August 31, 2020

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ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEENTH YEAR, ISSUE 5

Why Duke hosts large classes during COVID-19

By Carley Lerner Contributing Reporter

Three times a week, 80 students, sporting face masks and keeping dutiful six-foot distances from their peers, file into the Bryan Center’s Griffith Film Theater for an Economics 101 lecture.

Out of the 278 students enrolled in the gateway economics course this semester, only 40 opted for permanent online instruction.

The remaining students have been assigned one day of the week—Monday, Wednesday or Friday—that they can physically attend class in cohorts of 80 people.

The framework accommodates Griffith’s standard capacity restrictions, according to Connel Fullenkamp, director of undergraduate studies and professor of the practice of economics.

Econ 101, taught by Fullenkamp, is one of several in-person classes this semester whose large size has baffled members of the Duke community.

With state public health rules limiting indoor gatherings to 10 people and outdoor gatherings to 25, the University’s decision to host large in-person classes poses a seeming contrast to COVID-19 regulations.

In an email to The Chronicle, Executive Vice Provost Jennifer Francis the apparent paradox.

“Educational institutions are specifically exempt from state rules about ‘indoor gatherings,’” Francis wrote.

According to an FAQ document for Phase 2 of North Carolina’s reopening plan, the exemption was intended to “allow educational institutions the ability to gather more individuals together on their premises if

Rebecca Schneid | Sports Photography Editor Connell Fullenkamp, profesoor of the practice of economics, teaches Economics 101 in the Griffith Film Theater on the first day of classes.

necessary to support planning for summer learning and for the 2020-2021 school year.” It does not allow for large events like graduation ceremonies.

In deciding whether Duke would host in-person classes of any size, the University considered variables including the “spread of infection, rates of positive testing and mortality locally, regionally and nationally, population differences in these rates including age, race, and pre-existing conditions, and daily updates on research about the

virus,” Francis explained.

Duke also considered which precautionary measures could be taken to “de-densify” the campus, implementing several forms of testing, restricting large gatherings on campus, educating the community about the virus and brainstorming “ongoing collaborations” between the Duke Health System and local Durham government and community, Francis added.

After Duke established the necessary conditions to allow in-person classes, faculty

members were given the opportunity to choose between in-person, online or hybrid modes of instruction.

“Part of the reason I stay in this business is because I really enjoy the live contact,” Fullenkamp said, describing his personal decision to conduct Econ 101 in-person.

“It’s good for you pedagogically, it’s good for you intellectually, it’s good for you emotionally to be there in person and make human connection.”

See CLASSES on Page 12

Nolan Smith gathers Coach K, students in K-Ville protest

By Chris Kuo Features Managing editor

Henry Haggart | Staff Photographer First-year Henry Coleman III spoke at a Thursday Black Lives Matter protest in Krzyzewskiville.

First-year Henry Coleman III, a member of the men’s basketball team, stood on a small platform.

“Last night, I wrote this out of pain, out of anger,” Coleman said, pulling out his phone to read.

“This country has had its knee on the neck of African Americans for too long.”

Halfway through his speech, Coleman’s teammates streamed onto the platform and huddled around him, their hands gripping him and each other.

“This country has put a dagger in our backs,” he continued. “And it’s yet to even acknowledge the dagger, let alone try to pull it out.”

Coleman’s speech was one of several during a Black Lives Matter protest that took place at Krzyzewskiville on a sweltering afternoon Thursday, days after the Sunday shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wis. reopened the wounds of police violence and racial justice in America. Protests erupted in Kenosha.

The NBA postponed three of its playoff

games after the Milwaukee Bucks chose not to play on Wednesday, and many other sports leagues followed suit.

The protest at K-Ville was led by Nolan Smith, Duke men’s basketball’s director of operations. More than 100 people stood on the grass, where white splotches of paint marked spots six feet apart. Many of the protesters wore black clothing and

“This country has had its knee on the knecks of African Americans for too long.” henry coleman III

FIRST-YEAR, MEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYER

clutched cardboard signs: “Love Black Lives like you love Black culture” and “Tolerating racism is racism.”

Student-athletes and athletic staff made up a significant number of those present, including the men’s basketball team, who stood directly behind a small, fenced-off

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platform and podium.

On the platform, several speakers delivered their remarks, including Smith, Coleman, men’s basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski, women’s basketball head coach Kara Lawson and senior Michael Buckmire.

“Today is for all of us to acknowledge this See PROTEST on Page 12

INSIDE Find out how much Price gets paid Get this—he’s not the highest paid employee at Duke.

PAGE 2

Duke arts recruit during COVID-19 From social media campaigns to dance videos, groups find creative ways to recruit new artists.

PAGE 5

The gift of laughter The dean of the Duke Chapel explores laughter, faith and more.

PAGE 11

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2 | MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2020

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The Chronicle

How much top Duke employees get paid

Selena Qian | Graphics Editor

Investigations Editor

For his first full year on the job, President Vincent Price made nearly $1.4 million.

Price and 11 other former and current key employees at Duke accrued more than $1 million in 2018, according to Duke’s 2018 990 tax form. Unlike in 2017 when Price ranked ninth out of nonathletics employees in compensation, he was the third-highest-paid in 2018, after Neal Triplett, president and CEO of the Duke University Management Company (DUMAC), and Chancellor of Health Affairs A. Eugene Washington.

Total compensation includes base salary, deferred compensation, retirement contributions, reimbursed expenses, bonuses, other benefits and contractual agreements, wrote Michael Schoenfeld, vice president for public affairs and government relations, in an email.

Duke provides bonuses for University, Duke University Health System and DUMAC

executives, according to an email Schoenfeld sent to The Chronicle in 2019.

“The bonuses are based on measurable goals and performance, and the amount and final approval comes from the respective governing board (Duke Board of Trustees, DUMAC board of directors or DUHS board of directors),” he wrote.

Schoenfeld wrote that Duke does not comment on a specific employee’s compensation.

All four listed athletics key employees were compensated more than $1 million, with men’s basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski making just upwards of $7 million.

Total compensation for Price and Mary Klotman, dean of the School of Medicine— who both started their respective roles July 1, 2017—considerably increased between 2017 and 2018. Price’s 2017 compensation was slightly more than $1 million, and Klotman’s compensation jumped from $660,000 in 2017 to $1.1 million in 2018.

See PAY on Page 12

Selena Qian | Graphics Editor

By Stefanie Pousoulides

Selena Qian | Graphics Editor

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Alum sworn in toWisconsin Supreme Court during race

By Miles King

Contributing Reporter

As yet another first in a year full of unprecedented events, Jill Karofsky, Trinity ‘88 and newly elected Wisconsin Supreme Court justice, was sworn in in a way that was anything but conventional.

On Aug. 1, Karofsky, a former track and cross country runner at Duke, embarked on a 100-mile ultramarathon through northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Joined by fellow Justice Rebecca Dallet, Karofsky stopped at the 35-mile mark to be officially sworn in as a justice of the state Supreme Court. Thirty-four hours after starting, she completed the ultramarathon in Belleville, Wis. “It was a mind over matter thing. There are so many metaphors for running, and I used them a lot in the campaign, which was really challenging,” Karofsky said.

“Sometimes, all you can do is get to the next aid station, then get to the next aid station after that. If you look at 100 miles starting out, it’s way too much. But if you break things down and just keep going forward, it’s much more manageable.”

Karofsky embodied this marathon mentality during her bid for the state Supreme Court. Almost a year after announcing her candidacy, Karofsky emerged victorious from the hotly contested election by defeating conservative incumbent Dan Kelly by more than 160,000 votes.

MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2020 | 3

ON DUKECHRONICLE.COM The Chronicle’s 2020 fall sports preview

BY STAFF REPORTS | 08/31/2020 It’s been nearly six months since a Duke team took the field for official competition, but college sports

In a typical year, Karofsky would have are finally back. Previews of the teams competing this fall will be released over the coming week. had a formal investiture at the capital prior to beginning her 10-year term on the court. A short introduction to incoming EVP Daniel Ennis However, the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult to arrange a traditional ceremony, BY LEAH BOYD AND THEIIJA BALASUBRAMANIAN | 08/27/2020 so Karofsky opted to be sworn in during the ultramarathon—although she still plans on In an era of constant change, why should Duke administration be any different? a more orthodox investiture later.

“I thought she would just swear me in during the run and it wouldn’t be that big of bid for reelection when I was 10 years old, schools and travel around, and I still keep in a deal,” Karofsky said. But the story exploded, and we started running together shortly after touch with my friends from the team. It was just attracting a tremendous amount of media she lost. I found it to be a great way to relieve a wonderful, fun experience,” she said. attention nationwide. stress.”

Karofsky ran track and cross country for At 6 a.m. on Karofsky, who was the remainder of her time at Duke, completing Aug. 1, she began “There are so many metaphors also a track runner her first marathon the week of graduation. and a state champion She has since completed multiple traditional the 100-mile trek in Orangeville, Ill. and for running, and I used them in tennis in high marathons, 50- and 100-mile ultramarathons made the journey a lot in the campaign—which school, continued to and the Ironman Triathlon. north through run throughout her Karofsky double majored in political childhood, but she science and Spanish while at the University.

Wisconsin to Dot’s was really challenging.” stumbled upon the She said that she “loved being around Tavern, where a small crowd of friends and jill karofsky Duke cross country so many smart and curious people” and enjoyed being exposed to students from all family greeted her TRINITY ‘88, WISCONSON SUPREME COURT team by a stroke of JUSTICE luck. She told The around the country. for the swearing-in Chronicle that she The Wisconsin Supreme Court is set to ceremony.

Ninety bumped into a group begin hearing oral arguments for this term’s minutes later, Karofsky left the tavern to tackle the final of women while on a run during Orientation cases this September. Karofsky expressed Week. her excitement about the topics they’ll be 65 miles of the race. “‘We’re the Duke cross country team,’ they tackling in the fall.

As a former Duke cross country and track “I think that we’re going to hear some athlete, Karofsky is no stranger to long-distance said,” according to Karofsky. “‘You should come to practice this afternoon.’” cases that are germane to the issues of the running.

Karofsky said that although she didn’t day, whether they be COVID or election “I started running when I was 10 years old, and interestingly enough, it is tied to another intend to play a sport in college, she made the cases,” she said. “I think those cases will be election,” she said. “My mom was mayor of decision to attend a practice and didn’t miss really, really interesting.”

Middleton [Wis.] when I was little. She was another one for four years.

“It was a great way to see all the ACC elected when I was eight years old and lost her See ULTRAMARATHON on Page 12

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the chronicle

august 31, 2020

recess

arts recruitment during COVID How campus organizations are coping, page 5

what’s going on with Ellen?

The rise and fall of the talk show icon, page 6

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recess Which streaming platform are you?

Sarah Derris ........................ twitch

Stephen Atkinson ...................PBS

Sydny Long .........................IG live

Skyler Graham .................. discord

Kerry Rork ....................... zoom™

Jonathan Pertile .............. twitter?

Tessa Delgo ............ facebook live

Derek Chen ..................... youtube

on the cover: “Forget Me Not” by Natalia Lopes Courtesy of Powerplant Gallery

staff note When I think of happiness, I think of T-Pain.

I think of being eight and whirling around on rented quad skates to “Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’)” at my hometown roller rink. I think of Wendy’s drive-through runs with my high school friends, “Bartender” blaring through our shoddy car speakers. But when I tell people that I think “Drankin’ Partna” is one of the best love songs of our generation (yes, I will die on this hill) my argument is usually not taken seriously.

In those moments, and even in writing this, I feel the need to point people to T-Pain’s widely-acclaimed Tiny Desk concert or his The Masked Singer performance of Gavin DeGraw’s “I Don’t Wanna Be” as proof of his musical legitimacy. I feel compelled to bring up his endearingly-enthusiastic Twitch streams or

the time he tweeted about his nightly routine of watching cat GIFs with his wife.

Sometimes, having this protective instinct over the Florida native feels ridiculous. T-Pain, short for “Tallahassee Pain,” is a Grammy-award winning artist with a string of hits and career longevity that many musicians would envy. Hailing from Florida myself, I know first-hand the number of kids who dream of getting out but never get the chance. There are certainly plenty of people more in need of a champion than T-Pain, but as the musician himself put it in an interview with The New Yorker, “Yeah, I can buy s—t. But I want people to like me, too! God damn!”

The maligning of T-Pain is by no means uncharted territory. Many culture writers have detailed his history with Auto-Tune, inarguably the most contentious part of his career. In the early 2000s, he became known as a pioneer for his creative, studied use of Auto-Tune on his

debut album “Rappa Ternt Sanga,” attracting hip hop heavyweights like Lil Wayne and Kanye West to follow suit.

Within a few years, however, the industry turned on Auto-Tune — and therefore on its ringleader. In 2009, Jay-Z released “Death of Auto-Tune,” a single that disparaged the trend of artists using Auto-Tune “as a crutch.” The track wasn’t aimed at T-Pain directly, but he wound up becoming the butt of the hip hop world’s jokes and disrespect for the past decade anyway. Last year, he cancelled a tour due to low ticket sales. When he asked to work with Future, the “Mask Off” rapper’s brother reportedly confronted him at a Thanksgiving fundraiser, saying “My brother would never work with you. F— you and everything you stand for.”

Honestly though, I don’t want to talk about how T-Pain became a joke. I want to talk about how we made him a monster.

If you are not hip to the goingson of Fox reality television, the premise of The Masked Singer is that low-level celebrities perform in costumes that mask their identity while a panel of judges (that inexplicably includes Robin Thicke) guesses who they are.

In 2019, on the show’s first-ever episode, a plush-costumed figure later revealed to be T-Pain stated “I am the Monster, because that’s what the world labeled me.”

He won the season by performing “out-ofcharacter” songs like Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me” and the aforementioned Gavin DeGraw hit. After his victory, many media outlets called this a “comeback” for T-Pain, a new start now that he proved he could “actually” sing.

The problem with this notion is that T-Pain was “actually singing” the whole time. His Tiny Desk concert came out nearly five years before the Masked Singer began. His first albums contain plenty of songs with his unadorned vocals. Many have suggested that if T-Pain simply stopped using Auto-Tune, people would respect him more, which implies that it was his

MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2020 | 5

own individual creative choices that made him a “monster.” I disagree.

As author Jeffrey Jerome Cohen puts it in his book, “Monster Culture,” “A construct and a projection, the monster exists only to be read: the monstrum is etymologically ‘that which reveals.’” Monsters, hybrid creatures whose bodies defy categorization, are dangerous because their inherent liminality challenges our set notions of what is “normal” or “good.” They exist to disrupt, which is simultaneously terrifying and fascinating.

T-Pain’s use of Auto-Tune was disruptive — and ultimately reviled — because he didn’t employ it to sound good. He threatened a preconceived notion of what makes songs successful. But other artists have used Auto-Tune without being seen as monstrous — what makes T-Pain different?

Here’s my take: his biggest hits, from “Bartender” to “I’m N Luv (Wit a Stripper)” to “Low”, are club songs. He is so casual, so forthright, and for many of us, that is terrifying. His admissions of being “gone on Patron” and trying to find love at a bar are moments a lot of people relate to, but would never discuss publicly. We spend a lot of time ensuring these moments are kept off of social media, never allowing them become who we are, or at least who we are perceived to be.

We decided to make T-Pain into a monster because it is easier than admitting the monstrousness within ourselves — the parts of us controlled by carnal impulses, the inner voice that screams “I want people to like me, too! God damn!” It’s one thing to love T-Pain because he reveals and speaks to those parts of us, but it’s another to respect him — to do so would challenge our idea of what is worthy of respect.

I have always loved T-Pain. I have learned to respect him, and through that, I learned to respect some of my own monstrosity. Let’s buy the man a drank.

—Tessa Delgo, local arts editor

campus arts

How Duke arts organizations are recruiting during COVID-19

By Satya Khurana Contributing Writer

A year ago today, arts organizations around campus were buzzing with anticipation. They were preparing for all the events they would host over the next couple of days: arts showcases, FWOC performances and auditions. I remember the butterflies in my stomach as I walked to the Arts Annex for my first dance audition of college.

My heart pounded in my chest as I stumbled through the choreography, mostly from nerves. It stopped for a few seconds when, to my surprise, the upperclassmen gathered to congratulate me and the other first-years for making it on the team. This year’s first-years won’t get to experience that rollercoaster of emotions.

This semester, of course, looks quite different.

The activities fair was completely virtual, and there are fewer opportunities for first-years to interact with upperclassmen involved in the arts. For organizations like Defining Movement, online platforms have not been successful recruitment tools. Junior and DefMo captain Catherine Livingston noted the difficulty her group has faced attracting new members through the virtual activities fair.

“Usually two big ways we find members is through the activities fair and through Fallcase, the showcase for all dance groups, and obviously that was not the case this year,” Livingston said. “It was mostly through social media that people found dance groups.”

DefMo is not alone. Duke’s Wind Symphony and Swing, a partner-based dance group on campus, have had similar troubles. Wind Symphony director Dr. Verena Mösenbichler-Bryant explained how the ensemble faced a much lower turnout for virtual

interest meetings.

“We usually had around 60 to 70 students attend the in-person meetings. In the virtual ones, we had about 35-40,” she said. “I think that was still a really good number, but not as many in comparison.”

Sarah Zimmerman, a member of Swing’s Exec Board seconded this. “It’s definitely been a lot harder to get students because everything is by choice attendance rather than running into people and trying to get them to come join the group,” Zimmerman said.

While recruitment has been difficult, a number of arts organizations have managed to host auditions, both virtually and in-person. Duke’s Bhangra team, Dhamaka, sent interested students a choreography video that they had to learn and then record themselves dancing. DefMo had a similar tryout process, but included a Zoom interview in addition to the videos. For Duke Wind Symphony, Mösenbichler-Bryant noted that woodwind, brass or percussion players had to submit a prerecorded audition video and fill out an interest form. Students trying out for string instruments attended in-person auditions with the organization’s faculty.

However, not all the arts organizations that regularly hold auditions at the beginning of the fall semester did so this year. Many have either postponed their auditions until the spring or indefinitely. Zimmerman said that Duke Swing decided not to have auditions because it’s impossible to truly have a dance partner on Zoom. Duke University Improv (DUI) also cancelled tryouts, according to senior and DUI Exec member CJ Cruz.

“It’s really important to DUI that our audition process is in-person,” Cruz said.“Our group’s breadand-butter, live improv comedy, hinges on being

Photo by Nina Wilder Because of COVD-19, many arts organizations rely on virtual platforms like Zoom for recruitment.

in the same physical space as each other and our audience. For these reasons, DUI isn’t considering conducting auditions for new members until the spring semester.”

With or without the audition process, almost every arts organization agreed that the most difficult part of this year’s arts recruitment process is the absence of support and a tight-knit community that usually comes with being inperson. Zimmerman echoed this, noting that it has been extremely difficult getting new students excited about remote participation.

“A lot of it is about connection ... which is never the same online,” Zimmerman said.

Dr. Mösenbichler-Bryant said that she and other faculty are missing the first in-person interactions they usually get with first-years. She plans to continue to remind the current members of the Wind Symphony that they will always find community in the organization, even in these difficult times.

“Community is still there and the friendships are still there and the new students, the [first-years], are such a crucial part to this community,” she said.

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6 | MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2020

playground

What’s going on with Ellen?: The rise and fall of the talk show icon

By Derek Deng Contributing Writer

In a letter to her staff, DeGeneres responded: “I’m glad the issues at our show were brought to my attention,” she wrote. “I promise to do my part in continuing to push myself and everyone around me to learn and grow.”

Three executive producers have been terminated, but there has been no decisive action to oust DeGeneres from her position. But why isn’t Ellen, the person in charge of such a chaotic workplace

culture, being held to the same standard? Those in positions of power — especially in the entertainment industry — benefit from a power imbalance that allows them to set the tone for human decency and accountability for sexual misconduct. If DeGeneres is not held responsible for her complicity, the same power dynamics that permitted a toxic workplace will continue to function under the facade of personal growth.

The format of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” is amusingly predictable. She brings someone onto the stage — preferably a child prodigy or a teacher in need of new classroom desks — and gifts them an impressive sum of money or a flatscreen TV. The crowd erupts, the recipient embraces Ellen in a tight hug and Ellen, yet again, is deified for her generosity.

For years, the talk show host has cautiously curated a public persona that revolves around kindness. One meme format in 2019 poked fun at her perpetual gift-giving: Ellen would give you whatever you wanted (and then some) because she was just that nice.

Over time, scandals emerged and contradictions to her supposed “be kind to everyone” mentality arose. Still, in everyone’s eyes, Ellen DeGeneres was, well, Ellen DeGeneres, the charitable woman with a cream-toned JC Penney collection that birthed the virality of Sophia Grace and Rosie — until now.

In a Buzzfeed News article published in early July, former employees detailed a toxic workplace culture of intimidation, harassment and racism by executive producers and senior managers at the NBC daytime production. One former employee detailed a lengthy battle with supervisors for being absent from the job for medical leave and attending family members’ funerals. Another former employee, a Black woman, commented on microaggressions she often experienced while working there and being confused for another Black employee with box braids. “That ‘be kind’ bulls—t only happens when the cameras are on,” a former employee told Buzzfeed. “It’s all for show.”

Another Buzzfeed News article released in late July highlighted allegations of sexual misconduct by executive producers on the show. Among several allegations, executive producer Ed Glavin was reported to have “had a reputation for being handsy with women,” and would remotely shut his office door with a button as an “intimidation tactic.” It’s undeniable that DeGeneres is complicit in these behaviors: She ignored these grievances as the representative of the show and did not Photo by Derek Chen make any formal process to file complaints to HR. For years, talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has cautiously curated a public persona that revolves around her kindness.

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sportswrap august 31, 2020

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O-LINE REALIGN FOOTBALL: CUTCLIFFE LOOKS TO FINALIZE DEPTH CHART ATHLETES: FINDING FAME ON TIKTOK

8 | MONDAY, MONDAY,AUGUST AUGUST31, 31,2020 2020

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FOOTBALL

Duke looks to finalize depth chart as season nears

By Max Rego Assistant Blue Zone Editor

The beat goes on toward Sept. 12.

Another week of practice meant that the Blue Devils were able to continue to build a foundation for the start of the season.

With the team’s Aug. 22 scrimmage serving as an inflection point in the growth of this iteration of Duke football, the last few days have been an opportunity for the coaching staff to find out how the depth chart will shake out.

Thanks to a relatively clean bill of health throughout the roster, head coach David Cutcliffe has been able to thoroughly evaluate each position group, including the offensive line.

“Coming off the first scrimmage, I think we learned a lot about our team,” Cutcliffe said. “I’ll just start with the offensive side. I thought our front played better. I don’t think there’s any question that right now we’re really working with about 10 people that are competing either for playing time and/or starting. That’s always a good place to start up front, but I do think we’ve made progress. We’re better than we were there a year ago.”

Obviously, all eyes remain on the quarterback battle between Clemson transfer Chase Brice, redshirt sophomore Gunnar Holmberg and redshirt junior Chris Katrenick. Each signal caller brings a unique skill set to the table, making it a challenging decision for Cutcliffe and the rest of the offensive staff.

While limited practice through the spring and summer due to COVID-19 restrictions undoubtedly makes this type of decision even harder, the three QBs were able to make up for some of that with brand-new evaluation methods.

“We had a lot of Zoom meetings with Coach Cutcliffe and [Quarterbacks Coach Zac] Roper,” Holmberg said. “We did a lot of things that resemble a game in a way that you most possibly can online. Whether that’s going through progressions, them calling out plays for us and us just going through it.”

Whoever takes the first snap at quarterback against Notre Dame will need to have chemistry with all of the other skill position players, especially the wide receivers. A balanced mix of veterans and

Charles York | Associate Photography Editor

Head coach David Cutcliffe has some tough decisions to make before Duke takes the field at Notre Dame Sept. 12. youngsters appears to give the Blue Devils the opportunity to stretch the field early and often.

“I think the receiving core is interesting: a lot of bodies, a lot of people,” Cutcliffe said. “A lot of progress has been made there, [Wide Receivers Coach] Trooper Taylor has done a great job with this group. We’ve got some young people making plays and some older people making plays. [I] thought Damond Philyaw-Johnson made a lot of great plays in the scrimmage.”

On the other side of the ball, the usual names are making their presence felt, especially up front. The defensive line figures to be a strength this season, with a host of names looking to wreak havoc in the trenches.

“Defensively, the people that you would expect up front are showing up,” Cutcliffe said. “Derrick Tangelo, [Victor Dimukeje], Chris Rumph, Drew Jordan—they’re making plays, and it’s very

competitive between our offensive front and our defensive front.”

In the back end, building depth is a major priority, as injuries can often derail a stout pass defense as the fall wears on. Cutcliffe was pleased with how the defensive backs have performed to this point.

“The secondary is what you would think,” Cutcliffe said.

“It’s deep across the board.... We’ve got guys competing at corner, guys competing at safety. Marquis Waters has kind of been the mainstay right there in the middle, Michael Carter [is] making a lot of plays.”

Amazingly, the season is only two weeks away, and despite all of the talk about a postponement or outright cancellation, Duke is focused solely on the task at hand.

The next batch of practices and scrimmages will feature even more chances to build depth and continuity at crucial spots, which will be needed for a grueling ACC slate.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Lawson focused on relationships as new head coach

By Spencer Levy Associate Sports Editor

On the court, the Blue Devils plan to be competitive, disciplined and mentally tough.

In the seven weeks since Kara Lawson was named head coach of the Duke women’s basketball program, she has also put into place a few different critical mechanisms to achieve a relationship-based culture off the court.

“Your culture is really what you do every day. It’s who you are,” Lawson said in a press conference via Zoom Aug. 26. “We want our players to feel comfortable. We want our players to know that they’re cared for, that we support them.”

In order to build these relationships between herself and her new team, Lawson began meeting the team via Zoom through the final weeks of the summer. Now since her players returned to campus earlier this month, Lawson has connected with her entire team through both full-team meetings as well as one-on-one meetings with each and every player.

Relationship-driven culture The first round of these personal discussions transpired within the first two weeks of the team being back in Durham, with each lasting approximately one hour long. These relationships will ultimately allow each party to trust one another and have each other’s best interests in mind.

Because of Lawson’s multitude of experiences that ultimately led to her taking over the program, she can pull from different parts of her career for advice and actionable plans for her players. Just 18 years ago, Lawson stood in the same shoes as current Blue Devil freshman Vanessa de Jesus, albeit as a freshman at Tennessee as opposed to Duke.

De Jesus was one of four players who met individually with Lawson Aug. 26 for their second round of scheduled conversations, and the lone freshman on the roster learned about Lawson’s transition to college.

“I use my personal experiences a lot,” Lawson said.

“Today, we spoke about challenges of making the jump from high school to college.”

Lawson explained to de Jesus what she found difficult and had to work extra hard on in order to succeed. But the

Courtesy of Caitlyn Jordan, The Daily Beacon

Kara Lawson has made sure to meet with each and every one of her players since the team arrived on campus. new head coach had a key caveat: the trials and tribulations may look different for different individuals.

While the relationships between the head coach and players are vital to success of the team, they serve as just one communication avenue. Another one is between the players and the assistant coaches, an area in which Lawson’s coaching philosophy has allowed for increased connections.

In her introductory press conference back in July, Lawson spoke about her need for experience alongside her on the bench. The trio of Beth Cunningham, Winston Gandy and Tia Jackson all bring that to the table. All three coaches share qualities of being strong teachers, communicators, scouters and recruiters. In addition, the three assistant coaching hires shed light on another one of Lawson’s key values: versatility.

How Lawson’s staff displays her values The ability, willingness and expertise to coach all

different positions on the hardwood allows the assistant coaches to quickly build strong relationships with the team, as team practices presently consist of only one-onone drills between one player and one coach.

Because each coach can teach all positions, the practice pairs have continually shifted. In addition, the assistant coaches meet individually with the players after practice to further build those relationships and create an open line of communication between the coaching staff and the players. This intense focus on relationships between coaches and players will remain a staple during Lawson’s tenure at Duke.

The same can be said about Lawson’s link with her new staff. They have only all been together for about the past two weeks, but they are getting to know each other well in that short period of time. Coming into her current position, Lawson knew Cunningham and Jackson through her many years in the women’s basketball circle, though she didn’t have a personal relationship with either. Her strongest prior relationship came with Gandy, whom she first met when she was still a WNBA player.

In 2014, Lawson was traded to the Washington Mystics, where she spent her final two professional seasons. That same year, the Washington Wizards hired Gandy as their coordinator of player development. Gandy would occasionally spend time at Mystics practices, where Lawson received a first-hand account of the type of coach he is.

“He was a bright, bright young coach and had a specialty for player development,” Lawson said. “He is someone that will be a head coach, I believe, very soon.”

Meanwhile, Jackson’s previous experience as an assistant coach at Duke appealed to Lawson. She will bring prior understandings as to how Duke and the women’s basketball program run as well as relationships both within the staff as well as the University.

Lawson also noted the head coaching experience that Jackson and Cunningham bring to the table, with Jackson leading Washington for four years and Cunningham leading VCU for nine.

See LAWSON on Page 12

The Chronicle

dukechronicle.com

MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2020 | 9

SOCIAL MEDIA

‘We got the spotlight’: Blue Devil athletes go viral on

By Derek Saul Sports Features Editor

The COVID-19 pandemic has sent millions of young people worldwide into endless scrolling, dancing and watching on TikTok, a social media platform where users can share short videos.

Among these TikTok-crazed teenagers are two Duke athletes: Katie Groff and Jacob Monk.

Groff, a freshman defender on the Blue Devil women’s soccer team, and Monk, a sophomore offensive tackle on the football team, have each developed a significant presence on TikTok, with 22,000 and 12,000 followers on the app as of Aug. 30, respectively.

Monk’s time in the spotlight came first.

While the Duke football team quarantined at The Washington Duke Inn in mid-July, Monk rallied some of his fellow linemen to make a few videos in the hotel’s hallways.

The first TikTok, posted July 14, features Monk and four other linemen dancing across the screen.

The next day, Monk and company posted another “[big boy TikTok],” this time with the group satirizing the lack of attention linemen receive and their dislike for salads. This time, the Duke linemen were the ones in the

spotlight, as each TikTok received hundreds of thousands of views.

“I just saw some TikToks and was like, ‘Hey, who wants to make one,’” Monk told The Chronicle. “We got as many linemen as we could in the Washington Duke and spent five minutes making one and walked away from my phone, woke up the next morning and it was just blowing up.”

After the overnight success of Monk and the Blue Devil football team’s TikToks, Groff and her teammates got in on the fun too. On July 29, Groff and three teammates dueted (made a side-by-side video of) Monk’s dancing TikTok and went viral themselves, getting more than 260,000 views on their video.

In a tale that is very 2020, Groff and Monk actually met through her duet of his TikTok, and have become friends since then.

“I didn’t even know Jacob at the time,” Groff said. “It’s been hard to meet people obviously with the pandemic, but I guess TikTok is the way to do that. I just thought it’d be fun if my class dueted that. He commented on it and then we kind of met each other through that comment.”

The day after the duet with Monk, Groff and fellow Blue Devil women’s soccer freshman Nicole Chico filmed a TikTok

that exploded in popularity. Donning their Duke blue uniforms, the duo got nearly two million views for their dancing video filmed in the team’s locker room.

As linemen, Monk and his TikTok supporting cast rarely receive the recognition that their teammates at quarterback, running back or wide receiver get, which made their moment of glory all the sweeter.

“I saw a couple days after [the linemen TikToks], the wide receivers tried to make one and it did not blow up like ours,” Monk said. “So it made us feel good that we got the spotlight and they didn’t for once.”

Groff and Chico’s teammates also expressed some playful envy at their viral post.

“They didn’t say [they were] jealous, but I think some of them jokingly were like, ‘Oh, I could blow up too,’” Groff said. “They want to see if it’s just because I posted the video, it’s not like me [specifically], but if it had been the same video on their account, they would have gotten famous. So not jealous, but almost want to be competitive about it.”

Monk’s teammates were not the only ones who saw the TikToks. The Duke football staff caught wind of the videos and ribbing ensued.

“The day after it got viral, all we heard was, ‘Oh, here comes the viral crew walking in,’”

Monk said. “They gave us a lot of crap for it— not a lot of crap, but just playing around with us.”

Groff and her teammates were lucky enough to escape teasing from their coaches. As to why, Groff offered a simple explanation.

“I don’t think they know how to work TikTok,” Groff said.

Check out the online version of this story for the embedded TikTok videos: chron.it/tiktok

Courtesy of Duke Athletics Katie Groff hails from Raleigh, N.C.

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Sophomore offensive

The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 Courtesy of Duke Athletics For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 lineman For Jacob Monk started all 12 games for Duke last season.

Release Monday, March 16, 2020

Crossword ACROSS 1 Cost for a radio or TV commercial 6 Mafia enforcer, e.g.

10 Bra size specification 14 Glacier climber’s tool 15 What Tarzan swings on 16 College in New Rochelle, N.Y. 17 Suitable for moviemaking?

19 Hauls with effort 20 ___ Taylor (clothing chain) 21 Geometric calculation 22 Impressionist Claude 23 Movie munchkin, maybe?

26 Sharply punched 29 Speedster Bolt 30 One of the 40 in “the back 40”

31 Big name in kitchen wrap 33 Ump’s call for a batter 36 ___-Town (the Windy City) 37 Movie clip where the grips, boom operator and gaffer all appear?

39 HBO rival 40 Party item that has a tap 41 Caustic 42 Menial laborer 43 Image on a valentine 45 Like wetlands 47 Finalize the music for the movie?

51 “There, there …”

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53 Tasseled hat 56 Make headway 57 Redo of a movie scene?

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37 White stuff on a blackboard 38 Few and far between 42 ___ (T.S.A. convenience) 44 Big name in athletic shoes 45 Drudgery, in older usage 46 Put in handcuffs 47 Letter before tau 48 Cybercommerce 49 Closes

Crossword ACROSS 1 Story of why you really couldn’t have done it 6 Car rental partner of Budget 10 Open a bit 14 Minus item, in accounting 15 Oenophile’s love 16 Cops, slangily 17 Plants in abandoned lots 18 Lighting display at many a rock concert 20 Overdue amount 22 Strike callers 23 Symbol of pride 26 Channel famous for veejays 28 Homer’s H 29 Dim bulbs 30 Papermaking material 31 It often introduces new wrinkles

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54 Barely makes it, with “by” 55 Digit in binary code 57 Small amount of cream 58 Digit in binary code 59 W.B.A. result, in brief

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A I W A

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54 Country or heavy metal 55 Actress Merrill of “BUtterfield 8” 56 Polish before publishing 57 Like granola, largely 58 Lose sleep (over) 59 Sound of a flop 60 Shooting sport

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34 Pasta often served with clam sauce 35 Lit ___ (college class) 36 Welcome watering holes 37 Place to play hoops 38 Butter or olive oil 40 “Yeah, right!”

41 Saudi capital 42 Ballet position on tiptoe 43 Escapee’s cry

44 Not answering at roll call 46 Pick up on 47 Start of a billiards game 49 Pesky swarmer 51 Shareable PC file 52 Actress Lucy of “Elementary” 53 Relative of Inc.

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opinion dukechronicle.com

10 | MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 31, 2020

The Chronicle

Should Yale even exist?

I

t shouldn’t be remarkable that schools consider race in a holistic application process. The existence of systemic racism is itself a strong case to do so. However, according to the Department of Justice, this would violate the Civil Rights Act.

were found to be losing out against equally qualified Black applicants.

Following this, the DOJ has demanded that Yale stop considering the race of applicants for a year.

Then, they’d be allowed to submit a “plan,” vetted by the DOJ, to resume the practice. Along with this

into racial and ethnic blocs fosters stereotypes, bitterness, and division.” It’s an argument that I heard all the time in high school debate.

“You should be color blind. All stereotypes are harmful.”

As an argument, it’s intuitive enough. Judging

corrupt and hierarchical. Maybe that’s what the appeal of being CEO is: dominating the food chain.

You are the boss, and there is no bigger fish to abuse you. Yes, we should be asking why there aren’t more women in those executive roles, topping that hierarchy. More importantly, though, why are we

plan, they must provide a “date for the end of racial discrimination.” A task which I doubt anybody could fulfill. Of course, this is all a continuation of the DOJ’s war on affirmative action, which started with an unsuccessful lawsuit against Harvard two years ago.

One DOJ attorney is quoted in their official statement, claiming that “dividing Americans

people based on their background is abhorrent, no doubt about it. For some pathos, people tend to pair this idea with a reference to Martin Luther King Jr; after all, he dreamt of a world where we weren’t judged for our race. It’s ironic that they’d invoke his name in this context, though. King promoted affirmative action. He knew that oppression isn’t a personality trait, and acknowledging it isn’t a character judgment.

Fundamentally, color blindness doesn’t work as an anti-racist position. If you ignore race, and the subsequent advantages it can confer, how do you explain disparities? That’s when you get into questionable territory. To use a simple example: teachers are likelier to discipline Black students who misbehave, and the punishment is harsher. If you ignore the racial component, how do you rationalize this? A color-blind explanation is almost guaranteed to be an unfair one—this student has to be somehow worse than their white peers.

Refusing to acknowledge racial disadvantages is a denial of reality. Incorporating this ignorance into admissions decisions, as the DOJ demands Yale do for an entire year, would be an injustice.

It’s no coincidence that schools like Yale are being targeted. These places offer students a chance to gain privilege; they promise the advantages which wealthy kids already enjoy. Attendance is an opportunity to excel in life. I suppose that the color-blind DOJ can’t countenance an “undeserving” (read: Black) student getting that. It has been shown that attending an elite institution drastically increases the upward mobility of disadvantaged students. Meanwhile, affluent white students needn’t worry about their alma mater. To paraphrase Derek Thompson, who compiled this data in his piece for The Atlantic, that’s because these colleges are a stand-in for having rich parents. In other words: they provide networking opportunities, internships and jobs.

Given that, I’ll always support affirmative action. Places like Yale and Duke are in a unique position to redistribute privilege. It’s important that applicants of all backgrounds are fairly evaluated, and that they get a shot at this boon. That being said, should a clear route to success be exclusive to a handful of schools? Better yet, should an institution of this sort exist?

The reason why elite schools can offer such an opportunity is concerning. Namely, they are hubs of privilege themselves; wealth and power congregates on campus, creates inner circles, and perpetuates itself. Yale’s promise to these students is joining the ruling class. It’s vaguely feudal: some rare exceptions get to move up a rung on the social ladder. That is good, of course. Social minorities more than deserve a chance at reaching the top.

However, the question remains of whether we want that hierarchy to exist at all. It’s like if somebody asked you whether America should have a man or woman as our reigning monarch. The real answer is that we don’t want monarchy. Maybe we shouldn’t want any kind of CEO’s, either. Do we need tyrants with seven-figure salaries?

After all, the problem with corporations and sexism runs deeper than their boards of directors.

Workplace bullying, hush-up culture and nepotism are still rampant in companies run by women. A lot of people experience corporate life as cut-throat,

ok with the existence of such a brutal environment?

When our society is run like a food chain, then someone has to get eaten. That’s inevitable. And if someone has to be beaten down, consumed, then those at the bottom are the likeliest targets. You get punished for being disadvantaged, and rewarded for having privilege.

This is a reality in the realm of tertiary education.

So much opportunity is concentrated in Yale – it’s tremendous for anyone going there. That takes away from other places, though. Other schools, where the privilege isn’t as pronounced, cannot offer that same networking advantage. Students have to find it elsewhere. As I already noted, wealthy white students can manage. Normally they’ll have connections. If not, they can afford to find unpaid internships or other entry points. The people who really suffer from this inequality are those who need opportunity the most. They get strapped with debt and very few career prospects. Once again, the educational hierarchy punches down.

In my ideal world, then, Yale wouldn’t exist.

Well, not in the way that it’s currently understood.

It should just be an excellent school, not a bastion of wealth and influence, too. Of course, I recognize that this issue isn’t the fault of elite institutions. Yale or Duke aren’t responsible for the existence of the 1%, and, as excellent schools, wealthy parents will want their kids going there. In fact, much with the CEO example, it’s hard to know how one should approach fixing the structural issues associated with corporations. That being said, it’s important to acknowledge the problem.

For the time being, while I don’t have a solution to widespread, systemic inequality, I have a suggestion. Let’s have more affirmative action in more places. In fact, let’s expand our list of considerations. Why not acknowledge the role wealth plays in creating privilege; there are poor, disadvantaged white people, too. Nobody starts life on an equal footing, and that should be acknowledged when looking at achievement.

However, while we should push for more women CEO’s, Black Duke students, and working class politicians, let’s broaden our imagination. The existence of a hierarchy doesn’t mean we have to accept it. In fact, we’d make pushing for diversity easier if we reformed them. Should society continue to punish people for starting on the back foot, then the fight for diversity will feel like an uphill battle. The DOJ’s actions are one example of that. Yale, as a gateway to privilege, is being pressured to shut that gate on minority students. Affirmative action, and all other attempts to improve disadvantaged folks’ position in the hierarchy, are constantly under assault. They’re seen as “up for debate” at best, or dangerous at worst.

I believe this is because our society is structured to need a loser, and nobody, not least of all our current “winners,” want to volunteer for that. Diversity will manifest itself once equity is achieved—not the other way around. Affirmative action is great, but upward mobility shouldn’t depend on attending one of twenty schools.

Dan Reznichenko COLUMN That ruling was the conclusion of a two year, DOJ investigation into Yale’s affirmative action policy, initially spurred by accusations of discrimination from 134 advocacy groups. Chief amongst these groups was the Asian American Coalition for Education. In its final report, the DOJ declared that white and Asian students had been disadvantaged. Specifically, they

“

hot take of the week

”

“If there is a power struggle, I will win it.”

—Carter Forinash, News Editor, on August 30, 2020

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dukechronicle.com

MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 31, 2020 | 11

The gift of laughter

T

here’s a cultural myth within African American folklore about the character High John de Conqueror. Anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston tells a story about him and how he helped enslaved blacks survive harsh realities. He took them away on a trip to heaven to see the Old Maker without

church choirs with the accompaniment of a Hammond B3 organ. Singing was life way before I majored in music as an undergraduate student. It was my soul.

But for me, laughter has also been a key lifeline and has become more and more important and life-giving on my journey as I get older. My mother is known to have

Rev. Dr. Luke A. Powery COLUMN

“

The Spirituals, songs of the enslaved, were musical memorabilia created on the anvil of misery. They were aesthetic, nonviolent tools of survival.

”

the white slave master realizing what was happening. When they returned from their trip, they were strengthened and renewed because of the two gifts they had received.

The two gifts High John gave them to endure their brutal, inhumane situation were the gifts of laughter and song.

Song has been called “the souls of black folk” by W.E.B. Dubois in his book with that title, in which each chapter begins with a musical epigraph of a Spiritual melody without words.

The Spirituals, songs of the enslaved, were musical memorabilia created on the anvil of misery. They were aesthetic, nonviolent tools of survival. In this historical setting, it has been said that the machete was dull in the cotton field without a song.

Even throughout my own family history, song has been so important, such a critical part of living. Singing at home together, making some joyful noise. Singing in

a free laugh full of life. One of my aunts used to say that I could even make the devil laugh. I don’t know about that. But I have found laughter to be freedom, embodied joy, resistance and an expression of love, regardless of the circumstances of life.

It is freedom in that the predicaments of life do not bind my soul.

They might affect my body as they do during this COVID-19 age but they do not strangle my soul. Laughter breaks the chains that want to enslave our hearts. Laughter helps us win from within. It is embodied joy as it cannot be done without the inclusion of our bodies, even bodies that have been beaten and broken; it is a whole reclamation of ourselves as humans and a holy joy amid sorrowful situations.

Laughter is resistance because it counters the absurdity, evil, and violence that happens in our world. It refuses to be silent and gagged by all the gore. It voices

a hope for something more and it knows something more. Like the enslaved would sing in the face of terror, “trouble don’t last always.” And laughter is love as well, a love for life and gratitude for being alive even while so much death surrounds us.

I laugh as a person of faith because I trust there is a transcendent One who holds us all even in these uncertain days. I laugh with my ancestors and sing, ‘trouble don’t last always.’ I laugh because so much of life is truly unbelievable and out of our control.

Yet I laugh as I live in order to keep living, in order to survive and even thrive, in order to win from within.

High John knew something that we need to know today. He knew laughter was a gift.

So I hope that you might receive this gift willingly during such a strange time in the world and on campus. It is hard on so many levels, but yet, if you’re reading this, you’re

alive! You have the gift of life and that is reason enough to laugh out loud and laugh with love. Enjoy the gift of life that is yours today.

Discover a source for laughter if there isn’t enough of it in your life for laughter is good medicine, good for your soul, body, heart. It will keep you well during these tough times and unusual days.

As we begin a new academic year, I hope that it will be a year full of laughter in your life. I’ll be listening for that sound of freedom, joy, and love, a sound that you are winning from within.

Rev. Dr. Luke A. Powery is the Dean of the Duke University Chapel. His column runs on alternate Mondays.

Duke shouldn’t have reopened (that cursed Egyptian amulet)

L

ike most college students, I believe that the university’s primary mission is a noble one: to educate a youth hungry for knowledge and to lead the academic community by standing at the forefront of inquiry and discovery. Surely, Duke must take some risks at times to achieve these means to the furthest extent possible. But when Duke announced that they were planning to reopen (that cursed Egyptian amulet), I was seriously concerned

a team of archaeological experts.

Some epidemiologists warned us over the summer that reopening it could have unintended consequences. But few administrators truly expected that the unfastened piece could spawn, in a blinding stream of light that the researchers all agreed seemed to encompass both ancient wisdom and untold auspices, four-foottall demons whose ungodly sight kills any unfortunate onlooker; nor that Durham

developed at many peer institutions which have also chosen to reopen relics and tombs), but Duke’s lack of transparency surrounding the developments in Durham led many to assume they would be safe from any necromanced wrath conjured via dark arts in a simple object obtained through colonial violence. What would this semester look like if Duke followed the guidance of its sorcery staff to keep students home as they repel the green slime that now entirely

would be haunted by a low-pitched, faint but always noticeable prolonged scream of agony for the past few weeks. (Scientists are still researching the correlation between this event and the moon suddenly turning a bright blood red color, seemingly increasing each night in size into its current shape unrecognizable to all who remember the image of our beloved satellite, but it’s likely that the two are related.) Given the ominous sudden bat infestation across Central North Carolina, it’s too late now for an apology— but Duke must recommit to ensuring the safety of workers and community members in a time of crisis like this one.

It’s worth pointing out that Duke’s decision was clearly influenced by financial concerns; in a bid to increase freshman matriculation, the University promised a normal campus experience amidst reopening (the amulet). Of course, these are abnormal times (similar crises have

covers East campus?

Further, Duke has proven inept at communicating the ever-evolving contours of this calamity. Duke barely gave students a warning of their plans to reopen (the amulet), nor the Hellenic inscription beside it that warned of impending doom. One freshman, who asked to remain anonymous out of concern that the roaming packs of jackals may take political prisoners, explained that he “would have opted for online classes at home if I knew that ancient Greek tomb raiders had previously encountered this supernatural artifact, or that every day I would encounter the confounding scents of decaying embalments and mortal fear as I walk through campus.”

Duke’s required measures for students to remain distanced from the grotesque, hunch-gaited and gauzed undead have backfired spectacularly. I never guessed that first-years would throw an outdoor party on

Jordan Diamond DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH

about the implications of such a decision.

It’s clear now that the public health detriments and mass chaos wreaked on our society outweigh the potential benefits of reopening. This decision was a grave mistake that seriously endangers both the Duke and Durham community.

By now, we’re all well aware of the origins of the bewitched artifact. Looted by a team of anthropologists during a 1920’s excavation of the Valley of the Kings, it stayed in the hands of a British financier and Egyptophile before being donated to the Nasher upon his death. When Duke archivists stumbled upon the object misplaced in a South American necklace collection, student activists began a call for its return to Cairo.

Yet, entranced by the ocular design, subtle radiating aura and the curious notch in the jewelry (surely not larger than a few millimeters), the Nasher’s Director instead announced plans to investigate the item with

East Campus to “meet their new peers,” but administrators should have predicted that incoming students would need some social interaction after orientation was cancelled abruptly (all of New Student Programs staff disappeared in a plume of blue flame during a demonstration of alcohol portions).

What happens when other orientalist fiction clichés suddenly come to life and enchant Durham? Does Duke have any plan in place for genie wishes gone awry, booby traps resulting from the retrieval of a golden idol from a lost temple, or any number of Conradian episodes that may emanate on campus?

What can we do now? First, Duke must bow to our new (ancient?) overlords. It is clear that the obelisk erected in place of the Chapel vests this campus’ power, and the cowards in the Allen Building would do well to get on its good side. Second, Duke needs to begin universal hieroglyph instruction—I, for one, can’t read any of the dietary restriction information in West Union when I head for my daily rations of barley, lentils, and Nile fish.

Most importantly, we need to work together to protect our common safety.

Duke has failed us and failed Durham by reopening (that cursed Egyptian amulet), so we need to donate to mutual aid projects (fighting the green sludge is a team effort), stay home as much as possible (or else beware the jackals), and work to return to normalcy with a lens toward justice (return the necklace to its tomb—don’t throw it in an active volcano!).

Jordan Diamond is a Trinity senior. His column, “diamond in the rough,” runs on alternate Wednesdays.

PROTEST FROM PAGE 1

problem, to share our feelings,” Krzyzewski said. “This is a time for us to be all on the same team.”

He called the audience to take concrete action by registering to vote, noting that tables had been set up outside Cameron Indoor Stadium for both basketball teams to register.

“We can see the police brutality but what you don’t see are the amount of educational opportunities that are deprived young Black kids, health and welfare opportunities, economic opportunities,” Krzyzewski said.

“These things can only be changed with proper leadership and organization. The first step in that is for all of us to vote.”

This generation is the one that can truly bring about change—the generation that can finally win—he said.

“I grew up a long time ago in the [1960s]. I thought it was heading in the right direction.

Damn, I was wrong,” he said. “I want to be right. I want to be on your team. And I want this systemic racism and social injustice to be defeated.”

Buckmire stood on the platform and held up a sign that read, “Am I next?” as he gave a speech.

“There’s this idea of survivor’s guilt of other Black men seeing other Black men being killed. Am I next? Why is it this person?

What’s going to happen if it’s me next? It’s something that’s scary and it’s something I can’t explain,” Buckmire said.

Lawson took the floor next.

“I wanted to give a little insight into what it’s like to be an African American in this country,” she said.

Lawson paused for a while and continued with a strained voice.

“Every day, when you wake up, you feel anxious every minute, knowing that on your drive to school, or your drive to work, going to a restaurant, sitting in your house, hanging out with friends at a bar, that could be your last moment on Earth.”

She also emphasized the uphill nature of this battle.

“It takes a lot of endurance. You have to be prepared to endure,” she said.

“It’s something that being born African American is built into us. We know how to endure. We’ve had to do it every minute of every day.”

Coleman was the final speaker of the event.

He led the crowd in a chant.

“We will demand change,” he said. The protesters murmured back.

“Wasn’t loud enough,” he said. This time, the crowd rumbled in response.

“We will demand change. We will demand justice. We will gain equality. And we will be great,” the group shouted.

First-year Ashley Sha held a sign with a quote from Malcom X: “A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.”

She said Coleman’s emotional speech was particularly impactful for her. “Just him speaking and showing his emotions,” she said.

This was Sha’s first protest, but she said she plans to continue attending protests in the future and donating to Black Lives Matter causes.

Wearing a black shirt and a pink mask, Ade Owokoniran, a junior on the volleyball team, said events like these have a “major impact.”

“It reinforces our own thoughts as studentathletes that we’re not alone, but it’s also a starting ground for the future,” she said. “We could have more events like this in the future that are going to be even bigger, even more impactful, reach more voices, reach more of the community.”

Sports, she said, have always been a vehicle for change.

“People watch sports because they’re going to be entertained by the athletes and the people participating in sports know that

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12 | MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2020

it’s more than that. It’s our livelihood, but it’s also bigger than that… People who play sports can really change the world.”

Sophomore Nii Engmann wore a black shirt that had “Black-nificent” emblazoned in white.

He said he felt inspired by the number and variety of people who showed up.

“It wasn’t just athletes—professors, trainers, regular students, people from all different walks of life, who showed up to show their support. And just being there, not even necessarily speaking, but their presence there I think speaks louder than any speech that any single person could have given,” he said.

First-year Isaiah Hamilton heard about the event through social media.

“What really resonated with me was just getting our asses in there and voting,” he said.

“Because I believe this goes beyond today. This is beyond every single day. It’s a bigger process.

It’s not a moment. It’s a movement.”

PAY FROM PAGE 2

and North Carolina State University, have already transitioned to online instruction in response to coronavirus clusters, underscoring that students and faculty must operate cautiously and within their individual spheres of comfort.

Regardless of the University’s safeguards, Fullenkamp recognized that the decision to enter a classroom is exceedingly personal for students and faculty alike and expressed his respect for people who do not choose to enter classrooms this fall.

“I only want people to come to class if they are comfortable doing that,” Fullenkamp said.

ULTRAMARATHON

FROM PAGE 3

Over the course of her career, Karofsky hopes to work with her fellow justices to tackle systemic issues such as racial inequality.

“We’re the administrator of the court system for the state of Wisconsin, so I think we need to be looking into things like social justice and racial inequality, and the fact that we have racial disparities in our criminal justice system here in Wisconsin when it comes to the number of people of color who in our prison system and who are going through our court system,” she said.

Despite having finished the campaign process, Karofsky doesn’t plan to stop running any time soon. She is planning to do another 100-mile run in the near future—however, there won’t be the challenge of getting sworn in a third of the way through.

But for Karofsky, 100 miles and a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court isn’t enough.

“My long-range super crazy goal is [to complete] a 200-mile run in Lake Tahoe,” she said. “You have four or five days to finish it, and they’ve got sleep stations.

It would be exciting to try and tackle something like that.”

The compensation of their predecessors, Richard Brodhead and Nancy Andrews, decreased, with Brodhead still accruing more than $1 million and Andrews earning $890,000.

The only former key employee whose pay increased in 2018 was Eric Peterson, former director of Duke Clinical Research Institute.

Although compensation for most athletics key employees increased between 4% and 5%, Krzyzewski made 3% less, having earned $7.25 million in 2017.

Current key non-athletics employees whose pay decreased from 2017 to 2018 were all employees of DUMAC. DUMAC oversees the University’s multi-billion dollar endowment and the Duke Endowment.

Compensation for Triplett, president and CEO of DUMAC, was $3.3 million in 2018, compared to almost $4 million in 2017.

Investment managers Evan Jones and Justin Nixon were also compensated less in 2018.

Executive Vice Provost Jennifer Francis started in the position July 1, 2018, so she wasn’t listed in Duke’s 2017 form. Her predecessor, James Roberts, had an increase FROM PAGE 8 in compensation from $409,601 in 2017 to $421,601 in 2018.

Versatility in action Check out the online version of this story During this past season as an assistant for interactive graphics with pay for more top coach with the Boston Celtics, Lawson saw employees: chron.it/adminpay the benefits of versatility leading to less predictability on both ends of the floor. She believed one of the Celtics’ main strengths was that the team had “so many players that were interchangeable,” which made them difficult FROM PAGE 1 to guard and switching on the defensive end Although he acknowledged the risk of more seamless. transmission that any in-person gathering may In this early stage of practice at Duke, present, Fullenkamp said that the University’s Lawson and her staff are only in the strict safety protocols and widespread student evaluation stage, with on-court workouts compliance has made him feel very safe in his only starting last week. In the future, once classroom. the team begins practicing together, they will Computer Science 201 is another course be able to more easily see how the different that hosts large in-person classes, in this players fit together and how the team’s case Monday and Wednesday in Page versatility can be used as a strength going Auditorium. Students who did not register forward. In addition, Lawson noted a player’s for the completely online lecture had the flexibility will be used as an evaluation tool option to register for two different lecture in recruiting. options: one that meets in-person Monday Versatility may also be the common and over Zoom Wednesday, or vice versa. theme throughout this entire basketball In-person attendance is not mandatory for season. any lecture.

Lawson shared her thoughts about the Duke’s extensive classroom safety potential that the season is played in a measures are the product of careful bubble, similar to how the NBA and WNBA thought and close collaboration between have conducted their returns. The feasibility the Provost’s Office and Human Resources, of doing a bubble for the teams, as she the Facilities Management Department explained, is challenging on two fronts: and the Office of Environmental Controls. First, the sheer number of teams is initially Such procedures include enforcing “social too large and second, the differing academic distancing (seats/desks 6-feet apart), requirements, notably the presence of inmasking, cleaning, ventilation, ability person courses. Lawson did note a bubble to exit and enter without lines,” and may be possible for the postseason as the controlling the capacity and configuration number of teams is smaller and it’s a shorter of the classrooms, Francis wrote. period of time.

Duke’s neighboring institutions, the And given the current environment, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill remaining flexible must be a priority.

LAWSON

CLASS

calendar TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 /5:30 - 6:45PM

Conversation with Juliette Kayyem: Protest and Policing Sponsored by Duke American Grand Strategy, Department of Political Science and Sanford School of Public Policy Registration not required.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 / 2-3PM

Coronavirus Conversations: Safe(r) Sex, Dating, Relationships and Intimacy during the Pandemic Sponsored by the Duke Initiative for Science and Society.

Registration required.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 / 10 - 11PM

COVID-19 Media Briefing: North Carolina’s Role in 2020 Election Sponsored by Duke Political Science Department.

Registration not required.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 / 2-3PM

Virtual Research Town Hall: The Impact of COVID-19 on Research at Duke Sponsored by Duke Office of Scientific Integrity, Nicholas School of the Environment, Pratt School of Engineering, Sanford School of Public Policy, School of Medicine and Trinity College.

Registration required.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 / 3-5PM

Make Your Own Soap Sponsored by DukeCreate and Duke Arts.

Registration required.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 /11-12PM

Promises and Perils of a COVID-19 Vaccine Sponsored by the Duke Department of Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Sudies and Bass Connections.

Registration not required.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 / 9:45-10:45AM

Online Youth Bible Study Sponsored by Congreation at Duke University Chapel and Duke Chapel.

Registration not required.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 / 12-12:50PM

Virtual Guided Meditation with Student Wellness Center Sponsored by Duke Student Wellness.

Registration not required.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 / 1-2PM

Soft Matter Reading Club Sponsored by Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Biomedical Engineering, Chemistry and Duke Materials Initiative.

Registration required.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 /5-5:15PM

Online Carillon Livestream Sponsored by Duke Chapel.

Registration not required.

To submit an event to The Chronicle’s calendar, email chronevents@gmail.com