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N.C. STATE LOSES FIVE DEGREES, OBLINGER, BOWLES OUTLINE BUDGET CUTS UNC SYSTEM DEGREE CUTS
News Editor
The Board of Governors discussed the consequences of budget cuts Friday morning at its March meeting. The meeting took place at the Spangler Center in Chapel Hill, where delegates representing each school in the UNC system gathered to outline the system’s plans for surviving the economic crisis. “We’re at step two of a five step dance,� UNC System President Erskine Bowles said of the BOG’s progress towards finalizing the system’s budget issues. “But it’s not a waltz. It’s tough sledding.� Chancellor James Oblinger echoed Bowles’ sentiments that the budget conversation is not over. “The jury is still out on what [the final budget] will look like,� Oblinger said. Oblinger said Bowles’ proposals to Gov. Bev Perdue on the UNC system budget have all been received well, as the BOG works to ensure academics aren’t needlessly impacted. Cuts will have a “severe impact on campuses,� Bowles said, though he said he’ll fight to keep academics as whole as possible.
The Board of Governors voted Friday to discontinue 77 degrees across the system’s 16 campuses. Those dropped from N.C. State’s curriculum: r Bachelor of Science in Health
Occupations Education
r Master of Science in Agricultural and
Resource Economics
r Master of Science and Master of
Education in Special Ed., Behavior Disorders r Master of Science and Master of Education in Special Ed,. Mental Retardation r Master of Science and Master of Education in Special Ed., Learning Disabilities 4063$& #0( "(&/%"
“[We’re doing] everything we can to make sure [the BOG knows] how important it is to invest in universities and community colleges,� Bowles said. “I’m going to fight to my last breath to protect the academic core.� During the recession of 2001, the UNC System invested heavily in its universities in an effort to guarantee prosperity in the future, and Bowles said this is what must be done again as the economy struggles. “We’re in another crisis,� Bowles
said. “If we don’t continue to invest in knowledge, the economy will suffer.� Still, there will be direct effects on students that can’t be avoided, Bowles said. They will have to wait longer to graduate due to larger classes, fewer courses, and less advising. The BOG voted to discontinue 77 degree programs throughout the system’s 16 campuses, including five of NCSU’s degree programs. The degrees cut from the University’s curriculum are Bachelor of Science in Health Occupations Education, Master of Science in Agricultural and Resource Economics, Master of Science and Master of Education in Special Ed., Behavior Disorders, Master of Science and Master of Education in Special Ed., Mental Retardation and Master of Science and Master of Education in Special Ed., Learning Disabilities. “We had over $2 million in reductions,� Bowles said. “We can’t afford to be all things to all people.� A grandfather clause will allow students enrolled in the discontinued degree programs to finish their coursework and receive their degree, but no new students will be able to enroll in the curriculums. Oblinger said the BOG examines the
system annually to determine where cuts could be made, but said this year’s failed search for excess has led to the cutting of things close to academics. “There isn’t any more fat to trim,� Oblinger said. “Now, we’re trimming muscle.� Oblinger also added that this year’s economic state has led the system to perform cuts it would otherwise avoid, including consolidating programs and removing a few others. “Due to the magnitude of cuts,� Oblinger said. “Everyone will feel some pain — including students.� Oblinger said the University will be creative in making cuts, though Bowles and he both agree that no cuts should occur “across the board.� “CHASS will see sections and seats cut,� Bowles said, adding that other colleges will make other cuts. “There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for fixing the budget. We’ll curtail supply purchases, and [not] replace computers the way we planned.� Oblinger said students will also notice professors teaching more classes. “Our faculty will take on higher teaching loads,� he said. BOG continued page 3
8-hour Pack-a-Thon raises money
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ack-a-Thon, a dance marathon for charity, took place Saturday in an effort to raise money for the North Carolina Children’s Hospital. Participants stood for eight hours, without breaks, to symbolize all the children who are constantly fighting diseases. The goal of the marathon is to raise awareness about children’s health, patients, families and staff of the hospital. The proceeds will directly benefit the children and families of the Children’s Hospital in Chapel Hill, as well as its specialty clinic in Raleigh. PHOTOS BY CHRISTIN HARDY
Emily Russ, a sophomore in natural resources, and Jasmine Verlez, a sophomore in microbiology, make Easter cards for children who are patients at the N.C. Childeren’s Hospital in Chapel Hill. “I think it’s fantastic, really good, pretty awesome in general,� Russ said. Leaders of Pack-aThon instruct the students, also known as “Life Savers 2009,� to the song by Lady Gaga, “Just Dance�. They would learn bits of the dance over the duration of the event, and it resulted in a fully choreographed dance.
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Raleigh, North Carolina
UNC system cuts 77 degrees Ty Johnson
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Treasury faces turnover Past two treasurers have resigned, face problems with administration Taylor McCune Features Editor
Jason Smith has held the position of student body treasurer twice in the past two terms, but has never held the position for longer than a few months. Smith has never been elected. He’s been the student body treasurer backup guy — twice. Smith, a sophomore in management, took over the position in January of 2008 when David Foxx resigned and also in February 2009 when Scott Lassiter resigned. This isn’t one of those cases where scandal surrounded an incumbent’s decision to step down. Both Lassiter, a junior in political science, and Foxx, a senior in political science, said they were unable to do their jobs because of problems with the administration and one of Student Government’s advisers. “The biggest problem is having to work with the administration,� Foxx said about the difficulties of the position. The job of the student body treasurer is to manage the students’ money effectively. That responsibility includes spending money when it needs to be spent, helping with appropriations and being the financial voice of the students to the administration. Both Lassiter and Foxx said they were unable to perform the duties of their positions because of the administration’s micromanagement of student funds. “They took away the checkbook,� Foxx said. “They scaled back the responsibilities of the treasury.� This past year, as Lassiter served in the role, the University fell into a bad budget situation, which Lassiter said shrunk the role of the treasurer. “For some reason they used this budget crisis as a way to usurp power,� he said. “I felt like my role was no longer necessary. I lost all power and oversight.� According to Lassiter, the administration placed holds on much of Student Government’s spending, including that which was already promised in the budget. This power shift eroded the role of the treasurer, he said, turning him into the administration’s puppet. “The treasurer still does [the work], but somebody else actually is the one whose signature matters,� Lassiter said. “Everything that’s done has to be apSG continued page 3
Katie McKnight, a freshman in international studies and business, plays Guitar Hero at Pack-a-Thon, which was held in Carmichael March 21. McKnight battled against friend Rori Bizri, a freshman in biology.
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See page 6.
Elvin James, a sophomore in FYC, performs a step routine for Pack-aThon, a charity event that raises money for children at the Children’s Hospital in Chapel Hill. There were performances every hour.
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