Technician - Exam Week Fall 2008

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his semester has definitely not been uneventful, and as finals week has arrived, Technician takes a look back at some of the events that have affected campus. Seeing as none of these topics will be going anywhere any time soon, the Technician looks forward to bringing you up-to-date in-depth coverage on these topics and more next semester.

YES, THE ECONOMIC CRISIS WILL AFFECT STUDENTS TOO. OH, AND AMERICA IS IN A RECESSION. After dealing with rising gas prices and an increasing unemployment rate, with employers cutting 533,000 workers in Nov., according to the Labor Department, the U.S. is officially declared in the longest recession since 1982. President-elect Barack Obama now has the opportunity to deal with the aftermath of the United States being involved in two wars and a failing economy, but he and his advisers are working on a two-year stimulus plan to save 2.5 million jobs, according to Bloomberg.

CHRIS SANCHEZ/TECHNICIAN FILE PHOTO

Rachel Sheffield, a freshman in arts applications, reads one of the posters decrying “hate speech� in the Free Expression Tunnel Nov. 5. “I hate that the whole tunnel had to be painted,� Sheffield said. “It upsets me that there had to be something like this at all to elicit such a drastic response.� DANIEL TANAKA /TECHNICIAN FILE PHOTO

Larry Nielsen, provost, runs down various scenarios of tuition increases and their their effects in front of the Tuition Advisory Committee in the 1911 building Sept. 25.

TUITION AND FEES ARE INCREASING AGAIN — HUGE SURPRISE. The Board of Trustees voted in favor of the recommendations of the Tuition Advisory Committee and the Fee Review Committee : a $140 increase in tuition for all students except out-of-state undergraduates who would face a $280 tuition increase, and a fee increase of $72.20 (out of a $73.78 maximum) for all students. Two years ago, the UNC Board of Governors put a cap of a 6.5 percent increase per year on all tuition and fees for UNC system schools for a four-year period. The Fee Review Committee also changed the way it votes on fees — campus groups recorded their presentations, available on the University’s YouTube channel for the committee and students to see why certain groups wanted fee

TIM O’BRIEN/TECHNICIAN

Chanting “No Justice, no peace,� Jay Bettis, a senior in chemistry, marches with Charles Nichols, a graduate student in public administration, to the chancellor’s office to deliver a petition for workers’ rights.

STUDENT GROUPS CONTINUED TO ADVOCATE FOR THEIR INTERESTS. Whether it was the pro-life banners showing what happens to aborted fetuses, or the Student Worker Alliance rallying together and then marching to the chancellor’s office for house keepers’ rights, the Brickyard has seen its fair share of student-led advocacy events this semester. Others include the Unity rally after the Free Expression Tunnel incident from Nov. 5 where students, staff and faculty gathered together to discuss the incident and the University’s response to the racism.

THE ISSUE OF RACE ISN’T GOING ANYWHERE. A toilet paper noose was found in Sullivan Shops in Nov. 2007. That same year, students were having a party and hung up a sign on their door, banning black students from entering. Someone chalked a message on the Brickyard announcing a KKK rally in Sept. 2008. And the day after President-elect Barack Obama was announced as the next president of the United States, four students painted the Free Expression Tunnel with a threat to the president-elect as well as the KKK symbol and a confederate flag. After each incident, students were angered and called for a policy on hate speech. The NAACP got involved in both the toilet paper noose incident and the Free Expression Tunnel incident. The Student Senate held meetings on the issue. The University created a task force to discuss regulations. Those caught had to face Student Conduct. Mandatory diversity courses were discussed. Some students said they felt unsafe on campus. Other students argued that the incident was blown out of proportion and painting over the messages was a violation of free speech. No matter what the conclusion, these continued events are just evidence that this issue is still on people’s minds.

THE ELECTION BROUGHT CANDIDATES CLOSE TO HOME. Ranging from a visit from now president-elect Barack Obama to Reynolds Coliseum to a speech by then-vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin at the State Fairgrounds, North Carolina’s status as a swing state attracted national attention. And these candidates didn’t visit only once or twice, but continued to make stops in Raleigh, Cary and surrounding areas throughout the campaign season in an effort to bring North Carolina voters to their side. Students and even candidates running for local offices campaigned in the Brickyard and all over campus, hoping to attract voters. Students for McCain and Students for Obama held events, almost weekly, and helped to push voter registration drives. Representatives from both organizations participated in a debate that the Technician sponsored. Students, staff and faculty had the opportunity to vote in Technician’s mock election, based on the Wake County ballot. Volunteers from England and Brazil came to N.C. State to campaign for Obama in a state that has voted red since 1976. PHOTOS BY PEGGY BOONE, TIM O’BRIEN, LUIS ZAPATA AND COURTESY JOHNMCCAIN.COM

Stress-relieving activities abound for exam week StressBusters events available for students exam week Daniel Ellis Deputy News Editor

Campus Activities will be offering a variety of events for students this week as part of its annual pre-exam StressBusters series. The events, which range from specialized meals at Fountain Dining Hall to free pizza in the Brickyard, are designed to provide students with a way to relieve added stress that comes from studying for exams, according to the Campus Activi-

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ties Web site. “It’s stressful when you have to study for your major classes and it’s really helpful to have these stress relievers to break away from your study time,� Cory Hefner, a sophomore in electrical engineering, said. Koki Faasii, a sophomore in nuclear engineering, said he typically takes breaks about every hour to relax from studying. Faasii is planning on attending Campus Recreation’s Exam Jam Tuesday night. “Exercise in general is very important to relieve stress,� Faasii said. “Instead of going to the gym or playing football like I usually do, I’ll be able to take part in some rock climbing to

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relax from exams.� Faasii said he believes that although strong study habits often ensure higher exams scores, the need for an occasional study break is very important. “It’s bad when students aren’t social and are so stressed out from working for so many hours straight,� he said. This year’s week of StressBusters will conclude with the first annual Jingle Bell Jog, a two-mile fun run for students and staff.. The non-competitive event will begin Friday at noon in front of Carmichael Recreation Center. Prizes will be awarded to participants for having creative costumes and the largest team.

Plans for Hillsborough Street to take shape in early months of 2009 Derek Medlin The crowd for the Hillsborough Hike Friday night did not reach the expectations of some businesses, but Alan Lovette, owner of Melvin’s Hamburgers, said the event was still a success. Lovette said the crowd Dec. 5 did not match the crowd on hand for the Haunted Hike on Halloween. “The hike went well and there were very few problems,� Lovette said. “It was an extremely cold night so it wasn’t as busy as Halloween, but all the businesses were extremely pleased.� Student Body President Jay Dawkins said he also noticed the difference in Friday’s hike and the Halloween event. “I thought it was pretty good,� Dawkins, a junior in civil engineering, said. “It wasn’t like Halloween, but it was pretty good. It was good to see seniors graduating in the fall get one last hoorah.� Caroline Bernet, a senior in accounting, said the crowd for Friday was definitely less than normal. “There wasn’t a lot of people but that made it better because you didn’t have to wait in line,� she said. “I went with a group of people, so it was still fun.� Lovette said he noticed that the weather had an impact on how many businesses students stopped at Friday. “I was standing on the sidewalk watching people and they were skipping establishments to get down the street faster,� he said. Bernet said she didn’t understand why the cold weather would have impacted turnout substantially. “It was cold, but I don’t know why people wouldn’t have gone because of that,� she said. “You have to bundle up before you go out there, and because the lines were shorter, you weren’t outside as long.� Construction to begin The plans for Hillsborough Street improvements, which have been in discussion for more than two years, will get underway during the spring semester, Dawkins said. Lovette said the future of events on Hillsborough Street like the hike will be critical for the success of the plans to improve the street overall. Three events planned for the spring, Lovette said, will offer students an opportunity to get involved. The Hillsborough Street Re HIKE

continued page 2

insidetechnician

A blueprint for finding the perfect holiday gifts. Technician’s holiday gift guide. See page 5. DANIEL TANAKA/TECHNICIAN

Zack Taylor, a senior in meteorology, works on an assignment for tropical meteorology at the library Monday of dead week. “It’s not dead at all — it’s pretty busy actually,� Taylor said, referring to the many projects and papers has due this last week before finals.

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Hike hurt by weather

Managing Editor

STORIES BY SAJA HINDI

DANIEL TANAKA /TECHNICIAN FILE PHOTO

;6AA

Raleigh, North Carolina

LOOKING BACK AT FALL SEMESTER T

Omar Hassan, a junior in psychology, and Sonya Zaghloul, a sophomore in biological sciences, laugh while waiting in line outside Best Buy at Crossroads Plaza on before Black Friday, which had a lower turnout than retailers hoped for.

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PAGE 2 • EXAM ISSUE

CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS

THROUGH LUIS’S LENS

Page 2

TECHNICIAN

HIKE

continued from page 1

In the Dec. 5 page-nine overheard, Karin Shelton and Charles Jennings’ names were switched. Technician regrets the error. Send all clarifications and corrections to Editor-in-Chief Saja Hindi at editor@ technicianonline.com.

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Monday PET A POOCH Talley Ballroom, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday EXAM JAM Carmichael Gym, Courts 9-11, 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday STRESS FREE LOUNGE Main lobby of Talley Student Center, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday STEP BROTHERS (FREE) Witherspoon Cinema, 7 and 9 p.m.

BEST OF... POLICE BLOTTER June 7 1:17 PM | MISSING PERSON Sullivan Hall Report two Special Olympics students were missing. Students were located in another suite within minutes. June 7 12:41 PM | ASSAULT University Club Non-student reported being spit on by non-student. Investigation ongoing. June 7 3:04 PM | CHECK PERSON DH Hill Library Units investigated non-student viewing pornography on guest computers. Subject was advised of the rules and ceased activity. June 14 2:59 P.M. | SMOKE/ODOR COMPLAINT Avent Ferry Complex Report of smoldering mulch. Officers poured water on problem area. August 3 7:57 AM | DAMAGE TO PROPERTY Schenk Forest

Dancing the night away PHOTO BY LUIS ZAPATA

S

tephan Ritscher, graduate student in mathematics, dances with Melanie Gilkey, sophomore in computer science, at the Cackalacky Beginner Challenge in the Talley Ballroom Dec. 6. The Cackalacky Beginner Challenge was sponspored by Dancing with Wolves. Gilkey and Ritscher danced all the dances, including step, tango, waltz, cha cha and romba but not the fox trot. “I just really like it — it’s a good break from school,” Gilkey said. “It’s not engineering.”

Staff member reported unknown subject had knocked off spigot in fountain. Sept. 2 3:41 P.M. | LARCENY FROM VEHICLE Brooks Lot Staff member reported gas taken from University vehicles. Sept. 6 12:41 P.M. | LARCENY Wolf Village Bicycle seats were taken from bicycles in the area. Sept. 10 10:35 P.M. | SUSPICIOUS INCIDENT Bowen Hall Residents in the area reported possible gun shot. Officers located two liter bottle which may have caused the sound. No damage in the area. Sept. 11 8:32 A.M. | SUSPICIOUS INCIDENT Oberlin Road Officers investigated area where it appeared someone jumped over fence and was cut by barbed wire. Officers did not locate anyone needing medical assistance. FPD cleaned up blood splatter. Sept. 11 11:22 P.M. | SUSPICIOUS INCIDENT Lee Lot

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Report of subjects in area with ski masks. Officers located students who were making film for film festival. Everything OK.

operating class project without permission from Transportation. They were advised of appropriate alternatives.

Sept. 12 9:01 A.M. | SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE West Lot Officers located vehicle that had rolled out of space. Officers were unable to locate owner. Vehicle was rolled into place and secured. No further action taken.

Sept. 23 3:40 P.M. | B/E - LARCENY North Hall Student reported that another student had taken items from room and resold. Investigation pending.

Sept. 12 8:20 P.M. | CHECK PERSON Bostian Hall Report of suspicious subjects in the area. Officers located students engaged in exercising. Students were warned to stay off wall. Sept. 14 11:06 P.M. | ANIMAL PROBLEM Gold Hall Officers responded to report of snake in residence hall. Snake was captured and released. Housing was notified in reference to activating pest control. Sept. 15 5:15 P.M. | POWER OUTAGE North Campus Units/FP and Facilities responded to massive power outage. ECT activated and responded. Power restored approximately 9 p.m. Sept. 18 11:16 P.M. | POLICY VIOLATION Brickyard Officers spoke with students

Oct. 1 12:08 A.M. | SUSPICIOUS INCIDENT Alexander Hall Officers located vehicle wrapped in plastic. Officers were unable to locate owner. Oct. 1 8:40 A.M. | INDECENT EXPOSURE Harrelson Hall Report of indecent exposure in bathroom. Subject has not been located as of yet. Oct. 1 2:06 P.M. | EMBEZZLEMENT Peele Hall Allegation of embezzlement referred by state auditors. Investigation pending. Oct. 3 7:44 P.M. | SUSPICIOUS INCIDENT Penny Road/Lake Wheeler Road Report of subjects bow hunting. NCSU PPD and Wake Co. Deputies checked the area. Subjects were not located.

Oct. 15 4:01 P.M. | FIRE ALARM Owen Hall FP responded to alarm caused by steam from bathroom. System reset. Oct. 15 4:59 P.M. | FIRE ALARM Weisiger-Brown FP responded to alarm caused by dust and humidity. System reset. Oct. 20 1:27 P.M. | DAMAGE TO PROPERTY/ THREAT ASSESSMENT Brickyard Officers observed student light poster in the area with lighter and attempt to incite other students to pull down displays. Student was referred to university and trespassed from the area. Oct. 25 5:17 A.M. | INDECENT EXPOSURE Talley Student Center Nonstudents reported seeing naked subject in vehicle. Investigation ongoing. Oct. 25 10:40 P.M. | CHECK PERSON D.H. Hill Library Officers located students in library after closing. Subjects were studying. No action taken. Oct. 27 11:10 P.M. | SUSPICIOUS INCIDENT Free Expression Tunnel Report of subject throwing water balloons. Officers checked area but

niessance and St. Patty’s Day Pajama Party, both scheduled for March, coupled with the end of semester hike will give students three major events to visit many Hillsborough Street businesses, Lovette said. Dawkins, a junior in civil engineering, said students could play an important role in the success of Hillsborough Street businesses during construction, which is scheduled to begin in March. “It’s going to happen,” Dawkins said of the improvements to the street. “Students need to stay involved and make sure the businesses stay alive during construction. Hillsborough Street is the front door to our campus.” Lovette said the three most important things that need to happen to help Hillsborough Street are the creation of a buffer to prevent the homeless from asking for money, improvements to parking and parking signage and the ability for students to use their meal plan or board bucks in Hillsborough Street businesses. “There are a lot of other issues that are problems, but those three things are the main problems,” Lovette said.

did not locate any problems. Nov. 4 5:29 P.M. | CHECK PERSON D.H. Hill Library Complaint of subjects harassing patrons regarding voting. Nonstudents were encountered and asked to leave the area. Subjects complied. Nov. 4 9:07 P.M. | INFORMATION POLICE Owen Hall Housing staff located odd flyers. Officers were unable to determine source of flyers or affiliation. Nov. 6 3:51 P.M. | WEAPON ON CAMPUS Alpha Pi Alpha Officer responded to complaint of firearm on campus. No firearm was located, however, officers retrieved air soft rifle. Investigation pending. Nov. 6 7:42 P.M. | LARCENY D.H. Hill Library Student reported book stolen last month and stated was seen in bookstore for resale. Investigation ongoing. Nov. 8 2:09 P.M. | SUSPICIOUS INCIDENT University Farms Staff member reported finding animal carcass in the area. It was determined animal did not belong to University. Nov. 9 10:20 A.M. | INFORMATION POLICE Free Expression Tunnel Officers located graffiti in the area. Appropriate notifications were made to have it cleaned up. Nov. 9 6:54 P.M. | INFORMATION POLICE Kamphoefner Hall Suspicious incident was reported. Officers located piece of twine used to hold banner. No problems were found.

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Viewpoint

PAGE 4 • EXAM ISSUE

TECHNICIAN

{OUR VIEW}

What to look forward to in 2009 THE ISSUE:

In a few weeks, after exams, last-minute shopping and various holidays, people everywhere will be ringing in the new year.

OUR OPINION:

With the new year comes new resolutions — but since there are no guarantees with resolutions, it’s good to have something to depend on for 2009.

THE SOLUTION:

Here’s a few things you can definitely look forward to for 2009.

W

ith exams slated for this week and the next, and the holidays shortly after, it’s easy to forget we’ll be ringing in 2009 in less than a month. As with any new year, people will invariably have the same resolutions — get better grades, stay on that diet for real, be a better friend or any of the other promises and vows one takes when the new year rolls in. But even if you don’t plan on making resolutions or can’t seem to stick with the ones you make for 2009, there are a few things you know you can look forward to. The end of an era Love him or hate him, George W. Bush is on the way out after eight years, leaving behind two

The unsigned editorial is the opinion of the members of Technician’s editorial board excluding the news department and is the responsibility of the editor-in-chief.

wars, an economy in recession and a number of other problems to his successor. The inauguration is Jan. 20. Thompson Theatre reopens Thompson Theatre has been closed since Oct. 2007 for renovations. It is scheduled for completion by the end of 2008, and University Theatre and the Craft Center will begin moving back in 2009. The University is starting reading days After Student Government’s extensive campaign in the spring of 2008, the University finally created reading days, giving students

an opportunity to study without having to put up with class like they do during dead week. The way the University implemented reading days is far from ideal, but having them is certainly a step in the right direction. Google moving one step closer to self-awareness The Office of Information Technology is looking at alternatives to the existing Webmail system, and Gmail is one of the possibilities. A conspiracy theorist might say Google’s actions resemble that of the Skynet program from the Terminator movies, and some of those conspiracy theorists say if Google takes over

the University’s e-mail system, self-awareness and world domination may be soon to come. The longest total solar eclipse until 2132 On July 22, 2009, people will witness a total solar eclipse lasting up to six minutes, 39 seconds — the longest eclipse of the 21st century. A total solar eclipse this long isn’t expected to happen again until June 13, 2132. And of course... Sports No explanation required — Bowl Championship Series on Jan. 8, Super Bowl XLIII on Feb. 1 and, of course, March Madness. And that’s just the first three months...

{

Learn the economic gift of common sense

I

n the aftermath of World War I, a bitter Rudyard Kipling penned a poem entitled “The Gods of the Copybook Headings.” Copybook s were the old-school way of teaching penmanship: students wou ld copy some provPaul McCauley erb or saying Viewpoint Editor written at the top of the page over and over again until the book was filled. And even though we’re entering the holiday season, celebrating Christmahannakwanzaeid, getting ready to give (and receive) gifts and the end of exams, it wouldn’t hurt to remember a bit of advice from days past. ‘Tis the season to be jolly and giving, but don’t let your wishes run rampant — that’s exactly what sank us into this mess in the first place. One passage is particularly fitting to today’s crisis: In the Carboniferous Epoch we were promised abundance for all,/ By robbing selected Peter to pay for collective Paul;/ But, though we had plenty of money, there was nothing our money could buy,/ And the Gods of the Copybook Headings said: “If you don’t work, you die.” While I don’t mind getting paid, simple wisdom like “if you don’t work, you die” seems obvious. But the movers and shakers on Wall Street seemed to think otherwise as they made riskier bets and continued to pour money into this financial fantasy lands. Yet if you think all the financial mumbo-jumbo of de-leveraging, liquidity preference or non-farm payrolls won’t affect you, think again. The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education released its biennial report Dec. 3, and the results are frightening. Despite all the talk about universal health care, we face a bigger problem — adjusted for inflation, college tuition and fees have shot up 439 percent since 1984. Compare this to medical

bills, again adjusted for inflation, have gone up by 251 percent. And it’s difficult to pay for all of these inflating bills when median family income has risen only 147 percent. Even for upper-middle income families, it’s difficult to pay for college — these people are paying 16 percent of their income on putting someone through a four-year university. The clincher is the map with grades for each state in terms of affordability: it’s almost solid with failing grades (the only state to pass is California with a “C” grade). This accounts for ability to pay, college costs, need-based financial aid and student debt levels. Translation: if this were a class, then the grade distribution would show two percent Cs and 98 percent Fs. I don’t know about you, but I’m avoiding that class. And the cherry bomb on top of this mess is the fact that the financial meltdown and the credit crunch translate into potential problems securing student loans. The third-to-last stanza of the poem says: Then the Gods of the Market tumbled, and their smooth-tongued wizards withdrew/ And the hearts of the meanest were humbled and began to believe it was true/ That All is not Gold that Glitters, and Two and Two make Four/ And the Gods of the Copybook Headings limped up to explain it once more. Take some time during the break to actually learn something other than what’s on your engineering final, your history paper or your chemistry lab practical. Sit down and learn from the Gods of the Copybook Headings.

{

Incentives for teaching evaluations defeat purpose

CAMPUS FORUM

}

}

What are you looking forward to in the spring semester? BY DAVID MABE

“Not being in English.” Katerina Fantini freshman, First Year College

Next December won’t be a happy month.

Susannah Brinkley, design co-editor

Take care before jumping for Gmail joy

W

Send in your thoughts on the wisdom of old copybook headings to letters@technicianonline.com.

In response to your article discussing the response rate to online teaching evaluations, it is necessary to point out that offering any kind of incentive to increase the response rate is counter to the accepted implementation of this online evaluation

e take Webmail for granted. Most of us have free Gmail and Yahoo mail accounts. It is easy, then, for students to be flippant about e-mail service. We want fast e-mail service. We expect it to be secure. We want our messages to be backed up. We want ca lendars. And we want messaging. We want; we want. Jay Goel And the Staff Columnist truth is that our e-mail system is being stretched. According to the Office of Information Technology, we manage 98,000 accounts, and that number is growing. Students are in need of more mail quota and reliable service, but as the number of accounts has grown, campus IT has seen a degradation in service. What should be done? Apparently, the answer is to outsource our messages to Google’s Gmail — at least, that is what many students think. At best, jumping to that conclusion demonstrates a disappointing lack of understanding of the issues related to choosing an e-mail system. At worst, it shows that students have been

swept away by Google’s ubiquity and sexiness. The issues at hand are easy to enumerate. Privacy should be of paramount concern to students. We often send grades (and other very personal information) to each other via e-mail. Right now, NCSU has very strict control over who can access our messages. Our e-mails are stored on computers that are literally kept under lock-and-key on our campus. Nobody is getting into those messages without a court order. What happens when we outsource? Gmail reads our messages and uses its contents to provide advertisements. This is just as much of a privacy invasion as an individual opening letters addressed to my home, and then sending me advertisements based on those letters. And there is no guarantee that Google will fight for our privacy if a third party wants access to our messages. Then again, in an age where we post naked drunk pictures of ourselves on the Internet, we have long relinquished our expectation of privacy. Sustainability is also a problem. What happens when Gmail’s business model changes? Will these services be around forever? Once we choose an external provider, we are beholden to them.

tool (see Faculty Senate resolution 5-07/08). Student evaluations provide a format that if utilized appropriately, can be useful for evaluating and improving our teaching. Sincerely offered critiques and suggestions are seriously considered by faculty in order to provide the best

possible instruction in our courses. However, incentives, effectively bribes to fill out a form, raise serious question as to the validity of an evaluation.

Editor-in-Chief

Saja Hindi

editor@technicianonline.com

Deputy New Editor

Daniel Ellis

news@technicianonline.com

Jim Martin Chair of the NCSU Faculty

Sports Editor

Taylor Auten

sports@technicianonline.com

Alison Harman

Josh Harrell Ty Johnson

features@technicianonline.com

Deputy Features Editor

Managing Editor

Cheyenne Autry

managineditor@technicianonline. com

Arts & Entertainment Editor

Derek Medlin

Dan Porter

ae@technicianonline.com

Viewpoint Editor

Paul McCauley

viewpoint@technicianonline.com

Since IT changes so quickly, it would be silly for the University to commit to one provider for the next decade. There are other issues that students never see. Will our email be backed up? How will we retrieve those backups? How can we ensure uptime and reliability? These are nuances that are overlooked when people should “Google!” as their mantra. OIT has a vested interest in making sure that student e-mail is running; they exist to serve the students and faculty, and those individuals are dedicated to making sure that we don’t ever have to worry about how e-mail works. Other companies, however, are driven by market and profit. Before we outsource, we need to demand that a company meet our expectations for privacy, security, and sustainability. If not, then, well, I can do without a fancy calendar.

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David Mason

Classifieds Manager

Lauren Blakely Susannah Brinkley design@technicianonline.com

Design Director

Helen Dear

“New classes. I’m looking forward to spring — the weather change.” Jasper Thompson freshman, business

“[Tthis semester] being over.” Colleen Murray freshman, First Year College

Letters to the editor are the individual opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Technician staff or N.C. State University. All writers must include their full names and, if applicable, their affiliations, including years and majors for students and professional titles for University employees. For verification purposes, the writers must also include their phone numbers, which will not be published.

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Design Co- Editors

Anthony Hill freshman, First Year College

EDITOR’S NOTE

Photo Editor

Matt Moore

“Warm weather... basketball.”

Send Jay your thoughts on the University’s e-mail system to letters@technicianonline. com.

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Deputy Sports Editors Features Editor

323 Witherspoon Student Center, NCSU Campus Box 7318, Raleigh, NC 27695 Editorial ..................................515.2411 Advertising ...........................515.2029 Fax..............................................515.5133 Online .................................... technicianonline.com

IN YOUR WORDS

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Technician (USPS 455-050) is the official student newspaper of N.C. State University and is published every Monday through Friday throughout the academic year from August through May except during holidays and examination periods. Opinions expressed in the columns, cartoons, photo illustrations and letters that appear on Technician’s pages are the views of the individual writers and cartoonists. As a public forum for student expression, the students determine the content of the publication without prior review. To receive permission for reproduction, please write the editor. Subscription cost is $100 per year. A single copy is free to all students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus. Additional copies are $0.25 each. Printed by The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C., Copyright 2008 by North Carolina State Student Media. All rights reserved.


Features

TECHNICIAN NANOBYTES Moon to appear larger For those who finish their exams on Dec. 12, the galaxy might be showing a sign of impending good grades. The moon, which will be full, will be 221,554 miles away from Earth, which is the closest it’s been in 15 years. No full moon will be this close again until 2016. SOURCE: AZREPUBLIC.COM

MOVIE OPENINGS Dec. 12 The Day the Earth Stood Still Delgo Nothing Like the Holidays Che Dark Streets Doubt Gran Torino Timecrimes What Doesn’t Kill You

EXAM ISSUE • PAGE 5

A blueprint for fi nding perfect

HOLIDAY GIFTS I

t’s the boxes, wrapping and tissue paper, bags, ribbon, and seemingly endless amounts of tape. It’s the holiday season. But compared to the actual gift-buying process, wrapping presents can seem like a simple task. Picking out holiday gifts for family and friends doesn’t have to be difficult — even simple gifts can be creative and thoughtful. Here’s a list of Technicianapproved gifts (including where you can find some steals) that you can find in the Triangle. COMPILED BY ALISON HARMAN | PHOTOS BY MICHELE CHANDLER | GRAPHICS BY SUSANNAH BRINKLEY

Dec. 17 The Wrestler Dec. 19 The Brothers Bloom Seven Pounds The Tale of Despereaux Yes Man Nothing But the Truth

FOR THE ENVIRONMENTALIST

FOR YOUR MOTHER

co-friendly items — books about, how-to guides, clothes and notebooks — are exploding more than ever this year. Pair an exploratory non-fiction book with a how-to guide, or with an organic shirt. If you want to branch out, try a solar-powered robot or a portable charger that converts solar power to iPod or phone power. Check your local bookstore.

t’s kind of a sad fact, but many jewelry stores are going through hard times as the economy is weak and people are spending less money. This means, however, that these stores are basically giving their products away. These freshwater pearl earrings were $15 at Whitehall Jewelers, which is going out of business, is selling almost all of its jewelry for 70 to 80 percent off.

Dec. 25 Bedtime Stories The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Marley & Me The Spirit Last Chance with HArvey Waltz with Bashir Dec. 26 Valkyrie Dec. 31 Defiance Jan. 9 Bride Wars Not Easily Broken The Unborn

FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHER

SOURCE: YAHOO.MOVIES.COM

STUDENT PREVIEW NIGHT! chers! a e T d n a s t n e ud iscount for St

Special D

FOR THE FLEDGLING (WRITER/DESIGNER/ENGINEER/ARTIST)

For the oleskine notebooks are a staple among those who want to get serious about writing, design, engineering or art. The brand was used by Hemingway, Picasso and Chawtin, among other famous artists. Plus, it’s sturdy and you can individualize the cover with pictures, drawings or magazine clippings. Throw in a good pen and you’ve got a gift any creative mind would enjoy. $19.95 from Askew Taylor.

For the

intage cameras like the Kodak Brownie can be a good addition to the collection of a friend who doesn’t go anywhere without his camera. The cameras can be either in working form, or just used for decoration. You can find this kind, along with many other brands of vintage cameras, in second-hand stores like Father & Son’s. Most prices range from $15 to $45.

FOR THE PERPETUALLY STRESSED

FOR THE WORD LOVER

For the

For the For the

For the For the For the

For you For the romatherapeutic items are always nice stressrelievers. Anyone who has any sort of high-stress lifestyle would benefit from a Herbal-Ease Pillow which can be heated in the microwave. They release warmth and therapeutic scents that relax the neck and shoulders as you wear it. $39 from www.taraspa.com.

FOR THE PERSON WHO SAYS SHE HAS BAD HAIR DAYS, EVERY DAY March 20, 2009

July 24, 2009

FOR THE HISTORY BUFF

June 12, 2009

October 16, 2009

alons carry products for almost all hair styles, so take advantage of that selection. Bring a picture of your friend — concentrating on her hair — to a local salon and have the employees recommend products to tame, de-frizz or straighten.

his one can be difficult, especially if you’re buying for someone who reads a lot. However, some bookstores carry obscure but interesting nonfiction options most history fiends won’t already have in their bookshelves. Spice up the gift with something unusual, like this figurine of writer Oscar Wilde, $10.

FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS EVERYTHING

FOR THE PERSON WHO HAS ALMOST EVERYTHING

on’t spend money on something your friend already has, or something similar to it. Donate any money you were going to use on a gift to charities or to organizations that reduce one’s carbon footprint by planting a tree or buying carbon offsets. Oxfam America creates “lasting solutions to global poverty, hunger and social injustice” by donating items like cows, school desks and water jugs with your donation.

hink accessories, especially hand-made ones like this scarf from an Asheville boutique. Gift certificates to coffee shops (Global Village sells some) always help people in need — rather, in need of coffee on a consistent basis.

$$$

5_features_12.8.indd 1

hree words: Scrabble to go. This miniature version of the board game will have word fans praying for a few popular consonants. This one, for $14, is at Restoration Hardware.

12/7/08 6:38:52 PM


Sports

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Sports

TECHNICIAN

EXAM ISSUE • PAGE 7

ALUMNI

Cowher will speak at graduation SUPER BOWL-WINNING COACH AND ALUMNUS WILL DELIVER COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS

T

he University, on Nov. 19, announced Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Cowher would deliver the commencement address for the graduation ceremony Dec. 17. Cowher is a former N.C. State linebacker and coach of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers. As coach of the Steelers, he captured eight division titles, advanced to six AFC Championship games, appeared in two Super Bowl games and claimed one Super Bowl title. He serves as an analyst for CBS Sports “The NFL Today� show. Technician Sports Editor Taylor Auten spoke with Cowher about his commencement address, his life after the NFL and the future of NCSU football. Technician: Talk about what an honor it is to deliver the commencement address at State’s graduation. Cowher: Well, it’s certainly that. N.C. State’s a place where I’ve held great memories and certainly a place where we came back to Raleigh and made a home. I was very flattered and honored to be asked to do it, and I’m looking forward to it. Technician: Have you already written your speech? Cowher: Pretty much, yeah. I’ve done some public speaking periodically when I was in Pittsburgh. I think it’s just about sharing your experiences and any little bit of wisdom you’ve picked up along the way, and trying to share it with the graduates. Technician: There will be several thousand people there. What is the largest crowd you’ve ever spoken in front of? Cowher: I’m on T.V. every week. I’ve done some public speaking, and I’ve talked to some

direction of N.C. State football? Cowher: Well, I am a Tom O’Brien fan, so I think the program is in great hands. They had a tough start, particularly with the quarterback being hurt early. I think that we saw how they finished out as a team. They will be a team to be reckoned with in the years to come. I think Tom does a very good job of bringing the right kids into the program, and at the same time, teaching them and helping in their growth as people. He’s a very solid leader, and, like I said, I think the program is in great hands. Technician: Do you go to the N.C. State football games? Cowher: I travel on Saturdays with my job in New York City. I was only able to make the Thursday night game. It was the first game I’ve been to in a long time*. It was the first time I had been to an N.C. State game at CarterFinley Stadium since I’ve played there.

big groups a number of different times. I don’t know exactly what the largest amount is, but I’ve certainly spoken in front of thousands of people before. Technician: Do you get nervous in public speaking situations? Cowher: No, well, I’ve done it before. Certainly this is a little different format than I have before. You’re talking about quality people that are basically celebrating three-and-a-half, four-and-a-half [years], or whatever the time frame has been that they’ve been at school, and are getting ready to take the next step. It’s something that I am not taking lightly, and, like I said, I am very honored to be here and to do this. Hopefully, I will be able lead them with some words that can promote some thoughts. Technician: Have you been enjoying your time outside of coaching? Any hobbies you’ve picked up? Cowher: Ah, no not really. I play racquetball;

POLICY

The Technician will not be held responsible for damages or losses due to fraudulent advertisements. However, we make every effort to prevent false or misleading advertising from appearing in our publication.

DEADLINES

Our business hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Line ads must be placed by noon the previous day.

COURTESY N.C. STATE MEDIA RELATIONS

Former Wolfpack linebacker Bill Cowher was selected to deliver the commencement address at graduation Dec. 17.

I play golf. Certainly, during the season, I go up [to New York] during the weekend and I prepare during the week for the show, just trying to keep up with what is going on in the National Football League. I’ve come to know Tom O’Brien since he’s come here, and I’ve followed him closely. Again, there isn’t any one thing, but I’m staying busy.

Technician: Do you have plans to get back into coaching? Cowher: No, not at this time. Technician: Anything else you want to tell the N.C. State student body? Cowher: Like I said, I am very honored and very proud to have the opportunity to talk with these guys — the men and women that are graduating in December. I hope they are able to have the same feelings about N.C. State that I have. They are memorable ones, and they are nothing but good times.

Technician: What are your thoughts on the

Classifieds

RATES

For students, line ads start at $5 for up to 25 words. For non-students, line ads start at $8 for up to 25 words. For detailed rate information, visit technicianonline.com/classifieds. All line ads must be prepaid.

To place a classified ad, call 919.515.2411, fax 919.515.5133 or visit technicianonline.com/classifieds ANNOUNCEMENTS AROUND CAMPUS New CPU for Christmas. If the kids don’t want it I’ll fix it for the Blind. Call Kris 325- 0631 for pick up.

EMPLOYMENT HELP WANTED BARTENDERS ARE IN DEMAND! Earn $20-$35 per hour. 1 or 2 week classes & weekend classes. 100% job placement assistance. Raleigh’s bartending school. Have fun! Make money! Meet people! Ask about our Fall tuition rates and student discount. CALL NOW!! 919-676-0774. www. cocktailmixer.com

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Cary neighborhood pool is looking for an experienced college swimmer to be the Head Coach of our summer league swim team. Email espowell13@yahoo. com for more details.

Hab Techs Needed! Maxim Healthcare needs staff to work w/developmentally disabled clients in Wake County. Flexible hours in afternoons, evenings, and weekends. $10-$15/hr based on experience. Need own transportation. 676-3118.

SUPERSTAR LEASING CONSULTANT NEEDED PART TIME. (ABOUT 25 HOURS A WEEK). GREAT PERSONALITY AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS A MUST. MUST BE ABLE TO WORK SATURDAYS. FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE. PLEASE EMAIL RESUME TO PARKWOODAPTS@ MINDSPRING.COM OR FAX IT TO 919-834-9874.

FT Veterinary Receptionist/Assistant needed for one of the best equipped small animal hospitals in the state. Practice is 15 miles east of Raleigh. Ideal position for pre-veterinary student on sabbatical or out-of-state student trying to establish North Carolina residency. Veterinary School Scholarship available for FT employee working for one year. Call Dr. Mike at 553-4601.

Park Inc is looking for holiday help. Valet Parking Attendants needed at various Charlotte, NC locations: We offer very flexible schedules. Full and part time available. A guarantee of 9.00 per hour. Please apply online at www. parkinc.com. 704-377- 1755

Gymnastics Instructors Needed. Part time gymnastics instructors needed in North Raleigh. We can work around your schedule. Experience preferred but will train. Call 919-848-7988.v

Seeking mature individual with pleasant personality to show rental houses to NC State students. Fun work. 10- 20 hours/ week. January through August 09. Excellent salary. Office furnished. Call 833-7142 for more information.

REAL ESTATE APARTMENTS FOR RENT All New Blue Ridge Apartments. One Block off Western Boulevard. 2BR/2BA, 1050 sq.ft., all appliances including full size W/D, and water provided. On Wolfline. $795/mo. Move-in specials!Clark Properties. 919-785-2075 Remodeled apartments available immediately and also pre-leasing for Spring and Summer 2009. Directly on the Wolfline. Mention this ad and we will waive your application fee. Check out our website at www.parkwoodvillageapts. com. or call 832- 7611 for more information

CONDOS FOR RENT

TOWNHOMES FOR RENT

Duplex for rent 3 blocks from NCSU. 1 1/2 story, fireplace, jacuzzi, W/D, range, refridgerator. 2 BD 1 1/2 BA. $695 month. 4 Rosemary St. 2nd house behind Reader’s Corner Bookstore. Call 832- 1308

4 bedroom/2.5 bath townhouse/2 car garage near RBC Center off Trinity Rd. Great location, beautiful home. No lawn care. Call Bart on 291-1937

HOMES FOR RENT Near NCSU. Exceptional 3,4, and 5 Bedroom Houses. Close to Campus. Available August 1, 2009. Very attractive. Ideal for students. Call day: 833-7142 and evening: 783-9410. Please visit our website www.jansenproperties.com

DUPLEX FOR RENT

FOR RELEASE DECEMBER 8, 2008

1 2 3 4

THE Daily Crossword Edited by Wayne Robert Williams

16 17 20 21

LEVEL 3

Lower Level tickets as low as $25* Upper Level tickets as low as $15*

22 24 25 28 30 33 34 36 37 40

$!)( $# ($ # ' -0' %)..! 1 2 3 4

41 42 43 44 45

VS.

46

Carolina Hurricanes

Montreal Canadiens

LEVEL 4

Tuesday, December 16, 2008 To purchase tickets and for more information, skate to: www.carolinahurricanes.com/college " '& "! &" '$% +.% #',,

SPRING BREAK BAHAMAS SPRING BREAK $189 5-DAYS or $239 7- DAYS. All prices include: Round-trip luxury cruise with food. Accommodations on the island at your choice of thirteen resorts. Appalachia Travel. www.BahamaSun. com 800-867-5018.

RENTAL SALE Brent Rd. 3BD/ 2.5BA Duplex. Rent now for second semes. and get November & December free. 3BD/$850 or 1BD/$325. 919-454-7701.

1 6 10 14 15

Level:

ROOM FOR RENT Apartment sublease available for Spring 09 semester at Campus Edge apts, close to ncsu (mycampusedge.com). $525/ month includes all utilities/furniture/own bath/large closet/ washer/dryer and more! email: swei2@ncsu.edu

SERVICES

*When purchasing through www.carolinahurricanes.com/college

47 50 54 58 60 61 62 63 64 65

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Lookin’ for the answer key? VISIT TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

45 Lawrence and Martin 46 Zodiac sign 48 Succinct 49 The Greatest 50 Pitcher Hershiser 51 Lemming cousin

52 Gas from the past 53 Unit of loudness 55 Aleutian island 56 Twixt 12 and 20 57 Makes a mistake 59 Compass dir.


Sports

&2817'2:1

• 14 days until the men’s basketball game against Marquette

Football selected for Papajohns.com Bowl The football team has been selected to compete in the third annual Papajohns.com Bowl in Birmingham, Alabama. The Wolfpack will face Rutgers at 3 p.m. eastern time on Dec. 29 at Legion Field. Rutgers enters the game 7-5 overall and riding a sixgame win streak. The Scarlet Knights have been crushing teams recently, scoring 30 or more points in their last five games with an average margin of victory of 29.4 points in that span. Papajohns.com Bowl info: When: 3 p.m. (EST) Dec. 29 Where: Legion Field (capacity 71,594) in Birmingham, Al. Who: N.C. State vs. Rutgers Television: ESPN Distance from Raleigh to Birmingham: 582 miles (9 hours driving time)

Fall Sports Report Card Football

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For a season that started so dismally, what a change. Things couldn’t have looked worse for the Pack in a 34-0 drubbing in Columbia, S.C. to start the season. Add to that game the concussion of redshirt freshman quarterback Russell Wilson. Wilson wasn’t the only player to go down to injury — two of the Pack’s defensive cogs, Alan-Michael Cash and Nate Irving, both missed significant playing time. But all it took was to get those players back and the team completely changed. The defense became dominant, Wilson became the best quarterback in the ACC and the team won its last four games of the season, propelling the Pack into bowl eligibility for the first time in three years. Much of the credit has to go to coach Tom O’Brien, who kept at his team and helped them fight through injuries. In sweeping the state, O’Brien challenged the ACC’s other coaches, even verbalizing his belief that State is the strongest football program in North Carolina. The only inexcusable blemishes to the Pack’s record were in the Boston College or Maryland game, in which State needed one more stop to seal the victory, but couldn’t pull it off. If the secondary had been more consistent, or the offense didn’t sputter, the Pack could have found itself in the ACC Championship.

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DREIER CARR/TECHNICIAN FILE PHOTO

Redshirt freshman quarterback Russell Wilson takes a snap Nov. 22.

Men’s Cross Country

SOURCE: PAPAJOHNSBOWL.COM AND MAPQUEST

WINTER BREAK ATHLETIC SCHEDULE

• Page 7: Q & A with former Wolfpack linebacker Bill Cowher

TECHNICIAN

PAGE 8 • EXAM ISSUE

WOLF FACTS

,16,'(

TIM O’BRIEN/TECHNICIAN FILE PHOTO

The men’s cross country team practices on Miller Field Sept. 9. The team was awarded an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships.

COMPLIED BY JOSH HARRELL

With former All-American Bobby Mack returning to the lineup for the Wolfpack, the team had high expectations going into the heart of the season. Unfortunately, State ended its season in disappointing fashion with Mack and redshirt junior John Martinez failing to gain All-American status, leading the Pack with 47th and 49th place finishes at the NCAA Championships. Even more troubling for the team’s future, though, is the apparent breakdown in team discipline and motivation. “There wasn’t a total commitment there from a few of our guys,” Martinez said after the NCAA Championships. “Next year, that will be different. It has to be. If coach doesn’t say something, then I will.” Although any other team might feel satisfied with a second place ACC finish, an at-large bid to the National Championships and consistent victories over UNC and Duke, this isn’t just any team. This is cross country — a program that has captured 12 ACC Championships since 1991 and nine national top-10 finishes. Next year, the team’s youth need to show the kind of yearning for victory that Mack epitomized with his second place finish at the Southeast Regional behind national runner-up Samuel Chelanga. However, in order to fully restore the team to its usual prominence, the young runners need to regain their focus, support potential recruits and cherish the legacy of winning that this program has boasted for so many years.

C-

COMPILED BY DANIEL ELLIS

Sa

Women’s Cross Country

C

Saturday, Dec. 13 MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. WINSTON SALEM STATE Reynolds Coliseum, 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS. OLE MISS Reynolds Coliseum, 2 p.m. TIM O’BRIEN/TECHNICIAN FILE PHOTO

Wednesday, Dec. 17 MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. EAST CAROLINA RBC Center, 7 p.m.

Freshman Lauren Bishop practices on Miller Fields Sept. 9.

Saturday, Dec. 20 MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. LIPSCOMB RBC Center, 2 p.m.

Men’s Soccer

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL @ SETON HALL Newark, N.J., 4 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 28 WRESTLING IN SOUTHERN SCUFFLE (DAY 1) Greensboro, N.C. Monday, Dec. 29 WRESTLING IN SOUTHERN SCUFFLE (DAY 2) Greensboro, N.C.

CHRIS SANCHEZ/TECHNICIAN FILE PHOTO

Women’s Soccer

The women’s soccer team produced a tale of two halves this season. N.C. State bolted out of the gate with a 7-0 record against lesser teams, but the combination of several key injuries and a conference that held eight out of the top-15 teams nationally for almost the entire year sent the Wolfpack plummeting back to where we all expected them to be: last in the ACC. In the end, State finished with an 8-12-0 record and was 0-10-0 in the ACC. However, just about every single player had a better statistical season than all of last year, even though the team was unable to muster any offense against ACC opponents. Senior forward Lindsay Vera, who was named to the second team All-ACC for the third time in her tenure, was a big factor in even the team’s limited success. The Pack did show fight throughout the season, especially from its young players who came in and made a dramatic impact on the program. Whoever replaces head coach Laura Kerrigan, who stepped away at the end of the season, inherits a very young team that only lost two starters, will be completely healthy and will for the first time have a decent stadium to show to recruits.

DAVID MABE/TECHNICIAN FILE PHOTO

Kendall Irby dribbles the ball in a 1-0 loss to Miami Oct. 30.

COMPILED BY SAMUEL T.O. BRANCH

Volleyball INCOMPLETE

Saturday, Jan.3 MEN’S BASKETBALL @ FLORIDA Gainesville, Fla., 4 p.m.

COMPILED BY JONATHAN LAUGHRUN

C

MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. LOYOLA (MD) RBC Center, 7 p.m.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS. GEORGETOWN Reynolds Coliseum, 5 p.m.

After starting the season with a dismal 1-5-1 record, the Wolfpack was able to gain some dignity back, finishing the season with a 9-9-1 record. In the team’s first seven games, the Pack was unable to put the ball between the goalposts on offense despite numerous opportunities. During this span, the team had a shooting percentage of .063 scoring only seven goals on 111 attempts. The Pack finished the season winning eight of its last 12 games including one over 18th ranked Duke and one over Virginia Tech in the ACC Tournament. This turn around can be directly related to an explosion of goals. The team scored 32 goals in the last 12 games on 131 attempts. This gave them a .244 shooting percentage and 2.67 goals per game. State’s early struggles can be attributed to injuries and penalties, which left coach Tarantini with an inconsistent starting lineup and visible communication issues, which can be credited to the team’s youth. The Pack will return all of its major scorers for 2009 — only one goal in 2008 came from a senior. The team has the potential to be a force in the ACC next season if it can continue to play like it did in the last 12 games of the season and work on communication during the offseason.

Korede Aiyegbusi takes the ball upfield against Virginia Tech Nov. 11.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS. JACKSONVILLE STATE Reynolds Coliseum, 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 31 MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. TOWSON RBC Center, 2 p.m.

COMPILED BY DANIEL ELLIS

B-

Monday, Dec. 22 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL @ COLUMBIA New York, N.Y., 12:30 p.m. MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. MARQUETTE RBC Center, 7 p.m.

Although any other year, the women’s team would receive a failing grade for setting the record for the lowest ACC finish in the program’s history, this year’s team is different. After returning All-ACC senior Brittany Tinsley went down with a stress reaction in her hip over the summer, the team decided that the prospects of coming anywhere near an ACC title looked bleak. Thus, coach Laurie Henes decided to redshirt Tinsley to preserve her eligibility for next season. In addition, Henes wisely chose to redshirt the entire core of veteran runners including junior Bona Jones and sophomore Colleen Wetherbee, both of whom missed the end of track season last spring. Junior Kara McKenna and sophomore Marika Walker also watched from the sidelines as a team comprised entirely of freshmen and one sophomore ended the season with an 18th place finish at the Southeast Regional following their 10th place finish at the ACC Championships. Luckily though, freshmen grading is often curved. Facing stiff competition from one of the toughest teams in the nation in Florida State, the Wolfpack women deserve a C for their resilience throughout the season. Hopefully, the freshmen will utilize the experience they gained this season to complement the plethora of talent that will return in 2009.

WRESTLING IN N.C. STATE DUALS Reynolds Coliseum Sunday, Jan. 4 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS. SOUTH CAROLINA Reynolds Coliseum, 2 p.m.

CHRIS SANCHEZ/TECHNICIAN FILE PHOTO

Sophomore Alex Smith blocks the ball in a Oct. 25 loss to Clemson.

The volleyball team shattered all expectations in its first weekend of conference play in late September with a season opening win over Boston College, the program’s first win over an ACC opponent in 56 tries. Two days later, the team collected a win over Maryland to begin the season 2-0 for the first time since 1988. A later win against Virginia had the team 3-3 in ACC play going into its home match against North Carolina, a team the Wolfpack had not beaten since 1997. The Tar Heels defeated the Pack 3-1 in front of the team’s second biggest crowd of the year, touching off a 14-match losing streak in which State won just three games and was swept by BC, Maryland and UVA. The energy of the young team waned in October and the leadership of Arlee Tamietti that had been so key in the team’s 9-11 start withered along with the leaves until the season ended against the Heels in Chapel Hill with a 25-15, 25-14, 25-16 blowout. The team that began in September with such promise and tenacity didn’t even bother to show up after Oct. 11, resulting in a grade of incomplete. Had the team finished strong, State would have earned at least a B, but now the young team must look toward next season.

COMMENTARY

It’s been real I’ve probably read too many of these goodbye columns, from the people I first looked up to who left the paper four years ago — Matt Middleton, Austin Johnson, to some of my best friends a nd pe ople I’ve been Josh Harrell proud to call Editor Emeritus my co-workers — Clark Leonard, Tanner Kroeger, Nick Jeffreys, Langdon Morris. The list goes on. But I’m not going to spend the column thanking people (except for Western Blvd.’s Joseph Davenport, who changed my view on the world, and for Fountain Dining Hall for plenty of free food). The people closest to me know how grateful I am for the past four and half years, and they know I would be nothing without their support. Instead, I’d like to thank you, the reader. When I was editorin-chief, my biggest emphasis was connecting Technician with the reader. Though I know I fell short in many aspects that year, there are so many things I’m also proud of. It’s because of the readership that Technician writers and photographers are able to go to so many great places. I’ve sat courtside through an entire ACC Tournament and talked to Chuck Amato at the 50-yard line of Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, just after his Florida State team beat the Wolfpack. Speaking of the Wolfpack, nothing has prepared me for life more than being an N.C. State fan. And that’s what college is all about, right? Getting ready for the real world. I am a hardened Wolfpack fan after four and a half years in Raleigh, but I love it. I love the team, the players, this school and this paper. It’s difficult to quantify the amount of work that goes into each day’s paper. With new writers, photographers and editors passing through Witherspoon’s doors all the time, it can be tough to find traction when you’re looking for improvements. My memory of my tenure as editorin-chief is already foggy — 60 hour weeks and no sleep will do that to you. But that’s what so great about not only Technician but college itself. You’re here not just for the results — you’re here for the experience. I won’t remember a random grade I got, or some paper I finished the morning it was due. I’ll remember a random tailgating experience, or strolling down Hillsborough Street on Hike night. It looks like my little brother will carry on a tradition I hope I’ve started of our family members coming to N.C. State. I didn’t know what to expect when I first got here, but what an amazing time it’s been. Hopefully you’ll read my writing in the future (assuming a journalism future exists), and hopefully I’ll be back in Raleigh from time to time, checking in on the Wolfpack. Thanks to everyone for the comments — positive and negative alike — on my stories for the past four-plus years. I hope I’ve provided some entertainment, and even a little insight, on what it’s like to be a passionate college kid having the time of his life.

COMPILED BY TY JOHNSON

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Visit our Website for a list of books “open to buy” www.ncsu.edu/bookstore - updated daily now through Dec. 17!


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