TECHNICIAN
thursday september
9
2010
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
Senate votes to help UAB Via ‘Luda Bill’ Bill to sponsor Ludacris concert security is reasonable to Student Senate.
sooner than this week. “It seems the UAB … might have started to plan this and then said ‘Hey, we need student government’s help on this one,” said Barnhill. Senate President Stephen Kouba, a Chris Boucher senior in political science, said that the Deputy News Editor request for funds came 10 days ago, On Wednesday night, the Student and no money had been promised Senate confirmed it will provide funds before the Wednesday vote. He also to the Union Activities Board to as- said that UAB could fund the event sist with public safety for an upcoming without the Senate’s help, “but then concert; it also tabled a resolution to it’d be broke.” That did not vote on a student sway Jonathan fee referendum. Smith, a senaN.C. State Stutor in CALS and dent Gover na sophomore in ment will provide agriculture edu$3,000 to UAB, cation who obwhich is spearjected strongly heading efforts to a nd wa s dehost a free concert clared out of Caroline Yopp, student senator by rapper Ludacorder by Kouba. ris on Sept. 17 in Others, howReynolds Coliseum. Student Government will spend ever, felt that the expense was worth it. “I think it is important for student $2,500 on student police protection and $500 for student and facility fire government to help sponsor this; it gives students an opportunity to see protection. what government is doing for them. Some senators question vote’s timing It’s not just some behind the scenes After some debate, the Senate voted deal,” said Caroline Yopp, a senator in overwhelmingly to approve finance CALS, and a sophomore in agriculture bill 35, dubbed the “Luda Bill” in education. Approximately 25 percent of the stureference to one of the rapper’s nickdent body is expected to attend the names. The resolution was fast-tracked and event, according to Yopp. “There’s going to be around 9,000 voted on in the same session because the concert will occur before the next people there; 9,000 in a school of about Student Senate meeting, said Student 35,000,” Yopp said. “Maybe the conBody Treasurer Buddy Bryson, a ju- cert’s not for everybody, but there will be many students at this event; a lot nior in sociology. The fast-tracking led some in the of people are talking about going to Senate to question the situation sur- see ‘Luda’. “ “Providing $3,000 to help 9,000 sturounding the request. Senator Tucker Beeninga, senator in the College dents go to a good concert for free is of Design and a senior in landscape something worth doing, and somearchitecture, asked why the vote oc- thing I support,” said John Tucker, curred so close to event. Matt Barnhill, Student Senate President Pro Tempore. senator in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and a junior in agri- Student fee referendum on hold for culture education, agreed, wondering now The Senate also voted not to fastwhy UAB did not ask for the money
“There’s going to be around 9,000 people there...in a school of about 35,000.”
DANIELLE NEUJAHR/TECHNICIAN
Kelly Hook, Student Body President, a junior in political science, points in approval as the student senate meeting takes place in the student government offices on the second floor of Witherspoon on Sept. 8. With freshmen running for the freshman senator chair, Kelly looks for new people to support other groups as well as maintain their job efficiently.
track Resolution 23, which called for an “act to execute a student fee referendum for the 2010-2011 academic year,” according to the resolution. “Student participation in recent fee referenda has continued to increase over time and … the student fee referendum is a vital and necessary source of information in the official fee recommendation process,” read the resolution, sponsored by Kyle O’Donnell a senator in the College of Engineering, and a junior in textile technology. Resolution 23 received 15 no votes and 12 yes votes for fast-tracking. The Senate first referred the resolution to the Committee on Government Oversight, then decided to make the issue
the responsibility of the Tuition and Fees Committee. The vote came after a request from former Senator Michael Robinson, a graduate student in physiology and zoology, for each senator to consider the resolution carefully. “The student fee referendum is important to me and to all in student government. I really encourage everyone to read the [resolution] carefully; it’s an important way for people in this room to listen to the students, to the people that they represent,” Robinson said. It could be one of the most important pieces [of legislation] we vote on all year.”
Researcher still relishing role at 88 years old Conrad is one of the world’s oldest active researches, and he works on Centennial Campus. Nithya Kote Staff Writer
If there’s one thing that’s clear about 88-year-old Hans Conrad, he doesn’t work for the money. “In my work, I am more interested in the science behind something more than the application. I never work on something for the sake of selling it,” Conrad said. Conrad, professor emeritus in the department of materials science and engineering, has co-written around 450 articles in various journals. He has worked on metals, ceramics and semi-conductors. He retired in 1993 and works for no salary. “I love research,” Conrad said. “When I am having my leisurely cup of coffee in the morning, I start thinking about new ideas.” Yuntian Zu, professor in the department of materials science and engineering, said one of Conrad’s best qualities is his work ethic. “Professor Conrad has impressed me the most in his dedication to science and his high spirit and the hard work he puts into doing research,” Zu said. Conrad only spends a couple of hours on campus each day. “I do most of my reading and writing at my home in the mornings. I have lunch with my wife and come to campus around 2 p.m. I generally leave around 4:30 p.m.” Conrad said. His current research interest is in
ceramics. “I am researching the effect electric field and temperature has on ceramics,” Conrad said. “Ceramics can be made stronger by heating the ingredients at lower temperatures and applying a weak electric field. This saves a lot of energy. This also reduces the cost and pollution in the environment.” Ten years ago, this effect was discovered; however, it took this long for the findings to be recognized, according to Conrad. “Once you make a discovery it takes a while for the scientific community to accept it,” Conrad said. Most of Conrad’s funding comes from the U.S. government and the U.S. Army. “I am currently in negotiation with a company that makes body armor for the U.S. soldiers. Most parts of the body armor contain ceramics. My research can make the bullet-stopping ceramic plates stronger and cheaper to build,” Conrad said. His research lab contains simple instruments, such as a furnace used to heat ceramics. “It costs a couple of hundred dollars. This instrument, which is used for molding ceramic samples, is a hand-powered press from an auto repair shop we modified for our use,” Conrad said. Conrad earned his bachelor of science at Carnegie Institute of Technology and his master’s and doctorate degrees in metallurgy from Yale University. “I liked math and chemistry in high school. I wanted to do chemical engineering, but my minister encouraged
RESEARCH continued page 3
MAJOR HAPPENINGS QUICK FACTS: •
Resolution 35: $3,000 to UAB for Ludacris concert Approximately 25 percent of student body expected to attend
•
Resolution 23: Not fast-tracked Referred to Tuition and Fees Committee SOURCE: STUDENT SENATE
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Hans Conrad, the oldest researcher at N.C. State, resides in the material science department. He stands next to the mechanical testing machine he and his fellow researchers use to conduct experiments on ceramics. Their research involves applying electric volts to ceramic pieces and testing their strength with and without electric volts.
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