A UNC psychology professor is doing groundbreaking research on how addictions to alcohol and smoking affect the brain. Charlotte Boettiger has identified the neurological abnormalities that plague people with substance abuse disorders and make quitting difficult. The findings could lead to the development of drugs for alcoholics that would target those abnormalities.
A UNC biology professor has sparked controversy after telling his embryology class last week that fetuses with Down syndrome should be aborted. During a lecture, Albert Harris said: "In my opinion, the moral thing for older mothers to do is to have amniocentesis, as soon during pregnancy as is safe for the fetus, test whether placental cells have a third chromosome number 21, and abort the fetus if it does. The brain is the last organ to become functional." Several students said they were offended by Harris' remarks and don't think a professor should express such opinions in a class.
A multitude of posters and A-frame signs are appearing across campus today, touting various candidates for February's student body elections. The candidates are entering a crucial stage as they can begin using campaign materials at 7 a.m. today. "I feel like it's going to be one of the most important phases," student body president candidate J.J. Raynor said of the next two weeks before the election. But materials also mean restrictions that can result in fines for noncompliant campaigns.
UNC's Information Technology Services will unveil a new spam filtering system in the next few days that allows users to sign up for additional protection from offers of increased sexual potency. The new system offers customized spam filters in addition to the basic protection put in place this fall. Options will include additional protection for users who want to prevent adult spam, said Judd Knott, assistant vice chancellor for infrastructure and operations.
Seniors in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication are facing additional hassles in their efforts to get their hands on Duke basketball tickets because of an online error with their graduation status. About 400 journalism students got an e-mail Friday from the ticket office informing them that "the latest information . indicates you ARE NOT graduating this year." The students now must take steps to prove their graduation status before Friday's deadline for ticket distribution registration.
One of the biggest construction projects in UNC residence halls in the coming years won't be as noticeable as new air conditioning or a fresh coat of paint. The Department of Housing and Residential Education is embarking on a project to install fire sprinklers in all residence halls by fall 2012. The installation will begin this summer with sprinklers being added to Everett, Lewis, Stacy and Hinton James residence halls. Outfitting Hinton James with sprinklers will continue in summer 2009, while the other buildings will have complete sprinkler systems by next fall.
Those living in Hinton James Residence Hall will be long gone and graduated by the time the building sees a complete face-lift. UNC's Department of Housing and Residential Education has downscaled its master construction plan and put projects like Hinton James on hold, after an over-budget project and a spike in construction costs. Full-scale renovations of South Campus high-rise residence halls, which were originally scheduled for this year, won't start for at least five years, said Larry Hicks, director of the housing department.
While the student fee increase process largely has wrapped up for the year, students will have the opportunity in today's Homecoming election to amend the Student Constitution, potentially allowing for more direct student input on some student fee increases. In addition to casting ballots for Homecoming king and queen, students can vote to require referendums on any increases to four student fees that currently require only the approval of Student Congress. The resolution to hold a referendum passed Congress 17-3 at its Oct. 23 meeting. Con: funding loss
Students won't just be voting for Homecoming court on Oct. 30. They also will have the opportunity to vote on a referendum to amend the Student Constitution to require referendums on any increases for four student fees that currently require only the approval of Student Congress. Student Congress voted 17-3 at a meeting Tuesday night in favor of the new referendum, which could put more power over fees directly into student hands.
Read the full report here. Student Body President Eve Carson's administration released its October Report on Tuesday, detailing its progress in a 149-page document. The report updates the student body and administrators on the executive branch's progress as Carson reaches the midpoint of her term. It also helps the administration evaluate itself.
