THE STUDENT VOICE OF FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL UNIVERSITY
“The Number 1 HBCU Newspaper” According to the Black College Communication Association
66
www.TheFamuanOnline.com
Monday, April 11, 2011
Students fight for programs
VOL. 112 ISSUE 26
Agenda in action
NEWS BRIEFS LOCAL
JASMINE BROWN STAFF WRITER One way or another, student voices were heard at the Board of Trustees meeting. They gained attention through a protest, opposing the approved restructuring plans that cut various programs and employee positions. Students organized a demonstration in front of the board in the midst of President James Ammons’ proposal on Thursday to restructure the university. The protest organizers were a part of a student-led movement called “Grand Theft Education.” The group consists of students Makhicia Brooks, Carly Jackson, Jordan Hadley, Reamonn Soto, Brittney Jacobs, Chasity Jones and Ciara Taylor. Taylor spoke during the Board of Trustees meeting. “The purpose of this protest was to oppose the irresponsible budget cuts and changes to education through president Ammons restructuring plan,” Taylor said. She said that student’s lack of attendance during the protest was a result of the group not being able to reach many students in the short amount of time they had to organize the meeting. Sunsera Music, 19, a sophomore English education student from Orlando, was able to make the protest and felt as if she was making a true difference. “I attended because FAMU is very important to me and I feel like students need to be aware of everything that goes at their university,” Music said. Music’s program, like 23 others, was approved to be cut since being tagged as a low productive program. “I feel like you don’t cut English education because education is the basis of our very existence and you can’t do anything if you don’t know how to read or write properly. So you can’t function in society,”
LaGretta Johnson The Famuan Restructuring plans proposed by President Ammons have been approved by the Board of Trustees.
MATTHEW RICHARDSON SCHOOL NEWS EDITOR Florida A&M’s Board of Trustees approved President James Ammons’ restructuring plan, cutting 24 programs and severing $18.7 million from the university’s budget, but that’s not all. Along with the various cuts, a 15 percent increase in tuition for in-state students has been approved.
The plan, as announced at the meeting, will reduce the university’s operating budget more than 15 percent and will increase tuition 15 percent as officials plan to match current and future reductions. students may be relieved to know that summer school will still be in session, according to Provost Cynthia Hughes Harris. Trustee Solomon Badger reported on Thursday morning
that Hughes Harris informed the board that the university will have summer school, but it will not offer as many courses as it normally does. “Summer session B, which starts at the end of June, will primarily focus on incoming freshman,” Badger said. “The university will offer graduate courses, internships and thesis courses to insure timely
Admission requirements for incoming freshmen will be increased for all schools in the State University System including Florida A&M. Prospective students will be expected to have at least a 2.5 GPA and higher minimum scores on each subsection of both the SAT and ACT before being considered. The minimum scores are as follows:
• Reading: • Math: • Writing:
SAT ACT 460 19 460 19 440 18
PROTEST 3
William E. Hudson, Jr., director of the office of retention, explained the differences between the current and future admission standards. “Previously, the admission requirements were on a sliding scale which meant a high test score could balance a low GPA and visa versa,” Hudson said. “Also, test scores were composite. We would look at the total score. With the requirement change, each section will be looked at individually.” It is uncertain when the changes will take affect, but Diane McCain, state university system Board of Governors’ director of external relations, predicted sometime during the summer term. “The admission requirement changes should start in June,”
SOURCE: FAMU WEBSITE
BOT 3
FAMU standards raised MARJORIE DENNIS CORRESPONEDENT
The university Board of Trustees approved a one-year contract with the Tom Joyner Online Education for FAMU’s distance learning program. The program will offer master’s degrees in nursing, public health, and business. University officials are expecting 271 students to enroll in the program in August. The courses will be hosted on www.hbcusonline.com.
said McCain. According to McCain, each institution must complete its own timeline. “FAMU, like all the others, must present a plan for restructuring to the board [of governors], just like what Dr. Ammons presented this week to the board of trustees,” McCain said. “It will outline the specific dates the changes will occur.” Any student in the state who is accepted, but did not meet the minimum admission requirements will be treated as a profile admit, Hudson said. “Profile admits have to take remedial courses and take tests for any section of the SAT or ACT they didn’t pass,” Hudson said. ADMISSION 3
TODAY’S ONLINE CONTENT: “Students protest Restructuring” by Jasmine Brown
“‘Hi Fi preserves Jazz culture” by Tommy Hawkins
WEATHER Today
90 63 Tuesday
80 52 Wednesday
83 53
Jazz c afe ow ner pres er ves cu lture, music in historic landmark TOMMY HAWKINS STAFF WRITER
Keenan Doanes The Famuan The Hi Fi Jazz Cafe is a historical landmark in the FAMU community.
The Hi Fi Jazz Café continues the rich legacy of jazz inside of a historical landmark familiar to many Florida A&M students and alumni. The Hi Fi Jazz Café is located on Adams Street across from Foote-Hilyer Administration Building and adjacent to the popular Olean’s Cafe. The building was erected in the early 1960s, at which time business owners, art coinsurers, fraternities, sororities, and partygoers patronize in the Hi Fi. Before Baja’s Beach Club, Mint Lounge, or the Moon, the Hi Fi was Tallahassee’s most popular nightspot. “Dr. White, the bandleader, the ‘Sargeant,’ this is where they all used to party,” said owner Nikki Henderson. “Back In the day Hi Fi was one of the only places to party.”
The property has been bought and sold many times over the past 50 years. Alumni stop by to check the current status of the Hi Fi and tell stories about their past experiences on campus. The building was vacant for many years until Henderson and his wife bought the property and renovated it. “I’ve always wanted a International Jazz Club because I have been into jazz all my life,” said the Washington D.C. native. Henderson was an international hair designer for 31 years and his wife works in the real estate industry. As a “military brat” so he became used to traveling. His travel and line of work brought encounters with artists, hair designers, models, and painters. “When I
Opinions
Lifestyles
Metro news editor Jason Lawrence discusses the abortion exhibit posted outside of Tucker Hall.
Foster-Tanner Fine Art Gallery displays original work by winners of its art competition.
Opinions | 5
Lifestyles | 4
HI F I 3
2 Calendar
TheFamuanOnline.com
The Famuan
famuancalendar@gmail.com
Monday , April 11, 2011
Events and Announcements Announcements Relay for Life applications for the 2011- 2012 school year are now available upon request. If you are interested in applying for a chair or co chair position, please email joy1.williams@yahoo.com to receive an application. The deadline is today at5 p.m. If there are any questions or concerns, please contact Joy M . Williams at 773-251-8285. Ready to do some spring cleaning? The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering is holding an Electronics Recycling Day on Friday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Your items may be brought to the College of Engineering at 2525 Pottsdamer Street during the hours named above. For directions or a complete list of acceptable items, please call Alicia Morey at 850-410-6349 or email amorey@eng.fsu.edu. The FAMU Wesley Foundation is taking applications for “Sold Out Servant” Mentors, and the deadline has
been extended to Friday. Mentors will be responsible for facilitating a small group of peers, and will receive leadership training, a paid leadership conference, and $600 stipend. Applications available online at www. famuwesley.com. For more info, call, email or visit us online at 850-425-8307, info at famuwesley.com, or Facebook: FAMU Wesley.
To place an announcement in the Calendar, e-mail your submission to famuancalendar@gmail.com at least two days prior to the desired publishing issue. All submissions must include the student organization along with information in paragraph format to include “who, what, when and where.” A contact number will be published with the announcement, indicate so in your e-mailed submission and provide an alternate method for readers to obtain more information. If you do not follow the paragraph format then your submission will not be able to be published.
method for readers to obtain more information, If you do not follow the paragraph format then you submission will not be able to be published.
Classifieds Non-smoking female roommate to share 3 br/3 bth condo. Walking distance to FAMU. Share living room, kitchen and utilities. Rent includes cable, internet access & water. Furnished $440. Can be seen upon request. Call Lois at 813-503-6412 Attention Students! Need storage space for the summer? Reserve Now Great rates-air conditioned or Regular storage-Call now for details. Economy Storage West, 3005 West Tharpe Street, 576-6108 Bartenders Wanted!!! $250/day potential. No experience necessary. Training provided age 18+ okay. Call 800-965-6520 ext. 189
Quality Education with a personal touch At TCC, enjoy smaller, more intimate class sizes and bigger savings on tuition while earning credits that easily transfer to FAMU. Choose from three summer sessions May 5 – July 16
PEACE CORPS GROWS!
FARM, CONSERVE, AND PROTECT GLOBAL NATURAL RESOURCES
PAID BENEFITS/GRAD FELLOWSHIPS
APPLY NOW FOR 2012! www.peacecorps.gov Call our ECO Hotline: 404.562.3468
May 5 – June 16 June 23 – Aug 3 Sign up today for TCC summer classes. www.GoToTCC.com | (850) 201-8555 Tallahassee Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, genetic information, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. Inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies may be directed to: Equity Officer | 444 Appleyard Drive | Tallahassee, FL 32304-2895 | (850) 201-8510 | tolsonr@tcc.fl.edu
Corrections For corrections please email Famuancalendar@gmail.com.
TheFamuan
TheFamuanOnline.com famuan.metro@gmail.com
Monday, April 11, 2011
News 3
Residents show their PRIDE JORGE RODRIGUEZ-JIMINEZ STAFF WRITER
Graphic by: Kenya Mawusi Tallahasseeans celebrate PRIDE.
BOT graduation. Because of the limited course offerings for the summer, the last 30-hour rule will be waived so that student’s projected graduation PROTEST Music said. “We need to keep English education; as a matter of fact we need to boost it; we need to get more people coming in.” ADMISSION Shemaiah Thames, 24, a graduate student from Miramar, Fla., said she likes the changes. “Actually, I don’t have a problem with it,” Thames said. “It might motivate people who are trying to go to college to be better students.” The physical therapy student added that a 2.5 GPA requirement should not be a hindrance. “If you’re really serious about school, you’re going to have higher than a 2.5,” Thames said. High school graduation requirements for the state have
Since the 1990s, Tallahassee has had LGBT pride events in some form or fashion, but it was not until 2008 that The Family Tree, the city’s lone LGBT community center, made it a weeklong celebration. “It is an important event because it sheds light on a community that the bigger community might not notice,” said Partick Patterson, co-chair of the planning committee for PRIDEFEST. The Tallahassee PRIDEFEST 2011 week of activities started with an alternative prom hosted by FSU PRIDE at the Oglesby Union at FSU on Friday. Then there was a reception on Saturday at Vintage Bistro and Bar and party at the nightclub Paradigm. On Sunday, at Kleman Plaza in downtown, PRIDEFEST hosted “Colors of Faith: An Interfaith Celebration of Pride.” For the third year in a row, local
churches gathered to offer an interfaith service for PRIDEFEST. Temple Israel, St. Johns Episcopal Church, and Unitarian Universalist Church of Tallahassee are some of the churches that participated. As the week continues, The Family Tree will offer daily events. “Brushed IV: An Exhibition of Pride” will be today at Lee’s Wine Bar at 7 p.m. On Tuesday, at Ray’s Steel City Saloon, is “Quill IV: A Night of LGBT Literature” starting at 7 p.m. Tallahassee Little Theatre will present “Cabaret” on Wednesday, special for PRIDEFEST, doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets can be purchased online. “Girls Rock!,” a night to celebrate Tallahassee women, will be Thursday at The Warehouse at 706 W.Gaines St. FAMU PRIDE will celebrate on Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on The Set and in The Rattler’s Den on campus. “Menace Beach - Pride Edition” will be held at The Engine Room from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.,
those with PRIDEFEST lanyards pay $5 entry all night. The main event will be Saturday, “Pride in the Plaza” will be an all-day event. There will be food and business vendors and a main stage with a mix of DJ and live music. Also, there will be kids zone with a jump-house and kidfriendly activities throughout the day. The official After Party of PRIDE will be hosted in Kleman Plaza this year and two Drag Competitions, one at 7:30 p.m. and the last at 9 p.m. The Family Tree is also hosting a food drive for nonperishable goods and food items at all of the activities this year.
dates are not negativity impacted.” Badger said that students are also allowed to attend another institution as transits for summer courses and that the university will primarily use 12-month faculty to teach during the summer.
Other changes include the renaming the College of Arts and Sciences to the College of Behavioral Sciences, Arts and Humanities. For more details on the changes to come to the university from the
restructuring plan, read our Thursday’s BOT coverage article at www. thefamuanonline.com.
But despite Music’s argument, like countless others, the plans were sought through and finalized on Thursday. However, the battle rages on for students as they fight to save their programs.
“Many students weren’t aware of what exactly the plan entailed prior to the protest and now they are asking questions,” Taylor said.
changed as well. Students must now take four math courses instead of three in order to receive a diploma. Hudson said this could be problematic for out-of-state students. “Those students residing outside of Florida may not have to take four mathematics courses as a high school student and may not be admitted into a Florida university because of it,” Hudson added. Hudson said the changes might affect FAMU’s overall mission. MARJORIE DENNIS FAMUANNEWS@GMAIL.COM
Read the rest of this story at thefamuanonline.com
JORGE RODRIGUEZ-JIMINEZ FAMUAN.METRO@GMAIL.COM
MATTHEW RICHARDSON FAMUANNEWS@GMAIL.COM
Read the rest of this story at thefamuanonline.com
JASMINE BROWN FAMUANNEWS@GMAIL.COM
HI F I decided to put this place together, I wanted to put it together for people in the arts to come through and express themselves, when you walk through this door step outside the box,” Henderson said. According to the website, the Hi Fi Café aims to be a supporter of the musical arts in North Florida. The intimate atmosphere provides the perfect setting for regional and national
jazz artists to dazzle audiences. Hi Fi Café is the ideal setting for jazz artists based in Tallahassee. This historical landmark is not well known by the students today. To read the rest of this story and to view the photo gallery visit www. thefamuanonline.com/ news.
TOMMY HAWKINS FAMUAN.METRO@GMAIL.COM
Lifestyles 4
TheFamuanOnline.com
TheFamuan
famuanlifestyles@gmail.com
Monday, April 11, 2011
Artists receive recognition ARVEYONKA LOGAN CORRESPONDENT A plexiglass painting of a solemn woman with leopard spots embedded in her skin titled “Strength” was the stand-out, first-place piece in the Foster Tanner student art competition. Foster Tanner held a graduating senior art show featuring Moloch Richardson and its fourth annual student art competition and exhibition Friday. The event showcased a student art competition on the upper level of the gallery with a graduating fine art’s student exhibit on the lower level. “This is the IMAX for artists. You have to come see this,” said Richardson, one of the featured senior artists in the exhibition. “If you don’t see it, you lose the experience.” The student art competition allowed
Kindall Johnson The Famuan The art competition allowed students to showcase their
students from Tallahassee to display their artwork and for winners to receive a cash prize. Aja Roache, Foster Tanner’s Gallery Coordinator and visiting professor, said participating provides an opportunity for students to gain feedback on their work while gaining experience for career advancement. “It gives (the artists) an opportunity to present their work and hear what people have to say,” Roache said. “Rejection should always be a motivation. Even participating, the fact (students) enter shows like this is a good career builder.” Amber Hiler, a fourth-year fine arts student from Gainesville, was awarded first place for “Strength.” Although Hiler was excited about the cash prize, she was more excited about the benefits toward her career. “I think it’s beneficial because I can put it on my resume,” Hiller said. “A lot of things happened here at FAMU that I can put on my resume. I’m glad I came here.” Britt Lyle, a graphic design student from Orlando, received honorable mention for his work, “Death by Mass Consumption.” He feels the greatest benefit of the competition is publicity for the artists. “It gets us known. Its shows where we’re going with our vision showing the community,” Lyle said. “It’s more to art than just pretty pictures.” Richardson has an exhibit chronicling his artwork throughout his career at FAMU. Richardson, 28, from Miami, integrated his art style of mixed media fueled by intense and extreme emotion within various sculptures. Richardson said the displayed artwork is representative of trials and experiences through his life. “(Art) provided me a way to get away from pain,” Richardson said. “I can focus it, harness it, or manifest it into something that can actually be seen so I
Kindall Johnson The Famuan “Strength,” by senior fine arts student Amber Hiler won first place.
can get the pain out.” Hiler was awarded $150 for first place, Maurice Shipman $75 for second place and $50 for Natalie Sneed, who placed third. Honorable mention awards of $25 gift cards to Utrecht Art Supplies were given to Britt Lyle, Cory Williams and Wildford Blaise. The gallery will be open until April 30.
Art will be on display for public view Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on upcoming events, contact Aja Roache at 599-8755 or aja.roache@famu.edu.
ARVEYONKA LOGAN FAMUANLIFESTYLES@GMAIL.COM
Film exposes injustices
Professor produces patents
ROSCOE THOMPSON CORRESPONDENT
SENTRELL MARSH CORRESPONDENT
As people flocked to see hundreds of films during the Tallahassee Film Festival over the last five days, there was one in particular that created buzz throughout the city: “Beating Justice: The Martin Lee Anderson Story.” Anderson, 14, was beaten to death by several officers while incarcerated at the Bay County Sheriff’s Office Boot Camp, a youth detention center in Panama City. As footage was exposed of him being beaten by the officers, national outrage was sparked, leaving many people to question the actions and motives of the officers. “It’s a tragedy that just won’t go away,” Andy Opel, director, said of his inspiration for the film. As the premiere neared, Benjamin Crump of the Parks & Crump Law Firm, who spearheaded the lawsuit against the camp from Anderson’s family; Gina Jones, Anderson’s mother, and Dale Landry, president of the NAACP chapter in Tallahassee, entered the theatre and took their seats. Throughout the film, the audience sat seething as people watched the body of young Anderson being mutilated by the guards. The emotions of the audience ran high: a few cried; some shook their head in disbelief and covered their mouths from shock as each officer on trial was found not guilty. “This film brought to light the racial and social problems that are
Elliott Treadwell is passionate about physics, his students and his family. For 14 years, Treadwell has been a physics Treadwell professor at Florida A&M. Throughout his tenure, he has contributed to making FAMU a producer of 30 percent of blacks in the nation with doctorate degrees in Physics. In 2010, FAMU, Treadwell and Ely Leon collectively received a U.S. patent for the Threshold Ceronkov Detector with Radial Segmentation. Originally from Rockford, Ill., Treadwell received his bachelor’s degree in math and physics from Central State University, his master’s in nuclear physics from Stony Brook University and his doctorate in experimental high energy physics from Cornell University. Treadwell said his best discovery was made at Cornell while completing his thesis experiment for his Ph.D. “I discovered a
Keenan Doanes The Famuan “Beating Justice” is a documentary about the murder of Martin Lee Anderson at the hands of police officers.
constantly being swept under the rug,” said Jesse Cohen, a second-year sociology student from Tallahassee. “Martin Lee Anderson died so others can live.” After the premiere, the audience participated in a Q&A session with Crump. “We will continue to pray through this very
challenging time,” Crump said. “Watching this film brings back so many memories and makes you pissed all over again.” The state legislature approved a $5 million settlement in 2007 for the family. The sheriff’s office
settled separately with the family for $2.4 million. Opel added that the purpose of the documentary was to bring to light a case that did not receive enough exposure. “Our job is
Graphic By Jordan Bullock
just beginning,” Opel said. “Justice shall prevail.” ROSCOE THOMPSON FAMUANLIFESTYLES@GMAIL. COM
f i n e meson, which is a subatomic particle that resides in the nucleus of the atom,” Treadwell said. “I was so excited. Cornell said it was worth a Ph.D. So I got my degree.” After getting his Ph.D., Treadwell taught at Chicago State University for eight years and helped establish the physics program there. In 1995, he studied particle physics at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Genève. In 1997, he and his family moved to Tallahassee and Treadwell became a physics professor at FAMU. Treadwell’s students appreciate his caring spirit. Gloria Mason, 22, a professional MBA candidate
from Alexandria, Va., had Treadwell for Physics 2. “He was great, always considerate and helpful,” Mason said. “As 5-year MBA students, we have to take physics, which is totally out of element. He understood that and was always helpful in ensuring we understood, whether it be office hours or allowing us to work out problems on the board.” Treadwell’s students aren’t the only people who admire him. His wife, Venita, said she loves his kindness. “He always thinks of others. He doesn’t judge people. Another quality about him that I think is fine is he is a fighter,” she said. “When he feels he is right he does not give up for anybody or anything.” Both of Treadwell’s daughters, Meagen and Leeanna, attend FAMU. Meagan, 19, a firstyear environmental science student from Tallahassee, enjoys attending a university where her father is a professor. “ I feel more connected to him. It makes me very happy because it feels like I have someone who really cares about me at school,” Meagen said. “Having him there, I know I have someone who is looking out for me.” Treadwell enjoys spending time with his family, relaxing and watching TV. He is also very fond of jazz music and plays the soprano and tenor saxophone. He reminisced about his days playing with his band in New York and opening for Donnie Hathaway in Ithaca, N.Y. He loves jazz icons like Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Charlie Parker. Treadwell is also working on the Choice Experiment, a collaboration with Harvard University. He built an X-ray machine that specifically looks for lead deposits in the bones. “We studied the black community in Gaston County and they studied the black community in Boston,” Treadwell said. “We are hoping to find a correlation between lead and hypertension.”
SENTRELL MARSH FAMUANLIFESTYLES@GMAIL.COM
Monday, April 11, 2011
EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: jordan1.culver@gmail.com
Opinions 5
TheFamuanOnline.com
TheFamuan
famuanopinions@gmail.com
The semester is almost over, Rattlers rejoice
Jordan Culver
COPY DESK: copydeskchief@gmail.com Julian Kemper
OPINIONS EDITOR: famuanopinions@gmail.com Khristanda Cooper
LIFESTYLES EDITOR: famuanlifestyles@gmail.com Clarece Polke
SPORTS EDITOR: famuansports@gmail.com Royal Shepherd
Now is the time for us students to be more aware
At the time of writing this, we are officially 14 days, 336 hours and 20, 160 minutes away from the moment we’ve all been waiting for: summer. It’s tantalizingly close and just within reach. After an entire year of tests, exams, homework, research papers, assignments, meetings, forums, there is a seemingly endless almost four-month stretch of sun, beaches and undadultereated foolishness. Summer is nature’s way of keeping every student, faculty and staff members at Forida A&M University from having a communal
explosive aneurism, leaving nothing but a scorched hilly mound on “The Highest of Seven Hills.” Granted, it is important to take advantage of summers to catch up on classes, gain caluable intership experience or work to save money for the fall. However, for the sake of sheer mental health, please set aside a designated amount of time for revelry and plain old fun. Go to the beach; go on a road trip to visit friends, go to a party, hit up a club with some friends, do whatever. Just release the volcano of stress that has
been bubbling up in your arteries since August 16, righ tafter students realized that music theory is about more than listening to CD’s and writing summaries. Let go of the part-time overachiever and full-time hustler mentality that FAMU instilled in us since freshman orientation. It’s a challenge, but try to enjoy these last few stress free summers before we all have to enter the real world consisting of 365 days of full-time work, when summer will be nothing but a hopefully fond memory. Disclaimer: This piece is not encouraging
students to waste an entire summer partying with their most memorable accomplishment being remembering what they did the night before. It is meant to be a reminder to savor the moments and the loved ones in your life while they are here. So, this summer, when there is a stack of work just waiting patiently for someone to complete it, remember this article and these wise old words: work hard, play harder. Clarece Polke Editorial Board.
for
the
Follow us on twitter @ Famuanopinion.
KHRISTANDA COOPER FAMUANOPINIONS@GMAIL.COM
EDITOR IN CHIEF: jordan1.culver@gmail.com Jordan Culver
COPY DESK: famuancopydesk@gmail.com Julian Kemper
DEPUTY COPY DESK: Fernesha Hurst
SCHOOL NEWS EDITOR: famuannews@gmail.com Matthew Richardson
DEPUTY SCHOOL NEWS EDITOR: Simone Wright
Political Takeout
KHRISTANDA COOPER OPINIONS EDITOR
The Board of Trustees vote for restructuring the school has come and gone. And now the school has to put the decisions into effect. Be that as it may. We shouldn’t let some of the decisions that the board voted on get us down. We knew from the very beginning that we probably weren’t going to be happy with some of the decisions the BOT made. But maybe, the decisions might actually be good for the school. Now, I’m not saying I agree with the choices, because a few of them I truly don’t. But the school was in dire need of change. These adjustments could not only affect the future of this institution, but us as well. We complain about some of the things on this campus. This isn’t working, or that person sends you on a wild goose chase for simple information. But maybe just maybe with the restructuring that is taking place here, those problems we have just might be solved. Its not going to happen right away, but it will happen over time. Today there is a town hall meeting on campus to discuss exactly what will happen here at FAMU. I encourage everyone to go. We need to be informed on what is happening at our school from first hand accounts. Not by word of mouth from twenty different people. The problem that our school has with its student body is some of us don’t really care what happens, as long as it doesn’t affect our financial aid or our classes. But in the end, what happens on this campus does affect all of us, regardless of any preconceived notions you or those around you may have. We are quick to defend our school against crass comments from outsiders, but we are just as quick to denounce our school when something goes down that we do not agree with. As a Rattler- I feel we need to do better- students and administration alike. So if you have time, go to the town hall meeting tonight at 8 p.m in B.L. Perry and show that you want to know what is going on at our school.
F U
THE
METRO NEWS EDITOR: famuan.metro@gmail.com Jason Lawrence
OPINIONS EDITOR: famuanopinions@gmail.com Khristanda Cooper
DEPUTY OPINIONS EDITOR: Aaron Johnson
LIFESTYLES EDITOR: famuanlifestyles@gmail.com Clarece Polke
SPORTS EDITOR: famuansports@gmail.com Royal Shepherd
DEPUTY SPORTS EDITORS: Cameron Daniels
Gary McCoy, Cagle Cartoons This is self explanitory, but honestly was what we saw last week truly necessary?
Anti-abortion display excessively distasteful JASON LAWRENCE METRO NEWS EDITOR
Throughout last week, students may have been alarmed by the Genocide Awareness Project exhibit that was set up in front of Tucker Hall. The project, laden with graphic images of aborted fetuses, sought to bring attention to abortion, which they believe is the mass murder of the unborn. As a component of the Center for Bioethical Reform Midwest, the Genocide Awareness Project (GAP) can be found on college campuses throughout the country, including colleges in Florida. The groups unrelenting presence at Florida State University reportedly polarized the social climate at the school, sparking protests by student organizations. Not the case at FAMU, where students casually walked past GAP’s distasteful exhibition of bloody, dismantled fetuses, which they claimed to have legally obtained from abortion clinics. I always knew FAMU had a largely conservative student body, but I had no idea that we would allow a group with an obviously malicious agenda to set foot on our campus, let alone setup shop for two, uninterrupted days. Like many students last week, I had the displeasure of walking past the
exhibition several times throughout the day, also looking up only to discover a mangled fetus circling my head. And I couldn’t help but think, “Anyone who would spend that amount of money to prove a point has to be short a couple of neurons.” I was able to confirm this notion about GAP, when I walked past the exhibit and was handed a brochure, instead of prophylactics, to curb this ever-serious abortion “problem.” Discretionary or protected intercourse are the only ways to do away with abortion. Often, advocates of abortion are ironically hesitant to answer when faced with the question of adopting these otherwise “unwanted” children. They fail to take into consideration the some 40 million aborted fetuses that would’ve grown up in an undesirable situation as a result of their careless conception. They also forget that they could be exerting their energy to fight for the right of living babies to have normal, stable lives. What about solving the proven social ills of children living in single-parent, and low-income homes? There is nothing worse than a child living in a house where they are viewed as a burden by an unfit parent. And that, most importantly, is what pro-lifers neglect to realize, and it’s because a large number of them haven’t grown up in a situation like the one I’ve just described. A 2010 Gallup Poll revealed that 68 percent of prolifers are Republican and they are
overwhelmingly Protestant or practice some other Christian denomination. At the least, they could’ve promoted their ideals in a logical way. Making abortion illegal will not stop the procedures from happening. They are simply driven into an unsafe black market where the social costs of abortions would rise. Women on campus, no matter their stance on abortion should’ve protested the groups presence because of the apparent assault on women’s rights that was obtained after decades of struggle in the 19th and 20th centuries. Despite facts and logic, it’s not the safety of women that drives the likes of GAP participants. It’s simple. If you don’t like abortions, then don’t have one. But don’t use shameless scare tactics to try and muscle women out of their right of choosing not to cheat a child out of a good life. Yes, the Genocide Project has First Amendment rights to free speech, and peaceful assembly. However, it was the manner in which they went about delivering their foolish, pious message that should’ve been checked by FAMU administrators before allowing them to heckle young women on our campus.
JASON LAWRENCE FAMUANOPINIONS@GMAIL.COM
PHOTO EDITOR: famuan.photos3@gmail.com Keenan Doanes DEPUTY PHOTO EDITOR: Jasmine Mitchell
GRAPHICS EDITOR: famuangraphics@gmail.com Kenya Mawusi
MULTIMEDIA EDITOR: famuanlive@gmail.com D.A. Robin
PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR: famuancalendar@gmail.com Byron Johnson
PROGRAM ASSISTANT: Valerie McEachin
ADVISER: Andrew Skerritt
FAX 850.561.2570 EDITOR IN CHIEF 850.561.2569 SECRETARY 850.599.3159 NEWSROOM 850.599.3011/ 561.2569 The Famuan, an Associated Collegiate Press 2003 Pacemaker Finalist, is published Monday, Wednesday and online only on Friday during the fall and spring semesters. The opinions do not reflect the administration, faculty, or staff of the University. The editorials are the expressed opinions of the staff and columnists. The Famuan is funded partially by activities and services fees.
Do you think the abortion display outside of Tucker Hall was distasteful? A) Yes, absolutely. B) Didn’t notice. C) No, of course not!
Sports 6
TheFamuanOnline.com
TheFamuan
famuansports@gmail.com
Monday, April 11, 2011
DOING IT THE ʻWRIGHTʼ WAY MARJORIE DENNIS CORRESPONDENT “Latoya is pretty much the nucleus of the team,” said Darlene Moore, head women’s track and field coach, of her star senior Latoya Wright. Wright, 22, is a criminal justice student who said she is determined to leave her mark in FAMU history. “I plan on breaking the school record in the 400-meter hurdles,” Wright said. “The current record is 57.23 seconds. Sophomore year I ran 58.9 seconds. So far this year my fastest time is 59 seconds.” Although the 400-meter-hurtles is Wright’s prized event, she runs the 100-meter-hurtles, the 4-by-1 and the 4-by-4. The St. Catherine, Jamaica native has been to a major conference meet for the past two years. “I have been to regional’s every year since I was a sophomore,” Wright said. Wright also said she hopes to continue her climb to the top of the MEAC. “My sophomore year I came in third, my junior year I came in second, so it’s only right that I come in first this year,” Wright added. Since she was a child, Wright has been running, but didn’t get serious until middle school. “I’ve been running since I can remember, but I didn’t get on an organized team until I was in the seventh grade,” she said. Although a natural speedster, Wright said organized track and field did not come as easily. Wright laughed as she said: “I started doing hurtles my junior year [in high school]. I was doing the 800-meter event, and my coach decided I needed to do something else because I wasn’t very good at it.” Wright said she even tried other activities before she realized her calling. “I tried basketball and other fun stuff like the step team. It just wasn’t my thing. I saw that track was what I was best at,” Wright said. It was at Palm Beach Lakes Senior High School in Palm Beach, Fla. that Wright said she began winning. “I won regional my junior and senior year in
Latoya Wright “leads by example” according to her head coach Darlene Moore.
300-meter-hurtles. And at state, I placed my junior and senior years,” Wright explained. It was on these laurels that Wright said she was given a full-ride at FAMU. “I was given a scholarship to run track. I wasn’t going to pass that up,” Wright said. Roniqua Yocum, 18 from Louisville, Ky., said she admires Wright’s work ethic. “She’s a great athlete,” Yocum said. “When she goes to the meets, she’s always serious and ready to work.” Moore agreed. “She’s a quiet young lady, but she leads by example,” Moore said. “She is a very hard worker and a determined athlete.”
Wright said her family is her biggest source of motivation, pride and support. “My family is my inspiration. My mother and brother are proud of me, especially my father,” Wright said. “He used to run track when he was younger. He was so happy when I started [running track].” Although Wright said she is uncertain about pursuing track as a profession, she does have one specific dream. Wright said, “I would love to represent Jamaica in the Olympics someday.”
Women sweep home finale DAVID PARKS STAFF WRITER The Florida A&M women’s tennis team won in the final home game of the 2011 season, defeating Fort Valley State University this weekend at the FAMU Tennis Court. During the day, the team honored its seniors. Athletic Director, Derek Horne, presented Maria Gomez and Deke Olagbegi with framed posters of themselves. Earning the 7-0 victory over FVSU, FAMU improved to 2-0 in the MidEastern Athletic Conference and gained a .500 record of 10-10. FAMU has played only two home games, but the team defended home court and put itself in a position to be a MEAC title contender. Deke Olagbegi, who was honored on senior day for her leadership, hard work and abilities on the court, spoke about the significance of the matches and her team’s intensity throughout the day. “This was the last match of our season before our championships, so it meant a lot to go out with a bang, “she said. “Nobody dropped a match and we just came out really humbled and ready to win.” In singles competition, FAMU was the aggressor in all aspects of the game. The team won all six matches in straight sets, only allowing its opponent to win two games. The win on senior day was
MEAC championships.” FAMU took all three doubles matches, setting the tone winning 8-0 to earn the point. Junior Kathline Durden, who was a part of the doubles victories talked about the team’s productivity and how the team looks to carry their momentum down the road. “We came out to play to our best in order to be mentally prepared for the conference championships,” Durden said. “We just basically set the standard for where we are right now and what we need to improve on so we can go in ahead of the game.” The women will play for their chance at the MEAC Gina Cherulus The Famuan championship. The women’s tennis team came out victorious on Senior Day. The Rattlers are ranked second in the southern something both the coaches and the players put a lot of emphasis on. division of the MEAC conference Head coach ‘Nikki’ Goldthreate said behind Howard University are Friday’s match has given the Lady optimistic about their chances. “I know we are going to take the Rattlers reassurance that anything is possible when FAMU plays its brand MEAC, we are going in positive with our heads held high,” Olagbegi said. of tennis. “We were mentally prepared “We are just ready for anyone who is knowing we were going to be willing to deny us of a MEAC title.” home,” Goldthreate said. “This was a really solid win so it builds up our DAVID PARKS confidence a little and this definitely FAMUANSPORTS@GMAIL.COM gets us mentally prepared for the
Softball team wins two of three at home
The Famuan Archive Softball team won the series 2-1.
DAVID PARKS
STAFF WRITERS Florida A&M dominated the first two games of a three-game series against Norfolk State over the weekend. Game one on Saturday’s doubleheader resulted in a FAMU victory.
The team jumped out to a quick start with an RBI hit by its third baseman Erika Garcia and timely base running by pinch runner Ashanti Shepherd. “We came out swinging a little bit under the ball lifting it too much we were telling them to get more lift on the ball and make Norfolk’s defense play, said assistant coach Lori Goodart. “We have a lot of speed so when we put the ball on the ground we feel like we are going to out hustle our opponents.” The two runs that were recorded by FAMU in the second inning were the most important runs in the 3-1 victory in game one. Norfolk State was only able to score one run in the first inning on a sacrifice fly ball where the Norfolk State center fielder Danielle Wright would score. “We really worked as a team and were focused and trying to fix every
Courtesy To The Famuan
at bat in the box,” Garcia said. “Since the game was so slow the plan was to have a better pitch selection and after we calmed down we just adjusted.” In game two, FAMU showed more composure, as they combined for nine hits to the Spartans’ four. The team used a three run spurt to go up 3-0. The runs came on back-to-backto-back hits. The team invoked the eight-run mercy rule in the bottom of the fifth inning. Game three got away from the team. NSU edged the Rattlers in the hitting department nine to eight. The game would end with a 6-2 final score. The team will be back in action on Wednesday as they host Jacksonville University at home at 6 p.m.
DAVID PARKS
FAMUANSPORTS@GMAIL.COM
MARJORIE DENNIS FAMUANSPORTS@GMAIL.COM
Men Tennis
The men’s tennis team competed against Fort Valley State on Friday’s senior day. Michael Moore, Maurice Wamukowa, and Marc Atksinson were the male honorees for the event. Moore was presented last, being the staple of the group. With more than 90 matches under his belt he is the longest tenured tennis player on the team. FAMU responded by gaining the victory.
Baseball
Savannah State swept the Rattlers 6-5, 3-2 and 13-1 in a three-game series. Game one: The tigers scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth for the come-frombehind victory. Game two: A score in the seventh inning by the Tigers to rally past FAMU. Game three: The Rattlers were held to two hits to the Tigers 12. The Rattlers will play North Carolina Central Tuesday at 2 p.m.
Golf
Florida A&M will play in the MEAC Golf Showcase in Savannah, Ga., today. The MEAC Showcase is being held at Henderson Golf Club. The 54-hole tournament features FAMU and five other MEAC golf teams. The players believe they have an excellent chance to win the tournament. This is the first official championship tournament held by the MEAC. In previous years the conference did not have enough teams to host one.