Technician
wednesday january
18 2012
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
Raleigh looks to University to strive for innovation City looks upon N.C. State and citizens to help boost city’s Innovative spirit. Jack Borkey Staff Writer
Called the “City of Oaks” by many, the Raleigh is working to become the City of Innovation. To jump-start an economic transformation, N.C. State, along with economic leaders and citizens of the city,
holds the first ever Raleigh Innovation Summit today at the Raleigh Convention Center. The event features two keynote speakers. The first is Tom Murphy, senior resident fellow of the Urban Land Institute. Murphy’s track record is outstanding, serving three terms as the mayor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, he coordinated rebuilding efforts in Louisiana and the surrounding Gulf Coast area.
Following Murphy is Mitchell Silver, Raleigh’s city planner, a position he has held since 2005. In the past, Silver has promoted sustainable and economically smart planning for Raleigh’s fast-growing urban sprawl. Both men undoubtedly have a strong vision of how to make the Raleigh area both financially and structurally successful for decades to come. The committee behind the Raleigh Innovation Summit sees their city’s success in the hands of its own citizens. To tap into the minds of its
people, the committee will hold four “break out sessions.” Their purpose is to discuss the four most important topics deemed by the Summit’s Planning Committee and to receive as much feedback from citizens as they can. The first pillar of the Summit was to create an actual hub for innovation in the downtown area, appropriately titled the Innovation Center. The center would cater to entrepreneurs, investors and others who would take advantage of the programs and ser-
vices offered by the center. The second pillar is to transform Raleigh from the City of Oaks into the City of Innovation. An aspect of rebranding Raleigh is to retain the University’s brightest and most creative graduates and to stop them from starting their careers in other cities. Silicon Valley’s rapid rise, thanks to companies like Apple, Google and Hewlett Packard, is the envy of cities all across the United States. Thanks to
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Non-university company handles Wolfline employees Wolfline employees, despite working at the University, are actually contracted elsewhere. Will Brooks Deputy News Editor
Contrary to its appearance, the Wolfline bus system is run by First Transit, a corporation based out of Cincinnati, rather than through the University. Kim Paylor, transit manager for the University, said the contract with First Transit is beneficial for several reasons. “It is just a financial situation... we would have to charge a whole lot more [through direct operation],” Paylor said. “We would have to have a place to store the buses, own and operate them, hire maintenance--it would just be a whole lot more.” Along with the contract, First Transit controls employees who drive Wolfline buses around campus. This means employees do not receive pay or benefits from the University. “None of the employees work di-
rectly for us,” Paylor said. Among First Transit’s employees was Joanne Sewell, a Wolfline bus driver who died shortly after a medical incident that occurred on campus last December. Although she worked on campus, Sewell was not considered a University employee. “We were saddened by [her] death,” Christine Klein, public communications specialist for the University, said. According to Klein, Sewell and other Wolfline employees had no employment association with the school, and the benefits she received had no relation to the University. Although Klein was sympathetic towards the loss, she explained any information regarding Sewell’s employment information was in the hands of First Transit. “In any situation like this there are ramifications. She was not an employee of the University, she was an employee of First Transit.” Klein said.
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Student group helps deal with grief A new chapter of students of AMF provides a chance for students to connect through loss. Emily Collis Staff Writer
Grief Facts • • •
1 in 4 college students loses a loved one 8.6 percent of college students’ academics have been affected by a loss Research shows that GPA decreases during the semester of loss 10 to 15 percent of students’ can be permanently affected by death Only 10 percent of college students seek grief counseling Students are more likely to complain about side affects of grief, such as insomnia, than grief itself
It’s become the norm to expect the unexpected while at college, but it’s • going to become a lot easier to cope with some of the unexpected with the • help of a new student-led group at the University. • According to a statistic, one out of every four college students loses a loved one, whether a family member or a friend, in a year’s time span. Source: Students of AMF When this number is put in perspective of the University population, it suddenly becomes less of a figure and Mothers and Fathers, the founding charter of Students of AMF was more of a reality. “Look at N.C. State’s population; born at Georgetown University and later spread Almost 35,000 stuto many other dents on campus, campuses. meaning every year, This non-profit just under 9,000 stuorganization not dents are walking only helps stuaround suffering in dents come to silence,” Jacob Ezterms with the zell, president of ha rdships i n Students of Ailing their lives, but Mothers and Fathers Jacob Ezzell, president of also serves the (AMF), said. Students of AMF communit y as Students of AMF well. The service is a national organization that helps college students part of the group will help raise deal with some of life’s most difficult money and awareness for issues problems. Although Students of AMF important to the chapter members, has charters all over the country, its while the support group will meet roots are actually very close to the twice a month and allow members to connect with other students exUniversity. According to the Students of AMF periencing loss. “Many students who may be website, founder David Fajgenbaum’s mother was diagnosed with a terminal struggling through situations brain tumor shortly before he left his like illness or death of a loved one home in Raleigh, NC to attend college feel like their friends do not unat Georgetown University in Wash- derstand where they are coming from, or how it is affecting them,” ington, DC. Unfortunately, Fajgenbaum’s moth- Ezzell said. This group hopes to change er passed away the next year, but something good did come out of all the “all alone” mentality some the heartbreak. As a double acronym for his mother’s initials and for Ailing Grief continued page 3
“...Just under 9,000 students are walking around suffering... ”
NC State Class Ring
Luis Zapata/Technician archive photo
Taylor Barto, a sophomore in biological engineering, jumps into Lake Raleigh with five of her friends during the sixth annual polar plunge Saturday, Feb. 27. The name of the team was called Freezing Runners and they said they did it "for funsies." They also took the plunge for one of theam member's brother who has down syndrome.
Students prepare to plunge The University Police Department is preparing to raise funds for Special Olympics with the annual Polar Plunge event. Jatin Bhatia Staff Writer
In addition to the Polar Plunge, a 5K race will also be held to assist with fundraising efforts. Amy Orders, assistant director for Environmental Health and Safety, and Kim Womble, a law enforcement telecommunications employee, coordinated both events. Campus Police Chief Jack Moorman shed some light on the Special Olympics. “Special Olympics is a year-round sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics offers sports training and competition in 19 Olympictype sports to more than 38,000 athletes across the state,” Moorman said. According to Moorman, the event is free for all participants. Various police departments raise money for the event by holding fundraisers. “Athletes are never charged a fee to participate. Law enforcement agencies across the state raise money through special events to help make this happen,” Moorman said. Moorman described the event as a good way for the University to give
back to the community in a fun and interesting way. “The N.C. State Polar Plunge is about N.C. State giving back to the community and to the public. It’s an opportunity for members of the N.C. State Community and others to come out and show their support and to participate in a fun event that helps a good cause,” Moorman said. Moorman added that community service is an important aspect of the University police department and that they commit fully to organizing the Polar Plunge. “The University Police Department recognizes the importance of Special Olympics to the individuals and their families who are able to participate, and we take a very active role in organizing and promoting the 5K run and the Polar Plunge,” Moorman said. This event offers of opportunity for student involvement, according to Moorman. Students are able to participate in the plunge themselves and donate money to the cause online. Students are also eligible to sign up for the 5K run. Moorman said the event could invoke mixed feelings because of cold lake water coupled with the warm satisfaction for helping Campus Police with their cause. “They can anticipate feeling very cold on the outside and very warm on the inside at the same time. Go-
ing into the lake in February is not something that is going to feel good, but the feeling derived from being able to know that your participation has helped individuals with intellectual difficulties to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience is very heart-warming,” Moorman said. Womble suggested students get involved by joining teams to plunge together. “People dress up in costumes and plunge into Lake Raleigh. Students could get involved by joining a team or registering by themselves to plunge. There is a $50 fee to jump,” Womble said. Womble also said money can be donated online, and people can involve others using their social networking accounts. “That money can be raised online by registering at www.firstgiving. com. After signing up on that site you can email, Facebook or Twitter to let people that you think might donate money on your behalf know how to do so,” Womble said. Student Body President Chandler Thompson, expressed her excitement for the event. “The Polar Plunge is a great event for students to get involved with, and gives N.C. State the opportunity to engage with Campus Police and fund-
From behind the counter: a barista’s point of view
New York Times writer talks climate change at Tir Na Nog
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insidetechnician
Enter the Dragon: Chinese New Year
Chinese communities in Raleigh celebrate Chinese New Year. See page 6.
The life of a barista provides another perspective on campus life. See page 6.
See page 5.
viewpoint features classifieds sports
Mon-Sat, Jan 23-28 10am to 3pm at NC State Bookstore
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