Technician
thursday october
22 2009
Raleigh, North Carolina
Few students show for forum Turnout at Student Senate’s open forum not as high compared to last week’s anti-Talley activism Nick Tran Staff Writer
The Student Senate held an open forum Wednesday night in response to the protest the Rally Against Talley Facebook group conducted last week. The open forum was a continuation of last week’s opportunity to allow students to voice their opinions. A total of eight students appeared at some point during last night’s forum, along with about half of the Senate. The eight students primarily consisted of those central to the Rally Against Talley protest, including Vidya Sankar, one of the movement’s organizers. Despite the reduced student turnout compared to the more than fifty people who appeared last week, the Senate held the open forum as promised. It was organized to promote discussion, intentionally informal, and students were allowed to address the Senate as a whole or speak to individual senators. Eugene Yap, a senior in chemistry, said he felt the open forum was a good idea, allowing students to have their voices heard. “It’s just a shame not that many students showed up,” he said. “The Senate is handling the discussion pretty
Erica Heller/Technician
Students and Student Government members voice their concerns and opinions at the Student Government forum on the reconstruction of Talley Student Center. Kyle O’Donnell, a sophomore in nuclear engineering and representative for seniors in the College of Engineering, holds up “The Rationale Behind the Talley Decision” to convey how the decision is in the best interest for current and future students in regards to fees. “If we look at all of the questions on the referendum, students want the Talley Student Center in principle,” O’Donnell said.
well. They’re trying to be as democratic as possible.” Yap said there could have been a number of reasons why so few people showed up, because not enough students knew about the event. “I heard about it through my friends. Not enough students were adequately informed about this,” Yap said. “Also
some students may have given up. They tried to protest at the first one but it didn’t work out for them.” Sen. Sarah Lindh agreed the event could have been better advertised, but said more opportunities would be available in the future. “The reason students didn’t come was the event was not publicized
‘Balanced Man’ fraternity aims to take down ‘frat boy image’ SigEp recruitment attempts to recreate fraternity stereotype Annie Albright Staff Writer
Sigma Phi Epsilon will unveil a new approach for the upcoming recruitment period. Jeff Horan, vice president of Recruitment and junior in business administration, said the fraternity will be seeking members that want to balance the social aspects of a fraternity while learning values that will prepare them for the real world. “SigEp focuses on destroying the ‘frat boy’ image while still holding on to the fundamental principles that the fraternity was founded upon,” Horan
said. “We are looking for men who are trying to get more out of their college career, those who are not looking to join a typical ‘frat’.” The difference between SigEp and other fraternities, according to the president, Brennon Fuqua, is the elimination of pledging. “We run the Balanced Man program, which is a four-year development program, instead of a pledge program, which is an approximately eight-week period,” Fuqua, a senior in civil engineering, said. “We extended it over four years and made the Balanced Man program pertinent to where you are in your college career.” Horan said the program has been set up to work at the pace of the incoming member.
much. The more people know about it generally the more people will show up,” Lindh said. “I love the idea. I want the discussion to continue and let students speak freely. The open forum was a step in the right direction, although I wish the conversation could have been more debatable so more student feelings could be expressed.” Stuart Bernholc, a freshman in first year college, said the forum was held to both inform and pacify students. “The Senate was surprised by the discontent expressed last week. The open forum was held to satisfy the active student body,” he said. “But it does show they are moving forward on the issue.” “The Senate handled the forum fine, although a small number of responses did not exactly answer the question,” Bernholc said. “But that is because they want to answer every question and indirect responses were due to miscommunication.” Bernholc said the reason the turnout was smaller last night was a majority of the protesters last week left when they thought the discussion was over, before the open forum was announced.
Fair officials work to prevent spread H1N1 Fair features sinks, flu shot booths to keep fairgoers healthy Adair-Hayes Crane Staff Writer
State Fair officials have taken extra measures toward preventing the spread of the flu at this year’s event due to the emergence of the H1N1 virus. Every year, residents from all over the state come to ride the rides, eat the food and see the exhibits. All of these hands-on activities make the fair a potential breeding ground for viruses, including the seasonal flu and H1N1. Not only are fair officials trying to prevent the spread of H1N1 from person to person, but also from humans to the animals featured in exhibits and competitions. In an attempt to keep the animals safe from the virus, there are hand sinks next to most of the animal exhibits for people to wash their hands before and after handling them.
SENATE continued page 3
FAIR continued page 3
If the shoe fits
“Our challenge program is focused on being goal-oriented so that we are always working towards accomplishing something to improve ourselves and on keeping it self-paced,” Horan said. “Incoming members will be able to go as slow or fast as they like so it won’t interfere with guys who want to study abroad or have rigorous class schedules.” The program, according to Horan, is the idea SigEp will use to replace the pledging system. “We do not pledge at all,” Horan said. “Once you join you are fullfledged members. You can vote,
FRAT continued page 3
Economy creates job uncertainty Students concerned about finding job opportunities after college in downed economy Nick Tran Staff Writer
With the media propagating statistics on layoffs, bankruptcies, and job to job-seeker ratios, students have many reasons to be concerned about where their futures are heading in this recession. Additionally, the Department of Labor Statistics reports national unemployment rates are at 9.5 percent, more than double last year’s rate. The unemployment rate for North Carolina is above the national average at 10.7 percent. Many students have already felt the effects of the failing economy and are anxious about their own prospective careers. Sara Taorrmina, a sophomore in math education, said the future is very uncertain. Her father recently lost his job after 10 years of employment. “It definitely hits home for students to know even higher positions or more experienced employees have no job security,” Taorrmina said. Students like Taylor Nelson, a sophomore in international studies, are worried about having to exit col-
lege and enter the job market in such poor economic times. “It’s worrisome that we’re in college during this poor economy,” Nelson said. “It’s stressful trying to figure out what to do with your life after college. There aren’t a lot of opportunities, especially with lots of people already losing their jobs.” Nelson said the best idea for students to try and beat the poor economy is to make sure they are active in pursuing their career opportunities. “Networking helps the most,” Nelson said. “Let people know you’re out there. The more people you meet the easier it is to find a job.” Ashley Hibbard, an alumna in post bachelor studies, entered her career through an internship before the economy began fall. “It wasn’t very hard [back then] but now students are going to have a hard time finding a job,” Hibbard said. “Not a lot of people are hiring and it’s hard to say if it’s going to improve, especially since people are still getting laid off.” Other students are not as concerned because of the specific sectors they plan to enter after college. Chris Mattox, a freshman in environmental engineering, said there is enough demand for his job area for him not to be worried and if all else
fails the government is always hiring. Mattox did recognize the situation other students may be in. “Students will be in trouble if they can’t find a career, especially if they’re in a lot of debt,” he said. “That’s not to say it’s hopeless, it depends on how prepared people are. There’s always a turnaround in industry and whoever is at the top will get the job.” Carol Schroeder, director of the University Career Center, encourages students not to be intimidated by the downed economy. “Nothing is recession-proof,” Schroeder said. “But it’s not what’s happening to others that’s important, it’s what’s happening to you and what you do to prepare yourself.” Schroeder said it was misleading to say there are no jobs out there for students and students should always try to pursue what they are passionate about. “We know retail is down but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go in to retail,” Schroeder said. “People retire and employers need to fill future gaps in a process called succession planning. Employers are always looking for new talent.”
Marisa akers/Technician
At Spirit Halloween in Townridge shopping center, Samantha Gilbert, a senior in English, tries on a pair of gold metallic heels as she looks for a potential costume. “I’m trying to pay for school. I’m not going to be able to pay for a $70 costume,” Gilbert said. As Oct. 31 gets closer, many students are making Halloween plans. “I’ll probably go to a party or go on Hillsborough.”
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