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
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010
ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH YEAR, Issue 34
www.dukechronicle.com
DUPD looks Alcohol policy changes at ‘Duke’s pace’ into possible homicide drinking at duke: part 2
by Sanette Tanaka THE CHRONICLE
University leaders dream of a day when Duke and drinking are not mentioned in the same breath. But shifting the alcohol-centered social culture is no easy task. “There is an [abundant] presence of alcohol [at Duke],” said Tom Szigethy, associate dean and director of the Duke Student Wellness Center. “The amount of alcohol that flows through this campus would not be tolerated at other schools.” Colleges all strive to reduce student alcohol abuse—though how to address the issue differs among universities. Duke currently operates under a “zerotolerance” approach on East Campus and a “harm-reduction” model on West Campus, which emphasizes safety and personal health over strict underage enforcement. Szigethy noted that Duke is unlikely to change its approach, though some metrics suggest that alcohol-related incidents have increased in recent years. According to the University’s annual Clery Campus Security Reports, liquor law violations and arrests at Duke have grown incrementally from 2007 to 2009. But Chief John Dailey of the Duke University Police Department said student alcohol violations—when taken proportionally—are comparable to neighboring institutions.
See alcohol on page 6
from Staff Reports THE CHRONICLE
michael naclerio/The Chronicle
Although Duke’s social scene places more emphasis on drinking than other schools, University officials do not expect to move drastically away from a “harm-reduction” model on West Campus.
The Duke University Police Department is investigating a recent death at Duke Hospital that might have been a homicide. Cheryl Suber, 30, was found unconscious in her hospital bed Oct. 5 and died of cardiac arrest despite attempts made by medical staff to resuscitate her. Suber was frequently hospitalized because she had sickle-cell anemia, but the probable cause affidavit filed by DUPD investigators noted that on the day of her death Suber was thought to be in nonlife-threatening condition. Suber was observed walking about the hospital unit in good health earlier in the day according to the affidavit, which was filed as part of a search warrant requesting access to hospital video footage. A police investigation was prompted by the concerns of Dr. Daniel Kaplan, an attending physician who was suspicious of the circumstances surrounding her death, according to the affidavit. “At the current time, we do not know the cause of death or whether a crime has occurred,” Duke Police Chief John Dailey See hospital on page 5
Female student robbed on LaSalle Street Senate debate heats up over economic issues by Matthew Chase THE CHRONICLE
courtney douglas/The Chronicle
A female student was robbed of her belongings on LaSalle Street Wednesday morning. DUPD is assisting Durham Police with the investigation.
A female student was robbed on LaSalle Street around 9:25 a.m. Wednesday. The incident was the second robbery of a student on or near campus in the past five days. The student was approached by a woman who asked to use her cell phone. After the student gave the woman her phone, the woman pushed the student to the ground and stole her backpack, confirmed Chief John Dailey of the Duke University Police Department. He said the attacker, who he described as a black female wearing a grey hoodie with a pink vertical stripe, then got into a nearby car and fled the scene with the driver. The driver of the car was a heavy-set black female wearing a white shirt, Dailey said. The vehicle was described as a gray, four-door car. Dailey said the incident occurred near the LaSalle Street entrance to Erwin Terrace. No weapons were involved, but the student’s credit cards, bag and computer were stolen. Dailey said that as of about 5 p.m. Wednesday, the suspects had not been identified, but a stolen credit card was used at a Durham gas station. Because the incident was off campus, the Durham Police Department is handling the case. DUPD is assisting
Incumbent Republican Sen. Richard Burr faced off against Democratic challenger Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and Libertarian candidate Michael Beitler in the second of three televised debates last night in Raleigh. In the exchange, which was hosted by NBC-17 and sponsored by the North Carolina League of Women Voters, the three candidates explained their positions and traded barbs on a variety of issues that ranged from health care to the U.S. military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which was recently discontinued by a federal judge’s injunction. The debate, spurred by questions sent in by North Carolina residents, was most heated when the subject turned to the economy.
See robbery on page 4
See debate on page 5
ONTHERECORD
“It’s meant to fill the need for students needing to be picked up off campus or generally get from point A to point B.”
—VP for Athletics and Campus Services Chris Brown. See story page 4
Energy drink mixers popular on campus despite risks, Page 3
by Ciaran O’Connor THE CHRONICLE
Duke researchers use tags to track whales, Page 4