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Union discu sses strategy to shift WJ to programimmg model, PAGE 3 pt
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Grad student explores wetlands on PBS. PAGE 4
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roof talks *
Ted Roof sounds off on his team's offensive struggles, PAGE 13
The Tower of Campos Thought ami Action
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Few to close for major renovation by
Caroline McGeough THE CHRONICLE
Although the project is still pending formal approval by the
Board of Trustees, Few
Quad-
rangle is expected to undergo comprehensive renovation from May 2008 to January 2009, officials confirmed Monday night.
PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY
JAMES RAZICK/THE
CHRONICLE
Judicial actionsrelated to off-campus parties dropped off from the 2005-2006 school year to 2006-2007,University officials say.
Post-lax, citations plummet by
Will Robinson THE CHRONICLE
Eighteen months after the lacrosse scandal erupted, off-campus disturbances appear to have undergone a cooling-off period. The Offjce of Judicial Affairs released a report last month that showed a significant drop in offcampus judicial actions for the 2006-2007 academic year compared to 2005-2006. Charges that found students “responsible” for violations fell from 140 to only 51, and the percentage of charges that were alcohol policy infractions also declined. Christine Pesetski, assistant dean for off-campus and mediation services, said the decline was facilitated by constructive action taken by the University. “I would say that the purchase of the 13 homes
off East Campus is a contributing factor,” she said. Some of the houses—which the University acquired in spring 2006 in the Trinity Park and Trinity Heights neighborhoods—had been known for their yearly occupation by sometimes-disruptive students. Pesetski said the lacrosse incident combinedwith aggressive tactics used by the state’s Alcohol Law Enforcement team at the outset of the 2005-2006 academic year made students more cautious with their off-campus activities. In a letteraddressed to “members of the University and Durham communities” issued this August, she outlined the reasons for the decline.In the letter, Pesetski also praised studentsfor their“increased mindfulness of the ramifications of their off-campus behavior.” SEE OFF CAMPUS ON PAGE
5
A decision will be reached after the Board convenes at the end of the month. “It’s important to understand that we are very optimistic about the project,” said Eddie Hull, dean of residence life and executive director of housing services. “On the other hand, it’s not a project until theTrustees say it’s a project” The proposed renovations will close the quad to all students for Fall 2008, Hull said. The estimated |2O-million project would update the buildings’ main plumbing system, heating and air-conditioning units and make them wheelchairaccessible, he said. Concerns about air conditioning precipitated the renovation plan. Hull sent an e-mail to all Few Quad residents Tuesday night informing them of the potential changes. Closing Few Quad for Fall 2008 would make housing on West Campus “much tighter than usual,” said Joe Gonzalez, associate dean for residential life. Campus Council President Ryan Todd, a senior, said juniors
who stay in Durham for thefall semester were likely to be “squeezed
out”
to Central Campus, as all sophomores would still be guar-
anteed rooms on West. “Since we’ll be taking approximately 440 of those spots away, the spots usually reserved for juniors and seniors will have to be allocated to sophomores,” said Campus Council Vice President Kevin Thompson, a Junior. Todd said factors such as how many students study abroad and SEE FEW ON PAGE 9
STEPHANIE KOZIKOWSKI/THE CHRONICLE
Few Quadrangle is slated to close from May 2008 to Jan. 2009 for renovations.
Patio revives'abandonded quad' Lysa Chen THE CHRONICLE
by
What was once a patch of mulch and weeds sandwiched between the Few and Craven quadrangles has been transformed into a brand new patio area, where students can study, hang out and even grill. Wooden tables and chairs, blue umbrellas and a pair of grills were added to the paved stone patio Friday, replacing what used to be “a barren and dismal space,” Eddie Hull, dean of residence life and executive director of housing services, wrote in an e-mail. “It had taken on the nickname of the ‘abandoned quad,’” Hull said. “It was, perhaps, the least inviting space in and around our residences.” Now renovated, the pado will serve as a “venue corridor” between the Craven, Few and Keohane quadrangles and will minimize erosion issues that often caused the Craven quad laundry room to flood with muddy rain water, Hull said. The project—which started 20 months ago—is part of SEE PATIO ON PAGE 9
KEVIN
HWANG/THE
CHRONICLE
Dean of Residence Life Eddie Hull says he wouldlike to see the new patio between Craven and Few quads used for student-organized events.