October 10, 2007

OCTOBER 10, 2007

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VOLUME 99, ISSUE 3 919 530 7116/CAMPUSECHO@NCCU.EDU WWW.CAMPUSECHO.COM

1801 FAYETTEVILLE STREET DURHAM, NC 27707

Campus . . . . . . . .

Beyond . . . . . . . .

Photo Feature . .

A&E . . . . . . . . . . .

Classified . . . . . . .

Sports. . . . . . . . . .

Opinions . . . . . . .

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Beyond

Campus

Campus

Photo Feature

Bush denies torture, but rights experts aren’t convinced

Call ‘em what you will.

Those Gator carts are everywhere you look.

Two students living with cerebral palsy. And thriving.

More homecoming: concert, coronation and choir ball

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Campus Echo War cost soaring Bush asks Congress for billions more for Iraq

BY RENEE SCHOOF MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS

WASHINGTON —The Bush administration asked Congress on Wednesday for $42 billion more next year for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, an increase that would raise spending on the wars to $189 billion

Midnight flood hits dorm

in 2008 _ and to more than $600 billion for Iraq alone since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

War spending would be higher in 2008 than any year since the Iraq war began in March 2003. The Iraq war's total cost is approaching that of the 1964-73 Vietnam War's esti-

mated total of $518 billion, in 2007 dollars.

Sen. Robert Byrd, DW.Va., the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the total for Iraq didn't include indirect costs such as veterans' care or the ultimate costs of long-term involvement, which the Congressional

SGA prez fires exec directors

BY SHELBIA BROWN ECHO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

All Eagleson Hall residents were forced to evacuate last night after water flooded the building at around 11 p.m.

Residents were directed to the Miller-Morgan Building by campus police, where they were briefed on the condition of the dorm as well as of their belongings.

“The water line broke, and now they have electrical problems,” said campus police officer Kelvin Raynor.

“That’s not good.”

BY GABI CLAY-WHITE ECHO ASSISTANT EDITOR

n See FLOOD Page 2

It’s painless, takes 20-minutes

BY CHARITY JONES ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Students will have a chance to be tested for HIV Tuesday, Oct. 16 in the Alfonso Elder Student Union Building from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

There is no charge for the pain-free test.

“Our goal is to make people feel comfortable and encourage more people to know their HIV status,” said Tanya Bass, a N.C. Central University public health educator in Student Health and Counseling Services.

Bass is the adviser to Project SAFE (Save A Fellow Eagle), an NCCU health education service.

According to Bass, students take the 20-minute tests themselves by swabbing their mouth with a cotton swab.

“The test was a piece of cake,” said elementary education sophomore Shanika Scurlock.

“They also have counsellors there to talk to you even if you don’t have HIV,

n See HIV TESTING Page 2

n See IRAQ Page 7

GPA a big deal

HOMECOMING I AIN’T NO STOPPING US NOW ...

9th-floor gusher swamps Eagleson

Free HIV test

Budget Office has said could exceed $2 trillion.

"That's quite a burden this president is leaving to our grandchildren," Byrd said at a hearing at which top administration officials made their case for more

Arab and Soulja Boy at Maroon Mayhem Concert. Soulja Boy followed Crime Mob at the packed Saturday concert.

SAVIN JOSEPH/Echo Staff Photographer

Can’t stop, won’t stop

BY SHELBIA BROWN ECHO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

omecoming is underway. And as if Soulja Boy “crankin’ dat” wasn’t enough, students and alums alike will have a full week of events to attend.

NCCU has already experienced Cassidy, Crime Mob and Young Jeezy on Saturday as well as “Left Eye” and “Da Brat” at Choir Ball on Monday.

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Tonight the modeling troupes will walk it out on the runway at the fashion show. Brace yourself ‘cause it ain’t over ‘til the “PHAT” lady makes you laugh.

Mo’Nique will bring all that “charm” to the stage Thursday night for the comedy show while the Greek frats and sorors get ready to stomp da yard (or the gym rather) Friday at the Pan-Hellenic Step Show. Ain’t no stoppin’ us now, we got the groove!

Looking into the Student Government Association office in the A. E. Student Union, you would think that ever ything is in order.

But some students beg to differ.

Even before T o m a s i Larry began his term as SGA presiTOMASI dent on July 1, LARRY he had already fired six staff members for having low GPAs. And the numbers continue to grow.

When asked how many staff members he has fired, Larry said, “Let’s just say several.”

The SGA constitution only gives the 2.5 GPA requirement for the offices of the president, vice president, and Mr. and Miss NCCU, but Larry wants leaders to put academics first on their priority lists.

n See FIRINGS Page 4

Late, late and late again Faculty say student tardiness annoying, unprofessional and out of control

BY AKILAH MCMULLAN

and she’s tired of it.

“I have chronic problems with tardiness in my classes … even in my graduate classes.”

“I think it’s inconsiderate and it’s rude. I wish it would stop,” said Ware.

Ware is not alone.

Bruce Lapenson, assistant professor of political science, is also fed up with student tardiness.

“It’s annoying to the professor in particular because anybody coming in distracts the students … and me.”

Lapenson said students are not being held accountable for their lateness and it’s becoming accepted by professors.

“I just think maybe it’s the culture here,” said Lapenson.

“It’s the students’ culture here that’s used to doing that and professors don’t really hold them account-

ECHO STAFF REPORTER

The students picked a bad day to trickle in 5, 10, 15, even 20 minutes late to Robert Nowell’s 11 a.m. Law and Ethics class.

Nowell had invited a guest speaker, Rob Waters, news editor of the News & Observer, to speak.

Waters had come to speak about news coverage of the Duke lacrosse rape case. When students entered late he would look to the door, pause, and then recollect his thoughts.

Waters was learning a lesson N.C. Central University faculty know all to well: student tardiness is a growing problem.

According to the University’s catalog, students are allowed four absences from classes that meet twice a week and six absences from classes that meet three times a week before being dropped from a course.

But there are no official rules gov-

erning tardiness.

Michele Ware, English associate

professor of English, says that tardiness has plagued most of her classes

n See TARDY Page 3

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Eagles raise money, awareness for lupus

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2007

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Cash to Kenya

GEOFREY COOPER/Echo Staff Reporter

BY GEOFFREY COOPER ECHO STAFF WRITER

It’s a muddy, wet, and coal-colored trail lined with a galore of insects, squirrels and dog feces.

Not exactly what you would call your typical early morning walk or run in the park.

Despite these conditions, more than 30 N.C. Central University students showed up Saturday morning at Lake Lynn Park in Raleigh to take part in the Alliance for Lupus Research’s nationwide fundraiser, “Walk with Us to Cure Lupus.”

The 37 walking teams from the Raleigh/Durham area consisted of families, high school and college students, local businesses and organizations.

Everyone came out to support the fight against lupus.

NCCU’s Health Careers Club was among the walking teams.

This nationwide 5k walk raises money to aid healthcare professionals in lupus research and spreads awareness of the disease.

According to the U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is an autoimmune disease. That means the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s various tissues.

This leads to life-threatening damage to major body organs like the heart, lungs, brain, kidneys, blood vessels, skin and joints.

The cause and cure of lupus are unknown, but scientists hope that funding will aid them in their research efforts. Each team’s participation helped towards that cause.

The Health Careers Club’s original goal was to raise $250, but far exceeded its expectations by raising $1,550.11.

As of October 9, walk.lupusresearch.org reported a grand total of $64, 381.75, somewhat short of their $75,000 goal, for the Raleigh/Durham area.

Money collected from Saturday’s walk is still being counted.

The walk, which is broken down into Eastern, Central, Mountain and Western regions of the U.S., was held in 32 locations

nationwide this year.

Raleigh/Durham was one of these locations.

Although none of the NCCU students who attended the walk had a personal battle with the disease, many were willing to help towards the cause.

“This walk is a great way for the students here to become more knowledgeable of this disease…,” said biology junior Cierra Roach, president and team captain of NCCU’s Health Careers Club.

Roach, an administrative assistant at Duke University Medical Center’s rheumatology department, wrote a newsletter in September on lupus and the upcoming walk for Raleigh/Durham.

Afterwards, she decided to form a team of her own through the Health Careers Club.

Roach said that lupus is slowly affecting the black community, although it is a disease about which little is known. She said her main goal was to make her peers aware of the despairs of this disease and how it affects the black community as a whole.

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Echo staff makes a micro loan

BY LARISHA STONE ECHO STAFF WRITER

Biology junior Tiffany Parms at the Walk to Cure Lupus in Lake Lynn Park, Raleigh, Oct. 6.

HIV TESTING

People don’t trust big business anymore, and this is why microlending is gaining popularity all over the world.

As part of our research into how microlending works, the Campus Echo took part in the process.

In four steps, we were able to help a man in Kenya expand his carpentry supplies business.

We did this through a non-profit micro-lending organization called Kiva.

In the mid-1990s, large non-profit organizations were scrutinized for their unsavory financial practices — using public donations and government funds for personal gain and benefit.

The Red Cross, the Smithsonian Institute and the Nature Conservancy were among the non-profits denounced for mismanaging donor funds.

Clearly there was a need for an organization that allowed money lenders to track their money and make sure it helped someone who needed it.

That’s where microlenders like Kiva came in.

Kiva connects people with the resources to help with people in need.

“Kiva” is a Swahili word meaning “agreement” or “unity.”

That was what founder and CEO Matt Flannery saw as the organization’s mission.

“We provide the world's first and only online micro-lending opportunity,” said Flannery.

“Kiva is all about connecting people.”

Kiva’s website (www.kiva.org) reports that it has facilitated more than $12 million in loans from 127,000 lenders.

Micro-lending is a process through which small-business entrepreneurs are loaned small amounts of money, then pay the loan back to the lender over an agreedupon period of time.

“What’s so great about Kiva is that your money, if you choose, can be recycled to help someone else,” Fiona Ramsey, said Kiva’s public relations director.

Campus Echo staffers perused Kiva’s website and decided to loan their money to Jeremiah Miruka, a 30-year-old family man. After Miruka graduated from high school, he opened a homefront grocery store. Once business picked up, his wife took over as manager.

Miruka now runs a hardware store supplying materials for local carpenters, using the money he receives from the family grocery store. With these businesses he supports his wife and three children, aged 9, 6, and 3.

Thirty-five Campus Echo staffers pulled together $75 to loan Miruka toward his business expansion.

After collecting the money, they put it on a staffer’s credit card and sent it directly to the entrepreneur using PayPal. Miruka will use the Kiva loan to buy products in bulk and to supply wood, paint, veneer, velvet, cushion materials and nails to local carpenters.

Periodically, we check our Kiva lender page and can monitor Miruka’s payments and the progress of his business.

Kiva’s website reports that .3 percent of Kiva’s loans default. It notes, however, that “past repayment performance does not guarantee future results.”

Lenders assume three levels of risk. Country, or macro-level risk, might include economic, political or natural factors within the lendee’s home country.

A lender also could be subject to such “field partner,” or local loan administrator, risks as bankrupty, fraud or poor business operations.

An individual entrepreneur could default due to crop failure, health issues, or faulty business decisions.

“KIVA, as a young organization, is doing everything it can to minimize all risks, but cannot completely eliminate them,” Flannery said.

When Miruka repays the loan Echo staffers have decided to re-lend the money again and again to other small business entrepreneurs.

AIDS & AFRICAN AMERICANS

n An estimated 211,559 U.S. blacks with AIDS have died n Rate of AIDS diagnosis for black adults and adolescents is 10 times the rate of bhites n Rate of AIDS diagnosis for black women is nearly 23 times the rate of white women n 185,988 blacks live with AIDS in US, accounting for 44% of all AIDS cases n Blacks make up 13% of the U.S. population, but account for 49% of news HIV/AIDS diagnoses n The primary transmission category for black men is sexual contact with other men n The primary transmission category for black women is high-risk heterosexual contact Source: “HIV/AIDS among African Americans” (2005), Center for Disease Control and Prevention

to help prepare you if you do have it,” Scurlock said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rate of new AIDS cases for black women is 20 times that of white women.

HIV/AIDS is the numberone killer of black women between the ages of 25 and 34.

An estimated 18,849 blacks under the age of 25 were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS between the 2001 and 2004.

In North Carolina, HIV infections among young black men in college increased more than 400 percent between 2000 and 2004.

In 2005, 225,815 blacks were living with HIV/AIDS. In 2006, 286 North Carolina males and 87 females ages 13-29 were diagnosed with HIV. Blacks are contracting HIV at twice the rate they were in the late 80s and early 90s.

Experts say the jump in infection rates is due to several factors, including poverty, intravenous drug use, a lack of adequate health care and the failure to use condoms.

The free HIV testing is sponsored by Project SAFE and Project S.T.Y.L.E. (Strength Through Youth Living Empowerment).

FLOOD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Students gather in Miller-Morgan auditorium at 1 a.m. Oct. 10 waiting to return to Eagleson Residential Hall.

According to Raynor, the problem began on the ninth floor, causing water to flow down to the other floors and even down to George Street.

He said he was alerted about the incident around 11:30 p.m.

Residents say they are worried about their belongings.

“They will not tell me what’s going on,” said psychology sophomore Markia Gray. “I don’t understand.”

Gray lives in room 631.

She said her first inclination was to call her family in Statesville to fill them in on the night’s happenings.

She said she was eating in the cafeteria during the midnight breakfast when the DJ announced the dorm was flooding.

“We took off running,” she said.

James Hines, mass communication sophomore, lives on the seventh floor and said his main worry was his music equipment.

“I had my music on my laptop,” Hines said. “That’s my job — to DJ.” Hines said he thinks the building was faulty from the beginning. He said the elevator was inspected for operation issues during the

first two weeks of classes.

“I don’t think we should have moved in,” said Hines.

History sophomore Arafat Yates is a music producer who lives on the seventh floor.

Yates stores his equipment in his room. His pride and joy, “Alexinah,” a Roland Sampler essential to his beat making, was his biggest concern.

“I didn’t grab her, because I didn’t think it was real, man. Alexinah probably died in there. I’m gonna miss my boo.”

Residential Life staff announced at the Miller-

Morgan briefing that the eighth and ninth floors will remain evacuated until a full damage assessment is completed.

Eagleson Hall was built in 1968 for nearly $1.2 million.

The 84,000 sq. ft dormitory was renovated in 1996, and again in 2004 with N.C. state bond money.

Over $6 million in state bonds were allocated for the renovation, which included $500,000 in sprinkler system repairs.

Eagleson Hall was reopened this semester, two years after its projected reopening date.

BRYSON POPE/Echo Staff Photographer

Fall 2007 Organization Fair T

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Lear n all about NCCU’s or ganizations

Wednesday, Oct. 10 11:15 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium For more information contact: Office of Student Leadership, Training and Development Student Services Bldg. Suite 236 Contact Ms. Colene Kelly @ (919) 530- 7453

Campus

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2007

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Hispanic heritage celebrated Latinos play large role in U.S.

Mark Mosher, associate professor of modern foreign languages, discusses such accomplished Hispanics as NASA astronaut Franklin Chang-Diaz during a presentation celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, Oct. 2 in the H.M. Michaux School of Education.

JACQUELINE HALL/Echo Staff Photographer

BY RAENA BOSTON ECHO STAFF WRITER

“Buenos días estudiantes.”

That’s how Cristina Cabral, assistant professor of modern foreign languages, greeted 30 students in the H.M. Michaux School of Education Tuesday, Oct. 2.

This wasn’t the typical Spanish class, however.

It was the kick-off of a week of presentations recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month, which started Sept.

15.

Cristina Cabral opened last Tuesday’s lecture with background on Hispanic Heritage Month.

Cabral also detailed reasons why Hispanic Heritage Month should be recognized at N.C. Central University.

President Lyndon B. Johnson first authorized National Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968.

But it was expanded to The Hispanic Heritage Month in 1988.

Cabral said that recognizing the event at NCCU will inform students of the Hispanic world and promote cultural awareness of the Latino community.

Mark Mosher, associate professor of modern foreign languages, led the second portion of the program.

His talk, “Hispanic in the U.S.,” emphasized that the term Hispanic is not used to define a race of people, but rather to describe a population of 447 million people of various races, nationalities and ethnic groups.

With the aid of a Power Point presentation, he

showcased notable members of the Hispanic community from astronaut Franklin Chang-Diaz to singer Shakira Membarek Ripoll.

Both Chang-Diaz and Ripoll are of mixed heritage. Chang-Diaz is of Chinese and Costa Rican descent and Ripoll’s father is Lebanese.

“I chose them because they represent the ethnic diversity of nationalities that make up the Hispanic community,” Mosher said.

Mosher asked the audience what came to mind when they thought of Hispanics.

Responses ranged from sombreros and Cinco de Mayo festivities to the idea that Hispanics are familyoriented.

“You probably think of them as one of those brown-skinned fellows that do a lot of labor,” said Mosher.

“But the vast majority of Hispanics don’t fit the stereotype of laborer.

There is a huge diversity.”

Mosher said he wants students to realize that Hispanics play a vital role in their everyday lives.

“They are involved in all the major professions,” he said.

“Students should consider the fact that they will have to deal with Hispanic people throughout their careers.”

Mosher encouraged students to learn Spanish.

“Along with knowledge comes culture.

“Knowledge of language and culture will reduce divisions and stereotypes that are presently causing conflicts.”

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It’s family in “The Shop” NCCU’s barbershop has plenty of personality

BY KENALI BATTLE ECHO STAFF WRITER

“We never meet a stranger,” said Yvonne Hendrix, a barber at N.C. Central University’s barbershop.

“Have you ever seen the movie ‘Barbershop’? They could have filmed it right here.”

The barbershop, nestled on the lower level of the Alfonso Elder Student Union across from the Eagle’s Nest, has been in business for 54 years.

“The Shop,” as it is often called by its regulars, opened in Chidley Hall in 1953.

Its founder, Walter General Hart, died in 2004, but Dula says Hart’s vision lives on.

“He was a very funny man,” said Ken Dula, a long-time barber.

“I would sometimes have to leave to catch my breath when he was in here cracking jokes.”

The smell of Dial soap and Barbicide swamp the nostrils.

The mirrors sport family photos and the walls are covered with paintings, poetry and Eagle memorabilia. Of course, there’s a magazine stand.

And there are the barbers themselves. They’ve got smiles ready to fix any frustration your day may have brought upon you.

Students say they enjoy going to the shop as much as the employees say they enjoy being there.

“They are so funny,” said Andre Blandon, a theatre junior.

“I have dreads but I go in there for an occasional shape-up. Every time I leave laughing.”

It’s family in the shop: barbers “Ms. Yvonne” Hendrix and Ken Dula are cousins, but they act more

Ken Dula barber shows his handiwork to a customer.

DANA WOMACK/Echo Staff Photographer

Ms. Yvonne Hendrix, a welcoming face in NCCU’s barbershop.

KAI CHRISTOPHEREcho Staff Photographer

like siblings.

The duo banter constantly and provide better entertainment than the TV hanging on the wall.

“You know the man who sat three seats down from the Lord on the left at the Last Supper? That was him,” said Hendrix.

Dula doubles over laughing.

Hendrix , a barber at the shop since 1969, takes pride in the relaxed atmosphere they’ve created at the shop.

“People come in and talk out their problems. We are like therapy,” said Hendrix.

Hendrix is the only

female barber who has ever worked at the shop.

“This is my kingdom,” she said. “I started ruling it the first day I walked in.”

In her free time Hendrix likes to write and draw.

She has a novel in NCCU’s library: “Love Face to Face.”

It’s about a girl who falls in love with a man who has the same personality she has.

“The question I raised was this: ‘Can someone really love the person they are?’”

Hendrix said the shop serves 50 to 75 customers each week, but more during Homecoming.

“Alumni come in just to see us and get their hair cut.”

He says students haven’t changed much over the years.

“They still love us the same.”

Dula started cutting hair in Chidley Hall in 1966, but two years later he was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War. He says Hendrix wrote a poem about his experience in Vietnam called “The Darkest Side of Night.”

“She was able to capture every emotion I felt while I was there,” he says.

“She’s really amazing, but to her face I call her crazy.”

Dula says he does it all in the shop: “cut, sing and anything else under the sun that needs to be done.”

“Other colleges,” he says, “just haven’t been able to capture what we have. I’m not quite sure what that is — maybe we’re just blessed.”

The shop is open from 8 a.m. to about 6:45 p.m.

Haircuts start at $9.

Razor line shape-ups are $5. Braids start at $20.

The personalities and atmosphere are free.

TARDY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 able,” he said.

Lapenson said that if he did enforce a strict tardiness policy that made tardiness an absence, “there would be quite a few students kicked out of the class.”

History senior Gregory Maull, a member of the ROTC, said that lateness is never accepted in the military.

“Being in the school environment ... it’s more lax so it’s kinda tolerated,” said Maull.

Adity Sharma, assistant professor in the School of Business, said tardiness even affects students’ grades.

“There are some valid excuses, but most of the time

Dr. Sheila Allison

I think they’re not being responsible,” said Sharma.

“You cannot make somebody responsible if they don’t care,” he said.

Students have a number of explanations for their lateness.

“I’m an athlete … a lot of times that conflicts with my class schedule,” said business administration freshman Teryl White Jr. He said he’s often late because of conflicting schedules and poor time management.

“My time management ain’t as good as it can be — yet,” he said.

History education junior

• general gynecology • abnormal PAPs • emergency contraception • pediatric & adolescent gynecology • emergency contraception • menstrual irregularities

Accepting new patients.

Evening hours.

6216 Fayetteville Road, Suite 105 Durham, N.C. 27713 919.405.7000

Davita Turrentine gives these reasons: “I’m late because I oversleep or I don’t have my homework.”

But some students say being on-time is a must.

Micole Hanulak, elementary education junior, says she’s never late to class.

“I’m a junior and I’m just used to showing up on time,” she said.

Rob Waters, the news editor invited to speak in the Law and Ethics course, said he can relate to the students.

“I was a college student once, too. And not the most responsible person, either.”

When asked if tardiness is accepted at the News &

Observer Waters said, “No, you’re expected to behave professionally.”

“If you’re expected to be at a place at a certain time, you should do it.”

Faculty agree. They say students’ experience in college must prepare them for their careers.

“Your education is your job,” said Ware.

“I look at college as being part of one’s professional development,” said Lapenson.

“It’s not something you want to do in your job, you know, come in late. You’ll lose your job if you consistently keep coming in late.”

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2007

IVER SITY

Getting meds, sometimes a pain

Gators on the yard They ease workloads, but some students say they’re big pests

Student health seeks pharmacist

BY KENNETH FITZ

BY GABI CLAY-WHITE

ECHO STAFF WRITER

ECHO ASSISTANT EDITOR

They can be seen all over campus, zipping here and there: ATVs, four-wheelers, golf carts, and John Deere Gators.

Call them what you will — some students call them a nuisance.

“Those carts are flying around on campus. If you don’t move, I’m sure they’ll hit you,” said hospitality and tourism junior Jackie Wagstaff.

“I don’t think they should be used,” said Karen Bethea, English and Spanish senior.

“The guys driving are so busy looking at the girls, they’re not paying attention.”

The four-wheel drive vehicles are used by the physical plant, campus police, housekeeping and the cafeteria to make getting around campus quicker for staff.

“There are about 25 Gators and three, newer electric cars on campus,” said Douglas Burnette, mechanic supervisor at N.C. University’s physical plant.

According to Burnette, the Gators started being used about five years ago. He said he didn’t know about any incidents involving the Gators that his department serviced.

According to NCCU Campus Police, and despite the students’ views, there have been no major incidents on campus involving the four-wheeled vehicles.

“There have been one or two minor incidents with

NCCU maintanence worker waves while driving Gator down Campus Drive at the end of his shift.

JOSUA HARRISON/Echo Staff Photographer

them bumping into vehicles on campus this year, so far, but that’s it,” said Captain Victor Ingram, field operations division commander.

Ingram says he doesn’t know of any formal student complaints being filed because of Gator “near-misses.”

There is no campus-wide Gator-driving course required in order to use the vehicles.

“It’s on the departments,” said Ingram.

“Each individual in our department has to go through training prior to driving one of the golf carts or electric cars we have.”

NCCU police have three

Gators and one electric car.

Training consists of one hour of classroom instruction, which includes driver etiquette, followed by a road test. In the etiquette portion, officers are instructed to either blow the horn or announce they are approaching to pedestrians.

As for driving on the sidewalks, Ingram states the Gators and golf carts can be driven on campus roads and sidewalks, but are not allowed on main roads Ingram said that the only vehicles permitted to drive on the main roads are the newer electric ones because they are registered vehicles.

Sodexho, who runs multi-

ple food vending sites on campus, operates four golf carts.

“It’s hard to drive cars everywhere we need to go,” said Tiffany Taylor, Sodexho retail marketing manager.

“All of our drivers just have to be licensed,” said Taylor.

According to Taylor, there have been “zero incidents” with Sodexho carts.

But students still have their doubts about the safety of the carts being driven on campus sidewalks.

“I did not come to school to become road kill,” said mass communications senior Lauren Nurse.

When you walk into the Student Health and Counseling Services, you might ask, “Where is the pharmacist?”

N. C. Central University has been without a full time pharmicist since the beginning of the fall term.

Student Health currently has a temporary pharmacist part-time who comes in 20 hours a week.

Student Health director, Charles Bowen, said Student Health is working hard to accommodate students’ needs.

“We didn’t anticipate being without a pharmacist,” he said. “In filling that position — it is more complex than one may think — we must ensure that we meet all criteria.”

In the meantime, NCCU has contracted with Kerr Drugs in the Phoenix Town Square on Fayetteville Street to fill student prescriptions.

“The student can go to Kerr Drugs, show their health card, and the fees will be deducted from their health insurance,” said Bowen.

Before the contract was finalized, students had to pay for medications out of pocket.

“If a student has paid for a prescription within the last 30 days, they must fill out a reimbursement form, provide a copy of their receipt and submit the form to the insurance company for reimbursement,” said Bowen.

Some students say travelling to an off campus pharmacy is inconvenient.

Journalism junior, Chasity Richardson says the pharmacy should have made a better attempt to notify students ahead of time.

“It can be an inconvenience, especially for students without a vehicle,” said Richardson.

“It would have been nice to know in advance.”

Bowen says the university has a contract with Charlene’s Safe Ride transportation service to provide rides for any student who needs to go to Kerr Drug, but student’s need to ask.

“We can’t provide assistance if no one comes to let us know,” Bowen said. “We go out of our way in providing assistance for transportation,” If the part-time pharmacist at Student Health Services is not available, students can leave their prescriptions in the lock box on the pharmacy door and the prescription will be filled at a later time.

Bowen admits that it is difficult to find a pharmacist, but wants to assure students that they can still come to the Student Health and Counseling Services for medical needs.

“It’s been a minor inconvenience for staff and students,” said Bowen. “Our physicians are trying to minimize any inconvenience as quickly and promptly as possible.”

FIRINGS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “Normally, administration would let a GPA below 2.5 slide,” said Larry.

“I made a presidential decision for students to have a 2.5 or higher, especially staff with executive board positions. We’re students first — we must remember that.”

In fact, Larry said he even tried to find an alternative to firing the six. “I was willing to put them on probation,” Larry said.

SGA adviser Constance Roberson denied his request.

Elementary education junior Lakesha Gorham, former executive director of campus affairs and one of the six who was fired from her position, does not agree with how Larry handled the whole issue.

“He hand picked his executive board,” said Gorham.

“He told people he would work with them concerning their GPAs, but the administration found out, so he fired people.”

Gorham, along with the five other staff members, said the only warning she received was an e-mail saying that they must attend a mandatory meeting with Vice President, Isaac Bellamy, Executive Assistant Kent Williams and SGA advisor Constance Roberson.

That’s when everyone was fired.

“During my interview to take the Executive Director position, my GPA was never [discussed],” Gorham said.

“I found out it was a problem when I got fired.”

Gorham said Larry allegedly blamed the six staff members for the overlooked GPAs. “He made it seem like we were lying about our GPAs, but it’s on our applications,” Gorham said.

“I’m upset because my integrity and work ethics is being questioned.”

English senior Sean Kornegay, who replaced Gorham after she was fired, also questioned Larry’s leadership style.

“Tomasi was cordial to me, but he’s quick to jump the gun,”said Kornegay.

“He may have good motives, but bad people skills towards the people that worked with him,” Unlike others, Kornegay decided to quit on his own.

He said that the firing of former Executive Director of Public Relations Ashley Witherspoon was one of the main reasons for his resignation.

“The situation with Ashley was

United Christian Campus Ministry 525 Nelson Street, NCCU Campus

just shady. The time of night he called her, the way he called her and cursed her out over the phone was handled very poorly,” said Kornegay.

The justification for firing Ashley didn’t match the praises and recognition he was giving her in several meetings before he fired her.”

Witherspoon declined to comment.

Gorham and Kornegay both recognized how SGA is not like “it used to be” now that Larry has taken the throne.

“I’ve been in SGA since my freshman year and half the people Tomasi started working with, he doesn’t have now,” said Gorham.

“When I worked with [former SGA President] Muhktar last year, it was a family. Now, it’s so business driven — it’s not even fun.”

Kornegay also bemoans the lack of unity in the SGA. “I’ve noticed how the staff around him is more cliquish,” said Kornegay.

“They have this separatist attitude about them.”

Yet, Larry has a very different perspective.

“I prefer to call it reorganizing the executive board of SGA,” said

Larry.

Larry also emphasized the fact that SGA is an extracurricular activity and students can’t place it over their education.

“I want to be in compliance with everything,” said Larry. “The six that were reorganized had to happen immediately.”

Larry denied trying to cover up anything and said that people are given at least three chances to get their act together.

“I never try to do things in the dark or behind someone’s back,” said Larry.

“When you do things ethically, there’s no need to hide. Besides the GPA situation, I am required by the constitution to give a warning letter, have a formal meeting, and a two week probation period before I can let someone go,” said Larry.

Larry said he did offer lower staff positions to the reorganized group so that they could continue to work for SGA and receive a stipend.

“If you don’t have a position, I can’t give you a stipend,” said Larry.

“We know that they are dependent on that money, so that’s why we offered them a lower position,”

Access Your Health Career Undecided about your major?

For more information or to get involved in Campus Ministries contact us at 530-5263 or e-mail us at mpage@nccu.edu

Want to become a health professional?

Want to attend health career seminars and workshops?

Want to meet recruiters from health professions schools?

said Larry.

Larry realizes this could harm some personal relationships, but wants people to know that at the end of the day animosity towards one another will not accomplish anything.

“I understand that people will always have cruel things to say about their leaders,” said Larry.

“But, under the Larry-Bellamy administration, we are going to cut out all of the foolishness that has happened in SGA previously,” said Larry.

“Many people may have been hurt and upset from decisions that I had to make and that’s understandable.

“I will never allow anyone to control me to the point where I dislike them because at the end of the day, we are all fighting for unification and progress of NCCU.” SGA Chief of Staff Samantha Carter, understands what Larry is trying to do.

“Larry holds SGA as a business,” Carter said.

“He gives support and at the same time if you’re not doing your job, he let’s you know. That’s the sign of a good leader — to point out your short comings and strengths.”

Itt’s time to start preparing for the ‘world of work.’

University Career Services is the student’s focal point for career planning. We offer career counseling, part-time job placements, internships, and cooperative education placements in both the private and public sectors.

Want to meet students pursuing health professions?

If so, find out about the N.C. Health Careers Access Program at NCCU. Michael D. Page Campus Minister

Join Christian Student Fellowship

Health Careers Center 521 Nelson Street Durham, NC 27707 919 530-7128 Barbara S. Moore, Director Alfreda D. Evans, Program Assistant

We offer workshops on resume writing, inteviewing, cover letter writing, and stress management.

Plus, in our Glaxo Career Library, you’ll find career-related videos, brochures, pamphlets, and magazines, as well as graduate school catalogs and annual reports — all there for you to review. Call for an appointment or drop by to meet with one of our counselors.

University Career Services William Jones Building, Room 005 560-6337/mstuckey@nccu.edu

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Cerebral palsy slows body, not soul NCCU students Holly Uzzle and Meredith Uzzle persevere despite physical challenges

BY DENIQUE PROUT ECHO STAFF WRITER

N.C. Central University students Mercedes Uzzle and Holly Uzzle have two things in common: their last names (they are not related) and cerebral palsy.

“Cerebral” refers to the brain and “palsy” refers to a disorder of movement. The condition is characterized by difficulty and awkwardness in movement.

“I met Holly in the Worship and Praise Inspirational gospel choir,” said Mercedes, “and because I have [cerebral palsy] ... I knew she had it as well,” About two people per thousand are affected with this non-progressive, noncontagious physical condition.

Cerebral palsy is an umbrella term that refers to damage to the motor control centers of the developing brain.

It can be caused by infection, malnutrition or head trauma during pregnancy, childbirth or infancy.

Ten thousand infants in

the United States are diagnosed with cerebral palsy each year.

Some people mistakenly believe that people who have cerebral palsy are less intelligent then those who don’t have it. But the condition only affects the part of the brain that controls movement Holly Uzzle, a business freshman, walks using a walker, but considers herself no different from any other student.

Holly’s parents found out that she had the condition as an infant, but even as a child, she always had a positive outlook.

“I knew I had problems within the first and second grade because I knew all these therapists would come see me and I would just figure it out,” Uzzle said.

“But it never really affected me. I was just like, ‘oh I’m going to see the doctor today, cool.’”

Holly said her sister, Kasey Graham, has been very supportive. “I helped her put on her braces and did her hair,” said Graham. “We were very close.”

Holly Uzzle and Mercedes Uzzle have both come to terms with cerebral palsy.

KENICE MOBLEY/Echo Staff Photographer

Holly’s mother, Robin, said she was devastated when her daughter was diag-

nosed with the condition but was determined to help her daughter.

“Because my daughter had it, I wanted to find out more about it, so I went to school at Norwich Connecticut Technical School for nursing,” said Robin Uzzle.

“I wanted to find out more about cerebral palsy so that I could take care of my baby.”

For 10 years, Robin Uzzle worked with people with cerebral palsy.

She said the family believes that Holly will be completely healed of cerebral palsy in time.

“Our faith is in God — it’s a strong power in our life,” said Robin Uzzle.

Holly said many people don’t understand her condition.

“A lot of people stare ... because they don’t understand my condition. And some little kids ask, ‘How did you break your legs?’”

On the positive side, she has increased her mobility with a car with custom-made hand controls.

“Right now I’m on the road. I never thought I would be able to drive,” she said.

Mercedes Uzzle, who was

born prematurely, says that when she was young she didn’t have the same positive outlook as Holly.

“I would ask, ‘Why did I have to get it and not my brother? Like, why me?’”

As a child, Mercedes had to walk with a walker and on her tip-toes because of problems with her hamstrings and heel cords.

There is no known cure for cerebral palsy, but physical therapy helps.

Symptoms include abnormal muscle tone, problems with reflexes, and a loss of motor and coordination skills.

Some 40 to 50 percent of premature babies are born with the condition. Early signs in infants may include irregular posture and spinal curvature It is the second most expensive developmental disability, costing about $1 million to manage over the course of a lifetime.

One other thing that Holly Uzzle and Mercedes share is their determination not to let their condition be their conclusion.

Sam gets Sound Machine amp’d up

BY CHESIREE MOORING ECHO STAFF WRITER

Samuel “Sam” Rowley directs the Sound Machine in the O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

DANA WOMACK/Echo Staff Photographer

“Ladies and gentlemen, you are about to experience Eagle pride amplified by one of the most incredible bands of all time!”

How many times have we heard these words at N.C. Central University football games as the Sound Machine takes the field?

For seven years, the Sound Machine has marched to the downbeats of Jorim Reid, director of bands.

This year, the group will march to an additional voice of command — Samuel “Sam” Rowley, the new assistant director of bands at

NCCU. Although this is Rowley’s first collegiate job, it is not his first in the music profession. Before coming to NCCU, Rowley taught at Southwest Dekalb Middle School in Decatur, Ga. “It is different working with more professional and semi-professional people,” Rowley said. “It is a new challenge for me. I love new challenges.”

His students said they appreciate the one-on-one practice time that having Rowley here affords.

“I’m glad he’s here,” said political science junior Torenzo Blair. “He allows the band time to focus on sound.”

“He is very knowledgeable and professional,” said Gregory Haskins, biology senior.

Reid hand-picked the Sound Machine’s first assistant band director in seven years.

“I found him, interviewed him, and recommended him,” said Reid.

Rowley grew up in Belle Glade, Fla. and graduated from Florida A&M University with a degree in music education. He is working toward a doctorate degree at the University of Illinois.

“When you want something bad enough, you do what it takes,” said Rowley.

Rowley said a commercial

with Louis Armstrong he saw when he was 5 years old inspired him to play the trumpet.

As an undergraduate, Rowley was president of the Delta Iota chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Inc. He was the first African American to become the Southeast District president of Kappa Kappa Psi, receiving its highest honor, the J. Lee Burke Award.

He has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Longineau Parsons and Kirk Franklin.

“I’d like to give [the band] a new flavor and a younger image,” he said.

Beyond NCCU

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Bush denies U.S. torture Interrogation tactics facing renewed scrutiny

BY MARK SILVA CHICAGO TRIBUNE (MCT)

WASHINGTON — Facing pointed new questions about tough methods used by the administration in the interrogation of suspected terrorists, President Bush insisted Friday that “this government does not torture people.”

At the same time, administration officials are adamantly refusing to discuss certain tactics that reportedly have been allowed — such as headslapping and water-boarding — in efforts to procure information from suspects detained in secret prisons.

After years of controversy over the conduct of U.S. authorities in the war against terror, including the abuse of inmates at the U.S.run prison at Abu Ghraib in Iraq, the Bush administration is suddenly facing a renewed onslaught of questions over secretive interrogation tactics, and the furor is now expected to play a major role in the confirmation hearings for Michael Mukasey, nominated to be attorney general.

Congress has forbidden torture, and the Justice Department, declaring torture “abhorrent both to American law and values and to international norms,” spelled out in a December 2004 memorandum the tactics that would impermissibly inflict “severe physical or mental pain and suffering.”

Yet early in 2005, The New York Times reported this week, the department secretly authorized some of the CIA’s harshest techniques for interrogation at secret prisons overseas. Those techniques, the Times reported, included head-slapping and exposure to cold and simulated drownings, including using them in combination.

Congressional leaders now are demanding to see the memorandums that the Justice Department reportedly issued, with leaders calling approval of headslapping and water-boarding news to them. But the White House insists it privately briefed members of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees on all its authorized tactics.

More broadly, human

President George W. Bush speaks during a news conference, Thursday, Sept. 20, at the White House.

CHUCK KENNEDY/MCT

rights experts are now questioning the administration’s insistence that it does not torture.

“President Bush is saying one thing, but there seem to be other things happening around the world,” said Carl Tobias, a professor of law at the University of Richmond.

“The heart of the problem is that Congress has been kept out of the loop so long that it shouldn’t be surprising that it is questioning what the administration is doing,” Tobias said. “I think Congress has legitimate concern about seeing the information, seeing the opinions and reconciling them with what the White House is saying.”

The sensitivity of the issue can be measured in the White House’s response.

Bush took time to make a statement in the Oval Office on Friday, but he fielded no questions.

“I have put this program in place for a reason, and that is to better protect the American people,” the president said. “And when we find somebody who may have information regarding . . . a potential attack on America, you bet we’re going to detain them, and you bet we’re going to question them.

“Secondly,” Bush said, “this government does not torture people. You know, we stick to U.S. law and our international obligations.”

Still, the White House has refused to publicly address any of the specific interrogation tactics reportedly permitted in the Justice Department’s 2005 opinions.

“I’m not going to get into specifics...” said Dana Perino, the White House press secretary. “...but the legal opinion of the United States is that we do not torture.”

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IRAQ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 money. Byrd, who’s opposed the war from the beginning, wants Congress to restrict war funding as a way to wind down U.S. involvement there.

“This committee will not N-O-T rubber-stamp every request submitted by the president,” Byrd said.

However, many members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, fear that cutting off money for the war would be the wrong way to change course because American troops might be denied the supplies and protection they need.

There’s strong support in Congress, for example, for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles, which greatly increase the chances of soldiers surviving huge blasts from improvised explosives. More than a quarter of the $42 billion request _ $11 billion _ would pay for 7,000 more MRAPs. The war so far has cost the lives of 3,801 Americans, and more than 27,000 have been wounded, while many thousands of Iraqi civilians and government security forces have been killed.

The Pentagon estimated in 2002 that the Iraq war would cost $50 billion, though the president’s then-economic adviser, Lawrence Lindsey, estimated that costs could run as high as $200 billion. White House officials called Lindsey’s estimate “premature,” and he left the administration later that year.

Bush requested $141.7 billion in February for the Iraq and Afghan wars in fiscal year 2008, which begins Monday. In July he request-

Campus Echo Online www.campusecho.com www.campusecho.com www.campusecho.com www.campusecho.com www.campusecho.com

Sandy Davies protests in the middle of NE 125th Street in front of Miami City Hall in Miami, Fla. CHARLES TRAINOR JR./Miami Herald (MCT)

ed $5.3 billion more for MRAPs. The $42 billion he sought Wednesday brings the 2008 request to $189 billion. Byrd said Iraq’s costs alone would exceed $600 billion if this request were approved.

In a report this month, Steven M. Kosiak of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, a research group, said the Iraq war’s cost would “almost certainly surpass the cost of the Vietnam War by the end of next year.” He estimated that Vietnam cost the United States $518 billion in inflation-adjusted dollars.

Byrd asked Defense Secretary Robert Gates what President Bush meant when he said the United States might be involved in Iraq for 50 years, just as it

had remained in South Korea for five decades after the end of hostilities there.

Gates said Bush was referring to a long-term agreement worked out with the Iraqis that would involve only a “small fraction” of the number of American forces there today. The length of the commitment would depend on how the Iraqi government develops and on conditions in the Middle East, Gates said.

“The purpose of that kind of longer-term presence would be to continue the fight against al-Qaida, prevent foreign intervention, and train and equip Iraqi forces. It would be a very different kind of mission than our troops have today,” Gates said.

Byrd allowed members

of the antiwar group Code Pink to cheer while he spoke at the beginning of the hearing, but later slammed down his gavel and warned them after they shouted while Gates and other administration officials were speaking. Byrd eventually ordered security staffers to escort the protesters from the hearing room.

The $42 billion would include: • $6 billion for Army and Marine combat forces in Iraq.

• $9 billion for equipment and technology.

• $6 billion for training and equipment to improve the deployment readiness of American Army and National Guard units.

An Evening with Chris Rabb: Genealogy, Identity and Family Culture How genealogy and the legacy of the civil rights movement contribute to personal identity and family culture, especially for black Americans.

Thursday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m.

Hayti Heritage Center 804 Old Fayetteville Steet, Durham Chris Rabb is a consultant, writer and social commentator who has been covered by or featured on C-SPAN, Fox News, NPR, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.

Free and open to the public.

For more information call 560-0268 or visit www.durhamcountylibrary.org

The fun begins October 18, 2007 Lunch: from 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM W.G. Pearson Temporary Dining Hall Hope to see you there!

An Evening with Chris Rabb is made possible in partnership with the John Hope Franklin Collection in the Rare Book, Manuscript, Special Collections Library at Duke University and St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation Inc. at the Hayti Heritage Center.

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It’s Homecoming!

And there ain’t no stopping us now.

Corey Dinkins and Latoya Tate, Mr. and Miss N.C. Central University,

Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez sings “Ladies Night” at the Choir Ball. She is played by Quiana Russau.

DANA WOMACK/Echo Staff Photographer

LA-TASHA DAVIS/Echo Staff Photographer

Young Jeezy and USDA bless the mic at Homecoming concert.

NCCU’s Modern Dance Group perform before the Royal Court at Sunday’s coronation.

DANA WOMACK/Echo Staff Photographer

DANA WOMACK/Echo Staff Photographer

Concert attendees “Crank That” while Soulja Boy performs at the 2007 Homecoming Concert.

Crime Mob’s Diamond has crowd “rocking their hips.”

SAVIN JOSEPH/Echo Staff Photographer

DANA WOMACK/Echo Staff Photographer

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Film director Robert Townsend speaks to students Oct. 9, encouraging them to “protect your dreams.”

BRYSON POPE/Echo Staff Photographer

BY BROOKE SELLARS ECHO A&E ASSISTANT EDITOR

N.C. Central University students and faculty shared laughs and enjoyment listening to actor, director, producer and writer Robert Townsend in a lyceum program yesterday at the Mclendon-McDougald Gymnasium.

After being introduced, Townsend ran off the stage to the floor of the gym, getting up close and personal with the people who came to see their favorite member of “The Five Heartbeats,” the fictional film Townsend starred in and directed about young AfricanAmerican men trying to be

successful in the musical industry.

Speaking to an eager audience, Townsend reflected on growing up in a singleparent home in Chicago.

“I started in a ghetto in the west side of Chicago. My mother raised four kids on her own,” he said.

Afraid that Townsend would end up in a neighborhood gang, his mother forced him to stay indoors. He described starting young at imitating characters he watched on television.

Townsend repeatedly exhorted the audience to protect their dreams.

“Be careful who you share your dreams with –— it’s only the person closest to

you that can kill your dreams,” he said.

After being cast in stereotypical roles as hustlers, pimps, and slaves, Townsend got a role in an AcademyAward-nominated “A Soldier’s Story” alongside Denzel Washington and Adolf Caesar.

“Finally I get to play a human being instead of a stereotype,” he said.

The audience stared attentively at Townsend as he walked back and forth in front of the stage, sharing his journey to success. He closed his speech by telling the audience, “Some of you are sitting on great ideas that are ready to be born. You’re just not surrounded by the right

people to give it birth.”

Audience members clustered around Townsend after the speech for photos, autographs, and final thoughts.

Townsend is known for his work with “The Five Heartbeats” (1991) and “Meteor Man” (1993).

With a passion for innercity youth he continues to be a voice of the United Negro Fund.

Currently he is working on a production of “Of Boys and Men” starring Angela Bassett.

As an actor and independent filmmaker, Townsend as proven himself a Renaissance man of his time.

Mo’nique brings Mo’ laughs Homecoming also features Benji Brown and Cory Holcomb

BY JOANNA HERNANDEZ ECHO A&E EDITOR

Comedian Mo’nique will perform Thursday as part of NCCU’s homecoming, along with Benji Brown and Cory Holcomb.

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On Thursday, Oct. 11, N.C. Central University welcomes comedians Mo’Nique, Cory Holcomb and Benji Brown to its homecoming festivities.

The show starts in the McLendon-McDougald Gymnasium at 8 p.m.

Students are looking forward to the show.

“I’m very excited about Mo’Nique coming to Central,” said Laura Green, a political science senior.

“I’m such a fan of hers.”

Baltimore native Mo’Nique is well known for her role as Nikki Parker on UPN’s popular syndicated series “The Parkers.”

She also is an accomplished writer and producer.

Comedian Benji Brown will make his second appearance at NCCU. Brown is a regular on B.E.T.’s “Comic View.”

OXYGEN NETWORK

He has performed in comedy shows along with Rickey Smiley, Mike Epps, and Finesse Mitchell.

Brown’s last visit to NCCU left a lasting impression on several students.

“I’m ready to see Benji Brown, he is so hilarious — he had me rolling the last time he was here,” said Jazmon Jackson, a public health education senior.

Holcomb, a Chicago native with a distinctive voice, has appeared on several television shows, ranging from UPN’s “Half & Half ” to Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend” and NBC’s “The Tonight Show.”

In the past, males have headlined homecoming comedy shows.

Some students say they are happy to see a female holding it down for the ladies.

“It’s going to be good to see a woman get up there and do the damn thing,” said Green.

Stage, screen vet joins faculty

BY JEREMIAH MCNEILL ECHO STAFF WRITER

This fall, N.C. Central University’s department of theatre and college of liberal arts welcomed actor, playwright and television producer SammArt Williams as its new artist-in-residence.

Williams is best known for his television work.

He was co-executive producer of the CBS sitcom “Frank’s Place,” the NBC sitSamm-Art com “The Fresh Williams Prince of Bel-Air” and the ABC sitcom “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper,” and executive producer of the FOX sitcom “Martin.”

“I feel that it is an honor for North Carolina Central University and its students to have such a distinguished

and renowned artist-in-residence as a part of our theatre department,” said Dr. Linda Norflett, dean of the college of liberal arts.

As a child in rural North Carolina, Williams said he spent a great deal of time reading early African-American literature. His literary influences include Langston Hughes and Edgar Allen Poe. “I remember reading, “I Too Sing America” by Langston Hughes at the age of 15 and was inspired by his words,” Williams said.

“I then decided that I wanted my words to inspire others as well.”

After graduating from Morgan State University in Baltimore with a bachelor’s degree in political science, Williams moved to Philadelphia, where he studied at the Freedom Theatre.

Williams later joined the Negro Ensemble Company, Inc. in New York City, where he performed in many

plays, including “The First Breeze of Summer” and“No Where To Run… No Where To Hide.”

Williams also is an accomplished playwright, the author of “Woman from the Town,” “In My Father’s House,” “Welcome to Black River,” “Friends,” “Eyes of the American,” and “Home,” for which he received a 1980 Tony Award nomination for best broadway play.

Williams received such awards as the NAACP Image Award, The North Carolina Governors Award, The Guggenheim Fellowship, and The National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship for Playwriting.

Williams teaches beginning playwriting and television writing and production at NCCU Randy Duggins, a theater performance junior, enjoys being Williams’ student. “He has a genuine interest in the students and wants us to succeed in our endeavors,” Duggins said.

Trey Songz goes hard on the yard with “Trey Day.” His single displays two different sides of Trey.

In “Can Help But Wait,” you see his soft, sweet and soulful side.

This song is about a man in love with a girl who is in a relationship with a man who doesn’t treat her well.

Trey feels he can treat her better.

Although the concept is similar to “Just a Friend”

by Mario, Songz takes it a step further.

In the song “No Clothes On,” you get to experience

J.Holiday Back of my Lac Capitol Records

out of on the 4 5 black hand side J. Holiday’s debut album, “Back of my Lac,” is filled with lullabies that will rock you to sleep and put you to “Bed.” His soulful voice and enticing lyrics will keep you from pressing “skip” on your CD or mp3 player.

J. Holiday makes you feel like every word was written just for you.

With this album, he wants to tell you a story instead of making music that’s only for the club.

“Lately, it seems hip-hop has been birthing all of the great storytellers,” Holiday says on his Myspace page.

“

Gotta go”

Songz’ urban side. This single is something you can “snap yo fingers” to.

Even though the beat is very easy going, the song sounds like it is meant for another artist, like T-Pain.

“Wonder Woman” is a Southern-style club banger.

It’s something you can bump in your Cadillac.

This song’s only flaw is that there’s nothing unique about the style.

It sounds like a lot of the downSouth music that already exists.

The purpose of “Trey Day” seems to be to show different sides of Trey Songz.

He has semi-succeeded.

The songs on this album are good, I must admit, but there’s no wow factor.

This album gets a 2 out of 5 on the black hand side.

— Janera Fedrick “It’s time to show that R&B is way more than just dance music.

“That’s what I’m trying to convey with my music.

“I won’t settle for less.”

“Be with Me,” produced

by Rodney Jenkins, tells the story of a man who wants to be more than friends with a girl he admires.

We have all been down this road before at some and can definitely relate to these lyrics: “You be giving me the coldest shoulder / ‘cause you don’t want your emotions taking over,” he croons.

“Instead of talking about you looking for a soldier / are you trying to say you don’t see that in me?”

This album gets 4 out of 5 on the black hand side.

— Janera Fedrick

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2007

Classifieds

Transit Teaser #8 Unscramble these jumbles to form phrases related to transportation. Then use the numbered letters to find the answer to the question. The solutions, along with more puzzles, are located at RedefineTravel.org/fun.

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Student Coalition Against Tobacco (SCAT) A Petition Proposing Policy To Protect NCCU Students, Faculty, and Staff From Secondhand Smoke To the NCCU Board of Trustees: Because secondhand smoke is dangerous to NCCU Eagles, African Americans, and ALL people; Because secondhand smoke is a group A carcinogen containing the most powerful cancer-causing agents (EPA, 1993); Because exposure to secondhand smoke causes at least 50,000 deaths each year in the United States (CDC, 2006),

I support a tobacco policy at NCCU that will:

Did you know...

You don’t need to smoke to die from the effects of smoking.

Second-hand smoke causes cancer and heart disease.

Over 40,000 people in the U.S. die each year from exposure to second hand smoke.

Support SCAT's campaign to move smoking 25 feet away from campus building entrances.

Help SCAT CLEAR THE AIR at NCCU. Call Rosalind Richardson at 530-7548.

S C A T tudent

oalition

gainst

obacco

Provide students, faculty and staff the right to breathe clean air;

Reduce student, faculty, and staff exposure to secondhand smoke across campus.

Therefore, I urge the NCCU Board of Trustees to: Prohibit smoking within 25 feet of all campus building entrances.

Name (Please Print) __________________________________ Signature___________________________________________ Area you live or Residence Hall_______________________________ Student On-Campus Staff Faculty

Student Off-Campus Other

Date________________________________________

Please Return Petition To: Rosalind C. Richardson, Miller-Morgan Building , Rm. 135 or Mail To: NCCU, The Department of Public Health Education, P.O. Box 19738 Durham, N.C. 27707

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Sports

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER10, 2007

Doping rattles sports world

BY MICHAEL HILTZIK LOS ANGELES TIMES

Marion Jones’s admission of steroid use Friday in a New York courtroom tarnishes more than her own reputation: It stains every elite athlete, even those who have never been accused of doping.

That’s the conclusion of many in the athletic and anti-doping communities trying to come to grips with the confession of drug use by one of the highest-profile competitors in sports.

“Her sins will be felt by all athletes,” said Michael Straubel, a defense attorney for athletes in doping cases and director of the sports law clinic at Valparaiso University School of Law. Jones, who first made her name as a star athlete in high school in Oxnard and Thousand Oaks in California, pleaded guilty Friday to lying to investigators in 2003 about her illegal steroid use. She admitted that she had taken a thenundetectable form of the substance before the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, where she won a record three gold and two bronze medals in track.

The admission sent shock waves through the sports and legal communities, not least because Jones had steadfastly denied steroid use for years and in the face of reports that tied her to the infamous Bay Area Laboratory Cooperative.

BALCO allegedly dispensed performance enhancing drugs to dozens of athletes, including baseball slugger Barry Bonds.

Even people who had long been skeptical of Jones’s protestations of innocence were stunned by Friday’s developments.

“It shows the demonstrated willingness of many athletes to lie through their teeth,” said John Hoberman, an expert in the steroid culture at the University of Texas. He argued that the

“It shows the demonstrated willingness of many athletes to lie through their teeth” JOHN HOBERMAN EXPERT IN STEROID CULTURE

Jones case testifies to how the pressure to excel alters moral compasses and drives a surprising number of elite athletes to performanceenhancing drugs.

“A lot of us did not believe that doping was occurring on the scale it turned out to be,” he said. “Many athletes held up to us as role models have turned out to operate in an ethics-free zone.”

Jones’s plea follows admissions to prior drug use by other prominent international athletes this summer, including Danish cyclist Bjarne Riis, who won the 1996 Tour de France and placed third in 1995. And it refocuses the spotlight on others who have vehemently insisted on their innocence in the face of accusations that in some cases have persisted for years.

These include seven-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong, who has been dogged by suspicions of doping since 1999, Barry Bonds, and 2006 Tour de France winner Floyd Landis, who mounted a costly and ultimately fruitless defense against a doping allegation this year.

A panel of three arbitrators split 2-1 last month upholding doping charges brought against Landis by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, despite Landis’s contention that faulty and suspect lab procedures produced his positive results. Landis has not said whether he will appeal the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland, the final arbiter.

“It’s human nature to doubt these stories,” said Straubel. The Jones case,

though, “creates more cynicism and makes it harder for the (doping arbitration) process to be objective and fair.”

For critics of that process, many of whom complain it is rigged against athletes, the Jones case was seen tilting the playing field more steeply against those accused. John Collins, a Chicago sports lawyer, dismissed the Jones plea, however, saying that athletes almost always lose anyway.

“How could my job be any harder?” he said.

Others expressed concern that the Jones case could foster cynicism extending even to athletes whose only offense is turning in exceptional performances in the field.

“It’s a sad day for the vast majority of athletes who don’t use drugs,” said Edward G. Williams, a New York attorney who has represented three athletes caught in the BALCO snare.

“Henceforth, every time there’s a superb performance or a victory, they’re going to be suspect. When a clean athlete does well, how do you remove that tarnish?”

Indeed, the case against Jones reflects a sea change in doping prosecutions: Increasingly, the most significant victories are being scored not by the sports antidoping authorities, who rely on laboratory tests of urine and blood samples, but by law enforcement agencies, which occasionally find illegal steroid use while investigating other crimes.

For example, federal authorities charged Jones not with taking illegal drugs, but with lying to government investigators, who were probing what they described as a “sprawling check fraud/money laundering scheme” in which she was implicated along with her former boyfriend, sprinter Tim Montgomery, and her former coach, Steve Riddick.

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Bring it on, Crusaders NCCU seniors defend O’Kelly-Riddick for their final game

The Eagles participate in a scrimmage to prepare for Saturday’s homecoming game.

BRYSON POPE/Echo Staff Photographer

“I have made it real clear to the team that the alumni will come back and expect us to win the ball game” MOSE RISON NCCU HEAD COACH

BY MATTHEW BEATTY ECHO SPORTS REPORTER

Homecoming time is here again as N.C Central University (4-2 overall) prepares for its first match-up ever against the North Greenville Crusaders (1-5 overall) Saturday at O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium.

This is the final home game for 19 senior Eagle football players. As history shows, NCCU is no stranger to winning homecoming games.

Since 1937, the Eagles homecoming record is 5017-2 with a winning percentage around 74 percent.

Some may say the record doesn’t add up to the Eagles football program, because in 1943-1944 the Eagles didn’t have a football team.

Between 1934-1936 there are no records of any homecoming games.

Through the years the Eagles have defeated several teams at homecoming, such as Shaw University, University of MarylandEastern Shore, Johnson C. Smith University, Virginia Union, Maryland State and S.C State.

In 1954 and 1956 NCCU tied with Maryland State with a score of 7-7.

The Eagles have a split 2-2 record in the last four years of homecoming games.

After defeating Johnson C. Smith 52-7 last year, the Eagles are looking for their second straight win this year.

Though this is their first meeting against the Crusaders, the Eagles are confident of winning this game to bounce back after their loss two weeks ago against Presbyterian College.

To date, the Eagles offense averages more than 17 points per game.

The Eagle offense is led by sophomore quarterback Stadford Brown, who has completed 58 of 115 pass for 604 yards this season.

Brown has thrown 7 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Junior receiver Will Scott leads the team with 337 receiving yards and 4 touchdown catches.

Freshman running back Tim Shankle leads the team with 289 rushing yards.

NCCU’s defensive unit has held opponents to an average of 279 yards per game.

Senior linebacker D.J Fretwell leads the team with 49 tackles. Senior defensive end Xavier Joe has a team high of 6 sacks

and 3 quarterback hurries.

Free safety Darren Brothers leads the team with 4 interceptions, 7 pass break-ups.

Senior cornerback Craig Amos has 23 tackles, 3 interceptions, 5 pass breakups, 3 fumble recoveries and 2 blocked kicks.

Despite the 1-5 record, North Greenville should not be taken lightly.

The Crusaders gained 515 total yards and scored 52 points in a loss to Presbyterian College last Saturday.

Coming into this week’s game, the Crusaders average 35 points per game.

In practice this week, NCCU head coach Mose Rison encouraged his team to perform well for homecoming.

“I have made it real clear to the team that the alumni will come back and expect us to win the ball game,” said Rison.

Rison does not believe the Crusaders will lie down for the Eagles.

“This will be NCCU’s biggest game of the season,” said Rison.

“With 19 seniors playing in their final home game, it’s going to be very emotional for them. I’m sure you will see some tears on Saturday.”

Campus Echo Online w w w w w

Marion Jones of the United States walks off after her last attempt at the long jump where she failed to win a medal at the 2004 Olympic Games August 27, 2004, in Athens, Greece.

BRUCE CHAMBERS/L.A. Times (MCT)

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2007

IVER SITY

Good hair, who cares? tudent involvement is an excellent way to gauge the progressiveness and intellectualism of a campus.

However, if the turnout for programs with titles like “Rock the Vote” can’t manage a crowd of more than 40, but one called “Natural vs.

Processed Hair” can bring out the masses, then NCCU is in Tarryn Leal serious trouSimmons ble.

Tempers flared, curse words slipped, and egos raged as students debated and defended their decision to relax, press, or loc their hair at Gamma Beta’s program on Tuesday, Oct. 2.

As a panelist, I was tempted to take things personally during the discussion about whether straightening the naturally kinky hair God gave me

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was some form need to focus on of self-hatred, more urgent or even sacrileissues – like the When you really gious. fact that our search for the Amidst the black women yelling, defendetiology of the black are dying of ing of opinions, community’s plight, AIDS, our black and retreating men are dying you have to look (by attempting of imprisonto dilute the ment, deep into the confrontational black/white psyche our race. atmosphere), I health dispariforgot the real ties are growing, reason we were all so upset. and our black children are So did the rest of the panmentally malnourished from elists, the audience, and the lack of quality education. hosts.

But when you really search We were not just there to for the etiology of the black discuss why some choose to community’s plight, you have alter the biologically proto look deep into the psyche grammed texture of their hair. our race.

We were there to discuss We are a people of rich, what it means to be black – illustrious, and triumphant linAfrican American – Negro – eage. colored – a person of color.

So why do we slight ourWhy is there still a need for selves – refusing to utilize our this discussion in 2007?

Constitutional right to vote, Because as a community, we taking our educations for still can’t seem to come to a granted, disrespecting our bodconsensus on just exactly what ies with drugs, looking the this means. other way when we see our felSome would argue that we low brother or sister in need?

We exhibit these signs of self-hatred because we will never be able to fully care about “us” until we really know what “us” means.

I could ask the sister with the natural: “If you had long, thick, flowing relaxed hair like the models on BET, would you still have cut it all off and gone natural?”

I could point my finger and blame the big bad white man for all our problems.

But at the end of the day we will still be right back at square one.

As members of the so-called talented tenth, we have to take a personal interest in realizing who we are as authentic individuals as well as who “us” is.

And we must become confident in that realization, almost arrogantly so.

When we do that, maybe, just maybe, we will be able to care enough to attend a program called “Rock the Vote” just as much as we do the less politically significant events.

Just maybe.

State of the U: bad and good tudents are way too quick to point out the flaws in our culture, community and even our dear ol’ NCCU. But those same students aren’t voting, let alone getting involved in order to correct the problems they’re complaining about.

Not to mention the 60 percent of the sophomore class currently serving time on academic probation.

Our students also aren’t politically aware – politically Eric unconscious Jefferson would be a better way to describe many.

As a matter of fact I have evidence that our student body is no closer to approaching that great promised land our civil rights leaders of the past shed blood, sweat and tears for.

Just two weeks ago I, along with other members of the jun-

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ior class counWith only 35 cil, went doorpeople in attento-door in dance at a proImagine if we carried almost every gram about our fellow brothers and something as dorm promoting our upcoming important as sisters when they fell, event, “Who academically, spiritual- our Represents Constitutional ly, politically – now Me?” right to vote, we The program have a lot of what a sight to see! was organized work to do as a in collaboration student body. with the With all of that Political said, I still Science Club and featured believe that we will reach that three state legislators who great promised land a answered questions concerning renowned doctor once spoke of the Durham community and, at the mountain top. more importantly, the wellThe Jena Six rally at 10:40 being of NCCU. break about a month ago reThe event included a chance ignited my faith in this univerfor students to ask questions sity. and express thoughts about What began as just a small changes they would like to see discussion between a few stuat NCCU. dents quickly blossomed into a To make a long story short, future protest in Jena, only about 30 to 35 people Louisiana and another protest showed up – those same people at Shaw University. who always show up and always The protest in Louisiana was seem to be “in the know.” monumental not for the sheer You see, I understand that as numbers of students who trava proud student leader, I have a eled, but for the response of lot of work to do. our nation as a whole to such

N ORTH C AROLINA C ENTRAL U NIVERSITY

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injustice.

If students can continue to add to the fire that was ignited by the Jena Six movement and understand that it does not stop there, then there may be hope.

We must understand first that everyone is not on the same level.

Though there may still be a low attendance at the voting polls, but a packed house for a concert, we must continue to reach out and help one another.

When Harriet Tubman was escaping through the underground railroad and leading others along the way, not every slave wanted to follow her.

Many slaves were too afraid, or just content with their situation.

We have enough outside influences exploiting and criticizing us as it is, don’t we? Why should we continue to do it to ourselves? Imagine if we carried our fellow brothers and sisters when they fell, academically, spiritually, politically — now what a sight to see!

No, as a matter of fact, what a sight it will be.

drawing by Rashaun Rucker

Question: How do you feel about students being late to class so often?

“That’s why we have drop/add. To schedule our time so we can aviod being late. It’s called being responsible. ” — Garrett Johnson

“This won’t cut it in the real world. Why pay for school if you’re not going to take it seriously?”

—Reginald Simpson Jr.

“They’re just cheating themselves by taking this for granted. They disrespect themselves as well as thier professors.”

—Timothy Catlett