THE BROWN DAILY HERALD TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2006
Volume CXLI, No. 38
www.browndailyherald.com
An independent newspaper serving the Brown community since 1891
BREATH OF FRESH AIR Thayer Street business owners say the year-old statewide smoking ban has had little effect on business METRO 3
SWIPED FROM SEARS Camera, belt, iPod and sorority portrait lifted from Sears last week, as reported in this week’s Police Log CAMPUS NEWS 5
LIFE AFTER STARF*CK Adrian Muniz ’07 argues that Starf*ck’s cancellation may have some benefits for gays on campus OPINIONS 11
TODAY
TOMORROW
mostly sunny 45 / 29
partly cloudy 44 / 30
Brown, Microsoft Research present pen-based computing initiative BY KYLE MCGOURTY STAFF WRITER
Top administrators from Brown and Microsoft Research unveiled plans yesterday for the creation of the Microsoft Center for Research on Pen-Centric Computing, a multifaceted initiative of pen-based computing at Brown in which Microsoft will invest $1.2 million over the next three years. The announcement came at a joint press conference held at the Center for Information Technology. Pen-based computing digitalizes the writing process; an inkless stylus replaces the pen, and the technology employs a digital monitor instead of a sheet of paper. It combines “the convenience of the pen and the power of computing,” said Vice President for Research Andries van Dam. In introducing Richard Rashid, senior vice president of Microsoft Research, President Ruth Simmons cited Microsoft’s worldwide and inescapable influence, noting that “Microsoft has changed how we think.” Throughout the conference, Rashid cited many
Jacob Melrose / Herald
Rick Rashid, senior vice president of Microsoft Research, spoke about Brown’s new $1.2 million partnership with Microsoft at a press conference yesterday.
Magaziner ’69 P’06 P’07 details AIDS work BY JONATHAN HERMAN SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Ira Magaziner ’69 P’06 P’07 discussed last night the challenges facing the AIDS-ravaged continent of Africa and the contributions made by the William J. Clinton Foundation’s HIV/AIDS IniJonathan Herman / Herald tiative, which Ira Magaziner ’ 69 P’06 P’07 he chairs. He also addressed his role in spearheading the universal health care program former President Bill Clinton advocated at the start of his first term. Magaziner spoke in Sayles Hall before a crowd of students, politicians and community members. “There is an opportunity by 2008 to make a turn on this disease,” Magaziner said, explaining why the Clinton Foundation has focused on HIV treatment and prevention. He told an anecdote of a meeting with former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela, who also headed the African National Congress, that led to the birth of the Clinton Foundation’s HIV/AIDS Initiative. According to Magaziner, Mandela told Clinton, “I’m too old to do this, but you said you wanted to do something for Africa, so do it.” Clinton then turned to Magaziner and
said he would spearhead the initiative if Magaziner would run it. Magaziner said African leaders advised him that, “If we don’t do anything about AIDS, it’s going to sabotage anything e lse we are trying to do.” see MAGAZINER, page 6
reasons why Microsoft chose Brown over other schools, emphasizing “Brown’s leadership role” in computer and science research. Microsoft likes to support excitement and innovation at universities, he said. “We devote 15 percent of our money for basic research to universities,” he added. Simmons said the University traditionally excels in scientific research and study and added the new relationship between Microsoft and Brown is part of the growing “partnership between industry and academy.” As an aside, she cited this partnership’s role in “enhancing national security.” As of now, 16 pen-based digital devices are used on campus, and this number will grow over the next three years. These interfaces will be open only to students in select classes participating in the study. Professor of Chemistry Matthew Zimmt, who was also at yesterday’s conference, said he currently uses the technology in his class. see MICROSOFT, page 4
Four frats fail ResCouncil’s beefed-up fall review BY REBECCA JACOBSON SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Behavioral issues caused four fraternities to fail Residential Council’s fall review, which was enhanced this year in an effort to hold program houses and fraternities more accountable for their behavior in residence halls. The review, which was conducted in November, is also intended to make members of fraternities and program houses more mindful of independents living nearby, according to Tal Itzkovich ’06, chair of ResCouncil’s Program House Committee.
Phi Kappa Psi was cited for poor treatment of independents and hazing; Theta Delta Chi had $11,000 in water damage, 12 illegal air conditioners, offensive graffiti, a broken fire extinguisher, excessive trash on the patio and complaints from Harambee House members; Delta Phi had issues with independents and acts of arson; and Sigma Chi failed due to complaints from the Student Activities Office about parties, flooding issues, excessive trash and damage to an electrical panel due to beer spillage. All houses that failed the fall review will have to appear at a
New belly-dancing club far from a flop BY ILA TYAGI STAFF WRITER
Though Brown has had bhangra, Brazilian, ballroom and break-dancing clubs for years, the University had long gone without a belly-dancing club. That changed recently with the formation of the Amira Belly Dance Company, founded by Anna Chacon ’08, which put on its first performance Friday. Amira, which means “princess” in Arabic, held auditions March 4 and currently has 12 members, all of whom are women. After just three practices, the group took to the stage for the first time at Friday’s Norouz Soiree, hosted by the Persian Club. Chacon, who described herself as being of Costa Rican, Lebanese, Moroccan, Cuban and Venezuelan descent, said that apart from a few colleges in her hometown of Miami, belly dancing is virtually nonexistent at the collegiate level. This is partly because experienced teachers are difficult to find in America. Chacon first learned belly dancing at an early age from her grandmother and has been working with professional teachers for seven years. Two of her teachers were winners of the Ms. America and Miss World of the Belly Dance competition. Chacon has also received advice on how to start
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her own troupe from members of the Bellydance Superstars, a group of the top eight belly dancers in the world. Chacon teaches classes at the Olney-Margolies Athletic Center and also gives private lessons. The members of Amira described the reaction to Brown’s first belly-dancing troupe as overwhelmingly positive. see BELLYDANCING, page 6
Sonya Mladenova / Herald
The Amira Belly Dance Company had its first performance Friday night.
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spring review, which will be held sometime between Spring Weekend and the beginning of reading period, Itzkovich said. If issues are not resolved by the spring review, ResCouncil will set probations, the nature of which will depend on the severity of the offenses. Punishments could include issuing a letter of apology, a semester-long ban on activities or a loss of recognition by the Office of Residential Life. Itzkovich said last fall’s review process was more stringent than in years past. Previously, he said ResCouncil had merely asked program and Greek house heads if they had good relations with independents, but last fall the council checked with other offices, such as ResLife, the Office of Student Life and the Department of Public Safety, to compile behavioral details. Itzkovich said he is confident the tougher review process will result in improved behavior. “This is the first time ResCouncil has really stepped up and notified the program houses that they were doing things wrong,” he said. “There’s a process now where they know that we’re actually going to be checking, and they’re going to start being more considerate. I doubt we’ll see the same number of problems next year.” Senior Associate Dean of Residential Life Richard Bova agreed the beefed-up review process has led Greek houses to understand the validity of the concerns. But Aaron Telch ’07, president of Delta Phi, said he did not consider the fall review to be see FALL REVIEW, page 4
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