January 20, 2011 issue

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, january 20, 2011

ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH YEAR, Issue 79

www.dukechronicle.com

Grad student NCSU 78 robbed near East Campus

young trustee

After debate, 92 DUKE YTNC selects 8 semi-finalists

by Taylor Doherty THE CHRONICLE

by Anna Koelsch THE CHRONICLE

The Young Trustee Nominating Committee selected eight seniors Wednesday night as semi-finalists for the undergraduate position on the Board of Trustees.

Seniors Ben Bergmann, Matthew Davis, Jared Dunnmon, Ben Getson, Clarke Hitch, Brooke Kingsland, Michelle Sohn and Nikhil Taneja were chosen from a pool of 20 applicants, the largest applicant pool in recent history.

The committee will announce the three finalists for Young Trustee Jan. 29 following interviews with the eight candidates. The student body will elect the Young Trustee from that pool Feb. 15.

YTNC Chair Christine Larson, a sophomore, said candidate selection was especially difficult given the quality and quantity of applicants. She described the applicant pool as “really strong.”

Larson added that the quality of this year’s applicant pool for Young Trustee elicited debate among YTNC members about whether there should be more than eight semi-finalists. Duke Student Government bylaws require at least eight semi-finalists, but they do not set a maximum number

James Lee/The Chronicle

Mason Plumlee finished with a team-best 10 rebounds and six blocks in Wednesday’s road victory against N.C. State. The Blue Devil big men combined for 31 points and shot 12-for-17 from the field.

See yt on page 4

A male graduate student was robbed at gunpoint near East yesterday evening but was not injured.

The student was robbed between 7 and 7:30 p.m. near Green and Sedgefield streets, an intersection a block away from East Campus, said Vice President for Student Affairs Larry Moneta. The Durham Police Department responded to the scene first and was joined soon after by the Duke University Police Department.

The perpetrator seized the student’s backpack, which contained a laptop, said DUPD Chief John Dailey. He described the robber as a black male in his 20s wearing a dark hoodie and baggy jeans. DPD will lead the investigation, but DUPD will assist, Dailey noted.

Moneta notified the student body of the incident in an e-mail at 10:09 p.m. and advised students to “take all recommended precautions.”

“Right now, there are more patrols in the area by DPD and DUPD,” Dailey said in an interview at approximately 10:30 p.m. “We’re looking for people of this description. We will continue to search, and now that the e-mail has been sent to the See robbery on page 4

Program to offer duke student government Senate hears judiciary committee proposal cultural, linguistic immersion year

by Anna Koelsch THE CHRONICLE

A pilot program will offer students the chance to divide their time between Durham and a foreign country, blend classroom learning with civic engagement and gain advanced proficiency in a new language—all in the span of one year.

In the 2011-2012 academic year, Duke INtense Global will launch immersive linguistic and cultural programs in Russia and India, each with about five to 10 students. Program representatives are targeting sophomores, but other students are encouraged to apply. Applications are due Jan. 30.

Although students will only spend parts of the year

Following a number of incidents that highlighted the disciplinary limits of the DSG Senate, a new body may change how student groups are investigated and punished.

Senior Andrew Schreiber, Duke Student Government chief of staff, proposed establishing a permanent Senate Judiciary Committee for DSG at Wednesday’s meeting. The committee would be designed to fill the gaps of the Senate, including the ability to investigate and punish groups involved in disputes.

Schreiber said a series of high profile events revealed a need for a body that would discipline and fact find, citing a dispute between DSG and a capella group Speak of the Devil as an example of an incident that could not be completely resolved.

“We didn’t have a way to punish them,” Schreiber said.

“It was bizarre.”

He said last semester’s controversy with Duke College Republicans emphasized the fact that the Senate is not a factfinding body.

See immersion on page 6

See dsg on page 4

by Julia Love THE CHRONICLE

DUSDAC hears updates to dining system, Page 3

Standout senior will return to women’s soccer team, Page 7

rahiel alemu/The Chronicle

Duke Student Government discussed the possibility of a permanent Senate Judiciary Committee at its meeting Wednesday night.

ONTHERECORD

“He was a delightful person with a marvelous sense of humor.”

­—Economics professor Crauford Goodwin on John Blackburn. See story page 3

2 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2011 the chronicle

worldandnation onschedule...

Pratt Recruiting Kick-off Teer 115, 4:30-6p.m.

This event is exclusively for Pratt students. Gain valuable information about conducting your internship search.

on the

Songwriting with Tift Merritt East Duke 201, 4:30-6p.m.

Come for a lecture and demonstration by North Carolina native Tift Merritt. In 2002 her debut album landed on Time’s top 10 list.

4938

FRIDAY:

4522

Networking in the New Year SocSci 136, 5-6p.m.

This workshop will teach you how to effectively brand and market yourself.

web

“College students may value items and activities that build self-esteem—such as good grades or friendly compliments—over sex, according to a recent study by researchers at The Ohio State University. The study, led by professor of communication and psychology Brad Bushman, found that students desire self-esteem building activities over any other pleasant activity asked about.’”

— From The Chronicle News Blog bigblog.chronicleblogs.com

Josh Boak /The Washington Post

An American soldier conducts a census of a village as part of “Operation Godfather”. America and its allies are trying to pacify the tumultuous Helmand province. According to the website icasualties.org, about forty percent of the 499 U.S. combat deaths in Afghanistan last year occurred in Helmand. The operation seeks to isolate villagers from the Taliban and create a strong U.S. presence in the area.

“

TODAY:

Few delights can equal the mere presence of one whom we trust utterly.

— George MacDonald

”

TODAY IN HISTORY

1793: French King Louis XVI sentenced to death

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION INTRODUCTORY CLASS

Stress Management to Enrich Your Life BUILD YOUR BRAIN POWER SEEK HAPPINESS If you are feeling pressured and stressed, or just interested in learning a new skill that can enrich your life, these classes are for you!

There will be 4 sessions for this class, all on Mondays.

Jan 24, 31, Feb 7 and 14 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

They are FREE and open to ALL DUKE STUDENTS Undergraduate, Graduate and Professional Registration is required.

Visit the CAPS website to register and for more information on this and other Mindfulness workshops. http://studentaffairs.duke.edu/caps (Click on WORKSHOPS AND DISCUSSIONS) CAPS - Division of Student Affairs - Duke University

Parade bombing attempt Afghan president delays leads to FBI investigation parliament seating WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FBI is investigating whether racial bias could have played a role in the apparent attempted bombing of a Martin Luther King Day parade route in Spokane, Wash., officials said Wednesday.

Three city employees spotted an unattended black backpack on a bench about an hour before the parade honoring the slain civil rights leader was to start on Monday. When they looked inside and saw wires, they alerted Spokane police, who disarmed a potentially lethal explosive device, officials said.

No one was injured in the incident, which came amid growing concern nationally over what authorities call a wave of homegrown terrorism. But if the bomb had gone off, it could have caused multiple deaths or injuries, officials said.

off the

KABUL — Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday ordered a onemonth delay in the seating of a new parliament that was elected in September, further prolonging the nation’s political turmoil.

Karzai’s decision follows the recommendation of a special court he appointed to investigate electoral fraud.

In a statement, Karzai said the inauguration, which had been planned for this Sunday, will be pushed back to give the court time to continue to investigate.

The decision is significant because it leaves the nation without a critical check on executive power for at least another month; Karzai will effectively rule by decree in the interim. It also raises the possibility that Karzai’s government is looking for ways to change the election’s results, which went against many of his supporters.

wire...

Suicide rate among the army sees a decline

Hitting the Reset Button on Energy Policy: A Proposal for Post-Partisan Power It’s time to make clean energy cheap.

Authors Steve Hayward of the American Enterprise Institute and Ted Nordhaus and Michael Shellenberger of the Breakthrough Institute call for new federal funding approaches to energy research and education.

Massive investment in energy research carried out by private corporations, universities and the military can launch an era of energy innovation.

Information about Breakthrough Institute’s paid summer fellowship program, “Breakthrough Generation,” will be available after the Q&A session.

Tuesday, Jan. 25, 5:30 pm Fleishman Commons, Sanford Building Free and open to the public Part of the Gridlock series of events. www.dukegridlock.blogspot.com Contact: ppscomm@duke.edu (919) 613-7312 www.sanford.duke.edu

EnergyRestart.indd 1

1/13/11 12:40 PM

the chronicle

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2011 | 3

Former admin Committee discusses K-ville food trucks remembered for Uni enhancement dusdac

by Matt Barnett THE CHRONICLE

The Duke University Student Dining Advisory Committee met Wednesday to discuss recent updates and upcoming changes in the dining system.

While DUSDAC members sampled new appetizers and entrees from Plate and Pitchfork, they heard updates from Head Line Monitor John Reynolds and Director of Dining Services Jim Wulforst.

Reynolds, a senior, announced that food trucks have begun making nightly visits to K-ville and will continue to do so until personal checks.

One truck will be in K-ville each night, Tuesday through

sanette tanaka/The Chronicle

Members of the Duke University Student Dining Advisory Committee sample Plate and Pitchfork menu items at their meeting Wednesday.

Saturday, said Reynolds, adding that the trucks—which all accept food points—will arrive late at night.

Although no statistics are yet available, Reynolds noted that OnlyBurger has been most successful so far.

“Every night they’ve been out there, there’s been a line all the way through,” Reynolds said. “They go until they run out of food.”

Wulforst also announced that the cafe in Smith Warehouse, an extension of the Saladelia Cafe, was recently closed. In its place, a “high-tech vending program” will be installed in the near future.

The University is planning to incorporate a new advertising program called Sidewalk that aims to use social networking and communication technology to increase sales during times of typically low demand, Wulforst added. Sidewalk would use text messages or Twitter to alert students of temporary specials and discounts at campus eateries.

“Now we gotta come up with a viral video,” joked Wulforst.

Wulforst also spoke about upcoming projects, confirming that West Union will be renovated “at some point in time” and noting the rapid construction of the Keohane K4 project.

“That’s really an exciting project coming out of the ground,” Wulforst said. “There’s going to be an extraordinary amount of space... some of that will be dedicated to food.”

The committee also discussed new ways to communicate dining suggestions to the student body. Senior Mark Elstein announced plans to write an advice sheet to help students make the most of their meal plans.

Co-chairs Alex Klein and Andrew Schreiber, both seniors, discussed plans to write reviews of off-campus eateries, both those well-known and obscure.

Klein proposed a system that would rate restaurants in terms of how they are suited to specific situations.

Examples suggested by Klein were “best place to go hungover on a Sunday morning” and “best place to go before you go out.”

2011

Wednesday, january 26 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Bryan Center , main level

Questions? Call 919-684-4304

from Staff Reports THE CHRONICLE

Former Duke Provost and Chancellor John Blackburn, Trinity ’51, passed away Jan. 16 at his home in Durham. He was 81.

Blackburn worked to enhance the quality of both the University and the economics department, beginning when he joined the Duke faculty as an assistant professor of economics in 1959, according to a Duke news release.

“It was Blackburn who saw the [economics] department, and then John Blackburn the University, through its demographic transition, and put it on track for ‘excellence,’” Roy Weintraub, professor of economics, said in a Duke news release. “It was quite an accomplishment.”

Blackburn was an important campus figure during the 1969 student protest crisis, when 50 to 75 black students took over the Allen Building and issued several demands relating to black needs and problems and students and Durham police clashed on the Main West Quadrangle. Blackburn was also selected to be provost in 1970 by then-President Terry Sanford.

From 1971-1976, Blackburn also served as chancellor, during which Central Campus was created in response to a lack of student residence space. The addition of Central, at that time, ultimately restructured Duke’s undergraduate tuition finances and promoted a marketing plan, according to the release.

See blackburn on page 6

4 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2011 the chronicle

YT from page 1 and the YTNC “may select as many more as they so choose,” the bylaw states.

“We decided it was in the best interest for the committee and the candidates to choose eight,” Larson said.

Last year, the YTNC only selected seven semi-finalists after they were unable to agree on an eighth applicant.

In an interview with The Chronicle last January, then-YTNC Chair Lauren

Moxley, a junior, said the YTNC could not agree on an eighth applicant who would be qualified enough to be a semifinalist and have a chance at becoming a finalist.

Editor’s note: Michelle Sohn and Nikhil Taneja are former members of The Chronicle’s independent editorial board. They resigned from the board to apply for the Young Trustee position. Matt Davis is serving his second year as the undergraduate student representative on the Duke Student Publishing Company’s Board of Directors.

meettheYTsemifinalists

Ben Bergmann

Ben Getson

Matt Davis

Jared Dunmon

Clarke Hitch

Brooke Kingsland

Michelle Sohn

Nikhil Taneja

dsg from page 1

Robbery from page 1

“We really only had the information that we’re fortunate to have because Justin Robinette [Trinity ’11 and former DCR chair, was] a senator,” Schreiber said.

Establishing a permanent Senate Judiciary Committee would be a way to subpoena student groups and individuals as well as publicize documents and information, Schreiber said. He added that the committee would have the authority to propose remedial legislation following hearings.

He suggested that the committee be led by Executive Vice President Pete Schork, a junior.

“This would be a way to air contentious issues publicly,” Schreiber said. “It would provide the Duke community with a permanent venue for constructive dialogue.”

students we’re hopeful that someone might have seen something around that time in the area and will provide that information to us for us to follow up with.”

When DPD arrived on the scene, police tried to track the robber with DPD’s K9 unit, Dailey said. He added that he is hopeful that the stolen electronic device can be tracked, a method that has been successful recently in instances in which cell phones and other electronics have been stolen.

Dailey noted that there have been relatively few robberies on or near East, which makes identifying and tracking crime trends difficult.

“These seem to be very random acts many months apart,” Dailey said.

A student was most recently held at gunpoint on East in October. A female was held up at approximately 2 a.m.

Oct. 9 near Jarvis Dormitory, but she was able to flee before the perpetrator could take her belongings.

Deb LoBiondo, assistant dean for residence life, reached out to the student after the incident occurred, Moneta said.

“He was shaken up but pleased to have heard from us,” Moneta said. “His comment was that the Durham Police Department was as helpful as they could be. His comments were evidence of feeling supported but obviously shaken up by the experience.”

In other business: Student Organization Finance Committee Chair Max Tabachnik, a senior, delivered his semester report at the meeting. He announced that The Inferno, the official student club of Duke athletics, will no longer require members to pay a fee in order to join. Dues to join The Inferno were $40 this year. The change will become official once SOFC bylaws are changed, said President Mike Lefevre, a senior. Tabachnik said SOFC is willing to put an unspecified amount of money into The Inferno if the membership fee is eliminated.

Sophomore Ji Won Paek was confirmed unanimously as the DSG liasion to multicultural life. Lefevre said her first assignment as liasion will be to meet with all the multicultural groups on campus.

“Duke prides itself by calling itself one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation but it’s not integrated,” Paek said.

“We cannot call ourselves a diverse community [until] we have a long-term solution.”

No German?

No Problem.

dukechronicle.com

Go Berlin!

No prior German required for Fall English-only offered in Summer german.duke.edu/duke-in-berlin

the chronicle

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2011 | 5

Inauguration of Hindu-Buddhist Prayer and Meditation Room Come and celebrate the inauguration of the new Hindu-Buddhist Prayer and Meditation Space

Saturday, January 22 6pm Gothic Reading Room

Open to entire Duke Community Dinner will be served

Anju Bhargava, member of President Obama’s Council on Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, will deliver the keynote address. Ms. Bhargava is also the founder of Hindu American Seva Charities, and the Senior Vice President of Bank of America.

6 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2011 the chronicle

immersion from page 1 abroad, they will be engaged in the cultural and linguistic questions surrounding their country of study at Duke as well, lending their studies greater depth and continuity, the program’s faculty say.

“The goal is not to allow civic engagement and study abroad to acquire the quality of a distant, disconnected dream by the time of graduation but, instead, to foster a sense of interrelatedness between the there and the here, the global and the local,” said Leela Prasad, associate professor of religion and faculty director of the Duke Center for Civic Engagement, who will lead DIG in India. “This experience could provide for a transformative awareness of the world that a student so needs today.”

Professor Edna Andrews, who proposed DIG, said the program is a natural conclusion in Duke’s heightened focus on internationalization.

“This is an outcome of all of the hard work we’ve

been putting in over the years,” said Andrews, who is a professor of linguistics and cultural anthropology. “DIG is the next step. It just fell out of what we already do.”

Administrators will watch DIG closely in its first year and may expand the program to other parts of the world, said Steve Nowicki, dean and vice provost of undergraduate education. A global health program at the University’s upcoming site in Kunshan, China, for example, is under consideration.

“As faculty have learned about this idea, a whole bunch of suggestions about possible Duke INtense Global experiences have started to come forward,” he said.

“These are all in the early discussion phase... but I’m delighted to see that more ideas are emerging.”

Airfare and all other program expenses will be covered by students’ tuition, room and board. The University will pay the difference, at a total cost “in the order of tens of thousands of dollars,” Nowicki said.

“This is what I would call priming the pump. I want to get faculty who are interested and Duke students who

are willing to give it a try,” Nowicki said. “I think that it’s important to invest in experiments. I’m an experimental biologist—if you don’t try experiments, you’ll never figure out anything.”

Students in the Russian program will start the Fall semester at Duke before traveling to Russia for three to four weeks of study at St. Petersburg University in late October or early November. After spending the Spring semester in Durham, students will complete the first summer session in St. Petersburg and participate in DukeEngage.

Andrews thinks the first trip will prime students for their second trip to Russia over the summer for two and a half months, enabling them to make the most of their time in the country.

“A lot of kids would be better off if they had a preview, if they could go when the stakes weren’t so high,” she said. “You can’t overestimate the identity crisis that people have when they go abroad. The protective mechanisms make learning more complicated. Language learning is very tied to psychological state—you have to be in the right place in your own mind.”

Students in the Indian program will begin the Fall semester and conclude the Spring semester at Duke but will study in Hyderabad, India for five months in between. While in India, students will study at the University of Hyderabad and the International Institute of Information Technology-Hyderabad, teach underprivileged children in Hyderabad, study community media projects in central Indian villages and travel throughout the country. Planned excursions include visits to a Gandhi ashram in western India, the Taj Mahal and Corbett National Park—one of the world’s most famous tiger parks. “[The program] gives students the opportunity to understand in-depth and first-hand some of the workings of the world’s largest democracy, which has great challenges and great potential, and indeed great relevance to issues facing the world,” Prasad said. “It is for a student who not only wants to learn immersively about India and its increasing importance in the world, but wants to cultivate a global intelligence and versatility that will together allow him or her to work anywhere in the world.”

Blackburn from page 3 “Blackburn kept tuition and fees below [other] institutions for a period, so that at such later time we were positioned to make major faculty recruitments,” Weintraub said. “While in the meantime our lower tuition meant that our applicant pool was getting larger and larger and larger.”

Blackburn was born Sept. 13, 1929 and graduated from Duke in 1951. He received a Ph.D. from the University of Florida in 1959 and returned to Duke as a faculty member the same year. After Blackburn retired in 1980, he moved to Florida to study energy economics, the release stated.

He returned to Durham in 2005 and completed studies on the practicality and viability of alternative energy for North Carolina in May 2010.

Throughout his life, Blackburn served as treasurer for both the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and his church, according to the (Raleigh) News & Observer. He was also active on the board of the U.S. Foundation for the University of the Valley in Guatemala.

“Jack Blackburn was a loyal and devoted member of the Duke community,” said Craufurd Goodwin, a Duke economics professor. “He was a delightful person with a marvelous sense of humor. Through his work as an applied economist he made us aware of the dangers that we face in our environment.”

qduke.com Make it your homepage.

Recess

volume 13 issue 17 january 20, 2011

BAI BAI BAI.

No Strings Attached takes on the realities of modern romance

CENTER

nate glencer/The chronicle

dp

tift merritt and simone dinnerstein collaborate on “Night�

page 3

decemberists

lit-rockers return with new, folk-leaning album

page 7

blue valentine

Gosling and Williams shine in gritty anti-romance

page 8

recess

theSANDBOX. Tonight on the C-1 the kid next to me pulled out a copy of Green Eggs and Ham

by Dr. Seuss. I have no idea why he not only possessed this book, but happened to be openly reading it on the bus—but that’s beside the point. Naturally I sat there and read the whole thing over his shoulder.

After all, who doesn’t love Green Eggs and Ham? (I will not eat them here or there. I will not eat them anywhere!)

Whenever I am reluctant to try new things, I am reminded of good old SamI-Am. But then I remembered I’m a freshman. I’m all about trying new things. It’s this perpetual state of over-eagerness for Duke—for rush, meeting new people, participating in an excessive amount of clubs, figuring out a major, being on a million listservs, pretending like I’m pre-med/BME/pre-law/pre-business. So what if I still attend all of my Chemistry lectures, get lost on the way to class and

think Shooters is the greatest nightclub ever? I’m not ready to be a cynical, worldweary sophomore just yet.

In the spirit of trying everything Duke has to offer, I decided to tent this semester. And so far, it’s been pretty ridiculous, enough so that almost called it quits.

Then I thought of the little things that happened in Kville this week: singing “Amazing Grace” in hopes of convincing the line monitors to give us the night off; racing through huge inflatables with my drunken, wannabe frat-boy guy friends; almost missing a 4 a.m. tent check because no one in the tent woke up.

Things like this—the Green Eggs and Ham of freshman-ness—have made me laugh, smile and appreciate my existence. I’m glad that Duke has pushed me to try and appreciate new things even when they’re difficult. Only next year will I start responding, “I will not eat them in a box. I will not eat them with a fox.”

—Gracie Lynne

[recesseditors] where we all were (instead of recess): Kevin Lincoln...................................................................................soliciting advice Lisa Du.........................................................................................WaDuke bathroom Jessie Tang.......................................................................................David Lynch brb Andrew O’Rourke.......................................................................LA meeting NatPo Sanette Tanaka...................................................................................snow bunnying Ross Green...................................................................................................deathly ill Nate Glencer..........................................................................choosing his successor Lindsey Rupp..................................................................NOT info-sessions *cough

BACK-TO-SCHOOL

January 20, 2011

[DUKE HORIZONTAL]

Page 2

A

livia’s and I have entered into a committed relationship.

Although the other Main Street bars may be disappointed to learn that I’m no longer on the market, I’m ready to wholeheartedly embrace exclusivity. In the interest of full disclosure, my devotion to Alivia’s did not begin as love at first sight.

Throughout the initial three years of my Duke barhopping experience, Alivia’s seemed like the black sheep of collegiate nightlife, an empty social recluse next to Devines’ obvious popularity. Notably, Alivia’s lacked cheap tallboys, student musical performances, elevated cages and, most importantly, any semblance of a youthful and jovial crowd and required over-age ID. Now, in the twilight of my senior year, I’ve realized that Alivia’s is there for me in ways that Devines can’t match, fulfilling needs that Shooters ignores. Only Alivia’s supplies me with a sense of youthful exuberance beside the aging graduate students. I converse with the friends I know, far away from the freshmen I don’t have time to get to know. At Alivia’s, I post up and I’m the man. I realized I was ready to take things to the next level when the bartender actually left on a dead Wednesday night, leaving my friends inside to entertain ourselves at leisure. And when he upgraded my whiskey coke from house Aristocrat to Jim Bean, I knew things were serious. If loving Alivia’s is wrong, I don’t want to be right.

Appropriately, my recent willingness to take my relationship with a Durham bar to the next level led me to a Tuesday night conversation at Alivia’s about taking actual human relationships to the next level. What

ENHANCED MOBILITY SYSTEMS

SPECIALS

1199

599

Dell Latitude L13 13.3” HD Wide Screen Intel Core 2 Solo SU3500 (1.40 GHz) processor 2 gigabytes RAM | 160 gigabyte hard drive, 5400 rpm Mobile Intel Graphics 4500 MHD Dell 1520 Wireless Ethernet, 802.11n Webcam, 65-watt AC adapter | Windows 7 Professional 32 bit 3.3 pounds, 0.78 inches thin, 6-cell battery 3 year parts & labor warranty

499

$

Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 13.3” Vibrant View Wide Screen Intel Core 2 Duo Processor SU7300 (1.3 GHz) 3 gigabytes RAM | 320 gigabyte SATA hard drive, 7200 rpm Intel 4500MHD integrated graphics Webcam and BlueTooth | Intel 1000 Wireless Ethernet, 802.11n Windows 7 Professional 32 bit 3.6 pounds, 1.0 inches thin, 6-cell battery 3 year parts & labor warranty

Brooke Hartley is a Trinity senior.

HIGH PERFORMANCE SYSTEMS

$

VALUE SYSTEMS

$

key milestones signaled the transition from casualness to seriousness? How do you move your relationship up the progressively growing ladder and keep from sticking to the rung of stagnation?

Unsurprisingly, definitions of “taking it to the next level” varied along gendered lines. For most women (stereotypically), commitment required the gradual mirroring of a married partnership. Parents are introduced, meals are shared with increasing consistency and female grooming supplies are left in male-dominated bathrooms.

When romance and devotion appear to stall, women create a new hurdle of mature behavior for their significant other to jump through. If one were to take away the hoops of weekend trips, thoughtful jewelry selections and shared Netflix accounts, the male partner may grow slack or increasingly unclear about the purpose of the relationship.

In contrast, men define taking things to the next level as anal or a threesome (although generally not in combination). Arguably, this seems like a logical conclusion: Once one tires of the standard places to use a penis, the only option is to discover new locations or add to the selection pool. That being said, if my friends are any indication of the sexually active norm, most men’s vision of relationship progress is quickly quashed. Last time I checked, there weren’t many willing volunteers waiting for the opportunity to participate in an evening of group sex with a couple looking to expand their horizons. And I probably don’t have to elaborate on the qualms against anal. I guess there’s always Craigslist.

Progress is relative. Be careful what you commit to. Post up, chill, be the man—and know it’s going to happen.

1099

$

Dell Latitude E4310

Dell Latitude E6410

13.3” WXGA Wide Screen Intel Core i5 Mobile Processor, i5-520M (2.4 GHz) 3 gigabytes RAM | 250 gigabyte hard drive, 7200 rpm Mobile Intel Graphics 4500 MHD Dell 1520 Wireless Ethernet, 802.11n | DVD Multiburner Webcam, 90-watt AC adapter | Windows 7 Professional 32 bit 3.3 pounds, 1.1 inches thin, 6-cell battery 3 year parts & labor warranty

14.1” WXGA+ Wide Screen Intel Core i5 Mobile Processor, i5-520M (2.4 GHz) 3 gigabytes RAM | 320 gigabyte hard drive, 7200 rpm NVIDIA NVS 3100m, 512 meg video Dell 1520 Wireless Ethernet, 802.11n Webcam, 90-watt AC adapter | Windows 7 Professional 32 bit 5.0 pounds, 1.2 inches thin | 3 year parts & labor warranty

1199

$

999

$

Lenovo ThinkPad X201

Lenovo ThinkPad T410

12.1” WXGA Wide Screen Intel Core i5 Mobile Processor, i5-540M (2.53 GHz) 2 gigabytes RAM | 250 gigabyte SATA hard drive, 5400 rpm Intel HD integrated graphics Intel 6200 Wireless Ethernet, 802.11n Webcam, Bluetooth & Finger Print Reader | 6-cell battery Windows 7 Professional 32 bit 3.18 pounds, 1.3 inches thin | 3 year parts & labor warranty

14.1” WXGA+ Wide Screen Intel Core i5 Mobile Processor, i5-520M (2.4 GHz) 3 gigabytes RAM | 320 gigabyte SATA hard drive, 7200 rpm NVIDIA Quadro NVS3100m graphics, 256 megabytes Intel 6200 Wireless Ethernet, 802.11n | DVD Multiburner Webcam, Bluetooth & Fingerprint Reader | 6-cell battery Windows 7 Professional 32 bit 5.0 pounds, 1.3 inches thin | 3 year parts & labor warranty

OPERATION: Computer Store PUBLICATION: Chronicle

Ground Level, Bryan Center • 684.8956 www.dukestores.duke.edu/cpustore Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 6pm Saturday: 9am - 6pm Department of Duke University Stores®

Price good while supplies last.

Limited quantities available.

No rainchecks.

recess

January 20, 2011

Page 3

Merritt and Dinnerstein combine for Night

by Tong Xiang THE CHRONICLE

On a campus in love with sampled beats and mash-up booty-jams, a classically-trained pianist will perform this weekend with a country-folk singer-songwriter. This Friday and Saturday, songwriter Tift Merritt and pianist Simone Dinnerstein will perform the world premiere of their collaborative work Night.

“The show is going to be about how two very accomplished artists find common ground in work where their sensibilities intersect,” said Director of Duke Performances Aaron Greenwald.

A Raleigh native and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill grad, Merritt debuted with her critically acclaimed Bramble Rose in 2002 and has since released five more albums. On her current tour, she will support Iron and Wine and Josh Ritter.

Dinnerstein first performed at Duke three years ago. A graduate of Juilliard, she debuted in 2005 at Carnegie Hall with a performance of Bach’s Goldberg Variations.

She has since performed with the Dresden Philharmonic and the Atlanta Symphony.

In 2007, she released her first album, topping classical music charts. “[Dinnerstein is] a great pianist and a beautiful player, and she’s got an idiosyncratic sensibility,” Greenwald said. “She’s very precise and she brings a really fresh sensibility to her interpretation of work.”

The pair met when Merritt was asked to interview Dinnerstein for Gramophone magazine. Responding well to each others’ musical tastes, they resolved to do a work together.

“We started thinking it’d be really interesting to do a collaboration, but we couldn’t figure out what that would be,” Dinnerstein said. “[We wanted to] use our

musicianship to create something meaningful to ourselves.”

And then Duke Performances stepped in, sponsoring the cross-genre project.

“Aaron Greenwald really made it happen,” Merritt said. “He’s just such an amazing programmer… and he was absolutely instrumental.”

In addition to three original pieces commissioned by Duke Performances, the repertoire—centered on the theme of “night”—includes such eclectic pieces as a Cat Stevens cover, interpretations of Franz Schubert and solo pieces.

“In one way the collaboration’s very simple and very straightforward, and it’s also complicated, cause you have to know when to get out of the way,” Dinnerstein said. “To [Merritt], the space between the notes, and the silence between the notes, is very important. I can feel like I’m doing something so incredibly simple, but she’ll say that’s perfect and that’s how it should be.

Merritt agreed about the complexity of the project.

“Simone is not used to improvising, and I’m not very well-versed on music on the page,” she said.

Even such, both artists enjoyed working with each other.

“Lucky for me, [Dinnerstein is] a really wonderful person to collaborate with,” Merritt said. “She’s someone who challenges herself and anyone she’s working with.

[She has] a real integrity in wanting things to be as great as they can be.”

The purpose of Duke Performances is well-represented in the collaboration, Greenwald said.

“We work with artists whose work we value; we like them to be pushing bound-

special to The Chronicle

Sponsored by Duke Performances, singer-songwriter Tift Merritt and pianist Simone Dinnerstein will perform a collaborative work called “Night,” which includes interpretations, covers and original material. aries,” he said. “Working on subsidy, it’s our privilege and responsibility to advance forward-thinking work.”

In addition to performing on Friday and Saturday night, Merritt will be giving a lecture today at 4:30 p.m. in the Nelson Music Room, and Dinnerstein will be holding a master class tonight in Baldwin Auditorium at 5 p.m.

And ultimately, the project is building an explorative relationship.

“There’s a lot of new ground and new daring on both our parts,” said Merritt.

“We have a lot of faith in each other.”

Tift Merritt and Simone Dinnerstein will be performing Friday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m. at the Reynolds Industries Theater. Tickets are $38 and $32 general admission, and $5 for Duke students. Tickets are available at the Duke University Box Office or online at www.tickets.duke.edu.

Duke University Department of Music There are still openings in the following classes for Spring 2011: Music 125: Listening to Music: The European/American Tradition TuTh 10:05-11:20 AM, R. Larry Todd An overview of classical music, stretching over centuries of European and American history.

You will learn to distinguish composers from Bach to Duke Ellington, and Mozart and Beethoven to Gershwin. Acquire knowledge about melody, rhythm and harmony, and learn to distinguish different musical styles through the historical contexts in which they arose.

with SPECiAL GUESt GLENN KOtChE OF wiLCO

FRIDAY, JANUARY 28  8PM  REYNOLDS THEATER    GET TICKETS   

919-684-4444  WWW.DUKEPERFORMANCES.ORG

Music 227: Music in Horror Films

W 3:05-5:35 PM, Neil Lerner Horror films often come with powerful musical scores that have brought highly modernist, avant-garde sounds to a much wider audience than typically occurs with concert hall venues.

We will survey significant horror films across the 20th century, from the earliest moments of the genre through to contemporary examples, with careful attention given to the historical development and rhetorical potency of various musical styles and the filtering of concert hall musical languages into the mainstream. Films to be studied will include Nosferatu (1922), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931), Bride of Frankenstein (1935), Cat People (1942), Psycho (1960), The Exorcist (1973), Halloween (1978), and Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992), with readings to come from both film studies and musicology.

There are also still openings in the following ensembles: Music 103: Jazz Ensemble

MW 7:30-9:30 PM, John Brown

Music 104: Jazz Combos

Tu 7:15-9:15, Le Roy Barley

Music 111: Opera Workshop MW 4:25-6:30 PM, Susan Dunn

www.music.duke.edu

Ensemble & Lesson info: music.duke.edu/performances

Daily Specials: Tuesday - $2 Well Drinks & Selected Shots Wednesday - 50 cent Draft Night Thursday - 1/2 Price Liquor House DJ every Friday and Saturday Available for Private Parties Check us out on Facebook at Players Chapel Hill Follow us on Twitter @HOLYGRAIL_PDC 159 1/2 E. Franklin St, Chapel Hill

(919) 929-0101

recess

Page 4

January 20, 2011

FRIENDSHIPHASITSBENEFITS. no strings attached dir. ivan reitman paramount pictures

eeeeE

REVIEW

Emma and Adam’s relationship in No Strings Attached starts with sex and then moves on from there. Sound familiar? Perhaps from last semester? This film knows exactly where you’ve been.

The movie strives to be the romantic comedy for Generation Y. Emma Kurtzman (Natalie Portman) and Adam Franklin (Ashton Kutcher), acquaintances since the two were 14-yearsold at Camp Weehawken, keep running into each other. Emma, an MIT grad, moves to Los Angeles to complete her medical residency, the same city in which Adam is pursuing his career as an aspiring writer.

After a drunken night of trying to have sex with anyone he possibly can, Adam ends up naked on Emma’s couch with no recollection of the night before. After realizing he failed in his mission, Emma explains Adam’s drunken escapades and hands back his pants. But Adam can’t keep them on for more than a few minutes: The two end up having fantastic sex soon after.

It’s so good that the pair decides to keep it up whenever and wherever possible. However, feelings ultimately get in the way, and the two go through a tumultuous battle to fulfill their diverging needs.

The film is modern in more than just its story; it incorporates all of the instant technological connectivity of contemporary romances: iPhones, texting, Facebook, emoticons. No Strings Attached is indicative of younger generations’ penchant for instant gratification, which extends beyond fast food and on-demand media to relationships and sexuality. Despite the somewhat contrived beginning, the narrative of Emma and Adam’s hook-ups will resonate with young adults. Spot-on performances from Portman and Kutcher and by the supporting cast, notably Lake Bell’s hilarious portrayal of Lucy, enhance the film. Director Ivan Reitman clearly hasn’t lost his comedic charm; the acting feels very honest and organic, making the humor that much more funny and engaging.

No Strings Attached is part of a new era of romantic comedies, one that has been tremendously overdue. Although it won’t go down in history as a turning point in the genre, the film is certainly an enjoyable, clever step in its evolution.

—Andrew O’Rourke

IT’SKNOTTY

recess

January 20, 2011

by Andrew O’Rourke THE CHRONICLE

In the words of Emma Kurtzman, modern young adults have “an emotional peanut allergy” to relationships.

No Strings Attached pits the highly allergic Emma (Natalie Portman) against the more vulnerable, sensitive Adam Franklin (Ashton Kutcher) in a battle that involves having lots of sex and trying to avoid any romantic connection whatsoever. It turns out to just be a battle against time.

Executive producer and lead actress Portman, along with director Ivan Reitman and screenwriter Liz Meriwether, have been collaborating on the project for three years, a film which now joins the spate of media about casual sexual partnerships.

“I think it’s sort of the way that relationships come together these days, and I think, in a lot of romantic comedies, it ends with a kiss,” Meriwether said. “I feel like in modern day relationships, and just in my own experience, it starts with a kiss and then it all sort of falls apart.... You’re texting, wondering what’s going on.”

Meriwether, still in her twenties, provided the youthful impetus to the inclusion of not only the modern relationship structure, but also the technologies behind it, working closely with Reitman every day during production, something not often seen on Hollywood sets.

“I was fortunate that Liz Meriwether… was smack in the middle of the technological and generational moment,” Reitman said. “So much of romantic relationships today have to do with when the two people are not in the same room. And whether it’s texting or e-mailing or Facebooking, there’s a kind of distance between the participants, and I think it’s sort of shifted the energy of that first romantic meeting.”

Part of that shift, Kutcher said, is derived from the increased emphasis put on women’s desire for sexual gratification as our society progresses.

“From a purely entertainment point of view, to create a movie with a female lead that is empowered with her own sexuality, I think, is a really, really powerful thing,” Kutcher said. “I think, if we could give teenage people something to think about from a sex perspective, I would say that it would be to start opening up a conversation where women are empowered with their own sexual experiences from an educational level, as well as an entertainment level.”

Kutcher noted, however, that many teenagers may

have difficulty seeing No Strings Attached due to its R rating.

“We made an honest movie, and unfortunately if you make an honest movie today, it’s rated R,” Kutcher said.

Though the picture does have quite a bit of sex, Reitman defended the film as something more significant.

“I think audiences aren’t even particularly interested in [sex],” Reitman said. “I think if people want to see pure sex, they have the Internet, and extraordinary things are available, and that’s really not what we’re interested in portraying.”

Making a film about sex and remaining tastefully un-pornographic is a challenge in and of itself. Reitman described the first and most prolonged sex scene in the film as really being about the relationship between the two characters.

“I didn’t want to do anything particularly romantic and filmic,” he said. “I just really believed in their chemistry…. I thought there was something much more powerful about watching... their facial expressions than trying to go for anything else.... By just sitting on it for a while and letting it go a little longer than is comfortable would sort of give it the power that it deserves.”

Holding the scene was not only awkward for audiences: Portman and Kutcher had to develop a high level of trust in order to portray the sexual chemistry between Emma and Adam as it reads on-screen.

“I just start by apologizing,” Kutcher said. “I think [Sir Laurence Olivier] said something like, ‘I apologize if I get aroused, and I apologize if I do not get aroused.’... You’re there and you’re in the scene and you’re always sorta like, when are they gonna call cut, when are they gonna call cut? How far are we taking this?… And it was sort of technical, too, you know, because Ivan comes back and he’s like, ‘I think you need to orgasm sooner.’”

Portman had similar experiences, and she explained how they dealt with the situation when the cameras weren’t rolling.

“You do sort of go the opposite direction between takes, like, ‘So what are you doing this weekend?’

You know, sort of benign conversation in between to make it a little normal,” she said. “The nice thing was… we did [the first] scene pretty deep into the shoot, so we [were] as comfortable as you could be in that scenario.”

NOSTRINGSATTACHED

For creators, No Strings Attached addresses modern relationships

Page 5

recess

Page 6

smith westerns dye it blonde fat possum

eeeeE

Smith Westerns were sort of interesting two years ago. Blogs were talking about them anyway, with unironic enthusiasm for a group of teenagers making some pretty good singles with “aw, shucks” titles like “Boys are Fine,” “Be My Girl” and “My Heart.”

Then, their debut wasn’t worth more than a couple of listens. New release Dye it Blonde gets it right, without actually changing up the band’s game plan. Maybe it’s the sea of concept hip-hop and depressing postdub that’s been saturating playlists lately, but Dye it Blonde is a breath of fresh air.

This isn’t referring so much to the music itself, but more so to the idea that a group of friends—all 19 or younger at the time of recording—can dole out a pretty solid

distillation of the progression of rock and independent music since the ’60s.

“End of the Night” recalls Neil Young’s rollicking guitar licks, as reinterpreted by Blitzen Trapper. The blissed-out chorus of “Smile” could have just as easily been inspired by the Olivia Tremor Control as the Beatles themselves. And on highlight “All Die Young,” the sound is either more R.E.M. or more Band of Horses, but which it’s hard to tell.

Dye it Blonde is derivative, for sure, but Smith Westerns’ aesthetic somehow comes off as more quintessential than quotidian.

Exuberance and sincerity win the day here.

The title lyric of “Dye the World” ends the album with a starry-eyed creed, one that’s appropriately grounded and befitting of their simple pleasures. This may not be lifechanging music. But it’s more than qualified to soundtrack your years of lustfulness and youth, however many there might be left.

—Brian Contratto

LIVE IN NORTH CAROLINA A FINAL TIME

At DurhAm Performing Arts Center  PresenteD by Duke PerformAnCes

FRI. & SAT., FEB. 4 & 5, 2011  DURHAM PERFORMING ARTS CENTER    GET TICKETS   

919-680-2787  WWW.DUKEPERFORMANCES.ORG

Jostens Ring Days Distinctive. Classic. Lasting.

Thursday, January 20 10am - 4pm The University Store, Bryan Center, West Campus

Sponsored by Duke University Stores®

OPERATION: University Store PUBLICATION: Chronicle

January 20, 2011

recess

January 20, 2011

the decemberists the king is dead rough trade

eeeEE

With 2009’s The Hazards of Love, the Decemberists outdid themselves. The record was a mammoth achievement, a rock opera on par with Pink Floyd’s The Wall and the Who’s Tommy. With its epic scope and sonic experimentation—who knew Colin Meloy had such a knack for heavy metal?—it was their most ambitious effort to date. So when their new release, The King is Dead, consists of 10 mid-tempo folk-rock tracks, it feels like a step backward.

No one can blame them for toning things down a bit after Hazards. But what Meloy and his band of articulate troubadours have given us this time around is essentially Decemberists-lite: a polished collection that lacks the gleeful idiosyncrasies that put them on the map.

Featuring R.E.M.’s Peter Buck and indie folk star Gillian Welch, The King is Dead draws too heavily from its guest artists’ work. Many of the songs are either straight-

Page 7

forward minor-key rock numbers—exemplified by the shameless R.E.M. knockoff “Down by the Water”—or adequate stabs at alt-country. It’s as though Meloy tossed his collection of Victorian poetry and replaced it with the Nashville songbook and a generous helping of steel guitar twang.

This isn’t to say that the record is without its strengths.

Longtime Decemberists fans will relish the accordion on “Rox in the Box,” and as always, keep a dictionary handy when parsing Meloy’s lyrics. (Who else could work the word “dowager” into a song about the apocalypse?) Minimalist folk tunes “January Hymn” and “June Hymn” stand out as particularly gorgeous.

The King is Dead is a good album, but for a band with such an impressive catalog, “good” simply won’t cut it.

In the face of their stellar previous work, this one comes across as watered-down and overproduced, at times veering dangerously close to bland adult contemporary. Let’s hope that on their next release they’ll embrace their ambitious spirit rather than abandon it.

—Josh Stillman

WORLD PREMIERE  night

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JAN. 21 & 22  8PM  REYNOLDS THEATER    GET TICKETS   

919-684-4444  WWW.DUKEPERFORMANCES.ORG

“Summer school is an excellent way to lighten your course load during the year while also having a great time.” (student, summer '09)

Plan Ahead.

Get Ahead!

Registration begins February 21!

Term 1: May 18-June 30 Term 2: July 5-August 14

CAPITAL ONE COMPANY PRESENTATION Date: Thursday, January 20 Time: 5:00 p.m.

Location: Washington Duke Inn We invite all majors to join us for our company presentation.

Learn about Capital One and our full-time Business Analyst and summer Analyst Internship opportunities!

Please submit your resume via Duke eRecruiting by February 1.

Questions? Please contact your recruiter: Anna Reed, at anna.reed@capitalone.com.

www.capitalone.com/careers www.facebook.com/capitalonecampuscareers We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace. We promote a drug-free work environment.

If you require an accommodation to apply for a U.S. employment opportunity, please contact Recruiting at 1-800-304-9102.

Check out the projected course offerings at

summersession.duke.edu summer@duke.edu / 684-2621 Duke_campus_quarterpg.indd 1

1/11/11 6:39 PM

recess

Page 8

blue valentine dir. derek cianfrance the weinstein company

eeeee

At its core, the long-awaited Blue Valentine is a love story.

A portrait of two people, Dean (Ryan Gosling) and Cindy (Michelle Williams), who fall in and out of love, the film can be summed up in the song that Dean serenades Cindy with on their first date: “You always hurt the ones you love.”

The movie has no clear beginning and no clear end.

From the several years of pre-/post-marriage examined, scenes are stitched together like a pastiche of memories in a trajectory with no particular order. This framework can be irritating at times, because it sacrifices any sort of definitive narrative. But Blue Valentine does not hope to impart an epic tale—it is a raw exploration of human emotions and the inevitable struggles that accompany unconditional love.

In terms of acting, Williams and Gosling are near per-

January 20, 2011

fect. But that was expected, given that they both individually spent years doing character studies for their roles. In addition, the two lived in a house together for a month between filming the falling in and falling out of love scenes. The two are archetypes of classic romantic-character tropes: Gosling is the hopeless romantic, Williams the more rational counterpart. Eventually, the lovers feel unfulfilled, and the battle to sustain their marriage is one that will leave viewers with little hope.

The emotional grittiness of the film—which includes a trip to the abortion clinic and a night in a sex motel—is by far its strongest suit. The unfiltered depictions of the nuanced moments in these characters’ lives, whether love or hate, is a treatment left to be desired by many other films nowadays.

Despite such successful portrayals, the prototypical cliches that Dean and Cindy embody weaken the gravity of the plot. Blue Valentine fills in the gaps between the seemingly mundane details of what it means to be in a relationship.

—Jessie Tang

January 21 Mitsuko Uchida, piano 28–29 Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis

February 9–13 Black Watch – National Theatre of Scotland 16 Blues at the Crossroads: The Robert Johnson Centennial Concerts 18 Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz 22–24 Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 28 Nicola Benedetti, violin Showing at UNC’s Memorial Hall.

Visit website for full season offerings.

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis Jan 28–29

Blues at the Crossroads: The Robert Johnson Centennial Concerts Feb 16

awkwardness: an essay adam kotsko zer0 books

89 pages Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Feb 18

www.carolinaperformingarts.org

Order tickets online or at the Box Office, (919) 843-3333 M–F 10am–6pm

Adam Kotsko’s short book hinges on a popular, perfunctory interjection: “Awkward!”

Pervasive across age groups, defining a lucrative brand of aughts humor, awkwardness is, for Kotsko, a defining quality of the present age. Awkwardness investigates the theory of a concept most often left to practice, mining it for a sort of world-making potential.

Kotsko builds his theory of awkwardness out of Heidegger’s writing on boredom. Heidegger conceptualizes boredom as the breakdown of a person’s reaction to social stimuli, thereby isolating the person. Awkwardness is a breakdown of social interaction in the context of protocols which become impossible to uphold. Unlike boredom, awkwardness is not isolating but inherently social. Rather than isolate, it spreads and incorporates its subjects.

Kotsko’s genealogy proves useful and effective in producing an epistemology of awkwardness, and the text is no doubt at home under the label of Zer0 Books (which announces its mission as restoring the public intellectual, and the intellectual to the public). Indeed this is not theory for theory’s sake, but theory which hopes to promote some form of praxis.

It is theory which relies on the pop culture of The Office, the films of Judd Apatow and Curb Your Enthusiasm, opening the text beyond a small academic audience. Although Kotsko’s investigation through pop culture may prove accessible and enjoyable, his theoretical goals seem at odds with his couch and DVD-based research. The first world, Anglo-cultural products which form the basis of Kotsko’s inquiry (Heidegger aside) compromise the intensity and intrigue of Kotsko’s final suggestion for us—to embrace awkwardness in an utopian exercise of alternative worldmaking. Certainly Larry David’s HBO series, and Kotsko’s reading thereof, offer insight into the lunacy of social protocol. But this embrace of awkwardness does not push his radical form far enough.

Whatever imagination this inquiry into awkwardness may be missing, Kotsko provides a theoretical apparatus for a concept lacking one, opening the doors to further probing into a defining characteristic of the contemporary era.

—Andrew Hibbard

Sports

>> ONLINE

The Chronicle

ONLINE

THUSDAY

January 20, 2011

Check out a photo slideshow of Wednesday’s men’s basketball game Relive Duke’s victory over N.C. State by reading our live blog from last night

www.dukechroniclesports.com

Offense still finding its Blue Devils tame Pack way without Irving 92 DUKE

NCSU 78

by Chris Cusack

by Stuart Price

RALEIGH, N.C.—For the first time in the post-Kyrie era, it was all about the post players.

Poor shooting nights by Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler left most of the scoring load on the Plumlees and Ryan Kelly, who proved ready for the challenge. Smith led all scorers with 22 points on 9-for-19 shooting, while Singler overcame an ice-cold start to add 18. The interior trio, however, turned it on for the No. 4 Blue Devils (17-1, 4-1 in the ACC), neutralizing N.C. State’s talented post players and leading Duke to a 92-78 victory on the road Wednesday. Miles Plumlee recorded 11 points and eight rebounds, and his brother Mason added 10 rebounds and six blocks.

“Offensive rebounds are big plays and they take a lot out of the other team,” Mason Plumlee said. “They’re undersized down low, so I just tried to stay big and get my hands on a few balls.”

But the first half was all about defense for the Blue Devils, who held the Wolfpack (11-7, 1-3) to just 21.6 percent shooting in the period. Tracy Smith, N.C. State’s leading scorer entering Wednesday night, was the only player to provide an offensive spark in the opening half, picking up eight points on 3-for-7 shooting. In contrast, the team’s next four top scorers for the season shot an abysmal 1-for-20 from the field, posting a total of nine points.

It’s hard to be dissatisfied with Duke’s offense when it scores 92 points in a road victory against ACC foe N.C. State. Yet, throughout much of Wednesday’s game the Blue Devil offense continued its inconsistent play of late, relying too heavily on 3-point shooting.

Game Entering its matchAnalysis up with the Wolfpack, Duke had averaged 25 attempts from 3-point range over its last three games, converting a lowly 29 percent of those shots. The tides seemed to have finally turned for the Blue Devil snipers when Ryan Kelly nailed a 3-pointer from the right wing 25 seconds into the game, but Duke’s outside shooters soon started drawing iron, notably during a 16-minute drought spanning halftime. Duke, however, managed to finish the game going 7-for-23 from beyond the arc, thanks in large part to Kelly, freshman Tyler Thornton and sophomore Seth Curry, who combined to go 4-for-5.

While Duke again struggled with outside shooting, the Blue Devil forwards fought to extend plays against an undersized N.C. State frontcourt, as they grabbed 18 offensive rebounds.

“If they play good [defense] and get you to miss a shot it doesn’t matter if you’re cleaning up on the boards,” Mason Plumlee said. “We’ve got to

THE CHRONICLE

See M. Basketball on page 8

THE CHRONICLE

JAMES LEE/The Chronicle

Miles Plumlee bounced back from two scoreless games against N.C. State, posting 11 points and eight boards.

make it a habit.”

After the Wolfpack opened the second half on a 9-2 run, Duke’s comfortable halftime lead fell to 44-37. As the offense struggled to convert, the Blue Devils turned to veterans Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler to carry the scoring load. Smith grabbed control of the attack from the point guard position and consistently knifed through the N.C. State defense. Exploiting the Wolfpack’s inconsistency guarding the pickand-roll, Smith shot 5-for-10 in the second half and added four assists.

“I was finding areas that were open and just staying in attack mode,” Smith said.

Even though fellow senior Singler shot a dismal 6-for-18 from the field, Duke benefited from his smooth 3-point stroke to separate itself from the Wolfpack. After sophomore Scott Wood drained a trey that pulled N.C. State within eight with 5:29 remaining in the second half, Singler sunk a deep three off an assist from Mason Plumlee.

“Kyle’s an All-American,” Smith said. “If he’s 0-for-30 in a game, expect him to make big shots when you need him to. He never thinks about the missed shots.”

Despite their improved play in the second half, it is obvious that the Blue Devils continue to search for their offensive identity in the wake of freshman Kyrie Irving’s toe injury. The 92 points scored against the Wolfpack are 6.5 points above Duke’s season average, but the 1:1 assist to turnover ratio (11 assists, 11 turnovers) See analysis on page 8

Lester’s return bodes well for young squad

by Nicholas Schwartz THE CHRONICLE

Though the Blue Devils thought they were losing eight influential seniors after the season came to a close in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament last November, they received a surprise present over the holiday season.

Senior tri-captain Molly Lester, who missed two years of soccer to ACL tears, will return next year as a graduate student in the Fuqua School of Business and use a redshirt year of eligibility.

Lester’s return will bolster an already talented Duke squad and add veteran leadership to a program with title aspirations in 2011.

“Everybody is excited that Molly Lester is returning,” head coach Robbie Church said. “Her personality is great on our team, she works really hard….

It’s another great player that’s going to be a part of our program next year.”

Playing a full season for the first time

in her career, Lester shined as an attacking wing player this past season. After tearing her left ACL for the second time in as many years and missing the entire 2009 campaign, Lester’s stellar senior season marked the completion of a remarkable comeback from injury. Now completely healthy, and with a year of experience in her new position after debuting on defense as a sophomore, Lester hopes to push a developing Blue Devil team over the top in the ACC. While coming back for another year was always in the back of her mind, it was an early-season strike in front of a hometown crowd in Athens, Ga., that signaled her body was finally ready to endure the rigors of college soccer.

In the first game of the season in front of a raucous crowd, Lester’s 13th-minute goal in her first-ever midfield start was the difference as Duke recorded a vital road win. Collecting a cross from Rebecca Allen in the MARGIE TRUWIT/Chronicle FILE PhOTO

See LESTEr on page 8

Senior winger Molly Lester will use a redshirt year and take the field again next season for the Blue Devils.

8 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2011 the chronicle

analysis from page 7

lEStER from page 7

M. BASKETBALL from page 7

shows considerable room for improvement.

“We would like to have around 20 assists a game and single digit turnovers,” Singler said. “That’s a facet of the game that we really need to improve on.”

Although the Blue Devils continue to struggle with their outside shooting, head coach Mike Krzyzewski stressed that his team still has room to grow without Irving.

“They’re learning their role,” Krzyzewski said. “These are games that a lot of teams played in November and December. We come into the ACC with a really good record but this team wasn’t the team that beat good [non-conference] teams. This team wasn’t the team that was in those situations.”

penalty area, Lester coolly finished around goalkeeper Ashley Baker, converting on what was only her second career shot.

“Before that game [I was thinking this was my last season], but that was a pretty monumental game just for me because I finally felt like my old self again,” Lester said. “It was really nice to have a starting spot, it was really nice to be a captain….

I sort of had this new role that I’m not ready to let go of yet.”

Lester provided valuable flexibility for Church all season, as her presence on the wing, along with freshman standout Mollie Pathman, allowed Church to freely switch formations depending on matchups. This versatility was no more important than in the NCAA Tournament, when Duke’s 4-4-2 stifled a high-powered Florida offense just days after the Blue Devils used a more attackminded 4-3-3 to advance past California in the first round with a 2-1 win.

Church has seen two players return to use redshirt years before Lester, and both have had great success. Carly O’Connor tore her ACL in 2002 but returned the following year to lead the Duke defense.

Midfielder Lorraine Quinn came back from a foot injury as a sophomore in 2005 to become one of the most accomplished players in school history.

With another top recruiting class on the way and a talented corps of young players, Church and the Blue Devils are anxious to return to the pitch this fall— and Lester’s veteran presence could be a vital piece of the championship puzzle.

“What you see on game day is what Molly Lester does every day,” Church said. “She sets the bar incredibly high for our team.”

The Wolfpack’s offensive woes were not the result of missed open opportunities, but rather the result of Mason Plumlee and Ryan Kelly on the inside.

The pair combined to block seven shots in the first half and altered the trajectory of every heave made within 15 feet of the hoop.

“Tonight Duke was the best shotblocking team in the country,” N.C. State head coach Sidney Lowe said. “That’s all I’m going to say about it.”

Duke shot 50 percent from the floor in the opening period, and Andre Dawkins put the Wolfpack in a deep hole early in the game by making his first four shots, finishing with 8 points on 4-for-8 shooting. While the Blue Devils held just a 14-point lead at halftime, 42-28, the game did not appear to be even that close.

“I thought we were playing better than the score in the first half,” head coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “We thought we had some really good open looks, even in the last minute, to put us up 16, 18—even 20.”

But the start of the second half could not have been any more different. After Kelly began the scoring with a jumper, N.C. State’s halftime adjustments—running out a large lineup similar to the one Florida State

No. 4 Duke 92, N.C. State 78 N.C. State (11-7) No. 4 Duke (17-1) N.C. State min fg 3-pt ft r a Smith 34 7-15 0-0 5-7 9 2 Wood 31 4-7 4-7 3-3 3 1 Leslie 30 4-11 0-0 5-10 8 2 Gonzalez 6 1-2 0-0 2-2 1 0 Brown 20 0-6 0-1 0-0 0 1 Williams 16 1-3 0-2 0-0 0 0 Howell 24 4-11 0-0 2-2 7 0 Painter 3 0-0 0-0 0-0 2 0 Vandenberg 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 Harrow 34 4-13 1-1 6-6 2 5 TEAM 2 Totals 200 25-68 5-11 23-30 34 11 Blocks — Leslie (2), Wood, Howell FG % — 1st Half: 21.6, 2nd Half: 54.8, Game: 36.8

28 42 to 3 0 1 1 0 1 2 0 0 1

DUKE MIN FG 3-PT FT R A Singler 35 6-18 2-8 4-4 9 2 Kelly 24 4-4 2-2 1-2 8 0 Ma. Plumlee 26 3-6 0-0 1-2 10 2 Dawkins 23 4-8 0-4 0-0 1 0 Smith 39 9-19 1-6 3-4 2 6 Mi. Plumlee 21 4-6 0-0 3-3 8 0 Curry 16 2-4 1-2 3-3 0 0 Thornton 11 1-1 1-1 2-2 2 1 Hairston 5 1-1 0-0 0-2 2 0 TEAM 2 Totals 200 34-67 7-23 17-22 44 11 Blocks — Ma. Plumlee (6), Kelly (2) FG % — 1st Half: 50.0, 2nd Half: 51.4, Game: 50.7

TO 2 2 0 2 3 0 1 0 1

S 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 0

11

4 92

9

50 50 s 0 0 4 0 0 0 3 0 0 0

78 92 pts 19 15 13 4 0 2 10 0 0 15

7 78

PTS 18 11 7 8 22 11 8 5 2

used last week—led to a 9-0 run.

“We actually ran that group in practice; we thought today we’d probably need it,” Lowe said. “I was pleased with that lineup.

Obviously they gave us good energy and got us back in it.”

Nine players saw significant court time for the Blue Devils in an effort to combat the various lineups shown by N.C. State.

Kelly had his most efficient offensive performance of the season, scoring 11 points on 4-for-4 shooting, while Tyler Thornton made the most of his 11 minutes by playing tenacious defense and making a big 3-pointer in the first half.

The Wolfpack never let Duke extend its lead past 16 in the second half, using the athleticism of freshman C.J. Leslie to battle for putbacks around the rim. Leslie, after an 0-for-6 first half, had the game’s most electrifying highlight, splitting two Blue Devil defenders before throwing down a thunderous dunk.

“You’ve got to be impressed with Leslie’s athleticism,” Krzyzewski said. “He’s got pro athletic ability and is a monster on the boards.”

But N.C. State would not get any closer than eight points down the stretch as Singler heated up from 3-point range. Smith added four points in the final 3:25 to seal the victory for the Blue Devils.

At the end of the day, though, the Plumlee brothers and Kelly kept the two stars’ cold shooting night from halting Duke’s momentum.

CLASSIFIEDS TUTORING Duke professor seeks afterschool tutor for teen with ADHD. Skill in math/science needed; French a plus. $25/hour.

Reliable transportation and good driving record required.

E-mail your qualifications and availability for interview to diete001@mc.duke.edu

ANNOUNCEMENTS A LOT OF CARS INC.

250+ Vehicles. Layaway w/$400.

Financing Guaranteed!!!!!!!!!

Most Cars $1000/$1500 down. $275/month. Student/Employee/ Hospital ID $150 discount.

3119 N. Roxboro St. (next to BP gas station). www.alotofcarsnc. com. New location in Roxboro!

Owned by Duke Alumni 919220-7155

CHARMING HOUSE ON LAKE 1950’s style country home on 6 ac lake. 8 min to Duke West! 4BR, 2 BA, new appl., centr. air, sun porch, 2000 SF, on 2 ac, lake privileges, lawn maint & ADT security incl. $1195/ month/ 12 Month Lease. No smokers.

Pets Negotiable. Avail. 2/1/2011. epartp@aol.com or call 919 672 7891

HELP WANTED Bull City Gymnastics has full-time and part-time positions available for energetic, enthusiastic instructors. BCG offers competitive salary rates and flexible schedules. Experience preferred, but not required.

Email amaness@bullcitygymnastics.com or call 919-383-3600 to start your gymnastics career with us!

The Duke Football team is looking for part-time help in the video office for the upcoming 2011 season to videotape practices and assist with other video needs. No exp. necessary.

Must be enrolled at Duke for the 2011 spring & fall semesters.

Benefits include team meals and team issued clothing. Hours 8-11am Monday, Wednesday, Fridays for the spring /Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays for the fall and game days throughout the season. $10/ hour, starts Feb. 1, 2011. Please contact Tom Long at 919-668-5717 or tlong@ duaa.duke.edu.

BARTENDERS ARE IN DEMAND! Earn $20-$35/hr. in a recessionproof job. 1 or 2 week classes & weekend classes. 100% job placement assistance. HAVE FUN! MAKE MONEY! MEET PEOPLE! Ask about our WINTER tuition rates and student discounts. Raleigh’s Bartending School CALL NOW!! 919-6760774, www.cocktailmixer.com.

CHILD CARE Seeking full time nanny for infant mid Feb-June.

Must have reliable transportation and speak English. Call 3091361.

TRAVEL/VACATION BAHAMAS SPRING BREAK

$189 for 5-DAYS or $239 for 7-DAYS. All prices include: Round-trip luxury cruise with food. Accommodations on the island at your choice of thirteen resorts. Appalachia Travel www.

BahamaSun.com 800-867-5018.

APARTMENTS FOR RENT JUST RENOVATED: Gorgeous 2 bedroom apartments and three bedroom duplexes in the newly renovated Sedgefield Park Apartment community near Northpointe shopping, Duke and all! Interiors feature brandnew hardwood floors, fresh paint, all-electric central heat and air-conditioning and ceiling fans. Appliances include dishwasher, washer/dryer and security system. Property features new landscaping, renovated exteriors and plenty of off-street parking. Your pets are welcome with no weight or breed restrictions. Only one-time pet fees of $150 per dog, $75 per cat.

See these and other available properties @ www.BobSchmitzProperties.com, or call 919-4160393 for more information.

MEETINGS Duke in Oxford Info Mtg: Students of all majors are invited to an information meeting for the summer Duke in Oxford program on Thursday, January 20, at 4 pm in Language 211. Financial Aid and scholarships are available. See the Global Education Office for Undergraduates website at global. duke.edu/geo for more details.

Duke in London Drama Mtg: Students of all majors are invited to an information meeting for the summer Duke in London Drama program on Thursday, January 20, at 5 pm in Page 106. Financial Aid and scholarships are available. No prior experience in theater is necessary. See the Global Education Office for Undergraduates website at global.duke.edu/geo for more details.

the chronicle THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2011 | 9

Diversions Shoe Chris Cassatt and Gary Brookins

Dilbert Scott Adams

Doonesbury Garry Trudeau

The Chronicle What we want to immerse ourselves in: sleep: ��������������������������������������������������������������������������weitogo, katie blue cleese chips: ���������������������������������������������������������� doughyrupp sporcle: ������������������������������������������������������������������������������Kandiman good columns: ������������������������������������������������������������������ clee, eliza rush: ���������������������������������������������������������������������dr., clax, levittator chronrage 2.0: �������������������������������������������������trulyfe, maddie, nate google maps: ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ hon nat’l news: ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������alem Barb Starbuck would prefer to stay dry: ���������������������������������� Barb

Ink Pen Phil Dunlap

Student Advertising Manager:..........................................Amber Su Account Executives:.............. Cort Ahl, Phil deGrouchy, Will Geary, Claire Gilhuly, Gini Li, Ina Li, Spencer Li, Christin Martahus, Ben Masselink, Emily Shiau, Mike Sullivan, Kate Zeligson Creative Services Student Manager............................Christine Hall Creative Services:...............................Lauren Bledsoe, Danjie Fang, Caitlin Johnson, Brianna Nofil, Megan Meza Business Assistant:.........................................................Joslyn Dunn

Sudoku

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. (No number is repeated in any column, row or box.)

Can’t Find Nemo?

Put a “Lost” Ad in The Chronicle classifieds. www.dukechronicle.com/classifieds

Answer to puzzle www.sudoku.com

The Independent Daily at Duke University

The Chronicle

10 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2011 the chronicle commentaries

New SLGs deserve a start on Central Next year four new selec- Nexus is described as a distive living groups will join cussion-based group that will Central Campus, adding enable members to express to the vibrancy of Duke’s their ideas in an intellectualmost neglected campus and ly stimulating environment. broadening the options avail- JAM! will focus on creating able to those a positive setinterested in ting that will editorial joining a resiallow residents dential group. to motivate one another to The addition of these make healthy lifestyle choicgroups to Central, reported es. InCube is designed for

by The Chronicle last week, students interested in entrewas authorized by the ad- preneurship. The final new ministration during Winter SLG is currently unnamed, Break. This decision came but it will house students parafter the recommendation ticipating in research. of the student-led Approval The presence of these new Removal Committee, a body groups on campus is a posithat determines the eligibil- tive step in student housing. ity of groups that receive resi- By addressing student interdential space on campus. ests not currently served by The new SLGs appeal to other campus living groups, a variety of student interests these SLGs will allow students through special themes. The to live and work with others

“

onlinecomment

It’s one thing if they make it mandatory for really important messages (imminent safety concerns). However, snow alerts and the like are not urgent enough to impose mandatory texts.

—“LawStudent” commenting on the story “DukeALERT texts now mandatory.”

See more at www.dukechronicle.com.

Letters Policy The Chronicle welcomes submissions in the form of letters to the editor or guest columns. Submissions must include the author’s name, signature, department or class, and for purposes of identification, phone number and local address.

Letters should not exceed 325 words; contact the editorial department for information regarding guest columns.

The Chronicle will not publish anonymous or form letters or letters that are promotional in nature. The Chronicle reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for length, clarity and style and the right to withhold letters based on the discretion of the editorial page editor.

Est. 1905

”

Direct submissions to:

E-mail: chronicleletters@duke.edu Editorial Page Department The Chronicle Box 90858, Durham, NC 27708 Phone: (919) 684-2663 Fax: (919) 684-4696

The Chronicle

Inc. 1993

Lindsey Rupp, Editor Toni Wei, Managing Editor Taylor Doherty, News Editor Andy Moore, Sports Editor Courtney Douglas, Photography Editor eliza french, Editorial Page Editor Will Robinson, Editorial Board Chair Christina Peña, Managing Editor for Online jonathan angier, General Manager DEAN CHEN, Director of Online Operations Matthew Chase, University Editor Samantha Brooks, Local & National Editor Sonia Havele, Health & Science Editor Melissa Yeo, News Photography Editor Kevin Lincoln, Recess Editor Lisa du, Recess Managing Editor Charlie Lee, Editorial Page Managing Editor SAnette Tanaka, Wire Editor kevin lincoln, Towerview Editor Chase Olivieri, Towerview Photography Editor zachary tracer, Special Projects Editor alex beutel, Director of Online Development Jinny Cho, Senior Editor DAn Ahrens, Recruitment Chair Mary weaver, Operations Manager Barbara starbuck, Production Manager

Jeff Scholl, Sports Managing Editor Joanna Lichter, University Editor Ciaran O’Connor, Local & National Editor Tullia Rushton, Health & Science Editor Margie Truwit, Sports Photography Editor Michael Naclerio, Multimedia Editor Nathan Glencer, Recess Photography Editor Drew sternesky, Editorial Page Managing Editor carter Suryadevara, Design Editor Lawson kurtz, Towerview Editor Maya Robinson, Towerview Creative Director hon lung chu, Special Projects Editor for Online cheney tsai, Director of Online Design Julia Love, Senior Editor Jessica Lichter, Recruitment Chair CHRISSY BECK, Advertising/Marketing Director REBECCA DICKENSON, Chapel Hill Ad Sales Manager

The Chronicle is published by the Duke Student Publishing Company, Inc., a non-profit corporation independent of Duke University. The opinions expressed in this newspaper are not necessarily those of Duke University, its students, faculty, staff, administration or trustees. Unsigned editorials represent the majority view of the editorial board. Columns, letters and cartoons represent the views of the authors.

To reach the Editorial Office at 301 Flowers Building, call 684-2663 or fax 684-4696. To reach the Business Office at 103 West Union Building, call 684-3811. To reach the Advertising Office at 101 West Union Building call 684-3811 or fax 684-8295. Visit The Chronicle Online at http://www.dukechronicle.com. © 2010 The Chronicle, Box 90858, Durham, N.C. 27708. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior, written permission of the Business Office. Each individual is entitled to one free copy.

who share the same opinions and goals. This will in turn increase the diversity of the Duke campus by enabling new student groups to create constructive change.

Due to a restriction keeping new SLGs from starting on West Campus, these groups will be placed on Central. Central Campus has long been stigmatized as an undesirable housing location, but in 2009 the administration began placing living groups there. This was a wise decision. Living spaces for greek organizations have also been established on Central. It is the hope of the administration that new living groups will help make Central a more attractive and engaging place to live. This in turn would free

up more space on West for independents, reducing the competition for beds that forced some to live on Central in the first place.

As new groups on Central prove their worth, the ARC should not hesitate to remove misbehaving groups from West and replace them with groups that have shown a better track record.

There is the concern that adding groups to Central will simply transfer the problem of congestion from West Campus Quadrangles to Central Campus apartments. To combat this, the administration has already told the new groups that they will not receive any of the prime real estate on Central Campus, keeping those desired apartments

available for independents.

Furthermore, as the University prepares to transition to the House model at the beginning of the 2012-2013 academic year, all students will be placed in living communities following the end of their freshman year. This should limit the dominance of selective groups on campus, as every student will be a part of a living community. It remains to be seen whether SLGs will become “houses” themselves under the new system.

Regardless of this, the creation of new SLGs should be applauded for the diversity and creativity they add to the University.

Cory Adkins recused himself from this editorial due to his affiliation with the Nexus.

(Bid)day and (bid)night Have y’all heard of sororities? Me too! Well from conversing with her throughout the enit’s just about that time of year, so I know ev- tirety of the recruitment process. This includes, eryone’s ready for their favorite day of cheer- God forbid, introducing her to friends so that more people can actually get to ing, clapping, chanting and hand know one another. And finally, if symbol group photos. Sorority bid day is right around the corner, and that wasn’t a little too superficial outside of the perhaps gratuitous for you, they throw it all into a big computer and out pops the noise that will be echoing from the best damn fam ever!

Great Hall, Page Auditorium and Look, I’m not claiming suthe Main Quad in general, there periority in any sense. I went will also be a good deal of stress, disappointment and self-pity. david rothschild through guys’ rush, and golly I’ve learned there ain’t no way to Now, before everyone starts no one said get to know a person like pumpclamoring away on those comment otherwise ing him through with some Natboards, let me say something to rety and seeing how sweet he is at assure all you ladies. The commentary to be made within the body of this opinion beer pong... but at least we stalk their Facebook piece concerns the process by which the nation- profiles before we cut them! But in all seriousal organizations and National Panhellenic Con- ness, as flawed as the rush process for guys is, at ference dictates recruitment must take place. least there is the opportunity for genuine social It’s not you; it’s the people you have to listen interaction. Pickup basketball games, watching to. Many of my best friends are in sororities, football, and even car rides from “pregame” to and the vast majority of them love their groups, “location of further drinking,” provide opportulove “fams” and their “littles.” For the most nities for genuine social engagement between part, things couldn’t have worked out better for freshmen and upperclassmen, on top of the them. It should also be noted that apparently all meet and greets at parties and wholesale judgment of someone’s “chill bro who likes to get of them have the best damn pledge class ever.

So what’s the big deal? I guess if it works out effed up” factor.

I guess what I’m saying is, I’m confused. a majority of the time, then you can’t complain, but let’s just think conceptually about girls’ rush And from a Jewish, liberal, New York elitist for a second. Six hundred-ish freshmen girls get with a high opinion of his opinions (hence dressed up in their not-quite-best attire (can’t the soapbox we’re currently communicating look too dolled up) in order to traipse across through), that means a lot. But in any case, if campus with their “secret” upperclassmen lead- actual interpersonal connections and interacers, so that they can go through a series of prob- tions are anything like what they tell me they’re ably meaningless three-and-a-half minute con- supposed to be in all those “Gilmore Girls” epiversations with all of the sororities on campus, sodes, and Natalie Portman movies (yes, I actuwho, it just so happens, came back to school ally saw these... Lorelei and whats-her-face, not early so they could decide on the themed outfits so much), then the sorority recruitment proof their group small-talk sessions and practice cess is about as genuine as my interest in Tim “bumping,” or, passing girls along the line once Tebow’s commitment to Jesus Christ. Again, they’ve already been adjudicated. After this, the I’m not saying it doesn’t work, and I’m not sayupperclassmen get together and spend hours on ing it’s anyone’s fault, but take a second and reend slicing and dicing their lists based on such ally, really think about it. As everyone’s favorite vague expressions as “she’s just not a good fit writer Hank Moody once said, “I love women, for the house,” or “I think she’s a bit two-dimen- I have all their albums,” but I feel like there’s sional.” These predominantly empty statements probably a better way. Who knows what the hell are in turn based on the aforementioned brief that may be, and God and Tim Tebow know I conversations. Which mind you, cannot pertain don’t want to be the guy to figure it out, but to boys, money or, the most meaningful part of I just wanted to put it all in perspective. And Duke social life, alcohol, thus becoming com- before you decide you hate everything this colpulsory small talk, while the judgments are sup- umn will ever say, remember, it’s about promotplemented by hearsay of a girls supposed social ing conversation, not pissing off sorority girls. tendencies. If, in the terrible circumstance you Is that wrong? No one said otherwise. actually know a girl on a truly personal level, you are allowed to discuss her apparent “fit” in the David Rothschild is a Trinity junior. His column house at length, however you are totally barred runs every other Thursday.

the chronicle

commentaries

THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2011 | 11

A housing proposal

American politics: fractured, frayed and frustrated This is a column about policy. Policy is inherently fiscal sacrifice, small government and God. broad and inclusive; it is also imperfect. Much of its The “patron saint” of this better America happens imperfection is derived from the political process, to be Ronald Reagan. Speaking at the unveiling of which we all know can be corrupt, selfa statue of Ronald Reagan at the U.S. serving and painfully slow. Last year a Capitol Rotunda, Republican Rep. lot changed on Capitol Hill, and the Gregg Harper of Mississippi said, “His consequences of those changes will play statue will be a constant reminder of out this year. In this column I will seek the hope he gave us as we continue to to project and analyze what I call “the our ‘rendezvous with destiny.’” But what road ahead”: the future of policymakpeople fail to realize, especially those ing in the coming months. on the right, is that Reagan’s America The recent tragedy in Arizona, was hardly the conservative utopia that paul horak the shooting of Rep Sarah Gabrielle it is remembered as. Under Reagan, the road ahead Giffords and slaying of several innotaxes were increased, not cut; governcents, highlights the fractured nature ment got bigger, not smaller; and the of American politics. Even more, it underscores the national debt ballooned—in his eight years as Presifractured psyche of the American people, who con- dent, Reagan never oversaw a balanced budget. These tinue to struggle through the worst recession since the things don’t take away from his presidency—and they Great Depression. People aren’t depressed, they are certainly don’t define it—but they are probably some angry, and this anger is reflected in the House and of the greatest reasons for its success.

Senate, where heated debates between hyper-partisan Democrats believe certain myths, too. Spendpoliticians often become personal and nasty. ing can’t continue forever, especially spending on American politics is frayed. The centrists were all entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Sebut wiped out during the midterm elections last No- curity. Cutting spending and services within those vember, leaving a Congress that is ideologically split programs would hardly be the best answer either; between the opposite ends of the political spectrum. instead, what both programs need is serious scruModerate Democrat Russ Feingold—a senator in Wis- tiny and sustainable reform. Democrats need to consin for 18 years—was ousted by Tea Party-leaning lead the way on these reforms, but that will require Republican Ron Johnson, who has called Social Se- leadership and focus, neither of which has been in curity a “Ponzi scheme.” Similar challengers, not all abundant supply since Barack Obama took office. successful, rocked elections in Nevada, Minnesota and That will have to change.

Delaware. The ideological divide will likely cause this President Obama has bowed to Republican presnext session of Congress to resemble the trench war- sure on the extension of the Bush Era tax cuts, among fare of the First World War: two adversaries unwilling other things. The cuts will, at best, contribute to only to budge, making minimal gains and determined to modest growth—it is well established in the economoutlast their opponents. This sort of political behavior ics literature that tax cuts have a relatively low bang could be fatal to our country’s future. for the buck. Most likely they will simply trade future It is easy enough to say that America will weather growth for growth now. At the very worst, the extenthis storm, simply because it will endure: that one sion of the cuts will lead to a war over spending cuts party will come out on top, fix things and put the that this country is not ready to wage. By increasing worst behind us. But at what cost to our future? That rather than decreasing the national debt, the cuts will which is in front of us is far more important than that make the need to save greater than the need to spend. which is behind us. And that which is behind us—a By casting aside the best means to generate revenue— proud history of hard-earned compromise and coop- half of the equation for reducing the debt—the eration—is mocked by the current state of American government has unnecessarily shifted the debate to politics, which asserts that policymaking is a zero-sum spending. And that could have severe consequences game. It is not. for education, the unemployed and, put frankly, our As frustrating as American politics is, there is still future. America needs fiscal responsibility, not austersome hope for the future. But, in order for it to be ity; a commitment toward education, not negligence; worth believing in, some common myths must be de- and an answer to its jobless—they, like all of us, are bunked. Many of them are held by members of the still waiting.

Republican Party and the followers of the Tea Party Who will answer that call and lead us down the movement, who have both taken an aggressive and ab- long and winding road to national betterment? solutist stance in opposing Democrat legislature and envisioning a “Restored America,” one that they say Paul Horak is a Trinity sophomore. His column runs evwill rediscover what originally made America great— ery other Thursday.

Visit www.chronicleblogs.com. I dare you.

It is a melancholy object to those who walk through this great University when they see the residence halls crowded with independents. The recent proposal to organize them into themed “houses” ignores both the desire of students to jeremy siegel be independents in the first guest column place and the problems of the current housing model.

The hermit-like tendencies of independents, who choose to live either by themselves or in small blocks in order not to have to talk to their neighbors, have long been recognized. In contrast, selective living groups and fraternities have always provided community and social organization for Duke’s student body, who, if they could not attend the parties hosted by these groups, might be forced into other activities or even have to venture into Durham. It is clear then that the secluded nature of independents has become too much of an obstacle to the community building of SLGs and that a solution must be found.

A new housing model would better serve the student body if it completely eliminated independents from West, as well as from campus housing altogether. It will not be hard to find independents other places to live a reasonable 10- or 20-minute walk away from campus. Those who do not wish to walk this distance will be able to live in Chapel Hill and take the Robertson Bus, which is free and runs until midnight on Saturdays. This proposal will obviously require some SLGs to move to Central Campus. However, it has recently been reported that four new SLGs have started to colonize Central, so I think this will not be a problem.

This new arrangement would provide a number of benefits, not the least of which is that it will greatly improve the reputation of this University. With independents being replaced on campus with more fraternities, sororities and SLGs, the cleanliness of campus and the increased concentration of collared shirts and Ugg boots will allow Duke to show its best face to the many visitors who come each year. This will further highlight the best features of these groups just as their many exploits of late have enhanced Duke’s reputation nationally.

No longer housed on campus, independents will neither be bothered by the excessive noise they cannot tolerate, nor will they be forced into social situations they obviously cannot handle. This will also cure a malady of which independents often complain: Although SLGs establish communities for their members, it comes at the expense of a larger Duke community.

Not only will independents benefit from living off campus, but also the experience of the private-member Duke students will be enhanced. They will first of all continue to have a flourishing community while living close to campus, which is their preference unlike independents who usually choose to live on Central. Student input into the administrative workings of the school will be increased, as most of the current flow of student desires is channeled through organized groups. SLGs will no doubt use this further student involvement to build up and strengthen their groups with even more efficacy than they do now.

I am quite sure that some SLGs lately added to West, which have fallen prey to members who join just for the location, will learn to embrace their exclusive status once independents are gone. Additionally, what better way to promote the mixing of our diverse student body than by granting each cultural group its own living space?

Some will argue that even if this proposal is adopted there will still be other problems associated with the current residential life situation at Duke. However, none of these problems can be solved until independents are removed from campus entirely. Therefore let no one talk to me of other problems: the racial and gender segregation of campus, the excessive drinking culture, sexual harassment at parties, Duke’s damaged reputation, openness of student input to all, an impoverished campus community and the sense of entitlement among students that generates housing conflicts in the first place.

During this rare overhaul of residential life, let no one talk of other problems which—having not even been approached—obviously cannot hope to be solved as long as independents live among the residence halls. Residence Life and Housing Services should continue to concern itself with what is most important to the improvement of the University; that is, the comfort of SLGs. I can assure you that I have not the least personal interest in promoting this arrangement, as I myself am a senior and an independent.

Jeremy Siegel is a Trinity senior. This piece was based on Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal.”

12 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2011 the chronicle

with Student Affairs Follow Student Affairs on Twitter:

twitter.com/duke_sa On-Campus Recruiting 101 Learn how to put your best foot forward with recruiters.

01/20, 4-5 pm - Smith Warehouse, Bay 6 South, B177 studentaffairs.duke.edu/career/events

Global Cafe A weekly informal gathering of people from around the world. Free coffee, tea and pastries.

01/21 and every Friday, 9-10 am - International House - Free studentaffairs.duke.edu/ihouse/global-cafe-0

Interviewing Skills Workshop Crucial interviewing skills for landing any internship or job.

01/21, 4-5 pm - Soc/Psych 119 - presented by the Career Center

Fab Friday Enjoy a safe, comfortable, accepting, and non-judgmental social atmosphere. Light snacks provided.

01/21, 4-6 pm - Center for LGBT Life, 2 West Union Bldg

Diversity Networking Dinner Connect with employers seeking to further diversify their organizations.

01/26, 7-9 pm - Bryan Center, Von Canon Rooms REGISTRATION REQUIRED: studentaffairs.duke.edu/career/diversity-dinner

DukeReach Here for you when you need help.

DukeReach directs students, faculty, staff, parents and others to resources available to help a student in need. We’re here for you when you need help. studentaffairs.duke.edu/dukereach

Discount Tix @ The Hub Your Connection to Durham offers opportunities for Duke undergraduate, graduate and professional students to take advantage of Durhamarea attractions at deeply discounted rates. studentaffairs.duke.edu/osaf/hub www.facebook.com/hubduke twitter.com/#!/hubtweets

Duke Dining App If you’re looking for dining locations, hours of operation, menus, nutrition information, and more, you can get it all right on your phone. Use the DukeMobile app, tap Maps, then Places for updated dining information. http://dining.duke.edu for more dining info.

www.studentaffairs.duke.edu | 919-684-3567 www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Duke-University-Student-Affairs/5536709183