Tucker Max controversy

On Aug. 26, the Union Activities Board premiered Tucker Max’s latest film, “I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell,” a documentary of Max’s escapades based off his best-selling book. The film was met with great criticism from the Women’s Center and other individuals on campus. Despite these concerns and public protests, the UAB continued with the premiere, which attracted a sold-out crowd.

Shannon Johnson, the Women’s Center Director, said that the trailer to Max’s movie depicted women in a light that was less than favorable.

“He views women as objects,” Johnson said. “He’s only out to get as much sex as he can.”

Echoing the views of Johnson was Juliette Grimmett, University rape prevention education coordinator, who was active in the protests leading up to the showing of the film. “We brought a new perspective. If we can get people to look at the film differently, then we did our job.”

Hillsborough Street Construction

Traffic cones. Barricades surrounded by dirt. Seemingly endless traffic congestion. These are all things that became synonymous with Hillsborough Street during 2009. Consequently, many businesses on the street took major hits in sales.

The purpose behind the Hillsborough Street Improvement Project, which has been a goal of many city residents and leaders for years, was to not only revitalize the street, but to also make Hillsborough Street safer for those who use it.

Included in the plans for the $9.92 million project were plans to transform the multi-road street to a two-lane road separated by a median. The project also offered the addition of two roundabouts along Hillsborough Street, which have since been inserted.

Pack beats Tar Heels

On Saturday, Nov. 28 the Pack defeated long-time rival, Carolina, for the third time in as many attempts. This victory came after a string of defeats, unfulfilled expectations and injuries. Leading the way offensively was quarterback Russell Wilson, who went 20-27 with four touchdown passes.

Despite a less than perfect season, the win was a good way for the seniors to end the year. Following the victory, Wilson threw the game-winning ball into the stands, before realizing that the ball was to be given to Dana Bible in honor of all of his contributions to the football program. Bible, the offensive coordinator for the Pack, announced last year that he was diagnosed with leukemia.

Swine flu outbreak

In 2009, the campus – and the world as a whole – was taken by storm with the outbreak of what was then referred to as the swine flu. Despite initial concerns and a plethora of attention in the media, the H1N1 virus did not prove to be any deadlier than the seasonal flu, which affects millions each year.

As a result of all the attention received in the media, campuses across the nation enacted preparedness plans in case of widespread epidemic. On Apr. 27, the then-chancellor, James Oblinger, released a statement outlining possible emergency measures for such an outbreak, while attempting to calm the fears of students across campus. These emergency measures proved unnecessary, although more than 1,500 students were diagnosed with the virus or exhibited H1N1-like symptoms.

U2 headlines at Carter-Finley Stadium

After more than a decade-long hiatus from special events, Carter-Finley was host to U2 when the group made a special stop in the capital city on Oct. 3. The band played on a 360-degree, rotating stage before a crowd of more than 60,000 people. As a part of the concert, more than 1,500 jobs were created for people in the Raleigh-Durham area.

Many students who attended the concert, however, were taken aback by the high prices of everything from T-shirts to food. Overall, however, students who attended said the spectacle itself was worth the price of admission.

Zach Howard, a senior in materials engineering, said the stage design alone was worth the hefty price of admission.

“It was disappointing that there wasn’t a student ticket option, but I thought it was great,” Howard said. “The stage was amazing. It was quite a feat from an engineering standpoint.”

Mary Easley Scandal

The University, along with the rest of the state, was shocked to hear how Mary Easley obtained her position — as well as the size of her paycheck. She was one of many N.C. government officials to take a fall this year. Students debated whether she should step down when her position was in question, but she denied any wrongdoing. Easley’s $170,000-a-year job was terminated on June 9th, shortly after Chancellor James Oblinger stepped down. The bad publicity surrounding these public officials also brought negative attention to the University at the start of the 2009-2010 school year.

The Board of Trustees voted unanimously in the decision to terminate Easley’s contract. UNC President Erskine Bowles said he fully supported the board’s decision to terminate “the relationship with Mrs. Easley.”

“I believe we now have to move forward,” Bowles said. “I think to do so we’ve got to do everything we can to bring sunlight to this issue.”

Talley moves forward, despite election results

The Rally 4 Tally campaign was a hot topic all across campus, as students debated whether or not to accept a fee increase to pay for renovations to Talley Student Center. In the referenda vote, 60 percent of students voted against the fee increase, although they did prioritize the need to renovate Talley.

Despite the referenda vote, the Student Senate voted to move forward with the implementation of fee increases. The first increase will occur during the 2010-2011 school year when student fees will be raised by $83. Work on the Atrium will also begin during this time.

Chancellor Oblinger resigns

Amid controversy regarding the Mary Easley and Larry Nielsen drama on campus, Chancellor James Oblinger announced his resignation on June 8.

“Jim Oblinger has shared with me his decision to resign as chancellor of North Carolina State University, effective immediately,” Erskine Bowles revealed in a memo. “I have accepted that decision with considerable sadness, but agreed fully with Jim’s conclusion that it would be in the best interest of N.C. State and the entire University if he stepped down as chancellor and returned to the faculty.”

Before returning to the faculty in spring 2010, Oblinger was granted a six-month leave at his current salary before returning to assume his duties and responsibilities as a faculty member.

Upon the resignation of Oblinger, a committee was established to find an interim replacement. Filling in where Oblinger left off was former chancellor of UNC-Charlotte, James Woodward.