March 26, 2014

The A&T

free

RegisteR voluMe lXXXvii no. 18

March 26, 2014

ncatreGister.coM

SERVING THE AGGIE COMMUNITY FOR OVER 120 YEARS

Wednesday

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF NORTH CAROLINA A&T

Officials hope to get 3,000 voters for SGA Elections TAYLOR YOUNG

Register Reporter

With SGA elections today, it is highly doubtful the majority of A&T’s student body will vote. It has been proven that less than 20 percent of students vote during spring elections.

Voting is a student’s way of choosing the person(s) they want to represent their class, as well as the university. It is a formal expression of choice, but students are not utilizing this right.

Students are encouraged to vote so that the winners truly reflect what the student body wants.

Who are student elected leaders representing if students

are not voting, the 20 percent of students who do vote?

Voting has even become easier over the years. In previous years, students had to go to the Memorial Student Union and physically place a vote, like one would during a general election. To make voting more convenient, students are able to vote via smart phones, iPhones, laptops, or any other technology with Internet access.

To be eligible to vote a student must be enrolled at the university.

Voting has decreased dramatically in the past three years despite how easy it is to vote.

According to the Election Committee, in Spring 2011, 1,643 of 9,778 eligible voters

voted. In Spring 2012, 1,577 of 8,628 eligible voters voted.

In Spring 2013, 1,189 of 8,471 eligible voters voted Some students feel that their voice is unnecessary, so they do not care to vote.

Kylah Hudson, sophomore graphic design student, admitted that last spring election she was lazy. Hudson is not alone.

Most students do not take the initiative to vote. Instead, they complain about leadership despite having the opportunity to use their voice in a political way.

“I felt like some of the faces I was seeing, were the typical faces. And it seemed like the elections are becoming more of a popularity contest and it

wasn’t for the benefits of the students anymore,” said Hudson.

On the other hand, some students do feel like their vote counts.

Aarin Jackson, student, said, “I voted because I felt it was my duty to vote for students that deserved and proved that they could run this school.”

Michael Linton, sophomore, felt that some candidates running for SGA positions have maintain their standards and truly aspire represent the student body, while others are run to get their name out there.

Linton mentioned that he has voted in previous elections despite his feelings toward school elections.

In past years, there was more competition with numerous candidates for specific positions. Now, it is common for people to run unopposed, or for no one to run at all.

This is the first election in years where there are three presidential candidates.

Hudson and Jackson both thought that competition was lacking in elections, and that is what hinders them from voting at times.

Other students went on to say that three candidates for both Mister and Miss A&T are refreshing to see. Last year, only one person ran for Mister A&T. Students want to feel included in elections and not feel like

their choices are already being made for them.

The same attitude students have toward university elections is the same one that justifies why young people are likely to not vote for general elections.

Candidates are hoping students come out to vote and let their voice be heard.

Elections open on today.

Students will be able to vote from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

All students are encouraged to vote.

—Email Taylorat tlyoung1@aggies.ncat.edu and follow The Register on Twitter @TheATRegister

Reverse college affirmative action ban dropped KATE MURPHY

MCT Campus

OAKLAND, Calif. — Stunned by an unexpected uprising within their party’s minority base, Democratic lawmakers on Monday dropped a push to reverse California’s 16-year-old ban on affirmative action in college admissions.

Constitutional Amendment 5 which would have put the issue before voters cleared the state Senate in late January on a party-line vote.

But as word of the bill spread, so did resistance, mostly from families concerned that race-conscious admission policies would unfairly disadvantage Asian applicants to the intensely competitive University of California system and its flagship campuses, Berkeley and UCLA. The strong opposition and quick success of a relatively small and reliably Democratic ethnic group 14 percent of the state’s population in 2012 revealed a new political strength.

The bill’s rapid demise culminated with an about-face by three Asian-American senators who voted for the bill in January. And its author, Sen. Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina, is making no promises about its revival.

“I’d like to bring it back,” Hernandez said in a phone interview. “I believe in it. I believe we need to make sure there’s equal opportunity for everyone in the state of California.”

Republicans won’t go along with that, their state Senate leader said Monday. “Republicans will continue to oppose this measure in any way, shape or form,” said Senate Minority Leader Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar. Black, Latino and Native American students made up almost 54 percent of California’s high school graduates in 2012 but just 27 percent of all freshmen, UC-wide, and 16 percent of UC Berkeley’s freshmen class that year.

Few issues are as personal to voters as education, which explains the intense negative reaction some had to the bill, said Bill Whalen, a research fellow at the Hoover Institution, a conservative policy analysis group at Stanford University.

“This was remarkably bad politics on the Democrats’ part,” Whalen said. “I can think of few things more destructive than pitting one constituency of a party against another.”

PHOTO BY MCT CAMPUS

ALEX LUCAS, CENTER LEFT, a college adviser at Dalton L. McMichael High School in Mayodan, N.C., works with juniors Sid Miller, from left, Chloe Lester and Gage Dillon during an ACT Prep session after school, March 11, 2014.

Group spreads college gospel JANE STANCILL

MCT Campus

MAYODAN, N.C. — On the labyrinthine path to the American higher education dream, Alex Lucas holds hands and nudges nervous students through the roadblocks.

The 24-year-old graduate of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill works as a college adviser at McMichael High School in rural Rockingham County, where about 70 percent of students are low-income and only a third of graduates ended up at a four-year university last year. Lucas is a one-woman crusader at McMichael, where she goes to any lengths to bombard students with a message that is new to many of them: You can go to college.

She plasters the hallways with student-made posters featuring North Carolina’s public and private colleges.

She scribbles a parent’s phone number on her hand so that she can pester a student about a key deadline. Whenever one of her

ONLINE

theWORLD

theWORD

theSCORE

theSCENE

surveys availaBle

russia Gets the Boot

the president speaks

fresh look for sWeet 16

our Males need love, too

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

Leaders of the world expel Russia G-8 until forces are changed in Ukraine.

SGA President Canisha Turner provides insight on Preeminence 2020.

New teams and new faces in the NCAA tournament this year after upsets last week.

This week theSCENE is taking the time to appreciate some influential men.

www.ncatregister.com

paGe 4

paGe 6

paGe 7

charges receives an acceptance letter, she proudly posts the student’s name and school on a little flag on the window of McMichael’s guidance suite.

On a recent day, she dashed from mock scholarship interviews to test prep sessions, with a running to-do list in her head.

“I need to get these students to believe that getting a college education is worth it to them and that the investment that they have to make and the time and money is worth it to them,” she explained. “And then I have to help them achieve it. It’s a two-step process the believe and then the achieve that I’m going for.”

Lucas is a trained member of the College Advising Corps, a Chapel Hill-based nonprofit that placed 375 advisers at high schools in14 states this year.

Modeled on the idea of the Peace Corps or Teach for America, the organization hires recent graduates to work in rural and  See GOSPEL on Page 2

WEATHER

paGe 8

Wednesday

45° Low: 27° High:

thursday: Sunny | High 57° friday: Sunny | High 64°

theYARD

The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, March 26, 2014

GOSPEL From page 1 urban high-need schools, to help qualified students find their way to college. The corps has 24 university partners that contribute funding and advisers.

The nonprofit received national attention in January at a White House summit on higher education affordability and accessibility. On that day, the John M. Belk Endowment of Charlotte announced a threeyear, $10 million grant for a big expansion in North Carolina, where there are 31 advisers.

Another 60 will be added in the next three years.

The North Carolina university partners are UNC-CH, North Carolina State, Davidson College and Duke University, which announced this month that it would join.

Kristy Teskey, executive director of the endowment, said the grant aims to move the dial on college-going in North Carolina’s rural communities.

She quotes a Georgetown University study that indicates that by 2018, 59 percent of jobs in the state will require some form of higher education. Yet the 2010 census showed that only 27 percent of adults in rural communities have a two-year or four-year degree.

“When you’re first generation and no one in your family has gone through the experience and you don’t have a support system of any kind to help with that, it’s these types of programs that can make the difference for large populations,” Teskey said.

“By the end of three years, we hope to have touched 54,000 students’ lives in helping them make good decisions around higher education.”

Teskey said the endowment was swayed by data from Stanford University evaluators who have studied the College Advising Corps and found better rates of college acceptance and financial aid applications at schools with advisers 10 percentage points higher in some cases.

In North Carolina overall, the evaluators found the fouryear college enrollment rate was 4.7 percentage points higher at schools with an adviser.

The results were better in rural areas such as Rockingham, where enrollment in four-year colleges was 8.5 percentage points higher, and enrollment at two- or four-year colleges was 10 percentage points higher compared with schools without advisers.

During a three-hour span on a recent day, Lucas reviewed financial aid forms for one student, prepped two anxious seniors for scholarship interviews and tutored three other students on vexing algebra problems for the ACT exam.

In the mock interviews, she tells students to look adults in the eye, shake their hands and dress professionally. Have a resume in hand, she advises, and watch the posture. Don’t be afraid of selling your accomplishments, she tells them.

When students say, “Um” too often, she lets them know.

Anna Waddell, a senior from Stoneville, is nervous about

the scholarship and risks being tripped up on the perennial question about strengths and weaknesses.

“You’ve got so many positives, that even when you give a weakness, I want it to be a secret strength,” Lucas tells her.

“It’s going to be awesome.”

Waddell leaves the session feeling more confident. She calls herself a first-generation college student, even though her mother attended a community college.

Her two older siblings work minimum-wage jobs, which helped spur Waddell’s hunger for a college degree.

She applied to eight colleges and was accepted to all. She’ll attend UNC-CH in the fall. For now, she’s trying to figure out how to afford it. That’s where Lucas comes in. She circulates a list of dozens of scholarships available. “I’ve always known I wanted to go to college,” Waddell said. “But execution? I didn’t know what to do.”

This year so far, Lucas has given about 70 presentations to students and parents at the school. She is an evangelist for higher education, but her goal is to find the right academic and financial match for students, whether that’s a public two-year school, such as Rockingham Community College or a private four-year such as Wake Forest University. She helps students identify three to five colleges that could be right for them.

Her office is lined with college pennants, just another one of those little messages she puts in front of students.

theBLOTTER March 18 2:07 p.m.

Pride Hall Personal Injury Closed 4:47 p.m.

Haley Hall Drug Violation Closed 5:03 p.m.

Graham Hall Found Property Closed March 19 1:43 p.m.

Vanstory Hall Trespassing Prosecution Declined 2:22 p.m.

Marteena Hall Larceny Further Investigation 6:24 p.m.

Lindsay St. Service of Warrants Closed March 20 1:38 a.m.

Nocho Street Calls for Service Further Investigation 1:59 a.m.

Aggie Suites E Assault on Female/ Simple Assault Closed

events

2

10:30 a.m.

Lindsay St. Service of Warrants Closed 11:00 a.m.

Lindsay St. Service of Warrants Closed 3:06 p.m.

Williams Café Larceny Closed

Wednesday

4:38 p.m.

Off Campus Call for Service (GPD Assist) Closed

26

SGA Spring Elections MSU- Exhibit Hall 8 am - 6 p.m.

March 21 9:58 a.m.

Crosby Hall Service of Warrants Closed

Movie Madness Merrick Auditorium 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

March 22 12:06 a.m.

Aggie Terrace Drug Violation/ Alcohol Violation Closed

Ladies of Excellence Game Night GCB Auditorium 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

thursday March 23 11:36 p.m.

Student Union PVA Vandalism Further Investigation Compiled by Tiera Richardson

27

PROUD Week Event Stallings Ballroom A 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Real Talk Session Stallings Ballroom B 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Women’s History Program GCB Auditorium 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

NY/NJ Full Body Meeting GCB Auditorium 7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.

friday

Hey Aggies!

Monday-Wednesday: 2 LARGE 1-topping pizzas $14 Every day special: LARGE pizza Any way you want it $10!

28

Cone Health Symposium NACB Rm. 101 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

SGA- You Got Serviced MSU- Exhibit Hall 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

saturday

Every day deals: $7.99 1 LARGE 1 topping OR 1 MEDIUM 2 topping

Probates

29

Corbetts Sports Center 10 a.m.

monday

(336) 954-7575

31

Miss A&T Ladies’ Week Merrick Auditorium 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Miss Phi Beta Sigma Interest Meeting MSU Rm. 209 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.

TUESday

Have any ideas or know of a topic that should be covered in the newspaper?

Email us your ideas at theatregister@gmail.com!

The A&T

Register Box E-25 1601 E. Market Street Greensboro, NC 27411 Newsroom: NCB 328A (336) 334­-7700 www.ncatregister.com

editor-in-chief: Karmen Robinson Managing editor/copy desk chief: Kashian Scrivens opinions editor: Meagan Jordan scene editor: Kourtney Pope online Editor: Courtney Matthews GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Taylor Wilson

Copy editor: Brianna Harrison reporters: Jeremy Days, Dominque Moody, Laci Ollison, Uniqua Quillins, Ziris Savage, Taylor Young content director: Anjan Basu faculty adviser: Emily Harris

Miss A&T Ladies’ Week Merrick Auditorium 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

1

Know Your History GCB Auditorium 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Queen City Aggies Full Body Meeting Proctor Auditorium 7 p.m. - 9 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.

Do you want to be a part of an award-winning publication?

We are taking applications for editors, reporters, and business staff!

The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, March 28 at 5 p.m.

To get an application, stop by GCB 328 or email The Register at theatregister@gmail.com

theWORLD 4

The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, March 26, 2014

U.S., allies throw Russia out G-8 LESLEY CLARK

MCT Campus

ROME — President Barack Obama and leaders of the world’s largest industrialized countries expelled Russia from the Group of Eight until it “changes course” in Ukraine and formally canceled plans to attend an economic summit in Russia in June.

The move was aimed at Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plan to host the G-8 group of economic powers at Sochi, Russia, which would have been its second starring role on the world stage after this winter’s Olympics.

Instead, the G-7 leaders will meet in Brussels without Putin.

At the same time, the group said it would not send its foreign

ministers to a planned G-8 meeting in Moscow next month.

Though largely symbolic and falling short of new sanctions against Russia, the statement from the G-7 leaders pledged that they “remain ready” to intensify sanctions if Russia takes further action in Ukraine.

“This group came together because of shared beliefs and shared responsibilities. Russia’s actions in recent weeks are not consistent with them,” the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States said in what they called “The Hague Declaration.”

The president of the European Council and the president of the European Commission also signed the statement.

The leaders met at Obama’s

urging at The Hague while attending a nuclear security summit.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters that Russia’s expulsion from the G-8 would be no “great tragedy,” Voice of Russia reported.

“If our Western partners think that this format has outlived itself, then so be it,” Lavrov told reporters after holding his first talks since the annexation with Andriy Deshchytsya, Ukraine’s interim foreign minister.

“At the very least, we are not trying to hold on to this format, and we see no great tragedy if it (the G-8) does not meet,” said Lavrov, who also met separately with Secretary of State John Kerry.

The move is symbolic but still important, Michael Mc-

Faul, a Stanford Universitybased Russia specialist who until recently was U.S. ambassador to Moscow, told reporters on a conference call.

McFaul said he believes Putin understands that he’s growing isolated and is bracing for a possible military engagement with NATO forces at some point.

“Right now I think he’s focused on consolidating and digging in for confrontation with the West,” McFaul said. “They fully expect it and that’s what they’re doing.”

The U.S. last week expanded a round of economic sanctions against Putin’s allies, but Obama is under pressure on the trip to convince European allies to step up their response.

Syrian terrorists take control of border crossing MITCHELL PROTHERO MCT Campus

BEIRUT — Syrian rebels linked to al-Qaida took control Monday of a key border crossing connecting Turkey to a Syrian province considered the heart of support for the government of President Bashar Assad, in heavy fighting that took the lives of three members of Assad’s family.

Syrian state television accused both the rebels and Turkey of using the Turkish side of the Kasab border crossing to ambush government forces on Friday. That sparked a broader confrontation that saw both sides heavily reinforce their positions over the weekend.

The offensive has been led by the Nusra Front, al-Qaida’s official Syrian franchise, and the

Islamic Front, a broad coalition of Islamist fighters that includes the al-Qaida-linked group Ahrar al-Sham. Adding to the radical flavor of the fighting is a unit of Chechen-led fighters aligned with the rogue Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, a jihadist group made up largely of non-Syrians that has been criticized for its brutal rule in the parts of Syria it controls.

On Monday, the official social media accounts of the Islamic Front released photos of its fighters taking control of the border crossing, although reports said that fighting for control of the area was continuing.

The crossing provides access to the coastal province of Latakia, the ancestral home of the Assad family and its fellow Alawite Muslims, where support is strong for the Assad

government and its militia, the National Defense Force, a paramilitary group trained by Iran to bolster the thinly spread Syrian army. Latakia has both symbolic and strategic importance, connecting the rest of Syria to the Mediterranean Sea. Russia maintains a military facility at the Latakia port city of Tartus.

The importance of the region to the Assad regime is reflected in the command structure of the National Defense Force there.

On Sunday, Syrian state television announced the death in the fighting of the local defense force commander, Hilal Assad, a distant cousin of the president.

On Monday, Syria announced the deaths of two other cousins of the president, Ali and Kifah Assad, though it was unclear if they were killed separately of Hilal, who died when rock-

ets fired by rebels targeted his command post. Both men were rumored to have been in command positions in the National Defense Force and could have been killed in the same incident.

A group that is part of the Islamic Front, Jaysh al-Islam, issued a statement detailing how Hilal Assad was killed.

“The first rocket was fired around 7:15 p.m., followed by another five minutes later,” the statement said. “The rockets targeted a house where Hilal was holding a meeting with other members of the National Defense Force.”

The Syrian charge that Turkey was helping the Islamists came one day after Turkish jets downed a Syrian fighter-bomber as it attacked rebel positions along the border.

529 Morsi supporters sentenced to death NANCY A. YOUSSEF MCT Campus

CAIRO — An Egyptian judge sentenced 529 supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi to death Monday in an unprecedented verdict that shocked the nation and dashed any hopes that Egypt’s capricious judicial system would render justice to government opponents.

The case now goes before Egypt’s supreme religious authority, the Grand Mufti, the senior Islamic scholar here, for approval or rejection. It also will be reviewed by an appeals court, with both lawyers and other observers saying they expected the sentence would be overturned, as often happens in Egypt.

That did little, however, to ease the shock that swept across Egypt when the verdict was announced. While police brutality, torture and unfair verdicts are common practice in Egypt, a death sentence is not.

That so many would be sentenced to execution for the death of a single person is unprecedented in modern Egyptian history. According to Death Penalty Worldwide, a website created by Professor Sandra Babcock of the Center for International Human Rights at Northwestern Law School’s Bluhm Legal Clinic, only 709 people had received a death sentence in Egypt between 1980 to 2000. The last execution was in 2011.

“If you don’t die in the streets from weapons, you will die from the judge’s bench,” one of the lawyers, Yasser Zeidan, concluded after Mon-

day’s verdict.

For comparison, a police officer was sentenced to 10 years in prison two weeks ago for the deaths of 37 prisoners who suffocated after officers threw tear gas into their police van, which was not designed to hold more than 22 prisoners.

In its daily briefing with reporters, the U.S. State Department said that it was “pretty shocked” by the ruling, which it said “defies logic,” and that U.S. officials would raise the case with Egyptian officials.

“There is no place for politically motivated convictions in a country that is moving toward democracy,” State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters.

The verdict was handed down in Minya, a province in the middle of Egypt that is home to more Christians than any other province. The 529 defendants, who ranged in age from 20 to 40, were charged with killing a police officer, attempting to kill two others and destroying property when a mob stormed a police station last summer, when tensions over Morsi’s ouster were at their height.

Much of the violence had been aimed at Christians, whom Morsi’s supporters blamed for contributing to Morsi’s downfall. Hundreds of churches nationwide were attacked, and Minya was particularly devastated by the violence.

Lawyers who attended the two court sessions leading up to the verdict said the judge was angry with them for objecting to the level of security at the opening session.

Israel’s water supply no longer a worry

Desalination plants make an impact JOEL GREENBERG MCT Campus

HADERA, Israel — Israel has gone through one of the driest winters in its history, but despite the lean rainy season, the government has suspended a longstanding campaign to conserve water.

The familiar public messages during recent years of drought, often showing images of parched earth, have disappeared from television despite weeks of balmy weather with record low rainfalls in some areas.

The level of the Sea of Galilee, the country’s natural water reservoir, is no longer closely tracked in news reports or the subject of anxious national discussion.

The reason: Israel has in recent years achieved a quiet water revolution through desalination.

With four plants currently in operation, all built since 2005, and a fifth slated to go into service this year, Israel is meeting much of its water needs by purifying seawater from the Mediterranean. Some 80 percent of domestic water use in Israeli cities comes from desalinated water, according to Israeli officials.

“There’s no water problem because of the desalination,” said Hila Gil, director of the desalination division in the Israel Water Authority. “The problem is no longer on the agenda.”

The struggle over scarce water resources has fueled conflict between Israel and its neighbors, but the country is now finding itself increasingly selfsufficient after years of dependency on rainfall and subterranean aquifers.

Israel’s experience might also offer some important lessons, or at least contrast, for states like California. Now gripped by drought, with the all-important snowpack averaging only 26 percent of normal, California has struggled with desalination efforts in the past.

At present, more than a doz-

en desalination projects are at various stages of planning in the state, and the California Department of Water Resources will be announcing a new round of desalination grants in May. The grants are very modest, though; the last round, for instance, offered just $45,000 to study the technology in southern San Luis Obispo County.

The plants themselves, meanwhile, are costly and frequently controversial. One big plant built two decades ago near Santa Barbara, in the final years of an earlier drought, is now dormant. Officials estimate it would cost $20 million or more to reactivate it.

A proposal for a 50 million-gallon-per-day facility at Huntington Beach in Southern California would cost hundreds of millions of dollars to build.

In November, the California Coastal Commission postponed granting the project a permit pending more studies.

Each of Israel’s plants cost between $300 million and $450 million to build. The plants are privately owned and operated, under a contract with the government, which buys the water from the plants. The budget for water purchases comes from water charges to consumers.

The plants are not subsidized.

Israel’s efforts to solve its water shortage haven’t ended with desalination. The country treats and recycles more than 80 percent of its wastewater, using it primarily for agriculture, making it a world leader in that field.

By easing its own water crunch, experts say, Israel could free up more of the precious resource in a possible peace agreement with the Palestinians.

At a water desalination plant on the sea near the northern Israeli town of Hadera, water pumped in from the Mediterranean is pushed through rows of multi-layered plastic membranes and, through a process called reverse osmosis, emerges after 90 minutes as tasty drinking water.

The company that runs the facility, IDE Technologies, which is based in Israel, recently showed foreign visitors around the plant, touting its performance along with another plant at Soreq, near the southern Israeli coast, the largest reverse osmosis desalination plant in the world. That plant produces 150 million cubic meters of potable water a year.

IDE is also involved in building seawater desalination plants abroad, including what is expected to be the largest such plant in the Western Hemisphere at Carlsbad, Calif., able to provide 50 million of gallons of potable water a day.

The Israeli plants, mostly located along the coast, operate at high energy efficiency and are some of the most cost-efficient in the world, when measured against similar plants in other countries, according to official figures.

Desalinated water at the Soreq plant is produced at the price of 52 cents a cubic meter, according to terms of a government tender, and while actual rates fluctuate according to energy costs, currency exchange and the cost-of-living index, they remain significantly lower than in other nations.

But environmental experts caution that desalination has its costs, among them high energy consumption from power plants that emit greenhouse gases, use of scarce land on Israel’s crowded seacoast, and emission of highly concentrated saline water and chemicals into the ocean, with unclear environmental consequences.

“In Israel, environmental costs are not taken into account when calculating the costs of desalinated water,” said Nurit Kliot, a professor of environmental studies at Haifa University.

Gidon Bromberg, Israeli director of Friends of the Earth Middle East, a regional environmental group, said desalination should be part of integrated water policy.

join us for

OPEN HOUSE March 27 • 2-6 pm • free pizza

SAVE $200 with zero down

apply online today @ theprovincegreensboro.com

on Greensboro shuttle bus route + upgraded 24-hr fitness center + private bedrooms leather-style furniture + 40” TV included + washer & dryer included + 24-hr computer center recreation center + theater room + free tanning + heated swimming pool

8 0 1 P R O V I N C E S P R I N G C I R C L E • 3 3 6 . 6 1 7. 7 2 9 2 Fees subject to change. Limited time only. See office for details.

theBIZ

The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Immortal death in social media ?

RICK MONTGOMERY MCT Campus

The Facebook page of Bill Watkins’ mother lights up at least twice a year, on her birthday and on the anniversary of her death.

She passed away three years ago last month. And it unsettles her son that Mom remains a source of delight on the social media network.

Every July 31, Facebook notifies all of her online friends, including Watkins of Kansas City, that it’s her birthday. Sadly, he knows that. But many others will then post happy regards on his mother’s site, addressing her as if she never succumbed to breast cancer.

“They’ll say, ‘Oh, remember the time we did such and such?’ “ said Watkins, 31, who also lost a twin brother a decade ago. “It’s that public form of expressing loss that bothers me a little. It’s not the way I grieve.”

Loss affects everyone differently. But nobody really goes away on the World Wide Web, and that provides great comfort to many grieving families.

To others, online accounts that linger in perpetuity only serve to remind that someone dear no longer occupies the real world.

Millions of owners of active Facebook accounts are deceased. But their posts live on, either as customized memorial pages _ at least 3 million of those have been set up _ or as unattended remnants of a life cut short in the social network.

Immortality isn’t reserved just to social media sites such as Facebook.

A typical Web user has 25 online accounts, what estate planners today call “virtual assets.” They include email, blogs, online bank accounts and Pinterest files of photos.

They don’t vanish when the owners die. Unless families know the usernames and passwords behind the accounts, some virtual assets could reside indefinitely in a vast cyberspace cemetery.

Such issues gained attention in February when John Berlin of Arnold, Mo., posted an emotionally raw video clip on YouTube that went viral.

He was trying to obtain personalized video clips that should have been in the account of his late son, Jesse.

As part of Facebook’s 10th anniversary, the network had sent automated “Look Back” clips to all active users, displaying their most popular posts.

“I’m calling out to Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook,” John Berlin said. “You’ve been putting out these new movies, these one-minute movies that everyone’s been sharing. Well, my son passed away ... and we can’t access his Facebook account.

“I want to see my son’s video.”

His tactic worked. Facebook contacted John Berlin and then issued a statement that it would offer families of deceased users access to Look Back videos.

Facebook went on to announce changes in its policy regarding special “memorialized” pages, allowing them to be visible to everyone the user allowed access to before dying.

In the company’s words, pri-

vacy settings of the dead would remain “as is.”

Expect more policy changes, and perhaps new state laws, as online providers struggle to address the demands of surviving loved ones _ especially parents and spouses _ to access accounts of the deceased.

“It’s a big issue, and something worth talking about” within families before death arrives, said Michael Ong, an estate planner and lawyer in Leawood, Kan. “When someone dies, there’s a lot of confusion over who can change and control those pages” in social media and blog sites, he said. “They may have thousands of photos posted.

Some may want to keep a page up. Some may want to take it down.”

For one of Ong’s clients, it was important not to lose a dead daughter’s cellphone account, a virtual asset commonly overlooked.

The mother just needed to hear her girl’s recorded voice message from time to time.

Vincent Boos’ Facebook page has been maintained by friends and family since his 2008 death in a car accident.

He was 22, a gifted singer finishing his first semester as a student at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music.

“The thing that helps me the most,” said his mother, Rochelle Boos of Olathe, Kan., “is when I write something on his page, it’s almost as if I’m talking to him directly ... that maybe, somehow, he can see it.”

Vincent Boos had shared his password and login information

with one of his best pals, Tiffany Rippee. That allowed her to accept “friend requests” even after his passing. Today they number nearly 300.

Little sister Mariah Boos, also a singer, visits her brother’s wall whenever she has a big performance. Just last month, Rippee posted a video clip of the upcoming TV series “Heroes Reborn.” She wrote: “I wish you and I could enjoy the new episodes together. I knew you’d be super pumped by the news.”

Sometimes a Facebook friend will post a snapshot of a deceased person “not looking their best,” in a hospital bed or bleary-eyed holding a cocktail, she said.

“You’re getting into this whole conundrum of grief, which is so individualized, so many variables,” Shontz said.

The trigger points for those grieving can be everywhere, Shontz noted, and they’re hardly exclusive to the Internet: A loudmouthed uncle says something awkward at Christmas. A father finds a diary in daughter’s closet _ should he open it?

What new technologies allow, however, is an instant contact to the world without giving the message much thought.

Shontz, who works for hospice groups, said: “One thing to consider is: If your loved one was still here, what would their wishes be?”

Watkins said his mother, who died at 57, probably wouldn’t mind that people still post on her Facebook page.

“But for me, let’s just say it’s kind of creepy,” he said. “Grief for me is such a private, per-

sonal thing.

“This person has passed.

And at some point, years down the line, you need to let the past be the past.”

Social media sites will consider requests to deactivate someone’s online account, erasing it from view. Procedures vary. But because of federal privacy laws and terms of service agreements with the deceased, in no case is the process simple, according to the Pew Research Center: Ong, the estate attorney, said headaches can be eliminated if online account holders share their usernames and passwords with trusted others.

Or keep the information in a place where someone knows to look.

“We want to treat digital assets in the same manner as property assets,” said Suzanne Walsh, who chairs the committee studying the issue.

“I expect quite a few states will grab what we put out in the fall. We have a lot of people sort of clamoring for this.”

His son had changed his Facebook password shortly before his suicide. The company and other online platforms balked at allowing the father to explore the hidden corners of Eric’s accounts, citing the terms of his service agreement (which most users don’t read before clicking “agree”) and U.S. electronic privacy laws.

Rash said he was stunned to learn that privacy rights of a dead minor trumped parental rights of the living.

“I saw Jeanne disappear from my friends list.”

Michelle Obama urges open Egyptian gov’t raises Internet access in China hope for moderation STUART LEAVENWORTH MCT Campus

BEIJING— Michelle Obama, often criticized for her overly cautious comments while abroad, made clear Saturday that China will be unable to advance its education goals without easing Internet restrictions and allowing greater freedom of expression.

Speaking at the Stanford Center at Peking University, Obama did not cite China specifically, and she prefaced her comments by noting that the United States must “respect the uniqueness” of other cultures and societies.

“But when it comes to expressing yourself freely, and worshiping as you choose, and having open access to information _ we believe those are universal rights that are the birthright of every person on this planet,” Obama said.

Obama delivered her prepared speech on her second full day in Beijing, where the Communist Party controls the media, detains and jails activists for organizing public demonstrations, and blocks citizens from accessing international news and social media websites.

As a presidential spouse, Obama has been careful not to make statements overseas that might complicate her husband’s foreign policy agenda. That is why Obama’s comments surprised some in the audience, including U.S. and Chinese students who clamored to get their photo taken with her after

the speech.

Just the night before, Obama met China’s top party leader, President Xi Jinping, after touring schools and the Forbidden City with Xi’s wife, Peng Liyuan.

“It was very interesting,” said Ashley Ladeira, a 25-yearold from Hawaii, who is in her second year at Peking University seeking a master’s degree in international relations. “It was very diplomatic.

It wasn’t in your face. But it was clear what she was saying, and it was a very important step to take.”

“We view study-abroad programs not just as an educational opportunity for students, but also as a vital part of America’s foreign policy,” Obama said in her speech.

After recounting the stories of U.S. students studying in China, Obama talked about the power of technology and open media in stimulating debate and allowing the world to learn about new innovations.

“But I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world,” she added. “Time and again, we have seen that countries are stronger and more prosperous when the voices and opinions of all their citizens can be heard.”

It’s doubtful many in China will get to hear Obama’s opinions. Since Xi became top party leader late in 2012, the government has tightened up what “netizens” can access and post on the web, including via Sina Weibo, China’s version of Twitter.

A recent change in policy

gives authorities the latitude to jail anyone accused of spreading widespread online “rumors,” said Michael Anti, a Chinese blogger and Internet activist.

“This is a blank check for any local government to arrest any blogger they want,” Anti said on a panel Friday at the Bookworm Literary Festival in Beijing.

In what appears to be a nod to the White House’s concern about China’s treatment of ethnic Tibetans, Obama will visit a Tibetan restaurant for lunch in Chengdu that day.

Peng was once active on AIDS awareness and other public health issues but gradually dropped from the public eye as her husband built up his power.

Friday’s meetings between Obama and Peng _ at least those that were open to a media pool _ showed no signs of any natural bond between the two presidential spouses.

During a visit to a calligraphy class at Beijing Normal School, which included bilingual high schoolers from China and the United States, Peng stood stiff in her navy blue skirt suit, holding a red clutch purse.

Obama at one point put her arm around the waist of Sasha, who looked much more weary from the previous day’s flight than her travel-tested mother.

Later that night, the Obamas met Peng for dinner and a performance, and received what was described as a surprise visit from President Xi.

AMINA ISMAIL & NANCY A. YOUSSEF MCT Campus

CAIRO — An Egyptian criminal court on Sunday released on bail a leading liberal activist charged with holding unauthorized protests in a ruling some saw as an effort by authorities to cool political tensions ahead of an expected presidential election.

Judge Mohamed al Fiqqy set bail at 10,000 Egyptian pounds, about $1,400, each for Alaa Abdel Fatah, a prominent dissident who helped spur the 2011 uprising that led to the fall of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and Ahmed Abdel Rahman, a security guard who was arrested for carrying a knife near a demonstration.

Both men had been held for four months. The next court date was set for April 6.

Spectators in the courtroom cheered when the judge announced his ruling, and political commentators expressed hope that it was a sign the government was reassessing its eight-monthlong crackdown on opponents of all stripes since its ouster July 3 of President Mohammed Morsi.

That hope was bolstered Sunday when the family of jailed Al-Jazeera correspondent Mohamed Fadel Fahmy said it had received a letter from Egyptian President Adly Mansour, promising a speedy trial in his case.

The government charges that Fahmy, who holds both Canadian and Egyptian citizenship, ran a terrorist cell and fabricated

news from Al-Jazeera’s temporary office in the luxurious Marriott Hotel.

According to government figures, at least 16,000 people Islamists and liberals have been arrested since Morsi’s ouster on charges that include protesting the government, terrorism and speaking out in a way that harms national security.

The result has been overcrowded prisons, overtaxed courts and a climate of fear just three years after an uprising that sought democratic reforms.

Two days later, officers stormed Abdel Fattah’s home, beating him and his wife.

All 25 defendants were charged with assembling illegally, stopping traffic and assaulting security forces and stealing police two-way radios.

“It is like the throwing of the dice. It has nothing to do with the rule of law or cleverness of the lawyers,” said Abdel Fattah’s lawyer, Saif El Deen, himself a long time activist who was arrested during Mubarak’s era.

The preceding court session offered an example of El Deen’s complaint. In that case, a group of Islamist lawyers defending two leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood, the secretive group through which Morsi rose to power, said they now had so many cases that they can’t keep up and that they fear arrest.

One lawyer, Khalid Badawy, told the judge that his client had two court sessions at the same time in two different courts, leaving him unsure where to go and whether his client would be there.

Are you interested in writing for The Register?

Stop by GCB 328 to find out how you can contribute to an award-winning publication.

5

Credit card companies increase security KATE MATHER

MCT Campus

In the wake of some wideranging breaches in credit card data, Mastercard and Visa this month announced an initiative to increase payment security, including expanding chip technology in the U.S. “The recent high-profile breaches have served as a catalyst for much-needed collaboration between the retail and financial services industry on the issue of payment security,” Ryan McInerney, president of Visa Inc., said in a statement this month.

The integrated circuit cards generate a unique code for every transaction, which make it nearly impossible for the cards to be used for counterfeit activity, security officials said. The smart card technology is widely used in Europe, Asia and Canada.

MasterCard and Visa had previously imposed an October 2015 deadline for U.S. banks and merchants to implement the new technology.

The new initiative, which includes banks, credit unions, merchants, manufacturers and industry trade groups, will also work on ways to better protect online and mobile transactions.

The new security measures can’t come soon enough.

On Saturday, MasterCard said it was investigating reports that the California Department of Motor Vehicles may have experienced a breach of credit card data involving online transactions for agency services.

MasterCard is “aware of and investigating” reports of a potential breach, spokesman Seth Eisen told The Los Angeles Times.

He said the company was communicating with its customers but could provide no details on information that may have been compromised or how many cardholders may be affected.

It remains unclear how many people might be affected, but Krebs reported that one bank received a list from MasterCard of more than 1,000 cards that were potentially exposed.

Krebs reported that the information stolen included credit card numbers, expiration dates and three-digit security codes printed on the back, but it remained unclear if other sensitive information such as driver’s license or Social Security numbers was also taken.

According to the latest information released by the DMV, more than 11.9 million online transactions were conducted with the agency in 2012, marking a 6% increase from the year before. Online services include transactions such as payments of registration fees and the purchase of specialized license plates.

Last year, an estimated 40 million Target customers’ credit and debit card accounts were illegally accessed from Nov. 27 to Dec. 15, while as many as 70 million shoppers may have had their names and home and email addresses stolen over an indeterminate amount of time.

Also last year, Neiman Marcus Group said data from more than 1 million of its customers’ payment cards may have been nabbed by hackers who breached the upscale retailer’s system.

Malicious software was surreptitiously installed to collect, or “scrape,” payment card information from July 16 to Oct. 30, leaving 1.1 million cards “potentially visible” to hackers, the company said.

theWORD 6

The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Russia’s land grab, not so clever after all Linda marsa

MCT Campus

It has become a truism in discussions of Russia’s takeover of Crimea that in the post-World War II international order, countries no longer rewrite borders through force _ or if they do, rarely find themselves faced with determined opposition from other states. As Secretary of State John F. Kerry put it, the Crimea campaign is a “19th century act.”

Such statements ignore major pieces of inconvenient history. Though it is too early to say much about the 21st century, the late 20th century saw countries gobble up foreign territory. Indeed, even the more modest claim that such territorial conquest is unknown in Europe is not true. Sometimes these actions met determined international opposition, but just as

often they did not. Immediate objections fade. Indeed, a comprehensive study of post-WWII conquest finds that United Nations condemnation happens in well under half the cases.

Russian President Vladimir Putin needed to look no further than his Black Sea neighbor Turkey for inspiration. In 1974, Turkey invaded northern Cyprus, and continues to occupy the northern third of the island under an unrecognized puppet regime. Cyprus, a member of the European Union, is not a member of NATO. This has not prevented the development of close relations, and even solicitude, from the EU toward its own occupier.

As Turkey was grabbing Cyprus, Morocco snatched the massive and resource-rich Western Sahara _ like Russia’s Crimea move, in a swift action that did not result in the firing of

SEX AND ‘THE T’ Manifest naturally, manipulate nothing

“The bible doesn’t mention anything about no boyfriends and girlfriends. It instructs us how to be a good husband and wife,” said one of my good friends during a group discussion on dating.

We were all taken aback by this com- MEAGAN ment because it was not only harsh but JORDAN a very true reality.

I am pretty sure I can speak for everyone in the room when I say we all took a moment to reflect on current and or past relationships.

It is common in more females than males, but our generation questions ethics of young relationships, especially ones involving college students.

As stated in a previous column, I too came to school under the impression that this was the place I would meet the love of my life.

It is still possible that college is the place where I may find the love of my life, but it may not be right now.

One issue that I constantly hear from older generations is that young people have no patience. We do not allow things to manifest naturally.

We try to manipulate ourselves, others and our relationships into how we feel they need to be, which is why we either cannot get into a relationship or maintain one.

To be honest, our twenties is the time to experience numerous relationships. It is easy to speak of how our parents and grandparents found love. Today, we have more opportunities, and the technology is far more advanced in comparison to what they had.

Women are becoming the head of households. It was not common for women to expand on their career.

Granted, my great grandparents were married at the age of 14, but had there been other opportunities, there probably would have been other people in the equation.

Young women, including myself, trip over things that will not matter years from now. Although we find ourselves in relationships where we are expected to maintain loyalty and practice monogamy, in my opinion, it does more harm then good.

The most loyal married men were once dogs in their day.

A prime example of this is my father. I am not saying to find guys who are not about any-

thing, but this could be a reason as to why women are attracted to “dogs.”

We know that once a man is tired of running around, he will focus and give his undivided attention to us.

Where we mess up is trying to manipulate the time frame.

Although cheating is not condoned, it is imperative that the devious ways of our youth are fulfilled prior to marriage. After all, marriage is sacred, and vows are taken before God. I encourage everyone to not focus on the pressures of having a significant other right now. Unlike my friend who sees no point in dating, I think it is a healthy practice.

There is a difference between dating and being exclusive. In the article “29 Things Twentysomethings Need to Stop Worrying About,” Anna Breslaw, Cosmopolitan magazines online sex and relationships editor writes, “Dating a bunch of guys is fun, once you get the taste for it, because if one of them’s awesome at sex, and another one is awesome at fixing things, and another has a car in a city where nobody has a car, all together it’s like you are dating a Frankendude whom you would marry tomorrow. But you’re not, so relax.”

Dating multiple people can be fun because each person may be special and contribute to something different.

However, I do not think one should sleep with every person they date. The constant worry of having someone to settle with right now is pointless. We as a youth change and grow everyday.

Let’s stop forcing the matter of relationships and reinforce one of the purposes of our youth. As young adults in college, I am sure we have other things to do than plan who we are going to be with forever. Agreed?

—Email Meagan at theregister@gmail.com and follow her on Twitter @itsme_agannn

a shot. The Moroccan invasion was met with a U.N. Security Council condemnation, which Rabat shrugged off. Although no nation has recognized Moroccan sovereignty over the occupied area, Morocco remains a close ally of the United States and the EU. Indeed, U.S. policy now supports Moroccan proposals to retain the occupied territory under Moroccan sovereignty with local autonomy. Moreover, European companies happily help Morocco exploit Western Sahara’s resources, and recent treaties with Europe even acknowledge and engage with Moroccan control.

Perhaps the most egregious examples are the bloody conquests of entire countries. It seems 1975 was the year for such things, with North Vietnam wiping South Vietnam off the map and Indonesia seizing

East Timor. All nations now recognize Hanoi’s sovereignty over all Vietnam. And despite a hostile Security Council resolution, the West quietly supported Indonesia’s Timor position for decades, before Jakarta’s brutality made the issue difficult to ignore.

More recently, Armenia successfully conquered parts of Azerbaijan in the 1990s, a move condemned by the EU but that seems unlikely to be reversed.

And, of course, Russia snagged parts of Georgia just five years ago _ and, after a series of Western threats, was punished with an Olympic Games.

When conquest fails, it is because of resistance from the target state _ as with Argentina’s bid for the Falklands, or Libya’s for parts of Chad, and Iraq’s attack on Iran. But international tsk-tsking does not do the trick.

Saddam Hussein’s invasion of

Kuwait, which led to an international effort to eject him, is not the paradigm but rather the exception.

Even in cases in which the conqueror’s control remains in dispute, it does not poison international relations. Israel’s 1967 Six-Day War successes are the exception that prove the rule: It is unimaginable that 45 years from now, the EU will be demanding that Russian exports be clearly marked to indicate they did not come from “occupied Ukrainian territory.” Based on the current sanctions threats, it will not be doing this 45 days from now.

Indeed, the vigor with which the international community has maintained, and increased, its objections over Israel’s presence in the West Bank may divert attention from other conquests.

Putin knows this. Remarkably, Russia retained its status as a

member of the “quartet” _ with the U.S., EU and U.N. _ seeking to broker Israeli territorial withdrawals even after it invaded Georgia.

But this is not because of any fundamental shift in international mores but for more mundane reasons. The wars of the 21st century have been wars of secession and dissolution. Separatism is a counterbalance to aggrandizement.

More important, territorial control has on the whole become less valuable for states.

A much smaller percentage of today’s value production comes from land and natural sources, so control of territory gets the occupier less.

Moreover, improvements in communications and transportation make it much easier to have a docile puppet state.

Understanding Preeminence 2020 After reading the opinion editorial in the A&T Register, “Dissatisfaction with Preeminence 2020,” I thought it would be valuable to shed more light on A&T Preeminence 2020 (strategic plan) and its goals.

As a student, I share similar concerns about the relevance of HBCUs and the rising costs of tuition. As a student leader, I have the opportunity to sit at the table, represent the student body and articulate these concerns. What I have learned is that the university’s strategic plan is a forward-thinking blueprint that was specifically designed to preserve and propel us into the future. Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr. and his leadership team work on our behalf and Preeminence 2020 is a plan for our success and survival.

My first advice to all students is to read the strategic plan – cover-to-cover – today.

I welcome the questions and concerns. The SGA board has facilitated several forums to

discuss the plan. I inis about fostering a vite you to attend the more diverse and innext forum. clusive campus comA&T Preeminence munity. This goal is 2020 is masterful a reflection of the plan. According to world we live in and the vision statement, it is how students tothe university’s goal day prefer to live. It is to “be recognized promotes cultivating as a preeminent respect for diverse land-grant university people and cultures and the institution CANISHA and providing us with of choice for high- TURNER more study abroad exachieving students periences, international who are inspired by outstand- internships and developing curing teaching and learning, civic ricula that increases our knowlengagement, transformative re- edge, while giving us tools that search, and creative scholarship will make students more marto solve societal challenges.” ketable.

We (students) are that vision.

Emmanuel Johnson, the uniOur mission is to exemplify versity’s first student Fulbright excellence in a comprehensive Scholar, is currently studying range of academic disciplines abroad at the University of Birand recognizing our unique leg- mingham in the United Kingacy and educational philosophy dom and is an example of Goal by providing students with a 5. Destenie Nock, a recipient of broad range of experiences that the George J. Mitchell Scholarfoster transformation and lead- ship who will begin her masership for a dynamic and global ter’s degree in Ireland this sumsociety. We are the mission. mer, is another example. Sitting Goal 5 in the strategic plan in the classroom with diverse

students is actually preparing us to be the global leaders that Chancellor Martin, our alumni and even our parents hope that we will become.

Shifting the African American population at N.C. A&T from 87 percent to 70 percent doesn’t translate into fewer African American students. A&T will always be classified as a Historically Black College and University (HBCU); however, it will bring additional opportunities for diverse students to enter our institution. This will foster an exchange of information and culture that will enrich our undergraduate experience so that we will be properly prepared to excel in the world.

There will still be a plethora of scholarship opportunities for all of our students. Let’s turn our dissatisfaction into a better understanding of A&T Preeminence 2020 and what it has to offer.

A step forward on sexual assault Miami Herald MCT Campus

The collapse of the sexualassault trial of Army Brig.

Gen. Jeffrey A. Sinclair in Fort Bragg highlights the U.S. military’s problematic and arbitrary record on meting out justice in such cases.

The defense claims undue pressure to prosecute a highranking officer came from top military brass. The prosecution has had doubts about the veracity of the accuser. All this bolsters New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s cogent argument for removing the authority of military commanders to prosecute sexual-assault cases and giving that power to military lawyers outside the chain of command.

Sen. Gillibrand’s bill failed to

overcome a Senate filibuster by just five votes earlier this month. Instead, the Senate last week showed extraordinary accord in approving, 97-0, another bill, sponsored by Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., that keeps commanders in charge of these cases but gives the civilian secretary of a military service the final say in cases where a prosecutor wants to move ahead with a sexualassault case but the commander disagrees.

Other measures bolster support for victims and ban the socalled “good soldier defense,” forcing the military to recognize that a professional soldier can also be a sexual predator.

The House won’t consider the measure until late spring, and lawmakers there should also approve these steps toward

justice.

Gen. Sinclair is accused by a captain under his command of ordering her to perform sexual acts with him in Afghanistan in 2011 during a three-year extramarital affair.

The general admits to the affair but denies the assault charges.

Gen. Sinclair sought a plea deal on lesser charges, but prosecutors declined. Then, in February, the lead prosecutor expressed doubts about the captain’s credibility before resigning.

Last week, after reviewing a Gen. Sinclair’s attorneys claim that the Army pressed ahead with a weak case for fear of political blowback if they dropped the charges against a high-profile defendant. What a mess.

Sexual-assault cases are often difficult to prosecute, whether

in civilian or military courts, but the U.S. military has a particularly egregious track record. Sen. Gillibrand plans to bring her bill up for another vote in late spring when both the Senate and the House will be working on broader defense policy bills. There is also companion legislation pending in the House.

The Sinclair case shows just how conflicted the U.S. military remains on how to deal with sexual-assault accusations, especially when it comes to higher ranking officers.

Meantime, the Pentagon has estimated that as many as 26,000 military members may have been sexually assaulted in 2012, based on an anonymous survey. That’s a better system of military justice for all men and women in uniform.

Mad about something?

Got something to tell us?

Want something else in the paper?

Well, write for us!

Contributor’s Meeting Every Wednesday 5 p.m. in GCB Room 328

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 is 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 received 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, March 26, 2014

NCAA’s Sweet 16 to have a fresh look shannon ryan MCT Campus

2014 Invitation to Participate

Register soon at www.nsse.iub.edu

Please check your NC A&T email for an email from NSSE.

ST. LOUIS — There will be no Jabari Parker. No Andrew Wiggins. No Doug McDermott.

No Final Four duel with Mike Krzyzewski or Jim Boeheim.

No. 1 seed Wichita State is no longer.

Many of the big names dropped out early of the NCAA tournament. And that’s pretty much the reason it’s unfolding into a Sweet 16 of magical matchups, improbable meetings and must-see showdowns.

In almost every way possible, this already has been a tournament nobody saw coming. (Right, Warren Buffett?)

It doesn’t get any more basketball-centric than LouisvilleKentucky, who meet in the Midwest Region.

The long-standing rivals, whose fans don’t exactly meet for tea after games, have met four times in tournament history. Kentucky is 3-1 against the Cardinals in those games, losing only in 1983.

This season the fourthseeded Cardinals come in as the defending champions with veteran forward Luke Hancock and guard Russ Smith leading the way.

The eighth-seeded Wildcats outstanding freshmen appear to finally get it after cutting down top-seeded Wichita State 78-76 Sunday.

The upcoming rivalry Friday in Indianapolis wasn’t yet a buzzing topic among Wildcats after they beat the Shockers.

“We don’t worry about that,” forward Willie CauleyStein said. “I’m just really trying to enjoy the moment now.”

No. 4-seeded Michigan State will play in its 12th Sweet 16 under coach Tom Izzo against

top-seeded Virginia in the East Region.

Oh, remember Virginia?

The team few thought deserved a top seed as recently as Friday as it struggled against No. 16 Coastal Carolina? The Cavaliers’ defense looked as stellar as ever Sunday night while stifling Memphis to advance.

The third No. 1 seed alive is Arizona, which trounced Gonzaga Sunday night and will play No. 4 San Diego State in the West Region.

Michigan, a No. 2 seed, will try to earn one more tournament victory than last season when the Wolverines lost to the Cardinals in the championship game.

In the Midwest Region, they’ll play another unlikely Sweet 16 team in Tennessee, whichm against the Volunteers, who arrives after rolled over 14th-seeded Mercer.

The freshness factor is sure to come up with the Vols as they face the Wolverines, who looked impressive against Texas in the third round.

The highest-seed combination will collide in Memphis for a South Region meeting between Dayton and Stanford.

The only other time in NCAA tournament history that No. 10 and No. 11 seeds met was VCU’s overtime victory against Florida State in 2011.

Stanford had to topple No. 2 seed Kansas, while Dayton defeated No. 3 Syracuse.

Fourth-seeded UCLA faces a stiffer challenge than Sunday when it disposed of No. 12 Stephen F. Austin. The efficientshooting Bruins face defensive-minded and top-seeded Florida in the South Region.

As does the entire tournament, the Sweet 16 spotlight introduces casual fans to new stars.

7

AGGIES RUNDOWN baseball TEAM

MEAC

OVR.

Northern Division Coppin State Delaware State Norfolk State Maryland Eastern Shore

4-2 3-3 3-3 2-4

6-12 11-8 6-16 4-14

Southern Division North Carolina A&T Bethune-Cookman N.C. Central Florida A&M

Savannah State

6-3 5-4 6-5 4-4 2-7

11-12 13-12 9-13 7-14 8-15

MEAC

OVR.

THIS WEEK’S GAMES: Saturday v. FAMU at War Memorial Stadium 1 p.m.

Sunday at War Memorial Stadium 1 p.m.

Tuesday at Elon at NewBridge Bank Park 6 p.m.

softball TEAM

Northern Division Hampton

Maryland Eastern Shore Norfolk State Delaware State

Coppin State Morgan State Howard

3-0 3-0 2-0 0-0 0-2 0-3 0-3

12-8 6-24 8-13 15-7 2-7 3-10 1-10

Southern Division Savannah State North Carolina A&T Florida A&M S.C. State

Bethune-Cookman

N.C. Central

0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

THIS WEEK’S GAMES: Saturday vs. S.C. State at Lady Aggie Softball Complex 1 p.m.

Tuesday at Elon 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday at Hampton 4 p.m.

The A&T Register has extended its application deadline to Friday, March 28 at 5 p.m.

We are accepting applications for reporters, editors, photographers, and AROUND advertising staff.

SPORTS Stop by GCB 328 or email theatregister@gmail.com to receive an application.

17-12 7-9 11-15 7-13 10-21 4-18

8

The A&T Register | ncatregister.com | Wednesday, March 26, 2014

& SCENE HEARD

Black Men Rock Too!

Our most influential males MIJA GRAY

Register Contributor

A Bromance!

When the April cover of Vogue was released, social media went into a frenzy. Kimye is being featured on the cover following the hash tag, “world’s most talked bout couple.” It was not long before parody covers appeared on Instagram.

We Made It!

Jay-Z and Jay Electronica are back at it again on the Roc Nation remix of Soulja Boy’s “We Made It.” The duo mix hot verses with historical references which make this track a heavy hitter.

Although Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate women of character, courage and commitment, men have not been forgotten. After all, men were created to be strong leaders, providers and not to mention, handy.

It is only fitting to recognize men who have overcome stereotypes and statistics and strive to make a positive impact on campus, in the community and nationwide. Among those men are two Mr. A&T candidates, Brenden Kee, a junior electrical engineering student, and James Bowen II, a junior industrial and system engineer student.

Throughout his journey at A&T, Kee has been a home engineering student, Duke Energy Scholar, Resident Assistant, and bookstore employee. He serves as an outreach director, and he is a M.A.R.C.H Mentor.

“God has placed me in many places,” he said. “He put me in front of everybody, and it is such a blessing.”

Kee, whose stands on the platform, inspiration, motivation and dedication are the KEE, described his pastor, Gregory Drumwright, and television personality, Fonzworth Bentley, as men he believes are influential.

Gregory Drumwright is the senior minister and establish-

Who, What, and Wear: Trends and Try Again’s YELLOW CARD

Pull this out when you see the following campus fashion faux pas this week.

— Guys sharing clothes!

— Neon nails — Over distressed jeans — Fake Michael Kors — Adidas track pants —Large ear gauges — See through leggings — Over processed hair — Hawaiian print tops

JUST A WARNING!

THE SPRING 2014 HOT LIST

It is official. Spring is here, and while spring-cleaning usually applies to household chores, it is time to give the closet special attention as well. Pack up those heavy winter coats and push the knee high leather boots to the back of your shoe collection, they will not be needed. Instead, pull out that crop top with the bright harem pants and a cute embellished flat. Elle.com has N.Y. fashion week’s top trends being fringe, sheer, and embellished detailed garments. - T.J.

POPPIN’

OR

NAH?

mentarian at Citadel of Praise in Greensboro, N.C. He is a motivational speaker and education consultant. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the N.C. Student Government Leadership Congress and Student Leadership Greensboro.

“I don’t idolize him. I look up to him.” said Kee. “In order for someone to be a pastor, you have to pastor the people, not preach to them.”

Drumwright does not succumb to his feelings acknowledging that faith and feelings do not mix. Drumwright allows his members to be visionaries and he pushes them to step out on faith and trust in God. Fonzworth Bentley is a multitalented actor, singer, record producer, television personality, and fashion designer with a net worth of $2 million. He appeared in films such as ‘Honey,’ ‘Fat Albert’ and ‘Puzzled.’

He released one studio album, C.O.L.O.U.R.S , Cool Outrageous Lovers of Uniquely Raw Style and published a book entitled, ‘Advance Your Swagger: How to Use Manners, Confidence, and Style to Get Ahead.’

Kee admires Bentley for his spunk and spontaneity. He operates in order, and he pushes students to be greater than their hometown equivalent.

“That’s what I base my initiative off of,” Kee said. “It’s not just about the male, but our culture, our people as a whole

from children to our age. That’s important to me.”

Armed with a legacy of leadership, Bowen II’s platform represents his past experiences serving in A&T’s Royal Court.

“I’ve made it my agenda to learn and understand the demands and responsibilities of Mr. A&T,” he said.

Bowen II served as Mr. Freshman for the 2011-2012 academic school year, and he currently serves as Mr. Junior.

Among his many achievements while at A&T, Bowen has also served as a student ambassador for Google.

Throughout his undergraduate career at A&T, Bowen has been a member of Verge Modeling Troupe. He is a spring 2012 initiate into the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity.

He participated in a home engineering program at A&T which was offered to the top 10% of incoming freshman based on academic achievement. He participated in a coop in the fall of his sophomore year with Toyota in Georgetown, Ky. He is in the Honors program, a member of Alpha Lamda Delta, and he is a Resident Assistant in Barbee Hall.

Bowen II believes that Cedric Brown, his brother, and James Bowen I, his grandfather whom he is named after, have had a powerful impact on his life.

“I don’t look up to celebrities,” said Bowen II. Bowen II’s father passed

when he was in the 7th grade and Brown stepped in right on time. He provided mentorship and guidance at a trying time in Bowen II’s life.

Bowen I faced a difficult time in his life after losing his wife and son. Bowen II believes his grandfather displays strength and power through his faith in God. He has been a pillar in Bowen’s family following their tragic lost. He always lends a helping hand.

“He hasn’t won a Nobel Peace Prize, but he persevered and he kept stability in his family through racial tensions,” said Bowen II. “I admire him for who he is and what he stands for.”

Not only was Bowen II named after his grandfather, but he was appointed to be the next man after his grandfather to bring honor and pride to his family by making a positive impact and leaving a “Legacy of Leadership” for generations to come.

Each candidate is proof that role models come in all forms and from all walks of life. The men of this campus have a responsibility to hold themselves to a higher standard. It is not just about being a role model for notoriety, but to uphold the Aggie legacy.

DOMINIQUE MOODY

Spring has arrived, and so has a new suspense thriller entitled ‘Crisis.’

Crisis is a mix between the shows ‘Hostages,’ and ‘24.’ It has a lot of action, a seasonlong crime story, and a compelling plot.

NBC’s latest thriller grabs its audience’s attention right away. In the first episode, the opening scene entails a sweaty, troubled parent in an open field questioning his recent actions, leading to a FBI agent asking the million dollar question, “What have you done?”

After the opening scene, the show introduces high school students and their powerful parents who happen to be a diplomat, CEO of an international IT corporation, and the President. While on a school field trip, the president’s son well as two secret service agents, one of which is the show’s leading star, Lance Gross.

As the students are traveling, an unexpected roadblock occurs, leaving rookie, and social service agent Finley wounded and the students taken hostage. Only one high school student escapes, thanks to the heroic actions of the wounded Finley.

Agent Susie Dunn is in charge of finding the students, and the person behind the kidnapping. The only problem is that her niece, Amber, is one

of the h o s tages.

Meg, A m ber ’s mother a n d Susie’s sister is a high profile CEO of an International IT Corporation. A tense relationship between the sisters adds another highlight to the show.

One question ‘Crisis’ causes viewers to gauge is, “How far would you go to hold or to protect your children?” The kidnapping causes turmoil with virtually everyone in the show, from the students to their parents.

‘Crisis’ holds a promising cast in Gillian Anderson, Rachael Taylor, Lance Gross, Michael Beach, James Lafferty, and Stevie Lynn Jones.

‘Crisis’ grabbed more than 6.53 million viewers on its season opener. The Television Series gave the show a 7.2/10 review. Rotten Tomatoes gave the show a 6.6 out of 10.

As characters are revealed and the story line continues to change, the shows audience will ultimately determine its longevity. Thus far, the producers have done an outstanding job. This new NBC television series shows promise.

If properly executed, ‘Crisis’ can become a household favorite. Tune into NBC thriller every Sunday at 10 p.m.

Mar. 26 to Apr. 2 The A&T Register’s guide to what’s going on this week in arts and entertainment.

ON SCREEN NOAH Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, and Emma Watson all make up the cast of “Noah,” Paramount’s new religious drama. The film takes a more in depth look at the lead, Noah, and the strife of his family and the time period. “Noah” is gritty and has tons of hard core action.

Similar to “Passion of the Christ,” this movie was made to give its audience an authentic feel of the times, events, and characters that are a part of religious history. “Noah” premiers March 28.

— Email Kourtney at theatregister@gmail.com and follow her on Twitter @KPOP_OfColour

Lance Gross: Taking control of a ‘Crisis’ Register Contributor

hotlist

theSCENE

Many are hopeful that this series will put Lance Gross back in the forefront. This role is more gritty and serious fro Gross who has been on a hiatus recently. Audiences will see growth in Gross and his character as the series continues. “Crisis” takes cop thrillers to the next level.

ON ITUNES MY KRAZY LIFE- YG YG is taking nothng for granted these days. Especially the release of his long awaited album, “My Krazy Life.” With YG’s strong West coast sound and DJ Mustard’s heavy hitter beats, many in the business are calling these two the new Snoop and Dr. Dre. Get a copy of his album and be the judge.

— Email Dominique at theatregister@gmail.com and follow us on Twitter @TheATRegister

ON STAGE

Want to write?

Want to get in on the action?

Come see us on Wednesdays GCB room 328 A See you at 5 p.m.

1. Adult onesies? 2. Tribal leggings? 3. Male skinny jeans? 4. Coach handbags? 5.

Nike Foamposites? 6. Dr. Dre Beats headphones? 7. Combat boots? 8. Forever 21 blazers? 9. Campus quick weaves? 10. Peruvian bundles? 11. Ray Bans? 12. Aviator sunglasses? 13. Boys with blonde tips? 14. Rasta dreads? 15. Boys with two strand twists? 16. White tees? 17. Counterfeit Polo? 18. Knockoff Kate Spade? 19. Anything from Q Style? 20. Bargain Box?

THE AMEN CORNER After giving a fiery Sunday morning sermon, Pastor Margaret is confronted by the arrival of her long estranged husband, Luke, who collapses from illness shortly thereafter. On his deathbed, Luke declares to Margaret that he has always loved her, and that she shouldn’t have left him.

Finally, Margaret’s congregation decides to oust her. Only after losing everything, does she realize that she should not have used religion as an excuse to escape the struggles of life and love.

Come be a part of theScene Contributors Meetings every Wednesday at 5 p.m. in GCB 328A