Professional Documents
Culture Documents
April 6, 2010 Issue
April 6, 2010 Issue
vol. cxlv, no. 42 | Tuesday, April 6, 2010 | Serving the community daily since 1891
METRO
By Jessica Liss Under Brady’s plan, which will
Contributing Writer go into effect this fall, there will be The commission rejected a pric-
six classes per day, as opposed to the ing agreement between Deepwater
Hope United, a group founded by present system where four 90-minute Wind, the project’s developer, and
Brown students and born out of a classes meet each day on a rotating power distributor National Grid that
Swearer Center Winter Breaks proj- cycle. would have charged more for wind
ect, is working to preserve the cur- In a “Save Hope High School” pe- power than the prevailing cost from
rent schedule and curriculum at Hope tition addressed to Superintendent other sources.
High School. This work is in the face Brady, the signatories asserted that Despite vocal support from Gov.
of changes proposed by the school the change, “will cut student-teacher Donald Carcieri ’65, the commission-
district to return Hope to the prior advising time, teacher-meeting peri- ers voted unanimously against the
system — when Hope was one of the ods, and the arts and tech programs. 20-year power purchase agreement
“worst schools” in the Providence These reforms were essential to the for a demonstrative eight-turbine
area, said Aaron Regunberg ’12, one increased test scores, decreased drop- wind farm three miles off Block Is-
of the group’s founders. out rates and reduced school violence land. The wind farm, which would
Superintendent Tom Brady is Hope High School has achieved since have been completed in 2013, was
planning to replace the current its turnaround in 2005.” lauded by Carcieri as a major step
eight-block schedule instituted in The Providence Journal reported towards developing a clean-energy
2005 when, faced with low achieve- March 26 that while Brady had ac- hub in Rhode Island. In the project’s
ment and safety concerns, Hope knowledged Hope’s improvements second phase, 106 additional tur-
chose to reorganize itself into three and successes in a letter to the Rhode bines would have been added.
small schools and change to a block Island Board of Regents for Elemen- But the commission questioned
schedule. The school dissolved one tary and Secondary Education, he the plan’s economic feasibility. The
Kim Perley / Herald File
of the schools last year due to budget Brown students are petitioning against Hope High School’s proposed
constraints. continued on page 3 schedule change. continued on page 5
inside
sudoku
Daily Herald
the Brown
Brown learns from international partners Brown student group sides with
continued from page 1 cil meeting included the recom- Simmons said. “They need to be
teachers at Hope High School
mendation that the president visit there. They need to not just be
search, especially at the 15 Indian India at least once a year. Other receiving reports.” continued from page 1 inghast said.
Institutes of Technology spread suggestions included establish- Indian universities may be in- The district has a strong focus on
throughout the country. “It’s natu- ing a permanent office in India terested in Brown because many said the school’s approach was too standardization and wants to make
ral if we are working with the top and growing the student exchange are considering introducing a lib- expensive. every school in the city have the
universities, we look at what can program. eral learning component. “We have The 20 to 30 extra teachers re- same schedule and curricula, said
be done in those fields,” Simmons The university partnerships in liabilities in our education system,” quired by the current Hope model Regunberg.
said. India would be “comprehensive,” she said. “They have theirs. One cost a total of approximately $2.5 While Hope teacher Megan
The University has been part- Simmons said. It would allow of the most important things in a million, Brady wrote in the letter, Thoma — who has been notified
nering with liberal arts colleges not only individual students and relationship is to come together according to the Journal. that her job will no longer exist un-
like St. Stephen’s College through faculty to take advantage of new as partners, not as critics.” During the Winter Breaks Project der the new plan — acknowledged
study abroad programs. resources, but facilitate the blend- While Simmons was in India, in January, a group of Brown stu- that consistency would enable stu-
“The potential for scientific col- ing of two types of institutional the countr y passed new legisla- dents exploring urban education in dents to move more easily between
laboration is perhaps obvious, but cultures. “We can benefit from tion mandating education for all Providence met with Hope teach- schools, she expressed concern that
it is worth noting that the huge energy and the advantages that children. Simmons said she was ers to learn about their model, and the changes would compromise the
economic and social transforma- that culture brings to a different excited by efforts to ensure equal to their surprise, heard about the school’s identity and “allow for less
tion that is currently taking place learning setting,” she said. access to education in a society his- changes and teachers’ grievances, arts integration in the curriculum,
in India is of enormous interest to torically filled with inequities, even Regunberg said. which is something we’ve always
researchers in the social sciences Learning from differences if the execution of such efforts is “Here was a situation where prided ourselves on.”
and the humanities,” Vohra wrote In addition to India, Brown not always successful. Scheduling teachers were scared to do anything While the school’s educators have
in an e-mail to The Herald. must nurture connections to China in universities based on caste has because they have a lot to lose and been instrumental in the past years’
“Our aim is primarily academ- and Brazil, Gutmann said. “You long been a controversial issue we have nothing to lose,” Regunberg success, both Regunberg and Till-
ic, but when it comes to research can’t hope to be a leading univer- in Indian politics. “The discourse said. “We were in an ideal situation inghast noted the jobs that will be
collaborations there is no reason sity today if you’re not working only demonstrate how attuned peo- to help and organize.” lost under the reorganization and
to assume that they will always with scholars in these countries,” ple in India are to these enduring “We went right to the Hope stu- teachers’ hesitancy to work against
be with universities,” he wrote. he said. problems,” Simmons said. dents,” he said, and Hope United was the superintendent and support Hope
“Over time, I would expect that A China Advisory Council al- Simmons said she found India formed. United.
the kind of productive research ready exists, and another council a vastly different place since she With 25 core members, the group However, Thoma said, Hope’s
partnerships that develop between in Latin America or Brazil may last visited in the 1970s — changes has held three meetings thus far and teachers “have been extremely vo-
academic researchers and U.S. be formed in the coming years. reflected in the attitudes toward plans to address the School Board in cal up until this point that we don’t
businesses will extend to Indian If each council requires a presi- education. “The notion of compul- the coming weeks, said Hope High support the changes.” She contin-
businesses.” dential visit, “how many advisory sory education — that’s about as School senior Michael Tillinghast. ued, “It goes against what we initially
The University recently hired councils we can sustain is an is- important in advancing society as The group provides opportunities signed on for.”
a number of faculty who work in sue,” Simmons said. anything I can think,” she said. for Hope students to strategize and “It makes it really difficult when
South Asian studies, including Simmons is also “focusing” on India today is not much differ- devise plans to protest the proposed your district isn’t supporting what
Professor of Political Science Africa, and an advisory council in ent from where the United States changes. you know what is best for your stu-
Ashutosh Varshney and Visiting Africa has been considered, but used to be, Simmons said. Her The Brown students have been dents,” Thoma said. “But it is also a
Professor of Theatre Shayoni Mi- establishing a council for a whole older siblings didn’t attend school “providing insight into the school financial issue.”
tra. “We are feeling very positive continent may be more complicat- because they needed to work on board, the meetings, the legalities Ultimately though, even in the
about the group already,” Simmons ed than a country-based council, the farm, while Simmons herself and everything they know,” Tilling- face of challenges, “for the most
said. she said. was able to attend school as one hast said. part, people are very passionate
Though Simmons is person- of the youngest children, she said. Right now, getting parents in- about keeping what we have,” said
A push to partner ally interested and invested in Simply stating that equality is an volved and educated is most impor- Thoma.
The immediate outcome of the the University’s relationship with objective represents changes in tant, according to Regunberg. In speaking about Hope United,
visit may be exchanges that will India, she said she is eager for values, she said. When instituting changes, “the Regunberg said the goal is to involve
bring new faculty to Brown and more members of the commu- “It reflects the movement in school board is looking at the de- all those with a stake in the debate.
allow Brown faculty to teach in nity to take initiative in building society that is sometimes so imper- structive factors: violence, test scores, “We don’t want it to be a Brown-led
India. The University would invite ties. “I’m encouraging faculty and ceptible. I can see that progress,” dropout rates. All of these things they thing, we want it to be a community
departments to nominate potential administrators to travel to India,” she said. use to test a school’s success,” Till- led thing,” he said.
visiting faculty, Simmons said.
The visit has been in the works
for two years, said Simmons, who
designated this academic year the
Year of India. “I wanted people to
know about the ver y strong in-
terest that we have in India,” she
said.
Simmons said she was amazed
that during her visit, people were
discussing the Year of India, a se-
ries of events that she called part
of a longer-term commitment to
Indian studies
“India is a very complex coun-
try, and you can’t do justice to it
in one year,” she said. “This is the
springboard for something much
more enduring.”
Members of the delegation
are still in India holding meet-
ings. News about specific fellow-
ships, exchanges and resources
for research in India could still
be forthcoming, Simmons said.
“The IAC is very anxious for us to
do that. We have to follow up with
something concrete,” she said.
Vohra, an alum of St. Stephen’s,
said a new agreement would al-
low more Brown students to study
abroad in India. A new exchange
will allow a St. Stephen’s student
to enroll at Brown for a one-year
master’s program.
Results from the advisory coun-
Metro
The Brown Daily Herald
“Smoking is a stupid thing to do, but it’s stupid at any age.”
— Steven Brown, executive director of the R.I. ACLU
Hope Street pub evades students Two state senators call for
Locals flock to tavern ions, melted brie, tomato marmalade save a large sidewalk easel that rests
higher tobacco age
and mesclun greens. He wipes his at its front and reads: “Welcome to continued from page 1 “There are a good number of
for burgers and beer face against his right forearm and the IVY — a cool little place with people who would feel inclined to
adds, “And two Dogfish Heads,” be- GREAT FOOD.” The front door mortality statistics we’re looking at.” agree with the measure, but on the
By Roberto Ferdman fore he retreats back to the grill. swings open to the soft buzz of con- Steven Brown, executive director other hand there are very powerful
Contributing Writer Tom has been sweating through versation, the clattering of silverware of the Rhode Island Affiliate of the lobbying groups who are against this,”
his evenings at the Ivy Tavern for and the aroma of a sizzling grill. American Civil Liberties Union, said Perry said. “We’re trying very hard
Chef Tom Crowshaw lets the plates nearly five years now, helping regu- “I was going for a cross between that while smoking is unhealthy, this to work at the budget and our state’s
drop against the counter. “One Silver- lars kick back to platefuls of heart- a gentlemen’s tavern and a place ev- bill does not make sense given the economy right now, but eventually we
burger and one Accidental Purist,” warming food and glassfuls of ice- eryone would want in their neighbor- other legal rights afforded to 18-year- may see this bill’s passage become a
he yells down the length of the bar cold draft beer. But Brown students, hood,” said David Silverberg, owner olds. possibility.”
before grabbing two glasses and fill- he says, have never really been a part and founder of the Ivy Tavern. “Eighteen is the age of majority,” Both Brown and Perry noted that
ing them to the brim. He slides the of the crowd. Inside, sports memorabilia line Brown said. “An 18-year-old is legally smoking is harmful, but each had a
overflowing beers up next to the two the pub’s sponge-painted walls and an adult and can marry, enter into different approach to how it should be
burgers, one classic — loaded with The Experience dimly lit ceilings pour soft light down contracts and serve in the military, handled from a legal perspective.
chili, bacon, mushrooms, onions and Nestled amongst Hope Street’s onto the small tables that surround so he or she should be able to smoke “Smoking is a stupid thing to do,
cheese — and one garden — topped shops and eateries, the Ivy Tavern’s its wooden bar. “It’s the type of setup cigarettes.” but it’s stupid at any age,” Brown
with grilled apples, caramelized on- facade is subdued and unassuming, that makes people feel at home,” Sil- Brown added that this bill is an said.
verberg said. attempt to protect individuals who he Perry said that while consump-
“A lot of the decorations I already believes are old enough to be making tion of alcohol in moderate amounts
had at the time and they really went decisions on their own. can have social benefits — and even
with the homey sports bar theme,” “It is a discrimination against potential health benefits — a cigarette
he said. young adults solely on the basis of represents “an ill wind that blows no
Televisions hang throughout the their age,” Brown said. “It’s a protec- good.”
tavern and customers follow sporting tive measure that refuses to recognize She said that raising the age at
events around New England from that 18-year-olds are adults and should which an individual can obtain tobacco
cramped tables. generally be treated as such.” would simply be one of the most effec-
Silverberg maintains a specials Despite Perry’s claim that research tive ways to discourage young people
section that he changes weekly, validates the bill, she does not believe from smoking.
complementing consistent favor- it will pass this year. She predicted that “These days we’re looking at what
ites like the Cool Breeze — an egg- the influence of special interests and researchers say works, which is keep-
plant sandwich topped with pesto, political pressure to avoid measures ing young people from starting ciga-
sundried tomato salsa and melted that might further depress Rhode rette smoking,” Perry said. “Studies
mozzarella — and the Salmon Sen- Island’s struggling economy would have revealed that the longer a young
prevent the bill from passing in the person is kept from smoking, the less
continued on page 5 near future. likely he or she is to start.”
Page 5 THE BROWN DAILY HERALD Tuesday, April 6, 2010
M etro “People in this town are dialed into the better things.”
— David Silverberg, owner of the Ivy Tavern
l e t t e r to t h e e d i to r
Herald mischaracterized
professors’ lawsuit
To the Editor: ing the position of Dean of the Col-
lege two days later. He had made
We are writing to correct mistak- it clear to Interim President Sheila
en statements in an opinions column Blumstein and Provost Kathr yn
and a news article that The Herald Spoehr that he would not take this
has published (“Shame on Ruth,” post without a commitment to give
Feb. 17; “Faculty stick together in Haviland the job security she had
work and marriage,” March 15) as a tenured associate professor at
about our successful lawsuit to force Stony Brook.
Brown University to honor promises The key letter, instigated by con-
that induced us to accept faculty po- versations we had with Blumstein,
sitions here. drafted by Spoehr’s office, reviewed
The Herald twice erroneously re- by University Counsel Beverly Led-
ported that we “did not sue Brown” better and signed by Dean of the
but merely sought a “legal clarifi- Faculty Mary Fennell, promised that
cation.” However, we were indeed Haviland “shall be renewed for ad-
compelled to sue Brown because ditional five-year terms” unless she
President Ruth Simmons refused to was found to have been guilty of
respect commitments the preceding “demonstrated incompetence, dis- E VA N D o N A H U E A N D E R I K S T AY T O N
administration had made, and we honesty in teaching or research, [or]
received a declaratory judgment substantial and manifest neglect of
from Rhode Island Superior Court duty” that would “be substantially
Judge Allen P. Rubine that orders equivalent to adequate cause for dis- e d i to r i a l
the University to abide by these missal of a tenured faculty member
agreements.
The Herald is repeating an argu-
from the University.”
The judge found that this was a Just say no
ment that Brown made in trying to clear and unambiguous promise that
have our case dismissed. The Uni- Brown violated by twice evaluating Rhode Island faces serious challenges that will require state’s budget certainly needs work, but Palumbo
versity’s lawyers contended that we Haviland for reappointment accord- substantive solutions, but one member of the General should keep his focus on programs that actually
were seeking an “advisory opinion” ing to a different standard (and deny- Assembly has a plan that should go back to the draw- use state dollars.
and that it was not the business of ing her a full five-year renewal after ing board. State Rep. Peter Palumbo, D-Cranston, It’s not just that Palumbo’s proposal won’t gen-
the court to give legal advice. Judge the first review). Brown’s violation of has introduced a bill that would require drug testing erate savings; it may actually drain the state’s cof-
Rubine considered and rejected this this promise gave us no alternative for all adult welfare recipients and their immediate fers even further. The Rhode Island Department of
argument. other than to sue the University. adult family members. Individuals found using illegal Human Services has cited serious concerns about
We agreed to give up our ten- drugs would lose monthly cash benefits. implementation costs, estimating that it would cost
ured faculty positions at SUNY-Stony If Palumbo’s goal is to further stigmatize the wel- between $2.4 million and $7.2 million to test the 8,000
Brook and accept jobs at Brown only Paul Armstrong fare program, this legislation will certainly do the adults in question.
because the University provided Professor of English trick. If his goal is to target poor individuals while leav- Palumbo said he has heard stories about welfare
Beverly Haviland with assurances Dean of the College, ing wealthier beneficiaries of government programs recipients selling their food stamps to fund their
about her reappointment as a non- 2001–2006 like tax credits off the hook, the measure is spot on. drug habits (he admitted that he has heard only
tenured Senior Lecturer that gave But if he is trying to save the state “a lot of money second-hand accounts of such activity, but he told
her security of employment equiva- Beverly Haviland that’s being misused,” as he told the Providence the Providence Journal that he is “convinced that it’s
lent to a tenured faculty member. Senior Lecturer and Visiting Journal last month, the bill is an embarrassment. happening”). Using public support to buy illegal drugs
A letter outlining these terms was Associate Professor For one thing, Palumbo’s proposal is blatantly is clearly reprehensible, and taxpayers and elected
sent to us on Oct. 18, 2000, and Paul Department of American unconstitutional, as it calls for testing all adults on officials alike are right to be concerned about where
Armstrong signed a letter accept- Civilization welfare without probable cause. Michigan passed welfare dollars are going. But if poor drug users lose
a similar law in 1997, and the law was challenged their welfare benefits and still cannot find work, the
shortly thereafter. In 2000, a District Court judge social costs are likely to be exacerbated.
issued a preliminary injunction against the measure, Rhode Island’s poverty rate is hovering above 12
calling it “dangerously at odds with the tenets of our percent, making it the highest in New England. The
t h e b r o w n d a i ly h e r a l d democracy.” And in 2003, the U.S. Court of Appeals state’s unemployment rate is nearly 13 percent —
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Deputy Managing Editors Senior Editors for the Sixth Circuit affirmed the ruling, setting a the third highest in the country. Now is no time to
George Miller Chaz Kelsh Sophia Li Ellen Cushing precedent that remains in place today. threaten welfare benefits for people who need them
Seth Motel
Emmy Liss
Joanna Wohlmuth
As far as savings go, Palumbo might want to take the most. If his bill doesn’t pass this time around,
editorial Business
another look at Rhode Island’s spending on welfare. Palumbo said he will “have to come back another
Anne Speyer Arts & Culture Editor General Managers Office Manager The monthly cash payments to welfare beneficiaries day.” Let’s hope the General Assembly has enough
Suzannah Weiss Arts & Culture Editor Claire Kiely Shawn Reilly come entirely from federal funds. State taxpayers sense to say no both now and in the future.
Brian Mastroianni Features Editor Katie Koh
Hannah Moser Features Editor finance only the administrative costs of the program,
Directors
Brigitta Greene Metro Editor Kelly Wess Sales which probably wouldn’t decrease if payments were Editorials are written by The Herald’s editorial page board.
Ben Schreckinger Metro Editor Matthew Burrows Finance
cut off for a small fraction of welfare recipients. The Send comments to editorials@browndailyherald.com.
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Asst. Sports Editor
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Local Sales
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Graphics & Photos
Trenten Nelson-Rivers Recruiter Sales Due to an editing error, a photo caption accompanying an article in Monday’s Herald (“9.3 percent acceptance rate
Stephen Lichenstein Graphics Editor
Maximilian Barrows Business Operations
Alex Yuly Graphics Editor
Jilyn Chao Business Analytics for 2014,” April 5) incorrectly stated that the University received 31,136 applications for the class of 2014. In fact,
Nick Sinnott-Armstrong Photo Editor
Max Monn Asst. Photo Editor
Danielle Marshak Credit and Collections the University received 30,136 applications, which the article correctly stated. The Herald regrets the error.
Alexander Carrere Special Projects
Jonathan Bateman Sports Photo Editor
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c a l e n da r comics
Today, april 6 tomorrow, april 7 Dot Comic | Eshan Mitra and Brendan Hainline
menu
Sharpe Refectory Verney-Woolley Dining Hall
Fruitopia | Andy Kim
Lunch — Spinach Quiche, Corn Lunch — Shaved Steak Sandwich,
Cobbets, Grilled Caribbean Jerk Vegetable Strudel, Grilled Caribbean
Chicken, Chourico Jerk Chicken
crossword