Here is a sampling of links and notes about Carolina people and programs cited recently in the media:
International Coverage
AIDS Cure Quest to Kill `Sleeping' Viruses Enlists Merck Cancer Medicine
Bloomberg News
The 30-year-long search for a cure for AIDS, the world’s deadliest viral infection, may get a renewed boost from an unlikely source: a little-used Merck & Co. cancer drug. Researchers at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill plan to test Merck’s drug, Zolinza, next year in about 20 people infected with HIV, the AIDS virus. The goal is to determine if Zolinza, or a medicine like it, can force HIV out of cells where it can reside, concealed from attack by potent antiviral treatments, said David Margolis, a professor of medicine who’s leading the research.
National Coverage
My Reasons for Optimism on Education (Opinion-Editorial Column)
The Wall Streeet Journal
…This fall marks Teach For America's 20th anniversary, and I have spent much of the summer reflecting on the sea change that has taken place in public education over the last two decades. …One of the biggest reasons for optimism, given the role we know effective leadership plays, is the outpouring of interest among our nation's future leaders to channel their energy toward this cause. This year, 46,000 young people applied to Teach For America; more than 4,500 will be teaching this fall. We are the top employer of graduating seniors at over 40 colleges and universities across the country, including Yale, Spelman and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. (Wendy Kopp is the founder and CEO of Teach For America.)
The view from the driver's seat
"The Story" American Public Media
College students across the country have been moving into their dorms and apartments in recent days. For freshmen, this is their first introduction to life away from home. Benjy Downing is a late-night bus driver for the University of North Carolina. This past week, Benjy welcomed the Class of 2014 to campus.
Regional Coverage
No superheroes to the rescue of schools. Good teaching seems to depend
on good supports. (Blog)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Georgia)
A new superhero has appeared in education folklore and he’s cast a powerful shadow on policy discussions about improving teacher quality: The NASA scientist eager to doff his lab coat and become a high school physics teacher, if only there weren’t so many obstacles in his way. …“When we looked at these alternative or lateral entry teachers, many of them were quite young and were simply frustrated in getting a job in their chosen profession,” said Gary Henry, director of the UNC Carolina Institute for Public Policy. “The folks switching from high-performing private sector jobs are a very small minority.
State and Local Coverage
Keeping An Eye On Hurricane Earl
WCHL 1360-AM (Chapel Hill)
Hurricane and Tropical Storm warnings have been posted along the North Carolina coast as category 4 Hurricane Earl prepares to pass closely by. Professor of Marine Sciences at UNC Rick Leuttich says even though Earl won’t make a direct hit it’s still important for people on the coast to prepare. Hurricane Earl will kick up high seas, dump heavy rain on the eastern part of the state and cause hurricane force winds along coastal counties.
UNC Tip Sheet:
http://uncnews.unc.edu/content/view/3852/74/
N.C. is getting into science (Opinion-Editorial Column)
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
We have all heard comments like these: "Kids these days aren't interested in science." "I think science is boring." "Science isn't relevant to daily life. Why should I care?" …Today, though, I'm hopeful. Every day at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center I see people having "Eureka!" moments. I see their faces light up when they connect what they're learning in the classroom with the world in which they live. I see their excitement when they witness a natural phenomenon that science helps them understand. (Todd Boyette is the director of Morehead Planetarium and Science Center at UNC-Chapel Hill and a co-founder of the N.C. Science Festival.)
The shadows in Chapel Hill (Opinion-Editorial Column)
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
And why was the chancellor of one of the premiere public institutions in the United States sitting before the news media last week in a rare press conference offering an apology of sorts to the university's friends and family? Because there now are two investigations involving the football program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. One from the governing body of college sports, the NCAA, seeks information on whether players were having improper conversations with agents. …Thorp at least deserves credit for coming forward at this point; at many schools, that wouldn't be the case.
UNC sacks Austin for violating rules
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
North Carolina defensive tackle Marvin Austin, who has been interviewed as part of the NCAA's investigation into possible improper benefits provided to players by sports agents, was suspended indefinitely Wednesday for violating team rules and neglecting his responsibilities to the team. …Regarding Austin, Davis said in a prepared statement Wednesday that "this decision is not a result of the ongoing NCAA review." Baddour reiterated that sentiment, saying that no one should assume the suspension had anything to do with breaking NCAA or academic rules.
Related Link:
http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/9354830/article-UNC-suspends-Austin-indefinitely
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UNC's Williams says hoops team has not had contact with tutor under investigation (Blog)
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
North Carolina coach Roy Williams said this morning that his basketball players have not had contact with the tutor who is being investigated for possible academic misconduct with football players. In an interview with The News & Observer, Williams said no one can ever be 100 percent sure that the school’s academic investigation won’t carry over to other programs. “But I have, since the news has been out there, checked with our people to see if we had anybody involved with that specific tutor; is this something that I’m going to get a call about in the middle of the night?” he said.
Blue Cross expands services
The Herald-Sun (Durham)
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina has expanded its on-site claims services to UNC Physicians & Associates in an effort to cut administrative and medical costs. The "On-site Service Model" program, which places claims and customer service representatives in hospitals to work directly with billings departments on site, launched in May 2009 at WakeMed and then later last year at UNC Hospitals. UNC P&A, a faculty practice for the UNC Health Care System, will be the first physician practice group in the state to implement the program with Blue Cross.
Related Link:
http://wchl1360.com/detailswide.html?id=15735
UNC-Chapel Hill to clarify break policy for workers
The News & Observer (Raleigh)
UNC-Chapel Hill will work to fairly enforce a rest policy after at least two housekeepers were suspended this summer for taking unauthorized breaks, an administrator said Wednesday. The policy requires Facilities Services employees – housekeepers, grounds workers and others – to tell a supervisor before taking rests outside their one-hour lunch and two 15-minute breaks. Four employees, including the housekeepers, were disciplined for breaking the rules, Van Dobson, executive director for Facilities Services, told the UNC-CH Employee Forum.
Related Link:
http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_story/9354274/article-When-it-comes-to-breaks–UNC
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