September 4, 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:

Looking at Arab-American Lives With Care, and One Eye Closed
The New York Times
Midway through the documentary "Caught in the Crossfire," the camera alights on a scene 
of cozy domesticity. Crouched on the living-room carpet, a New York City police officer 
named Ahmed Nasser plays a video game with one of his sons. In the kitchen his wife, 
Hadjirah, stirs a pot of soup... The attacks set off both official and vigilante responses in 
America, ranging from the detention of several thousand Arab suspects to the vandalism of 
mosques and the beating of Arabs and South Asians. Islam has been assailed as an intrinsically 
violent faith. The University of North Carolina was criticized by politicians for assigning 
incoming students to read a book about the Koran.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/01/arts/television/01FREE.html
(Note: The New York Times requires free registration to access articles.)

A Professor Tries to Give Students a Balanced Picture of Islam (Question and Answer)
The Chronicle of Higher Education
After the September 11 attacks, enrollment doubled in Kathryn M. Kueny's courses on Islam 
at Lawrence University, in Appleton, Wis... What do you think about the University of North 
Carolina at Chapel Hill's decision to make a book about the Koran required reading for 
freshmen? A: Personally, I think it's a great idea to expose students to other traditions....
http://chronicle.com/weekly/v49/i02/02a00801.htm
(Note: The Chronicle of Higher Education requires a subscription to access archives.)

The dangers of advocacy journalism (Letter to the Editor)
International Herald Tribune
Regarding the report "Book on Islam sparks suit at U.S. university" (Aug 9): That the University 
of North Carolina should be facing a lawsuit aimed at stopping its designation of a book about 
the Koran as required reading for freshmen is not entirely surprising. The organization filing the 
suit, the conservative Christian "Family Policy Network," can be excused its arguably 
overzealous application of a view that it would doubtless never claim to be objective.
http://www.iht.com/articles/69456.html
(Note: Charles Sabine is a NBC News correspondent. The report Sabine is referring to is a 
reprint of an article that originally appeared in The Washington Post.)

A Couch for Authors in Need of One
The New York Times
Writers who suffer in solitude also have a well-known antidote: the artists' colony... The back 
story of the Lucy Daniels Foundation is almost as quirky as the program itself. Ms. Daniels, 68, 
a novelist and practicing psychotherapist who recently published a memoir, "With a Woman's 
Voice: A Writer's Struggle for Emotional Freedom," has a case history that might have 
fascinated Freud... She also earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of North 
Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1977.
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/31/arts/31PSYC.html
(Note: The New York Times requires free registration to access articles.)

Statins' Nerve Problems 
The Washington Post 
Cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins have been hailed as an enormous advance in the 
treatment of heart disease and stroke, medications so beneficial that some doctors have jokingly 
suggested putting them in the water supply... "This study does raise the awareness that 
polyneuropathy may occur, but other studies have not found it to be a significant problem," said 
cardiologist Sidney Smith, a professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina at 
Chapel Hill. 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A26802-2002Sep2.html

Gift to Fund William & Mary Scholarship 
The Washington Post 
The College of William and Mary announced yesterday that it has received a $21 million gift, the 
largest in the school's history, to create a scholarship for top undergraduates -- the latest in a 
trend of high-profile merit grants at public universities. President Timothy J. Sullivan said the
College Scholars program will be modeled after similar scholarships at the University of Virginia, 
the University of North Carolina and other schools, which have used the money to woo high-
achieving students away from Ivy League institutions.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18321-2002Aug30.html

Maryland's first public military high school opens, but debate continues 
San Diego Union-Tribune
The 14-year-old slumped in his desk chair, sinking into his baggy jeans and oversized T-shirt, 
was trying to talk back, but retired Army Sgt. Charles Moore wasn't listening... A 1995 study 
funded by the American Friends Service Committee found that 45 percent of JROTC graduates 
nationally went on to join the military. The rigid structure also discourages independence, said 
study author Catherine Lutz, a University of North Carolina anthropologist. 
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/20020830-0230-militaryacademy.html

Sticky hairs keep geckos on wall
San Jose Mercury News
The mystery of what makes geckos stick to just about anything -- a question that has puzzled 
scientific minds since Aristotle -- finally has been solved, according to a new study... ``I think the 
experimental evidence they provided is the definitive test -- I think they've really nailed it with this 
one,'' said Bill Kier, a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill biologist who studies the way 
octopuses stick to surfaces.
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/bayarea/business/technology/3991607.htm
(Note: This national Associated Press story was also featured in the Augusta Chronicle.)

Economic bad vibes not easing
The Record (Bergen County, NJ)
If you think the Mets have had a tough year, take a look at the economy. Plunging stock prices 
and exasperation with corporate misdeeds have dashed hopes held by many observers earlier this 
year for a quick economic bounce-back... If consumers join businesses in being reluctant to 
spend, talk of a second wave of recession will surely grow. That notion has been talked about 
by many. But some economists dismiss it, saying those who suggest such a concept don't 
understand how recoveries work. "Every major economic recovery has had a slow period early 
on, right after it starts," James F. Smith, a University of North Carolina economist, said recently.
http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?level_3_id=29&page=4800178

Adding Insult to Injury (Commentary)
San Francisco Chronicle
Curt Marsh celebrated his 43rd birthday a week ago at his suburban Seattle home with his wife 
of 21 years, their three children, his artificial right leg, several pain-killing prescriptions and an 
aluminum walker... An updated study on injuries is under way at the University of North Carolina, 
covering players who finished their careers in the 1990s. 
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2002/09/01/IN183821.DTL

Qatar Courts American Colleges
The Chronicle of Higher Education
An Ivy League medical school is being built, complete with wireless networking and a high-
speed Internet link to New York City. The campus is taking shape not in one of the Northeast's 
medical hubs, but on a barren patch of desert near the Persian Gulf, in the emirate of Qatar... 
Officials at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Texas at Austin, 
and the University of Virginia all spent a year or more studying proposals and traveling back and 
forth to Qatar... "The No. 1 area where we couldn't agree was on the number and duration of 
Chapel Hill faculty who would be in Qatar not for six or seven weeks, but for a year or two or 
more," says Robert S. Sullivan, the dean. "It was something faculty were reluctant to do, 
particularly with the tensions building in the region." Dennis A. Rondinelli, a professor of 
management at North Carolina who opposed the idea of setting up a Qatar campus, says such 
problems should be expected. 
http://chronicle.com/weekly/v49/i02/02a05501.htm
(Note: The Chronicle of Higher Education requires a subscription to access archives.)

National News Notes

Joyce Harp, associate professor of nutrition in the School of Public Health, was featured on NBC 
Nightly News yesterday about the option of surgery for obese patients. This story was the result 
of an interview conducted by Helen Chickering for NBC correspondent Robert Bazell a few weeks 
ago. The interview was coordinated by efforts from UNC Hospitals. Chickering also interviewed 
Robin Ryder, professor of epidemiology at the School of Public Health, and Bill Roper, dean of 
the School of Public Health, for an upcoming piece on public health lessons learned after the 9/11 
tragedy. To read the transcript or watch the segment online, please go to 
http://www.msnbc.com/news/604133.asp

Regional News Coverage

A fear of learning is behind UNC case (Letter to the Editor)
Roanoke Times & World News (Virginia)
Cody Lowe's Aug. 25 column, "A university is the place for revelations," is a refreshing testimony 
to the value of religious studies in the university...
http://www.roanoke.com/roatimes/news/story135956.html

North Carolina News Note

Today's edition of WUNC-FM's "The State of Things" included a long report about the 50th 
anniversary of UNC Hospitals and the four-year medical degree program of the School of Medicine. 
"The State of Things" is broadcast live at noon locally on WUNC-FM (91.5 FM), the local
National Public Radio affiliate, and rebroadcast at 8 p.m.

State and Local Coverage

Medicaid touted as economic engine
Charlotte Observer
When business leaders want something from legislators, they talk economic impact. They count 
the jobs their firms bring to the state and note the positive ripple effects on the economy from 
their presence... "It (Medicaid) has a substantial impact on the overall economy of the state," 
said Dr. Bill Roper, dean of UNC Chapel Hill's School of Public Health.
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/business/3973647.htm

Checkbook chemistry 
News and Observer
Chemistry professor Joseph DeSimone, on vacation in New York on Aug. 8 with his wife and 
children, spent two hours on a Liberty Island pay phone delivering the news to more than a dozen 
professors and top brass at UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State University: He will stay in North 
Carolina... Today, UNC-CH Chancellor James Moeser will announce that the two universities are 
spending $3 million to buy a photo-lithography tool, used to make computer circuitry on microchips, 
that will be installed in a clean room on NCSU's Centennial Campus. 
http://newsobserver.com/news/triangle/story/1699480p-1717548c.html

Running down a dream
Charlotte Observer
The first time Catharine Long really felt like giving up and calling her daddy for help was at a 
McDonalds... Michael Thomas, senior physical therapist in neurology and neurosurgery at 
University of North Carolina Hospitals, has worked with myasthenia gravis patients for 18 years. 
Many patients who report fatigue are misdiagnosed with psychological problems or multiple 
sclerosis.
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/living/health/3986310.htm

Immigrants face changes since 9/11
Charlotte Observer
Immigrants face changes since 9/11 Some deal with bias; they worry over visas, deportation, 
violence For immigrants in the Carolinas, life after the Sept. 11 attacks will never be the same... 
These events have taken a heavy toll on the international community, said UNC Chapel Hill
management professor Jim Johnson, an expert in ethnic conflict. "There's a lot of stereotyping 
going on, where people don't even understand another's ethnic origin."
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/3997100.htm

Observations compiled by Jane Mcalister Pope: Just like Osama
Charlotte Observer
New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman: The ruckus being raised ... over the University of 
North Carolina's decision to ask incoming students to read a book about the Quran -- to stimulate 
a campus debate -- surely has to be one of the most embarrassing moments for America since 
Sept. 11...
http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/news/editorial/3981281.htm

Reading program probably still safe 
Chapel Hill Herald
An amendment in the state House version of the state budget that would revoke funding for UNC's 
summer reading program likely won't survive the final round of cuts, one of its chief backers said 
this week. 
http://www.herald-sun.com/archives/URNDetail.cfm?URN=0398291072
(Note: The Chapel Hill Herald requires free registration to access archives.)

Owen Graham Kenan, UNC benefactor, dies 
Owen Graham Kenan, a member of the region’s leading philanthropic family and a prominent 
businessman and UNC benefactor in his own right, has died after a brief illness. He was 58. 
http://www.herald-sun.com/orange/10-263554.html

Operation Obesity (Opinion-Editorial Column)
News and Observer
In the past 10 years, the scientific evidence linking nutrition and physical activity to chronic disease 
has been widely reported in the media, yet America's health is getting failing marks. The incidences 
of overweight or obese people have reached epidemic proportions. It is a message those of us who 
work in this field understand all too well...
http://newsobserver.com/editorials/story/1699286p-1717510c.html
(Note: Lisa Sutherland, Ph.D., is a post-doctoral research fellow at UNC.)

Princeton Review ranks UNCA among top 10 college values
Asheville Citizen-Times
When cash-strapped Jenny Bowen was shopping around for quality, liberal-arts education, one 
university stood out: UNC Asheville... UNCA has been ranked eighth among the nation's 20 best 
academic values in the 2003 edition of The Princeton Review's "The Best 345 Colleges," the university 
said Thursday... Ranked 11th, UNC Chapel Hill was the only other North Carolina institution to be 
named an academic value. Other colleges and universities to make the list's top 10 include Rice 
University, Calvin College, Lehigh University, Southwestern University, City University of New York- 
Brooklyn College, Albertson College, University of Virginia, University of Georgia and University 
of Florida. 
http://cgi.citizen-times.com/cgi-bin/story/news/19253

Showtime for Apollo Theater scouts 
Chapel Hill Herald 
The Apollo Theater talent scouts are coming to town Thursday to audition local acts. "We’re real 
excited about it, and we hope everybody else is, too," Carolina Union Box Office Manager 
Shandelyn Porter said. "We wanted to see who do we have here in the area and try to give them a 
big break." 
http://www.herald-sun.com/orange/10-263166.html

UNC employees boosting Bowles’ campaign 
Chapel Hill Herald 
As politicians, friends and activists choose sides and make donations to the major players in the 
scramble to replace Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., several members of Chapel Hill’s academic 
community seem to have picked a favorite: Erskine Bowles. At least 21 UNC employees, including 
deans and professors of law, medicine and other disciplines, made donations to Bowles’ campaign 
before the end of June, according to PoliticalMoneyLine.com, which tracks campaign finance. 
http://www.herald-sun.com/orange/10-262982.html

Airport could stay open for a long time (Letter to the Editor)
Chapel Hill News 
As long as the very wealthy national lobby Airplane Pilots and Owners Association is still in there 
pitching, in public and behind closed doors, the closing of Horace Williams Airport is far from a 
"done deal."
http://www.triangle.com/triangle.com/communities/chapelhill/opinion/story/1686752p-1706372c.html

UNC development is poorly planned (Letter to the Editor)
Chapel Hill News
UNC’s proposal to site its grounds and vehicle maintenance facilities just south of Estes Drive and 
adjacent to the Elkins Hills neighborhood is the latest example of poor planning and a pushy and 
disrespectful attitude toward its neighbors.
http://www.triangle.com/triangle.com/communities/chapelhill/opinion/story/1697525p-1715782c.html

UNC should rethink new facility (Letter to the Editor)
Chapel Hill News
We live on Barclay Road in the Elkin Hills community and are writing to express our opposition to 
UNC's proposed building complex -- its fueling station, hazardous chemical storage, and equipment 
maintenance facility that will elevate noise and air pollution.
http://www.triangle.com/triangle.com/communities/chapelhill/opinion/story/1686752p-1706372c.html

Nurses took care of 9/11 burn victims
News 14 (Time-Warner)
So many heroes emerged on September 11 and as we've learned since the tragedy, many unexpected 
heroes are everyday people. Three Jaycee Burn Unit nurses in Chapel Hill left North Carolina for New 
York less than a month after September 11. They took care of burn victims from the World Trade 
Towers... Friends for 16 years, Anita Fields, Mary Kessler and Ernest Grant went to New York out 
of duty to their country and profession
http://rdu.news14.com/content/top_stories/?ArID=13317&RegionCookie=37

Issues and Trends Affecting Carolina

Roses and Raspberries
Chapel Hill News
Raspberries to the N.C. General Assembly for not getting the work done. Two months after the start 
of the 2003 fiscal year, the legislature still has not adopted a budget for this year. And the legislators 
remain in Raleigh for what was supposed to be the “short session,” nearly four months after the start.
http://www.triangle.com/triangle.com/communities/chapelhill/opinion/story/1697521p-1715770c.html

Rain offers relief but no cure
Chapel Hill News
It appears the old saying had it right: When it rains, it really does pour... All that precipitation pushed 
the lake levels up. Cane Creek rose by 16 inches, and University Lake gained even more than that. As 
a result, OWASA revised its estimate of remaining available supply from 108 days to 127 days.
http://www.triangle.com/triangle.com/communities/chapelhill/news/story/1697495p-1715784c.html

Petition asks town to halt street fairs 
Chapel Hill Herald
A retired real estate broker has asked the Town Council to cancel next spring’s Apple Chill street fair
to save money and alleviate gridlock and other headaches. 
http://www.herald-sun.com/orange/10-263165.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