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(07/10/09 4:00am)
Two student publications were approved for funds during the first and likely only meeting of this summer's Student Congress.Blue & White Magazine received $1518 from summer appropriations to cover the printing of their summer CTOPS issue and humor publication Bounce Magazine received $225 leftover from the spring semester to reimburse them for their Student Body President Smackdown event last February.What will happen to the remaining $982 in summer appropriations if no other student groups request money is still unclear.Representatives had considered diverting the money to this year's Fall Fest event. Summer appropriations may be used between May 15 and the first congress meeting of the fall semester.But they agreed this would be unfair as summer students who will study abroad this fall or don't attend UNC during the regular school year wouldn't benefit from their fees being used for the fall event.Speaker Joe Levin-Manning said he is still conferring with other departments to find out where the money would go if congress does not assign it.The meeting hinged around discussion and solutions rather than spending excessive time looking up rules and procedures in the Student Code as previous meeting have been prone to.
(04/20/09 4:00am)
WATCH THE DOCUMENTARYTime: 7 p.m. todayLocation: Hanes Art CenterTo learn more about the Speaker Ban controversy and other UNC protests, click here to visit the ""I Raised My Hand To Volunteer"" online exhibit. Hanes Art Center will host a lesson in UNC's history of free speech tonight"" which organizers hope can help students draw parallels to contemporary campus issues.Communication studies professor Gorham ""Hap"" Kindem is presenting a documentary he made in 2005. The film"" titled ""Beyond the Wall"" chronicles the fight by UNC students to repeal the Speaker Ban Law that passed the N.C. General Assembly in the '60s.The ban prohibited members of the Communist Party or people who had used the Fifth Amendment to avoid Congressional investigations of un-American"" activity from speaking on campus.Members of the campus community have drawn parallels between the law and issues involved in Tuesday's protest that prevented former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo from speaking"" which is why Kindem decided to show it.""I think this is timely in that the topic is directly related to the current events about free speech on campus" he said. It even involves some of the same participants" notably the current SDS chapter.""Kindem said he was inspired to make the documentary by campus events in 2005 like the controversial selection of ""Approaching the Qur'án: The Early Revelations"" as the summer reading book" as well as what he saw as civil liberties infringements by the USA Patriot Act.The event will feature a panel with three people from the speaker ban era: James Medford former president of the Campus Y and roommate of then-Student Body President Paul Dickson who led the charge to repeal the law; Jerry Carr former graduate student and head of UNC's chapter of Students for a Democratic Society; and Daniel Pollitt emeritus professor of constitutional law and former faculty chairman.All three were instrumental in the speaker ban fight" an issue that dominated campus.""There was a lot of different campus issues" and the speaker ban was one of the biggest" Medford said.In addition to bringing a bad light to UNC, Medford said the ban also caused greater complications such as threatening the library's accreditation. The ban eventually was repealed when students brought a case through the N.C. courts on First Amendment grounds.Medford said he sees a lot of the same issues that were present on campus in the '60s reemerging.What we've got here is the different side of the same coin"" he said. You have to let people speak. It's only when people are denied the right to speak that their opinions become more important than they probably are.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(04/08/09 4:00am)
It was a party for all ages.School children and middle-aged men played hooky grandmothers showed up with grandchildren and students some of whom had just rolled out of bed met in the Smith Center on Tuesday to welcome home the 2009 national champions.UNC fans had been waiting to welcome their heroes home since Monday night when it became clear that one of the most accomplished men's basketball teams in school history would beat Michigan State to clinch a fifth NCAA title.And when the players coaches and staff finally arrived at about 2:45 p.m." the crowd erupted into a flurry of chants and cheers.""We're national champs"" senior forward Tyler Hansbrough said. It's the best feeling in the world.""Their introductions were filled with statistics and accomplishments"" but only one was on the forefront of everyone's mind.""We did it"" y'all!"" senior forward Danny Green said to the crowd of about 13""000. ""But the way that we did it — did you see how we did it?""The five scholarship seniors and coach Roy Williams took turns at the microphone" thanking one another and the fans.When they stumbled with their words like senior forward Mike Copeland who repeatedly said he was speechless" the crowd filled in the gaps with cheers.And Green danced one last time to a roaring crowd.""I think because the seniors wanted it so badly" everyone wanted it for them" said Yvonne Daugherty, who attended UNC during the '82 NCAA Championship win. So that's why people are still excited.""A jovial Chancellor Holden Thorp addressed the team"" expressing the crowd's sentiment.""On behalf of the University of North Carolina and by the power vested in me by the state of North Carolina"" he said, We love you.""The 89-72 score" still burning brightly on the Smith Center scoreboards" seemed to be a redemption for last year's 18-point loss to Kansas in the Final Four.""These boys have been fighting since they lost out last year"" said Jimmy Sessons, whose granddaughter graduated from UNC in December. This year"" they were not going to lose.""Fans and players repeatedly referenced Tuesday how the empty space in the rafters next to the 2005 national championship banner made everything look unbalanced.That problem can now be remedied.Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(03/29/09 4:00am)
For junior Matt Garza there are two options. There's the solve-the-world's-problems research-focused track and there's the solve-the-world's-problems management-focused track.Either way he's looking to make a difference and he just got a powerful tool to do so.Garza an economics major and Morehead-Cain Scholar is one of 60 college juniors nationally to receive the Truman Scholarship one of the country's most prestigious graduate awards. The scholarship funds up to $30"000 of graduate studies toward a public-service related degree.""The decision I'm trying to make right now is where I can really have an impact after college"" he said.With the award, Garza sees two options. The first would be a doctoral degree in economics, which he would use to research solutions to major problems, such as poverty.The second path would be a master's in public administration or business administration, through which he would hope to help lead a nonprofit organization or governmental agency.To help figure out which track, he's got at least a semester of school left, and he said he plans to work for a few years before pursuing graduate studies.Garza's involvement at UNC is reflective of his commitment to public service. He has worked with Students for Students International, a nonprofit organization that funds scholarships for young women in Tanzania to attend secondary school, since he was a first-year. He is the group's executive director this year.Matt's greatest strength is the ability to step back and examine a situation holistically"" said Emily Joy Rothchild, the group's director of operations, who has worked with Garza for three years.He doesn't focus on problems. He's not a problem person. He's a solution maker.""For Garza" who attended an elite private high school in Massachusetts and had offers from several Ivy League schools" the decision to come to UNC is one that surprised many of his friends here.""He could have constrained himself to the top echelon" but he chose not to" said friend and roommate Emre Cilem. I'm so impressed by that.""But Garza said UNC has allowed him to follow a path that many schools would not provide. Before coming to Carolina" he took a year off to work on public health projects in Mexico and Paraguay among other things which he said helped focus his studies.He also withdrew for a semester in 2007 to study Arabic in Cairo spending 20 to 30 hours a week in language class.These two experiences put Garza almost two years older than most of his peers something his friends like to joke about.But for Garza the UNC atmosphere — which allows students to pursue uncommon paths such as his own — has been one that has inspired him to succeed.Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(03/04/09 5:00am)
A man was arrested in Craige Residence Hall early Wednesday morning after exhibiting behavior residents called ""bizarre.""Gregory Harris"23 of 102 Taylor St. in Chapel Hill was arrested for trespassing around 12:45 a.m. after resident advisers in Craige notified police that Harris was in the dorm and acting strangely.He is not a UNC student or affiliated with the University in any other way.Harris had been in the dorm early Tuesday morning as well and was issued a trespass warning after housekeeping staff complained. He was able to get back in the dorm at some point later that day.Residents said Harris was walking into the bathrooms of suites and asking if anyone was in them.Andrea Liu a first-year who lives in Craige said Harris walked into her suite at about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.She was sitting in her room with her door open and Harris asked her if anyone was in the bathroom. She said she assumed he was a janitor. Harris opened the bathroom door looked in and then walked out of the suite.Liu said many of her friends told her Harris had walked into their suites as well.Katherine Cabe also a first-year" said she was standing in her towel in the bathroom of her suite when Harris entered the suite. The bathroom door was open and Harris saw her.""He said" ‘Oh sorry' and then walked out. It was very odd she said.Liu said she was sitting with a group of friends in the fifth floor lounge of Craige later that night when Harris walked in and sat down in the corner.He started talking to the group and telling them about drugs. He seemed really out of it and really sketch" Liu said.Eventually resident advisers from the dorm showed up and said they had called security.Liu said when officers arrived they patted Harris down and asked for his ID. They then handcuffed him and led him out of the lounge.When he was leaving the dorm, he said, Don't worry"" boys and girls. Your man will be back.""A phone number for Harris was provided by the Department of Public Safety" but the person who answered the phone at the residence said Harris did not live there.Randy Young spokesman for DPS said the investigation is still open and anyone with further information should contact his department.The incident in Craige has no connection to another incident in Teague Residence Hall" where a student who is now no longer enrolled has been charged with peeping at women in the shower.Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/24/09 5:00am)
Some retired UNC faculty are willing to give up fishing trips and free time to return to the classroom next year — even without pay.The UNC Retired Faculty Association approved a resolution at its Feb. 17 meeting offering to teach courses and perform other faculty duties such as grant-writing without compensation.They plan to bring their resolution to Chancellor Holden Thorp in the next couple of weeks as an attempt to mitigate the impact of potential budget cuts next year.Employee furloughs or layoffs" increased class sizes and reduced research capabilities have been named as possible consequences of a tighter budget next year.""The association does not want the quality of the University to be compromised" and doesn't want the educational experiences of the students to be sacrificed under the current economic conditions" said Andrew Dobelstein, president-elect of the association and former professor of social work.The association, formed in 1986, is a group of about 700 retired faculty that seeks ways to maintain meaningful connections to UNC.Dobelstein said involvement would be completely voluntary, and he wasn't sure how many retirees might be interested in returning.But he has heard mostly positive responses from retired faculty so far, he said.Professor Emeritus Thad Beyle, 74, is officially retired but continues to teach political science courses.He said that he would be glad to return next year for free just to help out.""The association includes faculty from almost every discipline" and many have remained involved with their areas of study during retirement" Dobelstein said.""Sure" they're not going to be as sharp as some of the new people coming out but it's not as if they're duds either" he said.While the proposal might sound like a win-win, Joe Templeton, chairman of the faculty, said the situation isn't as simple as inviting former professors back into the classroom.Before accepting any retired faculty, administrators would have to carefully review whether state and University guidelines would permit them to step into the same roles they did before, Templeton said.UNC also would have to consider how the move would be viewed by the University's accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which has strict guidelines about the effectiveness and qualifications of faculty.The Faculty Council has not discussed the proposal yet.If administrators approve the idea, the association will conduct a survey to match interested members with the positions that UNC needs.Dobelstein said he wasn't sure what Thorp and other administrators would think of the idea.The chancellor is really a very capable person" he said. If this is something that he can make use of he'll make use of it … If he just says ‘Thank you no thank you" that's his call.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/23/09 5:00am)
Despite looming budget cuts" the University is making an effort to hire more faculty with environmental expertise as well as to achieve more with the research already happening.The goal: to help solve global problems like global warming and declining oil supplies.Tom Clegg an associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences" said there is a ""broad campus initiative"" to expand research in areas like solar energy and hydrology.""We need to understand these problems"" he said. We need to be training students to understand these problems.""Clegg echoes priorities laid out by Chancellor Holden Thorp in his May acceptance speech. In it" he said UNC's goals need to expand to include worldwide environmental goals" like finding and inventing clean energy.""Holden understands these issues"" Clegg said. He clearly was part of the discussions which identified environmental science and environmental studies as important.""The administrative support remains even with the current budget situation" which is making hiring new faculty difficult across campus.But Cindy Shea director of UNC's Sustainability Office" said expanding the number of faculty with environmental expertise will still be important.""Even with budget constraints" the chancellor has been very clear that when we figure out how to respond to these budget cuts it won't be just across the board" she said.She said a number of new faculty have already been hired who have expertise in environmental and sustainability research. In the law school, faculty with knowledge about carbon markets have been hired. Other faculty have been hired in the Kenan-Flagler Business School that have knowledge about sustainable business practices.Clegg said the College of Arts and Sciences also has told Provost Bernadette Gray-Little that one of its main priorities is the environment.We will be looking for faculty with that expertise"" he added.In addition to hiring more faculty, he said there needs to be an effort to combine faculty research both in solar energy and hydrology.For example, David Moreau is researching water use in the Southeastern United States as part of the curriculum for the environment and ecology.Related research is occurring at the Institute for the Environment, which includes undergraduate programs in environmental science and environmental studies.There are lots of people who have expertise" and we need to figure out how to bring them together" Clegg said.Shea, who began work at the center in 2001, said the University has placed more emphasis on environmental research as environmental problems have become more visible. I've seen it grow in importance every year since I've been here"" she said. Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/16/09 5:00am)
It was pretty clear from Tuesday's election that it would take something unusual to help Jasmin Jones make up the difference between her and Thomas Edwards in the student body president race.Nabbing 41 percent of Tuesday's vote and almost twice as many votes as Jones Edwards was the clear frontrunner to seal the runoff election Tuesday.But then something unusual happened.In a meeting Saturday that was part strategy session and part pep talk the four candidates knocked out of the race in Tuesday's election — Ron Bilbao Michael Betts Ashley Klein and Matt Wohlford — dedicated their time energy campaign teams and platform points to getting Jones elected.After sitting down and talking with both Jones and Edwards the defeated candidates decided to make a united endorsement.All four candidates stressed the idea that Jones was simply a better fit for the role" saying she would be a better leader for the students and less of an administrator.""By far" an SBP has to have the quality of motivation Bilbao said to Jones. You by far" capture people and make them believe in what you're saying and what you're doing.""While the four eliminated candidates all had different reasons for backing Jones" their sentiments echoed one another's.Klein was enthusiastic about Jones' openness to incorporating their platform ideas something they said Edwards wasn't as open too. At Saturday's meeting Jones agreed to include some of each candidates' major platform points in a revised platform.And the defeated four candidates think that by throwing their lot in with Jones" they can change the election's outcome.""If we can bring your old voters back and our old voters back" then you win this thing" Klein said.If the five candidates bring back the exact same voters as Tuesday's election, their combined 4,844 votes would top Edwards' 3,288.Obviously" it's worrisome" Edwards said. But I don't think it's in any way indicative of how Tuesday's election is going to go.""He stressed that just because the candidates are endorsing together doesn't mean that their voters" or even campaign workers will follow suit.Runoff elections also tend to see lower voter turnout. Edwards said the people who voted for him were likely to come back but the other candidates worried that theirs wouldn't.The defeated four candidates noted how their voters were enthusiastic about them not Jones" and said it would be hard to get them to turn out again.They also recognized the limited time frame within which they would have to work.""We have" essentially one day to get these changes to people Bilbao said. The things that we could do in month" we have to do in a day.""In the two-hour meeting" the five camps discussed how to spread the word about the decision including mass e-mails to lists and their own teams about why they support Jones.They also plan to mobilize people to be in the Pit today and Tuesday and go to classrooms on election day. The group erected an A-frame sign bearing all their campaign logos in the Pit on Sunday. The group also spent significant time addressing the concerns that people had during the regular election" especially the claim that Jones does not know policy as well as her competition.""If you run a platform campaign" you're going to lose" said Adam Storck, one of Betts' campaign workers who filled in for Betts during the meeting.They stressed that Jones needed to be more open and more personable. But Bilbao, in a moment of jest, summed up the group's goal.You know" between the five of us" we could probably win a campaign.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/16/09 5:00am)
At least 706 students will have priority registration when they sign up for fall classes the priority registration advisory committee decided Friday.Those students — about 2.5 percent of the student body — were determined to have exceptional difficulties with class scheduling because of learning disabilities athletic practices or other significant time commitments.They will be allowed to register the same day as others in their class but at the earliest time slot.Eight committee members including two students" reviewed groups' applications for more than three hours and voted on each one.""What they're trying to determine to the best they can is"" does this individual have a more difficult time getting a viable schedule because they are involved in an activity?"" said University Registrar Alice Poehls"" committee chairwoman.The committee based decisions on a number of considerations:- The amount of time students would have available for classes;- Whether the students have required courses for their activity;- Whether the athletic team shares facilities;- Whether students have required study sessions;- And whether the athletic team will be competing during the fall.The committee also reviewed sample schedules for each group.""I make my decisions based on the information that's in front of me"" said junior David Bevevino, a committee member. If two groups that seem similar don't give me the same information"" I can't judge them the same way.""There is no numerical limit on how many students the committee can approve" but the policy recommends that no more than 25 percent of seats in a course should be available for priority registration. The eight groups that were not approved will have an opportunity to appeal to the committee on Friday.When groups appealed last year the committee did not reverse any decisions" Poehls said.""That's not meant to be a precedent"" she said.This is the committee's third semester determining which groups will receive priority registration. Before the committee was created, deans could recommend individual students for priority registration as part of an informal system.Professor Steve Reznick, who was chairman of the task force that created the policy, said that he was glad that priority registration is being addressed explicitly, but that changes still need to be made.What we have done is moved toward developing a policy that works"" Reznick said. We are very proud to be at a University that wants to do this right."" Groups approved for priority registration- Academic success program for students with LD/ADHD- Baseball- Basketball (men and women)- Cross country (men and women)- Field hockey- Football- Golf (men and women)- Lacrosse (men and women)- Rowing (varsity and novice)- Soccer (men and women)- Tennis (men and women)- Track and field (men and women)- Volleyball- Wrestling- Athletic training- Disability support services- Education - elementary- Robertson Scholars- Navy ROTC Groups not approved- Fencing (men and women)- Gymnastics- Softball- Swimming and diving (men and women)- Education — child development and family studies- Education — middle grades- Air Force ROTC- Army ROTCContact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/10/09 5:00am)
For the about 40 student election candidates today is what months of hard work have come down to.And it surely will be a stressful day.From 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. students will log on to Student Central and vote on which candidates should be the next to represent students.And during that time candidates and their campaign staffs will be yelling in the Pit dormstorming in residence halls" talking on the phone with friends and doing whatever they can to get votes.""I don't remember eating anything but Red Bull all day"" said James Allred, the 2006-07 student body president.Michael Betts, Ron Bilbao, Thomas Edwards, Jasmin Jones, Ashley Klein and Matt Wohlford have spent the last four weeks — and much of last semester — figuring out how to get students to vote for them for student body president.But for at least four of them, tonight will be the end of the line.Two will likely face another week of campaigning.If no student garners a majority of votes cast, the top two vote-getters will face off in a runoff election next Tuesday. With six candidates, that's likely to happen.Allred, who never faced a runoff himself but worked on campaigns that did, said the dynamics of the election change after tonight.Since four candidates — with large campaign teams — likely will be eliminated, he said winning their support will be a big strategy for the continuing candidates.After this" it becomes about building a coalition Allred said. That can build momentum" change the election.""During the past month"" the six candidates have tried to differentiate themselves through their platforms — which address such disparate ideas as tuition and sustainable food and outline ways of achieving these goals.But both Allred and current president J.J. Raynor said the platforms are only half of the game.""The SBP's job often is to go above and beyond the platform" Raynor said. But he or she has to deal with things that have come up. Someone says ‘Hey what's the students' opinion on this"' they have to be able to give a credible opinion. That's the most important thing.""And that's what they said students should vote on today — who they think is the most prepared and who will be able to handle the things that just ""come up.""""At some meeting at 9 a.m. on some Tuesday" some proposal is going to come up that can really change the student experience Allred said. Students need to choose someone who will be at that meeting" at every meeting.""Raynor and Allred both said the best judge of who will be a good student body president is how much work a candidate has put into organizing his or her campaign.Margaret Jablonski" vice chancellor for student affairs said the job requires good communication skills" organization and an openness to students' voices.""It is a complex job to represent the student voices"" Jablonski said. The president has to be a student advocate to all the different areas in the University administration as well as the Board of Trustees.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/09/09 5:00am)
In the dozens of pages of platforms compiled by this year's student body president candidates ideas have been thrown around that some administrators say just aren't realistic. Some of these plans while desirable would cost millions of dollars which administrators said isn't feasible at a time when the University might have to make cuts to its operating budget. Others are just not desirable or such a low priority that they are not likely to be accomplished. Most are out of the student body president's direct control and would require administrative help and University resources.While candidates have backed off of some these points after learning how much they would cost or the time frame involved in completing them many of them remain prominent — listed on campaign signs across campus and on online platforms.
(02/04/09 5:00am)
John Turner a beloved colleague and the first black dean at UNC" died Friday. He was 86.Turner became dean of the School of Social Work in 1981 and was instrumental in transforming it into a nationally recognized institution.""John had a vision for the school"" said Jack Richman, dean of the School of Social Work since 2002. He really set the tone and hired the faculty and we became a top 10 school of social work.""During his tenure" Turner hired international faculty started a $5 million fundraising campaign and raised money for the construction of the school's current home — the Tate-Turner-Kuralt Building which is partially named for him.Rebecca Brigham director of field education at the school and a student there during Turner's term said the construction of the Tate-Turner-Kuralt Building which was completed in 1995" helped make the school visible.""Previously we were scattered all over buildings"" Brigham said. The new building has made us into a professional academic community.""Even after his retirement in 1992"" Turner helped shape the course for the school's future.""I would meet with John for lunch every now and then"" Richman said. He would tell me what he wanted me to do and I would take notes.""Even as a prominent administrator"" Turner still had time to be a friend to staff at the school.""Dean Turner was one of those people that wanted to always know you"" said Vanessa Mitchell, a computer support analyst at the school since 1987. It was nothing for him to come up to your desk and say"" ‘How are you today? How are your children?'""He even invited staff over to his house for pool parties.""My children still remember Dr. Turner to this day"" Mitchell said, adding that he encouraged them to learn to swim.As a social worker, Turner remained interested in helping people his entire life.He was particularly interested in families" children and poverty. The state of African-American families was an interest for him" Richman said.Brigham added that Turner worked incredibly hard"" to promote social work in the state.""He was very passionate about social work"" she said. Social work changed under his leadership.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu
(01/23/09 5:00am)
Junior Jasmin Jones secured the first endorsement of the Student Body President race Thursday night after a forum hosted by the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies.The event kicked off the true start of campaign season which will feature a rigorous schedule of debates and forums to help students get to know the candidates before the Feb. 10 election.Jones beat out fellow candidates Michael Betts Ron Bilbao" Thomas Edwards and Ashley Klein to secure the group's nomination.""It's good to start off on a good leg"" she said after the announcement. It gives us hope for a strong campaign season.""The Di-Phi forum is traditionally the first of the season and kicks off the public portion of campaign season" where candidates can speak openly about their platforms and goals in dorms the Pit and forums.The group gave each candidate five minutes to introduce themselves and then had a question-and-answer session from the audience.In addition to being an opportunity to speak on their platforms" the Di-Phi forum also gave the candidates a chance to see the competition.""It's an opportunity to get to know each other more intimately" see what each other are all about" Betts said.While Di-Phi decided to back Jones, candidates will have numerous other opportunities to pitch themselves to student groups.Many organizations, including The Daily Tar Heel, the Black Student Movement, Young Democrats and even Bounce Magazine, will host their own forums in the coming weeks.With more than two weeks left until the election, the candidates said the forum gave them a chance to get comfortable with speaking in front of groups.I learned how to take a hard-hitting question"" Klein said, in reference to a question about her platform's economic feasibility.All the candidates said they are planning on reaching out to students through dormstorming and being in the Pit during the next few days. While the candidates said the forums are a good way to get their messages out, former Student Body President James Allred said the benefit of winning an endorsement is not necessarily the publicity associated with it.With some organizations" you gain access to their listserv and you may gain access to their top members as campaign staff" he said.He added that when he won the College Republicans and Young Democrats forums in 2006, both groups did ground work for him for the rest of his campaign.If you get a couple people excited about your platform" and then they come and work for you that can make all the difference" he said.But securing endorsements has never been a clear indicator of who is going to win a campaign. In 2005, Tom Jensen received more endorsements than any other candidate — including large groups like the Black Student Movement and Young Democrats — but received only a small percentage of the vote. Student Body President J.J. Raynor said the forums were never her favorite part of campaigning.For me"" forums were by far the most stressful part. I liked meeting people and talking one on one much better.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(01/22/09 5:00am)
The Student Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday about whether the Board of Elections was justified in fining student body president candidate Matt Wohlford for campaign violations.The Court plans to release its decision today or Monday.Wohlford brought the case after the board issued his campaign a $40 fine on Oct. 5 for holding a meeting at the Campus Y and speaking to The Daily Tar Heel.Candidate Ashley Klein was also fined $40 for the same offenses. Her case heard by the court in November affirmed the elections board's ability to interpret elections law but also led to a 70 percent reduction of her fine.Although Klein and Wohlford's violations were the same the candidates' distinct arguments against the fines created two very different cases.While Klein challenged the board's authority to interpret laws Wohlford argued that the elections board did not follow the correct process in issuing his fine.The defense led by Val Tenyotkin vice chairman of the Board of Elections maintained that the process" although not a ""traditional investigation"" was done lawfully.When the alleged violations occurred, elections board Chairman Ryan Morgan was the board's only member — other members had not yet been hired.Because Wohlford admitted in a conversation with Morgan to having a meeting and speaking with The Daily Tar Heel, Morgan did not investigate further when the elections board was hired.There were five other members of the Board of Elections who did not get to see Matt. They heard it secondhand"" said Andrew Pham, who acted as counsel to Wohlford.When the full board met in closed session in October to determine his fine, Wohlford said he wasn't even aware the meeting was taking place and had no opportunity to defend himself.Morgan added that he thought the meeting was closed lawfully according to the Student Code. N.C. Open Meetings Law requires that government bodies cite one of nine specific reasons to legally close a meeting, which did not happen.Tenyotkin argued that the admission of holding the meeting and interviewing required no further investigation.No defense can be admitted against an admission" he said.The fine is irrelevant Tenyotkin said during the hearing. What matters is the precedent this sets: Can the chairman investigate alone" or can he not investigate alone?"" Tenyotkin said.The fine will be truly irrelevant if Wohlford is not officially certified as a candidate.As of Thursday night" Wohlford was short of the 800 signatures required to be listed on the ballot according to the Board of Elections.He said he will continue gathering the signatures he lacks until the 5 p.m. deadline today.Wohlford declined to comment on the hearing" saying that Tenyotkin warned him that an interview would be considered a violation of elections law.But Morgan said afterward that he was ""pretty optimistic"" that the court would rule in favor of the elections board.Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(01/16/09 5:00am)
Both sides claimed victory after the Student Supreme Court issued its ruling Thursday in a lawsuit pitting student body president candidate Ashley Klein against the Board of Elections.The board got a reaffirmation of its power to interpret the Student Code and an increase in its jurisdiction off campus. But some of the guidelines used to punish Klein for holding a campaign meeting on campus were thrown out" and her fine will have to be reassessed at a Sunday meeting.The case stems from a $40 fine levied on Klein for speaking with The Daily Tar Heel and holding campaign meetings in the Campus Y in August.Such actions were deemed ""public campaigning" which is prohibited before candidates officially declare candidacy. Private campaigning" however, is allowed.The first major provision of the court's decision upholds the board's authority to interpret the Student Code, which Klein challenged.It seems inconceivable in this context that the Congress would have the Board of Elections paralyzed and running for guidance every time it comes upon an ambiguity"" it reads.The decision also redefined and extended the board's jurisdiction to events off campus, which board Vice-chairman Val Tenyotkin said pleased the board. Tenyotkin said the board assumed its jurisdiction only included on-campus activities, so it could not punish any off-campus event.But the decision says the public/private distinction does not deal with the location of an action, but rather a combination of whether it was in the public view, how well-known it was and whether government resources were used.Under this interpretation, the board can fine candidates for an off-campus action, and on-campus actions are not necessarily public.For future elections and future boards" this decision will be nailed to the wall of the Board of Election's office" Tenyotkin said. It completely redefines what we can do and where we can do it.""Based on this interpretation" the court ruled that the board had misinterpreted the Code when it issued administrative rulings and fined Klein for holding a meeting in the Campus Y.The court upheld Klein's fine for speaking with The Daily Tar Heel.The court will hear another case against the board by Matt Wohlford another potential candidate next Thursday. He is also challenging a fine for public campaigning.Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(01/12/09 5:00am)
The Board of Elections has decided that candidate Facebook groups are permissible provided that they are secret. This decision which seemingly contradicts the Student Code has frustrated several campaigns and raised questions of how the board is handling the election.In December" at least eight candidates were discovered to have created ""secret"" Facebook groups" meaning they cannot be viewed unless a person is invited by one of the group's administrators.Title VI of the Student Code which deals with election law states" ""No campaign-related material" including web pages instant message profile links or icons and social network groups" shall be allowed on the web until a candidate's declaration of candidacy is filed with the BOE.""No candidates can declare candidacy until a meeting Tuesday.While these groups violate the wording of the Student Code" Board of Elections Chairman Ryan Morgan said these groups are no different from speaking privately with campaign workers which is legal any time of the year.But unlike private meetings these groups contain more than campaign staff. Several groups rotate through administrators so members can invite their friends. As a result" some groups have more than 500 members and invitations have reached thousands of students.Morgan said the board has created regulations in addition to those in the Student Code to balance out the way Facebook has impacted the election process.""We're changing some other things to balance it out"" Morgan said. We're being a little stricter on petition gathering this year.""The decision about private Facebook groups has bothered some campaigners"" and multiple campaigns have expressed frustration with the ambiguity of election laws the board is enforcing.""Collectively" multiple people on multiple campaigns have been disappointed with the way the board has performed said a campaign staff member who requested anonymity to avoid violating election rules. Specifically" the arbitrary application and interpretation of the rules.""It's clear that they have given very little thought into the impact of their decisions.""Last semester" the board fined two potential campaigns $40 each for holding meetings on campus and speaking with The Daily Tar Heel.The two fined campaigns filed suit against the board arguing that the board overstepped its authority and wrongly interpreted the code.In November the board warned one potential student body president candidate for creating a public Facebook group but issued no fine.Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(12/03/08 5:00am)
February's elections season could see at least eight students vying to be student body president.Juniors Ron Bilbao Thomas Edwards Jasmin Jones Ashley Klein Julia La Roche and Matt Wohlford and sophomores Michael Betts and Andrew Ashley expressed interest in running for the position at an optional candidates meeting held Tuesday by the Board of Elections.Board of Elections Vice Chairman Val Tenyotkin said he has heard of at least two more students who are interested in running for the office and said others could pop up between now and official campaign season.Last year only three students ran for the office. A total of 18 students attended the optional meeting which was open to potential candidates for all elected offices.Juniors Darius Barrow Courtney Brown and John Russell and sophomore Nicholas Varunok expressed interest in running for Carolina Athletic Association president which was uncontested last year.At the meeting Tenyotkin discussed common violations of election rules" such as publicly campaigning before the rules allow. He said people have often tried to stretch the rules in past elections and have gotten in trouble for it.""Creativity is what will get you in trouble"" he said.The elections board already has fined Wohlford and Klein for holding illegally public meetings and speaking with The Daily Tar Heel. They have appealed that decision to the Student Supreme Court.A mandatory campaign meeting will be held Jan. 13, where candidates will officially declare their candidacy and the elections board will make a formal presentation about the rules.After that meeting, candidates have one week to gather a specific number of signatures required for their office.A couple of people will be weeded out by the process of gathering signatures"" Tenyotkin said.To run for student body president, students must gather at least 800 signatures, which cannot be duplicated on other petitions for the same office. If 10 run, the 8,000 combined required signatures is more than the 6,625 students who voted last year.The last year to have so many candidates was 2004, when 10 declared candidacy at the January meeting. Eight passed the signature threshold.If students pass that requirement, they can openly speak about their campaigns starting Jan. 21. Election Day is Feb. 10.You win if you have a good message and it reaches enough people" Tenyotkin said. Do that and get the right groups to endorse you" and you'll win.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(11/23/08 5:00am)
Four months ago senior Aisha Saad stood atop the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal India and witnessed the aftermath of the 1984 chemical leak considered one of the world's worst environmental disasters.That moment was the capstone on a long journey for Saad which has taken her across the globe and opened her eyes to the pursuit of environmental justice.Next year that journey will take Saad to Oxford England.Saad an environmental health sciences and Spanish double major from Cary" is one of 32 Americans awarded Rhodes Scholarships this year.""I'm excited by the opportunity to diversify my educational path"" Saad said. The possibility for adventure that this presents is unbeatable.""The Rhodes Scholarship" which provides all expenses for two years of study at the University of Oxford and the option for a third is known as one of the world's most prestigious scholarships.Saad said she will use the scholarship to pursue a master's degree in nature society and environmental management at Oxford.She said she ultimately wants to pursue environmental law a passion that grew out of her interest in social justice she has pursued at UNC.On campus Saad serves as the outreach coordinator for the Muslim Students Association organizing events with other campus groups. Saad is a former opinion editor for The Daily Tar Heel.She is also a Morehead-Cain scholar and has also worked with the Interfaith Alliance" a campus organization that works between religious groups on common projects.""We're kind of building bridges across groups"" Saad said. The common denominator is social justice."" Saad said her Islamic faith has been a big part of shaping her life and academic interests.""It has been an integral part of my life"" Saad said. It is the ethical core of my life. The subtext of my motivations comes from vision for social justice and social dignity.""Those who have worked closely with Saad said her ability to work across diverse groups and unite campus groups has been a big strength.""People often talk about diversity and bringing different groups together" and Aisha has really lived that in a quiet but strong way" said Charles Lovelace, executive director of the Morehead-Cain Foundation.Saad said this ability to represent diverse viewpoints and bring new ideas to the discussion was a strength that came across in her interviews.I think I brought forth a really diverse perspective" Saad said. I have an unconventional background" and I think I was able to relate that in the interview process.""As a Morehead-Cain scholar" she has travelled and done research in Egypt India and South America through the scholarship.Born in Egypt Saad was almost ineligible for the scholarship" only learning that she was granted American citizenship a week before the application deadline.Saad is the 42nd UNC student to receive the scholarship and the seventh in as many years.""I think it speaks to the quality of the undergraduate education here"" Lovelace said. It's a tribute to the faculty that have supported her.""For Saad" faculty support came from law professor Donald Hornstein who taught Saad last year and is her honors thesis adviser. Her thesis focuses on environmental issues in the Nile River delta.He said her experience this past summer traveling to India and Egypt" and then back to Chapel Hill showcased Saad's ability to transcend borders to confront major issues.""She's a natural fit"" he said. She's really a citizen of the world.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(11/20/08 5:00am)
Spray-painted phrases such as ""Go Pack"" we eat rams 4 lunch"" and profanities marred the brick paths near Rams Head Dining Hall on Thursday.The graffiti" presumably painted by N.C. State University students" follows years of pranks leading up to athletic face-offs and met a mixed response.""It wasn't terribly creative"" said Doug Dibbert, president of the General Alumni Association, as he read the markings. It seems to me there's a difference between vandalism and pranks that are not destruction of property.""The UNC Department of Public Safety was alerted to the incident around 7 a.m. and is investigating the crime" spokesman Randy Young said.Officers patrol campus each night but Young said he did not know what time the painting might have taken place. Any students with information should call public safety at 962-3951.UNC Building Services could not be reached to say how or when the graffiti will be removed. The paint remained on the paths Thursday evening.Early Wednesday morning 16 Carolina Fever members painted N.C. State's Free Expression Tunnel blue — which is legal.In February the Old Well was quickly repainted after it was splashed with red paint the day of a UNC-N.C. State basketball game.In 2005 the N.C. State logo was painted on the Bell Tower and other parts of campus" and the vandals were apprehended.Thursday's retaliation disappointed UNC senior Jade Verheije.""I think it's taking it too far" she said. It's just a game" really.""Sophomore Evan Watchempino" a transfer student from the University of California at Los Angeles said he barely noticed the words which blended in among the bricks.He said the latest prank paled in comparison to the UCLA-University of Southern California rivalry where students would pull fire alarms or spray pepper spray at games.N.C. State Senior Class President Adam Compton who comes from a seven-generation line of UNC graduates" called the vandalism childish.""It's disappointing that State students or whoever it was would stoop that low"" he said. Go put up fliers. Go do something else instead of doing something where someone else is going to have to clean up after you. It's kind of immature.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(11/20/08 5:00am)
Sixteen Carolina Fever members crept into the N.C. State University free expression tunnel early Wednesday morning and painted it Carolina blue.""We got all the walls" the ceiling the railings everything" said Tyler Singleton, chairman of Carolina Fever's game day affairs committee, who organized the painting. We took up half the wall painting just ‘Courtesy of Carolina Fever.'"" Singleton said painting the tunnel three days before the kickoff of the football game between the two schools was only a part of this year's ramped-up rivalry that will culminate in Fever's Friday night Old Well watch. At the watch"" Singleton said students will protect the Old Well. It was vandalized in February with a splash of bright red paint before a UNC-N.C. State basketball game.""That was completely uncalled for" Singleton said. The free expression tunnel is meant to be painted but the Old Well is an iconic" sacred figure.""The free expression tunnel was painted early to avoid the Ram Roast"" an event since 2005 similar to the Old Well watch.""It's funny this happened" because we were going to have the Ram Roast tomorrow where we protect the tunnel" said Morgan Donnelly, chairwoman of N.C. State's campus community committee. I think Carolina finally caught on to that.""The Ram Roast also includes a pig pickin' and pep rally. Singleton said that by painting the tunnel with phrases such as ""University of National Champions — bass fishing doesn't count"" and images of the Old Well, he hoped to get Fever's name out and keep the rivalry alive.One of my themes this year is legal vandalism" to get Fever's name out there and get people pumped up" Singleton said, though he would not say what he had planned for the rest of the year.N.C. State Senior Class President Adam Compton said that he viewed the pranks between schools as healthy rivalry, but that painting the tunnel was frustrating because payback is difficult.There's not much you can do about it" it's all in good fun" he said. It's hard because we can't do anything back at Carolina without breaking the law.""But Compton said the disparaging messages" which were mostly painted over by the time he went through the tunnel at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday" wouldn't determine the outcome of Saturday's game.""I guess the only thing we can say about it is we'll see you on the field"" he said.Donnelly, a junior, agreed.We don't get mad"" she said. We get even.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.