June 20, 2002

Carolina in the News

Current International Coverage

Here is a sampling of links and notes about Carolina people 
and programs cited recently in the international and national media:

Faster change for faster recovery
Japan Times 
Japan's economy certainly needs reforms for the nation to pull out of its decade-long doldrums. 
But is it changing fast enough? And does Japan need to follow the U.S. model of corporate 
management as it pursues reforms? These familiar, recurring topics of debate took center 
stage during a recent symposium in Tokyo of scholars from U.S. business schools and Japan 
business experts...
...Douglas Shackelford, chair and associate dean of Kenan-Flagler Business School at 
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, suggested further promoting the entry of 
women into the labor force, citing as example the sharp increase in the number of women 
in the accounting profession in the United States over the past quarter century.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nb20020620x1.htm

Current National Coverage

Sept. 11 polarized Americans, study finds 
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While the events of Sept. 11 helped draw Americans together in some reassuring ways, they 
also had a "polarizing effect" on tolerance in political culture, according to a study of letters to 
newspaper editors. The findings by Andrew Perrin, a sociologist at the University of North 
Carolina at Chapel Hill, contrast with other studies after Sept. 11 showing that Americans had 
a greater tolerance or openness, felt more comfortable with the nation's diversity and were 
more trusting of others across ethnic, racial and social lines.
http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/opinion/0602/20terletters.html
(Note: This story originated from a UNC News Services release 
http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/may02/perrin050302.htm)

Bus the safest way to get to school 
The Times-Union (New York)
Riding that big yellow bus is by far the safest way to get to school -- even safer than walking, 
a study says. The most dangerous way, according to researchers: Riding in a car with a teenager 
behind the wheel....
...More attention should be given to making walking and biking safer, said Doug Robertson, a 
transportation engineer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Robertson said 
states also should examine more restrictive drivers' licenses for teens, including the number 
of passengers a teenager can drive. 
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyKey=85072&category=N
(Note: Other pick-up of this Associated Press story known to date includes: the Seattle Times, 
the Baton Rouge Advocate (Louisiana), the Star-Ledger (New Jersey), San Jose Mercury 
News (California), the Patriot-News (Pennsylvania), the Columbian (Washington), the St Louis 
Post-Dispatch, the South Florida Sun Sentinel, and the Wisconsin State Journal.)

State and Local Coverage

Knowing the enemy (Letter to the Editor)
Greensboro News and Record
Those who object to UNC-CH's assigning a book about Islam are suffering under a 
misconception of what education is. To assign or read a text does not necessitate accepting it 
as truth. For example, college students should study "The Communist Manifesto," "Mein Kampf" 
and the sacred books of all the great religions...
http://www.news-record.com/news/opinions/letters/lettersthurs1.htm
(Note: The Greensboro News and Record publishes all letters to the editor on the same web 
page. To view this letter, please scroll down to the bottom of the web page.)

Issues and Trends Affecting Carolina

Coming to a State School Near You: Big Tuition Jumps and Higher Fees
The Wall Street Journal
State colleges and universities, long a terrific bargain, are planning tuition increases as high as 
25% this coming school year -- and they may have to cut enrollment, faculty positions and 
course offerings as well. With more than 40 states grappling with budget shortfalls and many 
of them facing a July deadline for finalizing spending plans, legislators are targeting higher 
education for big cuts. At the same time, universities are struggling to cover rising costs in such 
areas as energy and health care. Administrators and trustees see raising tuition as the easiest 
way to make up any shortfall.
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB102451581655785000,00.html?mod=todays%5Fus%5Fpersonaljnl%5Fhs
(Note: The Wall Street Journal requires a subscription to access articles.)

Senate OKs budget 
The state Senate approved a proposed $14.2 billion budget Wednesday after making last-
minute changes to restore a pay raise to teachers and shift money to keep three veterans-
service offices open. Senate budget writers added $51 million to give teachers a step raise 
in their salary schedule averaging 1.8 percent. They said the new money would come from
the collection of additional delinquent taxes next year -- up to $136 million --an amount that 
Revenue Secretary Norris Tolson disavowed.
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/nc/story/1476075p-1507196c.html

Easley's agenda stymied 
Last week, when the state Senate released a budget with no new money for either of Gov. 
Mike Easley's top two education initiatives, the governor called Senate leaders to the Executive 
Mansion and leaned on them to try again. But this week, after days of behind-the-scenes 
negotiations, the Senate's budget is barely better for Easley. North Carolina can't afford his 
agenda, the senators said.
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/nc/story/1476075p-1507121c.html

UNC system tuition plan under study 
Crafted in 1998 to give the UNC system more autonomy in raising tuition, the university’s
tuition policy may have worked too well, some officials say. Now, a special committee of 
UNC’s Board of Governors is going back to review it. 
http://www.herald-sun.com/orange/10-239295.html

Book learning (Editorial)
N.C. State's plan to cut library personnel and spending sends a disappointing message about 
its priorities. Decisions amid a budget crisis are difficult, but it's even more important that they 
be wise. N.C. State University has made a poor one. Citing the need to reduce expenses, the 
university will be cutting personnel and spending on its library facilities, and will be closing on 
Saturdays and at midnight. It is a vexing message to send to students, and to the public, about 
the university's priorities, and it is an unfortunate symbolic retreat from a decade-long effort -- 
a successful effort -- to make the library one of the best in the country.
http://newsobserver.com/editorials/story/1475969p-1507212c.html

Note: If you have any questions about Carolina in the News, 
please call Cathleen Keyser or Mike McFarland at News Services, 
(919) 962-2091 or news@unc.edu or mike_mcfarland@unc.edu