October 27, 2000

Page 14

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27,

The Chronicle

Established 1905, Incorporated 1993

Better prospects

Recent

administrative proposals to tweak admissions criteria and step up recruitment efforts will help Duke create a brighter student body with even more potential for success. Administrators have first proposed the addition of a component called “intellectual engagement” to existing admissions criteria. This new standard, although somewhat ambiguous, can be an excellent indicator of how students will perform and excel in a university environment. It is one thing to be naturally smart and get good grades, but it is another to truly enjoy learning. A real scholar will work through hard academic problems, create her own ideas and fully digest what she’s already been taught. In the long run, those who come to school to make the grades may falter, but those who come for the love of learning will prosper. These are the leaders of tomorrow—the students that are wanted here at Duke. Along these same lines, this new emphasis leads Duke in the direction of a truly enriching environment. Students often complain about the lack of intellectual discussion around Duke’s campus. This is not necessarily the fault of our present student body, but the addition of students with a flare for “intellectual engagement” can only be positive—these students are more likely do independent research, speak passionately in class and create academic debate of their own. Starting with only 50 to 100 students at a time—the change this policy would have had on the class of 2004—this policy may someday put some of students’ complaints to rest. It is a baby step, but a step in the right direction. Likewise, the committee’s second proposal—to increase recruitment efforts at schools in economically depressed areas—will give rise to an even better student body. It is wrong to say that only students from suburban, private or college prepatory schools are fit for Duke University. But by most vigorously seeking out these applicants as Duke does now, Duke is both lending this statement credence and destroying its chances at reaching out to some of the best students in this country. Intellectualism is not geographically determined, and Duke is not as well known as other universities of its merit—to compensate for this situation, Duke must take the initiative to find and claim these students. This committee—led by William Chafe, dean of the faculty of arts and sciences—will release its formal report this winter; hopefully, these and other innovative policies to improve the student body will be given full consideration by the Board of Trustees, and will be implemented in the coming years.

On the

record

The Nobel Prize is so much a matter of unpredictable factors that what we’re really trying to do is hire people of the

greatest quality.

Provost Peter Lange on hiring faculty without looking ahead to the possibility that they might win a Nobel Prize (see story, page three)

The Chronicle GREG PESSIN, Editor TESSA LYONS, Managing Editor AMBIKA KUMAR, University Editor STEVEN WRIGHT, University Editor MARTIN BARNA, Editorial Page Editor BRODY GREENWALD, Sports Editor JONATHANANGIER, General Manager

NEAL PATEL, Photography Editor JENNIFER ROBINSON, Photography Editor JAMESlIERRIOTT, City & Slate Editor SARAH MCGILL, City & State Editor MARKO DJURANOVIC, Medical CenterEditor ELLEN MIELKE, Features Editor JONAS BLANK, Recess Editor JAIMELEVY, TowerView Editor ROSS MONTANTE, Layout and Design Editor MARY CARMICHAEL, Executive Editor Senior Editor REGAN WOO, HSU, Sports Photography Editor KELLY MATTATWOOD, Wire Editor DAVE INGRAM, Wire Editor CHRISTINE PARKINS, Sr. Assoc. City <6 State Editor TREY DAVIS, Sr. Assoc. City & State Editor CHERAINE STANFORD, Sr. Assoc. Features Editor JAKE HARRINGTON, Sr. Assoc. Layout Editor MEREDITH YOUNG, Sr. Assoc. Med. Or. Editor ANDREA BOOKMAN, Sr. Assoc. Sports Editor NORM BRADLEY, Sr. Assoc. Sports Editor RAY HOLLOMAN, Sr. Assoc. Sports Editor ALAN HALACHMI, Online Manager JEREMY ZARETZKY, Creative Services Manager SUE NEWSOME, Advertising Director ADRIENNE GRANT, Creative Director MARY WEAVER, Operations Manager CATHERINE MARTIN, Production Manager NALINI MILNE, Advertising Office Manager NICOLE HESS, AdvertisingManager STEPHANIE OGIDAN, Advertising 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, workers, 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 (newsroom) at 301 Rowers 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.chronicle.duke.edu. © 2000 The Chronicle, Box 90858, Durham, N.C. 27708. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the pnbr, written permission of the Business Office. Each individual is entitled to one free copy.

2000

Letters to the Editor

Students for Life acted honestly in petition effort itself, The question As a person who helped my mistake, I stated the cor“Should all Duke underrect Whenever asked policy. collect signatures for the students be what current policy was, we graduate “morning-after pill” question, I was deeply disturbed always gave the information required to pay for the by the letter written by we believed to be true. Duke Morning-After Pill out of the Michelle Kalas on Oct. 20. Students for Life apologizes mandatory Student Health First, on the accusation that if anyone feels misinformed. Fee?” was written in large In response to Kalas’ bold letters so there could be Duke Students for Life was inconsistent about telling other accusations, I was no doubt on what it said. It students whether the mornespecially bothered by her is not explicitly pro-life or ing-after pill is covered by statement that we were dis- pro-choice. In fact, I take the student health fee, I honest and manipulative that back; it is pro-choice. It unfortunately must plead about the purpose of the states whether or not a stuguilty. Historically, the petitions. I am very proud to dent can choose to pay for morning-after pill was say that I am pro-life, and the morning-after pill. If financed through the stuwhen potential signatories students want part of their dent health fee, and even of the petition asked me student health fee to pay for before the initiation of petiabout my views, I was not the morning-after pill, then tions, we researched what afraid to state them openly. they can vote toward that current policy was and were However, if someone asked end. However, for those who have a moral problem with ourselves misinformed that me if the intent of the petiit financing abortions, they had not changed. tion was pro-life or proHowever, on the final day of choice, I always gave the can also cast a vote. collecting signatures, we same answer: “Neither. All Regardless of current policy, were informed by Jean signing the petition means that is what Duke Students Hanson, assistant director is that you want to vote on for Life was working toward: of student health, that the the issue.” Everyone who giving students a choice. policy was changed in signed the petition was allowed to read it, and it Michael McKoy August and that the morning-after pill was no longer expressly stated that signTrinity ’O2 The writer is chief marketing ing the petition only meant covered. When collecting signatures after learning about that you supported a vote. officer of Duke Students for Life. for referenced column, see http://www.chronicle.duke.edu/chronicle/2000/10/20/10Prolife.html

Voting for Nader will put Bush in the White House greed. However, college-age voters who have flocked to the Green Party in increasing numbers must realize that a vote for Nader only brings our nation closer to a deciding for whom to vote, Bush administration, one each student think seriously that wouldn’t hesitate to about the long-term effect of appoint a frighteningly that vote. For those who care right-wing Supreme Court. about forging a more fair, just It is easy to get caught up in and progressively-inclined Nader’s talk of the two parAmerican society, careful conties being virtually identical sideration should lead to a in their corporate dependenvote for Vice President A1 cy. But Nader is dead wrong Gore, not Ralph Nader. in stating that Gore and All Americans owe Nader Govemor Bush don’t differ: a great debt for being a stal- A look at their opposing wart voice against corporate views on gun control, aborAs young, potential voters in what promises to be the closest presidential election in 40 years, college students are in an extremely influential position. It is vital that before

tion, gay rights, campaign finance reform and health care, for example, shows how incorrect Nader’s assertion is. By continuing to run, is Nader saying that he is willing to put at grave risk the continued protection of Americans basic rights and freedoms to the whims of a Scalia and Thomas-led Supreme Court? Considering what a wonderful record Nader has built over the years, I am afraid to hear the answer to that question. Mike Alpern Trinity ’OO

Chronicle paints inaccurate portrait of pig hygiene I would like to take “putrid” signifies rotting or would have convinced him offense at the juvenile jour- decaying and there was no to make a different choice of nalism for the sake of an sign of that on the animal, words, perhaps “porker awful attempt at allitera- It makes me suspect that pregnant with pulchritude?” tion in a photograph’s cap- your reporter did not shell tion on the cover page of the out his $0.50 required for Ramesh Sreekantan Oct. 3 issue of The the viewing—for a glimpse Assistant Professor, Chronicle. The word of that magnificent beast Department of Mathematics for referenced column, see http:llwww.chronicle.duke.edu chronicle 2000 10 23 OlWhosthe_pol.html /

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Announcement Columnist applications for the spring semester will be available outside of 301 Flowers Building, late next week. E-mail mfbs@duke.edu with any questions.

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.

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


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