April 9, 2018

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The Chronicle

See Inside Duke women win Battle of the Blues Page 6

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

MONDAY, APRIL 9, 2018 DUKECHRONICLE.COM

Duke won’t cut ties with donor who’s ‘stripping’ newspapers

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEENTH YEAR, ISSUE 76

WHY ARE BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETINGS NO LONGER OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?

By Sam Turken Managing Editor

Duke has accepted contributions from a hedge fund president and newspaper owner who has been slashing staff at profitable newspapers across the country. Now, a newspaper union wants the University to cut ties with him, but Duke isn’t budging. Heath Freeman, Trinity ‘02, is a major donor to Duke and his family is the namesake of the Freeman Center for Jewish Life. His hedge fund, Alden Global Capital, owns Digital First Media—one of the largest newspaper chains in the country—and has cut staff at dozens of newspapers, including the Denver Post and San Jose Mercury News. The NewsGuild-Communications Workers of America, the union representing workers at Digital First newspapers, has called for Duke to return donations from Freeman and remove him as advisory board chair of Jewish Life. The union and staff at Alden-owned newspapers say the donations are “dirty money” and undermine the mission of the journalism program at the DeWitt Wallace Center for Media and Democracy. “It’s just shameful,” said Lisa Krieger, Trinity ’77 and a reporter at the San Jose Mercury News. “That is money that Alden Global Capital is taking away. Duke is profiting from it.” NewsGuild representatives have made multiple unsuccessful attempts to meet with President Vincent Price to discuss the matter. Union president Bernie Lunzer first wrote to Price in early January, expressing his concerns about the University’s continued cooperation with Freeman, who donated more than $18,000 to the Jewish Life program in the 2016-17 fiscal year. Price responded two weeks later through Michael Schoenfeld, vice president for public affairs and government relations, who said Duke is not affiliated with Alden Global Capital or Digital First Media. Schoenfeld suggested addressing any concerns with them. Lunzer followed up with another letter Jan. 31, calling on the University to request Freeman’s resignation from the Jewish Life advisory board and to “consider a return of the most recent donation.” Lunzer said Schoenfeld’s response to his initial letter does a “disservice to the mission of the University.” Despite additional letters sent by the NewsGuild and Krieger to professors and the Board of Trustees, Duke has stood by its position. “The University is not affiliated with Alden Global Capital and has no role in its business See NEWSPAPERS on Page 3

Chronicle File Photo Board of Trustees meetings occur four times a year and often take place at the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club (pictured above).

By Sarah Kerman Senior News Reporter

From discussing the future of new research centers and campus construction to approving tuition hikes, the University’s Board of Trustees makes decisions that can have immediate impacts on the student experience. It is rare, however, for students to get a glimpse of the deliberations that take place inside these meetings. Duke’s Board of Trustees meetings are not open to the public, but a few of Duke’s peer institutions have adopted policies that increase public access to board meetings. “The current practice for Board meetings has been in place for about 10 years,” said Michael Schoenfeld, vice president for public affairs and government relations. “That is fairly consistent with other private universities like Duke. There are no plans at the moment to make any changes to that and that’s where everything stands.” But this has not always been the case. From 1971 until 2008, the meetings were open. Past access Allowing a public session began during President Terry Sanford’s administration in 1971, sparked at least in part by a sit-in. Then-Chronicle Editor Clay Steinman along with student body president Hutch Traver,

both Trinity ‘71, refused to leave the closed meeting until the Board of Trustees reconsidered its transparency policies. After the sit-in, Sanford allowed then-Chronicle Managing Editor David Pace, Pratt ‘71, to be the first reporter to cover a Board of Trustees meeting. A few months later, the Trustees voted to open meetings to invited faculty, students and reporters. “There were things happening [in those meetings] that were directly affecting the lives of students in the community,” Pace said at the time. “We felt like we had a right to be there and observe the decision-making process that led to these things and report on it.” Prior to the Board of Trustees shutting off public access, The Chronicle reported on decisions such as tuition hikes, campus construction and the selection of new administrators. In October 1975, The Chronicle reported on the progress of the University’s plans for the Bryan Center. In the same meeting, Sanford informed the Board of a silent protest demonstration from the Association of African Students. A December 1981 issue of The Chronicle included information about the construction of the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club, revenues from which would help support Perkins Library. There were also discussions about a presidential library for Richard Nixon, which ultimately never saw the light of day. See TRUSTEES on Page 4

Gary Trent Jr. declares for NBA Draft Staff Reports The Chronicle

Sanjeev Dasgupta | Sports Photo Editor Gary Trent Jr. shot better than 40 percent from 3-point range this season.

Duke will have to replace its entire starting backcourt next season. Freshman Gary Trent Jr. declared for the NBA Draft Saturday morning, becoming the third Blue Devil starter to leave Durham after just one year and Duke’s 13th one-and-done since 2011. The program announced the news in a tweet. It was not made clear in the team’s announcement whether Trent is hiring an agent, but head coach Mike Krzyzewski suggested he is not expecting him back.

“Gary was the best 3-point shooter in the ACC. At the NBA level, that’s what they’re looking for,” head coach Mike Krzyzewski said in a statement. “He has the size of a twoguard who will be able to fit in the NBA. We appreciate everything Gary brought to Duke basketball and wish him the best as he begins his journey in professional basketball.” Trent also made a video announcing the news on his Twitter account. “I’m grateful for the opportunity that Duke basketball gave to me, and a special thanks to See TRENT on Page 8

Night on a bus

Fighting Irish run out of luck

Building a representative Board

Big Mike forms a special bond with students as a favorite late-night bus driver. PAGE 2

Men’s lacrosse holds Notre Dame to just two goals in comfortable road victory. PAGE 6

Columnist Steve Hassey details why Duke’s Board of Trustees needs more Durham voices. PAGE 11

INSIDE — News 2 | Sports 5 | Crossword 9 | Opinion 10 | Serving the University since 1905 |

@dukechronicle @dukebasketball |

@thedukechronicle | © 2018 The Chronicle


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