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Thursday | January 12, 2006
Serving UNC Wilmington since 1948
Volume LVIII Number 12
Microsoft
releases patch for
computer virus
Amanda Hutcheson
Assistant News Editor
Two weeks ago, Microsoft
discovered a vulnerability that
allowed viruses to infect comput
ers by viewing pictures. While
most viruses have to actually be
downloaded, this flaw allowed
computers to become infected by
simply viewing a website or e-mail
containing an infected graphic.
The problem got worse the next
weekend when hackers discovered
the flaw and posted instructions
for infecting images into graphics
on the web.
The flaw can also allow hack
ers access to the computer’s files.
Programs can be deleted or added,
and even private files can be viewed
and shared. Users with restricted
access are less impacted in this
situation than users with adminis
trative access.
On Jan. 6, Microsoft released
a patch to fix the vulnerability.
Computers set to automatically
download updates should have
it downloaded. Students whose
computers do not download auto
matically can get the patch at http;//
www.microsoft.com/technet/secu-
rity/bulletin/ms06-001 .mspx.
While almost all versions of
Windows are at risk, Windows
2000, 2003, and XP are at the
greatest risk. Windows 98, 98
Second Edition, and Millennium
Edition are not at risk.
Students using computers in
campus labs do not need to worry.
These computers should be updat
ed, and in addition are set each
night to automatically reverse any
changes or new programs made
during the day.
Students are encouraged to
keep anti-virus software and com
puter patches up to date to gener
ally avoid viruses. This applies
to all operating systems, including
Linux and Macintosh. Starting this
see VIRUS page 2
A waterfall in the union: 2006 class gift unveiled
%
Courtesy Aaron Whitesell
This graphic illustrates what the "Infinity fountain" will look like. The fountain will serve as the
2006 senior class gift and will be located inside the glass cafe area of the new University Union. Past
senior class gifts include the school seal and the clock tower, both located in front of Randall Library.
Amy Fasoli
Correspondent
An “infinity fountain” for the
new student union will be the senior
gift from UNCW’s class of2006.
Aaron Whitesell, senior class
president, is in the process of cre
ating a committee and starting to
collect donations for the fountain.
Whitesell is working side-by-side
with Shane Fernando, senior class
adviser, who was responsible for the
erecting of the clock tower in front
of Randall Library when he was
class president in 2000.
No small undertaking, this foun
tain will be will be 10-feet in height
with water cascading down 6-feet.
The bottom will have a l-foot-6-
inch tall pool roughly 18-feet wide.
The cost of the infinity fountain is
estimated at $125,000. This money
will be raised through student dona
tions, alumni and corporate spon
sors. Depending on the amount,
donors will either have their names
inscribed in a commemorative book
located in the library or on a name
plate plaque next to the fountain.
“The tentative title of the foun
tain is ‘Rebirth’,” Whitesell said.
“It’s a new foimtain, a new union
and for those of us graduating, a
new life or new start so, in a sense,
a rebirth.”
Femando is enthusiastic about
the project and its appropriateness
for the senior class. As the class
that has seen the complete con
struction of the University Union
addition, scheduled to open in May
of 2006, it is fitting for this class to
create and dedicate the focal point
for future generations.
The fountain will be placed in
the glass cafe area of the new union.
The waterfall is planned to face
the north side of the building that
features the ampi-theater and clock
tower. At night, the fountain will be
lighted so it can be seen throughout
the commons.
“Simply put, the fountain will be
a gorgeous piece of art work, and
a centerpiece to our new union,”
Femando said, “It will surely be a
great rallying point for our gradu
ates now and in the future.”
“1 wanted our class gift to be
something tangible that 1 could
bring my children or grandchildren
back to campus someday to show
them how my class contributed to
campus,” said Stevie Loudermilk,
a senior committee member “It
would be an awesome experience
for children to visit UNCW 20 or
30 years from now and find their
parent’s name fixed permanently at
an important campus feature.”
see WATERFALL page 2
Noise violations become a misdemeanor offense yet again
Ben Wimmer
News Editor
The Wilmington City Council
voted to make noise violations a
misdemeanor offense which could
result in a $500 fine and up to 30
days in jail.
In the past, noise violations were
punishable by a $250 fine for first
time offenders and a fine of $500 for
second and multiple-offenders. As
of Jan. 3, noise violators can now be
iharged criminally. The city council
voted on the measure unanimously.
Reportedly, first-time offenders
will receive a warning and second
time offenders will face citations
and fines. Repeat offenders could
be charged criminally. According
to the Star-News, 4,131 noise calls
were responded to by police from
January through October of 2005;
among the calls only 779 citations
were issued.
According to Chief David
Donaldson of the University Police,
a noise violation was previously
a criminal offense, which
was later recodified as a civil
offense, only to be made a
criminal offense again.
Chief Donaldson replied:
“1 support the city’s effort
to provide additional tools to
the police officers to assist
with addressing community
concerns. I also applaud their
willingness to reconsider the
effectiveness of their ordi
nances.”
LlnrteSarah Helpeni I THE SEAHAWK
Multiple noise violations could cost of
fenders $500 in fines and even jail time.