Jan 28, 2015 by N.C. Central University Campus Echo

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VOLUME 107, ISSUE 6 919 530.7116/CAMPUSECHO@NCCU.EDU WWW.CAMPUSECHO.COM

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Beyond

Sports

A&E

Feature

King, unedited: “Selma” and why it matters now

LeVelle coaches well: Basketball coach hits 100th win

The watering hole: NC State’s hip hop minds gather for wordplay

Durham’s Finest exhibit makes its annual return

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Campus Echo DAY OF SERVICE INSPIRES Participants heed King’s question: “What are you doing for others?” BY TAVARIUS FELTON ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Early in the morning of Jan. 19, N.C. Central University students, faculty and other Durham citizens lined up at the LeRoy T. Walker Complex to pay tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by dedicating their day to community service. The annual event, MLK Day of Service, was hosted by United Way of the Triangle. Participants filled plastic bags with ingredients for bean soup, crafted blankets for children in need, wrote encouraging cards for local students and helped load the finished products onto a delivery truck. Freshman Jonathan Allen said the experience showed him how grateful he should be for what he has. , Mass communication sophomore Nicholas Tillman, who worked on the soup project, said, “ I thought it was neat because we all had a chance to collaborate and to work together in making the lunches. “It was a big team effort,” Tillman said. To make the blankets, students cut shapes and designs as decorations, and competed with group members to create the best-looking blanket. “The cooperation around the gym was great,” said junior Darrell Palmer. “As I looked around, I saw many students helping each other with the task at hand,” Palmer said. Upon arrival, each student donated one dollar to the campus pantry, generating $1,000. Students earned 15 community service hours for partici-

BY SHAKIRA WARREN ECHO STAFF REPORTER

It may not be the highestprofile job at a university, but academic advising – especially for freshmen and sophomores — can make or break a student’s experience. New students who receive inadequate advising may have to take more classes than they would normally need. This heavier course load can cause students to fall behind in their classes or fail to graduate on time, meaning they must spend more money than necessary for their education. They might get so frustrated that they drop out of school altogether.

BY JANEL DAVIS ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION (TNS)

NCCU’s MLK Day of Service brought together people from every background, color, and age group. ANTHONY ORTIZ/Echo staff photographer

pating. Many shared their experiences on social media, taking photos of each other working on the projects. Senior Raven Reed

said she took plenty of pictures because “it’s important to share with others who may not have been able to come.” Although the event lasted only three hours, most

Jarvis Hall working at his office in the Institute for Civic Engagement and Social Change. ALEX SAMPSON/Echo assistant editor

Last December, Jarvis Hall, political science associate professor, received an email from N.C. Central

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System keeps students on track

students felt they had made a lasting impact. “I don’t do this for the hours,” said criminal justice junior Laura Acosta.

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Republican-led Board of Govenors will review two NCCU institutes

ECHO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Preventing these scenarios is the mission of NCCU’s University College, according to its associate dean, Jennifer Schum. “Having a University College allows advisers and our other half of University College, support services, to really focus and spend all of our time on supporting new students,” said Schum. Schum has more than 10 years of experience in higher education. She was formerly the associate director of academic and career planning at Meredith College in Raleigh. University College, established in 2008, is fund-

Software sends alerts to advisers

34 UNC centers under scrutiny

BY JAMAR NEGRON

University College hits its stride

University’s Office of Academic Affairs requesting some information about the Institute for Civic Engagement and Social Change, an institute he started in 2006.

Hall said the Institute for Civic Engagement and Social Change aims to build a civic capacity for students through community outreach and knowledge about the political system.

These questions stood out: “What justifies your center as a center for interdisciplinary research, service or instruction?” and “Can this center exist separately from the university?” Hall said even before he received the email, he heard rumors of campus institutes and centers being brought under scrutiny by a working group within the UNC Board of Governors. The working group that is reviewing centers and institutes at UNC’s 16 constituent universities is made up from a group of UNC Board of Governors members who were predominantly appointed by Republican state officials. “On the one hand you understand why there would be some scrutiny for a center like this,” Hall said, adding that it is the Board of Governor’s job to ensure that campus centers are using public funds and

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ATLANTA – When Aundrea Nattiel goes in for a session with her college adviser at Georgia State University, there are no secrets. A detailed computer profile provides information about every class taken and every grade earned by Nattiel during her time at the school, as well as her academic history at the college she attended before transferring. If the junior sociology major withdraws from a class, forgets to take a prerequisite or doesn’t register for enough credit hours to keep her on track for graduation, her adviser receives an alert and summons Nattiel. The high-level tracking and advising done by Georgia State is part of the university’s work to improve retention and graduation rates, prevent students from taking unnecessary classes, and ultimately lower college costs and student loan debt. Its progress has gained the school national attention. It was also one of the key factors in state college

leaders deciding to merge the university with Georgia Perimeter College, which has struggled in these same areas. Using 10 years of collected data, Georgia State has developed intervention initiatives, including a robust advising program, to help its students stay on track. The work — headed by Tim Renick, Georgia State’s vice president for enrollment services and student success, as well as vice provost — has become part of a national focus on improving college outcomes. Recent data on college students are discouraging. Most students are not graduating on time, according to a report from Complete College America, and loan debt has skyrocketed to more than $1 trillion, exceeding auto and credit card debts. In this area, Georgia State has received awards from academic associations, and President Barack Obama lauded the school in November during the White House’s college opportunity summit.

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Aundrea Nattiel, who has changed her major five times, credits the George Washington University advisement program for getting her back on track. BRANT SANDERLIN/Atlanta Journal-Constitution (TNS)

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ed by Title III, a federal grant program established by the Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve the quality of the nation’s HBCUs. In addition to advising about 2,478 freshmen and sophomores, University College houses and administers support services such as the University Testing Center, Developmental and Supplemental Learning, the Writing Studio and the Lyceum Series. But freshmen and sophomore advising is not as simple as one might assume. Sometimes the task is complicated because students are transferring from a community college or other university. Some students are in special academic programs, like the Aspiring Eagles. Some are undecided. Some have declared majors. And some change their majors once, twice or even more. Schum said the process goes much more smoothly when students take ownership of their college experience. “Too often,” she said, “students are relying on advisers to have all the work done for them.” Taking ownership means scheduling an appointment when an adviser e-mails. It means being familiar with both GEC and major requirements. Schum suggests that students review their curriculum before their advising session. But most importantly, taking ownership means studying for and passing courses, to avoid retaking them. Many students report a positive experience with University College. Chemistry sophomore

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University College Associate Dean Jennifer Schum say students will matriculate faster if they are proactive and and come to their advising sessions well-prepared. KIMANE DARDEN/Echo photo editor

Nicole Boone said her experience with University College has been great since she started. “My adviser Jacqueline Okoh is straightforward,” said Boone, adding that Okoh has done a great job keeping her on track and in the right courses. But mathematics secondary education sophomore Aaron Alston said he ran into some problems. Alston started as a nursing major. “The path my adviser had me on, I was supposed to bridge in spring 2015 into the nursing program,” he

NCCU’s OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS EVENTS • The NCCU International Eagles Meet and Greet for this semester takes place on Thursday, January 29, in Room 144 of the AE Student Union during the 10:40 break. Join us and get to know Eagles from different parts of the country and the world.

STUDY ABROAD • The spring semester First Thursday Study Abroad Information Sessions are scheduled for February 5, March 5, April 2, and May 7 during the 10:40 break in 202 Lee Biology Bldg.

STUDY ABROAD DEADLINES • The campus deadline for all students planning to study abroad in summer 2015 or fall 2015 is February 15, 2015. If you have not yet selected a program, please contact the Office of International Affairs as soon as possible.

expand your horizons

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015

STUDY ABROAD

Contact Dr. Olivia Metzger Jones at ojones@nccu.edu or 919.530.7713

NCCU College of Arts and Sciences “The PRIORITY is Student Success” Carlton E. Wilson, Dean • Army ROTC – Military Science • Aerospace Studies • Art • Biology • Chemistry • CREST/NASA Centers • Environmental, Earth and Geospatial Sciences • History • Language & Literature • Mass Communication • Mathematics & Physics • Music • NC-Health Careers Access Program • Pharmaceutical Sciences • Theatre/Dance

said. “When we went over the curriculum, I didn’t have all the courses I needed to take in order to bridge.” According to Alston, his adviser was not aware of the courses he needed to enroll in the nursing program. He changed his major because sticking with nursing would have meant he would graduate later than he planned. Still, Alston said his overall experience with University College “has been good.” One factor complicating the University College’s success is common to all large organizations: getting each department to communicate with advisers and cooperate with the advising process. Often, course requirements are inconsistent. “There is a curriculum in the 2013-2015 catalog. There is a different curriculum on the webpage. And then there is a different curriculum that is on a Word document,” said Schum. “I’m working with the department to say which one is correct.” Schum said some advisers work as liaisons to departments. These liaisons follow up with curriculum updates

and reach out to departments telling them not to forget to include University College when they have changes or things University College needs to be aware of. Another complicating factor is adviser work load. A University College adviser — there are 16 in all — may be responsible for up to 200 students. Schum said University College advisers are required to have a master’s degree in higher education or counseling, as well as experience working with young people. Each adviser undergoes monthly training to stay on top of things. “I see training as an ongoing process,” said Schum. According to Andrew Williams, a professor in the department of language and literature and the department’s director of advising, advising is an “essential part” and “often the most rewarding” aspect of his job. Williams has advised NCCU students for 20 years. He said University College got off to a rocky start. However, he said “University College is doing a really good job now.” “They are really on top of it.”

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Health Careers Center 40th Anniversary Find out more about the opportunities we offer. Our special programs include the Boston University Early Medical School Selection Program, the NCCU Pre-Dental Program, and the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine Program, and more N.C. Central University

For more than 35 years NCCU’s Health Careers Center staff has been developing pre-health professional students into viable candidates for health and medical careers by providing: • Advocacy • Counseling • Enrichment Activities • Health Career Network Access • Health Career Recruitment • Information • Internships & Shadowing Experiences • Standardized Test Prep Workshops •

resources in a just and productive manner. But Hall said rumors of possible political motives behind the action unsettled him. That, coupled with the fact that the Republicanled state legislature aims to cut up to $15 million in state funding from North Carolina’s state universities and wants to consider reducing state funds for centers and institutes, had Hall wondering about the purpose of the presentation he was being asked to give to UNC to the working group. “I wasn’t crazy about it … I was very concerned about it,” he said. “It seemed to be calling into question work that we’re doing. And we think the work that we’re doing is very important.” “The sense I got was, our center was not really on their radar,” said Hall about his Dec. 10 presentation, adding that many people asked why his center was there in the first place. He said the questions he received were more administrative, like budget information. Like many of the centers identified on working group’s list of 34 centers and institutes, Hall’s center deals with social issues and might be thought of by conservative Republicans as excessively “progressive.” Hall also said getting students register to vote and to getting them to the polls is part of the center’s mission. Hall said he believes what his center does is necessary and, despite the rumors of an underlying war of ideologies, should not be viewed as a political entity. “We pursue what we call progressive issues,” Hall said. “We are concerned with social justice. If that’s left, that’s left. If that’s right, that’s right.” Hall’s institute was one of two NCCU institutes that ended up on the working group’s list. The second, the Juvenile Justice Institute housed in the Criminal Justice building, aims to influence juvenile justice policy and help reduce juvenile crime in North Carolina. According to the institute’s website, the institute has several projects underway to help minority youth. These projects include a plan of action to help Durham Public Schools, the Durham Police Department and Durham’s Sherriff ’s office “address the disproportionate number of minority youth referred to the juvenile justice system.” Arnold Dennis, executive director, also attended the Dec. 10 meeting. He said although he was not sure why the meeting was called, he found noth-

ing out of the ordinary about the meeting provided budgetary and administrative information about his institute. But Gene Nichol, director UNC-Chapel Hill’s Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity, is less sanguine about the motives of the working group’s review of the centers and institutes. Nichol has written several News & Observer editorials criticizing the Republican-led General Assembly and Republican Gov. Pat McCrory arguing that Republican policies and budgets have impoverished the state and higher education. In an article for NC Policy Watch, Nichol addressed issues of an underlying cause for the UNC system’s scrutiny, remarking, “It’s hard not to worry that there is a potent ideological agenda at work.” In a statement written to the Board of Governors, Nichol addressed the notion of the required presentations harboring an ulterior motive, mentioning three different occasions where he identified legislative leaders pressuring him to stop writing articles about the Republican legislature. “The Poverty Center is honored to be among the list of threatened centers,” Nichol wrote in the piece. Harvey McMurray, criminal justice department chair, was present during Dennis’ presentation. He said he was “somewhat impressed” that James L. Holmes Jr., the UNC Board of Governor head of the working group, assured presenters that the purpose of the meetings apolitical and unbiased. McMurray said while the decision to call the meetings was within the Board of Governor’s power and called the decision to periodically inquire of a university’s centers and institutions “healthy,” he lamented the lack of transparency the board showed. “Sometimes it’s not only what you do but how you go about doing it,” he said. Although he said he was inclined to believe Holmes’ claim of neutrality during the presentations, McMurray said he believed the meetings were a small part of a bigger agenda by the UNC Board of Governors, one that involves the Board of Governors attempting to centralize control. “A major strength of the UNC system is their diversity. We need to be proactive and somewhat stay in front of this thing,” he said. “The very integrity of our institution and particularly historically minority institutions are at risk.”

United Christian Campus Ministry 525 Nelson Street, NCCU Campus

JOIN US! Get involved with Campus Ministries today! Michael D. Page Campus Minister

Contact us for more information 919.530.7128 1242 Mary Townes Science Complex Alfreda D. Evans, Student Services Specialist Durham, NC 27707 Kaye Thompson-Rogers, Ph.D., Director

For more information contact Rev. Michael Page at 530-5263 or by e-mail at mpage@nccu.edu

Campus

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015

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MLK Day of Service participants helped load plastic bags with ingredients for bean soup onto trucks that would take them to families in need. KIMANE DARDEN/Echo editor in chief

Education sophomore Rachel Johnson cuts out cloth for a no-sew blanket for children in need at the MLK Day of Service. KEYANDRA COTTON/Echo staff photographer

“I do it to help others and make a difference in someone being hungry or cold tonight.” Many students agreed, saying they felt events like these not only help the poor people, but also help students become better citizens. “This was the second year in a row that I have participated with this

event and I can honestly say that it is one of the more exhilarating and uplifting community service events I have been involved with,” said business senior Dominique Boone. Calleen Herbert, interim director of the Academic Community Service Learning Program, said, “It is important for

students to participate in service opportunities like the MLK Jr. Day of Service because we are able to embrace the spirit of service that is part of the legacy here at NCCU.” “It is our hope that the importance and value of service will follow the students after they leave the University,” she said.

Part-time caregiver is needed for an elderly woman living at home. Schedules 7 days per week are 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.; overnight: 11 p.m. – 9:30 a.m. The job requires activity to stimulate intellectual and physical health, light housekeeping, preparing and serving meals, giving medicine that is sorted in pill boxes, and assisting the client with personal care. A small dog must be fed twice daily and taken out 3-4 times each day. Caregivers are asked to play games and puzzles, and engage in conversation. Some may accompany her to the Durham Center for Senior Living. CNA is not required. Majors in social work, psychology, public health, nursing, recreation and other human sciences field are encouraged to apply. Email résumé to pquickhall@gmail.com.

INTRODUCING: DURHAM’S FINEST W

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“Pumpkins and Gourds” by Asha Coltrane, Grade 5, Forest View Elementary School. Art teacher: M. Flowers-Schoen.

“Mona Lisa” by Hen-Ri Siu, Grade 8, Lowe’s Grove Middle. Art teacher: Shawn Smith.

Photos by Alex Sampson Story by Leah Montgomery . C. Central University’s Art Museum is hosting its annual exhibition, “Durham’s Finest,” featuring the art of Durham’s elementary, middle and high schools students. A few of the pieces came from students at Southern School of Energy and Sustainability High School, who perfected their skills under art teacher Crystal Brown. “These were advanced art students who were AP last year,” said Brown. As part of the AP art

curriculum, the students had to complete a 12piece portfolio before advancing to the next course. “A View of City Hall,” from Ivan Martinez’ AP portfolio, won gold in the Durham’s Finest Awards. “I always give my AP drawing students an assignment of drawing hands,” said Brown. “They have twelve assignments from me and twelve on their own.” Louis Nunez, from Southern High School, won a Durham’s Finest

honorable mention for his drawing, “Rinsing With Water.” At the local Scholastic Arts Awards, Nunez also received a gold award for the “Rinsing With Water,” and an honorable mention for his “Self-Portrait Mosaic.” Gold award winners from Scholastic Arts earn a $1,000 scholarship to Barton College and the chance to enter the National Scholastic Awards competition.

“African Mist” by Patricia Holeman, Grade 8, Neal Middle. Art teacher: Joanna Ali.

“Lady of Northern” by Art Club, Grades 9-12, Northern High School. Art teacher: Tabitha Eller. “Cats of Lightning” by Natalie Alba, Grade 4, Southwest Elementary School. Art teacher: Kerri Lockwood.

“Gotham City” by Edward N. Swansey, Grade 7, Brogden Middle School. Art teacher: Jackie Rea.

“Dog” by Connor Peterson, Grade 7, Durham School of the Arts. Art teacher: Val H.H. Martinez.

“Rinsing with Water” by Louis Nunez, Grade 12, Southern School of Energy Sustainablility. Art teacher: Crystal Brown.

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015

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‘Selma’ an unpolished take on rights struggle DuVernay’s film humanizes American legends

Hosea Williams of the Southern Christian Leadership and John Lewis of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, followed by Albert Turner (SCLC) and Bob Mants (SNCC), lead the march down from the Edmund Pettus bridge towards the waiting troopers and possemen. Courtesy crmevt.org “Selma, Lord, Selma”

BY LEAH MONTGOMERY ECHO ASSISTANT EDITOR

Ava DuVernay’s “Selma” is a heart-wrenching and true depiction of Martin Luther King’s experience in 1965’s march on Selma, Alabama. The film opened Jan. 9, after a year darkened by race-related violence and police brutality. Mike Brown. Eric Garner. Tamir Rice. Each name triggers a moment engrained in the minds of Americans, their lives and deaths reminders that America still has a lot of work to do. After months of racerelated peaceful protests, riots, and a social media war that has both promoted and undermined the fight for equality, this movie seals offers much-needed perspective on what dedication to positive change can mean. Within the first five minutes of “Selma,” DuVernay spotlights the ignorant violence that plagued the ‘60s and ‘70s. Four elementary-school girls walk down church stairs discussing Coretta Scott King’s hairstyle. Midsentence, the girls are blasted off their feet, killing them and leaving other church members, ribbons and socks covered in rubble. “Based on my readings about what happened in 1965 and everything leading up to 1965 and listening to those individuals who were a part of the civil rights movement who were a part of the Selma march … I

NCCU Catholic Campus Ministry is offering Sunday Mass for Students, Staff & Friends 5 pm Sunday, February 15, 2015 Venue: The Little Chapel next to Eagle Landing (1801 Fayetteville St., Durham) Also at the Little Chapel: Feb. 18, Ash Wednesday March 15, Sunday Mass

Bring Friends As You Come! For more information call us at 919.801.0428

Rev. Fr. Joseph Oji, C.S. Sp. NCCU Catholic Campus Ministry

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trust what Andy Young [MLK aide and former mayor of Atlanta] had to say,” said history professor Freddie Parker. “Andy Young said that the depiction in the movie was about 99 percent accurate.” Today, many young people are confused by Dr. King’s popularity during the 1960’s because of the way he is portrayed in some textbooks. Contrary to the belief that all civil rights activists and the black community supported Dr. King, the movie gives tells the story of the thousands of people who were afraid of or disagreed with Dr. King’s tactics. Parker said that truth is “what I look for in a historical movie. “Are you putting crap out there or are you trying to stay as close to the script as possible? They stayed to the historical script pretty closely.” Each scene was introduced with on-screen text explaining the date, location and time of subsequent events. “Every part was really dynamic,” said Parker. “The whole thing was actually gripping. The fact that I’ve read all of this stuff, it’s not new…it’s just a kind of reiteration…of what you’ve read and what you’ve been taught about the civil rights movement.” DuVernay pays close attention to historical detail, involving viewers in the emotional lives of each character. Annie Lee Cooper (Oprah Winfrey), for

example, is denied the right to vote because she can recite the names of the 61 Alabama judges. “My hope is that they [the youth] will understand where we were 50 years ago and learn some life lessons from it,” said Parker. “Hopefully the movie will make them want to go out and read and use it in a positive way to propel us into the future.” Psychology and history senior Randall Chandler said, “I’d done a research paper on [Lyndon B.] Johnson a couple years ago and with Johnson’s background I could understand why he would take up with civil right, because he could understand the plight of poor people.” Chandler said this research helped him appreciate the veracity of the movie, such as the startling scene in which Coretta King plays a voicemail revealing King’s affair. “Some people say that they should not have said anything about the FBI’s taping of King’s supposed infidelities,” said Chandler. “I’m glad that part was in the movie, because it reminded people that Dr. King had the same challenges of any other human being, but he did a very good job of getting beyond his challenges and doing what he did. “The people that ended up taking his life couldn’t get past their challenges.” – Echo photo editor Kimane Darden contributed to this story

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Senate not ready to tie climate change to mankind BY LEAH MONTGOMERY ECHO ASSISTANT EDITOR

WASHINGTON — The Senate rejected the scientific consensus that humans are causing climate change, days after NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration declared 2014 the hottest year ever recorded on Earth. The Republican-controlled Senate defeated a measure Wednesday stating that climate change is real and that human activity significantly contributes to it. Sen. Brian Schatz, DHawaii, offered the measure as a non-binding amendment as the Senate debated the Keystone XL pipeline, which would tap the carbon-intensive oil sands in the Canadian province of Alberta. The Senate voted 50-49 on the measure, which required 60 votes in order to pass. “Only in the halls of Congress is this a controversial piece of legislation,” Schatz said. The Senate, though, is a place where the chairman of the environment committee, Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., is an enthusiastic denier of

Svende Gundestrup examines an ice-core sample taken from the bottom of Greenland's ice capat North Grip, Greenland. The 5-inch-wide ice core gives researchers studying climate change an unbroken history of temperature and airborne gases going back at least 120,000 years. Bergan Record (MCT)

climate change, saying it is the “biggest hoax” perpetrated against mankind. “The hoax is there are some people so arrogant to

think they are so powerful they can change the climate,” Inhofe said Wednesday on the Senate floor. “Man can’t change the climate.”

The Senate, with Inhofe’s support, did pass a separate measure saying that climate change is real – just not that human activity is a cause.

Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., was the only senator to vote against it. The Democrats pushed for the climate change votes as an attempt to get Republicans on the record in advance of the 2016 elections, with polls showing that a majority of Americans believe humans are causing global warming. The votes were offered as non-binding amendments to the bill authorizing construction of Keystone. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, RAlaska, urged her colleagues to vote against the finding that climate change is significantly caused by humans. Murkowski, chairwoman of the energy committee, has expressed worries about the impact of climate change on her state. But she said on the Senate floor that the fact the measure included the word “significantly” was enough to merit voting against it. Some Republican senators, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, have dodged the issue of whether humans are causing climate change, often using the talking point that “I’m not a scientist.”

President Barack Obama mocked the “I’m not a scientist” line in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday night. “Well, I’m not a scientist, either. But you know what? I know a lot of really good scientists at NASA, and NOAA, and at our major universities,” Obama said. Scientists from NASA and NOAA announced last week that 2014 was the hottest year on record, continuing a warming trend that the scientists attributed to greenhouse gases from the burning of fossil fuels. Just five Republicans, including Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, joined the Democrats on Wednesday in voting for the finding that human activity significantly contributes to climate change. Graham said he’s not a scientist, but that he has heard enough from scientists on the issue to be convinced. He rejected Democratic arguments that approving the Keystone XL pipeline would worsen climate change, though, maintaining that the Canadian oil sands are going to be developed even if the pipeline is not built.

in the state by 2020. Georgia State’s intervention work has yielded tangible gains. Although state funding has declined and the number of economically disadvantaged students has increased, the college has seen a rise in its graduation rates for students who earned their degrees within six years, including those for minority students. Ten years ago, Georgia State’s graduation rate hovered around 32 percent. It increased to almost 54 per-

cent last year, approaching the national six-year rate of 59 percent reported by the National Center for Education Statistics. The college also ranks among the highest in the nation in the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded to black students. “The major successes have not been with programs aimed at certain demographics,” said Renick, who has set a graduation goal of 60 percent. “It’s an issue of the problems, not people.”

COMPLETION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Call it Big Brother for College Students. When Renick moved into the vice provost office six years ago, he realized there were deeper challenges for Georgia State’s students. The college has a nonwhite population of slightly more than 60 percent, and almost 60 percent of the college’s roughly 32,000 students receive federal needs-based Pell Grants, Renick said. “We knew our approach had to be different because of our population,” he said.

In a recent piece in The New York Times, Renick noted that for students, particularly low-income students, there is a need to complete college expeditiously. If they run out of financial aid, “they’re dropping out and they’re dropping out with debt and no college degree,” he said. “We’re giving them at least a fighting chance.” To better help students, Georgia State began using its collected historical data on grades and student outcomes to predict student perform-

ance in other classes. The data collection led to the use of a Web-based tracking system of more than 700 items that alerts advisers when students have gotten off track. Last year, the system found that 2,000 students had signed up for the wrong classes. Having the kind of intensive advising that Georgia State does can be a bit disconcerting at first, but it is generally appreciated. To get these kinds of outcomes, Georgia State ramped

up its advising staff, with each adviser responsible for about 300 students, down from almost 1,000 a couple of years ago. Other colleges within the state are also working toward some form of advising and data analytics similar to Georgia State’s. The work is key to the state’s Complete College Georgia initiative, launched by Gov. Nathan Deal three years ago with the goal of increasing by 250,000 the number of college graduates

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Cypher goes viral Rappers, reciters and revolutionaries gather 12345 1234 123 12

Trending Topic #FTW (For The Win) #WTF (What The ...) #FAIL

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J. Cole 2014 Forest Hills Drive Roc Natn/Columbia out of 5 on the black hand side

Every Monday night at approximately 11 p.m. cypher goers from around the Triangle gather at the free expression tunnel vibing knowledge. ALEXIUS WATSON /Echo Staff photographer

BY ALEXANDRIA GLENN ECHO A&E EDITIOR

Every Monday night a crowd of students, Raleigh citizens, MCs, homeless men and creative minds crowd together in the free expression tunnel. With ears at the ready, they make way on foot or roll up on skate boards to attend the NC state cypher. Four years ago after dropping an album, local MC “Mike Live” reached out to local MCs in the RDU area and called up a cypher on NC State University’s campus at the free expression tunnel. “It started out small and after the photos from the cypher hit the internet and after everything went viral, the cypher blew up,” said Andrew Weaver, a cypher veteran who goes by “Jerusalem.” The MCs decided to officially establish the infamous gathering every Monday night at 11 PM where people could freely come and recite, rap, spray paint and spit knowledge amongst one another while mainly focusing on the style

of freestyle rap in a culturefilled way. Over the past four years, the cypher has grown tremendously and has gained the presence of talented minds to fellowship with one another by rapping about anything from race to God, people, Peace, the government and more. Cypher veteran Josiah Jahi was one of the first to attend this cypher movement. “I am from Brooklyn, New York so being at these cyphers gives me a sense of home,” said Jahi. “We have grown into a family and I have meet some really powerful people and have learn a tremendous about of knowledge while attending this cypher over the years. Being from up north I don’t have a car down here, but I have met some of my long term friends who had made those same walks as I did down to these cyphers.” Ever since the cyphers started, they have never missed a Monday, through rain, sleet or snow; nothing has stopped cypher goers from gathering.

Frenando Sanders is another cypher veteran who heard about the cypher from word of mouth. “I am an artist myself so coming out here helps me with lyricism and sharpening my stage presence, all while allowing me to connect with different cultures. Here we learn knowledge that you can’t find in any text book,” said Sanders. Within the last two years, the cypher has really begun to blow up. When the cypher first started, it had at least a dozen people in attendance. Now, hundreds of people gather around sitting on 15feet graffitied walls and crowding steps to get a hit of the powerful cypher movement. The idea of the cypher has reached out and influenced various universities such as N.C. Central University, East Carolina University, Appalachian state, UNC Asheville and UNC Chapel Hill. The NC State Cypher crew have attended these university cypher gatherings as well.

NCCU’s history of hip hop professor 9th Wonder has visited the infamous NC state cypher on several different occasions. “One of my artists Rapsody shot a video out there during a Monday night cypher which still premieres on MTV,” said 9th. “I respect the fact that they are being proactive in sharing the culture of expression through these cyphers and I give credit to the amount of respect they show one another while each performer is spitting.” In Sept. 2014, the News & Observer did an article on the cypher causing the movement to gain more public recognition. “After the News and Observer article came out, it was a full house that following Monday,” said Jerusalem. Other newspapers have done articles on them such as Oak City Hustle and UNC Chapel Hill’s campus newspaper. Soon after, in November 2014, a Cypher documentary was released that gained over 12,000 subscribes on YouTube.

I find myself scratching my head when listening to “2014 Forest Hills Dr.”, the third critical release from N.C. native, J. Cole. Cole has cemented himself as a not-to-be-taken-lightly creative whose work has all the tapestry of greatness. Sadly, “2014 FHD” is just that, tapestry. In my analysis, I have found that the calculus of its performance lacks the undeniable push towards greatness. With that being said, “2014 FHD” is a good album, worthy of any praise it receives; it just isn’t great. On the one hand, the list of rappers I like more than J. Cole is small. His acute understanding of hip-hop history and his place in it is the type of scholarly appreciation most of his contemporaries lack. But Cole has yet to transcend these general — albeit positive — superlatives and immortalize himself in the pantheon of rap idols. The relevant subject matter and minimalist aesthetic of the album had me salivating for what I hoped would be an undeniable manifesto of both Cole’s character and creation. But alas, I am left with the familiar other hand. This hand, or should I say fist, is armed with the sobering reality of having listened to the album. I think he is a damn good rapper: a rare talent, brimming with all tools able to make him outstanding. Despite his talent and charm, the thing that became apparent after listening to this album is the gaps — the gaps of talent between Cole and some of his contemporaries. He doesn’t have the voyeuristic bravado of Drake, the sage-like wisdom of Killer Mike, the lyrical force-

of-will of Kevin Gates, or even the high-wire daring of Azalea Banks. In metaphor and practice, he is analog in a digital age. “2014 FHD” is full of obscure and at times clever 70’s soul and rock samples, along with boom-bap drum patterns ranging from simple to elegant. Cole has a heartfelt ear similar to Dilla and Premier, but in a landscape dominated by DJ Mustard and MikeWill Made-It, his production style feels — in places — dry and archaic. “2014 FHD” has the bang and fizzle of fireworks. The first six songs are triumphs and set the scaffolding for a focused body of work, but the second half of the album is mostly fizzle. The three best songs on the album are “January 28th”, “03’ Adolescence”, and “A Tale of 2 Citiez,” the the standout. “Hands in the air, now. Hands in the air. Run it”, might turn into the tour chant of 2015. I really can’t say enough about this song; it captures the urgency of “Maad City” from Kendrick Lamar, while furthering Lamar’s work by humanizing black criminals against the narrative of black criminality. Yet I am left with a feeling of want-to. I want to love this album, but my reality is filled with a generic sense of like — not a characteristic of great music. A few of the 13 cuts I might call brilliant, but there are glaring lyrical and sonic inconsistencies. The album climbs to impressive heights, but then – all of a sudden there are suddenly stomachturning dives. But why should we be surprised? His last two albums also have stunning peaks and cavernous valleys. Which begs the question: Is it OK for Cole to just be good, when everyone — including me — expects and wants him to be great? — Aaron Dial

Fashion Inc. set the tone BY MELQUAN GANZY ECHO OPINIONS EDITOR

According to Fashion Inc. president Ja’Mareia Bonner, few people outside the fashion industry have a clue about just how competitive the industry is. “People have a misconception about the fashion industry,” said Bonner. “They think it’s a big fluff.” The reality, said Bonner, is that that the fashion industry is intense, even cutthroat. Individuals in the industry can blunt, even coldhearted. “It’s so much more to fashion than knowing how to dress,” said Bonner. “It comes down to determination and great work ethics.” Students won’t be “spoon feed” in the fashion industry, said Bonner. They will have to be motivated and driven. The goal of Fashion Inc., a student organization with about 20 members that established 10 years ago, isn’t just to set the tone for fashion on campus. It’s also to prepare students for the reality of this competitive

industry. It’s not all going to be glitz and glam. “Fashion Inc. has taught me how to be strong minded,” said Bonner, who added that she ran for president because she saw areas where she could improve the organization. According to Bonner her role as president, and keeping everyone on track, has taught her valuable leadership skills. “I’ve grown as a student and learned to balance school work while running an organization,” said Bonner. “I have will power.” Treasurer Braxton agrees. “I have learned to conduct myself in a professional manner,” said Braxton. “Staying on top of responsibilities will get one farther down the road of success,” said Braxton. “When I graduate I will incorporate my leadership skills in all I do, I’ve grown into a responsible woman through my leadership role in Fashion Inc.,” she said Braxton. “As a generation we’ve become lazy. The hustle is gone,” said Bonner.

“It’s so much more to fashion than knowing how to dress ...” JA’MAREIA BONNER PRESIDENT OF FASHION INC / FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES JUNIOR

“We expect everything to be given, there’s no drive for success.” According Bonner organization members selflessly support each other and this support will get them far in life. “Birds of the feather flock together,” said Bonner. “I will continue to be a positive influence, and motivate individuals to work hard,” said Bonner. Students in Fashion Inc. get the opportunity to coordinating fashion shows and to network with fashion professionals. These experiences have led to a number of success stories including Caprice Cody, a former intern in social media marketing and textile intern at London’s Fashion and Textile Museum, and Wouri Rice, a celebrity stylist to Alicia Keys and Taraji P. Henson.

Fashion Inc.’s annual fashion show, this year themed as “Fashion Meets Art,” will be on April 7 at 7 p.m. It will feature the work of over 20 student fashion designer majors. The idea is for student designers to incorporate themes from films, plays, photography, and more. “Fashion will never be without art, fashion is art,” said Bonner, explaining the this year’s theme. “I hope all the student designs are dynamic,” said Fashion Inc. faculty adviser Wadeeah Beyah, a human sciences visiting instructor. “And I hope everyone at North Carolina Central University as well as the surrounding communities comes out to the fashion show,” said Beyah, adding that she wants everyone to be aware of the apparel design program.

Family & Consumer Sciences major, Ja’Mareia Bonner, cutting out a sleeve pattern in Apparel Design 2 class. DITANYIAL ROYSTER/Echo staff photographer

Sports

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015

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Triple digits in the winner’s circle LeVelle Moton snags his 100th career win as head coach BY

AVERY YOUNG

ECHO SPORTS EDITOR

Last Sunday, Coach Krzyzewski won his 100th career game as the Duke men’s basketball team beat St. John’s University, 77-68. The media jumped at the chance to cover his success story. However, N.C. Central University also has a coach who recently reached a milestone. LeVelle Moton cruised to his 100th career win as head coach of the NCCU men’s basketball team. The Eagles defeated S.C. State University in the Nest, 7645. Even though Moton recognizes the importance of this achievement, he remains humble and thankful for the support he receives. “It feels good to hit triple digits in the winning category, but it is more about the people and players that I’ve been around and less about me,” said Moton. “Once you have that, you are bound to have success in this business.” Six seasons ago, when Moton became head coach, he had relatively little college-level experience. He started coaching middle school, then moved to high school, then to coaching an AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) league, finally arriving at NCCU as an assistant coach in 2007.

Coach LeVelle Moton argues a call with a referee in the NCCU at UNC-Chapel Hill game on Nov. 14 JAKAI BAKER/Echo staff photographer

Two years later, Moton became head coach. Moton reflects on his first win here as he was trying to rebuild the program.

He recalls being down 12 or 14 points in the first half against N.C. Wesleyan College. “But then we turned it up

in the second half, started making some plays and we were able to come out with a victory,” he said. From his first victory till

now, Coach Moton has been fortunate to be surrounded by what he calls the “Mecca of college basketball.” He admits to stealing tips

and pointers from great coaches such as Coach K (1980-present), Roy Williams (2003-present) and his own college coach at NCCU Greg Jackson (1991-2000). “I have learned so much from them but I do not try to be them,” Moton said. “I try to see what makes them great and use those ingredients to make me into the best LeVelle that I could be.” Moton also credits his kids with his development. “Once I had my daughter and my son, I became a better coach,” he said. “I now coach from a leadership standpoint, but also from a parental stand point.” Moton remains thankful for the team’s success last season. He said winning the MEAC championship is his most memorable moment. “On the surface, people do not realize the work, the sacrifice, the commitment and heartache that it requires to accumulate that type of success,” he said. “That moment really was not about the game, it was a tangible victory within itself for everything we’ve overcome as a program.” Even with 100 career wins, Moton does not want people to look at his career as a legacy yet. “I kind of cringe when I hear the word legacy because that means that you have arrived, but I haven’t done anything yet.”

“Rocky” knocks down 1,000 point Racquel Davis reaches a milestone every basketball player strives for BY

LYNDON BASS

ECHO SPORTS REPORTER

N.C. Central University’s Racquel “Rocky” Davis marked her territory in the women’s basketball record books. Davis scored her 1000th career point against Wofford College Jan. 6. Although the game ended in a loss for the Lady Eagles, Davis managed to find some joy, as she scored 16 points. Davis, a psychology senior from Brooklyn, transferred from Johnson C. Smith University to NCCU before the 2012-2013 season, In her two seasons playing for NCCU, she averaged 14.2 PPG and 9.3 RPG (rebounds per game). “I was really excited,” said Davis about her achievement. She called the 1000th point “a good stepping stone” to boosting her college resume and making a push for professional basketball. “It’s something that a lot of college athletes don’t get, so it was really special to me,” she said. Davis is also thankful for her teammates this season. “This season we are a lot

“It’s something that a lot of college basketball players don’t achieve, so it was really special to me.” RACQUEL DAVIS FORWARD/CENTER LADY EAGLES

closer as a team,” she said. “We have good off-thecourt chemistry, which definitely makes playing with them more enjoyable. I love my teammates and I’m really happy with the team we have this season.” Although she just scored her 1000th point she continues to have high expectations for herself and the rest of the Lady Eagles. “Going forward I want to be able to continue to make an impact on the floor,” Davis said. “Try and contribute as much as I can with scoring on the offensive end and defensively work really hard not to be a liability and be in foul trouble so I can play big minutes. “As a team our goals are to finish the season, win the remainder of our conference games, head into the MEAC tournament, do well and continue to win so we

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can win the Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference championship. “I definitely want to beat N.C. A&T, but also from this season I’ve enjoyed every experience regardless of whether we have a winning season or not.” Davis also highlights a more intangible accomplishment: team chemistry. “The most important thing about this season is to not let the number of wins define us as a team but rather how hard we work on the floor every night,” Davis said. “I want to take advantage of the fact that this is my last year and I want to go out the best way possible,” said Davis. Davis continues her senior season as a forward/center leading the team in scoring. She was named to the All-MEAC third team and led the team in rebounding

NCCU’s Raquel “Rocky” Davis goes up for a shot against two Coppin State University defenders MARKELL PITCHFORD/Staff photographer last season with 9.1 RPG. Davis and the Lady

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Opinions

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2015

College relationships ollege relationships will never work.-

"He's just not ready." "Have fun, be young." I agree with having fun and enjoying your time while in college. But why do people make it seem like it’s impossible to enjoy college and lead a healthy relationship? Diamond It’s not impossible. Far from it. Gywnn Who's to say you can't have fun when you’re in love? If you’re either just looking to hook up with someone or cuddle in your dorm room, please disregard this message. But I believe that college relationships can go far if it’s a priority. It kills me to see this screwed up portrayal of love. I’m starting to think people have stopped looking for real love. Most of you are content with a booty rub nightly and just having someone you can call

It kills me to see this screwed up portrayal of love. I’m really starting to think people have stopped looking for real love. Most of you are content with a booty rub nightly and just having someone you can call yours when in reality, they’re everyone’s. yours when in reality, they’re everyone’s. You have to make wise decisions before entering a relationship with someone in college. Not everyone is ready, and that’s okay. One thing I've noticed about our generation is that social media sites like Instagram, Vine, and Twitter have a huge impact on relationships. There’s nothing more irritating than seeing people live by Instagram quotes and memes. Social networks have created an image for the perfect couple that leads everyone into searching for a fantasy, rather than leading a healthy relationship. Instagram relationship posts often have that cliche caption “relationship goals”, which shows just how little people on

social media think of love. Because of these posts, young men are expected to leave Victoria Secret gifts and Uggs on a girl’s front porch. It all sounds nice, but the reality is that love doesn’t always look like that. These guys are struggling college students just like you. Besides, a healthy relationship isn’t determined by the amount of money spent on someone. Every relationship isn’t the same and everything isn’t what it seems to be on social media. Stop looking for people you can stunt with on Instagram. If that’s all you’re looking for, stay single. If not, you should start preparing yourself for someone you can build with. If you’re going to set “relationship goals” they should be based on trust and love. Trust is very important when

dealing with relationships while in college. College is about building your platform, experiencing new things, and networking. Holding your partner back from meeting new people and building friendships due to trust issues is the last thing you want to do. You must learn to trust your partner, if the relationship is worth having. If not, wasting your time and worrying if someone is cheating on you will leave you with a headache and unwanted stress. Insecurities are one of the main reasons for failed relationships. If you are seeing signs and reasons not to trust someone, by all means, find someone who understands you. Relationships are not meant to be stressful. It should be the exact opposite. College relationships aren’t unmanageable, just choose wisely. If you plan on entering a relationship while in school, make sure it’s with someone that will encourage you and support you, not distract you from your goals.

ing. We stress over money, work and classes. We stress over people's opinions and world issues. We stress over our greatest challenges. We stress over situations back at home. Most of what causes us to stress out should not control our attitudes as we allow it to. People don't Evan realize stress is not something Owens that either happens to us or something we go through. In fact, it's something that we do to ourselves. Of course, there are times we would consider “stressful times,” as when things get tough. No matter the situation, we’re doing the stressing. It’s not the situation. We make that choice! Still, there will always be

As students, stress weakens our values. We can’t live by quotes such as “Grey skies are just clouds passing over,” if we allow ourselves to stress out. situations that we can't help but to experience. But the stress in question is a needless and senseless state of mind. As students, stress weakens our values. We can’t live by quotes such as “Grey skies are just clouds passing over,” if we allow ourselves to stress out. With increasing competitiveness in the classroom, it is essential that students understand the difference between unhealthy stress and motivating pressure. To discover how unnecessary and useless stress is, just weigh out the disadvantages of allowing ourselves to stress. For example, finals week, a week devoted to test-taking and preparing for test-taking. It's a time where most students are focused and striving to finish the semester with a solid last performance.

N ORTH C AROLINA C ENTRAL U NIVERSITY

Campus Echo Jamar Negron, Editor-in-Chief

Assistant Editor Assistant Editor Opinions Editor A&E Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Reporter Staff Photographer Staff Photographer Graphic Artist

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Faculty Adviser - Dr. Bruce dePyssler Copy Adviser –Dr. Lisa Carl Alumni Advisers - Mike Williams, Sheena Johnson

Does stress help you retain what you're studying? Does it help you sleep better? Does it allow you to remember important dates? No, stress affects one’s study habits, and it may also cause one to lose sleep and barely remember to study during such a tense week. The only purpose that stress serves within an academic environment is to make a student's life harder. Now, getting rid of stress doesn't mean we turn off all electronics, close our books, and neither retreat to Netflix nor our game consoles. Responsible students must learn to balance their schedule with studies and leisure. We must remember that although stress should be avoided, pressure can be beneficial.

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Letters & Editorials

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There's nothing wrong with students pressuring themselves to perform to the best of their abilities. As long as your focus is on what one can control. The competitive academic environment requires self-discipline. The major difference between pressure and stress is the control you have over your thoughts. There is no logic in worrying about things that you can’t change. Stressing over a test won’t better the odds of a good score. But it may lead to lack of sleep and unwarranted worry. Pressuring yourself to succeed can change the outcome. It means focusing on what you can control, such as giving yourself study time and plenty of sleep. The life of a college student is challenging enough. Choose not to allow yourself to stress. Don't sweat what's out of your control. And pressure yourself to be the best you can be.

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The Echo welcomes letters and editorials. Letters to the editor should be less than 350 words. Editorials should be about 575 words. Include contact information. The Echo reserves the right to edit contributions for clarity, vulgarity, typos and miscellaneous grammatical gaffs. Opinions published in the Echo do not necessarily reflect those of the Echo editorial staff.

READ AND THEN RECYCLE

Sound Off What’s your ultimate goal for this spring semester? “My ultimate goal is to be great in everything I to do and to accomplish all my goals.” — Harvey Bell, Junior

Don’t sweat it tress is a powerful thing. Almost everyone does it, yet it accomplishes noth-

Illustration by Krystal Porter

“This semester I will make the dean’s list, that’s my ultimate goal. I will reach my fullest potential.” —Chance Barnett, Sophomore

“Unfortunately, I don’t have goals per semester; however I want to accomplish the unexpected.” — Jaziel Brown, Junior

Sound Off by Melquan Ganzy