Posted on 03/12/2007 2:20:58 PM PDT by abb
DURHAM, N.C. — Through the pane of a Gothic window, the office of Duke University President Richard Brodhead looks out over students and faculty strolling across the hub of campus. It's an ordinary collegiate scene — and a far cry from a year ago.
"You couldn't park down here because we had every media van in America, and a student could scarcely go to class without a big furry mike stuck in his face," Brodhead recalls.
The media had descended on the quad following the now infamous off-campus party — on March 13, 2006 — that led to three Duke lacrosse players being charged with rape. Everyone connected with the university, it seemed, was anguished, angry, and under intense scrutiny.
A year later, the TV trucks may be gone but the case lingers. Rape charges against Reade Seligmann, Collin Finnerty and David Evans have been dropped and District Attorney Mike Nifong has removed himself from the case. Special prosecutors, however, are still evaluating charges of kidnapping and sexual offense.
On campus, the lacrosse team is playing again following an extended suspension of competition, and students seem interested in moving on.
A deep rift, however, remains in Duke's faculty, who have spent much of the last year arguing over a raft of sensitive issues including race, sex and elitism at one of the country's leading universities. Those debates have taken place under the scrutiny of outsiders following the case — some producing thoughtful commentary, but others only a flood of hateful e-mails, Internet postings and phone calls.
"I don't think any of us all saw that coming," said Lee Baker, an associate professor of anthropology who as chair of the Arts and Sciences Council, a faculty group, was one of those trying to keep the peace.
"Our syllabi are getting scrutinized. There are a couple Web sites that instruct people to go to ratemyprofessor.com and give negative comments. The white supremacists sites have our names and e-mails. It goes on and on."
As Brodhead works to repair Duke's public image, there is also healing to do closer to home.
"This situation did harm to many, many different parties," Brodhead told the AP in an exclusive interview. "If it has done good to a single one, I don't have much sense of that."
Much of the friction has surrounded an ad that got little notice when it first appeared in the student newspaper last April.
Titled "What Does a Social Disaster Sound Like," the ad was signed by 88 of the approximately 760 non-medical faculty.
It stated: "Regardless of the results of the police investigation, what is apparent every day now is the anger and fear of many students who know themselves to be objects of racism and sexism. ..." Below were 11 quotations from unidentified people about the environment at Duke.
It included: "We go to class with racist classmates, we go to gym with people who are racists."
Organizers said they only wanted to reassure students their voices were being heard.
But the ad became the center of a firestorm. Critics said they didn't object to discussion, but that the ad defamed Duke and that its tone and language presumed the players' guilt.
In mid-December, defense attorneys cited the ad in motions claiming the accused players couldn't get a fair trial in Durham.
"The idea that people would think the faculty of Duke University was prejudiced against its own students was horrifying to me," said Roy Weintraub, one of 18 economics faculty who signed a petition stating "the Group of 88 does not speak for all Duke faculty."
Some faculty who signed the ad later tried to clarify their positions, emphasizing they hadn't meant to imply the students' guilt. But many maintain they weren't wrong to use the case to call attention to important issues.
"There are no circumstances under which people are going to be happy to have the institution criticized for its participation in structural inequality," said Wahneema Lubiano, an associate professor or literature and African and African-American Studies, who has been one of the strongest defenders of the ad. "I don't have any regrets. We were not talking about the case. But to avoid the spotlight would have meant walking around a very large elephant."
Faculty say the ad has been the topic of numerous private conversations, some fruitful and dignified, some angry and petty.
But almost everyone agrees technology made it harder to keep the debate civil.
Blogs closely followed the response of Duke's faculty, often tying them to a broader critique of radical academic politics. Many faculty, including Lubiano, were bombarded with e-mails. Some thoughtfully criticized their positions and even academic work; some were simply racist diatribes.
"Dear (vulgarity)," read one e-mail sent to William Chafe, a respected former dean who had signed the ad. "I doubt that you'll read this because you're too weak and feminine to dare to hear anything critical. I simply want to thank you for your mindless racism and feminism." It closed with an unprintable racist and sexual insult.
For all the concern about hateful speech, there also is worry that silence is the real price of the last year's events.
Several faculty members declined to be interviewed, saying they fear even having their names appear in print would prompt another flood of e-mails.
"I believe the feeding frenzy of the last few months has scarred the intellectual community, largely because of the tone of the e-mails and the insinuations made," Chafe said in an e-mail from Europe, where he is teaching this semester. "There has been little willingness to presume good faith on the part of anyone, or to admit that there could be some justice on all sides of the issue. There is now fear on the part of many faculty to speak out lest they too become targets."
In an extraordinary speech in early January, Provost Peter Lange, the university's chief academic officer, criticized the torrent of abuse from outsiders, but also chided Duke's faculty for the lack of civility and mutual respect they had shown each other.
"In recent months we have lost some of our ability to exercise these qualities in speaking with one another," Lange said. "In the face of this decay some have become strident, harsh or unhearing; others have retreated from the public arena."
That, Lange said, caused him "real sadness at what was, and still is, happening to our community and its ability to reason together about the toughest, most divisive issues."
Opponents of the Group of 88 regret there were personal attacks, but say criticism is warranted. They say some colleagues exploited the players' predicament to advance their radical agendas — and it backfired.
"I think they've behaved like children, frankly," said Steven Baldwin, a chemistry professor, of some of the hard-core supporters of the ad. "They have done themselves a great disservice. The agenda they have — which is clearly focused on racial and gender lines — a lot of people are saying these people are hysterical, and their whole message is diminished."
Brodhead has tried not to be drawn in.
Critics should recognize the ad was published "against the background of the DA speaking with certainty about a rape having taken place," he said. In hindsight, "people spoke in tones that you wouldn't choose at a different point."
But he says he has always emphasized the players' presumption of innocence.
"I've made clear if there are issues here to debate, then let's debate them, but in a context separate from that case and separate from its implications about individuals."
Brodhead acknowledges there have been strains. But he and others say that in countless unpublicized moments — in classes, during office hours, over meals with students — Duke faculty did exactly what teachers should: used current events to talk seriously and respectfully about broader issues.
He also says the case, while taking up much of his time and energy, has not impaired the university. Applications and fundraising are steady. During the last year Duke has introduced a new service learning initiative, debuted global health projects and opened a new science building.
"We have to deal with this situation and we will," he said. "But it's been our job to remember that we have a university here, and after this story is long forgotten, that university is going to go on."
New articles this morning.
Ex-lacrosse coach, reporter team up on book
March 12, 2007 10:05 pm
DURHAM -- Former Duke University lacrosse coach Mike Pressler and Sports Illustrated magazine investigative reporter Don Yaeger are cooperating on a book about the Duke lacrosse sexual-offense and kidnapping case called "It's Not About The Truth."
The book, called "an explosive insider account" of the case by Pocket Books' executive Louise Burke, will be published in June by Pocket Books' Threshold Editions.
Pocket Books and Threshold Editions are imprints of Simon & Schuster.
Pressler resigned as head coach of the Duke men's lacrosse team under pressure after news first broke about the rape allegations -- since dismissed -- against several members of his nationally ranked team.
The publisher said Pressler's book will reveal for the first time what really happened after the off-campus lacrosse party and how a rush to judgment affected the lives of those associated with the incident.
The book reportedly will recount the vilification and ostracization of the team members, Pressler's forced resignation and the subsequent cancellation of the remainder of the team's season and death threats aimed at the players by some of the Durham community.
Mike Pressler spent 16 seasons at Duke, where he compiled a 153-82 record that included three Atlantic Coast Conference championships, 10 NCAA tournament berths and an appearance in the 2005 NCAA title game. Pressler was voted ACC Coach of the Year three times and honored as national Coach of the Year in 2005.
He is now the head coach of the Bryant University men's lacrosse team.
URL for this article: http://www.heraldsun.com/durham/4-828666.cfm
http://www.newsobserver.com/1185/story/552972.html
Published: Mar 13, 2007 12:30 AM
Modified: Mar 13, 2007 05:06 AM
Support was absent, coach says
Krzyzewski is to appear tonight on HBO's 'Costas Now.'
By Anne Blythe, Staff Writer
DURHAM - Mike Krzyzewski, the face of Duke athletics, was virtually silent last spring as the lacrosse case put the school and its athletic teams under scrutiny.
Now, a year after an escort service dancer alleged being gang-raped at a lacrosse team party, the men's basketball coach says the university should have shown more support for the players.
"The one thing that I wish we would have done is just out, publicly say, 'Look, those are our kids. And we're gonna support 'em, because they're still our kids.' That's what I wish we would have done," Krzyzewski told Bob Costas, a sports commentator who has a television show on HBO. "And I'm not sure that we did -- I don't think we did a good job of that."
For months, bloggers and others have criticized Duke, accusing the university of not standing behind the players as the judicial process unfolded.
Since the spring, defense lawyers have poked gaping holes in the prosecution's case against three former lacrosse players -- David Evans, Collin Finnerty and Reade Seligmann. District Attorney Mike Nifong, the prosecutor who led the investigation, has resigned from the case and is in a battle to save his law license.
One segment of "Costas Now," an hour-long sports program that airs tonight at 10, will be a one-on-one interview with Krzyzewski, according to Kris Goddard with HBO Sports media relations. According to excerpts from the transcript, Krzyzewski criticizes Duke professors for their criticisms of big-time sports at the university.
"We had almost 100 professors come out publicly against certain things in athletics," Krzyzewski told Costas, "and I was a little bit shocked at that. But it shows that there's a latent hostility or whatever you want to say towards sports on campus. I thought it was inappropriate, to be quite frank with you."
Krzyzewski voiced similar feelings in June during his first extensive public comments about the impact of the case. He called those who used the occasion to attack athletics "very narrow-minded."
"I don't think there's a latent hostility," said Paula McClain, a political science professor who has questioned the role of big-time sports programs at top-tier research universities. "The questions about athletics are not just related to Duke. I'm sorry Coach K really feels like it's hostility toward athletics and such, because most faculty really appreciate Duke athletics."
The 'Group of 88'
Dozens of Duke professors have been targets of outrage for the past year for signing an advertisement that ran in the student newspaper shortly after the gang-rape allegations. Critics accuse the 88 professors who signed the ad of being too quick to condemn the players. The professors, or Group of 88 as bloggers have nicknamed them, brush aside the criticism, saying they were speaking out about issues of race, sexual violence and social elitism that plague the campus culture, not taking a stand on the guilt or innocence of the players.
President Richard Brodhead has been under fire, too, for not standing up for the players more. In December, as defense lawyers continued their assault on Nifong's case, Brodhead began to publicly criticize the prosecutor.
Krzyzewski, who also bears the title of special assistant to the Duke president, told Costas he did not speak out last spring because Brodhead did not ask him to do so.
"I met with my college president. I told Dick Brodhead, 'If you need me ... you tell me, and then put me in a position where I'm not the basketball coach. But I am that special assistant to you,' " Krzyzewski said. "Dick Brodhead did not bring me in."
(Staff writer Luciana Chavez contributed to this report.)
Staff writer Anne Blythe can be reached at 932-8741 or ablythe@newsobserver.com.
Staff writer Luciana Chavez contributed to this report.
http://www.newsobserver.com/1185/story/552956.html
Saunders: Published: Mar 13, 2007 12:30 AM
Modified: Mar 13, 2007 03:22 AM
Milestone for a millstone
Barry Saunders, Staff Writer
Hello, my name is Ba... CLICK. Uh, hi, I'm calling from The News and...
CLICK.
Even when I was able to get an entire introductory sentence out to whomever answers the phone at escort services, the closest I received to a printable reply was from the lady at University Girls. "We're sorry, sir," she said. "We don't want any."
Me: "Want any what? I'm not selling any..."
CLICK.
With today marking the anniversary of what is now universally known as the Duke lacrosse case, we know that Duke has implemented some changes. The school has not exactly cracked down on students -- nor should it have to, since everyone enrolled there is presumed to be grown -- but it is demanding that they behave.
Associate Dean of Students Stephen Bryan told me this week, for instance, about the student government association's "Don't F*** Up" (their phrase and spelling, not mine) campaign, as well as other efforts to urge students living off campus to be "good citizens."
Students will vote next month on a modified honor code regulating image-sullying behavior.
It's a good bet that, since the defense in the case has put both the accuser and District Attorney Mike Nifong on trial, every prosecutor in America will be more circumspect in pretrial statements the next time an incendiary case comes along.
It's an equally good bet, sadly, that the next time a woman is sexually assaulted, she'll think twice -- and twice more -- before reporting it.
But what about escort services? How have they changed?
Hmmm. What better way to acknowledge a sordid anniversary than calling an escort service and ordering up a couple of strippers.
No, please. Don't thank me.
C'mon, now. Not for real was I ordering exotic dancers or whatever you want to call them. I just wanted to see whether escort services have changed the way they operate.
The infamous party where the incident did or did not take place started March 13 when police said someone representing himself as a Duke baseball player called and requested entertainers for a few buddies.
Again, depending upon whom you believe, March 13 was the day a couple of strippers forced their way into a Bible study meeting at 610 N. Buchanan Blvd. and forced members of the Duke lacrosse team to watch as they gyrated. Or it's the day a stripper who went by the name Precious said three men sexually assaulted her as she tried to dance her way through college.
The emotions evoked by the charges and countercharges have died down, if not died. In the nights leading up to the anniversary, there've been no teary marches, no candlelight vigils, no chanting protesters. There were plenty of each a year ago, when 610 Buchanan was viewed as hallowed ground in the fight against sexual exploitation and racism.
Duke, to its credit, had already begun efforts to rehab its image and the houses it owns in that neighborhood before this incident took place. Or didn't.
We can all rejoice if the relationship between the city and the school can be fixed up.
Too bad the lives -- of three men or one woman, depending upon how you feel -- had to be destroyed for that to happen.
Call Barry at 836-2811 or send him e-mail at barrys@newsobserver.com.
Funny, they didn't mention some of the "hateful speech" by Edwards' former blog manager, whats-her-name.
No, no bias here. Move along.
(This article, BTW, ranks as one of the biggest pieces of terrible journalism produced so far. What dreck.)
* * * ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE HOAX * * *
WHAT!!!!
there was no "good faith" on the part of the 88...they spoke very clearly IMO about the disdain they had for the LAX players.....there was no waiting for the investigation or giving the accused the nod of innocence until proven guilty....
and of course, now, after the 88 are getting a taste of their own medicine, they want to whine like babies about how unfair it all is....
PHOOEY!
I hope and pray that both Duke teams lose in the first round......I hope, I hope, I hope......
You're right!
The vast majority of reporting that I have seen on this case has a Southern, racial undertone. Beware! Racism still exists in the South! Look at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina... Tobacco Road...
What they never seem to mention is that Duke University is a northeast liberal haven in the vast wild and dangerous jungles of the South. If there is any racism at that school, real or imagined, chances are, it's being generated by someone other than natives to the area.
This is not, and never has been, a South v. north issue.
Side note: In the interest of fairness, I'll mention that we have two young women who work in the office, both Durham natives, one single white homebody Momma's girl, one black lesbian. The white girl attended Duke, the black girl went to NC Central. They are close friends however the black girl always makes a point to tell the white girl that Duke was built by the rich white parents so their kids wouldn't have to go to school with black kids.
Racism? Yeah, we have it... In all shapes, shades and forms.
Duke has to heave a hundred or so of their faculty and then move if they want to survive. Nobody in his right mind would send a kid to ANY school within 30 miles of Durham NC at this point.
No surprise here. The AP greatly prefers "civil" (i.e., controlled) debate to the type where ordinary citizens get to participate.
Sadly, there are many liberal families who agree with the mindset of the professors there.
And then there are the scholarships they hand out to families willing to look the other way in the face of enormous college costs.
All of that is before you even get to the question of legal liabilities. Both Duke and the city of Durham NC are looking at potential legal liabilities large enough to shut both of them down.
You got your wish. Duke lost.
Brodhead you lying sack of do-do. You suspended the students, without even taking to them. Now you are backpedllin' but you can't wash your hands.
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