COLLEGE SHORTS

Author: LISIE MEHLMAN

NU professor denies Holocaust, supports Iran

Northwestern University Engineering professor Arthur Butz, known for his 1976 book "The Hoax of the 20th Century: The Case Against the Presumed Extermination of European Jewry" and his denial that the Holocaust occurred, recently made public his support of Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The president, who has consistently articulated an anti-Israel stance, called the Holocaust a "myth," and, on Dec. 26 called for Israel to be "wiped off the map," prompting Butz to align himself with Ahmadinejad's beliefs. Jewish leaders fear that the support of an American professor will increase the Iranian president's credibility. Northwestern University has had to deal with the tenured professor's public, unpopular stance for decades. Al Cubbage, the university's spokesman, made it clear that the university does not agree with Butz.

"As certainly has been made clear on many occasions, Northwestern University as an institution obviously does not endorse or agree with the personal opinions of professor Butz," Cubbage said. "At the same time, however, the university does believe that its faculty members are entitled to express their own personal opinions."

-Chicago Tribune



Tulane converts cruise ship into dormitory space

Some of Tulane University's students, finally back to New Orleans after spending their fall terms at 592 different institutions around the country, returned to find their spring housing situations a bit peculiar. Along with professors and staff members, students are living aboard Dream Princess, a cruise ship converted into a dormitory. Tulane leased the Israeli-owned cruise ship, that holds 1076 passengers, in an attempt to solve its housing shortage.

While many of the ship's amenities, like pools and pool tables, have been removed, the ship's gym remains intact for residents to enjoy. Laundry service is complimentary. Tulane will not reveal the cost of this new housing solution, dubbed "cruise-ship effort," but monthly rent for students is $725.

Although the university had investigated leasing a hotel, Director of Public Relations Michael Strecker says that the cruise ship "gave us the best flexibility."

--The Williams Record



Bowdoin College museum tunes into iPod culture

Bowdoin College's Perry-MacMillan Arctic Museum now offers visitors an audio iPod tour. Museum guests can now plug their iPods in to hear the exhibit's commentary as well as sounds of the arctic north. The new audio tour was introduced in conjunction with the museum's current exhibit, entitled "This Extraordinary Paradise: Living in Northwest Greenland." The museum lends visitors of the exhibit iPods free of charge. The 35 minute audio tour can also be purchased at iTunes Music Store online.

-The Bowdoin Orient