Tar Heels Smother Richmond

As the world was watching the transfer of power in the nation's capital Saturday, the North Carolina women's tennis team asserted its power over Richmond at the Cone-Kenfield Tennis Center.The Tar Heels breezed past the Spiders 7-0 in both teams' first official match of the season.At last weekend's Carolina Indoor Invitational, UNC's singles lineup was solid, but the Tar Heels were vulnerable in doubles action, capturing only three out of seven matches. Problem identified.

Props to Meese For Protecting Workers, Code

The fast and furious fist of the Meese has struck again, and I couldn't be more delighted.Our beloved chancellor wasted no time dashing off a letter to Nike head honchos after learning about an 800-employee worker's strike at a Mexican UNC-contracted Nike plant that manufactures UNC sweatshirts. It all went down after 20 workers allegedly were fired for complaining about bad food, bad wages and no Christmas bonus.Such complaints and the ensuing strike are not heinous crimes.

School Board Passes Budget Plan

A proposed budget plan to reduce overcrowding in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools received initial approval from the Board of Education during the board's most recent meeting.Chapel Hill-Carrboro school board officials decided to send the proposed 2001-2011 Capital Investment Plan to the Orange County Board of Commissioners after reviewing the 49-page plan Wednesday night.Schools spokeswoman Kim Hoke said the CIP -- which asks for more than $51 million in funded and $64 million in unfunded capital projects-- likely will be put to a referendum if it is approved by the commissioners.&q

Cartoon 01/23/01

Committee Won't Support Faculty Pay Raise Plan

By Ben DeSantisStaff WriterEven before the N.C. General Assembly reconvenes Wednesday, one university initiative already has taken a hit due to the state's budget deficit.On Jan.

Browns Short Circuit Against Oklahoma

Oklahoma caused a brownout in Carmichael Auditorium on Sunday. No, the lights never dimmed during the ACC/Big 12 Challenge between North Carolina's women's basketball team and Oklahoma.But the Sooners effectively sucked the power out of UNC's top guards, Coretta Brown and Juana Brown.Before Sunday's matchup both Browns had been playing near the top of their games. Juana Brown was averaging 13.8 points per game and boasted a free-throw percentage of 71.8.

Fencing Thrusts Forward

Teams in the Midwest Conference are a big priority for North Carolina's Josh Webb and Kim Treiber. Webb, an epee fencer, and Treiber, a sabre fencer, have their priorities in order this weekend as perennial Midwest power Ohio State joins host Northwestern in a 14-team fencing meet that begins at 8 a.m.

Computer Virus Poses Threat

If you receive an e-mail from "hahaha@sexyfun.net," don't expect anything sexy or fun. Instead, expect a virus that already has affected hundreds of thousands and could contaminate your computer. But an N.C.

Kenan-Flagler Gains Distinction In Research Field

Even if the men's basketball team hasn't been able to dig up a win against Duke University in the past couple of years, UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School can boast a lead over the rival school.The December issue of the Academy of Management Journal has ranked the business school 15th in the nation for research productivity, placing it ahead of such institutions as Duke, Carnegie Mellon University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of California at Berkeley. "We're very proud," said Julie Collins, Kenan-Flagler senior associate dean of academic affairs.

Religion Not Always for the Masses

What's up with the Bible rage? In courts of law, we swear by it. In just about any ratty hotel, you're sure to find a copy to muse over. But why are people so obsessed with this document?Obviously, the Bible lies at the heart of Christianity. And since a large percentage of the population subscribes to Christian beliefs, it makes sense that the Holy Bible is the one book you can most easily locate. But all you Bible-beaters out there should realize that not everyone subscribes to your dogma. Take our very own President-elect George W. Bush for instance.

Moeser Reacts to Labor Strike at Nike Plant

Alleged labor code violations at a Mexican UNC-contracted Nike factory prompted swift action from Chancellor James Moeser on Thursday.As a worker's strike ensues at the Kukdong International plant in Puebla, Mexico, Moeser sent a letter to Nike on Thursday informing the company that the University is aware of supposed labor code violations at the factory. The plant manufactures sweatshirts for UNC and the universities of Michigan, Oregon, Arizona and Indiana.Eight hundred employees at the factory staged a worker's strike Jan.

Inauguration Draws Local Groups

Washington, D.C., might be 270 miles away, but UNC students are planning on making their presence known at the historic inauguration this weekend.And they're not going to be quiet about it.Several student groups such as Students United for a Responsible Global Environment and the UNC Young Democrats have organized groups to peacefully protest voters' rights they think were violated in Florida, as well as some of President-elect George W.

Computing Initiatives Successful

Despite recent student criticism of the Carolina Computing Initiative at UNC, other universities across the nation with similar programs have reported successful progress.Dartmouth College and Virginia Tech have adopted initiatives similar to UNC that require all students to purchase personal computers, hoping to enhance student education through the electronic expansion of the classroom.

23 Spearheads Webcam Usage

An interactive Web site geared toward students is changing the way the downtown streets of Chapel Hill are viewed.The site, located at http://www.campusgroups.com, allows visitors to view the bar area of Michael Jordan's 23 restaurant on West Franklin Street via webcam during its business hours.University Directories, the locally based company that manages the site, is looking to expand its efforts so site visitors can eventually view popular student hangouts in college towns nationwide.The idea of using webcams in public places surrounding universities is relatively new, said Anne

Franklin Street Pub Turns Bottoms Up

New proprietors have taken over a familiar downtown space, turning Blue Marlin Pub into Bottoms Up.The 201 E. Franklin St. space, which formerly housed Blue Marlin Pub, was leased Tuesday to Turtles CIV Inc.Walter Webster, a 2000 UNC graduate and partner in Turtles CIV Inc., said the company will open a new pub called Bottoms Up in the space.Webster and his partner Chris Ferguson, an N.C. State University undergraduate, entered into their first joint business venture with the deal, Webster said. Webster and Ferguson said a third partner will join Turtles CIV Inc.

N.C. House Speaker Agrees to Bipartisanship

Following the example set by the U.S. Senate, N.C. House Speaker Jim Black said in a Wednesday press conference he will share power with Republicans.But this bipartisanship is not a completely selfless act on Black's part -- it might be a necessary move for him to retain the speaker's post.The Democrats have a four-seat majority in the House, and Black has competition from members of his own party and Republicans. Rep. Martin Nesbitt, D-Buncombe, and Rep.

Everyone Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?

Because Durham County and Wake County don't give as much of a funding boost to their school systems, Chapel-Hill Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools should cut back their funding.

UNC Track Kicks Off Season

For the last eight seasons, North Carolina's women's indoor track and field team has run away from its ACC competition.This year's goal for UNC: to leave its conference competitors in the dust and make its mark nationally. The Tar Heels will begin their shot at national prominence at Virginia Tech today."Throughout the 1990s we were always first or second in the ACCs," said UNC track and field coach Dennis Craddock. "I want us to get back there.

Brown Leads Tar Heels In Defeat of Seminoles

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- North Carolina captured its second straight ACC win, defeating Florida State 75-62 Thursday night at the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center. Juana Brown led the Tar Heels (10-6, 4-3 in the ACC) with 21 points and shot 8-of-13 from the field and hit four 3-pointers. Four Tar Heels, including leading ACC scorer LaQuanda Barksdale, scored in double digits. Barksdale also pulled down 10 rebounds for the Tar Heels, helping them win on the boards 36-33.Florida State's Shinikki Whiting turned in 17 points in the losing effort.

Bush Speech To Set Tone For Term

For weeks political analysts have been asking questions -- how will President-elect George W. Bush pass legislation with one of the most evenly split Congresses in American history? How will the American people accept a president who lost the popular vote and was finally able to claim the Presidency because of a court ruling?The answers could begin to trickle down on Saturday.Jan. 20 is Inauguration Day. A day when the outgoing president officially hands over the post to the president-elect.