March 16, 2004

Carolina in the News

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

National Coverage

For young Bush supporters, religion and politics do mix
The Dallas Morning News
Early in his campaign for the presidency four years ago, George W. Bush was asked in a debate which political philosopher he most admired....Even on secular campuses, membership in religious clubs has skyrocketed....At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, "On Thursday nights, you can't find a large lecture hall that doesn't have a religious group using it," said Dr. Christian Smith, a sociologist and director of the National Study of Youth and Religion........Dr. Smith, who has devoted years to researching religion and youths at the University of North Carolina, said young Christian conservatives are not a unified voting bloc for the right wing.

Bush's softer global tone
The Christian Science Monitor
After leading a much more activist and aggressive foreign policy than most observers anticipated when he took office, President Bush is now redirecting American efforts on the world stage into quieter diplomatic channels as he shifts into campaign stance for the November election....A big worry for a president who has built his reputation on steadiness in wartime is "this idea out there that we may have won the war but are losing the peace," says Bruce Jentleson, a former State Department official and now director of public policy studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

State & Local Coverage

UNC lays out main campus modifications
The Herald-Sun
UNC delivered an application to Town Hall on Monday for several projects that the town will review, from relocating a planned chilled-water plant to adding on to the Morehead Planetarium and Fetzer Gym.

UNC-CH seeks campus changes
The News & Observer
Citing concerns about possible escalating costs in the midst of a $1.3 billion building boom, UNC-Chapel Hill administrators submitted a proposal Monday to modify the main-campus development plan.

UNC proposes development changes
The Daily Tar Heel
The University submitted an application Monday to Chapel Hill for approval of as much as $145 million in modifications to its development plan despite the town's request that UNC halt all applications until the two entities ironed out disagreements over zoning.
Note: Other media covering UNC's media briefing included WTVD-TV; WCHL-AM; Chapel Hill News and News 14, Time Warner.

Health care chief starts job
The Herald-Sun
Operating a modern academic health center in an era of shrinking insurance reimbursements and flat federal funding is a daunting but manageable task, William Roper, the new head of the UNC Health Care System, said Monday.

UNC recruit literally sniffs out crime
The Herald-Sun
This new member of UNC Public Safety can do what no human officer can do -- literally sniff out crime....The new recruit, a canine named Atos, actually has a nose for bombs, having been trained to detect nine main chemicals used in explosives.
Note: A photo also appeared in the News & Observer. Other media covering Monday's media demonstration included WTVD-TV; News 14, Time Warner and the Chapel Hill News.
UNC news release: http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/mar04/k9031104.html

UNC-Chapel Hill Adds K-9 Unit To Campus Police
WNCN-TV (NBC, Raleigh)
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is stepping up public safety by creating its first K-9 unit...."We do a number of large events from football at 60,000 people, basketball at 21,000, high-profile speakers -- we are using animals prior to events to screen the facilities to do all we can to ensure they are safe," UNC Police Chief Derek Poarch said.

Duke, UNC team up for HIV/AIDS forum
The Herald-Sun
Duke and UNC may be arch competitors on the basketball court, but the institutions' top HIV/AIDS caregivers and researchers will come together for the eighth year in a row Wednesday to co-host a free, public "HIV/AIDS Treatment Update."

Issues & Trends

Hike vote unlikely to be delayed
The Daily Tar Heel
As the two-month debate on tuition increases draws to a close, members of the UNC-system Board of Governors expressed doubt Monday that higher education needs can be met any other way.

N.C. senator advocates tuition hikes
The Daily Tar Heel
Support for UNC-system campus-based tuition increases received a boost last week from a key N.C. legislator, but some still warn that the increases could have a negative impact on students.

Note: If you have any questions about Carolina in the News, please call Russell Campbell at News Services, (919) 962-2091, russell_campbell@unc.edu, or Mike McFarland in University Communications, mike_mcfarland@unc.edu

Note: Web links on this page are time-sensitive, so stories might not be available after the day they first appeared.