TECHNICIAN
technicianonline.com
Raleigh, North Carolina
New Student Orientation alters schedule No student organization information fair this year Preston Boyles Deputy News Editor
New Student Orientation has made several changes to the orientation schedule for 2009, including overlapping sessions, smaller group sizes and cutting the student organization information fair, according to Gabe Wical, director of NSO.
Wical said he has worked closely with the NSO Steering Team, which includes 10 representatives from across campus, to determine the necessary changes. He said the time frame of orientation is going to remain the same, beginning June 29 and continuing through the end of July. However, instead of nine two-day sessions, there will be 17 one and a half day overlapping sessions. “We’ve been looking at changing things over the years,” Wical
said. “The number of students and parents coming to orientation continues to rise and we don’t have the space on campus to hold two concurrent programs.” Wical said the changes help NSO do a lot of things it was unable to do in the past. “We will not only have a welcome program on the first day, but also explain the expectations of students as a member of the campus community to both students and parents,” he said.
He said the new information is what orientation has needed for a while. “As we are talking about what’s expected academically, culturally and socially, the students will hear a more defined message and have a better understanding of what’s expected,” he said. Tracey Ray, director of multicultural student affairs and member of the NSO Advisory Committee, said the changes will have a positive impact. “With all the work the Uni-
versity does, assessment is a big part,” Ray said. “By all means, NSO will go in and assess how it runs in terms of the new schedule and how to tweak it. That’s something the committee does every year based on feedback.” Elizabeth Mayton, a freshman in English, said she provided feedback last year regarding orientation. She said despite her laid back personality, cramming a lot of information into a short period of time proved frustrating. “Orientation should be a little
Alumni, residents unearth time capsule, bury new one for future students in 2034 Students and alumni gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bragaw
bit longer,” Mayton said. “They provide a lot of information in a brief amount of time. It’s almost not productive because you are rushed around from session to session.” Ray said changes were a matter of adjusting the program, within budget, without compromising the student’s experience. “A lot of thought has been put into the changes with the philosophy of ‘students first’,” she NSO continued page 3
Housing not liable for Sullivan damages Insurance plays a role in residence hall damages
Sarah Widney
Amber Kenney
Staff Writer
Senior Staff Writer
Students and alumni gathered outside Bragaw Residence Hall Tuesday afternoon to watch as alumni unearthed a time capsule buried 20 years ago at the rededication of Bragaw Hall April 7, 1989. The event celebrated Bragaw’s 50th anniversary. Tuesday’s ceremony began with opening remarks from Sherlonda Clarke, assistant director for Bragaw Hall. She welcomed the many alumni who had returned for the event. Director of Housing Susan Grant recognized the presence of alumni, former resident advisors, and former Bragaw Board of Governors members at the ceremony. She remarked on how the Bragaw Activity Room has changed over the years from when it had a stage and a snack bar, but remained the major area for activities on West Campus. “Nearly 40,000 students have lived in Bragaw since it was built,” she said. “That’s the size of a small city—it’s bigger than the population of Apex.” The rededication ceremony in 1989 was intended to dedicate Bragaw Hall to students in the future. Since then, Bragaw has gone through various changes. In 1996 it became co-ed. The dorm had formerly housed only males, and the change to co-ed was not met with wide support. In 2005 new railings were installed. Starting last summer, major renovations of replacing the doors, dressers, closets, and lights began in the south side of Bragaw. The north side of Bragaw will be renovated next summer. Grant said that the BBOG has always been very active in the IRC over the years. Though the decision to make Bragaw co-ed was not met with enthusiasm because residents wanted to keep the tradition of it being all male, changes have been positive for students. Students in attendance had positive reactions to the 50th anniversary celebration. “The idea of a time capsule is really cool,” Rachel McSwain, a sophomore in psychology, said. “I live in Metcalf, but I wanted to see what’s in the time capsule.” Bill Royal, a former resident advisor, BBOG president, and 1991 alumnus said that the central area (the Bragaw Activity CAPSULE continued page 3
MICHELE CHANDLER/TECHNICIAN
Grant Sparks, an alumnus, shows the audience at the 50th Anniversary of Bragaw ceremony a towel that was placed in the time capsule on Apr. 7, 1898. Sparks and several alumni that lived in Bragaw during the time of the original ceremony reunited to see what was placed in the time capsule 20 years ago.
CONTENTS OF 1989 TIME CAPSULE: r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r
VHS tape of 1989 rededication ceremony Lid from N. C. State dairy’s vanilla ice cream The Igloo 5 year warranty 1988 North Carolina State ACC women’s basketball championship Programs from original dedication “Carolina sucks” boxers N.C. State shirt Beach Blast t-shirt Howl Towl N. C. State 88-89 basketball program signed by Jim Valvano Program from Textile Bowl vs. Clemson Programs from every sport Kay Yow and women’s basketball program 1988 Peach Bowl program Pictures taken by student Eric Sparks Photo of Eric Sparks in N.C. State shorts and t-shirt
The aftermath of a busted emergency sprinkler in Sullivan Residence Hall left Billy Kronenwetter with ruined clothes and damaged personal items, but Kronenwetter said things could have been worse. “Luckily, because of the way many of my textbooks were positioned on the shelf, most of them are useable,” he said. “They have water damage, but I am still able to use them, which is a good thing.” As far as electronics were concerned, Kronenwetter said he was fortunate. “My laptop, surprisingly, was just fine, which is awesome,” he said. Kronenwetter’s printer was damaged and lost his personal iPod due to the incident. The flood also raised awareness of many issues which needed to be addressed, the most crucial being monetary responsibility. “As far as my clothes, Housing waived the fees of the washers and dryers so I could wash them for free,” he said. “After I washed my clothes, they are fine.” Clea ning K ronenwet ter’s clothes was the least expensive fee associated with the sprinkler incident, he said. Water damages and ruined personal belongings became the bulk of costs of the busted sprinkler incident. After assessing the damages, the question became who would be held accountable. Kronenwetter, after speaking with Housing, is the responsible DAMAGES continued page 3
SOURCE: BRAGAW BOARD OF GOVERNORS
CONTENTS OF NEW TIME CAPSULE (TO BE OPENED IN 2034): r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r
‘No UNC’ button Copy of today’s Technician Twinkies Photo album of Bragaw Pictures from Goodwill Prong program Picture of current student ID Picture of a microfridge Surveys from students in Bragaw Letter about current events Sample student schedule Screenshot of MyPack Portal Maps of West and Centennial Campus Current price of bread and milk This year’s Oscar and Grammy winners 50th anniversary event invitation Go Pack Poster from convocation T-shirts from convocation SOURCE: BRAGAW BOARD OF GOVERNORS
insidetechnician
New business booms downtown See page 5.
MICHELE CHANDLER/TECHNICIAN
Students in 1988 placed a football media guide in the Bragaw Residence Hall time capsule 20 years ago.
viewpoint business & money classifieds sports
4 5 7 8