North Carolina Newspapers

10 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2004 BOARD EDITORIALS OUTSIDE HANDS OFF The UNC system does enough to support students graduating from N.C. community colleges, and it shouldn’t be forced to admit them. According to The Associated Press, an outside consultant’s recent report recommends that the UNC system guarantee every N.C. com munity-college student a spot at one of die 16 UNC system schools upon completion of a two-year associ ate general-education degree program. State legislators should not interfere with the UNC system’s admissions autonomy by requiring it to accept any particular group of students. The state’s community college system contains more than 779,000 students this year. Does the UNC system have enough room for the students who would wish to transfer after receiving a degree? It’s not difficult to see that any bill to require admission of these students would tax the entire system. Additionally, to make admitting these students compulsory would be to suggest that a community college degree alone is enough to gain acceptance to a UNC-system school. But that’s not the case. There undoubtedly are plenty of community col lege students about to complete associate degrees who are worthy of transferring somewhere in the YOU’RE STAYING HERE Coach John Bunting and his team showed an incredible amount of improvement this year, which is why he deserves a contract extension. Football coach John Bunting experienced two personal victories Saturday. One was beating Duke in convincing fashion to reclaim the Victory Bell, which the Blue Devils snatched away from the Tar Heels last season. The second was a Saturday announcement by UNC Chancellor James Moeser that he would rec ommend a two-year contract extension for Bunting to the University’s Board of Trustees. Any rumors about Bunting’s job going to someone else next year effectively have been quashed. Though the last two seasons were trying, Bunting certainly earned the extension this year. UNC crossed the finish line with a 6-5 record overall and a 5-3 record in the ACC. This is the first year since 2001 that the Tar Heels have been eligible for a bowl game, which will translate into more money and publicity for the program and the University. The amazing upset win against Miami on Oct. 30 was the first time that a UNC football team has ever beaten an opponent ranked among the top five teams in the nation it is sure to go down in history as one of the football program’s greatest achievements. A NO-WIN SITUATION Although Ipas had every right to pull its funding from WUNC-FM, the group’s decision has left both parties on the losing end of things. In making a decision to withdraw its financial support from WUNC-FM, Ipas has made a move that harms both the Chapel Hill-based interna tional women’s heath group and the radio station. WUNC has lost the backing of one of its sponsors, and Ipas has abandoned a valuable medium through which it could advertise its services to a needy public. Ipas canceled its sponsorship of WUNC after the station eliminated the term “reproductive rights” from an underwriting announcement. But station officials did not act out of malice when they made their choice to restrict Ipas to saying “repro ductive health” in the announcement. The decision of the station was not about restricting free speech rather, it was about abiding by the law. Public radio stations cannot advocate any particular side of a political, social or religious debate in on-air announce ments, and WUNC had to act in accordance with its Federal Communication Commission license. If the station hadn’t taken action, listeners inter preting the mention of “reproductive rights” as an endorsement of abortion rights might have com plained. WUNC potentially could have faced a fine 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 six board members, the editorial page associate editor, the editorial page editor and the DTH editor. The 2004-05 DTH editor decided not to vote on the board and not to write board editorials. s Mg (Bar PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS STAFF Mulfinger, Judy Pham, Kate Polichnowski, Kia Thacker and Laura Youngs, repre sentatives. Display Advertising: Kate Bingham, Amy Fuschino, Jorie Gripman, Andy Lunnen, Sarah Oglesby, Annette Parker, Phabienne EDITORIAL STAFF Kurowski, sports copy; Selena Beckman- Harned, Jenny Doster, Chrissy Edwards, Rachel Ferguson, Tricia Horatio, Jen Kling, Andy McNulty, Orr Shtuhl, Leila Watkins and Cat Williams. Design: Jennifer Alliet, Sulhye Bang, Amy Dombrower, Jessa Giroux, Sally Lee and Allison Wonsick, Editorial: Jillian Bandes, Chris Cameron, Dan David, John Kunza, Alyssa Levine and Joseph Starnes, editorial board, Meg Austin, Emily Batchelder, Matt Compton, David Havlick and Jonathan Yeomans, columnists. Features: Kirsten Valle, senior writer; Laura Bost, Jacqueline Brill, Emily Fisher, Julia Furlong, Ali Gray, Elana Jones, Lily Kuo, Mary Grace Miller, Adam Rodman, Allison Rose, Andrew Satten and Sarah Schwarz. Online: Ed Bowman, Megan Edison, Kansai Graham, Stephanie Jones, Albert Park and Chris Stone. Photography: Garrett Hall, senior pho tographer, Erin Andrews, Gillian Bolsover, Liiys Cuilinan, Leah Gronning, Daniel Ham, Miranda Harpie, Pat Lapadula, Julia lebetkin, Ricky Leung, Sara Lewkowicz, Hunter Mcßae, Allison Money, Carter Murphey, Brandy Nash, Mike Raabe, Monica Shah, Samkit Shah, Whitney Shefte and Brandon Smith. Projects Team: Susie Dickson, Jamie Dougher, Sarah Rabil, Nirav Vora and Cleve R. Wootson Jr. Business and Advertising: Paul Isom, general manager; Chrissy Bed, advertising director; Lisa Rekhle, business manager, Megan Gilchrist, retail sales manager Ellen Withrow, assistant business manager. Customer Servke: Stacy Hopkins, Erin Assistant Editors: Becca Moore and Jim Walsh, arts & entertainment, Shannan Bowen, Meredith Lee Miller and Dan Schwind, city; Scott Spillman and Rebecca Wilhelm, copy; Daniel BeDen and Tiffany Ward, design; Jeff Kim, editorial; Tonye Jones and Linda Shen, features; Alex Foley, online; Justin Smith and Andrew Synowiez, photography; Daniel Blank, Mary Duby and Gabrielle Deßosa, sports; Daniel Malloy and David Moses, SportSaturdav; Erin Gibson, Kavita Pillai and Amy Thomson, state & national; Brian Hudson, Stephanie Jordan and Joseph Schwartz, university. Arts & Entertainment: Nick Parker and Kristen Williams, senior writers; Jacky Brammer, Nicole Bobitski, Andrew Chan, William Fonvielle, Margaret Hair, Amy Jadson, Ayofemi Kirby, Leah Konen, Kate Lord, Salem Neff, Robbie Mackey, Ben Pittard, Tom Previte and Jackie Randell, Cartoon: Doug Anderson, Fitz Holladay, Steven Oklesh and Evann Strathern. City: Brianna Bishop, Jonathan Burns, Meghan Davis, Jennifer Fair, Gregg Found, Spencer Gipple, Matthew Hair, Zachary Jepsen, Megan Lavine, Katie lewis, Sara lewkowicz, Lindsey Listrom, Jake Potter, Blair Raynor, Brandon Reed, Kathryn Reed, Adam W. Rhew, Catherine Sharoky, Sam Shepard, Tanner Slayden, Liz Stanley, Ted Strong, Eten Tataragasi, Emily Vasquez, Antonio Velarde, Barbara Webb, Jon Weiner and Arley Wolber. Copy: Shannon Hennessy and Rachel The editorials are approved by the majority of the editorial board, which is composed of the editor, editorial pape editor, the associate editorial page editor and six 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 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 2409 Carolina Union CAMPUS MAIL ADDRESS: CB# 5210. Carolina Union U.S. MAIL ADDRESS: P.0.80x 3257, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-3257 wHw UNC system —but the choice of whether or not they do should be left to schools, not lawmakers. The burden of proof for admittance should lie with the applicant, as it always has. Why should a student with an community college associate degree be able to bypass the process to which all others are subject? UNC-system schools already have enough to deal with, numbers-wise, and any compulsory acceptance policy would seriously infringe upon the system’s free dom to admit those students whom it sees fit. Meanwhile, according to the AP, a task force of UNC and community colleges wants the General Assembly to appropriate $6.5 million in 2005 for community colleges to hire advisers to help students learn how to transfer. That’s a very large sum of money to devote entirely to additional advisers to aid students. If stu dents are interested in transferring, they should find out for themselves how their community-college credit would translate into credit at a UNC-system school. It would be much more logical to use the money to improve the state’s community college system in general. The system is in dire need of more funds. After throwing in a satisfying win against N.C. State in a contest that went down to the wire, a strong per formance in the Virginia Tech game and the crushing 23-point victory against Duke this past weekend, the season has turned out to be pretty good. UNC’s five losses were to good teams, and for the most part, they were nothing to be ashamed of. Utah, which thrashed the Tar Heels, has finished the regu lar season undefeated. Virginia, Louisville, Florida State and Virginia Tech are all bowl-bound. Although UNC is improving, there are still a num ber of areas that need polishing, such as the defen sive line. But the team has come such a long way in a relatively short amount of time that this past season has been nothing short of miraculous. This season saw more wins for UNC than the last two combined. Even if the bar was pretty low to begin with, the team and its coaches have shown remarkable progress. Bunting has shown that he deserves more time to try to take the team even further. The players obvi ously have responded well to him, so it’s reassuring that administrators likely will do the same. imposed by the federal agency. The decision by WUNC was made from a sound business standpoint. Instead of punishing WUNC, Ipas should make FCC rules the focus of its fight. Elizabeth Maguire, the organization’s president, told The (Raleigh) News & Observer that Ipas believes that the station “performs an important service to the community.” If the organization holds that WUNC performs a vital function, it would be more reasonable for the group to criticize the station’s action while continuing its financial support Even though Ipas has every right to withdraw its fimding from WUNC, it should re-eval uate its decision. Can the group truly expect the station to restore the changed wording and thereby risk federal penalties that might compromise its operations? On the Ipas Web site, Maguire stated, “We highly value WUNC listeners and want to inform them about our work.” Ipas might have been concerned that, with the omission of “reproductive rights,” those listeners weren’t getting a complete view of the group. But by withdrawing its sponsorship, the organiza tion has taken itself entirely out of the picture. Parker, Kelsey Scott, Rebecca Stocked and Adam Westin, account executives Advertising Production: Penny Persons, manager, MicheJle Rial, assistant. Classified Production: Cindy Huntley, manager; Debbie Rosen, assistant. Sports: Ben Couch and Brian MacPherson, senior writers, Meaghan Cole, Matt Estreich, Briana Gorman, Derek Howies, Will Isley, Alicia Jones, Laisee Rintel, Rachel Soder, Andy Wales and John Zhang. State & National: Laura Youngs, senior writer; India Autry, Lorelle Babwah, Kristin Bostic, Dana Bseiso, Arendell Carlton, Kevin Chandler, Marium Chaudhry, Alexandra Dodson, Sherri Engel, Lillian Goldenthal, Brooke Gottlieb, Natalie Hammel, Juliana Hanson, Hilary Hellens, Eric Johnson, Megan McSwain, Anh Ly, Aaron Pruitt, Mark Puente, Jorge Tellez, Katherine Tompkins and Carly Triche. University: Heather Andrews, Kathryn Bales, Elizabeth Black, Kelli Borbet, Rachel Brock, Georgia Cherry, Deborah Cramer, Claire Dotrier, Katherine Evans, Shari Feld, Dan Grinder, Lauren Harris, Katie Hoffmann, Al Killeffer, Caroline Kornegay, Lindsay Michel, Charlotte Murphy, Stephanie Newton, Stephanie Novak, Mada Ostrowski, Javaeria Qureshi, John Ramsey, Catherine Robbs, Jenny Ruby, Carly Salvadore, Kristie Spellman, Jacki Spies, lizzie Stewad and Erin Zureick. Editorial Production: Stacy Wynn, manager. Printing: Triangle Web. Distribution: Triangle Circulation Services. Opinion ON THE DAY’S NEWS 7 never thrust my nose into other men’s porridge.” CERVANTES, Spanish writer, from *don quixote' EDITORIAL CARTOON P’ffeMBCK'KIWIinV Be thankful for many things as Thanksgiving approaches In a few days, we will celebrate Thanksgiving, a treasured national holiday rooted in tradition. But what exactly is that tradition? What is the real origin ofThanksgiving? I did some research, and according to plenty of kid-centric Web sites, the pilgrims traveled aboard the Mayflower —some were actually suspended from the sails —and crashed into Plymouth Rock on Dec. 21,1620. Then, the kids maintain, they began to die. Eventually, an English-speaking Native American named Squanto, from the Wampanoag nation, approached the starving pilgrims and offered to teach them how to survive in the New World. He educated them about poi sonous plants, taught them to build houses and showed them how to use fish as fertilizer. According to the kids, they gave him a pumpkin in return. The next harvest was a bounti ful one, full of enormous amounts of com. Yum! The pilgrims decided to throw a feast of gratitude for their good fortune, and they sent invitations to the Native Americans. The Native Americans brought deer and lob ster meat and fish to the feast. The Pilgrims brought com and small pox. The feast lasted for three days, even though the turkeys were the size of children’s hands. Contemporary Thanksgiving shares a similar meaning. It is a time to reflect on the many bless ings that have been bestowed on us. I would like to share with you roughly 500 words’ worth of mine. I am thankful for flush-free urinals, automatic-flush toilets and motion-activated paper towel dispensers. I am thankful that even if we don’t agree with them, our offi cials were elected by a majority of The opinionated need apply Do you read The Daily Tar Heel’s opinion page and wonder what it would be like to contribute to the arguments and opin ions that are published every day? Do you get frustrated because your views are rarely, if ever, represented on the page? If so, now’s the time to take action. Applications are available for membership on the DTH Editorial Board and for weekly columnist and cartoonist positions for the spring semester. In terms of columnists, we need someone to keep track of University issues and to praise or criticize the actions of student government offi cials and UNC administrators. We also need someone to pay close atten tion to town affairs, to examine important developments in Chapel Hill and to analyze the constantly evolving relationship between the University and the town. And we need someone to monitor and take on issues that affect the entire state, the nation and even the whole world. In Eiddition, we need two at-large columnists. These two writers will have more freedom than the other three in terms of their coverage, but they still must come up with material that is rel evant to DTH readers, especially students. We’re also accepting applications for cartoon ist spots. We want talented people who can visu ally encapsulate an opinion in a single frame. They should maintain awareness of the issues that the DTH covers, and they should tackle those issues in their art. Last, but certainly not least, we need new Editorial Board members. Unlike weekly col umnists and cartoonists, board members are responsible for material that appears in practi cally every issue of the DTH. If you want to learn more about the issues that relate to you as a student whether you know i £ ELLIOT DUBE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR it or not —and to debate and write about those issues, then the board might be for you. Applications are now available at the DTH front desk, in Suite 2409 of the Student Union. If you think you have a lot to offer and plenty to say, then by all means, think about applying for a post on the DTH’s editorial page. There are some rules of which to be aware. DTH staff members can’t serve in student gov ernment in any capacity. They can’t run for stu dent office or work for a campaign in the spring. Otherwise, the process will be wide open. All applications are due by 5 p.m. on Dec. 3. Contact Elliott Dube at dubee@email.unc.edu. TO SUBMIT A LETTER: The Daily Tar Heel welcomes read er 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 2409, Carolina Union, mail them to P.O. Box 3257, Chapel Hill, NC 27515 or e-mail them to editdesk@unc.edu. JONATHAN YEOMANS THE GOODIES STAY IN THE JAR the adults in this country. I am thankful for extra strength medicines, fast acting anti-itch creams and West Nile Virus-deterring bug sprays. I am thankful for gravity, for keeping the world from spinning apart like an unbolted carousel, and friction, for making objects stationary and sex possible. I am thankful for “Laguna Beach” the show, not the piece of land. Although, without the land, the show would not be pos sible. So, Laguna Beach. And the character of Kristin. I am thankful that there are people who are willing to dedicate their lives to the service of our country, whether it is in the mili tary or a nonprofit soup kitchen. I am thankful that, if I want, I can get a hamburger at 2 a.m., pizza at 3 a.m. and beer 24 hours a day. I am thankful for the fabulous faculty that UNC employs. They have sacrificed a portion of their own material gain to help us advance, and we probably owe them more than we could ever give. I am thankful that I have eyes to see the change of seasons, ears to hear the subtle melodies of human speech and hands to give an awk ward fist-pound to my friends. I am thankful for the clever comedic stylings of Demetri Martin, Mitch Hedberg and their precursor, Steven Wright. I am thankful that the KB. House Undergraduate Library (Sift Mg Sar MM By Steven Oklesh, elven@email.unc.edu offers free printing, even though the printers rarely work —and if they do, they are usually clogged because biology students are printing “Detailed Diagrams of Every Cell in Your Body: Vol. 1.” I am thankful for the patience and kindness of the pretty woman who offered to help me last week when I got a flat tire, and the good humor of the man walking along the side of the road who asked the woman to help him. I am thankful for the ease, accessibility and freedom of the Internet and the incredible response rate of Google. I am thankful that the Red Sox finally won the World Series. I am thankful for the comfort, convenience and ease of cars. I have ridden a horse before, and holding a drink was nearly impossible. I am thankful for contact lens es, electric toothbrushes and post age stamps that you don’t have to lick. They are, in my opinion, three of the greatest inventions ever, and I can’t imagine what life was like without them. I am thankful for books by Don DeLillo, movies by Wes Anderson and music by Guster. I am thankful for the consis tently sharp writing of “The Daily Show” and the all-around liabil ity of John Stewart. I am thankful for my brothers, who provide me with high-quality entertainment; my friends, who tolerate my anal cleanliness; and my parents, who love and support me unconditionally. Finally, I am thankful that I have been privileged enough to be in a position where I can effect a posi tive change in people’s lives, and that I am surrounded by talented individuals trying to do the same. Contact Jonathan Yeomans at yeomans@email.unc.edu. Established 1893 111 years of editorialfreedom Mg Oar www.dthoitUite.eom MICHELLE JARBOE EDITOR, 962-4086 OFFICE HOURS T1:30 A.M. -12:30 PM MON, WED. CHRIS COLETTA MANAGING EDITOR, 962-0750 NIKKI WERKING DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR, 962-0750 ELLIOTT DUBE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR, 962-0750 EMILY STEEL UNIVERSITY EDITOR, 962-0372 RYAN C. TUCK CITY EDITOR, 962-4209 EMMA BURGIN STATE & NATIONAL EDITOR, 962-4103 JACOB KARABELL , SPORTS EDITOR, 962-4710 KELLY OCHS FEATURES EDITOR, 962-4214 PHILIP MCFEE ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR, 962-4214 KATIE SCHWING COPY EDITOR, 962-4103 LAURA MORTON PHOTO EDITOR, 962-0750 RANDI DEMAGISTRIS NICOLE NEUMAN DESIGN EDITORS, 962-0750 MARY JANE KATZ GRAPHICS EDITOR, 962-0750 BRANDON PARKER SPORTSATURDAY EDITOR, 962-4710 FEILDING CAGE ONLINE EDITOR, 962-0750 MATT HANSON PROJECTS TEAM LEADER, 962-0246