TECHNICIAN
TEDxNCSU Talk The TEDxNCSU talk will focus on expanding TED’s mission, “ideas worth spreading.” The program is designed to give communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level. Through a series of short, carefully prepared talks that relate to a variety of disciplines taught at N.C. State, TEDxNCSU will serve as a catalyst for student exploration and engagement. Interested individuals must fill out a short application explaining their interest in attending the program. There will be a series of 11 speakers giving talks that range in length from 5 to 18 minutes on subjects such as: The New Media Landscape, The Role of Social Media and Citizen Journalism in International Crises, Torture Accountability, Should Science have a Conscience, and more! For additional information contact Tracy DiTucci at 815353-7887. SOURCE: NCSU CAMPUS CALENDAR
Redress Raleigh 2011 Redress Raleigh is an ecologically conscious and forward thinking fashion show that challenges designers to think about impact on the environment in the development of their concept. Redress aims to showcase eco-friendly designers with accessible and innovative collections that show “green” is in all aspects of life, including fashion. The clothing selected for the show has a strong emphasis on eco-friendly design. Eco-friendly can be in the form of recycled or remanufactured garments, and using eco-friendly fabrics and production processes. The focus of Redress Raleigh is to promote wearable eco-fashion, fabrics and textiles that would be commonly found in clothing articles, rather than non-clothing items such as cardboard, paper, plastic, etc. Tickets are available at www.redressraleigh.com. SOURCE: COLLEGE OF TEXTILES & REDRESS RALEIGH
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Community runs to combat suicide Sigma Pi fraternity hosted its first “Break the Silence” 5k to remember the life of one of its own. Brooke Wallig Deputy News Editor
Marc Haege, a former junior in history, is described by his fraternity brothers in Sigma Pi as a kind and caring person with a quickwitted sense of humor. This sentence, these 28 words, is the only way for you to get to know Marc Haege. You cannot text him, send him a Facebook friend request, and you won’t meet him in any of your classes or at a baseball game. All of these scenarios are impossible, because in December 2010, Marc Haege took his own life. Even at a university the size of N.C. State, with more than 30,000 students and faculty, some students like Haege find themselves feeling alone, with no way out of this feeling other than death. But on the three month anniversary of his death, Sigma Pi honored Haege’s memory by hosting a “Break the Silence” 5k to support suicide prevention and remembrance of all of those students who, like Haege, have been lost to suicide. Over 200 students, faculty, and members of the Campus community participated in this event, raising over $2,000 for the N.C. State
Counseling Center. For Marion Haege, ’08 alum and sister of Marc Haege, this is more than a simple donation. “I’m very honored that they did this event, and that there was such a huge turnout, especially for a first time event. I really want to thank everyone who came,” Haege said. “This is such a great way to remember him…and I think it is part of the healing process.” Haege was not the only participant to comment on the massive number of participants for such a new event. Gary Cunha, suicide prevention worker and presenter at the event, said run was more successful in its first year than many suicide prevention races that have been around for multiple years. “For its first time around, with over 200 people, it has had an extraordinary turnout,” Cunha said. “Our ‘Out of the Darkness’ walk had maybe 60 people at it in its first year, and just surpassed 400 people after its fifth year. I’m glad to know young people are getting involved with this issue.” According to Michael Nguyen, junior in business administration and Sigma Pi brother, the fraternity has every intention of not only continuing to hold the event in future years, but to also increase the number of supporters beyond what was possible this year. “Being at Centennial Campus, the number of participants is limited to 300 people, and this year, with only advertising a little through Facebook, we came really close to meeting that limit,” Nguyen said. “Next year, we hope they’ll increase the limit for this
event because it’s really exploded into an event that was much larger than we thought it would be. We actually had to turn counseling centers away because we didn’t have enough space.” According to Cunha, the willingness for the community to step up and publicly honor and support an event designed to emphasis suicide prevention is quite the shift in culture from years past. “When I was their age, suicide was a very taboo subject—definitely not polite table conversation—and it was very uncomfortable for anyone to really talk about,” Cunha said. “But this generation is so much more accustomed to sharing their feelings, even about this, and they’re bringing the second largest killer of their age group out of the darkness.” At the same time, Cunha said suicide does not only affect the person whose life is taken. “Suicide leaves a lot of people in its wake—more people than just the one whose life is physically ended,” Cunha said. “If you’ve lost someone, you’re in a unique position to reach out to other survivors, because you know the pain. You’re dealing with the stigma, with the suddenness and the guilt.” According to Cunha, people, especially those who are 18 to 24 years old, who are experiencing suicidal thoughts often can’t see beyond their depression, and need help to prevent the progression to suicide. “People in this situation feel like they don’t matter, that no one loves them. They feel like it’s only going to get worse, and that suicide is their
BLOWIN’ ‘EM UP
A DEPRESSED PERSON MAY… Stay away from people, including friends, and want to be left alone. • Seem more moody or down than usual. • Lose interest in daily activities. • Have trouble sleeping or sleep too much. • Never be hungry or always be eating. NOTE: These people may not be thinking about suicide. But if you notice any of these signs as well as some of the ones below, be concerned. •
IT’S SERIOUS WHEN SOMEONE… • • • • • • •
Talks or jokes about suicide Drinks too much or uses other drugs Says things like “I won’t be around to see that,” or, “I won’t be a problem much longer.” Gets unusually angry or violent. Takes dangerous risks. Gives away belongings and favorite objects. Shows unusual interest in wills and insurance policies. SOURCE: ETR ASSOCIATES, SUICIDE PAMPHLET
only option. Technically, suicide is a solution, but it isn’t the right one, and they need help finding the right solution,” Cunha said. “Look out for each
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Tunnel of Oppression exhibit open to students
Events when the Belltower is lit red: Since its completion in 1937, the Memorial Tower has stood as a symbol of identity for the University, a timekeeper for tradition and a perpetual memorial to students who gave their lives in defense of their country. The tower is also a rallying point for members of the university community. The Belltower is lighted for holidays that honor veterans, such as Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day, and to celebrate NC State’s proudest occasions and achievements. The tower will also be lighted for events celebrated by the campus community: • Spring and Winter Commencements • Induction of a member of the faculty into the National Academy of Sciences or National Academy of Engineering • The awarding of a Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, National Medal of Science, or National Medal of Technology. • The inauguration of the President of the University of North Carolina or installation of the Chancellor of N.C. State. • Football victories at home or away • Men’s & Women’s Atlantic Coast Conference basketball victories at home or away • On nights on which an ACC or national championship is won in any team sport. • Other celebrations at the discretion of the Chancellor
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BELLTOWER BRIEFS
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Event aims to unmask different forms of discrimination and harassment. Justin Rose Staff Writer
The interactive event, Tunnel of Oppression, sponsored by Multicultural Student Affairs, is designed to introduce students and faculty to the concepts of contemporary oppression, privilege, and power, according to Tracey Ray, Director of Multicultural Student Affairs and African-American Student Affairs. The program also
TUNNEL continued page 3 JORDAN MOORE/TECHNICIAN
Thomas Argent, a junior in English and education, sculpts a balloon octopus outside Wolf Village at the “Mardi Gras Bash” Friday. Argent was making a variety of balloon shapes, animals, and festive hats for the event, which started Friday afternoon. The art of balloon sculpting comes easily for Argent though, who has been practicing for over a decade. “I can make hundreds of [balloon sculptures]” said Argent. “Usually I don’t remember them until someone asks me to make them though.”
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SOURCE: NCSU BELLTOWER CELEBRATIONS
Graduate Education Week Festivities for the third annual Graduate Education Week will begin on Sunday, March 20 and continue through Saturday March 26. On Monday, show support for grad students by attending the 6th Annual Graduate Student Research Symposium. On Friday, join in the ever-popular Deans vs. Grads Bowling Night at The Alley on Hillsborough Street. A Habitat for Humanity community service event on Saturday completes the week’s events. There are also a variety of informative seminars and workshops scheduled throughout the week. For a full listing of events or more information regarding Graduate Education Week, please visit www.ncsu.edu/grad/GEW or contact the Graduate School. Graduate Education Week highlights the great work of the University’s graduate students. In addition, the week will serve as an opportunity to attract prospective students and legitimize the need for state funding. SOURCE: THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
Free assistance for tax preparation for University community The Poole College of Management accounting students provide free tax preparation assistance. Alanna Howard Deputy News Editor
For first time tax filers, organizing all the paperwork necessary for a correct filing can be daunting. Accounting students from the Poole College of Management are assisting the University community with free tax preparation. Twenty five students have com-
pleted training and are capable of participating based on certification by the Internal Revenue Service. The program, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, is an yearly event open to those with an annual household income below $49,000. According to Ernest Carraway, accounting lecturer in the College of Management and faculty coordinator, the program was started over five or six years ago. “I’ve only been with the program three or four years, and it was started before then by another faculty member. I think it’s been around for over five or six years with high levels of success each year. We’ve had good turn
Grad Fa ir Class Rings
10% off all Caps & Gowns and Diploma Frames
GET HELP WITH TAXES: The VITA students will offer assistance from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on April 16 in the college’s computing lab, 411 Nelson Hall. The entrance is at the lower level on the southwest corner (campus side). SOURCE: COLLEGE OF MANAGEMENT
See page 6 .
Softball drops series to FSU See page 8.
viewpoint features classifieds sports
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NC State Bookstores April 12 - 14 10am - 4pm
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Local bands break attendance record
Graduation Announcements
Diploma Frames