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(11/13/06 5:00am)
A sea of blue and red exploded with applause as the members of Phi Beta Sigma and Delta Sigma Theta rushed toward the football field Saturday to congratulate the Homecoming king and queen.
Naite Alexander, a Sigma member, and Chloe Russell, a Delta member, were given 2006 Homecoming honors during halftime of the Georgia Tech game.
"It is one of the biggest reliefs ever," Alexander said. "I can't believe this happened. I am really happy I can represent UNC."
Alexander took an early lead in Tuesday's polls against competitors Atrayus Goode and Carlon Myrick, said Jim Brewer, chairman of the Board of Elections. "It was pretty much a landslide," he said.
Russell built a substantial lead by the end of the day against Cami Marshall, Whitney Frye, Candace Taylor and Mariatu Cole.
When the polls closed, 3,472 votes had been cast, with Alexander earning 1,343 votes and Russell having an almost 40-vote margin on her competitors.
Though both candidates won by substantial margins, the wait was a nerve-racking experience.
"I felt relieved that I could go home and go to sleep," Russell said. "I am really happy and glad that hard work paid off."
Alexander and Russell said they hope to represent UNC by following through on their platforms.
Through Alexander's Equality, Diversity, Unity, Community and Teenage Education (EDUCATE) program, he hopes to provide low-income students the opportunity to attend UNC events. "I want these students to yearn for college."
Alexander said he hopes to begin his program in December with a performance of "The Nutcracker" but is waiting to speak to officials.
Russell wants to encourage students to "Get Right" through her program that seeks to promote healthy lifestyles.
The three-month program would incorporate both informational as well as action-based components.
Despite losing the Homecoming race, many of the candidates said they still are committed to their service programs.
"Everything is still set to happen on Jan. 13," said Goode about his mentorship program with students at Hillside High School.
Camaraderie was apparent throughout the race, Brewer said.
But a recent article in Bounce Magazine caused uproar among students who believed jokes about the candidates' race were inappropriate. All eight candidates were black.
"I just tried not to let it bother me," Goode said. "I really don't know what they were thinking. I just don't feel like that was fair because all of the candidates running for Homecoming king and queen were qualified."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(10/31/06 5:00am)
Candidates for UNC's race for Homecoming king and queen have turned to scarecrows and sign-waving to bring attention to the upcoming election.
The elections for Homecoming king and queen, scheduled for Nov. 7, have drawn enthusiasm and good spirits among candidates, said Jim Brewer, chairman of the Board of Elections.
"The candidates really respect what each other is doing," he said.
On the heels of two Student Supreme Court cases involving the elections board, Brewer said he is pleased with the candidates' behavior so far.
During the Oct. 17 special election to fill Student Congress vacancies, a campaign violation caused the elections board to cancel the victories of the two candidates who originally earned seats, even though only one was found to be in violation of campaign rules.
Sunday the court upheld the board's decision.
Brewer said the Carolina Athletic Association and the elections board try to work hand-in-hand to ensure that candidates understand and abide by the rules.
"It's not a student government election," Brewer said. "So we have to make sure that candidates are well-versed in the codes."
Brewer said the elections board is understanding of candidates who are not aware of some of the rules such as not handing out incentives with campaign materials and the regulations about dorm-storming.
A mandatory candidates meeting helps to facilitate this understanding.
Brewer said there have not been any campaign violations in the Homecoming races so far.
The other Student Supreme Court case, which has not been decided, seeks to overturn a Congress bill that allows students to use Facebook.com and other social networking sites to campaign.
Congress' legislation was not in effect during the previous special election, so those candidates could not use tactics such as mass messaging through the Web site.
In the mean time, Homecoming election candidates are permitted to use the site.
Five candidates, Chloe Russell, Mariatu Cole, Cami Marshall, Whitney Frye and Candace Taylor are vying for the title of Ms. UNC.
Three male candidates, Atrayus Goode, Nathan Alexander and Carlon Myrick are looking to secure a victory as Mr. UNC.
Candidates could be seen Monday displaying individually designed scarecrows in the Pit.
Bearing candidates' likenesses, the scarecrows were a new edition to the Homecoming campaign season and one that both Brewer and the candidates said they hoped would increase interest in the elections.
"It took a long time to do," candidate Whitney Frye said as she recounted her experiences aboard the RU bus en route to campus, scarecrow in tow.
But she acknowledged that in order to orchestrate a successful bid for king or queen, it is necessary to utilize different means of campaigning.
"You have to use different avenues," Frye said. "You can't just use one, it won't work."
But to some students, the added enthusiasm has done little to attract their attention.
Sophomore Rebecca Denison, a biochemistry major, said she thinks that apathy dominates much of the student body during election season.
"It should be important because a lot of good things can be done," Denison said. "But I don't think people really care," she said.
While each of the eight candidates proudly displayed their scarecrows, candidate Candace Taylor took the "Wizard of Oz" theme one step further.
Clad in a gingham blue dress, Taylor said she thinks it is important to speak directly to voters through dorm-storming and speaking to people around the Pit.
"A lot of people just go up to them and hand them a flier," she said.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(10/24/06 4:00am)
Student Congress and student government's executive branch will square off tonight when Congress attempts to override a veto issued by Student Body President James Allred.
Congress will need a two-thirds majority to override the veto, which applied to a bill dealing with ticket distribution methods.
The measure will be voted on without additional debate from Congress.
While most Congress voting tends to be somewhat anonymous, Speaker Pro Tem Dustin Ingalls, and Congress Speaker Luke Farley, said they expect a roll call vote to be used.
Congressional leaders said they are confident the veto will be overridden. The bill passed unanimously at the body's Sept. 26 meeting.
"I do expect the veto to be overridden," Farley said. "I think the president's concerns might sway a couple of people, but I think a lot of Congress will agree that this is legislation that fixes a very serious problem."
The bill seeks to prohibit the Department of Athletics from setting aside tickets for specific student organizations and also requires that input from students be taken into account before changes to ticket distribution policy are made.
"There is no other way to view this. . This is an attack on the executive branch and the Carolina Athletic Association," Allred said.
And Allred said he feels confident that the veto will not be overturned.
"I anticipate that several people will be changing their votes."
The veto, issued Oct. 13, was the first of Allred's administration and the first issued by a student body president in about two years.
Matt Calabria, student body president in 2004-05, issued the last veto. That bill sought to define negative campaigning, and the veto was upheld by a slim margin.
The last veto to be overridden came in March 2003, when Congress overturned a decision by then-Student Body President Jen Daum. The bill allocated $95 to the Independent Defense Counsel.
Congressional leaders said the ticket legislation originated with the intent that leaders in student government should not be permitted to use their offices to receive perks such as tickets.
"I feel that they should be in the same boat as other students, and being in the same boat as students helps them to be in more touch with their constituency," Ingalls said.
Allred said he vetoed the bill primarily because it neglected the needs of several campus groups including disabled students, members of various athletic teams and members of the marching band.
Farley said such exceptions were never implied by the bill and that Allred knows "full and well what the intent was."
He added that any problems that could arise as a result of the bill could be ironed out by amendments to the legislation.
But Allred said if Congress knows the bill is flawed, it should not be passed.
"I don't think it should pass a piece of legislation they know is incorrect."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(10/11/06 4:00am)
As the University's election season prepares to open, student government leaders say they hope several changes will improve voter turnout and education.
To facilitate improved student participation, the UNC Board of Elections is coordinating several forums with the Residence Hall Association.
Midcampus residents can meet potential Student Congress representatives tonight in the Carmichael Fishbowl, and those on South Campus can go to the Craige Coffeehouse. Both forums begin at 6 p.m.
"We're trying to get voter turnout up and help students make better decisions," said William Thompson, president of RHA.
Special elections for 14 open seats in the Middle Campus, South Campus, Off Campus and Graduate districts are scheduled for Oct. 17, and another special election is in the works for a new vacancy.
Each candidate will give an introductory speech, lasting 90 seconds on South Campus and lasting three minutes on midcampus. The speeches will be followed by a moderated question-and-answer session.
"We just want to ask questions so that the residents can choose a candidate to adequately represent their district," Thompson said.
Jim Brewer, chairman of the Board of Elections, said this year the elections board is focusing on increasing awareness about candidates, as well as the election process.
"Every board of elections has been unofficially in charge of increasing voter turnout," he said.
Some vacancies that have been lingering since May will be filled in the election.
Speaker of Congress Luke Farley said, "Student Congress, over a year, appropriates hundreds of thousands of dollars. People should have a say in how their money is spent."
The voting process will be improved with an upgrade to the existing online voting system. The possibility of double voting - an issue that came up in last year's elections - now is obsolete, Brewer said.
"We have gone through and thought up of every scenario to hack the system and every potential type of voter status," Brewer said.
While changes in the voting process have allayed some concerns about election day problems, dissension within student government has prompted some controversy in other areas.
The debate hovers around the use of AOL Instant Messenger and social networking sites such as Facebook.com and MySpace.com in campaigns.
This fall the elections board implemented restrictions for campaigning on Web pages, Facebook, MySpace and AIM.
Those restrictions include clauses that say candidates are not allowed to publicly campaign using away messages or Facebook invitations.
Brewer said the regulation is nothing new and was in place last year.
The board contends that social networking sites are subject to the same precedents set by non-UNC-server Web sites.
But Farley said the elections board is overextending its power.
"The board doesn't make policy - it executes it," he said.
"The board will be obliged to carry out what (Congress) tells them."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(09/20/06 4:00am)
UNC Facilities Services officials still are waiting for word on the results of this summer's pilot program for team cleaning.
The initiative, called Operating System 1, underwent a 90-day trial in Carroll Hall. The results of the test run have not been released by the OS1 evaluation committee.
If team cleaning is implemented, housekeepers will be required to specialize in a given task such as vacuuming or cleaning restrooms.
The current method, called zone cleaning, requires that employees complete all cleaning duties in their designated buildings.
Ron Howell, chairman of the committee, said a status report on the summer trial program was given to the Employee Forum in August.
The committee is in the process of drafting a final report, and Howell said the group hopes to release its findings within a month.
Bill Burston, director of housekeeping services, expressed his frustration about the delayed release of the report.
"I have been waiting for the last month, and I have no idea when they are going to release it," he said.
Burston said the only task left for the committee is to write the report.
He must await approval from Howell before any changes or training for housekeepers can be instituted.
"I would have another building converted this month. I am in the process of getting ready," Burston said.
"I just want the approval. I need to know what I'm doing, and I can't do anything (without approval)."
Burston said he hopes housekeeping will be able to implement team cleaning this year but said housekeepers on campus will continue to use zone cleaning if OS1 is not accepted.
If the green light is given, housekeepers using the new system would be required to participate in a weeklong training program consisting of both in-class and on-site components.
Throughout the summer, members of the evaluation committee attended meetings, spoke with housekeepers and sat in on training sessions about the proposed system.
The report about the summer trial program will give a "general recommendation as to which programs seem to have stronger merit to implementing," Howell said.
Howell said the goal of the committee was to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of both team cleaning and the current zone-cleaning method.
Team cleaning originally was tested last fall in a 120-day trial program in the Bioinformatics Building, but leaders wanted to see results of the Carroll Hall pilot before implementing a new system.
"I personally do not see that there were any issues that would prevent team cleaning on campus," Howell said.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(09/19/06 4:00am)
Ranging from a former Russian soldier to a poet whose work transcends language barriers, four influential Russian authors are being welcomed by UNC this week.
The authors, Arkadiy Babchenko, Marina Kulakova, Yevgeniya Lavut, and Kseniya Marennikova, are visiting the University and giving lectures throughout the week in an effort to enhance cultural understanding on campus.
The visit is part of the Open World Program, which was established in 1999 by Congress to facilitate cultural understanding between Russia and the United States.
The authors bring distinct sets of experiences that have shaped their views on writing.
Babchenko said his experiences as a soldier during the war in Chechnya have heavily influenced his writing.
"In general when I started writing I didn't think of writing itself. It's like a symptom of a former soldier's syndrome," he said through a translator.
After serving in the military, Babchenko became a war correspondent for NTV - Russia's largest independent TV station.
"I am the person they know," he said. "They know I understand them, and in terms of that, it is easier because people are more honest when they talk to me."
Lavut said her experiences led her on a different path altogether.
Her poems have been translated into English, French and Italian.
Lavut said she is adamant about restoring the meaning of her work among translations.
"I think that first of all it does not always transcend the language barriers," Lavut said. "I hope that (the) translation will probably transcend the language barrier," she said.
Though Lavut jokingly said she does not advise a career in poetry, she said she hopes her children will follow in her footsteps.
"My hope is the youngest son - because he loves listening to anything that sounds like singing or reciting poetry," she said.
Kulakova said her poetry provided her an escape during a time of tribulation.
"I started writing from the extreme situation that I went through. It was related to violence," she said through a translator.
"That was the day I started writing poems. It was a traumatic experience."
A former teacher, Kulakova also spoke about her thoughts on the literary climate of Russia today.
"Literature used to be the most important channel through which people would gain information about the world and reflect on it," she said. "Now the number of these channels (increased) by many times because we live in a time of informational explosion."
Marennikova said the Internet had a large influence on her becoming a writer.
"Thanks to the Internet, the youth finds an alternative to school education," she said through a translator.
Marennikova said she enjoyed conversing with the other authors and University faculty members.
"It is wonderful that they are so well-aware.
"Our literary tastes coincide, and they even have a Russian sense of humor," she said.
Students can join the authors at a panel discussion entitled "What Does It Mean to be a Writer in Today's Russia?" at 5 p.m. Wednesday in Vance 120. There also will be a book reading at 7 p.m. Thursday at Borders book store in Chapel Hill.
Babchenko summed up what the authors hope to experience while on campus:
"Impressions, conversations, meeting people. Communication is the most important thing."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(09/12/06 4:00am)
Thousands of tiny American flags lined Polk Place in the shape of two towers Monday as the community came together to reflect on Sept. 11's fifth anniversary.
The remembrance sought to pay tribute to those who perished in the attacks, as well as the men and women who fight overseas.
Students drifted toward the event as they walked through the quad around noon, eventually drawing a crowd of about 200.
Senior Hilary Hellens said she doesn't want Sept. 11 to fade out of anyone's mind.
(08/22/06 4:00am)
A death at a campus construction site this month once again has brought attention to worker safety at the University.
Leland Williams, 31, was working on a light bank Aug. 9 on the south side of Kenan Stadium when he touched a live wire charged with 277 volts, causing his death. He was 50 feet to 60 feet above ground at the time but did not fall.
Including Williams, three men were killed during the past year while working on University construction projects.
In September a construction worker was pinned between his concrete truck and a fence on Pittsboro Street. Another incident occurred last August when a construction worker accidentally backed his bulldozer into another worker.
Certain types of deadly accidents are more common than others when it comes to construction projects, said Juan Santos, spokesman for the N.C. Department of Labor.
"Electrocution comprises one of the 'big four' that lead to fatal accidents," he said.
The others are being crushed accidentally, hit accidentally and falling.
Randy Young, spokesman for the Department of Public Safety, said that this latest incident is being treated as an electrocution, and that it is still under investigation.
"I don't think anything has been completely resolved that has been reported back to us," he said.
Although much information regarding the accident is confidential, there is a general protocol for investigating such incidents, Santos said.
"At the end of our investigation, which can take from two to four to six weeks, we'll compile the facts and decide whether the employer was in compliance," he said.
Officials said they do not know when they will wrap up the investigation. The University's Department of Environment, Health and Safety also is investigating the incident.
The department has several branches working to curb the number of injuries that occur on construction sites, Santos said.
A compliance unit sends investigators to accidents, and a consultative unit informs employers of any necessary improvements that need to be made to their businesses.
"The goal of every inspection is to enable other employees or the employer to learn what could have been done about the accident," Santos said.
In 2005 the number of electrocutions in North Carolina dropped almost 50 percent, and fatalities related to electrocution fell from 11 to six between 2004 and 2005.
Santos said the number of construction accidents also dropped from 37 to 23 the same year.
"In the last five years, starting in 2001, we have seen a very dramatic reduction in fatal accidents," he said.
"I think there is a growing awareness among employers."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(04/24/06 4:00am)
Football-like body contact, the maneuvers of soccer and the agility of basketball were on display this weekend as team handball players vied for the sport's top prize.
Competitors gathered from across the country to battle for the 2006 U.S. Team Handball Collegiate National Championships.
Seven men's teams and five women's teams participated in the tournament, which was hosted by UNC in Fetzer Gymnasium.
Three UNC men's teams competed, and one of them, the Carolina squad, took home the national title, winning the event for the third year straight.
The University's women's team placed second overall, falling 16-9 to rival West Point in the final game.
"We have such a vendetta against them because they are the only team to beat us," UNC handball player Lucy Witt said before the game.
"We've been working for this so hard," said Emily Miller, a member of West Point's Black team. "We came in expecting to win, but it feels great."
In the men's division, UNC's Carolina squad overpowered West Point's Black team 20-13.
"I feel good we won; it was a hard game," said Wade Sutton, who plays for UNC.
When the final buzzer sounded players shouted with joy. Each member was then individually recognized.
The championships spanned two days of competition. Saturday was devoted to preliminary matchups between teams, and Sunday was set aside for the semifinals, consolation games and medal rounds.
Although UNC's handball teams compete at a high level, they are not recognized as varsity sports.
The club teams rely on fundraising and student fee allocations for financial support.
Both the women and men practice for two hours at a time and run through drills to hone their skills, Sutton said. They also scrimmage when possible.
The weekend proved to be contentious, and the games became quite physical at times.
"It's got a lot of contact in it. You can't tackle anyone, but you can definitely grab them," said Johnny Massengale, president of UNC's handball club.
The game originated as a substitute to another internationally popular team sport: soccer.
"I think the appeal is that it started as a soccer off-season sport and it's just kind of transitioning to that," Massengale said. "People are already used to a team sport."
The sport is beginning to grow in the U.S., and people are finding out that it's more difficult than it looks.
"Handball is great because it is a fast-paced, high-octane sport where it is easy to pick up but very difficult to master," said Cody Hill, a member of UNC's 3-time champion team.
The growth and popularity of team handball in recent years has been attributed to the eclectic mix of sports that this athletic activity seems to incorporate.
"It's a mix between basketball and soccer, it appeals to a lot of people, and you don't have to be an amazing athlete either," said Luis Hare a member of West Point's Black team.
Handball has been a major sports establishment abroad for several years.
West Point Gold team member Sonia Bea-Hob, who is from Cameroon, said handball is much more popular in her country.
"Where I am from, handball is as famous as football is here."
Contact the News Editor at udesk @unc.edu.
(04/21/06 4:00am)
Navigating through Polk Place on Thursday, students struggled to make their way up the brick pathway, battling the heat and uneven terrain.
What might have seemed like a normal stroll to class was complicated by the wheelchairs students were using to maneuver up the walkway during an event hosted by the Perfectly Able Club.
"The campus is our obstacle course," said Joanna Solkoff, president and founder of the club - a student group that seeks to raise awareness about the day-to-day impediments faced by the disabled.
Other interactive activities Thursday included a station
where students could learn to write their names in braille and a sign language demonstration.
"It kind of exposes you to a world we're not use to," said senior Alicia Huff who had her name written in braille. "You don't see a lot of disabled people on campus."
James Kessler, director of UNC Disability Services, said the University does a good job overall of providing handicap accessibility.
He said recent renovations to campus buildings and construction have presented only minor access problems.
"There have been a few challenges," Kessler said. "I think construction is just going to inconvenience all of us. That's just the history of construction."
Accessibility for the disabled is discussed early in the design process to avoid potential problems, facility planner Michael Pierce said.
"All the designers as part of the design phase work with the pedestrian safety committee and the disabilities advisory committee to make sure that students can get through or around the construction site," he said.
Kessler said Caldwell and Smith halls are the only buildings that aren't handicap accessible - which only accounts for five classrooms.
"Both buildings are both scheduled to have renovations," he noted.
In February the University appointed Ann Penn as the new equal opportunity/Americans with Disabilities Act officer. She previously served as the director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action at Kent State University in Ohio.
Penn's responsibilities include ensuring that the campus is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
"I am certainly very concerned with access and making buildings more accessible," she said.
The Rams Head Plaza was designed with the goal of making the path between North and Middle campuses as accessible as possible to the disabled.
Planners often hear complaints about the unevenness of campus walkways.
Those at Thursday's event said they have encountered some problems with facilities on campus and the administration.
Lindsey Green, vice president of Chapel Hill Adaptive Sports Experience, said she has faced difficulty receiving a parking spot despite the fact that she is classified as disabled and uses a wheelchair.
But Green said she has never been presented with outright bias.
"Coming here I've never had to deal with that," she said. "I've never had to deal with anything derogatory."
Perfectly Able, which was created in the fall, works with a variety of other groups to ensure that students with physical impediments are able to live their lives in an ordinary fashion.
Group members say they hope to shed light on issues that might not be easily recognized by those lacking firsthand experience with handicap issues.
"The easiest thing to see is mobility issues, but what you don't see is something like changing text to Braille," Solkoff said.
Philip Woodward, a member of the N.C. Governor's Advocacy Council for Persons with Disabilities, said the group is seeking to establish American Sign Language as an official language to be taught for credit in colleges and universities.
"We want to get more colleges to offer ASL for credit and standardize ASL instructor qualifications," he said at the event. "We're planning to present the bill at the January 2007 (legislative) session."
Freshman Abby Wilson said that generally, disabilities do not affect the way students interact on campus.
"For the most part people ignore it - (it's) almost indifference."
Contact the News Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(04/17/06 4:00am)
University officials are taking further steps toward implementing a controversial cleaning system for housekeepers, sparking further debate about the working environment on campus.
A proposed team-cleaning plan - also known as Operating System 1 - would require housekeepers to specialize in a given task, such as vacuuming or cleaning restrooms.
Despite opposition from students and doubts voiced by some employees, team cleaning is sailing along to its proposed implementation this fall.
Administrators and employers maintain that they are confident it will be a hit.
"No doubt in my mind that it will be successful," said Bill Burston, housekeeping services director. "Those employees who have already converted to OS1 really like it."
The team-cleaning plan, which has been used on campus only on an experimental basis, would replace the zone-cleaning method, in which employees complete all cleaning duties in assigned areas.
A team-cleaning pilot program has been used since October in the Bioinformatics Building, and this summer a 90-day test run will be held in Carroll Hall.
An oversight body known as the OS1 evaluation committee will assess the results.
"In the second phase this committee is to go in and evaluate the current program and the old program and evaluate their strengths and weaknesses," said Ron Howell, chairman of the committee.
The group comprises seven members, none of whom are housekeepers. The cleaning policy could be made permanent if it receives favorable marks.
The possibility of bringing the system to Housekeeping Services marks a sizeable change within this University sector.
"My indication is that facility services did it because they thought housekeepers would like the change," Student Body President James Allred said.
But worker advocacy groups such as Student Action with Workers have questioned the nature of the system.
When students gathered earlier this month in the Student Union to address Chancellor James Moeser in a open house forum, a number of them questioned the potential impact of the change.
Several employees and student advocates have expressed disapproval of the new cleaning method, calling it "dehumanizing."
Senior Sarah Hench, a SAW member present at the chancellor's open house, expressed concern about the possible change.
"I feel that implementing a new program on top of other problems will only exacerbate those existing problems," she said last week.
SAW has been active in other workers rights issues on campus, such as last year's termination of Vel Dowdy, a popular dining hall employee, and the way in which state employees are able to unionize.
Some of the members of the evaluation committee say they hope the Carroll Hall cleaning experiment will give them a clearer vision for the future.
Final recommendations are expected by the summer's end.
"We will be reviewing the training of the program and other aspects of the program in a broader picture," Howell said.
SAW members contend that more input should be received from housekeepers.
"Ultimately it should be a collaborative effort between workers and the administration," said SAW member Sascha Bollag, a senior.
"The workers know what they need. They are not stupid."
Housekeeper Linda Kenan, who has worked at the University for 21 years, expressed her doubts about the program.
"Personally, I don't see it working in the dormitories," she said.
"It'll prove it's not going to work," she added, referring to the pilot program.
James Alty, director of facilities services, expressed some puzzlement about where much of the opposition comes from in terms of student organizations.
"It's hard to get my hands around what their concerns are," he said of SAW. "They refused to meet one on one."
Burston echoed that sentiment in his inability to understand how students could comprehend the day-to-day experiences of housekeepers.
"People in housekeeping are the only ones who can say whether this is good or bad," he said.
"We are not going to take jobs away from employees - it actually creates more jobs," he added.
Despite accusations that OS1 will only mean worker mistreatment, administrators seem confident that the program will be implemented by the fall semester.
Burston did acknowledge that there has been some opposition on campus to the institution of OS1.
"We've seen mixed reactions," he said. "There is one group of people who really dislike the program - those are the folks who work in dormitories."
Kenan does not hold an optimistic view of the future of housekeeping on campus.
"I can't see a- person my age walking around with a vacuum on their back all day," she said.
"We gave them our concerns, but they still think it's going to work. We'll give them the chance and see what works."
Contact the News Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(04/10/06 4:00am)
The University test that for decades has elicited procrastination and widespread animosity has been laid to rest.
With their One Cards and bathing suits in tow, seniors who still needed to pass the test before graduating flocked to Bowman-Gray Indoor Pool on Friday.
With the test being retired at the year's end, Friday was the last time UNC seniors will be forced to take the aquatic exam until after the semester.
"I know a ton of seniors who still need to take it," said senior Mitchell Wilson, who passed the test Friday. "I understand the reasons behind the test, but it really isn't necessary."
Next year the University will adopt a new curriculum that does not include the swim test, which requires students to swim one lap and tread water for the rest of the five-minute time frame.
Bobbi Owen, senior associate dean of undergraduate education, said in re-evaluating what makes a well-rounded student, officials opted to drop the test, which only a handful of universities still maintain.
Once at the pool, both indifferent and anxious swimmers were told to set their One Cards on a table and wait their turn.
Senior Dexter Robinson said that it was "pretty easy" and that most students do not take it for one of two reasons.
"It's either you can swim and you don't worry about it, or you can't and you don't want to try," he said.
"My friend is staying in the shallow end because he knows he's about to drown," he added with a laugh, pointing to a friend who failed the test several minutes before.
After taking a walk of shame to the opposite end of the pool, Robinson's friend tried again.
Both seniors left Bowman-Gray on Friday afternoon with their One Cards reclaimed and an official swim test card in hand.
Any seniors who failed Friday will have to return to campus during the summer to retake it before they can earn their degrees.
A list of remaining dates can be found at - www.aquatics.unc.edu/Swim_Test.htm.
The University introduced the swim test in 1944 for men and then in 1946 for women.
Since then, the true origin of the test has been shrouded by numerous rumors - such as the legend that it became mandatory after a rich alumnus' son drowned.
"It had a lot more to do with the Navy having training facilities on the campus," Owen said.
The swim test originally gauged the physical capability of America's youth to defend the country in World War II.
In light of these debates, UNC made the decision to integrate a more demanding physical education requirement.
Owen explained how the swim test also served to ease racial tensions in North Carolina as a result of the still-segregated beaches.
"Carolina and many other universities have not been as welcoming to diversity. And even in the early 1980s there were a lot of students who were not able to learn to swim."
Despite the test's original intentions, many seniors said they see it as an inconvenience.
"Seems like a little bit of a nuisance," senior and homecoming president Matt Mullane said.
And as to why he did not take the test sooner, he coolly replied, "That's just how I roll."
Contact the News Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(03/31/06 5:00am)
Through stylish suits and other initiatives, UNC students are emboldening the spirit of entrepreneurialism on campus.
The Carolina Entrepreneurship Club - in cooperation with Semanco, a clothing manufacturing company - sought to hone the skills of business students this week.
Through an intercollegiate marketing competition sponsored by the corporation, students had to find ways to market and advertise Semanco's merchandise on campus.
The company offered students the opportunity to purchase professional apparel at discount rates or have a customized suit made.
"It is a great opportunity to get professional attire at discount prices," said Philip Gennet, president of the club.
Gennet and those involved in this week's competition are only a sampling of the several thousand students on campus involved in some sort of entrepreneurial activity, said Ted Zoller, executive director of the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies.
Through numerous programs and an array of opportunities for both business and nonbusiness majors, students have been implementing product ideas under the advisement and support of faculty and fellow students.
"Entrepreneurs help one another," Zoller said. "It is a community. Once you get to know those in the community they will draw you in further."
The University has taken numerous steps - such as establishing the Carolina Entrepreneurship Initiative and founding the entrepreneurial studies track in the Kenan-Flagler Business School - to pique interest about self-proprietorship and business at UNC.
Such entrepreneurial expansion - academically and through innovative competitions -has become a national trend among universities.
For example, the Wharton Entrepreneurial Program at the University of Pennsylvania sponsors a contest for its students to formulate a product idea and marketing planning - offering a grand prize of $30,000.
"Entrepreneurship is within the grasp of the average person," Zoller said.
He cited examples such as the colossal success of eBay, Facebook.com and Google as just some indications of the growing potential for entrepreneurship in society.
Zoller recounted a number of exceptional students who have epitomized the spirit of entrepreneurship at UNC.
One example, he gave, is student Lindsay Johnson, whose New Worlds Through Literature business seeks to empower the community by providing books to disadvantaged groups.
"Business skills and entrepreneurial skills can be applied anywhere," Johnson said. "It is a universal knowledge people should know and apply."
Zoller also cited the achievements of UNC student Russell Peterson, who has funded his college education through his self-made business of selling "high-end sports hats."
"The quality of the Carolina student is that they are people who want to get things done," he said.
"The students that are here generally are committed to changing the world."
Contact the News Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(03/27/06 5:00am)
Amid cumbia rhythms and the sounds of reggaeton, the campus was given a glimpse into the passion of Hispanic culture Saturday night - all while keeping a charitable goal in mind.
The Carolina Hispanic Association welcomed an array of performers to the Great Hall for its 15th annual Noche Latina to raise cultural awareness and to call attention to the organization's philanthropic efforts.
"We are just trying to show people a good time and educate them about Chispa," said senior Ana Cerna, Chispa president.
The sounds of salsa and merengue beats echoed through the Great Hall as attendees enjoyed traditional Hispanic dishes ranging from empanadas - a fried tortilla stuffed with meat or vegetables - to plantains - fried tropical bananas.
The opportunity for a taste of culture is what drew the more than 100 students.
"I just like Latin culture and want to become more exposed to it," said freshman Kennetra Irby.
Before the show began, salsa group Sajazzo provided the audience with traditional Hispanic music. Many couples demonstrated salsa moves as they danced up and down the aisles.
After dinner, Chispa presented "Sabado Gigante." The event was modeled after the Univision variety show featuring Don Francisco, Javier Romero, Claudia and the infamous Chacal. The show served as the night's overarching theme.
"As Latinos, our culture runs deep in our veins," said sophomore Liz Linzan, who assumed the role of Claudia - the show's token beauty.
Kicking off the night, Que Rico gave a spirited salsa performance that showcased the vitality and intricacies of Latin dance.
Sophomore Melissa Marrero said Que Rico's performance "was a way for us to be proud of our culture."
Following this performance, a slide show and presentation addressing the Chispa Chicos program was showcased.
The program seeks to provide Hispanic youth in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area with mentors and positive role models who are proficient in both Spanish and English. Proceeds from the event, which leaders estimate at between $500 and $600, will help fund Chispa Chicos.
"It's a program that pairs UNC students and Latino children in the community with a mentor," said Chispa member Hope Alfaro.
"It helps to let Latino students in the community know they can go to college," Alfaro said.
The show concluded with a reggaeton and salsa-driven performance with each member of Que Rico sporting attire that represented nations ranging from Puerto Rico to Nicaragua.
The celebration continued into the night on Franklin Street at Patio Loco as guests enjoyed the sounds of everything from Juanes' "La Camisa Negra" to "La Tortura" by Shakira and Alejandro Sanz - a fittingly celebratory end to an evening of cultural enlightenment and community awareness.
Contact the News Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(03/24/06 5:00am)
When fall 2006 registration kicks off this weekend, students will see first-hand the results of the largest curriculum overhaul in more than 20 years.
On the brink of the change, some students say they feel unprepared in light of the sweeping changes.
"I feel like I need to go see an adviser because I don't really know what's going on," said Nicole Catton, who as a freshman will register April 8. "I'm planning on seeing an adviser within the coming weeks."
Bobbi Owen, senior associate dean of undergraduate education, said the University has made attempts to identify the most efficient ways to notify students of the changes, which mainly will affect incoming freshman.
But the curriculum overhaul includes changes to the course numbering system, which will affect all students.
Seniors and graduate students will have the first crack at deciphering the new numbering system when they register Saturday.
"For the students continuing, there's been a couple of things in The Daily Tar Heel and on Student Central," Owen said. "We have been trying hard to think what students look at."
More information is available at www.unc.edu/depts/uc/.
Newly installed Registrar Alice Poehls said registration should be similar to years past.
"We anticipate some of the same slow downs on the Saturday when every class begins its registration," she said.
The broadest change most students will see is the new course numbering system, she said, which has the greatest potential to confuse.
"I think the course renumbering is something that students really need to be aware of," she said. "The only caution for students is to check the courses after they register."
Poehls said she is confident that registration will not be hindered, as long as students remain informed and consult both online sources and their advisers.
The former University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign registrar, who assumed her position in October, is leading the registrar as it undertakes numerous changes.
In addition to the curriculum overhaul, students will have the opportunity to register for classes until the start of the fall semester with the establishment of the "777" plan.
Under the plan, Student Central will remain open to registration from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. The registration will continue until classes begin in August, Poehls said.
"We're trying to make it more available when students are actually wanting to use it."
She said she always is receptive to student suggestions of ways to continue to improve the registration system.
One recent suggestion was to allow students to register in order of earned credit hours, by grade point average or randomly.
In the fall, after a student government investigation into possible improvements, the registrar's office was advised not to make those changes.
Poehls said she encourages students who want to see changes to become involved in the meetings of computer system vendors that will be taking place within the coming months.
Contact the News Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/27/06 5:00am)
The Black Student Movement
The BSM sought to incorporate social and political elements into its blend of fashion and history.
The group's performance included a fashion show based on the months of the year. Historical accomplishments in the black community were shown visually on two projectors on either side of the stage.
The outfits ranged from retro to more modern attire such as Burberry scarves and knee-length boots.
(02/27/06 5:00am)
Carolina Caribbean Association and Concept of Colors
In a collaborative effort, the Carolina Caribbean Association, a group dedicated to educating people about Caribbean culture, and Concept of Colors, a campus modeling group, united to express the beauty of diversity.
Senior geography major Courtney Richardson performed in the event and emphasized that the troupe is all-inclusive. She said the group hopes to represent students of all racial backgrounds and body types through their work by being themselves.
(02/27/06 5:00am)
Theta Nu Xi
Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority Inc. presented women of different professional backgrounds and the hardships they endured in the face of stereotypes and gender bias.
A narrator introduced women wearing various professional outfits such as a mechanic, a corporate executive and a hair stylist. She told a story about the discrimination each woman had faced in her profession.
"Breaking that glass ceiling took more protection than Chanel and Steve Madden," a member said during the spoken-word performance.
(02/27/06 5:00am)
Amid a backdrop of hip-hop beats, campus cultural groups gathered Saturday night to present traditional forms of entertainment combined with relevant social commentary at the sold-out Masala Fashion Show.
The annual event seeks to emphasize UNC's diversity through the interplay between traditional and modern aspects of cultural heritage.
"It's not just a fashion show," said senior Kristen Elmore, publicity chairwoman of Masala, UNC's umbrella organization for multicultural groups. "It's a cultural show. Masala's whole point is to bring groups together on campus."
(02/24/06 5:00am)
One of the University's most accomplished academic and administrative figures is about to embark on a new phase of his professional career.
Richard Cole, former dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, was elected Wednesday to become a member of the board of directors for Lee Enterprises Inc.
The company is the nation's fourth largest newspaper corporation in terms of the number of daily papers owned. Company estimates place weekday circulation at about 1.7 million copies, and Sunday circulation totals about 1.9 million.
Of the 58 newspapers in 23 states, the largest paper in the chain is the St. Louis Post Dispatch, which has a weekday circulation of more than 278,500.
Cole, who stepped down as journalism dean last summer after 26 years in the position, brings considerable experience to the position. He will join the staff immediately and will continue in the position through 2008.
Dan Hayes, vice president of corporate communications at Lee Enterprises, said Cole's new position will entail a variety of managerial duties.
"(He will) set policy for the company - do everything from determining how executives get paid to helping chart the course of the company," Hayes said.
With the board's eight other members, Cole will oversee the company's legal responsibilities.
He said he is honored by the appointment and is looking forward to the opportunity.
Cole has an ongoing affiliation with the company. He had worked with members of the company such as Mary Junck, president and chief executive officer.
Cole will continue to live in the Chapel Hill area while fulfilling his duties as a board member by attending quarterly meetings.
Dean of the school from 1979 to 2005, Cole played a significant role in its success.
Throughout his tenure, the school consistently ranked among the nation's most prominent and well-regarded institutions.
"We're a comprehensive school of journalism here at UNC," he said. "What you learn can be taken back to the classroom."
During his time at UNC, Cole "stood out as the leading journalism educator in the country," said John Kuka, assistant dean for communication at the school.
Cole's accomplishments include being named national president of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, receiving a campuswide teaching excellence award at UNC and holding numerous positions on national and international boards and task forces.
"I love newspapers, and I have spent my whole life in journalism or journalism education," Cole said. "I have been an observer, a participant and have been involved in newspapers for years."
Other accomplishments include his international teaching endeavors in locations such as Mexico and Cuba.
Kuka cited Cole's greatest accomplishment as being granted the Freedom Forum Medal for Distinguished Accomplishments in Journalism-Mass Communication Administration in 1992. The award recognizes lifetime achievement, and Cole became the fourth and youngest person to receive the honor.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.