Niner Times- March 22nd, 2012

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LIFESTYLE

THE LAST WORD

A&E

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THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2012

Check out one of the University City’s most interesting hang-outs.

More than simply selling books, the store constantly adjusts to their customers’ ideas.

DEALING WITH LANDLORDS

It may be tricky, but adjusting to landlords that are not your parents can present new difficulties.

One way to alleviate the possible issues is to know your rights as a tenant. Keeping yourself informed can save you any possible stress.

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NINERTIMES Thursday, March 22, 2012

Published twice weekly and online at www.nineronline.com

A product of Student Niner Media • The University of North Carolina at Charlotte • Partially funded by Student Fees • Breaking News? Email us at editor@nineronline.com or call 704.687.7148

New on NinerOnline.com: Check out NinerOnline.com for updates on the 2012 SGA Elections.

Lending a helping paw

Construction transforms campus

Elizabeth Bartholf EBARTHO3@UNCC.EDU

Visually impaired individuals receive help living independent lives through numerous outlets, one of which is guide dogs. Guide dogs don’t just train themselves though and that is where volunteers come in. Freshman Gabriela De Gracia, a prebuisness major, volunteers raising puppies to be guide dogs and even takes the trainees to class with her. De Gracia recently completed about one year of training with her first puppy, Baity. “The hardest part of training was adjusting to always having a dog by my side. It’s kind of like you’re thinking of two people now, yourself and the dog,” said De Gracia. De Gracia raised Baity through Southeastern Guide Dogs, a nonprofit group in Florida that breeds and trains dogs for the visually impaired. Daily life on campus has been a significant part of Baity’s training as well. De Gracia worked with the Office of Disability Services to bring Baity to her classes and help him get accustomed to the campus atmosphere. “It’s like having your friend go everywhere with you. Not a lot of people get to take their dogs with them everywhere they go, and I love that part of it,” said De Gracia. In the Paws for Patriots program run by Southeastern Guide Dogs, dogs are trained to assist visually impaired and physically disabled veterans and work in therapy programs. Dogs are also trained for careers in search and rescue, bomb and drug detection and outreach programs in schools, hospitals and nursing homes.

Ciera Choate NEWS@NINERONLINE.COM

Above: Gabriela De Gracia’s first puppy in training, Baity. Below: De Gracia’s new puppy, Charlotte. Photos courtesy of Gabriela De Gracia

As part of Baity’s training, De Gracia joined a puppy raising group in Charlotte, N.C. Several members are also college students training guide dogs. Puppy raisers share experiences and training techniques and switch puppies for two weeks to teach the puppies to adjust to the schedule and lifestyle of their new owners, as they will as future guide or service dogs. North Carolina law states all dogs undergoing training must be allowed in all areas, including stores and restaurants, otherwise the venue may face fines.

With the coming of football in Fall 2013 students are excited about the new football field and complex being built near Duke Centennial Hall, but there are also many other construction projects going on at all corners of UNC Charlotte. The Energy Production Infrastructure Center (EPIC), which will be completed Friday, March 30, 2012, will have a crew begin moving in furniture at the beginning of April. Currently there are plans to have an opening ceremony before the fall semester. The building cost $66 million and will be the home of a majority of UNC Charlotte’s engineering department. All funding for the project came from the N.C. State Legislature. In addition to the EPIC building on the other side of campus the new parking deck by the Charlotte Research Institute (CRI) side of campus is currently under construction, as well as the new residence hall located by Miltimore and Lynch Halls. There are also construction projects in South Village and the new tennis complex, the Halton-Wagner Tennis Complex. Although many construction projects like the EPIC building are finishing up there are more in the works such as the new residence hall by South Village that will be built in addition to Deck J.

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CONSTRUCTION p.2

7 ways to increase your fuel economy Lee Pham COMMUNITY@NINERONLINE.COM

As spring rolls in the demand for fuel remains high and gas prices don’t appear to be falling anytime soon. In fact nearly one third of American drivers are already paying $4 per gallon for regular unleaded. Charlotte fairs a bit better just under the national average of $3.80. It will take several years before Char-

A&E

OPINION

Angry Birds: Check out the newest game that may keep you from studying or taking notes.

Pretty Little Liars: This season’s most anticipated revelation.

that shuts itself off while idling, you are likely wasting a lot of fuel during heavy congestion. So how can we minimize the damage that filling up has on our pockets? Obviously driving slowly and avoiding quick acceleration increases fuel efficiency, but do passive drivers actually exist in Charlotte? Read ahead to learn seven realistic ways to make your gas tank last and discover the cheapest gas prices around. FUEL p.9

SPORTS

NEWS

FRESHMAN FIRESIDE

SGA ELECTIONS Voting for UNC Charlotte’s SGA elections begins March 27, 2012, and

Creating a spreadsheet of all your

ends March 28, 2012.

classes and requirements for graduation is a great way to avoid an extra

Visit NinerOnline.com for information

semester.

Campus Film: With the

deadline to submit a film to the UNC Charlotte Film Festival approaching, check out some of the entries submitted and hopes for this year’s festival. MCT Campus

lotte public transportation is up to par with other major cities like D.C. and Atlanta. In the meantime driving is a necessity for University City students and residents. Not to mention that UNC Charlotte is situated between U.S. Route 29, N.C. Highway 49, and two major interstates (I-85 and I-485). Rush hour guarantees bumper-to-bumper traffic and delayed commutes. And unless you drive a hybrid

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on candidates and updates over the

Sitting down at your computer for thirty minutes can save future headaches and stress. p.5

weekend. NinerTV will host a debate Thursday, March 22, 2012, at 6 p.m

INTRAMURAL CHAMPIONS

in the Rotunda of the Student Union. p.11

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