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vol. cxlviii, no. 62

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2013

Chafee ’75 will not run for second term Fifteen Analysts predict the Democratic primary will feature the mayor and state treasurer

By SONA MKRTTCHIAN AND ADAM TOOBIN CITY & STATE EDITORS

Gov. Lincoln Chafee ’75 P’14 P’17 will not seek re-election next year, he announced Wednesday. “After talking to my family over the course of the summer, I thought the time was good now to tell Rhode Islanders, ‘You’re going to see Linc Chafee devoting all his time and energy to the issues you care about,’”

CITY & STATE

HERALD FILE PHOTO

Though he began his term as an Independent, Chafee announced in May that he would be joining the Democratic Party.

Chafee said at a press conference in front of the Cranston Department of Motor Vehicles. “You know what it takes to run for office. It’s hugely time consuming.” Chafee announced in May that he was registering with the Democratic Party, which led many to speculate that he would enter a tough three-way primary for the governor’s race, facing Providence Mayor Angel Taveras and General Treasurer Gina Raimondo. He did not rule out a future political contest or indicate any plans for after his current term ends in 2015. Political analysts posited that Chafee switched to the Democratic Party because he believed it would give him a better chance at winning » See CHAFEE, page 4

Providence Police sees 92 percent cut in federal grants The department was forced to scale back on specialized reductions, crime has not increased time last year, he said. programs due to funding cuts between 2010 and 2013 sinceThethisreduction in funds allotted By JILLIAN LANNEY SENIOR STAFF WRITER

The Providence Police Department has seen significant cuts to its federal funding in recent years, with grants decreasing by 92 percent — from $2.9 million in 2010-11 to $243,000 in 2012-2013. The department’s 2014 budget totaled $65.5 million, a $5 million increase over the previous year, but it pales in comparison to the $78 million appropriated for 2007-2008. The current level of funding stands in stark contrast to the $8.6 million Providence Police received in 20042005 and the $7.6 million received

CITY & STATE

in 2008-2009. Reduced funding stifles the creativity and flexibility of the police, said Michael O’Toole, a program administrator in the Office of Providence Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare. Training opportunities and technology and equipment updates, as well as certain community programs, have all seen their budgets dry up, he said. Overtime expenditures have “been slashed,” O’Toole said, but the department has not had to let any officers go. Certain specialized programs like gang intervention and the narcotics unit have been scaled back as the department has been forced to make “strategic” allocation decisions, O’Toole said. Despite these

for overtime significantly affects officers’ abilities to be present in the community and spend time and resources on specialized programs, said Teny Gross, executive director of the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence, a Providence-based group that frequently collaborates with Providence Police. The institute has also seen its federal funds reduced in recent years. “You can’t do more with less,” Gross said, so “we have to pick our battles.” Other cities across the nation have also seen their Department of Justice domestic crime-fighting grants severely reduced. Congress has imposed 43 percent cuts to both DOJ programs — the Justice Assistance Grant and the Community Oriented Policing

Services — which provide grants to cities to help local police forces, according to a 2012 study by the National Criminal Justice Association and the Vera Institute of Justice. With recent national economic growth and an improving economy, Providence Police is “cautiously optimistic” that funding to these programs will be restored, O’Toole said. The department could receive an influx of new funds soon because the state will receive $6,789,619 from the Department of Homeland Security to “enhance public safety and strengthen Rhode Island’s emergency preparedness,” announced Rep. David Cicilline ’83, D-R.I., and Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I., in a press release Aug. 23. The total allocation consists of several different grants from different DHS programs. About $3.5 million » See POLICE, page 4

buildings lose power on first day

Many classes met despite loss of power yesterday after damage to an electrical feeder By ISOBEL HECK SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Twenty-four classes were held without power, and 10 were moved from Sayles Hall to alternate locations between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Wednesday, wrote Marisa Quinn, vice president of public affairs and University relations in an email to The Herald. Fifteen campus buildings lost power due to a damaged electrical feeder Wednesday morning, she wrote. The feeder was damaged during excavation work related to the Building for Environmental Research and Teaching project. Facilities Management staff members contacted professors scheduled to teach in the four affected buildings that were due to hold classes — Sayles, Robinson Hall, Corliss-Brackett House and Rhode Island Hall — and informed them of the problem, she wrote. The power was already out in Sayles when Sonya Gurwitt ’16 arrived to shop FREN 1510A: “Advanced Oral and Written French: Traduction” at 10 a.m. “The professor couldn’t show her things on Canvas, but I felt it worked out fine,” she said. Power returned to 10 of the 15 buildings by 12:30 p.m. Sayles regained power through the use of a temporary generator » See OUTAGE, page 4

Rosh Hashanah poses scheduling issues for first week of classes The U. lengthened shopping period for students, faculty this year because of classes. The University has been accommembers and staff observing the Jewish holiday modating, said Chelsea Feuchs ’14,

inside

Featuring sunshine and post-summer reunions, this year’s first day of classes presented an extra complication beyond the usual challenges of shopping period, as Wednesday evening marked the beginning of the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah. Because of the conflict between the first days of classes and the holiday, which continues until Friday, the University extended the length of shopping period, rescheduled Convocation, provided information about canceled classes and encouraged professors to excuse students

who missed the first days of classes, Dean of the College Katherine Bergeron wrote in a communitywide email Aug. 14. Most students said course selection was foremost on their minds yesterday, with those who celebrate Rosh Hashanah noting additional scheduling problems with religious services and classes. “Friday I’m going to have to be running in and out between (Hillel) and my classes,” said Natasha Freeman ’15, a member of the Hillel Programming Board. “I’m shopping less than I usually do” as a result, she added. Freeman said she thinks there will be fewer people at the services

president of the Student Executive Board for Hillel. Students could be free to shop other classes in lieu of the ones canceled on Friday, she said. Feuchs said that as a senior, she understands “how to take advantage of the full two weeks” of shopping period, but for first-years, the overlap of classes and the holiday “can add a little bit of extra stress.” First-years’ expectations did not always line up with reality on the first day of their first-ever shopping period. “My first class was (CSCI 0170: “Computer Science: An Integrated Introduction”),” said Chris » See FIRST DAY, page 4

BRITTANY COMMUNALE / HERALD

Students file out of Salomon Center after attending one of the first classes of the semester.

No post-

Tax relaxed

Untrustworthy trustee?

Check back next Thursday for Post- Magazine’s first issue of the year

Rhode Island will eliminate the sales tax on wine and liquor by Dec. 1 to ensure that customers buy in-state

Moraff ’14: Charges against Corporation trustee Steven Cohen P’08 P’16 reflect broader concerns

CITY & STATE, 5

COMMENTARY, 7

weather

By GABRIELLE DEE SENIOR STAFF WRITER

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tomorrow

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2 university news calendar TODAY

SEPTEMBER 5

8:30 A.M.

TOMORROW

SEPTEMBER 6

3 P.M. Student Wi-Fi Clinic

Swearer Center Open House

CIT 210 5:30 P.M.

25 George St. 6 P.M.

Gap Year Student Dinner

TWTP Open Mic Night

Faunce 229

List Art 120

menu SHARPE REFECTORY

VERNEY-WOOLLEY

LUNCH Falafel with Pita, Spinach Pie Calzone, Beef Noodle Casserole, Local Ice Cream with Fresh Berries Bar

Sloppy Joe Sandwich, Vegetable Strudel, Vegetable Bean Stew, Chocolate Chip Cookies

DINNER Broccoli Noodle Polonaise, Grilled Citrus Herb Chicken, Baked Potato Bar, Chocolate Espresso Cake

Roast Turkey with Stuffing, Buttermilk Cornbread, Butternut Squash, Chocolate Espresso Cake

sudoku

THE BROWN DAILY HERALD THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2013

U. pilots executive education program The program was designed to help professionals be leaders in evolving health care fields By SOPHIE YAN STAFF WRITER

The University launched its first executive education program last month with the new Executive Master of Health Care Leadership, a course of study focused on innovations and changes in health care. As Brown’s first executive education program, the EMHL comes amid administrators’ plans to consider implementing more such academic initiatives tailored to working professionals who are leaders in their fields. The program is a three-way partnership between the Office of the Provost, the Office of Continuing Education and the School of Public Health, Associate Provost Rod Beresford said, adding that administrators have been working on the program since 2011. “Historically, Brown has not been active in executive education … for adult learners who are learning in their professional sphere,” Beresford said. “There was a new idea a couple years back that (the University) would address that audience.” The EMHL program will prepare students to be “visionary leaders” in the health care sector by teaching them

about the interconnected nature of the industry, according to a 2012 University press release. “Health care is a rapidly changing, rapidly growing sector which is on track to account for one-fifth of our entire GDP by 2021,” said EMHL Executive Director and Adjunct Professor of Health Services, Policy and Practice Judith Bentkover. “Here we have a chance to contribute to real transformations, not only of leaders but also … the new health care system.” Before receiving their degrees, students must complete a 16-month program, which is taught both online and on campus. Since the program is geared toward professionals and executives who are currently employed, administrators designed the course of study so participants can continue to work while studying, according to the press release. The first group of 28 EMHL students includes a variety of professional backgrounds, including health care, law, government, public policy and insurance, with an average of 18.5 years of experience in their respective fields. “The program is gaining traction,” Bentkover said, adding that 96 people have already begun the process of applying for next year’s round of spots in the course of study. Courses in the program include “Health Care Policy: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” “Management and

Marketing for Health Care Transformation” and “Navigating the Regulatory Maze.” Students will complete a capstone project along with their coursework. The program emphasizes group discussions and projects to stress peerto-peer learning, said faculty member Mark Schneider. “A significant part of the program, in addition to having a great faculty, is having an excellent perspective from the executives who are enrolled.” Faculty members will use a common set of case studies in every course, Schneider said. This “case-oriented way of teaching” will ensure all types of students — including health care providers, patients and regulators — will find value in the program, Bentkover said. The program will focus on imparting leadership skills such as team development, ethical decision-making and the appropriate use of technology, Bentkover said. Administrators will continue to pursue and expand executive education initiatives with other departments and the Office of Continuing Education, Beresford said. In the meantime, the EMHL program will continue to grow, Bentkover said, with the next cohort of students admitted into the program likely encompassing an even wider range of geographical and professional backgrounds.

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4 university news » FIRST DAY, from page 1

» POLICE, from page 1

Robotham ’17. “I was five minutes early and expected to get a great seat.” But Robotham was only able to claim a seat on the floor and could not see the professor, he said. Some first-years noted the possibility of discovering a new class. “Because I was free in the morning, I decided to go with a friend to sit in on a class,” said Mary Chetmai ’17. “Now I think I’m going to take it.” Other first-years said the number of courses available to shop could be overwhelming. “It’s a bit stressful because someone has too much to choose from ... (or) because the courses may be full,” said Fredrick Mandela ’17. Shopping period veterans have developed strategies for navigating the first days of classes. “Usually, I have three (classes) that are pretty set, and then I shop for the last one,” said Cesar Guerrero ’16. Students said shopping period offers them the chance to experience their courses firsthand, before committing to them. The ability to attend a class instead of only reading about it is “one of the things I like about being here,” said transfer student Zachary Atkins-Weltman ’15.

will come from the State Homeland Security Program, which is designed to train emergency responders to better handle crisis situations and events of domestic terrorism. The Emergency Management Performance Grant — which will contribute just over $3 million — focuses on emergency preparedness throughout the state. The Port Security Grant Program is rounding off the total grant, contributing almost $200,000 to support transportation-related security. Congress increased funding for these three programs in the budget for fiscal year 2014. O’Toole said he thinks Providence, as the capital city, would receive some of this money, noting that Providence Police has previously received money from the Port Security Grant Program. The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency would be responsible for administering the grants, he said. “We’re constantly looking for funding opportunities out there.”

- With additional reporting by Stephen Ark, Alex Blum, Katherine Lamb and Steven Michael

» OUTAGE, from page 1 around 2 p.m., and full power was due to be restored by Wednesday evening, Quinn wrote. One building of the 15 remained without power as of 3 p.m. Wednesday, with the Medical Research Lab remaining “off-line” at that time, she wrote.

THE BROWN DAILY HERALD THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2013

U. plans to review Code of Conduct Policies involving drugs and alcohol are the most frequently violated aspects of the Code By YVETTE RODRIGUEZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER

University administrators are slated to undergo a standard review the Student Code of Conduct. This comes in the wake of a large increase in code violations over recent years. The review process — which occurs every five years and examines the code’s rules governing students’ academic and social behavior — is expected to begin next spring and will conclude next fall, wrote Vice President for Campus Life and Student Services Margaret Klawunn in an email to The Herald. The total number of code violations nearly doubled from 130 in 2010 to 206 in 2012, with offenses ranging from minor infractions like fire safety violations to more serious ones like physical assault. Data from the 20122013 school year is not yet publicly available. Administrators conducted the most recent review of the code in 2010. Administrators, faculty members and students will comprise the review board. The Student Conduct Board, Peer Community Standards Board and administrative hearing officers will also be able to recommend

changes, according to the Office of Student Life website. The review board’s recommendations will then go to President Christina Paxson, who will likely forward any “substantive recommended changes” to the Corporation for a final vote. The 2010 review process led to a number of changes, including breaking the University’s sexual misconduct policy into two levels of offenses: misconduct involving non-consensual physical contact of a sexual nature, and incidents involving the use of violence. That year’s review also led to a name change of the Non-Academic Disciplinary System to the Code of Student Conduct. Klawunn, who will help lead the review along with Senior Associate Dean for Student Life J. Allen Ward and Associate Dean of Student Life Yolanda Castillo-Appollonio, wrote that the review board will aim to ensure previously enacted changes are functioning smoothly. “This review is comprehensive, not targeted as the last one was,” Klawunn wrote. Any proposed revisions will receive input from various groups on campus, including the Brown University Community Council, the Undergraduate Council of Students and the Graduate Student Council, Klawunn wrote. “The code is a living document that belongs to the Brown community

and, as we did during the last review, we will provide opportunities for input from the community,” CastilloAppollonio wrote in an email to The Herald. The most frequently violated parts of the code involve cases of underage alcohol consumption, disruptive off-campus parties, acts of vandalism and possession and use of drug paraphernalia, as well as other alcoholrelated behavior, according to the Office of Student Life’s most recent annual Community Report, which was issued in 2012. These cases are usually dealt with through a dean’s hearing, the most common medium of addressing violations of the code. Deans’ hearings rose substantially from 87 in the 2010-2011 academic year to 148 in 2011-2012, according to the 2012 Community Report. Violators of the code most often face a formal reprimand, with probation issuances and suspensions occurring less frequently. Administrative hearings and Student Conduct Board Hearings — which review cases of sexual harassment, physical assault and property damage — typically penalize violators with suspensions. Discussions over the review process are already engaging student leaders. UCS President Todd Harris ’14.5 will meet with Klawunn to discuss the process next week, Harris wrote in an email to The Herald.

» CHAFEE, from page 1

of the state’s most popular Democrats. Chafee received some national recognition during the 2012 election, when he was the only non-Democrat to be a featured speaker at the Democratic National Convention. Chafee served as a U.S. senator for Rhode Island between 1999 and 2007 — during which time he was a Republican — before running for governor as an Independent in 2010, winning a closely fought three-way race. His time as governor proved to be more difficult than he imagined, Chafee said. His term has been marked by a drawn-out effort in collaboration with Raimondo to reform the state’s dramatically underfunded pension system. Analysts speculate the Democratic primary will now be a contest between Raimondo and Taveras. The Democratic candidate is expected to face Republican Cranston Mayor Allan Fung and Moderate Kevin Block. Both MacKay and Associate Professor of Political Science Wendy Schiller, who spoke to the Providence Journal, said Chafee dropping out would provide Taveras with a slight advantage over Raimondo. Chafee’s union supporters will likely head to Taveras, Schiller told the Journal, but that shift would by no means guarantee his win. Soon after Chafee made his announcement, Cook Political Report switched its prediction for the Rhode Island governor’s race from “toss up” to “lean Democratic.” The switch reflects the view that even if Chafee could have beaten Taveras and Raimondo to win the Democratic nomination, he would have had the most trouble of the three winning the general election. Fung told WPRO that Chafee’s decision “doesn’t change the calculus as I consider what I might be able to offer to the residents of Rhode Island.”

re-election, as long as he beat out the other Democratic candidates in the primary. As an Independent, Chafee would have faced a general election against a Democrat, a Republican and a Moderate party candidate. But Chafee said his decisions to become a Democrat and not to run for reelection were separate. He added, “Some might argue it’s harder going into a Dem primary … so if it was political I would’ve stayed Independent and been there in the November election.” In switching, he said, he “wanted to find a political home.” Rhode Island political reporter Scott MacKay told R.I. National Public Radio he thinks Chafee was not only worried he would lose the race, but if he ran, would have been uninterested in winning if it meant he had to wage a “very, very negative, witheringly negative, scorched-earth campaign.” Chafee told reporters he believes he would have won the race if he had run and refused to endorse any of the potential candidates. Between his time in the U.S Senate and his election as governor, Chafee was appointed as a distinguished visiting fellow at the Watson Institute for International Studies, where he worked with undergraduate students on foreign policy and public policy projects. Before Chafee announced he would not seek re-election, Maureen Moakley, professor of political science at the University of Rhode Island, said if he were to lose the governor’s race, “as a member of the Democratic Party, he’d be well-positioned to receive some sort of federal appointment,” The Herald previously reported. As governor, Chafee has faced low approval ratings, while the other potential gubernatorial candidates are some

city & state 5

THE BROWN DAILY HERALD THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2013

Federal grant money supports state education initiatives The funds have already been used to support charter school growth and teacher evaluation programs By MAX SCHINDLER STAFF WRITER

Three years after winning a Race to the Top federal education grant, Rhode Island is in its last year of spending the $75 million award. As of August, Rhode Island has used $44.4 million of the grant, said Elliot Krieger, spokesperson for the Rhode Island Department of Education. Half of the grant money was allocated to local school districts, with the remainder going to the state, he added. The remaining funds will be spent by October 2014, Krieger said, though

the department does not plan on using the grant to initiate any new projects with the grant this year. So far, the grant has been used to implement teacher evaluations and establish and expand four local charter schools, Krieger said. “One of the biggest parts of the grant is preparing educators for the Common Core,” he said. The state’s Department of Education has trained and prepared 5,700 teachers for the national standardized curriculum, which takes effect across the state this fall. Much of the Race to the Top grant money has helped alleviate schools’

budgetary shortfalls, said Timothy Ryan, executive director of the Rhode Island Superintendents’ Association and former superintendent in North Providence, a district that has recently undergone budget reductions. “The money was very helpful in providing professional development that teachers needed,” Ryan said. Eighty percent of the educators in his district — 250 teachers — attended the workshops, which the grant funded and that the district could not afford on its own, Ryan said. The Race to the Top funding helped the department implement a new educators evaluation system, which is partially based on test scores and student performance. Krieger said the evaluations were

contentious but are still “very popular with many people.” Lawrence Purtill, president of the National Education Association Rhode Island— the state’s largest teachers union, with 12,000 members — said he disagrees with many aspects of the Race to the Top grant, including its focus on teacher evaluations and charter school expansion. “The fact that charter schools get a million dollars and some other school didn’t ... goes into the whole question of how we fund charter schools and how we fund public education,” Purtill said. The charter school expansion raises a number of issues, including the subsequent weakening of the local public school system, he added.

“The whole issue is private corporations wanting to take over a public school,” Putrill said. “We don’t think schools should be a money-making operation.” At the Paul Cuffee Charter School in Providence, educators used their $250,000 allocation to expand the school to offer 13 grade levels, according to Krieger. Maria Monteiro, an administrator at Paul Cuffee, defended the charter school’s record and its funding sources against teachers unions. “There’s a lot of misinformation about charters,” Monteiro said. “The misperception is that we take the cream of the crop,” she said, but the school is legally compelled to conduct a lottery for admission.

R.I. to eliminate sales tax on wine and liquor The state will raise the excise tax on alcohol, affecting wholesalers and liquor store owners By HANNAH KERMAN STAFF WRITER

Rhode Island will completely eliminate the 7 percent sales tax on wine and spirits Dec. 1, though the state’s sales tax on beer will remain. The change was approved in June when the General Assembly passed the 2014 state budget. Rep. Jan Malik, DBarrington, Warren, who owns a liquor store in the state, was a strong advocate for this shift. The legislation is essential, Malik said in a General Assembly press release, because Rhode Island businesses have been losing revenue to Massachusetts liquor stores for years. In the past, state residents looking to purchase a large amount of alcohol would often go to liquor stores in nearby Massachusetts, where the sales tax is lower, said Howard Mahady, owner of Campus Fine Wines. Mahady said he believes both local stores and customers will benefit from the elimination of this tax. The repeal of the sales tax “levels the playing field a little bit,” he added. “We’re thrilled about it.” But George Darwin, owner of Darwin Liquors on Benefit Street, called the repeal “a complete fiasco.” The elimination of the sales tax has been passed in conjunction with the increase of another tax on alcohol: the excise tax. While the sales tax affects customers, the excise tax falls directly upon wholesellers and storeowners, who then pass on the costs through prices. But Mahady said he believes that the effects of this increase will be outweighed by removal of the sales tax. “A lot of the smaller wholesalers we deal with ate the cost (of the excise tax) themselves,” Mahady said. Mahady said the 7 percent decrease to the sales tax will be significant both for large scale and individual purchases in their store. “You know how we have a 12 percent case discount?” Mahady asked. “Well in December, it’s going to be a 19 percent sales discount.” But Darwin said there is no way his store could benefit from this change. “I lose no revenue to Massachusetts. Our customer base — many of them

DAVID DECKEY / HERALD

The state repealed the sales tax to prevent Rhode Island’s liquor stores from losing business to Massachussets’ lower liquor prices. don’t have cars,” he said, adding that this tax shift will only increase the prices at Darwin Liquors. The large distributors from whom Darwin buys have inflated their prices due to the excise tax, he said. To prevent losses, Darwin said he will have to increase prices at his store for the next few months. “This was supposed to be a good thing, but it’s screwed me over,” Darwin said. The elimination of a sales tax on wine and spirits is also estimated to cost the state $1.2 million in revenue. Mahady said he hopes increased sales at Rhode Island’s liquor stores will strengthen the state’s economy and outweigh the losses in tax revenue, but “it’s going to take time.” The state will reassess the removal of the tax in January 2015 to determine whether it has been beneficial, according to a General Assembly press release.

6 commentary

THE BROWN DAILY HERALD THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2013

EDITORIAL

With new dean, U. must emphasize liberal learning With Dean of the College Katherine Bergeron preparing to leave Brown, the search for her successor prompts a discussion of which priorities the University should emphasize in the coming years. As the strategic planning process unfolds this coming semester and year, we encourage the University to choose a leader who will maintain focus on Brown’s historical strengths: undergraduate education and the liberal arts. Online education, one of Bergeron’s major focuses this past year, exemplifies this need. Though technological advancement may appear inevitable, the University must not lose sight of its fundamental ideals simply to keep up with the times — or even in the name of pioneering new platforms for higher education. Bergeron has emerged as a prominent advocate of using Coursera, a massive open online course program. While we value the opportunity for anyone to learn in the convenient and innovative manner Coursera affords, we hope Brown’s use of the platform does not reach a level where overall academic integrity and legitimacy is compromised by the convenience of widespread accessibility and potential pressures of falling behind other elite universities. If the University is to maintain its focus on enhancing the undergraduate experience, it must form a solid footing on what needs to be kept — or changed — under the new dean. Bergeron’s vocal support for the sciences, despite her background in music, has enhanced the Brown education, and such emphasis should be continued. But recent controversies such as the recently implemented writing requirement illuminate the need for a healthy understanding and appreciation of Brown’s academic philosophy. While the study of writing is certainly vital, its requirement’s very implementation necessarily re-interprets Brown’s esteemed ideals of “chart(ing) the broadest possible intellectual journey” and “directing the course” of our own educations. With careful navigation, the University should continue to align its unique liberal reputation with the rapidly shifting culture and politics of higher education. Despite our unique backgrounds and experiences, Brown students form a coherent community in which open exchange of ideas, visions and arguments form the crux of our overall education. Though we can boast to our friends at other schools about our lack of a core curriculum, it is precisely through the Brown curriculum’s intellectual openness and freedom that we can develop our respective “moral cores”: personal standards and values which we each glean from academic exploration. In the upcoming months, the University will prepare for the inevitable restructuring that will accompany the arrival of the new dean and the unfolding of Paxson’s agenda. Throughout this process, understanding and maintaining Brown’s core principles is essential. Editorials are written by The Herald’s editorial page board: its editor, Rachel Occhiogrosso, and its members, Daniel Jeon, Hannah Loewentheil and Thomas Nath. Send comments to editorials@browndailyherald.com.

A N G E L IA WA N G

CORRECTION An article in Wednesday’s Herald (“U. plans potential Dynamo House renovation,” Sept. 4) incorrectly identified Colin Kane as the former head of the I-195 commission. In fact, Kane is the current chairman of the commission. The Herald regrets the error.

Q U O T E O F T H E D AY

“This was supposed to be a good thing, but it’s screwed me over.” — George Darwin, owner of Darwin Liquors See Alcohol tax, page 5.

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commentary 7

THE BROWN DAILY HERALD THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2013

On the shoulders of giants ARMANI MADISON opinions columnist

None of is are completely responsible for his or her successes thus far. Many people along the way have helped us get where we are today. Several of us had that teacher who went the extra mile or that parent who encouraged and supported us through the years. We may have had those community leaders or older students, family members or friends who took us under their wings, invested themselves in our progress and helped to steer us in the right direction. We all stand on the shoulders of giants. Education is basically the process of passing cumulative knowledge from one generation — and all previous

generations — to the next generation, so its members may use what is known to create new knowledge. This intergenerational sharing of knowledge is often informal. In fact, the most valuable lessons are shared, taught and learned outside of the classroom. Everyone has the potential to be a teacher or a mentor. I would like to challenge you all, as Brown students, to seriously consider mentoring and helping those who could benefit from your perspective and expertise. The need is definitely there. Be generous not only with your money, but with your time, sincerity, knowledge, effort and passion. A Pew Public/Private Ventures study analyzing 959 boys and girls found that those with mentors were, after 18 months, 46 percent less likely to use drugs, 27 percent less likely to use alcohol, 37 percent less likely to

skip class and 53 percent less likely to through a college access and career skip school. A Proctor and Gamble readiness program, was the most enstudy found that young people with lightening of my life. For many, myself mentors were more likely to stay in included, helping others yields a sense school, attend classes, be less disrup- of purpose and satisfaction. tive in class, get better grades and Most of us want to leave a legacy attend college. These studies demon- for others to see, build upon and strate that mentoring has real and sig- draw inspiration from. We express nificant effects on its this desire in many beneficiaries as well “Go the extra mile ways, such as by deas upon those who ciding to have chilfor as many others dren, choosing to be provide their talents. Even on College Hill, a teacher, counselor as you can.” take time to make or adviser, pursuyourself a friend and ing philanthropy mentor some younger students. and forming relationships with othThough I am passionate about in- ers. But when one thinks of legacy, forming, advising and guiding young- one is often inclined to think about er students, I did not have formal ex- something in the future, usually on perience in doing so until this past a grand scale. The truth is that we all summer. This summer, during which can leave a legacy, no matter our ages I was a “mentor” with co-workers to or backgrounds. a group of rising high school seniors We all can and should leave a living

legacy with others. That can range from doing something as simple as sharing helpful or important knowledge with others, to helping run errands or doing favors for those who may be unable, to something as involved as mentoring a younger student over the course of several years. Though we all have different backgrounds and life experiences, we have all had at least one person who went the extra mile. In the spirit of the arrival of the new school year, I would like to ask everyone to go the extra mile for as many others as you can.

Armani Madison ’16 is grateful to those who have helped him to grow over the course of this summer — and over the course of his life. He can be reached at armani_madison@brown.edu.

Corporate criminals DANIEL MORAFF opinions columnist

Steve Cohen P’08 P’16 is many things: Brown trustee, one of the 52 members of the Brown Corporation who run the University, founder and manager of the $10 billion hedge fund SAC Capital Advisors, 35th richest man in America, eccentric art collector. And now add this one to the list: accused enabler of insider trading, subject of a civil action from the Securities and Exchange Commission, with his hedge fund facing criminal charges that could bring the whole thing down. Trouble with the law is nothing new for Cohen. Earlier this year, SAC shelled out over $600 million to settle an insider trading case — in a wild coincidence, this is almost exactly equal to Cohen’s annual salary. But this is the first time the SEC has gone after Cohen himself. It’s a nasty case, accusing Cohen of failing to supervise traders under him and effectively allowing insider trading to take place. At best, he’s been remarkably oblivious to what’s been going on at his own company. At worst, he’s enabled some pretty serious criminal activity. Nevertheless, Cohen will continue to sit on an unaccountable, insiderrun university corporation and make major decisions that affect thousands of students, faculty members and staff members, not to mention the entire city, because accountability doesn’t really exist for these people. SAC has been engaging in highly questionable practices for a long time, and the University has shown no interest in making Cohen answer for them. But it’s not just about Cohen. The Corporation plays host to three

billionaires, or four, if you’re gener- deposition room. The Corporation is ous. There’s Ronald Perelman P’90, controlled by people whose primary the corporate raider who infamously qualification is their ability to make fired his CFO for spending too much a lot of money really, really quickly. time away from work due to aiding This skill has virtually nothing to do his Alzheimer’s-afflicted wife. There’s with running a university. Our misBrian Moynihan ’81 P’14, president sion statement claims that we “serve and CEO of Bank of America, whose the community, the nation and the bank’s often illegal foreclosures and world by discovering, communicathighly questionable mortgage prac- ing and preserving knowledge and tices have wreaked havoc on cities understanding in a spirit of free inacross the country, Providence in- quiry, and by educating and preparing cluded. This summer, multiple former students to discharge the offices of employees came forlife with usefulness ward alleging that and reputation.” “It’s frankly these abuses have Our mission makes bizarre that the continued under no mention — none Moynihan. University is run — of the rapid acAnd then, of umulation of by people who have cwealth. course, there’s CoIt’s frankly in their careers hen. bizarre that Brown An honorUniversity is run by demonstrated able mention goes people who have in virtually no to Tanya Godrej their careers demDubash, scion of interest in anything onstrated virtually the billionaire Gono interest in anya university is drej family, which thing a university is supposed to do.” wields considerable supposed to do. influence in India. Even from a budDubash seems to be the ethics cham- getary or operational perspective, pion among the Corporation’s bil- being very, very rich isn’t really rellionaire contingent. evant — Brown can’t fund itself by, But it’s not just about the billion- for example, buying up businesses, aires, either. firing workers and selling the whole Almost half of the Brown Cor- thing off at a profit — beyond the fact poration comes from the financial that rich people have tons of money industry, from an assortment of and rich friends they can raise money banks, hedge funds and venture from. capital firms. A few years ago, the So whether or not one has a probfinancial industry’s systemic, almost lem with the financial industry itself, kleptomaniac greed took down the it’s hard to make the case that any of economy. And still these people are this makes sense. The various ways running the school. in which Brown fails to support the There’s a finer point here, be- community and the nation — its exyond Cohen’s alleged wrongdoing orbitant tuition, its failure to reach and the massively unethical finan- out to and recruit Providence high cial industry, beyond the fact that the school students, its continued relucCorporation could probably save on tance to provide workers with fair travel by holding their meetings in a wages and benefits, its emphasis on

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big-ticket sciences over the humanities, its massive spending on deluxe housing and athletic facilities — all mirror the fundamental flaws in the composition of the Corporation and its Wall Street values. What’s happening is hardly a secret. The University sells its governance to the highest bidder. It’s not a coincidence that our board has a billionaire percentage over 300,000 times that of the general population. We take on billionaires because they donate millions of dollars to the University. Brown’s governance is effectively parceled out as a thank you. The temptation to sell our souls for all that cash is understandable. But it’s also wrong. What the

Corporation does is too important and affects too many people for it to be filled with financial industry Masters of the Universe. Surely most wealthy alums aren’t so nefarious that they wouldn’t donate without a trusteeship as a prize. The Corporation’s composition should reflect the University’s mission and be determined by students, faculty and staff. There are some excellent, qualified people on the Brown Corporation, but they should be the rule rather than the exception.

Daniel Moraff ’14 can be reached at daniel_moraff@brown.edu.

daily herald THE BROWN

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2013

feature

Summer camp engages teens from countries in conflict Seeds of Peace nonprofit encourages campers to discuss regional conflict resolutions By CHAD SIMON STAFF WRITER

Every summer, about 300 teens between 14 and 16 years old from global regions plagued by conflict arrive on the shores of a secluded Maine lake. For three weeks, these students participate in a camp run by Seeds of Peace, a nonprofit organization which seeks to create lasting peace through open discussions. Brown students have participated in the camp throughout its 20-year history. ‘I haven’t heard of a single program like it’ Started in 1993 during the Oslo Accords between Israel and Palestine, Seeds of Peace initially focused on Middle Eastern countries, wrote Alia Lahlou, Seeds of Peace communications associate, in an email to The Herald. The camp expanded to include South Asia, the Balkans and Cyprus and now focuses on Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Palestine, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States, Lahlou wrote. Acceptance into the summer camp is anything but easy. With a roughly 5 percent acceptance rate, applicants face tough competition. “The application process was really

long, including a written app and two interviews,” said Katherine Pollock ’16, who participated in the camp in 2010. Still, applicants around the world are drawn to the camp. “It’s a unique opportunity to see the other side,” said Sahir Zaveri ’14, who attended the camp with the Pakistani delegation. “Even today, I haven’t heard of a single program like it,” he added. Both Pollock and Zaveri said they did not know exactly what to expect before arriving in Maine. “The whole process of this camp is calculated,” Zaveri said. “It’s not something that you can just go into.” “I didn’t realize how much it would feel like a real camp,” Pollock said. Pollock, who grew up in Chicago, said she wanted to learn about the Middle Eastern and South Asian conflicts discussed at the 2010 camp. “I focused on the political part of it,” she added. Seeds of Peace coordinators facilitated introductions between previous attendees and upcoming participants to give the latter a taste of the camp’s discussions. “You already start getting a vague understanding of the organization, but it’s so alien to what you know, you just know you’re going to go through something you can’t even imagine,” Zaveri said. Breaking barriers The first week of camp is intended to break down social barriers between

the participants. “You get on the bus from the airport, and it’s filled with an entire delegation from another country,” Zaveri said. “In my bus, there were Palestinians singing and playing drums, doing what is natural to them and to their way of socializing at home.” Participants use the time to get “everyone comfortable in the space,” Pollock said. “In the beginning, people are just spewing out facts” supporting their sides of a conflict, she said. “Everyone has to get that out of their system. … Only then, people are able to move on from reiterating history and statistics and begin to talk about issues on a more personal level,” she added. “In the beginning, the discussions were very awkward. … People wanted to say really controversial things, but also hold back,” said Perri Gould ’14, who participated in 2009 and was a camp counselor in 2012 and 2013. After a week and a half, participants engage in daily two-hour dialogue sessions to understand other participants’ regional conflicts and express differing opinions, Pollock said. “It’s very difficult to find someone who is 12 or 13 with very strong political beliefs,” Zaveri said. “You want to find someone who is still impressionable.” Pollock said her political outlook was shaped less by a particular belief than by overall ignorance. “After

hearing people’s stories, you can’t really be ignorant anymore,” she added. Zaveri, on the other hand, went into Seeds of Peace with a strong belief in tolerance, he said. “Tolerance is one of the most important things that is lacking in this world,” Zaveri said. “People are constantly trying to prove their side rather than open up and accept differences,” he said. After a couple of days in discussions, barriers begin to break down and the dialogue “starts moving beyond the historical narrative, and people start sharing their personal experiences,” Pollock said. “I remember hearing some of the stories and how it was just such an emotional moment for me,” she added. The dialogue sessions are designed to be “conflict-centric,” said Zaveri, whose camp discussed conflicts in the Middle East and South Asia. Two or three students from the American delegation are placed into each of the discussions, Zaveri said. American participants often have some form of indirect “exposure to the conflict,” Zaveri said, citing a member of the American delegation who had lived in South Asia. That participant, he said, “brought something really unique to the table.” During the discussions, the “Americans were more observers,” Zaveri said. “They lack the intensity of the experience you have when you’re a part of such a conflict.” “Generally, the Americans who go to camp are often less informed than kids from other delegations because they come from places where the conflict is much less relevant,” said Gould, who attended the camp with the American delegation. ‘Peace’-ing it together Participants said they have felt positive impacts from the camp.

“Seeds of Peace has definitely influenced me more than anything else in my life,” Pollock said. “One of the biggest things that I learned was how to listen to people,” she added. “I learned more about myself, and that’s really something that camp does,” Zaveri said. “Going in, I had some vague ideas, and coming out, I had clarity, and I had a good idea of what I believed in and why I believed it,” he added. The camp also aims to change the way participants approach conflict resolution. “Seeds of Peace is attempting to harness a group of future leaders,” Zaveri said. “It’s not a place to be politically correct. Rather, political correctness may only hold back the discussion.” “It is really easy to look at all of these world conflicts and instantly feel frustrated, but I think because we all went through three weeks in Maine where peace did happen, we know that it is possible on a larger scale,” Pollock said. “Peace and equality at its most basic form can be achieved because we saw it happen.” Personal encounters based around leadership and discussion provide camp participants with the connections and awareness needed to “advance peace,” Lahlou said. But the camp experience is not limited to a single summer, and some campers even return to counsel future delegations. “The counselors (during my camp session) were incredibly inspiring to me and were really good at what I thought created a comfortable experience,” Gould said. “I wanted to give back to current campers the way that I think my counselors helped me.” “A big part of Seeds of Peace is what you do after camp,” Zaveri said. “The camp is too intense of an experience to allow you to go back (home) with similar thoughts.”