The Brown Daily Herald M onday, O ctober 29, 2007
Volume CXLII, No. 98
Since 1866, Daily Since 1891
Simmons pleases on Parents Weekend
New campus life leader needs to ‘understand Brown’ By Debbie Lehmann Senior Staff Writer
Anecdotes about the recent birth of her first grandchild, an ill-advised attempt by thieves to use her stolen credit card to purchase goods on Thayer Street and a spontaneous kiss of former Harvard President Lawrence Summers were among the highlights of Simmons’ remarks. Speaking before a packed crowd of parents and a handful
An understanding of Brown’s student culture and leadership skills will be a key criterion in the search for a permanent vice president for campus life and student services, President Ruth Simmons told The Herald on Friday. The Corporation’s campus life committee identified these priorities for the position during its meeting earlier this month, Simmons said, adding that she “certainly agrees with them.” Simmons appointed Russell Carey ’91 MA’06 as interim vice president for campus life and student services in the fall of 2006, when David Greene left the position to become vice president for strategic initiatives at the University of Chicago. As Carey’s two-year term nears its end, the University is beginning a national search for a permanent candidate for the position. Campus life is in an “unusual period,” Simmons said, because many ongoing University initiatives include construction, renovations and other projects that rely heavily on facilities, yet affect campus life. The Office of
continued on page 8
continued on page 10
By ZACHARY CHAPMAN and SCOTT LOWENSTEIN Staf f Writer and Senior Staf f Writer
Whether it was the ubiquitous badges, abundant a capella concerts, an influx of out-of-state license plates, unusually tidy dorms or the hushed mentions of “Al Forno” and “Capital Grille,” the changes on campus this weekend could mean only one thing — the prospect of parental visitors. Almost 4,000 parents and relatives descended on campus for Parents Weekend, representing 47 different states and more than a dozen dif ferent countries including Australia, Turkey and the Philippines, according to Cynthia Schwartz, director of University events. Overcast skies and a constant drizzle characterized much of the weekend. Skies finally broke Sunday morning, revealing a picturesque fall day in Providence and a
Chris Bennett / Herald
The campus was abuzz this weekend as about 4,000 visitors converged on College Hill for Parents Weekend.
campus largely bereft of the usual post-Saturday night detritus. The actual number of people registered for the weekend, 3,911, was a few hundred less than last year — the result of “natural occurrences from year to year,” Schwartz said, adding that some visitors on campus might not have bothered to register. Overall, “the weekend went ver y well,” Schwartz said, citing the variety of events, including
discussions with deans, various performances by student groups and a new program geared toward first-generation college students and their parents. The weekend also featured two speeches the keynote address, given by private equity manager and University trustee Jonathan Nelson ’77 P’07 P’09 and the traditional Sunday morning questionand-answer session with President Ruth Simmons.
r e d so x S W EE P R O C K S
Graduating to the ranks of the uninsured? an option,” he said. Since he will no longer be covered by his parents’ health insurance and will have trouble qualifying for an individual policy, Rastelli’s only feasible opBy Sam Byker tion is to work for a firm that offers Contributing Writer coverage. “I have to treat it as part of my pay,” he added. “I would be Patrick Rastelli ’08 had hoped to willing to accept a lower salary in take a year off after graduating from order to get health benefits.” Brown this spring. But after some Rastelli’s dilemma is one few thought, Rastelli decided to travel Brown students have faced. The last summer instead, and when he University mandates that all 8,025 graduates, he wants to get a job students have health insurance. as quickly as possible. He’s not Most undergraduates are excluseeking prestige sively covered or money, but by their parents’ CHECK-UP rather something plans, while some graduate most college stustudents purdents take for Second in a series on granted: health chase individual the state of health at Brown insurance. coverage. The Rastelli was remaining 3,200 diagnosed with melanoma his are covered by Brown’s Student freshman year of high school. He Health Insurance Plan, or SHIP. underwent a short and successful “Many colleges and universities treatment, but the risk of recur- require health insurance,” Jeanne rence has necessitated follow-up Hebert, director of the University’s visits to the dermatologist ever Office of Insurance and Risk, told since. Insurance companies often The Herald in an e-mail. “If studeny coverage to people with medi- dents are faced with unexpected cal histories like Rastelli’s. medical expenses, they may not be “I just think of actuaries and able to continue their enrollment bean counters being like, ‘Well, in college.” he had cancer at 14, his mother After graduation, students no had cancer, his father had cancer. longer have access to SHIP, and ... The genes aren’t that good,’ ” most are barred from their parents’ he said. policies when they turn 22 or cease If Rastelli’s melanoma recurs to be full-time students. Some, like while he is uninsured, he will have Rastelli, apply for jobs with firms to cover the full costs of treatment continued on page 4 himself. “So that’s absolutely not
Students face health issues without insurance after college
INSIDE:
3
ARTS & CULTURE
www.browndailyherald.com
STORMY WEATHER A host of dance groups showed off their stylish moves at Ashamu Dance Studio on rainy Saturday.
5
Rahul Keerthi / Herald As the Boston Red Sox defeated the Colorado Rockies 4-3 to complete a sweep in the World Series last night, students watched in Josiah’s.
Amazon investment drives Amie Street By Sam Byker Contributing Writer
Just over a year ago, three recent Brown graduates launched Amie Street, an online music store with an innovative business model but a tiny catalog and few users. Now, with a coveted investment from Amazon. com, more than 100,000 songs for sale and 13 employees — eight of them Brown alums — the company is betting it can change the way you buy music. Amie Street, accessible at AmieStreet.com or Amie.st, has drawn users by offering a variety of features
CAMPUS NEWS
Medical Pursuits A new program, in the spirit of the New Curriculum, fosters interdisciplinary studies for med students.
that industry giants don’t have. When a song is first offered on the site, it costs nothing. As more and more users download the song, the price goes up until it reaches Amie Street’s maximum of 98 cents. Social network-
FEATURE ing tools allow users to “friend” one another, and friends’ purchases or recommendations show up on each user’s “news feed.” “The question we always asked ourselves throughout the process is ‘What would get us to buy music?’ ” said company founder Joshua
15
OPINIONS
195 Angell Street, Providence, Rhode Island
Obama’s brilliance Zack Beauchamp ’10 argues Obama has some of the clearest foreign policy of any 2008 contenders.
Boltuch ’06. “We are our target demographic. So what would get us to buy music? And the answer always ended up being ‘Well, if you give me new music, I’m willing to pay for that service.’ ” The company’s top-selling artists include the rock band State Radio, indie pop trio Au Revoir Simone and rapper The Game. State Radio songs that retail for 99 cents on iTunes can be found on Amie Street for as little as 18 cents. The company keeps 30 percent of the sale price of every song, which Boltuch says is comparable to continued on page 7
16 SPORTS
The Quaker Quake Men’s soccer dominated the Quakers this weekend, holding their undefeated Ivy record.
News tips: herald@browndailyherald.com