Pulitzer-Prize winner Seymour Hersh discusses foreign policy

Seymour Hersh, who won the 1970 Pulitzer Prize for international reporting after breaking the story of the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War, spoke to a packed audience in Gerrard Hall on Tuesday night about his opinions on current foreign policy and his extensive international reporting experience. MAR 9

GOP aims to limit abortion in NC, 38 years after it became legal

Anti-abortion groups see this as their best opportunity they’ve had in years to pass “right to know” legislation, which they say would encourage women to make more informed decisions, but which abortion rights groups have condemned as inappropriate and misleading. JAN 23

Thorp recommends highest allowable tuition increase

Chancellor Holden Thorp recommended that the maximum allowed tuition increase come before the Board of Trustees today. In making his selection, Thorp cited the difficult economic and political climate as reasons for his decision to pass over at least two other proposals that would have lessened the burden on some students. MAR 12

Tuition to rise at least 5.6 percent

UNC’s tuition policy-making body approved three different increase recommendations Wednesday, each of which would raise undergraduate tuition by at least 5.6 percent, or about $250 for residents and $1,300 for non-residents. MAR 12

Thorp prepares for budget cuts, "tough choices" from new state legislature

Chancellor Holden Thorp said administrators are unsure of how Republicans will form their leadership and craft the state budget, but that the University is preparing for significant cuts from the state — a move that could force the school to consider dramatically raising tuition to private-school levels or reducing services offered. NOV 9

David Price defeats B.J. Lawson in closely-contested election for House

U.S. Rep. David Price, D-N.C., won re-election Tuesday night, defeating Republican challenger B.J. Lawson in a race most expected Price to handily take. Unofficial results report Price won 57 percent to Lawson’s 43 percent. Price declared victory around 10 p.m. at the Brownstone Hotel in Raleigh. NOV 3

Some UNC administrators want to raise faculty salaries from increased tuition revenue

Administrators will consider devoting a portion of revenue generated from the 2011-12 tuition increase to raising salaries for faculty, who haven’t seen increases in several years as a result of financial cutbacks. Salaries of state employees have been frozen by the state since early 2009. Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Bruce Carney has proposed allocating about $2.5 million of the approximately $15 million in tuition revenue toward raising salaries for faculty members on a merit basis. MAR 12

University Day focuses on Innovation

For Chancellor Holden Thorp, the immediate future doesn’t look bright. He has to cut approximately $54 million from UNC’s budget, determine the future of Greek life at the University, rebuild a football team marred by an NCAA investigation and find funding for the delayed Carolina North development. OCT 14

Tuition decision process questioned

Several members called for a new, comprehensive tuition plan that would streamline the process and provide predictability for students in future years — likely through much higher tuition that could more closely align UNC with its peer institutions’ in-state cost of attendance. MAR 10

Budget cuts limit ability to recruit top students

UNC administrators often brag that their newest students are the best and the brightest. MAR 10

Housekeepers present Thorp with grievances

A crowd of about 40 housekeepers, students and local residents marched to South Building on Wednesday to present Chancellor Holden Thorp with a copy of their stated grievances regarding UNC’s treatment of housekeepers and workers on campus. The group outlined its concerns in a grievance report, explaining its opposition to the University’s Wage-Hour policy, which prohibits unauthorized rests by workers. SEP 10

Poll shows tie between candidates for Representative seat

If a new poll is to be believed, the race in North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District just became closer than anyone expected. Republican challenger B.J. Lawson’s campaign released internal polling data Tuesday that puts him in a virtual tie with U.S. Rep. David Price, D-N.C., with only four-tenths of a percentage point between them. SEP 9

Critics call Ross too liberal

Friends and colleagues have used many words to praise UNC-system President-elect Thomas Ross. But this week, the John Pope Civitas Institute used new phrases to describe him and his work — “love child of liberal groups,” “friend to many far-left organizations” and “radical left,” among others. SEP 7

Thomas Ross to lead UNC system

When Thomas Ross took the podium Thursday, the leaders of higher education in North Carolina stood up. They stood to welcome the seventeenth leader of one of the largest university systems in the country. AUG 30

Thomas Ross named UNC-system president

Thomas Ross, president of Davidson College, will be the new UNC-system president at an emergency meeting this morning, former President Bill Friday confirmed Wednesday. Ross will replace outgoing President Erskine Bowles after the Board of Governors approves him today. AUG 27

Thomas Ross may be UNC-system president

Thomas Ross, president of Davidson College, is expected to be named the new UNC-system president at an emergency meeting this morning, former President Bill Friday confirmed Wednesday. Ross will replace outgoing President Erskine Bowles after the Board of Governors approves him today. AUG 27

Ross will be new UNC-system president

Thomas Ross, president of Davidson College, will be named the new UNC-system president by the UNC Board of Governors at an emergency meeting Thursday morning, the (Raleigh) News & Observer is reporting. Ross will replace outgoing President Erskine Bowles, who announced his retirement in February. Ross has been president of Davidson College since August 2007. AUG 26

Search is on for new UNC-system president

A search for the new UNC-system president moved to the next step this month. Although the process is closed to the public, system leaders seem confident that it is on track. AUG 23

Bowles wants no more tuition cuts for UNC

In the last year, UNC-system President Erskine Bowles abolished 935 positions, cut his budget by $294 million and reduced administrative costs by 18 percent.

On Tuesday, he told state legislators he can’t go much further.

“We tried to be good partners, and we didn’t moan and groan,” he said. “And I won’t start now.”

UNC receives $5.5 million to hire young faculty

UNC announced today a $5.5 million gift from the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust and an anonymous donor to support the hiring of young faculty members.

Chancellor Holden Thorp told the Board of Trustees that the gift will allow the University to encourage junior faculty members to pursue academic careers, an important task in a time of economic difficulties.

Glover, Fox to speak at UNC

 When students return from winter break, two famous faces will join them on campus.

Actor Danny Glover and former Mexican president Vicente Fox will deliver lectures on campus in late January.

Want NCAA student tickets for Newark next weekend? Pay up

After the Heels’ big win today against Washington, they will advance to the Sweet 16 next weekend in Newark. Want to head to Newark to cheer on the Tar Heels?After the Heels’ big win today against Washington, they will advance to the Sweet 16 next weekend in Newark.

Want to head to Newark to cheer on the Tar Heels? Student tickets are on sale through TarHeelBlue.com, the official UNC athletic site — but they’re $198 plus service charges for the weekend. MAR 20

Photo of the day: kissing on Polk Place

With gorgeous weather in full swing, two freshmen took to Polk Place to enjoy the day and kiss in front of Gary the Pit Preacher. MAR 17

Link of the day: Harrison Barnes Tumblr

The “Harrison Barnes, Based God” blog is worth a look. Epic photos of Barnes, or The Black Falcon, contrasted with commentary has produced such viral links as the “Ugly girls be quiet, quiet” post.

Perfect way to appreciate the UNC freshman who scored 40 points against Clemson on Saturday. MAR 13

"Pass the Butter" shirts to debut in the Pit

Starting Wednesday, fans can take their love of KButter5 to a new level. Students will be selling T-shirts in the Pit Wednesday celebrating UNC men’s basketball freshman Kendall Marshall.

For $15, students can purchase shirts that display the phrase “Pass the Butter.” Marshall’s nickname — and Twitter handle — reference his ability to smoothly pass the ball. Proceeds will benefit Global Hands.

The students described the shirts on the Facebook event page:

“He led us to victory against the Dookies, he engineered the comeback of comebacks in G-boro, he is Kendall Marshall. To honor our buttery smooth court general, Thrill City’s first release is the colorful, full-front graphic “Pass the Butter” shirts.”

(The group has hinted that Black Falcon T-shirts may be on the way as well…) MAR 14

Caption contest: week of March 14

We’re as upset as you are evil triumphed over good in Sunday’s ACC game between Duke and UNC. When faced with this photo, we could not find words to capture our reactions.

But we trust that you all can summon more eloquence. How would you caption Mike Krzyzewski? MAR 13

Students to honor Carson's legacy at Duke game

Student leaders on campus have organized a tribute to slain Student Body President Eve Carson by purchasing “EVE” buttons for students to wear to the UNC-Duke basketball game on Saturday as a tribute to the basketball-loving student leader who was killed three years ago Saturday.

“Eve was known for her fierce passion for Carolina,” wrote Student Body President Hogan Medlin in an e-mail to student leaders. “I can think of no better place to celebrate Eve than a Carolina/DOOK game…she would be there too, no doubt, front row.” MAR 5

From the archives: DTH in 1959

The daughter of an alum recently dropped off old editions of the Daily Tar Heel to our newsroom. We had fun looking through the old issues to see what we used to look like.

Old issues of the Daily Tar Heel are available for perusal in the Park Library on campus, and UNC Libraries has an online headline search on their website.

We have the full issues here in the newsroom, but took some shots of our favorite details. Most of the papers are from the fall of 1959, when campus was still mostly white and mostly male. Makes us pretty glad to attend UNC in 2011… MAR 14

Happy 80th Birthday, Dean Smith!

In honor of the birthday of legendary men’s basketball coach Dean Smith, Pit Talk has posted a gallery of photos from moments throughout his coaching career. Happy 80th birthday, Coach Smith!

Click through to view the gallery of photos in the right-hand sidebar.

Born in Emporia, Kansas, on February 28, 1931, Smith became the head coach at UNC in 1961, coaching for 36 years and accumulating a then-record 879 wins. He led UNC to two national championships and put the University on the map as a basketball school. MAR 2

Ingram and men's bball endorse Cooper; Ingram and Lee clash on Twitter, Facebook

With only hours left before voting closes on the 2011 student body president campaign, eliminated candidate Rick Ingram has endorsed candidate Mary Cooper over her opponent, Ian Lee, saying he “absolutely” supports her candidacy.

Meanwhile, supporters have taken their frustrations and arguments to Twitter and Facebook, where they debated candidate motivations and encouraged students to vote. FEB 25

Winston Crisp considers Quidditch

Winston Crisp, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, spent Wednesday evening on Polk Place with members of the UNC Quidditch team, asking about their sport.

Senior Dave Matney offered to teach Crisp how to play, but Crisp expressed concern about “running around with a broom.” FEB 24

Happy Birthday, Daily Tar Heel!

Happy birthday to the Daily Tar Heel — we turn 118 years old today! Staffers celebrated by eating cake in the newsroom (it was gone too quickly to take a picture). Per tradition, Editor-in-Chief Sarah Frier took cake to the grave of esteemed DTH alum Charles Kuralt and read him the news of the day. FEB 24

Free Food on campus, Feb. 21-27

All information courtesy the Phree Food Listserv. FEB 23

Senior Chris Carter wins Gates Scholarship

Senior Chris Carter, a Morehead-Cain Scholar from Elkin, has won a Gates Cambridge Scholarship, a merit award covering one to three years of graduate studies at the University of Cambridge in England.

Carter is the first UNC student to win the scholarship since the award was created in 2001, and is one of 30 winners in the United States this year.

The Gates Cambridge Scholarship was created with a $210 million donation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It provides scholarships for 80-100 students worldwide each year to attend Cambridge, based on their demonstrated intellectual ability, leadership and desire to perform community service.

Carter, born and raised in Elkin, is majoring in history and political science. He is writing an honors thesis on public opinion of health care and will present his findings at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress in Washington, D.C., in March. He hopes to get his Ph.D. in political science, focusing on Latin America. FEB 23

Free food on campus, Feb. 14-20

All information courtesy the Phree Food Listserv. FEB 23