42 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.
(08/22/08 4:00am)
Ten years ago, Tim Stambaugh sat down in the Weaver Street Market cafe to have a glass of wine and play guitar.
He had no idea he was starting what would become one of Carrboro's most treasured weekly musical events.
After adding guests and an amplification system, the gathering was dubbed "After Hours," and has been going on for more than 10 summers each Thursday night.
"Now there's hundreds of people that come to it," Stambaugh said.
But while the season started in May, this Thursday's performance was one of the last this year.
(04/24/08 4:00am)
Students seeking love advice got their answer Wednesday night, even if it hurt.
"Dating Doctor" David Coleman, the real-life inspiration for the 2005 movie "Hitch," gave dating wisdom to more than 150 students in the Student Union's Great Hall.
"I realize I look a lot more like Kevin James than I do Will Smith," Coleman said. James plays the fumbling love-struck client, while Smith is the suave dating doctor.
He started the two-hour show by telling the audience that he would be honest, even if it sounded harsh.
(04/14/08 4:00am)
CORRECTION: Due to a reporting error, "Singing along" incorrectly states that Cheylaine Murchison, a junior who opened for musical act, Musiq Soulchild, sang "Fallin'" by Alicia Keys. Murchison actually performed "Killing Me Softly" by The Fugees. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for the errors.
(04/11/08 4:00am)
Freshman Jessamyn Weis had never heard of Musiq Soulchild until her friend Nicole Powell told her to listen to the artist's 2003 album, Soulstar.
She said she instantly became a fan.
Now Weis, along with other attendees, will have a chance to see the three-time Grammy nominated R&B vocalist perform at 8 p.m. today in Memorial Hall. The event is presented by the Carolina Union Activities Board.
"I really like his style. I can listen to it over and over again," Weis said. "A lot of popular songs get old, and I think that he has a longevity."
Marie Monroe, chairwoman of CUAB's performing arts committee, said she has seen Musiq Soulchild before and knows students can expect an exceptional show.
"It's definitely going to be an energetic show. His agent said that he loves performing at colleges," she said, adding that her favorite part of Musiq Soulchild's act was the crowd interaction.
Musiq Soulchild was originally slated to perform last fall but decided to record another album after his 2007 record "Luvanmusiq" soared to the No. 1 spot on Billboard's top 200 chart.
"The date didn't work out in the fall, but they came back at us and said he's available in April, and we took it right away," Monroe said.
She said that since Musiq Soulchild was booked before his recent successes, student tickets are available for only $12.
"I think it's a really good price because it is Musiq. Anywhere else it would probably be triple that," Powell said.
As of Thursday 1,200 tickets had been sold, nearly selling out Memorial Hall's capacity of 1,434 seats.
Monroe said although CUAB has tried to bring a greater diversity of artists to campus, Musiq Soulchild is more mainstream than previously featured R&B artists, such as Chrisette Michele, who performed Feb. 19.
"You can detect blues in the sort of jazzy places in his style," Weis said. "You can tell the different music styles are there."
Adding to that diversity will be student group Rare Formula and UNC junior Cheylaine Murchison, who will open for Musiq Soulchild.
Rare Formula, composed of Eric Sim, Seku Grey and Simone Martin, said they are a group that covers many genres - influenced by artists ranging from Will Smith to Radiohead.
Sim and Grey said they were excited to be opening for such an esteemed artist.
"We thought it would be a good opportunity to show people on campus who we are," Grey said.
Weis and Powell said they are looking forward to seeing Musiq Soulchild's live performance together.
"It's a different feel," Powell said. "It's a different style, but at the same time it's actual R&B."
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(04/10/08 4:00am)
More allegations of sexual abuse are surfacing from former patients of retired UNC pediatrician Melvin Levine.
Carmen Durso, the Boston lawyer handling Levine's five pending lawsuits, said he is working with N.C. lawyer Elizabeth Kuniholm to investigate sexual abuse that might have occurred while Levine was employed at UNC from 1985 to 2006.
Levine has been accused of sexually assaulting young patients starting in the late 1960s and into the 1980s while he was in Boston.
"Calls are still coming in," Kuniholm said. "I investigate everyone who calls as soon as I can."
She said most calls were made to verify the charges already brought against Levine rather than to file lawsuits.
She said she was unable to comment on whether any civil action would be taken but is advising clients to contact the medical board if they have concerns.
Levine retired as a full-time practicing pediatrician in 2006 but continued to see patients as an adjunct professor until he voluntarily stopped last week when the most recent allegations surfaced.
He also withdrew his practicing medical license, which is required to legally treat, diagnose or operate on patients.
Durso said he is concerned about UNC's institutional response to the allegations against Levine because the University kept Levine as a full-time professor as lawsuits were filed.
"It's my belief that the people who came to these institutions came there because the institutions were places where they believed their children would get the best possible care," Durso said. "The institutions have an obligation, in my view, to see that a thorough investigation is conducted with regard to Dr. Levine."
At UNC Hospitals, physicians are protected by medical malpractice insurance. Doctors are provided a lawyer in the event of a lawsuit.
"Every lawsuit is going to be different because every lawsuit is an allegation," said Stephanie Crayton, a UNC Hospitals spokeswoman. "It would really depend on what is revealed from an investigation as to what disciplinary actions may or may not occur."
During his career as a pediatrician, Levine helped establish the "All Kinds of Minds" institution, which educates parents and teachers about different styles of learning.
His research focused on the idea that each child needed to be diagnosed without common labels such as attention-deficit disorder.
For his work, Levine received the prestigious C. Anderson Aldrich Award and was featured on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" for his child development books.
And with investigations continuing, Durso said UNC Hospitals now has a chance to redeem past actions. "They have an opportunity now to do some part of the right thing."
Senior writer Ted Strong contributed reporting.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(03/27/08 4:00am)
Slideshow: Dance-off at Memorial Hall
It was a night filled with crowd interaction and intense competition, as host Kel Mitchell's antics helped bring down the house Wednesday in a packed Memorial Hall.
(03/26/08 4:00am)
When Kel Mitchell arrives at UNC and takes the Memorial Hall stage today, he won't be selling "good burgers" with his special sauce. Instead he will be serving up some of the hottest hip-hop dance teams in the state.
The second annual "Show Us What You Got" dance competition, presented by Carolina Union Activities Board, will take place at 7 p.m. tonight in Memorial Hall.
Mitchell, best known for his role in the 1997 movie "Good Burger" and on the Nickelodeon show "Kenan and Kel," said he is excited to be hosting the event for the first time.
"I love speaking at schools. I love giving back to the community, and I love talking to students who aspire to do the same things that I've done," Mitchell said. "It's also great when you talk to the college kids - you guys grew up with me."
Last year's competition was performed in front of a full house at Memorial Hall and was hosted by Black Entertainment Television's Terrence Jenkins.
But this year, Marie Monroe, chairwoman of CUAB's performing arts committee, said the show will be different while still producing the same amount of energy.
"We wanted a different host, but someone that still had name recognition," Monroe said. "Everybody knows Kel for his goofy, fun personality. He was more than happy to do it."
Unlike last year's event, this year's event is on a weeknight, but Monroe said she is optimistic that attendance will be high.
"I'm still hoping to get a very good turnout. We have given away about 700 tickets so far," she said.
The competition isn't limited to groups from UNC; dance groups from all across the state have been invited to fight for the winnings - a $500 prize as well as a trophy.
Groups slated to perform include two of UNC's own - Opeyo! Dancers and Misconception Dance Company - along with others from North Carolina Central University and UNC-Pembroke.
Kareemah Lewis, president of reigning victors Opeyo!, said the audience can expect just as much intensity from the performance this year.
"We're bringing it four times harder. We're challenging ourselves," she said.
Lewis said that if Opeyo! is to win the cash award this year, the team will use the money to improve Opeyo's Youth Dance Workshop and to buy better costumes.
Five judges who work at hip-hop dance studios across the state will critique each competing team and make the final selection.
But Monroe said creativity, crowd appeal, technique and group connectivity will all be necessary to take home the title.
Between the competing teams' performances students can expect to see Mitchell's personas as well as spoofs.
"I'll pull some of those characters out also on stage - I'll bring Ed with me," he said.
Not all of the night's routines will be performed by dance teams. Mitchell said he plans to bring some moves of his own throughout the night.
"I'm nasty on the dance floor," he said.
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(02/25/08 5:00am)
When Will Ferrell first appeared on stage Friday night in the Smith Center, he was wearing a Duke sweatshirt.
Boos and hisses erupted from the audience, until Ferrell pulled the sweatshirt over his head to reveal a Carolina blue UNC sweatshirt. Ferrell then began to fight performers dressed as ninjas to the "Mortal Kombat" theme song.
Ferrell was at UNC as part of the "Funny or Die Comedy Tour," presented by "Semi-Pro," a basketball-themed movie starring Ferrell, which opens in theaters Friday.
Attendees paid $45 for tickets, a price many students said was high. But Kyle Slighton, who attended the event, said he didn't mind the cost.
"It was worth it with all the comedians. If it was just Will Ferrell, I would be pretty pissed, but with everybody it was good," he said.
Ferrell acted as the show's host, introducing other featured comedians Zach Galifianakis, Nick Swardson and Demetri Martin between each of his own skits.
Midway through the show, Ferrell appeared as his title character from "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy" and interviewed men's basketball coach Roy Williams
"I just stand over there and clap and tell everybody to run up and down the court. It looks pretty good," Williams said in response to Ferrell's question about what Williams' coaching duties entailed.
In the middle of the interview, ninjas came on stage and attacked Williams as Ferrell fought them off.
Williams said the ninjas looked like Duke students.
Ferrell asked Williams about Tyler Hansbrough's level of intensity during basketball games.
"I understand his nickname is Psycho. Is that because he has psychological problems?" Ferrell said.
After learning Hansbrough was in attendance, Ferrell acted frightened and told the star forward, "I've got my eye on you, Psycho."
While Ferrell was undoubtedly the headliner, audience members said other performers made the show great.
Martin came on stage playing a jet-black Gibson Les Paul guitar as his comedic drawings were displayed on large screens hanging above each side of the stage constructed on the Smith Center floor.
Swardson complemented Martin's short, witty comedy with more irreverent jokes about college life.
Swardson said he loved to black out from drinking because he wanted to be a detective when he was a child.
"When you wake up, you have a lot of mysteries to solve," he said.
He also talked about when he applied for a job at Taco Bell and was required to fill out a special skills section on the application.
"There's nothing special about me. That's why I'm here," he joked.
Last on stage was Galifianakis, who flashed the audience and danced around stage as Little Orphan Annie. He also performed a stand-up routine while playing piano music.
Graduate student Peter Franzese said the comedians' integration of Williams and other UNC celebrities made the event worth the cost.
"It was a nice little personal touch for campus," he said.
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(02/18/08 5:00am)
As the lights dimmed and the audience settled down Saturday night in Memorial Hall, there was nothing but a microphone and a stool on stage.
And for the next three hours, there was nothing but laughter filling the sold-out auditorium.
"Lewis Black and Friends," part of Carolina Union Activities Board's fifth annual Carolina Comedy Festival, featured Black and other well-known comedians performing in front of the all-student crowd.
Junior Austin Tortorici attended the 2006 "Lewis Black and Friends" performance and said he returned this year because Black usually stays on top of current events, making his act different from year to year.
And as typical of Black's style, much of the comic's routine was based on politics, especially poking fun at the candidates for the 2008 presidential election.
"I feel like they've all been president, and I'm ready to move on," Black said.
Throughout his performance, Black's intense comedic delivery and angry tone caused roars of laughter from the audience.
After his act, Black received a standing ovation from attendees who refused to leave. He took the stage again and told one last joke about an accidentally castrated Chapel Hill resident.
The show was hosted by Rory Albanese, co-executive producer of "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart on Comedy Central, who performed before Black and others. Many of his jokes appealed to the student audience.
"If you ever want to pee on campus, do it during a basketball game. No one's there," Albanese said.
Albanese also presented students with a peace plan for the Middle East, which included Americans dropping video games, fast food and marijuana on its cities in order to replicate the laziness of American youth in foreign countries.
Rob Riggle and John Oliver, both correspondents featured on "The Daily Show," were new to the show this year.
Riggle told the audience about his hungover flight to Las Vegas, while Oliver spoke about American consumption habits.
Mallory Cash, CUAB's comedy committee chairwoman, said Oliver's and Riggle's styles - one rolling around on the floor and the other kicking the air - brought diversity to the show.
"They all have different styles, but they all have the same love of comedy," she said.
Two students also gave short stand-up performances before the headliners. They were given the chance to perform by winning the Student Stand-Up Competition on Thursday. Freshman Cody Hughes performed, followed by junior Mary Sasson.
Hughes, who is from Flat Rock, joked about his hometown. His performance was complemented by Sasson's comedy about her family's answering machine.
Freshman Christina Serrano said that she enjoyed the two performances and that she was glad they were incorporated into the show.
"I didn't know what to expect," said Serrano, who attended the festival for the first time this year. "I was delightfully surprised."
At the end of the show, Black thanked the audience and praised UNC for hosting the festival.
"There's nothing like this at any other school in the country."
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(02/17/08 5:00am)
As the lights dimmed and the audience settled down Saturday night in Memorial Hall, there was nothing but a microphone and a stool on stage.And for the next three hours, there was nothing but laughter filling the sold-out auditorium.Lewis Black and Friends"" part of Carolina Union Activities Board's fifth annual Carolina Comedy Festival, featured Black and other well-known comedians performing in front of the all-student crowd.Junior Austin Tortorici attended the 2006 Lewis Black and Friends"" performance and said he returned this year because Black usually stays on top of current events" making his act different from year to year.And as typical of Black's style much of the comic's routine was based on politics" especially poking fun at the candidates for the 2008 presidential election.""I feel like they've all been president" and I'm ready to move on" Black said.Throughout his performance, Black's intense comedic delivery and angry tone caused roars of laughter from the audience.After his act, Black received a standing ovation from attendees who refused to leave. He took the stage again and told one last joke about an accidentally castrated Chapel Hill resident.The show was hosted by Rory Albanese, co-executive producer of The Daily Show"" with Jon Stewart on Comedy Central"" who performed before Black and others. Many of his jokes appealed to the student audience.""If you ever want to pee on campus" do it during a basketball game. No one's there" Albanese said.Albanese also presented students with a peace plan for the Middle East, which included Americans dropping video games, fast food and marijuana on its cities in order to replicate the laziness of American youth in foreign countries.Rob Riggle and John Oliver, both correspondents featured on The Daily Show"" were new to the show this year.Riggle told the audience about his hungover flight to Las Vegas, while Oliver spoke about American consumption habits.Mallory Cash, CUAB's comedy committee chairwoman, said Oliver's and Riggle's styles - one rolling around on the floor and the other kicking the air - brought diversity to the show.They all have different styles" but they all have the same love of comedy" she said.Two students also gave short stand-up performances before the headliners. They were given the chance to perform by winning the Student Stand-Up Competition on Thursday. Freshman Cody Hughes performed, followed by junior Mary Sasson.Hughes, who is from Flat Rock, joked about his hometown. His performance was complemented by Sasson's comedy about her family's answering machine.Freshman Christina Serrano said that she enjoyed the two performances and that she was glad they were incorporated into the show.I didn't know what to expect"" said Serrano, who attended the festival for the first time this year. I was delightfully surprised.""At the end of the show"" Black thanked the audience and praised UNC for hosting the festival.""There's nothing like this at any other school in the country.""Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(02/15/08 5:00am)
This year UNC audiences will see a new theatrical interpretation to Eve Ensler's play about women and their vaginas.
"The Vagina Monologues," a two-night event held at 8 p.m. today and 9:40 p.m. Saturday in the Hanes Art Center auditorium, aims to fuel discussion about menstruation, sex, rape and other women's issues.
The play is held annually as part of V-Week, an event that focuses on female sexuality and seeks to raise awareness about violence against women.
But this year the performance's style will change.
First-time director Katherine Wilkinson will have nine women constantly onstage performing, rather than having one actress speaking at a time.
"Our director has a different take on it," said Carla Davis-Castro, co-director of V-Week. "She came into the position with a lot of ideas on how she wanted to do it."
"The Vagina Monologues" was written by Ensler, who interviewed more than 200 women of all backgrounds about a variety of issues dealing with vaginas. She then condensed the interviews into 10 monologues to be performed.
"I am a huge believer of the theater being an entire show and experience," Wilkinson said.
The play also will include streaming video, images and other media in the background that will reflect the mood of the monologue.
"I didn't want it to be girls just reading off cue cards," she said.
Wilkinson also said her vision for "The Vagina Monologues" will have central themes, such as the color red, throughout the play to help the audience follow the story.
Proceeds from the play are donated to the Orange County Rape Crisis Center and the Family Violence Center of Orange County.
And since the OCRCC sees about 400 people per year, including those who have personally experienced rape, as well as their family members and friends, the donation is important for the organization.
"That's just a small percentage of people who have actually experienced sexual violence in Orange County," said Christina Riordan, executive director of OCRCC.
The center uses the proceeds from "The Vagina Monologues" to support the services of the center, including support groups in the community, counseling programs and a 24-hour crisis line.
"We have received and benefitted greatly from 'The Vagina Monologues,'" Riordan said. "It's a really important event. We are delighted to be a part of it."
Wilkinson said when she saw "The Vagina Monologues" last year, it was performed by women reading material from binders, but this year, she said, she wanted the production to have a more dynamic style.
"Every year you have a woman with a different idea," she said.
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(02/01/08 5:00am)
An eavesdropping, wife-swapping, blackmailing comedy extravaganza will begin to unfold on campus tonight.Blackmail"" a play presented by the UNC Playwriting Studio, will debut at 8:15 p.m. tonight in the Elizabeth Price Kenan Theatre. The play is the first comedy written by junior Russell Johnson.Blackmail"" is set in 1940s New York and focuses on a mailman who routinely reads a wealthy couple's personal mail. Hilarity ensues when the mailman finds that the couple has engaged in wife swapping.Johnson" who is a member ofthe student improv group Chapel Hill Players" said writing his own play allowed him to invest more in his characters than he does in sketch comedy.""It's very different from some of the plays that have been done on campus"" he said.And because Johnson's play is an original production, actors have been able to put their own influences into the script.The cast has been spectacular"" said senior Ike Smith, who directed the production. It has been really fun seeing the scripts evolve"" and the cast has been a big part of that.""Many of the actors featured in the play are also members of Chapel Hill Players.Alex Whittington" who plays Danny the mailman" said there are a few asides and additions that he has made to the character.""The life of the actors has brought some more comedy to an already funny script"" he said.But Ryan Millager, a senior featured in Blackmail"" said he has found delivering lines humorously and creating his own character at the same time a challenge.The audition process for Blackmail"" was untraditional as well. During the two-round procedure"" actors were asked to try new and innovative approaches to the script.""The audition process was different ... because it was a really fun-loving atmosphere"" Whittington said.Once auditions were finished, actors and directors began rehearsing for the play just before winter break. After returning in January, the cast had to bring the play together quickly.Time is probably the biggest thing"" Smith said.Although the short rehearsal time has proved a challenge, those involved said the collaborative nature of the project has made Blackmail"" enjoyable to complete.""Only in the last week (of rehearsals) do we move into the theater itself"" Millager said. Now we have to be on our feet and be ready to go with the new thing.""Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
(01/11/08 5:00am)
In eight days Harriet Farb, a 66-year-old breast cancer patient, will be standing at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.
After departing Thursday for Tanzania, the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center patient will climb Africa's tallest mountain with her brother to raise money for a patient resource center.
"She was determined from day one," said Patricia Decator, a clinical nurse who helped with Farb's therapy.
Farb first was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1989. Nine years later she found the cancer had moved to her liver, and in 2001 she began treatment at UNC.
After announcing last semester that she was going to climb the 19,340-foot mountain, Farb soon discovered her liver cancer had relapsed.
But even with this setback, Farb will continue with her climb.
Along with her brother, Farb will make the high-altitude mountain climb during a period of seven days.
"It's the highest mountain in Africa, so it's very physically demanding," said Gordon Janow, director of programs for Alpine Ascents International.
Janow said that there is a chance of not adjusting well because of the high altitude but that he hopes Farb still will complete the climb.
Farb's training also has become more difficult, but Decator said she has continued with it.
"There's a tremendous amount of stress when you receive that cancer diagnosis," said Pam Baker, officer support assistant for Lineberger's Patient and Family Resource Center.
Farb is using her climb as a way to solicit donations for the resource center, which provides patients with wigs, feel-better programs and self-image programs. Socks, slippers, pillows and other comfort items also are available. All of the services at the center are free of charge.
Farb's original goal was to raise $10,000, but Baker said she already has exceeded that goal.
"We depend a lot on donations, such as Harriet raising money for us," Baker said. "Harriet understands the needs that we have here."
UNC's center, along with others, serve the many breast cancer patients and other cancer patients across the country.
According to the American Cancer Society, 178,480 women in the United States were estimated to have been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007.
Of those diagnosed, about 23 percent - or 40,460 - were expected to die.
Farb, though, is making progress with her recovery.
As a nurse, she wanted to control her treatments, Decator said.
"She was always positive about what it was that was going to work out for her," she said.
Her motivation throughout the treatments has inspired patients at the cancer center, Decator said. "She's going to climb that mountain."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(11/30/07 5:00am)
A group of local leaders and bloggers, including U.S. Rep. Brad Miller, D-N.C., met Thursday night to discuss how blogging affects politics.
The casual meeting was held at Milltown Restaurant in Carrboro, where the leaders talked while enjoying food and drinks.
Bloggers at the dozen-person gathering said they were concerned that elected officials were afraid to enter the blogosphere - referring to the Internet network of blogs - because blogs force them to share their opinions.
"I think people are afraid of having positions," said former Chapel Hill town council member James Protzman, founder of the progressive blogging community BlueNC.
Miller said that not taking a position on an issue might work for politicians in the media, but that the nature of blogospheres force writers to share opinions.
"We're going through an interesting period where a lot of different media are defining their roles," Miller said, noting that one of the most important things to do in politics is to respond to change.
And Miller has found a way to do just that by participating in blogs on various Web sites, including the blog Daily Kos, an online liberal political community.
Miller also often comments on other blogs.
"If you don't come into the comment thread, you're not going to get any respect at all," Miller said.
Protzman said he has talked to a certain politician that will express opinions clearly through e-mails but not when he is making a public speech.
Blogs also allow candidates to express their ideas to many people - about 32 million Americans read blogs, according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project.
Ruby Sinreich, founder of the OrangePolitics blog, said Miller can't travel around door-to-door and talk to every person about his opinions, so blogging is a good way for him to reach people.
"Blogs are giving people more of an opportunity to learn directly about the people and the issues that affect them," she said.
Sinreich said Miller's DailyKos blog has given him a national reputation for being open.
"I think its an opportunity for politicians to find their voice," Protzman said.
The effectiveness of traditional media also was discussed.
"Journalism is an essential aspect of a healthy political life," Sinreich said.
She said blogging and popular media have a symbiotic system. Bloggers use newspapers and TV news to know what is going on and newspapers use blogs to understand community opinions.
No one knows what the future of blogging will be, but it is constantly evolving, Miller said.
"There have been a lot of refreshing voices in America's politics because of new media."
Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
(11/26/07 5:00am)
Next month UNC will convert a P2P bus into an emergency police command center, allowing public safety officials to respond more quickly to emergency situations.
The acquisition of the command center is part of the University's extended approach to campus safety, which includes a cell phone alert system and recently installed sirens around campus.
Serving as an all-inclusive mobile location for police to conduct operations, the center will be operated by the Department of Public Safety.
"It gives a centralized area for the flow of information," department spokesman Randy Young said.
An old P2P bus will be outfitted with communication equipment, LCD monitors and a gas generator. Retrofitting the bus will cost an estimated $200,000. It's expected to be ready for use in mid-December, Young said.
"They're definitely a useful piece of equipment," said Col. Randy Powers, chief deputy of the Guilford County Sheriff's Office, referring to command centers. "If you have a homicide or some type of lengthy situation, it gives everyone a central place to come to."
Nearby Guilford County has had its mobile command center for more than three years. "You can get a whole lot more from face-to-face situations than you can over the telephone," Powers said.
The command center will give police the chance to meet away from the public eye when on the crime scene. In the center, police can bring up background about suspects.
While the command center will centralize DPS's emergency response tactics, UNC has implemented several other measures to help notify students of campus emergencies.
"We're trying to provide these multiple layers of notifying you," said Brian Payst, director of technology and systems support for the Division of Student Affairs.
Four emergency sirens have been installed around campus, and an emergency text message system has been implemented.
University personnel are being trained to use the sirens, which will be used only in life-threatening situations such as a tornado or campus attacks. Text messages with emergency information will be sent to students to complement the sirens.
"People always check their text messages," said Elliott Davis, a student employee at UNC Mobile.
Davis also said that with the text message system, students will receive information faster than e-mail.
But only 1,311 students have signed up to receive emergency text messages since last semester.
"Schools across the country are struggling with this," Payst said, noting that numbers are steadily increasing, with 57 students signing up in the past month.
But only one student in a class of 40 needs to be signed up to get out the emergency message, he said.
"You have to remember that text messaging is not the University's only notification system," Payst said. "We're not relying on text messaging as our only solution."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(11/26/07 5:00am)
A new powder-based inhalant technology invented at UNC now can move into full clinical trials thanks to a $26.5 million investment.
Invented by UNC School of Pharmacy professor Anthony Hickey and UNC alumnus Timothy Crowder, the technology helps those with airway disease - such as bronchitis, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
"The problem is getting the powders to disperse such that patients are not aware of them," said Dr. Sam Weir, Family Medicine Center director at UNC Hospitals, noting that the powders can cause irritation or get stuck on the patient's tongue.
But unlike similar products already on the market, the new technology puts energy into the powder using small vibrations that allow the medicine to move more easily into the patient's lungs.
Hickey, who spent years studying powders' reactions to these vibrations, designed the device in a way that the patient will be able to inhale the medicine more easily.
"If this device helps improve the dispersion of the powder, then it would be a big advance," Weir said.
As a result of the easy dispersion, the new inhalant technology will reduce the production time needed for preparing the powders and will help drug companies quickly meet regulatory requirements.
The invention has spawned Oriel Therapeutics Inc., a company based in Research Triangle Park that will commercialize products of the technology.
New Leaf Venture Partners, a health care technology investor in New York, announced the multimillion-dollar investment to Oriel earlier this month.
Although Oriel started as a company based off the inhaler technology, it now also develops its own drug for the inhalers.
Paul Atkins, CEO of Oriel, said that there is a clear plan of action on how to spend the investment and that he hopes the company will finish development of its device and then move to human testing.
Eventually the company aims to commercialize its product.
But Hickey said the amount of testing and regulatory consideration the company will have to go through before bringing its products to the market is extensive.
"Things take time, but if in five to 10 years somebody is using this inhaler - that, from my perspective, is a huge step," Hickey said.
The technology is in high demand, as about 10 percent of the U.S. population has an airway disease.
Powder-based inhalers have been on the market since GlaxoSmithKline Inc.'s invention of Advair in response to the phasing out of chlorofluorocarbons - which are harmful to the environment - beginning in 1987. A Food and Drug Administration ban on the production, marketing and sale of chlorofluorocarbons is effective beginning 2009.
New Leaf Venture Partners' one-time investment in Oriel should last about two years, depending on how quickly the company spends the money, Atkins said.
"I think that we'll be setting a new standard as far as a powder system."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(11/15/07 5:00am)
When Devin Sniffen returned home from a month-long stay in the N.C. Children's Hospital, his parents presented him with a challenge - to raise money for the N.C. Children's Promise Radiothon/Telethon.
The 10-year-old and his classmates at Raleigh's Grace Christian School responded, managing to raise about $400 to donate.
At 5 a.m. today, others will have a chance to follow in Sniffen's footsteps when the telephones open for the sixth annual radiothon, the largest fundraiser of UNC Health Care.
(11/12/07 5:00am)
UNC Dance Marathon starts recruitment week today, as preparation intensifies for the 10th annual fundraising drive.
Now is one of the most important recruiting times for the Feb. 22 fundraiser, which has raised a total of more than $1.3 million for the N.C. Children's Hospital, said Beth Cordell, publicity committee chairwoman for UNC Dance Marathon.
"Without (the dancers), the marathon does not exist," she said.
The group receives 45 percent of its contributions from dance volunteers, said Lauren Finnis, business manager for the marathon.
To get involved, students must sign up and raise $100 before February. And this week, the group will host several events to spread the word about recruitment.
Committee members will be in the Pit today, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday advertising the event. They also will host a battle of the bands 10 p.m. Tuesday at The Library, at 120 E. Franklin St., and a dodgeball tournament at 4 p.m. Friday in the Rams Head Recreation Center.
As part of the anniversary celebration this year, the February marathon will feature special events that include an alumni hour to recognize past volunteer involvement.
"You're really benefitting the community," Cordell said, noting that people from all over the state visit N. C. Children's Hospital.
At the marathon, volunteers must stay on their feet for 24 hours in a gym with other dancers. Volunteers are not required to dance for the whole period, but they are not allowed to sit down.
During the event, live bands and dance groups will perform, as well as disc jockeys. There are also games, food and coffee for volunteers.
Senior Dorsey Landis, who participated in the marathon as a sophomore, said that after her positive experience, she was inspired to become more involved with the event. She now has served on the publicity committee for two years.
"After you dance, you realize how important it is," Landis said. "It's a really great 24 hours."
Michael Bucy started the fundraising program as an initiative to make a difference in the lives of the children at N. C. Children's Hospital.
UNC Dance Marathon has different events year-round, but students can sign up for the February event by registering to be a dancer or volunteer online at UNCMarathon.org or by picking up a form at Student Union suite 3508D.
Throughout its years, the group has grown in size from its original 100 dancers to more than 800 dancers and 600 volunteers last year.
Although the organization does not set a goal for how many volunteers it wants, officials hope to recruit more as it gets larger.
"It's hard to want to commit to 24 hours standing," Landis said. "But anyone would agree after doing it, you will know it was 100 percent worth it."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(10/26/07 4:00am)
Students have responded to Student Body President Eve Carson's call for student input in the chancellor search.
The student committee was created Oct. 15 to help get student input. Members were notified of their acceptance Monday.
Thirty people applied, and a group of about 10 was selected.
Carson issued the group three main focuses at its first meeting Tuesday.
The first priority is to get student input for Carson to consider while she gives counsel to the official chancellor search committee.
"They are essential for me in thinking about how I am going to prepare," Carson said.
Committee members have been in the Student Union interviewing students. They also are gathering information from comments on the student government blog.
"We've been rushing around trying to get as much student input as we can," said senior Sean McKeithan, who is a member of the student committee.
Matt Hendren, co-chairman of the committee, said the group is very diverse in terms of experience at UNC.
At the committee's first meeting, members spoke briefly about what they were going to do during the next week. They also made fliers, sent out e-mails and organized a Pit sit.
"That's one of the challenges about this committee - a real quick turn around," said Mike Tarrant, student body vice president, who is serving in an advisory capacity on the committee.
The group also will produce a document that describes what students think are important characteristics of the new chancellor.
"I see it as a good way to give back," McKeithan said.
The first draft of the document will be written Friday. Members of the committee then will read the document and make revisions this weekend.
Carson said the committee has been reading information about chancellors from the past.
"You want to look back over time and see who has been successful in that role and how they have been successful in that role," Hendren said.
Students can attend a feedback session at 6 p.m. Monday in Manning 209 for the revised document.
The final product will be presented at 3 p.m. Tuesday during the public forum held by the official chancellor search committee at the Carolina Inn.
As a long-term goal, the committee will issue a vision statement describing the things most essential to UNC that need to be preserved.
"I think the vision statement will emerge from what we want from our chancellor," Carson said.
The vision statement will be given to the newly elected chancellor in hopes to help him preserve the "Carolina Way," Carson said.
To help create this statement, the committee has been studying value statements from other schools.
Committee members said that UNC is going through a major transition period and that these changes could impact the campus culture.
"The University is constantly changing and evolving," McKeithan said.
"It's very important to me that the undergraduate experience is maintained."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
(10/11/07 4:00am)
Criminal cases with compassion -that was the driving factor behind Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Carl Fox's career choices.
In the keynote speech of Race Relations Week on Wednesday night, Fox said he took the route of public defender because he did not like the injustice that can be found in private firms.
"One of the biggest problems I had with corporate law was a conscience," Fox said.
Fox served as a state prosecutor for 25 years. In 1986 he was elected a district attorney, and he held the position until 2006 when he was appointed to the Superior Court.
In criminal cases, more than 50 percent of the people tried are minorities, he said.
Fox spoke about the unevenness of the criminal justice system, noting that people can be prosecuted differently depending on the area.
"You can't have people respect the law if it's not applied fairly," Fox said, addressing the 35 attendees in Hanes Art Center.
Fox told the audience that breaking into someone's house should not have the same punishment as shooting that person with a gun. He said there often is uneven sentencing, which might punish felons more than murderers.
"You are more likely to be in jail longer - in my experience - if you are Hispanic or African American," Fox said.
He also briefly mentioned pardoning 40- to 60-year-olds who were in the prison system.
Fox recommended 12 people for pardoning, but none were pardoned.
"We don't do a lot of forgiving of people who commit crimes against us," Fox said.
Some students who attended said that the speech was informative but that Fox did not discuss race so much as the justice system.
"He touched on a lot of pertinent subjects," said senior Kerin Leche, who attended the speech.
She said the education system is often the root of minorities' tendency toward crime or drug use.
"It's almost like public schools are holding facilities for people," Leche said.
The event was co-sponsored by the Black Law Students Association and two committees of the Campus Y - Students for the Advancement of Race Relations and Criminal Justice for Action Awareness.
"Hopefully he will incite some type of discussion of how race plays a role in the criminal justice system," said Dana Clifton, co-chairwoman of SARR.
"I think the relationship between race and crime is important - how race plays a role in our judicial system," she said.
Although Fox gave the keynote address Wednesday, Race Relations Week still has more events planned.
Today there will be a dinner and several film screenings, as well as a walking tour of campus to explore the history of African-Americans' contributions to campus. Students can check the Campus Y Web site for more details.
Fox stressed the importance of student actions in helping to combat injustice in the legal system.
"If you don't think its fair, my challenge to you is to get involved in it," Fox said. "It is your system. . Do what you can to make the system better."
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.