COURTBOUILLON A DILLARD UNIVERSITY student production
5 November 2009
www.ducourtbouillon.com
Founder’s Day to feature former DU chief
ETOUFEE
Jeannine Cannon Managing editor
Curtrell Charles peruses Internet to find all-paid national scholarship
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Dr. Samuel DuBois Cook, former DU president, will be Convocation speaker for Dillard’s celebration of its 140th anniversary during Homecoming Week Nov. 14-22. Nationally known comics Co Coa Brown, Benji Brown and Big Sean Larkins also will appear at the Comedy Show
at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18. The theme of the celebration is “1869: The Genesis of Excellence over 140 Years,” according to Miss Dillard Carmelita Foster. Nineteen events have been scheduled over nine days, including the traditional Coronation Ball at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, ed); the Homecoming Parade at 10 a.m.
Saturday, Nov. 21, starting at the Cook gates through the Gentilly community. The Bleu Devils basketball women’s and men’s games are set for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. in Dent. An additional highlight is the speech by Cook (for whom Cook Center is named) at the culminating Founder’s Day Convocation, set for 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22.
See Homecoming on Page 3
SACS prep pays off; executives are optimistic
Trick or Treat on the Oaks
SPORTS
Charley Steward Editor-in-Chief
Character Clinic hosts elementary students to teach more than sports
months to handle three accreditation recommendations made after a recent on-site visit, but an administrator has called the work “do-able.” The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, or SACS, visited campus two weeks ago as part of its periodic accreditation review. SACS has about 77 standards, grouped into core and comprehensive standards and
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SPORTS New athletics Web site offers up-to-date tools for campus sports
university has to meet for accreditation. Every 10 years, each institution is then evaluated by
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EDITORIAL Editorial calls for more, better security at DU’s off-campus apartments
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INDEX Campus news ............................................ 2-3 Etoufee ................................................4 Sports ................................................5 Opinion ............................................ 6-7
Stephawn Spears | Courtbouillon One-year-old Shakur Muhammad and his mom, Robinette Love, enjoy Trick or Treat on the Oaks on Friday, Oct. 30. Sponsored by the Student Government Association, the annual event traditionally provides an opportunity for the Gentilly and Dillard communities to celebrate together. For more photos, please turn to Page 3.
including the Off-Site Review Committee and the On-Site Review Committee. Dr. Phyllis Worthy-Dawkins, associate provost, said the next steps for Dillard will be to share the results with the board and continue its planning for DU’s Quality Enhancement Plan, or QEP, titled “Communication
See SACS on Page 2
Two women join Dillard for high-level administrative positions Jeannine Cannon Managing Editor Dillard has hired two women for two executive positions for the 2009-2010 school year. Dr. Phyllis Dawkins is Dillard’s new associate provost and associate vice president for Academic Affairs. Dr. Muriel Hawkins has joined Dillard as assistant to the presi-
dent for Campus and Community Relations. Although Dawkins and Hawkins have been hired for two major roles at Dillard, their position announcements are not the only changes on campus this year. Along with Dawkins and Hawkins are Andre’ Menzies, campus chief of police; Khalilah Elliott, director of annual giving; and Kari-
bu Nyaggah, a Harvard Business School Leadership Fellow. Dawkins, who joined DU in May, comes from Johnson C. Smith University, where she was interim vice president for Academic Affairs. She previously served as dean of the College of Professional Studies and as
See New on Page 2
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COURTBOUILLON
5 November 2009
DILLARD UNIVERSITY
COURTBOUILLON Volume 73, Issue 4
EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-chief .................. Charley L. Steward Managing editor .................... Jeannine Cannon Sports editor ............................Mario Martin Photo editor .................... Stephawn Spears Faculty adviser ..................Cleo Joffrion Allen, Ph.D., APR
BUSINESS STAFF Advertising manager .................... Kandyce Franklin
CONTACT US News ..............dunews1@gmail.com Features .......... dufeatures@gmail.com Opinion ..........duopinions@gmail.com Sports ............dusports1@gmail.com Photos ............ duphotos@gmail.com Advertising ..... duadvertising@gmail.com
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ABOUT US The Dillard University Courtbouillon is produced by mass communication students at Dillard University. The Courtbouillon publishes six issues per semester. Publication dates for fall 2009 are Sept. 24; Oct. 8 and 22; Nov. 5 and 19; and Dec. 10. If you have a story idea, news tip or calendar event, contact us at the numbers or e-mail addresses provided above. To advertise, contact our business and staff members.
Dr. Phyllis Dawkins
New FROM PAGE 1 a physical education professor. She holds degrees from Johnson C. Smith University, the University of Michigan and Ohio State University. Her areas of expertise include faculty development, accreditation reviews and Quality Enhancement Plan development. Meanwhile, the new head of community relations previously served as assistant vice chancellor at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkoch. Hawkins came to Dillard as an ACE Fellow in 2007-2008 school year and served as President Hughes’ as-
Dr. Muriel Hawkins
sistant. During her time as an assistant at Dillard, she took VisionQuest to Oshkosh, Wis., and helped the students plan the proposal for the Student Union. She came back to Dillard this year after returning for a year to the University of Wisconsin. Hawkins holds degrees from University of Health Services/Chicago Medical School, The Citadel in Charleston and Loyola University in Chicago. Hawkins said she chose Dillard because she had never been to a HBCU before her stint as a fellow. She added that she wanted to work with a woman president, and she wanted to help with the recovery.
Menzies, who was interim campus police chief, was announced as the permanent replacement for former Chief Willie Bourda in July. He was chosen over two other candidates. Elliott and Nyaggah are both new faculty members in the ofdent. Elliott, a Dillard alum, is a development and marketing specialist. Nyaggah is a leadership fellow from Harvard Business School who will be helping the Division of Business in its accreditation effort. He also will work with the Senior Cabinet on strategic planning and assessment.
Along with gaining people, the administration staff also lost faculty members. Dr. Marshall Stevenson left Dillard after 13 years of service. He recently accepted the position as dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at Delaware State University. He worked at Dillard with various positions as interim associate provost, dean of the Division of the Social Sciences and interim provost. Dr. Denese Short-Bridges, vice president of facilities, replaced Dr. Edgar Chase. Chase left Dillard after serving four years as vice president of Facilities Planning and Management.
Dr. Corey Hebert, new medical director, focuses on wellness Dillard’s new medical director, Dr. Corey Hebert, plans to focus on wellness for students, faculty and staff on-campus. “I want to encourage everyone to stop drinking sodas, start using the stairs and stop eating fatty foods,” said Hebert, a medical consultant who also is chief medical editor for WDSU-TV, a teacher at Tulane and medical director for 50 schools in the Louisiana Recovery School District. He was named to the parttime DU position July 27, succeeding Dr. Kevin Stephens, who served in the position pre-Katrina. He will be at the on-campus clinic from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, and “you can always something.”
SACS FROM PAGE 1 Skills Enhancement Grounded in Critical Thinking.” She said the on-site recommendation report will go to another committee for review expected in June 2010. Dawkins was cautiously optimistic about Dillard’s reaccreditation effort: “We’re not out of the woods yet,” she said. However, she said everything SACS wants is “do-able,” and the
The Baton Rouge graduate of Morehouse College and Meharry Medical College said he wants to teach everyone how to avoid the pitfalls of unhealthy living. He said he will use monthly healthcare debates and seminars to inform students about being healthy. He also plans monthly healthcare newsletters. “I want to make it interesting for students to receive the information,” he said. Hebert plans to increase the visibility of the clinic and try to get students to utilize its services. The clinic encourages students who are feeling ill to go to Dillard Health and Hebert is not there, the clinic will refer that student to a doctor. If Hebert is there,
university has done well in its ments. Dr. Marvalene Hughes, DU president, issued a statement after the SACS visit that the majority of core issues were addressed satisfactorily. Dawkins added that the review committee gave the university three recommendations at the end of its visit Oct. 15 regarding the 25 percent rule, academic program coordination and faculty evaluations. Dawkins said the 25 percent rule states that of the degree
he will examine the student and prescribe medication if necessary. The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Doctors are available with the Excelth mobile clinic on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Hebert, who has appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and in network news segments, owns and operates Hebert Medical Consulting, 1426 N. Derbigny St. He teaches pediatrics and adolescent medicine at Tulane. He was a resident at Tulane University American to earn the position of chief resident of pediatrics. (Gabrielle Boykin contributed to this report.)
programs offered, 25 percent of the courses have to be offered by professors with terminal degrees, or the highest de“We have one or two programs that did not meet that process of trying to hire somebody next semester,” Dawkins said. Academic program coordination calls for the institution to assign a program coordinator for each major in a degree program to someone who is ac-
“For example, in communication, someone has to have a master’s or a doctorate in communication arts to be the program coordinator,” Dawkins said. The last recommendation, which Dawkins believe will be overturned, relates to faculty evaluations. She said guidelines call for an institution to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of faculty members in accordance with published criteria regardless of contractual or tenured status.
5 November 2009
Coming soon
Campus&Local
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COURTBOUILLON
Characters in costume
Play: “Miss Evers’ Boys,” Cook Theatre, Friday through Sunday and next weekend, with evening performances at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Book signing: Carlotta Walls LaNier and Lisa Frazier Page will sign their book, “A Mighty Long Way: My Journey to Justice at Little Rock Central High School,” 6 p.m. Friday in the Will Alexander Library. Page, a Dillard alum, is an editor and award-winning reporter at the Washington Post. Concert: Performance by Grammy-award winning alternative hip-hop band the Roots, Saturday at 7 p.m. at Tulane’s McAlister Auditorium. Study abroad: Julie Hurst, a representative for Semester at Sea, will discuss how you can study abroad around the world. Her talk is set for Tuesday, Nov. 10, in Room 142 Dent. Genealogy research: Who are your ancestors? English Professor Mona Lisa Saloy will discuss how to research your genealogy and how to create a genealogy map at noon Monday in the Alexander Library computer room. Poet to speak: Jericho Brown, a Dillard alum and winner of the prestigious American “Please,” will speak at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, in Will Alexander Library. A discussion of “Keeping Your Mind on Your Money” will be facilitated by Professor Kem Washington, Division of Business, at noon Monday, Nov. 16, in Kearny West Wing.
Homecoming
on the Comedy Show, Co Coa Brown has appeared on Comic View and has FROM PAGE 1 BET’s been featured on Comedy A graduate of More- Central’s “Comic Groove” house University and The with Tracy Morgan. Benji Ohio State University, Cook Brown, who appeared at the led Dillard for more than DU Comedy Show last year, two decades, from 1975 to is a DJ on Miami’s WEDR 1997, after having served at 99 Jamz’s morning show and Southern University, Atlanta University and Duke. He will ity show, “College Hill.” And celebrate his 71st birthday on Larkins is founding member Nov. 21. of “The Black Top Cir(A minor tempest regard- cus,” the only black improve ing whether seniors, who are group in the nation and has appeared in several shows on wear caps and gown apparently had been resolved “In Touch With Reality,” dias the Courtbouillon went to rected by Melvin James. press. See Eric Wright’s colThe nine-day festivities umn on Page 7.) will kick off with community Of the three headliners service at 8 a.m. Saturday,
Photos by Stephawn Spears | Courtbouillon The traditional Student Government Association event, “Trick or Treat on the Oaks,” brought out a host of characters in costume Friday night. The event was moved to downstairs Kearny because of inclement weather. In top photo, In photo above, freshman Bleu Crew member Alexjandra Samuels-Zecher, dressed as a clown, paints a child’s face.
Nov. 14. Foster said the actual event will be announced the week before, but all students are asked to celebrate by helping the community. All events are free, except for the Panhellenic Neophyte Show at 8 p.m. Nov. 14 in Dent. Other events include: Sunday, Nov. 15 -- 10:30 a.m.: chapel in Lawless. Monday, Nov. 16 -- 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Heritage Day in upstairs Kearny. -- 7-9 p.m.: “A Tribute to Excellence,” Avenue of the Oaks. -- 9 p.m. to midnight: “Day and Night: A Black and White Party,” in Dent. Tuesday, Nov. 17
-- 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: “Spirit Day in the Café”, upstairs Kearny. -- 7 p.m.: Organizational step-off in Dent. Wednesday, Nov. 18 -- 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Greek exhibition, Kabacoff. -- 7-10 p.m.: comedy show in upstairs Kearny. Thursday, Nov. 19 -- 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: a “Go Green” activity on the Oaks. -- 7 p.m., a social for Miss Dillard in Kearny West Wing. Saturday, Nov. 21 -- Between the parade in the morning and the games that afternoon will be a block party at Stern Hall. Sunday, Nov. 22 -- Prior to the afternoon Convocation, chapel will be
held at 10:30 a.m. in Lawless. A rededication ceremony of Lawless Chapel is planned, but details have not been provided. The theme for the Coronation Ball this year is “Unbreakable Excellence,” chosen by because “we can identify and relate to the resilience of this institution,” according to Foster. “I always say that if Dillard University were a person, she and I would be best friends,” said Foster. “Homecoming is a time of relaxation and thanksgiving. It should and will be a time of relaxation and thanksgiving for the entire Dillard community,” she added.
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Etouffee
5 November 2009
COURTBOUILLON
DU freshman earns prestigious Gates award Adrienne Rivers A Dillard freshman is among the thousand Gates Millennium Scholars in the 2009-2010 school year. Curtrell Charles, a New Orleans nursing freshman, was awarded a four-year “full ride” scholarship not only for her undergraduate degree here at Dillard but also additional schooling up to receipt of her doctoral degree. Charles, 17 and a graduate of Warren Easton High where she was salutatorian, was nominated by Rosetta Millner, who taught her gifted-math class. Charles graduated with a 4.2 grade-point average. Charles said she actually found out about the prestiStephawn Spears | Courtbouillon gious scholarship started by computer entrepreneur Bill Curtrell Charles, 17, from New Orleans, is a freshman majoring in nursing here at Dillard. Charles is a Gates Gates and his wife Melinda Millennium Scholar, which means she has earned a “full ride” through college, up to her doctoral degree. She is one of on her own while she pe- only 1,000 recipients in the nation. rused the Internet. The application process highest GPA are chosen. the award in early May. show leadership. consists of being nominated, According to Charles, this The Bill and Melinda It focuses mainly on stuscholarship has relieved the Gates Foundation, created in dents interested in computer stress of having to pay back 1999, donated $1 billion to science, education, engineerwriting a descriptive essay loans or having her mother the Gates Millennium Schol- ing, library science, matheabout your life. The applica- go into debt trying to pay for arship Program for minor- matics, public health and the tion is reviewed by members her schooling. ity students with a minimum sciences, areas where minoriof the Advisory Council, and Charles entered the appli- GPA of 3.3 entering their ty groups are severely undersome1,000 applicants with cation in late December and freshman year who meet represented, according to the found out she had received Web site.
Recipients must show leadership. Charles was head of the Black History Club and a member of her high school band, choir, Student Council and school newspaper. She said she was inspired by her mother and brothers, who always told her to be a leader. Charles, the daughter of Adele and Curtis Charles, has two older brothers, Rodney Snow, 27, and Damian Mozee, 27, along with a son, Roy’Al Charles, 2. Being a mother and balancing school is tough, according to Charles. While her mother keeps her son during school hours, Charles works hard to pursue her education here at DU, where she is in the honor’s program. While Charles is a resident of Williams Hall, she still manages to visit her son daily. “I want him to know who his mommy is,” said Charles. For others coming behind, Charles advised, “Take your time. “Before you apply, make sure your GPA is up, get involved with school and the community and just do what you have to do for yourself.”
30-member Bleu Crew offers pep, pride at Dillard basketball games Kandyce Franklin
shirts into the crowd, does skits, half-time activities and The Bleu Crew booster more.” team is more structured and The Bleu Crew is all about more focused than ever to getting the students and facget everyone proud to be a ulty proud to be a part of the part of Dillard University, University, not only academiaccording to President Dar- cally but also athletically, he ius Miller. said. The Bleu Crew, which “We don’t just act crazy performs at home volleyball and wild at the games, but and basketball games, has 30 we emphasize DU pride,” members who pay $15 dues said Miller. per semester. The team meets Started by DU Cheerleaders in fall 2007, the team beat 8 p.m., in either Dent or gan as an auxiliary group to Kearny halls. New members the cheerleaders. are accepted each fall. “We were supposed to be Miller said he considers that hype factor that could the Bleu Crew to be other collaborate with the cheerleaders but also add our own does a lot more than people fresh ideas to get the crowd might see, comparing it to hype,” said Miller. Miller said the Crew plans “The team throws T- to travel with the teams in
the future, and is planning uniforms that will be ready for basketball season. Along with Miller, the Bleu Crew council includes junior Chotsoni Mackyeon, vice president; freshman Kevin Perry, treasurer. Also, freshman Quayshaun Martin, parliamentarMcKinley and freshman Stephawn Spears, both historians. Also, junior Eric Wright, CEO of notes and records; junior Keaira Preston, offcampus rep; junior Tabitha Crandle, on-campus rep; and junior Delano Patterson, ad director. Stephawn Spears | Courtbouillon For more information, “Mysterious Bleu,” whose name is kept under wraps, poses with students contact Miller at 773-4019950. You may email him at 30-member pep squad at Dillard called the Bleu Crew. dmiller3656@hotmail.com.
Sports
5 November 2009
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COURTBOUILLON
Final home volleyball game due
Athletes host first sports Character Clinic Stephawn Spears | Courtbouillon Champions of Character Clinic on Saturday, Oct. 31, in Dent gymnaSchaumburg Elementary Math and Science Academy participating. The clinic, an initative of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, included members from the men’s and women’s basketball team, women’s softball, cross-country, and ketball guard Alrieon Bevins shows
Mario Martin
Sports Editor Dillard’s last home volleyball game is Friday, going into the game with a current record of 9-9 overall and 5-4 in conference play. As the Courtbouillon went to press, the team was on its way to Southern University-Baton Rouge on Wednesday – the second time in less than a week. Dillard will host Loyola in the Dent gymnasium 7 p.m. Friday for a rematch with the Lady Wolfpack. Dillard lost at Loyola 0-3 on Oct. 3. The Lady Bleu Devils also will celebrate Senior Night, recognizing seniors Keisha Smoke and Banikah Jackson. Dillard completed a season sweep of SUNO Monday, Nov. 2, 3-0 at SUNO, The match scores were 25-15, 25-14, and 25-20. Sophomore middle blocker Jessica Goods-Morris led Dillard with 13 kills and 24 attacks. Junior Valencia Wise made 24 attacks. Freshman Yladrea Marshall had 14 digs, while juniors Danta Cobb and Zorana Piljevic had 13 and 11 digs, respectively, according to athletic department statistics. Halloween brought a loss to the Dillard Bleu Devils volleyball team at the hands of Southern University-Baton Rouge 1-3 during the VooDU Volleyball Doubleheader in Dent gym. The match sores were 17-25, 21-25, 25-11, and 23-25. Goods-Morris earned her son, pacing Dillard with 10 kills and 11 solo blocks. Wise had nine kills and 10
In photo at botto, Bevins offers a Schaumburg Elementary. Using skills sessions and games, the clinic respect, responsibility, servant leadership and sportsmanship.
New athletics Web site offers up-to-date media tools Ralph James
The revamped and redesigned sports DU Athletics Web site has made its debut at www.dillardbleudevils.com with up-to-date media tools for campus sports events such as phone access to data. Powered by SIDHelp and hosted by e-Solutions Architects, the new site incorporates video directly through the site,
including Really Simple Syndication feeds. Known as RSS, this feature allows fans to access athletic headlines through their mobile device without scrolling through all media releases. The Web site address includes the mascot change to the “Bleu Devils” as announced by DU Athletics last month. (However, typing in the old spelling “Blue Devils” will still
automatically redirect browser to the site.) Athletics Director Kiki Baker Barnes said, “I’m so excited to be able to announce this enhancement to our program. “Our alumni, students and fans will get more information faster and have more fun learning about DU sports and our scholar-athletes.” iPhone and iPod Touch users can download the DU Web
site application to their devices by going to the site on their phones. Through Facebook, Dillard alumni can reconnect and join the “Bleu Devil Nation Network,” or they can sign up through the “Bleu Zone” on the site. The use of Twitter also can help keep the Bleu Devil Nation in touch via any mobile device or computer.
had eight kills and three blocks, and freshman Paula Ogbevoen added another eight kills and nine digs, according to department stats. Talladega College was scheduled to play the second half of the doubleheader, but did not make the trip. The week before Halloween, Dillard traveled to the University of Mobile (Alabama), which Coast Athletic Conference. The Lady Bleu Devils lost 0-3 to the Lady Rams. Match scores were 20-25, 16-25 and 10-25.
Opinion&Editorial
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COURTBOUILLON
Crime in DUALS calls for improved security You would think if you have the police living in the same apartments as students, the apartments would be safe, right? Well, for students in the Dillard University Apartment Living complex, informally called the “DUALS,” this statement is far from the truth. This semester alone – on the heels of the fatal carjacking of a student not far from the complex – at least two students have been robbed inside the locked gates of the DUALS. We have istrators: Is the DU police force really doing its job in the DUALS? So far, mum’s the word about the suspect or suspects and how they keep succeeding (although a picture from an apartment security camera is on When a group of students a recent incident occurred, he said abruptly that it was no concern of ours (although, in fairness, he did soften that remark by saying not providing the details was “for our own protection”; he didn’t want us to think campus wasn’t safe.) So now ignorance is bliss? (Chief Andre Menzies could not be reached for comment.) When students come to Dillard for a tour, some with their parents, the tour guides almost always note that this campus is a
gated campus, so it’s safe. During SOAR orientation week, reassured parents leave their children in the hands of Dillard and its campus police. Sure, Dillard is a gated campus and the security guards are sometimes at the gate, but tour guides leave out the most important part: If Dillard assigns you to housing in the DUALS, just off-campus and outside the manned gates, apparently you are not as safe as one might think – despite locked access and security cameras at the complex. Freshmen are told during SOAR that on-campus and offcampus apartments have 24hour security. Yet residents who live in the DUALS complain no no one is on duty after 11 p.m. and no one works security there on the weekends. Students are angry, and we want answers fast. It is our right as students here to know what’s going on and to be protected. Managing Editor Jeannine Cannon, whose apartment was robbed when she lived there in 2007, said it seems that every time something goes on in the DUALS, the police who stay there claim they don’t know what’s going on. For a start, we call for consistent patrols within and around the DUALS, even – perhaps especially – on weekends.
Memorable quote ‘It is a thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense. ‘ ~Robert G. Ingersoll
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The Courtbouillon is published by the students of Dillard University. Views expressed on the opinion pages are those of the individual writers, and not those of the administration, faculty or student body. The Courtbouillon reserves the right to edit all writings for space and libel.
5 November 2009
What happened to ‘It takes a village?’ Charley Steward Editor-in-chief
Time and time again, you hear the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and “The children are our future.” Yet two critical problems nowadays with these sayings are the village and the children. For a long time, parents and others alike considered schools to be a safe place, if no place else. Ever more often, incidents like the one at a Northern California high school recently remind us that’s no longer the case. According to police, a 15-year-old girl was waiting for her father outside a Homecoming dance when a classmate called her over. She then was brutally raped and beaten unconscious in a two-hour ordeal by as many as 10 people – her classmates, peers and a 19-yearold former student – right outside the dance! Apparently, as many as 20 others watched, took pictures, was occurring. Not a single teen stepped up to stop what was happening or to report it to an someone went into the gym bragging and rumors started to circulate before she was found half-naked and unconscious. More than 400 students, teachers and chaperones were at the dance that night, and four gym, but not one was outside. Why? Why was there not at least one person on duty outside of the gym to make sure students could leave safely and that no
one was getting into trouble? The dance was scheduled from 7-11 p.m. as students walked in and out of the gym, without a single person monitoring what they were doing or where they were going. The perimeter of the campus was extremely dark with not a single light or a single
Charley Steward camera in sight, according to media reports. Marin Trujillo, a spokesman for the school district, was dent leaves a school function, we are not responsible for the student’s safety. “Our assumption is that when parents bring their kids to school, to the dance, they also arrange a safe ride back. If kids wish to leave the dance, in the middle of the dance, we assume they have a safe ride back.” I don’t understand: She was still on school grounds. Shouldn’t she have been protected? When a parent sends a child off to school or lets them go to a school function, he or she assumes the child at least
will be safe on campus. Surely, the ancient proverb doesn’t just mean just raising children, per se; rather, I believe it extends to the community’s responsibility to protect them as well. Where was this village when this was happening? Someone had to notice something. This is someone’s daughter, someone’s sister, someone’s friend. What is going on with the kids? What’s causing this apparent lack of empathy? Investigators said of the teens that were caught, none showed any remorse. How can anyone with a heart, anyone with a soul, stand back and enjoy watching such a One woman, trying to justify the teens’ actions, said since everyone is doing it, they may feel it’s OK. I have to disagree. These are not 5- and 6-yearolds; these are teenagers extremely close to adulthood. They didn’t have to go against their peers, but they could have walked away and made a simple call to inform an authority or pulled someone aside in the gym. No one stood up. If teens like these are our future, I’m afraid to see its outcome. All of them should be prosecuted to the fullest extent and tried as adults – even the ones who “just” watched. Although the victim may recover physically, psychologically it’s another story. My heart goes out to the 15-year-old and her family who will have to live with the effects of that long, long night for the rest of their lives.
Opinion&Editorial
5 November 2009
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COURTBOUILLON
Seniors apparently win continued regalia rite
WORD ON THE AVE Here are some of the comments made by Dillard seniors prior to the news that the seniors on Founder’s Day
Maime Butler: senior psychology major, Oakland, Calif. “I feel it is disgraceful … Since Dr. Cook will be our speaker and it is our 140th anniversary, it should be imperative to [have caps and gowns]... The Senior Class has been handed the short end of the stick since 2006.”
Marcus McNeil: senior accounting major, New Orleans
Eric D. Wright The stage is set. Administration and alumni sit in Lawless Chapel awaiting words from our illustrious former Dillard University president, Dr. Samuel DuBois Cook. The music begins. The congregation rises and looks to the doors as the Senior Class enters…naked. “At least, that is how we Eric Wright would feel without our caps and gowns for Founder’s Day,” said mass communication senior Jeannine Cannon, who also is Courtbouillon managing editor. Cannon is one of the many senior Dillard students upset caps and gowns for this annual prestigious event commemorating 140 years of excellence and heritage at Founder’s Day on Nov. 22. Why change history now, many asked. According to Senior Class Council President Jasmine convocation. Traditionally, the Founder’s Day convocation is
“I’m really hurt, but I feel like it’s setting a new tradition by wearing [only] the cords.”
Jessica Neil: senior business major, Mobile, Ala. “Being that we are the first class to enter Dillard post-Katrina, I feel we have played a major role in rebuilding the new DU... I feel like not being afforded the opportunity to have cap and gowns at Founder’s Day is one of the many upsets that have been encountered by the Class of 2010.”
This year, however, budget issues prompted a discussion about having seniors wear white shirts or blouses and black pants or skirts. On hearing the report, seniors immediately sprang into action. Senior Class Attendant Mabel Mora Escobar and others sat in lower Kearny dining hall getting signatures for a petition. Next, seniors attacked Facebook by starting a support group, asking students to join and support the seniors in their endeavors to keep tradition going, especially for Dr. Cook’s arrival. Dr. David V. Taylor, provost and senior vice president of Academic Affairs, said although the budget was the main issue, no caps and gowns can cause more confusion than good. “If we tell all the students to wear white blouses and black bottoms, no one will come looking completely uniform.” He said that “after speaking with the senior class representatives, I believe there is a compromise.” Taylor announced seniors would wear gowns only with cords. However, it seems now that the seniors have prevailed. tween 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesday. Thanks to the efforts of the diligent Class of 2010, heritage and tradition will prevail with full regalia for seniors.
18 QUESTIONS The column “18 Questions” is a popular one with many Dillard students, who may ask questions serious or facetious, insightful or inane. It is named after the year the university was founded,1869. If you have a question, send it to Cannon at ducourtbouillon@gmail.com . The following questions were compiled by writer Jeannine Cannon from the offerings of various students recently. 1. Why is it still hot in November? 2. How long will Dr. Samuel DuBois Cook’s speech be on Founder’s Day? 3. Why doesn’t Facilities and Planning personnel come and spray these apartments? 4. Why do we need chaperons at Kearny parties like we are children? 5. Why are those aspiring to be Kappas strolling at parties? 6. When are they going to open the gate by the Gardens apartments?
7. Why are some of the security guards so rude? 8. Why are people so critical of the questions in “18 Questions”? 9. Are the seniors going wearing caps and gowns for Founder’s Day? 10. Why doesn’t the shuttle run when it is supposed to? 11. Do people actually answer these questions? 12. When can I use the barcode on the back of my $200 ID? 13. Why can you get on campus without ID if you walk? 14. Why can’t I get on campus if I have a decal, but no ID? 15. Is senior year hard? 16. What happened to the advice column in the Courtbouillon? 17. When will the Alphas be back? 18. Why do freshmen feel like they can go up to a Greek and say, “I want to be just like y’all?” (And is there anything wrong with that? It’s called admiration.)