8
THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2004
EDITORIALS
KEEP THEM HOUSED
Proposals to destroy Morrison Residence Hall shouldn’t go forward
without plans to find anew set of beds for more than 1,000 students.
Carolina has a beautiful campus, but there
comes a point when practicality must
supercede aesthetics. If we had our druthers,
we would tear down each of the high-rise dorms on
South Campus; but the need to provide beds to the
1,000 students Morrison houses makes that course
of action ill-advised with no other place to house
them.
As it stands, Morrison Residence Hall is made up
of roughly 250 four-bedroom suites that last, year
housed 1,012 residents. Most of its rooms do not
have air conditioners, but Morrison is still the single
most requested hall on South Campus.
Today, the Board of Trustees will consider a num
ber of options regarding Morrison’s future.
The first proposal is for the board to do nothing to
update the living facilities on South Campus. That
would leave Morrison at its current capacity, with
most living units bereft of air conditioning.
The second calls for a $24 million renovation that
would include the installation of a series of solar
panels. Student Congress Speaker Charlie Anderson
said Tuesday that those panels would provide the
energy for 40 percent of the hot water required in
the residence hall during times of peak usage.
The renovation would reduce Morrison’s capacity
to just fewer than 800, with some four-room suites
being converted to three-bedroom suites and a com
mon area. In addition, the entire building would
receive a face-lift, and every room in the renovated
residence hall would be given central air condition
UNJUST OPPOSITION
President Bush’s recent statement on a tobacco buyout undermines
North Carolina’s attempts to move beyond its agricultural roots.
Two weeks ago, President Bush put his foot in
his mouth while campaigning in Ohio. When
asked about delivering farmers a tobacco buy
out, the president told reporters, “They’ve got the
quota system in place, the allotment system. And I
don’t think that needs to be changed.”
That’s bad news for farmers in North Carolina and
an insult to the N.C. congressional delegation, which
unanimously supports a buyout.
Since the 19305, farmers in the United States have
been issued a quota regulating the amount of tobac
co they are allowed to grow each year. But since 1997,
tobacco quotas have been cut in half, and each cut
has increased the cost of tobacco production. With
those rising costs, more and more cigarette manu
facturers have begun to buy their tobacco abroad.
Should the market stay the same, N.C. State
University agricultural economist Blake Brown has
projected a further cut of more than 30 percent in
the overall quota for 2005 which experts agree
would be devastating for North Carolina’s economy.
A buyout would compensate quota holders who
chose not to grow tobacco. While the specifics dif
fer from one legislator’s plan to the next, there is no
UNNECESSARY PANIC
Supporters should note an upcoming study of administrators’ salaries
by the UNC-system Board of Governors before jumping to conclusions.
p-T'jhe UNC-system Board of Governors’
I Personnel and Tenure committee will make an
JL investigation of disparities in upper level
administrative salaries in the University system in
a special meeting next month.
The decision comes in light of several new devel
opments regarding administrators who will leave the
UNC system to retire or take positions at other
school systems.
Although replacing several key administrators
presents a difficult task for BOG members, policy
makers should work to stay above the panic about a
potential mass exodus of important officials.
BOG member Dudley Flood told The Daily Tar
Heel that recent departures, including that of N.C.
State University Chancellor Marye Anne Fox, weren’t
the only reason for launching the investigations.
“We needed to do this well before Chancellor Fox
or any of the other chancellors left,” he said. “Such
a study is overdue.”
Fox accepted an offer to leave N.C. State to take
over as the chancellor of the University of Califomia-
San Diego in early April. Fox took a raise from
$248,220 at N.C. State to $350,000 at UCSD.
EDITORS' NOTE: The above editorials are the opinions of solely The Daily Tar Heel Editorial Board, which were reached after open debate.
The board consists of two board members, the editorial page editor and the DTH editor. The 2004 summer DTH editor decided not to vote on
the board and not to write board editorials.
READERS’ FORUM
Administration not at fault for
commencement speaker debacle
TO THE EDITOR:
Given that George Leamon and Doug
Melton were very public about the fact
that they would be pushing for Julius
Chambers as the commencement day
speaker, I find it odd that the edit board is
warning administrators to respect the stu
dents’ opinions. When one considers
George and Doug’s advocacy and the stu
dents’ reception to Mr. Chambers’ speech,
perhaps the students should instead be
careful of what they wish for.
Dan Herman
Former GPSF President
Julius Chambers, civil rights still
relevant to seniors' interest
TO THE EDITOR:
Regarding your May 20 editorial enti
tled “Keep an Open Mind,” and Brandon
Temple’s editorial letter, it appears that
the Editorial Board may need to take its
own advice on this year’s commencement
speaker. To disrespect the civil rights con
tributions of a man of the caliber of Dr.
Julius Chambers would seem to be the
response of a closed mind, or at least
ing.
The final alternative before the board is the dem
olition of Morrison, clearing the area for anew series
of residence halls to meet the demand for on-cam
pus housing that the residence hall fulfills.
Conservative estimates for destruction and rebuild
ing efforts run at $64 million.
On Thursday, the Board of Trustees should vote to
renovate Morrison and each of the other South
Campus residence halls. While it would be nice to
remove the high-rise eye-sores, common sense calls
for the more practical, cost-efficient approach.
We are not far removed from the housing prob
lems that plague the University every time more
incoming freshman accept their admittance than
projected. Without high-rise dorms, these problems
become the rule, not the exception.
In addition, students working on the Renewable
Energy Special Projects committee and University
employees in the Department of Housing have
already committed a significant number of man
hours to creating plans for a renovated, energy-effi
cient Morrison. To disregard all that work in favor of
a vague, rushed plan to make the University prettier
is disrespectful and disingenuous.
Finally, there are simple financial considerations.
The people of North Carolina approved a bond in
1998, to add buildings to our campus, not to tear
them down. Approving a plan for demolition which
costs twice as much that for renovation is foolish
waste of taxpayer money.
doubt that any of the proposals would be a boon to
the state’s economy.
A buyout would be godsend for North Carolina’s
15,000 tobacco farmers and 90,000 quota holders.
It would give young farmers the capital they need to
diversify their crops, and it would give older farmers
the chance to retire gracefully, unburdened by debt.
Perhaps even more importantly, a buyout would
ensure that farming families have the disposable
income necessary to ensure that the next generation
receives the education it needs to see North
Carolina’s economy transition from tobacco and tex
tiles to whatever the future holds.
Sens. John Edwards, D-N.C., and Dole, R-N.C. as
well as each of North Carolina’s representatives in the
House, should be commended for recognizing the
benefits a tobacco buyout would have for the state.
When told of the president’s comments,
Republican senatorial candidate Richard Burr has
said that the White House needed more “education”
on the issue.
A tobacco buyout is the best solution to a mud
dled problem the president should take a step
back and reevaluate his opposition to it.
She also received the use of a house and vehicle
while in Raleigh.
Fox’s departure isn’t the only new admihistrative
vacancy for the University system to fill.
J.B. Milliken, UNC-system vice president for uni
versity affairs, was tapped last Saturday t 6 become
the president of University of Nebraska system.
UNC-Charlotte Chancellor Jim Woodward
who is largely credited for transforming UNC-C into
a respected and important research institution
recently announced his plans to retire next year.
“My pretty strong sense is that there’s a real, grow
ing concern that we are not staying competitive,” BOG
member Brent Barringer told the DTH.
And although those concerns may be justified, it’s
important to keep the context of the departures in
mind. Fox’s case may reflect a more competitive offer
from another university system, but Milliken and
Woodward are leaving as part of a progression of
their careers.
University system supporters should wait for
input from the committee’s investigation before
jumping to conclusions. Staying competitive is one
thing getting unreasonably anxious is another.
someone not in tune with senior interests’
other than one’s own. There are a vast
number of UNC graduates on whom the
importance of diversity in their education
has not been lost. Indeed, to many per
sons educated on his contributions, Dr.
Chambers has the status of a Martin
Luther King, or George W. Bush, depend
ing on your political persuasion.
I, for one, though graduating next year,
thought the choice was highly appropri
ate. Having witnessed Dr. Chambers’
work through the UNC Center for Civil
Rights, advocating for the poor and dis
enfranchised, perhaps his legacy is one
last lesson that some seniors at UNC need
to learn before they graduate. Also, a les
son in correcting the immaturity dis
played by rudely walking out on a speak
er would not come amiss.
Thank you, Dr. Chambers for your con
tributions to a hard-fought civil rights
legacy that the graduating class would do
well to emulate, and to the nation and the
state of North Carolina, which this uni
versity represents. Thank you to the
Carolina system that allows all voices to
be heard.
Margaret Holt
Professional Student
School of Law
Editorial Page
ON THE DAY’S NEWS
“The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas.”
LINUS PAULING, CHEMIST
EDITORIAL CARTOON
COMMENTARY
DTH opinion page seeks to
balance campus concerns
Believe it or not, we’re
already three weeks into the
first summer session and
we’ve been through three summer
issues of The Daily Tar Heel.
Judging by the level reader
interaction, I’m very happy with
how the editorial page has
worked thus far. The letters to the
editor have been critical of our
work but perpetuate the dis
course we seek to inspire.
I certainly appreciate that read
ers feel comfortable enough with
the DTH to come right back and
fire their opposing views at us.
Last week’s editorial “Keep an
Open Mind” on the topic of
Commencement speaker selection
neglected to give Julius Chambers
due credit for the good work he
has done for civil rights which
is as relevant as any issue that the
University faces today.
But the editorial board’s opin
ion remains firm what was
missing in the selection was the
consultative and inclusive spirit of
decision-making that makes the
University a unique institution.
Our many branches of student
government do real work that
impacts the campus community
and for the most part they’re fair
ly open about what they’re doing
and how it’s going.
The DTH editorial board has
come to value that tradition of
involvement every semester I’ve
been a member of the board.
UNC has a student body that
actively participates in the most
diverse range of activities from
student self-governance to com
munity service to local, state and
national politics —and The Daily
Tar Heel is there to report and
record a great deal of it.
While the news-side strives to
report on and analyze their sto
ries through an objective lens, the
editorial page struggles to express
the paper’s voice without dimin
ishing its value.
The question of what to write
about and what positions to take
isn’t an easy one. We publish a
paper on a regular basis regardless
of the news for any particular day.
Although it’s tempting to resort
to churning out generalized edito-
Chapel Hill officers give police
department positive image
TO THE EDITOR:
I’m writing to share with you my most
positive impressions of the Chapel Hill
Police Department.
This past weekend an intruder entered
my home, and the Chapel Hill police
responded to my call with concern and effi
ciency. I’d like to thank two exceptional
representatives of the CHPD: Officer Britt
for coming to my home as well as Detective
Matthews for following up with the case
during the week. Their efforts and com
mitment to serving the town of Chapel Hill
don’t go unnoticed or unappreciated.
Jennifer Maupin
Senior
Romance Languages
TO SUBMIT A LETTER: The Daily Tar Heel welcomes
reader comments. Letters to the editor should be no
longer than 300 words and must be typed, double
spaced, dated and signed by no more than two people.
Students should include their year, major and phone
number. Faculty and staff should indude their title,
department and phone number. The DTH reserves the
right to edit letters for space, darity and vulgarity.
Publication is not guaranteed. Bring letters to the DTH
office at Suite 104, Carolina Union, mail them to P.O.
Box 3257, Chapel Hill, NC 27515 or e-mail forum to:
editdesk@unc.edu.
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JEFF KIM
EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR
rials that don’t address the issues
at hand, we try to stay as relevant
to students’ lives as possible.
And when we come upon con
tentious debates, handling them
correctly and in a fair manner is
no easy task on its own.
That balancing act has been
passed on to writers by summer
editorial page editors in the past.
The DTH opinion page of bygone
years have run editorials that read
more like columns: arguments
made by individual writers on
topics of their own choosing.
The old way of producing the
summer editorial page seems like
it would have been fun opin
ionated writers would get an
opportunity to talk about the
issues important to them and get
their name in the paper.
But I believe the editorial page
of The Daily Tar Heel has a
stronger role to play in campus
affairs during the summer than
merely filling space as a passive
medium for individual opinions.
Asa relative newcomer to the
newsroom setting, I’m still trying
to get familiar with the DTH
environment and I’m still in awe
of this newspaper. Being the type
to get pretty easily distracted, I’ve
spent some time venturing
around to enjoy some of the
quirks littered across the office.
Once you get past the pictures
lampooning Mike Krzyzewski, the
editorial board toy trolls that pro
tect our page with their evil
power and the great newspapers
issues of the past, you see the
enshrined words of Centennial
Edition Editor Jen Pilla, justify
ing the DTH’s role as a major
player on campus affairs.
“The eternal youth of The Tar
Heel nevertheless is considered a
blessing,” Pilla declares.
“Because it is youth that keeps
3Bjf Salhi iar Hfel
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By Evann Strathern, evann@email.unc.edu
it, like a typical adolescent, defi
ant in the face of authority, eager
for growth and protective of its
freedom.”
I believe it is our job as the
young students of the University
to bring every bit of our youthful
vigor to our everyday contribu
tion at the University.
Most students have left cam
pus during the summer to gain
experience in their respective
career settings. They’re studying
abroad, seeing the world or just
taking a break at home.
But those of us who remain in
Chapel Hill shouldn’t get caught
asleep on our watch.
As summer DTH editor Philip
McFee stressed in his inaugural
column important news hap
pens during the summer, too.
The selection of a vice chancel
lor for student affairs, platform
implementation by student gov
ernment officials and UNC Board
of Trustees meetings on the
future of campus residence halls
are all high-impact events that
students should watch diligently.
UNC students might have lost
in the out-of-state tuition debate
this past year, but trustees will
undoubtedly press to raise tuition
again next year to try and achieve
the 75th percentile of out-of-state
tuition among peer institutions.
If students are to have any
chance at avoiding further
exploitative shifts in tuition poli
cy, they will have to show that
they’re keeping in mind the future
of the University and its duty to
the state of North Carolina.
And while Pilla’s quote serves
as a newsroom reminder of our
own youth, students can remain
informed, active and vital partici
pants in the successful operation
of this University.
The Daily Tar Heel will contin
ue serving die campus communi
ty this summer as it has for its 111
years of existence and the editori
al page will keep pressing the
issues that we find important.
And if you disagree, let us
know. Keep us on our toes.
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jongdae@email.unc.edu.
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Sa% sar Heel
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Uty? laily ®ar BM
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PHILIP MCFEE
SUMMER EDITOR
LAURA YOUNGS
MANAGING EDITOR
JEFF KIM
EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR
CHRIS COLETTA
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