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
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2010
ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH YEAR, Issue 8
www.dukechronicle.com
Hurricane Earl spares Marine Lab
‘A SOLID START’ ELON 27
41 DUKE
by Samantha Brooks THE CHRONICLE
Despite forecasts of severe weather conditions, the Duke University Marine Lab was unscathed this weekend after a brief encounter with Hurricane Earl. Cindy Van Dover, director of the Marine Lab, issued a mandatory evacuation of all residents at the Beaufort campus in preparation for Earl in an e-mail Thursday morning. At that time, the National Weather Service reported that the storm was a Category 4 hurricane. Although the lab was prepared for the worst, the campus was in perfect condition Friday morning, Van Dover wrote in an e-mail Friday. “We were delighted to return to the island at first light and find everything secure,” she wrote. “I don’t believe there was even a power outage.” At the time of the evacuation, the weather service reported that the eye of the hurricane would hit North Carolina’s coastline late Thursday afternoon. Although Pivers Island—on which the Beaufort campus is located— was not under government evacuation, Marine Lab officials evacuated the campus as an extra precaution.
by Vignesh Nathan THE CHRONICLE
If he wanted, Sean Renfree could finally let out a sigh of relief. He had just led his team to a 41-27 victory over Elon, passing his first test with flying colors as Duke’s starting quarterback. After months of speculation and worries about how he would perform in Thaddeus Lewis’ footsteps, the redshirt sophomore had full command of his offense Saturday night in Wallace Wade Stadium, throwing for 350 yards and two touchdown passes on a 31-of-39 performance. “I’d say it was a pretty solid start for Mr. Renfree,” head coach David Cutcliffe said, concealing a smile. “Solid” might not have done “Mr. Renfree” justice. Renfree and the offense got their first chance at action after Elon’s opening drive of the game, in which the Phoenix (0-1) drove 63 yards, including two longdistance passes, to set themselves up for a field goal. It wasn’t exactly the start Duke was hoping for, with its defense revealing hints of weakness in defending the long pass. But the offense was about to compensate for the initial defensive shortcomings. The Blue Devils (1-0) began their offensive drive on their own 36-yard line, and it took them merely six snaps to get the ball to the end zone and send the home fans into a frenzy. See football on sportswrap page 5
See earl on page 8 larsa al-omaishi/The Chronicle
New regulations lead to ‘improved’ first Tailgate by Matt Barnett THE CHRONICLE
dianna liu/The Chronicle
Due to new limits on alcohol and the cooperation of student groups, this year’s first Tailgate went more smoothly than in previous years.
Lady Gaga and Superman were among the star-studded and beer-drenched Tailgate crowd Saturday. As per tradition, hundreds of students dressed in ridiculous costumes and spent the afternoon at the popular pregame revelry. This year, however, Duke Student Government established a new set of guidelines for the event, aiming to reduce alcohol waste and abuse, encourage student safety and promote Duke Football. Duke students received several e-mails detailing the new guidelines during the week leading up to Saturday’s event, which took place in the Blue Zone. The new regulations placed limits on the quantity of alcohol students and groups could bring and created a Tailgate Team consisting of DSG staff and group representatives which, like party monitors, facilitated enforcement of Tailgate rules. Dean of Students Sue Wasiolek said the event went better than previous years, thanks to the work of DSG and the Interfraternity Council. “The groups respected the rules and regulations. The litter also appeared to have improved,” she said. “However, the throwing of beer cans needs to stop.”
ONTHERECORD
“Testimony not germane to the topic of this trial will be disregarded.”
—DSG Judiciary Chief Justice Matt Straus on the DCR case. See story page 3
Emergency Medical Services transported one student from the event due to alcohol poisoning, according to Duke University Police Chief John Dailey. Wasiolek added that multiple students reported cuts from the crushed beer cans that carpeted the Blue Zone’s asphalt. Although there were no major incidents at the event, an error in DSG’s e-mail to the student body initially led to confusion concerning how students were supposed to bring alcohol into the event. In an e-mail to the student body Aug. 30, DSG set a limit of 30 cases of beer per vehicle. But Wasiolek said the original e-mail was intended to say 30 cases per group—not per car. In a later e-mail to students, Vice President for Student Affairs Larry Moneta clarified that N.C. state law only allows the transporting of 80 liters of beer— equaling approximately nine cases and nine 12-oz cans. Tailgate Team members were instructed to allow three cars per group to transport alcohol in order to avoid violations. An additional new policy also mandated that individual students could only carry in up to six cans of beer and had to show proper identification.
BP: Still Pumpin’ Consumers choose not to punish local BP stations for the Gulf spill, PAGE 3
See tailgate on page 8
Durham schools compete for stimulus funds, Page 4