M O N D A Y SEPTEMBER 23, 2002
THE BROWN DAILY HERALD Volume CXXXVII, No. 76
An independent newspaper serving the Brown community since 1891
www.browndailyherald.com
Historical Society honors Simmons, Eustis as ‘History Makers’ The awards, bestowed annually since 1998, are given to individuals who have shaped Rhode Island through the arts, humanities, business, education or government BY ELLEN WERNECKE
Adam Theriault / Herald
PUPPETS HAVE TAKEN OVER THE WORLD Goblins and ghouls were among those in attendance on Thayer Street Saturday for the annual fall street fair, which included live music, entertainment and booths dedicated to the work of local artists.
For Brown’s bands, renovations force hunt for a new home BY BRENT LANG
After 10 years marked by bursts of activity contrasting with periods of idleness and reorganization, the Coalition of Bands at Brown may be out of a practice space by this winter and homeless until 2004. The group, which formed to provide performance and practice space and equipment for bands at Brown and RISD, regained its status as an active campus group last year. COBAB practiced and performed regularly at Faunce House until noise complaints necessitated its move to Russell Lab in T.F. Green Hall. The switch to Russell coincided with the University’s planned renovation of T.F. Green Hall that would have transformed COBAB’s practice area into three soundproof studios that it would share with other Brown groups. “Initially, we were highly supportive and more than willing to share the space,” said COBAB President Matthew Lewkowicz ’03. But when they returned to school this fall, COBAB members said they were dis-
mayed to learn the University might not be able to provide them with alternative practice and performance space for the duration of construction, which will start in January. Russell Lab was originally scheduled for renovations this October, but with construction now slated for January, COBAB will have space through the fall. Beginning Jan. 1, its future becomes uncertain, Lewkowicz said. The group proposed using an unoccupied Brown building for a temporary base and practice area, Lewkowicz said. COBAB Publicity and Events Officer Alexander Provan ’05 said the cost of opening an unoccupied building and turning on the water and electricity could be prohibitively expensive for the University. “As of now they don’t imagine they will be able to provide us with an adequate space since there are so many groups and so little space available,” he said. Dean for Campus Life Margaret
Jablonski said the University is trying to secure storage space for the group in alternative venues, such as the Underground, where COBAB members can perform once construction begins in January. Considering it will probably have to close shop at least temporarily and store its equipment in group members’ basements, COBAB has started to solicit the support of other Brown groups that also need practice space, including Shades of Brown and Brown New Music. COBAB members hope they can pressure the University to open unoccupied buildings for these groups, Lewkowicz said. COBAB is also examining renting space off campus with other groups from Brown. “Our main problem is we make a lot of noise and no one wants to be our neighbor,” Lewkowicz said. Herald staff writer Brent Lang can be reached at blang@browndailyherald.com.
I N S I D E M O N D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 3 , 2 0 0 2 Indigo Girls play to delight of a packed Friday night crowd at the PPAC page 3
‘Wakati,’ the annual black opportunity fair, showcases 26 campus organizations page 3
President Simmons joins Secretary of State Inman to raise funds for hero’s statue page 5
The Rhode Island Historical Society honored three local “History Makers” at the State House Saturday, including President Ruth Simmons and Professor Oskar Eustis of the Department of Theatre, Speech and Dance. A History Maker, according to RIHS, is an “individual of distinction who … has shaped the past or present of Rhode Island in such areas as the arts and humanities, business, education and government.” RIHS’ has hosted the annual Rhode Island History Makers’ Salute event since 1998. Marie Langlois, vice chancellor of the University, presented the award to Simmons, and called her “passionate, outspoken, articulate and extremely focused.” Langlois also highlighted Simmons’ initiatives to implement need-blind admission by 2003 and to expand the faculty by nearly 20 percent. She called Simmons “a leader without a peer.” Simmons spoke candidly about her childhood in Texas, where she said it was very hard to see hope. “Something very remarkable happened to me. I found a teacher that taught me how to imagine a place that was different,” Simmons said. “I accept this award in honor of all of my teachers who helped me, who inspired me, so I could one day turn around and inspire others,” she said. Eustis received a History Maker award for his work as artistic director of the Trinity Repertory Company. Since Eustis took the job in 1994, audiences at the company’s performances have doubled, said award presenter Sarah Dowling. Dowling said Eustis turned down an offer from Yale’s drama school and repertory theater last year to stay in Providence and at Brown. His latest project, a masters degree program jointly run by Brown’s Department of Theatre, Speech and Dance and the Trinity Repertory Company, admitted its first graduate students in acting and directing this fall. Brown plans to grant its first Master of Fine Arts degree in 2005. “My business is telling stories,” Eustis said. “Or, as my mother put it, telling lies to strangers in the dark for money.” He praised RIHS, which celebrated its 180th see MAKERS, page 6
TO D AY ’ S F O R E C A S T Brett Cohen ’03 highlights the best and most interesting of Brown’s hidden treasures column,page 11
With five turnovers, football falls to Towson despite second half comeback sports,page 12
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