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Chick-fil-A avoiding controversy on campus Criticism regarding perceived GLBT bias has not reached N.C. State. Brooke Wallig Deputy News Editor
While there has been prominent national criticism of Chick-fil-A due to some of their franchises’ ties to controversial Christian groups, N.C. State students have continued to favor the University’s chicken option. In January, one of Chick-fil-A’s franchises in Pennsylvania donated food to the Pennsylvania Family Institute for an event emphasizing “traditional” marriages—those defined as being between one man and one woman. Chick-fil-A is closed on Sundays, a tradition it observes to allow employees to spend time with family or worship. It also provides scholarships to students who wish to attend private, and traditionally Christian, Berry College. Throughout its existence, Chick-fil-A has maintained its status as a fast-food chain with obvious religious roots.
According to Chick-fil-A Chief Op- marriages comes from a commitment erating Officer Dan Cathy’s written to the community. “At Chick-fil-A, we have a heart for statement in response to these assertions, the accusations claiming the helping marriages because we know organization is anti-GLBT are inac- marriage can be difficult at times,” Cathy said. “Through the years, we curate. “In recent weeks, we have been ac- have supported our Chick-fil-A staff cused of being anti-gay. We have no and franchised operators in their maragenda against anyone. At the heart riage journey, and since the formation and soul of our company, we are a of our family foundation, the Winfamily business that serves and val- Shape Foundation, we have helped others as well.” ues all people reHowever, while gardless of their Cathy said the beliefs or opincorporation is ions,” Cathy said. heavily invested Cat hy a lso in helping coucalled for calm ples with their debate on both marriages and sides about the relationships, he issue. does not specifi“We also beDan Cathy, Chick-fil-A cally state whethlieve in the need chief operating officer er this applies to for civility in dianon-traditional logue with others who may have different beliefs,” he marriages and families. “We will not champion any political said. “While my family and I believe in the Biblical definition of marriage, agendas on marriage and family. This we love and respect anyone who dis- decision has been made, and we understand the importance of it,” Cathy agrees.” Instead, Cathy said Chick-fil- said. “At the same time, we will conA’s commitment to strengthening tinue to offer resources to strengthen
“We will not champion any political agendas on marriage and family.”
SG, administrators hope force drop frees classes litical science, hopes the absentee spots can be filled with motivated students who need the course and make better use of class time. But empty desks filled with Bryan Le absent students are not the only Correspondent obstacle in the way of students Students may need to make sure searching for classes; course availthey’re back on campus before classes ability has also gone down because start, or run the risk of having courses of looming budget cuts. With a smaller number of class seats, it is dropped from their schedule. If a Student Senate proposal goes even more challenging for students into effect next fall, students who to find the classes they need. Student Government hopes the miss their first two class meetings without an excuse will be cut from the policy will enable students mocourse unless they contact the profes- tivated enough to attend class to sor ahead of time. The proposal has meet their degree requirements on already gained support from some schedule. Professors campus adminwho are unistrators. able or unThis new rule, w illing to called the force regularly take drop policy, is attendance in meant to help larger classes s t udent s w ho make it easier find themselves for students s t uc k on t he to skip class. waiting list for Emerson Barker, sophomore in political science But by asking classes they need professors to g raduate. to only take Passed by Student Government last year, the policy attendance on the first two class would alleviate waiting list woes by days, Student Government hopes preventing absentee students from to decrease the number of empty seats from the start of a semester. filling up class space. “As budget cuts happen next According to the bill, there are as many as 400 absentee students who year, the number of seats will “fail all their classes due to never setting foot in class.” Student Sen. drop continued page 3 Emerson Barker, a sophomore in po-
marriages and families. To do anything different would be inconsistent with our purpose and belief in Biblical principles.” According to Chick-fil-A, each franchise is independently owned and operated, leaving each decision to donate food or money to any cause or organization up to the owner of the franchise. “Chick-fil-A, Inc. receives numerous requests of this kind [for sponsorship]; unfortunately, we are not able to honor them through the corporate office. You are welcome to contact the Chick-fil-A restaurant operator closest to the location of your event and discuss the possibility of his or her limited participation,” according to the company’s website. According to Kelley Brackett, public communication specialist for dining and catering operations, the Chickfil-A on campus has not only avoided any such criticism, it will grow later this spring. “University Dining is a franchise owner of a Chick-fil-A in the Atrium Food Court and will be opening another location on Centennial Campus this spring,” Brackett said. “We can-
source of controversy A Chick-fil-A franchise in provided free food for a meeting of the Pennsylvania Family Institute, sparking an outcry among GLBT groups nationally. The Pennsylvania Family Institute’s mission “is to strengthen families by restoring to public life the traditional, foundational principles and values essential for the wellbeing of society.” It is a research and education organization “devoted to restoring these values to our state and nation.” It produces policy reports, “promotes responsible citizenship and work to promote unity among pro-family groups.” sOURce: Pennsylvania Family insTiTUTe websiTe
not speak for the Chick-fil-A corporation, but we haven’t seen any backlash from the recent controversy.” For senior materials science and en-
chick-fil-A continued page 3
dude, where’s my keys?
Students who miss start of classes could be left in the cold.
“As budget cuts happen next year the number of seats will tighten up.”
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senior in agroecology wendi Jiang looks through trash outside metcalf hall for her keys monday. Jiang accidentally threw her keys down the garbage chute while taking out the trash and had to clear two blockages in the chute before going in to the dumpster to retrieve her keys. After two hours of searching, she found them.
Dean: CALS-CNR merger a ‘rumor’ CNR dean won’t rule out merger, but denies it’s a done deal. Elise Heglar Staff Writer
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As the University devises its budget strategy for next year, many departments, academic and otherwise, are trying to figure out how they will cope with coming cuts. One way that the University has discussed saving money is to merge two colleges together; the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Natural Resources. Currently this idea is nothing but a rumor, according to Robert Brown, the dean of CNR. Although there has been much speculation about the idea of a merger, the University will not release information on any official decisions until March 15. “There are a lot of rumors flying around right now, due to the budget cuts that we are facing. But for right now, that is all they are: rumors,” Brown said. The University is considering sev-
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eral reorganizations due to the budget cuts. A CALS-CNS merger to save money is a possibility, as the University is reorganizing all financial aspects of school. “We’re all concerned about dealing with these budget cuts, and that does cause some anxiety for people,” Brown said. Although a merger is an option, Brown said there are other options that will be considered and implemented first. Brown said, were the colleges to merge, it might not even save much money. The only position that would truly be cut out, funding-wise, would be the salary for one dean, since the colleges would share a dean if they were to merge. Brown said the colleges would still require the same number of faculty and staff in order to accommodate the student body. “It has been done at other colleges, and it does save some money. But, you need the same number of faculty and staff, so I’m not sure that it’s enough. The main question is whether or not
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it is effective, and it generally is not,” Brown said. Johnny Wynne, CALS dean and executive director for agricultural programs, said speculation about a merger is a moot point as of now. CALS is focusing on how to keep as many courses as possible rather than making plans for the possible merger. “I’m just as ignorant as anyone else is about this, so I haven’t really thought about it,” Wynne said. “Right now, we just want to do all we can to protect our budget and stay concerned about teaching good courses for our students.” Despite the concerns over the merger, Brown and Wynne both said they would be supportive of the Chancellor’s decision, regardless of the outcome. “Nothing happens at this University without a lot of thought being put into it. We are going to be supportive of whatever the Chancellor decides to do because it will be in the best interests of this University,” Brown said.
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