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Volume 80 Issue 2 September 6, 2013
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Research study on African-American students sparks interest
Photo Courtesy of Communication and Marketing
Participants speak out about their experiences Terrence Cain Staff Writer An ASU professor’s study of AfricanAmerican students in predominantly white universities has piqued the interest of many nationwide. Dr. Daniel J. Simmons’ nearly 20-page study attempts to delve deep into the psyche of African-American students who are first-generation college students attending predominantly white universities. “The study was both a personal and research interest of mine,” Simmons said. “Just seeing the way, as an educator, that students are developing—both intellectually and as cultural groups at universities—is fascinating to me.” “Understanding the African-American Student Experience in Higher Education Through a Relational Dialectics Perspective” spans numerous universities, with a total of 67 African-American students, 33 males and 34 females. For legal reasons the names of the universities and the participants in the study were not mentioned. The study, originally published July 17 in “Communication Education,” discusses topics from social interaction to stereotypes and how the students felt they were being treated at their predominantly white universities. Simmons said he used the “Dialectical Theory,” created by Leslie Baxter and W.K. Rawlins in 1988, as the basis of the study because it deals with interpersonal relationships.
d r a y k Bac Photos by Adam Sauceda
Above: Senior Brittany Milkowski, junior Kiana Wright and senior Greg Trego serve food to freshmen Deshawn Littlejohn and Lori Escobar during the Backyard BBQ hosted by Greek Life on Tuesday. Right: Sophomore Jalen Brady tosses washers with teammate senior Maxx Lazos at the BBQ. Below: Delta Zetas Amber Naseman, Jordan Yedica, Ashley Browder and Catherine Alaniz visit at the BBQ.
See ATTENTION pg. 4
Donors can still give even though campaign ends Allison Price Managing Editor ASU marked an all-time high goal of over $35 million in its fundraising campaign that ended this past August. “I think it is overwhelming to see the level of support from not only our faculty and staff, but from our alumni and friends and supporters,” said Jamie Akin, executive director of Development and Alumni Relations. “It goes to show how loyal our group is.” ASU reached its final goal of $35 million toward the end of June after reaching its first goal of $25 million early, Akin said. The capital campaign was a part of the Texas Tech system. “We are all so proud to be part of the Texas Tech System,” former Foundation Board Chairman Wayne Franke said.
“Reaching the $35 million milestone is not our final destination; it is just one more step toward helping ASU continue to improve upon the great university it has become.” In order to reach the $35 million goal, more than 4,400 donors stepped up to help, Akin said. A combination of faculty, staff, alumni, the community, businesses and organizations made up the 4,400 plus donors. “Ninety-four percent of our gifts are restricted,” Akin said. “The gifts go to the area of the donor’s choice. Wherever the donor would like the funds to go, as long as it’s within the mission, it is our office’s responsibility that that is where the funds go.” Although the campaign is a formal way of seeking funds, it is not the only way donors are able to express gratitude and give back to the university, Akin said. “The office of Development and Alumni Relations seeks supports on a daily basis,” she said. “Just because the
campaign ends at the end of August, formally, doesn’t mean that we will let up any momentum.” Akin said they have just finished a recent project and the funding went toward softball. “We are going to be able to turf the softball field in the near future,” Akin said. “We are constantly matching donors with their passions.” Akin said she gives thanks to the campus because it is important to have everyone’s involvement and support. “I am so proud of Dr. May, the ASU Development staff, every member of our ASU Foundation Board, numerous Ram alumni, the entire ASU team who played a part in reaching this tremendous goal,” Franke said.
See BEYOND pg. 4
$35,547,802
Two goals accomplished after campaign ends
After setting a $25 million goal and surpassing it, leaders of the Capital Campaign decided that $10 million more would be their new challenge goal.
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Events Calendar Get involved on campus! Here’s what’s going on this week. Friday September 6 CONTINUED- Art Exhibit: Sharon Booma, contemporary painter. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. located in the Carr EducationFine Arts building. Volleyball against Dallas Baptist University. 12 p.m. at the Junell Center. Volleyball against Colorado State University- Pueblo. 6 p.m. at the Junell Center.
Saturday September 7 Volleyball against Colorado Mesa University. 12 p.m. at the Junell Center. Soccer against Ouachita Baptist University. 1 p.m. at the ASU Soccer field. Volleyball against University of Arkansas Fort Smith. 6 p.m. at the Junell Center.
NEWS
New look for RamMail and services Additional Google services offered to help students Allison Price Managing Editor As the second week of school wraps up and students continue to adjust to the improved campus, one thing may still puzzle students. RamMail used to be located at the top right corner when first logging into Ramport. This has changed, but with change comes good for everyone. “In the past, students have had RamMail,” Technology Services specialist Stephen Schkade said. “That is Google’s offering of e-mail service and it gets [students] 25G of email space, spam filtering and there is no advertising. With these
Monday September 9 CONTINUED- Art Exhibit: Sharon Booma, contemporary painter. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. located in the Carr EducationFine Arts building. Open Mic Night featuring the Mayhem Poets. Check out why people describe this performance as “The Simpsons meeting Malcom X at a Notorious B.I.G. concert.” The program begins at 7 p.m. in the C.J. Davidson Center.
Administrator NomineesDenise Brodnax, Brandy Hawkins, Jeane Irby and Wendy Storms.
Faculty NomineesDr. Robert Ehlers, Dr. Shirley Eoff, Dr. Teresa Hack, Dr. Carolyn Mason, Dr. Janet Maxwell, Dr. Mary McGlamery, Corey Owens, Dr. Daniel Simmons, Dr. John “Trey” Smith, Dr. Kenneth Stewart and Dr. Deanna Watts.
CONTINUED- Art Exhibit: Sharon Booma, contemporary painter. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. located in the Carr EducationFine Arts building.
Wednesday September 11 CONTINUED- Art Exhibit: Sharon Booma, contemporary painter. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. located in the Carr EducationFine Arts building. Part-Time Job fair from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the C.J. Davidson Center.
Thursday September 12
Cross Country at Texas Tech University. 7 p.m. in Lubbock. Weekly Planetarium showings beginning at 7 p.m. The shows will continue until September 26. Submit event requests by 5 p.m. Tuesday for Friday publication to rampage@angelo.edu
Staff NomineesNancy Budewig, Suzanne Campbell, Suzie Dusek, Tom Nurre, Annette Roberts and Eldra Sanford.
An ad hoc committee of the ASU Faculty Senate and Staff Senate will chose the winner of the Distinguished Administrator. The ASU Student Government Association will chose the faculty and staff winners. The award ceremony will take place Sept. 12 at 2 p.m. in the C.J. Davidson Center. The faculty and staff winners are chosen by the ASU Student Government Association.
“Ramifications” looks back in time Three guest speakers will be in attendance Terrence Cain Staff Writer
CONTINUED- Art Exhibit: Sharon Booma, contemporary painter. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. located in the Carr EducationFine Arts building. Rodgers award ceremony honoring administrators, faculty and staff begins at 4 p.m. in the C.J. Davidson center.
group project, each student would be able to see a document even if the students were not able to meet.” Villarreal said she looks forward to any new apps that will be added in the future that will help with the entire education experience. “From the support side, we have not seen any issues with Apps@ ASU,” Schkade said. “We are open to suggestions and we are willing to work with anyone who requests additional services.” Schkade said ASU plans to stay up-to-date on the latest applications. “We will see where Google goes and we will be following and responding to requests from our customers,” he said. To read more about the Apps @ ASU and find out what each of the apps is, visit www.angelo.edu/ apps.
Twenty-one ASU employees have been nominated for the 2012-2013 Gary and Pat Rogers Distinguished Awards honoring outstanding ASU faculty, staff and administrators. The couple recognizes the roles that faculty, staff and administrators perform to help ASU prepare students to be responsible and productive citizens. The Rodgers established awards and provide a $2,500 honorarium for each recipient.
Tuesday September 10
Exhibit Opening: Ramifications: The 85th Anniversary of ASU.” This exhibition will feature ASU history and three guest speakers are set to attend. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. in the West Texas Collection Gallery, 2nd floor of the University Center.
new Apps @ ASU, [students have access to] apps such as calendar, drive, sites and Google plus.” Schkade said Technology Services held tests over the summer to make sure everything was going to work for the students, faculty and staff. “Having these extra services available to us is useful and will help students to manage class work,” sophomore Brittni Villarreal said. Over the past year several requests have been sent to Technology Services for additional services, Schkade said. “We offered these services to students primarily based on requests [we received for additional services],” he said. “For faculty, they will be able to use the apps and share documents with their students. For students, if they are working on a
Rodgers Award Nominees
Sunday September 8 Soccer against Wayland Baptist University. 4 p.m. at the ASU Soccer field.
Friday, September 6, 2013
ASU will hold an exhibition Sept. 10 presenting its 85 years of history with artifacts, photographs and brief speeches. The exhibit “Ramifications” will cover the beginnings of higher education in San Angelo. The display will provide a timeline of San Angelo Junior College’s early years, as well as the university’s contemporary success. Opening at 6:30 p.m. in the West Texas Collection Gallery on the second floor of the U.C., the gallery will display artifacts and photographs. University archivist Shannon Strum helped to put together the event. “We have artifacts and autographs that go back to
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1928 when the school was open down on Oak Street,” Strum said. “We also have school outfits from when they were black and gold. We’ll also have various basketballs and footballs from school championship teams.” In the library, more artifacts will be on display, with brief presentations by Roger Dolliver, president of the Massie Foundation; Phil George, long-time athletic director and coach of San Angelo College’s 1957 National Championship basketball team; and Dr. Brian May, the 10th president of ASU. “I have a very deep connection with the university,” May said. “I got my bachelor’s and master’s degrees right here, and so did my wife, my brother and sisters, my daughters, and my two brother in-laws.” Dolliver will speak on the Massie Foundation’s role in San Angelo Junior College’s survival. George will examine the institution’s middle decades, and May will discuss ASU’s more recent years and future. There will also be two scholarships given at the time of the event.
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Questions? Call us at (325)-942-2323.
OPINIONS
Friday, September 6, 2013
“Wannabe’s” or
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simply wanting to professional ?
Mariah Powell Editor As an African-American student, who has read Simmons article, I would say that African-American students have a hard time adjusting into any setting that is out of the norm for them, just as any other culture, race or religion would. Yes, there is a difference in the way we talk to professors and the way we speak around our friends but it isn’t a matter of insecurity or wanting to be someone else. The dialectical changes that we make are more to be professional than to change who we truly are. Some may say ‘Oh, this person acts too white, or too black,’ but whose definition are we using? I lived in a majority black neighborhood until I
Have you ever participated in a fun run? If so, which ones?
was 13 years old and preparing to go to high school. My mom threw a curve ball and wanted better for me and my siblings, so we moved to the suburbs, a predominantly white suburban area that is. Needless to say, my first year of high school kicked my butt. I hated it and I never spoke out for myself or my culture because I did not feel important or that anyone would hear me, I did not even feel intelligent. Being in advanced placement classes, feeling like the mistake on the attendance sheet, was not fun. My first day of classes were filled with questions such as “Are you sure you’re in the right class?” from the teachers, but I could not blame them, they had been segregated so long that my presence obviously confused them. I did not want to be there, but it was the best change that I could have ever experienced. In middle school, I was called “the white girl” for loving Pop music, for singing country tunes, for pronouncing every little of my words, but I laughed it off because I was one of the most diverse AfricanAmericans there. Then, I did not care if I was judged because these were people of my own race, but after the switch, the smallest judgmental comments affected me. I became bitter with white people all together, but I learned to overcome ignorance and hate and be the intelligent individual that I am. If it wasn’t for me overcoming those negative thoughts I would still be stuck in a bubble. Branching out would not have been an option, but I knew what I wanted despite anyone else’s decision. Embracing your culture is important but being professional is what will move and drive you farther. My freshman year of high school I remember be-
“No, I just moved here, but I would like to do the color run.”
Layelle Montanez
Freshman
“No, but I just started working with UREC and I want to do their zombie run along with future runs they hold.”
Skyla Camacho
Sophomore
ing one of the students that said “you’re too whitewashed, I don’t like you,” and I was wrong. He just carried himself in a professional manner and took all advanced class just like me… so what am I? Not only am I a first generation student, I am also the first on my mom’s side to get a actually high school diploma. My family doesn’t think I am trying to be white, because they know that someone had to set the bar for the thirty grandchildren under me. I know that if I would have went to high school in that black neighborhood, I would have never been influenced to farther my education and I would not have a passion or a career path ahead of me. If you go into a all black high school or even college you will find those few white students who are then considered ”trying to be black.” It is a never ending observation. What about the first generation Hispanic students who can barely speak English? Yes, they feel out of place, probably even beyond scared straight because they don’t even speak the language at all but they are choosing to higher their education. People look at blacks differently because of their slang, but there are students struggling to learn a portion of the English language. I do not think a culture course would make any sense. We want the world to be different and we enjoy having a different background, almost like a secret getaway, from others, and I think that of any culture. If everyone knew the details of each culture through study what would we have to verbally share with one another?
“Yes, I’ve done trail and color runs. I participate in anything on campus or held by the San Angelo Road Lizards.”
Vincent Rivera
Senior
“No, but I have signed up for a few this semester including the color and zombie runs.”
“Yes, I have done the Warrior Dash 5K race in Oklahoma.”
Madison Martin Freshman
Jacob Ebanks Junior
Ram Page Staff
2013-2014 Angelo State University Editor: Mariah Powell Managing Editor: Allison Price Copy Editor: Dana Choi Online Editor: Riley Mashburn Staff Writer: Terrence Cain Circulation Manager: Mariah Powell Photo Editor: Adam Sauceda Advertising Manager: Kaitlynn Glendinning Adviser: Dr. Cathy Johnson Ram Page ASU Station #10895 San Angelo, Texas 76909-0895 Editor: rampage@angelo.edu Advertising: rampageads@angelo.edu Newsroom: (325) 942-2323 Advertising: (325) 942-2040 Fax: (325) 942-2551 Member of The Texas Tech University System Associated Collegiate Press Texas Intercollegiate Press Association
PUBLISHING POLICY Published every Friday and available to students, one copy per student, the student newspaper of Angelo State University is a public forum, with its student editorial board making all decisions concerning its contents. Unsigned editorials express the views of the majority of the editorial board. Ram Page welcomes all letters. Please include your name, classification/position and a phone number and/or e-mail address for verification purposes. Letters must be signed and be no more than 350 words. The paper reserves the right to edit letters for grammar and clarity, and all letters are subject to laws governing obscenity, libel and privacy. Deadline is 5 p.m., Monday. Submission does not guarantee publication. Letters may be mailed, e-mailed or submitted at the newspaper’s office, Room 324 on the third floor of the Porter Henderson Library. Opinions in letters are not necessarily those of the staff, nor should any opinion expressed in a public forum be construed as the opinion or policy of the administration, unless so attributed.
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NEWS
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Friday, September 6, 2013
Girls night out
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Photos by Adam Sauceda
Going beyond the limits pays off from pg. 1 Chairman for the ASU Foundation Board Sande Harrison also thanks all of those who participated and supported the campaign. “Large campaigns such as this one take a large amount of planning and momentum,” she said. “[The] office of Development, faculty and staff, and the ASU Foundation Board were instrumental in this historic accom-
plishment.” As for future campaigns, Akin said they will focus on raising funds for the university’s needs. “Anytime the campus has a victory, we celebrate that,” Akin said. “It is a very important process that we look to continue ... People are excited about ASU. It is an exciting place to be right now.”
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1: From left: Freshmen Jessica England, Brianna Heath and sophomore Rachel Riggs dance the Macarena during Girl’s Night Out Thursday, Aug. 29. 2: Sophomores Hannah Eberhardt and Kensi Jones listen to Officer Mary Wilson discuss self defense classes offered by the campus police. 3: Senior Chaney Collins chants with fellow cheerleaders to get the crowd pumped up.
PLANETARIUM SHOWINGS
Photo by Marsalis Mahome
UCPC held a Meet and Greet, Tuesday to introduce what UCPC is and to introduce its member. There were games, giveaways and plenty of chances to mingle.
The Global Immersion Center (GIC, formerly the Planetarium, presents two shows, every Thursday, free to ASU students, faculty and staff. The first showing is at 7 p.m. called “Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity.” The program is a cutting-edge production featuring high-resolution visualizations of cosmic phenomena. It works with data generated by computer simulations to bring the current science of black holes to the full-dome screen. The second showing “Oasis in Space,” begins at 8 p.m. The presentation transports the audience on a startling and beautiful voyage through our universe, galaxy and solar system in search of liquid water. Be sure to check out these programs in the GIC, located in the Vincent-Nursing and Physical Science building.
Simmons grabs media, nation wide attention from pg. 1 “Leslie Baxter ... basically said there is a very particular dialectics that exists within people when they communicate,” Simmons said. “When we communicate there typically isn’t a singular message, but rather a push and pull that is involved—there is a tension there.” The tension that exists in language is the centerpiece of Simmons’ study. According to the study, most of the student participants reported feeling that they could not speak out to their fellow non-black classmates, even though some of them wanted to. “I grew up in an all-black neighborhood and school,” one participant said. “I had never seen so many white people in a classroom before. Suddenly, I was the minority, and I did not feel comfortable speaking out in class. I had this idea that blacks and whites had two different languages.” Many of the black students who participated also said they felt they need to
become white to fit in at their university. “There is a war going on inside of me between my blackness and your whiteness,” another participant said. “When I see myself in the mirror, I see a competent, talented black woman. Then I go to class, look around, and realize that I need more. My blackness seems too black, like I need to be more than who I am. I need what you [as a white person] have. I need an understanding of how things work politically. My blackness, my personhood, isn’t enough. I need to Whiten myself to succeed.” Some of the other participants, however, resisted the theory of needing to be white to be accepted. “A big issue on campus is homecoming,” a participant said. “Every year this school has homecoming. It’s supposed to be for the entire student body, but we think it should be called the white homecoming. Every year we argue about whether we should build a float for the
parade or not. But it’s crazy. Look at the event and tell me it’s not exclusionary. So we created a black homecoming. We decided we’d have our own celebration.” One participant felt that no white person cared about her or her culture, but still wanted to help improve the racial tensions. “I fall into the group of AfricanAmericans who thinks enough is enough,” she said. “No, I don’t want to educate white people about my experiences. They don’t really care. If they did, every time they were told about the injustices of Rosa Parks, they would have done something. Every time they saw the life of our brothers and sisters in the projects, they would have done something. Every time they saw the effects of drugs on our people, they would have stopped selling them to us. White people haven’t demonstrated willingness to change. Education isn’t the answer.” After the participant’s remarks, the interviewer asked her why she was part
of the study if she didn’t feel that whites would never change. “I guess because I’m not as radical as I hoped,” she said. “I want things to be different.” The study has brought up a debate on the issue of racial tensions and language barriers that ASU President Dr. Brian May wants to tear down through a possible cultural course for all students to attend. “I think a culture course would be a great idea, but the faculty is what drives the curriculum,” May said. “If that were to ever be brought forward that would be a great thing.” Simmons concluded in the study that universities need to reach out more to students and families. Simmons created the five-year study with help from collaborators Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart of Amarillo College, Dr. Shawn T. Wahl of Missouri State University, and Dr. M. Chad McBride of Creighton University in Nebraska.