Election blunder: Lawsuit exposed signi?cant error in election process

Two Student Congress candidates who lost in the election last week were right to sue the Board of Elections in the Student Supreme Court.The case was dismissed Monday night. But the premise, that technical problems could have skewed the vote, was valid.

Bowles made a difference: UNC-system president leaves after an impressive tenure

Although UNC-system President Erskine Bowles has only been in office fewer than five years, he has undoubtedly left his mark.It will take a capable and effective successor to see through the initiatives and issues that he will leave behind when he formally steps down by the end of 2010.

Cartoon for Feb. 17, 2010

Echoing the voices of all the Tar Heels

Hey Tar Heels! It’s now the fifth week of this year’s student body president election season and what a journey it has been. Your vote in today’s election will help determine who will lead student government’s executive branch, so log on to Student Central now and cast your vote to have your voice heard!

Shruti Shah for SBP

Cast your ballot for Shruti Shah today in the run-off election for student body president.Shah’s combination of vision and experience — along with a feasible and pragmatic platform — make her the ideal candidate for UNC’s next student body president.Making student government more effective and efficient will be Shah’s top priority.

Lean, mean and well-oiled machine

When asked to create a two-minute video segment for The Daily Tar Heel, some of my campaign staff and I spoofed the Spice Girls song “Wannabe” in the Pit. Just like every student at UNC, there are a multitude of things that they “really, really want.”Today, I’d like to tell you what I really, really want: a student government that works.

Cartoon for Feb. 16, 2010

Envoys navigate complex terrain

Former President Bill Clinton played an important role in the aftermath of the recent earthquake disaster in Haiti as a United Nations special envoy. But it’s probably fair to say that not many people understand exactly what envoys are, and more importantly, that they have a critical diplomatic function — and have since the country’s founding.

Don’t remain silent: Student government should attend police forums

Student government officials need to make every effort to attend Chapel Hill Police Department community feedback forums.Student Body President Jasmin Jones’ administration hasn’t sent a representative to the three forums the police have held so far, even though Bob Overton, assistant chief of police, said the department invited Jones.

Historic shortcomings: Changes in public school history curriculum troubling

The proposed curriculum change for N.C. public schools does not provide the proper history education that students need.The Department of Public Instruction has proposed that 11th grade United States’ history start with 1877, instead of 1789 when it currently starts. 

Hang up and drive: Town right to address cell phone usage of drivers

The Chapel Hill Town Council is taking a proactive role in a societal discussion by voting to hold a forum on drivers’ cell phone use.The town’s discussion will open a valuable dialogue that can help serve as a model for other towns and states, not to mention save lives.

Cartoon for Feb. 15, 2010

Law takes charge

The U.S. Congress was right to pass legislation limiting credit card availability to students under 21.Currently, nearly any 18-year-old can get a credit card. But after Feb. 22, anyone younger than 21 will have to show proof of income to obtain a credit card in his or her name. Those without proof of income will need a cosigner who is at least 21.

Cartoon for Feb. 12, 2010

Haven for dialogue

The Haven program should be commended for its role in educating our community about issues surrounding sexual assault.The program, operated by the Carolina Women’s Center, the Office of the Dean of Students and the Duke University Women’s Center, strives to provide information about sexual assault to students, faculty and staff.

Make every vote count

Voting errors that occurred on Election Day may have skewed election results for Student Congress. Because of this, the Board of Elections needs to take this matter seriously.Some students were not placed in their correct congressional district and were unable to vote for their appropriate candidates.

UNC had the right response to article

There has been a lot of conversation the past few days about what was wrong with the Sunday New York Times article, “New Math on Campus.” The story focused on enrollment trends and the gender gap at American colleges, and it featured quotes from several UNC students. The assertion was that there are social consequences when the gender ratio is not perfectly split.

Cartoon for Feb. 11, 2010

QuickHits for Feb. 11, 2010

Lil WayneThumbs upLil Wayne was supposed to be sentenced in court for gun charges on Tuesday — until he got it pushed back for emergency dental work. A root canal is the oldest excuse in the book, but who’s gonna doubt the Fireman?  Super Bowl viewersThumbs up

Abuse of power: Endorsement from senior officers was inappropriate

Senior Class Officers Meggie Staffiera and Sebastian Williams’ use of the senior class listserv to endorse Hogan Medlin for student body president flies in the face of past decisions by elected leaders not to involve themselves in elections.The Student Code expressly forbids using student government e-mail lists to endorse a candidate.