Chatham County

Candidates Cater to Potential New Voters

Anticipating a growing pool of likely voters because of online voting, candidates in this year's student elections are working to expand their campaigns and platforms in order to appeal to a broader audience.The candidates in this year's student elections feel that a higher voter turnout will force campaigns to solicit support from more than just major student organizations."In the past, if you hit the right groups, you'd probably win," said Carolina Athletic Association president candidate Reid Chaney.

Dilbert 01/31/01

Scare Tactics Cloud Biotech Crops' Benefits

Just imagine: Using biotechnology, scientists can produce crops that will grow in drought conditions and therefore help alleviate the world's food shortages. Labs are developing plants that contain essential vitamins to prevent childhood blindness in underdeveloped countries.Yet a minority is trying to scare consumers into boycotting these fruits of our technology."The fear comes from overexaggerating the risks and eliminating the benefits from the discussion," said Ralph Dewey, a molecular biologist at N.C.

Bush's Faith-Based Plan Draws Local Objections

President Bush's newly proposed faith-based initiative is raising questions among some local organizations.The proposal, announced on Monday, calls for the establishment of a White House office to distribute federal funds to charities and religious groups during the next 10 years.But the proposal has left some local leaders with serious reservations regarding the separation of church and state.The aim of the program is to let such groups compete for taxpayer money to provide services such as after-school programs, prison ministries and drug treatment.Bush stated in a press release

Freshmen Can Now Get the Scoop Online

A Web site aimed at aiding freshmen in the transition to Chapel Hill culture and University life was launched Monday by the Freshman Focus Council.Freshman Central provides first-year students with academic tips, dates for campus events, transportation information, links to other Web sites, entertainment news and more.Freshmen Matt Tepper and Rebekah Burford were co-chairmen of the FFC's development of the Web site, which served as the group's first major project.

Students Benefit From Wireless Access

The latest wave of technology is cresting on UNC's campus and students already are reaping the benefits with no strings attached -- literally.Wireless technology is now placing students, faculty and staff at the forefront of the technological revolution, providing high-speed Internet access in classrooms, labs and even coffee shops on Franklin Street."I am pleased and proud that we are taking this position nationally. I'm convinced what we're doing is at the vanguard of higher education," said Chancellor James Moeser.

Police Roundup 1/30/01

UniversitySunday, Jan. 28University police responded at 5 p.m. to a larceny at the Kenan Field House.A student went jogging that afternoon and left his keys on the ground unattended. When he returned, his keys were missing.University police responded to a report of a larceny of two wallets at 2:37 p.m.A student at Ehringhaus Residence Hall reported that during the Dec. 15 campus blackout, someone broke into her room and took her wallet.The person also stole her roommate's wallet.The student said her credit card had been used Jan.

SBP Candidates Fire Off 1st Shots

A Monday night forum provided nearly 100 students the chance to hear nine candidates for student body president present their campaign platforms and voice their opinions on several heated topics such as the appropriation of student activities funds and UNC's involvement with the United States Students' Association.But this was the first time students saw the candidates publicly confronting one another since campaign season kicked off Tuesday. The debate, held in Bingham Hall, was sponsored by the College Republicans and the Young Democrats.

Kenny Returns Stronger Than Ever

"Matt Kenny is going to wrestle tonight," North Carolina coach Bill Lam adamantly shouted at reporters before boarding the team bus for Appalachian State on Saturday.

Ellis Looks to Take Running to Extreme

After talking to him for a while, you think he's destined for the X-Games rather than the Olympic Games.Highlights coloring his hair and sunglasses resting on the top of his head, his speech and personality reveal the mellow yet confident swagger of an X-Games champion.And while Jeff Ellis has been snowboarding for 10 years, you won't find him pulling any McTwists, nose grabs or frontside 720s for his home country of Canada in a competition any time soon.For the North Carolina senior track and field star, who speaks as gracefully as he runs, there's only one international game he's i

Equality Means No Special Rights

When John Ashcroft testified in Congress last week, he claimed not to favor making government hiring decisions based on sexual preference. Ashcroft, who might be confirmed as attorney general tomorrow, deserves credit for at least professing the libertarian value that the state shouldn't discriminate.If only he meant it.According to The Washington Post, sexual orientation was the first question Ashcroft asked an applicant for a Missouri government job while governor.

Dilbert 1/30/01

Elections Rules Hold Candidates To Tight Budgets

Amid the hustle and bustle of student elections campaigns, some voters might not realize the financial measures taken to win their votes.Running for a student body office is not as simple -- or as cheap -- as it sometimes seems.

Kent State Police Opt Against M-16s

Memories from a tragic shooting stemming from Vietnam War protests have resurfaced after the Kent State University police department tried to purchase eight M-16 rifles from the U.S.

Interim Provost to Retire but Stay at UNC

As UNC's new administrative leadership takes shape, one figure who has aided in the transition, Dean Richard Edwards, is preparing to step down.Edwards has served as interim provost since Dick Richardson's retirement from the post July 1.

Duke Considers Mandatory Computer Program

In an effort to integrate technology into the classroom, Duke University is considering implementing a program similar to UNC's Carolina Computing Initiative.Duke News Service representative Geoffrey Mock said school administrators are looking into the possibility of requiring all students to purchase computers.Under the proposal, all undergraduate students would have to own a computer by fall 2002. Mock said this exploration is part of the school's Five-Year Plan, which seeks to address the technological needs of the campus.

Student Judicial System Needs a Tuneup - And Your Help

When it rains, it pours -- especially if your storm cloud is the student judicial system at UNC. Mike Trinh could use an umbrella.Trinh, the computer science student whose Honor Court appearance in October of last year sparked controversy about the system's unfairness, can't get a fair shake, much less a break in the rain.A full three months after his initial trial, Trinh skipped a day of classes to prepare for his appeal, scheduled for Jan. 22. Just an hour before the proceedings were to begin, he was told that his hearing had been postponed.

Tough Away Crowds\Don't Faze Tar Heel

The North Carolina men's basketball team has already proven it can win in hostile environments.The Tar Heels defeated Maryland at Cole Field House on Jan. 10 and knocked off N.C. State at the Entertainment and Sports Arena on Sunday.Part of the reason for UNC's success is the ability of its players to accept the abuse they get from opposing fans.Wolfpack fans repeatedly chanted "Brenda" at center Brendan Haywood, insinuating that Haywood is a soft player in the post. They went a step further with Kris Lang, leaving basketball out of the equation.

Milking Rural Life For All It's Worth

You could say dairy farming is in Bob Nutter's blood.His grandfather had some of the first registered Holstein cows in the United States. His father was a past president of the National Holstein Association. His farm, Maple View Farm, has been in Orange County since 1963, when the family left the farm in Maine.So when he says farming is his life, he's not kidding.

Cary Supports Moratorium

The town of Cary joined the ranks of several other N.C. local governments last week when the Town Council passed a resolution calling for a moratorium on executions in North Carolina.Cary is North Carolina's 12th local government to call for a death penalty moratorium, with a 4-3 vote in favor of the resolution, following similar decisions made in Charlotte, Winston-Salem and Carborro.Cary Mayor Glen Lang said he supported the resolution because he believes the death penalty is applied unfairly. "Capital punishment unevenly targets the poor and African Americans," Lang said.