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June 19, 2006
Carolina in the News
Here is a sampling of links and notes about Carolina
people and programs cited recently in the media:International Coverage
New US pastures lure immigrants
BBC News (United Kingdom)
Arely was an honour student in high school in California. She ran on the cross-country team and never missed a day of school. ...One in three new jobs created in the last decade was filled by a Latino worker, according to a study by the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at the University of North Carolina.
UNC News Release: http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/jan06/economicimpact010306.htmNational Coverage
Congress packed with senior-citizen senators
Reuters
The U.S. Senate, dubbed "the world's most exclusive club," is also an elderly one, with more than a third of its 100 members at or well past 65 with no plans to leave anytime soon. ... Dr. Jan Busby-Whitehead, chief of geriatric medicine at the University of North Carolina and a member of the American Geriatrics Society, noted Americans overall were living and working longer.
Battling Workaholism: A Fulltime Job
CBS News
Is your life all work and no play? You may be a workaholic, or in danger of becoming one. ... Also Friday, co-anchor Rene Syler spoke with psychotherapist and University of North Carolina Professor Emeritus Bryan Robinson Ph.D., a self-described recovering workaholic who has authored 25 books, including "Chained to the Desk: A Guidebook for Workaholics."
Chapel Hill Scholar Barred From Getting Federal Funds
The Chronicle of Higher Education
The federal government has barred a former professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from receiving federal research grants for five years, after investigators uncovered eight published papers with what they called "falsified" data.
Regional Coverage
Living Well: Don't give up on being a quitter
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Wash.)
By his own estimate, Robin Evans-Agnew tried to quit smoking about 20 times. ... "It's important to recognize tobacco use as a serious, chronic health issue that requires sustained attention," said Dr. David Ransohoff, professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and chair of the conference panel.
Tuition hikes not only necessary, but reasonable (Opinion column)
The Clarion-Ledger (Miss.)
Tuition is going up at Mississippi's public universities. ... Each year, Kiplinger's ranks the top 100 based on academics and cost. Mississippi University for Women has moved up each year and now sits at No. 53 on this prestigious list. Top of the list is the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - total annual, in-state cost per student: $12,029.
Country hospitals reinvent to survive
The Toledo Blade (Ohio)
When Doug Bentz became chief executive officer of Roane General Hospital in Spencer, W.Va., in 2000, it faced closing, with outstanding bills approaching $1 million. ... "We're seeing a tremendous increase in the financial health of critical access hospitals relative to where they were before they converted," said Mark Holmes, a health economist for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, one of three universities that make up the Flex Monitoring Team that tracks critical access hospitals.
Hold slapped on TAKS bonuses
The San Antonio Express-News (Texas)
The Texas Education Agency is suspending a plan to reward teachers at 14 schools across the state with cash bonuses for improved test scores because the schools also have been flagged for irregularities on their Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills results. ... Last year, TEA hired Gregory Cizek, a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill professor who teaches educational measurement and evaluation, to review test security procedures and suggest possible improvements.
Historians measuring Bush's scandals against past presidents
The Oxford Press (Ohio)
It's been a collection of scandals and problems without handy monikers. But the Bush administration has had enough of them to begin nudging the needle on the presidential scandal-o-meter. ... "There is something that is different about the current administration and more worrisome about this," said presidential historian William Leuchtenburg, a University of North Carolina professor emeritus.
State & Local Coverage
Breaking a gridlock on Carolina North (Editorial)
The Chapel Hill News
Credit is due UNC Chancellor James Moeser, who recently took action to break an impasse on the important question of how people will get to and from the proposed Carolina North research campus.
Related Link: http://www.chapelhillnews.com/opinion/story/2963472p-9398693c.htmlUNC folks will ride TTA for free
The Chapel Hill Herald
UNC employees and students will ride free on Triangle Transit Authority routes beginning this fall. The university will pay for the free rides, UNC Chancellor James Moeser wrote in a letter to the Carrboro and Chapel Hill mayors recently.
Memorial Hall looks to make changes
The Chapel Hill Herald
Emil Kang became UNC's executive director of the arts in January 2005 and had to announce the first season for the newly renovated Memorial Hall just four months later. ... Now, with the first season of the theater's Carolina Performing Arts Series behind them, university officials are taking the time to think about Memorial Hall. They're trying to build a long-term identity for the series. They're also trying to forge more connections with UNC students and classes, make operations run more smoothly and raise the money to pay for these endeavors.
UNC tour guides lead around 400 people per day through campus
The Chapel Hill Herald
As the legend goes, UNC won't fall as long as Davie Poplar, the curved tree on one of the campus' main quads, stands. But did you know that the tree is reinforced with cement and steel, so it should never fall? ... Ginny Valentin, who works in the admissions office, said tour guides were required to talk about the university's history, student life, academics and diversity. But, while she gives guides some facts to tell visitors, she lets them highlight their own experiences.
Bike clearinghouse gets more money
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
UNC-Chapel Hill's Highway Safety Research Center has received $1.6 million to renew the National Bicycle and Pedestrian Clearinghouse.
UNC News Release: http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/jun06/clearinghouse061606.htmLike mic? This host sure does
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Kai Ryssdal, host of the public-radio business and finance programs "Marketplace" and "Marketplace Money," was in Durham this week and broadcast his Tuesday "Marketplace" from the WUNC-FM studio at American Tobacco. Normally, the program originates from Los Angeles.
UNC News Release: http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/jun06/marketplace060806.htmLiquidia raises $6 million
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
A Durham company has a conundrum: which billion dollars to go after first? Liquidia Technologies, which licensed technology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 20 months ago, is trying to figure out which market to exploit first. Its product, a nonstick material called Fluorocur, can be used in industries as diverse as pharmaceuticals and electronics.
Artist portrait featured in Ackland exhibit
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
For portrait artists, the cheapest and most available models are themselves, and the most famous example is Rembrandt, who probably painted more than 100 self-portraits. ... The best of the self-portraits and portraits of artists by artists eventually find their way into museum collections, and that is the genesis of the new show at the Ackland Art Museum at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Note: No link available.PlayMakers has a new artistic director
The Chapel Hill News
PlayMakers Repertory Company has appointed one of its own as its new producing artistic director. ... "The university community and PlayMakers audiences are already familiar with Joe Haj's directing talent, so we are especially excited about welcoming him back to campus now as producing artistic director," said Bernadette Gray-Little, dean of the college. "He has the vision, experience and creativity to take PlayMakers to new heights."
UNC News Release: http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/jun06/PlayMdirect060706.htmUNC Hospitals taking over as Chatham preps $26M facility
The Triangle Business Journal
University of North Carolina Hospitals will be taking over the management of Chatham Hospital this fall, just as the Siler City hospital prepares to break ground on a new $26 million facility. ... "We have structural issues. We need to expand our surgical suite," says Laura Clapp, chair of the hospital's board of directors.
Profits, executive pay up at malpractice insurer
The Triangle Business Journal
Medical Mutual Insurance Co. of North Carolina, the state's largest medical malpractice insurer, saw profits climb 224 percent in fiscal 2005 - a year in which top executives were granted hefty bonuses. ... While there is no data that tracks national trends in malpractice premiums for doctors, University of North Carolina Health Care - which is self-insured - is anticipating an 8 percent decrease in malpractice costs in fiscal year 2007.
Immigrants aren't to blame for job lull
The Greensboro News & Record
Early one morning recently, Michael Donnell was standing outside a temporary employment agency on South Elm-Eugene Street, waiting for it to open so he could get work for the day. ... But another study earlier this year by the Kenan Institute at UNC-Chapel Hill took the opposite approach in analyzing the economic impact of North Carolina's 601,000-plus Hispanic population, 48 percent of which is estimated to be here illegally.
Residency suits may affect N.C. elections
The Charlotte Observer
Two lawsuits filed in Lincoln County, intended to create more school board seats in a fast-growing area outside Charlotte, could affect local elections across North Carolina. ... The N.C. Supreme Court also has ruled that state legislators don't have the power to add qualifications for elected office, said Robert Joyce, a professor at the School of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
PJCs were created to give judges discretion (Question-answer)
The Charlotte Observer
The term prayer for judgment continued -- PJC -- comes from when prosecutors asked judges to pronounce a sentence by saying, "Pray judgment." ... PJCs became popular in N.C. courts more than 50 years ago as a way for judges to use their discretion in sentencing, says James Drennan of the UNC Chapel Hill School of Government.
Cutting medical errors and saving lives (Opinion-editorial column)
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
This week marks a milestone in saving the lives of hospital patients who, 18 months ago, would have died from preventable medical errors. Nationally, 122,342 people, including 2,500 from North Carolina, can be thankful for the efforts of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's campaign to save 100,000 lives. ... William L. Roper, M.D., is CEO of the UNC Health Care System, dean of the UNC School of Medicine and vice chancellor for medical affairs at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Getting Right Dental Products Will Keep Teeth, Gums Healthy
WRAL-TV (CBS, Raleigh)
Taking care of your teeth often means making good decisions when you buy dental care products. Dr. Allen Mask talks with Charlotte Peterson, clinical associate professor of dental ecology at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, about some things to consider in making these decisions.
House intended to ease burden on critically ill
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
In the last year of his life, Bert Brooks Jr. and his wife, Gina, drove the three and a half hours from their home in Beaufort to Chapel Hill at least 20 times. ... This week, UNC Hospitals broke ground on SECU Family House, a 43,000-square-foot facility next to the Ronald McDonald House on Old Mason Farm Road.
Holy smokes! Jesus had a cookout, or so says the Bible
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Jesus on the beach. Only a writer of curriculum materials for children's summer programs (also called Bible school or vacation church school) might consider the possibility of such a theme. ... Ever since Bart Ehrman, who lives in Durham and teaches at UNC in Chapel Hill, appeared on National Public Radio's Diane Rehm Show and on Fresh Air, his book, "Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why?", has climbed to the top of the charts, and the waiting list for this book at the Durham Public Library is prohibitive.
Survey on poop: Half don't scoop
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Among topics that raise a stink in neighborhoods, it's hard to top dog poop. ... In fact, dog poop and other animal and bird excrement is one of the leading polluters of lakes, rivers and other waterways, said Rachel Noble, a professor at UNC-Chapel Hill's Institute of Marine Sciences in Morehead City.
Our 'sweaty city' ranking is starting to stick
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Don't expect this pit-stained distinction to make the next visitors bureau pamphlet. ... David Grekin, a UNC-Chapel Hill dermatology professor, said the research sounds legit.
Health plaza out; not others
The Winston-Salem Journal
When Forsyth County commissioners eliminated county financing for the Downtown Health Plaza this week, a big part of the reason was the health plaza's private, nonprofit status. ... There is nothing stopping governments from giving public money to private organizations, said Gordon Whitaker, a professor of public administration and government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Diagnosis system donated to UNC
The Chapel Hill Herald
Philips Medical Systems has donated its iSite Picture Archiving and Communications System to the radiologic science division in the UNC School of Medicine's allied health sciences department.
Issues & Trends
Media Positioning Plays Large Role in Duke Case
"Morning Edition," National Public Radio
Eric L. Muller, George R. Ward Distinguished professor of law at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was featured on Monday's "Morning Edition." What's known about the alleged rape of an exotic dancer by members of Duke University's lacrosse team is murky at best. That may be in part due to the emerging media strategies from both the defense attorneys and the prosecutor.
UNC law helps athletics more than scholars
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Billed as a way to lure top scholars to UNC campuses, a new law will hand out taxpayers' dollars to 456 out-of-state students. But fewer than one-third are whiz kids. ... The law benefits private foundations that pay for the elite Morehead Scholarships at UNC Chapel Hill and the Park Scholarships at N.C. State.
Related Link: http://www.newsobserver.com/682/story/451721.htmlFilling our dental needs efficiently (Opinion-editorial column)
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
The General Assembly is considering legislation that will compel North Carolinians to fund a new school of dentistry at East Carolina University. ... Instead, this study recommended that the class size at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Dentistry be increased up to 130, that an existing General Dental Practice Residency at ECU be expanded and that a dental hygiene program and pediatric dental residency be established at ECU. ... John D. Matheson, D.D.S., is a dentist in Asheville. He is immediate past president of the UNC Dental Alumni Association and the N.C. Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
Intruding on rights (Letter to the editor)
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Regarding the June 13 Under the Dome item "Grieving parents push bill": By pushing criminal background checks for new UNC students, Sen. Neal Hunt has illustrated with brutal clarity that Republicans have no more respect for individual liberty than Democrats do.
Drastic action (Editorial)
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Judge Howard Manning Jr. of Wake County, the toughest but best advocate North Carolina's public schools have, has warned state officials that he would shut down 19 schools where students have lagged behind a 55 percent passing rate for standardized tests. ... At least, principals who wanted to be retained would have to take special training at UNC-Chapel Hill and teachers would have to finish professional training programs as well.
Plan may increase public art in town
The Chapel Hill Herald
The Chapel Hill Public Arts Commission has put a new plan on the table for boosting the presence of public art around town, and the Town Council could be ready to consider some action by early next year. ... It also calls for the town to work closely with partners on public art, such as Carrboro, UNC Chapel Hill and the Orange Water and Sewer Authority.
Hodgson, head of UNC Press
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
Kate Torrey was puzzled by the clicking at her boss' office door. ... A mix of playfulness and seriousness defined Hodgson, head of the UNC Press for 22 years. He died early Friday at the age of 79.
Produced by News Services, Carolina in the News is an e-mail sampling of current news media coverage about Carolina people and programs, as well as issues and trends that affect the university. Stories usually will be online and available free for a limited time - often one to two weeks. Expiration dates before stories move to archives vary by media outlet. Some outlets require free user registration or a subscription.
Carolina in the News is also posted daily to the News Services Web page, http://www.unc.edu/news/clips/index.shtml.
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