THE
BROWN DAILY HERALD vol. cxlix, no. 52
since 1891
THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014
Latin American leaders discuss climate change progress Psych Services to change name Conference sets stage for negotiations at December United Nations conference in Lima, Peru By KERRI COLFER STAFF WRITER
Newly named Counseling and Psychological Services — CAPS — aims to bolster current services By CAROLINE KELLY SENIOR STAFF WRITER
ASHLEY SO / HERALD
Ccurrent Peruvian Minister of the Environment Manuel Pulgar-Vidal and former Mexican President Felipe Calderon discuss climate policy. “They have to produce a draft agreement this year in Lima, and a final agreement in 2015, which would come into force in 2020,” said Guy Edwards, research fellow at the Center for Environmental Studies and co-organizer of yesterday’s conference.
“The timing is very important,” Snyder said. Many of the key players from the 2010 U.N. Climate Change Conference in Mexico — which Snyder said was heralded as a success in terms of » See CLIMATE, page 3
Busy schedules, boring lectures drive students to skip classes Free curriculum, academic ambitions ensure half of students cut less than once a month
Class attendance
Q: How often do you skip class? 33.9%
30 percent
By GABRIELLE DEE SENIOR STAFF WRITER
25
26.2%
20 15 14.5%
13.5%
10
10.8%
5 0
1.1%
er ss ev cla en da av e I h ipp e sk onc an th h ss nt Le o a m ice tw or ce nth On mo k a ee aw ce ce On on n ha et or ek M e aw y da
y er Ev
University administrators approved changing the name of Psychological Services to Counseling and Psychological Services effective Wednesday, Director Sherri Nelson announced at the Undergraduate Council of Students meeting Wednesday. More comprehensive names like CAPS are common among the University’s peer institutions, Nelson said. “It’s a lot easier to say” and it was a “fairly easy change to make,” she added. The renaming represents one of three main initiatives headed by the office. Other projects include introducing forms for students to provide feedback on staff members and expanding the existing support groups and workshops for the upcoming academic year. In pursuing these projects, the office aims to be financially responsible and “use resources that we have now,” Nelson said. CAPS will also tackle the long-term goals of decreasing wait times for appointments, increasing the diversity of staff members, better facilitating outside referrals and conducting more outreach, she said. “This is a very supportive administration, and President Paxson really listens to what students have to say,” Nelson added. Dolma Ombadykow ’17, a UCS general body member, asked Nelson what » See UCS, page 2
“The cost of inaction today is going to be much bigger tomorrow,” former Chilean President Ricardo Lagos told The Herald before attending a University conference Wednesday to discuss international climate change policy. The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies partnered with the Climate and Development Lab to organize the conference, entitled “Governing Climate Change: New Ideas and Latin American Leadership as Peru Prepares to Host the 2014 U.N. Climate Negotiations.” The conference focused on the desired outcomes of the annual United Nations Climate Summit, which will take place in Lima, Peru this December. Climate change experts from several Latin American countries attended the event, including former Mexican President Felipe Calderon and current Peruvian Minister of the Environment
Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, as well as Lagos, who is also a University professor at large. “The value of this is it’s a collaborative effort on the part of Brown,” said Richard Snyder, director of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies and professor of political science. “It is bringing together so many key stakeholders from Latin America and beyond in a neutral, third-party, university environment.” The conference included both public and private sessions. Discussion at the public sessions centered on Latin American leadership on climate change, presidential influence on climate change policy and how to make progress during the negotiations at the summit. The conference aims to lay the groundwork for the 2015 U.N. Climate Change Conference in Paris, which marks the deadline for producing a new international agreement to reduce emissions.
MONICA MENDOZA / HERALD
About one fourth of the student body skips class at least once a week, according to a Herald poll conducted March 3-4. Roughly 14 percent of respondents reported that they skip class once a week, 11 percent skip more than once a week and 1 percent skip class every day. But around 15 percent of students have never skipped class, with 34 percent skipping class less than once a month and 26 percent skipping class once or twice a month. Campus was divided in reactions to the poll results, with students
variously anticipating both higher and lower numbers of students skipping class regularly. Others indicated they thought the results aligned with their expectations. “It’s a privilege to attend classes taught by skilled professors,” said Christopher Dennis, deputy dean of the college, adding that the freedom the open curriculum provides for both coursework and grade options, Brown students should have less reason to skip class. Justin Juan ’16 said he finds it implausible that one third of the student body skips class less than once a month, adding that he thought » See SKIPPING, page 2
RESTAURANT WEEK
Rustic eatery on Hope Street offers a taste of New England By EMMAJEAN HOLLEY SENIOR STAFF WRITER
When students venture off College Hill in search of good eats, they usually turn to Federal Hill or downtown to satisfy their cravings. But they’ve been turning in the wrong direction. Cook and Brown Public House, Hope Street’s New England-inspired gastropub, serves up mouthwatering and creative cuisine with a focus on fresh, local ingredients.
inside
REVIEW
Shaped like a Lincoln log cabin with a rustic, wood-hewn interior, C and B boasts a toasty yet polished atmosphere. The sprawling bar greets diners as they enter. It is cluttered with the constituents of C and B’s illustrious cocktail menu, which offers innovative options like “Bubbly Bee” — Hayman’s Old Tom gin, lemon, vanilla, honey, lavender and bubbles — and “The Orchard House” — Rittenhouse Rye whiskey, St. George spiced pear, peach, lemon, fig, maple and salt. Because of the dining area’s intimate
size, most tables are tucked into corners, backlit by adjacent windows. A mellow and folksy playlist fills the room, less pretentious than Bon Iver but edgier than summer campfire tunes. The weathered chord progressions, occasionally embroidered with a lilting fiddle or the soft jangle of a tambourine, ease diners into a slower, sweeter state of mind. Most appetizers hover around $10, with entrees priced in the $20 range. Though not ideal for those on a budget, the prices are reasonable considering the food’s quality and freshness. Splitting dishes can be a worthwhile compromise — after a shared entree, side dish and dessert, a bill for two came in
Commentary
at just over $30. Somehow, the Narragansett Creamery ricotta gnocchi is both light and decadent, a balance afforded by the subtle Moroccan spices that combine with the juices of chopped citrus fruit. Though the citrusy punch was stronger than expected, the garlic confit curbed excess sourness and complemented the savory overtones of the dish. The sprightly crunch of radicchio, sliced to an almost translucent thinness, countered the gnocchi’s traditionally thick consistency. Though the gnocchi’s pesto was almost impossible to discern among the heat of intermingling flavors, the excess sauce is worth scooping up with the crusts of the
Metro
Delaney ’15: Most studyabroad programs do not lead to cultural immersion
Newlon ’14 and Tennis ’14: Sexist commenters aim to silence women writers
Providence Division of Community Development moves grant application process online
March draft of re-zoning plan undergoes public evaluation prior to full approval process
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Dishes not inexpensive, but locally-sourced ingredients, warm atmosphere and sizable portions worth the price
complementary bread. As a side dish, the roasted root vegetables with a beer mustard vinaigrette come lightly infused with warm, aromatic spices, each thickly chopped vegetable reminiscent of warm apple cider. The rice pudding, served with a dollop of salted caramel sauce, was the most generously sized dish. The pudding was creamy and not too sweet — think marshmallow fluff without the artificial aftertaste. This carefully nuanced flavor held true for the caramel, which was rich enough that a little went a long way. The combination of C and B’s sophisticated dishes and homespun vibes makes for a gratifying dining experience. t o d ay
tomorrow
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2 university news » SKIPPING, from page 1 students attend less frequently. But Preston Law ’17 said he was surprised that such a large portion of students skips class once a week or more. “Why would you cut at Brown? There are no limits on choice,” said Kathleen McSharry, associate dean of the College for writing and curriculum. Margaret Klawunn, vice president for campus life and student services and interim dean of the College, said the poll showed more students regularly skipping class than she had expected. According to Klawunn, one motivation behind skipping class may be that students do not find some classes stimulating enough. Anderson said students skip class because they believe they would benefit more from employing their time in different ways, such as learning the course material on their own. Kevin Yan ’17 expressed similar sentiments, saying he might skip class if he already knew the material being taught. Klawunn said the University maintains the expectation that students attend class, and holds them accountable for keeping up with course material, even during shopping period. But University policy leaves the job of monitoring class attendance and weighting attendance and participation to the discretion of individual professors, she added. Many students said they try to attend all classes in order to keep up
with coursework, and most students said they avoid skipping smaller classes that take attendance. Neha Verma ’16 said she consistently attends class “not because I’m a goody-goody,” but because she does not want to have to catch up with missed material outside of class. Attending class is necessary to keep up with the course material, Law said, adding that he never misses class. But the reasons for attending classes go beyond participation grades and the maintaining good relations with professors. The learning environment at Brown depends on each student contributing to the learning environment, McSharry said. In failing to attend class, students are “not fully fulfilling their responsibility to their peers,” she added. “I wouldn’t skip because I came to Brown for the academic experience,” Verma said. The University combats this problem by seeking a pedagogy that ensures that class time is put to good use, including promoting new experimental courses that use class time for collaboration on problem sets rather than lectures, Klawunn said. One section of ECON 1110: “Intermediate Microeconomics” was taught using this flipped classroom model last semester with positive feedback from students, The Herald previously reported. According to the poll, underclassmen were more likely to have never skipped a class than upperclassmen. About 21 percent of first-years and 19 percent of sophomores reported never having skipped class, while 8 percent
of juniors and 10 percent of seniors chose that option. “The sun still shines tomorrow if you don’t go to class today,” said Saudi Garcia ’14. Some things can take precedence over spending time in class, she said, adding that she skipped an entire day of class to write her senior thesis. Though Yan does not skip class often, he said he now feels more comfortable missing a day in his second semester at Brown than he did when he first arrived. Megan Marshall ’15 said she skips class less often as an upperclassmen due to the increasing difficulty of her coursework, but she agrees that upperclassmen are more at ease missing class than underclassmen. But because students beyond their first semesters are more able to choose classes they find truly engaging, Verma said she skips class less in her second year at Brown. Upperclassmen who have had more time as college students know how to choose better classes, take advantage of the open curriculum and understand which types of courses suit their learning styles, she said. One of the reasons students cut class could be that they are overcommitted to extracurricular activities, McSharry said, adding that when students fail to limit their commitments, they jeopardize their health, extracurriculars and academic performance. Verma said her extracurricular activities sometimes take precedence over academic priorities. And Yan said that when he struggles to balance his extracurricular commitments with his classes, he ends up sacrificing sleep.
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014
» UCS, from page 1 specific workshops the office intends to offer next year. Nelson said in response that she would like the office to provide emotional wellness workshops and support groups for students from certain demographics struggling with mental health issues. Eliza Lanzillo ’16, a member of Active Minds, a student-led mental health advocacy and awareness group, asked if CAPS planned on incorporating any initiatives into the freshman orientation program. In addition to its usual information booth, CAPS will also make a short presentation, Nelson said. Council leaders also invited Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Beppie Huidekoper, Senior Vice President for University Advancement Pat Watson and Managing Director of the Office of Investment Jane Dietzee to speak about University finances at the general body meeting. “Boy, do they change over time, and boy, times have been stressful and times have been great,” Huidekoper said. Brown’s financial state “has evolved — we now have a budget that reflects a lot of our history,” she said. “It also reflects an incredible decade of financial growth.” The growing student body reflects the fact that the University is “very tuitiondependent,” Huidekoper said, adding that peer institutions with larger endowments
have more flexibility. Watson described how her job of soliciting donations involves a community of alumni and others who “believe in what we’re doing, believe in the institution, believe in the faculty and students.” The process is “built on collective experiences” and addresses “what Brown means to people today versus what it has meant to people throughout their lives,” she added. Between 4.5 and 5.5 percent of the endowment’s growth can be attributed to investment officers, “which helps the University do a lot,” Dietze said. The University uses an extensive investment team and a variety of investment locations, she said. “You never know what asset class is going to perform best,” Dietze said, adding that “we’ve done a relatively good job, and hope to do a better one.” The Council also heard a resolution proposal from the group Active Minds, presented by Ombadykow with help from Active Minds representatives Lanzillo and Min Jung Han’16. The proposal was drafted in response to the concern over mental health issues on campus, Ombadykow said. “We couldn’t ignore the fact that Psych Services had a severe lack of resources,” she added. The Council will have an opportunity to suggest changes and then vote on the finalized resolution at its last general body meeting of the year next Wednesday.
university news 3
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014
The Herald’s Dinner Picks BY ANDREW SMYTH, ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
New Rivers
KIMBERLY SALTZ
In a crowded field of locavore, new American, farm-to-table eateries, Chef Beau Vestal’s College Hill bistro is the real deal. Top-shelf seasonal ingredients meet innovative preparations in a warm, welcoming dining room. Spring offerings include roasted Rhode Island fluke and stuffed rabbit. A spin down the charcuterie menu might include beef tongue pastrami, Berkshire pork shoulder, pickled grapes and various New England cheeses. Monday-Saturday 5 p.m. to closing | 7 Steeple Street
Flan y Ajo There’s not much space at this beloved downtown tapas purveyor, but the flavors are huge. Owners Siobhan Maria Etxeberria and Diego Luis Perez serve the very best of small-plate Spanish cuisine in a casual atmosphere. The menu changes often, but options typically include classics like imported Manchego cheese, cured sardines on toast and jamon, Iberico along with more inventive dishes like lavender flan and roasted chestnut pintxos. Also, it’s BYOB. Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m, Tuesday-Saturday 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. | 225A Westminster Street
Abyssinia Patrons ditch the cutlery and roll up their sleeves at Fox Point’s resident outpost of Ethiopian and Eritrean comfort food. Husband-andwife team Yodit and Amanuel Gebrebiwot dish out sensitively seasoned samples of doro wot chicken, collard greens and red and yellow lentils atop spongy injera flatbreads. Newcomers will get the most mileage out of combination platters, with both meat and vegetarian elements. Portions are generous, so sharing is the way to go. The selection of herbal teas and Ethiopian coffees is also excellent. Every day 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. | 333 Wickenden Street
Al Forno It goes without saying but should still be said from time to time. Tuesday-Friday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. | 577 South Main Street
» GRANTS, from page 8 process can be constraining to some applicants. One member of the audience pointed out that her nonprofit provides child care for toddlers and preschoolers and charges different rates for different ages, but the application leaves applicants little room to
» MAYOR, from page 8 member’s question, candidates revealed their positions on the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana. Smiley said he supported legalizing and taxing the sale of marijuana to adults and discussed the virtues of alternative sentencing. Adrain, Solomon and Elorza declared themselves undecided, citing both merits and drawbacks of decriminalization and legalization. Solomon added that he would like to “take a step back and see what happens over the next few years in states that have legalized it.”
express such subtleties or variations in design. The division is currently accepting feedback on the application process and seeking beta testers for the application system. It will hold application workshops Friday for nonprofit directors to learn about the new process.
Elorza said he believes “adults should be able to do as they wish in private” but expressed concern over the possibility of increased teenage marijuana usage. Harrop said he supports the “decriminalization of almost all substances” and mentioned that he has “prescribed marijuana to his patients.” Young said he was previously in favor of decriminalization and legalization but has now reversed his standpoint. The forum provided Spanish translation services to those who requested them. The PCL’s subsequent mayoral forums will take place May 22nd and June 12th at the Rochambeau Library and Wanskuck Library.
» CLIMATE, from page 1 facilitating negotiations — were able to meet with some of the leaders of the upcoming Peru conference, he said. “We’re hoping there would be some productive thinking that wouldn’t otherwise happen … By bringing them together, we can actively promote learning from past successes, so this is a useful role for us to play as a university,” he added. One of the goals of this conference was encouraging countries to develop climate change policies with more ambitious goals, Edwards said. “It’s not only that we cannot keep going, we have to start reducing,” Lagos said, adding that he thinks every
country shares equal responsibility for reducing emissions. Several members of the Climate and Development Lab who attended the conference will also be attending the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Peru. “These small negotiations are so important because you can’t just arrive in Lima and expect to create, from scratch, a climate negotiation that will be able to pass,” said Paola Eisner ’14, who attended the U.N. conference in Warsaw, Poland in 2013 as part of a University delegation. “You have to have these smaller conferences so that people can arrive to politically salient decisions before the big day.” “The Climate and Development
Lab has historically had a focus on least-developed or developing countries, and we have an advantage in Latin America, because we have had some of our lab members based in those countries,” said Sophie Purdom ’16, a member of the Climate and Development Lab. “We have built up, over the years, trust with those countries,” she said, adding that Latin America’s abundant resources present both opportunities and challenges, especially regarding deforestation in the Amazon. “If we have accepted that there is this problem, then it’s time to use the system in the best way possible to leverage strengths of different countries and innovation to … find solutions to climate change,” Purdom said.
4 arts & culture
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014
Trent Page ’98, chef de cuisine at Google, dishes on his experience culinary world, ruining 60 pounds of foie gras and coming to admire his wife’s cocktail prowess.
COURTESY OF CHRITOPHE WU
After studying international relations as an undergraduate, Trent Page’98 began his career in the food industry as a dishwasher in New Zealand.
Page worked as an investment banker for nearly five years before embracing his culinary passions By EMILY WOOLDRIDGE SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Trent Page ’98 followed a somewhat unconventional recipe for success in the culinary world. For most of his twenties he worked in Manhattan as an investment banker, but this text-
book post-Ivy path took a turn when he realized he was more interested in the restaurant menus at company dinners than IPOs. These days, Page works as the chef de cuisine for Bon Appetit at Google’s YouTube Cafe. He spoke with The Herald about jumping into the frying pan of the
Herald: How did you end up working in the culinary arts? Page: I studied International Relations at Brown and worked as an investment banker in New York City for almost five years before I even started cooking professionally. It was a good learning experience, but finance didn’t speak to me as a person. I didn’t get the same gratification. I was looking for something with more of a human element. One of the things I remember most about investment banking was the fine dinners. Half the time I was more interested in what we were eating and ordering than what people had to say on the deal we just closed. I moved to New Zealand and started as a dish washer at a restaurant in Wellington with French-influenced cuisine. I washed dishes for a couple months and then started prepping. After three months, I moved to making salad, risotto, hot and cold dishes at a station — after they saw I could peel a potato. After living in New Zealand for eight months, I went back to school at the International Culinary Center in downtown SoHo. I needed to play catch up. I was 29 with very little or no cooking experience. The school’s career services resources got me through the door at Cafe Boulud, run by Daniel Boulud, a very well-known
French chef who now has restaurants all over the world. I showed up, not knowing what I was doing. I spent almost three years there and worked every station in the kitchen. That’s really where I learned how to cook, much more so than anything I learned in school. To this day, some of my very best friends are from that kitchen. After opening a wine bar and restaurant and living in New York for almost 12 years, my girlfriend and I decided it was time to leave. We did a cross-country trip, spent seven weeks or so driving, eating our way across the country. We didn’t have jobs, we didn’t even know we would end up in San Francisco. I was lucky enough to get an offer from Bon Appetit at Google. I am now the chef of cuisine and management at YouTube. What was it like working at illustrious restaurants, like Cafe Boulud? It was difficult from a physical and mental standpoint. The standards are so high, speed is so important. But you really bond with the people you work with because it is so physically and mentally trying to work in a place that is always in the pursuit of perfection. There were times when I would make over 100 orders in one night, as fast as I could. At the time, I was almost 30, which is old for a cook. Early twenties is a more common age to be a line cook in a restaurant, or even younger. Some kids start cooking when they are in high school. I was closer to the age of the chefs. I would tease myself. ‘‘Take it easy, I’m the old guy.’’ What is it like working at Google? We feed around 600 people at lunch. Any food that Google needs, we are in charge of making it. We don’t want to serve a rich, decadent restaurant meal. People want to go back to work after lunch, not take
a nap. Google is an incredible partner as far as their food values from a health and sustainability aspect. The menu changes everyday and we make everything from scratch. Unfortunately, these days I have less and less time to spend in the kitchen. I write all the menus and order all the food. I get to cook a little every once in a while, but when I do, my staff laughs at me. I am really the old guy right now. What was your biggest cooking fiasco? I managed to ruin almost 60 pounds of foie gras au torchon, which is pretty expensive. I’m not sure what I did. I went out to dinner with a couple co-workers. They were nice enough not to tell me until after dinner. What is the most satisfying thing about cooking? You don’t usually see the diners’ satisfaction directly. You work for the accolade in the press, but also to please the people around you. I was thankful to be working with talented chefs. If they thought something I made was awesome, that gave me a lot more satisfaction. It is about feeding people and the feeling of community that comes from that. Most of my experiences growing up happened at a dinner table, at a restaurant, at a wedding where food was involved. It is fun to be part of that moment where people are having a memorable experience, even if it’s not the food itself they are focused on. Now I cook more at home with my wife. She makes really good cocktails. We are a dangerous duo. She makes the drinks and after our guests have them, anything I make will taste good. This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
today 5
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014
IN BLOOM
menu SHARPE REFECTORY
VERNEY-WOOLLEY
LUNCH Italian Chicken Parmesan, Beef and Andouille Burgers, Tuscan Tuna and Bean Salad, Grilled Caesar Chicken
Asian Sesame Chicken Salad, Bruschetta Mozzarella, Macaroni Salad, Grilled Montreal Chicken
DINNER Chicken Broccoli Pasta Alfredo, Cajun Baked Fish, Baked Polenta, Marble Cake with Chocolate Frosting
Baked Chicken, Tofu Parmesan, Baked Potato with Toppings Bar, Sweet and Sour Pork Saute
JOSIAH’S
THREE BURNERS
QUESADILLA OR GRILLED CHEESE
Crepes
Made-to-Order Quesadillas
BLUE ROOM
SOUPS
DINNER ENTREES
Corn Chowder, Hearty Country Vegetable and Turkey Chili
Chicken Tikka Masala, Vegetable Korma
sudoku
ALAN SHAN / HERALD
Despite blossoms adorning the trees on the Main Green, students spotted snow yesterday morning, a surprising and, to some, disappointing reminder of the thin line between Providence spring and winter.
comics Class Notes | Philip Trammell ’15
RELEASE DATE– Thursday, April 17, 2014
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle c rNorris o s sandwJoyce o rNichols d Lewis Edited by Rich ACROSS 1 59-Across role in 27-Across 5 Yenta 11 Sneaky chuckle 14 Fish found in a film 15 Finger-shaped dessert 16 __ pro nobis 17 1978 film cowritten by 59Across 19 Ross musical, with “The” 20 Reached, as goals 21 Zapped 22 Sly 24 Server’s warning 26 1997 Home Run Derby winner Martinez 27 1984 film cowritten and costarring 59Across 33 “__ la vista, baby!” 36 Stout sleuth, in more ways than one 37 Drench 38 Pacers, e.g. 39 “That’s enough!” 40 “Smiling, petite ball of fire,” to Philbin 41 Not paleo42 Arrive 43 Assuages to the max 44 1993 film cowritten and directed by 59Across 47 Skye slope 48 Medicinal syrup 52 Pastoral poems 54 5th Dimension vocalist Marilyn 57 Horseplayer’s hangout, for short 58 Turkey 59 This puzzle’s honoree (19442014) 62 Funny Philips 63 “Lost” actress de Ravin 64 Fade 65 GI’s address 66 Bulletin board admins
67 59-Across was its 32 Cruise ship 49 “Cathy,” for one 50 Skewed conveniences original head 51 “The Amazing 33 Chill out writer Race” network 34 AMA member?: 52 Flash, perhaps Abbr. DOWN 1 As a friend, to Fifi 35 “Ruh-roh!” pooch 53 Get rid of 54 3-D images 39 Give up 2 “The Balcony” 40 Comedic Martha 55 USAF Academy playwright home 42 Grinds in anger, 3 Neglects to 56 Swindle, in maybe mention slang 43 Flavor 4 2-Down, par 45 Modern address 60 March girl exemple 61 Baby-viewing 46 Some are light5 Italian dessert responses emitting 6 Protest singer Phil ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE: 7 Gin fizz fruit 8 King Faisal’s brother 9 “__ for Innocent”: Grafton novel 10 On the nose 11 “‘Sup?” 12 Scary-sounding lake 13 Not clear 18 Don Ho “Yo” 23 Aardvark snack 25 5’10” and 6’3”: Abbr. 26 Titmouse topper, perhaps 28 Mown strip 29 “Pagliacci” clown 30 Showy jewelry 31 Clue weapon 04/17/14 xwordeditor@aol.com
Bacterial Culture | Dana Schwartz ’15
calendar TODAY
APRIL 17
1:00 P.M. REENACTMENT OF THE BATTLE OF KADESH
Transport yourself back to the second millennia BCE with ARCH 1630: Ancient Egyptian Warfare’s reenactment of the Battle of Kadesh. The script, costumes and props are student-made and based on descriptions from primary sources. Quiet Green 5:00 P.M. IVY FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTS: I BELIEVE IN UNICORNS
Director Leah Meyerhoff ’s ’01 movie “I Believe in Unicorns” depicts the tale of a young girl consumed by a relationship that quickly turns volatile. The movie screening will be followed by a Q and A with Meyrerhoff. MacMillan Hall, Room 117
TOMORROW
APRIL 18
7:00 P.M. WORLD CULTURAL DINNER
Brown International Organization’s annual World Cultural dinner will serve Thai, Italian, Middle Eastern, Mexican and Jamaican cuisines from local restaurants, accompanied by performances from groups such as kPop, Lion Dance and imPulse. Pre-sale tickets are $8, and $10 at the door. Stephen Robert Campus ’62 Center, Multipurpose Room 7:00 P.M. CHATTERTOCKS PRESENT: WAKING HOURS, THE CD RELEASE CONCERT
Brown’s first all-female a capella group, the Chattertocks, will host a free concert featuring the Higher Keys in celebration By Stu Ockman (c)2014 Tribune Content Agency, LLC
04/17/14
of their CD release. Food will be provided. Grand Recital Hall, behind the Orwig Music Building
6 commentary
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014
EDITORIAL
Reform on a community level Yesterday, President Obama and Vice President Biden announced $550 million in grants for community colleges and apprenticeships. The programs are designed to produce graduates whose skill sets are tailored for open jobs in local industries. Of course, this figure is but a drop in the bucket compared to the massive price of higher education, but it is still a step in the direction of refocusing our higher education system on providing the highest quality public schooling at the lowest cost to students. Community colleges will be crucial to any attempts to reform the system, and we are pleased that they are beginning to receive the financial backing and public support they deserve. It is perhaps counterintuitive that we speak of the benefits of public higher education, but we do not need to be students at public colleges to recognize the enormous social benefits of a strong public system. Strong public higher education serves as a massive integrating force, bringing together students from all backgrounds within the states they serve. Students who receive in-state tuition are given far more freedom in defining their post-college lives, and barriers to college degrees seem less imposing for students who may be the first in their family to attend college. Unfortunately, public higher education systems have been seeing their funding slashed, a trend only exacerbated by the recession and cash-strapped state legislatures looking to carve out savings. As a result, universities are forced to shift costs onto students or to cut back on services, both moves that threaten the fundamental purpose of public university systems. Private colleges such as our own offer local solutions for some students, but on the whole they only serve as a Band-Aid for an endemic problem. Scholarships are undoubtedly crucial in supporting students below a set income level, but if current trends continue, Brown and our peer schools will comprise only the wealthy and those students receiving aid. The absence of middle-class students who are priced out will reinforce the growing inequality gap and provoke tensions between very different groups of students. Further, middle-class students priced out of private options are at risk of falling further behind given the declining status of many public schools. Finally, most private schools do not have close to the resources of places like Brown, and are thus incapable of offering anywhere near as much scholarship support. Scholarships to elite institutions can make a tremendous difference on the individual level, but they cannot combat broadening inequality and its manifestations in higher education. Any meaningful solution must expand access to and the quality of public options and it should be tailored to suit the ability and needs of the students. For example, before it was burdened by property tax caps and state funding cuts, the University of California system was the envy of the entire country. Each individual school did not try to be all things to all people — instead, the system includes flagship universities, state colleges and community colleges. Community colleges will be increasingly necessary to this equation, which is why we applaud yesterday’s announcement. Future solutions will have to examine how we can best reconfigure federal higher education support, including the mixed legacy of federal loans as opposed to grants, but this proposal was a promising beginning. We will never have anything like equal opportunity in this country without a robust public higher education system.
K I M B E R LY S A LT Z
Q U O T E O F T H E D AY
“The sun still shines tomorrow if you don’t go to class today.” — Saudi Garcia ‘14
See skipping on page 1.
Editorials are written by The Herald’s editorial page board: its editors, Matt Brundage ’15 and Rachel Occhiogrosso ’14, and its members, Hannah Loewentheil ’14 and Thomas Nath ’16. Send comments to editorials@browndailyherald.com. Editorial Leadership
Sections
Visuals & Production
Business
Editor-in-Chief Eli Okun
Arts & Culture Editors Katherine Cusumano Andrew Smyth
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commentary 7
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014
Don’t study abroad, volunteer or work abroad DANIEL DELANEY opinions columnist
Studying abroad is a popular part of life at Brown. Students travel all over the world to experience different countries, cultures and languages. Often they embrace new outlooks and even life-changing perspectives. Having participated in a study abroad program during high school, I recognize the incredible benefits that come from participating in these programs. However, I feel that the University and its students need to reconsider why study abroad is important and whether or not current programs are achieving their goals. As programs at Brown stand, I would not study abroad during my four years here. To put it bluntly, students should travel abroad to volunteer or work in a foreign country and culture rather than to study. This is because the current program does not satisfactorily live up to its mission statement, the goals of which would be better served under a volunteer/work program. Brown’s Office of International Programs states: “The challenges shared by society are global and in-
terdisciplinary. So too are the solutions. Brown believes that it is important that students acquire the skills necessary to access and successfully negotiate decisions across cultures.” This statement is absolutely correct. The program that is currently in place, however, does not serve this mission, because it does not properly immerse students in their chosen foreign culture, nor does it adequately teach students to speak a foreign language.
vantage of the number of foreigners who already speak English. As much as I would like to believe students at Brown are better than this, I don’t feel they are. In order for Brown to give students the necessary experience to immerse themselves in foreign culture and language, the program needs to promote homestay, volunteer and work opportunities for students looking to study abroad. Homestay is the most complete form of study
Working and volunteering abroad are also great solutions to the current problems with the program. While it’s not the same as living with a family, the immersion benefits can be equally rewarding, particularly if students volunteer or work among natives. Volunteering and working can help with language skills and cultural knowledge. They can aid poor communities and bring a measure of cultural diffusion and international cooperation to many parts of the world.
Students should travel abroad to volunteer or work in a foreign country and culture rather than to study. Many students who go abroad live in dorms where Americans or Brown students surround them. In my experience, forcing yourself to speak a foreign language and participate in foreign customs is exceedingly difficult as is. Surrounding yourself with others who speak your native tongue and understand your way of life makes stepping outside the box near impossible. There is nothing to force you into a position where you have to speak the language or participate in the culture. They can hang out with Americans, celebrate in American ways and communicate by taking ad-
abroad, because it forces students to immerse themselves day in and day out. Living with a family compels you to speak with them, watch the television they watch, say grace at the dinner table and attend mass with them. It urges you to experiment with a different cuisine, go out on the town, experience life as they live it and maybe even go to classes with your foreign sister or brother. The experience is much more difficult but also that much more enriching. Students come away with a unique understanding of the culture and language that they can’t find anywhere else.
While it is true that a homestay and work-volunteer travel abroad program forgoes the academic side of things, there’s little doubt in my mind that the cultural and language benefits outweigh the potential academic experiences. Apart from the big three foreign institutions — Oxford, Cambridge and the Sorbonne in Paris — it’s hard to argue that students from Brown would receive a better academic education going abroad than staying at home. But they can absolutely receive a more profound cultural one. And a cultural education can be just as valuable, if not more so,
than an academic education. That’s why Brown needs to offer students credit for these homestay and work-volunteer opportunities. Students cannot currently access these kinds of opportunities because they do not receive credit for them and therefore cannot financially afford taking the gap semester or year to participate. But if they could receive credit and put tuition money toward the program, I believe many students would take advantage of the opportunity. It is important to recognize that some programs do exist where students engage in research and are incorporated more deeply into the culture and language of countries they travel to. There are programs where homestay is an element of the experience and students are required to meet a minimum level of language fluency. But this type of experience should be more widely available and encouraged among Brown students who want to go abroad. I hope that Brown will reconsider the important elements in a study abroad experience and work to implement changes to encourage these elements.
Daniel Delaney can be reached at daniel_delaney@brown.edu.
Don’t read the comments CARL NEWLON MAGGIE TENNIS opinions columnist and editor
If you’re a female writer, don’t read the comments. We’ve both been opinions columnists for the majority of our college careers. Maggie currently counts herself as one of three female editors, leading a roster of columnists that is 42 percent female. Women are a strong presence in The Herald: writing, editing, arguing and asking tough questions. But if there’s one lesson we’ve learned, it’s this: Don’t read the comments. Especially if you’re a woman. “Maybe if less (sic) women lied about rape and sexual assault, then serious cases would be taken more seriously,” wrote one commenter on a Newlon column. On another: “I’m not surprised they called you the Captain of Starship Neurotica.” “Ms. Tennis, clean your own house before tracking your muddy feet into mine.” “I think you’re a disconnected rich girl, stuck in a rich girl bubble,” on an article by Herald columnist Elizabeth Fuerbacher ’13.5. After advocating for a nationwide gun ban, Maggie received an email calling her a “liberal whore.” After writing about sexual assault, Cara received aggressive emails and a full spread in the Brown Spectator calling her a lying feminist. In general, The Herald’s female columnists have received comments and emails calling us the c-word, neurotic, bitch and whore. People have discussed our appearance, speculated about our personal lives and questioned our intelligence. And to be quite frank, we’re sick of it. Don’t get us wrong — our male counterparts receive their share of flack. See “Universal suffrage is immoral” by former Herald
columnist Oliver Hudson ’14. But female columnists take the most heat for expressing our views in print. On the least offensive end of the spectrum are comments that adopt a patronizing tone, as if the commenter is speaking to a little girl instead of an Ivy League college student. On the most offensive? Sexualized threats. Sexism doesn’t have to be conscious or explicit. Many negative comments on female columnists’ articles directly address the writer as “Ms.,” a seemingly innocuous reference to the author’s gender. Don’t get us wrong — we do appreciate when commenters attempt to be polite — but we rarely if ever see a male writer addressed as “Mr.” And when it’s coupled with a house-clean-
lace, a prolific journalist and editor-at-large for Los Angeles Magazine, recently wrote an article in The New York Times about the abuse she and her female co-writers have suffered at the hands of commenters. The insults included, but were not limited to, “Evil Bitchweed,” the c-word and even threats of rape. After Wallace wrote a profile of a leading crusader for childhood vaccines, an anti-vaccine website photoshopped the author’s head onto the body of a scantily clad woman preparing to eat a baby. “This kind of vitriol is not designed to hold reporters accountable for the fairness and accuracy of their work,” writes Wallace. “Instead, it seeks to intimidate and, ultimately, to silence female journalists who write about controver-
Misogynistic language, designed to degrade and humiliate us, diverts attention away from our words and onto our sexuality. ing request? Not so courteous. The use of any gendered address in online criticism seems to be an arbitrary reminder of our sex. The “Ms.” comments are frequently steeped in condescension — sexism on the sly. It almost seems as if the commenter is attempting to validate his criticism by emphasizing that the author is, after all, merely a woman. More disturbing is the explicit sexism that appears in criticism of female writers. Misogynistic language, designed to degrade and humiliate us, diverts attention away from our words and onto our sexuality. It creates personal anxiety and fear that might ultimately preclude some female writers from speaking out again in the future. We’ve both personally felt scared and threatened. It’s unacceptable. This sexism — implicit and explicit — is in no way limited to the The Herald. Amy Wal-
sial topics. As often as not, even if they’ve won two Pulitzers … these women find their bodies — not their intellects — under attack .” Critique is an important part of writing, editing and social discourse. A reader is allowed to disagree with a woman’s argument, just as they are with that of a male writer. But in our experience, readers judge women’s writing more frequently — and more harshly. Furthermore, articles written by men are critiqued rarely, if ever, on the basis of the author’s looks. Take issue with the content of our articles, instead of shaming our appearance, gender or sexuality. Sexism doesn’t always have to be explicit — it can be as simple as being more prone to comment in a hurtful and offensive way on a female writer’s work. We believe that women take more flack for their columns than men —
even if couched in terms of sincere criticism — simply because people feel more entitled to critique them. Indeed, this type of sexism — the type that might go unnoticed unless someone points it out — is just a part of life in a world that favors men. Even men who point out everyday instances of sexism are cast as saviors and liberators of the female sex, while women who dare complain are branded as bitter and hypersensitive. We should note that women of color experience the same sexist comments, often containing additional elements of a racist nature. Such racism can take a blatant form, like prefacing a sexist insult with a slur, or it can be less obvious. Either way, it is intended to silence a writer on the basis of her race. Many female writers at The Herald have considered quitting after suffering a bout of sexist vitriol. And many of us have ceased to write articles about sexism for fear of nasty comments, thereby sacrificing the opportunity to challenge the sexist culture that leads to them. But we cannot let this culture go unmentioned. Columnists need to call out sexism, especially in its implicit, sneakiest forms. We should not be silenced by a misogynistic culture that continues to view women as sexual beings, valuable for their appearance and not their ability to think critically and write what they believe. We can already see the comments: You’re overreacting. Feminists like you give a bad name to feminists everywhere. For god’s sake, calm down! Is it just me, or did their periods sync up? Ms. Newlon and Ms. Tennis, you are… Sluts. Bimbos. Idiotic bitches. Go ahead. You’re only proving our point.
Cara Newlon ’14 and Maggie Tennis ’14 will probably read the comments.
THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2014
THE
metro
BROWN DAILY HERALD
Mayoral candidates tackle city education, infrastructure Public school system and economic development take center stage as mayoral race heats up The mayoral forum included Democratic candidates City Council President Michael Solomon, former Providence Water Supply Board Chairman Brett Smiley, former Housing Court Judge Jorge Elorza, Businessman Lorne Adrain and fourth-time mayoral candidate Chris Young, as well as Republican candidate Daniel Harrop ’76 MD’79. The candidates will compete for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mayor Angel Taveras’s seat. While there was a clear consensus that investment in early childhood education and school infrastructure are imperative for tackling Rhode Island’s poorly-rated education system and low literacy scores, candidates offered
By ALON GALOR METRO STAFF WRITER
With the September primary on the horizon, mayoral candidates discussed plans to boost Providence’s economy, reduce violence, improve the public school system and support city libraries at the Knight Memorial Library Wednesday night. Sponsored by the Providence Community Library and moderated by the League of Women Voters, the forum was the first in a series of three “Meet the Candidates” mayoral forums highlighting neighborhood issues such as schools, libraries and public safety, according to the organization’s website.
different approaches to improving the public school system. Smiley declared his support for universal pre-Kindergarten in the city and higher level Spanish courses for native Spanish speakers in public schools. Harrop expressed his support for an elected school board — in place of the current system in which the mayor appoints members to the board — and cited the merits of charter schools and subsidies for private schools. Solomon said he supports improvements to school transportation and pledged to invest $250 million in school infrastructure if elected. Young pledged to offer increased vocational training in public schools and to make the process of obtaining GEDs more accessible to dropouts.
Elorza criticized the underutilization of public schools for educational and community use during evenings and summers and stressed the importance of selecting high-achieving principals to enhance school performance. “It’s the economy, stupid,” Adrain said in one of his responses, quoting Bill Clinton. Smiley and Elorza addressed the city’s economic issues by pledging to create jobs through education, and Harrop suggested streamlined government services are necessary to foster Providence’s business climate. Harrop also vied not to raise taxes and emphasized the need to “reopen negotiations with unions and pensions” in the interest of the city’s financial stability. Reaffirming their stances from
the Martin Luther King Jr. Day forum hosted by the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence in late January, candidates spoke of the merits of teaching nonviolence and discussed the symbiotic relationship between safety, education and economic prosperity. Solomon introduced the initiative to expand the police force back to its pre-recession levels. Smiley reiterated his pledge to institute a supplemental sales tax of 10 percent on guns and ammunitions and to use the revenue to promote the practice of nonviolence, while Elorza repeated his commitment to match the diversity of the police force to that of the city’s population. In response to an audience » See MAYOR, page 3
Grant requests for housing, Providence re-zoning timeline By August, the City Council hopes to have a final draft of the Zoning city services move online Funding will be allotted through revised review process, incorporating new initiatives By EMMA JERZYK SENIOR STAFF WRITER
The Providence Division of Community Development held a public hearing yesterday to review its grant application process. The process is moving online for the first time this year. The division receives funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which it allocates to local nonprofits through several grants, including the Community Development Block Grant, the HOME Investment Partnership, the Emergency Solutions Grant and the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program. The majority of the state’s HUD funds go to the Community Development Block Grants. Community Development Block Grant funds contribute to community improvements, affordable housing and public city services. But they can also be used by nonprofits to provide public services, or to acquire, construct and renovate buildings. In the past year, the grant dollars helped fund city-wide sidewalk repairs, affordable housing and rental
units in South Providence, the Rhode Island Urban Debate League and the Olneyville Housing Corporation, among other projects, according to speakers of the hearing. The division plans to alter the application process for all of the HUDfunded grants and move the process online. Grant funding will now be allotted through a revised review process that takes into account specific iniatitives. One such focus is the division’s goal of transforming nonprofit facilities to make them more accessible to disabled individuals. This change comes as a result of the data on accessibility that the division collected during last year’s grant-giving process, according to the forum. The division is also looking to streamline the application process to collect larger amounts of data from applicants with greater ease. But this consolidation can interfere with the applicants’ ability to “provide narratives,” which make the grant applications more personalized, said Caitlin Frumerie, director of community development. “We tried to do more yes-no, fillin-the-blank drop-downs because those are what work better for the database, but there still are narrative sections,” Frumerie said. And streamlining the application » See GRANTS, page 3
Community development funding, 2013-14
Of the money Providence’s Division of Community Development receives from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, it allocates two-thirds to Community Development Block Grants.
Housing Funds $1,334,106 (17%)
Emergency Solutions Grant $342,602 (5%) Housing for Persons with AIDS $831,644 (11%)
Community Development Block Grant $5,168,772 (67%)
Source: Providence Dept. of Economic Development AVERY CRITS-CHRISTOPH / HERALD
Ordinance ready to implement. Summer
Fall
Winter
2013
Spring
Summer Aug. Sept. Oct.
2014 Evaluation phase
3rd draft Drafting phase
Source: rezoningprovidence.com
Final draft Ordinance manuals
Adoption/implementation phase AVERY CRITS-CHRISTOPH / HERALD
Re-zoning plans undergo revisions The Department of Planning and Development now gathering community feedback on March draft By ALEXANDER BLUM SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Seeking public input on citywide zoning changes, the Providence Department of Planning and Development hosted an open house Tuesday to supplement the series of five neighborhood meetings scheduled throughout April and May. The re-zoning process “is a pretty unique opportunity for us — these things don’t happen very often,” said Martina Haggerty, principal planner for the Department of Planning and Development, who manages the project. Though there have been amendments and changes over time, the zoning ordinances currently in effect date back to the 1950s, she added. The open houses and neighborhood meetings allow the Department of Planning and Development to gather community feedback for incorporation into subsequent drafts of the re-zoning plan, which was released to the public in March. Tuesday’s open house invited discussion on the altered zoning map and provided an opportunity for those interested to review the proposal. Department staff were also available to explain the proposed changes to members of the public, Haggerty said. The neighborhood meetings include a presentation, followed by a question and answer session,
Haggerty said. Attendance “really varies based on the meeting and based on the neighborhood,” she added. “Simplifying some of the zoning districts,” is one of the overarching goals of the proposed project, but changes will “vary based on the neighborhood,” Haggerty said. “Once an ordinance is adopted and the regulations are in place, it is really a gradual change that you see over time,” said Arista Strungys, principal consultant at Camiros, the planning firm that helped develop the new zoning plan. She added that zoning laws only provide guidelines for development and do not necessarily catalyze or initiate the development itself. “Zoning cannot force development to happen — it can set the stage for it,” Haggerty said, adding that “these things take time.” “We started doing interviews with stakeholders … back in May of 2013,” Strungys said. “We really made an effort to take a look at the residential zoning” to help “match the character that was already in place.” “You cannot possibly get everything right in one draft,” she said. “The next draft that comes out will reflect what was heard during these meetings.” Certain parts of Providence will undergo re-zoning to be more “pedestrian-oriented,” Haggerty said.
Specifically, the new zoning plan would designate some streets on the East Side as C2 instead of C4 zones, facilitating the eventual development of buildings “set right to the street” and encouraging a more pedestrianfriendly environment, she added. With regards to College Hill, Haggerty said the Department will implement the Thayer Street Planning Study’s zoning recommendations, which were finalized in January. The plan “formally recommended commercial zoning,” allowing for construction of three to four-story buildings in the area, The Herald previously reported. As the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission seeks to attract potential land buyers, the LINK land — formerly the I-195 highway — will remain under the zoning ordinances of downtown Providence. “We are not planning to revisit” those specific designations, which were revised a few years before the Commission formed in late 2011, Haggerty said. With two more neighborhood meetings scheduled for May, the goal is to present a revised version of the map and ordinances in mid-June. The release of the updated plan will be followed by a one-month period of public input to be taken into consideration before the new zoning plan is reviewed by the City Plan Commission and the City Council for approval, Haggerty said. The finalized product will hopefully be approved by mid-fall, she added.