SGA PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE TODAY 6 p.m. in New Academic Classroom Auditorium
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REGISTER VOLUME LXXXV NO. 19
MARCH 21, 2012
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THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF NORTH CAROLINA A&T
Sebastian offers after-hours help NECOLE JACKSON
Register Reporter
Students at N.C. A&T will now be able to access free after-hour health coverage. Sebastian Health Care Center and UNC Health Link teamed together to offer registered nurses to assist students on the phone for medical advice. Health Link is offered at eight universities in North Carolina. The solution was first sought after from the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, Melanie Pierce. A solution like HeathLink was looked into prior to the decision, but they could not find a reason to use it. Sebastian Health Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. to assist
students with medical concerns. After hours, students have gone to the emergency room where they have paid an excessive bill for conditions that are considered a “nonemergency problem.” Freshman Jok rdan Leggett, a sports and leisure studies major from Dunn, N.C., thinks this service is a great idea. “I think it is good because if something happens at night and I need help, this will be a good place to provide it. This is a service I will use if I need help.” The service is only available for currently enrolled students. The nurses practice nationally recognized medical guidelines for their advice. Advice will be giv-
en whether the students needs medical attention, antibiotics or can seek help the next day during Sebastian’s hours. It also practices confidentiality by not discussing any information outside of Sebastian and taking minimal information when given. Students cannot call on behalf of other students keeping up with confidentiality. Parents will not be offered any record unless the student is underage. After the student has called, a record will be made to Sebastian so they can continue treatment with the student if necessary. A mandatory follow-up will also be performed. “This is the next
best thing for students,” said Yvonne Parks, the nursing director. “Students may not know
save money. Students run up bills because they are afraid. This gives them the accessibility for free.” Executive director Linda Wilson agrees with Parks. “Healthlink is that support when we are not open. Sebastian’s goal is to meet the needs of our students and provide total heath care. Health link will help implement that goal.” Students can call UNC HealthLink at (888) 2673675 or the locally at (919) 966-3820.
what to do. They feel like it’s an emergency and it may not be serious. If they had someone to call for advice or direct them, they could
-nejack@ncat.edu and follow us on Twitter @ATRegister
Students get a chance to meet and greet SGA hopefuls LILIANE LONG Contributor
It was an evening of cheer, good food, and interesting ideas as the candidates vying to become the next members of the Student Government Association (SGA) gathered in Exhibit for the Meet-the-Candidates night on Mar 14. After introductions from Denise Iverson-Payne, the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Development, individuals were able to see the personalities behind the fliers and learn of positions on issues such as campus unity and overall student involvement. “It’s an incredible opportunity for candidates to mingle with students in order to showcase their platforms and what they hope to accomplish in the upcoming year,” said Michael Griffin a senior economics major from High Point and current chief of staff for the executive board. The meet and greet was the first held in the history of student government elections on N.C. A&T’s campus. Among those in attendance were current SGA executive
board members and candidates Reginald Johnson, Catherine Hamlet, Rhyan Marcus, Darrell Anderson, Michele Delgado, Cheri Farrior, Sascha Gibson,Tiffany Carson, Jonte Douglas, Desiree Simmons, Dorian Davis, Timothy Exum, Devonta Woods, Jawari Boyd, and Allahquan Tate. The event not only gave students the opportunity to meet the candidates, but it also allowed them to share what they, as students, would like to see from their governing body. “I want to see SGA reach out to us more,” said Rachel Bivens a sophomore a supply chain management major from Charlotte. “ That opposed to us coming to them, I want to see them be more active about trying to get the general student body involved.” Candidate for senior class president Sasha Gibson seemed to agree. “The same spirit that we have trying to get people to vote for us is the same we should keep through out the year in getting individuals involved,” said Gibson. “It’s all about following through.”
PHOTO BY TRACY DURANDIS• THE A&T REGISTER
MADISON GIBBS talking to fellow students to vote for her in the upcoming election for Miss Sophmore on Wednesday March 14, 2012.
The candidates, many of whom have previous experience on their class executive boards, hope that previous experiences will help them, if
elected, run their desired positions. Individuals can vote for the candidates of their choice on Mar. 28 in Exhibit hall and
online. -lrlong@ncat.edu and follow us on Twitter @ATRegister
GE exec and Aggie alum to speak at spring commencement STAFF REPORT Register
The board of trustees has announced the keynote speaker for spring commencement. Dmitri Stockton, president and chief executive officer of GE Asset Management, a leading global investment firm, will deliver her speech to the spring 2012 on May 12, at the Greensboro Coliseum. The ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. More
than 1,000 students amongst the nine schools and colleges are set to graduate this year. Stockton As a 1986 A&T graduate, Stockton is a 25-year GE veteran and has served as president and CEO of GE Capital’s global banking unit in London
and Switzerland. Currently, he serves as a senior vice president of GE Company and is a member of the company’s Corporate Executive Council. Stockton is also a member of the Pension Managers Advisory Committee, the Executive Advisory Council at A&T’s School of Business and Economics and is on the board of directors for the GE Foundation, A Better Chance and the Thurgood Marshall College
Fund. He has been selected by Savoy magazine as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America. In the past, Stockton has been selected as one of Black Enterprise magazine’s 100 Most Powerful in Corporate America in 2009 and 75 Most Powerful on Wall Street in 2011. Stockton is also an inductee in the National Black College Hall of Fame and has been
recognized by the Beta Alpha Psi honor society as the Business Information Professional of the Year in 2005 and Beta Gamma Sigma with the Business Achievement Award in 2007. Stockton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from A&T and currently lives in Raleigh, N.C., with his wife Renee and two daughters.
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Keep up with breaking news on our Web site. Slideshows, videos and more are available online.
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WEDNESDAY
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New policy enforced JENELL MCMILLION Register Reporter
Last fall, the N.C. A&T’s faculty senate approved a policy change that many students are not yet aware of. This rule states that a student must pass Math 101 with a C or better to go onto Math 102. This policy is effective for all levels of students, no matter the major. From recent years, many students have been failing, overriding or had to withdrawal from Math 101 and this has become a problem within the College of Arts and Sciences. The Math department informed David Aldridge, associate dean for research and graduate studies that in 2010, there was a 59 percent failure rate for students. This rate is determined by the amount of students who receive grades of D, F, withdrawal or incomplete. Last year, with the addition to supplemental instruction administered mainly by graduate students and teacher’s assistants from the college of engineering, that percentage dropped to 35. “As parents you want your students to succeed…it’s a course of action and we just want to ensure the success rate of the students,” stated Aldridge. Each department has complete control over its curriculum as long as they send it their dean. Aldridge saw this policy and knew this could only increase the students’ success and it was approved. Students are having mixed feelings about this policy change because it is helping them to succeed but for others it is slowing their process to graduate. “I don’t think it’s that bad because a C is average and therefore you are learning and passing,” stated Gregory Smith a junior visual media and design student. “However, other students felt shocked and disappointed with this policy.” “It has not affected me but many of my friends that are seniors and took Math 101 now have to go back and take it because they received a D. This is really hard on them because they have to start all over. Many of us know that it is hard to start over and learn things all over again. I feel bad for them and it really sucks,” stated Brad Parker a junior criminal justice student. It is understandable that this policy will benefit students and the success of this institution but to apply it to all levels after they received credit can make the policy shaky. Many teachers in the Math department had no comments except for Edward Washington a Math 101 teacher. “It really makes sense,” said Washington. “Are you really learning the material if you get a D in the course. This change of policy is beneficial for all students.” The success rates for A&T are up to its students. Math 101 and 102 are just the beginning; many other courses will begin the same policy soon. -jnmcmill@ncat.edu and follow us on Twitter @ATRegister
WEATHER
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WEDNESDAY
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