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CAMPUS BRIEFS
Cheerleader wins first Jason
Ray Memorial Spirit Award
Junior cheerleader Jeremy
Crouthamel received the first Jason
Ray Memorial Spirit Award from
the Department of Athletics on
Tuesday.
The award is given in memory of
Jason Ray. who served as Rameses
the mascot and was killed last March
while walking on the side of the road
in New Jersey during the NCAA
Men's Basketball East Regional.
Ray’s parents, Emmitt and
Charlotte Ray of Concord, presented
the award at halftime of the North
Carolina and Florida State game.
The award will be given to a mem
ber of the band, cheerleaders, dance
team or mascots annually, who best
honors Raw’s spirit
Tyler Hansbrough named Si's
National Player of the Year
Tar Heel fans can now refer to
junior forward Tyler Hansbrough
by a nickname other than Psycho T
National Player of the Year.
Sports Illustrated named
Hansbrough as the 2008 National
Men’s Collegiate Basketball Player
of the Year in a cover story in the
magazine's Tuesday issue.
The Poplar Bluff, Mo.-native
leads the ACC in both scoring and
rebounding he’s averaging 23.3
points and 10.4 rebounds per game
before the regular season finale
Tuesday night —and ranks eighth
in the nation in points per game.
Hansbrough has won ACC
Player of the Week honors seven
times this season, tying the single
season record with UNC’s Antawn
Jamison (in 1997-98) and Duke’s JJ
Redick (in 2005-06).
Hansbrough is the 10th UNC
player to earn National Player of the
Year honors and the second along
with Jerry Stackhouse in (1994-95)
to earn Sports Illustrated s award.
Student advisory committee
accepting new applications
The student alcohol advisory com
mittee is looking for new members.
The committee, which is made
up entirely of students, reviews
the University's alcohol policy to
update rules and regulations.
The group will meet on a
biweekly basis and will then move
to a more regular schedule. The
first meeting is scheduled for 5:30
p.m. to 7 p.m. March 19 in the
Student Union.
For more information, contact
Ron Bilbao at ronbilbao(a unc.edu.
Spots still open to travel to
Gulf Coast for building trip
The Extended Disaster Relief
organization is going to New
Orleans to help rebuild the area.
There are still slots available.
The total cost is Sl2O, including
transportation, lodging and food.
The group will leave Chapel Hill
on Sunday and return March 15.
E-mail Bridget Mcenaney at
mcenaney@email.unc.edu with
questions.
CITY BRIEFS
Aldermen approve project
to install disc golf course
The Carrboro Board of
Aldermen granted a request from
the Carrboro Parks Project to
raise funds to design, purchase
and install a disc golf course at
Anderson Park.
“A lot of people are interested in
disc golf," said Susan Stone of the
Carrboro Parks Project. “It's a low
impact, potentially high-utilization
asset"
Alderman Jacquie Gist voiced her
support for the project “You’ve really
added to the quality of life here, and
I appreciate that," she said.
Visit City News at www.dailytar
heel.com for the foil story .
Chapel Hill woman was last
seen Saturday, police said
Chapel Hill resident Irene Mafe,
49, was last seen Saturday and has
recently been suffering from anxiety
and asleep disorder. She has had dif
ficulties with her medicines in the
last few weeks, according to police.
Contact the Chapel Hill Police
Department at 968-2760 with any
information.
STATE BRIEFS
Gov. Mike Easley partners
with Japanese university
Gov. Mike Easley recently
announced the inception of a pro
gram with Nagoya University, a
Japanese research university that
has spurred a technological boom
in its region.
The project is intended to enhance
business ties and innovation between
North Carolina and Japan.
The Japanese program will seek
out N.C. companies for research
collaboration and provide infor
mation on Japanese technological
developments.
From staff and wit* reports
Hillel director leaves post
BY KELLEN MOORE
STAff WRITER
The abrupt departure of an NjC.
Hillel leader has some students lost
in speculation, as the UNC Jewish
organization's officials remain quiet
about his reasons for leaving.
Josh Blumenthal, execu
tive director of N.C. Hillel since
September 2006, announced
Sunday in a statement posted on
the Hillel Web site that he has left
his position.
“Something like this is really
unexpected because he was just
alw-ays there." said sophomore Ari
Somekh. who attends Hillel func
tions. “He was really popular with
all the students. Everyone that I’ve
talked to didn't see it coming."
N.C. Hillel provides programs
and worship services for the UNC
Jewish community and 24 other
N.C. campuses.
Blumenthal would not say why
he left but wrote in his statement
“Ifyou haw a group of people and an instructor screaming at you, you hair more
motivation and are more likely to push yourself' sonja bell. CARDIO & PUMP/ZUMBA INSTRUCTOR
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Danielle Fernandez, exercise and sport science major, teaches a Zumba class at the Rams Head Recreation Center. Zumba has become a
popular group exercise activity the past few years at UNC. The upbeat exercise features aerobic-style dance to a variety of music.
INSTRUCTORS PUMP IT UP
BY DANIEL PATE
STAFF WRITER
About 20 students gathered for class at
4 p.m. Tuesday, but they took no notes, and
their attendance was not counted.
They attended Cardio & Pump, which
involves step aerobics with weights and
is one of the group fitness classes at the
Student Recreation Center.
Most of the fitness class instructors are stu
dents. demonstrating exercises and providing
energetic motivation for their fellows.
The facilities at the SRC and the Rams Head
Recreation Center are consistently packed on
weekday afternoons with sessions ranging
from cardio dodgeball to kickboxing.
“I love being an instructor because I get to
motivate people and have fun doing so," said
Sonja Bell, an instructor for Cardio & Pump.
Cycle and occasionally Zumba.
Zumba. which involves Latino dancing with
variations of other international dances, is one
of the most popular classes held by the SRC.
There is such a high demand for the class
Cheating concerns students
BY KEELY STOCKETT
STAFF WRITER
Teachers often remind their stu
dents that cheaters are only cheat
ing themselves. But some local
students are wondering if that’s
completely true.
While an investigation into
cheating at Chapel Hill High School
is ongoing, some students said they
are worried that the incident will
result in negative consequences for
even those who were not involved.
Nandini Dhullipalla, a senior at
the school, said she hopes news of
the cheating ring won’t affect the
school's high academic reputation.
“I don’t know if there are many
people who are angry necessarily,"
Dhullipalla said. “A lot of us are
just kind of frustrated because now
we're, like, a cheating school."
That idea is somewhat discon
certing to seniors who still are
checking their mailboxes for col
lege acceptance letters.
“Some people think that it might
hurt their own chances of getting
into colleges," Dhullipalla said.
However, Barbara Polk, UNC
senior associate director of under
Top News
i
Josh
Blumenthal
announced he
has left his job
as executive
director of N.C.
Hillel.
that “the board and 1 have deter
mined that the time has come for
us to part ways," referring to the
Board of Directors for Hillel.
In the short term. Blumenthal
said he plans to visit his family in
Boston. As for his career, he said
he will return to a film finance
and production company that he’s
worked with in the past.
And w’hile callers heard
Blumenthal's voice when they
reached the voice mail of the
executive director Tuesday, Sue
Klapper, a member of the Board
of Directors, has already taken the
position for the time being.
that additional classes have been created, lead
ing to an additional need for instructors.
Fitness instructors must be knowledge
able not only in areas such as anatomy and
exercise physiology but also choreography
development, injury prevention and com
munication skills.
Trainees are expected to participate in 50
hours of training, attend workshops and serve
as an intern in a fitness class. They also receive
American Council on Exercise certification.
Although all instructors receive the same
training, workouts differ from class to class.
Bel! said that the number of fellow exer
cisers affects the quality of a workout
“If you have a group of people and an
instructor screaming at you, you have more
motivation and are more likely- to push your
self," Bell said.
She admits that nervousness is inevitable
when she starts anew- class. But once she
realizes that all eyes are not on her, she finds
a comfort zone. Bell said.
“Our attitudes feed off each other no mat
graduate admissioas. said the Chapel
Hill High School students who did
not participate in the cheating have
no need to worry about their stand
ing for college admissioas.
“It’s not a situation where a
handful of students involved in a
situation means that the whole
school is now tainted," Polk said.
“1 think anytime you’re dealing
with a population ofl,ooo
there may be some things that hap
pen that are not reflective of the
overall culture of that school."
At the same l ime, Polk said stu
dents involved with the cheating
will not be off the hook before their
freshman year in college.
UNC, like many other colleges,
asks applicants to report any crimi
nal behavior they have engaged in or
any disciplinary sanctions they have
received. Students are required to
report any changes to their answers
after they submit the application.
Polk said because cheating mer
its disciplinary sanction, the admis
sions office has been made aware of
the situation at CHHS, as well as
the names of any UNC applicants
involved.
She will perform the executive
director’s duties, which include
overseeing the staff, fundraising
and coordinating with UNC.
Klapper will serve as interim
executive director until the new
director is chosen. Officials hope
to find a replacement by summer
with the help of the international
Hillel organization, she said.
When Blumenthal arrived in
2006, he replaced Or Mars, who
was executive director for six
years.
There is no typical length of stay
for the position, Klapper said.
“There will be turnover because
you’re sort of always on the job,"
Klapper said, adding that many
directors work more than 50
hours a week. “I think people who
do it really love it, but sometimes
people can only stay with it for a
certain number of years before
they burn out."
Klapper has been involved with
ter what the atmosphere is," Bell said.
Dietra Buxton, a second-year graduate
student who regularly attends Muscle Cut
and Cardio & Pump, said that it is important
for instnictors to display enthusiasm when
directing their classes.
“I want somebody that's energetic and
makes you work out," Buxton said. “It helps
make time pass by more quickly."
Buxton also said that the interesting per
sonalities of the instructors help create a
bond among the participants, which gives
them incentive to continue attending and
convince their friends to join.
But possibly the best [Tart of fitness classes
for students is their stress-relieving capacity
as students take time off from their rigorous
schedules to attend, some students said.
“I like classes because you don’t have to
think about it," Buxton said. "People tell you
what to do and you follow along."
Contact the University Editor
at udesk(a unc.edu.
“We have had contact with those
counselors and have been in con
tact with the students involved,"
Polk said. “We'll work with those
students as is appropriate."
Students made copies of a master
key to the school several wars ago,
according to a letter from Principal
Jackie EllLs to CHHS parents. The
key allowed students to gain access
to tests and answer keys, which were
shared with other students. In a sep
arate incident students passed copies
of an answer key by cell phone, Ellis
stated in the letter.
CHHS Student Body Vice
President Kira Borman said she
does not believe a single incident
will tarnish the school’s credibility.
Instead, she said the true injustice
lies within the direct consequences
of the cheaters' actions.
“It doesn't just affect their grades,"
Borman said. “It affects curves,
GPAs, class rankings. It’s definitely
disappointing. and it’s a heads-up
to the school that they need anew
system regarding cheating."
Contact the City Editor
at citydeskfa unc.edu.
WEDNESDAY. MARCH 5, 2008
Hillel since the early 19905.
“Sue Klapper could be
described as the mom of Hillel,"
said Elizabeth Bemold, president
of Hillel’s student executive board,
adding that she thinks Klapper's
past experience will help during
the transition.
Hillel officials will look for some
one with a strong Jewish-education
background, possibly even a rabbi,
as the organization doesn’t cur
rently have a rabbi. Klapper said.
But most of all, they'll look for
someone who appeals to and works
well with students exactly what
Blumenthal said he'll miss most.
“Even though I'm leaving
N.C. Hillel, I’m not at all leaving
students," Blumenthal said. “I
want to keep those relationships
because those are special and
dear to me."
Contact the University Editor
at udesk(a unc.edu.
How do you spell
‘Literama Week?’
Bull’s Head will
host spelling bee
BY SETH WRIGHT
STAFF WRITER
The letters of the alphabet will
become the mighty, flashing swords
of competition at noon today as
UNC students seek ultimate vic
tory in the Bull's Head Bookshop’s
annual spelling bee.
The bee is held to promote the
book store's “Literama" week, dur
ing which all items in the literature
section arc sold at a 25-percent dis
count.
And the competition will be
fierce, with many experienced stu
dent wordsmiths vying for a SIOO
gift card to the book shop.
“There's definitely going to be
some English majors and some
other people who are good spell
ers," said Event Publicity Manager
Kvle McKay.
Although the spelling bee has
been held in previous years, this is
Wright
counsel
alleges
racism
Hearing should
conclude today
BY DEVIN ROONEY
ASSISTANT STATE & NATIONAL EDITOR
RALEIGH The hearing on
alleged unethical conduct by N.C.
Rep. Thomas Wright. D-New
Hanover, which could lead to the
first expulsion of a sitting legislator
since 1880. is expected to conclude
today.
The hearing was waylaid Tuesday
by a last-ditch effort to disband the
N.C. House of Representatives Ethics
Committee overseeing the process.
Wright’s attorney argued that
the legislator has received dispa
rate treatment because of racism.
A motion arguing on those grounds
took up most of the morning,
although the hearing was initially
scheduled to end Tuesday.
Doug Harris, one of Wright s
attorneys, supported his argument
by citing that last year's investigation
into the alleged
unethical con
duct of N.C. Rep.
Pry or Gibson. D-
Anson, a white
legislator, was
not made public.
Harris
demanded that
the committee
explain the dif
fering treatment
but expressed
skepticism at its
abilitv to do so.
(Ek
K
Rep. Thomas
Wright, D-N.C.,
faces charges
of unethical
behavior.
“I doubt very seriously that
explanation will be satisfying to
black citizens of North Carolina."
N.C. Rep. Rick Glazier, D-
Cumberland. the chairman of the
Ethics Committee, said the two
investigations were incomparable
on any level. “Any argument sug
gesting otherwise is profoundly
absurd."
The investigation of Gibson
involved the inaccurate classifica
tion of a bill regarding town juris
diction in his district, whereas
Glazier said Wright's alleged mis
conduct is criminal in nature and
stretches across several years.
The allegations against Wright
involve hoodwinking businesses
out of about $170,000 and misre
porting about $185,000 in cam
paign donations.
Glazier also objected to the alle
gations of racism, saying that he felt
personally attacked and that he has
experienced discrimination himself.
“I am a minority member of a
religion and have been discriminat
ed against in that capacity a number
of times in my life, and I understand
the pain that comes with it."
Glazier also objected to the
manner in which Harris made the
allegations.
“I find acts of racism abhorrent
... I find equally abhorrent the rac
ism label tossed out capriciously
and discrimination allegations
charged against people where no
good faith basis exists in law and
fact to do so."
Glazier dismissed the motion for
lacking factual or legal standing.
“I deny the motion as frivolous,
groundless and meritless."
Contact the State ts! National
Editor at stntdesk(a unc.edu.
the first time UNC has hosted the
event since 2005 because of reno
vations in Student Stores.
As of Tuesday 14 people had
signed up for the competition.
Organizers said there is a 20-
entrant maximum because they
do not want the event to last too
long.
"We wanted at least 15 to 16 peo
ple. Hopefully there will be more
than that" said Stacie Smith, Bull’s
Head's floor sales manager.
“And people who are in the store
usually just stop and watch."
Smith said she expects partici
pants to take the event seriously in
order to avoid embarrassing mis
spellings.
But she stressed that it also
SEE SPELLING BEE. PAGE 11
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