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12 TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2004 BOARD EDITORIALS TOO MUCH, TOO FAST The Board of Trustees should not rush a nonresident tuition decision that has been criticized roundly by faculty members and students. It cannot be denied that the ends of a hefty tuition increase an increase in faculty salaries in order to help retention are important. But the means to that end cannot be justified. Chancellor James Moeser, when arguing for a tuition increase in front of the UNC Faculty Council on Friday, asked faculty members to “keep (their) eyes on the ends and not just the means” of the hike. Increasing faculty salaries and ensuring that other universities will not lure UNC professors away should remain a top priority. Students and faculty members alike have emphasized the importance of this goal. But the means should not be overlooked. It says a great deal that members of the Faculty Council, despite the urgency of the need to bolster their own pay, unanimously expressed their opposi tion to the planned tuition hike. The current proposed increase would raise out-of state tuition by $1,500 and in-state tuition by S3OO next year, while establishing the goal of matching nonresident prices to the 75th percentile of UNC’s system peers, amounting to a $3,600 tuition increase over several years. The plan also calls for the devotion of almost $1 million in tuition revenue to the Educational Foundation, which pays athletic scholarships, and the John Motley Morehead Foundation. Both are impor tant to UNC, but the fact remains: Both are private, and neither should be maintained by tuition money. This misappropriation of students’ money was one of the primary concerns expressed by the council in their unanimous decision. Put simply, there is no excuse for officials to dig into students’ pockets to bail out two private entities, despite hard financial times. UNC trustees should heed the unanimous oppo sition from the council as well as the vehement cries of protest from the student body. The University has a long history of student governance and involve ment in the policy-making process. GOOD PREFERENCE UNC should review its policy of setting aside spots for out-of-state legacy applicants but should not abolish its legacy preference entirely. Texas A&M University recently called attention to a hot topic in higher education when it elim inated an admissions preference for legacies: prospective students related to one or more gradu ates of the college to which they are applying. When such a significant change in practice comes about at one of the nation’s notable institutes of higher education, one question usually pops up on the local level: Would this work at UNC? The answer is np. Consideration of legacy status is an important and consistent piece of UNC’s admissions puzzle. % * , . Texas A&M’s decision to abolish its legacy prefer ence falls in line with that university’s drive to elimi nate admissions policies that are not based solely on the achievements of applicants. Robert Gates, the uni versity’s president, said in a statement that a prefer ential policy for legacies is “an obvious inconsistency in an admissions strategy based on individual merit.” The legacy question has been on the mind of North Carolina’s homegrown presidential candidate, Democratic U.S. Sen. John Edwards. He asserts in his platform that U.S. colleges and universities should rid the admissions process of legacy preferences. Edwards’ campaign Web site states that such pref erences “stack the deck” against students who are the first college attendees in their respective families. Earlier this month, Edwards told college students in New Hampshire that legacy preferences offer an admissions advantage to privileged students who don’t need it, according to The Associated Press. That’s a big assumption to make, especially when taking account of UNC’s nonresident applicant pool. There’s no guarantee that a sufficient number of nonresident legacies would find their way into each freshman class without that extra wind being thrown at their backs during the admissions process. Completely eliminating legacy preference at UNC EDITOR S NOTE: The above editorials are the opinions of solely The Daily Tar Heel Editorial Board, and were reached after open debate. The board consists of seven board members, the editorial page associate 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. laUg SJar IJppl PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS STAFF Business and Advertising: Janet Gallagher-Cassel. director/general manager; Chrissy Beck, director of marketing; Lisa Reichle, business manager; Tiffany Flonto, retail sales manager; Ellen Withrow, business assistant. Customer Service: Kimberly Assistant Editors: Philip McFee and Michael Pucci, arts & entertain ment, Shannan Bowen, Chris Glazner and Dan Schwind, city; Jennifer Dailey. Katie Schwing, copy; Orla Buckley, Randi Demagrstris and Nicole Neuman, design; Elliott Dube, editorial; Nikki Werking, Kristen Williams, features, Adam Shupe, online, Kate Blackman and Laura Morton, photography; Dan Blank, Gaby Deßosa and Chris Gilfillan, sports; Stephanie Jordan and Laura Youngs, state & national; Joseph Schwartz, Brian Hudson and Emily Steel, university. Arts & Entertainment: Brian Millikin, senior writer, Kemp Baldwin, Tacque Kirksey, Leah Konen, Kate Lord, Garrett Manis, Becca Moore, Tom Previte, Jackie Randell, Tanner Slayden, Lauren Streib and Jim Walsh. Cartoon: Brin Peck, Andrew Johnson, Fitz Holladay, Andrew Stevens and Chris Mattsson. City: Katie Grim, senior writer. Sarah Rabil, Sara Lewkowicz, Sarah Hancox, Erin Gibson, Emily Vasquez, Jennifer Pogue, Lindsey Listrom, Jane Novotny and Terrence Jordan. Copy: Emily Fisher, David Lorimet, Christina Rexrode and Rebecca Craven, Judy Pham, Anna Stokes, Kia Thacker and Ada Wilson, representa tives. Display Advertising: Kate Bingham, Melanie Brooks, Elizabeth Crutcher, Megan Gilchrist, Annie Godwin, Matt Eagle, Andy Lunnen, Shannon Plummer, Kelsey Scott and EDITORIAL STAFF Wilhelm. Design: Daniel BeDen, Jessica Giroux, Tiffany Ward, Amy Dombrower, Jennifer Alliet, Brooke Moskovitz, Jenna Wooten, Laura Dingeldein and Kate Lord. Editorial: Chris Cameron, Phil Feagan, Jeff Kim, Ada Wilson, Daniel David, Mike Gorman and David Siegel, editorial board. Billy Ball, Michael Davis, Stephanie Horvath, Brentley Tanner and Nick Eberlein, columnists. Features'. Carolina Lindsey, Kristen Valle, Kelley Ochs, Ami Shah, Jacoueline Brill, Emily Batchelder, Linda Shen, Jordan Caswell, India Autry, Andrew Satten, Meghan Gambling and Timothy Price. Online: Feilding Cage, Heather O'Kelley and Hsin-Ya Teng. Photography: Sara Abrons. Kimberly Craven and Garrett Hall senior photographers; Gillian Bolsover, Elspeth Callahan, John Dudley, Kristin Goode, Leah Latella, Greg Logan, Allison Money, Gabi Trapenberg, Ashlie White, Alex Fine, Ashley Pitt, Andrew Synowiez, Jessica Russell, Justin Smith, Kathy Shuping, Madonna Lee, Brent Clark, Hunter The editorials are approved by the majority of the editorial board, which is composed of the editor, editorial page editor, assistant editorial page editor and seven editorial 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 ques tions 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 #10709 4 36 OFFICE: Suite 104 Carolina Union CAMPUS MAIL ADDRESS: CB# 5210, Carolina Union U.S. MAIL ADDRESS: P.0.80x 3257, W-M Chapel Hill, NC 27515-3257 In dismissing the suggestions of the UNC Ibition Task Force and ignoring the collective voice of fac ulty and students, the BOT tramples that tradition. Such abandonment of tradition is an affront to the ideals historically valued within the University. The speed with which the tuition plans have been approached by the trustees is downright scary. While Moeser told the council that University officials should be “careful and judicious in (their) approach,” the BOT embodied any qualities but those two. Reckless aban don and closed-minded stubbornness, instead, have been the mainstays of the trustees’ deliberations. With such a fundamental shift in philosophy on the horizon, University trustees should be far more cau tious. A philosophy that characterizes nonresidents as a market force, rather than a vital part of the student body, is not one with which the University should flirt. But if trustees insist that UNC take that path, they should do so more slowly. Thking a year to study impli cations of an increase won’t devastate the University. UNC also should avoid trying to match the price of an education to the price tags at public universities in other states. Basing the price of a UNC diploma on similar institutions is problematic because so many variables play into a state university’s tuition rates. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, for example, has dealt with the California deficit by upping tuition and fees at the state’s schools. UNC students should n’t have to watch the news nervously, fearing that every tuition hike across the map will be answered by UNC officials trying to keep up with the curve. Furthermore, administrators have worked hard to establish UNC as a leader in higher education. In its move to abolish early-decision applications and in the creation of the Carolina Covenant, Moeser has characterized UNC as a leader repeatedly. The University will fail as a leader if it follows sys tem peers for the sake of competition in the mar ketplace of higher education. would be inconsistent, considering the University’s other admissions practices, which include the analy sis of race, socio-economic status and “unusual cir cumstances,” according to the Web site for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The Web site states that the legacy factor plays a more significant role for out-of-state students than it does for North Carolinians. “(Nonresident legacies) will have a slight competitive edge over students from out of state who are jut children of alumni,” Nixing the legacy ractor effectively wouliUgore the fact that a greater sense of community is achieved on campus with the presence of students who got some idea of the UNC experience from Tar Heel parents. But freeing admissions officers simply to consid er legacy in their decision-making is one thing. Reserving a specific number of spots or admissions points for children of alumni is more dubious. Before Texas A&M officials made their decision, being a child of at least one of the university’s grad uates collected four admissions points out of a pos sible 100 for an applicant. UNC admissions officers use another system. Legacy consideration in many cases is almost neg ligible for in-state applicants, but about 80 out-of state spots in each incoming class are reserved for legacy applicants. Jerry Lucido, director of under graduate admissions, said 400 to 500 applicants compete for those spots each year. Setting aside spots for a certain type of applicant is questionable, especially when such a practice isn’t based on individual merit. , The Office of Undergraduate Admissions should be able to consider out-of-state legacy applicants more strongly than nonlegacies. But having a set sys tem or formula in place before academic achieve ments even become an issue is not in line with UNC’s other admissions policies. SACC fosters communication Anne Tadcabety, account executives Advertising Production: Penny Persons, manager; Kathryn Klein and Karen Stone, assistants. Classified Production: Cindy Henley. Mcßae, Jane Novotny, Linhda Tran and Patricia Lapdula. Projects Team: Jamie Dougher. Sports: Jamie Agin, Aaron Fitt and Brandon Parker, senior writers, Sarah McConnaghy and Carrie Sasser, sports copy; Randy Wellington, Brandon Coward, Tyler Dancy, Mary Duby, Briana Gorman, Alicia Jones, Daniel Malloy, Mike Martinez, David Moses, Hunter Powell, Rachel Soder, Andy Wales and John Zhang. State & National: Kavita Pillai, Chris Coletta, Amy Thomson, Dora Gonzalez Rodriguez, Shelley Mayo, Dan Piergallini, Adjoa Adolfo, Alex Granados, Kathryn Roebuck, Margaux Escutin and Alesia DiCosola. University: Jennifer Immel and Lynne Shalicross, senhr writers, Will Arey, Arman Tolentino, Caroline Kornegay, Lizzie Stewart, Greg Parker, Iris Padgett, Joe Saunders, Torrye Jones, Jenny Ruby, Kelli Borbet, Laura Bost, Mary Beth Bardin, Megan Davis and Megan Serow. Editorial Production: Stacy Wynn, manager. Printing: Triangle Web Distribution: Triangle Circulation Services. Every day, students open The Daily Tar Heel and see evi dence of UNC officials and students cooperating to make Carolina a better place. This interaction is essential to help the administration under stand students’ positions on issues that affect us all. Student government is primarily responsible for this, but there are students on a multitude of com mittees and task forces who Eire charged with the same mission. One such committee is the Student Advisory Committee to the Chancellor. SACC has 12 members, and we are external appointees of student government. We’re a mix of graduate and undergraduate stu dents, in-state and out-of-state, from a variety of majors and extra curricular activities. Our job is to serve as a conduit for student opinion. We are respon sible for finding out what our “con stituents” think and care about and for letting the chancellor know. We also try to take the chancel lor’s questions to students and ask what they think of his performance. Keeping this channel of communi cation open is our mission. This year, SACC members have revisited this mission. We decided to pursue a tangible project that helps all students, not just those involved in student politics. Our idea was to attempt to cre- Editorial Page ON THE DAY S NEWS “How poor are they who have not patience! What wound did ever heal hut by degrees?” WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE, PLAYWRIGHT EDITORIAL CARTOON IMHHSTt Tin A 1 ! <iou4waHett€ 5 • GEORGE W. PUSH || 1 \ ' PAMttY "REMEMBER-WOMENARE FROM VENUS, AND I'M GOING TOMARSL" COMMENTARY Failure to escape ones roots can be anything but failure Take it from a senior. You’re not the hero you think you are. Things aren’t what they seem. There is no welcoming party eagerly waiting your return to your little Podunk suburb. I recently watched Tim Burton’s masterpiece “Big Fish” and was delighted to see that Burton’s main character Ed Bloom addresses the hometown ego. Sometimes it’s easy to see your hometown as an inspira tion. Ed’s hometown looks to him for inspiration. He is the town’s No. 1 export, and in one scene the townspeople chant his name in adoration. Ed possesses a wild imagina at least to a 12-year-old boy. Every person thinks that some day he’s going to put his little burg on the map. That old wives are going to make up stories about your exploits in the big, bad world. That you’re going to be given a key to the city. That super hot Sally Johnson is going to regret not doing the chicken dance with you in third grade because now you’re the world’s best chicken dancer. That she had an opportu nity to catch your world famous chicken dancing in its embryonic stages. That everyone who enters your town is going to be greeted with a sign that reads, “Welcome to Mediocreville, Home of Billy Ball who was basically the best at everything that there ever was.” True, true. Tough guy Robby Musclebrain was going to work at Taco Bell. Chunky Chucky was going to end up logging for spare change. Vanity Valerie was going to end KATIE MELVILLE MEMBER, STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO Tfft CHANCELLOR ate some kind of direct contact between the general student body and Chancellor Moeser. Since we cannot fit 14,000 peo ple into South Building, we did the next best thing. We asked the DTH Editorial Page staff if they’d be amenable to having Moeser write a column each month in which he’d respond to students’ concerns. We all agreed this was a great idea. To do this properly, we knew we needed to solicit student opin ion in a meaningful way, so Moeser would have something substantial to discuss in a public forum. To that end, the second Ihesday of each month, students will find SACC members in the Pit We’ll solicit your input and have Post-it Notes for you to write on and a big picture of the chancellor’s head for you to stick your question to. Theft, we will go through your responses and pick out the big issue of the month. We already have great responses from the two times we’ve been out there so far. A lot of students raised the question of raising the out-of state cap. Others asked about employee salaries and benefits and the right to unionize. We even had someone ask whether Chancellor Moeser wore boxers or briefs. BILLY BALL FOR KIDS WHO CAN'T READ GOOD up cutting hair for a buck. You oh yes, you! were going to save rock ‘n’ roll and sci entific theory from themselves. College seemed like the perfect avenue for raising yourself above the rabble. You enrolled in a philosophy class and decided that your new outlook on life would make you more marketable. You took a class on playwriting and found that you’ve spent your entire life talking and that you’re still not sure exactly how real peo ple talk. You took a class on swing danc ing and found out that you still don’t have the guts to ask super hot Sally Johnson to dance. Graduation is a reality check, it seems. It lurks on the horizon like a spanking. The kind for which you hide from your parents until they actually call for you to come, and then you run as fast as you can to answer them. Jobs aren’t likely to come look ing for you like you expected. Grad schools aren’t applying to you. There’s no parade when you return home. You end up answering want ads in the paper for telemarketing jobs and finding out that even the most depraved people on earth aren’t impressed by your degree in 19th century basket weaving and your minor in Clydesdale mating patterns. In response to questions such as these, the last Tuesday of each month will see Moeser on the DTH editorial page. The first one runs Ihesday, Jan.. 27th. We’re really looking forward to the first column, and we’re excited to hear student reactions. Give us your feedback through our Web site on the student government page, and if you see us in the Pit, let us know what you think. This is an exciting first for the University. Everybody will hear what the Chancellor thinks about the issues, and everyone will have a chance to have their say. It was the best way we could think of to bring the University to the people. Contact Katie Melville, a member of the Student Advisory Committee to the Chancellor, at ktmelv@email.unc.edu 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 ore-mail them to editdesk@unc.edu. Gfyt iaiiy (Ear Hrri I’m taking “Community Journalism” this semester. Surprisingly, I find that it’s not likely that I’ll be writing for The New York Times or Rolling Stone anytime soon. In fact, I’ll proba bly end up at something similar to my hometown paper begging for a story. Here’s the good news: That you’ve nothing to be ashamed of, and that your high-school gradu ate father has nothing to be ashamed of either. That heroism doesn’t come in prepackaged childhood stan dards. That your town doesn’t have to know that you’re a hero for you to be a hero. , .XJiat you can’t be a hero like everyone else, unless everyone else is a hero. That a simple person can seem complicated to complicated peo ple if those people don’t under stand simplicity. That you don’t have to live in an action-packed city to have things going on. The reality is that you only have to impress yourself and that you’re the toughest critic of them all. At some point you have to be comfortable with your roots, or you will never be proud of what you’ve grown into. One of the lessons to be taken from “Big Fish” is that you’ll never grow into a big fish yourself unless you get out of your little home pond. That’s ridiculously true. But it’s also true that you’ll never even have had a chance to be a big fish without that little home pond. Contact Billy Ball at wkball@email.unc.edu. Established 1893 110 years of editorialfreedom ©fp Saily OJar Uppl www, dailytarheel.com ELYSEASHBURN 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 NATHAN DENNY EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR, 962-0750 BROOK R. CORWIN UNIVERSITY EDITOR, 962-0372 EMMA BURGIN CITY EDITOR, 962-4209 CLEVER. 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 KRISTEN OLIVER ONLINE EDITOR, 962-0750 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 gautschiOemail.unc.edu or 918-1 31 1.
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Jan. 20, 2004, edition 1
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