Rachel Leonard

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Alumni Connections, Reputation Aid UNC Graduates in Job Market

By Rachel Leonard | April 30

Some people say it's not what you know but who you know. Others say both are important. But one thing is certain: for UNC-Chapel Hill graduates wondering how their diplomas will help them find jobs, the University's good reputation and extensive alumni network throughout the state can be a blessing, especially in a lagging economy. "It never hurts to be the top university in the state," said Tim Stiles, an associate director at University Career Services. "We have the brand-name recognition. We have the reputation."

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Clean Air Plan Gets Backing

By Rachel Leonard | April 29

Environmentalists are lauding a plan announced by Gov. Mike Easley last week that would reduce pollution emissions from North Carolina's 14 coal-fired power plants without increasing utility rates for consumers in the near future. To finance pollution-reducing equipment, electricity rates would be frozen for five years, followed by a seven-year period during which electric utilities could recover the estimated $2.3 billion needed to make the improvements.

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PETA Hopes to Stop Helms Amendment

By Rachel Leonard | April 22

Animal rights activists hope a video they say shows animal abuse at UNC will help derail an amendment added to this year's federal farm bill by Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C. But it remains unclear what effect the video could have on the Helms amendment, which would permanently exclude laboratory rats, mice and birds from U.S. Department of Agriculture oversight of animal treatment under the Animal Welfare Act.

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Tuition Protest Small, Enthusiastic in Raleigh

By Rachel Leonard | April 8

RALEIGH -- College students and supporters called for a halt to tuition hikes and demanded campaign finance reform at a rally held Friday afternoon in front of the Legislative Building in Raleigh. Organizers had estimated a larger crowd than the 25 who attended, but those at the rally were joined at times by teenagers visiting the state capital with school groups. Although the N.C.

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Poll Shows that Americans Link Defense, Education

By Rachel Leonard | April 5

Americans wanting to improve national security overwhelmingly support budget increases, but not just increases in defense budgets. When asked in a recent poll to rate reasons why the federal government should increase education spending, 85 percent of respondents said the country's need for stronger national security is a "good reason" to increase spending in the classroom. A similar percentage of respondents also supported budget increases to help poor students secure equal opportunities in higher education and to provide quality teachers. The survey, which was based on a represen

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Redesigned K-12 Schools Focus on Youth, Testing

By Rachel Leonard | March 20

It's not the kindergarten you remember. In fact, there isn't much in N.C. schools today that most adults would recognize from their own school days. Increased emphasis on early childhood education, accountability, individual attention and school choice are changing the face of education in North Carolina and nationwide. The 1990s saw a wave of new public education initiatives under then-Gov. Jim Hunt. "Years ago our public schools were down near the bottom among the states," Hunt said. "We decided we needed to improve our schools." Starting Early

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Dole, Bowles Lead Campaign Fund Raising

By Rachel Leonard | February 4

Republican Elizabeth Dole and Democrat Erskine Bowles have raised the most money so far in their U.S. Senate campaigns, but their opponents say the race is far from over. According to federal reports filed last week, Dole raised more than $3 million during the reporting period ending Dec. 31, 2001. During that same period, Bowles raised about $1.7 million. Dole is a Salisbury native and former president of the American Red Cross. Bowles, a Charlotte investment banker, was White House chief of staff under President Clinton. Other candidates have raised far less money.

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Arrests for Drugs, Alcohol on Rise at U.S. Colleges

By Rachel Leonard | January 30

The average number of drug and alcohol arrests at colleges nationwide is rising, according to recent reports -- but the trend doesn't seem to apply to UNC-Chapel Hill. Figures released by the U.S. Department of Education and analyzed by the Chronicle of Higher Education show a 10.2 percent increase in college drug arrests and a 4.2 percent increase in alcohol arrests from 1999 to 2000. Pennsylvania State University topped the list with 175 on-campus drug arrests. Michigan State University reported the most alcohol-related arrests with 852.

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Easley Seeks More Federal Funds for State Medicaid

By Rachel Leonard | January 28

Gov. Mike Easley sent a letter last week urging the N.C. congressional delegation to provide additional funding for the state's Medicaid program, which is facing a $108 million budget shortfall this fiscal year. In the letter, Easley stated that increased federal aid is crucial to protect the state's "most vulnerable citizens." Medicaid provides health care for the poor, elderly and disabled.

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N.C. State Obeys Tobacco Subpoena

By Rachel Leonard | January 23

N.C. State University has complied with a recent tobacco industry subpoena requesting that documents pertaining to 50 years of federally funded tobacco research be handed over for review. But other universities nationwide are continuing to refuse similar requests. Big tobacco companies, including Philip Morris Companies Inc. and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings Inc., requested the information as part of their defense in a federal lawsuit against the industry.