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(04/09/10 2:50am)
Correction (April 8 11:56 p.m.): An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified Sara Rafalson's year. She is a junior. The story has been changed to reflect the correction. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for the error.
(03/29/10 4:12am)
Rather than having students sit in large groups to hear the Haggadah over a microphone, this year the N.C. Hillel is having students celebrate “Passover Your Way.”Hillel, an on-campus Jewish center, is providing students with the training and food they need to turn the annual Jewish holiday into a more personal experience, often giving them a chance to lead it for the first time in their lives.The “Passover Your Way” initiative marks an effort by Hillel to have students celebrate Passover as it is traditionally celebrated — with friends and family in the intimate setting of a home or apartment.
(01/19/10 4:46am)
Poets, an a cappella group and young jazz musicians came together for the sixth annual “He Was a Poem, He Was a Song” celebration Monday night to commemorate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
(11/23/09 4:46am)
Many of the 1,500 participants at the Eve Carson Memorial 5K for Education on Saturday had never met the former UNC student body president the event is named for.
But afterward, runners said they felt connected to her nonetheless.
“I’ve always wanted to meet Eve Carson,” said freshman Austin Shaw. “Everyone out here in good spirit is the closest thing to that.”
The race was held not only to honor Carson’s life but also to benefit the Eve Marie Carson Memorial Fund, nonprofit First Book and Frank Porter Graham Elementary School in Chapel Hill.
Junior Lauren-Kelly Devine, the race’s co-director, said the race drew nearly 1,500 participants — an increase of about 500 runners from last year — and raised nearly $27,000 from pre-registrations and donations alone.
She said additional money was raised through a silent auction, race-day registrants, a benefit week and the Blank Canvas show.
The race began on Cameron Avenue in front of the Old Well before heading to Franklin Street and South Campus. Runners finished at Polk Place in front of South Building.
Organizers said holding the race in the heart of campus tied it to Carson’s legacy.
“I think keeping her legacy alive is a big part of the event,” said senior Elizabeth Lamb, who helped organize the race.
Two-thirds of the proceeds benefit the Eve Marie Carson Memorial Junior-Year Merit Scholarship. The scholarship was created to honor Carson and her efforts to create a junior-year scholarship before she was shot to death March 5, 2008.
The other third is split between First Book, a nonprofit organization that gives books to preschoolers in low-income families, and the Frank Porter Elementary School for literacy initiatives and technological development.
Carson volunteered at the elementary school as part of the INSPIRE program, which encourages young students to pursue science.
First Book and the elementary school also are the beneficiaries of Pi Beta Phi sorority and Phi Delta Theta fraternity, which sponsored the race.
The event also featured a performance by the Clef Hangers and a message from American Idol contestant Anoop Desai.
Other speakers included members of the UNC community who knew Carson, and Elinor Benami, the first Carson scholar.
Sophomore Alison Coppock said the race preserves Carson’s spirit.
“It continues her legacy, and her dreams live on through it,” Coppock said.
Charlie Hicks, the race’s co-director, said the 5K was successful not only as a race but also as a community event.
“We achieved what we were trying to achieve — an event, not just a 5K,” he said. “We want to take it a step beyond, to continue to build on this event and not lose the legacy of Eve.”
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(11/09/09 4:22am)
When Carly Brantmeyer heard her name announced as the 2009 Homecoming queen Saturday, she said it felt like a dream.“It just felt really surreal,” said the senior photojournalism major from Charlotte. “I’m still trying to process it. It was really exciting.”Homecoming king Desmond Rowe, who received 39 percent of the 4,288 votes cast, said he felt relieved.“It was one of those successful moments where everything falls into place,” he said.Rowe and Brantmeyer, who will serve as king and queen of UNC for the next year, will carry out service projects they designed with the $1,000 they will receive from Carolina Athletic Association. Both hope to use the money to develop long-term community projects.Brantmeyer, who received 27 percent of 4,504 votes, will expand a project called PhotoTEACH, which provides weekly photography classes to students from low-income and underprivileged families. She started the project while studying abroad in Ghana and brought it to Durham last semester.With the award, she said she hopes to further expand the program and open it to the UNC community. She said photography empowers students, providing them with confidence and the ability to work in teams.“Photography classes translate into life lessons,” she said. “It teaches them that they can achieve whatever they set their minds to, and they don’t have to be defined by their circumstances.”She said she will feature the students’ work in an exhibit so the UNC community can realize the impact of the program.“I hope to show in a visible and tangible way how their vote made a difference,” Brantmeyer said.She said the project can continue after she graduates in May.Rowe said he will use the money to launch Caring and Active Relief through Athletics and Community, a program for the parents and siblings of hospital patients.He said the program will include activities such as taking families to dinner, laser tag, bowling, ice skating or UNC sporting events.The project will incorporate student groups to help with basic needs such as transportation. He has been working to get support from local businesses to provide gift certificates and additional funding. The project is also a way for the University to promote itself, he said.Rowe said he was inspired by the clubs he has been involved with at UNC and is trying to build support within these groups as well. He is a member of Dance Marathon and Carolina Kickoff and is co-chairman of Carolina Fever.“It just made sense to me,” he said. “It’s something we hadn’t been doing and hadn’t thought of yet.”Rowe and Brantmeyer both said that as king and queen, they will be a face for the University.“That’s a great responsibility of any elected student, to represent the University in the best possible manner,” Rowe said.Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(11/02/09 4:12am)
A senior executive from a group within the International Criminal Court will be lecturing and meeting with students this week on topics related to human rights. Kristin Kalla of the Trust Fund for Victims, an organization that helps victims of human rights violations, is coming to campus as a client of UNC’s Public Policy Clinic to research student involvement with the trust fund and the ICC.During her stay in Chapel Hill, Kalla will speak to many groups, including international law students, public health students and groups from the Carolina Women’s Center and the Campus Y.“She graciously agreed to let us run her ragged in the day and a half before (the workshop),” said Gail Corrado, who works with the Public Policy Clinic.Kalla will give a public lecture tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the FedEx Global Education Center’s Nelson Mandela Auditorium about the fund’s success in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The speech will also include information about the general purpose of the trust fund, which implements court-ordered reparations awards to victims.Corrado said she hopes the talk will raise student awareness of the Trust Fund for Victims and the human rights victims themselves.“I’m hoping, as a teacher, that students see that they could actually have a career doing something really great,” she said.The Public Policy Clinic provides policy analyses and evaluations for small agencies. Under the direction of mentors, undergraduate students form consulting teams and provide services.The students working on Kalla’s project are members of an ICC impact team within the UNC chapter of the Roosevelt Institute, a student policy organization that encourages students to get involved with policy research and implementation.“It’s very exciting for the Roosevelt,” said Taylor Isenberg, the vice president of policy implementation.“We’re very excited to have this relationship with the Public Policy Clinic where we really get exposure to these things we otherwise may not be able to have.”Kalla has extensive background in international relations and global health with the United Nations and nongovernmental organizations.“She really is a very impressive lady who does wonderful work,” said Libby Longino, the president of the UNC chapter of the Roosevelt Institute.“She’s definitely appealing to anyone with international interests.”Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(11/02/09 4:12am)
A senior executive from a group within the International Criminal Court will be lecturing and meeting with students this week on topics related to human rights. Kristin Kalla of the Trust Fund for Victims, an organization that helps victims of human rights violations, is coming to campus as a client of UNC’s Public Policy Clinic to research student involvement with the trust fund and the ICC.During her stay in Chapel Hill, Kalla will speak to many groups, including international law students, public health students and groups from the Carolina Women’s Center and the Campus Y.“She graciously agreed to let us run her ragged in the day and a half before (the workshop),” said Gail Corrado, who works with the Public Policy Clinic.Kalla will give a public lecture tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the FedEx Global Education Center’s Nelson Mandela Auditorium about the fund’s success in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The speech will also include information about the general purpose of the trust fund, which implements court-ordered reparations awards to victims.Corrado said she hopes the talk will raise student awareness of the Trust Fund for Victims and the human rights victims themselves.“I’m hoping, as a teacher, that students see that they could actually have a career doing something really great,” she said.The Public Policy Clinic provides policy analyses and evaluations for small agencies. Under the direction of mentors, undergraduate students form consulting teams and provide services.The students working on Kalla’s project are members of an ICC impact team within the UNC chapter of the Roosevelt Institute, a student policy organization that encourages students to get involved with policy research and implementation.“It’s very exciting for the Roosevelt,” said Taylor Isenberg, the vice president of policy implementation.“We’re very excited to have this relationship with the Public Policy Clinic where we really get exposure to these things we otherwise may not be able to have.”Kalla has extensive background in international relations and global health with the United Nations and nongovernmental organizations.“She really is a very impressive lady who does wonderful work,” said Libby Longino, the president of the UNC chapter of the Roosevelt Institute.“She’s definitely appealing to anyone with international interests.”Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(10/05/09 5:05am)
Twinkling lights and flickering candles symbolized the hope for humankind in the Student Union’s Great Hall on Sunday as students and members of the community celebrated Divaali.
(10/05/09 4:18am)
Students in need of campus printing and computing services have two fewer labs at their disposal this year.But unlike other universities that have closed their computer labs because they were underused, UNC made the decision to help campus cope with about $37.5 million in budget cuts.“This was to the dismay of many of the students,” said Charlie Green, assistant vice chancellor for teaching and learning. “They came to rely on those labs.”Although Information Technology Services shut down labs in the School of Law and the Health Sciences Library this summer, the five remaining labs are still heavily used, Green said. ITS routinely evaluates the use of its labs as more and more of the campus community own laptops. According to lab log-in statistics compiled by ITS, computer labs had 76,543 total log-ins in September.Green said he thought computer lab usage would decrease during the past few years as more students started using laptops, but this hasn’t been the case.“Students need a place to work,” he said. “Sometimes dorms aren’t as peaceful. They come to rely on the labs as a place to go.” Computer labs have printing stations and 17 to 68 computers that anyone with an Onyen can access. Students are allotted $40 to print each semester.Senior Alexandra Anthony said although she has a laptop, she comes to an ITS computer lab three to four times a week.Anthony, who usually goes to the lab in the Undergraduate Library or the Student Union, said going to an ITS lab is easier than carrying around her laptop.“It’d be a lot more of a hassle to get work done if I didn’t have a computer at my beck and call,” she said. “I feel like I’d spend a lot more time at home and not on campus.” She also said she liked the ease of printing at the ITS labs and working around people.Underuse has been a problem for the University of Virginia, which is closing four of its five computer labs within the next two years. According to the school’s Information Technology and Communication Web site, 95 percent of time at computer labs was spent on commodity or free programs that come on the students’ laptop computers.Instead of computer labs, Virginia is looking into a more virtualized system with new connectivity options for laptops.UNC is considering similar programs, including virtual labs that would allow students to access specialized software on their laptops. UNC’s ITS is also trying to make computer labs more user-friendly. At any time, students can go online or on their smart phones and see how many seats are open in any computer lab on campus.Green said ITS will continue to evaluate computer lab usage and tailor its programs to fit student need. “We strive to provide the most efficient service we can for the students,” he said.Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(09/08/09 4:53am)
Student government recently kicked off a new peer advising program, which lets students receive academic help from a group of fellow students.Starting this semester, students in some departments in the College of Arts and Sciences can sit down in a more informal setting with those advisers to get input on academic questions.“It’s a really cool idea to have people you can talk to who are your own age, who have gone through what you have gone through,” said junior Chris Carter, co-chairman of the academic affairs committee of student government, which oversees the program.“It’s someone who has been in your shoes, in your situation. It’s nice to have that there.”Peer advisers are ready to start advising now, he said. They are working with faculty members to develop skills and trying to promote the program.While advisers will not answer technical questions about subjects such as graduation requirements, they can help with questions regarding majors, graduate programs, research interests and non-academic activities. Advisers will focus on assisting students in their own majors or departments.“Students can help each other understand the ins and outs of their departments, and how to get the most out of their experience,” said David Bevevino, student body vice president, who helped create the program last year.Thirteen students from eight departments of the College of Arts and Sciences are advising this semester. Student government members are working to put the peer advisers’ contact information on department Web sites.This year is a trial run, Carter said. Student government members said they hope to expand the program and get greater participation from other departments.The team of peer advisers was assembled in the spring after an application process and training.“We wanted to see people who had really dived into their departments,” Bevevino said.Junior communication studies major Cameron Wardell said he is excited to advise students because he is interested in working in higher education. He said he hopes being a mentor for students will prepare him. “I hope that I can help students become very excited and motivated about what they’re studying,” he said.He said the advising program will be a good way for students to receive guidance outside a formal advising setting.Student government proposed the idea for a peer advising program in 2007, and worked last year to get it off the ground.Student government is creating a similar program for the study abroad office. These advisers will prepare students for their study abroad programs based on their own experience.“I’m looking forward to seeing what the program can offer,” Bevevino said.Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(09/01/09 4:40am)
Ten of the University’s 15 residential communities will hold elections for their governors today. These communities failed to elect governors in April’s general election when no eligible students expressed interest in the job, a common result of the way these elections are organized.Community governors are responsible for representing their residents in the Residence Hall Association. They organize dorm activities, maintain enhancements and deal with residents’ concerns.Spring elections with a lack of candidates have become common in recent years, said Christina Fluet, RHA president.“It’s been pretty consistent that not all are elected in the spring,” she said.Fluet says RHA has more pressing priorities to deal with at the moment, like creating a new system of enhancement rentals, but would like to change the system and has discussed doing so in the past.“Maybe it’s time for us to re-evaluate the process. I think that’s where we are headed,” she said.The RHA constitution mandates that communities who do not elect governors in the spring hold a second election Sept. 1.Because members of a community change between the spring and fall, the group of people eligible to vote in the two elections can be very different, Fluet said.“That’s the inconsistency the RHA is facing right now,” Fluet said. “It’s definitely something we’re all trying to change.”In order to alter the RHA constitution, three-fourths of the community governors would have to vote in support of the change. Two-thirds of residents would then have to approve the change as well. A complicated electionToday’s election will allow the Kenan community to finally resolve a highly contested race that began in the spring.Write-in candidate Mary La received more votes than official candidate Anna Jeffries in the first election.La, who was unaware anyone was going to vote for her in the election and did not run a campaign, won by four votes.Jeffries organized a petition with more than 130 signatures questioning the validity of the election, arguing that RHA and the community sent residents confusing e-mails and failed to appropriately publicize the election.Only 38 votes were cast in the election for a community of about 430 residents.La resigned from her position so the community could hold a second election. She will run against Jeffries today.“There was a lot of misconstrued information,” Fluet said. “I just want everyone to know that the RHA ran the election fairly and acted in the best interest of the residents.”Candidates running for community government had to declare their candidacy by Sunday at midnight. They had one day to campaign before today’s elections.Fluet said candidates are allowed to place three posters in the community, form a Facebook group and contact residents on an individual basis in the campaigning process.Voters will participate in elections for on-campus community governors today from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. To vote, go to rha.unc.edu and click on the “Voting Site” link for your respective community. Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(08/31/09 4:29am)
Plastic tarps, dish detergent and a giant hill formed no ordinary Slip ’n Slide at the Outdoor Rec Fest on Saturday.This one was “pro-level.”“It’s hard core,” said sophomore Heather Ekstrom, who works for UNC’s Outdoor Education Center, which hosted the event. “Technique is involved, and a real determination and willingness to have the time of your life.”The Slip ’n Slide was only one of the activities in which students participated at the center. The festival also included beach volleyball, tennis, disc golf and a 1,200-foot zip line.Over the course of five hours, more than 250 students attended the event, climbing ropes courses and sliding across the lawn while the center provided hot dogs and music.The event was held for the first time to introduce and inform students about activities the outdoor center has to offer.“I just hope it makes people aware that (the center) is out here, that all these different recreation opportunities are right here on campus,” said David Rogers, director of the Outdoor Education Center’s challenge course. The center, which is part of Campus Recreation, is a 20-acre green space located within 10 minutes of the Student Union off Country Club Road. Its mission is to provide students with a local place to enjoy the outdoors, Ekstrom said.The activities at the Rec Fest introduced students to some of what the center has to offer.The zip line, which participants tried for free Saturday, is part of the challenge course. It includes high- and low-ropes courses aimed to help team building.Businesses and clubs often participate in the challenge course, Ekstrom said, but for about $15 a person, any group of up to 15 students can try the course.The challenge course allows groups to work together in navigating physical and mental challenges in an unfamiliar environment, which encourages alternative problem solving and creative thinking. Past participants include the women’s basketball team, the Morehead-Cain Foundation, Campus Y and ROTC groups.The center also has an expedition program, which allows students to take outdoor trips during the school year and summers. For a fee, the program provides gear, food and transportation.The center also sponsors the disc golf club, which plays on the facility’s 18-hole course.“It’s very challenging and very scenic,” Ekstrom said.Many students who attended the Rec Fest said they are now interested in participating in more outdoor activities.“I’d love to do the excursion trips,” freshman Kara Singsank said. She learned about the event through the Week of Welcome brochure and decided to attend with her roommate.Freshman Hannah Walters, who wasn’t aware of the center’s existence before the event, said she would use the tennis courts this year.“I wish more people were here to take advantage of it,” she said. “I think it’s well stocked. It has a lot of different resources.”Rogers said he hopes to make the festival an annual event. Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(03/23/09 4:00am)
Plans are underway for the Eve Marie Carson Garden a commemoration and memorial to the slain student body president.The site was approved by the Chancellor's Buildings and Grounds Committee in February" and the concept drawings will be presented to the Board of Trustees for review Wednesday.The idea was initiated by a group of Carson's close friends who met after her death to brainstorm ways to remember her.""We really wanted something that would reflect Eve's spirit" the friendships and interactions she stood for" said Student Body President J.J. Raynor, who was part of that student group. The garden design really does that.""The garden will be located on the current paved plaza near the Campus Y.Christopher Payne" associate vice chancellor for student affairs" said the spot was chosen by the student committee because it was a highly used campus pathway that could also be used as a destination.""The idea behind it was to offer a place of interaction and reflection"" Payne said.He said reflection refers to the opportunity to sit and contemplate the value of life, and interaction refers to a place where students can sit with friends and watch others walk by.Everyone is intersecting in their lives ... in that spot"" said Katie Sue Zellner, Carson's former chief of staff, who is working on the project. We wanted it to be a place where people could get together and share ideas.""Peter Schaudt" who created the concept drawings with Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects in Chicago" considered those elements in his design. ""I wanted it to be simple but powerful — a place where one person (could come) to grieve or another to lunch" or a happy place to greet somebody" he said. I wanted this to be slightly unique. She was a unique person.""Schaudt" who was working on other projects on campus at the time said he never knew Carson personally but the grief following her death helped to inspire his design.Schaudt's concept design includes trees that would flower around March 5 the anniversary of Carson's death Carson's favorite flowers and a glass reflection panel with engravings" poems or phrases. The garden would shield the parking lot behind it and have a view of Polk Place.""I chose glass as a very fragile material" though it will be thick and durable that reflects the sky trees and peoples' faces Schaudt said. When people walk by" it will be full of light.""Jill Coleman" a UNC landscape architect said the design is not definite but she hopes Schaudt will be able to carry out the project.She said the time frame for the project depends on fundraising the next step of the process. The budget has not been set" though the project will be fully paid for with gifts.She said she feels like the garden could be a place Carson would appreciate and use herself.""Eve loved this beautiful campus and understood what a beautiful place it was"" Coleman said. We want to remember someone who was as special as Eve was.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/17/09 5:00am)
Economics professor Ralph Byrns used analogies of Easter eggs, peanut brittle and zebras in a presentation Monday to explain the economic climate.The forum, What Went Wrong? A Look Inside the Financial Crisis"" was hosted by the Young Democrats. It focused on the cause of the recession, how the economy got to where it is today and what needs to be done to make it right again.Its purpose was to inform students of the economic crisis and help them comprehend it in more depth.Byrns presents information in such a way that it's easily accessible and easy to understand"" said Ben Buck, co-vice president of Young Democrats. It's definitely helpful to have someone like him explain it.""For example" Byrns described the current economic situation in automotive terms.He said the country's leaders saw the crisis in the distance like a traffic jam down the road. But they still tried to cram more cars in the space between them and the traffic jam.Then it all fell apart like peanut brittle does when it's hit with a hammer Byrns said.Byrns also focused on the way the financial situation affects students and the University on a local level.He said if secretarial and custodial staff were laid off the total cost to the University would be much greater than the money saved.The fired employees would be not working which is one cost. And professors and administrators would have to do that work" keeping them from their main tasks.Byrns said he thinks President Barack Obama's stimulus plan is the best thing for the economy in its current state.""I think the things Barack Obama did is what needs to be done to get the economy going again"" he said. Most economists see stimulus as necessary. It has a much better chance of working than the other things being imposed.""Buck said he organized the event because he went to a similar event last year with a different organization" and he had a class with Byrns. Buck said he felt that the lecture would be relevant to the current political scene.Buck said he was pleased by the turnout of the forum" which about 30 to 40 people attended.""I was pleasantly surprised. It goes to show people want to be informed" and it's encouraging" he said.A large part of the crowd came from the Young Democrats, but Byrns also encouraged his economics classes to attend the forum.We wanted anyone who is interested in this topic to come"" said Charlie Sellew, co-president of the Young Democrats.Students showed their engagement at the end of the lecture when Byrns opened the forum to questions and several people came to speak to him afterwards.I love Dr. Byrns"" said Anneliese Arno, co-director of the grassroots committee of the Young Democrats. I think he engages people. He's entertaining. Economics has a tendency to be pretty dry and he takes the dryness out of it.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(11/20/08 5:00am)
Several campus groups came together Thursday to celebrate the 33rd annual Great American Smokeout.The Great American Smokeout is a national event sponsored by the American Cancer Society to encourage tobacco users to quit for a day and eventually quit completely.The Tobacco Cessation Advocates" the Family Medicine Center and the Ambulatory Care Center participated in the events.""We wanted to show that there are people who care about the health risks" and there are resources available" said Sandy Zuccarello, graduate coordinator of Tobacco Cessation Advocates.They also collected donations to benefit the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and the N.C. Alliance for Health.They suggested that smokers donate the money they normally would spend on tobacco.Because of the groups' efforts, several Chapel Hill bars and clubs, including Blue Horn Lounge, He's Not Here and Top of the Hill, decided to ban smoking for the day. Many others already ban smoking permanently.Tobacco Cessation Advocates also handed out information about the smoke-free day to people in the Student Union. Zuccarello said she hopes that if the bars get enough business, they will consider going smoke-free permanently.Steve Torchio, floor manager of Top of the Hill, said patrons' wishes probably wouldn't allow the restaurant to prohibit smoking permanently, but agreed to last night's ban after being approached by Tobacco Cessation Advocates.It was an easy thing for us to do" he said. It's for a good cause and obviously" smoking is bad for your health.""The Ambulatory Care Center and the Family Medicine Center also set up tables in their lobbies and handed out free information on the Nicotine Dependence Program and the 1-800-Quit-Now hotline.The care center offered free carbon dioxide checks to those who attended.""We've had lots of patients stop by. I think it's been really great"" said Elizabeth Churchill, who helped run the event. We had several who said when they come back next year they hope the CO2 monitor reads below zero.""The Family Medicine Center put on a program called ""Smoke Your Turkey" Not Your Lungs" which included a quiz about the dangers of tobacco for the chance to win two turkeys.Kearston Ingraham, an organizer of the event, said people stopped by the table to share stories of their hardships in attempting to quit and to get information to take to their loved ones.It's something that's really needed in the community"" Ingraham said. I think this has been very beneficial.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(11/17/08 5:00am)
Runners said they could feel Eve Carson's presence at the Memorial 5k for Education on Saturday morning held in honor of the former student body president.About 1000 people wound their way across campus raising nearly $23500 to benefit the Eve Marie Carson Memorial Fund" First Book and Clyde Erwin Elementary School.""Eve's spirit was definitely motivating me"" sophomore Hannah Friedman said. It brought such a good energy to campus. It's for a good cause; it's a really good way to remember Eve; and it's a good way to start the day.""The event" sponsored by Pi Beta Phi sorority and Phi Delta Theta fraternity had the largest turnout of any previous 5k event held in Chapel Hill organizers said.It was also the first one allowed to run through Polk Place" finishing in front of South Building.""I think it's a tribute to Eve for this many people to come out"" said Sallie Wallace, who helped organize the event. It was her legacy that attracted people to the event.""Two-thirds of the proceeds will benefit the Eve Marie Carson Memorial Junior-Year Merit Scholarship. Carson had begun creating a junior-year scholarship while she was in office.The other third of the money will be split between First Book" a nonprofit organization that gives books to preschoolers in low-income families and Clyde Erwin Elementary School to improve test scores of underprivileged students.Those two groups are the beneficiaries of the two Greek organizations' philanthropy efforts.Improving public education was also an important issue for Carson who taught science at a Chapel Hill elementary school as part of the Inspire program and earlier was a tutor at a Durham middle school.After her shooting death in March her parents asked memorial donations to be made to the Clarke County Foundation for Public Education in her hometown of Athens" Ga.""I think giving to education and giving to the future — and giving to a scholarship that helps people like me — is a great cause"" said first-year runner David Horton. I had a wonderful time.""The event featured speeches from several people who knew Carson well" including Katie Sue Zellner Carson's chief of staff and good friend" former Chancellor James Moeser and Student Body President J.J. Raynor.The organizers said they were pleased and surprised by the event's success and hope it continues next year.""We knew there would be a lot of interest. We knew it had a lot of potential and a lot of support" but just seeing it is a different ballgame" said organizer Worth Morgan. It's incredible.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(10/31/08 4:00am)
The Rev. William Barber" president of the N.C. chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is calling for students to reignite the civil rights movement.In his lecture Thursday at the Campus Y" Barber spoke about the continuation of the civil rights movement and how wide of a community it encompasses.""The civil rights movement has never been just about black people"" he said. It's meant to keep pushing forward. It's a fundamental change in the way we operate.""Barber connected the civil rights movement to immigration and called upon students to help keep the movement alive.First year Jakelin Bonilla said Barber motivated students.""I think it was very inspirational"" Bonilla said. It definitely motivated me to want to make a difference.""Both of Bonilla's parents are Hispanic immigrants" and she lived in a community where immigration was a prevalent issue.In his lecture" Barber drew parallels between racism and immigration issues that Hispanics face today and blacks have faced throughout history.""You forget what greets you in the New York harbor with a torch in her hand"" he said. The real call of your generation is to engage the movement and know that it's never stopped.""Junior Ron Bilbao asked Barber to speak at UNC after hearing him at a meeting on Hispanic affairs.""He was just electrifying"" Bilbao said. It's a call to action — we can't just stand by and watch this go down. We've got to take a stand.""The event was sponsored by several groups" including the UNC chapter of the NAACP" Black Student Movement and the Carolina Hispanic Association.Members of the UNC chapter of the NAACP said the lecture reenergized what they have been trying to do.""I hope people gained the fact that change can happen" NAACP President Tiffany Whiting said. We just have to work on it" work for the change.""Students said Barber helped them realize what the civil rights movement is all about.""It's not just about tolerating people"" sophomore Alicia Soto said. It's about having a love and concern for humanity.""Barber said he was as impressed with students and their efforts as they were of him.""To see these young people — who could be selfish — say" ‘I want to help change the world to change society to end racism' that's a powerful statement in itself" Barber said. It's young people who give the energy and fire.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(10/24/08 4:00am)
At a forum to solicit input on forming guidelines for student protests members of the Student Advisory Committee to the Chancellor heard two divergent viewpoints.One group of students spoke out against any policy while others chimed in with ideas of how to eliminate the gray areas surrounding protesting.There are no official guidelines regulating protests and demonstrations. Last semester" five members of Student Action with Workers were arrested for protesting in former Chancellor James Moeser's office.The advisory committee held Thursday's forum to gather opinions about the need for guidelines and recommendations about what those guidelines would be. They hope to compile a report to present to Chancellor Holden Thorp on Wednesday.""We're hosting the forum as another outlet for students and community members to come out and express their ideas and opinions about the project"" said Matt Garza, who led the discussion along with fellow advisory committee member Corey Cusimano.Those present at the meeting included Jeff McCracken, director of the UNC Department of Public Safety, and Winston Crisp, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs.Crisp and McCracken assured the group that they understood the importance of freedom of expression on a college campus and said they encourage students to express opinions.But they said they must take action if the protest affects the University's ability to operate or its safety. Crisp said the guidelines could provide clarity and help students understand how far they can go before they will be arrested.If they know the possible consequences" they can know whether they want to go that far or not and can make an intelligent decision" Crisp said.Three members of Student Action with Workers attended the meeting and said they don't like the idea of guidelines.How would such guidelines represent ‘a way forward' for anyone on campus other than administrators interested in making students' demands easier to ignore?"" wrote in a handout they passed out to forum attendees.In the meeting" the three also expressed concerns about Thorp not listening to their issues. They said having the guidelines would focus protests less on the issues in question and more on the act of protesting.After the members of Student Action with Workers left early the rest of the attendees discussed ways to help protestors and Thorp connect and how to avoid any gray areas in protesting regulations.Blane Clark a junior communication studies and philosophy double major" suggested creating a policy where protestors can speak to Thorp when they garner a certain number of signatures.He also said protest policies should be mentioned at orientation.Another idea included making the guidelines into a handout that could be readily available to students.""A lot of important points were touched on"" Cusimano said. A lot of important points we will talk about will come from this meeting.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(10/05/08 4:00am)
Sporting name tags and black T-shirts parents could be spotted all over campus for Family Weekend.The weekend gave parents an insight into their children's lives at UNC" introduced them to the campus and brought out different emotions about children leaving the nest.""Every parent wants to see that their kid is happy" and that's really why we come" said Cheryl Morlote, whose only child is a first-year at UNC. I think everybody's really happy to see their kids" to make sure they're acclimating to their new surroundings" to make sure that they're not overly homesick.""This is the first time that many parents" like Kim Bochenek" have seen their children since move-in day.""We've just been hanging out and visiting"" said Bochenek, mother of first-year Samantha Bochenek. You know"" getting caught up.""Weekend activities included a barbecue with performances by several of UNC's a capella groups and a brunch at the Carolina Inn.Many families also attended Saturday night's football game.Some parents said they were surprised to see how much their children have matured in only a few months.""It's wonderful to see where she is living and how she's made it her own"" said Laura Hull, mother of Lynne Hull. It's totally different coming now than it was during C-TOPS. Now it's hers. It's fun just to see how she's owned it.""Hull's other daughter" Erin a high school senior in Winston-Salem" also came for the weekend and decided that UNC was her top choice for college.""I tried really hard not to like this school because I thought it would be too big"" Laura Hull said. But all I can say is why would anyone ever want to go anywhere else?""Though she said it was nice to see her daughter's college life" Hull said she wasn't interested in many of the family programs offered. Instead she spent time walking the campus to see her daughter's class buildings.Nancy Mullins visited her two children at UNC this weekend: Katrina a senior and Patrick a first-year.She said she enjoyed the weekend but had one complaint — the price of the event.While many events were free" some of the most popular ones charged. The barbecue cost $15 per person and the brunch $32.""I think it's a great thing to have" but I think it would be really nice if they could lower the price somehow Mullins said. You feel like you just paid that tuition check" and then there's this.""Morlote said it was hard letting go of her only child.""It's hard" said Morlote. But the fact that he's happy makes is better. You're supposed to go out and grow up and go off and live your life. So as long as he's happy" I'm happy.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(09/30/08 4:00am)
A new study involving two researchers in the School of Medicine could help children born with hearing loss across the country.The study will focus on how mild to severe hearing loss affects a child's speech language and ability to learn.The results should provide information on what factors such as putting hearing aids on newborn infants" make a difference in creating a successful life for a child.""We know that hearing is very important. It has an effect on a child's whole life"" Patricia Roush, director of pediatric audiology in the Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, said. We want to make sure that we are taking the right steps for them to have a good outcome.""And while previous studies in the field have focused on children with severe to profound hearing loss" theirs will focus on children with mild to severe hearing loss.These are children whose speech would still be negatively effected without hearing aids Roush said.Until the year 2000 when North Carolina began screening the hearing of newborn infants" children with mild to severe hearing loss might not have been identified until they reached school age.Now even infants can be fitted with hearing aids.""The hearing aids are excellent and tiny. We can put them on babies less than a month old"" said Melody Harrison, a professor of speech and hearing sciences in the Department of Allied Health Sciences who is also working on the project.But it's only been within the last few years"" and we still don't know whether kids who we identify early do well or do not do well.""The $8.9 million" five-year study will follow 450 N.C. children aged 6 months to 9 years. It is funded by a grant from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Other studies will be done in conjunction with the University of Iowa and Boys Town National Research Hospital in Nebraska. Harrison and Roush plan to begin within the next few months.Researchers will define the children's success through measures like language vocabulary academics social skills and family satisfaction. Data will be gleaned from grades in school" standardized language measures and interviews.Harrison and Roush said they hope others can use their conclusions to develop and modify programs for kids with mild to severe hearing loss.""Given the right kind of support those kids can be successful"" Harrison said. There's every reason that they should be able to do well.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.