TECHNICIAN
thursday april
4
2013
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
Chancellors lobby, educate legislators Mark Herring Editor-in-Chief
Chancellors representing campuses of the UNC System — from Elizabeth City State University to Western Carolina University — met with state lawmakers Wednesday to contest proposed budget cuts of $139 to the university system. Chancellor Randy Woodson said the opportunity to appeal to the General Assembly during “Education Day” is a duty for all who value education. “The whole goal of today is to
bring leaders from all campuses together, and we have to walk around the legislature and remind everyone of the importance of higher education and how funding from the state is critical,” Woodson said. UNC System President Tom Ross has swiftly responded to the proposed budget cuts that Gov. Pat McCrory announced two weeks ago, and visited N.C. State Tuesday during a Faculty Senate meeting to talk about changes in the UNC System, from the new, five-year Strategic Slan to the perceived-threat of cuts in education.
During the first session of “Education Day,” Ross instructed attending chancellors to be polite to the 170 lawmakers who will decide the fate of public funding for higher education. “We want to be treated fairly. We want to prove that the university is important to the future of this state, and we believe that investments in this university will pay real dividends for the people of North Carolina,” Ross said. “A piece of our message is to remind legislators of what all we have done to become more efficient.”
After a 15 percent decrease to the UNC System budget — $400 million — in 2011, Ross said the system trimmed its fat and surpassed expectations. In the past five years, UNC schools have produced 17 percent more degrees while cutting costs by 12 percent per degree, which comes out to be 17 percent including inflation, according to UNC System COO Charlie Perusse. That equates to a reduction of $10,000 per degree, while boosting degrees conferred system-wide by 8,000. “It’s important to remind people that you meet with today that we not
only have taken significant cuts already — $400 million two years ago, over $1.2 billion in cuts and reversions in the last five years — we’ve taken those and absorbed them, without compromising the quality of education,” Ross said. Further cuts, however, would undermine the system, said Peaches Gunter Blank, a member of the Board of Governors and former chair of the NCSU Board of Trustees. With the BOG’s Strategic Plan and flexibility vis-à-vis the strug-
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Republican bill could limit student voting
D.H. Hill circulation desk draws mixed feelings Sara Awad Staff Writer
Jake Moser Students love the technology at D.H. Hill Library, but maybe they love it a little too much. High demand for electronics, like iPads, frustrates students because they cannot always check out the devices at the circulation desk when they need them. “As soon as one is checked in, someone is there to check it out,” said circulation desk employee and freshman in agricultural education Katie Teator. Colin Reed, a senior in history, tried to borrow a Google Nexus 7 tablet multiple times before spring break, but was unsuccessful because they were all checked out. “It’s nothing serious,” Reed said. “I just wish they’d have more availability for minor productivity things.” Reed said he wanted the tablet so he could use it in the car to read during a long road trip instead of
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insidetechnician
Deputy News Editor
ALEX CAO/TECHNICIAN
Chancellor Randy Woodson speaks at the formal opening of Hunt Library at Centennial Campus. Joining him on stage are former Gov. James B. Hunt and Vartan Gregorian, president of Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Hunt Library honors namesake at dedication Liz Moomey Staff Writer
‘BioShock’ sequel reaches for the sky See page 4.
30 years later, Cardiac Pack recalls title team See page 10.
viewpoint features classifieds sports
6 7 9 10
Various members of the N.C. State community celebrated the formal opening of Hunt Library Wednesday, April 3. Speakers including Marvin Malecha, dean of the College of Design, Chancellor Randy Woodson, Student Body President Andy Walsh and Vartan Gregorian, president of Carnegie Corporation of New York, spoke about the library and its namesake, former Gov. James B. Hunt. After the dedication, attendees were able to take tours of the library, which Malecha called the “new heart of Centennial Campus.” Gregorian, former president of the New York Public Library, talked about the importance of libraries, even though they have some competition with new technology, like iPads. “One still has to read, ladies and gentlemen,” Gregorian said. “One still has to listen and one still has to see with one’s own eyes. One still has to ponder ideas and discuss them with other people. One still has to think.” Woodson also spoke about the
importance. “How many libraries are actually “For many of us, the first experi- fun?” Walsh asked the audience. ence at a library showed us the world Woodson spoke about Hunt bewas at our fingertips,” Woodson ing a suitable person to dedicate the said. “We could learn just about library to. anything on any topic by picking “Few have done for education up a book from the stacks.” in our state than Governor Hunt,” Walsh focused on the library’s Woodson said. “I cannot think of cutting edge technology. a more fitting match than having “The library is his name on this very much about remarkable educathe future,” Walsh tional resource for said. “Visualizaour state.” tion labs immerse Gregorian disstudents in realcussed the imporlife situations, so tance Hunt had on Chancellor Randy Woodson whether you are Nor t h Ca rolina reconstructing a education. crime scene or you are reliving a “Governor Hunt continued to do moment in history, you are using great things for North Carolinians, the latest and greatest technology.” because he recognized that knowl Woodson said Hunt is breaking edge is the one source to progress, the stereotype that libraries are just enlightenment and public power,” a place to be quiet and check a book Gregorian said. “Education is the out. root to success, the only root.” “This isn’t the library you grew Malecha added that Hunt Library up with,” Woodson said. “There are is the future of libraries. no ‘quiet please’ signs. This library “You will see for yourself the beckons for innovation and collabo- transformative model for the next ration.” generation of scholarship,” Malecha Walsh agrees that this library is said. something special with the addition An importance of the future is of the game room and MicroTiles walls that displayed the ACC basketball games. HUNT continued page 3
“This isn’t the library you grew up with.”
State Senate Republicans filed a bill Tuesday that could have drastic consequences for young voters and their parents. The bill requires dependents to register for voting at their parents’ home address, otherwise they will forgo their tax exemptions. Specifically the bill says, “If the voter is a dependent of the voter’s parent or legal guardian, is 18 years of age or older and the Bill Cook voter has registered at an address other than that of the parent or legal guardian, the parent or legal guardian will not be allowed to claim the voter as a dependent for state income tax purNeal Hunt poses.” This is mainly a problem for college students, who either have to go home to vote, or force their parents to give up part of their tax return. The legislation only applies to state taxes, therefore out-of-state students won’t be affected. However, the bill could hurt state Democrats, causing them to miss out on a key demographic. In Watauga and Orange counties, where college voters play a big role, entire election results could be altered. Bill Cook (R-Beaufort) is sponsoring the bill, along with Budget Chairman Neal Hunt and three other Republican state senators. House Minority Leader Larry Hall is strongly opposed to the bill, claiming it will raise taxes on middle class families with college-age students. “I refuse to believe the Republican leadership has become so desperate to limit voting for partisan gain that they would be willing to support tax increases to achieve that goal,” Hall said, “It is the definition of arrogance to penalize parents with new taxes just because their children want to exercise their right to vote in the community they live in.” Representatives from the N.C. Board of Elections declined comment.