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
tuesday, april 5, 2011
ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH YEAR, Issue 127
www.dukechronicle.com
Two buildings on East vandalized early Saturday by Kelly Scurry THE CHRONICLE
Vandals sprayed graffiti paint on Lilly Library and Wilson Residence Hall on East Campus early Saturday morning. Lilly librarians said someone called the Duke University Police Department and reported the damage at approximately 2 a.m. Saturday. The graffiti was on the columns in front of the library as well as the front door and entrance of Wilson. University staff removed the graffiti Monday morning. One of the six pillars of Lilly Library read, “F—k Jesus,” and “More Public Sex,” was written across three of the other pillars. The back of one pillar read “God is a Lie.” DUPD Chief John Dailey said instances of vandalism are not uncommon on East Campus or on most college campuses. Dailey said the vandalism of the library and the residence hall were likely related, adding that DUPD investigators are trying to determine the identity of the perpetrators and obtain more information about the acts. He added that although perpetrators are often not caught, Lilly Library has a video surveillance system. In the event that the perpetrators are students, they would be referred to the Office of Student Conduct, said Dean of Students Sue Wasiolek. “There are no typical sanctions in these affairs,” Wasiolek said. “Generally an investigation would be conducted by the Office of Student Conduct, and a decision is based on statements from the accused See vandalism on page 4
melissa yeo/The Chronicle
DSG president candidates Isaac Mizrahi, Ashley Jordan and Pete Schork answer questions on policy priorities at a debate in the Great Hall Monday.
Candidates debate campus issues by Yeshwanth Kandimalla THE CHRONICLE
The three candidates vying for the Duke Student Government presidency addressed students two days before the election. Ashley Jordan, Central Campus representative on Campus Council; Isaac Mizrahi, an at-large DSG senator for residence life and dining; and DSG Executive Vice President Pete Schork, all juniors, presented their opinions and platforms to a group of more than 40 students in a pre-election debate Monday night. The debate, which took place in the Great Hall, was moderated by sophomore Cory Adkins, incoming chair of The Chronicle’s independent editorial board. The debate consisted of two question-and-answer segments. During the first part, Adkins posed a single question to the three candidates, who each had two minutes to respond. The second segment began in the same manner, and the other two candidates then had one minute each to offer a rebuttal or
Duke Student government president
commentary on the first candidate’s initial response. The questions touched on topics such as the West Union Building renovations, the house model and Duke’s global expansion into Kunshan, China, as well as the general management of DSG. Although all candidates agreed that DSG needs to be a more effective representative of the student body, they differed in their policy priorities and approaches to various campus issues. The candidates focused on particular campus issues especially during the second segment, though they spent a significant amount of time discussing matters internal to DSG. As the only candidate currently not part of DSG, Jordan said she has a better perspective on how to reform the organization. “When Walmart decided that they wanted to beat Target, they got a person from Target,” she said. “If DSG wants to become a better organization, why not get someone See debate on page 5
Dsg executive vice president
Schork looks to increase Candidates take different student stakeholder voice approaches to EVP role by Anna Koelsch
by Anna Koelsch
Junior Pete Schork has come a long way as a student advocate since middle school when he worked to fix broken water fountains. Schork, who served as Duke Student Government executive vice president this year, is now running for DSG president with the same student-advocate spirit that shaped his formative years. “DSG might be the student voice, but we’re never going to be the direct stakeholders for most interests,” Schork said. “My vision is one where students are brought into DSG through ongoing conversations and empowered in ways they haven’t been before.”
Two candidates are vying to be the second-highest ranking officer of Duke Student Government. Sophomore Gurdane Bhutani, vice president for student affairs, and freshman Patrick Oathout, an academic affairs senator and rules committee member, are currently in the running for DSG executive vice president. The candidates represent opposing viewpoints on DSG priorities and how the executive vice president can help to achieve them. One of Bhutani’s top priorities if elected would be to reevaluate the role itself. He said he would like to change the position, which currently deals primarily
THE CHRONICLE
james lee/The Chronicle
Junior Pete Schork, current executive vice president, hopes to further incorporate student voice into DSG.
Eateryto relocate from Erwin Terrace, Page 3
See schork on page 5
THE CHRONICLE
ONTHERECORD
“She wanted nothing more to do with her future. She wanted nothing to do with the world.”
—Sophomore Rui Dai in “Depression hurts.” See column page 11
with the internal affairs of DSG, to one focused more on policy. “Not only will [changing the role] improve the Senate’s efficiency, but it will also allow the [executive vice president] to work on issues that really matter to the student body,” Bhutani said. “It’s silly for someone who has built strong relationships with administrators to give that up and work on internal issues.” The internal issues usually dealt with by the executive vice president would be delegated to the president pro tempore—a position that has potential but is currently underutilized, Bhutani said. Three policy issues are particularly See evp on page 6
DUSDAC elects new leadership, Page 3