Technician
monday february
15 2010
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
The Big Event changes venues, fewer fans Students receive prizes, free food and view the Carolina game in Carmichael Gym
Shauntia Walton, a sophomore in biological sciences, said she came to socialize with her friends. “I just wanted to get out of my dorm room really,” Walton said. “I think this event is a positive experience and Jessica Neville I’m glad it’s alcohol-free.” Science & Tech Editor Although Carmichael had seating For 13 consecutive years, the Big for up to 1,000 students, at half time Event has brought students together the seats were only approximately half on campus to watch the N.C. State filled. Charles Cofield, a sophomore in versus UNC-Chapel Hill basketball game played at Chapel Hill. Although biological engineering, said there was usually held in Reynolds Coliseum, not as much excitement at the event as a scheduling conflict made it neces- there was last year. “To be honest, it sary for the event seems like people planners to hold the have given up on our event at Carmichael basketball team,” Recreation Center Cof ield said. “I this year. also think it was Jennifer Gilmore, more fun last year communications because it was on a manager for Uniweeknight, so more versity Dining, said people came.” the purpose of the In addition, CoBig Event is to give field said he liked the students an alcoholCharles Cofield, a sophomore in open space in Carfree venue in which biological engineering michael but thought to watch the basketthe compact space ball game. in Reynolds brought “We usually have a good turnout for the event; last year, everybody together more. The highlight of the Big Event was it was completely full,” Gilmore said before the game. “We hope there will the halftime giveaway sponsored by University Dining and Coca-Cola. be a lot of excitement and energy.” Students who attended the event Twelve students were chosen randomwere treated to free Chick-fil-A, Papa ly through raffle tickets given out at John’s and Coke products, as well the entrance. The students stood on as numerous prizes given through signs with different Coca-Cola prodraffle tickets. Other features of the ucts that named different prizes unevent included performances by the derneath. Gilmore called for different Pack-a-belles, Fusion dance group, students to turn over their signs and the marching band and the varsity see what prizes they had won, narrowing it down to two students. cheerleaders.
“To be honest it seems like people have given up on our basketball team.”
Michael Shriver/Technician
Clay Campbell, junior in biological engineering, holds up his raffle prize at The Big Event in Carmichael Saturday, Feb. 13. Cambell was “very excited” to have won and as for the check, “I’m gonna pay tuition!”.
The competition, dubbed “Last Student Standing,” gave students prizes sponsored by Coca-Cola, including bikes, couches and All Campus gift certificates. The last two students competed for
a $500 All Campus gift certificate and $3000 for tuition. The winner of the tuition prize was Darrell Palmer, a sophomore in mechanical engineering. “I’ve never been to the Big Event be-
fore, so I didn’t really have any expectations,” Palmer said. “This definitely made it worth it. I can’t believe I won all this money, I’m speechless.”
BIG EVENT continued page 2
Red and White Ball ends early due to inclement weather Friday
Environmental Protection Agency to regulate runoff
Big Easy Casino Night proceeds benefit disaster-relief in Haiti
Rule will improve water quality, decrease turbidity across the nation
Joanna Banegas
Arth Pandya
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Union Activity Board hosted the 2010 Red and White Charity Ball Friday at the Vaughn Towers. This year’s theme was Mardi Gras with an Big Easy Casino Night theme, lasting from 8 to 10:30 p.m. The event was supposed to last until 12 a.m. but was canceled early due to the inclement weather. All the proceeds went to the Howl for Haiti, which benefits Stop Hunger Now, an international hunger relief organization that coordinates the distribution of food and other life-saving aid around the world. Jennifar Gomes, UAB’s vice president and senior in psychology, said the board wanted students to be educated more on the charity the campus chose to support Haitian relief. “This year is different from other years because we planned it to be more upscale and for more students to come out,” Gomes said. “We want you to help out in the charity and know where your money is going.” The tickets were $10 each and transportation was available. At the event, students played in the casino, won prizes and enjoyed free food. Blanca Cohen, a sophomore in biological sciences, said this year was her first time attending the Red and White Charity Ball. “I wanted to relive my band banquet experience from high school again,” Cohen said. “By attending this event I was able to do that.” Cohen also said she wasn’t able to play the casino games because she and her date arrived at the ball 30 minutes before the ball was canceled. “I thought it was pretty messed up that the ball ended two hours earlier,” Cohen said. “It was disappointing that it ended so early into the night.” Gomes said she was upset that it snowed on the day of the Ball.
The Environmental Protection Agency issued a regulation on Feb. 1 to help reduce water pollution from construction sites. The rule takes effect in North Carolina August 2011. The rule will place limits on the amount of turbidity in runoff from construction sites, and require sites to monitor the runoff. This is the first time the EPA has imposed national monitoring requirements and enforceable numeric limitations on construction site storm water runoff, according to the EPA. Soil and sediment runoff is one of the leading causes of water quality problems nationwide, according to Dr. Rich McLaughlin, professor of soil science and an expert in water quality protection at the University. McLaughlin said the regulation will significantly improve the water quali-
ty, which impacts not only ecosystems, but also our drinking water supply. “This will have a direct impact on aquatic life, whether it is fish, insects — anything that is living in the water. When water is too turbid, plants can’t get light and eventually die out. Aquatic vegetation can’t survive, which can wreck ecosystems. We get our water from lakes, and if that water is too turbid, it’s more expensive and difficult to clean it up,” he said. The EPA was sued by a consortium of environmental groups and states, according to McLaughlin, which forced them to enforce the clean water act for construction site runoff, just as they regulate other pollutant sources. McLaughlin said the regulation will affect mostly the larger developers in the U.S. “It’ll affect the people who develop the Walmarts, the Targets, developers like Beazer and Centex.” The regulation will also affect University construction projects. “Hunt library, the larger projects that we have, probably mostly on
EPA continued page 2
insidetechnician Getting to know Chancellorelect Randy Woodson
See page 5. Marisa Akers/Technician
Kayloni Witherspoon, a sophomore in environmental design in architecture, and Shiesha Jordan, a junior in psychology, try their luck on the slot machines at the Red and White Ball on Friday. “I came out here to support the Haiti situation and to have fun,” Witherspoon said. The ball themed Casino Night gave students an opportunity to learn how to play Blackjack, slots and other games; the money raised by selling tickets went to Stop Hunger Now.
“We had to cancel the event early,” Cohen said. “The cops told us to cancel the event at 10:30 p.m. due to the dangerous weather. We had buses take students in and out of the dance.” According to Gomes, every year UAB does a different charity with a different theme.
“We decided to do Mardi Gras because its coming up this Tuesday and it’s a fun theme for everybody,” Gomes said. UAB publicized the cause and event around campus much more
ball continued page 2
Pack downs Miami at Hoops 4 Hope See page 8.
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