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VOLUME 116, ISSUE 53
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Administrative shuffle normal F
our of the University’s top positions have experienced turnovers in the past year. Administrators said the changes among posts such as chancellor, provost and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences are part of the regular life cycle of a University. full story on page 4
Players reopens with new look P layers club was closing for a while, but now it’s open again with a new look and sound. After some renovations, a new bathroom and rumors of closure, the Franklin Street club reopened on July 8. New owner Nick Stroud, who also works at Jack Sprat Cafe, is working to bring Players a reputation as
a venue for live music acts while maintaining its history as a dance club. The new Players’ opening night featured Durham band Hammer No More the Fingers. Stroud also plans to make Players a sports night des tination, showing games and catering food. full story on page 11
Student leaders quieter amid cuts
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he last time the N.C. G eneral Assembly proposed cuts to the UNC system’s budget similar to those on the table this year, UNC-system student leaders organized a protest march that closed down Hillsborough Street in Raleigh. The final budget that year only c ut $14.5 million, 11.6
Tar Heels make it to their fourth College World Series in a row, p. 21
saturday, August 22, 2009
Hookah bars can’t operate under new state law, p. 24
percent of the subcommittee’s original suggestion, in recurring funding from the University. But in the wake of the House’s current proposed budget cuts, today’s student leaders are aiming for a more targeted, more cooperative — and quieter — strategy.
Police jurisdiction of Granville given to campus, p.3 Provost Gray-Little named chancellor at Kansas, p.4 Youth for Western Civilization’s faculty advisor quits, p.4 University preparing for 10 percent budget cuts, p.5 Atlas Fraley paramedic keeps credentials, p.5 Mayor Kevin Foy decides not to run for fifth term, p.5. Candidates vie for Chapel Hill mayor’s seat, p.8. Chapel Hill Town Council elections gear up, p.9.
Student, state leaders unsure about tuition charges, p.15 Varsity not the only art-house theater suffering, p.15 Iraqi high school students visit UNC-Chapel Hill, p.19
Full story on page 19
Russia’s national ballet visited Chapel Hill in June, p. 27
The Club is Open Festival rocked Chapel Hill in July, p. 31
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
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UNC police expand domain to Granville BOT approved agreement May 27 Story reprinted from May 21 “It’s a very positive step,” said issue of The Daily Tar Heel. The Trustee Bob Winston. “I think it Board of Trustees approved the will pass. It’s a great example of agreement May 27. cooperation between the University and Chapel Hill.” The agreement will be addressed BY Andrew Harrell at the trustees’ May 27 meeting. It University Editor An agreement between the could go into effect as soon as sigChapel Hill Police Department natures are added, if passed. In addition to expanding and University police seeks to place Granville Towers entirely under the University police jurisdiction to inside Granville and the parking lot latter’s jurisdiction. Approved by the Town Council that surrounds it — which the UNCon Monday night, the Extended Chapel Hill Foundation is purchasJurisdiction Agreement will now ing for $45.75 million, along with go under review of the Board of the adjacent University Square — the agreement would increase the Trustees.
overlap and collaboration between the two police departments. “We already operate in joint capacity in so many instances,” said Randy Young, spokesman for UNC’s Department of Public Safety, which encompasses University police. He cited post-game celebrations and Halloween as peak times of collaboration between the departments. The proposed changes would include expansion of joint training. University police jurisdiction would also be extended into parts of Chapel Hill in a secondary capacity: on-duty officers traveling between areas in their primary jurisdiction would be allowed to intervene if they witnessed criminal activity in
Blackboard undergoes summertime face-lift System update complete Aug. 6
Story reprinted from June 11 issue of The Daily Tar Heel.
by daniel pate staff writer
When students return to campus this fall, they will quickly discover the face-lift given to Blackboard over the summer. The online course management system will be inaccessible to University students and faculty from July 28 to Aug. 6 as the site undergoes upgrades before the news semester begins. The University sent an e-mail to students on June 2 that informed them of the temporary outage. “ T here won’ t be dramatic increases in functionality, but instead incremental improvement to an already very successful product on campus,” said Charlie Green, assistant vice chancellor for the teaching and learning office of Information Technology Services. He said the system will be upgraded three versions, from 6.3 to 8.0.
This will allow it to better coincide with the current version of the Oracle database system, which manages Blackboard. The updated Blackboard Web site will be graced with such improved features as redesigned grading tools, student monitoring systems for professors and new discussion forums. Green said the improvements in the discussion board will facilitate more collaboration among students by allowing them to review their own work and that of their peers. “This upgrade will put us into keeping with the majority of institutions using Blackboard,” said Green, who added that only a handful of universities use version 9.0. He said UNC probably won’t upgrade to this version until next year, allowing the University time to analyze security and programming issues. Such upgrades are not required for all universities, but instead institutions select times on their own volition. The temporary outage was set for in between the summer sessions and fall semester in order to avoid as much conflict as pos-
sible with the usage demand of the system. Green said the upgrade is significant not only because of enhanced features but also in terms of infrastructure, including database space. “From a Blackboard perspective and database side, this was a good time to make this upgrade,” Green said. In February, about 15 professors and their classes started to experiment with a possible alternative to Blackboard called Sakai. The system has features focused more toward social networking and information sharing. But Blackboard won out. Some professors said the 6.3 version of Blackboard isn’t userfriendly enough and have adopted other options. Rita Balaban, a professor of economics, said she has “weaned away” from Blackboard use in her classes and primarily uses the more economic-oriented system called Aplia. But she added that “it’s all relative” and said the Blackboard inconveniences some professors experience may not be issues to others.
areas like downtown. Currently, campus officers would have the same authority as a normal citizen if they saw an offcampus crime. Their options would be limited to calling 911. Chief Brian Curran of the Chapel Hill Police Department said there are no plans to hand over jurisdiction of University Square as well, because it is a retail area as opposed to student dorms. That includes the Chapel Hill Police Department retaining control of the sub-station located in University Square. Future discussions are more likely to focus on managing responsibility for Carolina North once construction begins.
“It’s a very positive step. … It’s a great example of cooperation between the University and Chapel Hill.” bob winston, member of the unc board of trustees C u r r a n s a i d h e a n d Je ff McCracken, chief of UNC ’s Department of Public Safety, took the purchase of Granville and University Square as an opportunity to rehash the existing agreement. Curran added that he doesn’t expect any new hires or firings to result from the new territories. However, the agreement could have a small part in relieving stress caused by budgetary restraints.
Currently, UNC’s Department of Public Safety has 53 sworn officers. It’s unknown if the jurisdiction changes will have any effect on the security staff currently employed to patrol Granville through Guardsmark Security. “This will put more police officers, more eyes out there,” Curran said. “You can get more bang for your buck.”
Gray-Little leaves provost job Gone after long tenure at UNC Story reprinted from June 4 issue of The Daily Tar Heel.
BY Matt Sampson Staff writer
After a nearly 40-year-long tenure at UNC, Bernadette Gray-Little will step down from her current position as provost to assume the role of chancellor at the University of Kansas. Her decision, which comes as a surprise to some administrators, will test the experience she has gained over the years at UNC in a larger role with greater challenges at a new university. “I was pleased and frightened,” Gray-Little said of her selection last Friday. “I was pleased they were interested in having me do it, but this is a big decision and a big commitment.” Gray-Little said she is confident that her extensive work as an administrator at a public university, especially one structured similarly to KU, will ease her transition into chancellorship when she takes office on Aug. 15. Bruce Carney, current interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, will serve as interim provost until a replacement is found.
Former Provost Bernadette Gray-Little will begin her job at Kansas University in August. “The chancellor’s job is much more than the provost’s,” Carney said of her transition. “She has to be more engaged with the community and state legislature, but I think she’ll carry those duties very well.” Carney added that Gray-Little was the one who convinced him to join administration in the first place. Many of the difficulties UNC has faced in light of the recession — including reductions in state funding — will also be felt at KU, Gray-Little said. She said the severe budget situation is among the biggest challenges she will face as chancellor but that the last five months at UNC have prepared her for the task. “The people involved and how they interact will be new and has to be learned,” Gray-Little said. “I’ll be getting to know the nuances, the people and the system for months to come.” A search committee — comprised of faculty, staff, alumni, community members, regents
“She has to be more engaged … but I think she’ll carry those duties very well.” Bruce carney, interim provost and the student body president — was assembled after Robert Hemenway, the outgoing 16th chancellor of the University of Kansas, announced his retirement in December. The committee approached Gray-Little earlier in the spring to consider her to fill the vacancy. She accepted their consideration and, after a series of interviews, was among the final three candidates still being considered Friday. Though Gray-Little will be the first African-American and first female chancellor at KU, she said that her priority as of now is setting a solid framework for a new provost to take over at UNC. “I’m spending more time leaving here than I am being at Kansas,” she said. Perhaps one of the most pressing issues on the minds of students is which team she will be cheering for next basketball season. “I’ll be cheering for my team,” Gray-Little answered in ambiguous fashion.
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
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YWC adviser Admin departures not unusual leaves amid controversy Story reprinted from June 18 and founder of UNC’s chapter, and issue of The Daily Tar Heel. YWC founder Kevin DeAnna said they have seen interest in the group BY Andrew Harrell rise because of the protests. UNiversity editoR “Every time there is one of the The fate of UNC’s chapter of usual left-wing hit pieces, mostly Youth for Western Civilization is with stuff just made up, we get up in the air. more members and donations,” Chris Clemens, the astronomy DeAnna said. professor who serves as the group’s Clemens predicted a negative faculty adviser, said he’s decided not effect on membership at UNC. to continue in the role next year. Matheson said his chapter of Once Clemens is officially gone, YWC had eight to 10 members. YWC will have 30 days to find a DeAnna said 10 is the average new faculty adviser before they number of members for the seven are no longer an official campus or so chapters across the nation. organization. Four members are required to “I’m not willing to sponsor an begin a new chapter, but DeAnna affiliate of the national YWC,” said the requirements for active Clemens said. chapters are being tightened. “It’s going to be a time consumNext year’s UNC chapter presiing task to guide these students in dent Nikhil Patel said he expects an organization that’s becoming about five members to return from inflammatory.” last year. He said he thinks the Instead, Clemens has offered to controversy has adversely affected either sponsor a new group with membership. the same mission but no affiliaPatel added that he joined the tion with YWC, or help find a new group to expose himself to differsponsor. ent viewpoints. But the second option could be “None of us are racists and few difficult. of us wholeheartedly agree with the “I do not know who I would mission statement,” Patel said. start with,” Clemens said. “I only The arrested protestors and their know one other conservative faculty supporters have called for the YWC member.” group on campus to be dissolved. He added that he is the adviser Jon Curtis, associate director for about five conservative groups for student activities and student on campus. organizations, said it would be Clemens stressed he is not pass- illegal to dissolve a group unless it ing judgment on the national orga- violates University policy or loses nization itself but the reputation it its adviser. has gained in the community. He acknowledged problems “It’s a magnet for the radical left finding faculty to represent conto come shut you down,” he said. servative groups, but said it was “The name has become an obstacle not impossible. to constructive dialogue.” A conservative public policy The reputation is in part the group, The Leadership Institute, result of the YWC hosting two con- funded YWC’s two campus events troversial speakers on campus in with up to $3,000 per speaker. April. Seven people were arrested They have funded two other YWC for protests of the events. speeches at other schools. The group’s leaders aren’t conThe Leadership Institute’s cerned about the effects those events president, Morton Blackwell, said and the subsequent media coverage a major requirement for funds was could have on membership. to be assured that they could put Riley Matheson, former president on a public program successfully.
Story reprinted from June 18 “It’s a process of change that issue of The Daily Tar Heel. keeps the University lively and responsive and in position for the future.” daniel pate staff writer He added that such changes have A single year has brought occurred to officials who have spent changes in four of the most prom- a long and stable amount of time at inent administrative positions on the University, noting that Provost campus. Bernadette Gray-Little has worked The roles of chancellor and dean at UNC for nearly 40 years. of the College of Arts and Sciences Although many universities were recently replaced. Searches are take part in faculty poaching, in beginning now for a new provost and which they attract professors from vice chancellor of student affairs. other schools with more lucrative Although it may seem like quite offers, former chairman of the a shuffle, several officials said such Faculty Council Joe Templeton said a number of turnovers in a short administrative shifting is different period of time is nothing bizarre because higher position opportuniand is just part of the administra- ties are involved. tive process. Templeton added that even “As the University changes, per- though an official may be satisfied sonnel will change,” said Ronald with a certain role, constant offers Strauss, executive associate pro- for more prominent positions are vost. “It doesn’t represent disarray difficult to resist. or (level of ) happiness. “There are people who make a
living by identifying people who are content with the job they have and asking them to move,” he said. “If you get one of those calls every week, pretty soon one of those tends to hit.” However, the fact that UNC is a common target for other schools looking for new faculty and administrators emphasizes the University’s national reputation. “You hate to lose good, strong people, but it’s always a compliment,” said Strauss, who added that Gray-Little’s strength as provost attracted the attention of University of Kansas officials during their chancellor search. Although administrative officials have to become accustomed to such transitions, it also affects those who are voted to represent the voice of the students. David Bevevino, the student body vice president, said that in
working with an exiting vice chancellor of student affairs, much of the focus will be toward helping the successor adjust to University culture. He also said student government has been successful in working with new officials. “One thing you notice with new positions is you become part of their transition,” Bevevino said. “When you do that you have a closer relationship because you’re there the whole time.” Student Body President Jasmin Jones said working with a newly inducted chancellor is actually advantageous to the students because it increases understanding between the two, which helps prevent any student frustration of administrative shifting. “We’re all open to it because we’re comforted by the fact that it’s only going to get better,” Jones said.
Parking registration system crashes Story reprinted from July 9 issue cards were already charged. of The Daily Tar Heel. After hearing about the issues, DPS reset the system to try again at 1 p.m. When the same problems BY Becky Bush STAFF WRITER persisted, DPS decided to use a difThe Department of Public Safety ferent software. began a new online first-come, Third-year law student Satish first-serve parking pass system for Chintapalli said he applied for students last week. parking multiple times and It resulted in a system crash. received an error message after Although an alternate system every attempt. ran smoothly for the rest of regisAnother third-year law student, tration, many are still affected by Crystal Russ, said she took off work the original problems. on July 1 so she could apply for her “We’ll use the system when our IT parking permit. managers feel confident again,” Stout When Russ tried at 1 p.m., she said about the faulty program. waited for more than 15 minutes, On July 1, when professional and was charged on her credit card and graduate students went to apply was told she had an invalid shiponline for on-campus parking, ping method. they received an error message at Russ also said one of her friends the end of their transaction. Their tried to register multiple times and requests had not been completed, was charged more than $300 on even though their credit or debit her credit card.
After the two original attempts to launch the new software, DPS officials switched to different software which did not bill people over the Internet and restarted the registration program, said Randy Young, spokesman for the Department of Public Safety. The Assistant Director for Parking Services, Cheryl Stout, said that DPS officials decided to switch to their internal registration system, which is a different site where students can register, but that nothing is visibly different to the customer. Chintapalli said the new system was confusing because it is not supported by any Web browser except Internet Explorer. Young said the system, “has been running smoothly and is ongoing,” since the switch. In addition, all invalid charges on students’ debit or credit cards were
reversed immediately, Stout said. “I don’t think anyone expected the problems,” she added. “They didn’t encounter them in testing. The system intends to improve things for students. We’re sincerely apologetic for any problems.” She added that DPS officials are working to fix the internal error that created a software problem. DPS heard from many of the students who initially experienced the problems but has tried to apologize and work to fix the issues as much as they can, Stout said. “I think the law and medical students kind of thought we were the guinea pigs for the undergraduate students who registered the next day,” Russ said. “I think fundamentally the system is fairer, but they had a lot of kinks they needed to work out in the end.”
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
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Budget cuts reach $60M Chapel Hill Reductions double 5 percent plan Story reprinted from July 9 issue represent roughly one fourth of The Daily Tar Heel. of the University’s funding, as determined by the N.C. General Assembly. The 10 percent cuts BY Andrew Harrell University Editor fall between recent predictions Chancellor Holden Thorp has of how the state’s budget will told the University to prepare for turn out once it is passed by the a $60 million cut to University General Assembly and approved funding. by Gov. Bev Perdue. Although the specific areas Thorp said the new 5 percent where cuts will be made are still cuts will not necessarily be made being determined, administrators campuswide. A budget committee said there is no question they will comprised of Provost Bernadette have a significant impact on the Gray-Little and Vice Chancellor campus. of Finance Dick Mann will work “We’re treating these targets as to decide where the cuts will be actual cuts because they are real- made. istic given the state’s current dire Elmira Mangum, senior associsituation,” Thorp said. ate provost, and Roger Patterson, The new number represents associate vice chancellor for additional reductions to the 5 per- finance, will assist. And Bruce cent cuts Thorp asked administra- Carney will replace Gray-Little tors to create plans for in March, once she steps down tomorrow to and which began with the fiscal move to the chancellorship at the year’s start on July 1. University of Kansas. That 5 percent cut was doubled One of their first focuses will be Wednesday at the request of UNC- finding areas to cut that affect as system President Erskine Bowles, few classes as possible. totalling a $60 million budget Once the cuts are distributed, reduction. decisions on reductions to specific The cuts would come from state schools and departments will fall to appropriations, which currently their respective deans.
Although those deans don’t know what level of cuts they will be dealing with, they are already preparing with frequent planning and meetings with other administrators and senior faculty. “Any additional cut will affect the school,” said Jack Boger, dean of the School of Law. “It depends on where the axe might fall. All of this will restrict or circumscribe the service we offer to students and faculty. The question is how much.” Karen Gil, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said her first cuts would focus away from employees by suspending major equipment or renovation projects in different departments. But Gil and other deans said a majority of the state appropriations they receive may go toward faculty and staff salaries. Most deans agreed that they won’t be cutting any classes for the fall semester, with students already registered. Alternate sources of revenue to make up for lost state money are scarce. Finances from grants and private gifts often come with specific requirements for their use. Boger said areas outside of the sciences don’t have as many
outside organizations to turn to for extra funding, and that even those groups are reeling from budget cuts. Some budget decisions may be made by legislators instead of UNC officials. Administrators have been fighting to regain control of specific cuts mandated to areas such as research centers and institutes on campus. They argued that they were better informed when it came to determining where budget cuts would have the least impact. Thorp said administrators now expect more flexibility in where those cuts will be made. But Bowles has asked campus leaders to still stick to government recommendations as closely as they can. A private gift was made to UNC in order to hire the services of financial consulting firm Bain & Company. The firm conducted hundreds of interviews and spent months on campus doing research. Their final report with potential cost-cutting suggestions and fiscal recommendations for University administrators will be presented to the Board of Trustees at the end of July.
Fraley’s paramedic keeps credentials Gri∞n allowed to practice elsewhere Story reprinted from June 4 sign his own release form, despite issue of The Daily Tar Heel. his lawful status as a minor. Fraley’s parents found their son dead in their home later that night. By Steven Norton City Editor A report released Monday by the The paramedic who responded state office of EMS stated that while to a high school football player who Griffin violated Orange County died shortly after being provided protocol during his response to with care will still be allowed to Fraley’s call, he did not act incompetently under state regulations. keep his credentials. “We were not investigating A seven-member disciplinary review board with decided unani- Orange County, we were looking at mously to take no action against Griffin,” said Drexdal Pratt, chief of the credentials of Orange County the state office of EMS. Pratt said the board’s decision paramedic James Griffin, who responded to Chapel Hill High rotated around two main issues. The first was that Jane Brice, football player Atlas Fraley. But Griffin cannot work in Orange County EMS medical direcOrange County without repeating tor, found Griffin to be a competent paramedic. his training. A f t e r r e v i e w i n g G r i ffi n’s Atlas Fraley, 17, died Aug. 12 after Griffin, along with a fourth- actions, Brice terminated the year medical student, responded to paramedic’s practice privileges in Fraley’s complaints of dehydration Orange County later that August. According to the report, Brice said and cramping all over his body. Griffin advised Fraley to continue she had never had a paramedic vioto drink fluids and to work out his late so many protocols at once. Brice later said that she believed cramps. He then allowed Fraley to
Atlas Fraley died Aug. 12 shortly after he was provided with care from Orange County EMS. Griffin was capable of being a paramedic anywhere except Orange County, due to the higher standard of service it holds for its paramedics. The second reason Pratt gave was that the medical report did not indicate that Griffin’s actions directly contributed to Fraley’s death. Fraley’s autopsy report concluded that the cause of death was “undetermined natural causes.” Pratt said the state stood by its decision even though the board had not received some of the information it requested, including a report from the medical student who accompanied Griffin. “We thought we had enough based on interviews to not pursue that any farther,” he said. Other information not released to
“We thought we had enough based on interviews not to pursue (that report) any farther.”
mayor finished after 4 terms Foy to give way to ‘new energy’ Story reprinted from June 4 issue of The Daily Tar Heel. Four have announced their candidacy for Chapel Hill mayor.
By Sarah Morayati Staff Writer
Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy announced last Thursday that he would not seek re-election for a fifth term. Foy, who was elected in 2001, said he would not run because he accomplished his goals from when he first took office. “It just seems to me that it’s time for new energy and new ideas and new people to be taking these leadership positions,” Foy said. The only person to announce candidacy is Chapel Hill Town Councilman Mark Kleinschmidt. Foy said public transit would be the most pressing issue for candidates. As the region grows, he said, traveling by car would be difficult. “Anyone who goes to Washington, D.C., or New York City knows that if all of those people tried to get around by car, it’d be impossible,” Foy said. Also among Foy’s recent actions was proposing a waste transfer site on Millhouse Road last month. Foy said he chose the new site both because it is close to the center of waste generation and because the proposed N.C. 54 site would be a significant investment of county dollars. No decisions have been made. Kleinschmidt, who has been on
the council for eight years, praised Foy’s leadership, transparency and involvement of citizens. He said he would not have run had Foy decided to seek re-election. For the upcoming election, Kleinschmidt cited three primary issues, the first being navigating the economic recession. He said his experience on the council and with the budget would help him. “Chapel Hill is not immune to the national financial crisis,” he said. “It’s affecting our bottom line, and we’re going to need experience to help guide our community.” He also said town development needed to be studied because the town could not grow any farther out. He also cited “smart growth” practices, such as environmental protection and affordable housing. “I’m one of the most outspoken members on these issues,” he said. “Unlike some council members who identify specific areas of interest, I’m involved in all of them.” Last, he said, was oversight of the proposed Carolina North campus. “We’re creating a living document,” he said. “It’s not something that we’re going to sign and put up on the shelf.” Kleinschmidt plans to declare himself a participant in VoterOwned Elections within the next few weeks. He said this would make him the first publicly financed candidate at the municipal level. Council member Matt Czajkowski and Mayor Pro Tem Jim Ward said they were considering running but have yet to decide. Municipal candidates have until July 17 to file.
Don’t Feed the ANimals
Drexdal Pratt, chief of N.C. ems the state includes records from the phone Griffin said he used to call Fraley’s parents while on the scene. Fraley famliy attorney Donald Strickland said the family is preparing to take legal action against Griffin and Orange County Emergency Medical Services, but he did not mention a specific date. Editor’s note: The Chapel HillCarrboro Board of Education was unable to reach a conclusion regarding the cause of Fraley’s death. According to a statement released by the board, Fraley reported a cramp and a headache, but seemed to be in good spirits during the football scrimmage earlier that day.
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DTH FIle/Andrew Dye
ildlife all over the UNC campus often take advantage of trash and litter, venturing outside of their normal food chain. The squirrels on campus are especially notorious for their tendency to jump all the way into the trash cans in their quest for french fries and bananas.
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
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Firm completes plan to improve UNC Bain & Co. gives UNC future options Story reprinted from July 16 in annual savings, in addition to issue of The Daily Tar Heel. increased effectiveness and more room for students. BY Andrew Harrell But ac tual changes won’ t University editor reach those estimated savings. After hundreds of interviews and Chancellor Holden Thorp will lead months of campuswide research in picking and choosing which and analysis, financial consulting suggestions he wants to pursue. firm Bain & Company has boiled And the report notes that reachdown its findings into a 15-page ing the full extent of the savings PowerPoint presentation. options is rare. This presentation, specially preWhile organizations Bain has pared for the Board of Trustees’ worked with in the past have achieved meeting later this month, is the roughly 60 to 80 percent of the savfirst look at Bain’s final report. ings, the University is more likely to The report presents 10 differ- reach 40 to 60 percent, because of ent options for improvement. All “regulatory constraints.” together, they represent an estiEach option also requires at mated $89 million to $161 million least a year of estimated imple-
mentation time, and some as many as seven years. University officials said they could give no additional information about the report at this time. The University is currently preparing for budget cuts equivalent to $60 million. The findings repeat previous analysis of management efficiency at the University, citing too many levels and too much complexity. It says administrative expenses per student have grown faster than academic expenses. Other recommendations encompass more general ideas, concerning increased effectiveness and satisfied employees. The services of Bain & Company were purchased with a private
Potential options from Bain & Company Financial consulting firm Bain & Company will deliver their final report to the Board of Trustees later this month. Here are some of the areas and options they will suggest looking into: research Restructure support offices to eliminate redundancies; invest in automation and resources to meet expected increases in sponsored research donation to the University which required the money to be put towards that specific firm. The global business-consulting firm had little experience work-
Organization Reduce organizational layers and expand areas of control; “flatten” organizational structure Information technology Centralize capabilities; combine IT infrastructure from department to school or division levels finance Restructure to automate clerical task execution and consolidate finance activities to realize benefits of scale ing with universities before being hired. The final report will be presented to Thorp and the Board of Trustees on July 23.
human resources Restructure to improve communication and realize benefits of scale centers and institutes Reduce dependence on state funds; create standard policies for start-up, funding and review processes energy services Focus toward decreasing energy consumption and utilization of existing assets space utilization Find space for expected future student growth Bain will return to campus in two or three years, pro bono, in order to help examine the effectiveness and progress of the changes.
Municipal elections begin with 3 candidates Story reprinted from July 2 issue lic funds, which can be as little as of The Daily Tar Heel. Kevin Wolff $5 per person, instead of soliciting has also declared his candidacy donations or paying out of pocket. since this article was printed. Kleinschmidt was one of the program’s strongest supporters, believing voter-owned elections BY Sarah Morayati STAFF WRITER would make campaigns more On Monday, election season will transparent and open. officially kick off. And by November, “It demonstrates that having perone of at least three candidates will sonal wealth is not, nor should it be, be Chapel Hill’s next mayor. a bar to political participation either Right now, the candidates are as a donor or a candidate,” he said. Chapel Hill Transportation Board Czajkowski was the only counChairman Augustus Cho and cil member to oppose the program, Chapel Hill Town Council mem- believing it would not help candibers Matt Czajkowski and Mark dates. He said he would “absolutely Kleinschmidt. not” participate. Filing begins at 8 a.m. July 6 and Neither will Cho, who said it was ends at 12 p.m. July 17. unethical to ask voters to contribute The race opened up significantly in the current economic climate. after Mayor Kevin Foy announced “Running for office is a privilege in May that he would not seek re- and shouldn’t be done with people’s election for a fifth term. taxes,” he said. Chapel Hill’s mayor is elected Kleinschmidt was the first to a two-year term. Elections are to say he would run, announcnonpartisan and at-large, meaning ing his candidacy on May 28. voters are not assigned to specific Cho announced on June 4, and wards or districts. Czajkowski, who had previously This election makes Chapel Hill said he would consider running, the first town in the state to partici- announced on June 12. pate in voter-owned elections, also Once filing begins, more people known as “clean elections,” at the might join the race. The Orange municipal level. County Board of Elections’ Web The program, approved by the site will post candidates’ informacouncil last year, is voluntary and tion when they file. allows municipal candidates to In addition to the mayor’s seat, pay for their campaigns with pub- four town council seats are open.
Candidate Profile
Views on development
Views on Carolina North
Publicly funded elections
• Chairman of Chapel Hill Transportation Board since 2006 • Republican • Served on downtown parking committee • Former chairman of Orange County Republican Party • Retired pastor and columnist
Cho believes sustainable growth is the biggest issue facing Chapel Hill. He advocates making it easier for businesses to get permits by reducing restrictions, and he supports green space, walkable communities and affordable workforce housing.
Cho encourages the town to work with the University to ensure Carolina North’s success. He supports adding more bike lanes and sidewalks to the campus and creating more on-site housing.
Cho will not participate in VoterOwned Elections. He believes it is unethical for candidates to use taxpayers’ money to run for office during the current economic situation.
• Chapel Hill Town Council member since 2007 • Unaffiliated • Served on the transportation board and Orange County Economic Development Council • Former chief financial officer for biotech firm Aldagen
Czajkowski said the town needs to attract more businesses to generate sales tax and to make it easier for them to get development permits. He said the town has an obligation to make downtown safer.
Czajkowski believes the town should continue to collaborate with the University regarding Carolina North. He hopes the new campus will encourage commercial development for the town.
Czajkowski will not participate in Voter-Owned Elections. When the Chapel Hill Town Council approved the program, he cast the sole dissenting vote.
• Chapel Hill Town Council member since 2001 • Democrat • Served on the Council on Sustainable Community • Executive director of the Fair Trial Initiative, which supports defendants facing the death penalty
Kleinschmidt said the town should focus on “smart growth” practices and on redeveloping property inside the current town boundaries. He supports environmental protection and affordable housing initiatives.
Kleinschmidt believes the town and University should continue to review the Carolina North development agreement during the next few years in order for it to remain a “living document.”
Kleinschmidt plans to declare himself a participant in VoterOwned Elections. He said he believes the system gives voters equal importance in campaigns regardless of how much they contribute.
Part one of a four-part series on county elections
Augustus Cho
Matt Czajkowski
Mark Kleinschmidt
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5 vie for 4 seats on council Story reprinted from July 9 issue seat if he is not elected. of The Daily Tar Heel. The filing period opened on July 6 and Rich was the first to file early by Sarah Morayati that morning. staff WRITER Of the incumbents, Easthom With four seats up for grabs on joined the council in 2005, and the Chapel Hill Town Council and Harrison joined the council in at least five candidates, this year’s 2001. Merritt was appointed to the council in November 2008 to fill race will be competitive. Challengers Gene Pease and the vacancy left by former council Penny Rich will compete with member Bill Thorpe’s death, and incumbents Laurin Easthom, Ed served the rest of Thorpe’s term. Neither challenger, furthermore, Harrison and Jim Merritt for spots is new to council affairs. Rich ran on the council. Regardless of who is elected, next for town council in 2007 but lost year’s council will face many changes to Czajkowski. Pease applied for and challenges, such as a new mayor, Thorpe’s seat in 2008 and has served the continued effects of the economic on several town committees. In a statement on his Web site, downturn, a completed development agreement for Carolina North and Pease said the four major issues an ongoing search for a new waste facing the council are fiscal responsibility, thoughtful growth, towntransfer site. “There’s a lot of work that’s gown relations and environmental unfinished, and it’s hard work,” awareness. He said his experience on various town committees would Harrison said. One of the four vacancies will help him if elected. “I want to continue to work to result from council member Mark Kleinschmidt’s decision to run for make this an interesting, diverse, mayor of Chapel Hill. Although and stimulating place to live for council member Matt Czajkowski everyone,” he said. Rich, who has been active in is also running for mayor, his term is not yet up and he will retain his organizations such as Neighbors for
Responsible Growth and Orange County Democratic Women, did not give a specific platform. She said it was more important to listen to residents’ concerns. “My goal is to be the voice of the people in town,” she said. “I don’t want to start giving my opinion about what I think until I know what they think.” One point of contention among candidates has been Voter-Owned Elections, a program approved by the council in 2008 that allows public financing of campaigns. Supporters argue that it gives less well-known candidates equal footing, but opponents generally disagree with using taxpayers’ money to fund campaigns. Rich, a longtime supporter of the program, has already announced her participation. Pease said he will not participate, stating that it would go against his principle of fiscal responsibility. Harrison and Merritt will not participate although they voted for the program. Easthom has not announced whether she will publicly finance her campaign. Filing will continue until noon July 17.
Candidate profile
Views on council issues Easthom, during her time on the council, has collaborated with groups such as Neighbors for Responsible Growth and the Horace Williams citizens committee. On her Web site, she said the council should pursue balance when considering developments, especially dense projects.
Laurin Easthom
• Member of Chapel Hill Town Council since 2005 • Member of council committee on sustainability, energy and environment • Member of Orange Community Housing and Land Trust • Member of Northern Area Task Force • Dentist
Gene Pease
• Applied for Bill Thorpe’s seat in 2008 • Member of the Chapel Hill Planning Board • Vice chairman of Horace Williams citizens committee • Member of Orange Water and Sewer Authority • Local businessman
Pease lists a four-part platform on his Web site. He believes the main issues before the council are being fiscally responsible, revitalizing downtown and expanding the commercial tax base, improving relations between Chapel Hill and the University, and continuing to protect the town’s environmental assets. Harrison, who is active on several transportation committees, said some of the largest issues facing the council relate to creating greenways and other transit systems to reduce automobile use. Other issues facing the council, he said, include town development and business.
Ed Harrison
• Member of Chapel Hill Town Council since 2001 • First council member elected from Durham County • Representative on the Durham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro Metropolitan Planning Organization • Ecological planner • Member of Chapel Hill Town Council since 2008, appointed after Bill Thorpe’s death • Member of the Greenways Commission and Orange County Land Trust Affordable Housing Maintenance Task Force • Retired school administrator
Merritt said he does not believe he has been on the council long enough to accomplish his goals. These include keeping the community informed about council proceedings, monitoring town growth, expanding the library system and dealing with the proposed Millhouse Road waste transfer site, to which he is opposed.
• Ran for town council in 2007 • Former member of Orange Water and Sewer Authority board of directors • Member of Neighbors for Responsible Growth • Member of the Ironwoods Home Owners’ Association • Personal chef
Rich said Franklin Street has been and remains an important issue for the council. Residents have told her they are concerned that dense development might make the downtown area lose its charm and that they are worried about projected increases in town traffic.
New waste transfer site proposed Story reprinted from June 18 Millhouse site, prepared by Olver, issue of The Daily Tar Heel. Inc., the site is strong in terms of operational efficiency and environmental impact. By Steven Norton City Editor But residents of the community Orange County will offer a site on claim that local government has been Millhouse Road for formal consider- treating them unfairly. Many feel as ation as a possible location for a new though the siting of a waste transfer waste transfer station. station in their neighborhood would The decision was a result of a 4-3 only be adding insult to injury. vote by the Orange County Board “We have smelled garbage for a of Commissioners at their meeting long time,” said Cecil Griffin, who Tuesday. This keeps the option on lives off Millhouse Road. the table, despite adamant oppoThe newly proposed site is also sition from Millhouse Road and near the Waldorf Emerson School, Rogers Road community residents. located on Millhouse Road. Charlie Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy sug- Viles, vice president of the school’s gested the site as a potential alterna- board of directors, said students tive at a work session May 14. cross the road every day to use a The new station would be located school garden and playing fields. on the parcel of land that contains Chairwoman Valerie Foushee the Town Operations Center, a mile noted that before the May 14 meetfrom the current landfill. Another ing, the board said they would not site under consideration is located move forward on the site if area resioff N.C. 54. dents were opposed. In the coming week, the Chapel “It was indicated that if the resiHill Town Council will decide dents did not want it, it was off the whether to make the Millhouse site table,” she said. “I am still not intera legitimate contender. ested in entertaining it.” According to a report on the Commissioner Mike Nelson, who
also voted against the motion, said he felt the transparency of the process was undermined with the decision to consider the Millhouse site. “I can’t tell you how disappointed I am that this trust has been broken again,” he said. “I wanted this to be different.” “We don’t know if this is a real offer or not,” he said. If the town council decides to allow the site to be considered, more studies will be conducted during the summer. Findings will be reported to the board August 18. Commissioners also voted unanimously to approve the Orange County budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year, setting a property tax rate of 85.8 cents per $100. It is considered “revenue neutral,” meaning it should bring in approximately the same amount of revenue as last year. The new budget increases funding for the Cedar Grove and Carrboro Branch libraries. This was also the last regular meeting for County Manager Laura Blackmon, who is leaving office June 30.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Jim Merritt
Penny Rich
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
Chilton so far Players undergoes changes, renovations uncontested in Carrboro race Story reprinted from July 16 issue of The Daily Tar Heel. Amanda Ashley and Brian Voyce since filed for Carrobo mayor.
By Sarah Morayati Staff Writer
Carrboro Mayor Mark Chilton is running unopposed for re-election as of Tuesday night, but if previous years are any indication, he might not be for long. After all, Chilton took office in 2005 after a contested race with former Alderman Alex Zaffron. And in 2007, candidates Chuck Morton and Brian Voyce filed at the last minute in what used to be an unopposed race for the incumbent. Chilton said he expects another candidate before the deadline. Chilton has been active in Carrboro and Chapel Hill government since 1991. During his senior year at UNC, he ran for Chapel Hill Town Council and won. He remained on the council for six years. In 2003, he was elected to the Carrboro Board of Aldermen, serving for two years. If re-elected for a third term, Chilton said he would continue to encourage commercial development and to make Carrboro more cyclistand pedestrian-friendly. Several candidates in both the Chapel Hill and Carrboro races have argued that their respective towns need to attract more businesses to diversify their tax bases. Chilton, too, said Carrboro needed to become more conducive to commercial development. “It would mostly be about trying to help grow the homegrown businesses that are already here and foster an environment where new local businesses can start up,” he said. Of particular concern to Chilton is northern Carrboro. He said the area had a lot of residential growth but not enough business development. Although Chilton said the economy has kept him from getting as far along in the process as he hoped, he said northern Carrboro remained a long-term priority. “The point to me is not about what’s happening in the next one
Mark Chilton Mayoral candidate
Mayor of Carrboro, 2005 present Former Carrboro attorney Democrat UNC graduate, class of 1993 Former member of Chapel Hill Town Council (1991-97), Carrboro Board of Aldermen (2003-05) Founder of Affordable Rentals Inc. and Orange Community Housing and Land Trust Member of Friends of Bolin Creek Member of North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association Advocates walkability and diversifying Carrboro’s tax base to two years, but the next 10 to 20 years,” he said. Another priority for Chilton since the beginning has been walkability. While in office, the mayor created more sidewalks and began to plan greenways for Bolin Creek and Morgan Creek. He said he hopes to continue work on these if elected. “If we’re going to be prepared for the time when gasoline will not be so affordable, then we’ve got to make changes to the organization of our community,” he said. These changes will become even more pressing, he said, in light of the traffic increases Carolina North is projected to bring to the area. Some of Chilton’s plans to mitigate Carolina North traffic include improving public transit along N.C. 54 and U.S. 15-501 and enhancing the town’s connections to Hillsborough and Durham.
Story reprinted from June 18 Sprat Cafe, where he books the issue of The Daily Tar Heel. restaurant’s live acts. At Players he will book local bands to play as well as touring BY elly schofield Senior writer ones. He added that the club has Players is changing its game room for only 200 fewer people plan. than Cat’s Cradle, so it is possible Amid rumors that the night club to attract fairly big names. is closing for good, new operator The July 8 show will feature Nick Stroud said the venue will Durham’s Hammer No More the merely close for three weeks as it Fingers. undergoes renovations. An event Another big change will be game celebrating Players’ reopening is nights. Stroud said the club will scheduled for July 8. broadcast every football and basStroud said he wants to give the ketball game and cater food, too. club a new look and a different vibe, Stroud said he and Players’ previmost notably through renovations ous operator had been discussing the and a focus on live music. club’s future for about two months. Renovations will include redone He would often come upstairs from bathrooms and a new sound system. the cafe to help set up bands who And Stroud said he wants live bands played before dance parties. to play two or three nights a week. “You know I’ve always had to deal He said he hopes to revive the with it, so I like the space. Just the local music scene of the ’90s, when last two months we’ve kind of been artists like Ben Folds played fre- shooting ideas around,” he said. quently at venues on Franklin. The cover charges, which are $5 “If we put a venue directly across for over 21 and $8 for under 21, the street that students can direct- will remain the same to see local ly access and we put bands that groups. If a big name band comes, we want to see then maybe the they could range from $12 to $20. music scene on East Franklin will But he added that the dance improve,” he said. club element will remain, although He also said he wants to improve he wants to play a wider variety of the club’s reputation. music than the Top 40 hits. “I wanted to get rid of more of the The club will still have theme crime-associated element that was nights, like toga parties. giving Players a bit of rap for the “We’re going to have Latin nights. past two years. If we give the whole We’re going to have gay/lesbian/ place a makeover maybe we’d be transsexual nights. We’re going to able to do something with it.” have drag nights,” Stroud said. In addition to his new role, But some students say they preStroud works downstairs at Jack fer Players as it already is.
“It’s a dance club — you go there to dance,” said Derrick Burke, a rising senior. And Tiffany Blosser, also a rising senior, said she thinks there are already enough live music venues. “East End has bands. Cat’s Cradle has the same thing. I think it’d be cool if they kept (Players) the same — like a club,” she said.
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Alyson Culin, though, said she would be interested in the live music. A recent graduate, she said she hopes to remain in Chapel Hill. She went to Players once but decided it “wasn’t her thing.” “Live bands sound cool,” she said. “I would definitely be willing to give it a second shot.”
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
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Town Council gives Carolina North the nod Would be a new research campus Story reprinted from June 25 issue of The Daily Tar Heel. The Board of Trustees approved Carolina North that day.
by Steven Norton City Editor
Carolina North is on its way to becoming more than just an idea. After almost a year of deliberation, the Chapel Hill Town Council voted Monday to approve the development agreement for the new research campus, which will allow construction to move forward. “I think it turned out to be an
excellent, innovative document that is worth all the time we put into it,” said Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy. The UNC Board of Trustees will vote on the development agreement at their meeting today. Carolina North is a proposed 250-acre research and multipurpose campus that will be located on the Horace Williams Tract, about two miles north of the University’s main campus. Before any construction could begin, the site’s zoning required a development agreement to be written and approved.
University and town officials collaborated to create the agreement, which outlines specific ways the development of Carolina North will be true to all parties’ visions. The agreement addresses issues including parking and transportation, affordable housing, pedestrian pathways and environmental conservation, among others. A draft was completed in April. Although council members were initially worried that it would not be approved on time, the last of many work sessions with the council and trustees happened Monday, on schedule. And officials plan to continue this collaboration throughout the entire development of Carolina
North, noting that revision and review must continue for the project to be successful. “This is a living document, and it has a lot of ongoing commitments in it,” Chancellor Holden Thorp said. The first part of Carolina North scheduled to be built is the Innovation Center, which will help entrepreneurs develop ideas and work on turning their ideas into business. Next will be a law school. According to the permit for the Innovation Center, building must start by 2011 and finish by 2013. An initial report projected that the first 15 years of development will leave the town with at least a
“I think it turned out to be an excellent, innovative document that is worth all the time we put into it.” kevin foy, chapel hill mayor $1 million deficit, something the council will look at in the future. Some council members, although pleased with the agreement, stressed the need for continued oversight. “It’s a bit quixotic,” Mayor Pro Tem Jim Ward said. “Just because we have it now doesn’t mean we’ll have it a year from now.” Thorp said that while he thought this would be one of the hardest
things to get done, he was happy with the way things turned out. “It’s been enjoyable and produced a great outcome for the community,” he said. “Now we need money to build a law school.” Transportation issues will also be addressed as more plans are made. Staff writer Sarah Morayati contributed reporting.
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
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are still in flux Smaller theaters struggle Tuition prices “It’s not that this is a one-time occurrence. Story reprinted from July 2 issue summer that no one saw coming,” of The Daily Tar Heel. said Jim Carl, senior director of The Carolina Theater. “There has been no ‘March of BY Tarini Parti Senior WRITER the Penguins,’ ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ or The closing of the Varsity theater ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ might not be a unique case among this past summer,” he said. art house and independent movie Art house movie theaters gain theaters across the country. most of their revenue from Academy At a time when commercial Award contenders. Ninety percent of movie theaters have seen a nation- these movies are released between wide increase in box office sales by the months of November and as much as 17 percent, independent February, Carl said. movie theaters such as The Varsity, “For the other months of the The Chelsea and The Carolina year, it’s like a desert,” he said. Theater in Durham have faced sigCommercial movie theaters nificant drop-offs in revenue in the in the area such as Southpoint last two years. Cinemas and The Lumina Theater The past two summers have are not sharing the same troubles been especially difficult for art this summer. house theaters because there has Robb Gannotta, general mannot been an independent summer ager of Southpoint Cinemas, said movie that has been a hit. 3,000 more people watched mov“Usually we have one movie a ies at Southpoint in the past six
months as compared to last year. “We are having a better summer, but it’s hard to say whether the trend will continue to stay up,” he said. James Shwentker, general manager of The Lumina, said he considers the movie industry as “recession-proof ” and has seen an increase in business as well. “A lot of people aren’t going out of town as often, so they come to the movies for cheap entertainment,” he said. The owners of the Varsity, Bruce and Mary Jo Stone, cited losing business to multiplexes like Southpoint Cinemas is one of the reasons for the theater’s closing in a final press release. “Independent movies that get really big — like ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ — when we get movies like that, it takes business away from the Varsity,” Gannotta said. He said he does not expect to gain much business with the closing of the Varsity because they target different audiences. Independent movies usually target the mid to upper class welleducated demographic, Carl said. But with no support from big production houses, they cannot afford media campaigns, losing some of the audiences and revenue for art house theaters, he said. “Audiences have to discover these movies for themselves,” he said.
Story reprinted from July 9 issue of The Daily Tar Heel.
By tarini parti Senior Writer
Students in the UNC system might not know the final cost of their tuition until well after the school year starts as a result of an indecisive state legislature. The N.C. General Assembly pushed its deadline to produce a budget for the next fiscal year to July 15 to continue debating ways to increase taxes, angering many students and state employees who were already anxious about the upcoming semester. The deadline — originally July 1 — was pushed back after Gov. Bev Perdue signed a temporary budget June 30, which restricts government spending to 85 percent of what was granted in 2008. The extension could pose a problem for students preparing their finances for next year. The billing process starts in July for most universities. If the proposed 8 percent tuition hike in the House budget is approved after then, students could receive an additional tuition bill in the middle of the semester, said Greg Doucette, president of the UNCsystem Association of Student Governments. “A lot of us want to know what’s going to happen and just be done
There’s going to be continuing anxiety for a year or two.” John Dornan, Executive Director of the Public School Forum
with it,” he said. The extension deadline is also costing taxpayers $5 million — $104 per legislator — in daily allowances each extra day they have to meet, said Dana Cope, executive director of the State Employees Association. “We are footing the bill because legislators haven’t met their deadline” he said. Student leaders are using the extra time to continue to advocate for fewer cuts to the UNC system, said Whitney McCoy, student body president of Winston-Salem State University. “Everyone is very frustrated, but we can’t let our frustration get in the way of our work,” she said. Winston-Salem State University has already downsized and cut back on programs, but McCoy said further cuts can be prevented by making sure legislators are aware of students’ concerns. “I will never lose hope,” she said. “Everything we ask for won’t be granted, but there are ways to make things better.” And students may not be the
only ones at risk. Thousands of teachers whose contracts have not been renewed are waiting on the budget to find out whether or not they will return to their jobs in the fall, said John Dornan, executive director of the Public School Forum, a Raleigh-based political think tank. “People are waiting to hear whether the axe will fall on them next,” he said. Even if the budget is passed now, Dornan said the frustration with how the state has handled the economic crisis will continue for the next few years. “It’s not that this is a one time occurrence,” he said. “There’s going to be continuing anxiety for a year or two.” Sen. Ellie Kinnaird, D-Orange, said frustration in a time like this was inevitable, but legislators need the time to figure out a way to handle the state’s $4.6 billion deficit. She said the House and Senate are far from reaching a compromise on proposed tax increases. “Quickly doesn’t seem to be one of the possibilities right now,” she said.
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
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Students quieter in face of cuts Iraqi teens visit, Student leaders took a more aggressive approach against cuts in 2001 Story reprinted from July 2 issue Building, where they were deterof The Daily Tar Heel. mined to speak with their legislators. “ This was totally studentBy Caroline PHillips Staff Writer initiated and student-run, and The last time the N.C. General ultimately, because we spoke Assembly proposed cuts to the up, they didn’t go through with UNC system’s budget similar to the cuts,” said Andrew Payne, those on the table this year, UNC- then-president of the UNCsystem student leaders organized system Association of Student a protest march that closed down Governments, who helped plan Hillsborough Street in Raleigh. the march. But in the wake of the House’s The final budget that year only current proposed budget cuts, cut $14.5 million, 11.6 percent today’s student leaders are aiming of the subcommittee’s original for a more targeted, more coop- suggestion, in recurring funding erative — and quieter — strategy from the University. to help convince the legislature The final budget also provided to minimize cuts to the UNC sys- $49 million more in enrollment tem. growth and financial aid. “Students are making their In 2000, UNC Student Body voices heard, but there’s so many President Brad Matthews said people trying to pitch in that his administration spent time in it’s a challenge for us to make a the halls of the state legislature tangible impact by ourselves,” arguing against budget cuts and said Greg Doucette, President of proposed tuition hikes. the UNC-system Association of “We’d literally walk the halls Student Governments and a grad- and kind of pounce on legislators uate student at North Carolina coming out of any old door, and Central University. walk with them if you couldn’t get “So what we’re trying to do is any other way,” Matthews said. synthesize our message with the In his welcome speeches at UNC general administration, so every CTOPS new student orienwe can basically piggyback off the tation session, Matthews said he relationships that they’ve already implored parents to call their legestablished.” islators immediately from phones Doucette said he is working in the Student Union. to coordinate a direct advocacy Current UNC-system ASG approach on budget cuts among President Doucette said he has student leaders at the 17 UNC- been encouraging student body system institutions. presidents to engage in targeted He said he has provided legisla- lobbying of their representatives tive contact information and talk- rather than stage any kind of ing points to student body presi- large event. dents at UNC-system schools to “It’s really a matter of trying to aid in the process. give (the N.C. General Assembly) This year’s proposed House the information they need to budget would result in a decrease make an educated decision withof 6.8 percent, said Rob Nelson, out being so melodramatic about UNC-system vice president for it that it kind of turns them off,” finance. he said. Those cuts would be the first UNC-Chapel Hill Student Body net decrease in state appropria- President Jasmin Jones said that tions since they fell by $34 mil- although she has been staying in lion in the 2002-03 fiscal year, the loop on budget updates, she down 1.8 percent from the 2001- hasn’t yet done any lobbying in 02 fiscal year. Raleigh. In 2001, the House appropria“It’s been more of understandtions subcommittee on education ing what’s happening, what decirecommended cutting $125 mil- sions are being made than anylion in funding. thing else,” she said. Less than two weeks after the “I still have to kind of get a cut was proposed, students bran- grasp on what it really means dishing homemade signs marched and what effect it’ll have on our from the N.C. State University Bell student life and education at Tower to the Raleigh Legislative Carolina.”
Current and former student leaders
discuss education Online exclusive from July 23 issue of The Daily Tar Heel.
By Matthew Lynley Jasmin Jones, UNC Student Body President
Brad Matthews, 2000-01 UNC Student Body President
“Really it’s just understanding the scope of what our actions are first, and we’ll try to make a move after that.”
“After a while, I think if you’re (at the General Assembly) enough they really do start to pay attention.”
Jim Ceresnak, N.C. State University Student Body President
Rudy Kleysteuber, 2001-02 UNC Student Body Vice President
“We’ve sort of been building a movement. When we need to take serious action, we will.”
“We thought all the same that we could convince legislators with the force of our arguments.”
Greg Doucette, ASG President
Andrew Payne, 2000-02 ASG President
“This time I think we’ve got a more broad-based effort from all 17 institutions, and hopefully that’ll be a driving factor in our effectiveness.”
“There’s difficulty sometimes with students getting to the ballot box. So really, the only power with students is their voice.”
“We’d literally walk the halls and kind of pounce on legislators coming out of any old door, and walk with them if you couldn’t get any other way.” Brad Matthews, former Unc student body president
State & National Editor
In about a year, eight Iraqi students that came to visit UNC will take the most important test of their lives. Their schools will be picked for them, their careers will be chosen for them and their destinies will be decided — all from a test. “Wow, that’s crazy that you have to have a direction that early in life,” said UNC Student Body President Jasmin Jones. Life is certainly different for these eight high school students, who were part of a 44-student group visiting the United States through the International Affairs Council, an organization that brings students from all over the world to visit the United States. Six Iraqi men and two women — all between the ages of 15 and 17 — sat across from several student leaders at the University in the Freedom Forum in Carroll Hall on July 20. Some of them could not be photographed or mentioned for fear of their personal safety once they get back home. The normally well-lit room was darkened from the intense storm outside — but that didn’t stop Jones and others from being excited. “I know it’s a rainy day so it’s not as exciting as it should be, but I’m happy I’m here and I’m happy you guys are here,” Jones said. Then came the barrage of questions from both the Iraqi students and UNC student leaders: “How can I get a scholarship (in the U.S.)?” “What do you study most in Iraq?” “What do you want to be?” Most of the Iraqi students said they want to be engineers, though the most-studied subject in Iraq is medicine, said Simon Sabah Hannah, 16.
“Our country is scarred by the division of race. … I1t’s the same struggle.” jasmin jones, UNC SbP Hannah said he wants to go to an American university like North Carolina State University or Virginia Tech — like some others in the group — if he can’t get into the Iraqi college he wants to attend. “Personally if I could get the college I want to, I would like to study mechanical engineering because they said you can do it at N.C. State and it’s easy,” Hannah said. When they didn’t understand a question posed to them, the Iraqi students spoke Arabic amongst themselves. But some things don’t seem so different. The students knew who Michael Jackson was, and at least to Jones, the idea of a division between people in the Iraq was familiar. “Our country is scarred by the division of race, which has been something constructed throughout history,” Jones said. “It might be different in Iraq, but it’s the same struggle — we don’t know why it divides us but it does.” And there’s also a severe punishment for cheating in Iraq. “You have the whole year failed if you cheat on your exams,” Hannah said. After the students finish their tour in the United States —which next takes them to New York — they will be part of a three-day conference to explain their experiences in the United States. Ali Haider, 15, like others, quickly went around the room to get everyone’s names so he could add them as friends on Facebook before he left.
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
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Northwestern is too much for UNC in title game Story reprinted from May 28 they were, blank-faced and emoissue of The Daily Tar Heel. tionless, most seemingly unaware of their surroundings. Each was in the midst of being By Chris Hempson Sports Editor thoroughly blitzed by a 10-0 TOWSON, Md. — They didn’t Wildcat run. A run that would know what to say. leave no doubt as to who is the Coach Jenny Levy knelt on the best team in the nation. A run that sideline. Goalkeeper Logan Ripley left many scrambling to put this turned and faced away from the Northwestern team in a historical field. Senior Amber Falcone walked light but left UNC struggling for back to the midfield circle. respectability. None of them could ever have “It kind of got to the point where fathomed that this would occur. we just wanted to keep our heads That in the pinnacle of women’s up and keep going at it,” Falcone lacrosse, the NCAA Championship, said. “Give them everything we they would match the worst loss in had until the end. Unfortunately, UNC history — a margin of 14. it wasn’t going our way. There It was unimaginable. It was wasn’t much to say. We knew what incomprehensible. But the way was going on, and we knew what Northwestern was playing, quite we had to fix.” frankly, the 21-7 defeat was Moments after Kristen Carr unavoidable. lost the opening draw, there was So even in the first half, there Northwestern’s Hilary Bowen
WOMEN’S lacrosse Northwestern UNC
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charging at the goal. But with UNC defender Meredith Newton in her way, she had no opening. Yet somehow, the Tar Heel sophomore slipped, and there was the first tally. The first of several, to put it lightly. Newton slowly rose to her feet as Falcone called the defensive group together — apparently searching for answers, for something that might reassure a team unknowingly on the edge of disaster. Ripley banged the post with her stick once, an action that would become habitual by day’s end. Three minutes in, and there was Northwestern’s second. Six minutes later, another. Fifteen seconds
more — boom — another. “It was 4-2, and the thing I was noticing was we were having quick possessions on offense, and we were turning the ball over on unforced errors,” said Levy of her team’s eight first-half giveaways. “If you play Northwestern, you can’t do that.” The North Carolina coaching staff tried any and everything to adjust, but to no avail. They paced. They panted. They told the team to not try and save the world. Nothing worked. Northwestern scored their first 15 goals on 17 shots. They had scored 10 straight without a UNC response. Such was the Tar Heels’ misfortune that after a Wildcat goal made it 11-2, a yellow card issued to freshman Laura Zimmerman gave Northwestern possession again — a possession that quickly led to another subsequent score. Ripley could do nothing to prevent the onslaught. Even with Levy talking and encouraging her during media timeouts, the shots were just too high, time after time. “Unfortunately, we weren’t getting saves in the cage that we’ve gotten
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The 2009 women’s lacrosse team advanced further than any squad in the program’s history. But NU overwhelmed the Tar Heels for the NCAA title. this year,” Levy said. “Logan’s been great all year. At times we’ve made mistakes this year on defense that we’ve been able to recover from. “The looks they were getting on cage were high percentage, so we weren’t giving Logan a lot of opportunities to save the ball.” When it mattered most, even in
the most successful season in the program’s history, victory was thoroughly taken from the team’s grasp. “I think emotionally it’s hard on anyone to end your season in a game like this,” junior Jenn Russell said. “But we’ve done a great job this year, and I’m proud to be a part of this team.”