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
TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2012
ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTH YEAR, ISSUE 132
WWW.DUKECHRONICLE.COM
Brodhead explores morality with students Uni. considers conflict mineral investment rule by Danielle Muoio THE CHRONICLE
Students had the opportunity Monday to discuss morality at the home of President Richard Brodhead, with a goal of applying the discussion to their everyday lives. The three-course dinner at the Hart House focused on the challenges of exhibiting moral courage on campus. At their tables, guests discussed moments where they had “moral laryngitis”—instances where they were unsure of what was the right thing to do. The dinner, sponsored by the Honor Council, aimed to encourage students to be comfortable sharing personal moral dilemmas outside of this setting. “The single thing that makes me happiest in a university is the idea of student initiative,” Brodhead said. “There would be nothing to discuss with this group of students if student life were entirely based on passivity. I like the idea that this University exists to serve students but also exists to be made by students.” Although the Honor Council tries to hold a large event each year, Honor Council Chair Nick Valilis, a senior, said this is the first time the group has hosted a dinner. Students had to apply to attend to the dinner. Of the 80 applications received, only 15 were admitted. “Our vision for this was to help Duke students find their voice,” Valilis said. “If you think of your values as a card deck, we want to add values to that deck, which allow us to act ethically and also give those ethics a voice.” Because the Honor Council wants students to carry the knowledge learned at
by Lauren Carroll THE CHRONICLE
to reach out to have these kinds of conversations either with their peers, professors or administrators,” Nowicki said. “The value of this [event] is that it was intentionally made to be very visible, and that will help bring this kind of discussion into the limelight.”
Duke is assessing the potential impact of a resolution that would make the University a more socially conscious investor. By the end of the Spring, the Advisory Committee on Investment Responsibility hopes to assess an investment resolution proposed by the Coalition for a Conflict-Free Duke and to present a recommendation on it to President Richard Brodhead—who may then take the proposal to the Board of Trustees. University administrators do not anticipate any significant financial consequences for Duke’s investments if the resolution passes, but the question remains what the impact of the action could be. The resolution proposes a proxy vote—that Duke’s investment managers vote in favor of all shareholder resolutions asking companies to be more transparent with their policies regarding conflict minerals as well as any efforts to reduce social injury caused by conflict minerals. The illicit trade of conflict minerals—such as tin, tungsten and gold—is largely responsible for fueling violence in Central Africa. These materials are widely used in consumer technology products, as well as food packaging and industrial goods. If the CCFD resolution is approved through all the proper channels, it would act as a guideline for the investment managers at DUMAC, the corporation that manages the $5.7 billion Duke University Endowment, said Executive
SEE BRODHEAD ON PAGE 5
SEE INVESTMENT ON PAGE 5
FAITH ROBERTSON/THE CHRONICLE
President Richard Brodhead speaks Monday in the Hart House. the dinner through the course of their academic career, no seniors were admitted to the dinner, Valilis said. Steve Nowicki, dean and vice provost of undergraduate education, noted that discussions on moral courage do occur on campus, but are not as widespread as they should be. “Too many students don’t know how
DSG PRESIDENTIAL RACE
Swain strives to improve DSG advocacy After revival, by Raisa Chowdhury THE CHRONICLE
MELISSA YEO/THE CHRONICLE
Junior Alex Swain brings knowledge from a wide range of experiences and passion for positively changing Duke with her brand of student leadership. Swain, Duke Student Government vice president for Durham and regional affairs, is running for DSG president in hopes of mobilizing and organizing student voices to act in students’ interests. Her platform, “Advocacy that Works,” emphasizes solution-based advocacy that aims to change the framework by which DSG engages students and implements policy. As president, Swain said she hopes to shift the focus of DSG so that it reaches out to the student body. By making DSG more transparent and instituting a student feedback system, the goal is to let regular students come to DSG meetings to voice their concerns, such as the campus hazing or alcohol policies. She also wants to use online avenues such as the DSG email blast and Twitter account to keep students informed of the
Alexandra Swain, a junior, currently serves as the Duke Student Government vice president of Durham and regional affairs.
SEE SWAIN ON PAGE 3
Food Factory here to stay by Ben Rakestraw THE CHRONICLE
The Food Factory, which struggled to survive in its first semester on campus, is making a comeback. The Central Campus restaurant, which replaced the Devil’s Bistro at the beginning of the academic year, struggled to attract customers in its first few months. At the time, owner Jim Schmid said he had difficulty adapting the business model of the original Food Factory location in Cary, N.C. to a university setting, losing approximately $15,000 in September. But the beginning of the Spring semester brought a host of positive changes for the restaurant. Schmid saw an influx of business from students returning from abroad, who filled empty apartments on Central. Additionally SEE FOOD FACTORY ON PAGE 6
ONTHERECORD
Blue Devil days soundoff, Page 3
“Their problems are our problems and our well-being is ultimately linked with theirs.” —Nyuol Tong in “The role of the black scholar.” See column page 11
Fuqua a mainstay behind Duke Athletics, Page 7