Here is a sampling of links and notes about Carolina people and programs cited recently in the media:
International Coverage
Semester Online university partnership announces courses for 2014
The Financial Times (London)
Oct. 1
Semester Online, a teaching model that enables students to earn credits towards their degree by studying online, is expanding its portfolio of courses, including five business courses offered by the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler business school.
Following a limited trial this autumn, undergraduates who have completed their first year studies – in the US and internationally – will be able to apply for one of 19 courses, offered entirely online, starting in spring 2014.
National Coverage
After Years of Political Talk, The Obamacare Fight Gets Real
NPR Morning Edition
Oct. 1
Health care historian Jonathan Oberlander says that's why he's not sure even a flawless rollout will change perceptions. "This is not a program like Medicare or Social Security; it is a program that really is a series of policies and regulations and subsidies," he says. [Note: This interview was recorded in the Carolina News Studio.]
Obamacare fight vs. birth of Social Security: Which was uglier?
NBC-TV
Oct. 1
They said one program would end freedom in America, and worried that another was akin to socialism. No, we’re not talking about aspects of the Affordable Care Act. If you think politicians up in arms about the upcoming launch of Obamacare, you must not be old enough to remember the name-calling and dire predictions that predicated the introduction of two other major legislative milestones: Medicare and Social Security. “There is a history around these government programs of controversy … said Jonathan Oberlander, a professor of health policy and management at the University of North Carolina.
Scientists who share data publicly receive more citations
UPI
Oct. 1
New research further supports the the idea that open data is a boon to science, finding that scientists can benefit from sharing their data publicly by receiving more citations for at least five years after publication. The study, conducted by Dr. Heather Piwowar of Duke University and Dr. Todd Vision of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill examined papers published on gene expression, to compare with large open archives that exist for this genetic data.
Study Of Traffic Stops In North Carolina Shows Significant Racial Bias
Opposing Views (website)
Sept. 30
A recent report on traffic stops by police officers in North Carolina showed a significant, racially-charged skew in data. A black driver is 77 percent more likely to be stopped and searched at a traffic stop than a white driver in the state, the study found. … UNC political scientist Frank R. Baumgartner analyzed data from 13.2 million traffic stops that spanned a 10 year period. The State of North Carolina passed a law in 1999 that required law-enforcement agencies to collect racial and ethnic data on police-led traffic stops.
State & Local Coverage
Greensboro native named UNC's chief fundraiser
The News & Record (Greensboro)
Sept. 29
Greensboro native David Routh has been named vice chancellor for development at UNC-Chapel Hill. Routh, who now lives in Chapel Hill, is managing director for U.S. Trust/Bank of America Private Wealth Management in Raleigh. He formerly worked for U.S. Trust in Greensboro, where he served on the board of the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra and other non-profit groups.
And the survey said…..
The News-Herald (Roanoke-Chowan)
Oct. 1
A project under the auspices of the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at UNC Chapel Hill is seeking additional input from Bertie County citizens. This past summer, the Institute collaborated with the Bertie County Commissioners in developing an Economic Development Plan. As part of that process as well as to rally community involvement, the Institute hosted a series of events in an effort to gauge where the members of the community saw themselves in the next five-to-seven years, and how they would like to get there.
Issues & Trends
UNC system takes 'proactive approach' to curb on-campus crime
WNCN-TV (Raleigh)
Sept. 30
State universities in North Carolina are trying to get ahead of the curve in regard to crime on campus. Starting Tuesday, the University of North Carolina system will begin an extensive review of safety procedures at state schools in hopes to find ways to make campus safer for students. North Carolina State University Chancellor Randy Woodson and N.C. A&T State University Chancellor Harold Martin will co-chair the initiative.
NC universities inform students about new guns on campus law
News 14 (TV)
Sept. 30
In North Carolina it is a felony for someone to have a gun on a college campus. But a slight change to that will go into effect on Tuesday. …Concealed handgun permit holders can leave a gun in their car on campus as long as the car is locked and the weapon is not in plain sight. Public safety officials at UNC say it is not much of a change from how things are currently.