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VOLUME 100, ISSUE 3 919 530 7116/CAMPUSECHO@NCCU.EDU WWW.CAMPUSECHO.COM
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Opinion
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“Home” opens Oct. 3. The Tony-nominated play is a tale of trials and triumph.
Mitchell Webson shows that not all girls are afraid to get their hands dirty.
Michelle Obama’s got some reasons for you to register to vote before Oct. 10.
After 84 years, the rivalry lives on. Why? Here’s the scoop.
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Campus Echo Medical records private? BY DENIQUE PROUT ECHO STAFF REPORTER
One N.C. Central University student believes having to divulge her medical history just to receive an oncampus handicapped sticker violates her privacy. Phyllistine Thornton received an e-mail from the Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action (EEO/AAO) Office on Sept. 17, requesting her to complete a form allowing the release of all her medical information, including treatment and prognosis, in order to receive the sticker. To be designated as a handicapped driver by the Department of Motor Vehicles, state residents must submit a form completed by a doctor, along with a $5 fee. Thornton, a mass communication senior, said her medical history should be viewed only by medical professionals. And she refused to comply with the school’s request. “I was upset because I had already done what the state required me to do to get my handicapped sticker,” said Thornton, a selfdescribed “non-traditional student.” EEO/AAO director Andria Knight, in an e-mail sent to Thornton, said the release is necessary to verify her disability and “to further determine qualifications for disability campus parking accommodations.” Requiring such information is necessary so the system isn’t abused, Knight said. “There are many people who were getting over,” she said. “People were abusing the process by using other people’s disability stickers as their own.” Students with NCCU handicapped stickers are able to park in timed parking spaces as long as they want. University police will begin strict parking enforcement throughout campus today. Vehicles with illegal
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Practice space scarce
NCCU celebrates
MANDELA
Chancellor Charlie Nelms MICHAEL DEWEESE-FRANK/ Echo Staff Photographer
Nelms renews focus Chancellor’s speech calls for transformation of beliefs, behaviors BY NATALIA PEARSON-FARRER ECHO STAFF REPORTER
South African President Nelson Mandela speaks in the U.S. Capitol rotunda in 1998 as former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and President Bill Clinton look on. Former President Clinton and the Congress presented Mandela with a Congressional Gold Medal for ending apartheid and promoting reconciliation in South Africa. CHUCK KENNEDY/KRT
BY MONIQUE WHITE ECHO STAFF REPORTER
The department of student leadership, training and development will host a University-wide celebration of humanitarian and revered leader Nelson Mandela this month. The Oct. 11-17 celebration will commemorate the life of Mandela with a number of activities and events. The Nelson Mandela Celebration: Honoring a Great Humanitarian and Leader was jump-started by Peggy Watson–Alexander, director of student leadership, training and development. Watson-Alexander said she got the idea of celebrating Mandela’s life while attending a workshop last spring. At the workshop she heard former South African ambassador James A. Joseph speak about his
experience with leadership while working with Mandela from 1996-99. Watson-Alexander said she already recognized that Mandela was a historically important leader, but her meeting with Joseph set off a spark that led to the program. Joseph will speak at B.N. Duke Oct. 14 at 4 p.m. “Our aim is to give the faculty and students an opportunity to engage in events that will enrich their lives on a holistic level,” said Watson-Alexander. “So often, students only address the issues that are in their immediate proximity, but we live in a global society,” she said. “We need to speak to the issues that are going on all around the world.” Working with a committee of students and faculty, Carlton Wilson, co-chair of
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Chancellor Charlie Nelms has three questions for every N.C. Central University student, alumni, faculty member, staff member, and supporter: “Do you believe in you?” “Do you believe in us?” “Are you committed to the University’s mission and vision?” At NCCU’s annual Fall
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Ga. site checks out BY GEOFFREY COOPER ECHO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Mrs. F.W. de Klerk, wife of F.W. de Klerk, the outgoing president of South Africa, listens to President Nelson Mandela speak about a new era in South Africa during his inauguration luncheon in Pretoria, South Africa, on May 10, 1994. DAVID TURNLEY/Detroit Free Press (KRT)
Chancellor Charlie Nelms and his administration can take a breather — for now. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges (SACS), NCCU’s primary accreditation agency, granted approval of degrees earned by the 25 graduates who attended the unapproved satellite campus located at New Birth
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Homeless get one-stop TLC Project Homeless provides medical, social services at Bulls Athletic Ballpark BY AMBERLY EATON ECHO STAFF REPORTER
BY BRANDI JOY MYERS ECHO REPORTER
Student organizations at N.C. Central University are facing a growing problem — there’s not enough space to go around. Modeling organizations such as Evalesco and Bon Vivant are having trouble getting practice space. Greek organizations also are having trouble getting space for their activities. At a Sept. 8 SGA meeting to discuss homecoming plans, Janay T. Jones, a mathematics and secondary education senior and
Dentist Siti Lowery (left) and her an assistant prepare an unidentified homeless man for some free dental work.
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BRYSON POPE/Echo Staff Photographer
There was a home run at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park last Thursday, but it wasn’t the kind you’d think. It was, rather, a home run hit for the homeless. And the batter: Project Homeless Connect. The project gathered a wide variety of services for the homeless. The project provided medical and dental care, legal and housing advice, haircuts, food stamps, child care enrollment and more for Durham’s homeless. “I got an opportunity to find out about agencies that can help me in my situation,”
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U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) tours Robben Island, South Africa with Ahmed Kathrada, background, Sunday, August 20, 2006. Robben Island, off the coast of Cape Town, is where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned as was Kathrada who was prisoner #468. PETE SOUZA /Chicago Tribune (MCT)
A car parked in a handicapped space on Dupree Street. MITCHELL WEBSON/Echo Staff Photographer
or unauthorized decals will be ticketed, towed and prosecuted. Thornton was told she could instead show her Social Security award letter, which verifies that she receives disability pension money. She also thought that was too personal. Knight, who wouldn’t discuss Thornton’s case specifically, said students are not obligated to release their medical records as long as
they provide proof of their disability. For now, Thornton parks about two blocks from campus. She believes her stateissued designation should be enough for an on-campus spot. “I choose to not pay the $150 [parking fee] and give them all my personal information for a parking space that probably won’t exist anyway,” she said.
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the celebration, said he wants students to know about Mandela’s place in history. “As we move further away from history makers, some students may not be aware of figures like Mandela,” Wilson said. Mandela is recognized for his leadership role in ending apartheid — the state- sanctioned racial separation of whites and blacks in South Africa. He got involved in politics in 1944 when he joined the African National Congress as an activist. He then established and became president of the ANC Youth League. In 1964, he was sentenced to life in prison for sabotage and trying to overthrow the government by violence. After 25 years in prison,
he was released on Feb. 2, 1990 after a protesters worldwide rallied in support of Mandela’s freedom. In 1991, Mandela was elected the first black president of South Africa. He remained president until 1999. Mandela has received more than 100 awards in his lifetime, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, which he shares with former South African president F.W. de Klerk. Biology junior Kenya Goins said the celebration is a great opportunity for students to better understand Mandela’s pursuit of justice. “Being at a historically black university, this gives me a greater appreciation for those who came before us,” she said.
The week’s events: Habitat for Humanity Service Project (Earn Community Service Hours) Saturday, Oct. 11 Time: 1p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Transportation provided. Noon pick-up at Alfonso Elder Student Union. Sign up at the Academic Community Service Learning Office, 530-5384. Worship Service and Lunch 10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 12. Grace Church of Durham Free transportation and lunch at Golden Corral following church service. Bus leaves at 9:15 a.m. from the George Street parking lot. Nelson Mandela Art Exhibition Tuesday, Oct. 14 through Sunday, Nov. 3. NCCU Art Museum
Forum: Dr. James Joseph 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14 Fmr. Ambassador to S. Africa Location: B.N. Duke Auditorium African Day Enjoy African cuisine and wear African attire. Wednesday, Oct. 15 NCCU Cafeteria Student and Organization Tributes to Mandela Honor Mandela through song, dance, poetry, and more. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16 H.M. Michaux School of Education Admission: Three canned goods for AIDS Project. Service Project: The Legacy Lives on Freedom Tree Planting Ceremony Friday, Oct. 17 Time: 3:30 p.m. Location: Outside Criminal Justice Building
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Faculty, staff and students listen while Chancellor Charlie Nelms reports on the state of the University at McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium Friday, Sept. 26. MICHAEL DEWEESE-FRANK/Echo Staff Photographer
Convocation on Sept. 26, Nelms delivered his second State of the University Address, charging each Eagle with the personal task of intensifying his or her focus on the NCCU community. “No matter how well positioned we are, the University cannot achieve its potential without a transformation of individual and collective beliefs, behaviors and actions,” Nelms said. He spoke with pride about the strategic and operative accomplishments of the past year throughout the University. “It is my contention that NCCU is doing a commendable job of achieving its mission,” he said. He gave examples of progress: an $800,000 federal grant to the School of Education, the accreditation of the School of Business’ Hospitality and Tourism Program, a $5.6 million grant to the College of Science and Technology, a 34 percent increase in private gifts, and the University’s adoption of new standards for admission. Nelms also outlined his operational priorities for the academic year, which included reaffirming the University’s accreditation, emphasizing intellectuality, increasing graduation and
retention rates, and focusing on his Quality Service Initiative. The chancellor announced the launch of the University’s Comprehensive Centennial Fund Drive, “Invest in the Vision,” with a fundraising target of $50 million by 2012, quipping that this seemingly massive amount is far less than the government’s proposed $700 billion financial bailout plan. Nelms hopes to raise half this amount by June 30, 2010, less than two weeks before the University’s centennial anniversary. On a more serious note, Nelms discussed the economic decline in North Carolina amid what he termed worldwide “turbulent times” of war, devastating natural and manmade disasters and an “economic tsunami.” “The world around us is more turbulent than at any time during my four decades in higher education,” he said. “If there was ever a time for North Carolina Central University to fulfill all aspects of its mission and vision, now is the time.” In a memo to the NCCU community, Nelms outlined plans to freeze vacancies in state-funded positions and to examine the University’s purchase and travel decisions.
Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Ga. The fate of some 45 current New Birth campus students remains in limbo. A Sept. 23 letter from SACS President Belle Wheelan to Nelms stated that although the site was not reported to SACS when it was created, the academic coursework completed by the 25 graduates provided them an education “comparable” to that of coursework provided at the Durham campus. “…since the Commission accredits institutions and not sites, this documenta-
tion supports my belief that the University’s granting of these degrees is appropriate,” Wheelan’s letter said. Nelms and his administration submitted a comprehensive report to SACS earlier this month outlining the New Birth site’s academic, financial and legal status. The decision was reached after extensive evaluations by NCCU and UNC General Administration representatives. Their report examined New Birth’s academic curriculum, student sustainability and faculty credentials.
The Georgia campus offered degrees in business administration, criminal justice and hospitality and tourism. External experts in these programs also were brought in to assess the curriculum. The off-site campus is home and preaching ground to 1976 NCCU alumnus and University trustee Bishop Eddie Long. The satellite campus was created in 2004 under the administration of former NCCU Chancellor James Ammons, now president of Florida A&M University. In an interview last
month with the News & Observer, Ammons said he assumed full responsibility for the program’s current situation. He said that he did not recollect all of the details of the program’s existence and thought it had already gone through the correct channels for approval. The program stopped admitting students in March 2007. The campus was shut down in June after it was discovered that the campus had not gone through the correct approval procedures.
PRACTICE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 president of NCCU’s BonVivant Fashion Society, complained that BonVivant has not been able to prepare for its show because it hasn’t been allocated practice space. “How can we be asked to perform in a homecoming show, and sign contracts for it, but aren’t allowed to practice on campus?” asked Jones. “We will have to do what is necessary at this point to produce the best possible product during Homecoming 2008. “As a student, I’ve looked to my student government and my adviser for assistance in securing a building for our use. “I’ve taken the proper chain of command and it seems nothing is working,” she said. Elementary education junior and Evalesco president Jaywon Armstrong said his organization has had to practice its home-
coming performance at a daycare center owned by the mother of an Evalesco member. “I feel that it is unfair for student organizations to not be accessible to buildings and practice spaces on campus,” he said. “This puts more stress on the student organizations’ leaders and members who are just trying to do what it takes to be successful.” Lucretia Pinckney, NCCU’s special events coordinator, said student organizations’ requests for space are being denied primarily because there simply isn’t enough space. But more space may be available in the Leroy T. Walker Physical Education Complex. According to Pinckney, Phillip Powell, director of facilities services, will be talking to Beverly Allen, chair of physical education and recreation, about
space in the complex. She also said that some organizations do not have good records of taking care of and cleaning up the spaces they use. She said these organizations are being denied on that basis. Residential Director Stewart Johnson said he used to provide space to student organizations in Ruffin Hall, but no more. “As a residential director I am charged with operations, maintenance, and upkeep of the building and I made my decision based off that,” Johnson said. “If someone is nice enough to allow you to use the room, then you should be nice enough to leave it in good condition.” Leaders of these organizations need to encourage their members to be more responsible for the upkeep of their practice space to ensure continued use.”
Procedures for space reservation: 1) An organization requesting use of NCCU facilities must fill out a form at the Facilities Use Office no later than 15 days prior to the event. 2) The coordinator receives the request and determines the appropriate space for the activity. 3) The coordinator enters the request in a database and sends the request to the supervisor of the requested facility to ensure that the facility is available for the requested date. 4) The Office of Special Events receives the supervisor’s approval or denial and posts the outcome in the database. 5) The outcome is e-mailed to the individual who requested the facility. 6) The coordinator lists the approved event, along with date, location and contact information for the user group, on the University calendar on the NCCU Web site.
Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2008
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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2008
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Got a beef, a kudo, an idea? Get out of town with a Fulbright
NCCU is Listening aims to improve the University’s customer service, one complaint, one idea at a time BY MICHAEL DEWEESE-FRANK ECHO STAFF REPORTER
Got a compliment, complaint, question or suggestion about something at N.C. Central University? If so, NCCU’s Quality Service Initiative (QSI) wants to hear from you, whether you’re a student, a teacher or a staff member. NCCU is Listening is where it all happens. It’s web form on the Quality Service Initiative’s Web site that lets the University community play a part in making NCCU a smoother running operation. Comments can be made about anything or any department at the University. Chancellor Charlie Nelms introduced the Quality Service Initiative in fall 2007. Students say they like the idea behind NCCU is Listening. “I think it’s good ... students have a lot of opinions and it will be good at getting those opinions heard,” said Candace Taylor, elementary education freshman. Judith C. Bell, QSI director of training and development, said student feedback is important “… to help us understand what the issues and concerns are.” When the program first began, the initiative received little feedback, but in the last month or so, 25 comments have been received. “I am encouraged by the number of complaints
BY JASON JONES ECHO STAFF REPORTER
Students can find NCCU is Listening at: http://web.nccu.edu/administration/QSI/nccuislistens.php MICHAEL DEWEESE-FRANK/Echo Staff Photographer
we’ve received recently,” said Bell, adding that she wants to see more participation, especially from NCCU students. “Complaints are like the tip of an iceberg,” said Bell. If one person makes a complaint, she explained, there are usually many more people with the same complaint who haven’t bothered to tell us. Bell said she plans to work with the Student Government Association to get more students to comment using the NCCU is Listening form. “My primary mission right now is to keep it visible,” said Bell. Feedback is “crucial in providing data,” said Bell, who explained that NCCU
is Listening helps the University capture data systematically so something can be done. The NCCU is Listening form does require the user to provide contact information. “Anonymity destroys the credibility of their concerns,” said Bell. The initiative may need further information from whoever submitted the feedback to make sure the issue is addressed accurately and appropriately. Bell said she checks to make sure that everyone who has made a comment using the NCCU is Listening form has received a response within 24 hours. “All the ones we’ve
received to this date have been responded to,” added Bell. Collecting feedback on NCCU is Listening is just one function of the initiative. Other functions include training, recognition and awards, which will be aimed at University administrators, faculty and staff. The initiative’s mission includes “… improving the quality of student life, increasing learning and increasing customer satisfaction.” Overall, in this initiative, Bell feels the main customers are the students. “Nobody can do anything alone,” said Bell. “I want more people to be a part of the solution.”
By all accounts, it’s important for students to be exposed to other countries and cultures. But N.C. Central University students are taking little advantage of one highly recognized study abroad program— the U.S. Student Fulbright Program. The program, which funds 1,500 seniors and graduate students a year, pays a stipend and research allowance, and covers transportation and medical insurance expenses. So far, only one NCCU student has participated in the program — Kevin Hales, a history student who traveled to Ghana in 1997. Hales described the experience as life-changing and recommended that students work hard to find some way to study abroad. “Overall, I learned a lot more about myself in that one semester than I did in the three and a half years in my home school,” said Hales. He described his experience as “a unique space in which I learned, experienced, and spent exploring another culture.” Olivia Jones, NCCU’s assistant director of International Affairs and Fulbright program adviser, said competition for the Student Fulbright Program is fierce. For example, the program received 467 applications for travel to South
Africa and the Sub-Sahara region but only funded 50. The Fulbright Student Program is part of a larger international exchange program funded by the U.S. Department of State, which sent some 6,000 scholars, students and professionals abroad at a cost of $262 million in 2007. Since the program was established in 1946, it has sent about 82,000 Americans abroad. According to its web site the international exchange program was initiated “to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.” Morgan State University has been the most successful historically black university to get students into the Fulbright Student Program. In all, MSU has had 120 students on Fulbright-related study abroad grants. Since 1993, UNC-Chapel Hill students have received 104 program grants. Jones said there are opportunities to study abroad besides the Fulbright. “Just because most of our students get turned down doesn’t mean they can’t ever study abroad,” said Jones. Jones said students interested in studying abroad should set up an appointment at the Office of International Affairs in room 118 of the Lee Biology
Internships – We want ’em. They’ve got ’em. Career Services Web site allows job seekers to build and post portfolios for employers to see BY CARA OXENDINE ECHO STAFF REPORTER
Everyone imagines graduating from college, getting a great job and living happily ever after — but that’s not always the case. Competition is fierce and jobs are limited. N.C. Central University’s Career Services program is being revamped to help students transition into this changing workforce. Internships seem to be the easiest way for students to improve their resumes and ensure a job after graduation. Some departments, such as the department of
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environmental science, even require them. Career Services is “trying to coordinate a concerned effort across campus to track where people are and what they are doing, how internships are handled and maybe even help” said Charmaine McKissick-Melton, associate professor and internship coordinator in the department of mass communication. Donna Hembrick, Assistant Director of Experiential Education in Career Services, has been here one month. “I want to move towards a new process, or a new way of thinking,”
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said Hembrick. She’s using evaluations and surveys to track students participating in internships as well as working with individual departments, students and employers. This process allows her department to track trends, so it can actively recruit employers that students are interested in. “If you want an internship for the summer, you need to start looking now,” said Melton. NCCU students are competing for the same spots as students at nearby universities. “Your sophomore year is not too early to start either pursuing an
internship, or at least the thought process,” said Hembrick. Teccara Carmack, mass communication senior, encouraged students to use Career Services “because it is so helpful” — she got an internship with ABC-11 news by being persistent and prepared. “I met Monica Barnes a long time ago and gave her my resume, but she came back for a luncheon and I met her again, said Carmack. “I told her I was interested in an internship and she took my resume again … and I got into the program.” Those who register with the Career Services Web site are regis-
tering with EagleTRAK (ET), a job and internship search site that allows participants to build a portfolio and resume for employers to see. “We post all of our openings, full and part-time, on ET so you can go into the system and search the database for internships that may be of interest to you” said Hembrick. Career Services is online at www.nccu.edu/students/careerservices.cfm. The site includes links to job and salary research, developmental workshops, lessons on corporate etiquette and mock interviews.
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White dwarf previews sun’s death Astronomers say sun has about 4 billion years left to shine BY ROBERT S. BOYD MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS (MCT)
WASHINGTON — Astronomers at 25 observatories around the world began aiming their telescopes this week at a preview of our sun’s eventual death. Their target is a slowly cooling “white dwarf ” star in the constellation Virgo that eventually will become a cold, black cinder. A similar fate is forecast for the sun, but not to worry. That won’t happen for at least 4 billion years. “Someday the sun will be a white dwarf,” said Judith Provencal, an astronomer at the University of Delaware in Newark. “It’s forming the white dwarf in its core right now.” Most stars become white dwarfs after they exhaust their nuclear fuel. They aren’t burning anymore, as the sun is, but glowing like embers in a dying fire. Dwarfs are extremely dense, holding as much material as the sun in a body the size of our planet. Astronomers say that a teaspoon of white dwarf material would weigh about a ton on Earth. The series of white dwarf observations, scheduled to run until May 1, is a project of an international astro-
nomical network known as the Whole Earth Telescope. The viewings began Wednesday night at the Southern African Large Telescope, a 39-foot-wide mirror in Sutherland, South Africa. Observatories in Spain, Delaware, Texas, Arizona, Hawaii, New Zealand, Australia, China and so on around the globe will provide around-theclock coverage, ending May 1 in Brazil. “We like to have two telescopes at each longitude,” said Provencal, the coordinator of the project. “That way, if one is cloudy, hopefully the other won’t be.” A trial run at four European observatories last November failed because Europe was socked in by snow and clouds the entire month. The target, a white dwarf known as IU Vir, some 300 trillion miles from Earth, alternately brightens and dims as huge blobs of material in its interior rise and fall, rather like a lava lamp. The goal of the observations is to determine the rate of changes in the star’s brightness over time, which will let astronomers figure out how fast it’s cooling. The rate slows slightly as the star cools.
Region of condensing matter
Stage Sun is at now
Red giant
Outer layers expand, cool and shine less brightly
Source: McClatchy Washington Bureau Graphic: Lee Hulting, Judy Treible
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Planetary nebula
White dwarf
Gaseous shell that moves around diminishing core
Inner core; star cools, dims © 2008 MCT
“Once a white dwarf forms, all it does is sit there and cool,” Provencal said. “So we can measure the temperature of a white dwarf, and we can figure out how long it took to cool to that temperature and hence determine how old it is.” Currently, the temperature of IU Vir is thought to be about 21,500 degrees Fahrenheit. The coolest known white dwarf is about 2,500 degrees. Astronomers think that white dwarfs are the final stage in the evolution of a low- or medium-mass star,
such as our sun. When the sun burns up all its hydrogen, it will swell into an enormous “red giant” that will swallow everything in the solar system as far out as Mars. In time, the red giant will shed its outer layers, forming a ringlike object called a planetary nebula. Its core will be a white dwarf. By the time that happens, the Earth will have been destroyed and mankind with it, unless our descendants have found a way to reach a planet circling another, younger star.
WASHINGTON — Americans rank last in a new National Geographic-sponsored survey released Wednesday that compares environmental consumption habits in 14 countries. Americans were least likely to choose the greener option in three out of four categories — housing, transportation and consumer goods — according to the assessment. In the fourth category, food, Americans ranked ahead of Japanese consumers, who eat more meat and seafood. The rankings, called “Greendex,” are the first to compare the lifestyles and behaviors of consumers in multiple countries, according to the National Geographic Society. It plans to conduct the 100-plus question survey annually and considers trends more important than yearly scores, said Terry Garcia, executive vice president of National Geographic’s mission programs. “This is not just a onetime snapshot,” Garcia said. “Some of the most important information may yet be revealed.” India and Brazil tied for
the highest score — 60 points out of 100. U.S. consumers scored 44.9. In between, China scored 56.1, Mexico 54.2, Hungary 53.2, Russia 52.4, Great Britain 50.2, Germany 50.2, Australia 50.2, Spain 50, Japan 49.1, France 48.7 and Canada 48.5. Results are based on 1,000 online respondents per country interviewed by GlobeScan, an international polling firm based in Toronto. To see how you score, take an abbreviated version of the survey. It’s at: http://event.nationalgeographic.com/greendex/ A separate GlobeScan survey showed consumers in Brazil, Mexico and China to be most concerned about global warming. In general, people in developing countries were more worried about harming the environment than those in developed ones were. They also live in smaller houses, are more likely to consume locally produced food and more likely to get to work by foot, bike or public transportation. The consumer choice rankings were adjusted for factors in which individuals have no control, such as climate and the availability of mass transit.
HOMELESS
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MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS (MCT)
About 4 billion years from now, the Sun will slowly fade and burn out. The life cycle of stars, including the Sun: Sun-like star
U.S. low on survey of green habits BY QUEENIE WONG
The fate of the Sun Protostar
Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2008
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 said Larry, a homeless client who asked to be referred by his first name. Homeless clients also were able to get help getting copies of birth certificates and state IDs. Veterans were able to find out about military benefits and medical services available to them. “It’s just great to be able to help so many people with so many things all in one place at one time,” said NCCU social work senior Bruce Hanks. Hanks is an intern with Project Homeless Connect. According to the Triangle United Way, there were about 500 homeless individuals living in Durham in 2006. Of these 500, 157 were considered chronically homeless and 64 were children. About 21 percent were veterans and 10 percent were suffering from a mental illness. A large number, 73 percent, were chronic substance users. Volunteers at the event included NCCU and Duke students, community lead-
A homeless client receives dental care during Project Homeless Connect at Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Thursday. BRYSON POPE/Echo Staff Photographer
ers, pastors and church members, doctors and dentists. This is the second year the event has been held in Durham. Last year, the project’s 136 volunteers served 231 homeless clients. Lanea Foster, Project
Homeless Connect’s coordinator, said the most rewarding thing about the event “is for someone to come to the event without housing and leave with housing.” Foster is a resource specialist for Durham’s Ten-Year Plan to End
Chronic Homelessness. The Ten-Year plan is a project of Durham County, the City of Durham, and the Triangle United Way. Orange and Wake counties also held homeless connect events last Thursday.
T h u r s d a y, October 2
SAVE THE DATE Just in cas se th he “I’m starting an online company” idea doesn’’t pan outt. Now is a perfect time to take the GRE® Test for grad school. Your scores are good for 5 years—giving you plenty of time to try a few things first. Think of it as having an insurance policy for your future. Text GRE17 to 78473 for a sneak peek at the practice questions. gradtestGRE.com Standard rates apply. Copyright © 2008 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).
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2008 Fall Career Fair North Carolina Central University Thursday, October 2, 2008 L.T. Walker Complex 10:00 am– 1:00 pm Dark Professional Suit Required For more information visit the University Calendar at
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Beyond NCCU
Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2008
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Admission officers peeking at Facebook, MySpace Colleges turning to social-networking sites to find out more about college applicants BY EMMA GRAVES FITZSIMMONS AND BONNIE MLLER RUBIN CHICAGO TRIBUNE (MCT)
CHICAGO — Lauren Pfeiffer said she doesn’t have to worry about what’s on her Facebook profile, but she can’t say the same about her fellow students. “Some of my friends could get in trouble with their photos,� said the junior at Andrew High School in Tinley Park, Ill. “I wouldn’t want it to be a deciding factor in their future.� The idea that a lapse in cyber-judgment could alter a life trajectory might once have been dismissed as paranoia. But with some admissions officers confirming in a new survey that they visit social-networking sites, high schoolers say getting into college is no longer
only about sky-high test scores and impressive extracurricular activities. Now it means being smart about their online personas as well. In a new survey, 10 percent of admissions officers from prestigious schools said they had peeked at sites like Facebook and MySpace to evaluate college-bound seniors. Of those using the profiles, 38 percent said it had a “negative impact� on the applicant, according to Kaplan Inc., the education services company that polled the officers. At least one admissions officer had rescinded an offer because of an applicant’s postings, the survey results showed. The survey went out to 500 schools — of which 320 responded – in July and August and promised anonymity. The finding highlights a
“Today's application is not just what you send ... but whatever they can Google about you.� JEFF OLSEN HEAD OF RESEARCH FOR KAPLAN’S TEST PREPARATION DIVISION
technological world moving so fast that neither the students nor the schools have had time to factor in all the implications. What’s clear is that students have yet another potential obstacle to navigate in an increasingly fierce competition for slots in the country’s top universities. The networking sites were virtually nonexistent five years ago but now are approaching cell phone use in popularity. With few schools having formal guidelines in place, “we’re in a period of figuring out this technology ... and exactly where the
VOTING IS THE CORNERSTONE OF DEMOCRACY ATTENTION STUDENTS NOTICE OF HISTORICAL ELECTION EVENT Tuesday, November 4, 2008
boundaries are going to be,� said Jeff Olson, who heads research for Kaplan’s test preparation division. At the University of Notre Dame, which received 14,000 applications for 1,985 slots last year, assistant provost for enrollment Dan Saracino said he and his staff “don’t go out of our way� to scrutinize students online, but sometimes they come across a candidate portraying himself or herself in a lessthan-flattering light. “It’s typically inappropriate photos — like holding up a can of beer at a party,� Saracino said. In those instances, he will reach out and ask that age-old parental query: “What were you thinking?� “We try to turn it into a teaching moment,� he said. “It’s an opportunity to let students know that what they put on these sites is not just between you and your friends, but you and the world.� On the other hand, using the Internet to vet someone’s character seems overly intrusive to Northwestern University’s Christopher Watson. “We consider Facebook and MySpace their personal space,� said the dean of undergraduate admissions. “It would feel somewhat like an invasion of privacy.� That sentiment was sec-
onded by Ted O’Neill, dean of admissions at the University of Chicago, who was surprised by the survey’s results. “We don’t have a policy not to look; we just don’t look,� he said. “Despite the fact that these things are semi-public ... I don’t think we should be spying on things that aren’t intended for us.� Even so, the findings give adults a bit of extra ammunition in urging discretion — not always the first impulse for adolescents. Gloria Mueller, college counseling coordinator at Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, Ill, said she has been telling kids to be careful with their postings ever since she first heard that colleges, as well as and employers, were checking out Web sites. “You never know when this will come back to bite you,� she said. Sharyn Reiff of Skokie, Ill., already had “the talk� a couple of years ago with her son, Jordan, a senior at Niles North High School, that resulted in his deleting some inappropriate content. “He loves his Facebook and he makes it funny, but he knows it has to be good, clean fun,� said Reiff, whose son has his hopes pinned on Brown University or Reed College.
“He also knows that there are a lot talented kids out there and he needs every advantage he can get.� Ethan Goldsmith, a senior, said he, too, already was exercising caution because New Trier Township High School has suspended students from sports teams for brandishing a beer in photos online. Kaplan’s Olson stressed that schools weren’t routinely checking the sites as part of the evaluation process but were visiting only if there is was something troublesome in the application or information that needs needed to be confirmed. With colleges expecting a record number of applications this year, the survey results should serve as a wake-up call for both students and parents, he said. “Today’s application is not just what you send ... but whatever they can Google about you,� Olson said. For Pfeiffer, thinking about her friends’ photos and profanity-laden “bumper stickers� — and how easily it all could be misinterpreted — led her to this conclusion: “I will definitely be changing my privacy settings now.� Tribune reporter Jodi S. Cohen also contributed to this report.
The Durham County Board of Elections will conduct a General Election on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. All of our 57 polling places will be open from 6:30am until 7:30pm. Races on the ballot will be: US President and Vice President, US Senate, US House of Representatives, Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Auditor, Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Insurance, Commissioner of Labor, Secretary of State, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Treasurer, NC Senate 18,20, NC House 29,30,31,55, District Attorney, County Commissioner (5), Register of Deeds, NC Supreme Court Associate Justice, NC Court of Appeals Judge (6), District Court Judge, Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor, and Tax Referendum.
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All registered voters residing in Durham County are eligible and encouraged to vote in this election. Voters who are currently registered need not re-register. Citizens who have not registered or voters who have moved or changed other information since they last voted must notify the Board of Elections by 5pm, Friday, October 10, 2008.
YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE REGISTER NOW & VOTE NOTICE OF ONE STOP NO EXCUSE ABSENTEE VOTING Any Durham County registered voter can vote early — you’ll receive the exact same ballot as you would at your precinct on Election day. If you have moved, it is easy to update your address at any one stop site.
ONE STOP LOCATIONS • Board of Elections Office: 706 W. Corporation St, Durham, NC 27701 • NCCU Campus: Parrish Center Meeting Room, 1400 S. Alston Ave, Durham, NC 27707 • Duke University Campus: Old Trinity Room, West Union, 114 Chapel Dr, Durham, NC 27708
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• North Regional Library: 231 Milton Rd, Durham, NC 27712 • East Regional Library: 211 Lick Creek Ln, Durham, NC 27703 • Forest View Elementary: 3007 Mt. Sinai Rd, Durham, NC 27705 • Southwest Elementary: 2320 Cook Rd, Durham, NC 27713
ONE STOP HOURS (SAME FOR ALL 7 LOCATIONS) • Thur-Sat
Oct 16-18
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• Sun
Oct 19
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• Mon-Sat
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SAME DAY REGISTRATION-Voters are allowed to register and vote at one stop sites. It is quicker and easier to register in advance, but if you have not registered you can do it at one stop with proper identification. (This same day registration is not allowed at the precincts on election day.)
Information regarding registration, polling locations, absentee by mail voting, one stop hours, or other election matters may be obtained by contacting the Board of Elections at: 919-560-0700 or www.co.durham.nc.us/elec or 706 W. Corporation St., Durham, NC, 27701
You’re more likely to score better on the GRE Test while you’re still in school. And, the bonus — your GRE Score is good for 5 years. Give it a practice shot. Text GRE18 to 78473.
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Power puff girrrrrlz
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Story and Photography by Mitchell Webson ast September, N.C. Central University undergraduate intramural coordinator senior, Jason Rutherford, under advisement from Coach Vaughan, began a men’s intramural flag football team. He said it would give students an extracurricular opportunity. “What about the students who are not participating in anything?” asked Rutherford. “Other than classwork, intramurals sports is life to them.” With the success of the men’s team, Rutherford thought it was necessary to start a women’s intramural flag football team. After several requests from interested students, Rutherford held an interest meeting at the L. T. Walker Complex in late August. Women who wanted to play signed up and got their assigned teams. There are eight teams with a total of 60 girls who play each other in the pre-season. The best females from each team are allowed to travel and play against schools like St. Augustine College and Shaw University. The women’s team is scheduled to participate in the Historically Black College University Challenge, to be played at NCCU on Oct. 11. The tournament allows all HBCU flag football teams to compete. This is the first year that men and women’s intramural teams will play in the tournament, as well as the first year that the women will serve as “power puffs” instead of “powder puffs.” According to Rutherford, the name, powder puff is often associated with femininity. “We treasure our NCCU women and want to empower them, so we change the name from powder to power,” he said. Rutherford is looking for interested students before the start of the Oct. 4 season. They can e-mail him at Jruther1@mail.nccu.edu.
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Shericka Lee (2) goes for Joy Hutchinson’s (15) flag while Alise Wanger (9) throws a block.
Shanay Newkirk (3) Kiara Ingram(19) Terry Burgess (1) on the sideline watching a play.
Cierra Gill (11) uses a juke move to get free from defenders.
NCCU’s Power Puff team celebrates a win over St. Augustine.
Jackie Dearring (1) breaks loose from a defender.
A&E
Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2008
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There’s no place like... “Home, ” the Tony-Award-nominated play, comes to NCCU BY LEESA SWIFT ECHO STAFF WRITER
“Home,” a play written by N.C. Central University artist-in-residence SammArt Williams, opens Friday at the University Theatre. “Home” received a 1980 Tony Award nomination for “Best Broadway Play.” The play tells the story of a happy-go-lucky farm boy named Cephus Miles, played by theatre freshman Alphonse Nicholson. Cephus suffers a number of misfortunes, including the death of a father figure and the loss of his childhood sweetheart. Cephus endures and overcomes these hardships by turning to the teachings instilled in him as a child. The voices guide and remind him of his identity. “It’s the recognition that these voices are those of loved ones reminding him of who he was, is, and will always will be,” said Karen Dacons-Brock, associate professor and director. “‘Home’ is about triumph over adversity and keeping one’s faith despite circumstances that seem insurmountable,” said Dacons-Brock. She said the plays encompasses numerous themes. “... For me it is about keeping your roots inside you,” she said. “In the end
you usually come back to who you really are.” Dacons-Brock said her version of the play uses Negro spirituals, such as “Steal Away” and “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel,” more than the original play. “Being a musical is what Samm-Art Williams had always wanted,” she said. The musical arrangements are by Grover Wilson, Jr., NCCU’s director of choral activities. The play is choreographed by Stafford Berry Jr., associate artistic director of the Chuck Davis African-American Dance Ensemble. Williams is known for his work in television. He was co-executive producer of the critically acclaimed “Frank’s Place” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Williams wrote “Home” in 1975 while living in Cephus Miles, played by Alphonse Nicholson, courts the love of his New York City. life, Pattie Mae, played by theatre junior Johanna Burwell in In 2007, he told the “Home,” a play by NCCU artist-in-residence Samm-Art Williams. Campus Echo that at the Courtesy of Karen Dacons-Brock age of 15 he was inspired by Langston Hughes’ T.E. Kalem of Time maga10-12. poem “I Too Sing zine as a “prose poet with Performances are at 8 America.” a lavish sense of humor.” p.m. except the Sunday “I then decided that I His plays have examshows, Oct. 5 and 12, wanted my words to ined African-American which are at 2 p.m. inspire others as well,” life in rural and urban Tickets are $15 for gensaid Williams. settings, abandoned slaves eral admission and $10 Williams was born in during the Civil War, and for NCCU students, senBurgaw, N.C. near minstrel entertainers in iors, and children ages 4 Wilmington in 1946. He the 19th century. to 17. Children under 4 studied political science Performances of will not be admitted. at Morgan State “Home” are scheduled for Ticket information is University. tonight, Oct. 3-5 and Oct. available at 530-5170. He was described by
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Hip hop, history of the word BY ERICA MCRAE ECHO STAFF WRITER
Born out of a need for open-mic expression, poetry slams have become more popular since the early 1980s. Spoken word poetry has spread to television and Broadway and has been recognized by educators as an aid to a generation threatened by the loss of language skills. “History of the Word,” which opens Oct. 3 at Durham’s Carolina Theatre, fuses hip hop, spoken word, music and theater into an extraordinary theatrical performance. This play follows the lives of six high school students over a single day as they struggle with their identities and learn to navigate the world, filled with dreams, fears, and a constant need to be accepted. The Durham performance, the play’s world premiere, is performed by a cast of young, multicultural artists who explore themes that affect young people today, like self-image, family, and religion. Only through writing and spoken word can the students move towards empowerment and acceptance.
By exploring the relationships between their history, lives, and their languages, “History” challenges these students to step up to the mic, find their voices, and celebrate their diversity. Originally conceived by Orin Wolf, “History” is intended to do for spoken word what “A Chorus Line” did for dancers. Wolf composed a book of hundreds of poems from six of the country’s most talented spoken word poets, which was later turned into the basis for playwright Ben Snyder’s script. In this book, the poets write about their high school experiences and issues that were most important in their lives. Variety News hailed the play as “a vividly profound celebration of pride, hope and determination.” They deemed it “insightful, inspiring and compelling.” The Carolina Theatre is located at 309 West Morgan Street in downtown Durham. Shows are Oct. 3 and 4 at 8:00 p.m. Through the generosity of Duke University, tickets, normally $40, are discounted to $5 for any university student.
Bull City blues Annual Durham festival draws 15,000, raises $$ for Hayti BY DAVID L. FITTS, JR ECHO STAFF WRITER
It’s not every day that legends make it to an event in Durham The place where legends come every year is The Bull Durham Blues Festival. The festival, held each September, is presented by St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation, Inc. and is a major fundraiser in support of St. Joseph’s Hayti Heritage Center. This year, the festival was held from Sept. 18 - 20. Held at the new Durham Bulls Athletic Park, the festival started 21 years ago in 1987. Until this year, the festival has been held at the original Durham Athletic Park. The festival was held at the new park because the original park is being renovated. “Putting the festival together is an exciting challenge,” said Dianne Pledger, executive producer of the Bull Durham Blues Festival. Pledger, who has been at Hayti for 18 years, thoroughly enjoys blues music, especially that played at the
festival. “No two Blues festivals are the same,” said Pledger. The weekend started Thursday night at Hayti with a concert featuring Scott Ainslie & Ernie Hawkings and The M. S.G. Acoustic Trio. Friday and Saturday night concerts were held at the park. Friday night’s line-up included Marcia Ball, Clarence Carter, Rosie Ledet, and the Contagious Blues Band. The final night’s line-up included
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Jazmine Sullivan Fearless J Records
3out of 5 on the black hand side
It’s been a long time coming for Philly native Jazmine Sullivan, and I must say it was well worth the wait. Her recently released album, Fearless, is exactly what was expected — soulful, energetic and diverse, despite the late start that the songbird and writer got after being dropped from a label at 17. Now four years later, Sullivan has spread her wings, writing and singing songs about the good and bad experiences that many may encounter. There isn’t one track on the album that sounds like the next. There is a little something on this album to cater to all.
out
Taj Mahal, Denise Lasalle, Bernard Allison, and Big Road Blues. Throughout the weekend, both attendance and excitement grew. Approximately 15,000 people attended. The festival brings not only fans, but also musicians. A longtime lover of the blues, Mel Melton has performed at the Blues Festival three times. This year was Melton’s first year attending the festival as a vendor. Melton owns a Durham restaurant, Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse. He and his band, “Mel Melton & The Wicked Mojos,” have opened for legends, including the late Isaac Hayes, who performed at the Bull Durham Blues Festival in 2003. Melton has been involved with the Blues Festival since 1994. He once served on the committee that selected the entertainment for the blues festival. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community,” said Marie Simmons, a volunteer. As another festival cames to an end, preparation is already underway to get next year’s Bull Durham Blues Festival organized.
The Carolina Theatre of Durham presents an urban, contemporary and deeply human performance.
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There is a little blues, like the track, “Bust Windows,” which gives knowledge to all the fellas about the consequences of heartache. “One Night Stand” speaks of a man who just couldn’t get enough after one night. Sullivan’s first single, “Need U Bad” is a hit single, produced by music extravaganza Missy Elliot. This single has received radio play and has consistently been at the top of the charts. The album comes with a remix to the track “Need U Bad,” with T.I., the guy everyone loves to hate. With hot tracks like these, this new album should be in every woman’s cd player. Sullivan’s voice is soulful yet fresh, reaching vocal ranges that I didn’t think existed anymore. Be sure to cop Sullivan’s new album, Fearless, because she proves herself to be exactly that. — Chasity Nicole
Keep your options open. Take the GRE® Test for grad school. You’re more likely to do better while you’re still in school — and your GRE Scores are good for 5 years.
Practice for free now. Text GRE16 to 78473. startGRE.com
Standard rates apply. Copyright © 2008 by Educational Testing Service. All rights reserved. ETS, the ETS logo, and GRE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service (ETS).
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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2008
Classifieds BUY A CLASSIFIED AD FOR JUST $10
NCCU WRITING STUDIO
PART T III
You wouldn’t wait until the night before to practice for the big game ...
Thursday, October 9, 2008
10:40 Break Alfonso Elder Student Union
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So why wait until the last minute to start your paper?
Walk-Ins welcome, but appointments prefered Monday & Thursday from 10 am - 5 pm Wednesday 10 am - 6 pm
Nelson Mandela Celebration: Honoring a Great Humanitarian and Leader October 11-17, 2008
Friday 10 am - 2 pm Room 339 Farrison-Newton Communications Building 530-7554 writingstudio@nccu.edu Director Dr. Karen Keaton Jackson
Student Leadership Training and Development
Join us in our week long celebration of the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela
For more information contact: Mrs. Peggy Watson Alexander, Director of Student Leadership, Training and Development Tel: (919) 530-7088 E-mail: palex@nccu.edu
Habitat for Humanity Service Project - Earn Community Service Hours Saturday, Oct. 11 Time: 1-4:30 pm Transporation provided. Noon pick up at Alfonso Elder Student Union. Sign up at Academic Community Service Learning Office, 5305384. Worship Service and Lunch 10 am Sunday, Oct. 12. Grace Church of Durham Free transportation and lunch at Golden Corral following church service. Bus leaves at 9:15 am from the George Street parking lot. Nelson Mandela Art Exhibition Tuesday, Oct. 14 through Sunday, Nov. 3. NCCU Museum Forum-Dr. James Joseph 4 pm Tuesday, Oct. 14 Former Ambassador to South Africa Location: B.N. Duke Auditorium African Day Enjoy African cuisine and wear African attire. Wednesday, Oct. 15 NCCU Cafeteria Student and Organization Tributes to Mandela Honor Mandela through song, dance, poetry, and more. 6:30 pm Thursday, Oct. 16 H.M. Micheaux School of Education Admission: Three canned goods for AIDS Project. Service Project: The Legacy Lives on Freedom Tree Planting Ceremony Friday, Oct. 17 Time: 3:30 pm Location: Outside Criminal Justice Buliding
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Sports
Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2008
Movin’ on up Lady Eagles place second in tourney BY ANIELLE DA SILVA ECHO SPORTS EDITOR
The Lady Eagles volleyball team earned second place last weekend in the N.C. Central University invitational volleyball tournament. On the first day, the Eagles dropped their first match of the day to Houston Baptist University for a score of 3-0 (25-22, 2624, 25-16). However, at the night contest, NCCU defeated South Carolina State University 3-1 (25-20, 22-25, 25-19, 25-18) to earn a day-one split. The winning streak continued on the second day when the Lady Eagles swept Alabama State University in the first match of the day with a convincing 3-0 victory (2512, 25-2, 25-21). NCCU Shaina Pryor, junior right side hitter, amassed a match-high of 11 kills on 18 attempts, while adding two blocks to lead the Eagles. Rookie setter Kiara Brown, sophomore, came off the bench for 13 assists. In the second game, against Hampton University, NCCU defeated the Lady Pirates 3-0 (25-21, 26-24, 25-14). Belinda BehnckeBiney, sophomore, outside hitter, served seven straight points in the first set, including three consecutive service aces to help NCCU to victory. In the second set, Behncke-Biney added 10 kills, five service aces and nine digs. Avaniki Campbell, junior outside hitter, and Nadia Hayes, junior middle blocker, added nine kills each. Junior libero Rachel Lloyd helped the team with a team high of 10 digs. NCCU posted a 3-1 record to achieve second place in the event. Houston Baptist went 40 to claim the NCCU Invitational title. The Lady Huskies were led by alltournament player Megan Klimitchek and tournament most valuable player Natalie Magat. In four matches for NCCU, Behncke-Biney amassed 31 kills, 29 digs and 20 service aces. Avaniki Campbell collected 34 kills and four blocks, and Shaina Pryor recorded 24 kills and six blocks. Lloyd also totaled 41 digs. B e h n c k e - B i n e y, Campbell and Lloyd earned All-Tournament Team recognition as NCCU won three matches. NCCU hosts Charleston Southern University Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. at McLendonMcDougald Gymnasium.
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Old school rivalry revisited EAGLES & AGGIES CLASH IN QUEEN CITY’S MEMORIAL STADIUM THIS SATURDAY BY AARON SAUNDERS ECHO SPORTS REPORTER
In 1924, it was called the Turkey Day Classic. But now we call it the AggieEagle Classic — and it’s one of the nation’s fiercest rivalries between any two historically black universities in the country. That 1924 meeting set the stage for a historic rivalry – the teams played to a 13-13 stalemate. The Aggie-Eagle Classic has seen many great players, like people like civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, NFL Hall of Famer Elvin Bethea and current NFL players Maurice Hicks and Greg Peterson. “For 80 years it’s been a battle for tradition, and bragging rights between two of the most outstanding universities in the world. It also gives an opportunity for alumni from both schools to come together and enjoy great athletic competition it’s like a big homecoming,” said NCCU alumna LuAnn Edmonds-Harris. Since 1945, the game has been played every year except 1993 and 2006. A&T leads the series with a 4529-5 record. Many of these games have been close and hard fought. “This game is pretty intense; everybody is serious. We want to win, and during the week of the game and the night before the game, the intensity real-
NC A&T defenders pursue NCCU senior wide receiver Will Scott at last year’s Aggie-Eagle Classic. MITCHELL WEBSON/Echo Staff Photographer
ly picks up,” said NCCU Head Football Coach Mose Rison. Even though the Aggies have won 14 of the last 17 games, there is high competition between both teams and rivalry has grown more intense. It will only continue to grow since NCCU has made the jump to Football Championship Sub Division. The game was put on hold for one year in 2006
over monetary disputes. Nevertheless, the rivalry was renewed in 2007 as the two schools met for the first time as members of the Football Championship Sub Division. The Eagles sealed the victory on an interception by Eric Ray and proceeded to stomp on the Aggie logo, inspiring some Aggie players to charge the field and engage in a mêlée that was highly publicized on
ESPN’s Sports Center and Sports Illustrated. This fight almost brought an end to the classic for a while, but enemies always seem to find a way to meet again. “This is a big game. We are 0-4 right now, but this is like our championship game. This one game can change our whole season and we can carry the momentum of a win on
Saturday through the rest of the season,” said defensive back Rashad Fox. The Aggies bring a 2-3 record to the table and are led by running back Michael Ferguson and line backer Andre Thornton, while the Eagles 0-4 are led by quarterback Stadford Brown and defensive end Teryl White. Both teams will look to improve on their records on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 5 p.m.
Baseball team home at last BY MICHAEL DEWEESE-FRANK ECHO SPORTS REPORTER
The baseball team at N.C. Central University will have a new home field once renovation of the historic Durham Athletic Park is complete. Henry White, head coach for NCCU baseball, and George Smith, associate athletics director for external affairs, both said the NCCU Eagles would be the primary tenant at the renovated ballpark. “We now have a home,” said Smith. According to Smith and White, NCCU has played a major part in the renovation plans for Durham Athletic Park. “Everything should be tailored to us,” said White. The ballpark will get a new field and modern amenities, but will retain a historic look in order to preserve the landmark’s legacy. “To me, it’s ideal because I know the history of it,” said White.
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NCCU’s baseball team will have a new home at Durham’s historic athletic ballpark in the near future. MICHAEL DEWEESE-FRANK/Echo Staff Photographer
He said NCCU players “should know who came before them.” Durham Athletic Park was home to Durham’s baseball team for more than 45 years. The current stadium was built in 1939 after the original stadium burned to the
ground. Baseball was played at Durham Athletic Park under various team names and in various leagues until 1971, when the organization folded. The team was reestablished in 1980 as the Durham Bulls, and base-
EAGLELAND
ball resumed at Durham Athletic Park. In 1988, the film “Bull Durham” made the Bulls well-known, and the planned Durham Athletic Park renovation will incorporate some set pieces similar to those used in the film. Although preserving Durham’s baseball history and fame is an important aspect of the renovation, Smith said, “We will have fixed signage to indicate that it is the home of the NCCU baseball team.” In 1995, the Bulls moved from the Durham Athletic Park to the larger, more modern Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Since NCCU baseball was reintroduced two years ago, the team has played home games in the new stadium. White said the Bulls’ organization extended an “open hand” while the Eagles played there, but having a home field is important for NCCU. Moving to the renovated stadium “is a step up,” said White. Although NCCU will be
its primary tenant, Durham Athletic Park will continue to host various organizations and festivals which have used the field in the past. These include the popular Bull Durham Blues Festival, and the World Beer Festival. In addition, Minor League Baseball plans to use the older stadium as a training center for concessions, umpires and field crew. According to Smith, the intended use is a kind of Minor League “laboratory.” Smith said the shared use is “going to be a positive,” and that NCCU “will have access to the park like it’s our home.” For now, however, the Eagles might have to play another season without a home field. The renovation’s completion date has been pushed back, and the field will likely not be ready before the 2009 season. Until then, all Eagle games for the upcoming season are scheduled at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
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Opinions
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When we vote, we don’t just choose a candidate. We choose to begin building the world as it should be. ...
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When we vote this November, we’ll be casting our ballots for that world.
hen I was a kid, my father volunteered as a precinct captain for the Democratic Party in our neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. Some of my Michelle earliest Obama memories are of tagging along as he went from door to door. He registered people to vote. If our neighbors needed absentee ballots, he arranged it. He helped them figure out how they’d get to the voting booth on election day. He did all this because he believed in the value of each person’s voice in the political process. But it took me years to appreciate what he was teaching me during those walks around the neighborhood. Like so many people, I took my right to vote for granted. I never had to march for it. I never knew what it felt like to be turned away while others were told that their voice counted. So, when I got to vote for the first time, I did it dutifully—but without any excitement. But now I feel differently. And I hope every young person in this country can learn from me. Because what my dad was trying to show me was that vot-
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Voting for the world
Voting: who does and who doesn’t ... ere are some facts from a 2006 report by the U.S. Census Bureau about voter participation rates in the 2004 presidential election: • Only 64 percent of all eligible voters actually cast their ballots. • Citizens 55 years and older voted at a rate of 72 percent, while citizens aged 18-24 voted at a rate of 47 percent. • Eligible whites voted at a rate of 67 percent, while 60 percent of eligible blacks voted. • Poor and less educated citizens vote at much lower rates than richer, more educated citizens. • Blacks gave three main reasons for not registering to vote: They said they were not interested in the election or politics, did not meet registration deadlines, or thought that their vote would not make a difference. However, most citizens who do register end up voting. And you’ve got until Oct. 10 to do just that. You may not know every little detail that there is to know about this election. You may not watch CNN 24/7. And you may not be concerned about some pregnant teen’s baby’s daddy dropping out of school. But this you do know for sure: this election will be going down in the history books and it will affect everyone. Right now, our country is facing what might be considered its worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Who do you want in the White House trying to solve this crisis: John McCain or Barack Obama? Know this as well: it’s very likely to be a close election. Read the numbers above and do the math. Others will be voting. Will you? If you want to have your say in what goes down, the only way to do it is to be a citizen. Register and then vote.
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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2008
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ing is not a dry responsibility. Participating in the political process is challenging, fascinating and fun. Many young Americans already know this. During the past 19 months, I’ve traveled to every corner of the country with my husband on his thrilling campaign for the presidency. We have been dazzled by the young people we’ve met. Our country is full of bright, curious, creative and passionate young men and women, who have an enormous capacity for hard work and a deep belief that a better world is possible. So far, youth turnout in this campaign has been remarkable. More than six million young voters participated in primaries or caucuses this year. That’s an increase of more than 100 percent since 2004. And at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, nearly 1 in 5 delegates were between the ages of 18 and 29. I’ve seen this youthful energy and optimism before— when I met Barack, 20 years ago. When we were first getting to know one another, Barack took me to a community meeting in a neighborhood in Chicago where people were working hard to get back on their feet after local steel plants shut down and jobs dried up. There, Barack gave a talk about his expe-
riences as a community organizer. He spoke about the gap between the world as it is and the world as it should be. And he said that ordinary people can narrow that gap, if they work together for change. I fell in love with that idea. It conveys a simple but powerful truth, which is illustrated every election day when people line up to cast their ballots. When we vote, we don’t just choose a candidate. We choose to begin building the world as it should be. For the young woman I met in Colorado, it’s a world where she can get the education she dreams of, even though her parents don’t have a lot of money. For the men I met in Virginia, it’s a world where returning soldiers never have to worry about getting the mental health care they might need. For the students I met in Iowa, it’s a world where we invest in clean energy that ends our dependence on foreign oil and protects our environment. And for the woman I met in New York, it’s a world where gays and lesbians can finally live free from discrimination. When we vote this November, we’ll be casting our ballots for that world. I’ve heard people say, “My vote doesn’t matter,” “My vote won’t count,” or, “I’m just one person. What possible difference can I make?” But this
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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. E-mail: CampusEcho@nccu.edu Web address: www.campusecho.com Phone: 919 530 7116 Fax: 919 530 7991 Fall 2008 Publication dates: 9/3, 9/17, 10/1, 10/15, 11/5, 11/19 © NCCU Campus Echo/All rights reserved The Denita Monique Smith Newsroom Room 348, Farrison-Newton Communications Bldg. NCCU, Durham, NC 27707
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year, all our votes matter more than ever. If you are satisfied with the world as it is, your choice this fall is easy. But if you believe, as I do, that we can change the world together, please join me in voting on Nov. 4. Voting is easy. So is registering to vote. It takes just a minute, but it makes a huge difference. The Obama campaign has set up a Web site to help: VoteforChange.com. There, you can register to vote in your state, arrange an absentee ballot, or find out if you’re already registered. In some states, you can vote early. Our Web site will help you figure that out, too. Share this information with your friends, classmates, family and neighbors. Registration deadlines are coming up in several states, so it’s crucial that we act fast. And encourage everyone you know to go to the polls on Nov. 4. This year, I’ll be voting for my daughters’ future and my father’s memory. I’ll vote for the thousands of regular folks who fought to get me the right to vote. And I’ll vote for young people across America—and the generations of young people who will follow, who will some day look back at this time with gratitude that we summoned the courage to begin building the world as it should be. Raleigh Obama
drawing by Rashaun Rucker
Question: What are some ways we can inspire more students to vote in the presidential election? “Have a register-tovote party. Every teen or adult likes to party, and the only way to get into the party is to have proof that you have registered to vote.” — Elliot Nelson
“Spreading the word. Making sure everyone is registered and if they are, making sure they get to the polls on Nov. 4.” —Amanda Chadwick
“A leader on campus should inform other students about the importance of voting or we could have an information week on the presidential candidates.” —Josh Webster