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(03/18/08 4:00am)
Orange United Methodist Church can add buildings and a parking lot, the Chapel Hill Town Council decided Monday.
With the newly passed ordinances, the church will build a new worship facility, education and administrative space and a family life center with a gymnasium, said Cindy Parks, vice chairwoman of the church building team.
"For us it's just an obvious sign that things are happening in the life of our church," Parks said. "We're excited about that."
Parks said the church began to grow in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Then, the church community had a congregation of 400 members. Now, the congregation has more than 900 members, Parks said.
Five years ago, the church began to assess its future needs and hired an architect to formulate a master plan.
The church then took two years to work out the details of the project with the town.
"We're ready for this, but it's been a long time coming," she said.
Some of the 188 new parking spaces might be used as a park-and-ride lot in the future because the church will primarily use the spaces on Sundays.
The University also might ask the church to lease out parking spaces, Parks said.
"We'd be happy to see what would work out," she said.
The development will go on the 16 acres of land the church owns on the east side of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
The council also heard the University's semi-annual report from Bruce Runberg, UNC associate vice chancellor for facilities planning. He presented the University's $2.1 billion development program, which includes $515 million for higher education bonds, in addition to money for the construction of the new baseball stadium, Sitterson Hall, the genetic medicine building and an Arts Common area.
Runberg told the council about infrastructure projects including a reclaimed water system, a project that the University is working on with the Orange Water and Sewer Authority.
"This has been a high priority project for both OWASA and us," Runberg said.
Mary Beck, senior vice president for planning and program development, updated the council on the progress of the construction at UNC Hospitals.
She said patients have been backed up in the emergency rooms.
"Presently we just don't have the bed capacity to meet their needs," Beck said. "It's not good service to the citizens of the state."
Beck said she hopes construction will be finished in 2014.
"We're very much excited to have this opportunity to better meet the needs of the citizens of the state," Beck said.
Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(02/27/08 5:00am)
Computers are becoming more and more human despite the fact that they don't have brains.
Kenny Felder, a math and science teacher at Raleigh Charter High School, challenged students to consider this during his lecture entitled, "Are YOU a Robot?" on Tuesday night.
"The object of this talk is to piss you off," Felder said.
He provoked students by saying they are just as mechanical and technical as a computer.
Students responded to Felder's prompt by pointing out human qualities such as emotion, creativity and free will.
But Felder answered by saying that many human qualities also can be programmed into a computer.
"None of us is born with this stuff. We get it from somewhere," Felder said.
Felder also revealed his thoughts on what it means to be a human.
"What you allow me to do when I say you are a computer is to define you as your brain," he said. "Deep inside most of us is a voice that says that can't be true.
"There's something that is me, that is precious, that is special, that you shouldn't want to turn off, but it's really hard to articulate what that is."
Felder said being human means being aware and being conscious.
"There is a difference between you and your brain."
Felder, a UNC alumnus, began his investigation into defining humans after working for Microsoft to program computers to understand human speech.
The UNC Self Knowledge Symposium hosted Felder to share with students the idea of thinking beyond the classroom.
"I think it's important because asking questions about your existence as a person is really the center of our world - it's what we all have in common," said sophomore April Williamson, organizer of the event.
Sophomore Lanier Thompson, who was one of about 40 people who attended, said the lecture will apply to her life as a college student.
"I think it's always good to think about things and think about what you think," Thompson said.
Felder concluded by pointing out that the definition of being human is changing.
He said computers will go back to what they were first intended to be, a tool, rather than fulfilling the same role as the human brain.
"We are in another shift that we will define humans in more spiritual terms, starting with awareness of grounds as what it means to be human."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/27/08 5:00am)
Computers are becoming more and more human despite the fact that they don't have brains.Kenny Felder" a math and science teacher at Raleigh Charter High School challenged students to consider this during his lecture entitled" ""Are YOU a Robot?"" on Tuesday night.""The object of this talk is to piss you off"" Felder said.He provoked students by saying they are just as mechanical and technical as a computer.Students responded to Felder's prompt by pointing out human qualities such as emotion, creativity and free will.But Felder answered by saying that many human qualities also can be programmed into a computer.None of us is born with this stuff. We get it from somewhere" Felder said.Felder also revealed his thoughts on what it means to be a human.What you allow me to do when I say you are a computer is to define you as your brain" he said. Deep inside most of us is a voice that says that can't be true.""There's something that is me" that is precious that is special that you shouldn't want to turn off" but it's really hard to articulate what that is.""Felder said being human means being aware and being conscious.""There is a difference between you and your brain.""Felder" a UNC alumnus" began his investigation into defining humans after working for Microsoft to program computers to understand human speech.The UNC Self Knowledge Symposium hosted Felder to share with students the idea of thinking beyond the classroom.""I think it's important because asking questions about your existence as a person is really the center of our world - it's what we all have in common"" said sophomore April Williamson, organizer of the event.Sophomore Lanier Thompson, who was one of about 40 people who attended, said the lecture will apply to her life as a college student.I think it's always good to think about things and think about what you think"" Thompson said.Felder concluded by pointing out that the definition of being human is changing.He said computers will go back to what they were first intended to be, a tool, rather than fulfilling the same role as the human brain.We are in another shift that we will define humans in more spiritual terms"" starting with awareness of grounds as what it means to be human.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/22/08 5:00am)
Senior Charlie Soeder timidly approached the "UNC Draft Board" table at noon Thursday.
"You sir, will you sign up for the U.S. Army?" said Tamara Tal, a toxicology doctoral student, wearing a tie, vest and a fake mustache.
"Absolutely," Soeder said, throwing his shoulders back, puffing his chest and lifting his chin.
"All right, drop and give me 20," Tal ordered.
So he did.
Protesters with Students for a Democratic Society used these theatrical displays and handouts of fake draft cards to attract students to their anti-war protest.
(02/20/08 5:00am)
The controversy surrounding the expression of opinion in the classroom is not new.
In fact, its absence would be surprising, said Ed Neal, director of faculty development at the UNC Center for Teaching and Learning.
"That would be a sign that we're not risking enough," Neal said.
Last week comments that biology professor Albert Harris made in class - that he thinks it is moral for older mothers to abort fetuses with Down syndrome - caused some concern among students.
Neal, who didn't attend the lecture, said he does not think Harris meant to force his views on any student but probably could have included more time for discussion.
"The fact that there was no opportunity for dialogue is part of the problem," Neal said. "It was an error in teaching technique rather than an error in ethical judgement."
The Center for Teaching and Learning offers seminars and publications that specifically address the discussion of moral and ethical issues in the classroom. Faculty, who can suggest topics for the seminars, are not required to use these resources.
"We try to fill people's needs without putting too many restrictions on them."
He said teaching a college course can be challenging given class sizes - at least 10 percent of UNC's classes have more than 50 students - and the time constraints that professors face.
"You have to make dozens of decisions in the span of an hour, and that can be very difficult," Neal said. "You can never predict what something you say will elicit in class.
"We are dedicated to molding minds and creating critical thinkers, and that's dangerous territory."
Sophomore Cat Park said opinions in class help form original ideas. "If it's in a way to facilitate discussion, then it's OK," she said. "If it's done in a way to influence how people think, I don't think that's right."
Many professors try to engage students in discussion by saying something controversial, said Joe Templeton, chairman of the faculty.
"There's a huge gray area, and most of us live in the gray area," Templeton said. "My view is (Harris) exposed the gray area."
In February 2004 Elyse Crystall, an English professor, sent an e-mail to her class that criticized one student's antihomosexual remarks.
The e-mail prompted the Office of Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education to investigate whether Crystall's comments were an incident of racial or sexual discrimination.
The civil rights office found evidence of intentional discrimination and harassment in Crystall's actions but did not require the University to take further action to uphold constitutional protections.
A report the Office of Civil Rights released in September 2004 stated that UNC responded appropriately to the e-mail by recognizing the e-mail's inappropriateness and setting a meeting with students, Crystall and James Thompson, the English department chairman at the time.
Jan Boxill, director of the Parr Center for Ethics in the Department of Philosophy, said discussion of these controversial issues is necessary in a classroom.
"It's important for students to do critical thinking," she said. "Are some of these issues going to offend people? Sure. But what people need to understand is that these are academic issues."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/20/08 5:00am)
The controversy surrounding the expression of opinion in the classroom is not new.In fact, its absence would be surprising, said Ed Neal, director of faculty development at the UNC Center for Teaching and Learning.That would be a sign that we're not risking enough"" Neal said.Last week comments that biology professor Albert Harris made in class - that he thinks it is moral for older mothers to abort fetuses with Down syndrome - caused some concern among students.Neal, who didn't attend the lecture, said he does not think Harris meant to force his views on any student but probably could have included more time for discussion.The fact that there was no opportunity for dialogue is part of the problem"" Neal said. It was an error in teaching technique rather than an error in ethical judgement.""The Center for Teaching and Learning offers seminars and publications that specifically address the discussion of moral and ethical issues in the classroom. Faculty" who can suggest topics for the seminars" are not required to use these resources.""We try to fill people's needs without putting too many restrictions on them.""He said teaching a college course can be challenging given class sizes - at least 10 percent of UNC's classes have more than 50 students - and the time constraints that professors face.""You have to make dozens of decisions in the span of an hour" and that can be very difficult" Neal said. You can never predict what something you say will elicit in class.""We are dedicated to molding minds and creating critical thinkers"" and that's dangerous territory.""Sophomore Cat Park said opinions in class help form original ideas. ""If it's in a way to facilitate discussion" then it's OK she said. If it's done in a way to influence how people think" I don't think that's right.""Many professors try to engage students in discussion by saying something controversial" said Joe Templeton" chairman of the faculty.""There's a huge gray area" and most of us live in the gray area" Templeton said. My view is (Harris) exposed the gray area.""In February 2004 Elyse Crystall" an English professor sent an e-mail to her class that criticized one student's antihomosexual remarks.The e-mail prompted the Office of Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education to investigate whether Crystall's comments were an incident of racial or sexual discrimination.The civil rights office found evidence of intentional discrimination and harassment in Crystall's actions but did not require the University to take further action to uphold constitutional protections.A report the Office of Civil Rights released in September 2004 stated that UNC responded appropriately to the e-mail by recognizing the e-mail's inappropriateness and setting a meeting with students Crystall and James Thompson the English department chairman at the time.Jan Boxill director of the Parr Center for Ethics in the Department of Philosophy" said discussion of these controversial issues is necessary in a classroom.""It's important for students to do critical thinking"" she said. Are some of these issues going to offend people? Sure. But what people need to understand is that these are academic issues.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/15/08 5:00am)
For Valentine's Day, Byron Kominek modeled a skirt to more than 200 people for money - but at least it was for a good cause.
The second-year master's student in the School of Public Health served as a model at the charity fashion show "Fashion, Show Your Love!" hosted Thursday night by the student global health committee.
The show was an opportunity for students to model the clothing they have collected from their travels overseas.
"We never really have an occasion to wear them," said Heather Bergmann, communications chairwoman of the SGHC and one of the organizers of the event. "We think that people will be able to learn from the event."
Kominek was one such model, wearing garb from an Ejagham village in southwest Cameroon, where he served as a Peace Corps volunteer.
There he was crowned a chief of the Nkanda royal society for his service in the village, a lifelong commitment.
"Everything that you do in life is for the better of your people," he said. "In the future, I'll hopefully go back. I'm sure they have land set aside for me somewhere."
His skirt and hat symbolize membership in the royal society, and his cane and towel represent a high rank within the society.
The fashion show was paired with a silent auction that featured handmade jewelry, massages, restaurant gift certificates, artwork and basketball tickets.
The event raised $2,729, which will fund the Honduran Health Alliance, a program that promotes sustainable development in public health in Honduras with a focus on women's reproductive health.
The money will go toward women's health supplies for local health care providers in Honduras.
"We're always looking for great groups who do great work that don't necessarily get the fundraising benefits," Bergmann said.
Lindsey Bach, a first-year student in the School of Nursing, donated $5 at the event.
"I'm really interested in different birth control methods and development overseas," she said. "I'm glad to give to that."
Elena Lebetkin, co-president of the SGHC and another organizer of the event, said the group picked Valentine's Day as the event date to provide entertainment to those who did not have plans for the evening and for those looking for an alternative to the traditional dinner.
Models featured clothing from countries like India, Ghana, Nigeria and Mexico.
"We have a pretty good spread from around the world," Lebetkin said.
Veronica Sunderland, a second-year student in the School of Public Health from Puebla, Mexico, wore a "vestido de china poblana," an outfit that was typically worn by women who made tortillas. It has evolved into a dress worn on national holidays in Mexico.
"I think that the fund is for a really good cause," she said. "We need the awareness of Honduras."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/15/08 5:00am)
For Valentine's Day"" Byron Kominek modeled a skirt to more than 200 people for money - but at least it was for a good cause.The second-year master's student in the School of Public Health served as a model at the charity fashion show ""Fashion"" Show Your Love!"" hosted Thursday night by the student global health committee.The show was an opportunity for students to model the clothing they have collected from their travels overseas.""We never really have an occasion to wear them"" said Heather Bergmann, communications chairwoman of the SGHC and one of the organizers of the event. We think that people will be able to learn from the event.""Kominek was one such model" wearing garb from an Ejagham village in southwest Cameroon where he served as a Peace Corps volunteer.There he was crowned a chief of the Nkanda royal society for his service in the village" a lifelong commitment.""Everything that you do in life is for the better of your people" he said. In the future" I'll hopefully go back. I'm sure they have land set aside for me somewhere.""His skirt and hat symbolize membership in the royal society" and his cane and towel represent a high rank within the society.The fashion show was paired with a silent auction that featured handmade jewelry massages restaurant gift certificates artwork and basketball tickets.The event raised $2729 which will fund the Honduran Health Alliance" a program that promotes sustainable development in public health in Honduras with a focus on women's reproductive health. The money will go toward women's health supplies for local health care providers in Honduras.""We're always looking for great groups who do great work that don't necessarily get the fundraising benefits"" Bergmann said.Lindsey Bach, a first-year student in the School of Nursing, donated $5 at the event.I'm really interested in different birth control methods and development overseas"" she said. I'm glad to give to that.""Elena Lebetkin" co-president of the SGHC and another organizer of the event said the group picked Valentine's Day as the event date to provide entertainment to those who did not have plans for the evening and for those looking for an alternative to the traditional dinner.Models featured clothing from countries like India Ghana" Nigeria and Mexico.""We have a pretty good spread from around the world"" Lebetkin said.Veronica Sunderland, a second-year student in the School of Public Health from Puebla, Mexico, wore a vestido de china poblana" an outfit that was typically worn by women who made tortillas. It has evolved into a dress worn on national holidays in Mexico.I think that the fund is for a really good cause" she said. We need the awareness of Honduras.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/13/08 5:00am)
Casey Beckner and Jeff Chen were elected co-presidents of the Campus Y for the 2008-09 school year.
"I think they'll work very well together," said Sarah Schuyler, this year's Campus Y co-president. "I have no doubt that they'll be fantastic for the Y."
Beckner, who garnered 36 percent of the vote, ran against three others - Lindsay Guge, Jasmin Jones and Sophie Solomon - for the female co-president position. Chen ran unopposed for the male co-president position and received about 95 percent of the votes.
The Campus Y constitution requires the election of one male and one female president. This tradition began when the YMCA and the YWCA joined in 1963. Leaders wanted to ensure that women still had leadership opportunities.
Chen and Beckner both served as co-chairs on committees this year. They will begin their terms as co-presidents after Spring Break.
"I feel like we both bring really different things but really great things, so I think we'll be a really good team," Beckner said.
"Historically we have been a forum through which students can find their voice for social change, and that will continue to be our main goal."
Chen and Beckner said they hope to focus on recruitment and targeting students who are not yet involved with the Campus Y, UNC's largest student group.
"I think that social justice issues just keep coming up," Chen said. "I think there will definitely be a future for the Y on campus."
Beckner said she wants to maintain a high member-retention rate.
"My main, overarching goal is to help publicize the Campus Y in a way that it's never been publicized before," she said.
Schuyler said that Beckner and Chen are both personable and will be able to get people involved.
Virginia Carson, director of the Campus Y, said it is the responsibility of the co-presidents to organize the executive committee and the program committees.
This can be difficult because the Campus Y has 18 committees, nine special projects and at least 1,800 members.
"One thing we struggle with is fostering a sense that they are all part of an organization. Having strong communicating skills is very handy," Carson said.
Although Chen and Beckner were elected under the current constitutional provision, Schuyler said she wants to look into changing the one male, one female presidential position.
"That law inherently excludes anyone who does not identify as a man or a woman. I think most people don't think about that," she said. "The Y is for everyone."
But Carson said that the tradition has provided strong, balanced leadership.
"If the students want to take a fresh look at it, I would be willing to do that," Carson said.
Campus Y members also elected Jimmy Waters as the minister of information. Nora Llabona and Vikram Dashputre will reassume their positions of internal and external treasurers, respectively.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(02/07/08 5:00am)
Young people who are heavy smokers of cannabis a substance found in marijuana could be at a significant risk for gum disease" according to a study released Tuesday.The study found that participants who used cannabis between the ages of 18 and 32 were more likely to have mild and severe periodontal disease than those who never used the substance.""What we found out is that marijuana does pose a risk above smoking cigarettes"" said James Beck, professor of dental ecology at the UNC School of Dentistry, who helped author the study.Periodontal disease is the loss of gum support around the tooth caused by microorganisms in plaque under the teeth and gums. Some people have the genetic ability to fight the disease more effectively than others. If untreated, the disease can sometimes lead to tooth loss.The two major risk factors for gum disease are diabetes and using tobacco products.But typically, people younger than 30 aren't as prone to gum disease.The rule of thumb is you don't start talking about periodontal disease until after the age of 35"" Beck said.Natalie Turner, a junior journalism major, was not surprised by the study's findings. But she said she does not believe the data will change people's habits.I don't think people think about gum disease until they actually have it"" Turner said.Eric Smith, a health educator with Campus Health Services' substance abuse prevention program, said marijuana use can affect a student's memory retention and problem-solving abilities.It's not just the impact on your health" but also it's the effects on your life as a student Smith said. From the academic perspective" the effect marijuana can have on your brain is huge.""The study started more than 30 years ago when Dr. W. Murray Thomson" professor of dental public health at the University of Otago in New Zealand" began following participants born between 1972 and 1973.The participants reported on their cannabis and tobacco use four times between the ages of 18 and 32 and were examined for signs of dental disease at ages 26 and 32.""They're pretty trustful of these investigators" and they would probably get a valid response" Beck said. It's one of the few studies that would have information like that.""Addiction varies by person and depends on frequency of use.""Long-term marijuana abuse can lead to addictions"" Smith said.In 2000, the rate of marijuana usage among college students was 33.6 percent, a 9 percent increase from 1990.Students interested in quitting should consider meeting with health professionals at Counseling and Wellness Services, Smith said.Much like smoking" cold turkey might not be the best way to go he said. Between the health and legal reasons" that should be good motivation to quit.""Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.