I know spring has arrived at N.C. State University when the campus begins to permeate with the fresh scent of manure. Today’s column is like the catch all category on the quiz show “Jeopardy!” — potpourri. With so much chicanery on campus it is difficult to limit my prose to just one subject, so here we go…

Herb SendekMen’s basketball head coach Herb Sendek will lose his job if the Wolfpack do not reach the Final Four in the NCAA Basketball Championship Tournament. First, the decision has little-to-nothing to do with Sendek’s coaching ability or the success of the program under his tenure.

The verdict to let Sendek go and buyout his multi-million dollar contract rests squarely on the shoulders of Chancellor James Oblinger. Why will the Chancellor let Sendek go? Oblinger is a relatively new chancellor in the middle of a billion-dollar fundraising campaign. His bosses, the Board of Trustees and UNC President Erskine Bowles, will measure his job performance on the success of the “Achieve!” campaign.

At this University, rightly or wrongly, donors are less likely to give when they are unsatisfied with the athletic program. The success of the athletic program dictates overall giving to the University. So, Chancellor Oblinger is going to reach the billion-dollar goal, even if it means biting the bullet and letting Sendek go. This is not about sports, it’s about money.

Campus crimeCongratulations to the Campus Police for nabbing the gang responsible for the recent increase of crime on campus. Let’s take the perpetrators, especially the ones that are students and put them on “display” in the Brickyard.

A suggestion for Campus Police: The department does a great job of being visible during the day with foot, bike and horse patrols. But once night falls, these watches appear to end giving way to officers patrolling only by squad car. How about some officers walking around a night — other than the student patrol?

Pirate Captain impeachmentAs I predicted in an earlier column, the administration stepped in to put a halt to the Student Senate’s impeachment of the Student Body president. Still, members of the Student Senate have failed to recognize why the administration took such a drastic action. “This does not mean that President Piavis’ impeachment is invalid,” said Tracy Hutcherson, a senior in microbiology. Yes, it is over. At the end of the day Whil Piavis will serve out the rest of his term as Student Body president and sit in on his last BOT meeting.

This has nothing to do with student self-governance or the Senate’s ability to carry out its “constitutional” powers. This is about a rogue Senate that lacks all credibility among the student body and the administration. There are a lot of passionate individuals in Student Government working on a number of important issues — it is time to refocus efforts on serving the student body.

SG reorganizationI would like the administration to go even further — a major overhaul of SG. Once student body elections are complete and new officers are installed, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Tom Stafford should convene a group of students, alumni, faculty and staff to reconstitute a more effective SG. This task force would complete its work by the fall semester so the student body could vote on a new constitution. Student advocacy is an important and critical part of campus life — let’s return to a tradition of strong student self governance.

Part-time studentsAre part-time students third-class citizens at NCSU?

It may be true that the Student Body Constitution states that “students are required to be regularly enrolled and to have paid the full student activity fee in order to vote and participate in Student Government,” however I will first present the simplest and best argument against why the policy is flawed. Simply put — MONEY! Part-time students pay student fees. That’s right; when the tuition bill hits the mailboxes of part-time students, there is a charge for student activity fees.

But if I am a part-time student paying pro-rated fees, this question would pop into my mind – if I can’t vote or participate in SG then why the hell do I have to pay the fee? Sounds like taxation without representation. I understand other requirements like minimum grade point averages. If someone isn’t passing academic muster they should not be allowed to devote valuable time bantering at a Senate meeting.

Part-time students are a valuable asset to the University community. Most students who turn to part-time status do so to help pay for the escalating costs of attending. Part-time students, also known as nontraditional students, are a single mother, a laid-off worker learning new skills, or a “regular student” working two jobs to pay his or her way through school – they should be allowed to vote and serve.

I’m done for now. Enjoy the aroma of campus.