The Chronicle
Thursday, September 26,2002
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Rain High 75, Low 65 www.chronicle.duke.edu Vol. 98, No. 26
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I Foresee... .a centerspread about
paranormal activity. Look inside for an indepth investigation. See RECESS
THE INDEPENDENT DAILY AT DUKE UNIVERSITY
Keohane speaks to DSG, GPSC The president of the University addressed Duke’s recent successes in diversity and national rankings, while maintaining that it could improve some of its programs By KIRA ROSOFF The Chronicle
JANE HETHERINGTON/THE CHRONICLE
KYLE MCLAUGHLIN AND JESSICA ROSARIO kiss at the “Kiss-In Lunch on the Quad” event Wednesday.
Quad Kiss-In
called success By CINDY YEE The Chronicle
Despite initial apprehensions that the two-hour “Kiss-In Lunch on the Quad” might draw negative attention from passersby, Wednesday’s Coming Out Week event proceeded without a hitch. Although the Kiss-In featured a limited amount of public affection—only one couple kissed and another held hands—Coming Out Week Chair Jessica Rosario termed the event a success. “All in all, we had about 30 people who came and sat and had lunch in solidarity,” she said. “This was a success because no one caused any problems for us, but more so because that many people felt comfortable enough to come out.” Students, faculty and staff gathered on the Main Quad in front of the Chapel for a picnic-style lunch, organized to create an atmosphere in which couples—whether gay or straight—could feel comfortable displaying their affections for one another, Rosario said. Although the Kiss-In has been a part of Coming Out Week in previous years, the event was omitted from last year’s program. This year the Alliance of Queer Undergraduates at Duke reinstated the event as part of its shifted focus from social to political issues. “We’re not trying to force ourselves onto other people, but we want to be able to feel comfortable, and have others be comfortable, with us showing affection in a place that is safe,” Rosario said. Although one student had voiced opposition earlier in the week about the propriety of holding the Kiss-In in front of the Chapel, the group’s lunch went uninterrupted, Rosario said. She added, however, that the lack of protest was not tantamount to a campus-wide acceptance of gay couples. “Just because people don’t say anything doesn’t mean they are comfortable with it,” Rosario said. “People still look. People still don’t agree with it. Unfortunately that’s how it is.” She cited a September See KISS-IN on page 8
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For the first time ever, President Nan Keohane met with the General Assemblies of both Duke Student Government and the Graduate and Professional Student Council last night. Keohane addressed the current strengths and weaknesses of the University as well as plans for the future. “The most important thing is to have you here together,” she said. “It is truly a historic moment.” She began by commending DSG on its recent work to coordinate legislative projects by committees and GPSC members for their efforts on the campout this coming weekend, citing the emphasis on community service and inclusion of the women’s basketball team in the events. Keohane addressed the same four questions that the University’s senior administrators addressed at a retreat last summer; the criteria used to measure the University’s success, signature elements, weaknesses and where members of the Duke community would like Duke to be in 10 years. “We recognize that rankings are important, but we realize that they are there so magazines can sell copies,” Keohane said. “We were recently ranked fourth by U.S. News and World Report, but we must ask how much change has occurred.” She emphasized the strength of some programs, in-
ANTHONY KANG/THE CHRONICLE
PRESIDENT NAN KEOHANE speaks to the DSG and GPSC General Assemblies at the Sanford Institute for Public Policy. eluding the School of Medicine and the Fuqua School of Business, while noting the challenges faced by others, such as the School of Law and the Pratt School of Engineering. Keohane commended the University’s ability to recruit and keep faculty but also noted the See KEOHANE on page 8
CHRIS BORGES/THE CHRONICLE
CAROLINA-BOUND RIDERS board the Robertson Scholars bus at the West Campus bus stop Wednesday. The bus provides service between the two campuses for Robertson Scholars as well as members of the Duke and UNC communities.
Robertson Scholars laud program By JENNIKA SUERO The Chronicle
Aside from having to balance both a Duke Card and a UNC access card and learning how to fit into two distinct university cultures, inaugural members of the Robertson Scholars Program say the joint undergrad-
uate initiative has proceeded smoothly. The program, which began last year, provides full tuition and board to 15 students at both Duke and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. As part of the scholarship, the scholars spend their second semester sophomore year living and taking classes at the other school. Many members of the program’s first class said
Construction in the West-Edens Link continues as workers prepare the rest 0f the McClendon Tower for student use. See page 3
they were excited about changing schools this coming January. Duke sophomore Christopher Paul said that in particular, he was looking forward to meeting different people. “Although Duke feels more like home, since this is where I’ve been staying for the past year, I’m very excited to be part of the more exciting social scene in Chapel Hill at UNC,” he said. Other students said that although it might be difficult to adjust to another campus with new faces and a different flavor, they were confident in the administrative support they have received. “I have the support from mentors and advisors at
Job lair recruiters fell again this year, leaving some seniors concerned about their job prospects after graduation. See page 3
See ROBERTSON on page 10 Duke Student Government legislators discussed this year’s men’s basketball admissions policy at their first meeting. See page 4