March 2, 2011 - Campus Echo by N.C. Central University Campus Echo

MARCH 2, 2011

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VOLUME 102, ISSUE 9

Campus

A&E

Sports

Feature

Are you sick and tired of seeing those pesky cones blocking parking spots in the neighborhood?

Renouned Harlem Renaissance sculptor Richmond Barthé at NCCU Art Musuem

NCCU Baseball team anxious to hit the diamond

Curious to see the inside of the new Nursing School? We got a peek!

Page 13

Page 8-9

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Campus Echo 3

Wisconsin’s stalemate

10-yr plan

Intense opinions about the state’s union stalemate roiling Facebook ‘friends’

“NCCU 2020” plan rolled out

BY KAREN HERZOG AND ANNYSA JOHNSON

BY APRIL SIMON

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Milwaukee Public Schools psychologist Jessica Coyle was in tears after reading a cousin’s Facebook post calling public employees “whores and a bunch of other nasty hings,”according to her husband, David, an MPS history teacher. “What made matters worse was that her godmother ‘liked’ the com-

ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Somewhere along the line, most of us have had to write out a 10-year plan. Often these scribblings are laid aside and only vaguely recalled, perhaps dusted off and heavily edited the next time we are asked to write one. Rarely do we set specific milestones Johnnie toward our Southerland goals. This is exactly, though, what NC Central University has done with its new strategic plan, called “NCCU 2020.” According to the report, the expectations are that “we will raise our retention and graduation rates, enroll better-prepared students, conduct cutting-edge research and stimulate the state’s economy.” Annual expectations and assessments are scheduled to occur every year until 2015. These checkpoints will ensure that the initiative is on track and successful. Evaluation measures throughout the timeline allow for input from all interested parties, and for adjustments to be made as necessary. Annual campus-wide announcements of achievements and successes that meet plan requirements are slated to begin in May. Writing the report was the no simple task. In January 2010, the NCCU Board of Trustees was alerted that the strategic plan process was beginning. Surveys were sent to all students, alumni, faculty and staff, and focus groups were held with various groups to gather input and suggestions as to where community interests lie. “We got all that feedback,” said Johnnie Southerland, head of strategic planning.

n See STRATEGIC PLAN Page 2

MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL (MCT)

ment,” Coyle told a reporter. “My wife sent a message to say, ‘Hey, remember me, your family member, I am a public employee and I am not a whore.’ Her intention was for the cousin to say, ‘Oops, sorry, I forgot,’ or something along those lines. He didn’t. He only said, ‘That is how I feel, you can defriend me if you want.’” The couple couldn’t believe how the Wisconsin governor’s proposed budg-

et-repair bill was playing out in the virtual community of Facebook, David Coyle said. “We thought that blood was thicker than water. Guess not.” Intensely personal, divisive debates have taken over Facebook in recent weeks, with paychecks, pensions and union rights in the state on the line. The social graces and filtering of opinions that

n See WISCONSIN Page 5

Protesters rally in support of union bargaining rights in Madison, Wis., Friday, Feb. 25. TOM LYNN/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (MCT)

ZUMBA FEVER COMES TO NCCU!

Cast your vote BY JONATHAN ALEXANDER AND ZEVANDAH BARNES ECHO STAFF REPORTERS

In any election it is important to know your candidates. This year two Eagles are making a run for the top slot of SGA president. Reggie McCrimmon, a political science sophomore, is one. “I feel like N. C. Central

n See SGA Page 3

NCCU students workout to the sounds of the Latin-iinspired “Zumba” on Friday in the Alfonso Elder Student Union. CORLISS PAULING/Echo staff photographer

he Latin-inspired dance workout “Zumba” has swept the nation and now it’s at N.C. Central University. Campus Recreation and the Student Activities

board have worked together to bring “Zumba Fridays—Party with a Purpose.” Zumba Fitness is a dance workout program that combines Latin, hip-hop, and other international music to create an intense workout.

Since its beginning in 2001, Zumbahas spread to more than 90,000 locations and across more than 110 countries. The event, instructed by Erica Dixon, director of Campus Recreation, is held every last Friday of the month from 7-9 p.m.

ROD HOWELL/Echo staff photographer

Gas prices hitting students hard Experts say a gallon of regular might top $4 this summer BY ASHLEY GADSDEN ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Prices skyrocketing at an Exxon station on Alston Avenue, near the School of Education. ASHLEY GRIFFIN/Echo editor-in-chief

SGA presidential hopefuls Reggie McCrimmon and Bishari Cooper

Regardless of what grade of gas you use, gas prices are on the rise once again. The increase in gas prices is hitting N.C. Central students hard. And with increased turmoil in the Middle East, especially in oil-producing countries like Libya and Bahrain, prices are likely to continue to rise. “It’s killing me,” said Charles Robinson, junior music industry. Robinson commutes about ten minutes each day to school in his 2010 Ford Focus. Robinson said he usually spends $15 for a half tank — a financial dent for a college student working a minimum wage job. According to Robinson, that

half tank will last him a week, but only if he travels directly between his house and school. According to CNNMoney.com, the price of crude oil now stands at $103 per barrel, the highest level since 2008. The consequence? One price hike after another at the pump. On Fridays there was an overnight 6-cent jump. The average price for a gallon of gasoline in the United States $3.29. An Exxon station next to campus was selling its regular grade for $3.39 per gallon on Sunday. “That’s enough to hurt consumers, many of whom are underemployed or unemployed,” writes the Lundberg

n See GAS PRICES Page 2

Cuts hit home BY A SHLEY GRIFFIN ECHO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Linguistics, Slavic languages and literatures, animal health science and technology education are among the academic programs that may see their last year as academic programs in the UNC system. A proposal from Alan Mabe, senior vice president for academic affairs for the UNC General Administration, plans to discontinue underperforming majors — or turn them into concentrations. In all, 60 academic degree programs are slated for possible removal or reduction. Twelve of those programs are currently offered at N.C. Central University. According to a Feb. 1 mem-

n See PROGRAMS Page 2

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2011

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Muhammad meets, greets

GAS PRICES CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Schomburg director discusses racism, economics, politics Survey of fuel prices. According to Lundberg, “gas prices are up nearly 50 cents a gallon since last September.” There are many contributing factors to the increase in gas prices, including rising demand in China and India. Although the United States consumes the most oil per capita, China’s oil consumption is expected to rise 5 percent next year, which compares with less than 1 percent growth forecast in the United States. But recent hikes are

BY AARON SAUNDERS ECHO SPORTS/ASSISTANT EDITOR

Last week N.C. Central University opened its arms and welcomed visitor and guest speaker Khalil Muhammad, the incoming director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. The Schomburg is a part of the New York City Public Library and is responsible for over 10 million documents and artifacts of black culture. Its namesake is Puerto Rican historian and activist Arthur Schomburg who collected African American artifacts. Muhammad, a native of Chicago and a self-proclaimed Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder fan, is the great -grandson of Nation of Islam founder Elijah Muhammad and the son of Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Ozier Muhammad. Muhammad was invited to campus as a guest speaker by a commission formed to enhance intellectual climate at NCCU. “I am here to participate an effort to enhance the intellectual climate of the campus,” said Muhammad. “ Chancellor Nelms and the commission have worked to invite speakers and scholars to engage all levels of the University, from undergraduates, graduate students to administrators,” While here, Muhammad spoke with professors and students about his book,

specifically tied to geopolitical forces. Instability in the Middle East, especially Libya, is definitely playing a role the price jump. Libya, the world’s 15th largest oil exporter, exports more than 1.2 million barrels of crude oil a day. Rising demand and instability in the Middle East has led Fred Rozell, a gasoline analyst with OPIS, Oil Price Information Service, to predict that 15 states will see gas prices at $4 a gal-

lon by Memorial Day. But some students aren’t fretting about the price of gas. Namely those who shuttle from nearby campus housing communities like Campus Crossings and The Verge. “I’m an avid rider of the shuttle,” said English education sophomore Riyah Exum. Exum said the shuttle is a better alternative for her. “I don’t have a car because gas is extremely too high.”

STRATEGIC PLAN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Khalil Muhammad during his talk to NCCU graduate students. CHI BROWN/Echo staff photographer

“The Condemnation of Blackness: Race, Crime and the Making of Modern Urban America.” “I think we should have guest speakers more often, not just on Founders day, convocation, lyceums, and graduation,” said Briana Yarber criminal justice senior. Although he is not an alumnus of a historically black college or university Muhammad said they are still very important. “HBCU’s serve a particular need for African Americans who want to have access to scholarship that

privileges the black experience,” he said The Schomburg can help many HBCUs like NCCU promote its own collections. Muhammad said he plans to digitize the primary documents of the Schomburg center to make them available on the Internet to those are not able to come to the center physically. “My primary responsibilities are to tend to the scholarly infrastructure of the institution by making sure the collections that we have are accessible to as many as possible,” he said.

“We took all the information and came up with these themes.” A 26-member planning committee was divided into five task forces, each focusing on what would later become the priority areas: retention and graduation, enhanced academic distinction and distinctiveness, community engagement, internal communications using the Quality Service Initiative, and teaching, learning, and outreach. Each team analyzed the data specific to their goal, and began the nearly yearlong continual revisions that eventually led to the plan in effect today. Some of the specific procedures indicated in the plan are the implementation of software and other tracking methods to follow student’s matriculation, building stronger connections with the local K12 public schools, and developing programs to support and encourage

students toward study abroad and international experiences. The issue of funding is mentioned frequently in the document, with a heavy emphasis on increasing moneys for new programs, grants, research and other student pursuits, such as creative activities and publications. While the current economic slump may be an obstacle, it is not expected to have any long-term effect on the strategic plan. There is the implication that, as the school works toward its goals, the results will show in heightened positive attention from communities and corporate supporters. The plan becomes, then, both the means, and an end unto itself. “Because you have these high priorities,” said Southerland, “the University has something to look forward to, as to where we focus our energy.”

As the Board of Trustees had been involved in the process all along, no major revisions had to be made before the plan was approved last November. The administration is optimistic that the measure will prove successful. “In 2020, I really see that we will be a campus that will have a very strong intellectual climate where learning is happening, it’s measured, it has impact,” said Southerland. “We are here for students, here for students success. “That’s what NCCU does, what our plan says, that’s what we are doing,” said Southerland. “I clearly envision that. I am very confident.” All students, staff, faculty and community members are encouraged to read the full online publication, which can be found through the NCCU Web site by typing “NCCU 2020” into the search box.

PROGRAMS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 orandum from Mabe sent to the Committee on Educational Planning, Policies, and Programs “…of the 60, 36 are baccalaureate, 22 are master’s degrees, and two are doctoral programs…” The 60 programs are being reviewed as a result of a two-year process that has identified low productivity and low enrollment, defined as any bachelor’s degree program that has awarded fewer than 19 degrees in the last two years. Under the proposal, NCCU’s secondary education major will be offered as a concentration. “There will be very little impact because there have been only a handful of students who have taken advantage of these degree programs over the last several years,” Chancellor Nelms wrote in an e-mail.

NCCU PROGRAMS AFFECTED

n Art education n English, secondary ed n Math secondary ed n Physical education n Biology secondary ed n Chemistry, secondary ed n Theatre arts education n French secondary ed n History secondary ed n Physics secondary ed n Spanish secondary ed “This is just one measure among many that we’re taking to streamline our operations in response to budget constraints.” Some believe this change will have no effect on NCCU. Some NCCU students disagree. “I can understand the money and economics behind the situation, but this is one major they should have left alone,”

said Donavon Harbison, a math secondary education junior. “It’s a confusing thing when the state of the nation calls for math and science teachers,” said Harbison. Fayetteville State University, N.C. State University and UNC Greensboro will have several bachelor’s and master’s programs discontinued. These will include health and physical education, middle grade education and English education. The proposal also suggests adding two degree programs. UNC-Chapel Hill will seek to establish a bachelor of arts in business journalism N.C. A&T State University plans a master’s of science in Nanoengineering.

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SGA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 University is a family-oriented body of people,” said McCrimmon. “We need to learn to serve one another.” McCrimmon said students need to realize our power. His platform is to connect, grow and serve NCCU. “The biggest issue of all at NCCU is the disconnect between administration and campus organizations.” According to McCrimmon, the administration should involve the students in more University processes. McCrimmon, who served as freshman class president, wants to restructure the SGA to be more effective. If elected, McCrimmon would be the sixth SGA president in a row to be a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. “We have to take initiative to stand for what is right and stand against what is wrong,” said McCrimmon. He also hopes to get everyone on one accord so NCCU can grow together in size and prestige. Bishari Cooper, English literature junior, is also running for the position. “NCCU has given me a unique education and environment that I don’t feel I would have received at any other University,” said Cooper. Like current SGA President Dwayne Johnson, Cooper wants students to get involved with the local secondary schools around the area. Cooper said the biggest issues facing students on campus right now are reductions in Federal Pell Grants, parking and housing deficiencies, low graduation rates, preparing students for graduate school, the availability of mentors, and school morale. If elected, Cooper looks forward to better relationships between NCCU students and the surrounding community. “Most importantly, I want to ensure that our students are becoming more involved in our community.” Cooper has served as sophomore class vice president and is currently junior class president. “I have qualities and abilities our student body needs in a SGA president,” said Cooper. Students can cast their votes on March 2 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. by logging onto their Blackboard accounts.

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Tax help arrives at NCCU Certified student volunteers assist with tax preparation

BY CHRIS HESS ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Volunteer students at N.C. Central University are preparing and filing tax returns free of charge to students and members of the community. This volunteer program is known as VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). The free tax return and filing is offered to clients who earn less than $49,000 a year, and is offered on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. VITA is located in the Legal Clinic office in the basement of the Turner Law Building. Students who volunteer are usually law and accounting students, according to Page Potter, director of the pro bono program at the Law School. Student volunteers must pass a certification program. “The test is about 10 hours long and is a basic certification, but supervisors have to have additional certification,” said Potter. Lindsae Adamson, a third -year law student, is a site coordinator. “I oversee

the VITA site, making sure we follow all IRS guidelines,” said Adamson. “I am also responsible for overseeing the e-filing of returns.” This is Adamson’s second year volunteering for the VITA program. “I enjoyed the work so much and saw how many people it helped, [so] I came back for a second year,” said Adamson. “I have really taken up an interest in tax law.” Apparently this year’s VITA service is a big hit. “ I know it has succeeded the total number from last year already,” said Adamson. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the free service. After the return is e-filed, the client can expect a return check in 7-10 days. Students also can take advantage of such tax education credits as the lifetime learning credit or the American opportunity credit. “Some of these credits can be up to $4,000,” said Adamson. The average undergrad

Lindsae Adamson (right) helps Taurean McCrea (left) prepare his taxes as part of the VITA program. STEVEN BROWN/Echo staff photographer

receives a refund of between $500 and $2,000. Page Potter warns of the dangers of other tax preparation services. “Refund anticipation loans really are predatory,” said Potter. “There can be a 300 percent markup in serv-

ice fees for a same-day anticipation loan.” Adamson said, “I think VITA is an essential tool that should be used.” There are also other VITA sites throughout the community. They are located at The

Hillandale Road Staff Development Center, Social Services Building, City Hall, the Main Library and State Employees Credit Union (for depositors only). More information is available at 919-530-6011 or visit tac-nc.com.

How work study works BY CHRISTA WATSON ECHO STAFF REPORTER

If all goes according to plan, long lines may be a thing of the past for continuing work-study students. According to Sharon Oliver, associate vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management, Financial Aid is working on a new plan for next fall that will let students renew their work-study contracts without reapplying each year. “The program shows that it is successful and we try to improve it every year,” said Oliver. Work study, which has been at NCCU since 1965, is intended to provide students with work experience, and prepare them for the real world, and is supposed to imitate a real job. “I enjoy it because it looks nice on your resume and opens doors and opportunities,” said English freshman Gerra Harmon. Last semester, Financial Aid started giving employees their paychecks bi-weekly. It’s more convenient for students to get paid bi-weekly instead of monthly so they wouldn’t have to wait a long

Work study student Gerra Harmon, English freshman, signs in a delivery from George Gattis, Central Receiving, at the department of English and mass communication. CHRISTA WATSON/Echo staff photographer

time for their paychecks. The program functions like a real job environment, but it doesn’t give hours like a real job. According to Oliver, students are not allowed to work more than 10 to 12 hours a week because of authorization from the government and

school policies. “Students shouldn’t work that many hours because that can affect their academics, and their grades are more important.” In order to be eligible, a student must fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) and show financial need.

In order to be funded, the student’s EFC (Expected Family Contribution) has to be $4,618 or less, according to the school’s Web site. Students have to check with Financial Aid to see if they received funds. Funded students can receive their contract, fill it out with their

supervisor, and return one of their copies to Student Services. Although the process seems simple, some students are complaining about it. “It’s really inconvenient applying for work study,” said Chavon Franklin, sociology senior. “The lines were ridiculous. I was in line for two to three hours and you don’t even know if you’re going to get it.” According to Oliver, NCCU received $500,000 for work study last year, and every year it remains consistent. In 2009, although 1,000 students applied, only 567 kept their work study. “We wanted to simplify the process and give everyone an opportunity to get a contract. We’re going to send out emails at the same time to give students a fair chance,” said Oliver. Since there is a high demand for work study funds at NCCU, Financial Aid decided that this new process will be simpler. Oliver suggests that students fill out the FAFSA early and check to see if they are eligible because the funds disappear quickly.

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Go away cones!

Social workers recognized

Police say public streets cannot be reserved with cones or trash cans BY ZEVANDAH BARNES

Three days of events scheduled

ECHO STAFF REPORTER

As N.C. Central University has grown, so has the availability of free parking. Drive down nearby residential streets and you’ll see that student parking is occupying residential neighborhoods up to five or six blocks away from campus. Many students like nursing sophomore Delia Wallace, opt out for parking in the community saying that the parking deck costs too much or that it’s inconvenient. “They shouldn’t have taken away the parking in front of the band room,” she said. But some residents are striking back at student parking in front of their homes — they’re claiming public street space as their own private parking area with orange cones and garbage cans. You often see the cones on the north side of the campus on Price and Dunstan avenues and Concord and Merrick streets. “It makes me really upset. It’s like the community doesn’t care about NCCU students,” said Candess Carter, mass communications junior. Carter said she was involved in an incident with a community resident about parking last November. S h e said a resident threatened her with a knife for parking

BY JEROME BROWN JR. ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Cones reserve a spot on Price Street near NCCU. According to Durham police, residents do not have the right to mark out parking on public streets. ZEVANDAH BARNES/Echo staff photographer

in front of her residence and threatened to have her car towed. Carter said that she doesn’t have a NCCU parking decal because there are no parking spaces reserved for any area near the FarrisonNewton Communications Building where she takes her classes. Mass communication senior Tenisha Moore said she had her car towed by a community resident on Dunbar Street in January. Moore said she’ll move cones if she needs to park. “I’ll take pictures so I can take the necessary actions if

my car is towed,” she said. Moore said she had a NCCU decal one semester but couldn’t ever find parking on campus. According to the Durham police officer D.M. Keith neighborhood residents do not have the right to reserve the space on public streets. “There is a misconception that the area in front of the house is for the homeowner to park,” he said. He also said city ordinances require residents to removing garbage cans from their street by 6 p.m. on the day of trash pick-up. Keith said students

should call Durham police at the non-emergency number, 560-4600, when they see cones on public streets near the campus. Ann Charleston, a resident on Price Street, said that residents on Price don’t have a problem with students parking on their street, but she said students need to be more respectful. Charleston complained that students often litter her street. “There should be marking for student parking and residential parking,” said Charleston.

March marks the National Association of Social Workers’ Celebration of Social Work Month. N.C. Central University’s department of social work is sponsoring its inaugural social work month observance by hosting a series of event from March 22-24. Some of the events include a T-shirt sale to promote the social work department, a luncheon for student recognition and guest speakers for various events. Guest speakers include: MaryAnn Black, associate vice president for community relations for Duke University hospital, Terrence Allen, associate professor of social work, NCCU, and Gerri Robinson, director of Durham County Social Services. “We want to show the pride in our profession during this three-day celebration,” said Vanessa Hodges, chair of the department of social work. This year’s theme is “Social Workers Change Futures.” The theme promotes the role of a social worker as a positive change

agent. There are more than 640,000 social workers in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor. NCCU plays a role in forming the next generation of positive change agents by offering a bachelor’s of social work and master’s of social work that emphasizes social and economic justice. “We want to prepare our students to not only work with clients, communities, and organizations, but also to develop family programs, manage organizations, and become policy developers in different arenas,” said Dionne Moore, instructor in the department of social work and chairperson of the social work month celebration. “We are instrumental in producing the learning we impart to students that provide them with foundation, competency, and skill sets to enhance individuals,” said Moore. The events will take place in Alphonso Elder Student Union and the Pearson Cafeteria banquet room. More information about social work month is available through Dionne Moore at hmoore6@nccu.edu.

Graduation shortened ... finally! After years of grueling graduation ceremonies, a new two-day ceremony is scheduled BY HEATHER GAVIN ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Long and hot are some words that can describe NCCU’s graduation last May in the O’Kelley Stadium. The annual ceremony lasted well over three hours under severely high temperatures. In order to maintain traditions of the graduation program, there will be two ceremonies this year. On May 13 all graduate and professional students will have their ceremony in the McDougal-McLendon gymnasium and on May 14 the undergraduate ceremony will take place in the O’Kelley Stadium. The new revisions are expected to leave students and guests with a more pleasurable program. “Our number one priority is of students and the safety of our guests,” said Carlton Wilson, director of University Convocations. Wilson was appointed Dean of the College of Liberal Arts on Jan. 4.

Special education graduate students Christina Lee and Stacey Hardin wait to receive their diplomas during last May’s graduation Riddick Stadium. The ceremony lasted about three hours in 90-d degree heat. at O’Kelly-R Echo file photo

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uncomfortable setting. “Last years ceremony wouldn’t have been that bad if it hadn’t been so hot and so long,” said Sanina Barber psychology junior. “Old people were falling out, and graduates that I know recalled it to be overwhelming.” With combined complaints from students and faculty members about the lengthy ceremony from last year, Chancellor Nelms made the final decision about conducting two different ceremonies earlier this month. Wilson says that he and his graduation committee put in timeless work on a weekly basis to make sure that everything is in line for the upcoming ceremonies. “I put in a lot of time and energy to be sure that our thousands of guests leave with a good memory on their hearts,” said Wilson. “Conducting this program is not simple, but it is something that I enjoy doing.”

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2011

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WISCONSIN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 normally temper face-toface necessarily apply to Facebook, where comments can be deleted and friends can be “unfriended” or “hidden” if they cross the line of civility. Friends, family members, neighbors and coworkers linger in cyber communities at all hours of the day and night, sharing links to opinion pieces, videos, newspaper articles and their own blogs to inform the conversation and persuade others to agree with them. When Democratic senators fled Wisconsin to stall the vote on Gov. Scott Walker’s budget-repair bill a week ago, Daryle Wooley of Elkhorn posted on Facebook that the senators should either return or be fired. “Democracy is 24-7; not just when it’s something you’re in favor of,” he wrote. With in hours, responses came flooding in from Facebook friends, “including some people who were very close to me,” Wooley recalled. “I couldn’t believe the tone.” He responded to critics, explaining that he had to cash in his IRA and take out a second mortgage on his house just to keep his cast limestone manufacturing business afloat. He told them: “This is the real world. You don’t understand pain ... I’m down from 33 employees to three.” Several private e-mail conversations diffused the conflict with Facebook friends, but he won’t forget it, he said. “Three weeks ago, we were all one happy family with the Packers,” Wooley said. “And now we’re all at each other’s throats.” Facebook provides spaces that are “incredibly meaningful to people, and places where they do some really important and potentially troubling, socially intense things,” said Lee Rainie, founder and director of the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project. “The notion that these spaces are for frivolous, time-wasting activities is belied by these meaningful political debates,” Rainie said. Posting on Facebook allows people to organize thoughts and have their say before being shot down, giving them control over at least their end of the conversation, he said. How it’s received holds deep social meaning, he added. The immediacy of Facebook also is a lightning rod for responses. “You’re no longer constrained by time and space in delivering information to those you know,” said Anthony Hoffmann, a doctoral student at the

University of WisconsinMilwaukee School of Information Studies. “You are setting yourself up to have information pushed at you, as opposed to having to actively seek it out. “And because you’re not speaking one-on-one — or in a predefined context at the water cooler or a coffee shop — you’re putting the information out there to be seen by whoever clicks on it,” Hoffmann said. “You’re not tempering the rhetoric for one specific audience. The way you frame it is going to be different. There’s less filtering.” The debate in Madison has ignited an activist spark in Chris Rockwood of Wauwatosa, straining what already was a politically mixed marriage. His wife has taken to commenting on his Facebook page as a way to have her voice heard. A lifelong liberal, Rockwood went to Madison a week ago to see for himself what was happening at the Capitol. But his return days later to protest Walker’s bill and advocate for worker rights — not to mention his strategizing on Facebook with new friends about their next moves — has made for some tense moments with his conservative wife. “At first she was kind of excited that I’d found something to be interested in,” said Rockwood, a training and marketing engineer for a computer software company. “Now, every time we talk it’s a political back and forth. She’s resorted to commenting on my Facebook page because she says that’s the only way she can say everything she wants to say. “We might snipe at each other once in awhile, but ... we love each other and that’s the most import thing.” Donna Lobacz, of Waukesha, has “unfriended” several Facebook friends — and “hidden” others — because their comments have been vitriolic and offensive, she said. “Facebook is scary,” said Lobacz, who works in the health-care industry. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything as polarizing as this on Facebook, and it’s gotten ugly ... people have lost all civility,” she said. “They’ve forgotten how to be nice.” Wooley, the businessman struggling to stay afloat, said that even though he and his college classmates on Facebook have reconciled in private e-mails, “we’ll never look at each other quite the same” because of the vitriol. “We need to go back to Friday night fish fries and cocktails,” said Wooley. “That’s when days were good.”

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Grad school gap for minorties School’s failure to graduate minorities varies widely

Nezy Smith walks on the campus of Temple University in Philadelphia, February 15. Lehigh University wooed Smith byt by sophomore year, Smith joined the roughly 25 to 40 percent of black and Hispanic students who start at Lehigh but don't finish. Black and Latino students are, on average, far less likely to graduate in six years than their white and Asian peers. JAY GORODETZER/MCT

BY SARAH BUTRYMOWICZ THE HECHINGER REPORT (MCT)

It’s well-known that underrepresented minority students graduate from college at lower rates than their white peers, but the gaps between schools vary widely — and, according to a 2010 report by the Washingtonbased Education Trust, institutions share responsibility for the results. Experts on minority retention have found that peer and faculty mentoring, strong

leadership and a focus on data all play a role in retaining black and Latino students. At private institutions, 73.4 percent of white students earned their degrees within six years, while only 54.7 percent of black students and 62.9 percent of Hispanic students made it through the schools they started, the report’s authors found. Education Trust, which analyzed data from 456 colleges and universities, uncovered disparities across

all institutions, from flagship public universities to the Ivy League. At the University of Mississippi, 57.9 percent of white students entering in 2001 had graduated six years later, contrasted with 42.3 percent of underrepresented minority students. At Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., the overall graduation rate was much higher – 94.8 percent of all students got their diplomas — but there was a 13.1 percentage-point gap between the white majority and their

black, Latino and Native American classmates. The study also uncovered colleges and universities with just a small graduation gap — or none at all. At the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, for example, white and black students graduated at the same average rate of 50.1 percent. And at the University of California, Riverside, Hispanic students graduated at a higher rate than whites — 63.4 percent to 62.4 percent.

Troubling trends in coral growth

A pneumatic drill with a core sample from a massive starlet corals on a reef off the coast of Belize. KARL CASTILLO, UNC-CHAPEL HILL/MCT

BY SPENCER HUNT THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH, OHIO (MCT)

Researchers at the University of North Carolina are reporting a "troubling change" in the growth patterns of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, off the coast of Belize in the western Caribbean and the world's second largest reef system. They found that a specific type of coral, the starlet

coral, that grows on the seaward side of the reef are growing slower than their cousins that face the coast of Belize. The scientists theorize that reef building corals closest to the open ocean are the ones bearing the brunt of the negative effects of climate change and pollution. MORE ONLINE: http://uncnews.unc.edu/content/view/4317/74/

United Christian Campus Ministry 525 Nelson Street, NCCU Campus

Michael D. Page Campus Minister

Get involved with Campus Ministry today! Call for event details. To get involved in Campus Ministries contact Rev. Michael Page at 530-5263 or by e-mail at mpage@nccu.edu

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2011

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Oil production hangs in balance in Libya

For profit colleges and universities have some explaining to do

The north African country exports 1.2 barrels per day

EDITORIAL MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE (MCT)

The following editorial appeared in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Monday, Feb. 21:

Effigies of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, are blown by strong winds along waterfront, Thursday, February 24, in Benghazi, Libya. KLUIS SINCO/LOS ANGELES TIMES (MCT)

BY KEVIN G. HALL MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS (MCT)

WASHINGTON — If Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi falls, his nation’s ability to return to normal will depend in no small part on who controls its production of oil, which is synonymous with the Libyan economy. Oil accounts for anywhere from 70 percent to 90 percent of Libya’s earnings from exports, and the shutdown of oil deliveries amid a widening conflict has sent global prices soaring. Though it has Africa’s largest reserves, Libya isn’t a major oil producer. It exports only about 1.2 million barrels a day, largely to Europe, while daily world demand totals about 88 million barrels a day, according to the International Energy Agency. Libya is, however, the first member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to teeter on collapse. Several others — including larger producers Algeria and Iran — face growing unrest, and markets are alarmed at the possibility of instability spreading perhaps even into Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest producer. Oil prices on the New York Mercantile Exchange soared above $103 a barrel in intraday trading on Thursday, but settled at $97.28 after assurances from Saudi Arabia that it could replace lost Libyan production. Because Gadhafi has ruled Libya for so long, there’s no natural heir to the oilfields. Several Western oil companies — including Occidental Petroleum Corp. and Chevron Corp. — have drilled in Libya at some point since 2005. Gadhafi on Tuesday declared force majeure on oil exports, a provision in contracts that

allows him to break commitments made to oil companies or buyers of oil. Next door in Egypt, the military long has been active in the economy, and when longtime leader Hosni Mubarak was forced out, the military remained at the center of power, providing some economic continuity. In Libya, the military has no such status and is subservient to Gadhafi, who has repeatedly purged and reshuffled leaders. Now with key oil regions in the hands of opponents or seemingly heading that way, there’s no clear idea of what will happen to oil production in a post-Gadhafi world. “At the moment, oil exports appear to have stopped, partly because the foreigners are leaving and partly because of strikes by Libyan workers. “If the situation stabilizes, oil will start flowing again,” said Simon Henderson, a Middle East expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a foreign policy think tank. “If Gadhafi is still in power, at that point the question is: Do we pay him for his oil? If it’s another government, we pay the revenues to the Libyan national oil company, and it goes into the central bank.” That’s a best-case scenario. A worst-case scenario is protracted civil war, longterm disruption of oil production and exports, and a conflict that could spread beyond its borders. Libya could quickly become a failed economy and state. Even under the better scenarios, it’s not clear what sort of power struggle might emerge for control of the engine of Libya’s economy. It’s a country where tribal affiliation matters, but under an entrenched and maniacal dictator, the

tribes never have been power centers as they are in Iraq or Afghanistan. “The tribal relationships are limited to marital issues; somebody kills somebody ... . They don’t really meddle in any control of one thing or another,” said Omar Turbi, a Libyan-born businessman in California who has championed an opening of the North African nation to the global economy and foreign investors. Pointing to Benghazi, the large eastern city now in the hands of Gadhafi’s opponents, Turbi said tribal influence is limited because so many people emigrated there in search of economic opportunity. He doesn’t think the Gadhadhfa tribe, to which Gadhafi belongs, would retain any lingering power. “It does seem to me that the tribes are a component in society, but they are not a foundation for building a new political government,” Henderson said. “One of the problems of Gadhafi is that he’s trashed civic society, which means it’s so much more difficult to think how the hell this is going to work.” As the only significant economic engine in Libya, oil must be part of any solution. Most of the oil in Libya is concentrated in the northcentral region, with significant fields also to the east, which are already in opposition hands. There were reports Thursday that Zawiya, an important oil city west of the capital of Tripoli, had fallen into opposition hands, although a fierce counter-attack by Gadhafi loyalists also was reported. Turbi didn’t anticipate a power struggle over Libyan oil. “The Libyans have learned the script of the Tunisians and the Egyptians,” he said, sug-

gesting that there are civilians who are ready to step in and establish rule by the people and a functioning government. Western oil companies have evacuated foreign personnel from Libya, but appear to be operating off and on with Libyan staffers.

For-profit colleges and universities are higher education’s boom sector. From 1999 through 2009, student enrollment — either by mail, online or at various office-park “campuses” — skyrocketed 236 percent. That’s 10 times the rate of growth at public colleges and universities and non-profit private institutions. The schools’ bottom lines have grown just as fat, with federal student aid the source of roughly two-thirds of their revenue. During the 2008-2009 school year, they soaked up about $20 billion in student loans and $4.31 billion in Pell Grants. For-profits boast that they provide access to higher education to lowincome and minority students. Indeed, about 20 percent of black students and nearly one of every four Pell Grant recipients enroll in a for-profit college or university. But the educational benefits to students are not clear, and taxpayers deserve an explanation. The Education Trust, an advocacy group for low-income students funded by major philanthropies, has assembled troubling data. The graduation rate for first-time, full-time students seeking four-year bachelor’s degrees is just 22 percent. The University of Phoenix, the nation’s largest for-profit college, had a 9 percent graduation rate for these students in 2008. The rate at its St. Louis campus was 6 percent. Two-year programs in which students receive associates’ degrees or cer-

tificates have higher completion rates. But these programs aren’t cheap, and they are marketed aggressively. The College Board, a non-profit group that helps students access higher education, says the average annual cost of tuition and fees at a community college is $2,700. It is $7,605 at a public four-year college. It is $27,200 at a private fouryear college. And it is $13,900 at a for-profit college. For-profit university students end up carrying huge debt loads, and they account for more than 40 percent of all federal student loan defaults even though they make up only 12 percent of enrollments and 24 percent of federal loan dollars. The U.S. Department of Education has proposed rules that would protect taxpayers and students. They are called “gainful employment” regulations. Their purpose is to hold schools accountable for the supposed economic benefits of their careertraining programs. Under the proposed rules, schools that saddle students with excessive debt and have loan repayment rates below 35 percent no longer would be supported with Pell Grants and Stafford Loans. But this publicly subsidized multibillion industry has plenty of political clout. On Friday, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives (with the help of some Democratic members) voted to defund any attempt to implement, administer or enforce the Department of Education’s proposed rule. This cynical vote is the “job killer.” It dooms students to heavy debt for training that provides dubious prospects of gainful employment.

Pregnant? Certain? Need to talk?

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To schedule an appointment call 919.490.0203 or 919.942.7319

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JOIN US FOR OUR SERIES:

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WITH LIVING WORDS WE EATURE POET, AN AUTHOR, OR A SPOKEN WORD ARTIST THE 2ND THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 7 PM. CALL US FOR MORE INFORMATION. FREE DINNER WILL BE SERVED. TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE. JUST GIVE US A CALL AT THE CHURCH OF ABIDING SAVIOR, LUTHERAN 1625 S. ALSTON Contact Rhonda Royal Hatton by e-mail at rhondahatton@gmail.com or by cell phone 919.698.3648

Church of the Abiding Savior, Lutheran Rev. Gordon Myers, Pastor 1625 S. Alston Avenue Durham, NC 919.682.7497

ANDTHE WINNER

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2011

THE NCCU

Campus Echo NCCU’s student newspaper landed a record 20 national and state awards for its work in 2010. Sixteen of these awards came from the 2011 HBCU Excellence in Journalism Contest. This included six 1st place awards and seven 2nd place awards. This contest was judged by industry professionals from news organizations including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal and the Associated Press. An additional four awards were given by the NC College Media Association. 2010 HBCU EXCELLENCE IN JOURNALISM, PRESENTED BY THE BLACK COLLEGE COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION, FEB. 12, 2011 1st Place – Best Overall Design, Broadsheet Category 1st Place – Best Online Video Story, James Hines for “Hair to Stay” 1st Place – Best Individual Page Design, Ashley Griffin 1st Place – Best Individual Photograph, Chi Brown for “Monday Night Jazz” 1st Place – Best Headline Writer, Aaron Saunders 1st Place – Best Sports Game Story, Aaron Saunders for “Eagles Stumble in Boone” 2nd Place – Best Informational Graphic/News Illustration, Steven Brown 2nd Place – Best Sports News Story, Jonathan Alexander for “Eagles scratch Seattle” 2nd Place – Best Investigation or In-Depth Reporting, Echo staff 2nd Place – Best News Coverage, Echo staff 2nd Place – Best Online Site, David Fitts and Echo staff 2nd Place – Best Individual Page Design, Carlton Koonce 2nd Place – Best Online Video Reporting, Echo staff 3rd Place – Best Online Multimedia Package, Echo staff 3rd Place – Best Student Newspaper (Bi-weekly category) 3rd Place – Best Spot News Story, Jonathan Alexander for “Democratic Party stalwart speaks at Lyceum” Honorable Mention Best Photo Essay, April Simon for “Harvest of Dignity”

....

2010 STATEWIDE COLLEGE MEDIA AWARDS PRESENTED BY THE NC COLLEGE MEDIA ASSOCIATION FEB. 19, 2011

2nd Place – News Writing, Chris Hess and Carlton Koonce, for “Business School blues” Honorable Mention – Sport Writing, Aaron Saunders, for “Rison era ends abruptly” Honorable Mention – Photography, Chi Brown, for “Residents of Soweto” Honorable Mention – Feature Writing, Carlton Koonce, for “Echoes of NCCU, Durham history

You can also get textbook purchase and rental prices at our BLINK! Textbooks Center at the Campus Echo Online at www.campusecho.com.

Nursing’s new home takes shape 8

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Photography and story by Chi Brown

Beneath the boxes, tools, ladders and dust lies one of the two lecture halls that will be a centerpiece of the new School of Nursing.

ince receiving word that construction could begin on June 17, 2010, a construction team from Balfour Beatty has been moving at a blinding pace. The construction of N.C. Central University’s new School of Nursing has the team working daily at laying bricks, paving new parking lots, and installing elevators. Construction is scheduled to conclude Oct. 11 on a three-story building that will contain two lecture halls, one auditorium, two eleva-

tors, and cherry wood walls and ceiling arrangements. Recently I toured the building, which is contracted with a GMP, or guaranteed maximum price, of around $16 million. During the tour I was able to view all three floors, the Dean’s new office, and even the massive air conditioning system, which takes up an entire floor. I was impressed with what is to be called “the History Wall” made of cherry wood,

which will grace the building’s lobby. I was even more impressed to hear about the new amphitheatre to be constructed between the building and the new parking lot. It will seat 220. Upon leaving the tour it was brought to my attention that the bricks that make up the exterior of the building were laid in extraordinary pattern designed to resemble an African quilt. Cool idea .

To pass beyond this fence and take photos of the construction of the new Nursing School you’ll need to suit up with a hard hat, a reflective vest and work boots.

The grounds surrounding the construction site may seem desolate, but soon they will be filled with a parking lot and an amphitheatre.

The walls of the School of Nursing will feature a pattern that resembles an African quilt..

Insulation waits to be installed in the walls of the School of Nursing.

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Madagascar Live! BY APRIL SIMON ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Herds of slow-moving families wandered the bright foyer of the Durham Performing Arts Center last Saturday afternoon, often led by their littlest members. Some sought nourishment, others toys and tshirts; still others gravitated toward the face-painting table where they were transformed into zebras, lions and lemurs. All were there to see the firstever DreamWorks stage production, “Madagascar Live!,” a funfilled musical comedy based on the animated movie. The show focuses on the adventures of a group of animals that escape from the New York City Zoo. The Brooklyn-accented penguins organize the escape, stealing a ship that eventually lands them on the island Madagascar. They are followed by their “monochromatic friend,” a discontent zebra named Marty. His friends Alex the lion, Gloria the hippo and a

hypochondriac giraffe named Melman follow him on his journey and find themselves in wilds which they are wholly unprepared for. Just as in the film, the lemurs steal the show. The parts were played with perfect absurdity and plenty of impressive dance sequences. The show had something for everyone: jokes that inspired groaning laughter from those who would only get it if were alive in the 1980’s, psychedelic dream sequences, and liberal amounts of fart jokes and pure silliness. The set was brightly colored, richly textured, and made use of many light sources and layers of fabric screens. A raised platform allowed for simultaneous action in both foreground and background. All worked together brilliantly to create a sense of distance and depth. As the show closed, the cast got the audience out of their seats and dancing in the aisles with a rousing rendition of Reel 2 Reel’s “I Like to Move It!”

Marvel VS. Capcom 3 Comic book meets Japanese publisher for a third smackdown BY DAVID FITTS ECHO ONLINE EDITOR

After 10 years of demands from anxious fans, “Marvel vs Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds,” has hit store shelves with a blast. MVC3, released February 15 for PS3 and XBOX 360, costs $60. Players are offered a variety of cast members, including some 32 playable characters from both the Marvel and Capcom universes. Featured characters are Marvel’s Wolverine, Storm, Thor, Spider-Man and Iron Man, and Capcom’s Ryu, Chun-Li, Dante, Wesker and Morrigan. There is humor in the game between characters. Before, during and after fights, characters mock one another making, references to source material that fans should enjoy. Offline and online, fights are made up of three-onthree battles. The graphics are intriguing. Action-filled explosions have a comic book vibe. The fast-paced action is appealing for players who want their fights to end quickly so they can move on to the next fight. The fighting stages are comprised of unusual, colorful backgrounds from the different games and comics. New York City is one the great stages, with a parade full of Spider-Man Easter eggs such as the Daily Bugle building and Spider-Man balloons. This and other stages pay homage to their respective

franchises. Although the game features an impressive cast and has some good visuals, it falls behind in some areas. Players will spend the most time in arcade, versus, training and mission modes, which are all offline. The arcade, versus and training modes are worth the money, but the mission mode needs work. During mission mode, players select a character and have to complete moves on a set list to complete a mission. Completing these tasks for experienced fighting game players will be a piece of cake, but for newbies it may take some time. Another area that can use some improvement is online play. Online play is the same as arcade mode, but while waiting on a match to start, players cannot observe a fight until it is their turn. All they see are individual player card’s battling each other until it is their turn. The only thing that makes the waiting bearable for players is that they can reserve a slot in a game lobby. Capcom has announced that more characters and software upgrades will be available for download at a later time. One hopes these upgrades will include an option to observe other fights. Despite some areas that need improvement, MVC3 is solid and a great addition to any comic book and fighting gamer’s library.

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2011

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Beyond the physical Harlem Renaissance sculptor explores human body and spirit BY CANDICE REED ECHO STAFF REPORTER

You’ve got until April 8 to witness the inspirational work of African-American Harlem Renaissance sculptor Richmond Barthé at the N.C. Central University Museum Barthé’s work is known for the way he explores beyond the surface of the human body, focusing on the spiritual quality inherent in human experience. “My work is not based on surfaces or stylization but on what is inside …,” said Barthé. Barthé’s bronze sculptures first appear to be traditional but when examined closely, his figures become more expressionistic, with slightly elongated and distorted features. The exhibit reflects Barthé’s avowed love of humankind—his love of people of all races, classes and creeds. He sculpts distinct differences between the features of people of various the races. “I hope that my people will look into my work and see a reflection of themselves,” Barthé wrote. “My dream in life was … to show how beautiful the world is.” The most famous piece in the exhibit is Barthé’s 1944 work “The Negro Looks Ahead,” considered by critics to be one of Barthé’s most passionate and inspiring pieces. The work captures the emotion and personality of a black male inspired to move ahead. Barthé said that President Franklin D. Roosevelt inspired the piece. “I believed that the Negro advanced more under him than any other President since Lincoln,” he wrote in a letter, “so I did this piece of the Negro emerging out of his rough background with hope in the future.” Two other sculptures that stand out in the exhibit are “Lovers” and “Woman Putting Flower in Hair.” In “Lovers,” Barthé captures the emotional bond between a man and a woman. There can be no doubt that the two are in love. The man has his arms protectively wrapped around the woman from behind. The nude, “Woman Putting Flower in Hair,” is gorgeous. He captures every aspect of woman-

Spanish Mother and Child (1937) Museum photographs by Diane Varnie

“The Negro Looks Ahead” (1944)

“Inner Music” (1956)

“Lovers“ (1969)

“Paul Robeson as Othello” (1975) hood. She is elegant and looks as if she is floating or

dancing on clouds. Her limbs are long and every muscle and feature is per-

fect. Barthé has been acknowledged as one of the primary sculptors of his time. He was born in 1901 in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, and spent his teen years in New Orleans. He later enrolled in the Art Institute of Chicago. He then moved to New York, where he established a studio in Harlem and was associated with the Harlem Renaissance cultural movement. The Harlem Renaissance—initially known as the New Negro Movement—spanned the 1920s and 1930s, and was embodied in literature, theatre, jazz, blues, poetry and other cultural expressions and expressed an emerging racial consciousness that arguably laid the path for the eventual emergence of the Civil Rights Movement. According to NCCU’s Art Museum director Kenneth Rodgers, says Barthé “was on the fast track, he was better than anyone in his time. He was easily the most visible and collected sculptors in New York and the major museums—such as the Whitney Museum—were collecting his work.” Rodgers said it has been over a decade since there has been a sculpture exhibit at the museum. “It was about time we took a look at sculpting and there was no one more suitable,” said Rodgers. “I encourage the NCCU family and in particular the student body to take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity to see sculpture by black America’s Rodin.”

The Bon Jovi experience NCCU Lambda Pi Eta get schooled on concert production BY AAROM SAUNDERS ECHO SPORTS EDITOR

There are more than 400 chapters of Lambda Pi Eta worldwide, but last Monday the N.C. Central University chapter became the first historically black university to receive the Bon Jovi experience. Last Monday, 8 students from the organization shadowed Bon Jovi crew members for the day and attend the concert at night. Students learned how to create a stage video production and lighting. “I learned how much hard work, organization, team work and time it takes to put together a show,” said Lambda Pi Eta Chapter President and mass communication senior Demetrius Phillips. “They also told us it was difficult for them to have social lives and relationships while being gone for so long.” The trip came to fruition when Bon Jovi tour manager Mike Savas contacted

Lead singer Jon Bon Jovi puts on a show at Raleigh’s RBC center. AARON SAUNDERS/Echo staff photographer

mass communication associate professor and faculty advisor Charmaine McKissick-Melton. Savas, a former broadcast journalism student, regularly invites chapters of Lambda Pi Eta to come and learn how to put together a show. “I pitched the idea to Bon Jovi management and on the Monday prior to us going to the show I got the call that we were selected,”

said McKissick-Melton. This was the first time the band has performed in Raleigh since 2003. “It was a great experience. I enjoyed everything and the most exciting part was Bon Jovi walking up to the broken LCD monitors,” said Lambda Pi Eta member and mass communication senior Amanda Willis. Although students did not get to meet the band, they were still extremely pleased

with the experience. “The experience was great; the opportunity to go behind the scenes and see how it all comes together was good,” said Lambda Pi Eta member and mass communication senior Divine Munyengeterwa. “As a senior I am getting ready for the job market, so getting a glimpse of how the industry works gave me a powerful insight on what to expect.”

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2011

You can also get textbook purchase and rental prices at our BLINK! Textbooks Center at the Campus Echo Online at www.campusecho.com.

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in conjunction with the Sophomore and Junior classes will host the:

2011 SPRING APARTMENT FAIR Tuesday, March 15 10 AM to 1 PM Alfonso Elder Student Union

Door Prizes, Refreshments and Giveaways!!! **Financial Aid and other campus partners will be present to assist with your off campus transition**

Prepare Now for the MCAT, GRE, DAT, PCAT, OAT and other science-based tests.

Come to the Health Careers Center at 521 Nelson Street. For more information call 530-7128. Ask for Alfreda Evans or Dr. Charles McClinton.

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Sports

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2011

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International friends ‘til the end Swedish athletes adjusting to life on the college courts in the U.S.

J ONATHAN A LEXANDER

ECHO ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Diversity is the word that comes to mind when one thinks of the N.C. Central University Women’s tennis team. Five of the team’s seven student-athletes are international students. For some this is their first time to America. The countries represented include Colombia, Ukraine and Sweden. Coach David Nass takes the initiative to recruit not only nationally but internationally as well. “I spend equal time recruiting American-born and international athletes,” said Nass. “More often tennis athletes from other countries

tend to be better prepared and have really strong test scores.” Freshmen Fredrica Lombard and Maria Nedstorm are both from Sweden and both said they are enjoying their transition to the United States. Although Nedstrom has visited before, this is Lombard’s first time here. But both recognize that there are some differences in western civilization. “It is very different. Much bigger cars, the people, environment, food, everything is different,” said Nedstrom and Lombard. “The R&B music is the same, but the dancing is not same,” said Lombard and Nedstrom laughingly. Lombard said her favorite R&B artists are Usher, Akon and Rihanna. Nedstrom said

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Women’s freshmen tennis player Fredrica Lombard charges the net in a doubles match against ECU. AARON SAUNDERS/Echo assitant editor

she is not much of a R&B fan. According to the pair, tennis is not that popular in

Sweden. Nedstrom and Lombard said they admire the way

EAGLELAND

that American tennis players never give up. “They don’t quit,” said Nedstrom.

Nedstrom and Lombard have been friends since their days in elementary school days. They said that they played in tournaments together as kids in Sweden and nothing has changed between them as they have transitioned on to college. Both Lombard and Nedstrom decided to go to the same school so they could stay close. “Louisiana recruited me, but NCCU recruited the both of us, and Coach Nass is very good at recruiting,” said Nedstrom. Lombard and Nedstrom say they have been welcomed and love living beside the tennis court. Nass, who has 20 years of tennis instructing under his belt. He said he takes on a fatherly role with studentathletes and their parents.

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Sports

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2011

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Looking for a breakthrough Baseball team in search of double-digit wins for the first time since 2006 BY

CRISTAL ROUSE

ECHO SPORTS REPORTER

NCCU senior hurler Drew Robinson lasted six innings in last Sunday’s 16-2 2 loss against Temple. AARON SAUNDERS/Echo assitant editor

Last year the N.C. Central University baseball team struggled to find consistent hitting and pitching. This year the Eagles expect major improvements to propel them to a winning season. Last season the Eagles finished with a record of 3-44, led by junior outfielder Akeem Hood, and senior catcher/infielder Etienne Farquharson who hit .309, and .308 respectively. Farquharson is not only a force on the field but the classroom as well he maintains a 4.0 GPA and plays baseball. “Everybody that knows me know that I don’t do anything until my homework is done. Homework comes first,” said Farquharson. The Eagles enter their fourth season of Division I play looking to achieve double digit wins for the first

There something different about this season you can see we have a promising future. JASPER JONES SOPHOMORE PITCHER

time since 2006 when the team won the CIAA regular season title and won 21 games in its first season. The man charged with steering the program and these young men in the right direction is Head Coach Henry White. White has over 30 years of head coaching experience and has an above .500 winning percentage. “We want to win at all cost,” he said. To keep his players from being discouraged from losses last season he would tell them, “You owe your fans this. You have to play hard every game.” Although winning is very important the team also recognizes that Academics come first. Players must maintain a 2.5

GPA, but most have a 3.0 or higher, and on away games players must study for some hours. Although last season wasn’t the greatest, the team is motivated and confident that this year will go differently because Coach believes he has guys that can hit and hit hard. However the Eagles have gotten off to a bit of a rough start dropping their first seven games this season. “The season is going great so far, Even though the record doesn’t show it, we have come a long way from last season. There something different about this season you can see we have a promising future,” said sophomore pitcher Jasper Jones.

The wonderful world of recruiting BY

T EDDY L A P ERRE

ECHO SPORTS REPORTER

Recruiting plays a critical role in the success and longevity of a college sports program. Coaches determine which athletes a university will recruit to bolster their programs. The athletic director weighs in on the athletes

coaches bring in, but it is ultimately the coach’s decision. “We want quality people on and off the field. We want people who want to graduate,” said assistant men’s basketball coach Robert Brickey. Deciding which student athletes will meet the expectations of a university is not always clear cut.

“Everybody deserves a second chance, said Brickey. “Everyone has something in their past. You have to decide if it is a pattern of behavior,” said Brickey. “There are times when you might like someone athletically, but you might not want them.” NCCU received $160,000

more in scholarship allotments when the university moved up to Division I. The school also received more scholarships per sport including 37 football, three men’s basketball, six women’s basketball and four softball scholarships. Associate athletic director Etienne Thomas said it is

important to support both coaches and athletes even if the situation does not work out. “We always stand by our decision. We rely on coaches to make decisions,” said Thomas. “We don’t throw students under the bus. It’s not a perfect science.”

While some say the recruiting process is an arduous journey others say it is the most gratifying moment of their lives. “It feels like I have triumphed. People told me I wouldn‘t make it and that I was too small. It feels good,” said senior point guard Michael Glasker.

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Opinions

14 N

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2011

IVERSITY

Gay is the new black I

magine how different the “Black Experience” would be without the black church, black colleges, black universities, and black civic organizations. These institutions not only add value to the community, they were created to serve American society as a whole. Even during Brandon times of great Hicks oppression, African Americans had places where they could go and be affirmed. These institutions allowed men to retain the dignity as a whole man. The importance of black institutions cannot be understated when detailing the journey of black people from “Up from Slavery” to emancipation, through Jim Crow and into the present. Most black people are born into communities of people who understand what it means

It is hard to imagine any minority group being able to successfully battle discrimination and maintain selfrespect without strong institutions which reaffirm their self-worth. Gay is the new black, minus the institutions. to be black. That provides an individual with a support system. You never have to “come out” as black from birth. Black children are taught how to cope with the discrimination they are sure to encounter. Black institutions are an integral part of the socialization of black people. What would black identity mean without these institutions? What would the civil rights movement have looked like without these institutions? It is hard to imagine any minority group being able to successfully battle discrimination and maintain self-respect without strong institutions which reaffirm their self-worth.

Gay is the new black, minus the institutions. Today homosexuals are facing discrimination on the federal, state and local level. It is hard not to draw parallels between the gay rights movement and the civil rights movement. Yet there is nothing comparable to the black church for homosexuals. Have you heard of any gay colleges or universities? I’m not sure if gay clubs constitute an institution. Clubs are some of the only places where homosexuals can find acceptance and identity. Twenty-nine states have constitutional bans on same-sex marriage. There is nothing in the federal Employment Non-

Discrimination Act to protect homosexuals from being fired because of their sexual orientation. Many churches still preach that homosexuality is sinful. Last semester many articles were written about gay kids committing suicide. The larger heterosexual society clearly is not anxious to embrace homosexuals. Homosexuals need institutions desperately. There need to be more places that are solely for the uplifting of homosexuals. I would love for homosexuals to have full equality under the law immediately. Unfortunately, that is not realistic; progress takes time. The black churches and colleges pre-dated the emancipation of slaves. The greatest lesson that homosexuals can learn from the civil rights movement is that people have to fight for rights. If gay is really going to be the new black then gay people need to catch up.

Protest is in the air I

must say I applaud the protesters in Cairo, Egypt and other cities in Egypt for their determination to demand change in their country’s leadership. The people in Egypt spoke, their voices were heard, and Egypt was hungry for change. Citizens took a stand, faced down President Martha Muhammad Butler Hosni Sayyid Mubarak and marched down the presidential palace until Mubarak resigned. Mubarak was Egypt’s dictator for three decades. He suppressed dissent and protest, and jailed opponents. The Egyptians made it clear that nothing less than democracy would carry the day.

They worked tirelessly together to rid the darkness of complacence. Egypt was in the same condition for three consecutive decades. The Egyptian people saw that their government was not representing them or their hopes. Therefore, the Egyptian people demanded their universal rights be valued. We should learn from the pivotal role Egypt has played in history. There comes a point where you must put forth efforts to take a stand for what you believe in. The widespread unrest in Egypt was over unemployment, poverty and corruption. These things had to change. The Egyptians did not just stand around and complain. In spite of their different

religious beliefs, different races and different families, they had a common goal. In order to accomplish that goal, they had come together with a strategic plan to restore their freedom. The peaceful protest and perseverance that the Egyptians have shown can serve as a powerful wind behind this demand for change. The people brought down Mubarak’s regime. The communal effort to restore their humanity and freedom is phenomenal. I salute the people of Egypt because the main goal of the revolution was achieved. In the words of one Egyptian, “most people have discovered that they are worth something, and this cannot be taken away from them anymore, ever.” This is human dignity which

cannot be denied. Importantly, in a strange turn of events, the Egyptian struggle for democracy has inspired American union workers. Today in Wisconsin tens of thousands of public sector workers are protesting a proposed “budget repair” bill that would strip them of their democratic right to bargain collectively. While the public union workers have agreed to Republican Governor Scott Walker’s demands that they contribute more to their pensions and health care, he is still insisting they they also give up their collective bargaining rights. In Egypt popular protest and outrage helped establish democracy, but in Wisconsin it is being used to help preserve democracy.

drawing by Rashaun Rucker

Question: What changes would you like to see SGA make in the upcoming year? “More changes that actually benefit the students. Also more programs where students can voice their opinions and give feedback.” —Imery Parker

“I feel as if I should know and respect their position, and at the same time not be afraid to approach them.” — Eric Anazia

“I would like SGA to be more active on campus,and more consistent with their platforms.” — Angelica Hutley

Sound Off By Uyi Idaho

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