<p>I was researching Carolina for Geography grad school and stumbled across the article about a 21 year old gay student getting hate-crimed (well I guess it's not a hate crime in North Carolina, interestingly enough) and was wondering if the prevailing attitudes at the school and in Chapel Hill are liberal or if this is no isolated incident. Also read about the Sikh student being beaten up, which also turned me off a bit to the school. I know that it is highly unlikely that the school/surrounding area are as liberal as where I go for undergrad (UCLA); I guess I am looking for reassurance that the student body is fairly accepting, because it would be a shame if I had to rule out the school as one of my choices because I wouldn't feel safe there...</p>
<p>for the south, yes Carolina is a pretty liberal school and with a good majority of the student body being open minded and accepting. However, we do have our fair share of closed minded conservatives (it is the south), but they are a clear minority in Chapel Hill.</p>
<p>i remember the hate crime you mentioned and yes it is an isolated and very rare incident that does not represent Carolina. I have a lot of friends at Carolina of many different backgrounds and I've never heard anyone complain of not feeling safe here. If you don't believe me then come and visit for a few days to get a feel, but I assure you that if you come here for Grad school you will love it.</p>
<p>As a gay student at carolina, i can tell you that i have NEVER felt unsafe on campus or on franklin/rosemary. i believe that is quite an isolated incident. that being said, there is crime in chapel hill, just like everywhere else. there is occaisonally a rape on franklin street, but if you practice safe going-out habits, you should be fine.</p>
<p>chapel hill is decidedly more liberal than the rest of north carolina. the best way for you to judge it is to visit and see for yourself.</p>
<p>Thank you guys for your responses... I know that Carolina is a highly regarded institution and I will hopefully visit it during my search for grad schools!</p>