University used social media monitoring in Silent Sam and pro-choice protests

The University has been using Social Sentinel — an AI-based service — since 2016 to “identify threatening or concerning public social media posts.” The contract will end in October. The program scans publicly available social media content for keywords and phrases and alerts the administration about when and how those words are used.  Documents show that UNC used Social Sentinel to monitor campus protests through geofencing, and pulled data from public posts on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Reddit.

Detectable levels of lead found in drinking fountains of eight campus buildings

Lead has been detected in drinking fountains in eight campus buildings this month, according to emails sent to building occupants and further confirmed by a University spokesperson. The affected buildings include Hamilton, Fordham, Manning, Phillips, Carrington and Issac M. Taylor Halls, South Building and Wilson Library. Drinking fountains in multiple buildings yielded over 25 times the detectable lead threshold set by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Soul Rebels and Big Freedia kickoff the Carolina Performing Arts season

An eight-piece New Orleans brass ensemble called The Soul Rebels performed with special guest Big Freedia at Memorial Hall last Friday night to open up the Fall 2022 Carolina Performing Arts season. 

Morehead Planetarium and Science Center launches 4k laser projection system

After two years of half-capacity shows due to the pandemic, the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center is eager to re-engage the public with science, technology and health. This year, the center has introduced a 4k laser planetarium projection system.

UNC Campus Safety hosts the Zombie Preparedness Festival

The festival was held in the Pit Thursday morning. Departments such as the Chapel Hill Police and Orange County Emergency Medical Services gave demonstrations on how to prepare for and react to a range of emergency situations, including the zombie apocalypse.

Column: Last night you took an L. Here’s how to bounce back.

"I take losses like prescription medicine. Every single day. Boom. Forgot homework. Boom. Wore pants to sweltering LFIT. Boom. Ate pizza even though I’m lactose intolerant. Straight to the toilet BOOM. And I love it."

Good Neighbor Initiative Community Cookout to bring UNC students and residents together

This Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hargraves Community Center, off-campus students, residents and others will join together for entertainment and to celebrate community.  The Good Neighbor Initiative Community Cookout is a free event, is open to all and will have free food from both Al’s Burger Shack and Ben & Jerry’s.

UNC team receives $500,000 to research ovarian cancer

A team of researchers at UNC recently received a grant of $500,000 to aid in ovarian cancer studies, specifically relating to early diagnosis.  The research also focuses on bridging inequalities in ovarian cancer care, especially those barriers faced by people of color. 

Column: What's in your water bottle?

"When water contamination is discovered, it should be immediately made publicly known, not just another message in an inbox of emails. It should not be limited to just occupants of the building either like incidences in Phillips, Manning, Hamilton, Fordham and South Building were."

UNC becomes home to new Suicide Prevention Institute

The UNC Suicide Prevention Institute, primarily run by Dr. Patrick Sullivan and Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, is a new addition to UNC's campus that aims to reduce the prevalence of suicide in and beyond the UNC Health Care system.  The Institute comes as the result of a $25 million donation from William Starling, a UNC alumnus, and Dana Starling, who lost both of their sons to suicide. 

UNC BOG finance committee looks into changes in funding and tuition

During their Wednesday meeting, the UNC Board of Governors Committee on Budget and Finance's discussion included changes to tuition and fees as well as budget reallocations to aid renovation at Wilson Library. 

Founder of FedEx to speak at Global Center's 15th anniversary

The University's FedEx Global Education Center celebrates its 15th anniversary this week. Frederick Smith, the founder and executive chairperson of FedEx, will host a guest lecture this Thursday at 5:30 p.m. to emphasize the importance of global relationships through trade. 

Column: WTF (What the Federal Funds Rate)

"Inflation – it’s why your blue cups at He's Not are more expensive. I’m going to tell you what’s happening with runaway inflation, what the federal funds rate has to do with it and how to capitalize off of contractionary policy."

Student founds 'Boob Blurb,' walks 12 hours to advocate for women's health

A lack of discussion surrounding women’s health motivated UNC sophomore Isabella Grandić to make a difference. In April of 2021, Grandić launched a conversation starter card game to tackle taboo topics and opens up discussion for women’s life experiences. 

GRE testing no longer required for all UNC graduate school admissions

UNC’s Graduate School Administrative Board recently passed a motion that will no longer require Graduate Record Exam (GRE) standardized testing in the admission process for graduate schools.  Individual programs will still be allowed to opt-in to requiring the GRE as part of the admissions process.  “Really look at standardized testing," UNC senior Kristina Vaher said. "You just learn how to take the test, you learn how they want you to answer certain questions on the test. You’re not really increasing your ability to learn in any other aspect." 

CJ's Cupboard tackling food insecurity among Gillings Public Health students

CJ’s Cupboard is a food pantry welcome to all Gillings students, located at 2220 McGavran Greenberg Hall. Amanda Holliday, associate professor of nutrition and manager of CJ’s Cupboard, said she helped start CJ’s after a survey revealed last year that around 9 percent of Gillings students were food insecure. 

Jennifer S. Conrad named interim dean of Kenan-Flagler Business School

Jennifer S. Conrad, a professor of finance at the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, was named  interim dean of the business school on Thursday, according to an announcement sent to the school's faculty, staff and students. This comes after Douglas A. Shackelford stepped down from the role on Monday, Sept. 19.

Editorial: It's time to get rid of Friday classes

"The University has also introduced 'Well Being days' in recent semesters. These sporadic days off were put in place to support student mental health. While this is a step in the right direction, I propose that the University take things a step further — it is time we move to a four-day school week."

Free speech, banned books and libel: UNC celebrates First Amendment Day

Questions remain about UNC's implementation of freedom of speech resolutions

In July, the UNC Board of Trustees passed two resolutions related to free speech on campus: one affirming viewpoint neutrality when it comes to organization funding and one adopting the Kalven Report — which supports institutional neutrality.  The Kalven Report, a 1967 document developed at the University of Chicago, outlines institutional neutrality on college campuses.  “You really want the University to be a forum for free and open discussion,” UNC BOT member Perrin Jones said. “And if you end up putting your finger on the scale, as it were, then I think it's difficult for that free and open discussion to occur.”