Nov. 19, 2012 issue of The Chronicle

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 19, 2012

ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTH YEAR, ISSUE 61

WWW.DUKECHRONICLE.COM

Superheroes descend on N. Carolina

FLORIDA GULF TOAST

by Jacob Levitt THE CHRONICLE

Just a little more than five minutes into the game, Florida Gulf Coast’s surprisingly loud fans made themselves heard by chanting, “scoreboard” during the first media timeout. They probably should have waited a little bit to bring out the classic cheer, because the Cameron Crazies repeatedly responded in kind as Duke (3-0) built and protected a commanding lead.

After allowing the Eagles to put up 30 points in less than 15 minutes, the No. 9 Blue Devils went on a 30-0 run over the last 5:40 of the first half and the first two minutes of the second half, sending them to an 88-67 victory against Florida Gulf Coast.

The run was the longest of that magnitude since the team went on a 26-0 run against Clemson in 1999.

“It’s demoralizing for them,” senior Mason Plumlee said of the run. “When you go that long without scoring a basket, guys, whether you want to or not, start pointing fingers and get frustrated. Once they do that, you know you’ve got them.”

Shutdown defense keyed the run. During the five minutes prior to the end of the first half, the Eagles had 11 possessions. Eight of those ended with turnovers, while only three resulted in missed shots. For a team that struggled on defense last year, such a commanding performance encouraging.

“It shows we’re becoming a better team defense,” Plumlee said. “Individually, we have good guys. Rasheed can really guard, Tyler can really guard, but I think to do something like that it shows that everybody is

by Georgia Parke THE CHRONICLE

Catwoman made her way to the Bull City this weekend along with some other comic book favorites.

Hundreds of comic fans, collectors and curious guests filled the Durham Convention Center over the weekend at the colorful North Carolina Comicon. Visitors to the event were able to participate in an art contest on Saturday and a costume contest on Sunday.

A vast ballroom at the DCC filled with exhibitors from around the state came to showcase both new and vintage comic book collections to the hordes of visitors. Panels of comic book authors and experts spanned both days. This was the first time the event took place in Durham, having moved from the Morrisville Outlet Mall after last year.

“I’ve been at the San Diego Comicon,” said Richard Wang, a freshman who attended the event on Sunday. “It was huge and awesome.

This is smaller, but the quality is consistent.”

Attendees arrived in costumes ranging from a complete group of the Avengers to a middle-aged Eleventh Doctor Who. One preschool-aged Batman took advantage of the opportunity to pose for a picture in a replica of the original Batmobile parked outside the Convention Center.

Other costumes included aliens with CHRISTOPHER DALL/THE CHRONICLE

SEE M. BASKETBALL ON PAGE 8

Mason Plumlee led the Blue Devils with a career-high 28 points on 9-of-11 shooting.

SEE COMICON ON PAGE 12

DSG edits appeals Dept. seeks better physics facility process for funding

by Emma Baccellieri THE CHRONICLE

by Kristie Kim THE CHRONICLE

Student groups dissatisfied with funding allocations have a new appeals process.

In late October, the Duke Student Government Sennews ate created analysis the Financial Oversight and Appeals Committee in an amendment to the bylaws governing the Student Organization Finance Committee, which oversees funding for student groups and programming. The appeals committee—comprised of the DSG president, executive vice president, treasurer, chief of staff and four senators, in addition to the

SOFC chair—will be responsible for the appeals process for funding requests as well as allocating surplus funding.

“For the past several years, students have been complaining about the inefficiencies of the appeals process and have called for a process that is more transparent and fair,” said DSG Executive Vice President Patrick Oathout, a junior. “The creation of FOAC is a response to these requests.”

The new committee will replace the Surplus Trustees committee, which was formed to review allocations from the DSG Surplus Account, said sophomore Nikolai Doytchinov, vice president

SYLVIE SPEWAK/THE CHRONICLE

Although the physics department will eventually be able to call a new building home, plans for construction are not in the University’s immediate trajectory.

Duke’s current plans call for an entirely new building rather than renovations to the existing one.

The current Physics Building has drawn criticism for both aesthetic and practical reasons, but sufficient funds have not yet been provided for construction. Funding for the project is being raised as part of the Duke Forward capital campaign, noted Paul Manning, director of the Duke Facilities Office of Project Management.

“I would be extremely happy to tell you we’re going to go ahead [and build], but I do understand

SEE SOFC ON PAGE 3

Despite widespread criticism of the Physics Building and its facilities, a new space is not at the top on the University’s list of priorities.

SEE PHYSICS ON PAGE 12

Founder of BET talks about seizing opportunities, Page 2

ONTHERECORD

“Just because centuries of powerful men have cheated and gotten away with it doesn’t mean we should continue....”

—Joline Doedens in “Chronic zipper malfunction.” See column page 11

Duke football loses 42-24 to Georgia Tech, Page 6

2 | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012

THE CHRONICLE

BET founder shares success story

by Linda Yu THE CHRONICLE

Bob Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television network and former owner of the Charlotte Bobcats NBA team, believes that success comes from seizing opportunities.

As the keynote speaker at the Fuqua School of Business’s MBA Workshop for Minority Applicants, Johnson described his career trajectory in front of a full house at Fuqua’s Kirby Reading Room Friday.

When he was a cable company lobbyist, Johnson met businessman John Malone, who at the time owned the third largest cable company in the United States. Malone told Johnson to come talk to him whenever he had an idea.

“That part right there is what I call the beginning of what I call ‘the Bob Johnson Luck,’” he said.

After that invitation, Johnson set about trying to come up with an idea to show Malone. He realized that while there were magazines and radio stations targeting the black demographic, the same was not true for television—mostly because up to that point, television channels could not be targeted to certain households in the way magazines could. But the advent of cable made it easier for television chan-

nels to reach specific demographics.

“All of the sudden, with that technological revolution, you had the ability to aggregate African American households all across the country so that one could create niche programming,” Johnson said.

He saw BET as simply an extension of what already existed in magazines and radio and “putting it into a new technology.”

The actual founding of BET took place in 35 minutes. Johnson brought his idea to Malone and asked for $500,000 in funding to start BET—a sum of money so large that it would have been incomprehensible to him just a few years before.

“I’m from the small town of Freeport, Ill., and there are 30,000 people in town, 10 percent African American, so 3,000 African Americans,” Johnson said. “500,000 would be equal to the total GDP of every black person in town. So I’m about to ask for more money than anybody in the entire town has seen in their lives.”

Malone put down $180,000 in equity and a $320,000 loan, establishing himself as a 20 percent owner, with Johnson owning the other 80 percent.

“What Malone didn’t know at the time was that if he had reversed the numbers and said, ‘I’ll be 80 and you’ll be 20,’ I would have said, ‘John, that’s a deal,’” Johnson joked.

Having never run a company before, Johnson asked Malone for advice. Malone told him to work to increase revenues while keeping costs low—advice Johnson jokingly called “his MBA.” Malone’s faith in him and initial investment would stay with Johnson. He cited Malone’s backing of BET as a source of credibility for the young company that endured beyond its startup phase.

“When I went out to borrow money for BET, or when I went out to get cable operators to carry us, the first thing the guy who’s a banker asks is, ‘Who else is in the deal?’” Johnson said. “Mainly because I was black... but you don’t get $500,000 to grow on trees.”

Johnson, however, was able to say that Malone was “in the deal.” While Johnson eventually paid back the initial $320,000 loan, Malone never sold his initial BET shares and when Viacom bought the company in 2003, he made a return of $700 million on his $180,000 equity investment. Malone made a profit, but ownership of BET made Johnson the first black billionaire.

“I fundamentally believe that if there were more John Malones in this society, there would be more Bob Johnsons,” Johnson said.

He said that society needed to find a

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

BET Founder Bob Johnson, shown with former President George W. Bush, spoke about his rise to success at the Fuqua School of Business Friday. way to make capital access more available to black businesspeople.

“It is becoming more and more difficult to gain access to capital and not because of scarcity of capital,” he said.

“There is a trillion dollars sloshing around this economy, but none of it is blowing our way.”

He believes that in many situations, black people and other minorities just SEE BET ON PAGE 3

Not a costume party

Triangle Sangeet

JACLYN KARASIK/THE CHRONICLE

PARTH CHODAVADIA/THE CHRONICLE

The Duke and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Sangeet group perform Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance, in the Bryan Center Friday.

Save your cash for when you get there.

Students eat traditional Indian food at this year’s celebration of Diwali—a Hindu holiday—on Saturday.

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SOFC from page 1 for academic affairs. The Surplus Account holds approximately $90,000, accumulated from several years of budget under-utilization “The thought was that before money could be withdrawn, in potentially very large amounts, from this account that contained student fees collected over a long period, more due diligence should be performed and a thoughtful analysis presented to the Senate,” Doytchinov wrote in an email Thursday.

He added that the Senate would retain the right to decide how much money to appropriate, but only after hearing the recommendation from FOAC. FOAC establishes a qualified appeals process that addresses the need for a separation of powers, Oathout said, adding that the inclusion of the SOFC chair in FOAC, however, would allow him or her to comment on the decisions process.

“It would be inappropriate for appeals to come back to SOFC after SOFC made the initial decision,” SOFC chair Kat Krieger, a senior, wrote in an email Sunday.

Doytchinov, who co-authored the amendment, noted that there were several issues that prompted the creation of the new committee, notably the desire of several groups to appeal SOFC recommendations on their applications for funding, recognition or charter.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012 | 3

In the previous system, such appeals would require the groups to attend the Wednesday DSG meetings and address the full Senate body, who would then consider the legislation to overrule SOFC. “The Senate is not a good body to directly research facts and deliberate on details. This is better done in committee, without wasting everyone’s time,” Doytchinov said. “The Senate can then vote based on the facts determined by FOAC and in light of that body’s recommendation.”

The inclusion of both DSG and SOFC members in FOAC should facilitate communication between the two organizations, as well as improve the credibility of the new committee to the Senate, Krieger added.

FOAC, Doytchinov added, would also conduct a comprehensive review of DSG’s fiscal policies, thereby becoming the “go-to committee” for fact-finding and analysis on controversial financial decisions.

Since its creation at the end of October, the new committee has already been put to use for investigating Scale and Coin—a new interest group working to provide opportunities and information in the business field, Oathout noted. In response to concerns about the organization’s affiliation with the Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity, which was disbanded due to conduct violations, the investigation was handed over to FOAC.

Strutting their stuff

ELYSIA SU/THE CHRONICLE

Alpha Tau Omega, Phi Delta Theta and Lambda Phi Epsilon fraternities perform together in the annual Inter-Greek Council Blaze the Stage Stroll Show competition in Page Auditorium Saturday night.

BET from page 2 need the opportunity to get their foot in the door.

“My story is because someone in the white community said, ‘I want to back this young African- American guy on this idea called BET,’” he said. “It was a real roll of the dice kind of gamble. But somebody did that, and it paid off.”

He said that as he is nearing the end of his career, he wants

to see more black and minority Americans prove to the broader society that they deserve the right to manage and create value out of the wealth of the nation.

Johnson invented what he calls the RLJ Rule to give back. Based off the NFL’s Rooney Rule, the voluntary policy commits companies to interview at least one minority applicant for any position at or above the director level.

“I’m not asking for any form of reverse discrimination, but I

just have to live with the facts,” he said. “If you can’t get access to pursue your dream, you will not be able to be competitive.”

Kodjo Bissah, a prospective MBA student from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, has long considered Bob Johnson a personal hero and found his speech inspirational.

“That’s something, when you see that someone who looks like you had a chance of success,” Bissah said.

the chronicle

november 19, 2012

DECESARE’S REIGN FOOTBALL: LOSES TO GEORGIA TECH • MEN’S BASKETBALL: PLUMLEE LEADS DUKE TO VICTORY

BRIANNA SIRACUSE/THE CHRONICLE

sportswrap

THE CHRONICLE

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012 | 5

WOMEN’S SOCCER

MEN’S BASKETBALL

De-VENI, De-VIDI, De-VICI Plumlee unleashed in the post

by Matt Pun THE CHRONICLE

SIMPLY THE BEST!

She came, she saw, she conquered.

Kim DeCesare put together a fourgoal weekend to propel Duke to its fourth NCAA TournaDUKE 3 ment quarterfinal appearance in the 1 UVA last six years.

After routing Miami of Ohio 4-1 Friday afternoon, DeCesare and the third-seeded Blue Devils defeated second-seeded Virginia for the first time since 2008, winning the round of 16 matchup 3-1 at Klockner Stadium Sunday afternoon.

In the second round match against the RedHawks, DeCesare wasted no time seizing the lead for Duke. The redshirt junior scored twice in the first 13 minutes of play, one off her head and one off her foot.

“Kimmy has phenomenal touch around the [18-yard box],” head coach Robbie Church said. “She scores goals with her head. She scores goals with her feet. She’s just been a really, really big time player….

Every time we need a big goal or a big game, Kimmy is there to really give us that.”

DeCesare said the team had taken up the motto “Make our momentum” in the hopes of building off their previous games.

And just as she did in the second round, DeCesare scored early again against the Cavaliers (18-5-1) Sunday, snapping Duke’s (15-5-2) four-game scoring drought against Virginia. The score was her team-leading sixth header goal on the season and gave the Blue Devils a 1-0 advantage.

Pushing for a second goal, Duke kept

“They smelled blood in the water,” Church said.

Facing a numbers disadvantage in the midfield due to Virginia’s 4-4-2 formation, Duke switched from its 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 to help the team in its defensive efforts.

In the 50th minute though, Cavalier forward Caroline Miller—the ACC’s leading scorer—got her team on the scoreboard when she put away a one-timer off a cross.

Although Virginia had 11 shots in the second half, just two were on target, as Anasi and the Blue Devil back four held tight. “[Natasha] played amazingly,” DeCesare said. “I think she didn’t hold anything back, and that’s really important.”

As the game drew to a close, DeCesare notched a second goal to put the game away.

After gaining possession for Duke in the

It’s been a long time coming—the Duke offense, for the first time in quite a while, runs through the post this year.

Head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s change in emphasis on the offensive end stems from the team’s advantage at the center Brady position virtually every night with senior big man Mason Plumlee.

“He’s had a really great year,” Krzyzewski said.

As the focal point of the Blue Devil offense this season, Plumlee—who notched a career-high 28 points on an efficient 9-of-11 shooting against Florida Gulf Coast Sunday night—has made it known that he is one of the premier players in the land while helping No. 9 Duke get off to a 3-0 start.

Getting more touches than he has ever received in his Duke career, the Warsaw, Ind. product is averaging 18.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocked shots per game so far this season.

“I really wanted that,” Plumlee said in regards to having a bigger role offensively.

“Coach knew I wanted that. He gave me the opportunity, and now it’s all on me.”

SEE W. SOCCER ON PAGE 8

SEE PLUMLEE ON PAGE 8

BRIANNA SIRACUSE/THE CHRONICLE

Kaitlyn Kerr, left, recorded an assist for Mollie Pathman’s goal while Kim DeCesare led Duke past UVA with two goals.

Cavalier goalkeeper Danielle DeLisle busy, posting six consecutive shots during the next 10 minutes, but could not find the finishing touch. Then, in the 38th minute, junior Mollie Pathman finally found the back net, scoring a one-timer off a cross from junior Kaitlynn Kerr for her first score of the season.

“It was huge to score the second one,” Church said. “That gave us belief. That gave us a little cushion…. There was no question that [Virginia was] going to come back at us.”

With a 2-0 advantage at the half, the Blue Devils faced the difficult task of keeping the nation’s fifth highest-scoring offense at bay to preserve the victory. Adding to the challenge, Duke center back Natasha Anasi had earned a yellow card in the first half.

After recording just three first-half shots, the Cavaliers came out firing in the second period.

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“Good” not good enough vs. GT 24 DUKE

by Bobby Colton THE CHRONICLE

ATLANTA—Sometimes “good” just is not good enough. Although the Blue Devils showed signs of improvement against Georgia Tech, the team was defenseless against the Yellow Jackets’ triple-option attack.

Entering the game with the ACC’s best rushing attack, Georgia Tech did not disappoint against Duke’s 10th-ranked rush defense. Ten different players carried the ball as the Yellow Jackets outlasted the Blue Devils’ comeback attempts en route to a 42-24 victory Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium. With the win, Georgia Tech (6-5, 5-3 in the ACC) secured bowl eligibility. Dropping its third-straight contest, Duke (6-5, 3-4) can no longer contend for the ACC Coastal Division crown.

“We didn’t play poorly. As a matter of fact, we played good in a lot of areas. We played good on defense. They played better on offense” Duke head coach David Cutcliffe said.

“Generally, when you play a team that runs this offense, they’re going to make a mistake….

They did not.”

The Yellow Jacket rushing onslaught started on its first drive, when Georgia Tech used a 16-yard fourth-down romp from running back Orwin Smith to set up a 1-yard touchdown run from starting quarterback Tevin Washington. With his 36th-career rushing touchdown, Georgia Tech’s signal-caller set the all-time ACC record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback. To Duke’s credit, despite Georgia Tech finishing the game with 330 rushing yards, the teams’ yards-per-carry was just 4.6, more than a full yard lower than their season average.

Where the Blue Devils struggled the most defensively was coming up with key stops in third and fourth down situations. The Georgia Tech offense converted 13-of-20 third downs and all four of its fourth down attempts.

Despite its defensive deficiencies, Duke’s offense found the end zone with ease against Georgia Tech’s defensive unit. Taking the op-

posite approach from their counterparts, the Blue Devils leaned heavily on quarterback Sean Renfree’s arm on their second drive.

The offense came up with a fourth-down conversion of its own before Renfree found a wide-open Desmond Scott along the left sideline for a 24-yard touchdown reception to draw even at 7-7.

Another big challenge for Duke’s defense was the length of Georgia Tech’s offensive drives. Backup quarterback Vad Lee entered the game and engineered a methodical series that consumed 8:06 of the second quarter, marching the ball 75 yards while throwing just one pass, a five-yard completion. Lee capped off the 16-play drive with a 1-yard rushing score of his own.

As Georgia Tech celebrated its annual Senior Day, one of Duke’s seniors has likely played in his final collegiate game. With the score 21-14 in favor of the home team, cornerback and kick returner Lee Butler was tripped up after a 16-yard kickoff return and left the game. Although the injury did not seem severe at the time, Cutcliffe revealed that Butler’s injury will require surgery on his knee.

“Lee suffered a knee injury that looks like it will require surgery. He has been a warrior for us for five years, an extraordinary young man. He is an incredible human being. Most of us couldn’t deal with what Lee has had to deal with in his career. We’ve got his back,” Cutcliffe said.

That same drive Duke almost suffered another brutal injury, as Renfree was on the receiving end of a big hit after scrambling nine yards up the middle. Renfree remained in the game and set up freshman Ross Martin for a career-long 50-yard field goal to cut the Yellow Jacket lead to four at the half.

The second half was more of the same for both potent offenses, though Georgia Tech’s Washington completed one of the oddest passes in recent memory. The Yellow Jackets set up a screen pass on third-and-7 to Chris Jackson that was quickly sniffed out by Blue Devil cor-

nerback Ross Cockrell. Jackson couldn’t corral the pass, but a fortuitous bounce found the ball resting in the arms of offensive lineman Ray Beno, who rumbled nine yards to pick up a first down.

“The ball kind of just bounced and fell into the lineman’s hand,” Cockrell said. “He wasn’t even looking for it. I have never seen that ever happen.”

When Duke’s offense retook the field after another Georgia Tech touchdown, Scott came through in the clutch once again with a 23-yard reception on a second-and-18 play, which set up a one-yard touchdown reception for Juwan Thompson a few plays later.

Scott took advantage of Georgia Tech’s weaknesses in the secondary, snagging 10 passes for 124 yards and the first-quarter touchdown. Scott, who was matching up with linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties all game, credits his quarterback’s decision making for his breakout performance.

“It was just the flow of the game,” Scott said. “I was open a lot of times....but Sean and the [offensive line] did a good job holding up and Sean made the right passes.”

The Yellow Jackets pulled away in the fourth quarter with their powerful rushing attack, keeping the Blue Devil offense, which was unable to find the end zone in the game’s final frame, off the field. Although Duke did not have success offensively, one of the team’s leaders was able to hit a major individual milestone. Grabbing a 5-yard pass in the fourth quarter, senior receiver Conner Vernon finally broke the ACC record for all-time receiving yards, passing Florida State’s Peter Warrick.

With the Coastal Division title out of the picture following the loss, Duke now has to refocus their attention to finishing the season with their first winning record since 1994. The Blue Devils will host Miami next week at Wallace Wade Stadium hoping to build momentum before bowl season gets underway.

Georgia Tech running back David Sims ran for 70 yards on 11 carri

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Duke wins two games by 108 combined points

by Jay Sullivan THE CHRONICLE

After winning their two preseason games by a combined 197 points, not much changed in the Blue Devils’ first two games of the regular season. With the return of star center Elizabeth Williams, Joanne P. McCallie’s team crushed two undersized opponents, Presbyterian and Iona, in less than 24 hours.

Saturday night, No. 3 Duke ran out to to a 17-6 lead against Presbyterian and never look back defeating the Blue Hose 84-45 at Cameron Indoor Stadium. In a quick turnaround, Duke faced Iona at Cameron Indoor Sunday afternoon, defeating the Gaels 100-31.

Duke’s extraordinary talent and physical strength were on display in both games as the Blue Devils (2-0) combined to outrebound and outpass their opponents by a combined 33 rebounds and 30 assists.

“They’re the third-ranked team in the country for a reason. [They’re] very talented,” Presbyterian head coach Ronny Fisher said.

Duke controlled both games on the defensive side of the ball both in full and half court setups as each scholarship player recorded at least five rebounds against Iona. Despite such dominance, McCallie stressed to her team the importance of continuing to play with intensity and to improve the quality of on-ball defense.

“I know that we can do anything through rebounding, and that’s going to be a big key for getting the ball. I think our guards are phenomenal rebounders,” McCallie said. “The film will show a bunch of breakdowns in our

ERIC LIN/THE CHRONICLE

Chelsea Gray recorded 18 points, eight assists and two steals in Duke’s 100-31 victory against Iona. defenses—clips we can really utilize when the score doesn’t matter.”

The most welcome surprise for Duke was the return of a limited Elizabeth Williams, who played 10 minutes against Presbyterian and 18 against Iona. Still recovering from a stress fracture in her foot, Williams had 32 points, 10 rebounds and seven blocks, six of which came against Iona.

“She was bouncing, which is a good sign when you’re talking about injuries,” McCallie said. “I thought she made her presence known in 18 minutes and that was a good thing. By virtue of her blocks and things, she was obviously doing pretty well.”

Duke was led in both games by the play

of junior guard Chelsea Gray, whose passing ability and aggressive mentality provided the spark for the Blue Devils on both sides of the ball. A major moment in the first half of the game against Iona came when Gray drew two defenders to her in transition and passed the ball behind her head to Allison Vernerey for an open lay-up.

Gray managed Duke’s offense during both games, committing only one turnover with 14 assists in the contests. Her vision and passing ability were on display, as was the potential of freshman guard Alexis Jones, who found her teammates for multiple open shots despite having trouble with turnovers. “[Gray] is the best passer, male or fe-

male, in this country, when she doesn’t turn the ball over and when she has eight assists like that and she can set up passes like that,” McCallie said.

Vernerey, Duke’s lone senior, was a major contributor for the Blue Devils during both contests, playing the majority of minutes at center with a limited Williams. Against Iona, Vernerey ignited Duke’s offense early, scoring 20 points in the first half, two more than the entire Iona squad. She finished with a careerhigh tying 22 points,, addingg in four blocks and five assists.

“It was wonderful ul to see Allison so domiave a great shooting pernant on the block, have centage, demandingg the ball and having her teammates get the ball to her,” McCallie said.

Looking ahead, Duke will take on increasingly ly more competitive teams in Valparaiso and Xavier before gan as travelling to Michigan n/ACC part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The Bluee Devils ave conremain on track to have roughout tinued success throughout the season after a weekend eekend of encouraging routs. body con“I thought everybody tributed. I thought we got a little bit better. That’s hat’s what were trying to do, gett better,” McCallie said. “Now w we’ll just take a day and get on to the next game.”

THE CHRONICLE

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012 | 7

GT 42 One big play from one big man ATLANTA—As all 292 pounds of Georgia Tech’s Ray Beno rumbled and stumbled toward the first-down marker after recording his first career reception, it was as though the air was sucked out of Bobby Dodd Stadium.

This was not due to the tackle’s huge gasps for air after he picked up the first down, but rather the deflating feeling that struck the Blue Devils’ sideline after squandering their best opportunity to make a crucial defensive stop.

It’s funny to think that Daniel the decisive play of a game that was ultimately decided by 18 points could be made in the early stages of the third quarter. But by controlling the clock with their triple-option offense that Duke could not seem to stop, the Yellow Jackets made this contest seem much more like a tennis match than a football game.

Georgia Tech broke serve early, forcing a Blue Devil punt on the first possession of the game, and the Yellow Jackets subsequently went up a break after their first methodical touchdown drive of the afternoon. The teams traded offensive scores and Georgia Tech held onto the game’s momentum, leading 21-17 at halftime and receiving the opening kickoff of the second half.

The Blue Devil defense, which was picked apart by the Yellow Jackets’ surgical offensive execution for the entirety of the game’s first two quarters, came out of the locker room energized and poised to make a stop. Forcing the Yellow Jackets into third-and-7 at their own 28-yard line, quarterback Tevin Washington dropped back for a rare passing attempt. It was a wide receiver screen to Chris Jackson, and Duke’s defense knew it. Cornerback Ross Cockrell snuffed out the play and wrapped up the receiver, just like he was supposed

Carp

On Football

CAROLINE RODRIGUEZ/THE CHRONICLE

ies as the Yellow Jackets tallied 330 yards on the ground.

to, but the ball deflected into Beno’s hands with room to run.

“I saw the play, I came up on it, I wrapped the receiver up and the ball just bounced and fell into the lineman’s hands,” Cockrell said. “He wasn’t looking for it. He wasn’t expecting it—he was just trying to block me. I have never seen that ever happen before in a football game. I have never seen a lineman run as far as he did with the ball.”

Instead of recording their first true stop of the game and getting the ball back with the chance to take the lead, Duke’s defensive unit was defenseless as the Yellow Jackets capped off a 13-play, 75-yard drive with a 28-yard scoring strike to fullback Zach Laskey. That drive extended Georgia Tech’s lead to 28-17 and struck a major blow to the Blue Devils’ confidence— having seemingly stopped the Yellow Jackets’ arsenal of quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers on at least one series, they were ultimately done in by their inability to guard a rogue offensive lineman.

To add insult to injury, Beno wasn’t even trying to catch the ball.

“Actually, it was a missed assignment on my part,” Beno said. “I was actually supposed to block that corner.

As soon as I saw that I wasn’t going to make it, I stopped so I wouldn’t get a penalty. I ducked down to make sure the ball would clear me. All I know is that the ball popped out of Chris Jackson’s hands and I said ‘Hey, we need a big play right now.’ I just took it and ran with it.

Luckily we got the first down.”

Little did the redshirt junior know at the time, he possibly may have put the game out of reach with a 9-yard catch and run.

“It was pretty big,” Duke head coach David Cutcliffe said. “We get a stop, force a punt, we were doing a good job in the return game and pressuring the punter. He was on the other side of the field—all I saw was Ross’s hit and then I see this lineman running, I was like ‘Oh my.’ It was significant in this game because it was a possession game. You’re hunting a stop.”

Stops simply did not happen for Duke against Georgia Tech. Allowing the Yellow Jackets to convert 13-of-20 third-down conversions, the Blue Devils could not keep Georgia Tech’s offense off the field. Even when Duke managed a third-down stop, the Yellow Jackets converted on all four of their attempts on fourth down. On a day when Georgia Tech’s offensive execution was nearly perfect—going an entire game without a fumbled exchange and being stopped in the backfield for a loss just twice—Duke was unable to play catch-up against a team that possessed the ball for 38:10 of the game’s 60 minutes.

Had Beno’s immaculate reception slipped out of his grasp and fell to the ground, it could have completely altered the complexion of the game.

The Blue Devil offense had no problem scoring until it felt the pressure to push the ball down the field and score quickly. After Georgia Tech increased its lead to two scores, Duke’s offensive rhythm slowly deteriorated while its defense searched for a way to stop the triple option.

It shouldn’t sound as simple as this, but maybe it is— sometimes it’s just the way the ball bounces.

CROSS COUNTRY

Women exceed expectations with 7th at Nationals

by Sarah Elsakr THE CHRONICLE

With one successful meet after another, the 10th-ranked Duke women managed to exceed expectations at the NCAA Championship meet in Louisville, Ky. this past Saturday with a seventh-place finish.

“We were simply thrilled,” head coach Kevin Jermyn said. “It was a good start to the year early on in September and things just got better and better… and we finished with our best performance of the th year. I think they were excited to be there, they felt prepared and they were t looking l forward to a good race, and it was w a mentality that certainly led to some of o the best racing that some of the girls have done all season.” h The Blue Devils were led by sophomore m Kelsey Lakowske, who finished off th first season of her cross country career the with w a personal-best time of 20:03.4 in the 6km 6 race. Her 20th-place finish was good enough e to earn her All-America honors.

“It still hasn’t really hit me,” Lakowske said. sa “I’m happy with the race, I’m happy w how our team did and most of all I’m with happy with the entire experience.” h Lakowske headed into the meet with the in intention of starting out faster than usual and a hopefully holding her momentum until ti the end of the race. Although she readily il acknowledged the possibility of burning out o too soon, she managed to keep up the pace p and finish in the top spot for the Blue Devils, a rare experience for a first-year D

runner at a national meet.

Lakowske was followed by teammate Juliet Bottorff, who took 27th with her time of 20:06.1, earning All-America honors as well. Sophomore Carolyn Baskir crossed the line in third for the Blue Devils, 32 seconds behind Bottorff, and was followed shortly afterwards by graduate student Suejin Ahn, who finished her cross country career with a time of 20:52.3. Senior Madeline Morgan, who had run individually at the Championships the previous season and with the team in 2010, took 160th with her time of 21:10.6. Teammates Ashley Brasovan and Gabby Levac closed out the rest of the Duke squad with their times of 21:33.5 and 21:46.4, respectively.

The top-10 finish at the meet was Duke’s best since its third-place finish in 2005 and Jermyn and his runners said it was due, at least in part, to the close team connection that the runners have been working to foster since before the start of the season.

“Juliet was a really big boost for us,” Jermyn said. “Workout after workout, race after race, [she was] always at the front of the pack, raising the level of performance for herself and the entire team…. And having Suejin come back for a fifth year… really that kind of anchored our seventh-place finish. We had a really neat combination of seniors and rookies out there, and it was a combination that turned out to be very successful.”

SARAH ELSAKR/CHRONICLE FILE PHOTO

Sophomore Kelsey Lakowske led the Blue Devils, finishing in 20th overall and earning All-American honors.

For Lakowske, that combination was key in helping her to showcase her ability as one of the top runners on the team.

“I wouldn’t have made it without my teammates—both the people that I was

running with at the race and the support of everybody back in Durham,” Lakowske said. “I couldn’t be more appreciative of what an awesome team I have. I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else.”

8 | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012

THE CHRONICLE

CLASSIFIEDS HELP WANTED DIRECTOR OF QUALITY ASSURANCE

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A hands-on attitude and capacity to work independently are essential, as this position will interact with clinical operational teams and be responsible for multiple aspects of quality documentation. The Director of QA will report directly to the President.

Responsibilities - Ensure that all systems, guidelines, policies, and SOPs comply with both US and international quality requirements for Good Clinical Practices - Host client and regulatory audits of NeuroCog Trials - Conduct internal audits of our departments and external audits of our suppliers as agreed and planned with management - Manage internal and external CAPA plans through to completion - Provide clinical operational teams with input to help proactively address potential regulatory issues - Support implementation of computer system validation initiatives with the support of external expert consultation, including software, application, and platform system life cycle management - Oversee documentation needs, including the evaluation of the need for new SOPs and proactively develop them through to sign off, training, and implementation - Review existing SOPs for internal consistency and match with our operational and corporate objectives - Keep updated on and help to interpret regulations and guidance documents that govern our clinical operations - Train all employees on relevant regulations and guidance in a documented fashion - Develop and maintain internal and external systems for audit

Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree or equivalent - 10 years of pharmaceutical industry experience - 5+ years of GCP QA experience - Strong knowledge of pharmaceutical research and development processes, CAPA management, and the FDA regulatory environment - Working knowledge of computer system validation, 21 CFR Part 11, and vendor auditing - Strong interpersonal skills and management experience - Ability to manage multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously

PLUMLEE from page 5 Plumlee’s dominance in the paint has allowed the guards to thrive on offense as well. Opposing teams have been forced to sag off the perimeter players to help defend or double-team Plumlee, which allows the Blue Devils to spread the floor more adequately to create driving lanes and get wide-open looks from 3-point range.

“It’s big because having that threat forces teams to double and sink in,” senior guard Seth Curry said.

And as a seasoned veteran, Plumlee’s awareness and basketball IQ seem to be at an all-time high. Now, he recognizes when to pass the ball out of the post, and he has developed a knack for finding open teammates on the perimeter. Freshman Rasheed Sulaimon, in particular, was a beneficiary of that against Florida Gulf Coast, notching a career-best 19 points, several of which came on more open paths to the rim and uncontested 3-pointers “I feel like I’m going to make the right play,” Plumlee said. “It’s not necessarily just always shooting it. I’m going to find guys if they are open, get guys open shots. If I’m able to demand attention down low, it’ll open up shots for our shooters and we have shooters.”

Plumlee matched his best scoring output in a Blue Devil uniform with a much smarter outing on the defensive end. Committing two ill-advised fouls last Friday against Kentucky, Plumlee was forced to sit on the bench

for much of that contest due to foul trouble, which could have cost Duke the game. He fouled out of the game in the closing minutes. Against the Eagles though, Plumlee was much improved—committing zero fouls on the night.

“He committed a couple of foolish fouls against Kentucky,” Krzyzewski said. “But he didn’t do that tonight. I thought he played a great game tonight.”

Over the span of his career, one of the biggest flaws in Plumlee’s game has been his woes from the charity stripe.

Heading into the year, the 6-foot-10 co-captain was shooting a pedestrian 50.2 percent at the line. Those struggles were nonexistent against the Eagles though, as he went an impressive 10-for-11. He currently has a conversion rate of 63.6 percent on the year.

“I have done it in practice, so it’s not really new to me,” Plumlee said. “I guess that’s probably the first time I’ve hit 10 in a game.”

Duke has not had a true power-forward or center garner first-team All-ACC or first-Team All-American honors since Shelden Williams in 2006. That streak could very well come to an end at the conclusion of this season though if Plumlee’s play in the first three games continues the rest of the year.

“He is our anchor,” fellow senior co-captain Ryan Kelly said. “He controls the paint. Obviously it’s not easy to put up 28 points, but those kind of numbers are things that we expect from him. I think he’s just continuing to show the world how good he is.”

Qualified applicants should send a CV and reference list to careers@neurocogtrials.com.

About NeuroCog Trials NeuroCog Trials is the leading cognition services company for the pharmaceutical industry.

Successful applicants will be individuals who thrive in a dynamic, fast paced environment and want to be part of a growing company.

For more than 10 years, NeuroCog Trials has provided consulting, site screening, rater training and certification, and data review services to more than 50 clinical trials in over 25 countries. Our mission is to facilitate the development of novel therapies to enhance cognition.

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Freshman guard Rasheed Sulaimon finished second on the team with 19 points, going 5-of-12 from the field and 6-of-6 from the line.

M. BASKETBALL from page 1 engaged. The help and the rotation are better, and you have a better team defense.”

Plumlee led the team in scoring with a career-high 28 points and tied for the team high with nine rebounds. In his most efficient game as a Blue Devil, Plumlee shot 9-of11 from the field and 10-of-11 from the line.

“Guys got me easy shots,” Plumlee said. “I wasn’t shooting jumpers, so a lot of credit goes to Quinn [Cook] and Tyler [Thornton] finding me in good spots and then I got to the free throw line.”

Plumlee also credited his teammates for hitting outside shots to free him up in the paint. Freshman guard Rasheed Sulaimon finished with 19 points, and Ryan Kelly added 14.

But Cook, who set a career high with nine assists, kept the offense running smoothly. Perhaps even more importantly, he also played an integral role in the defense with

W. SOCCER from page 5 88th minute, Kerr looked to play the ball upfield. Instead of leading DeCesare to the corner of the field to waste time, however, Kerr kept the ball toward the middle.

“It was a great ball, and the goalie had come out and left the goal wide open,” DeCesare said.

The attempt paid off for DeCesare as her shot found the back of the net to give the Blue Devils a 3-1 lead.

“I’ve never been so happy to see a goal go in than when that third goal rolled in,” Church said. “The goalkeeper

his relentless ball pressure.

“That was the key factor,” head coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “[Florida Gulf Coast point guard Brett] Comer can really pass the ball. He didn’t have the assists like he normally has. I think against Miami he had eight assists and no turnovers. [Comer] controlled the game, so part of our game was to pressure him so he was paying attention to that guy putting pressure on him and not running halfcourt offense.”

Comer notched just three assists and five turnovers against Duke. On the whole, it was exactly the type of performance that has come to typify Krzyzewski’s Blue Devils. The team hit 19-of-23 free throws, forced 25 turnovers and rode the crowd’s energy to an enormous, game-changing run.

“When we’re in sync, when [the crowd] feels us and we feel them, that’s when it’s unbelievable and unbelievably fun to play in Cameron and to be in Cameron,” Kelly said. “That’s what we expect from them, and they have to expect from us that we’ll give them our best.” thought Kim was going to the corner and Kim thought that she was going to the corner… but she saw the goalkeeper overplaying one side so she came back across away from the goalkeeper and rolled it into the net. That was the prettiest goal I’ve ever seen.”

With a two-goal advantage, Duke cruised to victory in the remaining three minutes to return to the NCAA quarterfinals.

“We were just so motivated and ready to play that it was going to take a very, very, very good and heart-filled team to beat us,” DeCesare said. “And not saying that they didn’t have heart, but we had more heart than anybody today.”

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10 | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012

To their (online) credit It is coming. After years of line seems to be the result of forecasting, anticipating and a thoughtful and productive strategizing, online educa- partnership with 2U. Semester tion is making bold strides in Online will have real benefits elite higher education. Duke for the University. reached an important mileFirst, Semester Online stone by ancourses have nouncing its the potential editorial collaboration to be excellent with Semester Online, a plat- substitutes for large lecture form created by the company classes. Learning in large lec2U that will allow students to ture classes traditionally has take online courses at Duke little to do with in-person inand nine other universities teraction with the professor, for credit. Students need not especially if the professor alattend any of the consortium ready posts his or her lectures universities, as long as they on a website like Blackboard pass Semester Online’s admis- or Sakai. 2U’s platform will sions requirements. just recreate and streamline For-credit online courses that process by transferring it feel inevitable given the grow- to a convenient online form. ing momentum of online Second, a strong consortium platforms in higher educa- of Semester Online participants tion generally. But Duke’s means that Duke students will participation in Semester On- benefit from the wealth of re-

“

You forgot to mention that 2 Chainz has been mentored under Ludacris for over 15 years and now owns significant shares of Disturbing the Peace Entertainment Group. He also has a history in real estate and continues to invest to this day.

—“A.” commenting on the column “The tragedy of 2 Chainz.”

See more at www.dukechronicle.com.

LETTERS POLICY The Chronicle welcomes submissions in the form of letters to the editor or guest columns. Submissions must include the author’s name, signature, department or class, and for purposes of identification, phone number and local address.

Letters should not exceed 325 words; contact the editorial department for information regarding guest columns.

The Chronicle will not publish anonymous or form letters or letters that are promotional in nature. The Chronicle reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for length, clarity and style and the right to withhold letters based on the discretion of the editorial page editor.

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Direct submissions to:

E-mail: chronicleletters@duke.edu Editorial Page Department The Chronicle Box 90858, Durham, NC 27708 Phone: (919) 684-2663 Fax: (919) 684-4696

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YESHWANTH KANDIMALLA, Editor LAUREN CARROLL, Managing Editor JULIAN SPECTOR, News Editor ANDREW BEATON, Sports Editor CHRIS DALL, Photography Editor MAGGIE LAFALCE, Editorial Page Editor KATHERINE ZHANG, Editorial Board Chair PARKER KUIVILA, Managing Editor for Online JIM POSEN, Director of Online Operations CHRISSY BECK, General Manager KRISTIE KIM, University Editor TIFFANY LIEU, Local & National Editor ANDREW LUO, Health & Science Editor CAROLINE RODRIGUEZ, News Photography Editor PHOEBE LONG, Design Editor MICHAELA DWYER, Recess Editor SOPHIA DURAND, Recess Photography Editor SCOTT BRIGGS, Editorial Page Managing Editor MATTHEW CHASE, Towerview Editor ADDISON CORRIHER, Towerview Photography Editor NICOLE KYLE, Social Media Editor SAMANTHA BROOKS, Senior Editor REBECCA DICKENSON, Advertising Director MARY WEAVER, Operations Manager DAVID RICE, Director of External Relations

sources at other top universities. If Semester Online flourishes, Duke students could take specific classes at Northwestern University or Washington University in St. Louis that are not offered here. Star professors and unique programs at other universities would suddenly be accessible. Moreover, taking an online class with students at other universities might add an interesting diversity to the virtual classroom.

Third, Semester Online demonstrates Duke’s healthy curiosity in the potential of online education. In an industry crowded with shady, irresponsible and money-hungry players, Duke has found a reputable partner in 2U, whose highquality online interface and other elite partner universities speaks to its seriousness about

creating an exceptional educational experience.

Although we can see forcredit online courses thriving in a certain context, Duke should be wary about Semester Online becoming a too-easy replacement for traditional courses. Duke must draw careful boundaries when considering the future role of online education, especially since students will be receiving credit.

For example, how many Semester Online courses will a student be allowed to take?

If a student takes four courses online per semester, a full course load, then he or she will be getting zero face-to-face interaction with his or her professor and peers. Can a Duke education truly omit the inperson classroom experience?

What is the value of a physical

college campus?

Also, if Semester Online courses prove to be popular and cheap, will professors be pressured to transfer their courses online? Most Duke classes—especially ones involving heavy discussion—do not lend themselves easily to online format. The intimacy of seminar classes must be preserved.

Semester Online is a hopeful foray into for-credit online education. There are more questions: How will non-consortium students apply to take Duke classes? Would Duke consider moving from creditgranting to degree-granting programs? Nevertheless, we approve of Duke’s approach thus far, and we hope the University continues to erect and maintain thoughtful boundaries around this project.

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The Chronicle is published by the Duke Student Publishing Company, Inc., a non-profit corporation independent of Duke University. The opinions expressed in this newspaper are not necessarily those of Duke University, its students, faculty, staff, administration or trustees. Unsigned editorials represent the majority view of the editorial board. Columns, letters and cartoons represent the views of the authors.

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I

worry that sometimes I come off as too critical. terwebs,” and the story got leaked to a media outlet Yes, I am an old man, and I do bemoan the many by some muckraking young-PC type? (…) changes the country has undergone in the past They were on an official Duke website? We postfew years, but that does not mean I am without hope, ed pictures of a Duke athlete dressed in blackface on or lacking an ability to remake myself. our own website? Intentionally? (…)

So, in honor of this time of year, I figNo, I can’t make fun of that. It’s alure I would return to that old staple ready too absurd! I know my sensibiliof childhood learning: the Thanksties are somewhat different from the giving essay that lists all the things I times, but even I have my limits. I’m am grateful for. Yes, it is structurally racist, sexist, classist, but I’m also old! inelegant, not to mention cliché, but People expect it of me! Christ, how seeing as those two things haven’t does this school keep getting bogged stopped me yet, why start now? down in the same hogwash? (…)

I am, first and foremost, thankful You’re right, I guess it’s fine, that Duke’s fall semester has gone just a normal college party mistake, off without a single scandal of the nothing too terrible. I don’t want to ethnic variety. It may be boring, but shame the girl, and we’ve all made at least it’s not damaging to the inPR mistakes. I’m obviously not ofstitution’s reputation. We all remem- grumpy trustee fended personally, and I think the ber last year when that innocent scandal will blow over. It wouldn’t be monday, monday group of fraternity brothers was tarlike, say, making fun of an imminent geted for having a party with a, let’s tragedy. Like the Israeli-Palestinian say, “Leave Your Reservations at the Door” theme. conflict or something. (…)

Now, I found the entire uproar from the Native Wait, what? What do you mean “there’s someAmerican community preposterous. (And I would thing about that too”? (…) know: I made substantial money building low-inA student “forcefully disrupted a Palestinian come housing developments on old Indian burial protest.” Okay, I’m afraid to ask, but was there anygrounds. Nothing says home sweet home like the thing else? (…) haunting cries of a ghostly spectre.) The real sin for He was a member of the Jewish Student Union those boys was coming up with a delightfully mar- executive board? Are you kidding? Pardon me, but ketable name for the party. Pocahotness? Brilliant! let me see if I’ve got this straight. You are informing And they say the art of the pun is a dying one. me that, just as the largest Israeli-Palestinian conHowever, I do understand the need to kowtow to flict in years breaks out, a forceful act by a member the media community, and luckily, Duke seems to of Duke’s Jewish community interrupts a Palestinhave learned how to avoid racial PR disasters such as ian student protest? That isn’t just a lazy allegory these. Now, I admit, I haven’t been keeping up with some sophomore creative writing major came up the Duke newspaper, so forgive me as I just make with to symbolize the actual conflict, but an actual sure that nothing’s changed in the last few days. … thing that happened on this campus? (…)

Hey, Ms. Smith. Just figured I’d dial you up on Yes? Just as I wrote it? No, no, I think I’ll just the old rotary. Yes, yes, I still find myself quite fun- publish that as is. Well okay. Goodbye then. ny. Regardless, anything in the University news this Well, readers, on the upside, I’m still thankful week? (…) for the rather lovely autumnal weather this UniverWait, what do you mean “a lacrosse player sity has this time of year. dressed in blackface”? (…)

As in, a white person dressed up as a black perThe Grumpy Trustee needed to get in one more heavson for Halloween? “The Little Rascals”? That’s a ily preachy column before the end of the semester. Besides, show so old I don’t even remember it. And then what’s funnier than blunt social commentary with heavy what, they posted the pictures on this alleged “In- usage of parentheses and ellipses?

Like what you just read? Think you’re funnier?

Apply to be The Chronicle’s next Monday, Monday columnist. Email mfl5@duke.edu for an application.

THE CHRONICLE

The break we need

anne johnson guest column

Michael Cook is a Pratt senior. His column runs every other Monday.

Online only today!

anne johnson guest column

“A factory farm Thanksgiving” by Anne Johnson Read at dukechronicle.com/opinion

M

an, the Monday slot makes for excellent timing— FDOC, the day before Election Day and now just a couple days before Thanksgiving break. I could serve up the usual “here’s what I’m thankful for” article, but such an article wouldn’t fit my style and would be completely devoid of potshots. … So I came up with something else. I am writing about why this break always seems to roll around at just the right time.

For everyone on campus who isn’t a PoliSci major, a semester of classes really wears down on our bodies and minds. Idealized visions of promptly finishing assignments and never being forced to pull all-nighters (the real ones, not the ones where you prop a book open and proceed to “multitask” on Hulu) have devolved into wishing like hell that the assignments just stop coming, if only for a day, or two … or five. For those of us on our way out, the symptoms of the dreadmichael cook ed senioritis are steadily getting atlas chugged worse. Thanksgiving comes near the end, giving all of us a brief reprieve before the home stretch known as finals week.

Getting a break from the work is great, but I would argue that getting a break from Duke’s environment is far more important. Don’t get me wrong; my time here has actually been really rewarding. I have had my beliefs challenged and strengthened and I’ve learned a lot about engineering and about myself. Duke is one of many things I’m thankful for. (Okay, just imagine how sappy 800 words of the past two sentences would have been. You’re welcome.)

That being said, I definitely get tired and frustrated with Duke from time to time. The so-called “social activism” gets old after a while. Being told that you are subliminally racist and therefore should not be allowed to make your own hiring decisions someday is, well, insulting. Indeed, one of the few catches of carrying a White People Rewards MasterCard is that you are deemed ignorant unless you turn off your brain and agree with things like affirmative action. I imagine that accusations of racism and facing intimidation are especially taxing for folks new to the political correctness minefield. These sorts of debates put us on edge, and Thanksgiving is perfect for taking a muchneeded step back.

The activism doesn’t always have to be aimed at folks like me to get annoying. Sometimes, you get to sit back and relax … and witness a violent Israel-Palestine conflict right on Duke’s campus. I don’t really have a personal investment in the conflict. I’ve been led in the pro-Israel direction, and I generally see Israel as the good guy. Candidly I don’t have full context and don’t have much to say on the conflict. When I see stuff like table-flipping, phrases like “Are you serious right now?” and “This is why we can’t have nice things” roughly reflect my sentiments.

Of course, it never ends with the incident: Everyone and their mothers promptly call for dialogue. The “dialogue” is rarely ever productive though, and usually goes like this: A student group representing the offended party calls for an event. If the party responsible for the offense is a student group, it becomes co-hosted. The offenders either give a non-apology (because they don’t think a wrong was committed but want the issue to go away) or they verbally surrender in so many words. Often the offenders cannot be tied to a particular student group. For example, sexual assault perps aren’t going to overtly co-host a discussion with the Women’s Center. Co-hosted or not, the audience plays the role of the choir and is preached to for the duration of the event. The phrase “Oh here we go again” feels appropriate for this process.

I am not saying that real dialogue doesn’t happen. I am saying that it only happens in an unscripted manner. It happens when rational people of different views who know and respect each other come together and talk. This happens more than we think because it happens in private. Public events at Duke aren’t so safe for people with dissenting views; we’ve seen the evidence. Interaction on an individual level is the only mechanism with any chance of meaningful success because it does not allow public shaming to be used as a tool of persuasion.

What I have said could easily be mistaken for a simple list of Duke’s more irritating aspects. It serves this purpose, but my point is that after months of campus culture, I could use a break and so could all of you. Let’s all take a breather, and try to be more civil next time.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012 | 11

commentaries

Chronic zipper malfunction

I

t happened again. A man in power developed a case to allow men to focus their energy on productive activities. of chronic wardrobe malfunction. The leader of the However, our society does, at least superficially, still value organization that is “the nation’s first line of defense,” honesty and dedication to one’s career. the Central Intelligence Agency, couldn’t even manage to Second, the idea that men are destined to spread their defend himself against the temptation of seed as widely as possible and that women an affair with his biographer. are destined cling onto their mates for dear Since news of CIA Director David Petralife contradicts the extraordinary advanceeus’ extramarital affair with Paula Broadwell ment of women in the workplace over the broke just after the election, reactions have past couple decades. If women are really run the gamut from utter outrage at the supposed to be so focused on just finding trusted official’s adultery to incredulity that a mate and clinging to them for dear life, a mere infidelity should warrant the resigwhy would any woman have enough mennation of a promising government official. I energy left to become more educated joline doedens tal find myself somewhere in the middle—givthan the average American man and to wait a minute en the history of infidelity among powerful be more successful in athletics than her men, I am not surprised by Gen. Petraeus’ male counterpart? Further, the theories of affair. If anything, I’m disappointed he couldn’t keep his evolutionary psychology are retrospective. In other words, relationship secret. In fact, he and Broadwell apparently concepts are based on evaluations of what has made socidecided to end their affair just after the FBI began inves- eties successful in the past. Given that women were only tigating harassing emails sent by Broadwell to Jill Kelley, a recognized as full citizens in the U.S. with the passage of friend of the Petraeus family. However, the fact that I was the 19th Amendment in 1920 and that the Lilly Ledbetter not shocked by the news does not mean I would subscribe Fair Pay Act only passed the Senate in 2009, it is hardly to the sort of open marriage Philip Weiss proposes in New surprising that history would favor men as spreaders of York Magazine. seed and women as clingers.

Weiss laments the demonization of infidelity in AmeriThe evolutionary justification for the inevitability of incan society and advocates for the adoption of the Euro- fidelity is also founded in a research method that identifies pean blasé attitude toward adultery. He argues that evo- other adaptive behaviors that we now consider taboo. For lutionary psychology teaches us that monogamy is not example, evolutionary psychology proposes that humans natural—“men’s genes program them to seek many mates evolved as members of small groups competing for scarce and try to monopolize the reproductive lives of those resources. Given the importance of gaining access to those mates.” Further, women are apparently programmed to resources, the “fittest” groups were able to more effectively “monopolize the economic resources of their mate.” I see identify the other, the non-member, as an enemy, and betwo problems with this view. have accordingly to incapacitate or eliminate that threat.

First, since when do we consider embracing our most According to this methodology, we would find an evolubasic instincts an efficient way to further the interests of tionary justification for racism. That an individual human society? Functioning members of society are required to might be naturally inclined to eliminate and/or subjugate restrain their primal impulse to physically attack anyone all those who are unlike him or herself does not translate who makes them angry, to do work that they don’t neces- into a justification for racism. In the United States, children sarily find satisfying or important and to limit the satis- are taught from a very young age that all men are created faction of sexual urges. If we lived by instinctive impulse equal, and that “men” includes women, too. alone, we would probably enjoy a lifestyle similar to that of So what do we do with Petraeus’ infidelity? Advocate the Hadza people, a hunter-gatherer tribe in Tanzania. honesty. If you want to embrace your primal sexual urges I do not mean to devalue the traditions of the Hadza and stray outside the bounds of a monogamous relationpeople. Rather, I argue that you can’t have the best of both ship, go ahead. But be honest. Just because centuries worlds. You can’t expect to enjoy the luxuries of a high-pow- of powerful men have cheated and gotten away with it er career, attained after years of diligent and honest work doesn’t mean we should continue that trajectory. Primal within the context of a capitalist society, and also gratify impulse is no excuse. yourself whenever desire raises its primal head. I also recognize that we no longer live in a society where pre-marital Joline Doedens is a first-year law student. Her column sex is the greatest imaginable danger to the stability of civi- runs every other Monday. You can follow Joline on Twitter @ lization, a society where a woman must remain in the home jydoedens.

12 | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2012

PHYSICS from page 1 that trying to find money takes time,� said Haiyan Gao, physics department chair and Henry Newson professor of physics.

Over the spring and summer, University architects conducted a study to determine the feasibility of building on different sites. The area between Gross Hall and French Family Science Center was ultimately chosen as the best option, Gao said.

The problems of the current building are both aesthetic and technical. Described by Gao in the physics department’s 2011 newsletter as “old and unattractive,� it is the oldest building on Science Drive, built in 1948 and expanded in 1963.

The building’s laboratories have proven particularly inadequate, Gao said. “We just don’t have very good quality lab space, and it’s detrimental to the research of the colleagues already here, but we’re also trying to recruit outstanding faculty to our department,� Gao noted. “If we don’t have high quality space to offer that other places have, do you think we’ll be attractive?�

She also noted the building’s lack of space for interaction and conversation, citing the many angles and dearth of open areas. “That’s important—the kind of space where people can run into each other, not run into corners,� she said.

It is not only physics faculty

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who have found shortcomings with the building. Physics and math teacher John Burk, Trinity ’98, cited Duke’s Physics Building in a blog post as an example of how a college’s physics building tends to be “the ugliest building on campus,� and current students echo the sentiment.

Physics graduate student Jonah Bernhard called the building’s design “strange,� noting the odd placement of windows, the narrow hallways and worn carpets. “The place is archaic,� said freshman Zach Ford, who has two classes in the building. “We need white boards [rather than chalk boards].�

Also unsatisfied with the building’s design is freshman Anne Talkington. “It’s frustrating that not all the hallways are connected, so you can go up or down the stairs and be on the right floor but still not able to get to the right classroom,� she said.

Junior Kushal Seetharam, president of the Duke Society of Physics Students, also wrote in an email Sunday that the building was in need of a makeover, specifically citing the bathrooms.

Despite the widespread criticism of the building’s qualities, however, there is not yet a concrete plan for construction of the new facility due to the lack of funds. “If you know anyone who wants to donate, let me know,�

Gao said.

COMICON from page 1 pill-shaped heads, complex devils and demonic-looking fairies. One teenager simply wore street clothes with huge, pointed ears sticking out from her hair. Other visitors skipped the costumes and came for the atmosphere. “With school and work, conventions like this let you be someone else for a weekend,� said attendee Adrienne Rumley. “Everyone here is a family.�

Rumley, a community college student from Greensboro, wore a completely self-made Wonder Woman costume complete with a boned corset and a flashing lasso. She said she took two months to sew and paint the outfit. “Everyone needs a hobby to relieve yourself from the daily stresses of life,� she said of her dedication.

The convention boasted special guests such as Chris Giarusso, creator of G-MAN, Brian Clevinger, creator of 8-Bit Theater, and Ben McCool, who has worked on characters such as Superman and the Justice League. Panels of the artists and experts hosted sessions titled “Secrets of the Lego Master,� “Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse� and “Genre in Comics: Thinking Outside the Tights.� In the latter, panelists discussed the expectations imposed by certain genres such as science fiction or technology. “You have to decide—what do you want to do with your life? You have to do what you love, if you can afford it,� said illustrator and panelist Tommy Lee Edwards.

Satisfied

SYLVIE SPEWAK/THE CHRONICLE

Women’s a capella group Lady Blue performs in Satisfaction Friday as part of A Capella in Brightleaf, an event to benefit the Walltown Children’s Theater.

Wally Lamb, owner of Wally’s Comics, was one of more than 70 dealers running booths selling and trading comic books, posters and other paraphernalia at the Comicon. One- and two-dollar comic books filled bins upon bins at his booth while the antique collectors’ issues gleamed from behind protective plastic sheets. These rare comics fetched significantly higher prices at the discretion of the vendors.

“When it comes to conventions, I am a local,� Lamb said. “I have a day job, and I try to make any show that’s local, but I try to branch out.

It’s a convenient event because we’re right here in Durham.�

Although exhibitors and customers alike praised the high attendance, Wally’s employee Tyler Pokass noted an absence of “golden and silver age� collectors who sought early editions of comic classics like Spiderman.

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