Thursday, October 31,2002
Eerie High 55, Low 33 www.chronicle.duke.edu Vol. 98, No. 49
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Fright Night
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Two Recess staffers head deep into the most deadly locale in the triangle—The Devil’s Tramping Grounds. See RECESS
THE INDEPENDENT DAILY AT DUKE UNIVERSITY
Employees Committee readies provost review react to lawsuit By ALEX GARINGER The Chronicle
When Peter Lange took over as provost in July 1999, other than the need for a new long-term strategic plan, further development ofthe sciences and enhanced technology in the classroom, one thing was clear: Something had to be done about the
By CINDY YEE The Chronicle
With charges pending against Local 77 that the union did not fulfill its obligations to its constituents during summer contract negotiations, members of the 950-person union are expressing
mixed reactions. Although some agree with the complaints, others blame low wage increases on the University. In a manner reminiscent of the union’s tight-lipped secrecy concerning the negotiating process—during which Local 77 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees hacked out a new three-year contract with the University—a number of employees were reluctant to talk about the charges or about their satisfaction with the new contract. Of those who did speak, some said they did not believe that Melton Summerville, the dining services employee who filed the charges in early July, had a valid case against Local 77. Summerville accused the union’s negotiatSee LOCAL 77 on page 12
CHRONICLE FILE PHOTO
Faculty Commons. 5 Left unrenovated for over 20 years, the faculty eatery s space a in the West Union Building was in dire need of face-lift, and its menu required revision. Lange recognized the diminishing quality and quickly convened a committee to address the problems. Renovations began within a year, and now, three years later, the Faculty Commons is thriving. “We weren’t going [to the Commons] because it was so miserable,” said Ronald Witt, professor of history and chair of the Arts and Sciences Council. “He saw that and really pumped money into it. It was one of the first things he did.” Although few of Lange’s other projects during his tenure have come to fruition so quickly—the vast majority are far more expansive—the changes at the Faculty Commons are indicative of the aggressive, straightforward and collaborative style he has brought to the position, colleagues said. Those colleagues and other members of the Duke community are contributing comments about the provost’s performance and style to a recently established review committee. Such a review for University officers typically occurs in the fourth year of their five-year term of office. “All views, whether they are expressions of approbation or complaints, suggestions for the future or a mix of these views, are important to the committee,” Richard Schmalbeck, chair of the committee and professor oflaw, said in a statement. Comments are due Friday, and the review committee’s report is due in early December.
PROVOST PETER LANGE speaks to Academic Council last September. Lange is currently undergoing a review of his three years as provost.
See LANGE on page 7
Health System begins medical privacy training employees, said Professor of the Practice in the Center for Ethics and HuFacing a looming Apr. 14 deadline for manities Angela Holder, who helped write the training programs for Medical compliance with the national Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Center staff. “The goal is to have 100 percent of Act, the Health System began training employees and medical staff trained by its employees Monday in the new privacy and security regulations concerning Apr. 14,” said Britt Crewse, associate vice president and chief compliance and medical records. privacy officer ofDUHS HIPAA, the first federal law compreFor the Medical Center, which alhensively dealing with patient medical 100 has extensive privacy regulations, reguready more than represents privacy, lations on security standards and the HIPAA is no* predicted to radically proper use of health information. The change operations. “The rules won’t aflaw is backed up by severe civil and fect how [Duke] practices greatly... but it criminal penalties for noncompliance, will formalize things,” Crewse said. HIPAA limits the non-consensual reincluding fines up to $250,000 and/or 10 lease for a maximum of of private information, most strictimprisonment ly when it identifies specific patients. years for knowingly misusing personalHowever, allowances are made if they ly identifiable health information. and administrators are necessary for medical care. All employees, “We’re still allowed to disclose pamedical researchers within the Health System—including the Medical Center, tient information for treatment purposthe School of Medicine, the School of es, payment and operations... like peer Nursing and the Private Diagnostic review and quality improvement,” Crewse said. Clinic—are required to undergo approxAlso beginning Apr. 14, the Medical imately 20 minutes of HlPAAtraining, which will be offered online, on video Center will be required to ask new paand in person. Clinical researchers, tients to sign a six- to seven-page docuhowever, will require more rigorous training in the regulations than other See HIPAA on page 6 By MIKE MILLER The Chronicle
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Duke Student Government legislators approved a letter to the Qffjce Qf parkjn g and Transportation Services calling for changes to the parking policies. See page 3
ANTHONY CROSS/THE CHRONICLE
Trick or treat!
Paola and Josecarlos Delgado visit East Campus one day before Halloween in search of candy. Several witches, goblins and other frightening spooks haunted Duke students on their way to class.
Elizabeth Dole and Erskine Bowles, North Carolina’s candidates for U.S. Senate, have changed their positions on some issues since they served in Washington. See page 4
Seven panelists met at the John Hope Franklin Center Wednesday to discuss the meaning of information in the modern era. See page 6