TECHNICIAN I=: HIJ9:CI C:LHE6E:G D; CDGI= 86GDA>C6 HI6I: JC>K:GH>IN H>C8:
technicianonline.com
;G>96N CDK:B7:G
Raleigh, North Carolina
North Carolina turns blue Tar Heel state votes Democrat in presidential race for first time since 1976 Staff Report
TIM O’BRIEN/TECHNICIAN
Glenna Wink, a senior in biochemistry, and Jennifer Chou, a senior in biochemistry, write on links for a paper chain symbolizing unity and acceptance at the “unity rally� in the Brickyard Thursday. The rally was a reaction to racist messages targeting President-elect Barack Obama in the Free Expression Tunnel Wednesday.
‘Enough is enough’
Four admit to Tunnel threats
Rallies raise discussion of race issues, University’s response Chris Allred News Editor
Saja Hindi Editor-in-Chief
Four students admitted responsibility for writing the racist statements in the Free Expression Tunnel against President-elect Barack Obama Wednesday -- an incident that incurred an investigation from Campus Police and the Secret Service. “When we investigated it from a validation of the threat, the individuTHREATS continued page 3
insidetechnician
Celebrating 40 years of Pipes and Drums
The N.C. State Bagpipe band to host celebratory concert with its alumni on Saturday. See page 6.
Pack takes down Fort Valley State in exhibition opener Men’s basketball shot 52 percent from the field in a 94-65 win. See page 7.
viewpoint arts & entertainment classifieds sports
4 5 7 8
After Student Government hosted a “unity rally� in the Brickyard Thursday, students and faculty held strong feelings on the racist spray-painted messages targeting President-elect Barack Obama in the Free Expression Tunnel the day before. About 300 people attended the rally, during which Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Tom Stafford said the University would not tolerate racism, saying “enough is enough.� RESPONSE continued page 3
It took some time for North Carolina votes for president to be tallied and a final winner to be decided, but as of Thursday afternoon, president-elect Barack Obama has presumably secured North Carolina’s 15 electoral votes. The North Carolina State Board of Elections Web site still listed results as unofficial Thursday night although Obama’s vote lead had remained the same for nearly 24 hours. As of Thursday, the N.C. BOE’s vote counts put Barack Obama at 2,123,390 votes, or 49.7 percent. His opponent, Sen. John McCain, remained more than 10,000 votes behind with a total of 2,109,698, or 49.38 percent. Several major news networks, including NBC, called North Carolina for Obama Thursday morning. While the official election results may not be available until later in November after provisional ballots are tallied and formalized by state Board of Elections officials, networks may have felt Obama’s lead secure enough to declare him the victor. The Associated Press also declared North Carolina for Obama Thursday, stating there were not enough outstanding provisional ballots for Sen. McCain to make up the difference in votes. With his victory in North Carolina, Obama brought the number of states he turned from red to blue to nine. Obama captured victories in Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico — states that voted for President Bush in 2004. With North Carolina included in the electoral count total, Obama now leads 364 to 162. The only state left uncalled as of Thursday was Missouri.
Class sizes, technology to suffer in College of Design budget cuts
Alum to serve in White House
College of Design to deal with $140,000 budget cut
Robert Gibbs has worked as Obama’s communication director, now press secretary Robert Gibbs, a University alumnus who worked as communication director in Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, will serve as Obama’s White House Press Secretary, according to a Politico report. Gibbs has been one of Obama’s top strategists in his quest for the presidency, as well as in his Senate office. He was born and raised in Alabama, and played on N.C. State’s soccer team. Gibbs’ parents live in Apex, N.C. In another local connection, Gibbs previously worked for Democratic U.S. Congressmen Bob Etheridge. Gibbs also worked in John Kerry’s presidential campaign as the press secretary.
James Cox Staff Writer
In a line of budget reductions across the University, the College of Design is facing a $140,000 cut, according to Dean Marvin Malecha. “That is a very fair number,� Malecha said. “Look at the economy. Everyone is going to have to sacrifice.� Cuts will affect faculty and students, he said. “Some staff services are going to be reduced,� he said. There is going to be a reduction in the number of sections available for students to enroll in, Malecha said. That means that the same number of students will have DESIGN continued page 3
NC State Bookstores
MATT MOORE/TECHNICIAN FILE PHOTO
Kameron Elliott, a freshman in architecture, listens as TA Precious Lovell gives him advice about his project to create a mask in the studio in Leazar Hall. Lovell said she had over 20 years experience in design working in New York. “I live, breathe, exist as a designer,� she said. For Elliott, the design school has been enjoyable. “It’s very helpful and very open,� he said.
SOURCES: POLITICO.COM, NEWS AND OBSERVER STORY, “HE GETS OBAMA’S VOICE TO VOTERS�
ering for Spring 2009 is OP d r O k o o b t EN! x e T e n i www.ncsu.edu/bookstore Onl