The University of North Carolina system has been a national model. But a series of recent decisions undermine that status. Over the summer, for example, with no student input, the Board of Governors voted to cap student financial aid -- directly affecting the ability of 16 colleges within the North Carolina system to keep their doors open to any student with the talent, desire, and drive to attend regardless of ability to pay. As student leaders and advocates, we are asking the Board to rescind its financial aid cap and that instead all public North Carolina colleges cap student loan debt for those from low and hard-pressed middle-income families. Without need-based financial aid, many of us would not have been able to attend or impact our respective universities in the way that we have: “If it had not been for financial aid, my student loans would have been exceptionally higher and I would not have been able to afford my degree.” –Quantia Sutton, senior at Fayettville State “Without financial aid, I would miss out on an often neglected aspect of [socioeconomic] diversity, and my undergraduate experience would be vastly less dynamic.” –Madeline Finnegan, freshman at NC State Join us in signing this petition demanding that the Board of Governors overturn their decision limiting student financial aid and insisting that there be a cap on student loan debt instead. The student voice should be heard on all decisions affecting financial aid and college affordability. For more information, visit our website www.capncstudentdebt.org -Quantia Sutton, Fayetteville State University, Class of 2015 -Madeline Finnegan, North Carolina State University, Class of 2018 -Hajar Ahmed, University of Virginia, Class of 2014

The recent executive action on immigration taken by President Obama came as a result of tremendous effort by affected communities. More than four million undocumented people will be eligible for relief but the way it is structured disproportionately excludes LGBTQ people. The President was not limited by law in the scope of his action. In fact, it was politics that guided his pen, as he calculated the safest level of risk, when what was needed was for him to show unflinching leadership to enact common sense reform. By expanding protection from deportation only to childhood arrivals and biological parents of U.S. citizen children and legal permanent residents the immigration action disproportionately excludes LGBTQ people. Limiting those who deserve to live without fear only to childhood arrivals or biological parents of US Citizens (and legal permanent resident children) is an error that must be corrected. Further, the executive action only recognizes certain types of families. Biological parenthood is not and should not be privileged as the sole relation that defines ties to this country. Undocumented LGBTQ people, through loving ties and chosen family, weave together relationships that should be honored, and community that makes up the fabric of this country too.

On Friday the 13th, the USDA approved the unnecessary, unlabeled, and poorly tested GMO apple. It was an unlucky day indeed for the apple growers, food companies, and people like us who want to protect our families from GMO foods. But it’s not all bad news. Thanks to pressure from thousands of people like you, McDonald’s and Gerber -- two of the biggest purchasers of apples -- have already confirmed that they have no plans to sell GMO apples. Their commitments will help keep this risky product off the market. Now, we need to get other fast food companies to join them. If we can get the top 10 fast food companies, including Burger King, Wendy’s, Subway and Dunkin' Donuts, to commit to not sell the GMO apple, we may be able to prevent it from ending up on our plates! Tell these fast food restaurants to say NO to GMO apples!

Western Environmental Law Center is a nonprofit, public-interest environmental law firm. Our expert attorneys are ready to use the full power of the law to stop the Bureau of Land Management from prioritizing corporate income over the health of our environment and communities.

I am a huge lover of chicken fries and Burger King took them off their menu. They are very delicious and they were my favorite item on the menu. Chicken fries have a right to be on the menu and enjoyed by the public.

The Westboro Baptist Church has been protesting the funerals and weddings of gays, and have even picketed concerts in the past. This needs to be stopped, and needs to stop soon because it is causing a lot of pain to the families and members of these sort of events.

I started tanning at the age of 15 until they changed the law. Now all clients have to be above the age of 17, or bring a parent's signature.

Cold War Veterans like myself have been denied recognition, respect, and remembrance for too long. It is past time for our country to say Thank You with a simple Cold War Service Medal. We should no longer be ignored.

Sign the people's warrant for Governor Christie's Arrest! Suspect may be hiding out on Wall Street, in Dallas, Iowa or New Hampshire. Wanted for: • Undermining local democracies at Newark, Camden, Jersey City and Paterson Public Schools while expanding the for-profit charter school industry; • Overlooking predatory lending and illegal foreclosures by Big Banks such as Wells Fargo & HSBC; • Raiding Public Workers’ retirements and sending funds to Blackstone Group, and his wife’s employer, Angelo Gordon and Co.; • Giving sweetheart deals to environmental polluters like Exxon • Leaving over 10,000 families out in the cold since Super Storm Sandy by running a recovery program that hasn’t helped New Jersey families. Miscellaneous information: Christie is known to kanoodle with powerful interests in the Finance, Insurance and Real Estate industries. During Christie’s 2009 and 2013 campaigns for Governor of New Jersey, he collected $2,175,000 from these industries. These legal, but morally questionable contributions do not include fundraising by Christie for the Republican Governor’s Association. “The Decider” holds an international passport and travels frequently on other people’s dimes. Sometimes New Jersey taxpayers foot the bill, other times, special interests doing business with the State of New Jersey foot the bill. Suspect also enjoys the benefits of an appointed Attorney General who conveniently overlooks the Governor’s improprieties.

Each year that goes by things are getting more and more expensive. Young adults that are younger than the age of 16 should have the right to start working to either start saving for college or to help support their family.

Execution in itself is morally wrong, and to partner it with the use of a firing squad is inexcusable. There may be a shortage of lethal injections, but a firing squad should not be the answer to this problem.

Our high school's auditorium is acoustically flawed and it takes away from the performances of hard working students. Our high school band has taken first place in multiple national competitions including the Disney festival of bands. With recent budget cuts, we are in jeopardy of teachers being cut and music programs being taken away entirely.