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Sunday June 4th

Student Life

Lauren Hawkinson, president-elect of the Graduate and Professional Student Government, poses in front of the South Building in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Sunday, March 26, 2023.

Q&A: Graduate and Professional Student Government President Lauren Hawkinson

By Akash Bhowmik | May. 29

The Daily Tar Heel's Akash Bhowmik sat down with Graduate and Professional Student Government President Lauren Hawkinson to discuss her administration's platform, the issues faced by graduate and professional students at UNC and how she hopes to build connections with students and administrators across campus. "I think that the offerings that the Graduate School provides for career and professional development are wonderful for graduate students, but I think there's definitely more work that can be done in the larger campus community for graduate students in particular," Hawkinson said. "I'm excited to be a part of that group working towards finding solutions there."

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Mike Pence, former vice president of the United States, speaks to a room of students and community members during a speech on UNC's campus on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. Pence was hosted by the UNC College Republicans in an event called "Saving America from the Woke Left."

Mike Pence speaks on UNC campus, students protest in response

By Lauren Rhodes | Apr. 27

Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence was on UNC's campus Wednesday evening, speaking at an event titled “Saving America from the Woke Left." The event was shadowed by a counter-protest by the UNC Young Democrats in the Pit. “I came here tonight to say that I believe we're on the verge of a great comeback for freedom, and I believe we will save America from the woke left, and this freedom generation will lead the way,” Pence said.   “When we think of UNC, we think of progress and opportunity. We don't think of Mike Pence,” said Anderson Clayton, chairperson of the North Carolina Democratic Party.  

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Adriana Cook is a UNC student who is graduating this spring as a "non-traditional", or grown adult gradutate.

'It's never too late': non-traditional students reflect on their UNC experiences

By Liza Smith | Apr. 25

The undergraduate college experience is often thought of as a transitional time into adulthood, but the undergraduate experience is not limited to those 18 to 22 years old.  Adriana Cook, a senior at UNC, enrolled when she was 59 years old. Last September, she celebrated 14 years of sobriety and overcoming addiction — a feat that started her on the path to higher education.   “I couldn’t see that what I was doing was ruining my life at that time,” she said. “I think it’s important for younger students to maybe think about postponing college for a little bit — a year or two — to get some life experience and gain a better appreciation of school when they come back."

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UNC senior Rida Bayraktar sits at Polk Place on Friday, April 14, 2023. Bayraktar is the most recent vice president of the UNC Muslim Students Association which sets up a table every Friday and reaches out to other clubs on campus, in order to bring more people into the community and celebrate holidays, such as Ramadan, together.

Muslim students strive for visibility on campus

By Lauren Fichten | Apr. 21

The UNC Muslim Students Association provides a space for students to pray, socialize and learn more about the culture. But attaining that space — both physically and figuratively — is something that students continually strive for.  During Ramadan, a holy month marked by spiritual reflection and community, MSA has been able to reserve rooms in the Student Union for prayer — specifically for Taraweeh, a prayer that takes place every night of Ramadan. “On any Christian major holiday like Christmas, Easter, there's no exams, there's no assignments due that day,” Sidra Qayyum, the most recent president of MSA said. “It's just a little frustrating when there's other religion’s holidays that aren't taken into account as well.”

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UNC seniors exit the Bell Tower during the annual climb, hosted by the UNC General Alumni Association on Monday, April 19. The event is an iconic tradition for graduating seniors at UNC.

Seniors unable to sign Bell Tower during climb express frustrations

By Jessica Walker | Apr. 20

The classic UNC senior tradition of climbing the Bell Tower took place on Wednesday, with one twist — seniors weren't allowed to sign.  "I think telling students that they can't partake in this tradition is like telling students not to drink water from the Old Well on the first day of class," said one student. The UNC General Alumni Association said students were not allowed to leave their signature on the tower this year to preserve the "structural integrity" of the historic building. 

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