Grim outlook after WikiLeaks

07 Dec 2010, Posted by Chris Taylor in Backpages, Legal Matters, National Politics, 0 Comments

As a prospective public policy/ political science student, I have been following the WikiLeaks story somewhat closely. As the story developed, I wondered along with many Americans the implications of this massive leak for United States diplomacy, the potential effect on journalism and the freedom of press, and the meaning of the striking resemblance between Julian Assange and some James Bond villains.

This Tuesday at the open panel discussion “Out of the Bag–WikiLeaks and US Diplomacy,” three experts in relevant fields discussed their views on these questions and fielded questions from the audience at Rubenstein Hall. Personally, the panel seemed to me to present more questions and conflicts than present answers to questions.

Perhaps that is the nature of an event such as the indiscriminate release of over 250,000 classified documents–there are no real answers, only more questions. Is Assange a hero or a villain? Has he opened government to a new level of transparency and honesty, or has he prevented hundreds of ambassadors from doing their jobs and further harmed already frail American diplomatic relations overseas?

The responses to these questions seemed to vary greatly between each panel member. Ambassador Patrick Duddy presented the event from the side of the United States State Department, and the potential life-threatening danger associated with revealing such classified communications. Former Washington Post editor and current Duke professor Philip Bennett spoke about the situation through the eyes of the mainstream media, who he claims handled the unprecedented story in the best manner, acting as an intermediate between the lengthy and complex communications and the public desiring comprehension. Professor of Public Policy and Political Science Peter Feaver characterized the event as good, bad and ugly for different groups and individuals, pointing out that while the leaks are good for Assange himself as well as scholars interested in understanding US foreign policy, it is bad for the Obama administration and mainstream media outlets and just plain ugly when it comes to deciding what to do in response to these leaks.

Overall, I walked away from the discussion with a grim outlook toward the future. Freedom of information seems to be constantly coming into conflict with maintaining an effective government, and it seems that sooner or later a line must be drawn. The internet is a powerful new resource, and is yet to be fully integrated into the world of politics and journalism. Who knows what the next few years will be bring, what new challenges and issues we will face.

Maybe I should take up engineering.

Slideshow: Duke Commencement 2010

16 May 2010, Posted by Zachary Tracer in Academics, News, Photos, 0 Comments

Thousands of students graduated from Duke University today. Muhammad Yunus was the commencement speaker and David Distenfeld was the student speaker.

Photos by Zachary Tracer/The Chronicle.

Still hanging: Duke waitlists over 3,300 students

14 Apr 2010, Posted by Jessica Lichter in News, 1 Comments

Today, The New York Times featured an article on the increasing number of applicants universities are waitlisting, particularly Duke. This year, Duke waitlisted 3,383 prospective freshmen, 856 more than last year. Of these, Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Christoph Guttentag estimated the University will admit 60 at most—less than two percent.

With such a large volume of work, Guttentag told the New York Times that admissions officers did not prioritize cutting down the waitlist. Instead, many more students are now left in limbo, unsure of their college future.

The extended waitlist seems to be another consequence, at least in large part, of a 30 percent jump in applications the University has received in the last two years. Two weeks ago, The Chronicle reported that Duke’s admissions model is beginning to show signs of strain. This year, the University used an admissions process it designed 20 years ago, far before it had risen to anywhere near its current level of prestige.

Guttentag said this year’s large applicant pool also made decisions at every step of the admissions process less certain—which could explain why the fate of so many high school seniors still remains unclear. With so many qualified applicants, and a limited amount of time to make admissions decisions, it is not all too surprising that Duke is leaving so many on its waitlist. Admissions decisions are tough choices, and postponing them—even though it may frustrate those affected—is one way the University is dealing with its decades-old admissions model.

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To get an insider’s look at the admissions process at Duke, check out the following articles, comprising a 3-part series called Admissions in Depth:

Part I: GETTING IN — Application increase overwhelms review system

Discusses how the dramatic increase in applications has put a strain on the admissions process, particularly in the last couple of years.

Part II: INSTITUTIONAL PRIORITIES — Duke balances competing goals in admissions

Explores how certain goals the University sets for itself influence the admissions process, allowing Duke to consider “special factors” among applicants in addition to traditional merit.

Part III: SOCIOECONOMIC DIVERSITY — Duke draws “rich kids of all colors”

Discovers that socioeconomic diversity at Duke has remained constant in the last 15 years, despite significant increases in racial diversity and a move toward offering generous financial aid packages.

Sophomore vies for Top Model prize

13 Feb 2010, Posted by Andrew Hibbard in Culture, Playground, Television, 1 Comments

The charmingly named blog Homorazzi has posted photos of the contestants for cycle 14 of America’s Next Top Model. Two people with Durham ties will be joining the cast. First, Vogue editor-at-large and Durham native Andre Leon Talley will join Tyra’s panel. Among the 13 model-hopefuls is 19-year-old Kansas-native Simone, who happens to be a degree-seeking Duke sophomore.

Cycle 14 of America’s Next Top Model premieres March 10 on The CW. We’ll be watching.

Hold on to your tents

09 Feb 2010, Posted by Zachary Tracer in News, student life, Tidbits, 1 Comments

Krzyzewskiville residents, batten down the hatches.

The National Weather Service is predicting gusts of up to 55 miles per hour tomorrow and sustained winds of 25 to 35.

The NWS warns that the winds could down trees and power lines and make tall vehicles difficult to handle.

So tenters, make sure your homes are staked down tight. And get ready to hold them down.

For photos and video from the K-ville experience, head over to The Chronicle’s of K-ville.