The eye is on Kappa Alpha

As a member of the group of young men involved in the re-colonization of the Alpha Omega chapter of Kappa Alpha Order at N.C. State, I want to assure you that the eye is on the Order and I can speak from experience. I am the only previously initiated brother of Kappa Alpha and have been fully involved in the re-colonization process on campus. You are not wrong in being weary of some aspects of Greek Life, including hazing, sexism and racism — aspects that are rumored and sometimes proven to take place in not only KA, or at N.C. State, but in nearly every national organization around the country, regardless of racial, sexual or religious background. I can also assure you that you should not believe everything you read on the Internet about any Greek organization. The group of young men who have assembled to re-establish the Order are here to uphold the beliefs of the organization: diligence in school work, a drive towards philanthropy and a desire to uphold the morals and values that the Order was created to represent. I encourage any and all who are skeptical of this particular group to seek any of us out. Our goal is to lead by example in our journey to regain our charter. We should not be counted out as we have only just begun.

Graham Sigmon

senior, communication

A Harrelson history lesson

Regarding your brief history of Harrelson Hall in Wednesday’s Technician:

There once was an architect on campus,

Who felt sure he could better Ramses,

But disliking angles, he favored Pi,

And Harrelson is the mess he left us.

(With apologies to colleagues in math and English.)

Matthew Booker

assistant professor, history

Parkour is not hardcore

As an athlete that practices parkour, I’d like to clarify some issues Wednesday’s front-page feature photo presented. Despite the general public’s perception of parkour, it is not hardcore. The movements practiced can be done by anyone in a variety of fitness levels with proper and safe training. The parkour and freerunning club at N.C. State has members of different backgrounds in physical activity and has some with no prior experience in a method of exercise. Secondly, parkour and freerunning are not the same; the same group of individuals developed them both but each discipline offers a different take on exercise. Parkour is the physical discipline of training to overcome obstacles in the safest, simplest and quickest way. Athletes called traceurs train to become strong and helpful. Freerunning is the aesthetic self-expression of movement — this includes movements similar to parkour in addition to flips, tricks and dancing. The individual’s clear intention separates what he does and does not practice. Lastly, parkour does not involve dangerous, risky or bold individuals. Experienced traceurs will tell you that everything they’ve ever accomplished was done with absolute confidence in their ability to succeed — anything short of that involves taking a risk for themselves and others around them. To learn more, you can visit NCParkour.com or meet with the club Monday through Thursday at 8 p.m. in the Court of North Carolina.

Alan Tran

freshman, zoology

founder of NCParkour

Get your vaccination — it’s free

Thank you for Technician’s viewpoint encouraging vaccination Thursday. N.C. State is implementing its pandemic/H1N1 flu plan — it’s a shared effort by the entire University. Don’t believe urban legends: the vaccine is safe; the nasal spray may not be graceful but is easy and painless; some cases of H1N1 are very serious; and the seasonal flu shot does not protect against H1N1 flu.

Student Health medical providers diagnosed more than 1,300 students with flu or influenza-like illness (presumed H1N1) from Aug. 17 to Friday; those diagnosed average 3 to 5 days away from school. November is such an important month for students as they complete the last few weeks of the semester or make plans Thanksgiving. We strongly encourage students to receive the H1N1 vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine if they have not already done so. Convenient on-campus H1N1 clinics are available Friday, Monday and Thursday. NCSU students, faculty and staff in priority groups and who can receive nasal vaccine are eligible, and it’s free. The last seasonal flu clinic for students is Nov. 16. Visit ncsu.edu/student_health for dates, times and locations, and for more information on influenza — prevention efforts are key.

Jerry Barker

director, Student Health Services