Exercise creativity in ?nding activity

I hate the StairMaster. It hurts, and it’s not fun. And seeing as I usually don’t intentionally inflict pain upon myself while doing things I don’t enjoy, I don’t use it.That seems pretty logical to me.But every day, many of us deliberately engage in activities that are awkward, painful and unenjoyable, all for the sake of exercise.

Just walk it out: SafeWalk program will cover holes in student safety

No student should have to walk home alone in the dark if he or she doesn’t feel safe.Next semester, the executive branch of student government will introduce a new student safety initiative called SafeWalk to help improve campus safety.It will help fill in the gaps that exist in our late-night transportation services.

Paying for commencement speakers: Pay them

Commencement is the culmination of four years of hard work. And yet, the University refuses to consider paying even a modest sum for a speaker above and beyond travel expenses.Let’s remember how UNC treated the artist Fabolous, to whom the Carolina Union Activities Board paid almost $50,000 to play a half-sold Memorial Hall and receive special furniture and food.

Paying for commencement speakers: Keep it pro bono

UNC’s policy of not paying Commencement speakers ensures that the University draws people with a real desire to speak here. We send a message that UNC is looking for speakers who are committed to delivering an address tailored to the student body.

Cartoon for Nov. 19

No ticket? There are still ways to attend

Regarding the new ticket policy, the Carolina Athletic Association would like to address the feedback we have received about the new system.The CAA has provided many outlets for students to adjust to this new policy and receive tickets, either directly through the lottery or through one of our alternative options.

Fix it and forget it

After the debacle during last week’s vote on funding for Students for a Democratic Society speakers, Student Congress will have a second shot to clearly state its stance on the issue.

Bridge input essential

Correction (Nov. 20 12:33 a.m.): Due to a reporting error, an earlier version of this editorial incorrectly stated the projected costs of the proposed pedestrian bridge over South Road. It is estimated to cost $9 million. The editorial has been changed to reflect the correction.

QuickHits for Nov. 19

Harrison BarnesThumbs UpHarrison Barnes, the top basketball recruit of the 2014 class, has committed to play for the Tar Heels. Now let’s just hope he doesn’t become the top NBA prospect a year later and commit to leave school.  UnfriendThumbs Up

Cartoon for Nov. 18

Bowling a strike

UNC-system President Erskine Bowles deserves credit for standing up for system schools by pressuring the N.C. General Assembly to divert at least a part of a $200 student tax to the universities, not the state.

Retreat from the rights

UNC should toughen its regulations and heighten accountability for administrators granted a full year’s salary when retreating back to a faculty position. Other universities provide less compensation for administrators’ leave, and we should either follow suit or provide a more thorough process.

Rede?ne your idea of what’s wasted

At our school many people will be impressed by the amount of work you have to do and even the extent to which you are worried about completing it.Many people I talk to seem to wear this stress as a badge of honor, and they bask in it even though it’s emotionally draining.

Town’s treatment stinks: Long history of town negligence in Rogers Road

The Rogers Road community has been suffering for too long, and now it’s rightfully getting national attention because of how it has been treated.The town of Chapel Hill placed a solid waste landfill close to the historically low-income, black community in 1972.

Cartoon for Nov. 17

Semester goes by in the blink of an eye

Sometimes time seems to pass incredibly slowly.When you’re sitting in that class that you hate, staring at the clock tick by on the wall for 50, or if you’re really unfortunate, 75 minutes, you feel as if you’re glued to that seat forever.Everybody feels this way sometimes — no matter what your job is or how you spend your time.

Recycling habits garbage: Downtown businesses not recycling like they should

Recycling efforts on Franklin Street must be improved.Since 1992, the Orange County Solid Waste Department has recruited bars and restaurants to recycle better. But many businesses are not meeting county expectations.

Inappropriate in?uence? Questions remain about BCBS health care mailer

It takes guts for politicians to stand up to large corporations. But N.C. Sen. Ellie Kinnaird, D-Orange, seems to have the fortitude for it.Kinnaird recently joined the ranks of people calling for BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina to be examined for its campaign against a government insurance option.

Discrimination? Don’t ask. UNC needs to take moral stand against Army policy

The University’s increased collaboration with the U.S. Army flies in the face of UNC’s commitment to non-discriminatory employment practices.The UNC system and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command recently signed a partnership to work together and share resources.

Traveler learns the value of balance

It’s been more than two months now since I arrived in Europe for my semester abroad, and boy, is it different from what I expected.