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
XXXDAY, MONTH WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY XX, 2013 27, 2013
ONE ONE HUNDRED HUNDRED AND AND EIGHTH EIGHTH YEAR, YEAR, ISSUE ISSUE 108 X
WWW.DUKECHRONICLE.COM
Why theme parties? Duke looks to change pattern of parties invoking stereotypes of race or sex by Maggie Spini THE CHRONICLE
Students and faculty alike say they are perplexed about how to address the recurrence of parties with inflammatory themes. In recent years, Duke parties have grabbed national media attention with themes playing on racial news and gender steanalysis reotypes. Parties have taken on themes of Asians, Pilgrims and Indians, Juveniles and Pedophiles and others. The frequency of parties with controversial themes raises questions about what attracts students to create such parties, and what people at Duke might do to respond to them and prevent future scandals. “I’ve been at Duke for 20 years and I’ve seen this happen every
few years,” said Orin Starn, chair of the cultural anthropology department. “I don’t know what it is about [Duke]. We seem to have a knack for throwing or doing inappropriate things, whether it’s Karen Owen or the lacrosse women in blackface.” Since the beginning of Spring semester, parties hosted by Kappa Sigma and Sigma Nu fraternities have received national media attention for their controversial themes. Duke’s Eta Prime chapter of Kappa Sigma held a party Feb. 1 called “Asia Prime,” later relabeled “International Relations,” which generated outcry resulting in a demonstration, talks with administrators, a formal apology from the chapter and suspension by the national organization and Duke.
CAROLINE RODRIGUEZ/THE CHRONICLE
SEE PARTY ON PAGE 5
Clockwise from top left, students pose at a “Creepy Guys and Cutie Pies” party; “Asia Prime” party attendees dress in stereotypical costumes; activists hold a sign protesting the “Asia Prime” party; the women’s lacrosse team wears a costume involving blackface.
Duke to start using two- Panhel vets sororities for new chapter spot ply, softer toilet paper by Ryan Zhang THE CHRONICLE
The era of one-ply toilet paper in Duke restrooms is coming to the end of its roll. Duke is scheduled to begin switching out toilet paper products during Spring break, said Albert Scott, director of grounds, housekeeping, sanitation and recycling services. The University will finish the rest of its stockpile of one-ply paper and then replace it with a softer two-ply product. Numerous student have complained about the quality of the paper Duke currently uses, Scott noted. “The move is being made because the current tissue is one-ply tissue,” Scott said. “Really, with the one-ply tissue, most people would have to double that up in order to use it.” In addition to cost, a number of factors are taken into account when determining which toilet paper to purchase, Scott said. Chief among them are quality of texture and softness of the paper. Environmentally friendly products are also given preference. Duke currently purchases its toilet paper from Brame Specialty Company
ALEX STONEHILL/THE CHRONICLE
SEE PAPER ON PAGE 6
In response to complaints about the quality of Duke’s toilet paper, the University is switching to a two-ply model.
Gamma Phi Beta
Phi Mu
by Imani Moise THE CHRONICLE
Community discusses identity slurs at Duke, in society, Page 2
Three sororities have officially been invited by the Duke Panhellenic Association to present themselves as candidates to colonize on campus. After voting to expand the council last Spring, Panhel’s extension committee reviewed applications from seven national chapters and has eliminated all but three options for the one available new charter. Representatives from Gamma Phi Beta, Phi Mu and Sigma Kappa will come to campus to deliver open presentations on different dates
Sigma Kappa
in March. “We wanted to choose organizations that were in line with the University’s goals,” said Sarah Loge, program coordinator for the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. The extension committee analyzed each organization’s attitudes toward scholarship, service and philanthropy. It also considered the overall quality of member education and leadership development of the organizations in addition to looking at their national organization SEE PANHEL ON PAGE 16
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Blue Devil swimmers head to ACC championship, Page 10