The Chronicle 78th Year, No. 15 Duke University, Durham, North Carolina Thursday, September 16, 1982 Islamic conflicts spark discussion By David Pratt observation would reveal the The colliding forces of pan- differences." Islamic unity and economic and "There is evidence to suggest sectarian cleavages are leading that the fragmentation may to conflicts in the Arabian- counterbalance or even Islamic world, according to outweigh the unity," he said. Ralph Braibanti, director of the Braibanti outlined four bases Islamic and Arabian Develop­ for fragmentation among ment Studies Program. Muslim countries: the remnants Consolidation of political of Western colonialism; the units "is one of the most economic disparity of wealth significant trends of our time," between oil rich countries and said Braibanti, who also said under-developed, poor nations; PHOTO BY BOB NORTON there is a "baffling" trend to sectarian splits between Shi'ite GUESS WHO?—Cameron had the beat as the Go-Go's and friends came to Duke for "fragmentation of political and Sunni believers; and the first concert of the year. units, which occurs in the different approaches to the cultural realm at the same time Arab-Israeli conflict. as consolidaton takes place in The "vestigial remnant of First meeting today the economic realm." colonialism," Braibanti said, is "The point where these two a phenomenon in which trends meet is the basis for countries absorbed and Council chairman sets priorities international conflict," be said. assimiliated the culture of their Braibanti delivered his hour- former rulers, while Saudi By Foon Rhee for the success of the campaign; A topic of secondary long speech to about 100 people Arabia is the focus of animosity As the 1982-83 Academic it's not just mobilizing the importance, Lewin said, is the in the third leg of the week-long for the poorer Muslim nations. Council gears up for today's faculty." area of faculty information files World Affairs conference Also, he cited Iran as the first meeting of the school year, Another major priority, kept by the University sponsored by the Center for "Shi'ite state par excellence, involvement in the upcoming Lewin said, is faculty input into administration. "The principle International Studies. with the Ayatollah Khomeini Trinity College fund-raising University decisions in is that employees as a general Explaining the variance in responsible for sending campaign ranks as the faculty accordance with new guidelines rule can inspect the files the Islamic nations, ranging from insurrection to the Shi'ite governing group's top priority, agreed upon by the Academic employing organization has on Saudi Arabia, where Islam minority in Saudi Arabia via according to the chairman of Council leadership and them and there is a policy on emerged in the seventh century, the council. University President Terry who has access," he said. "We to Korea, where Islam was "Our very top priority is to Sanford. need a policy like that with recently introduced, Braibanti Although it may seem that find ways to get the faculty "We have to make it work," he regard to faculty files. We have said, "We have, by and large, opposition to Israel may serve involved in the Arts and said. "The first opportunity will to have some opportunity to one billion Muslims living in as a unifying force among Sciences campaign," said Arie be the search for a new provost. correct factual errors and various spatial relations." He Muslim states, this hatred Lewin, Academic Council I expect the president will protect the confidentiality. We cited the theory of the ummah, actually causes fragmentation chairman and professor in the conduct the search in light of expect the new provost will the Islamic community, as a because of the varied opinions Fuqua School of Business. the new procedures. I'm not enunciate a new policy. focus for unity among the on dealing with the problem, he Duke administrators have worried." "It's not a major issue. Small various Islamic nations. said, ranging from the mild termed the campaign essential "It is a structure to avoid things like that need to be put on "They are united by an Saudi Arabian proposal to the to the "heart of the University." administrative actions taken or a proper footing." enormous penumbra, a tissue of radical proposals of the "We don't expect faculty to decisions made without giving "An important thing is to culture which surrounds the Libyans. "The fundamental raise money but the faculty the faculty the opportunity and break down the 'we/they' doctrine of religion," he said. view of Islam is not the could become the best speaker to time frame for input. We're not attitude between faculty and Although most Muslims destruction of Israel; the articulate the purpose of a asking for faculty veto or an the administration. I think one would discount differences fundamental view is that the liberal arts education and the overriding position; we just can do that. We're going to work between various sects, Arabs are being punished for importance of the arts and want to be sure that faculty on it very hard." Braibanti said "the simplest crimes they did not commit." sciences," Lewin said. views get a timely hearing." "It is not just a matter of Another related priority, finding donors," he added. "We Lewin said, is faculty must stress to the donors how participation in various Stanley Kaplan discusses LSATs important their gifts are for University committees. "We By Pamela Woodard grade inflation. "Some schools LSATs are now scored on a education and Duke." have to institute input of the Scores on the Law School hand out 'A's like party favors," scale of 10 to 50. In addition, the faculty on various University Admissions Test rank second he said. LSAT no longer contains a Lewin said it is easier to raise affairs committees," he said. only to grade point average as Out of the 110,000 students mathematics section. funds for the Medical Center or "The committees are designed the most important factors in who take the LSAT each year, Besides the four regular for a building because there is a to be policy recommending getting into law school, said about 25,000 take a Kaplan sections, there are two tangible achievement for the bodies in areas of the greatest Stanley Kaplan, founder of the preparatory course, he said. experimental sections in the donors. Improvements in concern to faculty and Stanley H. Kaplan Educational Students who have completed a LSAT. "If something seems faculty and the general important areas of the Centers. Kaplan course after taking an very strange, it's probably educational atmosphere are not University. Faculty participa­ "Very few schools give LSAT have increased their experimental," Kaplan said. as readily apparent, he said. tion through the committees interviews," said Kaplan, score an average of 100 points, "A donor is less likely to give can be an effective step whose organization runs said the Brooklyn, N.Y. native. Past achievement on the forward." to a university only concerned preparation courses for many Explaining the new format of Scholastic Achievement Test is with survival and retrenchment. standardized tests, including the LSAT, used for the first time not an accurate indicator of A potential donor would be Lewin said other priorities the LSAT. "Most schools are last June, Kaplan said that the success on the LSAT. "You more interested in contributing were for the faculty to "identify quantitative." method of scoring permits less might have been a little pip­ to a university that knows what with the purposes of the Speaking to about 100 pre-law room for random deviation. squeak in high school. I've had it is about and where it is going University in curriculum design students Wednesday, Kaplan "This allows for a less precise students that have scored 300 to . All elements of the and relationships with students said the LSAT is the standard interpretation," he said. In 400 points higher the second University have to be at work and parents." used by law schools to combat place of the 200-800 system, time around," he said. Page Two The Chronicle Thursday, September 16, 1982 Admissions director discusses Duke standards By Michael Kirwan indicating overall improvement in the calibre of the and quality of schools, not breakdown of public and Admissions director Jean Scott is hesitant to claim students. private [schools], but of courses offered and faculty," that high standardized tests scores make this year's Scott attributed this improvement to Duke's she said." freshman class one of Duke's best ever, saying that admission's philosophy, one in which the University When considering an applicant she said her office academic initiative on campus is what makes one wants students "really eager to take advantage of seeks students with "well-roundedness." It does not class better than another. Duke." aim to admit a certain percentage of students "Its a claim I don't like to make. I don't think that it Eager students with combined SATs of 1100 are majoring in any field. However, "We do give some is significant [that the Scholastic Aptitude Test scores better than indifferent students with SATs of 1300, she consideration to students interested in fields that are are higher]," she said. said. "We look at growth potential, willingness to take underdeveloped," she said. "We miss the point" if the admissions office claims tough courses, and take chances ... I like Duke to Racial diversity, Scott said, is a factor "the one class is better than another because the SAT have risk takers." University is actively committed to," as is geographic scores are up a few points, said the former history Besides a student's initiative, the admissions office diversity.