Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Page 1

Daily

Herald

the Brown

vol. cxlvi, no. 10

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Since 1891

Chafee nominates education board

ROTC committee members announced By Mark Raymond Senior Staff Writer

By Amy rasmussen Senior Staff Writer

In an e-mail to students and faculty yesterday, President Ruth Simmons announced the members of the new committee tasked with examining the University’s policy on the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. The committee is comprised of seven faculty members, Dean of the College Katherine Bergeron and two undergraduate students. The Graduate Student Council will also name a student representative to serve on the committee. Though Simmons credits the recent repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” as one of her reasons for forming the committee, Bergeron said the University began considering a reassessment of its ROTC policy before the controversial law was repealed. Brown’s ROTC policy has been a topic of discussion for decades, beginning with the decision to terminate the on-campus program in 1969. Since then, students and faculty have regularly debated whether or not Brown should reassess its stance. “It’s not the first time the question has been raised,” Bergeron said. “This wasn’t stimulated entirely from the recent legislation.” Cade Howard ’14, one of the

In his most high-profile act yet to shape Rhode Island’s education policy, Governor Lincoln Chafee ’75 P’14 announced four nominations to the Rhode Island Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education early last week. The nominations come as the state contemplates controversial education reforms proposed by Deborah Gist, commissioner of elementary and secondary education.

For staff, B.E.A.R. hugs and awards By Katrina Phillips Contributing Writer

It began with an auto-tuned video montage by Bruno and ended with roaring applause. A crowd of Brown employees and their families filled Salomon 101 yesterday as staff members were recognized for their service to the University. At the celebration for the seventh annual Brown Employee Appreciation and Recognition Day, President Ruth Simmons emphasized the “devotion and motivation” of the University’s employees. “The personal investments you’ve made in your work

r a l ly f o r e g y p t

echo throughout the University,” Simmons said. She praised employees’ “heartwarming dedication” in light of the recent economic downturn and said the great appreciation expressed by the students and families in the audience was evidence that the staff ’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. Alumni remember their relationships with staff members fondly and often cite such relationships as important to their development at Brown, she said. During a break in her speech, Simmons invited staff being honored for five, 10 and 15 years of

Elizabeth Carr / Herald

inside

news...................2-3 CITY & State.....4-5 editorial.............6 Opinions..............7 SPORTS...................8

Got pot?

State debates proposed medical marijuana centers City & State, 5

Brown will celebrate its Year of China initiative in the 2011-12 academic year, organizing events and activities to increase awareness of China’s role on the world stage and in the lives of individuals. Professor of Physics Chung-I Tan, who is a member of the Faculty Executive Committee, and the Office of International Affairs will lead the organization of the year’s programs and events. The Year of China follows several other such initiatives including those focusing on Latin America, Africa and — in the 200910 academic year — India. The current academic year has no foreign country or continent as its theme. While international themes in the

city & state

past began as more informal ideas, the University decided to more fully plan and execute international themes, Tan said. This year is being spent organizing next year’s events. The Year of China aims to “introduce our students to Chinese culture and examine China’s current and future role on the world stage,” according to a University press release. But the program’s motivations are not confined to cultural or societal categories. “The sciences cut across national boundaries,” Tan said. In order to remain at the forefront of scientific knowledge and technological research, the University must integrate itself into the world stage, he said. President Ruth Simmons traveled

Chafee was elected in November with strong support from the state’s teachers’ unions, which have steadfastly opposed Gist’s reforms. The nominees, who must be confirmed by the state Senate before they can officially take office March 3, represent a diverse set of leaders from across Rhode Island. George Caruolo — a former House Majority leader — was nominated to replace current Chairman Justice Robert Flanders ’71, who was appointed by former governor Donald Carcieri ’65. Chafee recently named Flanders to oversee the receivership of Central Falls, which was placed under state control due to financial distress. Other nominees include former University of Rhode Island president Robert Carothers, Rhode Island education policy veteran Mathies Santos ’77 and Institute for Labor Studies Program Director Carolina Bernal. Patrick Guida, Colleen Callahan, Betsy Shimberg and Karin Forbes have been asked by Chafee to maintain their current positions on the board. Carcieri-appointed Board of Regents members Angus Davis and Anna Cano-Morales have not been asked to remain on the board. They learned of Chafee’s decision to remove them by reading about it online, according to yesterday’s Providence Journal. The governor met individually with each of the four nominees prior to the announcement, Chafee spokesman Mike Trainor said. “They understand what

continued on page 3

continued on page 4

continued on page 2

U. to expand int’l ties with Year of China By Nick Lourie Contributing Writer

Protesters rallied in Providence Saturday in support of democracy in Egypt. See full coverage on page 4.

service to stand for applause. Groups with 20, 25 and 30 or more years of service were invited on stage for a photograph. “They move a little slowly” at this point, Simmons joked as they made their way to the stage. Simmons also mentioned the over $1.6 billion raised in the Campaign for Academic Enrichment and thanked staff members for “giving people the confidence that this place is worth something.” The ceremony featured a video in which employees were sur-

Cyber crime U. must provide legal alternatives to piracy Opinions, 7

weather

continued on page 3

Stephanie London / Herald

President Ruth Simmons thanked staff members for their contributions to the University at B.E.A.R. Day yesterday.

t o d ay

tomorrow

35 / 10

29 / 16


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.