September 26, 2007 by N.C. Central University Campus Echo

SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

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VOLUME 99, ISSUE 2 919 530 7116/CAMPUSECHO@NCCU.EDU WWW.CAMPUSECHO.COM

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Opinion

Photo Feature

Bad doggy. At A&T, $2 million may have been mismanaged.

After 35 years, Sharon Johnson has returned to school.

Echo staffer writes to Mychal

Sebastian Orlando explores his roots at La Fiesta del Pueblo

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Campus Echo 60 percent of freshmen in trouble

JENA 6 PROTEST I THOUSANDS ATTEND

New students floundered in spring BY KRISTIANA BENNETT ECHO STAFF WRITER

Sixty percent. The number boggles the mind. According to recent statistics obtained from the N.C. Central University registrar’s office, in spring 2007, 60 percent of 1,423 freshmen were placed on academic warning or academic suspension. In comparison, only around 16 percent of 4,222 freshmen at N.C. State University were on either academic warning or academic suspension in the 2007 spring semester. It’s an issue that NCCU administrators have mixed opinions about. “If students are failing, they are not being responsible, serious students and not taking advantage of our tutorial services,” said Bernice Johnson, assistant vice chancellor for academic services. “Ultimately, the student is responsible for his or her own education not the professor, mom or dad,” Johnson said. Others say University administrators and faculty should shoulder more of the blame for the 45 percent of freshman on academic warning and the 15 percent suspended. “First of all, getting a sense of the capacity for true quality service needs to be done by the University,” said Caesar Jackson, dean of the College of Science and Technology.

“The issue starts with the planning of what we’re bringing in as an institution and we need to know that we can serve these students at the level we have established.” According to Michele Ware, an associate professor in the English department, the real culprit is the push to increase enrollment. “I do worry about one thing — if we have so many students needing remedial help, how do we do it with so many kids?” said Ware. “We need more teachers and we need more classrooms.” History chair Carlton Wilson, director of the general education curriculum, said that innovative teaching can help. “We’re looking into the nature of our classroom structure to make sure that our junior and senior faculty are comfortable in their teaching methods and pedagogy to make sure they’re addressing their subjects in a manner the students can comprehend,” Wilson said. Freshmen students weren’t surprised at their poor class performance, and looked at the issue as a mixture of personal responsibility and University shortcomings. “Sixty percent: That’s people partying more than going to class,” said Derick Young, a political science

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Supporters represent Harlem at Thursday’s Jena Six rally. They are just one group that traveled to join thousands of protestors. BRYSON POPE/Echo Staff Photographer

NCCU rallies for Jena 6 BY SHELBIA BROWN ECHO STAFF WRITER

“NCCU Supports Jena Six” read the black T-shirts of 44 N. C. Central University students and six faculty at Thursday’s Jena Six rally. They boarded the Eagle One bus last Wednesday for a 16-hour voyage to join protestors from around the nation in Jena, La., a town of just under 3,100. Crowds were estimated at 20,000 to 50,000. When NCCU mass communication senior Marquita McAlpine heard about the excessive charges levied against six black high school students in Jena, she knew she had to do something. “I didn’t know how I wanted to

go about the situation; I just knew I wanted to help,” McAlpine said. NCCU students joined protestors and marched from the Ward 10 Recreation Park to the LaSalle Parish Courthouse to rally for the release of Mychal Bell, the last of the Jena Six to remain in jail. Bell, 17, has been in jail for nine months, ever since he and five other black males were arrested after a schoolyard fight last year. The fight was the climax of a chain of racial tensions at Jena High School that began in August 2006. Tensions flared after black students sat under what many students called the “whites-only

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BRYSON POPE/Staff Photographer

Dogs cry fowl at buzzer Aggie-Eagle gridiron victory marred by post-game scuffle BY QUENTIN GARDNER ECHO SPORTS EDITOR

N.C. Central University students have mixed feelings about the melee after Saturday’s football game with N.C. A&T. Political science and business administration junior Kent Williams said he is disheartened with the way NCCU football players behaved. “I’m very disappointed that we have a few athletes who embarrassed the University and the students that support them,” said Williams. Some students say media coverage has been excessive. “I do think the fight is being blown out of proportion,” said social work junior Jessica Griggs. NCCU Chancellor Charlie Nelms and A&T Chancellor Stanley Battle issued a joint statement Monday evening stating that no decision has been

Referees and police officers attempt to break up the AggieEagle fight Saturday after Eagles 27-22 win. BRYSON POPE/Staff Photographer

made about how to respond to the incident. The game ended dramatically with the Eagles defeating the Aggies on a game-saving interception

A Jena Six protestor climbs in a tree as he holds a sign at Thursday’s rally.

from the one-yard line. Eagle players ran from the sidelines and began to celebrate on the Aggie bulldog logo. Within seconds, both teams erupted into a

scuffle at midfield. The scuffle lasted about two minutes, leaving police officers from both schools using pepper spray to separate the players. In Monday’s edition of the News & Observer, A&T athletic director DeLores Todd, who watched the game from the stands, blamed NCCU’s coaching staff for its actions. “One of the coaches picked up a patch of dirt off the dog and threw it,” said Todd. “Coaches are your leaders, and if a coach does that, then you can’t really expect the kids to do anything different.” NCCU head football coach Mose Rison issued a statement Saturday evening. “After our game Saturday, emotions were high; however, we still expected to walk across the

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BRITE for a brighter campus BY GEOFFREY COOPER ECHO STAFF REPORTER

It looks as if N.C. Central University will soon have one more state-of-the-art building. The completion of NCCU’s $20.1 million Biomanufacturing Research Institute & Technology Enterprise Center is currently underway. The 52,000 sq. ft. BRITE Center will serve as a haven for faculty, undergraduate and graduate students interested in pursuing careers in pharmaceutical sciences, with emphasis on biomanufacturing and biotechnology. Li-An Yeh, director of the BRITE program, said the purpose of the program and its facilities is to serve as a training module for students who are seeking occupations in the field of biomanufacturing. Through the BRITE curriculum and hands-on laboratory experience available for students, Yeh said she

feels the addition of the facility will give students a competitive edge when seeking post-graduation options. “We want our students who enter the program to leave NCCU prepared … ,” said Yeh. “When employers start searching for adequacy and experience, they will find it in our students.” The building will provide 31,000 sq. ft. of lab space and 21,000 sq. ft. of high-technology-based classrooms and faculty offices. The program and design phases were completed by O’Brien/Atkins Associates, PA and The Freelon Group Inc. in March 2006. The architectural makeup of the BRITE Center is designed to connect a pathway to the north face of the west extension of the Mary M. Townes Science Building. The center’s faculty is optimistic construction will

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She’s old school and in school

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

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Activism, dead or alive? Jena Six injustice revives political passion BY JABARI BLACKMON ECHO STAFF WRITER

Non-traditional student Sharon Johnson, criminal justice senior, listens attentively in class. BRYSON POPE/Echo Staff Photographer

BY STACY HAUK ECHO STAFF WRITER

Students at N.C. Central University can hear Sharon Johnson coming by the click-clack of her high heels. She enters the classroom smiling and impeccably dressed in black capris and a black and gold tank top. Johnson, a criminal justice senior, is sharp, sassy, and stylish. She also is 57 years old and back in school after 35 years. Unlike most college students, Johnson is not on the “career track.” She would appreciate a good job after graduation, but she is at NCCU for other reasons. For Johnson, college is about the experience and knowledge that she will gain, and the satisfaction of having a college degree. Johnson was born in Birmingham, Alabama but grew up in Norfolk, Virginia. After high school she chose to get married rather than go to college. She is now single and lives in a downtown Raleigh apartment with her daughter, Shidonna. Johnson was inspired to return to school when Shidonna received a master’s degree in international relations from Queens University of Charlotte. Johnson saw how college had affected her daughter. “Her speech and her manner and everything had changed, and I wanted some of that, man,” Johnson said. Johnson also was determined to be a productive member of society. “I refuse to sit at home and accept a social security check,” she said. In 2001, Johnson registered at Tidewater Community College in Norfolk. She began studying counseling but switched to criminal justice with hopes of becoming a probation officer. In 2002, Johnson moved to North Carolina and

transferred to Vance Granville Community College (VGCC) in Henderson. She faced $1,400 in out-of-state tuition costs, and discovered that VGCC would only accept nine of her 46 transfer credits. Johnson was discouraged but refused to quit. She asked seven members of her family for $200 each to cover the tuition and began school. “It was a challenge for me to go back after all those years and I was determined that I was going to graduate,” she recalled. And she did. Johnson held a 4.0 GPA while at VGCC and graduated with an associate’s degree in criminal justice technology. Johnson came to NCCU in 2005, and as an older student she has faced some challenges. The physical challenge of walking around campus and using the stairs has been hard for her. It takes her longer to write papers and she needs more time to study than younger students need. However, Johnson doesn’t expect special treatment because of her age. “I leave my age outside the classroom,” she said. Most instructors treat her the same as any other student, but there have been times when she felt overlooked, or that her input wasn’t important. Johnson doesn’t let that deter her. “You gotta go in there and take what you need to take for you,” she said. Sometimes Johnson gets treated differently by other students. In group projects, the younger students tend to move aside and let her take charge, but she refuses. “I’m not being in charge because I’m the oldest person. If you want to put me in charge because of some quality I have, fine. “And,” Johnson adds, “I make sure I tell them my

name is Sharon, it’s not Ms. Johnson.” Johnson hopes to gain more than a degree. She wants college to help build her vocabulary, improve her manner and speech, and help her to “be more refined.” Johnson will graduate in May, but she never thought she would stick with it. “I thought that I was going to go one year and fail, and not make it,” she said. However, Johnson is persistent. “I said I’m gonna go as long as I can go.” Johnson’s friends and family have faith in her success. Shidonna describes her mother as, “loyal, driven, and persistent.” Gregory Williamson, a close friend, is inspired by Johnson. He believes that she will continue with her education. “I don’t see her really stopping at one point and being satisfied with that until she reaches her ultimate goal,” said Williamson. So what is the ultimate goal for Johnson? She plans to continue her education. “I’m looking at a PhD. I don’t know how I’m gonna do it, I didn’t know how I was going to get to graduate, but I’m here,” said Johnson. Johnson makes it clear that she has gained a lot from her college experience. “It has given me a life that I never had. It’s given me a life, it’s given me independence. I’m proud of myself.” It is also clear that she is thankful for the opportunity that she has been given. Remembering her first year of college, Johnson said, “I said to myself, my God, I am sitting in this classroom with 18-year-old students. “God has given me a special gift. He’s giving me a chance.”

The recent bus trip of about 60 N.C. Central University students to Jena, La. in support of six black high school students who many say were excessively punished over a schoolyard fight, raises an important question: Are today’s NCCU students becoming more politically active? If so, their activism would tap into a long history of political activism at NCCU. In 1958, N.C. Central students demonstrated in the Royal Ice Cream Parlor sitin to protest Durham’s segregated businesses. In 1968, in response to the police shooting deaths of three South Carolina State College students in Orangeburg, NCCU students marched in downtown Durham. And in 1969, NCCU students joined black students from Duke University to take over the Allen Building at Duke to protest the segregated use of Duke facilities. Students at that sit-in renamed the building the Malcom X Liberation School. Jarvis Hall, director of NCCU’s Institute for Civic Engagement and Social Change, is excited about the

way students have mobilized around the Jena 6 protest. “It’s really resonating with students — you hear students talking about it all the time,” he said. “For them it just exposes all the other injustices within the criminal justice system.” But some students say that too many of their peers are indifferent to national and international events. “They don’t talk about them because they don't want to risk becoming too involved,” said sophomore music industry major Tikeya Banks. “I think there’s a certain level of indifference once the newness of an issue wears off because people feel like, `It’s not happening to me or anyone I know, so why should I still be concerned about something that happened weeks or years ago?’” Athletic training sophomore Briana Aguilar, also her class vice president, agrees. “I … believe there is a high percentage of students who don’t talk about important everyday issues,” Aguilar said. “This bothers me because they don’t know what Jena Six is about but they know how many CDs Kanye West sold in the first week.” “I think some students

don’t want to do the research about why things are happening and how it is affecting us not only as a race but as a nation.” According to Artemesia Stanberry, NCCU political science professor, some political apathy is due to the successes of the civil rights movement. Many blacks, Stanberry said, have joined the middle class and racist oppression is not as evident as in the past. “During the civil rights movement, everybody was affected,” she said. “As we moved into the 80s and 90s, more blacks moved into the middle class. You don’t have the Klan, and no more ‘whites only’ signs. People don’t have to focus on racial issues as much as they had to before. They’re more worried about 50 Cent and Kanye, “Graduation” versus “Curtis,” who’s going to sell more records.” According to Hall, students must provide the energy and excitement for political change. “Hopefully the younger generation will be mindful and aware of the history especially that black students have played in terms of turning the country around on a number of issues, especially civil rights and the war.”

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Spring 2007 Undergraduate Academic Warning, Academic Suspension Statistics Classification Academic Warning Suspension Total Enrolled 1423 Freshmen 666 193 Sophomore 452 100 1211 Junior 394 91 1355 Senior 262 47 1264 Total 1774 431 5253 Source: NCCU Office of the Registrar

freshman. “I don’t fault the University because each and every person chose to come to the University knowing that the collegiate level would be more difficult than high school.” Mass communication freshman Jasmin Overstreet had a different take on the subject. “Coming from high school, we are used to different curriculums from different places and some students might slack off because they don’t know what’s going on or can’t keep pace,” said Overstreet. “The University needs a curriculum or workshop for teachers on their approach to freshman students.” One freshman speculated that the problem stems from a lack of maturity. “Basically, a lot of freshmen aren’t independent and still need their parents,” said Alona Livingston, a freshman who has not declared her major. “It’s not much the University can do because the University isn’t the students’ parents.” According to University policy, undergraduates receive early warnings dur-

Fall 2007 Organization Fair Lear n all about NCCU’s or ganizations Campus organizations must register to apply for incentive grants and to reserve campus facilities.

ing the fourth week of each semester if they are receiving a grade below a “C” in any course they are taking. An official warning is sent to any undergraduate student whose GPA falls below 2.0 by the dean of the college or school in which the student’s academic program is situated. Students are suspended once their GPAs fall below the required minimum grades for the number of hours attempted. The required minimum GPAs per hours attempted are 1.5 for up to 18 hours, 1.7 for 19-39 hours, 1.8 for 40-69 hours, 1.9 for 70-96 hours and 2.0 for 97-123 hours. The first time a student fails to meet this criteria the student will be suspended for a semester; the second time merits suspension for a year. Guidelines for readmittance include a written request by the student, with an explanation of why the student should be allowed to return. The request must be accompanied with supporting documentation. John Leach, a family and consumer science junior, recalls his experience when placed on academic warning as a freshman.

“I knew it wasn’t the work that was hurting me. “It was my time management and bad decisions that were killing me because the work really wasn’t that hard,” said Leach. Leach said he didn’t take advantage of any academic services, but managed to improve his grades by getting serious about his studies. When asked what he thought NCCU could do to help, Leach suggested a stronger commitment to academics. “Honestly, I think Central could, or people at campus events should, stress academics. “Like if we’re having a concert or something, the MC should talk about it because nobody talks about grades,” said Leach. “They should make it cool.” The registrar’s office was not able to provide a history of academic suspension and warning statistics, a practice that University Registrar Jerome Goodwin intends to change. “I will retain this information on file going forward,” wrote Goodwin in a Sept. 11 e-mail.

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

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Poli sci senior travels world Fellowship has steered Patrice Mobley into rights advocacy

College swap lets students take a test drive Program draws 3,000 BY RAENA BOSTON ECHO STAFF WRITER

Patrice Mobley studies history to prepare for a career in human rights advocacy, an interest spurred by a public policy fellowship. KENICE MOBLEY/Echo Staff Photographer

BY NATALIA FARRER ECHO STAFF WRITER

“I don’t think I could handle a break for more than a week,” said Patrice Mobley. She definitely hasn’t wasted any time since arriving at N.C. Central University. Mobley, a political science senior, was one of only 20 sophomores nationwide accepted into the Institute for International Public Policy Fellowship. The six-part program consists of policy institutes, study abroad, internships, language training and graduate study. Mobley spent the summer in a policy institute studying international relations at Spelman College. In addition to studying at Spelman, she also met with human rights and international relations organizations in Washington, D.C.

and New York. Mobley’s classes, running from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., occupied much of her time Last fall, she interned with the D.C. grassroots advocacy organization Latin America Working Group. There she petitioned to change the U.S. foreign policy, “Plan Colombia,” implemented to curb drug smuggling. “The government contracts planes to dump pesticides on land where it thinks there is cocaine,” she said. “This hurts people because the pesticides go through groundwater, killing plants that people eat and sell.” She spent her spring semester in the tropical climate of Chiapas, Mexico. There she took classes in Spanish and Mexican and Central American history. Mobley studied grassroots development and also

visited organizations that work to improve the lives of indigenous people. “We have a law that says we’ll give grain to farmers in western Africa, yet we buy the grain from U.S. farmers. “This means the [African] economy doesn’t grow as much,” she said. “If we’re irresponsible with our allocation of money, this negatively affects other countries.” A highlight of Mobley’s summer was reading in The Washington Post that the U.S. finally agreed to manually dig up coca plants in Colombia rather than raid the fields by air. “I felt really good,” she said. “Like, wow, I made a difference in the world.” A business major during her freshman year, Mobley was intent on getting her MBA/JD degrees and working in business law because

“the money was good.” But an internship with General Electric sparked her interest in international relations. Mobley promptly switched to political science and hasn’t looked back since. She estimates that a career advocating for human rights in a non-government organization pays about $25,000 out of college. “I have to sleep at night,” Mobley said. “I want to be able to work during the day doing something that doesn’t keep me up at night,” she said. “I would rather feel good about what I do.” “The world is globalizing. People need to know more, particularly in an HBCU, because people have misconceptions.” “We need to learn how to be big players in a society where there is a lot of discrimination.”

BRITE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 be completed by the revised March 2008 completion date. But the project has suffered setbacks in the past. Construction of the BRITE Center began in November 2006. The BRITE Center was originally scheduled for construction to start in April 2006 with hopes of its completion in August 2007. The project was delayed because Yeh had to find grants to purchase equipment.

In 2004, the BRITE program was awarded $17.8 million in grants through the Golden LEAF Foundation, a non-profit organization that funds local agencies, academic institutions and organizations in N.C. counties from cigarette sales. In September 2006, the Golden LEAF Foundation awarded the BRITE program with another $2.3 million to continue with plans for construction.

Yeh said she hopes that the new facility will attract more students into the BRITE program. Although the program now has 66 undergraduate students, Yeh said she wants to recruit an additional 200 undergraduates by fall 2008. The construction site is already catching the eye of interested students such as Hadassah Watson, a pharmaceutical science junior and BRITE program participant.

Dr. Sheila Allison

Watson joined the BRITE program this fall after switching her major from chemistry. She said the BRITE Center will add a competitive edge to the University, especially as NCCU makes the transition into the ranks of Division I. “The BRITE Center will probably set a standard for any university’s science facilities, not just for an HBCU,” said Watson.

A major choice still fresh in a college student’s mind is which college to attend — even after he or she has begun college. National Student Exchange (NSE) looks to broaden the student’s horizon without the hassle of transferring. NSE is an exchange program for undergraduate students living in the United States or Canada. This program affords students the opportunity to go to another university for up to one calendar year. NSE was established at in 1968 with seven students scattered among three universities in Alabama, Illinois and Montana. The purpose of the program is to provide students who were unable to study abroad the opportunity to gain new living and educational opportunities within their home country. Having served more than 90,000 students at nearly 200 colleges, NSE has grown into a successful and popular program. N. C. Central University hosted two students this school year, and sent one student to another university. NSE coordinator Tenita Philyaw-Rogers and assistant coordinator Khadesha Quammie hope to change that for the following school year. They will host several information sessions. The first was held on Sept. 18, from 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. in the H.M. Michaux Jr. School of Education in room 2004. There will be a meeting at this time and location midmonth through January. In addition to the information sessions, representatives from NSE will be at some 10:40 breaks. Students have until Feb. 4 to complete their applications for NSE. Quammie listed many advantages of participating in the program. “There are students who want to have a change in their culture,” Quammie said. “It is advantageous to students because they get to stay right in the 50 states plus Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and they aren’t too far way from home.” Quammie says going through NSE is a good idea for students thinking about graduate school.

Each year, more than 3,000 students participate in NSE. To be considered for the program, students must have full-time status, have a minimum 2.5 GPA and have good academic, financial and personal standing. Economics junior Sade Walker, who is on exchange from Buffalo State, agrees with Quammie. “I think the program is beneficial, and I look forward to the experience I will gain while I’m here,” she said. Walker decided to come to NCCU on exchange to experience an HBCU. It is important that students do their homework on NSE. Lingo such as even and uneven exchange, Plan A and B can be confusing to the uninformed, but are important phrases for those who are considering applying for the program. In schools that participate in even exchange, the number of students coming in has to equal the number of students going out. In an uneven exchange, those numbers do not have to match. Plan A states that student participants pay the host university’s in-state tuition and fees. Students who participate in Plan B pay the tuition and fees they would pay at their home universities. No matter what plan the student falls under, he or she pays the host campus for room and meals. Financial aid, grants, and other student aid are accepted. Students on exchange are responsible for transportation and other personal expenses while on exchange. Quammie said she sees no disadvantages to participating in NSE. “I think it takes a really determined person,” Quammie said, “because it’s a lot of paperwork, it’s a lot of back and forth and it’s a lot of running around. I wouldn’t call that a disadvantage if NSE is what you want to do.” For more information on NCCU’s NSE program, students may call Tenita Philyaw-Rogers at 919-5306687 or e-mail her at tphilyawrogers@nccu.edu. They also may call Khadesha Quammie at 919530-7914 or e-mail her at kquammie@nccu.edu. More information is available at www.nse.org.

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Take it to the bank Wachovia and NCCU craft Eagle Visa card BY JANERA FEDRICK ECHO STAFF WRITER

N. C. Central University students, faculty, and staff no longer have to carry both a debit and an ID card. Wachovia and NCCU have joined forces and created the Eagle Visa card, which will be a campus ID and a check card all in one. With these new campus IDs, students can check out books from the library, access meal plans, attend campus athletic events, shop at the bookstore, and more. Like a check card, students can access cash, make deposits, and use it with Wachovia ATMs. The card also comes with fraud protection against unauthorized purchases. Currently 452 students use the Eagle Visa card. In addition to NCCU, three other HBCUs offer a Wachovia campus card: N.C. A&T, Fayetteville State

U n i v e r s i t y, logo to it,” Eagle Visa Card and Clark said Moore, Atlanta “it is allowUniversity. ing the stuIn all, 14 dent to be colleges able to and univermatriculate s i t i e s or to patronacross the ize businesscountry es — not offer their only on-camstudents pus, but also t h e off-campus.” Wa c h o v i a He said the campus card. advantages of an Eagle Visa Timothy Moore, interim card outweigh the disadassistant director of auxil- vantages. iaries and business servicThe student account es, said that the Eagle Visa comes with such benefits as is linked to students’ free enrollment in the Visa checking accounts. rewards program, free He added that it’s part of online banking, no monthly a growing trend with most service fee, no minimum colleges “to get students not balance requirement, preto carry cash.” mium savings account and Moore said that it was automated service. like the debit card program, One disadvantage to the which is geared toward stu- card, however, is that the dents using meal plans, and Eagle Visa does not give you book vouchers for on-cam- access to your dorm room. pus services. Instead, you have to get a “But, by adding the Visa proxy card from

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Residential Life. Another disadvantage is that students must have a Wachovia account in order to use the Eagle Visa. Students not having Wachovia accounts will receive a regular student NCCU ID. Moore said the card strengthens the NCCU brand. “It benefits NCCU in that it does something for image because the card itself is branded with our logo on it,” said Moore. “It helps from a marketing standpoint.” According to Moore, another benefit is that Wachovia pays NCCU about $1 for each student who signs up for a card. “That goes back to the University in terms of scholarships,” he said. “Our relationship with them is a contractual relationship,” said Moore. “It is a partnership with the bank.”

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Part-time balancing acts Bosses battle schedule woes BY AKILAH MCMULLAN ECHO STAFF WRITER

When thinking of parttime employment, most college students head to the local mall. But mall employers say hiring college students may be more of a hassle than a help. According to a study by the American Council on Education, about threequarters of college students work part time while earning a four-year degree. Jason Cassidy, customer experience and scheduling manager for Banana Republic at The Streets at Southpoint Mall, said his staff is usually comprised of college students. “Currently college students make up 30 percent of our employees. This is low compared to our normal 50 to 60 percent,” said Cassidy. Cassidy attributes high percentages of college employees to the number of colleges in the area. “I definitely feel like this is a college town, so we have to hire college students.” According to Cassidy, the main problem with hiring college students is their availability. “It’s difficult for them to stay true to what they put on their applications. They have good intentions but it doesn’t work,” Cassidy said. Kenali Battle, a mass communication senior and former Gymboree employee, said that scheduling conflicts eventually forced her to quit her job. “At first it was fine. When new management came, they wanted me to work days and I have class in the daytime.” “Because of my scheduling issues, I had to quit,” said Battle. Zidia Rios, director of human resources at Nordstrom, agrees that stu-

dents’ limited availability deters her from hiring college students. “Unfortunately, because of part-time availability, we don’t hire them as often as we could. Our store is more geared toward a full-time availability,” she said. However, Rios said that the college students currently working at Nordstrom are valuable employees. “The few we do have are proving to be very reliable.” N. C. Central University graduate Krystin Scales said that working part time at Nordstrom while in school was a positive experience that led to advancement after graduation. “I wasn’t a person whose parents paid for them throughout school,” Scales said. She added that working got her ready for the real world and gave her a sense of responsibility. Since graduating in May 2006, Scales has been promoted twice and is currently counter manager for Kiehl’s cosmetics and skin care. Cassidy advises students applying for part-time jobs to be completely realistic about their expectations of the company and their availability. “It seems as though when you’re dealing with a student, we always know we’re going to take a back seat to whatever they have going,” Cassidy said. “The thing that makes it a little easier is if the student is 100 percent honest and realistic in the interview process. That way we know where to place them in the company.” Nonetheless, Cassidy thinks it is more of a hassle to hire college students. “It’s more of a hassle both ways — it’s a hassle for the students and it’s a hassle for the employers.”

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

Residential JOB FAIR Services, Inc.

Thursday, Sept. 13. 10 am - 6 pm. Stop by our office at 111 Providence Rd., Chapel Hill

NCCU WRITING STUDIO You wouldn’t wait until the night before to practice for the big game . . .

Monday - Thursday from 10 am - 6 pm Friday 10 am - 2 pm

Residential Services is a private nonprofit organization that provides living options and services to people of all ages with developmental disabilities. We currently have employment opportunities for full-time and part-time.

Evening/weekend appointments now available. Call for details. Room 339 Farrison-Newton Communications Building

No experience necessary, paid training. Come talk to us to find out more information. Questions? Contact Melanie Gall (919) 942-7391 x 121 or visit our website at www.rsi-nc.org

So why wait until the last minute to start your paper?

We’re Here, and We Can Help. Pregnancy Support Services 3700 Lyckan Parkway, Suite D Durham, NC 27707 (919) 490-0203 www.pregnancysupport.org

Pregnancy tests First trimester ultra sound Testing for Gonorrhea & Chlamydia Ongoing peer support Referrals for community resources Maternity clothes Baby clothes &Layette items Parenting education Nursery Furnishings Post Abortion Recovery Relationship guidance Abstinence Education

All services FREE and CONFIDENTIAL

Please Recycle

Appointments and Walk-Ins Welcome

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

2007 Annual Fall Career Fair

Thursday, October 4 10 am to 1 pm L.T. Walker Complex Dress Code will be enforced Pant/skirt suit or dark suit and tie required. No jeans, hats, sandals or sneakers. The fair will give you the opportunity to learn about more than 80 businesses. You will be able to meet with company representatives, gather information and make that great first impression to help you land your dream job!

University Career Services William Jones Building, Room 005 530-6337/mstuckey@nccu.edu

530-7554 writingcentergrad@nccu.edu Director Dr. Karen Keaton Jackson

Access Your Health Career Undecided about your major? Want to become a health professional? Want to attend health career seminars and workshops? Want to meet recruiters from health professions schools? Want to meet students pursuing health professions?

If so, find out about the N.C. Health Careers Access Program at NCCU.

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

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

Beyond NCCU

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

R TH

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

BY KIA BEASLEY BLACK COLLEGE WIRE

About 60,000 protesters gathered Thursday in support of the Jena Six in Jena, La. BRYSON POPE/Echo staff photographer

NCCU Senior Marquita McAlpine speaks with an NBC 17 News reporter at Thursday’s Jena Six rally. BRYSON POPE/ Echo staff photographer

one of few whites at the rally was never an issue for her because she said she feels justice has no color. “I’m here to learn,” said the Texas Women’s University graduate student. “I like to learn about issues from people.” Davis, 25, said she and nine other students from TWU traveled in two vans to attend the protest. Davis said that race can’t be ignored in a situation such as the Jena Six incident. “I can’t understand why something like this could happen,” Davis said. A judge ruled against releasing Bell on Friday. The hearing was the first since the case was turned to juvenile court.

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CERGYOR TESRO 9

VOMEI TEHRAET 3

DOONWWTN 1

TOSPRS VNTEES 4

LOHCOS 5

What easy, online tool can you use to plan a bus trip to all your favorite places in the Triangle? 1

IVER SITY

Audit finds $2 million in mismanaged funds at A&T

JENA

tree” at the school. The next day, three white male students hung two nooses from the tree, leading to the Dec. 4 fight between a white student and six black male students — collectively named the Jena Six. The Six were initially charged with attempted second-degree murder and conspiracy, a charge that many across the nation thought excessive. The Louisiana Third Court of Appeals overturned Bell’s conviction and sent the case to juvenile court. At the rally, protesters held signs that said “Free the Jena Six” while wearing black shirts that carried similar messages, as attendees were asked to wear black for the day. “It just broke my heart to see how those six boys were treated over a school yard fight,” said McAlpine. McAlpine, 23, said Chimi Boyd, director of the NCCU’s women’s center, Frances Graham, interim vice chancellor of student affairs, and Carlton Wilson, history department chair, all helped her get funding for the trip. McAlpine has started a defense fund that will assist with attorney costs for the Jena Six. While the majority of the protesters were black, the rally attracted some protesters of other races and ethnicities. Allison Davis said being

Bus tripping ade easy Navigating the Triangle using our bus systems is so easy, you can’t go wrong. How? The Transit Trip Planner! Enter your starting point and destination and it spits out bus stops and times. It’s almost foolproof. Check it out and give it a try at:

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The new school year at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro began with the revelation that a state audit has uncovered close to $2 million in mismanaged funds. The audit documents instances of fraud and mismanaged federal grants and other funds, including $380,000 in vending receipts that were diverted to a spending account for former chancellor James Renick, who stepped down last year and is now a senior vice president at the American Council on Education in Washington. “It’s really sad,” said Arnita Floyd Moody, a recent North Carolina A&T graduate and 2006-07 student government president. “That money should have been used to give the support that our students need.” Chancellor Stanley Battle, who only recently took over as chancellor at A&T, warned against sensationalizing the report. “It sells papers,” said the new chancellor. “A lot of people say there’s a cloud over A&T. There’s no cloud over this campus. These students didn’t do anything wrong; 99 percent of the faculty didn’t do anything wrong.” According to University of North Carolina system policy, the vending money was supposed to be set aside for scholarships, student financial aid, reconciliation of campus debt and student activities. Instead, according to the audit, the money was spent on alumni events, travel by Renick’s wife, commissions for artwork, and even a $150,000 annuity for an unnamed faculty member. The report also found that

a program manager w h o administered the H B C U Fu t u r e Engineeri n g Former N.C. Fa c u l t y A&T Univ. Fe l l o w Chancellor s h i p James Renick Program, a program funded by the U.S. Office of Naval Research, was to blame for “several improper business practices and expenditures” during the 2005-06 fiscal year. The expenditures included stipends in excess of $66,000 paid to the program manager’s husband after he became a participant in the program. The program manager was not named. The Future Engineering Faculty Fellowship Program is designed to increase and influence the numbers of students working toward their Ph.D.s who might be interested in teaching in engineering programs at historically black colleges. The report’s other findings included the misappropriation of $87,000 in university funds during May 2004 by the former vice chancellor for information and telecommunications, who also was unnamed in the report, and the mismanagement of federal grant funds. Vic Hackley, who served as interim chancellor after Renick’s departure, uncovered the financial irregularities last year and requested the help of UNC System President Erskine Bowles. It was then that a state audit was conducted. The report was forwarded to the FBI, federal prosecutors, the state Bureau of Investigation and the

Guilford County District Attorney’s office. Copies also went to Gov. Mike Easley and the state attorney general’s office. All of the employees who were involved in the scandal have been removed from their positions, and some face criminal charges. The report’s findings could cause the school to lose power over its own budget if UNC system leaders aren’t satisfied with the progress being made under the new administration. But for some, the problem is bigger than the apparent fiscal improprieties. “I love A&T, and I love the people. But this really points to the fact that some people didn’t focus on the mission to help out African American students,” said Moody. For other students, the report’s findings were blown far out of proportion. “It’s not surprising that some of the things were overblown,” said Brandon Bellamy, a senior liberal studies major at A&T and a former SGA treasurer. “The amount of money that was misused was not much compared to the overall budget.” For fiscal 2006 the school listed its total revenues at more than $220.4 million, against operating expenses of $204.6 million. Bellamy said that the key to preventing things like this from happening is “better financial oversight.” Battle arrived July 1 from Coppin State University in Baltimore. “Since I got here, this is all I’ve been dealing with. I’ve been dealing with both sides,” he said, “I’ve got to deal with state auditors, and when you make a mistake, the door is wide open, you can’t slam the door. It’s got to be addressed. It’s got to be

cleaned up.” The new chancellor told the A&T Register, the school’s campus newspaper, that although there were “major missteps,” the responsibility should not fall on the shoulders of the school as a whole. He said that A&T has had a reputation of employing good people and that trend will continue. Bowles brought in Battle in hopes that he would restore the school’s integrity. “I don’t like to talk about what my plans are,” Battle told the Register. “I can talk about some things we need to do, but I can’t do them by myself. I can tell you that A&T will be student-focused. We are going to set good standards and we’re going to be backing it up by supporting students.” Battle stressed that he was pleased with the progress that had been made and that he didn’t want the actions of a few to affect the school’s reputation. “You’re talking about mistakes that were made, or missteps, but it’s a few people. You can’t use that as a generalization against the entire university,” he said. For Moody, the concern is the effect that the scandal will have on the school’s ability to educate its students. “It really creates an untrusting environment, and a lot of confusion,” she said. “Luckily, the situation was handled so well. The unethical people were removed quickly and now A&T is working on putting systems in place to make sure that things like that don’t happen again.” Kai Beasley is a May graduate of Emory University. To comment, e-mail bcwire@hotmail.com.

Latino Community Celebrates in North Carolina W

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, SE

A RO L IN A

P T E MB E R

26, 2007

E N TRA L

I VERSITY

Top right: Latin fusion band delights audience with a trumpet solo

Bottom right: Latin contemporary dancers line up before performance

Middle right: Members of Venezuelan folk lore dance group shows off their costumes

Far left: A visitor to the festival sporting a “Boricua” (Puerto Rican) pride shirt

lazing in character and with colorful dress, the Latino community celebrated their heritage at “La Fiesta del Pueblo” on September 8th and 9th at the North Carolina State fairgrounds.

Far right: Vendor caught taking a break

Middle left: Child anxiously waiting for a treat

Top left: Salsa enthusiasts grove to the beat

Bottom left: A “Charro” (Mexican cowboy) enjoys the melodies of a Northern Mexican band

The gathering marked the 14th anniversary of the event, where Latin American food, music and culture could be enjoyed by visitors to the celebration. The history of the event can be traced back

Photo Essay by Sebastian Frances

Triangle, in line with many other U.S. cosmopolitan communities where diverto 1994 when a group of From its success, an health, public safety, advo- rather a range of countries sity and cultural enrichvolunteers in Chapel Hill organization called El cacy and education. are represented and hon- ment are celebrated every planned the celebration as Pueblo, Inc. developed. La Fiesta del Pueblo ored. day. a way to honor Latino Today this nonprofit organ- does not focus on one Events like this put our Hopefully by next year’s traditions. ization offers programs in country in particular, but state, in particular the celebration the Latino

community will have more to celebrate as the community waits for a positive outcome on immigration reform. For more images visit the campus echo website at www.campusecho.com.

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

Lessons I Learned from Mandela A talk by Ambassador James Joseph Tonight, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 7-9 p.m. Main Library – 300 N. Roxboro Street • Professor of the Practice of Public Policy Studies at Duke University • Founder of the United States – Southern Africa Center for Leadership and Public Values at Duke and the University of Cape Town • U.S. Ambassador to South Africa from 1996 to 2000

Free and open to the public. For more information call 560-0268 or visit www.durhamcountylibrary.org

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A&E

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

O R T H

A R O L I N A

E N T R AL

IVER SITY

Can ya hear me now? Good. One student helps link NCCU and Duke via soundwaves

12345 1234 123 12 L a S a l l e

Jena Six protest Jesse Jackson extends support Case gets sent to juvenile court Two nooses hanging from tree

Parish

Mychal Bell still in jail

Judicial System

Keyshia Cole Just Like You Geffen Records

out of on the 5 5 black hand side Looking into the eyes of Keyshia Cole might seem nearly impossible. But if you go out and buy Keyshia’s new album “Just Like You,” I guarantee you will feel up close and personal with the soulful songstress. The fiery, blonde R&B artist is wellknown for truly expressing her deepest feelings especially by hitting those high notes as difficult as it may seem to accomplish. Cole has proven through her first CD that she can be respected as an innovative artist of music and possibly named a diva of her time. Listening to her recently dropped album is like flip-

ping through the pages of Keyshia’s personal journal. Her lyrics comes to life as she shares with listeners her experiences dealing with love and relationships. “I Remember” is a beautifully written ballad about memories of past relationships. Keyshia strives to make an impact on her listeners, especially young women. “I want to be an example for young people, especially growing up in the ’hood, because it’s already hard enough to not be focused or not to be trying,” Keyshia writes on her website. Keyshia is not only taking her music to another level, she is uplifting her listeners to follow their dreams as she did while growing up in Oakland, CA. To keep track of Keyshia’s success check out keyshiacole.com.

WXDU Radio staff members (from left to right) DJ OS, DJ Scholar, CD Mike the Funk Master, DJ G. Mac, Bro-Rabb and Diamond take a break from their regularly scheduled program to relax in the studio lounge. KHARI JACKSON/Echo Staff Photographer

BY JOANNA HERNANDEZ ECHO A&E EDITOR

When I first set foot into the 88.7 WXDU domain, I was greeted by a man in complete 70s attire from his head to his platform boots with plastic fish in the heels. CD Mike the Funk Master hosts a show that plays all the 70s hits, he likes to get into character while on air. “See, other stations wouldn’t let us do things like that. They would be afraid the heel would break, fish and water everywhere,” said DJ Scholar, the comedian of WXDU. The urban music department at WXDU is

— Brooke Sellars

one of the last college hip hop stations in the area, DJ OS said, “We include Durham. We give MCs a chance.” “With us you get a chance to hear songs you wouldn’t normally hear on the radio,” said CD Mike The Funk Master. Mass communication broadcasting senior Simone Diamond Gaddy ended up working for WXDU after getting noticed for her work with N.C. Central University’s AudioNet Campus Access Radio. “DJ OS knew about the show I had on AudioNet and recommended me for my own show when they had an opening,” said Gaddy.

After that the Diamond District was born, originally from midnight to 3 a.m. on Tuesday, now from 10 p.m. to midnight the show focuses on underground hip hop and R&B music. Mother of Kyngston, a four-month-old boy, Gaddy hosted her show throughout her pregnancy. “I was working faithfully pregnant and all I took the summer off and DJ Scholar hosted my show for me,” said Gaddy. Gaddy also is assistant director of the urban music department for WXDU. “This is the starting point for my future career. I keep things in order around here,” she said. This group who consid-

ers themselves one big happy family is working on establishing a closer relationship with the community. “We’re trying to get more involved in the community by hosting more events in the area. This is very important to us, especially since we consider ourselves ‘Durham’s hiphop station,’” said DJ OS. The station is looking for more support from both Duke and NCCU students. “I have a lot of friends at Central, listen to us, support us,” said DJ Scholar. For more information about WXDU or to stream the shows, check out www.wxdu.org.

“Lonely Words” speaks volumes BY ADRIANNE FOWLKES ECHO STAFF WRITER

N.C. Central University’s theatre department will bring Howard L. Craft’s “Lonely Words” to stage next month. The production targets the transmission of HIV/AIDS and the effect poverty has on health services. Director Karen Dacons-Brock said the play “aims to reduce health disparities among African Americans.” Actors agreed “Lonely Words” does a phenomenal job of portraying the real lives and real situations of African Americans. “I like that his (Craft’s) characters reflect real people. They are real,” said Dacons-Brock. The actors said that in production they developed relationships with their characters. Lead actress Tonya Williamson, a 2003 alumna, finds common ground with her character. “Although I did not go through the same exact things, I can portray my

“I can portray my character well because I am twenty-five years old and in a relationship as well” TONYA WILLIAMSON LEAD ACTRESS

character well because I am twentyfive years old and in a relationship as well,” she said. Williamson said the play helped her realize STDs are not caught just through promiscuity. “STDs and AIDS does not discriminate; anyone can get it,” she said. The persona/actor connection is the cornerstone for reality and authenticity in this production. The key to success in theatre is to drive the central theme without driving away the audience.

Joel McCauley, lead actor, believes that “choices — knowing that the decisions you make not only affect you but others as well” is the play’s central theme. Dacons-Brock said honesty is the central theme of “Lonely Words.” She said she believes discussing your sexual history with your partner is a start toward a healthy relationship. Along with driving the issue of contracting AIDS, “Lonely Words” rewardingly reveals the lifestyles of those living with the disease. McCauley said he became more open-minded about people living with HIV/AIDS and was informed that life is not over for those who contracted the disease; instead, these people can lead healthy lives. Those who have seen earlier productions of “Lonely Words” and those who have not should be sure to catch this breath-taking, eye-opening production. The show times are scheduled for October 5, 6, 12 and 13 at 8 p.m. and October 7 and 14 at 2 p.m.

“I’m bouncing’ on my toes/ Watch me supersoak dat hoe/ I’ma pass it to Arab and he gon’ pass it to da low.” --Soulja

How do you bounce on one toe? Maybe this is why people like Common have a hard time selling. This guy Soulja Boy is a freakin’ acrobat. Then, who is Arab? And where or to whom is he passing it to? Soulja Boy should’ve kept that verse on the low. I dare you to crank dat Soulja Boy in my hood. I’ll give you a super soaker. — Brandon “Phocuz” Bryant

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

Boy Tellem, Crank Dat

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

2007 Annual Fall Career Fair

University Career Services William Jones Building, Room 005 530-6337/mstuckey@nccu.edu

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

NCCU WRITING STUDIO

TEACH KIDS

IN JAPAN

Conducting interviews in Raleigh, NC on October 20th Visit us online for application requirements and deadlines

Appointments and Walk-Ins Welcome

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Monday - Thursday from 10 am - 6 pm Friday 10 am - 2 pm Evening/weekend appointments now available. Call for details. Room 339 Farrison-Newton Communications Building 530-7554 writingcentergrad@nccu.edu

BUY A CLASSIFIED AD FOR $10 Reach over 8,500 students!. Call 919 530 7116 or e-mail the Campus Echo at campusecho@nccu.edu

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RESEARCH FOR HEALTH

Sports

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

Pain & Aggie-ny EAGLES GRIND OUT VICTORY AGAINST A&T FOR SECOND STRAIGHT MEETING BY QUENTIN GARDNER ECHO SPORTS EDITOR

N.C. Central University (4-1 overall) renewed their rivalry with long-time rival N.C. Carolina A&T (0-4 overall) at Greensboro’s Aggie Stadium on NCCU 27 Saturday in more ways A&T 22 than one. Similar to the previous two meetings, this year’s Aggie-Eagle outcome was decided in the last minute of the game. NCCU senior linebacker Eric Ray intercepted an Aggie pass at the 1-yard line with 14 seconds left on the game clock. Ray’s interception allowed the Eagles to hold off a late Aggie drive for a 27-22 victory. After the end of the contest, a host of NCCU players stormed the field and celebrated on the Aggie logo at midfield. In response, Aggie players charged onto the field, and a brawl ensued that lasted about 2 minutes. Campus police from both universities quickly dispersed the mob with pepper spray. “I am not happy about what happened at the end of the game,” said NCCU head coach Mose Rison. “I just did not like the scene.” Aggie head coach Lee Fobbs also shared his opinion on the behavior of his team. “What happened after the game ended was very unfortunate and we’ll deal with it with our guys,” said Fobbs. “I’m just concerned about our players and our fans.” A host of players headed to their respective locker rooms bloody and with impaired vision from the

Eagle defense stops an Aggie running back cold Saturday, Sept. 22. The Eagles defense forced three Aggie turnovers. MITCHELL WEBSON/Echo Staff Photographer

mists of pepper spray. The Eagle defense helped hand A&T its 20th consecutive loss despite out-gaining NCCU in total yards 412 to 199. “Well you have to give credit where it is due,” said Rison. “Coach [Fobbs] and his staff did an outstanding coaching job. We hung in to the bitter end.” Fobbs applauded the team. “We were in position to win it, and then they stepped up and made a great play,” Fobbs said. Eric Ray’s twin brother Derrick returned an inter-

MELEE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ception for a 23-yard touchdown earlier in the game. “The last time both of us got picks was in high school, and we both took them back for touchdowns,” said Derrick Ray, who plays safety. NCCU scored on the opening possession with a 44-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Stadford Brown to Will Scott. Rookie kicker Taylor Gray made his first career extra-point kick to give the Eagles a 7-0 lead with 12:33 left in opening quarter. With 11:23 left in the first half, A&T’s Nick Johnson blocked Gray’s punt into the

Durham. “We owe them a game, and at some point, we will honor our agreement that we will return the game,” said Todd. On Monday, Erskine Bowles, president of the UNC system, released a statement from his office that fights will not be tolerated. “We are all in complete agreement that this sort of unsportsmanlike behavior was just plain wrong, and that it will not be condoned or tolerated within our university,” said Bowles. “I am confident that both chancellors are going to handle this matter appropriately on their own campuses and will take steps to ensure that this sort of thing doesn’t happen again.”

EAGLELAND T-shirts sweats polo shirts decals license tags tote bags license frames baseball caps buttons mugs caps car flags pens pencils pennants pom poms bags ceramic eagles towels NCCU framed print, and much more.

ECHO SPORTS REPORTER

Bandits. The Repeat. Boggy Bottom Boys. Gatta Boys. No, these are not rap groups but N.C. Central University’s intramural football teams. Football is one of seven program activities offered by Campus Recreation. Other activities include ping-pong, billiards, basketball, volleyball, kick ball, and dodge ball. Business administration junior Jason Rutherford is now entering his third year as adviser of the intramural program. According to Rutherford, the campus adviser is usually a graduate student. “Once the old adviser was transferred to another facility, I knew this is something I wanted to do,” said Rutherford. The only requirement for playing intramural sports is a valid ID. This year, NCCU intramural football has a championship event planned for the final two teams, called the HBCU Challenge.

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The HBCU Challenge takes the top two teams from NCCU to play against other HBCUs. “I have seen people play their hearts out like they were playing in front of thousands of people,” said Physical Education senior Dominique Holliday, a former intramural player who is now a referee for the intramural program. “I have seen the standpoint of a player. Now I get to see the standpoint of the officials,” said Holliday. Holliday will receive intensive training before becoming an official for any games this season. Business Administration senior Lorenzo Baxter has played basketball with the intramural program for three years. He recently has played in the National Basketball Association Developmental League. “Most people think intramural basketball is for the runts or kids with no skills. That is untrue,” said Baxter. “Some of the best players started with intramurals before they made it to the league.”

A student signs up to for an intramural 3-on-3 tournament. SAVIN JOSEPH/Echo Staff Photographer

Intramural programs are funded by Campus Recreation, which also funds physical education programs. Funds are allocated according to student partici-

pation. “Everybody just doesn’t start out ... playing college ball,” said Baxter. “You have to have training and that’s what intramural sports are about.”

Fitness Center receives upgrade BY ASHA SUTTON ECHO SPORTS REPORTER

Serving N.C. Central University

quarter. A&T increased its lead to 19-14 with 4:13 left in the third period when kicker Eric Houston made a 27yard field goal. As A&T opened the fourth quarter, quarterback Shelton Morgan’s pass was intercepted by Derrick Ray and returned 23 yards for the score. Gray’s extra-point kick gave the Eagles a 21-19 lead with 12:30 left in the game. On the next possession, Morgan threw another interception, this time to freshman safety Jeffer y Henderson, who returned for 72 yards and a touch-

Game fame ... for everyone BY MATTHEW BEATTY

field and conduct the traditional handshake,” said Rison. “On behalf of my staff, I will state that I believe we acted immediately and properly, and that our studentathletes responded accordingly to our instructions.” For the moment, NCCU athletics department has suspended one player from Saturday’s home game against Presbyterian College. The review of the videotape may have implications in the future of both athletic programs. The MEAC will not comment on whether last Saturday’s actions will affect NCCU’s request to join the conference. It is unclear whether the universities will meet as scheduled next year in

end zone but Gray managed to sneak into the pile and recover the ball for a safety. A&T took the lead with a 1-yard run by running back Michael Ferguson with 6:41 left before halftime. NCCU answered with a 14-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Brown to tight end Christopher Edwards, giving the Eagles a 14-9 lead with 48 seconds left before the half. In the second half, A&T regained the lead early with a 1-yard run by Dion McNair to put the Aggies on top 1614 with 11:30 left in the third

down. Gray’s extra-point attempt was blocked, leaving the NCCU lead at 27-19 with 8:30 on the clock. Houston made a 39-yard field goal, his second of the game, to narrow the deficit to 27-22 with 4:51 remaining in the game. After a stalled Eagle drive, A&T took over at its own 20-yard line with 2:17 on the clock. Miller completed five consecutive passes to place the Aggies on the Eagles’ 11-yard line. On a third-down play, Miller scrambled for a first down to the 6-yard line. Two plays later, Eric Ray’s interception put an end to A&T’s hopes of a spectacular come-from-behind victory. NCCU’s defenders made plays throughout the game. Senior linebacker D.J. Fretwell recorded a gamehigh 15 tackles. Eric Ray finished with 11 tackles, including three for a loss, and senior defensive end Xavier Joe collected six tackles, including two sacks. Brown completed 11-of-18 passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman running back Tim Shankle led the Eagles’ rushing attack with 66 yards on 14 carries. Junior receiver Wayne Blackwell had four receptions for 18 yards. Brown did not fare well in the statistical category, but was satisfied with leading the Eagles to its fourth victory of the season. “I guess I was good enough,” Brown said with a smile. “The important thing is that we won.” The Eagles will host| Presbyterian College this Saturday at 2 p.m.

Ten to 15 years ago, physical education and recreation department associate professor Virginia Politano started putting in requests for new equipment to be installed in the fitness center in the LeRoy T. Walker Complex. For Beverly Allen, chairman of the physical education and recreation department, that long-awaited dream became a reality. Politano and Allen were

called to the department’s office in August to pick up a delivery. They were taken to a delivery truck and saw boxes of equipment. “I was so surprised,” said Allen. The total cost of the new equipment was $95,000. It includes new apparatuses such as treadmills and recumbent bikes. The fitness center is used by physical education classes, other students and faculty.

The fitness center also provides quality fitness and wellness programs aimed at promoting good health opportunities for the University community. The physical education and recreation department plans to provide a fully functional fitness center that includes an array of free weights and cardiovascular equipment. “The fitness center gives the students the opportunity to get more exercise time and more flexibility skills,”

Allen said. “Students’ reactions to the equipment has been overwhelming.” Old equipment that was taken out of the fitness center was donated to Southern High School. Faculty and students of the high school came to receive the equipment so that they could place it in their weight room. “We extend our commitment to our community and that’s why we donated the equipment,” said Allen.

Opinions

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

IVER SITY

Tell me why we’re here again? he blueprint for middleclass America, in order to be successful, is that you go to high school, go to college, and on to the workforce. If you are lucky, you will find a niche in a field where you can do something you love or something you would do for free; if you didn’t have the Kai pseudo-realChristopher istic construction of societal needs, i.e., money. But within that understanding, we face the responsibility of maintaining our well-being which means, point-blank, you have to do something. Which brings waves of high school graduates to fill out FAFSAs, which turn refund checks into wardrobes and fly hairstyles. And by the end of the academic school year we watch another wave — the ones who

finish what they myself, you did started four great! or so years You are liv“My dreams never ago, walk ing the across the American really aligned with what stage to await most people unfairly asso- dream. the American But my ciate with Dr. King, dream of dreams never nine-to-fives, really aligned I’m more of sharing a life with the a Trumpet of with co-workspeech most Conciousness kind ers they most people times hate, unfairly assoof guy.” and managers ciate with Dr. they despise. King. So when NCCU enters a As a matter of fact, I am phase when 60 percent of the more of a Trumpet of freshman class seems to not Consciousness kind of guy. care about school, I am not Either way, we’ve got to find surprised. out what’s really going on, and My matriculation through it seems beneficial if we can school granted me the experifigure it out now, before we ence to learn what the people waste anymore years. I came in with tell me all the If approximately 60 percent time, “the real world is not all of an entire class is on acait’s cracked up to be.” demic probation, the question I came back to school in is not “What can we do?” 2005, telling anyone who would The question becomes, “Why listen. are you here?” Funny how they are now the The more I keep up with my ones telling me. peers, the more stories I hear A good percentage of people of jobs that pay the bills. have jobs they are okay with, I wish I would hear more and I look at them and say to stories of the programs they

started, and the businesses they’re in charge of. If you intend to base your expense of living upon whether another man or woman believes you can be valuable to their own cause, you are fighting to be a pawn. For the most part I don’t believe we have many professors at this University who believe we are capable of ownership and independence, even as much as I hear them preach at us to get a job. My proposal is that you figure out what you want to do, and do it. Visualize your sweetest dreams when you are awake and can cognitively process the steps to achieving your truest ambition. And if you come back next semester, tell me if there is any way I can help. If school is for you, and you know where you’re going, this isn’t for you. But if this is making any sense, take heed. We are not at a place to waste money or time. We are more in need of true independence than ever.

An open letter to Mychal Bell ear Mychal Bell: I’m a mass communication senior at N.C. Central University in Durham, NC.

Recently here at our University we became aware of the injustice you have experienced in Jena, Louisiana. I want you to understand that I represent not only myself but also many of my Brooke fellow stuSellars dents when I say we support you wholeheartedly as you go through this heavy ordeal. I look at my brown skin and realize that you and I are both African-American and at some point in our lives we have experienced racism. The brown skin we share is

the same brown to do the same skin that was as past leaders once shackled, did for us. It’s beaten, and I often ask myself, what difficult for me forced to work to imagine has changed for us, or during slavery. what it would when will it change? This is the be like to walk same brown in your shoes But maybe the change skin that was and stand in has already begun, separated from your position. with you or me. whites in the I know that in South because the midst of all of the Jim Crow of the chaos it’s Laws. hard for you to And we are find serenity. still being punAll I know is ished for this skin God gave us. that there is power in prayer, I often ask myself, what has and prayer can turn a situation changed for us, or when will it completely around. change? No matter how much negativiBut maybe the change has ty surrounds you, try to focus on already begun, with you or me. the positive. Standing for what we believe Mychal, I commend you, in is what we have learned from along with the other young men, past civil rights leaders like for your bravery. Martin Luther King Jr. and I believe that I can speak on Malcolm X. behalf of the students here at That being said, we can NCCU and say that we are frusinfluence our next generation trated and even disgusted at the

N ORTH C AROLINA C ENTRAL U NIVERSITY

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pain and extreme difficulty you have experienced these past months. Giving you our support is more than writing this letter and that’s why we felt that it was important for a few of our students to travel down to Jena to further extend our support. What you have experienced, could have happened to any of us. I was in Jena, Sept, 20. standing up for what I believe is right. You deserve justice and equal opportunity to continue your education. I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. You are my brother. As hard as it may be, remain strong and remember to put God first because that’s where your help comes from. Yours truly,

Brooke E. Sellars

drawing by Rashaun Rucker

Question: Why do you think students aren’t involved in politics? “Because of what they see. They don’t see their parents involved politically. ” — Tyler Young

“First of all, there’s no knowledge and interest. It’s not as important to them.” —Tiara Jackson

“People don’t know what’s going on, so they don’t care as much.” —Carlitta Durand