June 2, 2003

Carolina in the News

Current National Coverage

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

Constitutionally, a Risky Business
The New York Times
In the past 35 years, more than 100 countries have tried to accomplish what Iraq 
is trying to do: create a democratic constitution. ... Bereket Habte Selassie, a 
professor of law and African studies at the University of North Carolina at 
Chapel Hill, agrees. "In the 1950s, Europeans summoned African leaders from
25 to 30 countries to capitals like London, Paris and Brussels and shoved 
constitutions down their throats," he said
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/31/arts/31CONS.html
(Note: This article also appeared in The San Francisco Chronicle
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/06/01/MN85921.DTL. 
The New York Times requires free registration to access articles.)

What football tells us about everyday fitness
The Los Angeles Times
Couch potatoes, weekend warriors, young sports enthusiasts and pro athletes all 
have specific concerns when it comes to exercise and fitness, whether it's staying 
on an exercise program or dealing with injuries after retirement. ... Kevin 
Guskiewicz, research director of the Center for the Study of Retired Athletes 
at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, headed the study. 
http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-exercise2jun02,1,5673097.story
(Note: The Los Angeles Times requires free registration to access articles.)

Shaping up America
The Fort Worth Star Telegram (Texas)
If you're an American, the statistics say you're out of shape — and you don't need 
another study to tell you why. Your life is high in stress and calories and low in free 
time and physical activity. ... “The issue here is, we don't have a particular enemy. 
It's us against ourselves,” says Richard Killingsworth, director of Active Living 
by Design at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, a national program 
of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/living/5985023.htm
(Note: This Knight-Ridder article also appeared in The Miami Herald, The Centre
Daily Times, Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (Ga.), The Macon Telegraph (Ga.), 
The New London Day (Conn.))

States need to protect youth from smoking (Commentary)
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
I'm not a smoker, but I was and remain strongly opposed to the liability of suits 
launched against Big Tobacco by individuals and by governments. ... A University 
of North Carolina study estimated that tobacco remote sales Web sites had 
increased from 88 in 2000 to 195 in 2002. 
http://www.jsonline.com/news/editorials/may03/144705.asp

Counties turning from use of shelters
The Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.)
Child welfare experts agree that shelters are not ideal settings for abused and 
neglected children. But when children must be removed from their homes at a 
moment's notice, here else can they go? ... According to a University of North 
Carolina study published last year, monthly costs for group care can be six to 
10 times greater than family foster care.
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/5995061.htm

Regional Coverage

With fuel to burn
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
It’s common knowledge that in order to be our physical best, we should exercise 
and eat a balanced diet. ... Sports nutrition, according to the Center for Healthy 
Student Behaviors Web site for the University of North Carolina at Chapel 
Hill, is defined as "the relationship between nutrient intake and performance."
http://www.nwanews.com/adg/story_Style.php?storyid=31794

State and Local Coverage

Tuition hikes feared 
News and Observer
During the school year, Ifeoma Okereke coaches younger engineering students 
at N.C. State University, then heads to a biochemistry lab to mix chemicals and 
tend tobacco plants. ... UNC system tuition would go up 5 percent this fall, about 
$140 for in-state undergraduates at NCSU and UNC-Chapel Hill, under similar 
proposals from House and Senate budget writers.
http://newsobserver.com/news/nc/story/2579208p-2393608c.html

Argument for inviting more non-Heels to UNC (Question and Answer)
News and Observer
When UNC-Chapel Hill sent out acceptance letters to the 2003 freshman class, 
nearly 1,000 applicants with solid SAT scores above 1,400 were left out of the 
good-news pool because they were from outside North Carolina. ... Tim Burnett, 
a Greensboro businessman who is the trustees' chairman, wants to see more 
students from outside North Carolina admitted to his alma mater.
http://newsobserver.com/news/story/2584802p-2398632c.html

Graduate students deserve special honor (Letter to the Editor)
Chapel Hill Herald
I would like to commend you on your May 18 editorial about the first doctoral 
hooding ceremony at UNC Chapel Hill. You were right on target.
http://www.herald-sun.com/opinion/chhletters/
(Note: Linda Dykstra is dean of the Graduate School. To view this letter, go to 
the above url and scroll down the web page.)

Upcoming hoops contest sends an important message (Editorial)
Chapel Hill Herald
Remember ping-pong diplomacy? That was the stratagem the U.S. and China 
used 30 years ago as they began the process of recognizing each other after
decades without a formal relationship. ... On its surface, the announcement didn’t 
seem terribly significant — unless you’re an avid sports fan. Next November, the 
Carolina Tar Heels will play the N.C. Central Eagles, in basketball, on the 
hardwood floor of the Smith Center here in Chapel Hill. 
http://www.herald-sun.com/opinion/chhedits/57-357508.html

A protected right (Commentary)
News and Observer, Q Section
The First Amendment's function is to protect the speech we hate, the annoying, 
offensive, obnoxious messages. Popular speakers don't need constitutional 
protection. Neither government nor audiences try to silence them. 
http://newsobserver.com/news/q/story/2582573p-2396878c.html
(Note: Ruth Walden is a professor in the School of Journalism and Mass 
Communications.)

Survey your neighborhood for `walkability'
Charlotte Observer
When's the last time you said, "Let's go for a walk around the block?" If the 
answer is, "What's a block?," you might want to think about how accessible your 
neighborhood really is. ... James Emery, a researcher at UNC Chapel Hill's 
School of Public Health, Health Behavior and Health Education, has 
developed a rating system that can be tailored to specific communities
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/editorial/5988891.htm

Sprawl may be linked to obesity
Charlotte Observer
When architect David Dixon first made the case for building a pedestrian-friendly 
development in Cambridge, Mass. -- mixing houses, stores, offices, restaurants 
and apartment buildings -- the neighborhood went on the warpath. ... In each 
case, momentum builds "when public health steps in and they suddenly make it 
all relevant to every human being," says Dr. James Emery, a researcher at UNC 
Chapel Hill's School of Public Health, Health Behavior and Health Education. 
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/editorial/5988892.htm

New HIV drug forces a tough call
Charlotte Observer
Steve Sherman buys HIV drugs for poor North Carolinians. It's not an easy job. 
The drugs are pricey, funding is tight and the legion of HIV patients is growing. ... 
One study, published this week in The New England Journal of Medicine, found 
the amount of HIV in the blood of Fuzeon-treated patients decreased almost 10 
times more than in patients treated just with standard antiretroviral medications. 
Fuzeon "is highly effective," said Dr. Joseph Eron of UNC Chapel Hill, the 
study's co-author.
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/business/5982767.htm
(Note: Eron's study was the subject of a UNC news release.) 

N.C. taxes high among Southeast
Fayetteville Observer
The state's chamber of commerce is publicizing two studies that say North 
Carolina business taxes are high for the Southeast. ... Ed Feser, director of policy 
research and strategic planning for the state's Department of Commerce, didn't 
disagree with the studies but said that North Carolina is different from many other 
southern states. ... Feser, who is an associate professor of city and regional 
planning at UNC-Chapel Hill and teaches economic development, cautioned 
that ranking states by tax burdens can be misleading. 
http://www.fayettevillenc.com/story.php?Template=business&Story=5678574

Issues and Trends Affecting Carolina

How I Learned to Love Quotas (Commentary)
The New York Times
Not long ago, I had an unexpected opportunity to explain to Justice Sandra Day 
O'Connor why I've changed my mind about affirmative action. 
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/01/magazine/01ACTION.html
(Note: The New York Times requires free registration to access articles.)

ACC Officials, Miami Draw Closer Toward Joining Forces 
The Washington Post
A delegation from the ACC, led by Commissioner John Swofford, met yesterday 
with top officials from the University of Miami, paving the way for the school to 
change conferences and help the conference expand to 12 teams. ... The 
University of North Carolina faculty council voted unanimously to oppose 
expansion. 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59654-2003May30.html

Remote control: TV money a driving force for ACC expansion
The Pittsburgh Tribune Review (Pa.)
It was no accident that the last person to address school officials at the recent 
Big East Conference meetings was a television consultant. ... As University of 
North Carolina chancellor James Moeser told the Raleigh News & Observer, 
"It basically comes down to: Which scenario do you believe?" 
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/s_137540.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