TECHNICIAN
technicianonline.com
Students could soon see increased awareness of the project around campus and community Amber Kenney Senior Staff Writer
DAVID MABE/TECHNICIAN FILE PHOTO
The original design of the Memorial Bell Tower included a 54 bell carillon inside.
SOURCE: WWW.NCSUBELLS.COM
put 100 percent of the profit from the shirts in the bank for the [Bell] Tower fund,” Robbins said. The shirts will be the first step taken to increase awareness and begin gaining funds to complete the project. “This is an awesome cause, so I can’t wait to buy a shirt,” Grant said. Robbins said he hopes the shirts will not only serve as a way to collect funds, but as a conversation starter to help increase awareness of the project. “Everyone wearing a shirt is a billboard, and because they had to interact with a member of the commission to get one,
they know enough information to become a point of initiation for people who don’t know about the project,” Robbins said. According to Robbins, students should look for shirts to go on sale about April 8. After the Wednesday meeting with the Grand Lodge of Masons, Robbins said he will travel around the area to individual subordinate Mason groups to elaborate on specifics about the Bell Tower project. “It’s our wishes, and hopes, that they respond favorably because once we get [the project] off the ground, we can keep it going,” Robbins said. To keep the project alive, Robbins said he is counting on the support and assistance of students. “We will rely on the students’ abilities to make themselves active participants in this, and make a change and make something happen.” Robbins said. “It is the essence of N.C. State to get
up and do something.” Robbins said the project is important because it will help get the community ball rolling again. Taylor Ashby, a senior in economics and a member of Robbins’ team, said his love for the school is what drives him to help. “This is a great opportunity to improve my University; the history and importance of the Bell Tower should be preserved,” Ashby said. Robbins said the Bell Tower serves as a memorial — a place for congregation and celebration — and it’s a symbol of identity. “It’s on our seal; it’s on our rings; it’s on the front page of the Technician, it’s everywhere — it’s who we are,” he said. “This whole project is about getting people to speak together with one voice, pulling the students, original Freemasons, and the community into it.”
Reinvestment act could create financial problems Lack of knowledge may cause problems for students Sonya Deulina Senior Staff Writer
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which President Barack Obama signed in February, included a Making Work Pay Credit (MWPC), which led to revisions in the federal income tax withholding tables. As cited by the IRS, new rates will begin for bi-weekly payroll April 3 and monthly payroll April 30. While the new rates are intended to provide tax credits of $400 and $800 for single taxpayers and married couples, respectively, the plan could create potential problems, according to Franki Senter, payroll director for the University. She said students and people holding multiple jobs are liable to be under-withheld at the end of the year. Senter said she is worried many
Suitemate says wet things were piled on top of dry in aftermath of flooding News Editor
April 1 - Robbins plans to meet with Grand Lodge of Masons to gain support, possibly a sponsor April 8 - T-shirts to go on sale Future success of the project will be based on the active participation of students.
“We want to inform people that these new tax tables could cause problems for some people.” Franki Senter, director of University payroll students have a lack of knowledge on the newly passed plan that can be potentially harmful to them. She said students need to be informed so they can access their own financial situation and not be shorthanded. “We want to inform people that these new tax tables could cause problems for some people,” Senter said. “We’ve asked our payroll coordinators and personnel representatives to spread the word for us.” Paul Florence, a junior in political science and employee of the School of Public and International Affairs Office, said he thinks the new plan is unfair. “The fact that they’re lowering taxes is a good idea, but the fact that singles get less money back than married couples doesn’t
NC State Bookstores
Dorm cleanup leads to more damages Ty Johnson
FINISH THE TOWER: THE NEXT STEPS
Raleigh, North Carolina
Group takes next step to finish prolonged Bell Tower project For five years, Matt Robbins, a graduate student in architecture, has been researching campus history. Throughout his exploration, Robbins has taken it upon himself to lead N.C. State in an effort to complete its Memorial Bell Tower. Robbins is working alongside others to put a 54 bell carillon inside the tower, as was originally intended. D.J. Grant, a freshman in electrical engineering who just heard about the Bell Tower project, said he is seeking an answer. “What’s a bell tower without a bell?” he asked. Robbins has found a way to answer the question that others, like Grant, have asked. “There is no better place to start than where it all started in the beginning,” he said. The beginning of the Bell Tower starts with the Freemason Fraternity. Robbins said the Freemason organization is the cornerstone of the Memorial Bell Tower. “The original proposal, plan, and fundraising for the Bell Tower started with the Masons,” Robbins said. With the relationship between the Bell Tower and the Masons as support, Robbins said he has taken the necessary steps to introduce the project to the local Freemason members. At a meeting April 1, Robbins will propose the general idea of the topic to the Grand Lodge of Masons. “I will provide them with the information that the Bell Tower was initiated, implemented, designed and constructed by Freemasons,” Robbins said. According to Robbins, the purpose of the meeting is to search for a T-shirt sponsor. “If we have a sponsor, we can
seem fair,” Florence said. According to the new tables, if both spouses earn wages and both file as “married” on their tax withholding, each will receive an additional $600 by the end of the year. However, for students who have more than one job, they could see tax withholding reductions of up to $400, at each job. In addition, they will only be entitled to a credit, if single, of $400 or less. Florence said the stimulus plan is going to be shorting Americans in the long-run. “It seems that this stimulus plan is going to make the American people happy in the short run, but how much good is another extra $800 going to do you and what is it actually going
to fix in our wrecked economy?” Paul asked. Chelsea Schwabe, a freshman in communication, shared Florence’s concerns. “Because I’m considered a dependent, I guess not receiving as much as everyone else is irritating,” she said. “In the long run I don’t think it’s really going to help.” Schwabe’s biggest concern, however, is students lack of knowledge on the newly passed plan. However, Brad Lacroix, a senior in history who works at a convenience store on campus said the new withholding tables are necessary. “They [ government ] need to get the economy going and the economy mainly relies on families,” Lacroix said. Senter said regardless, students need to start researching this new plan and applying it to their own financial situations. “Take a look at your own situation and be informed,” Senter said.
Campus Appreciation Sale
SULLIVAN SPRINKLER BREAKDOWN What: Sprinkler busted leading to damaged belongings and forced evacuation When: Sunday at approximately 8:44 a.m. Where: Sullivan Residence Hall
A busted sprinkler in Billy Kronenwetter’s tenth f loor suite in Sullivan Residence COMPILED BY TY JOHNSON Hall caused f looding and damaged the personal be- the suitemates was notified about longings of his suitemates, the incident, while the others but Kronenwetter’s co-resi- found out by word of mouth. dents aren’t convinced it was “It was really unorganized with all caused by the water. how they handled everything,” Tanner Williams, a sopho- Baransky said. “We had to go more in mechanical engi- chase everyone to get people to neering and Billy Kronenwet- tell us [anything]. It was pretty ter’s suitemate directly across exhausting” the hall, arrived in his suite Baransky said much of the Sunday to find not only his water damage was caused by the room flooded, but also soggy moving of Williams’ belongings, belongings thrown on top of especially the placement of wet things that should have been things that were on the floor on top of dry things, including his unaffected by the water. “The [Housing staff] said futon and bed. Baransky cited a go up there, we have a list of dry erase board that was on the things that were damaged,” ground as evidence of the flood’s Larissa Baransky, a junior watermark, proving much of the in fashion and textile man- damage occurred after the waters agement and Williams’ girl- subsided. “There was stuff written on it friend, said. “But, the people who were up there messing before and there was a clear line with the rooms wouldn’t let where it was erased,” Baransky said. “There was him check the about a two-inch damages.” water line.” When WilKronenwetter, liams and Baa sophomore in ransky were mechanical ena l lowed in, gineering whose t hey fou nd room was comthings were pletely filled with damaged that water, said he couldn’t have still didn’t have been affected Tanner Williams, a n y i n f or m a solely by rising water. sophomore in mechanical tion about being reimbursed for “T he y le t engineering damages. us go in the “We h ave n’t room and it wasnt as f looded [as Kro- heard anything about compennenwetter’s],” Baransk y sation,” he said. “I’m still waiting said. “They [had] piled wet for the fire marshal’s report.” Kronenwetter said he and his stuff on dry stuff and ruined more things than [the sprin- roommate are now living elsewhere in Sullivan, but some of kler could have alone].” Specifically, Baransky said his suitemates were able to stay some of Williams’ belongings in their rooms. “Me and my roommate [are] were “stuffed in the closet” with wet books on top of still together, but we were moved them. Williams said the text- to a different suite,” he said. books, which were largely on “Three of them are still in their the ground, were the most ex- suites [because] their [rooms pensive thing damaged, but weren’t] damaged enough for his printer was damaged as them to leave.” While the investigation is onwell. “Everything was piled in going, Baransky was convinced the closet with wet stuff on that Kronenwetter didn’t tamper with the sprinkler. top of dry,” Williams said. “The people who were cleaning Beyond the frustration of having his room damaged, were saying he must have done Baransky said Williams was something,” Baransky said. “Obalso frustrated about not be- viously Billy feels bad about the ing informed what was going whole thing, but we all know him pretty well. I don’t think he’d be on by Housing. “We had just come back up at 8:30 in the morning trying from a trip to Williamsburg,” to whack a sprinkler.” she said. “We found out last that his room was flooded.” Baransky said only one of
“Everything was piled in the closet with wet stuff on top of dry.”
insidetechnician
After injury, Baker is ready to contribute. Following a knee injury that sidelined him for nearly two years, Toney Baker is ready to go. See page 8.
Cutting the circuit to technological growth See page 3.
focused features classifieds sports
33% off all regularly priced items! Up to 75% off select clearance items! MONDAY & TUESDAY March 30 & 31
3 5 7 8