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Daily
By lindor QunAJ Senior Staff Writer
the Brown
Herald
Since 1891
see special section on the fall Career fair, pages 5-7
Wa s t e d t i m e
When the school bells rang for the Providence public schools in late August, about 1,800 students started the year in unfamiliar buildings. They are former pupils of
The University joined a pledge to reduce binge drinking on campus. See full coverage on page 12.
A recent federal court ruling will allow Joe Klunder 10 to go forward with a lawsuit against the University and President Ruth Simmons for alleged violations of his civil rights. The University had motioned for Klunders civil rights claim, brought last October, to be dismissed. Klunder was ejected from campus after being accused of sexually harassing two University employ-
ees and threatening undergraduate students in separate incidents. A University disciplinary committee ultimately found him responsible for sexual harassment, but not for making a threat, and suspended him. Klunder charged that the behavior was caused by medication prescribed to him by a University employee, that he was targeted by administrators for his conservative political views and that the University violated his civil rights. His suit sought to hold the University and its employees li-
able under Section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act of 1871, which applies only to state actors, such as municipal or state governments and their employees. He argued that because Brown was originally chartered by Rhode Islands colonial legislature as a body politic and because Department of Public Safety officers exercise police powers usually reserved for the state, the University could be held liable under the civil rights law. In a July decision, Chief Judge Mary Lisi of the United States
District Court for the District of Rhode Island ruled that the University itself has always functioned as a private corporation and that its actions were generally not covered by the Civil Rights Act. But the ruling also concluded that some DPS actions, because the departments officers exercise full police powers, may be subject to the law. According to his attorney Lee Blais, Klunder was falsely arrested on campus by DPS Sergeant Robert continued on page 2
They came to do good, and ended up doing well. But Brown students fight this adage far more than the Quakers did in Philadelphia. Despite students tendency toward wide-eyed idealism, the recruiters who come to campus are largely from finance, consulting and computer science companies. On Wednesday, the Center for Careers and Life After Brown will hold its annual job fair, bringing more than 90 recruiters to campus. But only 24 of the recruiters on campus will fall under the Careers in the Common Good designation. Our challenge is to identify the kinds of things students want, said Andrew Simmons, director of CareerLAB. Students are asked to fill out a questionnaire about their continued on page 7
Pearls of Wisdom
The campus looks forward to honoring President Ruth Simmons in her final year at the Universitys helm. See full coverage on page 12.
As the contract for Department of Facilities Management workers nears its Oct. 12 expiration, negotiations are underway that could allow the University to reduce the number of health providers available to workers from two to one. If the contract passes without an explicit guarantee that staff members may select between one of two providers UnitedHealthcare or Blue Cross Blue Shield the University would be able to limit its employees to one provider, said Karen McAninch 74, business agent for the United Service and Allied Workers, a union representing Facilities workers. In the last two years, University Hall has signed contracts with other University unions representing the Department of Public Safety,
Dining Services and the University Library. The new contracts give the University the freedom to change health plans if the benefits offered are comparable. But the University cannot implement this option unless they also make the same change to the Facilities contract. Karen Davis, vice president for human resources, said administrators want flexibility in choosing health plans because it could save the University money, which could in turn save employees money. If University Hall were to offer all of its business to one provider, McAninch and Davis both said administrators would likely be able to convince the provider to offer lower rates. Davis, who is not a member of the Universitys negotiating team, said employees would likely not have to change doctors if the University switched to a single carrier
because both carriers cover similar doctors networks. In effect, our plans are the same, Davis said. What were going to offer you under Blue Cross is pretty much the same as youre going to get under United. The only difference is the health card looks a little different. But McAninch said switching to a single provider could be disruptive for employees. Blue Cross is a very good plan for people who have certain needs, she said, drawing on examples of workers who commute from Massachusetts or have children at college in another state. United has great coverage in Rhode Island, but its not as good in other areas, McAninch said. Blue Cross, you can usually use wherever you go. The sides will meet Thursday to continue negotiations.
weather
inside
Tiny Problems
Cell membranes bite off more than they can chew
Campus news, 12
Army Strong
Rosenbloom 13 urges shared sacrifice
opinions, 11
t o d ay
tomorrow
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2 Campus news
C ALEnDAR
TODAY 5:30 P.M. The Happiness of Others, List 110 8 P.M. Clarion Healthcare Info Session, CareerLAB Library 6:30 P.M. Program Management Workshop, Swearer Center SEPTEMbER 20 TOMORROW 12 P.M. Fall Career Fairs, Multiple Locations SEPTEMbER 21
MEnU
SHARPE REFECTORY Linguini with Tomato and Basil, Italian Meatball Grinder, Curried Chicken Saute, Swiss Fudge Cookies VERNEY-WOOLLEY DINING HALL LUNCH Buffalo Wings with Bleu Cheese Dressing, Zucchini Parmesan Sandwich, Swiss Fudge Cookies
DINNER Artichoke and Red Pepper Frittata, Carne Gizado, White and Wild Rice Pilaf, Magic Bars Roasted Honey and Chili Chicken, Fettuccine with Baby Greens, Creamy Polenta with Rosemary
Joe klunder 10 is suing the University for allegedly violating his civil rights.
SUDOkU
CR OSSWORD
Though the U.S. Supreme Court has left open the question of whether private police forces are state actors, Blais said he would not need to rely on case law precedents because it is abundantly clear that DPS is carrying out state functions. Ledbetter wrote in her statement that the University would appeal any decision that found that Enos actions were subject to the Civil Rights Act. Blais said DPS is charged with two sets of duties that cannot properly be executed at the same time enforcing the regulations of the University and the laws of the state of Rhode Island. Whatever the final decision may be, Chemerinsky said it could have significant implications: All private Universities have private security forces, so the issue would come up across the country, he said. A court conference with the judge will be held in the next week or two, and a schedule will be laid down for subsequent motions.
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4 Career Fair
Career Fair 5
10 tips and tricks for navigating the Fall Career Fair
Do your research. A list of the employers who will be in attendance can be found on the CareerLAB website. Prepare a 30-second introduction you can use at the fair to introduce yourself, express your interest in the company and convey your desire to learn more. Prepare questions ahead of time. Demonstrate that you have done your research and ask relevant and specific questions about the company. Dress appropriately. Business casual attire is recommended. Bring several copies of your resume. Not all companies will ask you for one, but many will. In many cases, companies have alums staffing the tables. Alums will be designated with a red ribbon on their name tag. Take advantage of this additional networking opportunity. Take business cards from the representatives you speak with. Follow up later with a thank you email. If a table is busy, get a business card from a representative and follow up by email with your questions. Companies from several industries, not just business, will be on hand. For example, in the Kasper Multipurpose Room, there will be employers from non-profit, education and government organizations. Thinking about internships? Many of the employers will be posting internships in the future. Now is a good time to inquire about these opportunities. First-years and sophomores should attend the employer panel at 4:30 p.m. in MacMillan 117. Employers from several career fields will be discussing what students need to know about the job search. It is never too early to start thinking about this important process. Courtesy of CareerLAB
CareerLAB
6 Career Fair
By nicole GrABel Contributing Writer
CareerLAB
www.browndailyherald.com/register
Career Fair 7
CareerLABs focus restricted
continued from page 1 career interests, and the results of the survey are used to formulate an employer outreach strategy. In the 2010 survey, 75 percent of students indicated interest in careers in the common good, prompting CareerLAB to organize a separate fair dedicated to jobs in education, government and the non-profit sector, which will be held in the Kasper Multipurpose Room simultaneously with the fairs in Peterutti Lounge and Sayles Hall. CareerLAB is geared more toward engineering and business, said Ora Star Boncore 12, a visual arts and American studies concentrator. She said she would like to see a career fair for students interested in arts and advertising as well. But companies in finance and consulting are often the ones with the most formal recruiting processes, Simmons said. Students interested in smaller businesses can instead turn to resources like field notes available online, career advisers in their areas of interest or the alumni connections available on BRUnet, Simmons said. In some departments, concentration advisers and faculty take on the role of career advisers and some feel they are uniquely qualified to counsel students. Only those in the business and who understand the business can help people who want to be in the business, said Lowry Marshall, professor of theatre arts and performance studies. Resumes for students applying for jobs in theater are very different from regular business resumes, and faculty members of the TAPS department can provide necessary advice in this area, she said. TAPS concentrators are also required to take a senior seminar that provides them with career advice and access to alums who work in the creative arts. Chantel Whittle 12, a TAPS concentrator, said the popularity of the seminar, even among nonconcentrators, speaks to the job that CareerLAB isnt doing. But she said she thought the center has improved during her time at Brown. Its a lot better for people who can use it, she said. Marjorie Thompson 74 PhD79 P02 P07 P09 P12 P14, associate dean of biological sciences, also said her department could be more useful to students than CareerLAB. Its different with the sciences, she said, adding that it would not make sense for CareerLAB to replicate the departments advising system. Im not sure if more could be done, she said. Kelsey Collins 13, a human biology concentrator, said she found CareerLAB office hours useful, but that she wished the center had more advisers with backgrounds in science. She said she would like to see information sessions on securing research jobs in the sciences and more summer opportunities that are not business or consulting-based on the CareerLAB website. Were very cognizant of the need to add breadth to whats available, Simmons said. Fifty percent of the undergraduate body used CareerLAB services last year, Simmons said, and he hopes to increase this proportion with new initiatives. This year, the CareerLAB will host a Sunday conversation series to bring alums on campus to speak about their professional experiences and a three-day symposium in January to facilitate alumni-tostudent networking. Theyre moving in the right direction, said Haley Strausser 12, who uses CareerLABs new Facebook page to keep track of the centers events. She said she plans to enter business or consulting upon graduation and found CareerLAB useful in getting an internship and revamping her resume. Theyre not outwardly present, but if you go to them, theyre great, said Grace Dalrymple 13, who used CareerLAB to learn about funding for an unpaid internship.
CareerLAB
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8 Sports tuesday
Bears choke after taking down Gamecocks
By SAm ruBinroiT aSSiStant SportS editor
M. SOCCER
The mens soccer team had a weekend of highs and lows down south, defeating the University of South Carolina 2-0 in a thrilling night game before falling to the University of Kentucky 5-1. The Bears kicked off the Gamecock Classic Friday night with a matchup against host school South Carolina. The Gamecocks (2-41) boast a reputation for hosting a rowdy home crowd, and the game had a restless feel as South Carolina sought to avenge their continued on page 9
Brown 2, South carolina 0
Thomas Mcnamara 13 and the Bears went 1-1 at the South Carolina tournament.
Sports tuesday 9
and our performance showed that. On Sunday, none of those qualities were there for us. Kentucky just outcompeted us. The Wildcats dictated the tempo from the start, jumping out to a 2-0 lead by the 26th minute. Bruno was able to respond with a goal from Popolizio in the 77th minute, narrowing the deficit to one. But shortly after, the wheels fell off, McDuff said. Kentucky piled on three goals in the final 11 minutes of the game to run away with the victory. The Wildcats allowed Bruno to make unforced errors because they applied less pressure on the Bears. They laid back, and that wasnt something weve dealt with before, he said. A lot of teams typically like to press us. These guys let us keep possession of the ball, and we didnt move the ball as efficiently as we should have. The Bears will look to bounce back from the disappointing loss when they take on Boston University in front of a home crowd Friday at 7 p.m.
COMICS
Fraternity of Evil | Eshan Mitra, Brendan Hainline and Hector Ramirez
10 editorial
EDITORIAL ResLife makes room
After last years on-campus housing crunch, it is a relief to see students need for dormitories and the dormitories need for students breaking even. Though it came largely at the expense of the endearing Saunders Inn, which closed over the summer, we applaud the decisions and changes in off-campus policy that allowed the Office of Residential Life to virtually eliminate temporary housing. Greater availability of lounge space and less disruption for students fosters a better sense of stable community on campus, one of ResLifes primary tasks. With the Universitys eye on expanding enrollment, ResLifes plans to update and reorganize select dorm buildings are also encouraging. The completed renovations to New Pembroke have been met with student approval, and we hope for the same result from upcoming projects. Though it would be sad to see Perkins Hall with all its auspicious match-making mystery lose its status as a first-year dorm, the proposed changes to Metcalf and Miller halls could have a significant positive effect on the first-year experience. Consolidating first-year communities will not only increase student safety, but allow for a more contained social space with fewer first-years traveling between remotely located dorms. Of course, reassigning dorm layouts alone will not automatically produce a more tight-knit first-year class, so serious consideration must be given to the organization of units. And although the Residential Peer Leader program is strong, it may take even further improvements to replicate the kind of bonding that tends to happen in smaller dorms. The first-years are not the only ones who stand to gain from projected renovations the Graduate Center is often only grudgingly accepted by students. Giving it the serious attention it deserves will allow the University to avoid a divide in campus life between underclassmen and older students who may be itching to get off campus for better living conditions. As the Corporation gives consideration to each of these undertakings, we hope it will consider the dramatic effect housing can have on students experiences. According to Richard Bova, senior associate dean of residential and dining services, ResLife is broad in its consultation with students, and we hope the Corporation will take seriously the proposals offered by ResLife on behalf of the Residential Council and the Undergraduate Council of Students. Brown prides itself on fostering collegial community and this happens most often in informal settings. For at least nine months of the year, students call this place home, and making living conditions more inviting should be a high priority. Though we will not be here to witness the completion of these residential housing projects, we are pleased to encourage their inception for the sake of future generations of students. editorials are written by The heralds editorial page board. Send comments to editorials@browndailyherald.com.
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An article in yesterdays Herald (SlutWalk confronts rape perceptions, Sept. 19) contained quotes from Sara Molinaro 09. Molinaro is a former Herald metro editor and editorial page board member.
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An article in yesterdays Herald (Federal cuts hit GS loans, Sept. 19) incorrectly stated that the admissions process for masters students is need-aware. Though financial need is considered by the students respective departments or programs for funding, it does not impact admission decisions. The Herald regrets the error.
Frances Mantak 88, director of health education See alCoHol on page 12.
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opinions 11
forced to make any personal sacrifices. From one perspective, this new relationship between the military and civilians can be seen as a positive development. College students no longer face the possibility of being drafted to serve in a war that they do not support. Fewer Americans live with the fear that their loved ones will die in combat. War no longer disrupts everyday economic decisions for citizens. As a nation, we can defend our interests abroad without making too many direct, immediate sacrifices at home. While many Brown students have undoubtedly helped their nation through their regular academic and volunteer pursuits, this service to country is normally incidental. Students usually attend college and become active community members for reasons other than national service. Patriotism can certainly be taken to an extreme, but the concept of civic duty should still play at least some part in our decisionmaking. There are many ways to serve our country outside of the military, and Im sure even more thankful for all of the academic and social opportunities available to us at Brown. One way to express our gratitude to our armed forces would be to build a stronger connection between the military and the academy at least on an emotional level. I doubt I am alone in feeling guilty about the disconnect between my life as a student and the lives of college-aged soldiers. There are many possible ways to bridge the divide between the University and the military. Reinstating the Reserve Officers Training Corps may accomplish this goal, but this may conflict with University academic and discrimination policies. There are many less controversial ways in which the community could open its arms to the military. For example, we could sponsor more lectures given by soldiers and generals, offer courses on military history and become stronger advocates for veterans rights. Regardless of our beliefs about the war on terror, we should all acknowledge that some Americans have paid a much higher cost in this war. The community should express gratitude to the young men and women who spend their youth in combat zones. We should also work to learn more about the military and forge a deeper emotional connection to it.
Regardless of our beliefs about the war on terror, we should all acknowledge that some Americans have paid a much higher cost in this war.
yet the current relationship between the military and citizens also has tragic components. It is fundamentally unfair that such a small percentage of our population pays such a high price to defend us. The distribution of sacrifice and suffering is far from equal. A minority of our population must risk their lives and leave their homes while the rest of us live in comfort. This realization inspired a rush of guilt. Some men and women make a conscious decision to place their country above their own dreams in life. While I profess to love my country, my life decisions have rarely been motivated by a sense of duty to it. that Brown students will make great citizens. Some young men and women devote their entire lives to civic service. As students at an elite institution, we should be mindful of the extent of their sacrifice and be willing to use our education to serve our country in at least some capacity. When the immediate guilt subsided, I was left feeling immensely grateful. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to spend my formative years in a college setting instead of in a war zone. We should all be grateful for the chance to pursue our own self-fulfillment in college. The realization that some people our age are fighting battles should make us
Oliver Rosenbloom 13 is a history concentrator from Mill Valley, Calif. He can be contacted at oliver_rosenbloom@brown.edu.
To say that we are both right is patronizing. Treating another person like a reasonable adult requires taking their disagreement seriously and saying they are wrong when they are.
tify the use of induction. No group that I am aware of denies induction across the board, so that isnt really on the table. Abduction is where the action is. We seek the simplest and most powerful explanation that fits our observations and what we know about the world more generally. If two explanations both fulfill the criteria, we go out, collect more data and revise appropriately. This is where nonscientific cultures fail. The witch-believers know that people suffer. They abduce and conclude that
There is no reason to believe that comforting explanations that fit with ones culture have any bearing on the reality of the situation, whereas by induction, we have reason to believe our abductive inferences are good. Technology based on science allows us to wield a certain power over the world that would be inexplicable if science were just one good practice among many. To say that we are both right is patronizing. Treating another person like a reasonable adult requires taking their dis-
David Hefer 12 is a philosophy and math concentrator who secretly believes some cultures are just better than others. He can be reached at david_hefer@brown.edu.
Cells bite off more than they can chew City Council to vote on
We cannot eat a lollipop longer than us, and our cells face similar limitations, according to an author of a recent paper that found that cells often try to engulf objects too large for them when they mistake them for more bite-sized nanomaterials. The outsized nanomaterials carbon nanotubes and asbestos fibers, which can sometimes be larger than the cells themselves get stuck partway through the cell membrane, said the author, Huajian Gao, professor of engineering, who was a part of the team of Brown researchers behind the study, which was published Sunday in the journal Nature Nanotechnology. Eating more than our fill is unhealthy, but people and cells still do it. The researchers set out to discover why cells bite off more than they can chew. Using scanning electron microscopy, they imaged mouse liver and human mesothelial cells exposed to onedimensional nanomaterials, which entered the cells tip-first. Gao and his team hypothesized that the nanomaterials, by coming into contact with the cell membranes at wide angles, mimic small particles to initiate engulfment. Simulations confirmed that the nanomaterials were rotated to nearly a 90-degree angle before being ingested. This has to do with geometry not chemistry, Gao said. No matter if asbestos fibers, gold nanowires or carbon nanotubes were used, the cells mistake them
After a year of negotiations, the Providence Teachers Union voted 868 to 79 to approve a three-year collective bargaining agreement backed by Mayor Angel Taveras in early August. As the Providence City Council Finance
Long, thin nanomaterials can fool cell membranes into ill-fated attempts to engulf them, causing inflammation.
for small spheres, he said. What these materials have in common, Gao explained, is a high aspect ratio, or outsize length relative to breadth. The vertical alignment of the nanomaterials makes it impossible for the cell membrane to anticipate their length. So after initial wrapping of the materials tip by the cell membrane, engulfment discontinues a process known as frustrated phagocytosis. The nanomaterial is left jutting out of the cell like a toothpick protruding from a morsel of cheese. This incomplete job is toxic. Cells think that they are being attacked and call for help, causing inflammation. The rapid proliferation of cells increases the likelihood of mistakes being made in the
copying of genetic material as cells divide. Such nanomaterials, which are often airborne, can escape out of laboratories or electronics and cause lung cancer in those exposed, Gao said. The problem is, nanomaterials have many applications in computer chips, as agents for drug delivery and in protecting space shuttles from the intense heat of the atmosphere. But as long as theyre floating around in the air, they can cause our cells trouble. Gao said he and his team want to learn to fully utilize their beneficial effects without causing harm to ourselves. The next stage of his research will be to study carbon graphene, a two-dimensional nanomaterial, to understand how it enters cells.
Educations 2009 order that the Providence Public School Department not assign teachers positions based solely on seniority. The hearings constitute the latest installment in a series of union-related events that have taken place over the course of the past several months. In past years, the teachers collective bargaining agreement has been negotiated directly between the teachers union and the school board. But this summer, the General Assembly passed a bill backed by Taveras that transferred negotiation powers from the board to the mayor, citing the board and unions inability to reach an agreement, Cottone said. The transfer of power has provoked controversy over legal issues that are currently being grappled with, Cottone added. Prior to 2009, displaced teachers within the Providence Public continued on page 3
Brown joined a multi-university effort to reduce the amount of binge drinking on college campuses this summer. The Learning Collaborative on High-Risk Drinking spearheaded by Dartmouth President Jim yong Kim 82 has garnered support from 32 colleges and universities since its May 2 launch. Kim began the campaign because he saw increased high-risk alcohol consumption despite recent efforts to combat it, said Margaret Klawunn, vice president for campus life and student services. Over the next 18 months, teams from the 32 participating institutions will gather for three meetings to brainstorm, test and evaluate strategies to lessen the harms of binge drinking. A team of faculty, staff and students from Brown attended the first meeting June 29. Klawunn, a member of the Brown delegation, said Kims medical background has influenced his approach to reducing high-risk drinking. The collaborative will apply a medical approach to hu-
man health, she said. Marylou McMillan 85, senior director for planning and projects, is also involved with the initiative. We are working with faculty at the Brown Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, she said, Their research has influenced our practices and policies to reduce drinking. But the multi-university initiative differs from traditional approaches. This new collaborative is about momentum, McMillan said. Rather than spend time on long-term research, the joint initiative will work on a shorter cycle. Frances Mantak 88, director of health education, said the bingedrinking rate at Brown is similar to the national rate. Mantak added that college students drinking habits are difficult to change because they reflect our culture and laws and are influenced by the alcohol industry and advertising. Once students arrive at Brown, we must work against 18 years of social habits, which are hard to change, Mantak said. Still, 77 percent of Brown students claim to have zero to four drinks on a typical night, a statistic that has been consistent over
time, Mantak said. yasmine Beydoun 14 was surprised by this statistic. Most students she observes seem to be drinking more than the survey results suggest, she said. Three levels must be considered when attempting to change students drinking habits, McMillan said. The first is the environment. For example, Brown can increase late-night funds dedicated to supporting non-alcoholic events and ensure food is present at parties where alcohol is served, she said. The second level is the community, McMillan said, including bystander behavior and students willingness to call EMS. The third the individual level involves arming students with the knowledge to make smart choices, she said. Brown has a good, long-standing history of supporting students in their sobriety, Mantak said. She is hopeful the right changes can reduce high-risk drinking. If we make a cultural change around alcohol, we can change drinking behavior, Mantak said. We can choose to make this change.
Local communities will commemorate President Ruth Simmons before she steps down in May.
Though the University has not yet made official plans to commemorate President Ruth Simmons this year, there will be opportunities throughout the year to honor and express appreciation to the president, said Marisa Quinn, vice president for public affairs and University relations. Simmons announced Thursday she would be stepping down from her position at the end of the academic year, culminating an 11-year tenure. Theres a tremendous amount of appreciation and gratitude for the amount of work that shes done and the progress that has been made
under her leadership, Quinn said. Im sure every community will want to do something to honor her, she added. Simmons was the first black president and the second female president of an Ivy League institution when she was named to head the University in 2001. Quinn said groups, both on campus and outside the University, will likely extend invitations to honor her now that she has publicly announced her decision to step down at the end of the academic year. Planning for Commencement normally begins in October, so no plans related to the year-end ceremony have been formalized at this point, Quinn said.