TECHNICIAN
tuesday february
9
2010
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
TIM O’BRIEN/TECHNICIAN
Gary Habermas, professor at Liberty University, addresses an audience at Withers Hall in a talk called “Near Death Experiences” Monday. Habermas detailed the two kinds of experiences commonly encountered when someone has become clinically dead then revived.
Lecture reasons with near-death experiences
Dr. Gary Habermas details evidencebased cases with religious twist Laura Wilkinson Life & Style Editor
One of Wither’s lecture halls was filled Monday night 7 p.m. with people ready to hear from Dr. Gary Habermas, a philosophy professor at Liberty University, on the
subject of near-death experiences and the afterlife. The event, hosted by Ratio Christi Apologetics and Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship, was intended to answer some tough questions about people who claim to have had an out-of-body experience while they were proclaimed clinically dead. Habermas said he is mostly interested in near-death cases where evidence has sup-
ported the stories of patients who, after being revived, said they experienced sensory phenomena while technically dead. “I’m not trying to claim there is no conceivable way to explain these things. But after a while, you start to ask why these things happen,” Dr. Habermas said. Curtis Hrischuk, who helps lead the student club Ratio Christi, said the goal of the lecture was to start a dialogue about the
tough questions both Christians and nonChristians have in today’s society. “Their heart has stopped, their brain has no activity, but they can recount what happens. Things they cannot know about,” Hrischuk said. “This is important because it suggests that naturalisms and atheisms
LECTURE continued page 3
Curriculum adjustment could Housing Search Begins change history for high schoolers Students begin considering living arrangements for the 2010-2011 school year.
Proposal would lead to high schoolers learning U.S. history from only 1877 to present
seventh and eleventh grades. Charles Carlton, a retired history professor, said the new measure effectively guts history out of the high Ty Johnson school curriculum. Senior Staff Writer “They’re saying that American history since 1877, that’s all you get. The Institute for Emerging Issues Tough luck,” Carlton said. “You don’t forum at the Raleigh Convention Cen- get Lincoln, you don’t get George ter brought together corporate titans Washington, you don’t get the Pilgrim and innovators Monday as Gov. Bev fathers.” Perdue, former Gov. But Brewer said Jim Hunt and others the proposed change discussed the issues is just the most refacing North Carocent blow against history and social lina. Outside the buildstudies education ing, however, four “Social studies and individuals said one history education innovation being contact hours have discussed will affect been cut in half in students’ and future the last 10 years,” generations’ percepBrewer said. “So tions of historical people are just getting less history and context. social studies generHolly Brewer, an ally. That’s the real associate profesChancellor Jim Woodward sor at N.C. State, problem.” organized the demNina Kilbride, a onstration to show Raleigh attorney, her and others’ reservations about a said she intends to send her children change in the state’s curriculum that to public school and is concerned they will eliminate the teaching of U.S. won’t have a grasp on the specific leshistory prior to 1877 in high school. sons that can be gathered from a high U.S. history will be split between the school focus on U.S. history.
“I’m an engineer, but I believe deeply that in order to deal with issues, current issues, you need historical context.”
insidetechnician
WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL? •
Allie Landry Staff Writer
North Carolina has proposed a draft to alter the curriculum for how high schoolers learn U.S. history.
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The new proposal will split U.S. history between the seventh and eleventh grades, with students learning history from 1877 to the present their junior year.
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Feedback on the draft will be accepted until March 2 and protesters have a Facebook petition, “History Did Not Begin in 1877.” SOURCE: NCPUBLICSCHOOLS.ORG
“Predigested themes and objectives aren’t going to give anybody the real touchtone comparisons to make between today and yesterday,” Kilbride said. “We’re going to lose that nuance as citizens and students.” Chancellor Jim Woodward, who was attending the forum, said the curriculum change was a legitimate cause for debate. “I’m an engineer, but I believe deeply that in order to deal with
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Students have already begun making living arrangements for the coming fall. Popular options include living in an on-campus residence hall or apartment, moving off campus to an apartment complex or finding a house. The Preiss Company is one of the largest rental companies in the area, owning 10 apartments or townhouse units near N.C. State. Elizabeth Little, a leasing consultant for Preiss, said a great majority of the company’s clientele is made up of N.C. State students and many have already signed for next year. “These months, January and February, are our busiest,” Little said. “Eventually we’ll have to quit leasing because we won’t have anything left. Historically, we usually fill up around May.” Little said students who lease early are at an advantage, as they typically receive lower rates. “Rates are based on supply and demand,” she said. “The earlier you sign the cheaper.” As of yesterday, University Woods, one of the units owned by Preiss, was already 41 percent full while University Village, another one of the company’s properties, was 34 percent full. There are many factors to take into consideration when moving off campus, with location being one of the most important. Safety of the area and proximity to campus or to a Wolfline bus stop makes a great impact on day-to-day activity. Alison Thomas-Hollands, a junior in animal science, said she found the commute from her apartment off Trailwood Drive to be a hassle.
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“If you include all the waiting time, it takes about 40 minutes,” ThomasHollands said, referring to her commute time. “It can be frustrating, especially since it means I have to wake up much earlier. The CAT bus is also very unpredictable, so it often takes longer.” Thomas-Hollands will be taking this into account while searching for a new apartment for next year. “I’d like to be closer to campus, or at least on a Wolfline stop.” The number of desired roommates can be another limiting factor in choosing the right housing option, as well as the choice between furnished and un-furnished housing. Gorman Crossing, for instance, is close to a Wolfline stop, but can accommodate at most three people per unit. University Oaks has no furnished units available for rent. “Since we do manage so many properties, we have a little bit of everything,” Little said. “That’s definitely an advantage we have over competitors.” Although most upper classmen choose to live off campus, some decide to stay in the residence halls or in on-campus apartments. Jodie Greene, junior in chemical engineering, said she could sum up her decision to stay on campus in a single word: convenience. With classrooms, dining halls, the gym and the library only a short walk away, students choosing to stay on campus often have less hassle getting around. Having all bills and expenses in one easy payment is also helpful. Greene said her decision to stay on campus was also influenced by the fact that many of her friends also decided to live in the residence halls. As a resident of the University Honors Village, Greene appreciates the intimate community. Next year, however, she will be moving off campus.
Representatives from NC State Class Ring Collection will be at NC State Bookstores February 8-12 from 10am to 3pm