Graduate Student Grievances — Technician 10/26/23

TECHNICIAN T N E D U GRAD ST S E C N A V GRIE

OC TO BER 26, 2023

VOL . 104 | NO . 1 0

Contents

2 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

IN THIS ISSUE: page

03

Students raise money for charity, memorial scholarship at annual plant sale

THE RADAR Events to keep an eye on for the week of Oct. 26

06

KARAOKE: HALLOWEEN

Sunday, Oct. 29, 7:30 - 9 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 8 - 10 p.m.

TALLEY STUDENT UNION, STEWART THEATRE

TALLEY STUDENT UNION, ONE EARTH LOUNGE

Free Acappology, NC State’s original co-ed A Cappella group, will host their fall 2023 concert covering a variety of music styles.

Free Join University Activities Board for a spooky karaoke session.

STREAM AND SCREAM

CANDY, CONDOMS AND CONSENT

Friday, Oct. 27, Noon to 2 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 31, Noon to 2 p.m.

WITHERSPOON STUDENT CENTER, ART GALLERY AND LIBRARY

TALLEY STUDENT UNION, LOBBY

Free Join the African American Cultural Center to learn about the history of Black horror alongside spooky, sweet snacks.

NEWS page

ACAPPOLOGY CONCERT

A guide to class registration for the overwhelmed college student

Free Join Movement Peer Educators for their fun and informative candy, condoms and consent table.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

OPINION page

13

‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ brings childlike wonder to Titmus Theatre

CULTURE page

Don’t look now, but

16 NC State football has a path to make the ACC Championship

HALLIE WALKER/TECHNICIAN

Freshman forward Hannah Jibril celebrates after scoring her first career goal during the match against Syracuse at Dail Soccer Field on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023. Jibril made two shots and scored one goal. NC State beat Syracuse 2-0.

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Technician (USPS 455-050) is the largest student newspaper of NC State University and is published every Thursday throughout the academic year from August through May except during holidays and examination periods.

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FRONT COVER BY EMILY VESPA AND CATE HUMPHREYS BACK COVER BY MAX ALSOP

News

TECHNICIAN 3 Students raise money for charity, memorial scholarship at annual plant sale TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

Emily Vespa

Managing Editor

Flowers, trees, pumpkins and houseplants lined the winding brick walkways of Governors Scott Courtyard this weekend for horticulture honors society Pi Alpha Xi’s annual fall plant sale.

Boasting over 200 species of plants, the sale is a 41-year tradition and the largest annual plant sale on NC State’s campus, said Taylor Hatfield, a graduate studying horticulture science and president of PAX. “People have been coming for the last 30 years,” Hatfield said. “They don’t see an email from us because we’re a little behind, and they’re like, ‘What’s happening? The plant sale has to occur.’”

The sale is a fundraiser for horticulturerelated scholarships, grants and organizations. This year, PAX also held a plant raffle with a special goal: establishing a memorial scholarship in honor of Will Hembree, an NC State horticulture alum who died last summer.

“He’s helped out with the plant sale in

the past,” said Calyssa Stevenson, a graduate studying horticulture science and vice president of specialty plants in PAX. “People all over within the department know him.

He was a very important member of the horticulture society.”

To establish the scholarship, PAX must raise $25,000.

“That $25,000 mark is going to be a working goal probably for several more years,” Hatfield said. “But as the president, I feel really excited, really fortunate to be involved with this really big new effort for PAX. It’s going to be hopefully a way that students can come get their education in horticulture at an affordable rate.”

Hatfield said the club received an outpouring of over 80 species of plant donations to support the scholarship fundraiser, which shows how beloved Hembree was to the horticulture community.

“We have some plants in this raffle available that won’t be available to the public

again for more than two years,” Hatfield said. “So really rare varieties.”

The plants are donated from a myriad of local nurseries — some were grown at NC State in the Fox Science Teaching Laboratory — and are a great value, Hatfield said.

“We are sourcing our plants from really reliable nurseries that the industry and academia level, this is where they get their plants,” Hatfield said. “So they’ve been really well cared for. Whereas a lot of box stores, they’ve been sitting in a truck for a week straight, frozen — they’re not in the best state sometimes. So really high quality plants for sale here, also at incredibly low prices comparable to box stores, which are already low.”

Hatfield said there’s plenty of horticulture students who volunteer at the sale and can offer knowledge on plants.

“It’s a good opportunity to talk to experts in their fields,” Hatfield said. “It’s been really fun talking to somebody who’s like 19, 20

years old, and they can just tell you everything about your landscaping, what would work there.”

Meredith Carlton, a first-year studying horticulture and a member of the horticulture club, said her favorite part about volunteering at the plant sale is the people she interacts with.

“It’s a really good community,” Carlton said. “It’s just fun to be here.”

Stevenson said the atmosphere at the plant sale is the best part.

“I just love horticulture, the people, working with the nurseries — it’s just a very fun environment and a happy environment,” Stevenson said. “Everyone’s fun to work with.”

PAX’s next plant sale will take place in the spring. Follow its Instagram @pax_ncsu for updates.

News

4 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

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Bats: Morbid or misunderstood?

Matthew Burkhart Staff Writer

Bats, often associated with vampires, witches and disease, have garnered a fearful reputation throughout history for their strange looks and unusual behaviors.

However, local wildlife experts question whether this reputation is deserved.

Lisa Gatens, collection manager of mammalogy at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, said bats are the only mammals that can fly and are present all over the world, except in Antarctica. Gatens said while people often think bats are related to rodents, they are more closely related to primates.

Gatens said North Carolina is home to 16 species of bats, all of which eat half their body weight in insects every night.

Ed Corey, inventory biologist for North Carolina State Parks, said bats save the U.S. economy an estimated $3 billion annually by eating agricultural pests. He said $1 billion is from the corn industry, as bats eat corn earworm moths whose larvae pose a threat to corn crops.

Gatens said walnut orchards are building bat houses to ward off threats to walnut trees by encouraging bats to stay and eat codling moths. Gatens also said the tequila industry depends on bats, as two species of pollen-feeding bats are the sole pollinators of agave plants.

Corey said big brown bats and Mexican free-tailed bats have been recorded on campus. Big brown bats live in cracks inside trees. Mexican free-tailed bats live in caves and often inhabit parking garages and the lower arches of

bridges in urban environments. Mexican free-tailed bats have the fastest horizontal flying speed of any animal, reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour.

Bats have become known to many as vectors of disease, especially rabies. Corey said bats have the highest rate of rabies for any mammal, but it is difficult to know the true rate because entire colonies of bats are impossible to test.

“It’s been reported that about 1% of bats have rabies,” Corey said. “Most of the bats that are tested for rabies are ones that are brought in because they’re acting funny. If you were to go into a hospital and find someone who was feeling ill or not doing well, you may find that a large percentage of those people are affected by the disease.”

Gatens said bats people fear bats due to the mystery of their nocturnal lives.

“We tend to fear what we don’t know,” Gatens said.

“What plays into that is they’re nocturnal. ... Their flight is just different from birds. And so I think people think it’s weird or scary — again, people are afraid of what they don’t know. And especially ages ago when people had to come up with explanations for things, [they] were typically supernatural.”

Vampires had existed in European folklore for a thousand years before they became associated with bats. Gatens said this association, cemented in Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” in 1897, is due to their nocturnal nature and the discovery of the three species of vampire bats in the Americas.

“It’s not that they’re afraid of light, or they can’t be in it,” Gatens said. “Their eyes are developed for seeing in the dark, and it hurts their eyes. The old world bats that

have the name vampire associated with them are not at all vampire bats, they just look kind of bizarre because they have these facial [features] we call leaves on their ears or nose.”

Corey said the real problems with bats appear when provoked by humans.

GRAPHIC BY MARLOWE HENDERSON

“The problem is not them; it’s when we interact with them,” Corey said. “So if we’re incorporating them into our diet, or if we’re harassing them and spilling their blood, it will create these crossover events — it’s not the bats’ fault at all.”

NASA astronaut, NC State alum Christina Koch speaks at Red and White Week Kate Denning News Editor

&

Amelia Russell

Assistant News Editor

Astronaut Christina Koch donned her blue NASA flight jacket and made a muchanticipated return to her alma mater to chat with Chancellor Randy Woodson and kick off Red and White Week.

Koch, who will soon embark on a journey to be the first woman to circumnavigate the moon, earned her undergraduate degrees in physics and electrical engineering and her master’s in electrical engineering from NC State.

Koch spoke with Woodson for the first live edition of Woodson’s “Red Chair Chats,” where he speaks with alumni, faculty and leaders about “their love of this great university.”

A fog rolled across the Stewart Theatre stage and curtains unveiled a backdrop with twinkling starry lights before Koch stepped out to thunderous applause.

CONTRIBUTED BY NC STATE PHOTOS

Koch told Woodson she chose to attend NC State for her college education because she loved taking theoretical ideas and implementing them hands-on.

“NC State just represented doers, places

where entrepreneurship was valued, places where learning that theoretical side but also building upon it and contributing back to the world was important,” Koch told Woodson.

At NASA, Koch set the record for the longest female single space flight and participated in the first female spacewalk.

“When I think about some of those records and milestones, I always like to reflect back that it’s not an individual that does this,” Koch said. “These records and milestones aren’t about any one person. … I can’t wait for these milestones to become normal, for the records to be broken. ” Koch said her support system at NC State allowed her to pursue her dream of becoming an astronaut.

“I had had this desire to explore this interest in exploration and science on the frontier,” Koch said. “I had pictures of the shuttle and Earthrise taken from the moon in my dorm room here at NC State. … There were counselors and professors that really believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself, and knowing that I owed it to them to give it my all and to go in the direction of those dreams was something that definitely can help me.”

ASTRONAUT continued page 5

News

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

Student-led nonprofit Perseverancia raises funds for education abroad

Sarah Hoffer Correspondent

Perseverancia, a nonprofit organization started by third-year business administration and Spanish student Jack Rothacker, hosted a fundraising event featuring a soccer tournament, food and music Oct. 21. Perseverancia’s aim is to raise $21,000 to build a seventh grade classroom in El Salvador to further the education of children there.

Rothacker said there were about 80 players total — eight teams with a minimum of seven players each. While off the field, players were cheering on their teammates, kicking around or juggling the ball with a Latine music soundtrack in the background.

General admission tickets were $8, which included admission to view the soccer games, listen to music, watch the halftime show and a food ticket. It was $10 for players to register. The teams were primarily fraternities, with one sorority team in the mix.

Gavin Leone, a third-year studying business administration and member of the American Marketing Association, said he worked with Rothacker as head of marketing for the event.

“I was at an AMA meeting, … and Jack came to the back of the class and he was like, ‘Hey, I kind of need a social media marketer because I have a project going on,’” Leone said. “It turns out, as I started to get to know him a little more and we had a few meetings that he was actually trying to make a nonprofit organization.

And I was like, ‘Well, that’s amazing. Why didn’t you say anything about that in the first place?’”

Handmade pupusas, the national dish of El Salvador, were served by Sandra Chi-

ASTRONAUT

continued from page 4

Koch’s advice to NC State students deciding their career paths is to think about what they are most passionate about and find most fulfilling.

“If you actually use what’s scaring you as a call to the direction to move toward, you might just find that not only do you reach your most fulfilled state because you’re contributing the most, but you’re giving the most back to the world as well,” Koch said. “You’ll be amazed at what comes out of that on the other end.”

The Red Chair Chat was part of Woodson’s annual fall address. Woodson outlined

JERMAINE HUDSON/TECHNICIAN

Amanda Campos, a third-year studying political science, keeps the ball away from the other team during the El Salvador Soccer Tournament at Stewardship Park on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. The tournament served as a fundraiser for Perservancia, a nonprofit whose purpose is to leave a positive impact on the education system in Central America.

cas, who is from El Salvador, who offered pork, bean, chicken and spinach options.

“I think the most memorable thing was talking to our friend who was running the pupusa stand,” Leone said. “To see her come out and see the community that’s from all different parts of the world supporting her is a really beautiful thing, and I can tell that that makes her happy.”

Leone said he felt the atmosphere was special.

“Cultural and language exchange just allows you to engage with people on a whole different level, and it’s incredibly intimate,” Leone said. “… I feel like this is what life is about. This is a human experience right here, coming together.”

Sube Ritmo, a Latine student-led dance team, took the field to perform as the tournament’s halftime show. Sube Ritmo aims to create a welcoming environment for any student who wants to learn traditional dance from Latine cultures, regardless of past dance experience.

Throughout the tournament, there were four overtime games. During overtime, the games were played three-on-three and sudden-death style. The final game was a face-off between Delta Kappa Epsilon and Sigma Nu, with the latter winning the entirety of the tournament. The team celebrated by splashing water over the players on the field.

“Just another day in the office,” Derek

milestones from the past year and recent accomplishments by alumni.

“NC State once again set a record for the number of applications to our university — 40,000 potential students applied to come to NC State,” Woodson said. “We continue to earn more applications from the state of North Carolina than any other university in the state, and a record number of new students joined us on campus last August.”

Woodson said in 2023, NC State faculty and staff earned $476 million in research grants, breaking last year’s record.

“Those dollars — as I say often when I’m talking about money — it’s not just the dollars, but it’s the impact of what those dollars do,” Woodson said. “Those dollars go on to create new knowledge, new

technology, startups and more jobs across the state of North Carolina, and across the whole country.”

Woodson listed recognitions faculty and staff have received in the last year, which included three faculty members being named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, two history professors receiving national endowment for the humanities fellowships and Jason Bocarro receiving the UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching.

“Go to any corner of our state, any county in this great state, in any community, and you will find the impact of NC State,” Woodson said. “From K-12 summer camps, to our community college collaborations, to NC State Extension to our industrial exten-

Haaff, a third-year studying computer and electrical engineering and a player on the winning team, said.

The official sponsor of the event was Celsius, an energy drink company, which provided approximately 40 cases of the drinks to fuel players throughout the day.

Along with that donation, Red Line Beer and Wine donated a $250 gift card as a prize for the winning team.

“I’m amazed at the generosity of the sponsors to help,” Jonny Grigg said, a third-year studying business administration and head of sales for Perseverancia.

“And the soccer teams, they really came to play; it’s very interesting. It’s giving me faith in the community.”

On Nov. 4, Perseverancia will host another event at Red Line, where a percentage of sales for the night will go towards the nonprofit’s $21,000 goal.

“We’re just going to have a big celebration of the culture, make the people feel at home, even though they might be away from home,” Grigg said.

The tournament raised an estimated $3,000. The organizers said they were grateful for the help and support they received, and they are excited to continue on their journey to raising money to build the classroom in El Salvador.

“I’m pleasantly surprised at how willing people are to just come help out with a project for free,” Leone said. “I’m not entitled to anything from those people, but helping us has been great and it touches my heart because it makes you realize that people do care, more than you probably realize.”

More information about Perseverancia can be found at https:// www.perseverancia.org/index.html

sion service. … It’s part of the bedrock of this state’s success.”

Woodson acknowledged the 2023 U.S. News & World Report, in which the University received its highest placement in history, ranking 60th among all national universities and 28th among public universities.

“This is actually a testament to the collective work and transformative power of everything you’re all doing for NC State — if you’re an alum and a donor, or for NC State as our faculty and staff, or for NC State as our phenomenal students,” Woodson said.

“I began by saying that Red and White Week is a chance to look back, but I urge us all to also look forward.”

Opinion

6 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

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A guide to class registration for the overwhelmed college student Spring registration is just around the corner, and while it feels too early to worry about next semester, everyone on campus is about to experience the gauntlet of advising and registration.

Though this may seem like one extra thing you don’t want to Will think about, I spoke with Mindy LaMarche Sopher, a professor and advisor for Staff Writer the communication department, to figure out how to make this time of the year easier.

First things first, a lot of mistakes students make during registration stem from confusion about the process. When asked about common mistakes students make, Sopher said there are some unrealistic expectations.

“Waiting till the last minute to have an advising appointment, saying ‘Please release my hold’ without doing the homework, expecting advisors to tell them what to take or do the work for them, assuming all classes will have seats available, and be available in the format — online, hybrid, face-to-face — or at the time that they want them,” Sopher said.

This is understandable since the registration process only happens twice a year. It can feel like there’s a lot of moving parts, and it may be hard to recall everything you have to account for.

One strategy I use to manage all my requirements and potential classes is printing out a week-long planner organized by the hour. Then I review my degree audit

and go over what requirements I need to fill. I like to get a mix of higher-level and lower-level courses, but I always make sure to prioritize prerequisites.

I then write in all the possible courses I can take the following semester at every possible time. Just make sure you leave space for other classes, in case the one you want fills up. It’s messy, but this way I can see all my options in front of me and scratch out time for lunch and clubs as necessary.

When I was registering for courses last semester, I wanted to take an honors seminar, but because of an error in the system, I couldn’t. Thankfully, I found a graduate class with a professor I enjoy and was able to take that instead.

Another mistake Sopher outlines deals with how a timeline for graduation can be a bit nebulous. “[Graduation date is] a relative term,” Sopher said. “So, what that really is saying is ‘My expectation is that I will graduate in x number of semesters’ or ‘I will graduate with my friends.’”

This has happened to both my partner and I. We both intended to graduate a semester earlier than we had initially planned, but then we respectively added a major and a minor. We realized it would make for an easier workload if we took another semester and spread out our work.

When your registration time opens up, it can feel like you’re about to head into the draft. Leading up to your registration time, make sure to continuously check the classes you intend to take to ensure there’s enough seats.

Another element Sopher spoke about when creating your

schedule is creating a personal fit while remaining flexible.

“I know I’m not the greatest person at 8 a.m. as far as accomplishing goals and being focused [goes],” Sopher said. “So… if the only choice I had was an 8 a.m. class, I would want to minimize that and hopefully, it would be a Tuesday-Thursday class.”

Similarly, last semester I had planned all of my courses to fall on Tuesdays and Thursdays, meaning I was in classes from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. I thought this would give me the freedom and time on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to get my work done at my leisure.

In reality, I would get most of my work done on Mondays, do no work Wednesday or Friday since I was exhausted from the day before, and end up frantically doing all my homework Monday.

This schedule also ignored my club commitments on Tuesday nights that kept me out until 9:00 p.m. Clearly endurance is not one of my strengths.

Now my class schedule is the same everyday: two classes from 11:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. This schedule allows me to consistently ease into my mornings while granting me plenty of downtime before my nightly club meetings.

The other thing about strengths is not everyone finds the same things easy. Just because a class has a reputation for being easy, does not guarantee it will be, especially since professors and curriculum can change.

While it can feel like a lot to manage all of your requirements, that’s why you have your advisor. These people are there so you can talk to them about the confusion and issues you may be experiencing.

These college lives won’t build themselves Many of us grew up in sports. Our parents suggested an art class in elementary school that went on to shape our lives for years to come. Classmates Katie became our friends Howell by default; we were Correspondent around them day in and day out. Our meals were often prepared for us, without the need for us to plan and budget them.

Growing up, life just happened to us.

Now, take a look at life in college. Most students aren’t competing in athletics at the Division 1 level. Some spend less than 10 cumulative hours in class each week.

Parents aren’t downstairs in the kitchen waiting to suggest the college equivalent of that sports team or art class we centered

our lives around.

Naturally, this shift leads to some stagnation. That’s normal. Feeling a little stuck, maybe even a little bored is a good thing. It’s a great indication of what your next move should be: to make an effort.

The transition from high school to a public university is no joke. Sure, that first semester is chaotic, fun and full of firsts.

But once the early chaos starts to die down, you realize you’ve got to build your own life from the ground up.

Leeah Heath, a fourth-year studying English with a concentration in creative writing, arrived on campus during the peak of the pandemic. When campus began to open back up and opportunities arose, she made an effort to get plugged in with groups and organizations that piqued her interest.

“I think college is a really good time to discover what you truly enjoy and not

maybe what you’ve been told is ‘good’ to enjoy or things that are ‘worthwhile’ to you and [where you should be] spending your time,” Heath said.

As obvious as this point may seem, freshman year of college is when most people have to piece their own life together for the first time. Growing up, you get the sense that things fall into place over time and that you don’t always have to be in active pursuit of something.

Now that we’re away, instead of life just happening to us, there is the realization we have to make it happen ourselves. The best place to start is outside of your comfort zone. This is the time to branch out and take chances.

I’m not saying you need to take your friend up on a bet that you can’t clear the gap over the Free Expression Tunnel.

Rather, you should meet that classmate for yoga even though you’ve never had

an interest in doing so before. Introduce yourself to the student who’s wearing the same hat as you from that vacation in 2014.

Take the two-credit hour class on the topic you had never even heard of before last year. Volunteer at the dog shelter just because you miss your pets.

It can be easy to feel overwhelmed when confronted with the hundreds of organizations, teams and clubs you could join. Just on the NC State website, the clubs span from animal science to Irish dance, and there’s always the option to start your own.

The most important thing is to not get hung up on which commitments will be the best. Give everything a chance. You will weed out the things that don’t suit you over time, but you have to show up. When you do, you’ll see that making an effort is more than half the battle.

TECHNICIAN 7

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

Unlocking the Bible’s enigmatic verses on homosexuality Mark Mikhail

Correspondent

Many consider the Bible the most influential book in history. It has shaped humanity’s understanding of the world and has shaped the narratives of human discourse — many of which can be problematic for marginalized groups, especially t h e L G B T Q + c o m m u n i t y.

However, when evaluating verses of the Bible, the reader must understand the historical context of the verse as well as the semantic changes in translation before

making conclusions.

One of the most referenced passages justifying homophobia is in Leviticus 18:22: “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.”

The Book of Leviticus, like much of the Bible, contains a complex mixture of rules, narratives and commandments.

When examining the historical context behind the verses related to homosexuality in Leviticus, it’s clear that the situation is not as straightforward as it might seem.

Leviticus 18 is part of the Holiness Code. It outlines various rules and commandments given to the people of Israel, intended to set them apart as a unique nation.

These rules encompass various aspects of life, including prohibitions against incestuous relationships, sex during menstruation, adultery, child sacrifice and what many interpret as homosexuality.

The exact meaning of the phrase “lying with a man as with a woman” has been a topic of debate within the scholarly community. Some interpretations suggest that it condemns male-male sexual activity, including penetrative and non-penetrative acts.

In contrast, some scholars argue that the wording, given

the historical context, is indicative of something else.

They emphasize the honor-shame dynamics prevalent in the ancient world, where being penetrated by another man was seen as demeaning.

Jason Staples, an assistant teaching professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at NC State, explained this perspective and the idea of an honor-shame role.

“Leviticus, part of what is going on there is that this passage is actually about male honor for a man to be penetrated by another man in that context is actually doing dishonor to that man,” Staples said. “So in an honorshame context … the reason that it’s an abomination is that it’s essentially treating a man as a woman and women are obviously [seen as] lower than men [at this time].”

In addition to Leviticus, several passages in the New Testament are often cited as condemning homosexuality.

One of the most discussed verses is found in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10: “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” This verse’s semantics are tricky as well.

In 1 Corinthians 6:9, the Greek transliterated phrase is “oute malakoi oute arsenokoitai.” “Malakoi’’ can have various meanings but often signifies “soft” or “effeminate.”

In 1 Corinthians 6:9, it likely refers to the passive partner in homosexual intercourse.

As for “arsenokoitai,” it’s a compound word meaning “men who have sexual intercourse with other males” and has a more specific reference to the active partner in homosexual acts. This interpretation aligns with historical and literary contexts, showing that both “malakoi” and

“arsenokoitai’’ refer to participants in homosexual sex.

Thus, this may refer back to the power dynamics of the Bible. Paul is condemning the passive partner of homosexual sex, likely due to the idea that the one who receives is considered feminine.

Given the complexity of these Bible verses, it’s essential for individuals to approach this language with an open and thoughtful mind. Jumping to conclusions without a thorough examination of historical context and interpretation can potentially lead to misunderstandings a nd of fense, pa r t icu la rly for members of t he LGBTQ+ community.

We should look to foster healthy conversations between the LGBTQ+ community and the church, and Staples emphasized the need for these meaningful conversations.

“I think everything has to start with a mutual recognition that as human beings, we are inherently valuable,” Staples said. “If we have respect for one another in that respect and … recognize one another’s value, then we can disagree on a lot of different things.”

In a much larger sense, quoting the Bible to justify anything can be problematic because it often fails to consider the comprehensive narrative of the story. The Bible is a collection of texts that spans different time periods, cultures and historical contexts, making it essential to examine the entire context to fully grasp its intended meaning.

Nowadays, this idea is more understood, and there are great churches in the area that are more inclusive to all members of the LGBTQ+ community. Raleigh Mennonite Church, Church of the Good Shepherd, Pullen Memorial Baptist Church and Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church are all churches that focus on including the LGBTQ+ community.

Comics

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

Connection

Lucy Osborn, Staff Cartoonist A third-year studying art and design

The Same as Always, Just Like it Was, Long Before Me

Wylie Phu, Staff Cartoonist A third-year studying art and design

Comics

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

Yo Mammoth

Max Alsop, Staff Cartoonist A third-year studying anthropology and paleontology

The fifth annual Pack Appreciation Day was a success —

THANKS TO YOU! The perfect mid-Red and White Week celebration is only possible because students like you accomplish extraordinary things at our university every day.

So even if you crashed the party just to score the week’s best free swag (humble brag), we wanted to say thank you for coming out and showing your #PackAppreciation — and we’ll see you back out on campus next year!

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

GRAD STUDENT GRIEVANCES

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GRAPHIC BY ELLIE BRUNO

Ally Tennant

Assistant News Editor

Egemen Aras sat in his office after a 10-hour work day and wondered how he would support his child and wife with the $700 paycheck he got from the University this month.

This is the financial reality for many NC State graduate students.

Aras, a fifth-year Ph.D. student studying nuclear engineering and a research assistant, said he struggles to balance his nuclear research and his family.

“In terms of the money that I’m getting from University, it is, I can say, impossible to survive,” Aras said. “Especially if you have a child going to childcare. For example, the University has a childcare support, but not for Ph.D. students, unfortunately.”

NC State is home to over 10,500 graduate students, many of whom work on campus, conduct vital research for the University and aid the entire community’s well-being.

Aras said his financial hardship takes his attention away from his research.

“If you do not have enough money, you are reserving some of your brain to think about the other issues that you’re going to face other than research,” Aras said. “The University agreed on a 3% salary increase per year for research. That’s all we get after all our efforts.”

Devon Adams, second-year Ph.D. student studying public administration, said her stipend is not getting her by in her current living situation.

“My stipend is about $1,600 a month,” Adams said. “So with my rent, which is $1,300, and my car payment, which is about $400, I’m already spending money that I don’t have for groceries and gas on top of that.”

Graduate students at the University say they’re underpaid, overworked

Adams had to get two additional jobs to help pay her bills, which totaled a work week of 70 hours along with school.

On top of a full course load, many graduate students are expected to teach several classes that correspond to their program of study. However, besides being employees, they are often treated solely as students by the University.

Corbin Goodwin, a second-year master’s student and teaching assistant in the industrial systems management program, said the financial insecurity that comes with being a graduate student worker at NC State takes a toll on her mental health.

“I am stressed out of my mind,” Goodwin said. “The added ambiguity of whether I’m even going to have funding that was almost promised to me … has been really, really tough.”

NC State offers the Graduate Student Support Plan, which covers tuition and a health insurance plan for full-time graduate students who hold graduate assistantships or fellowships.

Leah Weaver, a fifth-year Ph.D. student

studying civil construction and environmental engineering, said graduate student employees work part-time 20-hour weeks, which limits the benefits they qualify for.

“We don’t get benefits outside of the Graduate Student Support Plan,” Weaver said.

“We get our tuition paid and health insurance for a certain period of time, but we don’t get vision or dental options. The rest is all out of pocket.”

Although all students pay fees that help the campus function — funding services like University activity organizations, Campus Health, Student Media and building renovations — graduate students are expected to pay $100-$200 per credit hour for these services, for a total of approximately $1,291.05 in fees per semester for the 2023-24 academic year.

Alex Wall, former co-chair of the NC State Graduate Workers Union and graduate student, said the graduate student fees contribute to students’ financial hardship.

“A lot of people can’t afford to buy a car because they have to pay the University $2,600 back every year or have to eat ramen

and frozen pizzas every night,” Wall said.

“A lot of people go to grad school, and it is the prime of their youth in their 20s, and they’re not allowed to enjoy it.”

Weaver said she feels a difference between department administration and University administration.

“The department is very supportive, and it feels like there’s dialogue, but then when it comes to NC State University, there is sort of a top down policy — you’re not really a student, and you’re not really an employee,” Weaver said.

Goodwin said she has also experienced a lack of support from the University.

“My professors have been great,” Goodwin said. “Students have been great. But the support almost completely disappeared as soon as we got here. It’s almost like there’s no recognition that we’re working for them.”

Kaitlyn Tiffany, a second-year master’s student and teaching assistant in the parks and recreation tourism department, said she thinks the cost of being a graduate student worker at NC State contributes to inequity.

“The University asks, ‘Why we don’t have more diverse grad students?’” Tiffany said.

“It’s because the only people that can afford to take these things are the people that already have that privilege.”

Tiffany said she is frustrated by seeing this inequity on campus.

“If the University would just listen, because it feels like we’re shouting into the void,” Tiffany said. “It’s frustrating to see Randy going up to his really, really nice house driving his really nice cars while we’re going up to the campus food bank because we can’t afford to eat.”

Tiffany said if the University invests in their graduate students, the investment will pay off.

“Even reducing our fees would be a step in the right direction,” Tiffany said.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY EMILY VESPA

The barriers to increasing graduate student stipends, eliminating fees Emily Vespa

Managing Editor

&

Kate Denning News Editor

Graduate student workers at NC State have long called on the University to get rid of graduate student fees and increase stipends, but they face a tangle of red tape that makes achieving these demands near impossible.

Some challenges originate at the University level, but other obstacles lie far above University administration, having been established by the North Carolina General Assembly.

Peter Harries, dean of NC State’s graduate school, said 65% of graduate students are self-funded, and 35% of graduate students at NC State — mostly doctoral students — are supported by the Graduate Student Support Plan, which provides a health insurance plan and tuition at no cost to the student for a defined number of semesters.

To be eligible for the GSSP, graduate students must meet certain requirements; a fulltime, on-campus graduate student must hold a graduate assistantship or primary fellowship with an annual minimum stipend — $10,000 for master’s students and $15,000 for doctoral students.

Students enrolled in the GSSP are still responsible for paying student fees and have the option of deducting these fees from their paycheck. For the 2023-24 academic year, a full-time graduate student must pay $1,291.05 in fees per semester.

“I certainly understand from the students’ perspective that, yeah, the fees are high, without a doubt,” Harries said. “But they also supply, for the most part, really important resources that we wouldn’t have on this campus without the payment of those.”

The NC State Graduate Workers Union has campaigned to get rid of fees for graduate student workers, but hasn’t made much leeway.

Harries said to eliminate fees for graduate student workers, the University would need a hefty donation.

“The thing about fees is that they cannot be paid from any state money that flows to

the University, and that’s really where the challenge comes in,” Harries said. “At one point, I did a back of the envelope calculation — we would need a gift of about $400 million to cover that because that’s really the only source we have, is basically money that’s raised from donors to cover that.”

In fiscal year 2023, only 2% of the University’s budgeted revenue came from gifts and investments. The majority of NC State’s budgeted revenue came from state appropriations, contracts and grants, and tuition and fees.

Timothy Reid, student body president and a fourth-year studying business administration, said since state appropriations can’t go toward paying student fees, if graduate student worker fees were removed, it would be difficult to find other sources of revenue to close the gap.

“They are still students at NC State, and those fees go to fund literally all of the student resources, support systems, activities that they’re able to take advantage of, and we see that they do take advantage of at rates at least as great as undergraduates do,” Reid said. “Like WellRec, for example, Campus Health, tutoring services — these are all things that are funded through student fees. So the likelihood that student fees will be removed for graduate students is relatively low.”

Instead, Reid said he’s directing his focus toward raising stipends.

Reid said he thinks the biggest challenge to getting graduate student worker stipends raised across the board is the fragmentation of funding for graduate programs. Stipends are set at the individual departmental level, meaning how much a graduate student gets paid is contingent on how much funding the department has — and some departments, such as those in STEM fields, have more funding than others.

“You can get one department to agree to whatever percentage increase, but depending on what resources the other departments or academic programs have available, that may not translate,” Reid said. “You want to provide as much equity for all students across all academic areas, but that may not be the case, depending on what that specific situation looks like for each department.”

In Technician’s survey of 70 graduate student workers, respondents in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences reported an average monthly stipend income of $1,396, while respondents in the College of Engineering reported an average monthly stipend income of $2,059.

Students often point to the University’s $2.02 billion endowment as a way to fund initiatives like raising graduate student worker stipends, but that’s not a feasible solution, Reid said.

“It’s like, ‘Why can’t you just rearrange some of those funds or allocate those funds to these much-needed areas?’” Reid said. “But it’s not that simple because everything is earmarked. So the budget for stipends, you’d be looking at the college or the departmental level.”

Margaret Baker, president of the Graduate Student Association and a doctoral candidate in communication, rhetoric and digital media, said the GSA is an advocacy body for graduate students and has been in conversation with administrators at NC State about raising stipends.

“I live in the reality that our stipends are not enough,” Baker said. “Like, truly, deeply know this reality.”

The NC State Graduate Workers Union has also voiced concerns about low stipends, but it faces considerable challenges to negotiate with the University for higher pay because of long-standing North Carolina labor laws.

In North Carolina, public workers — including graduate student workers employed by a public university — are allowed to join a union, but state law prohibits government employers from entering into collective bargaining agreements with a union.

David Zonderman, an alumni distinguished undergraduate professor and department head in history, said the law significantly limits the strategies a union can use to advocate for certain issues.

“There’s a famous line in one of Charles Dickens’ novels ‘Oliver Twist’ where Mr. Bumble says, ‘Well if that’s the law, the law is an ass,’” Zonderman said. “That’s the way I feel sometimes about certain labor laws. It’s very strange.”

Zonderman said the power to eliminate the collective bargaining ban for public workers in North Carolina rests in the General Assembly.

“I think it will only change if the Democrats get a majority in the state legislature,” Zonderman said. “And then the second thing would be that, if you had a Democratic majority, you’d have to keep it unified and in favor of eliminating this law.”

Just because public worker unions can’t negotiate employment terms through collective bargaining doesn’t mean unions aren’t valuable, Zonderman said. He said unions can provide support to workers through other means.

“I would still say to grad students, if they want to organize, they should,” Zonderman said. “I don’t think it’s ever a bad thing. Just know that they don’t have a lot of options, and they don’t have collective bargaining.”

12 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

focused GUEST ESSAYS

‘Pay us what we’re worth’: Grad Workers Union calls on NC State to raise stipends NC State Graduate Workers Union Guest Columnists

The NC State Graduate Workers Union is announcing its campaign for a raise in stipends this year. The University is powered by the work of graduate workers, and our stipends must reflect our contribution to NC State.

As workers at an R1 institution, we teach, grade students’ work and do the research that the University depends on for its dual purposes of generating and spreading knowledge. Our pay has yet to reflect the important work we do.

The cost of living has risen dramatically over the past several years, and as of the beginning of this year we saw a median asking rent of $2,133 in Raleigh. This means that graduate students often spend more than half of their income on rent.

Similarly, the cost of groceries has risen, with a 4.3% increase in food costs in the last year. Despite this, graduate workers are expected by administrators to take on the extra financial burden without an increase in their pay, leaving many students without the ability to cover basic expenses.

We have collected countless such stories from many of our graduate workers. From them, we have learned that struggles such as food and housing insecurity and lack of affordable healthcare are all too common for graduate workers. NC State’s administration must acknowledge that a lack of adequate pay for workers has serious detrimental consequences.

The current minimum nine-month stipend for graduate workers is a measly $11,308, an amount that is insufficient for any person living in Raleigh to meet their basic needs. This minimum stipend stands in stark contrast to the $38,000 average annual cost of living in Wake County.

For this reason, we are demanding a living wage after fees: $41,000/year and annual increases that match the cost of living. This amount is in accordance with the MIT li-

ving wage calculator, and it closely matches with what our graduate student colleagues at Duke are being paid right now.

It is the NC State Graduate Workers Union’s stance that the University has the economic means and willpower to address the financial crisis that has been created for many graduate workers. We look to the leadership that has been demonstrated at nearby institutions such as UNC-Chapel Hill, which increased its minimum stipend to $20,000 earlier this year.

Our union submitted an anti-fees brief with this information to the Board of Trustees earlier this year, but we have yet to see the University take action on the cost of living crisis that graduate workers are experiencing.

In recent years, our union has organized around many issues beyond student fees that impact the lives of graduate workers.

This has included advocating for improved benefits for workers, raising pay and improving working conditions for housekeepers, and addressing unsafe working conditions such as previous air quality issues in Dabney Hall.

This year, our focus on stipends is a result of the message that our union members have shared continuously: We are not being paid enough to meet our needs.

We have the right to organize and meet with University administrators to tackle these ongoing issues. Despite this, NC State has failed to recognize the importance of bringing graduate workers into the conversation. Our organizing keeps our workers at the forefront, and we will continue to demand that the University provide living and working conditions that reflect our worth.

For the graduate workers reading this column, we cannot do this without you. Our union is worker powered, and we want you to join us in fighting for the pay that you deserve. Interested in joining us? Send us an email at ncsugradworkers@gmail.com to get involved.

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Graduate student advocacy is happening across our campus

Margaret Baker Guest Columnist

When I first began at NC State as a graduate student in the fall of 2020, I knew that Ph.D. work was not built for the faint of heart. If you are a graduate student, then you know the realities: long nights spent in the lab or at a desk reading journal articles, the endless revisions of our manuscripts, the constant worry over funding, grant applications and job prospects.

I know these feelings. I am currently living through the late nights, the stress and the chaos, and knew I wanted better for you and for me. In the immortal words of Thanos, “Fine, I’ll do it myself.”

As I got more involved in advocacy efforts, I discovered I was not alone. Across our campus, there are students, faculty, staff and administrators who shared my passion for improving the graduate student experience.

Through the Graduate Student Association, grad students from all disciplines and departments continue to come together to voice their concerns and propose solutions to our administration and other stakeholders throughout the institution. The GSA exists to represent graduate students in any matters relevant to them.

This student-led, student-driven organization cultivates relationships within and outside NC State to make sure your student needs are being met. As the president of the GSA, I and our entire GSA are committed to advocating for the needs and rights of graduate students throughout our institution.

Over my time in the GSA, I have witnessed the power and determination of our community as we come together to address common challenges and make positive changes.

Over the past year, the GSA and other student advocates on our campus have championed graduate student needs, such as increased graduate student assistant funding and better campus mental health resources.

While there is still work to be done, I am proud of what we’ve accomplished so far.

Our efforts have not gone unnoticed, and the University has responded to the specific

GRAPHIC BY JAMESON WOLF

and unique needs of our population.

This academic year, the Provost’s Office raised the minimum stipend as part of the Graduate Student Support Plan.

The phased rollout of minimum stipend increases will include additional increases to come in Fall 2024 for some programs.

This change, the first minimum stipend raise on our campus in 26 years, is a step in the right direction for providing financial security and support for the graduate student population.

While we celebrate these accomplishments and this progress, it is imperative to acknowledge there is still work to be done.

Affordable housing, livable wages and the ongoing mental health crisis of students on our campus continue to be pressing concerns.

The GSA remains steadfast in our dedication to advocating for further progress in these areas, and we value ongoing conversations with administrators, students and other University stakeholders. Graduate student advocacy is not a battle between us and them, but a collective effort toward a shared vision of a thriving graduate education environment.

Graduate student advocacy is happening across our campus. As we continue to push for improvements in the graduate student experience, we must recognize the power of our community’s collective voice and use it to amplify and uplift the needs and concerns of the vulnerable. By working together, we can create a supportive and inclusive community that prioritizes the well-being and success of all students.

The fight for graduate student rights and resources is ongoing, and we must remain determined and persistent in our efforts.

We encourage all graduate students to get involved in advocacy, whether through the GSA or other graduate organizations on campus. Your voice matters; you can make a difference, and we want you to be heard.

Together, we can make a lasting impact on the graduate student experience here at NC State.

To see the other breakdowns, scan this QR code.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ brings childlike wonder to Titmus Theatre

Campbell Depken Correspondent

A garden trowel becomes a sword, an attic is transformed into a pirate ship and a pair of ladders becomes a killer crocodile.

In “Peter and the Starcatcher,” University Theatre’s first large production of the academic year, childlike wonder imbues the stage and technical direction.

The play follows an orphan boy as he goes on an adventure with a starcatcher-in-training, facing pirates and other enemies along the way and answering the question of how a boy became the classic Peter Pan. Peter, played by Lola Byers-Ogle, a fourthyear studying English literature, is not yet the Disney Peter Pan we all know. He’s a 13-year-old boy who is angry, lonely and desperate for a place to call home. ByersOgle’s character development from an orphan who just wants to be an ordinary boy into the mischievous, fun-loving Peter feels organic and impactful.

For Byers-Ogle, the show was also a cre-

ANIRUDH KULKARNI/TECHNICIAN

Ryan Lim, a second-year student studying food science, plays Bill Slank, during the dress rehearsal for NC State University Theatre’s performance of “Peter and the Starcatcher” at Titmus Theatre on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. “Peter and the Starcatcher” is a whimsical and imaginative prequel to Peter Pan, exploring the adventures that lead Peter to Neverland.

ative outlet.

“For me as a college student who often feels like I have the world on my shoulders and like, ‘Oh my god, how am I gonna get a job?,’ ‘How am I going to graduate?,’ Peter Pan and the show had been about escape for me and freedom,” Byers-Ogle said. “I can come here and, like I said in the show, I can just be a boy for a while.”

For Mia Self, the assistant director of acting and directing at University Theatre and director of the production, the play is about more than just Peter Pan. “It’s about growing up and how stinking hard it is and how so much of that growing up process is about exploring how we feel love,” Self said. “How do we sort of transcend and transform those experiences into better versions of who we are and who we have the potential to be?”

A highlight of “Peter and the Starcatcher” is the technical direction. How do you transform a single set into two ships, the

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14 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

THEATRE

continued from page 13

ocean, a mountain, a jungle and more?

You make it an attic.

“Jayme Mellema, who is our amazing scenic designer, he and I were talking about what kind of grounds the show,” Self said.

“We were thinking about the wonderful mystery and weirdness of the attic… And so we were using the attic as a space for all of this to happen.”

The set manages to be both compact and versatile, with a single area serving as multiple locations in the play.

While the technical design provided a great foundation for the play, it was the student performances that elevated it. The production features a 19-person cast, with more students participating as part of the

TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

production crew.

Jackson Griffin, a fourth-year studying history, played the Black Stache, the pirate who becomes Captain Hook. Griffin committed to playing the Black Stache as overthe-top as possible, and his effort paid off — his character was one of the most fun to watch on stage.

Griffin’s performance was well balanced

by Bean Hopper’s calm and collected Smee.

Hopper, a third-year studying sociology, provided a grounding contrast to Griffin’s delightfully exaggerated performance.

“Peter and the Starcatcher” feels like it has something for everyone. While the story can feel somewhat constrained by its need to keep in accordance with other Peter Pan works, its performances and technical elements make University Theatre’s “Peter and the Starcatcher” an incredibly wellproduced play.

“It’s a play to come to if you want to have

fun,” Self said. “It’s going to have a few little tender moments, but it really is just a big romp, from beginning to end.”

After watching the play, it’s easy to see what she means.

Performances will run at Thompson Hall’s Titmus Theatre through Oct. 29. Tickets can be purchased online, with student tickets starting at $10.

University Theatre will continue their producing series with “Jekyll & Hyde” in February.

ANIRUDH KULKARNI/TECHNICIAN

Jackson Griffin, a fourth-year studying history, plays Black Stache during the dress rehearsal for NC State University Theatre’s performance of “Peter and the Starcatcher” at Titmus Theatre on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. “Peter and the Starcatcher” is a whimsical and imaginative prequel to Peter Pan, exploring the adventures that lead Peter to Neverland.

STUDY ABROAD Pack pride: International phenomenon?

Rebecca Schaden Correspondent

Every year, NC State welcomes over 4,800 international students from 120 different countries to live and study in Raleigh.

Coming from different cultural backgrounds, international students might not be familiar with certain American habits or values, such as the strong solidarity and school spirit that connects NC State students.

Joshua Asomah, a fourth-year exchange student studying business management, said the school spirit at his home university in Germany cannot compare to NC State’s.

“When I think about the school spirit at my home university, I have to say that school spirit is kind of non-existent,” Asomah said.

“While here, they’re really all part of the Pack and they have this big school spirit.”

Asomah also said when he first experienced NC State’s strong school pride, it was uncharted territory for him.

“To be honest, I was a little overwhelmed because I didn’t experience anything like that in my home university,” Asomah said.

“At first I thought it was kind of sketchy, but then it got to me. I would actually love to have such a [similar] vibe at my home university.”

Differences in culture also play an important role in the ways school spirit is expressed at NC State and abroad.

Eunah Cho, a fourth-year exchange student studying political science from Seoul, South Korea, said NC State school spirit is competitive.

national universities and NC State became especially evident at sports events.

“We have sports clubs at my home university in Germany … and we can watch their games, but the football games here at NC State, that’s a whole new dimension,” Asomah said. “It can’t be compared to our sports clubs and games.”

Rodriguez said at Vienna University of Business and Economics, which is abbreviated to WU, the sports scene is different.

“WU has an American football team, the ‘WU Tigers,’ but it’s nowhere near the same sort of energy that the NC State football team has,” Rodriguez said. “I didn’t meet many students at WU who cared much for the football team, and plenty of them didn’t even know it existed.”

For more information on upcoming study abroad opportunities, visit the Study Abroad website.

HALLIE WALKER/TECHNICIAN

“Here, everybody is all about NC State, so students are very focused on their own university, and when they interact with other universities it’s to compete,” Cho said. “At my school, we’re more close-knitted with other schools. We organize festivals with other universities and set up clubs that all students can join, regardless of where they study.”

Erik Rodriguez, a fourth-year studying business administration at NC State who

studied abroad at Vienna University of Business and Economics in Austria, said university branding seems more ubiquitous in Raleigh than when he studied in Austria.

“Here, everywhere you go, you will see people wearing NC State clothes with the logo on it,” Rodriguez said. “You see it everywhere on campus, even on the buildings.”

Both Rodriguez and Asomah said the differences in school spirit between inter-

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Culture TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

A look at NC State’s Hallowed Places

Emilia Rivadeneira and Elizabeth Dull Culture Editors

Whether it’s where fans celebrate football victories, students gather with friends or graduates take their cap and gown photos, there are buildings and spaces that store the most cherished memories on NC State’s campus.

These landmarks are known as NC State’s Hallowed Places.

Tim Peeler, an unofficial NC State historian and public communications specialist at University Communications and Marketing, said a hallowed place is a building or public space that has acquired a special meaning from generations of NC State students, alumni, faculty and staff.

“It’s just a place that has accrued meaning,” Peeler said. “We couldn’t have planned out part of the campus and said, ‘Alright, this is going to be a Hallowed Place.’ It is a place where people have gathered in, where people are accustomed to going.”

Peeler took Technician on a tour of the seven Hallowed Places on main campus.

Here’s a look into the tour.

KAELA BELINGON/TECHNICIAN

The NC State Memorial Belltower pictured Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023.

Holladay Hall

Holladay Hall, known as “Main Building” until 1915, is the oldest building on campus.

Built in 1889, it opened its doors in time for the first freshman class of the same year.

“This was the entirety of the college,” Peeler said. “There were two major courses of study: agricultural and mechanics. …

Everyone who worked at the school worked here and lived here.”

It’s also considered haunted by many of its past students, since months before its opening, the building burned.

“At the time, the people in the Board of Trustees thought that they needed to do something to get rid of the spirits that were here, because when they first built this building, they had to move about a dozen graves that were here,” Peeler said.

“This building was built on top of that, so sometimes late at night, people would hear noises.”

Mary Yarbrough Court In her childhood, Mary Yarbrough dreamt of attending NC State at a time when it wasn’t a reality for her.

“She used to play here in this area all the time, and she wanted nothing more in her life than to go to NC State,” Peeler said. “[When she was] ready to go to State, NC State was not admitting women.

So her dream was crushed that she could not come to school.”

She went to Meredith College for her undergraduate degree, and during that time, NC State started developing graduate classes for women.

“She was one of the first female graduate students at NC State, and then she became the first woman to receive a graduate degree at NC State.” Peeler said.

She went on to receive a Ph.D. from Duke University and started a career in education. When she retired, Yarborough’s close friends on campus mentioned the idea of honoring for paving the way for women’s education at the University.

“They said, ‘We would love to honor her, and all she has given to the state, given to the University, given to education in general, we would love to name this area in her honor,’” Peeler said.

Memorial Bell Tower The Memorial Bell Tower’s start to becoming a Hallowed

KAELA BELINGON/TECHNICIAN

Holladay Hall pictured Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023.

Place began on the football field.

Star athlete pair Frank Thompson and Vance Sykes had a great relationship on and off the field. When Thompson later died in combat in World War I, Sykes decided the school should do something to remember those who passed and proceeded to give money to fund the Bell Tower.

The Bell Tower was built up periodically, with construction beginning in 1920 and finishing in 1930. Several graduating classes from a variety of years chipped in to create the finished product.

“This is a hallowed place, but it’s really a sacred place,” Peeler said. “That’s where NC State remembers students and staff in that time. … There were 350 students who died in World War II, there were students who died in Korea, and in Vietnam, and in the Gulf. We have given a lot as a campus, and this is a small thing to show our appreciation for what those folks did.”

Brickyard and Court of North Carolina The Brickyard and the Court of North Carolina are two well-known open spaces around campus, and they serve as a pathway for students to get to their classes. The difference is that one is filled with bricks — around 450,000 — and the other one is a green area that offers a space for students to unwind and relax.

Reynolds Coliseum It all started with agriculture. NC State needed an indoor gathering place to host Agriculture Week, but that gathering space soon turned into a basketball court.

“World War II happ ene d , so for seven years there was no construction,” Peeler said.

“We hired a basketball coach; he won a conference championship; … he wanted this to be done. They used to play in downtown

HALLIE WALKER/TECHNICIAN

Reynolds Coliseum stands at 2411 Dunn Avenue on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023.

Raleigh.”

Peeler said in order to build the basketball court, William C. Carmichael, representing the University, asked the “richest woman in the world,” for support. Mary Reynolds Babcock said yes.

“She did not have an affiliation with NC State,” Peeler said. “She was willing, even though she didn’t have an affiliation, but she said, ‘I will do it under one circumstance.’”

That circumstance was to name it after William Neal Reynolds, her uncle and CFO of the Reynolds Tobacco Company.

Throughout the years, Reynolds became more than just a basketball stadium. Class registration, ROTC courses, political figures and big name bands flocked to the stadium.

“The Rolling Stones played here,” Peeler said. “Bob Dylan played here. When I was at school, Van Halen [played here].”

Aside from these cherished places, there are three more Hallowed Spaces outside main campus — College of Veterinary Medicine Pastures, Lake Raleigh Woods and the Oval.

“Starting at the Bell Tower [and] Holladay Hall, if you draw a straight line, it will bisect the Oval on Centennial Campus,” Peeler said. “It was designed to be that way when they put the Oval in [Centennial]. They wanted it to point directly back to the origins of the University.”

Though sometimes unseen or forgotten in the midst of the quick pace of college life, these buildings and spaces will remain University landmarks for generations to come.

Visit technicianonline.com to view the entire article.

Sports

16 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

COLUMN Don’t look now, but NC State football has a path to make the ACC Championship

Ben Ellis

Senior Sports Writer

This past Saturday proved that just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, college football throws a curveball at you. And believe it or not, despite all of the ups and downs thus far, NC State football now has an outside chance to make a run for the ACC Championship game in Charlotte.

Going into Saturday, it looked like it was almost a foregone conclusion that Florida State and North Carolina were on a collision course for the title game. While that may still be the case for the No. 4 Seminoles after toppling Duke, the same can’t be said for UNC-Chapel Hill following its stunning upset loss to Virginia at home.

Carolina’s loss opens the door for a number of teams to crash the party in the Queen City, and yes, one of them is the Wolfpack.

Right now, the Pack sits with a 1-2 ACC record in a tie for ninth place in the conference, which will send the top two teams to the championship in the first season since the Atlantic and Coastal divisions were scrapped. That may seem meager at first glance, but when looking at the schedule and the rest of the standings, a championship run doesn’t seem too far-fetched.

For now, let’s assume that NC State has to win all five of its remaining games to make it to Charlotte, which, in order, are home vs. Clemson, home vs. Miami, at Wake Forest, at Virginia Tech and home vs. UNC. Granted, none of those will be easy games, and the Pack could just as easily lose the rest of its games as it could win them. However, there isn’t any game left on the schedule that one could definitively say the red-and-white doesn’t have a chance, and for the sake of this article, let’s say that NC State does somehow win out to get to 6-2 in conference play.

As it stands, there are currently eight teams in the ACC other than the Pack that have either one or two conference losses: Louisville (3-1), UNC (3-1), Duke (2-1), Virginia Tech (2-1), Boston College (2-2), Georgia Tech (2-2), Miami (1-2) and Virginia (1-2). Clemson, Wake Forest, Pitt and Syracuse round out the standings with three losses apiece and are all but eliminated from contending for the championship at this point.

If NC State was to run the table, that would bring Miami down to three losses and Virginia Tech and Carolina down to two. That leaves Louisville and Duke as the two teams with one loss apiece, and this is where it gets tricky, especially considering the Pack lost to both earlier in the season.

The Blue Devils and the Cardinals play this Saturday in Louisville, Duke still has to play UNC in Chapel Hill and Louisville has to play at Miami. Between those three games, there’s a good chance that both Duke and Louisville each lose at least once, which would give them each their second conference loss.

Given that both Duke and Louisville already beat NC State earlier this season, that would give each team the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Pack should they all finish with the same conference record. However, it becomes more

HALLIE WALKER/TECHNICIAN

Redshirt junior offensive lineman Timothy McKay, redshirt junior running back Delbert Mimms, III and redshirt junior offensive lineman Anthony Belton pose with their arms crossed in celebration of a touchdown during the game against Marshall at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Mimms scored one rushing touchdown for the Wolfpack. NC State beat Marshall 48-41.

complex when there is a tie between three or more teams.

As outlined in the tiebreaker policy for the new championship game format, there are many tie-breaking procedures for a multiple-team tie, and it isn’t worth the time to delve into all of the potential scenarios in this article.

However, the point is that if it somehow runs the table and finishes the regular season with a 6-2 conference record, NC State could find itself in a multiple-team tie for second place, and if that happens, who knows? Maybe luck will be in the Pack’s favor.

The elephant in the room in all of this is if NC State can

get it figured out on offense, but that’s another discussion for a different set of columns.

I’ll finish off by saying this: although a lot can happen between now and then, there is a very real possibility that the game between NC State and UNC at the end of the season could decide who advances to the ACC Championship.

Just imagine: Carter-Finley Stadium, with the ACC Championship game on the line, against the big, bad Tar Heels. The place would be set on fire.

Will NC State get there? Only time will tell.

Ethan Bakogiannis Editor-in-Chief Record: 39-17

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Emily Vespa Managing Editor Record: 34-22

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Erin Ferrare Asst. Sports Editor Record: 33-23

Noah Teague Asst. Sports Editor Record: 36-20

South Carolina at Texas A&M

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No. 8 Oregon at No. 13 Utah

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No. 20 Duke at No. 18 Louisville

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No. 24 USC at Cal

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Colorado at No. 23 UCLA

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No. 17 North Carolina at Georgia Tech

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Sports

TECHNICIAN 17

TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

NC State football set to take on Clemson in homecoming showdown

Gavin Gallimore Staff Writer

NC State football returns home to Carter-Finley Stadium to take on the Clemson Tigers in its homecoming showdown Saturday, Oct. 28.

This weekend’s game will mark the 91st meeting between the two programs, with the previous meeting coming last season at Clemson as the Tigers pulled out a 30-20 win over the Pack. Despite this, NC State hopes to recapture the same energy it had the last time the Tigers visited Raleigh when the Pack pulled off a double-overtime win in 2021.

So far this season, head coach Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers have largely struggled to live up to the high expectations that usually arise around the program. A normally perennial presence atop the ACC and NCAA, the 2023 season did not start in the Tigers’ favor. Despite opening as a favorite at Duke in its 2023 season debut, the Tigers suffered a doubledigit defeat — their first loss to the Blue Devils since 2004.

Things haven’t gotten much better for Clemson from there. More losses, including a recent one to Miami, have dropped the Tigers out of the top 25 and postseason contention altogether, allowing for NC State to capitalize on a number of the team’s weaknesses on homecoming.

Coming off a bye week, the Pack will surely be anxious to get back on the field after a frustrating loss at Duke on Oct. 14. On a night that saw most of the team struggle, the most frustrating part of the dismal loss was the Pack’s severe lack of of-

GRIFFIN BRYANT/TECHNICIAN

Sophomore running back Michael Allen runs the ball during the Wolfpack’s game against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. The Blue Devils defeated the Wolfpack 24-3.

State was only able to compile 193 passing yards which was below its season average.

This week’s matchup will be a tough one for sophomore quarterback MJ Morris as he looks to bounce back. The Tigers are currently the ninth-best passing defense in the nation in terms of yards allowed, giving up just 172 yards per game. NC State will look to get big contributions from freshman wide receiver Kevin Concepcion who hopes to continue his strong first year. However, the offense will need to get some help from its other targets as

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Joe Ovies OVIES + GIGLIO Record: 30-26

Joe Giglio OVIES + GIGLIO Record: 40-16

Cory Smith Pack Pride Record: 35-21

Texas A&M

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No. 8 Oregon

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fense. NC

No. 13 Utah

No. 8 Oregon No. 8 Oregon

the next receiver in terms of receiving yards has close to 300 yards less than Concepcion on the season.

The ground game is another area in which the red-and-white will need to improve on. After a performance against Duke in which it only put up 112 yards on the ground, the Pack’s backs will need to bring something different to the table as it once again faces another strong defense — Clemson currently only allows 104.1 rushing yards per game which is third-best in the ACC. The Tigers boast a formidable linebacker core which includes names such as Jeremiah Trotter, Jr. who has amassed an impressive 48 total tackles on the season and 8.5 tackles for a loss and Barrett Carter who has 38 total tackles of his own and 5.5 tackles for a loss.

On the other side of the football, Ethan McDowell The Wolfpacker the Wolfpack’s defense looks to exRecord: 34-22 ploit a Tiger offense that has struggled to find solid ground this seaTexas A&M son. In his second season behind center for Clemson, quarterback Clemson Cade Klubnik has been able to put up solid numbers. He has posted a No. 8 Oregon very respectable statline of 1,684 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and No. 20 Duke only three interceptions. He also had a quality game against Miami, No. 24 USC tossing for over 300 yards. However, he has had a handful of games Colorado in which he has been rather limited and held to smaller results.

No. 17 North Carolina If NC State’s defense wants to

limit Klubnik’s production, it will need to keep an eye out for wide receivers Tyler Brown and Beaux Collins. On the season, both have a couple of touchdowns and each have over 350 receiving yards. The Tigers also have the talents of tight end Jake Briningstool who has collected 251 yards and three scores. The Pack, which currently allows 222 yards through the air per game, has some room for improvement after allowing 107 yards from just four completions against Duke.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly for the defense, it will be tasked with having to take care of running back Will Shipley. In his third year on the team, he has proven to be one of the best backs in the conference, consistently proving to be a factor in each of Clemson’s games. As it has throughout the season, the NC State defense will rely on graduate linebacker Payton Wilson to help engineer a wall that has largely helped prevent the success of opposing running backs this season.

Coming off a bye week, a refreshed NC State squad will look to get back in the win column against a Clemson team that hasn’t found the success that the program is used to so far. Despite the Tigers’ record, the Pack will need to make sure it’s on its game if it wants to takedown the Tigers in front of a homecoming crowd.

Kickoff between the Wolfpack and Tigers is slated for 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 in Carter-Finley Stadium. The game will be televised on the CW Network.

Sports

18 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

Wolfpack wrestling gunning for national title ahead of 2023-24 season

Noah Teague

Assisstant Sports Editor

NC State wrestling appears to be at the mountaintop of collegiate wrestling after winning five consecutive ACC team titles.

However, this incredible achievement is just a step towards the Pack’s goal: a national championship.

“We came here to compete at an elite level,” said head coach Pat Popolizio. “The ultimate goal has been to win a [team] national title, and we haven’t done that yet.”

Popolizio has built one of the nation’s strongest wrestling programs in the country, one that consistently competes on a national level. Under Popolizio, the standard is only the best, which has led to an incredible decade of wrestling. Among his many accomplishments, he’s coached three individual national champions, six NCAA finalists and 24 All-Americans. However, Popolizio’s best work has happened off the mat as he guides his wrestlers to grow as people.

“The overall culture and accountability that [Popolizio] holds with everybody is one of the more thankful things that I’ve been able to take away as a person,” said redshirt junior Kai Orine. “This is a place that promotes you to be a better person,

KAELA BELINGON/TECHNICIAN

Redshirt junior Trent Hilday celebrates winning the 184 bout against the Binghampton Bearcats in Reynolds Coliseum on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. Hilday won his individual match 13-4. NC State beat Binghampton 36-3.

rather than just a better wrestler.”

On the mat, expectations remain high entering the 2023-24 season. The Pack returns all 10 starters from last season — four ACC champions and three All-Americans. With an experienced team, the red-and-white is already prepared for the season and aren’t becoming complacent just because of past successes.

“Our coaching staff remains hungry, and we continue to embrace that with the guys,” Popolizio said. “Every guy is trying their hardest to continue to improve and compete at the highest level.”

The road to a national championship will not be easy — the red-and-white will face marquee opponents in and out of conference throughout its 2023-24 season. The highlight of the out-of-conference slate is a trip to Italy, where NC State will take on No. 10 Oklahoma State. In the ACC, the Pack’s biggest challenger will be No. 4 Virginia Tech, which visits Reynolds Coliseum on Friday, Feb. 23.

“I’m so excited to go to Italy,” Orine said.

“Who the heck gets to take a vacation just to go wrestle. That’s one hell of an opponent and an opportunity to prove myself.”

Leading the Pack this season is

redshirt senior Trent Hidlay, who’s moving up to the 197 pound weight class. After winning two ACC championships and being named a three-time All-American in the 184 pound class, Hidlay is looking to elevate his game to an even higher level. In a new weight class, Hidlay remains focused on the same goal as always — becoming a national champion.

“The reasoning behind my move up is to allow myself to spend more time getting better at wrestling and not have to worry about cutting as much weight,” Hidlay said.

“I haven’t wrestled my best at the NCAA tournament the past three years and I’ve been lucky to come away with All-American status, but my goal is to be a national champion.”

Orine is also set to be one of the Pack’s locker room leaders this season. Like Hidlay, Orine was an ACC champion and AllAmerican last year. After multiple seasons with the Pack, Orine has settled into the 133 pound weight class and is set for another impressive campaign.

“Out of all the years that I’ve been here … it was one of the most exciting, emo-

tional and fun years I’ve had here,” Orine said. “I’ve been able to go out, compete and really show off my personality, having fun and acting like a psycho sometimes.”

One more key wrestler for the Pack is redshirt junior Owen “Big O” Trephan, the Wolfpack’s heavyweight starter. The Summerville, South Carolina native provides a unique blend of size and athleticism that makes him one of the Wolfpack’s more dangerous wrestlers. After securing an ACC championship last season, Trephan is set to be a weapon for the red-and-white once again.

“He’s good enough to compete with the best guys in the country,” Popolizio said.

“He’s a real athletic heavyweight and a smart kid — he’s got all the tools he needs to accomplish his goals this year.”

With this trio of tremendous wrestlers and the rest of NC State’s talent, the Wolfpack has a nationally competitive team.

Facing a slate of tough opponents this season, the red-and-white will not have an easy road to a championship. However, if any team is prepared to tackle that path, it’s the Wolfpack.

Sports

TECHNICIAN 19

TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023

NC State Athletics must-watch matchups for winter 2023-24

Erin Ferrare

Assistant Sports Editor

It’s already been an eventful year for NC State Athletics, with fall sports teams making their marks in both home and away matches all semester. But as the weather turns colder, the indoor winter sports will soon have their moments to shine.

Whether it’s your first time in PNC Arena or Reynolds Coliseum or you’re a winter sports fanatic, there are plenty of games that all NC State fans should plan on watching.

Wrestling vs. VT — Feb. 23, 2024 With the Pack coming off of its fifth ACC Championship in a row, the red-and-white has a large target on its back heading into this season. FloWrestling currently has NC State at No. 8 in its preseason rankings, and the Hokies at No. 4.

Last season, the Wolfpack finished off with a 14-1 record, with its one and only loss at the hands of the Hokies. That matchup was hosted in Blacksburg, Virginia, but this year the rivalry will be held in Raleigh,

giving the Pack a home-mat advantage.

The 16-14 loss last season was the closest loss NC State suffered during the season, giving it the motivation to come back to Raleigh and dominate the Hokies in Reynolds for one of the most intimidating atmospheres in NCAA wrestling.

Women’s Basketball vs. UConn — Nov. 12, 2023 The past few matchups between these two teams have created one of the newest and most intense rivalries in women’s college basketball. Since the Final Four game in March of 2022 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, NC State has been itching to get one back on the Huskies.

Last year, this grueling matchup was hosted by UConn. It used its home court advantage in a 91-69 win. While this might seem like a death wish game for the Pack, it can be a huge momentum builder leading into the 2023-24 season.

A matchup between junior guard Aziaha James and redshirt junior guard Paige Bueckers is one that could set the tone for the rest of the season. James played in all 32 games last season and was named

starter in the final six matchups. Safe to say, the Wolfpack guard is looking to make her mark on the NC State court — especially against a generational program like UConn.

The red-and-white will take on the Huskies in its third game of the season. Reynolds Coliseum is known for its incredible basketball atmosphere, and the Wolfpack faithful are sure to show up in droves in the Sunday afternoon showdown.

Men’s Basketball vs. UNC-Chapel Hill — Jan. 10, 2024 Soon enough it’ll be that time of the year — the time where NC State fans hold nothing back and the Tar Heels set foot in PNC Arena.

This game is consistently one of the most highly anticipated matchups by fans of Wolfpack Athletics. Since last year’s

77-69 home win over the Tar Heels, many red-and-white fans are looking to repeat against one of the best programs in college basketball.

While UNC is ranked No. 19 in the AP preseason poll, the Heels are no strangers to dropping quickly in rankings. Last year, Carolina entered the season ranked No. 1 but rapidly fell out of the top 25 after just four weeks of play. That being said, NC State needs to step up its game to ensure that UNC doesn’t use this game as a stepping stone to a higher ranking.

Despite losing its elite backcourt duo of Terquavion Smith and Jarkel Joiner, the Pack’s roster this season is looking strong, especially with room for new players to become stars. Basketball season has snuck up on the Pack, but fans of the red-andwhite should start clearing their schedule for Wednesday, Jan. 10.

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NC State fans hold each other during the National Anthem before the game against UNCChapel Hill in PNC Arena on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. The Wolfpack won 77-69.

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Redshirt sophomore Kai Orine celebrates winning the 133 bout during the NC State duel against Pitt on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 in Reynolds Coliseum. NC State beat Pitt 23-9.