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The Pendulum
WedneSdaY, march 4, 2009 // Page 3
State and local
UNC g considers North Carolinians respond pharmacy school positively to stimulus plan Margeaux Corby News Editor Greensboro is about to have yet another addition to its large collection of graduate schools now that UNC Greensboro is in the midst of tentative talks about a school of pharmacy. “An academic and research program in pharmacy would enhance the research profile of UNC G while addressing one of the primary goals of UNC Tomorrow, economic development of the Triad, region and state of North Carolina,” said David Perrin, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at UNC G. Director of Greensboro Economic Development Alliance Dan Lynch echoed Perrin’s words, stating the school could attract business to not only Greensboro but the entire state. “It’ll be beneficial not only for the university but for the entire region,” he said. “There is a shortage of pharmacists nationally. If we can have a school of pharmacy where we are producing licensed pharmacists, that helps us go out and recruit companies that can give those students work.” Both Lynch and Perrin argue the establishment of a pharmacy school in Greensboro would not only improve economic growth of the city, but provide opportunities for undergraduates in the area. “Recruitment of pharmacy students from the highly diverse undergraduate population at UNC G would help address the underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in the pharmacy profession, while at the same time creating an outstanding career option for these students,” Perrin said. Several local foundations, including the Joseph M. Bryan Foundation and Weaver Foundation, will work closely with both the university and Greensboro Partnership in order to privately fund the construction of the school. “The economy is our biggest resistance,” Lynch said. “It’s difficult for private and public
Margeaux Corby News Editor According to a 2002 study by the Sheps Center for Health Services Research, there is “an imbalance in the supply of, and demand for, pharmacists practicing in retail, rural and hospital settings” in North Carolina. The report suggests the establishment of a pharmacy school in those locations, since “placing a program where there is a shortage of pharmacists (in the rural, northeastern and eastern parts of the state) will draw students from the local communities who are more likely to stay and practice there organizations to allocate funds for expansion right now.” Lynch said Elon’s law school proves how successful establishing a graduate school can be to city development. “We thought it was a good long term investment and now ,three or four years later, the law school is full," he said. "Around 300 students are in the downtown area as well as faculty and staff. All the influences are in a positive way.” According to Steven House, Elon's dean of the college of arts and sciences and associate vice president for academic affairs, Elon explored the idea of either creating an interdisciplinary science and business graduate program or establishing a research-based pharmacy school. House said UNC G’s decision to establish a pharmacy school would influence choices the Elon administration will make about the university’s own establishment of a pharmaceutical graduate or doctoral program, but that the university supported UNC G’s newest graduate initiative. “It would impact what we do but we’d be interested in having arrangements with our student going there,” he said. Last month, UNC G submitted a “request for authorization to plan” to the UNC general administration and plans to submit the “request to establish” proposal in May 2010. The university hopes to accept the pharmacy school’s inaugural class in August 2011.
North Carolinians are still hopeful. According to the Elon Poll released Feb. 27, 52 percent of respondents support the federal government stimulus and 54 percent said they believe the stimulus will positively affect the economy. “The economy is of the upmost importance for North Carolinians,” said Hunter Bacot, director of the Elon University Poll. “They do have hope for the stimulus bill, but it’s not overwhelming.” Bacot said the results indicate people North Carolina are relying heavily on President Obama to fix the current economic situation and the majority view current efforts being made by the commander-in-chief in a positive light. “In situations like this, people look to the executive because you have one person. It’s easier to look for one person for guidance than to Congress which has 500,” Bacot said. “Based on these numbers it looks like he’s leading well.” Bacot said such strong support despite grave domestic troubles may merely be attributed to Obama’s short time in office. “Early on presidents usually do enjoy higher numbers but those numbers are critical because he needs that support to push initiatives through Congress,” Bacot said. “He uses that as credibility for his issues.” The results mirror what many polls across the nation have found, although Bacot admitted he was surprised at the amount of support for Obama’s actions since North Carolina is often a rightleaning state. “I didn’t expect it would break 50 percent,” he said. “It reflects that people are really worried and that they see that the government is the agent that has to do something. They’re trusting the government to do something because they don’t trust banks.”
iNFOrMAtiON cOUrteSy OF elON POll
The poll also asked respondents where they would be most willing to see state government cuts. Respondents overwhelming opposed slashing funding to crime and public safety, elementary and secondary education and the community college system. Individuals polled seemed more willing to see cuts to parks, recreation and cultural services and the state general fund. There was wider support for increases in “sin taxes,” which included 78 percent of respondents supporting an increase in liquor tax, 76 percent for wine, 73 for cigarette and 72 for beer.
MArGeAUx cOrby | Graphics
Poll results released Monday indicated that while 80 percent of respondents believe talking on a cell phone while driving is hazardous and can decrease highway safety, 54 percent of those cell phone users still talk on the phone while driving. Only 51 percent of those polled believe restaurants and bars should ban smoking although 82 percent believe second-hand smoke is a health threat and 87 percent said employees have the right to a smoke-free working environment. For results concerning North Carolinians views on transportation, the death penalty and health care, visit:
Eight busted for drug possession, some withdraw from school from BUST | PAGE 1 and entering of a motor vehicle and misdemeanor larceny. Fletcher was charged with misdemeanor possession ofmarijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of possession of stolen property and was placed under a $750 bond. Smith was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of possession of stolen property and placed under a $750 secure bond. Barbash was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of possession of stolen property. He was placed under a $750 secure bond. Zavala was charged with possession of a schedule II drug and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was placed under a $2,500 secure bond. Mayo-Smith was charged with felony possession of marijuana, maintaining a dwelling, manufacturing marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a fraudulent identification
card. He was placed under a $25,000 secure bond. Hegamyer was charged with felony possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell and deliver, maintaining a dwelling, manufacturing marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia and was placed under a $35,000 bond. The search began when reports of stolen property and breaking and entering of a motor vehicle were made by Gibsonville residents in October. Gibsonville police investigators contacted the Burlington Times-News with the vehicle’s description and a partial tag belonging to the vehicle, asking for community assistance to help locate the car. According to an article in the Times-News Feb. 26, police discovered it was not a partial tag number, but a complete tag number from an outof-state plate. Information received from the community’s calls led to an investigation of 203 Colonnade Dr., which resulted in information for the search warrant. Gibsonville Police Detective Rebecca Dixon said her department helped assist the Elon Police Department in the
operation. “I was working on a case that involved a larceny and breaking and entering that led me to this residence,” Dixon said. The warrant led them to recover 31 grams of marijuana as well as stolen property at this location, according to the release. The investigators received supplementary information that directed them to an additional search at 735 E. Haggard Ave., where police seized approximately 491 grams of marijuana and also found an indoor grow operation. According to Captain Craig Andrews from the Town of Elon Police, all eight students were taken to Alamance County Jail and have been placed on bails ranging from $750-$45,000. “Some have posted bail and some have not,” Andrews said. Students had their first court appearance Friday. Andrews said after the court reads the charges a court date was set. Director of Campus Safety and Police Chuck Gantos said his department was not involved in the investigation since
the incidents were off campus. Smith Jackson, vice president and dean of student life, said penalties from the university will not be decided until Judicial Affairs meets with the students to hear what they have to say. The students will be given approximately three days to decide what they want to say to the board since time for preparation allows the students to fully gather their thoughts and give them time to calm any emotions they may have, Jackson said. “We want to be fair and give the students time to prepare,” Jackson said. “We want to hear what you have to say.” Jackson said the students who stay at Elon will continue to attend class but are encouraged to dedicate their time strictly to educational purposes. They will continue to face the repercussions of this incident for the coming months through court dates, trials and university involvement. “I’m worried about the impact on the individual more than anything,” Jackson said. “I hope that people are doing better things for their future. People just really need to think about the choices they make.”