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Daily Herald

the Brown

vol. cxlvi, no. 16 Wednesday, February 16, 2011 Since 1891

Algorithms Hotel labor


can’t solve CS dispute
gender gap
By Sahil Luthra
resolved
Senior Staff Writer By KAT THORNTON
Senior Staff Writer
Fiona Condon ’12 was reading over
a project handout for her computer Last night the Westin Providence
science class. The prompt presented hotel and union workers of Unite
a hypothetical scenario, and while Here Local 217, came to an agree-
some students might have been ment on a contract ending a labor
amused, Condon found it “a little dispute that started in March. At a
off-putting.” press conference — which organiz-
A woman is upset because she ers held in both English and Spanish
cannot figure out the answer to a — workers rejoiced with cries of, “I
problem and her boyfriend is not have my job back!” and “Welcome
around to help her. The prompt in- back to the Westin!”
structs the student to help.
“I understood it was kind of a city & state
Herald File Photo
continued on page 3 The Department of Computer Science analyzes which types of assignments are most intimidating to women. The contract’s details were not
disclosed, but a press release called

UCS to change student group application process


it a “mutually beneficial agreement”
that will provide “solid job security,”
prohibit increased subcontracting
By David Chung re-categorizing student groups, a tend an informational session about egories I, II and III based primarily and set a baseline number of full-
Senior Staff Writer process through which groups are group creation. The next session on their funding requirements. The time jobs.
organized according to their func- will be held Feb. 28. University does not provide any di- “It’s a huge community victory.
A new application process for estab- tion and funding. Because they have They will also need to classify rect funding for Category I groups, It’s a huge worker victory,” said Ca-
lishing student groups will go into been holding weekly meetings to their group by type — such as cul- whereas Category II groups receive milo Viveiros, executive director
effect this week. In response to the categorize student groups, student tural, religious or political — and $200 per semester and Category III of Rhode Island Jobs with Justice,
findings of an audit performed over activities committee members have obtain the approval of the com- groups can seek additional funding an organization that supported the
the course of the previous year, the been unable to dedicate their time mittee member who oversees that from the Undergraduate Finance Westin employees.
Student Activities Committee has to other essential issues, Nelson classification category. And they Board. Category I and Category Workers began boycotting the
decided to reform its operations “to said. The committee has recognized must review Section XIV of the II groups may also apply for ad- hotel after their union contract
better serve groups,” Chair Ralanda the need to serve groups beyond UCS Code of Operations, which ditional funding during the year. expired Oct. 2009. In March 2010,
Nelson ’12 said at a forum hosted the point of creation, she said. An explains the process for obtaining Students must submit a constitu- the Westin unilaterally decreased
by the committee in Salomon 101 application process has replaced University recognition, and deter- tion, an initial member list and the wages by 20 percent, increased the
last night. the weekly meetings this semester mine which categorization their student group application available cost of health care by 20 percent,
The Undergraduate Council so that committee members may group merits. on the UCS website. Both a hard hired 50 subcontracted workers and
of Students and its student activi- dedicate more of their time to other Category S is reserved for fund- copy and an electronic copy are re- decreased vacation time for select
ties leaders determined that the matters, she said. raising and service-oriented groups, quired. The application was released long-time employees, Viveiros said.
committee was spending the ma- Students hoping to start their and club sports belong to Category Monday and must be submitted by Rhode Island Jobs with Justice,
jority of its time categorizing and own groups will be required to at- A. Other groups are placed in Cat- 9 p.m. March 16 for consideration. with help from the Brown Student
Labor Alliance, discouraged groups
from holding events at the Westin
S t o p, r u s h a n d R o l l DUGs see increase in by informing them of the boycott.
Beth Caldwell ’12 said the Student

popularity on campus
Labor Alliance successfully encour-
aged three Brown groups to hold
their events elsewhere, including
By Ashley Aydin “For bigger concentrations, they the 2011 Class Board’s Gala.
Senior Staff Writer can be a great way to ensure that the Even with community help and
students get to know each other and the “perseverance” of employees, the
The number of active departmental get more actively involved in their struggle was full of “blood, sweat
undergraduate groups has increased field, especially as it relates to Brown and tears,” said Audrie Ramsay,
from 24 to 49 since July 2009. Ac- and its population,” Aida Mandu- an employee of three years at the
cording to the Plan for Academic ley ’11, co-leader of the gender and Westin and member of the union’s
Enrichment’s October 2010 status sexuality studies DUG, wrote in an negotiations committee.
report, administrators have worked e-mail to The Herald. Ramsay was laid off in June 2009,
to strengthen “the number and ef- Jacob Combs ’11, leader of the along with many other employees,
fectiveness of student department English DUG, also said the group but she will be one of the 50 percent
undergraduate groups by developing allowed students in the department of workers to get their jobs back as
websites, guidelines and coordination to meet each other outside of class. part of the contract, she said.
with concentration advisers.” “Besides the fact that we’re all stu- The renegotiation of contracts
A 50th DUG — for the Center for dents and scholars, we’re people too. between the union and the Westin
Language Studies — is in the works, In English, we love reading and we happens every few years, but this
Besenia Rodriguez, associate dean love talking about books. The English one has been the most difficult, said
of the college for research and up- DUG provides a discussion space Carmen Castillo, who has worked
perclass studies, wrote in an e-mail for this,” he said. “It’s a great way to as a room attendant for 16 years
to The Herald. get people out of the classroom and and has served on the negotiations
For many students, DUGs are a into an environment where you don’t committee for 13 years.
Katrina Phillips / Herald way of getting more involved in their
Prospective Greeks roll sushi and make connections at a Zeta Delta Xi rush event. concentration and studies. continued on page 2 continued on page 5
weather

Rush Hour Capital C Running High


news....................2-3 t o d ay tomorrow
inside

CITY & State.........5


editorial..............6 Frats and sororities woo Reconsidering our Bruins witness professional
Opinions...............7 students with free food Corporation rhetoric runner set distance record
SPORTS...................8 Campus news, 5 opinions, 7 Sports, 8 43 / 31 51 / 37
2 Campus News The Brown Daily Herald
Wednesday, February 16, 2011

c alendar DUGs foster ‘sense of community’


Today february 16 ToMORROW february 17
continued from page 1 tor, have been contacting the handful “DUGs create additional oppor-
5:30 P.m. 5 p.m. of departments that do not yet have tunities for these types of less for-
“The Language of Pain” Hipocrasy, Democracy and have things like class participation DUGs. “In some cases, faculty have mal interactions,” Rodriguez wrote.
Pembroke Hall, Room 305 Hip(Hop)ocracy, Wilson 302 or grades.” suggested proactive students who “Brown students are incredibly re-
Every year, both active and inac- we’ve contacted to spearhead DUG sourceful and proactive, and DUGs
7:30 p.m. 7 p.m.
tive DUGs are required to submit creation or revitalization efforts.” provide a vehicle for them to create
Reading by novelist Bradford Morrow, Lecture on politics in the Caribbean, a request for funding for the year Combs said he is focused on in- disciplinary-specific activities that
McCormack Family Theater Smith-Buonanno 201 from the Dean of the College’s office, creasing student awareness of the help build community and provide
which includes a budget and a list of English DUG. valuable resources for concentrators.”

menu upcoming activities.


A DUG is considered active if
“There are announcements in
classes to tell you about things go-
“The goal is to enhance the sense
of community in each concentration
it has at least one student leader, ing on within the DUG,” he said. by providing some funding … so that
SHARPE REFECTORY VERNEy-WOOLLEY DINING HALL
support from the department in “We work with professors to spread students can invite guest lecturers,
LUNCH the form of a faculty advisor and at the word about what we do. It’s a lot organize panel discussions and hold
Pepperoni, Spinach and Feta Beef Pot Pie, Vegan Chili, Hot and least two events per semester, Ro- of e-mailing and a lot of social net- other events that might be of interest
Calzone, Bruschetta Mozzarella, Spicy Vegetable Saute, Pumpkin driguez wrote. Each DUG is eligible working.” to concentrators,” she wrote.
Pumpkin and White Chip Cookies and White Chip Cookies for $500 of funding from the Dean The main purpose of DUGs is Rodriguez gave examples of lan-
of the College’s office to match $500 to increase student-faculty interac- guage DUGs that have hosted film
DINNER
of departmental funding. tions outside the classroom and to series and lunches in the Sharpe Re-
Sustainable Seafood Cavatelli, Tequila Lime Chicken, Vegan Rodriguez wrote that she and help connect students with fellow fectory where only Spanish or Por-
Oven-Roasted Tofu Triangles, Ratatouille, Basil and Parmesan Ryan Lester ’11, the DUG coordina- concentrators, faculty and alums. tuguese is spoken. She added that
Spanish Steak, Frosted Brownies Bread, Frosted Brownies other DUGs have hosted alumni

Daily Herald
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presentations and panel sessions on
Sudoku finding internships or getting into
www.browndailyherald.com graduate school.
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Ben Schreckinger, President Matthew Burrows, Treasurer faculty and fellow concentrators, in-
Sydney Ember, Vice President Isha Gulati, Secretary volvement in a DUG allows students
The Brown Daily Herald (USPS 067.740) is an independent newspaper serving the to “sort of take the reins of program-
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day during the academic year, excluding vacations, once during Commencement, once recruiting people into the concentra-
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POSTMASTER please send corrections to P.O. Box 2538, Providence, RI 02906. unsure about concentrating, getting
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Crossword
The Brown Daily Herald
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 Campus News 3
CS department looks to narrow gender gap in concentrators
continued from page 1 Angluin added. in CS at Brown, Zeng said. The number of students inter- other schools, since the changes were
Women in Computer Science ested in computer science increased not expensive. As an undergraduate,
topical joke based around the themes In the classroom declined to comment for this story. significantly at the end of the 1990s, she was told many times that there
of the course,” Condon said. “But at As a math-computer science “The issue of women being under- according to the New York Times. were “no good women mathemati-
the same time, having that trope be double concentrator, Lu Zeng ’12 represented in the sciences is deeply Since then, rates have steadily de- cians,” even though she was one of
right in the project handout was a said she would have to question her complicated, and I am concerned clined. the best at every school she attended.
little irritating.” counting skills if she didn’t notice the that simplifying it to fit within the As computer use spread to other Zeng, however, said that the open
While she said these experiences gender disparity in her CS classes. space constraints of a newspaper disciplines, “people discovered you curriculum might make Harvey
are “absolutely not” the norm in the “But has it affected the experience article will result in misunderstand- don’t have to do computer science Mudd’s approach difficult to imple-
Department of Computer Science, of my education? Not at all,” she said. ings,” wrote Ashley Tuccero ’11, a to do computers,” Doeppner said. ment at Brown. The student body
the stereotype of women struggling It’s hard to definitively say why coordinator for the group, in an e- Most universities try to attract of an engineering school is “very
with computers is culturally ubiq- there are fewer women in the field, mail to The Herald. more women to the discipline, said self-selecting,” she added.
uitous. but female presence has historically Shriram Krishnamurthi, associate
Nationwide, the number of wom- been low, she said. “It’s a little bit like A decline over time professor of computer science at Broadening focus
en in computer science is one of the wondering why there aren’t more The proportion of females in Brown. But “I don’t know what the While Krishnamurthi said he
lowest out of all science, technol- people from sub-Saharan Africa in computer science peaked during right baseline is. Is it parity? Is 50-50 supports the University’s departmen-
ogy, engineering and math fields. In the Winter Olympics,” she said. the early 1980s. But by the end of the right number? Should it be 70-30 tal efforts, he takes a wider view of
2009, only 11 percent of computer Condon — who plans to concen- the decade, women were dropping in one direction, maybe 70-30 in the the situation. “I don’t understand
science bachelor’s degree recipients trate in American civilization and out of the field. other?” he said. “What’s more useful why women should be more im-
were women, according to a survey computer science — said she knew Computers were gradually be- is to find the root causes. … Percent- portant than say, African Ameri-
by the Computing Research Asso- after her first course that she wanted coming “a boy thing,” said Harvey ages just mean nothing to me.” cans or Hispanics or the poor,” he
ciation. to study CS. She enjoyed the feeling said. “I don’t want to be picking and
of accomplishment after overcoming Raising the numbers choosing and saying, ‘That’s the most
Departmental efforts challenges and developing compe- “What’s more use- At Harvey Mudd, the number of important criterion.’ For me, they’re
Statistics for Brown reflect na- tency in the languages of computing. ful is to find the root female computer science students all students.”
tional trends. Roughly 15 percent The case was similar for Zeng, causes. … Percent- has gone up significantly in recent Krishnamurthi, who taught an
of CS concentrators are female, said who had not initially planned on years, the proportion of females introductory CS course last fall, said
Tom Doeppner, director of under- concentrating in the field. “I could ages just mean increasing from 10 percent to 42 he believes the larger problem is a
graduate affairs in computer science. start from nothing (and go) to some- nothing to me.” percent, according to Klawe. misunderstanding of what computer
He added he has seen that figure thing like Tetris in a semester,” Zeng The department offers a number science is. He said the problem is
climb as high as 25 percent in the said. “I liked the feeling of mastery Shriram Krishnamurthi, of summer research opportunities to largely fueled by high school pro-
past. that I got from a course like this.” associate director of female rising sophomores. It also re- grams. The Advanced Placement
The department tries to make But getting women to take their computer science structured its introductory computer computer science curriculum taught
sure introductory courses have fe- first class in the department can of- science class, which all students take in many high schools has “tons of
male teaching assistants and analyzes ten be difficult, and Condon said she in their first three semesters. The contradictions” in its design, he
which types of assignments are most does not know how the department Mudd College President Maria focus of the class switched from said. Many universities, including
intimidating to women. might be able to encourage women Klawe. When computers were Java programming to computer- Brown, do not offer credit for AP
The Admission Office is “quite to do so. She said she did not feel emerging in the early 1970s, most based problem solving, resulting in computer science. Krishnamurthi
aware” that the department wants that her classes so far had catered typists were women, and so com- a remarkable increase in popularity, said this should be an indication that
more women who express an inter- specifically to her gender, but that puter science seemed like a job for Klawe said. additional reform is needed.
est in CS, Doeppner said, though he she would not want them to. women. But the computer games Harvey Mudd also started invit- To combat the problem, Krish-
said he was unsure if expressing an Still, there are signs the University that arrived in the 1980s changed ing its female freshmen to a com- namurthi has spent the past 15 years
interest would actually increase a is making an effort. Condon pointed that perception, since most of them puter science conference where running two outreach programs to
female applicant’s odds at admission. to the Women in Computer Science involved sports or simulated vio- approximately 95 percent of the introduce high school and middle
Admissions officials did not respond group and the Artemis Project, a lence. attendees are women, Klawe said. school students to computer sci-
to multiple requests for comment. summer program run by under- The games were “very easy to Even students who do not end up ence. While he does hope to allevi-
The CS department also offers graduates to introduce high school program — a piece of light going majoring in the field leave with a ate misconceptions about computer
three introductory sequences, par- students to the field. across the screen and being able to changed perception of it. “It’s like, science, Krishnamurthi says his goal
tially in hopes of attracting women. The network of undergraduate figure out whether it hit the target ‘Oh yeah, there are tons of women is broader and that ultimately, he
But offering many options likely has TAs and events held by Women in or not,” Klawe said, adding that it in CS! I met a thousand of them,’” hopes to improve students’ math
not affected the University’s num- Computer Science and the depart- was natural for game development Klawe said. skills and encourage them to get into
bers, Doeppner said. He said he mental undergraduate group help to to subsequently be “very focused on She said she believes Harvey science, technology, engineering and
doubts introductory courses “are provide a “strength of community” boy interests.” Mudd’s success can be replicated at mathematics.
scaring women off any more than
they’re scaring men off.”
“The problem is not that women
get disenchanted with CS when they
get here — it’s that they aren’t coming
here interested in computer science,”
he said. “The perspective that people
are getting is that a bunch of male
hackers get together and just code all
the time, which isn’t really computer
science.”
Like Brown, Yale is “pretty reflec-
tive of the national trends,” said Dana
Angluin, a professor of computer
science there. Of the 20 computer
science majors who graduated from
Yale last year, only four were female.
The department considers attract-
ing women “a fairly strong priority,”
Angluin said.
In recent years, Yale has staffed
its introductory computer science
course with female faculty to encour-
age its female undergraduates, she
said, although the department does
not tailor the curriculum toward
women specifically. The university
also has a student group for women
to “work on supporting each other
in the major.”
Some students may take a com-
puter science course to help fulfill
Yale’s quantitative reasoning re-
quirement, giving faculty a chance
to convey the excitement of the field,
The Brown Daily Herald
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 Campus News 5
Greek houses recruit comics
with sushi, fondue, steak BB & Z | Cole Pruitt, Andrew Seiden, Valerie Hsiung and Dan Ricker
By Katherine Sola minimizing competition.
Senior Staff Writer At the end of the rush process,
each Greek organization gives
The month-long rush process began desired students bid cards. The
Jan. 31, and campus Greek organi- students then turn in bids to their
zations have a wide range of events chosen house. The Greek Council
planned for new recruits — includ- stipulates that students must go to
ing Sushi and Haiku with Alpha a neutral location to hand in these
Delta Phi, Under the Sea with Alpha cards, again minimizing pressure.
Chi Omega and Hookah and Medi- The Council also publishes the
terranean Night with Delta Tau. rush booklets that are delivered
Catherine Mardula ’12, the rush to students’ mailboxes. Mendez
chair for Zeta Delta Xi, said the highlighted the central location Dot Comic | Eshan Mitra and Brendan Hainline
events with “sushi and fondue” of Wriston Quadrangle as a rea-
are the most popular and bring son that “all types of people end
in students who might not have up rushing.” It is easy for students
considered joining a fraternity. She to stop by events, she said, and find
also said the open mic nights were out if a particular house appeals.
very popular, drawing 40 students. Avoiding the housing lottery is
Adam Driesman ’12, recruitment “absolutely not” a factor in students’
chair for Sigma Chi, said people’s decisions to go Greek because of
motivations for rushing “definitely the large time commitment of join-
vary,” but emphasized the appeal ing a house, said Richard Bova, se-
of a “close-knit group of people” nior associate dean of residential
similar to the groups of friends and dining services.
students might have had at home. He cited the fact that in the past
All students have to do is attend the few years only one or two students
events, which might be dodgeball have changed their minds and
or a steak dinner. But the process moved out of Greek housing during
can become “stressful and com- their sophomore years. “Students
petitive” with up to 100 students who go Greek want to be Greek,”
rushing for 25 to 30 places, Dries- he said. There are 374 students in
man said. Greek housing this year.
The Greek Council plays an But Patrick Lec ’12 said avoiding
important role in regulating rush. the lottery was “the biggest factor”
Araceli Mendez ’12 is the public re- in rushing Delta Tau two years ago.
lations chair for the Greek Council The uncertainty of the lottery led
as well as a member of Zete. She him to consider joining the house.
said two houses are not allowed After getting a “decent” lottery
to have events at the same time, number, he decided against it.

Westin, labor union


reach agreement
continued from page 1 as she walked to the podium at the
press conference, said this was a
In the past, the negotiations historic night for housekeeping. She
committee had worked with the said she felt “proud” of the new con-
state government rather than with tract because of the economic and
the owners of the Westin, Castillo managerial pressure the workers
said. The committee found the own- were able to overcome.
ers harder to negotiate with. Mayor Angel Taveras said the
When the Westin decreased agreement is important to the city.
wages in March, they also in- He added that he wants to increase
creased employees’ workload, ac- the level of tourism to help build
cording to Castillo. This increase the city’s hotel business and benefit
in expected workload resulted in an hotel employees.
increased number of back injuries Castillo announced that the
and sparked worker frustration, workers’ “next victory” will be a
Viveiros said. contract for employees at the Re-
Castillo, who received applause naissance Hotel.
6 Editorial & Letter The Brown Daily Herald
Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Editorial Editorial comic by sam rosenfield

Clean cuts
By now, most people recognize that the United States’ debt is grow-
ing at an unsustainable pace. For various reasons, federal deficits and
debt have ballooned in recent years. It is clear that Congress will have
to make very tough decisions to get the budget back on track.
With a national debt now approximately equal to our gross domes-
tic product and an annual deficit in excess of $1 trillion, we recognize
that all Americans will have to bear significant sacrifice — in the
form of spending cuts and probably raised taxes as well. And while
the necessary measures will surely be painful for most Americans,
we expect that they will step up and accept the requisite changes if
they think it will solve our considerable fiscal problems.
We were therefore somewhat reluctant to criticize national House
Republicans when we learned of their proposal to make draconian
cuts — as much as 15 percent or more in some areas — to federal
aid for science, research, education and other areas of domestic
spending. We know constituencies always complain when they fall
to the budget axe, and constructive criticism is often hard to come
by in tough times.
But the proposal to make these cuts in the name of fiscal respon-
sibility is not honest. Compared to our country’s massive deficit,
these and other cuts to domestic programs amount to a small drop
in the bucket. By contrast, the proposal foresees essentially no cuts
to defense, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, which together
account for more than 60 percent of the federal budget. Add in other
things that cannot or will not be cut — like interest on the debt — and
the vast majority of the budget is apparently off-limits. But you can-
not squeeze blood from a stone. These misguided efforts to balance
the budget solely by cutting domestic spending in areas like science
and education cannot do the job.
Yet these token cuts that essentially amount to a rounding error
in the grand scheme of things will ravage the areas they affect. For
example, the proposal’s plan to cut 30 percent from the Department
of Energy’s Office of Science, which funds basic scientific research, le tter to the editor
will undoubtedly have seriously negative effects on students, uni-
versities and our nation’s competitiveness in research and scientific
advancement. Like the similarly large cuts to the National Institute of Morris ’88 defends guest column
Health, these reductions will significantly diminish federal grants and
cripple academic programs at universities throughout the country. To the Editor: 6. They have to get their hair cut the way we want
Also, the elimination of AmeriCorps and Teach for America will them to, and they have to wear our uniform one day
hurt the students that take advantage of those programs and the In response to Jennifer Grayson’s ’11 letter (“Requi- a week.
underprivileged who benefit from them. Huge cuts elsewhere in the sites no reason to reject ROTC,” Feb. 14) comparing the 7. International students, resumed undergradu-
proposal will have similarly negative effects on education, transporta- pre-med requirements to the Reserve Officers’ Training ate education students and overweight students are
tion and energy, among other areas. Corps required courses, her comparison doesn’t hold excluded, even if they wanted to join us.
We have already seen the dangers of cuts like these at the state water. Giving a student a choice to pursue a medical Certainly, no one at Brown would support that
level. In California and Washington, for example, the financial crisis career voluntarily because he or she is interested in it is scenario.
busted state budgets and forced devastating cuts in state aid for those very different than an outside entity saying “we will not I never understood why some people feel Brown
states’ world-class public universities that resulted in double-digit give you — or will take away — your scholarship money must have an ROTC unit. We don’t have everything,
percentage increases in class size and tuition. if you don’t take these nine or 10 required courses.” nor prepare Brown students for every career, that other
We understand that there will need to be cuts, even to important By way of example, lets say creationists came to schools and even other Ivies have and do. University
programs, to get our nation’s fiscal house in order. But these cuts Brown and said they would pay for the education of of Pennsylvania has a School of Nursing and Cornell
should be pursued responsibly, fully mindful of the serious impact some students, but in return, those students have to: has a School of Hotel Administration. The nursing and
they will have on those they affect. Everyone should share in the pain 1. Spend eight years working for us after they gradu- hospitality industries are both perfectly fine and moral
that balancing the budget will require. And funding for science and ate. industries to send students into, yet no one is clamoring
colleges should not be slashed to make a symbolic point. 2. They must not have any moral convictions against to have similar programs at Brown. By the same token,
creationism — and certainly could not risk speaking no one is saying that Brown graduates cannot join the
Editorials are written by The Herald’s editorial page board. Send comments out against it. military at the officer level in the absence of ROTC.
to editorials@browndailyherald.com. 4. We would prescribe seven hours a week of their
extracurricular time. Dave Morris ’88
t h e b r ow n da i ly h e r a l d 5. We would require them to take 10 specific courses.

Editors-in-Chief Deputy Managing Editors Senior Editors


Sydney Ember Brigitta Greene Dan Alexander
Ben Schreckinger

editorial
Anne Speyer Nicole Friedman
Julien Ouellet
Business
quote of the day
“It’s a little bit like wondering why there aren’t more
Kristina Fazzalaro Arts & Culture Editor General Managers Office Manager
Luisa Robledo Arts & Culture Editor Matthew Burrows Shawn Reilly


Rebecca Ballhaus City & State Editor Isha Gulati
Claire Peracchio City & State Editor
Directors
Talia Kagan Features Editor
Hannah Moser
Alex Bell
Features Editor
News Editor
Aditi Bhadia
Danielle Marshak
Sales
Finance people from sub-Saharan Africa in the Winter Olympics.
Margot Grinberg Alumni Relations
Nicole Boucher News Editor
Tony Bakshi
Ashley McDonnell
Sports Editor
Sports Editor
Lisa Berlin
Managers
Special Projects
— Lu Zeng ‘12, see gender on page 1
Ethan McCoy Asst. Sports Editor Hao Tran National Sales
Tyler Rosenbaum Editorial Page Editor Alec Kacew University Department Sales
Hunter Fast Opinions Editor Siena deLisser University Student Group Sales
Michael Fitzpatrick Opinions Editor Valery Scholem Recruiter Sales
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Graphics & Photos Lauren Bosso Business Operations The Brown Daily Herald is committed to providing the Brown University community with the most accurate information possible. Corrections may be
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The Brown Daily Herald
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 Opinions 7
The debate about the Corporation is repetitive and dull
fied sheep — not the best way to persuade There are definitely ways to address dealings of the Corporation. Wouldn’t that
someone to your side. these important issues without lazily re- resonate with students and administrators
By anthony badami Another argumentative approach that clining on empty platitudes. Let me offer a in a more serious way?
really miffs me is the treatment of the Cor- few. First, if you want transparency, don’t Imagine all of the protests, the moun-
Opinions Columnist poration as some kind of colossal, feature- merely harp on the necessity of keeping the tains of opinions columns, the innumerable
less, feeling-less machine: the Corporation devious Brown Inc. accountable — every- barbs that have been cast at the Corpora-
with a capital “C” — mechanical and sin- one’s heard that. Instead, argue that trans- tion, not just in our tenure, but throughout
Please, dear reader, don’t turn the page. ister. Park dubs them “power-drunk pi- parency would allow students to gain an the entire history of Brown. Do you think
I know what you’re thinking, “Another rates.” The word for this is de-humanizing. understanding of the trade-offs, sticky pre- there’s an argument they haven’t heard?
column about the Corporation? I’d rath- Again, how can you expect to attract bees dicaments and ethical plights faced by the As college students at an elite univer-
er stab myself in the eyes with Blue Room when you’re throwing beakers of acid at people who run the Corporation. Argue sity, we’re supposed to be idealistic, inven-
chopsticks.” the hive? Speak to the “Corporation” like that you want transparency so that we can tive and passionate, yet we invoke the same,
I assure you, I share your feelings. But tired ideas over and over again — -ism this
I’m torn. I, like so many undergraduates, and Marxist that — and it gets to the point
want very badly to reform the practices of where you don’t even feel like reading a col-
the Corporation. Yet every time I approach umn once you see the words “corporatiza-
the topic I am immediately turned off by You make us sound like rapturously stupefied sheep tion” or “Brown Inc.” glaring back at you.
the cliche-ridden arguments that populate The more these terms and arguments are
the discursive space. It’s taxing and boring
— not the best way to persuade someone to your side. thrown around, the more saturated the dia-
and alienating. Thus, it is time we reorient logue about this subject becomes, making
the discussion surrounding this salient top- the whole thing seem less consequential
ic, starting with the language we use. than it really is.
In a recent column, Julian Park ’12 they’re people — complex, flawed, ordinary stop treating these people as non-human If we are to reclaim the discourse sur-
called Brown students “blissful customers people, capable of understanding the moral entities. rounding this issue, we have to attack cli-
ready to become blissful corporate work- weight of their decisions. The word for this Second, get your finance-oriented peers che. If we really hope to change the way our
ers” (“Corporatization and a pirate ship is empathy. on board. Can you imagine a rally in front school is managed, as well as the values that
metaphor,” Feb. 11). Really? Not only does Quite honestly, I can’t even parse the of University Hall comprised of commerce, guide that management, we must search for
this kind of rhetorical hand-waving come term corporatization. How does one go organizations and entrepreneurship con- an unorthodox approach. Eschewing over-
off as incredibly condescending, it hasn’t about avoiding corporatization, exactly? centrators, young entrepreneurs and future worked vocabulary and banal metaphors
a ghost of a point. What does that phrase Does arguing for social justice mean de- investment bankers? The novelty of this may be a small step, but it’s a step in the
even mean? It may just be the narrow so- corporatizing? Why are the two mutually spectacle would draw more eyes and more right direction.
cial circles I haunt, but it seems to me exclusive? The assumption that corpora- attention than any ladder-raising Students
that Brunonians, variegated as they are, tions are bad is so hackneyed and infantile for a Democratic Society protest could. It’s
struggle every single day with these types that one can’t even read it without rolling fresh, imaginative and wholly unexpected.
of questions, trying to sort out their vari- one’s eyes into the back of one’s skull. Nev- Third, speak their language. Get an ar- Anthony Badami ’11 is a political theory
ous academic, social and political identi- ertheless, opinions columnists continually ticle in the Brown Spectator. Argue that, concentrator from Kansas City, Mo.
ties in light of these huge moral dilemmas. posit this supposition like it’s Biblical rev- from a free market perspective, as a zealous He can be reached at
You make us sound like rapturously stupe- elation. Ayn Rand objectivist, you can’t stand the anthony_badami@brown.edu.

The Corporation is back in town


ate under the assumption that our Univer- to continue recruiting and retaining the with this promise.
sity should strive to make sure its students, best faculty; and attracting and rewarding Second, we can notice that in the latter
By chris faculty and staff are protected as much as staff who are working ever harder to keep part of this statement, “faculty” is changed
norris-leblanc possible throughout this financial crisis, Brown functioning as well as it does.” To to “staff.” Since the median salary of ten-
how can the Corporation begin to justify unpack this statement a little, I think it is ured professors actually decreased by about
Opinions Columnist yet another tuition hike while the majority reasonable to extrapolate that “recruiting” $1,000 last year, I am left wondering where
of the United States is still suffering from and “attracting” mean hiring, “retaining” administrative compensations stand in this
Yes, everyone, it is once again that time of the reverberations of the most recent eco- means tenuring and “rewarding” means in- picture. Though information about the
the year. The body of people who have the nomic crash? creasing compensation. composition and compensation of faculty
final say in every decision pertaining to this If the answer to this question is their First, though Simmons claims that the is easily obtained, charts detailing this in-
University has graced us with its presence standby — to ensure the future financial University wants to continue hiring — and formation about administrators are either
and, so to speak, laid down the law. After success of Brown University — it will mark subsequently tenuring — faculty, there has buried deep in the bowels of some univer-
reading President Ruth Simmons’ e-mail to the most ignorant and backwards inability been a serious debate brewing among ad- sity website or do not actually exist.
the community informing us of the Corpo- But since our chief investment officer,
ration’s many conclusions, my interest was Cynthia Frost, and our president, Ruth
piqued by the implications of several data Simmons, both make more than $800,000
points and promises. per year, I am inclined to believe that high-
Since the total amount of money raised level administrators are certainly included
for the “Boldly Brown” Campaign for Aca- I think it’s high time the Corporation comes clean and in this program of “rewarding.”
demic Enrichment was $1.4 billion in May So, what does all of this mean? At the
2009 and $1.61 Billion in December 2010,
changes its name to the Man. end of the day, I think it strongly points
this means our University received more towards a conclusion reached by Herald
than $200 million in new funding last year. opinions columnist Julian Park ’12: Cor-
In light of the contract negotiations be- porate profiteers run our University (“Cor-
tween University administration and the poratization and a pirate ship metaphor,”
dining services and library workers over to recognize economic privilege I have seen ministration and faculty about our tenure Feb. 11). And it suggests not only that these
the past two years, my jaw is left hanging in my three years as a part of this commu- rate as compared to those of our peer in- people run our University, but that they are
ajar, low and slightly to the right. Although nity. stitutions. Specifically, some feel that our changing it in a fundamental way. Consid-
a great deal of this money is earmarked for Unless the University plans on a public tenure rate is too high. This leads me to be- ering the disagreement between universi-
pet projects of the Campaign for Academ- admission of “Whoopsies, our bad” closely lieve that “recruiting and retaining the best ty statements about tenure rates and their
ic Enrichment, we must not forget that do- followed by the immediate reinstatement faculty” is no more than empty rhetoric, subsequent actions and the all-too-familiar
nors do not always have a shining vision of of the benefits University employees were vaguely suggesting a positive and placating use of corporate rhetoric about “reward-
where they want their money to go. Rath- forced to forfeit in the name of the eco- idea while the administration actively pur- ing” accompanied by bloated administra-
er, the University often solicits funding for nomic downturn, I think it’s high time the sues its opposite. Especially given the fact tive salaries, I have to agree with Park one
certain projects. Corporation comes clean and changes its that since the 2002-03 academic year, the more time: It is time for mutinous revolt.
In my opinion, it is the University’s re- name to the Man. Yes, I mean the Man you percentage of assistant professors has in-
sponsibility as an employer and as a sup- stick it to. creased by 49.5 percent while the number
posed agent of positive change in the world Simmons goes on to report that an- of tenured professors has increased by only Chris Norris-LeBlanc ’13 is from Rhode
to ensure that above all else, their commu- other key priority is to ensure “that com- 9.3 percent, I am highly skeptical of the Island. He can be contacted at
nity members are taken care of. If we oper- pensation remains competitive in order University’s commitment to follow through chris.norris.leblanc@gmail.com.
Daily Herald Sports Special
the Brown Wednesday, February 16, 2011

indoor track

Q&A with Bernard Lagat Bears race in New


York as national
By James Blum long on the distance, in terms who I run against, but hey, I am
Sports Staff Writer of doing the mileage, but now I out there pushing myself 100
can do longer mileage. So I am percent in training.
The men’s and women’s indoor doing longer now, but I am con-
track squads crossed paths with
an all-time distance champion,
Bernard Lagat, at the New York
centrating on doing longer but
also faster. If I do long, some-
times I split it into two, almost
And do you have any thoughts
on the 2012 Olympics? two-mile record set
Road Runners Saturday Night like I have a tempo run in there. Yes — same thing and same ap- By James Blum action to the dust of the armory
at the Armory last weekend. In I have to go all out, but still, at the proach as I’m doing for 2011 Sports Staff Writer because I couldn’t stop sneezing
a time of eight minutes, 10.07 end of it, I’m running 13 miles. world championships is the same for the next few days.”
seconds, Lagat, 36, captured his And then we do track session approach I will also be doing As the Bears closed the book on Although he did not break the
fifth American indoor record. He once a week, sometimes twice next year in 2012 as I prepare their regular season at last Sat- record in this try, Verzbicas will
has won two Olympic medals in a week, do purely tempo runs for Olympics. Of course, the urday’s New York Road Runners compete in the 5,000-meter and
his career, in addition to seven twice a week. So it’s those kind of more important thing is to be Night at the Armory meet, the two-mile at the New Balance In-
gold medals at various World workouts I do more than I used healthy, to be strong and to train record books were reopened — the door Nationals in March.
Championships. Lagat started his to do before. So it feels like my well. At the same time, just pray Bears watched Bernard Lagat, pro- “When he came a little short
career competing for his native workouts are more distance now, that all goes well at the trials, fessional distance champion, set a of it, that’s the nature of it,” Lagat
Kenya, but became an Ameri- more endurance paced because that you make the team, because new American record in the indoor said. “I’ve tried to go into a race
can citizen in 2004. The Herald of my 5000-meter races. now the United States team is two-mile run. Although Brown did hoping to run a certain time, but
caught up with Lagat after his getting stronger. … They know not bring home any records, the I come short. But that doesn’t di-
record-setting race. And so what should we expect that in order for them to be the women claimed third place and minish my ambition, so I keep go-
from you in the future? What best in the world, they have to the men finished seventh. ing and keep going and I told him
Herald: At what age did you races do you have your eyes on? race against the best. And you Lagat’s impressive performance the same thing as well.”
first start to run seriously, and see the American guys going came during a special two-mile Before and after the two-mile
what did it consist of at that I have my eyes on the world overseas competing at the very race at the meet, which also in- event, the Bears had several im-
time? championship 5000 meters. I’ll best level, and they do the best cluded high-school star Lukas pressive performances of their
be running with strong guys now, job. I’m proud of them all, and Verzbicas, who was chasing the own. The women accrued 84.50
Lagat: Well, you know, the thing young guys. There’s a guy from I’m happy that I’m in the mix of high-school two-mile record. points throughout the meet, and
is I started running seriously af- Kenya who ran 12:53 in 5000 me- the American athletes that are Lagat broke the record, which had Brynn Smith ’11 won an individual
ter high school. I started train- ters last week. So those are the doing well so far. So I’m going stood for 21 years, by five seconds title in the weight throw.
ing seriously but competing — I guys I’m expecting to meet, you to be doing that knowing that it’s as he clocked eight minutes, 10.07 “We had really good perfor-
wouldn’t even call it competing know, the guy’s 20 years old and important, first of all, if I want to seconds. mances,” said Head Coach Mi-
because I was a college student he’s running superbly fast right go to Olympics to run strong and “The pace started, you know, chelle Eisenreich.
and didn’t know much about any- now. Very strong. So it depends to qualify for it. really nice and comfortable at the Gabriela Baiter’s ’11.5 perfor-
thing ... I was 21 when I started beginning,” Lagat said. “So that’s mance was another highlight of
competing, I would say, seriously. why I was able to do a 4:02 (mile) the meet for Brown, as she jumped
And then, of course, following towards the end of the race.” 12.9 meters to capture second
up, coming up to Washington Lagat was assisted in his efforts place in the triple jump. In ad-
State (University), meeting my by pacing rabbits — two runners dition, Colby Lubman ’14 earned
best coach, James Li, who has who helped him stay on his re- fifth in the 400-meter dash with a
been my coach up ’til now. So cord-setting pace for portions of time of 56.99 seconds.
everything has been so good, the race — but for the final laps The women’s distance team also
because from one coach who is of the race, Lagat was alone in his contributed to the third place fin-
really good in Kenya to another efforts. To put the accomplishment ish with the 4x800-meter relay,
one who is even better in terms in perspective, both of Lagat’s earning second place overall. First-
of coaching collegiate athletes miles were faster than Brown’s top year runners Margaret Connelly
and also professional runners. one-mile finisher, Dan Lowry ’12, ’14 and Heidi Caldwell ’14 claimed
who ran 4:09.26. seventh and 11th place finishes in
Why did you decide to become “This time around, it was dif- the 3000-meter run, which they
a naturalized American citizen ferent, you know, it was a special ran to hit certain, controlled times
and compete for the United set of a race,” Lagat said. “And I according to Eisenreich.
States instead of Kenya? knew that in order for me to get Though the men left the Ar-
this record I had to be strong to- mory with only 57 points over-
What made me decide to do that wards the end by myself.” all, they did come away with two
is the fact that I was looking at Though he ran alone during titles. Daniel Smith ’13 captured
my career and because what I’m the last laps of the race, the enthu- the shot-put title with a heave of
going to do after my career is siastic crowd of college runners 16.88m and John Spooney ’14 won
over is stay in America and, you cheered Lagat on. the 200-meter dash in 21.94.
know, work and raise my family “The crowd was going crazy The men also had some strong
in America. … I want to settle while he was running and after,” finishes in the longer events. Kevin
down, so when I start my family I Lowry said. “We actually got a pic- Cooper ’13 came in second in the
could be able to stay in one place. ture with him right after he did it.” 1000-meter run. Lowry and An-
And of course, being a runner, I Even when he was unsure if thony Schurz ’12 placed well in
would like to represent the Unit- the crowd was cheering for him the one-mile run, finishing sixth
ed States to the best of my abili- because he was behind or ahead of and ninth, respectively.
ties, which I’ve been able to do record time, Lagat acknowledged “It was a (personal record) for
in so many outings that I’ve been that the crowd helped push him. me, so I’m pretty happy about
able to go, like world champion- “Even towards the end there that,” Lowry said. “It could have
ships and even Olympics — even with five laps to go, they started gone a little bit better, but two
though I could not make it to the banging on the sideboards,” Lagat weeks out from (the Ivy League
finals of the 1500, but made the said. “I was happy that I was able Heptagonal Championships), it’s
finals of the five in 2008. Every to be with them and run and get a good sign of improvement.”
experience I’ve had running in a their support.” The next challenge facing Bru-
10-year period has been of great “The crowd was awesome,” no will be the USA Track and Field
importance. So that’s one of the Verzbicas wrote in an e-mail to New England Championships at
things that I actually enjoy in The Herald. “The race was a good Harvard Feb. 20.
my career — representing the experience.” “Not everyone is competing at
United States. Verzbicas missed setting the the USATF meet,” Lowry said. “A
high-school record Saturday eve- lot of us aren’t competing if we are
What does your training consist ning by three seconds, as he ran racing at Heps. We have a break
of today? 8:43.24. week and then get some more
Courtesy of Andre Zehetbauer “Before the race, I felt great,” speed work in.”
Well, it is a little bit changed. I Bernard Lagat finished third in the 1500 meter event in the International he wrote. “After though, I felt very The Ivy League Heptagonal
used to concentrate more on not Association of Athletics Federations 2009 World Championships in Berlin. bad for some reason. I must have Championships, hosted by Co-
had some sort of an allergic re- lumbia, will be held Feb. 26 and 27.

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