acad emits
pHHWS
Eco Teach Ceiinter meets
demands of economics students
jBBm
recess
sports
Jon Schnaars walks you through summer fashion
After a slow start to his Duke career, Fenton shines in goal
rril
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100th Anniversary
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Inc Chronicle
THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2005
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ONE HUNDREDTH YEAR, ISSUE 137
DAILY AT DUKE
Budget cutback looms for DPS by
Laura Newman THE CHRONICLE
Durham and North Carolina public schools have struggled for years to secure adequate funding for their facilities and services. Potentially adding to their ongoing financial problems, Durham Public Schools may face a $7 million funding cut if the state
legislature’s current budget plans for 2006 are approved. This year, Gov. Mike Easley
proposed a 4 percent reduction in state education funds, which amounts to approximately $5.5 Through Family Health Ministries, funded partially by the Duke Chapel, missionaries made improvements to a school and orphanage in Fondwa, Haiti.
From Duke to Haiti:
doctor’s story
Visit leads to creation of partnership by
VictoriaWeston THE CHRONICLE
One trip was all it took For Dr. David Walmer, an associate clinical professor in the obstetrics and gynecology department at Duke Medical School, a 1993 church visit to Haiti has been life-changing. His initial efforts have blossomed into an innovative relationship to promote spiritual and medical healing in third-world countries. Walmer’s endeavors, which in-
clude the creation of the nonprofit , organization Family Health Ministries, are but one example of a University-wide push to combat worldwide health inequalities. For the past few years, Duke has had a growing interest in serving those most in need. In his inauguration speech, President Richard Brodhead stated a desire to make global health a priority on campus. While many local groups have supported Walmer’s efforts, the in-
million less for Durham. Easley’s budget also calls for a $1.6 million cut for DPS in discretionary funding reductions. DPS officials described the cut as “significant” and even
“catastrophic,”
especially
Fostering friendships Walmer first visited Haiti with a group from the local Triangle Presbyterian Church. “I didn’t go down with any specific agenda, but when they found out I was a
when coupled with the continuous reductions over the last couple years. “Sixty-five to 70 percent of any school’s budget comes from state funds,” said Jennifer Bennett, executive director of finances for DPS, explaining that any reduction in state funding therefore greatly impacts schools’ budgets. “Twenty-five percent comes from local funds, and the rest comes from private and other funds.”
SEE HAITI ON PAGE 4
SEE SCHOOLS ON PAGE 5
terest of the Duke Chapel, which funds part of the project, is but one example of the global health initiative’s expansion beyond Duke University Medical Center.
Diplomat speaks to conference by
Tiffany Webber THE CHRONICLE
In reference to its geographic location, many people say Jordan is “in between Iraq and a hard place.” Such was the opening line of Jordanian ambassador Karimof Kawar’s brief talk to a group students, faculty and other guests at the Washington Duke Inn Wednesday night. The speech was a part of the North Carolina Technology Association conference, which is being held at the hotel this week. During his speech, Kawar
shared insight into his country’s development as a democratic society as well as its relations with Iraq and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. He said that due to developments in technology, manyjordanian technological firms can now play a significant role in rebuilding Iraq—its western neighbor —in the wake of U.S. military involvement, which began in 2003. “We have to do everything we can to help Iraq,” he said. “They are the best people to rebuild the country, but they need all the support they can get.” Kawar readily acknowledged
there are issues in the Middle East beyond rebuilding Iraq that Jordan also cannot ignore, even if the problems exist beyond the nation’s borders. “What happens in the region affects our country,” Kawar said. “We see ourselves as an oasis of peace in a desert of turmoil.” Kawar was also enthusiastic about the newly democratically elected President of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas. Kawar called Abbas the “best hope” for the Palestinian people. SEE AMBASSADOR ON PAGE 6
Jordanian Ambassador Karim Kawar discusses development in the Middle East.