Heel Talk

The Board of Trustees members voted on June 17th to lift a 16-year ban on renaming buildings, monuments and landscapes on UNC's campus. To better understand what this moratorium meant, how this decision will affect the University moving forward and how campus leaders are responding, host Evely Forte spoke to summer university desk editor Maydha Devarajan and former DTH reporter Hannah McClellan. Reporting by Maydha Devarjan and Hannah McClellan. Episode co-edited and co-produced by Evely Forte and Meredith Radford.

For further reading:

• Ban on renaming buildings on campus is lifted, BOT votes, by Maydha Devarajan
• The history behind the names of UNC's academic buildings, by Hannah McClellan
• UNC community members call for action in response to racial injustice, by Hannah McClellan

In light of the movement — regarding racial equity and police brutality toward Black Americans — taking place across the United States, University and UNC student leaders are grappling with ways to continue the national conversation and progress made once school starts in the fall. To better understand what impact the movement will have on the upcoming semester, host Evely Forte spoke to incoming senior class president Chriss Suggs; incoming Black Student Movement president Tamiya Troy; Multicultural Affairs and Diversity Outreach committee co-chairpersons Chaz Crosby and Maya Logan; and Interim Chief Diversity Officer Sibby Anderson-Thompkins. This episode was co-edited and co-produced by Evely Forte and Meredith Radford. Reporting by Evely Forte.

Protests have erupted across the United States following the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, by Minneapolis police officers. Activists are calling for an end to police brutality toward Black Americans. Locally, protests have occurred in Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill in response to George Floyd's death. On this episode of Heel Talk, host Evely Forte talks to three DTH journalists — Chase Cofield, Maydha Devarajan and Claire Perry — to discuss what activism, in the midst of a pandemic, looks like and how community members feel about the national conversation moving forward. This episode was co-edited and co-produced by Evely Forte and Meredith Radford. Reporting by Chase Cofield, Maydha Devarajan and Claire Perry.

For more reading on local protests and activism:

• 'Protest over the death of George Floyd escalates in Raleigh as police deploy tear gas,' https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/06/raleigh-george-floyd-protest-0601, by Maydha Devarajan and Claire Perry

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' P-EBT program, which aims to help North Carolinians combat food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic, will provide families across the state with additional food benefits. Host Evely Forte and City-State reporter Elizabeth Egan talk about the new program and the work of local organizations attempting to feed families impacted by the economic effects of the pandemic. Summer Online Editor Meredith Radford also breaks down how the state is preparing for the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane season, which officially begins today, and what residents can do to individually prepare. This episode was co-edited and co-produced by Evely Forte and Meredith Radford. Reporting by Elizabeth Egan and Meredith Radford. 

DTH stories mentioned on this episode: 

• ‘With schools out, this expanded statewide program is targeting hunger in N.C.,’ https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/05/child-nutrition-p-ebt-0526, by Lilly Egan 

Resources for the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season:

• Know Your Zone is a tool that allows people in North Carolina to see what evacuation zone they are in based on a street address.
• You can sign up for OC Alerts, which will help you to stay updated on emergency information here in Orange County. 
• For alerts from the national weather service, you can download the FEMA app.
• For more information on hurricane and emergency preparedness in NC, you can visit readync.org. 
• Visit redcross.org for information on preparing emergency kits, sheltering and other emergency preparedness information.
• The Red Cross is still offering First Aid and CPR courses that anyone in the community can take. They can be found on the redcross.org website.
• To donate blood or find information on local blood drives, visit redcrossblood.org.
• For COVID-19 health and safety guidelines, visit the CDC website.

The FBI issued a warning in March about the practice of "Zoombombings," where uninvited users hijack and disrupt teleconferences, often with offensive or racist images and language. UNC has not gone unaffected. Host Evely Forte and University Desk Editor Maydha Devarajan talk about a Hussman School of Journalism and Media class that was interrupted by unidentified users — including a naked man — who screamed the n-word multiple times and that “no one f------ cares.” Evely also breaks down the latest updates concerning fall semester. This episode was co-edited and co-produced by Evely Forte and Meredith Radford. Reporting by Maydha Devarajan. 

Other DTH stories mentioned on this episode: 

• “‘Zoombombing’ brings up questions of cybersecurity and safety for UNC students,” by Maydha Devarajan, https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/05/zoombombing-barriers-0518

• “First day of classes will be Aug. 10, final exams to end Nov. 24, Guskiewicz announces,” by Kyle Ingram, https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/05/breaking-bot-0521

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving an honest rating and review.

Governor Roy Cooper announced a three-phase plan at the end of last month to push the state economy forward following the economic slowdown experienced across the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Host Evely Forte talks to summer City-State Editor Claire Perry to break down what this state plan means for Chapel Hill and Orange County along with how local leaders and residents are reacting to the upcoming changes. This episode was co-edited and co-produced by Evely Forte and Meredith Radford. Reporting by Claire Perry. 

Other DTH stories mentioned on this episode: 

• “Local businesses grapple with decision to close during the COVID-19 crisis,” by Elizabeth Egan, https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/04/business-check-in-0424

• “Here's how Franklin Street restaurants are adjusting to the COVID-19 crisis,” by Audrey Selley, https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/05/franklin-st-business-check-in-0505
• “Graduating seniors celebrate Commencement with virtual watch party,” by Isabella Sherk, https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/05/virtual-commencement-0511
• “Here's what you need to know about the FDA-approved COVID-19 drug being tested at UNC,” by Chiara Evans, https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/05/remdesivir-0513
• “Food delivery service with UNC roots gives back to community amid stay-at-home order,” by Audrey Selley, https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/05/takeout-central-0512
• “UNC fans crowned the best in men's college basketball Twitter vote,” by Isaiah Lucas, https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/05/college-hoops-twitter-fan-vote-unc

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving an honest rating and review. 

Show notes:

After a four-year fight for records of the University's sexual assault disciplinary proceedings, the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled May 1 that UNC will be required to release the names of individuals found responsible for rape, sexual assault or related acts of sexual misconduct. The DTH Media Corporation first filed the lawsuit against UNC in a coalition with three other N.C. media companies in the fall of 2016, claiming the University had violated North Carolina public records law by refusing to release the names, offenses and disciplinary actions for students or faculty found responsible for sexual misconduct. On this episode of Heel Talk, host Evely Forte talks to Online Managing Editor Hannah Lang to break down this case and its implications. Episode produced by Brian Keyes. 

To read the full story written by Hannah Lang featured on this episode visit: https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/05/release-names-lawsuit-0430

Other stories mentioned on this episode: 

"Column: We should know who’s found responsible for sexual assault," https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2016/10/column-we-should-know-whos-found-responsible-for-sexual-assault, by Jane Wester

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving an honest rating and review. 

Have questions you’d like us to answer or have a suggestion for a story? Email us at: [email protected]

UNC System Interim President Bill Roper announced in a statement released Wednesday that he expects students and faculty to return to all 17 UNC System campuses this fall, though he does not anticipate operations returning to “normal" as they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. On this episode of Heel Talk, host Evely Forte talks to DTH reporter Rachel Crumpler to break down what Roper’s statement implies for the University moving forward. Episode produced by Brian Keyes. 

To read the full story written by Rachel Crumpler featured on this episode visit: https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/04/roper-unc-reopening-0429

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving an honest rating and review. 

Have questions you’d like us to answer or have a suggestion for a story? Email us at: [email protected]

Spring 2020 classes unexpectedly went remote due to the spread of COVID-19. University Media Relations said in a statement that UNC is working with the UNC System to determine how to move forward in fall 2020. If the fall 2020 semester continues with online instruction, some students are considering taking the semester off. Host Evely Forte talks to DTH senior writer Maydha Devarajan to break down what the University has announced so far about the fall semester and to discuss how some students are reacting to potential changes and uncertainties. Episode produced by Maydha Devarajan. 

For more information on today's episode, visit: https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/04/fall-semester-alternatives-0420

Other DTH University Desk stories mentioned in this episode:

"We will not be going back to normal': Faculty Council looks ahead," https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/04/faculty-council-0420, by Nicole Moorefield

"Your guide to returning books during a campus shutdown,” https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/04/remote-textbook-returns-0422, by Allie Kelly

"'The only option': Faculty and students prepare for a summer of remote courses," https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/04/summer-school-online-0420, by Addison Skigen

“COVID-19 response for graduate students discussed at Administrative Board meeting,” https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/04/graduate-school-meeting-0423, by Rachel Crumpler

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving an honest rating and review. 

Have questions you’d like us to answer or have a suggestion for a story? Email us at: [email protected]

UNC graduate student workers have created a list of demands they would like University leaders to meet in response to COVID-19 conditions. Entitled “Demands for the Immediate Relief of Graduate Workers at UNC-CH,” the statement outlines a variety of graduate student worker concerns, including a 75 percent cost of living adjustment and additional time and funding to complete degrees. Host Evely Forte talks to DTH University staff writer Rachel Crumpler to break down these demands and to better understand how they will impact the UNC campus community. Episode produced by Allie Kelly.

For more information on today's episode, visit https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/04/grad-student-demands-0416.

Other DTH stories mentioned in this episode:

"New Student Orientation to be held online due to novel coronavirus pandemic," https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/04/orientation-online-0414, by Preston Fore

“Coronavirus extends uncertainty of study abroad programs into the fall semester,” https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/04/fall-study-abroad-covid-0416 , by Anthony Howard

“Meet the students and volunteers making face shields to donate during COVID-19," https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/04/students-making-masks-0414, by Claire Tynan

“UNC researchers collaborate on a potential pill to help treat COVID-19," https://www.dailytarheel.com/article/2020/04/antiviral-drug-0415, by Isabella Sherk

“Here's a rundown of Wednesday's Zoom campus safety meeting,” by Sasha Schroeder

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving an honest rating and review.

Have questions you’d like us to answer or have a suggestion for a story? Email us at: [email protected]