The Seahawk

Student body hopefuls Horowitz and Williams run unopposed in this year’s SGA election

Nitya Budamagunta, Staff Writer • March 24, 2022

The era of COVID-19 regulations and mask mandates is coming to a close at UNCW along with the terms of UNCW’s current Student Government Associate president and vice president. SGA is holding its annual...

U.S. House race back on track in North Carolina after redistricting crisis

Kiley Woods, Photography Editor • March 22, 2022

This year's midterm election carries uneasiness and uncertainty for future control in the House of Representatives. All 435 House seats are open for this year’s election, with each party seeking the needed 218 seats to gain a House majority. Recent redistricting controversies in the state have complicated the election even more.

What is being done about the sexual assaults on campus?

Abigail Celoria, Culture Editor • March 21, 2022

Of the ten cases only one is listed as closed, while eight are under further investigation. In all cases except the closed one, the perpetrators were listed as known to the victims. The tenth case, which is the most recent, concluded because the assault took place outside of UNCW’s police jurisdiction, as it did not occur on campus. Despite this new information, though, the question of what UNCW resources are doing to address sexual assaults on campus is ongoing. Many students have worried for their safety this academic year as these unusual cases drew their attention to the issue.

UNCW will end mask mandate and surveillance testing, effective March 7

Brenna Flanagan, Editor-in-Chief • February 25, 2022

After nearly two years of wearing masks on campus, UNCW will no longer require them in most campus situations on March 7. An email was sent from OUR on Feb. 25 after UNC System President Peter Hans...

Wilmington’s city council discusses ratification of the ERA in North Carolina

Abigail Celoria, Assistant Culture Editor • January 28, 2022

On Jan. 18, the Wilmington City Council unanimously passed the resolution calling for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment with seven “yea” votes from Mayor Pro Tem Magaret Haynes, Mayor Bill Saffo, and Councilmembers Charlie Rivenbark, Clifford Barnett, Kevin Spears, Luke Waddell and Neil Anderson. The city’s resolution is part of a growing movement across North Carolina petitioning the General Assembly to ratify the amendment. This proposed amendment to the Constitution would become the 28th if ratified and calls for the legal guarantee of equal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex. Almost 50 years since its first proposal to state legislatures in 1972, it is again receiving attention as states appeal for Congress to remove the initial ratification deadline.

Everything you need to know about North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race

Kiley Woods and Brenna Flanagan • January 25, 2022

There is a lot of uneasiness in anticipation of this year’s midterm elections. One of the key races to determine the makeup of the nation’s Senate will be right here in North Carolina. Senator Richard Burr is not running for reelection, which leaves an empty seat that many North Carolina Republicans and Democrats are fighting to fill. Since the Senate is split 50-50 between both parties (two Independents caucusing with Democrats), every seat counts in this election. Without a clear predecessor to Burr, North Carolina might become a pivotal state in November’s vote.

Pipe burst in Terrapin Hall temporarily left 400 students without housing

Caroline Straubel, Culture Editor • January 24, 2022

Over 400 students were evacuated out of Terrapin Hall last night beginning at 10:30 p.m. due to a pipe burst in the building, causing significant damage to at least 16 students’ residences. The evacuated students were placed in temporary housing for the night. This afternoon, most students were notified the building passed safety assessments and they could return to their rooms at 2 p.m. via an email from UNCW Housing and Residence Life Director Kevin Meaney. However, the rooms of 16 students are in need of repair before the students can move back in. The scheduled repair will take place in one to two weeks, and until then these students will remain in temporary housing.

UNCW to close in response to ice storm

Caroline Straubel, Culture Editor • January 20, 2022

In response to an ice storm warning for southeast North Carolina, UNCW announced classes are canceled on Friday, Jan. 21. Campus dining will continue to provide services for residential students during the storm, and areas with heavy foot traffic across campus will be salted by Housing and Residence Life. However, the university is urging students to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary trips across campus.

A closer look at the chancellor search committee

Amanda Leahey, Contributing Writer • January 17, 2022

There will be a new person at the top of UNCW’s chain of command come July, and the university is currently in the process of finding out who that person will be. Since Chancellor Jose Sartarelli's retirement announcement in September, UNCW has been searching for a new chancellor. Part of this process is the formation of an 18-member search committee charged with identifying and recommending chancellor candidates to the UNCW board of trustees. That was accomplished on Oct. 13, and since then there have been seven public forums where committee members heard feedback from the UNCW community. Feedback from these sessions helped the committee craft leadership statements to draw in potential candidates that fit the university's needs.

UNCW updates COVID-19 guidelines as students return to campus

Michael Friant, Contributing Writer • January 7, 2022

In a change from previous guidelines, UNCW will now require all students living on-campus to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test in order to return to campus. Previous guidance stated only unvaccinated students were required to participate in return-to-campus testing. Guidance for vaccinated faculty, staff and off-campus students attending on-campus classes will remain the same. These groups are not required to participate in return-to-campus testing. This guidance goes into effect among the rise of the fast-spreading omicron COVID-19 variant as students return from various places following winter break.

UNCW board of trustees votes to increase costs for 2022-2023 school year

Brian Hudec, Contributing Writer • December 29, 2021

On Dec. 10, UNCW’s board of trustees voted to increase the cost of attendance for the 2022-2023 school year. In the presentation provided by the board of trustees’ website, the university requested approval from the board to increase tuition rates for nonresident students, both undergraduate and graduate, by 3%. There was also an increase of student housing rates by 3.5% and an increase of the all-access meal plan rates by 5.1%.

After 40 years of contamination, lawsuit to save the Cape Fear?

Kiley Woods, Staff Writer • December 16, 2021

The deal reached between Cape Fear River Watch, The Department of Environmental Quality and Chemours was finalized in 2020. The plan was written by The Chemours Company and was edited and revised to take immediate and sustainable action against contamination. The deal addressed the contamination of the river and Chemours responsibility for contaminating the groundwater. The plan will outline specific goals and deadlines for Chemours to install additional filtration systems and treat the groundwater and surface water in order to eventually remove 99% of PFAS.