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The Chronicle CC solicits Loft policy draws critical response Campus Council to opinions for ask for rule change New Campus by

Nathan Freeman THE CHRONICLE

Ally Helmers THE CHRONICLE

Their days as Blue Devils will be long gone by the time New Campus is bom, but current Duke students can still have a voice in the housing design their legacies will experience. To gather student input on the residential design ofNew Campus, Campus Council opened an online survey of undergraduate residential preferences Sept. 2. The anonymous questionnaire evaluates the housing preferences of independent students, students in selective living groups and Greek-affiliated students and will remain available to undergraduates for at least another week, said Campus Council President Molly Bierman, a senior. “I’m optimistic that [the responses] will have an input in the design of New Campus, although I don’t know the extent to which,” she said. “I don’t think the survey would have been approved if some of the commentary wasn’t going to be taken into consideration.” As of Monday, the surveyhad garnered 559 responses to questions about living preferences such as carpet versus hardwood floors, quiet or social common rooms and an increased, SEE SURVEY ON PAGE 4

Last May, Campus Council leaders sent a unanimously approved recommendation to Residence Life and Housing Services urging them not to ban studentmade lofts on campus. But with the announcement of the policy against custom lofts, the leadership of Campus Council is sending out a new message: RLHS didn’t get the memo. Campus Council is currently drafting a new policy resolution asking administrators to reconsider the decision and find away to compromise student safety and student freedom. Council Campus Vice President Kevin Thompson, a senior, said he hopes to have the new resolution approved by the Campus Council policy committee Monday, by Duke Student Government next Wednesday and by the Campus Council general body at its meeting next Thursday. Eddie Hull, dean of residence life and executive director of housing services, said RLHS’s policy strayed from the policy supported by Campus Council in order to temper the fire concerns that could accompany a room full of flammable wood. He added that the dedication to crafting a loft policy with fire-safe dorms could

Campus Council officials are lobbying administrators to rethink the new loft policy, which permits only the use of University-sanctioned lofts on East Campus, to accommodate students' choice and safety. make it difficult to alter the core of the policy: the ban on student-built wooden lofts. Other aspects of the policy, however, may be up for discussion, Hull said. “Fire safety is the biggest issue—while there’s room for judgment, the University will seek to always protect the safety ofits students,” he said. “Are we willing to talk about things that are reasonable? Absolutely.” Campus Council President Molly Bierman, however, said non-flammable wood is

not as indicative of a safe loft as the

pres-

ence of a safety rail—an element that she said is not included for free by either of the loft companies RLHS recommended. “To me, safety in structure is more important than fire safety,” said Bierman, a senior. “I’ve never heard of a loft catching on fire; I have, however, heard of people drunkenly falling out of their lofts and breaking their SEE LOFTING ON PAGE 5

Munger kept out ofWRAL debate Mascotrelives ‘Bull Durham’memories by

Will Robinson THE CHRONICLE

WRAL held a debatebetween N.C. Gubernatorial candidates Beverly Perdue and Pat McCrory Tuesday night.

The two major party candidates in the North Carolina governor’s race competed for votes in a televised debate on WRAL Tuesday night, but one of Duke’s own failed to make the cut. “Our threshold for inclusion in the debate is that a candidate should have 10 percent among likely voters in a WRAL news poll or in another independent poll,” saidLeesa Moore Craigie, director of news operations and special projects for WRAL. “Currently [Michael Munger] does not meet that thresholdand was not invited to participate.” Libertarian candidate Munger, a Duke professor of political science and economics, currently trails Democratic candidateLt. Gov. Beverly Perdue and Republican candidate and Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory in the race for the state’s top post. The latest PPP poll conducted between Aug. 20 and Aug. 23 shows Perdue with 43 percent ofthe vote, McCrory

Carlton

White, first ager of Wachovia and owned a local Corporation asked him movie. White, whose . alumni, had worked f merce as the Bull in ceremonies until Durha For a jvhile, he retired and “Bull Durham. nfijersary, We Chronic reflect on his breakout ”

The Chronicle: As

with “Bull Durham?” SEE MASCOT ON PAGE 8

SEE DEBATE ON PAGE

THE CHRONICLE

2 | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10,2008

Hurricane Ike moved info the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and took aim atthell.S.and Mexican coasts Tuesday after bringing down aging buildings in Havana and tearing through western Cuba's tobacco country. Forecasters said Ike, which has already killed at least 80 people in the Caribbean,could strengthen into a massive Category 3 storm before slamming into Texas or Mexico this weekend. Some 1.2 million people—more than a tenth ofCuba's population-sought refuge from Ike, which killed four people and shredded hundreds of homes as it barreled across the island. Winds howled and rains lashed the empty streets of Havana as towering waves broke over the seaside Malecon promenade, devoid of the bustling crowds of Havana residents who normally fish and chat by day and drink and socialize at night. Navigation was banned in Havana Bay, its usually placid surface stirred up by white-capped waves.

HAVANA

Scientists to search for dark matter GENEVA Scientists will launch an experiment in a tunnel deep beneath the French-Swiss border Wednesday, hoping to find evidence of extra dimensions, invisible "dark matter" and an elusive particle called the "Higgs boson." And although leading physicists such as Stephen Hawking say the atom-smashing experiment will be absolutely safe, some skeptics fear the proton collisions could unleash microscopic black holes that would eventually doom the Earth. The most powerful atom-smasher ever built will produce collisions of protons traveling at nearly the speed of light in the circular tunnel, giving off showers of particles that will provide more clues as to how everything in the universe is made.

Death toll in Haiti still unknown GONAIVES, Haiti Cemetery workers trudge through the water with a wooden cart,fetching dozens of bloated corpses from the muck and carting them offfor burial.The city's 15 police officers have buried dozens more, and nobody knows how many were swept out to sea. In this sodden city with no working morgue, nobody is counting the dead. And after four tropical storms in less than a month, Haiti's death toll will never be known.

Absent N. Korean leader may be ill WASHINGTON Western officials are closely r watching signs that North Korea's unpredictable dictator Kim Jong II may be gravely ill. Incapacity of the man North Koreans call the"DearLeader" would have serious implications for the international effort to get North Korea to abandon nuclear weapons. There was no sign of Kim at a closely watched parade Tuesday marking the 60th anniversary of North Korea's founding, and the country's state media was silent about his absence. His last reported public appearance was in mid-August. "There is reason to believe Kim Jong II has suffered a serious health set back, possibly a stroke,"a Western intelligence official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to describe sensitive intelligence gathering. Another official said rumors and reports of a possible health setback were based in part on intelligence gathered by other nations.

TODAY

Today at Duke... Career Fair Prep Workshop Social Sciences 139, 6-7 p.m. The largest Career Fair at Duke is September 17. Find out how to capitalize on your access to employers.

Hurricane Ike threatens Mex. Gulf

rainy

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THURSDAY

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Philip Bobbitt, author of Terror and Consent

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair

"...The most profound book to have been written on the subject of American foreign policy since the attacks of 9/11..." The New York Times -

"...One of the most important works you are likely to read this year..." Rowan Williams, The Archbishop of Canterbury -

"The outstanding political philosopher of our time"

Henry Kissenger

CHICAGO ImamW.D.Mohammed,who succeeded his father as leader of the Nation of Islam but abandoned its teachings ofblack supremacy and moved thousands of its followers into mainstream Islam, died Tuesday. He was 74. Details of his death were not immediately released. Mohammed led the Nation toward orthodox Islam, emphasizing the faith's message of racial tolerance. He had been a friend ofMalcolm X, who abandoned the Nation to embrace mainstream Islam before he was assassinated in 1965. *

Checks seized for child support BOSTON Deadbeat dads and moms around the country are discovering that their economic stimulus checks from Washington—intended to encourage the purchase of TVs, cars and other goods—are being intercepted and funneled toward the support of their children. Treasury Department figures obtained by The Associated Press show that more than 1.4 million of the checks have been seized since the payments began last spring, and a total of $B3l million has been collected by child support agencies nationwide. Cheryl Hayes, a 32-year-old paralegal student from Auburn, Mass., said her ex-husband owes about $30,000 in child support.

(II

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—compiled from wire reports

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Confronting the Lethal Problem of Terror Dean L. Gregory Jones interviews

"Required reading for political leaders"

Nation of Islam leader dies at 74

I'm not a prude about it, but to quite an extent gambling is a tax on ignorance. —Warren Buffett

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10,2008 | 3

THE CHRONICLE

DUKE UNIVERSITY UNION

DUU officials discuss ideas to market brand by

Cameron VanSant THE CHRONICLE

Link—located in the basement ofPerkins Library—has garnered high marksfrom students, faculty and staff for its technological innovations.The study area features classrooms, computer clusters and an OIT help desk.

High-tech Link wins praise from students by

Maddie Pongor THE CHRONICLE

Although many students cursed the seismic rumbling from the renovations in Perkins Library last year, they now say the disruptions were more than worthwhile. Link, one of four new floors opened in Perkins this Fall, has already drawn overwhelming praise from the students lucky enough to discover level “L”. “The library is thrilled about the enthusiasm for the new space, and it is very gratifying to see students coming and staying longer,” said Deborah Jakubs, University librarian and vice provost for library affairs. Link features large glass windows, sleek white lighting, magenta and dark orange wall paint and noticeable technological innova-

tions to create an ultramodern atmosphere. The new addition comprises six classrooms, four seminar rooms, 11 group study rooms and plenty of extra computers, tables and comfy chairs for individual studying. Plans for Link developed when library staff noticed the increasing popularity of the libraries and how students were using them for informal learning via group studies, Jakubs said. Link is meant to encourage both informal and formal learning, especially by providing faculty with new technology that can be incorporated into their teaching styles, she said, adding that if the addition proves successful, the space will serve as a model for future projects on New Campus. SEE LINK ON PAGE 4

Duke Men's Basketball Student Manager Positions Available Please inquire with resume to Laura Ann Howard at the Duke Men's Basketball Office. All male and female Duke undergrads are encouraged to apply. Applications must be received by September 10,2008.

Phone:9l9-613-7512 Email: lahoward@duaa.duke.edu

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Duke’s largest student-run organization is becoming a more perfect Union —at least according to the Duke University Union’s president. “We’ve come together as a cohesive group,” said President Chamindra Goonewardene, a senior. “We’re 14 committees working as one unit.” At their weekly administrative meeting, Union officials discussed plans to raise awareness about the organization. Junior Adam Barron, co-director of marketing, said the effort would focus especially on East Campus but would LINA COLUCCI/THE CHRONICLE also extend to West Campus. committee members presented programming The group has considered commis- DUU sioning 6-foot tall “DUU” letters to be ideas at thebody's weeklymeeting Tuesday. placed on the West Campus Plaza or Main West Quadrangle, Barron said. party Nov. 4, said Vice President of Profrom each commitgramming Gabriela Borges, a junior. Representatives tee also updated the body on this Fall’s Union-sponsored events, including Joe In other business: Representatives from the Women’s College Day and “Gala de Plata,” a Spanish-themed semi-formal event to be held Institute for Secondary Education and at the Nasher Museum ofArt Sept. 24. Research presented plans for this year’s Major Speakers Director Will Benesh, WISER Week to be held Sept. 29 to Oct. 3. The group seeks co-sponsorship with a sophomore, said DUU plans to commemorate election week by bringing in DUU for its LiveWISER concert. “We don’t want [the concert] to be guest speakers from opposite ends of the political spectrum. merely entertainment,” said juniorJacky Sims, who coordinates WISER’s fundDUU is also working with College ReDuke well “We want people to be thinking raising. Democrats, and as publicans as several other student organizations, about our message. It’s more than just a to develop plans for an election-viewing benefit concert.”

THE CHRONICLE

4 | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10,2008

SURVEY from page 1 decreased or “status quo” presence offraternities and SLGs in residence halls.The survey also asks students to reveal their “dream” amenities, attractions and living improvements. Dean of Undergraduate Education Steye Nowicki said response to the survey will be a starting point for discussions with focus groups about planning. He said the campus’s residential design, however, cannot cater completely to student desires. “The design of New Campus is a very complicated thing and outlines will be determined by how much space there is [available],” Nowicki said. “When we get down to how to design a residence hall, there’s going to be constraints by money and staff. I think it would be misleading to say that students will design this place.” The University will select architects to design New Campus’s buildings this Fall and will use student ideas to discuss what Duke wants to accomplish on a higher plane, he said. “Part of it is not just building buildings,” Nowicki said. “Part ofit is rethinking the whole housing model that we have at Duke.”

The majority of the survey’s respondents were unaffiliated students who said they would prefer decreased SLG presence in residence halls. Nowicki said the high proportion of independents on campus—7o percent furthered his efforts to ensure that these students have a representative voice in housing design. “I would never leave independents out of the question,” he said. “The students who choose to be so-called independents are people we really need to pay close attention to because the very nature of being independent means you don’t have an advocacy mechanism.” Bierman said student responses to the survey may not be financially or logistically plausible, and added that she hopes more membersof selective living groups and fraternities fill out such surveysfor more holistic results. Although the survey is geared toward the housing design ofNew Campus, Nowicki said he wants to incorporate these ideas into residence life on West Campus in the near future. “If I had a magic wand and could make Central Campus go away and make New Campus come by next Fall, we could have a discussion about what we want to do with no constraints,” he said. “I want to make sure we improve the student experience now. What can we do starting Fall of2010?”

latuue *7H<tc6eit

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The designers of Link have said the contemporary format of the study area may serve as a model for future space renovations.

LINK from page 3 Indeed, the lower level has become the go-to location for many students looking for a late-night study spot. “It’s good to see that the University is spending my tuition money on something that’s actually going to help me out,” sophomore Brian Clement said. “This beats paying for those misters on the Plaza by the Bryan Center.” Discussions about Link’s design, purpose and resources first began two years ago and is part ofPerkins Library Renovation Committee’s project, commissioned by Provost Peter Lange to rethink library form and function in 2000. , “Link originally was to be a space for the library staff. However, [former Trinity dean] Robert Thompson and other deans wanted classrooms integrated into the design so that teaching, learning and access to the library resources would all be connected,” said Edward Gomes, associate dean ofArts and Sciences for Information Science and Technology. Some students said Link’s contemporary style is a nice breakfrom the Gothic architecture prevalent on campus. “It’s great for reading, easy to spread out and easier to do group work without the pressure to be quiet like in other parts of Perkins and Bostock,” sophomore Zane Shannon said. But others, like sophomore Moanajagasia, said the lower level felt isolated because there is little natural light and spotty cell phone service for some students. Gomes said that the design team was well aware that the “basement feel” might not be attractive, but said the designers hoped that the bright lighting would compensate for the indoor aura. Link was designed to be an adjustable, flexible space, Gomes said, and there are still pieces of furniture yet to be installed, including diner-booth-type configurations meant for studying. The team that focused on designing Link will transition to become an assessment team, evaluating how teachers and students are using the space and taking advantage of the new technology. The team will produce a report at the end of this semester.

Duke Center for International Development

fRIDAY

Undergraduate Dinner Series

SEPTEMBER 1* 1:00PM

*=*

Topic A discussion *

003 Tccr BuiWi«9 Ylest Camp***

over dinner of the 2008

Duke Summer Reading book, “What is the What,” led by Catherine Admay, J.D., Visiting Professor of Public Policy Studies and human rights lawyer.

When: TODAY Wednesday, September 10, 6-7:30 p.m.

Where:

East Duke Parlors in the East Duke

Building The Expert in Residence Program features accomplished professionals who come to Duke to share specialized knowledge and provide career advice to students. The program’s purpose is to stimulate new ideas and provide advising for students who are searching for career directions.

si®

Details: Dinner will be available to participants on a first come, first served basis. No RSVP necessary. For more information, visit our website at http://www.pubpol.duke.edu/dcid

IDCID

THE

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10,2008 | 5

CHRONICLE

ruary and the memorandum in May —since starting to work with RLHS to draft a blanket lofting policy during the 2006-2007 acaarms. That actually happens.” demic year. The memo took into account Indeed, there have been only two rethe criticisms RLHS levied against the original resolution; it did not, however, elicit any ported dorm fires since Fall 2005, according to data collected by the Fire Safety feedback from RLHS before the announcement of RLHS’s final policy, Bierman said. Division of the Occupational and Environment Safety Office. “So we send a memo in May,” she said. “If you ask them, theirresponse is, ‘Oh, “We never heard anything back from [the new policy] did incorporate some of them, and in July, I’m on [the RLHS] the suggestions,’” Bierman said. “But it’s so home page and it says ‘Lofts,’ and it has minimal that I can’t, like, take it seriously.” this policy that totally undermines ours. Announced on RLHS’ Web site this past They totally undermined all student inJune, the new lofting policy restricts East put under the guise of ‘safety.’” Hull said he did receive the memo Campus residents from lofting with anything save for the two models the University drafted by Campus Council, but did not have enough time to respond to it before has approved for student use. This policy will start into effect on West at the of the new lofting policy. Campus releasing go Fall 2009. “In truth, we failed to inform Campus Students in select dorms on East also Council because we had to inform firsthave the option of asking RLHS to affix year students before they worked out housextenders to their existing furniture. ing issues,” he said. “We’ve apologized for Of the 400 extenders ordered by the that and we’re moving forward.” In an e-mail to Bierman June 27, Joe University, however, Gonzalez said fewer Gonzalez, associate dean for residential than 50 have been picked up. Gary Thompson, director of facilities and operations for life and Campus Council adviser, admitted RLHS, said the University spent $63,000 that there was a “lack of communication” in the month preceding the announceon the extenders—leaving approximately $58,000 worth of materials unclaimed. ment, and added that “[Campus Council] Chris Jayne, founder and president should have received a response to the reof Collegiate Bed Lofts Company, one of vised memo submitted in late May as well the companies selling an approved loft to as a preview on the new policy before it was students, said he sold only “fifteen-somedistributed.” The new Campus Council resolution thing” lofts to students on East, but that will include more research on how to he plans to have a discussion with University officials regarding how to improve make every dorm fire-safe, while still atnext year’s roll-out. tempting to preserve the orientation tradidn’t lease this dition of slaving over a pile of wood until “We that many [lofts] year,” Jayne said. “This was our first year it becomes a loft, Thompson said. “I can only hope for the best,” he said. and it was a trial year with them. We need “I know the Campus Council general body to sit down and talk to them about some will be advocating for the student body, of the issues we ran into.” Campus Council has unanimously and we hope RLHS will have an open ear to the policy we present to them.” passed two statements—a resolution in Feb-

LOFTING from page 1

Members of the Graduateand Professional StudentCouncil discussed new Campoutpolicies, voiced concerns with health insurance and pitched theirrespective committees at the council's first meeting of the year.

GPSC

Campout, insurance at top of GPSC agenda By Anna Sadler THE CHRONICLE

At their first meeting of the year, the Graduate and Professional Student Council discussed new GPSC Basketball Campout policies and introduced their various committees while serving up delicious Chinese food. Heads of the GPSC Basketball Committee presented a comical home video that drove home the news that Campout—the graduate students’ tenting equivalent—has been moved to a new location.. The tents may now be set up at the intersection of Cameron Boulevard and Science Drive. “Same great weekend. New location,” said Committee Co-chair Sarah Crider, a graduate student in chemistry. “The new tent area is at least twice the size of last year’s.” She added that the event will take place Sept. 19 to 21. Also at the meeting, a representative voiced complaints about shortcomings and miscommunications with the University’s new health insurance provider. Last Spring, Duke switched its provider from Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina to United Health Care Student Resources. A group of graduate and pro-

fessional students had lodged complaints against the former company, but at Tuesday’s meeting, GPSC members said the new provider had not, as promised, given $lOO per year eye-glass or contact lens reimbursements nor provided 80 percent coverage on a yearly in-network eye exam. The agenda then moved on to an announcement of a new entrepjreneurship education series beginning next week. The series will provide tips for starting a company, and will feature Duke alumnus Aaron Patzer as the first speaker, said Michael Schwartz, a student in the Fuqua School of Business. He added that the series will also be open to undergraduates interested in entrepreneurship, because “great leaders and great teammates can come from anywhere.”

In other business: GPSC committee heads introduced and explained the responsibilities of their respective committees in an effort to recruit members. Throughout the meeting, representatives also expressed a desire for more green initiatives, such as bike lanes around campus.

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6 | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10,2008

THE CHRONICLE

DEBATE from page 1 with 38 percent and Munger with 4 percent. Munger, who could not be reached for comment, collected more than 100,000signatures to have his name included on the ballot as the Libertarian candidate for N.C. governor. He has accepted invitations to three other televised debates before the general election. “As a media company that affects to care about the public good, WRAL should not make decisions that clearly protect the entrenched interests of the political duopoly that controls this state,” he said in an Aug. 28 press release posted on his Web site. Mungcr’s statement also said WRAL invited Republican candidate Bob Orr to a Jan. 17 Gubernatorial primary debate even though Orr failed to reach 10 percent in a poll conducted in that month. “So, the policy is applied arbitrarily and

Duke

is simply something concocted to restrict access to information,” Munger said. Craigie said Orr was given an invitation because he met the 10 percent threshold in a poll taken before McCrory entered the race. Orr dropped below 10 percent after McCrory’s entry. She noted that Munger had declined several alternative offers, including the chance to post a video on WRAL.com. WRAL has received a high volume of complaints from Munger’s supporters, Craigie said. “A lot of Libertarians know my name—Mr. Munger put a direct link to our feedback form on his Web site,” she said. “We felt like we had to respond to all of them, and I gladly did so.” During the debate, the candidates discussed their stances on economic incentives to bring business to North Carolina, lobbying Congress to crack down on illegal immigration and reforming the state’smental health care system.

“The [debate participation] policy is applied arbitrarily and is simply something concocted to restrict voter access to information.” Michael Monger, Duke professor and Libertarian candidate for N. C. governor

voter

Undergraduate

Research

Support

In addition, McCrory responded to a recent ad released by the Perdue campaign that criticized his support of private school vouchers as taking funding awayfrom public schools. ‘Your commercial is misleading and wrong and you ought to pull it,” McCrory

said “This is the elitism that has taken over our government in North Carolina.” Perdue was asked to respond to an ad released by the Republican Governors Association that claimed she followed the “status quo” of wasteful and corrupt N.C. politics. Perdue noted, however, she had challenged the status quo by repeatedly running as a female candidate for public office. She added that she would have done some things differently from incumbent Democratic Gov. Mike Easely. “I’m a different kind of leader. I would have been more hands-on,” she said. President Richard Brodhead’s endorsement of a discussion on the drinking age was not echoed by the candidates as both said they were against decreasing the legal age of 21. “I’ve been the mom of teenage sons and I understand what goes on. I’m opposed to it.” Perdue said.

Office

UNIVERSITY

Programs and Project Funding for StudentResearch Read More..

URS Programs

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Achievements

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Contact URS

URS Upcoming Events

The mission of the Undergraduate Research Support Office is to foster a culture of undergraduate research at Duke by supporting and increasing opportunities for undergraduate learning through research, publicizing the contributions of undergraduates to their areas of academic scholarship and promoting faculty-mentoring at Duke.

Wod Oct 1

Check October Deadlines

Wad Oct 1

(tentative) Plan It, Write It. Win It

Mon 0013

Last fal URS receipt date

Mon Oct 27

Deadline farSNCURCS rauhtraflor

Mon Nov 3

Chock Nov amber Deadlines

Sal Nov 22

SNCURCS

Mon Jen

s Check January Daadtasa' First spring URS receipt data

Mon Jan 26 Mon Feb 2

byURS Apply on line during program application periods. URS Assistantships

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Duke University Perkins Library, Biddle Rare Book Room

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Free and open to everyone, for information 660.5816 Park freefor this event on the quad in front of the Duke Chapel

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Dukelist Is a community resource at Duke for posting and searching Research, Leadership, and Service Opportunities. Below are some recent postings. Visit Duke

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Recognition of individual research achievements Resources for research training A calendar of research award deadlines and related events Policy guidelines for research abroad, compensation and more

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7 ho per w

(919) 414-6312

THE

CHRONICLE

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10,2008 I 7

dress code

We do plenty of math, but this is one of our favorite equations

Career Fair September 17

The D. E. Shaw group is a highly successful investment and technology development firm with a team that comes from a wide range of backgrounds

The D. E. Shaw group will attend the Duke Career Fair on Wednesday, September 17, from 10:00 am 3:00 pm at the Bryan Center, Please stop by our booth. To apply for an interview, please log on to eßecruiting. If this isn’t possible, please send a resume and cover letter stating

A robotics guru. A pro snowboarder. An operatic mezzo-soprano. And a lot of people who excel in subjects ranging from art history and literature to math and CS. We’re looking for similarly creative but pragmatic people: articulate, curious, and driven. Our work environment is challenging but surprisingly flexible—from the clothes you wear, to the time you get to the office, it’s

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extraordinarily well. Members ofthe D. E. Shaw group do not discriminate in employment matters on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, maritalstatus, disability, or any other protected class.

The Nicholas School invites you t 0...

Tell us what

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THE CHRONICLE

8 | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10,2008

MASCOT from page 1 Carlton White: Well, it’s the story of a costume.... [Orion Pictures] tracked me down, and they said, “We understand that you have this fabulous, wonderful bull costume.... Can we use it?” And I said yeah, absolutely. And so they came by my office and picked up the costume and took it away.... [The next day someone in casdng called and] said that the director has seen the costume, and he really liked it, and he definitely wanted to use it, but they were in trouble because no one had answered the casting call that could fit into [his 6-foot8-inch] costume. So they asked me again.... They said, “Well, we’ll pay you.” And that got my attention.... And so the rest is history. But as an aside, I am still working another job as a barnyard animal, but there just

aren’t a lot of openings for acting

jobs for a barnyard animal.

TC: You did not pursue acting further after “Bull Durham.” Did being in a movie color your thoughts about your career? CW: The movie had nothing to do with it, I just hung up the Bull costume and just moved on. I can’t give it any credit or noncredit for helping me. TC: Directors usually require several takes to get a scene right. Two pitches in the movie hit your character—how often were you actually hit by the baseball during filming, and was Nuke [Tim Robbins] the one pitching at you? CW: Well in the one scene I’m standing in front of a rack of bats, and I was able to see the ball there so I could jump out of the way. I never did get hit on that one, but the one where I am standing there and ithits me in the back of the head—they

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

White's biggest scene as the mascot in 'Bull Durham' was when Nuke, theBulls pitcher played by Tim Robbins, intentionally hitWhite's character with a pitch.

did nine takes on that one, It wasn’t a real baseball, though, that’s another piece of movie magic. It was the same size and color as a baseball, but it was like a softball. And actually, to tell you the truth, they had a guy, Tommy Green, he was a minor league player somewhere, but he went up pretty high in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. He didn’t throw his fastball, he kind oflobbed it.... I’d just stand there, and when I heard it hit my head, I just fell down. TC: You remove the head of your costume only once in the movie. How did you feel preparing to film the scene that identifies you? CW: You know, it’s funny because... they probably told me 10 times, “Don’t look at the camera,”because I guess that really would have looked goofy if someone was looking right at the camera. I’m walking across the field and its raining—fake rain, the Durham Fire Department was squirting water on us—and I go down in the dugout and I take my head off, and I turn my head just a little bit, and about six people yell, “Don’t look at the camera!” I didn’t look at the camera. But I tell you what, it’s quick. You can’t be reaching for the popcorn, or you’ll miss my big moment. TC: Kevin Costner and his band played in the new Durham Bulls Athletic Park for a Fourth of July concert and celebration of the 20th anniversary of“Bull Durham.” How involved were you in the event? CW: I wasn’t, I was really disappointed, [Costner] should have called me. No, let me tell you seri-

Carlton White, managerof a local Wachovia branch,got the opportunity to play the'Bull Durham' mascot after the studio could not get anyone else to fill his6-foot-8-inch costume.

ously about Kevin Costner. At the time... he wasn’t a big star like he is now. But the thing that really impressed me about him was that he was always with the people... He didn’t have any of that Hollywood snobby stuff that you sometimes hear about. And I remember thinking, “He’s going places because he understands who buys the tickets.” TC: In an interview with WRAL this July, “Bull Durham” producer Thom Mount suggested the possibility of a sequel to the film. Is there any chance you would put on the Bull costume again? CW: I did hear about that. I’m not sure—you know, bringing a bull out of retirement, it takes a lot of money to do that... Wool E.,

the new Bull, I like to think of him as my son. I don’t know if you’ve seen the movie, but he looks a lot different than me. We’re not real sure who the mom is. TC: How has your experience in what Sports Illustrated has voted the top sports movie of all time affected you over the 20 years since it premiered? CW: It has been a great story to tell, you know I’ve been interviewed a few times... but I really don’t take it that seriously.... I haven’t been able to parlay it into any big Hollywood career, but that’s just the way it is. Like I said, not a lot of need for barnyard animals. If they do the sequel, you never know.

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The Chronicle i

ONUNE -

jTIOT* I C yy

WEDNESDAY September 10,2008

Finding a name to match the game It’s

good to be in on something from the ground floor,” Tony narrated in the series premiere of The Sopranos all those years ago. August 30 in Wallace Wade Stadium was the ground floor of the David Cutcliffe era of Duke Football. The Blue Devils’ season-opening rout of James Madison—who hadn’t taken a beating quite like that since a certain War of 1812—came complete with all sorts offireworks: natural, artificial, '

metaphorical. While standing in the bleachers —and standing is the operative word—for more than four hours, it was hard not to see a newfound enthusiasm rippling across the Xim stands and onto T* O the field. It was an interesting dynamic, as the fans so accustomed to the recently christened “relief of winning” across the path in Cameron reveled in the easier-than-expected dispatch of an overmatched foe for the first win in Wally Wade since 2005. One other thing was evident: stiidents were being creative and winging it. For football games, there aren’t any customs, no set times for cheers, no

Fit!Oil

FOOTBALL

cohesion. So students pulled bits and pieces from Cameron rhetoric, with other parts, like pushups for points and keys for kickoffs, taken from other schools. But like I said, it was just the ground floor —one that’s sure to be under construction all season long. Saturday night was a bump in the road, but a reassuring one, as the Blue Devils played their most exciting home contest since the week before Ron Artest showed Detroit how fannnnnntastic the NBA can be in 2004. One thing, though, was clear. Now, with new, even-more-like-the-Indianapolis-Colts uniforms, a second scoreboard and even a jacked-up mascot, it’s time for the so-called Wade Wackos to become something more. And so I sat in my room all week, staring at my poster of Carl Linnaeus in an attempt to placate this need for new nomenclature. The first part of any hypothesis is to discredit previous conclusions. Wade Wackos? Unacceptable. Wasn’t Wackos the name of an XFL team? (No, that was the Memphis Maniax, but you get the point.) The new era demands a new name. Cutcliffe’s Comer is an alliteralive fit, but not a geometrical one. In •

JAMES LEE/THE CHRONICLE

Thirty freshmen watched Duke head coach David Cutcliffe break down game film Monday on East Campus.

Cutcliffe teaches Football 101 Monday in Marketplace by

Matthew Iles

THE CHRONICLE

Students seeking a late dinner in the Mar-

ketplace Monday night were surprised with another class at the end of the day—but this

one didn’t require a textbook. Football 101 was in session, and head coach David Cutcliffe was the professor. Armed with a projector and video highlights from Saturday’s 24-20 loss to Northwestern, Cutcliffe broke down game film and sipped some Coca-Cola with a group of about 30 freshmen. Already well-known for reach-

SEE BRITTON ON PAGE 10

FOOTBALL

Sixth-year senior tight end Tielor Robinson has played Navy five times with Army and Duke—but has never beaten the Midshipmen in his long college tenure.

ing out to the student body, Cutcliffe said he wanted to grow the film sessions into a large, consistent, bi-weekly event. “I like to get out with the regular students,” he said Tuesday. “There was a lot ofenergy in the room, and I think they enjoyed that.” When he was Mississippi’s head coach from 1999 to 2004, Cutcliffe taught an accredited class one semester. Despite the early morning start time, he said more than 100 students enrolled and consistently packed the SEE CUTCLIFFE ON PAGE 10

s*g|;

For Duke, difference is night and day by

Ben Cohen

THE CHRONICLE

Quarterback Thaddeus Lewis

has watched football the past two Saturday afternoons. Wide receiver Austin Kelly has slept. Defensive end Greg Akinbiyi has mentally prepared by observing others. Faced with 7 p.m. kickoffs in the season’s first two weeks, the Duke Midweek players have had little to do until they leave the hotel around 4 Notebook So the Blue Devils wait in the p.m. Durham Hilton. And wait and wait... But not this Saturday. Lewis, Kelly and their teammates will wake up and play Navy at noon—no more cat naps, and no more long hours of feeling antsy. Still, for some Blue Devils, the Saturday night lights are preferable to the heat of the afternoon. “Night games take me back to high school, playing under the lights in the big games,” Akinbiyi said. “The afternoon games, they’re kind of hot and steamy. Not that many people show up to hot games in the afternoon, so I just really like the atmosphere that comes along with the night games.” “For me, it’s night and day,” nose guard Clifford Respress said of the difference, laughing. “Daytime is a lot hotter, and the heat affects me, because I lose a lot of weight and sweat a lot. The atmosphere of the night game, being under the lights—there’s something about it. It makes it a litde more electric.”

But for others, including many skill players, night games are good for nothing but wasting time. After all, Duke typically practices every morning. Temperatures still haven’t peaked when the Blue Devils wrap up around 10:30 a.m., but it is still hotterthan it is at 7 p.m. The pressure of playing games, then, simply builds over the course of a Saturday. “I hate night games,” tight end Tielor Robinson said. “We’re in the hotel here and you can sleep, but after breakfast, you’re sitting around, watching games on TV—you just want to get up and play already. Then you have to come in and play at night. “It does have its advantages. It’s not as hot. More people come out to the games, because what are you going to do at 7 p.m. on a Saturday night? Come and watch football.” Robinson will have his way this weekend for the first timeall year, even if head coach David Cutcliffe prefers dusk starts. Duke’s schedule is dictated by a pecking order of television stations that pick and choose their featured games. This week’s game will be broadcast on ESPNU —along with ESPN, Raycom Sports airs a chunk of Blue Devil games—and Cutcliffe was not permitted to determine the time of his team’s home game. Game times will be released 12 days before games for the rest of the season. Cutcliffe said he prefers night games, especially early in the season when it’s still scorching in the South. “I love night games early in the year. I like the atmosphere,” Cutcliffe said. “They’re a little difficult for play-

“Night games take me back to high school, playing under the lights in the big games. The afternoon games, they’re kind of hot and steamy” —GregAkinbiyi, defensive end ers and coaches to wait all day.... Certainly later in the year, the weather is much better for afternoon football. I know most fans aren’t great fans of the noon kickoffs, but as long as there’s TV, there’s going to be noon kickoffs.” Akinbiyi, like Cutcliffe, has a penchant for the aura of night games, but he acknowledged the flaws of the night game. Instead of rising and traveling to the field, he is forced to agonize over other players’ mistakes—and hope he doesn’t make the same ones. “When you see things on TV and you’re like, ‘Man I don’t want to look like that guy on the field,”’ he said. “You get your mind right and think that you have to go out there and execute and do what I have to do, because I don’t want anybody looking at me on TV or when I turn on the film, like, ‘Damn, you messed up.’” Because if he does Saturday, he’U have the whole day to think about it.

THE CHRONICLE

10 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10,2008

CUTCLIFFE from page 9

LAWSON KURTZ/THE CHRONICLE

Inspired by what he called"the best student section" in America, David Cutcliffe spoke with freshmen Monday.

classroom. Since arriving at Duke, Cutcliffe has mentioned an interest in doing something similar, and it seems these informal lectures might be just the thing. “He just wanted to have an avenue to be able to speak directly with students,” said Director of Promotions Bart Smith, who is responsible for organizing the event. “To have some time with them, showing them about football, develop and cultivate those relationships a little bit. “I think any coach, this is their expertise, and this is where they’re most comfortable—showing different plays and explaining what they’re doing during different situations.” A self-professed lover of X’s and O’s as well as a game-film guru, Cutcliffe said he

enjoyed the first lecture but will continue to tweak it in order to make improvements. Such changes may include relocating to the Bryan Center or Armadillo Grill, as well as possibly catering the seminar with the help of Director of Dining Services Jim Wulforst, Smith said. Either way, it’s something Cutcliffe intends to continue. “Right now, I think we have the best student section in all of America,” said Cutcliffe, who commended the costumes of Tailgaters. “They’re into it. They’re having a good time. I look forward to that each week, interacting with them, so I decided to take this to them on Monday

night.” Smith said the next class session is

tenta-

tively set for the week leading up to Duke’s

matchup against Virginia Sept. 27.

BRITTON from page 9 an oval stadium, there are no corners. And I’m an

English major.

Cutcliffe’s Crew seems to have more promise, but we should not be making subde reference to the 1980 one-hit wonder Cutting Crew. Unless it leads to the band busting out “(I Just) Died in Your Arms Tonight” at crucial moments of the game—say, fourth-and-15. (It can’t get worse than the P.A. system blaring “Bad Boy 4 Life” with the lyrics “We ain’t going nowhere” as the Blue Devils were driving in the fourth

Deadline Extended Duke In New York:

Financial Markets

Institutions

Spring 2009 Semester

quarter.) Besides, tying ourselves to a coach is a precarious proposition (see: Roofs Rough Riders). If we’ve learned anything at Duke over the past decade, it’s that our football coaches tend toward the ephemeral.

I turned to the nickname; the Blue Devil should lend itself to a pithy title. But Devil’s Den? The Inferno? Both taken. And this season, the Tampa Bay Rays have taught us that less Devil equals more Ws. And so I was left with Blue. The Blue Crew? Childish. The Blue Zone? Too loaded. I was desperate, and so I did what any well-meaning student would do at a desperate time: I tried to

It’s time for the so-called Wade Wackos to become

something more. The new era demands a new name. plagiarize. I Googled “college football student sections,” only to make the stunning if delayed discovery

New Deadline: Friday, September 26,2008

Who is eligible? Sophomores and Juniors

For more information check out our website at

http://wwwmarkets .duke .edu/ny or email bwilson@soc.duke.edu

that most of them don’t even have names. Don’t believe me? What do they call the student section at Florida? Michigan? Clemson? The Gators have The Swamp, Michigan The Big House, Clemson Death Valley. It became clear that the students weren’t defined; the experience was. And so you go Between the Hedges at Georgia and shout “War Eagle!” at Auburn. The thing they have in common? They all look great on a T-shirt. Identities, then, like compounds, are better when they’re organic and not, well, inorganic. To define the experience at Wally Wade two weeks into the new regime would be like hanging a “Mission: Accomplished” banner over the entrance. I mean, it even took six months before the Reign of Terror was recognized as such, and if you ask Robespierre, it was a pretty terrifying reign from the start. The bottom line is that the Blue Devils, need to beat up on more than James Madison before we christen ourselves. At the same time, it’s our chance to be there from the ground floor, to be the first of whatever we eventually call ourselves, to be Johnny Boy. Setting the tone and winning games come first. Then who knows? Maybe a cool name will come Out of the Blue. Now wouldn’t that look cool on a T-shirt?

www.dukechroniclesports.com

THE CHRONICLE

CLASSIFIEDS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

A LOT OF CARS INC.

250+ Vehicles. Financing Guaranteed! No credit, Foreign Citizen, Bad Credit —No problem. 15 cars under $2500. $lOO off w/ Duke student, employee, hospital ID. www.alotofcarsnc.com 3119 N. Roxboro St. (next to BP gas station). Owned by Duke Alum (Trinity 2000). (919) 220-7155

A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS How about $3O Plus Free Lunch! The Provost’s Office needs under-graduates' input on a student survey. Focus groups will be held Tues., Sept 23rd and Wed., Sept 24th from 11:30 to 1:00 pm. Participants will receive lunch and $3O for participating in either session. You must be available for the full hour and a half to receive compensation. Please contact Jess Thornton at jessica.thornton@duke.edu if you’re interested.

ATTENTION SENIORS! Information meeting for Seniors interested in applying to Business School. Thursday, September 18 130 Social Psychology, s:oopm, Please attend!

IMPROVE READING SPEED Learn techniques for improving your reading speed and retention. Call the Academic Resource Center for a free consultation. 919-684-5917

NEED BOOK MONEY? We can help, small grants available for text books & other expenses. Visit http:// www.theanniversaryrose.com/ bookmoney.html

TRIP TO GUATEMALA! Win a week for 2 to Guatemala (airfare and hotel) and support a good cause. Details www.safepassagebenefit.com. Duke contact cassie. hoffman@duke.edu

HELP

WANTED-WORK STUDY The Philosophy department is looking for 2-3 undergraduate'students to work in our office as work-study staff. Up to 8 hours per week. Work involves photocopying, scanning, errand-running around campus general office/clerical support. Please call Brian Greene at 660-3050, e-mail briang@duke. edu, or simply come to the front officeand apply in person: West Duke building, room 201. 919-660-3050 -

TUTOR/AFTER SCHOOL CARE TUTOR/ AFTER SCHOOL CARE for 6th Grader $25/ hour. 7 hrs/ week. 919-4146312.

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OPPORTUNITY FAVORS THE

STAFF SPECIALIST The Evening & Weekend Program of Duke Continuing Studies is looking for a full-time Staff Specialist to help administer adult education courses and certificate programs, produce three catalogs, work with students and instructors, maintain the program database, and aid in financial matters. Apply via Duke HR (Requisition no. 400237304); also send resume, cover letter, and references to Evening and Weekend Courses, Box 90700, or to continuingstudies@duke.edu. For more info, contact Garry Crites at gjc3@duke.edu or 684-3178.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10,2008 | 11

STUDY

WHAT:

Blackßock Information Session

SPEAKER:

Christopher Zahn Director

STUDENT

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needed to deliver confidential and time-sensitive mail to students and staff on a daily basis, individual will also assist with answering the phone, filing, data entry, and other office-related tasks. Attention to detail is required and applicant must be reliable and respect confidentiality. Call 684-6938.

Class of ‘9O

WHEN:

Thursday, September 11 5:00 p.m. 6:15 p.m. -

WORKSTUDY LAB ASSISTANT NEEDED Neurobiology dept, looking for student to assist in laboratory upkeep and office duties. For more detailed info, contact ellison@neuro.duke.edu.

WHERE:

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GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN NEEDED Replay Photos, a Durham based

company, is seeking a college student with graphic design skills for a paid internship, 15-20 hours/week. Applicants will assist President and Marketing staff with design of ads formatted for web use. Solid knowledge of Adobe Photoshop is required. Send resume to lwinters@

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abilities, effective communication and interpersonal skills are essential. Very high' hourly pay. For more details and ,to schedule an interview contact Irina Lebedeva (irina@duke.edu or 668-3464).

»»>

12 I WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10,2008

THE CHRONICLE

Duke Men's Basketbal Student Videographer Positions Available

Please inquire with resume to Laura Ann Howard at the Duke Men's Basketball Office. All male and female Duke undergrads are encouraged to apply.

Phone:9l9-613-7512 Email: lahoward@duaa.duke.edu

THE CHRONICLE

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10,2008 | 13

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Edited by Wayne Robert Williams

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14 (WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10,2008

THE CHRONICLE

Quad councils not all Greek to us The

results for the tem, executive board posivarious quad council tions were selected in a general quad election, one person executive board elections were released Monday, one vote. Because they ocand they are promising. curred at the same time as Unlike in years past, when RA representative elections, quad counquad couneditorial oils were cil elections dominated allowed canby members of selective liv- didates from selective living ing groups, this year’s group groups to gamer support of quad leaders seems to be from large numbers offellow a healthy mix of both selecgroup members and outvote tive living group members the always-divided indepenand independent students. dent vote. This demographic shift is Under the new system, quad thanks to a change in the council executive positions are elected by RA representatives, quad council election process, which was approved last who are first selected by hallspring by Campus Council. wide votes. This new process This reform is a step in the ofindirect election curtails the right direction and Campus overrepresentation of selective Council deserves praise for living groups by limiting each group to a maximum of two implementing it. Under the old voting sysrepresentatives.

These changes of process and changes of governance will hopefully bring better programming to West campus quads. Previously, selective living group-dominated quad councils had little incentive to plan events that appealed to the entire quad. Instead, they had every incentive to funnel quad council money to their own social budgets. Now, • with more diverse quad council executive boards, quad council events promise to be all-inclusive and more geared towards independents—a group of students that generally lack the money and resources to hold large social gatherings. It could be said, and has been said, that, unlike independents, selective living

To me, safety in structure is more important than fire safety. I’ve never heard of a loft catching on fire; I have, however, heard ofpeople drunkenly falling out of their lofts and breaking their arms. That actually happens. .

—Campus Council President Molly Bierman on the new loft policy. See story page 1.

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infrastructure to plan large social events. But the quad council model was specifically designed to counter the selective living group control of the social scene. This new election process should help quad councils to live up to their original intent by being oriented towards an entire quad, not just a couple of large, powerful and exclusive groups. At the same time, having some selective group members on quad councils is by no means a bad thing. Selective living group members constitute a significant portion ofWest Cajnpus residents and should have representation on quad councils. And with quads like Craven

housing four selective living groups, some quad councils will inevitably have more selective living group members than independents. But as long as these councils are reflective of their populations, we have little reason to

complain. In the longer term, this is

another in a series of recent positive moves from Campus Council. It is also heartening to see that Campus Council is here asserting itself as a separate entity from the Department of Residence Life and Housing Services, and this movement towards independence should continue. Only time will tell whether these changes fix quad councils and their programming. But so far, so good.

Slight improvements

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group members are already well-equipped and have the

MATTHEW ILES, Sports Managing Editor WILL ROBINSON, Local & NationalEditor JESSICA LICHTER, Health & ScienceEditor ■ DAVID GRAHAM, Recess Editor CHASE OLIVIERI, Sports PhotographyEditor REBECCA WU, Editorial Page Managing Editor EMMELINE ZHAO, WireEditor ROB COPELAND, TowerviewEditor ALEX KLEIN, Assistant Online Editor BAISHI WU, Recess Managing Editor GLEN GUTTERSON,Recess Photography Editor GABRIELLE MCGLYNN, Recruitment Chair WENJIA ZHANG, Recruitment Chair CHRISSYBECK, Advertising/MarketingDirector MONICA FRANKLIN, Durham Ad Sales Manager STEPHANIE RISBON, AdministrativeCoordinator

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Toward

the end of my nine hour drive down to Duke a few weeks ago, while trying to find a North Carolina radio station that wasn’t playing that godforsaken Metro Station song, the traffic on 1-85 slowed practically to a crawl. Apparently construction on 1-85 North had forced opposing traffic to take up one of the lanes on my side, leaving just one lane for me and my fellow southbound john schneider travelers. Having guard your ears! already traversed the New Jersey Turnpike and the Beltway, I was in no mood for another traffic jam—Man, I appreciate North Carolina’s commitment to long-term improvements, I thought, but this is really annoying. I’d almost rather be listening to “Shake It." Even now, though, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m caught up in some long-term project that isn’t quite finished. Walking around the campus the last few weeks, it’s hard not to notice changes to things that did not even appear to need changing. The University Textbook Store reoriented the cash registers horizontally so the lines no longer extend down the aisles. The Lobby Shop also moved the check-out line and made the lanes wider. I wholeheartedly endorse both of these changes, but I can’t say I really noticed much of an outcry for either of them. It’s certainly nice that Duke is responding to problems that the students haven’t identified (or even experienced) yei, but it can sometimes make you wonder about the decision-making process at this university. Some of the changes seem to come more out of a desire for change than as a response to any perceived need. The much-loathed new ACES is one fairly obvious example, but perhaps the most unavoidable instance is the construction zone that is Few Quad. Walk through Crowell or Craven orr a hot day and try to explain why Few needed to be renovated. None of this is new. We seniors can remember w'hen we had to walk past the Chapel or down Science Drive whenever we wanted to go to the Bryan Center freshmen year. The end-result, the Plaza, was obviously an improvement, but there are still plenty of people who reminisce about the old BC Walkway the way Duke basketball fans reminisce about Christian Laettner. Every new year*seems to bring a new unveil——

ing for Duke, whether it’s Bell Tower, Bostock, the Plaza (complete with mist!), The Link, the French Family Science Center or David Cutcliffe and his new football uniforms. Some of the changes are of course great, and seem like just the things that make a university nationally renowned (DukeEngage), some of them are simply mild enrichments of daily life (swings on the Plaza), and some of them are just perplexing (replacing Rick’s with Tommy’s, and why was my mailbox moved, again?). Duke, for better or worse, has internalized the concept of long-term improvements. This is by no means a negative quality, in and of itself, but it is symptomatic of a university without an identity. In fact, the University practically admits as much in its discussion New Campus, its most ambitious and long-term plan (slated to take at least fifty years, according to Dean Steve Nowicki’s outline) that will eventually phase out Central Campus. Terms like “West Campus” and “Central”—almost as fundamental to Duke as the Chapel or Cameron—are going to be replaced with terms like the “West Union District” and the “New Edens Neighborhood.” The plan itself is well-designed and cause for optimism, but how about making Central a nicer place for students living there now? Duke often seems like it’s awaiting some grand opening. As a result, it often feels like the students are not so much communitymembers, but test-dummies experimenting

There are still plenty of people who reminisce about the old BC Walkway the way Duke basketball fans reminisce about Christian Laettner. with a Beta version of Duke. I’m more than willing to walk around construction zones for a few months if the end-result is a better school (even if I’ve long since graduated), but it’s not always clear that the changes are responding to anything but the desire for something new. Only when Duke faculty, administrators and students are all on the same page with where we want the University to be—both now and in the future—can we actually band and finally fix the toaster oven at Subway.

tocher...

John Schneider is a Trinity senior. His column runs every other Wednesday.

THE CHRONICLE

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10,2008 | 15

commentaries

God Damn Independents

read this summer that Duke sponsored a program in an area of the world with insufficent protection against assault and even murder. A student on this University-backed program was accosted by natives, robbed and stabbed in the back of the neck with a box-cutter for good measure. In response, our administration has graciously offered to phase out the program... over the next half-century. Why is our university still letting students spend several months of the year in such an unsafe environClaimy IICWIII ment? I implore you to sign this petition calling immaculate for the immediate withmisconception drawal ofDuke funding to a program in so unsafe an area. That area, ofcourse, is Central Campus. Central Campus is a product of the architecturally putrid (albeit ftmkadelic) ’7os. Evidenced by theirlack of overhead lights in bedrooms and sagging ceilings in the bathrooms (or, if you live on the level above me, sagging floors), Central Campus Apartments were clearly intended to be a stop-gap housing solution. Don’t get me wrong, I, like VHI, love the ’7os; I don’t like living in an apartment designed for my bell-bottomed predecessors. I bought myself a one-way ticket to Central last year by making some regrettable life choices. I doubted my collarpopping abilities and chose not to rush a frat or SLG. I also doubted my luck, deciding not to roll the dice to try for a single or off-campus housing. Biggest mistake of my life. I discovered too late that the Residence Life and Housing Services policy is that the only juniors and seniors guaranteed to live on West Campus are card-carrying members of the Inter-Fratemity Council or those in Selective Living Groups. I wish they had marked the pioneering regulation with come catchy slogan like “No collared shirt? No Topsider shoes? No service.” Of course, this isn’t to blame RLHS exclusively. They have enough on their hands with re-assigning unaffiliated sophomores to accommodat... overlooked unaffiliated sophomores. Low-blows aside, RLHS truly isn’t the only culprit. It begins with IFC, which sees an increase in popularity of rushing as a sign we have too few fraternities. This is clearly the correct assessment, for two reasons. First, an increase in recruitment has nothing to do with the fact that male Greeks have better, more stable access to housing in the first place. Thus, expanding IFC control over West Campus will solve the need for more frats, rather than causing a Catch-22 ofrecreating thatneed. Duh. Second, the popularity of one fraternity translates to the next, hence the increasing phenomenon of disenfranchised Phi Delt rejects flocking to Sig Nu. Thus, I can see why the IFC invited Sigma Pi to colonize (yes, that is the standard verbage), and SAE to re-colonize. For those keeping track at home, that’s possibly another fifty or so rooms on their way to being stolen, keeping true with the tradition of colonization. ,

A University of

Fortunately, there are checks in place. These groups are submitted to a “rigorous” screening process to determine whether they are bro-tastic enough to live on West This is called the Residential GroupAssessment Committee. Clearly designed with the entire student body in mind, RGAC drew such laudatory remarks as: “We made the criteria as broad as possible and we took everyone’s different missions into account so all the groups can succeed,” (credit to Geordy Horton, a former IFC vice president of chapter services, who explained RGAC to The Chronicle in ajan. 23,2007 article). Even furthering this praiseworthy bias toward SLGs, the rules still remain nebulous on how a group could lose its housing on West, even if it consistendy receives subpar scores. Now, right now you might be thinking, “Gee! West isn’t getting any bigger, but the student body is getting bigger, and IFC frats and SLGs are taking up more of the space! What gives?” You give. You give your living space up to an ever-expanding IFC and body of selectives. They need three years of consistently subpar scores to be considered for removal from West. I lost my chance to live on West after one year of not rushing, despite what I consider acceptable behavior. That’s OK, though. The administration has provided you some consolation prizes. What fabulous rewards do we receive? Well, we get to live on rich, vibrant Central Campus! But wait, there’s more! If you’re a junior, RLHS graciously presents to you: the option of living off-campus. In other words, ifyou’re going to be living somewhere distant and unsafe, you’re now allowed to live somewhere cheap, distant and unsafe (and with better furnishings to boot). Oh, but we’fe not done yet! The administration has finally called for a new Central Campus, with phase one to be complete in five (read: 10) years. Wow! What glorious prizes! So, we have a problem, but what’s the solution? Normally, the job of the humor columnist is to disguise his lack of a response to a problem by satirizing the hell out ofit. I’ll spare you my attempt at wit and, in its stead, give an even weaker attempt at argumentation. What if the largest segment of the student body—the independents—became a selective living group? It would be called GammaDelta lota (aptly named for God Damn Independents). Let’s drop the GDl’s into the RGAC scoring system and see what kind of housing we would earn, were we given the preferential treatment of IFC frats and SLGs. Section management? We typically have the cleanest living spaces, as evidenced by a Chronicle report last year showing that SLG sections end the year owing more in damages. External involvement? As the largest group ofstudents on campus, independents outpace any other SLG in community service by sheervolume. Intellectual focus? Arts and culture? Healthy living? Don’t get me started. So there it is. The solution is to turn independents into the brothers and sisters of GammaDelta lota, and we would overpower inferior SLGs. As a fraternity, we’ll finally get the respect and representation we lacked as unaffiliated students. As for the rest of the IFC frats and SLGs, enjoy Central. You deserve it Danny Lewin is a Trinity junior. His column rum every other

Wednesday.

lettertotheeditor McCain’s plans to help underprivileged kids Nana Duffuor writes a thought-provoking piece—“What’s in it for women of color?” [Sept 4] —on how minority women are heard through our current political system. We know that minority women face more daily struggles due to historic inequality, and because of the past and the obstacles of the present, it is harderfor them to clinch their American dream. Dufftior does not hide that fact that she believes that Sen. Barack Obama would do a muchbetter job of handling this crisis, and itis at this point thatshe fails to clarify what exactly that means. Obama wants to extendthe services of a large and bloated bureaucracy to help fund education. His major sound bite is his rant against No Child Left Behind, wherein he would abolish most standardized tests and instead try to force “promising programs” through the old system. This would be like putting your dream diary through a paper shredder. Reliance on the current system would hurt no demographic more than the lower-income families. The public school systems, especially in larger inner city school systems such as those in Detroit, Cleveland and St. Louis are failing, and have been failing for years. According to the Associated Press, the Detroit public school system is $6OO million dollars in debt, the average sixth

grade classroom size is 60 students and the bureaucracy is out of control. Daniel Howes ofThe Detroit News wrote on Dec. 19th, 2007 that “the financial mismanagement is stunning in its ineptitude, corruption and possible criminality.” We cannot continue to rely on corrupt bureaucracies that have proven time and time again to fail, no matter how many tax dollars we throw at them and how many new chances and audits they get, and we certainly do not have the funds or the time to allow Obama to discover this for himself. Sen. John McCain’s plan, on the other hand, would help put these underprivileged kids into differentand better schools; be it private, charter or any public school of theirchoice. McCain would allocate federal funds to help lowerincome families afford these schools. This approach has already been touted, with help from private donors, as a success in Detroit and neighboring systems and has received widespread bi-partisan support. McCain is breaking the cycle of poverty and inequality. Obama would rather continue it, albeit with good intentions, and the cost of his failure will be ours. Danin Toth Trinity ’l2

followers

I wish I could say it was Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Christoph Guttentag’s fault. On Duke’s admissions Web site, he waxes eloquent about how Duke is the place for students to “develop leadership skills” and “use their leadership skills in new venues.” Our admissions Web site also proudly boasts

“Leadership and Service Opportunities” and profiles some of our approximately 400 student organizations. I wish I could blame Guttentag for making Duke into a university of leaders. It would be easy to lay the culpability for our unfortunate campus atmosphere at his feet But really, it’s

our fault, as a student body, for this disturbing trend towards

unmitigated leadership at Duke. Late last month, we—students, not administration—subjected wide-eyed freshmen to our own endemic version of “Shock and Awe,” the annual spectacle we call the Student Activities Fair. Hundreds of tager Clubs hawked their wares suburban subversive like merchants at some busding medieval bazaar. Afterwards, we patted ourselves on the back for our plethora ofstudent initiatives. It seems like everybody is heading up something, be it a club, sports team or Greek organization. Everyone’s got a tide, a pet project and a prestigious personal goal. In short, everyone’s a leader, a phenomenon which leaves us curiously bereft offollowers. Even freshmen, products of an increasingly competitive admissions process, come into Duke with their own plans for how to change the University by starting a new initiative or founding a new club. Who can blame them? All of us Dukies are used to excelling in high school, being at the top of our class and organizing the events that other high schoolers participated in. We bring that same ethos here to Duke, intent on starting something new and innovative to take the University by storm. And it’s not that we can’t do it; it’s that we shouldn’t. There are consequences to our unbalanced student dynamic. We have dozens of student-led events per year that suffer from low attendance because everyone else is busy arranging their own events. We have student organizations that duplicate the same work, eschewing the possibilities for a connected student community in favor of Balkanized efforts of myopic scope. We commit ourselves too early, to too much and we’d rather be active organizers of our own groups than be passive participants in the causes of others. With all of us focusing on our pet projects, we’ve attenuated ourselves beyond our limits. All of us are too busy trailblazing in wildly different directions to ever unite around a common goal. It’s a familiar complaint, that we’re all too busy to ever do anything, but this isn’t because Dukeforces work on us. We force ourselves to excel, to stand out, to take the initiative—and to look good on paper while we’re at it What we never seem to hear about, and what the University never seems to laud, is the Duke student who holds no positions, but does the grunt work for a cause he or she believes in. The Duke Web site seems to have a paucity of profiles focusing on dependable Dukies who don’t participate in high-profile retreats but can always be counted on to flyer for the next awareness-raising eventAnd we ourselves fanatically and furiously fill up the “Activities” column on our Facebook profiles, as if it were a test run at our professional resume. Perhaps what bothers me most is that we’ve equated leadership with the almost antithetical idea of service. One does not need to be a leader in order to make a positive or meaningful contribution to the community. You don’t need to start a new initiative, or student group or University program. You can dofar more good by working for a group that’s already in place. Perhaps our constant, almost compulsive, need to start new student organizations is less about filling a need in the community and more about fulfilling our own desire to distinguish ourselves from the crowd. We have been encouraged throughout our lives to blaze our own path, and we bring that philosophy here to Duke. But perhaps what we need is not a generation of trailblazers, but instead a group of students who are willing to finish the work that others began. We need a generation of students who value substance over novelty. In short, we need a university of followers.

James

James Tager

Wednesday.

is a Trinity senior. His column runs every other

THE CHRONICLE

16 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10,2008

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