TECHNICIAN
wednesday september
22 2010
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
Campus buffer to get proper ‘reopening’
Defanged stats
Live It Up looking to lure residents, students to Hillsborough Street. Chris Boucher Deputy News Editor
Despite being the No. 1 state for snake bites, University experts say bites are rare on campus. Allison Saito Staff Writer
North Carolina has more venomous snake bites than any other state in the U.S., according to N.C. State University Extension. North Carolina is home to thirty-one species of non-venomous snakes and six venomous species, but the University’s herpetology experts say students shouldn’t be worried. Dylan Kelly, a senior in animal science and vice president of the Herpetology Club, said copperheads are the most common venemous snakes in the Raleigh area, but the campus has little exposure.
“Around Raleigh, blacksnakes are the most common. In terms of venomous, it’s copperheads,” Kelly said. “Corn snakes are another [non-venomous] one … All the water snakes you would find around Raleigh are non-venomous.” According to Jerry Barker, vice chancellor of student affairs, the campus has few snakes. “The campus should be an area with very little exposure to snakes,” Barker said. Kelly also said snakes are rarely seen on campus. “I’ve seen a few snakes around campus, but they have been earth snakes or worm snakes, less than a foot long. [These] would do more damage to themselves if they bit you,” Kelly said. Barker said there are few to no large snakes on campus, because they do not
have a food supply. “We have a pest control person on campus. If he gets rid of mice, [then snakes] don’t have food,” Barker said. Although they are extremely rare on campus, Barker advised students to be aware of snakes. “I try to be real alert to snakes when I’m outdoors,” Barker said. “A person should know what a copperhead looks like, but the best thing is to stay away for all snakes.” A way to identify a copperhead is by the shape of its head, according to Barker. “The classic symptom is the triangle shaped head, where as a nonpoisonous snake is just like looking at the end of your finger,” Barker said. Kelly gave advice on what to do if you see a snake in the wild. “Give it its space. If you have to go
in that direction, go around it,” Kelly said. “If you can’t ID it from a distance, don’t get closer and risk endangering yourself.” Kelly explained that all snakes will be attacked if provoked, but not all snake bites are as serious as others. “All wild snakes will [bite], because you are invading their territory. But, a bite from a nonvenomous snake is superficial. At worst, it would need to be disinfected and have a bandage put on it,” Kelly said. However, snake bites should be taken seriously if you do not know whether or not the snake was ven-
SNAKE continued page 3
Live It Up on Hillsborough Street, a festival featuring live music, vendors and representatives from several University organizations, will officially mark the street’s reopening on Saturday. The event will take place from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Hillsborough Street will be closed from its intersection with Woodburn Road /Cox Avenue to its intersection with Gardner Street throughout the festival. Live It Up was designed to serve as a celebration for the new-look street as well as a showcase for eateries and businesses that call Hillsborough Street home. “There’s some really good restaurants on Hillsborough Street. Refurbishing the road is almost like providing that red carpet so people can see what they have to offer,” said Jennifer Gilmore, of University Dining marketing and communications, and supporter of the new Hillsborough Street. Student Government worked with planners on the event and will represent itself with an informational booth at the event. “I hope the event ignites new pride and appreciation for Hillsborough Street while we have an awesome time,” said Student Body President Kelly Hook. The University will be honored with a dedication of the Bell Tower and a live broadcast of the N.C. State football game against Georgia Tech, while local grocer Whole Foods Market will sponsor an Iron Chef competition. In addition to vendor booths housed by local businesses and organizations, Live It Up will have four separate stages. Some of the acts on the roster include Milagro Saints, New King Rippers and Crowfield. The stages will also host belly dancers, an Irish “jam session” and a dance competition.
BUFFER continued page 3
Students must cancel insurance to avoid fees Students have until Sept. 30 to cancel their $372 Student Health fee for the University’s required insurance.
tor that accepts their insurance, but students must pay a $150 deductable. “Insurance pays at 80 percent and students are responsible for 20 percent. There is a $2,000 cap, and if students begin to reach this, the insurance company will begin paying Janell Miller at 100 percent. Staff Writer “If students come to student health On Aug. 14 2009, the University of center, they get the most out of their North Carolina’s Board of Governors benefits.” According to Hawkins, students approved an implemented hard waiver student health insurance requirement. who are undergraduate students enAny student meeting three criteria is rolled in a degree-seeking program required to show evidence of exist- with a minimum of six credit hours and graduate stuing health insurdents enrolled in ance or enroll in a degree-seeking the UNC system prog ra m w it h plan. a minimum of If student can one credit hour, prove they have are eligible to their own insurpay the Student ance, the deadHealth fee. line for students “Students will to c a ncel t he be charged with school wide int he Student surance is Sept. Hea lt h fee of 30. $372 automatiApril Hawkins, Shadasia Edgerton, freshman in FYC cally as a part of a student health the mandate, if insurance associate, said waiving the insurance will be they meet the criteria,” Hawkins said. According to Hawkins, students will a process students have to go through have a chance to get their money back. each semester. “There is an appeal period from “Each semester, students will have to go in and take some action,” Hawkins Oct. 1 to Oct. 14. We will review them individually to see if we can refund the said. According to Hawkins, if there’s money,” Hawkins said. something the Health Center cannot do they would refer students to a docINSURANCE continued page 3
“My advisor told me how to cancel the insurance, but I think it is a good idea that the University has insurance.”
REFUSE TO ACCEPT THE STATUS QUO
insidetechnician HOW TO WAIVE INSURANCE STUFF 1. Go to www.studentinsurance.com 2. Select “North Carolina” in the box for state. 3. Select “North Carolina State University” in the box for college. 4. Select “Waive Online” on the left-hand side. 5. Complete the form. 6. Login to your account using your NCSU e-mail address and the password you just created. 7. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and click the “View” button to see your account. 8. Look to the options in the upper-right corner, and select “Switch to Waive”.
Welcome to the future
What’s old is new again at fall gaming conventions See page 6.
HOW TO REMAIN ENROLLED 1. Go to www.studentinsurance.com 2. Select “North Carolina” in the box for state. 3. Select “North Carolina State University” in the box for college. 4. Select “Hard-waiver enrollment” on the left-hand side. 5. Complete the form. 6. Login to your account using your NCSU e-mail address and the password you just created. 7. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and click the “View” button to see your account. 8. You will be able to manage your account from this screen by utilizing the options in the upper-right corner, including printing a temporary insurance card.
Anonymous no longer
Junior Taylor Gentry’s toughness has made him one of the most respected players in the locker room and on the field. See page 8.
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