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
wednesday, april 6, 2011
ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH YEAR, Issue 128
www.dukechronicle.com
The Cataracs Campus takes shape amid doubts cancel LDOC performance
kunshan update
by Lauren Carroll THE CHRONICLE
As Duke Kunshan University moves forward, concerns about the risks involved with the endeavor continue to surface. Construction on the campus has progressed in recent months, yet the lack of certain details about funding, the campus’ surrounding environment, Chinese local support and the value of expanding globally have caused some to question the plans. Some faculty members are concerned about the magnitude of the anticipated multi-million dollar investment, but many recognize the benefit in establishing a global presence, said Craig Henriquez, Academic Council chair and a biomedical engineering professor. Until more faculty members are aware of the details of the endeavor—such as which professors will teach or research at DKU—many will remain skeptical of the project, he added. “Everyone is trying to get a handle of what the costs are,” Henriquez said. “[Currently], only a handful of faculty are involved, and the rest are wondering if it’s a good investment until they see it in action.” In a document released last month, administrators acknowledged the project’s potential financial risks, such as relying on philanthropic support, holding Kunshan accountable for its financial commitments and dealing with potential fluctuations in
Acclaimed indie-pop duo The Cataracs will not be a part of this year’s Last Day of Classes celebration, LDOC committee cochairs announced Tuesday. Representatives of Indie-Pop Music, the Cataracs’ record label, canceled The Cataracs’ performance to allow the band to attend an awards show April 27. The Cataracs was recently nominated for an award by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers for “Pop Song of the Year,” and the pair plans to attend the gala in Los Angeles, Indie-Pop Music Vice President Carlo Fox wrote in a Tuesday email to The Chronicle. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a major stepping stone in their career as young writers [and] producers,” Fox wrote. “The group would love to reschedule and get a chance to perform for their Duke fans.” Junior Lindsay Tomson, co-chair of the LDOC committee, said the group received an email Friday from Indie-Pop Music regarding the band’s conflict. Students were subsequently notified of the change in an email Tuesday morning. “I’m not sure if we can reschedule with the agency; I think it depends on how our relationship continues with them,” Tomson said in reference to the possibility of a future Cataracs
See kunshan on page 8
See ldoc on page 12
by Sony Rao
THE CHRONICLE
Chronicle Graphic by Addison Corriher and James Lee
Satell takes plea deal for child porn charges by Nicole Kyle THE CHRONICLE
Senior Cliff Satell pleaded guilty to five misdemeanors following a plea bargain in a case stemming from his possession of child pornography. According to court documents, Satell was sentenced to 18 months of supervised probation and a suspended sentence of 90 days in jail. He does not have to register as a sex offender and will serve jail time only at the judge’s discretion if he violates the terms of his probation. Satell was first charged in April 2009 with felonies related to obtaining and possessing material containing images of pre-teen and teen boys engaging in sexual activity. If convicted of Cliff Satell those charges—second and third degree sexual exploitation of a minor—he would have had to register as a sex offender. Instead, Satell was convicted Feb. 9 of five counts of misdemeanor preparation of obscene materials for dissemina-
Junior named Goldwater Scholar, Page 3
tion, which means that Satell intended to distribute the obscene materials. “Given what he was charged with and assuming they could prove what they charged him with, this is a very good deal for him,” said James Coleman, the John S. Bradway professor of law. “He went from... very serious felonies that would require him to register as a sex offender to... misdemeanors that carry very little time in jail, that did not require him to register as a sex offender—that’s huge.” Satell’s lawyer, William Cotter, did not respond to requests for comment. In a telephone interview, Satell declined to comment on his case. A week after pleading guilty, Satell violated the conditions of his probation by testing positive for marijuana. When Satell’s probation officer, Quanda Edwards, searched his home, she found less than half an ounce of marijuana along with six bongs, a marijuana grinder, a smoking humidifier, a scale and drug trafficking See satell on page 12
ONTHERECORD
“The brands that dominate are brands that touch you and connect with you in ways that others don’t.”
—McKinney CEO Brad Brinegar on advertising. See story page 3
Special to the Chronicle
Indie-Pop Music canceled the Cataracs’ LDOC performance so they could attend the ASCAP awards show. They were nominated for “Pop Song of the Year.”
Tweets may reveal political affiliations, Page 4