Opinion -

Small cuts, big difference: Many smaller budget cuts can help the University save big bucks in the end

By Editorial Board | September 2

The University has found another way to cut the fat from our budget with little academic disruption. University libraries have canceled almost 640 seldom-used journal and magazine subscriptions.It seems highly doubtful that more than a handful of students have ever voluntarily flipped through a copy of “The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada” or “The Journal of Metamorphic Geology.” Yet the libraries have been subscribing to these obscure bimonthly publications for years.

Keep school free: State should ?nd a way to continue N.C. Governor’s School at no cost for those who can’t pay

By Editorial Board | September 2

Charging tuition to attend N.C. Governor’s School inherently detracts from its ability to reward the state’s best students — regardless of financial ability.While passing the state budget, the N.C. General Assembly cut $475,000 from the high school summer program for the next two years.The new $500 tuition is meant to close that budget gap.N.C. Governor’s School is held at both Salem College in Winston-Salem and at Meredith College in Raleigh. It is a six-week program for the state’s most intellectually and artistically gifted rising juniors and seniors.

Voice of women missing on Tucker Max controversy

By Letter to the Editor | September 2

TO THE EDITOR:Where is the women’s voice on the Tucker Max issue? Since the original letter, women have remained silent, allowing men to duke it out on the opinion pages of The Daily Tar Heel.Here is the voice of one woman: As a rape victim myself, I was outraged that representatives of Project Dinah, the very people who are supposed to be my support and my voice, would undermine my rape in such a crude way.

Headline about Greek life misrepresented situation

By Letter to the Editor | September 2

TO THE EDITOR:The headline of a front page article on Greek-University relations sensationally claimed of rising tensions among the two groups. (“Tensions Rising,” Sept. 2) The article itself however gave no evidence, statistical or anecdotal, that the tensions were in fact rising.

Letter about staff was completely off the mark

By Letter to the Editor | September 2

TO THE EDITOR:I would like to address the letter to the editor submitted by economics major Glenn Heer in Tuesday’s Daily Tar Heel (“Sending University staff home early makes sense,” Sept. 1). If he is going to pursue a career in economics, I think he had better gather his facts before spouting off publicly about something he seems to be very misinformed about.

Administrative assistants serve very valuable role

By Letter to the Editor | September 2

TO THE EDITOR:The (Raleigh) News & Observer recently had a series of timely and illuminating reports on the growth of the university administration. Such in-depth investigative reporting is becoming a rarity, but it is a priceless ingredient of a true democracy. The N&O, however, was barking up the wrong tree when it cited as administrative excess a dedicated UNC administrative assistant who during 37 years has worked with two medical school deans and six chancellors and is now the secretary of the University.

Discover cultures through cuisine

By Jaron Fleming | September 1

It has been almost two weeks since the newest members of the Carolina community first arrived on campus, and I imagine a considerable number of them have perused the food selection on Lenoir Hall’s bottom floor once, at least. If they manage to resist the temptation offered by Chick-fil-A (a test of wills, to be certain) and pass by Jamba Juice, they will come across a place called Mediterranean Deli.

Tax for transportation: Counties should use a tax increase for transit

By Editorial Board | September 1

Orange, Durham and Wake counties should take advantage of a bill granting the authority to levy voter-approved sales tax increases for transportation projects. The bill was signed into law last week by Gov. Bev Perdue.Because of the immense amount of growth in the Triangle, transportation projects take on special importance. The sales tax must be approved by voter referendum, so the onus is now on the counties and the electorate to actuate these plans.

Size matters: Larger classes better than none at all

By Editorial Board | September 1

Students may find themselves complaining more this semester as budget cuts begin to trickle down and affect our daily lives. But we should think twice before complaining about class sizes.As a way to ease the $37.5 million burden facing our campus, the Office of the Registrar cut about 200 classes this year.But that number could have been larger. Instead of a total elimination of more classes, many of the seats were absorbed into bigger sections. Thus, the total number of seats is similar to last semester.

Civil dialogue: Participants in tonight’s forum with U.S. Rep. David Price should be respectful

By Editorial Board | September 1

The First Amendment makes it absolutely clear that we have a right to free speech.Those attending U.S. Rep. David Price’s, D-N.C., town hall meeting tonight would do well to remember this.This is a free event designed to stimulate awareness and discussion about health care. Price’s accessibility is what makes these types of town hall meetings informative and productive. But this type of forum also risks disruption by protesters — whether independent or affiliated with a specific group or organization.