It might come as a surprise to you to hear that UNC's public relations team has become a powerhouse in recent years. For student journalists, that statement evokes no surprise. It evokes a 1,000-yard stare and/or promises of, "No, I'm not crying."
When I was but a wee staff writer and first-year, my editor assigned me a story to talk to dining hall employees about what it was like to work during the Snowpocalypse of 2014. Seems easy enough, right? Having worked as a student journalist for about a month, I thought so. I went right up to an employee and asked if she wanted to talk with me. She hesitated and directed me to her supervisor. Who directed me to her supervisor. Who directed me to his. I went along a chain of eight people before finally getting a brief interview with two employees whom Carolina Dining Services chose for me.
I love UNC. I love PR people. Public relations is great. No longer having a meal plan is greater.
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— Danny
QUICK HITS
- Students came into yesterday's University Day celebration to demonstrate against the racism in UNC's history. Officials responded by saying they appreciate students' freedom of speech.
- UNC alumna, businesswoman and overall queen Sallie Krawcheck plans to start a local chapter of her professional women's network in Cary.
- Students of Kenan-Flagler Business School complain of widespread bicycle parking shortages; UNC officials say they plan to put in "at least 10" spaces in the next month or so.
- The only UNC sport I care about (outside the equestrian team) is back in the news — the men's basketball team talks about the coming year at its seventh preseason practice.
IN CAMPUS NEWS
The University's public relations team has swelled in size and capability since the Wainstein report. Since 2013, UNC has shelled out almost $1 million in response to the Wainstein report. Essentially, we talked to UNC's PR team to discuss the prowess of our university's PR team. #meta
IN HISTORICAL ACCURACY
Carrboro will celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day in lieu of Columbus Day. In a move that addresses something that's bothered me since I did a history report on Christopher Columbus in the fourth grade, the town's Board of Aldermen opted to shift the emphasis of the day onto indigenous populations and their cultures. The first celebration will start this time next year.
IN "WAIT THAT'S WHAT NICHOLAS SPARKS LOOKS LIKE"
Our arts and entertainment editor sat down with famed Nicholas Sparks. He apparently refuses to give dating advice, which I found a little upsetting, but I was very excited to find out he used to coach track and field. He also discussed his new book, "See Me." It differs pretty significantly from his other books, according to Coach Sparks — other than its being about a straight, white couple from North Carolina.
IN STATE POLITICS
It's official: Gov. Pat McCrory's got some competition. Roy Cooper, North Carolina attorney general and father of a fellow Tar Heel with whom I'm vaguely acquainted but to whom I never know if I should wave, recently announced he's running for governor. His announcement speech highlighted minimum wage and college affordability.
IN THE BLOGS
Alice and Kelsey are back with their "Having It All" podcast. If you're interested in hearing about celebrity Instagram posts, learning general pop culture or having a Student Wellness coordinator tell you how to fix your life, this episode of "Having It All" is for you. 10/10 would recommend listening as you shower in the morning or wait for the F bus to never show up in Carrboro.
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