August 29 issue by The A&T Register

The A&T

volume lXXXVI No. 1

august 29, 2012

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serving the aggie community for over 80 years

Wednesday

The student newspaper of north carolina A&t

Org Fair amps students for GHOE Kamil lockley & alaetra chisolm Contributors

Each year, the Organizational Fair takes over the campus of N.C. A&T. Students come in large crowds for two reasons: to get involved with campus activities and network, as well as to hear the highly anticipated homecoming lineup for the Comedy Show, Concert, Gospel Show, and other big events. Organizations represented at the Org Fair ranged from academic and honors groups, to social, health awareness, and hometown clubs, which all were given this time to expose students to what they had to offer. This year, at the 2012 A&T homecoming gospel concert, Tye Tribett, Donald Lawrence and the A&T Gospel Choir will be performing. The comedy show will consist of Tone X as the host, Redd Grant, Bruce Bruce, and DeRay Davis. Performing at the Greensboro Coliseum for the homecoming concert will be Elle Varner, Trey Songz, Big Sean, Young Jeezy, and 2 Chainz. Tickets went on sale that night at 9pm as many students waited in line in front of Brown Ticket Office for their tickets. Jehuti Willis and Emmanuel Johnson, members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, discussed their approach and appeal to students. “We don’t want our peers to feel like they can’t approach us. We’re focused on being more personable, increasing our intellectual abilities, and helping the community,” said Johnson. Willis followed, saying, “We have a lot planned for September and the entire year.

Most of our activities are focused on involving the community and branching out.” Various organizations and groups represented at the Org Fair included, but were not limited to, Aggies Against AIDS, West Coast Aggies, the collegiate chapter of the NAACP at N.C. A&T, Ladies of Excellence, and even the campus radio station, WNAA 90.1. “The Organization Fair has always been a good opportunity for students of all cultures, backgrounds, and abilities to find an organization on campus that fits their needs. It’s also a great way to meet people with similar interests”, said Ian Wilson, visual coordinator and member of the Marketing and Promotional Team for I Am Music and Media. Tayler Coltrane, a freshman social work major, enjoyed her experience at the Org. Fair. “I was interested in Student Union Activities Board and the Student Government Association. I hope to eventually become a part of these organizations.” SGA hosted several events on stage such as the Greek unity step show, an Aggie paraphernalia fashion show that featured both Couture and Verge modeling troupes, dance competitions, tickets and t-shirt giveaways, and an I Am Music and Media rap cypher. The Org. Fair ended with an amazing performance by the Blue and Gold Marching Band. -theatregister@gmail.com and follow us on Twitter @ATRegister

Photo by cHRISTOPHER martin • THE A&T REGISTER

student sits in Aggie Village lobby while listening to his ipod awaiting assistance from housing and residence life on move-in day.

Students left without housing

KENYOTTA BOONE & ASHA BROWN Contributors

Twenty-seven students were placed in Parkland Hotel on High Point Road due to application issues with housing. Most of the 27, all continuing male students, were “walkins” who waited too late to complete the housing application, which as a result, required them to stay in temporary housing at the hotel, said Linda Inman, executive director of the Department of Housing and Residence Life. “If they do what they are supposed to do with the application process, we’re obligated to provide those students with a bed,” Inman said. “I will do my best to work with the walkin crowd.” During the spring semester, students are required to pay a $150 deposit, and complete a

housing application online and sign a housing contract if they plan to live on campus. New students, mainly freshmen, are guaranteed housing before anybody else to ensure their safety and enjoyment of the college experience. Last year, there were about 150 extra beds available, so housing officials offered to create more single rooms for continuing students on campus, decreasing the amount of rooms that would usually available. Dejon Caldwell, a sophomore management information systems major from Greensboro, was a brief resident at Parkland Hotel. Caldwell could not be placed in a dorm because he was not able to pay his $150 application fee on time. “I would come up to the school every week during the summer and try to pay the fee. I was told that housing was full,”

said Caldwell. Although Caldwell is a Greensboro native, his situation was different from other students’. He explained that his family lives off Lawndale Drive near Battleground Avenue, and because he didn’t have transportation to classes, he needed campus housing immediately. “My mother couldn’t take me to school every day. The H.E.A.T. bus didn’t travel all the way out to where we lived so I couldn’t stay at home,” said Caldwell. “My situation was pretty urgent.” The Department of Housing and Residence Life was able to place him in the hotel where breakfast and transportation were provided for the students. A van comes to the hotel every hour to take students to and campus starting at 7 a.m. until 11 p.m., according to Caldwell. Security guards were provided

for students as well, just as in campus residences. After about a week and a half, Caldwell received housing in the Village dorms. The Department of Housing and Residence Life urges A&T students to pay attention to the emails that are sent in regards to housing availability to make sure they have secured a spot for the following school year in addition to application tutorials and updates with dorms. As of Tuesday, nine students are still temporarily staying in Parkland Hotel. Housing officials hope to have the remaining students out of the hotel by the end of this week. Karmen Robinson contributed to this report. -theatregister@gmail.com and Follow us on Twitter @ATRegister

FAMU director charged with fraud Denise-Marie Ordway MCT Campus

Photo by jasmine palmer • The a&t register

student watches friends enjoy the blow up station at the organizational fair on august 24

ORLANDO, Fla. — The director of special events at Florida A&M University has been arrested and charged with eight counts of fraud related to travel expenses, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Tammy Hamlet’s arrest comes months after the FDLE began investigating the hazing death of FAMU drum major Robert Champion in Orlando in November. As officials began reviewing the circumstances of Champion’s death after the Florida Classic football game, they discovered information

prompting them to look into financial irregularities connected to the music department and other areas of the university. Hamlet, 45, of Tallahassee, Fla., turned herself in to the Leon County Sheriff’s Office on Monday night. She’s accused of submitting eight fraudulent travel vouchers, collecting $1,821 more than she should have received to cover her travel expenses. FDLE officials could not say whether additional arrests will be forthcoming as the agency’s financial probe nears its completion. But Hamlet is the latest in a string of FAMU administrators and employees who have been forced out or have faced public

scrutiny as numerous problems at FAMU surfaced after Champion’s death. Last month, President James Ammons announced his plans to retire in October. But the school’s board of trustees asked him to leave immediately. It was not clear Tuesday how Hamlet’s arrest on the eight misdemeanor fraud charges might affect her job. She has been director of special events at FAMU since 2008, a position that pays $83,190 a year, according to the university. She started working at FAMU in 1992 as an administrative assistant. FAMU interim president

Larry Robinson, released a brief statement Tuesday. Hamlet could not be reached for comment. “The university continues to refine its processes and procedures in an effort to prevent financial irregularities,” Robinson said. “As a result of Mrs. Hamlet’s arrest, the university will take appropriate actions related to this matter.” According to FDLE, its investigators analyzed a variety of travel-related charges that FAMU employees made on university credit cards between July 2010 and June 2011. They discovered “numerous discrepancies” in the reimburse-

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CONVENTIONS RELEVANCY?

NEW YEAR NEW SEASON

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Keep up with breaking news on our web site. Slideshows, videos and more are available online.

Both Democratic and Republican parties are airing millions of dollars of ads whether their factual or not.

With the Republican and Democratic conventions taking place, do they really matter to voters?

Football team prepares for another season with doubts from fans as their motivation.

The Register staff and contributors assist freshmen with Do’s and Dont’s when it comes to clothes.

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u See FAMU on Page 3

wednesday

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The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Campaign ads surface during convention

theBLOTTER August 21

August 24

12:30 p.m. Haley Hall Larceny -Closed/Leads Exhausted

4:26 a.m. Sullivan Street Call for Service- Closed/ Info

1 p.m. Corbett Gym Personal Injury Closed/Unfounded

6:00 p.m. GCB PVA Service of Warrants - Closed/ Arrest

3: 15p.m. Off Campus Larceny -Closed/Info

7:28 p.m. Moore Gym LarcenyFurther Investigation

August 22 1:45 a.m. Aggie Village 1 Found Property- Closed/Info 6: 41 p.m. McNeil Hall Call for Service- Closed/Info 11:30 p.m. Aggie Terrace Drug Violation- Closed/ Arrest

9:52 a.m. Aggie Village 6 LarcenyFurther Investigation 12:51 p.m. E. Lindsay Street Vehicle Accident- Closed/ Cleared 1:15 a.m. Dowdy PVA Vehicle AccidentClosed/ Cleared

August 25

1:43 p.m. Obermeyer PVA Larceny/ Further Investigation 2:35 a.m. Benbow Road Service of WarrantsClosed/ Arrest 4:07 p.m. Moore Gym Larceny- Further Investigation

9:45 p.m. GCB PVA Vehicle Accident Closed/Cleared

8:38 p.m. Cooper Hall Drug Violation- Closed/ Arrest

1:34 a.m. Lindsay Street Expired Registration Citation

brian baskt

2:35 a.m. Benbow Road Driver’s License RevokedCitation

Associated Press

5:00 p.m. Ward Hall Found Property- Closed/ Info August 26 1:30 a.m. Aggie Village PVA Drug/ Alcohol/ Weapon Violation- Closed/ Arrest 10 a.m. Off Campus Missing person- Closed/ Location 8:30 p.m. Moore Gym Larceny- Further Investigation 10:59 p.m. Moorison Hall Fire Alarm- Closed/ Info August 27 12:15 a.m. Park Lane Sick Call- Closed/ Info 12:15 p.m. Aggie Village 3 Service of Warrants- Closed/ Arrest 1:55 a.m. Blufird Street Wanted Person OFA-Closed/ Arrest

10:20 p.m. Aggie Suites E Drug Violation- Closed/ Arrest

8:30 a.m. Lindsay Street No operator’s LicenseCitation

12:41 a.m. E. Market Street DWI- Closed/ Arrest

August 23

The A&T

6:00 a.m. Benbow Road Driver’s License RevokedCitation

10:45 a.m. Moorison Hall Alcohol Violation- ClosedStudent Referral

editor in chief: Erik Veal Managing editor: Karmen Robinson opinions editor: Kalyn Hoyle sports editor: Symone Kidd scene editor: Necole Jackson NCATregister.com editor: Kayla McLaughlin copy DESK CHIEF: Justine Riddick, Kosh SENIOR REPORTERS: Kelcie McCrae, Jenell McMillon photo editor: Chris Martin staff photographers: Alicia Funderburk, Jasmine Palmer

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — President Barack Obama is “taxing wheelchairs and pacemakers.” Mitt Romney would bring “an end to the Medicare promise.” The Democratic incumbent has “hurt” the middle class and hasn’t done “what we need him to do.” If the Republican challenger wins, “the middle class loses.” Got all that? Outside the halls for the two national party conventions, the candidates and their deep-pocketed allied groups are airing millions of dollars of television commercials — regardless of whether they are factual or not — to reinforce the messages sure to be delivered within. In Florida alone, where the GOP will nominate Romney, more than $105 million has been spent on ads. North Carolina, where Obama will accept his party’s nod next week, has seen at least $56 million worth of commercials during this campaign. Overall, political parties and outside groups have spent a stunning $540 million on TV ads, with most of the money being expended in battleground states. Millions of dollars more are being spent this week in

both Florida and North Carolina — polls show them to be competitive — as the two candidates look to tap into heightened political interest around the conventions that will send Romney and Obama into a two-month push to the election. Republicans begin a bevy of speeches Tuesday, culminating with Romney’s address on Thursday. Even if Florida voters wanted to tune out the event in Tampa, they’ll get healthy dose of the presidential campaign — during morning television, sandwiched between evening news segments and all across the TV dial at night. The same goes for the Democratic show headed for Charlotte, N.C., next week. It wraps up with Obama making his nationally televised case for a second term. Republicans desperately want to reclaim Florida and its 29 electoral votes after Obama notched a decisive win four years ago. North Carolina, with 15 electoral votes on the line, is hotly contested after Obama’s 2008 victory broke a long string of Republican wins. Florida has 10 distinct TV markets, making it a costly place for campaigns to navigate. “I think that now we’ve given given Obama a fair chance and I don’t think he’s able to do what we need him to do,” says a woman identified as Connie.

GRAPHICs EDITOR: Taylor Wilson reporters: advertising& business manager: business OFFICE Manager: Carlton Brown business SALES Manager: April Burrage business Assistant: Ashley Jacobs CONTENT EDITOR: Anjan Basu faculty adviser: Emily Harris

events

Wednesday

Fall SGA General Elections Exhibit Hall 8 a.m. Cisco Ice Cream Social Memorial Student Union Room 0005 4 p.m.

thursday

Army ROTC Activation Ceremony Stallings Ballroom 3 p.m.

The A&T Register is published every Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters by students at North Carolina A&T State University. One copy is available free of charge to all readers. Additional copies may be picked up at the Register’s newsroom (subject to availability). All subscription requests should be directed to the Business department. The A&T Register has a weekly circulation of 5,000 copies on-campus and in the community and is a member of The Associated Press, The Associated Collegiate Press and the Black College Wire.

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u See FAMU ments that Hamlet had requested for travel expenses. While FDLE had been tightlipped about their ongoing financial investigation, university trustees learned months ago that FAMU had been distributing per diem payments and covering other costs for dozens of people who were not authorized to be in the marching band. About 60 of the people who traveled with the famed band to the Florida Classic _ including three of those charged in Championâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death _ were not FAMU students. They also were not enrolled in the class that band members are required to take at FAMU. A total of 11 former band members have pleaded not

guilty to felony hazing in Championâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death. Besides FDLE, other groups have been looking into FAMUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s problems. The Board of Governors, which oversees the State University System, has been scrutinizing FAMUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s internal controls to see whether the administration did enough to prevent hazing in the months before Champion died. A draft report on that review is supposed to be finished in September. The Board of Governors also has been looking into issues related to FAMUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s low graduation rates and the more than a dozen faulty internal audits that were submitted to the state last year. FAMUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s accrediting body

_ the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges _ is looking into problems related to, among other things, campus safety and university finances. Over the past several months, the Tallahassee Police Department and the FAMU police department have launched several investigations related to hazing within the marching band. A total of seven students were charged in December and January with hazing in connection with incidents unrelated to Championâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s death. Two music professors were forced to quit after Tallahassee police released a report in March accusing the two men of being present at an off-campus hazing.

University inBRIEF Hall of Fame sponsors golf tournament University relations Contributor

North Carolina A&T State University Sports Hall of Famer presents its 6th Annual Golf Tournament, Friday, September 7 at 8 a.m. The golf tournament will be held at the Crooked Tree Golf Course, located at 7665 Caber Road., in Browns Summit, N.C. Onsite registration is at 7 a.m. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are extremely excited about, this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tournament, said Hall of Famers Richard Lide and Vern Stallings, coordi-

nators of the event. This activity gives the Hall of Famers and others an opportunity to showcase their golfing skills, fellowship and reminisce about the good old days at N.C. A&T. More than 100 golfers are expected to participate in the tournament. Women will play from the red tees and men from white or senior tees. There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place winners, longest drive (men and women) and closest to the pen (men and women) Par 3, and a whole in

one gift. Hall of famers sponsors are, Caffney, Crosshairs, Community Helps Network, Mercedes Benz of Greensboro, Patriot Services, Southeast Fuels, Canteen, McDonaldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Bill Black Chevrolet Cadillac, Inc. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the N.C. A&T Athletic Scholarship Program. For additional information contact: Richard Lide, (336)451-1840; Vern Stallings, (336)-697-9682; and Ralph Brown, (336)-681-7714.

Reading is fundamental. . . and so is writing. The A&T Register holds contributors meetings every Wednesday @ 5 p.m. in GCB A328.

The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Groups to push marriage equality during DNC mitch weiss

Associated Press

The constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in the host state of the Democratic National Convention has stirred anger and resentment among advocates for marriage equality, many of whom are converging on Charlotte this weekend for the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gay pride festival. Organizers say they hope the festival will draw attention to the issue and create momentum that lasts through the political convention that starts the following week. Some of the thousands of protesters expected at the convention will be demonstrating for gay marriage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re excited that the convention is in Charlotte,â&#x20AC;? said David Webb, one of the pride festivalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s organizers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But we also want to show that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re united and will continue to push for change.â&#x20AC;? When North Carolina voters passed the constitutional amendment in May, supporters of gay marriage first demanded that Democrats rethink Charlotte as the location of their convention. But advocates have since seized on the party gathering as a high-profile chance to make their message heard â&#x20AC;&#x201D; with support from the party itself. The national party is expected to approve marriage equality as part of its national platform during the convention being held from Sept. 4-6. For the first two days, the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s downtown will be the main venue. On the last day, President Barack Obama will make his

acceptance speech at the 74,000seat outdoor Bank of America Stadium where the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NFL team plays. Webb said public events like the festival and convention are important opportunities to rally same-sex couples who were discouraged by the North Carolina vote. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an opportunity for the community to say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Yes. The state may have passed an amendment limiting our liberties, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to keep fighting.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; This is an opportunity to show the community and ourselves that, you know what, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not down and out,â&#x20AC;? he said. When the Democratic Party picked Charlotte to host the convention, the proposal to change North Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s constitution was not on the ballot. Like so many states, samesex marriage already was illegal in North Carolina. Voters approved the amendment declaring that marriage between a man and woman is the only legal domestic union, prompting angry supporters of same-sex marriage to urge Democrats to move the convention. President Barack Obama stated his support for gay marriage a day after the North Carolina vote. Democrats have been trying to address the issue. The national Democratic Partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s platform committee recently endorsed gay marriage for the first time and called for the repeal of a federal law that recognizes marriage as between a man and a woman. The platform is a broad statement of the partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s priorities on the economy, social issues and

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national defense thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up for approval at the convention. Scott Dibble, a committee member and a state senator from Minnesota, said support for gay marriage can attract new voters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Young people are looking for a political home right now. This has become a defining moral question of our time,â&#x20AC;? said Dibble, who is gay. The platform says Democrats support â&#x20AC;&#x153;marriage equalityâ&#x20AC;? and the â&#x20AC;&#x153;movement to secure equal treatment under law for samesex couples.â&#x20AC;? J. Michael Bitzer, a political science and history professor at Catawba College, said Democrats can use the North Carolina vote as â&#x20AC;&#x153;rallying cry for their platform.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;But I think it kinds of sets up an awkwardness that the national Democrats will ratify or solidify their support for marriage equality in a state that recently banned gay marriage,â&#x20AC;? he said. The convention creates an opportunity for more dialogue about same-sex marriage, said the Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrar, executive director of the Campaign for Southern Equality. Her group has been organizing the â&#x20AC;&#x153;We Doâ&#x20AC;? campaign which advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This convention is a way to highlight some of these contentious issues because North Carolina helps illustrates whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good to remind people whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on here,â&#x20AC;? Beach-Ferrar said. She said itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an important issue. Same-sex couples donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the same rights as married couples. That complicates issues such as benefits and adoption.

theWORLD 4

The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Isaac hits gulf coast near Katrina anniversary MATT SEDENSKY

Associated Press

KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) — Tropical Storm Isaac barely stirred Florida Keys residents from their fabled nonchalance Sunday, while the Gulf Coast braced for the possibility that the sprawling storm will strengthen into a dangerous hurricane by the time it makes landfall there. It was on course to strike land on the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a powerful storm that crippled New Orleans and the Gulf Coast and became a symbol of government ineptitude. Forecasters expected Isaac to pass the Keys late Sunday before turning northwest and striking as a Category 2 hurricane somewhere between New Orleans and the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday. The National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning for a large swath of the northern Gulf Coast from east of Morgan City, La. — which includes the New Orleans area — to Destin, Fla. A Category 2 hurricane has sustained winds of between 96 and 110 mph (154 to 177 kph). Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal called a state of emergency and ofﬁcials in St. Charles Parish near New Orleans told its

53,000 residents to leave ahead of the storm. Jindal also said he may skip a speaking engagement later this week at the Republican National Convention in Tampa unless the threat to his state subsides. Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has canceled his trip to the convention because of Isaac, and Florida Gov. Rick Scott also gave up his speaking engagement. Elected leaders’ vigilance toward tropical storms has heightened in the seven years since Katrina struck. Criticism was leveled at ofﬁcials reaching all the way to the White House over what was seen as the federal government’s slow and bungled response to the storm that killed 1,800. An emergency declaration was also issued in Mississippi by Gov. Phil Bryant amid concerns of storm surge threatening low-lying areas. Oil companies began evacuating workers from offshore oil rigs and cutting production in advance of Isaac. The storm was on a course to pass west of Tampa, but it had already disrupted the Republicans’ schedule there because of the likelihood of heavy rain and strong winds that extended more than 200 miles from its center. Even before reaching hurri-

cane strength, Isaac caused considerable inconvenience, with more than 550 flights canceled at Miami International Airport and about 150 from Fort Lauderdale’s airport. There were scattered power outages from Key West to Fort Lauderdale affecting more than 16,000 customers, and flooding occurred in low-lying areas. Gov. Rick Scott said at a news conference Sunday evening that only minor damage was reported from Isaac. Wind gusts of 60 mph were reported as far north as Pompano Beach, north of Fort Lauderdale. But while officials urged residents in southeast Florida to stay home, that recommendation was ignored by surfers and joggers on Miami Beach and shoppers at area malls. In Key West, Emalyn Mercer rode her bike while decked out with a snorkel and mask, inflatable arm bands and a paddle, just for a laugh. She rode with Kelly Friend, who wore a wet suit, dive cap and lobster gloves. “We’re just going for a drink,” Mercer said. “With the ones that are brave enough like us,” Friend added. Along famed Duval Street, many stores, bars and restaurants closed, the cigar rollers

and palm readers packed up, and just a handful of drinking holes remained open. But people posed for pictures at the Southernmost Point, while at a marina Dave Harris and Robyn Roth took her dachshund for a walk and checked out boats rocking along the waterfront. That kind of ho-hum attitude extended farther up the coast. Edwin Reeder swung by a gas station in Miami Shores — not for fuel, but drinks and snacks. With a laugh, Reeder said he has not stocked up aside from buying dog and cat food. The Gulf Coast hasn’t been hit by a hurricane since 2008, when Dolly, Ike and Gustav all struck the region. Florida, meanwhile, has been hurricanefree since it was struck four times each in 2004 and 2005. Hurricane center forecasters are uncertain of the storm’s path because two of their best computer models now track the storm on opposite sides of a broad cone. One model has Isaac going well west and the other well east. For the moment, the predicted track goes up the middle. “Cigarettes — I’m stocking up on those too,” he said. Forecasters stressed that the

storm’s exact location remained extremely uncertain — a fact not lost on Tony Varnado as he cut sheets of plywood to board up his family’s beach home on Pensacola Beach. With the storm’s projected path creeping farther to the west, the Mandeville, La., resident joked he might be boarding up the wrong house. “I’m going to head back that way as soon as we are done here to make sure we are prepared if hits there,” he said. Before reaching Florida, Isaac was blamed for eight deaths in Haiti and two more in the Dominican Republic, and downed trees and power lines in Cuba. It bore down on the Keys two days after the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew, which caused more than $25 billion in damage just north of the island chain. In Tampa, convention officials said they would convene briefly on Monday, then recess until Tuesday afternoon, when the storm was expected to have passed. Scott canceled his plans to attend convention events on Sunday and Monday. At Miami International Airport, more than 550 flights Sunday were canceled. Inside the American Airlines terminal,

people craned for a look out of one of the doors as a particularly strong band of Isaac began lashing the airport with strong rain and high wind. Michele Remillard said she was trying to get a seat on a ﬂight to New Orleans, well aware the city could be affected by Isaac later this week. In coastal Plaquemines Parish, La., crews rushed to protect the levees that keep ﬂoodwaters from reaching that New Orleans suburb. “It’s a little scary,” said Remillard, who was in town for a wedding. “But I need to get home, you know? And if the storm comes my way again, who knows, I might have to come back here.” As of 11 p.m. EDT, the storm was centered about 510 miles (820 kilometers) southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Isaac had top sustained winds of 65 mph (100 kph) and was moving to the northwest at 15 mph (24 kph). Tropical storm-force winds extended outward up to 205 miles (335 km) from the center, meaning storm conditions are possible even in places not in Isaac’s direct path.

More evidence in new massacre in Syria HAMZA HENDAWI Associated Press

BEIRUT (AP) — Row upon row of bloodied bodies wrapped in colorful blankets laid out on a mosque floor in a Damascus suburb. Long narrow graves tightly packed with dozens of victims. Nestled among them, two babies were wrapped in a single blood-soaked blanket, a yellow pacifier dangling beside them from a palm frond. Evidence mounted on Sunday of a new massacre in Syria’s deepening civil war, with activists reporting a killing spree by government forces after they seized the suburb of Daraya from rebel control three days ago. Reports of the death toll ranged from more than 300 to as many as 600. The gruesome images appeared to expose the lengths to which the regime of authoritarian President Bashar Assad was willing to go to put down the rebellion that first broke out in March last year. In an ominous commentary, Assad was quoted by his official media as saying his regime would carry on fighting “whatever the price.” “It is clear that was collective punishment,” Khaled Al-Shami, an activist from Damascus, said of the killings in Daraya. “I am certain that the coming days will reveal more massacres, but by then others will have taken place and people will forget about Daraya.” The video footage and death toll were impossible to inde-

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pendently verify because of severe restrictions on media coverage of the conﬂict. However activists and residents have reported excessive use of force by the regime, with indiscriminate bombing from the air and ground. “Daraya, a city of dignity, has paid a heavy price for demanding freedom,” the Local Coordination Committees activist group said in a statement, adding that the Assad regime targeted residents with executions and revenge killings “regardless of whether they were men, women or children.” With a population of about 200,000, Daraya is part of “Rural Damascus,” or Reef Damascus, a province that includes the capital’s suburbs and farmland. It has been a stronghold of support for the rebels ﬁghting the government since the start of the uprising, posing a particularly grave threat to Assad’s seat of power. Troops backed by tanks stormed the town on Thursday after a siege that lasted several days during which no one was allowed to enter or leave, activists and residents said. The rebels were no match for Assad’s tanks and helicopter gunships. Most of the killings, according to activists, took place Friday and Saturday. But the extent of the carnage only began to be revealed Sunday. The British-based activist group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 45 more dead bodies were found in the streets of Daraya on Sunday

and that they had been killed by “gunfire and summary executions.” Among them, it said, were three women and two children. It said the toll for the past week was at least 320. Video footage posted by the group showed rows of bodies wrapped in blood-soaked blankets, with date palms and tree branches strewn over them. Someone was shown spraying the bodies with a hose, a substitute for the ritual washing of the dead prescribed by Islam’s teachings. A photograph circulated by the Shaam News Network showed two babies, their pajama tops soaked in blood, wrapped in a blanket decorated with blue and white flowers. It said they were among dozens of victims buried Sunday in a mass grave. Activists say more than 20,000 people have died in 17 months of fighting in Syria, as an uprising that started with peaceful protests against Assad’s rule has morphed into a civil war. In Damascus, meanwhile, Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa appeared in public on Sunday for the first time in weeks, ending rumors that he had defected. Reporters saw him get out of his car and walk to his office for a meeting with Alaeddin Boroujerdi, head of Iran’s powerful parliamentary committee on national security and foreign policy. There have been a series of high-level defections from the Assad regime in the past few

months. Al-Sharaa was last seen at the funeral of four top security officials killed in a blast in Damascus on July 18. Since then, there had been rumors that he defected to Jordan, though alSharaa’s office and Jordan repeatedly denied that. On the Turkish-Syrian border, meanwhile, several thousand Syrians gathered at the Bab al-Salameh border crossing, having fled airstrikes in their northern towns and villages. They squatted on the sidewalks of three large hangars once used for cargo inspections of trucks. Some said they had been there a week or more. Mohammed Abdel-Hay, 41, said his family of seven fled the village of Marea after a regime warplane bombed it last week, destroying a house and killing two people. It had only one set of latrines, which the women and children used; the men used nearby fields. Water was in short supply and Khatib said he hadn’t showered in a week. He said he’d eaten only a piece of bread and a hard-boiled egg all day Sunday. Like most of the families, he hoped to get into a refugee camp in Turkey, but had been told there was no room. “We’ll stay here and wait and see,” he said. “Every day, we ask and they tell us today or tomorrow, but they’ve been saying that for a week and we’re still here.”

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The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Romney and Ryan talk economy GOP candidates’ DAVID EPSO

Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Mitt Romney pledged to help women entrepreneurs and innovators eager to create small businesses on Saturday in an economy-themed countdown to the Republican National Convention, taking shape in a city bristling with security and bracing for a possible hurricane. “Women in this country are more likely to start businesses than men. Women need our help,” said the Republican presidential challenger, eager to relegate recent controversy over abortion to the sidelines and make the nation’s slow economic recovery the dominant issue of his convention week. The former Massachusetts governor campaigned with running mate Paul Ryan in battleground Ohio as delegates arrived in Florida by the planeload. Across town, technicians completed the conversion of a hockey arena along Tampa Bay into a red, white and blue-themed convention hall. Weather permitting, the convention opens Monday with quick ratification of a conservative platform expected, followed by Romney’s nomination in a traditional roll call of the states timed for network evening news coverage. It ends Thursday with his acceptance speech, a primetime appearance aides hope will propel him into a successful fall campaign and eventually, the White House. The polls made the race a close one, narrow advantage to Obama, as two weeks of backto-back conventions approached. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent on television ads, with hundreds of million more to come, almost all of it airing in a small group of battle-

T H E

ground states expected to settle the election. The list included Florida as well as North Carolina, where the Democratic National Convention will be held in one week’s time. After Romney’s uneven run through the primary contests of winter and spring, the GOP convention was made to order for him from start to finish. Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich and other foes from the long-ago primaries weren’t even a nuisance as the four-day event approached. But the same couldn’t be said for Tropical Storm Isaac, lashing Haiti and Cuba as it churned menacingly through the Caribbean. Florida Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency as the storm approached the Florida Keys, more than 400 miles from Tampa. Forecasters said it was on a track to head west of the convention city, but predicted strong winds and rain at a minimum on Monday as the delegates meet. “We are a hospitality state. We know how to take care of people and we want to ensure their safety,” Scott said. Apart from weather concerns, a heavy security presence was already in evidence. Miles of fencing were designed to create a secure zone around a tract of land that included the convention hall, the hotel where Romney will stay and a nearby convention center where journalists and others worked. National Guard troops armed with rifles patrolled nearby streets, augmenting police out in force, some on bicycles. Obama did his best to intrude on the Republican unity tableau. In an interview with The Associated Press, he accused Romney of holding “extreme positions” on economic and social

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issues, while pledging a willingness on his own part to agree to “a whole range of compromise” with Republicans if he is reelected. He did not elaborate, but his pledge seemed designed to appeal to independents and other voters who say they are tired of seemingly perpetual campaign bickering and Washington gridlock. But Romney said Obama’s entire campaign rested on his ability to persuade people to ignore his record and listen instead to his rhetoric. “It is not his words people have to listen to. It’s his action and his record,” he said in his appearance in Powell, Ohio. “And if they look at that, they’ll take him out of the office and put people into the office who’ll actually get America going again.” “I want to make sure that we help entrepreneurs and innovators. I want to speak to the women of America who have dreams, who begin businesses in their homes, who begin businesses out in the marketplace, who are working at various enterprises and companies,” he said. “... Our campaign is about making it easier for entrepreneurs, women and men, to start businesses, to grow businesses,” Romney said. He said most jobs are created by small businesses rather than larger firms or corporations. Romney envisioned an economic resurgence fueled by abundant energy, expanded trade and a skilled workforce. If that happens, “America is going to surprise the world. We’re going to stand out as a shining city on a hill in part because of our extraordinary economy,” he said to the cheers of an estimated 5,000 supporters. Romney’s determination to turn the campaign’s attention to

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the economy follows two weeks of controversy over Medicare, courtesy of Obama’s campaign, as well as abortion, the result of a comment by Rep. Todd Akin, the party’s candidate in a Senate race in Missouri. Romney joined an unsuccessful effort by party leaders to force Akin to quit his race after he said women who are raped rarely become pregnant, a view unsupported by medical evidence. He also fought back hard in recent days in person and television advertising against Obama’s allegations that he and running mate Ryan would remake Medicare in a way that would undermine the health of future seniors. In the AP interview, Obama said it was Romney’s promises that represented the real threat to the economy and the pocketbooks of millions. “Mitt Romney is proposing a $5 trillion tax cut that disproportionately goes to the wealthiest Americans. And he will pay for that by gutting investments in things like education, infrastructure, basic science and research, voucherizing Medicare....” Inside the Tampa Bay Times Forum, thousands of inflated red, white and blue balloons nestled in netting high above the arena floor, ready to be dropped in the traditional convention finale on Thursday night. Technicians tested the microphones installed for each delegation, who will sit at the foot of a vast, made-for-television podium. Teleprompters where Romney will be able to see his acceptance speech scroll by were loaded — with phrases from Abraham Lincoln’s immortal Gettysburg Address, lest the words the Republican presidential contender will use to launch his fall campaign for the White House leak in advance.

plans for business philip elliot & alan fram Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Republicans emphatically approved a toughly worded party platform at their national convention Tuesday that would ban all abortions and gay marriages, reshape Medicare into a voucher-like program and reject federal spending as an antidote for the nation’s ailing job market. The document opens by warning that while the American Dream has long been of equal opportunity for everyone, “Today that American Dream is at risk.” It pledges that the GOP will “begin anew, with profound changes in the way government operates; the way it budgets, taxes and regulates.” Both parties routinely approve platforms at their conventions every four years, meant to encapsulate their principles and goals. Even so, a poll by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center found more people interested in the GOP platform than in the upcoming acceptance speeches by presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his running mate, Paul Ryan. The survey found that 52 percent said they were interested in learning about the Republican platform, compared to 44 percent interested in Romney’s speech and 46 percent interested in Ryan’s. For instance, he has said he would allow abortions in cases of rape, incest or when the mother’s life is threatened. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who is among several Democrats in Tampa

trying to get their party’s views heard, called the platform’s stances on abortion and immigration “draconian” and “extreme” and blamed Romney. Here are key elements of the Republican platform: JOB CREATION: It states that the best jobs program is economic growth. “We do not offer yet another made-in-Washington package of subsidies and spending to create temporary or artificial jobs.” SMALL BUSINESS: The GOP pledges to reform the tax code to make it easier for businesses to generate more capital and create more jobs. TAXES: “We reject the use of taxation to redistribute income, fund unnecessary or ineffective programs or foster the crony capitalism that corrupts both politicians and corporations.” It says a Republican administration would extend the Bush tax cuts of 2001 and 2003, pending reform of the tax code. It says the party would strive to eliminate taxes on interest, dividends and capital gains altogether for lower- and middle-income taxpayers. It also would work to repeal the estate tax and the alternative minimum tax. The party backs constitutional amendments to balance the federal budget and require a super majority for any tax increases.

Man thinks buying sports teams caused identity theft scheme dale kasler

MCT CAMPUS

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— California power broker Darius Anderson made a splashy, public attempt to buy the Sacramento Kings last year _ and wound up a victim of identity theft. In a bizarre case that may have been sparked by Anderson’s offer for the Kings, a Sacramento, Calif., man was charged this week with stealing the prominent lobbyist’s identity, hacking into his bank accounts and moving massive amounts of his money around. At one point, court records show, the man allegedly transferred $150,000 from one Anderson bank account to another, to prove to himself that he had gained access. Ultimately, the defendant, 28-year-old Clinton Beau Babcock, was charged with stealing around $1,300

from Anderson’s accounts. He has yet to enter a plea. Anderson said Friday it took eight months to sort everything out. “It was a bloody nightmare,” he said. The case shows how easy it is to steal someone’s identity. Anderson said he thinks the alleged scheme began with the theft of a credit card offer mailed to his lobbying firm’s office on K Street in downtown Sacramento. “You need that one piece of information and you can parlay it,” said Ken Lin of Credit Karma, a San Francisco creditscore company. A highly successful lobbyist, developer and Democratic fundraiser, Anderson has been a major player at the California Capitol for years. But he believes it was his stab at wresting control of the Kings that grabbed a thief’s attention.

In April 2011, Anderson and Southern California billionaire supermarket tycoon Ron Burkle went public with their bid to buy the Kings from the Maloofs, who were threatening to move the team to Anaheim, Calif. Anderson unveiled the offer in New York, where he accompanied Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson to the annual meeting of NBA owners. The Maloofs quickly and bluntly rejected the offer, but Burkle and Anderson made headlines for days. Court records show the thefts began about a month later. The victim is identified in court papers only as “Darius A.,” but Anderson said it was him. Federal prosecutor Michelle Rodriguez said the victim’s prominence appears to have played a role in the alleged crime.

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theWORD 6

The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Let’s Be Real

The Thirst Theory dressing in the above attire have little to no genuine interest in you as a person. They are looking for someIt’s getting repetitive and thing quick and easy. You will old, but the THIRST is real out here! At times I wonder if there most likely never become is enough H2O to quench every- “wifey” when dressing so inappropriately to class. Truthfully, one’s thirst. This is the season when bik- half the men approaching you ers come down the strip, boys either do not attend A&T or are around campus want to help struggling to get out. Based on how you’re freshmen females move-in, and dressed now, why would he females begin to show everyeven think about bringing you thing their mama gave them. We often accuse freshmen to his mother? Guys expect females around of being the thirstiest, but many upperclassmen act and dress the campus to dress and act desperate. Raquan Cotton, a junior same exact way. Autumn Conaway, a senior accounting student from Upper biomedical engineering student Marlboro, Maryland, stated, “I from Burlington, New Jersey, don’t see anything wrong with stated, “the thirst is at an all the thirst, especially from the time high, especially in the be- freshmen. I expected that.” Ladies, specifically freshginning of the school year. Everyone has his or her brand new men, stay classy. Men like a clothes on and is just looking challenge and see potential in a female that every other for something new.” Some people fail to under- guy doesn’t have a comment stand their new “boo thang” will about. At A&T we talk and word most likely be gone in a couple spreads quickly. Don’t be a days or weeks due to football name that will go down in the games, schoolwork, homecoming, or any other extracurricu- books. Some of you men need to lar activities. It’s hardly ever a get it together as well. Most permanent thing, but they will girls do not want to see you learn quickly. yelling from the passenger side, Here is some clarification for readers who may not fully un- calling them “shawty,” wearderstand what the term “thirst” ing grills and riding around in these Fruit Loops cars blasting encompasses. Bandeaus and bras are un- Juicy J. Ultimately, the way you dergarments and should not choose to dress is your prebe worn as shirts, particularly rogative. If you wish to show when attending classes on a colexcessive amounts of skin on a lege campus. “Clappa shorts,” shorts cut regular basis, that is perfectly so high they leave the lower part fine. You go girl! Just don’t of your behind exposed, should be surprised when approached in a disrespectful manner by a not be worn to class either. Cropped shirts are not for ev- guy or act confused when he approaches the next female eryone. Painted on skirts and dresses respectfully. She probably just should be saved for Thursday had enough common decency to actually put some clothes on nights at Allure. Leggings that show the color before walking out the house of your underwear or belly fat that morning. The thirst is real. Let’s do need to go. better Aggies. Are you trying to impress someone? Or do you think these -jncmcmill@ncat.edu clothes look good on you? Ladies, you do not have to and follow her on Twitter show everything to get a guy’s @classy_nell attention. Keep him guessing. The guys you attract when JeNELL MCMILLON Senior Reporter

Students dissatisfied with quality of service Kalyn Hoyle & Jamilah Sheppard Opinion Editor & Contributor As part of the student body at N. C. A&T, we feel the quality of customer service and the level of organization in Dowdy warrants serious evaluation. A wide range of concerns from students spanned from not being properly informed of financial aid deadlines to unpredictable personalities in customer service. After conversing with several students, the reoccurring theme seemed to be that affairs in Dowdy are rarely solved without struggle and or confusion. When asked about her experience with customer service in the Dowdy, Hope Watkins, a 22 year-old sophomore said, “the treasurers office is rude. It seems like they don’t like their jobs.” Fortunately, we were given the opportunity to listen to the story of Mercedes Walker, 22, a first-semester transfer student from Bennett College. When asked about her experience with Dowdy during her registration process, Walker summarized her dissatisfaction and stated, “I was late in receiving info, no one returned my calls, and they sent me from one person to another.” I’m sure this initial interaction with university faculty provided her with a warm-inviting

welcome. Dowdy is notorious for extensive waiting lines and phone services often place callers on hold for extended periods of time. Senior Brandon Murphy from Bridgeport, Connecticut said, “ we have a university with close to 11,000 students and have a main office that can only fit 10 to 15 students. The faculty to student ratio is crazy.” The situation is quite simple, students deserve the upmost respect from administrators and their affairs should be addressed in a timely manner with a reasonable level of organization. Such changes will create a more thorough and enjoyable experience for all who chose to attend A & T. -kdhoyle@ncat.edu and follow him on Twitter @thekreport

Are conventions still relevant? MICHAEL ORESKES Associated Press

The conventional wisdom about national political conventions is that they have outlived their purpose. Once, they were the place where the parties actually picked their candidates for president and vice president. But for at least 30 years now, conventions have been the place where the nominees, long since selected, try to bind up their party’s internal wounds and reach out over the heads of the delegates to woo the less partisan voters who usually decide the election. They have become the largest, most expensive infomercials in human experience. So why are we even still having them? As the parties convene, there will be much chattering that conventions don’t matter anymore, that they are a waste of money (some of it taxpayer money) and should be abandoned. “Total anachronisms. Parties should scrap ‘em,” sniffs Mark McKinnon, former media adviser to George W. Bush and a co-founder of No Labels, a group devoted to purging “hyper-partisanship” from politics. The Senate, in fact, voted, 95 to 4 a few weeks ago to cut off in the future the $18.3 million subsidy each party gets to stage (that is the word — “stage”) the conventions. Homeland Security also gives out $50-milllion to assure security at each convention. The parties are not likely to give up their moments in the sun, however. Conventions are the time when voters really tune in. Even with the reduced air time the TV networks now give them, conventions bring a spike in attention, says Andrew Kohut , president of the Pew Research Center. Social media is likely to magnify that this year in the same way that it whetted TV audiences’ appetites wwfor this summer’s other big event, the London Olympics. The acceptance speeches of the two presidential nominees will be the largest campaign audience either receives until

they meet together for the three debates. Those speeches are no small thing. American politics is hardly burdened by too much communication, although if you live in a battleground state saturated with 30-second commercials you might be forgiven for thinking that. The larger problem is too little substantive communication, particularly communication that forces a thought to last longer than the speed of soundbite. The acceptance speeches are the only time in the entire fall campaign when each candidate speaks directly to the country for an extended time, unfiltered by news coverage or back and forth with an opponent. Other countries arrange time specifically for that sort of thing. Not in America. “It is the best chance for a candidate to ‘introduce himself’ to the country on his own terms,” says former Rep. Mickey Edwards, a Republican from Oklahoma. That is particularly interesting coming from Edwards, who in almost every other respect excoriates the present political system in his new book, “The Parties Versus the People.” “I do, indeed, want to radically overhaul the system, but that’s about the voting process, money, partisanship in governing,” Edwards says. “The convention is not at that level; it’s more of a ‘show’, more important than mere ‘entertainment.’ I see it as something worth watching, and even more so than most of the other stuff on television.” Indeed, it is the kind of highschool civics version of campaigning that is otherwise pretty hard to locate in the day-to-day scrum of American national politics these days. If the candidates want to speak directly to the nation after their conventions, they have to pay for the time, as Obama did in 2008. Of course, if the justification for public spending on party events is that the acceptance speech is a public service, the government could just spend that $18.3 million to buy air time for each campaign. That $18.3 million is one of the last remnants of a public

finance system that was meant to curb money in politics. The IRS collects $3 from every taxpayer who ticks the box for the presidential campaign fund. But most of the money, some $235 million, is sitting in the government coffers because neither Romney nor Obama is taking their share, preferring instead to go out and raise and spend even more on their own. Since $18 million might not be enough, at going rates, to buy an hour across all the networks and key cable channels, Congress could authorize the Presidential Election Campaign Fund to tap the rest of that money, too, to buy time on the condition it was used for longform presentations. There will be a great temptation to take this unspent money and plow it back into paying down the government debt. But it would probably increase the chances of actually dealing with that debt if the candidates used the money to explain the fiscal situation and what they planned to do about it. The parties will have to make their own decision whether to continue the conventions without the federal subsidy. They might well, since the conventions are still a valuable tool for rewarding party workers and motivating the base voters of each party, something that could loom particularly large this year in an election that may revolve even more than usually on whose loyalists turn out in the fall (partisan voters do tend to watch their own convention more than the other guys’). Conventions weren’t part of the original plan. The founders by and large hated parties (tellingly, they called them factions) and probably would have hated partisan conventions, which were invented only after they were gone. Conventions were originally thought of as a reform of a system in which congressmen picked the candidates. The first party conventions were before the election of 1832, and nominated Henry Clay to challenge President Andrew Jackson. Delegates arrived at both those party conventions knowing who would get the nomination. Just like this year. But that hasn’t stopped conventions from con-

vening every four years since. Even before the federal subsidy is yanked, the conventions are evolving. Once a fixture of midsummer, the Democratic convention this year will actually be after Labor Day, coinciding with the traditional kickoff of fall campaigning. The Democrats had already cut their convention to three days, recognizing a reality that broadcasters weren’t going to pay attention to their activities on Labor Day anyway. The broadcasters then told the Republicans they wouldn’t cover their Monday sessions either, and Hurricane Isaac has now finished the job of washing out day one. “Despite separation between church and state, Mother Nature is helping to ensure that the conventions get trimmed from four days to three,” said Elizabeth Wilner, vice president of the Kantar/media analysis group. “With Dems really only doing three days, and now Republicans only doing three days, in 2016 there will be pressure to only do three days.” Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif., saw this coming. He has served as parliamentarian of the last four GOP conventions. He recalls that in 2008 a Katrina-class hurricane was barreling for the Gulf Coast as the convention convened in Minnesota. His staff got together and figured out a way to compress all the legally required business of the convention — rules, the platform and the nomination of the ticket — into a few hours so delegates from the Gulf Coast, including the governors of Louisiana and Mississippi, could rush home to respond to the looming disaster. This Plan B went unneeded. The hurricane blew out, and the convention went ahead as planned over four days to nominate John McCain and Sarah Palin. While Dreier developed a plan to effectively eliminate the Republican convention, that doesn’t mean he would. “There will be a degree of uncertainty about what party conventions will look like in the future,” he said as he headed to Tampa. “They are going through a bit of a change. But I don’t agree they are unnecessary.”

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theSCORE The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Positive light shed on taunted football team Liliane long Contributor

With the first game of the year approaching, N.C. A&T’s football team enters the 2012 season confident in their training and hopeful for a positive season despite negative comments from peers. “They have been beat up on for a long time because they have been so bad,” said head coach Rod Broadway. “I hate it for them because they do try and they put forth a good effort for the most part, but that’s just human nature people are going to be negative.” In years past, students have often stated that the Aggie football team “sucks.” The team at the end of the 2010 season was 1-10 overall. However, under the new leadership of head coach Rod

Broadway and staff, the Aggies improved to 5-6 overall at the end of the 2011 season. With 19 returning starters at the beginning of this 2012 season, the team improvements do not show any sign of slowing down. “Our motto for this season is to get better,” said Lewis Kindle a senior English major from Atlanta, Ga. and starting quarterback. “Everyday we go out and we just focus on continuously building a better football team.” Kindle continued, “As far as what our peers say, we cannot control that so we just try not to worry about it.” Since the team reported to training camp on Aug. 3 they have made foundational changes in an effort to improve overall player performance. “This year our preparations are different,” said Ronald Canty a junior Offensive Lineman. “We are learning how

Volleyball team relocates

to practice harder by giving [practices] a game-like feeling so that when Saturday’s game comes we are ready for anything.” In addition to different preparation tactics, the team has regained scholarships, which allows more players to be out on the field in a variety of positions. “We have some good freshman and we’ll know a little bit more about them this weekend,” said Broadway. “It will be a big test for them and we’ll get a little better feel for them because everyone that practices well doesn’t play well and sometimes poor practice players play well. So we’ll know a whole lot more about them next week this time than we know right now.” Of the new recruits gained, there was definitely a need at the quarterback position. In 2011, Kindle earned the starting role at quarterback, while Ricky Lewis

was used as a running back, wide receiver and kick returner. Now, Kindle has three understudies and the extra players on the field will allow Kindle to focus on one position. “We have a couple of seniors that we are depending on as well,” said Broadway. “More scholarships just means that we can go out and find more black young men and help them go to school and help them get an education.“ The team’s first game of the season will be an away game against Coastal Carolina, this Saturday, Sept. 1. The first home game will be against West Virginia State Sept. 8. –theatregister@gmail.com and follow her on Twitter @Rebecca_de_leux

Symone Kidd

ball. In order for the new location in Moore Gym to suit game play standards a few things needed to be done in the gym. Preparations for the volleyball team to play in Moore began two weeks ago. Poole Flooring Inc. is a wood flooring specialist company that has sanded the gym floor and began painting it this week. Even though Moore will now be the new home of the volleyball team there will be secondary markings on the floor so that intramural sports, specifically basketball, can still take place in the gym as well as Gym Jams. Preparations for the gym not only include sanding, painting, and polishing the floor but there will also be new scoreboards installed. Pending final court paint touches, the Lady Aggies will make their official move from Corbett Sports Center to Moore Gymnasium for their first home game on Sept. 7 against American. If the floor is not finished the first game will be held in Corbett. – sckidd@ncat.edu and follow her on Twitter @LifeCreating

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SYMONE KIDD

THIS WEEK’S GAME: Saturday vs. Coastal Carolina Conway S.C. 6 p.m. NEXT WEEK’S GAME: Saturday vs. West Virginia State Aggie Stadium 6 p.m.

volleyball TEAM

MEAC

Northern MD Eastern Shore 0-0 Coppin State 0-0 Norfolk State 0-0 Hampton 0-0 Howard 0-0 Delaware State 0-0 Morgan State 0-0 Southern South Carolina State 0-0 North Carolina Central 0-0 Bethune Cookman 0-0 Florida A&M 0-0 North Carolina A&T 0-0 Savannah State 0-0

OVR. 3-0 1-2 1-2 1-3 0-1 0-3 0-0 1-2 1-4 0-3 0-3 0-3 0-3

THIS WEEK’S GAME: Wednesday vs. Elon Elon N.C. 7 p.m.

Saturday vs. Youngstown State Baltimore, Md. 10 a.m. Saturday vs. Bryant Baltimore, Md. 2 p.m. NEXT WEEK’S GAME: Friday vs. American Moore Gym 7 p.m.

New coach, new direction

KALYAN HOYLE

Sports Editor

Opinions Editor

6-5

7-4

dekia virgil Contributor

KAYLA McLAUGHIN

CHRIS MARTIN

Online Editor

Photo Editor

7-4

6-5

Class of 2016 brings recruits for all sports Contributor

Photo by Praters Design

football

vs. Coppin State Baltimore, Md. 5 p.m.

Meagan Jordan

Mock plan of the final volleyball court in Moore Gym.

AGGIES RUNDOWN

Friday vs. Chicago State Baltimore, Md. 1 p.m.

Sports Editor

All students know Moore Gymnasium to be the home of intramural sports, Gym Jams, and last year’s homecoming pep rally. Moore Gym will now be the home of the Aggie Volleyball team. This year and for years following, all volleyball games will no longer be held in Corbett Sports Center. Ten years ago a commitment was made to move volleyball games from Corbett to Moore. “Corbett gymnasium is not set up for volleyball,” explained Earl Hilton, Athletic Director. Although the gym floor in Corbett has holes for volleyball nets to be set up, there are no permanent floor markings for a court’s existence. When games were held in Corbett, tape was physically put down to make a court for matches. In Moore Gym there will be a permanent painted court. Head volleyball coach Hal Clifton approached Hilton last year expressing that he preferred to have a dedicated facility that is marked and set up to primarily serve volley-

A new school year means new beginnings and a new set of recruits for the Aggie Athletics program. The volleyball team for one has seen an increase in recruits. On Aug. 24, the volleyball team held a scrimmage before their first game, utilizing seven returnees and eight freshmen. The scrimmage presented A&T’s volleyball team an opportunity to prepare for their first game against St. Peters College in the Western Carolina Catamount Classic. When the 2011-2012 season began, the team’s roster consisted of only six players. This year’s team contains 15 players. The football team has also seen an increase in recruits. Approximately 28 freshmen have been added to the roster this season. Their first game will be held in Conway, S.C. against Coastal

Carolina this Saturday, Aug. 1, at 6 p.m. Although some sports have not finalized their rosters for the start of their season, many teams still have had a very large increase with recruits, such as the track team. The loss of graduating seniors left spaces on the team to be filled which brought recruits, specifically for the Woman’s track and field as well as crosscountry teams. Although many recruits on the team are freshman, some are recruits from Methodist College that Coach Duane Ross brought with him as he took on the new head coaching position. Junior Brittani Morris, a Coach Ross recruit, said, “As a new recruit it’s a culture shock. My classes require more independence. I like all of my teammates. Because [A&T] is a Division I school, I feel as if my team can help me get better; I’ve adapted very well so far, no

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struggles.” The Men’s and Women’s first cross country meet will be held in Durham, N. C. against N.C. Central University for their annual Aggie vs. Eagle relay. The swimming team kicked off their season last week with seven new freshman recruits competing in the Western Carolina Classic, in Cullowhee N.C. Their next swim meet will be today against Elon College in Elon, N.C. The Bowling team does not start their season until October but has added five new bowlers. The coaches have worked hard during preseason, training camps, and practices with their recruits as well as returning players and are ready for this 2012-2013 season against their opponents. –theatregister@gemail.com and follow @ATRegister on Twitter

When the 2011-2012 school year ended, new coaches were announced within the Athletic department. Coach Duane Ross, director of track and field programs, is the newest addition to Aggie Athletic’s coaching staff. Coach Ross replaced former head coach James Daniels, who took over the program last December, with big plans for the program at A&T. He hails as a graduate of Clemson State University, seven time All-American, five time ACC champion, and competed in the 2004 Olympics held in Athens, Greece. With a total of 10 years coaching experience, Coach Ross most recently coached at Methodist College of Fayetteville, N.C. for five years and is ready to share his knowledge with our Aggie track and field athletes. “Since I’ve been at A&T, I’ve been through three different head coaches. I feel the transition was necessary and it will benefit the team, since there will be a lot of changes in the program,” said Flexia Braswell, sophomore journalism and mass communications major from Detroit, MI. The goal this season for the track team is to, “mold the athletes into men and women for the real world, change the culture by not just winning the MEAC or being the best HBCU, but being the best period,” said Coach Ross. Before athletes step on the track, Ross wants students to become successful and compete aggressively in the classroom. For those who intend to participate in track and field for A&T, Coach Ross is looking for dedicated competitive students with athletic ability to help the team progress. Tryout registration must be completed by Monday, Sept. 3. Tryouts will be held Monday, Sept. 10 at 3 p.m. on the Aggie stadium track. –davirgil@aggies.ncat.edu and follow @ATRegister on Twitter

hotlist

theSCENE

The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Lookin’ like a bag of money

Aug. 29th to Sept. 4th

The A&T Register’s guide to what’s going this week in arts and entertainment.

Every year, students come to North Carolina A&T State University with a goal. Students hope and wish that they will be the best dressed and envy of this campus. Although some people think they are standing out in a good way, that is not the case. Some of the things that we have seen lately is pretty sad. Women wear anything to class, including club outﬁts or sleep wear. We really don’t know what the men are trying to accomplish. The Register took its time out to take some pictures of what to wear and not around campus. Some of the looks we love are clean cut, simple pieces with bold patterns and pops of color. Remember, this is not to bash students, but simply help them. You’re welcome.

Don’t

Please Do

Editor’s Note: Short and provocative outﬁts are meant for the club. Leave them in your closet until Thursday. Also, seasons are very important in fashion. Leave certain items in your closet until the appropiate weather.

Editor’s Note: One of the trends this season is to ﬁnd something that shows off your ﬁgure. Even though everyone has different body types, there are still some things that you will always look and feel great in. You shouldn’t show them off raunchy, but classy and stylish.

ON SCREEN THE POSSESSION is sure to knock you off your feet with its suspense and true story. A little girl’s purchase at a yard sale means nothing in the beginning, but could be the very cause of all of the terrible events that would later take place. Inside the box lies a spirit that not only takes over its host but ultimately takes its body and life. Her family must come together and ﬁght the evil spirit to keep their daughter alive. This is movie comes out in theaters on this Friday.

ONLINE MARC JACOBS OBAMA TEE is sure to be a great addition to any closet. Jacobs has designed a special shirt to support Obama’s re-election campaign. Mitt Romney also has shirts on his website that have cute designs with very affordable prices. Go vote!

ALBUM REVIEW

MOVIE REVIEW

Great Sparks for Sparkle CHANEL TUCKER Staff Writer

With its sultry taste for the 60s music, the debuted drama starring legendary Whitney Houston and rookie Jordin Sparks, along with a plethora of guest appearances, shucked the entertainment industry. This was not your average show business Cinderella tale. “Sparkle” has a sharper dramatic focus relating to the story of the late Houston. In her ﬁnal acting role, Houston portrays the soul diva who takes out her vengeance out on the music industry. As quoted in the movie, “was my life not enough of a cautionary tale,” said Houston, despite the foolery of her inescapable real-life implications. The story is based out of Detroit in 1968, booming with afﬂuent musically gifted artists of that time, and Sparkle, played by Sparks is jumping on that train towards success. The musical prodigy, Sparkle struggles to become a Hol-

QUESTIONS

Houston Sparks lywood star, but the teenager dream comes true. Undoubtedly, Sparks owns the role of Sparkle. Being the oldest and deﬁant one, Sister or Tammy (Carmen Ejogo), has a spunk and wild side about her that eventually puts her at risk with her own life. Her egotistical and smug stand-up comedian boyfriend Satin (Mike Epps) is at fault with those actions. Delores (Tika Sumpter), is above drama and sets sail for medical school. Through adversaries and turmoil, the strongest survives and there stands Sparkle. At the end, Emma (Houston) takes pride and acceptance in her youngest daughter gifts, for Sparkle always had the most conﬁdence

and faith in her goals. “Sparkle” is extremely brilliant and underlies a message of how the entertainment business can be shaky. Overall, round of applause for the cast! Anyone can see this movie, not just those who are star-struck by Sparks’s beauty, or paying respect for Houston’s last ﬁlm, but due to the high level of performances that the stars deliver. “Sparkle” will carry that music and movie legacy, just watch. -catucker@ncat.edu and follow her on twitter @maxi_manelli00 GRADE

Trey Songz ‘Dives in’ with Chapter 5 KAYLA MCLAUGHLIN Online Editor

Trey Songz is back and is still making neighbors know his name. His new album Chapter V, titled after his fifth album, hit the shelves on August 21 and everyone was excited to hear his grown and sexy music. The CD includes 20 songs, which includes Trey’s infamous baby making music and club hits. The album starts out with a sensual intro entitled Chapter V and is followed by his new single “Dive In,” which is a slow jam that is sure to get the ladies weak in the knees. Two other familiar singles that have been played on the radio ‘Heart Attack’ and ‘2 Reasons.’ ‘Heart Attack’ is an emotional song about breaking up with a significant other. ‘2 Reasons’ also known as ‘Ladies and Drinks’ is a definite club banger that you’re sure to

hear on the dance ﬂoor and can make a person question what they really came to the club for. Even though this song is such a hit, don’t let the edited version fool you on Trey’s real intentions. After hearing the explicit version on the album, the derogatory and disrespectful way that he addresses women disappoints me. Ladies, stick with the edited version. The must hear songs are ‘Pretty Girls Lie’ and ‘Hail Mary,’ which features Young Jeezy. He also has other hot songs with powerhouse artists such as T.I., Rick Ross and Diddy. You can listen to all these songs on the album or choose the deluxe edition, which includes two music videos. This album is for all the Trey Songz fans or for someone that wants a good listen d uring their down time. If you’re a college student that is looking for some sexy music to listen to with your girl, Trey is your guy. -klmclaug@ncat.edu

1. Did you see the Love and Hip Hop reunion? 2. Is it possible for Stebie J to not look like a rat? 3. How many guys were taking player notes from him? 4. Or are you taking fighting notes from Scrappy when he put them paws on ‘em? 5. Why do we always have the same people coming to homecoming? 6. Do they really think that we don’t know who the surprise guest is? 7. If your position was being replaced, would you leak the concert line up? 8. How many freshmen visited a Greek table at the Org Fair? 9. How many freshmen’s pictures are listed above? 10. Would you really tell someone that this was your picture in the paper? 11. Was A&T taking that molly when they decided to raise parking passes, but close off half of the parking lots? 12. Or are they just plain stupid? 13. Did you see that girl drop it at the Dating Game? 14. How many people were laughing, but can’t twerk half as good as her? 15. Freshmen, did the fiber in the cafe get to you yet? 16. Or are you just that naive about how your body works? 17. Did you run out of new outfits yet? 18. Are you contributing to next week’s paper? 19. Or are you just criticizing it? 20. Or are you just hating?

FOOD! NATIONAL BBQ FEST is making its way to Greensboro Sept. 7th-9th at Festival Park. With a list of pitmasters lined up from the best BBQ places in North Carolina, this is sure to please. The fest will also include local music and art. This event is 3 days will cost students $5. Have fun!

SCENE EDITOR

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Senior Mass Communication with Print Concentration and English Minor P.G County Maryland Aspiring Fashion Writer Lover of All Things Drake and Beyoncé SUAB Secretary, Collegiate Chapter of NAACP President and Metro Aggies Member Favorite Movie is “Sex and the City” Favorite Designer is Chanel Favorite Rappers are Kanye West and Jay-Z Global Grind intern @NecoleRitchie