Congress’ good compromise

Students for a Democratic Society deserves to have the financial means to host speakers on campus. But that does not mean it is free to waste student money by making unreasonable funding requests.And Congress, recognizing this, did the right thing by cutting the requested appropriation to a more reasonable amount.

QuickHits for Nov. 12

TreesThumbs downAnother tree fell on campus,  breaking a window. Two trees in as many weeks? Mother Nature  means business. Time for drastic action. Let’s cut them all down. Then she’ll learn who’s boss. David PriceThumbs up

Toward a Jetsons’ world of nutrition

The creators of “The Jetsons” were geniuses. Foreseeing the trend of a health-obsessed population on the run, they created a technologically advanced utopia where people ate three course meals in pill form.

Cartoon for Nov. 12

Cartoon for Nov. 11

Vision is farsighted

The University is preparing to draft a new academic plan. The last one was completed in 2003, and the new one will set the University’s goals for the next several years.The last plan focused on internationalizing the University, and the new one probably will as well.

Don’t forget service aspect

If Homecoming royalty don’t follow through on their projects, the contest risks becoming a pointless popularity contest. This is a shame, considering the service potential.This year’s royalty, Desmond Rowe and Carly Brantmeyer, should be obligated to complete successfully their projects within the year. This would help put the focus of the tradition squarely back on service.

Cap and trade-off

The administration needs to seriously discuss the effect the UNC system’s 18 percent out-of-state student cap has on UNC-Chapel Hill.The Daily Tar Heel recently reported that administrators have no intent to even consider doing so as they craft the University’s new academic plan. There is no reason for this refusal.

Musical theater deserves due credit

I secretly like musicals.Probably shouldn’t have said that, right? Whenever I tell people, they give me looks like I’ve just told them I’m in a Nickelback tribute band or have just expressed an interest in naked ice skating. Musician friends of mine shake their heads and judge me. It’s not real art, they say. And furthermore, it’s kind of embarrassing.

Cartoon for Nov. 10

Every squash and turkey has a story

Everything we eat has its own story. By the time you take your first bite of squash casserole this Thanksgiving, the squash has developed a story of its own. The same goes for the turkey, the stuffing, and, yes, the cranberry dressing from the jar.

Parade was enjoyable, but lacked student attendance necessary to make it classic Homecoming event

Student Body President Jasmin Jones’ efforts to revitalize the Homecoming parade focused on the concept of making students more active in the celebration of Homecoming.But this vision failed to materialize Saturday morning. Few students made their way to Franklin Street to observe the parade.

No direction home: Building affordable housing for UNC faculty and staff should be a priority for the University

Faculty and staff members deserve an affordable place of their own near UNC’s campus. An ongoing housing study has identified four locations that the University could build or revamp into houses within the next few years: Odum Village, University Square, Carolina Commons and Carolina North.

Share the tuition burden: Graduate senate should vote to support equal tuition increases for in- and out-of-state students

The tuition and fee advisory task force should encourage UNC administrators to vote for equal tuition increases for all graduate students instead of placing the entire burden on out-of-state students.

Students not so artful: CUAB and student artists should do a better job to ensure that gallery exhibit doesn’t leave wall bare again

Citing complaints from student artists about a lack of space to show their work on campus, the Carolina Union Activities Board’s art gallery committee decided to showcase student artwork in the Union gallery this semester. But when the time actually came for students to submit pieces for the gallery, only 10 sent anything in to be displayed.

Bridge the divide: Close race means mayor-elect Kleinschmidt should work with Czajkowski-oriented business community

 The race is over. The election is won, and now it’s time for us as a town to come together behind mayor-elect Mark Kleinschmidt.That being said, it’s important that Kleinschmidt realize he’s dealing with a divided electorate — two groups that have distinctly different visions for Chapel Hill’s economic future.

Getting crushed by a crush can help

Do you remember your first crush?I had a late-night talk with a friend of mine earlier this week on how to deal with her unwanted suitor. It was the usual story of a boy’s mindless love taps and the girl’s flat-out rejection.I used the opportunity to tell her and a few of her friends about my theories on infatuations and why men and women act the way they do.

Stores harm town’s image

Earlier this year, Chapel Hill was named the most livable small city in the country by the United States Conference of Mayors.Free public transit, a sustainable environment and local businesses all contribute to Chapel Hill’s small-town atmosphere and make it a great place to live. They make Chapel Hill unique.

Sales tax revenue needed

Chapel Hill is undoubtedly a charming place to live. Although it is not far from Durham and Raleigh, Chapel Hill has maintained its small town atmosphere, making it an appealing place to go to school or raise a family. But some residents believe that preserving the town’s charm means rejecting the presence of “big-box” stores like Wal-Mart and Target, and this rejection comes with a price.

Facebook presents perils in job search

I had a Facebook identity crisis last week.After submitting my application for a competitive post-graduate opportunity, I decided it might be a good idea to deactivate my Facebook account.