Daily Herald the Brown
vol. cxlv, no. 69 | Tuesday, September 14, 2010 | Serving the community daily since 1891
Primary day marks crucial test in R.I. By Claire Peracchio Senior Staff Writer
For months, the candidates vying to replace retiring Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., have plied Rhode Island’s first district with campaign advertisements, get-out-the-vote operations and policy proposals to get Rhode Island’s economy back on its feet. But a bruising battle among
METRO leading Democrats threatens to upend the race just as voters get ready to choose among the contenders — Democrats David Cicilline ’83, Anthony Gemma, Bill Lynch and David Segal and Republicans John Loughlin and Kara Russo — in today’s decisive primary. As voters go to the polls here and across the country, they will pick party nominees for a midterm election that will determine whether President Obama’s party can hold on to the sweeping gains made in 2008. Voter turnout will be key for candidates in R.I., where the Sept. 14 primary will mark the end for many and, due to the state’s Democratic leaning, a presumptive general election win for others. A bloody primary battle Providence Mayor Cicilline has led the contest for the first district’s congressional seat in fundraising and poll numbers, but a recent continued on page 3
Recent national events spur Muslim action By Sydney Ember News Editor
Addressing the widespread unrest spurred by a Florida pastor’s plan to burn copies of the Koran on the nine-year anniversary of Sept. 11, Muslim Chaplain David Coolidge ’01 denounced extremist actions and urged the community to honor religious differences at a press conference hosted by the Rhode Island Council of Churches Sept. 10. The cautious remarks reflected the reactions generated by recent anti-Islam media coverage, contrasting the Muslim community’s celebrations marking Ramadan’s end that occurred the same day. “There seem to be a fair amount of people these days who consider themselves heroes of an even greater generation,” Coolidge said in his statement. “They have
capitalized on the suffering of a nation, turning attention from burning issues to burning books.” In his statement, Coolidge expressed concern that the pastor’s anti-Islamic actions recalled nationalistic sentiment in Nazi Germany during World War II. Those who want to burn copies of the Koran “consider Muslims a monolithic threat,” he said. “Without the slightest awareness of the irony of their actions, they have adopted many of the same tactics that characterized fascism at its height.” The pastor’s threat sent a message to Muslims that they were “no longer human in the eyes of the book burners,” Coolidge said. But despite his condemnation, Coolidge shared a message of continued on page 2
George Miller / Herald
In a press conference, Muslim Chaplain David Coolidge compared a Florida pastor’s idea to burn copies of the Koran to the general sentiment in Nazi Germany during World War II.
What’s in a name: behind the building R.I. to get By Nicole Boucher Senior Staff Writer
name of the building? What, exactly, is in a name?
When students walked through Faunce Arch for the first time this semester, they noticed a remarkable transformation. In place of brick siding, glass doors marked the opening to the new Stephen Robert ’62 Campus Center. Signs of construction dominated campus last year, the work going into the renovation project quite visible. But what about the less conspicuous addition — the
A drive for donations “There are a lot of buildings we are willing to name if you are willing to give X,” said Beppie Huidekoper, executive vice president for finance and administration. When people want a structure named after them or for their family, they can provide donations in exchange for naming rights. Putting a family name on a build-
ing at Brown is a compelling reason to donate, Huidekoper said, but it is not the only reason. Others are focused on a mission to improve the University, and the name is merely a byproduct of this devotion. But some donors have a vested interest in the outcome of a development, making a “project-driven” rather than recognition-driven donation, Huidekoper said. The Stephen Robert ’62 Campus Center is such continued on page 2
Thayer’s ‘Affair’ no longer foreign to Brook Street By Margaret Yi Contributing Writer
Hilary Rosenthal / Herald
inside
Foreign Affair has gained more space for less rent at its new location.
News......1–2 Metro.....3–5 Editorial......6 Opinion.......7 Today.........8
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Just a few days before the start of the semester, Thayer Street said goodbye to another familiar face. But this time it’s a change for the better for Marsha Taylor, owner of vintage clothing store Foreign Affair. About two weeks ago, while much of the student body was packing for Brown, Foreign Affair was making a swift and almost silent move from the lively Thayer Street to the much more serene Brook Street. Foreign Affair now finds itself closer to Wickenden Street, but just far enough that it offers shoppers a quiet haven from the noise and the hubbub. The newly renovated space was a much welcomed change for Taylor. Not only was the rent on Thayer
state educ. grant By Caitlin Trujillo Senior Staff Writer
State Education Commissioner Deborah Gist will be traveling to Washington this Thursday to finalize the level of funding Rhode Island will receive as a winner of the federal Race to the Top competition. On Aug. 24, the state was named a winner, joining nine other states and the District of Columbia
METRO
Street becoming expensive, Taylor said, but the environment did not suit the store either. She referred specifically to the addition of the Better Burger Company. “It’s not a pleasing combination to have clothing next to food, due to the food smells,” Taylor said. Taylor now has more space for less rent. As a result, the new location features huge display windows, two fitting rooms and a bigger inventory, which allows for more diversification, Taylor said. The store now carries a myriad of items — ranging from women’s floral tops to men’s dress jackets — that put much of today’s department store bargains to shame. What’s more, there is no need to deal with the daily traffic and parking dif-
as recipients of the funds. The precise grant amount destined for Rhode Island has not yet been finalized, but the state applied for $75 million — the maximum amount it could receive based on student enrollment figures — according to a press release from the R.I. Department of Education. The national fund’s total amount is $4.35 billion. Gist will be meeting with representatives from the U.S. Department of Education to finalize Rhode Island’s reward, though she said she expects the state will receive close to the full $75 million that it applied for, she said. During the application process, states were evaluated on criteria
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Metro, 4
Editorial, 6
Opinions, 7
candidates face off M ayo ra l c a n d i d a t e s discuss their positions on a variety of issues.
Use your vote wisely What to keep in mind as you head to the Rhode Island polls today
it could be you Stephen Wicken GS reminds students that TAs were once undergrads, too.
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