Technician
friday november
6
2009
Raleigh, North Carolina
Building temperatures vary when seasons change Older thermostats make keeping building temperatures comfortable difficult Heidi Klumpe Staff Writer
Fall brings unpredictable weather with cold morning and evening and warm afternoons, which presents a challenge for the Facilities Operations division. According to Alan Daeke, the director of Utilities and Engineering Services, as the buildings on campus represent a wide range of ages, they sport a wide variety of temperature control technologies. “Most buildings on campus have thermostats that automatically control temperature in the space,” he said. “Some older buildings, and buildings that have multiple smaller systems, are not automatic, but are in either heating mode or cooling mode.” These differences in amount of control can pose problems for Facilities Operations — the systems, which are not automatic, cause the most discomfort, particularly because the thermostat cannot react to current conditions. According to Daeke, this becomes a problem, especially during the change of seasons. “The [older systems] can potentially cause uncomfortable conditions when we have cool mornings and then warm afternoons, which are common of fall weather,” Daeke said. Students recognize the difference. Buildings such as Harrelson Hall, built in 1960, are known for their range of unusual temperatures. Allison Nolker, a freshman in biological sciences, has a math class in Harrelson and often finds the room uncomfortable. “My math class is usually hot,” she said. “There’s a huge number of people in that tiny little room.” Emily Darr, a freshman in environmental engineering, had the reverse experience in the same building. “I always feel cold,” she said. “Sometimes I wonder if it’s because I am sitting under a vent or something.” Resetting these older temperature control systems is generally something that occurs once, adding another layer of complexity to operating the more aged thermostats. “Maintenance and Operations staff typically meet with the building liaisons and agree upon a date to switch the air condition system from cooling to heating in the fall,” said Daeke, “and vice versa from heating to cooling in the spring.” Unlike the hard and fast distinctions of the older systems, the newer automatic thermostats are more able to respond to real-time conditions and do not require such difficult or drastic measures to achieve comfort. “The thermostat automatically
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Work on Hillsborough Street limits standing room, does not affect parade Heidi Klumpe Staff Writer
Construction on Hillsborough Street will not affect the annual Homecoming parade this year as the parade route has not been altered because of the renovations. All the work being done will block of the campus’s side of the street, according to Parade Chair Jessica Garland, a junior in business management. “When people that are watching the parade come from N.C. State, [the street] will be blocked and seem as if they’re not allowed,” she said. Garland said the success of the Hillsborough Hike is a good judge of how the parade will fare. “I got reassured by Halloween,”
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The committee considered moving the parade to Cates Avenue but decided to keep Hillsborough Street on the route. “As everybody knows, Hillsborough Street businesses are really hurt right now,” Blackford said. “The businesses are really adamant about keeping the parade on Hillsborough. It brings in business.” According to Blackford, a lot of the businesses are already involved in Homecoming in other ways, including donating food for “Wear Red, Get Fed” and letting students paint their storefronts. Business would not be the only sacrifice of altering the route. “We brought [the parade] back to Hillsborough Street six years ago,” Blackford said. “It’s kind of become a tradition.” Adam Compton, a senior in agricultural business management, said he valued keeping the parade on Hillsborough.
“It’s important to hold the tradition of having it on Hillsborough Street. That was a big day when they brought it back there,” Homecoming Chair Compton also said he has confidence in the support of the committee’s liaison with the city. “Of all the stages of construction, the street will be widest,” he said. “They will clean the street and make it look nice. Also, some of the [campus] side spots are starting to open up.” The width of the street, which impedes traffic, will not affect the parade itself. “There is enough space for floats or cars,” Garland said. “It will be a little difficult for the bands performing because they can’t be as spread out.” Excluding these details, the planners anticipate the essentials of the parade remaining unaffected. “Even with the construction on Hillsborough, the parade will continue to be as good as previous years,” Compton said.
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Doc Hendley, alumnus, delivers a speech before a crowd in the Brickyard Thursday. Hendley was honored for being named as one of the top 10 CNN heroes of 2009 for his work through his organization, Wine to Water. “It’s a little overwhelming,” said Hendley of the newfound fame. “It’s important to me for people to know there’s nothing special about me. It shows that anyone can do something great.”
Pack Howl features humor, local band CollegeHumor comedy act featured in Pack Howl concert a departure from Homecoming tradition
Staff Writer
Homecoming comes to a close
she said. “Everyone was out there anyway. [Construction] didn’t seem to impact them.” Students can watch the parade from the other side of the street. “Everyone will have to stand on the vendor side,” Garland said. “It’s going to look more crowded. We’re not going to have benches this year because there’s no room for it.” Aside from these changes, preparations remain congruous with previous years, according to Jeramy Blackford, the director of student programs for N.C. State Alumni Association. “We’ve got just as many, if not more, organizations involved this year. There was no one who didn’t want to do the parade because of the construction,” he said. Garland said the parade won’t be any less stunning because of the construction. “The construction on Hillsborough is not a reason to not come,” Garland said. “It’s going to be amazing.”
a Hero among us
Nick Tran
insidetechnician
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Traditional parade route upheld
The events of the Pack Howl concert have been uncertain since the Homecoming committee announced this year’s Homecoming would not feature a big-name musician. After receiving extra funding from Student Government, the committee announced it would still be inviting a wellknown performer. Tonight’s capstone to the week’s Homecoming festivities will be dominated by the jokes of nationally renowned comedy group CollegeHumor. After an opener by Chapel Hill rock and roll band Roman Candle, the stage will be turned over to CollegeHumor
“A concert would just be more fun performers for the remainder of the and more people would be more aware annual Pack Howl concert. Wendy Cernel, a sophomore in if it was a band. For a comedy act, graphic design, said she doubted the you have someone talking to you and success of the Pack Howl concert in you have to sit and pay attention to get it,” Clark said. “CollegeHumor is light of this change in tradition. still a big name and “Other colleges people who know have big-name perabout them will still formers coming to come, but it won’t t hei r homecombe as popular as a ings — more people music performer. If here probably want they had more mona big-na me perey they would have former too,” she brought in a band.” said. “This probably Adam Compton, happened because chairma n of t he they couldn’t afford Homecoming com[a well-known musiAdam Compton, chairman of mittee, said Collegcian]. It will still be the Homecoming committee eHumor is still a big popular because it is name and will still Homecoming, but it might not get as many people. Music reach a lot of people. “We looked at what the [Collegwould get people pumped up more eHumor] tour did at other campuses than a comedy act.” Elissa Clark, a sophomore in public and decided it was right for the Pack relations, also said she felt a comedy Howl concert,” he said. “Some students don’t like some kinds of music, act would not be as popular.
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“Some students don’t like some kinds of music, but comedy will reach all students.”
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but comedy will reach all students.” Katie Basinger, a freshman in nuclear engineering, said she agreed CollegeHumor might actually bring in more people because of humor’s universal appeal and because the event is free. “This probably happened because of a lack of money, but it is a good change in tradition. We’ll have to see how it turns out,” she said. “Everyone likes humor.” Basinger said though many students may be disappointed in the selection, she understood the committee’s decision. “A lot of students are going to be upset,” Basinger said. “It’s kind of upsetting that it’s not a big name, but [the change] is understandable.” Sarah Spitzfaden, a junior in biology, said she was not convinced by the Homecoming committee’s justification. “What if CollegeHumor isn’t the
HOWL continued page 3
Homecoming 2009 Friday 8am - 6pm | Saturday 9am - 4pm