Opinion

Cartoon for Feb. 4, 2010

Social contracts abound in academia

On the first day of any new semester, most professors don’t expect you to stay in class the whole period. It’s become fairly common to let the class out early.That little custom is one small brick in the foundation of the social contract between student and teacher.

Greenway, this way

Carrboro is right to propose paving parts of the Bolin Creek trail to construct a greenway.Greenways can be used as environmentally friendly transportation alternatives and can connect parts of town that are hard to reach by bike.

No homeschool hurdles

For many homeschooled students, applying to college can be an arduous and complicated experience.But UNC has the right outlook on the admissions process for homeschoolers by not adding the additional burden of extra submissions like many other universities require.

Don’t trek down to Haiti

Any student groups or individuals still trying to go to Haiti in the near future should seriously reconsider. Relief efforts have been mired by the collapsed infrastructure. And right now, visiting students will only consume precious supplies.

Cartoon for Feb. 3, 2010

DTH Student Body President forum

Join us today for The Daily Tar Heel’s student body president forum. If you can’t make it, you can also watch the forum live at dailytarheel.com and submit your questions instantly. Every year, the DTH invites the candidates to participate in a discussion of campus issues, open to all. DTH SBP FORUM

Content over color: Appointing individuals based on race concerns sets a precedent that enforces rather than erases racial divisions

I cannot think of better words to describe how irrelevant race should be in our lives than those of Martin Luther King Jr.“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” At the time they were spoken, these were contentious words.

Now hiring: Despite some improvements, state’s probation system still faces problems and must hire more officers

The efforts of Gov. Bev Perdue’s administration to fix the state’s broken probation system have yielded some positive results thus far. However, the system’s primary problem — the lack of probation officers — has seen minimal improvement at best.

Belief is at heart of human condition

Parents feel it when looking at their children, millions felt it as they were captivated by Barack Obama’s rise to the presidency, religious-minded people feel it as they find their faith, and Tar Heels experience it as they become “true blue.”

QuickHits for Feb. 3, 2010

Salinger legacyThumbs upIf you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is where Salinger was born and what his lousy childhood was like. But we’ll just tell you that this reclusive author will be missed.GDP growthThumbs up

Continue ?ght for access: N.C. Coalition for College Access deserves praise for ?ghting for a?ordable education opportunities

The N.C. Coalition for College Access planned to get together Saturday to address a problem that has plagued the landscape of the United States’ higher education system: access for undocumented immigrants.Allowing qualified undocumented students affordable access to institutions of higher learning is essential to ensuring a meritocratic United States.

Problem comes to a head: More than half of North Carolina’s high schools lack certi?ed athletic trainers, posing dangerous problem

With more than 6 million high school students participating in after-school sports, it’s surprising and troubling that there is no mandated athletic trainer position to assist coaches in injury prevention and care.

We must confront teenage drinking

The Daily Tar Heel recently reported on several student underage drinking cases that were recently dismissed by the court for alleged constitutional violations.

Cartoon for Feb. 2, 2010

Let's put our well-earned diplomas to good use

For years, the infamous brain drain worldwide has made the United States the recipient of many of the world’s brightest minds. Now that we have some incentive, let’s return the favor.

Small steps, giant leap: Energy savings of almost $1 million prove that small measures can lead UNC on path toward big changes

The UNC Department of Energy Management’s energy saving initiatives are a financial success and an affirmation of UNC’s commitment to sustainability. Turning off lights and regulating building temperatures may seem to be trivial tasks. But the benefits aggregate across the entire campus.The savings of almost $1 million in half a year attest to that.

A broad study in advice: Study Abroad student advising program bene?cial

The Study Abroad Office recently introduced a new student advising program, another success for peer counseling at the University.In this program, students who have studied abroad will help to answer questions and ease future student travelers into their semesters abroad.

Pet overpopulation troubling: Too many animals euthanized in Orange County

My dog Mani is a rescue dog. His mother died when he was 10 days old, and he is neutered. I have always had rescue animals and believe strongly in giving them a home. Domestic animal overpopulation is a serious concern in Orange County, and citizens in the community should do their part to make sure it changes.

Title IX limits variety

The introduction of gender equality legislation in 1972 changed the landscape of collegiate sports. Title IX was a groundbreaking attempt to ensure that women would have the same opportunities as men, academically and athletically. Its success was paramount to the advancement of women’s rights in the United States.