12
Monday, December 2,1996
Wcp latlg ®ar Mtd
Jeanne Fugate EDITOR
Office Hours, 2-3 p.m. Fridays
Graham Brink MANAGING EDITOR
Adam Bianchi ELECTRONIC EDITION EDITOR
World Wide Web Electronic Edition
I A I 1 http://www.unc.edu/dth
Established 1893
mm 103 Years of Editorial Freedom
BOARD EDITORIALS
Keeping up with the times
Kudos to the University administration for its
commitment to renovating the Undergraduate
Library and for the preliminary plans.
Now, instead of merely being the best place to
pick up a date, the Undergrad will also provide
better access to technology that is necessary in
today’s ever-expanding intellectual climate.
The library renovations, which could be com
pleted by 1999, call for better computer resources
and more hands-on training for ftiture students.
The Undergrad provides a symbolic centris
for all undergraduate learning, even if a student
never enters its doors. Any undergraduate should
be able to be proud of a modem, up-to-date
building that represents the learning of the past
and a commitment to the learning of the future.
Future students will most likely regard elec
tronic resources as important to them as
Webster’s Dictionary or Roget’s Thesaurus
might be to the current scholar.
The necessity of incorporating this modem
While the ninth annual World AIDS Day
took place Sunday, campus events recognizing
awareness of the disease stretch out throughout
this last week of classes. This week provides the
community the impetus to learn about and be
come active in the fight against today’s AIDS.
Statistics show that activists certainly have a
strong enemy to deal with—one that has gained
a foothold in our own backyard.
Currently, 2,600 North Carolinians live with
the disease, and 4,200 state residents have died.
This year, 53 new HIV cases and 639 new AIDS
cases were reported in North Carolina. AIDS is
not merely a sound bite on the 6 o’clock news.
Worldwide, 3.1 million people contracted
the HIV virus in 1996, bringing the total number
of people with HIV or AIDS to 22.6 million
Bumims and Advertising: Kevin Schwartz.
director/general mangagen Chrissy Mennrtt
advertising director; Leslie Humphrey, classified
ad manager, Lisa Reichle, business manager;
Megan Stephenson, advertising manager. Krista
Scavone and Elizabeth Johnson, business
assistants.
Classified Advertising: Rachel Lomasz.
Assistant Editors: Lily Thayer, arts and
Diversions; Mary-Kathryn Craft and Angela
Moore, city; Amanda Barnett and Dallas Smith.
copy; Angela Eubanks, design; David Silverstein.
features; Mark Weissman, graphics. Serena Custis
and Brad Smith, photo; Alec Morrison. Paul
Strelow and Kurt Tondorf, sports; Aaron Beard
and M. Lee Taft Sport Saturday. Todd Darling and
Wendy Goodman, state b national; Sharif
Durhams, Marva Hinton and John Sweeney,
university; Manssa Jones, wnting coach.
Arts/Diversions: Todd Gilchrist music editor;
Mitch Bennett and Dean Hair, senior writers;
Chris Barge. Robert Breitweiser. Kelly Brewington.
Beth Carroll. Marya DeVoto, Louis Dillard, Nathan
Ellis. Steven Ferrara, Betsy Greer, Rich Harris. Aziz
Huq, Amber Ivey, Claire Jarvis. Verna Kate, Greg
Kaliss, Kacey Kinard. Stephen Lee, Sophie Milam,
Amelia Rasmus, Brent Simon, Barry Summerllin,
Brian Truitt Ivan Vasquez. Scott Whittier and
Karen Williams
Csrtoon: Eric Bishop, Brad Chnstensen. Sean
Gillespie, Tommy Harris, Brian Kahn. Paul Kendall,
Toly Long, Adria Mueller. Rob Neilson, Paul
Saunders, Brad Timmers. Miles Travis and
Michael Wlodek.
City: Elizabeth Adams, Sara Griffitt Kate
Harrison, Erica Hinton. Mike Hirschel. Christina
Kopp, Sallie Lacy. Aaron Levine. Jim Martin,
Megan Meadows. Rob Nelson, Gibson Pate,
Meegan Smith. Rachel Swain, Stacey Tumage
The editorials are approved by the majority of the editorial board, which is composed
of the editor, editorial page editor and seven editorial writers.
The Daily Tar Heel is published by the DTH Publishing Corp.. a nonprofit North
Carolina corporation. Monday-Friday. according to the University calendar.
Callers with questions about billing or display advertising should dial 962-1163
between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Classified ads can be reached at 962-0252. Editorial
questions should be directed to 962-0245/0246.
venue into the University’s learning environ
ments cannot be stressed enough. The research
of the future will be done via the Internet at web
sites devoted to disciplines or criticism relating
to particular subjects. Intellectual dialogue will
take place not only over a cup of coffee but also
via modem. The University must train its stu
dents to take part in this dialogue.
Although some students have complained
that the 12 month to 18 month period of renova
tion will hamper their studies, the sacrifice is
worthwhile. The administration has already ten
tatively agreed to move important resources to
Davis Library and to offer 24-hour access at this
site. And if plans for off-campus and 24-hour
South Campus computer labs come to fruition,
this too could ease the burden on students.
In short, renovating the Undergrad can only
benefit the University’s students, reputation and
overall dedication to learning in current and
future times.
Learning AIDS
Deaths to date total 5.8 million.
The University community should pay close
attention as young people comprise one of the
groups being hit the hardest by the disease.
That’s why it’s important to take time out
from end-of-the-semester parties and exam prepa
rations to attend one of the World AIDS Day
campus events.
Sexual orientation, race and age don’t matter
AIDS affects all of us, and it’s up to all of us
to fight the disease. We can promote education
and prevention by volunteering to help patients,
by not perpetuating the ignorance that surrounds
the disease.
We can —and must —help carry the momen
tum and excitement about AIDS advances into
every week of the year.
THE DAILYTAR HEEL
Business & Advertising Staff
assistant manager.
Customer Service: Shelly Harper, Marian Jones.
Sherry W. Martin. Laurie Morton, Chemise
Overton and Julie Robertson, representatives.
Display Advertising: Bee Auger, Megan Boyle.
Eileen Hintz. Wendy Holmes, Shannon Hrdlicka,
Henry Jay. Gidget Lamb, Jonri Scott Leslie
Stephenson and Amy Walter, account executives;
Editorial Staff
and Julia Wood.
Copy: Jenny Abella, Sara Batten, Catherine Blair,
Karen Glunk. Michelle Jones. Etzabeth KuO,
Kendell Mac Queen, Elizabeth Martin, Melissa
Minas, April Simun, Jamie Vacca, Brandyne
Warren and Elizabeth Whaley.
Design: Michelle LaPierre, May-Sung Li. Courtney
McCurry, Holly Neal. Trina Ozer, Jennifer Snow.
Leslie Wilkinson and Alkisti Yiannibas.
Editorial: John Adcock. Devona Brown, Matthew
Crawford, Chris Dovichak. Susan Hazeldean,
Leslie Kendrick. Keith Kocher and Tara Powell.
Features: Lauren Agrella. Pooja Asher, Ashley
Copeland. Jason Creech. Trisha Dabb, Hilary
Franklin, Mark Lineberger, Andrea Luecke. John
McAllister. Andrew McLester. Jason Morrel.
Olivia Page Brenna Pearson, Cory Van Belois and
Mary Williamson.
Graphics: Elyse Alley, Jessica Godwin. Ashley
Henkel, Anne Riley, Eileen Russell and Kelley
Shaw.
Photography: Erik Perel, senior photographer;
Cara Brickman, Ashley Broom. KeHy Brown,
Lindsay Cage. Kim Clark. Kai Dacosta, Morisea
Davis. Jon Gardiner, Jennifer Guthrie. Margo
Hasselman, John Ikeda, Kerri Laz. Ben McAllister,
Misti McDaniel. Kristina Morris. Kristin Rohan,
M.C. Steed and Vibhuti Uppal.
Special Assignments: Sarah Frisch. Jessica
Galazka, Tony Mecia, Lou Rutigliano, Monica
Sanchez and Jonathan Watson.
Upr
NATIONAL NEWSPAPER
ASSOCIATION ISSN #IO7O-9436
Office Suit* 104 Cardin* Union
Campua Mail Add raw: C* 6210 Boa 49. Carolina Union
U.S. Mail Addroaa: P.O. Boa 3267, Chapol HBL NC 27515-3217
Ryan Norwood EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR
Jamie Griswold UNIVERSITY EDITOR
Laura Godwin CITY EDITOR
Erica Beshears state 6 national editor
Andrew Park special assignments editor
Robbi Pickeral SPORTS EDITOR
Joseph Rolison sportsaturday editor
Jessica Banov FEATURES EDITOR
Melissa Milios ARTS 9 DIVERSIONS EDITOR
Julia Corbin COPY DESK EDITOR
Michael Kanarek COPY DESK EDITOR
Amy CappieDo photography editor
.Amy Quattlebaum DESIGN EDITOR
Phiffip Molaro graphics editor
Robin Linehan editorial cartoon editor
Robin Berholi STAFF DEVELOPMENT
Jodi Brown, Beth Cresanrt, Joel Sasser end Barry
Wyner, assistant account executives.
Advertising Production: Beth O'Brien,
manager. Richard D. Allen. Cindy Henley and
Jody Matthews, assistants.
Classified Production: Penny Persons.
Nawsclarfc: Chris Dovichak.
Sport*: Beverty Morgan, copy. Dave Alexander,
Jack Chaney, David Fleming, Kristi Geerken, Paul
Holscher, Craig Kiser. Jason Knott, Reino
Makkonen, Anglea Merritt. Jeff Stencel and Mike
Sundheim.
Staff Development Chris Barge, Derek Chiang,
Jenny Couch. Erica Ellis, Adam Gusman, Susan
Hazeldean. Greg KalSs and Sara Lester.
State and National: Melissa Steele, senior writer
Tiffany Cashwell. Anne Corbett, Jonathan Cox.
Sara deManigold, April Demert Vickey Eckenrode,
Eric Flack. Anne Harden. Holly Hart, Charles
Helfwig. Emily Howell. Trida Johnson, Antoinette
Kerr, Ashley Matlock. Whitney Moore, Kishma
Patnaik. Monika Ruef, Andrew Rose. Robin Smith,
LeAnn Spradling and Jeff Young.
University: Rick Conner, Merritt Dempsey. KaMn
Gurney, Ashley Hagler, Leah Haney. Alison Hill,
Mindy Hodges. Balkees Jarrah, Teresa Kilian,
Sheng Lee, Evan Markfield. Jim Nicks, Kelly
O'Brien, Kerry Ossi, Aru Pande, Stephanie Shaw,
Sarah Sims, Anasa Sirwgal Dave Snell, Dana
Spangler. Ashley Stephenson, Nahal ToosL Lynn
Wadford, Ray Watters, Jon Wiliams, Deanna
Wrttmer and Sara Yawn.
Editorial Production: Stacy Wynn, manager.
DTH OruLina: Eddie Beiles, production.
Printing: Triangle Web.
Distribution: Triangle Circulation Services.
EDITORIAL
( C^ITt (OfW CmMus)
Cmep6epyi*-,l.Mnc.e.*t( t>v QiliL
Think about it: What is your reason for the season?
The semester is nearly over, and with it
comes my last column of the year. In
a few days the bane of every college
student’s existence will begin: final exams.
You know what I’m talking about the
weeklong period where pizza and Mountain
Dew become the two major food groups and
sleep becomes a treasure worth more than
gold. Of course, following closely on the heels
of exams is my favorite holiday, Christmas.
Christmas is a wonderful time of year. Why
do you think that is? What is the “true mean
ing of Christmas,” besides one of the more
overused cliches of the season.
To me, an important part of Christmas is
the time my family spends together. This past
weekend, my family and I decorated the Christ
mas tree and adorned the house with garlands
and lights. As the holiday season approaches,
a certain magical quality fills the air. Anticipa
tion grows by the day, although when I was
younger I remember thinking that day might
never come.
The reason for my anticipation as a child
was simple: presents. What child isn’t filled
with wonderment as the world around them
changes into a red and green paradise? Al
though my parents never taught me the Santa
Claus story, I, like my other young friends,
dreamed about the joily old man clad in red
and riding in a sleigh filled with gifts.
But I grew up and realized that there was no
Santa Claus. Now without Santa, the season
seemed somewhat devoid of meaning. If my
parents were the ones who put the presents
under the tree, then why? How did that start?
Why do people give presents? Why did we
celebrate this holiday in the first place?
In considering the origins of Christmas, we
need look no further than the name itself.
“Christ” and “Mass” are the root words be
hind the word itself. In breaking down the
word Christmas, Webster’s Dictionary points
to Jesus Christ, the Christian messiah and the
Catholic mass, which is built upon the celebra
tion of the Eucharist, or communion. SoChrist
mas is a gathering where the Messianic Christ
is celebrated.
Hmmmm, so how did we go from this word
and its old English origins to the current and
'Bookkeeper* joins 'Tattooee'
as deserving of pat on back
TO THE EDITOR:
Upon reading Richard Ray’s column, “Let
ter between h and j makes no appearance”
(Nov. 21), I noticed some incorrect informa
tion. Ray states that the word “Tattooee”
earns a pat on the back as the only
nonhyphenated word that has three double
letters together. I wondered if there were any
other words that fit these criteria when I thought
of the word “bookkeeper.”
This is my solitary personal contribution to
UNC’s intellectual climate.
John Caldell
FRESHMAN
UNDECIDED
SHS intended for students;
'Costwise' not applicable
TO THE EDITOR:
Your article “Employees paymore for treat
ment at SHS" (Nov. 25) may have raised
questions among students, faculty and staff
about the policies governing nonstudent use
of our facility.
Asa general rule, faculty and staff are not
eligible to call and make appointments at Stu
dent Health Service.
However, since its inception, the Sports
Medicine section, because of its special exper
tise, has seen a limited number of nonstu
dents.
Nonstudents never replace students who
need treatment.
This small practice adds to SHS revenues
from a non-health-fee source.
All individuals paying the student-health
fee already receive these services with no asso
ciated professional fees or with markedly dis
counted fees for orthopedic visits.
Nonmembers do not receive these program
services.
The article also discusses “Costwise," a
frenzied material
istic world that is
the Christmas sea
son? Damned if I
know, but it points
to one of the most
disturbing distor
tions of the holiday
season: material
ism. These days
Christmas is com
pletely based
around the giving
of gifts. Many
people try to jus-
r%
ss
MAH OSMAN
OSMAN IA
tify this by putting a humanistic spin on it.
They point to the joy of giving and talk of how
wonderful it is to give rather than receive. But
why are they giving?
The earliest example of giving in conjunc
tion with Christmas is that of the three wise
men found in the Bible. These three eastern
kings traveled a great distance to present the
Christ child with gifts of gold, frankincense
and myrrh.
But it staggers me to think of how far we
have come from the point to the rampant
commercialism that so permeates the month
of December. The airwaves are saturated with
enticements to buy this or that product. Chil
dren beg their parents for the latest toy. Parents
spend far beyond their means in trying to
ensure their children’s happiness and affec
tion.
The problem is that people are confused as
to the heart of the Christmas spirit. The origins
of this holiday, obvious in the name itself, are
based upon the birth of Jesus Christ. This
holiday which has become so twisted has its
roots deeply in the tradition ofthe Bible. If you
study the history of Christmas, you will see
that it has always been a religious time.
Certainly various cultures through time have
put their spin on it. Saint Nicholas or Santa
Claus are just one example of humans adding
onto spiritual traditions. But throughout his
tory the central theme of Christmas has been a
celebration of the birth of Jesus. The example
set by the wise men is an admirable one.
Selfless giving is at the center of the Christmas
READERS’FORUM
The Daily Tar Heel welcomes reader comments and
criticism. Letters to the editor should be no longer
than 400 words and must be typed, doublespaced,
dated and signed by no more than two people.
Students should include their year, major and phone
number. Faculty and staff should include their title,
department and phone number. The DTH reserves
the right to edit letters for space, clarity and vulgarity.
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: dth@unc.edu.
cost containment policy developed by the Blue
Cross/Blue Shield that involves professional
fees only. BC/BS negotiates a fee the UCR
—with an individual provider or a specific
practice.
Although that provider or practice may bill
in excess ofthe UCR, the patient insured by a
BC/BS plan does not have to pay that excess
amount, but is responsible for 20 percent of the
UCR amount.
The Student Group Insurance Plan is a BC/
BS plan, and if a student must go outside SHS
for care, we strongly recommend finding a
“Costwise" provider.
For services offered within SHS, students
receive no bills for most provider visits and
significantly discounted bills for specialty ser
vices.
Thus, “Costwise” has no applicability for
SHS members in this situation. SHS acts as the
cost-containment practice which insures sav
ings to its members.
For SHS providers to become “Costwise”
providers requires additional time and expense.
Since “Costwise” savings are applicable to so
£ljr Baily ear Her!
message, the sacrifice of a divine being to
become human.
Perhaps you think that the Bible and its
stories are nothing but myth. Then why do you
celebrate a holiday that has such straightfor
ward religious implications? How can jou
ignore the various symbols constantly on dis
play? Could it be possible to construe a celebra
tion of Christmas as an embracing of its mean
ing and origins? Doubtful, because there are far
too many people whose entire concept of Christ
mas revolves around what they are going to get
Mom or Dad.
Unfortunately, I still get caught up in the
materialism around this time of year. I look
forward to Christmas morning when I will
open presents with my family. I also look
forward to presenting them with tokens of my
appreciation for their love and support. I don’t
think that this is wrong, but when I overly
emphasize what’s coming to me, I lose sight of
the heart of Christmas. For at the heart of
Christmas is the greatest gift ever given, God
giving hissonJesusChristso that we might hv.e
with him eternally. ;, ;
I know that it is still nearly a month until
Christmas, and it is highly unlikely that any
thought sparked by this column will last any
where near that long, particularly with finals
approaching.
But consider this: What does Christmas
mean to you? If its entire connotation is wrapped
up in gifts, trees and reindeer, then you may
want to consider if these are worthy objects to
base a holiday around. Further, you might aisk
yourself why you celebrate a holiday such as
this. Is it because of its origins, its deeply
spiritual beginnings?
Reflecting back, I can’t believe that this is
my last column of the semester. I certainly
hope that I have not offended anyone. Rather,
I hope I have made you think about things ift a
different light than you might normally see in
The Daily Tar Heel. I hope that you have
perceived me as someone who stands for some
thing. It seems to me that if we don’t stand for
something, we will likely fall for anything.
Merry Christmas.
Matt Osman is a senior history major from Charlotte.
few patient visits, SHS has not elected to pur
sue this program.
I regret Andrew Brockway’sbeing surprised
by this fact as we believe all patients have the
right to understand SHS billing practices.
For our SHS members, I wish to state clearly
that offering cost-effective services and partici
pating in “Costwise” are basically unrelated
issues.
As part of its accountability to its members,
SHS constantly examines cost effectiveness.
Through an organized performance improve
ment program, SHS is dedicated to maximal
utilization of health fee revenues and negotia
tion of favorable rates for internally offered
specialty services.
Dr. Judith R. Cowan
DIRECTOR
STUDENT HEALTH SERVICE
Time's up
0K all you rabid letter writers and guest colum
nists, today's the last day to get legitimate - we're-'
talking a weekly photo and 1,000 words on the
back page of The Daily Tar Heel.
Yes, applications are due by 5 p.m. today
not one minute later - to be a DTH columnist or
editorial writer.
The DTH is looking for four columnists who
wish to take on the University, or at least a fevy
stubborn minds. We will choose these individuals
for their writing ability and critical thinking skills.
The DTH also has a few open spots on its
editorial board, which writes the unsigned editori
als on the left side of the page. This position
requires attending three weekly meetings, writing
two editorials a week and keeping up on current
news.
Applications are still available - so if you're
reading this before noon, run to a computer lab
near you and type away.
Contact Editorial Page Editor-select Julia Corbin
at 962-4086 if you have any questions.