Public records — Technician 11/30/23

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Contents

2 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

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IN THIS ISSUE: page

State shields records 05 NC from public

THE RADAR Events to keep an eye on for the week of Nov. 30

NEWS

NC STATE CHOIRS HOLIDAY CONCERT

MIDNIGHT BREAKFAST

Friday, Dec. 1, 7:30 - 9 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 7 p.m. to midnight

STEWART THEATRE, TALLEY STUDENT UNION $5 for NC State students, $10 for faculty, staff and seniors and $12 for the general public Come listen to your favorite holiday tunes, featuring State Chorale, University Singers and Chamber Singers at the Holiday Concert.

AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER, WITHERSPOON STUDENT CENTER Free Join the African American Cultural Center for a late-night breakfast.

Come study, play games, eat or socialize until midnight.

HOLIDAY SEND-OFF

DRAG FOR EQUALITY

Friday, Dec. 1, 3 - 6 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 2, 6:30 - 9 p.m.

ROOM 356, WITHERSPOON STUDENT CENTER

COASTAL BALLROOM, TALLEY STUDENT UNION

Free Join the LGBTQ Pride Center in its annual Holiday Send-Off to celebrate the end of the semester and student achievements.

$15 Enjoy a night filled with mocktails, political advocacy, art and performances by Jean Belle-Bleu and Coop De Vil Heaux. But most importantly, celebrate the boundless expression of glam.

page

COLUMNS: Apple 06 DUELING Music vs. Spotify

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

OPINION page

10 Tailgate trends: Football season fashion

CULTURE page

12

The redemption of Brennan Armstrong

LAUREN CONWAY/TECHNICIAN

The ginkgo tree that stands beside Park Shops has changed into a yellow color as of Monday, Nov. 27, 2023.

Called “The Tree” around campus and voted Raleigh’s Tree of the Year in 2022, NC State’s ginkgo tree is an attraction that students wait all year for.

SPORTS Editors-in-Chief Ethan Bakogiannis Jameson Wolf

Assistant News Editors Ally Tennant Amelia Russell

Managing Editor/Brand Manager Emily Vespa

Culture Editors Emilia Rivadeneira Elizabeth Dull

technician-editor@ncsu.edu

323 Witherspoon Student Center, NCSU Campus Box 7318, Raleigh, NC 27695 Editorial Advertising Fax Online

919-515-5017 919-515-2411 919-515-5133 technicianonline.com

technician-managingeditor@ncsu.edu

technician-features@ncsu.edu

Copy Desk Chief Rachelle Hernandez

Design Editor Ellie Bruno

technician-copydesk@ncsu.edu

technician-design@ncsu.edu

Assistant Copy Desk Chief Elliot Johnson

Assistant Design Editor Carter McDermott

News Editor Kate Denning

Opinion Editor Justin Welch

technician-news@ncsu.edu

technician-opinion@ncsu.edu

Assistant Opinion Editor Skye Crawford Focused Editor Koen Rodabaugh

Assistant Photo Editor Cate Humphreys Video Editor Isaac Hernandez

technician-opinion@ncsu.edu

technician-video@ncsu.edu

Sports Editor Jenna Cuniowski

Assistant Video Editor Katherine Wan

technician-sports@ncsu.edu

Assistant Sports Editors Erin Ferrare Noah Teague Photo Editor Ethan Rimolt

technician-photo@ncsu.edu

General Manager Garrett Gough media-sales@ncsu.edu

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.

Opinions expressed in the columns, cartoons, photo illustrations and letters that appear on the Technician’s pages are the views of the individual writers and cartoonists. As a public forum for student expression, the students determine the content of the publication without prior review. To receive permission for reproduction, please write the editor. Subscription cost is $100 per year. A single copy is free to all students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus. Additional copies are $0.25 each. Printed by Triangle Web Printing, Durham, NC, Copyright 2022 by North Carolina State Student Media. All rights reserved.

COVER BY EMILY VESPA

News

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Jim Pfaendtner: New dean of College of Engineering Addison Tate Correspondent

This semester, Jim Pfaendtner became the new dean of the College of Engineering, overseeing more than 300 faculty members and 11,000 students. His goal is to lead a college that offers a cutting edge education to students who are valued by a staff that encourages curiosity.

Pfaendtner has a degree in chemical engineering from Georgia Tech and a master’s degree from Northwestern.

He previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Utah and ETH Zurich, a public research institute in Switzerland.

Most recently, he worked as a professor of chemical engineering and chemistry and the department chair of chemical engineering at the University of Washington.

Pfaendtner said because NC State is a land-grant university, it lends itself to public service and the betterment of the world around its students.

“The people who come to NC State engineering do so because they want to be in a place where you can take technology and engineering and put it to work for people,” Pfaendtner said. “Professors and students approach research problems really differently. You’re not trying to just make the best, sexiest new invention that breaks some record; … you’re trying to make a new solar cell that can work for rural communities.”

Pfaendtner said while stepping into the role has been daunting, he’s enjoying the transition.

“Becoming a dean from being a leader of a department is a big step up, and I love it,” Pfaendtner said. “I’m learning so many new things as an academic and as a curious person. It’s really fun.”

Pfaendtner said he’s primarily focused on amplifying the positive practices already in place in the engineering program.

“My number one goal is to do no harm and just keep all the good things coming,” Pfaendtner said. “This is a great

college of engineering, and I don’t want to break anything.”

Pfaendtner is a strong advocate for mental health, emphasizing its importance for engineers.

“I know the past 15 to 18 months has been a challenging time for students on the NC State campus,” Pfaendtner said. “As a person who is among the most privileged people that you could imagine, right, just by my identity, the job I have, the resources that are available, I found an increasing ability to talk about my own struggles with mental health.”

Pfaendtner said he has struggled with mental health his whole life and now takes medication for it, visits a therapist and works out regularly to keep healthy. He said he wants students in the College of Engineering to know about his experience and know their dean can identify with people who are struggling.

“I just want people to know that, and maybe feel comforted by that if that’s available for them,” Pfaendtner said.

“And if nothing else, to know that this has my full attention, has my team’s full attention, and we are working with everybody at the University as hard as we can to create an environment where students can reach their full potential and feel supported.”

Pfaendtner’s time as the dean of the College of Engineering follows Louis Martin-Vega, who worked in the position for 17 years.

“Everybody just says wonderful things about him,” Pfaendtner said. “He’s an incredible person and already a mentor for me. So what I want to do is keep on the trajectory and the vision that he set because it was an excellent one.”

Pfaendtner conducts his own research in addition to his professional career. His research focuses on developing medical materials, like implants, that don’t cause adverse reactions in the body.

“A dean is really busy, as you could imagine,” Pfaendtner said. “My research program will sort of shrink to an appropriate scale. … I will still have a team working on some of these cool science projects I’m interested in, but I’ve got to have the right sized team so I can still mentor people.”

The College of Engineering is experiencing rapid growth with a nearly 40% increase in enrollment. Pfaendtner said this is his biggest challenge because he doesn’t want to see the quality of education go down in order to “grow for the sake of growing.”

Pfaendtner said his goal is to preserve the opportunities already available to students and expand them by utilizing the new buildings, professors and partnerships.

Mechelle Belvin, the executive assistant to the dean of engineering, said she is hopeful for Pfaendtner’s future at the University.

“Each dean is different,” Belvin said. “I think that the new dean will do great work here. … He’s younger, so he has a great vision of how he sees how the College of Engineering will look in the future.”

Pfaendtner said he loves connecting with students and encouraged students to reach out to him personally.

“I am the dean of every student in the college; I am the dean of their parents; I’m the dean of the alumni and the faculty and staff,” Pfaendtner said. “And I love hearing from students.”

of people in America want us to feel scared. But we, it’s not our problem, and we shouldn’t feel scared. And it’s not a problem that people have with trans people, but it’s a problem that they have about themselves that I think that they take out on trans people because we’re new, and I think we represent a better society and a better future for the rest of the people that live here.”

The vigil continued with a reading of a list of names of 112 transgender individuals who passed away this year.

Additional names were added afterwards by members present.

Jess Huynh, assistant director of the LGBTQ Pride Center, said in a speech that the list of individuals does not reflect the complete number of lives lost, as those mentioned are the ones we know of.

“We also want to acknowledge that this memorial to the 112 transgender, non-binary and gender nonconforming loved ones that we’ve lost in the past year is incomplete because society makes it hard to see your numbers and life and death,” Huynh said. “But just like stars in the daytime, we’re still here.”

Huynh said the day serves to not only mourn the lost, but to recognize the injustices towards the transgender community.

“The Trans Day of Remembrance is intended both to mourn and celebrate so much brilliance and joy and

laughter and hope that we’ve lost to the wind,” Huynh said. “We’re here today to continue this tradition of memorializing our community members as their whole and true selves.”

After speeches and a minute of silence to honor the lives lost, students were invited to share their feelings and thoughts. Several themes revolved around self acceptance and the hope of a better future. One student shared they were glad to not be represented by one of the candles.

For Anna-Lukas Banas, a second-year studying psychology and women’s gender and sexuality studies, Transgender Day of Remembrance goes beyond grieving.

“Just us existing in the world as trans people is an act of resistance and an act of love, both for ourselves and for other people in our community,” Banas said. “That’s why it’s so important because we just have to remind one another constantly, as much as we possibly can, that we’re still here, and I’m glad that everyone is here. I’m glad that people wake up every day and make the choice to continue to be here despite of all of the hate that we face by just existing.”

Transgender Day of Remembrance also serves as a reminder to the community of the fight still ahead.

“We are still here, but we are still dying — and it’s still affecting us,” Cahill-Wiedenfeld said. “We still have to keep fighting against a lot of injustice.”

COURTESY OF BRENT LANCASTER

Recognizing Transgender Day of Remembrance

Emilia Rivadeneira and Ally Tennant Culture Editor, Assistant News Editor

The world recognizes Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day created in 1999 to honor the trans community on Nov. 20.

The LGBTQ Pride Center hosted a candlelight vigil, in which students gathered to not only honor the lives lost and mourn with one another, but memorialize community members as their true selves.

The night started off with crafting floral arrangements, which were brought to the vigil at Stafford Commons.

Once there, several students shared their thoughts and feelings about the day through personal speeches and recollections.

Kit Cahill-Wiedenfeld, a second-year studying horticulture and president of T-files, a club under the umbrella of the LGBTQ Pride Center for trans and nonbinary students, read the poem “An Ode to Trans Bodies” by Cal Brantley.

Cahill-Wiedenfeld said the reason for choosing the poem by Brantley was to signify the message of trans bodies being accepted individually and socially.

“It just felt so close to home, and I think what really stuck with me was how they were talking about it’s really scary,” Cahill-Wiedenfeld said. “And I feel like a lot

News

4 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

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How students celebrate Native American Heritage Month at NC State

Riya Kannan Staff Writer

November is Native American Heritage Month. At NC State, students celebrate the month with a myriad of events.

Lee Chavis-Tartaglia, a third-year study ing histor y and ant hropolog y and vice president of NC State’s Native American Student Association, said listening to Native American voices is the best way to celebrate Native American Heritage Month.

“I feel like a lot of people, when they think of Native Americans, think of dream catchers,” Chavis-Tartaglia said.

“They think of war bonnets, horses, bows and arrows and whatnot. That is an amalgamation of a whole bunch of different cultures, something that we call Pan-Indianism, which is the mushing of all different aspects of different cultures into creating this idea of a singular Native American culture.”

Chavis-Tartaglia said along with recognizing the diversity within the Native community, it is crucial to acknowledge institutional diversity and consider what it refers to.

“Diversity needs to be more than just a checkbox,” Chavis-Tartaglia said. “I feel like for a lot of people, it is just like something to mark off like, ‘Okay, we’ve taken care of the Natives for this month.’

It needs to be more.”

Chavis-Tartaglia explained how NC State as a campus and institution recognizes Native American Heritage Month and the improvements over the years.

“I think there’s always room for improvement,” Chavis-Tartaglia said. “I think it’s gotten a lot better than when I first started here, and I appreciate it in that aspect. For example, they’ve been highlighting Miss Lumbee on the main website. It’s stuff like that that is very much appreciated, but there’s always more that could be done.”

Chavis-Tartaglia said Indigenous students at NC State often conduct most of the Native cultural events on campus.

“NC State itself hosts events with input from Native students, so a lot of our events that are made for us are made by us — but we’re the ones having to come up with them and fund them all,” ChavisTartaglia said. “There aren’t really events for Native or Indigenous students that are not made by us.”

Gavin Bell, assistant director of Multicultural Student Affairs, said sometimes the size of NC State can hinder efforts to connect the community over Native American Heritage Month.

ONY OTIOCHA/TECHNICIAN

Trinity Locklear, a third-year studying criminology, laughs at someone’s joke during the Native American Heritage Month Chat ‘n’ Chew at Talley Student Union on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023. This event allowed students of Native American heritage to discuss their experiences on campus over dinner.

“NC State’s a very big institution, and so we can become very siloed very quickly,” Bell said. “In that, a lot of times, since we are so spread, what the colleges and student organizations are doing are so separated. One of the only times that we saw [support] come together was the land acknowledgment. I think that acknowledgment is a really good and incredibly important thing, but if that’s the only time that we’re all coming together, that can be a challenge.”

Chavis-Tartaglia spoke on the importance of acknowledging and celebrating the existence of indigenous students on our campus and how diversity is significant beyond numbers.

“There’s a reason why we have these heritage months,” Chavis-Tartaglia said.

“It’s to recognize that there are Indigenous students, especially on campuses.

We’re doing things for the community, and we are trying to bring culture here.

When people back home see the culture up here, they’re more inclined to come here.”

Chavis-Tartaglia said celebrating Native culture on campus is important to attract more students from Native com-

munities.

“I feel like if campuses look at the cultural aspect of these months, the numbers will speak for themselves,” ChavisTartaglia said. “Indigenous kids come up here from heavily Indigenous-populated counties and see that we have an annual powwow, and if we had events every November, more kids are going to come here, kids are going to apply.”

Bell said people should approach learning about Native culture with a willingness to learn.

“Native people, we pay attention to spirit — it’s all about the attitude you approach with,” Bell said. “We’re also storytellers. Most Native people, if you open that door, they’re gonna start talking, but we’re going to understand the context. We’re going to tell stories, we don’t mind that. We just want to make sure that somebody’s willing to hear.”

Chav is-Tar taglia said students on campus can help show their support for Indigenous people, especially during Native American Heritage Month, by being present.

“I think the main thing that we need is the numbers,” Chavis-Tartaglia said. “We

want people to come in and listen. You can’t appropriate or anything if you’re listening. You really can’t cause an issue if you’re just sitting there and listening to our stories, hearing what we have to say.

We’re a very open community.”

Chavis-Tartaglia said they wanted people to remember Indigenous people have undergone adversity and struggles but aren’t defined by them.

“People are like ‘Oh, they went through the Trail of Tears, they’ve gone through so much like that,’” Chavis-Tartaglia said. “Yes, but we are not defined by our adversity. We are defined by how we respond to it.”

More information on Native American culture on campus can be found by scanning this QR code or on Instagram at @ncsu_nasa

News

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

NC State shields records from public

Emily Vespa

Managing Editor

NC State says it’s “committed to a policy of openness, honesty and cooperation” in providing public records. But after weeks of correspondence with the University, Technician has been repeatedly denied records some lawyers say should be public.

Technician filed a public records request Oct. 4 for emails between Student Body Officers and other members of Student Government. NC State denied Technician’s request Oct. 10, citing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.

In an email statement to Technician, University spokesperson Mick Kulikowski said emails that belong to or are utilized by students are considered education records and can’t be released in accordance with FERPA and University’s FERPA regulation.

“Please note that education records are not public records and therefore are not subject to public records requests,” Kulikowski said in the email. “As defined by NCGS 132-1, a student is not a ‘public officer or official (State or local, elected or appointed)’ who is transacting business on behalf of NC State University.”

However, there is a discrepancy among University administration as to whether student emails are educational records.

Don Hunt, senior vice provost for Enrollment Management and Services, is listed as the contact under the University’s FERPA regulation. He told Technician in an email that the University Registrar’s Office — which is housed within Enrollment Management and Services — is responsible for maintaining educational records. He said emails that belong to or are utilized by students are not maintained in an individual’s education record.

“Student email in general would not automatically be considered an educational record,” Hunt said in the email.

“Emails used to support academic actions may be considered an educational record, such as a grade appeal, where the student provides evidence of assignments etc.”

Technician emailed Lynda Mottershead, a member of the Office of General Counsel and the University records officer, Oct. 11 for further explanation of the justification for denial. Mottershead said these records are not public, and the University views the matter as closed.

In a phone call Nov. 8, Mottershead referred Technician to the deputy general counsel, Shawn Troxler, for additional explanation. Troxler declined to comment for this story.

Though the University maintains that these records aren’t public records, some lawyers, including Hugh Stevens, a First Amendment and media lawyer who’s successfully represented the media in a number of high-profile lawsuits involving access to public records, said NC State’s justification for the denial of Technician’s request isn’t adequate.

“I think these records are not under FERPA, and I don’t think they are foreclosed from being public records under the law,” Stevens said.

SG is funded through student fees paid to NC State by all full-time students, and it’s tasked with allocating this fee money — which totaled $424,000 in the 2023 fiscal year — in what it deems as “the best interest of the student body,” according to NC State’s fees explanation.

Brooks Fuller, director of the North Carolina Open Government Coalition, said under North Carolina’s public records law, records made or received in the transaction of public business are public unless they fall under specific exemptions.

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“Any record of government activity, which includes things like how student fees and tuition and public money is spent and allocated, is presumptively public unless there’s a very narrow exception that prevents that specific record from being disclosed,” Fuller said.

Fuller said the definition of a public record isn’t limited to records created by public officials or employees of a government agency.

“The definition of a public record is any record that is made or received in the transaction of public business, and so it’s the substance of the record, and not necessarily its creator, that makes something a public record,” Fuller said.

Jonathan Gaston-Falk, staff attorney for the Student Press Law Center, said public access to records is critical to uphold transparency and accountability.

“With our public institutions, they have an obligation to be open and transparent because the public has the right to figure out, for example, what’s happening with their money — what sort of projects are not only being funded, but what projects are not,” Gaston-Falk said.

Fuller said North Carolina courts have consistently ruled that exceptions to the public records law should be interpreted narrowly, and FERPA doesn’t justify withholding all records that tangentially reference a student.

“FERPA does not give university officials the ability to put a cloak of secrecy over everything that discusses a student,” Fuller said. “That’s just not how FERPA was designed. It’s not FERPA’s goals, and it should not be how FERPA is interpreted even today.”

FERPA protects records that directly relate to a student’s

educational file, such as transcripts or academic credentials.

Fuller said the Office of General Counsel should be diligent in examining the substance of records to determine whether they’re protected under FERPA. “On one hand, I really understand their concern over student privacy, but I also think that university general counsels get paid a whole lot of money to understand FERPA really well, and they should understand its basic limits and what it does and does not reach,” Fuller said.

Other universities in the UNC System have challenged records request denials in court, Fuller said.

“Our universities are sometimes really slow to respond to public records requests until the threat of a lawsuit or litigation, and I find that unfortunate,” Fuller said. “They shouldn’t have to be threatened with a lawsuit to provide public information.”

In 2011, a Wake County Superior Court judge ordered UNC-Chapel Hill to release records including studentathlete parking tickets after the university cited FERPA to withhold them — a case Fuller said is a parallel set of circumstances to this denial.

“It just really paints a very clear picture that just because a record discusses a student does not make it an education record,” Fuller said.

Gaston-Falk said public access is imperative to civic engagement.

“This is for both sides of the political spectrum,” GastonFalk said. “Either side should be able to access those public documents in order to figure out whether our government is functioning appropriately. It’s a nonpartisan issue.”

Opinion

6 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

DUELING COLUMNS

Apple Music is the home we strayed away from Now, I know you’re reading the title of this article and asking yourself, “Who in the world decided Apple Music was better than Spotify?” But if you just sit back, relax and get off your Ally Spotif y-wrapped high Tennant Assistant News horse, I will enlighten you.

Let’s flash back to 2010.

Editor Music is at its peak. “TiK ToK” by Kesha just released, and it’s time to have your “it girl” moment. However, your mom said she would ground you if she ever caught you listening to Kesha, so you decided to listen to “Hey, Soul Sister”

by Train.

While shuffling through your monitored playlist, there’s one thing you are thankful for — your Apple iPod that streams Apple Music.

The crusted, pink, single-button iPod has gotten you through everything. Kindergarten breakups, best friend sleepovers gone wrong or hyping yourself up before an EOG. And to all you Spotify listeners out there, you abandoned your home.

To my small community of Apple listeners here today, thank you for sticking with us. You understand the awkward conversation when people ask who your top artist is or what kind of music was on the daily playlist today. But I am here once and for all to end the Apple-Spotify debate.

Spotify listeners, thanks for finally listening to something other than your AI Spotify DJ. Did you know Apple Music has all these features too, and it comes with a better deal?

For $5.99 a month, as a student, you can access Apple Music and Apple TV. The cost is much more accessible than Spotify. With a family plan for only $16.99 a month and an individual non-student service for $9.99, the individual plan is a dollar cheaper p e r mont h than Spotify, which can add up.

For t hose who claim Spotify is a better option for discovering new music, have you ever heard of Apple’s Apple Music 1 Radio? This radio allows you to listen to several global, live music channels, and it’s just a click away in your app.

Apple Music also allows you to connect with your favorite artists, friends and form a new feature of creating shared playlists.

A feature called “Connect” allows you to form a relationship with your favorite artist by sharing feeds of lyrics, music, photos,

videos and text posts with their top listeners.

Most importantly, to counter Spotify Wrapped, Apple Music actually has a feature called “Replay.” You just don’t see Apple users posting it on their stories because, unlike Spotify users, we aren’t trying to get validation by being in the top 0.01% of listeners for The Smiths or some other band you think is niche.

Apple Music also creates playlists for its members under its “Browse” section. Although these playlists aren’t created for your specific music taste, it is another way to find amazing new music. “Afrobeats” and “Hindu Rock” are just two examples of these curated playlists that can expand your horizon.

There are also spaces under this section dedicated to showing new music to listeners interested in adding more music to their favorite playlists.

Apple News is also a feature within Apple Music. Being quickly informed on global news is way more important than focusing on your daily mixes.

Now it’s time to be real. Apple Music is simply more organized than Spotify. As a former user of the free, month-long trial of Spotify Premium, I detest that moment; it was the most confusing time of my life.

The Spotify queue accidentally makes you press new songs, losing your lineup.

Searching artists doesn’t show their entire discography — you have to dig for it. And worst of all, the podcast section is depressing.

At the end of the day,

it comes dow n to your preferences. Whether you use Apple or Spotify, all that matters is that you can express yourself f r om s t r e aming music.

However, to all my Spotify users, please stop dissing Apple Music users.

Spotify slays more than Apple Music

When it comes to the world’s biggest rivalries, Spotify and Apple Music have always fought for the title of best music streaming service.

However, there’s only Emilia Rivadeneira one right answer. With 220 million premium Culture Editor subscribers worldwide as of July 2023, Spotify remains the leader of all digital music platforms.

Although leading the race subscriber-wise, it’s not the number of members that shows which platform is best. Spotify has a different, and ultimately superior, vibe than Apple Music.

Keeping it fresh with its user-curated playlists, such as “Discover Weekly,” “Daylist” and its well-known annual “Wrapped,” Spotify brings its A-game on the user-curated playlist department that Apple Music cannot surpass.

Although Apple Music offers a wide variety of personalized playlists, Spotify has distinct features that elevate its curating methods. For instance, its new “Daylist,” which is designed to undergo multiple updates throughout the day, adjusts to any user’s changing moods and listening preferences. From “missing your unrequited love late night” to “scream writer monday evening,” it constantly changes its name to stay in sync with your mood, making it innovative and fun.

Who wouldn’t want a fun, silly little name describing their mood? Personally, I love it.

Additionally, Spotify has an incredible library of collaborative playlists, which Apple Music didn’t have until recently.

Copycat much?

With the new iOS 17.2 update, Apple Music has introduced this “new” collaborative playlist feature, allowing every collaborator of that playlist to add songs, rearrange the order in which the songs will play and remove songs. Too bad Apple Music is 15 years late, because Spotify has had this since its launch in 2008.

Speaking of new features, earlier this year Spotify introduced its DJ, elevating its ability to deliver the right piece of music even more with the help of artificial intelligence.

The purpose of the DJ is to provide a personalized AI guide that will deliver a curated lineup made of recent and old favorites, proving that it knows you and your music taste so well it can choose what to play for you.

Maybe we’ll see this feature being implemented in Apple Music in the next 15 years.

Who knows?

Now, let’s talk about pricing. If you don’t want to commit to a membership, Spotify offers a free option, which Apple Music doesn’t. Of course, not paying has its cons, as you’ll have to listen to music with ads and won’t be able to download anything.

However, when it comes to plan options as students, we receive more benefits from Spotify than from Apple Music.

While students enrolled in degree-granting universities and colleges can join Apple Music at a discounted monthly rate for up to 48 months, Spotify offers Premium Student with Hulu, which is a great, affordable option that includes music, movies and television at $5.99 per month.

If you’ve already spent hundreds of dollars to buy an Apple phone, why should you have to pay more to listen to its embedded music feature?

Scan this QR code to read the full articles online

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

DUELING COLUMNS Sexy? No. Practical? Yes: Hill Hunt is the true shining Library is better than Hunt library on the Hill

I’m sure everyone on campus has been to D.H. Hill Jr. Library at least once. Maybe it was on a tour before you were accepted to NC State, or maybe you’re in there every night, Will LaMarche studying until dawn. Regardless, you know Hill is Staff Writer the go-to, classic NC State library.

I’d say it’s the best library on campus, but Hunt Library isn’t even on main campus, so there’s not much competition for that title.

Hill has one of the best places to study and work: the bookstacks. Head to any of the floors above the third and you’ll find ample, quiet study spaces. It feels like exactly what you expect when you think of a library.

The bookstacks at Hill are almost whimsical places to work and browse the titles of books you’ll never read.

Most places to work in Hunt look like a dystopian office space. Quite a few of the areas in Hunt seem solely designed to place you, and at least a hundred other people, in front of a desk.

While this can also be argued about the base floors of Hill, you’re still surrounded by books, lighting and seating that add color and character, and the spaces of isolation aren’t nearly as big.

The closest thing you get to the bookstacks at Hunt is the bookBot, i.e., not a study space.

With a name like the bookBot, you might imagine a cute robot that guides you through the library and gently climbs shelves to retrieve your books. That is not at all the case.

Imagine an awkward shelf that moves across stacked, book-sized shipping containers. At least at Hill you can physically find the location of the books you want.

Not only does Hill have superior study spaces, but it’s also in a more convenient location. If you live on campus, you probably live on main campus, since Centennial Campus only has four places to live. Maybe you like the idea of feeling stranded in a library that you can’t escape until you finish your work.

But maybe it’s also nice to have one within walking distance from classes and living.

The furthest place you could live from Hill on main campus is Wolf Village. While it is about a 20 minute walk, there is a direct Wolfline route that takes 10 minutes. Still,

most students probably live closer.

Going to Hill also gives you the added benefit of access to Hillsborough Street. If you need a break from studying, you can walk for five minutes and go get a bite to eat. If nothing on Hillsborough Street sounds good, you can head down to the Atrium as well.

Not hungry? Take a quick walk around the Court of North Carolina or by the Hillsborough side of Kilgore and Scott Hall where

all the plants are.

An especially underrated aspect of Hill is the Exhibit Gallery. The current exhibit is on women’s history at NC State and the prior was on the 100 year anniversary of Technician. While small, the exhibits are always polished and informative. There’s also a little section where you can sit and see the Brickyard, which is nice when it isn’t plagued by rampant construction. If you haven’t been, definitely check it out.

While neither of these libraries are winning the sexiest building on campus title, Hunt doesn’t get points for trying. Hill is a brick tower, but the view from Hillsborough Street offers a nice preview of the building and fills out the lawn space with tables and chairs. Hunt looks like tacky aliens landed their ship there and the architects made it work. It feels like it’s supposed to look like something, though I’m not sure what.

It feels like Hunt wants to be the cornerstone library of NC State. In reality, it’s the new kid on the block, and it’s trying way too hard. Hill is a classic, widely accessible library that has stood the test of time. Hill Library has earned its title of Best Library.

“There are some ideas so absurd that only an intellectual could believe them.”

These immortal words

by George Orwell were the first that came to mind when comparing Hunt Library and D.H. Hill Jr. Library. Hunt is clearly

is decked out with many newer decorations, making it feel split between centuries. On the other hand, Hunt fully embraces the modern aesthetic, with everything from wild and inventive chair designs to unique bookshelf layouts.

Jake If all of this — the view and the look, the inPekar terior aesthetic and the diversity of available Correspondent rooms — doesn’t sway you, Hunt Library is also sustainable. Thirty-one percent of its building materials are made from recycled content and roof-mounted solar panels that greatly reduce energy usage.

I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention Hunt’s most iconic attraction: the bookBot. The technological marvel at the center of the facility, it’s freely available to all interested students. For anyone critical of the bookBot, you’re free to avoid it.

Regardless, it serves as an extra straw upon the camel’s back when contrasted with Hill.

A defender of Hill may rightly point out that Hill is, at the very least, near the heart of campus, whereas getting to Hunt is a miles-long adventure up to Centennial Campus. While this is true, it is immaterial to how the libraries themselves GRAPHIC BY WYLIE PHU compare.

If one could choose between having Hunt or Hill nearest, the better institution, and anyone who has it would be far better to choose the former. visited the two will know why.

Indeed, when the most important defense of To begin, if placed next to Hill Library, Hill is simply that you need to travel further Hunt looks like the better side of a “before to reap the rewards of Hunt, it doesn’t seem and after” makeover. It’s absolutely gorgeous, like a ringing endorsement. with an enormous field outside to boot. On Likewise, the claim that Hill has the the other hand, Hill is extremely blocky and Atrium and numerous resulting restaurants is next to a brickyard under construction — while Hunt does not is correct, but also adnot the view of a lifetime. jacent to the battle of the libraries. Yet again, Not only does Hunt have a better view, all this claim does is prove how much better but it has massive windows to pair with it. Hunt is as an actual library. If I had to argue If that’s not enough, Hunt also boasts the that one elementary school was better than Skyline Terrace, a beautiful area which ac- another, I would not reference a movie theacentuates the view even more. ter near one school as improving the quality The typical trappings of older libraries are of the school itself. completely bypassed by Hunt, which has the With these attributes in mind, it surprises entire spectrum of open and tight spaces. me that there’s even a debate about this matWhich spaces you make use of are up to you. ter. Hunt is simply the more desirable library.

On the other hand, Hill is filled with claus- If you need any more justification, picture trophobic spaces, making one feel sealed off what would happen if the locations were rewith no accommodation for other study versed. If they were, with Hunt in the middle space preferences. of North Campus and Hill a bus ride away Perhaps you appreciate the older aesthetic on Centennial, there would be no question provided by the older library. And yet, Hill which one would be more desirable.

Opinion

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Screw the bookBot Mike Madden

Marine, Earth, & Atmospheric Sciences Department, PhD

To the Editor: I recently read Technician’s recent debate regarding the two libraries at NC State. I will now offer my opinion.

During my tour of Hunt Library as a firstyear graduate student, my first thought was “Where are the books?” Later, I observed a majority of the books were kept behind a sterile pane of glass — or whatever it is. You select a book, and it is then retrieved by the bookBot, which is placed within a long and towering series of metallic stacks.

This, to me, begs for apocalypse.

I am, indeed, aware that Hunt Library provides essential resources, many of which I have used in my tenure as a doctoral student and candidate. And keep in mind, I am not opposed to technology — I use supercomputers to simulate the weather after all.

But I am filled with existential horror when I walk through the doors of Hunt Library.

It is the perfect metaphor for universities today. Sacrificing wonder for convenience.

Flashing lights. Gizmos. Junk that causes rich, spiritless donors to open their wallets.

I get it. Book stacks may not be attractive for some — and are arguably claustrophobic; I accept that criticism. But part of the beauty of the Bookstacks is that you can discover materials that you were not even looking for initially.

And you can’t get that experience through an online search. For example, if I need a specific book about boundary layer meteorology, I can go to that part of the Bookstacks, and retrieve that book. A couple of shelves down, however, I may find a book on emissions. Or environmental policy.

Or wind power meteorology. Stuff that wouldn’t immediately appear on the first page of an online search.

That beauty of discovery is lost with the bookBot. Is it a neat invention? Sure. Whatever.

But all it is to me is a metallic gatekeeper of knowledge. It would be better served as scrap metal.

I have more to say, but I’ll end the criticism now. I’m getting too pissed off. I need to watch my blood pressure, and this topic is increasing my craving for nicotine.

Screw the bookBot. I hope it gets struck by lightning.

Let’s try to first be kind rather than right Lucian Lucia

Professor in the Departments of Forest Biomaterials and Chemistry

To the Editor: The North Carolina State University campus should be a psychologically safe place for our students and staff. However, the other day, I was shocked to not see my bike after a meeting in Talley and subsequent meetings.

I learned it was impounded because it allegedly presented a safety hazard although I had parked it numerous times on railings without issue. Clearly, such a determination is contestable without any metrics applied, but the mere fact of its disappearance caused great psychological distress at that moment, especially because I needed it to get to Centennial Campus.

Of course, impounding, ticketing or other punishment is at the discretion of the authorities, but I contend in the absence of a clear and present danger, we should let first time ‘‘offenders’’ know by affixing written paper warnings, especially if they kindly give the offender the benefit of the doubt and their bicycle is not an immediate threat; otherwise, we devolve into a Pharisaical or Machiavellian campus.

I’ll never forget when I first got to North Carolina, a trooper did not issue a ticket to me — I did not yield space when he was parked on the side of the highway — because of my ignorance. For this impounding, I would have been so glad to have been warned with consequences for a second offense, but I was not given that privilege.

In the event of a non-immediate threat, we should strive to be kind rather than to be right as a way to continue to promote humanity. I now registered the bicycle, with the accompanying sticker. I now recognize the proper spaces for parking but will carry with me the trauma of the event, the image of the violated lock and the inability of any parking personnel to show empathy.

Holiday Havoc

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

Aquarium Trip

Avery Szakacs, Staff Cartoonist A third-year studying art and design

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Beyond Hollywood: A look at international holiday cinema Riya Kannan Staff Writer

From “How t he Grinch Stole Christmas” to “Home Alone,” the holiday season is typically filled with classic films on repeat. While these classics may hold a special place in our hearts, there are plenty of movie alternatives to watch, including international movies.

International movies, or films outside of Hollywood, often tend to have different takes on holiday movies than what Hollywood audiences are used to seeing on screen.

Anu Thapa, assistant professor in the film studies program who specializes in films of the global south, spoke on the phenomena of holiday films in international cinema, specifically South Asian and Indian.

“I’ve been thinking about holiday movies, and especially because I work in the South Asian universe of film, I’ve been thinking about whether or not t here are any like

proper Diwali mov ie s or even movies of the other big festivals, and honestly, I can’t think of any film,” Thapa said. “I’d like to think that I have a good range of knowledge about Asian cinema, but I can’t think of a film that is packaged as a ‘holiday’ film.”

Thapa said this doesn’t mean South Asian films lack holiday presence on screen, but rather that holidays serve a different purpose, one that strays away from Hollywood’s idea of what a holiday film is. Instead of serving as the entire film, holidays and festivals can be plot carriers.

“They do festivals, which in my opinion, function as a plot point,” Thapa said. “There will be big events that kind of carry the narrative forward and then provide some form of spectacle to the movie in the film itself.”

Thapa also said the reason behind holidays and festivals serving as plot points rather than building the entire movie is time.

“I’m inclined to say that it would be pretty difficult to make a film that is solely about Diwali, especially if you think about Indian popular cinema because these ones are long,” Thapa said. “You’re not talking about a 90-minute movie; we’re talking about two, two and a half hours, three hours.”

Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham” is an example of a film that includes holidays in its plot.

“There are kinds of festival tropes within films rather than the center, in some way symbolizing things,” Thapa said. “Diwali becomes this iconic plot point, like if you look at Karan Johar’s films, like ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham,’ but never quite an entire film just about it.”

While South Asian and other international film industries may not have holiday movies the way Hollywood does, that doesn’t necessarily mean there aren’t films specifically

GRAPHIC BY ELLIE BRUNO

released during holiday seasons.

“I think the industry itself revolves around the events in a very interesting way,” Thapa said. “I wouldn’t think of a Hollywood big release, necessarily during Christmas, because this is the time for holiday movies and for people to stay in with their families. However, in India, they will have big releases that may not be about the festival themselves. For example, [Indian actor] Salman Khan has always released a film during Eid.” For those interested in watching more international films, Thapa said to start by looking at the options available in streaming services.

“I think we’re living in this moment where, with streaming platforms, there are just so many options,” Thapa said. “I think it’s much easier to access global films from or TV series around the world that are not necessarily the ones that have been made mainstream by Hollywood or the festival circuit. So I would just say to do a little bit of digging on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and all of these places where you can find a lot of these international films.”

NC State University Libraries also offer easy and accessible opportunities, such as its global film series, for students to become more familiar with international films.

Marian Fragola, director of community and engagement of NC State Libraries, said the global film series is a great way for students to explore different voices.

“We do the global film series, which students really enjoy,” Fragola said. “I think these events are a great way to explore new voices. … We also have interactive opportunities; we do making events; we do creative journaling events and much more.”

Thapa gave some recommendations for starter films based on her personal experiences and those she teaches in her film classes. These included the newly released Bollywood movie “Jawan,” 1936’s “Achhut Kannya,” translated to “Untouchable Maiden,” Marjane Satrapi’s “Persepolis’’ and Bruce Lee’s martial arts films.

“If you want to have a global perspective, if you want to have that kind of exposure, the quite literally easiest way to do it is to just sit on your couch and turn on the TV,” Thapa said. “Just explore a bunch of stuff. There’s so much available at this point that I can’t even keep track of all the stuff that’s on.”

Culture

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Tailgate trends: Football season fashion Neely Malik Correspondent

Whether in pouring rain, bitter cold or unbearable heat, NC State students never fail to show up and show out when it comes to game day outfits. Beyond the cheers and roar of the crowd, tailgate fashion choices are a defining feature of the Wolfpack game day experience.

As the 2023 college football season comes to an end, here’s a look back at frequent fashion highlights of the season.

Ribbons Whether they’re tied to a clear bag, holding together an updo or tied to cowboy boots, ribbons have been the “it” accessory this football season.

Maddie Weber, a first-year studying fashion and textile management, said ribbons were her favorite game day trend this season.

“I’ve been loving the red ribbons everywhere,” Weber said. “Ribbon bows in hair, tied to purses and tied to boots.”

While ribbons never went out of style,

they’ve certainly made a comeback this fall. Weber said ribbons are a great addition to game day outfits.

“It’s a good way to accessorize without being too obvious with it,” Weber said. “If you’re not someone who loves red, you can add a subtle red accessory through a ribbon somewhere on your outfit.”

And the Wolfpack did, as the sight of red ribbons flocking through the air against an all neutral or black outfit never lacked this season. Ribbons are a great way to represent school spirit without going overboard, which makes them the perfect accessory to elevate a simple tailgate outfit.

Red boots Students, alum and fans alike donned their favorite pair of cowboy boots — a common and iconic game day staple — at Carter-Finley this season. However, this season there was an uptick in red boots.

Following the recurring trend of red accessories with an overall neutral outfit, bright red boots have been at the height of popularity this season. Blending ste-

HALLIE WALKER/TECHNICIAN

Savannah Frye, a fourth-year in communications at Meredith College, line dances with friends during the tailgate at the fairgrounds lot outside of Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Students were tailgating for the football game against VMI.

HALLIE WALKER/TECHNICIAN

Hannah Stevens, a fourth-year in fashion and textile management, and Sophie Rutkowski, a third-year in business administration, laugh before posing for a photo with their matching skirts during the tailgate at the fairgrounds lot outside of Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Students were tailgating for the football game against VMI.

reotypical tailgate fashion with NC State’s trademark color allows for the perfect Wolfpack outfit.

Denim on denim Bringing back a ‘90s staple, this year’s tailgates have been thick with denim.

Whether matching sets, a collection of washes or just plain old jeans, denim was everywhere. However, the denim-ondenim look takes the prize for dominating game days fashion-wise.

Ella Troiano, a fourth-year in design studies, said denim was one of the most common fashion pieces she saw over the course of the season.

“This year I saw a lot of mini skirts and denim,” Troiano said. “My favorite trend I wore this year is a denim vest styled for game day.”

However, it wasn’t only vests. This year, denim jackets paired with a pair of jeans

or maxi skirts became a common look among fans.

Vintage NC State Keeping with the ‘90s fashion comeback, vintage NC State hats, jackets and jerseys were a hit this year. For example, old school varsity jackets with the NC State logo were a frequent sight.

“I also saw a lot of girls wearing cute bows and vintage NC State hats to the game,” Troaino said.

Often found at thrift stores or inherited from alums, vintage hats, among other pieces, elevated fans’ looks this season.

This year’s football season saw a return of retro styles and simplicity to Carter-Finley.

From red accessories to denim or a variety of vintage pieces, the Wolfpack did not come to play when it came to outfits.

Recognizing winter holidays around the world Sarah Hoffer Correspondent

With winter break approaching, the holiday season is upon us. While we might know Christmas as a big holiday in America, it’s important to recognize the numerous holidays celebrated across the country and world — and by students at NC State.

Hanukkah This holiday begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew calendar month, Kislev, and can fall anywhere from late November to late December and lasts eight days. This year, Hanukkah

will begin the evening of Dec. 7 and go until Dec. 15. On each of the eight evenings, a candle is lit on the menorah, which is a candelabrum used in Jewish worship.

Hanukkah is a celebration of the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem, as the word “Hanukkah” means dedication in Hebrew. The holiday also serves as a time to remember difficult moments in their history.

Some traditions include children playing dreidel to win gelt, which are chocolate coins, and the making of latkes, potato pancakes, along with other items, cooked in oil to appreciate the miracle of the one cruse of oil

that lasted eight days.

Eliana Harr is a second-year studying elementary education and member of NC State’s Hillel chapter, a gathering place for Jewish students to explore their heritage and celebrate holidays.

Harr said she’s expecting to celebrate one of her favorite traditions once at home for the holiday.

“One tradition that my family has that I really love and that I’m excited to go home for Hanukkah for is we have this big table in like the entrance of our house, and my mom puts a million menorahs, like she puts out a ton of menorahs, right on the table when

GRAPHIC BY WYLIE PHU

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

International students share their perspectives on NC State campus life

Rebecca Schaden Staff Writer

you walk in,” Harr said.

Emily Gott, a second-year studying horticulture and member of Hillel, said while she’s away from her family, she still keeps the traditions going.

“My family, since we’re all kind of in different places in college, we light the menorah every night but we try to FaceTime as we do it, so like we’re still doing it together,” Gott said. “So I guess it’s like a new tradition.”

Diwali Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of India’s major holidays and lasts for five days every year. During the five days, people spend their time at feasts, taking part in festive gatherings, fireworks displays and praying. This holiday is dedicated and associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and the lights symbolize knowledge over ignorance and the victory of light over darkness.

Yash Agarwal, a third-year studying computer science, is a member of Hindu YUVA

said. “We basically only have shared flats where everyone has their own room and you share a kitchen. The other option is to rent your own small flat where you have a kitchen, a bathroom and a study room all to yourself.”

Tomas Zaviacic, a German exchange st udent who studied me-

at NC State, which organized a Diwali celebration at Talley Student Union on Nov. 17.

Agarwal said celebrating Diwali helps remember home and recognize a part of one’s identity.

“I think it kind of reminds you of home; … it’s something that shines out in your own identity,” Agarwal said. “And to me, personally, it allows you to kind of have that sense of self-expression because it is a part of your culture, your religion, your identity and your traditions.”

activities are done, such as reciting poetry or drumming, to highlight each principle.

The NC State African American Cultural Center celebrated the holiday early this year, in order to align with the University’s calendar. On Nov. 17, it held a Feast of Faith to explore the history and seven principles of Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa Kwanzaa, a week-long celebration of African and African American culture and family, occurs every year from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. The holiday ends with a festive and communal gathering called the Feast of Faith, also known as Karamu Ya Imani.

During this week, families come together to share a feast, celebrate their ancestors, celebrate their culture and affirm their relationships. Each day, a candle is lit to represent the principle of the day and various

GRAPHIC BY MARLOWE HENDERSON

With more than 1,000 buildings owned or leased by the University, a roughly 2,000acre campus and more than 600 student organizations and clubs, NC State is the largest university in North Carolina.

For international students, the sheer magnitude of NC State’s campus is often the most striking difference between European universities and NC State.

Jakub Ročeň, a second-year master’s student pursuing a degree in management at the Business School of Economics in Prague, said his university doesn’t have a campus at all.

“There are three or four buildings, and they’re all connected to one huge building,” Ročeň said. “There are a lot of schools in Prague that have a campus, but those are on the outskirts of the city. … Universities located in the center of Prague, like my home university, don’t have a campus.”

Giovanni Consiglieri, an Italian exchange student pursuing a business degree at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Piacenza, said the buildings and facilities on campus at NC State are used for more than just class, as opposed to his home university.

“There are a lot of events other than classes, and it happens all within the walls of the campus,” Consiglieri said. “So, the main difference I found is in Italy, and really in Europe in general, is most buildings are for classes, whereas here they’re also used for clubs and organizations or to host events.”

Erik Rodriguez, a fourth-year studying business administration at NC State who studied abroad at Vienna University of Economics and Business in Austria, WU, said his host university reminded him of a community college.

“Here in Raleigh, we’ve got Wake Technical Community College, and it’s a lot smaller, and it doesn’t offer as many associate degrees in different fields,” Rodriguez said. “WU was a bit like that since it only offered degrees in economics and business.”

Rodriguez also said he was surprised by the modern architecture and the futuristic flair of the different buildings and amenities on campus, particularly the libraries — he said he has never seen anything similar at NC State.

Thimo Böck, a second year master’s student studying mechanical engineering at Reutlingen University in Germany, said he had a similar experience with on-campus housing at his home university.

“On-campus housing is way more modern and newer at my home university,” Böck

chanical engineering at the University of Stuttgart, said the opposite was true for his home university’s campus.

“It seems to me as if Talley Student Union and the Carmichael Gymnasium are fairly new whereas most parts of our campus in Germany were built in the ‘70s and ‘80s,” Zaviacic said. “We also don’t have a gymnasium or such a nice theater, like Stewart Theatre.”

Zaviacic said just like at NC State, there are a lot of different options for students to live on campus. But unlike NC State students, those who live on campus don’t spend their free time with student organizations.

“We have maybe around 30 to 40 clubs,

Lunar New Year Lunar New Year is the first day of the lunar calendar and commemorates the arrival of spring and the new year. Although commonly referred to as Chinese New Year, the term “Lunar New Year” is becoming increasingly popular since it is celebrated by many cultures throughout the world. It is the most important holiday in China but is also widely celebrated by Vietnam, South Korea and other East Asian countries.

The length of this celebration frequently extends to 15 days, and some activities of this festival include lion and dragon dances, temple fairs, market shopping and traditional food and drink of the holiday. Prior

whereas NC State has over 600 of them,” Zaviacic said. “Students are not usually going to clubs that much. They are not very popular. We also don’t organize huge events such as the Red and White Week as NC State does. We may have small parties, but they usually don’t incorporate the whole university.”

The concept of dining halls is also very different at European universities. While some of them do have one or at least a building where students can gather around and eat, meal plans or all-you-can-eat buffets aren’t very common.

“We don’t have a meal plan, but we do have a dining hall,” Ročeň said. “So, we buy the meal every day for lower prices than normal restaurants, but it’s disgusting. And we have a few restaurants in the building in the university.”

Students said school tuition is high at NC State, especially compared to European universities and Vienna University of Economics and Business in particular. In most European countries, tuition is much lower, contributing to why universities are smaller. Many students don’t have to work while they study at European universities.

“There are some working opportunities at university, like archivers or administrative assistants, but those jobs aren’t paid well; it’s like $5 per hour,” Ročeň said. “We usually work part-time at companies outside of the university, instead doing activities at the university itself or working on campus. That’s how we gain most of our work experiences.” to the festivities, people will clean their houses of dirt and unwanted items, and decorate them with lanterns, new furniture and flowerpots.

Christmas Although celebrated by many people outside of the religion, Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. This holiday is celebrated every year Dec. 25, but its spirit extends beyond this day with the lit-up houses in neighborhoods filled with decorations and the frequent playing of Christmas carols at homes, restaurants and stores throughout the month of December.

A common tradition of this holiday is putting up a tree in your house and spending an evening decorating it with ornaments, lights and family heirlooms of sorts. On Christmas morning, presents are placed under the tree, and families spend the morning around it opening gifts oneby-one.

Sports

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The redemption of Brennan Armstrong

Colby Trotter Staff writer

When graduate quarterback Brennan Armstrong was booed off the field after throwing a game-sealing interception against Louisville, most NC State football fans thought and hoped that would be the last time they’d see Armstrong. Those wishes seemingly came true when sophomore quarterback MJ Morris was announced as the starting quarterback just days later.

As most know by now, Morris played four games and then decided to sit out the rest of the season to preserve his redshirt. Fans of the Pack were shocked by the decision and saddened because they knew that meant Armstrong would be the lead signal caller once again.

There was good reason for this agony, because before Armstrong was benched he had thrown more interceptions than touchdowns, which is why what came next could only have been written in Hollywood.

Not only was Armstrong thrown back into the fire, but he was tasked with leading the Pack against two teams it had historically struggled against on the road and finishing at home against its most hated rival. It was a three-game stretch the Virginia transfer was ready for — instead of feeling sorry for himself after getting benched, he continued to work, and as junior cornerback Aydan White said, he handled the situation like a “grown-ass man.”

His first stop on the redemption tour was at Wake Forest, a place the Pack had only won at once since 2003. Against the Demon Deacons, Armstrong led the team in rushing with 96 yards and a rushing touchdown. This was nothing new as the captain of the offense was an effective runner before he was benched, but his performance through the air greatly improved since his last start.

JERMAINE HUDSON/TECHNICIAN

Graduate quarterback Brennan Armstrong slides to avoid UNC-Chapel Hill’s defensive line during the game against UNC in Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. The Wolfpack beat the Tar Heels 39-20.

GRIFFIN BRYANT/TECHNICIAN

I​​ n this file photo taken Nov. 11, 2023, graduate quarterback Brennan Armstrong celebrates a rushing touchdown during the Wolfpack’s game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Armstrong helped the Wolfpack win its final three games of the season.

Armstrong threw the ball with great timing and accuracy in his first start back, completing over 70% of his passes including a 20-yard dart to redshirt sophomore receiver Julian Gray for a touchdown. The most important thing the signal caller did was not turn over the ball, which he was much maligned for the first time around.

Suddenly, there was a newfound confidence in Armstrong spanning from his teammates to everyone in Wolfpack nation. Everyone could see Armstrong was playing with more poise, and he understood what he had to do to make the offense successful.

After taking down Wake Forest, Armstrong and the Pack faced another daunting task as they traveled to Blacksburg, Virginia, to play in one of the loudest environments in college football. NC State hadn’t won at Lane Stadium

since 2004, but Armstrong and company were determined to change that just as they did against Wake Forest.

So what did Armstrong do to secure the Pack’s first win at Virginia Tech in nearly 20 years? He led the offense to five straight touchdown drives spanning across the second and third quarters. The graduate accounted for four of the touchdowns with two on the ground and two through the air.

Once again, Armstrong did not commit a single turnover while also completing just under 70% of his passes. Taking care of the ball and completing passes at a high clip was something he wasn’t doing during his first five starts — a sign of growth and hard work by the veteran quarterback.

As if winning back-to-back games on the road in historically tough environments

wasn’t enough, Armstrong decided to save his best for last against UNC-Chapel Hill. The graduate quarterback will live in Wolfpack lore forever after his performance against the Tar Heels.

All Armstrong did against Carolina was set his season-high in passing yards and passing touchdowns. He picked apart the Tar Heels’ defense with lethal precision, completing 71% of his passes for 334 yards. The Pack offense spotted its defense with a 26-7 lead at half thanks to Armstrong’s elite decision-making and timely throws.

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but Armstrong once again did not turn the ball over against the Tar Heels, meaning he did not commit a single turnover in his second stint as the Wolfpack quarterback. It can’t be understated how impressive and important that is, given how well the Pack defense was playing when Armstrong came back. By not giving the ball to the other team, it allowed the defense to rest and it was never put in bad field position.

In Armstrong’s sequel as the Pack’s lead man, he compiled nine touchdowns to zero interceptions, all while leading the Wolfpack to three straight victories and ending the season on a five-game win streak.

If you want an example of how to deal with adversity with perseverance, look no further than Armstrong’s situation. He transferred to NC State knowing it was his last season of college football and was benched during that final season. He could’ve easily quit on his team after having his starting job taken, but he worked to get better, and we all saw the proof of that in his last three games.

Armstrong will always be remembered for being a “grown-ass man.”

TECHNICIAN 13 Stars shine in senior night win over Carolina

Sports TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Ethan Bakogiannis Editor-in-Chief

Two schools, 25 miles, one bitter rivalry. No matter what some UNC-Chapel Hill fans may claim, the heated rivalry between NC State football and Carolina has recently provided some of the most show-stopping, heart-racing moments of ACC football in the past two years. This season, however, it went a bit differently.

Instead of a thrilling comeback or a tense overtime bout, NC State established an imposing lead and never looked back under the lights at Carter-Finley Stadium on senior night. With help from its stars — graduate linebacker Payton Wilson, graduate quarterback Brennan Armstrong and freshman receiver Kevin Concepcion — the red-and-white dismantled the Tar Heels 39-20.

“Not a rivalry” If you know anyone who goes to UNC or is a fan of Carolina football, there’s a good chance you’ve heard this go-to line. Well, they’re actually right, it is pretty one-sided. As of late, NC State has dominated the classic rivalry when it comes to football by winning six of the last eight games between the two.

On top of that, the Wolfpack has now beaten the Tar Heels three years in a row. While the annual duels in 2021 and 2022 were heart-stopping upset victories for the redand-white, NC State demolished the Drake Maye-led Tar Heels in Raleigh on Saturday.

At one point in the second quarter, the future NFL quarterback found himself with one completion on seven throws for 3 yards and facing a 23-0 deficit. Maye and company did battle back, but it was all too little, too late. Armstrong and the Pack were long gone by the time the Heels found their footing.

It was a statement win — on both sides of the ball — and year after year, head coach Dave Doeren has continually found ways to thwart the Heels, no matter how much talent they sport and how brash they are leading up to the game.

But sure, it’s not a rivalry.

Wilson’s Wolfpack It’s for the culture. And no one embodies NC State football’s culture more than Wilson.

There’s a long list of adjectives to describe the Wolfpack’s undisputed leader of the 2023 season. However, gritty, tough, relentless and unselfish are all at the top of that list.

Those words define Wilson and define the Wolfpack. No matter how dismal things may have seemed for NC State this season, especially after its 24-3 loss at Duke, the redand-white never gave up.

With Wilson at the helm, NC capped off its five-game revenge tour with its win over Carolina where the ACC linebacker of the week played arguably his best game of the season. He posted a whopping 15 total tackles — two of which were for losses — a forced fumble, a quarterback hurry and an interception in his bittersweet finale at CarterFinley.

Before his signature performance, the fan-favorite received the loudest applause of the night when he received his senior night flowers. And after, Wilson shook every last hand and signed every last autograph before entering the tunnel for his last time. The graduate will undoubtedly be playing on Sundays come 2024 but he cemented himself as an NC State great, and possibly the best linebacker in the nation with his emotional and inspired performance.

JERMAINE HUDSON/TECHNICIAN

Graduate linebacker Payton Wilson hugs head coach Dave Doeren before the game against UNC-Chapel Hill in CarterFinley Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. This game against UNC also served as senior night for the NC State football team. NC State beat UNC 39-20.

Armstrong 2.0 Armstrong’s journey with the Wolfpack has now come full circle. From getting benched, confidently returning to the starting role and now a dominant senior night, Armstrong has battled through it all this season and played his best game in the red and white against the Tar Heels.

After getting banged up last week at Virginia Tech, the graduate relied on his arm to get the job done against Carolina. He racked up an impressive 334 yards for 3 touchdowns on 71 percent passing and added another 27 yards on the ground — enough to earn him the title of ACC quarterback of the week. His best throw of the night? A perfectly placed 20-yard strike in the back of the endzone to redshirt sophomore wide receiver Dacari Collins.

Armstrong made every play he needed to and more against UNC. He led his team on eight-straight scoring drives, converting first down after first down on the team’s way to a 39-point performance. Armstrong has heard his fair share of boos this season, but he deserved every bit of

the raucous cheers he received before, during and after his signature win in Raleigh.

The phenom Chances are you’ve heard the name KC Concepcion by this point, and at this point, how could you not? The freshman phenom has taken Raleigh by storm this season, and he didn’t shrink under the lights against UNC. Whether it was out of the backfield or lined up out wide, Concepcion was electric every time he touched the ball, which was often. The freshman rightly earned 17 total touches on the night — 11 runs and 6 receptions. Concepcion led NC State in both receiving and rushing yards, earning 63 and 131 yards, respectively. He also hauled in two, show-stopping receiving touchdowns to cap off his ACC wide receiver and ACC rookie of the week performance.

UNC had no answer for Concepcion on Saturday. If he hadn’t already earned the Wolfpack faithful’s undying respect after his historic freshman season, he definitely did after torching Carolina’s defense.

Sports

14 TECHNICIAN THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

COLUMN

NC State women’s basketball primed to compete for a national championship Ben Ellis

Senior Sports Writer

Through the first few weeks of the 202324 women’s college basketball season, no other team in the country has enjoyed as impressive a start as the NC State Wolfpack.

In seven games, the No. 5 Wolfpack women have knocked off not just one, but two top-five teams, something that no other team has done this season and something the program has not done since the 202122 season.

How well did NC State do in 2021-22? The Pack only managed to go 17-1 in ACC play, win its third-straight ACC Tournament, make it to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1998 and nearly made it to the Final Four for just the second time in school history, a feat that very well would have happened if that game had been played at an actual neutral site.

If this year is anything like two seasons ago, the Wolfpack should be pretty darn good. Not just that, but the Pack is already looking like it has what it takes to bring home its first-ever national championship.

Similar to the teams that were a part of head coach Wes Moore’s three-year run atop the ACC, this year’s team is incredibly well-balanced, and opposing teams must pick their poison when it comes to playing NC State as any player can seemingly score at any point in the game.

For her breakout, 33-point performance against then-No. 2 UConn, it looks like the team’s star and go-to scorer in late-game situations is junior guard Saniya Rivers, whose offensive game is much-improved from a season ago. Not only that, but she is also a defensive menace, consistently guarding the opposing team’s best backcourt player and giving her fits throughout the game.

When Rivers is not scoring, other players step up and take a star role. In the team’s most recent win — an impressive 78-60 beatdown of then-No. 3 Colorado — Rivers had just seven points, and graduate center River Baldwin filled in her shoes with arguably her best game at NC State, scoring a career-high 24 points.

Both Baldwin and her frontcourt teammate, graduate forward Mimi Collins, have combined to become a fearsome presence down low this season, helping their team win the rebound margin in nearly every game this year. Rivers, Baldwin and Collins — three transfers all in their second year in Raleigh — have found their footing in Moore’s system and are playing the best basketball of their college careers.

JERMAINE HUDSON/TECHNICIAN

Junior guard Saniya Rivers celebrates after scoring a point during the basketball game against Rhode Island in Reynolds Coliseum on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. NC State beat Rhode Island 67-58.

Let’s not forget to mention the team’s leading scorer, junior guard Aziaha James, who leads the team with 16.6 points per game.

James has continued upon her improvement shown in her sophomore year, and although she has yet to have a true signature game against a top-notch opponent this season, Wolfpack fans know good and well what she is capable of thanks to her late-game heroics in a thrilling overtime win over North

Carolina last season.

Rounding out the starting five is senior guard Madison Hayes, who has also shown flashes this season and most recently scored in the double digits in each of the Pack’s three wins in the Paradise Jam. Like Rivers, she is a formidable defensive presence and will also guard the opponent’s best player, and her secret weapon is her three-point shot, knocking down 11-18 thus far this

season.

At this point in the season, it appears as though the team’s biggest issue is its depth, and it remains to be seen who will be able to come off the bench and provide key minutes. The most likely player to answer that question is freshman guard Zoe Brooks, who is averaging 9.4 points per game and notably came off the bench to score 12 points in 26 minutes against UConn.

Other than the starting five and Brooks, however, no player is scoring more than six points per game and averaging more than 16 minutes a contest. In the team’s most recent win against Colorado, Brooks was the only player to come off the bench and play more than 10 minutes.

Granted, the starters were taking care of business just fine, but as the Pack moves forward and inches closer to ACC play, it needs to find a more sustainable rotation where the starters aren’t asked to play over 30 minutes every night.

With that said, there are ways in which this year’s team is an upgrade from those of years past. From the sample size of games played already, it is clear NC State has no issue starting slow or waiting until late in the game to turn on the intensity, which was an issue in 2021-22 and before. In each of the games in the Paradise Jam, the Pack started out fast and never turned back, and even after a somewhat slow start against UConn, the team quickly recuperated to find its groove.

Additionally, the Pack has already been tested many times in its young season, and each time the team has answered the bell.

NC State knows it can hang with the best of the best. Now it’s a matter of bringing the same level of energy every single night and respecting the opponent rather than playing to the level of its competition.

Every team in the ACC and around the country saw what NC State did to UConn.

Everybody saw what NC State did to Colorado. Everybody knows NC State is legit and that Moore has his team rocking and rolling once again, which means the Pack is going to get each team’s best shot every time it steps on the floor.

As tough as it’s been thus far, the road to a championship only gets tougher from here on out. The Pack will have its growing pains and challenges. But from what it has already shown, this team has both the talent and the grit to get to the promised land and bring that elusive championship trophy home to Raleigh.

TECHNICIAN 15 Sports NC State football finishes strong regular season TECHNICIANONLINE.COM

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Connor VanDerMark Correspondent

The 2023-2024 college football season has been one to remember for the Wolfpack. A season that began with questionable play and doubt turned into a solid 9-3 record, good for third in the ACC and yet another bowl game. The season was capped off perfectly with a blowout win against rival UNC-Chapel Hill. Here’s a look at the guys who made this season possible.

The heart and soul Graduate linebacker Payton Wilson has been the heart and center of this Wolfpack team. Not only is he the best defensive player on the team, but one could argue that he is one of the best defensive players in the nation, hence why he is a finalist for both the Dick Butkus Award and the Chuck Bednarik Award.

Wilson led the team with 138 total tackles, good for fourth in the entire nation. Wilson was second on the team with six passes defended and led the team with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He is also one of two NC State players to score a defensive touchdown this season. Finally, he was half a sack behind redshirt junior defensive end Red Hibbler’s team-leading six and a half sacks.

Being top two in most major statistical categories is no small feat, but Wilson has made it look easy. He will truly be missed in this dominant Wolfpack defense, but should prove to be a solid prospect in the 2024 NFL draft.

The second chance Graduate quarterback Brennan Armstrong transferred from Virginia in hopes of a playoff push for his final eligible season. The Wolfpack also hired his former offensive coordinator at UVA, Robert Anae. Armstrong was named the starting

JERMAINE HUDSON/TECHNICIAN

Freshman wide receiver Kevin Concepcion celebrates scoring a touchdown during the game against UNC-Chapel Hill in Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Concepion scored two touchdowns. The Wolfpack beat the Tar Heels 39-20.

quarterback over sophomore quarterback MJ Morris, who was familiar with the team after starting for a few games last season.

After a heartbreaking loss to ACC rival Louisville, Armstrong found himself benched in favor of Morris. The Wolfpack sat at 3-2, and had serious questions about the future of the season. Though a prolific rusher, Armstrong had major turnover issues and appeared to have issues with deep passes. Morris won three of his four games played but chose to redshirt in favor of an extra year of eligibility.

Armstrong once again found himself under center, and did not disappoint. Through the last three games of the season, Armstrong accumulated 857 total yards and found the endzone nine separate times, all without a single turnover. He led the Wolf-

pack to victory in each of the remaining games, including a 39-20 blowout over rival UNC. Armstrong was once booed by fans after his shaky start, but in his final game at Carter-Finley Stadium, he emerged from the tunnel to joyous cheers and a round of applause, showing he had regained the trust of the fanbase. Armstrong now looks to lead the Wolfpack to one more victory in their upcoming bowl game.

The kid Freshman wide receiver Kevin Concepcion arrived at NC State with plenty of excitement and fanfare, yet he still exceeded everyone’s expectations. Concepcion finished the regular season with 64 catches for 767 yards and ten touchdowns, all team

highs.

He shattered multiple long-standing Wolfpack records, such as Koren Robinson’s freshman reception record of 48, which he set back in 1999. He also broke the Wolfpack freshman record for touchdown receptions, which was held by Kelvin Harmon with five in 2016.

As of right now, Concepcion is 86 yards away from Robinson’s freshman receiving yards record of 853. He currently averages 64 receiving yards per game, but has gotten 86 or more in three games this season, including the last game of the regular season against UNC. Concepcion was also heavily included in the rushing attack throughout the back half of the season, taking 38 carries for 297 yards, a whopping average of 7.8 yards per carry. He finished the season second on the team in rush yards. Even if he doesn’t break the record, he has still been the most productive offensive player by far and provides an explosiveness to the offense that is incomparable.

The leader of the Pack We always discuss players, but it would be wrong to end this recap without acknowledging head coach Dave Doeren. He’s led the Wolfpack for 11 seasons and just recently broke the record for most wins by a head coach in NC State football history, which was set by Earle Edwards from 1954 to 1970.

Doeren’s first season with the Wolfpack ended with an abysmal 3-9 record, but has since been impeccable, winning seven or more games in nine of his last ten seasons.

Although some may be disappointed in the lack of conference titles, Doeren’s consistency and perseverance is more than admirable. Doeren remains a great leader of the team and is a great embodiment of what it means to be a member of the Wolfpack.

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