Technician
tuesday october
13
2009
Raleigh, North Carolina
Talley may not accomodate music New concert hall in Talley plans slated for removal to cut costs Ashley Peele Staff Writer
Many within the music department are concerned about the direction of the Talley Student Center renovations since rumors have arisen that the proposed concert hall won’t be included in the project. According to a mass e-mail from Director of Music Mark Scearce, the hall will be removed from the Talley plans. “A new 500-seat concert hall specified for music performances as a priority was a part of the plans [Rally 4 Talley]. However, the chancellor has instructed that the cost must be trimmed by $30 million and, inevitably, the concert hall has been slated for removal from these plans as an option to save money,” Scearce said in the e-mail. Music department faculty and students are unhappy with the new change in plans because they say the facilities are in dire need of replacement so the performers have an area to practice and perform. “Athletes have the gym and workout facilities, scientists and researchers have labs and tools, we need a department for our needs. This is not a want, its a necessity,” Keeshan Ganatra, a member of the marching band and wind ensemble, said. Vince Waters, a music minor and member of the marching band and wind ensemble, said the change in plans didn’t make sense as the department was growing.
“Slating the performing arts hall for removal is unacceptable. We have a rapidly expanding music department that doesn’t even have facilities that are suitable for normal, everyday use. Our marching band just does not fit into that building,” Waters said. “Having an outdated building to use is one thing, but not having the proper facilities is another entity. It’s not just a concert hall, it’s a center for the performing arts. There are many music groups that need that building to perform. But that theatre is used more than just by the music building. Where do we expect our theatre department or arts now to go?” Scearce encouraged advocacy for peaceful protests in his e-mail. “Now is not the time to get angry about this, but to respectfully make your voice heard that the Talleyplanned concert hall with priority for music rehearsals and performances is important to you. This is a first important step in helping us with at least a performance facility while we make the further case for a visual and performing arts center, years away though it is, while this Talley project is on our doorstep,” Scearce said. Waters argues that new facilities are a necessity and should be a priority. “The simple solution is that we have a music program, and we need somewhere to perform. Whether we get a concert hall in Talley or they build us a new building is up to them, but we need a space for the performing arts,” Waters said.
Health officials praise effects of mandatory alcohol education program, students unimpressed Nick Tran Staff Writer
Mara Kurtz/Technician
Vincent Waters, a junior in electrical engineering, practices his french horn in one of the student practice rooms in Price Music Center. “It’s completely unfair that Price was left out of the renovation plans,” Waters said.
H1N1 vaccines still unavailable Vaccines scheduled to be available mid-October have not arrived
HOw can I find out more?
Adair-Hayes Crane
Students can refer to the Health Services Web site at ncsu.edu/ student_health for updates on the H1N1 vaccine.
Staff Writer
Student Health Services is still waiting for the H1N1 vaccine to become available. The vaccines, expected to be available in mid-October, are still on hold for both students and the public. According to the North Carolina Center for Disease Control and Prevention Web site, which was last updated Oct. 5, the vaccine will be available in the fall. The Web site said the CDC could not provide more specific dates due to the variability of manufacturing time and clinical trials. Jerry Barker, director of Student Health Services, said that H1N1 nasal spray has been distributed to high priority groups, as identified by the CDC, but that none of the treatments are available to N.C. State yet. “CDC says distribution should begin in a week or two but again may be restricted in numbers and to high priority locations such as hospitals,” Barker said of the vaccine. “We will post H1N1 shots clinics as soon as possible when we receive the vaccine.” The CDC suggests that certain groups of people get the vaccine as
Source: Student Health Services
Marisa Akers/Technician file photo
Robb Rager, a sophomore in the transfer program, waits at the pharmacy in the Student Health Center. Rager missed classes to see a doctor when he woke up with flu-like symptoms. However, Rager said he is not scared by the recent outbreak of H1N1.
soon as it is available. The department identified those groups as people who live with or care for children younger than six months, pregnant women, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of six months and 24 years and people between the ages of 25 and 64 who are at higher risk for H1N1 due
Students, officials disagree on AlcoholEdu effectiveness
to chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems. While some students are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the vaccines, not everybody plans on getting the vaccine. Kelly Price, a junior majoring in biology, does not get the regular flu vaccine and does not plan on getting the H1N1 vaccine either.
“It is important for the vaccine to be available to students especially with the second half of the semester coming up. It is important for students to stay healthy and not have to miss classes,” Price said. “I probably won’t get the shot but I think others should have the opportunity.” When the vaccine does become available, H1N1 shot clinics will be administered by Maxim nurses, an agency with which the University has a contract. “We are working on campus to get the shot administration cost as low as possible and hopefully it will be finalized by the end of the week,” Barker said. Students can refer to the Health Services Web site at ncsu.edu/student_health for updates on the H1N1 vaccine.
Students now have access to round two of AlcoholEdu as part of the University’s effort to ensure that incoming students are well-informed on the consequences of consuming alcohol. AlcoholEdu is a program designed to educate students on smart alcohol consumption and how to recognize the effects of poor alcohol use. It is presented online through a series of reenactments, animations and statistics reflecting aspects of alcohol usage. The program consists of two informative portions as well as utilities to plan better habits and set limits for alcohol consumption and is offered free to all students. Completion of the informative portions is required of all incoming students under the age of 21 to register for spring semester classes. AlcoholEdu, which the University made mandatory three years ago, has been received positively by health faculty who see it as a vital tool to fighting alcohol abuse. Chris Austin, assistant director of health promotion, said the program addresses a major concern at the University. “Alcohol is the number one issue on campus and students need to know more,” he said. “Many issues which students encounter revolve around alcohol use.” Austin said the program has helped in making the student body more aware of the implications of alcohol consumption and making it mandatory ensures all students are at least somewhat informed. “Since the program was made mandatory there has been an increase in reported cases of alcohol poisoning, but this is because more students are able to recognize poisoning and know how to respond properly.” Dr. Ronni Margolin, clinical psychologist at the Counseling Center, said she noticed an increase in awareness with regards to alcohol from the students who come to the Counseling Center since the program was instituted. “Students now tend to have a better understanding when they come in on topics like blood alcohol concentration and habits to moderate alcohol consumption,” Margolin said. “It helps a lot as there is less time needed to educate students and more time for addressing actual problems.” Despite commendation from health
ALCOHOL continued page 3
insidetechnician
Library construction will affect Textiles Wolfline riders Wolfline buses will be rerouted, won’t stop at Textiles building Jasmine Willis Staff Writer
Multitudes of textile students received a rude awakening via e-mail Sept. 9 when they were informed Wolfline buses that traveled to the College of Textiles would no longer take them directly to the building.
“It is painful to us what students are experiencing and we understand the inconvenience.” Transportation Communications Specialist Christine Klein
Students must walk from the corner of Main Campus Drive and Research Drive when travelling to and from Textiles. Oct. 1, the Southeast Loop, Village Link, Mid-Day Textiles and the Were-
wolf had to take new routes to prepare for the construction of the James B. Hunt Jr. Library. The groundbreaking for the project is slated for Oct. 23. Information and Communications Specialist of Transportation Christine
Klein is recommending students check the bus online or the printed bus schedule to assist students with bus changes in routes. “We were attempting to expedite a possible shelter for the bus stop, but experts have determined it would not be suitable,” Klein said. “It is painful to us what students are experiencing and we understand the inconvenience.”
TEXTILES continued page 3
Red means go.
2 for $20 @ NC State Bookstores
Beef: it’s what’s for dinner, lunch and breakfast See page 6.
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