TECHNICIAN
thursday february
7
2013
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
Students more likely to suffer from sleep disorders Alexandra Kenney Staff Writer
Sydney Schieffer, a junior in animal science, can’t get a full night’s rest for weeks at a time. “It takes me a while to get to bed each night,” Schieffer said. “When I do, it is often restless, and I will wake up several times throughout the night.”
Plan B dispensers appear on campuses nation wide Avery Hocutt Correspondent
Plan B, an emergency contraception known as the “day after pill,” is available in many college pharmacies across the country. Several universities are taking Plan B a step further by installing the drug in vending machines around campuses. These dispensers are not available at N.C. State, and Student Health Services was unable to comment by this publication date. With these dispensers, women with either failed birth control or who are victims of rape can quickly and anonymously access emergency contraception. For women who are uncomfortable buying Plan B, embarrassing interactions with clerks or pharmacists would be completely eliminated. Many physicians agree that women should use Plan B in emergencies only, and easy access may diminish the risks of use. However, opponents of Plan B vending machines object that they encourage promiscuity and unsafe sex. Currently, Plan B is available over-the-counter to anyone over the age of 17. The drug delays ovulation or interferes with the fertilization of an egg by thickening the cervical mucus plug hampering sperms’ ability to travel. The drug has no effect on fetuses or eggs that have already been fertilized. The most recent college to implement Plan B vending machines is Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. According to a Shippensburg Health official, the machines have been very successful. The machines dispense healthrelated items exclusively and are available only in the Health Center. Plan B users front the cost of the medicine: no state tax dollars or student fees subsidize the price. “[Our] university is not encouraging anyone to be sexually active…[it] is providing students with a medication that they can obtain legally elsewhere as part of their ability to make their own choices,” stated Roger L. Serr, vice president for Shippensburg Student Affairs. Adopting the machines at NCSU may spark controversy, while some students expressed concern that the machines would promote unsafe sex. Technician interviewed three students who wish to remain anonymous in this story. “I think it’s way more important to emphasize preventative things like condoms. To me, it
PLAN B continued page 3
Sleeping problems are among the most prevalent health issues college students face, according to Ronni Margolin, a clinical psychologist at the N.C. State Counseling Center. Many students come in each week with complaints of sleeping problems, Margolin said. Almost half of young adults have trouble sleeping and report feeling groggy after restless nights, accord-
ing to Student Health officials. On Tuesday evening at the N.C. State Recreation Center, Student Health officials offered advice to a group of students struggling to get enough rest. Student Health called the seminar Insomnia, Put it to Rest! Many people have trouble sleeping, but not everyone has insomnia, a Student Health official explained.
Insomnia is the inability to sleep or sleep well, according to Student Health. Someone with insomnia may wake up at times throughout the night, wake up before their alarm or toss and turn in their bed the entire night. At the insomnia discussion, speakers highlighted three types of insomnia: transient, intermittent, and chronic. Transient insomnia
lasts from a day to a couple weeks. Intermittent is sporadic insomnia that occurs from time to time. Chronic insomnia is the worst case, in which a person has difficulty sleeping most nights for more than a month. Regardless, Student Health Center officials offer these tips to help your
INSOMNIA continued page 3
Amateur rapping ain’t just for the amateurs Sean Langston Jr. Correspondent
Every Monday night, the N.C. State Cypher attracts local rap music enthusiasts, including Grammy award-winning producer, 9th Wonder. The term cypher is commonly used in the rap world and describes a group of people who take turns freestyling, or rapping unprepared verses. While contributions at State’s Cypher include spoken word poetry and singing, the poster child of the Cypher is the freestyle competition. The Cypher, which takes place outside the Free Expression Tunnel, is an area where attendees feel comfortable sharing their musical talent in a non-judgmental environment. The voices and taunts at the Cypher might mimic the ring at a pay-per-view boxing match, but you may be surprised to find no traces of violence. Richard Sosa, a junior in chemical engineering, goes by the rap alias, “Da Wiz,” and views the Cypher as a constructive experience. “We just come out here and let it all go,” Sosa said. “You’re free to be creative and express what’s on your mind with these guys, no holdsbarred.” You will see a very diverse group of people when scanning the audience at the Cypher. Toby Obi-Gwacham, junior in psychology, says the
KATHERINE HOKE/TECHNICIAN
Davi Jones freestyles at the Monday Night Cypher by the Free Expression Tunnel just before midnight on Feb. 4. The weekly Cypher is a place where anyone can go to freestyle every Monday at 11:30 p.m.
Cypher is a melting pot of musical culture and describes the audience as unpredictable. “You see students of all kinds of races, sexes, and cultures,” ObiGwacham said. “It’s nothing to see girls watching or even rapping in the Cypher. I remember one night I came out and saw 9th Wonder, so you never know what to expect.” Students say Patrick Douthit, 9th Wonder, has made several appearances at the Cypher for entertain-
ment and to scout fresh talent in the Raleigh-Durham area. Douthit is from Durham and has worked with Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z, Drake, Chris Brown, Destiny’s Child, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Mac Miller and Ludacris among others. Although the Cypher is not officially recognized by the University as a club or organization, it has become a popular event despite the late-night starting time of 11 p.m. According to Obi-Gwacham, usu-
Campus pride finds an artistic outlet at the Crafts Center
ally there is no prior preparation. He describes freestyling as an unrestricted flow of words that a rapper says as he or she thinks of them. This leap of faith to say what is on one’s mind appears to provide the thrill that most participants enjoy the most. With participants whose next words are unpredictable, viewers stay on edge, waiting patiently to hear what creative twists and
CYPHER continued page 3
insidetechnician
‘Bullet to the Head’: no shock, all thrill See page 5.
Doeren gives Doeren gives Wolfpack welcome to new recruits See page 8.
CAIDE WOOTEN/TECHNICIAN
The hand-crafted pieces of the “Who Let the Wolves Out!” exhibit are all designed to “wrap up our celebration of N.C. State University’s 125th anniversary year with this visual display of Wolfpack pride,” according to the Craft Center’s website.
Young Lee Associate Features Editor�
While many people across the United States can see the pride that N.C. State students have in their school by turning on their television and seeing thousands of those students jumping and cheering for
their basketball team, that image may not fully capture the diversity of experiences that each of those students have. That’s why last semester the Crafts Center sought to give every member of the Wolfpack a chance to show their pride through artistic expression. And earlier this month, in celebration of the University’s
125th anniversary, the Crafts Center showcased a few of the art pieces that people came up with. With various arts and crafts on display, including an N.C. State-red rocking chair and a set of soda cans from ‘83, directors at the Crafts Center hope the exhibit, titled
PRIDE continued page 2
Pack and Devils set for rematch See page 8.
viewpoint features classifieds sports
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