Yes, Richard Brodhead is a lying dick.
TalkLeft was discussing an email from Duke - NEWS!! Duke Official: "Considerable Support" Offered to LAX Players:
A Duke parent (not associated with the lacrosse team) sent an e-mail to President Brodhead questioning why the indicted players had not received more support from Duke University. The parent received the following message back from a Duke official:Jason Trumpbour, spokesperson, Friends of Duke University posted a message in response:
"President Brodhead asked me to respond to your email to him about our support for the students and alumnus charged in the case. Let me assure you that we're in regular contact with them and their families and offering considerable support. As you know, for the reasons articulated by the president on numerous occasions, Duke cannot pre-judge the outcome of the case regardless of media accounts."
"We all hopes this ends soon.
I am posting here for the first time because the assertion made by Brodhead’s assistant that the Duke administration has been “in regular contact with them and their families and offering considerable support” is so absolutely outrageous that I believe you should know the facts.
Brodhead and the rest of the administration have had no contact with any of the lacrosse players or their families whatsoever with the following three exceptions:
1. Brodhead talked to Devon Sherwood’s family and apologized for what they were going through. Devon is African American.
2. One of the families of a player who was not charged ran into Brodhead at a reception following the dedication of a facility at Duke Medical Center. Brodhead was very cold and uncaring toward them. One of the trustees joined them and was supportive of the lacrosse players. The trustee asked them how to get lacrosse wristbands and he indicated he wanted to get enough for a lacrosse team at the university where he teaches. As Brodhead watched silently, the family members gave him one of their own wristbands, and he put it on immediately. At this point, apparently, Brodhead walked away.
3. Colin Finnerty’s parents contacted Brodhead to ask for permission to transfer credits from other colleges. Both Colin and Reade Seligmann are taking classes this semester at colleges near their homes. However, Duke will not let them transfer more than two courses so they are unable to keep up with their studies while suspended unless they get permission to transfer more. Colin was supposed to do study abroad this semester, but Duke cancelled that. Brodhead refused to meet with them despite several requests. Finally, the person in charge of the annual giving program told Brodhead that, unless he agreed to see the Finnerties, he would resign. Only then did Brodhead agree to meet them. In the meeting, Brodhead remained intransigent and he and Mrs. Finnerty got into terrible argument. The Finnerties walked out because Brodhead started insulting them.
There has not been a single note, card or other expression of kindness from anyone in the Duke administration to any of the three accused students.
By contrast, I received an e-mail from someone close to Reade Seligmann who told me that, the same day Duke suspended Reade, an Ivy League athletic department official called him to tell him how much they believed in him and wanted him to come to their university and play lacrosse. The people there had recruited him out of high school, two years prior, remembered what a great person he was. They that much confidence in him.
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FYI:
Duke University Tuition & Fees
No college or university can honestly state that an education at the college level is inexpensive. Fees paid by students cover less than half the cost of their instruction and the operation of the university. Income from endowment and contributions from alumni and other concerned individuals meet the balance and assure each student the opportunity to pursue an education of unusually high quality.Academic Year, 2006-2007It should be realized that additional expenses will be incurred which will depend to a large extent upon the tastes and habits of the individual. The average undergraduate student, however, can plan on a budget of approximately $46,207. This budgets represent most student living expenses except for cable, telephone, parking, travel costs, loan fees, and major clothing purchases.
(two semesters)
Tuition
Trinity College $32,845
Engineering $32,845
Residential Fee
Single Room $6,540-7,860
Double Room $4,950-5,950
Triple Room $4,410-5,310
Food (projections include a
meal plan service fee)
100% board plan $4,599
75% board plan $3,959
Books and Supplies $1000
Student Health Fee $524
Student Govt./Duke Union Fee $398
Recreation Fee $196
Residential Program Fee $104