Technician
tuesday january
31 2012
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
Pulitzer prize winner talks up benefits of electric cars Dan Neil, Pulitzer prize winner, spoke on campus yesterday about his work as an automotive critic and the future of electric cars. Lindsey Rosenbaum Staff Writer
The economy university students live in today is one fueled by oil; as petroleum reliance has grown through the years, others have searched for a more environmentally friendly and renewable alternative fuel source, specifically for transportation. Dan Neil, a Pulitzer Prize winning automotive critic for The Wall Street Journal, spoke on campus about the electric car Monday afternoon. Neil is a Wolfpack alumnus, of the class of 1986. He credits his success during college to professor Michael Grimmwood. Reminiscing about his time on campus, he recalled that college life was wild and fun, much like it is today. “But maybe less over the top,” Neil said. After graduating, Neil worked at News & Observer for a short while, before becoming a freelance writer for Car and Driver. From 2003 to 2010, Neil was an automotive critic for the LA Times before deciding he needed to return to Raleigh. For the past two years, he has been working at The Wall Street Journal. While many newspapers have automobile sections, Neil said he made
However, the criticisms of the electhe automotive critic niche fit his style. “There are plenty of car ‘reviewers’ tric car itself could be harder to overout there,” Neil said. “Not many have come. Public response to events like the bankruptcy of Solyndra, a green the gall to call themselves ‘critics.’” Neil is the first automotive critic to tech company with the Obama adhave won a Pulitzer Prize for his work. ministration’s stamp of approval, has In 2010, documentary filmmaker become increasingly negative, accordChris Paine approached Neil, asking ing to Neil. Neil remains optimistic about the him to be a part of his new feature. Titled “Revenge of the Electric Car,” future of electric cars. Despite all the Neil said he acted as the “Greek cho- hardships in developing a viable, successful product, there has still been rus” to the backdrop of the story. “I’m a little embarrassed about how an enormous amount of achievement. Sharing his achievements with the enthusiastic I was back then,” Neil listeners at the Scholars Forum, stusaid. dents noted their inW hen the terest. concept of elec“It definitely put tric cars hit the the electric car idea media a little in a better perspecmore than 10 tive,” Matthew Zayears ago, it relesak, freshman in ceived a lot of industrial engineerattention. Since ing, said. then, the hype Though Zalesak has died down, said he is not 100 and even caused percent sold on the a little controidea, he is willing to versy, Neil said. do more research on Neil asserts elecDan Neil, Wall Street Journal the subject. tric cars have to automotive critic Others, like Kurt overcome two Spencer, sophomore hurdles: techin computer science, came into the nology and public consciousness. According to Neil, the technological speech with a bit of back knowledge. “I am very optimistic for the future obstacle is all but overcome. Making electric cars today is more cost effi- [of electric cars],” Spencer said. Neil left the Scholars Forum with a cient and practical than it was in the past. Electric power is inexhaustible piece of advice. “Don’t dismiss new technology in and, while the batteries are tricky to its emerging state,” Neil said. repair, they’re reusable.
“I am very optimistic for the future of electric cars...Do not dismiss new technology in its emerging state.”
Photo by Callie Martin/Technician
Pulitzer Prize-winning automotive journalist Dan Neil speaks to NCSU Scholars Program students about his film Revenge of the Electric Car.
Indian cultural groups mark Republic Day
SOUL garden vandalized
Two Indian culture organizations collaborate to celebrate Indian heritage Sunday night.
SOUL garden continues working despite experiencing vandalism last weekend.
Jatin Bhatia Staff Writer
Two of the Indian communities at our University organized a cultural evening called “Aarambh,” which means “start,” to mark the 63rd Indian Republic Day and welcome the Indian students who arrived at N.C. State for the spring semester. The event focused on Indian culture and heritage; it was an evening full of games, Indian music and food. Sneh Kumar Singh, the president of Maitri, was happy with the way the evening unfolded, and said it was an
attempt to showcase their culture and sized the Indian national symbols befriend Indian students who arrived and integrating nationals away from home. at State for the spring semester. “The theme was defined by the “As Indians, we all carry an image of colors of saffron, India in our hearts, green and white, 7,000 miles away which are [the] from home. We want colors of the Into project that image dian national flag to the N.C State stuand at the same dents here what is time sending out a the culture of India. message to all InSo we organize these dian international events with passion Sneh Kumar Singh, students that ‘we and zeal.” Singh president of Maitri are here for you.’ said.”We attempt to As their first conmake students here feel at home and less homesick, reach tact and first friend in the USA, out to these students and support they can rely on us,” Singh said. He said it was done at a much them like a family would.” Singh said that these organizations wanted to have a night that emphaindian continued page 3
“As Indians, we all carry an image of India in our hearts.”
Campus MovieFest returns to campus Students have the chance to show their own short films at the annual MovieFest competition. Lindsey Rosebaum Staff Writer
The race for the Oscars began earlier last week, and students on campus have the chance to participate in their own way with the Campus MovieFest. Campus MovieFest is an event that gets students involved in the magic of moviemaking. Students submit short films, each about three to five minutes in length, on any topic they choose.
This event is not limited to just N.C. State’s campus; it’s one of the world’s largest film festivals for college-aged students. It began in 1999 at Emory University with four students encouraging their peers to create short feature films in the space of one week. They provided them with all the materials they needed, including cameras, computers and editing software. It spread throughout the dorm and eventually throughout the whole campus. Within a few years, all Georgia schools were participating and, today nearly 500,000 students participate throughout the globe. All participants are given an HP camera, an Apple MacBook Pro with
Final Cut Pro editing software and a microphone. Should a technical problem occur, they are given free tech support. Once students complete and submit their films, a panel of faculty members and students review them. The top 16 are chosen to play during the MovieFest. From there, the top three are sent to a national competition in Los Angeles, California. Even some students who do not directly participate in the MovieFest still enjoy it. Aaron Thomas, sophomore in political science,
Grad student designs ergonomic infant car seat
NCSU partners with African scientists for agricultural security
movies continued page 3
pending. The total damage done to property was around $300, while the damage to the excavator was less than $100. “Our first reaction was how bewildering and discouraging this was,” Zach Green Ariel Green-wood,senior in psycholStaff Writer ogy and co-manager of the garden, The Students for Organic, United said. “It made us feel that the garden Living (SOUL) community garden is vulnerable.” According to Greenwood, a volunwas vandalized last Tuesday with a mini-excavator stolen from a nearby teer who was checking on the garden discovered the damage and notified construction site. The organic garden is located near the other members. They took picthe Lake Raleigh dam on Centennial tures of the damage and notified the Campus and tended by University University which sent Campus Police to the scene. students. “We really appreAccording to Camciate the university pus Police, the excataking this as serivator came from ously as they did,” a construction site Greenwood said. near the Lonnie Pool In addition to noGolf Course sometifying the police, time after 5 p.m. and the University had taken on a joyride to the large hole that Lake Raleigh. Ariel Greenwood, senior had been dug filled The vandal drove in psycholgy in soon after it was the piece of digging reported. equipment into the Since the incident, SOUL has congarden area, destroying a sign, bench and wooden table before digging a tinued their weekly workdays, manlarge hole near the garden. None of aged to rebuild the table that was dismantled and clear away the remaining the actual garden was damaged. “Maybe once a semester, we will get debris. According to Greenwood, part something like this,” Capt. Ian Ken- of participating in the garden is being drick, of Campus Police, said. “Very able to deal with things like this. “Part of agriculture is the concept of rarely do we see theft of motorized construction equipment and in even resilience,” Greenwood said. “We have fewer instances where it is used to a good attitude and were surprised by the support we received.” damage property.” The garden, N.C. State’s first onThe mini-excavator was found in a creek near the garden and fingerprints campus community garden, has been were taken. According to Kendrick, operating since 2010 and regularly dothe perpetrator has yet to be identified and the fingerprint results are garden continued page 3
“Part of agriculture is the concept of resilience.”
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page 2 • tuesday, january 31, 2012
Corrections & Clarifications
Campus CalendaR February 2012
Send all clarifications and corrections to Editor-in-Chief Laura Wilkinson at editor@ technicianonline.com
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Today Africa Regional Reception: N.C. State and the Changing Faces of Africa 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Joyner Visitor Center Featuring keynote speakers Jock Brandis of the Full Belly Project in Africa and Steve Reynolds of AMS on World Class Astronomy in Africa; as well as other terrific presentations, music and food. RSVP is required. English Conversation Club 3:30-4:30 p.m. Port City Java, Centennial Campus This is a great way to meet people from around the world and help others with the English language. There is no registration required for this program, just show up!
Thursday
70 48 Partly sunny becoming cloudy
source: Brandon bouche
on the Web See exclusive audio/photo slideshows. Answer the online poll. Read archived stories. There’s something new every day at technicianonline.com. Check it out!
Occupy NCSU Meeting 7-8 p.m. 321 Mann Hall Occupy NCSU: “We are organizing a student movement aimed at combatting increased tuition and fees while seeking to rid N.C. State of corporate influence.” Poetic Portraits of a Revolution 7-9 p.m. Stewart Theatre This will be the first complete public performance of the group known as Poetic Portraits of a Revolution. They lead a project that provides a glimpse into lives of the Egyptian and Tunisian people
in order to raise international awareness and understanding of their journey toward self-determination, and to bring back the knowledge and experiences gained during the study of these movements with the hopes of transforming our own communities.
Technician
Through Oliver’s lens
Wednesday Tuition Talk Day 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Brickyard Chancellor Woodson, Provost Arden and student leaders will be in the Brickyard to hear student concerns and answer any questions you may have on tuition and fees. Please stop by for any amount of time to talk or to grab some hot chocolate provided by University Dining. If you are in class or unable to make it to the Brickyard, submit your questions at http://go.ncsu. edu/tuitionfeesquestions. Miles 4 Kay Kickoff Celebration 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Carmichael Recreation Center Help raise money for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund during the month of February. Cybex International will donate 10 cents for every mile logged on the pink treadmills in Carmichael Recreation Center. Thursday Physical Environment Committee Meeting 3:30-5 p.m. Winslow Hall Conference Room The Committee is an advisory body to the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Business. The Committee is designed to be a forum for faculty, staff, and student opinions with respect to plans for the overall development and regulations of the physical environment of the core campus of the University including buildings, landscaping and transportation.
Modern day jester photo By Oliver Sholder
P
hilip Kilgore juggles five balls in his dorm room in Owen Hall. Kilgore has been juggling since he was in fifth grade. “I have been doing it off and on for a while now,” Kilgore said. He said juggling is a fun thing to do to pass the time when he has nothing else to do.
Cameron SChool of BuSineSS Master of Science in Accountancy at UNC Wilmington
POLICe BlOTTER Jan. 27 10:29 a.m. | Assist Other Agency Dabney Hall NCSU PD assisted Cary PD in investigation of hit-and-run accident involving University vehicle. 11:06 a.m. | Damage to Property Witherspoon Student Center Officer conducted follow up into earlier incident. Staff member reported damage to Gator during previous night. Three students were referred to the University.
12:14 a.m. | Concerned Behavior Public Safety Building NCSU PD received notification from RPD regarding domestic dispute between student and non-student. Non-student was arrested for assault with a firearm and communicating threats. Appropriate paperwork completed. 2:26 a.m. | Suspicious Person Witherspoon Student Center Report of intoxicated subjects tampering with vehicles. Officers locate three students. No damage to vehicles was found. One student was in possession of battery charger for electric Gators. Subject was referred to the University for possession of property not his.
7:47 a.m. | Information University Harrelson Hall Report that someone had placed offensive stickers on walls and over faces of photos. It was determined that the stickers were the name of a band and not intended to be offensive. Facilities was contacted to remove stickers. 10:55 p.m. | Checkpoint Sullivan Drive Officers conducted a checking station; Non-student was cited for expired registration, student was cited for displaying fictitious registration, and non-student was cited for seatbelt violation. 11:01 p.m. | Medical Assist Alexander Hall Units responded and transported student in need of medical assistance. Student was referred for underage possession of alcohol.
The MSA program prepares leaders for the changing business world. This 10-month, full-time program begins August 2012.
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Qualified participants may receive compensation for your time and travel. For more information call North Carolina Clinical Research at (919) 881-0309 Monday through Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm. After hours please leave a message.
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News
Technician
tuesday, january 31, 2012 • Page 3
garden
movies
nates produce to the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle in Durham. SOUL was started in 2010 as part of the ‘Think Outside the Brick’ campaign, part of the NCSU Sustainability program. The garden includes two 12’X24’ plots where the group plants and grows its crops. One of the plots is for people who volunteer for the group to help grow a variety of foods. Since it’s creation, the SOUL garden has received help by partnering w ith community outreach programs like CSLEPS and Haven House. In the past, the group has successfully cultivated corn, jalapeno peppers, pumpkins, radishes and kale. At the end of the season, the members of SOUL harvest the produce and have a ‘harvest feast’ including dishes made from the food they grow. The majority of the food is donated to the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle in Durham. The garden wasn’t the only thing damaged; students later discovered three of the disk golf course’s holes to also be damaged from the incident. “It’s really frustrating for someone to mess it up like this,” Ben Lancaster, parks and recreation management major, said. To get involved with SOUL, you can come to their weekly workday, which is Sunday from 12-3 p.m. or volunteer to water the garden one day during the
went to the viewings last year as an assignment for - HP camera - Apple MacBook Pro Wolf TV and was pleasantly - Final Cut Pro editing software surprised by the quality of - Free tech support if needed the work. - The chance to show a “Some of the editing winning film in Los Angeles, looked just like Inception,” California Thomas said. compiled by elise heglar Thomas listed off his favorites from the previous year, citing one that dealt with the struggle to stay ate relationships with cliental afloat in college and a doc- and productions teams, and umentary that followed a become more acquainted with girl as she attempted to live the professional world of filmon just four dollars a day. making. While it may He noted his seem intimiexcitement at dating to some, going again. ot he r s , l i k e “Definitely Aaron Cook, worthwhile,” junior in arts Thomas applications, said. is nothing but T he re i s excited about no ex periit , k now i ng ence needed whatever idea to enter the he’ll come up MovieFest. Aaron Thomas, sophomore with, will be The festival in political science accepted in the has ser ved competition. to jump start “I heard about it last year, some new filmmakers according to Nishant Gogna, and they accept a wide range one of the coordinators for of films,” Cook said. Cook did note how intimithis year’s event. “It’s a starting point for dating it would be to have ones young directors on a na- film sent to Los Angeles to be tional, and even interna- reviewed by a panel of judges, tional level,” Gogna said. many of them celebrity produc“The top winning films are ers and directors themselves. Cook and his production viewed by producers and celebrities in Hollywood, and team, made up of a few of his they are just astounded by friends, already have a plan in mind for their film, though the work they see.” The Campus MovieFest not for the actual procedure also has a branch called of filming. “We have a general concept of the Distinguished Filmmakers Network, which is what we want to accomplish,” an invitation only society said Cook. The participants still have a that takes the highest rated student directors and offers week or so to prepare for filmthem paid work. They cre- ing.
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indian
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grander scale than the usual events organized by Maitri, but wasn’t very expensive “To make it a big successful event, we tried doing it at a grander scale by giving away prizes like Apple iPods, Philips music players, N.C. State sweatshirts and authentic Indian food, all for a token amount of [one] dollar for all the people who attend[ed] the event,” Singh said. He said that they faced a lot of issues organizing the event, because those involved are all graduate students with heavy coursework. “We had to do all the running around for the sponsorships,
continued from page 1
Sarah Tudor./Technician
N.C. State's first organic community garden, Soul Garden, was started from the Think Outside the Brick campaign in 2010. The Soul Garden was vandalized last week and has been since cleaned up.
2009 U.S. households
with food gardens
57 million (49%) source: National Gardening Association
PS: 21% of those households in 2009 were new to gardening
36 million (31%)
2008
43 million (37%)
2009
2010 Graphic by Bradley Guidry
week. It is a community garden and all University students are welcome to come out and participate.
More information about SOUL can be found on their website or on their Facebook page.
despite being graduate stu- tonight and are happy that we dents with heavy coursework managed all resources like at State. It takes a considerable prizes and food well,” Singh amount of effort, so we hope we said. Raja Teja Yerneni, president can get even more sponsors for our upcoming events and make of Yuva, the other organization involved it even bigger i n ho s t i ng nex t time t he event, with a greater said that they attendance,” collaborated Singh said. with Maitri Sing h exto make the pressed hapevent more piness for interesting. successfully “Aarambh pu l l i ng of f is an event the event dew h ic h c e lspite a bigger Sneh Kumar Singh, president of Maitri ebrates both attendance Republic Day than expecta nd a weled. “We expect usually a crowd come party for spring 2012 of 100-odd students coming freshers. We organize it on a in for spring semester, but we large scale and expect a huge had almost double turnout here crowd. YUVA works more
“As Indians, we all carry an image of India in our hearts; 7,000 miles away from home.”
Technician was there. You can be too.
on the cultural events while Maitri is good at organizing the welcome party and other events. We thought it would be a good move to collaborate with Maitri to make an interesting event,” Yerneni said. Sonika Rawal, an ex-committee member from Maitri said that she was happy with the new committee’s work on the event. “They honestly did a better job than us,” Rawal said. Dhriti Nay yar, senior in biological sciences, found the event fun and informative. “I enjoyed the evening as it was informative and entertaining for both Indian and nonIndian community,” Nayyar said.
Students who participate receive:
“...It’s one of the world’s largest film festivals for college-aged students.”
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Viewpoint
page 4 • tuesday, january 31, 2012
Technician
{Our view}
Education reform: more than money O
The Facts:
Governor Beverly Purdue has proposed a bill that would raise North Carolina sales tax by three-quarters of a cent. The proposed increase would bring $850 million annually to the State Department of Education.
Our Opinion:
An increase in funding is a great start to improving our education in North Carolina, especially amidst budget cuts to the department. However, funding is only one aspect of our education system which needs to be addressed.
n Thursday, Governor Beverly Purdue announced she would not run for reelection in November’s election. When they enter their lame duck period, the period close to the end of their time in office, politicians have the tendency to pack it in or promote special interests. However, with Purdue’s proposed sales tax increase of three-quarter of a cent, her lame duck period is breaking the mold. The tax is earmarked for education, a department in need. According to the Statistical Research Center at the
The unsigned editorial is the opinion of the members of Technician’s editorial board, excluding the news department, and is the responsibility of the editor-in-chief.
American Institute of Physics, North Carolina currently ranks 36th in math and science. Recent budget cuts made to the department of education do not help matters. The sales tax increase would bring over $850 million per year in revenue for education in North Carolina. The funding is needed. According to the National Education Association, North Carolina ranks 10th in numbers of school-age children but 34th in sales tax revenue for education. An increase in funding could
help bridge this discrepancy. For those at N.C. State, this is especially good news, as it helps combat one of the greatest problems facing teachers: bloated class sizes. Beyond a certain class size, a teacher turns into only a manager of students. With increased funds, they may be able to concentrate on what attracted them to the profession in the first place: teaching students. On a national scale, the U.S. currently finds itself in a curious position with regards
to education. The U.S. ranks outside of the top 10 worldwide in reading, science and math. Aside from funding, current tenure and incentive systems found in public education are holding back education in the U.S. The Teacher Tenure Act, the act governing tenure in North Carolina, states that no teacher may “be dismissed or demoted or employed on a part-time basis.” A teacher may be dismissed on one of 15 grounds. However, essentially, after three
Omelette du dommage
F
riends, fellow students. I write to you as a humble man. I don’t ask for much in life, only the basics. When I took the position of staff columnist at Technician, I said the Columnist’s Oath: “I, Ahmed Salah Mohammad Metwally Amer, promise to always expose untruths, injustices and conspiracies that matter to the NCSU student body, especially those that are omelette-related.” Then the Technician editors said they d id n’t h ave a n oat h for opinion columnists, and Ahmed Amer I should stop Staff Columnist talking. They also seemed a little perplexed at the specificity of the oath. With that said, I can no longer sit idly by while thousands are being oppressed. I must uphold the Columnist’s Oath. Today, oppression takes the form of a sloppy, runny and depressing omelette. For those of you who aren’t as outraged as you should be, put yourself in my shoes - Nikes in case you were wondering. Endorsement deal, please. Imagine you wake up eager to st a r t you r day with a delicious and wellbalanced breakfast. If you’re a foodie like me, then you’ve been contemplating what you’re getting on your omelette since the night before. You go through your morning rituals, and as you do so, you grow hungrier and more excited about your omelette. At this point, your mouth is watering, your stomach is growling, you may even be slightly aroused at the thought of your breakfast. I don’t judge. You make your way out of the door and over to Clark with a smile on your face, playing with your student ID card in your hands, anxious to swipe it. You’ve finally made it; you swipe your card, sanitize your hands and start for the omelette line where you wait patiently. It’s finally your turn; you’re bursting with excitement, rocking back and forth on your heels and say, “Can I please get an omelette with peppers, mushrooms, onions and tomato? No cheese, please, and I’d like it well done…thank you.”
When the omelette finally comes off of the grill and is plopped onto your plate, you immediately know something’s wrong. In your mind, you expected a golden yellow, fluffy half-circle of protein stuffed with an array of colorful vegetables. Instead, you’re looking at an uncooked, watery slap in the face to the French culinary gods. Oh, and there’s cheese on it. Even the vegetables look depressed to be part of such an abomination. Since there’s a long line behind you, you don’t ask for it to be remade, nor do you return to the back of the line since, as I mentioned before, you’re starving. With no other options, you reluctantly gather the rest of your breakfast and find a seat. As you stare down at your mutated egg pile, you think, “I’m lucky, starving kids in Africa don’t have runny omelettes to eat.” Feeling guilty, you decide to cut into the oozing yolk puddle and take a bite. As you chew you realize there are other things in your omelette that shouldn’t be there, like the turkey sausage and turkey ham from previously made omelettes … a nd bacon. Not turkey bac on, bacon. If you’re one of t he many Muslim students on campus with a meal plan, bacon is your Kryptonite, so you stop eating. I know this injustice makes you want to hurl this copy of Technician to the ground and punch out the person closest to you out of sheer disgust. I don’t blame you. Considering how much we pay for a meal plan, a wellmade omelette isn’t too much to ask for. What I received was much more than, as the French say, an “omelette du fromage.” It was more like an “omelette du dommage.” Ask one of the French students on campus what that means. If they say it doesn’t make sense, then you’re talking to someone who’s only pretending to be French. When we start giving up our basic omelette rights, and other First Amendment rights, we open the floodgates to oppression and disaster. Well I say nay, and you should too. Help me help you, Wolfpack Nation. Demand quality omelettes. More fresh fruit wouldn’t hurt either.
“Today, oppression takes the form of a sloppy, runny and depressing omelette.”
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years of teaching, in which they have similar Tenure Act protections, a teacher has a job for life. This is crippling to public education as it keeps those who are less than great teachers.. The incentive system is lacking as well. Teachers are not given heavy incentives for the success of their students. As constructed, it reinforces poor teachers and does nothing for the great. The money Purdue is trying to infuse into education is a good start, but we still have a long way to go. We hope her successor will pick up where she left off.
{
in your words
}
What is your favorite dining hall breakfast food? What do you think of dining hall breakfast as a whole? by Katherine Hoke
Newt’s 2020 Moon colony.
“I like the shaved hashbrowns. There can always be improvements but overall it’s pretty good.”
Tony Hankerson, junior in arts applications
WikiLeaks: Monsanto’s Achilles Heel
“I
f the people let government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny.” –Thomas Jefferson Jefferson’s warning also applies to corporations like Monsanto. Monsanto is a multiMatt Bobeng national corporaStaff Columnist tion with a curious monopoly over genetically modified foods worldwide. New cables unveiled by WikiLea ks earlier this month make Monsanto’s bad reputation a lot worse. It is unmistakable that U.S. diplomats also represent Monsanto. One cable released by WikiLeaks was written to Washington by U.S. ambassador and former Bush adviser Craig Stapleton. He suggests countries in the European Union that ban Monsanto’s genetically modified crops should be penalized with sanctions and trade wars. This, as Stapleton says, is for “the collective good.” I imagine Ayn Rand would cry about this hypocrisy and Thomas Jefferson would say, “I told you so” about the people letting “government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take.” Even if Monsanto’s genetically modified crops were found to be the Fountain
of Youth, it would hardly seem reasonable for U.S. diplomats to even contemplate forcing other countries to make them legal. That’s because no government ever wants to feel threatened by another, and any previous good relations would promptly cease. Besides, the citizens of these E.U. countries would naturally become skeptical about Monsanto’s motives. Shouldn’t the Fountain of Youth be able to advertise itself? I tried to think of positives to Monsanto’s curious relationship with government. However, the only positives I found were in favor of Monsanto. Since it’s gradually ensuring a government-enforced monopoly over the world’s food supply, Monsanto shouldn’t have to worry about money or competition. In the same way, Monsanto is also ensuring power over the people. That’s because people would have no choice other than to do business with Monsanto. Freedom is choice, and in this scenario there is no choice. Only monopolists benefit. The fact Monsanto would attempt to put other food distributors out of business through government force shows they are an inferior corporation, because clearly they are inadequate to compete in the free market. Imagine if a football team got the NFL to automatically rank them number one no matter how many games they lost. I suppose that is why John D. Rockefeller proclaimed, “Competition is a sin!” He, like Monsanto, put government officials on their payroll to ensure
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their domination over the marketplace through legislation and intimidation. Then, they buy into their own delusion that they are superior. In the real world, such behavior can only be nihilistic, because there is no incentive to produce the best product possible, and in the case of an agricultural monopoly like Monsanto’s, people will be faced with a decreasing quality of food. Only a nihilist would want to see that happen. Clearly, those working for Monsanto would eventually want influence over government so as to be accountable to nobody but themselves. In this way, they might succeed in destroying all that is wholesome and pure in life, starting with food; such is the pipe dream of the common criminal. Monsanto is a nasty word that just gets nastier the more I learn about it. Monsanto is an excellent representative of the dangers inherent in government supported monopolies, and the sooner its corruption is widely known, the sooner crony capitalism will end. Truly, kudos to WikiLeaks for exposing Monsanto for what it is. Perhaps this newly unveiled dirty little secret of Monsanto’s will eventually prove to be its Achilles Heel. In the meantime, the people should heed Jefferson’s warning.
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Features Science & Tech
Technician
tuesday, january 31, 2012 • Page 5
Unintentionally leading the way in vermicomposting Rhonda Sherman breaks barriers in growing field of composting.
tions regarding vermicomposting. She has answered questions from hundreds of curious composters from an astonishing 78 countries around the world. Jack Borkey The idea of vermicompostStaff Writer ing, in Sherman’s words, is to Rhonda Sherman is an acci- “[transform] organic waste into [a] valuable resource.” dental expert. Not only is the end product Not to say Sherman hasn’t put countless hours in the valuable, but so are the enviclassroom and lab, but she ronmental benefits. Vermidid not originally intend to composting provides a natural become one of the Western and eco-friendly way to get rid Hemisphere’s leaders in ver- of one’s trash, while also promicomposting, or composting ducing effective soil amendments. with worms. Hog waste, which has been As an extension specialist in N.C. State’s Department of environmentally detrimental in North Biological and Carolina in Agricultural the past deEngineering cades, can be in 1994, Sherused as a food man wrote a for compostfact sheet ening worms. titled “Worms I n s t e ad of Can Recycle dumping hog Yo u r G a r wa s te i nto bage” about football-sized the relatively Rhonda Sherman, lagoons, like unknown extension specialist of one that spilt subject of verDepartment of Biological and in 1995, killmicompostAgricultural Engineering ing 10 million ing. To her fish and shutsurprise, the publication flew off the shelf, ting down more than 350,000 and was reprinted many times. acres of wetlands, livestock Her recent successes have farmers can use vermicombeen a bit overwhelming for posting as a safe and effective Sherman, and even a bit un- way to get rid of hog waste. The process of vermicomexpected. Her findings thrust her into the inner circle of ver- posting involves organic waste, micomposting experts in the such as food scraps and animal excrement, and putting it in an United States. “In 1997, I started posting enclosed container. This conmore information on vermi- tainer can be anything from composting on my website be- a $5 plastic bin to Sherman’s cause interest had been grow- flow-through automated worm ing,” Sherman said. “It con- bin. Sherman’s worm bin is tinued to grow so much that, about the size of the bed of during the past five years, at a pickup truck and requires least 90 percent of the people about 40 pounds of worms who ask me for information to break down the amount of are inquiring about vermicom- waste it can handle. Each type of container yields a different posting.” Now, she says, almost all the type of worm compost, just one emails she receives are ques- of many factors that can alter
“In 1997, I started posting more information on vermicomposting on my website...”
Professor takes over at WVU Daniel Robison, associate dean at the CNR, to take helm of WVU’s agricultural college. Nikki Stoudt Staff Writer
Full of historical items a nd me mo rable ar tifacts, Daniel Robison’s of f ice seems more like that o f I n d i a n a Daniel Robison Jones, not of Professor of a professor of forestry and forestr y and environmental environmen- resources tal resources. Now, this is also the office of the future dean of the agriculture college at West Virginia University. Robison is now finishing up his final months at N.C. State before setting off for the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design at WVU. Robison said he decided to apply for the dean’s position after hearing about the reputation of Davis College. “WVU and the Davis College have great programs,” Robison said. “The combination of agriculture, natural resources and design gives the college a very unique outlook on study and research.” This broad spectrum of disciplines will pose new challenges for Robison, and he said he’s looking to learn more on how to integrate the different fields. He also admires WVU’s exciting atmosphere.
robison continued page 6
the final product. “There are so many different variables,” Sherman said. “It’s a biological living system, so different from manufactured fertilizer. In the container, the composting worms are placed on top of bedding, which is around six inches deep. To escape the light, the earthworms retreat down into the bedding, only to come up to feed on a layer of food on top. Through digestion, t he worms leave excrement, which collects at the bottom of the composting container. Extremely rich in nutrients, the worms’ waste is removed from the bottom and collected, the fertilizing gold of a waste-recycling process. Although much more expensive than manufactured fertilizer at about $400 a cubic yard, it is much more effective, and only a little can render great results. “[Worm] compost has [a] great impact on plant growth and disease control,” Sherman said. The author of numerous publications on composting and vermicomposting, Sherman is also the co-founder and vice president of the North Carolina Composting Council. She also started N.C. State’s Vermicompost Conference, which will hold its 13th meeting this fall. The conference holds lectures and discussions, attracting around 100 experts and interested persons each year. The international acclaim continues to stun Sherman, and every time she opens her email, her anticipation builds. “[Each time I think], who am I going to hear from?” Sherman said, “and from what country?” Although she never intended to become a world leader in vermicomposting, that is what Sherman is now.
tyler andrews/Technician
Rhonda Sherman, extension solid waste specialist in the department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, poses for a portrait in the compost training facility at N.C. State’s Field Laboratory Thursday. Since 2001, Sherman has offered the only annual training for vermicomposting in the world. The next vermicomposting conference is scheduled to take place in the fall of 2012.
Partnering with African scientists for food security Attempting to understand subSaharan crop failures, biochemistry professor fights cassava virus. Jordan Baker Staff Writer
Throughout much of subSaharan Africa, cassava is one of the main cash and consumption crops, second only to maize, according to Linda Hanley-Bowdoin, a researcher in biochemistry. This food staple, however, is threatening the livelihoods and diets of millions, due to outbreaks of cassava plant viruses. The cassava, which originated in the Americas, has come to represent for many Africans what potatoes once meant for the Irish. Across the continent, cassava plants are dying in vast numbers by disease. In recent years, farmers in Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi lost 4 million tons of their crops due to the cassava mosaic disease, according to the Office of International Affairs. This epidemic is the result of two diseases that attack the leaves and tubers of the cassava plant, rendering a majority of the plant inedible. The mosaic virus disease that attacks these plants does not allow the plant to efficiently conduct photosynthesis. The other disease that has been a cause of this agricultural crisis
in Africa, is known as Brown Streak Disease, which, according to Hanley-Bowdoin, is “basically death.” Not only have these two diseases been affecting crop yields across the sub-Saharan section of Africa, but they have been getting worse as a result of the introduction of two new strands of DNA, known as satellites, which, when combined with the disease, exacerbate the effects of the mosaic or brown streak. To better understand these two diseases, Hanley-Bowdoin has teamed up with a pair of African scientists, including Joseph Ndunguru and Peter Sseruwagi. At her lab on Centennial Campus, HanleyBowdoin conducts research with arabidopsis, a plant that serves as “a model for plant biology,” since its entire genome has been mapped, HanleyBowdoin said. Her work deals with these arabadopsis plants, and she introduces the mosaic and brow n st rea k diseases, which are inoculated with the satellite DNA strands. Hanley-Bowdoin hopes to use her work with arabadopsis as a means of prioritizing the research to apply on that of cassava. Due to the quicker growth rate of arabadopsis, Hanley-Bowdoin has the ability to conduct her research at a faster rate than her African partners. She said she hopes to use arabadopsis “as a tool to try to understand how the satellites are working.” This research is funded by BREAD (Basic Research to Enable Agricultural Develop-
“The Gates Foundation...is responsible for the funding of international scientists.”
Photo courtesy of Carl Walsh
A Great Lakes Cassava Initiative field agent records data by using a mini-laptop. Cassava account for more than one third of all calories consumed in many parts of the central, sub-Saharan Africa. This staple crop, particularly of poor subsistence farmers, is now under threat by the combined effects of cassava mosaic disease and cassava brown streak disease, which have been devastating to the agricultural security and income of millions of cassava-dependent cultivator.
ment). BREAD is now in its third year, and is funded by the Gates Foundation and the National Science Foundation. According to a release published through the NSF website, the project “should employ stateof-the-art scientific approaches that address key constraints to agriculture as practiced by smallholder farmers in the developing world.” The Gates Foundation recently donated $40 million and is responsible for the funding of international scientists who partner with American colleagues. The NSF helps to raise funds for the grants given to American agricultural researchers. After receiving a BREAD grant, the researchers have three years of guaranteed money. Since receiving their grant in July 2011, Hanley-Bowdoin and
Photo courtesy of CRS
There are more than 1.5 million cassava farmers who depend on cassava cultivation in sub-Saharan Africa. Healthy crops, like the one featured above, can nourish and sustain communities, but many farmers are under threat of two virulent cassava diseases.
her team are looking forward to two-and-a-half more years of research into the diseases affecting the cassava plant in Africa.
Features Science & Tech
page 6 • tuesday, january 31, 2012
Technician
Grad student designs better infant car seat Researchers looking to ease the trials of parenthood, help to lighten the load.
today is that the load is just to large for parents to pull out of the car without doing some damage to their back,” said Clamman. “When the parent is lifting a significant load Arjun Puri and it’s already placed several Staff Writer feet away from their body, the When Michael Clamman chances of loosening your grip had his first child, he thought or losing control goes up sighis time in the gym would be nificantly.” This is why Clamman and replaced by constant nights of crying, diaper changing and David Kaber, a professor in midnight hysterics. While industrial engineering, have worked tothis may have gether to been true, cha nge t he Clamman nopoint of ticed that his stress f rom new baby did the forearm come with a of the parent, workout- just to the bicep, not the one he a significantor his body ly st ronger was expectMichael Clamman, muscle. ing. doctoral student “The data “Carrying in industrial engineering we collected a 30-pound from several weight is not insignificant; in fact our stud- studies showed that subjects ies have shown that back pain who were lifting ICS from vehiis a common chronic injury in cles tended to favor much larger parents due to the constant lift- muscle groups, so we changed ing of infant car seats,” Michael the handle of the conventional Clamman, a doctoral student ICS completely to make it more in industrial engineering con- perpendicular and natural for centrating in ergonomics, said. the parent,” Clamman said. “There is no way we can Clamman said he wanted to focus on the “lost popula- change the weight of the baby, tion,” the parent class. “When that will keep going up; so all I was doing research, I found we could do is change where the very little information on er- load is applied, and that’s exgonomics for parents. This is actly what we did,” Kaber said. really something that is getting “Another interesting thing we did is test specifically the 5 to missed.” Clamman started improving 20 percentile woman in weight on the infant car seat (ICS) as just because it will be tougher a semester project in the fall of for them. If a woman weights 2010. In just four months, he 100 pounds, a 30-35 pound ICS went from identifying a prob- is a third of her weight-- a sublem to processing the paper- stantial proportion.” There are complications, work for a prototype. “The problem with baby seats however. According to Clam-
“Carrying a 30-pound weight is not insignificant.”
The researcher’s abstract: “The rear-facing Infant Car Seat is designed to meet federal requirements for transporting children less than 1 year old. Typical use includes transfer in and out of a vehicle, which is shown to be a difficult lift. Despite the frequency of this lift, manufacturers provide little guidance for users.” Source: michael clamman
man, although tests found that the new ICS makes it easier to actually lift out of the car, carrying the prototype is still awkward. “The best way to carry an ICS is as close to the body as possible, but the bent handle that makes it severely difficult,” Clamman said. “The best thing to do is limit the time you are lifting the seat anyway, but if you have to, then a stroller addon would be best.” Clamman seemed skeptical about putting this prototype into production or applying for a patent, stating that many more variables would be involved in something this sensitive. “More than anything, I just wanted to prove a point with my research--about how much more can be done for the parent class; if someone wanted to further fund this research I would definitely look into putting this ICS into production,” Clamman said. Kaber commented on Clamman, saying his point can inspire future design and innovation. “Michael has been working
&
INVITES YOU AND A GUEST TO AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF
Paul-Gregor Maier/Technician
Michael Clamman, a doctoral student in industrial engineering, holds an infant car seat with a newly designed handle in his right hand. By changing the angle of the handlebar, it makes it easier to for parents to carry the infant car seat.
can use our data as a base for future designs because we feel there is a lot of work that can
be done on these car seats,” Kaber said.
important part of his responsibilities, Robison said his focus is on the successes of the college’s students and faculty. continued from page 5 “The important thing at any “The university [WVU] is university is to bring students so excited about the future,” and faculty to work together,” Robison said. “They’re really Robison said. Robison said he is enthusiasinvesting in the progress of the institution and are defi- tic about participating in ongoing and funitely pursuture projects ing their own at the Davis future.” College. As a for“It’s about ester at heart, what we can Robison said create toWe s t V i r gether once ginia is geoI get there,” graphically Daniel Robison, Robison said. pleasing and professor of forestry and “Success is will provide environmental resources w r it te n by new types of the students research to who graduate and by the facimprove sustainability. A search committee selected ulty who research and discover Robison for the position from new things.” In the meantime, Robison a pool of applicants who visited WVU in November and continues to fulfill his duties December. Since July 2011, within the College of Natural an interim dean has overseen Resources at N.C. State. Curthe Davis College’s activities. rently, he helps with research, Robison will officially become arranges collaborations and its dean on May 31. Although oversees the distribution of administrative tasks will be an funding for research projects.
Until his departure, he will prepare for his new position by paying special attention to the design and agriculture departments, to gain a better sense of what those respective departments at WVU expect of him. Robison insisted that while he has sincerely enjoyed his time here in Raleigh, he feels that this is the next step up from his position as associate dean of research at N.C. State. “As [an] associate dean, we are always looking for the next level up,” he said. “We always have our feelers out. When [WVU] contacted me, I decided to see if it was a good fit.” Robison has been at N.C. State since 1997, and said he’s only experienced professional collaboration. “N.C. State has always been an institution of togetherness, which isn’t at all true for every university,” Robison said. “I am certainly going to miss the people who prove to me that collegiality is the key to success.” Though he’s leaving at the end of the spring semester, Robison said, wherever he goes, he’ll bleed red.
very hard on this and we are hopeful that some manufacturers or ergonomic practitioners
robison
“As [an] associate dean, we are always looking for the next level up.”
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Sports
Technician
Polo
continued from page 8
their sport in one word, Hurley, Sales, and Rollinson chose
report
continued from page 8
per game this season, nearly identical to last season’s 37 rebounds per game. In addition, the team has also managed a +5.9 rebounding margin. Junior forward Richard Howell leads the team with 9.4 rebounds per game, but the next closest is Leslie with just 6.3 per game. If the team is going to miss shots on offense, a strong rebounding presence is vital. It would not only allow the team
ranking continued from page 8
by picking up two ACC road wins. Miami is a dangerous team for opponents due to having four scorers in double figures. (Upcoming games: 2/1 UMD, 2/5 @ DUKE)
Wake Forest (11-10, 2-5 ACC; LW: 8) The Deacs have lost five of their last six games and went
“chaotic,” “demanding,” and “intense,” respectively. Wolfpack club water polo meets twice a week for two hours during the spring se-
mester, spending time conditioning, working on drills, and shooting on goal or scrimmaging in the pool towards the end of practice. They also frequent-
ly scrimmage UNC-Chapel Hill’s team, as well as the Triangle Water Polo Club.
more offensive possessions, but defensive rebounding limits the other team’s ability as well. Unfortunately, Howell also leads the team in fouls per game with 3.3, and has fouled out three times. With junior center Jordan Vandenberg currently injured, the Pack’s options are limited. Allowing 68.2 points per game, the Wolfpack defense has been spotty this season. Against Georgia Tech, the team allowed 82 points then held Wake Forest to 40 in their very next game. N.C. State is averaging
seven steals and four blocks per game, numbers which need to be improved if the Pack wants a respectable defensive presence. More defensive pressure could produce more turnovers and lead to an increased offensive pace, which is something that coach Mark Gottfried has been trying to implement. GRADE – BOVERALL GRADE – B The N.C. State men’s basketball team has done better this season than in the past, but consistency is the key to finishing the season strong.
In many of the games this season, the team has been down early and has to try and force shots in order to reduce the deficit. A strong start in each game for the Pack would reduce the desperation that leads to poor shot choices, and could allow the team to continue the successes they had earlier this year.
down to FSU by 23 and by 11 to Clemson last week. Wake Forest’s top three scorers produce nearly two-thirds of their offense, and need other players to play bigger roles. (Upcoming games: 1/31 UNC, 2/4 @ NCSU)
games: 2/2 DUKE, 2/4 CLEM)
12)
Virginia Tech (12-9, 1-5 ACC; LW: 10) Virginia Tech lost two close games to BYU and Maryland. It will need to defeat Duke or Clemson on the road in get back in the ACC chase. (Upcoming
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Boston College (7-14, 2-5 ACC; LW: 11) Boston College continued its downslide, losing their last two games by 17 and 22 points respectively. The Eagles may fall to the bottom of the ACC if they fail to go on the road and defeat Georgia Tech. (Upcoming games: 2/1 NCSU, 2/4 @ GT)
The good news: Georgia Tech scored over 80 points for the third time this season against North Carolina. The bad news: The Jackets lost their fifth straight game and nine of ten. (Upcoming games: 2/1 @ FSU, 2/4 BC)
Georgia Tech (8-13, 1-6 ACC; LW:
Classifieds
tuesday, january 31, 2012 • Page 7
johnson continued from page 8
make the lay-up and also failed on the follow-through. A critic would say, had Johnson made the lay-up, it would be the Pack, not the Cavs who would be celebrating after the game. I understand how frustrating it must be for the fans; however, it was a shame to open Facebook and Twitter to see all sorts of stuff written about Johnson. After interviewing Johnson numerous times, it’s easy to realize that he is not only one of the nicest guys on the team but also the most humble. Johnson, who is from Canada, is here all by himself, as his family still resides in his native country. A large number of fans that were sitting behind me during the game couldn’t stop being profane about Johnson, and it was really disturbing to be a witness to that. Despite starting all the 22 games this season from the bench, Johnson has proved to be one of most important players for the Pack. Despite averaging just 19.7 minutes per game, Johnson has accumulated three assists per game, which puts him in second place on the team and ninth in the ACC. It’s a big feat, considering he has been one of the fringe players and his performances have been crucial for the Pack, who rank ninth in the nation
for assists. Not known much for his scoring, Johnson performed at a high level against the Cavs with two steals and three assists, both tying him for second place on the team. This was despite playing only 15 minutes, which was less than half the time the starters spent on the court. Having played sports at a high level myself, and as anyone who truly understands sports would agree, mistakes are an integral part of the game. It’s only when one makes mistakes do they learn, and it’s no different for Johnson. Our duty as students of N.C. State is to support our athletes through trying times. Criticizing them through social media platforms or shouting at them during games doesn’t help; it only makes it worse. It’s easy to talk from your seat without realizing the hours of hard work the players put in, along with their academic commitments and having the spotlight on them at all times. Johnson is a good player and a good man, who knows where he messed up. It’s up to the Pack to let him know they are fully behind him. In such a crucial time for State basketball, it will prove to be a big bonus if all the players are in the right frame of mind.
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1/31/12
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Sports Page 8 • tuesday, january 31, 2012
COUNTDOWN
• 21 days until N.C. State plays UNC at the RBC Center.
INSIDE
• Page 7: Continuation of the ACC Power Rankings.
Technician
Water polo brings aquatic intensity
Alumna runs across U.S. Alumna Elena Helmerick, a former member of the N.C. State cross country team, is running across the United States for charity. The Wyoming native started her journey in Virginia Beach, Va. in April and is expected to reach the Pacific Ocean on Thursday. Helmerick is raising money for World Hunger Year and Run Diabetes Run. Source: WRAL
ACC Media picks Pack last, football releases depth chart There are a couple notable changes to the spring depth chart. Daniel Evans, who sat out the spring, is now listed as the starter at quarterback above redshirt freshman Russell Wilson. Tight end Anthony Hill is back as the starter after he missed spring practices, and Javon Walker is back as well, but listed as the strong safety backup to J.C. Neal. In addition, the ACC media ranked the Pack sixth in the Atlantic division. Below is the depth chart released by the football team. Source: N.C. State Athletics
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The Club water polo team proves to be an exciting yet rigorous past time for students. Ben Christoph Correspondent
At N.C. State, we aren’t as familiar with water polo as we are with barbecue, football or Tobacco Road basketball. The Wolfpack club water polo team is out to show just how exciting the game is and how talented and tough the people who play it really are. For those who are not familiar with the sport, it is very similar to an aquatic version of handball. For the even greater majority who has never even heard of handball, water polo is a game where players pass around a ball that is roughly the size of a volleyball, trying to throw it in the opposing team’s goal-- all without being allowed to touch the bottom of the pool. Kevin Rollinson, a sophomore in business administration who plays on the team, feels it is a very exciting and unique sport. Rollinson has played water polo since he was in middle school. “Something is always going on, no game has a dull moment,” he said. “It’s like basketball in that regard, but then you add so many more aspects; it’s pretty much a combination of basketball, soccer, volleyball, swimming, hockey, chess and wrestling. That’s
Power
Rankings
Thursday Women’s Basketball at Georgia Tech Duluth, Ga., 7 p.m.
Track at Virginia Tech Elite Blacksburg, Va., All Day Women’s Gymnastics at Missouri Columbia, Mo., 6:30 p.m. Wrestling vs. North Carolina Raleigh, 7 p.m. Saturday Rifle vs. Kentucky Morgantown, W.V., All Day Track at Virginia Tech Elite Blacksburg, Va., All Day Track at Armory Collegiate Invitational New York, N.Y., All Day Track at Kent Taylor Chapel Hill, All Day Women’s Tennis at VCU Richmond, Va., 11 a.m. Swimming & Diving at Virginia Charlottesville, Va., 11 a.m. Men’s Basketball vs. Wake Forest RBC Center, 1 p.m. Sunday Rifle at West Virginia Morgantown, W.V., All Day Men’s Tennis vs. Cornell Raleigh, 10 a.m. Women’s Basketball vs. Virginia Reynolds Coliseum, 2 p.m. Men’s Tennis vs. Charlotte Raleigh, 4 p.m.
what I love about it.” State’s team played in seven games in last semester’s equivalent of conference play, according to junior in meteorology David Hurley. For the ongoing semester, he wants to focus on improving the team by building roster depth. Hurley hopes the team will have the perfect opportunity to test their mettle at the UNC invitational tournament, where he hopes the team will come away with a positive record. Jensen Sales, a junior in wood products, felt playing at the UNC invitational tournament this spring would be a good way to test how far the team
Technician’s
Tomorrow Men’s Basketball at Boston College Boston, Mass., 8 p.m.
Friday Track at Armory Collegiate Invitational New York, N.Y., All Day
Tim O'Brien/Technician
Mikel Soler, senior in mechanical engineering, swims offense at club water polo practice in Carmichael Gymnasium Monday. Soler is an exchange student from Spain who kept playing his sport three days a week at State.
Story By Brian k. anderson
ment after that. had come this season. Some of the key members “It’s one of the best tournaments I’ve gotten a chance to looking to make a big impact are sep l a y i n ,” n ior s K ae l Sales said. Schlactus “We’ll get and Kamau to learn a Brown, who lot from it.” were the top The UNC scorers for invitathe team tional will i n c on fe rtake place ence play over Easter du r i ng t he weekend Jensen Sales, junior in fall. Graduand will feawood products ate stuture about de nt Je r r y 20 tea ms. The Pack is guaranteed to play “Gumby” O’Connor will also in four games and will be in a be one of the key players reround-robin format tourna- sponsible for determining the
“We can teach anyone how to play water polo if they have swimming experience.”
son and center Tyler Zeller, the Tar Heels should be able to dominate the paint every night like they did against N.C. State. The duo is the reason the Heels lead the nation in rebounds and are tough to shoot over. (Upcoming games: 1/31 @ WF, 2/4 @ UMD)
#16 Virginia (17-3, 4-2 ACC; LW: 4)
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ast week, Duke, Florida State and Nor t h Ca rol i na showed why they are the ACC’s best. Several teams below them look to emerge from the middle of the pack this upcoming week.
#7 Duke (18-3, 5-1 ACC; LW: 1) Duke went back to its winning ways this week, picking up two wins against Maryland and St. John’s. Forward Mason Plumlee had a big week for the Blue Devils, averaging 19 points and 14.5 rebounds on the two games. If he
can continue to play at a high level, the Blue Devils could be unstoppable. (Upcoming games: 2/2 @ VT, 2/5 MIA)
#21 Florida State (14-6, 5-1 ACC; LW: 2) The Seminoles continued their winning streak, picking up a 75-52 win at Wake Forest. No team wants to see the Seminoles lurking on their schedule. (Upcoming games: 2/1 GT, 2/4 UVA)
#5 North Carolina (18-3, 5-1 ACC; LW:5) With forward John Hen-
Virginia is missing center Assane Sene’s presence in the post, but still have ACC player of the year frontrunner, forward Mike Scott. Scott, who is averaging 16.7 ppg, may be Virginia’s best interior player since Ralph Sampson. (Upcoming games: 1/31 CLEM, 2/4 @ FSU)
N.C. State (15-7, 4-3 ACC; LW: 3) The Wolfpack had a rough week, starting with a perfor ma nce aga i nst C a ro lina that was reminiscent of last year’s team. State had a chance to upset Virginia, but failed in execution on the game’s final play. (Upcoming games: 2/1 @ BC, 2/4 WF)
Maryland (13-7, 3-3 ACC; LW: 6) Terrell Stoglin has kept the Terrapins in the upper half of the league in his breakout season. The sophomore guard is leading the league with 21.3 points per game, but will need some help from teammates if Maryland wants to be one of the ACC’s elite. (Upcoming games: 2/1 @ MIA, 2/4 UNC)
Paul Schulken Correspondent
With two-thirds of the N.C. State men’s basketball season already over, it’s possible to have a clear idea of how the rest of the season will play out. Currently ranked fifth in the ACC, the Wolfpack have shown flashes of consistent, coordinated play matched with clumsy and unfocused moments. With a 15-7 record, 4-3 in the ACC, the team has already matched last season’s win total and needs only one more ACC win to match last season’s amount. However, last year’s disap-
pointing second-to-last finish in ACC standings should not serve as a benchmark for the results of this season. With this in mind, let’s take a look at how the team has played so far. OFFENSE – Averaging 75 p oi nt s p e r game, the Pack has had some offensive success, but at t he same time has struggled against conference opponents. In t hei r t h ree ACC losses, the team has only averaged 62 points per game. While the team has put up bigger numbers this season, these have come in games against non-conference opponents and almost all of them have been played at home. The team will have to
increase their offensive output if they expect to stay competitive in the ACC this season. The Wolfpack are shooting 46.9 percent from the field this season, a slight increase from last season’s 43.9 percent. Junior forward Scott Wood leads the team in three-point f ield goa l percentage, shooting 43.3 percent from beyond the arc, while the team total is only 36 percent. As the Wolfpack’s only real threat from that range, Wood has to be able to spark the offense if need be. One highlight for the Wolfpack this season is all of its five starters averaging double-digit points per game. The team has
“C.J. Leslie has attempted the most free throws on the team this season.”
polo continued page 7
Leave the kid alone
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done a good job of distributing the ball, and their 17 assists per game ranks ninth in the nation. Earlier in the season, Wood broke the ACC record for consecutive free throws made, and has yet to miss one this season. The rest of the team would do well to learn from this example, as missed free throws have continually hurt the team in crucial moments. Sophomore forward C.J. Leslie has attempted the most free throws on the team this season, but has only shot for 61.3 percent. An improved percentage at the free throw line could lead to less double teams on Leslie, opening up the court for the rest of the team. GRADE – B DEFENSE – The Pack has averaged 38 rebounds
ith all the initial enthusiasm about the Pack’s position on top of the ACC gone, following back-to-back losses to UNC and UVA, it’s time to reflect on something else that happened this weekend. I have heard a lot of people say how N.C. State fans are some of the most loyal fans out there, how they don’t turn on their own players even if the result is not in their favor, and how Rishav they fully sup- Dey port the team Deputy Sports through both Writer good and bad times. Guess I heard wrong. Following State’s loss to the Cavaliers by a solitary point, more people than less started playing the blame again. While it’s normal for people to point out reasons as to why the team lost, what struck me the most was that it was mostly directed towards a single individual- guard Alex Johnson. Johnson, a graduate student, played out his first three years of eligibility at California State University at Bakersfield, where he finished second in school history in three-pointers made. He has put in a lot of strong performances for the Pack this season. Yet, when the time came for him to make a mistake, not a lot of people showed him the same sympathy that has been afforded to other players. Some people were, and are, just outright mean. With the Pack down by eight with more than five minutes to go, junior forward Richard Howell stole the ball and handed it to Johnson, who, despite having no opposition players around him, failed to
report continued page 7
johnson continued page 7
Clemson (11-9, 3-3 ACC; LW: 7) Clemson won its lone game, a 70-61 home win over Wake Forest. In the game, the Tigers had four players in double digits and improved to 3-1 in ACC home games (Upcoming games: 1/31 @ UVA, 2/4 @ VT)
Miami (12-7, 3-3 ACC; LW: 9) The ‘Canes rebounded after a home loss to N.C. State the previous week
ranking continued page 7
Men’s Basketball progress report Technician Sports evaluates the men’s basketball team’s performance so far this season.
Pack’s success, according to Hurley. Despite the co-ed team having 25 total members, Sales said they are always looking for new people to join, as long as they have the motivation and determination to compete. “We can teach anyone how to play water polo if they have swimming experience,” Sales said. This invitation should be seen as both a welcome and a challenge to even the most eager athletes on campus, because when asked to describe