Third, and Throw it to Vernon
In With the New
Could Duke football’s success be related to Coach Cutcliffe’s third-down strategy? | Page 4
Movers and shakers—a look at University faculty taking on new roles | Page 2
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
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2014
ONE HUNDRED AND TENTH YEAR, ISSUE 10
Search for new Ride sharing brings competition to cab market JHFHI director commences John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute seeks replacement for former director Ian Baucom Rachel Chason University Editor The John Hope Franklin Humanities Institute is currently searching for a permanent replacement for former director Ian Baucom, who stepped down to take a position at the University of Virginia. Baucom began his term as UVA’s dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences July 1 after spending 17 years in Duke’s English department. A six-person search committee chaired by Laurent Dubois, professor of Romance Studies and History, is reviewing applications for the position— which will be filled by a current Duke professor. “We are looking for a leader with the vision to enhance FHI’s imprint locally, as well as its broader reputation outside of Duke; and with the skills to nurture FHI in its tripartite mission of excellence in scholarship, education, and knowledge in service to society,” the institute said in a statement. The search committee asks applicants to submit a letter of intent, a recent resumé and a “vision statement” for the institute’s future by October 20. Romance studies professor David Bell is See Franklin on Page 2
Anthony Alvernaz | The Chronicle Local businesses, such as Durham’s Best Cab and Charlene’s Safe Ride, have changed their practices as a result of the use of ride-sharing services.
Shivaan Tandon The Chronicle With ride sharing services such as Uber and Lyft spiking in popularity, Durham cab companies are finding themselves forced to adjust their business models. Since bringing its services to the Triangle area in April, Uber has quickly gained local customers, company representatives said. The service is particularly popular with students—including those at Duke—and now,
local cab companies are considering alternate strategies as they watch business falter. “We’ve definitely lost some business, I’ll admit it,” said Hussam Hassan, president of Durham’s Best Cab Company. Hassan said that the company is in the process of developing a ride-tracking application similar to Uber, in addition to investing more money in advertising. Another local cab company, Charlene’s Safe Ride, said it is also adjusting its strategies in order to better compete with Uber. “We like new technologies and we always
do our best to provide our clients with what other competitors provide,” operations manager Bell Belahouel wrote in an email Monday. “A few of our drivers signed up for Uber [or] Lyft and we are encouraging all our 25 drivers to do the same. You may order a ride with Uber...and ride with a Charlene’s driver.” Belahouel noted, however, that local cab companies have been frustrated that Uber and Lyft have skirted rules in attempts to See Uber on Page 3
Powell urges students to take risks in humanities ed. Michelle Xu The Chronicle In his new role as Dean of the Humanities, Richard Powell hopes to encourage all students to appreciate the value of a broad education. Powell stepped into the position last month, after Srinivas Aravamudan resigned from the post for health reasons. The John Hope Bassett Professor of art, art history and visual studies, Powell said he hopes to maintain the strong work done by Aravamudan and continue a tradition of collaboration. “I am absolutely excited about this new position,” said Powell, who has taught at Duke for 25 years. “I’m attuned to the idea that this is an institution that is constantly reimagining itself for the better, and perRichard Powell
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haps I can give a historical perspective that will be useful in Powell said. “The challenge is keeping up that momentum.” that process.” Powell will hold the position through June 2016. He noted Laurie Patton, dean of Trinity College that his goals include encouraging stuof Arts and Sciences, said she considers dents to take advantage of the breadth of ’m attuned to the idea a humanities education. Powell the embodiment of what is best in the humanities at Duke. He brings to the “We’re trying to make the humanities that this is an instirole a “distinguished scholarly achieveintegral and significant in the larger scope tution that is constantly ment, awareness of the critical issues facing of education here,” Powell said. “I can’t the humanities today and a keen sense of reimagining itself for the say that I came into this position with an Duke’s international leadership in human- better, and perhaps I... will agenda, with a plan, with a program.... I am istic inquiry,” she wrote in an email Thursmuch more a collaborator, a listener.” day. Patton also noted Powell’s capability be useful in that process. Studying the humanities makes a stuin integrating traditional techniques with dent better-equipped to move forward into — Richard Powell more innovative work. graduate school or the workplace, Powell Powell said that he hopes to build on much of the work said, no matter where their interests lie. done by Aravamudan, who held the position for five years. Pow“There will be an opportunity once you leave this instituell described Aravamudan’s work as “incredible,” and claims tion to go to law school, to go to business school, to go into a that the major challenge for him is maintaining that energy. See Powell on Page 2 “It’s easy to follow the good work that someone has done,”
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