The Chronicle RIAA fines Panda drawing mixed feedback attracting student ire Most pay settlements to avoid huge fees by
Julia Love
THE CHRONICLE
Considering that the fines could have amounted to $250,000, Jacob’s $3,000 deal with the Recording Industry Association of America almost seems like a steal. But a few visits to sites like Napster and LimeWire still cost the sophomore more than he pays for a year of Duke education. Struggling to come up with money he did not have, Jacob said his grades slipped and his social life nose-dived. He refused to let his parents bail him out, but he said he is convinced there is more the University could have done to help him cope with the consequences ofhis illegal music downloads. “At first, I didn’t tell [my parents]. I’m on heavy financial aid and most Of the money that I have to spend is money thatI have saved and I have made. I maide sure the fine was from my money. My mom didn’t do anything wrong, why should she have to pay for that?” Jacob said. “But Duke didn’t help me one bit.... Duke doesn’t get the picture that their students are their family. It shouldn’t be how can we help Duke, it’s how can we help our students.” Jacob is just one of 42 students who *
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Vegetarians critical ofcooking practices by
Julius Jones
THE CHRONICLE
A record-breaking number of students chowed down at Panda Express for its opening this week, filling their bellies with Chinese fare of delectable taste but debatable nutritional value. Nearly 1,200 patrons filed into the restaurant Monday, generating some of the opening-day biggest sales numbers in the history of Panda Express, Director of Dining Services Jim Wulforst said. “They broke all records for Panda store openings of the size,” he said. MAYA ROBINSON/THE CHRONICLE Panda Express Man1,200 customers, Luo said the Panda with record sales numbers for the eatery. ager Tony Express opened Monday nearly generating Chinese food his restau- Some students, however, have questioned the decision to bring the national Chinese food chain to campus. rant serves is nutritious. “Our entrees are very healthy,” he said. verse effect on students’ waistlines Sarah Boltuck, who is vegetarian “We add no MSG and use only soy bean oil “What’s the definition of healthy? That’s But Wulforst said students should not when we cook, which has no trans fat.” so subjective,” he said. “Some athletes need worry about meat mixing with vegetarThe caloric content of a typical Panda 5,000 calories to keep the weight on.” ian dishes, noting that the appliances are The cooking process at Panda Express rinsed between uses. Express meal, however, has raised the “There is no better way to sanitize a eyebrows of some students. A plate with has come under fire by some vegetarian orange chicken, sweet and sour pork and students. Although Panda Express’ Web site wok than to put it under that much heat/” he said. chow mein—a standard meal at the restaustates that the restaurant does not offer vegrant—contains approximately 1,290 caloetarian meals because all entrees are cooked Students curious to know how the new in a chicken base, Luo said his diner does not restaurant on the West Campus Plaza mearies, according to the company’s Web site. McDonalds’ Big Mac meal, consisting of a use a meat base but also does not differentisures up to its peers will find themselves out of luck. To date, only The Loop, Alpine Big Mac hamburger and a medium order of ate woks for meat and non-meat items. French fries, has approximately 920 calories. “The thought of eating something’s Atrium and national chain restaurants such But Wulforst said he does not think flesh, or something covered in the juices SEE PANDA ON PAGE 6 meals at Panda Express will have an ad- of that flesh, is just gross,” said freshman
Employees support Obama’s ‘change’ theme by
Rongjie Chen THE CHRONICLE
MARQUISE ELOI/THE CHRONICLE
Many employees have expressed support for Dem. presidential nominee Barack Obama. Those interviewed said they were drawn to the change in policies Obama has pushed for.
North Carolina is a traditionally red state during presidential elections—but that does not reflect the political climate among employees here at the University. Whether they work at the Marketplace, the Great Hall, or operate the buses that run between them, many employees said they support Democratic candidateBarack Obama for president. Most of the employees interviewed were black, and in the May 6 N.C. Democratic primary, Obama won 91 percent of the black vote—which comprised 33 percent of the state’s electorate—according to exit polling by FOX News. “I guarantee you African-American turnout, if I’m the nominee, goes up 30 percent around the country, minimum,” Obama pledged at a campaign stop in August 2007. Alpine Bagels employee Rebecca Alston, 25,
said she is enthusiastic about Obama, saying he to Washington. “I enjoy his views and think that we may see some honest change,” she said. “He’s totally new, from the physical sense to the political sense.” The word “change” was a popular buzzword among many employees. “I just like Obama betterbecause there are a lot of people talking about how he’s going to make change,” said Marketplace employee Whitney Malone, 20. Many employees expressed discontent with the current administration, citing issues such as health care, social security, taxes, gas prices, the environment and the Iraq War as causes for concern. Several added that they are optimistic that Obama could address all of these issues if elected.
brings a fresh perspective
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