T H E I N D E P E N D E N T D A I LY AT D U K E U N I V E R S I T Y
The Chronicle
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2011
ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTH YEAR, ISSUE 51
WWW.DUKECHRONICLE.COM
Tuition rising at faster rate than median income
Voters to decide on sales tax
Footloose
by Chinmayi Sharma
by Gloria Lloyd
THE CHRONICLE
THE CHRONICLE
The cost of a college education is growing, but some families’ income cannot keep up. The cost of higher education is outpacing the average American family’s ability to pay, according to a 2011 College Board report titled “Trends in College Pricing.” College tuition and average family income are rising, but tuition is generally increasing at a faster rate. Although some schools, like Duke, are able to offer generous financial aid packages to offset the cost of higher education, families with lower incomes nationwide still find that more than half of their income goes toward tuition. “The rich get richer in this winner-take-all society, and it seems tuition is being adjusted not in accordance with middle America, but rather the income of the top one in a thousand,” said Jacob Vigdor, professor of public policy and economics. According to data from the University Archives, Duke tuition remained under 20 percent of the U.S. median family income until 1980, when tuition reached its current rate of 63 percent of the median family income. In contrast, for wealthier families, the percentage of income that is dedicated to tuition has remained relatively low and stable. The College Board report shows that tuition rates have been rising at a faster rate among public institutions than private universities in
A proposed sales tax hike has sparked debate about the level of public transit use in the Triangle. Durham County voters will consider a referendum at the general elections Tuesday that proposes a half-cent sales tax increase to fund transit. Supporters of the referendum have said the increased revenue will improve public transportation in Durham and potentially encourage Orange and Wake County voters to also pass a sales tax to fund new train lines that could connect Durham to Raleigh and Chapel Hill. The referendum is one of the more contentious items on the ballot, given that it could raise Durham County sales tax from 7.75 percent to 8.25 percent. “I’m very hopeful that the referendum will pass,” Durham Mayor Bill Bell said. “It’s really a vision for this region if you consider the fact that over the next 20 years, we expect to have almost a million more people in the region.” Bell said the tax, if approved, would not go into effect until April 2012. If the measure passes, Durham County would be the second North Carolina county, after Mecklenburg, to institute a transit tax, according to the Durham County Bus and Rail Investment Plan. The long-range plan also calls for increased frequency of bus service in the next four
SOPHIA PALENBERG/THE CHRONICLE
Vandana Kumar, a sophomore, performs with Lasya, a classical dance group, as part of Awaaz 2011. SEE COST ON PAGE 8
SEE TAX ON PAGE 12
Fuqua board under new leadership
14 DUKE MIA 49
Bob McDonald, Ron Nicol appointed as chair, vice chair
Duke mauled in Miami
from Staff Reports THE CHRONICLE
IRINA DANESCU/CHRONICLE FILE PHOTO
A CEO of a Fortune 500 company assumed the role of chairman of Fuqua’s Board of Visitors at the board’s first meeting of the academic year this weekend. Bob McDonald, CEO, chairman of the board and president of Procter & Gamble, Co. is now the chairman of the board for the Fuqua School of Business. Ron Nicol, senior partner and managing director of global practices for Boston Consulting Group and Bob McDonald Fuqua ’86, officially assumed the position as the board’s vice chair. McDonald and Nicol assumed their positions in time to lead the board’s biannual meeting Nov. 4-5. “I am proud and excited to be the new chair of the Fuqua School of Business’ Board of Visitors,” McDonald
MIAMI — After Blue Devil defenders Austin Gamble and Tony Foster combined to stand up Miami backup quarterback Stephen Morris at the one-yard line on a third-down option keeper, the Hurricanes seemingly faced a tough decision. Leading 7-0 early in the first quarter, Miami was on its second drive, and first-year head coach Al Golden had to decide if he wanted to settle for three points or roll the dice on fourth down. It turned out to be an easy decision. Golden never hesitated, deciding to keep his offense on the field. Running back Mike James waltzed into the end zone on the next play
SEE FUQUA ON PAGE 7
SEE FOOTBALL ON SW 5
Bob McDonald—Procter & Gamble chairman of the board, president and CEO—was named the chairman of the board for Fuqua School of Business.
Blue Devils fall in ACC semifinals, SW 4
by Jason Palmatary THE CHRONICLE
ONTHERECORD
“By knowing the genetic basis of epilepsy, we will be even better at designing more effective treatment.” —Dr. Rodney Radtke on epilepsy. See story page 3
Duke cruises past Lander, SW 3