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THE CHRONICLE
An observant bird flying over Duke Forest today would notice several white rings tree tops—but perhaps not for much longer. Unbeknownst to the bird, the suspicious rings are towers that have been emitting carbon dioxide into the canopy for more than a decade in order to simulate the effects of global warming. The experiment seeks to produce data that will improve models that predict the effects ofclimate change and how forests might ward off the negative consequences, said Ram Oren, professor of ecology at the Nicholas School of the Environment and the principle investigator of the experiment at Duke. But theU.S. Department ofEnergy, the sole sponsor of the multi-million dollar Free Air CO2 Enrichment Project, recendy requested that scientists cut to the harvesting phase by chopping down the trees and digging holes to analyze the carbon dioxide levels. The researchers object to this plan because they need at least two more years, but ideally four or five, to collect optimal
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Dr. Oliver Sacks, a renowned neurologist and prolific author, gives a talktitled"Music, Healing and theBrain" in Page Auditorium Wednesday. Sacks is known for using patients anecdotes in his books.
SEE RESEARCH ON PAGE 5
The Arts and Sciences Council will consider at its meeting today a new underloading policy that would allow undergraduates to enroll in three classes for at most two semesters beginning Fall 2009. The policy would require students to have passed at least 16 courses before underloading, which would generally allow only juniors and seniors to lower their class load. Additionally, students must be in good academic standing with at least a 3.0 grade point average and a declared major. “The purpose of this is to empower students to plan ahead and view their four years as something of a portfolio,” said Peter Feaver, chair of the Academic Standards Committee, a subcommittee of the Arts and Sciences Council. “The purpose of it is not to make Duke easier for a student.” Feaver, Alexander F. Hehmeyer professor of political science, will present the policy at the council meeting today, and inembers will vote on the proposal at their next meeting Dec. 4. If passed, the policy would be evaluated after three years. SEE UNDERLOAD ON PAGE 4
Munger continues efforts despite electoral loss by
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THE CHRONICLE
Duke professor Michael Munger (right) debates Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory Oct. 8 on the campaign trail for N.C. governor.
When Michael Munger began campaigning for governor ofNorth Carolina, he knew he would face challenges getting recognition as the Libertarian candidate. But Munger, the chair of the political science department, could not have anticipated the final obstacle of his campaign—diving into the Atlantic Ocean in early November, fully clothed, in a bid to attract media attention. “It was cold,” Munger said, adding that the dip came at the end of a three-day campaign tour across North Carolina byway ofU.S. Route 64. The spectacle was the culmination of his nearly three-year-long campaign. The cold, though, was not as bad as the rocks that found their way into Munger’s brown loafers as he made his way out of the surf, he added. Luckily both Munger’s shoes and his polyester blazer survived the bath—in fact, as he spoke, Munger noted that he was wearing the same shoes he wore on that 65degree day in Manteo, N.C. A video ofMunger’s dive filmed by campaign manager Barbara Howe has been viewed about 800 times on You-
Tube. Although Munger said he has attempted to differentiate himself from his opponents by relying on policy arguments during his campaign, he felt the video was an appropriate way to end his race. “Why is it that voters tolerate a media that does not cover substance, that covers stunts?” he said. “And that was the intended irony. That’s why I wasn’t wearing a bathing suit. I was wearing a suit.” Lacking publicity and hampered by his third party status, Munger did not begin the race thinking he would win. By the end though, he found himself wanting to be governor. His goal, however, was simply to earn enough votes to keep his party on the ballot through 2012. North Carolina’s ballot access law required Munger to collect at least 70,000 signatures to run, all of which must be validated by the N.C. State Board of Elections. Because he won more than 2 percent of the votes cast in North Carolina, with nearly 3 percent, Libertarian candidates will not have to collect signatures in order to appear on SEE MUNGER ON PAGE 4