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Articles by Natalie Varma
Dibbert announces retirement, reflects on 40 years leading the GAA
Doug Dibbert sits in his office in the George Watts Hill Alumni Center, a building that opened its doors under his leadership in 1993. In front of walls lined with UNC memorabilia and family photos, he recounts his service of more than 14,000 days at the helm of the General Alumni Association. “All alumni are convinced that they attended Carolina at the most perfect time. And all of us are right,” Dibbert said.
Visibility Forward promotes education about Asian American experiences
In August 2021, four UNC students founded Visibility Forward, an organization that aims to promote peace and combat violence against the Asian American community through history education. Co-founder Michael Zhang, a sophomore studying public policy, said he wants to make it clear why the organization believes education is key in combating anti-Asian hate. “The gap in visibility that exists currently in curriculums is part of the reason that allows stereotypes to proliferate,” he said.
K-2 Tar Heels: UNC opens elementary laboratory school in Roxboro
UNC and Person County Schools held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Thursday to mark the opening of Carolina Community Academy (CCA), a K-2 school within North Elementary School located in Roxboro, N.C. In 2016, the state legislature passed a law mandating the UNC Board of Governors to establish eight laboratory schools in low-performing schools around the state.
Remembering James Cates: UNC announces plans for a permanent memorial
Content warning: This article contains mention of racially-motivated violence. * * * Last Friday, the University announced plans to develop a permanent memorial in the Pit dedicated to James Lewis Cates Jr. Cates — a 22-year-old Black Chapel Hill resident — was murdered by members of a white supremacist motorcycle gang after a November 1970 event on UNC's campus near the Pit. Cates was denied life-saving medical treatment by police, according to the James Cates Remembrance Coalition.
UNC faculty talks salary inequities, administrative leadership changes
As the University approaches the end of the spring semester, its faculty members have continued to discuss key topics and issues — such as privacy, salary inequity and leadership structure — in recent Faculty Council and Faculty Executive Committee meetings. Here's a look at some of these discussions: Faculty salary inequities On April 8, the Faculty Council adopted a resolution that focuses on furthering gender and racial salary equity at the University.
Meet the candidates for UNC Graduate and Professional Student Government president
The UNC Graduate and Professional Student Government is holding elections on Tuesday. Two candidates, Zachary Boyce and Theodore Nollert, are running for president of the GPSG. Zachary Boyce Zachary Boyce is a graduate student dually enrolled in the School of Law and the School of Information and Library Science. Boyce has experience in the Graduate Senate as a senator representing the School of Law and chairperson of the rules and judiciary committee.
UNC launches new mental health initiative called 'Heels Care Network'
The University launched the Heels Care Network, a collection of university-wide mental health resources for students, staff, faculty and other members of the campus community, on Wednesday. The mental health initiative, first announced by Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz in October, was created based on feedback from November's Mental Health Summit and the UNC community. “We realize there is no single solution here, but this is an important step forward,” Guskiewicz said in an email.
University cultural centers form the UNC Alliance, call for student grant proposals
Four cultural centers on campus are collaborating to examine crucial issues of equity and justice through a new partnership called the UNC Alliance. The Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History, the Asian American Center, the Carolina Latinx Center and the American Indian Center came together to launch the collaborative group and put out a call for student grant proposals in January.
Campaign for Carolina reaches $4.25 billion goal a year early
In 2017, Campaign for Carolina set a goal of raising $4.25 billion by Dec. 31, 2022. In 2021, the campaign was 87 percent of the way there — and way ahead of schedule. Almost a year early, UNC has announced that the campaign has reached the $4.25 billion goal, which will go toward scholarships, medical advancements, fellowship programs and infrastructure improvements, according to a UNC announcement Thursday. Not all of the money will be available right away.
UNC-based researchers developing tool to teach Cherokee language
The Cherokee language is endangered. Very few native speakers remain in America — much less in North Carolina. To help produce more fluent Cherokee speakers, a group of professors and students are working to create a software program that will translate English materials to Cherokee. They include Ben Frey, a professor of American Studies and Eastern Band Cherokeean citizen, teamed up with Mohit Bansal, the John R. & Louise S.
By students, for students: Peer2Peer offers mental health resources at UNC
Founded in 2020, Peer2Peer is a student-run organization that offers mental health resources to UNC undergraduate and graduate students. The organization set itself apart from University services, such as Counseling and Psychological Services by providing one-on-one sessions with peer responders who are also students at UNC. Senior Sonam Shah, a health policy management and neuroscience double major, is one of the co-founders of Peer2Peer.
Counsel fees add to UNC System losses in the Silent Sam settlements
The UNC System lost money on multiple fronts in the Silent Sam settlements. A $2.5 million settlement with the North Carolina Sons of Confederate Veterans was made in 2019, and it established a $2.5 million “Monument Trust” to be used by the SCV for maintenance of the Silent Sam statue. Though the settlement was made in the fall of that year, UNC System funds were paid to counsel involved through the following summer. The settlement was reversed in February 2020.
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