The Chronicle
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FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2017 | 13
Junior Year: 2015-16 Staff Reports The Chronicle
Junior year was characterized by the completion of major construction projects, student activism sparking campus-wide discussions and a bowl win for Duke football. Devil’s Krafthouse—the first vendor of the newlyrenovated West Union—opened after more than two and a half years of construction, and the entire West Union is expected to be fully operational in July. A renovated Marketplace, Rubenstein Library and Page Auditorium reopened at the beginning of the year. The University also announced that construction of a new East Campus dorm, replacing Aycock, Jarvis Han Kang | The Chronicle and East House, would begin in August. The Chapel was closed for renovations during the Students pitched tents in front of the Allen Building in response to alleged instances of discrimination in the Parking and 2015-16 academic year, but reopened May 11 after a Transportation Services department. $19.2 million project to restore the Chapel’s stained glass windows, replace the roof and improve the electrical system. A $25 million gift from David Rubenstein, Trinity ‘70 and chair of the Board of Trustees, will help fund the construction of a new $50-million, 71,000-square foot Arts Center at Duke. Construction continues on the new Student Health and Wellness Center. The main quadrangle was renamed Abele Quadrangle in recognition of Julian Abele, the black architect of Duke’s original campus. The renaming occurred after students presented administrators with demands in two community forums addressing racial issues on campus. The forums followed the defacement of a Black Lives Matter flyer and a death threat and homophobic slur made against a Duke student. Student protestors staged a week-long sit-in of the Allen Building to protest alleged discriminatory conditions in the Parking and Transportation Services department. Additional protestors pitched tents outside the building in support for about a month. Students have also protested the Women’s Center’s impending move to East Campus from its current location near the West Campus bus stop. In addition, non-regular rank, non-tenure track faculty filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board and unionized this year. The union plans to begin negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement with administrators in the Fall. Several incoming freshman refused to read the summer reading book “Fun Home” by Alison Bechdel, saying that some of the graphic images conflicted with their religious beliefs. This year also marks one of the last of President Richard Brodhead’s tenure. Brodhead announced that he will retire at the end of the 2016-17 year after serving 13 years as president. The University has seen significant administrative change in other departments as well. Valerie Ashby—dean of the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences—and Dr. A. Eugene Washington— president and CEO of Duke University Health System—completed their first years in their positions. This year has also been characterized by continued academic engagement from the University and further efforts to enhance students’ potential. Paul Modrich—James B. Duke professor of biochemistry—was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, making him the second Duke professor to win a Nobel Prize. Robert Lefkowitz, James B. Duke professor of medicine, won in 2012. Vice President Joe Biden met with Modrich and other Duke cancer researchers when he visited campus in February as part of his cancer moonshot initiative, which aims to accelerate the search towards a cure for cancer. Biden also held a roundtable discussion with scientists and physicians to discuss cancer research efforts. The University launched the Washington Duke Scholars program to provide first-generation students with enhanced financial aid packages and other resources. The incoming Class of 2020 will include the first Washington Duke Scholars. In its second year, Duke Kunshan University began planning for long-term development—including the expansion of the undergraduate program—and saw the completion of five campus buildings, with work underway on a sixth. The football team ended the season on a high See JUNIOR on Page 21