the shelves. These awards mean more to me than the university awards, Haraty said. Haraty spends about five hours at the university daily, preparing courses at her organized and neat office, which she shares with another English instructor. I finish all my work at the office, I dont take anything home, Haraty said. I feel more comfortable and focused here and, generally speaking, home is home, not work. If she had not been a teacher, she would have chosen to be a lawyer. I am a persons person, she said.

CULTURE & FASHION

The Creative Space
By Ranim Hadid LAU Tribune staff
A double major in fashion from Parsons and media and culture from the New School (both in New York City), Sarah Hermez moved to Lebanon to make a difference. Inspired by just an idea, she is one of the few who changed their dreams into reality. Hermez is the founder of a workshop committed to providing an educational experience where fashion designers from various backgrounds work together to create a haute-couture collection. At the heart of the idea is the aspiration to serve students from deprived backgrounds. The Creative Space was given this specific name to allow its founders to expand. We were thinking about a name for a while, but this one just seemed to suit it most, it really is a space for people to be creative, Hermez said. Future plans for the Creative Space include art, photography and even a publication where the students write journals. Living in New York City her whole life, Hermez wanted to give back to Lebanon and moved to Beirut to start this project. Where else can someone feel most free to give back, other than their own country? Hermez asked. It was time for me to learn about the country I come from. Working at first with an NGO, Unite Lebanons Youth, Hermez was able to circle refugee camps and womens institutes to find potential candidates interested in her idea. I had no credibility at first, it was just me and my teacher from New York but I really believed in it and thats what got the girls to believe in me, the young woman said.
Photo by: Ranim Hadid

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Rania Dalloul, Hermezs childhood friend, came on board to help market the project. Dalloul runs the website and Facebook page, which to its founders surprise received much attention. People wanted to know

more, so I started updating more, Dalloul said. Dalloul also contributes by teaching the current five students English classes three times a week. They wanted to learn English, so they just asked me, she said. My Arabic is very weak so its al-

ways an exchange. The requirements for those who want to join the Creative Space are very basic; passion is the priority. The young students, aged 17 to 23, are talented and have previous experience in fashion design. Baraa Al Abdullah, a 20-year-old Palestinian born in Sidon, attended the UNRWA Sibleen training center to learn about fashion design. Hermez discovered Al Abdullah when she contacted the school to find students interested in her idea. My parents were against the idea at first and were worried that I wouldnt find a job later, Al Abdullah said. But I believe that I have a future in this industry. There are no rules as to what the young women must design a fact that helps enhance their creativity.

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Aden Couture
By Mohamad Al-Oraybi LAU Tribune staff
in graphic design and a BS in marketing. His work experience started in advertising and photo shootings. Studying graphic design allowed me to master the art of combining colors, shapes and designs, Mhaidly said. As for marketing, it allows to promote my own line today. A school boy at the age of 10, he found himself drawing dresses in math classes. Mhaidly bought every fashion magazine he found to follow the latest trends. A few years later, he shopped for his girlfriends and styled them ahead of their outings. Back in school, I was always around my girlfriends. I helped them choose their outfits and styled them with accessories, he said, laughing at the memory. They were my guinea pigs. During the week, Mhaidly wakes up at 9 a.m. and heads to his atelier in Verdun. He spends time with his tailors until noon, finalizing orders. From noon until 7, the young man meets clients and takes in orders. His atelier is designed like a cozy living room. Couches, coffee tables and fashion magazines spread out around the room where he meets his clients. I want to make my clients feel at home, I need them to be comfortable so that I am able to figure out their personalities and design their dresses accordingly, Mhaidly said. Sarah Al Kabbani, a psychology junior at LAU, enjoys buying from Aden. I absolutely love how Adnan caters his clients needs, I always get the dress exactly how I had it in mind, she said. Mhaidly resumes work with his tailors after 7 p.m., working on new designs and supervising. At night, when Beiruts residents are out to party, Mhaidly spends his time alone with his laptop, researching. He investigates trends of different eras, other designers work and different fabrics. I spend a lot of time and energy on research, he said. It is my inspiration, there is a lot to be learned. With time, Mhaidlys lifestyle as a designer became more glamorous. He was exposed to the socialites of Beirut and had to travel a lot more to London, Paris and Italy. As a designer, I am much more exposed to the latest trends, he said. I now attend shop openings and fashion shows. Affordable to many, Aden is one of LAU girls favorite evening gown brands. Tamara Kalaawi, management senior at LAU, is a big fan of Aden. In a wedding I attended recently, wearing an Aden dress made me steal the lights from the bride, Kalaawi said. His dresses simply stand out. The colors Mhaidly chose for this winter collection are black, wine red, and emerald green. As for fabrics, Mhaidly is a big fan of silk. I use a lot of silk based fabrics, he said. Silk velvet, tulle, and muslin abound in his dresses. Future plans of Mhaidly include a fashion show in Beirut and more exposure in the Middle East till he reaches Europe. I want to create a strong base in Lebanon and then move onwards, he said.
Courtesy of Adnan Mhaidly

Adnan Mhaidly, the designer of Aden, created a name for himself in the Lebanese fashion industry in three years only. Aged 28 today, Mhaidly graduated from LAU with an AA

BlackBerry Bold: An Extra Brain at your Service

By Samia Buhulaiyem LAU Tribune staff
Hani Kurdy, a businessman who recently purchased a BlackBerry Bold, stood in his bathroom, ready to shave and shower, when he received an important email from a business associate. I immediately forwarded it to a third party while still in the bathroom. This alone is profit and money, he said. Now, I am leaving to Dubai on a business trip but I dont have to worry like before about communicating with my office in Beirut. Users of Blackberry Bold say that the services this device allows them are infinite. It saves time, effort and money. An integrated all-in-one technology, the new BB allows you to make phone calls, send emails or SMS messages, take pictures, listen to music and chat with friends. It includes an organizer, an address book, an arcade, a GPS navigator, a calculator and an alarm clock. Before I bought my BlackBerry, getting in touch with my fianc who is working abroad cost me a lot, Zina Itani, a teacher, said. Now that I use BlackBerry Messenger (BBM) and Multimedia Messenger Services (MMS), I can exchange videos and stills with him for free. The BlackBerry Bold combines Wi-Fi, 3G and a full QWERTY keyboard. It allows you to run MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, Skype, AIM, and other channels of communication. Like its predecessor, BlackBerry Bold is designed to be left running always on and always connected. This way, emails are pushed to ones device the instant they are received. Nancy Ghanim, a housewife said that BB Bold was especially useful in pressing situations. One can communicate with others and save much time and effort, she said. When Ghanims brother had an accident and required a blood intake, her BlackBerry came in handy. We were at the hospital waiting for blood donors and blood typing result, and I could follow up the events as they happened without even leaving my brothers room, Ghanim explained. Jameel Al-Sabbah, a student, agreed. As he talked to me, the young man played with his BB Bold. I absolutely love the new BlackBerry, and it fits into my hectic lifestyle perfectly, he said. Its very nice having Facebook in the palm of my hands at all times. Rashed Wazneh, an interpreter, overheard him and commented that he cannot live without [his] BlackBerry; it almost does everything

MEDIA &LITERATURE

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Photo via Creative Commons

you can imagine. Any current BlackBerry users who have been waiting to upgrade to the Bold should definitely give it a try, Rabih Fanous, the owner of a cell phone shop, said. He revealed that several BB

users have already switched to BB Bold. This is an excellent handset that does everything it should, and does it all very well, Fanous said. It is as if you are carrying an extra brain.

LAU Student to Publish a Book

By Farah Al Saati LAU Tribune staff
Although always on the run, juggling her duties as a fulltime student, president of the Red Cross Club and member of the LAU swimming team, Sahar Moukaddem just published her first book. Moukaddem is a 20-year-old journalism student at LAU. Her upcoming book, Ana w Kareem wil Sushi, started as a short story she wrote for her creative writing (Arabic) course. Her professor, Rachid El-Daif, and her classmates were quite impressed. This alone was a big cheer for me, Moukaddem confessed. I got very obsessed with the story and couldnt stop thinking about it. El-Daif encouraged her to continue writing this novel. Im lucky I took this course with him, because, if I hadnt, I would have never discovered the big love I have for creative writing, Moukaddem said. During her journey toward authorship, Moukaddem became more observant of the things happening around her. Events inspired her to write and people around her became possible additions to the novel. Any person I meet on the street can be a character for my novel, Moukaddem said. Writing allowed Moukaddem to view life through new lenses and made room for new plans, new ambitions and new dreams. I discovered a new passion in life, she said. Even with her hectic lifestyle, the honor-list student always finds time for reading and writing. Moukaddem describes her novel as a social story. It features the diaries of a teenage Lebanese girl who gets pregnant at the age of 16 and decides to keep the baby. The main character is inspired by the stories she often hears from girls around her. I get a lot of ideas from people, their characters, the way they talk and the way they see life, Moukaddem explained. The book will be officially out during the Beirut Book Fair on Dec. 13. It is published by Dar Al Saqi. Moukaddem advised young aspiring authors to write whatever makes them happy. The best way to write is to write in everyday simple language, she said. Write to please yourself first and then to please your audience. Have confidence in your creativity. Moukaddem also advised those who wish to be become good writers to read a lot. There is a saying that if you dont have time to read, you dont have the tools to write, she said.
Photo via Facebook

OPINION
By Mahmoud Araissi Special to the LAU Tribune
The Lebanese national football team defeated South Korea 2-1 in their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at the Camille Chamoun Sports City stadium in Beirut on November 15. The official FIFA World Rankings lists South Korea at 31 while Lebanon is ranked 146th. This success is remarkable and leaves the Lebanese team on the brink of advancing to the fourth round of World Cup qualifiers. This result can also be promising for the future of the countrys various sports teams. Following this success, Lebanons private and public sports ought to invest heavily in team sports. Football investment would help lift tourism. Other than the classic analysis of football as a sports game, some countries consider the sports as a component of the economy, society and culture. The interdisciplinary perspective also regards football as an instrument through which the sustainable development of a city can be achieved, and thus the authorities should include the local team in their urban management plan. In order to obtain sustainable development through sport, football clubs must be seen as viable economic entities, just as enterprises are, because we are interested in how they can contribute to the economic prosperity, the quality of the environment and the social equity of Lebanon. In general, the football club and its city of origin influence each other, each contributing to the development of the other. A good example would be Real Madrid, the private nonprofit football club that is supported by more than 100,000 club members and how it lifted the Spanish capital status and generated much appreciated

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Note: The LAU Tribune is not responsible for the opinions expressed on this page.

Potential Benefits of Supporting Sports in Lebanon

revenue for the city. Real Madrid generated 38 percent of its $115.6 million 2004 revenues from merchandise and marketing deals. Since Lebanon emphasizes a consumer and services-based economy, it becomes natural to attempt to obtain sustainable development through a football club reputable as a marketing brand. Local authorities could invest in the local football club(s) directly or indirectly. The direct investment means that the financial help local authorities offer reaches only the football club, the solo beneficiary. Indirect investment means the local authorities allocate funds to the general development of the city, and the football club takes advantage of this development. For example, having a powerful club in the city, a municipality may decide to help by investing in the development of public transport services so as to facilitate the arrival and return of the fans to and from the stadium. Because of the better transport conditions, the football team would attract more fans to the stadium and, as a result, increase its revenue from ticket sales. However, at the same time, the city also wins, through income and sales taxes that the local authority charges. Higher incomes of the football club will also increase the revenues of the local authority. Therefore, local authorities financial investment in the football usually results in obtaining commercial and naming rights and attracting sponsors and partners. In the long run if the country gets to host a World Cup it could reap many economic benefits. The German government, for example, reported a 400 million dollar increase in tourism revenue and three billion dollars in retail in just over a month when they hosted the World Cup. A reported 50,000 new jobs were yielded in preparation for the tournament; restaurants and bars were full at all hours of the tournament. If things go well for Lebanon in their next qualifier game with the United Arab Emirates, we can expect this success to bring renewed attention to the Lebanese national football team. As our state looks to create jobs and increase revenues, the tourism and hospitality industry is poised to make a significant contribution. Intense research has been carried onto how a major sports competition, like the World Cup or the Olympic Games, can improve the economy, the society and the environment of the host country. However, few authors have tried to demonstrate how a professional sports club, not an event, could do the same.

21st Century Phenomenon: Neo-Slavery

By Ahmad Kilani Special to the LAU Tribune
Many would consider that slavery ended in 1865 with Abraham Lincoln. And several would deem that slavery still subsists throughout human trafficking and bonded slavery. In the following, I will argue that slavery today burdens seven billion people. It is difficult to admit, yet much uncomplicated to perceive it. Slavery is a structure under which a populace is treated as an asset and is forced to work. Throughout humanity, slavery existed with its awful appearance and remuneration. According to Socrates, humans were assembled into groups to structure settlement, and to do so, they are devided into three vital occupations: farming, masonry, and couturier. Shortly, these professions needed craftsmen to create their gears, and subsequently, new skills were fetched to the city. As a means to expand, people looked for groups to acquire neighbors domains, and thus, military expertise was initiated. Following these developments, craftsmen had only a modest time to waste in the promotion of their products, and therefore retailers were needed as wage-earners. Through this process, classes were shaped, differentiating between slaves and citizens. The situation is still similar today. We can relate slavery to employees and the way they are treated as assets for the employers they are working for. They are strained to work or else they would die of hunger or would get possessed by the state for unsettled bills (confiscatiom of properties). Thus, it is apparent how employees are still under the clemency of the superior. We can dispute that slaves today get better treatment from their masters, and have acquired some freedom of choice. Yet, some employees are still bought and sold as traditional slaves, such as the superstar athletes which can be described as the gladiator of the Roman Empire whose only job is to entertain the audience. Furthermore, the monthly salary doesnt fit the amount of work done on the job. As slaves, many inhabitants cannot meet the expenses of acquiring the luxuries of today (which, by the way, do not include telecommunication and transportation technologies since the latter are really needed to socialize). Accordingly, salaries can be matched with traditional slaves who had their food in barter of their work. Other features of slavery today include taking a loan from a commercial bank. Although one has free will to either take the loan or not, many people find it thorny to acquire minimum luxuries with their own salaries. This is considered a slavery cost. Many people are obliged to take loans and become slaves to banks with lofty interests that can reach up to fifty percent. It is also known that who controls your debts joysticks you, and most probably standard employees wont be able to repay the loan, and they will fall under the mercy of the lender. In a way or another, it is the same as bonded slavery, represented by people who fall under the mercy of lenders and have to repay their debt over generations. Ultimately, the slavery system might not have been vanquished at all. As illogical as it seems, it is normal to have classes in society where few would rule, and others would be ruled. And civilizations would always throw their saddles unto those who are deprived and fragile, and when laws are not complied to protect all the classes of populace, injustice arises.

CONTINUED
Meager Evaluations
Continued from page 1
he said. At least if theyre obligatory, we can guarantee that all those who are present would take them. Rouba Jaafar, journalism student at LAU, believes that the administration doesnt take students feedback into consideration. Three sections once gave a negative evaluation about a teacher but the administration didnt do anything, Jaafar said. That teacher stayed and most of the students either failed or dropped the course. Sfeir explained that, when an instructor gets a bad evaluation, the administration investigates his or her performance. But, unless the complaints are repeated and proven to be of a worthy reason, not much can be done. We cant terminate a faculty just because one student wrote something bad about them, Sfeir said. Just like we dont expel a student just because one teacher gave them a bad grade. But Sfeir insisted that, when a faculty member does not perform and students are not pleased, several measures are taken and may include expulsion if the negative evaluations are repeated. Instructors, on their side, complained about specific questions in the evaluation form. One of the items asks about the amount of work given to students the less the work, the better the grade. According to Mona Shahine, English instructor at LAU, this question in particular should be rephrased because most students do not like to be given extra work, even if this work is necessary to improve their abilities. I dont see how they can learn anything if you dont make them work, Shahine said. Sfeir explained that this question is there to assess the course itself and help sustain a balance between the
Adviser: Yasmine Dabbous Editors-in-Chief: Farah Al Saati, Ranim Hadid, Zahi Sahli

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Basket Vs. Net

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amount of work given to students and the grades they get in return. We cant set the standards too high, just as much as we cant set them too low, he said. We need to challenge our students in order to get the best out of them, thats why hard work is required. At the same time, however, students should be able to maintain good GPAs, mainly through a balance between the amount of work given and the grades they get, he explained. Abdallah Kahil, assistant professor at the department of architecture and interior design, thinks that students lack the ability to criticize and accept criticism in return in a professional way. Both teacher and student should take this as a professional matter so they can improve, Kahil said. Whether students feedback is negative or positive, it plays a key role in an instructors advancement at LAU something only very few students know. Theres not enough response because students dont really think that they have a say in such things, Orpha Darwish, an English instructor, explained. To us, whats more important is not the promotion we get or the position we have in the university. In the end their feedback is going to help us teach them better, Darwish added. Darwish said that students dont take the time to think about the information in the evaluation sheet and do not give enough to help instructors improve their courses or their teaching methods. Sfeir agrees. Students are the core of this institution, and in order to enhance we need their opinions, he said. Its through their feedback that we can fulfill their expectations. unfortunately theres apathy, Garabedian added. People are no longer interested in sports or in specific kinds of sports. In one particular game last year, the soccer and basketball teams played at the same time but a physiotherapist and an international judge were only provided for the basketball team. The soccer team got no such support. We had one physiotherapist at the time for all teams, and the reason why one team was chosen over the other is simply random, Garabedian commented. We also had two international judges that were sent to both games, but due to some coincidental events, one of them couldnt make it to his game. Bob Abi Saab, a player on the basketball team, said that the accusations of soccer team members are somehow true, but added that the complaints were not only exclusive to soccer, as the athletic department can do better. Were an alignment of great teams that form the athletic department of LAU and a little bit more effort from them would be appreciated, Abi Saab said. Garabedian however assured that LAUs athletic department is doing its best to facilitate everything the team members have asked for, and assured that there is absolutely no differentiation between members of any team. Meanwhile, and despite the many complaints, the women soccer team members continue to show a high spirit in every game and hope for more appreciation toward them. At the end of the day, were playing for LAU, which is an honor to each and every individual, Farroukh said. But at the same time, players do need motivation, and a scholarship would help.

High Ranks Still Belong to Men

Continued from page 1
employment rate for females remains to be very low. Getting a higher education does not mean that the women will work. In few cases, the number of female faculty remains low. In the school of engineering, for example, there are seven male professors and zero females. Some fields that are gender biased, Dabbous-Sensenig explained. The school of arts and sciences includes three female professors and seven males. I understand why the statistics are as they are, Nashat Mansour, assistant dean of arts and sciences said. However, once you get in, there is no room for prejudice or gender bias, everything is based on a purely and strictly academic process. Being a male or a female is irrelevant to the rankings. El-Fakhani agrees. He explains that more females are engaged in academia today. Check again in around 10 years, the dean of the business school said. You will see that the number of female professors has risen dramatically.

The Creative Space

Continued from page 7
Sometimes I start by making a top and I end up with a dress, our ideas are developed as we design, Al Abdullah said. Eman Aswad, a 19-year-old Palestinian who previously attended MDM Technical College was not very confident about her designer skills before she ran into Hermez. When I met Sarah, I felt more comfortable with my work, I was doing what I was feeling and not what I was told, Aswad said. Aswad feels that working at the Creative Space allows her to grow as a designer. Unlike most fashion institutes in Lebanon, the Creative Space does not impose specific guidelines on designers. I have so much freedom with my designs, Aswad said. When Im done with them, I really feel like its my work and not someone elses. Nourhan B., a 17-year-old Palestinian born in Shatila, is the last person to join the program. Nourhan never thought that fashion design would be her field of study. In my family, design is not really appreciated although my parents fully support me today, she said. For Hermez and Dalloul, the Creative Space is a platform for creativity. We want to expand in terms of not just being fashion design, Hermez said. The idea behind this is that of an education where youre producing.

Staff: Iman Soufan, Carla Hazarian, Lyn AbuSeraj, Layan Doueik, Omar El Tani, Zeina Shehayeb, Mohamed Al-Oraybi, Mayya Al-Ogaily, Natalia Elmani, Assaad Hawwa,Caroline Feghaly, Rouba Jaafar

Palestinians First, Sudanese Next

By Omar El-Tani LAU Tribune staff
residency permit, work permit, and health insurance. If they have a sponsor or an employer, the latter pays the amount in question. Freelancers, who charge around 3.33 dollars an hour for domestic work, pay it themselves. I would say this a clear-cut case of human rights abuse, and straight-up shamefulness on the part of a cheap, corrupt government, Rubio, a graduate student at the American University of Beirut, wrote. Local and international groups are pressuring the Lebanese government to recognize Sudanese residents as refugees but the question is not as easy as it seems: Recognizing the Sudanese as legal residents would force the government to reconsider the citizenship of Palestinian refugees a much thornier issue involving the politics of the entire region. Caritas helps foreigners with issues they face in Lebanon and beyond. Located in Sin el Fil, it provides a range of services from safe houses, psychological and social support, legal advice and safe home returns. Joel Sharfan, a caritas employee, has been working since 2005 with the Sudanese. According to her, most Sudanese run away from the destitution in Sudan. They go to Lebanon through Syria, usually on foot. Once here, they start off as building caretakers or work at gas stations or as domestic workers. I have witnessed families who have been living here for ten years and dont have a legal permit, she said. They dont even have birth certificates for their children, they dont have residency papers, and they dont have sponsors. Last year, Lebanese forces raided a cancer fundraising event organized by a group of Sudanese. According to the Sudan Tribune, officers broke in and systematically beat up everybody in sight using clubs. Sudanese immigrants were forced to lie on the ground while officials stepped on their throats and demeaned them, using curses such as slaves and niggers. The raid was allegedly a crackdown on illegal immigrants. At one point, the forces asked the victims why they were fluent in Arabic. The Sudanese explained they were Arabs. Dissatisfied with the answer, forces responded with more violence. In general, however, the Lebanese dont abuse the Sudanese. Its very rare that Sudanese get physically abused by the Lebanese, Sharfan said. We get a lot of phone calls from Lebanese telling us that they know a Sudanese who is hurt or sick and ask if Caritas could help them. In October 2010, Abdel Menhem Ibrahim, a Sudanese activist, went on a hunger strike to protest the mistreatment of his people in Lebanon. His primary objective was for the release of 17 Sudanese nationals who, according to him, have completed their sentences but are still detained. Hisham Ahmad is 27 years old, has spent nine years in Lebanon and likes it here. At night, he invites his friends over to smoke shisha and watch Syrian soap operas. In the eyes of the Lebanese we are just domestic workers, he said. They dont think of you as a friend or a brother. If youve known them for a long time theyll treat you well, but on the daily basis youre just another worker.
Photo via: Creative Commons

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Ishraka, a Sudanese/Eritrean woman living in Lebanon, was arrested for living in the country without residency papers. For around a month, she was in the womens prison in Verdun with her two-year-old son but when authorities moved her to Adlieh, they did not allow her to take him. He is now staying with her Sudanese friend in Mar Elias Palestinian refugee camp. Although Sudanese in Lebanon are occasionally referred to as Abed (slave) or chocolat (chocolate), racial discrimination is not their biggest problem. Many find themselves raided, prosecuted and forgotten in prisons for living here illegally. Dima Abounaid, a Sudanese activist and the founder of The Sudanese Lebanese Charity Foundation, assured us that Sudanese living in Lebanon may face major ra-

cial slurs, especially at work. But she says that racism here is still rare, because most people are educated. People in Sudan like in Lebanon participate in name calling, she said. Africans are called chocolate in this country while in Sudan whites are called milk. The biggest problem the Sudanese face here is not having residency papers. Many Sudanese are refugees, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, but they are not recognized as such here because Lebanon is not an asylum country. In her blog on the Sudanese in Lebanon, Jane Rubio, an activist who lobbies for the rights of domestic workers here, explains the economics of the situation. In order to be legal, Sudanese (and other immigrants) have to pay up to 600 dollars yearly to cover the

Samira, the Motorcycle Woman

By Rouba Jaafar LAU Tribune staff
As I walk in, I see her in her blue uniform, holding the wrench with hands strong enough to pull up heavy motorcycles. Samira is a 53-year-old woman, married to Imad, a mechanic in Tariq al Jdideh who fixes motorcycles. When Samira got married, she decided to help her husband with his work. She has been doing so for 35 years. I always loved this job, she said. When she first started, Samira found resistance from customers and people around her. I was attacked by women more than men for choosing this kind of job, she recalled. An unusual choice for women, Samiras career is a testimony of female aptitude in mechanics. Today, Samira works with her husband at the same garage but she is not his assistant anymore. She now does the same job he does maybe even better. I have customers from all over Lebanon now, she said. They come all the way from Tripoli, Sidon and other places to fix their motorcycles. They all ask for Samira. Two parrots stand in a cage in Samiras garage. She says she loves birds and has taught Koukou, one of the two parrots, to curse in Arabic. The middle-aged woman is busy all day long. The tools she holds in her dark, tough hands are covered with lubricants and oil. But when she finishes her work at the garage, she does not take a break, as other duties await her at home. Samira has a family to take care of. My daughter wanted to work with me but I refused doesnt only work to suppport her family. She does it because she loves it. When I dont work, I feel tired and I dont feel that I have energy at all, Samira said. The early beginnings were not very easy; being a mechanic requires toughness and patience. But Samiras determination, and strong physique, helped her become what she is today. In her eyes is a pride I have rarely seen before. I do not see myself anywhere else, she said. It is my space, the place where I always want to be.
Photo by: Rouba Jaafar

because this kind of job is tough for a girl, she said. Samiras daughter is now studying medicine at the Beirut Arab University. Her mother helps finance her studies. But Samira

OFF CAMPUS
By Zahi Sahli LAU Tribune staff
We dont want our daughters to work with the degrees they have earned, a Lebanese song, Jumhuriyyit Albi (The Republic of My Heart) by Mohammed Iskandar, says. In Iskandars previous work, Quli Bihibni (Say that He Loves Me) his breakthrough to the world of fame, the singer orders his female partner not to answer her phone when alone and says that he would shoot whoever comes near her. Sociologist Sevag Hagopian filed a complaint to the Public Prosecutor against Iskandars first hit, charging that the song was both violent and offensive to women. The prosecutor forwarded the case to the General Security. Various women rights institutions and groups in Lebanon echoed Hagopians concerns. Iskandars famous or infamous triumphs represent a new generation of songs that have recently topped the Lebanese charts and that include violent or offensive lyrics, especially toward women. Badi, a Lebanese pop star, sings one such example. Who would dare come close to you? his song dramatically says. Tell me his name. Ill chop his head off. Hell be a lesson for all. Ali Hmedi, a Lebanese International University student, said that such songs were humorous and unworthy of the whole commotion surrounding them. Meanwhile, Ayman Moughraby, a business senior at LAU, said the tune is nice, and insisted that the Lebanese youth can relate to the lyrics. These lyrics come from our tradition and they somehow make sense, Moughraby said. The songs attractive tunes, inspired by Lebanese folk music, allow the lyrics to transcend the minds of the listeners quite easily, explains psychologist and LAU associate professor Ketty Sarouphim.

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Tribune

nov. 28 , 2011

The Republic of My Heart Is Against Women

Photo by: Ahmad Yassine

Art Lounge
By Omar El-Tani LAU Tribune staff
Photo via Creative Commons

Its more dangerous when its in a form of a song than when you read it, Sarouphim said. Because you repeat the songs, not only do you memorize the information, but you believe in it. Its a double whammy; it acts on both sides. The right side of the brains hemisphere manages music, Sarouphim explained. The lyrics and language, on the other hand, are on the left side. When you combine them, you make the whole brain active, Sarouphim said. We also know that the music sides center in the brain is related to emotions. When you activate these emotions and include thoughts, its much more effective, Sarouphim, who has a Ph.D. in educational psychology, added. This is dangerous and shouldnt be taken lightly especially since young people are singing them, repeating them and enjoying them. But, while these songs can play a role in shaping detrimental perceptions, their effect can only be radical on those who are yet to form their own belief system. Our behavior is the product of much more than just listening to a song. A song might affect the way we think but, unless we are already exposed to a culture of violence, the song will not have a radical effect, Sarouphim said. In a country like Lebanon,

where political tensions and violence whether physical or verbal abound on television and in the streets, the effect of the songs raises genuine concerns. In the fall of 2010, a group of Lebanese activists launched Kherrberr, the first media monitoring system that aims to remove sexist and racist cavities from the media (Kherrberr is the Arabic for dental drill). Kherrberr blames the radio stations profit-oriented management for the ascending popularity of violent and sexist songs. They [radio stations] probably just want to collect profit and play the popular songs, the Kherrberr team said in an email. They say this is what the audience wants and we say this is what you make them want. Pop artist May Matar responded to Iskandars song, The Republic of my Heart, with a song called Metlak Mish Ayzin (We do not want men like you). We have cultured men of whom we are proud, Matar, who said she represents Lebanese womens position toward these songs, explained. They understand the value of education. The main message in my song was to say that women have come to a level that no man can destroy, and that education is something that a man shouldnt refuse for his wife, Matar added. Women

are strong and can speak for themselves. Matar explained that she is against all violent songs, whether or not they are addressed against women. And yet, one of the songs with violent lyrics comes from a woman pop star Nawal Al Zoghbi. I will kill whoever thinks of hurting you, the latter sings in a 2008 piece, Albi Saalo (Ask my Heart) by Mounir Abu Assaf. Hagopians effort to stop Iskandars song was unsuccessful as his complaint was dismissed. Despite opposition to the songs, radio stations have not cut back on playing them. TV channels have also not refrained from airing the related video clips. Iskandar appeared on Celebrity Duets, a show on the Lebanese Broadcast Corporation International (LBCI). He sang his popular pieces and the crowd seemed to enjoy them. Fares Iskandar, who writes the lyrics of his fathers songs, refused to comment on the issue. He has publicly rebuffed accusations of misogynic intentions and claimed that his lyrics honor women. Iskandar is an intelligent man, Mohammed Hodeib, the founder and leading member of Wled El Balad band, said. We should direct the blame to ourselves and be sad that we are applauding songs of such a standard.

From the outside, the building looks like any other industrial edifice located in Karantina. But, as soon as you climb the stairs and step into the entrance door, you realize there are beautiful things in ugly places. As its name suggests, the Art Lounge is art. The front door leads to the gift shop, which provides figurines, paintings, various art books and the Art Lounges own publications. As you pass the gift shop, you find yourself in one of the main exhibition rooms. From the bar, you can see a cocktail of the psychedelic 60s and the urban 90s decor. Accompanying the 60s bubble and egg chair are pools neon lights on the painted black walls. The decor is one of a kind in Lebanon, Elie Attie, an LAU Journalism graduate, said. Trip Hop, Ambience and Indian instrumental tracks seep out of the speakers and create a relaxed atmosphere. A customized animation, currently streamed on the Art Lounge website, will soon be projected on the walls. Hidden from everything is the Lotus Loft, an area devoted to eastern art and including a tea room and a bookstore. Since 2004, the Art Lounge has been hosting concerts, screening movies and showcasing art exhibitions from foreign and native artists. At the moment, two exhibitions are featured: Precisions by SABE KST and Less or More by Nahed Mansour. The Art Lounge has another branch in Beiteddine, only open during spring and summer.