THE
BROWN DAILY HERALD vol. cxlix, no. 49
since 1891
THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2014
Students confront substance dependency UCS expresses support for Campus support systems student on Corporation include deans, peer groups like Alcoholics Anonymous
Council votes unanimously to back resolution, with no members voicing concerns
By EMMAJEAN HOLLEY AND EMILY WOOLDRIDGE SENIOR STAFF WRITERS
By CAROLINE KELLY
The second in a two-part series exploring substance use and abuse at Brown.
SENIOR STAFF WRITER
UNDER THE INFLUENCE On a perfect April afternoon, Fred, then a first-year, was stoned for the first time. By the end of May, he was smoking on a near-daily basis. After a few months, Fred “greened over the cliff.” He was smoking at least three joints a day by winter break of his sophomore year. Fred, a junior whose name has been changed to maintain confidentiality, said he didn’t realize that “the short-term pleasure and immediate gratification smoking gave” him would lead to a habit that spiraled out of control. Fred identifies as someone who has struggled with addiction. But according » See DEPENDENCY, page 2
ANGELIA WANG / HERALD
One student said his dependence on substances made him feel like he was trapped in an “unfurnished hell that you can never leave.”
The Undergraduate Council of Students passed a resolution in support of the student group working to add an undergraduate representative to the Corporation at its general body meeting Wednesday. UCS President Todd Harris ’14.5 will present the document entitled “UCS Statement of Support for Students on the Corporation” to the Corporation, the University’s highest governing body, at its May meeting. After considering the resolution for around 20 minutes, the Council members unanimously approved the measure. The paragraph-length document is meant to show general UCS support, rather than provide a blueprint outlining the specific steps the Council
will take to further the group’s goals, Harris said. “It makes a more powerful statement to say that we’re all behind an issue that we want to work with the Corporation on solving,” he added. “This is something that everyone can get on board with and say is important,” said Alex Drechsler ’15, chair of the UCS Student Activities committee, leader of the student group pursuing an undergraduate Corporation representative and UCS vice presidential candidate. “Details are something that we can figure out in the future,” he added. Though the Council’s decision serves as an indicator of undergraduate support, the group also plans on reaching out to the Graduate Student Council and the Medical Student Senate to solicit additional student input and support. These interactions with other student governments could generate more material to present to the Corporation at its October meeting. The Council also passed a resolution endorsing the goals of Inertia, a student group aiming to support students of color studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
R.I. could see first woman, TAPS professor bows out after 28 years Latino or Asian governor
By LINDSAY GANTZ STAFF WRITER
Though Rhode Islanders have never elected a person of color or a woman to the governor’s office, the upcoming gubernatorial contest offers the state an opportunity to buck this trend. General Treasurer Gina Raimondo would be the state’s first female elected governor, Providence Mayor Angel Taveras the first Latino American and Cranston Mayor Allan Fung the first Asian American. In the state, Taveras was the first Latino mayor, Fung the first Asian American mayor and Raimondo the first Democratic female treasurer. Over the past decade, minority populations have been growing, according to the Equity Profile of Rhode Island, prepared by the University of Southern California Program for Environmental and Regional Equity, which outlines demographic trends in the state and analyzes disparities across socioeconomic groups. The Latino population of Rhode Island has grown by 44 percent in the past ten years, and the Asian American
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and African American populations have grown by 28 and 23 percent, respectively, according to the report. But these minority groups remain underrepresented among Rhode Island’s elected officials. “I think there is definitely a lack of representation,” said Pablo Rodriguez, president of Latino Public Radio. “In terms of Latinos, we have an increasing presence in the workforce and an increasing percentage of children.” Having a diverse range of candidates with a wealth of experience and knowledge will allow different people to be represented, said Mary Grace Almandrez, assistant dean of the College and director of the Third World Center. “I don’t see the needs of their specific community being exclusive to the needs of all communities,” Almandrez said. “What they determine to be important may be informed by their background,” she added. “Issues of women are important for the health of the economy,” said Tricia Rose, director of the Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in America and professor of Africana studies, adding that leadership in state government has historically been male-dominated. “We are really excited to see more women get involved,” said Allie Schaefer ’17, vice president of the Brown » See DIVERSITY, page 3
TOM SULLIVAN / HERALD
Retiring Theater and Performing Arts Professor Lowry Marshall has taught Pullitzer Prize winners and Tony-nominated actors.
Students laud Lowry Marshall’s mentorship, performance insights and commitment to U. theater By CAMILLA BRANDFIELD-HARVEY SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Lowry Marshall moved about her cluttered office, highlighting the several photographs and promotional posters that adorn it. “You know who that is,” she said, as she passed by a photograph of her and Morgan Freeman. A photo of Marshall and Paul Sills, a founder of the Second City in Chicago, leans against books on her shelf, next to a magazine cutout of John Krasinski ’01 resting on a large frame.
“John’s first role at Brown was in drag in my production of Tennesse Williams’ ‘Camino Real,’” she said. Marshall, professor of theater arts and performance studies, marvels at many posters of past shows and photos of former students, who are now Pulitzer Prize winners, Tonynominated actors and graduates of the world’s most prestigious MFA programs. Through various Theater and Performing Arts classes and the summer theater program she established, Marshall helped to nurture
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each of their voices. After 28 years of teaching and directing at the University, Marshall has recently announced her retirement. Though Marshall tends to shine a spotlight on her students and their remarkable evolutions as actors and writers, not dwell on herself, many students said Marshall has been integral to their development and to the advancement of Brown’s theater program. “If you’re interested in doing theater, you come to Brown knowing who Lowry is,” said Skylar Fox ’15. Fox performed in Marshall’s productions of “Lady Windermere’s Fan” in the fall of 2011 and in “A Streetcar Named Desire” last semester. He has also taken her TAPS 0230: “Acting” and TAPS 1160: “Style and Performance” courses. “Before I met Lowry, she was this character that I had heard about,” said Josh Linden ’14, who has taken “Acting” and TAPS 1210: “Solo Performance” with Marshall. “There’s a Lowry vernacular that gets passed around the community.” Marshall has become so famous within the theater community that her students have recorded “Lowry-isms” and developed impersonations that don’t always resemble the real figure. “You can’t talk about Lowry without a southern accent,” said Alex Lee ’14, a Brown/RISD dual degree student. “There’s a Lowry impression, but Lowry doesn’t sound like it,” added » See MARSHALL, page 3 t o d ay
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