February 27. 2003

Page 1

The Chronicle

Thursday, February 27, 2003

Rain

High 42, Low 32 www.chronicle.duke.edu Vol. 98, No. 108

Home Cookin’ Acme Food and Beverage’s chef explains the rigors and joys of life in the kitchen. See RECESS

THE INDEPENDENT DAILY AT DUKE UNIVERSITY

Report looks at impact of Title IX New policy

draws RA opposition

By KEVIN LEES The Chronicle

A Department of Education committee’s report on Title IX guidelines, set to debut today, will likely challenge schools to find away to increase and maintain parity for women without cutting opportunities for male athletes. A final copy of the report, authored by the Commission on Opportunity in Athletics, which convened last summer, will be presented to Rod Paige,

By KEVIN LEES The Chronicle

the U.S. Secretary of Education. The report focuses on the alleged drain of resources from men’s programs in response to the federally mandated beefing-up of women’s programs. “It’s hard to deny that some institutions that have chosen to comply with Title IX [have led to a decline in} the number of wrestling programs,” said Chris Kennedy, associate director of athletics. “We have the resources here just barely to get into compliance without dropping men’s sports.” The 30-year-old Title IX, passed as part of the Education Amendments of 1972, was aimed at bringing the level of female participation in college athletics to at least the. proportion of women enrolled at a given university. The statute bans gender discrimination at educational institutions that receive federal money. The report offers 23 recommendations, ranging from the vague—reaffirming a commitment to “equal opportunity and the elimination of discrimination for girls and boys, women and men”—to the pointed, including many recommendations for the Office of Civil Rights to more clearly enforce

and define compliance. Tthought, of the 23 recommendations, the vast majority were vague exhortations to the Department of Education to provide more information, reexamine regulations [and] encourage the NCAA to do something or other,” Kennedy said. “A lot of them were vague and not likely to produce much.” Among the most tangible recommendations of See TITLE IX on page 8

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ANDY YUN/THE CHRONICLE

JUNIOR MICHAEL MITCHELL and the men’s wrestling team suffer from certain Title IX requirements aimed at aiding women's athletics. A new report questions some of those effects.

Eddie Hull, director of residential life and housing services, is defending new policies for residential advisers, as the plan draws fire from current RAs. Hull released the new contract to RAs and RA applicants last week, emphasizing a new on-call schedule for RAs, more sensitivity to RA presence and availability in residence halls, and a new compensation package. RAs will now begin weeknight on-call coverage at 7 p.m. instead of 8 p.m., more RAs will be required to remain at Duke during major breaks when the halls are open, and weekend coverage will be doubled, so two RAs will be on call throughout the year on West Campus and for the first month on East Campus. Deb Loßiondo, assistant dean of students, said on average, RAs will not see a significantly larger on-call burden, since graduate assistants will be part of the oncall rotation next year. Hull said the expanded coverage responded to a desire to create more community within the quads and increase safety. He added that the plan will evolve and that nothing in it is firmly set—espedally doubling RA coverage on West. “On West, frankly, the environment is different,” he said. “But if history is a See RESIDENTIAL ADVISERS on page 8

Slovik runs on platform of experience, approachability This is the fourth story in a five-part series profiling this year’s candidates for Duke Student Government president. By ANDREW GERST and BECKY YOUNG The Chronicle

When junior Matthew Slovik applied to the University, he was looking for the “complete college experience”—a vibrant social scene on campus and a strong liberal arts education. Now, as he runs for Duke Student Government president, Slovik said he has high hopes for continuing Xf that all-encompassing experience for future classes. Jl A brother of Kappa Alpha Order who hails from Newton, Mass., Slovik cites what he calls his unique vision of the president’s role as an approachable and inspiring leader and his experience in DSG as two assets that him apart from the rest of the candidates. As a freshman, Slovik served as a DSG legislator, and during his sophomore year he was the vice president of facilities and athletics. “I think DSG can do a lot of good for the student body,” said Slovik, a public policy studies major. “I’ve seen [the executive committee] work well and what it looks like [for DSG] to be cohesive. But at the same

Inside

time, there are things that need to be addressed.” Slovik, who spent last semester studying in Florence, also stressed his ability to achieve tangible results. His successful campaign for the implementation of a flyering policy reflects his commitment to getting things done, he said. Former DSG president G. J. Walsh, Trinity ’O2, said Slovik’s role in leading a fundraiser after the Sept. 11 attacks was an example of his innovation and personal initiative. “He doesn’t need a whole lot of management,” Walsh said. “He just gets stuff done himself.” Slovik said safety has been one of his greatest concerns, explaining that he played a vital role in the installation of additional blue safety phones throughout Central Campus and along Science Drive. Additionally, Slovik says he is confronting issues of safety off campus. “I’ve gotten complaints about SAFE Rides. We need to increase van numbers,” Slovik said. ‘We’ve continued to integrate... having taxis on [FLEX].” Slovik said maintaining a visible presence around campus is integral to a successful presidency. “If you can always find the president in his office, something’s wrong,” he said. “People should know who you are, and you should be approachable.” If elected, Slovik would insist that legislators feel like they could approach him. He said he recognizes

Plans have been fina, zed t°r two of the three currently vacant floors in the McClendon Tower. The floors will feature a game room and a multimedia center. See page 4 '

See SLOVIK on page 7

JUNIOR MATTHEW SLOVIK wants to increase cooperation among the three major student-led organizations and improve study space.

An addition to the admissions office should be completed by late March or early April; the building will include a projection screen and kitchen. See page 5

Dr. Michael Newdow, the atheist who sued to declare the phrase “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional, spoke at the School ofLaw. See page 6


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