November 1, 2005

Page 1

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New publication seeks to bring rivals Duke and UNC together

campus LGBT Center to offer revamped programming in Spring 2006

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No. 1 Duke coasts to ACC win, setting records at finish line

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The Chronicled

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2005

THE INDEPENDENT DAILY AT DUKE UNIVERSITY

ONE HUNDRED AND FIRST YEAR, ISSUE 46

Word of mouth, web used for course evals BY IZA WOJCIECHOWSKA THE CHRONICLE

At the end of each semester, students spend time filling in major codes, rating their workloads and determining whether their classes were exceptional or disastrous. Although course evaluations are sometimes posted on ACES, the ratings often do not suffice in helping students choose classes. Many students have developed their own methods of navigating ACES, not only to eliminate having classes at 8:45 a.m., but also to avoid getting stuck with the professor who drones for hours or assigns too many papers a week. “You can pretty much ask someone and use word of mouth, which is pretty much the standard around campus,” junior Mike Zimmerman said. Course evaluations currendy available on ACES are based on an opt-in system. Professors choose whether or not their evaluations are displayed with the course information. The Arts and Sciences Council voted on an opt-out policy in January; it failed by a margin of one vote.

At the time, Robert Thompson, dean of Trinity College, noted that only 10 percent of course evaluation data is available on ACES. As ofApril, the opt-in rate for professors who taught courses in Fall 2004 was just 26 percent.

Nonetheless, students said they look at the ratings if they are available. “I look to see how difficult the class was the year before,” senior Brian McNiff said. “On ACES you can see the amount of work and how the class was.” McNiff added, however, that he also relies on word of mouth, and many students said the 1 to 5 ratings on ACES are not enough information. Instead, they turn to students who have previously taken the classes they are considering for advice. Some student organizations also have systematic methods of conveying information about classes to their members. Delta Delta Delta sorority members compile a packet of evaluations each semester to distribute among their sisters. “The number scale [on

Restaurant robbed at gunpoint by

SEE CLASSES ON PAGE 7

MATTHEW TERRITO/THE

Franklin St. boasts ghoulish fun by

Andrew

Holmberg THE CHRONICLE

CHAPEL HILL

Amid rov-

ing bands of Village People, Anchorman impersonators and scantily clad animals, about 50,000 college students and other boisterous partyers gathered on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill for a mildly debaucherous Halloween celebration Monday night. Despite the party’s national

PERSPECTIVE

reputation, the annual event proved tamer than previous years with a lower turnout than anticipated, local authorities said. “We were expecting roughly 70,000 people to come here tonight,” said Mike Akridge, an officer for the University ofNorth Carolina at Chapel Hill Police Department. “I think the major reason numbers are down is because Halloween is on a Monday night,”

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SEE ROBBERY ON PAGE 7

Akridge added. “Also, MTV isn’t here, so people are less rowdy.” Among the array of outfits students donned, skin seemed to be what was in. There were many unique themes, from perpetual classics such as Catholic school girls to more modern ideas like Willy Wonka and Oompa Loompas. But all seemed to utilize as little SEE FRANKLIN ST. ON PAGE 5

CONSTRUCTION

Campus reaps benefits of facilities boom by

Jared Mueller

THE CHRONICLE

Eight hundred and thirty five million dollars. That is the cost of the 34 major construction projects Duke has completed or initiated since February 2001, when administrators signed off on the outgoing strategic plan, “Building on Excellence.” After four and a half y ears > the benefits analysis of the building spree are coming to light From enhanced faculty recruitment to increased admissions selectivity, administrators say the buildings are reshaping not only Duke’s physical appearance but also its academic and cultural landscapes.

Dan Englander THE CHRONICLE

Two men carrying automatic handguns entered Francesca’s Italian Grille at 8:28 p.m. Sunday and stole about $l,OOO from the cash register, said Frank Casabianca, the restaurant’s owner and manager. The men came through the back door of the restaurant. Casabianca said everyone cooperated with the men. No one was hurt in the incident. “I did exactly what they said. It was all professionally done,” he said. The suspects ordered employees to lie on the floor, and the two men took cash from both the business and employees, the Durham Police Department confirmed Monday.

CHRONICLE

Thousands of people dressed up in outrageous costumes and went to Chapel Hill Monday night for theannual Halloween bash.

Catching up Top The French Science Center, slated to open next year, will integrate the chemistryand biology departments.

administrators call it

“the

SEE CONSTRUCTION ON PAGE 6


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