Amanda Lee

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David Horowitz to Deliver Speech at UNC

By Amanda Lee | November 14

Outspoken conservative David Horowitz will discuss UNC's response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks Nov. 28 in an event sponsored by UNC's College Republicans. His speech will focus on the effect teach-ins and anti-war protests have had on student perception of the attacks. National conservatives such as Horowitz criticized UNC's reaction to the terrorist attacks as being anti-American and demoralizing to the nation's war effort.

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State Works to Ease System Budget Cuts

By Amanda Lee | November 8

UNC-system officials recently learned the extent of the budget cuts facing the system are lower than originally anticipated. Last month, Gov. Mike Easley's office informed UNC-system officials state revenue was not reaching expected levels due to the economic downturn resulting from the terrorist attacks.

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Duke's Party Monitor System Meant to Keep Students Safe

By Amanda Lee | November 6

Duke University recently implemented a party monitor program designed to ensure the safety of students at on-campus parties. The Alcohol Policy Review Committee at Duke reviewed and rewrote the school's policy on drinking on campus in the summer of 2001. The November 1999 death of a student from alcohol consumption related complications prompted the examination, which was conducted by a committee consisting of both faculty and students. Sue Wasiolek, assistant vice president of student affairs at Duke, said the main reason for the program is to promote a safe and responsible party

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ASU Keeps Freeze on Expenses

By Amanda Lee | October 24

Appalachian State University officials have said they will continue freezing all nonessential spending until there are indications of a more stable state budget situation. But UNC-system officials said it is up to individual universities to choose their response to looming threats of budget cuts. Two weeks ago, Gov. Mike Easley indicated that the UNC system might have to contend with budget reductions of up to 4 percent. But Easley has said he will try to avoid targeting educational programs when looking for additional savings within state expenditures.

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N.C. State Student Loses Bid fo Raleigh City Council

By Amanda Lee | October 11

A N.C. State University senior's bid for a seat on the Raleigh city council came to an abrupt end Tuesday at the hands of city voters. N.C. State senior Thomas Croom lost to longtime incumbent Benson Kirkman by a wide margin for the District D seat, which contains N.C. State. Kirkman received 69 percent of the vote, while Croom had 19 percent. Croom blamed poor voter turnout for his loss. "There was just low turnout in general ... but obviously the opposition had good turnout," he said.

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Commission to Present Report on Smart Growth

By Amanda Lee | October 10

Smart Growth Commission members say a report detailing how the state can help local governments manage growth will be released in the next few weeks. The report, originally scheduled to be released in February, calls for giving local governments more power to control growth, guidelines for using the environment and fiscal resources more efficiently and a statewide vision for managing future development. But critics said the report's recommendations infringe on basic property rights, limiting what people can do with their own property.

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State Budget Boosts Financial Aid Funds

By Amanda Lee | September 28

UNC-system officials received an annual $9 million financial aid package -- in addition to $6.3 million funded by the legislature last session -- as a provision of the N.C. budget signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Mike Easley. The additional funding was prompted by a report released two years ago by UNC-system officials stating that the financial need of North Carolina residents was not being met. Prior to 1999, financial aid was provided by the federal government and funds generated by the universities themselves.

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Teacher Programs Earn High Marks

By Amanda Lee | September 20

The N.C. Department of Public Instruction released its annual ranking of the state's teacher education programs last week, giving the highest possible rating of exemplary to seven schools -- five in the UNC system. The UNC-system schools ranked exemplary include Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, UNC-Greensboro, UNC-Pembroke and Western Carolina University. The other exemplary schools are Duke University and Salem College. UNC-G was the highest-rated program in the state for the second year in a row, receiving a score of 141 out of 150.