TECHNICIAN
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Raleigh, North Carolina
Restoration project in next phase of changes Repairs to the creek between Dan Allen and Morrill will remove parking spaces Annie Albright Staff Writer
The University has secured funding for Phase III of the Rocky Branch Restoration project, a project meant to repair the creek that runs through campus, Steve Bostian, project manager, said. The project will now begin the next phase of construction. According to Bostian, this phase of the Rocky Branch Restoration project aims to restore the creek between Dan Allen Drive and Morrill Drive. “It is about 1600 feet [between the two roads],” Bostian said. “We are going to widen the flood barrier, add rocks for visual interest and a green way path which will make the green [path] continuous between the N.C. Art Museum on Blue Ridge to about the middle of Raleigh.” Phase I of the project restored the creek between Gorman Street and Dan Allen Drive, then Phase II involved the area between Morrill Drive to Pullen Drive according to Barbara Doll, a water quality specialist. In Phase III, the construction will join the two original construction areas. “Phase III of the project will connect what we have worked on in both Phase I and II,” Doll said. Because this section of the creek runs directly through campus, the construction will affect the parking areas at the Student Health Center and the Carmichael Complex lot, according to Tom Kendig, director of transportation. The Student Health Center lot is expected to lose 19 spaces permanently and 114 will be disrupted during the project, while the Carmichael Gymnasium lot will permanently lose 37 and have 37 more disrupted, Kendig said. “Certainly there will be an impact during the construction period when those 114 spaces are going to be impacted,” Kendig said. “But we have had meetings with the staff members who will most likely be affected and tried to keep them informed on where else they can park. We do recognize that there will be an impact during the construction period itself.” The majority of the spaces affected by the project are employee spaces, according to Kendig. PROJECT continued page 3
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Joullan Abdelrahman, a junior in textile and apparel management, cheers on demonstrators in a pro-Palestinian rally Monday. Abdelrahman said supporters were protesting U.S. funding to Israel. “It’s just really sad that over 500 civilians have been killed... Palestinians are being killed just because they are Palestinian.”
Conflict hits close to home
Students feel the effects of the conflict between Gaza and Israel Derek Medlin Managing Editor
Since the ongoing conflict between Gaza and Israel heated up on Dec. 27 when Israel began an air assault of Gaza, students in Raleigh with families overseas have felt the impact of the fighting. When Israel launched its ground offensive into Gaza days later, the conflict intensified. Palestinian student supporters held a protest at the Bell Tower Monday afternoon to show their support for Gaza. Sara Haddad, a junior in biochemistry and president of the Muslim Student Association, said the protest allowed students to voice their opinions about the conflict. “Its goal was to protest the humanitarian problems going on,” Haddad said. “I wasn’t there the whole time, but from what I saw, it was a peace rally. It was trying to push to stop the fighting to find a solution.” Ben Mazur, a senior in religious studies and Israeli supporter, said he believes Hamas is the most to blame for the current situation. Hamas is the largest Palestinian movement and has held power within the Palestinian Authority since 2006. Israeli officials claim Hamas has fired rockets into Israel for months, forcing them to respond with military
MATT MOORE/TECHNICIAN
Mohammed Allan, from Lumberton, holds a sign supporting Gaza while at a Pro-Palestinian protest in front of the Bell Tower Monday afternoon.
action in late December. “My overall reaction is that Israel would have continued the cease fire, but since Hamas broke it Israel has every right to defend itself,” Mazur said. Moran Aframian, a senior in texGAZA continued page 3
HOW TO GET INVOLVED ON CAMPUS Who: Students, professors What: Mass Letter Campaign to Congress: Gaza Crisis When: Thursday 7 to 9 p.m. Where: Learning Commons - Group Study Room B Students can read and sign a mass letter to be sent to Senators and Congressmaen. The letter will call for an immediate cease-fire between Israeli ground and air forces and Hamas. SOURCE: MARIEM MASMOUDI
Coverage to look for during the first weeks of 2009 Looking ahead at the Spring Semester Staff Report
Holiday shopping season: naughty or nice? As the holidays wind down retailers tally the numbers for the season. See page 5.
As the new semester begins, Technician plans to bring you coverage of various issues and events on campus that will be available to students.
business & money viewpoint classifieds sports
Campout registration opens The period for students to register to attend Campout and attempt to receive tickets to the
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UNC-Chapel Hill basketball game is open today until Jan. 13. The Campout is Jan. 16 on Lee Field. This year’s home game against UNC will be Jan. 31. Campout organizers will give out 2,198 tickets. Students can sign up in groups of at least six people with the maximum group size being 50. Group leaders must know the Unity IDs of every student in their group in order to register. The ability for each group to attend Campout
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will be determined by the average number of loyalty point for that group. For more information students can contact Student Senate Campus Community Committee Chair Morgan Donnelly at NCSUcampout2009@gmail.com. Women’s soccer gets new coach Athletics Director Lee Fowler announced the new coach of the women’s soccer team Tuesday.
Steve Springthorpe, who was the coach of Fresno State women’s soccer for the last five years, will replace Laura Kerrigan. Springthorpe posted a 52-4012 record during his time with the Bulldogs. Look for an analysis of the hire next week in Technician. Millennium Seminar Series brings former president Former President Bill Clinton will be speaking in Reynolds
Coliseum as a part of the Millennium Seminar Series Jan. 26 at 10:30 a.m., according to the University’s Web site. The event, which is free and open to the public, will discuss America’s future after the recent election and touch on critical issues and policy solutions. The seminars are designed to bring speakers from various backgrounds and professions to CAMPOUT continued page 4
SPECIAL BACK TO SCHOOL HOURS: Wednesday - January 7 - 8am to 8pm Thursday - January 8 - 8am to 8pm Friday - January 9 - 8am to 6pm Saturday - January 10 - 10am to 5pm Sunday - January 11 - 1pm to 5pm