The Student Voice of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011
WWW.THEFAMUANONLINE.COM
VOL. 114 ISSUE 1
Winnie Moime Lifestyles Editor
Tyrone Law Staff Writer
Thomas Nelson’s mother remembers her only child as a good son who was always positive despite a long heart condition. The 21-year-old graphic design student from Jacksonville reportedly died at a hospital over the weekend. According to SJGC Dean James Hawkins, Nelson had become ill and was hospitalized for some time. Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Henry Kirby spoke to the mother of Nelson. “I hear of the passing of a FAMU student and my heart sinks, because I know that he is so young, and had so m uch to look forward to,” said Kirby. Nelson had open heart surgery when he was 8 months old. He has had two heart surgeries since then, according to his mother, Mitzy Jackson. Nelson has always had a heart condition. “He didn’t really want anybody to know, he didn’t like to tell people about his condition because he didn’t want people feeling sorry for him,” said Jackson. Jackson was told at the time of Nelson’s birth that his condition would be a disadvantage. Doctors informed her that he would be behind his peers physically and academically. “He was told he could not play sports, but he found a way around,
The university community is still in shock over the death of Florida A&M women’s basketball shooting guard, Shannon Washington, who died Sunday morning after being stabbed in the neck. Tallahassee Police arrived at 3025 South Adams St. in response to a stabbing and found Washington in her University Courtyard apartment. She was treated on the scene by police and was taken to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead. Police reported 20-year-old Starquineshia Palmer, who was visiting Washington, was arrested at the scene and charged with first-degree murder. The two were arguing, which escalated and resulted in the violence. A vigil was held Sunday night in Lee Hall Auditorium. Local athletes and the FAMU student body gathered in great numbers to show respect and commemorate the life of Washington. FAMU’s women’s basketball coach, LeDawn Gibson, was one of many in attendance who showed great sadness and expressed her love and admiration for the young star. “It is truly a trying situation to lose a student-athlete that has come to us to further her education and excel at her sport. She came to us with a
Sade Hooks The Famuan Susan Washington joins the student body to mourn the loss of her sister Shannon Washington at a vigil in Lee Hall.
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Florida Board of Governors Chair, Ava L. Parker has appointed Richard A. Beard, III, chair of the Facilities Committee which handles the maintenance and construction funding for the 11-member Florida State University system. Beard recognizes that “this area is one of the most critical issues affecting the success of public higher education.”
FAMU SGA is hosting a Town Hall Meeting. The meeting, called Rattler Survival 101, will be held at the Grand Ball Room on Sep. 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. This meeting will offer students an opportunity to speak with some of the administrators that have a significant impact on student life.
TALLAHASSEE- Gov. Rick Scott said that he could potentially support “cautious” oil drilling in Florida’s Everglades during a question and answer session Sep. 6 in front of The Economic Club of Florida. Amy Graham, spokeswoman for Scott, verified that there has been no talk of expanding the drilling in the Everglades.
Washington 6
Jorge Rodriguez-Jimenez Deputy News Editor Q: How is student life going to change under the new structure of the university? A: We are going to have more programing. We are going to consolidate services and have people cross trained so that if you go to any office they will be able to give you information instead of sending you all over campus. We want to have a universitywide program where everyone is knowledgeable about the basic rope knowledge of the campus. You might not be specific to financial aid but you
designed to help students with the transition between high school and college. The dos and don’ts, time management, stress management and money management. When people think money management, they just think financial aid. We want to show you how to manage you money and how to live in your means. You have to budget and do things so you don’t come out of college owing a lot of money. So those are some of the activities. There are a plethora of organizations that students can be involved in from NAACP to dance organizations to fraternities and sororities. I don’t particularly like
can say, “Have you completed your FASFA?” and know the timeline that everything is done. Also, we will be utilizing technology more. We are going to leverage technology so they do not have to go to the offices and the students will have everything at their fingertips. Eventually, one of the things I want to do is create a network where students will have a FAMU app on their phones. Q: What programs and clubs are available to help incoming freshmen adjust to college life? A: Well, we have just initiated the First Year Experience class. This class is
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freshmen getting involved in too many organizations their freshmen year because they are making that transition, and trying to do it successfully. We have seen many students that join too many organizations freshmen year and it hurts their academics. Q: What activities have been planned for the students for this school year? A: Well, we are still in the process of planning for a lot of the activities. Some of the same events such as the Hudson 6
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011
SUN. 12:30 a.m. at Perry-Paige Auditorium
www FACES Modeling Troupe will sell Rita’s Italian Ice by the Cafe on Wednesday, Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. 3 p.m. FACES Modeling Troupe will have a car wash at Guthrie’s on Tennessee St. on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. FAMU’s National Pan-Hellenic Council and Student Housing Solutions presents The 2011 Homecoming Greek Step Show: “Challenge of the Rivals: STEP UP or SHUT UP.” The organizations are offering two off-campus housing scholarships and several other scholarship opportunities. Scholarship Applications are available in the Office of Student Activities. They are due on September 23, 2011 at 5 p.m. in the Office of Student Activities. Contact the Step Show committee at famunphcstepshow@gmail.com.
M.A.D.D. for Christ Collegiate and Young Adult Ministry at Jacob Chapel Baptist Church will have a conference on Sept. 16 - 18. The conference is located at 2333 Lake Bradford Road. Jacob Chapel Baptist Church will have a “Night Under the Stars” on Friday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. Jacob Chapel Baptist Church will have a Hallelujah Festival Friday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. For more information or questions about upcoming events, contact Rev. Vermaine Simmons at (850) 574-3150.
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011
Courtesy to The Famuan Fort Valley State’s president Larry Rivers speaks at the university-wide Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation in 2008.
Jason Lawrence Managing & News Editor In March 2006, Larry Rivers left his post as the dean of Florida A&M’s College of Arts and Sciences to assume the presidency of Fort Valley State in rural Middle Georgia. This move was only after Rivers’ lauded stint as a faculty member, administrator, and supporter of a school in which he dedicated decades of leadership in Tallahassee. Rivers worked at FAMU for almost three decades, starting as an assistant professor and working his way to a position as a Distinguished University
professor. The FVSU president was featured in the October 2009 issue of “Smart Money” magazine for his administrative transformation of FVSU. “At each level, I learned quite a bit about what it means to handle, and motivate individuals to get the best results,” Rivers said. The Philadelphia native graduated from then-Fort Valley State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in social science education. He then earned a master’s degree in history from Villanova University and, in
1977, received his Ph.D. from Carnegie-Mellon. Goldsmith College and the University of London also awarded Rivers with doctorate-level history degrees. Rivers credits his extensive portfolio, a collection of seven books written, edited or co-authored by Rivers, of historical research and nonfiction writings to his time at FAMU. Rivers decided to return FVSU five years ago. The university was haunted with declining enrollment, low staff morale, a budget deficit and dwindling endowment, he said. Since that time, Rivers has written his own chapter of prestige at the small Peach County, Georgia HBCU. He said he had several examples by which to conjure his own formula for administrative success at FVSU. FVSU was under the threat of either severe cuts or outright closure in a city with 22.9 percent of the populace living below the federal poverty line, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Today, FVSU is more than a viable public institution. The “jobs engine” for Middle Georgia, has doubled enrollment in just 48 months. Rivers expects 5,000 students in the next few years. “I have to admit that our recruitment strategies emulated the HumphriesFAMU model. My wife, and I travel with a group of students we call the ‘Wildcat Force,’” Rivers said about the FVSU version of the FAMU Connection. “The Wildcat Force is instrumental in attracting students to FVSU, Rivers said. You had students who had never heard of Fort Valley interested in our programs,” he said. To ensure the growing university is prepared to take on the emerging technologybased global economy, Rivers said his faculty is learning, and in-turn teaching, the importance of information technology. “All of them understand that through the use of computers
Jason Lawrence The Famuan The Bloxham Building in downtown is one of the vacant state properties that could house the proposed College of Dentistry.
Tameisha Hawkins Correspondent Future plans for students pursuing a career in oral and dental health at Florida A&M seems promising. On Thursday, Aug. 4, at a university Board of Trustees meeting, the Academic Affairs Committee presented a plan to establish a doctor of dental medicine (DMD) degree program. The program will focus on training general and pediatric dentists. The program will also target serving low-income and rural communities, according to BOT committee meeting
minutes. The estimated $1.5 million project has been approved by the Board of Trustees; the next step is approval from the Board of Governors of the state university system. Victor Manuel, a sophomore accounting student from Pompano Beach, said he is concerned that the dentistry school won’t meet the standards of other schools and colleges on campus. “The College of Dentistry has the potential to measure up to the colleges on campus, if their students take the program as serious as SBI or pharmacy students,” Manuel said. “But, there are a lot of financial
issues on campus right now, so it would probably take time for the college of dentistry to become a success.” Ultimately, the goal of the school is to also partner with neighboring health care facilities for resident and student rotations. “Access to care is really, really important,” said Jennifer Manuel, a dental hygienist at Bond Community Health Center’s Smile Connection. If you don’t have insurance it can be really expensive.” Gaining approval for the dentistry school is only the first step in turning the plan into a reality. One concern is facility accommodation of students
and the Internet, students need to be exposed to all aspects of technology. Our faculty is very cognizant of the highly-technological society we live in,” Rivers said. It is because of the Rivers’ administration’s willingness to prepare its pupils for a futureworld that the Georgia Board of Regents approved online bachelor’s degree programs in political science, psychology and English, and off-site programs in criminal justice, business administration and an online criminal justice franchise. New programs and a growing student body and labor force has only supplemented the strong town-and-gown relationship between the city of Fort Valley, Peach County, and the university. “Fort Valley State is one of the largest economic engines in the Middle Georgia area, generating $250 million in revenue, and employing some 1700 individuals,” said Rivers. Although FVSU faced a 30 percent reduction in its budget this year, Rivers said he hasn’t laid off a single employee. “Fort Valley is in great shape,” Rivers said. “People always come up to me, and ask me, as though I know every single position at the university, whether they can be hired by me.” Although, Rivers once again calls Fort Valley home, his connections on “the Hill,” run deep. Over the summer, his son, Larry Rivers, who is a former FAMU student body president, was the first black person to successfully defend a doctoral dissertation from Vanderbilt University, colloquially known as the “Harvard of the South.” “Larry O. had some great teachers at FAMU, and when he went to (Vanderbilt), he was prepared,” Rivers said of his son, who is now an assistant professor of history at Augusta State University. “FAMU should be proud. His completion of the program is a testament to the academic rigor still alive at HBCUs today.” Jason Lawrence famuan.metro@gmail.com
for rotations. Manuel believes the Bond facility is equipped to handle the matter. “The students who participate in a residency at the Smile Connection will have a great opportunity to practice,” Manuel said. “We are a digital office; everything is done on computer. That’s where the dental community is headed; getting rid of paper by 2014.” -à This quote is a little fluffy…it doesn’t really fit in with the rest of the story. In addition, Manuel believes patient education is another important matter. “People just don’t know what plaque is… why brushing twice a day is so important. Why it is important to go to the dentist before something starts hurting.” It’s all about priorities… people don’t see their overall health as important until something goes wrong,” said Manuel. Neighboring colleges like the University of Florida, which makes up one of the three dentistry programs in Florida, and Florida State support FAMU’s new project. In a letter of support, UF officials stated, “Our participation with FAMU may lead to increased diversity in the UF program. FAMU may be able to leverage UF’s long established pedagogical programs and highly ranked dental research.” Tameisha Hawkins famuan.metro@gmail.com
FAMUAN.METRO@GMAIL.COM
Jorge Rodriguez-Jimenez Deputy News Editor Last spring, Chief Financial Officer Teresa Hardee played a high profile role in Florida A&M restructuring plan to save millions of dollars. But even as the plan took shape, Hardee, who is also vice president for administrative and financial services, found herself getting some unwanted attention. The FAMU Office of the General Counsel launched an investigation of Hardee for her alleged misuse of time and discrepancies in her annual leave. Hardee has been working toward receiving her executive doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania. The two-year program requires the student to make monthly trips to the campus in Philadelphia to attend classes from Thursday to Saturday. The Office of the General Counsel received an anonymous complaint against Hardee around April 18. “It is known that VP Teresa Hardee has been working on her Ph..D. at an out of town university, and to date, there has been no recorded leave for days absent. This is a blatant violation of university policies,” read the letter from the anonymous complainant. The investigation focused on her “work-fromhome-status” used on her Wednesday travel days. “Ms. Hardee has not submitted any information that was responsive to confirm, document or verify how she performed university business while at home for a full work-day,” read General Counsel Avery McKnight’s June 2 memorandum sent to Karl White, FAMU Board of Trustees Audit Committee chairman. Hardee denied any wrongdoing. She said she usually scheduled her flights to Philadelphia as late as possible to ensure she could take care of details before leaving. “In fact, even while at the University of Pennsylvania on the days when I am officially off, I’m still working on FAMU business before and after class,” said Hardee, who has been at FAMU for more than four years. “This complaint is a new challenge for me. Throughout my career, my integrity has never been questioned,” said Hardee in an email. “The University has a duty to determine if there is any merit to allegations, whether they are attributed or not.” In his memo to Trustee White, McKnight recommended that Hardee be suspended three days without pay and be docked more than 50 hours of annual leave. However, on Aug. 5, FAMU President James Ammons wrote Hardee informing her she would be docked 34.22 hours of annual leave; there was no reprimand. Ammons later issued a statement praising Hardee’s hard work for the university. In his investigation, McKnight also focused on the actions of Michael Boone, then-director of business process reengineering, and Hardee’s then-fiance. Boone
Courtesy to The Famuan CFO Teresa Hardee
traveled with Hardee to Philadelphia on six occasions and had the Thursday and Friday of those travels approved for annual leave. The only discrepancy was found in his Wednesday travel days. “Mr. Boone, however did not obtain approval for annual leave for the Wednesday travel dates as appropriate [September 8, 2010, November 10, 2010, December 15, 2010, January 12, 2011, February 2, 2011, and May 4, 2011],” states the memorandum. In response to the General Counsel’s request for information, Boone claims to have worked full days at FAMU on the Wednesdays in-question. “On each of the dates except May 4, I purposefully booked our flights for the latest possible time so that I could work a full day at FAMU and not have to take time off for travel,” Boone said. Of those travel days, May 4 was of particular importance. In response to the General Counsel’s request for information, Boone said he took almost 90 minutes of undocumented leave. “I worked through lunch and left FAMU at approximately 2:30 p.m.,” read part of his response. “My rationale for doing so was because I expected to have a conversation with Dr. O’ Duor regarding a possible allowance for some overtime that I have given in relation to my work at FAMU.” The investigation alleged that Hardee and Boone spent FAMU business hours doing coursework. Boone said in his written response that he spent 40 minutes to two and a half hours on FAMU worktime to assist Hardee on her coursework. Hardee received a nondisciplinary employment action and the human resources office reduced her annual leave. Boone was also docked annual leave. His position was terminated on June 30 because of the loss of stimulus funding, officials said. As a result of the complaint and investigation, Hardee’s sister was transferred from the Division of Enterprise Information Technology, which falls under the CFO’s office. Karl White could not be reached for comment. Jorge Rodriguez-Jimenez famuan.metro@gmail.com
TODAY’S
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011
Winnie Moime Lifestyles Editor The film “Underground” directed by Florida A&M alumnus, Akil DuPont has had monumental success. Film stars and FAMU DRS students Hillary Eaton, 13, and 2011 International Film Festival Best Young Actress Award winner, Nike Eaton, 8. When Hillary was 11, she played the role of Ruby, granddaughter of older Emala. Not knowing what to expect
“The film meant a lot me; it meant that I had to work hard,”
Courtesy to The Famuan FAMU DRS students and sisters Hillary Eaton (left) and Nike Eaton (right) have booked a series of acting jobs since their memorable acting debuts in FAMU alumnus Akil Dupont’s short film “Underground.”
Jared Floyd Correspondent The Foster Tanner Fine Arts Gallery held the opening reception for the third annual PINNACLE National Juried Art Exhibition on Friday evening. Harris Wiltsher, director of the Foster Tanner Fine Arts Gallery and member of the Mary Brogan Museum’s art Exhibition Committee, invited Chucha Barber, CEO of the Mary Brogan Museum, to be the juror of the third annual PINNACLE exhibit.
Fine Arts Professor Aja Roache was responsible for organizing all the work for the show. Roache said she first announced the competition and began receiving submissions in January. Barber was sent 150 art pieces as computer images with directions to choose 40 objects to be showcased in the gallery. “To be perfectly candid, I couldn’t do 40, so there ended up being 42,” Barber said. “I had a really hard time cutting some out.” The exhibit features an array
Veronica Davis Correspondent
Keenan Doanes The Famuan Champions Chicken & Waffles, still fairly new, has become a community favorite.
Students can get all the taste and flavor of down-home cooking without driving home to their parents’ kitchens at Champions Chicken and Waffles. Owner Patricia Edwards said the name of the restaurant came from her son Darnell Baker, who liked to say “everyone who wakes up to a new day is a champion.”
of art mediums. Sculptures, oil paintings, graphic art, glass and metal pieces are submitted annually from artists around the country to be considered for the competition. This year, there are first, second, third places, best in show and a few honorable mentions. Jeff Whipple’s piece “Seizing the Day” won “best in show” at this year’s opening reception. Whipple explains his painting is about seizing moments in time. He says, “It’s a play on carpe diem; the seize the day phrase,” Whipple said. “Just going out
Edwards said she wanted to present a clean and comfortable establishment for community members. “The plan is to provide the best in food and professional service;” Edwards said. Growing up, Edwards never imagined she would work in the restaurant business. For years, she worked in the television industry writing credits on the popular television show “Good Times.” Edwards was working for
and seizing the moment where I can have some imagination time, which you need as an artist.” Whipple has a studio in Rail Road Square. The studio features work he created for a library under renovation in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Art lovers can view the exhibition Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the Foster Tanner Fine Arts Gallery until Sept. 30.
from the film, preparation was key. Hillary took more of a professional approach to deal with being in such an intense movie. “I was nervous at first, but once I practiced my lines and had them, everything just took off from there,” Hillary said. For Hillary, preparation also meant being dedicated to her character. “I tried to think about sad things, say a puppy dying,” Hillary said. “I love animals.” Both sisters had to apply the same level of dedication to the long hours that were put into filming.
“I remember this one scene where it took about 6 hours to shoot the same scene over and over again,” Hillary said. “My character, Ruby, had to walk through a door and I literally had to say those lines for that entire time. I just remember thinking ‘this is never going to end.’” Two years ago, Nike played young Emala, daughter of Bali and granddaughter of Dembi. She felt her limited lines gave her an advantage for mastering her role. Confident, she said the movie allowed her to show her talent and share a very important message. “The film meant a lot me; it meant that I had to work hard,” Nike said. “The reason why I’m here today is because of them (my ancestors). They helped me get through a lot, and still help me get through school, so I just need to be to be thankful for them.” Their mother made the process and combination of delivering lines and long hours easier. “As a parent, you make the sacrifices so that your children can have an experience,” Rhonda Eaton, mother of Nike and Hillary, said. “They can say ‘this is what I want to do,’ because they’ve had the opportunity.”
Winnie Moime
LaGretta Johnson The Famuan The third annual PINNACLE art exhibit shown in the Foster Tanner Arts Gallery can be seen Monday through Friday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. until Sept. 30th.
Jared Floyd
Norman Lear Productions when she met Herb Hudson, Harlem native and founder of Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles. Edwards said her family helped him get started, and the connection inspired her to eventually become a restaurantowner. Edwards’ son worked as a cook at Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles, her daughter as a waitress and her brother as a general manager for almost a decade. Finally, the idea of opening her own restaurant became a reality Jan. 1, 2011. Monique Myrick, a
Champions regular, said she loves coming to the restaurant. “The food is absolutely delicious, and the staff is so courteous,” Myrick said. Edwards credits the flavor of the food to doing all grocery shopping for the restaurant and preparing fresh food for customers every morning. In addition to chicken and waffles, the menu has traditional southern dishes like grits, freshly ground chicken sausage, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, yams and homemade
peach cobbler. On Friday nights, customers can listen to a live performance by Chucky Crawford & Friends. Champions also offer specials and student discounts. The restaurant is located at 310 Polk Dr. directly behind the Hancock Bank, and is open seven days a week. For more information, contact Patricia Edwards at (850) 692-3368.
Veronica Davis
WWW.THEFAMUANONLINE.COM
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011
Hudson
football games and basketball games and athletics, but we also have SGA events. Clubs and organizations are making proposals for different events they are going to host as well. We would like to get a lot of the clubs and organizations to do joint ventures together. Because of the decline of the economy there is not a lot of money for having a lot of events so we are asking people to collaborate a lot more to have activities that will be student friendly. We have Welcome Week the first week for the freshmen and a Freshmen Convocation the Sunday before school.
Famuan News Staff As Florida A&M nears its 125th anniversary, “Washington Monthly” magazine ranked the university in its top 100 “National Universities.” FAMU ranked number 84 out 100 colleges, which according Washington Monthly, excel in the area of social mobility, cutting-edge research, and community service from the student body. The university was ranked 74th in the 2010 edition. FAMU had strong scores in social mobility, with 58 percent of its students receiving Pell grants, and a graduation rate of 39 percent. “FAMU is being recognized for doing exactly what it set out to do, which is to create an opportunity for low-income students to earn a degree,” said SGA President Breyon Love. This is a testament to our motto ‘excellence with caring.’” Famuan News Staff
A: It is going to increase the population. There is only about 208 beds for that facility. President Ammons,
Keenan Doanes The Famuan FAMU was selected by Washington Monthly as a top 100 “National University.”
although the doctors said he wouldn’t be with his peers, he was National Junior Society in middle school, and he did well in school, and he was 6-feet tall,” said Jackson. According to Arvid Mukes, a profesor in SJGC who had the oppurtunity to teach Nelson during his time at the university. He was the third generation in his family to attend FAMU. His mother and grandmother also attended FAMU. According to Jackson, FAMU was Nelson’s first selection after high school. Jackson believes her son
J. L. Evans The Famuan After being closed for six years, residence halls Sampson and Young opened at the start of this semester.
Florida A&M has reopened two of its recently renovated resident halls on campus this semester. Oscar Crumity, director of housing, said Sampson and Young Hall houses 239 male FAMU students. With 158 residents in Sampson and 81 in Young, the dorms will aid in increasing the living capacity on-campus for freshmen.
Kiahran Adams Correspondent SGA President Breyon Love and Vice President Troy Harris took their official oath into office Friday in Lee Hall. Vice President of Student Affairs William Hudson said the event specifically targeted the student body to help them develop visuals of their elected officials. The annual inauguration took place in front of about
one of his goals is to increase the availability of on-campus housing for students as well as improve on-campus housing facilities. He is in the process of working on getting another residence hall possibly built, a 800 unit residence hall, where Poking Horn Village was originally. Also, we are doing major renovations to Palmetto North this summer so they will be available to students and improve the living facilities down there. We also want to do some renovations to a lot of the female residence halls, that is next on the agenda. But to renovate halls you have to have a place for the students so there is a push to get the 800 unit residence hall built.
Q: How will the opening of Sampson and Young halls affect students that live on campus?
Nelson
Sharon Johnson Correspondent
FAMUANNEWS@GMAIL.COM
“I think it improves their first year experience. As one of their agreed upon goals this year, the FAMU Board of Trustees and President Ammons plan to do more to improve student on-campus housing. The university is working to seek funding for an 800-bed suite-style facility,” Saunders said. William Jones, a freshman resident of the new dorms, said he enjoys his new room in Sampson Hall.
20 students, not including the teary-eyed family members, the FAMU Gospel choir and a handful of other supporters. “It was a better turn out than last year, but I want it to be packed out next year,” Love said optimistically about the student attendance. We need to change the event to the spring, right after the election.” Even without a significant showing from the student body, the SGA Presidential
“I got assigned to one of the newly renovated dorms, so that was cool,” the 18-yearold business administration student said. “I also received a corner room and I heard they are the biggest rooms on each floor.” Jaliyl DeVillasee, an 18-yearold business administration student, said his only complaint about his new room is the temperature. “Even though we are able to control the temperature in
our room, the air condition controls are very difficult to work,” DeVillassee said. According to the University Housing Rental Rate Schedule, the $2,800 per semester price tag per student for both facilities is roughly $1000 more than male residents pay in the Paddyfote Housing Complex and $550 more than the residents of Gibbs Hall. Sharon Johnson famuannews@gmail.com
Washington with a great attitude and was a hard worker. She will be missed,” Gibson said. Tallahassee Police Department spokesman Officer Derek Friend said Washington and Palmer were reportedly in a domestic relationship. “At the scene everyone in and around the apartment was kind of dazed and shocked by what happened and how far this incident went. It was a really tragic outcome,” Friend
Jorge Rodriguez-Jimenez famuannews@gmail.com wanted to become a game designer. He planned to minor in Art. He loved computer designs and art, and from there he had plans to create video games. Jackson wants her son to be remembered for the positive things he stood for. “He loved God, he touched lives, when a lot of his friends came forward and told me how he had such an impact on them.” Students have created a Facebook page in memory of Nelson. Jackson thanks FAMU for being supportive. “It means a lot to know that Thomas was known enough to be cared about,” said Jackson.
Winnie Moime famuannews@gmail.com
said. Authorities said Palmer had been visiting for several days, but they don’t not know how long she had been there or when she planned to leave. Palmer, who is being held in the Leon County Jail, was arraigned before Judge James Hankinson Sunday morning. Reports indicate that Palmer will be represented by public defender Steven Been. At the hearing, no bond was set and Palmer was ordered to take a drug test. Henry Kirby, associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students, said he spoke with Washington’s mother on behalf of the university. “I had the opportunity to talk to her mother on Sunday to relay the heartfelt condolences Tyrone Laws famuannews@gmail.com
Inauguration showcased a number of well-crafted “thank you” speeches from the newly elected, a musical selection from the FAMU Gospel Choir and a opening performance by the Mahogany Dance Theatre. Do you have comments about the Love-Harris administration? Send them to famuannews@gmail.com.
Gina Cherulus The Famuan Breyon Love and several other SGA officials were sworn in on Friday in Lee Hall.
Kiahran Adams famuannews@gmail.com
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011
Joseph Thompson deputy lifestyles editor Shannon Washington, a Florida A&M University student athlete, was killed this past Sunday. Early that morning, Tallahassee police officers responded to a report of a stabbing at University Courtyard apartment complex. When they arrived, officers found Washington with a knife wound to the neck reportedly from her friend Starquinesha Palmer. Washington was transported to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital where she later died. The incident with Washington should be a daunting wake-up call for FAMU students to change the status quo. It’s something that should cause Rattlers around the country to become infuriated and ready to take action.
STANLEY HARDY Correspondent August 24th was the opening day for Sampson and Young Halls. It was the first time the housing staff and the public embraced the new residence facilities. As a Resident Assistant, I never walked through the halls of a building wearing a bright orange housing staff shirt, but I have the opportunity to be one of the first RAs in Sampson and Young and set the foundation for other RAs to come. “This looks like a hotel” is the
Outbursts of violence toward another individual as a result of a disagreement reminds me of the daily issues I face on my job - at a daycare. At my job, the average age of a child is eight and in third grade. I’m accustomed to dealing with children hitting and kicking each other over arguments instead of their words. As a result of their actions, I am forced to put the child in “time-out” and call their parent. It’s sad that the actions occurring at my school mimic, on a much larger scale, the same actions that occur at my job, particularly at an institution that prides itself on training future minority leaders and scholars. FAMU’s Police Department reports that the crime rate involving FAMU students has increased more than 6 percent within the last year. Many may perceive Washington’s murder
as an isolated incident that has nothing to do with FAMU, but it does. FAMU no longer sets the standard academically, politically and socially for the local black community. In Fall 1993, Time magazine’s Princeton Review recognized FAMU for having the highest number of National Achievement Scholars in the country wih 73 scholars compared to Harvard’s 49. In 1997, Time magazine voted FAMU as “The College of the Year.” In recent years, it seems FAMU has simply lost its way. It is assumed that since FAMU is an HBCU, murder cases among students are commonplace and are to be expected, which is why it is up to Rattlers to not allow Washington’s death be looked at as just another tragedy at FAMU. This incident should be “the incident” that will never happen
again. Discussions should be centered on what happened to the rising star. Instead of avoiding the topic as a “taboo subject,” her name and her life should be commemorated and honored as a valuable and important one. Encourage friends to seek help in dealing with unstable, potentially volatile relationships, and listen to friends in need. In light of the recent opening of the memorial of civil rights activist Martin Luther King, Jr., remember that passively accepting injustice is perpetuating injustice. Don’t ever let Washington’s name be uttered as just another statistic.
first thing I hear students say as they walk through the halls for the first time. With sensor lighting, personal air conditioning controls, electronic card access and plenty of spaces to study, the new improvements are huge steps forward for FAMU and the housing department. Coming to the university in the fall of 2009 and seeing two big abandoned buildings that looked like they had been standing since 1887 when FAMU was FAMC, I knew for certain that I would have graduated and had a career before
they would open back up. However, I am proud to see these historic buildings back in living condition and it gives me joy to work and provide freshmen with a community to live in. When I arrived at FAMU, there was not enough housing for freshmen students. Many were forced to stay off campus and miss out on a true freshmen experience. Now, the university can accommodate more males and keep them focused on academics. My co-workers and I wondered how residents would react to the
renovations and how they would treat their facility. So far, they have done a great job. They have even held their own video game tournaments on the big screen in the visiting lobby. Every day our visitor log has three to four pages full of names as Sampson and Young Halls have become the hot spots on campus. I am grateful that the housing department gave me such an opportunity.
Joseph Thompson
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STANLEY HARDY
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Angie Meus Opinions editor While some may think that an HBCU—Historically Black Colleges and Universities— nothing more than an institution comprised of black people, it is far more than that. It is a community of intelligent, strong-minded and determined black men and women who prove the stereotype that claims that we are incompetent to be wrong year round. In fact, according to statistics given by the United Negro College Fund, over half of all black professionals are graduates of HBCUs and nine of the top 10 colleges that graduate the most blacks who go on to earn PhDs are HBCUs. Despite what people may think, there is something special about an HBCU and there is something special about FAMU. Here are a few reasons why some students chose to attend FAMU. Alexis Hinton, 19, secondyear health science and physical therapy student from Moss Point, Miss. I chose to come to FAMU because it is an HBCU and it has a lot to offer its students. I also chose to come here because of the way the alumni have so much pride in their school. When I applied to FAMU I knew it was the place for me. Carrie Hilliard, 21, fourth-year business administration student from Jacksonville Aside from it being the best HBCU in the nation, I chose FAMU because of the prestigious school of business and industry that it has! Stephen Gordon, 19, third-year business administration student from Chicago I chose FAMU because I knew it would prepare me for my journey ahead. I chose FAMU because of the “Marching 100.” I chose FAMU because I wanted to call an HBCU my home so, I chose the largest and the best. Most importantly, I chose FAMU because FAMU chose me! Antoinette Smart, 20, secondyear business administration student from Fort Lauderdale I choose to attend FAMU because it has the best business school in the state of Florida.
Angie Meus
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011
Winnie Moime Lifestyles Editor
Zoe Saldana stars in the newly released block-buster actionpacked thriller: Columbiana
MIAMI — Gov. Rick Scott rejected a recommendation this week to reappoint the longtime South Florida medical examiner who made headlines after several high profile deaths, including model Anna Nicole Smith. Dr. Joshua Perper said he was stunned when he learned Scott would not appoint him to another three-year term, saying he wished the governor’s office had offered an explanation. “I’m still baffled because the office of the governor didn’t contact me before or after the decision to ask for another nomination,” said Perper. “After 17 years this would be a courtesy act to call me and tell me what is the intention of the governor.” The Medical Examiners Commission recommended
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Last summer John Ehrenreich wondered whether his Pensacola Beach go-cart track and parasailing business would make it through the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. But this summer, business has boomed at Bonifay Water Sports, Ehrenreich said as he waited for a parasailing group to return. And he’s not the only local businessman with good news. Beach towns from Alabama through the Florida Panhandle have had a strong summer 2011 rebound after a 2010 marred by tar balls, crude oil sheen, and cleanup crews and equipment ruining the views for any would-be sunbathers. “Tourists don’t even mention the spill now. They haven’t mentioned it really at all in the last six months,” said Ehrenreich. Tourism leaders say the post-spill economic bounce is fueled in part by an influx of BP money that has gone to promote Gulf Coast beaches. Another positive for the string of white sand beaches from Alabama to Florida’s Big Bend has been making it through the end of August without any disruptions from tropical storms or hurricanes. While hurricane season isn’t over yet,
Perper continue his service, but Scott’s office sent the chairman a letter Tuesday asking for other choices. Perper said the Broward County Commission also supported his reappointment, based on hundreds of positive questionnaires rating his performance from the state attorney, public defender and sheriff’s office. “Governor Scott wants to have options when choosing who will be the Medical Examiner going forward for Broward County. It’s difficult to have options when only one name has been submitted,” said Scott’s spokesman Lane Wright. Perper, a grandfatherly figure with a thick foreign accent, frequented national new shows after Smith, a 39-year-old former Playboy playmate, was found dead in her hotel room in 2007. Perper said he did not relish the publicity but always kept his door open to the media, at one point saying he’d given so many interviews, he felt he had a second job. He later ruled her death Kelli Kennedy Associated Press
the biggest storm so far this year, Irene, spared the area when it veered farther north. Pensacola Beach bested a June 2008 record for county lodging tax revenues this year by already bringing in $1 million. And county tourism officials said numbers for cars passing through the toll booth entrance to Pensacola Beach this summer are on target to break records. The city of Pensacola also had a record summer tourist season. The National Naval Aviation Museum at the Pensacola Naval Air Station reported its best month ever this July with 140,000 visitors coming to see the collection of historic fighter jets and other displays. Nearby Orange Beach, Ala., beat a 2007 record for spring tourism. The city said visitors spent $65 million on hotels and other lodging from March to May, a 14 percent increase from the 2007 record. Orange Beach also had a record May. Perhaps no city had more at stake this summer than Panama City Beach. The Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport opened there in the midst of the oil Melissa Nelson Associated Press
With the constant interruptions of my favorite shows, I began to look forward to the movie commercials, the ones with a very dominant Zoe Saldana, in full gun-down gear. “Colombiana” stars Zoe Saldana with Michael Vartan, Callum Blue, Lennie James and Jordi Molla. After witnessing her parents’ murder as a child in Bogota, Saldana grows up to be a stone-cold assassin. It’s easy to dismiss “Colombiana” as just another style-over-substance action flick rooted in a familiar revenge plot line. The question
Very focused, and must-killorientated, Cataleya comes from a family of killers, and she is no stranger to a firearm is: Does “Colombiana” actually offer an exciting and hardhitting action experience at the theater? Actually, it does. There is no dull moment in the beginning of the film or throughout the remainder of the film for that matter. The movie begins and gets straight
to the point. Audiences are informed very little on the history of the family. However, the over-the-top actions of Saldana’s character Cataleya do not fail to deliver enjoyable on-screen pandemonium. Of course, there is a love scene, or a couple. HawthoRNe’s Michael Vartan
plays Saldana’s very clueless love interest. His scenes are limited due to the fact that his lover has a hit-list she’s prioritized. Very focused, and must-killorientated, Cataleya comes from a family of killers, and she is no stranger to a firearm. Director Olivier Megaton (Transporter 3) has done it again. Colombiana is simply, visceral, in your face, action.
Winnie Moime
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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011
Men just miss third place Terrion Lowery Correspondent The Florida A&M men’s cross country team placed in the top five in its first meet of the season at Troy University in Troy, Ala., Saturday. The Rattlers competed against schools such as Troy University, Auburn University and South Alabama. Overall they placed fourth, but individual runners came in different positions in their respective races. Men’s head coach Wayne Angel was pleased with his team’s performance, even though they
“I ran much better than I did last year. I finished second overall and first in the collegiate ranks.” Lamere Buchanan, the men’s team co-captain, finished in 12th place with a time of 17:02. “I did pretty well in this meet. My time was better this year, it dropped from last year’s race,” Buchanan said. The team began this season with a strong start, a trend that both players and coaches hope will continue through the conference championships. “The team did well in this meet. I was very happy with
“The team did well in this meet. I was very happy with our performance as a whole,” Buchanan said. “From looking at the guys performance, we are going to do pretty good this year and hopefully win the MEAC.”
Courtesy to The Famuan Shuaib Winters finished second to lead the Florida A&M men’s cross country team to a fourth place finish in Troy.
Coutesy to The Famuan The women’s cross country team finished third behind Auburn and South Alabama. Nadine Mulvany placed 9th in the meet.
came within seconds of a top three finish. “The team did good overall,” Angel said. “We were three points from placing third.” Shuaib Winters, the 2010 MidEastern Atlantic Conference (MEAC) individual cross country champion, finished in second with a time of 15:53. “This was a great start for the season. I had a little strategy and I stuck to the plan,” Winters said.
our performance as a whole,” Buchanan said. “From looking at the guy’s performance, we are going to do pretty good this year and hopefully win the MEAC.” The team will be heading to the Bethune-Cookman Invitational Wednesday, in Daytona Beach, Fla., for their next meet.
Marcus Joseph Staff Writer
champions from last season and host of the event,” Moore said. “Alabama State, Albany State and Lagrange College were also in attendance.” The Rattlers will be attending the Bethune-Cookman Invitational this afternoon in Daytona Beach, Fla. The team will look to continue improving on their season as they face teams from the MEAC conference. “The young ladies and I have set a goal for ourselves this season and thus far, the ladies have worked very hard to accomplishing our goal,” Moore said. “I believe their performances will peak right around the time for the MEAC championships.”
The Florida A&M women’s cross country team opened its schedule this year with a third place finish on the road at the Troy University Trojan Invitational in Troy, Ala. Seven teams competed along with many unattached runners. Among those to compete were Auburn University, who won the event, and second place finisher, University of South Alabama. Head Coach Darlene Moore praised the efforts of her runners, including those who finished in the top-tier of the pack. “I had four young ladies that placed in the top 20,” Moore said. “Nadine Mulvany, Chandelic Jackson, Simone Durden and Clarricia Golden all went out and had wonderful performances for the team.” Mulvany finished ninth overall with a time of 11:52.31 and nine points. Jackson added a 12th place finish with a time of 12:00.25 and 12 points. Ciera Williams rounded out the top five finishers for the lady Rattlers with a 25th place finish at 12:54.21. Moore also acknowledged the level of competition assembled at the meet. “My ladies defeated Troy University, the SWAC conference
Terrion Lowery famuansports@gmail.com
Marcus Joseph famuansports@gmail.com
Courtesy to The Famuan Winters and Coleman have a brother-like bond.
Brndon Lee Correspondent If any significant drawback to living with a teammate exists, Shuaib Winters and Isaiah Coleman have yet to experience them. Winters, a senior from Conyers, Ga., and 2010 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s cross country individual champion, has been living with Coleman for more than a year. “A teammate is actually someone I’d prefer to live with. I like having a teammate close by who will be able to check on me when it comes to matters on the field,” Winters said. Winters said pros for living with a fellow field mate include always being on time for morning practice and the development of a healthy bond between both teammates. “Because of the cross country schedule, living with a teammate brings you both a lot closer together than what would be the case with a roommate from outside of the team,” Winters said. “You’re both going to the same place and have similar goals.” Coleman, a junior from Jacksonville, also emphasized an advantage to living with a teammate. “Living with a teammate gives you the chance to surround yourself with someone who’s always willing to go the extra mile to help you out in any way that they can,” Coleman said. “Optimism will benefit you both as athletes and as friends.” Winters credits much of his success as a Florida A&M athlete to living with a friend and teammate. He feels that he has “benefitted much more” from living with Coleman than he probably would have with a roommate that is not a part of the team. Winters and Coleman agreed that their friendship has reaped numerous benefits. “Living with Shuaib has helped our friendship grow a lot,” Coleman said. “Our friendship has become a lot stronger since we’ve began living together.” Wayne Angel, head coach of the Men’s Cross Country team, perceives a good connection between the roommates. “They’re kind of like Oscar and Felix,” Angel said. “They’re like brothers.”
Brandon Lee famuansports@gmail.com
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2011
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Courtesy to The Famuan Youth and inexperience have proven costly for the Lady Rattlers volleyball team.
Taroy Jackson Staff Writer
Keenan Doanes The Famuan Eddie Rocker catches the ball over the outstretched hands of the FVSU defender en route to a 28-22 victory on Saturday.
Spencer Henderson Correspondent
In a game plagued by penalties, the Florida A&M football team found a way to come out with a 28-22 win in its home opener against the wildcats of Fort Valley State on Saturday. A touchdown pass from quarterback Austin Trainor to redshirt freshman wide receiver Lenworth Lennon in the closing moments saved what would have been an opening day upset. “We had to come out and run the two-minute offense after they had just scored on us,” Trainor said. “Everything didn’t go as planned for us, but you can’t argue with the results.” The pass, which was intended for senior wide receiver Kevin Elliot, was batted up in the air
by two wildcat defenders and grabbed by Lennon for a 68-yard touchdown scamper. “With this being my first collegiate game and touchdown, it just feels great,” Lennon said. “I’ve never played in this type of crowd or this type of atmosphere and I just love it.” The team escaped with the win, but head coach Joe Taylor said he isn’t thrilled with the victory. “If we don’t look at this film and say to ourselves that’s not us, then I know we’re in trouble,” Taylor said. “The bottom line is we will take the win.” The Rattlers had 19 penalties throughout the contest, totaling for more than 200 yards. The team started off slow, but officials were throwing flags fast. “They really deserved to win the football game. I thought they outplayed us,” Taylor said.
“Nineteen penalties; we just have to become more discipline than that.” Defensive tackle Padric Scott injured his ankle on a chop block by a wildcat offensive lineman, but the biggest concern was the loss of concentration from the team according to Taylor. “It was a high-low block or a chop block so I don’t know how bad he is, but the injury was 19 penalties,” Taylor said. “That’s the biggest injury.” The Rattlers have less than a week to eliminate the number of penalties from their season opener. Most FAMU football practices have a lot of hitting drills, but Taylor said he wants to save some of the team’s energy for the next game. “You can’t hit too much because we have two games in six days. You don’t want to leave the game
on the practice field,” Taylor said. The team acknowledged that there are corrections that need to be made in order to be successful next week. Taylor said he wants to get footage from Hampton as soon as possible to have a film study session with the players. “What we will see from Hampton will be the exact opposite,” said Taylor. “This team blitzed and played man coverage. Hampton is more of a cover two and seven man front type of defense.” The Rattlers travel to Hampton, Va., to take on the pirates of Hampton University at 6 p.m. on Thursday night.
Spencer Henderson famuansports@gmail.com
The Florida A&M Lady Rattlers volleyball team remains winless on the season, as they lost their home opener Sunday to the Lady Dolphins of Jacksonville University. The team lost in four sets (25-21 L, 25-19 L, 25-15 W, 25-18 L) in the Al Lawson Center. FAMU lost the first two sets and fell into an early 0-2 hole. Head Coach Tony Trifonov said the team was rattled at times and it hurt their play in the first two sets. “Jacksonville didn’t make a lot of errors and we broke down in the serve receive and first set,” Trifonov said. “A questionable call caused the momentum change in the first set and it shouldn’t have rattled us, but it did and we weren’t able to recover.” FAMU came out and took control of the third set, winning 25-15, putting them back in the match. Outside Hitter Bianca Rucker said the team was more focused and played in rhythm. “After the second set, we talked amongst ourselves and that got us fired up and ready to play,” Rucker said. “We were more comfortable and that allowed us to play in rhythm more. In that set in particular, we were able to control the pace and dictate the tempo.” The Lady Rattlers couldn’t keep the momentum going as the Lady Dolphins sealed the victory
with a 25-18 victory in the fourth set. Jacksonville University head coach Shaun Kupferberg said his team was more relaxed in the fourth set, which lead to the win. “I told team to get the team back to the basics after we lost the third set,” Kupferberg said. “We had to get settled in, not get frustrated and get back to our game plan and that’s what we did.” Trifonov said with a young team and no seniors on the floor, someone must step up to be a leader and errors can’t happen if the team wants to be successful this season. “Leadership for this team is important and a lack of leadership and inexperience hurt us today,” Trifonov said. “At times today we played great which shows we have the talent. We just need to put it to use.” The Lady Rattlers have a few games coming up against top-tier competition and Trifonov said it would serve as a measuring stick for this team. “We have tough competition coming up with the likes of Miami University, Oklahoma University, Florida International and Auburn University,” Trifonov said. “Three of those four teams made the NCAA Tournament last year and it will see where we are at so far as a team. Those games will be a great test for us.”
Taroy Jackson famuansports@gmail.com