Opinion

Mind the gap; Technology Without Borders helps with Internet access

The digital divide is one step closer to shrinking, thanks to Technology Without Borders.Last fall, TWB began a project that would bring free Internet to low-income families with students.The digital divide is an issue in today’s society, with more computers and Internet being used in classrooms and for homework, but it isn’t just an issue for the younger generation.

Make them pay to borrow; Chapel Hill residents should not have to continue to subsidize library usage for out-of-town patrons

The time of county residents not paying their fair share to use the Chapel Hill Public Library should end.Covering the cost of the library should be more equitably shared — either through a user fee for non-Chapel Hill residents, or through a greater contribution from county government.

Cut and Dry; Student government should work closely with UNC administration on budget cuts to preserve quality

Chancellor Holden Thorp’s recent comments on the budget climate confirm that student government’s advocacy will be equally as vital next year as it was this year.If student body presidents can meet with administrators to build massive and comprehensive platforms, then they can sit down with them again to represent students’ interests.

Cartoon for Feb. 26, 2010

The Pill: All you’d ever want to know

Happy birthday to you, oral contraception. Fifty years ago, the FDA approved the first hormonal method of birth control; it would change American society forever, allowing women to pursue higher education and join the workforce in record numbers. Oral contraception has enough of a following to pull off the nickname “The Pill.”

Confronting the horror

The appointment of the first executive director of the N.C. Justice for Victims of Sterilization Foundation is a huge benchmark in the remediation of the damage caused by the Eugenics Board of North Carolina.The director will have the aid of $250,000 included in Gov. Bev Perdue’s first budget and appropriated by the General Assembly.

Hands in the cookie jar

The benefit of a savings account is when you earn more than you spend, you accrue interest in the long term.Apparently, the state government needs to relearn some financial basics if it wishes to save an important source for student financial aid.

Let’s get personal

The UNC admissions office is looking to revamp the campus tour. This is a great opportunity to create a more personalized tour experience for prospective students.

Cartoon for Feb. 25, 2010

Why compete if you can regulate?

From the top-floor conference room of the Copenhagen headquarters of ISS Group, I could see the constant Danish rain trickling down the windows. An employee was giving a presentation on their corporate strategy.

Save the trees; Ordinance seeks to protect natural beauty of Chapel Hill

Proposed changes to a town ordinance that would further protect its trees would benefit Chapel Hill.The ordinance currently regulates certain residential and commercial property where more than 5,000 square feet of tree coverage would be cleared, regardless of the lot’s size.

Make it right; Re-vote in contested congressional election needed

Students deserve Student Congress representatives they legitimately elected. And after all the problems in voting two weeks ago, Taylor Holgate is right to continue seeking a re-vote in Student Congress District 5 — Greek housing.Holgate filed her second complaint with the Student Supreme Court on Saturday.

Slow and steady; Colleges should not become mass-production facilities for bachelors degrees

Although UNC-Greensboro’s “UNCG in 3” program is theoretically a good way to allow students to obtain a college degree more quickly, the implementation of an intense, fast-track curriculum sends the wrong message to prospective students.

No Prince Charming? Not a problem

Ask women around campus and you’ll hear the woes of college dating at the University. In the New York Times article “The New Math on Campus,” Alex Williams tiptoes around the edges of the truth but doesn’t get to the heart of the story because he’s not one of the girls he writes about.

Playing for a cause: Please attend production in Kenneth Strong’s memory

The production of “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” dedicated to Kenneth P. Strong, is a great way to honor and remember the life of one of UNC’s most dedicated and passionate professors.

This old house: N.C. State should wait to build chancellor’s house

Now is not the right time for N.C. State University to spend $3 million on a new house for its chancellor.While a new home might benefit the chancellor’s social and political life, reviving the budget should be the main priority.

Cartoon for Feb. 24, 2010

Know your resources: Help is available for victims of sexual assault

Who should I call?

Chinese, American tensions present

“Blessings come alone; troubles come in pairs.” The Chinese are famous for their use of ancient proverbs to convey modern sentiments, and we believe that this one is especially pertinent to U.S.-China relations today. Indeed, recent troubles between the two powers lend credence to the notion of “one step forward, two steps back.”

Honor thy Court: Student Congress funding for Honor Court should be set

The Honor Court shouldn’t have to compete with other student groups for money. Its role is too important to student life and independent student governance.The Honor Court ensures that University staff can’t arbitrarily punish students. And it allows students at the University to function as self-policing adults, not children in constant need of supervision.