The Chronicle
dukechronicle.com
2 | MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2019
Women in Technology surveys students Grand jury indicts NC Republican chairman for bribery
By Niharika Vattikonda Contributing Reporter
What percentage of students feel supported in their academic spaces? A project spearheaded by Duke Women in Technology sheds light on the barriers faced and overcome by women and members of underrepresented groups in STEM fields. The Percentage Project surveyed a total of 164 Duke engineering and computer science students from a variety of backgrounds. Questions focused on students’ experience both in the classroom and the broader Duke community. The survey data was aggregated by gender, sexual identity, ethnic identity, first-generation status, socioeconomic status and racial identity. Duke Women in Technology found that students from underrepresented groups reported having been told that their identity helps them secure job opportunities or gave them an unfair advantage in applying to Duke. In addition, first-generation students were almost 1.5 times more likely to report feeling intimidated studying computer science or engineering than other students surveyed. Junior Emily Liu, co-president of Duke Women in Technology—formerly Wiring with Women—and a columnist for The Chronicle, led the Percentage Project this year. As an executive board member, she explained that she was tasked with piloting a project in line with Women in Technology’s mission. The survey found that 47% of females reported that they “have felt judged or micro-aggressed” because of their choice to study computer science or engineering, compared to only 6% of males. Additionally, 55% of surveyed females and 12% of surveyed males reported being told that their gender identity gave them an unfair advantage at getting a job. Of all students surveyed, only 14% of low-income students reported feeling comfortable asking questions during lecture, compared to 34% of other students. In addition to the survey data, co-president Cyan DeVeaux, a junior, explained that people signed up to get their pictures taken and matched to various statistics from the survey conclusions as part of the broader project. The hope is that the Percentage Project will allow the Duke community to put a face
By Sean Cho Senior News Reporter
to the disparities in computer science and engineering. “When you’re able to have a picture or something visual attached to it, I think you can make it more impactful, and beyond just numbers, that these are actual students who completed this survey, actual people that you see on a day-to-day basis, actual students that you know,” DeVeaux said. After researching some of the executive boards of other WiT clubs on other campuses, Liu found that the University of Pennsylvania’s WiT club created the Percentage Project as a way to collect data on students’ experiences in technology. “Looking through the photos, I just felt really inspired,” she said. “I was just like, ‘Wow, it would be awesome to bring something like this to Duke.’” The conclusions and the survey questions are publicly available, so that the data is accessible to the Duke community and, more broadly, to individuals involved in technology. The conclusions, although disappointing, were unsurprising to Liu and DeVeaux.
North Carolina’s Republican Party is regaining its footing after the indictment of GOP chairman Robin Hayes, Trinity ‘67, and political donor Greg Lindberg for charges of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud, bribery and aiding and abetting. According to the indictment—which was unsealed on Tuesday—Hayes, Lindberg and two of Lindberg’s associates—John Gray and John Palermo Jr.—allegedly attempted to bribe and influence Republican Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey. Hayes announced on Monday that he will not be seeking re-election and that the state GOP’s convention in June will be the last time he leads the party. Hayes has already surrendered himself to authorities, and he made his first court appearance in Charlotte on Monday. In response to the indictment, the N.C. Republican Party may remove executive director Dallas Woodhouse. Woodhouse stated that he was merely a witness in the investigation and denies ever speaking with Lindberg. “I work at the pleasure of the central committee and that is the status. That status can change by my determination or theirs,” Woodhouse said on Friday. “I will not resign. I have nothing to resign for.” Lindberg, the political donor, has been under federal investigation for his numerous financial contributions to North Carolina politicians. According to data from the Center of Responsive Politics, Lindberg has given more than $1.6 million to federal candidates and committees. In 2017, he was the N.C. Republican Party’s single biggest donor, and he also made donations to the N.C.
See TECH on Page 12
See GOP on Page 12
Selena Qian | Staff Graphic Designer
Announcement of Nominees
Congratulations to the following students, organizations, faculty, and staff, who have been nominated to receive Duke University’s most prestigious campus-wide honors for student leadership and service. Award recipients and nominees will be celebrated at In The Spotlight on April 16, 2019 5-7pm, Penn Pavilion. The event is open to to the Duke community.
FSL Chapter Awards Excellence in Academics: Chi Psi Delta Tau Delta Psi Upsilon Sigma Nu Sigma Phi Epsilon Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Delta Pi Delta Delta Delta Gamma Phi Beta
Excellence in Community Involvement Chi Psi Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Chi Omega Zeta Tau Alpha
Excellence in Membership Engagement Chi Psi Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Chi Omega Gamma Phi Beta
Excellence in Risk Reduction Sigma Phi Epsilon
Excellence in Chapter Management Chi Psi Sigma Phi Epsilon Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha Delta Pi Chi Omega Gamma Phi Beta Chapter of the Year: Chi Psi
The Student Julie Anne Levey Organization Line-Up Memorial Leadership SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER Award Best New Organization Hear at Duke
Best Overall Organization Duke Swing Dance
Best Executive Board Member Samantha Woog (Duke University Wind Symphony) NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
Best New Organization Duke Sleight Club
Best Overall Organization Duke Smart Home
Best Executive Board Member Archana Ahlawat (Duke Conversations) JANUARY/FEBRUARY
Best New Organization Duke CommuniTEA
Best Overall Organization Student Association for Geospatial Analysis
Best Executive Board Member Steph Ng (Body Banter)
Queer and Trans Leadership Series Recognition Janelle Taylor Shom Tiwari Marie Helen Kreyer Miriam Levitin
Catherine McMillan Carlee Goldberg Joanne Huang Musa Saleem Noah Breuss-Burgess Jonathan Eini Dakota Douglas Sid Madala
Lars Lyon Volunteer Service Award Gino Nuzzolillo Varun Prasad Olivia Simpson Mary Helen Wood
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award: Idalis French Moreen Njoroge Matthew Conley Katie Taylor
WomC’s The WomC Campus Impact Award: Sydney Lane The WomC Emerging Campus Award: Amelia Steinbach The WomC Community Impact Award: Uyi Idahor The WomC State Impact Award: NC Council for Women and Youth Involvement
The WomC National Impact Award: Kelly Fair The WomC Global Impact Award: Anwuli Okonjo The WomC Woman of Strength Award: Cathy Watson
Student Affairs Distinguished Leadership and Service Awards Building Alliances through Collective Engagement: Andrew Bates Alexander Goodman Rachel Berlowe Binder Helen Yang
Commitment to Diversity Anya Bali Janelle Taylor
Demonstration of Integrity Trey Walk Aubrey Howard Sarah Beckmen
Expanding the Boundaries of Learning
William J. Griffith University Service Awards Contributions to Duke: Matthew Conley Anya Bali Jasmine Syed Ariana Eily Brian Buhr Janelle Taylor Briana Kleiner Charles Huang
Contributions to Durham & Local Community: Trey Walk Zoe Abedon Alexander Goodman Joshua Landsberg Charles Huang Riley Hickman Mickayla Hinkle
Contributions to Global Community: Dillon Leovic
Dorothy Alexis Jackie Perez Alexander Goodman Anya Bali
Betsy Alden Outstanding ServiceLearning Award
Respect for the Community
Student Category:
Brian Buhr Maggie Haas Steve Boland II Rebekah Wellons Matthew Kaplan Grace Mok Hannah Ahrendt
Faculty Category:
Frances Beroset Charles Huang Kate Watkins Kevin Caves
For more details, visit https://studentaffairs.duke.edu/ucae/leadership/leadership-service-awards
Community Partner Category: Jeanette Stokes, Resource Center for Women & Ministry in the South, Inc. Audrey Hagopian, BASIS Charter School in Phoenix, AZ
The Forever Duke Student Leadership Awards Caroline Amoroso Kristel Black Eladio Bobadilla Matt Brantley Michael Brunetti Angel Clark Temis Coral Ariana Eily Valentine Esposito Rory Henry Shandiin Herrera Kushal Kadakia Justin Lana Sarah Loftus Donald Moratz Felix Nwogbo Charlie Pearlman Reed Perry Kristina Smith Stephanie Stefanski Lance Tran Tim Yoon Amulya Vadapalli