Daily Herald
the Brown
vol. cxlvi, no. 39 Wednesday, March 23, 2011 Since 1891
Japan study U. looks to industry for sponsored research support
abroad NIH research grants
By Mark Raymond
Senior Staff Writer
rate associates program in the newly
established School of Engineering,”
canceled
according to the October update of
As stimulus funds run dry and federal the Plan for Academic Enrichment.
agencies tighten their budgets, the Rod Clifton, interim dean of en-
By Shefali Luthra University plans to increasingly turn gineering, said the University and
Senior Staff Writer to corporate-sponsored research. industry alike benefit from the part-
The American Recovery and nerships that emerge from corporate-
The University will not allow stu- Reinvestment Act of 2009 stimulus sponsored research.
dents to study abroad in Japan this offered increased funding through “As we expand our research capa-
spring, Kendall Brostuen, associate federal agencies such as the National bility, we become more attractive for
dean of the College and director of Institutes of Health and the National industry,” he said. “It is certainly in
international programs, wrote last Science Foundation, but elevated the spirit of academic enrichment.”
night in an email to The Herald. The funding levels provided only a brief The University wants to contribute to
six students who would have stud- respite from ongoing financial strain. knowledge growth rather than focus
ied in Japan will be offered spots at Federal agencies are all expected to solely on teaching, he added.
Dartmouth for its spring quarter. have “flat budgets” in the near future, He pointed to the University’s cur-
The University felt “genuine re- and the short-term surge in funds is rent partnership with General Mo- Gili Kliger / Herald
gret” about suspending the program, nearing its end, said Clyde Briant, vice tors, which is researching methods to Research grants from the National Institutes of Health have become increasingly
competitive in the past ten years, as the agency’s funding has been steady or
Brostuen wrote, but “with the un- president for research. “In order to manufacture lightweight cars. “They
declining. In 2010, just 21 percent of grant proposals reviewed were approved.
predictability of the circumstances” expand research opportunities, uni- come here and spend some time, we Data does not include awards made under the 2009 stimulus package, which
— caused by the recent tsunamiand versities everywhere are looking for go there and spend some time,” he provided a temporary uptick in funding levels. Data from the NIH Data Book.
ensuing nuclear crisis in the country new sources of funding, and certainly said. “It is a good example of truly
— “suspension of the term is the industry is one possibility,” he said. industrial collaborative research.” “We had a huge boost from stimulus Sponsored funding is a crucial
most prudent course of action.” Facing scarce funds from the pub- Corporate partnerships will help funding, but that is going to go away,” part of the University’s research ef-
Because Dartmouth operates on lic sector, the University will “expand make up for the decrease in federal he said. “Funding from the NIH will forts, Wing said. “It’s a very important
the quarter system, students will be corporate support of research, in- research funding, said Ed Wing, dean decrease, especially with the Repub-
able to transition into Dartmouth’s cluding the possibility of a corpo- of medicine and biological sciences. lican congress.” continued on page 4
spring term, which begins March
Off the mark: ditching grades for S/NC Bands hope
28. Brostuen wrote that students
who complete a Brown indepen-
dent study program as well as the
quarter at Dartmouth can count the
combination as a semester of credit.
By Rebecca Ballhaus
City & State Editor
Credit.
Jake Heimark ’11, a fifth-year
“My parents … had always em-
phasized that high achievement and to drum up
more space
Jack Boeglin ’12, one of the stu- student pursuing a joint bachelor good grades can go together but
dents who was planning to go to Ja- During finals season, throngs of of arts and bachelor of science in don’t always,” Heimark said. “What
pan, said he is leaning toward taking bleary-eyed students flock to the human biology and economics, did removing grades from the equation
the quarter at Dartmouth, though he libraries and do not emerge for what just that. does is it forces the student to focus By Leah Bromberg
still has to consider factors such as seems like eons. People stare angrily “In my senior year of high school, more on learning and education.” Contributing Writer
the dates, his options for the summer at textbooks, willing themselves to I was trying to decide which school He credited his fellow students with
and the costs before he commits. absorb the information — and pray- to go to,” Heimark said. “When I creating an environment where his The Coalition of Bands at Brown is
Boeglin learned of the Univer- ing to just get a good grade in that visited Brown, I saw a unique op- learning style has flourished. hoping to increase funds and equip-
sity’s decision yesterday through a class. portunity to pursue an education Heimark emphasized that not ment to better accommodate inde-
phone call from Ned Quigley, as- Now imagine a world devoid that was self-designed and self-mo- taking his classes for grades has pendent musicians on campus.
sociate director of international pro- of report cards, transcripts and the tivated.” Heimark asked his parents not made his college experience There is currently only one
grams. Quigley could not be reached frantic checking of Banner during — who also attended Brown — if less stressful despite many students’ available drum set on campus — in
for comment late last night. vacation to see if dawdling profes- they would be okay with him tak- assumptions. “I crammed for orgo a small, windowless room in T.F.
sors have updated the site. Imagine ing all his classes S/NC. When they Green Hall, where broken drum
continued on page 5 taking all classes Satisfactory/No assented, he applied early decision. continued on page 3 heads, splintered drumsticks, rotting
batteries, old earplugs, pedals and
broken stools litter the floor. There
Panelists offer perspective on earthquake and effects is no cleaning staff, and the room is
often overbooked.
By Claire schlessinger money poured into this project … But the room is the only suf-
Contributing Writer was essentially proved pointless” as ficiently equipped venue on cam-
the waves swept over the wall, Smith pus for independent musicians to
A panel of four professors with ex- said. Though the barriers were con- practice. The Underground in the
pertise relating to the Japanese earth- structed to withstand the significant Stephen Robert ’62 Campus Cen-
quake and tsunami met yesterday height of tsunamis, the amount of ter recently tightened its rules for
evening to ask how a country should water and sheer force of the tsunami booking the room — only musicians
preemptively prepare for an event were enough to overcome the walls. sponsored by a student group can
that may or may not happen — but Smith briefly spoke about the ca- practice there. The smaller rooms
could have a catastrophic effect. In sualties, though he said he did not in the Steinert Practice Center are
Anna Gaissert / Herald
front of a half-full MacMillan 115, want to appear “callous” in defining more suitable for solo pianists and
Professors discussed the effects of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in
the professors gave an account of the MacMillan 115 yesterday. the tragedy of this event in terms of classical musicians.
science behind the recent disaster numbers. To offer a “sobering sense Student bands hoped the Perry
and how the question of “money is relatively flat up to the mountain March 11 earthquake — which had of the dimensions of this disaster,” and Marty Granoff Center for the
versus likelihood” affected preventive ranges about 10 miles in, he said, so one of the highest magnitudes on Smith said the population of the Creative Arts, with its mission and
measures in Japan. there are no high mountains or cliffs the Richter scale in history — was United States is two and a half times design conducive to musical collabo-
Kerry Smith, associate professor to stop the waves of the tsunami, and devastating. that of Japan, and Hurricane Katrina ration, would provide practice space,
of history and East Asian studies, it “doesn’t take much” to get past the Japan had built sea barriers to caused 1,800 casualties, compared said Sam Rosenfeld ’12, a Herald edi-
outlined the geography of Japan, coast. protect against tsunamis, one of to an estimate by the Japanese gov- torial cartoonist, former member
stressing its extensive coastline, to The panelists said Japan had some which — the deepest breakwater in ernment Monday that the tsunami of the coalition and co-founder of
explain why the effects of the tsunami of the most effective preventive mea- the world — was completed in 2009.
were so devastating. The shoreline sures in place, but the force of the But “the amount of concrete and continued on page 2 continued on page 4
weather
t o d ay tomorrow
Academented Brunonertia Pledged
inside
news...................2-5
editorial.............6 Grad school is a bit like Are we more motivated Students reactivate
Opinions.............7 ‘Friday,’ and other musings by Diddy than duty? Kappa Alpha Psi frat
Opinions, 7 opinions, 7 Campus news, 8 39 / 32 39 / 28
2 Campus News The Brown Daily Herald
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Today
calendar
March 23 ToMORROW MARCH 24
Profs discuss science behind quake
continued from page 1 Fischer said though a warning into” preparation than, for example,
5 P.m. 8 p.m. was issued just three minutes after the people designing building codes in
“Governing through the Non- Licki Ucrog “Valencrimez,” resulted in 8,800 deaths and over earthquake, it took only 15 minutes Haiti, Tullis said.
Governmental,” Watson Institute T.F. Green Hall 205 12,000 missing. for the tsunami to reach land, leaving George Seidel, professor emeritus
Terry Tullis, professor emeritus a mere 12 minutes for people in the of physics, gave the technical details
7 p.m. 8 p.m.
of geological sciences, addressed most vulnerable areas to reach safety. of nuclear reactors and what hap-
UCS General Body Meeting, “Afghanistan: Defying Silence,” the technical aspects of the earth- She showed a CNN video of the water pened to the Fukushima power plant.
Petteruti Lounge Petteruti Lounge quake and Karen Fischer, professor washing away all structures in its way. “The consequences of the disaster
of geological sciences, explained the An audience member asked the of the reactors are very serious,” he
menu tsunami. Tullis and Fischer said when
the earthquake occurred deep under-
geologists what good their work was
if, despite being so prepared, Japan
said, but “on the scale of things, this
is minimal” compared to the earth-
water 120 kilometers offshore, the was still unable to protect the popula- quake and tsunami. The reactors
SHARPE REFECTORY VERNEy-WOOLLEY DINING HALL
stress accumulation built up, pushing tion. Being adequately prepared is a affect a few workers whose lives will
LUNCH up on the ocean water and moving question of “how much money you’re be potentially shortened, but that
Buffalo Wings, Spicy Wings, Chinese Saturday Night Jambalaya, Spinach it upward and outward. Though the willing to spend and whether you number is smaller than the number
Chicken Wings, Polynesian Wings, Strudel, Mixed Vegetables, Italian waves started off only one meter high, can politically convince people if you affected by the natural disasters.
Vegan Nuggets, M&M Cookies Marinated Chicken, M&M Cookies they were very long. The movement should prepare for an unlikely event,” Seidel also discussed how the
of the water approaching the shore Tullis said. In Japan, it is obvious to coverage is being handled by the
DINNER
compressed the waves, increasing everyone that they are sitting on a media — of the five articles he saw
BBQ Chicken, Mac and Cheese, Roast Turkey with Gravy, Shells with amplitude and speed, and decreas- “plate” and the “national psyche is on the Japanese disaster in Tuesday’s
Collard Greens, Spinach Strudel, Broccoli, Mashed Potatoes, Glazed ing length. much more willing to put resources New York Times, five dealt with the
Steak Teriyaki, Peach Cobbler Carrots, Fudge Bars nuclear reactors and only one dis-
Daily Herald
the Brown cussed the actual geological disaster.
Sudoku Smith asked the audience if they
knew people in Japan who had been
www.browndailyherald.com in contact with them about how the
195 Angell St., Providence, R.I. disaster is affecting their lives. One
Ben Schreckinger, President Matthew Burrows, Treasurer student whose parents and brother
Sydney Ember, Vice President Isha Gulati, Secretary live in Japan said there is a discrep-
The Brown Daily Herald (USPS 067.740) is an independent newspaper serving the ancy in reactions to the earthquake
Brown University community daily since 1891. It is published Monday through Fri- between people in Japan who read
day during the academic year, excluding vacations, once during Commencement, once international media who are very
during Orientation and once in July by The Brown Daily Herald, Inc. Single copy free
for each member of the community.
concerned, and those who read
POSTMASTER please send corrections to P.O. Box 2538, Providence, RI 02906. only Japanese newspapers, who are
Periodicals postage paid at Providence, R.I. calmer.
Subscription prices: $280 one year daily, $140 one semester daily. Smith said he thought the Japa-
Copyright 2011 by The Brown Daily Herald, Inc. All rights reserved.
nese are probably underreacting the
editorial Business
Western media is probably overreact-
(401) 351-3372 (401) 351-3360
herald@browndailyherald.com gm@browndailyherald.com
ing and the truth is probably some-
where in between.
Cr ossword
The Brown Daily Herald
Wednesday, March 23, 2011 Campus News 3
Despite option, few choose to take all classes S/NC
continued from page 1 personally embarrassing.” if you’re not at Brown,” Altman said. door, but once I’m in, it can help that Curriculum. “It’s like you have a re-
“I would never show up,” she said. “You should take advantage of as I don’t really fit the mold.” ally high-powered car, but you’re not
tests, I stayed up late for presenta- “If I was on a pass/fail standard, I much of what that curriculum has Heimark said he fears students driving it,” he said. “I would’ve felt
tions just as often as anyone else,” wouldn’t be able to hold myself to to offer as possible.” are not taking advantage of the New like I was wasting my time.”
he said. “It’s one thing if a bad score a higher standard of learning. … Job concerns often deter students
means you get a B instead of an A. It’s Maybe it’s just because I don’t trust from considering the S/NC option.
another thing if you feel like you’re myself,” she added. “I need to be Camille Duhamel ’13 said he feared
letting yourself down.” validated by the system.” the repercussions of such a choice.
Rafael Juliano ’12, who is taking Heimark said he has encountered “It wouldn’t look good on my tran-
all his classes S/NC for the first time surprise and encouragement from script with applying to jobs or to
this semester, said he discovered a professors, and most have been graduate school,” he said.
similar trend. very supportive. “My advisers were But Altman said his lack of grades
“I don’t think the work changes sometimes hesitant because they did not affect his options after gradu-
at all — I’m still concerned about were worried about what would ation — he was accepted to all but
my homework,” he said. “I fell sick happen after college,” he said. But one of the graduate schools he ap-
recently and stressed about getting Heimark said his advisers accepted plied to. Altman took his classes for
a doctor’s note.” his choice because he “wasn’t doing grades in graduate school and is now
Juliano said he was not confident it on a whim.” the CEO, president and co-founder
he could earn an A in every class he Heimark did not ask for course of Community Reinvestment Fund,
is taking this semester, all of which performance reports from his pro- a national nonprofit.
fall outside his concentration. By fessors, an option many students “I think that learning to be self-
taking them S/NC, he said he could taking classes S/NC embrace. In- reliant, to look inside of what you
“focus more on learning about them stead, he said he makes an effort to can do, was a character-building ex-
and really getting to know the sub- develop personal relationships with perience for me,” he said. “I learned
ject than stressing over a grade.” professors.“That’s helped as I look for how to take risks, and that has fol-
Heimark and Juliano’s choice is stuff to do after university,” he said. lowed me all through my career.”
not a common one. In a random Frank Altman ’75 made a similar He added that Brown alums have
subset of 1,500 students enrolled in choice during his time at Brown. a “full institutional brand” behind
at least three classes this semester, Like Heimark, he was drawn to the them that they might not get from
only 22 students — less than 2 per- New Curriculum and decided to other universities. “That’s definitely a
cent — are taking every class S/NC, take full advantage of its freedom. consideration that graduate schools
according to University Registrar He concentrated in public policy, gave me.”
Robert Fitzgerald. “I would imagine which at the time was a very small, Heimark said he has not had
that the percentage, if looking at the interdisciplinary concentration. difficulty in his job search in the
overall population both currently Altman asked his professors for high-technology, biotechnology
and over time, would not deviate course performance reports, which and consulting industries. “There
from that relatively low figure,” he he found “much more thorough and are certain industries where being
wrote in an email to The Herald. understandable” than grades. traditional is important, but there
Lauren Kessler ’11.5 said taking “The worst thing I can imagine are others where it’s not,” he said.
all her classes S/NC would be “very is going to Brown and treating it as “It can be hard to get my foot in the
4 Campus News The Brown Daily Herald
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
As stimulus dries up, U. aims to increase corporate partnerships
continued from page 1 into other fields. A program like this is “a very com- model for interacting with industry.” be an area of focus for corporate-
Incoming Dean of Engineer- mon thing at most research universi- Most corporate research opportu- supported research, he said.
part of every medical school’s profile,” ing Lawrence Larson said he plans ties” and can serve as a “pretty effec- nities involve companies who work Though the expansion of research
he said. “We don’t have enough of to continue to push for corporate- tive tool for highlighting the great with technology, so the University is offerings is often focused on graduate
it, and we are actively searching for supported research when he arrives research that the University does,” most likely to form industry partner- students, Briant said undergraduates
partners.” at Brown this summer. He said he Larson said. ships with the School of Engineering, will also benefit from an increased
The Alpert Medical School is would support a corporate associ- But Clifton said he is hesitant the Department of Computer Sci- number of research opportunities.
partnering with the pharmaceutical ates program, in which companies about such a program. Though it ence and the medical school, Bri- “The whole research picture at Brown
industry to develop treatments for pay a fee to see presentations about could serve as a “possible revenue ant said. The University already has involves graduate and undergraduate
infectious diseases, Wing said. He University research and are allowed source for the University,” he said he established partnerships with IBM students,” he said. “There’s nothing
said he hopes research will expand to take the ideas for development. is “not sure that is the best current and Microsoft. that would prohibit an undergradu-
Public health could increasingly ates from participating.”
Independent musicians
seek University support
continued from page 1 fier and sound-proof walls. For $10
a semester, members can book the
Musicians@Brown, a networking site room for eight hours per week, In-
for student musicians. But there are drayudh Shome ’11, co-director of
no drum sets in the building, mak- the coalition, wrote in an email to
ing it difficult for bands to take full The Herald. COBAB raised the fee
advantage of the space. from $5 per semester in hopes of
The coalition oversees the practice better funding the room.
space in T.F. Green, rents equipment Coalition members expressed
to student groups, puts on concerts concern over the state of the room
featuring student bands and sends and equipment. Because of over-
out a weekly newsletter highlighting booking, Frauenhofer can only prac-
musical events on and off campus. “I tice early in the morning or very late
think the space is great,” said Michael at night, he said.
Frauenhofer ’11, a member of the “The community of independent
coalition, adding that the room has musicians here was really lacking
“helped the live music scene grow.” when I got here,” Shome wrote.
Student rock musicians face dif- “There’s no dean or director with in-
ficulties finding practice space and dependent bands. There needs to be
equipment. The coalition’s practice some level of community and aware-
room provides a drum set, ampli- ness for it to function and grow.”
The Brown Daily Herald
Wednesday, March 23, 2011 Campus News 5
New fund to help create ‘entrepreneurial community’
continued from page 8 makes sense, he said. Projects get ing fellow in international studies. program, he wrote. If he receives The fund is looking forward to
the funding they need to leave the To receive the first level of fund- additional funding, Tran can inves- its first round of applications, which
are invited to present their ideas to ground, and more money is avail- ing, Tran must quantify the poten- tigate how FUNDaFIELD impacts will be evaluated on a rolling basis.
people interested in the entrepre- able later if necessary. tial social impact of his program. communities at large. There is a two to three week period
neurial process. Peer critiques allow The application process tries to The goal is to show the number He wrote he is optimistic he will before applications are accepted to
students to hear critical questions gauge the viability of each project, of kids who have access to fields, move on to the second- and third- assure ideas are not simply based
and suggestions and force them to he said. “Can we transfer this from the change in attendance and en- level grants and expand the initia- on early applications. Harlam pre-
see the gaps and strengths in their paper to practice? That’s the big rollment at schools, the number of tive’s operations to South Africa dicts that the first official review
models, Harlam said. take home question.” students moving onto secondary and Kenya, where FUNDaFIELD process will begin just after spring
“What we’re in the process of Hao Tran ’14, who is work- school and officials’ reactions to the has already begun its work. break.
creating is a true entrepreneurial ing with an organization called
community,” Beckman wrote. “The
programming tied to the launch
fund will bring entrepreneurs to-
FUNDaFIELD, is also applying
to the fund. FUNDaFIELD, run
exclusively by students, aims to
comics
gether to share their ideas — and build soccer fields near primary BB & Z | Cole Pruitt, Andrew Seiden, Valerie Hsuing and Dan Ricker
when entrepreneurially minded schools in South Africa, Uganda
people get together to do that, the and Kenya. The organization has
results are often amazing.” built seven fields, with an eighth
Though a safe place for discus- in a fundraising stage, Tran wrote
sion is crucial, the fund also helps in an email to The Herald. It has
students improve their pitches — raised $140,000 since 2007. “An-
honing the ability to sell an idea, other goal of FUNDaFIELD is to
not just trying to expose its flaws provide children with a safe place
— said Roger Nozaki, director of to play and to reintegrate former
the Swearer Center. child soldiers (and) victims of HIV/
Tim Natividad ’12 plans to apply AIDs … back into the community
with his project, Social Exposures. through sport,” he wrote.
The project is work in progress, Tran plans to travel to Uganda Dot Comic | Eshan Mitra and Brendan Hainline
he said, but involves combining this summer and hopes to receive
mobile applications with non-profit support from the fund, he wrote.
organizations. It will solicit photo He has gained support from the
essays from a different nonprofit Sport and Development Program
each month, later compiling the at the Watson Institute for Inter-
photo essays into a publication. national Studies, and he has been
The fund’s three-tiered system working with Eli Wolff ’00, a visit-
Students offered spring
quarter at Dartmouth Gelotology | Guillaume Riesen
continued from page 1 wrote. “These students will continue
to receive support throughout their
Boeglin said affected students he study experience at Dartmouth and
had talked to are also leaning toward until their return to Brown for the
enrolling for a quarter at Dartmouth. fall semester,” he added.
The Office of International Pro- Boeglin said digesting the Uni-
grams will help students transition versity’s decision was definitely dif-
into Dartmouth with the help of ficult.
specific departments at Brown and “It’s a lot of crazy news in a very
colleagues at Dartmouth, Brostuen short period of time,” Boeglin said.
6 Editorial & Letter The Brown Daily Herald
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Editorial Editorial comic by sam rosenfeld
Old books and new technology
It is easy to forget that the University Library, occupying multiple
locations and offering a staggering array of books as well as computers
and study spaces, had humble beginnings. Brown’s first president, James
Manning, wrote in 1772, “At present we have but about two hundred
and fifty volumes and those not well chosen, being such as our friends
could best spare.”
Today the Library offers us an enormous amount of information, be
it in books, audio and visual materials or online content. But as former
President Vartan Gregorian recently noted in a speech at the John Hay
Library, there is a “difference between information and knowledge.”
Indeed, the Library serves to provide not only information, but also
the tools necessary to transform it into knowledge. It is heartening,
therefore, that the library is undertaking initiatives aimed at helping
students succeed in the digital age.
As The Herald reported earlier this month, the Library plans to hire
digital humanities and e-science librarians. The former will play “a
central role in the integration of digital resources and methodologies
with current teaching and research,” while the latter will assist faculty
and students working with large data sets. These new hires should help
the Library make it easier for students and professors to utilize digital
resources. Andrew Ashton, the Library’s director of digital technologies,
told the editorial page board that the Library also remains focused on
developing the Center for Digital Scholarship and Brown Digital Re-
pository, which will help students pursue new uses of technology and
access even more digitized data.
We are also less than a year into the debut of MoBUL, the Library’s
le tter to the editor
smartphone application. This application enables users to easily search
Josiah, renew books and even see if more computers are available at the Herbal remedies are drugs too
Rockefeller Library or the Sciences Library. There is room for improve-
ment — a comprehensive display of computer availability including To the Editor: cally calls the herbs “medicines.”
locations like the Center for Information Technology would be nice — My main objection to the author’s work is this —
but even in its early stages MoBUL is a useful tool. We recognize that In Monday’s Herald, you ran an article (“Local herbs are drugs. A substance used to alter the func-
many students do not have smartphones, but those who do should try apothecary supplies herbal remedies, legally,” March tioning of the body is a drug regardless of its source
the application. According to Bonnie Buzzell, senior knowledge systems 21) by a student detailing her discovery and later use or character. Natural does not mean safe. The lack of
librarian, only about 500 people per month use MoBUL. of herbal remedies from a local supplier. After finish- regulations on herbs and herbalists leaves the door
Within days we should hear more about the Library’s effort to get ing the article, I lamented at the lack of anything but wide open for harmful and counterproductive treat-
students access to the New York Times’ online content after the paper token skepticism from the author’s friends. The author ment.
establishes a pay wall. That the Library’s plan was reported only a day treated the subject with credulity, never mentioning the The author implies that she will continue to use
after the Times announced the pay wall again highlights a praiseworthy possible counterpoints to using herbal and alternative herbal medicines since they “haven’t killed me yet”
commitment to helping students take advantage of digital resources. medicine. Not once did the author state that herbal — the same refrain used by smokers, alcoholics and
We hope administrators and departments work with librarians to remedies such as echinacea and St. John’s wort have drug addicts worldwide. Should this sort of sentiment
ensure that students are fully aware of the Library’s resources. Music proven to be ineffective or even dangerous in some really accompany a supposed system of healing?
Librarian Ned Quist told the editorial page board that the Library is cases. While the herbalist herself states that herbs “do
working to get more resource librarians into first-year seminars, and not treat disease,” a source later in the article specifi- Tim Dingman ’11
some librarians are themselves serving as first-year advisors. But there
clearly remains a lack of awareness about Library resources — just think
quote of the day
of how many first-years arrive on campus without realizing that printing
is one of the Library’s most basic services.
Students have a role to play as well. Without our feedback, librarians
“I need to be validated by the system.”
will have a difficult time making our research easier and more effective.
The new quiet spaces at the SciLi and Rock came to fruition thanks to
student input. Working together, students, librarians, faculty and admin-
istrators can continue to improve our libraries, which former President
Henry Wriston called “the heart of the University.” — Lauren Kessler ’11.5, on taking classes for grades
Editorials are written by The Herald’s editorial page board. Send comments See off the mark on page 1.
to editorials@browndailyherald.com.
t h e b r ow n da i ly h e r a l d
Editors-in-Chief
Sydney Ember
Deputy Managing Editors
Brigitta Greene
Senior Editors
Dan Alexander
Corrections
Ben Schreckinger Anne Speyer Nicole Friedman
Julien Ouellet An article in Monday’s Herald (“Revelry, deception and arias intoxicate opera audience,” March 21) incor-
editorial Business rectly identified the prison director as Nathan Weinberger ’13. In fact, the prison director was played by Phil
Kristina Fazzalaro Arts & Culture Editor General Managers Office Manager Arevalo ’11. The Herald regrets the error.
Luisa Robledo Arts & Culture Editor Matthew Burrows Shawn Reilly
Rebecca Ballhaus City & State Editor Isha Gulati
Claire Peracchio City & State Editor
Directors An article in Tuesday’s Herald (“Herald poll: students divided on ROTC’s return,” March 22) reported the
Talia Kagan Features Editor
Hannah Moser Features Editor
Aditi Bhatia Sales margin of error for the Herald poll was 2.3 percent. In fact, it was 2.8 percent. The corrected margins of er-
Danielle Marshak Finance
Alex Bell News Editor
Margot Grinberg Alumni Relations ror for subsets of students are 4.4 percent for males, 3.8 percent for females, 12.9 percent for transfers, 3.0
Nicole Boucher News Editor
Tony Bakshi Sports Editor
Lisa Berlin Special Projects percent for non-transfers, 6.1 percent for seniors, 3.4 percent for non-seniors, 5.6 percent for first-years and
Ashley McDonnell Sports Editor Managers 3.4 percent for non-first-years. The Herald regrets the error.
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
C O R R E C T I O N S P olicy
Jared Davis Sales and Communications
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The Brown Daily Herald
Wednesday, March 23, 2011 Opinions 7
Building a Brown community
commonality that brings to bear the pow- qualities and, for American students, a gov- The lack of a cohesive and definable
er of the incredible campus diversity that ernment-promoted atmosphere of para- community on campus is one of the only
By Mike Johnson the Admission Office touts at every turn? noia led to the creation of a cohesive group. criticisms that I have of my Brown experi-
The students sitting in a circle on the Main Students watched other students dying on ence. This is a wonderful University, filled
Opinions Columnist Green could only look at each other in fu- TV and felt for them, rather than disre- with vibrant and brilliant students who
tile thought. “Spring Weekend,” one stu- garding them as the fringe that was fool- have both the power and will to change
dent muttered under his breath. To laugh- ish enough to act. They saw the fear grip- the world around us. There are countless
In a recent discussion section of my histo- ter, another offered, “Fish Co. going under.” ping the nation and reversed it, believing student agencies that provide charity and
ry course, the teaching assistant asked the It was a little disheartening to see my- that governments should fear their people, compassion to frequently ignored groups
class if we thought that there would ever be self and my classmates flounder in the face not vice versa. around the globe. We have the duty to build
a community or political entity that would in Providence a new identity, one that will
put an end to the strife that grips our world last beyond Wickenden Street and past
today. The argument ran that if there was graduation into our custodianship of this
no defined “other,” then there would be no wide world.
need to blow oneself up in a market square, There are serious problems facing our
to hijack a plane or to occupy a distant na- When I see the Brown campus, I see a campus nation. How will we deal with the violent
tion. The sense of the “other” is distinctly without a purpose. revolt in Libya? How will we treat the new
confrontational, as any literature class at self-determined regimes in other Middle
Brown will demonstrate. If we could end Eastern nations — with suspicion or with
the cycle of oppression-rebellion-oppres- open arms as we welcome them to the fam-
sion, the world’s ills may fall by the wayside ily of democracy? How will we respond to
over time. the looming economic and humanitarian
The class came up with only two situ- of such an simple question. Why are we all We have no such unifying mentality. crisis in Japan? Will we allow our govern-
ations in which the people of the world here? Not in the philosophical nature of the When we walk past the protesters on the ments to continue to infringe upon rights
would set aside their deep-seated prejudic- question, but why are we all at Brown? Are Main Green, they are the fringe. While we that took decades to secure?
es and conflicts in the interest of the com- we here to make sure Nike sweatshirts are support their right to protest, as long as This May, Brown will thrust into the un-
mon good of the planet and of one’s fel- tossed out of the bookstore? Are we here to it is in a safe and non-threatening man- certain world outside the Van Wickle Gates
low humans — alien invasion of Earth and throw a ladder up against the ivory tower ner, there is no pledge of solidarity behind another 2,000 students that will have to
global capitalism. Only the fear of immi- of the Corporation? Are we here to drink a common purpose. We are a generation come up with the answers to these ques-
nent death at the six hand-flippers of the on Wednesday and talk about drinking on without motivation. The year 2008 showed tions. It remains to be seen whether or not
legions of Zarquon could make the people Thursday? When I see the Brown campus, I a glimpse of the power of our generation, the only unifying principle among them is
of this planet stop stealing cars, firing rock- see a campus without a purpose. when we rejected the politics of fear and the Latin on their diplomas.
et-propelled grenades and questioning the In 1968, students around the entire of the old guard and dared to hope for a
role of unions. world rose up against what they saw as the brighter future. But where is that genera-
Then the TA brought the issue home oppression and imperialism of the self-pro- tion now? Fragmented and splintered until
for us — was there even a community claimed “greatest generation.” Engagement the greatest issue on campus is whether or Mike Johnson ’11 is just fine with the
at Brown? Was there any sort of cause or in a foreign war that had no redeeming not Diddy will be better than Snoop Dogg. great Zarquon’s benevolent rule.
Grad school: (pros and) cons
one’s brains about serious questions with- Not only is graduate school the so- time professorial jobs like moronic You-
out anyone particularly caring about the cial and emotional equivalent of sitting Tube comments outnumber everything
By stephen wicken answers. One can devote anywhere from through Rebecca Black’s “Friday” video else in the universe. The chances of get-
two years to a decade on a dissertation, for five to 10 years, but it is also a finan- ting a real academic job in the humanities
Opinions Columnist pouring all one’s intellectual energy into cial mistake worthy of a National Foot- are now just short of the odds of spending
the project, for the reading pleasure of ex- ball League player. But in this case, there a night in Seaside Heights, N.J. without
actly three people, two of whom will only are neither lucrative contracts nor op- contracting herpes.
This, dear reader, is the column I have pretend to read it. portunities to go clubbing with an auto- Instead, those wanting to pursue a
been putting off since I first started writ- Sadder still is the way in which the matic weapon in your trousers. At best, career in teaching and writing have to
ing for The Herald. horrible process of academic profession- you will spend your 20s earning a meager juggle multiple adjuncting jobs, rush-
Cynical, pessimistic and darkly sex- alization encourages grad students to de- salary — at worst, you will emerge from ing between campuses desperately, hop-
ual as I might often appear, I don’t want fine themselves by their work. Confer- grad school in significant debt. For a long ing against hope that they might one day
to waste time and space grumbling about soon find half an hour in which to plan
the plight of the graduate student. I my- how they might eventually find a whole
self am approaching the end of my sev- week in which to do their own research.
enth year of graduate school and my fifth Worse still, getting by on these class-by-
at Brown. In that time, I have, among oth- class appointments for too long essential-
er things, studied some fascinating top- ly invalidates scholars in the eyes of po-
ics, met some brilliant people, made some One can devote anywhere from two years to a decade tential longer-term employers. After all,
wonderful friends and even had the occa- why buy the milk when you can get the
sional free lunch. Much, much more im- on a dissertation, pouring all one’s intellectual energy desperate and socially inept cow for free?
portantly, I met my wife on the steps of into the project, for the reading pleasure of exactly three As I mentioned above, I don’t mean
Sharpe House on our very first day. For to suggest that every second of graduate
this alone, I would do the last seven years people, two of whom will only pretend to read it. school is a waking nightmare. It’s not. But
all over again, though on replaying that the way in which academic work expands
particular day, I might not choose the to fill all the time available to it tends to
same shirt that has had her mocking me make one feel guilty even when doing
for years. other things. It’s hard enough to have fun
On the other hand, I don’t think that in the nuclear bunker atmosphere of the
I could, in good conscience, recommend Grad Center Bar without miring oneself
graduate school, especially a doctoral ence rooms and seminars resound with time, this was the model for law and med- in self-condemnation. That’s what Narra-
program, especially in the humanities, to the sound of socially inept people intro- ical students — borrow and scrape now to gansett is for.
another soul. ducing themselves by their subjects. In earn astounding amounts later. Now even Oh, bugger it, what do I care what you
The prevailing culture of graduate one of the most heinous crimes against law schools are telling prospective stu- do with your 20s?
school, if not always the experience it- humor since the last time Dane Cook dents that now is not a good time to ap-
self, is one of misery and deprivation. opened his inexplicably large mouth, I ply. Let me reiterate — lawyers are telling
Most grad students genuinely believe that once heard a political scientist respond to impressionable people not to spend mon- Stephen Wicken GS, a fifth-year doctor-
theirs is a particularly difficult existence. I a colleague’s remark with, “You would say ey they don’t have. It’s serious stuff — and al candidate in the history department,
myself have been guilty of this. My theo- that — you’re a comparativist!” The semi- what’s the deal with airline food? firmly believes that there is such a thing
ry is that this is partly due to the discrep- nar room exploded with laughter, making Most importantly, the academic job as a free lunch but that there are only
ancy between high seriousness and low me drop the free sandwich I was there for. market is a mess of epic proportions. three or four of them out there, some of
stakes. One spends a lot of time racking You want no part of this. Qualified candidates outnumber full- them guarded by political scientists.
Daily Herald Campus News
the Brown Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Students reestablish New fund
historically black frat targets
By Samier Saeed
Contributing Writer
denied a person initiation on the
basis of race or religion, Howland
student
start-ups
said.
Two students have reactivated the Jackson said the fraternity has
Brown chapter of Kappa Alpha a history both on campus and na-
Psi Fraternity, Inc. this year. The tionally. In the 1980s and 1990s,
historically black fraternity was Brown’s race-based fraternities By Hannah LoewenTheil
deactivated in 2003 — when its were heavily involved in campus Contributing Writer
last member graduated — but has life, particularly through the Third
been revived by Raymond Jackson World Center, he said. Innovative students now have access
’12 and Marc Howland ’11. Kappa Alpha Psi was founded in to a new source of funding, as the
Because there were no Kappa 1911 at the University of Indiana, at University continues to increase
Alpha Psi brothers on campus, a time and place when blacks were its entrepreneurial support. The
the pair sought out members of facing significant discrimination. Brown Venture Launch Fund — a
KAPsi at other Providence schools, In the 1930s, the fraternity came collaboration between the Dean of
including Johnson and Wales together with eight other black fra- the College, the Social Innovation
University, who helped them go ternities and sororities to form the Initiative at the Swearer Center for
through the process of receiving National Pan-Hellenic Council. Public Service and the Entrepre-
recognition from the fraternity as Though the context in which Evan Thomas / Herald neurship Program — has received
a chapter. the fraternity now operates is in Unlike other fraternities, Kappa Alpha Psi does not have enough members about six inquiries from students
“Part of our fraternity’s focus is many ways different from the one to fill a dormitory. since its official launch March 7,
achievement, and that’s what at- in which the National Pan-Hellenic according to Alan Harlam, director
tracted both of us to our fraternity,” Council formed, Jackson said the Jewish rate — we do not turn down they’re going to talk to us about of social entrepreneurship.
Jackson said. body is still important to KAPsi’s guys because they aren’t Jewish,” it,” Jackson said. The fund provides students with
Both have personal connections activities. “Our chapter is never said Daniel Rome ’13, a brother of “Quality over quantity,” How- capital to transform their ideas into
to KAPsi — Jackson counts his going to have enough members to the fraternity. Still, the fraternity land added. “Our fraternity will new enterprises. Funding is allo-
father, uncle and several cousins fill a dorm. … If we wanted to do a is based on Jewish values, which stay true to (its) objectives and is cated in three intervals — $1,500,
among fraternity members. How- project, we would do it through the AEPi upholds in part by hosting not going to sacrifice its ideals and $3,500 and $7,500. Students apply
land is from Cleveland, “where National Pan-Hellenic Council,” events such as Hillel’s Purim party, its values to allow people to come for the first level of funding and are
Carl Stokes was the first black which can provide resources be- a Passover Seder and Shabbat din- into the organization who aren’t eligible to receive more money as
mayor of a major U.S. city. … He yond those available to the Brown ners. “As it happens,” Rome said, true to those objectives.” their idea progresses.
almost adopted my sister before chapter, he said. “most of the guys who show up to The brothers of both AEPi and “The Brown Venture Launch
my family did, and he saw himself While current undergradu- rush happen to be Jewish.” KAPsi said choosing a fraternity Fund is like a pipeline providing
as almost a godfather to my sister,” ates may not be familiar with But it is hard to say much about was a personal choice. “I met two students with a platform to take
Howland said. “In the course of my race-based fraternities, the reli- most of the guys who show up for of the founders at Brown, and they the first steps. As the idea grows,
life he has always influenced me, gion-based Wriston Quadrangle KAPsi. At the moment, KAPsi’s started it because they wanted an students need more resources,”
and he’s sort of been another father fixture Alpha Epsilon Pi, a Jewish Brown chapter consists solely of AEPi — they didn’t want to join Harlam said. “As the idea passes
figure to me. And I actually found fraternity, is well-known on cam- Howland and Jackson, and they are Sigma (Chi), they didn’t want to through new gates, if students ac-
out in college that he was a member pus. “AEPi National is funded by not actively advertising or recruit- join (Delta Tau), they wanted a complish the task they set out to
of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.” Jewish philanthropists, and they ing. “If they’ve done their research, Jewish fraternity,” Rome said. “It’s do, (the fund) will support them
Despite the fraternity’s primar- want us to be 100 percent Jewish. and they want to be a part of it, whatever makes you feel comfort- even more.”
ily black membership, it has never But we do not pursue a 100 percent they’re going to come to us and able.” The fund will build on two exist-
ing programs — the Entrepreneur-
ship Program, which holds office
BCA Spring Weekend Electron tracking yields hours to give students advice, and
the Social Innovation Initiative,
ticket policy prize for physics professor which offers boot camps focused on
skill-building workshops. “Nothing
exists in a vacuum. (The fund) is
Spring Weekend tickets will go on end of the day. By Emily Rosen to the point where they become the first step for students to act out
sale the week after spring break Staff Writer large enough to be imaged. As a ideas that have been developed in a
on Brown Marketplace. Weather call result, their individual positions host of ways,” Harlam said.
If weather permits BCA to hold Professor of Physics Humphrey can be recorded. The fund has enough money to
One thousand tickets for the concerts on the Main Green, Maris will receive the 2011 Fritz “Liquid helium is an amazing allot six to eight $1,500 grants, three
each concert will be released additional tickets will go on sale London Memorial Prize at the 26th substance,” said Maris, adding that to four $3,500 grants and one to
to members of the Brown at 1 p.m. April 13. International Conference on Low it is interesting to “understand two $7,500 grants each year, Har-
community each day April 6-8 Temperature Physics for develop- electron bubbles” and how they lam said. But, still in its early stages,
on Brown Marketplace at 8 a.m. Hope and Slater ing a method to track the activ- move through liquid. it is “flexible in the total amount of
There will be an initial limit of one Residents of Hope College and ity of a single electron in liquid Maris and his group first made money that it will provide students.”
ticket per Brown identification. Slater Hall will receive free tickets helium. a video of the motion of a single Without the fund, Harlam said
if the concert is held on the Main The prize, first awarded in electron in 2006. he fears that many great ideas may
Ticket distribution Green. After BCA makes the 1957, is given to scientists who “It’s interesting to be able to vi- never come to fruition and will “sit
Tickets will be distributed using weather call, residents who have have made significant accomplish- sualize something that is so small on shelves collecting dust.”
Brown Concert Agency’s new not bought tickets can request ments in low temperature phys- and yet an important part of mat- “It’s often hard as an entrepre-
electronic ticketing system. free tickets, and residents who ics. Maris will travel to Beijing in ter,” Maris wrote in an email to neur to find out where to go for
Print-at-home tickets will be sent have already bought tickets can August to accept the prize at the The Herald. He said tracking the funding, and when you do find
to the email addresses provided request a refund. conference’s opening ceremonies. motion of electrons could lead to funding sources and the criteria are
in the ticket orders. Emails will “It’s an outstanding award,” said development of a “quantum com- different,” Jason Beckman ’11, co-
not be sent automatically after No tickets will be sold to the James Valles, professor of phys- puter,” which is more powerful president of the Entrepreneurship
purchases, but in batches at the general public. ics and chair of the department, than current computers. Program, wrote in an email to The
adding that Maris is receiving this He is receiving the prize pri- Herald. But the fund is “building a
award for “career achievement in marily for his video of an electron, consistent set and aiming to make
the field.” but he has also conducted notable the information very accessible.”
Maris’s group began studying research in other areas during his Monetary support is just one
the motion of electrons in liquid career at Brown and other insti- goal of the fund. It also provides
helium about 10 years ago. tutions. student entrepreneurs with a com-
Special chemical properties The award brings great vis- munity and a network to discuss
cause electrons in helium to form ibility to the physics department, and develop ideas, Harlam said.
extremely small “electron bubbles,” Valles said. Maris “has been creat- The Social Innovation Initiative
Maris said. When sound pulses ing results that have been turning holds peer critiques, or round table
from an ultrasonic transducer are heads for over 40 years. People discussions, where entrepreneurs
used to create a negative pressure always want to hear him talk,” he
environment, the bubbles expand said. continued on page 5
