daily herald the Brown
vol. cxxii, no. 99
INSIDE
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Big heads
Easter Island caption scores prof second contest win
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Sandy cleanup Local volunteers help with hurricane aftermath in N.Y. Pages 6-7
Election guide Roundup: News, views and contests in R.I. and nation today
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tomorrow
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since 1891
tuesday, november 6, 2012
Poll: Majority have no opinion on Paxson By Sophie Flynn Staff Writer
Most students on campus have no opinion on how President Christina Paxson is handling her job in her first year, according to a Herald poll conducted earlier this semester. Of the students polled, 69.3 percent had no opinion, 17.5 percent somewhat approve, 10.9 percent strongly approve, and 2.3 percent either somewhat disapprove or strongly disapprove. More females than males indicated they approve of how Paxson has been handling her job — 31 percent versus 26 percent, respectively. Four percent of males disapproved of Paxson in some capacity, while less than 1 percent of females did. Most students interviewed said they do not know enough about Paxson to assess her performance. Since Paxson has not yet executed any major initiatives, students’ judgments seem to be based mostly on first impressions. Students cannot judge Paxson at this point in time, said Jonathan Sit ’15. “I
haven’t seen her do much yet,” he said. Kevin Carty ’15, a Herald opinions columnist, said he could not yet pass judgment on Paxson. Though he has a positive view of former president Ruth Simmons, “everything I know about her is retroactive and came over the course of a decade,” he said. Tim Schlenger ’16 said he does not know much about the president beyond some positive comments he heard from others. Paxson is an established face on campus, said Will Adams ’16. “I recognize her when I see her,” he said. Beyond that, he said he has no particular feelings toward her. Paxson is qualified and intellectual as well as popular, said Michael Alim ’12.5. But “compared to Ruth, the enthusiasm is much more muted,” he said. He attributes this neutrality to students feeling that “the president isn’t a primary concern.” Elizabeth Goodspeed ’16, a sophomore in the Brown/Rhode Island School of Design dual degree program, said that she thinks positive opinions toward Simmons arose / / Paxson page 3
Do you approve or disapprove of the way Christina Paxson is handling her job as president of the University?
Strongly approve 10.9%
Somewhat approve 17.5%
No opinion 69.3%
Somewhat disapprove 1.8%
Strongly disapprove 0.5%
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brisa bodell / herald
In a recent Herald poll, the majority of students expressed no opinion of President Christina Paxson’s time in office, with 28.4 percent approving.
After five years, Wing to resign as dean in May R.I. voters can cast ballots on campus By Elizabeth Koh
Senior Staff Writer
Edward Wing, dean of medicine and biological sciences, will step down from his post at the end of the academic year, President Christina Paxson announced in a community-wide email Monday afternoon. Wing plans to return to as a faculty member after taking a sabbatical. Wing brought “admirable leadership and distinguished service to Brown” during his tenure, Paxson wrote, citing his guidance during the Alpert Medical School’s move to the Jewelry District and work in building relationships with the school’s affiliated teaching hospitals. “Ed has been a leader in the University’s remarkable period of progress,” she wrote. “It was his decision that the timing was right,” said Provost Mark Schlissel
P’15. “It was a very natural thing.” Wing, 67, told The Herald that the decision to step down was a “personal” one. “It’s been a very good run here,” he said. “But it’s also a very busy, stressful job.” Wing plans to re-engage with international medicine, “see more patients” and work on writing a textbook when he rejoins the faculty after his sabbatical, he said. “I’ll go back, really, to my roots in a way,” he added. Wing will have served as dean for five years when he steps down at the end of June, capping an administrative career that began with his appointment as the chair of the Department of Medicine in 1998. Wing oversaw a number of devel/ / Wing page 8 opments after
By amy rasmussen city & state editor
COURTESY OF BROWN UNIVERSITY
After a sabbatical, current Dean of Medicine and Biological Sciences Edward Wing will rejoin the faculty, see more patients and work on a textbook.
‘Circle Dance’ sculpture set to arrive on the Walk By Rachel Margolis Contributing Writer
greg jordan-detamore / herald
The 11 stainless steel figures of a sculpture donated to the University will likely adorn the Walk between Waterman and Angell streets.
A sculpture created by artist Tom Friedman will be installed on campus within the next month. The “Circle Dance” sculpture was donated to the University by an anonymous donor and approved as a gift by the Corporation last month. The sculpture will likely be placed on the Walk between Angell and Waterman streets, according to Dick Spies, interim senior vice president for University advancement. “It was felt to be a great opportunity for public art to be on our campus,” Spies said. The Corporation’s Sub-Committee on Public Art enthusiastically accepted the gift, Spies said. Over the subsequent few weeks and months, “Circle Dance” went through a standard approval process required for all substantial gifts to the University. The Corporation will
generally not turn away a gift unless it is deemed inappropriate or not up to the University’s standards — for example, Spies said, “if it’s going to blow away the first time we have a hurricane.” Spies said the donor’s reason for providing the gift matched the intentions expressed by the David Finn family in 1974 when they donated “Bridge-Prop,” the sculpture by Henry Moore that currently adorns the Main Green. “They expressed hope that there would be many more” additions of public art, Spies said. “Circle Dance” is currently on display at the Stephen Friedman Gallery in London. Last year, the circle of 11 lifesized stainless steel figures — an increase in size from the original model, which the artist shaped out of foil oven roasting trays — also performed its never-ending dance at Frieze Art Fair in Regent’s Park in London. “The / / Sculpture page 4
All U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years of age are eligible to cast their vote for the president of the United States in today’s general election. Salomon Center is the most convenient polling location for undergraduates registered with their campus addresses. Most Rhode Island polling places open at 7 a.m., and all of them will close their doors at 8 p.m. to begin the tabulation process. Those in line by 8 p.m. will still be allowed to vote. Ocean State voters must have registered by Oct. 7 to help decide the races for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives and local congressional races. Unregistered voters may still cast their votes in the presidential and vice presidential races by registering at the appropriate City or Town Hall today. Students may complete this process at Salomon Center. For the first time, voters will be asked for a valid, unexpired ID before they are allowed to cast their vote. Photo IDs will not be required until 2014. To view sample ballots, polling locations and a list of acceptable voter ID documentation, visit www.elections. state.ri.us. But forgetful voters will still be allowed to participate even without acceptable ID. If the signature on their standard pro/ / Voting page 2