August 28, 2017

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Perfect start

Lemur alert

Men’s soccer was one of Duke’s four teams to have an unbeaten weekend | Sports Page 3

The Lemur Center welcomes two endangered lemurs from Madagascar | Page 3

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

MONDAY, AUGUST 28, 2017

DUKECHRONICLE.COM

ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEENTH YEAR, ISSUE 4

Price discusses first days in office, agenda for new year creative in how they approach what they do. So I’m looking for ways I can do this on a regular basis, maybe on a smaller scale instead of sending out messages on a routine basis. I very much want to be in regular contact with students— not just student leaders, but a variety of student groups.

Claire Ballentine The Chronicle First-years have now filled campus, moving into their new dorms and getting to know each other, but there’s one new kid that sticks out from the rest—President Vincent Price, who stepped into his new position in July. The Chronicle’s Claire Ballentine spoke with Price about the adjustment to life in North Carolina and his plans for his first year. This transcript has been edited and condensed for clarity. The Chronicle: How has the transition been so far? Vincent Price: It has been delightful. We had an opportunity to get out and around town. We’re getting a chance to experience Durham, and I’m impressed by the vitality and the diversity of the community. I’ve had a chance to meet with a number of administrators, faculty and staff. TC: Are you all moved into the Hart House? VP: We are indeed. Our dogs are doing well, we take them for regular walks on the Al Buehler Trail. They’re having a great time. TC: Did you bring any personal touches to your new office? VP: I’m waiting on some furniture to arrive. Nan Keohane had very large conference tables in this office when she was president. Dick Brodhead had an arrangement of very nice furniture

Ian Jaffe | The Chronicle President Vincent Price took office July 1 to become the tenth president of Duke University, succeeding former President Richard Brodhead.

in the center, and I think I’m going to split the difference by having a nice conference table, but I also like the informality of the arrangement that President Brodhead favored, so we’re still in an adjustment period. TC: Have you had interacted with student leaders or student groups yet? VP: We’ve been in contact and meetings are being arranged, but I haven’t had a chance yet. I did have a chance during the transition to meet with outgoing student leaders. I’m still working on my Fall calendar and planning some meetings throughout the Fall.

TC: One critique of presidents in the past is that they haven’t communicated enough with students. What are some of the ways you plan to communicate with students on campus? We have a president who tweets now, so that’s always an option. VP: I don’t know that a lot of tweeting is in the cards here, but I’d like to be visible and accessible. I’d like to be a partner to those across the campus who are trying to make the most of our resources here at Duke. These are exciting times in higher education. I have always found that students, because they represent an intense experience on their campus, are just so

TC: One way President Brodhead communicated with students was through a couple of community forums in Page Auditorium. Would you consider this? Do you think it’s effective? VP: I’m open-minded about different formats that might be used. Large town hall events are sometimes neither as interactive as people would like or as small-scale and authentic as other conversations. I think my impulse is to speak to a variety of groups in settings that allow for back and forth and give or take as opposed to these large-scale, more formal town hall meetings. But again my calendar is just now being populated with a variety of meetings. TC: What have your interactions with Coach K been like so far? VP: We’ve been in contact throughout the transition and I’ve been able to spend time with him and some of the other coaches. I was able to swing by some practices and talk to Coach Cutcliffe, and I’ve spent time with Athletic Director Kevin White. I’m excited to be part of a campus that has such a vibrant program of athletics, so See PRICE on Page 13

Duke to increase minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2019 Sam Turken The Chronicle

Chronicle File Photo Duke will increase its minimum wage in intervals throughout the next two years.

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INSIDE — News 2 Sports 21

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Crossword 17 Opinion 18

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Duke will increase its minimum wage for employees and contract workers to $15 per hour by 2019. The increase from the current $13 per hour minimum should affect more than 2,300 workers and will occur in intervals, according to a Duke Today release. The minimum wage for employees will increase to $14 on July 1, 2018 and will then rise to $15 per hour by July 1, 2019. “Duke has a longstanding commitment to providing a total compensation package that recognizes and rewards the talented people who continue to make this institution a national leader,” said President Vincent Price in the release. “This starts with pay, which is why we are moving forward with these increases, but it also includes

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benefits such as health insurance, retirement and paid time away. Our goal always is for Duke to be the best place to work in North Carolina.” The rise by 2019 will mark a 37 percent increase in Duke’s minimum wage since 2015. The University, the largest employer in Durham, raised its minimum wage from $10.91 to $12 per hour in 2015 and then up to $13 per hour in 2017. The state and federal minimum wage is $7.25. The latest increase will cover all regular University and Health System staff that work at least 20 hours per week and 36 weeks per year. It will also apply to outside contractors that employ people who work on Duke’s campus. Quintin Yzung, one such contracted employee who works at Il Forno in West See WAGE on Page 15 © 2017 The Chronicle


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