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
FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2010
ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH YEAR, Issue 139
www.dukechronicle.com
Duke adds Costa Rican prez backs sustainability master’s in downturn by Samantha Brooks THE CHRONICLE
New degrees bring benefits, costs to Duke by Zachary Tracer THE CHRONICLE
The economic crisis has forced deep cuts in spending at Duke and prompted administrators to consider new ways to raise revenue. One money-making mechanism that has come into vogue in the last two years is the creation of master’s programs. In the Pratt School of Engineering alone, the number of master’s students may news double to about 600 in the next five years, analysis thanks to a new master’s program. The program, a Masters of Engineering, is one of four that have thus far been approved. Another four programs will be voted on—and likely approved—at an Academic Council meeting in May. In all, the new degrees—ranging from a Master of Arts in Christian Practices to a Master of Science in Biostatistics—stand to add about 600 graduate students and upwards of $20 See masters on page 4
andrea korab/The Chronicle
José María Figueres, former president of Costa Rica, delivers a speech titled “Democracy and Environmental Sustainability” at the Goodson Chapel Thursday as part of Mi Gente’s United College Conference.
Economic growth does not have to come at the expense of the environment, said José María Figueres, the former president of Costa Rica, in a speech at Duke Thursday. Figueres spoke to students about “Democracy and Environmental Sustainability” in the Goodson Chapel at Mi Gente’s first annual United College Conference. Figueres, now the chief executive officer of social investment company Concordia 21, discussed opportunities in sustainable markets for economic growth in developing Latin America. He emphasized that the economic crisis demonstrated that policy and government, not financial markets, should facilitate a concrete, environmentally-friendly economy. “During the last 20 years, the markets have been kings,” he said. “But policy is again in the driver’s seat.” Figueres stressed that the key to creating development opportunities is to shift away from the Latin American paradigm of “banking on the growth of other countries” and profiting from exports to those countries, which are carbon dependent. Instead, developing Latin American nations should go straight to the use of energy-efficient technologies. He said the planet is now resource-constrained, which could facilitate innovation. “In our countries we don’t need to go the same way in which the developed world has gone about putting together a carbonSee figueres on page 6
DUMC joins Provost explains University finances with LabCorp Details from closed meetings presented to student leaders by Taylor Doherty
by Sonia Havele
THE CHRONICLE
THE CHRONICLE
The Duke University Medical Center has announced its new partnership with Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, a laboratory testing company. The collaborators publicized their joint venture to commercialize biological markers—proteins or other substances that can indicate the presence of a particular condition or disease—in a press release Tuesday. The venture will be known as “The Biomarker Factory” and will combine “Duke’s excellence in biomarker discovery with LabCorp’s expertise in the development and commercialization of innovative diagnostic and laboratory tools,” according to the statement. Duke researchers anticipate that LabCorp will be an outstanding partner on both a business and scientific front, said Dr. Rob Califf, vice chancellor for clinical research and director of the Translational Medicine Institute. Dr. Victor Dzau, chancellor for health affairs and See labcorp on page 5
Duke has reduced its spending by approximately $60 million this year, Provost Peter Lange said in a presentation to student leaders Wednesday. The administration still seeks approximately $40 million in reductions, though this number may change depending on economic conditions in the near future. Through his slideshow, “Financial Challenges and Academic Opportunities,” Lange noted that the University is fortunate to have two more years in its three-year cost cutting plan because the remaining cuts will be increasingly difficult. He made the presentation to apPeter Lange proximately 15 undergraduates, including several reporters from The Chronicle. Lange said earlier this month that he would be making presentations on the financial cuts in closed meetings to allow for frank dialogue among the faculty. Lange said Wednesday, however, that he had received “a little flack” for the closed sessions and decided to
share the plan with students. The 45-minute overview contained the same slides that he showed to the University’s individual schools, Lange said. He did not include the school-specific slides that he adds to the presentation based on the group he is addressing. He focused on the challenges that Duke has faced as a result of the economic downturn and the administration’s proposed solutions. Lange noted that the University is making efforts to support workers at the lower end of the payscale. The presentation noted that one-time payments of $1,000 issued this year to employees earning $80,000 or less affect almost 100 percent of biweekly staff, or 4,626 workers; 80 percent of monthly staff, or 5,612 employees and 36 percent of the faculty, or 858 professors. The one-time payments, combined with a 2.2 percent increase in total compensation due to the increased cost of fringe benefits, will cost the University $37 million. Compared to a 3 percent increase in the University’s salary pool, however, this will save Duke $22 million. In the midst of the recession, administrative costs have See finances on page 5
ONTHERECORD
Duke beats B.C. to reach ACC Tournament semis, Page 7
“There is an outside demand for students with a certain skill set that graduates of the new master’s degree can satisfy.”
—Academic Council Chair Craig Henriquez on Master’s programs. See story page 3
Duke takes on conference rival Virginia... again, Page 7