Tuesday, April 23, 2019

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SINCE 1891

THE BROWN DAILY HERALD TUESDAY APRIL 23, 2019

VOLUME CLIII, ISSUE 53

WWW.BROWNDAILYHERALD.COM

CS department grapples with Expenses, stereotypes complicate intl. student life collaboration policy, diversity U. increases resources for Some find community in CS department, others feel alienated, isolated by department policies By PEDER SCHAEFER SENIOR STAFF WRITER

This is the second of two stories examining the workings of the University’s largest concentration — the computer science department — its value and its challenges. Like many computer science students, Chelsey Serrano ’22 is finishing up a two-part CS intro sequence with help from close friends, who struggle together through late nights and stressful deadlines. But, as a first-generation and female student, Serrano more often than not finds herself in the minority; data shows that in 2018, close to 30 percent of CS degrees were awarded to women and 12 percent to historically underrepresented groups on campus — lagging behind the increasingly diverse demographics of the student body. As the computer science community

SCIENCE & RESEARCH

works to become more inclusive to underrepresented groups, its policies can make it difficult at times for all students to feel at home in the department. The sometimes severely strict no-collaboration policy, paired with a growing want for equal representation in CS, can create obstacles to a fully welcoming community. The increasing presence of affinity groups allows for students from underrepresented groups to find a place in the community, but some students say there is still more to be done. While no one student or voice can be representative of the experiences of everyone in the University’s largest department, stories from CS students illuminate both a sense of camaraderie and obstacles that can hinder a sense of belonging. Collaboration policy makes CS intimidating The strict no-collaboration policy existing in some of the intro sequences within the department is an area of contention among students and faculty. The policy, which varies from class to class, can prevent students from working together on specific coding projects — ranging from just exams and quizzes to all projects » See CS, page 4

low-income international students who encounter stereotypes, barriers By TRISHA THACKER SENIOR STAFF WRITER

This is the first of two stories in a series titled, “Far from Home: Navigating Brown,” which explores the experiences of international students at the University. For some students, coming to the University means traveling a few hours away from family to receive an Ivy League education. For others, choosing Brown means living a hemisphere away from home in a foreign and challenging environment. The latter experience rings especially true for many low-income international students, who often arrive on campus facing broad cultural differences, limited financial means and an unfamiliar social setting. “When I was a first-year, I struggled a lot with a language barrier and the lack of an international community,” said Beatriz Silveira Arruda ’19, an international student from Brazil and a member of the International Leadership Advisory Board. While these students still face unique challenges when they arrive on campus,

SIMONE ZHAO / HERALD

the University has expanded resources over the past few years to support lowincome international students. Confronting and challenging stereotypes After arriving to College Hill, some international students say that they have

Former associate dean and director of SEAS steps down Catherine Axe ’87 moves to inaugural position to promote accessibility at Johns Hopkins University By SPENCER SCHULTZ SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Former Associate Dean and Director of Student and Employee Accessibility Services Catherine Axe ’87 left the University in March to “pursue a wonderful leadership opportunity” at Johns Hopkins University as its inaugural executive director of student disability services, wrote Eric Estes, the vice president for campus life in an email to The Herald. Her departure follows 15 years of service at the University and the notice of resignation that she gave in January. Since Axe’s departure, Desirae Mix and Jonathan Corey, assistant directors of SEAS, have managed the office’s dayto-day operations, wrote Vanessa Britto MSc ’96, the assistant vice president for campus life and executive director of health and wellness, in an email to The Herald. The University is actively searching for a new director to permanently fill Axe’s role, a process which began in February, Britto wrote. Britto, who is chairing the search, said that the University is considering

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grappled with the stereotype of the “typical” international student — someone who hails from a cosmopolitan and wealthy background. “The first thing is to recognize that the (low-income international student) population exists on campus,” said Divya » See INTL, page 3

109 seniors elected to Phi Beta Kappa Three elections determine induction into U. chapter of academic honors society By CATE RYAN SCIENCE AND RESEARCH EDITOR

REBECCA HO / HERALD

Associate Dean and Director Catherine Axe ‘87 formerly led Student and Employee Accessibility Services, which provides accommodations for members of the University community. both internal and external candidates for the role. Britto hopes to invite candidates for on-campus interviews soon, with the goal of naming the new director by the end of the semester. The new

director will “plan to transition to campus in the early summer,” she wrote. After accepting her new position at Johns Hopkins in January, Axe, along with the SEAS team and Britto,

developed a transition plan to delegate Axe’s former responsibilities among other administrators within SEAS “in ways that made sense,” Britto wrote. » See SEAS, page 2

One hundred and nine seniors were elected to the University’s chapter of Phi Beta Kappa on April 22, wrote Chapter Administrator Mary Jo Foley in an e-mail to The Herald. Phi Beta Kappa is the “oldest and most prestigious academic honors organization” in the United States, Foley wrote. The University’s Chapter is the seventh oldest in the nation. Students are elected to the organization on the basis of exceptional academic performance, based on the strength of their course load and grades, according to the election procedures posted on the University’s » See PHI BETA KAPPA, page 2

WEATHER

TUESDAY APRIL 23, 2019

ARTS & CULTURE Eight student storytellers perform personal narratives in Spring StorySlam

NEWS Rep Tulsi Gabbard speaks to students about the cost of war, 2020 presidential campaign

COMMENTARY Kramer ’20: Open curriculum allows for exploration and personal challenge in academics

ARTS & CULTURE Natalie Mering, also known as Weyes Blood, releases new album titled ‘Titanic Rising’

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