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
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2011
ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH YEAR, Issue 105
www.dukechronicle.com
academic council
Sciences lacking in minority and female faculty
Dance the night away
by Lauren Carroll THE CHRONICLE
The Academic Council received the biannual update of the University’s Faculty Diversity Initiative and elected a new chair at its meeting Thursday. In his report to the council, Provost Peter Lange commended the progress made in faculty diversity but added that there is still significant work ahead, particularly in the natural sciences and engineering. “These efforts will continue as long as we believe we may be missing good candidates from a lack of effort to recruit,” Lange said. “Our science department has not been as successful at hiring the people whom [the departments] extend offers to.” The Faculty Diversity Initiative was established in 2003 after the completion of the Black Faculty Strategic Initiative. The present initiative seeks to increase recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority and female faculty members. Although the University has increased the total number of tenured and tenure-track women faculty in the past ten years, women are still considerably underrepresented in several fields. Since 2005, recruitment rates for female faculty in the Nicholas School of the Environment have increased by 11.6 percent. In the Pratt School of Engineering, however, the number of female professors has declined by roughly 4.1 percent in the past five years. Women have the highest representation in the Nursing School, School of Medicine and Arts and Sciences—as of 2010, women make up 85, 36 and 35 percent, respectively. Lange said the overall recruitment rates for black teachers have remained steady in the past 17 years. Since 1993,
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Duke’s rhythm tap dance ensemble, On Tap, presented their Spring Showcase Thursday in Reynolds Industries Theater.
board of trustees
BOT set to approve appeal for Kunshan Trustees to consider tuition increase of 3 to 4 percent for next year by Taylor Doherty THE CHRONICLE
The Board of Trustees will discuss future projects and sources of funding this weekend, including Duke’s China campus. In a strategic planning session, Trustees will consider investments in Duke’s future, including construction projects, academic programs, financial aid and other University priorities. The Board will focus on the Kunshan, China campus, evaluating its costs, its academic programs and the recently announced partnership with Wuhan University, Executive Vice President Tallman Trask said. The Trustees will also discuss increasing undergradu-
ate tuition. Provost Peter Lange estimated the increase in the cost of attendance at Duke will be between 3 and 4 percent. The additional income will help to fund an increase in compensation for many University professors, staff and employees, which will include an increase in salaries and fringe benefits. Trask noted that administrators hope to end a two-year salary freeze, though the Board will not vote on the salary increases until the Board’s May meeting. In addition, the Trustees will discuss plans for a University fundraising campaign. Dates for the public phase of the effort have not been finalized, said Michael Schoenfeld, vice
See academic council on page 8
See bot on page 5
young trustee series: part 1 of 2
Student leaders question integrity of YT election process by Anna Koelsch THE CHRONICLE
tyler seuc/The Chronicle
Current Young Trustees Michelle Sohn, Sunny Kantha and John Harpham answer questions about the position and the direction of the University at a Young Trustee forum Thursday in Old Chemistry Building.
Campus Council discusses housing and dining renovations, Page 3
In addition to completing their applications, recent Young Trustee candidates have made their way onto YouTube, imitated popular movies and posed with Duke basketball players in an attempt to draw in the most votes. Whereas candidates did not campaign for the position before the introduction of the student body election, it has recently become the focus of most candidates’ efforts. Now—after two Young Trustee student body election cycles—many leaders involved in the process have questioned certain components of an open election.
ONTHERECORD
“We’re no longer that little town—we’re the great city of Durham.”
—Mayor Pro-Tem Cora Cole-McFadden. See story at dukechronicle.com
Current Young Trustee John Harpham, Trinity ’10, said the election process puts candidates at a disadvantage because it confuses them about their potential future role. “During an election you are put in a relationship with the student body that is not at all the relationship with the student body you will have as a member of the Board of Trustees,” Harpham said. “The temptation is to present oneself as someone who will advocate for undergraduates.” One of the most significant and timeconsuming types of campaigning that has See YT on page 7
Fitness program a hit among Duke employees, Page 4