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(11/04/08 5:00am)
Young voters have bucked historical trends this year, making themselves an undeniable presence in an election that could hinge on turning out previously disengaged voters.We're going to make history as a country this year" whatever party wins and so I think young people have been excited about the possibility of participating in history" said UNC journalism professor Ferrel Guillory.Since January 2008, 90,000 young adults registered to vote in North Carolina, a 16 percent increase in less than a year and the largest gain of any age group.The conventional wisdom is that younger votes are disproportionately inactive in politics" but what's happening this year is that this model is outdated" said Paul Cox, presidential candidate Barack Obama's N.C. communications director.On college campuses, students have turned out for early voting, registered new voters, helped steer grassroots movements, campaigned for their candidates and utilized new media.UNC Young Democrats alone have registered about 9,000 voters this past year, a mix of residence changes and new voters.Our generation realizes that we really have arguably the most at stake in this election" I really believe that" said Vivek Chilukuri, co-president of UNC Young Democrats.Nationwide Gallup polls of the 18 to 29 age bracket conducted Oct. 27 to Nov. 2 reflected a Democratic advantage this year — 63 percent of those voters said they prefer Obama.Students have been moved to action. They've been given a candidate who advocates" who is on their side on these issues — a new face and new leadership for their generation" Chilukuri said.Polls of students in North Carolina and at UNC specifically bear that out — 62 percent statewide said they were voting for Obama. At UNC, that same poll showed Obama favored even more — 67 percent to McCain's 23 percent.I think Obama especially has created a connection with a lot of voters. He's done what MTV has failed to do" said first-year Greg Becker. He's made it hip to go vote" the cool thing to do.""With polls showing the candidates neck-and-neck in North Carolina on the eve of Election Day and 18- to 25-year-olds representing 11 percent of the state's electorate" a hard break among youth voters for one candidate could decide the state's 15 electoral votes.Almost half of young voters nationwide define themselves as independents making them a key target for both campaigns according to a study of youth voters by Harvard University's Institute of Politics.Obama might have success with young voters because he represents a potential transfer of leadership from an older generation to a younger generation Guillory said.Both candidates have attempted to make inroads into this demographic especially through the use of new media. They have used e-mail" blogs and social networking sites to rally supporters and coordinate grassroots action.""You don't go to young people with direct mail and calls" you go to young people where they are which is online" said Jon Gould, a junior at Harvard involved with the university's youth voter study.Obama has been a step ahead technologically, Gould said, citing his text message campaign that allows voters to register to receive messages from the campaign.The pressing issues of this campaign have also grabbed young voters' attention.Regardless of political affiliation, 53 percent identified the economy as their primary concern, up from just 5 percent one year ago, the Harvard study found. We're the ones graduating soon and entering the workforce"" said junior Griffin Kenemer. It's true that we're the next generation and we want to be involved with what happens.""The nation is perennially expecting the youth vote that doesn't materialize" said Brent Woodcox" communications director for the N.C. Republican Party. But in an election that has engaged the whole population youth voters are no exception. ""They want to know what kind of country they can be in and what kind of state they're going to be in down the road.""Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.
(04/15/08 4:00am)
The one-year anniversary of the shootings at Virginia Tech is sparking student action at UNC and across the country in the form of lie-in protests.
At noon Wednesday, the N.C. chapters of Million Mom March will ask students to call for "more sensible" gun laws by lying down near Gardner Hall in Polk Place.
The 75-chapter organization speaks out against gun violence.
Any student that lies down in Wednesday's protest represents one person killed by a gun in the U.S. So far, 80 lie-ins in 33 states have been organized this year.
"We are not against hunters, guns for private protection or collectors of guns," states the group's Web site, protesteasyguns.com. "We are for background checks for gun purchases and keeping guns out of the hands of criminals, dangerous individuals and people not capable of handling a gun responsibly."
According to the National Education Association Health Information Network, the U.S. has greater gun safety problems than any other country.
Children and teenagers in the U.S. are 16 times more likely to be murdered with a gun and 11 times more likely to commit suicide with a gun than children and teens in 25 other industrialized countries combined.
"I think that gun violence on college campuses is worrisome because when you come to a university it's like your new home ... and when you have all these scary things going on it's not very reassuring," said Leslie Gordon, a freshman who supports the protest.
Although several colleges are participating, there are some students with broader viewpoints.
Senior Ryan Jenkins, for instance, is a member of the Tar Heel Rifle and Pistol Club, and he said he believes in greater gun control but not a ban.
According to Americans for Gun Safety, 20 of the 22 U.S. gun laws are not enforced, and only 2 percent of federal gun crimes were actually prosecuted from 2000 to 2002, according to U.S. Department of Justice data.
To call national attention to statistics such as these, there will be a lie-in at the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., after which participants will march to the U.S. Capitol Grounds.
This year, citizens from Maine to Texas have pledged to participate.
At UNC, students are invited to join the lie-in as a tribute to Eve Carson, though that is not the focus of the event.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/28/08 5:00am)
When Robert B. House became the University's first chancellor in 1945, he paved the way for a group of people who would help shape UNC into a renowned institution for higher education.
That group of chancellors, including House, consisted of nine white males.
Since its formation, the chancellor search committee has made it a goal to stay open-minded about candidates, said Nelson Schwab, chairman of the committee.
(02/28/08 5:00am)
When Robert B. House became the University's first chancellor in 1945 he paved the way for a group of people who would help shape UNC into a renowned institution for higher education.That group of chancellors including House consisted of nine white males.Since its formation the chancellor search committee has made it a goal to stay open-minded about candidates said Nelson Schwab chairman of the committee.But before the current chancellor search committee began to tackle diversity in regard to candidates for the chancellorship it tried to achieve diversity within itself" Schwab said.""We just tried to find people in the various areas of the University who had good reputations" and we asked different people for suggestions he said. There are not quotas or rules" but it's more common sense that you would want differing opinions and backgrounds included.""Of the 21 members who make up the committee that was chosen in September" three minorities are represented. When combined women blacks and Asians make up 33 percent of the committee. There are six women" three blacks and one Asian on the committee.""We're looking for the best people we can find" regardless of gender or race or background Schwab said.But like the search committee we also look for people representing a wide range of backgrounds and points of view and so we're careful and thoughtful to make sure we have both gender" race and ethnic backgrounds in the pool.""Of the 10 institutions the Board of Trustees lists as UNC's peers" only the University of Michigan at Ann Harbor has a minority leader" Mary Sue Coleman.Members of campus groups and organizations at UNC said they believe considering minority candidates is vital.""We wanted to make sure that our organization went on record that the search committee make extra effort to consider woman and minority candidates"" said Rhonda Gibson, journalism professor and president of the Association for Women Faculty and Professionals.But Shanika Paylor, executive assistant of the Black Student Movement, said she is concerned that the largest group on campus is the one getting the least representation in the search - students.I wouldn't say the committee has a poor idea of what BSM has in mind but that it may not have a good idea of what students have in mind"" she said. I think there should be more than a document to represent what the student body is looking for.""Beneath the suggestions"" another factor continues to creep into the minds of students and faculty - the closed nature of the search. Few will know who the chancellor is before the person takes the position.""I completely disagree with the fact that the search is closed" Gibson said. But I understand why they have chosen to do this" and I think the reason they have chosen to do it is in the best interests of the University.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.ATTEND THE MEETINGTime: 1 p.m. todayLocation: Morehead Building Info: www.unc.edu/chan/search
(02/15/08 5:00am)
A 26-year-old woman was transported to N.C. Memorial Hospital on Wednesday night after a possible suicide attempt, Department of Public Safety Lt. Steve Thornton said.
A maintenance worker found the woman lying face-down and unconscious near the elevators of the fourth level of the Dogwood parking deck, located on Manning Drive, a University police report stated.
University police arrived on the scene at 11:22 p.m., and the woman was conscious when transported to the hospital by Orange County EMS, Thornton said.
Randy Young, spokesman for the Department of Public Safety, said that the incident now is listed as an EMS assist and that a suicide attempt cannot be confirmed.
Young said the incident is currently under investigation.
N.C. Memorial Hospital officials said the woman requested that no information be released about her condition.
DPS employs 85 security guards and about 50 officers, who take shifts on guard at the decks.
In November 2007, a 47-year-old woman with no known ties to UNC jumped to her death from the Cardinal parking deck, adjacent to Dogwood parking deck.
In that case, a security guard on patrol saw the woman on the fifth-floor ledge of the parking deck and radioed public safety. His efforts to talk her out of jumping were unsuccessful, and she jumped shortly after University police arrived on the scene.
The victim was pronounced dead from internal injuries after being taken to UNC Hospitals.
Young said updates on the current investigation will be available during the next few days.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(01/16/08 5:00am)
Despite strong winds and nearly freezing temperatures, the members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. gathered together in the Pit on Tuesday to celebrate the women who began the nation's first black sorority 100 years ago.
"This day is like bliss - just being part of an organization that is so significant," said Latoya Cherry, a professional student who was a member as an undergraduate.
"There have not been many organizations that have been around since 1908, and being able to share that with other people that are a part of it is really special."
(10/31/07 4:00am)
Students voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to allow themselves to have more say in student fee increases.
There were 1,927 votes cast, with 1,585 students, or about 82 percent, voting to support an amendment to the Student Constitution.
The amendment requires a majority of students to approve increases for four fees: student activity, Student Legal Services, Undergraduate Teaching Award and APPLES fees.
Students could not vote previously on these fees.
"I think that, for one, it shows that the student body is ready and willing to take on more responsibility," Congress Speaker Tyler Younts said. "I think students realize that it's going to be a good way to hold the officials accountable."
The amendment also struck the Student Recreation Center fee from the constitution because the fee no longer exists.
Students now must vote on fee increases for eight fees.
At least 2.5 percent of the student body needed to vote on the referendum, and about 7 percent cast their votes on the issue.
Officials from UNC's Board of Elections said this year's voting turnout was lower than last year's election.
Some students who voted said they thought the issue was worthy of student votes.
"I feel like in the U.S. government a lot of people don't get represented," freshman Laura Hartley said. "On an issue that is as important to the student body as fees, I think people from all backgrounds should be represented."
Other students also said they thought it was good to have a voice in the fee process, which affects students' wallets directly.
"I feel it's important since we're students that we have a say," sophomore Sharelle Mitchell said.
The last time students voted on a referendum for a student fee was in 2005, when students voted to reapprove the $4 per semester renewable energy fee.
"In the past I think that the student body has demonstrated that they won't make knee-jerk reactions," Younts said. "A good example of that would be the green energy fee. Students willingly passed that because they think it's something that is very important."
But Rep. Val Tenyotkin said this year's election was unfair because the ballots did not contain the full text of the proposed amendment.
"As far as I am concerned this referendum is illegitimate," Tenyotkin said. "The students didn't know what they were voting for, basically because the proposed change was not written down for them."
Students also voted for Homecoming king and queen. The results will be announced at Saturday's football game against the University of Maryland.
Mitch Capriglione, chairman of the Board of Elections, said he was pleased with the turnout for all of the Homecoming ballot items because the Homecoming court had only three nominations this year, in comparison to last year's eight candidates.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(10/29/07 4:00am)
More than 100 people "broke the silence" about domestic violence Sunday as they strolled together down Franklin Street in the Walk for Family Peace.
Walkers wearing T-shirts that read "Break the Silence" aimed to show their support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month's mission to end the ongoing problem of family violence.
"It's a way to honor those who are struggling," said Linda Frankel, executive director of the Family Violence Prevention Center of Orange County, which organized the event. "It's a hidden issue that needs to be brought out to the community."
The event raised about $2,000 for the center, which uses direct service and community education to raise awareness and to provide support for those affected by domestic violence, said Raina Aronowitz, court services director of the center.
The center, which received calls for help from 637 people last year, offers services such as crisis counseling and intervention, support groups, domestic violence protection orders and a 24-hour hot line for those suffering from family violence.
Participants said they thought the walk was a fun way to address a serious issue that is often hidden within households.
"This is so often an issue that has a lot of silence connected to it," said Christina Riordan, a participant of the event. "And I think it's really nice to have an event on a Sunday so families can be here."
The walk began on campus at McCorkle Place and ended about one mile later at the Hargraves Community Center, where walkers enjoyed food and prizes donated by local businesses.
A rally at the culmination of the walk included musical performances by the UNC Loreleis and Big Fat Gap, raffle prizes, pumpkin painting and a gymnastic jump-rope team called the Bouncing Bulldogs.
Participants who wanted to be included in the raffle and receive a T-shirt had to pay $15, but those who just wanted to walk and enjoy the festivities were not required to pay.
Senior Megan Reoch said she enjoyed the music, food and raffle prizes.
"I didn't realize it's the first time they've done this," she said. "I think it's definitely something they should keep doing every year."
The center hosted a similar event last year that included a march around one block of Franklin Street and a speak-out event in front of the post office.
Officials said that last year's march only had about 30 participants and that they aimed to make this year's event larger and more family-oriented.
"The idea this year was to broaden our reach and be more of a physical presence in our community," Frankel said, noting that organizers plan to hold the Walk for Family Peace annually.
"I hope it will be even bigger and better next year."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(10/24/07 4:00am)
The impending ban on smoking within 100 feet of all campus buildings is receiving responses ranging from agitation to delight from UNC students, employees and faculty ablaze with opinions about the issue.
The ban, which will go into effect Jan. 1., was formally announced Monday by Chancellor James Moeser.
"I dislike smoking, and I dislike secondhand smoke, so as a person I'm thrilled, but as a citizen I'm slightly less sure," biology major Katherine Brown said.
Brown said she thinks the policy might infringe upon the rights of students.
But sophomore Netta Katz, a smoker, said she fully supports the ban.
"I think it's good that they're banning it on campus because it's respectful to the majority, not the minority," she said.
Carolyn Elfland, associate vice chancellor for campus services, said the main goal of the smoking ban is to promote good health throughout the University.
"At this point I think what we are trying to do is to try to encourage people to put out their cigarettes and offer them available avenues to stop smoking," she said.
Legislation authorizing UNC-system universities to regulate smoking on campus grounds went into effect July 1. Faculty and employee assemblies voiced support for the ban for the most part.
Campus Health Services is holding two free cessation classes, one in October and one in November, for students who want to quit before the ban begins. Faculty and staff can seek help at ehs.unc.edu.
Allen O'Barr, director of Counseling and Wellness Services, said not many students have signed up or sought information about the cessation programs and drugs available.
Thomas Bacon, Area Health Education Centers program director, said the ban could discourage smokers from coming to UNC, but he thinks that number would be small.
"The flip side is that it makes a statement about public health, that we are an institution that is trying to put public policies in place that encourage certain health behaviors," he said.
The ban also means the end of smoking in residence halls.
Graduate student Allison Bigelow said she thinks the ban is a good idea but doesn't understand why it applies to dorms.
"In terms of academic buildings, I think it's great. But there is a big difference between restricting smoking in the workplace and the home," she said. "The dorms are basically the students' homes."
The campus ban won't involve a policy that includes punishment, unlike UNC Health Care's, which went tobacco-free July 4.
UNC Health Care uses a three-step discipline policy, which involves meeting with a supervisor, a written warning and final corrective action before an employee is terminated for persistent violation of the ban.
So far, no one has been terminated for violating the policy.
Enforcing the new ban will be mostly the responsibility of the campus community, though Elfland said a persistent violator could receive a written warning.
"It's basically up to anybody in the community who notices a person who is continually violating the policy to report it," she said.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(10/17/07 4:00am)
Dean Smith was cheered on at Homestead Road’s Robert and Pearl Seymour Center on Tuesday – just not for his legendary basketball coaching.
(10/10/07 4:00am)
Campus are joining forces to get college women talking about breast cancer.
The Carolina Women's Center, Campus Recreation and Campus Health Services are sponsoring Breast Cancer Awareness Week, which aims to educate young women on the importance of keeping their bodies healthy, maintaining a positive self-image and fighting the disease.
"Many women as undergraduates don't really worry about breast cancer because we think of it as something our moms have to worry about," said senior Elizabeth Mosley, chairwoman of the women's health and campus safety committee.
But according to the Young Survival Coalition, breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women ages 15 to 54.
"A lot of times breast cancer tends to be more aggressive in young women, even though there are fewer cases," said Donna Bickford, director of Carolina Women's Center.
The groups kicked off Breast Cancer Awareness Week on Monday with self breast exam classes.
The rest of the week includes a "powerfully pink" health fair in the Pit, a dinner hosted by the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority Inc. and speakers on the issue. It will close with a 5K on Saturday in Raleigh.
"Breast Cancer Awareness Week is part of our mission to promote women's equity and empowerment," Bickford said.
Judy Swasey, a nurse practitioner in surgical oncology at UNC Hospitals, said most of the women between 18 and 24 who come in have problems other than breast cancer. She said there have been only two or three breast cancer cases in that age group during the past year.
But Bickford said it is important for women to get in the routine of engaging in healthy behaviors at a young age rather than waiting until 30 or 40.
"Five to 10 percent of breast cancer cases are genetic, which means between 90 to 95 percent are behavioral or environmental," she said.
To reduce the risk of breast cancer, women should practice general good health habits, such as eating fruits and vegetables, getting adequate exercise and consistently doing self breast exams.
Bickford said one of the missions of the Carolina Women's Center is to challenge the stereotypes of ideal beauty.
"You can't think about women's empowerment without thinking about body issues," she said. "Thinking about breast cancer and breast health is another way to think about a healthy body instead of focusing on the body's appearance."
Mosley, whose aunt died from breast cancer, said she hopes the week will help young women keep the dangers of breast cancer on their minds, as well as promote healthy practices in preventing the disease.
"Even I forget about doing self breast exams, and breast cancer is something I think about every day."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(09/27/07 4:00am)
View the slideshow
Students aimed to clear the smoke surrounding a controversial proposal to ban smoking within 100 feet of all campus building by voicing their concern at two forums held this week.
The student advisory committee to the chancellor hosted the forums to inform students about the possible smoking policy change.
(09/24/07 4:00am)
CORRECTION: Due to an editing error, the headline of Monday's pg. 3 story "UNC pro-choice group is victim to vandalism" called Carolina Students for Life a pro-choice group. The group is anti-abortion.
Due to a reporting error in the same story, the note left on Carolina Students for Life President Ashley Tyndall's car when her tires were slashed Sept. 15 did not read, "Stay out of my uterus, asshole!" That note was left on a previous occasion. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for the errors.
(09/19/07 4:00am)
Companies eager to hire young, innovative minds are visiting campus and managing to attract students faced with the difficult decision of what to pursue after graduation.
Representatives from Google came to UNC on Tuesday night to talk to students about job opportunities available to undergraduates.
And some of those opportunities include the option of staying on a campus - albeit a professional-environment Google campus in California.
Complete with intramural sports teams, concerts, famous speakers, and free breakfast, lunch and dinner at 13 cafes throughout its campus, Google aims to offer students a working experience that coincides with the college environment they will leave when they enter the work force.
"It's not all work and no play," said Jeramie Scott, online sales and operations associate at Google. "There is a balance between the two. There are many different clubs you can get involved in - even salsa dancing."
Google representatives said the company looks for well-rounded students who are motivated, well-balanced and outgoing. They do not focus solely on grade point averages.
At the information session, Elizabeth Brigham, university program specialist at Google, pulled chairs into a circle and opened the floor to students with questions, creating an interactive and casual environment.
Joey Marra, a senior linguistics major, came to the meeting to find out more about the company, which already had interested him.
He said Google seems to be the ultimate transition between college and the real world.
"If you look at Gmail, it says 'A Google approach to e-mail,' so I guess I just wanted to see about the 'Google' approach to jobs."
And despite its engineering focus, Brigham said the company offers jobs on the business side.
"We are a business, too, and we have many non-technical positions available," she said.
Google also offers career opportunities for graduates that compare to those for undergraduates.
"Graduates would go into more senior roles in the same organizations as undergrads," Brigham said.
Brigham said the employees at Google will review all submitted applications.
Morgan Creek Capital Management LLC., an investment advisory firm in Chapel Hill, also visited campus on Tuesday.
It has positions open for both graduates and undergraduates, and recruiters are seeking students who are graduating after both the fall and spring semester, said Morgan Creek Vice President Josh Tilley.
Students who are hired will be placed in an investment analyst position doing market research.
Both Google and Morgan Creek offer internships which help prepare students for further employment within the company.
Schedules for future information sessions with other companies, such as Target, can be found on the University Career Services Web site.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(09/17/07 4:00am)
UNC's Students for a Democratic Society is launching a monthlong protest of the war in Iraq, aiming to make the student voice heard in the increasingly heated debate.
Peter Gilbert, a UNC graduate student and member of SDS, said the group's main concern is the impact the war has on the personal lives of students.
"Our government seems to have its priorities completely backwards," Gilbert said. "Its funding and energy are going to war and not to education."
With the funding for the war set to run out Oct. 1, Congress' main focus is on war funding and appropriations, making September a crucial month for those opposed to the war, members of SDS said.
On Sept. 22, SDS members will travel to Washington, D.C., for a weeklong encampment on the White House lawn to show their concern to Congress and try to invoke action, SDS officials said.
"Too many congressional leaders are saying they are powerless and it's all Bush's fault, when there is something they can do - they can refuse to fund it," Gilbert said.
The encampment will culminate with a Mass March to Stop the War at Home and Abroad on Sept. 29.
Charissa Lloyd, chairwoman of UNC's College Republicans, said that she doesn't think people's opinions will change after seeing a march or encampment but that the decisions made about the war could have an impact on students.
"I don't think it's something that directly affects the lives of students right now," she said. "But I think it will in the future because we are incurring so much debt."
SDS will join other groups, such as the national group Troops Out Now Coalition, in the march, marking a national effort to stop the war.
Next on SDS's UNC agenda is an act to stop "torture flights," which reportedly are used to transport detained suspects to prisons that routinely use torture. Members are aiming to stop these flights in North Carolina.
As a national organization, SDS has not existed since the mid-1970s, but students restarted the organization about a year and a half ago.
There are now more than 250 chapters around the country in colleges and high schools.
The UNC chapter is continuing to work with other anti-war groups to garner student activity in the community.
The Iraq Moratorium, a national anti-war group, called for other organizations to hold an anti-war event every third Friday of the month. UNC's SDS members said they will answer this charge but will hold events Thursdays instead to increase student involvement.
"We will be very visible and very active," Gilbert said. "You can look for us doing some kind of anti-war action on the third week of every month."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(09/12/07 4:00am)
The new Student Organization for Undergraduate Literature kicked off Tuesday with a poetry reading - resurrecting the soul of a now-extinct group with a similar mission.
Daniel Anderson, the director of the undergraduate literature program and faculty adviser, or "master of SOUL" as he prefers to be called, said SOUL aims to add extra dimensions to the English major by giving students an outlet beyond the classroom to support one another, express themselves and have a good time.
There is another reading at 7:30 p.m. today in Greenlaw Hall. The Tuesday readings attracted about 30 students - English majors and nonmajors alike.
"SOUL is for everyone," said senior Sarah Bull, organization chairwoman. "It's not just for English majors. It's for anyone who is interested in literature in all its forms."
Bull noticed the need to revive an undergraduate literature program at UNC when she attended a mixer geared toward giving English majors a chance to get to know the faculty.
"There was like one other student other than me there and about eight professors. It was really ridiculous," Bull said.
She said e-mails about the organization were sent out to English majors and students gave a positive response.
SOUL consists of three student-led committees, placing the power in the hands of the students.
The Association of English Majors, an unsuccessful precursor to SOUL, lost momentum a few years ago, but Anderson said SOUL should be more successful because students are in charge.
Experienced English majors will serve as consultants for undergraduate students who may be unsure about classes. They will use forums and chat rooms in their advising.
"It's peer advising where you don't just have an appointment and walk into an office," Anderson said.
The resources and advising committee also plans to set up an online list of resources, including Web sites that let users read books for free and a book swap in which students can exchange books for their classes.
"We are trying to combine both technology and literature in order to aid the English department and English majors on campus," said Chris Chilton, chairman of the media technology committee.
Although SOUL aims to help students academically, it also has events planned to provide students with a chance to socialize and delve into the culture and climate of literature, officials said.
Events such as Oscar Wilde's birthday party, movies on the lawn, trips to the theater and creative writing critiquing sessions are on SOUL's schedule for this year.
Maria Devlin, freshman and Thomas Wolfe Scholar, read some of her work at the kickoff. She said she was happy to make new friends with her same passion for literature.
"I think it's so much fun, and it's so easy to make friends here," she said. "I'm really excited about it."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.