Issuu

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

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009

Duke gains access to 2 local roads

Durham City Council voted 6-0 Tuesday to cede control of two local streets to Duke. University officials and county planners presented city officials with plans for the renovation of Smith Warehouse, which include improvements to Sumter Street and Maxwell Avenue—unpaved roads that connect Campus Drive and Buchanan Boulevard. Originally, residents of the area surrounding the warehouse opposed the measure for fear that the University’s takeover will prohibit public use of the thoroughfares, The Chronicle reported in April. In exchange for control over the roads, Duke officials pledged to allow public access 24 hours a day. Although the commitment on the University’s part was essential to the passage of the resolution, it is non-binding and the city has no means to enforce it. John Schelp, president of the Old West Durham Neighborhood Association, told the council at Tuesday’s meeting to keep an eye on the University, accusing Executive Vice President Tallman Trask of “deliberately undermining genuine efforts by the university to improve town-gown relations,” The (Durham) Herald-Sun reported Tuesday night. City Council member Diane Catotti declined to take part in the debate, citing a conflict of interest. Her husband, Chuck Catotti, is the director of event management at Duke. —from staff reports

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH YEAR, Issue 15

www.dukechronicle.com

Back to the drawing board...

DSG

Nowicki offers fin. aid project by Ben Rakestraw The chronicle

libby busdicker/The Chronicle

Football head coach David Cutcliffe presents a video analysis of Saturday’s loss to Richmond in the Great Hall Wednesday night. SEE SOUND-OFF PAGE 3.

Obama makes case for health care reform by Ceci Connolly and Michael Shear The washington post

jason reed/the associated press

President Barack Obama addresses a joint session of Congress to present his vision for a $900 billion health care reform plan Wednesday night.

WASHINGTON — Declaring that the “time for bickering is over,” President Obama sought to revive the prospects for the passage of far-reaching health-care reform by seizing ownership Wednesday night of an initiative he has largely left in lawmakers’ hands. In a televised address to a joint session of Congress, Obama prodded them to quickly enact comprehensive legislation that would impose strict new insurance protections, expand government health programs for the working poor and begin pilot projects aimed at reducing medical malpractice lawsuits. “The time for games has passed,” the president said of his signature domestic policy issue. “Now is the season for action.” Casting himself squarely in the political center with direct appeals to the middle class, Obama laid out his case for a 10-year, $900 billion plan that would build on the current employer-based health system with new requirements on individuals and businesses to contribute to the costs of coverage. And on the controversial issue of a new government-run insurance option, he maintained his flexibility. “If you come to me with a serious set of proposals, I will be

ONTHERECORD

“I am not at the age to collect Social Security, so I need to keep myself functioning and out there while I’m still able to work.”

—Local resident Sharon Champ on her job search. See story page 3.

See health care on page 6

Men’s Lacrosse: Draft Class Former Duke stars Zack Greer and Ryan McFadyen were picked by NLL teams Wednesday, PAGE 8

Students may now have more say in University policies surrounding financial aid. At Duke Student Government’s meeting Wednesday night, Steve Nowicki, dean and vice provost of undergraduate education, announced the Socioeconomic Diversity Initiative, which aims to garner student opinions on the financial aid system and what it is like to be a Duke student. “We have reaffirmed our commitment to need-blind admissions,” Nowicki said of the initiative. The initiative serves to solicit input from various groups across campus regarding financial aid and campus diversity, Nowicki said. He also discussed the effect the current economic crisis is having on Duke. He told the Senate that despite the financial strain felt at other institutions, Duke has been able to reduce costs without cutting any class sections or programs. Even though Duke has fared relatively well through the recession, Nowicki said the University must be cautious because “we don’t have money to just throw around.” Also of concern regarding University finances is the future of Central Campus. Nowicki said there is a two- to three-year plan to overhaul parts of the campus in addition to a more long-term plan. Among the construction projects planned are a new restaurant and a reconfiguration of Mill Village that will include, among other things, a police substation and an ePrint station. See dSG on page 4

Francesco Larocca/The Chronicle

Steve Nowicki, dean and vice provost of undergraduate education, announces the new Socioeconomic Diversity Initiative at DSG’s meeting Wednesday night.

Learn how to avoid that next bug bite, Page 4

worldandnation

2 | ThUrSDAY, SePTeMBer 10, 2009

The ChroniCle

Today:

7757

Friday:

8361

Iran hands over new nuclear talks proposal

Obama admin. waits to rePanel raises Afghan funding veal environmental policy WashinGTon — a key senate subcommittee on Wednesday trimmed $900 million from the amount requested by the obama administration to support afghan security forces next year, but the $6.6 billion approved in the funding measure will still permit a 20 percent increase over this fiscal year to help train and equip the army and police in afghanistan. Gen. stanley Mcchrystal, the top u.s. commander in afghanistan, has indicated that improving the afghan security forces is central to defeating the Taliban insurgency, providing security for the country’s population and permitting broader reconstruction to take place. Members of the subcommittee said the administration had agreed that the $7.5 billion it originally requested for afghan security forces could not be spent in the 2010 fiscal year. The committee decided instead to increase by $1.2 billion the amount to be spent on all-terrain vehicles used to safeguard troops.

“

If at first you don’t succeed, find out if the loser gets anything. — Bill Lyon

”

WashinGTon — The abrupt resignation saturday of White house “green jobs” adviser Van jones has focused new attention on one of the obama administration’s top priorities: the environment. While jones was criticized as a leftwing zealot, the obama team’s record so far on the environment has been far from radical. The White house’s main effort has been to undo several bush-era policies on climate control, air pollution and the regulation of roadless forests. Those actions, combined with court decisions that have struck down other rules, have given president obama a relatively blank canvas on which to redraw u.s. environmental policy. but the administration has been cautious, leaving key issues in limbo and questions unanswered about the way it would balance environmentalism and the economy.

Vienna, austria — iran handed over a package of proposals for possible talks with world powers over its nuclear program Wednesday, but gave no indication the offer would include discussions to halt its enrichment of uranium as demanded by the united nations security council. in Vienna, the u.s. and its european allies again condemned iran’s nuclear activities, noting that iran has crossed or nearly crossed the threshold for assembling enough fissile material to make one atomic bomb. “This ongoing enrichment activity moves iran closer to a dangerous and destabilizing possible breakout capacity,” Glyn davies, u.s. ambassador to the international atomic energy agency, told a meeting of

the u.n. agencies Governing board. “We have serious concerns that iran is deliberately attempting, at a minimum, to preserve a nuclear weapons option.” Western nations, along with israel, suspect iran is preparing to build nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian energy program, a charge iran vehemently denies. israel remains the Middle east’s sole nuclear power, with an arsenal of roughly 200 warheads. World powers fear a nuclear iran could further unsettle an already volatile region and trigger an arms race. The u.n. security council repeatedly has called on iran to halt sensitive nuclear activity until it clears up questions about the nature of its nuclear enrichment program.

tODAY IN HIStORY 1939: In WWII, Canada declared war on Germany.

ben FreeTh/los anGeles TiMes

Farmer Ben Freeth’s home burns in Chegutu, Zimbabwe.“there was nothing we could do,” Freeth said. His family members made it out, but their dog was killed.the home of his father-in-law burned down three days later.

Look for it Friday...

Announces... Student Incentive Awards in Science Education Up to $1500 The Duke Center for Science Education is offering funds for student projects that focus on science education research, curriculum development, or outreach activities at the K-16 level. Award winners will present a poster describing their project at Visible Thinking Day in April, 2010. Winners will also be eligible to apply for a Student Impact Award ($100) in the Spring in recognition of the impact of their project on the K -16 community. To apply online, go to www.scied.duke.edu. Application Deadline is September 29, 2009

...in The Chronicle

The ChroniCle

ThUrSDAY, SePTeMBer 10, 2009 | 3

acokewiththecoach Free wings and cans of Coca-Cola were aplenty yesterday as head football coach David Cutcliffe invited Duke students to the Great Hall for a film review of Saturday’s loss to the University of Richmond. The half-hour talk gave students the opportunity to listen to Cutcliffe speak about what went right and wrong at the game and how the team will improve. The Chronicle asked attendees their thoughts on the event. —compiled by Toni Wei “we’ve been coming to [games] since last year, and it’s nice to have a chance to go over the game and evaluate where we did well and where we go from here. it helps keep people optimistic.” —Olayinka Akinsuyi, senior “i played football for four years in high school, and even though i don’t play anymore i’m still interested in it. i’m actually surprised i’m coming out to catch films, but i’m disappointed we didn’t do as well as everyone hoped sat-

Van links locals with new career prospects

urday night. i’m hoping the coach can turn the season around, i’d like to see some wins. —Ryan Boone, freshman “it seems great, it’s really nice to be able to get to know Coach Cutcliffe, nice to come out here and see him. Certainly, given a little bit of time, he can do a lot of great things here—he seems to know his stuff, know the game, his team and other teams very well. i’m inspired.” —Daniel Neff, senior Michael naclerio/The chronicle

the joblink Mobile Unit outside Northgate Mall helps jobless locals find new job opportunities. Durham County’s unemployment rate in july was 8.4 percent, lower than the national rate of 9.7 percent in August. by Maggie Love The ChroniCle

libby busdicker/The chronicle

Dozens of students attend a video presentation of Saturday’s football game, hosted by head coach David Cutcliffe, in the Great Hall Wednesday night. Blue Devils lost 24-16 to Richmond last weekend.

sharon Champ left her new York City job of 26 years to be closer to family and take care of her mother, who lives in north Carolina. when Champ retired about two and a half years ago, she expected to be able to find work again after settling in Durham—that wasn’t the case. since she was let go as a cashier at the Blue Coffee Cafe downtown last year, Champ, 58, has been looking for work. Tuesday, Champ’s search brought her to the Durham Joblink Mobile Unit outside northgate Mall. “i am not at the age to collect social security, so i need to keep myself func-

tioning and out there while i’m still able to work,” she said, adding that she is “open to trying something new.” The Durham Joblink van is an extension of the Durham Joblink Career Center, designed to help city residents find jobs ranging from “entry level on up,” said Joblink Manager Tanya spauldinghill. in five to 10 minutes at the van, people looking for jobs can get leads and referrals for positions. northgate is a new location for the job-finding service, whose main site is on Briggs avenue in east Durham. The northgate unit—added to “redirect see JOBlINK on page 5

The Department of Evolutionary Anthropology presents

Dr. Nina Jablonksi Chair and Professor of Anthropology, Penn State University

“Darwin’s Birthday Suit: The Evolution of Human Skin and Hair Color” Friday, September 11, 2009 12:45-1:45pm. Room 111 Biological Sciences.

4 | ThUrSDAY, SePTeMBer 10, 2009

The ChroniCle

Expert advice on bug bite prevention Tired of walking around campus with those unsightly red bumps on your legs and scratching uncontrollably during class? The Chronicle’s Jose lamazares spoke to experts to help you avoid North Carolina’s hungriest insects. The last thing anyone needs is to spend the school year covered in bug bites. some information about the insects on campus and a few preventive tips can help you stay bite-free as the summer comes to an end. The most common threats around campus are mosquitoes and chiggers. Mosquitoes breed anywhere there is standing water such as gutters and puddles. “Mosquitoes need a blood meal in order to lay eggs,” said Jim Clark, h.l. Blomquist professor of environment. Certain species only need a few days

for these eggs to hatch, so after a rainy day, mosquitoes might be found almost anywhere on campus, Clark said. Chiggers are a type of parasite found mostly on rabbits and deer, but have been known to feed on humans as well. Their bite can produce swelling and irritation around the affected area. so who is most likely to be bitten? “There is evidence that suggests that women may be more susceptible than men,” said Fred nijhout, professor of biology.

DSG from page 1 nowicki said that the projects were “motivated by the fact that Central had been ignored.” To conclude his remarks, nowicki announced a commitment by the administration to listen more to student input, especially from first-year students, on University affairs. In other business: after nowicki’s address, sophomore pete schork, vice president for athletics and campus services, reported on last weekend’s Tailgate. schork said overall, Tailgate “went pretty well,” and despite the new regulations adopted for this year, “students seemed to like it.” “There was a decrease in irresponsible

behavior that we observed,” schork said. another positive at Tailgate was attendance, which increased significantly. This increase seems to have translated to inside the stadium, schork said, noting that gameday attendance was 33,011, the highest since a 2001 game against north Carolina state University. although the changes in regulations were well-received, there were some problems implementing them, especially the rule requiring beer to be in solo cups when consumed. The main issue was that there were not enough cups made available, which made the cup rule the “most violated rule,” schork said. Despite such violations, schork said he thinks students were well aware of the new rules. “at least all those that came as groups were aware,” he said.

see BUG BIteS on page 5

Francesco larocca/The chronicle

lIBBY BUSDICkER/tHE CHRONIClE

Pete Schork, VP for athletics and campus services, reports an update on tailgate attendance during DSG’s meeting Wednesday night. last Saturday’s tailgate saw 33,011 students, the highest since 2001.

Stay Connected! Check us out on Stay informed on the happenings in Duke Stores. Find information on upcoming sales, special events, special store hours, news and much more.

Visit www.dukestores.duke.edu and click the link on the left side of the page.

OPERATION: Stores Administration PUBLICATION: Chronicle

the chronicle

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009 | 5

Mexico plane hijacking ends peacefully by Tracy Wilkinson The los angeles times

MEXICO CITY — Men allegedly threatening to blow up an Aeromexico flight from Cancun and demanding to speak to Mexico’s president forced the jet to land at a remote part of the Mexico City airport Wednesday. But all 104 passengers were freed and the would-be hijackers quickly detained. No one was hurt in what turned out to be a brief hijacking and a bloodless rescue. “There was no bomb in the aircraft,” Communications and Transport Minister Juan Molinar Horcasitas said. “All the passengers are safe.” The nationality of the alleged would-

joblink from page 3 some of the traffic” from other JobLink sites was introduced July 20, SpauldingHill said. The unemployment rate for the county of Durham in July, the most recent month for which numbers are available, was 8.4 percent, according to the N.C. Employment Security Commission. The national unemployment rate was 9.7 percent in August. The van is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, according to a City of Durham news release. It had served 538 people and given out 978 referrals as of yesterday, Spaulding-Hill noted. Spaulding-Hill added that people should register online in the JobLink system to expedite the process. Those who wait until they arrive at the Northgate van

be hijackers was not immediately known, although some released passengers described them as Latin Americans. The men had claimed they had explosives strapped to their bodies and demanded to speak to Mexican President Felipe Calderon. Calderon had been planning a flight Wednesday but had not left the presidential residence, his aides said. Passengers, many in shorts and other summer wear, walked off the plane about 45 minutes after it landed and taxied to a remote secure zone of Mexico City’s international airport. Federal police ordered many of the passengers to sit on the tarmac while they took the alleged hijackers into custody. Federal police special forces could be

seen leading at least six men in handcuffs away from the Boeing 737 and placing them in an armored van. Aeromexico Flight 576 was bound for Mexico City from Cancun when the alleged hijackers made their demands known. One passenger, speaking to Mexico’s Televisa television network, said passengers were not aware they were being hijacked and only realized something was wrong when police vehicles circled the plane on the landing strip and no one was allowed to get off for 45 minutes. He said one of the presumed hijackers was a well-dressed Latin American man who appeared calm. Another passenger, Daniel Fernandez, said one of the alleged hijackers carried a Bible.

will have a longer appointment time. Although many people choose to look for work over the Internet, Spaulding-Hill said one of the benefits of using JobLink is that the organization can “actually tell you where the job is.” She said another advantage of JobLink is that it quickly connects people to potential employers. After Champ visited the Northgate unit Tuesday morning, she had an interview with Dream Works, a social service program, set up for today—a turn-around time she said she was not expecting. Champ, who said she graduated from the New York Institute of Technology, has a lot of job experience to lean on in her current search. She said she has worked as a cashier, an assistant teacher and a case worker for senior citizens living alone. And Champ said

she worked for the New York City Department of Social Services, for 26 years—21 of those as a supervisor. Champ said her career “opened [her] eyes to what [she] was capable of doing.” She added that her experiences in the Department of Social Services ranged from going to court before former family court judge Judith Sheindlin—better known as television personality Judge Judy—whom Champ said “is no act”—to being a supervisor when “the crack epidemic was in full swing.” Spaulding-Hill said many professionals and “50-plus” individuals, like Champ, are coming to the Northgate JobLink. TMPadded PRODUCTION She that she remembers when NCROWLEY older people used to return to work kls/jbs/jb to do. because they wanted something Now, she said, they must work due to “economic conditions.”

bug bites from page 4 Mosquitoes are also attracted to body odor, but those who are not malodorous are still susceptible to bites. Natural body odors such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid attract insects as well, Nijhout said. Being outside at night, or in very humid areas increases the risk of being bitten. Chiggers are not as common around campus as mosquitoes, but they attach themselves to the tips of blades of grass to find a host, so grassy areas such as the golf course at the Washington Duke Inn and Golf Club have higher concentrations of these insects, Nijhout said. One way to prevent bug bites is to use insect repellents that are commonly found in convenience stores. Nijhout and Clark specifically recommend bug sprays that contain the chemical DEET. A 2002 study by Duke University Medical Center researchers, however, suggests that DEET may negatively impact the brain. Experiments on rats showed that the rodents experienced brain cell death and behavioral changes after prolonged exposure to the insecticide. But the researchers’ results are still being debated and may require further study to clarify the possible impact on humans, so the repellent should be used with care. If bitten, avoid scratching the area, as that may open the sore and lead to an infection, Nijhout said. Medications such as Cortizone may be applied, but little NY013415B 9/11/2009 else can be done otherwise. Thankfully, 5.625the x 5” insects on campus are not likely to Consulting 3 carry diseases, so ACCTRL0167 a bite usually amounts to nothing more than a few miserable days, Nijhout added.

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6 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009 the chronicle

health care from page 1 there to listen,” he said. “My door is always open.” After being urged by allies in recent weeks to be more assertive, Obama condemned what he called the “partisan spectacle that only hardens the disdain many Americans have toward their own government.” Public support for comprehensive health-care reform has dwindled over the past month as vocal opponents dominated the headlines with talk of socialized medicine and accusations that Obama was embarking on a “risky experiment” with the nation’s medical care. “Out of this blizzard of charges and counter-charges, confusion has reigned,” he said. “I will not waste time with those who have made the calculation that it’s better politics to kill this plan than improve it,” he said. “I will not stand by while the special interests use the same old tactics to keep things exactly the way they are. If you misrepresent what’s in the plan, we will call you out. And I will not accept the status quo as a solution. Not this time. Not now.” After months of leaving the bill-writing to Congress, Obama for the first time spoke of “my plan” to meet the twin goals of controlling medical costs and providing affordable care to every American. At the same time, he declined to put an end to bitter intraparty divisions over the question of a public insurance option for individuals and small businesses that have difficulty buying coverage in the private market. While repeating his belief that the approach provides needed competition for

private companies, he pleaded with his “progressive friends” to remain open to other ideas that could accomplish the same goals. “Its impact shouldn’t be exaggerated—by the left, the right or the media,” he said. “It is only one part of my plan, and should not be used as a handy excuse for the usual Washington ideological battles.” But he pledged: “I will not back down on the basic principle that if Americans can’t find affordable coverage, we will provide you with a choice.” With the nation in the midst of a recession and two wars, many had counseled Obama to delay the battle over health care, an issue that bedeviled so many of his predecessors and proved to be treacherous politics for fellow Democrat Bill Clinton. But he argued that revamping the nation’s $2.3 trillion system is central to long-term economic solvency. Obama used the broad reach of the prime-time address to fight back against what he called “bogus claims,” calling the talk of “death panels” “laughable if it weren’t so cynical and irresponsible. It is a lie, plain and simple.” He also rejected claims that his proposals would increase federal funding for abortion or provide coverage to illegal immigrants. Obama was professorial through much of the speech, giving little evidence of the passion that his aides say drives him on the issue. He was interrupted repeatedly by applause in a chamber dominated by members of his own party. Although he at times reached across the partisan divide—at one point embracing an idea put forth by his presidential rival, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.—Obama warned that he will not tolerate the strategy of “death by delay” articulated by some

GOP strategists. “I will not stand by while the special interests use the same old tactics to keep things exactly the way they are,” he said. “If you misrepresent what’s in the plan, we will call you out.” Hours before the address, Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., announced that he intends to push forward on a measure next week, regardless of whether he has GOP support. “The time has come for action,” he said after a morning session with the panel’s bipartisan “Gang of Six.” “We must get this bill done by the end of the year.” Obama said his plan broadly includes one of the key ideas included in the Baucus blueprint, a proposal to tax insurance companies on plans worth more than $8,000 for an individual and $21,000 for families. Before the August recess, three House panels and the Senate health committee approved bills that would have reached near-universal coverage through mandates and subsidies. Obama said he now supports a requirement that all Americans carry insurance, a provision included in every reform bill. He opposed the so-called individual mandate during his presidential campaign last year, but has said this year that it is necessary to make insurance reform work. Obama plans to convene a Cabinet meeting Thursday, with the focus on health care, and will travel to Minneapolis Saturday for a public rally. His address in the 198-year-old House chamber was reminiscent of a speech Clinton gave 16 years ago to a joint session of Congress in which he implored lawmakers to write a “new chapter in the American story. Let us guarantee every American

comprehensive health benefits that can never be taken away.” Seated with first lady Michelle Obama Wednesday night was a group of Americans who have struggled to keep or afford health care, symbols, the White House said, of the system’s disrepair. Also in the chamber were the relatives of the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., who wrote shortly before his death that universal coverage was “the cause of my life.” During his campaign, Obama made three specific pledges: to require insurance for every child, to reach universal coverage by the end of his first term and to save the typical American family $2,500 in healthcare costs. Since he began the push for health-care reform, Obama has sought three times to reach a broad national television audience during prime time. He convened an East Wing news conference in July and organized an ABC-sponsored health-care town hall meeting in June. The efforts did not head off a barrage of criticism from conservatives nationwide who converged on public forums with lawmakers in August to voice their opposition. Support among Democrats for the president’s health-care goals also slipped even as Obama held his own town hall meetings across the country. Before Obama stepped to the podium, Republicans declared themselves open to “common-sense reforms” but blasted what they expected to hear. “It’s time to start over on a commonsense, bipartisan plan focused on lowering the cost of health care while improving quality,” Rep. Charles Boustany, R-La., said in the Republican response. “Replacing your family’s current health care with government-run health care is not the answer. In fact, it’ll make health care much more expensive.”

Sports

>> FOOTBALL

The chronicle

THURSDAY

September 10, 2009

Head coach David Cutcliffe has named two seniors, quarterback Thaddeus Lewis and cornerback Leon Wright, as Duke’s game captains against Army Saturday.

www.dukechroniclesports.com

VollEYball

Football

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

Duke beats battling Rams New Army coach

shoots for old glory by Harrison Comfort THE CHRONICLE

ADDiSon Corriher/the ChroniCle

Senior Rachael Moss won six straight service points in the fourth set to help Duke to a 3-1 win over Colorado State Wednesday. by Tim Visutipol THE CHRONICLE

Up one set against nonconference foe Colorado State and locked in a competitive fourth set, senior Rachael Moss stepped up to the service line to try to extend Duke’s slim lead. Moss brought the crowd to its feet immediately—she hit three aces, then three more points on serve to break the 1 CSU match DUKE 3 open. Behind Moss’s performance, Duke (6-1) won its home opener, beating a resilient Rams team 3-1 in Cameron Indoor Stadium. “I’m proud of our team for hanging tough to get this win,” head coach Jolene Nagel said. “After coming back to win the third, I was worried they would lose it, but I just told the girls not to waste it.” The Blue Devils were led by strong play from Moss and junior Becci Burling, who totaled 13 kills each throughout the four-set match. Setter Kellie Catanach, who had 43 assists, helped the

team overcome a strong Colorado State net and defensive game. Duke opened strongly and raced to a 6-1 lead to open the game, forcing Colorado State (4-3) to call a timeout. However, as was to be the story of the night, the Rams fought back and eventually tied the score at 10-10. The Blue Devils would hold their ground, though, and Duke wrapped up the first set 25-20. Despite the set win, though, Duke failed to record a single block in the set. The Blue Devils recorded their first and only block early in the second set, but could not build a lead. The Rams chased after every shot, tying the game a total of eight times in the second set. As the set went on, Duke’s play deteriorated, especially in the attack, where the Blue Devils tallied more errors than kills in the set. The Rams went on to take the second, 25-21. In the first set, in contrast, Duke had 15 kills to only three errors. The final two sets saw a very different Duke team, with more

confidence in its play. The Blue Devils’ attack game became stronger, running combinations to penetrate the battling Rams’ defense. After winning the third set 25-21, Duke’s momentum flowed into the fourth and final set. In the fourth, the Blue Devils showed their true game, building a lead they would not relinquish. Moss played her part with six straight service points, including three consecutive service aces. The Blue Devils took this set convincingly, 2513, to earn the victory. “I was angry,” Moss said. “On the serve I just threw the ball up and hit it as hard as I could.” The Blue Devils are gearing up for the Duke Invitational this weekend in Cameron, where one of the teams competing will be two-time defending national champions and current No.1 Penn State. Duke also faces Loyola (Md.) and College of Charleston. Nagel, though, isn’t thinking about Penn State just yet. “We’re just taking it one game at a time,” she said.

In his first game at Wallace Wade Stadium, head coach David Cutcliffe and the Blue Devils pulled off an impressive win over James Madison in what seemed to be the start of a new era for Duke Football. S i m i l a r l y, Army head coach Rich Ellerson led his team to victory in his first game at the helm last weekend against Eastern Michigan, looking to begin Rich Ellerson his own chapter at the United States Military Academy and return the Black Knights to their winning tradition. Ellerson’s hiring initially seemed surprising to most outsiders, as he did not bring any FBS head coaching experience, did not attend a service academy and had never coached at one. But when looking deeper into West Point’s decision to hire Ellerson, it becomes clear that his values and focus on discipline make him the man for the job. “It’s a martial game. This institution is about leadership and developing leaders in character in the United States Army,” Ellerson said. “There are some things about the

West Point culture—duty, honor, country—that set our guys completely apart from their contemporaries and draw them nearer to the game…. We’re trying to tap into that culture, to those experiences and make them translate.” Ellerson has proven himself as a winner in his most recent coaching job. Before coming to Army, he served as head coach at Cal Poly, an FCS school, for eight seasons and finished with a strong 56-34 record, making him the third-winningest coach in school history. Despite not serving in the military himself, Ellerson has strong family ties to the academy and had aspirations of coaching there at some point during his career. He does, after all, employ an offensive strategy that dates back to the school’s great success in the 1940s. “Rich has the experience we need,” Army Superintendent Lt. Gen. Buster L. Hagenbeck said shortly after Ellerson’s hiring in December 2008. “An award- and title-winning head coach who runs the option, Rich also has extensive ties to West Point and the Army. Not only are his father and two brothers members of the Long Gray Line and career Army officers, but his brother John was the captain of the SEE FOOTBALL ON PAGE 8

DenniS hUBBArD/SPeCiAl to the ChroniCle

Quarterback trent Steelman is the first freshman to start under center for the black Knights since 1944, and led army to a victory over Eastern Michigan in the season opener.

8 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009 the chronicle

Football from page 7 1962 team that went 6-4.” For years, all of the service academies have prided themselves on running the triple-option and have done so prolifically. Ellerson, who is considered one of the nation’s best at utilizing this offense, skillfully implemented the system during his time at Cal Poly. In his last season at the helm for the Mustangs, Ellerson’s former team finished the season ranked first nationally in both total offense and scoring offense and third in rushing offense using the vaunted scheme. Ellerson’s knowledge of the triple option offense played a large role in his selection as West Point’s new football boss, Hagenbeck said. The triple option is derived from the option play, where the quarterback takes the snap and runs either left or right while accompanied by another player, typically a running back. If the defense chooses to attempt to tackle the quarterback, he laterally passes the ball to the player trailing him. If the defense chooses to focus on the accompanying player, the quarterback can keep the ball and try to gain yardage. The triple option itself, however, is more complicated than its counterpart because there are more choices for the quarterback. The most basic difference is that there are three players who may run the ball instead of two. This third player is typically another back, who usually presents an inside dive option in addition to the two traditional options. Leading the Black Knight offense is freshman quarterback Trent Steelman, who, along with his coach, pulled off a victory in his first start under center at Army. Traditionally, West Point does not permit players to hold starting positions in their first year at the Academy, but Steelman proved himself during spring practice, becoming the first cadet to start at a quarterback as a freshman since 1944. “Physical toughness and composure—that’s [Steelman’s] ability,” Ellerson said of his starting quarterback. “He’s one of those rare guys who sees maybe a little bit too much. There’s no short circuit for the experience that he’s having, and the fact that he was as poised as he was speaks to his abilities as a player.” Facing another talented dual-threat quarterback, like Richmond’s Eric Ward last week, will prove a challenge for the Blue Devils. It will be even more difficult as the matchup between the two schools will be Army’s home opener. The Black Knights, however, are not taking Duke lightly, even after the Blue Devils suffered a loss against Richmond last Saturday. “Duke suffered an upset, and as such a very well-led team, a gifted team, a very proud team, we expect that they’ll be especially excited to play, and well prepared,” Ellerson said.

fromstaffreports NLL calls on Greer, McFadyen Former Blue Devils Zack Greer and Ryan McFadyen were selected third and 35th in the National Lacrosse League Entry Draft Wednesday. Greer was taken by the Minnesota Swarm in the first round, while McFadyen was taken by the Colorado Mammoth in the fourth round. Greer played this summer for Major League Lacrosse’s Long Island Lizards, amassing 12 goals and two assists during a season where injuries limited him to only five games. His 67 goals in 2007 are the most in a single season in Duke history, and his 206 career goals are the most in NCAA history. Greer played his final college season at Bryant University in Rhode Island under former Duke head coach Mike Pressler. McFadyen led a Duke defense that allowed only 8.43 goals per game this past season, and he picked up 24 ground balls on the year. He started 44 games in his Duke career, picking up a total of 82 ground balls. The NLL season begins January 8. Krzyzewski to be honored by Army Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski will be inducted into the Army Sports Hall of Fame this Friday. Krzyzewski captained Army’s basketball team his senior season and led the Black Knights to the NIT twice in his career. He returned to his alma matter in 1975 as head coach, compiling a 73-59 record in five seasons. Krzyzewski also led Army to the NIT as a coach in 1978, the last time the school made that tournament. “This is the ultimate honor for anyone who played on any West Point team,” Krzyzewski said. “To be in the Army Sports Hall of Fame puts you with some of the greatest people who have played their sport. It is a great honor. I have always said that so much of what I do on a day-to-day basis is a result of my experiences as a cadet, an officer and as a coach at Army.” Krzyzewski joins seven other inductees Friday at a plaque-unveiling ceremony in the Kenna Hall of Army Sports and will later attend the formal black-tie Hall of Fame Induction Banquet in Eisenhower Hall. Krzyzewski will also be recognized before the Duke Football’s contest versus Army at Michie Stadium in West Point. Singler named to FoxSports.com All-America team Junior forward Kyle Singler was named a first-team pre-season All-American by FoxSports.com Wednesday. Singler averaged 16.5 points and 7.7 rebounds a game last season as the Blue Devils earned a 30-7 record, the ACC Tournament championship and a berth in the Sweet 16. Singler had nine double-doubles on the season and scored 20 or more points in 11 games.

Chronicle File Photo

Former Duke attackman Zack Greer, the Blue Devils’ single-season leader in goals scored, was drafted by the NLL’s Minnesota Swarm Wednesday. The forward also became only the sixth player in Duke’s history to amass more than 1,000 career points during his sophomore season, and is the 59th player in Duke’s history to score more than 1,000 points. Singler is from Medford, Ore. Notre Dame center Luke Harangody, Georgia Tech forward Derrick Favors, Kentucky guard John Wall and Oklahoma guard Willie Warren join Singler on the first team. Favors and Wall are both freshman while Warren is a sophomore, leaving Harangody as the only senior on the team. Wall was named pre-season Player of the Year, and Favors Freshman of the Year. -from staff reports

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10 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009 the chronicle commentaries

DUSDAC does it right Students sick of The the situation is that students Loop, Refectory and the are busy, and a sit-down dinGreat Hall now have more ner is often a luxury. choice. Thanks to the work The Merchants on Points of the Duke University program is a realistic soluStudent Dintion to the ing Advisory fast-paced lives editorial Committee, of Duke stuNosh and Mad Hatter’s dents, and it is a welcome alBake Shop have been add- ternative to the monotony of ed as Merchants on Points. campus food. And because DUSDAC should be com- all Duke students living on mended for taking into ac- campus have to buy a meal count student opinion and plan, they should have the adding these high quality ability to spend their food local eateries to the MOP points at a wide variety of program. restaurants. In an ideal world, Duke The two new options students would take the time increase diversity of food every night to sit down to a choice for students, as there relaxing dinner and con- are no comparable options verse with friends—a vision available on points. Nosh articulated in the Campus and Mad Hatter’s both have Culture Initiative Report of many healthy menu items, years past. But the reality of which are unfortunately

“

onlinecomment

It still mystifies me why the the University must be responsible for things that happen off its campus. If a student threw a party in Raleigh, should the University be responsible for that too?

”

—“why?” commenting on the story “Senior runs for Trinity Heights post.” See more at www. dukechronicle.com.

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hard to find in the current Merchants on Points offerings. If students are going to be eating on-the-go, they should still have the opportunity to have a balanced meal. More than that, offering increased choice in food options forces on-campus eateries to offer better options. Several on-campus eateries, most notably the Great Hall and the Marketplace, have increased the quality of their food over the past few years, and it is likely that increased competition from off-campus vendors will drive continued improvement. Bolstering the Merchants on Points program also helps to contribute to Durham’s economy. Off-campus restaurants profit from orders

on points (even after Duke takes its 18 percent cut), and ideally, the Merchants on Points system will tempt students to go eat at these restaurants in person on weekends or when they move off campus senior year. Most importantly, with renovation of the West Union building delayed indefinitely, the small changes that Duke Dining can afford to make will have a big impact. There is no money right now to replace major on-campus vendors, so increasing offcampus options is one of the best, most cost-effective moves that the University can make to increase student choice. Although the addition of these two Merchants on Points is a great thing for

students, from the perspective of a cash-strapped Duke Dining, it is a bit curious why this plan is going forward. Last year, administrators pointed to the Merchants on Points program and other on-campus eateries as the cause of the approximately $2 million Duke Dining deficit. Because of the University’s expensive contract with Bon Appétit, any option that causes a decrease in revenue at Bon Appétit vendors like the Great Hall and the Marketplace puts the University further in the red. For now, though, we applaud DUSDAC for increasing student choice and flexibility, and we hope that high quality vendors will continue to join the program this year.

Race matters

n this age of Obama, I have often heard people express the belief that America has finally become a “post-racial” society. I guess they mean that with the election of the first black president (technically the first bi-racial president), the United States has proven that it has finally transcended its racially stained legacy. But is that dayo oshilaja really true? can’t we all get No one can along? deny that Obama’s election and subsequent inauguration was a significant moment in American history. For blacks, it signaled a hopeful culmination to the centuries-long struggle for equal rights. For others, Obama’s election was a symbol of how powerful and successful groups of people can be when united under one cause. I still believe that the United States remains a country in which race is a salient factor. Fastforward from the jubilant celebrations of Nov. 4, 2008 to July 16, 2009, when Harvard University Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. was arrested in front of his home in Cambridge, Mass. by Sgt. James Crowley. Almost immediately controversy erupted, and many complained that this was a prime example of racial profiling. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, racial profiling is “the discriminatory practice by law enforcement officials of targeting individuals for suspicion of crime based on the individual’s race, ethnicity, religion or national origin.” This disproportionately affects black and Hispanic males. According to an ACLU news release, the Department of Justice in a 2007 report stated that “blacks and Hispanics were roughly three times as likely to be searched during a traffic stop, blacks were twice as likely to be arrested and blacks were nearly four times as likely to experience the threat or use of force during interactions with the police.” So, it is only natural that people automatically assumed that Gates was arrested because he was a black male in a predominantly white neighborhood. On one side of the issue was the black community remembering past abuses suffered at the hands of white police officers, incidents like the brutal beating of Rodney King and the fatal shootings of Amadou Diallo and more recently Sean Bell. The other side fer-

vently denied that race played any role in the arrest. Eventually the charges were dropped, but this is a perfect example of the United States being far from a post-racial society. What is so fascinating about this incident is how quickly people took sides along racial lines. Regardless of your opinion on Gates’ arrest, you can’t deny that it would not have gained such prominence if not for racial tension. Let’s face it—race has always been, is still and will probably always be a salient factor in the United States. And don’t think that these racial incidents only occur in big cities; they can happen right here on campus. It happened last spring to my friend’s boyfriend, an undergraduate at North Carolina State University. He had been a steady guest to our dorm for the past year. One night he was patiently waiting for his girlfriend to let him into the dorm when he followed a white student into the building and casually walked into his girlfriend’s room. I was already in this room when two Duke police officers entered the room. They asked my friend’s boyfriend if he had just arrived. Apparently the girl whom he had followed into the building had notified the police claiming that a black man forced his way into the building. I will admit that the police officers were quite nice about the entire incident; they only checked his ID to verify his identity and then politely asked him to leave. They also cautioned him that in the future he should wait until my friend could let him into the building. After the police officers left, my friends and I stared at each other wondering if we had just experienced our first racial profiling incident. We were shocked, angry and in total disbelief. The problems with these sorts of events are assigning blame. Should we blame the student for automatically believing that the black man behind her had to be a suspicious character when so many of our Duke Alert e-mails cite the suspect as being a black male? (Even though this is true, it does not negate the fact that not all black men are suspects). Can we blame the police for doing their job and responding to the call? These questions are part of the endless debates about race that have permeated our country since the advent of slavery. And if we ever hope to solve racial tension, we must first admit that race matters. Dayo Oshilaja is a Trinity junior. Her column runs every other Thursday.

the chronicle

Small, hot and crowded: job market edition

polar bear swims in open water on Like a frat party with too many guys and a desperate quest for food. Unless too few girls, the job market is competitive. it finds land and food soon, it will Those in competition are willing to do anycertainly die. It finds land, and comes upon thing to win. Padding resumes? Sure, being a colony of walrus. Walrus are bigger than on the organization’s listserv makes me an polar bears’ typical prey, active member. Kissing ass? and they have tusks. Big You don’t want to know how tusks. But times are desfar I am willing to go. perate, so the polar bear Once the resumes are must attack. In a struggle padded and the asses kissed, to abscond with one of the a job is finally in sight. But pups in the colony, a walthe job market is barren, and rus tusk pierces the polar those who look for shelter bear. The bear dies, the are willing to work anywhere jordan rice audience cries. I whisper to survive. real talk to myself “damn you globSelling death bonds? Oh al warming, damn you,” yes sir, I will personally see to as a single tear falls from my eye. it that our human commodity dies as quickI have just recounted to you a most tragic ly as possible to maximize profits. Part-time moment from the movie “Earth,” a nature secretarial work? I’ll take it, at least I will film that takes much of its footage from the have time to work on that novel. Selling asBBC series “Planet Earth.” I would now like sault weapons? You betcha, this gun could to draw your attention to a similarly tragic re-endanger the buffalo before you can say scene from campus job recruiting, a tradi- “well-regulated militia.” tion that has provided Duke students with The clock is ticking, and it is not the work after graduation for years. time to be picky in our job search. We may A student walks into the Bryan Center find ourselves pursuing work in fields that on a desperate quest for a job. Unless he we in better times could have shunned. We finds a job soon, his parents will certainly may, God forgive us, have to pursue a job cut off his credit card. He finds a potential in investment banking or similar fields, like employer, but in an industry that the stu- seal clubbing. Moral dilemmas aside, we dent finds questionable, perhaps for moral may simply have to lower our standards to reasons or simple preference. But times are consider industries outside of our interest, desperate, so the student must apply. He jobs rather than careers or work for which gets an offer, but the offer is a figurative we feel overqualified. walrus tusk that stabs into his conscience. It may upset us, especially when we The student’s morals are compromised and could not help but think that Duke his dreams of his “dream job” are lost. You would launch us to our dream jobs, but whisper to yourself, “damn you economic alas, here we are. We can try to stay true meltdown, damn you,” as a single tear falls to our beliefs and find a job that excites from your eye. us, but that is not necessarily an option Seniors at Duke and around the country in this climate. We can hope that this are under a tremendous amount of pressure environment becomes hospitable again, to find work. To say that the prospect of no but like the polar bear attacking a walincome, no health insurance, a seemingly rus, we cannot always do as we wish in useless degree, loans that aren’t going to desperate times. pay themselves off and an AeroBed in their Well, at least we have our health (until parents’ basement is worrisome would be a we can no longer be covered under our gross understatement. “Xanax-requiring” is parents’ insurance). Damn you 2010 gradua far better adjective to describe the feeling. ation, damn you. This is not what Sarah Peters, tour guide, biology major and intramural tennis player Jordan Rice is a Trinity senior. His column promised us five years ago. runs every other Thursday.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009 | 11

commentaries

Open letter to a straight man

ear YOU, how you rock those Nike limited editions, Yeah, you. Top dog, alpha or your neon wayfarers. That musk of mamale—the very image of masculin- chismo that follows you wherever you go. ity. I’ve moved on. Sure, I might have missed out on a few Times have changed, and you just good men. My girlfriends would tell me, aren’t cutting it anymore. hey, I think we might have You think I haven’t noticed found the perfect guy for that little bit of gut that’s you. But you know how it starting to show? The bald is. What would happen if patch on the crown of your I actually went on a date head, moving outwards with him? What if I wasn’t with each passing day like his type? That’s no fun. You the aftermath of some great see, it’s not so easy being thomas bombing? green—er, gay. You look gebremedhin at a guy and you smile. It’s true; you used to be one fine specimen. He smiles back, but keeps word-by-word The way your golden hair on walking. Or worse, he would bounce in the sun as you projec- might not even smile back at all. tile vomited into the trees at Tailgate, It’s not like I haven’t tried. I’ve been out barely missing me. I saw that look in your to a few clubs in my day, and honestly, it eyes then—how you so kindly made sure feels like you’re at the MOMA and you’re not to hit me with pieces of last night’s the latest exhibit. And, yeah, I’ll admit. I do Cinelli’s. And I loved you for it. it too. His lips are too big, his eyes are too Oh, the things I did for you. I would small, he acts like too much of a girl, he has go to Shooters and wait, wait all night if I no personality. It can feel like you’re getheard even just a whisper that you would be ting dissected, pulled apart like a puzzle, there. Do you know how many Apple Mar- and who wants that. tinis that is, how many I had to drink just With you it’s different. You don’t judge to pass the time? Do you know the looks me. If I’m being honest (and who doesn’t I’d get when I ordered an Apple Martini at like honesty), with you, there’s nothing Shooters? And I did it for you! much to lose. It’s a win-win. You get your But when you did show, man you’d look compliments, and my feelings stay intact. great. And I know you loved it when I told And don’t even try to say I’m insecure. I you so. You might grin, or you might even just know what I want, and what I don’t, laugh, but either way, you could never resist you know? a compliment. You know you’re beautiful, So maybe we can never be more than so why shouldn’t everyone else? I appreciat- friends, but I’m fine with that. Trust me. I’m ed you, and then what? You’d go after one a big boy, I can handle it. But that doesn’t of my friends. Always one of my friends. mean we can’t crack a beer on the quad at What did they have that I didn’t? two in the afternoon. We both like to drink, Other than THAT. Oh, and I guess right? And I mean, we can still rage at TailTHOSE. gate and shower chicks in beer (chicks love So maybe I could have gone after a us for entirely different reasons, of course) more reachable target. My friends certainly because we both like to drink, right? I guess thought so. They’d say, why not go after what I’m trying to say is, we both like to someone who’s gay? What are you afraid drink. You like the attention, and I don’t of? But we both know what they were af- like rejection. It’s symbiosis, man. We both ter. They were after you. They thought I benefit. It’s a part of nature. couldn’t see through their “caring” and So yeah, we can be friends, but nothing their “concern over my mental and emo- else—you hear? I’m just not that into you. tional stability,” but really they were just trying to get me out of the way. I can’t say Thomas Gebremedhin is a Trinity senior. His I really blame them. I mean, just look at column runs every other Thursday.

Pot doesn’t kill Mexican kids

ikram Srinivasan made an impassioned case against marijuana use in his Sept. 3 column, “An inconvenient truth.” He pleaded for us to prevent “another dead Latin American child” by looking within ourselves as a nation and ceasing our rampant and destructive drug use. He, cliff satell and his argument, is wrong guest column for the following reasons. First, he claims smoking weed is unethical because big mean people who bring pot here are violent. But you can’t argue weed is inherently unethical because the current distribution system is unsavory; his point has nothing to do with the “ethics” of marijuana use. Individual use is a choice everyone has the right to make, especially in a country that pretends to allow the pursuit of happiness. As a strong conservative, I’m embarrassed by the hypocrisy of most conservatives when they advocate the government first decide, and then tell us, what is ethical and what isn’t. The government should never be in the business of legislating morality unless another person’s rights are directly threatened. Which brings us to his main point: He claims that “blazing” weed does threaten the rights of poor Mexican kids because of the border violence that exists when sneaking the plant into the United States. Let’s analyze. Some people—especially Mexican-Americans originally—smoke a lot of weed. Some weed is imported. Weed becomes illegal as a way to control a

growing Mexican-American population. Weed producers are forced to operate in an underground and illegal world, becoming “cartels.” They don’t want to go to jail. They fear jail so much they do whatever is necessary to stay out, leading to violence. Poor Mexican kids die; UCLA kids get high. Since demand is literally infinite and will never disappear, the only logical conclusion is to bring the production and distribution of marijuana out from hiding and into the bright light of sanctioned government regulation. Once regulated there would be no need to violently conspire to sneak drugs over because producers would operate like any other legal distribution business. Not only would it add new sources of tax revenue in a time of fiscal crisis, but it would stop the Mexican kids from dying since violence is no longer required. You don’t see gangs of French warlords killing each other trying to sneak Cabernet into America. Why? Because wine isn’t relegated to the dirty world of black markets where lots of bad people kill other people. Closer to home, you don’t see Massachusetts or any of the other dozen or so states that have decriminalized marijuana collapsing from gang activity or cartel warfare. Thirdly, Srinivasan clearly is misinformed. Not all of the weed on campus here, and especially in the Northeast, even comes from Mexico. Some of it is made right here in America’s living rooms and bedroom closets. Another portion of it comes from Canada, where border regulations are less restrictive. And finally, the open secret now is that high-end pot

comes from California’s humongous Emerald Triangle weed industry, comprising three counties. Progressive Californians legalized medicinal marijuana, creating a need for large scale farms to supply state-sanctioned distributaries. Medicinal weed, or “Cali bud” generally, is the bees knees that many consumers crave, not low-end Mexican schwag. Finally, while we’re on ethics, let’s look at the reality. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive alcohol use kills about 79,000 per year (and is legal). Cannabis kills zero (and isn’t). Wait, you’re surprised? Mexican kids die from bullets, not weed. Even non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, like Advil, cause more deaths per year at about 7,600. Don’t cave to the government’s pathetic War on Drugs and its almost-laughable propaganda campaign that began as a racist way to keep out Mexicans from the Southwest in the 1930s. Moreover, weed is a life-enhancer that gives peace, tranquility and yes, happiness to millions of hard-working productive Americans and Duke students. It’s awfully easy to point fingers at the big scary pot plant, ignoring that its legitimate medicinal and recreational use dates back thousands of years. But to say little Mexican babies are murdered every time a joint is rolled is beyond self-gratifying, it’s intellectual dishonesty at its worst. Srinivasan: get the facts and open your mind, and then you’ll learn a really inconvenient truth. Cliff Satell is a Trinity junior.

12 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2009

THE CHRONICLE