Philissa Cramer

News

Show Aims to Step Up Awareness

By Philissa Cramer | April 29

Flashing lights and flashy outfits distinguished the annual Greek Freak Step Show and After Party hosted Saturday by Mu Zeta, UNC's chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity Inc. Step teams from six universities throughout the Southeast convened in Carmichael Auditorium for the show, hosted by DJ Amos Quick of 102 JAMZ. The teams, fielded by National Pan Hellenic Council organizations, competed in front of more than 3,000 spectators. Ralph Mensah, Greek Freak 2002 coordinator, said the 13 members of Mu Zeta planned all year for the event in an effort to raise HIV/AIDS awareness.

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Congress Gives Back Administrator Vote

By Philissa Cramer | April 26

A bill passed Tuesday by Student Congress restored voting power to two administrative positions on a committee that oversees student fees. The Student Fee Audit Committee supervises the Student Activities Fund Office and makes decisions about the distribution of student fees, said Natalie Russell, chairwoman of the Finance Committee. Russell said that for years, the director of the Student Union and a representative from the Office of Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs sat on SFAC.

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Officials: Trespassers Not A Risk

By Philissa Cramer | April 22

University police officials said that despite the attention being given to a recent on-campus trespassing incident, repeat trespassers do not usually pose a threat to students. Many students, faculty and staff received an e-mail last week warning about a man who police reports state has been charged with simple assault and stalking while at a public function on campus, despite a standing trespassing warning against him.

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Foreign Flowers

By Philissa Cramer | April 19

Rather than displaying math equations or verb conjugations, the blackboard set up in the basement of Cobb Residence Hall on Thursday featured diagrams of flower arrangements. The Society of Undergraduate Students with Interest in Japan hosted its second annual Japan cultural seminar with a workshop on ikebana, the traditional Japanese art of flower arrangement. The event was attended by about 40 students and community members.

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Student Government Sees Rise in Interest

By Philissa Cramer | April 15

Although student leaders say many divisions of student government have seen increases in applications this year, it remains unclear whether interest in running for vacant Student Congress seats will experience a similar rise. More students than usual applied to fill positions in the executive branch Cabinet, to join the Student Advisory Committee to the Chancellor and to serve as senior marshals.

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Class Aims To Perfect Lobbying

By Philissa Cramer | April 12

A lobbying course Student Body President Jen Daum proposed last month that will teach students how to present their issues to state governing bodies will meet Tuesday for the first time. The course has been designed so that students interested in learning how to be effective at influencing the N.C. General Assembly can now be formally instructed. Daum said the course will present issues that are relevant now as the University faces budget cuts from the General Assembly.

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Event Focuses on Life in Modern Mideast

By Philissa Cramer | April 8

A conference held this weekend about the modern Middle East highlighted the complexities of the region's societies through academic discussion and cultural events. Titled "Life in the Middle East: Social Change and Family Structure," the conference targeted academic talks to demographers, sociologists, historians and other social scientists, as well as other people interested in the region. Funded by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the conference was co-sponsored by the Carolina Population Center and the University Center for International Studies.

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LGBT Event Draws Support, Allies

By Philissa Cramer | April 5

Colored balloons arranged in a rainbow designated the steps of South Building as a safe zone for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community Thursday afternoon during "Allies SpeakOUT: Linking Together for Change." The event was part of Celebration Week 2002, an annual function to address issues facing LGBT students. The week is sponsored by Queer Network for Change. QNC President Jamie Sohn said Thursday's event represented the week's goal of celebrating the strengths within the LGBT community in addition to networking outside of it.

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Budget Cuts Might Affect Future Department Hiring

By Philissa Cramer | April 1

Some department chairmen have been asked by University officials to think carefully about future hiring in preparation for the possibility of budget cuts. Provost Robert Shelton said specific department chairmen are drawing up budgets incorporating 5 percent and 10 percent reductions in anticipation of sweeping cuts to the University's appropriations by the state legislature. Both Gov. Mike Easley and state legislators have begun work on the state budget for the 2002-03 fiscal year.

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Assault Increases Student Concerns About Night Parking

By Philissa Cramer | March 22

An assault in Morehead Parking Lot on Wednesday evening has raised concerns among students about the ramifications of a proposed night parking plan. University Police Chief Derek Poarch said Wednesday's assault involved a man who approached a 21-year-old female student in a University parking lot, where she was monitoring access for a special event. The two spoke briefly in Spanish, and the man then touched the student's chest and pelvic area, reports state.