September 19, 2013

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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

xxxxxday, September ThursDAY, mmmm xx, 2013 19, 2013

www.dukechronicle.com

ONE ONE HUNDRED HUNDRED AND AND EIGHTH ninthYEAR, YEAR,Issue Issuexxx 19

Buddhist Libraries pencil in all-time high donations monk shares wisdom by Kristie Kim The Chronicle

The Venerable Pomnyun, a Buddhist monk and activist, addressed audience members’ personal conflicts and discussed North Korean politics at the Goodson Chapel Wednesday. Pomnyun is renowned for the humanitarian efforts he began in North Korea following the 1995 flood and the resulting famine. Since then, Pomnyun has established relief campaigns for North Korean refugees—a role most would call unorthodox for a South Korean Buddhist monk. Deviating from a conventional lecture format, Pomnyun initiated an audience-led question-and-answer session in which he addressed personal conflicts and the unification of North and South Korea, as well as gay rights issues. The question and answer format was inspired by Dharma talk, Pomnyun noted, a tradition of Buddhism in which Dharma teachers provide appropriate answers to any questions from Dharma talk attendees. Pomnyun asked audience members to deeply reflect on both the questions they asked him as well as the motives behind those questions. Many people, Pomnyun noted, approached him for advice on issues about which they had already formed strong opinions. See monk, page 4

illustration by rita lo/The Chronicle

by Shanen Ganapathee The Chronicle

The Duke University Libraries Annual Fund has raised an all-time high this year, tapping into a larger donor pool. There were 1,887 donors to the annual fund in 2013 giving $744,890—an increase of 17 percent and 30 percent, respectively, from last year, according to the Duke University Libraries blog. Administrators attributed the campaign’s success to a number of factors, including smarter marketing and increased interest from parents and alumni. “There’s no single factor—it is kind of a multi-pronged thing,” said Deborah Jakubs, vice provost for library affairs and Rita DiGiallonardo Holloway University librarian. Digital and social media campaigns have played a role in reaching broader au-

diences. “We’re trying to communicate with donors in a number of different ways—in a traditional manner, but also with a postcard and videos,” said Kurt Cumiskey, assistant director of development at Duke University Libraries. He noted that 51 percent of emails to potential donors are opened, attributing the high rate to the interesting material consistently sent out through the listserv. The campaigns are not only fueled online, Cumiskey said. The libraries advertise in Duke Magazine, which is sent to more 130,000 alumni every two months. The majority of donors are alumni—85 percent­— and the magazine advertising has created spikes in website traffic, boosting campaign efficacy. “Basically, we just have a better campaign—a better public relations campaign

with our existing donors, and also we have the Library Advisory Board, that helps us find new donors,” said Jakubs, highlighting “Crazy Smart,” the library system’s ad campaign which appears on the library website and in Duke Magazine. The ads communicate recent steps taken to enhance the library experience for all users. Advertisements have featured projects such as the recent digitization of all issues from The Chronicle from Fall 1959 to Spring 1970, as well as the “Digitize this Book” option, which allows library users to request e-books to be made of out-ofcopyright books. Aaron Welborn, director of communications for Duke University Libraries, said that the campaigns emphasize how the library serves everyone on campus, See Libraries, page 4

DSG elects new VP for facilities and the environment by Carleigh Stiehm The Chronicle

Rinzin dorjee/The Chronicle

Ellie Schaack was sworn in Wednesday night.

Ellie Schaack, a junior, was confirmed as the Duke Student Government vice president for facilities and the environment Wednesday night. Schaack was nominated by President Stefani Jones, a senior, to fill the vacancy left when junior Jay Kennedy announced that he was resigning from the role Sept. 8. “It is going to be a really great year,” said Schaack, a columnist for The Chronicle. “It has been a crash course this past week learning all of the ropes.” Applications were made available to the student body last week, and Jones received six applicants for the position, interviewing three finalists. She noted that each applicant was a very strong candidate.

“Obviously this is something we never want to have to do, and we are really sad to see Jay go,” Jones said, adding that she was excited to see what Schaack accomplishes this year. Before assuming her role as vice president, Schaack was a senator for residential life. Jones noted that Schaack has extensive experience working with administrators and a strong ability to lead. Kennedy was involved in the process of selecting his replacement. “I had some time conflicts this year that I couldn’t really resolve,” said Kennedy, who was elected in April after running unopposed. Chief Justice Daniel Strunk, a senior, officially swore Schaack into her new role. Strunk also swore the new freshman sena-

tors into the Senate. The group was officially welcomed by Executive Vice President Nikolai Doytchinov, a junior. In other business: Sophomore Michael Pelle, senator for equity and outreach, and junior Michael Washington, senator for services, submitted a statute that established a financial aid advisory committee. Washington said the committee is important because it provides a direct link between the Financial Aid Office and the student body. The statute was approved unanimously. Pelle said the committee is working to expand financial aid coverage to club sports See DSG, page 4


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