Opinion -

Early electioneering: Ingram's complaint to the Board of Elections is self-serving and frivolous

By Editorial Board | December 1

Rick Ingram isn’t fooling anyone with his Board of Elections complaint about Student Body Secretary Ian Lee. Months from the elections, Ingram says that Lee is violating the Student Code clause prohibiting the student body secretary and select executive branch members from endorsing a candidate or campaigning. Ingram alleges that Lee is e-mailing friends about running for student body president. Ingram’s motives are obvious: If he is trying to hide his own campaign to be student body president, he’s not doing a very good job.

Support the 'DREAM Act,' call your representative

By Letter to the Editor | December 1

TO THE EDITOR: In the past few years, more and more brave young people have decided to “come out” and live publicly as undocumented students. Some Tar Heels have even made this tough decision. They are simply asking for the chance to earn their right to stay in the country that they call home.

Overuse of word "rape" undermines importance

By Letter to the Editor | December 1

TO THE EDITOR: Yesterday, Andrew Tamayo wrote a letter to the editor decrying the DTH’s new “Quote File” as propagating, in his words, a “rape culture.” The real problem, however, lies in the appeal to fear rather than logic by tossing around the buzz word “rape” without any explanation as to its situational relevance.

"Freshman" title stunts progress toward equality

By Letter to the Editor | December 1

TO THE EDITOR: Saffa Khan (“Why I’m not a ‘first-year’ student,” Nov. 30) argues that words like “freshman” were once “an example of the lower status of women but now represent the change in our understanding of gender equality.” Our understanding, however, is still lacking.

"Freshman" term makes women seem non-existent

By Letter to the Editor | December 1

TO THE EDITOR: I believe that Khan (“Why I’m not a ‘first-year’ student,” Nov. 30) completely missed the mark on why everyone should use the term ‘first-year.’ The problem with using ‘freshman’ is that it reinforces sexism and gender inequality in our society.

Finding faith in study abroad

By Kyle Olson | December 1

Today is the last day of the study part of my time abroad. Not that I spent much time studying or that my classes were difficult, but, like all of you, I will be happy to finish another semester. Unlike most of you, though, my next trip is not hometown-bound. I will not be back to Stafford, Va., until January, with just barely enough time to hug my family hello and pet my dogs before I load up the car, say my goodbyes and drive down to Chapel Hill to move into a dorm I have never lived in — the day before the semester starts.

The inherent value of learning

By Nick Mykins | November 30

When I graduated from high school, there was one complaint I thought I would never have to hear from my classmates again: “When am I ever going to use this in real life?” I am sure everyone has heard it, and maybe they have said it themselves during some particularly obtuse lecture or another. Surely UNC is a place where we can all pick a major and then only study exactly what we are going to use in our future careers — nothing more, nothing less.

Taking one step back and two steps forward

By Matthew Boddie | November 30

I graduated with a philosophy and psychology major two years prior. During exam time, I was much more devoted to the construction of the moat in my fraternity than to the tests which would ultimately result in the underwhelming grade point average with which I left UNC.

Success, for a select few: It's great that Morehead-Cain scholars continue to win Rhodes scholarships, but others could, too

By Editorial Board | November 30

Amid the pride at continued success in producing Rhodes scholars, UNC must avoid neglecting capable students who lack prestigious scholarships. Over the past five, ten, and twenty-five years, UNC has produced more Rhodes scholars than any other U.S. public university. It’s a notable success — the image of Tar Heels headed off to Oxford to pursue the passions nurtured here among the world’s best academics is a great one.

Quote File propagates a 'rape culture' here at UNC

By Letter to the Editor | November 30

TO THE EDITOR: The selection of quotes you chose to publish for your “Quote File” on Monday is deplorable in light of some of the articles and editorials you’ve recently published. Just last week there was an article (“Hockey team’s cube sparks discussion about ‘rape culture,’” Nov. 23) about how the Feminist Students United responded to a Club Hockey ad featuring a busty woman and the tagline “come watch us score.”

Words create meaning: Replace 'freshman' label

By Letter to the Editor | November 30

TO THE EDITOR: In response to Saffa Khan’s column (“Why I’m not a ‘first-year’ student,” Nov. 30): You argued the call for the use of the term “first-year” instead of “freshman” is “irrational,” but you are thinking too narrowly. The impact of masculine terms as gender neutral comes not from the sheer offensiveness of one word but in the combined effect.

Jaywalking fine needed for oblivious pedestrians

By Letter to the Editor | November 30

TO THE EDITOR: Despite being a frequent jaywalker myself, I must support the UNC Department of Public Safety’s new push to combat hazardous jaywalking. Driving through this campus takes much longer than it needs to because of the burden placed on drivers by oblivious pedestrians. DPS even said they plan to focus the fines on those offenders whose actions obstruct traffic.

Soda tax not the solution to the obesity epidemic

By Letter to the Editor | November 30

TO THE EDITOR: I found columnist Sarah Dugan’s argument regarding soda taxes (Soda Tax: A Solution to a big problem, Nov. 18) to be one-sided. As a registered dietitian, I wish the treatment for obesity was as simple as taxing fatty foods and drinks. However, it is just not that easy. And contrary to Dugan’s assertion, there are a number of studies which support this.

Why I'm not a 'first-year' student

By Saffa Khan | November 29

Freshman or first-year? Our class will probably never reach a consensus on the issue of our collective status. The reason for this polarizing debate is the same reason for all arguments nowadays: discrimination in the form of sexism. To some, the fact that “freshman” is used without any corresponding feminine term is an appalling representation of the ongoing subjugation of women, even in the 21st century. To them, “first-year” is preferable because it is sexless, and therefore a moderate alternative. The cause for change is understandable but irrational.

Should drug tests be used to curb Adderall abuse?

By Letter to the Editor | November 29

TO THE EDITOR: I was visiting with friends who attend other universities over Thanksgiving break, and the prevalence of Adderall use came up in the discussion. Adderall is a mixture of amphetamines that is prescribed for the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy. It works much like methamphetamine and cocaine in that it increases alertness, concentration, and overall cognitive performance and decreases fatigue in the user.

Planned logging efforts a travesty to Orange County

By Letter to the Editor | November 29

Orange County citizens need to know that OWASA is planning extensive, long-term logging in the Cane Creek Watershed surrounding Cane Creek Reservoir. This is the major source of water for Chapel Hill, Carrboro and the University. We need to prevent this travesty which will lead to degradation of our water supply and loss of old-growth forest and the habitat they provide.

Support more research for a rare genetic disorder

By Letter to the Editor | November 29

TO THE EDITOR: Hi, my name is Carly Huff. I am 24 years old and I have a rare genetic disorder. I went to UNC-Chapel Hill and graduated in 2008. I am trying to raise awareness about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (the genetic disorder I found out I had in September 2010), and also make some money to pay for my ever-growing medical bills. I have a blog where I have posted many of my photos.

Don't donate to anti-gay Salvation Army this season

By Letter to the Editor | November 29

TO THE EDITOR: Briefly, in response to Carrie Dobbins (“Do not forget the true meaning of Christmas,” Nov. 28): I admire your strong anti-capitalist rhetoric, but I would admonish you to not recommend anyone give change to “the man ringing the bell outside of Wal-Mart.”

Embrace choice: Students can't be blamed for flocking to best book price

By Editorial Board | November 29

As the end of the semester approaches, students are dealing with extreme stress once again. Along with this pressure comes a different — and often frustrating — problem to deal with: textbooks. And as long as online and other retailers continue to get creative in attracting students, Student Stores will lose out on the student market.

A 'book-smart' move: Library should move to University Mall permanently

By Editorial Board | November 29

A library relocating to a retail space in a mall is an unconventional measure. But the Chapel Hill Public Library’s option to permanently move to University Mall would provide convenience to Chapel Hill’s citizens, and cut down on expansion costs that taxpayers would have to offset. The move to University Mall was first going to be temporary while the original building went under construction. But University Mall offered the library a permanent location Nov. 19, and the Chapel Hill Town Council is considering the alternative.