Food Truck Rodeo?
Duke at NFL Combine
DUSDAC discussed the possibility of bringing a food truck rodeo to campus at its meeting Mon. | Page 2
Quarterback Anthony Boone joined three other former Blue Devils in the league’s biggest offseason showcase | Page 8
The Chronicle T H E I N D E P E N D E N T D A I LY AT D U K E U N I V E R S I T Y
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015
WWW.DUKECHRONICLE.COM
ONE HUNDRED AND TENTH YEAR, ISSUE 85
West Union to open in phases
Whip-its: not a ‘safer way to get high’ Claire Ballentine The Chronicle
Inhalants known as whip-its have a growing presence in Duke’s mainstream social culture—but though they are legal, they are more dangerous than many realize, experts claim. Whip-its are typically small canisters, such as whipped cream cans or balloons, filled with nitrous oxide that is inhaled to induce a dizzy, euphoric feeling—lasting anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. As some students find the inhalants occupying a larger space in the social scene, awareness of the potential dangers they pose is growing, as well. “First time I did whip-its, I had no idea how bad they were for your brain,” See Whip-its on Page 3 Special to The Chronicle Concrete was recently poured in the West Union, pictured above, which is due to be completed by Fall 2016. The ground floor will open in Spring 2016.
The ground floor is on track to be completed by Spring 2016, the rest by Fall 2016 Samantha Neal The Chronicle
Emma Loewe | The Chronicle Whip-its are typically small canisters, such as whipped cream cans or balloons.
With the ground floor of West Union on track to open as expected in Spring 2016, the entirety of the building will not be fully operational until Fall 2016, said Sarah Burdick, director of administration and special projects. Administrators, however, maintain that the renovations—which began in Fall 2013— will be well worth the wait. “It will be transformative to the opportunities students will have,” Vice President for Student Affairs Larry Moneta said. West Union will house a variety of spaces
ranging from social dining venues to study rooms. Currently, the building is expected to open in phases. The first opening will include ground floor food vendors in Spring 2016. The transition of dining facilities from Penn Pavilion to West Union will occur over the Summer and the building will completely open by the Fall, Burdick said. Even though West Union has already undergone significant construction, much of the building remains a work in progress. Moneta said, however, that everything remains on schedule and there is no pressure on the timeline. The core of West Union has been demolished and the demolition of the building perimeter is nearly completed, Burdick said. Window restoration and roof replacement in the building are currently underway. Burdick noted that the glass and steel used in the core are being made in Germany, and will be
shipped into Durham as the next major phase of construction begins. The exterior of the new West Union will incorporate a new glass facade with aspects of the original architecture. This design mirrors the purpose of the construction—a modern update for a traditional space. “The original West Union was designed for a very different and much smaller student population,” Moneta said. “Dramatic growths in the student body and changes in facilities that students need required a complete redo [of the West Union].” He added that furnishings such as chairs, light fixtures and carpets will be selected within the next few months. The current focus is on construction timing and following the current schedule, while the operational plans—which include selecting dining vendors—have yet to
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