<p>So, did anyone else rush Franklin St. last night? I'm not trying to start up a political discussion here... it's just a simple fact that between 11:30 and 1ish (or maybe later, I lost track of time), Franklin St. was absolutely ALIVE. Having been let down by the reality of Halloween, last night was made all the better.</p>
<p>For those who missed it, we had crowd surfers. And a giant human circle. And the experience of listening to a huge crowd fall absolutely silent to gather around a boom box to hear Obama's victory speech, then go wild again.</p>
<p>Once again, this is not an attempt to start some debate/ flame war. </p>
<p>Focus: To prospective students, I didn't even know what happened last night was possible, and while I have loved these past months at UNC, last night was undoubtedly the highlight of my time here so far. The energy, emotion, excitement, and spontaneity of it all was electrifying. I can only imagine what would happen if we win the national championship this year, when the student body would really come together as one. I'm just now beginning to realize how much I appreciate the sense of community at this place.</p>
<p>Wait until you see what happens after a victory over Dook.</p>
<p>My son has a tee shirt and the poster memorializing Franklin St after the NCAA victory his freshman year. He has the print framed and on a wall opposite another piece of real art depicting Franklin St in his new apartment for Med School. He's heading back to Chapel Hill for the weekend of the NC State game....having Chapel Hill withdrawal I suspect. </p>
<p>Enjoy your time there, it is an amazing place.</p>
<p>I drove through...I thought the whole thing kind of sucked actually. Why celebrate something on Franklin street when half of the campus is disappointed? Franklin Street rushes should be something all Carolina students can enjoy, not just half of them. A little selfish, I thought.</p>
<p>The screaming on and off around HoJo was enough, especially since I was going to be early for once. Glad he won, seriously. I'd be even happier if he won earlier.</p>
<p>i saw a video on youtube that was amazing of franklin, a couple of girls headed to town to celebrate and it seemed like they were alone for until the crowd grew and it was a great celebration. It is a MOMENT in history, no matter how you voted. UNC is largely a conservative group so this group had their moment. It was a fun video....it was raining and yet they came to celebrate probably more the END of BUsh than anything else....hope!</p>
<p>I have never disagreed with you before but on this one, I must. UNC has always prided itself as being the "blue island in the red sea"....and is probably the most liberal school in the south...for whatever that is worth.</p>
<p>Jesse Helms, in perhaps his most famous quote regarding a discussion about raising money for a North Carolina State Zoo, once said: "Why build a zoo when we can just put up a fence around Chapel Hill?"</p>
<p>eadad,
It is a perception shared by my two students separately. Just their perception probably based on specific experiences....
the stong arm religious groups, the huge anti abortion display erected this year with university money, etc. Some groups are MORE visible...so it can make one perceive it to be more conservative than it is.</p>
<p>The celebration on Franklin did showed the other side....</p>
<p>I have to agree that UNC is regarded as a liberal oasis. My son has experienced much, much more far left liberalism than far right conservatism. He has had not one professor express conservative views in lecture (many don't reveal how they feel personally), but has had several that have used the lecture hall to rant against republicans, Bush, McCain and promote Obama. Now, I'm sure as an election year all of this is very much heightened. Son is looking forward to next semester with the election being a dead topic.</p>
<p>It sounds like your son's experience is not a very common one. I've never had any of my professors express their political affiliation/views in class, I've never heard of any of my friends' professors doing so either. </p>
<p>College campuses are always more liberal than surrounding areas but I don't think that UNC's professors are more prone to express their views than at any other schools.</p>