The Hill Chapel Hill Political Review Vol. 13 Issue 6 May 2014
Flipped Classrooms And the future of higher education in America
The Hill Political Review May 2014
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The Hill Chapel Hill Political Review
Vol. 13 Issue 6 EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Brendan Cooley, Jon Buchleiter (in absentia) ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR Nikki Mandell (in absentia) INTERNATIONAL EDITOR Carol Abken NATIONAL EDITOR Richard Zheng STATE & LOCAL EDITOR Dain Clare ONLINE EDITORS Emily Foster, Matt Wotus ART DIRECTOR Mary Burke ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR Tyler Vahan TREASURER Tess Landon DIRECTOR OF PR David Pingre
COLUMNISTS/BLOGGERS Brian Bartholomew, Camille Bossut, Derrick Flakoll, Allie Higgins, Nancy Smith, Zachary Williams STAFF WRITERS Clay Ballard, Kane Borders, Camille Bossut, Elizabeth Brown, Kurtis Brown, Parker Bruer, Brianna Cooper, Giulia Curcelli, David Farrow, Adriana Golindano, Allyesha Hall, Oliver Hamilton, Jamie Huffman, Danielle Joe, Jacob Johnson, David Joyner, Chloe Karlovich, Bobby Kawecki, Tess Landon, Hank Li, Conor Lynch, Ian McLin, Alex Montgomery, Katlyn Moseley, Nick Neuteufel, Hinal Patel, Sumeet Patwardhan, David Pingree, Caley Scheppegrell, Alex Schober, Brian Shields, Taylor Slate, David Snedecor, Ameer Sobhan, Jessica Stone, Avani Uppalapati, Eishante Wilkes, Alfre Wimberly, Savannah Wooten, Matt Wotus, Javier Zurita DESIGN STAFF Giulia Curcelli, Taylor Slate ART STAFF Rini Bahethi, David Wright, Ngozika Nwoko
From the Editor New Student Body President Andrew Powell’s campaign brought attention to “blended learning”, in which instructors leverage new technologies to transform the classroom experience (read more on page 10). Do these “flipped classrooms” represent a new direction for higher education, or are they simply the lastest fad? In our final issue of the 2013-2014 academic year, we examine this initiative and other trends in higher education, shedding light on challenges confronting future generations of students and education leaders.
Send us your comments As part of our mission to promote political discussion on campus we welcome your comments and thoughts. Send us an email at thehillpr@gmail.com - no more than 250 words, please include your name, year and major for students or name and department for professors.
Mission Statement The Hill is the University of North Carolina’s only nonpartisan student political review. Our aim is to provide the university community with a presentation of both neutral and balanced analysis of political ideas, events and trends. We publish both print issues and maintain a website composed of in-depth feature stories, opinion columns, and plenty of accessible content designed to engage the campus in political discussion.
Nonpartisan Explained FACULTY ADVISOR Ferrel Guillory
The Hill - Chapel Hill Political Review 3514E Frank Porter Graham Student Union Chapel Hill, NC 27514 thehillpr@gmail.com This publication was paid for in part by Student Activities Fees at a cost of approximately $2.00 per copy Cover Art by Rini Bahethi
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The Hill is a medium for analysis of current affairs. Its primary mission is to analyze current events, trends, and phenomena happening within North Carolina, across the United States, and around the world. While it reserves some space for opinion and commentary, almost all work for The Hill avoids prescribing public policy solutions or advancing any ideology. Its articles are primarily concerned with explaining and contextualizing current affairs, rather than engaging in public policy debates. However, The Hill also accepts that its writers will bring their own unique experiences and viewpoints to their work, and encourages its writers to write colorful, engaging, and even controversial pieces while protecting the magazine’s reputation as a source of reasoned and well-researched analysis.
May 2014
The Hill Political Review
Table of Contents International
National
5 China’s economy slows
12 Degrees or certificates?
5 Russia challenges the world order
13 Chapel Hill-Carborro schools go local
6 Egypt returns to autocracy
14 U.S. economy mending slowly but surely
7 French politics take a far-right turn
15 Immigration reform sidelined
7 French leaders embroiled in scandal
16 Barriers to achievement
8 China, Taiwan mull trade deal
16 Merging high school and college
State & Local
Perspectives
9 Charter schools’ footprint expands
17 The Ivory Tower: Pay it Forward
9 Greek housing laws change
18 Around the Bend: Single-payer in Vermont?
10 Cover Story: UNC ‘flips’ classrooms
18 Two Cents:International hairstyling
The Hill Political Review May 2014
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Around the World A Cool War? How has the world responded to sustained Russo-Ukranian tensions?
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1. Moscow, Russia After annexing Crimea, Russia has turned its attention to other regions with majority Russian populations in Ukraine. The Ukranian government and Western powers have accused Moscow of fomenting unrest in Eastern Ukraine and deploying special forces in the region, as well as conducting large-scale military exercises near its border with Ukraine. In response to the unrest in the region, Moscow has threatened to intervene to protect ethnic Russians.
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2. Kiev, Ukraine In response to alleged Moscow-driven unrest, the Ukrainian military launched an offensive of its own, expelling militants from official buildings and reestablish Ukrainian control of the region. The offensive resulted in skirmishes between Ukranian forces and the militants, and some deaths. Acting president Oleksander Turchinov blamed the turmoil on Russia, saying “these crimes are being carried out with the full support and indulgence of the Russian Federation.” The United States backed Ukraine’s actions and has pledged $50 million in political and economic aid.
4. Berlin, Germany Despite deep business ties and dependence on its natural gas, Germany has backed U.S.-led sanctions targeting Russia for its actions in Crimea and eastern Ukraine. It has also prepared further sanctions, targeting high technology and arms exports. Due to its sway in the broader European Union, Germany’s support may convince other EU states to back sanctions. 5. London, United Kingdom London has been an even stronger supporter of a tough stance against Russia, calling on the G7 to reduce its dependence on Russian gas and calling for further sanctions on Russia. May 2014
The Hill Political Review
International
China’s economy slows By: David Snedecor
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he Chinese economy has been a reliable source of double-digit hypergrowth for decades, but recently it looks as though those halcyon days are coming to an end. It grew by only 7.7 percent in 2013, the worst rate since 1999. Even though the government is projecting a lower growth rate of 7.5 percent in 2014, there are widespread concerns that the growth target could be missed for the first time in nearly two decades. The signs of a slowdown are all present: sluggish manufacturing output, lackluster real estate sales, and a currency that some economists think is in danger of facing deflation. The reason for this slowdown is not some erroneous government policy or fundamental structural flaw, but rather China’s natural progression from an investment-driven, export-centered economy to one that relies on consumer spending and a burgeoning services sector. For years, China has been able to achieve astonishingly high growth rates by spending massive amounts of capital to modernize its manufacturing and infrastructure/real estate sectors; essentially, it has thrown piles of cash into building factories and roads, the low hanging fruit of economic growth.
However, due to the law of diminishing returns, China cannot rely on this model indefinitely and soon must shift towards the economic structure of developed nations, one that is based on knowledge and not on capital. This slowdown is a symptom of that transition, as the government is sacrificing shortterm growth for long-term sustainability by passing on many much-needed structural reforms and not intervening as aggressively with monetary policy as it did previously. For instance, the government could very well step in and jolt the economy back to health with a stimulus package, but has elected to refrain from taking such drastic measures thus far. The roots of this reluctance lie in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, during which China passed an ambitious stimulus plan to make up for the severe drop in global demand for its exports. This stimulus led to a lending boom, which in turn led to an investment boom. It accelerated growth and achieved its purpose, but now China is seeing the consequences of those actions, namely the alarming rise of the shadow banking industry, which provides loans to highrisk borrowers such as local governments and property developers. Many economists believe it has even led to a
credit bubble and as such, any additional stimulus would only exacerbate the problem. While China’s slowdown will likely prove to be beneficial for its economic health in the long run, the global ramifications are overwhelmingly negative for the foreseeable future. China is absolutely integral to the global economy and to the individual economies of the vast majority of nations, as it has made up about 43 percent of all global growth over the past five years. A major slump could cut global economic gains in half and perhaps plunge the world into another recession. A prolonged slowdown might also damage China’s relations with many countries, because most of its foreign ties are rooted in business, not diplomacy or ideology. As China does not have very much soft power, its influence depends almost exclusively upon its economic strength. For these reasons, Chinese leaders must tread carefully in their decision-making over the next few years and walk a fine line between securing a robust growth rate and making painful structural reforms to ensure its economy’s long-term sustainability. The journey to an advanced economy is not easy, and this slowdown will likely be one of many bumps in the road along the way.
Russia challenges the world order By: Caley Scheppegrell
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ussia’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent annexation of Crimea may be the first warning sign of a drastic shift in the post-Cold War world order. The United States, and to a lesser extent Europe, have responded to this violation of sovereignty with a buildup of sanctions and a cutting of economic and political ties. Despite these efforts, Russia had stood firm and refused to remove its troops. In fact, it has continued to build up its troops on Ukraine’s eastern border, and many fear that neighboring Moldova may be another target of Russian expansion in the near future. Russia does not seem intimidated by Western actions so far. Putin “is absolutely not looking for a way out,” said House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) If this trend continues, it could lead to a new bipolar world order with a divide between East The Hill Political Review May 2014
and West, which some scholars have already called a “new Cold War.” In response to the as-yet limited Western sanctions, Russia has made overtures towards several Asian countries, particularly China, South Korea and Japan. These three countries in particular stand to gain a great deal in terms of access to Russia’s natural gas. An Eastern alliance could certainly prove economically and politically beneficial to its members, and could essentially negate any sanctions from the United States. Japan and South Korea–US treaty allies–have been slow to decry the Russian invasion of Crimea and have delivered minimal responses. China is set to conclude a natural gas deal with Russia in May. One early effect of this power shift has been a renewed interest in NATO. Once again, NATO has the opportunity to act as a “counterweight to Moscow.” The United States has begun military
exercises and maneuvers in Europe, particularly in the Black Sea region, and has reaffirmed its commitment to collective defense. However, with strong party divisions at home, the United States is struggling to make credible economic and military commitments. Even if the United States were fully committed, it no longer maintains a large force in Europe and an actual military response would be costly and logistically complex. The coming months will determine whether Russia gives in to sanctions or continues to press forward with its new international agenda. Its actions will, in part, determine the character of the coming world order. Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak sums up Russia’s position in today’s international world succinctly: “If you consider Russia a regional power, look at the region we are in, from Europe to Asia.” 5
International
Egypt returns to autocracy After revolution, a democratic experiment, and a coup d’état, the new military regime in Egypt returns to autocratic practices of the past By: Jamie Huffman
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n March 24, a mass death sentence was handed down to 529 Egyptians for the murder of a police officer killed in an attack on a police station during street violence last August. International and Egyptian human rights groups have censured the move, calling it possibly the largest mass death sentence in recent times. Hardly any evidence was presented on behalf of the defendants, most of whom were tried in absentia, and none of the evidence incriminated any single person. The trial lasted scarcely an hour and many of the accused claim that they could prove their innocence if given a fair trial. In fact, the wife of the murdered policeman has indicated that perhaps only two of the defendants are actually guilty of his murder. According to legal experts, it is likely that a higher court will rule for reduced sentences or perhaps a retrial for the accused, and it is exceedingly improbable that all 529 individuals will actually be executed. According to Egyptian legal historian Khaled Fahmy, a mass death sentence of this magnitude is wholly unprecedented in Egyptian history.
He also argues that most of the sentences will probably be appealed and changed. This phenomenon of mass sentencing has continued with the trial of another 683 individuals charged with murder and other crimes related to an attack on another police station. Despite these charges, there were no deaths in the attack. Amongst those on trial are Muslim Brotherhood leader Supreme Guide Mohamed Badie, and the chairman of the Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party, Saad al-Katatni. Local lawyers are boycotting the trial in protest, along with hundreds of demonstrators who protested at Minia University after the second trial began. Both the European Union and the United States have denounced Egypt’s actions, and the United Nations issued a statement that mass death sentences are a violation of international law. Despite this criticism, it is unlikely that any Western powers will directly intervene, given Egypt’s geopolitical importance. This is largely due to Egypt’s 1979 peace treaty with Israel, a major U.S. ally, following Israel’s exit from the Sinai Peninsula. However, a spokeswoman for the
U.S. State Department has stated that the Egyptian government’s actions will have ramifications for later aid flows from the United States to Egypt. John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of State, has specified that a decision on whether or not to reinstate U.S. aid to the country is forthcoming. The United States terminated some aid to Egypt last year following the removal of President Morsi from office. Nonetheless, the United States does not officially consider the ousting of Morsi to be a coup. Additionally, U.S. officials continually stress the strategic importance of maintaining a relationship with Egypt, despite its transgressions against human rights. The U.N. Human Rights office has declared that the ruling is in violation of international law, with a spokesman stating, “The astounding number of people sentenced to death in this case is unprecedented in recent history. The mass imposition of the death penalty after a trial that was rife with procedural irregularities is in breach of international human rights law.” Some are even calling these recent events the end of the Arab Spring, with General Abdul-Fattah el-Sisi, who led the ouster of democratically elected Morsi, now running for president himself.
Looking back on the Egyptian revolution and its return to autocracy Demonstrations in Tahrir Square, Cairo begin against the government of long-ruling Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
Mubarak officially steps down, cedeing power to a provisional military government, which suspended the constitution and organized elections
Mohamed Morsi, an Islamist and member of the Muslim Brotherhood is elected president and sworn in a week later.
JANUARY 2011 FEBRUARY 2011 JUNE 2012 6
Morsi is ousted in a coup d’état after a long period of protest against his rule. The military again suspended the constitution and declared new elections.
Egypt will again hold elections for the presidency. Military leader Abdul-Fatteh el-Sis is widely expected to win the elections.
JULY 2013
MAY 2014
May 2014
The Hill Political Review
International
French politics take far-right turn By: Camille Bossut
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he crushing defeat of François Hollande’s Socialist Party to the center-right in local elections this past month confirms yet another success of the right in French politics. What is more surprising is the astounding success of the extreme right with the National Front (FN). As the second-round overall victor, Marine Le Pen gained 11 towns overall, including Fréjus, Bézier, and an arrondissement of Marseilles representing 150,000 people. Although her success accounts for only 7 percent of the countrywide vote, it is a drastic increase from the three seats her father, Jean Marie Le Pen, won in 1995. The FN, having previously occupied only the fringe of French politics, rose to the forefront in 1986 when it won 9.8 percent of the electorate in the National Assembly first-round election. Shortly afterwards in 1988, its undisputed leader, Jean-Marie Le Pen, won 14.4 percent of the first-round presidential vote. How has this party—whose leader is famous for using inflammatory rhetoric against minority groups, even claiming
that the Holocaust was “a mere detail in the event of World War II”—risen to mainstream French politics? The FN’s popularity is a direct result of its ability to galvanize and mobilize large swaths of the French population with xenophobic rhetoric. Jean Marie Le Pen played on colonial memories from the Algerian war and contemporary economic fears to bring his party to the fore of French politics. The FN’s media image as a “one-man, one issue” movement has been enormously successful in mobilizing the French population first against Jews and then North African Arabs and Muslims. It was precisely because the political and social climate was ripe to link immigration with many of France’s social ills that the FN became a mainstream political party. The FN considers non-controlled immigration to be “a source of tension in the Republic,” with ghettos, ethnic conflicts, and religious socio-political demands as its main consequences. This perceived tension is reflected in French politics today. As UNC Professor of Political Science Rahsaan Maxwell suggests,
part of why immigration is such a salient issue is that immigrants are only partially accepted as French. “There are many ways to accept people,” he claims. “Just because you accept them as part of your space and even as French, it doesn’t mean that they are considered fully French.” One FN campaigner interviewed in Ils Ont Voté Front National, a documentary produced in 2011, echoes such sentiments: “We were Europeans, now we have the impression of being in North Africa, everywhere we hear Arabic.” Popular fears over identity loss and the FN’s ability to manufacture and capitalize on such sentiments indicate the success of using identity politics as the basis of platform. Mainstream French society strongly opposes the idea of the influence of Arab culture and identity existing alongside the “highly distinctive and singular culture” of the French. The FN has been so successful because it claims to propose a real political solution to combat France’s potential to be the pluralist society many French do not want it to become.
French leaders embroiled in scandal By: Kane Borders
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t has been a bumpy couple of years for the political elite in France. On March 7, Le Monde published evidence revealing that investigating judges had wiretapped the phone of Nicolas Sarkozy, the ex-President, in September 2013, to investigate possible illegal financing by the Libyan regime of his 2007 presidential campaign. However, while listening in, they began to suspect that Sarkozy was receiving information from a high-ranking prosecutor about the ongoing Bettencourt case in exchange for a promise to secure him a cushy job in Monaco. Investigating judges ordered searches of Sarkozy’s lawyer’s office and found folders that further link Sarkozy to another case concerning Bernard Tapie, a French businessman who received a settlement of 403 million euros from the bank Crédit Lyonnais. Sarkozy’s lawyer, Thierry Herzog, also had his phone wiretapped. Herzog is irate and has called the wiretapping a “monstrous” violation of attorney-client The Hill Political Review May 2014
privilege. Sarkozy, who is undoubtedly looking towards the 2017 presidential elections, has denied all allegations. The wiretapping revelations have come to light only days after it surfaced that one of Sarkozy’s former advisers, Patrick Buisson, had secretly recorded hundreds of hours worth of conversations between Sarkozy and his inner circle. Although the published recordings so far have not been legally damning, the recordings are another stain on Sarkozy’s much-maligned character. In one tape, Sarkozy jokes to his wife, Carla Bruni, that he “became rich by getting married” and then refers to the idea of appointing Jean-Louis Borloo as Prime Minister “grotesque.” The main concern going forward for the Sarkozy camp is that other recordings will be more than just embarrassing. Current President François Hollande and his government should be celebrating this news, but they have also become embroiled in the fallout of the scandal. When the news broke, Christine Taubira, the justice minister, claimed to not have any knowledge of
the scandal. Other ministers claimed to have learned about the wiretapping only from the press. However, on March 11, shortly before Le Canard Enchaîné published allegations that the government did have prior knowledge, the Paris public prosecutor came forward to admit that the government and the justice ministry had been informed of the wiretapping. All of this political dysfunction among the government and the UMP, the main party of the political right, is reflecting well upon Marine Le Pen and the far-right National Front (FN), who did much better than expected in the recent local elections. On what has been nicknamed “Black Sunday,” the FN took control in 11 municipalities and gained about 1,200 seats on local councils, largely at the expense of the Socialists. Le Pen claimed short afterwards that, “there is now a third major political force in our country.” As the plot thickens and the mud slinging intensifies, there may be more political dysfunction and potential for further electoral success for the FN. 7
International
Cross-strait ties Breaking down the Proposed China-Taiwan trade pact sparks fears proposed China-Taiwan of Chinese influence in Taiwan By: Hank Li
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he upcoming legislative review of the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement (CSSTA), a pact intended to incorporate service sectors between Taiwan and Mainland China, has attracted waves of protest and police clashes. In late March, thousands of students from universities in Taipei affiliated with the “Sunflower Movement” occupied the Executive and Legislative Yuans with demands to closely review the agreement, if not send it back. Seventy injuries and numerous arrests stirred up grievances among protestors. Those backing the CSSTA, the business owners and workers, responded with the slogan “we want jobs, survival and the agreement.” At its peak, 110,000 protestors were marching together from both sides. Taiwan prides itself for being East Asia’s “Beacon of Democracy,” as it has successfully transitioned from an autocracy to a full-fledged democracy since late 1980s. The recent turbulence is a reflection of political tension between the pro-unification “blue” camp dominated by the nationalist party Kuomintang (KMT), and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which led “green” forces that rallied for independence. The DPP does not have much to argue for from an economic standpoint. The CSSTA stands as one component of the Economic Corporation Framework Agreement, an ongoing project with the mainland that compromises stronger trade terms to soothe the pro-independence camp. Targeting the decades-long stagnation of Taiwan’s export-oriented economy, the pact would open up 64 industries in Taiwan for mainland capital, among them 27 that have already opened their doors for years. Due to China’s increasing international presence, Taiwan does not have official diplomatic relationships with most global players and thus finds it difficult to attract international investment According to Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou, the agreement would introduce mainland cash to Taiwan and pave the way for the island’s membership in the Trans-Pacific Partnership
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(TPP), a 12-country Free Trade Agreement in which China is ironically not a signatory. Bonnie Glaser, a senior advisor of East Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, suggested that the mainland could blockade Taiwan’s bid for the TPP by bargaining with the United States and other TPP members to exclude Taiwan unless it concedes to CSSTA. Additionally, since most free trade agreements result in economic winners and losers, the claim that the CSSTA would bring misfortune to small businesses in Taiwan is a weak counter-argument. Even senior DPP members, including Mayor Chen Zhu of the DPP stronghold of Kaoshiung, agreed “partially” with the pact’s positive economic significance. The Taiwanese fear a growing mainland presence on the island. Regarding the CSSTA as a referendum for Taiwan’s independence could result in the mainland government ordering its companies to cease their economic activities in Taiwan. The Taiwanese want the mainland to treat the island as an equal party in political and economic negotiations, not as a province. Taiwanese students also see threats from a spiking number of mainland students and scholars who bring more competition to the process of college enrollment and scholarship opportunities. Possible violation of due process is also a concern for a pro-democratic Taiwan, as the KMT has been suspected of bypassing the legislature and pushing the bill through a “black box.” With a simple nickname and a riled public, the Sunflower student movement could lead to months of chaos in Taiwanese politics. With the legislature being forced into recess due to its occupation by the protestors, the protest itself has evolved into a violation of democratic norms. The situation could worsen with the November elections for local executive and legislative offices because if KMT suffers a huge loss, the CSSTA could encounter some opposition in local implementation. Luckily, DPP also prioritized the economy, so the prospect for a bi-partisan agreement on the CSSTA remains hopeful.
trade deal
$8.2 trillion Size of Mainland China’s economy in 2012
$474 billion Size of Taiwan’s economy in 2012
22.3%
Percent of Taiwanese that support the agreement
56.3%
Percent of Taiwanese that oppose the agreement
Source: Business Week (Taiwan) poll
May 2014
The Hill Political Review
State
Charter schools’ footprint expands By: Caroline Fite
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n January, a record breaking number of charter schools were approved to open in North Carolina this upcoming school year. The potential 26 new charter schools have raised many questions concerning the balance of educational opportunities within the state. Charter schools are institutions that are publically funded, similarly to public schools, but they are governed by private organizations or non-profits. Students are able to attend these schools at no cost, and most admissions are conducted through lottery. This type of school has become a popular alternative to private and public schooling because it offers a smaller learning environment without the financial obligation. Because charters are not subject to much government oversight, these schools are allowed more independence in planning their curriculum and calendar. The small student population allows teachers to know their students well and adapt their teaching style towards the unique learning style of their students. Cotton Bryan, principal at Woods
Charter School in Chapel Hill, supports the ideology behind charter schools. “If you can’t afford private schools, you should be allowed choice,” he said. However, he goes on to explain that the lack of support from the government does make it difficult to be successful as a charter school. While public schools are given money by the state for their building and infrastructure costs, charter schools are not given government assistance for these expenses. Bryan says, “This is why it’s tricky to make it as a charter school. We spend 17-18% of our budget on building alone”. The UCLA Civil Rights Project suggests that charter schools might not give the equal-opportunity education they claim to provide. The study states, “families’ access to the educational marketplace is unequally constrained by a number of factors, including contact with advantaged social networks, language barriers, socioeconomic status and the ability of parents to arrange transportation for their schoolchildren.” This project shows that these limitations affect the demographic of admitted students by creating racial and socioeconomic divides. This study further explains that be-
cause charter schools make enrollment decisions without having to account for the impact on the students left in public schools, they actually increase segregation within all schools in the area. This leaves more minorities and low-income families in the public schools. Private schools may also feel some pressure from the existence of charter schools in the area. Doug Norry, Head of School at Triangle Day School, explains that there will always be some “competitive pressure” between the two as they each offer an independent alternative to traditional public schooling. While Norry states that Triangle Day School has not been notably impacted by the existence of charters nearby, he says that it is always important to continuously recruit students by “getting the word out.” Bryan said the recent large number of charter school approvals makes him hopeful. He explains that the large amount of approvals comes from the high quality of applications that were submitted. Because these schools have better plans, better support, and better funding, North Carolina’s future charters will hopefully circumvent the problems that many worry are inevitable.
Greek housing laws change By: Jacob Johnson
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n August 23, Gov. Pat McCrory signed House Bill no. 74 into law. Most notably, section 6 of the law stated that North Carolina Universities no longer needed to formally recognize Fraternity or Sorority houses for them to exist. Now, only the national affiliates of a chapter can disband a house. For years, both Fraternity and Sorority houses have been excluded from Chapel Hill’s housing ordinance that precludes more than four unrelated people from living together. Prior to the law, official University recognition allowed chapters to bypass this provision of the town law. The law originated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Ian Gove, a UNC-W alumnus and former president of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter there, urged legislators to fix unfair treatment by his University towards different student groups. His The Hill Political Review May 2014
complaints came after his chapter was kicked off campus due to alcohol violations among other issues. This recent law has major implications for UNC. Formal recognition from the University has more then a few perks for greek organizations. The IFC, the University’s greek governing body, provided chapters with a multitude of services that would not be available without recognition. Academic support, leadership development, new member development, budget management, and recruitment workshops are just a some of the resources that the University offers to fraternities on campus. Aaron Bachenheimer, UNC’s Director of the IFC, voiced some other major concerns about the law. “My major concern is about the health and safety of the students,” he stated. “It may be unlikely but if a chapter decided to disassociate from the University then there could be potentially dangerous consequences... Association with UNC offers both par-
ents and students some peace of mind.” Still, Bachenheimer did emphasize that the IFC will still be involved in any disciplinary measures even though they can no longer shut down houses by themselves. “If you look at our track record, we have a very good history of working closely with national organizations.” The law was passed just a couple months before multiple Chapel Hill fraternities came under investigation. Both Lamda Chi and Chi Phi are being investigated for incidents involving their pledge processes. Bachenheimer would not comment on either of the cases because the investigations are ongoing. The impact of the new law will most likely be fairly miniscule here at UNC because if the IFC took actions against a fraternity on behalf of the university, that chapter’s national organization would most likely respond in a similar fashion. 9
State
Are flipped classrooms a viable alternative to traditional lectures? And can the Powell administration propagate this model of learning? By:Matt Wotus
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May 2014
The Hill Political Review
State
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s the lecture out-of-date? Andrew Powell, UNC’s newly inaugurated student body president, thinks so. “The lecture is built for a world of information scarcity, but now that we live in a totally different world, we need a new way to function in this environment,” he said. Powell’s campaign focused on the idea of blended learning, a different way to structure higher education. Blended learning combines technology with in-person instruction in an attempt to bring the classroom into the 21st century. Instructors post video lectures online for students to view before they come to class, which in turn allows for more significant interaction during class time, thus creating something called a flipped classroom. Powell said his administration will target specific classes to implement flipped classrooms, but it is dependent on support from professors and departments. “We want to target high-enrollment, high-fail-rate introductory classes where we think the flipped classroom model could help students,” he said. Rita Balaban, a senior lecturer in the Department of Economics here at UNC, taught Econ 101, Introduction to Economics, as a flipped classroom last semester. She said that she is confident flipped classrooms are doing good for student learning, but said a little more research needs to be done before dedicating too many resources. “There are just certain things students can’t get from the book. Now, I can produce my own videos in my own office and publish them on the Internet. Before, I couldn’t do that. Technology has made this more feasible for more disciplines,” Balaban said. Based solely on final exam scores in her class last semester, Balaban said the process as a whole went smoothly. “Was it a successful way of learning? I’m still evaluating that. Just doing an evaluation of final exam scores, I had twice as many students get A’s on the final, and fewer D’s and F’s,” she said. One question the Powell Administration, as well as faculty members and administrators across campus, is aiming to answer is what is used to measure quality of learning. Is it necessarily just exam scores? As of right now, according to Student Body Vice President Kyle Villemain, there is no answer. “Higher education doesn’t measure how much students learn,” he said. However, a project currently in place, called the Carolina Metrics Program Project, is trying to come up with an answer to that question. Ville-
The Hill Political Review May 2014
main said the project’s goal is to look at what the university uses to value success of the university as a whole. While Balaban is still doing research to determine if the flipped classroom is a credible alternative to the lecture, it is clear that blended learning drives down education costs. According to the National Center for Academic Transformation, of the 30 institutions that completed a course redesign project, each averaged a cost reduction of around 37 percent. To explain how blended learning drives down education costs, Powell used Math 232, the most failed class at UNC, as an example. For Math 232, Powell talked about how, if a higher percentage of students can pass the class, less will have to retake the course. When students retake a course, Powell said, there is a lot of inefficiency in using university resources. “Through [blended learning], we can use our resources as an institution a lot better,” he added. One thing to consider in all this is whether or not the lecture is still relevant in higher education, or whether it is so-called “dead.” Balaban believes the former. “I think the instructor gives you so much you can’t just get from a video or YouTube. We’re so important. We are guiding you, correcting you; we are your coach in the classroom,” she said. Powell doesn’t think the lecture really works now, at least by itself, because, as he puts it, the lecture is just a delivery of information. “Real, meaningful learning is more than the delivery of information. I think that in the information age, where there is so much information out there and so many different ways students can access information, it doesn’t make sense to have an educational model based off the delivery of information,” Powell said. That’s where blended learning comes in. “Technology is really going to change higher education in a bunch of different ways. I think that the universities that our children go to will look significantly different than the ones we go to today,” Powell said. When asked if these fundamental changes are something that a student body president can accomplish, Powell said that his administration feels confident they will be able to make the changes, but he stressed that his ideas are just one piece of the puzzle. “We recognize it is one piece of a much larger question about the whole academic experience at UNC. This is not where the process ends; this is just the beginning.”
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National
Degrees or certificates? In an economy that values skilled labor, some turn to certificate programs in lieu of college By: Giulia Curcelli
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bachelor’s degree is becoming increasingly important to postgraduate success for the Millennial generation. These graduates have higher incomes, lower unemployment rates, and smaller shares living in poverty than their peers with only a high school diploma. A high school degree is not as valuable as in previous generations; according to a 2014 report by the Pew Research Center, in 1979 Baby Boomers who graduated high school earned 77 percent of the salary of their counterparts with a Bachelor’s degree, but now for a Millennial with the same education level, the ratio is only 62 percent. Nevertheless, with the increasingly outrageous tuition costs of four-year universities, many are examining alternatives and questioning whether a traditional college degree is really worth the price. For some students, a certificate program offered online or by a trade school or community college can provide high value at a fraction of the cost. Though they do not offer all of the numerous benefits of attending a traditional college, these programs have become a viable, less expensive path to employment. Over one million certificates are awarded each year, according to the 2012 Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce study, “Certificates: Gateway to Gainful Employment and College Degrees.” The majority of certificate programs last less than one year, and they focus on preparing students for specific jobs and do not include the breadth of focus of more traditional two- and four-year programs. The subject of such certificates varies from auto mechanics and construction, to cosmetology, to business and office management. Certificates in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) professions are particularly valuable. Both certificates and college degrees vary by subject in the strength of their relation to field of employment. According to the Georgetown 12
study, 44 percent of certificate holders work in a field relating to their certificate training. For those with at least a Bachelor’s degree, Pew reports that the percent of students working very closely or somewhat closely to their college major varies from 78 percent in science and engineering to 72 percent in business to 60 percent in social science and liberal arts. The topic of one’s degree, whether it be a certificate or a Bachelor’s, has significant influence on post-graduation career choices. Still, not all certificate programs are created equal. Many certificate programs offered by private, for-profit companies are unaccredited and expensive and do not have successful placement programs for their graduates. But for students who research and select accredited programs, certificates can be more valuable than a college degree or can serve as a step on the path toward a college degree. Many certificate holders have higher incomes than graduates with an Associate’s degree, and the median male and female certificate holders also have higher incomes than 24 percent of graduates with Bachelor’s degrees. Additionally, the 2014 Pew report puts unemployment at 3.8 percent for those with a Bachelor’s degree or more and at 12.2 percent for those with only a high school diploma, while an article from E Degree USA cites a 2012 unemployment rate of 6.5 percent for Associate’s degree certificate holders. As a high school diploma alone becomes less valuable for employment while college becomes more costly, certificate programs can be the best path for some students, providing specific skill training or creating an intermediate step toward an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree. With a rising demand for skilled workers, certificate programs offered by community colleges and trade schools have a promising future and provide an intriguing, cheaper alternative to a traditional college experience.
Certificates can be more valuable than a college degree or can serve as a step on the path to ward a college degree
May 2014
The Hill Political Review
National
Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools go local By: Tess Landon
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ight here in the heart of Tarheel Country is a flourishing and progressive Farm to School program. Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School (CHCCS) district is home to an well-rounded Farm to School program. CHCCS outsources to a School Dining Service Company, Chartwells, to coordinate the meal programs for all of its schools who successfully established a nationally recognized Farm to School program in the 2012-2013 school year. With the support of Chartwells, the district is able to not only encourage kids and local families to eat healthy and fresh but provide a plethora of nutrition educational opportunities. Before Farm to School began in 2012, all food spending was channeled towards “Brown Box Commodities” which is a categorization of products that are “received in the same form in which it was ordered from USDA” (i.e. canned and boxed items). The first year Farm to School was implemented, 28% of spending was diverted to local and fresh foods. This past year, that number rose to 43% and the Director of Child Nutrition at CHCCS, Liz Cartano, says that next year an increase to 50% is feasible. A key aspect of a successful program is making it convenient to everyone affected, students and families. CHCCS is an avid communicator of the ongoing opportunities offered through Farm to School which is reflected in how much has been accomplished since it started two years ago. The Chartwells website (simplygoodfood.org) is an effective avenue of communication by providing information on what local foods/ meals are available to the students each week. The website even engages students and families through an assortment of activities from a garden
coloring sheet to simple recipes that incorporate seasonal vegetables. CHCCS encourages healthy nutrition through education as well. Home Base Together Achieving Good Grub Education and Development (TAGGED) curriculum is their proprietary nutrition education program. TAGGED began as a learning experience for students and staff to learn cooking techniques and recipes applicable in everyday life. With a federal Farm to School grant of $75,000, CHCCS has been able to fully develop TAGGED and deploy this
“It’s about getting people excited about cooking food.” -Liz Cartano, Director of Child Nutrition, Chapel Hill-Carborro City Schools The Hill Political Review May 2014
learning program by reaching out to nearby counties who don’t have certain amenities necessary to run a comparable program. In reference to the underlying goals of TAGGED, Cartano commented “It’s about getting people excited about cooking food”. The excitement about cooking healthy combined with good cooking techniques is the true driver in extending healthy nutrition beyond the schools. It is important to keep in mind that education is about projecting what happens in the classroom into everyday life, turning small lessons into reality. CHCCS are keen on these fundamental principles of a comprehensive education and is a reputable advocate of a successful Farm to School Program, even on a national scale. As CHCCS has shown, with the help of specialized agencies, neighboring districts, and the various grants available to schools nationwide, districts will be able to jumpstart or improve their own Farm to School programs. Healthy and local nutrition programs are well on their way to becoming the norm in every school. 13
National
U.S. economy mending slowly but surely By: Parker Bruer
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he US economy took a hard hit over the winter, dealing with unusually cold temperatures that had consumers remaining inside rather than taking to the streets to shop. But all that is over now. Economists all over, including in the Federal Reserve, are claiming that the economy is beginning to recover from the past winter and that it will continue to grow on into 2014. Signs show that the U.S. economy will experience positive growth during 2014 and that the economy is continuing to heal from the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent economic shocks. Looking at Gross Domestic Product and consumer confidence numbers, the Fed’s confidence is well-founded. The fourth quarter Gross Domestic Product grew at a rate of 2.6 percent, while consumer spending increased at rate of 3.3 percent annually, according to the Commerce Department. Positive growth in GDP is perhaps the best sign of a strong economy, and symbolizes a strong recovery is underway. On top of that, consumers were spending more in February, as incomes increased for the second straight month, which Joel Naroff, chief economist at Naroff Economic Advisors, sees as a sign that we should see “solid growth in the months ahead.” In short, the signs are there: the economy is continuing to heal. However, this does not mean that the US is leaving its economic woes behind. The Congressional Budget Office reports that the US budget has fallen in the past years and will continue to decline in the next two years as well. A lower budget means less government participation in the
economy in the form of bailouts, but it also means cuts in government jobs and social welfare programs, which could have a rather negative effect on the economy as a whole. The CBO also reports that this year, the United States will run an estimated deficit of $514 billion. That number is down from the 2009 deficit of $1 trillion, and it runs at 3 percent of the U.S. GDP, which is around the average over the past 40 years. But because of the high deficits that the US has run in the past few years, the amount of debt relative to the size of the economy is extremely high by historical standards. What this means is that, while on the road to recovery, the U.S. economy still has a long road to travel before it reaches pre-crisis levels again. The U.S. was in much the same situation going into 2011, when the economy received several devastating blows from unforeseen forces: an earthquake in Japan, rising oil prices due to the Arab Spring, and the Eurozone financial crisis that threatened to bring down the global economy as a whole. This time around, those factors are not present, meaning that there is potential for growth within the U.S. economy and the chances of coming out of 2014 in a better economic state look promising. While this positive picture may not last throughout the entire year, the outlook for the U.S. economy is no longer as bleak as previously thought. Because of continuing growth in the country’s GDP and increased consumer confidence, the United States should see great relative improvement over the course of the year, barring any unforeseen event that could cause a dip in the economy.
Signs show that the U.S. economy will experience positive growth during 2014 and that the economy is continuing to heal 14
U.S. Economy by the numbers
2.6%
Fourth quarter U.S. GDP growth
3.3%
Annual increase in consumer spending
$1 trillion U.S. budget deficit in 2009, in the midst of the recession and stimulus efforts
$514 billion Projected U.S. budget deficit this year, representing 3 percent of GDP and in line with historical averages
May 2014
The Hill Political Review
National
Immigration reform sidelined Despite efforts by both parties to reform immigration system, prospects for deal remain dim By: Ameer Sobhan
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ne of the most contentious (and divisive) issues being discussed in Washington today is immigration reform. As highlighted in the last edition of The Hill, reaching out to minorities and addressing issues they care about – such as immigration reform - is particularly important for the Republican Party to address in light of their calamitous losses during the 2012 Presidential and Congressional elections when minority voters overwhelmingly favored Democrats. Both parties have initiated efforts since the 2012 elections to bring about some kind of immigration reform. However, they continue to be divided over what such reforms would entail. Bipartisan efforts to pursue such a mammoth task have been attempted. The most notable such initiative has been the assembling of the “Gang of 8” — a group of eight prominent Senators from both parties including Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), and Sen. Chuck Schumer (DNY) — whose immigration bill was passed by the Senate in June 2013 but has since languished in the House of Representatives. One of the thorniest issues both parties have fought over is the issue of paving a legal path to citizenship for those living in the United States illegally. While the Democratic Party is largely for such a measure, several factions of the Republican Party feel that this would be tantamount to amnesty, with some Republican strategists theorizing that it might even affect the number of conservatives turning out to vote in this year’s elections. Earlier this year, House Republican Leaders unveiled a set of immigration “principles” that lay out a hopeful (if difficult) path towards legal status for undocumented workers. Whether that legalization process would eventually lead towards obtaining a green card, however, remained ambiguous. Factions within the GOP revolted against this development, showing how internal division within the GOP
The Hill Political Review May 2014
has emerged as a serious hindrance towards allowing the two parties to reach a deal on immigration. The latest development in this area has been the introduction of a petition to compel the House to vote on the immigration bill passed by the Senate. There is little reason to suggest that this initiative will be any more successful than previous efforts to pursue immigration reform. Even House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has conceded that she expects little to come out of the effort. President Obama has voiced his support for the petition, highlighting how the bill would not only help to fix the country’s broken immigration system but also bring about other benefits such as helping a moribund economy to grow and help cut the nation’s deficit. When the Minority Leader pointed out that her party’s petition may fail to get the requisite number of signatures, the Majority Leader’s spokesperson Michael Steel responded: “We agree with her.” According to UNC Political Science Professor Michael MacKuen, this issue could go two ways: “Right now, the Republican Party feels that it has some chance of defeating the President on Obamacare, so they might be thinking that this is not the right time for immigration reform. On the other hand if they win the Senate back, they might want to revisit the issue and pass a bill on their own terms.” Professor MacKuen notes that one way or the other the GOP will want their fingerprints on whatever form of immigration reform is eventually attempted. Despite the combined efforts of both parties to secure an immigration reform deal, there is little expectation that a comprehensive bill will be passed any time soon. A cursory examination of both parties’ efforts would suggest that Democrats have been more persistent in keeping the issue on top of their agenda but internal divisions within the GOP continue to threaten any efforts that would allow an agreement to be reached.
“The [GOP] feels that it has some chance of defeating the President on Obamacare, so they might be thinking this is not the right time for immigration reform.” -Michael MacKuen, Political Science
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National
Barriers to achievement Despite efforts to improve educational equity, large racial and socioeconomic gaps remain By: Bobby Kawecki
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ince Brown v. Board of Education, the fight to achieve an equal opportunity to quality education has made progress in integrating schools and improving educational equity in the United States. However, this required the involvement of the U.S. Supreme Court on many occasions to fix inequalities perpetuated by state and local governments. Entering the 21st century, now 60 years after Brown, many have declared that the United States has become a “post-racial” society and that our nation has removed the “institutional racism” of generations past. But despite progress in achieving racial equality, there are still institutional barriers restricting opportunities for minorities in the United States.
For children born in 2001, the achievement gap between children of high-income and low-income families was 30-40% larger than for those born in 1976, according to a study by Dianne Mark. And according to the U.S. census, racial minorities are far more likely to be poor than whites. As recent as 2011, studies have shown that African American, Hispanic, and Native American students were on average a staggering 2535% less proficient in Mathematics and Reading than their White, Asian and Pacific Islander counterparts. These studies should not implicate the students themselves, but the environments in which they are raised. Housing patterns between races have not significantly changed over the past 30 years, as urban areas retain large populations of minorities of low-
er socioeconomic status and suburban areas still contain predominantly white and middle class families. This causes schools to be relatively homogenous, keeping children in their own neighborhoods, which only reinforces the problems that housing has failed to address. There also tend to be stark differences in the amount of funding and experience (and quality) of teachers between urban and suburban schools. This only exacerbates the problem by giving the students brought up in higher income households tools to succeed while the less fortunate fall behind, exacerbating the perceived “achievement gap.” So even though the United States has been passing legislation and observing court decisions encouraging equal access to a quality education, many socioeconomic inequalities have not been addressed and they continue to expand the so-called “achievement gap.” The root of this “achievement gap” is so ingrained in our society and education system that we fail to see these detrimental problems as problems at all.
Merging high school and college New York and Chicago school districts experiment with new secondary education model By: Javier Zurita
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ost students at UNC-Chapel Hill know that educational achievement represents the surest way to achieve a prosperous life. The more underprivileged among us recognize this fundamental tenet of the American society, too. However, the current educational divide has prevented many from capturing America’s promise. Recent studies show that college completion gap between rich and poor students grew by more than 50% since the late 1980s, according to The New York Times. In an attempt to reverse this trend, school districts in New York and Chicago established a new educational model that experts believe will expand opportunities for urban students. The financial crisis exposed struc16
tural shifts in the U.S. economy. Today, more and more jobs require postsecondary education, and STEM skills (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) are in particular demand. Back in 2010, New York City leaders created a partnership between two colleges and one corporation to create the “Pathways in Technology Early College High School” (P-Tech). Some argue this new approach represents the future of American secondary education, and President Obama praised the model during the 2014 State of the Union. P-Tech connects students “with a personalized pathway towards mastery of the skills and knowledge” demanded in the post-recession economy. Additionally, the P-Tech schools bring the best out of two distinct institutions: publically funded colleges and private corporations. P-Tech schools combine tradition-
al high school with associates-level college education. In these partnerships, colleges provide continuity in the school’s curriculum, helping the transition from 9th grade high school education to 14th grade college coursework. Corporations provide career focus to students, fitting students’ skills with industry’s needs, ensuring an entry-level position after graduation. Students who graduate from P-Tech schools are more likely to enroll in four-year institutions, and recent reports suggest that students achieve the company’s expected performance. Moreover, these new schools are built in deprived socio-economic areas – effectively lifting students out of poverty and into a thriving middle-class. P-Tech schools’ admissions are open to all interested students. The schools’ success draws from their ability to encompass wide range of academic interests, while teaching students necessary STEM skills.Thus far, the biggest challenge remains identifying regions with the necessary social and economic conditions. May 2014
The Hill Political Review
Perspectives
The Ivory Tower Pay it Forward Zach Williams is a sophomore majoring in political science and information science
Allie Higgins is a sophomore majoring in journalism and mass communication
Oregon’s state legislature introduced a novel idea for dealing with rising tuition last summer. The “Pay if Forward” program is simple: pay nothing up front, then pay three percent of your future earnings for 25 years after graduation. Our education policy columnists respond.
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ast summer, the Oregon state legislature decided to explore a new payment model for public college payment. Dubbed the “Pay it Forward” program, this hypothetical system would charge no tuition up front but require students to pledge a percentage of their future earnings to the university system. This proposal, though intriguing, is not practical. Four-year college students would owe 3% of their future earnings for 25 years after graduation. “Pay it Forward” would nonetheless entice arts and humanities majors, who have low average earning prospects, by offering them the chance to reduce their future debt. Oregon’s program would be much less attractive for engineers and others with higher average earning potential. For these higher earners, the ability to pay off loans with their own income would make out-of-state and/or private schools more affordable by comparison. Someone averaging $85,000 of income per year would end up paying almost double the current price tag for four years at the University of Oregon. The state would drive away the big earners needed to keep the public university system solvent, and face a brain drain to boot. The system would revert, inevitably, to the conventional subsidy model that exists today. What can be done to help the millions of future collegians at risk of being saddled with debt? I do not know, but Pay it Forward’s fiscal realities allow university systems to check one potential solution off of the list. Next.
The Hill Political Review May 2014
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regon’s proposed “Pay it Forward” program would allow students to enroll in universities without paying tuition upfront. Students are expected to contribute a percentage (1.5% for those who attended community college, 3% for those who went to four year colleges) of their future earnings to the state’s university system, once employed. No upfront fees, no questioning of how much or how long students will pay in the future. Just contributions to a trust fund that will help future generations go to college. Although some tout this method of tuition payment as too progressive, it could tackle the high debt problem that thousands of American college students have grappled with in recent years. Described as a “social insurance program,” this proposal is a step in the right direction. The negative aspects of college loans – the debt, the fluctuating interest rates, and the associated interest payments – are eliminated from the tuition equation. This system could build up momentum over the years, allowing states to provide public higher education to students who would usually shy away from college because of payment worries. Legislators across the country should keep an eye on “Pay it Forward,” if enacted in Oregon. A college education is growing increasingly valuable and less achievable in the economic environment today; change, like this program, is necessary for our higher education system to grow and develop.
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Perspectives
Around the Bend Single-payer in Vermont
Brian Bartholomew is a sophomore majoring in economics and political science
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f states truly are, as Justice Brandeis put it, “laboratories of democracy,” then Vermont appears to be the CERN of American healthcare policy. The lab’s chief scientist, Governor Peter Shumlin, is pushing hard to implement a state-wide single-payer healthcare system by 2017. Under the current system, Vermont’s doctors, along with those spread throughout the other 49 states, spend massive amounts each year dealing with insurance companies—$82,975 on average, according to a 2011 study published in the journal Health Affairs. This
is because, in the current system, insurers negotiate prices with individual doctors and hospitals (As Vox’s Sarah Kliff notes, the cost of an appendectomy can vary from $1,529 to $189,955 depending on what kind of deal an insurer is able to secure). This isn’t the case in a single-payer system, where providers only have to deal with a single financier, typically a government insurance agency. Across the Canadian border, where single-payer reigns, the average Ontarian doctor spends a mere $22,205 dealing with the state insurance agency. This simplification allows for administrative savings; rather than negotiating with multiple insurance companies, providers only deal with the state agency. Single-payer systems also allow for greater savings by enhancing the market power of the insurer. With the bargaining power endowed by being the only seller in the market, along with the ability to deliver all of its patients, government-run single-payer systems are able to secure bulk discounts that private insurers, negotiating individually, are unable to match. Governor Shumlin wants to implement this kind of system for everyone in Vermont, covering the state’s 630,000
residents and setting a model for other states to follow. This will not be easy. There are sure to be fierce battles over what services the government chooses to cover—prescription drugs and dental insurance are already hot button issues. Additionally, Vermont would need to raise an estimated $2 billion in revenue to support the program. In a state that pulls in a grand total of $2.7 billion in revenue each year, that funding gap is no small obstacle. Despite the challenges, if it’s going to work, it’s going to work here. Governor Shumlin remains one of the few prominent public figures to openly support a single-payer system, and there will perhaps never be another presidential administration as accommodative as the current one. At stake is the future of single-payer health care in America. If it succeeds, Vermont’s Shumlin healthcare could be to single-payer what Massachusetts’ Romney healthcare was to the Affordable Care Act—a successful proof of concept that will pave the way for a dance in the national spotlight and further implementation of reform. Good luck, Vermont. We’re all counting on you.
Two Cents International hairstyling
Nancy Smith is a sophomore majoring in Arabic studies
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hile North Korea has a myriad of outlandish restrictions on its people, the breaking news that all men may be forced to get the Kim Jong Un “Chinese smuggler” haircut is the strangest so far. North Korea already has an estimated twenty-eight state approved haircuts already in place, for both men and women. The further limitations may not be totally unexpected, or
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they could also be completely fabricated. But how do we know? At this point I’m inclined to believe anything. Sure, Kim Jong Un killed his girlfriend for making a sex tape with Kim Kardashian, then he fed her to dogs alongside his executed uncle. Talk about daddy issues. For your convenience, the Hill has compiled a collection of the top six dictatorial haircut/facial hair combinations. Should you move to any of these oppressive nations or their unfortunate neighboring states, have a good barber on hand. While there is a US Travel Warning issued for every single one of these countries - if not a half-century long embargo - there is still a ridiculous chance that you may travel there for some God-forsaken reason (we’re looking at you Dennis Rodman). So The Hill expects you to be educated and prepared for whatever coiffured oppression you may face.
Top Six Dictatorial/Facial Hair Combinations Bashar Al-Assad (Current “President” of Syria): The Pedophile Gym Teacher Vladimir Putin (Current “President” of Russia): The Balding Doberman Robert Mugabe (Current “President” of Zimbabwe): The Fuzz Fidel Castro (Former “President” of Cuba): The I Haven’t Shaved This Since I Got This Job Hugo Chavez (Former “President” of Venezuela): The Go Bald or Go Home Joffrey Baratheon (King of Westeros . . . for now): The Greasy Middle School Boy
May 2014
The Hill Political Review
Perspectives
Notables and quotables “We haven’t had a single detection in six days. It’s time to go underwater.”
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- Angus Houston, Australian chief search coordinator in the search for Malaysian Airlines Flight 370.
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I’m
- UMass guard Derrick Gordon, becomes first Division I college basketball player to come out of the closet.
Editorial Cartoon By: Ngozika Nwoko
college official
College: A Debt Trap? The Hill Political Review May 2014
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May 2014
The Hill Political Review