Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Nov. 9, 2001, edition 1 / Page 10
Part of Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
10 Friday, November 9, 2001 Opinion Slir (Ear Brd Established 1893 • 108 Years of Editorial Freedom wo* daily tarheri.com Katie Hunter Editor Office Hours Friday 2 p.m. ■ 3 p.ra. Kim Minugh MANAGING EDITOR Sefton Ipock VISUAL COORDINATOR Jermaine Caldwell SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR Kate Hartig EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR Lizzie Breyer UNIVERSITY EDITOR Kellie Dixon CITY EDITOR Alex Kaplun STATE fc NATIONAL EDITOR Rachel Carter SPORTS EDDOR James Giza SPORTSATURDAY EDITOR Faith Ray FEATURES EDDOR Russ Lane ARTS is ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Terri Rupai COPY DESK EDITOR Kara Arndt PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Beth Buchholz DESIGN EDITOR Cobi Edelson GRAPHICS EDITOR Catherine Liao ONLINE EDITOR Josh Myerov OMBUDSMAN Concerns or comments about our coverage? C ontact the ombudsman at jmyeroMSVmail.unc.edu or by phone at 918-1311 Readers' Forum No Easy Solutions to Attendance, Apathy Problems in Congress TO THE EDITOR: I am writing this letter in regards to the editorial entided “Confederacy of Dunces” which appeared on Nov. 7. In the editorial, the author suggests that the current districting system, which is based on where an under graduate lives, is the cause of the “rampant” student apathy toward stu dent elections and suggested that changes be made to the districting policy in order to encourage better voter turnout. However, many of the suggestions voiced by the editorialist are simply not feasible. The bulk of the editorial suggested that Student Congress abandon the current system of districting in favor of a districting based on an under graduate’s major. Student Congress cannot base districts upon undergrad uate majors for a myriad of reasons. Primarily, students tend to change their majors more often than they change their socks. There would be no real way of determining who is what major and when. And what of all Board Editorials Money Maker... The University's plan to open a Qatari campus will benefit everyone involved Here’s a good rule of thumb: Never reject hundreds of millions of dollars unless some kind of illegal or immoral activity is involved. It’s a rule that the University should follow as it considers establishing a satellite campus in the Middle Eastern nation of Qatar. The possibility of such a campus is one that benefits both parties. Creating a UNC-Chapel Hill campus in Qatar could be a financial windfall that brings the University close to Chancellor James Moeser’s goal of raising a billion dollars for the University. Qatar will receive an addition to its growing educational area called Education City, in its capital city of Doha. Education City already contains satellite campuses of Cornell Medical School and Virginia Commonwealth University. Kenan-Flagler will represent the business section of the city. The UNC-CH-Q cam pus will aid in the education of a number of ... or Foreign Entanglement? Administrators are prostituting the reputation of the University for dubious reasons Money talks and principle walks when foreign donors come courting the University. UNC’s latest plan to increase its interna tional prestige is a satellite campus of the business school in the obscure Middle Eastern emirate of Qatar. Administrators claim that the campus will cement the University’s reputation as a school of international repute. That might be true, but it begs the ques tion of whether establishing such a campus is consistent with the University’s mission. The administration will probably benefit from higher rankings, and Qatar will cer tainly benefit from the presence of a respected American university -but what about the students? Since its inception, the University’s pri mary mission has to been to educate the native sons (and, eventually, daughters) of North Carolina and prepare them to enter those undeclared undergrads out there? Does “undeclared” count as a major? Secondly, there are over 100 undergraduate majors offered at UNC. In the editorial, the author con tends that the current 37 congression al seats should be decreased; so then why does he then suggest we institute 120-something as would be the case if Congress went to a major-based dis tricting system. Another issue raised by the editori alist was one of attendance in Student Congress. Yes, attendance has been a slight problem in Student Congress. Similarly, we also have attendance records of those who were present and those who were absent from Congress meetings. Our Principal Clerk Kari Hanson monitors atten dance, and the records are kept on file in the Congress office. In closing, let me state that Student Congress earnestly wants to fill the few empty congressional seats. We certainly value all student input, as we here in Congress were elected to serve you, our constituents. Mark Townsend Speaker Student Congress Qatari women, as the wife of Qatar’s ruling emir has pledged that class size will consist of 60 percent women -much like “the ratio” here in Chapel Hill. The UNC-Chapel Hill campus in Qatar will remain very much an American educational institu tion. UNC has received strong promises that intellec tual freedom will be respect ed, and professors will try to Jon Harris Point/Coiinterpoint create an atmosphere of class participation and discussion similar to what students here experience daily. Competitive admissions standards will also apply, as all Qatari applicants will be judged by the same criteria as potential stu dents at the home campus. Furthermore, UNC has a unique oppor tunity for international exposure in an area of the world that has a less-than-stellar rep utation when it comes to relations with the West. For example, UNC faculty would be able to teach abroad and share their knowl- the world. Unfortunately, that mission has been obscured in recent years by the administration’s quest to improve its status relative to its peers. Rankings, not students, have become the primary concern of administrators. The University’s Qatar venture merely confirms this. In all likelihood, no student at UNC will ever set foot on the proposed Doha campus. Mark Slagle Point/Counterpoint Similarly, no Qatari student likely will ever be required to visit the University, yet grad uates of the satellite business school will receive a diploma that reads “University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.” Thus a UNC education is transformed into a commodity that can be bought and sold like a pair of sneakers. How, exactly, does this benefit students? Administrators claim that there is noth ing untoward about such an arrangement, that other universities have similar pro- Writer Didn’t Know What String Cheese Incident Was About TO THE EDITOR: In Thursday’s paper there was a review of the homecoming concert presented by String Cheese Incident in Memorial Hall, “Fans Get High on String Cheese Incident.” When I first read this article I noticed right from the start that staff writer Michelle Jarboe did not truly appreciate what a phenomenal show the band put on. Also, if she knew what the band was about she would have know that they are known for their long jam ses sions, which are unique in their own right, not just a ripped-off style from Phish or the Grateful Dead. Great bands don’t have to run around the stage to put on a great show. Great shows are made by great bands and crowds that respond to the show with the energy that was in Memorial Hall Wednesday. An energy that lasted over three hours last night. Joshua Mitchell Senior History edge with a different culture. The satellite campus will be part of a Middle Eastern state that is relatively pro gressive in its own right and is making a concerted effort to educate all of its citizens, male and female. UNC should take pride in knowing that the University will play an integral role in the education of a historically underrepre sented part of society - Middle Eastern women. On the home front, UNC likely would incur no out-of-pocket costs in building, staffing or maintaining the educational facilities in Qatar, as all expenses would be taken care of by the Qatari monarchy. This way, UNC students at the home campus will not have valuable resources taken away from them. All of the benefits created by a campus in Qatar far outweigh any negatives that are attached to the project. Given these bene fits, this project should quickly proceed to the next stage of development. grams in Qatar and in other countries. But if “everybody else is doing it” is the best defense that they can muster, the program is truly flawed. Beyond the question of the propriety of pimping out the University’s reputation to the highest bidder, there are numerous logistical problems about locating an American university campus in an area steeped in Muslim fundamentalism while U.S. forces wage war against a perverted form of Islam. (This a week a man was killed after he shot at a U.S.-occupied air field in Qatar.) Faculty members have raised valid concerns about freedom of expression and personal safety that have not been satisfactorily addressed. But even if these issues did not exist, the fact would remain that the chancellor and other administrators have prostituted the name and reputation of the University. But they have taught students at least one les son: everything truly does have a price tag. P i4L Barometer The Daily Tar Heel wel comes reader comments and criticism. Letters to the editor should be no longer than 300 words and must be typed, dou ble-spaced, dated and signed by no more than two people. Students should include their year, major and phone num ber. Faculty and staff should include their title, department and phone number. The DTH reserves the right to edit letters for space, clarity and vul garity. 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. queen and congressional representatives, much to the chagrin of all 12 voters. "Shoved overboard" is more-accurate. Tar Heel Quotables “As long'as you don’t make very negative remarks on their religious beliefs, intellectual freedom will be respected.” Faculty Council Chairwoman Sue Estroff On the Qatari hosts of a proposed UNC satellite campus. Apparently there’s no word there for 'irony.” “It has been great, but I just want a little sleep and a huge gin and tonic.” Carrboro Mayor Mike Nelson After his victory in Tuesday's election. That’s how we like our local politicians: lazy and drunk. What's Going On: News You Need to Know Sometimes stories here at the University fall through the cracks. I catch them for a segment that I like to call “I Completely Ripped This Off From ‘The Daily Show.’” Clef Hanger Ticket Scandal Uncovered Rumors are running rampant that ticket distribution for tonight’s Clef Hanger concert is rigged. Hordes of adoring fans were disappointed when they discovered that their tickets were for the balcony or mezza nine sections. “This is crazy!” said an underclass man in a tight-fitting pink halter top. “I was 18th in line when tickets went on sale in the Pit on Monday. And now, I’m like, in the far back or something.” Her anger was made evident by her standard issue 2 1/2 inch silver hoops that smacked her face every time she tossed her hair. Traditionally, the Clef Hangers reserve the first couple of rows for family and friends. This year, row ‘R’ was the first available public seat, meaning upward of 500 seats were reserved for the performance by the 16-member, all-male a cappella group. Infuriated, several female groupies lodged a complaint with the ever-capable Student Congress, demanding the creation of anew “Clef Code” seating policy. Not even Ward Davis’ randy rendition of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” could stop the ladies from demanding a bracelet system, complete with scanned UNC ONE Cards, and a 6 a.m. line check for the next distribution of Clef tickets. When reached for comment, a Clef Hangers spokesman said, “What the f*#s are you talking about?” Chancellor Moeser Discovers Students Attend UNC After returning from an all-expense paid trip to the anticipated UNC campus in Doha, Qatar, Chancellor James Moeser was shocked to learn students live and attend classes at UNC-Chapel Hill. Walking outside of his South Building office Tuesday to enjoy the unusually warm November weather, Moeser noticed lots of “litde people with bookbags.” He pointed out this interesting collection of young people crossing the quad to a member of his entourage. “They’re students, James,” the middle-aged white man responded to the chancellor’s inquisitive glance. “Oh, they’re the ones who do the research,” Moeser exclaimed, finally connecting the research dollars he’s been furiously raising with the people who use the funds. “Not exactly, Jimbo. They’re here to learn.” “Learn what?” asked Moeser, who only ventures out of his office to raise more money. “Whatever an undergraduate degree is supposed to teach them,” the functionary answered. Another member of his administrative entourage piped up, “They’re the ones who wave the pompoms at football games.” Moeser, who is completely unaware that his predecessor used to actually talk to students on campus, replied, “Oh, right.” He then descended into his secret subterranean lair to play his pipe organ and cackle hysterically. Administration Screws Students, No One Notices First came the tuition increase solely for faculty salaries, resulting in an immense student protest in front of Morehead Planetarium. Then came the grade inflation report, and a handful of students attended a forum that the DTH covered. Now out-of-state students are retroactively coughing up more than S4OO dollars, and they’re too busy lining up out side the financial aid office to complain about the increase. The University’s latest attempt to screw over students is its plan to restrict residential student parking to six spaces. The Faculty Council was reportedly enthusiastic about the long-overdue changes. Students were like, “What?” But no one really cares about any of this - so why waste space reporting it? Students are already resigned to paying an extra grand for a 2.7 grade point average handed down by an assort ment of teaching assistants and never receiving a parking space. They are still holding out hope, however, for a win ning basketball season. Rachel Hockfield will return next week with a cornucopia of touching Thanksgiving anecdotes about giving and cran berry sauce. Clef Hangers may send serenades to rachel@email.unc.edu. Welcome to Florida Computer server problems compli cated Wednesday's campus elec tions for Homecoming king and Three-Time Loser Richard Vinroot dropped his bid for U.S. Senate but said he wasn't nudged aside by GOP leaders. iaily (Tor Hppl RACHEL HOCKFIELD OVER MY HEAD Q What? University officials returned from a weekend trip to Qatar, where they learned about its culture and histo- 4F& ry. Unfortunately, they still can't pronounce its name. Brokedown Palace UNC-system officials learned they won't have to return as much state money as they once feared. Now W construction will only be set back by 10 years. “They can hide, but there are no magic carpets in Afghanistan.” Former National Security Adviser Sandy Berger On U.S. efforts to hunt down foreign terrorists. Hell, there isn't even shag carpeting in Afghanistan. “This University is the most stupidest place I have ever been. That administration is wicked people.” "Pit Preacher" Gary Birdsong Apparently, proper grammar is pure evil.
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Nov. 9, 2001, edition 1
10
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75