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Vol. 57, No. 9
04.12.10
Natural disasters hit the world in full force by Bethany Cartwright | Echo Correspondent
There has been an abnormal amount of natural disasters in the last three months, making 2010 already one of the highest in casualties due to unforeseen forces of nature. According to Inland News Today, the number of casualties has reached well above 200,000, which is abnormal compared to years prior. “From the catastrophic Haiti and Chilean earthquakes to the U.S. blizzard that descended on Washington, D.C. last month, which was mostly just inconvenient by comparison, 2010 is already above average in terms of natural-disaster casualties,” said Inland News Today. The vast majority of the casualties came from the earthquake that shook Haiti on Jan. 12. Port-au-Prince, the nation’s capital, was largely destroyed. After Haiti’s disaster, other earthquakes and snowstorms struck around the world. Chile had an earthquake that killed 500 to 700 individuals and counting, according to Inland News Today. “The 8.8 temblor was the fifth largest on record, and moved the city of Concepción at least 10 feet (3 meters) to the west.” There was also an earthquake in Turkey, a snowstorm in China, and a snowstorm in north-eastern America that cost our country $41 million. Many earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or larger have hit California and Mexico since January. Scientists believe California is due for a big earthquake in the future. Nancy King, a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Pasadena said, “The big one is going to be on the San Andreas Fault of See Disaster on Page 3
Pregnancy grows on the campus of NSU by Keona Prude | News Editor
After more than a decade of decline in teen pregnancies, the rates have started to increase. According to data compiled by the Virginia Department of Health for the years 2005-2007, the rates for teen pregnancy have increased in the Hampton Roads cities to 64.1 per 1,000 in 2007 from 63.9 in 2006. This increase is actually a significant drop
in Hampton Roads pregnancies in 2000, where more than 76 of every 1000 girls became pregnant. Although the average age of teen pregnancies is from 15-19, Norfolk State University’s campus has seen an increase in pregnancies as well. The population of pregnant females on this campus ranges from ages 18-27. “Well,
Photo - Jevonya Hughes | Editor-in-Chief
there have been several females coming in for pregnancy tests. Currently, out of 25 women tested for pregnancy three will be positive,” said Dr. Beverly E. Withers of the Spartan Health Center. Now three out of 25 may not sound like an alarming number, but not every pregnant student has been to the Spartan Health Center. Walking around the campus you’re destined to see a few pregnant females. Becoming pregnant can hinder one’s growth both personally and professionally and some young females are not ready to deal with raising a child. So why are pregnancies on the rise? There are no concrete specific answers; however, Norfolk State University students did offer their opinions. “Some people aren’t trying to be old parents,” said senior social work major Ashley Williams. “Others just aren’t using protection and [they] figure it’s going to happen anyway so there’s no point of
stopping it.” “I’m not sure why more females are becoming pregnant. However, I do believe it’s better for them to continue to go to school and make the necessary adjustments for the baby,” said sophomore business entrepreneurship major Shaudia Johnson. According to the Virginia Department of Health, they are less likely to graduate from high school or college and more likely to live in poverty or on welfare. Senior business management major Janai Bosher feels like pregnancies are an epidemic on Norfolk State University’s campus. “It seems as if girls come to Norfolk State just to get pregnant. The focus on school is being lost and has turned to sex,” said senior health services management major Tanisha Purnell. Whatever the case may be, pregnancies See Pregnancy on Page 3
Budget cuts in education by Jaliza Braxton | Echo Correspondent
Budget cut. Two words that scare many people in various aspects of getting or keeping a job, especially in the field of education. The state has implemented dozens of budget cuts since the recession hit, but people seem to be even more concerned when education accompanied those two words; budget cut. In the month of March alone, four public school districts in the South Hampton Roads region cut a combined estimate of over 140 million dollars from K-12 schools. What does this mean for college students who are working towards a degree in education and graduates who have already earned one? Will there be a decrease in positions due to layoffs? Many students chose to major in education regardless of working at potential underpaid salaries. Passion is what drove some, like junior elementary education major Brittany Hudson. “Teaching is about the love and passion for the children even under economic circumstances,” Hudson said. “I wasn’t afraid at first as an elementary education major,” said Hudson. “You figure as a teacher you will get a job, but now that I see it is affecting schools, I do get nervous.” Students are not the only ones on the edge of their seats. There are those who are already employed by local school districts who do not know if there will be a rash of layoffs due to cuts in their budgets. Floyd Braxton, an employee of Hampton City Schools, has been in nerve racking situations involving his position as a school security officer alongside teachers. See Budget cuts on Page 3
SPARTAN ECHO · Norfolk State University · 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504 NEWSROOM: 757. 823. 8562 · E-Mail: spartanecho@nsu.edu
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EDITORIAL
spartan echo staff
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
JEVONYA HUGHES
ONLINE/MANAGING EDITOR
DANIELLE COLEY
NEWS EDITOR
KEONA PRUDE
SPORTS EDITOR
THOMAS WILSON
04.12.10
Where has student leadership gone? by Joshua Houston | Echo Correspondent The idea of true student leadership at Norfolk State University is ultimately nonexistent. While the notion of popularity seems to loom around each corner, leadership is hard to find. The once true premise that Student Government Association is supposed to serve the needs of the students is a dream that has been terribly deferred. Seemingly, SGA has turned into a clique of students more concerned with status, popularity, pledging, and has gravely moved away from student concerns. While this may seem like a harsh criticism, it is inevitably true. SGA has created more of a dissonance with the student body than uniting it. From a barely active senate to last minute meetings, students feel lost when it comes to their campus leaders. A faculty member once said, “Administrators don’t take students seriously, because students don’t take themselves seriously.” The irony of this statement resonates when in attendance at the first General Assembly meeting of the semester (March 29), all that could be mentioned were the events that SGA has thrown. No student senate report, no faculty senate concerns, no new information from the Board of Visitors, and no student issues that were handled were mentioned at the General Assembly meeting. At BOV meetings, there has been a severe lack of student representation – making SGA,
ironically, out of touch with the direction of the University. In one of the most important BOV meetings of the year (March 19), not one student representative was present. This is disturbing considering tuition increases were proposed, management of Spartan Suites was discussed, making a new mission statement and concerns of the provost were discussed. Within SGA, no level of accountability is held to among its official members and the Constitution seems like an obsolete document that is used in parts and not as a whole. Instilling pride in your institution is not about having parties or establishing cliques, but about meeting the needs of the students, beyond socially. It means meeting the needs of your campus academically, personally and culturally. It should be about getting to know your student body, not waiting for the student body to get to know you. If the Student Government Association wants to be known for events and student activities, then it should be simply changed to Student Activities Council. Leave people who want to make a true difference to do the work themselves.
Weed the people... ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
NICOLE MCGLOSTER
LAYOUT/DESIGN EDITOR
ANDRE TILLMAN
MULTIMEDIA EDITOR
CANDACE SHOATES
INTERESTED...
IN WORKING FOR THE SPARTAN ECHO? REGULAR MEETINGS ARE HELD TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS AT 12:30PM IN THE SPARTAN ECHO OFFICE (ROOM 344) IN THE UNIVERSITY CENTER.
by Shelbi Larkin | Echo Correspondent Without a doubt, our country has a problem with throwing away its trash. Our highways and parking lots are littered with everything from fast food cups to cigarette butts and even used baby diapers. This problem is even bigger across college campuses, but the type of litter is the most shocking detail. Along with the occasional broken pencil, condom wrapper and cigarette butt, “roaches” can be found strewn across sidewalks and in grassy patches not just here at Norfolk State, but on campuses nationwide. This roach, however, is not the critter that pop up in dirty places and dark corners. “Roach” is the slang term for the end of a blunt or joint that contains the most resin and is stronger than the rest of the blunt, but is usually not smoked because holding it would burn the smoker’s fingertips (www. urbandictionary.com). This rise in marijuana use is not prominent to one area of the United States, but it is a steady growth across the nation. Marijuana, the second most frequently used drug in the country, is reported by www. StateUniversity.com to be used by 46.9% of the college students (2006), and it even has a nationally observed holiday (April 20) during which observers get “lit,” or extremely high. Dubbed the “do-nothing” drug, weed is known for giving users a sluggish feeling, followed by an intense hunger.
With the majority of collegeage users, this sluggish feeling is a number one reason for skipping classes, work, and other priorities. Additionally, this THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) laced drug has earned the name “do-nothing” because punishment for using it has dwindled down from eviction from college dorms and expulsion from universities to a mere slap on the hand and a three- to five-page paper. Students enrolled at Mills Campanil in Oakland, California are very open with their use of the drug, and with punishments such as switching dorm rooms and making anti-drug posters, they exhibit no desire to stop using. With states such as California, Colorado, Arizona and Nevada using legal marijuana for medical purposes, it is apparent that the ganja is here to stay. Alas, even with campus security cracking down on room raids, antidrug flyers and awareness meetings, the simple fact is the numbers are evening out and, eventually, the majority will be users, not nonusers.
04.12.10
NEWS
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Tornado season begins its harvest throughout U.S. Pregnancy...continued from front
by Bethany Cartwright | Echo Correspondent With tornado season swiftly approaching, these storms are certainly not a good omen for what the intensity of spring and summer storms could be like. To prepare for the upcoming time of year, Virginia held a statewide tornado preparedness day. “VDEM officials asked residents, businesses, and schools to evaluate
their plans for a tornado, including finding shelter and having emergency supplies on hand in case of severe weather,” said wtkr. com. Students have their own concerns about the increasingly sporadic weather. Braxton Beaty, a junior mass communications major and a native to Hampton Roads, is concerned about how ready the area really is. “[Are] the structural foundations of the buildings [on campus] up to code? Are we where we need to be in this area?” asked Beaty. There is also speculation about why the weather is taking a turn for the worse so early in the year. “There are people that feel that a work of God is at hand,” said Beaty. “I feel that He knows what He’s doing.” Others have a less spiritual theory. “I think keeping the environment very clean [is] what really matters,” said Etenesh Feyissa, a sophomore chemistry major. Whatever the theory, it is important that you know what to do in case of natural disaster emergency.
Here are some tips to prepare yourself for tornadoes (and many of these tips can be used in other natural disasters): •In a home or building, move to a pre-designated shelter, such as a basement. •If an underground shelter is not available, move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture. •Stay away from windows. •Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car; instead leave your vehicle immediately. •If caught outside or in a vehicle, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression. •Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes and should be abandoned.
NSU police department enforces “Click It or Ticket!” campaign by Shanay Stover | Echo Correspondent It’s easy to feel invincible or think that wearing a seatbelt is not a big deal, especially when you’re a careful driver. But vehicular accidents are the leading cause of unintended deaths for people aged 15 to 34 in the United States. This year, Norfolk State University’s Police Department was awarded a Division of Motor Vehicles grant for Traffic Enforcement, making NSU the only HBCU in Virginia to receive the grant. March 29 through April 2 marked their “Click it or ticket” campaign on campus. “Click it or ticket is a program designed to raise seatbelt usage and save people from death and serious injury on the streets and highways. Our security officers will be at each gate, and will conduct a checkpoint at which they will be checking to see if each person entering and exiting campus has their seatbelts on,” said Chief Walker. “We believe that it is more effective if we’re preventive and not just proactive,” said Chief Walker, when asked about the purpose of the campaign, and what they wished to accomplish. Not only did the officers enforce seatbelt safety, but vehicular traffic stop signs and speeding limits around the campus as well. A previous incident occurred
on this campus and in the Hampton Roads area are definitely increasing, which can put the personal and professional growth of our youth at risk. Sarah Brown, CEO of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, said “Clearly, the nation’s collective efforts to convince teens to postpone childbearing must be more creative and more intense, and they must begin today.” The youth need to be educated on the ins and outs of teen pregnancy. This could, perhaps, delay pregnancy until matriculation through college is completed.
Budget cuts...continued from front “I know that it has really put a lot of people on edge because they do not know if they are on the chopping block,” said Braxton. “Many do not know if they will be moved to another location or if their pay will be cut because there are a lot of unanswered questions,” Braxton added. Budget cuts are affecting every aspect of our lives and many are hoping the economy will grow soon and hold-off even deeper cuts and potential lay-offs. Disaster...continued from front around magnitude 8.0.” The San Andreas Fault runs north to south in California and through Baja, Mexico.
Photo - Shanay Stover | Echo Correspondent when a student was exiting campus and was asked by one of the security officers to put on her seatbelt. Not long after, she was in a horrible accident on I-264. “The seatbelt saved her life,” said Chief Walker. As an incentive for receiving the grant, the NSUPD will also receive two radar guns, which will facilitate speed limit enforcement. While some students around the campus felt it was a good idea, others had conflicting views on the campaign. “I think it is a great initiative that is being implemented on campus to make students realize that wearing a seatbelt is very important, and if they don’t wear their seatbelt, they’ll have to face the consequences,” stated Brandi Coverson, a graduate mass communications student. However, sophomore Kelly Johnson had
different views. “Although the idea of click it or ticket is a positive one, who is to say the rule will continue to be enforced once having left the campus.” According to the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Highway Safety Office, there were 821 traffic fatalities in 2008. Of those, 612 fatalities occurred in vehicles that were equipped with safety restraints. 342, or 54 percent of the 612 fatalities, were not wearing restraints. Virginia law states that law enforcement can cite anyone driving a vehicle in which an occupant through age 15 is not wearing a seat belt or is not properly restrained in a child safety seat. The law provides that drivers stopped for other violations can be ticketed if they are not buckled up. This also applies to all front-seat passengers 16 years and older.
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STUDENT LIFE
outlook on life |
04.12.10
-NSU’s new webmail system -Domestic violence forum
NSU outsources student email accounts
student talk back “How do you feel about new email service?”
BY TANAY HUDSON| ECHO CORRESPONDENT Recently, NSU discontinued its use of Microsoft Outlook Web Access and switched to Microsoft Outlook Live in an effort to provide students with “email for life.” Microsoft Outlook Live will offer students an instant messenger feature, allows them to share and edit Microsoft Office documents and has more storage for emails, with 10 gigabytes and 25 gigabytes for online storage of miscellaneous things. After the switch, students’ email addresses are made with a longer username, changing from yourname@ nsu.edu to yourname@spartans.nsu. edu. The previous email accounts will only be active for 90 days after March 22, 2010. Some NSU students feel as if the change will benefit the university. Computer science major D’Angelo Rucker said “The added features and better performance are what we needed to compete with the top universities. It will make students and faculty more productive.” Junior nursing major Charda’ Fenner also had positive reviews about the transition.
“I logged into it once and I already don’t like it. I’m not confident in the transition, I may check my messages less now.” Willie Ward Junior, Business Management major
“It’s a lot easer and more organized.” Ellica Morris Freshman, Exercise Science major Photo - Andre Tillman | Graphic/Layout Editor
Why buy expensive texts and not use them? BY KRYSTA RICKS| ECHO COLUMNIST Looking back over past semesters, I, as well as thousands of other college students, can vouch for one fact: we spend a lot of money. Most of our firstyear expenses are generally necessary. It is expected that we purchase laptops, housing and meal plans. However, some textbooks, the second most costly purchase we make aside from the class itself, have become more and more expensive and less and less necessary. Freshman Christian Ezeagwu, biology/ pre-professional major, agrees with that fact. “I use my Bio book, which was expensive, but I have a few English books that were [expensive] too, and we barely ever read from them,” Ezeagwu said. A number of other students across campus feel the same way. I even have two math textbooks and a novel that have not been cracked open once because the professors teach through online assignments and worksheets. Some students can spend up to $800 a semester on books alone. The fact that many publishing companies release newer editions of certain textbooks yearly or every few years does
“I don’t understand how it works. The other e-mail system is better to me; the new one doesn’t have a break down on how to use it. I just don’t like it.” Brandon Brooms Sophomore, Music Media major
“I like the idea because it’s cool to upgrade our emailing system and even better be able to keep it forever,” Fenner said. Improving the emailing system is the just the beginning of many advances at NSU. For more information on the news transition into Microsoft Outlook Live and how to activate your account, visit http://www.nsu.edu/webmail.
not help the situation, either. Soon, we will end up opting to take fewer classes per semester in order to afford the required reading for each course, just to leave the unopened books in drawers and on shelves all year. Undoubtedly, any student on campus will admit that the sell-back prices are ridiculous. In early January, I made my way to the new student center with hopes of selling back a chemistry textbook that cost $212. I was shocked when the cashier opened his drawer to give me $25. I could not understand why I was only entitled to less than twelve percent of the price I paid for the book, especially when it was probably in better condition than when I first bought it. After explaining to me that he had heard the same line all day, and that there was nothing he could do about it, I told him I did not want the money and asked for my text book. I have chosen to sell all my books through self advertising, a resolution I would recommend to each and every student when he or she is finished with a course. The emphasis here is not about the cost of textbooks, or about the amount of books we have to purchase. I am sure that students that are serious about their education would not mind the costly books if they were used more often. However, this is not the case. Bottom line, students have too many other expenses to take care of to spend hundreds of dollars on dust collectors.
“I logged into it once and I already do’t like it. I’m not confident in the transition, I may check my messages less now.” Rashelle Parks Junior, Business Management major “I think it’s fine, but I’ve used it before. It takes some time to get down, so it may take a while for all the students to get the hang of it.” Derrick Doctor Senior, Marketing major “I like it a little more because of the text message feature. It looks better and it makes it easier to go through and delete messages.” Janee Jones Freshman, Chemistry major
04.12.10
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STUDENT LIFE graduation 2010 approaches
Graduation requirements: the real “final” test for NSU’s seniors BY RIVA MEDINA | ECHO CORRESPONDENT Graduation is just around the corner, but are the seniors prepared for their big day? Aside from making sure that they pass the current semester, they should also complete several requirements. First of all, they should have already submitted their graduation application to their respective academic departments. They should have no incomplete or missing grades during the past semesters. At this moment, seniors should have already turned in their immunization records at the Spartan Health Center. They should have also passed the Examination of Writing Competency. By April 5th, the $30 application fee and $130 commencement fee should be paid at the Cashier’s Office in Wilson Hall. Tuition and all other fees should also be settled at the Student Accounts in Wilson Hall, including parking fines at the University Police Department and library fines at Lyman B. Brooks Library. The Graduating Student Exit Survey should be completed soon. It is available online at http://learn.nsu.edu/gses/. According to Registrar Ms. Regina Bynum, “The GSES helps determine the extent to which NSU’s programs and services are effective in meeting the needs of students. The confirmation page is required when picking up the announcements.”
studies major, said although he has not yet read the booklet, he is ready for life after graduation. “I have not yet checked the booklet, and I haven’t paid the dues. But I will be taking the EWC....It’s just a matter of actually doing it,” Henderson said. “I am mentally prepared for graduation. I’m in the Army ROTC, and I will be joining the military after I graduate. I’ll do what it takes so I can keep my job, and I’m also thinking of Photo - Candace Shoates | Multimedia Editor
Aside from taking the survey, graduating seniors who are Ford Direct Student Loan, Federal Perkins Loan and Virginia State Student Loan borrowers are required to attend the exit counseling sessions scheduled on April 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th. When asked if he has already accomplished all the graduation requirements, mass communications major Jamal Mabine said “I am too busy to check it. I do not have enough time because I work full-time. But I know I can complete everything.” Christina Hammonds, political science major, also said the same thing. “I have no time to check because I work full-time, and I go to school fulltime. But I will get it done,” Hammonds said. Rashad Henderson, interdisciplinary
starting a restaurant.” Chemistry major Jacquelyn Singletary said she’s not yet completely mentally ready, but she’s trying to find jobs and pondering on attending grad school.
“I am somewhat mentally prepared. I don’t have a job, but with graduation getting closer, I’m looking even harder for jobs. Graduate school is still a prospect, but I’m not sure where I really want to go, though NSU’s master’s program seems to be a good idea,” Singletary said. “I’m ready to go out to work. I’m looking for a job right now, and it’s also an option to go to graduate school,” journalism major Marvin Hall said. “But I’m still working on my graduation requirements.” However, Ms. Bynum’s advice to seniors is “The earlier you submit the requirements, the better so that everything can get processed quickly.” Seniors may join the line of march during the Commencement Exercises on May 8th, but the registrar may put a hold on their transcript and diploma if they were not able to complete all these requirements. For more detailed information about graduation requirements, visit http://www.nsu.edu/ commencement/booklet/ Photo GraduationBooklet.pdf. Candace Congratulations, Seniors! Behold the Green and Gold!
Assistant U.S. attorney general visits NSU to promote domestic violence awareness BY KESHARA COX| ECHO CORRESPONDENT On March 23, Assistant U.S. Attorney General Tony West visited Norfolk State University to speak at a women’s empowerment symposium, entitled “Student Forum on Reducing Campus Violence against Women.” The event, which was held in room 138 of the new student center, was sponsored by NSU’s Program to Reduce Violence against Women. The Program to Reduce Violence against Women is designed to increase education and awareness of domestic violence, create a campus/community sexual response team and even implement community partnership agreements. The forum included a panel comprised of both graduate and undergraduate students, males and females of different majors. Moderators asked the panel and the audience questions that addressed the domestic violence issue. In their responses, panel and audience members suggested solutions to stop and prevent acts of intimate partner violence and reasons
why instances go unreported. West opened the forum with a speech that emphasized the importance of domestic violence awareness for both sexes. “This is not just about women,” West said. “This is a difficult problem that affects all of us.” West also praised NSU’s program as a model program for other institutions to follow. The University was the only HBCU
on the tour and the only school in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Also, in 2008, NSU received a threeyear, $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Violence. This has since helped to fund the program in order to further education on the sensitive issue. West furthermore advised NSU that the Justice Department is right behind the university in providing support for NSU’s efforts to eradicate the epidemic. “As you take those steps, the Department of Justice is taking those steps with you,” West said. When asked how NSU is increasing awareness on campus, freshman business management Quamane Gonzales was quite vocal about his thoughts on the matter. “We need to implement [programs] now. I feel that young women need to utilize their resources more,” said Gonzalez. “We need to group together more and now is the time. The government is backing us.”
Sabrina Jones, a senior history major, disagreed with Gonzalez. “I feel like NSU is taking a valiant stance in increasing awareness.” The forum concluded with the presentation of a certificate of appreciation to assistant Attorney General West. For further information on how to prevent and end domestic violence, you can contact NSU’s Police Department at 757-823-8102.
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SPORTS
04.12.10
inside the league Spartan softball must hit their mid-season stride by Thomas Wilson | Sports Editor
Upcoming Home Games
Photos- Thomas Wilson | Sports Editor
After their season opening victory against North Carolina Central University, wins have been difficult for the Spartan softball team. The good news is that conference play is just getting underway, giving the Spartans an opportunity to make the months of April and May theirs. MEAC play culminates in the MEAC tournament, May 13-15, 2010 in Ormond Beach, FL. This year’s squad is a reasonably young one, with only four seniors on the roster. There have been some growing pains, but that’s nothing any team doesn’t deal with on a yearly basis. Pitcher Alyssa Velazquez has been the bright spot for the Spartans thus far, bolstering a 3.08 ERA at the midway point of the season. Once everyone begins to gel as a unit, things should become a bit easier; this was evident in their Mar. 18 victory against the Hampton Pirates.
After struggling in the first few innings, the Spartans were sparked by a quick two innings where they pitched and fielded well. The confidence they gained helped them to get a few late-game hits that set up a sixth inning RBI single from shortstop Jamie Raab to lock up the victory.
4/10/2010 Florida A&M 4/20/2010 Liberty 5/8/2010 Winston-Salem State
If the Spartans can remember the grit and toughness they showed in their close victories over Hampton University and the University of Virginia, the remainder of their schedule should be an exciting one.
Savannah State University joins the MEAC family by Thomas Wilson | Sports Editor As Winston Salem State University is leaving, another university has just been granted provisional membership as a member of the MidEastern Athletic Conference. Beginning July, 1, 2010, the Savannah State University Tigers, located in Savannah, GA, will be scheduling their first games against fellow MEAC opponents. However, the move didn’t come without a lengthy wait and a few obstacles. According to the MEAC website, SSU originally applied for membership in 2006, but was “deferred until the completion of an NCAA probation that ended in May 2009.” After their probation was completed, SSU officials resubmitted their MEAC application and were accepted
under provisional terms. School officials must ensure that SSU meets three stipulations prior to September 1, 2011 including conference standards for student-athlete scholarships, athletics department funding and departmental staffing. Once the announcement was made, MEAC Commissioner Dennis E. Thomas was open about his feelings: “We are pleased to extend membership and welcome Savannah
State University to the MEAC family. The addition of SSU keeps us in compliance with our long range and strategic plan of adding up to 14 members. Adding SSU to the membership completes the geographical footprint that bridges our South Carolina and Florida institutions.” Being the only MEAC member in the state of Georgia, SSU has the opportunity to spread the MEAC name and values to another state while still holding onto their in-state flair. They will continue their Georgia based rivalries with Georgia State as well as Georgia Southern, and ease into conference scheduling with four MEAC contests including match-ups with Bethune Cookman, Florida A&M, North Carolina Central and our own Norfolk State.
Don’t miss out on the Spartans as they face the Bengalls on November 20, 2010! Season tickets for the 2010 Norfolk State football season are now on sale at the NSU Ticket Office.
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SPORTS
04.12.10
2010 Spartan Echo NFL Mock Draft Our sports staff sat down and examined the top NFL prospects as well as each NFL team’s specific needs to hold our first mock draft. How does yours stack up? You
can catch the real 2010 NFL draft April 22 on ESPN.
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Ndamukong Suh Defensive End, Neraska - Suh is a terror for any offensive coordinator. He should fit in nicely alongside Chris Long to finally force some pressure on a struggling defense.
2
Gerald McCoy Defensive Tackle, Oklahoma - McCoy is one of the few pieces of the Sooners team that lived up to the hype that was generated. An explosive and disruptive DT, Detroit could use an upgrade alongside Chris Long.
3
Eric Berry Safety, Tennessee - With a secondary that is either getting up in age (Ronde Barber) or wet behind the ears (Talib), adding a strong talent like Berry will shore up the Bucs secondary for the future.
4
Russell Okung
Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma State - With the retirement of mainstay Redskin Chris Samuels, Washington may pass on the “pretty” pick to replace Samuels with the best lineman in the draft.
5
Bryan Bulaga Offensive Tackle, Iowa - Bulaga is the most logical choice for Kansas City, a team with plenty of promise but no attitude. Getting tougher on the offensive line may help to revive their once vaunted rushing attack.
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Sam Bradford Quarterback, Oklahoma - Matt Hasslebeck is inching ever closer to the end of his career. Bradford has the accuracy and youth to contribute until Hasslebeck rides off into the sunset.
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Jimmy Clausen Quarterback, Notre Dame - Considered the more polished and pro-ready Quarterback of this year’s draft class, Jimmy Clausen is just what Cleveland needs. But will they take a chance on another Notre Dame product?
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Bruce Campbell Offensive Tackle, Maryland - Oakland needs offense, and the best way to help this out is to make holes for running backs and protect the quarterback. Their pick? Offensive line.
9 10
Trent Williams Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma - Let’s be honest here: Buffalo was terrible last season. With a new regime in place, their best bet is to solidify a porous offensive front with a pick that will have some longevity and not another “flashy” skill position draft pick. Jason Pierre-Paul Defensive End, USF - The Jaguars have struggled on both sides of the ball the past few seasons. By taking arguably the best pass rusher in the draft, they can begin to rebuild their once formidable defense. Joe Haden CB, Florida Rolando McClain ILB, Alabama
Brandon Graham DE, Michigan Kyle Wilson CB, Boise State
Earl Thomas S, Texas Devin McCourty
Anthony Davis OT, Rutgers
Jermaine Gresham TE, Oklahoma
Golden Tate WR, Notre Dame
Dez Bryant WR, Oklahoma
Ryan Mathews RB, Fresno State
Maurkice Pouncey C/OG, Florida
Sergio Kendall ILB, Texas
Mike Iupati OG, Idaho
Carlos Dunlap DE, Florida
Taylor Mays S, USC
Derrick Morgan DE, Georgia C. J. Spiller RB, Clemson
Jared Odrick DE, Penn State Brandon Spikes
Mike Johnson Everson Griffin DE, USC ** The Bears and Panthers did not have first round picks this season due to 2009 trades for Jay Cutler and Everette Brown.
2010 Sleeper
2010 Bust
QB, Cincinatti
DT, UCLA
Tony Pike
Brian Price
Maurkice Pouncey - The bigger of the Florida Gators’ Tim Tebow - While being hailed as the next great quarterback Suprising Suprising Pouncey twins, most experts see going second round. But with the problems the by most of the football world, Tebow didn’t make it onto a roster in our first round. Vikings had last season with QB pressure, they could very well make this first round While we do believe he’ll go quickly in the second, the love affair with Superman pick instead of hoping Pouncey falls to them that late in the second. stops here, for now.
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ENTERTAINMENT
04.12.10
all the way turnt up Roscoe Dash turns up at NSU BY NICOLE MCGLOSTER | ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Radio... from a female point of view
BY LINWOOD JOHNSON | ECHO CORRESPONDENT
Graphic Illustration-Andre Tillman | Graphics Editor
Recently turned 20-yearold rapper Roscoe Dash has busted on the music scene with hit “All The Way Turnt Up.” Born and raised in Atlanta, Dash has a unique, southern sound and is anxious for the public to know who exactly who he is. “Somebody that’s different that has, like, a wide body of music and not just an Atlanta rapper. Not just an Atlanta artist. He has made appearances on The Monique Show, BET’s Rip The Runway, and has been making stops at various colleges and venues to promote his debut album, “Ready Set Go!” Although this young artist is new to the masses, Roscoe Dash is not new to the hustle of introducing himself.
He has released mixtapes, such as “So Turnt Up: The Mixtape,” “Mr. Turnt Up” and “Can’t Catch The Lambo” as avenues to share his fun, bass heavy club bangers and catchy sung hooks. Not only does he like bragging on songs like “Show Out,” he has reason to. Dash’s first single peaked at 3 on Billboard’s Top Rap Songs, at 18 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and at 46 on Billboard’s Hot 100. “I knew the song would be big, but not this big this fast,” said Dash. With a music video for his leading single “All The Turnt Up” climbing music station’s countdowns and heavyweight artists like Lil Wayne and Ludacris jumping on the beat, Roscoe Dash is definitely making an impression on the industry. I wouldn’t even consider myself a rapper because I do a lot of different stuff. A lot of different genres--rock, pop, R&B--any and everything. You’ll hear a lot of that on the album.”
#everfeellike #everfeellike teachers are never at their office hours? #everfeellike we should eat healthy food in the Union, like Subway? #everfeellike NSU is just a high school with more students? #everfeellike the campaigns for SGA get rather childish? #everfeellike Chik-Fil-A is losing the battle against Tropical Smoothie? #everfeellike NSU shouldn’t be a dry campus? #everfeellike financial aid is never organized or prepared for general questions from confused, frustrated students?
#everfeellike it’s hotter in the dorm than it is outside? #everfeellike the suites is NOT what it’s cracked up to be? #everfeellike screaming everytime tuition goes up?! #everfeellike it took forever to get graduation info, like it was a secret or something?
Dorian Johnson, known as D. Marie on Hot 91 gives audience the voice and her opinion every weekday from 12-2 from a female’s point of view. A junior Mass Communications major here at NSU, D. Marie has always had an interest in radio. Her mother who has been in radio for the past 15 years was her first role model in the radio industry dominated by her male counterparts. D. Marie landed her first radio job on Hot 91’s in November 2008 on “Talk of the Town” morning show where she used to read the headlines of the morning. Soon after that she became the youngest member as a regular radio personality on the morning show. That experience only opened more doors for her in radio. “I was really excited when I first read the news,” said Johnson, “It’s been really fun being able to be a personality.” Today you can find her on Hot 91 every week day from 12-2 p.m. giving the Hampton Roads area radio and upbeat, fun show to listen to. The show is mainly geared towards women and everyday she does a segment called the “Femme Focus” where she offers tips on health, beauty and fashion for the
everyday woman. She has a strong interest in helping women stay aware of their health especially when it comes to cancer. Being a female in radio as in many industries is an uphill battle for women. But D. Marie uses that to her advantage and does not let slow her down. She admires other females who work in radio and tries to keep on touch with other female radio personalities in the area. She admires K. Foxx from NYC’s Hot 97 and if she could ever interview one person it would be Wendy Williams who got her start in radio. She also has an admiration for local artists. “Local artists are passionate and driven. That is why I support them. I manage a local artist named A Driver,” said Johnson. In 5 years D. Marie sees herself still with her own show but in a major U.S. market. Advice she would give to any freshman or person with an interest in radio would be to have a passion for the business and work hard. She believes that her success with fans of her show is “Love is shown, so love is given” and she is able to spread love every weekday on Hot 91.