She Qailii oar MM KAREY WUTKOWSKI UNIVERISTY COLUMNIST No more ‘Animal House’ The Greek population is tired of being discriminated against, and damn it, it’s not going to take it anymore. After years of having to deal with oppression in the form of fel low classmates’ scorn and parents’ overbearing concerns, fraternities are undergoing a perception makeover, aiming to let people know that they're more than just beer bongs and weekend formals. The perception makeover is part of a bigger process to make improvements that are intended to show fraternities’ commitment to academics. The changes include moving the start of the rush process until after Labor Day, allowing the rushees to focus on their classes for the first week, and requiring all fraternity houses to hold three open-house nights to allow rushees to visit, creating a more welcoming environment. Leaders of both student-run and official-run organizations agree these changes are necessary because the Greek population is pretty low in the public’s esteem. They say the membership num bers have been decreasing in past years, partly because parents don't want to subsidize four years of intoxication. The fraternities also say they have to fight everyday to combat the perceptions kids get from movies and that MTV. And Wyatt Dickson, president of the Interfratemity Council, essentially wishes Jim Belushi was never born. But the complaints seem overly dramatic. It kind of gives you the same feeling as when celebrities complain about getting so much attention and having to look beautiful all the time. It evokes little sympathy when they made the choice to become a celebrity and lead a life known to attract others’ attention and scrutiny. Once you get through all the complaints that the houses are suffering financial hardships because of decreased member ship, it seems that the fraternities' core complaint is that they’re sick and tired of being thought of as popular partyers. Hard life, eh? But ultimately, they do have a point there is a perception problem with fraternities at UNC, partly because frat boys lead a lifestyle that is an easy target. Tbe Greek population has a strong culture on campus there’s an easily identifiable look (the floppy hair, the polos and the Rainbows), an endless onslaught of rumors (of hazing, drug use and STDs) and an exclusiveness that has Greeks often only social izing with other Greeks. The culture makes it all the easier for Daily Tar Heel cartoon ists to mock Greek life and for other students to snub anyone with the typical Greek look. It creates an us vs. them men tality at UNC, building a tension between the Greek and non- Greek populations. The Greek population consti tutes only about 16 percent of the undergraduate student body, but somehow it makes itself seem like a larger presence. The Greek population has somehow' ingrained itself so much in the UNC community that it is one of the first things that comes to the minds of outsiders countless times I have been asked what sorority I’m in after telling someone that I attend UNC. Some of the tension comes about because of the dominating force and the exclusivity of the fraternities and sororities on campus. There’s a clear divide between those who are Greek and those who are not. It’s respectable that Greek leaders are taking efforts to improve their image, but ulti mately it’s not likely to achieve much if they don’t address the divide and tension that is such a part of the campus community. As long as the tension still exists, people will always take pot shots at Greeks, tagging them as mindless partyers. And the repu tation inevitably will filter out to the outside, to the parents and incoming students. So until there is some ingrained change in the UNC social dynamic, the Greek popu lation will have to persevere as a discriminated people. Contact Karey Wutkowski at karey@etnail.unc.edu. GPSF recounts past year’s successes Achievements include TA stipends BY RACHEL HODGES STAFF WRITER The Graduate and Professional Student Federation released its April Report last week detailing the events of the last six months. “This past year has been all about relationships,” said former GPSF President Branson Page. “We stressed building relationships with the administration, members of the Senate and graduate stu dents on various committees, and >1 rfc>jr * jfw jajdjfthfa w |r i BBr ' $ [M ' E J*l F* JFiS. *3 |T% \\ “%. %* Jfl [> M \ -\i ': . i&jf I "Ar k w i n^^ 1 j|| embers of Punto Cinco, sophomore Gerardo Maradiaga (right) and alumnus Jorgo Gueurero play at the Carolina Hispanic Association’s 12th annual Noche Latina. Punto Cinco only plays for CHispA’s largest event of the year. Other events included dancing. Tepper taps Cabinet members BY SARAH DERREBERRY STAFF WRITER While rain water-logged Chapel Hill during the past week, the Tepper administration also was inundated —with Cabinet appli cations. More than 100 students applied this year for the 22 committee chairmanships and 16 executive assistant positions available. After the examination of appli cations, Student Body President Matt Tepper said he and his offi cers interviewed many of the 101 applicants. “You can’t tell that much from an application,” he said. “But w'e were able to combine the applica Housekeepers’ union gathers to discuss fairness strategy BY MEGAN DAVIS AND RACHEL HODGES STAFF WRITERS* As tensions between workers and upper-level administrators in the UNC Housekeeping Services Department mount, local union members and allies gathered Saturday to develop their Workers Fairness Campaign strategy for the upcoming months. The daylong meeting addressed several overarching issues that are the source of complaints against housekeeping zone manager Chuck Matheson, who was trans ferred April 1 from a zone in which he was accused of being disre spectful and intimidating to staff. When asked Friday for the specifics of Matheson’s transfer, Director of Housekeeping Bill Burston would not comment. Seven workers in his new zone filed an official letter of complaint to Chancellor James Moeser’s office Thursday. The letter asked University administration to curb Matheson’s alleged tactics of intim idation, including a claim that Matheson breached employee con fidentiality. Matheson declined to comment when reached Friday. “I feel like I’ve been persecuted,” he said. In past interviews with The Daily Tar Heel, Matheson has denied any allegations against him. “What we want is either to gain respect from him or get him out of Top News when it came time to make deci sions, there was an atmosphere of respect.” In the report, Page said that he is pleased with the work done dur ing the past year and that he is con fident his successor, GPSF President Dan Herman, will be able to build on the groundwork that has been laid. “It’s wonderful to have someone entering office who has been work ing with us all year long,” he said. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS tions with interviews and really get some great Cabinet members." Tepper said certain qualities were attractive in candidates he met with throughout the interview' process. “We really just looked for expe rience, dedication, new ideas and. of course, knowledge about the University," he said. “We also tried to look at how all the Cabinet members would work together as a team." Junior Ankeet Shah, who was selected as co-chairman of the Minority Affairs Committee, said he applied for a Cabinet position because he hopes to make a lasting impact on the University commu nity. here," said Cynthia Lowen, one of the workers who signed the letter. Marsha Tinnen, a member of the N.C. Public Service Workers Union UE Local 150, is one house keeper who filed an earlier letter of complaint with Moeser about Matheson before his transfer. She said she was not surprised that issues concerning Matheson’s lead ership tactics resurfaced in his new zone. Tinnen also said she is frustrated with the administration’s decision to transfer Matheson from a volatile personnel situation only to place him in charge of other workers without solving the initial issues. Laurie Charest, associate vice chancellor for human resources, and Carolyn Elfland, associate vice chancellor for campus services, could not be reached for comment. The housekeeping department reports to both of their offices, and the two have been involved in meetings with concerned house keepers since December. Moeser had not had a chance to respond to the newest letter as of Friday. But Lowen said Sunday that she and the others who filed the complaint have been contacted by officials and assured that the Office of Human Resources will be in touch with them shortly. Workers’ frustrations with Matheson are only one of many SEE HOUSEKEEPERS. PAGE 7 Page said he is most pleased with the work regarding teaching assistant stipends, creating good relationships between students liv ing off campus and community members, raising financial aid for graduate students and looking into the grading system in the Graduate School. “I was very happy that we were able to raise awareness with TA stipends,” he said. “The increase in financial aid was one of the big things we did behind the scenes, and I was pleased that we secured the continuation of the Future many bands, comedians and other cultural activities. Participants also practiced Capoeira, a combination of danc ing and martial arts native to Brazil. Prior to the festivities, many dined on traditional Hispanic foods including tamales, came mechaga, black beans and pupusa. “We really just looked for experience, dedication, new ideas and, of course, knowledge about the University MATT TEPPER, STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT “I’m a senior this year,” he said. “I want to leave Carolina feeling like I’ve done something really meaningful." Shah emphasized cooperation as one of his main goals for the coming year. "I’m very excited to work with the Office of Minority Affairs to promote diversity and hopefully to set up programs with advisers for Cirque brings unique talent Circus combines acrobatics, dance BY ERIN SULLIVAN STAFF WRITER It’s not every day that a burly man in silver pants comes to Chapel Hill twirling giant cubes. But last week, with the arrival of Cirque Inc.’s “Dream It Live,” pret ty much anything seemed possible. For two nights, glittery acrobats took over the Smith Center, giving locals a taste of a different kind of circus. Like its big brother, Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Inc. descends from a French circus style that began in the late 1800s under Jules Verne. Animal-free and condensed to a single stage, the performance combines dance, acrobatics and European artistry to capture its audience’s imagination. But in contrast to most other companies, Cirque Inc. is U.S.- based and bears an over-the-top Broadway style that teeters toward ridiculous. With its performers decked out in feathery headdresses and neon spandex, it’s not surprising the show was originally developed for casino stages. Even so, Cirque Inc.’s motley crew didn’t fail to delight Thursday night. With performers hailing from Mongolia to the Ukraine to Canada, a steady Faculty Program for next year.” Emily Williamson, Page’s chief of staff, also cited the Future Faculty Program— a weeklong program for TAs to help them improve class room skills such as grading prac tices —as a major success. “It’s a program created this last year to develop graduate students who teach undergraduate courses, because knowledge of a subject doesn’t make a person a teacher,” Williamson said. Page also said he is pleased that GPSF worked to increase financial aid for graduate students by col DTH/SHILPI PAUL minorities and (minority) focus groups for freshmen,” he said. Sophomore Bret Barden, who was chosen as co-chairman of the Public Service and Advocacy Committee, also said he had a vest ed interest in fostering communi cation and cooperation. “I think it would be great to pro- SEE CABINET, PAGE 7 J P By L *^9 ' 111 DTH/MAUORY DAVIS Bringing a veritable circus to the Smith Center, Cirque Inc.'s “Dream it Live" included incredible acrobatics and European artistry. stream of unique talent kept the audience engaged for a full two hours. Set in a dream world of fantas tic shapes and psychedelic colors, three petite contortionists were the first act to make jaws drop. Swathed head to foot in multicol ored bodysuits, they melted over and into one another like dripping candles, pausing occasionally for the audience's applause. Soon after came a wiry man and shaky tower of chairs, which con tinued to grow as he executed a variety of handstands from its MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2003 laborating with the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid and the Office of Institutional Research to adjust their projected living expenses. Williamson said she also is pleased the administration was able to increase graduate student involvement in campus decision making. Stephanie Schmitt, vice presi dent for external affairs, said she is proud of the administration’s work on increasing awareness about SEE APRIL REPORT, PAGE 7 House picks 8 for seats on BOG Process happened faster than usual BY JENNIFER SAMUELS ASSISTANT STATE & NATIONAL EDITOR The N.C. House on Wednesday swiftly elected eight new members to the UNC-system Board of Governors —but some said the expedited process used this year stifled communication between candidates and legislators. Five board members Addison Bell, a Charlotte busi nessman; Patsy Perry, a retired educator from Durham; Gladys Robinson, an executive from Greensboro; Priscilla Taylor, a foundation executive from Chapel Hill; and Peter Keber, a Charlotte banker were reappointed. The new members are Leroy Lail. a businessman from Hickory; Brent Barringer, a Cary lawyer; and Cary Owen of Asheville, who served on the BOG from 1995-99. The House approved the candi dates in a 99-16 vote. The eight appointees include four Democrats and four Republicans. Keber was the only Republican incumbent. The board will focus in its upcoming term on ensuring afford able, quality education, Taylor said. Keber, who said he is gratified the House had the confidence to re-elect him, added that he hopes the BOG examines chancellor salaries in its upcoming term. “There are some very excellent chancellors at our campuses,” he said. “It’s going to be a real chal lenge to keep them if we can't pay them what they’re w'orth.” Barringer said he will work to improve the system’s role as the state’s knowledge infrastructure. Some of the new members said changes to the election procedure provided inadequate opportunity to discuss ideas with legislators. Owen, who ran for re-election to the BOG in 1999 but lost, said it is traditional for people wanting to be on the board to have to run as if SEE BOG, PAGE 7 summit. Perhaps most impressive, though, were the aerial acts that appeared almost effortless. Using only a silky blue sash suspended from the ceiling, two acrobats danced through the air like ethere al spirits. Their graceful choreog raphy masked the physical strain of their performance, allowing reality to give over to fantasy. Given its theatricality, the show might have fared even better at a slightly more intimate venue. But SEE CIRQUE, PAGE 7 3

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