June 3, 2002

Carolina in the News

Current National Coverage

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

Borrowing Privileges
The New York Times
A year ago in February I bought a manuscript that I believe to be the first novel written 
by a female fugitive slave. ''The Bondwoman's Narrative'' was written in the 1850's by 
Hannah Crafts and is patterned after Gothic and sentimental novels and the slave narratives...
...Bryan Sinche, a graduate student at the University of North Carolina, found in 
Wheeler's papers at Chapel Hill a listing, dated 1850 and written in Wheeler's hand, of 
the books in his library.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/02/books/review/02GATE.html
(Note: Professor Gates spoke at Carolina last week about this project and the the role of 
Sinche and Professor William Andrews in assisting with his research. The New York Times 
requires free registration to access articles.)

State and Local Coverage

UNC explains end of early-decision option
UNC recently announced its decision to end the controversial but much-used binding early 
decision for its undergraduate admissions process. Used by universities across the country, 
the early-decision option has become popular among students vying for slots in the nation’s 
more competitive universities, but some academics now worry that it isn’t being used as it 
should be. 
http://www.herald-sun.com/features/54-232473.html

Author of book on Quran says it doesn't proselytize
Controversy surrounding a book that is required reading for UNC freshman surprises its 
author, who says that it is used on other college campuses. Professor Michael Sells knew 
that events since Sept. 11 had created a new and intense interest in his book "Approaching 
the Qur'an: The Early Revelations." But the Haverford College professor never expected 
his exposition on key passages from the Quran to kindle a protest. 
http://www.chapelhillnews.com/Issues/2002/06/02/news04.html

That's why it's called an education (Editorial)
From Technician, the student newspaper of N.C. State University, an editorial says learning 
about the Quran can only be a good thing. UNC-Chapel Hill's selection of this year's 
required reading for incoming freshmen is facing unwarranted criticism by the public. The
book, "Approaching the Quran: The Early Revelations," contains 35 passages from the 
Islamic holy book focusing on divinity in the natural world and moral accountability. Exposing 
students to beliefs that they may not share is a valuable way to educate them about a faith 
shared by one-fifth of the world. 
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/q/story/1430164p-1463117c.html

UNC reading choice was the right choice (Letter to the Editor)
Greensboro News and Record (From Trustee David Pardue)
Speaking as a trustee for UNC-Chapel Hill, I appreciate your excellent editorial supporting 
Carolina's choice of this year's freshman reading book, "Approaching the Quran" ("Reading 
requirement doesn't proselytize," May 30).
http://www.news-record.com/news/opinions/letters/letters03.htm

Students should study all world religions (Letter to the Editor)
Fayetteville Observer
This letter is in response to the May 25 article, “Quran assignment protested,” about 
freshmen at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who are required to read a book 
on the Quran, “Approaching the Quran: The Early Revelations,” containing 35 short passages 
from Islam’s holy book.
http://www.fayettevillenc.com/obj_stories/2002/jun/e03lett.shtml

Strings Attached (Letter to the Editor)
Winston-Salem Journal
A May 22 editorial in the Winston-Salem Journal applauded the University of North Carolina's 
decision to postpone installation of a video scoreboard at Kenan Stadium. The editorial also 
said the university should cancel the project and ask the donor to rededicate that gift to an 
academic department or to financial aid. 
http://www.journalnow.com/wsj/opinion/columnists/MGBFHS62Y1D.html
(Note: Dick Baddour is the Director of Athletics.)

UNC may sink swim test 
It is a tradition to be sure, though perhaps not one that many students hold close to their 
hearts. Having dodged the inevitable for four long years, scores of UNC students trudge 
over to the campus pool, don their swimming trunks and jump into the deep end.
http://www.herald-sun.com/orange/10-233064.html

UNC to revise undergrad curriculum 
Laurie McNeil likens a new academic curriculum to a shiny new boat —- a fresh, clean and 
streamlined vehicle to get you where you want to go. 
http://www.herald-sun.com/orange/10-233070.html

FOOTNOTES: Duke, UNC-CH biz schools rank high in Financial Times
Two Triangle business schools got high marks recently for their executive education 
programs. Financial Times ranked Duke's overall programs second in the world, tied with 
Harvard's. The newspaper ranked UNC-Chapel Hill's Kenan-Flagler Business School eighth.
http://newsobserver.com/news/triangle/story/1432225p-1464926c.html

Suffering is a day-to-day event (Commentary)
THE N&O: How does the conflict affect you personally, your family and your ability to 
practice your profession?
FAISAL AL-LATIF: The current situation is a very difficult situation, and, of course, we are 
paying the price of the events that are going on, particularly the difficulties traveling. 
http://www.newsobserver.com/mideast/story/1430204p-1463035c.html
(Note: Dr. Faisal Allan Al-Latif practices internal medicine in the West Bank, where he lives 
and works for INTRAH, a UNC-based health care organization.)

Literal vs. historical Quran 
Q: John Reagan of Southern Pines asks, "Do Islamic scholars study the Quran in terms of 
historical development of the text?"...
..."A lot of the early scholarship on Islam was written in the 19th century by Christian missionaries 
who had an agenda that included trying to discredit the Quran," said Carl Ernst, a professor 
of religion at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the author of the forthcoming 
"Following Muhammad: an Introduction to Islam in Contemporary World" (Shambhala 
Publications), due in 2003. 
http://newsobserver.com/features/life/story/1424156p-1457340c.html

Issues and Trends Affecting Carolina

A Sporting Chance for Girls (Editorial)
The New York Times
Talk around almost any school or college in the nation and you will see something that would 
have been rare 30 years ago: girls and women running and sweating across gym floors and 
athletic fields as they engage in competitive sports. Students today take this for granted, but 
for anyone who went to school before the 1970's, it is a remarkable development. 
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/02/opinion/02SUN2.html
(Note: The New York Times requires free registration to access articles.)

Broad: Go slow on raises, promotions
UNC system president also gave out raises to members of her staff that exceeded standard 
university increases. Acknowledging that several rounds of raises handed out by UNC-Chapel 
Hill, N.C. State and others are undermining arguments against budget cuts, UNC system 
President Molly Broad has cautioned chancellors to be more careful in their approach to raises 
and promotions for key staff. 
http://www.chapelhillnews.com/Issues/2002/06/02/news01.html

UNC administrators got excessive raises (Letter to the Editor)
I was appalled at Wednesday's front-page article regarding the pay increases that a small 
group of administrator's have demanded or accepted from the university, and that Chancellor 
Moeser seems so willing to hand over in a time of such drastic budget deficits. 
http://www.chapelhillnews.com/Opinion/columns/letters/latest.html

Public's business (Editorial)
North Carolina business leaders took a pounding of sorts from state government officials this 
week -- and they didn't take it well. One after another, department heads and lawmakers took 
the podium at the business community's annual legislative conference in Raleigh to emphasize 
the seriousness of the state budget crisis. 
http://www.newsobserver.com/editorials/editorials/story/1427113p-1460079c.html

Save the Universities (Letter to the Editor)
Winston-Salem Journal
The University of North Carolina system has a strong reputation for excellence. That will not 
continue unless the legislature stops using drastic budget cuts to patch together the gaping 
wounds in the state's budget. These are serious times that pose major threats to the quality of 
higher education. We need legislators who will move forward quickly in a spirit of bipartisan 
cooperation to effectively address our budget crisis.
http://www.journalnow.com/wsj/opinion/MGBI10UFZ1D.html

State hands out layoff notices 
Because the budget has not been approved, about 1,400 workers are in limbo. 
Eleven were told in the Office of State Personnel. Fifty-six got word at IMPACT East, a boot 
camp for young offenders in Richmond County. At the Department of Health and Human Services, 
22 workers found out that their jobs are slated for elimination July 1.
http://newsobserver.com/news/story/1427007p-1460092c.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