Technician
tuesday march
20 2012
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
Student Government holds debate for candidates
Alex Sanchez/Technician
Jonathon Smith, junior in agriculture education, wants to help the University continue to further environmental efforts if elected. Smith has worked extensively on the Talley renovation project and has previously worked in Student Govenment.
Technician Editor-in-Chief moderated a debate between all candidates for student body president. Jessie Halpern Deputy News Editor
As a few students gathered in Harrelson to show their support, all three candidates for student body president braved a one-hour debate Monday night to demonstrate their knowledge of the University and defend their personal platforms. While the student showing was less than desirable and filled mainly by members of Student Government, Student Media made a noticeable appearance, most especially with moderator and Technician editor-in-chief, Laura Wilkinson. To start the debate, each candidate was given three minutes to introduce themselves and their platform, a task each of them completed in a different way. “I’m really passionate about N.C. State… I’m the only candidate with experience in both branches of Stu-
Alex Sanchez/Technician
Andy Walsh, junior in political science, has experience in both branches of Student Government and has worked on a variety of projects with the University, including Coaches Corner, the largest fund raising effort ever put on by N.C. State. Walsh has also worked on Campout and The Brick in the past.
dent Government, currently holding an executive position on cabinet—I’m traditions chair,” Andy Walsh, junior in political science, said. He spent the remainder of his time discussing changes he would like to make on campus, focusing on giving students “tangible changes,” like making ePack more efficient. Walsh has worked on projects such as Campout and The Brick, and is currently coordinating N.C. State’s largest fundraiser, Coach’s Corner. In addition, Walsh hopes to begin a year-long concert series and an end-of-semester rave. Jonathon Smith, junior in agricultural education, spent his threeminute slot talking up the University, making special note of our reputation for land grants and touching on his work with the Talley renovation project. “I’ve been up to my arms and elbows in the Talley project, and I hope you’re excited about how it’s going to change and transform this University for the better,” Smith said. He continued to say that he wants to revive student traditions, go green and make sure the Talley project benefits students.
Finally, Caroline Yopp, junior in agricultural science, spoke, taking a decidedly different approach to her self-introduction. “I’m qualified, I can give you a list of all the positions I’ve held inside of N.C. State and outside of it as well, but more importantly, I’m going to ask you a question: why do you love N.C. State?” Yopp said. She continued to describe her experience in asking students this question around campus, and surprised the audience when she explained that many students could not answer it. “That’s a problem. It is time to change the culture of N.C. State. I love this university, and if I could do one thing as student body president, it would be to show you why you should love it too. No matter why you’re here, I don’t care if it was your first choice or your last choice, you’re here, and this university is one to be proud of,” Yopp said. She continued to highlight five reasons she believes students should take pride in the Pack: innovation, opportunity, social change, the city of Raleigh, and athletics. “I don’t have a political agenda... I
Agriculture students educate in Brickyard The annual Agriculture Awareness Week is underway in the Brickyard. Madison McLawhorn Staff Writer
People may have noticed, by the cow in the Brickyard, that it is time for Agriculture Awareness Week again. The event began yesterday and spans through the end of this week. Alpha Zeta, the honors agricultural fraternity for men and women, sponsors the event. Jeff Meier is a member of the fraternity and a junior in animal science. “One of the goals of AZ is the continued promotion of agriculture, which is why we have put on this event every year since 1972,” Meier said. According to Meier, this event is important because it educates students about agriculture’s contributions to our state economy and highlights the strengths of N.C. State’s agricultural program. “We want to stimulate conversation on campus. We want people to be proud that N.C. State and the N.C. Department of Agricultural Research and Extension program is the flagship for agricultural research in the nation, and that other states look to us as a model to strive for,” Meier said. Scott Whisnant is the senior advisor for the Alpha Zeta chapter and, like Meier, hopes others will recognize the importance of agriculture on a multitiered level after attending Ag Week. “We are a land grant university, and that means agriculture is one of our missions,” Whisnant said. According to Whisnant, direct farm sales receipts were over $9 billion in 2020. “When you add in sales to farmers, the taxes paid and tens of thousands employed in agriculture or [in its] support industries, it is easy to see the
Alex Sanchez/Technician
Caroline Yopp, junior in agriculture science, cited five main reasons why students should take pride in N.C. State: innovation, opportunity, social change, the city of Raleigh and athletics. Yopp plans to start a weekly blog to update students about Student Government if elected.
don’t. And I can’t promise that tuition is always going to be lower, but I can promise that I fight for what I believe in,” Yopp said. As introductions ended, Wilkinson began the Q&A session by asking how each of the candidates felt about the Student Government bill that was passed in opposition to Amendment One for the GLBT cause. While each candidate took their time defending their stance, all three agreed that it was inappropriate to speak on behalf of the student body, and would hope to increase communication in their respective offices. Next, Wilkinson posed a question about the Association of Student Governments, an organization that is meant to advocate for students and charges most N.C. State students a $1 fee. While Smith said he sees the benefits of the program, he felt strongly that there needs to be an inquiry into where that $1 fee goes. Yopp agreed that ASG is not using the student fee well, but stressed the importance of the potential of such an organization. Walsh, however, suggested that ASG might not be the most effective way
to represent our University at the legislature. Candidates were also given an opportunity to discuss their plans to incorporate social media in their office, should they win. “We need to increase transparency,” said Yopp. “I’d like to start a weekly blog about what’s going on in Student Government so that students know what’s actually being done.” Smith followed up by saying he wanted to “revamp” some existing programs. “We can do a lot more with Wolfpack students on Facebook, and we’ve also been working on an app,” Smith said. Things got a little heated when, in rebuttals, Smith took a dig at Student Senate. “I’m going to let the cat out of the bag — last year, Student Senate did nothing to benefit students,” Smith said. Walsh passionately countered by mentioning all the funds that were allotted to student clubs. In the last general question posed,
debate continued page 3
insidetechnician
Journalist discusses gay rights Journalist and gay rights activist Jonathan Rauch spoke about Amendment One and other issues.
Brewing up a science and training for the real world See page 5.
Lindsey Rosenbaum Staff Writer
Natalie Claunch/Technician
Keeping the cow pen clean, Matt Stilllwell, senior in fisheries and wildlife sciences, scoops out manure. The mother and calf are just two of the farm animals on display for Agricultural awareness week 2012, which is hosted by Alpha Zeta agricultural honor fraternity.
importance,” Whisnant said. Elizabeth Cooper serves as the fraternity’s chancellor. She feels the plans for the week are salient in achieving such goals. “Anyone can walk up to one of our many tractors and pieces of equipment and get up close and personal with it. They can do the same with the crops and turf grasses that are on display,” Cooper said. Emily Skipper, senior in biological sciences, appreciates the event because it gives her a chance to interact with animals, though touching the animals is not allowed due to bio-control issues. “It’s like the petting zoo comes to me!” Skipper said. Cooper’s favorite part remains to be the spectacle that surrounds the event. “My favorite part is people watch-
ing. I enjoy watching people’s expressions if they have never seen a pig or a tractor,” Cooper said. Another highlight of the week is the annual ‘Kiss the Pig’ fundraiser in which the faculty or staff member with the most money raised in his or her assigned bucket (placed on the brickyard) must kiss a pig on Thursday. Among the previous winners is football coach Tom O’Brien. All proceeds benefit Relay for Life. The fundraiser will take place on Thursday at noon. Representatives from many clubs in CALS will be on hand throughout the week to answer any agriculture questions students may have, as well as answer questions about the clubs they are involved in.
Journalist and gay rights activist Jonathon Rauch spoke at the American Values Speaker series, sponsored by the Department of Political Science and School of Public and International Affairs, addressing Amendment One and whether the government should sanction homosexual marriage. The issue of homosexual marriage has been a hot topic during this year’s primaries, and North Carolina has entered the fray by proposing a bill for the North Carolina constitution known as Amendment One. This bill would deny recognition of any currently legal, domestic union other than marriage, including homosexual marriage and unmarried heterosexual partnerships. The general outcry over this bill is not only for its treatment of homosexual couples, but also on its harsh wording and the rights it would be taking away from straight couples, according to Rauch. “I think the whole thing is written terribly,” Ivan Herrera, senior in political science, said. “I don’t know why anyone would want to pass this law.” Rauch got his start as a journalist
Marriage continued page 3
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Revitalizing turf See page 6.
Wolfpack: Back in the Game See page 8.
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