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THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF NORTH CAROLINA A&T
cHangIng THE poMp & cIRcUMSTancE Photo by KEnnETH HawKInS • THE A&T REGISTER
awaRd wInnIng The A&T Register has 12 more plaques to add to its collection. These are just a few of the awrds The A&T Register has won during its history.
The A&T Register wins 12 awards KEnnY FLowERS PR Director
gREEnSBoRo, n.c.—The collegiate award-winning newspaper, The A&T Register, recently took home two awards from the 2010 North Carolina College Media Association. This is the first time The A&T Register has entered the North Carolina College Media Association competition. The A&T Register placed second in best of show for online, and second best of show for newspaper categories. The Daily Tar Heel took first place in both. The Daily Tar Heel is considered the best collegiate paper in the state of North Carolina, making The A&T Register the second best. “We are ecstatic to have placed second behind The Daily Tar Heel. We look forward to knocking them out of first next year,” Emily Harris, Adviser of The A&T Register. The A&T Register also won 10 awards from the 2010 12th Annual Black College Communications Association Excellence in Journalism Student Newspaper Awards. “I am really proud of the staff,” says Dexter Mullins, Editorin-Chief of The A&T Register. “This is the most awards we have won in a single year. We still have the chance to win more. Everyone worked really hard and deserves a big thank you.” Below are the winners and the categories in which they received their awards. See awaRdS on Page 2
Plater to leave A&T for Strayer
Customized cap and gowns are the new tradition
dEXTER R. MULLInS
S
tanding in line at the university bookstore with the rest of seniors, he reflects on the last few years of his life as a college student. Tur’ayn Sharpe is graduating this May with his degree in business marketing, and it hasn’t been easy. Financial aid, housing, and the workload from his courses were all extremely complex. But all those things are a part of his past, and as he approaches the local Jostens representative to order his graduation announcements, his class ring, and the all mighty black cap and gown, he gets butterflies in his stomach. Could this really be happening? Was he about to join the ranks of the college graduate world? His excitement is quickly dashed however into confusion, as he is told that the robes are no longer black, but a custom navy blue. “I think it sounds like it’s a nice way to brand the university image through commencement,” Sharpe said. “It would be a great keepsake as well, and I can always pull it out of storage to show to my grandchildren. I would just want to see the design first. I would also hope that there was some student input.” In fact, there was student input, although not as much as there could have been. Senior Class President Katerra Riggins was the only student on the commencement committee, and she played an instrumental part in the selection of the final gowns. “I think they had it in their heads that they were going to with a custom navy blue gown, and the hood was already a part of the plan as well. Jostens was my favorite design, the representative was very personable, very thorough, and they had everything that we needed, which allowed them to do more than the other three,” Riggins said. “I think the students would have benefitted from being a part of the process, but because it was done over Christmas break, it is hard to get the entire student bodies perspective, but it would have been nice. Overall I’m ok with the decision. I’m for the navy blue cap and gown, and I think students will be pleased.” North Carolina A&T isn’t the only school that has made this change. Across the country, colleges and universities of all kinds from Ivy League to historically black colleges and universities are starting to customize their cap and gowns. For some this is an old tradition that has always been, and for some more this is a brand new concept. “I’ve been here 24 years, and as long as I have been here we have used the light blue robes. The University adopted the doctoral robe in 1999, but they are not required to wear the light blue,” said the University of North Carolina at Chapel See cap and gown on Page 2
WhAt thE NEW CAP AND GoWNS LooK LIKE the tassel will still be the color of your major.
the special zipper pull will have the university seal, and can be detached to use as a keychain.
dEXTER R. MULLInS & SYLVIa oBELL The A&T Register
After five years, the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, Michael J. Plater, will be leaving North Carolina A&T this week. Plater decided to leave A&T after being offered the position of Provost at Strayer University. Dexter Mullins sat down with him to get his final thoughts before leaving Aggieland for good. Dexter Mullins: What made you apply for the plater position at Strayer? Dean Plater: I didn’t apply; they came to me about the position. It turns out that Strayer is a for profit institution, and I have an MBA and a PhD. In that particular environment I am able to see both sides of the issues, so I have a background that is fit to what they do. I assume they saw that and thought I would be a good fit. They primarily deal with adult learners and the ability for adults to get education becomes critical, especially if we are going to follow Obama’s goal of more educated citizens. DM:When do you start? DP: I start March 1.
Editor In Chief
the optional stole has been customized with the school seal and abbreviation at the request of the Chancellor.
the hood displays the school colors. undegrad will have the black velvet lining, master and doctoral students will have the color that reflects their major.
traditionally black, the new gowns are a dark navy blue.
See pLaTER on Page 2
ONLINE
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strOLL COMP sOundsLIde
dIreCtOr OF PeaCe COrPs VIsIts a&t
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Ladys WIn, BOys LOse
strOLL OFF Is a Greek shOWdOWn
Missed the 4th Annual Stroll Competition? Check it all out online.
A&T students were given the opportunity to speak with the Director of the Peace Corps last Friday.
Trumaine McCaskill debates with his alter ego, Mr. McCaskill, on the difference between black people and niggas.
The Lady Aggies defeat the WSSU Rams, but the men gave the game away despite a 15 point lead.
The Greek Stroll Off was packed as always, but this year the competition was fierce, with the win coming in by only one point.
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The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, February 24, 2010
inFOCUS
cap and gown From page 1
Photo by SHANTE MATHES • THE A&T REGISTER
FAREWELLThe Mr. A&T farewell program featured three parts: an oratorical, talent and a question/ answers section. Austin James’ talent was reciting a slave monologue and reminding the audience that while his slave masters expected to break his spirit, he is still smiling.
AWARDS From page 1 2010 College Media Association •Online News Site, Best of Show Second Place: The A&T Register •Newspaper, Best of Show Second Place: The A&T Register 2010 Black College Communications Associations Awards •Best Spot News Story Third Place: The A&T Register, North Carolina A&T, “Welborne Retires” •Best News Series, Investigative or In-Depth Story First Place: The A&T Register, North Carolina A&T, “Battle Resigns” •Signed Commentary or Column Writing Third Place: Dexter Mullins of The A&T Register, North Carolina A&T •Best Editorial Second Place: Dexter Mullins of The A&T Register, North Carolina A&T Oct. 28, 2009 “Where’s CNN’s ‘White in America?’” •Best Editorial Cartoon Honorable Mention: Evan Summerville, The A&T Register, North Carolina A&T •Best Editorial/Opinions Section Third Place (tie): The A&T Register, North Carolina A&T and The Gramblinite, Grambling State University •Best Individual Page Design Second Place: Dexter Mullins, The A&T Register, North Carolina A&T
•Best Informational Graphic or News/Art Illustration Second Place: The A&T Register, North Carolina A&T •Best Design--Broadsheet or Tabloid First Place: Mike McCray and Dexter Mullins, The A&T Register, North Carolina A&T •Best Student Newspaper-once weekly or less Second Place: The A&T Register, North Carolina A&T Background Information The A&T Register is the official student newspaper of North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (NCA&TSU), a historically black university. NCA&TSU is the largest historically black college or university in the state of North Carolina, is one of the top five largest in the country, and is a land grant institution and a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina. The A&T Register was founded in 1893, and is published every Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters by students at North Carolina A&T State University. The A&T Register has won numerous awards over its history, and is recognized locally, statewide, and nationally as one of the premier HBCU publications. Former A&T Register reporters, photographers, and editors have gone on to thriving positions in the world of journalism.
theBLOTTER Laurel StreetFebruary 16 2:10 p.m. Laurel Street-Hit and Run Case Open
10:35 p.m. Graham Hall- Fire Alarm Case Closed February 17 5:30 p.m. Student UnionLost State Property Case Inactive February 19 7:30 a.m. Pride Hall- Missing Person Case Closed 1:30 p.m. Barbee Hall- Larceny Case Closed 3:20 p.m.
Personal Injury Case Closed 3:25 McNair HallInformation Case Closed 5:00 p.m. Campbell – Larceny Case Open 5:45 p.m. Sullivan StreetLarceny Case Closed February 20 12:45 a.m. Cooper HallBreaking and Entry Case Open 1:29 a.m. Cooper HallUnderage Drinking Case Closed
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2:00 a.m. East Market Street- DWI Case Closed 6:05 p.m. Corbett CenterCommunicating Threat Case Closed 8:00 p.m. Aggie Suites FLarceny Case Open February 22 3:30 p.m. Off-CampusLarceny Case Closed 10:20 p.m. Aggie Suites FFound Property Case Open
Hill’s Regalia Purchaser, Eve Bradshaw. Bradshaw said that ever since the change had been made in the 70s, students have loved it. She said it makes them feel special as an institution, and it really helps to distinguish them from other schools. “Undergraduates are all light blue. I haven’t heard and students give any negative feedback. More and more schools are going to their custom color.” And that is true. Bradshaw is one of the many university representatives that are in charge of overseeing academic regalia for commencements. Oak Hall is the largest regalia company for higher education, servicing over 1600 universities across the country, and more and more of them are going towards custom robes. Donna Hodges has worked for Oak Hall for more than 15 years, and she says that the customization really took off about 12 years ago. “At the undergraduate level we work with about 75 or 80 schools across the country that are wearing the robes with the caps and gowns and seal embroidered in the tabs,” Hodges said. “When I came to work for Oak Hall, there were a handful of universities, maybe 15-20, that had their doctorate level students wear a specialized gown. About 12 years ago, we started working with universities to increase the level of participation and excitement at graduation. They [graduates] have the mindset that ‘I’ve already been through this, do I really need to do this again?’ We also got similar feedback that people wanted something special for their doctorate level.” Hodges said that graduates feeling like this had a large part in helping to swan the customization trend. Students who had already graduated with one degree wanted something really special. “One of the things that prompted Oak Hall to do customized gowns was the comment from students we heard constantly was ‘oh this is it? It’s just a black gown? I wore that in high school,’” Hodges said. “What happened at the undergrad and master’s level, was that in 2004, we were approached by Columbia University who was celebrating their 250th anniversary and wanted a unique robe for their undergraduate and masters students to wear. “They were a completely rental [cap and gown] school, and we got them to agree to go into souvenir regalia because it is very difficult to customize something to only
PLATER From page 1 DM:What will you miss the most about being here? DP:I think the people in the College of Arts and Sciences, the faculty and staff, they have been like a family, really embracing. It was a great experience to work with all the people around me. We have come together and blended to become a pretty effective force for the college. DM: How long have you
be worn one time as a rental. We customized the logo for the 250th anniversary. The students loved it so much that the University decided to keep it and go back to the Columbia crown and Columbia blue gowns after the 250th anniversary.” Once Columbia began to keep the customized robes not just for grads but also for undergraduate students, the trend began to spread and is now one of the more common changes at universities. Back at North Carolina A&T, students will be in for an additional special treat this year with their customized caps and gowns. The undergraduates will be permitted to also wear the academic hood with their regalia. A hood is an additional part of the regalia that is draped down the back of the gown and worn around the neck. The colors inside may be customized from school to school, and very in length from three to four feet, with the doctoral hood being the widest. The hood on a robe has a history rooted in practicality, rather than in fashionable accessories for graduation. Much like the gown, students in the earliest universities in Europe walked the drafty halls of these institutions, and needed a way to keep covered and warm. The hood was a part of the original robe, and was designed to cover the head to keep it warm and dry. Typically, hoods are only worn for master’s or doctoral students, but Hodges says that it wasn’t always that way. While some schools still allow undergrads to wear them, many have left this tradition, but are looking at returning to it again. “Years ago it used to be more common for undergraduates to wear hoods for commencement,” She said. “For some reason schools stopped having their students wear hoods, and that is another reason a lot of schools really got into customized undergraduate robes.” Oak Hall was just one of several companies that submitted a bid to acquire the contract with A&T to provide the University with its first set of custom cap and gowns, but ultimately, the winning company was Jostens. “I’ve been working with the A&T bookstore for many many years and I’ve been talking to them for about a year and half to go towards a more customized cap and gown,” said Jostens Representative Leigh Hottel. “Jostens also introduced a custom class stole that has been very successful. The stole is a little bit longer, and the stole now has the A&T seal on it as well, because that’s something the chancellor [Harold S. Martin, Sr.] really wanted. The hood will be blue and gold, with a gold fabric around the neck for bachelor’s degrees. The
bachelor’s will all have gold, and the master’s or doctorates will have degree color coordinated with their program around their neck.” Hottel says that she thinks Jostens won the bid due to its long-standing partnership with A&T, and the additional features they provide. “I would say that A&T recognized the extra value we bring in with our products over the other bids, and we have a long time partnership. We came in a did a presentation to the commencement committee and I think the students are going to be really excited about it,” Hottel said. “We will be in the bookstore March 22-25, the Monday through Thursday of the last full week in March. We will be there again in April and May, to also sell rings and announcements.” With the cap and gown ordering to soon begin, students may wonder how long they have to order them, or how much they may cost. “ We sell the caps and gowns to the bookstore, and they set that deadline on when the last day is to order a cap and gown. As far as on the web, their is a certain amount of lead time you have to have in advance to order. Once the deadline for the web has passed, students are directed to our 800 number, and if all else fails, the bookstore stocks extras,” Hottel said. Donna Morris-Powell is the Director of the University Bookstore, and she is in charge of setting the prices for the caps and gowns. The cost will be $58 for undergraduate, $80 for graduate students, and $148 for doctoral students. Doctoral candidates will also have the rounded velvet cap, while undergraduate and master’s students will have mortarboards. Powell, like everyone else, is looking forward to the change. “We love it, it’s absolutely beautiful. We’re extremely excited about the change,” Powell said. “There are quite a few schools that are making that change to customized robes.” Powell says that the prices of the cap and gowns do not change, and the only time things are more expensive is when students must pay for expedited shipping. She encourages students to get it done early. “I know that when we will have our Grad Fair in March, a lot of students will come out and order their cap and gowns, and then we will have a few stragglers come in towards the end,” she said. “ We also open up the online store for ordering and that gets shut down about 4 weeks before graduation.” For the students at North Carolina A&T, along with many other schools, old traditions are being replaced with new ones, and this new cap and gown is sure to be a hit.
been the Dean? DP:I have been the dean for almost 5 years. DM:What was your best A&T experience? DP:Graduation. I think graduation, homecoming, and probably some of my one-onone conversations with students. You put all three of those things together, and that is what I will miss. DM:Will you be back to A&T to visit? DP:I will be back to visit. My wife will still be here while
we’re selling the house, so I will be here pretty frequently over the next couple of months, probably over the weekend. Also Strayer has a campus in Greensboro, so I will be in N.C. very frequently. DM:What have students been saying? DP:I think some of them have expressed disappointment that I won’t get a chance to shake their hands at graduation, but others have been understanding, and they wish me luck and success. It’s bitter sweet.
events
theYARD
Wednesday
24
NABJ Panel Discussion
GCB Auditorium 6 p.m. -7:30 p.m.
Being the Minority on a HBCU Campus
Memorial Student Union Room 214 4 p.m.
COP Full Body Meetings and Leadership
Stallings Ballroom A 5 p.m.
Art & Soul Program
Harrison Auditorium 7 p.m.
Interest Meeting for GCABA
New Schoo of Education Auditorium 6 p.m.
thursday
25
Haiti Panel Discussion
McNair Hall Auditorium 7 p.m.
Couture Black History Open Mic Program
Exhibit Hall 7 p.m.
Midwest Black History
GCB Auditorium 7 p.m.
friday
26
Battle of the Engineers
Moore Gymnasium 7 p.m.
saturday
27
Christian Open Mic
Exhibit Hall 7 p.m.
sunday
28
Black History Program
Exhibit Hall 7 p.m.
monday
1
AWE Movie Night
New School of Education Auditorium 7: 30 p.m.
TUESDAY
2
I Still Love Black Women
Stallings Ballroom 7 p.m.
HIV/AIDS AWARENESS
Smith Hall, Multi-Purpose Room 7:30 p.m.
I.A.M.M. Full Body Meeting
If you ever see anything suspicious or need assistance call Campus Police (336) 334-7675
editor in chief: Dexter R. Mullins Managing editor: Malcolm S. Eustache news editor: Jasmine Johnson opinions editor:Kelcie McCrae sports editor: Daniel Henderson ASSISTANT Sports editor: Lauren Morgan scene editor: LaPorsha Lowry copy desk chief: Anjan Basu Copy Editor: Ashley Reid photo editor: Kenneth Hawkins staff photographers: Michaela Edwards, Shanté
editorial cartoonist: Evan Summerville ncatregister.com: Stacie Bailey, (Online Editor) Graphic artist:Cameron Z. Simmons senior reporter: Marcus Thompson reporters: Johnathan Veal, Alessandra Brown, LaRia Land, Sylvia Obell, Ricardo Lawson, Monterius Smith, Kelcie McCrae, Whitney Mack-Obi, Jiril Clemons, Prince Askew, Trumaine McCaskill, Noma Vilane PR Director: Kenny Flowers business manager: staff business staff: Carlton Brown, Chad Roberts faculty adviser: Emily Harris
Hines Hall Auditorium 6 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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The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, February 24, 2010
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CAMPUS NOTEBOOK
Peace Corps officer visits Board appoints provost T’LISHA HOLMES Contributor
Director of the Peace Corps, Aaron Williams, visited A&T last Friday and met with faculty and students in hopes of enhancing and growing the relationship between the Peace Corps and colleges and universities. Williams spoke in the library of Webb Hall about the history of the Peace Corps and his vision of new initiatives for the program. He said he wants to first address food security internationally and then doubling the size of the Peace Corps. Williams said he wants to secure food in host countries by making agriculture a principle sector again in the organization. He intends to build on existing programs in countries and adding new countries to the program in hopes of doubling the organization. Since its establishment in 1961, the Peace Corps has had close to 200,000 volunteers serve in 139 countries around the world. Currently 76 countries host Peace Corps volunteers. The Peace Corps currently has 7,671 volunteers and trainees. Only 16 percent are minorities. Williams plans on getting more minorities involved in the Peace Corps by reaching out
to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and establishing partnerships with them. “We want a Peace Corps that looks like America,” said Williams. Williams, a minority himself, was sworn in as the 18th Peace Corps director of the organization and has also served in the Peace Corps himself. “It’s an honor to be able to serve again in the Peace Corps,” said Williams, who volunteered in the Dominican Republic from 1967 to 1970. Williams also addressed concerns that are typically raised about joining the Peace Corps. He said the two-year commitment away from home and family is usually the main issue. Peace Corps member, Jeff West, served in Ukraine after he graduated from N.C. State. West said, “95 percent of volunteers have cell phones, which made my mom feel better about me being away.” Volunteers in the Peace Corps serve a total of 27 months; three months in-country training and the other 24 out of the United States. “As a volunteer you become a part of that community,” said Williams, who believes safety and security are most important. The host community ensures the
safety of volunteers as well. The Peace Corps also recruits volunteers of all backgrounds. Williams said the Peace Corps do not only recruit people with specialized skills; 85 percent of volunteers hold degrees in liberal arts. Volunteers must be trained in a program sector and study the language of the country they are stationed in before leaving. There are seven program sectors within the Peace Corps, education is the sector most volunteers serve in and Africa has the highest percentage of volunteers located there. Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design chairperson Dr. Louis Jackai, relocated to the states from his home in Africa. “All of my teachers in high school were Peace Corps volunteers and they are the reason I am in the United States,” said Jackai. For almost 50 years the Peace Corps have provided volunteers to countries around the world promoting world peace and friendship as well as giving volunteers a new outlook on the world. “It’s an extraordinary experience and changed my life forever, it is transformative,” said Williams.
Interested in working for The A&T Register in 2010-2011? Stop by the newsroom (GCB 328) for an application. Writers, editors and graphic designers needed. Schlolarship Available for Engineering, Math & Science Majors Be Nominated Now !! The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation is seeking nominations exclusively from faculty for its 2010-2011 10,000 scholarship for an outstanding North Carolina A&T University engineering, math or natural or applied sciences major! Students nominated for Astronaut Scholarships should exhibit motivation, imagination, and exceptional performance in the science or engineering field of their major and should be intellectually daring in order to join the ranks of the elite Astronaut Scholars. Submission Guidelines* • Nominees must be entering their junior, senior or masters year of study in the Fall of 2010
DEXTER ΜULLINS Editor in Chief
During a closed session vote on Friday’s Board of Trustees meeting, Chancellor Harold S. Martin, Sr., along with the BoT, voted to hire named Dr. Linda Thompson Adams as Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, extend head men’s basketball coach Jerry L. Eaves contract, both effective Jul. 1, and appoint Dr. J. Charles Waldrup as General Counsel, effective Feb. 22. In three separate press releases, Martin discussed his reasoning for each of his decisions, and highlighted the qualifications of all three. Martin appointed a search committee in July of 2009 to lead a national search for this Cabinet level position. “North Carolina A&T is fortunate to attract a creative and scholarly professional with a proven track record like Dr. Linda Thompson Adams,” he
said. “She has over 20 years of leadership in university administration, teaching, nursing, plus public service appointments by a mayor and a governor. N.C. A&T will certainly utilize her exceptional higher education expertise and public policy, grants, scholarships and fundraising skills during tough budgetary times.” A national search was also conducted to fulfill the general counsel position, and Waldrup stood out in this search amongst the rest. Since August, he has spent several days a week as N.C. A&T’s interim General Counsel and served the remaining three days as associate vice president for legal affairs for The University of North Carolina General Administration. During his part-time role as General Counsel at A&T, he worked on a wide range of issues such as personnel matters, benefits, contracts, policies, public records, litigation, ethics and interactions with governmental entities. “Dr. Waldrup has a breadth
of legal expertise, experiences, and responsibilities in higher education and public health,” Martin said. “His background assures the keen decision making, focus on details, and wise counsel needed in this critical role.” Eaves has served as the head men’s basketball coach for the past 7 years. Eaves took over a one-win program with only four returning players and two scholarship players and turned it into a team consistently contending among the top teams in the MEAC. The Aggies also beat DePaul University under his leadership. “My expectations for coaches emphasize both athletics and academics so I am pleased with how Coach Eaves has affected our young men’s performance on the court and in the classroom. He has graduated 20 out of 30 players, two are currently enrolled, and two are playing professionally overseas. In addition, he has brought in $2,089,500 to the Athletics Department by playing guarantee games over the past six years. “
NABJ to host panelists NISHA STREETER
Register Repoter
The NABJ (National Association of Black Journalists) at North Carolina A&T will host a panel discussion event on Wednesday February 24 in General Classroom Building Auditorium. This will be the first panel discussion, entitled “African Americans and the Changing Media Landscape.” The organization wanted to bring an event open to the rest of the campus about media and how it affects African Americans, and the role it plays in African American lives. “We want it to be a two pronged discussion,” said NABJ President Malcolm Eustache. “On one hand we wanted it to educate people on how the media environment is changing for African-Americans, as both those who are doing the covering and as those who are being covered.” Eustache expressed the interest in African-American news coverage during the election of President Barack Obama. The Panelists includes
Dexter Mullins (Editor of Chief), Ed Gordon, Sheeka Strickland, Allen Johnson, and Linda Williams. Mullins will serve as the voice of young journalists. Mullins will bring a perspective of being a representative of the future of journalism. Sheeka Strickland, reporter from FOX 8 News, which is based out of Winston- Salem, was president of NABJ when she attended the University of Georgia. Eustache describes Strickland as being “a great person, who is knowledgeable.” Strickland is working to put a chapter in the city Greensboro/ triad area. Linda Williams, senior news editor for Raleigh NC, News & Observer was invited to the forum by Kelcie Mccray, Vice President of NABJ. Allen Johnson, opinions editor for Greensboro News & Record is also a professor at North Carolina Agricultural and Agricultural And Technical State University. Ed Gordon was the former “60 Second’s” correspondent and anchor of BET News. Gordon interviewed Presidents like George Bush. He also did a segment on BET entitles “Black
Men Speak Out; the Aftermath,” which featured blunt opinions that led to the uprising. Gordon will not be physically present to moderate the discussion, however he will participate via Skype. The organization is expecting packed house. Last year’s event had a good turn out, despite scheduled when students are usually in class. NABJ currently has 40 paid members. Members can participate in full body meetings and attend events. NABJ’s email list server roughly accounts 80 members as well as subscriptions on the networking sites FACEBOOK and TWITTER. Eustache says, “The Journalism department has as much to offer as any department, we view the quality of students not quantity. The department has very honorable students like Kevin Wilson, Dexter Mullins, Kelcie McCray, SGA President Syene Jasmine, Travis Jackson (Vice President of External Affairs), and former Ms. A&T Tanisha Fordham.” All students of the University are welcome to attend the event, regardless of your major; this panel discussion is of benefit to all.
THE A&T REGISTER HAS: FACEBOOK, TWITTER,YOUTUBE. WE’RE EVERYWHERE YOU WANT TO BE. LIKE VISA. BUT BETTER. NCATREGISTER.COM
• NOMINEES CANNOT APPLY DIRECTLY FOR THE AWARD, they must be nominated by a faculty member • Nominees must be United States citizens • All questions and nominations must go through the North Carolina A&T University Astronaut Scholarship liaison, Dr. David W, Alduridge, Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, at 336-334-7806 or davida@ncat.edu *see liaison for a complete set of rules Students need not be seeking a future in the Astronaut Corps to apply
9<:FD@E> 8IDP JKIFE> N@CC FG<E ;FFIJ# @E:CL;@E> K?FJ< FE :FCC<>< :8DGLJ<J% For more information, contact your local Army Recruiter or visit us on line at www.goarmy.com/info/h580
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The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Peace treaty signed by Darfur groups sarah el deeb
AP Political Writer
CAIRO (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Darfurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most powerful rebel group and the Sudanese government on Tuesday signed a truce after a year of internationally sponsored negotiations, raising hopes the bloody seven-year conflict could draw to a close. Rebel leader Khalil Ibrahim of the Justice and Equality Movement announced the cease-fire would begin that night as the international sponsors of the talks announced a $1 billion development fund for the war ravaged region. The once bitter enemies, Ibrahim and Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, shook hands and embraced after the signing. The next challenge for the mediators will be getting the dozens of other rebel splinter
groups to join the process as the arduous power and wealthsharing talks begin. Previous cease-fires and partial peace deals were shortlived. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This framework agreement is a very important step,â&#x20AC;? Ibrahim said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We point out, however, that the road to peace still needs much patience and honest concessions from both sides.â&#x20AC;? Al-Bashir said he hoped to see a full peace agreement by mid-March and praised the presence of other rebel groups at the ceremony, saying recent steps by them to unify their fractious positions was â&#x20AC;&#x153;good news.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;With this agreement, we take a major step toward ending the war,â&#x20AC;? he said. Tahir al-Faki, a JEM senior official, said the agreement commits the government to release all of its fighters currently
on death row â&#x20AC;&#x201D; nearly 100 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; for their role in a massive attack on the capital in 2008. According to the framework agreement, JEM would take part in the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s executive, judicial and legislative branches. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We agreed that JEM shall transform itself into a political party,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As time goes on, and if the agreement is implemented well, then JEM forces will be integrated into the Sudanese Armed Forces.â&#x20AC;? Al-Faki said the goal is to work out the details before March 15. JEM had asked the government to delay the April national elections so that its group can take part. The government so far has not made a formal response. Other smaller rebel groups have joined forces to participate
in the political negotiations for a more comprehensive peace agreement. The major rebel group that first launched the rebellion, the Sudan Liberation Movement, however, has shunned the peace talks. Although a shadow of its former strength as it has splintered, the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exiled leader remains popular among Darfurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s refugee community. Abdelwahid Elnur said the agreement in Doha is â&#x20AC;&#x153;ceremonialâ&#x20AC;? and will follow the fate of previous partial peace deals. He warned that a â&#x20AC;&#x153;new conspiracyâ&#x20AC;? is being woven against the people of Darfur, while violence and genocide continue. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No one addresses the need of the people of Darfur on the ground ... (particularly) the issue of security,â&#x20AC;? he said in a telephone interview from Paris.
The temporary cease fire between JEM, Darfurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most able military rebel group, and the government was initialed last week in Chad, Sudanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eastern neighbor which it has accused in the past of funding the rebels and providing them a safe haven. Many believe that with Chad on board, the cease-fire agreement has a better chance of surviving. The U.S. helped shepherd the process and on Monday State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said the cease-fire agreement is an important step toward reducing violence in Darfur. The temporary cease-fire would make it possible for the crucial national elections expected in April to take place in the vast, arid Darfur region as well.
The conflict in the remote western area started in 2003 when ethnic African rebel groups took up arms against the Arab-dominated government complaining of discrimination, lack of political representation and neglect. The war left whole villages burned, 2.7 million people displaced and as many as 300,000 people killed, according to U.N. estimates. The conflict has left much of the population living in refugee camps. El-Bashir is currently wanted for war crimes by an international court for the conduct of the counterinsurgency campaign. In the last year, though, violence has ebbed and government forces have gained control of much of France-sized territory.
Toyota apologizes for handling of safety issues larry margasaka & Ken thomas AP Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The president of Toyotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s U.S. operations insisted Tuesday that electronic problems did not contribute to sudden acceleration of its cars, drawing sharp criticism from lawmakers who said such a possibility should not be ruled out and from a tearful woman driver who could not stop her runaway Lexus. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Shame on you, Toyota,â&#x20AC;? Rhonda Smith, of Sevierville, Tenn., said at a congressional hearing. Toyotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s James Lentz repeated Toyotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s position that stuck gas pedals in some of the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popular models were caused by one of two problems â&#x20AC;&#x201D; misplaced floor mats and sticking accelerator pedals. Meanwhile, Toyota president Akio Toyoda, who will testify before a separate panel on
Wednesday, said he took â&#x20AC;&#x153;full responsibilityâ&#x20AC;? for the uncertainty felt by Toyota owners and offered his condolences to a San Diego, Calif., family who were killed in late August, reigniting interest in the problems. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I will do everything in my power to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again,â&#x20AC;? Toyoda said in prepared testimony for Wednesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hearing to the House Government Oversight Committee. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My name is on every car. You have my personal commitment that Toyota will work vigorously and unceasingly to restore the trust of our customers,â&#x20AC;? Toyoda said. Lawmakers heard a brief, but riveting, description of the problem from Smith, the Tennessee woman whose Toyota-made Lexus suddenly zoomed to 100 miles per hour as she tried to get it to stop â&#x20AC;&#x201D; shifting to neutral, trying to throw the car into reverse and hitting the emergency
brake. She told described her nightmare ride in October 2006, calling it â&#x20AC;&#x153;a near death experience.â&#x20AC;? Fighting back tears, Smith told the panel â&#x20AC;&#x153;I prayed to God to help me.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;After six miles, God intervenedâ&#x20AC;? and slowed the car, she said. She said that nothing she had tried had worked. She said it took a long time for Toyota to respond to her complaints. Three congressional panels are investigating Toyotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s problems. The hearings are important because Toyota has recalled more than 8 million vehicles worldwide â&#x20AC;&#x201D; more than 6 million in the United States â&#x20AC;&#x201D; since last fall because of sudden acceleration problems in multiple models and braking issues in the Prius hybrid. It is also investigating steering concerns in Corollas. People with Toyotas have
complained of their vehicles speeding out of control in their efforts to slow down, sometimes resulting in deadly crashes. The government has received complaints of 34 deaths linked to sudden acceleration of Toyota vehicles since 2000. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are confident that no problems exist with the electric throttle control system in our vehicles,â&#x20AC;? Lentz said in prepared testimony to the House Energy and Commerceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investigative subcommittee. Lentz cited â&#x20AC;&#x153;fail-safe mechanismsâ&#x20AC;? in the cars were designed to shut off or reduce engine power â&#x20AC;&#x153;in the event of a system failure.â&#x20AC;? But Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., chairman of the full Energy and Commerce Committee, scoffed at Toyotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s insistence that electronics were not a possible cause and said the company should have investigated more thoroughly. Waxman also took the gov-
Vatican official defends stance on abortion nicole winfield
AP Political Writer
VATICAN CITY (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Vaticanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top bioethics official on Monday dismissed calls for his resignation following an uproar over his defense of doctors who aborted the twin fetuses of a 9-year-old child who was raped by her stepfather. Monsignor Renato Fisichella told The Associated Press he refused to respond to five members of the Vaticanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pontifical Academy for Life who questioned his suitability to lead the institution. Fisichella wrote an article in the Vaticanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newspaper in March saying the Brazilian doctors didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t deserve excommunication as mandated by church law because they were saving the girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. The call for mercy sparked heated criticism from some academy members who said it implied the Vatican was opening up to so-called â&#x20AC;&#x153;therapeutic abortionâ&#x20AC;? to save the motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. To quiet their complaints, the Vaticanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a clarification in July, repeating the Catholic Churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s firm opposition to abortion and saying Fisichellaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s words had been â&#x20AC;&#x153;manipulated and exploited.â&#x20AC;?
But that didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stem the criticism, which boiled up again last week when the academy â&#x20AC;&#x201D; an advisory body to the pope made up of lay and religious bioethics experts from around the world â&#x20AC;&#x201D; held its annual plenary assembly. Five members of the 145odd member body issued a statement Feb. 16, at the end of the closed meeting, again questioning Fisichellaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s suitability for office. They took him to task for his opening speech, in which he described the criticism over his article as being motivated by spite, according to participants. And they accused him of manipulating the Vaticanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s July clarification to make it appear that the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith had vindicated his original article. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Far from creating unity and genuine harmony in the academy, Archbishop Fisichellaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s address ... had the effect of confirming in the minds of many academicians the impression that we are being led by an ecclesiastic who does not understand what absolute respect for innocent human lives entails,â&#x20AC;? the five wrote. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is an absurd state of affairs in a Pontifical Academy for Life but one which can be rectified only by those who are
responsible for his appointment as president.â&#x20AC;? Pope Benedict XVI appointed Fisichella to the post in 2008. One of the signatories, Luke Gormally, the former director of Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Linacre Centre for Healthcare Ethics, said he and the other four wrote the letter to set the record straight after reading comments by Fisichella saying the matter had been resolved. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When we saw that Fisichella had given an interview ... more or less saying that everything was sweetness and light, we thought that this was in the nature of disinformation,â&#x20AC;? Gormally told The Associated Press. Not only did Fisichella refuse to retract his March article, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were accused of spite. It was quite extraordinary,â&#x20AC;? Gormally said. Reached Monday at home, Fisichella refused to respond to the call for resignation and dismissed the matter entirely, saying: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t respond to these people. Too much space already has been given to them.â&#x20AC;? In his March 15 article in Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Osservatore Romano, Fisichella stressed that abortion is always â&#x20AC;&#x153;bad.â&#x20AC;? But he said the quick and
public proclamation of excommunication of the Brazilian bishops â&#x20AC;&#x153;unfortunately hurts the credibility of our teaching, which appears in the eyes of many as insensitive, incomprehensible and lacking mercy.â&#x20AC;? He argued for respect for the Catholic doctorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wrenching decision. Writing as if he were addressing the girl, Fisichella said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are others who merit excommunication and our pardon, not those who have allowed you to live and have helped you to regain hope and trust.â&#x20AC;? Monsignor Michel Schooyans, an academy member and emeritus professor at Belgiumâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Louvain University, said Fisischella had fallen into the trap of â&#x20AC;&#x153;bogus compassion,â&#x20AC;? in supporting the doctors. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Instead of expressing compassion for the young and innocent victims, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;compassionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is extended to those who have inflicted immense harm on these victims,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? Schooyans wrote last month. Schooyans didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t attend last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meeting but signed the statement calling for Fisichellaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resignation.
Interested in working for The A&T Register in 2010-2011? Stop by the newsroom (GCB 328) for an application. Writers, editors and graphic designers needed.
ernment to task for not doing enough. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Toyota failed its customers and the government neglected its responsibilities,â&#x20AC;? he said. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told the panel in his prepared testimony that all possible causes, including possible electronics problems were being investigated by his agency. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will continue to investigate all possible causes of unintended acceleration,â&#x20AC;? LaHood said. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., chairman of the subcommittee, said Toyota â&#x20AC;&#x153;misled the American public by saying that they and other independent sources had thoroughly analyzed the electronics systems and eliminated electronics as a possible cause of sudden unintended acceleration when, in fact, the only such review was a flawed study conducted by a company retained by Toyotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lawyers.â&#x20AC;? But Texas Republican Rep.
Joe Barton cautioned his colleagues against conducting a â&#x20AC;&#x153;witch huntâ&#x20AC;? and said â&#x20AC;&#x153;We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to just assume automatically that Toyota has done something wrong and has tried to cover it up.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have not lived up to the high standards our customers and the public have come to expect from Toyota,â&#x20AC;? Lentz said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Put simply, it has taken us too long to come to grips with a rare but serious set of safety issues, despite all of our good faith efforts,â&#x20AC;? said Lentz, president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. Among an army of Toyota dealers lobbying members of Congress Tuesday, there seemed to be a widespread rancor toward a federal government they view as picking on the automaker, at least in part because of the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investment of billions of dollars in General Motors and Chrysler.
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The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, February 24, 2010
NASA considers future of outer space exploration President Barack Obama plans to divert billions of dollars from Bush’s moon plan toward developing better rockets.
BY SETH BORENSTEIN ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON (AP) — Where to next? It's a simple question that NASA can't answer so easily anymore. The veteran space shuttle fleet is months from being mothballed and the White House has nixed a previous plan to fly to the moon. For the first time in decades, NASA has no specific space destination for its next stop, although it has lots of places it wants to go. Future space flight, NASA officials say, now depends on new rocket science and where it can take us. That uncertainty may not sit well with Congress, which will be grilling NASA chief Charles Bolden on Wednesday and Thursday in the first hearings since the George W. Bush moon mission was shelved. There are only a few places in space where humans can go in the next couple of decades. NASA wants to go to all of them, with the ultimate destination, as always, being Mars. "The suite of destinations has not changed over time," NASA deputy administrator Lori Garver said in an interview. "The moon, asteroids, Mars — if you're going to go anywhere — is where we are going." But with any itinerary there is a first stop. So what is that? Check back in a couple of years. That's when new technology should be developed enough to answer that question, Garver said. President Barack Obama plans to divert billions of dollars from the Bush moon plan toward developing better rocketry. "The best way to get anywhere ... is really invest in technologies that will reduce the cost, reduce the time, reduce the risk and so forth," Garver said.
Some of those technologies seem like science fiction. The possibilities noted by experts inside and outside of NASA include the equivalent of an in-orbit gas station, electric-hybrid rockets, nuclear thermal rockets, inflatable parts for spaceships, and methods of beaming power between Earth and space. Former astronaut Franklin Chang-Diaz, who has developed a new type of electric propulsion engine called VASIMR that the NASA leadership mentions specifically, said this new emphasis is especially welcome because six years ago NASA killed its advanced rocket technology program. "We clearly need the technology leap if we really want to go to Mars," Chang-Diaz said. "We are not going to Mars on chemical rockets." Chemical rockets are what has always been used to get into space and they require carrying lots of expensive fuel. Electric propulsion would get better mileage, but versions so far don't have nearly enough thrust to get off Earth. To some critics, however, technology isn't as important as a destination. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., who will be chairing Wednesday's Senate subcommittee hearing, plans to push for some kind of commitment and specific plan of action. "The president is the only one that can lead the space program, and he ought to set a goal," Nelson said in an e-mail. "He needs to say where we're going and let NASA design the architecture to do it." Former NASA associate administrator Alan Stern said he's waiting to hear what NASA officials outline in the Capitol Hill hearings, but he too has concerns about not having a precise destination. "We need a destination and a timetable and that's really lack-
The President is the only one who can lead the space program, and he ought to set a goal.” BILL NELSON
FLORIDA DEMOCRATIC SENATOR ing," Stern said. He said that relying on technology to dictate a location "sounds like a program to nowhere." Because human spaceflight is about inspiration, science and international cooperation, Stern said, "you need a specific destination, a proper noun, something that's capitalized." The outline for much of NASA's future was sketched out by an independent spaceflight panel the White House appointed last year. Led by retired Lockheed Martin Chairman Norman Augustine, the panel laid out options, including canceling an immediate return to the moon and instead proposing a "flexible path." Panel member Chris Chyba, a professor of astrophysics and public affairs at Princeton University, said just because the flexible path doesn't point to a specific starting point doesn't mean it's without a goal. "You begin by saying what your goal is, not what your destination is," Chyba said. "And the goal is the human expansion into the solar system." The spaceflight panel charted a possible roadmap, based on the easiest trips first, such as a flight to the moon but no landing. Next might be any of a handful of points in space where the gravitational pull between the Earth and the moon, or the Earth and the sun are equal. Such locations are places of engineering importance because future space telescopes and other science satellites are slated to go there and this would allow astronauts to repair them. But they risk ridicule as flights
to nowhere, Chyba said. Then the panel suggested landing on a near-Earth asteroid, followed by flights to and around Mars and landing on a Martian moon. The panel also noted that landing on Earth's moon is "an obvious alternative" to Mars, maybe after an asteroid mission and serving as a possible training stop for other flights. The space agency also might still opt to go to the moon before anywhere else, NASA's Garver said. Several experts believe the most sensible place for astronauts to go first is an asteroid. "If the goal is ultimately the human exploration of Mars," landing on an object near Earth is a logical first step because it's easier, says Donald Yeomans, chief of NASA's near Earth object program. What asteroids offer is a lack of gravity, making it easy to leave. Landing on larger objects, such as the moon and Mars, would require the extra but expensive thrust that chemical rockets provide, demonstrating the need for a hybrid vehicle. Visiting an asteroid would have the appeal of some place new, would provide legitimate scientific study and could even help scientists figure out how to save Earth from some future killer asteroid, Stern said. Another of the key points in future spaceflight will be the ability to stop in space to refuel or even switch vehicles, said NASA's new chief technologist Bobby Braun. The future for NASA is not about future space destinations, contends MIT astronautics professor Ed Crawley, a member of the White House-appointed panel. "It's about the journey," he said. "It's a journey of technology. It's a journey of discovery. It's a journey of capability. It's a journey away from the cradle. At some point we have to learn how to leave the planet."
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Employee bonuses rise to $20 billion on Wall Street in 2009 BY MICHAEL GORMLEY ASSOCIATED PRESS
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Employees at Wall Street financial firms collected more than $20 billion in bonuses in 2009, the year after taxpayers bailed out the financial sector amid the economic meltdown, New York state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said Tuesday. The payouts were about 17 percent higher than the previous year's bonuses. Total compensation at the largest securities firms grew beyond that figure and profits could surpass what he calls an unprecedented $55 billion last year, DiNapoli said. That's nearly three times Wall Street's record increase, a rate of growth that is boosted in part by the record losses in 2008 of nearly $43 billion, the Democrat said. "Wall Street is vital to New York's economy, and the dollars generated by the industry help the state's bottom line," said DiNapoli. "But for most Americans, these huge bonuses are a bitter pill and hard to comprehend. ... Taxpayers bailed them out, and now they're back making money while many New York families are still struggling to make ends meet." The projections would make the average bonus $124,850. In 2008, the average was $112,000, according to DiNapoli's office. For many of the biggest firms, total compensation was up 31 percent, while sector-wide the average was a 27 percent increase to over $340,000, DiNapoli's spokesman said. DiNapoli supports reforms that require Wall Street bonuses to be tied to long-term profitability, to force more stability in the volatile markets and "make sure the securities industry thrives without driving the rest of us out on a fragile economic limb." DiNapoli reviews tax collections each year and bases his annual projection of Wall Street bonuses on income and other taxes paid in New York City. DiNapoli notes the bonuses help state revenues tre-
mendously as it faces an $8.2 billion deficit, but they are a "bitter pill" to most taxpayers nationwide. "I think it's in line with what we were expecting in terms of the record profits we've seen disclosed on Wall Street and coming off such a terrible year," said Joe Sorrentino, managing director of executive compensation consultant with Steven Hall & Partners. He said that had taxpayers not been furious about funding the bailout that made six- and seven-figure bonuses possible, "the bonuses would have been even higher." While New York taxpayers might be more understanding because the bonuses are critical for state and city tax revenue, "the rest of the country hasn't been able to wrap their head around these large numbers," Sorrentino said. "For a certain segment of the population, any bonus would be too much," he said. "But the reality is, if you don't pay these individuals a fair bonus, then they can go across the street and take their business with them. And, especially as we hopefully ramp up to recovery, that's your source of growth." Still, the method of the bonuses for 2009, with many of them tied to stock options and other deferred compensation, helps tie the big checks to longer term performance, he said. That's what Congress has sought as a way to avoid another meltdown based on quick, unsustainable profits. For example, he noted Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein is in line for a $9 million bonus compared to $68 million he received in 2007. DiNapoli said the bonus pool is a third less than the amount paid out two years ago when Wall Street had its previously most profitable year. The estimate does not include stock options that have not yet been realized or other forms of deferred compensation. This year's estimated bonus pool is third less than the amount paid two years ago, the previous most profitable year.
Students’ credit regulated by CARD BY MALCOLM EUSTACHE MANAGING EDITOR
On May 22, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act, banning retroactive rate increases and applying more accountablity to both credit card insurers and regulators. On Monday, the Federal Reserves put the act into effect. The CARD Act will make it tougher for people under 21 to acquire a credit card, having a direct impact on college students. “I got a credit card for emerngencies,” said Erica Boston, freshman criminal justice major. “I wouldn’t get a store credit card. I think that it’s a trap. They always offer you discounts to get the card, but it’s a trap because you have very high interest rates.” Many times in the past those interest rates have risen due to “retroactive increases,” which raise rates on existing balances by the “any time, any reason”, or “universal policy,” policy. It is this type of faulty business that moved the president to sign a piece of legislation banning this practice. In the past, college campuses had come to be known
as a utopia of sorts for credit card companies, while the young impressionable students would walk away with a goodie bag in hand, and a credit card in pocket. “I think the onus is on the individual,” said Joshua Bivens, senior supplied change management major. “You should know how to manage your money and if you can’t buy something with cash than you shouldn’t be buying it on credit because you can’t actually pay for it.” Buying items on credit and not having the money to pay for it, seems to be the trap that millions of Americans had fallen into over the last decade. Experts have cited that logic, as it applies to the housing crisis, as the major reason for the current economic recession. “Us being students, the majority of us don’t have credit,” said SGA Treasurer and senior computer science major, Mason Jones. “We have to build it up by applying for credit, but if you can’t pay it don’t do it.” “This is great, but students still need to make sure they’re reading the fine print,” said Ann Beamon, Director of Development in the College of Arts and Sciences.
theWORD
The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, February 24, 2010
5
Graduation is too far away; I’m ready to go Every year around this time, seniors at every institution begin to anticipate walking across the stage and receive their degree. While this is a pretty collective sentiment, my eagerness to graduate is at an all-time high. Graduation cannot come fast enough for me and I have been in college for long enough. It is time to make a move towards the next stage of my life. I know that it is only February and I have more than two months left, but I would leave tomorrow if I could. It is not that I don’t like A&T
anymore, or that I have had a bad experience while I have been here. I just feel like there is a certain maturity level that I have received and I am ready to do something new. I have been in North Carolina all my life, so that probably has something to do with it. I am ready for a drastic change of scenery and cannot wait until May 8th to do it. When I say that I am ready to graduate and move on with my life, some people think that I am crazy. Some say not to rush it and that college is the best time of
your life, and although that might be the case, it comes a time when it is time to just MOVE LAPORSHA ON. That time LOWRY is NOW for me, because I think that I have given North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University everything that I can give it, and Lord knows that it has probably taken even more.
I am just ready to be a grown up and as crazy as it may seem, I am completely over college. Although there are several things that I will miss about Aggieland, I can honestly say that I am ready to be on my own and begin my career and do all of the things that I have been dreaming about and working towards. First of all, I am ready to get a job and begin my career in journalism. I can honestly say that I am ready to handle responsibilities that come with adulthood. There is a certain culture at A&T and I am sure it is at every
other HBCU that keeps the stereotypes of our institution going. Over the past four years, I have done or at least attempted to do everything that is expected from a student who wants to have a fulfilling college experience. I have been a studentathlete, been to parties, been on the dean’s list, participated in Homecoming activities, ran for an SGA office, and worked on campus, among other things. I have met a lot of people and been able to do a lot of things. There are some things that I wish I could have done but I
will take that as a grain of salt as I move on with my life. I have had the best college experience possible and I would not change anything about it as I reflect. Of course, some things could have gone a little better for me, but I am now ready to apply all of the skills and knowledge to another purpose. Walking across that stage is not just the end of one chapter of my life, but it is also the beginning of a new one. I cannot wait for it to start so that I can achieve even greater things and represent A&T as an alumnus.
Who you calling a ‘nigga?’ What does it mean to be a nigga in today’s society? Is it OK for people to use the term? I myself have gone back and forth on this issue. Yet, I find it interesting that the word itself represents a major issue that goes on in our country. The word seems to divide our older and younger generations. Many older people say it has no place in our society, while many in the younger generation feel it has become a word in their everyday vocabulary. So I asked myself, what does it mean to be a nigga in today’s society? Trumaine: I don’t think the word nigga is so bad. I understand the historical value behind it, and I know it was not originally a word based on love and all that. But I also know that times have changed. The word has evolved and we have adopted it as our own. Mr. McCaskill: True. But why would you want ownership over such a word? You have become the main cause in your own destruction. Many people have died to change this mindset of being a nigger, yet our younger generation still glorifies it. Trumaine: But the older generation pretends as if we are stupid. We know the reality of our history and the word nigga. Truth be told, this country was built on racism. It was seen as a necessary evil at the time. So when you talk about history, you cannot teach it without injecting some form of racism into our children. The word nigga represents our history just as much as slavery. So why banish that and pretend it never happened? Mr. McCaskill: That’s not my point. The point is that the word nigger is destructive. It was meant to strip people of their identity and of their self-respect. Yet black people still try to glorify it. You cannot glorify destruction. The word has been passed from generation to generation like a genetic trait. Why would you continue to support this ignorance? Trumaine: We will not let the word die because it represents our history so well. Chris Rock once
said, “It’s the same as soul food. They gave us scraps and we made it into cuisine.” In the wrong hands, that word can hurt. But if you put the word into the hands of a true visionary such as Dave
grade our people. We give slave masters too much credit for that. They were ignorant white people who accidentally stumbled upon something when they continued to mispronounce Negro (the Span-
Trumaine
vs. Mr. McCaskill Chappelle, Dick Gregory, NWA, or Nas, then the word becomes art. It may seem terrible, but we have still embraced it just like soul food. Mr. McCaskill: You cannot tell me a time when nigger was acceptable. The word can be replaced in any sentence by any word on the planet, yet we still acknowledge it like it is a medal of honor. It is a word that has caused death, migration and segregation for hundreds of years. It is hurtful. Trumaine: We all know that context is key when using the word. I know the power of the word because I have been called a nigga by a white person. That mess was not cool. However, that does not stop me from using the word because I can see the difference between friendship and ignorance. The word was not originated to de-
ish word for black). Mr. McCaskill: This is probably true. However, that does not make it OK. You have probably been called nigger once or twice in your life, while your grandfather and grandmother was called that on a regular basis. And now your president is called that on a regular basis. Truth be told, if you feel that white people cannot say it, then you are a hypocrite by saying the word holds no true power anymore. If you are offended, that shows it still has its original power. Trumaine: Just because white people cannot understand why they cannot use it does not mean we have to discontinue and the use of the word. Stop hating on the word just because it’s not universal. I feel they only get mad because there is a word that they cannot use anymore. They in-
vented nigga, we were forced to take the meaning of the term away from them and reverse it, and now they want the rights to use it again. Just because they used the term to destroy us does not mean we have to use it in the same way. The abuse of the word is why they have lost their privileges to be able to use it. Mr. McCaskill: If we truly understood our history, then we would know that this word does hurt people. Every time I hear it, I shake my head and cringe. It shows a sign of no knowledge of self and ignorance. White people know this. That is why they used the word so frequently and viciously. Words have power and we cannot deny that. When John Mayer tried to use it, it did not work. When Michael Richards tried to use it, it came back and hurt him. It did that because people are still offended by this word. We understand what people did to move forward and destroy it. Trumaine: However, by us ignoring the word it still allows white folks to speak for us. The word represents our history. And since they have no understanding of why we continue to say it, they make us feel ignorant for continuing the use of it. But, in the words of rap legends like Nas, when we want to speak about other issues in our history, our current conditions or even our plain existence, they refer to it as reverse racism. So today we are still in the condition we are in because we are split amongst our own people. That causes us to still not have a voice against the people who have never tried to understand us. Mr. McCaskill: OK, but at the end of the day the word is inappropriate. For example, what would you call a black man with a Ph. D? A nigger! There is something wrong with that. Our children must realize that there has been too much done to reverse this. The word represents a status of ignorance and if we plan on moving forward, we must leave that word behind. After realizing these two sides within myself, I question where you stand and if you feel the word has a place in our society or not and if we are acknowledging both sides in this issue equally?
The ‘X’ Factor for Student Jobs HOLLY PAUL
Contributor
While many college students are thinking about their upcoming spring break plans, there’s no doubt that another issue is prominent in their minds: Will I have a job or internship this summer? While overall hiring is expected to be down, many top companies (including my firm) are still hiring. This means the question students should be asking is: What is the secret to landing a job right now? Today, landing a job requires uniqueness. Today’s students need to focus on and promote their individual strengths. They need to stand out from their peers and be unique. They need a personal brand. What exactly does it mean to develop a personal brand, especially for a college student who still may be developing as a person? It means having a understanding of one’s distinctive strengths. It means knowing oneself and knowing how to communicate that to others. It goes beyond GPA. To be sure, some people take the concept of uniqueness and personal branding too far.
Canned self-introductions and gimmicky colored resumes won’t fly. And there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance. Students need to be careful not to turn off recruiters with too much style and not enough substance.To help students learn more about the right way to approach personal branding, this week PricewaterhouseCoopers is sponsoring a national initiative called Personal Brand Week. Each day of the week of Feb. 22 will focus on one of the five elements we recommend that students master in order to develop personal brands that will help land them jobs and internships: • Elevator pitch. This is a basic introduction of who you are and what you’re looking for (that, theoretically, can be said in the short duration of an elevator ride). • Passion. Authentic passion is attractive and demonstrates traits like commitment, being well rounded and enthusiastic. Recruiters look for passion because it is the quality that drives people to arrive at work with energy and enthusiasm. • Authentic relation-
ships. The best professional networks begin with one’s friends and family and extend naturally from there. The people we know have a significant influence on who we are and how we behave. • Online presence. Hundreds of millions of people are on social networks; students should not forget that some of those people are potential employers and future colleagues. The best student personal brands include a professional and appropriate online presence. • Future goals. Having a strong personal brand involves knowing where you’re going in life. We want to hire young people who have put serious thought into their futures. While these five elements won’t guarantee a job interview at PricewaterhouseCoopers or elsewhere, they are important guidelines for any student who is eagar to stand out from the crowd and find a job this spring. And here’s the beauty of developing a personal brand at a young age: ultimately, it’s an exercise in becoming your best self.
Editor’s note:The opinions expressed on The Word are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the staff of The A&T Register. All house editorials are written and revised with input from the editorial board, staff, and are approved by the editor. All submissions must be sent to theatregister@gmail.com to be considered for submission and should be no longer than 250 words. Submissions must be recieved by the Sunday prior to publication at 5 p.m. to be considered. The A&T Register reserves the right to edit all submission content for clarity and grammar. Submissions become the property of The A&T Register and will not be returned.
theSCORE The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, February 24, 2010
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AGGIES RUNDOWN men’s basketball TEAM
MEAC
OVR.
Morgan State Delaware State S.C.State Norfolk State Bethune-Cookman UMES N.C.A&T Hampton Howard FAMU Coppin State
12-1 10-4 8-6 7-6 7-7 7-7 6-7 6-8 6-8 4-10 2-11
21-9 15-10 14-11 9-17 14-13 9-19 10-17 9-17 7-21 7-20 7-19
NEXT WEEK’S GAME: Saturday vs. Coppin State Baltimore, Md. 4 p.m. Monday vs. Morgan State Baltimore, Md. 9 p.m. (ESPNU)
women’s basketball Photo by kenneth hawkins • THE A&T Register
COLLAPSED AND SWEPT
JAMES Porter and the Aggies were held to 18 points in 17 minutes in their second half of their 79-74 loss to Winston-Salem State Univerisity. It was thier first game played since the official announcement of head coach Jerry Eaves contract extension.
Eaves squad can’t find a way to hold on to 15-point lead Prince askew & daniel henderson The A&T Register
On Friday, North Carolina A&T school officials announced the contract extension for Jerry Eaves to remain head coach of the men’s basketball program. On Monday, Eaves’ squad blew a 15-point second-half lead losing to arch-rival Winston-Salem State 79-74 for the second time this season. And according to the seventh-year head coach, the historic rivalry has nothing to do with his future at the helm for the blue and gold men’s basketball program. “They’re not tied together whatsoever,” said Eaves about his renewed contract. “The contract has nothing to do with today’s game – nothing at all.” According to Athletic Director Wheeler Brown there were other considerations in the ultimate decision in re-signing Eaves. “He’s graduated 20 out of 30 ball players and has built a well-rounded program,” Brown said.
“Granted, we haven’t won any championships during that time frame, but the big picture says a lot.” And they certainly didn’t display a title-contending effort in front of a Greensboro Coliseum crowd of more than 5,000 fans in attendance – or at least for one half. Senior guards Dwane Joshua and Tavarus Alston were able to establish offense for the Aggies early in the first half, in the paint and from the perimeter. For a half the Aggies were the aggressors. A&T turned 10 WSSU turnovers into 13 points and outscored the Rams 18-8 in the paint. They shot 6 for 11 from 3-point range in the first half but still only held a 10-point lead at halftime. And with the game being played at a neutral site rather than Corbett Sports Arena, it gave Winston-Salem state plenty of hope in spoiling Eaves’ signing day party and the A&T’s recent two-game winning streak. “I thought it was to our advantage when the game was moved to the coliseum,’’ Rams
head coach Bobby Collins said. It’s hard to argue that he wasn’t right. Rams guard Brian Fisher began to go to work. Along with a noticeable drop-off in the Aggies intensity, the Aggies had no answer for him allowing the Rams to climb back into the game. The Georgia native scored 18 of his 25 points in the second half while the Aggies shot just 1 for 11 from 3-point range in the final period. Junior Andrew Jackson gave the Rams their first lead of the game at 64-61 when he knocked down a three with just over seven minutes left. A tip slam from junior Paul Davis made it 66-61 and WSSU used a combination of free throws to lead them to their first series sweep in the rivalry since 1980. “We’re a funny team,” said A&T head coach Jerry Eaves. “We score the ball in the first half 43 points. In the second half we had 18 points in 17 minutes. I don’t know what to say. I see crazy numbers. I told my team I see them again, 9 percent from the three.”
Short-handed Lady Aggies easily handle Rams lauren morgan
On Monday night, the North Carolina A&T women’s basketball team faced their rivals, Winston Salem State University, at the Greensboro Coliseum. Playing without three key players, A&T crushed the Rams of WSSU 63-31. The Aggies were without Ta’Wuana Cook due to injury; Jaleesa Sams and Amber Calvin were both out due to an incident from Saturday’s game. Despite missing their key players, A&T had no problems defeating the Rams. This meeting marks the Aggies 15th straight win over the Rams; A&T now leads the series 23-3 over the Rams. Tierra Thomas led the Aggies in scoring with 16 points; JaQuayla Berry added 15 points and senior Tyronnica Alford 11 points 7 rebounds and 7 assist. “Tonight they got a lot of minuets”, said Coach Patricia Bibbs when asked about players who usually come off the bench. “I was happy with Tyronnica Alford.” Vontisha Woods led the Rams with 7 points and 7 rebounds. In the first half it has all Aggies; they opened the game on a 23-0 run. MaLisa Bumpus scored the Rams first points with just over eight minutes in the half; the Aggies led 25-3
PHOTO SUBJECT For the love of God just put a relevant cutline here. It really isn’t that hard to do
with 7:32 on the clock. The Aggies held the Rams shooting 20.8% and only allowed 12 points in the half; the Aggies led 34-12 at the half. The second half was not much different; beginning at the 15:41 mark the Aggies outscored the Rams 23-14 to end the game with a 32 point lead, holding the Rams to just 31 points. “The team is focused to finish the season strong”, said Bibbs on. “I’m just happy that we have people that can step up”. On Saturday the Aggies defeated South Carolina State 8363, recovering from their first conference loss this season. Ta’Wuana Cook led five
Aggies with 25 points; Lamona Smalley recorded a double-double, her 6th in the last seven games, with 11 points, 12 rebounds and five assists. Jaleesa Sams added 14 points for the Aggies. Sophilia Hipps led SC State with 20 points and Paris Alston recorded 15 points. SC State gained a quick lead over the Aggies until a 12-0 run put A&T up 29-17. The Aggies 12 point lead was cut to six by the half; they led SC State 3428 at the half. In the second half the Aggies pushed their lead to as many as 24 points; With wins over South Carolina State and Winston Salem the Aggies improved to 12-1 in the MEAC.
MEAC
OVR.
12-1 10-4 9-4 9-5 9-5 7-7 7-7 4-9 4-10 4-10 0-13
19-8 15-11 14-12 14-12 14-12 15-10 10-14 9-16 9-17 6-21 4-19
THIS WEEK’S GAMES: Saturday vs. Coppin State Baltimore, Md. 2 p.m.
AROUND SPORTS
Photo by kenneth hawkins • THE A&T Register
JERRY EAVES is now tied 3-3 in his series matchup with WSSU head coach Bobby Collins.
Eaves seems well aware that he will have to find a way to get rid of his program’s inconsistency in the future – even if it comes down to recruiting. “We’ve had quite a few tremendous wins, Eaves said, “but the bottom line now is that I’m going to have to find a way to recruit players that can win
championships.” “We’ve built a program, we’re very competitive against everyone we play – but the bottom line is I’m going to have to bring in a higher level of athletes.” Alston led the Aggies with 20 points and four assists while Joshua finished with 19.
Sams, Calvin miss game after Saturday outburst
NFL CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Julius Peppers grew up in North Carolina, starred in college in the state and made five Pro Bowls in eight years with the Carolina Panthers.Now, after a decision based on finances, Peppers is almost certainly leaving home and about to be the test case for how much NFL teams are willing to spend on an elite player in a season without a salary cap. General manager Marty Hurney announced Tuesday the Panthers won’t place the restrictive franchise tag on the team’s career sacks leader for a second consecutive year at a cost of at least $20.1 million.“With the magnitude of the contact, the tender that it would take to franchise him and how it fits into the big picture with our team, we made the decision to not franchise him,” Hurney said. “Obviously, it’s a very difficult decision because he’s a tremendous player.” ______
Sports Editor
Photo by insert name • AFFILIATION
N.C.A&T Hampton Morgan State Bethune-Cookman Howard FAMU UMES Coppin State S.C.State Delaware State Norfolk State
Monday vs. Morgan State Baltimore, Md. 5:30 p.m.
daniel henderson
Register Reporter
TEAM
In the wake of Saturday’s intra-squad altercation between two Lady Aggie teammates, neither of the players involved were dressed out for Monday’s rivalry game against Winston-Salem State. According to a staff journalist who attended the game, Junior forward Jaleesa Sams and freshman guard Amber Calvin had to be separated by fellow teammates and coaches during a timeout in this past weekend’s battle against South Carolina State. After the game the journalist also said a man approached Sams and there was a brief confrontation between the two. A university police report shows that officers investigated a report of communicating threats at Corbett Sports Center at 6:05 p.m. Saturday, but any connection between the two events is unknown. The details of what led to the on-court confrontation are unknown and school officials have not commented. However, Athletic Director Wheeler Brown did speak briefly on the proper procedures to take place in a situation similar to the event. “Anything that may have happened involving any team
rules will be dealt with in accordance with that particular team following a thorough investiga JALEESA SAMS tion.” H e a d Coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs also did not comment directly on if the players not dressing was the result of a suspension. “ We ’ l l just say that they did not play tonight – they were not here to play,” Bibbs said after M o n d a y ’s win over Winston Sa- AMBER CALVIN lem State. “ W e know what happened at the last game and you know any coach is going to make sure that she takes care of business and just move on.” “It’s nothing to be worried about. I think everything is still gonna work out.” Calvin and Sams are both starters for the Lady Aggies and both currently among the top four leading scorers on the team.
WINTER OLYMPICS VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP)— The U.S. remains on course for a historic medal haul, with a chance to take home the most hardware at the Winter Games for the first time in almost 80 years. Luciano Barra, a former Italian Olympic official who tracks winter sports results and issues regular medal projections, now forecasts the U.S. will finish with 32 medals, 11 of them gold, with Germany taking home 31 and nine. ______ NBA SOMERVILLE, N. J. (AP)— Former NBA star Jayson Williams has been sentenced to a minimum 18 months in prison for fatally shooting a hired driver in 2002, ending an eight-year legal odyssey.Williams avoided a retrial on a reckless manslaughter count by pleading guilty last month to aggravated assault in the death of Costas Christofi in February 2002. Williams was acquitted of aggravated manslaughter in 2004 but of covering up the shooting. ______ The Associated Press
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The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, February 24, 2010
&Scene heard
Greeks battle at ‘stroll off’
Feb. 24th-Mar. 2nd
Laporsha lowry Scene Editor
Two A&T chapters make it to nationals! This past weekend, the Beta Epsilon chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and the Eta chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. participated in the Sprite Step Off nationals in Atlanta, Ga. The event took place at the Atlanta Civic Center. The Beta Epsilon chapter failed to place in the finals but both teams represented A&T in a positive manner. The Delta XI chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. from Central State University took first place in the entire competiton. The Epsilon chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha, a white Greek-lettered organization from the University of Arkansas, took top honors in the sorority competition.
-L.L.
u presS PLAY B.O.B.
“Nothin’ On You” This song has a very catchy beat, and is a sweet song that brings the innoncence of music. Most music today does not compliment women in a positive way, so it is a refreshing change. -K.M.
Rihanna
“Rude Boy” The old Rihanna is BACK! After changing her image and sound so many times, it is refreshing to see hints of her old style while bringing something new. The song is catchy and the words bring out a side of her that we have never seen before. -L.L.
Hundreds of students and guests came to Moore Gym on Thursday for the fourth annual Stroll Competition presented by the Zeta chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Chapter member and Mister A&T, Austin James, hosted the show for the evening. The four National Pan-Hellenic Council sororities and the National Honorary Band fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi and sorority Tau Beta Sigma competed in the battle for the best strolls on campus. The NPHC fraternities were unable to participate due to other engagements. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. were preparing for the Sprite Step Off in Atlanta, Ga. that took place during the same weekend. Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. was unable to participate since they were the host. The night began with Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc. strolling and performing their signature “Centaur walk.” The first round of competition consisted of each organization performing to a song of their choice. Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. performed first, followed by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., and Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority Inc. Some of the songs chosen included “How Low Can You Go” by Ludacris and “Imma Be” by the Black Eyed Peas. In the second round, a random song was played for each
The A&T Register’s guide to what’s going on this week in arts and entertainment.
on screen Cop out starring Bruce Willis and Tracey Morgan will open in theaters on Friday. It is a comedy about a veteran NYPD cop whose rare baseball card is stolen. Since it’s his only hope to pay for his daughter’s upcoming wedding, he recruits his partner to track down the thief, a memorabilia-obsessed gangster.
- J.E.V.
Photos by Kenneth hawkins •The A&T Register
all the way turnt up (l) Members of the Alpha Mu chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. celebrate after winning the stroll competition Thursday. (r) The Alpha Phi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. perform to “I Look Good” by Chalie Boy. They finished in second place.
group to perform to. After each organization performed their second stroll, the third round began with each organization having to perform to the same song, “All the Way Turnt Up” by Travis Porter. This round, the organizations went full force, including acrobatics and moves that acknowledged the other organizations.
After each group performed, there was a brief intermission in which members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. performed their signature hop to “Atomic Dog” and members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. hopped to “Back That Thing Up.” A sound level meter was used to determine the winner based on audience applause. After each group was called
out and the crowd responded, the meter determined whom the winner would be. James announced the Alpha Mu chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. as the winners with 113 points. The Alpha Phi chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. came in second with a close 112 points.
Lyrical Lounge
Singers, poets, and spoken word artists showcased Jonathan Veal
Register Reporter
Last Friday night, the Eta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. hosted its first annual Lyrical Lounge in Exhibit Hall. The event had light refreshments, spoken word, singing and live music. Poets, singers and lyricists were welcomed from the Greensboro area. The show had a mild delay before starting, but once it began, the event carried on very smoothly with soulful jazz music
hotlist
thescene
from U-N’ovation, a live band from Livingston University. The lights were dimmed down and Exhibit Hall really had a jazz café resemblance. “It really made me feel comfortable as if I was actually at a jazz café in downtown Greensboro,” said freshman social work major, Wendy Wells. “I really enjoyed the band playing throughout the entire event,” Wells said. Performances included Couture Word singing well known songs such as “Killing Me Softly” by Lauryn Hill, “Love” by Musiq Soulchild
and “Until the End of Time” by Justin Timberlake. The crowd sang along with the performers for each song. “I really loved the fact that they sung Killing Me Softly, I love Lauryn Hill,” said freshman marketing major Ariel Gilmer. A&T students and Eta Chapter members recited poetry they wrote themselves. Afterwards the crowd reacted in an abundance of finger snaps, handclaps and cheers of joy. Due to the Eta Chapter also participating in the Sprite Step Off in Atlanta that same weekend, senior animal industry major, Robert Bass was assigned
to make the event a success. “Well the members of the step team left to go compete in the Sprite Step Off in Atlanta, so I was given this responsibility at the last minute,” Bass said. After the show was over, students and participants commended the program and inquired about possible shows in the future. “Participants from tonight and audience members had asked me can they be a part of this when we do it again,” Bass said. It seems that the Lyrical Lounge will be an annual event that will go on for years.
BE ‘Scene’
on shelves Project runway the complete 6th season is now on DVD. Supermodel Heidi Klum and fan-favorite fashion guru Tim Gunn host the hit TV series where aspiring fashion designers compete for a chance to break into the industry. Season 6 is loaded with new challenges, amazing designs, trainwreck projects, and celebrity appearances.
- J.E.V.
on stage melanie fiona will be performing in Harrison Auditorium tonight at 7p.m. as a part of the Art & Soul program presented by Student Union Advisory Board (SUAB). Tickets are avaliable in the ticket office. Students must bring non-perishable food items in order to receive a ticket. - J.E.V.
Want the chance to write movie reviews, 20 questions, celebrity gossip and more? Become a part of theSCENE! Contributor’s Meetings every Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. on GCB 328A
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Questions
1. Did you see ol’ dude from Winston that was wearing a probate mask? 2. Shouldn’t we let the guys play first, so we can highlight the winning women’s team? 3. Should we ban the guy’s basketball team from playing inside? 4. Do you think you could find five guys and smash the team on the outdoor courts? 5. Did you see the head coach from Winston last night? 6. Did you check his vest? 7. What was that, velvet??? 8. Did he pick it out of the Steve Harvey Collection at K&G? 9. As a head coach, should you take fashion advice from a King of Comedy? 10. Shouldn’t you listen to a King of haberdashery ? 11. Do you know what haberdashery means? 12. Have you ever heard of the internet? 13. Dictionary.com, perhaps? 14. How do you think Coach Eaves will do during the next three years of his extended contract? 15. When was the last time that the men won the MEAC? 16. Was Dr. J still a nurse? 17. Did you see the little boy dancing courtside at the game? 18. Should he become an honorary member of Blue Reign? 19. Did you know that it is supposed to snow again tonight? 20. Wasn’t it like 62 degrees Monday?
on campus NABJ Panel discusson will be held tonight in the GCB Auditorium at 6 p.m. Panelists will include journalists Ed Gordon, Sheeka Strickland, Allen Johnson, and Linda Williams. The topic of discussion will be “AfricanAmericans and the Changing Media Landscape.” - J.E.V.