TECHNICIAN
thursday november
15 2012
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
Buying an Education System Kevin Keller Staff Writer
Art Pope is attempting to buy education and politics in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State University Student Power coalition. Art Pope, Fayetteville native and CEO of Variety Wholesalers, has provided millions of dollars in funding for conservative politicians and educational grants throughout North Carolina. In a true David and Goliath story, the NCSU Student Power coalition is attempting to counter Pope’s influence on the education system of North Carolina and empower students to control their education. NCSU Student Power has partnered with about 10 other public universities in North Carolina to raise awareness and empower students about educational issues in N.C. Brian Perlmutter, a senior in marketing, cited the recent attempt by the UNC-System Board of Governors to change the drop date for all universities in the UNC System as an example of the lack of student representation in the education system. “This is a prime example of the
CHRIS RUPERT/TECHNICIAN
Chris Kromm, director of the Institute for Southern Studies speaks to students and citizens about Art Pope, a North Carolinian businessman and noted conservative, in SAS Hall on Nov. 14. Kromm spoke on Pope’s involvement in North Carolina politics regarding campaign funds.
prevalent and increasing irrationality in the way our education is being managed,” Perlmutter said. Wednesday evening, NCSU Stu-
dent Power hosted a teach-in and community dinner to discuss the influence of Art Pope and possible student response. Chris Kromm, di-
rector of the Institute for Southern Studies in Durham, was the main speaker. The ISS was founded in the 1970s by veterans of the Civil Rights
Movement and concentrates on research concerning government and corporate responsibility. According to ISS’ webpage, Pope has attempted to push a conservative agenda across the educational landscape in N.C. through a lecture series at N.C. State, which emphasized politics and economics; a grant for a Western Studies Department at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and support for N.C. Central’s Law school. “[Pope] wants colleges to honor the wishes of wealthy donors,” Kromm said. But the faculty at both schools rejected this notion, and the support for the UNC and the N.C. Central grants was withdrawn after protest from students and faculty members of both schools. Kromm lectured on the recent North Carolina elections and the role that Art Pope played. According to Kromm, more than 90 percent of the funding for conservative think tanks and advocacy groups comes from the Pope family foundation. Pope was also a major funder of both the 2010 Republican Party’s takeover of the N.C. Legis-
POPE continued page 2
Vet school gets grant for canine research Alex Petercuskie
grants was a combination of both N.C. State’s scientific strength and the demand for various areas of reThe American Kennel Club Ca- search among breed organizations. nine Health Foundation granted Meurs studies an inherited heart nearly $300,000 to three research- disease in both cats and dogs, ers from the College of Veterinary though her grant will emphasize her Medicine. work on the disease among Boxer According to Kate Meurs, associ- dogs, the breed most commonly afate dean for research and graduate fected by the disease. studies, receiving the grants was The $51,516 grant will allow a rigorous process. Researchers Meurs to study the genetic mutaacross the world, tion that causes predominantly in the disease, as the United States, well as its clinicompeted to receive cal impacts. For the grants for their instance, dog research. owners would Along with k now what Meurs, Matthew sy mptoms to Breen, professor watch for and of genomics, and whether their Kate Meurs, associate dean for Shelly Vaden, prodog is at an inresearch and graduate studies fessor of internal creased risk for medicine, received the disease. grants. Meurs said research for the disease Meurs said the grant proposals is significant because it leads to sudwere first sent to independent re- den death among dogs. viewers, who are specialists in the “The dogs often appear very field, to determine the scientific healthy playing in the yard, and then strength of the research. If the re- they just fall over dead one day,” search qualified, the grants were Meurs said. “We believe animal then sent to different breed organi- health research is a huge, important zations to see what areas of research mission of the college. That’s what were most urgent. According to Meurs, receiving the VET continued page 3 Staff Writer
“We believe animal health research is a huge, important mission of the college.”
KATHERINE HOKE/TECHNICIAN
Chancellor Randy Woodson cuts a ribbon at the ceremonial opening of the Cates Combined Heat and Power Generator Facility Wednesday Nov. 14. According to Woodson the plant will save $4.6 million in its first year alone.
Cogeneration plant opens Staff Report N.C. State celebrated its ongoing pursuit of sustainability, energy conservation and transformation with a ribbon cutting at the site of the finished cogeneration plan Wednesday afternoon. Cogeneration is a method that provides energy and heat simulTECHNICIAN taneously. N.C. F State will begin Corporate Magic takeover P PAGE 5 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2012
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eople have been reeling with the news that Disney bought out Lucasfilm, the company responsible for producing the Indiana Jones and Star Wars movies. Even more astonishing and, for some, exciting, Disney has commissioned a brand new Star Wars movie. This got us to thinking... If Disney can bull doze directly through the company that produced some of the highest
insidetechnician
grossing movies of all time, what else can they ransack? Are all of the things we hold near and dear to our hearts in danger of getting made over by the Mouse? It’s hard not to instantly picture Back to the Future being uprooted from Universal just for kicks or Crayola exclusively catering to self-proclaimed Mousekateers. Once you start considering massive corporate takeover, it can be difficult
to stop the ball from rolling. Brands merge and change all the time; it’s part of the business cycle. When one brand takes over another, there are undoubtedly consequences. One brand’s principles are sure to stand out just a little more than the other, whether it is intentional or not. Are we destined to spend the duration of time glancing over our shoulders at the ominous and over-powering
utilizing the new technology this month after more than eight years of planning. The Cates Utility Plant, previously used as the University’s source of heat, was renovated to fit the upgraded system. Funding for the project was given via a performance contract with Ameresco, Inc.—an organization that specializes in helping organizations convert to
Magic Mouse that seems to infiltrate every available market? We are beginning to think the answer is a resounding “yes”. And so today, we at the Fifth explore how Mickey and his pals could potentially affect some of our favorite things. Does every brand benefit from the magical, wonderful world of Disney? We'll leave that judgment call to you.
MOUSE PARTY DOESN’T SOUND NEARLY AS COOL AS MARIO PARTY. Mickey is no stranger to video games, appearing in several throughout his over-extended career, so it makes sense that he would try and sneak into one of the most beloved games of all time. Though Mario might not initially respond well to his squeaky insistence that "IT'S A-ME, MICKEY", the Mouse could probably teach him a thing or two. Mario may have been working the game circuit longer than Mickey, but that certainly won't stop our furry friend
from imposing his shiny ideals. Mario Kart would undoubtedly become explosion free, so as to set a good example for the children. Sound affects like "nice try" and "keep trying" would be input into the system. It's all about keeping the kids happy, after all. Controllers would undoubtedly be shaped into mouse heads, paying homage to the Holy One.
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IRONICALLY, HIPSTERS EMBRACE THE NEW TREND: THE MAGIC APPLE
Feed the Pack opens new food pantry See page 3.
Apple has become the epitome of never growing up. Ancient hipsters in achingly tight jeans with American Spirits dangling from their mouths camp outside Apple stores everywhere the moment a new product is announced. The release of the iPhone 5 caused a frenzy equal only to the tidal wave of depression felt by girlfriends everywhere when the new COD came out this week. Dedication like that is hard to find, and Apple has somehow tapped into it. Disney has fanatics watching their every move as well. If the two were combined, it could potentially be the most destructive force ever
created in the universe. Families in matching Tinker Bell and Peter Pan sweatshirts would line up for hours just to get their unwashed hands on a Disney infused iPhone. Not to mention the absolute killing that would be made with Apps. Need to learn every detail about Snow White's dull history? There's an App for that! Want to find an ironic cafe in which you won't be judged for your ancient Buzz mug? There's an App for that! Cue the drooling. If you've ever spotted a Disney fanatic in a theme park, you can already picture the scene. Heavy breathing, frantic running, and a stench of desperation leaking out onto everything they pass as they make way towards whatever overpriced, theoretically technologically advanced Disney product they can find.
Corporate Magic takeover HOUSE OF MOUSE
UNC hosts 14th annual AKD competition
BECOMES See page 5.
HOUSE OF MICE?
See page 6.
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an energy efficient model. The renovated plant will increase the University’s electrical and steam system efficiency by about 35 percent, and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 8 percent, according to the University. These changes will move N.C. State toward its goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
Playboy is an old school brand, started by the mogul of womanizing himself, Hugh Hefner. There's no arguing that Hefner is getting up there in age, and it's hardly a secret that the magazine has suffered financially since the rise of illegal downloading. Enter Disney to save the day. The Mouse is the ideal candidate to re-vamp Playboy's image, with the help of his favorite ladies of course. Gone are the days of plastic and silicone dominating the cover of the magazine; instead the most wholesomely adorable princesses available will be on call for photo shoots. Cinderella is surprisingly capable of losing a lot more than just her shoe. The Playboy Mansion
would undoubtedly become the adult version of Disney World. Sign autographs with the princesses whilst the don traditional bunny garb! Relax in the hot tub with influential business moguls Tigger and Goofy and a cigar! Ride the adult version of a roller coaster on one of the well loved beds in Hugh's room! The possibilities of simultaneously enjoying adult and childhood pastimes are endless. The only downside to this takeover is the fact that the King of Pop will be missing out on the transition.
Wolfpack take on Penn State See page 8.
r i a F d a r G
NC State Bookstores NOVEMBER 13 - 15 TUES 10-4 | WED 10-6 | THUR 10-4 THE FIFTH:
named for the number of corporations the mouse is soon to absorb.
go.ncsu.edu/grad-fair
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