Jan. 21, 2015

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TECHNICIAN

wednesday january

21 2015

Raleigh, North Carolina

technicianonline.com

IN BRIEF Athletic facilities get upgrades Duke student sexually assaulted at frat party

A female Duke student was allegedly drugged and raped at an off-campus Alpha Delta Phi fraternity party. The case is being investigated as second-degree rape. Search warrants were issued for the fraternity house, and police seized computers, videos, pictures, cups, a mattress, a condom, liquid samples and swab samples. The fraternity has since been placed on suspension. The victim claimed she had one alcoholic drink and woke up the next morning with clothes she did not recognize. She then went to the Duke Medical Center emergency room for a rape kit.

SOURCE: News & Observer

The Ritz, Raleigh nightspot, reopening postponed again

The Ritz, a club in downtown Raleigh, was scheduled to reopen today with a show by the Marshal Tucker Band but is postponed until Jan. 31 due to construction delays.

Both tonight’s show and Friday’s show of Latino band Los Huracanes del Norte are canceled, but refunds are available. Live Nation bought the venue last fall and gave it a seven-figure makeover.

The Jan. 31 opening night will host world/reggae band Rebelution.

SOURCE: News & Observer

Cameron Village apartments sell for $65 million

401 Oberlin, a 244-unit apartment complex, was sold for $65 million to TriBridge Residential. The price of each unit is $266,393, about $6,000 shy of the record that Crescent Cameron Village complex set for most expensive apartments in the city. 401 Oberlin includes 9,000 square feet of retail.

This is the fourth Triangle apartment complex to reach more than $200,000 per unit over the last month. As of last fall, 401 Oberlin leased more than 100 units.

SOURCE: News & Observer

Research shows kids eat more fruits and veggies after recess Researchers at Cornell and Brigham Young University conducted research on elementary school kids to see if there was a relationship between when recess was and how many fruits and vegetables were thrown away.

Their research revealed that students who ate lunch after recess consumed 54 percent more fruits and vegetables than those who ate lunch before recess. Food waste is an issue in schools, with up to 35 percent thrown away, according to their research.

SOURCE: NPR

IFC to host LSAT Seminar

The Interfraternity Council will host a TestMasters LSAT Seminar on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. The seminar willl be taught by an experienced instructor who scored in the 98th percentile of the LSAT. Students will also discuss the LSAT questions and testtaking strategies, while also considering the role the exam plays in law school admissions.

Source: The Howl

Inez Nicholson Assistant News Editor

NC State athletics will undergo major changes this spring with renovations to Reynolds Coliseum and construction of an indoor training facility located near Carter Finley Stadium.

“From the standpoint of student athletes, we want them to have a place to be proud to train in,” said Mike Lipitz, senior associate athlet-

ics director. “To be successful in the ACC and nationally, we want our teams to have first class facilities.”

Reynolds Coliseum has not been under major renovation in almost 65 years, since its construction in 1949, according to Lipitz.

“The entire facility will go into complete overhaul in everything from basic amenities like air conditioning and handrails to more modern ones like a new centerhome video board and LED scor-

ing,” Lipitz said.

Also on the agenda for Reynolds includes an entire resizing of the arena. Currently, there are 8,300 seats but will be reduced to 5,500 seats to make room for a NC State Walk of Fame and History that will recognize athletics’ history and tradition.

“This will be a place to tell the story of the Wolfpack,” Lipitz said.

“It will introduce the rich history of the red and white.”

Current and heritage varsity sports, memorable student athletes, coaches and special contributors will all be recognized there, according to Lipitz.

“Part of what this renovation is to do is celebrate past accomplishments,” Lipitz said. “Every sport will be recognized and represented.”

Other additions will include upgraded restrooms, widened concourses and aisles, more points of selling merchandise and a new

RENOVATE continued page 3

Obama bold in SOTU Staff Report

For the first time in six years, President Barack Obama addressed a joint session of a Republican-controlled Congress during his State of the Union address Tuesday night.

During his address, Obama touted the success of an improving economy and plans to increase taxes on the wealthiest Americans and major financial institutions.

“We have risen from recession freer to write our own future than any other nation on Earth,” Obama said in an address seen by an estimated 30 million people.

“Will we accept an economy where only a few of us do spectacularly well? Or will we commit ourselves to an economy that generates rising incomes and chances for everyone who makes the effort?”

In his address, Obama once again called on Congress to make community college free for most students, as well as extend tax credits for education and child care.

The community college proposal would cost American taxpayers $60 billion during the next decade.

Obama also highlighted places where he and the Republican-controlled Congress can compromise to strike deals, including closing loopholes on business taxes, making deals on trade and a major effort to repair the United States’ infrastructure and modernize transportation.

Obama also did not shy away from the possibility of using his veto power, especially in regards to any attempt to roll back parts of the Affordable Care Act and legislation that attempted to speed up construction of natural gas pipelines.

With no more elections lef t to run, Obama reiterated his will to push forward proposals regarding climate change, immigration and once again urged Congress to lift the 54-year trade embargo on Cuba in an effort to normalize relations between the two nations.

Obama argued that the United States’ policy had been ineffective and it was time for a new strategy.

Freshman Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa delivered the Republican response.

FILE / TECHNICIAN

Akram Khater, professor of history and director of the Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies, hosted the screening of the autobiographical film “Mirath” Tuesday night,

Witherspoon exclusively screens Lebanese film Dierdre An Staff Writer

Lebanese filmmaker Philippe Aractanji hosted a screening of his autobiographical film, “Mirath” (or Heritage), in Witherspoon Student Center Tuesday night.

The film was only shown in two other cities in the United States: San Francisco and New York City. Aractanji is currently working on distributing the movie in France in April.

The event was hosted by the Moise A. Khayrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies and was specifically part of the center’s mission to research and bring information about Lebanese culture to share with the scholarly and general public.

“So this event that we had tonight was specifically part of our mission to bring this kind of information to the general public and the United States,” said Akram Khater, the center’s director and a professor of history. “We arranged for him to come here, because we thought it was an important film for the North Carolina State to see.”

Aractanji said he first thought about the idea of making the film in 2006 when the war between Lebanon and Israel started.

“We had recently left Lebanon to live in France, and my daughter asked why we were leaving and I realized a verbal explanation was not enough,” Aractanji said.

The autobiographical film took four and a half years to finish, according to Aractanji. He received little support from the government, due to the fact

FILM continued page 2

Former Pack pitcher murdered Staff Report

A former NC State baseball player was allegedly murdered Thursday night at his Ashburn, Virginia home, authorities say.

Corey Mattison, 37, was reportedly shot to death by his wife’s ex-husband, Minh Nguyen, after the 38-year-old broke into Mattison’s home and opened fire.

Mattison married Nguyen’s ex-wife, Denise Mattison, three months earlier. Denise and two of her children were reportedly inside the house when the shooting occurred, but none were harmed.

It was assumed that Corey Mattison may have been leading Nguyen away from the rest of his family when the shooting took place.

Nguyen, founder of the so-

cial network startup Plaxo, was charged with first-degree murder and is awaiting trial without bond, according to reports.

Mattison pitched for the NC State baseball team for four seasons from 1998-2001. After his tenure with the Wolfpack, Mattison went on to compete in the minor leagues for the New Jersey Cardinals.

insidetechnician OPINION

FEATURES

SPORTS

Bigotry against bigots is not okay Balancing trees and tours

Cavs remain atop ACC ranking

See page 4.

See page 8.

See page 6.

News

PAGE 2 •WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2015

CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS

TECHNICIAN

THROUGH CHRIS’ LENS

POLICE BLOTTER

Send all clarifications and corrections to Editor-in-Chief Ravi K. Chittilla at technicianeditor@ncsu.edu

January 19 10:46 AM | Traffic Accident Lampe Drive Student and staff member were involved in traffic accident.

WEATHER WISE

2:27 AM | Alcohol Violation Harris Lot Two students were referred for alcohol underage.

Today:

Sunny

5:43 AM | Medical Assist Alcohol Wolf Village Units responded to student in need of medical assistance.

Student was not transported.

Referral issued for alcohol underage and possession of drug paraphernalia.

59/34

11:29 PM | Medical Assist Wolf Village Units responded to student in need of medical assistance.

Transport refused. Student was issued welfare referral and concerned behavior investigation was initiated.

Thursday:

56 36

Bagpipe Boy

BY CHRIS RUPERT

Mostly Sunny

Friday:

46 39 Showers

Saturday:

Showers

46 34

M

acon Boyce, a junior studying biological and agricultural engineering practices the highland bagpipe off Pullen Road Tuesday. “My dad used to take me to the Highland Games when I was a kid,” Boyce said. “I heard bagpipes at campus crawl back in 2012 and met the NC State Pipe Band. They told me about a bagpipe class and I signed up. I’ve taken it every semester since. It’s definitely something I’ll want to continue with after college. It’s something to do on the side and it’s easy to make some extra money if you play at weddings.”

CAMPUS CALENDAR

CREDIT TO AUDIT WITH TUITION ADJUSTMENT

5:30 P.M. - 7:30 P.M. D.H. HILL

Today CRAFTS CENTER CLASSES TIME TO REGISTER!

Thursday, Jan. 22 AMAZING ALUMNI ALEXANDER ISLEY, ‘83 3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. D.H. Hill Library

Friday, Jan. 23 COFFEE & VIZ - HELENA MITASOVA, MARINE, EARTH AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES 9:15 A.M. - 10:30 A.M.

LAST DAY TO ENROLL, DROP OR CHANGE FROM

MAKE, BELIEVE: THE WORK OF ALEXANDER ISLEY

IBC - INSTITUTIONAL BIOSAFETY COMMITTEE

10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. Tuesday, Jan. 27 ARTS NOW! CONCERT SERIES 7:00 P.M. THE HIP-HOP FELLOW - DOCUMENTARY FILM SCREENING 7:00 P.M. HUNT LIBRARY - AUDITORIUM

12:48 PM | Hit & Run Oval West Deck Student reported parked vehicle had been struck and damaged.

3:23 PM | Medical Assist Witherspoon Student Center Units responded and transported student in need of medical assistance.

7:13 PM | Traffic Violation Main Campus Dr Student was cited for speeding.

7:49 PM | Fire Alarm Headhouse Unit 1 Units responded to alarm caused by cooking.

FILM

continued from page 1

that there are very few Lebanese filmmakers, Aractanji said.

During the process, Aractanji had doubts on whether or not he should continue his film.

“I stopped and said who cares about my explanation, but I showed it to the Lebanese and non-Lebanese and they told me, ‘This is not your story, it’s our story, we left the country and we left in exile,’” said Aractanji.

During the question and answer session after the film, Aractanji stressed the importance of sharing past stories and heritage with children. Aractanji researched psychoanalysis while creating the film and concluded it is crucial that we transmit what we have been through to our children lest they carry our emotional baggage.

“This film was used by so many parents to talk about their childhood to their children,” said Aractanji. “Do not make a cut with our past and where we came from. It is important to give our lives and stories to our children.”

The event was also sponsored by the University Scholars program as an event, which attracted a few students who were interested in Middle Eastern culture and studies.

“I’m very interested in Middle Eastern history and culture,” said Shima Idries, a junior studying biological sciences. “It’s always really great to see how major events effect individual lives and you can only get that through narratives and stories and hearing the people who went through it themselves speak on it. Getting the opportunity to see that here and ask some questions is amazing.”

For April Zaetz, a freshman studying international studies, it was a unique opportunity to explore a different culture other than her own.

“I’m taking Arabic here, so I wanted to know more about the facts on a good level that is not superficial,” said Zaetz. “I wasn’t really taught any of this stuff growing up. I also especially liked hearing the mixed comments between the conflict issues and how even people who were from Lebanon have different opinions about it.”

The Kharyrallah Center for Lebanese Diaspora Studies will be hosting more events coming March and April.

“We have curated a museum exhibit about the history of the Lebanese in North Carolina,” Khater said. “We have a major conference about the diaspora that we will be holding on campus at the end of March. In April, we have a huge festival for Dabke, a Lebanese national dance, so we are bringing teams from all over the United States to compete in the first national competition for this dance at the Museum of History in downtown Raleigh.”

News

TECHNICIAN

RENOVATE

continued from page 1

entrance way. One of the biggest goals of the project is to preserve the character of Reynolds, according to Lipitz.

“We’re striking the balance between modern amenities but keeping the historical touches that makes Reynolds what is,” Lipitz said.

Because the lack of air conditioning and other basic amenities prevented Reynolds from hosting various student events, the idea is for the renovated space to be used not only as the home facility for gymnastics, wrestling and women’s basketball, but also as a gathering space for large-scale events such as convocation, graduation, keynote addresses, concerts and shows, according to Lipitz.

NC State athletics hopes it will be a central gathering place at the heart of campus and anticipates lots of foot traffic with both its completion and the completion of Talley Student Union.

Across campus, construction of an indoor training facility for the football and track and field teams is taking place. Currently, when there is inclement weather, the team still trains, but practice is affected.

“It’s painful,” said Jerod Fernan-

dez, a sophomore studying communication and a linebacker on the football team. “If it’s really cold, your mind isn’t going to be in practice. It’s going to be on the weather.”

The indoor training facility will include a full 120-yard football field, training and conditioning spaces, a straight four-lane track running on both sides of the football field and equipment for triple-jump, long jump and high jump, according to gopack.com.

Indoor training facilities have become the norm, both in the ACC and nationally, and this will be one of the best in the country, according to Lipitz.

“This is an upgrade for not only the football department but the university, as well,” Fernandez said. “Most D1 schools already have a facility like this.”

The budget for this project is $14 million, all privately funded by the Wolfpack Club donors.

The budget for the Reynolds Coliseum renovations is $35 million, with $20 million also privately funded by the Wolfpack Club and $15 million funded by the university.

The Reynolds Coliseum renovations will begin after the last women’s basketball game and are expected to end August 2016. The indoor training facility is expected to be completed in the spring of this year.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2015 • PAGE 3

Opinion

PAGE 4 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21,2015

TECHNICIAN

Without reason, UNC president dismissed

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L

ast Friday, the UNC System Board of Governors announced that it voted to remove system President Tom Ross from his position, though he will continue to serve one more year in his term.

Ross has been an ardent supporter of the universities, and when faced with Republican opposition in the Governor’s Mansion and both houses of state legislature, he has been a leader in pitching the worth of public higher education to North Carolina’s governing bodies.

While the Board of Governors has yet to produce a reason for Ross’ dismissal, John Fennebresque, the Board of Governors chairman, offered press conference attendees sev-

The unsigned editorial is the opinion of the membersof Technician’s editorial board and is the responsibility of the editor-in-chief.

eral reasons for which he was not fired, including Ross’ age and performance. Which leads us to ask, why then remove a respected, effective leader from office?

The Board of Governors’ has not put forth a timeline for the future, nor any explanation of what kind of irreconcilable differences must have pushed it to this decision. Fennebresque’s statement that the move was “absolutely not” politically motivated was not convincing at all in the absence of a real reason for the re-

}

moval, and it’s hard to imagine what other force would lead to such an unwarranted move In the opinion of this editorial board, this is yet another example of politicians playing puppet master with our universities.

This isn’t surprising, considering the majority of the Board has been appointed by a Republican governor and a Republican legislature.

It would be naive to make claims that politics have never played a role in higher educa-

tion, but such a blatant, unnecessary and illjustified decision deserves to be questioned by UNC-system students and faculty members until valid justification is provided. The board owes the public a real explanation.

And what may lie in the future?

In the 22-minute press conference featuring Fennebresque and Ross, Fennebresque said Ross was let go as part of a time of “transition to a new direction” but failed to articulate anything specific about what that direction was, leaving the rest of us scratching our heads.

For now, we can only lament the warrantless dismissal of an ardent defender of the UNC System.

We must understand need to understand privilege L

et’s talk about privilege.

Or, we can talk about need.

I am already sensing a preference and a greater degree of comfort with the latter.

Last week, I chased down a ball on the edge of the court a bit overzealously Josiah and ran my Keilson knee into the Staff Columnist wall with a lot of force. I probably ought to mention that the court I am referencing is one where I was playing racquetball - a sport most would consider to be played by privileged individuals.

The injury was quite painful, but I decided to wait it out.

My sister, whom I happened to see that day, however, would not let me dismiss it so easily. Under the sympathetic convincing of my sibling, I phoned a nurse hotline, where I was strongly advised to go to urgent care or the emergency room within the next hour.

“You potentially fractured or split your knee cap,” said the nurse, who then warned me of the potentially permanent consequences of not seeking care.

With no urgent care in the area still open and not prepared to bear an emergency room bill, my sister drove me an hour from Raleigh where I was able to receive treatment at an urgent care that stayed open late.

Throughout this whole experience, I could not help but be aware of my privilege. I injured myself playing a privileged sport. I had a family

member that cared about me and was close enough to help.

We had transportation allowing us to drive over an hour away for me to be seen. I realized just how often I take my health and access to healthcare for granted.

Initially, the greater awareness felt satisfying. As I have heard many times, this is the type of awareness for which I ought to strive. As a pragmatist though, I felt a disconnect. Other than a potentially greater ability to sympathize, consciousness of my own privilege did nothing to help anyone else. I began to realize that seemingly nothing changed for anyone except me, and I felt greatly dissatisfied with that. Wasn’t this small stroke of insight on the large canvas of my privilege supposed to allow me gains in becoming a better human being, more equipped as an agent for social justice? The experience failed to create any epiphany that changed my political standpoint or understanding of the laws of economics.

So why is there a disconnect, and why would you prefer to talk about need instead privilege? Perhaps it is because understanding your privilege fails to naturally create a clear call to action. In this way, conversations concerning privilege are far too often immobilizing in nature.

The problem exists in the fact that mindfulness of your own privilege is often implicitly equated to a better understanding of another person or community’s needs. This is quite a dangerous assumption.

While awareness of your own privilege remains important and applaudable, it alone will

{

IN YOUR WORDS

not make you more proficient in understanding someone else’s needs. Assuming otherwise is a bit egocentric and leads down a troublesome, and at times, almost laughable road.

This is the same reasoning that leads people like Jason Sadler, a man who started a campaign in 2010 to send a million used t-shirts to Africa, to begin social initiatives that waste precious resources and fail to properly support people’s genuine needs. Sadler, who admittedly had never visited the continent of Africa or worked in an aid or development sphere, felt a benevolent desire to help those less privileged than himself. Unfortunately, his cognizance of his own advantages did not equate to any true or developed comprehension of the needs faced by the many individuals he wished to support.

Clearly, confusion of privilege and need can have costly effects. Of course, it is easier to understand your own privilege than the intricacies of another human being’s situation and needs, which is perhaps why there exists a tendency to encourage that as the starting point for privileged individuals. Granted, introspection is difficult. Often though, it is easier than the listening and sustained effort required to begin understanding a need, and in turn, act in response to it.

Understanding your privilege is a natural byproduct of understanding someone else’s needs, not the other way around.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, my knee is healing quite well. Privileged indeed.

}

Do you see yourself using one of N.C. State’s or Raleigh’s bike sharing programs?

BY CHRIS RUPERT

“Yeah, I could see myself using that. I don’t have a bike on campus but I could see where it would be useful.”

Anna Davis, sophomore, fashion and textile management

“Yes, I think with the warmer weather coming up it could be used to explore. It’s a different way of getting around and I don’t normally do that.”

Caroline Dedecker, sophomore, elementary education

“Yeah, because it’s a lot more convenient to rent a bike rather than own a bike. When it comes to long term storage you can just return the bike instead of having to worry about storage.”

Erin Holloway, senior studying anthropology and English

Bigotry against bigots is not okay P

art of keeping up with an increasingly socially aware society means constantly checking ourselves. Lest we wreck ours e l ve s , we must ensure our actions a nd words correspond w it h our purported Nicky Vaught beliefs.

A s a nyOpinion Editor one whose beliefs align with such ideologies as anti-racism, any strain of feminism or the other varied forms of social justice can attest, this is not always easy.

It’s not uncommon for progressive whites to identify as allies for any given social cause and call it a day without taking into account how their actions might contradict the very causes they claim to support.

For instance, having gay friends doesn’t give anyone free reign to out a closeted bisexual person. And no, having non-white friends does not permit us to use racial slurs.

Sometimes, we (especially those of us in privileged social locations) don’t quite realize how our everyday behaviors fit into a larger scheme of inequality. One handy reference to better understand this, however, is Peggy McIntosh’s “White privilege: Unpacking the invisible knapsack.”

For some reason, many of us seem to feel as though identifying as a feminist or

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people who support reproductive rights harassing pro-lifers by calling their personal phones and visiting them at home. Such was the case with Voice for Choice, who posted a retaliatory “bully list” of known pro-life advocates.

Though they have since removed the list, this action cannot be excused simply because Voice for Choice’s intentions seemed to work against their oppressors.

Fig ht i ng t h reat s w it h t hreats does not hing to promote anyone’s cause.

It’s only working counterproductively to give the opposition a reason not to respect that cause.

It takes a lot of work to better oneself, especially when it comes to the self in relation to society. Slurs and oppressive attitudes have been ingrained into us, especially those of us in privileged social locations, from a young age.

It is not enough to redirect these slurs and attitudes to embarrass oppressors. We must learn to cease acting on them entirely.

If we can’t learn to do that, we risk being hypocrites in the eyes of the bigoted and demonstrating that oppressive behaviors are just fine argumentative tools to use against whomever we dislike.

S lu r s a nd oppre s s i ve behaviors are not secret weapons to be used to fight fire with fire, and we must ref lect that with our own behavior.

Alex Olosu, sophomore, textile technology

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as pro-human rights is more important than enacting those beliefs. My identifying as pro-feminism doesn’t make my calling an inattentive waitress the c-word any less sexist.

As a general rule, it’s best to avoid any action or attitude that, to be socially acceptable, would warrant having to say, “It’s okay; I’m actually a feminist.” In other words, ironic bigotry — at this point in history — is still bigotry.

When I say “ironic,” it might be important to specify that I mean situational rather than verbal.

The same goes for those who ma ke f un of ot her bigots or otherwise problematic people by accusing them of being part of an oppressed group.

Rick Santorum, homophobic 2012 presidential candidate, surprised many after a photo of his phone displayed Grindr, a wellknown gay dating site, as one of his apps. Despite his claims that he thought the app was meant for coffee, people still made fun of him for being allegedly gay (or bisexual).

Therein lies the problem: People made fun of him for being gay. The ironic context of his homophobia is, at that point, irrelevant. By mocking Santorum for hiding his sexuality, we sent the message that it is not okay to be anything but straight, especially to Republicans.

Another version of this might manifest itself with

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Technician (USPS 455-050) is the official student newspaper of N.C. State University and is published every Monday through Friday throughout the academic year from August through May except during holidays and examination periods. Opinions expressed in the columns, cartoons, photo illustrations and letters that appear on Technician’s pages are the views of the individual writers and cartoonists. As a public forum for student expression, the students determine the content of the publication without prior review. To receive permission for reproduction, please write the editor. Subscription cost is $100 per year. A single copy is free to all students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus. Additional copies are $0.25 each. Printed by The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C., Copyright 2011 by North Carolina State Student Media. All rights reserved.

Features

TECHNICIAN

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2015 • PAGE 5

Traveling across the country... on two wheels Sam Roberson Staff Writer

While many students are searching cities for their internships this summer, Erik Vosburgh is checking out the bike lanes.

Vosburgh is planning a cross country cycling trip spanning cities throughout the United States, to film a documentary on the urbanization of American cities.

Over the course of 90 days, Vosburgh, a junior study ing env ironmenta l engineering, will capture cities and interviews on the road, while carrying all of the equipment for survival and film on his bike.

“I saw the potential to combine two things I enjoy,

film and cycling,” Vosburgh said.

The f ilm, “Shif ting Gears,” will portray how the structure and means of transportation in a city affect the culture and daily lives of its inhabita nts.

Vosburgh said he hopes to highlight the social differences between traveling in cars, bicycles and public transportation.

“How does being alone in a car during rush hour compare to being on a bus?”

Vosburgh asked. “Maybe there’s a difference there.”

Inspired partially by his travels abroad in Europe, Vosburgh noticed in Sweden, a well-supported and efficient public transportation, brought those from

all backgrounds to the bus stops for their commute to work.

“At the end of a day, everyone shares a routine,” Vosburgh said. “Having some common denominator can be a great equalizer.”

Vosburgh is not alone in his desire to spend a summer biking across the country, though. Bike & Build is a non-profit organization bringing toget her 18-25 year old volunteers to build affordable housing while biking coast to coast. The majority of volunteers are college students, one being NC State student Gregory Powell, a senior studying biological engineering.

“I realized I had a free summer, so I applied to

lead a route,” Powell said.

“I like traveling, cycling and meeting people, and Bike & Build was a perfect combination of adventure and service.”

Powel l bi ked coast to coast last summer after he had been cycling for a few years. What seems like the feat of an endurance superstar is actually more popular than most may think.

According to its website, Bike & Build reports that si nce 20 02 , over 2 ,0 0 0 young adults have been involved in a ride.

“It’s more mental than physical,” Powell said. “If you have the mental fortitude to keep pushing your legs on a hard day, you’ll be surprised what you are

capable of.”

With the advent of online crowd funding, it is easier than ever to raise money and awareness to support an endeavor like a crosscountry cycling trip.

“A lot of people are impressed a nd sur prised,” Powell said. “I was surprised by the generosity of people and willingness to give money.”

Wit h t he ex posure on the internet, a trip can be funded by the inspiration of family, friends and, if one is lucky, a viral audience. Updates can be posted along the journey, giving donors the reward of living the trip vicariously through blogs and Twitter.

On his k ickstar ter for

“Shifting Gears,” Vosburgh has met more than $1000 of his $3000 goal for the trip to cover food and sleeping arrangements.

Vosburgh has decided not to join a group trip so he could fully focus on filming the documentary. So far he has biked two long trips from Raleigh: one to Charlotte and the other to Wilmington, but his trip this summer will be his longest by far.

Vosburgh plans to stop and capture the individual ways that people use transpor t at ion i n Na shv i l le, Chicago, North Da kota, Missouri and Portland. You can support and follow the project “Shifting Gears” on Kickstarter.

PAGE 6 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2015

Features

TECHNICIAN

Balancing trees and tours A GRADUATE STUDENT’S RELATIONSHIP WITH A GRAMMY-NOMINATED MUSICIAN Kevin Schaefer Associate Features Editor

When most people snag a coveted i nv itat ion to the Grammy Awards their biggest question is “What will I wear? ” But for Emily Meineke, a doctorate student in the entomology department at NC State, the bigger question was “Can I even go?”

U ltimately her answer was no: Her work and research studying trees and pesticides just couldn’t be put on hold. Fortunately, her then-boy friend, now fiancé Joe Kwon, the cellist for popular Americana folk band The Avett Brothers which has performed at the awards show, absolutely understood.

“W hen I f i rst sta r ted graduate school, I missed the Grammys because of work,” Meineke said. “It’s kind of a bummer, but it’s also worth it because I love the work that I do and I think that it’s important.”

That important work includes doing research on plants and working on ways to reduce pesticide use, with a particular focus on street trees.

“I study how warming in the city affects the health of the trees, their growth, their pests, that kind of stuff,” she said.

Steve Frank, an assistant professor in the entomology department and Meineke’s

advisor, said his work as an ornamental entomologist coincides with her research.

“Most of our work is along the lines of what Emily does with street trees, where we’re looking at the effects of urbanization on tree pests and tree health,” Frank said. “If we can understand why t here’s so many pests on urban trees, then hopefully we can fix the cause of the pest outbreaks rather than trying to fix the pests with defectives.”

In addition to her work at NC State, Meineke also helps with programs at a major research center in downtown Raleigh and at t he Museum of Natura l Science from time to time.

Meineke said that though her work and busy schedule has prevented her from attending countless concerts Kwon has performed in, the couple likes to make the most of their time together and focuses their relationship on things besides their respective careers; in fact her more pop-centric tastes in music don’t really mirror Kwon’s own musical taste. “[Our time together] revolves more around food,” she said. “He knows a lot of French techniques that he’s taught me over the years.

And I make a lot of recipes that my grandmother made when I was a kid, and I also make a lot of recipes that I get off the internet. Joe’s

TYLER ANDREWS /TECHNICIAN

Emily Meineke, Ph.D. student studying entomology, is currently researching how insects respond to urban heat. Meineke is engaged to Joe Kwon, the cellist for Avett Brothers.

repertoire is a lot more diversified than mine is.”

Meineke said their shared interest in food and cooking makes it a great way to entertain house guests, which the couple hope to do a lot more of very soon.

Last weekend the couple moved into a new home in downtown Raleigh, after enduring a “shoe boxsized ” apartment in the time between selling their last house and building the new one.

“It really hurt our souls for a while ‘cause we really wanted to have people over but every time we did it, it was such a crunch to get everyone inside. That’s why Joe was so excited in the [Indy Week] article about getting our new house,” she said.

That article, which ran in December, solidified Kwon and Meineke’s status as a hosting power couple.

“I want to cook some eggs and some really banging

fried rice. Indian food and French food. I just want to get in there and cook and feed my friends,” Kwon told the newspaper.

“It’s our favorite thing to do,” Meineke said. “I’m more introverted than Joe is, so I never saw myself as someone who wanted to host large crowds of people, but I love it now. In general we would much rather be with other people than be alone.”

Building a life and a home

together that centers around hosting, food and bringing people together is fitting for the pair who met at Chapel Hill institution Spanky’s when Meineke – who graduated from the University of North Carolina is a BS in environmental science in 2008 – was working as a hostess while Kwon was tending bar at the restaurant. The two started dating right around the time he joined the band, according to Meineke.

Sports

TECHNICIAN MEN’S BASKETBALL

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2015 • PAGE 7

State’s chances at a spot in the Big Dance Christian Candeloro Staff Writer

After the NC State basketball team lost to Cincinnati at home to close out non-conference play, Wolfpack Nation had few optimistic feelings about the start of the ACC schedule.

The Wolfpack was sitting at 10-4 and had looked shockingly bad in its losses to West Virginia and Cincinnati. State had a brutal gauntlet against No. 3 Virginia, No. 2 Duke and No. 15 North Carolina to look forward to at the beginning of the team’s ACC slate. A trip to the Big Dance was the last thing on anyone’s mind.

Just three weeks later, the Pack is poised for a fourth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance with an improved seeding from last year’s First Four draw. State is now 13-6, with a 4-2 record in the ACC, including a huge win over Duke. The Wolfpack is currently projected to be a 10-seed in the East Region with a date against the seventh-seeded Georgetown Hoyas, according to Joe Lunardi of ESPN, and Jerry Palm of CBS Sports lists the Wolfpack as an 11-seed facing Oklahoma State.

State is ranked as a “First Four Bye”, meaning they are just above the final four teams included in the Tournament.

When selecting teams for the Tournament, the NCAA Selection

Committee looks at several factors when deciding which team makes it through and which have their bubbles popped. These factors include RPI, quality wins, strength of schedule and bad losses. A team’s RPI, or Rating Percentage Index, is a device used by the NCAA to establish seedings for the Tournament. RPI gives credit to teams that schedule tough teams and then beat them, with bonus points for road wins.

Currently, State sits 36th in RPI, one spot in front of Michigan State.

A team can generally feel safe sitting anywhere north of 40th in the rankings. The Pack’s win over Duke on Jan. 11 propelled the team into the top 40 and out of the danger zone.

NC State dodged an RPI disaster by holding steady to beat Florida State (163rd) in Tallahassee Saturday.

State can boast good wins over Duke, Louisiana Tech, Tennessee and Boise State, all of which are regarded highly by the NCAA. The team’s losses to Virginia, UNC-Chapel Hill, West Virginia, Cincinnati and yes, even Wofford, will not hurt the Wolfpack on Selection Sunday, as all these teams are projected to be Tournament-bound. A road loss to Purdue may turn out to be the loan blemish on the Wolfpack’s resume if the squad continues to take care of business for the remainder of the season.

Looking forward, State plays a

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JOHN JOYNER/TECHNICIAN

Freshman forward Cody Martin and sophomore forward Kyle Washington run to mid court after the basketball game against No. 2 Duke in PNC Arena Jan. 11. The Wolfpack defeated the Blue Devils, 87-75.

huge game this week against Miami, a team which is firmly on the bubble. Winning could allow the Hurricanes to vault the Pack on the bubble, while a win in Coral Gables would be huge for the State.

State has three potential RPI boosters left on its schedule, with the team welcoming No. 2 Virginia to PNC Arena before traveling to

No. 10 Louisville and No. 15 UNCCH. Knocking the Cavaliers from the ranks of the unbeaten could be the easiest way for State to breathe easy on Selection Sunday. The Wolfpack must avoid bad losses against Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech to close the season, and the team’s RPI should remain intact.

The Pack will also have the op-

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Sports

COUNTDOWN

• One day until women’s basketball travels to UNCChapel Hill

PAGE 8 • WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2015

INSIDE

• Page 5: Traveling across the country... on two wheels

TECHNICIAN

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Cavs remain atop ACC rankings Zack Tanner

Perry named ACC field performer of the week On Tuesday, the ACC office announced that junior Alexis Perry was named the ACC Women’s Indoor Performer of the week. Over the weekend, Perry set career best marks in both the long jump and the 60-meter hurdles at the Virginia Tech Invitational. She recorded a 20’10’’ mark in the long jump to win the event and tie for the second-best mark in the NCAA on the 2014-2015 season. Perry also won the 60m hurdles with a time of 8.24. She ranks No. 5 in the nation in that category.

Additionally, Perry has won the past five events that she has competed in.

SOURCE: GOPACK.COM

Softball receives votes in preseason poll The NC State softball team received 14 votes in the NFCA Preseason Top-25 poll on Tuesday, landing the squad just five spots away from breaking into the rankings. Only two ACC teams were featured in the top 25 — No. 5 Florida State and No. 23 Notre Dame — unofficially naming the Wolfpack as the third-best ACC club heading into the 2015 season. State finished the 2014 season with a record of 36-18, including a 22-3 clip at home.

SOURCE: GOPACK.COM

Pack reels in third recruit in one week The NC State football team landed its third addition to the 2015 recruiting class when wide receiver Freddie Simmons committed Tuesday afternoon. Simmons is a consensus three-star player who was previously committed to Rutgers. Simmons’ 6-foot-3, 175-pound frame will add desperately needed height to the Wolfpack’s receiving corps, a group that has been decimated by the losses of Bo Hines and Marquez ValdesScantling. Simmons joins quarterback Jakobi Meyers and wide receiver Vernon Grier, who also committed this week, as NC State’s 20th commitment in the class of 2015.

SOURCE: BACKING THE PACK, 24/7 SPORTS

QUOTE OF THE DAY “It doesn’t matter who you are playing in this league, wins are hard to get.”

Mark Gottfried, men’s basketball head coach

ATHLETIC SCHEDULE Thursday WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS UNC CHAPEL HILL Reynolds Coliseum, 7 p.m.

MEN’S BASKETBALL VS MIAMI Miami, F.L., 8 p.m.

Friday TRACK AT BOB POLLOCK INVITATIONAL Clemson, S.C., All day.

MEN’S TENNIS VS MISSISSIPPI STATE Berkeley, C.A., 6 p.m.

SWIMMING & DIVING VS MINNESOTA Raleigh, N.C., 5 p.m.

Saturday WRESTLING VS KENT STATE Reynolds Coliseum, 3 p.m.

Senior Staff Writer

No. 2 Virginia (17-0 overall, 5-0 ACC) - As one of just two undefeated teams left in the nation, the Cavaliers holds down the top spot in the conference. The Cavs smoked bottom-feeders Georgia Tech and Boston College last weekend and will get two more cupcakes before taking on three of the ACC’s best in three straight games -- Duke, UNC and Louisville.

No. 5 Duke (16-2, 4-2) - After a beat down in Miami, the Blue Devils were in danger of taking a dive in these rankings. However, a convincing win over No. 6 Louisville showed that Duke is still a top contender in the ACC and the nation.

No. 8 Notre Dame (17-2, 5-1) Don’t sleep on the Irish. Almost silently, the ACC newcomer Notre Dame has become one of the elite programs in the conference, with its only loss coming from Virginia.

However, close calls with Georgia Tech and Miami keep the Irish out of the top two.

No. 15 UNC-Chapel Hill (14-4, 4-1) - Carolina and Louisville are interchangeable in this list, but because the Heels took a game from the Cardinals earlier in the year, the edge goes to the team in baby blue.

UNC has been outstanding on the boards this season, ranking second in the nation in rebounds per game.

No. 10 Louisville (15-3, 3-2) After getting run out of their own gym by slumping Duke, the Cardinals will need to rebound quickly.

The team will take to the road this week, traveling to Pittsburgh and Boston College before returning home for a rematch with the Tar Heels.

NC State (13-6, 4-2) - At 4-2 in conference, the Wolfpack has to feel good about its position. A solid win over Florida State without starting point guard Anthony ‘Cat’ Barber sent a strong message to the rest of

JOHN JOYNER/TECHNICIAN

Redshirt junior guard Trevor Lacey drives to the basket during the Wolfpack’s game against No. 3 Virginia in Charlottesville Jan. 7. The Cavaliers defeated State, 61-51.

the league. Now, the Pack must face a dangerous Miami team in Coral Gables before heading back to Raleigh to battle No. 8 Notre Dame.

Miami (12-5, 2-2) - The Hurricanes played just like their namesake -- dangerous and unpredictable. The ‘Canes earned a huge win over Duke and played Notre Dame down to the buzzer before eventually dropping the game. Miami will be tested with two games in three days against tough competition — ­ NC State and Syracuse.

Syracuse (13-5, 4-1) - Despite the Orange’s 4-1 record in ACC play, Syracuse has been unimpressive, mostly because the team has yet to face any real competition. With all four conference wins coming against teams ranked 11th or lower, the Orange will finally be tested Saturday against Miami.

Pittsburgh (13-6, 3-3) - The Panthers have played well this season, beating the teams they were supposed to beat. However, the Pitt program has also suffered difficult

conference losses to Clemson and NC State, which may put a damper on the Panthers hopes for an NCAA tournament bid.

Florida State (10-9, 2-4) - Despite tying the game in the final few minutes after trailing by 20, the Seminoles dropped its home match with NC State. However, the ‘Noles rebounded nicely with a win over Clemson, lifting them over the Tigers in the power rankings.

Clemson (10-8, 2-4) - The Tigers earned a solid win over the Orange, just to have the wind taken out of their sails by a loss at home to Florida State. Clemson will be tested this weekend by a Wake Forest team that is hungry after its first ACC win.

Wake Forest (9-9, 1-4) - The Demon Deacons have quite a few losses, but when you take a closer look at their schedule, there is hope for Wake yet. The team’s first conference win over Georgia Tech will give the Deacs a bit of confidence moving forward into Wednesday’s

match with Carolina.

Georgia Tech (9-8, 0-5) - The Yellow Jackets have had a tough time in conference play this season, dropping five ACC straight games, all by seven points or fewer. After traveling to Virginia, Georgia Tech will have a chance at its first ACC win Sunday against Boston College.

Boston College (8-8, 0-4) - If not for an overtime win over Harvard last Wednesday, the Eagles would be looking at a four-game skid, the most recent loss being a blowout in Virginia. Boston College has not shown signs of life but has a chance to snap its conference losing streak this week against Georgia Tech.

Virginia Tech (8-9, 0-4) - The Hokies have been abysmal, remaining the only team in the ACC with a losing record. The team has lost five straight, including four by double-digits. The Hokies’ misery will most likely continue in the upcoming week, as the team hosts Notre Dame and rival Virginia.

COMMENTARY

Is Russell Wilson among the elite?

Let me preface this column by saying congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks on advancing to the Super Bowl for the second straight year. It’s nice to see a team with three State graduates, including quarterback Russell Wilson, succeeding on the Zack Tanner highest level.

With that being Senior Staff said, it is insane Writer to give Wilson credit for his team’s win Sunday.

While Seattle’s overtime drive was orchestrated perfectly by the former State quarterback, we can’t overlook the multitude of miscues by the Packers that led to that final possession.

As time passes, Wilson’s gamewinning touchdown will shine through, while the efforts of Seattle’s defense, running back and special teams will likely fade away.

The fact that Wilson had four interceptions and the lowest QBR of any winning quarterback in a playoff game will be morphed into a testament to the young quarterback’s resilience.

Yes, this was one bad game in Wilson’s otherwise successful season, but that is not my point.

Wilson is one of those rare quarterbacks that garners all of the glory during the high points but isn’t forced to shoulder the blame when things go south. That is why

people are so quick to bring up the word “elite.”

Granted not a lot of things have gone wrong during Wilson’s three years with Seattle. Chalk that up to the system. As much as you don’t like him, Pete Carroll is a winner and the best coach in the NFL, and the Seattle defense can run with anyone. There is a reason that this team is 57-32 since signing Carroll as head coach.

Wilson is a good quarterback, maybe even a great quarterback.

But elite? It’s a stretch.

Elite is not a quarterback that ranks 12th in total QBR during the past two seasons. Elite is not 20 passing touchdowns in a season, including four games without a touchdown in the air. Elite is not ranking 27th in passing offense while banking on the league’s best running game.

Look at two quarterbacks that are unanimously elite: Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. The two were in the top four in total QBR during the regular season and threw 33 or more touchdowns, all while completing over 64 percent of their passes and sporting rushing offenses outside the top 10.

I hesitate to use the term “system quarterback” because Wilson is so much more than that. But the next time that you see Seattle earn a stunning victory, just remember who is working behind the scenes to earn the W while Wilson is lauded as an elite.

There’s no question that Russell Wilson’s sheer will to win in the wake of throwing four interceptions while trailing the Green Bay Packers by two scores with under four minutes remaining in Sunday’s contest will be praised for many years to come. So, I Michael ask the question: McLamb Is Russell WilStaff Writer son an elite NFL quarterback?

Wilson’s passing numbers don’t seem to lend to the elite title. He finished 15th in total passing yards this season. He also finished with a total QBR of 62.4, good enough for 12th best in the NFL. However, despite the average statistics, I believe that Russell Wilson is more than deserving of an elite status for one reason and one reason only — the man is clutch.

Forget about the fact that Wilson threw four interceptions in Sunday’s contest and what you’re left with is the fact that he essentially had to string together three game saving/winning drives to defeat Green Bay. Whether it was Wilson’s 35-yard completion to Marshawn Lynch to make it first-and-goal with Seattle down 19-7, his two-point conversion success that featured an incredible 18-yard off-balanced throw to Luke Wilson or the 35-

yard clincher to Jermaine Kearse, Wilson made the big plays when his team needed it most.

And this is nothing new for Wilson. In his young three-year career, he has amassed 15 game-winning drives along with 10 fourth-quarter comebacks.

Still, the biggest knock will be that Wilson relies on the strength of his defense to win games. I challenge those skeptics to look back on Ben Roethlisberger’s career.

From 2004-2012, the Steelers ranked first in the NFL in fewest yards allowed five times (2004, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012). Sounds like the same formula for success that the Seahawks have concocted right?

Yet when you look at that era for the Steelers, you will see that the Steelers missed the playoffs three times during that span and lost in the AFC Wild Card twice. Granted you do have the two Super Bowl wins in 2005 and 2008, but Russell Wilson is on the verge of accomplishing that feat after just his third season.

My point in all this, even Ben Roethlisberger, a border-line hallof-famer, had outstanding defenses and fell short. Defenses can get you there, but in the end the quarterback makes all the difference.

The Seahawks wouldn’t be where they are without the clutch play of Wilson. That alone justifies Wilson as being an elite NFL quarterback.