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(04/12/09 4:00am)
Pizza beer and pasta may seem like college student staples but those observing Passover have been going without them for the past five days.And although preserving the traditions of Passover will only last a week Jewish students on campus — caught between academic life and their religious identity — sometimes make compromises to keep the faith throughout the year.Wednesday marked the beginning of the Seder which is the recounting of the story of the exodus of the Jews out of Egypt rabbi Ben Packer said.Passover is a holiday many Jews celebrate regardless of how devoted they are" senior Sharon Levine said. ""A lot of students make an effort to do something"" she said.During the week of Passover, observant Jews don't eat leavened bread. Unleavened bread, or matzah, is eaten instead as a part of the exodus story, Packer said.But bread-free options are hard to find on campus, students said.To make eating easier, N.C. Hillel hosts Seder dinners and kosher meals throughout the holiday.Adam Yosim, a junior, enjoys the Seder dinner, he said. It's a chance to recline and be merry" he said. Yosim said he embraced his Jewish faith more after coming to college because the University is not predominantly Jewish.Being here in a tight-knit community it feels special to be different" he said.But for other Jewish students, college life has turned them away from their religious backgrounds.For a lot of Jewish students" it's hard to practice because they might not feel comfortable" Levine said. Simple things like keeping the Sabbath or attending events like the Seder at Hillel become difficult when students feel disconnected from the religious community.For some, it's about making a choice between doing homework and observing Jewish holy days in the fall.I feel like I have to prioritize and make school No. 1"" sophomore Daniel Marchon said.And for those who want to observe Jewish traditions, it isn't always easy to do as a minority on a largely Christian campus.Many of the Jewish holy days fall during the school week.It makes it hard to fully observe these holidays"" Marchon said.Coming from a Jewish area in Long Island, Marchon did not see his faith as a way of being distinguished from others until he came to UNC.It feels sometimes like an identifying factor"" he said.Marchon said students sometimes use his religious affiliation as his only descriptive quality,It's interesting because the comments are based on stereotypes" he said. I don't think it would be my label" but that's the way it is.""Contact the Features Editor at features@unc.edu.
(03/23/09 4:00am)
The men's rowing team isn't a varsity sport.But its team members are deeply dedicated — enough to go under the needle to prove it.For more than six years departing members of the men's club crew team have bonded through a shared tattoo. And the tradition like the team" keeps growing.""It's a permanent reminder of the hours that went into rowing"" said Thomas Revelle, a current assistant coach and UNC crew alumnus.The tradition began in 2003, when the varsity crew team had only four rowers and a coxswain. Even with a small team, they won the Eastern College Athletic Conference National Invitational Regatta and placed third at the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship.To remember their underdog story, the team visited a tattoo parlor in Philadelphia — and a tradition began.The design — a UNC logo with a crew oar woven through it — is now on file at Glenn's Tattoo Service Inc. in Carrboro for future use. It graces the outer thigh of five current and several former team members.Revelle got his tattoo in the fall of his senior year and said he won't regret it later because it's easily concealed by clothes.I got it on a whim"" he said. But I knew all along I would do it at some point.""Each team refers back to the old designs for inspiration" Revelle said.But each generation of tattoos had minor differences like different color inks or an interlocking logo.The amount of time spent together as a team helps preserve the tradition said sophomore Jordan Wong" who is considering getting inked when he's a junior or senior.""We put in a lot of work" and we want to have a symbol of that" Wong said. It sums up our college experience.""The team practices more than five times a week and trains with weights twice a week"" and team members say they thrive on it.""We love being in a boat and being outside and getting fit" but the thing we love the most are the guys we have around senior Travis Hall said. We pay to put ourselves through physical misery sometimes" but we love every second of it.""Hall told his parents beforehand he would get the tattoo.""They said they didn't want to know about it and that they would see it when I came home"" he said.Friends and family members told him they were surprised he got inked — he didn't seem like a tattoo person, they said.I don't think they can know the time and effort put in over the four years"" Hall said.It's the camaraderie — heightened by the tattoo tradition — that keeps members coming back, Hall said.The whole crew team is invited to a fall wedding of a former member.You think" ‘I have 17 hours of classes and I need an internship and I need a part-time job""" he said. ""But you feel like you owe it to the team to come back.""Contact the Features Editor at features@unc.edu
(01/12/09 5:00am)
Tar Heel basketball fans are a notoriously loud and devoted bunch. But it isn't just the players in blue who keep them cheering.A few hundred feet from the Dean E. Smith Center basketball court a group of visual wizards works to maximize the Tar Heel basketball experience.These technical gurus are a part of the University's New Media program which manages all of the commercial video projects for the athletic department.Ken Cleary director of New Media" said the program's goal is to enhance game day.""We want to get people excited to be here" Cleary said. When (the team) plays well and we run the right song" it brings it to a different level.""New Media's responsibilities include editing season highlight videos" operating LED boards around the Smith Center and broadcasting in-game replays on video screens.Being around people like Roy Williams and Butch Davis is a constant motivation" Cleary said.""To be able to be here and see the athletes and coaches and help them even a little bit is fantastic"" he said.I wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world.""New Media" created in August 2007 works with marketing in the athletic department. Their staff is a mix of full-time and freelance members" including about 10 undergraduates. The program controls visuals for more than 150 sporting events throughout the year.Around 15 people work a typical basketball game in the sound room and out on the arena floor.New Media staff are as much fans of the team as they are employees.""I get paid to come to Carolina basketball and football games"" Michael Crowe said with pride. He's a 2006 UNC graduate and assistant director of New Media. Often, a timely video message can set the tone for the night.When an opponent accidently landed on Tyler Hansbrough's back in the last home game, Crowe flashed Oh no he didn't"" on the LED boards. It was a memorable moment" he said.In addition to New Media Cleary and Crowe also work for ACC Select" a Web site which broadcasts Olympic sports online for all the ACC teams.Carolina Fever Director Stephen Vance said the audio and visual aspects of the game help get the crowd excited.""Part of what makes college sports so unique is the environment and the experience the games create"" Vance said.Win or lose, at the end of the game, the New Media members can feel the effect they had on the players, the crowd and the entire game experience.I hear the crowd more than I see it"" Crowe said.He looks forward to Saturday's men's basketball game against the University of Miami.To witness the atmosphere is a pretty neat thing.""Contact the Features Editor at features@unc.edu.
(10/15/08 4:00am)
The University's first-generation college students now have an outlet for help and information through a new group on campus — the First-Generation College Students Council.The council defines a first-generation college student as any student with neither parent graduating from a four-year institution.This year about 16 percent of the University's student body is made up of first-generation college students. That figure is about equal to the 2005 national average for four-year universities" the most recent year for which data is available.""To be a first-generation college student is something to be proud about" and that is what this group is for" said sophomore Nirav Lakhani, the council's president and a first-generation student.Lakhani said the goal is to bring together first-generation students so they can have a stronger connection on campus.The council kicked off the school year with a welcome dinner Aug. 18 for first-generation students, which drew about 70 students during the Week of Welcome.It's a starting year for us"" council treasurer Kelsey Starlin said. We just need everyone to know we are actually a group.""The group's first meeting for interested members will be at 6 p.m. on Nov. 11 and tentatively will be held at the Rams Head Dining Hall.Cynthia Demetriou" retention coordinator in the Office for Undergraduate Education" is the council's faculty adviser.She said first-generation students have certain difficulties that other students might not face.""They have a bit more pressure on them to do things independently"" she said, since their families might not have a frame of reference for financial aid and other required paperwork.Starlin added that first-generation students also might be unaware of campus activities and resources, such as the Writing Center.Families might not know how to help them because they haven't gone through the college experience"" Starlin said.The council plans on garnering publicity this semester by sending out an e-mail to all first-generation students, advertising in the Pit and asking students to join the council's Facebook group.Council leaders said they want to eventually offer a scholarship with funding from alumni.They also hope to make brochures and information packets for students so they know about University activities and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.Starlin said the council will be modeled after programs such as Clemson FIRST. That extensive program includes tutoring, guest speakers, announcements about campus activities and workshops.It's a combination of support and a socializing network"" Demetriou said. It's important for them to feel connected to the college experience.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(10/01/08 4:00am)
The Wall Street financial crisis that has touched almost every part of the economy is also touching classrooms in the Kenan-Flagler Business School.With the recent financial collapses of Lehman Brothers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and changes with numerous other institutions the school is preparing students for a volatile business job market.The recent events in the stock market and on Wall Street have particularly affected discussions in the masters' programs accounting professor Ed Blocher said.Though the school offers no specific class on what to do in financial crisis situations" Blocher said discussion is happening in the classrooms.""I'm sure that this topic is going on in the classes" in some way or another" he said. We are all thinking about it.""Introductory classes have changed little"" since a lot of what is going on is above the scope of those classes. But students in those classes still view the events as a major concern.""There are no signs to show that it will be getting better anytime soon" said senior business major Ginna Knott.Conrad said many of the school's professors also are thinking of ways they can research the crisis.This is a once-in-a-lifetime set of events and we are interested in it as researchers" she said.Finance professor Jennifer Conrad said business school graduates have been offering advice to professors on how to teach about the current economy and on fields students should look into.Many students planning on going into financial services will probably change toward accounting and consulting, Blocher said.Still, some students graduating in the near future are uneasy about their job prospects.Six master's of business accounting students had full-time offers from Merrill Lynch, which was bought by Bank of America, and Lehman Brothers, which filed for bankruptcy, Conrad said.They are waiting to see what will happen to their offers.And Knott said that some of her friends in investment banking are nervous and think that they will have to take what they can get and not be as selective with jobs presented to them.That's why students need to be open-minded in their job searches, finance professor William M. Moore said.I have always encouraged people to cast a wide net"" he said. You may find something completely different.""Several University faculty members have pitched a business degree as a versatile option to students anxious about the future in business.""What we do in the MBA program is we give people a chance to basically invest in themselves and potentially switch careers"" Conrad said. Which is attractive for an economy that is changing."" How to weather the financial storm:- Choose banks that are backed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Individual accounts are insured for up to $100"000. Joint accounts are insured for up to $200000.- Choose credit unions that are backed by the National Credit Union Insurance Fund. The fund gives similar protection to the FDIC.Source: MSNBCContact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu
(09/12/08 4:00am)
Former Olympic track star Tommie Smith made famous by his raised fist at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City said Thursday that he wasn't even aware of racial discrimination until he went to college.The human rights symbol presented a lesser-known side of himself speaking Thursday night about his life prior to his famous display against oppression.The event" titled ""The Time is Nigh: Organize" Mobilize Radicalize" was the kickoff for the Sonja Haynes Stone Center's series on the civil rights movement of 1968 and 1969. Smith entered to a standing ovation from the about 150 people who attended.He said that growing up on a farm in Texas and then moving to Lemoore, Calif., with his 11 brothers and sisters shaped him into who he became.We did things that made us who we are today"" Smith said.He said he was unaware of the racial discrimination that was going on in the world around him because of his life on the sheltered farm.His talent for running was unnoticed by his large family, Smith said, although in high school he was running faster than some college athletes.When he graduated, he went to San José State University. There he saw the outside world for the first time — and decided he would try to combat discrimination by trying to get the best out of the worst.""""I felt a necessity to get involved after I found out things were different"" he said.It was at the Olympic Games that he was first able to take a public stand on his new view of the world.But before his 200-meter dash in Mexico City, he pulled a leg muscle.Here I was" at the pinnacle of my career saying a pulled muscle is OK" Smith said.He recovered with the help of a bag of ice and light training an hour and a half before the race and went on to win gold.On the medal stand, Smith and teammate John Carlos raised black-gloved fists to represent unity against oppression.After that, trouble began for those closest to him.When the victory stand hit the news" the whole town attacked my family both physically and verbally Smith said.Angry townspeople put manure and dead rats in the family's mailbox in retaliation.Smith was also taken out of San José State's ROTC program after the incident.But he said he credited an education with the reason he got as far as he did in athletics.Had I not had a desire to learn there is no way Mexico City could have happened he said.Smith said the 1968 Olympic Games changed him as a person.I didn't want to leave Mexico City like I got there" he said.The series will continue Tuesday with a screening of the documentary, Chisholm '72: Unbought and Unbossed"" about the 1972 presidential bid of Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to Congress.The series also includes a lecture Oct. 30 by Judy Richardson, a senior associate producer and researcher for the PBS Eyes on the Prize series from the 1980s.It's a part of our look back at 1968 and why that year stands out as being such a lightning rod for people's understanding and misunderstanding"" said Joseph Jordan, director of the Stone Center. Visit the Multimedia page to hear excerpts from the panel discussion.Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(09/03/08 4:00am)
The University is seeking input on a new outreach program to help N.C. communities as part of its response to a UNC Tomorrow directive.The Community-Campus Partnership for Tomorrow is a campuswide pledge to help form partnerships with underserved communities in North Carolina.The program is a response to UNC Tomorrow an endeavor taken on by the 17 schools in the UNC system to help address the most urgent needs of the state.UNC Tomorrow led by UNC-system President Erskine Bowles was created last year specifically to determine how the UNC system can better serve the state's needs in the 21st century.One of its tenets is increasing universities' roles in cities and towns around the state.On July 30 the partnership held a forum at the Friday Center to discuss the group's overall goals the intended outcomes and to get public thought on the ways to choose the procedures and criteria to find an inaugural partner community.To continue getting input Carolina Connects UNC's public service and engagement center also created an Internet message board to solicit more opinion.As of Tuesday evening it had not yet received any posts. There are no other plans to solicit public opinion.The first Community-Campus partner and its top priorities for change will be chosen by January 2009.The University will then work with the town to identify its biggest concerns and use its alumni and faculty connections to solve those problems.The preliminary budget for the program is $350000.Carolina's response to UNC Tomorrow a 67-page document that details the University's plan for achieving its directives includes resources within the Kenan-Flagler Business School as an example of how UNC could help the state.The business school's Center for Competitive Economies could help a community that needed an improved downtown development plan the response states.Another example considers obesity in adolescents and children if it were to become rampant in a community. The Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention could help the town promote a healthy lifestyle starting in the community's preschools.Communities could also learn about how problems have been handled in the past helped through the Southern Oral History Program.The Community-Campus Partnership will be headed by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Public Service and Engagement led by Mike Smith.Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(08/22/08 4:00am)
This spring, one University junior will be the inaugural recipient of the Eve Marie Carson Scholarship, created in honor of the former student body president.
(08/20/08 4:00am)
A group of UNC housekeepers will try again today to reach a compromise with administrators regarding weekend schedules and overtime pay.
Housekeepers were hit with an unexpected change in their work schedules last winter when some were told they would have to work weekends and take a day off during the week.
In June, they stopped receiving overtime pay for the weekend work. UNC administrators said rising costs due to the economy made the changes necessary.
(04/23/08 4:00am)
In a cramped corner of Bull's Head Bookshop, about 35 people gathered to hear Beat poetry writers Anne Waldman and Ed Sanders read some of this avant-garde style of poetry.
Several people closed their eyes and listened to the singsong-like voices of the readers while others doodled words from the poems in beaten books.
Waldman wrote her poem "Manatee Humanity" after President George W. Bush took the manatee off the endangered species list.
"The manatee has more gray matter in the brain than the man," she read.
(03/28/08 4:00am)
Groups of students gathered around cardboard boxes pitched into tiny communities in the Pit on Thursday night to raise awareness about homelessness.
The students were participating in the second annual Box-Out in the Pit for Poverty Awareness Week, held by the Campus Y to inform the campus about poverty. The event was organized by the Campus Y's Hunger and Homelessness Outreach Project.
"HOPE looks to raise people's awareness of different aspects of poverty," said Lindsay Guge, the future special projects coordinator on the student executive board of Campus Y. "They look at what homeless people go through on a regular basis."
Participants had the option of being sponsored, and the money raised will go to Project Homeless Connect, which provides several services to the homeless, including social service help, haircuts, medical examinations and information on housing.
"I am trying to gain more awareness because it is an issue I don't think about often," said sophomore Stephanie Maxwell, who participated.
Maggie West, co-chairwoman of HOPE, said the main purpose was not only to raise awareness on the subject but to give students a hands-on learning experience. She called this a "learning-by-default" experience.
"We don't expect people to understand what it is like to be homeless after spending one night in the Pit," West said.
And students who participated in the event had more amenities than most homeless people have, including a live band, food, company and other entertainment.
They also watched a documentary on the homeless in Chapel Hill, titled "Faces of Franklin."
The event offered other activities for participants such as a performance by the band Backbeat. The group opened up a free dinner in the Pit with cover songs from the '60s and '70s. Later Ascella Vega, Swan Quarter, the Nothing Noise and Sababa also performed.
And the UNC-Washington State basketball game was recorded and available for students who did not want to miss the game.
The Box-Out also attracted interest by those passing by the area Thursday night.
"Everyone is watching when they walk by," freshman Nora Lebow said.
There were 11 registered villages containing 97 participants though that does not take into account the number of people who decided to join the event later without pre-registration.
"With all the people, it's definitely something that makes you stop and notice it," freshman Chelsea Gerhard said.
The Box-Out also included speeches. The Faces of Homelessness Panel of the National Coalition for the Homeless spoke at the event, as well as Moses Carey, a member of the Board of Commissioners. He highlighted Orange County's 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness.
At midnight, a candlelight vigil was held for people who suffer from impoverishment.
Sophomore Brandy Renaud said she was participating in the Box-Out so she could learn from the exposure. "It's hard to make a statement about it without having the experience."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/29/08 5:00am)
With the recent successes in Barack Obama's presidential campaign, many Americans are wondering if the country is ready for a black president.
A Gallup poll from 2007 revealed that Americans were more willing to put a black man in the president's office than a woman, with 94 percent of participants saying they would be open to voting for a black man and 88 percent saying they would be open to voting for a woman.
On Thursday night, the question, "Is America ready for a black president?" was addressed in front of a panel that included Vivek Chilukuri, the director of UNC Students for Barack Obama and four-time Emmy winner Hodding Carter, who was a journalist during the Iran hostage crisis during Jimmy Carter's administration.
Having a black person as a prospective presidential candidate is a sign of change in America, said Jasmin Jones, co-chairwoman of the minority affairs committee of student government.
"It means so much because race matters so much here," she said.
Chilukuri said he believes it took time for the black community to get to know Obama because of questions concerning his multiracial background.
"The longer he spends in communities with blurred racial lines, the more he has become accepted."
Chilukuri also addressed the question of political radicals and the impact they have on presidential campaigns.
"It's a natural fear. People don't want to be let down," he said. "There are always going to be crazy people in the United States. You can't outlive them."
The media also plays a part in how the public views the candidates. Carter explained how the media criticizes the candidates - that first a statue is created, then built up.
"Then when people find something wrong with him, they start to pick away at the pedestal."
Some UNC students said they think different issues are attached to the presidential candidacy than in former years.
"I think we are ready for a change," junior journalism major Lorelle Yuen said.
"We need to try and change all the stereotypes and the mind-set everyone has about African Americans."
Having a black president might help change the way we think, she said.
Chip Gaul, a freshman public policy and communication studies major, said he believes the backing of the American people is important for the next president to be successful.
"There has to be a big enough basis of support," Gaul said.
Gaul also said Obama has certain qualities in him that make him a good presidential candidate, regardless of race.
"He is much more familiar with handling real problems," Gaul said. "I think his humble background and community work makes him more qualified than people realize with handling domestic issues."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/22/08 5:00am)
For more than 20 years, Sister Helen Prejean has visited people on death row, and Monday she will visit UNC.
Prejean, author of the 2007 Carolina Summer Reading Program book "The Death of Innocents," will deliver the Hillard Gold '39 Lecture at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Memorial Hall.
"Prejean has spent 20-something years visiting men on death row," said Sister Margaret Maggio, Prejean's administrative assistant.
"She is currently also visiting one woman on death row as well."
(02/21/08 5:00am)
Along with the win against N.C. State in basketball, UNC pulled ahead of the Wolfpack in the water conservation challenge.
"It was successful for both campuses for lowering the water use of students," Residence Hall Association President Brian Sugg said.
The updated results were announced Wednesday at the UNC vs. N.C. State game. The competition began with the Nov. 10 football game between the two schools.
While water counting is officially over, the final results won't be announced until the ACC Tournament in March.
Throughout the competition, both universities had their turn at being the leader. At the Jan. 15 update, N.C. State had the lead. At the Feb. 1 update, UNC had pulled ahead.
N.C. State started off with 31 gallons of water used per student per day, and UNC with 34 gallons of water per student per day.
Three criteria were considered for this competition. The university with the largest decrease in gallons of water used per student per day from the initial reading won one section.
The other two components include average number of gallons of water used per student per day and the total percentage reduction in gallons of water used per student per day from the initial reading to the final reading.
The challenge's inaugural year was met with positive feedback.
"This is the first time we've done it," UNC's Director of Energy Services Ray DuBose said. "I am overwhelmed."
N.C. State is able to read its statistics every day, but UNC only gets its results on a monthly basis, said Brock Phillips, co-chairman of the environmental committee of student government. He said the competition could be more successful if UNC had offered students more updates.
Freshmen Lucy Holz and Catherine Stotts said they knew little about the campaign.
"I know there's a competition about water," Holz said. "That's the extent of my knowledge."
But the rivalry between the two universities was a smart idea to raise awareness on the drought in the county, Sugg said.
"It was innovative pitting our campuses against each other."
DuBose said he was overwhelmed by the University's student government and student participation in this beneficial challenge.
"I am very impressed with what they are doing," DuBose said.
Holz said her suite conserved water by using throwaway tableware. "That's eight people not doing dishes."
And Phillips said the competition has been successful so far.
"I think it's one of those things that connects people to the drought," he said. "I think the University had a lot of opportunities due to the number students on campus."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/21/08 5:00am)
Along with the win against N.C. State in basketball, UNC pulled ahead of the Wolfpack in the water conservation challenge. It was successful for both campuses for lowering the water use of students"" Residence Hall Association President Brian Sugg said.The updated results were announced Wednesday at the UNC vs. N.C. State game. The competition began with the Nov. 10 football game between the two schools.While water counting is officially over, the final results won't be announced until the ACC Tournament in March.Throughout the competition, both universities had their turn at being the leader. At the Jan. 15 update, N.C. State had the lead. At the Feb. 1 update, UNC had pulled ahead.N.C. State started off with 31 gallons of water used per student per day, and UNC with 34 gallons of water per student per day.Three criteria were considered for this competition. The university with the largest decrease in gallons of water used per student per day from the initial reading won one section.The other two components include average number of gallons of water used per student per day and the total percentage reduction in gallons of water used per student per day from the initial reading to the final reading.The challenge's inaugural year was met with positive feedback.This is the first time we've done it"" UNC's Director of Energy Services Ray DuBose said. I am overwhelmed.""N.C. State is able to read its statistics every day" but UNC only gets its results on a monthly basis said Brock Phillips" co-chairman of the environmental committee of student government. He said the competition could be more successful if UNC had offered students more updates.Freshmen Lucy Holz and Catherine Stotts said they knew little about the campaign.""I know there's a competition about water"" Holz said. That's the extent of my knowledge.""But the rivalry between the two universities was a smart idea to raise awareness on the drought in the county"" Sugg said. ""It was innovative pitting our campuses against each other.""DuBose said he was overwhelmed by the University's student government and student participation in this beneficial challenge.""I am very impressed with what they are doing"" DuBose said. Holz said her suite conserved water by using throwaway tableware. That's eight people not doing dishes.""And Phillips said the competition has been successful so far.""I think it's one of those things that connects people to the drought"" he said. I think the University had a lot of opportunities due to the number students on campus.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/15/08 5:00am)
With the University's move toward a smoke-free campus Jan. 1, tobacco use has become the butt of many discussions about the right to smoke and how it affects students.
And a recent survey, conducted by Child Health Assessment and Monitoring Program, shows an overwhelming percentage of parents approve of no-smoking policies, such as UNC's, being put in place at schools.
"It's clear that North Carolina parents . support strong state action against teen tobacco use," said Shelley Summerlin-Long, a research assistant with UNC's Tobacco Prevention and Evaluation Program, which submitted questions about tobacco use to CHAMP, which is a part of the N.C. State Center for Health Statistics.
CHAMP began in 2005 to measure the health of children from birth to the age of 17. It originally asked questions about health care access, nutrition and physical activity.
The 2006 survey, though, contained five additional questions, submitted by UNC, about parents' opinions related to tobacco and their awareness of the Tobacco Reality Unfiltered campaign. That survey went out to more than 3,000 N.C. parents of children in that age group.
The two surveys were fairly consistent in their percentages, Summerlin-Long said.
The 2006 results show that 85 percent of parents strongly support and 11 percent moderately support tobacco-free policies in their children's schools. These policies prevent smoking or using other tobacco products on the school grounds at any time.
UNC adopted a smoking ban within 100 feet of all buildings, and UNC Hospitals has had a tobacco-free policy since summer 2007.
Kathryn Guyer, a freshman biology major who smokes, said she thinks the University policy that prohibits smoking up to 100 feet away from the buildings is not working.
"Many people think smokers are going to blow smoke in your face," she said. "Just because we smoke doesn't mean we aren't courteous people."
Similarly, about 85 percent of parents strongly support and 11 percent moderately support tobacco-free policies in indoor recreational areas, such as fast food restaurants, skating rinks and bowling alleys.
Journalism major Mitch Montgomery, who smokes, said secondhand smoke is a legitimate health concern indoors but not outdoors.
Religious studies major Worth Morgan, who does not smoke, said indoor public places should have designated smoking areas.
There was less of an overwhelming support when it came to taxes on cigarettes, with 66 percent of parents strongly in support and 16 percent moderately in support of increasing state cigarette taxes to reduce youth access to tobacco.
But students on campus view the results in different lights.
"Raising taxes won't make people stop smoking," Guyer said.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/08/08 5:00am)
The Orange County Rape Crisis Center gave a presentation on the dangers of rape and sexual assault to about 30 students in the parlor of Parker Residence Hall on Thursday night.The presentation, titled Dating" Relationships and Safety" aimed to raise awareness about safe relationships and provide attendees with information about effective communication between men and women.The presentation was given by Cat and Molly, two community educators from the Orange County Rape Crisis Center, who asked that their last names not be mentioned.They began with the definition of sexual assault and rape. They said those are sexual activities exerted by force against a person's will.Twenty-five percent of women will experience sexual violence at some point in their lives, they said, and 100 percent of women will experience the threat of sexual violence in their lifetime.Molly said many people get an image from movies that rape or sexual assault will most likely occur by a stranger. She said that in reality 75 percent to 80 percent of assaults occur between people who know one another.Throughout the presentation, Cat and Molly gave the audience scenarios to ponder, such as drinking at a party or being groped inappropriately without consent.One attendee responded by saying that women have to take precautions at social events that men do not ordinarily have to consider, adding that she thought equality does not exist between men and women in this respect.She also said dressing in a provocative way could convey the wrong message, adding that being under the influence of alcohol can alter one's state of mind and lead to an unwanted situation.Parker community governor Amy Leitner said she hoped attendees left with information and statistics so they become more informed of the dangers in the dating world.You don't realize people's intentions"" said Catherine Bloodwell, a sophomore. It made me realize something that is obvious.""Cat said establishing effective communication is key in these situations.Respecting the other person's opinion" being assertive and trusting your instincts are ways men and women can have clear communication" Cat said.""If someone doesn't respect your wishes early on"" do you think they will respect them later on in the relationship?"" Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(01/30/08 5:00am)
Alpine Bagel Cafe might have some late-night competition if student suggestions for uses of vacant Student Union space gain steam.
Students who participated in a Union focus group Tuesday discussed potential food options to fill empty and soon-to-be unused spaces in the Union.
Ideas presented at the meeting were diverse: Cook Out, Bojangles', a cafe or a snack bar.
Each idea met some opposition whether it was price, commercialization or an already abundant presence on campus.
"Coffee locations are already on campus," said Chase Beck, chairman of the student dining board. "When is enough enough?"
And some of this year's student body president candidates are giving the Union fair play in their platforms, citing a late-night coffee option as a contender for Union space.
No matter what goes into the Union, students will pay for the renovation in some way.
Union Director Don Luse said the renovations will be paid for through student fees or other means.
"The purpose is to shape a facility that could meet today and tomorrow's student needs," Luse said.
He said the window for renovation in the Union would be two to three years. At this stage, officials are just collecting information.
While Union officials have decided to investigate adding new eating options, they are also trying not take away business from other on-campus food venues, said Luse.
Scott Myers, director of food and vending, said it is important for students to say what they want for the space and on what they are willing to spend their money.
Myers said Alpine Bagel Co. is meeting some needs, mostly breakfast and lunch while they also have a "decent" dinner crowd.
Many students said they go to Alpine because it is the only place on campus to get food late at night.
"We don't want to steal from Peter to give to Paul," Myers said.
The process of deciding for certain what will fill the empty space is approaching.
"I hope we are in that range in the summer and actively working on it in the fall," Luse said.
After that phase, plans must be approved by a long-range planning committee, which then submits proposals to an architect. All final decisions on how to use the space must pass the Union's Board of Directors.
The lower level of the Union hosts a computer lab, the Cabaret performance space, a lounge area and a former bowling and billiards area.
There are four areas that Union officials are looking at improving: service and leadership opportunities, technology, food and the overall Union appeal to students.
Each area will have its own focus group, with the food service meeting being at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in Union room 3203 to discuss late-night programming ideas.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(01/18/08 5:00am)
Although the men's basketball team crushed N.C. State last weekend, UNC is lagging behind in another competition - the water conservation challenge.
That competition began as an effort to reduce the amount of water that Orange County uses by 15 percent. It came on the heels of the announcement of the stage two water restriction period.
When the Tar Heels take the court against the Wolfpack on Feb. 20, the contest will officially end.
The challenge has three criteria: decrease the number of gallons of water used per student per day, decrease the average amount of water used and continue to reduce water usage during the challenge.
Whichever school leads in two of the three criteria wins. As of Tuesday, the most recent statistics show that N.C. State is in the lead, taking two categories. The schools are tied in the third category: decreasing gallons used per student per day.
Ray DuBose, director of Energy Services at UNC, said he is not worried about N.C. State's lead.
"Even though the data shows they are ahead, I believe our school will come out ahead," he said.
Residence Hall Association President Brian Sugg reiterated DuBose's optimistic approach.
"I think we are doing relatively well," Sugg said. "We seem to be neck-to-neck with them, and we could easily surpass them."
UNC started off with 34 gallons of water used per student per day, with N.C. State at 31 gallons. UNC and NCSU have each cut down consumption by four gallons.
But that still leaves N.C. State ahead in the amount used, averaging 27 gallons compared to UNC's 30.
There is only a 1 percent difference in reduction between the schools, with UNC at a 12 percent reduction and N.C. State at 13 percent.
"Whether or not there's a competition, everyone is doing their part to conserve," said junior Justin Arnall, a resident adviser in Stacy Residence Hall.
DuBose also credited the publicity by the residence halls as a reason for the influx of students participating on campus.
About 1,000 "Slow the Flow" T-shirts were distributed before Winter Break, and more T-shirts will be distributed later this month.
"I can't say enough how much our students have contributed," DuBose said. "Students are coming to the plate, and I think they are going to hit a home run."
The competition, to which N.C. State Chancellor James Oblinger challenged UNC Chancellor James Moeser, began Nov. 10, when the schools played each other in football.
Student government has been part of the publicity for water conservation.
"For me, it's been monitoring my own habits," Student Body President Eve Carson said. "During a drought, you need to be conscientious of that."
She said the competition with N.C. State is only one facet of UNC's conservation changes.
"We are in it to win it. It's less about the competition and more about changes in our habits."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(01/16/08 5:00am)
RALEIGH - UNC is partnering with Duke University to take on a $7 million project to heighten awareness about shaken baby syndrome.
The issue is a nationwide concern, as 1,200 to 1,400 babies are treated every year after being shaken.
The new program, announced Tuesday, is the largest one in the country, and it aims to inform parents and caregivers in North Carolina about shaken baby syndrome.
"This is a crime of ignorance and (caregivers) running out of emotional support," said Dr. Desmond Runyan, a UNC professor of social medicine and pediatrics.
Many babies are shaken when they won't stop crying, and parents and caregivers become frustrated.
"It's something a lot of parents do not know about," said Heidi Hennink-Kaminski, a UNC journalism professor who is involved in the campaign.
After her 7-week-old son, Christopher, was shaken by a family member, Jennipher Dickens of Windsor became a spokeswoman for preventing SBS.
Christopher remained in the pediatric intensive care unit for almost two weeks. He now has permanent brain damage.
At Tuesday's press conference, Dickens offered some advice for parents and caregivers.
"Put the baby down in a safe place and walk away," she said. "Realize that crying is a phase. All babies cry. It's their way of communication."
Runyan said babies' brains are not yet solidified, so when a baby is shaken, its brain moves in its skull.
There are about 100 N.C. hospitals where babies are delivered, and now new parents at those hospitals will receive a DVD and 11-page brochure. The materials are part of a five-year awareness campaign.
Part of the $7 million - which comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Duke Endowment - will go toward these materials that will inform parents and caregivers about how to deal with fussy babies.
Many infants who are shaken end up with hemorrhages behind their eyes and some with bone fractures to their limbs, Runyan said. Twenty-five percent of affected children die, and the rest are severely disabled.
Dangers of SBS include blindness, cerebral palsy and learning disabilities.
"It's the most preventable child abuse," said Robert Murphy, executive director for the Center for Child and Family Health in North Carolina. "Our hope is to capitalize on something that has entered the public discourse."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.