Technician
wednesday february
29 2012
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
N.C. Solar Center educates on energy A local solar center works with the community and campus to educate about solar energy.
$30 million of funding from the Energy Department will go toward a research competition to find innovative ways to harness such natural gases for vehicles, President Barack Obama announced Lauren Vanderveen at the University of Miami this Staff Writer past week. In the past, part of the solar cenGoogle is not the only outlet for learning about clean energy. Since its ter’s funds have gone toward the creation in 1988, the North Carolina purchase of hybrid vehicles. Students may have even seen the Solar Center has provided training, information and programs about re- Solar Center’s Neighborhood Electric Vehicle – very colorful and tiny newable energy. The center is funded by direct ap- – driving around campus, which is propriation through the N.C. General utilized by solar center staff members for activities, such as running Assembly, as well as grant funders. Educating and training profession- errands, Bauer added. Two electric vehicle-charging als through workshops is one of the biggest aspects of the center. In the stations were recently added at the Renewable Energy Technologies Di- McKimmon Center. “You can’t beat the mission,” ploma Series, individuals can receive a certificate after completing a com- Bauer said. “I feel so tied, in parprehensive week-long course concern- ticular, to the Clean Transportaing topics such as photovoltaics and tion mission. I’m really proud to solar thermal technologies, according do work that addresses those kinds to Maria O’Farrell, the training pro- of problems.” But the discusgrams manager. sion doesn’t end The cost of the there; more can series ranges from be said about the $969 to $1,998. Solar Center’s Despite the cost, ties to solar enthe RETDS workergy. shop has actually According to quadrupled under a publication by t he d irec t ion of the center, 60 O’Farrell, accordpercent of hot ing to the N.C. Solar water needs can Center website. be met with one For student pursola r t her ma l poses, though, the collector. Database of State InSolar Center publication C ont ra r y to centives for Renewpopular belief, able Energy would this kind of technology is costbe the most useful academically. Justin Barnes, a senior policy ana- effective. “The energy you save from not lyst for the solar center, maintains and heating that water with electricity revises DSIRE. “When I was a graduate student, I can pay back the cost of the system used DSIRE as a resource tool,” Barnes in five to 10 years,” the publication said. “Once installed the heating said. He added that the database includes energy is free and creates no polinformation on energy efficiency, state lution.” Anyone who wants to see reand local rebate programs, as well as newable energy in action can visit renewable standards. There are a number of different ar- State’s Solar House, built in 1981, eas within the solar center, however. which averages less than a $70 The Clean Transportation program heating bill each winter, according seeks to develop and promote alterna- to the solar center website. Due to state budget cuts, the Sotive fuel use and transportation technologies, according to Marcy Bauer, lar House was actually closed for a a Clean Transportation specialist for few months. It has since reopened, but because of funding, is looking the center. Substitutes to petroleum, such as for a volunteer to give its tours acnatural gas, electricity, ethanol and cording to Shannon Helm, combio-fuel, have been supported by the munications and outreach manClean Transportation program and ager for the center. Some of the key elements of the their projects. Even the top reaches of the govern- house are a photovoltaic system ment have responded to the need for alternative fuel. solar continued page 3
Ileana Le/Technician
Reverend William J. Barber II helps a student register to vote at "Vote No on One," an event to promote voting against N.C.'s Amendment One on May 8th.
Students rally against Amendment One
“The energy you save from not heating that water with electricity can pay back the cost of the system in five to 10 years.”
Barbara Zelter, clinical assistant professor in social work, assisted a great deal with the organization of this event, Williams said. The students have been putting together the event since the end of last semester, according to Williams. She Elise Heglar said the work done by social work stuNews Editor dents on this event highlights how imThe Graduate Student Social Work portant social justice is to them. “I think our major doesn’t just talk Association hosted an event last night to educate people about the potential- the talk of social justice, they walk the ly negative side of Amendment One, walk,” Williams said. Leslie Cloninger, graduate student in which will be on the ballot for the May social work and the opening speaker 8 election. The amendment deals specifically for the event, agreed with Williams with the legal definition of partner- about the reasoning behind the program. ship and marriage, “As social workas well as the rights ers, it is in our code accompanying it, of ethics to fight soin North Carolina. cial discrimination,” About 55 social Cloninger said. work students were While making her involved in the creopening remarks, ation of this event, Cloninger got emoaccording to Linda tional discussing the Williams, program potential effects the director in social passing of Amendwork. Wi l lia ms Linda Williams, program director ment One could have said the students in social work on relationships. involved in the “W hat doe s it planning chose to focus on Amendment One because it mean that my right to love is going to be put on a ballot?” Cloninger asked. directly relates to their major. Following the welcome, Reverend “Part of our mission as social workers is social justice. This is the epitome William J. Barber II spoke to the of social injustice. It’s not one of those crowd. Barber is the president of the things you can let go,” Williams said. North Carolina National Associa-
Students got the chance to hear information and opinions about Amendment One.
“This is the epitome of social injustice. It’s not one of those things you can let go.”
Student Government proposes application SG allocated funds for an Apple app that was never created. Madison McLawhorne Correspondent
Plans are in the works for an iPhone App that would be available to students with the purpose of improving the effectiveness and speed of crosscampus communication. The dissemination of smart phone application use today has helped users across the globe do everything from smoke virtual cigarettes to select movie times with the touch of a button. But even with hundreds of thousands to choose from, students might not expect to have an app just for their school. Thanks to N.C. State’s Student Government, students may have just that. James Cronin is a former senator for the University and remembers the bill well. He noted while it is not just the Student Government who could fund this project, “Student Government is one of many organizations who can fund on-campus initiatives of many kinds,
this happened to come to us because that group [that suggested the app] approached SG first.” Throughout each semester, Student Government spends hours making decisions about money. Funds are allocated to student organizations across campus regularly and are also given to special projects as needed. Finance Bill 07, the Apple App Funding Act, was written by former senator Kristen Ellerbe and is co-sponsored by former senator Toni Campbell and current Senator Rachel Turner. The bill, formerly titled “Resolution to be Entitled an Act to Fund New and Innovative Ways to Reach Students,” is meant to “fund the creation of an Apple Application,” according to the Student Government’s website, and would be offered to students free of charge. The first reading of the bill was in April of last year and resulted in the allocation of $500 toward the development of the iPhone application. Student Body Treasurer Buddy Bryson spoke about the progress of the bill. “If I remember correctly, this bill was sent back for further review as
For more info: More information on this bill, as well as other information on the Student Government, can be found on their website at http:// students.ncsu.edu/sgims/bill/ apple-app-funding-act-1365.html
University Communications was already in the works of designing an app that would be very similar to what Senator Ellerbe had in mind when she wrote the bill,” Bryson said. Students shouldn’t expect to have the app in their hands anytime soon, however. The project is still in committee and will likely not survive past this session. “We felt since a department was already working on this project that it was in the best interest to save those student fees to be used for other projects that may come up in the future,” Bryson added. James Cronin says the student
app continued page 3
Amendment one facts: Defines: Marriage between one man and one woman Proposed: April 6, 2011 Will be voted on: May 8, 2012 Becomes law: Upon certification Effective: Upon becoming law Source: Ncleg.net
tion for the Advancement of Colored People. He is also a pastor at Greenleaf Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Goldsboro, N.C. Barber spoke for about 45 minutes about the proposed amendment. He continuously stressed the negative effects that could come from the passing of Amendment One. “This is a matter of conscience, not constitution,” Barber said. Holning Lau, associate professor of law at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, took some time after Barber’s speech to answer questions about the proposed amendment. Lau explained the passing of this amendment would affect all types of relationships in North Carolina, not just same-sex ones. The passing of this amendment could prevent all domestic legal unions aside from marriage, Lau said. Barber suggested the amendment
one continued page 3
insidetechnician Designers digitalize Hunt Library
Plans for Hunt Library include several high-tech and digital applications for students. See page 3.
Pack on alert as Hurricanes come to town N.C. State will look to end its four-game losing skid. See page 8.
Dar He educates through the remembrance of Emmett Till’s murder
Dar He is both innovative and powerful. It premiers in N.C. March 22. See page 6.
viewpoint features classifieds sports
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