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(01/30/07 5:00am)
Judy Shepard - the mother of murder victim Matthew Shepard, whose death is widely considered a hate crime - is coming to UNC tonight to tell her story and promote tolerance of all people.
Her presentation, titled "The Legacy of Matthew Shepard," will be held at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Student Union.
"One of the strongest ways we've been able to build a better world is through allies," said Taylor Brown, co-chairman of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender-Straight Alliance, which is co-sponsoring the event. "Through her son's death, she has become an ally to the queer community."
On the morning of Oct. 7, 1998, in Laramie, Wyo., two men attacked Matthew Shepard, a gay student at the University of Wyoming. He died five days later.
Judy Shepard travels across the nation to speak about how to make communities safer for everyone, regardless of religion, sex, class, gender or sexual orientation.
Terri Phoenix, assistant director of UNC's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Center, said that she saw the presentation five years ago and that she thought it would be a beneficial experience for the Chapel Hill community.
"We wanted to bring in a national-caliber speaker that would help make the community safer for all people," Phoenix said. "We wanted someone that a broad variety of people would listen to."
Shepard will start her presentation with a video and will elaborate on several of the video's themes. She then will tell her personal story about the loss of her son.
Three films have been made about Matthew Shepard's story - "The Laramie Project," "The Matthew Shepard Story" and "Anatomy of a Hate Crime."
Phoenix said the event's primary sponsor is the Carolina Parents Council but that 27 other organizations are co-sponsors.
"It's not just a LGBTQ issue, but a message for everyone," she said. "We want to keep the community safe for all kinds of people."
She said that Matthew Shepard's case is rare in its salience and that many hate crimes go unnoticed.
She also said that even though serious physical encounters are rare on UNC's campus, LGBTQ-identified students face intolerant looks and verbal discrimination daily.
In February 2005 a gay UNC student was the victim of a hate crime associated with his sexual orientation, suffering minor injuries.
Phoenix said that because Judy Shepard is not an LGBTQ-identified person, more people might listen to her message.
"She has a message that reaches out to a lot of people," Phoenix said. "As an ally, she is in a position of power by making a point to address homophobia and heterosexism."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(01/23/07 5:00am)
Panelists from UNC and Duke University met Monday to discuss the ethical implications of embryonic stem cell research.
The Parr Center for Ethics, StemGroup and Student Congress sponsored the two-hour discussion.
The Parr Center was founded in 2004 to raise awareness about ethical issues that affect the University and the community by spurring discussion.
James Oh, a philosophy and physics major at UNC, founded StemGroup in 2006 to encourage students to discuss various issues dealing with stem cell research.
Oh began the event by delivering a brief presentation about stem cells and where they come from, making a distinction between embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells - the latter of which are far less controversial than the former.
He said that unlike adult stem cells, however, embryonic stem cells have the ability to become any type of cell in the body through a process called nuclear transfer.
"It's a hot issue people hear about in the news," said Kelly Hogan, the faculty adviser of StemGroup.
"A lot of people don't know that there are two types of stem cells," she said. "We just want to get the word out. People can't take a side if they don't know what it's about."
The six panelists came from a variety of educational and philosophical backgrounds.
Two of the panelists opposed embryonic stem cell research. Both were representatives from the Newman Catholic Student Center.
"The most fundamental human right is the right to exist. . It is not granted to us by the government, but is inherent in us," said Patrick O'Connell, a physician in internal medicine with Duke Health in Raleigh.
David Six - a research associate at Duke University Medical Center - said that stem cell research can never be morally viable and that it is unethical for reasons other than the stem cell.
He talked about how the fertility drugs women donors have to take could lead to organ failure or death.
Four of the panelists were in favor of embryonic stem cell research.
"Stem cell research is not only morally acceptable, but morally required, as well," said Adam Cureton, a graduate student in philosophy at UNC.
Larry Gilbert, a professor of biology at UNC and a Parr Center Fellow, said he is convinced that stem cell research is the answer to many as-of-now incurable diseases.
He said that while the U.S. is unable to do embryonic stem cell research legally within its borders, it is inevitable.
"It may take a while, but it's going to happen," he said.
Panelist freshman Emily Russell, a member of StemGroup, said she discovered she was a type 1 diabetic when she was 8 years old.
"I wanted to get involved because I have a lot of personal experience with the issue," she said.
"I hope people will become more aware of the actual facts and look at different points of view," she said.
Russel said she understands the sacrifice involved but thinks stem cell research is the best hope for a cure.
"It's ethical because my life is at stake. I am a living, breathing person," she said.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(01/18/07 5:00am)
The rival between UNC and Duke University now really can last an eternity.
Duke announced in September that for $25,000, anyone's ashes can be buried at its new Memorial Garden. UNC has offered a similar service since October 2005.
Fans and former students and faculty of UNC can have their ashes buried or spread in Memorial Grove for $350.
"We wanted to make it available for everyone, not just people who make a lot of money," said Stephanie Woods, the assistant property officer at UNC.
But at Duke, the offer is available for everyone, not just the university's former students or faculty members.
"It came about because the alumni wanted a place to have their ashes buried," said Jeffrey Yohn, director of development at Duke.
He said there have been visitors who were unauthorized to scatter ashes but did anyway.
"It's not a desirable situation," Yohn said. "We decided to get a better handle on it. It was getting out of hand."
There are three people's ashes already buried at Duke's site, and 40 people are registered for the burial site, Yohn said.
The steep price tag is part of a campaign to raise $10 million to finance new walkways and vegetation at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens.
UNC's Memorial Grove was established after the neighboring Old Chapel Hill Cemetery ran out of room for the Tar Heel dead to be buried.
Officials said they don't want the lack of space to end the cemetery's centuries-long history.
Patti Hucks, who attended UNC's Graduate School, said she recently bought a plot.
"It really is a beautiful cemetery," Hucks said.
"It's surrounded by illustrious people. It makes me feel like I'm a part of the history at UNC."
Hucks declined to say how much she spent on her plot but said it cost much more than the cremation option, which is $100 to reserve a spot, with the remaining $250 due post mortem.
The money will finance the maintenance of the garden and purchase a plaque to be fixed onto the garden's stone, entitled "Wall of Remembrance."
"It's a very reasonable fee for what they're getting," Wood said.
Wood also said Hucks' reasons reflect many of those who chose to buy plots in the grove.
"So many people have such strong ties to UNC that we wanted to give people the opportunity to be here forever," she said.
Sixteen Tar Heel souls already rest in Memorial Grove, and 200 people have made reservations for the afterlife.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(01/10/07 5:00am)
Student government officials decided Tuesday to raise the number of allotted pages each student can print in campus labs from 500 pages to 800 pages starting this semester.
"We're doing what we can to provide a better learning environment outside the classroom," said Joe Schuch, manager of the Information Technology Services' next generation educational infrastructure.
During the fall semester ITS launched a printing program that gave each student a limit of 500 pages. Additional pages cost 5 cents per page.
(11/30/06 5:00am)
When devising a new academic probation plan, UNC looked to peer institutions to inspire the change.
The plan, which will go into effect for incoming freshmen next fall, is the first of its kind at UNC and is meant to give students a second chance after a rough semester.
Under the system, students who fail to meet a 2.0 grade point average will go on academic probation.
"We're really concerned with helping students move through successfully so they don't have to drop out," said Madeline Levine, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Officials said they are competing with other research universities such as the University of Michigan, where students also are required to maintain a 2.0 grade point average.
"All of the other universities we compared ourselves to had higher progression standards than ours," said Bobbi Owen, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
UNC students will sign contracts with advisers, stating that they will meet a 2.0 GPA the next semester.
Under the current system, students earned sophomore standing with a 1.5 GPA, junior standing with a 1.75 GPA and senior standing with a 1.9 GPA.
They did not have to achieve the 2.0 GPA until graduation.
Cathy Conway-Perrin, director of academic standards at Michigan, said repercussions there depend on how far students fall below the requirement.
Students on probation meet with a personal adviser to target problems and find ways to improve throughout the next semester.
Conway-Perrin said students who are placed on probation usually improve by the end of the next semester, and those who still fall short at the end of the term are suspended.
Students can petition for readmission if they demonstrate improvement in other ways, such as receiving better grades at another college.
UNC will have a contract system similar to Michigan's where students are assigned an academic adviser.
"The way it is now, advising doesn't do a very good job of telling you about the expectations when you first come here," said junior Imani Asher, a romance languages and literatures major. "They need to make it known from the beginning.
"You just don't know what you've gotten yourself into."
Levine said she thinks the new system will work better.
"We're not holding up a high standard from the beginning," she said. "We need to expect more and be consistent."
The new system, introduced by Levine at the Nov. 16 Board of Trustees meeting, is part of an initiative to improve graduation rates.
UNC's four-year graduation rate is 71 percent, and the goal is to increase it to 75 percent by 2011. Officials want to increase the six-year graduation from 84 percent to 87 percent.
Although UNC officials are concerned with improving graduation rates, Levine said the University has a deeper initiative.
"We want to help them succeed by providing an institutional support and not just dismiss them," she said. "We hope that we can raise aspiration levels."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(11/28/06 5:00am)
Recent UNC graduates can hobnob with more established alumni thanks to reduced registration rates at select events.
The events, which are used for networking and fundraising purposes by the General Alumni Association, target young alumni who otherwise might not be able to attend.
Whether or not events have reduced prices for young alumni is determined on a case-by-case basis, said Linda Rainey, manager of alumni activities.
For example, the New York Carolina Club is offering a reduced rate for its annual cocktail reception Monday.
The cost is $25 for alumni who graduated between 2000 and 2006, $15 less than the fee for older alumni.
As a result, 45 of the 74 confirmed guests are from the class of 2000 or later.
"We acknowledge the fact that the more recent graduates don't come out to these things," Rainey, said. "They often don't have a lot of money to spare."
Rainey said the GAA doesn't want money constraints to be a reason that younger alumni won't attend.
"We want to eliminate the barriers that keep them from attending," Rainey said. "That way they don't feel like they can't come."
At the reception, alumni will have the opportunity to make important connections.
"There will be a fair amount of networking among the alumni," said Doug Dibbert, president of the GAA.
Sallie Krawcheck, a Morehead Scholar of the class of 1987, will host the event in her Park Avenue apartment.
Krawcheck is the chief financial officer of Citigroup Inc., a financial services company headquartered in New York.
Her name fell seventh on Forbes' "100 Most Powerful Women" list in 2005.
"Getting involved with the GAA has its advantages," Rainey said. "It's one of the great benefits of graduating from UNC.
"That's what networking is all about - people who have an influence on your future."
Rainey said the GAA tries to bring together a mix of older and younger alumni, but event content depends on the age of the volunteers hosting them.
"We're aware of what it costs, so we try to have events that would interest both younger and older alumni," she said. "That is the ideal situation, but sometimes it is difficult."
The New York Carolina Club only contacts alumni who are on a specific list.
"It's a great opportunity to go to this event," Rainey said. "But it takes the initiative of the alumni to tell the GAA they are interested."
Alumni must give their permission to be contacted about the events sponsored by their local Carolina Club.
"We're careful not to spam them, and it's easy to get off the list," Rainey said. "We don't want the alumni to think that we're abusing the e-mail, so we're very cautious not to send out too many."
Rainey said the idea to offer a lower rate to more recent graduates is not a new one.
The annual UNC Department of Dramatic Art's Brunch also is sponsored by the New York Carolina Club and offers a lower rate for recent graduates.
Chancellor James Moeser is slated to speak at Monday's cocktail event, with Dibbert making concluding remarks.
The registration fee for the reception is more of a donation than an attendance fee, Rainey said.
Dibbert said the goal of the reception is to raise money for The Richard H. Jenrette/New York Carolina Club Scholarship Fund - specifically for UNC students from the New York City area.
"I try to make it to as many of the events as I can," he said. "It's important for the scholarship.
"I'm looking forward to it."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(11/15/06 5:00am)
The introduction of a free music downloading service to campus Tuesday is causing quite a ruckus among the student population.
UNC officials announced Monday that students now have access to 1.7 million tunes, thanks to a contract signed with Ruckus Network Inc.
Following the announcement, students could be seen on campus Tuesday logging onto the Web site.
"I think it's a good idea because it will cut down on illegal downloads," said sophomore Jan Tate.
Ruckus is available to all students with a valid UNC e-mail account.
Many services charge users to download songs, prompting students to take advantage of free, illegal programs.
"From our perspective, illegal downloading is seen as a good thing because when you invest in a CD, there's only one or two songs you like," said sophomore Christa Brooks. "We're not even able to sample a whole song on iTunes."
But while Ruckus is a free student service, music cannot be loaded onto an iPod or any digital music player.
Rather, the purpose of the program is for students to sample music before purchasing it.
"You don't want to get charged for songs you don't like," Brooks said. "This is a good alternative."
A wrinkle in the service is that Ruckus is incompatible with older McIntosh models. But Student Body President James Allred said newer models that can run Windows programs can support Ruckus.
During the 2005 spring semester, UNC students tested different media providers on a trial run.
Allred and Student Body Vice President Brian Phelps helped select Ruckus to be UNC's official provider after evaluating student surveys from the test run.
Because it was designed for college students, Ruckus is more than just a site to download music.
With a set-up similar to Facebook.com, Ruckus has all the features of a social networking site, giving students a chance to find other members with similar music tastes. Users can create a personal profile, add friends and write comments on each other's walls.
Members can send music recommendations to their friends and write reviews for other members.
"A lot of people who come to college expose their musical knowledge during their time there," Allred said.
He said that he uses iTunes to download music but that he is excited to use his new Ruckus account. "I've been eager to share the music I've been listening to."
Student government leaders will host a party Thursday night at W.B. Yeats Irish Pub to celebrate the program and allow students to test it.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(11/13/06 5:00am)
UNC's business school is teaming with China to prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Representatives from the Kenan-Flagler Business School are discussing disruption protocol with Chinese officials should unexpected problems arise.
"The issue of crisis management is very new to the Chinese," said Noel Greis, director of the Center for Logistics and Global Strategy at the business school.
"They don't have the experiences that Western countries have."
In cooperation with Tsinghua University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the business school hosted the International Conference on Emergency Management on Oct. 20.
"There has been research on everything from managing warehouses to shipping among different venues," Greis said.
She and graduate student Xander Kameny traveled to Beijing for the event.
"China didn't used to have to deal with the media directly," Kameny said. "But when you bring in thousands of foreigners for an event this large, you really have to make a statement."
Eighty Chinese government officials joined forces with the institutions to address potential problems - such as bird flu or terror threats.
Experts from six countries also discussed technological innovations concerning crisis management.
"There was a real emphasis on real-time monitoring and keeping communication lines from breaking down in a crisis," Kameny said.
Tsinghua's Center for Logistics and Economic Development co-sponsored the event with the business school.
While in Beijing the business school representatives hosted the second Olympic Logistics Symposium, which focused on crisis management. The first Beijing conference was in February 2005.
"These conferences are some of the first collaborative efforts with the two schools," Greis said. "Both of them were extremely well-received."
Officials said another conference is planned for December 2007.
From Oct. 28 to Nov. 2, the business school brought a delegation of about 30 Chinese officials to Atlanta for a workshop on aviation and airport security preparedness.
"There's been so much hype about (the Olympics)," Greis said, "and it was exciting to be right in the middle of it," he said. "It's not an opportunity that most students have."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(10/25/06 4:00am)
To help students cope with the transition from home to college, parents often send their children care packages.
But what used to be a collection of items from home has turned into an industry.
Care packages for special occasions are increasing in popularity, said Christy Moore, president of Beyond Bookmarks, the parent company of an online care package store called Hip Kits.
"The care-package industry is sort of a niche market within the gift industry, and it's definitely growing," she said.
Moore said since Beyond Bookmarks opened in 2003, she's noticed at least 20 other national care package companies start up.
The first care package order from Hip Kits for a UNC student was made in July 2005.
"We are sort of going in as experts," Moore said. "We spend a lot of time researching our customers to find out what they're interested in at the moment."
She said Hip Kits sales at UNC for this school year have more than doubled those from the past year.
Each of Hip Kits' care packages include items such as name-brand snacks, toys or cleaning supplies, depending upon the package.
UNC officials said the packages provide an opportunity for parents to support their students from afar.
"Being a former student myself, I love to get mail," said Tonia Dunn, marketing program manager for Carolina Dining Services. "It's a good thing for parents to do for students, especially those that may be a little homesick."
Moore said the exam packages are the most popular.
While many care packages during finals tend to consist of sweets, Hip Kits offers more brain food.
"I think that college students are more and more health conscious every year, and they appreciate those kinds of packages," Moore said.
The Order of the Bell Tower also offers care packages for students.
Parents can send their first-year students welcome packages, and any student can receive an exam package.
Dunn said dining services makes a profit from Hip Kits because costs are minimal.
Fifteen percent of every care package sale goes to dining services due to a contract between Hip Kits and Aramark, the company contracted with CDS.
"Hip Kits is sort of the 'official care package provider' for about 150 of Aramark's campuses," Moore said.
Packages range from $24.99 to $69.99.
Customers also can personalize their packages by selecting add-ons for each package category for about $5 to $20.
Staff Writer Weesie Vieira contributed to this report.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu
(10/16/06 4:00am)
The Faculty Council convened for its second meeting of the year Friday, receiving updates on the efficiency of UNC operations, possible tuition increases and changes to the campus computer system.
Chancellor James Moeser discussed the President's Advisory Committee on Efficiency and Effectiveness, which was formed by UNC-system President Erskine Bowles in May.
"The purpose of the PACE initiative is to monitor the campus activities and expenditures on the individual campuses," said David Perry, interim vice chancellor for finance and administration.
The committee, which is composed of business officials and leaders from UNC-system schools, has held four meetings to discuss findings at the 16 schools in the system.
"It's a timely discussion, and I welcome it," Moeser said. "It comes at a very important time at this University."
Perry said a goal of the committee is to gather data and find ways to reduce administrative operational costs.
"We wanted to go back and see what we could do if we reallocated some funds," he said. "There has been some discussion about some ways to minimize cost."
In response to faculty concerns, Moeser said that the committee plans to re-evaluate funds for teaching and public service, but that courses won't be compromised.
The council also discussed possible tuition increases at the meeting. Officials said the goal of tuition increases is to enhance UNC.
"It is not a cost-saving process, but a process to improve the campus," Provost Bernadette Gray-Little said.
Gray-Little said a tuition increase for undergraduates is unlikely to be more than the increase for graduate students.
"The greatest concern is among nonresident undergraduate students, who had a $1,100 increase last year," she said.
The UNC-system Board of Governors approved Friday a tuition cap of 6.5 percent increases for resident undergraduate students each year until 2011.
"That's a substantial increase," Gray-Little said. "That's the ceiling, and we can go down from there."
The tuition and fee advisory task force will hold its final meeting of the year this week. Members will vote on tuition increase recommendations.
"We are going to make proposals that are sensitive to students and their families, as well as the University," Gray-Little said.
Gray-Little also gave an update about the University's search for a new computer system.
Campus leaders will purchase new software and hire a company to implement the changes, which will take place over several years.
"This is a big endeavor to the campus," she said. "It's a multi-year, expensive process that will involve a lot of people."
Most of the major computer processes in three main areas - student affairs, human resources and financing - are being replaced.
The current software system is outdated and relies on regular software updates to keep key areas such as financial aid functioning.
This semester, leaders are slated to choose the vendor that will help implement the changes.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(10/12/06 4:00am)
Student government representatives and University officials met Wednesday to discuss reinstating Spring Fest - an annual counterpart to Fall Fest.
The event was canceled in the early '90s because of excessive alcohol usage and carelessness of the student body, officials said.
"It just got too out of control," said Hilary Marshall, chairwoman of the student life committee. "But we're hoping to change that."
At the meeting, Margaret Jablonski, vice chancellor for student affairs, said she supports the return of the event as long as it does not last more than a day.
When it first began, Spring Fest was held on the last day of classes.
The date of the new Spring Fest will be moved to the weekend before the last week of classes.
Marshall said she thinks the change will give students less of an incentive to drink before the event. She also said it will reserve the last day of classes for celebrations of the Greek community.
Bringing back Spring Fest was one of the planks on Student Body President James Allred's platforms.
"The general goal is to capture that feeling of unity you get at Fall Fest," Allred said.
"It's important that students have a University-supported way to see their friends and catch up one last time before summer break."
Committee members said they want to have a concert with a well-known artist at Spring Fest, if they can secure the funds.
Although a concert is slated as the main attraction, the event still could go in a different direction.
Officials said they might feature a showcase of local bands in lieu of a larger, one-artist concert.
"We like the idea of having different venues," Marshall said. "That way it won't single out any one type of student."
Officials said the revamped event would have a carnival atmosphere similar to Fall Fest - including free food and interactive games and prizes.
"We want to represent the different student organizations on campus," Marshall said.
Student government officials said a location still must be secured.
Officials have ruled out Polk Place and Hooker Field as options for fear of damaging the grounds, Jablonski said at the meeting.
Adequate funding for the event also will be an issue. So far the event will receive money from student government, the Carolina Union Activities Board and the Residence Hall Association.
"If the event goes well, in the next few years we could justify a student fee to pay for the event," Marshall said.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(10/11/06 4:00am)
Dating can be tricky, but combining the stigmas of homosexuality and interracial relationships can complicate matters further.
"The double sect increases the amount of discrimination," said Julian Wooten, co-chairman of the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgendered-Straight Alliance.
About 50 people attended a panel Tuesday to discuss the complications of interracial dating within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community.
"I'm here to broaden my horizons," said junior Laurel Foote-Hudson, who is in a straight interracial relationship.
When people are a part of a minority, they don't consider the problems associated with being in another stigmatized minority group, Foote-Husdon said.
"You're going to see very few students who are in same-sex relationships and even fewer interracial relationships," she said.
The event was sponsored by United for New Ideas Towards Ethnic Diversity, a subgroup of the GLBTSA.
UNITED deals with race issues within the LGBTQ community.
"We've come a long way, but we need do something about the negative view that is still lingering," Wooten said.
The panel discussed issues ranging from differences in ethnic and religious backgrounds to how family and friends feel about their interracial relationships.
"We wanted to take a look at how race plays into the world of sexuality and the hardships interracial couples face," Wooten said.
The panel was composed of a straight interracial couple, a gay interracial couple, a bisexual woman who is in an interracial relationship with a man and a lesbian who has experience with interracial dating.
Junior Garrett Kimball, moderator for the panel and a member of GLBTSA, discussed his experiences as a biracial person and said he is proud to be a product of an interracial relationship.
Kimball also said his experience has shown him that people tend to oppose interracial dating because they fear their culture will be challenged.
"With race, it comes down to pride," he said. "You want to see your race or ethnicity survive."
Continuing the discussion about race preservation, Kimball said another problem with interracial relationships is determining how to raise children.
Terri Phoenix, assistant director of UNC's LGBTQ Center, was the only faculty member on the panel.
Phoenix, a lesbian, said she has been questioned why she would pursue a relationship outside of her race when there are women of her own race within the LGBTQ community.
"A lot of the problem is ignorance," Wooten said. "People are afraid to step out of their ethnic group."
Senior Mary Beth Kaneklides, a bisexual woman on the panel, said she is in an interracial relationship.
Kaneklides said she thinks that people need to look past both racial barriers and sexual identification when they think about dating.
Wooten said he believes that most of the gay relationships on campus primarily are within the same race but that the proportion is changing.
He also said he thinks there are a lot more interracial relationships than when he first came to UNC, and he hopes this will continue to change.
"It parallels how the views on race and diversity in general are changing," Wooten said.
"The media tries to define what beautiful is," he added. "But I challenge people to look beyond that and explore what beautiful really is."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(09/15/06 4:00am)
Past senior classes have expressed disappointment with their Commencement speakers, but members of the class of 2007 say they are excited about their choice - Madeleine Albright.
"Judging from past years, I'm happy I recognize the speaker this year," said Susannah Ray, a senior journalism major.
UNC officials announced Wednesday that Albright, the first female secretary of state, will speak to the graduating class in May.
Last semester's spring Commencement speech, given by Wendy Kopp, founder of Teach for America, prompted a mixed response from seniors, with some saying her speech was uninspired and dull.
Seniors this year said they are looking forward to a familiar face.
"(Albright) has been in the spotlight," Ray said. "Most people in the know would recognize her. And that's a good thing."
Now retired from politics and working as a professor at Georgetown University, Albright has issued several commencement speeches, including one to Duke University graduates in 2004.
"I thought it was fabulous," said Gloria Borges, who was Duke's senior class president at the time.
"She focused on the importance of the future and how we're going to make certain decisions in our lifetime.
"She talked generally about hot-button political issues," Borges added. "But she kept it very positive and focused."
In addition to wanting a prominent figure, seniors also said they hope the speech is engaging.
"It's important that we get someone who gives advice clearly without going on forever, because no one's going to remember it in five years otherwise," said Amber Light, a senior communications studies and political science major.
Ray said she was excited to tell her parents after she heard the news.
"I think it'll be something I'll really remember," Ray said.
In her speech, Albright said that members of Duke's student body could go on to become champions for human rights, pioneers in medical research or politicians devising new foreign policy.
"She's a good political figure," Light said. "She's a woman who has carried a lot of influence in this country."
Borges also said Albright's speech was bittersweet. Albright said Commencement is a day "for approaching the future with optimism."
Senior Class President Meg Petersen said the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.
"I have gotten nothing but positive feedback so far," she said. "It's been really exciting."
Borges said she has high expectations for Albright's upcoming Commencement speech at her alma mater's Tobacco Road rival.
"At the very least, I think it'll be rousing," she said. "It'll be relevant and inspiring."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(09/13/06 4:00am)
Before her time runs out at UNC, senior Stephanie White said she wants to get a head start in her career search.
"I feel kind of clueless about the whole career process," she said.
A Spanish and international studies major, White said she is unsure of her future path.
But the class of 2007 and University Career Services are working together to relieve that stress through a new initiative called "Senior Disorientation,."
"I want to know what I need to start doing now, so I don't feel pressured when I try to find a job," White said. "I'm trying not to procrastinate."
Meg Petersen and Eric Schmidt, senior class president and vice president, came up with the idea for disorientation after they met with career services while campaigning for office.
"We had the desire to add more progams or at least publicize the programs more for seniors," Petersen said.
The concept mirrors the way seniors were introduced to UNC with orientation, she said.
This fall the initiative will feature events designed to assist seniors in their job search, including career fairs, mock interviews and seminars on job searches and interview preparation. The spring will include programs focusing on the logistics of life after graduation, such as finance and relocating.
"Our objective is to educate seniors as they acclimate to a career and bridge undergraduate study to life after college," said Daniel Peterson, co-chairman of the career/alumni committee.
UCS held the first event Tuesday titled, "Using UCS for Senior Job Search." Jacquelyn Gist, a UCS career counselor, led about 50 seniors in the discussion.
"This is the time to become involved in UCS, not April," Gist said. "Students make life very difficult because they've done nothing to prepare."
Gist is a University alumna and has been a counselor at UNC for 15 years. Graduating with a degree in philosophy, she said she understands the plight of finding a good career in such a general field.
The area a student majors in has little to no impact on the jobs for which that person is eligible, Gist said.
She began her presentation by asking, "What is the No. 1 major employers ask for?"
One student in the crowd knew the answer: "Any major."
Gist discussed how students can search for jobs, sign up for interviews and participate in workshops. Last year, UCS was pivotal in organizing 3,460 job interviews, she said.
UCS will sponsor two upcoming career fairs: a Diversity Career Fair Sept. 20 in the Great Hall of the Student Union and the Carolina Career Fair Sept. 21 at the Smith Center.
"This is a good overview of how to start," White said. "As students, we have this resource, and it's good to use it."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(09/11/06 4:00am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Officials are set to launch a five-point diversity plan this fall in an attempt to improve campus cultural relations.
Chancellor James Moeser introduced the initiative during his State of the University address Wednesday.
The initiative will implement new practices that embrace cultural diversity, Moeser said.
"This plan sets five goals to advance our vision for a diverse and inclusive campus community," he said Wednesday.
"It emphasizes accountability, education and further research."
Archie Ervin, associate provost for diversity and multicultural affairs, is charged with implementing the points.
"It's a symbol of our commitment and a part of our aspirations to have a global community," Ervin said.
The objectives are as follows:
(08/30/06 4:00am)
Football fans will walk a new pre-game path this weekend when they gather in anticipation of the season's first game against Rutgers.
Temporary barriers will block Polk Place's historic trees from foot traffic when students and fans assemble for pre-game festivities at Tar Heel Town - located in the lower quad.
University officials have passed a new-use policy aimed at preserving the natural beauty of Polk Place. The policy will see its first test run this weekend.
A task force held meetings last year to propose methods for preserving UNC's main academic quad just beyond the steps of Wilson Library.
Members decided to limit pedestrian traffic to the brick walkways during campus events where more than 200 people are present, said Carolyn Elfland, associate vice chancellor for campus services.
Restrictions regarding the location of structures - such as tents and stages - will be enforced as well.
The area will continue to be available for student, faculty and recreational use.
Campus groups are able to reserve the quads, but now there is an online approval process and a permit requirement.
Elfland led the Polk Place Task Force, which included members from a diverse group of campus organizations such as the athletics department.
The task force members believe the new policy is very workable, Elfland said.
"We all feel it's a sound plan. After Tar Heel Town, we'll know if we have to tweak anything," she said. "Our plans might change when we see what works."
Committee members considered relocating some of the pre-game activities to Cameron Avenue but ultimately decided keep the entire event in Polk Place.
Most of the oak trees in the quad are about 80 years old. If they remain healthy, they can live for more than 200 years, Elfland said.
However, many of the trees are losing health or even dying, she added.
Task force members contacted the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories about how to protect the trees from further decline.
Bartlett consultants investigated Polk Place and found the soil around the trees is compacted - limiting root growth and putting the trees at high risk for decay, she said.
The trees were mulched and treated for pests and disease.
Christopher Payne, associate vice chancellor for student affairs, said he participated in discussions regarding event hosting and the preservation of historic quads.
"It's critical that we retain the historic character of those quads, but we can also achieve some balance," Payne said.
"We've come up with a number of different ways to make sure that the students can use the quads and host events like Tar Heel Town, and still preserve its history."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(08/25/06 4:00am)
As a new semester dawns and the sun sets, the night comes to life with students searching the area for a good time.
But when the parties end, a new adventure - finding a way home - begins.
For those who find themselves out late, the University offers two services to ensure that students return home safely late at night.
Safe Ride, one of those programs, now has funding for about five more years through the student transit fee.
(04/26/06 4:00am)
There are more than 300 computers in Information Technology Services labs on campus.
And according to a recent study conducted by UNC Health Care officials, the computer keyboards should be disinfected daily.
Published in the April edition of a national medical magazine, the study found that harmful bacteria between keys can cause the spread of disease.
The research only dealt with computers in the health care facilities.
It's important for those who share a keyboard to routinely clean it with disinfectant wipes, said Bill Rutala, director of hospital epidemiology and a professor at the School of Medicine.
"This would make infection during flu and cold season less likely to occur," he said.
The results of the study raised eyebrows among students.
"The prevalence of bacteria in computer keyboards is unfortunate," said freshman John Gill. "I think a new cleaning regimen is needed to prevent the bacteria from spreading."
Keyboards on campus usually are cleaned once a semester unless visibly soiled or damaged, said Joe Schuch, manager of next generation educational infrastructure for ITS.
ITS cannot afford to fund the daily cleaning of computer labs, but officials said they plan to include more funding for the task in next year's budget.
"It seems reasonable to look at a strategy for addressing some kind of comprehensive hygiene plan for the campus," Schuch said.
He said the study raised his awareness about the magnitude of the problem.
"I don't know of anyone who's even considered spreading germs from a keyboard," he said. "It makes me so much more conscious of things we carry around with us."
Virtually every room in UNC Hospitals is equipped with a computer.
Health care professionals routinely use these computers for an array of purposes while working with patients. This heavy use makes keyboards more prone to bacterial contamination.
"People should not be using the computers with contaminated hands," Rutala said. "They should either use gloves, or the computers should be disinfected daily."
Laptops also are available for personal use by hospitalized patients. Computers passed among patients should be disinfected to avoid the spread of disease, he said.
Rutala and other UNC Health Care specialists conducted the study to determine the prevalence of bacterial contamination of computers at UNC Hospitals.
The researchers extracted samples from 25 computer keyboards at different locations inside the hospitals and tested them for bacterial contamination.
The study detected at least two types of bacteria in each keyboard, Rutala said.
Researchers found that all keyboards were contaminated with coagulase-negative staphylococci, a major cause of bloodstream infections in hospital patients.
Thirteen other types of bacteria were detected, including diphtheroids, Micrococcus and Bacillus species.
Specialists also tested several over-the-counter disinfectant wipes for effectiveness in decontaminating the keyboards. They concluded that all the wipes were effective in eliminating 95 percent to 100 percent of the bacteria.
CaviWipes, Clorox Disinfecting Wipes and Sani-Cloth Plus wipes were found to be most effective at decontamination, removing 100 percent of bacteria.
Alcohol and sterile water wipes were not as effective, researchers found.
Rutala said he is pleased that none of the wipes damaged the appearance of the keyboards and that all of the computers still function properly.
"We were very concerned about the cosmetic effects of the wipes," he said. "I knew that disinfecting the keys might change the appearance or functionality of the laptops."
Rutala was the lead author of the study. He collaborated with Matthew White, a second-year medical student at Wake Forest University; Maria Gergen, a UNC Hospitals medical technologist; and David Weber, medical director of hospital epidemiology for the UNC Health Care system.
The study can be found in the April edition of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, a medical journal.
Contact the News Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(04/13/06 4:00am)
The first building to make an appearance on what is now Polk Place is getting a makeover, almost 100 years after its doors opened.
Since it opened in 1921 as a residence hall, Steele Building was converted to offices for house advising and the dean of students, among other campus entities.
Now it must undergo major renovations to meet code.
Before construction can begin next May, the remaining asbestos and lead lining must be extracted from the building. The project is scheduled to be wrapped up by April 2008.
Through the renovations, the building will be updated for modern use, construction manager Paul Caruth said.
The project entails meeting the latest building and accessibility standards, replacing electrical and mechanical systems and installing an elevator.
"We want to make it accessible to people who are unable to get up and down the stairs," design manager Paul Kapp said.
The building also will undergo an aesthetic makeover, including new floors, walls and doors. The exterior will be improved by replacing the windows.
Leigh Stewart, a Triangle member of the American Institute of Architects, will be at the helm of the project. She works for the Raleigh branch of LS3P Associates Ltd., an architecture firm.
"We're looking at a total interior renovation," Stewart said.
The building's most recognizable feature - its Monticello windows - will remain.
"The exterior appearance of the building shouldn't change at all," she said. "We'd like to go for a historic look but keep function in mind as well."
Aside from serving as a residence hall, Steele was the campus's textbook depot after the "Booketeria" opened in 1952.
The budget for the project is
$3.4 million and is funded by the UNC Higher Education Bond Program, which has funded almost a third of campus projects since 2000.
The building now houses several campus administration offices, including offices for the vice chancellor for student affairs and some of the College of Arts and Sciences offices.
After the renovation, Steele Building only will house offices for academic advising and the College of Arts and Sciences.
Many of the offices will be relocated to the Student and Academic Services Building before the renovation, said Chris Payne, associate vice chancellor for student affairs.
The new building is under construction on the corner of Manning Drive and Ridge Road, in Chase Hall's former location. Completion is scheduled for next spring.
The building is an aim to allow for "one-stop shopping" by housing campus services in one central area.
The registrar's office and Greek Affairs also will relocate to the new building, which is part of the University's effort to revitalize South Campus.
Contact the News Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(03/24/06 5:00am)
University officials built the Rams Head Center with the dream of creating a gateway from North Campus to South Campus.
One year after opening its doors, the center also is serving as a gateway to national accolades.
Food Management magazine recognized Rams Head Center in its 2006 Best Concept Awards in its March issue.
The center won in the category of "best new facility," along with Segundo Dining Room at the University of California-Davis and the Back Door Caf