University to create center for natural disaster study
UNC will receive a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to engage in research about natural disasters.
The University will pair with other schools government agencies and industries to study natural disasters in coastal areas.
The money will be used to create a Center of Excellence for the Study of Natural Disasters Coastal Infrastructure and Emergency Management.
The grant will provide UNC researchers with at least $2.5 million a year for the next six years. This amount could increase as research develops.
Undersecretary Jay Cohen of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security U.S. Rep. David Price and Chancellor Holden Thorp will announce the grant at a press conference at 2 p.m. today at the Carolina Inn.
Ramadan a month-long Muslim fast begins today
Today is the first day of the month of Ramadan during which Muslims fast from sunrise until sunset. The daily fasting lasts until Sept. 30.
The Muslim Students Association will hold its first Iftar - a communal evening meal for breaking the daily fast - at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday in Student Union 3415 and a second at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Student Union 3206.
Muslims commemorate the month because it was during this time that the first verses of the Quran were revealed.
The fast not only includes refraining from food but also sins like lying cheating and swearing.
MSA also offers a space for daily prayer in room 3205 from noon to 5 p.m.
See Thursday's DTH for more coverage of Ramadan and MSA's commemoration.
