Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Nov. 3, 2003, 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 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2003 BOARD EDITORIALS THE WRONG SOURCE Although there is a need to boost the salaries of University workers, campus leaders should not look to tuition' money to fill the void. A recent proposal to use money from a tuition hike to fund salary increases for University workers is a perfect example of good inten tions mired by faulty’ reasoning. The increase recently approved by the University’s TUition Task Force, which calls for a S3OO hike every year for three years, would provide almost $1.4 mil lion for employee salary increases. The tuition plan approved by the task force last year also included some money to increase staff salaries. The proposed salary raises, while modest, could boost morale among workers, many of whom have seen no raises in recent years. But some campus leaders and members of the UNC-system Board of Governors are rightfully skep tical of the plan to use student tuition dollars to help pay the wages of University workers, the majority of whom are employees of the state. It is not students' responsibility to fund workers’ salaries when there is another, larger entity in charge of taking care of this expense. The state would be shirking its responsibility if it FINDING SOLUTIONS Recent lapses in the University’s computer network should prompt otficials to carefully examine the system for any potential weaknesses. f University is, whether we like k or not, I becoming more and more dependent on com- JL puter technology. Any mass technology failure sends the campus into a major tailspin, as we witnessed when the University’ e-mail system was down for the better part of two days last month. As any student or professor can testify, the outage truly paralyzed the campus. Workers from Academic Technology & Networks should be commended for working quickly and dili gently to rectify the problem and bring the network back on track. Yet that isn’t the extent of technology problems as oflate. Just last week, for example, the system that logs UNC students, faculty and staff onto computers in campus computer labs was down, forcing lab work ers to turn away hordes of students eager to print papers and check their e-mail. UNC is, of course, not alone in experiencing prob lems with technology. In the last year, incidents of hacking and the EDUCATING PUPILS With standardized testing playing a greater role in K-12 schools, it is important not to allow certain subjects to fall through the cracks. Students in the state’s public schools have dra matically improved in math and reading dur ing the past seven years, but at what cost? Since 1996, when the State Board of Education introduced the ABCs of Public Education program, which stresses math and reading, the number of North Carolina students passing tests in those sub jects has increased by 23 percentage points. During that same time period, however, the num ber passing tests in civics, U.S. history and biology’ has increased by only 4 to 7 percentage points. The ABCs Accountability Model is a state pro gram that measures academic growth in elementary, middle and high schools and rewards schools that make “adequate yearly progress.” Many teachers are concerned that social studies and science classes will fall by the wayside as schools, afraid that they won’t pass the state’s standardized tests, emphasize math and reading above all else. The improved test scores in math and reading are a testament to the success of the ABCs program, but they place enormous demands on teachers who are EDITORS' NOTE: The above editorials are the opinions of solely The Daily Tar Heel Editorial Board, which were reached after open debate. The board consists of eight board members, the assistant editorial page editor, the editorial page editor and the DTH editor. The 2003-04 DTH editor decided not to vote on the board and not to write board editorials. Slip Doily aor Hrrl PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS STAFF Business and Advertising: Janet Gallagher-Cassel. director/generai manager; Chrissy Beck, director of marketing, Lisa Reichle. business manaaer; Tiffany Flomo, retail sales manager: Ellen Withrow, business assistant. Customer Service: Amanda Taylor, senior representative; Kimberly Craven, Judy Pham, Anna Stokes, Kia Thacker and Ada Wiison, representatives. Display Advertising: Kate Bingham, Melame Brooks, Elizabeth Crutcher, Megan Gilchrist, Annie Godwin. Matt Eagle, Andy Lunnen, Shannon Plummer, Kelsey Scott and Assistant Editors: Philip McFee and Michael Pucci, arts & entertainment, Nick Eberlein, jenny Huanq and Ryan Tuck, city; Chris Coletta, copy; Orla Buckley, Randi Demagistris and Nicole Neuman, design; Kristin Becker, Kristen Williams, features-, Adam Shupe, online. Audrey Butler and Lindsay Beth Ellison, graphics; Kate Blackman and Garrett Hall, photography, Michael Clarke, Jacob Karabell ana Brandon Parker, sports; Emma Burgm, Elliott Dube and Laura Youngs, state & national; Jenny Immel, Emily Steel and Nikki Werking. uni versity. Arts & Entertainment: Kemp Baldwin, Diane Eikenberry, Tacque Kirksey, Brandon Whiteside, Thomas Previte, Gerald Johnson, Nicole Bobitski. Jeff Fowler, Leah Konen, Garrett Mams, Rebecca Moore, Jacqueline Randall, Tanner Slayden, Lauren Streib and Jim Walsh. Cartoon: Selena Beckman-Harned, Fitz Holladay, Andrew Johnson, Brittain Peck, Danny Rosenblutt and Andrew Stevens. City: Shannan Bowen, Susie Dickson, Emily Vasquez, Ben Baldner, Jamila Boutrid, Meghan Gambling. Erin Gibson, Chris Glazner, Sarah Hancox, Laura Hirst Caitlin Johnson, Terrence Jordan, Sara Lewcowicz. Lindsey Listrom, Chris McLaughlin, Jane Novotny, Iris Lydia Padgett, Sarah Rabil and Dan Schwmd. Copy: Meghan Greene, Christina Rexrode, Jordan Williams, Jennifer Dailey, Emily Fisher, Lindsay Freeman, David Lorimer, Leslie Middleton, Katie Schwmg, Erin Watson and Rebecca Wilhelm. Design: Daniel BeDen, Jessica Giroux, Tiffany Ward, Amy Dombrower, Jennifer Alliet, Brooke Moskovitz, Samantha Reimer, Jenna Wooten, Laura Dmgeldein and Kate Lord. Editorial: Lattice Brockman, Daniel David, Jeff Kim, Nico Pandi, Dave Seigel, Jeff Silver and Colin Sutker, editorial board, Billy Ball, Michael Davis, Nathan Denny, Mike Gorman and Brian Millikm, columnists. Features: India Autry, Caroline Lindsey, Kelly Ochs, Alison Ross, Ami Shah, Kirsten Valle, Jacqueline Brill, Emily Batchelder, Linjun Shen and Jordan Caswell Graphics: Natalie Fish, Debbie Rosen, Rena Chernotsky, Lizzy Moser, Khanh-Lien Nguyen and Gabrielle Snow. Online: Southey Blanton, Katherine Christian, Heather O'Kelley, Jenny Bao, Feildmg Cage, Alex Hurst and Hsin-Ya Teng. Photography: Sara Abrons. Kimberly Craven, Joshua Greer and Joame Tobin, sen ior photographers; Kristen Ashton, Gillian Bolsover, Elspeth Callahan, John Dudley, Beth Floyd, Kristin Goode, Leah Latella, Greq Logan, Allison Money, Laura Morton, Rachel Shockley, Gabi Trapenberg, Ashlie White, Liz Winter, Alex Fine, Ashley Pitt, Andrew Synowiez, Jessica Russell, Justin Smith, Kathy Snupmg, Lauren Parker and Madonna Lee. Projects Team: Jamie Dougher, Matt The editorials are approved by the majority of the editorial board, which is com posed of the editor, editorial page editor, assistant editorial page editor and eight edito rial writers. The Daily Tar Heel is published by the DTH Publishing Corp., a non-profit North Carolina corporation, Monday-Friday, according to the University calendar. Callers with questions about billing or display advertising should call 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. ISN #10709436 OFFICE: Suite 1 04 Carolina Union .jjßffL CAMPUS MAIL ADDRESS: CB# 5210, Carolina Union U.S. MAIL ADDRESS: P.O. Bo* 3257, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-3257 allowed the University to fund pay increases on the backs of students. The purpose of tuition is to pay for class hours, not workers' pay. With the state’s budget shortfall impacting other parts of the University’, it is important that tuition money not stray from the classroom. And given that any increase in staff salaries like ly would not be significant, the move to devote tuition money to this cause would be largely sym bolic. Campus leaders should continue to pressure law makers to help improve working conditions for University’ employees, including pay. But the issue of workers’ salaries largely needs to be addressed by the state legislature. North Carolina workers feel the crunch of poor economic times just like any other group, especially with a stagnant wage rate. It is important to find new ways to help improve the status of these workers especially those work ing at the University —but students' pocketbooks aren’t the solution. spread of viruses have been all too common across the nation, with institutions as large as Microsoft encountering large-scale problems. Yet we must ensure that the services available at the University are as effective as possible in tackling any future instance of technology’ failure that threat ens the campus network. With all students equipped with and reliant on their required laptop computers, keeping everything working properly must be a top priority among cam pus leaders. It is important that University’ officials periodi cally review the efficiency of the campus’s comput er network and find workable solutions for any dis covered lapses. In addition, ATN leaders should ensure that they are in constant communication with members of the University community about any problems that creep up on the computer systems and how these issues are resolved. Computers are here to stay, and the University must remain committed to keeping them in working order. forced to meet the tests' standards in addition to teaching their usual curriculum. These demands are likely to become even more strenuous under the federal No Child Left Behind law’ enacted last year, which among other things holds schools accountable for achievement in reading and math. Despite these added pressures, teachers must strive to cover all subjects thoroughly. They need to remember that their roles are to educate the state’s youth, and that means more than teaching students how to pass standardized tests. A broad education is necessary’ for college-bound students. A heavy emphasis on subjects such as reading and math at the expense of other subjects will leave them unprepared for the rigorous liberal arts and science curriculums they’ll encounter in college. While the additional demands placed on teachers by state and federal education programs do not make their jobs any easier, they must provide a well rounded education for the sake of the children. Anne Tackabery. account executives Advertising Production: 3 enny Persons, manager; Kathryn Klein and Karen Stone. assistants. Classified Production: Cindy Henley EDITORIAL STAFF Hanson. Suzanne Presto, Joe Rauch and Lynne Shallcross. Sports: Jamie Agin and Aaron Fitt, senior, writers, Sarah McConnaghy, Carrie Sasser and Rachel Soder, sports copy; Jeremy Borden, Tyler Dancy, Gabrielle Deßosa. Mike Martinez, Hunter Powell, Will Robinson, Randy Wellington, Bnana Gorman, David Moses, Andy Wales, Alicia Jones and Mary Duby. State & National: Adjoa Adolfo, Alexandra Dodson, Margaux Escutm, Alex Granados. Kathryn Roebuck, Mason Rhodes, Kavita Pillai, Jonathan Riehl, Lawrence Shaheen, Alesia DiCosola, Dan Piergallini, Dora Gonzalez, Linhda Tran, Patricia Lapadula, Shelley Mayo, Aaron Wallace, Bernard Holloway and Scott Simonton University: Stephanie Horvath, senior writer, WillArey, Laura Bost, Brian Hudson, Caroline Kornegay. Mary McGuirt, Joe Saunders, Arman Tolentmo, Elizabeth Black, Kelli Borbet, Jonathan Carl, Megan Davis, Joanna Housiadas, Torrye Jones, Daniel Malloy, Greg Parker, Tim Price, Jenny Ruby. Andrew Satten, Joseph Schwartz, Megan Serow, Adam Zelsdorf, John Zhang and Mary Beth Bardin. Editorial Production: Stacy Wynn, manag er. Printing: Triangle Web. Distribution: Triangle Circulation Services. Editorial Page ON THE BAY’S HEWS “The aim of education is the knowledge not of facts hut of values” WILLIAM RALPH INGE, ENGLISH AUTHOR EDITORIAL CARTOON J il, UNIVERSITY Students must take active role in local political affairs Chapel Hill Town Council candidate Rudy Juliano has produced the best, most honest statement to date about the importance of student involvement in town government. At a forum sponsored by UNC's student government Tuesday night, candidates were asked what efforts they would make to engage Chapel Hill’s stu dent population. After a round of nondescript responses about the importance of students, Juliano’s answer was refreshing: absolutely none. “I think it’s (students') respon sibility to become active and engage yourself in the political process,” he replied, adding that he will not go out of his way to do anything specifically for students. While his response was unpop ular judging by the sneers and snickers it drew from the pre dominantly student crowd it was honest and entirely accurate. The candidates’ persistently pandered to students at the stu dent forum and insisted that stu dents are an infinitely important resource and constituency. But we aren’t very important until we prove ourselves to be an involved, knowledgeable group of likely voters. And the burden of engagement should not be placed on elected officials. It is our job, as students and as Chapel Hill residents, to go to them. And not the other way around. Not all the candidates were as forthcoming as Juliano, and some made transparent attempts to appease the students in atten dance. Candidate Sally Greene, for instance, said the Chapel Hill Web site should be made simpler Campus discussion on sexuality issues necessary to stop spread of violence TO THE EDITOR: The four-month window’ between the start of a woman's freshman year of college and Thanksgiving is statistically the time period dur ing which she is most susceptible to sexual assault. And why should this he a surprise? She is socially experimental for the sake of making friends, goes to parties, meets new guys and gets into potentially unsafe situations as she adjusts to college life. There is nothing wrong with this desire to make new friends, seek out new experiences and enjoy the new’ freedoms of college. All human beings desire a certain markedly high level of attention from other people. The problem lies with the social expectations and attitudes toward experimentation with these attentions. Especially important to women is the issue of attitudes toward female sexuality, which strong ly affect the sexual conduct of both sexes and the possibility of sexual assault. Female sexuality has been shut into the pas sive realm of waiting. Waiting to see what she’ll get, what she has coming to her. Waiting with the “right” clothes and a sweet attitude. Waiting for the attention, with the appearance of not wait ing. And therefore she gets scooped up in the vibrant assertive energy of some (any, the first?) person, usually male, and often assumes her pas sive role in whatever relationship they form, however lasting or brief its duration. Most victims of sexual assault know their offender; the “strange man in the bushes” idea died out with a statistical reality check years ago. But too often the lines between what is consen sual and what isn’t get blurred, either between stories or feelings or even the throws of a smash ing hangover. Sometimes people realize that they NATHAN DENNY UNDER THE WELL to navigate so students could more easily sign up for town boards. Regardless of the fact that UNC students are probably one of the most Intemet-sawy popula tions in the state, the Chapel Hill Web site is pretty simple. Upon visiting the town’s site, an interested student can clearly see the big, boldface link titled “Boards and Commissions.” And after following that link, it’s hard to miss the “Current Vacancies” button front and cen ter, not to mention the printable board application. A more significant obstruction to student involvement is the three-year term required of board members. Candidates Jim Ward and Bill Strom, both incumbents on the Town Council, have suggested reducing those terms to one year, which would make town boards much more accessible to students. And if we students turn out at the polls, making ourselves a serious constituency, council members will see the importance of allowing us access to local gov ernment. But as demonstrated, the prob lem is not the Web site. It’s the students w’ho don’t take the time to click on the provided links, fill in and submit the appli cations or to vote, for that mat ter. Until we, as students, decide it hadn’t been effective enough in voicing “no,” and many feel intimidated by the idea of sharing what happened to them with anyone. They think that no one will believe them, that they will be eternally branded with a proverbial scarlet letter for coming forward. Some even start to assume what happened was “their own fault.” They resort to carrying around a lot of emotional baggage; they develop anxious and unhealthy relationship styles and become angry and depressed. The only way to alleviate the problem is to force it into the open, to develop a safe environ ment for discussion of such issues and to avoid forcing people into stereotypical roles of male/female behavior. The campus has many facilities designed to address issues of sexuality. Among them are Advocates for Sexual Assault Prevention, the Center for Healthy Student Behaviors, the Office of the Dean of Students, and the White Ribbon Campaign. On Wednesday, please join these organiza tions in the fight against sexual violence by attending “The Night of the Divas,” an all-female performance talent show held to benefit the Orange County Rape Crisis Center. Tickets are $5 in the Pit or at the door. Emily Snider Beth Sundhurg Advocates for Sexual Assault Prevention TO SUBMIT A LETTER: The Daily Tar Heel welcomes reader comments. Letters to the editor should be no longer than 300 words and must be typed, double spaced, 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. 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 them to edit desk@unc.edu. (Mjr oaily ®or Ttori By Doug Marlette, Tribune Media Services “Students must become involved, and more importantly, we m ust vote ” is in our best interest to become engaged and involved in local government, we have no basis upon which to expect concessions from council candidates. Even with offers ranging from Strom’s proposal of guaranteed student spots on town boards to UNC senior Mike McSwain’s cliched promise to hold office hours in the Pit, there is only one way to ensure that our perspec tive is wholly represented in local government. We have to prove that we care. Students must become involved, and more importantly, we must vote. Student Body President Matt Tepper and his administration did their part to establish the stu dent body as a significant voting bloc, registering almost 2,500 new Chapel Hill voters in their recent registration drive. With local elections tomorrow, the ball is in our court. In the wake of town-gown con flicts such as the chiller plant debacle, and with further tension likely coming soon with the plan ning of Carolina North, this elec tion will have very real implica tions for the future of the University. We must do our part to assert our voice and ensure that stu dents have a place at the table. Contact Nathan Denny at ndenny@email.unc.edu. Established 1893 110 years of editorialfreedom aljp Soily liar Hrrl www.dailytaiheei.com ELYSE ASHBURN EDITOR, 962-4086 OFFICE HOURS 2:15-3:15 PM MON., WED. DANIEL THIGPEN MANAGING EDITOR, 962-0750 JENNIFER SAMUELS PROJECTS MANAGING EDITOR, 962-0750 APRIL BETHEA EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR. 962-0750 BROOK R. CORWIN UNIVERSITY EDITOR. 962-0372 KATHRYN GRIM CITY EDITOR. 962-4209 CLEVE R. WOOTSON JR. STATE & NATIONAL EDITOR. 962-4103 BRIAN MACPHERSON SPORTS EDITOR. 962-4710 MICHELLE JARBOE FEATURES EDITOR, 962 4214 NICK PARKER ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR, 962-4214 ALEX OBREGON COPY EDITOR, 962-4103 BRIAN CASSELLA PHOTO EDITOR, 962-0750 MICHELLE KUTTNER DESIGN EDITOR, 962-0750 MICHAELA IDHAMMAR GRAPHICS EDITOR. 962-0750 KRISTEN OLIVER ONLINE EDITOR, 962-0750 BEN COUCH SPORTSATURDAY EDITOR, 962-4710 JOHN FRANK PROJECTS TEAM LEADER, 962-0246 ERIC GAUTSCHI OMBUDSMAN If you have any concerns or comments about our coverage, please contact Ombudsman Eric Gautschi at gautschi®email.unc.edu or 918-1311.
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Nov. 3, 2003, edition 1
10
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75