Daily Herald the Brown
vol. cxliv, no. 34 | Wednesday, March 11, 2009 | Serving the community daily since 1891
Edwards: ‘Where is America?’ By Ben Schreckinger Senior Staff Writer
Max Monn / Herald
Former Senator John Edwards called on the United States to lead the way in fighting global poverty.
Global poverty “is not an economic issue,” former Senator John Edwards told a full Salomon 101 last night. “It’s a moral issue.” Speaking of the need to confront poverty in the developing world and to protect the environment, Edwards called on the United States to “lead aggressively, not cautiously.” “Who will speak for them? Who will be their voice?” Edwards said of the poor. “They need us. They need you — they need me.” Edwards, who cancelled a fall speaking engagement here after admitting to his involvement in an extramarital affair, titled last night’s lecture “Beautiful America.” The Democratic Party’s vice presidential nominee in 2004, Edwards is known for invoking “the two Americas,” a phrase he used to describe the divide between rich and poor during his bids for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 and 2008.
But last night his focus was global poverty, he said, calling domestic and foreign problems “completely intertwined.” “Over the long term, what happens in the rest of the world has such an enormous impact on what’s happening to us that you can’t really separate the two,” Edwards said. Edwards told the story of a woman who could not afford to heat the home she shared with her four children. He said the woman told her children each day, “Please don’t tell anybody at school about what’s happening here because they will take you away from me.” Still, Edwards said, this deprivation pales in comparison to the absolute poverty found in much of the rest of the world. Edwards, spoke of a visit he made to Delhi. He described finding children on a cracked concrete floor covered in blankets, the air reeking of open sewage. Edwards discovered he had found a school. The children were “bright-eyed” and “talkative,” Edwards said. But “I
walked out of that place asking, ‘Where is America? Where are we?’” Global poverty is also a matter of national interest for the U.S., Edwards said. “What we do cooperatively with the rest of the world — that will decide what happens to us, what happens to the planet.” Edwards said the U.S. should review trade policy, foreign aid and problematic agriculture subsidies in order to address global inequality. He also suggested that European countries might invest in biofuel agriculture in Africa as a means of confronting energy dependence and poverty. After speaking for about 30 minutes, Edwards opened the floor to questions. He said his future plans include “whatever I can do to have the most impact on helping the poor,” whether inside of government or out. When asked about companies’ resistance to environmentally sustainable practices during an economic continued on page 2
Renovated R.I. Hall on track for fall By Anne Simons Senior Staf f Writer
Rhode Island Hall is currently being completely gutted in a project costing the University $12 million. But the interior renovations are scheduled to be completed by this fall, according to Mike McCormick, assistant vice president of planning, design and construction. “We’re trying to get back to the spirit of the original building,” McCormick said, which featured open spaces and lots of natural light. “When you enter into the building, it will be a new atmosphere.” Rhode Island Hall, Brown’s first natural sciences building, was
home to an assortmentof University services, including the Office of International Programs, Psychological Services and the Writing Fellows program, McCormick said. Most of those services have now been consolidated into the newly renovated J. Walter Wilson building. The renovated building will be home to the Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology and the Ancient World, which has been at 70 Waterman St. since the program’s inception in 2004. McCormick called the project a “good combination of facilities needs meeting the academic needs.” It had been recognized as an “underutilized” building, he
said. The renovation process meant “completely scoop the building out,” McCormick said. The building’s interior has been gutted and will be completely redone. After initial demolition, all that was left were stone walls and a high ceiling. It looked “pretty dramatic,” he said. The University is also taking this opportunity to bring the building up to code, install an elevator and more stairs and update the mechanical systems, he said. Over the years, the building had become ver y cluttered and closed off, so the original light continued on page 3
New Rock study space to open in April By Kristina Fazzalaro Contributing Writer
inside
Renovations to the main floor study room of the Rockefeller Library are underway and slated to be done in April, according to University Librarian Harriette Hemmasi. The goal of this renovation — which is part of a broader plan to improve the Rock — is to open up most of the first floor to students. The space previously housed some of the library’s microfilm and microfilm readers. Now, the space will be completely opened
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up and converted into a unstaffed student space. The main priority is to make the space comfortable for students, Hemmasi said. The wall facing College Street has been converted into a wall of windows looking out over downtown Providence. Three small study rooms will line this wall, making the space especially attractive for study groups, Hemmasi said. “We know that the Rock gets a lot of use, and it is important for students to have space to study in which they feel comfortable,” she said.
The space on the main floor has been walled off since before winter break. But with major construction now completed, the library is just awaiting new furniture so that the area can be officially opened. Hemmasi, who oversaw much of the project, said she is open to suggestions on furniture from students. There will be couches, chairs, desks and lamps in the renovated area, but she is willing to make changes based on student input. Hemmasi said she would love to continued on page 3
Jesse Morgan / Herald
Frankie Martinez ’10 stands out as the lone male member of Brown’s cheerleading squad — but that doesn’t bother him.
For Brown cheerleader, it’s gimme a ‘Y’ (chromosome) Additionally, he enjoys the close relationships he’s built with the rest of the team. “It’s good to connect with a lot of Frankie Martinez ’10 is the only man on Brown’s cheerleading squad, but the girls,” he said. bring it on — he doesn’t The team, which mind. cheers from September FEATURE Martinez, a commuthrough mid-March, nity health concentrator from Fresno, practices three a week and cheers for Calif., said he didn’t cheer in high one game a week during the football school but joined Brown’s squad after season and two games a week dura friend encouraged him to. ing the basketball season. The team’s “I just really liked it,” he said. “It continued on page 2 was good people and lots of fun.” By Ellen Cushing Senior Staff Writer
Higher Ed, 5
Sports, 7
Opinions, 11
What’s up, Doc? Doctors and medical administrators took home top salaries in academia.
when bears attack The men’s tennis team won 7-0 and 6-1 in their last two match-ups.
bilking brown Simon Liebling ’12 thinks Brown should prioritize people, not new buildings.
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