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The Daily Tar HeelMonday, October 15, 19901 1 mams iceiiteiMiM CoflmemoimMoiii reqiittres stodeM Input Almost 200 years ago, with the laying of the cornerstone of Old East, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was born. Two years later forty-one young white males assembled and were the first students to attend the University. Since then, this campus has grown and become more diverse as it evolved into a world-class university. With University Day just celebrated, it seems appropriate to reflect on our University's approaching Bi centennial. We have good reason to be proud of the past accomplishments that have stemmed from individual and group efforts. During this time of tur moil and adversity, we must draw strength from the bold vision of our founding fathers and propel the Uni versity into the next century with a new determinism. The Bicentennial Observance of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is going to succeed in doing just that and much more. Although most students have heard of this "bicenten nial" commemoration that will take place, many are unsure of the actual specifics of it. The observance begins on Oct. 12, 1993, and ends on com mencement day, 1994. There are nu merous, but vital, objectives to this commemoration. We will promote public higher education, which was a unique American idea that first devel oped in North Carolina 200 years ago. One focus will be on advancements from 1793 to the present in all areas. This includes emphasizing themes of freedom and diversity as well as re flecting on historical accounts of student organizations, campus life, athletics, the campus, faculty and academic depart ments. Much time will be spent ana lyzing the best of the past and present in order to determine the future goals of the University and its role for the twenty- Uiiiyemty's 200th birthday is more than Bicentennial Observance highlights heritage and promise lans for the Bicentennial Obser tt3 vance have been percolating since j 1985 when the Cole Committee issued the initial Bicentennial planning report. Now, only three years from kickoff, it is important to remind our selves that the Bicentennial Observance is necessary and important and that its success depends on the entire Univer sity family. Why have we chosen to commemo rate the University's 200th anniversary? Why not build the world's largest birth day cake, give ourselves a self-congratulatory pat on the back for having make it to the age of 200, and blow out the candles with wishes of good times to come? In the broadest sense, anniver sary observances reflect on the value individuals and society hold for an in stitution. We are the nation's first state University, some argue the world's first true peoples' University. We believe in the mission of our great University. We value deeply its service to the state, the nation, and the world. We are thankful for the impact it has on our lives and the lives of both those who have come before us and those who will come after. As our state's leaders increas ingly sort out priorities for the future, the Bicentennial Observance must leave them no doubt as to the value we hold for our University. Reflecting on the value of UNC at Chapel Hill, we must communicate through the Bicentennial the University's service and accomplish ments throughout the state and nation. The kickoff and finale events of the Bicentennial Observance will call at tention to the University's anniversary, but it is incumbent upon the University's individual schools, departments, and Voting for For the past few months, this state has focused on a historical race for U.S. Senate matching two men on completely different ends of the spec trum: Jesse Helms, that last bastion of the Old South and staunch conservatism, and Harvey Gantt, the first black Senate nominee in North Carolina this century and strong advocate of liberal ideals. This race has focused on many issues, but speaking as a student, I believe it imperative that the issue of education receive just attention. Some may think other issues more pressing than that of the often ignored realm of education. But in looking at long-term goals, education is the life blood of a democratic society. In a na tion where the ultimate authority rests with the people, it can be detrimental to have that power resting with a society that is not informed and educated to its fullest potential. Sure, cuts have to be made; money is short. But prudence and vision are necessary in all legisla tive decisions, including deciding where to cut funds from the state and national budgets. In a time when funds to all levels of education in North Carolina are being cut by the principle supplier, i.e. the state government, federalna tional funds become all the more impor tant not to just college students like myself, but to preschoolers, those in elementary and secondary schools, those receiving vocational education, and to Rashmi Airan first century. Encouraging younger stu dents to stay in school because of the importance of education will be handled by reaching out to many schools around the state. Another goal will be making the people of North Carolina and the country aware of the service we offer to them, thus reaffirming the bonds be tween the University and the state. Now it will not be unusual for many students to want to brush this aside because of the amount of time that lies between now and the actual com memoration. But no - we cannot do that. It is necessary for students to real ize the enormity of this observance. The benefits we, as students, receive from this university are reason enough to celebrate its two-hundredth birthday. Student involvement, therefore, will be broad and exciting, and much planning will begin this year. Student organiza tions have the opportunity to coordinate (perhaps with other groups) a memo rable and influential event for the obser vance. In addition, students will have the opportunity to help in the Bicenten nial Campaign. Creativity and original ity will be stressed. The Student Bicentennial Planning Committee is in the process of being formed and structured. It will be a rep resentation of different groups on campus to ensure that the Bicentennial Celebration is characteristic of all di visions of students. The committee will work to publicize the goals of the Bi centennial Observance to all students, faculty, and other community and state members. Working with the numerous student organizations to help them plan Steve Tepper organizations to plan the programs in between that will bring distinction to the Observance while communicating a clear and convincing message about the University's past, present, and future. The Bicentennial will not unveil in 1 993 as a menu from which to choose a variety of appetizers, entrees, and deserts. Faculty, staff, and students must help cook the meal! Already over 300 ideas have been submitted from individuals and groups across campus, from alumni, and from friends of the University. These people will plan and implement the majority of Bicentennial events. Most of this planning will occur over the next year. I emphatically urge students to get involved. The University of Texas's Centennial was a national success largely because it involved students in every stage of planning. The staffs of Harvard University's 350th and The University of Pennsylvania's 250th have declared their greatest failure to be planning their anniversaries to take place during student recesses. As students are the core of our mission at Carolina, they must be reflected in every fiber of the Bicentennial. Historically, students on this campus have been the entrepre neurs of progressive and creative ideas and programs. The Bicentennial Obser vance is an excellent opportunity to engage this creative spirit. In these times of austerity and uncer tainty, understandably we don't feel much like a birthday party. But perhaps Melius is voting against E. Neil Morris the handicapped. Cuts are necessary and allocations to other departments are a reality, but an individual lawmaker's priorities have to come into play, and sometimes, into question. Helms has the worst record of any senator on the issue of education. He has expressed his desire to eliminate the Department of Education, and has voted against DOE appropriations bills every single year, bills which routinely pass with an average vote of 78-1 7. He performs similar feats in regard to funding for vocational education pro grams and handicapped education. Helms was one of only 1 8 senators to vote for the termination of federal sup port for vocational education programs. Helms voted four times in the 1980s against funding for Head Start, and has consistently voted against funding for Title XX, which funds day care. In addressing elementarysecondary education, his malevolence has been extraordinary. Helms voted 13 times in the 1980s against funding for compen satory education, which provides assis tance to school districts with concentra tions of children from low-income families. In 1987, Helms was the only events for the commemoration will be one of the main goals. Before ap proaching organizations, a list of pos sible activities will be made to assist in generation ideas. The committee will also research the past 200 years of this university and how it has been impacted by various students or groups. These are a few of the many objectives we hope to accomplish. As chairwoman of the Student Bi centennial Planning Committee, I have recently become extremely aware of the necessity and desire to celebrate what our University has and will stand for, especially in regard to students. With the amount of negative, pessimistic talk in media and among people, I hope I, along with the committee, can succeed in reviving the Carolina spirit and op timism so that student events for the Bicentennial will not go unforgotten. I want to extend the challenge to student leaders to explore their imaginations for unique events to take place during the Bicentennial. I assure that the Stu dent Bicentennial Planning Committee will be available to help and answer all questions that might arise. In the up coming months, student leaders will be contacted regarding the possibilites for their organizations. During the next four years, all eyes will turn to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It is our job to show our importance in this country's educational system. We will be suc cessful onl v with 1 1 0 percent involve ment and committment. Let's begin now to guarantee a dynamic and memorable Bicentennial Observance. Rashmi Airan is a sophomore speech communications and business major from Miami, Fla. She is chairwoman of the Student Bicentennial Planning Committee. Name The Bicentennial Obser vance When University Day, Oct. 1 2, 1 993, to Commencement . May 8, 1994. Eight months Goal To strengthen the bonds between the people of North Carolina and their University, reaffirm the r . University's historical ' : ' ! -f commitment to free inquiry in the pursuit of knowl edge, and lay the cornerstone for the University's third century of service to the state, nation and world. Strategy Special conferences, colloquia, internationally, distinguished speakers, festivals, memorabilia, histories, exhibits, concerts, ceremonies, awards, media features, student programs, videos, television programs, etc. Leadership William Massey, Associate Vice Chancellor for University Relations; General Secretary of The Bicentennial Observance. Steven Tepper, Associate General Secretary it is through the thoughtful mission of the Bicentennial Observance that we can all find strength in the affirmation of the University's heritage and prom ise. Steven Tepper is the associate gen eral secretary of the Bicentennial Ob servance. member of the senate to vote against the Elementary and Secondary Education Improvement Act. The act designated and reauthorized funding for several educational programs in urban and ru ral areas. It also included a Compre hensive School Health Program and literacy and basic skill instruction for adults. But no doubt his coup de grace was when he voted against President George Bush's Educational Excellence Act, which established or aided many educational programs, such as the Na tional Science Scholars Program, the Presidential Merit Schools Program, the School Dropout Demonstration Assis tance Act, and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. In addition, it authorized funding for a drug-free schools program and award to elementarysecondary schools which made substantial progress in raising student achievement levels. These are comprehensive measures that the federal government took to aid schools suffer ing financially or academically, and Helms opposed all of them. In regard to higher education. Helms has maintained his indignant nature. He voted 12 times in the 1980s against funding for Pell Grants, which assist students from low-income families in gaining access to post-secondary edu cation. He voted against the Higher Education Act of 1980 and in 1987 was the only senator to vote against amend A KJrM V Vi SHfc Jf " " " " in n n n n n n i I The Bicentennial US. News and WorldReport maga zine recently ranked UNC at Chapel Hill fourth among public institutions in the national university category. But in a comparison of another kind, the Council for Aid to Education (CFAE) ranks colleges and universities by philanthropic cash flow. In other words, how much money these schools receive from private sources. In 1988-89,UNCranked twenty-sixth among public and private universities in support from private sources. When the universities are ranked according to level of endowment, UNC-CH doesn't even make the top 50. I use these examples to make two points. First, we must remember that the University is not strictly state-funded. Rather, it is state-assisted. As a matter of fact, during its first century, the University was largely funded by private sources. Second, we must strengthen the support we receive from private sources. Clearly, demands for state funds are growing faster than the state can meet them. Although the legislature will continue to provide basic support for the University, the challenges and op portunities facing Carolina go well be yond what the state can allocate. And that's what the Bicentennial Campaign is all about. To excel in the third century, we must continue to build on this public private partnership. The largest fund raising effort in the University's history. The Bicentennial Campaign for Caro lina aims to raise more than $300 mil lion. Many people don't realize that the state supplies only about 39 percent of education ments to that act. In 1986 and 1987, he voted to eliminate a federalstate cost sharing partnership to assist in devel opment and expansion of need-based grant programs, and in 1987, Helms voted to eliminate the College Work Study program from the federal budget. The preceding review was not a bla tant negative attack on Helms; it was a straightforward presentation of Helms public voting record on legislative acts dealing with educationTrue, it's point was to shed a bad light of Helms' deal ings with education, but without being aware of what is bad, how can we contrast it with something that is good? Gantt's dedication to the best afford able education available is key to his campaign. Gantt's vehement opposi tion to the way Helms has voted on the previous pieces of legislation is proof positive of this dedication. Education is something everyone should be con cerned about, and most are, but talk is cheap. Despite what Helms says, it is clear that his priorities do not lie with that which has been called the key to growth, progress, and life itself. John F. Kennedy once said, "Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education." On Nov. 6, vote for education; vote for progress. Vote for Gantt for the U.S. Senate. E. Neil Morris is a sophomore politi cal science major from Maysville. C Vi A. just a gigantic party Campaign: a look to Robert Sweeney the University's annual operating bud get. The remainder comes from con tracts, grants, services and tuition. The endowment provides about 6 percent of its income. The campaign will expand that en dowment those resources that fill the gap between what the state provides and the University's operations require. It will support student aid, faculty salaries, the libraries, research, the construction and renovation of several buildings. The official campaign goal will be announced at a kickoff next Oct. 12 University Day. By then, we expect to have raised about $150 million. The campaign will conclude in 1995. Under the guidance of Chancellor Paul Hardin, we are already seeing signs of success. Alumni, corporations and friends of the University have pledged nearly $79 million toward the $300 million goal. What will the campaign do for Carolina? For students, it will greatly increase support in the form of more need- and merit-based scholarships. It will mean a well-funded Honors Program and a Student Opportunity Fund that will benefit students campuswide. And it will provide greater support for gradu ate and professional students. Faculty will reap the benefits of more endowed and term professorships, re wards for excellence in teaching, and funds to support curriculum develop- Pza9 TO 71 am cs3 the future of UNC Name The Bicentennial Cam- . paign for Carolina : July 1989 to June 1995 To raise more than $300 mil lion for academics at UNC at Chapel Hill : To mobilize the resources of alumni, corporations. . When Goal Strategy private foundations and ' ' friends of the University to support students, faculty ' and facilities at UNC . Leadership Hugh McColl, National Campaign Co-chairman . and chief executive officer ofNCNB William Armfield, National Campaign Co chairman and president of Macfield Inc. . . Robert Sweeney, Associate Vice Chancellor for Development and Campaign Director The Bicentennial Campaign for Carolina, the largest fund-raising effort in the University's history, will raise more than $309 million for academics. ment, study leaves and research oppor tunities. Those are just a few examples. Campuswide, we all will benefit from the success of The Bicentennial Cam paign. The Bicentennial Campaign for Carolina will set the course for the University's next 200 years. Robert Sweeney is associate vice chancellor for development and the director ofThe Bicentennial Campaign for Carolina. yieiw -JU f)i 9t Ob
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Oct. 15, 1990, edition 1
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