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(08/28/09 3:55am)
Cuban cinema has never been so colorful. Sixteen posters ranging from stark black-and-white images to fields of psychedelic flowers announce movies in every genre including newsreels, dramas and comedies.
(08/25/09 4:33am)
Only one group brings films, air guitar championships and LocoPops to campus: the Carolina Union Activities Board.
(08/25/09 2:25am)
Paperhand Puppet Intervention brings its traditional style of expertly crafted puppets and tales to the Forest Theatre with its latest show, “The Living Sea of Memory.”
(08/25/09 1:13am)
Twenty years ago, a group of students fell in love with “Les Miserables.”After seeing the show about 17 times on Broadway, they transcribed the script and returned to UNC intent on performing.They performed the show as a benefit, and Pauper Players, a student-run musical theater group, was born from the funds of that first performance.“We’re completely student run,” said Elissa Rumer, business administrator for Pauper. “It’s purely a labor of love.”The group performs three full musicals a year with an additional Broadway review.Their first production of the year is Andrew Lippa’s “The Wild Party” on Oct. 30.“It’s a big roaring ‘20s show about a couple,” Rumer said. “To make each other jealous, they devise a plan to throw the party of the century.”The musical has a large ensemble cast, which is unusual for Pauper, she said.Looking back on previous Pauper shows, Rumer said her favorite production was “A New Brain.”“The cast and staff incorporated a few generations of Pauper,” Rumer said, adding that the cast would sit around and share stories.People can be involved in all the shows or just a few, but the group tries to have regular get-togethers outside the theater, said Charlie Clark, production administrator.“We really try to keep an open, inclusive environment,” he said.The group also plans to have additional events to celebrate their 20th anniversary, such as alumni events. These are still in the works, Clark said.But even after 20 years, not everyone knows of Pauper.“Theater is still pretty hidden on campus,” said Aaron Salley, Pauper publicity administrator.“Pauper offers something for everybody,” he said. “It’s just a shame we don’t get more people involved.”Pauper Players will have an interest meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Student Union, Room 2518.Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(08/23/09 9:12pm)
A lifetime of collages and famous Asian art fills the halls of the Ackland Art Museum, covering the stark museum walls with familiar-feeling paper quilts and intricate tapestries.
(08/27/08 4:00am)
Main Street in Carrboro is closer to a new look.
The property at 300 E. Main St., which includes Cat's Cradle and the ArtsCenter, is expected to be completely renovated and overhauled, with five-story residential and commercial buildings.
The first phase of the project was approved in 2007, but developers sought approval of updated plans from Carrboro's Board of Aldermen on Tuesday.
The aldermen extended the public hearing to Sept. 16 so a lighting and wastewater study can be reviewed.
The ArtsCenter and Cat's Cradle most likely will remain in the same spot, and are expected to remain open while construction begins.
"We know there's the space for everything those venues desire but we don't know exact configurations at this point," said Jim Spencer, the Main Street project's architect.
There are stipulations to protect the ArtsCenter's current space to ensure its continued service to the town, according to the agenda.
There has been mention of moving a Carrboro library to the ArtsCenter's space, but it's too premature to tell if this will become a reality, said Jon Wilner, executive director of the ArtsCenter.
"It does really speak to the reality that the ArtsCenter does have some options," Wilner said.
"Regardless of how things have gotten rearranged on the site over the years, what has been consistent is the architectural design, which will fit perfectly with Carrboro."
Laura Van Sant, partner and spokeswoman for Main Street Properties of Chapel Hill LLC, the owners of the property, said they will attempt to ensure no disruption of businesses by completing a new building before tearing down the existing location.
Parking was of concern to the aldermen Tuesday, as the development is expected to need 1,195 spaces, while the proposal only creates 843.
But Van Sant said this will not be a major problem, citing the different times people use the parking lot. The Cradle's business is generally at night, while offices generally only need parking during the day, she noted.
Van Sant said Main Street Properties hopes to break ground early next year and complete the first building, a Hilton Garden Inn, by 2010.
One of the main features designers touted is the pedestrian plaza.
When the project plans first came out, many voiced concerns about preserving Carrboro's atmosphere, as the project is one of the largest ever proposed.
But Van Sant said residents should not be concerned.
"We live here. We designed it with Carrboro in mind," she said. "This project wouldn't fit anywhere else in the U.S. but we feel it fits this location in downtown Carrboro."
Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(08/25/08 4:00am)
The search for a replacement site for Horace Williams Airport has some questioning the state's involvement.
An Aug. 8 bill passed by the N.C. General Assembly gives the UNC-system Board of Governors the power to form an airport authority that can select and seize through eminent domain a location for a new airport.
The airport is closing its doors to make way for Carolina North, UNC's research satellite campus.
The Board of Governors hasn't taken any action toward forming the authority, but a local group already says that the state has disregarded local input in the project.
(08/19/08 4:00am)
Alcohol consumption can lead to problems ranging from belligerence to liver disease.
But stopping drinking may lead to significant depression, according to a recent study released by the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies.
When people get depressed, they probably won't think the alcohol is the cause of the depression, said Dr. Clyde Hodge, senior author of the study and professor of psychiatry and pharmacology.
"It's possible that people learn when they drink - they feel better early on," Hodge said. "This can start them on the road to addiction."
Hodge and other researchers gave test mice alcohol for 28 days, and expected them to be depressed immediately after they stopped consuming alcohol.
But two weeks passed before depression was detected. The researchers measured depression by how well the mice could swim. Mice are natural swimmers, but when depressed, they simply float in the water.
Depression already has been linked to quitting drinking alcohol, but more recently scientists have started to study different kinds of depression.
"What now is being understood is that there are different types of depression," Hodge said. "This type that emerges seems to be the worst kind. Studies in humans have shown that negative mood is one of the primary reasons alcoholics report starting to drink again."
Recent studies have shown that there may be a common mechanism in the brain that connects alcoholism and depression.
Neurogenesis - the ability to grow new neurons from stem cells - decreases with doses of alcohol, and the reduction of neurogenesis is an indicator of depression.
"What we found was that neurogenesis was reduced not by alcohol drinking itself, but that occurred two weeks later as well," Hodge said, explaining that the depression and lack of neurogenesis were related.
To counter this, the researchers gave the mice antidepressants that were able to end the depression and lack of neurogenesis, a treatment that might be an option for humans as well.
"We might be able to use antidepressant medication during early stages of abstinence in alcoholics to get them through this negative mood stage," Hodge said.
In future research, Hodge said they plan to examine the effect in people who are dependent and stop drinking, how long the depression lasts and how it affects females compared to males.
But people should neither self-medicate nor drink indefinitely, he said.
"The other thing that's appeared is people who are saying, 'Don't ever stop drinking. It'll make you sad,'" Hodge said. "People who never stop drinking quickly go down the road to alcoholism."
The amount of alcohol the mice consumed during the study was moderate and thus "caused no apparent harm," Hodge said, meaning it was not enough to produce dependency or cause withdrawal problems.
But the greatest challenge for this study, and many previous studies, is defining moderate drinking.
The human definition of moderate drinking is flexible, but the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines safe drinking as up to two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women.
But most students are in an alcohol crisis, said Eric Smith, a coordinator for Campus Health Services substance abuse prevention programs.
For college students trying to quit, the biggest factor is not depression but social pressure, Smith said.
"The number one issue is environment," he said. "They equate drinking with having fun."
Contact the Features Editor at features@unc.edu.
(04/25/08 4:00am)
CORRECTION
(04/18/08 4:00am)
The molded pages laid across the entrance to Mary Scroggs Elementary School look much older than their 8 years.
But those eight years seemed like a lifetime to the high school freshmen and seniors gathered around them.
The fourth- and first- grade classes of 1999-2000 unearthed memories as they explored the time capsule they buried June 9, 2000.
(03/24/08 4:00am)
When tragedies hit close to home, they can challenge ideologies, causing hours of deep thought and raising questions that go unanswered.
And in the wake of Student Body President Eve Carson's murder, with legal proceedings approaching trial, the possibility of imposing the death penalty has caused debate and discussion within the community.
The death penalty has been a theme for several events this year, and especially for the freshman class, whose summer reading book, Sister Helen Prejean's "The Death of Innocents," follows two inmates she believes are wrongfully convicted.
Coupled with Prejean's stance against the death penalty and the general student feeling that UNC is a liberal college, the campus has a largely anti-death penalty view.
With the March 6 news of Carson's murder, more and more people are talking about the pros and cons of the controversial issue.
Now students, faculty and staff are working to reconcile their anger with their opinions on the death penalty.
"I think it has certainly changed what was an intellectual dialogue to a very personal issue," said Richard Rosen, UNC professor of law.
After a traumatic experience, people go through emotional stages, beginning with a sense of being overwhelmed and continuing through anger until the experience is mastered, said Thomas Haizlip, a clinical professor of psychiatry.
"I think when you initially deal with it, it will be much more acute," he said, adding that it is possible to switch ideals after a trauma but that people tend to return to their core beliefs with time.
Although the community is feeling angry and grieving, Jennifer Karpowicz, president of the Death Penalty Project and a third-year law student, said it is important that emotional reactions don't sway the decision-making process.
"The situation is really hard, but I think it's still really important to think rationally. We need to honor her life and not focus on this man's death," she said.
The Death Penalty Project, a group in UNC's School of Law, advocates against the death penalty.
There is an extensive appeals process, Karpowicz said, because of the severity of the death penalty sentence, which can mean a lack of closure for the victim's family.
To overcome trauma, people must learn mastery, which provides closure, Haizlip said, adding that learning to distinguish between good and bad again is essential.
"You have to learn how to cope (and figure out) how you are going to put your life back together."
While capital punishment draws strong moral and religious sentiment, both for and against, there are also legal and procedural ramifications for each case, such as whether the defendant received a fair trial.
Rosen said that although many people admit there is a problem with the death penalty, there is also a strong feeling that it is necessary.
"The reaction and the feeling in this community explains why there is still such a strong connection to the death penalty," he said. "The horror of what happened, the anger, gives us the side of why we must have it."
It's not likely that UNC students will appear on the jury, but they can write letters to the case lawyers or legislators to express their opinions on the issue. The attorneys then can use these letters as a way of showing public opinion.
And these opinions have been influenced by a yearlong effort at UNC to educate about death penalty issues.
Doug Kelly, chairman of the 2007-08 summer reading selection committee, said the book was chosen because it was an "eye-opening story," not because of its topic or stance.
"The book sheds a lot of light on all sides of the issue even though the author takes a particular side."
Rosen said the Carson case also is indicative of the difficulty of death penalty issues.
"This is a difficult time for the community, University and town," he said. "It is a painful reminder of the difficulty of the issues that we've been talking about all year."
Contact the University Editor
at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/14/08 5:00am)
Without setting foot in office, J.J. Raynor already has campus buzzing, as she has managed to do something no on else has since 1997 - take the majority vote in a general election among three or more candidates.
Campuswide office candidates are required to win at least 51 percent of the vote, so in most races with more than two people a runoff is required.
In recent history, the race for the 2006-07 student body presidential position was the only one without a runoff, as James Allred and Bernard Holloway were the only candidates.
But runoffs have become a campus election hallmark, providing students with an additional week to hear from their candidates.
"The runoff is treated just like a normal election," said Mitchell Capriglione, chairman of the Board of Elections. "All the same rules of the last week of the election are applied."
During the 1997 election, Mo Nathan captured the title of student body president, winning about 70 percent of the vote.
He had 2,206 ballots compared to his opponents Andrew Pearson and Shawn Faley who gained 448 and 443 votes respectively.
Former Board of Elections Chairman Jim Brewer said this might show a correlation between voting campaigns and first-round wins.
"In '97, that was the last time the board did a huge effort to get the vote out," Brewer said, mentioning that the board promised incentives such as free food to voters.
In the event of a runoff, hopefuls get a stipend for the extra campaign costs, starting with $100 for student body president down to $10 for Student Congress.
Although students are given extra time and money for a runoff, Brewer said that candidates generally plan runoff strategies.
"Everybody plans for a runoff when you have more than two candidates," Brewer said. "It would be absolutely ill-advised to not take that into account when planning."
But former candidates said runoff time can be both a blessing and a hindrance.
"On the one hand, it gave me one less week of mentorship," said Eve Carson, current student body president. "But it gave me this opportunity to tell everyone again . why it was that I wanted to run for them."
Allred noted that having a runoff puts the president one week behind, preventing him or her from appointing a Cabinet.
"Raynor's ability to win the race on the first ballot means she's one week ahead in implementing her platform," Allred said in an e-mail.
Allred mentioned Raynor's organization as an aid, especially in getting students to vote.
This year, there were 6,625 ballots cast, compared to last year's record-setting turnout of 7,241.
The votes were split with 3,267 going to Raynor, 1,601 to Logan Liles and 1,403 to Kristin Hill.
"It definitely shows that the student body thought J.J. Raynor was a great choice for student body president just judging from her campaign and not taking anything away from anyone else," Capriglione said, adding that Raynor approached him in the fall to find out what she could and could not do during elections.
"Just from that (early meeting) and seeing what she did throughout the entire campaign, she obviously was trying to show students that she was the most qualified."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/14/08 5:00am)
Without setting foot in office J.J. Raynor already has campus buzzing as she has managed to do something no on else has since 1997 - take the majority vote in a general election among three or more candidates.Campuswide office candidates are required to win at least 51 percent of the vote so in most races with more than two people a runoff is required.In recent history the race for the 2006-07 student body presidential position was the only one without a runoff as James Allred and Bernard Holloway were the only candidates.But runoffs have become a campus election hallmark" providing students with an additional week to hear from their candidates.""The runoff is treated just like a normal election"" said Mitchell Capriglione, chairman of the Board of Elections. All the same rules of the last week of the election are applied.""During the 1997 election" Mo Nathan captured the title of student body president winning about 70 percent of the vote.He had 2"206 ballots compared to his opponents Andrew Pearson and Shawn Faley who gained 448 and 443 votes respectively.Former Board of Elections Chairman Jim Brewer said this might show a correlation between voting campaigns and first-round wins.""In '97" that was the last time the board did a huge effort to get the vote out" Brewer said, mentioning that the board promised incentives such as free food to voters.In the event of a runoff, hopefuls get a stipend for the extra campaign costs, starting with $100 for student body president down to $10 for Student Congress.Although students are given extra time and money for a runoff, Brewer said that candidates generally plan runoff strategies.Everybody plans for a runoff when you have more than two candidates"" Brewer said. It would be absolutely ill-advised to not take that into account when planning.""But former candidates said runoff time can be both a blessing and a hindrance.""On the one hand" it gave me one less week of mentorship" said Eve Carson, current student body president. But it gave me this opportunity to tell everyone again ... why it was that I wanted to run for them.""Allred noted that having a runoff puts the president one week behind"" preventing him or her from appointing a Cabinet.""Raynor's ability to win the race on the first ballot means she's one week ahead in implementing her platform"" Allred said in an e-mail.Allred mentioned Raynor's organization as an aid, especially in getting students to vote.This year, there were 6,625 ballots cast, compared to last year's record-setting turnout of 7,241.The votes were split with 3,267 going to Raynor, 1,601 to Logan Liles and 1,403 to Kristin Hill.It definitely shows that the student body thought J.J. Raynor was a great choice for student body president just judging from her campaign and not taking anything away from anyone else"" Capriglione said, adding that Raynor approached him in the fall to find out what she could and could not do during elections.Just from that (early meeting) and seeing what she did throughout the entire campaign"" she obviously was trying to show students that she was the most qualified.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/14/08 5:00am)
Without setting foot in office J.J. Raynor already has campus buzzing as she has managed to do something no on else has since 1997 - take the majority vote in a general election among three or more candidates.Campuswide office candidates are required to win at least 51 percent of the vote so in most races with more than two people a runoff is required.In recent history the race for the 2006-07 student body presidential position was the only one without a runoff as James Allred and Bernard Holloway were the only candidates.But runoffs have become a campus election hallmark" providing students with an additional week to hear from their candidates.""The runoff is treated just like a normal election"" said Mitchell Capriglione, chairman of the Board of Elections. All the same rules of the last week of the election are applied.""During the 1997 election" Mo Nathan captured the title of student body president winning about 70 percent of the vote.He had 2"206 ballots compared to his opponents Andrew Pearson and Shawn Faley who gained 448 and 443 votes respectively.Former Board of Elections Chairman Jim Brewer said this might show a correlation between voting campaigns and first-round wins.""In '97" that was the last time the board did a huge effort to get the vote out" Brewer said, mentioning that the board promised incentives such as free food to voters.In the event of a runoff, hopefuls get a stipend for the extra campaign costs, starting with $100 for student body president down to $10 for Student Congress.Although students are given extra time and money for a runoff, Brewer said that candidates generally plan runoff strategies.Everybody plans for a runoff when you have more than two candidates"" Brewer said. It would be absolutely ill-advised to not take that into account when planning.""But former candidates said runoff time can be both a blessing and a hindrance.""On the one hand" it gave me one less week of mentorship" said Eve Carson, current student body president. But it gave me this opportunity to tell everyone again ... why it was that I wanted to run for them.""Allred noted that having a runoff puts the president one week behind"" preventing him or her from appointing a Cabinet.""Raynor's ability to win the race on the first ballot means she's one week ahead in implementing her platform"" Allred said in an e-mail.Allred mentioned Raynor's organization as an aid, especially in getting students to vote.This year, there were 6,625 ballots cast, compared to last year's record-setting turnout of 7,241.The votes were split with 3,267 going to Raynor, 1,601 to Logan Liles and 1,403 to Kristin Hill.It definitely shows that the student body thought J.J. Raynor was a great choice for student body president just judging from her campaign and not taking anything away from anyone else"" Capriglione said, adding that Raynor approached him in the fall to find out what she could and could not do during elections.Just from that (early meeting) and seeing what she did throughout the entire campaign"" she obviously was trying to show students that she was the most qualified.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/14/08 5:00am)
Without setting foot in office J.J. Raynor already has campus buzzing as she has managed to do something no on else has since 1997 - take the majority vote in a general election among three or more candidates.Campuswide office candidates are required to win at least 51 percent of the vote so in most races with more than two people a runoff is required.In recent history the race for the 2006-07 student body presidential position was the only one without a runoff as James Allred and Bernard Holloway were the only candidates.But runoffs have become a campus election hallmark" providing students with an additional week to hear from their candidates.""The runoff is treated just like a normal election"" said Mitchell Capriglione, chairman of the Board of Elections. All the same rules of the last week of the election are applied.""During the 1997 election" Mo Nathan captured the title of student body president winning about 70 percent of the vote.He had 2"206 ballots compared to his opponents Andrew Pearson and Shawn Faley who gained 448 and 443 votes respectively.Former Board of Elections Chairman Jim Brewer said this might show a correlation between voting campaigns and first-round wins.""In '97" that was the last time the board did a huge effort to get the vote out" Brewer said, mentioning that the board promised incentives such as free food to voters.In the event of a runoff, hopefuls get a stipend for the extra campaign costs, starting with $100 for student body president down to $10 for Student Congress.Although students are given extra time and money for a runoff, Brewer said that candidates generally plan runoff strategies.Everybody plans for a runoff when you have more than two candidates"" Brewer said. It would be absolutely ill-advised to not take that into account when planning.""But former candidates said runoff time can be both a blessing and a hindrance.""On the one hand" it gave me one less week of mentorship" said Eve Carson, current student body president. But it gave me this opportunity to tell everyone again ... why it was that I wanted to run for them.""Allred noted that having a runoff puts the president one week behind"" preventing him or her from appointing a Cabinet.""Raynor's ability to win the race on the first ballot means she's one week ahead in implementing her platform"" Allred said in an e-mail.Allred mentioned Raynor's organization as an aid, especially in getting students to vote.This year, there were 6,625 ballots cast, compared to last year's record-setting turnout of 7,241.The votes were split with 3,267 going to Raynor, 1,601 to Logan Liles and 1,403 to Kristin Hill.It definitely shows that the student body thought J.J. Raynor was a great choice for student body president just judging from her campaign and not taking anything away from anyone else"" Capriglione said, adding that Raynor approached him in the fall to find out what she could and could not do during elections.Just from that (early meeting) and seeing what she did throughout the entire campaign"" she obviously was trying to show students that she was the most qualified.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/14/08 5:00am)
Without setting foot in office J.J. Raynor already has campus buzzing as she has managed to do something no on else has since 1997 - take the majority vote in a general election among three or more candidates.Campuswide office candidates are required to win at least 51 percent of the vote so in most races with more than two people a runoff is required.In recent history the race for the 2006-07 student body presidential position was the only one without a runoff as James Allred and Bernard Holloway were the only candidates.But runoffs have become a campus election hallmark" providing students with an additional week to hear from their candidates.""The runoff is treated just like a normal election"" said Mitchell Capriglione, chairman of the Board of Elections. All the same rules of the last week of the election are applied.""During the 1997 election" Mo Nathan captured the title of student body president winning about 70 percent of the vote.He had 2"206 ballots compared to his opponents Andrew Pearson and Shawn Faley who gained 448 and 443 votes respectively.Former Board of Elections Chairman Jim Brewer said this might show a correlation between voting campaigns and first-round wins.""In '97" that was the last time the board did a huge effort to get the vote out" Brewer said, mentioning that the board promised incentives such as free food to voters.In the event of a runoff, hopefuls get a stipend for the extra campaign costs, starting with $100 for student body president down to $10 for Student Congress.Although students are given extra time and money for a runoff, Brewer said that candidates generally plan runoff strategies.Everybody plans for a runoff when you have more than two candidates"" Brewer said. It would be absolutely ill-advised to not take that into account when planning.""But former candidates said runoff time can be both a blessing and a hindrance.""On the one hand" it gave me one less week of mentorship" said Eve Carson, current student body president. But it gave me this opportunity to tell everyone again ... why it was that I wanted to run for them.""Allred noted that having a runoff puts the president one week behind"" preventing him or her from appointing a Cabinet.""Raynor's ability to win the race on the first ballot means she's one week ahead in implementing her platform"" Allred said in an e-mail.Allred mentioned Raynor's organization as an aid, especially in getting students to vote.This year, there were 6,625 ballots cast, compared to last year's record-setting turnout of 7,241.The votes were split with 3,267 going to Raynor, 1,601 to Logan Liles and 1,403 to Kristin Hill.It definitely shows that the student body thought J.J. Raynor was a great choice for student body president just judging from her campaign and not taking anything away from anyone else"" Capriglione said, adding that Raynor approached him in the fall to find out what she could and could not do during elections.Just from that (early meeting) and seeing what she did throughout the entire campaign"" she obviously was trying to show students that she was the most qualified.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/14/08 5:00am)
Without setting foot in office J.J. Raynor already has campus buzzing as she has managed to do something no on else has since 1997 - take the majority vote in a general election among three or more candidates.Campuswide office candidates are required to win at least 51 percent of the vote so in most races with more than two people a runoff is required.In recent history the race for the 2006-07 student body presidential position was the only one without a runoff as James Allred and Bernard Holloway were the only candidates.But runoffs have become a campus election hallmark" providing students with an additional week to hear from their candidates.""The runoff is treated just like a normal election"" said Mitchell Capriglione, chairman of the Board of Elections. All the same rules of the last week of the election are applied.""During the 1997 election" Mo Nathan captured the title of student body president winning about 70 percent of the vote.He had 2"206 ballots compared to his opponents Andrew Pearson and Shawn Faley who gained 448 and 443 votes respectively.Former Board of Elections Chairman Jim Brewer said this might show a correlation between voting campaigns and first-round wins.""In '97" that was the last time the board did a huge effort to get the vote out" Brewer said, mentioning that the board promised incentives such as free food to voters.In the event of a runoff, hopefuls get a stipend for the extra campaign costs, starting with $100 for student body president down to $10 for Student Congress.Although students are given extra time and money for a runoff, Brewer said that candidates generally plan runoff strategies.Everybody plans for a runoff when you have more than two candidates"" Brewer said. It would be absolutely ill-advised to not take that into account when planning.""But former candidates said runoff time can be both a blessing and a hindrance.""On the one hand" it gave me one less week of mentorship" said Eve Carson, current student body president. But it gave me this opportunity to tell everyone again ... why it was that I wanted to run for them.""Allred noted that having a runoff puts the president one week behind"" preventing him or her from appointing a Cabinet.""Raynor's ability to win the race on the first ballot means she's one week ahead in implementing her platform"" Allred said in an e-mail.Allred mentioned Raynor's organization as an aid, especially in getting students to vote.This year, there were 6,625 ballots cast, compared to last year's record-setting turnout of 7,241.The votes were split with 3,267 going to Raynor, 1,601 to Logan Liles and 1,403 to Kristin Hill.It definitely shows that the student body thought J.J. Raynor was a great choice for student body president just judging from her campaign and not taking anything away from anyone else"" Capriglione said, adding that Raynor approached him in the fall to find out what she could and could not do during elections.Just from that (early meeting) and seeing what she did throughout the entire campaign"" she obviously was trying to show students that she was the most qualified.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/11/08 5:00am)
Beginning today, a limited supply of blue books and scantrons will be available for free at the reference desk in the Undergraduate Library.
After learning of student dissatisfaction with having to wait in line for blue books, the library decided to put a small fund "for the benefit of the undergraduates" toward supplying these testing materials, said Leah Dunn, director of the Undergraduate Library.
"One of the things we try to do here is make the busy lives of the students a little easier," Dunn said.
The library bought two cases of blue books and one case of scantrons, which comes to about 5,000 scantrons and 1,000 blue books.
"We're hoping people will be conscientious and not stock up on their year supply," Dunn said, adding that library officials might buy more supplies depending on what happens.
Student Stores began charging for blue books and scantrons at the beginning of the spring semester.
Blue books cost 15 cents apiece or seven for $1. Scantrons run 8 cents each and seven for 50 cents.
"Even though it's just a couple of cents, it is time consuming," sophomore nursing major Allison Silsbee said of having to wait in line to purchase testing materials.
John Jones, director of Student Stores, said the rising price of supplying these materials for free was detrimental to the store.
"It was a cost to us, and we were charging that cost to advertising and promotions," he said. "And when we started doing it in the early '90s, it was only a couple thousand dollars."
But that price has risen to almost $30,000. And last year, Student Stores supplied 200,000 blue books, Jones said.
Until today, Student Stores was the only location on campus providing blue books.
Dunn said the library had considered supplying some blue books and scantrons before the controversy arose.
"We thought that now would be a good time to act, especially with midterms around the corner," she said.
Dunn said that the books will be at a monitored reference desk but that she hopes the library won't have to police the supply.
She said it will not put its entire stock out at once.
"We're not looking at the library as the sole source of blue books and scantrons," Dunn said. "We thought we could be a convenient pickup point for students who need it."
Students generally expressed delight at the news and not having to wait in line.
"I'm a transfer, and in Wisconsin, professors would give them - blue books and scantrons - to you," said Jessie Stellini, a sophomore psychology major. "So I'm not used to me being responsible for them."
Although student government officials met with Jones to work on supplying free materials, Jones said he has not met with anyone else for several weeks.
"The whole blue book issue has been very quiet the past few weeks," he said.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(01/22/08 5:00am)
UNC will receive about $4 million for health research, Sen. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., announced on campus Friday.
Dole said that health and cancer research are areas that are "near and dear" to her heart, and at the announcement, she told the story of a woman who had shared her experience battling cancer.
"I'll never forget a woman telling me of her problems with ovarian cancer and how there was no way to know," Dole said, adding that the money will go to programs that work toward early detection of cancer.
The funds will support three separate programs at the University, focusing on cancer, racial disparity in death and disease rates and biomedical imaging.
"It will provide UNC with the opportunity to join other states . in coordinating collaborative cancer research at the national level," Chancellor James Moeser said.
Moeser said the money would allow further research into discovering the molecular signature of cancer and better detecting signs of early cancer.
Last year UNC received at least $50 million from various cancer research groups, such as the American Cancer Institute. And overall, UNC secured more than $610 million in sponsored research funding.
Dole stressed the importance of detection and prevention in North Carolina, especially in minority populations.
"You think about diabetes and cardiovascular diseases," she said. "And we are above average in North Carolina."
According to a 2000 National Institutes of Health study, North Carolina was 4 percent above the national average of death rates from cardiovascular disease.
And for minority populations, the rate is much worse - 50 percent higher than the national average.
UNC is partnering with East Carolina University to examine how these racial disparities affect health and health care. That partnership received $560,310. UNC professor of cardiovascular medicine Dr. Cam Patterson is the prime investigator.
Patterson said that the money will help establish a research network across the state.
"This network will allow us to reach out to the minority population," he said.
Nobel-prize winner and UNC pathology professor Dr. Oliver Smithies also attended the announcement.
"We look around and marvel at our differences, but it makes it hard to solve complex problems," he said of research focused on diversity.
The largest chunk of the money, $2.4 million, went to the N.C. Cancer and Genomics Research Center.
Terry Van Dyke, director of the center, said the money will help transform research into usable treatment, moving knowledge from the lab into the clinic.
The remaining money, $984,000, went to the collaborative initiative in biomedical imaging. This will help fund the Biomedical Research Imaging Center at UNC.
"We promise to use this appropriation to do great things for North Carolina and the country," said Dr. Etta Pisano, BRIC director.
Projects funded by
the $4 million
$2.4 million: N.C. Cancer and Genomics Research Center: This is part of a national consortium researching the molecular basis of cancer and developing tools to improve early cancer recognition and treatment.
$984,000: Collaborative Initiative in Biomedical Imaging: This will fund the Biomedical Research Imaging Center program, which performs image-based biomedical research across different disciplines.
$560,310: Programs in Racial Disparities and Cardiovascular Disease: This group studies the different rates and factors that racial disparity causes in health care, especially in terms of cardiovascular disease.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(01/10/08 5:00am)
Several major construction projects are still in swing this semester, and a few new projects are underway on campus.
Science construction
"The first phase of Genomics is basically the work you see going on now," said Bruce Runberg, associate vice chancellor for facilities planning and construction.
The Genomics project, also known as the science complex, includes the new Genomics Science Building and a 700-space parking deck on part of the existing Bell Tower lot.
Runberg said the site work and utilities work will be finished this year.