Omni Amo and Foster Change held a vigil for Khalil Azad and other victims of police brutality on March 13. The vigil was held in the Star Quad to commemorate Azad's life and other victims. 

UNC Charlotte’s Student Government Association (SGA) passed a resolution in February discouraging the usage of Respondus LockDown Browser and other proctoring browsers.The "Proctoring Program Discouragement Act" resolution was principally sponsored by fourth-year student Jeremy Yagoda, chair of the SGA's Organizational Ways and Means Commit…

Joe Wholey and Heber Gamez are running for spring 2023 Student Government Association (SGA) president and vice president on a platform of communication and expanding student resources.

Madi Williams and Sophie Tanker have launched a campaign for student body president and vice president for the 2023-2024 school year. 

Elections for the 2023-2024 student body president and vice president are March 21-22. Three duos are running this year: Olusesi-Grayson, Wholey-Gamez and Williams-Tanker. Each pair has its own plans for how to improve UNC Charlotte's campus life. 

On Friday, March 24, UNC Charlotte's Veteran Services will host a Q&A session featuring the Congressional Medal of Honor recipients. The session will be held in the Student Union theater at 9 a.m. Check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m.The Congressional Medal of Honor is the United States' highest military honor, awarded for exceptional braver…

The opening ceremony for the new Starbucks in Atkins Library occurred on Monday, March 13, three weeks after its initial opening on Feb. 20. To kick off the opening, the winner of the Niner Diner free Starbucks for a year challenge was announced, and a ribbon cutting took place.

A Moment of Magic (AMOM) is a non-profit organization working to give medically vulnerable children a safe space to engage in social wellness activities to improve their daily lives.AMOM creates care packages that are delivered by college volunteers dressing in character costumes and visiting these children. Costumes can be either popular m…

UNC Charlotte's Campus Activities Board (CAB) and University Recreation (UREC) are hosting the second annual Blacklight Dodgeball tournament on Mar. 16 from 7-9 p.m. at Belk Gym.There have to be seven people per team. Participants must create a team to join, or students can come and watch. CAB is expecting about 200 people in attendance. In…

On March 13, from 6-8 p.m., UNC Charlotte organizations Omni Amo and Foster Change will conduct a march to the Star Quad to hold a vigil for Khalil Azad and others who have lost their lives to police brutality. The march will start in the College of Human Health and Sciences and the College of Education Plaza. Then, the organizations will m…

Third-year student Zoe Brannon began an independent study (IS) project called Road towards Reentry to support incarcerated women pursuing reentry and gender-responsive programs. She began Road towards Reentry to understand how to be a part of the change in the struggles incarcerated women face in a hands-on way. 

UNC Charlotte's competitive speech team and the Novice National Forensic Association are holding the 40th annual Novice National Individual Events & Debate Tournament. This tournament will occur at UNC Charlotte March 3-5 in the College of Human Health and Services and the College of Education.

UNC Charlotte hosted the North Carolina College Media Association (NCCMA) for a statewide college media conference on Feb. 25. Over 200 student media representatives from 17 North Carolina colleges and universities attended the annual event.The NCCMA was founded in 2007 out of Chapel Hill, N.C. Since then, the organization’s yearly conferen…

The Salty, a new campus dining option, will open near East Deck in late March. The Salty will appear on campus in a food truck or vintage travel trailer serving donuts, coffee and other breakfast items.The new addition will cater mainly to the commuter population.

UNC Charlotte Professor Christopher Cameron will publish a new book, “Liberal Religion and Race in America.” The book will highlight African American contributions to American religious history.Cameron is a Professor of History and the interim chair of the Department of Africana Studies at UNC Charlotte. After earning his doctoral degree fr…

The Latinx Student Union and the Black Student Union hosted a discussion titled Intersectionality: Afrolatinidad on Feb. 20 in Cone University Center.The discussion centered around Afrolatinidad students and issues they face in society. 

UNC Charlotte's Black Women in Medicine organization provides underrepresented Black women with the skills, knowledge and experiences of professional participation in health care fields.Fourth-year student Destiny McKleny brought the organization to UNC Charlotte in 2020. The organization has had 70-100 participants this semester.

UNC Charlotte is seeing an increase in car break-ins in February 2023 compared to January which only saw two recorded car break-ins. These break-ins have been occurring in South Village decks.

The Student Ambassadors of Alumni Affairs began in 1982 to connect students and alumni and share their commitment to UNC Charlotte through events and community-building. The organization hosts connection opportunities with alumni for their ambassadors, allowing them to participate in the Alumni Association and Chancellor events.

The Department of Africana Studies' podcast "Justice in All Black" discusses topics on its department and the Black community."The podcast was created to give a platform to the work of the Africana Studies Department," said Assistant Professor of Africana Studies Crystal Eddins at UNC Charlotte. "Especially in terms of the scholarship that …

President Joe Biden's Student Debt Relief Plan has undergone some changes in January and February 2023.  The terms of the Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE) plan were changed in January's proposed plan. Solo borrowers who make less than $30,600 annually and borrowers from a four-person family who make less than $62,400 annually would pay $0 monthly. 

The Center for Wellness Promotion (CWP) is hosting Craft and Conversations from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in room 266 at the Popp Martin Student Union on Feb. 21.The Craft and Conversations session will center around building healthy relationships and recognizing when someone is being stalked. Participants can leave at any time during the craft or con…

The Organization of African Students (OAS) is a multicultural organization at UNC Charlotte that promotes inclusion and educates students of all backgrounds on African culture.  According to the OAS Niner Engage website, the organization was established in the fall of 2005. Their mission has consistently been to provide their members a home…

UNC Charlotte's department chairs of Urban Youth and Communities Studies, Susan Harden and Shamaiye Haynes, partnered with four of their students to hold a march called Women Want More in honor of Tyre Nichols on Feb. 15.The march started in the College of Education and College of Health and Human Services plaza at 6 p.m. with welcoming rem…

The Office of Undergraduate Research will be hosting its 11th annual Undergraduate Research Conference (URC) in the Popp Martin Student Union ballroom 340 on April 25. Registration for the conference opened on Jan. 23 and closes on Feb. 24.

Student debt in the United States has increased to $1.76 trillion as of September 2022. North Carolina students are no exception to this number, with a combined total of $48 billion owed in student debt

UNC Charlotte's Atkins Library will host the third-annual Black Read in the Harlton Room at 6 p.m. on Feb. 22.

Charlotte Road Cycling Club will soon hold the first group ride of the semester in the University area.The club will have its first group ride of the semester on Feb. 24 from 3-4:30 p.m. Group rides take place biweekly, and they have around 40 members.

UNC Charlotte’s department chairs of Urban Youth and Communities Studies, Susan Harden and Shamaiye Haynes, along with a few of their students, are organizing a march across campus on Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 6-8 p.m. to honor Tyre Nichols.

Dr. Lorenzo Hopper and his research assistants are conducting photovoice research on first-generation student mental health through the end of the spring 2023 semester. Photovoice research is the study of human subjects through participant photography and personal interviews.

Niner Diners will host a series of events entitled "Delight-Ful" at UNC Charlotte between Feb. 13-17.Delight-Ful will consist of several events, activities and giveaways during Valentine's Day week. The main event will serve lunch for students in Crown Dining Hall on Feb. 15.

A new Starbucks location on campus is expected to open in the Atkins Library Cafe in the last week of February.The location is on the library's ground floor and was previously occupied by Peet's Coffee.

UNC Charlotte will host a Student Sustainability Summit on Feb. 11 at the Energy Production & Infrastructure Center (EPIC) in room 3222. The event will consist of a few panel speeches delivered by student organizations and faculty members. A nonprofit organization is also scheduled to speak. Following this will be a student-led discussi…

On Saturday, Feb. 4, CATS bus drivers overwhelmingly voted 204-11 in favor of an improved contract. The new improvements include significant wage increases, double-time for holidays, pension increase, raised night-time pay and the additional holiday of Juneteenth. These improvements averted the potential bus driver strike, which would have …

A Levine Scholar's student engagement project designed the paranormal escape room in the Student Union from Feb. 1-25 in room 140B.

A discussion of Connie Williams' civil rights biography, "Audacity: Story of a Legendary Hero," was held on Feb. 1 in Atkins Library.Formerly a lecturer of rhetoric and composition at UNC Charlotte, Williams is locally known in the Charlotte area for her poetry and novels. Her newest book details the life of her cousin, Robert F. Williams, …

UNC Charlotte's forensics team hosted a speech and debate tournament for seven schools on Jan. 28-29. Rounds were held in either the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) or the Cato College of Education (COED).The colleges competing against Charlotte were Berry College, Hofstra University, Queens College, Rice University, James Madis…

UNC Charlotte will host The Washington Center (TWC) on Feb. 6 from 4-5 p.m. in the Career Center's classroom for an information session about the internships offered.The TWC internship program allows students to live and intern in Washington, D.C. Students will also take an academic class in the field of their choice and complete a career r…

The Charlotte Recovery Program (CRP) assists students battling a drug or alcohol addiction.The CRP offers access to Recovery Informed Therapy, which offers ways for students to get involved with leadership opportunities, scholarships, recovery-related trips and social gatherings.

Pickleball is a growing sport among UNC Charlotte students, with a new club and an app to help them find courts to play on. 

Today's leaders of UNC Charlotte's Black Student Union (BSU) continue the organization's long tradition of representing Black students.

Autonomous robots will be a food delivery option for students on the UNC Charlotte campus in early March. Starship Technologies has partnered with Charlotte via the catering company Chartwells on campus. Charlotte will deploy 30 to 40 robots to start deliveries in early March.

University Recreation (UREC) is hosting the 49er Gold Rush 5k on Saturday, Feb. 4, at Belk Gym. All proceeds will benefit the UREC student professional development fund. 

UNC Charlotte's Leadership & Community Engagement partners with the Levine Scholars to host "MLK Day of Service" on Saturday, Jan. 28, at local non-profits.  These non-profits include Jamil Niner Student Pantry, the Carolina Raptor Center, Crisis Assistance Ministry, Second Harvest Food Bank, Loaves & Fishes, Classroom Central Inc. …

The 14th annual Red Cross blood drive was held on Wednesday, Jan. 18, in the Popp Martin Student Union. This drive was held from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

The Division of Student Affairs hosted Spring Gold Rush 2023 on the first week of classes for students to interact on campus.Shayauna Newsom, assistant director of student transition, said, "The main goal of Gold rush is to get students connected, invested and get them started with a bit of "Niner Pride."

UNC Charlotte's Dining Services will renovate Crown Commons and temporarily relocate it to Upper Prospector starting April 1, 2023.The Crown Commons renovation is planned to make it a more open and bright area for students to eat and hang out.Upper Prospector will be closed from March 24 to April 1 for Dining Services to become a temporary …

The World Cube Association (WCA) held a speedcubing competition in the Popp Martin Student Union on Jan. 15. The Niner Nation Open 2023 competition was open to any competitors who registered between the dates of Nov. 15-17, 2022. The competition had five cube events: the 3x3x3 cube, the 2x2x2, the 4x4x4, the Clock cube and the Square-1 cubes. 

The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive in the Popp Martin Student Union in room 340 on Wednesday, Jan. 18. This event is from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.  This blood drive requires a reservation to donate. To make a reservation, use the sponsor code “UNCC” on the Red Cross website. 

On Jan. 7, Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) bus drivers voted to go on strike. However, the strike will not occur until at least 30 days after the union’s notice. This means strikes could begin as soon as Feb. 6.

The Office of Leadership & Community Engagement hosts the first alternative service break during spring break. The program has four options, and the Niner Engage application closes on Jan. 12 at 11:59 p.m.Jennifer Pittman, the alternative service break coordinator, is promoting the first alternative service break during spring break. 

This article is a culmination of the fall 2022 semester published news articles. Here are the headlines: Fall 2022 on-campus housing shortageSikh student detained for wearing a kirpanMan arrested for trespassing in the Student UnionRa'Quan Leary named 2022 Golden NinerUNC Charlotte's head football coach fired and replacedAnti-abortion group…

Starting in spring 2022, Popp Martin Student Union (PMSU) will close each night at midnight instead of the previous 1 a.m. closing time. The change was made to help student staff working night shifts at PMSU.

As of Jan. 3, 2023, the Gold bus line returned to UNC Charlotte for students and staff. Parking and Transportation Services (PaTS) announced the updated changes for the spring 2023 semester on their website. The bus schedule will reflect the following changes: The Gold Line service will operate Monday through Friday, 6-2 a.m.Beginning Jan. …

CW: This article mentions suicide.The Charlotte Mecklenburg police department (CMPD) found fourth-year Patrick Harding dead on Dec. 26, 2022, at approximately 4 a.m. in his apartment off campus. Harding was studying political science at UNC Charlotte. The death was determined by the CMPD to be a suicide, according to the CMPD-released incid…

Since the pandemic, there has been a continual rise in online and remote assignments in recent years. With access to online resources, cheating has become a convenient means for students to complete their workload. Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) websites have made this shortcut substantially simpler. 

The Assistant Director of the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens Amy Tipton hosted her monthly early evening tour of the Gardens on Dec. 14 between 5-6 p.m. 

Holly Paciera lived in the UNC Charlotte expanded housing for a portion of the fall 2022 semester when Charlotte placed 141 students in hotel housing due to an abundance of on-campus applications. 

Students have found mold in Sanford Hall, Martin Hall and Greek Village air vents in November and December 2022.  Rumors of mold began circulating on Nov. 12 when a parent posted pictures of black mold in her son's air vents on Facebook. Since then, others have shown evidence of mold in their dorm rooms. 

The Campus Activity Board (CAB) lit up Lake Hechenbleikner with green and white holiday lights on Dec. 7 to celebrate the end of classes for the fall semester.Several hundred people came to Lake Hechenbleikner to enjoy the hot cocoa, cider drinks, acapella and lights.

UNC Charlotte Arab students created the Arab Student Organization in spring 2021 to create a space to explore and celebrate their culture.Leanne Abdin, a third-year student and the president, came up with the idea of creating the organization after she transferred to Charlotte in the spring of 2021.

The resident advisors (RA) at Miltimore Hall hosted "The Hunger Games" food drive from Oct. 25 to Dec. 1 to donate non-perishable goods to charities.Students competed by floor districts to try to raise the most goods during the 35-day food drive. The floor that collected the most food was allowed to choose which charity received the extra goods.

The average tuition to attend UNC Charlotte is $3,607 for a North Carolina resident and $10,669 for out-of-state tuition. These tuition prices do not include housing, meal plans, books and other living expenses.

Holiday lights will illuminate Hechenbleikner Lake, located near Colvard Hall and Robinson Hall, on Dec. 7, 2022.The Campus Activities Board sponsors this event. It will include free hot drinks like apple cider and hot cocoa, singing, a DJ and a staff photographer from Student Affairs Marketing and Communication for students.

The Latinx Student Union (LXSU) is hosting its second annual gala for students and members of their organization in the Popp Martin Student Union on Dec. 4.The gala, "Maravillas de Invierno," will be a Hollywood-themed gala organized and run by LXSU. The gala will be a formal event for those who bought tickets.

UNC Charlotte's School of Architecture has been renamed the David R. Ravin School of Architecture following a large donation from Charlotte alumnus David Ravin. A sign with the new name has been placed outside Storrs, the building housing the architecture school.

Parking and Transportation Services (PaTS) is launching a new shuttle for students to reach the Charlotte Amtrak station and the Charlotte Douglas International Airport this holiday season.The shuttle is free for all UNC Charlotte students.Students can leave for Thanksgiving break from Nov. 21-23 and return from Nov. 27-28. The shuttle will…

UNC Charlotte has updated their weapons on campus policies to allow the possession of a kirpan on campus. This change is in response to the Sept. 22 incident, in which a student was put in handcuffs after a kirpan was mistaken for a weapon.The updated policy and diversity training are in response to the September incident in the Popp Martin…

The Esports Collegiate Program of the Year nominated Niner Esports as one of 10 finalists in the country. Niner Esports will be traveling to Las Vegas in December 2022 to attend the Esports conference, where the nomination winner will be announced. The Niner Esports executive board and two advisors will accompany the group to Las Vegas.  

The first annual Native American powwow was held at UNC Charlotte on Oct. 29 by the Native American Student Association.The powwow's goal was to raise cultural awareness and celebrate Native American culture on campus.

UNC Charlotte's Veteran Services held a few events leading up to Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11.On Nov. 11 at 9 a.m., the Veteran’s Day ceremony will take place at Memorial Hall. Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. Gaber will preside at the ceremony to recognize military-affiliated attendees. 

Throughout the fall 2022 semester, UNC Charlotte students reported raw food in on-campus dining halls on social media. Two of the four reports of raw food were from Crown Commons, and the other two were from SoVi.In August 2022, raw chicken was found by a student and posted to Snapchat with the caption, "Come on Crown."In late October 2022,…

Note: This information was last updated on Nov. 9 at 10:20 a.m. All precincts are reported.The North Carolina State Board of Elections website provides the Mecklenburg county and North Carolina unofficial general election results: For North Carolina U.S. Senate seat predicted Ted Budd, for District 12 Mecklenburg County: House of Representa…

At the MediaFest22 convention in Washington D.C., UNC Charlotte's Midas Magazine and Nova Literary-Arts Magazine each received national recognition for their 2021-22 publications.Both publications won design Pinnacle Awards from the College Media Association (CMA) and were honored in the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) Best of Show Awards. 

Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, spoke at the Popp Martin Student Union at 7 p.m. on Oct. 25. The event took place in the third-floor ballroom, where he talked about social media, capitalism, Ukraine and abortion. Outside this event, people responded with an opposing message outside the Student Union in a gathering and on the…

Enny Ogunyemi, the event coordinator for the Organization of African students, will host all events for 'Culture Appreciation Week' on campus from Nov. 7-10."This is just a start to a small change. We are organizations at the end of the day, but we all have a goal. I just hope there will be more collaborations with different organizations a…

The Iranian Student Association (ISO) hosted a march on campus to protest the Islamic regime in Iran from Cato Hall to Woodward Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 26.A similar rally also took place at Romare Bearden park on Oct. 22. The march took the group around the Uptown block and a tableau in the middle of the park.

Early voting for Nov. 8, 2022, election is taking place in UNC Charlotte's Cone University Center in room 111 until Nov. 5, at 3 p.m.On Nov. 8, 2022, polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. To find an individual's polling precinct, check the registration status or view the sample ballot.

CW: This article contains mention of sexual assault and incest.

UNC Charlotte students celebrated the Homecoming Palooza with live music, dancing and festivities amidst Niner Nation Week on Thursday, Oct. 20. Hosted by Charlotte's Student Alumni Association and the Coordinator of Early Engagement Kayleigh Hand, the Homecoming Palooza took place on the star quad. 

UNC Charlotte celebrated Niner Nation Week from Oct. 17 to Oct. 23.The homecoming football game kicked off at 3:30 p.m. against Florida International University (FIU). During halftime, they announced the winner of the Golden Niner, Ra'Quan Leary."Homecoming has always been centered around a weekend, and it's like the homecoming game, and th…

A pro-life group known as the Genocide Awareness Project (GAP) set up a graphic display comparing abortion to genocide in the College of Human Health and Services and College of Education plaza on Wednesday, Oct. 26. GAP and their display will be on campus until Friday, Oct. 28.GAP received a permit from UNC Charlotte to set up this display…

The man arrested in the Popp Martin Student Union on Oct. 20, identified as Jordan Timothy Baker, was released on Oct. 21 at 9:12 p.m. Baker is 31 years old, 5'10 and was seen wearing pink boots and a pink vest.

The first annual powwow run by UNC Charlotte's Native American Student Association (NASA) to raise cultural awareness will be held on Oct. 29, 2022. The event will be from 12-6 p.m. at the northeast recreational field complex. The powwow will include traditional Native American drumming and different forms of traditional Native American dancing.

Niner 9 candidate Ra'Quan Leary was announced as Golden Niner at the halftime of the homecoming football game on Oct. 22 for the 2022-2023 school year. Leary is a third-year at Charlotte majoring in middle-grade education.Leary is a resident advisor, part of the Resident Students Association and the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc.

Around 11:40 a.m., a man was arrested by the campus police for trespassing in the Popp Martin Student Union on Oct. 20, 2022. The man was seen wearing pink boots and a pink vest. He was charged with possession of drugs and intent to distribute, trespassing, resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer, according to a statement released …

Dr. John Connaughton, professor of financial economics for the Belk college of business, spoke at the quarterly North Carolina Economic Forecast about the 2022-23 predictions.An economic forecast is used to predict the economy and can be carried out at a national or local level. According to the forecast, the 50/50 chance of a recession in …

The Niner 9 voting is open until Oct. 19 at 5 p.m. to select the new Golden Niner.Members of the Niner 9 represent UNC Charlotte's values and have contributed to the campus community. "Meet the Niner 9" will be from 12-2 p.m. in the Popp Martin Student Union on Oct. 14-19. The Niner 9 applicants are Page Freeman, Maggie Pearce, Kaitlin Klot…

Teachers Insurance and Annuity of America (TIAA) will host a Race Against Isms at UNC Charlotte on Sunday, Oct. 16, at 8 a.m. near Hauser Alumni Pavilion. "Isms" are all forms of discrimination, such as racism, sexism, or ageism.The race will have a 5k run and a one-mile walk, and the awards will be distributed by age group. Registration is…

The Center for Computational Intelligence to Predict Health and Environmental Risks (CIPHER) will be operational in January 2023. CIPHER will provide an environment conducive to innovative research and collaboration. Supplies and equipment are currently being placed on the fourth floor to prepare for fully functional research in January 2023. 

The Susan G. Komen organization will host a MORE THAN PINK WALK to help raise funds to support cancer patients on Oct. 8 on Mint Street. The event schedule is as follows: the on-site registration opens at 7 a.m., the opening ceremony and Parade of Hope start at 8:30 a.m., and the walk begins at 9 a.m. 

UNC Charlotte will host sustainability week on October 3-7 on campus, with events to promote sustainability practices throughout the week. University Sustainability Officer Mike Lizotte talked about the impact sustainability week hopes to have on campus for students and faculty. "It is raising awareness about sustainability goals," Lizotte …

With Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month underway, Latinx students at UNC Charlotte seek further resources from the University.On Thursday, Sept. 15, at noon, students rallied in the College of Health and Human Services & College of Education Plaza to bring awareness to the lack of resources for Latinx students at UNC Charlotte.

Note: This interview has been paraphrased and made anonymous out of respect and protection for the student.On Sept. 22, a student was detained by campus police for wearing a kirpan in the Student Union. The Niner Times reached out to the student to hear his perspective and how he is dealing with the aftermath. The student does not have any …

Student Body President Tatiyana Larson faces criticism from UNC Charlotte students on Reddit due to belief of a lack of communication on the platform. This criticism arises after a campaign promise to maintain communication on Reddit, similar to former Student Body President Dick Beekman. When students did not see activity on Reddit over th…

The NC Trusted Elections Tour held a panel in McKnight Hall on Sept. 13. The panels explained to citizens the electoral process of government officials, the voting process, and the technology behind how people can vote.The tour travels through 14 towns in different congressional districts for a month and a half starting in August and ending…

A Sikh student was detained by UNC Charlotte Police on Thursday, Sept. 22, for wearing a kirpan in Popp Martin Student Union. The incident was first brought to light through the student's tweet the following day, containing a video of his interaction with the police. The tweet went viral in less than 24 hours and has amassed over 1.7 millio…

Student Government Association (SGA) will hold its fall 2022 elections from Sept. 21 at 8 a.m. to Sept. 22 at 5 p.m. The SGA election is for the freshman class president and SGA senators. The voting will be held all online at vote.charlotte.edu/user/login?destination=/ballots. 

UNC Charlotte has implemented prevention methods to battle the monkeypox virus outbreak in the United States. There have been no confirmed monkeypox cases on the UNC Charlotte campus. However, in Mecklenburg County, there are 174 monkeypox cases confirmed as of Sept. 15, 2022, making it the most infected county in North Carolina. 

The 49th Acre, delayed by four months due to permits, is set to be completed by summer 2023. Chancellor Sharon Gaber announced the beginning of the construction of the new tailgating lot in February 2022.The new tailgating location was supposed to open before the start of the fall 2022 football season, but it has been pushed back.