TECHNICIAN
technicianonline.com
Raleigh, North Carolina
Task force to meet for final time today Group must make choices on how to improve campus Derek Medlin Managing Editor
The Campus Culture Task Force committee, the group charged with assessing the campus climate and making recommendations to Chancellor James Oblinger about how to improve the University, will meet today in Talley Student Center to determine its final recommendations. The meeting, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. in room 3118, will cover three areas of campus — campus climate, student conduct practices and Free Expression Tunnel and Brickyard practices. Chancellor Oblinger formed the group, which is made up of students, faculty and administration, in November of last year in response to the threatening messages in the Free Expression Tunnel Nov. 5.
WANT TO GO TO TODAY’S MEETING? WHAT: Campus Culture Task Force Committee WHEN: 3:30 p.m. WHERE: Talley Student Center, room 3118 WHY: Final recommendations for campus climate, student conduct practices and Free Expression Tunnel and Brickyard practices SOURCE: WWW.NCSU.EDU/STUDENT_AFFAIRS/CCTF/
Student Body President Jay Dawkins, a junior in civil engineering, said the group has heard many different types of feedback from students since November and is ready to make its final recommendations. “There are many decisions made on this campus with very little input,” Dawkins said. “This is an exception. There will be many opportunities to continue to work as a result of these recommendations. We’ve all got a lot of work to do.”
The task force, which includes more than 20 members, has met in three separate subcommittees since its formation in November. These three groups came together in January to release an initial report on Jan. 16. Since then, the committee has been receiving feedback from students and community members about how to move forward with its plans. The feedback from students and the community was slow to come at first, totaling only a few responses, but once the deadline to give feedback was extended, more people spoke out, Dawkins said. “It was a great decision to move the deadline on feedback,” he said. “It got some media attention, and it gave us more chances to receive more suggestions.” Today’s meeting will make those plans official, and the committee will send its report to Oblinger, who will make the final decisions. In the initial report, the committee made several
suggestions for how to change the Free Expression Tunnel and Brickyard practices. The group recommended the tunnel be more well lit and also recommended the University provide paint, brushes and cleaning supplies to students so they can paint over what they want in the tunnel. Gerardo Romero, a senior in textile and apparel management, said he is skeptical about how much having paint available would change what has happened in the Free Expression Tunnel. “I don’t think it’s going to stop people from doing what they do,” he said. “People will complain about things but won’t bother to paint over it.” The meeting in Talley Student Center today is open, and students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend, Dawkins said. “I’m not sure if there is any structured time for any forum discussion but it is always good to have a campus presence at these meetings,” he said. “Having a set of ears to listen makes it more worthwhile.”
Groups celebrate black history
“NEW SENSE” PROMOTES SAFE ENVIRONMENT
Students seek more from University to raise awareness
Anderson is one of many students who feels that celebrating the contributions of blacks for only one month underscores the progress shaped by black leaders. Some students said the UniverJay Ross Correspondent sity as a community does not do enough to promote awareness of For at least twenty-eight Black History Month. days of the year, individuSome students said campus als that have progressed the leaders and student organizablack experience are remem- tions are responsible for the bered through ceremonial amount of awareness on campus. events with the goal of conAshley Tucker, a junior in textinuing their contributions. tile and apparel management, Maintaining said the amount the spirit of of awareness of t he mont h, a n event corseveral orgarelates with the nizations on level of involvecampus have ment by those dedicated associated with t heir time the event. and effort to “The [student Jordan Anderson, a celebrating body] is going sophomore in mathematics Black History to promote what on Black History Month Month. is important to Both faculty them but at the and student same time, to my based organiknowledge, no zations sponsored fund-rais- one has confronted them saying ers, guest speakers and days of that more promotion needs to be service in honor of the lives put towards awareness events,’ of Martin Luther King Jr., A. Tucker said. Philip Randolph and ThurOther students recommended good Marshall. increasing the amount of activiWith the inauguration of ties on campus as a starting point the nation’s first black presi- to raise student awareness of dent, Paul-Semaj Abrahams, Black History Month. Anderson a junior in biological sciences, said there should be more activisaid he sees this particular ties that relate black leaders with February as an exceptional their contributions to history. month to celebrate black his“[Activities] should relate tory. community service projects and “I see this as a time to re- Martin Luther King Jr.’s role as a member the great contribu- community activist or A. Philip tors of the past and present Randolph’s organization of especially during a poignant union workers,” Anderson said. time in American history,” Those interested in beginning Abrahams said. or increasing their level of inHowever, some students volvement have several resources question the legitimacy of in which they can get involved celebrating black history since in. Between D.H. Hill Library it is highlighted only during and the African American Culone month of the year. ture Center Reading Room, “Why do we only get one students have access to several month to celebrate our cul- books, journals, Web sites and ture?” Jordan Anderson, a electronic resources. Events resophomore in mathematics, lated to Black History Month can said. “One month is unjust, also be found on the University’s we should celebrate year calendar. round.”
“One month is unjust, we should celebrate year round.”
PEGGY BOONE/TECHNICIAN
Creating a graffiti mural in the Free Expression Tunnel, Saul Flores, a sophomore in graphic design, prepares for an art workshop for high school students. “The whole emphasis is on the process of graffiti, starting with outlining, then filling in, and finally making it look complete,” Flores said. The art outreach program, called “New Sense,” is put on by the NCSU Caldwell Fellows in conjunction with Haven House, an organization promoting a safe environment for kids. “New Sense gives the students something to be involved in after school and offers a positive influence on their lives,” said Lauren Morris, another Caldwell Fellow and junior in biochemistry.
Importance of FAFSA priority deadline increases with declining economy, rising student requests Reduced value of parents’ savings leads to greater need for aid Amber Kenney Correspondent
Free Application for Federal Student Aid [FAFSA] has set the priority application deadline for March 1. With the deadline quickly approaching, students are finding it hard to complete their application while balancing midterms and Spring Break plans. But this year, students may want to re-evaluate their to-do lists, according to Julie RiceMallette. Mallette, the associate vice provost for the office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, said more students are vying for the funds. “The increasing number of layoffs and the reduced value of parents’ savings means a greater need for aid, so we are anticipating an increase in applications for aid for 09-10,” she said. Mallette also said it is important to get FAFSA applications
in early. there less money to give out, but “Institutional scholarships people will be less likely to doand grants are limited, and not nate to scholarship funds,” she sufficient to meet the needs of said. all students who apply for aid,” In response to multiple student Mallette said. “Students who ap- concerns similar to Ferguson’s, ply by the priority deadline get Mallette said the office will work first consideration for available with students who will benefit scholarship and from an N.C. grant resources, State education which means to ensure they genera l ly no are not denied such funds are an opportunity available for late due to finances. applicants.” Mallette also According noted how the to Mallette, 62 federal and state percent of stugovernments dents depend are coping with on f i na nc ia l the current reaid, and with cession in rethis majority, gard to higher the availability Julie Rice-Mallette, associate education. On a of financial aid vice provost for the office of state level, Gov. is dw ind ling Bev Perdue is Scholarships and Financial Aid and students simply trying are becoming to m i n i m i z e concerned. the effects of budget cuts on Jordan Ferguson, a freshman scholarships and grants. Federin biology, said she is concerned ally, President Obama’s stimuabout financial aid. lus package passed last week has “The economy will affect fi- promised increases in Federal nancial aid because not only is Pell Grant funding. However,
“The increasing number of layoffs and the reduced value of parents’ savings means a greater need for aid.”
Mallette said only 18 percent of students quality for the funding being increased. Regardless of the economic situation and ongoing budget cuts, there are still opportunities for all students to receive financial aid if needed. Mallette said applying for the priority deadline is crucial. According to the FAFSA web site, students should make sure they have the proper documents and information before they begin and should fill out their applications online to make the process quick and easy. Mallette said applying for aid on time is key for students as they make progress toward graduation. “Apply for aid by the priority filing date each year to maximize funding options available,” she said. “And make every effort to be successful academically and to graduate with a degree in four years. The longer it takes to graduate, the more educational debt students will likely incur.”
Pre-Inventory Clearance @ NC State Bookstores Don’t miss this opportunity to save! We'll be adding items daily to the bargain tables located in the middle of the sales floor now through March 3rd - because if we don’t sell it, we’ll have to count it!
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Tunnel to remain in students’ hands. See page 3.
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Final chance to order your NC State Ring! Visit the new Graduation Corner on the upper-level of NC State Bookstores. ER! February 23 - 27 - 10am to 3pm HELD OV
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