TECHNICIAN
vol.
xcvi lxxxiv issue
technicianonline.com
wednesday february
3
2016
Raleigh, North Carolina
IN BRIEF
Philanthropy is ‘deeper than your pockets’
Policy change to employee snow days
Correspondent
Friday, an email was sent out to all NC State employees referencing a policy of the UNC System that requires employees to use paid time off if they don’t come into work on a snow day. Employees who didn’t come into work on Jan. 22, after the university told non-essential employees to stay home, are now being required to use a paid day off to make up for the absence. “If we had notice, I would be more understanding,” an employee of the university who asked not to be named in fear of losing his job, told WRAL. “It was sprung on us … after everybody had made their decisions. We can’t go back and work those hours. We’re stuck.” SOURCE: WRAL
Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow
“A crowd gathered at Gobbler’s Knob early this morning, awaiting the emergence of the groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil. After a tap of a cane on Phil’s tree-trunk cage, his door was opened, and the animal emerged. He was held aloft to cheers and applause. Phil did not respond, other than to blink. Placed on top of the trunk, he attempted to flee before his actions were closely analyzed.” —Bill Chappell, NPR reporter and producer Phil did not see his shadow, so an early spring is in the forecast. SOURCE: NPR
Jeremy Wesonga For the everyday person, the wealthiest are the ones we usually picture as the great philanthropists of our age. However, for writers Valaida Fullwood and Charles Thomas Jr., the gift of giving doesn’t need money to support it because for them, a simple photo in an exhibit can give greater credence and honor than all the wealth in the world. The idea came together eight years ago when Fullwood and Thomas Jr. had the thought of showcasing philanthropy within the African-American community, which had largely been
overlooked and left unnoticed. Their artwork was showcased again Tuesday evening to a crowd of almost 50 in the African American Cultural Center at the Soul of Philanthropy event. The goal of the event was “To honor, celebrate and sustain the rich tradition of giving in the African-American community,” according to Dawn Morgan, the new assistant director of the African American Cultural Center at NC State. Though the two thought the project would take no more than nine months, it wasn’t until four years later that the book was finally
SOUL continued page 3
SG revisits racial climate conversations Lindsay Smith Staff Writer
Gavin Stone Assistant News Editor
Zika outbreak is unlikely in NC
According to NC State entomologist Michael Reiskind, an outbreak of the Zika virus is unlikely in North Carolina and, if a case developed, it would be easy to contain. Mosquitoes that live in North Carolina are capable of transmitting the virus, but it has yet to be found in mosquitoes in the United States. “We might see some transmission of Zika in the United Sates,” Reiskind told The News & Observer, “But it’s more likely in South Florida, Texas and California.” The Zika virus can be transmitted from pregnant women to their babies, causing serious birth defects. The World Health Organization recently declared the virus an international emergency. SOURCE: The News & Observer
GAVIN STONE/TECHNICIAN
Mitchell Moravec, a senior studying psychology and a cohort member at the Women’s Center, sitting on the table discussing solutions to one of the action items determined by the racial climate town hall. “I think it’s realistic to make social justice and diversity a requirement for student organizations,” Moravec said.
FEATURES Welcome to Phytotron: NC State’s plant hotel See page 6.
SPORTS No. 10 Pack rifle aims for bullseye See page 8.
After a town hall meeting on the campus racial climate last month, Student Government leaders hosted a second meeting on Tuesday to follow up on the action items discussed. Student leaders began meeting with administrators and making plans to execute action items after the first racial climate town hall. Many argued at the meeting in January that the
action items were not specific enough as to how they would be carried out. This meeting offered the opportunity to discuss more in-depth solutions. Student Body President Khari Cyrus addressed the racial climate town halls, saying, “I never want to sit there and hear administrators talk at us. I think this was an opportunity to get some of the action items, some of the personal statements, testimonials out there so the [administration] can hear where people are coming f rom ...
CLIMATE continued page 2
Common reading for 2016 announced Staff Report
insidetechnician
BRYAN MURPHY/TECHNICIAN
Raelyn Robinson, a senior studying psychology, reads the story of a woman pictured at the “Giving Back: The Soul of Philanthropy Reframed and Exhibited” in Witherspoon on Tuesday. Created by Valaida Fullwood and photographer Charles Thomas Jr. The event was hosted by the NCSU African American Cultural Center and it showcases the philanthropic experiences of African-Americans in the community.
This summer’s Common Reading Program selection was announced Tuesday, putting a twist on the usual scientific based issues facing our generation. Incoming freshmen will receive a copy of it at orientation and hear the author speak at convocation in August. ‘Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption’ by Bryan Stevenson is the true tale of a young law yer’s experience w ith the criminal justice system, learning about its complications and inequities. His client, Walter McMillian, was on death row for a murder he did not commit. Eileen Taylor, chair of t he 2016 Common Reading Selection Committee, said part of the reason the book was chosen is because of the way it highlights issues of mass incarceration and institutional injustice through multiple perspectives. “We felt as though Stevenson handled these issues with care and this selection promotes the Common Reading Program’s goal of active engagement with the community,” Taylor said.
Another reason for choosing the book was its focus on prison reform and the conversation that is currently taking place in politics. Because nearly 4,000 students have to read the book, Taylor said the committee tried to choose a read that would interest everyone.
“I had this idea that the justice system is fair and blind, but that’s not how it is.” — Eileen Taylor, chair of the 2016 Common Reading Selection Committee
“We have to consider all of the colleges; engineering, humanities and social sciences, business, agriculture — we have to keep all of them in mind,” Taylor said. “We thought this is also representative of what NC state students should be reading about.” The book deals with problems dating back twenty years, but of-
READING continued page 2
SOURCE: OUR THREE WINNERS FACEBOOK
Deah Barakat, his wife Yusor Abu-Salha and her sister Razan Abu-Salha
Project collects food in honor of Our Three Winners Staff Report
The Light House Project is hosting an Interfaith Food Drive this month in honor of Our Three Winners, the three Muslim students who were killed in Chapel Hill nearly a year ago. Organizations are collecting donations from now until Feb. 20, when items can be
dropped off at the Islamic Center of Raleigh from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to be delivered to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina. Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, a 19-year-old first-year environmental architecture student at NC State; her sister Yusor Mohammad,
FOOD DRIVE continued page 2