print_edition_september_9_2009 by N.C. Central University Campus Echo

SEPTEMBER 9, 2009

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VOLUME 101, ISSUE 1 919 530 7116/CAMPUSECHO@NCCU.EDU WWW.CAMPUSECHO.COM

Campus

Sports

Opinion

A&E

SGA leaders Dwayne Johnson and Ginelle Hines discuss their plans for the SGA.

Late TD reversed, Eagles lose season opener to Hampton.

From A to Z: This student is not too wild about the Millennium Hotel

Jazz vocalist Lenora Helms kicks off Butterfly Concerts in support of fire victims.

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Campus Echo NCCU nabs top spot Named best public HBCU

Jobless see few signs of hope gressmen and senators, and found private booths for Supreme Court justices wary of the public eye. As a senior waiter for 12 years at The Prime Rib, one of Washington’s most venerable eateries, McCaffery was a man in demand, the preferred choice of the powerful and the envy of fellow waiters who bristled when

BY TONY PUGH MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS (MCT)

WASHINGTON — As America prepared to salute its working people this Labor Day, Matthew McCaffery wasin no mood to celebrate. In better times, McCaffery served prime rib to three U.S. presidents, brought cocktails to con-

the best customers requested his services, and his only. “I had a lot of jealousy from other waiters because I would have so many; not just big shots, but regulars who would only have me wait on them. And if I wasn’t working that night they wouldn’t come in.” Among his prized possessions is a recommendation

letter from the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, whose funeral service last weekend brought tears to McCaffery’s eyes. “He would never let anybody else wait on him but me,” McCaffery recalled. “He was really great.” After a lifetime in food service during which he’s worked as a chef, bartender,

AMARACHI ANAKARAONYE

BY CARLTON KOONCE ECHO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Three N.C. Central University department chairs were demoted prior to the fall semester because they were not tenured prior to their appointments. Deborah Boyd of Modern Foreign Languages, James Pearce of English and Mass Communication, and Theodore Pikes of Special Education are now as assistant chairs of their depart-

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AMARACHI ANAKARAONYE ECHO STAFF WRITER

It’s a situation loaded with conflict. A freshman leaves home with the notion that he or she is only a few steps away from leading an independent life at NCCU. Instead, there’s another “parent” in the student’s life – one that goes by the name of “RA.” Some freshmen say a residential assistant can be a bit militant; others say that

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Three chairs ousted

ECHO STAFF WRITER

N.C. Central University is nationally ranked 10th out of 80 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Colleges 2010.” A majority of private HBCUs took the top 10 rankings, but NCCU was the top ranked public HBCU. “I think it’s good,”said Ainsley Owens, president of the Greensboro chapter of NCCU’s Alumni Association, Inc and previous national officer. Owens graduated from NCCU in 1999 with a B.A. in political science and a B.S. in criminal justice. “It speaks well on our current academic program,” said Owens, “and on the strength of past administrations. NCCU has something to offer that is equal to other prestigious HBCUs.” This is the third consecutive year U.S. News and World Report has ranked undergraduate programs at

New home not for all

dining room manager and even restaurant manager, McCaffery, 48, has been jobless for 13 months. Decades of working on his feet have left him with a bum knee that now requires surgery, and his work history doesn’t wow restaurant owners like it used to.

LATHAM’S LAST STAND PHOTOS

AND STORY BY

SAVIN JOSEPH/ECHO PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR

A poet falls silent BY MATHEW BEATTY ECHO EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Lance Johnson used his words to make his voice known on campus. He often spoke of heartbreak, but he earned some notoriety for winning an on-campus poetry contest last semester. But now his words will no longer be heard. Johnson, 21, was found dead inside his Campus Crossing Apartment on Aug. 27. Durham police are not investigating his death as a homicide. Officials have not said if

ver the years, Latham Residential Hall has been home to about 9,000 N.C. Central University students. The co-ed residential hall, which has 188 beds, was built in 1960 for just over $.5 million. It was last renovated in 1996 at a cost of over $3 million. But Latham, named after Louise M. Latham, teacher and former dean of women from 1948 to 1968, is going the way of the dinosaurs. It’s being demolished at a cost of $147,000 to make way for a five-

Architectural drawing of parking garage as seen from Lincoln and Lawson streets.

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Courtesy of NCCU Offfice of Design and Construction Services

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Minorites scarce in sciences Participation rates in the sciences have ‘flatlined, declined’ BY NENICIA SCOTT ECHO STAFF REPORTER

Despite years of policydriven efforts from the federal government, not enough minorities are making it into the sciences, according to the Research and Policy Council of National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering. “Participation rates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields have flatlined or, in some cases,

declined,” reports the council. “Others think that the major is hard and they do not want to take the time and effort to put in the work,” said biology junior Natushia Harris. According to the NSF, “almost 30 percent of high school graduates enter college unprepared for firstyear coursework or arrive at the workplace without the mathematical, scientific and technical skills that employers require”.

According to David Kroll , chair of pharmaceutical sciences, these issues are particularly problematic for students coming from underfunded school districts. Kroll has been recruiting African-American and Hispanic students in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical fields since the early 1990s when he was at the University of Colorado. In 2006, the Bush administration tried to address the low number of minori-

ties in STEM careers with the American Competitive Initiative . The ACI encouraged minorities into STEM related fields by offering minorities opportunities to experience STEM careers. More recently, the Obama administration understood has introduced the “Enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Education Act of 2008” to establish a commit-

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Tracie Locklear and Onjinade Adeyuje working on the “western blot,” an anlytical technique that finds specific proteins in tissue. SAVIN JOSEPH/Echo Staff Photographer

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009

IVERSITY

New year, new SGA Johnson, Hines discuss this year’s agenda BY JABARI BLACKMON ECHO STAFF WRITER

Dwayne Johnson and Ginelle Hines, N.C. Central University's new student government president and vice president, say Students First will be the focus of their administration. “We like to show other students that we’re students as well,” said Johnson, a history education junior. Hines is a psychology junior. Johnson and Hines said they will focus on community outreach, student concerns, and promoting education. Thus far, the administration has donated money to fund the Million Meals [campaign?], supported the National Night Out event and participated in the University’s first urban garden clean up. “When the community first came to us at the beginning of our term we wanted to reach out more than any other SGA has ever done,” said Johnson. The administration will meet with the provost every month to discuss student needs. Accountability, Johnson said, is key. “If students are paying for an education they should be given the best,” he said. “Professors shouldn’t be 30 minutes late to class every day.” Johnson and Hines also will introduce Study Hard on the Yard events to promote study sessions and academic success.

Johnson and Hines describe the new SGA administration as young, yet experienced. “We’re very young, as two juniors in a leadership position,” says Johnson and Hines, “yet each executive board member has had experience and they know what they’re doing.” The two describe their leadership style as fun, but stern. “This SGA is not afraid to get out and have fun,” said Johnson, as he recalls leading the Eagle hop dance with freshmen during training day. Hines describes her leadership style as “more laid back but stern at the same time. If you ran for a position, we expect you to do it!” Johnson agreed. “I won’t tolerate people having potential and not doing something with it. I’m not going to let people run over me.” The SGA office has helped students with everything from miscommunication about wearing hats in the cafeteria to advocating for a new student health center. “Someone brings an issue to our attention every day,” said Johnson. Johnson and Hines also hope to encourage students to partcipate in local politics. The administration and SGA Senate will begin voter registration drives and other events for the approaching city elections. “This year, we are hosting a city council and mayoral debate,” says Johnson,

STEM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 tee within the Office of Science and Technology Policy to create more incentives for students to pursue STEM career fields. But according to Kroll NCCU is heading in the right direction. “In our recruiting efforts for underrepresented groups in the biomedical sciences, we can emphasize how the robustness of our growing research enterprise synergizes with NCCU’s strong liberal arts tradition to provide essential skills in becoming a successful and articulate scientist.” Kroll recommends that students take advantage of

SGA president, Dwayne Johnson, and SGA vice president, Ginelle Hines outline the year’s plans.

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ROSLYN MATTEWS/Echo Staff Photographer

recalling the success debates previously held at NCCU and the importance of involving students. "Local elections are somewhat more important than national elections because they directly affect us.” Aware of some negative negative perceptions of the SGA, Hines said, “We’re not just this exclusive clique.” She said the SGA will take steps to appoint non-SGA members to key committees and offices. Hines promises to cook up more than just sound policies. “I love to eat, and I love to cook, so if anybody’s hungry, I’m here!” she said. Johnson hopes to continue the efforts of the previous president, in changing the perception of students

through dress. “We’re releasing dress cards to teach students how they should dress for every occasion from class to the corporate world.” Johnson’s personal motto: “You look good, you play good.” The administration is also responding to problems facing other HBCUs. Last week, a Spelman College student was gunned down on the campus of Clark Atlanta University by a stray bullet. In response, Johnson and Hines want to create a campus watch and hire students – through work study – to patrol the campus each night. Inspired by President

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 TOP RANKED HBCUs 1. Spelman College, Atlanta 2. Howard U., Washington, DC 3. Morehouse College, Atlanta 4. Fisk University, Nashville 5. Xavier U., New Orleans 6. Hampton U., Hampton, Va. 7. Tuskegee U., Tuskegee, Ala. 8. Claflin U., Orangeburg, S.C. 9. Dillard U., New Orleans 10. NCCU, Durham 11. Elizabeth City State U., Elizabeth City, N.C. 11. Florida A&M U., Tallahassee, Fla. 13. S.C. State U., Orangeburg, S.C. 14. Tougaloo CollegeTougaloo, Miss. 15. Morgan State U, Baltimore 15. Tennessee State U., Nashville 17. Delaware State U., Dover, Del.

FRESHMEN CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 there are just too many foolish rules and regulations. Still, others say their RAs take their jobs just a little too seriously. “I overheard one of the girls ranting about how her RA sent her a text at 2 a.m. urging her and her roommate to clean up the bathroom,” said undeclared freshman Shaniece Johnson, a resident of Richmond Hall. Johnson said some RAs are “rude and don’t make freshmen feel comfortable.” Another said RAs don’t treat everyone with the same degree of respect. “A friend told me his RA shows more respect to his roommate than to him,” said Lloyd Haddock, a psychology freshman. He recounted that his friend said, “My RA says ‘wasup’ to my roommate, but just walks by me.’ Others complain that vis-

itation rules are a bit juvenile “I’m in college now. I should be able to do what I want,” said a freshman who asked not to be named. But if you ask RAs, too many freshmen suffer from what might be described as the-away-from-home-forthe-first-time syndrome. “In the beginning, too many freshmen completely disregard the rules,” said Jacquim Curtis, a sophomore RA in Baynes Resident Hall. Curtis said that his freshman class “showed more maturity when dealing with the rules.” “It’s an issue a day,” said Allison Lawrence, a sophomore RA in Baynes Residential Hall. RAs say visitation rules are most often ignored. One Baynes RA, junior Robin Ramseur, said she recalls that when she was a freshman, her roommate would

Health Careers Center N.C. Central University 521 Nelson Street Durham, NC 27707 Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm 919 530-7128

Find out more about our Special Programs • Boston University Early Medical School Selection Program • Clinical Health Summer Program NCCU/Duke University Medical Center • North Carolina Access, Retention and Completion Initiative in the Allied Health Sciences (NC-ARC) Course Number BIOL2030. This course gives students an overview of allied health professions and facilitates acceptance into the School of Allied Health Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

More Opportunities are available. Contact us.

Charles E. McClinton, Ph.D., Director Alfreda D. Evans, Student Services Coordinator

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

sneak her boyfriend into their room. The second most common violation, propping doors open, is a safety concern at all campus residential halls. RAs say that they’re not just there to be disciplinarians. “I wanted to fill in gaps that weren’t filled for me during my freshman year,” said Curtis. “I believe I have something positive to give my residents in order to guide them,” said Alphonso McEntire, a senior RA at Baynes. Some residential RAs say their freshmen experience had a valuable impact on the way they do their job now. “I wanted to make sure others didn’t go through what I went through as a freshman,” said Uyi Idahor, a sophomore RA in

17. Winston-Salem State U., Winston-Salem Richmond II. Jennifer A. Wilder, Residential Life Director, said RAs have about two weeks in training with a “challenge and support” focus. According to Wilder, training includes activity assignments that involve role play. “We want to challenge RAs on how to handle situations better,” said Wilder. “We encourage our RAs to spend time to get to know the students on their floor.” And by all accounts, some RAs do bond with their freshmen residents. “My RA is the coolest one,” said Tiara Logan, a social work freshman in Baynes Hall. One freshman gave this advice: “If I were an RA, I would stay calm and go over the rules, without playing the role of disciplinarian.”

what NCCU has to offer: small class sizes and an accessible faculty. “We were once students, too, and you should seek any and all guidance in pursuing your dreams,” he said. It’s in your hands said Alade Tokuta, chair of the mathematics and computer science department. “Science, technology, engineering are the direction of the future …we all know it,” said Tokuta. “If you work very hard, you will get the reward you anticipate (and) make sure whatever you set your mind to, do your best.”

19. Johnson C. Smith U., Charlotte 19. Virginia State U., Petersburg, Va. 21. Bennett College, Greensboro U.S. News & World Report “2010 Best Colleges”

HBCUs. NCCU has excelled through the rankings from #30 in 2008 to #15 in 2009, to its current rank of #10 in 2010. “I was impressed,” said biology freshman Nzingha Saunders. “I felt like I made the right choice about where to go. Being the top public HBCU is very impressive.” HBCUs coming in the top five spots were Spelman College, Howard University, Morehouse College, Fisk University and Xavier University of Louisiana,

respectively. In North Carolina, Elizabeth City State University was ranked 11, Winston-Salem State University 17, and N.C. A&T State University 25. Claflin University, based in Orangeburg, SC, ranked eighth; it was recognized for having the best undergraduate teaching program at a baccalaureate college in the South. Shaw University and Saint Augustine’s College, small private HBCUs in Raleigh, were not ranked in the report. “That’s so awesome, considering we’ve outranked other private universities,” said jazz studies and music industry freshman Deena Murrell. “I’m proud we’re in the company of such prestigious institutions,” said Murrell. “I feel like we’re in the Ivy League of HBCUs.” Public universities are typically ranked lower than private universities because the ranking methodology gives substantial “points” for student selectivity based on SAT and ACT scores. Additionally, larger class sizes, lower retention rates, and smaller endowments lower rankings are higher at public universities. The ranking methodology used in the report relies on peer assessment (25%), retention and graduation rates (25%), faculty resources (20%), student selectivity (15%), financial resources (10%) and alumni giving rate(5%). “We are taking a moment to appreciate this good news, but only a moment,” said Chancellor Charlie Nelms in an NCCU press release. “Our objective is to become even stronger.” Students like Murrell are still excited. “I feel like we’re in the Ivy League of HBCUs,” said Murrell.

NCCU Fall Career Fair Thursday, October 1, 2009 10 am – 1 pm Leroy T. Walker Complex Employers will be on campus to talk with you about internships and jobs. Don’t miss this chance to talk one-on-one about career opportunities with employers that are hiring.

Professional business suit is required.

University Career Services William Jones Bldg, Lower Level Check us out on the web!

Phone: 919-530-6337 Email: nccucareerservices@nccu.edu http://web.nccu.edu/careerservices/index.php

Campus

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009

ments. Sandra Vavra has replaced Boyd, Alana Zambone has replaced Pikes and Andrew Williams has replaced Pierce as interim chairs. Boyd and Pierce declined to comment. Pikes did not return messages seeking comment. School deans met with Provost Kwesi Aggrey during the summer to discuss the moves, said Cecelia Steppe-Jones, dean of the School of Education and member of the provost’s university policy review committee. The final decisions were announced during the August 25 Chancellor’s Cabinet Meeting. “The three people were well published and well qualified but no tenure,” Steppe-Jones said. “The previous chairs have been appointed assistant chair for a year.” The interim chairs are senior professors who “had a really good track record of teaching and administrative work,” said Mary Mathew, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Boyd, Pikes and Pierce are going up for tenure this fall and all three hope to be reinstated next year,

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Legal services recognized

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Alumna’s legal career dedicated to serving poor

Steppe-Jones said. Department chairs oversee the hiring, firing and promotion of professors in their respective departments as well as play a key role in the selection process for faculty tenure. Professors are tenured to protect them from unjust firings. It is common practice for department chairs to be tenured. “It’s certainly the norm,” said Joni Worthington, UNC System spokeswoman, who added that the practice is not required but is accepted. “It’s left to campus discretion. Across the country it’s common practice that an academic chair of an academic department holds tenure.” But there is no system wide policy that academic chairs must be tenured, according to Worthington who added that individual schools may set their own requirements. In an e-mail to the Campus Echo Provost Aggrey did not refer to a specific NCCU policy stating that chairs must be tenured but said tenure decisions should not be made by someone who is

not tenured. The recent removals allow the university to limit the “grey areas” in how professors are selected for tenure. Aggrey did not elaborate on what those grey areas are but said his job is to ensure that faculty is fairly treated and the university is legally protected. “It is impossible to justify a situation where a person who has not even gone through the tenure process evaluates someone for post tenure review,” he said. “For department chairs who are not tenured, this is a potential conflict-ofinterest situation. Aggrey said he considers the decision as one that will benefit the University. “Change is difficult, even when it is good,” said Aggrey. “The change that has been signed on by all three department chairs only affects faculty personnel issues. It does not affect the “daily operations,” nor does it cause any disruption to what we do for/with our students.”

SGA CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Obama's concern over the financial crunch facing HBCUs, the administration has created a fund to help students and organizations fund important projects. “Our budget has been cut as well,” Johnson said, “but student organizations can come to SGA for support.” Those asking for funds must submit a proposal to SGA, and if approved by the Senate, they can receive monies. Thus far, two students have received $800 in assistance to attend a conference. In response to the Swine flu threat, SGA is working with Student Health Services to distribute posters and information about preventve measures, including the campus-wide vaccination plan. The administration also will update its technology. NCCU’s first SGA Website is slated to go live Sept. 11. “Everything you need to know about SGA will be found on that Web site,” said Johnson.

The site will include SGA meeting minutes, updates on SGA projects, a student issue box, letters from the president and vice president, and a feature called Eagle Eye where students can track individual concerns and the progress made on them. The SGA also now has a Facebook group, and Johnson and Hines encourage students to contact them on Twitter at “NCCUSGAPress” and “NCCUSGAVP.” “We want to be more transparent and technology is a way that we can be more transparent,” said Johnson. Johnson and Hines chose student leadership to prepare them for life after NCCU. Johnson hopes to become an educator, then a school superintendant. “When I’m running for superintendant, it will be the same as running for SGA president,” says Johnson. Hines hopes to become a psychology teacher and an inspiration to students. “I want to tell kids ‘this is what I did, and this is

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what you can do as well’, ‘you can have a huge impact on wherever you go,’” she said. Johnson and Hines hope to leave office with a strong legacy. “After our term is over, I want people to say those two wanted the best for our students, they heard our concern and did the best they could do to address those concerns,” said Johnson.

BY DWAYNA CLARK ECHO STAFF REPORTER

N.C. Central University’s School of Law awarded Dorothy C. Bernholz the Julian Thomas Pierce Award recognizing her legal services to the disadvantaged. The award, which was given at the school’s 70th Annual Alumni Reunion gala dinner on Aug. 22 at the Doubletree Hotel in Durham, recognizes the free — or pro bono — legal assistance Bernholz has provided during her lifetime. “Helping the poor and disadvantaged was something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Bernholz. “My husband was a successful lawyer so I was economically able to do that. I was very thrilled to receive the award.” Bernholz has served two terms on the N.C Dispute Resolution Commission, which certifies and regulates mediators of state courts, and has served on the board of North Carolina State Legal Bar Association since 2008. The State Bar controls the ethical conduct of lawyers in North Carolina. Bernholz helped establish Student Legal Services at the University of North CarolinaChapel Hill which allows student governments to hire their own lawyers and granted access to the court system. She now helps students with legal issues, including problems with landlords and credit card companies. Bernholz said she was inspired to go into law while working with the Durham North Carolina Fund, a think tank which aided community organizers in discovering the best way to battle poverty. After taking courses discussing poverty at NCCU, Bernholz helped to start the School of Law’s Street Law Program, a program that places NCCU law students as mentors in Durham Public Schools. Born in 1941, Bernholz grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She earned a politi-

Bernholz receives award from law school dean, Raymond Pierce PHOTO COURTESY ROBERT LAWSON, OFFICE

cal science undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1963. Bernholz entered NCCU’s law school in 1973 and graduated in 1975. “Central gave me the heart and soul,” says Bernholz, “to do what I felt was right as a lawyer.” She described her days in law school as “tough.” “They didn’t have anything like what Central has today,” she said. “They barley had enough classrooms and law books for the students. The library had burnt down.” Bernholz, who was raising two children while in law school, also described the gasoline shortages that occurred while she was in school. “I had to sit and wait about 2 to 3 hours to get gasoline.” Her husband, Steve Bernholz, practices criminal law. Both Bernholz’s children studied law, her daughter went to Harvard Law School and now practices entertainment law and her son, now a businessman, went to law school at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Bernholz was joined by four other alumni in receiving recognition at the reunion: Judge A. Leon Stanback, Jr., class of 1968, received The Clifton E. Johnson Award for outstanding contribution to the legal profession. U.S. Representative G.K.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Butterfield, class of 1974, received The Floyd B. Mckissick Award for outstanding community service. Georgia State Senator Leroy R. Johnson, class of 1957, recieved The Albert L. Turner Award for distinguished service. Carolyn B. O'Garro Moore, class of 1987, received The Daniel G. Sampson Award for alumni service. Bernholz’s award is named in honor of Julian Thomas Pierce, a Lumbee American Indian and classmate of Bernholtz’s. Pierce was the founder and first executive director of the Lumbee River Legal Services. A former director of that organization, Dick Taylor said this of Pierce: "Julian's life showed that aggressive advocacy on behalf of the poor can truly make a difference. Pierce made the system work for poor people. Pierce helped establish the Robeson County Health Care Corporation. In 1987 he filed a formal petition to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to establish federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe. He was murdered in 1988 while running for a judgeship office in Robeson County. “I’m deeply honored and humbled by the award,” said Bernholz. “I’ve always wanted to help people and this was a great way.”

Home Screening for Bacterial Vaginosis to Prevent STDs (The BRAVO Study)

United Christian Campus Ministry

Nationwide research study with approved medication to see if more frequent testing and treatment for bacterial vaginosis, a vaginal infection that is not an STD, will help to reduce the chances of women getting gonorrhea and chlamydia.

525 Nelson Street, NCCU Campus

After the initial visit, swabs are collected at home and mailed, every 2 months for a year. Qualifications: female, ages 18-25, no vaginal symptoms at time of first visit, and other criteria. Testing & treatment at no cost, compensation will be provided. Please call: UNC Clinical Research Staff in DURHAM Karen Lau, FNP: (919) 560-7849 or Adriane Osborne, FNP: (919) 560-7850

www.campusecho.com

Inviting all NCCU Women (Graduate, Undergraduat, Law & Faculty Women)

Y-STAND Women’s Ministry Meet & Greet Thursday, Sept. 10, 7 PM Alfonso Elder Student Union

Annual Campus Ministry Fair Meet with Local Churches and Mission Opportunities in the Durham Community Wednesday, September 16 5:30 PM -7:30 PM

Michael D. Page Campus Minister

W.G. Pearson Cafeteria Banquet Hall Stop by and check out where to worship in Durham!

For more information or to get involved in Campus Ministries contact Rev. Michael Page at 530-5263 or mpage@nccu.edu

Bring this ad for a 10% Discount with a NCCU ID!

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Troubled waters ECHO STAFF REPORTER

The statistics are as disturbing as they are stunning: Black children drown at rates almost three times the overall White rate and nearly 60 percent of Black children aged 6-15 years old are unable to swim, according to a May 2008 article in “USA Today.” That is twice the rate of White children in the same age group. According to the Foundation for Aquatic Injury Prevention, in all, about 750 children under the age of 14 drown and about 1,000 suffer permanent neurological damage. “Almost half of all recorded drowning deaths among people aged 5 to 24 are among blacks,” reports the “American Journal of Public Health.” Some N.C. Central University students say they’ve never learned to swim. “I don’t swim,” said broadcast media and business freshman Tera Edgerton. “I just never wanted to learn to swim. I just never liked it.” Others say they just don’t like getting in the water. “I don’t swim,” said English sophomore Olivia Scott, who added that she does know how to swim. “It costs too much money to get my hair done and I feel like chlo-

rine will mess your hair up.” Political science freshman Shaequan Robinson says the water in swimming pools is dirty. “I don’t swim because I know people aren’t as clean as I am,” he said. “It’s just easier not to get in than to get in and be worried that, you know, I got something.” But experts say that environment and economic class, as well as cultural ones, such as valuing swimming skills, all combine to explain the higher drowning rates. “Regardless of race, people from poorer families were more likely to drown,” according to a report in “HealthDay Reporter.” The Center for Disease Control and Prevention writes that “the physical environment (e.g., access to swimming pools) and a combination of social and cultural issues (e.g., valuing swimming skills and choosing recreational water-related activities)” are prime causes for drownings. According to the National Institute of Health, higher AfricanAmerican drowning rates are directly tied to “the availability of swimming lessons.” “I had a pool when I was little,” said undeclared freshman Rachael Davies, “and I kind of learned how to swim by

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Studies show African-American youth drown at greater rates than Whites BY A SHLEY ROQUE

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009

myself at first. It wasn’t until later on that I took swimming lessons at the YMCA.” “I took lessons for two weeks when I was 17,” said undeclared freshman Cierra Williams, “and I just recently turned 18.” There are a number of ways to prevent drowning. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends several: “Always swim with a buddy. Select swimming sites that have lifeguards whenever possible. Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating, or water skiing.” Perhaps the greatest tip to adhere to is simply learning to swim. NCCU students can register for basic swimming courses at NCCU. The courses are offered on Monday and Wednesday from 10-10:50 a.m. and 11-11:50 a.m. “In this class, Mr. Thornton [Draper] teaches you everything you could possibly know about swimming,” said biology junior Shekinah Elliot. The University also offers two water aerobics classes in the fall:H 20 Conditioning, which is offered at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, and Aqua Moves, which is offered at 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Campus Echo Online: See a 7-year-old swim for the second time in her life.

“He wanted everyone to do their best. I can honestly say that I am a better person because of him. He always pushed everyone else to do their best. He was goal-oriented and a generous young man.” MERCADES HOPE PSYCHOLOGY SENIOR

Johnson committed suicide. Johnson, a psychology senior from Fayetteville, was a member of “NCCU Poetz,” a student spoken-word group. Group member Sade Dixon, a mass communication junior, said Johnson mostly wrote love pieces and hoped to be vice-president of the group. Dominique Holiday, a physical education senior, said Johnson showed no obvious signs of depression or suicide, but often talked about past failed relationships. Johnson often painted pictures with words, especially when talking about life, said Holiday. He last saw Johnson, who he described as intellectual, about a week before his death while the poet worked as a security guard at The Streets at Southpoint Mall. ”I knew he had been heartbroken by girls,” said Holiday, who knew Johnson for two years and often wrote poetry with him. “Some girls took advantage of his kindness because he was a genuine guy. Despite all that, he always remained positive and kept a smile on his face.” Johnson won CNN’s “Black in America” poetry contest when the network visited NCCU in April. His entry, “Roses Are Red,” was a response to the stereotypical comments aimed towards

young poetry writers. Johnson, during an interview with the Campus Echo, said he added a sophisticated twist to the popular elementary poem to connect older and younger Americans through shared emotions. About 50 NCCU students and faculty members attended Johnson’s funeral on Sept. 3 in Erwin. During the service, Elwood Robinson, dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Science, removed an NCCU pin from his jacket and placed it on Johnson, said psychology senior Mercades Hope. Hope initially didn’t believe Johnson had died. She called and texted him, but the news started to sink in once her efforts went unreturned. “He wanted everyone to do their best,” said Hope, who said she was Johnson’s ex-girlfriend. “I can honestly say that I am a better person because of him. “He always pushed everyone else to do their best. He was goal-oriented and a generous young man.” Katon Thomas, who attended E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville with Johnson, remembered talking with Johnson during the first week of school while in the Taylor Education Building. “He was the same normal positive smiling Lance. He

offered me a book for a psychology class that he had taken,” said the psychology senior. A grief session was held for students at Eagle Landing the day after Johnson’s death. The meeting spawned a group, “Eagle Reflection,” that meets every Wednesday at 3 p.m. in the Student Health Building, room 217, to discuss ways to deal with grief. Students with emotional troubles should talk with a counselor, said Dr. Carolyn Moore, director of the Counseling Center. Anyone can recommend someone to speak with a counselor, though the center cannot force a person to see them, said Moore. Counselors talk with students about their problems, including whether they’re having suicidal thoughts, and refer them to further help if needed. Conversations with counselors are confidential. Johnson’s Facebook page has been flooded with tributes since Thursday. Friends remembered him as someone who always helped others in need. “You were and still are a great person,” wrote one person. “I remember talking to you and you gave me advice to always do my best.” “You never know how much a person has impacted you until they are gone. I Love You Lance.”

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009

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JOBLESS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “I honestly have the resume from God,” McCaffery said. “Honestly. I have about 50 letters of recommendation and I still can’t get a job with my outstanding, immaculate resume.” McCaffery is one of hundreds of local waiters whose fortunes have fallen along with Washington’s once-thriving restaurant scene. He’s also one of about 5 million Americans who have gone at least six months without a job. That’s the most since 1948, according to the Labor Department. These long-term jobless workers now make up more than a third of the nation’s 14.5 million unemployed workers, and their plight has become a signature trait of this recession. With an average of six job seekers for every available position nationwide, it’s becoming tougher to find that elusive “next job.” If recent economic downturns are any indication, the suffering is far from over. When the last recession ended in November 2001, the unemployment rate continued to rise for 19 months, before it peaked at 6.3 percent in June 2003. A similar trend followed the end of the previous recession in March 1991. For the next 15 months, unemployment climbed from 6.8 percent to 7.8 percent in June 1992. In a positive sign, employers are already increasing hours for employees, said Brian Bethune, the chief U.S. economist with IHS Global Insight. But that increased labor demand probably will lead to temporary and parttime hires before more fulltime positions are added —– at least until employers feel more secure about the economy and the political climate, Bethune said. “We’re not going to see (major gains in) conventional types of employment. I don’t think that’s in the cards for another year at least and possibly two years,” Bethune said. In the meantime, workers such as McCaffery depend on their unemployment insurance to get them through. “I’m on my third extension,” McCaffery said of his $310 weekly check. For 500,000 unemployed Americans, though, those benefits are set to expire by the end of September. Another million will exhaust their unemployment insurance by the end of the year unless Congress extends it again, according to the National Employment Law Project, a New York-based group that advocates for extended jobless benefits. Bonnie Brooks of Grand Prairie, Texas, hasn’t worked since she was laid off from a woodworking shop eight months ago. She said it took six months to find that job after she was laid off from her sales support job of 18 years at a credit union in November 2007. In her first six months of unemployment this year, Brooks depended on her $350-a-week unemployment insurance check. After migraine headaches kept her from making the required number of weekly job contacts, however, her benefits were withheld beginning in August. She’s been unable to fix that the problem, “and now I’m sweating it,” she said. Her 27-year-old son and her roommate also are unemployed, and Brooks said that after September, she’s doesn’t know how she’ll pay her $830 monthly mortgage. Brooks, 51, has already used a third of her IRA to pay bills and she doesn’t want to raid it again.

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Urban garden gains ground Community garden grows organic for low income families BY CHRIS HESS ECHO STAFF REPORTER

“I’m stressed. I’m really stressed. It’s hard,” she said. “They say things are getting better, but I don’t see it. I don’t know if it’s my age or what, but they won’t give me a job. It’s not because I want too much money, because I’ll take whatever.” Harold G. Kaufman, who heads the graduate program in organizational behavior at the Polytechnic Institute of New York University, has studied the emotional toll of long-term unemployment. He said long bouts of joblessness can cause a person’s mental state to deteriorate, leading to lower selfesteem, motivation and a feeling that they’ve lost control. “That’s critical because that leads to feelings of helplessness and hopelessness,” Kaufman said.

For less than $20 a week, low income Durham residents are now able to purchase enough locally-grown organic fruits and vegetables to last them about a week. The new “Urban Garden” farming project is underway in the Durham. The project is designed to harvest organic fruits and vegetables year round for residents living in low income neighborhoods. Located directly across the street from the Food Lion shopping center, the garden is behind a rustic house sitting at 2100 Chapel Hill Rd. A greenhouse for the fall season is still a work in progress. “Community gardens where people can grow their own food as an alternative to fast food is the purpose of the organization,” said Jeffrey Edsminger, founder of Natural Enviromental and Ecological Management, a Community sustainable Development Corporation. The organization has been promoting urban agriculture since 1997, in countries as far away as Africa, India and Cuba. “Nearly 11 million people in Cuba use this model,” said Edsminger, who recently decided to bring the concept to Durham, his hometown. “I should be doing that in my own town,” he said. Edsminger combined a $15,000 grant from Glaxo Smith Kline with personal funds to support the project. “We need support from the City of Durham and

Unidentified worker at Durham’s Urban Garden on Chapel Hill Road. The garden is a project of NEEM, Natural Environmental and Ecological Management. CHRIS HESS/Echo staff photographer

some of our partners such as community outreach and faith-based organizations to sustain the project,” said Edsminger. The Urban Garden has partnered with Community Supported Agriculture, a program that allows customers to buy fresh, locally grown food directly from area farmers.

“Our members pay ahead of time for a fixed amount of groceries,” says Edsminger. N.C. Central and Duke universities have students participating in the Urban Garden project. Sophomore Brandon Hicks, who helped with the garden, said the experience was a rewarding one:

“This is just one way of bringing out the motto of truth and service,” he said Hicks added that he would like to see an organic garden on campus. “This could help move the campus toward the 21st century,” he said. For more information on Durham’s Urban Garden go to www.neemtree.org.

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009

Classifieds Introductory offer: Free online classifieds for students, faculty & staff That’s right. Shoot us an e-mail from any NCCU.edu e-mail address and we’ll post your classified online for two weeks. Just put the words “NCCU classified” in the subject line and sent it to campusecho@nccu.edu. Keep it under 35 words and be sure to proof read your copy.

PREPARING FOR THE GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT? ATTEND A STRATEGY SESSION WITH THE PRINCETON REVIEW SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2009 THE MARY TOWNES SCIENCE COMPLEX CORNER OF CONCORD & LAWSON STREETS NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY Seating is Limited COST: Free! Registration is Required GMAT, GRE and MCAT participants will meet on Saturday, October 10, 2009, 10 am 12 noon, in the Mary Townes Science Complex. Please take the practice test at Review.com and print and bring the scoring report to the strategy session LSAT participants are asked to make a two day commitment. This includes a practice LSAT, 9 am 1 pm on Saturday, 10/3/09 in 1233 Mary Townes Science Complex, and a two - hour session on Saturday, 10/10/09, 10 am 12 noon ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST PRE-REGISTER BY Friday, October 2, 2009 in Room 3209 Mary Townes Science Complex FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Leon B. Hardy, Test Prep Program 3209 Mary Townes Science Complex, NCCU, Durham, NC 27707 (919) 530-5109, lhardy@nccu.edu

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HOUSE FOR RENT 4br House 613 Dunbar near NCCU's O'Kelly-Riddick football field. $900/Month Updated and move in ready. Huge Kitchen, Covered porch, off street parking, laundry hook-ups. You pay utilities, owner maintains yard. To see call Cherry Realty 4779659, or Tricia 247-3771

NCCU WRITING STUDIO You wouldn’t wait until the night before to practice for the big game ... Walk-ins welcome, appointments prefered Monday, Tuesday & Thursday from 9 am - 5 pm Wednesday 9 am - 6 pm Friday 10 am - 2 pm Room 339 ~ Farrison-Newton Communications Building 530-7554 writingstudio@nccu.edu

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A&E

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009

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Contagious bounce The WildBoyz go-go band spreads DMV to NC

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Jay-Z The Blueprint 3 Roc Nation

out of on the 5 5 black hand side Jay-Z’s album was a success before they recorded the first song in the booth. As many may know, Jay-Z bought out of his contract and last album from Universal/Def Jam. This gave his new label, Roc-Nation the ability to control his entire assets as an artist, of which he is the CEO. From the first track off his new album, The Blueprint 3, Jigga sets the tone with "What We Talkin About?" The track's chorus features chopped vocals from Empire Of The Sun's Luke Steele, who Jigga discovered in an episode of Entourage and collaborated with remotely. The originally slated release date for BP:3 was late 2008, but then Jigga decided not to rush, and pushed it back to 2009. Most artists get caught up in the moment and spill all their emotions on twitter. Instead, Jay-Z waits until he can use the attention as a marketing tool and crushes his competition with back-to-back videos, tour

Rhapsody Ad Girl with High Status Video with Drake Magazine Cover No Promo dates and special interviews and events. So even from a viewer’s standpoint, he is outdoing his competition! To understand this album, I think you have to first understand that the word “blueprint” isn’t referring to a “back-to-basics” approach. It’s also not a call back to the last two Blueprint albums; a lot of the hate directed at The Blueprint 3 centers around how it sounds nothing like Blueprint 1 and 2. J JayZ is attempting to move forward to evolve, and to innovate. “Blueprint” refers to Jay creating something new, a template that lesser artists will invariably follow. This is what makes a phenomenal artist and in turn, makes a buzzworthy album. My favorite track is number 2, “Thank You”, produced by Kanye West. Kid Cudi, Alicia Keys, Rihanna, Young Jeezy, Swizz Beats, Drake, Carolina’s own J. Cole and Mr. Hudson also appear on the album. —D. Mal

Members of The WildBoyz from left to right DJP4, Savin, Sanchez, Money Mike, and Maiyah. JERRY RODGERS/Echo Staff Photographer

BY JOANNA HERNANDEZ ECHO A&E EDITOR

The WildBoyz have been on a serious “Grind” for a few years now, steaming back to when the band was assembled in 2005. Since then, the group has had many changes in the line-up and has progressed to largely promoted go-go events and radio air play for their singles, “So Cute” and “Grind” on 93.9 WKYS. The Wild Boyz consist of a front line or vocalists Maiyah Byrd, DJP4, Ron Joe, and Savin and a back line or instrumentalists Two, Sanchez, Money Mike and Earl. The years have shown the band that hard work, dedication and versatility pay off in the long run. “We practice hard. Two and myself have learned how to play double duty over the years,” said graphic arts and visual communication junior Darnell “Sanchez” Smith. Last spring, the WildBoyz participated in a block party held by the metro club, an organization for stu-

dents from the D.C., Maryland, Virginia area or DMV. The Block party was a success for the band and helped raise interest in the group’s original sound. “We put a lot of people on go-go at NCCU, especially through the block party. Some people had never really listened to it before that day,” said business management senior Mike “Money Mike” Clay. “I saw people I know weren’t from the DMV partying, it’s the live band feel it makes a difference,” said Smith. Originality and staying true to the go-go feel are important aspects to The Wild Boyz movement. “We don’t want to be another three letter go-go band; we strive to be original through making our own music,” said mass communication senior Beverly “Two” Bracey. “We have support from NC and DMV we are making strides across the board,” said Bracey. Although go-go bands like BYB, CCB and TCB have gained acclaim in

the DMV, The WildBoyz set out to break down the barriers of go-go being only for the metro area. “The music industry seems to look down on go-go bands; a popular artist might use a go-go beat, but a go-go band never gets acknowledged,” said N.C. State University senior Paul “DJP4” Fullmore. All the band members, new and old, bring different attributes to the table, creating a unique style and sound to the movement. “We are all different individuals, but together we bring a solid product — something you have never heard,” said mass communication senior Savin Joseph. The WildBoyz are proud to be able to play with popular bands like BYB, TCB and CCB, as well as do what they love and get an education. “We started this movement to stay out of trouble while here in school. NCCU brought us together and we hope one day to have the support of or university’s administration so we can leave our mark,” said Bracey.

Good music, good cause BY DIANE VARNIE ECHO STAFF WRITER

Trey Songz Ready Atlantic

out of on the 4 5 black hand side It’s been a long and anticipated wait, but your boy Trey Songz is back with his new album, “Ready.” The album is following the release of his two mixtapes “Genesis” and “Anticipation.” The Virginia native, who also goes by “Trigga,” is definitely not shooting blanks on this album. Trigga’s previous albums have included a touch of what we know as baby-making music but nothing like this. The album’s intro, “Panty Droppa,” pulls its audience in preparing you for the ride that’s about to come, flowing into “Neighbors Know My Name,” a slow ballad on which Songz reflects on keeping all surrounding life up all night while he endures in extreme seduction and bliss. The passion continues on with radio smash, “Invented Sex,” featuring hot new artist Drake, where Songz teaches his partner the art

of making love, leaving her so tangled she couldn’t imagine a better night. Hold on because this roller coaster is nowhere from over. Next, Songz brings on his cry for the perfect one with “I Need a Girl.” Produced by hitmaster, “Stargate,” the lead single on the album, Songz searches for his anticipated soul mate. Continuing to make all spines tingle, Songz moves on through the lovemaking rendezvous, where he takes his listeners out of this world, landing on “Jupiter Love,” a planet that caters to all thoughts of bliss. Taking a break, “Say Ah” featuring FABOLOUS, show exactly how to pop a bottle during a night out. Songz ends the album with cries out for his love to come back to “Yo side of the Bed,” with an emotional cry from the infamous electric guitar. I must say this album is a lovemaking masterpiece and was well worth the wait!

— Chasity Nicole

On Friday, Sept. 18, award winning jazz vocalist Lenora Zenzalai Helm will kick off a 12-concert tour series, “The Butterfly Concerts.” The concert is in conjunction with the release of Helms’s fifth CD, “Chronicles of a Butterfly,” which will be received by each guest in attendance. The goal of each event is to raise funds for families and/or communities who have endured recent tragedies or traumas. The September 18 concert will help raise monies for the Elm Family of Durham, who recently suffered tragic loss from a fire. The event will take place at the St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation at The Hayti Heritage Center. Helms is on the music faculty at N. C. Central University, and a member of the prestigious jazz studies program. She also co-directs the vocal jazz ensemble. The release of “Chronicles of a Butterfly” marks Helms’s return to recording after a six-year hiatus. Branford Marsalis, also an artistin-residence in the jazz studies pro-

Jazz vocalist Lenora Helms lends her voice to help a familly in need. BEN COLLIER/Courtesy of Jazz Studies Program

gram at NCCU, is responsible for production on Helms’s album. He is primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet. Helms has dedicated this recording to her mentor, the late pianist/composer Andrew Hill. “In many conversations with Andrew, he spoke about the wisdom of metamorphosis and transformation in the seasons of our lives,” said

Helms. Those conversations helped inspire the butterfly concept for her album. Tickets are on sale at the Hayti Box office 919-683-1709 or online at www.lenorahelm.com. For more information, call 917-8267979 or email info@thezenzalaigroup.com. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Gadgets, games and more BY DAVID L. FITTS JR. ECHO STAFF WRITER

Consumers have different interests when it comes to gaming. Developers stay busy trying to find the next great idea that will appeal to everyone. With so many choices available, finding the right one maybe difficult. For those unsure of what to get, here are three recommendations to make the decisions easier. For music and game lovers, there are two new titles that will get everyone rocking out: “Guitar Hero 5” and “The Beatles: Rock Band.” “Guitar Hero 5,” developed by Neversoft, Vicarious Visions and Budcat Creations, is the follow-up game to 2008’s “Guitar Hero World Tour.” Released on Sept. 1, this game emerges with a new look, feel and sound.

“GH-5” has 85 songs by 83 different artists, ranging from Public Enemy to The Rolling Stones. There are new features, including “party play” which allows players to drop in and out of songs at any moment while the song continues, and the ability to download content from “Guitar Hero World Tour.” “GH-5” is available for PS2, PS3, Wii and XBOX 360. “The Beatles: Rock Band,” developed by Harmonix Music Systems and Pi Studios, was co-created with Apple Corps and The Beatles Company. This game gives players the ultimate Beatles experience including a trip to Abbey Road Studios to relive the magic. With input from Beatles members and others, this game takes the experience even further. One new feature allows players to sing in a three-part

harmony by using one microphone as well as replicated instruments of The Beatles. The Beatles’ entire catalog will be available on one disc. “The Beatles: Rock Band” will be in stores Sept. 9 for PS3, Wii and XBOX 360. Last but not least, for people who love action/adventure games, “The Dark Knight” will keep you on the edge of your seat while fighting to stay alive. “Batman: Arkham Asylum,” developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Warner Bros, DC Comics and Eidos Interactive, puts the player in the shoes of Batman, as he stops the Joker’s evil plan inside “Arkham Asylum.” Players will have a good story to follow that will immerse them in the DC Comics universe. This game is available now for the PS3, XBOX 360 and PC.

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Photo and story by Savin Joseph

It’ll cost about $150,000 to knock down Latham Residential Hall. Another $15 million will make room for 750 parking spaces and space for a police substation and bookstore.

LATHAM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 level parking deck. The deck will have 750 parking spaces for students, faculty and staff, according to Mike Logan, constrution engineer, NCCU design and construction services.

Additionally, it will house a campus police substation and a new bookstore. Design and planning for the parking deck began in last September. Demolition of Latham Residential

Hall began August 17 and is expected to be completed next June. The budgeted cost for the 250,000 square foot deck is $15 million. Neighboring Concepts designed the deck, which is the largest of five proposed parking decks. Other decks will include the Alston Avenue Garage (810 spaces), the

Convocation Center Garage (720 spaces), the Concord Street Garage (980 spaces) and the Cecil Street Garage (945) spaces. Funding for the project came from a $3.1 billion North Carolina higher education bond passed in 2000. The bond allocated about $119 million to NCCU for construction, renovation, and land acquisi-

tion. In the 2007 Campus Master Plan, the following objectives were established: to respond to increased enrollment, to reorganize the campus into coherent precincts, to redirect growth within the neighborhood context, to restore “the sloping hills, the verdant green,” and to return the campus to students.

Sports

Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009

Close, but no cigar NCCU FALLS TO HAMPTON 31-24 AFTER BOTCHED SNAP BY

AARON SAUNDERS ECHO SPORTS EDITOR

With 11:08 left on the clock in the fourth quarter, the N.C. Central University football team was in the driver’s seat, after a touchdown run by sophomore quarterback Michael Johnson gave the Eagles a 24-23 lead. The Eagles held onto the lead until the last few minutes when a series of penalties moved the offense from their own 4-yard line to the 24, forcing them to punt. A botched snap led to a punt of negative one yard from freshman punter Brian Haselberger. The Hampton Pirates’ offense took over with great field position and scored the winning touchdown on a 29-yard run by senior running back Lamarcus Coker. Unsuccessful on their following 4 straight passes, the Eagles could not recover and lost 31-24. “We must execute the small things to win close games,” said junior linebacker Donald Laster. “Hampton did that and that’s why they won today.” The Eagles were marred by penalties all day that altered field position and negated huge plays. One play in particular was a touchdown pass by Johnson to freshman wide receiver Andrew Johnson, which was brought back due to offensive holding. “ It hurt bad when I looked back and saw the flag on the field; I went from thinking we had the game won to the worst feeling in the world,” said Michael Johnson. Hampton took advantage of Eagle miscues in the

NCCU tight end Earthan Ward and linebacker Calvin Hillie drop their heads in disbelief. JERRY ROGERS/Echo staff photographer

“On the last drive it seemed like every flag was against us.” NCCU FOOTBALL COACH MOSE RISON

game, scoring on almost every drive that the offense gave up the ball with a turnover. The Pirates’ game-changing performer was senior wide receiver Damon McDaniel who was once a Florida State Seminole. McDaniel scored two

touchdowns; a 32-yard pass from sophomore quarter back David Legree and an 82 yard punt return. NCCU was also injury plagued. Several players caught cramps and minor injuries and missed time on the field. Johnson came out for two series after being

hit upon delivering a touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Will Scott. “ They were giving me fluids and I was trying to look and see what was going on,” said Johnson. “Then, when I heard Hampton scored, I said I got to get back on the field.”

“We had all kinds of penalties,” said NCCU head football coach Mose Rison. “On the last drive, it seemed like every flag was against us.” However, it was not all bad for the Eagles since they never faded and answered the bell almost

every time they needed to. Next week, the team will look to pick up their first win of the season as they travel to Lynchburg, Va. to face Liberty University coming off a 13-point defeat at the hands of West Virginia University.

Jamaicans serve it up Lady Eagles adapt to US for the better BY

AARON SAUNDERS ECHO SPORTS EDITOR

When you think of the little island south of the United States, you may think of great sprinters like Usain Bolt and Veronica Campbell-Brown who have taken over the world of track and field Many also associate the island with Cricket, the national past time in Jamaica. However, five ladies are trying to change that perception. Avaniki Campbell, Maritsann Sinclair, Sasha Lee Wallen, Shantel Moore and Tasha GayeRichards are all members of the N.C. Central University Lady Eagles’ Volleyball team. “I played other sports growing up, but I wanted to play volleyball because I love team sports,” said senior middle hitter

Avaniki Campbell. Most would agree that individual glory is great because of the singular fame, but these ladies are not like most students. They say that sharing the fame with teammates is better. They are from Jamaica, here on scholarship to play volleyball and away from their families for most, if not all the year. “Being away from home and our family prepares us for becoming adults,” said sophomore utility player Sasha Lee Wallen. “I chose to come here to play so I can better myself, get an education and continue playing volleyball,” said Campbell. Wallen, Campbell and Moore have played in every game so far this season, while Richards is not far behind with 11

games played and Sinclair with 2; Campbell and Moore also lead the team in kills. While volleyball comes easily for them, the new environment takes more getting used to. The adjustment period is hard enough, but when you are more than 3,000 miles away from home, it’s hard not to feel lonely. However, the ladies know that they will always have each other for support, as well as a coach who can relate to them and is available whenever they need her. Coach Georgette Crawford-Crooks is also originally from Jamaica and was blessed with an ability to play volleyball as a student as well. Crawford-Crooks played for the nation-

al Jamaica volleyball team and was allconference at California University of Pennsylvania. Like Crawford-Crooks, these ladies have played on their national team and competed intercollegiately. “Most of us have been playing for 7-8 years,” said junior outside hitter Shantel Moore. Of course, there are some things that they miss from home. “The thing we miss most from being back at home is the food and the chance to go to the beach whenever we want to,” said sophomore utility player Tasha GayeRichards. Yet, no matter where they go, the ladies agree that Jamaica will always be home for them.

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Campus Echo WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2009

IVER SITY

Millennium secrets hen I found out that I was being forced to live in the hotel I checked their website online and liked the picture, but when I arrived it was all lies and deception. The only good thing about living there is the big bed. We get free parking, but I don’t have a car so it doesn’t Tiffanie matUnderdue even ter to me. It feels like N.C. Central University is robbing us of our money. They just went and made a deal with whoever would have us without thoroughly thinking their decisions through. I miss the dorm room on campus I originally signed up for. That room was much better than

the one I’m in at the hotel and it was much more convenient too. No thanks to the quickie room change, I won’t get to do some of the things I’d planned on doing this year. I’m an art student and sometimes I need to stay late on campus to finish my work but now I have to catch the shuttle before dark. It also makes it very difficult carrying my art supplies for class. Sometimes they can be very heavy and the chance of having my things lost or stolen is increased. I’m pretty sure NCCU will not be willing to reimburse me for any lost items. We can’t even use the computer lab in the hotel. How am I supposed to do my work? They try to shut us up with huge cookies and a fruit punch fountain at

When I found out that I was being forced to live in the hotel I checked their website online and liked the picture, but when I arrived it was all lies and deception.

the meetings. `They call themselves keeping us entertained with raffles for cheap NCCU key chains, license plates, T-shirts and other things. The restaurant in the hotel is extremely expensive but they try to make us smile by giving us $5 discount tickets. This is ridiculous. One of my friends asked Chancellor Nelms about what we can do if we don’t want to live in the hotel. Basically my friend was told that either he could live in the hotel or just leave. Most of the channels

are news and sports. We can’t use the pool or fitness room. The shuttles are hard to catch but if you have a car you’ve got one less worry. You can easily get to the gym or the store if you need to unlike us non-drivers. When you have a car while living at the hotel you have more freedom during the weekend unlike people like me who are bored to death on the weekends. I can’t even get a can of soda without being shorted $1.50 from the drink machine. That is the most

expensive canned soda I’ve ever seen! Our rooms only get a once a week cleaning service for our bathroom. And even though I respect the hotel’s cleaning employees, sometimes it seems like they skip a few things and don’t do the best job. We pay more to do our laundry at the hotel than on campus and there is no quarter machine there. One of my friends had to hunt down a fellow student living at Campus Crossing and hauled her laundry to their room for washing because she couldn’t get any quarters. In many parts of the hotel my phone can’t get a signal — it is a total dead zone. The whole situation is just wrong and I hope NCCU finds a better way to house its upper classmen.

Speech sparked outrage resident Obama finds himself at the center of another controversy. Our president was elected based on his ability to unify and inspire our country to greater heights and now, the President’s latJay Jones est attempt to inspire has sparked outrage from some Americans. This time the verbal daggers didn’t just come from Republicans in the Congress; they also came from conservative parents of school children the president addressed yesterday in a speech broadcast in the nation’s schools. Some parents, stoked by the likes of Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck, were outraged

that our president wanted to address kids in school on being better students and preparing for their futures. Are you serious? When in the history of the presidency has there ever been a problem with a president speaking to school children? Is our elected president that untrustworthy or are those reactionary people that racist? I say they are that racist. I said it. Former presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. Bush both spoke to the nation’s school children without any boycott from liberals. Here’s what some protesting parents said on “Good Morning America”: “President Obama needed to get my permission and I needed to know what he was going to say ahead of time before he talked to my kids. I didn’t want

Instead of being against a black man speaking to kids, we should just be for our president who actually cares about our children.

him trying to brainwash my kids into going along with whatever the government wants.” Some would try to dismiss this as another attempt to bash a member of an opposing political party, but I say it goes deeper. We have had Republican and Democratic presidents and never had this much attention paid to a presidential conversation to school children. What makes our current president so special? The color of his skin is the only difference, I

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see, when compared to other former presidents. President Obama told children to work hard in school and to become better students. He urged them to strive for good grades and if they are struggling in a class that it just meant that they had to try harder. He encouraged students to think beyond being the next big athlete or reality TV star. He challenged them to consider being doctors, lawyers and scientists. He reminded kids

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that Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team and that J.K. Rowling had her Harry Potter book rejected twelve times before it was accepted. The theme was to study hard, think about your future and to never give up on yourself. Criticism of the president was called “UnAmerican” under the last administration and people faced all kinds of discrimination for being labeled that. Now being “UnAmerican” gets you on TV so the world can hurl a hatred-filled verbal bouquet at our president. Instead of being against a black man speaking to kids, we should just be for our president, a president who actually cares about our children. Think about it.

drawing by Rashaun Rucker

Question:

How do you feel about living at the Millennium Hotel?

“It's not so bad once you get used to it. It's very comfortable. Everything is pretty much like a normal hotel, house keeping and everything. ” — Maurice Thompson

“I feel isolated and I might be missing out on different campus activities like interests groups, sororities, and lyceums because we have to come all the way back here. ” —Shequana Townsend

“It's good, but they took advantage of us. It could be better. More stuff to do, give us a microwave, at least a pool and exercise machine. —Charius McLaughlin