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THE INDEPENDENT DAILY AT DUKE UNIVERSITY
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Trustees OK Oprah to speak for graduation first phase of New Campus by
Chelsea Allison THE CHRONICLE
by
Chelsea Allison THE CHRONICLE
The Board of Trustees approved measures Saturday to architect Duke’s campus expansion, digging into the first phase of the University’s New Campus plan while considering its financial situation. As banks were buffeted by unstable markets, the Trustees advocated pressing on with the University’s visions as expected. Trustee attendance was high, although Chair Robert Steel, Trinity ’73, was unable to stay for the full weekend as he was also engaged in talks to sell his company, Wachovia Corp., to Wells Fargo & Co. “It would be detrimental to dampen our ambition.... We will be very prudent and careful, but at the same time Duke must continue with its forward momentum,” said Michael Schoenfeld, vice president for public affairs and government relations. A phased approach for the Central Campus construction project debuted in March, accompanied by a report from Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education Steve Nowicki that envisioned a fusion of Duke’s 200-acre middle campus with West Campus. Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects was selected as the lead designer on the project in summer 2007, and the firm proposed shifting construction from SEE NEW CAMPUS ON PAGE 4
Franklin
Smoke did not herald college officials’ selection of the 2009 commencement speaker, but there is sure to be fanfare. “We have a commencement speaker... early,” University Secretary Richard Riddell told a group of 10 student leaders Saturday afternoon. Oprah Winfrey, media mogul and global philanthropist, will deliver the commencement address May 10. “Oprah Winfrey has established herself as one of the most compelling figures of this time,” Brodhead said in a statement. “In her role as entertainer and entrepreneur, she has done as much to promote reading as anyone now alive. Through her work as a philanthropist, she has become a force for literacy and education around the world. We will be delighted to welcome her to Duke.” Winfrey is the fourth commencement speaker in as many years to have a Duke connection: Her godson, Will Bumpus, is a member of this year’s graduating class. She had similar ties in agreeing to speak at StanSPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE ford University’s 2008 commencement, at which her goddaughter graduated. Medial mogul and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey will give the commencement address May 10.Winfrey “She doesn’t really do commencefollows four graduation speakers with a Duke tie: Her godson is a senior. ments unless it’s for someone she knows,” Winfrey’s goddaughter Kirby Bumpus Winfrey. Senior Class President Kendall versity tapped Barbara Kingsolver, author told the Stanford Daily in February 2008. Dabaghi, who is also co-chair senior gift of The Poisonwood Bible and a Duke par“That’s the only reason she’s coming. She committee, said the committee and mem- ent; Richard Wagoner, chief executive offigets asked a lot, so she can really do it only bers ofclass council had not been consult- cer of General Motors and vice chair of the when she has a special connection.” ed on the decision. He noted, however, Board of Trustees; and John Hope FrankSpeakers are typically announced that it seems University officials plan to lin, world-renowned scholar and Duke prolater in the Fall, but Riddell and Michael confer with those groups in the future. fessor of history. Schoenfeld, vice president for public Duke does not compensate the speakers Some students had complained that affairs and government relations, said it invites to deliver the address, though it SEE OPRAH ON PAGE 5 they jumped at the opportunity to invite does cover expenses. Previously, the Uni-
losed to outsiders Armed robbery Chapel Hill limits Halloween festivities to residents, UNC reported off East James Sawabini
GLEN GUTTERSON/CHRONICLE FILE PHOTO
Citing safety concerns, Chapel Hill officials have saidDuke students will not be welcome at this year's Halloween activities on Franklin Street.
by
Shuchi Parikh
THE CHRONICLE
THE CHRONICLE
Duke students will not be invited to spend Halloween on Franklin Street this year. Concerned that the size of the decades-old Halloween celebration—which drew an estimated crowd of 80,000 last year—has posed unmanageable public safety issues and forced unfair costs on the town, authorities hope to make it a private party for Chapel Hill residents and University ofNorth Carolina at Chapel Hill students only. As part of the newly announced “Homegrown Halloween” campaign, Chapel Hill Town Manager Roger Standi approved plans to cancel Chapel Hill Transit shuttles and limit traffic lanes into the downtown area Friday to keep the number of attendees down.
A student reported being robbed at gunpoint Saturday morning around 3 a.m. while walking alone near the intersection of Sedgefield and Green streets, one block north of East Campus. Two men demanded money from the student, and one pointed a gun, according to reports from the Duke University Police Department. The suspects took the student’s wallet, which contained a small amount ofcash and some credit cards, and he was not harmed, Dean of Students Sue Wasiolek said. The suspects are described as black males approximately 5 feet 10 inches or 5 feet 11 inches tall. One is described as being in his 20s, wearing a black shirt and
SEE FRANKLIN ON PAGE 2
SEE ROBBERY ON PAGE 5