On Sept. 30, Shashi Tharoor, the undersecretary general of communications and public information of the United Nations spoke to over 350 students, faculty, Chapel Hill residents and others who congregated at the United Methodist Church. There was very little media coverage, and the lack of support of the student body was quite evident through the low turnout.
The lack of student attendance is shameful and also disrespectful. With the number of incidents that are occurring in the international system, it is even more important for the student body, faculty and community leaders to attend an event like this one. The concern of the student body on international issues is obvious through the number of forums, teach-ins and discussions that have occurred on campus, but Tharoor may have been the best in explaining many of these issues due to his research and knowledge of the subject. I encourage the student body to keep up with current international issues and hope that the student body will realize the opportunity it missed in not attending Tharoor's talk.
Prerak Bathia
Sophomore
Political Science and International Studies
